JP2007007324A - Dropping nozzle and preservation container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dropping preservation container which is prevented from contacting with outside air at a minimum. <P>SOLUTION: A container 1, a dropping nozzle 2 and a pressurizing section 3 which pressurizes for drop of a fluid from the dropping nozzle 2 are installed. The dropping nozzle 2 comprises a base section 21 equipped with a dropping hole 20 in the center, a plurality of supplying slit-forming sections 22 located in a concentric fashion for forming approximately cylindrical supplying slits around the dropping hole 20, a floating valve 23 which moves up and down while constantly contacting with each ends of the supplying slit-forming sections 22, and a trunk 24 covering the supplying slit-forming sections 22 and the floating valve 23 around the outside of the base section 21. The trunk 24 comprises a locking section 25 which holds the floating valve 23 among the supplying slit-forming sections 22 by restricting its movement. Additionally, the base section 21, the supplying slit-forming sections 22 and the trunk 24 are composed as a unit by a resin. The pressurizing section 3 comprises a sealing member 30 which pressurizes the inside of the container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage container that can store a substance (fluid) whose quality rapidly deteriorates when exposed to the outside air, such as eye drops (eye drops) and adhesives, for a long period of time.

  An eye drop container that is widely used at present generally has a simple structure in which a dropping nozzle for dropping a chemical solution is attached to a plastic container that contains the eye drop. However, in this type of eye drop container, when the eye drop is dropped, air easily enters the container from the drop nozzle, so that the eye drop is easily deteriorated and contaminated by oxygen, foreign matters, or various bacteria contained in the air.

  In order to solve this problem, various eye drop container structures have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 10, etc.).

  However, since the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high, the present situation is that preservatives and stabilizers are added to the eye drops to suppress the propagation of various bacteria, except for the single-use eye drop container. It is a fact.

JP 2000-140112 A JP 2001-258992 A JP 2003-126218 A JP 2003-292067 A JP2004-1780 JP 2003-321038 A JP2003-321074A JP 2003-321045 A JP2004-1829 JP 2003-190255 A

  However, “preservatives” contained in many eye drops also have a risk of adversely affecting the human body, and it is said that the use of preservatives is not preferable.

  By the way, although it is different from medical or pharmaceutical use such as eye drops and contact lens cleaning liquid, liquid or gel-like solvents (for example, adhesives and other organic solvents) are also solidified when exposed to the outside air. It can be said that these storage containers have the same common technical problem as the eye drop container described above in that the storage container has the characteristic that the quality is deteriorated.

  The present invention allows liquid or gel chemicals or solvents whose quality deteriorates when exposed to the outside air to be dripped only in a necessary amount when necessary while preserving it while minimizing contact with the outside air. It is a technical problem to provide a dripping nozzle and a storage container.

  In order to solve the above problems, the dropping nozzle 2 according to the present invention has a pedestal portion 21 provided with a dropping hole 20 in the central portion and a concentric shape for forming a substantially cylindrical liquid supply slit around the dropping hole 20. A plurality of liquid supply slit forming bodies 22 arranged on the surface, a floating valve 23 that moves up and down while always in surface contact with each end of the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and the outer periphery of the pedestal portion 21. A body part 24 covering the liquid supply slit forming body 22 and the floating valve 23 is provided. The body part 24 restricts the movement of the floating valve 23 and the floating valve between the liquid supply slit forming body 22 and the body part 24. The base part 21, the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and the body part 22 are integrally formed of resin.

A storage container according to the present invention includes a container 1 for storing a fluid, a dropping nozzle 2 connected to the container 1, and a pressurizing unit 3 that pressurizes the fluid to drop from the dropping nozzle. With
The dropping nozzle 2 includes a pedestal portion 21 having a dropping hole 20 in the center, and a plurality of liquid supply slits arranged concentrically to form a substantially cylindrical liquid supply slit around the dropping hole 20. The forming body 22, the floating valve 23 that moves up and down while always in contact with the respective end portions of the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and the liquid supply slit forming body 22 and the floating valve on the outer periphery of the pedestal portion 21. And a locking portion 25 that restricts the movement of the floating valve 23 and sandwiches the floating valve 23 with the liquid supply slit forming body 22. And the pedestal 21, the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and the body 22 are integrally formed of resin,
The pressurizing unit 3 includes a seal member 30 that can pressurize the inside of the container.

