U.S. patent application number 10/586615 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for guidance route search device, navigation device, and method of searching guidance route.
Invention is credited to Keiji Hamamoto, Shitomi Tamaoki, Seiji Yoshimura.
Application Number | 20070181449 10/586615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34792066 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamamoto; Keiji ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
Guidance route search device, navigation device, and method of
searching guidance route
Abstract
This invention provides a container set for mixing at the time
of administration allowing a secure mixing operation in
administration without dripping chemicals by maintaining the sealed
state of the mouth of liquid container particularly until the
containers are connected to each other for mixing while storing two
contents in the containers, respectively, wherein a tuber plug 5 is
detachably fitted to the mouth part 4 of a vial 1 and a cap 30 is
fitted to the mouth part 22 of the liquid container 2. The cap 30
has a first structure 31 fitted liquid-tightly to the mouth part 22
and a second structure 32 fitted liquid-tightly to the first
structure 31 and having a connection port part 32a connectable
liquid-tightly to the mouth part 4. The second structure 32 is
movable from a first position where the internal space of the
liquid container 2 is sealed from the outside air to a second
position on the axial inner side of the first position, and when
the second structure is positioned at the second position, the vial
1 connected to the connection port part 32a is allowed to
communicate with the internal space of the liquid container 2.
Inventors: |
Hamamoto; Keiji; (Osaka,
JP) ; Yoshimura; Seiji; (Osaka, JP) ; Tamaoki;
Shitomi; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISHER, CHRISTEN & SABOL
1725 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1108
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34792066 |
Appl. No.: |
10/586615 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
January 19, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/00375 |
371 Date: |
October 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3211 20130101;
A61J 1/2051 20150501; A61J 1/1425 20150501; A61J 1/2065 20150501;
A61J 1/2031 20150501; A61J 1/2089 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08 |
Claims
1. A container set for mixing at the time of administration
comprising: a first container having a first opening portion; a
plug attached removably to the first opening portion so that an
internal space of the first container is sealed off against ambient
air; a second container having a second opening portion; a cap
attached to the second opening portion of the second container;
wherein the cap comprises a first cap part and a second cap part,
the first cap part attached to the second opening portion liquid
tightly, the second cap part fit liquid tightly to the first cap
part and having a connecting opening portion which is connectable
to the first opening portion liquid tightly; the second cap part is
relatively movable from a first position where the first and second
cap parts seal internal space of the second container off from
ambient air to a second position which is located axially inward
from the first position; and the cap configured such that a
connecting path is formed therein when the second cap part is
located at the second position, the path connecting internal space
of the first container connected to a connecting opening portion of
the second cap part and internal space of the second container.
2. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the first cap part is configured to
engage to the second opening undetachably when the second cap part
is located at the first position, and such that said engagement to
the second opening portion is released when the second cap part is
located at the second position.
3. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the first cap part comprises an engaging
portion which is releasably engaged to the second opening portion
in a manner wherein moving in an axial direction to the second
opening portion is prevented, the second cap part comprises a lock
portion and a release portion, the lock portion holding forcibly
the engaging portion so as to engage to the second opening portion
when it is located at the first position, and the release portion
engaging the engaging portion so as to be moved to a direction such
that said engagement is released when it is located at the second
position.
4. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the first cap part comprises an inside
tube portion extended outwardly in the axial direction of the
second opening portion and a plug fixed at an end of the inside
tube portion, an external diameter of the plug is smaller than the
internal diameter of the first opening portion, an opening portion
is formed between the plug and the inside tube portion, the
connecting opening portion is fitted into the first opening
portion, the inside tube portion is fit into the connecting opening
portion, the plug is fitted liquid-tightly into an end portion of
the connecting opening portion when the second cap part is located
at the first position so that the connecting path is closed, and
the plug is released from the connecting opening portion when the
second cap part is located at the second position so that the
connecting path is formed.
5. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 4, wherein said plug is formed separately from the
inside tube portion and attached to the inside tube portion from
the axially end side, so that an external rim of the plug is
engaged to an end surface of the connecting opening portion of the
second cap part.
6. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 4, wherein the plug and the inside tube portion is
formed integrally, the plug and the inside tube portion is
connected integrally through multiple connecting ribs which are
spaced and placed peripherally, and the space between the
connecting ribs serve as an opening portion.
7. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, further comprising a stopper mounted detachably
which is contact to the second cap part so as to be prevented from
moving from the first position to the second position.
8. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting opening portion of the
second cap part is configured to be fitted in to the first opening,
the second cap part further comprises an engaging piece which is
located radially outside of the connecting opening portion and
extends to the axial end side, the first opening has a flange
portion projected radially outside, and said engaging piece is
engaged axially to a rim of a base end side of the flange portion
when the connecting opening portion is fitted in to the first
opening portion.
9. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the first cap part comprises a first tube
portion which is mounted onto the external peripheral side of the
second opening portion and a second tube portion which is linked to
the first tube portion, an internal diameter of the second tube
portion is smaller than the internal diameter of the second opening
portion, the second cap part comprises a plug which is fitted into
a base end portion of the second tube portion, and the plug is
configured to close the connecting path when the second cap part is
located at the first position and form the connecting path when the
second cap part is located at the second position.
10. A container set for mixing at the time of administration as set
forth in claim 9, wherein the first cap part further comprises a
third tube portion which is linked to an other end side of the
second tube portion, the connecting opening portion of the second
cap part is configured to fit into the first opening portion, the
second cap part further comprises a flange portion which extends
radially outwardly from the base end portion of the connecting
opening portion, the flange portion is fitted into the third tube
portion, an internal peripheral surface of the third tube portion
has an engaging protrusion portion which engaged to the flange
portion in a manner wherein the second cap part is prevented from
moving from the first position to the second position, the third
tube portion is elastically deformable in an axially external
direction in a manner wherein the engagement between the engaging
protrusion portion and the flange portion is released.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a set of containers for
mixing its contents at the time of administration, which is capable
of storing freeze-dried solid form of medication and either solvent
or dispersion medium separately, and for mixing them at once in
administration.
