Dose Dispensing Containers

• US 20120074176A1
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mystic Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mystic Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Inventors: Sullivan, Timothy R., Durham, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,683,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/541.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2024 having peelable seals
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2027 having frangible parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0031 by bursting or breaking the package, i.e. without cutting or piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0036 hollow piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0061 using pre-packed dosages having an insert inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Abstract

Internally pierced formed blisters containing fluid compositions for use in devices to produce a spray or mist delivery of the compositions include internal piercing nozzles that can have significantly reduced channel volume to increase pressure of the fluid forced through the nozzle and provide finer control of spray geometry.

Claims

1. An internally pierced formed blister comprising:

a blister formed from a stretched flexible film material into a recess with an open end;

a pierceable surface sealed to the open end of the blister to form an internal chamber enclosed by the formed recess; and

a piercing nozzle wholly contained in the internal chamber, the piercing nozzle comprising;

a base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and a body,

an elongated, substantially cylindrical member comprising exterior walls and projecting from the base at a first end and forming a swirl chamber and a discharge nozzle at a second end opposite the base attachment end;

a solid central column in the interior of the elongated member, extending from the base to the swirl chamber;

one or more internal channels formed in the interior of the elongated member between the central column and the exterior walls and providing a fluid connection between the base and the swirl chamber, and

one or more inlet openings in the upper surface of the base and one or more inlet channels providing a fluid connection from the one or more inlet openings to the one or more internal channels in the elongated member to provide a fluid path from the internal chamber, through the base, into the internal channels of the piercing nozzle, through the swirl chamber and out the discharge nozzle.

2. The internally pierced firmed blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle is constructed of two pieces, and the central column of the piercing nozzle comprises a separate solid elongated member sized to be inserted into a hollow interior of the elongated member.

3. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated member, each connecting an inlet opening to the swirl chamber.

4. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the central column, and wherein the two internal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber are configured to create a vortex in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced through the internal channels and into the swirl chamber under pressure.

5. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the central column, and wherein the two internal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber direct a fluid flow tangentially from opposite sides of the swirl chamber.

6. The internally pierced blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle further comprises one or more channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated body connecting the inlet openings to the swirl chamber and further wherein the internal channels enter the swirl chamber at respective angles effective to produce a clockwise or a counterclockwise flow pattern in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced through the internal channels under pressure.

7. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, wherein the fluid path from the internal chamber into the internal channels comprises one or more bends.

8. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 7, wherein the one or more bends include at least one 90°

bend.

9. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, wherein the piercing nozzle is held in position in the internal chamber by a close fit of the base with the shape of the recess opposite the pierceable surface and wherein the position includes the discharge nozzle proximate the pierceable surface.

10. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 1, further comprising a liquid or powdered composition contained in the internal chamber.

11. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 10, wherein the composition and the internal chamber are sterile.

12. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 10, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition.

13. A delivery system for fluid compositions, the system comprising:

a first blister chamber containing a first component of a fluid composition;

a second blister chamber containing a second component of the fluid composition; and

a dispensing blister chamber comprising;

a pierceable membrane and

a piercing device comprising;

a piercing nozzle wholly contained in the dispensing blister chamber, the piercing nozzle comprising;

a base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and a body,

an elongated, substantially cylindrical member comprising exterior walls and projecting from the base at a first end and forming a swirl chamber and a discharge nozzle at a second end opposite the base attachment end;

a solid central column in the interior of the elongated member, extending from the base to the swirl chamber;

one or more internal channels formed in the interior of the elongated member between the central column and the exterior walls and providing a fluid connection between the base and the swirl chamber, and

one or more inlet openings in the upper surface of the base and one or more inlet channels providing a fluid connection from the one or more inlet openings to the one or more internal channels in the elongated member to provide a fluid path from the interior of the dispensing blister chamber, through the base, into the internal channels of the piercing nozzle, through the swirl chamber and out the discharge nozzle;

wherein the system further comprises;

a first delamination seal, wherein the first delamination seal prevents mixing of the contents of the first blister chamber with the contents of the second blister chamber;

a second delamination seal, wherein the second delamination seal prevents mixing of the contents of the first blister chamber and the second blister chamber with the dispensing chamber; and

a permanent seal, wherein the permanent seal surrounds the outer perimeter of the first blister chamber, the second blister chamber and the dispensing blister chamber;

wherein the first and second delamination seals have less adhesion than the permanent seal such that toe first and second delamination seals delaminate under significantly less pressure than the permanent seal.

14. The delivery system of claim 13, further comprising one or more additional blister chambers, each containing a further component of the composition, and each separated from all other blister chambers by delamination seals.

15. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle is constructed of two pieces, and the central column of the piercing nozzle comprises a separate solid elongated member sized to be inserted into a hollow interior of the elongated member.

16. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated member, each connecting an inlet opening to the swirl chamber.

17. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the central column, and wherein the two infernal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber are configured to create a vortex in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced into the swirl chamber under pressure.

18. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the central column, and wherein the two internal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber direct a fluid flow tangentially from opposite sides of the swirl chamber.

19. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle further comprises one or more internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated body connecting the inlet openings to the swirl chamber and further wherein the internal channels enter the swirl chamber at respective angles effective to produce a clockwise or a counterclockwise flow pattern in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced through the internal channels under pressure.

20. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the fluid path from the internal chamber into the internal channels comprises one or more bends.

21. The delivery system of claim 20, wherein the one or more bends include at least one 90°

bend.

22. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the piercing nozzle is held in position in the dispensing blister chamber by a close fit of the base with the shape of the recess opposite the pierceable surface and wherein the position includes the discharge nozzle proximate the pierceable surface.

23. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the components of the fluid composition contained in the first and second blister chambers are each in powder or liquid form, with the proviso that at least ore component is in liquid form.

24. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the composition and the interior of the blister chambers are sterile.

25. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein at least one component of the fluid composition is a pharmaceutical composition.

26. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein at least one component of the fluid composition is a lyophilized active agent.

27. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein two or more blister chambers contain portions of the same component of a fluid composition.

28. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein all the blister chambers other than the dispensing blister chamber contain portions of the same fluid composition.

29. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the pierceable membrane is weakened by scoring, effective to inhibit production of loose pieces of the membrane during use, and to promote a seal of the pierced membrane to outer walls of the piercing tip.

30. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein the delamination seal separating the fluid containing blister chambers from the dispensing blister chamber includes structural features to promote mixing of the contents of the blister chambers.

31. The delivery system of claim 30, wherein the structural features comprise one or more curves, a serpentine shape, constrictions, or a combination thereof.

32. A blister strip comprising a plurality of delivery systems of claim 13 arranged to be dispensed sequentially by a dispensing device.

33. An internally pierced formed blister comprising:

a blister formed from a stretched flexible film material into a recess with an open end;

a pierceable surface sealed to the open end of the blister to form an internal chamber enclosed by the formed recess; and

a piercing nozzle wholly contained in the internal chamber, the piercing nozzle comprising;

a first piece comprising;

a base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and a body,

an elongated, substantially hollow cylindrical member projecting from the base at a first end and forming a swirl chamber and a discharge nozzle at a second end opposite the base attachment end;

one or more inlet openings in the upper surface of the base and one or more inlet channels providing, a fluid connection from the one or more inlet openings to the interior of the elongated member to provide a fluid path from the internal chamber, through the base, through the body of the piercing nozzle, through the swirl chamber and out the discharge nozzle; and

one or more internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated member in fluid communication with the inlet channels and extending from the inlet channels to the swirl chamber, and

the piercing nozzle further comprising a second piece comprising

a solid cylindrical column sized to be inserted into a hollow interior of the elongated member, to extend from the bottom of the base to the swirl chamber, and to occlude the hollow interior of the elongated member, effective to restrict the fluid flow to the internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated member.

34. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated member, each connecting an inlet opening to the swirl chamber.

35. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the second piece, and wherein the two internal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the swirl chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber are configured to create a vortex in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced into the swirl chamber under pressure.

36. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, wherein the piercing nozzle comprises two inlet openings in the base, each in fluid communication with an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channels are each in fluid communication with an internal channel disposed on opposite sides of the second piece, and wherein the two internal channels connect to the swirl chamber at opposite sides of the chamber and wherein the openings from the internal channels into the swirl chamber direct a fluid flow tangentially from opposite sides of the swirl chamber.

37. The internally pierced blister of claim 33, wherein the piercing nozzle further comprises one or more internal channels formed in the inner surface of the elongated body connecting the inlet openings to the swirl chamber and further wherein the internal channels enter the swirl chamber at respective angles effective to produce a clockwise or a counterclockwise flow pattern in the swirl chamber when a fluid is forced through the internal channels under pressure.

38. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, wherein the fluid path from the internal chamber into the internal channels comprises one or more bends.

39. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 38, wherein the one or more bends include at least one 90°

bend.

40. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, wherein the piercing nozzle is held in position in the internal chamber by a close fit of the base with the shape of the recess opposite the pierceable surface and wherein the position includes the discharge nozzle proximate the pierceable surface.

41. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 33, further comprising a liquid or powdered composition contained in the internal chamber.

42. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 41, wherein the composition and the internal chamber are sterile.

43. The internally pierced formed blister of claim 41, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition.