EP1609739B1 - Single-use dispensing device and method of manufacturing a single-use dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a disposable dispensing device and a method for producing a disposable dispensing device for liquid, pasty and other flowable or free-flowing materials, which may include, for example, gels, powdered material and material mixtures.

Disposable dispensers for the materials mentioned are used in cosmetics and medicine to a considerable extent. On the one hand they should be as inexpensive to produce and on the other hand be reliable and easy to use and be resistant to storage and transport and stay tight.

There are a variety of different disposable containers with applicators (eg There are a variety of different disposable containers with applicators (eg US 4982838 . DE 100 09 629 ) with a reservoir for flowable materials and through perforation or peel means to be opened application chambers in which the applicator is located. In many cases, the application chamber should initially contain no material and be filled only by opening a connection between a material storage chamber and the application chamber with material. However, the peel or peel-off process and also the tearing open of a perforation can easily lead to undesired splashing of the material. If there is material in a chamber from the beginning where the applicator is located, a similar effect can occur.

From the publication DE 76 34 132 U For example, a disposable dispensing device for a flowable material is known which consists of two components held in separate chambers. This dispensing device consists of a plastic container which can be filled and sealed and which has a neck end and an end optionally facing away from the end of the neck and serving as a filling end. The plastic container has circumferential sealing seams. In the region of a tear-off a removal channel is provided, which is connected to the two chambers for the individual components and in which a thread is arranged, which at least partially closes the removal channel and is removed when tearing the tear-off from the removal channel, so that the mix both components.

The invention has for its object to provide a disposable dispensing device and a method for producing a disposable dispensing device in which a targeted removal of the material is possible without it when opening and activating the disposable dispensing device for spontaneous splashing or dripping of material comes.

This object is achieved by the device according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 12.

Preferred developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The disposable dispensing device according to the invention with applicator device for liquid, paste-like and other flowable or pourable materials comprises a fillable and sealable plastic container for receiving the material, which has a neck end and a filling end opposite thereto and lateral sealing seams. An applicator means for discharging and applying the material through an opening extending through the applicator means is inserted into the neck end of the container. In the non-activated state closes a plug-like closure device, the opening, wherein a part of the closure device protrudes from the applicator device and is surrounded by the outer end of the neck. A first sealing seam extends transversely through the lateral sealing seams of the container at the outer neck end and seals the part of the closure device projecting from the applicator device on all sides. Preferably, a second sealing seam is provided in the region of the inner neck end and extends transversely through the lateral sealing seams and seals the applicator device. However, the applicator could also be fixed differently in the neck and z. B. be sealed by gluing, welding and hot sealing. A rupturable perforation seam extending transversely through the lateral seal seams is provided in the region between the first and second seal seams and in relation to the front material exit end of the applicator device towards the fill end.

By providing a closure device and its sealing in the first sealing seam, the closure device is severed when severing the perforation together with the outer neck end detached from the remaining part of the container and automatically pulled out of the applicator opening. Thus, the applicator is ready for use and can be supplied via its through hole with material from the rest of the container part. However, at the moment of severing the perforation, the neck area is initially complete material free. It does not come to splashing material and also not premature dripping of material from the applicator and the like.

In a non-inventive embodiment without independently provided applicator, the applicator can be reduced to a Applizieröffnung or material outlet and the plug-like closure device to be inserted directly into the neck portion of the container. The plug-like closure device closes the material outlet opening, with part of the closure device extending out of the material outlet opening and being surrounded by the outer neck end. A first sealing seam extending transversely through the lateral sealing seams of the container at the outer end of the neck seals the part of the closure device protruding from the material outlet opening on all sides, and a tearable perforation seam extending transversely through the lateral sealing seams is provided offset inwardly with respect to the first sealing seam and adjoins the material outlet opening. The fact that the space or region between the perforation seam and the point at which the closure device seals the neck end against the material-filled container space is again free of material when the perforation seam is opened, also in this embodiment of the invention premature spattering prevents material from tearing open the perforation.

The disposable dispensing device may consist of only two, in the case of an intended applicator of three parts: the container with the attached various seals and the perforation, the applicator device and the closure device. To bring the three parts together, only seals must be made or provided a perforation, which can be done quickly, accurately and reliably by popular machines.

