WO2022155812A1

WO2022155812A1 - Glass syringe dropper

Info

Publication number: WO2022155812A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/072864
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinseok Kim; Thomas OCONNOR; Venkatesh Sridhar SHEREGAR
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2021-01-20
Filing date: 2021-01-20
Publication date: 2022-07-28
Also published as: JP2024503735A; FR3118883A1; KR20230154810A; CN116744819A

Abstract

A glass syringe dropper includes a top plunger (1); a main body (2) that is made by glass; an inner cap (4); and an outer cap (3) that houses the inner cap (4); wherein the main body (2) has a top end (21), a middle portion (22) and a bottom end (23), the top plunger (1) is removably connected to the top end (21), and the inner cap (4) and the outer cap (3) are removably connected to the bottom end (23), and wherein the top end (21) and the bottom end (23) can be opened and closed with air-tight and liquid-tight features for dispensing control, without breaking open the glass syringe dropper to access an interior of the glass syringe dropper.

Description

Glass syringe dropper

Technical field

The present invention relates to a glass syringe dropper.

Background Art

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

A prior art patent document WO2011/114344A1 discloses a multi dose glass cartridge for homogeneous liquid medicament solution, which is used for medical purpose with needles/medical needle syringe or medical drug delivery system. The top end of the multi dose glass cartridge is closed and sealed with a rubber seal/aluminum cup. The bottom end is closed with a rubber plug/piston. The homogeneous liquid medicament is filled inside the hollow interior glass barrel of a cartridge body. This multi dose glass cartridge must be used with a needle that can pierce through the seal. Such multi dose glass cartridge of WO2011/114344A1 cannot be used for direct skin application. And the multi dose glass cartridge cannot be used as a dropper for controlled flow. In the document WO2011/114344A1, dose selection can only be achieved by pierced medical needle syringe or suction by a drug delivery system with a needle. In addition, such closure system cannot be opened and reused for multi-use.

Another conventional glass container generally comprises a cylindrical glass main body. Once the liquid has been introduced into the glass container, it is hermetically sealed by melting the material at a point. When the user is going to use the content within the glass container, he/she has to break a brittle point to break the glass container, in order to allow the content to flow out of the container. Such "ampoule-type" containers cannot stand on their own in an upright position and are difficult to handle when removed from their box.

For example, a prior art patent document WO2008/065221A1 discloses a glass receptacle that comprises a cylindrical glass main body. The cylindrical glass main body has a long, narrow neck on a first wall of the cylindrical glass main body. The cylindrical glass main body has a circular ring on a second wall that is opposite to the first wall. The circular ring defines an opening and supports a seal for the opening. The long, narrow neck is sealed by means of melting of the actual material. The glass receptacle is a two-piece tube system that is closed and finished by sealing with glass. The bottom end of the glass receptacle is closed with a rubber plug/piston. This glass receptacle must be used with a needle that can pierce through the seal on the back side, for example, a medical needle syringe. Such container made by glass in the document WO2008/065221A1 is a storage container for medical drugs, which cannot be used for direct skin application. Its container has no function of the nozzle design, whose glass tip has to be broken if it has to be used without needle or medical syringe. The glass receptacle cannot be used as dropper for controlled flow. In addition, the closure system cannot be opened and reused for multi-use and it is just sealed for using with a needle.

In general, the prior art glass ampoules have a sealed end. The user needs to break a glass tip of a glass ampoule to access product. When an ampoule containing a medicine or the like is used, a shallow hurt is given on a constriction of the ampoule, and a stem of the ampoule is then separated from a body thereof by an applied force and the stem cannot be bonded back to the body any more. Hence, such prior art glass ampoule cannot be multi-use.

Another conventional glass container allows the user to break a single neck of a glass container by breaking a laminated seal with a wedge-shaped element. Or, a seal of a second base can be of the type which can be burst, using a syringe needle, which allows the container to be used for storing liquids for injection, and transferring the liquids to a syringe without having to cut the glass neck. This container can be disposed on the second base in an upright position.

For example, a prior art patent document US5948366A discloses a glass ampoule for holding a drug, a calibration liquid or a quality control liquid. The bottom of the glass ampoule is flat or recessed towards the interior of the ampoule, the bottom area is shaped and/or coated such that a predefined breaking site is provided, which can be mechanically destroyed with little use of force. The glass ampoule of US5948366A has to be broken when in use. The glass ampoule cannot be used as dropper for controlled flow. In addition, the glass ampoule cannot be opened and reused for multi-use.