Background Art
[0002] As this kind of conventional container set for mixing at the
time of administration, an applicant of the present invention has
conventionally developed such that are disclosed in Japanese
published unexamined application 2001-9471 gazette and Japanese
published unexamined application H08-280807 gazette. These
conventional mixing containers in administration are composed of a
solid ingredient storing part and a liquid ingredient storing part
separately from each other. At the timing of use, these storing
parts are connected so that the solid ingredient is dissolved or
dispersed into the liquid ingredient, and this medical agent is
sprayed.
[0003] Said conventional type of container set for mixing at the
time of administration is filled up with the solid ingredient and
the liquid ingredient and tight sealed under sterile conditions in
a packing factory, kept and transported with being kept sterile,
and at the timing of use, the inside of which is not exposed to the
ambient air. So it is capable of being handled highly hygienically
and preventing beneficial effect from being lost by conducting
dissolution just before use.
[0004] However, there is a problem that overall height of the
container in the timing of use 50 is high so that the performance
for storage and handling would be less effective, because the
container has each storing units to store two medicines (i.e. the
solid ingredient and the liquid ingredient) separately before
mixing, and even after mixing, the container still equips with the
storing units integrally. Moreover, according to the intention of
use or the behavior of the medicine, there is a case that there is
no problem if the solid ingredient and the liquid ingredient are
exposed to the quantity of ambient air at the timing of mixing
operation in administration. In said case, there is no need to use
said conventional mixing container in administration, which would
be a cause of a new construction of manufacturing facilities and
efficiency reduction during filling up at the packing factory. In
this case, conventionally, a vial bottle, a solvent container
different from the vial bottle, and a spray bottle are sold as a
set, and at the timing of use, a solid ingredient in the vial
bottle is mixed and dissolved into a liquid ingredient in the
solvent container and this mixed medicine is filled in the spray
bottle for use. However, when these three containers are packed and
sold as a set, packing materials will become bigger, the cost for
storing and transporting will be more expensive and it will not be
preferable for the environment because the vial bottle and the
solvent container will be unwanted so that the quantity of wastes
will increase.
[0005] Additionally, during transferring of the medicine between
the solvent container and the vial bottle, the medicine may seep
even with a careful treatment so that it will be difficult to mix
two medicines in a concise rate and also, if the wet medicine
attaches outside of the container, bacteria would breed so that it
would be a problem in a view of an aspect of good hygiene.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a
container set for mixing at the time of administration, which is
able to store each of two components in each container and carry
out a mixing operation in administration surely with-out seeping
liquid medicine by the means wherein especially airtight state of
the mouth of the liquid container is kept until the containers are
connected each other.
[0007] The container set for mixing at the time of administration
in this invention may comprise a first container which has a first
opening portion, a plug body which is removably attached to the
first opening portion so that an internal space of the first
container is sealed off against ambient air, a second container
which has a second opening portion, a cap which is attached to the
opening of the second container. As just described, by forming the
first container and the second container separately and sealing
each of the openings with the plug body or the cap, it is able to
put aseptically the freeze-dried medicine and the liquid
ingredient, which is its solvent and so on, into the containers
with the conventional facilities and processes. The first container
may preferably be comprised of the vial bottle, and the second
container be preferably comprised of a blow-formed resin bottle
with a vapor barrier property suited to store the liquid
ingredient. Each container may have a body portion, which has a
bottom, on its opening portion integrally, and internal space of
this body portion may be used as a storing room for content. The
plug which seals the opening of the first container is preferable a
rubber plug made from Butyl-rubber and the like. To make the plug
sealing more assured, an aluminum foil on the plug body may be put
or the cap may be attached on the opening portion of the first
container in a manner wherein the plug body is covered and
held.
[0008] Said cap may have a first cap part which is attached to the
second opening portion liquid tightly and a second cap part which
is fitted liquid tightly to the first cap part and has a connecting
opening portion which is connectable to the first opening portion
liquid tightly. This second cap part may be relatively movable from
a first position where the first and second cap parts seal internal
space of the second container off from ambient air, to a second
position which is located axially inward from the first position.
Also, when the second cap part is located at the second position, a
connecting path may be formed in the cap, the path connecting
internal space of the first container and internal space of the
second container, the internal space of the first container
connected to a connecting opening portion of the second cap part.
Additionally, said connecting opening portion may be configured to
be connectable to the opening of the first container, when the
second cap part is located at the first position. Also, each of the
cap parts may be formed in a tube shape and internal space of these
cap pats may serve as said connecting path.
[0009] According to the container set for mixing at the time of
administration of the present invention, during transport and
storage, solid ingredient such as freeze dried medicine may be
stored in the first container in the antiseptic condition, and
liquid ingredient which serves as solvent or dispersion medium of
the solid ingredient may be stored in the second container in the
antiseptic condition. When a patient or a nursing attendant mixes
in administration, first of all, the plug body is detached from the
opening of the first container and the connecting opening portion
of the second cap part of the second container turned upside down
is connected to the first opening portion which opens upwardly. In
this time, the second cap part is still located at the first
position and the second opening portion keeps being sealed so that
the liquid ingredient in the second container does not leak. Next,
the second container connected to the opening portion of the first
container is pushed to the first container side, the second cap
part is pushed by the first container and moved from the first
position to the second position, said connecting path is formed in
the cap, and the liquid ingredient in the second container is
displaced in to the first container without leaking. After mixing
(dissolution or deconcentration) efficiently, the second container
is turned with being connected to the first container, so that the
mixed liquid medicine is displaced from the first container turned
upside down to the second container passing through the connecting
path. Then, the first container and the cap are detached from the
opening portion of the second container, and a discharging unit
such as an eye-dropper nozzle or a pump spray unit is attached to
the second opening portion, so that it is capable to use the second
container as a discharging container of the mixed liquid
medicine.
[0010] In the said container set for mixing at the time of
administration of the present invention, the first cap part may be
configured to engage to the second opening undetachably when the
second cap part is located at the first position, and such that
said engagement to the second opening portion is released when the
second cap part is located at the second position. With this
configuration, until the second cap part is moved from the first
position to the second position by said mixing operation in
administration, the first cap part is not able to be detached from
the second opening portion, so that it is able to prevent the cap
from being detached from the second container without discretion
and assuredness of mixing operation is ensured.
[0011] Also, the first cap part may have an engaging portion which
is releasably engaged to the second opening portion in a manner
wherein moving in an axial direction to the second opening portion
is prevented. The second cap part may have a lock portion and a
release portion, the lock portion holding forcibly the engaging
portion so as to engage to the second opening portion when it is
located at the first position, the release portion engaging the
engaging portion so as to be moved to a direction such that said
engagement is released when it is located at the second position.
By that, until the second cap part is moved from the first position
to the second position by said mixing operation in administration,
the first cap part is not able to be detached from the second
opening portion, so that it is able to prevent the cap from being
detached from the second container without discretion and
assuredness of mixing operation is ensured. Moreover, when the
second cap part is moved to the second position, the releasing
portion is engaged to the engaging portion, so that an engagement
between the engaging portion and the second opening portion
released without fault, so the cap is easily released without fault
from the second container after the mixing operation.
[0012] Also, the first cap part may have an inside tube portion
which is extended outwardly in the axial direction of the second
opening portion and a plug which is fixed at an end of the inside
tube portion. The external diameter of the plug may be smaller than
the internal diameter of the first opening portion, an opening
portion may be formed between the plug and the inside tube portion,
the connecting opening portion may be fitted into the first opening
portion, the inside tube portion is fit into the connecting opening
portion, the plug may be fitted liquid-tight into an end portion of
the connecting opening portion when the second cap part is located
at the first position so that the connecting path is closed, and
the plug may be released from the connecting opening portion when
the second cap part is located at the second position so that the
connecting path is formed.
[0013] Moreover, said plug may be formed separately from the inside
tube portion and the said plug is attached to the inside tube
portion from the axially end side, so that an external rim of the
plug is engaged to an end surface of the connecting opening portion
of the second cap part. By that, the second cap part is prevented
from detaching from the first cap part by the plug, and structures
are simplified and fabrications are progressed.
[0014] Also, the plug and the inside tube portion may be formed
integrally, the plug and the inside tube portion may be connected
integrally through multiple connecting ribs which are spaced and
placed peripherally, and the space between the connecting ribs may
serve as an opening portion. By that, it is able to aim reducing of
numbers of structure units, so that it is able to aim further cost
reduction.
[0015] Moreover, the container set for mixing at the time of
administration in the present invention may have a stopper mounted
detachably. The stopper is contact to the second cap so as to be
prevented from moving from the first position to the second
position. By that, it is able to prevent the second cap part from
being accidentally moved to the second position, the opening
portion of the second container from being opened, and the liquid
ingredients from being exposed to the ambient air. Additionally,
the stopper may be detachably attached to an external peripheral of
the body portion of the second container, or to an external
peripheral of the first cap part.
[0016] Also, the connecting opening portion of the second cap part
is to be fitted in to the first opening. The second cap part may
further have an engaging piece which is located radially outside of
the connecting opening portion and extends to an axial end side.
The first opening may have a flange portion projected radially
outside, and said engaging piece may be engaged axially to a rim of
a base end side of the flange portion when the connecting opening
portion is fitted in to the first opening portion. By that, when
the connecting opening portion is connected to the opening portion
of the first container, the first opening portion is held by the
engaging piece formed around the external peripheral of the
connecting opening portion, so that the cap may be detached
together with the first container from the second container by
detaching the first container from the second container after
mixing operation finishes. Therefore, it is able to simplify an
operation of a pro-process after mixing and shorten the amount of
time from mixing to using.
[0017] Also, the container set for mixing at the time of
administration in the present invention, the first cap part may
mainly comprise a first tube portion which is mounted onto the
external peripheral side of the second opening portion and a second
tube portion which is linked to the first tube portion. An internal
diameter of the second tube portion may be smaller than the
internal diameter of the second opening portion. The second cap
part may have a plug which is fitted into a base end portion of the
second tube portion. The plug may be formed to close the connecting
path when the second cap part is located at the first position and
form the connecting path when the second cap part is located at the
second position. Moreover, the first cap part may further have a
third tube portion which is linked to an other end side of the
second tube portion. The connecting opening portion of the second
cap part may be fitted into the first opening portion. The second
cap part may have a flange portion which extends radially outwardly
from the base end portion of the connecting opening portion. Said
flange portion may be fitted into the third tube portion and an
internal peripheral surface of the third tube portion may have an
engaging protrusion portion which engaged to the flange portion in
a manner wherein the second cap part is prevented from moving from
the first position to the second position. The third tube portion
may be elastically deformable in an axially external direction in a
manner wherein the engagement between the engaging protrusion
portion and the flange portion is released.
[0018] By using aforementioned container set for mixing at the time
of administration, it is possible to operate following procedure
for mixing in administration. The procedures of the present
invention for mixing in administration are: (1) the solid
ingredient is sealed and stored in the first container and the
liquid ingredient which is to be solvent or carrier fluid is sealed
and stored in the second container; (2) at the timing of use, the
first container is opened while a sealing storing state of the
second container is kept, the second container is connected to the
opening portion of the first container, the connecting path which
connects the internal space of the first container and the internal
space of the second container is formed, the first ingredient and
the second ingredient are mixed through the path, and the mixed
liquid medicine is stored in the second container; (3) after said
mixing, the first container is detached from the second container,
the discharging unit which is used for discharging liquid in the
second container is attached to the second container so that the
mixed liquid medicine in the second container becomes
dischargeable, and the second container used as a liquid ingredient
container is used as a mixed medicine discharging container. By
that, at the timing of storing or shipping before mixing in
administration, the number of containers which comprises a set are
two, so that the package will not be too big compared to the case
wherein there is a spray container formed separately, so it is
possible to attempt to handle easily and reduce the cost.