Under sealing here any measure understood by which the plastic walls are connected to each other as hot and cold sealing, welding, z. As ultrasonic welding and other cold deformation measures, which are suitable for the connection of plastic films.

Preferably, the container of the disposable dispenser consists of a thermoplastic material which is made in the manner of a usual in suppositories Verpakkung of plastic films, which are drawn after peripheral sealing by means of vacuum or alternatively by application of a compressed gas into container shapes. As a result, a particularly inexpensive disposable dispensing device can be produced, to which the sealing seams according to the invention can be easily attached. The container of the disposable dispensing device can be made open in ampoule-like form top and bottom and, after it has been equipped with the respectively desired applicator with closure device, are provided with the sealing and perforation. In the usual blister packs for disposable dispensers for flowable materials with a cover sheet, which is removable from one or more thermoformed container parts of the pack, such a construction and procedure are not possible. In addition, in the present invention, the curved shape produced on both sides of the container has the advantage that it can be compressed elastically deformable to activate the disposable dispensing device with a suitable choice of material and wall thickness. In this way, after disconnecting the perforation and tearing off the neck area with the closure device, the user can selectively apply the material to the dispensing opening or the applicator device by compressing the container once or several times.

The end of the plug-like closure device facing away from the container bottom can be flattened for better embedding in the first weld seam.

The plug-like closure means may be rod-like and is adapted to fit into the through opening of the container neck or plunger means, having an enlarged diameter at one end sealingly closing the through opening to the material supply member of the container.

This sealing end of the closure device z. B with an enlarged diameter does not have to have a round cross-section if the adjoining part of the closure device is elastically rotatable. Thus, e.g. also have an oval cross-section or more complicated cross-sectional shapes. Due to the elastic rotatability, such closure devices can also be successfully pulled out of the opening when the perforation seam is torn open, although they are not rotatable in the opening due to the lack of rotational symmetry.

Preferably, the closure device only extends over a short distance into the front outlet end of the applicator device. In this way, it is easily pulled out of the applicator when tearing off the neck end at the perforation. However, if the applicator has e.g. Even cross channels, which extend to a foam wrap or the like in order to impregnate them, can also extend further into the applicator opening in order to close these transverse channels as well.

The applicator device may have a tapered insert end, which fits into the inner neck region facing the filling end of the container, and furthermore has a groove in the region of which the perforation seam is provided.

The applicator device may in the simplest case be a tube which is fitted in the inner end of the neck. Various forms of the applicator device are possible. Thus, the applicator device may have an outer flocking or foam envelope, a brush, a tapered outlet nozzle or the like as an application agent. The applicator device is exposed in the region of the application agent when the neck end of the container is separated at the perforation seam together with the sealing device sealed in the neck end.

• FIG. 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Einmal-Spendevorrichtung mit Applikatoreinrichtung;
• FIG.2 zwei Darstellungen eines Ausführungsbeispiels für eine Verschlusseinrichtung für die erfindungsgemässe Einmal-Spendevorrichtung unter um 90° versetzten Blickwinkeln,
• FIG.3 eine Darstellung einer nicht erfindungsgemässen Einmal-Spendevorrichtung ohne Applikatoreinrichtung, und
• FIG.4 eine Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführung einer erfindungsgemässen Einmal-Spendevorrichtung mit Applikatoreinrichtung und Schutzhaube.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a schematic representation of an inventive disposable dispensing device with applicator;
• FIG.2 two illustrations of an exemplary embodiment of a closure device for the disposable dispensing device according to the invention with viewing angles offset by 90 °,
• FIG.3 a representation of a non-inventive disposable dispensing device without applicator, and
• FIG.4 a representation of another embodiment of an inventive disposable dispensing device with applicator and protective hood.

This in FIG.1 illustrated example of the inventive disposable dispensing device comprises a container 1 with a filling end 1a and a neck end 1b. The container 1 shown is ampoule or vial-like and arched outwardly from its lateral sealing seam.

It goes without saying that the contours of the container 1, its filling end and the neck area can be modified in many ways. Thus, in a narrow Anpulle the neck end 1 b in relation to the storage part to be filled 1 c of the container also be unrestrained or slightly tapered. This may also be the case when an applicator device with a large diameter or an additional enclosure for the applicator device is inserted into the neck area.

The applicator device 2 shown has a relatively small diameter compared to the storage part 1c and the neck end 1b is adapted thereto. The applicator device 2 is provided with a through opening 2a in the form of a longitudinal channel, via which the respective material from the storage part 1c can be used via the applicator device. The applicator device is tapered in its inner region, in which it is inserted into a narrow region of the neck end 1 b. The neck end 1 b widens in the connection at its narrow area towards the outer end to form a circumferential step 1 e on. Following this stage 1 e, the neck end 1 b extends with a constant inner and outer diameter to its outermost open end. The applicator device 2 has, following its tapered region, with which it sits in the narrow region of the neck end, a step-like extension 2b of its diameter. In the area of this enlarged diameter, a circumferential groove 2c is provided. Otherwise, the applicator device 2 extends to its front or outer material outlet end with a constant diameter. It does not extend through the entire neck end 1b, but is offset from the outer end to the inside. At the material outlet end it is bevelled. Furthermore, it has, for example, a flock, not shown, on the outside of the region of larger diameter adjoining the groove 2c.

At the material exit end of the applicator device 2 sits in the opening 2a a plug-like closure device 3. An example in the form of a rod-like closure is in FIG.2 shown. The closure device projects out of the applicator device 2 and extends to the outer front neck end. It could also extend beyond that, which, however, tends to provide benefits rather than benefits.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the closure device 3 is seated with an end-side plug 3a in the through-opening 2a of the applicator device 2 in the region of its material exit end. At the opposite end, the closure device 3 has a web 3b which is widened in relation to its other diameter and which is flattened in order to facilitate a lighter seal. As already mentioned, it is particularly advantageous in the case of end plugs of non-round cross-section to make at least one region of the closure device 3 torsionally elastic between its two ends (for example the plug 3a and the widened web 3b).

The preparation of the dispenser device shown is preferably carried out according to a usual in suppository packaging molding or deep drawing. In this case, the container 1 is open on both sides of two thermoplastic in plant made of plastic films produced. The plastic films are first sealed together at the contours of the side edges of the desired container at 8. In the embodiment shown, the lateral sealing seams 8, which extend from the open filling end 1a to the front region of the open neck end 1b, are produced. Subsequently, the films are heated in the parts to be deformed and usually pulled by vacuum or alternatively a compressed gas into container shapes. The container shapes correspond to the desired vial or vial shape. It can be produced quickly and efficiently continuous chains of open-sided ampoules of variable shape and material thickness.

If the manufacturer of these top and bottom open sealable containers should also carry out the introduction of the applicator device and filling, the applicator device 2 with closure device 3 can first be inserted into the tapered region of the neck end 1b on the same production line. The closure device 3 could also be inserted into the applicator device 2 only subsequently.

Subsequently, the sealing seams 4 and 5 and a perforated seam 7 are provided. The first sealing seam 4 is attached by means of a conventional sealing station so that it extends transversely through the lateral sealing seams 8 of the container at the outer neck end and the part 3 b of the closure device 3 protruding from the applicator device 2 is sealed on all sides. The second sealing seam 5 is applied in the region of the tapered neck end and extends transversely through the lateral sealing seams 8, thereby sealing the applicator device 2 in its tapered region. The rupturable perforation seam 7 extending transversely through the lateral sealing seams 8 is applied in an offset manner in the region between the first and second sealing seams 4, 5 and with respect to the front material outlet end of the applicator device 2. This can be done before or after the attachment of the sealing seams 4, 5.

Then a filling station is run through and then again a sealing station to close the filling end. In the illustrated embodiment At the side of the filling end, a sealing seam 6 is already provided, which adjoins the lateral sealing seams of the not yet closed container. About this sealing seam then another unillustrated continuous sealing seam is attached to close the container at the filling end. The filling could also be closed differently, but this is usually less productive, unless the device shown is combined with other means, as explained below.

