Package and method for controlled metered dose dispensing of a fluid product

ES 2 349 352 T3

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method and container for metered and controlled dispensing of a fluid product contained in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Child-resistant packaging is understood to be an important concept to prevent accidental access by children, for example, to potentially dangerous dry or liquid products. However, the inclusion of the childproof function adds difficulty and frustration for the adult user when trying to open the package. Due to the difficulty of opening child-resistant containers, many people, especially older people who may have decreased strength and dexterity, may prefer to use a container that is not child-resistant instead. Alternatively, even when consumers purchase products with child-resistant packaging, the child-resistant packaging may not be reclosable or resealable to invalidate the child-resistant function. Because the containers are left uncovered and with easy access to their contents, it can increase the danger that children may be poisoned and other products may be misused.

Examples of such potentially dangerous products are liquid medicines or other medical fluids contained in a bottle, which typically require the amount administered to be measured to match the prescribed amount in order to be effective. There are well-known measurements such as the content of a teaspoon, the content of a tablespoon, the content of a cap, the drops and the milliliters, all of which are simply poured or dispensed from the medicine bottle. Without

ES 2 349 352 T3 however, usually, nothing prevents, p. For example, children or others who do not have the mental capacity to understand the risk of serious injury through contact or incorrect use of these medicines, spill or swallow the entire contents of the bottle. This problem is not limited to medicines but also occurs with household chemicals, and the like, packaged in bottles, tubes, cans, and similar containers.

A series of packages have been developed that allow a metered dose of the product, especially medicines, to be dispensed from a container. Most of them are specially designed to provide very precise dosages, which can be selected and adjusted by the user. However, less attention has been paid to safety, so that the packages can be easily opened or do not have the necessary control measures to prevent accidental access to their contents. When proper security measures are provided, the resulting package is often complicated, expensive, and difficult to operate.

The above-mentioned problems are generally recognized in the packaging industry and various means of solving them have been suggested. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,776,494, issued to Holoubek on October 11, 1988; commonly assigned patent US 4,143,797, issued to Reed on March 13, 1979; US Patent 5,127,553, issued to

Weinstein on July 7, 1992; US Patent 4,582,230, issued to Vierkotter on April 15, 1986 and US Patent 4,607,762, issued to Zulauf and Griesheim on August 26, 1986. Each of the aforementioned patents describe metered dosage functions. Other descriptions related to metered dosage functions include US Pat. No. 4,376,495, issued to Spatz on March 15, 1983; US 5,078,305, Glynn and Goldstein issued January 7, 1992; US 5,746,349, Putteman et al. May 5

ES 2 349 352 T3 of 1998 and US-5,897,029 issued to Tong on April 27, 1999. The Tong patent describes a dispenser especially suitable for tubes of toothpaste, in which a fixed amount of paste flows from the dispensing mouth each time the tube is squeezed to dispense the toothpaste.

EP-A-863,386 describes a package having the functions of the preamble of claim 2 of the present invention.

Even with a substantial body of work in this area, there continues to be a long-felt need for simple, easy-to-handle packaging that allows only a precise individual dose of product, such as medicines and drugs, to be dispensed from a container. other potentially dangerous products, every time the container is opened.

The present invention provides a method and container, which inhibits accidental access to dangerous quantities of potentially dangerous products such as medicines or other household chemicals by requiring the user to deliberately repeat one or more steps before said dangerous quantities can be removed from the container. (By dangerous quantity it is meant an quantity greater than a single predetermined dose).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for the controlled dispensing of a fluid product contained in a child resistant container having a metered dispensing system, at a maximum amount of a single metered dose each time the container is uncapped, said method comprising carrying out one or more steps necessary to activate said dispensing system to deliver the next dose, said necessary steps include recapping said container after

ES 2 349 352 T3 having dispensed said individual metered dose. The present invention further provides a container having a dispensing system for dispensing a metered and controlled dose of a fluid product, comprising (a) a container having a body for containing a fluid product and a discharge opening for dispensing said product. fluid.

(b) a child resistant closure adapted to cover said container and seal said discharge opening;

(c) a dosing chamber communicated with said discharge opening, said dosing chamber having the ability to measure a predetermined amount of fluid product that can be dispensed from the container after each removal of said closure and having an inlet through where the fluid product in the container body can flow into said dosing chamber and a breathing tube, separated from the inlet, to draw the air from the dosing chamber into the available head space within the body of the container.

(d) a flow control element for regulating the flow of fluid product between said container body and said dosing chamber; and (e) an actuator for activating the flow of the product from the body of the container into the dosing chamber in order to provide a metered dose ready to be dispensed, said actuator being associated or working in conjunction with said closure.

In use, the container is recapped after a metered dose has been dispensed in order to activate the dispensing system to deliver the next metered dose of product.

ES 2 349 352 T3

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1A and 1B show a child-resistant container that dispenses a metered and controlled dose, especially for a liquid product, according to the present invention.

Figure 1C shows in an exploded view a container according to the present invention for dispensing a metered and controlled dose, especially for a liquid product using a ball and spring valve.

Figures 2A-2C show a container for dispensing a metered and controlled dose suitable for use in an inverted or vertical manner, according to the present invention.

Figures 3A and 3B show an "inverted bottle" embodiment of a container for dispensing a metered dose in accordance with the present invention incorporating a slide valve.

<td>Figures 4A,</td><td>4B,</td><td>5A and</td><td>5B</td><td colspan="2">show closures</td><td>of</td>

<td>variable dosage</td><td>That</td><td>they can</td><td colspan="2">use</td><td>jointly</td><td>with</td>

<td>the present system</td><td>to</td><td colspan="2">dispense</td><td>a</td><td>measured dose</td><td>Y</td>

<td>controlled.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the specification concludes on the claims that specifically describe and clearly claim the invention, it is considered that the present invention will become more understandable from the following detailed description.

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As used herein, "comprising" means that other components and other steps can be added that do not affect the final result. This expression encompasses the expressions consisting of and essentially consisting of.

The present invention provides a method for controlled metered dispensing of a fluid product contained in a package having a metered dispensing system, each time the package is opened or uncapped. By the present method and container, the maximum amount of product that can be dispensed is limited to an individual metered dose each time the container is uncapped. Specifically, the metered dispensing system is configured to allow the dispensing of only a single metered dose of a liquid, viscous liquid, gel, paste, or semisolid product contained in the container and to avoid dispensing additional doses of the product until it has been taken. at least one specific and deliberate step to activate or restart the dispensing system. Such deliberate step is preferably one that occurs through natural use of the container, such as recapping the open container after a single dose has been dispensed. Only after the open container has been recapped is it possible to dispense the next dose of product. In this way, the system makes it difficult for children to access by preventing a child or other person who does not have the mental capacity to understand the risk of serious injury through contact or improper use of the product, from gaining access. to more than one individual dose of the product each time the container is uncovered. It would be illogical to recap or reseal an open container to dispense more product. In this way, the chances of an accidental overdose or poisoning can be significantly reduced. Controlled dispensing function provides delivery of a precise amount of product

ES 2 349 352 T3 for the intended application, while also preventing residue, spillage and dirt from occurring. With conventional packaging, the excess product that is dispensed must often be discarded and, in this way, is wasted, since it is practically impossible, and also unhygienic, to return

<td>surplus product</td><td>to the</td><td>container.</td><td>The</td><td>Present</td><td>system of</td>

<td>dispensing includes</td><td>a</td><td>function</td><td colspan="3">additional childproof</td>

<td>that makes it difficult for</td><td>the</td><td>kids</td><td>waves</td><td>people</td><td>with some</td>

mental disability can uncap or open the container at the first opportunity.

The package according to the present invention is suitable for storing and dispensing potentially dangerous products in particular. Potentially dangerous products are products, which can be harmful to children and even adults when not used in a conscious way or in the correct doses.

Medicines, cleaning products such as laundry and dishwashing detergents, spray cleaners and cleaners, health and personal hygiene products such as ointments, cosmetics, shampoos, topical creams, lotions, eye drops, toothpastes and mouthwashes, and other household chemicals such as fabric conditioners, bleaches, cleaners, lawn chemicals, the garden and the automobile are examples of such products, especially those that are in fluid form including liquids, gels, pastes and other semisolids. This package is also useful for storing and dispensing foods and beverages that need to be measured for optimal results, such as drink mixes, oils, condiments, extracts, flavorings, and sauces. Although these edible products do not necessarily pose a risk if over-dispensed, the present package is advantageous in providing convenient dispensing of metered amounts for e.g.

eg recipes and seasoning or giving

ES 2 349 352 T3 flavor, and by preventing residues and spills, especially if the container is accidentally left uncovered.

