Filter-equipped discharge container
The container design with a hydrophobic porous pad and spring mechanism on the hydrophilic filter's secondary surface prevents airlock and bacterial contamination, ensuring stable and sterile drug solution dispensing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU IND PARK TAISEI KAKO CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing discharge containers with filters for chemical solutions, such as eye drop containers, face issues with airlock phenomena due to hydrophilic filters becoming wet, leading to air intake failure and potential bacterial contamination, and hydrophobic filters that prevent drug solution passage or allow bacterial growth.
A container design with a hydrophobic porous pad on the primary side of a hydrophilic filter, where the hydrophilic filter's secondary end surface covers the hydrophobic pad's exposed surface, and a spring mechanism maintains adhesion to prevent airlock and bacterial contamination, combined with a nozzle structure to ensure dryness and efficient drug solution passage.
Prevents airlock phenomena, stabilizes drug solution passage, maintains a sterile state, and ensures effective disinfection of the nozzle area, preventing bacterial growth and residue accumulation.
Smart Images
Figure JP2025039011_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Discharge container with filter
[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge container with a filter that can be suitably used for a chemical solution container such as an eye drop container, which protects the chemical solution from the external environment and supplies the chemical solution while controlling it drop by drop.
[0002] A discharge container with a filter that can be used for a chemical solution container such as an eye drop container is generally formed of a flexible material, and the internal chemical solution is discharged by pressing and returns to its original shape when the pressing is released. Therefore, when the container deformed by pressing returns to its original state, outside air flows into the container, and along with this, bacteria and microorganisms in the air may be sucked into the container.
[0003] For this reason, in a discharge container with a filter that stores a chemical solution to which no preservative has been added, in order to maintain the aseptic state of the chemical solution, a hydrophilic filter that does not allow bacteria and microorganisms in the outside air to pass through is incorporated inside the container, and bacteria and microorganisms in the outside air flowing into the container are removed. And a method is taken in which the inside of the nozzle opening that is the discharge port of the chemical solution and the secondary side surface of the hydrophilic filter are in a dry state where no residual chemical solution exists.
[0004] However, the hydrophilic filter is only breathable when dry, and the residual chemical solution in the nozzle opening is drawn back into the container body by the restoring force of the pressing of the container body. When the hydrophilic filter gets wet and forms a water film, an airlock phenomenon occurs where air cannot pass through due to the surface tension of the water film generated in the filter pores and it becomes impossible to breathe.
[0005] As a result, ventilation is possible before the first drop of the chemical solution in the discharge container with a filter, but ventilation becomes impossible after dropping and using. The residual chemical solution in the nozzle opening can be drawn back into the container body by the restoring force of the pressing of the container body, but outside air cannot be drawn back into the container body. Therefore, the container body deformed by pressing cannot return to its original shape, and the volume of the container body has to be reduced as the chemical solution is used.
[0006] Therefore, a filter-equipped container has been disclosed that incorporates a hydrophobic filter into a separate passage for drawing in outside air, thereby restoring the deformation of the container body caused by the pressure applied during drug dispensing (for example, Patent Document 1). The filter-equipped container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure that uses a hydrophobic filter with a small surface area to provide resistance to airflow in the passage on the outside air intake side, and prioritizes drawing in residual drug solution present in the nozzle opening and on the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter, as well as the drug solution inside the hydrophilic filter, into the container body over outside air suction, thereby restoring the deformation of the container body caused by the pressure applied during drug dispensing.
[0007] However, the filter-equipped container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure that allows the drug inside the container to come into contact with the primary side of the hydrophilic filter. Therefore, if the container is stored upside down or on its side, the drug solution will come into contact with the primary side of the hydrophilic filter, penetrate into the hydrophilic filter, and be exposed to the secondary side surface. As a result, bacteria and microorganisms that are rarely present in the outside air drawn into the nozzle opening after the drug solution is dispensed can multiply, raising concerns that bacteria and microorganisms may be present in the next drop of drug solution dispensed.
[0008] To avoid such a situation, a container has been disclosed that incorporates a hydrophobic porous pad on the primary side of a hydrophilic filter, preventing the chemical solution inside the container from coming into contact with the primary side of the hydrophilic filter and preventing the chemical solution from penetrating into the hydrophilic filter (for example, Patent Document 2).