Further, US4826025A discloses an ampoule package in which a stem of an ampoule is wrapped with a heat-shrinkable film. At least a constriction of the ampoule is covered with a lower portion of the heat-shrinkable film. In particular, the ampoule package of US4826025A comprises an ampoule having a body, a stem attached to the body, and a constriction between the stem and the body at which the stem is separable from but integrally attached to the body; at and adjacent the constriction, the ampoule narrows in cross-section; a heat-shrinkable film which is shrink-wrapped around the constriction and around at least a portion of the stem and around the area of the body and of the stem that is adjacent the constriction for the film to be generally conformed to the ampoule where the film is shrink-wrapped around the ampoule. When in use, the ampoule package will be cut. Hence, the ampoule package of US4826025A has to be broken when in use. The ampoule package cannot be used as dropper for controlled flow. And the ampoule package cannot be opened and reused for multi-use.

The prior art glass containers cannot be used for direct skin application. And they cannot be used as dropper for controlled flow. The conventional closure system cannot be opened and reused for multi uses. The conventional glass container has to be pierced by a needle or be broken.

In view of the defects in the prior art, there is a need for a new glass syringe dropper with controlled flow, which has a closure and dispensing system for multi uses without the need of breaking the container.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a glass syringe dropper for skin care and scalp care applications, benefits for glass protection for formula like ampoules or vials.

The main body of the glass syringe dropper can be a glass tube. Both ends of the glass tube are open, so that there is no need to break a glass tip to access to the interior of the glass syringe dropper. One end can be a screw cap neck to fit a dispensing actuator system, the other side is a snap fit neck for easy removal and application of a press fit cap. There is no need to insert a medically type needle syringe to remove product. The product is dispensed in controlled manner by an actuator using a plunger design.

A apply head may be provided in one end. Two caps may be provided at the two ends of the glass syringe dropper. The apply head has a tip that may be preferably made by glass. The tip may have a very small orifice and a very long travel orifice for controlled flow in very low viscosity serums, oils or cosmetic fluids, which is made by using tube glass technology and nozzle modification customized tooling.

In an embodiment, a bi-injected inner cap that may be a snap cap has flexing arms and a soft tip to assist the closure of glass syringe, in which the flexing arms may be made by thermoplastic resin, preferably PP (Polypropylene) , and the soft tip may be made by TPE/TPR (Thermo Plastic Elastomer/Thermo Plastic Rubber) . A snap bead ring can be provided on the glass tube. The small orifice is provided so as to have an air tight closure with possibility of multi openings and closings. The snap bead ring on the glass can be alternatively designed with a screw design for cooperating with cap closure system. In an embodiment, the top end of a glass syringe may have a screw cap closure for exchange closure or to have plunger system to assist a drop by drop flow control.

With the structure of the present invention, which has a wide opening at top end and narrow exit at the bottom end, there is no need to insert a medically type needle syringe to remove product. The product is dispensed in controlled manner by actuator using a plunger design. Compared with the conventional glass ampoule having a breaking tip that will have a sharp edge of glass after breaking, the glass syringe dropper according to the present invention may be made with a radius at the tip so that is can be directly used for skin touch.

One object of the present invention is to provide a glass syringe dropper with a single piece body design with a controlled flow orifice.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the dropper to have a closure and dispensing system by two ends open design.

