RU2410306C2 - Liner for containers designed for multiple components - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging industry. ^ SUBSTANCE: liner for container designed for multiple components comprises a container with a hole bounded by a peripheral edge which is connected in use with a sealing element. When using the container and the sealing element limit substantially a sealed cavity. This container comprises a fixed part and a movable part that is attached to the fixed part with the possibility of displacement relative to it under the influence of gas pressure inside the container. There is an outlet in the movable part, and a passageway for gas leakage in the container wall. A valve element is attached to the fixed part coupling with the outlet and essentially sealing it. Application of gas pressure to the inside of the container, which is higher than the pressure influencing on its outer part, leads to displacement of the movable part from the fixed part and, thus, to the exit of valve element from sealing contact with the outlet. ^ EFFECT: reliable automatic mixing of container components while it is opened. ^ 9 cl, 8 dwg

Description

This invention relates to container liners that contain two or more different substances or components stored separately and mixed together during opening of the container.

There are many fields of activity in which containers intended for several components are used or needed, in particular containers with two components. So, there are certain pharmaceutical compositions that are administered as a mixture, but which are unstable if they are in the form of a mixture for a long period. Accordingly, the components of such a composition are stored separately and only shortly before administration are mixed. In this case, both components are usually in liquid form, but it is also possible that one of these components is a solid or powdery substance. Such containers may also find application in the food market, in particular drinks. So, for example, you can mix lime juice with a can or bottle of light beer shortly before drinking.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive container liner for several components, which provides reliable automatic mixing of one component in the container with the second component in the same container when it is opened.

In accordance with this invention, the liner for a container intended for several components comprises a container with an opening bounded by a peripheral edge for connecting to the sealing element, said container defining together with the sealing element using a substantially sealed cavity and comprising a fixed part and a movable part the part that is attached to the fixed part with the possibility of movement relative to it under the influence of gas pressure inside the pointer a tank and in which an outlet is made, and in the tank there is a channel for gas leakage, and a valve element is connected to the fixed part, interacting with the outlet and essentially sealing it, so that a higher gas pressure is applied to the inside of the tank the pressure acting on its outer part leads to the displacement of the movable part relative to the fixed part, thereby providing the valve member out of the sealing contact with the outlet.

In use, the opening is sealed with a sealing element, and the liner is partially filled with one component, preferably in liquid form, of a multicomponent system and placed inside a container containing an additional component of a multicomponent system. After sealing the container with a lid or other closure, which can be separate from the liner or can be attached to it, in the inner part of the container, that is, in the free space above the component located inside it, create increased pressure. If the component with the container is a carbonated drink, this pressure will automatically arise due to the increasing release of carbon dioxide from it. However, if the component inside the container is not carbonated, but is, for example, a pharmaceutical preparation, this pressure in the space above the container product can be easily created by adding a few drops, for example, liquid nitrogen, immediately before its sealing. Evaporation of nitrogen will begin immediately, and initial evaporation will replace air with nitrogen in the space above the product. Subsequent evaporation of nitrogen after applying a sealing cap will create increased pressure in the space above the product. The channel for the gas to leak into the tank will gradually pass gas under pressure into its internal part, whereby the pressure inside the tank will reach a value substantially the same as in the space above the product. When the container lid is removed, the space above the product is instantly depressurized. However, the channel for leakage in the diaphragm is quite small, therefore, immediate depressurization of the inner part of the container is impossible, due to which a significant pressure drop will be created across the container, which will affect the moving part of the container and lead to its relative displacement, i.e. with abduction from the fixed part. This movement of the moving part away from the fixed part will inevitably cause the discharge to move from the valve element. This movement is sufficient to remove the outlet from the interaction with the valve element and, accordingly, open it. The gas pressure prevailing inside the container will then push the component inside the container through the outlet into the container body in which it will mix with the other components within it. The container now contains a two-component mixture, which can then be administered to the patient or otherwise used.