Additionally, the second container, which is used as storing
container for the liquid ingredient before the mixing in
administration, is reused as the discharging container for the
mixed liquid medicine, so that the cost reduction by reducing
constituent elements, waste reduction and the improvement of the
environment may be attempted.
[0019] In the aforementioned present process invention, it is more
preferable that the first container comprises the bottle body made
from a material which has a good gas barrieracy such as glasses
(e.g. a conventional vial bottle). By that, by freeze-drying in the
bottle body, the solid ingredient is stored in the bottle body in
the antiseptic condition, and especially, it is possible to store
unstable freeze-dried medicine in the glass container stably.
[0020] Additionally, to hold the plug body attached on the first
opening of the first container without fault, it is possible to
attach a top member (e.g. A ring shaped top with a lock mechanism
disclosed in Japanese published unexamined application H09-278051
gazette) on the first opening. This top member may have an engaging
member which has multiple talons around a rim of a discotic top
plate portion, and a cylindrical holder member which is fixed to an
external side of the multiple engaging talons of said engaging
member. The engaging talon, of which a lower end side is
elastically deformable radially expanded and reduced, may extended
from the rim of the top plate portion to down below. An upper end
of the engaging member and a lower side of the holder member are
molded integrally, trough the breakable connecting portion. When
this top member is used, connecting portion is broken by pushing
the holder member downward relatively to the engaging portion, the
holder portion is attached onto the external peripheral of the
multiple engaging talons, and the multiple engaging talons are
deformed radially inwardly by the holder member, so that this
engaging talon is engaged to the external peripheral of the first
opening portion. Preferably, engaging portions (concave portion or
protrude portion), which are engaged each other when the holder
member is attached to the external peripheral of the engaging
talons, may be formed on each internal peripheral surface and
external peripheral surface, so that the holder member is prevented
from detaching accidentally. Also, thread portions, which are
screwing each other, may be formed on the internal peripheral
surface of the holder member and the external peripheral surface of
the engaging talons, so that the holder member is screwed to the
multiple engaging talons. By that, it is capable to prevent the
holder member from being detached accidentally and to detach the
holder member with comparatively light strength by rotating the
holder member, while the engaging talons are strongly pushed toward
radially inward. Also, when the holder member which is attached to
the external peripheral of the engaging member is pulled up, the
engaging portion which engages to the external rim of a
neighborhood of the upper end of the engaging member may be located
on a internal peripheral of the neighborhood of the lower end of
the holder member, so that it is capable to detach the engaging
member from the opening portion as the holder is pulled up. This
top member is preferably used for holding the plug body made from
Butyl-rubber which is attached to the opening portion of the glass
vial bottle and improving the assuredness of the air tightness, and
may be reused in other than the container set for mixing at the
time of administration in the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 Longitudinal sectional view of a container set for
mixing at the time of administration of a first embodiment of the
present invention, especially, (a) shows a resin bottle which is
used as both a solvent container and a spray bottle and (b) shows a
vial bottle;
[0022] FIG. 2 Front view of the resin bottle of the mixing
container in administration
[0023] FIG. 3 Process drawing of the mixing process in
administration of the mixing container in administration;
[0024] FIG. 4 Longitudinal sectional view of the container set for
mixing at the time of administration of a second embodiment of the
present invention, especially, (a) shows a discharging nozzle as a
discharging unit, (b) shows a vial bottle and (c) shows a resin
bottle for use as a solvent container and an otological medicine
container;
[0025] FIG. 5 Process drawing of the mixing process in
administration of the mixing container in administration;
[0026] FIG. 6 Longitudinal sectional view of a container set for
mixing at the time of administration of a third embodiment of the
present invention, especially, (a) shows a discharging nozzle as a
discharging unit, (b) shows a vial bottle and (c) shows a resin
bottle for use as a solvent container and an eye drops discharging
container;
[0027] FIG. 7 Process drawing of the mixing process in
administration of the mixing container in administration;
[0028] FIG. 8 Longitudinal sectional view of a container set for
mixing at the time of administration of a forth embodiment of the
present invention, especially, (a) shows a resin bottle for use as
a solvent container and a spray bottle, (b) shows a vial
bottle;
[0029] FIG. 9 Front view of the resin bottle of the mixing
container in administration
[0030] FIG. 10 Process drawing of the mixing process in
administration of the mixing container in administration.
THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] With reference to the attached drawings, the present
invention will hereinafter be described by way of an embodiment
thereof.
[0032] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a mixing container in administration
of a first embodiment of the present invention. This mixing
container in administration has mainly a vial bottle 1 (a first
container) for storing a solid ingredient made from freeze-dried
medicine, a resinous bottle 2 (a second container) for storing a
liquid ingredient as solvent or fluid for the solid ingredient.
Additionally, said liquid itself may have an active ingredient.
This set can be preferably used as, for example, a pump spraying
container for collunarium, and also, used in ad libitum
application.
[0033] The vial bottle 1 is made from glass and it has an opening
portion 4 (a first opening portion) integrated with an upper end of
a body 3 which has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A plug body 5
made from rubber such as Butyl-rubber is liquid tightly plugged in
this opening portion 4 and a top member 6 (a plug body block) is
coated on it to prevent the plug body 5 from accidentally being
pulled off. Also, an upper end of the opening portion 4 has a
flange portion 7 which is projecting radially. Said top member 6 is
attached to the opening portion 4 by engaging to this flange
portion 7. The flange portion 7 may be formed on axial midstream of
the opening portion 4. Forming the flange portion 7 on axial
midstream causes a structure of an upper surface of an opening of
the vial I to be two-tier and there is a gap between the flange
portion 7 and a brim portion 9 of the plug 5, so that it enables
pulling off the plug body 5 easily by putting a tip of fingers into
this gap.