  When the pressurizing unit 3 is pressurized by an external force, the floating valve 23 is pushed into the drip hole 20 side by the pressure of the fluid filling the container 1. As a result, a “gap” is formed between the locking part 25 of the body part 24 and the bottom part of the floating valve 23, and the fluid inside the container 1 enters the drip nozzle side through this gap. The fluid passes through the liquid supply slit and is dropped from the dropping hole 20. While the floating valve is being pushed in, a force to push the floating valve 23 back to the initial position by the elastic force of the resin acts on the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and when the pressurization inside the container is stopped, the initial state Pushed back into position. In addition, since the floating valve 23 is always in contact with the tip of the liquid supply slit forming body 22 before and after the movement, the position does not shift.

  In this case, it is preferable that a liquid pool chamber 31 is further provided between the seal member 30 and the outside. The liquid pool chamber 31 functions as a portion that prevents the contents from coming into direct contact with the outside air even if the contents leak beyond the seal member 30.

  The storage container according to the present invention may be provided with a knock mechanism 5 that pushes the pressurizing unit 3 into the nozzle side by a certain amount. If comprised in this way, the content will be dripped from a nozzle by a fixed quantity whenever it knocks once.

According to the storage container of the present invention, it can be stored while minimizing contact with the outside air, and only a necessary amount can be dropped during use. When the storage container according to the present invention is applied to a storage container for a chemical solution to be used by dropping one by one, such as eye drops or contact lens cleaning or storage solution, it is necessary to add additives other than medicinal purposes such as preservatives. Absent.
In addition, the storage container according to the present invention can be applied to a storage container for fluids whose quality deteriorates when exposed to outside air such as adhesives and paints (these are organic solvents in many cases).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a storage container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 show an embodiment in which the storage container according to the present invention is applied to an eye drop container. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. 1 (b) is FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  The storage container according to the present invention is roughly divided into a container 1, a dropping nozzle 2, and a pressurizing unit 3. In addition, the storage container shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 has shown the state in which the cap 4 was attached.

  The container 1 has a structure that is always sealed by a floating valve 23 provided inside the dropping nozzle 2 and a seal member 30 provided in the pressurizing unit 3, and a fluid stored in the sealed space is enclosed. Is done. The container 1 may be made of a resin as hard as possible, such as polypropylene or amorphous polyolefin, in order to improve the sealing member 30 and airtightness. In particular, the use of amorphous polyolefin is preferable in terms of enhancing the slidability of the seal member because the inner surface of the container can be made into a smooth mirror finish during production.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the structure of the dripping nozzle, and is an enlarged view of a portion C illustrated in FIG. This figure shows a state where the inside of the container is not pressurized (state during storage, also referred to as “initial state”).

  As shown in this figure, the dripping nozzle 2 has a structure having a floating valve 23 inside, and in the initial state, the floating valve 23 blocks air outside the dripping hole 20 from a chemical solution or the like filled in the container. ing.

  The dropping nozzle 2 includes a pedestal 21 having a dropping hole 20 in the center, a liquid supply slit forming body 22, and a body portion that covers the liquid supply slit forming body 22 and the floating valve 23 on the outer periphery of the pedestal 21. 24, and these are integrally formed of resin. The body portion 24 is provided with a locking portion 25 that restricts the movement of the floating valve 23 and clamps the floating valve 23 with the liquid supply slit forming body 22. The member constituting the dropping nozzle is preferably a resin that is elastic and easily deformed, such as polyethylene.

3A is a perspective view of the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the liquid supply slit viewed from the container side. As shown in this figure, the plurality of liquid supply slit forming bodies 22 arranged concentrically around the dropping hole 20 form a substantially cylindrical liquid supply slit.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a taper (T portion in FIG. 3) corresponding to the inclination of the floating valve 23 is formed at the end portion (inside the tip portion) of the liquid supply slit forming body 22. Is provided.

  The configuration of the liquid supply slit forming body is not limited to the six pieces illustrated in FIG. 3A, and may be composed of any number of pieces such as four pieces as long as it is three pieces or more.