The movable part of the container may have various shapes, and in one embodiment of the present invention it comprises an elastic membrane, for example of elastomer, which is attached to the rest of the container and in which an outlet is made. When a higher pressure prevails inside the container, the membrane swells like a ball, which leads to the displacement of the outlet with the removal from the fixed part of the container and, thus, to stop blocking the outlet by the valve element. However, with such a solution, it is necessary to perform two parts of the container from different materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the container is a continuous plastic casting containing a diaphragm, the movable part being connected to the stationary part by at least two annular bend lines in the opposite direction, so that a higher gas pressure is applied to the inner part of the vessel than the pressure acting to its outer part, leads to a rotational movement relative to the fold lines and, thus, to the movement of the movable part. The effect of the differential pressure across the container wall of this embodiment causes a relative rotation of the annular parts of the container on each side of each fold line, which effectively creates a hinge made in one piece, and this rotation will lead to the movement of the movable part and, accordingly, also the outlet from the fixed part.

The valve element may have various shapes, but in a simple preferred embodiment, it comprises a finger or the like, which is integrally connected to the specified peripheral edge. This finger in normal conditions interacts with the outlet, for example, passes into it and forms a seal with it, so as to close the outlet and prevent premature discharge of the component inside the container into the container. From the point of view of production, the valve element is conveniently integrally formed with the peripheral edge of the fixed part of the container, which entails the need to attach a finger to the container by means of a connecting link or connector of some kind. This connecting link will essentially have a relatively large length, and in order to ensure its retention in the desired position, it is preferable that the liner contains a support element made in one piece with the fixed part and interacting with the specified link, giving it stability.

The channel for leaking gas in the diaphragm may simply be a very small hole in it. However, it seems convenient if the valve element and the outlet together define a gas permeation channel, as this will eliminate the need for a separate permeation channel. Preferably, the valve element and the outlet together are a unidirectional valve defining a channel for gas to leak through which gas can pass into, but not from, the tank.

This insert can be used with two-component containers, in which case one component will naturally be stored in the container body and the other in the insert. However, the present invention is applicable to containers for three or more component systems, and therefore, the container may contain one or more partitions dividing it into two or more compartments, each of which communicates with a corresponding flow hole interacting with a corresponding valve element. In use, each compartment will naturally be filled with a different component of a multicomponent system. In the first of the two preferred embodiments discussed above, it is preferable that each flow opening is connected to a corresponding row of at least two spaced bend annular lines.

This insert may be delivered to the bottle manufacturer or the like in an unsealed condition, that is, without sealing the opening with a sealing member. Naturally, the liner must be sealed before use to prevent leakage or contamination of its contents, and the sealing element may be a layer of plastic or metal, or their composition, attached to create a seal to the peripheral edge of the diaphragm. Thus, the present invention encompasses an insert with or without a sealing element.

This insert can be attached to the container as a separate component and a lid or other closure, then attached to the container. However, it is convenient if the liner and closure are a composite unit, so that they are then simultaneously attached to the container. Such a closure comprises a cover plate which, when used, extends across the dispensing opening in the container, therefore, a sealing layer of plastic or the like may not be used, and the sealing element of the liner may be formed by a cover plate of the closure.

Additional features and details of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of certain specific embodiments, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

figure 1 depicts a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the proposed liner in the state "immediately after molding";

figure 2 depicts a section of the liner shown in figure 1, in a working configuration;

figure 3 depicts a longitudinal section of the liner along the line 3-3 shown in figure 2, which additionally shows its possible modification;

figure 4 depicts a view similar to the view shown in figures 1 and 2, illustrating the liner after pushing its contents into the container;

5 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a valve pin located in a flow hole;

Fig.6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig.3, illustrating the cap of the container containing the proposed liner.

The liner shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a continuous cast of polypropylene or the like. However, it can also be made by stamping or pressing from a metal foil or from a composite material containing metal and plastic. When the liner is removed from the mold, it has the configuration shown in figure 1. The insert contains a generally cup-shaped element 2 with an open top, at the base of which there is a hanging recess 4. The annular wall of the recess 4, inclined downward and inward, is made with many spaced annular lines with low strength, that is, lines with reduced thickness, the purpose of which considered further. At the base of the recess 4, a flow-through hole 6 is made, limited by the elastic edge 8 shown in FIG. At the same time, a peripheral flange 10 is made with the upper peripheral edge of the liner, from which one end of the elongated connecting link 12 is formed substantially laterally molded at the same time with it. A finger 14 is made integrally with the free end of the link 12, which extends vertically upward in a position that it takes "immediately after molding." Along with the base of the cup-shaped element 2, an upwardly extending support 16 is formed that extends radially outward from the recess 4. The support 16 comprises an upwardly extending partition, at the two ends of the upper surface of which there are corresponding upwardly extending ears 18, the gap between which is substantially equal to the width of the link 12. Thus thus, the support 16 at the upper end has a substantially rectangular groove defined by the inner edges of the two ears 18. However, this support may not be necessary, and accordingly it may not be.

