US3777949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved single dose disposable container and accessories
Assignee: TMF TECHSERV Inc A NEW YORK CORP
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Filing: 1971-12-23
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A disposable container for medicaments and the like providing a high degree of prophylaxis and accurate dosification. The container includes a generally flexible plastic body, heat-sealed at its lower end and containing a precise dose of the medicament to be dispensed. The opposite end of the body is tapered to define an elongated hollow nozzle terminating in an enlarged tab portion which may be manipulated by a consumer to sever the tab portion from the remainder of the nozzle to thereby provide an opening for dispensing the container contents. The nozzle portion includes a length extending rearward from the tip, which is of thickened wall construction, whereby said portion is relatively rigid and therefore incompressible during the tearing off of the tab. The nozzle and tab are of sufficient length that a user may grasp the rearward portion of the rigid nozzle and effectively conduct the tearing process without the fingers contaminating the resulting nozzle opening. Auxiliary elements include a cap like member for fitting over the nozzle and having an orifice filled with a swab for the application of the contained liquid to an external surface, and a separate cap like member for fitting over the nozzle and having a recess in the tip end thereof for nesting the tab portion to enable the tab portion to be twisted off without contamination by contact with the hands.
Inventors
- 👤 Arias M Chiquiari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:08
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D35/00; B65D35/24; B65D35/36; B65D1/00; B65D1/09; B65D1/095; B65D35/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A disposable container for medicaments and the like, providing a high degree or prophylaxis and accurate dosification, comprising molded as a unit: a generally flexible hollow, tube-like plastic body open for heat-sealing at one end and adapted for containing a precise dose of the medicament to be dispensed; an elongated hollow nozzle joined to the opposite end of said tubular plastic body and communicating with the interior thereof, said nozzle being of relatively rigid, thick walled construction and tapered with respect to the tubular plastic body; a graspable tab portion adjoined to the end of said nozzle, the hollow channel within said nozzle extending into the base of said tab portion, and the cross-sectional area of the container wall between said nozzle and tab being reduced to provide a relatively thin and weakened zone, whereby said tab may be twisted to sever said tab from said nozzle at said zone to provide an orifice at said nozzle for the contents of said container, said nozzle being of sufficient length that the base thereof may be grasped by the thumb without the said fingers contacting the reduced crosssection portion at the tip of said nozzle, and further including in combination a cap-opener Adapted for mating engagement with the tab bearing end of said container, said cap-opener comprising a tapered body open at one end and being adapted at the internal opposite end thereof for engaging said tab, whereby twisting of the said cap-opener effects said severing of said tab.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A disposable container for medicaments and the like, providing a high degree or prophylaxis and accurate dosification, comprising molded as a unit: a generally flexible hollow, tube-like plastic body open for heat-sealing at one end and adapted for containing a precise dose of the medicament to be dispensed; an elongated hollow nozzle joined to the opposite end of said tubular plastic body and communicating with the interior thereof, said nozzle being of relatively rigid, thick walled construction and tapered with respect to the tubular plastic body; a graspable tab portion adjoined to the end of said nozzle, the hollow channel within said nozzle extending into the base of said tab portion, and the cross-sectional area of the container wall between said nozzle and tab being reduced to provide a relatively thin and weakened zone, whereby said tab may be twisted to sever said tab from said nozzle at said zone to provide an orifice at said nozzle for the contents of said container, said nozzle being of sufficient length that the base thereof may be grasped by the thumb without the said fingers contacting the reduced crosssection portion at the tip of said nozzle, and further including in combination a cap-opener Adapted for mating engagement with the tab bearing end of said container, said cap-opener comprising a tapered body open at one end and being adapted at the internal opposite end thereof for engaging said tab, whereby twisting of the said cap-opener effects said severing of said tab.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said opposite end of said cap-opener includes an internally formed recess adapted to snugly mate with said tab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the said opposite end of said cap-opener is a hollow flexible wall, whereby said consumer by compressing said flexible wall may engage said tab to effect said severing by twisting said cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the external walls of said cap-opener include longitudinally extending ridges for facilitating grasping and the turning thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the open end of said cap includes an internally formed ridge for maintaining said cap position upon said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the length of the said cap is less than the length of the said nozzle by at least an amount sufficient to provide an exposed base portion of said nozzle sufficient to be grasped by the thumb and forefingers of a user, whereby to hold said container at said relatively rigid nozzle during said opening operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
256 words
A disposable container for medicaments and the like providing a high degree of prophylaxis and accurate dosification, comprising molded as a unit: a generally flexible hollow, tube-like plastic body, open for heat-sealing at one end and adapted for containing a precise dose of the medicament to be dispensed: an elongated hollow nozzle joined to the opposite end of said tubular plastic body and communicating with the interior thereof, said nozzle being of relatively rigid, thick walled construction and tapered with respect to the tubular plastic body; a graspable tab portion adjoined to the end of said nozzle, the hollow channel within said nozzle extending into the base of said tab portion, and the cross-sectional area of the container wall between said nozzle and tab being reduced to provide a relatively thin and weakened zone, whereby said tab may be twisted to sever said tab from said nozzle at said zone to provide an orifice at said nozzle for the contents of said container, said nozzle being of sufficient length that the base thereof may be grasped by the thumb without the said fingers contacting the reduced cross-section portion at the tip of said nozzle, and further including in combination a separate applicator constituted by a substantially tubular portion slightly tapered towards one end, and absorbent material inserted in said one end, said applicator being of such dimensions as to be coupled to the tapered nozzle portion after the end portion has been broken off prior to dispensing the products of said container for a one-time use.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
256 words
A disposable container for medicaments and the like providing a high degree of prophylaxis and accurate dosification, comprising molded as a unit: a generally flexible hollow, tube-like plastic body, open for heat-sealing at one end and adapted for containing a precise dose of the medicament to be dispensed: an elongated hollow nozzle joined to the opposite end of said tubular plastic body and communicating with the interior thereof, said nozzle being of relatively rigid, thick walled construction and tapered with respect to the tubular plastic body; a graspable tab portion adjoined to the end of said nozzle, the hollow channel within said nozzle extending into the base of said tab portion, and the cross-sectional area of the container wall between said nozzle and tab being reduced to provide a relatively thin and weakened zone, whereby said tab may be twisted to sever said tab from said nozzle at said zone to provide an orifice at said nozzle for the contents of said container, said nozzle being of sufficient length that the base thereof may be grasped by the thumb without the said fingers contacting the reduced cross-section portion at the tip of said nozzle, and further including in combination a separate applicator constituted by a substantially tubular portion slightly tapered towards one end, and absorbent material inserted in said one end, said applicator being of such dimensions as to be coupled to the tapered nozzle portion after the end portion has been broken off prior to dispensing the products of said container for a one-time use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said base portion of said nozzle is of a length at least as great as three-eighths of an inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination in accordance with claim 6, wherein the length of the said exposed base portion is at least three-eighths of an inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |