Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
210104~
DOSING APPAE~ATUS FOR STERILE AND/OR
PHARMACEUTICAL SOLUTIONS
The present invention relates to a dosing apparatus
~or sterile and/or pharmaceutical solutions, comprised of a
disposable container which contains the solution, provided
with a nozzle with a cup, a sealing ring and a rigid support
for holding the ass~mbly, which, in its turn, makes the use
and handling o~ the device easy.
10The dosing apparatus of the present invention for
sterile and/or pharmaceutical solutions is of medical or
pharmaceutical application, for human or veterinarian use.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
As is already known, in some situations it is an
advantage to dispense fix amounts of solution on localized
points, for curative or preventive purposes. These functions
are performed through conventional means such as syringes or
the like, working by sucking up liquids from a sterile
containar through also sterile means, such as syringes, and
pouring out their collected contents on specific points of
the human or animal body.
This solution involves several problems, among
them, the transfer from a medium to another~ since although
both mediums are :sterile it usually presents problems of
sterility loss, as well as certain nuisances in i~s use and
:handling. ~ ~
B~CKGROUND: OF THE INVENTION
Devic~s containing pharmaceutical and veterinarian
liquid ~olutions ar~ known, such as blisters, cartridges or
the like, which are providèd with needles with means for
their coupling, ~which allow a direct use of them in its
administration.
~ A device of this kind is described in Spanish
: patent No. 8801006, comprised of a container made of a
flexible synthetic~material, its contents baing pourPd out
through a pressure made against the walls thereof.
: More concrete antecedents of the present invention
2101G~9 :
in the sector where the latter applies are in the first place
US patent No. 2,319,383 by Merck & Co., Inc and in particular
the embodiment disclosed in US patent No. 3,9~9,045 by
William F.Van Eck, wherein a syringe is described comprised
of a containei~ and a needle, the said container being
balloon-shaped and with flexible walls, having fastening
~eans on the container's neck.
The device referred to has a first disadvantage in
its use, since it lacks a flat base for its physical
positioning on a surface, involving that the tip of the
needle comes into contact with the surface where it lies,
thus, losing its sterility.
Also in the referred position, part of the solution
is poured out on the flat surface where the set lies, due to
capillarity.
Thirdly, it exists a high lack of precision when
the container is being poured out, since the necessary
flexibility of the container wall requires a substantial firm
hand to dose with accuracy.
Other antecedents of the invention are found in
British patent No. 1 573 514 by AB Helinos from Sweden, and
German patent No~ 29 00 827 by Merc~ Patent GmbH, in which
devices are described comprising a flexible closed sealed
container with a solution, said container being applied
against rigid elements provided with a needle that goes
through it, being capable of puncturing by one of the needle
: ends the referred container and fittin~ly secure i~, while
: the other end of the~needle allows the exit of the contained
solution.
These devices have the common disadvantage ! of
: reguiring a coupling operation, situation that involves a
manual (in the Merck solution) handling of the container and
the rigid element for the~end to be punctured to the former,
thus, losing optimai conditions of tightness of the set, and
consistentIy, its sterility.
Like in abov~mentioned solutions, the lack of
precision is also high when the container is being poured
2101Q49
out, mainly in the Merck solution.
Lastly, systems of cartridges containing solutions
coupled to rigid structures are al80 known, such as that
described in PCT patent W0 89/02286 by Wolke, in which a
device is described comprising a sealed container placed into
a hollow rigid ~tructure, with one of its ends provided with
a needle which punctures and connects the solution which is
aontained into the container with the outside, being doseable
through a plunger placed in the other end o the cited hollow
rigid structure.
Although this solution has a better reliability as
for precision in the pouring out of the container contents,
it also requires a manual handling of the containers to be
placed into the hollow rigid structure.
Another important disadvantage is the high amount
of pieces involvsd in the cited device, with a high cost in
its production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device according to the present invention
eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages, succeeding in
dosing and dispensing a sterile solution in optimal
conditions, with an easy handling and high precision, as well
as involving a low manufacturing cost~
For this aim, the present device comprises~ a
container with a solution, comprising:
a- a flexlbl~ generally cylindrical laminar body with its
wall bellow-shaped, with one of its bases blind and the other
axially extended by a cylindrical tube ending in an outer
~ing,
b- a cylindrical tubular nozzle, which has a flat outer
surrounding rim and having an end like a bevel edge, and its
outer diameter being slightly smaller than the one o~ the
orifice of the ~ylindrical tube which extends the bellows,
c- a cup which covers part of the nozzle, having in its wall
a surrounding weakened line, and it~ mouth being extended by
a flange, lying on the surrounding rim of the nozzle, and,
d- a fluted ring which comprises a circular channel capable
2~
~f perimetrally trapping the ring of the extension of the
body a) with the flange of the cup, said fluted ring being
laterally extended by, at least, a lug.
The coupling between t~e flexible laminar body and
the tubular nozzle is achieved by inserting the end of the
latter in the orifice of the cylindrical tube which extends
the bellow-shaped container. Likewise, the cup covers the
other end of thP nozzle, its flange lying on the out~r riny
of the flexible laminar body.
~he described assembled elements are fixed by the
fluted ring which perimetrally traps the ring of the flexible
laminar body extension with the flange of the cup.
The described set is held on a rigid structure, as
a support, comprising:
- a flat U-shaped surface with two non-contiguous and
parallel ends provided with a L~shaped projection,
determining two longitudinal and parallel guides,
- an axis perpendicularly connected underneath said flat
surface and symmetrically disposed on it,
- a circular base which comprises a central recess, with a
lateral extension provided with a passing hole, where $he
perpendicular axis~is socketed, and with a lower extension
held ~y pressure means perpendicular to said axis.
The axis perpendicular to the flat surface of the
rigid structure~may ha~e a graduated scale.
The features of the aforesaid elements will be
following descr~ibed in detail.
~DESCRIPTI~N OF THE DRAWINGS
The annexed drawings, only as an example, will help
to better understand the invention, its characteristics and
the advantages it pro~ides.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the flexible
laminar body, the tubular nozzle and the cup, with the
elements uncoupled
Figure 2 is a cross section view of the elements
shown in the figure 1, coupled and with the fluted ring that
tie~ them together,
21Dl~
Figure 3 shows two views of a valve in section and
in perspective with the three elements thereof,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support
s~ructure of the set shown in the Figure 1,
~igure 5 iæ a cross section view o~ the support
structure, and,
Figure 6 îs a perspective view of the ~upport
st,ucture holding the set shown in figure 2,
The items designated with numbers on the drawings
correspond to the parts pointed out below.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In Figure 1 is shown a device according to the
present invention, comprised of a laminar body ~10), a nozzle
(20) and a cup (30), illustrated in an uncoupled position,
on a same ideal axis.
The laminar body 10, the nozzle 20 and the cup 30,
preferably made of plastic material, are obtained by
moulding.
The laminar body 10 in its lower part has a
cylindrical general configuration, with its lateral wall 11
bellow-shaped and one of its bases blind. Its other base
axially extends by a cylindrical tube 12, ending in an outer
ring 13 which def ines a central orifice 14 communicating
through ths tube ~2 with the hollow body 10.
The nozzle 20 is tubular, with a longitudinal
passage 21j having a:cylindrical general con~iguration, with
a flat outer surrounding rim 22.
The nozzle 20 of:the figure l has an upper bevelled
end 23~ Such as it will be described below, this end may have
several forms according to applications.
The gene~al diameters of the nozzle 20, both upper
and lower with regard;to the surrounding rim 22, are slightly
lower than the one o~ the central orifice 14 and the one of
the cylindrical tube 12 of the laminar body 10.
Such as abovementioned, the nozzle 20 is preferably
made of plastic material. However, its width must provide
such a rigidness that eliminates any possible flexibility
when handling.
The cup 30 is generally long-shaped, with a central
cylindrical hollow section from which laterally two
diametrally opponents lugs 31 and 3~ emerge, with it~ upper
ends slightly inclined ending adiacent to the end of the cup.
Internally, the cup 30 is provided with a bllnd
cylindrical cavity, not shown in Figure 1, with a slightly
greater diameter than the one of the upper section o.~ the
nozzle 20.
In the lower part, the cup 30 comprises in its
outer wall a surrounding weakened line 33, its mouth being
extended by a flange 34 which defines a flat ring.
The internal cavity of the cup 3Q may receive
inserted the upper end of the nozzle 20, thus coinciding the
upper area of the surrounding rim 22 against the lower area
of the flange 34 which defines the opening of the cup 30.
In the same way, the lower section of the nozzle
can be inserted through a central ori~ice 14 and
penetrating into the cylindrical tube 12, thus coinciding the
lower area of the surrounding rim 22 with the upper area of
the outer ring 13 of the body 10.
Figure 2 shows in cross section the body 10 and the
cup 30 with the nozzle 20 inserted into the cylindrical tube
12, and in its turn into the cup 30.
In the same Figure 2, the fluted ring 40 is shown,
defining a circular: channel 41 perimetrally trapping the
outer ring 13 of the body 10, with the flange 34 and the cup
30, and thus the surrounding rim 22 of the nozæle 20
The fluted ring 40 is laterally extended by a lu~
42 in the illustrated example.
The fluted ring 40 allows to hol~.together the body
10, the nozzle 2n and the cup 30 in a steady way.
In an industrial application o~ the device
according to the present invention, it is better to first
fill up the body 10 with a solution before assembl~ng the
parts thereof.
once said elements are assembled on the body 10,
2101~
the fluted ring will allow, apart from interconnecting the
parts, to keep tight the inside o~ the device, the set being
able to be sterilized by conventional means beyond the
pxesent in~ention.
~he described device consist of a disposable closed
container which allows to dlspense solution~. ~o as to open
the device and proceed to d~se its contents the device shall
be held with one hand taking its lug 42 and the other hand
holding the cup 30 in order to proceed to its tearing by an
axial spin. In this operation both lugs 31 and 32 o~ the cup
30 efficiently cooperate, avoiding that the fingers may slip
during the opening of ~he device.
Later, and with only one hand, the contained
æolution may be dosed, by holding with two consecutive
fingers of the hand the cylindrical tube 12 and pressing the
blind base of the body 10 with the thumb. The lateral wall
11 of the body will give, allowing to dose by a slightly
weakening of the bellows, and/or suck up by its recuperation.
The upper end 23 of the nozzle 20 shows a bevelled
form, for specific applications with regard to the use of the
device. Such as abovementioned, the nozzle 20 may have
different upper ends 23, as the one shown in Figure 3.
Llkewise, the inner tube which goes through the nozzle 20 may
be provided with elements which allow to keep an
unidirectional passage~of the solutions contained into the
body 10.
~ ~ ,
-~ ; In the Figure 3 a nozzle 20 which has in its upper
part a cylindrical~end ~3 is show~.
The shown nozzle 20 is comprised of the connection
of two halves, upper~and lower, having an orifice ~1 which
leads to a tubular inner tube 28 that goes longitudinally
through it, with a disc 29 which is placed into a cavity 27,
working as a va~lve, allowing an unidirectional passage of the
; solutions. The cited valve is conventional beyond the present
invention with regard to its particularities, different kinds
of valves can be used.~
Such as abovementioned, the ends 23 of the nozzle
:::
20 may have di~ferent shapes according to the specific
application of the solution to be dosed. Independently,
several valves or direct tubes can be used into the nozzle
20.
5The application of a one-way val~e as described
above allows to take out the air which may be in the body 10
~nd keep this position in a steady way. Similarly said valve
stops any possible sucX, and in its turn, penetration of
other liquid or gaseous material into the body 10.
10~he nozzle 20 may also have thP most convenient
shape to be able to tightly secure coaxially to its outer
surface conventional tubes or couplings in order to assure
their retention. In all cases, the blind cavity o~ the cup
30 has a suitable shape in order to secure cited ends and in
its turn to generally keep tight the device.
The fluted ring 40 is laterally extended by a lug
42. The device may have a multiple number of lugs.
This cited lug has pertinent functional
applications, allowing to adhere a label with the
identification of the solution which is contained into the
device, such as a description, a formula, expiring date or
the like.
Apart from the abovementioned function, in order
to facilitate the opening of the device, the use of a lug
allows to protect th~ fingers of the hand when the solution
is being dcsed a~oiding the contact of them with he area
receiving the solution.
Likewise, when the device is not being used, the
lug prevents the device from rolling over apparently flat
areas,:and in its turn helps to keep the ~nd 23 of the nozzle
20 ~part from th~ very surface where the device is placed.
The device described can be used alone or together
with a rigid support.
~ he Figures 4 and 5 show a rigid support 50. In the
Figure 6 is shown the rigid support 50 at which the dosing
device has been socketed~
:In the rigid support 50 a flat surface 51 is
21~10~
provided with one of its edges having an inlet 54, and with
two non-contiguou~ and parallel ends provided with L-shaped
projections 52 and 53 which de~ine two longitudinal guides.
The rigid support 50 comprises an axis 33
perpendicularly connected underneath the flat surface 51,
symmetrically arranged on cited surface.
In the lower part, the support 50 comprises a base
56 having a circular surface with a central recess 5'7 and a
lateral passing hole 58.
The lateral passing hole 58 of the base 56 is
slightly greater in diameter than the one of the axis 55.
The base 56 in its lower part has an extension with
an inner passage 65 perpendicular to the lateral passing hole
58 and communicating with it. Pressure means constituted by
a screw 59 which controls a spring 61 are located within said
passage and in its turn the latter fits on the cylinder 60.
Once the base 56 is plac~d in the axis 55 through
its lateral orifice 58, the cylinder 60 presses by the
assistance of the cited means on the previous paragraph on
the surface of the axis 55. So, the base 56 can only be
slidable along the axis 55 when desired.
The base 56 on the axis 55 is in its upper part
limit~d by the flat surface 51, and in its lower part by the
inlet 62, which has in its last end a slight step against
whiah the cylinder 60 fits.
The outer surface of the axis 55 has a graduate
scale 63l whose use will be describe below.
The different parts which comprise the rigid
support can be also obtained by moulding, made of plastic or
metallic materials.
The dosing device is coupled to the rigid ~upport
50. For doing so, the lug 42 has to be placed on the flat
surface 51 with the assistance of the L-shaped pro~ections
52 and 53 by securing the edges of the lug 42. In this
position, the neck 12 of the body 10 and the ring 40 are
placed into the inlet 54. Inferiorly, the blind base of the
body 10 is placed on the central recess 57 of the base 56 of
2 1 ~
the rigid support. The Figure 6 illustrates the last
positioning of the device in the rigid support.
The opening and handling o~ the dosing device
coupled to the rigid support is identical to what described
above without it.
The application of the rigid support have clear
advantages allowing to dose with greater precision, since it
assists with a greater rigidness of the device set, and by
having a graduate scale 63 on the axis 55. So, specific
amounts of solution can be dosed.
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