U.S. patent application number 10/369040 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for single-dose packaging for liquids.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heraeus Kulzer GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Balkenhol, Markus, Bressler, Christian.
Application Number | 20030173235 10/369040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27618768 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030173235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Balkenhol, Markus ; et
al. |
September 18, 2003 |
Single-dose packaging for liquids
Abstract
A single dose package for a liquid material, in the form of a
card having a liquid container, which, upon folding of the card on
a fold line opens the container and forms a free-standing
package.
Inventors: |
Balkenhol, Markus; (Neuberg,
DE) ; Bressler, Christian; (Frankfurt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM GERSTENZANG
NORRIS, MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, P.A.
220 EAST 42ND STREET, 30TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Assignee: |
Heraeus Kulzer GmbH & Co.
KG
Hanau
DE
|
Family ID: |
27618768 |
Appl. No.: |
10/369040 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/209 ;
206/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20130101;
B65D 77/245 20130101; A61C 5/62 20170201 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/209 ;
206/361 |
International
Class: |
B65D 081/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2002 |
DE |
DE 102 06 870.4 |
Claims
We claim:
1. Single-Dose packaging for liquids, comprising a. a card (1)
having: at least one straight side, a straight fold line (5),
essentially parallel to the straight side of the card, a recessed
tab (4) in the area of the fold line, which, after the card has
been folded on the fold line, protrudes downward from the plane of
the card, b. a container (8) for a liquid, which is attached to the
underside of the card in the area of the fold line (5), and is
sealed with a seal (6) adapted to be opened upon folding the card
on the fold line, making the contents of the container accessible
wherein a brush or Microbrush (2) is attached to the card (1) and
adapted to dip into the liquid when the container is opened.
2. Package according to claim 1, wherein said seal (6) is a foil
(6) which is torn off or severed when the card is folded.
3. Package according to claim 1, wherein the card is triangular in
shape.
4. Package according to claim 1, wherein a notch is incorporated on
one side of the card, along the straight fold line.
5. Package according to claim 1, wherein notches are incorporated
on both sides of the card, along the straight fold line.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to packaging for individual doses of a
liquid material in the form of a card, which can be folded and
converted to a container that can stand on its own, freeing the
contents of a container of liquid for removal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Liquid dental materials are frequently applied to teeth
being treated using dispensing or application instruments, such as
paintbrushes or bristle brushes (e.g. a so-called
"Microbrush.RTM."). In this, it is important that the application
be simple and that the liquid can be removed from the container and
applied using only one hand. This is less of a problem if the
material is to be removed from a flask. Frequently, however, dental
materials are supplied in so-called "single dose" packages, in
which each time a single portion is freshly opened, protecting the
remaining portions against spoilage or contamination. Small
packages of this kind must usually be either placed in suitable
supportive stands, or manipulated using two hands. Known in the art
are one type of folding pack, from AT 344 079, in which the liquid
is squeezed out, and an arrangement that has a built-in Microbrush
but no folding function (EP 770 021).
[0003] The object is thus to develop a packaging that contains an
integrated application instrument, which can be converted through a
folding process into a container that is capable of standing on its
own.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A single-dose package was developed, comprised of:
[0005] a. a card with at least one straight side, having:
[0006] a straight fold line, essentially parallel to the straight
side of the card,
[0007] a tab recessed in the area of the fold line, which after
folding extends beyond a plane of the card,
[0008] b. a container for the liquid, which is positioned on the
underside in the area of the fold line and is sealed such that when
the card is folded the container is opened, making its contents
accessible,
[0009] characterized in that a brush or Microbrush component (2) is
attached to the card (1) such that the brush or Microbrush is
dipped into the liquid once the container is opened.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] In general, the container for the liquid is sealed by foil
in such a way that when the card is folded the foil is torn off or
perforated, making the contents of the container accessible to the
brush or Microbrush. Preferably, only the tip of a Microbrush is
attached to the package such that it can be easily removed, and
then attached to and manipulated using a handle (this embodiment is
presented in FIGS. 3 and 4, described further below). It is also
possible for the corresponding Microbrush to be attached in its
entirety to the package such that it can be easily removed. This is
dependent upon the overall size of the package selected or upon the
intended comfort for the user.
