KR20070015478A - Liquid ejection method and liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compressible container for storing and ejecting liquid, comprising: a front wall having or surrounding a cavity corresponding to the shape of an open container, and a front wall suitable for ejecting liquid from the container, forming a container axis. And an optional seal on the opening suitable for temporary use, and a rear wall for sealing and sealing the open portion of the front wall container to define a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall being at least at the container axis. It provides a compressible container that is partially orthogonal and displaceable or deformable for moving towards the opening for compressing the container liquid. The front wall is substantially rigid compared to the rear wall, the rear wall is substantially flat or substantially single-curved prior to pressing the container, and the rear wall is changeable under extension to substantially fill the container cavity. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a container, and an apparatus and method for ejecting a liquid from a container.

Container, liquid squirt

Description

Liquid ejection method and liquid ejection apparatus {METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EJECTING LIQUID FROM A CONTAINER}

1A-1G are schematic cross-sectional views of various container designs and features useful for single or multiple container devices;

2a to 2c are rear enlarged cross-sectional views of a disc shaped multi-container structure with 14 containers distributed around the disc periphery;

3A-3D are partial cross-sectional perspective views of a disk similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the rear wall and the release film, FIG.

4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional and perspective views, respectively, of an interior portion of a disc-shaped multi-container dispenser device;

Liquid containers designed to transport and discharge liquids as well as to maintain and store liquids tend to be much more complicated when the control requirements in the transport pattern increase. While the complexity and cost of a pump system, for example, can be accommodated under certain circumstances, such as recycling or multiple dosing devices, these conditions are not always present. For example, by providing a single sealed container for each liquid dosage to be transported, precise control of dosage and sterile conditions are managed under such unit dosage environments, for example until use is moved in medical transport applications and where price is a critical constraint. It is desirable to maintain. These design constraints are even more severe, depending on additional conditions of transport quality, for example, for transport pressure, liquid velocity, precise targeting, jet coherence, rapid stream ramp up, rapid transport, small losses, accurate dosing, etc. Can be done. For example, in order to impart a high jet velocity or degree of atomization, high chamber pressures require a specially designed thick wall or complex support for the chamber, thereby counteracting the cost, or rupture, instability of the openings. Or by dislocation to counter targeting. Jet adhesion may require accurate opening channels that conflict with minimal material and fabrication conditions. High dosing precision requires complete chamber emptying and low losses and requires rapid pressure gradients, placing high demands on controlled collapse of the pressurized walls and cavity stability. Secondary elements also need to be considered. For example, it is common to provide a temporary seal over the opening to completely seal the container prior to use, and the device needs to be present for rupture and removal of the seal in connection with transport. Also, with the exception of such container characteristics, some rigidity and additional structure may be required to hold the container in the transport device fixture or seat. In addition, to avoid handling individual unit dosage containers, it is desirable to provide a unit of a multi-connected container for continuous firing at the dispenser device, which unit feeds and stabilizes the individual container at the device launch position. May require additional structural stiffness and features. There is a need for both efficient production of container parts as well as reasonable filling and sealing of containers under high purity and even aseptic conditions.

The proposals of the prior art have met the above requirements only in limited scope. U. S. Patent No. 4,090, 642 discloses a tape with multiple pockets for flowable materials, and liquids with low transport and control requirements due to the fact that the flowable material is only pressed onto the tape surface for contact application to the skin. Indicates dispensing. US Pat. No. 5,497,763 relates to a system comprising a similar multidose tape for aspirating misted liquids. The transfer requirements are still low when the fog is made with a separate vibrator and the demand on the tape for liquid outflow through the porous membrane is reduced. Similarly, GB 2255918 relates to droplet formation for inhalation purposes, but liquid misting here occurs by forcing the liquid through a narrow container opening. Despite the higher demands, the proposed container is a separate collapsible container or blister type sheet with multiple containers and requires heavy support in the dispensing device when pressure is applied to the domed back wall. However, the collapse of the container cannot be completely controlled. In addition, for the above-mentioned purposes, liquid targeting is not required and no liquid stream formation is required since the mist of droplets is passively introduced into the lungs by the patient with respect to inhalation and even causes the direction of the stream to change. International Patent Publication WO 90/13328, British Patent GB 2242134, German Patent DE 19500726, International Patent Publication WO 97/04827, US Patent 4,811,731, US Patent 5,207,217, US Patent 5,415,162 As illustrated in European Patent No. EP 469814, European Patent EP 129985 and US Patent 4,627,432, the same applies to powder inhalers, and also that no misting occurs and is not emitted from the nozzle-like opening. Is different. Therefore, such a requirement is not considered, and a container design suitable for such purpose has not been proposed. WO 96/00050 and EP 224352 relate to the generation of streams of droplets which are actually released and targeted towards the eye and which can cross the air gap by their inertia. Typically, however, the dispenser device required is complex and has not been proposed for individual unit dosing containers with integral transfer nozzles. WO 96/06581 and WO 97/23177 propose such unit dosage containers for similar eye treatment purposes. Although valuable in many respects, the proposed container design resembles what is already known and discussed, namely a flexible band or complex separate container with multiple blistered pockets having a bulb type wall to collapse.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved unitary unit dosage sealed container system suitable for both liquid storage and liquid transfer under high control and quality requirements.

