Single-use container

Details Single-use container Single-use container

1997-11-25

2001-06-05

Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Plural sources, compartment, containers and/or spaced jacket

Packing or stacking arrangements

C222S153060, C222S210000, C222S215000, C222S420000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241124

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a single-use container useful for storage and dispension of small quantities of liquids. The subject container is particularly useful for dispensing sterile, preservative-free formulations, such as those used in single dose eye drop applications.
BACKGROUND
Single-use containers are commonly used for providing small quantities of sterile, preservative-free liquids, e.g. lubricating eye drops. Commercial examples of such containers are used in the following products: Dry Eye Therapy® Lubricating Eye Drops from Bausch & Lomb; Tears Naturale Free® and Bion® Tears Lubricating Eye Drops from Alcon; Celluvisc® and Refresh PlusTM Lubricating Eye Drops from Allergan; OcuCoat™PF Lubricating Eye Drops from Storz Opththalmics; and Hypo Tears® PF Lubricating Eye Drops from IOLAB.
Such containers are typically molded from low density polyethylene using form-fill seal or blow-fill seal technology. The containers include: a vessel portion for containing a small quantity of liquid, (e.g. typically from 0.1 to 3.0 ml), a twist-off seal top for sealing liquid within the vessel, and a neck portion interconnecting the seal top and vessel. To dispense liquid from the container, the seal top is bent, twisted or otherwise broken from the neck. The vessel is then squeezed between the finger tips to force liquid from the vessel and through the neck portion where droplets are formed. Once the liquid has been dispensed, the container is discarded.
A significant drawback to current single-use containers is they are not adapted for engagement between the finger tips, (e.g. between the forefinger finger tip and the finger tip of the thumb or other finger). That is, the outer surface of the vessel is egg-shaped, cylindrical, or wedge-shaped. As a consequence, when squeezing the vessel of current containers, the vessel tends to slip away from the opposing pressure of the finger tips. This problem is compounded with containers employing thicker vessel walls which are not easily deformed by squeezing. This situation is further compounded for persons suffering with arthritis or those otherwise having compromised hand and finger strength.
Another problem with current containers is the difficulty of removing the seal top. In order to avoid seal breakage during shipping and storage, the wall thickness of containers can be significant, thus making the seal tops difficult to remove. This problem is compounded by the small size of the seal top and its relatively smooth surface.
It is desired to provide a single-use container which provides greater ease of dispension. It is further desired to provide such a container which is more easily opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a single-use container including: a vessel for holding liquid wherein the vessel includes two opposing engagement surfaces, a removable seal top for sealing the vessel, and a neck portion interconnecting the vessel and the seal top. In order to provide greater ease of dispension, the engagement surfaces of the vessel are specifically adapted for engagement between the finger tips. More specifically, the engagement surfaces of the vessel are concave, (along the longitudinal axis of the container), thus trapping the vessel between the finger tips as the vessel is squeezed.
The seal top of the subject container is also provided with two opposing engagement surfaces. In order to provide a container which is easier to open, at least one, and preferably both engagement surfaces of the seal top are provided with a plurality of ridges, thus providing a surface which is easier to grip between the finger tips.


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