Finally, the individual disposable dispensing devices are separated from each other. Perforation dividing lines may also be provided between the disposable dispensing devices thus produced and a whole chain of disposable dispensing devices associated with the films may be offered. The user then rips off a respective copy. Finally, it is possible to punch out the disposable dispensing devices or to punch out the plastic film areas between the disposable dispensing devices, except for connecting webs, within the chain.

Alternatively, unfilled, open top and bottom chains of disposable dispensing devices or individual already punched or separate disposable dispensing devices can be shipped with or without applicator, which the customer can then fill and seal himself.

The above features are also fully applicable to the in FIG.3 shown version without applicator. The closure device 3 can be designed in the same way as in the FIGS. 1 and 2 , Again, the inside of the neck end of the closure device is preferably sealed with the second sealing seam 5 on all sides and sealed. Alternatively, another dense introduction of the closure device 3 in the transition region from the material part 1 c of the container or even further to the outer neck end out in the neck. Again, a perforated seam 7 is provided between the two sealing seams 4 and 5. In the region of the perforation seam 7, which is torn open later, the material outlet opening 1 d of the container 1 is located. This material outlet opening can be offset inwardly with respect to the perforation seam 7 by the use of an atomizer or the like. In this case one will adapt the shape of an end-side plug 3a of the closure device to the special outlet geometry of the atomizer. If the exit geometry is not suitable for a stopper with a round cross-section, it is preferable to use a closure device with the above-mentioned torsionally elastic part, which can twist during the tearing process.

The closure device 3 preferably again extends into the region of the first sealing seam 4 and optionally even beyond. When tearing the perforation, the closure device is pulled out of its fixation in the container neck 1 b with the removal of the front part of the dispensing device. It does not come to Materialspritzspritzung. The material is dispensed only when material is pushed through the outlet opening 1d by pressing on the container.

Incidentally, the invention can also be used in arrangements in which the filling end is closed, for example, with a plunger or piston which is pushed into the container 1 for dispensing the material.

Moreover, the described process characteristics also apply to the in FIG.3 arrangement shown, wherein only the closure device 3 is used instead of the applicator 2 in the neck.

In FIG.4 a further variant is shown in which on the closure device 3 'at its projecting into the container 1 part, a cylindrical hood 9 is formed, which surrounds the applicator 2'. This has the advantage that the applicator 2 'is additionally enclosed tightly. In particular, the applicator 2 'is thus also reliably protected from the outside in the region of the perforation seam 7 with respect to gas and water vapor.

The disposable dispensing device according to the invention with a closable applicator device can, instead of being equipped with a storage part 1c, also be equipped with a plurality of storage parts which are connected in parallel or behind one another. In the aforementioned DE 100 09 629 For example, sequential storage parts are shown for mixing the materials contained therein can be interconnected in opening passage areas. Also, one or more further containers can be inserted into the container 1 from the filling end. Thus, in contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the filling end can be unrestrained and receive a cylindrical container with a further material. This inner container can be guided fluid-tightly displaceable over circumferential bulges on its outer side and / or the inside of the container surrounding it. By providing openings in the container wall of the inner container and pushing the containers into one another, it is then possible to purposefully mix the materials, which can then be dispensed via the applicator as described above. In this way, several containers can be connected in series, as in the US 6,447,476 is disclosed. The principle may also be reversed and the original container 1 may be an inner container.

As materials for the inventive disposable dispensing device all possible plastics come into question. In the case of the preferred production by the above deep-drawing method, thermoplastic resins, specifically composite films of barrier-effect thermoplastic, for example, PE, PET, PVDC, COC, aluminum interlayers, etc., are used.

Since containers of virtually any shape and material thickness can be produced with this method, the container can be combined with all possible connection devices.

Claims (13)

1. A single-use dispensing device for liquid, pasty and other flowable or fluid substances, comprising:

   a fillable and sealable plastic container (1) for receiving a substance, said container having a neck end (1b), a filling end (1a) opposite to said neck end and lateral sealing seams (8); characterized in that

   an applicator (2) inserted into said neck end of said container, for dispensing said substance through an opening (2a) extending through said applicator;

   a plug-like closure means (3) for closing said opening, a portion of said closure means protruding from said applicator and said protruding portion being surrounded by an outer portion of said neck end;

   a first transversal sealing seam (4) extending transversely through said lateral sealing seams (8) of said container at the outer portion of said neck end and sealing from all sides said protruding portion of said closure means (3); and

   a tearable perforation seam (7) extending transversely through said lateral sealing seams (8) and being displaced towards said filling end relative to said first transversal sealing seam (4) and a front substance dispensing end of said applicator.
2. The single-use dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized by a second transversal sealing seam (5) extending transversely through the lateral sealing seams (8) in an area of an inner portion of said neck end and sealing from all sides said applicator (2) or said closure means (3), respectively, said tearable perforation seam (7) being displaced relative to said outer portion of said neck end towards the inside in an area between said first and said second transversal sealing seams.
3. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (1) consists of a thermoplastic synthetic material manufactured in a way as common when packing suppositories in plastic foils which after peripheral sealing are drawn by vacuum or, alternatively, overpressure by applying pressure gas, into molds.
4. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (1) is elastically deformable to press said substance into said applicator opening (2a) or said substance dispensing opening (Id), respectively, below said neck end (1b).
5. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said
   portion of said plug-like closure means (3) protruding from said applicator (3) or said
   substance dispensing opening (Id), respectively, includes a flattened end (3b) for better
   embedding in said first transversal sealing seam (4).
6. The single use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plug-like closure means (3) is rod-like and fits into said opening (2a) of said applicator or opening (Id) of said neck end (1b), respectively, while having at one end an enlarged diameter (3 a) tightly sealing the opening of said applicator or of said neck end, respectively.
7. The single-use dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that said applicator (2) includes a narrowed insert end fitting into an inner neck area facing said filling end of said container (1) and includes a groove (2c) within the area of which said perforation seam (7) is provided.
8. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said applicator (2) includes an external flocking, a foam jacket, a dispensing nozzle or the like as an application means and is exposed in an area of this application means when said neck end (1b) of said container including the sealed-in closure means (3) has been broken away from said perforation seam (7).
9. The single-use dispensing device according to claim 1, 7 or 8, characterize in that said closure means (3) extends into the through opening (2a) of the applicator (2) only in an area of an outer discharge opening of said applicator.
10. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closure means (3) is elastically twistable in a portion displaced to the inside relative to said first transversal sealing seam (4).
11. The single-use dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cap (9) is provided at said closure means (3'), said cap extending over said applicator (2') when said closure means (3') is inserted in said applicator (2').
12. A method for the manufacture of a single-use dispensing device for liquid, pasty and other flowable and fluid substances comprising the steps of:

    manufacturing a container being provided for receiving a substance and initially having two open ends according to a method common when packing suppositories by

    bringing two thermoplastic synthetic foils in contact with one another, which are sealed together at contours of side edges of the desired container, and thereafter, heated foils and subsequently, by means of vacuum or, alternatively, overpressure, drawn or pressed into molds disposed on both sides of said synthetic foils so as to provide, after cooling, a fillable and sealable plastic container having an open neck end and an open filling end opposite to the neck end and lateral sealing seams on both sides of the container;

    inserting an applicator device into the neck end of said container, said applicator device having an opening extending through said applicator for dispensing and applying the substance;

    inserting a plug-like closure means into the opening of said applicator device prior to or after inserting said applicator device so that a portion of said closure means protrudes from a substance dispensing end from said applicator and is surrounded by an outer portion of said neck end of said container;

    applying a first transversal sealing seam extending transversely through the lateral sealing seams of said container at the outer portion of said neck end and sealing from all sides said portion of said closure means protruding from said applicator device;

    applying a tearable perforation seam so as to extend transversely through the lateral sealing seams and to be displaced towards said filling end relative to said first sealing seam and relative to said front substance dispensing end of said applicator; and

    closing the filling end of said container after it has been filled with the substance.
13. The method according to claim 12, characterized by applying a second transversal sealing seam in an area of an inner portion of said neck end so as to extend transversely through the lateral sealing seams and to seal from all sides said applicator or said closure means, respectively, said perforation seam being provided between said first and said second transversal sealing seams.

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