[0009] However, in the container disclosed in Patent Document 2, as shown in Figure 16, there is a gap 102 between the hydrophilic filter 100 and the hydrophobic porous pad 101 (Figure 16(A)). Therefore, when the liquid chemical is discharged from the container, if the air is not uniformly pushed out inside the hydrophobic porous pad 101 by the liquid chemical 103 in the container passing through the hydrophobic porous pad 101 due to the pressure of the container, a moisture layer 104 made of the liquid chemical 103 passing through the inside and an air layer 105 through which the liquid chemical 103 has not passed will appear in the hydrophobic porous pad 101. The liquid chemical 103 that has passed through the hydrophobic porous pad 101 and flowed first into the space in the gap 102 between the hydrophilic filter 100 and the hydrophobic porous pad 101 will spread to the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 100 and form a water film 106 (Figures 16(B), (C)). Then, the water film 106 is pushed out by the air that is delayed from the hydrophobic porous pad 101 to the secondary side of the hydrophilic filter 100, forming a water film 107 on the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter 100, which creates surface tension (Figure 16(D)). As a result, air remains inside the hydrophilic filter 100, creating an air layer 108 (Figure 16(E)). This causes an airlock phenomenon, reducing the liquid permeable area of the hydrophilic filter 100 and significantly impairing the usability of the container. Furthermore, since the air remaining inside the hydrophilic filter 100 cannot be removed, the airlock phenomenon continues, and the usability of the container is not restored.
[0010] Therefore, a container has been disclosed that resolves this situation, comprising a hydrophobic porous pad with a gap on the primary side of a hydrophilic filter, and where the hydrophilic filter is partially hydrophobic (for example, Patent Document 3). According to the container disclosed in Patent Document 3, since the hydrophilic filter is partially hydrophobic, when the chemical solution is dropped, the chemical solution is pushed out to the secondary side of the hydrophobic porous pad, and the air present in the gap between the pushed hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic porous pad is discharged from the hydrophobic region of the hydrophilic filter, so an airlock phenomenon does not occur, and the chemical solution can pass through the hydrophilic filter stably, thus achieving stable usability.
[0011] Japanese Patent Publication No. 4744775, French Patent Invention No. 2770495 Specification, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5307916
[0012] However, in the container disclosed in Patent Document 3, the hydrophilic filter is partially hydrophobic. As a result, the hydrophobic region of the hydrophilic filter cannot allow the drug solution to pass through. Therefore, when the pressure on the container is released after the drug solution is dropped, the drug solution remains on the secondary surface of the hydrophobic region of the hydrophilic filter. This remaining drug solution comes into contact with the outside air that is drawn in after the drug solution is dropped, causing bacteria and microorganisms in the outside air to multiply. Consequently, there is a problem in that bacteria and microorganisms may be present in the next drop of drug solution that is dropped.
[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing container with a filter that can prevent the occurrence of airlock phenomena in hydrophilic filters, stabilize the passage of the drug solution, and maintain a sterile state inside the container.
[0014] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 comprises: a container body molded from a flexible material having a body that can be deformed by pressing and a mouth for discharging a liquid medicine contained in the body; a cylindrical hydrophobic porous pad holder that is press-fitted and fixed to the inner surface of the mouth of the container body, the interior of which becomes a flow path for the liquid medicine contained in the container body, and a hydrophobic porous pad inserted inside; a nozzle body fixed to the outer circumference of the mouth of the container body, having an inner top surface that covers the upper surface of the mouth, and having a nozzle opening at the top for discharging the medicine to the outside; and a portion that is airtightly sandwiched between the upper end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad holder and the inner top surface of the nozzle body. A discharge container with a filter is provided, comprising a hydrophilic filter and a cap body that is detachably attached to the mouth of the container body, which closes the nozzle opening when attached and opens the nozzle opening when detached, the hydrophobic porous pad holder and the nozzle opening of the nozzle body are in communication, and the liquid medicine is discharged to the outside from the nozzle opening by pressing the body, wherein the hydrophilic filter is arranged so that its primary side covers the secondary end surface which is the exposed surface of the hydrophobic porous pad in the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad is in close contact with the primary side surface of the hydrophilic filter.
[0015] According to the invention described in claim 1, the hydrophilic filter is arranged such that its primary side covers the secondary end surface, which is the exposed surface of the hydrophobic porous pad within the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad is in close contact with the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter. As a result, there is no gap between the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter, and after the initial drop-off use, there is no air between the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter. Therefore, in subsequent drop-off uses, no water film formed by the chemical solution that has passed through the hydrophobic porous pad and been pushed out to the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter appears on the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter, thus preventing the airlock phenomenon.
[0016] Furthermore, since the liquid chemical held by the hydrophobic porous pad positioned on the primary side of the hydrophilic filter is enclosed in small-diameter pores made of hydrophobic walls, it cannot move within the hydrophobic porous pad due to vibrations caused by transporting the container or the weight of the liquid chemical itself. This prevents the liquid chemical from penetrating into the hydrophilic filter, preventing it from seeping out onto the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter or into the nozzle opening. As a result, the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter and the inside of the nozzle opening can be kept dry at all times, thereby killing bacteria and microorganisms that adhere to the inside of the nozzle opening or the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter.
[0017] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the hydrophobic porous pad holder described in claim 1 is provided with a pressing portion that pushes up the primary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad by means of a spring mechanism provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and presses the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad against the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter.
[0018] According to the invention described in claim 2, the hydrophobic porous pad holder is provided with a pressing portion that pushes up the primary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad by the spring mechanism provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and presses the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad against the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter. As a result, the pressing portion strengthens and maintains the adhesion between the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the formation of air bubbles that cause an airlock phenomenon in the chemical liquid pushed out to the secondary side of the hydrophobic porous pad when the chemical liquid is dropped again after the previous drop.
[0019] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle opening portion of the nozzle body described in claim 1 or 2 has irregularities of 0.3 μm or less.
[0020] According to the invention described in claim 3, the outer surface of the nozzle opening of the nozzle body has irregularities of 0.3 μm or less, so that the outer surface of the nozzle opening has a water-repellent function, and after the drug solution is dropped, the adhesion of residual liquid to the outer surface near the tip of the nozzle opening can be effectively prevented. As a result, after the drug solution is dropped, the situation in which the drug solution discharged from the nozzle opening is sucked in along with the air flowing into the container can be prevented, and the outer surface and inside of the nozzle opening can be effectively dried after the drug solution is dropped, and bacteria and microorganisms adhering to the inside of the nozzle opening and the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter can be more effectively killed.
[0021] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the body of the container has an oval cross-sectional and longitudinal cross-sectional shape, has a mouth at the top and a bottom plate at the bottom, the dome-shaped front plate and back plate constituting the body are formed to gradually increase in thickness toward the center, and flange portions formed in thin-walled cavities that open into the body and communicate with each other are integrally provided between the side ends of the front plate and the side ends of the back plate, between the upper end of the front plate and the upper end of the back plate and the lower end of the mouth, and between the lower end of the front plate and the lower end of the back plate and the end of the bottom plate.
[0022] According to the invention described in claim 4, when the front plate portion and the back plate portion constituting the body of the container body are pressed inward toward opposing directions during the dispensing of the drug solution, first only the flange portion formed in the thin-walled cavity deforms in the direction of crushing, and the pressed front plate portion and the back plate portion move inward toward the body portion while maintaining their shape, so the volume change of the container body is large, the air in the headspace of the container body can be compressed immediately, and the pressure required to pass the drug solution inside the container body through the hydrophobic porous pad and the hydrophilic filter can be quickly obtained, and the drug solution can be quickly dispensed, making it suitable for use as a dispenser with a filter, such as an eye drop container.
[0023] Furthermore, when pressing the front and back plates to dispense the next drop of liquid medicine, since the front and back plates are formed to gradually increase in thickness towards the center, the central parts of the front and back plates do not become concave when pressed. This allows the front and back plates to be pushed in until their opposing surfaces are flattened and in contact with each other, thereby maximizing the reduction in volume of the container body. As a result, the liquid medicine inside the container body can be discharged with almost no residue.
[0024] Furthermore, since the flange portion is integrally provided between the side end of the front plate portion and the side end of the back plate portion of the body, between the upper end of the front plate portion and the upper end of the back plate portion and the lower end of the container body opening, and between the lower end of the front plate portion and the lower end of the back plate portion and the end of the bottom plate portion, even if the front plate portion and the back plate portion are pushed in until their opposing surfaces are flattened and in contact with each other, the deformation of the flange portion absorbs the deformation of the body portion, and the container body opening and the bottom plate portion do not deform and maintain their original shape. As a result, the ease of attaching the container body opening to the cap body is not affected, and the self-supporting nature of the container body can be ensured until the liquid inside the container body is completely used up.
[0025] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, as described in claim 4, the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body is 0.8 mm or more, and the thickness of the flange portion is 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body.
[0026] According to the invention described in claim 5, the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body is 0.8 mm or more, and the thickness of the flange portion is 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body. Therefore, when the front plate portion and the back plate portion are pressed in opposing directions, the flange portion formed in the thin-walled cavity can be reliably deformed in the crushing direction first.
[0027] The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, as described in claim 4 or 5, a cover body made of a deformable, flexible material is detachably attached to the container body, the cover body is formed to a size that can fit around the outer circumference of the body, and consists of an oval or substantially rectangular cylindrical body that conforms to the shape of the body, the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the cylindrical body are independently provided with upward and downward U-shaped slits arranged symmetrically on the inside and outside, the plate portion inside the inner slit acts as a pressing body, and further, the left and right side plates of the cylindrical body are provided with grooves that, when the body is not pressed, fit the flange portion provided on the body to prevent free rotation of the container body and the cover body, and when the front plate portion and the back plate portion are pushed out from a dome shape to a flat plate shape by the pressing of the body, the side ends of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body and the flange portion are provided to allow lateral movement.