By applying an upward force to the lower end of the recess 6, the liner is brought into working condition, which causes wrinkling of the annular walls of the recess 4, that is, the formation of adjacent folds of opposite directions around the annular lines with low strength. In this case, the recess 4 moves up substantially to the level of the rest of the base of the cup-shaped part 2. Before or after this, the link 12 is rotated 180 ° counterclockwise, if you look at figure 1, until it reaches the position shown in figure 2 . The free end of the finger, which in this case has the shape of a truncated cone, is inserted into the hole 6 bounded by the upwardly extending edge 8. The inner diameter of the edge 8 and the outer diameter of the finger 14 are so adapted to each other that the finger 14 extends the edge 8 in the outward direction, this edge 8 comes into contact with the surface of the finger 14 and forms with it a substantially gas tight seal. In this position, the link 12 rests on the upper surface of the support 16, and its lateral movement is limited by the ears 18.

Then the liner is partially filled with the necessary substance, in liquid or powder form, and in this case it is assumed that this substance is one of the components of a two-component pharmaceutical composition, which is administered in the form of a mixture, but which in a mixed state is unstable for a long time. The liner is then sealed by attaching to the upper surface of its upper peripheral flange 10 a sealing film 20, preferably of metallized plastic, since such composite materials are impervious to both liquids and vapors. Now this insert is ready for use.

Prior to inserting the insert into the container, there is a danger of inadvertently striking or applying another force to the unprotected end of the finger, which can lead to leakage or even complete loss of the contents of the insert. To minimize the occurrence of such a hazard, you can make a small change in the design, as shown only in figure 3. This change consists in the presence of an annular protrusion 40 on the outer part of the liner, made with it in one piece and passing around the unprotected end of the finger 14 down to a place located below the end of the finger. This protrusion, instead of which a series of individual protrusions can be made, will protect the end of the finger from impacts.

This insert can be used in various ways, however, in its simplest form, it is placed in the neck of a container intended for two components, which already contains another component of the above two-component pharmaceutical composition, with the peripheral flange 10 of the insert resting on the edge of the container. Before placing on the edge of the liner, several drops of liquid nitrogen are introduced into the container, and then the outer sealing cap is quickly applied before all nitrogen is evaporated. Initial evaporation of liquid nitrogen will fill the space above the container product with nitrogen, replacing all atmospheric air and any bacteria contained in the container. Subsequent evaporation of nitrogen, which will occur after closing the lid, increases the pressure in the space above the product to a level exceeding atmospheric pressure. As the pressure increases, the edge 8 will be supplied in the outer direction with the opening of a small channel for gas to leak into the inner part of the liner. Accordingly, the pressure in the inner part of the liner will eventually reach a value substantially equal to the pressure in the space above the product in the container.

If necessary, the introduction of a two-component pharmaceutical composition, the lid of the container is removed. In this case, an instant depressurization of the space above the product in the container occurs. However, the valve formed by the interaction of the edge 8 with the finger 14 is a unidirectional valve due to the location of the edge 8. Thus, instantaneous depressurization does not occur in the inner part of the liner and, accordingly, a significant pressure difference is created along the wall of the recess 4. This circumstance leads to the instantaneous movement of the recess down, accompanied by the simultaneous straightening of various folds in its annular wall, which occurs on opposite sides of adjacent folds. As you move the bottom of the recess down, the edge 8 of the flow-through hole 6 will come out of contact with the finger 14, which remains stationary. At this stage, the flow hole 6 opens and the super-atmospheric pressure prevailing in the inner part of the liner above the pharmaceutical component located therein quickly pushes the pharmaceutical component through the hole 6 into the container, in which it is mixed with the pharmaceutical component already in the container using impact caused by a high-speed jet passing through the hole 6.

The dimensions of the recess and the level of filling of the container can provide the location of the hole 6 below the liquid level in the container, although this is not essential. Now the liner has the configuration shown in figure 4, and can be discarded, and a two-component pharmaceutical composition can be introduced to the patient.