  FIG. 4A shows a state before and after pressurization in which the floating valve 23 is attached to the dropping nozzle 2. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the dropping nozzle 2 in a state where the floating valve 23 is pressed.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the pressurizing unit is pressed in a state where the container is filled with a fluid, the bottom of the floating valve 23 is pressed by the fluid pressure, whereby the floating valve 23 is released from the locking unit 25. It moves away and moves upward to press the tip of the liquid supply slit forming body 22. The liquid supply slit forming body 22 is elastic because it is resinous, and the liquid supply slit forming body 22 is expanded by the floating valve 23 and deformed. As a result, the fluid (chemical solution or the like) in the container passes through the gap S formed between the locking portion 25 and the floating valve 23, and is further guided to the dripping hole 20 through the upper liquid supply slit ( (See arrows (a) in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

  Since one end of the liquid supply slit forming body 22 is fixed by the pedestal 21, a force acts to push the floating valve 23 back to the initial state (stationary state) by the elastic force. For this reason, when the pressing of the pressing portion 32 is stopped, the floating valve is returned to the state before the pressing, and the floating valve 23 comes into close contact with the locking portion 25 to be in a sealed state again.

  The floating valve 23 is configured to always contact (surface contact) with the inner side (provided with a tapered portion) of each of the liquid supply slit forming bodies 22 before and after movement by pressurization (FIG. 4). (See Z part in (a)). Thereby, the position of the floating valve is difficult to shift.

  Thus, the action of the floating valve provided inside the dropping nozzle physically blocks the inside of the dropping nozzle and the inside of the container except during pressurization. It remains in the minute space in the nozzle and no germs enter the container. The dropping nozzle may be made of an antibacterial resin in order to kill germs that have entered the dropping nozzle.

(Second Embodiment)
As long as the storage container according to the present invention has the basic principle of the configuration shown in the first embodiment described above, the container 1 and the pressurizing unit 3 can have various shapes. For example, FIG. 5A shows an embodiment in which the configurations of the container 1 and the pressure unit 3 are partially modified. In addition, since the basic configuration of the container 1, the dropping nozzle 2, and the pressurizing unit 3 is the same, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for members having the same configuration even if the shapes are different. To do.

  The container 1 has a cylindrical shape, is filled with a chemical solution or the like, and is sealed by the dropping nozzle 2 and the seal member 30 described in detail in the first embodiment.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the configuration of the pressurizing unit 3, in particular, the seal member 30 is formed by an O-ring. The configuration of the pressurizing unit is a general configuration used in a syringe or the like, and butyl rubber or the like can be used as a member of the O-ring.

  FIG. 5B is a front view (partially sectional view) showing an enlarged view of the pressurizing unit 3. The pressurizing unit 3 includes three disk-shaped members connected at the center, and two members at both ends are provided with O-rings (first and second O-rings). Of these, the first O-ring 30a on the nozzle side is an essential component, but the second O-ring 30b on the opposite side may be omitted. In addition, this pressurizing part 3 may be a single body or a combination of separate bodies. A liquid pool chamber 31 is provided in the connection part of the disk (in the example of FIG. 5, two places). In this way, even if the contents leak beyond the seal member, the contents do not immediately touch the outside air.

  The storage container is initially sealed by the floating valve and the seal member 30, but when the pressing portion 32 is pressed by a finger or the like (in addition to the finger, it may be pressed by air pressure or other pressing means), the dropping nozzle 2 The floating valve 23 installed inside the container opens, the fluid in the container drops from the dripping hole 20, and when the pressing is stopped, the floating valve closes and becomes sealed again.

  This storage container is most suitable as a container for eye drops, and can also be used as a storage container for adhesives and other organic substances. Needless to say, it is necessary to appropriately change the design of the members and sizes of the container and the floating valve according to the contents.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the configurations of the container 1 and the pressure unit 3 are further partially modified. In addition, since the basic configuration of the container 1, the dropping nozzle 2, and the pressurizing unit 3 is the same, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for members having the same configuration even if the shapes are different. To do.

  In this embodiment, there is provided a knock mechanism 5 that pushes the pressure unit 3 toward the nozzle side by a certain amount. The knock mechanism only needs to apply a principle such as a so-called mechanical pencil, and will not be described in detail. In short, each time the knock portion 50 is knocked, the pressing portion 32 is pushed into the nozzle side by a certain amount. In addition, it means a mechanism in which the content is dropped from the dropping hole 20 by a certain amount every time the knocking is performed. The knock mechanism is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG.