The present container for the metered and controlled dispensing of a fluid product comprises a container such as a bottle, tube, can, or the like, having a body for containing said fluid product and a discharge opening for dispensing said fluid product; a closure, such as a stopper, that is child resistant, adapted so that the container can be covered and the discharge opening sealed; a dosing chamber communicated with the discharge opening, the dosing chamber capable of measuring a predetermined quantity of fluid product that can be dispensed from the container after each removal of the closure and having an inlet element through which the fluid product contained in the body of the container can flow into the dosing chamber and a breathing tube, separated from the inlet, to draw the air out of the dosing chamber into the available head space within the body of the container; a flow control valve or element for regulating the flow of fluid product between the container body and the dosing chamber; and an actuator for activating the flow of the product from the body of the container into the dosing chamber to provide a metered dose ready to be dispensed, the actuator being associated or working in conjunction with the closure. In one aspect, the actuator is configured such that when the container is covered with the closure, a valve opens that allows the fluid product to pass from the body of the container into the dosing chamber and, when the container is uncovered, the valve closes. so that more product, contained in the body of the container, is prevented from flowing into the dosing chamber. In this way, the product contained in the dosing chamber can practically only be dispensed after the container has been uncapped and only after the container is recapped can it be opened.

ES 2 349 352 T3 the valve to allow the dosing chamber to be refilled with the next dose of product.

The following examples describe and show embodiments within the scope of the present invention in more detail.

Figures 1A and 1B show an example of a child-resistant container, according to the present invention, which dispenses a metered and controlled dose, especially for a liquid product. The container (50) comprises a container body (4) having a discharge opening (9), a child-resistant closure (1) and a dispensing unit at the neck portion of the container body. The dispensing unit includes a dosing chamber (5), a filling tube (6), a one-way flapper valve (3) and a breather tube (7) with a check valve (8). The check valve (8) is present to prevent the product from flowing through the breathing tube (7) itself. The child-resistant function includes release tabs (10), a retaining ring (11) and an actuator return bar (2) disposed centrally within the closure (1) and projecting into the end wall of the closure and adapted to keep the one-way valve (3) open when the container is in the capped or closed configuration.

The container shown in Figure 1A is ideally stored in an inverted position with the closure (1) down. In this covered and inverted position, the return rod (2), which may be part of a separate component or be a separate component inserted into the closure, comes into contact with the one-way valve (3) and pushes it into a open position. Consequently, the product can move freely through the filling tube (6) filling the dosing chamber (5) with the product. This dosing process is invisible to the user and occurs automatically when the capped container is placed inverted in

ES 2 349 352 T3 a counter or other suitable surface. Although the product flows into the dosing chamber, the air is re-discharged through the breather tube (7) into the available upper (air) space within the container. The flow of the product in the dosing chamber is regulated by the distance of the breathing tube from inside the closure.

Once the product comes into contact with the top of the breathing tube, the air can no longer be displaced and the filling process ends. To dispense product from the container, the user places the container upright and uncaps the container, allowing the valve to close and thus preventing more product from flowing into the dosing chamber. (The figure

1B shows the uncapped container in a vertical position). The unit dose, that is, the product contained in the dosing chamber (5), can then be dispensed, e.g. eg, pouring it out. After the product contained in the dosing chamber (5) has been dispensed, there is no more product available for it to be dispensed. To have more product available so that it can be dispensed, the container must be recapped with the closure (1) and the child-resistant function must be activated, thus keeping the one-way valve (3) open by means of the return bar (2) and allowing the product to flow into the dosing chamber when placed

In the container in an inverted position.

In the case of a squeezable container body, applying pressure to the container by squeezing it will simply push the product against the valve of the fill tube thereby closing the valve and preventing the product from flowing into the dosing chamber.

Another example of a valve system that can be used in the present dispensing system is a ball valve (3a) and a spring (31a) as shown in Figure 1C in an exploded view. When the container is in the covered position, the return rod (2a) pushes the ball valve

ES 2 349 352 T3 (3a) to open, allowing the product to fill the dosing chamber (5a). When the container is uncovered, the ball valve (3a) closes, thus preventing more product from flowing into the dosing chamber. As in the previous example, no more product can be dispensed until the closure (1a) is replaced, so the ball valve (3a) is kept open by the return bar (2a), to allow the product to flow into the dosing chamber when the container is placed in an inverted position.

Containers for use in accordance with the present invention may be made of any material suitable for containing fluid product, such as glass, metal, or plastic. Preferably, the container is made of any thermoplastic material by molding, injection and / or blown. Suitable thermoplastic materials have been extensively described in the art and include vinyl chloride-based resins, olefin-derived polymers and copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene glycol terephthalate, or mixtures thereof.

