Container for the metered dispensing of a fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for the metered dispensing of a sterile fluid, which container comprises a substantially rotationally symmetrical storage body (12) which is made of plastic and has a longitudinal axis (O) and a radial direction (R) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, wherein the storage body (12) has a substantially cylindrical or conical casing portion (14) having a first wall thickness (S1), a metering portion (16), a base portion (18) having a base diameter (Da), and a container neck portion (20). The container also has a second casing portion (50) between the base portion (18) and the metering portion (16), and the second casing portion (50) has a height (HB). The metering portion (16) is located between the casing portion (14) and the second casing portion (50) and is in the form of a folding bellows having at least one radially inward fold having pivot points (36, 38, 40). The wall thickness (S2) of the metering portion (16) is reduced, at least in the region of the pivot points (36, 38, 40), with respect to the first wall thickness S1; and the height of the second casing portion (HB) is at least 10% of the base diameter (Da).

Description

[0001] 276 556 v5 / mfa Container for metered dispensing of a liquid

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The invention relates to a container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Sterile fluids, such as eye drops, are either offered in single doses or dispensed from containers containing enough sterile fluid for multiple uses. Eye drops are instilled by the user into the conjunctival sac or onto the cornea and must be sterile to prevent eye infections.

[0006] When sterile liquids need to be dispensed in precisely prescribed doses in the form of a specific number of drops, prior art has proposed containers that allow for the dispensing of a defined subset of the liquid. For example, the reservoir container is equipped with an elastic side wall that the user can compress to dispense one or more individual drops. When dispensing eye drops, the container is typically held upside down so that the drops are applied to the user's eye from above.

[0007] In the prior art, containers have also been proposed whose bottom wall can assume two defined states.

[0008] By applying pressure to the bottom, a container bottom that is initially curved towards the outside of the container can be moved to a second position by applying pressure to the bottom wall, in which the bottom is curved towards the interior volume of the container. During the movement from the first to the second position, a defined volume inside the container is displaced, allowing a defined quantity of liquid to be dispensed from a dispensing opening.

[0009] Since the function of such a base, which can assume various geometric states, is not intuitively recognizable to a user, there is a need for a container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid, the operation of which is already recognizable and deducible to an average user from its shape. At the same time, the container must be easy to manufacture, as such containers are mass-produced items.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] This task is accomplished by a container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid having the features of claim 1 or claim 2. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims.

[0012] An inventive container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid comprises, according to a first aspect, a substantially rotationally symmetrical storage body made of plastic with a longitudinal axis and a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the storage body comprises a substantially cylindrical or conical shell section with a first wall thickness, a dispensing section, a bottom section with a bottom diameter, and a container neck section. The container is further characterized in that it has a second shell section between the bottom section and the dispensing section, and the second shell section (50) has a height (Hg).Furthermore, the metering section is arranged between the first jacket section and the second jacket section and is designed as a bellows with at least one fold radially inwards encompassing joint points, wherein the wall thickness of the metering section is reduced at least in the area of ​​the joint points compared to the first wall thickness, and the height of the second jacket section is at least 10% of the bottom diameter.

[0013] A container according to the invention for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid comprises, according to a second aspect, a substantially rotationally symmetrical storage body made of plastic with a longitudinal axis and a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the storage body comprises a substantially cylindrical or conical shell section with a first wall thickness, a dispensing section, a bottom section, and a container neck section. The container is characterized in that the dispensing section is designed as a bellows with at least one fold comprising radially inward or radially outward joints, wherein the wall thickness of the dispensing section is reduced at least in the region of the joints compared to the first wall thickness.

[0014] The container according to the invention thus has a dispensing section between the outer shell and the bottom of the container, which is clearly visible on the outer shell surface. This dispensing section is designed as a bellows, making the fold clearly visible to the user, whether radially inwards or radially outwards. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand how to use the container according to the invention. This application is facilitated by the fact that the wall thickness of the dispensing section is reduced, at least in the area of ​​the fold's joints.

[0015] Preferably, in the area of ​​the joints, the metering section has a wall thickness that is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the wall thickness of the essentially cylindrical or conical shell section.

[0016] Due to the reduced wall thickness at the joints, the single-piece container can be folded in the area of ​​the fold. This is achieved by reducing the height of the container when pressure is applied to the bottom section, as this reduces the height of the dispensing section. The reduced wall thickness is preferably only present at the joints, thus creating only a few areas with thin walls that could be detrimental to the penetration of substances such as oxygen through diffusion through the container wall, including in the dispensing section. Particularly with oxygen-sensitive products, a large-area reduction in wall thickness in the dispensing section reduces stability. Since the dispensing section is positioned longitudinally between the outer shell and the bottom section, a label can be attached to the outer shell in the usual manner.

[0017] Providing a second shell section between the bottom section and the dispensing section, along with its minimum height, offers the advantage that, when manufacturing the container using an injection blow molding process, a minimum wall thickness is more easily maintained, ensuring the required barrier properties, e.g., according to USP 671. Furthermore, the minimum height of the second shell section also serves to make the flow of liquid from the container as controllable as possible by allowing the deformation of the dispensing section to be defined as precisely as possible.

[0018] Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims. According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom section has a concentrically arranged curvature in the direction of the dispensing section. This curvature of the bottom section causes the user's thumb, which is frequently placed on the bottom to compress the dispensing section, to automatically come to rest in the region of the center of the bottom section, thereby resulting in uniform compression of the dispensing section around the circumference of the substantially rotationally symmetrical storage body of the container.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the metering section has a wall thickness in the area of ​​the joints that is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the first wall thickness. A reduction in wall thickness in this area has proven particularly suitable for deforming the metering section with minimal force. The joint legs of the metering section connecting the joints can have the same wall thickness as the first shell section, but they can also have a reduced wall thickness in certain areas, which can promote better material flow during the manufacturing of the container in an injection blow molding process.For example, the wall thickness of one or more joint legs can decrease in certain areas towards a joint point in order to avoid a step-like reduction in wall thickness and to create a continuous transition in wall thickness between a joint leg and a joint point.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the entire metering section has a thinner wall than the first wall, and preferably, the entire metering section has a wall thickness that is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the first wall. If the entire metering section has a thinner wall than the first wall, part of the bellows' movement can be achieved through the joints, while another part can be achieved through bending of the bellows' joint legs located between the joints. In this way, the joints are subjected to less mechanical stress.

[0021] Preferably, the metering section has a single fold comprising a first hinge point on the outer shell section, a second hinge point on the bottom section or at an end of the second outer shell section facing away from the bottom section in the direction of the height, a first annular hinge leg extending radially inwards from the first hinge point and at a first angle relative to the radial direction, a second annular hinge leg extending radially inwards from the second hinge point and at a second angle relative to the radial direction, and a third hinge point connecting the first hinge leg to the second hinge leg.

[0022] It is preferred that the first joint leg and the second joint leg have a substantially straight course in a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0023] In this way, the metering section is formed similarly to a disc spring, which is elastically compressible when pressure is applied in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third joint points as well as the second joint leg have a smaller wall thickness than the first wall thickness, and the first joint leg has a greater wall thickness than the second joint leg.

[0025] In this way, the movement of the metering section when pressure is applied to the bottom section occurs primarily in the area of ​​the second, ring-shaped joint leg near the bottom section.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the first angle is smaller than the second angle.

[0027] This measure also serves to ensure that the deformation of the bellows during compression of the metering section occurs more strongly in the area of ​​the second joint point near the bottom section than in the area of ​​the first joint section adjacent to the shell section.

[0028] It is preferred that the second angle is more than twice as large as the first angle, and preferably the second angle is between 30° and 40°.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second joint is located at a smaller distance from the longitudinal axis than the first joint. This measure again results in the half of the bellows facing the bottom section undergoing greater movement during compression between the third and second joints than the upper half of the bellows, causing the metering section in the region of the second joint to move during compression.

[0030] Preferably the inner diameter of the container in the area of ​​the third hinge point is at least 60% and preferably about 70% of the outer diameter (Da) of the bottom section ( 18 ).

[0031] In this way, a sufficiently high degree of folding is created in the area of ​​the bellows in the dosing section.

[0032] Preferably, the base diameter is at least 50% of the maximum outer diameter of the outer shell section. This ensures sufficient stability of the container. A smaller diameter reduces the volume of the dispensing section displaced by operation. However, the dispensing section should be clearly identifiable by the user to facilitate intuitive use of the container. The base diameter can also correspond to the maximum outer diameter of the outer shell section.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container further comprises an external thread on the container neck section. This external thread serves for screwing on a closure cap, with the aid of which a dispensing opening located in the container neck section can be closed for dispensing a sterile liquid.

[0034] It is further preferred that the container continues to have a shoulder section between the mantle section and the container neck section.

[0035] Such a shoulder section can increase ease of use by allowing the user to hold a small container, such as those often used for storing and dispensing eye drops, by gripping the shoulder section with the thumb of one hand and a finger of the same hand on the outside of the base. For small containers, such as those with a capacity of 5 ml, this allows for a comfortable grip, and the pressure exerted on the base when operating the dispensing mechanism is effectively absorbed by the shoulder section while the user holds the container.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container further comprises a circumferential toothing provided on the container neck section, which includes a plurality of substantially tangential ramp surfaces and a plurality of substantially radially extending locking surfaces, each of which connects to a ramp surface.

[0037] The serrations on the container neck section thus serve to secure a cap to the storage body.

[0038] The container features a conventional tamper-evident ring, which is connected to the cap via thin-walled bridge sections. After filling the container, the ring is connected to the cap via a toothed mechanism and can be screwed onto the storage body in one piece, as it can be moved along the tangentially running ramp surfaces when screwing it on for the first time. However, upon first opening, the tamper-evident ring detaches from the cap because it rests against the locking surfaces and is prevented from rotating the cap when unscrewing it. This causes the bridge sections to break, leaving the tamper-evident ring in the area of ​​the toothed mechanism, where it provides a clear visual indication to the user that the container has already been opened and the contents may no longer be sterile.

[0039] The container preferably has a corresponding sealing cap that fits onto the storage body.

[0040] The cap is screw-on or clip-on and, when screwed on, seals the container airtight. This is achieved using methods known in engineering, such as providing an annular seal on the inside of the top of the cap, which, after the cap is screwed on, elastically rests against the outer circumference of a dispensing opening in the container neck section, thus sealing the container tightly.

[0041] Preferably, the closure cap includes an annular seal on the inside of one of the cap's upper surfaces. Providing a seal serves to minimize the ingress of air into the interior of the container, thereby extending the storage time of the container filled with an oxidation-sensitive liquid.

[0042] In a preferred design, the container also includes a tamper-evident seal between the external thread and the outer shell. This makes it easy to detect whether the container has already been opened, which, depending on the liquid it contains, can have a significant impact on its service life. Furthermore, any unauthorized opening of the container before its first regular use becomes obvious.

[0043] Preferably, the container with tamper protection further comprises a circumferential retaining collar on the container neck section in the area of ​​the tamper protection. The retaining collar is dimensioned such that its radial extension is sufficiently large that its outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of a tamper ring. The tamper ring is conventionally connected to a closure cap, with which the container can be closed, via a targeted material weakening, for example, by means of bridges. The tamper ring of the unopened container is located between the retaining collar and a shoulder section of the container and is separated from the closure cap when the latter is first opened. The retaining collar prevents the tamper ring from moving towards the dispensing opening of the container.This has two advantages. Firstly, the tamper-evident ring remains on the opened container, thus indicating to every user that the container has already been opened for the first time. Secondly, the tamper-evident ring cannot fall off if a user turns the container upside down while dispensing, for example, eye drops. Preferably, the container includes a dispensing opening with a diameter between 8.1 mm and 8.3 mm. An opening diameter in this range facilitates the dispensing of an aqueous liquid in the form of individual drops.

[0044] Brief description of the drawings

[0045] The invention is illustrated below by way of example using one embodiment of the inventive container. The following are shown:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a first

[0047] From the design form of the container according to the invention;

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the container according to Fig. 1;

[0049] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the container according to Fig. 2.

[0050] along the intersection line AA;

[0051] Fig. 4 shows a top view of the container according to Fig. 1;

[0052] Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a second

[0053] From the design form of the container according to the invention;

[0054] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the container according to Fig. 5.

[0055] along the intersection line AA;

[0056] Fig. 7 a three-dimensional view of a third

[0057] From the design form of the container according to the invention;

[0058] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the container according to Fig. 7.

[0059] along the intersection line BB;

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of a fourth

[0061] From the design of the container according to the invention; Fig. 10 a sectional view of the container according to Fig. 9 along the section line CC;

[0062] Fig. 11 shows a three-dimensional view of a fifth

[0063] From the design form of the container according to the invention; and

[0064] Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the container according to Fig. 11.

[0065] along the intersection line DD.

[0066] Ways to implement the invention

[0067] In the following figures, the same components are designated by the same reference numbers. The various embodiments described below serve to illustrate different configurations and aspects of the invention. These different configurations and aspects can be combined with one another.

[0068] Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the inventive container 10 for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid. The container is preferably dimensioned such that a predetermined quantity of sterile liquid is dispensed via the actuation of the bellows as described later.

[0069] The container has a storage body 12 for the sterile liquid and a screw-on cap (not shown in the figures) that can be attached to the storage body. The storage body has a longitudinal axis 0 and is essentially rotationally symmetrical about this longitudinal axis. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is the radial direction R, shown by way of example in Fig. 4.

[0070] The storage container 12 has a shell section 14, which in the present embodiment is essentially cylindrical, but can also be conical and has a first wall thickness SI. A metering section 16 is connected to the shell section 14 in a single piece, and a second shell section 50 is connected to the metering section 16. A bottom section 18 is formed in a single piece with the second shell section 50 and is located at the opposite end of the second shell section 50 relative to the shell section in the direction of the height of the container, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis (0). Preferably, the shell section 14, metering section 16, second shell section 50, and bottom section 18 are designed as single pieces.

[0071] Furthermore, the storage container 12 has a container neck section 20, which includes a dispensing opening 22 for dispensing the sterile liquid. An external thread 24 is formed on the container neck section 20, which serves to screw on a closure cap (not shown). A circumferential collar 26, also shown in the figures, serves to hold the storage container, particularly during filling with liquid in an industrial filling process.

[0072] The container according to the present embodiment is additionally provided with a tamper-evident device 28, which is located between the external thread 24 and the shell section 14. This device serves to remove a tamper-evident ring, which is attached to the cap in the usual manner via bridges, from the cap when the container is opened for the first time by unscrewing the cap, thus making it visible to a user that the container has already been opened. The design of the tamper-evident device 28 can be arbitrary. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a toothed section 30 is provided, comprising a plurality of substantially tangentially oriented ramp sections 32 and substantially radially arranged locking sections 34 between them. As can be seen from the top view in Figure 1, the toothed section 30 is located on the container.As can be seen in Figure 4, a locking cap can be screwed on clockwise together with the tamper-evident ring for the first time, since the latter is moved along with the locking cap via the ramp sections 32, corresponding to the action of a ratchet. When the locking cap is first opened, the locking sections 34 prevent the tamper-evident ring from moving counterclockwise in Figure 4. This causes the web-shaped bridge sections between the locking cap and the tamper-evident ring to align, and the tamper-evident ring remains above the teeth after the locking cap is unscrewed, allowing the locking cap to be removed. The [figure] shown in the [figure].

[0073] However, the tamper-evident seal used in the implementation form can be replaced within the scope of the invention in the same way by another tamper-evident seal known in the art, as will be described with reference to further implementation forms.

[0074] The dimension of the outlet opening 22 and in particular its diameter is preferably adapted to the size of the drop formed in sterile liquid and can have an opening diameter between 8.1 mm and 8.3 mm in the case of water-based liquids.

[0075] The metering section 16, located between the outer shell section 14 and the base section 18, is positioned so that it does not interfere with the application of a label to the outer shell section 14 and is thus clearly visible to the user. The metering section 16 is designed as a bellows and can have one or more folds. In the present embodiment, a single fold is provided. For this purpose, the metering section 16 has a first hinge point 36, a second hinge point 38, and a third hinge point 40. The first hinge point 36 forms the transition between the outer shell section 14 and the metering section 16. The second hinge point 38 forms the transition between the second outer shell section 50 and the metering section 16. The third hinge point 40 is located within the fold. In the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4, the fold is inward.This means that the third joint 40 is arranged at a smaller radius around the axis than the first joint 36 and the second joint 38.

[0076] Furthermore, a first joint leg 42 is provided, which connects the first joint point 36 with the third joint point 40. A second joint leg 44 connects the third joint point 40 with the second joint point 38. In the present embodiment, the joint legs 42 and 44 are ring-shaped and have a substantially straight course in the section plane shown in Fig. 3, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (0).

[0077] The wall thickness (S2) of the metering section 16 is reduced, at least in some areas, compared to the first wall thickness (SI). For example, it is possible to design the first joint leg 42 and the second joint leg 44 with the same wall thickness SI as the outer shell section and to provide a correspondingly reduced wall thickness only in the area of ​​the joint points 36, 38, 40 in order to allow increased deformation of the metering section 16 in these areas. Preferably, the reduction of the wall thickness S2 of the metering section 16, provided at least in some areas, is selected such that the reduced wall thickness S2 of the metering section 16 is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the first wall thickness SI.