The present invention relates to a compressible container for storing and ejecting liquids, said container comprising: a front wall having or surrounding a cavity corresponding to the shape of an open container, and b) suitable for ejecting liquid from the container, Sealing and sealing the openings of the front wall defining an axis, the openings over the openings optionally adapted for temporary use, and the open portions of the front wall container to form a space for the liquid in the container, at least on the container axis. It extends partially vertically and includes a rear wall that is displaceable and deformable to move towards the opening to pressurize the container liquid. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a container, and an apparatus and method for ejecting a liquid from a container.

The main object of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages of the container system used so far. A more specific object is to provide a unit dosage sealed container system suitable for both liquid storage and liquid transport under high control and quality requirements. Another object is to provide such a system that satisfies the high demands for liquid velocity, precise targeting, jet adhesion, rapid stream sensitization, rapid transport, small losses, accurate dosing and / or complete container emptying. Another object is to provide a system that allows high chamber pressures without rupture, instability or defects in the openings while maintaining the complete integrity of the container. Another object is to provide a system that allows for controlled collapse of the pressure wall. Another object is to change the degree of liquid stream momentum and to change it, for example, low, medium and high, to provide a system suitable for allowing everything from smooth application to penetration strength. Another object is to provide a system container with low cost of materials, components manufacturing and filling. Another object is to provide a container with high rigidity and stability. Another object is to provide such a container design that is suitable for multiple container units useful for the continuous delivery of drugs. Another object is to provide a container that facilitates dispenser device design and requires a limited support for transport. Another object is to provide a system that is easy to handle and convenient for the end user to operate.

These objects are achieved by the features disclosed in the appended claims.

By using a container-sealed, collapsible back wall that has a generally flat or single-curved shape prior to collapse, several precisions associated with the purpose are realized. For the overall shape of each front wall, the back wall has a minimum surface to impart volume and shape stability before collapse, and buckling, bending or wrinkling of the wall is not required as in the corresponding flattening or opposite wall deformation. If not impart predictable and controlled collapse during pressurization of the container. The stretchable material in the wall causes the wall to augment its surface during collapse, thereby preventing rupture, allowing dynamic adaptation to all ram and hammer tool surfaces used for forced displacement of the wall, and Adapting to these opposing container cavity surfaces, these all act to impart a controlled pressure response including initiation, sustaining and lowering, and the precision of dosing and emptying the container. Manufacturing advantages are particularly realized in that the wall form facilitates its production, sealing to the front wall in the filling procedure, and its joint attachment to several containers in multiple compartment units or packages. The handling, convenience and dispenser device design advantages are realized in that the initial wall shape can be used to give a smooth back wall surface and does not create the boundaries of the materials used in the container front wall design. The front wall depends on the static and kinetic stiffness of the entire container. In contrast to blister-type containers, the container walls can be freely designed, do not have to rely on the curvature of the pressed structure for rigidity, can have wall thickness at each position suitable for functional purposes, and by stretching operations It does not need to be partially weakened and may have an integral opening determined by design rather than by manufacturing needs. Wall stability is essential for volume control and the possibility for sure emptying. Wall and opening strength are essential for the operating range and internal pressure of the system, as well as for reliable targeting and stable and tight liquid jets. In addition, the need for an enormous container support device in the dispenser device is reduced and facilitates continuous supply of the container to the discharge position. If the rigidity advantage is applied to prevent the spherical wall portion, the dispenser container seating and feeding mechanism can be further simplified. The choice of providing multiple container units still continues, and is now not limited to tapes and other flexible structures, but can advantageously be formed of self-bearing structures with improved handling and convenience properties similar to individual containers. . For example, the container wall can be satisfied with the resulting structure in the case of forming the container cavity on another flat or single-curved plate, and with high structural rigidity and to benefit manufacturing, dispenser design and end user handling. It allows both single or multi-container units of simple external form and, for example, free cavity design and device head design for suitable stream characteristics, as well as opening designs of any length or shape with high dynamic stability. do. Similar advantages are obtained when implemented with a substantially constant container wall thickness or increased wall thickness when moving laterally outward from the opening position of the wall. A container wall with openings in place can be produced as a single unitary material structure, for example by heating molding in a normal plastic tool, without the need for stretching operations or separate nozzle forming steps, and is easily filled with liquid and by the rear wall Is sealed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

