Unit dose flexible container

Abstract

A pliable single use liquid container and dispensing device for delivery of a precise amount of orally administered liquids across a broad range of viscosities is provide with the container being formed of generally opposed pliable sheets, a first seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a liquid-containing chamber, a second seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a pressure relieving chamber adjacent to the liquid-containing chamber, a boundary seal joining the first and second pliable sheets between the liquid-containing chamber and the pressure relieving chamber, a precisely measured single dose volume of fluent liquid disposed within the liquid-containing chamber, the boundary seal being lighter than the first and second seals so that upon application of pressure to the liquid in the liquid-containing chamber the fluid transfer region seal opens to permit the liquid to flow from the liquid-containing chamber into the pressure relieving chamber, a sealed outlet adapted for fluid communication with the pressure relieving chamber for flow of the liquid from the pressure relieving chamber out of the liquid container and sized based on the viscosity of the liquid and the geometry of the dispensing device, the outlet seal adapted to open upon application of fluid pressure from liquid in the pressure relieving chamber for dispensing the liquid from the liquid container and prevent spilling and splashing of the liquid prior to delivery, control the delivery rate of the liquid to the recipient, and provide tactile force flow rate information feedback to the administrator.

1 . A pliable single use liquid container and dispensing device for delivery of a precise amount of orally administered liquids across a broad range of viscosities, the container comprising a first and second generally opposed pliable sheets, a first seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a liquid-containing chamber, a second seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a pressure relieving chamber adjacent to the liquid-containing chamber, a boundary seal joining the first and second pliable sheets between the liquid-containing chamber and the pressure relieving chamber and partially defining the liquid-containing chamber and the pressure relieving chamber, a precisely measured single dose volume of fluent liquid disposed within the liquid-containing chamber, the boundary seal including a fluid transfer region seal forming at least a portion of the boundary seal which is lighter than the first and second seals so that upon application of pressure to the liquid in the liquid-containing chamber the fluid transfer region seal opens to permit the liquid to flow from the liquid-containing chamber into the pressure relieving chamber, the geometry of the portion based on the viscosity of the liquid, an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the pressure relieving chamber for flow of the liquid from the pressure relieving chamber out of the liquid container and sized based on the viscosity of the liquid and the geometry of the dispensing device, and a lighter outlet seal adapted to open upon application of fluid pressure from liquid in the pressure relieving chamber for dispensing the liquid from the liquid container, the lighter outlet seal being located in the outlet at the periphery of the liquid container for closing the outlet and the pressure relieving chamber, and inhibiting ingress of foreign matter into the outlet and pressure relieving chamber prior to administering the liquid, and for working in combination with the dispensing device to prevent spilling and splashing of the liquid prior to delivery, control the delivery rate of the liquid to the recipient, provide tactile force flow rate information feedback to the administrator.  
   
   
       2 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a perimeter seal joining the first and second pliable sheets at their perimeters, the outlet seal defining a portion of the perimeter seal.  
   
   
       3 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the first and second seals form at least a portion of the perimeter seal of the first and second pliable sheets.  
   
   
       4 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the outlet seal is lighter than the fluid transfer region seal.  
   
   
       5 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the fluid transfer region seal and the outlet seal are formed for peeling release of the first pliable sheet from the second pliable sheet upon application of selected separating forces to the respective seals.  
   
   
       8 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a liquid chamber dividing seal separating the liquid-containing chamber into a first liquid-containing sub-chamber and a second liquid-containing sub-chamber, at least a portion of said liquid chamber dividing seal comprising a liquid chamber fluid transfer region seal, a first component of said fluent oral liquid contained within the first liquid-containing sub-chamber, and a second component of said fluent oral liquid contained with the second liquid-containing sub-chamber, said liquid chamber fluid transfer region seal being lighter than said first and second seals.  
   
   
       9 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the boundary seal constitutes a first boundary seal and the fluid transfer region seal constitutes a first fluid transfer region seal, the container further comprising a second boundary seal located between the dispensing device and liquid-containing chamber, the second boundary seal including a second fluid transfer region seal forming at least a portion of the second boundary seal in which the seal joining the first and second pliable sheets is formed lighter than the first and second seals so that upon application of pressure to the liquid-containing chamber both the first and second fluid transfer region seals are adapted to rupture in sequence to permit the liquid to flow from the liquid-containing chamber into the dispensing device.  
   
   
       10 . A pliable single use liquid container as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the outlet seal is lighter than the first and second fluid transfer region seals.