[0078] The wall thickness in the region of the second shell section 50 preferably corresponds approximately to the first wall thickness SI. As can be further seen in Fig. 3, angles of varying sizes are formed in which, on the one hand, the first joint leg 42 extends relative to the radial direction R, and on the other hand, the second joint leg 44 extends relative to the radial direction R. In the specific embodiment, the angle p between the second joint leg 44 and the radial direction is more than twice as large as the angle a between the first joint leg 42 and the radial direction. In the specific example, the angle a could be between 10° and 15°, while the angle p could be between 30° and 40°.The different angles serve to ensure that, during the actuation of the metering section 16 described later by external pressure on the base section 18, the movement takes place primarily in the area of ​​the second joint 38 and the second joint leg 44. Similarly, according to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to modify the design shown in Fig. 3 so that the actuation occurs essentially evenly via the first joint leg 42 and the second joint leg 44, or the actuation occurs essentially only via the first joint leg 42.

[0079] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the inner diameter Di of the container in the area of ​​the third joint point 40 is selected such that it is at least 60% of the outer diameter Da of the bottom section 18 .

[0080] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the second hinge point 38 is located at a smaller radial distance to the longitudinal axis 0 than the first hinge point 36 between the shell section 14 and the metering section 16. It follows that the radius of the bottom section 18 is smaller than the radius of the shell section 14. This geometry, together with the ratio between the dimensions Da : Di, has proven particularly advantageous with regard to optimal force transmission and force introduction. The force is introduced via the bottom 18 in the direction of arrow B. Due to the cylindrically symmetrical shape of the bottom 18 and an indentation 46 of the bottom towards the interior volume of the container, the force transmission is essentially concentric. The indentation 46 is advantageous because the user automatically pushes towards the deepest point of the indentation 46 when operating it, thus improving the concentration of the force input.The lever arm is also crucial for the necessary force application. A lever arm that is too short stiffens the system and results in a higher actuation force. However, if the lever length is chosen to be too long, the metering section becomes too flexible, depending on the wall thickness, and insufficient force is introduced into the metering section, which is designed as a disc spring, to actuate it. This would lead to the required overpressure for drop formation being too low, and no drop would emerge from the dispensing opening 22, which serves as the drip hole. Therefore, the selected lever arm, with the specified minimum ratio between the outer diameter of the base Da and the inner diameter of the fold Di, has proven to be very suitable for achieving optimal force application for drop formation.

[0081] However, according to an alternative design, the radius of the bottom section can also correspond to the radius of the mantle section.

[0082] The bottom section 18 itself also exhibits a certain flexibility, so that even with sufficient pressure applied to the bottom, a drop can be released if only the bottom of the bottle is compressed.

[0083] Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of an invented container 10, which differs from the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4 by a lower height of the second shell section 50 and a different design of an tamper-evident feature for the not shown closure cap.

[0084] A circumferential retaining collar 52 is formed on the container neck section 20 between the external thread 24 and the shoulder section 48. When using a tamper-evident cap (not shown), this collar is located in the area of ​​the tamper-evident feature. The radial extent of the retaining collar 52 is dimensioned such that its outer diameter is slightly larger than the inner diameter of a tamper-evident ring. "Slightly larger" refers to a diameter difference that still allows the cap, with a partially warmed tamper-evident ring, to be slid over the retaining collar 52 during filling of the container. The tamper-evident ring is connected to the cap via bridges and extends over the retaining collar 52 towards the shoulder section.In other words, the tamper-evident ring of the unopened container is located between the retaining band 52 and the shoulder section 48. When the container is opened for the first time, the tamper-evident ring is detached from the cap. The retaining band 52 prevents the tamper-evident ring from moving towards the dispensing opening 22 of the container 10. This has two advantages. Firstly, the tamper-evident ring remains on the opened container 10, thus clearly indicating to every user that the container has already been opened for the first time. Secondly, the tamper-evident ring cannot fall off if a user turns the container upside down when dispensing, for example, eye drops.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shoulder section is shaped differently. Unlike the containers in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 5 to 6, the shoulder section 48 is gently curved and extends over a significantly greater relative height of the entire container than in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6. The metering section 16 of the container 10 in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 essentially corresponds to that in the preceding embodiments with a single fold, which is designed as an inward fold.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the metering section 16 is formed with a plurality of folds, which in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 are also folded outwards. In other words, the outer diameter D^ of the metering section 16 is larger than the outer diameter D^ of the outer shell section 14. The metering section 16 also has not just a single fold, but five outward folds, although this number is only meant to be exemplary. Similarly, a single outward fold or a plurality of outward folds, the number of which differs from five, could be provided. Each fold includes, analogous to the designation used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a third hinge point arranged between two hinge legs. These joint points are designated in the present version by the reference numbers 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and 40e.