(Justice)

As used herein, the expression “single-curved” refers to a state in which all its parts are not stretched or shrunk in any direction in the plane, ie for the entire plane and all of its parts. It is to be understood as all forms of planes or surfaces that can be obtained from the same plane of flat form with the entire surface maintained. In contrast, a "double-curved" plane or surface can only be obtained from a flat plane when deformed by stretching or contracting. The curve is considered "continuous" when the change in curvature has a constant or smooth transition, and the curve is considered "discontinuous" when it changes abruptly in the planar direction. As with non-limiting physical examples, cylindrical or corrugated surfaces are single curved where they can be formed into inelastic sheets (eg paper sheets) by pure bending, while spherical or saddle surfaces are elongated without stretching. It cannot be formed and is therefore double curved. All these surfaces are continuous by having a smooth curvature change, but, for example, a sheet with a sharp fold is discontinuous at the fold line.

As used herein, a "system", when including its components, should generally be understood to refer to the invention as well as to containers and thus dispenser devices as well as methods of operating and using the components.

Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, expressions such as “comprising”, “including”, “having”, “with” and Similar terminology should not be understood as exclusively limiting the elements described, it is understood to permit the presence of other elements, and should be understood to include any element in a combined, subdivided, or aggregated form. Similarly, expressions such as "connected", "attached", "arranged", "applied", "between" and similar terms are used between the described elements. It should not be understood to include exclusive direct contact at, but to permit the presence of one or several intervening elements or structures. The same applies to similar expressions when used to describe effects and actions.

Also, as used herein, position and orientation expressions such as "axially", "forward", "rear", "forward", "rear" for both the container and the conveying device are liquid transfers. It should be understood with respect to the direction, in which the lines centered in the container opening and the lines drawn along the main or average conveying direction are regarded as the system "axis", along which the liquid is conveyed in the forward direction.

(detailed description)

The container roughly comprises a front wall and a rear wall, between which a container space or seal for the liquid is formed. The container space is mainly formed between the front wall and the rear wall and includes a cavity portion formed in the front wall and surrounded by the front wall. The space available for the liquid may be larger than the volume of a suitable cavity, for example an additional small volume in the opening and in the rear projections or bends of the rear wall, but in a preferred method the rear wall is in particular substantially flat or mono-curved. In this case, it is preferable that the cavity constitutes the main part of the space. Preferably, the cavity surface has a spatial shape of the container, is open towards the rear wall and has its closed bottom towards the front wall. In particular, in order to promote complete emptying and to create a fit between the cavity and the drive ram, it is preferred that the cavity has little, preferably no undercut portion when viewed from the rear side. This can be accomplished by widening all the passages from the axis and laterally outward so that the container surface portion is parallel to the cavity axis, for example a cylindrical portion, but preferably the surface forms a generally concave that deepens as seen from the rear wall side. . Although the surface may have a sharp discontinuity, for example, between the axial cylindrical surface and the flatter front portion, it is preferred for example because of the rigidity that the surface is substantially smooth and continuous. The cross-sectional shape of the cavity perpendicular to the axis can be any shape, for example preferably oval but elliptical or polygonal in shape. Suitable overall forms are in the form of domes or segments of spheres. As is known in nature, the space is divided into two or more separate chambers, for example by using an inner wall extending parallel to the axis perpendicular to the axis, for example for continuous transport or mixing associated with the transport. Can be. Such walls may be manually removable before actual transfer and may be rupturable with respect to transfer. Optionally, the adjacent container, as two separate jets or jet mixtures in connection with the ejection, may contain different liquids and be ejected substantially simultaneously, for example by openings offset from one another and arranged in close proximity or towards one another. .