[0034] The plug body 5 has an airtight stopper 8 which is fitted in
the opening portion 4 and the brim portion 9 which touches an upper
surface of the opening portion 4 integrally. An external diameter
of the brim portion 9 is almost the same as the flange portion 7 of
the opening portion 4. At a side portion of the airtight stopper 8,
a concave part 10 which extends from its lower end upwardly is
formed. An half plugged state, in which an upper end of the concave
part 10 is located above an upper end of the opening portion 4, the
concave part 10 forms an air pass between the plug body 5 and the
opening portion 4. On the other hand, a plugged state, in which the
plug body 5 is pushed till the brim portion 9 touches the upper
surface of the opening portion 4, the upper end of the concave part
10 is located inward (below) the upper end of the opening portion 4
so that the opening portion 4 is sealed air tightly.
[0035] The top member 6 has an engaging member 13 which has
multiple talons 12 around a rim of a discotic top plate portion 11,
and a cylindrical holder member 14 which is fixed to an external
peripheral side of the multiple engaging talons 12 of said engaging
member 13. These engaging members 13 and the holder member 14 may
be, at the timing of the production, molded integrally through a
connecting portion which is able to be broken easily. At the timing
of capping which follows filling up the vial bottle 1 with
freeze-dried medicine, the connecting portion may be broken by
pushing the holder member 14 and both of them may be separated.
Additionally, it is preferable to make the top member 6 from resin
which is discarded by incinerating.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, eight engaging talons 12 are
placed at the same intervals surrounding around the opening portion
4 and there is a slit between two engaging talons next to each
other. Each engaging talon 12, of which a lower end side is
elastically deformable radially expanded and reduced, is formed as
a long plate, extended from the rim of the top plate portion 11 to
down below, and formed wherein the lower end side is expanded
radially outwardly more than the upper end side in a
non-transformed state. On an inside peripheral surface of the
engaging talon, there is an engaging protrusion portion 15 which is
engageable to the flange portion 7 of the opening portion 4. There
is a stretching portion 16 which projects radially outwardly at the
lower end of the engaging talon 12.
[0037] The holder member 14 comprises a tube whose internal
diameter is almost the same as an external diameter of the top
plate portion 11, and a flange portion 17 which projects radially
outwardly at the upper end of said holder member 14. A length of an
axis of the holder member 14 is almost as long as a length of an
axis of said engaging member 13.
[0038] To store freeze-dried medicine (solid ingredient) air
tightly under aseptic condition into said vial bottle 1, first of
all, drug solution is filled in the sterilized vial bottle 1 in a
clean room. Secondly, the plug body 5 is half plugged into the
opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 and the liquid ingredient is
vaporized in the freeze-drying device so that the vaporized steam
is discharged through the air pass of the concave part 10 to the
outside of the bottle. Next, the plug body 5 is plugged completely
into the opening portion 4 so that the freeze-dried medicine is air
tightly sealed and kept in the room of the vial bottle 1. Then, the
engaging member 13 of the top member 6 is lied over the plug body 5
and the opening portion 4 and the holder member 14 is pushed
strongly, so that the connecting portion 15 gets broken, the holder
member 14 is attached around the external peripheral side of the
engaging part 13, the engaging talons 12 are elastically deformed
radially internally by the holder member 14, and the engaging
protrusion part 15 is engaged to the flange portion 7 of the
opening portion 4. In this top-member-6-fixed-state, the plug body
5 is held completely by the top member 6 unless the holder member
14 is separated from the engaging member 13.
[0039] The bottle 2 is such that a cylindrical opening portion 22
is integrally molded to an upper end of a bottomed cylindrical
shaped body 21. A bottomed cylindrical pedestal 23 is fixed to a
lower part of the bottle 2. The bottle 2 is formed in the manner
wherein the body portion 21 is, at the middle in the axial
direction of it, radially bulged and formed, and its diameter is
getting gradually smaller as it goes from the middle in the axial
direction to a bottom. The opening portion 22 of an upper end of
the bottle 2 has a cylindrical shape which opens upwardly. Its
external peripheral surface has a screw portion 22a, which is used
for screwing an after mentioned pump spraying device, and a flange
portion 22b, which is located at a lower side (base side) of the
screw portion and projected axially outwardly, is formed
integrally.
[0040] In the opening portion 22 of the bottle 2, a cap 30, which
is mainly comprised of a cylindrical first cap part 31 and a
cylindrical second cap part 32, are attached. During shipping or
storing of the bottle 2 filled with the liquid ingredient, the
opening portion 22 is sealed air and water tightly, while, at the
timing of use, the cap 30 is used as a connecting adapter to the
vial bottle 1, so that a two ingredients mixing process is easily
carried out.
[0041] The first cap part 31 has a ring-shaped base portion 31a
which touches an upper surface of the bottle opening portion 22 and
a cylindrical sealing tube portion 31b which is extended from said
base portion 31a, water tightly fitted to the bottle opening
portion 22 and by that it is attached to the opening portion 22
water tightly. Also, the first cap part 31 has multiple engaging
pieces 31c (engaging portion) extended axially inwardly
(downwardly) from a brim of an outer peripheral of the base 31a.
These multiple engaging pieces 31c are placed equally spaced in a
peripheral direction and formed freely deformable in a manner
wherein a lower end of the each engaging piece 31c is expanded
radially outwardly. An engaging protrusion part 40 which engages to
a lower surface of the flange 22b of the bottle opening portion 22,
so that the engaging pieces 31c are de-engageably engageable to the
bottle opening portion 22 in a manner that moving in a axial
direction of the bottle opening portion 22 is prevented. Moreover,
each engaging piece 31c has a turn-backed guiding engaging portion
31d.