[0087] The outward folds make the presence of the dosing section 16 as a bellows even more apparent to a user, while the outward folds increase the volume displaced when the bellows is compressed.

[0088] In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 10, the wall thickness of the entire metering section 16 is less than the wall thickness of the shell section 14. Preferably, the wall thickness of the metering section 16 is reduced by 25% to 50% compared to the wall thickness of the shell section 14.

[0089] According to an alternative design, not shown, only the wall thickness in the area of ​​the joints is reduced compared to the wall thickness of the shell section.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the shoulder section 48 is shaped differently compared to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8. The outer diameter of the shell section 14 is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container neck section 20, so that the shoulder section 48 merely creates a smooth transition between the outer diameter of the shell section 14 and the outer diameter of the container neck section 20 by means of a gentle curve.

[0091] Finally, in the embodiment according to Figures 9 and 10, there is no external thread on the container neck section, but only a clamping projection 54 in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 22, which serves to clamp and fix a closure cap, which is therefore not unscrewed when the container is opened, but is removed from the container opening in a known manner by means of a pivoting movement.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the container according to Figures 9 and 10 is depicted with a single fold, which is also directed inwards. This is intended to clarify that the different variants described above with regard to the design of the container neck section 20 and the shoulder section 48 can be combined arbitrarily with the designs of the metering section 16 shown in the embodiment examples. Due to the design of the metering section 16, the inventive container can also be made of stiffer materials.

[0093] Plastic materials such as HDPE and PP are manufactured, which are sometimes used for reasons of resistance to sterile liquids.

[0094] Crucially, at least the joints must have a reduced wall thickness for the spring mechanism to function. It can even be advantageous to have a thinner wall only at the joints, as this reduces oxygen diffusion through the outer wall of the container and thus results in better stability, especially with oxygen-sensitive products. The container's shape makes it intuitively clear to the user how to operate it. When a user presses on the center of the bottom section 18 to compress the dispensing section 16, it has proven advantageous to provide a shoulder section 48 between the outer shell section 14 and the neck section 20. This shoulder section acts as a counter-bearing, facilitating the application of force to the bottom section.

[0095] The storage body 12 of the inventive container can be manufactured in one piece from plastic, making the container well-suited for mass production. By selecting the wall thicknesses in the dispensing section, the angles between the first joint leg and the radial direction, the second joint leg and the radial direction, and the ratio between the bottom outer diameter Da and the fold inner diameter Di, an approximately constant operating force can be set for the user, independent of the container volume, the other wall thicknesses of the container, and the plastic material chosen. Reference numeral list

[0096] 10 containers

[0097] 12 storage containers

[0098] 14 Mantle section

[0099] 16 Dosing section

[0100] 18 floor section

[0101] 20 container neck section

[0102] 22 Output

[0103] 24 External thread

[0104] 26th Federal Government

[0105] 28 Original it at ssicherung

[0106] 30 teeth

[0107] 32 Ramp section

[0108] 34 Locking section

[0109] 36 first joint

[0110] 38 second joint

[0111] 40 third joint

[0112] 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e third joint junction 42 first joint limb

[0113] 44 second femoral condyle

[0114] 46 Inward

[0115] 48 Schult he cut

[0116] 50 second mantle section

[0117] 52 Restraint ebund

[0118] 54 AI emmvor sprung

[0119] 0 Long axis

[0120] R radial direction

[0121] SI Wall thickness of the shell section

[0122] S2 (local) wall thickness of the dosing section

Claims

Claims 1. Container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid, with a substantially rotationally symmetric storage body ( 12 ) made of plastic with a longitudinal axis (0) and a radial direction (R) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the storage body ( 12 ) a substantially cylindrical or conical shell section ( 14 ) with a first wall thickness (SI ) , a metering section ( 16) , a soil section ( 18 ) with a soil diameter ( Da) and a container neck section (20) includes characterized by the fact that the container further comprises a second jacket section (50) between the bottom section ( 18 ) and the metering section ( 16), and the second jacket section (50) has a Hdhe (Hg); the metering section ( 16) is arranged between the sheath section ( 14 ) and the second sheath section (50), and is designed as a bellows with at least one fold radially inwards encompassing joint points (36, 38, 40); wherein the wall thickness (S2 ) of the metering section ( 16) is reduced at least in the area of ​​the joints (36, 38, 40) compared to the first wall thickness SI 1st; and the height of the second mantle section (Hg) is at least 10% of the bottom diameter (Da).

