WO1988005755A1

WO1988005755A1 - Dosing device

Info

Publication number: WO1988005755A1
Application number: PCT/GB1988/000069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Leslie Ogden
Original assignee: The Wellcome Foundation Limited
Priority date: 1987-02-06
Filing date: 1988-02-05
Publication date: 1988-08-11
Also published as: GB8702664D0; AU1224388A

Abstract

An overcap for a capped bottle comprising a bowl-shaped piece (7) having a flange piece (8) attached thereto can, when not in use as an overcap, be transformed to provide a dosing device comprising a bowl and a handle, wherein the bowl is formed by the bowl-shaped piece (7) of the overcap and the handle is formed by the flange piece (8) of the overcap.

Description

Dosing Device

The present invention is concerned with a dosing device which is suitable for dispensing a measured amount of material, particularly a medicinal liquid.

Medicinal liquids are typically retailed in capped bottles. Traditionally the recommended dosage has been in terms of numbers of spoonfuls of a particular domestic spoon size. However, the inherent variation in the capacity of spoons having the same nominal size, the possibility of the user selecting the wrong size of spoon, and the inconvenience for the manufacturer of adjusting the strength of the medicine in order to satisfy the arbitrary requirements imposed by dosing with domestic spoons, have led to the introduction of dosing spoons for specific use with a particular medicine. Typically the dosing spoon is provided with the bottled medicine in a single package.

Although the provision of a dosing spoon with each bottle of medicine largely overcomes the drawbacks associated with dosing using domestic spoons, the inclusion of a separate spoon in each package of medicine presents problems for the manufacturer. Thus the insertion of a spoon into each package is a relatively slow step compared with capping the bottle, since at higher speeds of insertion the spoons tend to miss the space provided for them or to "fly out" of the package after insertion. In fully automated packaging lines, spoon insertion is often the rate-determining step.

The provision of separate spoons is also unsatisfactory for bulk packaged medicines in which twelve or more bottles may be contained in a single tray and the complete batch covered with stretch-sealed film. Alternatively, the tray may be omitted and the batch simply enclosed in stretch-sealed film. In either case, the corresponding number of spoons is typically- provided in a separate package and a spoon issued separately with each bottle of medicine. With a view to overcoming these problems, a number of alternative dosing devices have been tried, notably the graduated dosage cup, from which the medicine is poured into the mouth, which is provided in the individual or bulk package as an overcap inverted over the cap of each bottle. For individual packages, this type of dosing device can be inserted with the bottle of medicine much more quickly than a separate spoon and it allows a reduction in the size and cost of the package since a space to accommodate the spoon is not required. For bulk packages, an overcap can be placed on top of each bottle before covering the batch with a stretch-sealed film, so that each bottle has its own dosing device contained within the package.

However, such cup-type dosing devices suffer from the disadvantage that viscous medicines tend to adhere to the sides and bottom of the cup so that accurate dosing of such medicines is not possible with such a device. For accurate dosing, a spoon-type device is preferred since effectively all of the medicine, regardless of its viscosity, can be removed from the spoon by the recipient, for example, by licking.

We have now developed a new type of dosing device which combines the packaging advantages of a cup-type device with the dosing accuracy of a spoon-type device.

According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided an overcap for a capped bottle comprising a bowl-shaped piece having a flange piece attached thereto, which overcap can, when not in use as an overcap, be transformed to provide a dosing spoon comprising a bowl and a handle, wherein the bowl is formed by the bowl-shaped piece of the overcap and the handle is formed by the flange piece of the overcap.

The invention also includes a capped bottle having thereon an overcap according to the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective back view of an overcap according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are bottom plan views of the overcap of Figure 1 showing alternative embodiments;

Figures 4 and 5 are front views of the overcap shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dosing spoon obtained from the overcap shown in Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is a side view of another overcap according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of the overcap of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a back view of the overcap of Figure 7 in place on a capped bottle;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the overcap of Figure 7 showing the lipped projection;

Figure 11 is a side view of a further overcap according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a front view of the overcap of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a back view of the overcap of Figure 11 in place on a capped bottle;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the overcap of Figure 11 showing the locking clips; and

Figures 15 and 16 are perspective views of alternative dosing spoons obtained from the overcap shown in Figures 7 to 14. The overcap of the invention shown in Figure 1 consists essentially of a bowl-shaped piece 1 from which a flange piece 2 depends. The bowl piece 1 is typically arranged so that the depression therein is concave relative to the flange piece 2 (as shown in Figure 1) , but it is also within the scope of the invention that the bowl piece may be "convex" relative to the flange piece.