[0028] According to the invention described in claim 6, a cover body made of a deformable, flexible material is detachably attached to the container body, the cover body being a cylindrical body formed to a size that can fit around the outer circumference of the body, with a cross-section that is oval or substantially rectangular in shape along the shape of the container body, the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the cylindrical body are independently provided with upward and downward U-shaped slits arranged symmetrically on the inside and outside, the plate portion inside the inner slit acts as a pressing body, so when the pressing body is pressed inward, the space between the upward and downward U-shaped slits arranged on the inside and outside flexes, the pressing body moves inward, and the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body are pushed inward by the inwardly moving pressing body, thereby allowing the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body to be easily moved inward.
[0029] Furthermore, the left and right side plates of the cylindrical body are provided with grooves that, when the body is not pressed, fit the flange portion formed on the body, preventing the container body and the cover body from rotating freely. When the body is pressed, the front plate portion and the back plate portion are pushed out from a dome shape to a flat shape, allowing the side ends of the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the body and the flange portion to move laterally. As a result, the front plate portion and the back plate portion of the container body and the pressing body of the cover body are always held in opposing positions, and the front plate portion and the back plate portion can be pressed until their opposing surfaces become flat and come into contact with each other.
[0030] Furthermore, since the cover is attached to the container body, the cover can prevent damage or deformation of labels and other labels attached to the outer surface of the container body.
[0031] As described above, the filter-equipped dispensing container according to the present invention prevents the occurrence of airlock phenomena in the hydrophilic filter, stabilizes the passage of the drug solution, and maintains a sterile state inside the container.
[0032] This is a partially cutaway front view showing a first example of an embodiment of the filter-equipped dispensing container according to the present invention. This is a partially cutaway side view of the filter-equipped dispensing container shown in Figure 1. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional2. This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 1. This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 5. (A), (B), and (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the changes in the body when the body of the container body is pressed. (A), (B), and (C) are explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional view of the body showing the changes in the body when the body of the container body is pressed. This is a partially omitted front view showing a second example of an embodiment of the filter-equipped dispensing container according to the present invention. This is a front view showing the cover body. This is a side view of Figure 10. This is a top view of Figure 10. This is a bottom view of Figure 10. (A), (B), (C), and (D) are explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional view of the body showing the changes in the cover body and the body when the pressing body of the cover body attached to the container body is pressed. (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing the passage of the chemical solution through the hydrophobic porous pad and hydrophilic filter during dispensing in a dispensing container with a filter according to the present invention. (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) are explanatory diagrams showing the passage of the chemical solution through the hydrophobic porous pad and hydrophilic filter during dispensing in a conventional dispensing container with a filter.
[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the filter-equipped dispensing container according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 7 show a first example of an embodiment of the filter-equipped dispensing container, where Figure 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing the first example of the filter-equipped dispensing container, Figure 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the filter-equipped dispensing container shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the filter-equipped dispensing container shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the filter-equipped dispensing container shown in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 1, Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 5, Figures 7(A), (B), and (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the change in the body when the body of the container body is pressed, and Figures 8(A), (B), and (C) are explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional view of the body showing the change in the body when the body of the container body is pressed.
[0034] In this example, an eye drop container 1 is shown as the first example of a filter-equipped dispensing container. This eye drop container 1 comprises a container body 4 having a body portion 2 for containing the drug solution and a mouth portion 3 for dispensing the drug solution contained in the body portion 2; a hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 that is press-fitted and fixed to the inner surface of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 4; a hydrophobic porous pad 6 held by the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5; a nozzle body 9 fixed to the outer circumference of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 4, having an inner top surface 7 that covers the upper surface of the mouth portion 3, and having a nozzle opening 8 at the top for dispensing the drug to the outside; a hydrophilic filter 11 airtightly sandwiched between the upper end surface 10 of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 9; and a cap body 12 that is detachably attached to the mouth portion 3 of the container body 4.
[0035] Furthermore, the inside of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and the nozzle opening 8 of the nozzle body 9 are in communication, and the liquid medicine contained in the body 2 of the container body 4 is discharged to the outside from the nozzle opening 8 by the pressure of the body 2 of the container body 4.
[0036] The container body 4 can be molded from known flexible materials, such as olefin materials like PE-LD, PE-HD, and PP, as well as synthetic resin materials like PET, and the body 2 is deformable by pressure. The mouth portion 3 of the container body 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a male thread portion 13 is provided on the lower outer circumference. A ring-shaped projection 14 is provided on the outer circumference of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 4 above the male thread portion 13, and can be locked into a first projection provided in a ring shape on the inner circumference of the nozzle body 9, which will be described later.