[0042] Also the first cap part 31 has a cylindrical inside tube
portion 31e which is extended axially outwardly (upwardly) from a
brim of an inner peripheral of the base 31a, a rod 31f which
integrally formed at an end portion of said inside tube portion
31e, and a plug 31g which is fixed at an end of the inside tube
portion 31e by being fitted to the rod 31f. In the present
embodiment, in the components of the first cap part, only the plug
31g is formed separately and the other components are formed
integrally by an injection molding and the like. An external
diameter of the plug 31g is smaller than an internal diameter of
the mouth portion 4 of the vial bottle 1. Also, there is an opening
portion 41 formed between the plug 31g plus the rod 31f and the
inside tube portion 31e, so that the liquid ingredient in the
bottle 2 freely flows into an external peripheral side of the plug
31g.
[0043] On the other hand, the second cap part 32 is fitted liquid
tightly onto the first cap part 31 and has a connecting opening
portion 32a which is liquid tightly connectable to the opening
portion 4 of the vial bottle 1. The second cap part 32 is movable
relatively to the first cap part from the first position (see also
FIG. 1), wherein internal space of the bottle 2 is sealed from the
ambient air by the first and the second cap part 31 and 32, to the
second position which is located axially inwardly more than the
first position. When the second cap part 32 is located at the
second position, a connecting pass which connects internal space of
the bottle 2 and internal space of the vial bottle 1 connected to
the connecting opening portion 32a of the second cap part 32 is
formed.
[0044] In more detail, the second cap part 32 has a flange portion
32b which extends from an end portion of the connecting opening
portion 32a, multiple, in a peripheral direction, of engaging
pieces 32c which is located radially outside of the connecting
opening portion 32a and extends from the flange portion 32b to an
axial end side (outside), a releasing portion 32d which extends
from the flange portion 32b to an axial base side (inside), and a
main body portion 32e which extends from an external rim of the
flange 32b to the axial base side. Said engaging pieces 32c has an
engaging protrusion part 42 on its inside surface close to an end.
When the connecting opening portion 32a is fitted in and connected
to the opening portion 4, the second cap part 32 is capable of
zipping up the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 by the manner
wherein the engaging protrusion part 42 is axially engaged to a
base side rim of the flange portion 7 of the vial bottle 1.
[0045] Also, a locking portion 32f, which forcibly holds down the
engaging pieces 32c from an external surface side in a manner
wherein the engaging pieces 31c of the first cap part 31 are
engaged to the flange portion 22b of the bottle opening 22 when the
second cap part is located at the first position, inflation-formed
on internal peripheral surface of the main body portion 32e of the
second cap part 32, so that the first cap part is engaged to the
bottle opening 22 without being separated. Said releasing portion
32d is axially separated from the guiding engaging portion 31d of
the first cap part 31 and an end portion of said releasing portion
32 and the guiding engaging portion 31d is located axially
opposite. When the second cap part 32 is moved to the second
position, the end portion of the releasing portion 32d is engaged
to the guiding engaging portion 31d, so that it moves the engaging
pieces 31c to the direction wherein an engagement between the
engaging pieces 32c of the first cap part 31 and the flange portion
22b of the bottle opening portion 22 is released (i.e. radially
outward) so that the engagement between the first cap part 31 and
the bottle opening portion 22 is released. To conduct this
engagement release smoothly, both engaging surfaces of the end
portion of the releasing portion 32d and the guiding engaging
portion 31d are formed tapered.
[0046] Also, a neighboring structure of the plug 31g is explained
in more detail as followed. An end portion of the connecting
opening portion 32a is radially gathered up in a needle-nosed
manner. When the second cap part 32 is located at the first
position, an external peripheral rim of the plug 31g is engaged to
an end surface of the connecting opening portion 32a, and an end
opening of the connecting opening portion 32a is sealed water and
air tightly by the plug 31, so that the connecting pass is closed.
By fitting the connecting opening portion 32a in the opening
portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 and moving it to the second
position, the plug 31g is separated axially from the connecting
opening portion 32a and inserted into the opening portion 4 of the
vial bottle 1 so that said connecting pass is formed.
[0047] Also, in this embodiment, a stopper 44, which is touched to
a lower end surface of the main body portion 32e, is detachably
attached to the bottle body 21 so that the second cap part 32 is
prevented from moving from the first position to the second
position.
[0048] Additionally, in the example illustrated in Figs., an
outside cap 45 is screwed further on said cap 30 and this outside
cap 45 prevents especially periphery of the plug 31g from being
contaminated. It is possible to pack the cap 30 with a silver foil
instead of the outside cap 45.
[0049] Next, the mixing procedure of said container set for mixing
at the time of administration is explained with reference to FIG.
3.
[0050] The procedure (a) shows features at delivery, in other
words, a state at the timing of the transportation and storage.
When it is used, detach the top plate portion 6 and the plug body 5
from the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 and the outside cap
45 of the bottle 2 is detached as illustrated in a procedure (b).
Then, as illustrated in a procedure (c) and (d), the bottle 2 is
turned upside down and the connecting opening portion 32a is pushed
into the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 so that both
containers 1 and 2 are connected. The second cap part 32 is
prevented from moving to the second position by the stopper 44, so
that it does not happen that an end of the connecting opening
portion 32a opens before finishing connecting and causes
leaking.
[0051] Next, the stopper 44 is removed and the bottle 2 is further
pushed, as shown in the procedures (e) and (f), so that the second
cap part 32 is moved axially relatively to the first cap part 31,
the plug 31g is released from the connecting opening portion 32a,
the connecting pass which connects internal space of the vial
bottle 1 and one of the bottle 2, so that the liquid ingredient in
the bottle 2 flows into the vial bottle 1 through the connecting
pass. Also, in this time, the releasing portion 32d of the second
cap part 32 is engaged to the guiding engaging portion 31d of the
engaging pieces 31c of the first cap part 31, the engaging pieces
31c are expanded their diameter radially outwardly by the releasing
portion 32d, and the engagement between the engaging pieces 31c and
the bottle opening portion 22 is released.
[0052] After mixing the liquid ingredient and the solid ingredient
sufficiently, as shown in the process (g), it is turned upside down
altogether so that the bottle 2 is located to lower side and the
vial bottle 1 is located to upper side, and all of the mixed
medicine flows into the bottle 2. Then, as shown in the process
(h), the vial bottle 1 is pulled away from the bottle 2, so that
the cap 30 is pulled away together with the vial bottle 1 since the
engagement between the cap 30 and the bottle opening portion 22 has
already been released as mentioned above. As shown in the process
(i), a separately prepared discharging unit 50 such as pump spray
unit is attached to the bottle opening portion 22 so that the
bottle 2, which has been used as a container for the liquid
ingredient before mixing, is used as a discharging container.
[0053] Additionally, the pump spray device 50 has a cylindrical cap
member which is screwed to the opening portion 22, a suction tube
which sucks up the liquid stored in internal space of the bottle 2
from a bottom of the room, a pump portion which generate a suction
force to suck up the liquid through the suction tube, and a
spraying portion which is used for spraying the sucked liquid to
the outside. The suction tube, the pump portion and the spraying
portion are formed axially in a succession, and the pump portion is
fixed and held by the cap member. The suction tube is located at
the middle of the axis of the bottle and extends axially along
almost all length of the bottle.
[0054] Additionally, said each constructional elements are made
from the material ad libitum, however, preferably, the rubber plug,
the vial bottle, the plug, the top portion of the vial bottle, and
bottle are made from Butyl-rubber, glass, low-density polyethylene,
polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene, relatively. Other
constructional elements are preferably made from polypropylene or
high-density polyethylene.
[0055] FIG. 4 and 5 show a container set for mixing at the time of
administration in a second embodiment of the present invention. It
is especially preferably used as an otological dissolving container
in administration. Hereinafter, the similar structures as said
first embodiment are numbered the same symbol and of which the
explanations are omitted, different structures and effects will be
described and explained.
[0056] As the rubber plug 5 of the vial bottle 1, such that
conventionally well known are used, and after the rubber plug 5 is
fitted into the opening portion 4, the whole vial bottle 1 is
packed with aluminum.
[0057] The first cap part 31 does not have said engaging pieces and
is screwed onto the external peripheral of the bottle opening 22.
Also the plug 31g is molded integrally with other constituent
elements and the plug 31g and the inside tube portion 31e is
connected integrally through multiple connecting ribs 31h which is
peripherally spaced and placed. The space between the connecting
ribs 31h is an opening portion 41. This plug 31g is only fitted
into the inner peripheral of the connecting opening portion 32a and
it is not engaged to the end surface of the connecting opening
portion 32a to prevent the second cap part 32 from releasing. In
this embodiment, the main body portion 32e of the second cap part
32 is fitted onto the first cap part and there is an under cut
portion 46 at this fitting point so that the second cap part 32 is
prevented from coming off from the second cap part 31.
[0058] Also, the releasing portion 32d, the guiding engaging
portion 31d and the lock portion 32f in the first embodiment are
not in the second embodiment. Moving the second cap part 32 to the
second position does not automatically release engaging (screwing)
between the first cap part and the bottle opening portion 22.
Therefore, in the pro-processes after mixing two liquids, the vial
bottle 1 and the bottle 2 are relatively revolved, so that the cap
30 is detached from the bottle opening portion 22. At this time, to
prevent the second cap part 32 from spinning freely to the first
cap part 31, an engaging point, wherein the second cap part staying
at the second position and the first cap part 31 are engaged in the
direction of rotating operation, is located at the proper position,
for example, the lower end portion of the main body portion 32e of
the second cap part 32. Additionally, the discharging container 50
in this embodiment has a discharging nozzle.
[0059] The mixing process in administration in this embodiment is
almost the same as the one in the first embodiment, so there is a
reference to FIG. 5 and detail descriptions are omitted.
[0060] FIG. 6 and 7 show a container set for mixing at the time of
administration in a third embodiment of the container set for
mixing at the time of administration. Only the shape of a bottle is
different from the one in the second embodiment, so the same
numbers are used and the explanations are omitted. In addition, it
is especially preferably used as an eye dropper.
[0061] FIG. 8 to 10 show a container set for mixing at the time of
administration in a forth embodiment of the present invention and
it is especially preferably used as an otological dissolving
container in administration. The vial bottle 1, its plug
configurations, and the bottle 2 are the same as said first
embodiment, so the same numbers are used and the explanations are
omitted but the different configurations and the different effects
are explained.
[0062] The cap 50 which is mainly comprised of a cylindrical first
cap part 51 and cylindrical second cap part 52 is attached to the
opening portion 22 of the bottle 2 of this embodiment. During
shipping or storing of the bottle 2 filled with the liquid
ingredient, the opening portion 22 is sealed air and water tightly
with the cap 50, while, at the timing of use, the cap 50 is used as
a connecting adapter to the vial bottle 1, so that a two
ingredients mixing process is easily carried out without fail.
[0063] The first cap part 51 is mainly comprised of a cylindrical
first tube portion 51a which is screwed onto the external surface
side of the bottle opening portion 22, a cylindrical second tube
portion 51b which is formed in a succession from the first tube
portion 51a, a cylindrical third tube portion 51c which is formed
in a succession from an axial end side of the second tube portion
51b, and a cup-shaped holder 51d which is formed in a succession
from an axial end side of the third tube portion 51c. The first
tube portion 51a has a thread portion, which screwed onto a screw
portion 22a of the external peripheral of the bottle opening
portion, on its internal peripheral surface. An external diameter
and an internal diameter of the second tube portion 51b are smaller
than the internal diameter of the bottle opening portion 22, in the
illustrated example, a base end portion of the second tube portion
51b is inserted into the bottle opening portion 22. The first tube
portion 51a and the second tube portion 51b are integrally
connected through a flange portion 51e, and a lower surface of this
flange portion 51e is facing to the opening upper surface of the
bottle opening portion 22. To acquire air tightness and liquid
tightness between the first cap part 51 and the bottle opening
portion 22, there is a rubber packing 53 between the flange portion
51e and the bottle opening portion 22.