As described above, the proposed liner and closure or lid are attached to the container separately. However, it may be more convenient to perform the liner with the lid in one piece, and a similar design is shown in Fig.6. Such a single structure may comprise an insert as shown in FIGS. 1-5 attached inside the cover, for example by means of a snug fit or by an adhesive method or the like. However, it is necessary that this cover has a cover plate, indicated in FIG. 6 by 22, which extends over the opening in the container, as well as a peripheral skirt 24 with a screw thread or the like (not shown), if the container is a container of a conventional type with a hole made in the neck. The presence of the closing plate 22 allows not to use the sealing film 20, the function of which will be performed by the plate 22, attached with the creation of a seal in any suitable way to the upper flange 10 of the liner.

It should be understood that the above liner and lid are intended for use with a container intended for two components, that is, with a container in which one component is located in the container body and the second component, which must be mixed with it, is in the liner. However, the proposed liner and lid can also be used for containers containing three or more different components that must be mixed shortly before use or administration of the drug. Thus, in a modified embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, the liner is intended for use with a container containing three different components. The base of the cup-shaped element 2 is made with two rows of annular, preferably concentric, fold lines from opposite rows, with a corresponding outlet opening located inside each row of fold lines. The inner part of the container, limited by the liner, is divided into two compartments by a partition that is integral with the wall and the base of the liner and passes between two rows of fold lines, whereby each of the compartments communicates with a corresponding flow hole. In addition, in one piece with the cup-shaped element made two fingers and links, essentially the same as shown in Fig.1-6, which interact with the corresponding flow holes. It should be understood that when using the two compartments are filled with various components and that the operation of this insert is essentially the same as the work described above, with the only difference being that when the container is opened, both flow openings move down and accordingly come out of contact with the corresponding fingers, whereby two flow openings are opened substantially simultaneously, and the contents of the two compartments are pushed into the container body substantially simultaneously and mixed with a third component already in the container body.

Claims (9)

1. An insert for a container intended for several components, comprising a container (2, 4) with an opening bounded by a peripheral edge for connecting to a sealing element (20), said container restricting together with a sealing element (20) when used, according to essentially a sealed cavity and contains a fixed part (2) and a movable part (4), which is attached to the fixed part (2) with the possibility of movement relative to it under the influence of gas pressure inside the specified container and which has an outlet passage (6), wherein the container has a channel for gas leakage, and a valve element (14) is connected to the fixed part (2), which interacts with the outlet passage, so that the application of a gas pressure higher than the pressure on the inside of the vessel acting on its outer part, leads to the movement of the movable part relative to the fixed part, thus ensuring communication of the inner part of the container with the outer part through the outlet passage, characterized in that the said container together with with the sealing element (20) when used limits a single sealed cavity, the outlet passage forms an opening (6) in the movable part (4), and the valve element (14) interacts with the outlet opening (6) and essentially seals it, so that the application to the inner part of the gas pressure vessel, higher than the pressure acting on its outer part, leads to the outlet of the valve element (14) from the sealing contact with the outlet (6), the container is a continuous plastic casting containing dia ragma, while the movable part (4) is attached to the stationary part (2) by at least two annular bend lines of the opposite direction, so that the application to the inner part of the tank gas pressure higher than the pressure acting on its outer part, leads to a rotary movement relative to the fold lines and, thus, to the movement of the movable part, and the valve element and the outlet together limit the specified channel for gas leakage and together form a unidirectional valve, limits a specified channel for gas leakage through which gas can pass into the container, but not from it. 2. The liner according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve element is a finger, which in one piece is attached to the specified peripheral edge. 3. The insert according to claim 2, characterized in that it contains a support element made in one piece with the fixed part, while the finger is attached to the specified peripheral edge by a link that interacts with the support element, giving it stability. 4. The insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the container contains one or more partitions, dividing it into two or more compartments, each of which communicates with a corresponding flow hole interacting with a corresponding valve element. 5. The insert according to claim 4, characterized in that each flow hole is associated with a corresponding row of at least two spaced annular bend lines. 6. The liner according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a sealing element attached to the tank. 7. The liner according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing element is a layer of plastic, or metal, or their composition, attached with the creation of sealing to the specified peripheral edge. 8. A closure for a container intended for several components, comprising a liner attached to it according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A closure according to claim 8, comprising a liner according to claim 6 and a closing plate, which, when used, extends over an opening in the container, the closing plate being said sealing element.

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