[0037] The hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, which is press-fitted and fixed to the inner surface of the cylindrical opening 3, is also cylindrical in shape. A ring-shaped projection 15 is provided on the upper outer circumference of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, so that when the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 is press-fitted to the inner surface of the opening 3, the projection 15 comes into contact with the tip of the opening 3, fixing the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 to the opening 3. Furthermore, the projection 15 can be locked into a second projection, which is provided in a ring shape on the inner circumference of the nozzle body 9, which will be described later. The hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, which is press-fitted and fixed to the inner surface of the opening 3, has an interior that serves as a flow path for the liquid medicine contained in the container body 4, and the hydrophobic porous pad 6 is inserted into this interior.
[0038] The nozzle body 9 has a fitting cylindrical portion 16 that fits along the outer circumference of the inner top surface 7 onto the upper outer circumference of the mouth portion 3. By fitting the fitting cylindrical portion 16 of the nozzle body 9 onto the upper outer circumference of the mouth portion 3, the hydrophilic filter 11 is airtightly sandwiched between the upper end surface 10 of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 7.
[0039] The upper inner circumference of the fitting cylinder portion 16 of the nozzle body 9 is provided with a ring-shaped second projection 17 that, when the fitting cylinder portion 16 is fitted onto the upper outer circumference of the mouth portion 3, overcomes the projection 15 provided on the upper outer circumference of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and engages with the lower part of the projection 15. By the second projection 17 of the nozzle body 9 engaging with the lower part of the projection 15 of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, the nozzle body 9 is prevented from coming out of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, and the hydrophilic filter 11 is held between the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 7 and the upper end surface 10 of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5.
[0040] Furthermore, the outer circumference of the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 9 or the outer circumference of the upper end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and the outer circumference of the hydrophilic filter 11 can be integrated by heat welding using ultrasonic vibration or the like to provide a seal, and the hydrophilic filter 11 can then be sandwiched in place.
[0041] On the lower inner circumference of the fitting cylinder part 16 of the nozzle body 9, when the fitting cylinder part 16 of the nozzle body 9 is fitted to the upper outer circumference of the mouth part 3, a ring-shaped first protrusion 18 is provided which gets over the protrusion 14 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 3 of the container body 4 and locks to the lower part of the protrusion 14. By the first protrusion 18 locking to the lower part of the protrusion 14 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 3, the nozzle body 9 is prevented from coming out of the mouth part 3.
[0042] On the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 9, a hemispherical protrusion 19 is provided, which prevents deformation and displacement of the hydrophilic filter 11, and a gap 19a communicating with the nozzle mouth part 8 is formed between the protrusion 19 and the hydrophilic filter 11 by the protrusion 19, and the chemical solution passing through the hydrophilic filter 11 flows through the gap 19a to the nozzle mouth part 8. On the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle mouth part 8, irregularities of 0.3 μm or less are formed.
[0043] The cap body 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be fitted to the outer circumference of the mouth part 3 of the container body 4. The upper end of the cylindrical shape is closed as a top plate part 20, and a plug part 21 that can be fitted to the nozzle mouth part 8 is provided on the inner surface of the top plate part 20. Also, on the lower inner peripheral surface of the cap body 12, a female screw part 22 that screws to the male screw part 13 provided on the lower outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 3 is provided. By fitting and screwing the cap body 12 to the outer circumference of the mouth part 3, the plug part 21 provided on the top plate part 20 of the cap body 12 is fitted to the nozzle mouth part 8 and sealed airtightly, and when the cap body 12 is removed from the mouth part 3, the plug part 21 is detached from the nozzle mouth part 8 and the nozzle mouth part 8 is opened.
[0044] Also, the hydrophilic filter 11 hermetically sandwiched between the upper end surface 10 of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and the inner top surface 7 of the nozzle body 7 is arranged so as to cover the secondary side end surface which is the exposed surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 in the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 on the primary side, and the secondary side end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 is in close contact with the primary side surface of the hydrophilic filter 11.
[0045] As a result, air does not exist between the secondary-side end face of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the primary-side surface of the hydrophilic filter 11 after the first chemical solution is dropped. When the chemical solution is discharged after the next chemical solution is dropped, even if the air inside the hydrophobic porous pad 6 is not uniformly extruded by the chemical solution 43 passing through the hydrophobic porous pad 6 due to the pressing of the container body 4 (Fig. 15(A)), the air inside the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the hydrophilic filter 11 can be surely extruded (Fig. 15(B)), so there is no risk of causing an air-lock phenomenon.
[0046] In this example, in order to strengthen and maintain the adhesion between the secondary-side end face of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the primary-side surface of the hydrophilic filter 11, a pressing portion 24 is provided on the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 to push up the primary-side end face 6a of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 by a spring mechanism 23 provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 and press the secondary-side end face 6b of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 against the primary-side surface of the hydrophilic filter 11.
[0047] In the spring mechanism 23, in this example, a spiral portion that goes upward from the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 is provided in the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 to form the spring mechanism 23, and the pressing portion 24 is attached to the upper end portion of the spiral portion. A hole 25 that does not hinder the flow of the chemical solution in the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 is formed in the pressing portion 24.
