Device for storing and dispensing a flowable substance
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing a flowable substance. The device comprises a container comprising a base member and a cover member being sealingly connected with each other along the circumference of the container, a compartment for receiving the substance, and an open ended pocket area into which the substance is transferable from the compartment, and a cannula having an internal passageway being in fluid communication with the pocket for dispensing the substance.
1. A device for storing and dispensing a flowable substance, comprising:
a container comprising
a base member and a cover member being sealingly connected with each other along the circumference of the container, wherein said base member is formed as a sheet,
at least one compartment for receiving said substance, and
an open ended pocket area into which said substance is transferable from said at least one compartment, and
a cannula having an internal passageway being in a fluid communication with said pocket for dispensing said substance, wherein said cannula is a separate component having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted for insertion into said open end of said pocket area, and
a portion separating said compartment from said pocket, said separating portion comprising a passage area adapted to be selectively opened by pressure effective on said passage area for placing said compartment in communication with said pocket.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first end comprises an extension part having a portion with an increased cross-section.
3. The device of claim 2 , said extension part having a cross-sectional shape comprising sharp edges in the plane between the base member and the cover member, and preferably comprises a rhombic or fin-like cross-sectional shape.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein said extension part comprises at least one portion having an increased diameter.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein said extension part comprises a portion being tapered along the length thereof, with the thickness of the tapered portion decreasing towards said first end.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein said tapered portion comprises an U-shaped sealing area on each of the opposing surfaces of said tapered portion, the legs of said U-shaped sealing areas extending towards said first end and being connected at the edge of said first end.
7. The device of any of claims 1 to 6 , wherein said first end is attached to said open ended pocket area by a heat seal, a press fit, and/or an adhesive.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first end comprises an extension part adapted for being attached to the outer surface of said container.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein said extension part is attachable to said cover member.
10. The device of claim 8 , wherein said extension part comprises a first portion and a second portion being inclined relative to said first portion.
11. The device of claim 8 , 9 , or 10 , wherein said cannula is inclined relative to said extension part.
12. The device of any of claims 8 to 10 , wherein said internal passageway of said cannula extends through said extension part.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein said extension part comprises a recess in the surface that is attachable to said container, said recess being adjacent to and surrounding said passageway opening.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein said recess is ring shaped.
15. The device of claim 13 , wherein said extension part comprises a raised portion adjacent to and surrounding said passageway opening, said recess surrounding said raised area.
16. The device of claim 1 , said separate cannula being attached to said cover member, whereby said fluid communication with said pocket is established through said cover member.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein said cannula comprises a dosing system having a variable volume, preferably a bellow.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein said cannula further comprises an applicator at said second end for applying said substance to a treatment area.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein said applicator comprises bristles being integrally formed with said second end of said cannula, or comprises a foamed material, a non-woven material, or a plurality of fibres incorporated into said second end of said cannula.
20. The device of claim 19 , wherein said internal passageway of said cannula further comprises flow resistors, preferably formed by structured surfaces, constricted portions, and/or orifices.
21. The device of any of claims 2 to 6 , said extension part further comprising stiffening elements extending away from said extension part.
22. The device of claim 1 , wherein said base member sheet is a deep-drawn sheet formed of a polypropylene layer, an aluminium layer, and a polyethylene layer.
23. The device of claim 1 , said cover member being formed as a sheet, preferably being formed of a polyethylene terephthalate layer, an aluminium layer, and a polyethylene layer.
24. The device of claim 1 , said cover member being formed as a plastic part, preferably as an injection moulded part.
25. The device of claim 1 , comprising two or more compartments for holding different substances, and a passage area adapted to be selectively opened for placing said compartments in communication with each other prior to dispensing the mixed final substance.
26. The device of claim 1 , said cannula further comprising a mixer.
27. The device of claim 26 , said mixer comprising mixing helixes or elements providing flow resistance.
28. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle.
29. The device of claim 1 , wherein the container is pre-filled.
30. The device according to claim 1 , in combination with a separate applicator.
31. The device according to claim 1 interconnected to at least one further device according to claim 1 .
32. The device according to claim 31 , wherein the device is filled with a substance, and wherein at least one of the further devices is filled with a different substance.