  In addition, when applied to an eye drop container, if the dropping nozzle is at the tip of an elongated container as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the tip of the tip of the thin nozzle is knocked toward the eyeball during use. Some people are terrified. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the nozzle may be attached to the side surface. In this way, it is expected that some fear will be removed. In addition, it is not essential to attach a nozzle to the side part of a container, For example, as shown to Fig.5 (a), you may attach a nozzle to the upper part of a container main body.

(Other embodiments)
The storage container according to the present invention is not limited to the storage container for eye drops or contact lens cleaning or storage liquid, but is suitable for storage containers for fluids (liquid or gel) whose quality deteriorates when exposed to the outside air. If necessary, the shape, size, material, and the like of each part can be changed, and for example, it can be used for an adhesive storage container.

  Although the storage container according to the present invention has a relatively simple structure, only a necessary amount can be dropped when necessary while minimizing contact with the outside air, and eye drops, contact lens storage solutions, and other medical departments It can be applied to containers for storing fluids such as liquid or gel-like chemicals and solvents that deteriorate when exposed to outside air as well as adhesives. Therefore, the industrial applicability of the present invention is extremely large.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the storage container according to the present invention is applied to an eye drop container, wherein (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). . 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion C illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the liquid supply slit forming body 22, and FIG. 3B is a front view of the liquid supply slit forming body as viewed from the container side. FIG. 4A shows a state before and after pressurization in which the floating valve 23 is attached to the dropping nozzle 2. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the dropping nozzle 2 in a state where the floating valve 23 is pressed. FIG. 5A shows an embodiment in which the configurations of the container 1 and the pressure unit 3 are partially modified. FIG. 5B is a front view (partially sectional view) showing an enlarged view of the pressurizing unit 3 in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the configurations of the container 1 and the pressure unit 3 are further partially modified.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2 Drop nozzle 20 Drop hole 21 Base part 22 Liquid supply slit formation body 23 Floating valve 24 Body part 25 Locking part 3 Pressurization part 30 Sealing member 31 Puddle chamber 32 Press part 4 Cap 5 Knock mechanism 50 Knock part T Taper part S Clearance

Claims (4)

A pedestal portion (21) provided with a drip hole (20) in the center, and a plurality of liquid supply slits arranged concentrically to form a substantially cylindrical liquid supply slit around the drip hole (20) The forming body (22), the floating valve (23) that moves up and down while always in contact with the respective end portions of the liquid supply slit forming body (22), and the liquid supply to the outer periphery of the pedestal portion (21) A body part (24) covering the slit forming body (22) and the floating valve (23). The body part (24) restricts the movement of the floating valve (23) and the liquid supply slit forming body. A locking portion (25) is provided between the floating valve (23) and the pedestal portion (21), a liquid supply slit forming body (22), and a body portion (24). And a dropping nozzle (2), wherein the nozzle is integrally formed of resin. A container (1) for storing a fluid, a dropping nozzle (2) connected to the container (1), and a pressurizing unit (3) for applying pressure to drop the fluid from the dropping nozzle; With
The dripping nozzle (2) is concentrically formed to form a pedestal portion (21) having a dripping hole (20) in the center and a substantially cylindrical liquid supply slit around the dripping hole (20). A plurality of liquid supply slit forming bodies (22) arranged, a floating valve (23) that moves up and down while always contacting each end of the liquid supply slit forming body (22), and the pedestal part (21 ) And a body part (24) that covers the liquid supply slit forming body (22) and the floating valve (23), and the body part (24) restricts movement of the floating valve (23). And the latching | locking part (25) which clamps the said floating valve (23) between the said liquid supply slit formation bodies (22) is provided, and the said base part (21) and a liquid supply slit formation body (22) and the body portion (24) are integrally formed of resin,
The said pressurization part (3) is equipped with the sealing member (30) which can pressurize the inside of a container, The storage container characterized by the above-mentioned. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein a liquid reservoir (31) is provided between the seal member (30) and the outside. The storage container according to claim 2, further comprising a knock mechanism (5) for pushing the pressurizing unit (3) into the nozzle side by a certain amount.

Images