The container can be made of a single or multi-layer extrusion of such materials. It can also comprise recycled thermoplastic materials. A preferred thermoplastic material used herein for such a container is polypropylene or polyethylene.

An example of a child resistant closure useful in the present invention is described in US Patent 4,948,002 issued to Thornock et al. on August 14, 1990. The package comprises a container such as a bottle; a collar, which is fixed in place on the highest part of the container and a closure, which is fixed to the end part of the container. The collar preferably includes a pair of spring-like pressure tabs containing vertical extensions, which engage the interlocking teeth on the most common surface.

ES 2 349 352 T3 inside the closure edge when the closure is fully assembled on the container. To remove the clasp, the opposing snap tabs must be manually depressed prior to applying an unscrewing torque to the clasp to disengage the snap tab extensions from the interlocking teeth on the clasp.

The packaging disclosed in document 002 exhibits a greatly improved child-proof function without significantly impeding access for adults. This has been further improved in WO 92/07286, in which a package is described whose child-resistant function has been further improved without making the package more difficult for adults to open. This is accomplished, if the spring-like pressure tabs containing vertical extensions are, at least to some degree, preloaded such that they exert a force against the innermost surface of the closure edge once the closure has been closed. fully assembled in the container.

In both documents 002 and 286, the spring-like pressure tabs containing vertical extensions are part of a transition piece attached to the container, like the collar of document 002 or they can be an integral part of the container without any transition piece. However, the user has to use both hands to defeat the childproof function and unscrew the closure.

In fact, first of all, a hand has to hold the container and at the same time depress the spring-like pressure tabs. Second, the closure has to be unscrewed with the other hand. This means that it is necessary to use both hands to be able to uncouple said child-resistant closure from the container, for this reason the term two-handed operation is used.

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An alternative embodiment of a package comprising a child resistant closure, which can be easily opened by an adult with one hand is described in US Patent 6,036,036 issued to Bilani et al. on March 14, 2000. It is called a one-handed operation lock, as opposed to the two-hand operation required for the lock described above. The package comprises a snap tab, which is positioned on the closure and which together with a locking tooth, forms the child-resistant function of the package. Said pressure tab located on said closure engages the locking tooth when said closure is in the closed rest position. Therefore, an adult user can easily depress said pressure tab and, at the same time, disengage said closure to open said container using only one hand for both operations.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C (exploded view) show an embodiment of the present invention suitable for use upside down or upright. The container (50c) has a closure (1c) with a grooved stem actuator (2c), which holds a one-way valve (3c) in an open position when the container is capped. The valve (3c) is housed within a valve housing (32c) and is retained by a housing cover (33c). A breathing tube (7c) is included. The grooves in the stem actuator (2c) extend above the top of the valve housing. When the container is capped, that is, the closure (1c) is fully engaged and the valve (3c) is kept open, this container can be placed upside down on top of a counter or other suitable surface. When the container is in the inverted position, the product fills the dosing chamber (5c), through the opening created by the actuator (2c) of the grooved stem. The filling process continues until the product comes into contact with the upper part of the breather tube (7c). As in the embodiment shown in Figure

ES 2 349 352 T3

1, the air in the dosing chamber (5c) is displaced through the breather tube (7c) into the upper (air) space of the container. The breathing tube (7c) has a check valve (8c) that prevents possible access to the product through the breathing tube itself.

For a vertical run, the container must be depressed to fill the dosing chamber (5c).

This would require partially uncoupling the closure (1c) such as, for example, turning the closure approximately a quarter turn to open so that the vent,

<td>air can</td><td colspan="2">run away from</td><td>the camera</td><td>(5c</td><td colspan="2">) of dosing while</td>

<td>fills up.</td><td>With</td><td>the</td><td>conduit</td><td>of</td><td>open ventilation,</td><td>the</td>

<td>container</td><td colspan="2">it is oppressed</td><td>until</td><td>the</td><td>dosing chamber</td><td>I know</td>

<td>has filled</td><td>to the</td><td>level</td><td>wanted.</td><td>A</td><td>closure and a body</td><td>of the</td>

<td>container</td><td colspan="2">definite</td><td>will allow</td><td>the</td><td>visual inspection of</td><td>the</td>

quantity of product content in the chamber

With the dosing chamber full, the pressure resulting from squeezing the container body can be released and any excess product will be pushed back into the container.