These objects are achieved by means of a glass syringe dropper according to the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a glass syringe dropper includes: a top plunger; a main body that is made by glass; an inner cap; and an outer cap that houses the inner cap, wherein the main body has a top end, a middle portion and a bottom end, the top plunger is removably connected to the top end, and the inner cap and the outer cap are removably to the bottom end, and wherein the top end and the bottom end can be opened and closed with air-tight and liquid-tight features for dispensing control, without breaking open the glass syringe dropper to access an interior of the glass syringe dropper.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner cap includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the lower part includes a plurality of ribs for enhancing the friction force between the inner cap and the outer cap and a hole to liberate air pressure during locking.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper part includes a plurality of flexing arms and a plurality of fixed arms, and the flexing arms and the fixed arms are interleaving with each other, wherein the flexing arms are flexible and designed to snap the inner cap onto the bottom end of the main body, and wherein the fixed arms cooperate and hold the inner cap with the outer cap so that they do not separate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom end has an orifice which has a small diameter and a large length.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the length of the orifice to the diameter of the orifice is larger than or equal to 4.3.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the orifice is in a range of 1mm to 1.6mm, and the length of the orifice is in a range of 7mm to 20mm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, inside the inner cap, there is an orifice sealing pin and a tube guiding seal ring, wherein the tube guiding seal ring extends around the orifice sealing pin and guides the bottom end of the main body into position during assembly, wherein the orifice sealing pin is used to seal the orifice, and the tube guiding seal ring provides the secondary sealing on an outer side of the bottom end, and wherein the orifice sealing pin and the tube guiding seal ring are made in one piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom end comprises an upper section, a middle section and a lower section, wherein the upper section is a cylinder, the middle section is a snap bead ring whose external diameter is larger than the external diameter of the upper section, and the flexing arms snap the inner cap onto the middle section, and the lower section is a frustum whose external diameter decreases gradually in a direction from top to bottom.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a funnel shape inside the upper section and the middle section and the internal diameter thereof decreases along an inner surface downward, wherein the inner surface has an upper part which has a constant internal diameter, a middle part which is arc-shaped and concave with respect to an axis of the funnel shape, and a lower part which is arc–shaped and convex with respect to the axis.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal diameter of the inner surface is in a range of 6mm to 8mm, and at the point of intersection of the middle part and the lower part, an internal diameter of an inner surface is in a range of 4mm to 6mm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the top end is a screw neck having an outer screw, which matches an inner screw of the top plunger, and the top end and the main body are made of glass as one piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the top plunger includes a plunger button, a collar and a top cap, wherein the collar has a disk portion and a neck portion, and an external diameter of the disk portion is larger than an external diameter of the top cap, the collar and the top cap are fixed together as a holding portion of the top plunger, the collar has an opening and the plunger button is inserted through the opening, the top cap has a hollow cavity that is in commutation with the opening, the cavity is for containing a rubber bulb, and an O-ring is provided for sealing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger button is made of thermoplastic resin material, the collar is made of thermoplastic resin material, the top cap is made of thermoplastic resin material, and the O-ring is made of thermoplastic resin material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between a lower edge of the plunger button and a upper edge of the collar defines a stroke length, an internal volume of the rubber bulb defines a stroke volume, and an edge of a tip of the bottom end is rounded so that it is can be directly used for skin touch.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner cap is made of thermoplastic resin material, and the outer cap is made of thermoplastic resin material or made of metal or alloy material.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Figures

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary glass syringe droppers according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention, in which a main body is connected with a top plunger and an outer cap.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention, in which an outer cap is removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention, in which a top plunger is removed.

Fig. 5 is a front view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a partial view of a bottom end of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a bottom end of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a bottom end of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a top plunger of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 15 shows the stroke of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the nozzle and the caps of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an inner cap of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 18 shows an inner cap of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Fig. 19 shows an inner cap and an outer cap of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

A full glass body syringe dropper for skin care and scalp care applications is shown in Figs. 1-3. The glass syringe dropper has a main body that may be made of glass. The main body of the glass syringe dropper is hollow for containing such fluids as water, serum, oils and cosmetic fluids. The main body of the glass syringe dropper can be a single piece glass body design. For example, the main body may be a glass tube. Both ends of the glass tube are open, so that the user does not need to break a glass tip.

In a preferred embodiment, the glass syringe dropper comprises a top plunger 1, a main body 2, an inner cap (as shown in Figs. 12 and 19) and an outer cap 3. For example, the main body 2 is made of glass. Figs. 1-3 show several conditions of the glass syringe dropper. The left part of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show that the main body 2 is connected with the top plunger 1 and covered by the outer cap 3 (the inner cap is contained within the outer cap 3) . The middle part of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 show that the main body 2 is connected with the top plunger 1 and the outer cap 3 is removed, in which the inner cap is contained within the outer cap 3 so that the inner cap is removed together with the outer cap 3. The right part of Fig. 1 shows that after removing the outer cap, a button of the top plunger is pressed and a drop is expelled.

As shown in Fig. 1, when the glass syringe dropper is being used after removing the outer cap, the button of the top plunger of the glass syringe dropper is pressed and a dosage is dispensed, which can be applied directly to the human's skin. When the glass syringe dropper is not being used, the button is not pressed and the glass syringe dropper is covered and sealed by the outer cap that contains the inner cap, which is for sale, storage, transport and so on.

Fig. 4 shows another condition of the glass syringe dropper, in which the top plunger 1 is removed, by for example screwing out the top plunger 1, while the main body 2 is still covered by the outer cap 3. In this condition, the glass syringe dropper can be opened at one end and either refilled or recharged for multi uses. The top plunger 1 can be screwed on the glass syringe dropper again for next use.

