MXPA00003566A - System for preserving a liquid substance in a flexible container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for preserving a liquid substance (L) in a flexible container (1), said substance capable of deteriorating and/or being contaminated in contact with outside air, characterised in that it comprises a solid insert (3) at least partially immersed in the liquid (L) inside the container (1) and providing a protective treatment by contact over a large exchange surface with said substance (L).

Description

SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION OF A LIQUID SUBSTANCE IN A FLEXIBLE CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for preserving a liquid substance in a flexible container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION More precisely, it is applied to a substance capable of chemically degrading and / or bacteriologically contaminating contact with ambient air. Substances are found mainly in the pharmaceutical and food fields. Up to the present, the protection of these substances is ensured by incorporating the preservative agents, often soluble, which are absorbed by the consumer at the same time as the substance. REF .: 119377 However, these conservative agents are likely to have harmful actions on the body and drag, for example, disorders of metabolism. In addition, the association of several different soluble agents favors the chemical interactions likely to cause phenomena either denaturation of the substance (deactivation, discoloration ...) or neutralization or attenuation of agents effects due to their incompatibility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to resolve these technical problems in a satisfactory manner. This object is achieved, according to the invention by means of a system for preserving a liquid substance in a flexible container, the substance is susceptible to degradation and / or contamination upon contact with ambient air, characterized in that it comprises a solid insert at less partially immersed in the liquid inside the container and which ensures a protective treatment by contact on a large exchange surface with the substance. According to a first embodiment, the insert is elastically deformable and its volume is substantially equal to the interior volume of the container. According to a second embodiment, the insert is rigid and its volume is determined as a function of the internal volume of the container to limit the compression of the container and the dose of distributed substance. According to an advantageous feature, the geometry of the insert is determined to create at least one preferential zone of deformation of the container wall. According to a specific variant, the preferential zone of deformation is constituted by a peripheral groove arranged substantially halfway above the insert and of which the dimensions are adapted to a manual take. According to another feature, the insert is made in a manner that has a bactericidal and / or chemical and mainly antioxidant action by contact with the substance.

According to yet another feature, the insert is made of a porous or spongy material capable of being impregnated by the liquid substance. Preferably, the porosity of the constituent material of the insert is between 40% and 60% with a pore diameter between 5 μm and 60 μm. According to a first variant, the insert is made in one piece. According to another variant, the insert is made in the form of an arrangement or accessory of several pieces. Preferably, the outer cover of the insert conforms substantially to the interior shapes of the container. The system of the invention allows to preserve the properties and intrinsic qualities of the liquid substance since it is not necessary to mix it with the preservatives. The insert ensures the protective treatment by contact with the liquid substance. The greater volume of the insert, and in particular its alveolar internal structure, allows the increase of the exchange surface, and consequently, increase the effectiveness and the longevity of the protective treatment. On the other hand, the insert of the invention participates in the dosing of the liquid substance by forming an internal tempering element of which the deformation capacity is weaker than that of the wall of the flexible container. The invention will be better understood with the reading of the description which will continue accompanied by the drawings on which: Figures la and lb represent schematic views in section of a first embodiment of the invention respectively in rest position and in position distribution; Figures 2a and 2b represent schematic sectional views of a second embodiment of the invention respectively in the rest position and in the distribution position; Figures 3a and 3b represent schematic sectional views of a third embodiment of the invention respectively in the rest position and in the distribution position. The system shown on the Figures is intended to ensure the preservation of liquid substances L contained in flexible containers 1 equipped with a dispensing member such as an endpiece or a tube 2. Substances L are more particularly products which, on contact of environmental air, are susceptible to alteration or degradation chemically (for example by oxidation) and / or to be contaminated bacteriologically. These products are, for example, pharmaceutical products. To preserve these products from any alteration, degradation or contamination, it is provided, according to the invention, to have an insert 3 inside the container that ensures a protective treatment. The insert 3 is a solid element, submerged at least partially in the product, inside the container 1. The insert 3 is preferably made with a material comprising cavities or alveoli of reduced dimensions in which the product L penetrates. Insert 3 is then impregnated with the product, which means that the internal cavities enclose each one, a fraction of the product. The arrangement of the walls of the cavities thus represents a vast area of contact with the product L. For this purpose, the porosity of the insert 3 is preferably determined by a vacuum rate between 40% and 60% and a diameter of pores between 5 μm and 60 μm. The constituent material of the insert 3 possesses the bactericidal and / or chemical and mainly antioxidant properties that are activated by contact with the product L. It is also possible to foresee that this material is activated as a reactant or as a modifier against the liquid substance L in an object determined. The insert 3 can be made from a single piece of porous, spongy or alveolar material, as represented on the Figures, or in several pieces in the form of an arrangement with balls, slices, granules, tissue, etc. In the embodiment of Figures la and lb, the insert 3 is rigid and its volume is previously determined as a function of the internal volume of the container to limit its elastic deformation. More precisely, the lateral compression of the flexible container 1 leads to the retaining stop of its internal side walls, lb against the rigid insert 3. The outer cover of the insert 3 substantially conforms to the interior shapes of the container 1. The amplitude A of the deformation corresponds to a determined volume of the evacuated product L which thus constitutes the unit dose. The loosening or diminution of the walls of the container is accompanied by an aspiration of a volume of air V inside the container that takes on its initial shape. Preferably, the container 1 is made of two pieces with, for example, a bottom 10 intended to be assembled to a cylinder 11 after insertion of the insert 3. The insert 3 is free in the interior of the container and in order not to generating the evacuation of the product, it is provided that the insert 3 can not block the plug 12 during the distribution of the product L with the tube in the low or lower position. This arrangement is obtained by making, for example, the neck or passage of the container with the lateral passages for the product. The porosity of the insert confers, on the other hand, a sufficient buoyancy to remain in suspension in the liquid product L.

