Abstract:
A sterile filling machine and related method are provided for sterile filling a container with a substance. The container includes a heat resealable stopper and a chamber for receiving the substance therein. The sealed, empty containers are subjected to radiation capable of penetrating through the stopper and chamber for sterilizing the container. The previously sterilized containers are then transported through an e-beam chamber, wherein an electron beam is directed onto a penetrable surface of the stopper to sterilize the penetrable surface. A needle is mounted within the e-beam chamber and moved into engagement with the stopper to pierce the sterilized penetrable surface of the stopper and inject the substance through the needle and into the chamber of the container. The needle is then withdrawn from the stopper and the filled container is transported outside of the e-beam chamber. Laser energy is then transmitted onto the penetrated surface of the stopper to fuse the stopper material and hermetically re-seal the stopper.
Abstract:
A container including a nozzle and body depending therefrom. The body is preferably tubular and defines an interior which retains a product to be dispensed. A cap engages the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the product. In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed and pressure is applied to the body and the nozzle allows release of the product. The nozzle releases the product without exposing the remaining product to the external atmosphere, thus the sterility of the interior of the body is maintained and the shelf life of the product is increased. The nozzle includes an inner body, coupled to the tubular body, surrounded by a flexible outer cover. A seam between the inner body and flexible outer cover forms a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed during dispensing the product.
Abstract:
An aerosol tip mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser for dispensing liquid content has a flexible outer shell, a rigid cap portion composed of lower and upper portions, and a rigid nozzle portion having a rigid shaft received within the outlet portion of the flexible outer shell. The rigid shaft interfaces the outlet portion of the outer shell, forming a first normally-closed one-way valve. The lower and upper portions of the rigid cap portion form boots adapted to receive an outlet portion of the flexible outer shell, the boots thereby constraining a lateral motion of the outlet portion of the outer shell, and symmetrically centering the outlet portion around the rigid shaft of the nozzle. The rigid nozzle portion includes a plurality of liquid channels for delivering liquid from a reservoir to a swirling chamber defined within the rigid cap portion, which liquid channels are configured to minimize energy losses of the liquid and promote a more homogeneous fluid particle size in the dispensed aerosol. The aerosol tip mechanism provides for long-term sterility of the stored fluid, which in turn allows for preservation of the sterility of non-chemically preserved formulations, which may be in the form of suspension or liquid gels.
Abstract:
A pump-type dispenser for dispensing predetermined doses of medicament in droplets or in spray form to the nasal area incorporates a rigid vial for medicament, an expandable pouch located within the rigid vial, a nasal screen, a one-way actuation mechanism, a one-way valve mechanism in the nozzle area and a spring element, both the valve mechanism and the spring element being formed as integral portions of the pump body. The one-way valve mechanism in the nozzle area ensures a one-way movement of medicament from the dispenser, thereby preserving substantially perfect sterility of the medicament in the dispenser, without requiring the use of preservatives. The one-way actuation mechanism enables the user to load and dispense a uniform quantity of medicament with a uniform actuation force and speed via a single continuous motion of the actuation mechanism. The rigid vial/expandable-pouch combination facilitates improved long term use, as well as uniformity of dosage independent of the pump orientation.