[0048] Note that the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the hydrophilic filter 11 are not particularly limited in terms of their materials, and known hydrophobic porous pads and hydrophilic filters are used.
[0049] In the above container body 4, in this example, the body portion 2 has an oval cross section and longitudinal section, a mouth portion 3 is formed at the upper part, and a bottom plate portion 26 is provided at the lower part. The dome-shaped front plate portion 27 and the rear plate portion 28 constituting the body portion 2 are gradually thickened toward the central portion.
[0050] A flange portion 29 is integrally provided between the side end 27a of the front plate portion 27 of the body portion 2 and the side end 28a of the rear plate portion 28; between the upper end 27b of the front plate portion 27 and the upper end 28b of the rear plate portion 28 and the lower end 3a of the opening portion 3; and between the lower end 27c of the front plate portion 27 and the lower end 28c of the rear plate portion 28 and the end 26a of the bottom plate portion 26, forming a thin-walled cavity that opens into the body portion 2 and communicates with each other.
[0051] In this example, the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2 is 0.8 mm or more, and the thickness of the flange portion 29 is 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28.
[0052] In the first example of a filter-equipped discharge container configured in this way, the hydrophilic filter 11 is positioned so that its primary side covers the secondary end face, which is the exposed surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 within the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, and the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 is in close contact with the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11. Therefore, there is no gap between the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11.
[0053] As a result, after the initial drop-by use, there is no air between the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11. Therefore, from the next drop-by-drop of the chemical solution, the formation of air bubbles that cause an airlock phenomenon in the chemical solution that has passed through the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and been pushed out to the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11 can be prevented.
[0054] In this example, the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5 is provided with a pressing portion 24 that pushes up the primary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 by a spring mechanism 23 provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder 5, and presses the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 against the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11. The pressing portion 24 strengthens and maintains the adhesion between the secondary end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11, and more reliably prevents the formation of air bubbles that cause an airlock phenomenon in the chemical liquid pushed out to the secondary side of the hydrophobic porous pad 6 when the next chemical liquid is dropped.
[0055] Furthermore, since the liquid medicine held by the hydrophobic porous pad 6 positioned on the primary side of the hydrophilic filter 11 is enclosed in small-diameter pores made of hydrophobic walls, it cannot move within the hydrophobic porous pad 6 due to vibrations caused by transporting the eye drop container 1 or the weight of the liquid medicine itself. This prevents the liquid medicine from penetrating into the hydrophilic filter 11, and the liquid medicine does not seep out onto the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11 or into the nozzle opening 8. As a result, the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11 and the inside of the nozzle opening 8 can be kept dry at all times, thereby killing bacteria and microorganisms that adhere to the inside of the nozzle opening 8 or the secondary surface of the hydrophilic filter 11.
[0056] Furthermore, in this example, since irregularities of 0.3 μm or less are formed on the outer surface of the nozzle opening 8, the outer surface of the nozzle opening 8 has a water-repellent function, and after the drug solution is dropped, it is possible to effectively prevent any residual liquid from adhering to the outer surface near the tip of the nozzle opening 8.
[0057] Furthermore, in the container body 4, in this example, the body portion 2 has an oval shape in both its cross-sectional and longitudinal sections, with a mouth portion 3 at the top and a bottom plate portion 26 at the bottom, and the space between the side end 27a of the front plate portion 27 and the side end 28a of the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2, the space between the upper end 27b of the front plate portion 27 and the upper end 28b of the back plate portion 28 and the lower end 3a of the mouth portion 3, the lower end 27c of the front plate portion 27 and the lower end 28c of the back plate portion 28 and the end 26a of the bottom plate portion 26 Between them, there is a flange portion 29 formed in a thin-walled cavity that opens into the body portion 2 and communicates with each other. Therefore, when the liquid medicine is dropped and the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are pressed inward, only the flange portion 29 formed in the thin-walled cavity deforms in the crushing direction first, and the pressed front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 move parallel to the center of the body portion while maintaining their shape (see Figures 7(A), (B), 8(A), (B)), resulting in a large change in the volume of the container body 4.
[0058] This allows for immediate compression of the air in the headspace of the container body 4, quickly generating the necessary pressure to pass the liquid inside the container body 4 through the hydrophobic porous pad 6 and the hydrophilic filter 11, and enabling rapid discharge of the liquid.
[0059] Then, when pressing the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 for the next drop of liquid medicine, since the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are formed to gradually increase in thickness towards the center, the central parts of the pressed front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 do not dent, and the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 move parallel to the center of the body portion 2 while maintaining their shape until the side ends 27a and 28a of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 come into contact with each other. After the side ends 27a and 28a of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 come into contact with each other, the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 gradually spread laterally and can be pushed in until the opposing surfaces come into contact with each other in a flattened state (see Figures 7 (C) and 8 (C)), which reduces the volume of the container body 4 to the maximum extent, and the liquid medicine inside the container body 4 can be discharged without leaving almost any residue.