In the embodiment of Figures 2a and 2b, the insert 3 is still rigid but its geometry is chosen specifically to create at least one preferential zone of deformation of the wall of the container 1. This area is formed here by a peripheral groove 30 arranged substantially halfway above the insert 3. The inner volume of the peripheral throat 30 corresponds substantially to a dose of the product. The dimensions of the cover of the insert 3 are inferior, at least laterally, to the internal dimensions of the container 1 to rest a slight set J interposed. In the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, the insert 3 is elastically deformable. Its volume is substantially equal to the internal volume of the flexible container 1 so that the volume of residual air between the insert 3 and the wall of the container is very small. In contrast, a fraction of air is even in the cavities of spongy matter. The constituent material of the insert is spongy. Thus, during the lateral compression of the container 1 (Figure 3b), the insert 3 is likewise compressed, which has the effect of expelling a fraction of the liquid L from the internal cavities of the insert. The loosening or reduction of the container causes the aspiration and absorption by the spongy material of a fraction of air. In this case, there is no limitation of the deformation of the container and the dosage is made in the assessment of the user.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which refers to the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property

Claims (10)

1. A system for preserving a liquid substance in a flexible container, the substance is susceptible to degradation and / or contamination upon contact with ambient air, characterized in that it comprises a solid insert of which an outer cover conforms substantially to the interior shapes of the container. container inside which is at least partially submerged and which ensures a protective treatment by contact on a large exchange surface with the substance.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert is elastically deformable and its volume is substantially equal to the internal volume of the container.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert is rigid and its volume is determined as a function of the internal volume of the container to limit the understanding of the container and the dose of the distributed substance.

4. A system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometry of the insert is determined to create at least one preferential zone of deformation of the wall of the container.

5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the preferential zone of deformation is constituted by a peripheral groove arranged substantially halfway above the insert and of which the dimensions are adapted to a manual take.

6. A system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert is made of a material having a bactericidal and / or chemical action and mainly antioxidant by contact with the substance.

7. A system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert is made of a porous or spongy material capable of being impregnated by the liquid substance.

8. A system according to claim 7, characterized in that the porosity of the constituent material of the insert is comprised between 40% and 60% with a pore diameter comprised between 5 μm and 60m.

9. A system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert is made in one piece.

10. A system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the insert is made in the form of an arrangement or lining of several pieces.