Single-dose package

The invention relates to a single-dose package for liquid, pasty or semi-solid materials, preferably for dental material, having a fluid container of at least one lower and at least one upper partial container, wherein, after filling, the at least one lower partial container is provided to be connected at a common seam to the at least one upper partial container such that the upper partial container sits on top of the lower partial container at the seam, and the upper partial container carries a removal spout, preferably for dental material.

Liquid dental materials are often applied to the teeth to be treated using paint brushes or brushes (“Microbrush®”). It is important in this context that the handling is easy and the liquid can be removed and applied, if at all possible, using only one hand. This is less of a problem if the material is to be removed from bottles. However, dental materials are often supplied in so-called “single-dose” packages, in which one portion each gets freshly opened, while the remaining portions are protected from perishing or contamination. Small packages of this type can also be provided with a suitable support base.

A single-dose package with support base at the lower end of the fluid container and handle for twist-off of the upper end of the fluid container is known. The twisting-off opens the container at a predetermined breakage site such it is accessible for a removal instrument (e.g. Microbrush®). However, some of the liquid content may splash in an uncontrolled manner during twist-off, especially when, e.g., the warmth of the hand caused an over-pressure to be built-up in the container.

The invention remedies this problem in that it provides a circumferential splash protection.

The package according to the invention comprises at least two partial containers that sit one on top of the other. These need not be of equal size and may take up different volumes. The simplest case is to have two partial containers. Connected to each other along a seam that is preferably ultrasound-welded, they jointly form a fluid container. The lower partial container can be connected to a support base, the upper partial container carries a removal spout. The removal spout can be opened along a predetermined breakage site by means of a twist-off handle. The content of the package can suitably be removed through the spout using a removal instrument. A circumferential splash protection neck, which is capable of catching material leaking inadvertently from the predetermined breakage site, is provided on the removal spout. It can be connected to the spout or the twist-off handle.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a package according to Claim 1 . Preferred embodiments are evident from the other claims.

The invention is illustrated based on the following figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a closed single-dose package. The fluid is not shown. The space, in which a Microbrush® ( 14 ) can be moved in order to remove the fluid, is shown.

FIG. 2 shows the individual parts from which a single-dose package is assembled.

FIG. 3 shows in yet another view where the pressure can escape and which space is limited by the splash protection.

FIG. 4 shows yet another cross-section with a support base of different design.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fluid container 1 consists of a lower 2 and an upper 3 partial container that are being connected to each other by ultrasound welding after they are filled. The non-closed lower partial container 2 comprises the shape of a cylinder with semi-spherical bottom. It is preferably connected to a support base. This can be designed to be elliptical in order to form a suitable hold-up with respect to the twist-off handle. When the lower partial container gets closed, another cylinder (upper partial container 3 ), which carries a removal spout 5 with predetermined breakage site 6 and cap 7 with reception groove 8 for the twist-off handle 9 , is placed on the seam 4 . The diameter of the removal spout 5 is approximately half of that of the cylinders. The removal spout 5 is carried by a stepped ring 10 which, jointly with the removal spout 5 , forms the upper margin of the fluid container 1 perpendicular to the cylinder wall. The seam 4 is provided for welding, e.g. friction welding or ultrasound welding. The twist-off handle 9 carries a spring 11 that is complementary to the reception groove 8 and is connected to another circumferential splash protection cylinder 12 whose diameter corresponds to that of the other cylinders and which sits on top of the stepped ring 10 .

The tool needed for welding, e.g. a sonotrode, can be guided within the space 15 between the circumferential splash protection cylinder and the removal spout.

The package is suitable for any liquids, pastes or semi-solid materials, for which packaging in single-doses is reasonable. This includes, in particular, liquids that tend to dry up in re-closeable containers or cause crusts to form on the closure. This is a problem, e.g., in the case of nail polish, correction fluid, mascara, and paint for artists. It is also conceivable to fill instant glue or 2-component glue into the package according to the invention. The package is also suitable for paste material that is applied in small doses and would be removed, e.g., with a spatula. The user can remove the material and/or liquid using a suitable removal instrument, for example a paint brush, Microbrush®, spoon or spatula.

The corresponding removal instrument can be provided on the package such that it is easy to detach therefrom.