[0064] A third tube portion 51c is comprised in a manner wherein it
is capable of fitting onto the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle
1, and when the third tube portion 51c is fitted onto the opening
portion 4, an engaging protrusion part 54, which is axially engaged
to a base end portion of the flange portion 7 of the opening 4, is
formed on an internal peripheral surface of the third tube portion
51c. Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the third tube portion
51c has a slit 55 so that a certain point in a circumferential
direction of the third tube portion 51c is capable of being
elastically deformed radially outwardly, to have the third tube
portion 51c fitted easily onto the opening portion 4. The holder
portion 51d has a shape which fits in the shape of a shoulder and
body portion of the vial bottle 1. When the third tube portion 51c
is fitted onto the opening portion 4, an external peripheral
surface of the upper side of the vial bottle 1 is held by the
internal peripheral surface of the holder portion 51d.
[0065] The second cap part 52 is mainly comprised of a cylindrical
connecting opening portion 52a which is air tightly and liquid
tightly fitted into the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1, a
cylindrical joint portion 52b which is connected in succession to
said connecting opening portion 52a and fitted into the second tube
portion 51b axially slidable, a cylinder-with-a-bottom-shaped plug
52c which is fitted into an axial base end portion of the second
tube portion 51b, and a flange portion 52d which is formed from an
axial base end portion of the connection opening portion 52a to a
radially outward direction. In these main structures, only the plug
52c is separately formed and the other structures are integrally
formed. Also, an end portion of the plug 52c and a base end portion
of the joint portion 52b are attached. Additionally, it is possible
to form the plug 52c integrally to the joint portion 52b. Also, it
is possible to combine accordingly the flange portion 52d and the
connecting opening portion 52a as a separate portion part. The
second cap part 52 is relatively movable to the first cap part 51
from a first position wherein the internal space of the bottle 2 is
sealed from the ambient air by the first and the second cap part 51
and 52 (see also FIG. 8) to a second position which is located
inward in the axial direction of the bottle 2 from the first
position (see also FIG. 10(d)). When the second cap part 52 is
located on the second position, a connecting path which connects
the inside room of the bottle 2 and the inside room of the vial
bottle 1 which connected to the connecting opening portion 52a of
the second cap part 52 is formed in the cap.
[0066] In other words, the plug 52c has an opening portion 56 which
goes through an inside to an outside on its peripheral wall, and
when the second cap part 52 is moved to the second position, the
opening portion 56 of the plug 52c is exposed under a base end
portion of the second tube portion 51b so that said connecting path
is opened. On the other hand, when the second cap part 52 is on the
first position, the opening portion 56 of the plug 52c is stored
above the lower end portion of the second tube portion 51b and said
connecting path is blocked by this plug 52c.
[0067] Also, the flange portion 52d of the second cap part 52 is
fitted into the third tube portion 51 of the first cap part 51.
When the second cap part 52 is located at the first position, the
flange portion 52d is prevented from moving to the second position
of the second cap part 52 by engaging to the engaging protrusion
part 54 axially. The certain point in a circumferential direction
of the third tube portion 51c is capable of being elastically
deformed radially outside, as stated above. So the third tube
portion 51c is forcibly pushed and expanded out radially when the
vial bottle 1 connected to the connecting opening portion 52a is
pushed strongly, and the engagement between the flange 52d and the
engaging protrusion part 54 is released so that the relative
movement to the second position becomes capable.
[0068] Additionally, a cover cap 45 is attached to a top end
portion of the holder portion 51d, so that the interior of the
first and the second cap part are prevented from contamination.
[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, mixing process of the
aforementioned container set for mixing at the time of
administration is explained. The process (a) shows delivery form
i.e. the state at the timing of shipping or storing. When it is
used, first of all, the top member 6 and the plug 5 is removed from
the opening portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 and the cover cap 45 of
the bottle 2 is removed as shown in the process (b). Next, the
bottle 2 is turned upside down, as shown in the process (c), and
the connecting opening portion 52a is pushed into the opening
portion 4 of the vial bottle 1 so that both containers 1 and 2 are
connected. Then, the bottle 2 is further pushed, as shown in the
process (d) and (e), the second cap part 52 is moved axially
relatively to the first cap part 51, the opening portion 56 of the
plug 52c is exposed to the internal space of the bottle, the
connecting path which connects the internal space of the vial
bottle 1 and the internal space of the bottle 2 is formed in the
cap 50, and the liquid ingredient in the bottle 2 flows into the
vial bottle 1 through the connecting path.
[0070] After mixing the solid ingredient and the liquid ingredient
sufficiently, as shown in the process (f), whole structure is
turned upside down, so that the bottle 2 is located in lower side
and the vial bottle 1 is located in upper side, and all of the
mixed liquid medicine flows into the bottle 2. Then, as shown in
the process (g), by holding the holder portion 51d and rotating
whole structure of the first cap part 51, the cap 50 and the vial
bottle is removed all together from the bottle opening portion 22.
Additionally, the process from (d) to (g) are carried out with
holding the holder portion 51d, so that it is possible to
accomplish simplification and speeding up of the series of
operations.
[0071] Then, as shown in the process (h), by attaching a separately
prepared discharging unit 50 such as a spray pump bottle to the
opening portion 22, it is possible to use the bottle 2, which has
been used as a liquid ingredient container before mixing, as a
discharging container.
[0072] In the present invention, in administration, when the first
container and the second container are connected so that the solid
ingredient and the liquid ingredient are mixed, it is capable to
precisely generate mixed liquid medicine in a defined mixing rate
without leaking the liquid ingredient and handle it hygienically.
Also, after carrying out the mixing operation, the mixed liquid is
stored in the second container, and the discharging unit is
attached to this container, and it can be used as a discharging
container such as a spray container, so that it is able to operate
mixing in administration precisely, at the same time, with an
attempt to make a package smaller and reduce waste products.
* * * * *