Fig. 5 shows a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. In this embodiment, the main body 2 is in general made of glass and comprises a top end 21, a middle portion 22 and a bottom end 23. The top end 21 of the main body 2 may be a neck, preferably a screw neck whose outer screw is used for screw closure fit, which fits a dispensing actuator system. The dispensing actuator system may be a top plunger, for example a top plunger 1 as shown in Figs. 1-2 and 4. The top plunger has an inner screw to match the outer screw of the screw neck. The dispensing actuator system can be connected with the main body in other suitable manners, such as mechanical fit, snap fit and adhesion. In a preferred embodiment, the top end 21 may be a part of the main body 2 and integral with the main body 2. For example, the top end 21 and the main body 2 are made of glass as one piece. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom end 23 and the main body 2 are made of glass as one piece. In a preferred embodiment, the top end 21, the main body2 and the bottom end 23 are made of glass as one piece.

Fig. 6 shows the bottom end of the main body in details. The bottom end 23 of the main body can be used as a nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom end 23 comprises an upper section 231, a middle section 232 and a lower section 233. In this embodiment, the upper section 231 is a cylinder. The middle section 232 is a snap bead ring, whose external diameter is larger than the external diameter of the upper section 231. The lower section 233 is a frustum whose external diameter decreases gradually in a direction from the top to the bottom. With this design, the middle section 232 has an external function as snapping bead to fit a press fit cap externally. A cap can be fixedly connected with the bottom end 23 by for example press fit, interference fit or mechanical fit. As an alternative closing system, the middle section of the bottom end of the main body can be designed with a screw design for cooperating with a screw of a cap closure system, wherein the middle section has a screw neck design for capping function.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a bottom end of a main body of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which shows the bottom end in details. The interior of the bottom end is hollow. As shown in this embodiment, it is a hollow funnel design inside of the upper section 231 and the middle section 232, as shown in the circle of Fig. 7. That is, there is a funnel shape inside the upper section 231 and middle section 232 and the internal diameter thereof decreases along the inner surface downward. As shown in the sectional view of Fig. 7, the inner surface has an upper part 234 which has a constant internal diameter. The inner surface has a middle part 235 which is substantially arc-shaped and concave with respect to an axis A, and a lower part 236 which is substantially arc–shaped and convex with respect to the axis A. The concave arc–shaped inner surface and the convex arc–shaped inner surface form an “S” . An orifice 237 extends from the terminal of the lower part 236.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a bottom end of a main body of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which indicates the sizes of the respective parts. As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 8, the internal diameter D ₂₃₄ of the upper part 234 is in a range of 6mm to 8mm, or preferably 6.45mm to 7.51mm, or preferably 6.98mm. At the point of intersection I of the middle part 235 and the lower part 236, i.e., the midpoint of the “S” , the horizontal cross section is a circle and the diameter D ₂₃₅ of the circle is in a range of4 to 6mm, or preferably 4.61mm to 5.63mm, or preferably 5.12mm. As shown in Fig. 8, the orifice 237 has a very small diameter. The diameter D ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 is preferably in a range of 1mm to 1.60mm, or preferably 1.20mm to 1.55mm, or preferably 1.40mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.30mm. And the orifice has a large length. The length L ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 is preferably in a range of 7mm to 20mm, or preferably 9.05mm to 14.95mm, or preferably 11.45mm. The very small diameter D ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 and the large length L ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 establish a flow of fluid viscosity liquid, such as oil, water and other cosmetic fluids. In a preferred embodiment, such funnel design achieves a flow restriction, for example, from 6.98mm to 5.12mm coming down to a orifice, for example of 1.40mm diameter, which creates a restricted flow. The ratio of the length L ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 to the diameter D ₂₃₇ of the orifice 237 is defined as an LD ratio, i.e., L ₂₃₇/D ₂₃₇. In a preferred embodiment, the LD ratio of the orifice 237 is larger than or equal to 4.3, or preferably larger than or equal to 4.375. The large LD ratio will lead to good dripping control and good air tightness. With such LD ratio, the present invention can achieve air tightness fit with the cap system to prevent any leakage at extreme conditions of Vacuum pressure and temperature variations. For example, the glass syringe dropper according to the invention is able to stabilize the dripping control for over 1 minute for fluid products (e.g., water) once the cap is opened.

In a preferred embodiment, the middle section 232 (i.e., the snap bead ring) has a maximum external diameter De ₂₃₂ in a range of 11mm to 14mm, or preferably 11.90mm to 12.85mm, or preferably 12.60mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.30mm. In the sectional view of Fig. 8, the edge of the middle section 232 (i.e., the snap bead ring) is preferably an arc and its radius R ₂₃₂ is in a range of 1.5mm to 1.8mm, or preferably 1.57mm to 1.69mm, or preferably 1.63mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.30mm.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the total height H ₂ of the main body 2 is in a range of 100mm to 120mm, or preferably 107.40mm to 116.20mm, or preferably 113.20mm, with a tolerance range in+/-1.50mm. The external diameter De ₂₂ of the middle portion 22 of the main body 2 is in a range of 16mm to 18mm, or preferably 16.60mm to 17.40mm, or preferably 17mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.50mm. As stated above, the middle section 232 (i.e., the snap bead ring) has a maximum external diameter De ₂₃₂ in a maximum cross section. The height H ₂₃ from the maximum cross section of the middle section 232, for example, from the central cross section of the middle section 232, to the terminal of the bottom end 23 (e.g., the tip of the nozzle) is in a range of 11mm to 14mm, or preferably 12.30mm to 13.66mm, or preferably 12.98mm. In a preferred embodiment, the size of pack of the glass syringe dropper can be overall varied for up to 35%of size for different cosmetic products. That is to say, the size of the whole glass syringe dropper can be changed according to different products and the size can be increased up to 135%of the original size of the glass syringe dropper and can also be decreased up to 65%of the original size of the glass syringe dropper.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the height H ₂₁ of the top end 21 of the main body 2 is in a range of 7mm to 9.50mm, or preferably 7.96mm to 9.10mm, or preferably 8.53mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.35mm. The distance S between the topmost part 211 of the top end 21 and the uppermost edge 212 of the screw thread is in a range of 0.50mm to 1.50mm, or preferably 0.75mm to 1.25mm, or preferably 1mm. The edge of the topmost part 211 of the top end 21 is rounded which has a radius R ₂₁₁ in a range of 0.10mm to 0.45mm, or preferably 0.20mm to 0.35mm, or preferably 0.30mm. The lowermost part 213 of the top end 21 is rounded which has a radius R ₂₁₃ in a range of 0.50mm to 1.50mm, or preferably 0.75mm to 1.25mm, or preferably 1mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper edge 221 of the middle portion 22 of the main body 2 is rounded which has a radius R ₂₂₁ in a range of 0.2 to 0.7mm, or preferably 0.35mm to 0.60mm, or preferably 0.50mm. The lower edge 222 of the middle portion 22 of the main body 2 is rounded which has a radius R ₂₂₂ in a range of 1mm to 2mm, or preferably 1.25mm to 1.75mm, or preferably1.50mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the height H ₂₃ of the bottom end 23 of the main body 2 is in a range of 16mm to 19mm, or preferably 17mm to 18mm, or preferably 17.50mm. The external diameter De ₂₃₁ of the upper section 231 of the bottom end 23 is in a range of 9mm to 12mm, or preferably 10mm to 11.20mm, or preferably 10.60mm. The distance between the lower edge 222 of the middle portion 22 and the upper edge 238 of the middle section 232 is in a range of2.5mm to 3.5mm, or preferably 2.75mm to 3.25mm, or preferably 3mm. In other words, the height H ₂₃₁ of the upper section 231 of the bottom end 23 is in a range of 2.5mm to 3.5mm, or preferably 2.75mm to 3.25mm, or preferably 3mm. The bottommost part 239 of the bottom end 23, for example the tip of the nozzle, is rounded which has a radius R ₂₃₉ in a range of 0.5mm to 1.5mm, or preferably 0.75mm to 1.25mm, or preferably 1mm. Because bottommost part 239 of the bottom end 23 (e.g., the tip of the nozzle) is rounded and has no sharp edge, the glass syringe dropper can be directly used for skin touch compared with the prior art glass ampoule.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a main body of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the height H ₂₂ of the middle portion 22 of the main body 2 is in a range of 70mm to 90mm, or preferably 79mm to 87mm, or preferably 84.26mm. The wall thickness T ₂₂ of the middle portion 22 of the main body 2 is in a range of 1.00mm to 1.20mm, or preferably 1.05mm to 1.15mm, or preferably 1.10mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.10mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum external diameter Des of the top end 21, i.e., the external diameter Des of the screw thread on the top end 21 is in a range of 13mm to 16mm, or preferably 14mm to 15mm, or preferably 14.50mm, with a tolerance range in +/-0.30mm. The external diameter Deb of the body of the top end 21 is in a range of 11mm to 14mm, or preferably 12mm to 13mm, or preferably 12.50mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.30mm. The internal diameter Db of the body of the top end 21 (e.g., the diameter of the opening) is in a range of 9mm to 10mm, or preferably 9.25mm to 9.75mm, or preferably 9.50mm, with a tolerance range in+/-0.40mm. The pitch of screw thread P is in a range of 3mm to 4mm, or preferably 3.20mm to 3.62mm, or preferably3.41mm.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. The glass syringe dropper may include, from top to bottom: a plunger button 11, a collar 12, a top cap 13, a rubber bulb 14, an O-ring 15, a main body 2, an inner cap 4 and an outer cap 3. In a preferred embodiment, the collar 12 and the top cap 13 can be fixed together as a holding portion 16 of the top plunger 1, by means of, for example, welding, bonding, thread connection, interference fit and so on. The resulted holding portion 16 of the top plunger 1 is shown in Fig. 13. In a preferred embodiment, the collar 12 has a disk portion 121 and a neck portion 122, and the neck portion 122 of the collar 12 is inserted and fixed within an opening of the top cap 13 at one end thereof to form the holding portion 16. The external diameter of the disk portion 121 of the collar 12 is larger than the external diameter of the top cap 13, so that the user can easily hold the holding portion 16 while pushing the plunger button 11 due to the larger disk portion. The collar 12 has an opening on the disk portion 121 and a passage extending from the opening and through the disk portion 121 and the neck portion 122. The plunger button 11 can be inserted through the opening and the passage. The plunger button 11, the collar 12 and the top cap 13 together form the top plunger 1, as shown in Fig. 14. The top cap 13 is preferably a cylinder and has a hollow cavity that is in commutation with the passage and the opening. The cavity is for containing the rubber bulb 14 and the rubber bulb 14 is connected with the top end 21 of the main body 2 at an open end of the rubber bulb 14 by appropriate manners. In a preferred embodiment, the O-ring is used for sealing the connection between the rubber bulb 14 and the top end 21 of the main body 2. The rubber bulb 14 can also be removed for refilling.

