AN APPLICATOR FOR EXTERNAL ACTION FORMULATIONS, IN PARTICULAR A DISPOSABLE APPLICATOR FOR FORMULATIONS COMBATTING ECTOPARASITES

Abstract

An applicator for external action formulations is shown, and in particular a disposable applicator for formulations combatting ectoparasites of humans and animals is shown, including at least one formulation container (2) provided with a dispensing outlet (21). In order to protect the patient against possible injury during the application of the formulation, the applicator (1) also includes a plastic cap (3) having a form of a convex solid shell provided with a domed tip end (31) with a dispensing opening (32) which in the working mode of the applicator (1w) surrounds the dispensing outlet (21) of the formulation container (2), and connecting means (23, 34) which in the working mode of the applicator (1w) secure the cap (3) on the formulation container (2).

Claims

1. An applicator for external action formulations, and in particular to a disposable applicator for formulations combatting ectoparasites of humans and animals, comprising at least one formulation container (2) provided with a dispensing outlet (21), characterized in that it further comprises a plastic cap (3) having a form of a convex solid shell provided with a domed tip end (31) with a dispensing opening (32) which in the working mode of the applicator (1w) surrounds the dispensing outlet (21) of the formulation container (2), and connecting means (23, 34) which in the working mode of the applicator (1w) secure the cap (3) on the formulation container (2).

2. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (2) is further provided with at least one vent hole (33) on the side surface thereof.

3. The applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dispensing outlet (21) of the formulation container (2) is terminated with a snap-off or cut-off hermetic closure (22).

4. The applicator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the formulation container (2) and the cap (3) are provided with retaining or snap connecting means (23, 34) matching each other.

5. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer edge (34) of the cap (33) is fitted to the outer surface of the formulation container (2).

6. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the formulation container (2) has the form of a two-part molding.

7. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the formulation containers (2) are connected with each other, preferably in a snap-off or cut-off manner.

8. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cap (3) is made of an elastomer, preferably polypropylene elastomer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention has been presented below in exemplary embodiments and in reference to the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the applicator in the standby mode in top view;

[0017] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the applicator shown in FIG. 1 in the working mode in top view;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows the applicator in the standby mode in axonometric view,

[0019] FIG. 4 shows the applicator as shown in FIG. 3 in the working mode in axonometric view, and

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a set of formulation containers in the standby mode in top (FIG. 5a), side (FIG. 5b) and back (FIG. 5c) view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Numerical references to the same functional elements are the same throughout the drawings. Where appropriate, they are supplemented with additional suffixes (a, b, c, d) to differentiate elements of the same functionality but different construction.

[0022] The applicator 1s shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 in the standby mode comprises a formulation container 2 and a dispensing cap 3. In this embodiment, the formulation container 2 has a form of a two-part molding, into which in an airtight manner during the manufacturing process a specific dose of formulation for the control of ectoparasites, such as for example spot-on pesticide composition disclosed in U.S. 2012/0029025 A1 or liquid spreading composition with ectoparasiticidal activity disclosed by the applicant in the international application PCT/PL2014/000090, has been introduced.

[0023] The formulation container 2 is equipped with a capillary dispensing outlet 21, which in the applicator standby mode is terminated with hermetic closure 22.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 after breaking off or cutting off the closure 22 with scissors the formulation contained in the container 2 may leak out from the container 2 in a controlled manner while applying pressure on the walls of the container 2. In order to prevent scratching or wounding the patient's skin by sharp edges of the dispensing outlet 21, before the treatment an elastomeric cap 3 is attached on the formulation container 2 so as to reach the working mode of the applicator 1w.

[0025] The cap 3 has a form of convex solid shell made of polypropylene elastomer Sarlink® 3160 (Teknor Apex Company, USA), and having a domed tip end 31 with a dispensing, opening 32. In the working mode of the applicator 1w the domed tip end 31 surrounds the dispensing outlet 21 of the container 2. Additionally, the cap 3 is provided on its side surface with a vent hole 33 which forms a venting channel between the inner surface of the cap 3 and the outer surface of the container 2 in the vicinity of the dispensing outlet 21.

[0026] Domed tip end 31 of the cap 3 not only protects the patient from possible injury of the skin already irritated by the presence of the parasite, but also provides easy and even distribution of product.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary set of formulation containers in standby mode, which comprises a plurality of formulation containers 2 having side edges connected with each other in a snap-off or cut-off manner.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 connecting means of the applicator 1 are profiled recesses 23 formed in the sidewalls of formulation containers 2, with which they can snap inner projections formed on the edge 34 of the cap 3 to transform the applicator to its working mode 1w. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the edge 34 of the cap 3 has a certain interference fit to the outer surface of the formulation container 2 allowing it to abut to the container 2. In both embodiments, the edge of the cap 34 is fitted to the outer surface of the formulation container 2.

[0029] The disclosed embodiments should not be regarded as exhaustive, and some details of the drawing are shown only schematically in order to better illustrate the invention, the essence of which has been characterized in the claims.