The bowl piece 1 is typically circular or spoon-shaped in plan and has a volume corresponding to the required dosage. Alternatively, the inside of the bowl may be graduated so that various dosages can be accurately administered from the same spoon.

As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the flange piece 2 is dependent from the rim of the bowl and comprises four sections, viz. a hinge piece 3 (also shown in Figure 1), a removeable or breakable section 4, and two pieces 5, 6, typically of equal length, which will form the handle of the dosing spoon. The flange piece 2 may loosely fit over the cap of the bottle for which it is intended or it may be so adapted that the overcap is removeably retainable on the cap of the bottle. The latter can be achieved, for example, by a tapered friction fit (as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5) and/or by the provision of suitable ribs or projections on the inside of one or more sections of the flange piece which engage with the cap of the bottle.

The hinge piece 3 is securely attached to the rim of bowl piece 1 and moveably attached to pieces 5, 6 in such a way that these pieces can be pivoted about the hinge piece when converting the overcap to a spoon.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 (corresponding to Figures 2 and 3 respectively) , section 4 may conveniently take the form of a tear-out strip 4a, that is a strip which is frangibly attached to pieces 5, 6 and, optionally, bowl piece 1, which strip can readily be removed, or a break-off connection 4b between pieces 5, 6 which can easily be broken or cut. The removal of 4a or the breakage of 4b releases the unhinged ends of pieces 5, 6 so that these pieces may be bent back, as described below, to form the handle of the dosing spoon. One or more of pieces 4a, 5, 6 may be frangibly attached to the rim of bowl piece 1 or they may all be left unattached so that the flange piece is connected to the bowl piece by hinge piece 3 alone. The latter is preferred so that there is no risk of rough edges being left on the bowl of the spoon as when frangible attachments are broken.

To convert the overcap to a dosing spoon (Figure 6) , it is removed from the top of the capped bottle and the tear-out strip 4a or connection 4b is removed/broken in order to release the unhinged ends of pieces 5, 6. The pieces 5, 6 are then separated from the bowl piece 1, if necessary by breaking the optional frangible attachments between the pieces and the bowl, and the pieces are each bent back around the hinge piece 3 until they ^'come into contact on the other side of the hinge, that is on the side of the hinge away from the bowl, thereby forming the handle of the dosing spoon. The spoon when ready for use (Figure 6) therefore comprises a handle formed by pieces 5, 6. which is connected to bowl piece 1 by means of hinge piece 3.

The overcap of the invention as shown in Figures 7 and 11 consists essentially of a bowl-shaped piece 7 to which a flange piece 8 is attached by means of a hinge piece 9. The bowl piece 7 is arranged in a convex fashion relative to the flange piece 8 and may be of any desired shape, but is typically spoon-shaped and has a volume corresponding to the required dosage. Alternatively, the inside of the spoo:. may be graduated.

As indicated in Figures 7 to 9 and 11 to 13, the flange piece 8 consists of a continuous strip which is attached to the rim of the bowl piece by the hinge piece 9. In plan view, the strip typically has a shape approximating to that of the periphery of the bowl. The strip is generally arranged to be parallel to the rim of the bowl when the overcap is viewed from the side (Figures 7 and 11) . The flange piece may be so adapted that the overcap is removeably retainable on the cap of the bottle for which it is intended. This can be achieved, for example, by a friction fit (as shown in Figures 9 and 13) , for which purpose the flange piece may be tapered in cross-section, or b;^ the provision of suitable ribs or projections on the inside of the flange piece. As indicated, one end of the hinge piece 9 is securely attached to the rim of the bowl and the other end is attached to the flange piece. The hinge piece is hinged in such a way that the bowl and part of the hinge piece attached thereto can be pivoted relative to the flange piece. To convert the overcap to a dosing spoon (Figures 15 and 16) , it is removed from the top of the capped bottle and the bowl piece is pivoted relative to the flange piece 8 until the bowl and flange piece are in alignment, the flange piece thereby forming the handle of the dosing spoon. The spoon when ready for use therefore comprises a handle formed by flange piece 8 which is connected to bowl piece 7 by means of hinge piece 9.