Figures 3A and 3B show another embodiment of the present invention, incorporating a slide valve (3e). The container (50e) has a closure (1e) having an annular ring actuator (2e) that interacts directly with the slide valve (3e). The slide valve is housed in a valve housing (32e) and is linearly movable within the housing. The slide valve also has flow channels (34e) that align with corresponding channels in the valve housing (32e). When the container is capped, the annular ring actuator (2e) engages a mating geometry on top of the slide valve (3e). This guarantees a relative movement between the closure (1e) and the slide valve (3e). In the capped position, the flow channels (34e) are open and the product can flow through the slide valve (3e), when the

ES 2 349 352 T3 container is placed in an inverted position. The product will flow into the dosing chamber (5e) until the product contacts the breathing tube (7e). Upon contact with the breathing tube, the product stops flowing and the unit dose is established. To dispense the product, the container is placed upright and the closure is removed. During closure removal, the annular ring actuator (2e), which is engaged with the slide valve (3e), pulls the slide valve upward until the extended annular ring at the bottom of the valve comes into contact with the upper inner surface of the valve housing. Once contact is made, the slide valve stops moving upward and remains stationary, while the closure continues to rotate to effect removal. As the closure continues to move upward, the actuator (2e) of the annular ring of the closure bends and disengages from the slide valve (3e). At this point the slide valve has moved to a position where the flow channels between the slide valve and the valve housing are no longer aligned and therefore difficult to access the product. The breathing tube (7e) has a check valve (8e) that prevents possible access to the product through the breathing tube itself.

The present dispensing system, as illustrated in the above embodiments, allows metered and controlled dispensing by limiting the amount of product that can be accessed at a single predetermined dose each time the container is uncapped. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to dispense a quantity of product that is less than the total dose. For example, for containers that have to be squeezed to initiate the dispensing process, the applied squeeze pressure can be lowered resulting in only a portion of the dose amount being dispensed.

ES 2 349 352 T3

In another embodiment of the present invention, a variable dose lock is used in conjunction with the system to dispense a metered and controlled dose. The variable dose function provides a means of dialing a desired dose amount out of a predetermined series of doses. For example, variable dosages may be different amounts of product to be dispensed for very young children under 8 years of age, for children 8 to 12 years of age, and for adults who are 13 years of age or older. Or the different doses may correspond to body weight ranges of the subjects to whom the product is being given. Regardless of the dose quantity selected, the maximum quantity that can be dispensed each time the container is uncapped will remain the selected dose.

Thus, if the selected dose is the corresponding amount for a child, the maximum amount dispensed would be that predetermined amount. The container will need to be resealed to reset the system so that a user can select and dispense another dose.

The

Figures

4A and 4B show a twist and push type variable dose lock. The container, shown in part, has a caster return bar (2i) that engages the closure (1i) via a one-step pressure closure (22i), which retains the caster in the closure, but allows it to the thumbwheel moves freely. There is a coil spring (31i) located between the caster return bar (2i) and the closure

The caster return bar is rotated to align the control tab (24i) with the annular steps (25i) on the closure, the annular steps mark the different depths within the closure at which the caster return bar can land when oppress. The number of ring steps corresponds to the number of desired dose increments. Caster return bar also has ribs

2 349 352 T3 indicators (26i) around the outside that correspond to a dose graph (27i), providing a visual means of selecting dose amounts among predetermined annular steps (25i). The coil spring (31i) positioned between the caster return bar (2i) and the closure (1i) maintains the caster return bar at the highest point of the closure after the positioning pressure has been released. This prevents premature placement when the container is recapped.

Figures 5A and 5B show a "twist and release" type variable dose lock. The container (50j), shown in part, has a caster return bar (2j) that engages the closure (1j) by a one-way snap closure (22j). There is a coil spring (31j) positioned between the caster return bar (2j) and the closure (1j). When the caster return bar is turned clockwise it is lowered through the center of the closure by means of a spiral (28j) positioned in the center of the closure and a positioning post (27j) located on the bar return wheel. As the spring (31j) is compressed, energy accumulates in the spring. When the thumbwheel return bar is released, the accumulated energy in the spring forces the thumbwheel return bar to return to a standby position (reset position).

The reset function in the embodiments shown in Figures 4A-B and 5A-B provides a very important advantage, especially for products that can be used by different people, each of whom may need a different dose. The consumer must mark the number of doses each time the product is dispensed. In this way, the possibility of accidentally dispensing an inappropriate dose is reduced, which could occur if the user did not have to deliberately dial a dose and can simply dispense the previously selected dose of product.