In a preferred embodiment, the plunger button 11 is made of thermoplastic resin material, preferably PP (Polypropylene) material; the collar 12 is made of thermoplastic resin material, preferably PP (Polypropylene) material; the top cap 13 is made of thermoplastic resin material, preferably PP (Polypropylene) material; the rubber bulb 14 is made of NBR (nitrile-butadiene rubber) material or silicone rubber material; the O-ring 15 is made as an O-ring liner that is made of thermoplastic resin material, preferably PE (Polyethylene) material. In an alternative embodiment, the rubber bulb, preferably a NBR bulb, can be configured to have a thicker or larger lower section to act as an O-ring. Then, the O-ring can be eliminated. That is to say, the existed O-ring can be replaced with a NBR bulb having a lower section that acts as an O-ring. The rubber bulb 14 is elastic and air-tight on the main body. In use, the plunger button 11 is pressed and the rubber bulb 14 is squeezed or compressed by the plunger button 11, so that the air within the rubber bulb 14 is expelled and fluid contained in the main body 2 is pushed downward. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber bulb 14 can be designed small enough to allow expelling or release of air in a small volume to allow a controlled dosage. Preferably, a maximum volume 0.37ml (full stroke volume) can be pushed out, which is very strong. A general pressure stroke dispenses around 0.2 to 0.25ml of a product drop. As shown in Fig. 15, the distance between the lower edge of the plunger button 11 and the upper edge of the collar 12 defines the stroke length S _L. The internal volume of the rubber bulb 14 defines the stroke volume S _V. As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 15, the full length between the lower edge of the plunger button 11 and the upper edge of the collar 12 can be the maximum stroke length, i.e., the plunger button 11 is pressed to an extent in which the lower edge of the plunger button 11 contacts the upper edge of the collar 12, which corresponds to the maximum stroke volume. In use, the plunger button 11 can be pressed in the full length, or it can be pressed in a part of the full length. When the plunger button 11 is pressed, the rubber bulb 14 is squeezed or compressed and the fluid within the main body 2 is expelled in the form of one or more drops. In an alternative embodiment, the rubber bulb can be replaced with a bulb made of elastic material.