The front wall preferably has greater rigidity than the rear wall by including a stronger material and / or a thicker material. For the reasons mentioned above, it is advantageous for the front wall to provide a container and its opening having rigidity and stability, and preferably the front wall can provide such rigidity alone, freeing the rear wall design for other considerations. . As long as these requirements are met, the front wall can have a variety of configurations. The front wall has an approximately constant thickness when measured perpendicular to the cavity surface, creating a front wall shape that approximately matches the cavity surface. However, the wall thickness measured as described above has a deviation and preferably increases with distance away from the axis. This allows for a short, low friction opening design, giving the container high targeting and pressure retention stability as a whole. In the case of spherical elongation production, in contrast to blister-type containers, this weakens the sidewall portions where the overall container stability is low. The preferred method of adjusting the deviation of the wall thickness is to make the front surface of the front wall substantially flat or single-curved, most preferably flat, and as pointed out, provides many manufacturing and handling advantages. Also more preferably, the posterior surface of the front wall in the vicinity of the cavity and independent of the shape of the appropriate cavity is single-curved, most preferably flat, providing similar manufacturing and handling advantages. In particular, a flat or single-curved surface attaches to it the original flat sheet, film and foil, for example a sealing film on the front surface and a backing wall on the rear surface of the front wall without its elongation. Most preferably, the front and rear surfaces are each parallel or concentric, for example providing a full plate or cylindrical structure, with good rigidity, handleability and manufacturability.

The opening design can vary depending on the nature of the liquid stream to be formed, such as a mist spray or a concentrated stream, to maintain adhesion or break up into separate droplet linear streams. In addition, the stream speed may vary from high penetration to low impact surface transfer. Although single openings are preferred in most applications, several or multiple openings may be provided to form a controlled shower, for example. The geometry of the openings is the shape of a simple tube of divergence (e.g., aiding in distributed spraying), convergence (e.g., in tight contact streams to be formed), or a combination thereof, such as a venturi type channel. Can be. In general, it is desirable to form duct portions of short openings to keep the flow friction low. The preferred front wall thickness in the opening area can be controlled for example for rigidity, for example by a cutout around the opening, preferably on the front surface of the front wall and also in a way that does not interfere with the appropriate opening. Help to attach the sealing film to the wound. Usually the openings are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the cavity concentric with all cavity symmetry, for example, but the positioning of the opening with respect to the cavity is asymmetrically offset laterally towards the cavity side, for example for mixing of adjacent jets. Can be.

Although the above considerations apply to individual containers for single and separate use, it is preferred to provide for multiple container units or packages. This can be done by joining several individual containers into multiple structures, for example by flexible joints, to allow structures that can be bent, folded or rolled. Preferably, however, the multi-container package is substantially strong and has its own bearing structure, in particular providing the advantages associated with the conveying device. Rigid structures can be obtained by joining individual containers by rigid joints, but the preferred method is to utilize the stiffness of the front wall as described above by providing an extended front wall structure and to provide several cavities in the structure, in particular This facilitates the manufacture of multiple containers and allows for a smooth and uncomplicated appearance. By utilizing the features that form the front and / or rear surfaces of the flat or single-curved front wall structure, the attachment of the film on these surfaces is simpler, especially if the container surface lies in the same plane and is not divided. The sheet material (e.g., a common foil that is attached as a rear wall to the rear surface of the structure or a common release sheet on the container opening at the front surface) can be attached to any, preferably all individual containers of the structure, which is simpler.

The overall shape of the front wall structure of multiple containers can take various forms. For example, the single-curved shape can take a partially or completely cylindrical shape, allowing many containers in a limited volume and providing a very strong structure. The container opening is, for example, in the case the dispenser device ram is arranged to impinge from a completely or partially cylindrical interior or recess side, or the opening is radially opposed to each rear wall for penetrating access of the ram from outside the cylinder. If provided as may be arranged on the outside of the cylindrical portion. The container opening can be arranged for simple access of the outer ram, for example to the rear wall, on the inside of the cylinder, and in this case a diametrically opposed hole can be provided for the passage of the liquid jet. Inherently flat front wall structures provide advantages in manufacturing and conveying device design. For example, the shape may be rectangular, square or circular. The rounded "disc" shape has been found to be of particular advantage with respect to a conveying device in which the continuous feeding of the container to the discharge position can be carried out by simple rotation in a "revolver" type method, and all special starting positions The absence of s facilitates handling and coefficient arrangement and allows for self centering properties.