[0060] In this example, the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2 is 0.8 mm or more, and the thickness of the flange portion 29 is 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28. Therefore, when the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are pressed in opposing directions, the flange portion 29 formed in the thin-walled cavity can be reliably deformed in the crushing direction first.
[0061] Furthermore, since the flange portion 29 is provided between the side end 27a of the front plate portion 27 and the side end 28a of the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2, between the upper end 27b of the front plate portion 27 and the upper end 28b of the back plate portion 28 and the lower end 3a of the mouth portion 3, and between the lower end 27c of the front plate portion 27 and the lower end 28c of the back plate portion 28 and the end 26a of the bottom plate portion 26, even if the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are pushed in until their opposing surfaces are flattened and in contact with each other, the deformation of the flange portion 29 in the crushing direction absorbs this deformation of the body portion 2, and the mouth portion 3 and the bottom plate portion 26 do not deform and maintain their original shape. As a result, the ease of attachment between the mouth portion 3 and the cap body 12 is not affected, and the self-supporting nature of the container body 4 is ensured until the liquid inside the container body 4 is completely used up.
[0062] Figures 9 to 14 show a second example of an embodiment of the filter-equipped discharge container according to the present invention. Figure 9 is a partially omitted front view showing the filter-equipped discharge container of the second example, Figure 10 is a front view showing the cover body, Figure 11 is a side view of Figure 9, Figure 12 is a top view of Figure 10, Figure 13 is a bottom view of Figure 10, and Figures 14(A), (B), (C), and (D) are explanatory cross-sectional views of the body showing the changes in the cover body and the body when the pressing body of the cover body attached to the container body is pressed.
[0063] The second example of the filter-equipped discharge container is the same as the first example of the filter-equipped discharge container, but with a cover body 30 attached to the container body 4. Otherwise, it is the same as the first example of the filter-equipped discharge container, and the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first example, and their descriptions are omitted.
[0064] In this example, a cover body 30 made of a deformable, flexible material is detachably attached to the container body 4. The cover body 30 is sized to fit around the outer circumference of the body 2 and is a cylindrical body 31 in an oval or substantially rectangular shape that conforms to the shape of the body 2.
[0065] The cover body 30 is attached by placing it over the container body 4 from above. The lower end of the cylindrical body 31 that makes up the cover body 30 has a container body insertion opening 32 into which the container body 4 is inserted. The upper end of the cylindrical body 31 has a mouth insertion hole 33 into which the mouth portion 3 of the container body 4 inserted into the cylindrical body 31 is inserted.
[0066] The front plate portion 34 and the back plate portion 35 of the cylindrical body 31 are independently provided with upward and downward U-shaped slits 36 and 37, respectively, positioned symmetrically on the inside and outside, with the plate portion inside the inner slit 37 serving as the pressing body 38 (see Figure 10).
[0067] Furthermore, grooves 41 are provided in the left and right side plate portions 40 of the cylindrical body 31 (see Figure 11). When the body portion 2 of the container body 4 to which the cover body 30 is attached is not pressed, the side edges 29a of the flange portion 29 located between the side end 27a of the front plate portion 27 and the side end 28a of the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2 fit into the grooves 41 (see Figure 14(A)), preventing free rotation of the container body 4 and the cover body 30. When the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are pushed out from a dome shape to a flat plate shape by the pressing of the body portion 2, the grooves 41 allow the side ends 27a of the front plate portion 27, the side ends 28a of the back plate portion 28, and the side edges 29a of the flange portion 29 to move laterally (see Figures 14(C) and (D)).
[0068] In the second example of the filter-equipped discharge container configured in this way, the front plate portion 34 and back plate portion 35 of the cylindrical body 31 constituting the cover body 30 are independently provided with upward and downward U-shaped slits 36 and 37, which are positioned symmetrically on the inside and outside, respectively. The plate portion inside the inner slit 37 is used as a pressing body 38. When the pressing body 38 is pressed inward, the connecting piece 42 between the slits 36 and 37 bends, causing the pressing body 38 to move inward into the cylindrical body 31.
[0069] Then, the pressing body 38, which moves inward, pushes the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 of the body portion 2 inward, thereby allowing the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 to move inward easily (see Figure 14).
[0070] Furthermore, grooves 41 are provided in the left and right side plates 40 of the cylindrical body 31. When the body 2 of the container body 4 to which the cover body 30 is attached is not pressed, the vertical side edge 29a of the flange portion 29 located between the side end 27a of the front plate portion 27 and the side end 28a of the back plate portion 28 of the body 2 fits into the grooves 40 (see Figure 14(A)), preventing the free rotation of the container body 4 and the cover body 30. As a result, the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 of the body 2 of the container body 4 and the pressing body 31 of the cover body 30 are always held in opposing positions.