Back to Fig. 12, the O-ring is used for sealing the main body 2 of the glass syringe dropper, which can be in a form of glass syringe tube. The inner cap 4 is set inside the outer cap 3 for covering the bottom end (e.g., nozzle tip) of the main body 2.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a bottom end and caps of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. Fig. 16 shows the contour profile of the main body (e.g., the nozzle tip) ; and the hollow cavity and the orifice 237 (e.g., the thin diameter orifice) of the main body 2. The middle section 232 (e.g., the snap bead ring) of the bottom end 23 of the main body 2 is snap-fitted with flexing arms 41 of the inner cap 4 for snap fit closure. The inner cap 4 is contained within the outer cap 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner cap 4 has an orifice sealing pin 43 that is made of soft material for plugging the orifice to prevent the fluid in the dropper leaking or flowing out. The inner cap 4 can be made of Bi-injected material (e.g., injected hard material and soft material) . Bi-injected material can be two materials of plastic molded together sequentially. The flexing arms 41 of the inner cap 4 are snap-fitted with the middle section 232 and rigid arms of the inner cap 4 are fixed with the outer cap 3. In a preferred embodiment, the soft material is TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer) or TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber) .

Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of an inner cap of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. The inner cap 4 includes an upper part 40 and a lower part 50. The lower part 50 includes a plurality of ribs for enhancing the friction force between the inner cap 4 and the outer cap 3. The upper part 40 includes a plurality of flexing arms 41 and a plurality of fixed arms 42. In a preferred embodiment, the flexing arms 41 and the fixed arms 42 are interleaving with each other, i.e., a flexing arm, a fixed arm, a flexing arm, a fixed arm…In other words, one flexing arm is positioned between two fixed arms and one fixed arm is positioned between two flexing arms. The flexing arms 41 are flexible and designed to slightly bend towards the central axis (not shown) in order to snap the inner cap 4 onto the middle section 232 of the main body 2. Such flexible flexing arms can be used on high tolerance material like glass. In a preferred embodiment, the flexing arms are made of elastic material, such as TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) material and rubber. In another embodiment, the flexing arms are made of flexible material. In another embodiment, the flexing arms are made of thermoplastic resin material. These flexing arms 41 can work even when glass tolerance range in+/-0.50 mm. The flexing arms 41 allow lower removal force and lower application force, and at the same time the flexing arms 41 prevent accidental and unintentional de-engagement.

Fig. 17 shows a preferred embodiment of the inner cap, in which in the lower diameter, 4 flexing arms are found to be sufficient. In other embodiments, the number of flexing arms can be in range of4 to 6 flexing arms to work smoothly for circular surface. The fixed arms 42 (rigid arms) cooperate and hold the inner cap 4 with outer cap 3 so that they do not separate when being pulled to be removed from the main body. Such design can be achieved with a material like PP (Polypropylene) . The flexing arms help with strong holding over the middle section of the bottom end during accidental angular force on cap, which help removal force to be high in case of accidental and unintentional de-engagement. In an embodiment, the fixed arms 42 can be higher than the flexing arms 41.

Fig. 18 shows a preferred embodiment of an inner cap. There is a hole 51 on the surface of the lower part 50 of the inner cap 4. The hole 51 helps to liberate air pressure during locking of the inner cap and the outer cap. Inside the inner cap 4, there is an orifice sealing pin 43 and a tube guiding seal ring 44. The tube guiding seal ring 44 extends around the orifice sealing pin 43. Preferably, the orifice sealing pin 43 is located at the center of a circle of tube guiding seal ring 44.

The orifice sealing pin 43 is used to seal the orifice. The tube guiding seal ring 44 guides the glass object (e.g., the bottom end of the main body) into position during assembly or snapping of glass object, and it also provides a secondary sealing on the outer surface of the tip of the bottom end (e.g., the nozzle) . The orifice sealing pin 43 and the tube guiding seal ring 44 can be made in one piece. As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 19, there is a base portion 45 that is set on inner surface of the bottom of the lower part 50 and the orifice sealing pin 43 and the tube guiding seal ring 44 extend upward from the base portion 45, and they are made in one piece, which can be made of soft material Bi-injected like TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) , TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethanes) and rubber. The high tolerance of glass orifice locking is achieved by the soft sealing material Bi-injected like TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) , in which the soft pin achieves a tight seal on glass. The soft material gets pressed easily to help seal glass with even high tolerance.

Fig. 19 shows an inner cap and an outer cap of an exemplary glass syringe dropper according to the invention. The fixed arms 42 of the inner cap 4 cooperate to lock with the outer cap 3. The inner cap 4 can be made of thermoplastic resin material, such as PP (Polypropylene) material, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) material and PS (Polystyrene) material. The outer cap 3 can be made of thermoplastic resin material, such as PP (Polypropylene) material, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) material and PS (Polystyrene) material. The outer cap 3 can also be made of metal or alloy material. The flexing arm design is especially made to achieve the easy capping for the snap bead on the glass tip. This flexing arm design helps to hold the cap very tightly once closed but at the same time it also helps the user to easy and well uncap.