[0011] After the package has been folded and opened, the Microbrush
or brush component can be removed from the package in a wetted
state.
[0012] The packaging is comprised primarily of the card, preferably
made of plastic, and the liquid container. The card may take on
various geometric shapes, with one straight side, for example a
triangle or a trapezoid. The triangular shape has been found to be
particularly advantageous. The card can be folded parallel to the
straight side, along a straight fold line. This can be
accomplished, for example, via a notch that is incorporated on one
side or on both sides. With an upward folding motion, the recessed
tab is forced out of the plane and preferably points downward, so
that the package stands on the straight side and the tab. The tab
is preferably punched out in a V shape in the area of the center of
the folding line. It is also possible, however, for the tab to have
a different shape, such as a U shape or rectangular shape. Upon
folding, the liquid container is opened. This can be achieved in
that along the fold line a tongue (__) or a tab (_.andgate._) are
provided, which lift or push up the foil on the card when the card
is folded (comp. FIG. 3). Of course, the foil may also be equipped
with an overhang of sufficient length, which can be tom off by
hand. It is also possible for the pulling force that is exerted on
the foil covering of the liquid container when the card is folded
to be used to open the container. It is further provided that the
card, once it is folded, is held in place, for example via a
catch-lock mechanism, and can be set up on the straight edge and
the tab. The back of the liquid container is preferably protected
against damage by a layer of aluminum foil.
[0013] In the as-delivered condition of the single-use package, the
liquid container (tank) is closed. For use, the card is folded at
the folding point. By folding the card, the following functions are
actuated:
[0014] The tank is opened
[0015] The single-use package is folded far enough that the tab is
released downward and the activated single-use application is able
to stand.
[0016] At the base of the removal opening, product from the opened
tank is available for application.
[0017] The bristle portion of the Microbrush dips into the liquid
after the card has been folded.
[0018] The material container (tank) can be designed as
follows:
[0019] a) The tank is formed by the plastic component (card), in
which a recessed opening in the card can hold a liquid. This
opening is sealed by a foil, or
[0020] b) by another plastic component in the form of a cover.
[0021] Advantageously in a) and b), the foil or cover is connected
to the card such they are opened when the card is folded.
[0022] c) The tank is formed by a recessed area in the card
designed to hold the material, and sealed on both sides by
foil.
[0023] In the case of c), it is once again useful for one of the
two sealing foils to be attached to the card such that when the
card is folded the tank is opened.
[0024] d) The tank is formed by two foils, which are sealed along
their sides (known in the field as a 4-side-seal pouch) or by
[0025] e) a foil, which is sealed along 3 sides (3-side-seal
pouch).
[0026] In the case of the sealed pouch d) and e), the method for
opening the package is usefully such that when the card is folded,
a part of the pouch along the sealed edge is pulled off like a
cover.
[0027] The invention is described in greater detail in the diagrams
described below, without limiting the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 shows an oblique, overhead view of the as-delivered
condition of the package,
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the package in the same
condition,
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the package at the start of the folding motion,
and
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the package in a folded state, in which the
package can stand up on its own.
[0032] In FIG. 1, the package is viewed in its as-delivered
condition. A Microbrush component 2 is attached to the upper side
of the card 1, within a foil envelope 3. The recessed area for the
V-shaped tab 4 is illustrated by a dashed line, and serves as a
foot on which the package stands. The fold line is shown as a notch
5.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a cross section. The fold line 5 is executed on
the upper and lower sides with notches. Underneath, in black, the
liquid tank 8 is visible, protected on the underside by a foil 7.
On the upper section of the tank, a thin sealing foil 6 is
shown.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the folding process along the line 5, in which
the sealing foil 6 is severed or pulled off.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the position of the apparatus when it is
folded, and how the bristle portion of the Microbrush already dips
into the liquid, making it ready for removal of the liquid. A
handle is then attached to the Microbrush component 2, which is not
illustrated here.
[0036] The package described above is preferably used for dental
materials.
* * * * *