2. Container for the metered dispensing of a sterile liquid, with a substantially rotationally symmetric storage body ( 12 ) made of plastic with a longitudinal axis (0) and a radial direction (R) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the storage body ( 12 ) a substantially cylindrical or conical shell section ( 14 ) with a first wall thickness (SI ) , a metering section ( 16) , a section of soil ( 18 ) and a container neck section (20) includes characterized by the fact that the metering section is designed as a bellows with at least one fold radially inwards or radially outwards comprising joint points (36, 38, 40); wherein the wall thickness (S2 ) of the metering section ( 16) is reduced at least in the area of ​​the joint points (36, 38, 40) compared to the first wall thickness SI 1st .

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the bottom section ( 18 ) has a concentrically arranged bulge (46) in the direction of the metering section ( 16 ).

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that In the area of ​​the joint points (36, 38, 40) the metering section ( 16) has a wall thickness that is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the first wall thickness (SI ).

5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the entire metering section ( 16) has a lower wall thickness (S2 ) than the first wall thickness (SI ), preferably the entire metering section ( 16) has a wall thickness that is reduced by 25% to 60% compared to the first wall thickness (SI ).

6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the metering section ( 16) has a single fold, comprising a first hinge point (36) on the mantle section ( 14 ), a second hinge point (38 ) on the bottom section ( 18 ) or on an end of the second mantle section (Hg) facing away from the bottom section ( 18 ) in the direction of the Hdhe , 26 a first, ring-shaped articulating leg (42) which extends radially inwards or radially outwards from the first articulation point (36) and at a first angle (a) relative to the radial direction (R), a second, ring-shaped articulating leg (44) which extends radially inwards or radially outwards from the second articulation point (38) and at a second angle (p) relative to the radial direction (R) as well as a third joint point (40) which connects the first joint leg (42) with the second joint leg (44).

7. Container according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the first, second and third articulation points (36, 38, 40) and the second articulation leg (44) have a lesser wall thickness than the first wall thickness (SI ), and the first articulation leg (42) has a greater wall thickness than the second articulation leg (44 ).

8. Container according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized by the fact that the first articular leg (42 ) and the second articular leg (44 ) have an essentially straight course in a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (0).

9. Container according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the first angle (a) is smaller than the second angle (3) .

10. Container according to claim 9, 27 characterized by the fact that the second angle (p) is more than twice as large as the first angle (a), and preferably the second angle (p) is between 30° and 40°.

11. Container according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by the fact that the second joint point (38 ) is located at a smaller radial distance to the longitudinal axis (0) than the first joint point (36) .

12. Container according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized by the fact that the inner diameter (Di) of the container in the area of ​​the third joint point (40) is at least 60% of the outer diameter (Da) of the bottom section (18) and preferably is about 70%.

13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom diameter (Da) is at least 50% of a maximum outer diameter of the shell section ( 14 ).

14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an external thread (24) on the container neck section (20).

15. Container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shoulder section (48) between the shell section (14) and the container neck section (20).

16. Container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a circumferential toothing (30) provided on the container neck section (20) comprising a plurality of substantially tangential ramp surfaces (32) and a plurality of substantially radially extending locking surfaces (34) which each connect to a ramp surface (32).

17. Container according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a corresponding closure cap which is screwable or attachable to the storage body ( 12 ) and, in the screwed-on state, tightly seals the container .

18. Container according to claim 17, characterized in that the closure cap comprises an annular seal on the inside of an upper surface of the closure cap.

19. Container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an tamper-evident seal (28) between the external thread (24) and the shell section (14).

20. Container according to claim 19, further comprising a circumferential retaining collar (52) on the container neck section in the area of ​​the tamper protection (28).

21. Container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispensing opening (22) with a Opening diameter between 8.1 mm and 8.3 mm.

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