[0071] Furthermore, the groove 40 allows the side ends 27a of the front plate portion 27, the side ends 28a of the back plate portion 28, and the side edges 29a of the flange portion 29 to move laterally when the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 are pushed out from a dome shape to a flat shape by the pressure of the body portion 2. This allows the front plate portion 27 and the back plate portion 28 to be pushed in until their opposing surfaces become flat and come into contact with each other (see Figures 14(C) and (D)). Other effects are the same as in the first example, so the explanation of the first example will be used.
[0072] 1 Eyedrop container 2 Body 3 Mouth 3a Lower end 4 Container body 5 Hydrophobic porous pad holder 6 Hydrophobic porous pad 7 Inner top surface 8 Nozzle opening 9 Nozzle body 10 Upper end surface 11 Hydrophilic filter 12 Cap body 13 Male threaded part 14 Protrusion 15 Protrusion 16 Fitting cylinder part 17 Second protrusion 18 First protrusion 19 Projection 19a Gap 20 Top plate part 21 Plug part 22 Female threaded part 23 Spring mechanism 24 Pressing part 25 Hole 26 Bottom plate part 26a End part 27 Front plate part 27a Side end part 27b Upper end part 27c Lower end part 28 Back plate part 28a Side end part 28b Upper end part 28c Lower end part 29 Flange part 29a Side section 30 Cover body 31 Cylindrical body 32 Container body insertion opening 33 Mouth insertion hole 34 Front plate section 35 Back plate section 36 Slit 37 Slit 38 Pressing body 40 Side plate section 41 Groove section 42 Connecting piece 43 Chemical liquid
Claims
1. A dispenser container with a filter comprising: a container body molded from a flexible material having a body that can be deformed by pressure and a mouth for discharging a liquid medicine contained in the body; a cylindrical hydrophobic porous pad holder fixed by press-fitting into the inner surface of the mouth of the container body, the interior of which serves as a flow path for the liquid medicine contained in the container body, and a hydrophobic porous pad inserted inside; a nozzle body fixed to the outer circumference of the mouth of the container body, having an inner top surface that covers the upper surface of the mouth, and having a nozzle opening at the top for discharging the medicine to the outside; a hydrophilic filter airtightly sandwiched between the upper end surface of the hydrophobic porous pad holder and the inner top surface of the nozzle body; and a cap body detachably attached to the mouth of the container body, which closes the nozzle opening when attached and opens the nozzle opening when detached, wherein the hydrophobic porous pad holder and the nozzle opening of the nozzle body are in communication, and the liquid medicine is discharged to the outside from the nozzle opening when the body is pressed, The discharge container with a filter is characterized in that the hydrophilic filter is arranged such that its primary side covers the secondary end face, which is the exposed surface of the hydrophobic porous pad within the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad is in close contact with the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter.
2. The filter-equipped discharge container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrophobic porous pad holder is provided with a pressing portion that pushes up the primary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad by means of a spring mechanism provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the hydrophobic porous pad holder, and presses the secondary end face of the hydrophobic porous pad against the primary surface of the hydrophilic filter.
3. The filter-equipped discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer surface of the nozzle opening of the nozzle body has irregularities of 0.3 μm or less.
4. The container body has an oval cross-sectional and longitudinal cross-sectional shape, with a mouth at the top and a bottom plate at the bottom, and the dome-shaped front plate and back plate that make up the body are formed to gradually increase in thickness towards the center, and flange portions formed in thin-walled cavities that open into the body and communicate with each other are integrally provided between the side ends of the front plate and the side ends of the back plate, between the upper end of the front plate and the upper end of the back plate and the lower end of the mouth, and between the lower end of the front plate and the lower end of the back plate and the end of the bottom plate.
5. The filter-equipped discharge container according to claim 4, characterized in that the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the rear plate portion of the body is 0.8 mm or more, and the thickness of the flange portion is 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the central portion of the front plate portion and the rear plate portion of the body.
6. The container body is detachably fitted with a cover made of a deformable, flexible material that covers the body, the cover being sized to fit around the outer circumference of the body and consisting of an oval or substantially rectangular cylindrical body that conforms to the shape of the body, the front and back plates of the cylindrical body independently provided with upward and downward U-shaped slits positioned symmetrically on the inside and outside, the plate portion inside the inner slit acting as a pressing body, and the left and right side plates of the cylindrical body are provided with grooves that, when the body is not pressed, fit the flange portion provided on the body to prevent free rotation of the container body and the cover, and allow lateral movement of the side ends of the front and back plates of the body and the flange portion when the body is pressed and the front and back plates are pushed out from a dome shape to a flat plate shape.