These components of the glass syringe dropper according to the invention together create a very constricted flow for very low viscosity and rheological free flowing liquids. This design in nozzle is also created to have external function for snapping bead to fit a press fit cap externally. This design helps create a good cut off of a drop during dispensing. The glass syringe dropper is made with radius so that is can be directly used for skin touch compared with glass ampoule, which have breaking tip that end up having sharp edge of glass after breaking. A customized tooling can be done on glass necking machine to achieve this design on material like glass, which achieves both such thin orifice diameter and snapping bead design. With the invention, it is able to achieve air tightness fit with the cap system to prevent any leakage at extreme conditions of vacuum pressure and temperature variations. It is also able to stabilize the dripping control for over 1 minute for fluid products like water once the cap is opened.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. This description is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for various applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Claims

A glass syringe dropper, characterized in that, it includes:

a top plunger;

a main body that is made by glass;

an inner cap; and

an outer cap that houses the inner cap,

wherein the main body has a top end, a middle portion and a bottom end, the top plunger is removably connected to the top end, and the inner cap and the outer cap are removably to the bottom end,

and wherein the top end and the bottom end can be opened and closed with air-tight and liquid-tight features for dispensing control, without breaking open the glass syringe dropper to access an interior of the glass syringe dropper.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that, the inner cap includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the lower part includes a plurality of ribs for enhancing the friction force between the inner cap and the outer cap and a hole to liberate air pressure during locking.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 2, characterized in that, the upper part includes a plurality of flexing arms and a plurality of fixed arms, and the flexing arms and the fixed arms are interleaving with each other, wherein the flexing arms are flexible and designed to snap the inner cap onto the bottom end of the main body, and wherein the fixed arms cooperate and hold the inner cap with the outer cap so that they do not separate.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that, the bottom end has an orifice which has a small diameter and a large length.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 4, characterized in that, the ratio of the length of the orifice to the diameter of the orifice is larger than or equal to 4.3.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 4, characterized in that, the diameter of the orifice is in a range of 1mm to 1.6mm, and the length of the orifice is in a range of 7mm to 20mm.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 4, characterized in that, inside the inner cap, there is an orifice sealing pin and a tube guiding seal ring, wherein the tube guiding seal ring extends around the orifice sealing pin and guides the bottom end of the main body into position during assembly, wherein the orifice sealing pin is used to seal the orifice, and the tube guiding seal ring provides the secondary sealing on an outer side of the bottom end, and wherein the orifice sealing pin and the tube guiding seal ring are made in one piece.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 3, characterized in that, the bottom end comprises an upper section, a middle section and a lower section, wherein the upper section is a cylinder, the middle section is a snap bead ring whose external diameter is larger than the external diameter of the upper section, and the flexing arms snap the inner cap onto the middle section, and the lower section is a frustum whose external diameter decreases gradually in a direction from top to bottom.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 8, characterized in that, there is a funnel shape inside the upper section and the middle section and the internal diameter thereof decreases along an inner surface downward, wherein the inner surface has an upper part which has a constant internal diameter, a middle part which is arc-shaped and concave with respect to an axis of the funnel shape, and a lower part which is arc–shaped and convex with respect to the axis.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 9, characterized in that, the constant internal diameter of the upper part is in a range of 6mm to 8mm, and at the point of intersection of the middle part and the lower part, an internal diameter of the inner surface is in a range of 4mm to 6mm.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that, the top end is a screw neck having an outer screw, which matches an inner screw of the top plunger, and the top end and the main body are made of glass as one piece.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that, the top plunger includes a plunger button, a collar and a top cap, wherein the collar has a disk portion and a neck portion, and an external diameter of the disk portion is larger than an external diameter of the top cap, the collar and the top cap are fixed together as a holding portion of the top plunger, the collar has an opening and the plunger button is inserted through the opening, the top cap has a hollow cavity that is in commutation with the opening, the cavity is for containing a rubber bulb, and an O-ring is provided for sealing.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 12, characterized in that, the plunger button is made of thermoplastic resin material, the collar is made of thermoplastic resin material, the top cap is made of thermoplastic resin material, and the O-ring is made of thermoplastic resin material.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 12, characterized in that, the distance between a lower edge of the plunger button and a upper edge of the collar defines a stroke length, an internal volume of the rubber bulb defines a stroke volume, and an edge of a tip of the bottom end is rounded so that it is can be directly used for skin touch.
The glass syringe dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that, the inner cap is made of thermoplastic resin material, and the outer cap is made of thermoplastic resin material or made of metal or alloy material.