As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the back of the bowl is typically provided with a lipped projection 10 which engages in an aperture 11 located at the back of the flange piece below the hinge, thereby holding the bowl and flange piece/handle in alignment and providing the spoon with rigidity when in use. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 11 to 14, the back of the flange piece may be provided with locking clips 12 which engage with the rear edge of the bowl or (not shown) with the edges of that part of the hinge piece which folds back with the bowl.

The suitability of the flange piece to act as a handle will depend on the nature of the material from which the overcap is made and the wall thickness of the flange piece. If the flange piece is sufficiently rigid, it will form a satisfactory handle without modification (as shown in Figure 15). If, on the other hand, the flange piece is relatively flexible, it may be rendered more suitable as a handle by joining together opposite sides of the continuous strip to give a handle having a narrower profile in plan view and which is relatively rigid. For this purpose, the flange piece may be provided with suitable grooves or hinges to facilitate bending and with means for holding together the opposite sides of the strip, for example, one or more suitable clips. Figure 16 shows a spoon in which the flange piece/handle is provided with a single clip 13 and eight hinges 14 to give a handle having a plan profile approximating to a figure of 8.

After use, the spoon is rinsed and may be replaced on top of the capped bottle for convenient storage by returning the flange piece to its original position(s) on either side of or around the bowl piece 1. The overcap/spoon may be used repeatedly until the contents of the bottle are finished.

In view of the requirement for flexibility and/or frangible connections in the overcap of the invention, it is typically made of a plastics material. The overcap can be used with any suitable type of bottle cap, including tamper-evident and child-proof types. Instructions for converting the overcap to a spoon may conveniently be provided on the outer surface of the flange piece.

The overcap of the invention can be applied to the top of a capped bottle at the same speed as the cap using essentially the same type of equipment, so that adding the dosage device to individual packages is no longer the rate-determining step in the packaging process. Thus the overcap can be added using suitably modified standard equipment, for example, a vibratory bowl feeder from which the overcap is fed down a chute and pushed on to the capped bottle.

When using a vibratory bowl feeder to supply the overcap, the latter is conveniently provided with one or more small projections or studs on the underside of the bowl piece to prevent the stacked overcaps, particularly those wherein the flange piece is tapered, from 'interlocking' with one ^•mother in the feeder. The flange piece of the overcap is typically provided with a further projection by which the overcap can be aligned in the feeder to ensure accurate placement on the capped bottles.

Although the above description has been directed to the use of the present invention in the administration of liquids, notably medicines, it is within the scope of the invention that the overcap may be used for the accurate measurement of other materials, such as granular or powdered solids.

Claims

1. An overcap for a capped bottle comprising a bowl-shaped piece having a flange piece attached thereto, which overcap can, when not is use as an overcap, be transformed to provide a dosing device comprising a bowl and a handle, wherein the bowl is formed by the bowl-shaped piece of the overcap and the handle is formed by the flange piece of the overcap.

2. An overcap according to claim 1, wherein the flange piece comprises a hinge piece and a re oveable or breakable section.

3. An overcap according to claim 2, wherein the removeable section of the flange piece is a tear-out strip.

4. An overcap according to claim 2, wherein the breakable section of the flange piece consists of a break-off connection.

5. An overcap according to claim 1, wherein the flange piece is attached to the bowl-shaped piece by means of a hinge piece.

6. An overcap according to claim 5, wherein the bowl-shaped piece and the flange piece are provided with means for holding said pieces in alignment when using the overcap as a dosing spoon.

7. An overcap according to claim 6, wherein the bowl-shaped piece is provided with a lipped projection which engages in an aperture in the flange piece.

8. An overcap according to claim 6, wherein the flange piece is provided with locking clips which engage with the rim of the bowl-shaped piece or with that part of the hinge piece which folds back with the bowl-shaped piece.

Q An overcap for a capped bottle substantially as described with respect to and as illustrated in accompanying Figures 1 to 6, 7 to 10 and 15 and 16, and 11 to 16. 10. A capped bottle having thereon an overcap according to any of claims 1 to 9.