The layout of multiple containers on the available structure surface can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Containers can be arranged in rows or lines to prevent two-dimensional supply. Optionally, several rows can be provided along several lines in two dimensions (eg parallel or concentric), allowing for a compact container arrangement.

The above design considerations for the front wall apply mainly to the part occupied by the container, but other structures may be used for holding, centering and supplying separate or multiple containers for the second purpose, for example in the manufacture of the conveying device, and It can be included for adhering or removing the sealing film or the like by the user, and these parts can be freely designed for their respective purposes.

The front wall is preferably made of a suitable insert plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, with reinforcing fillers, such as glass fibers, and can be manufactured in a variety of ways, for example a cavity with an opening can be machined as a raw material semifinished product. It can be produced by processing, but the described structure can be easily formed by press working, preferably by injection molding, since a structure comprising an opening can be obtained with a splitting molding tool in one step, for example. . Although the front wall can be made of laminate or other synthetic material, a single material is generally sufficient.

As mentioned above, the rear wall serves for the purpose of sealing the rear part of the container before the ejection of the liquid and allowing the collapse of the cavity during the ejection. The rear wall extends at least partially perpendicular to the open axis, ie, forms an angle at which the angle therebetween is not "zero", preferably extending substantially perpendicular to it. Although the requirements for the rear wall material for sealing purposes depend on the particular application and the liquid contained, it is generally preferred that the wall material has a high impermeability. It is also desirable to avoid solvents and other volatile components both in the wall material and in the case of attaching the rear wall to the front wall, and these parts are preferably joined by heat sealing rather than by glue or adhesive. For collapse purposes, it may have a back wall material that breaks or ruptures when it collides with the ram of the dispenser device, but which requires good seal between the ram and the cavity. Thus, the rear wall can preferably be deformed without rupture, most preferably to the extent that the rear wall swells and conforms to the interior surface of the cavity. Requirements for deformability are, for example, a continuous corrugated method or a discontinuous folded method (ie having a single-curved shape maintained in both cases), e.g. a single or multiple parallel lines on each container. The back wall film can thus be reduced in case of folding, allowing it not to be folded like part of the deformation. However, in order to obtain mostly controlled and reproducible collapse, no additional folds are used at all, but it is preferred that the attached rear wall has a shape that is substantially the same as the rear surface of the front wall. In all cases, if deformation occurs during ejection, the flat or single-curved rear wall is changed into a bi-curve shape to at least some extent, requiring some stretching of the material. Elongation and deformation can be elastic, for example as in rubber sheets where repeated use is intended, for example to prevent reuse of a portable container or to prevent aspiration of residues of air or liquid after use. It is preferred to be at least partially and preferably substantially plastic in an irreversible manner. Preferably, the rear wall has the form of a sheet, film or foil of uniform thickness, which is preferably small compared to the front wall. The sheet may be composed of a single material, but preferably the synthetic material is used to meet all the requirements indicated. Most preferably, the sheet is a laminate. Preferably, the laminate comprises at least one impermeable and diffusion retardant layer, preferably a metal layer such as aluminum or the like, at least one extensible layer that allows deformation, preferably a plastic layer of eg polyethylene and optionally a plastic If the layer does not have this property, it includes a heat sealable layer. In such laminates, the metal layer is destroyed during wall collapse so long as the remaining layers provide sufficient elasticity to the described deformation.

As pointed out, it is desirable to temporarily seal the container openings prior to the actual ejection of the liquid to maintain a fully sealed container. The seal must be broken or removed just before use. Manually or pressure-breakable burstable seals may be used, but often with removable seals to prevent any particles from escaping from the seal, having a completely predictable kinematic behavior and more reliable thick or strong layers of It is desirable to allow use. In general, the seal can be formed integrally with the front wall, for example by molding, so that the membrane of material is left anywhere in the opening duct. Preferably, however, a separate release layer is provided to be removed prior to ejection and is preferably attached to the front surface of the front wall. Again, it is preferable not to use glue or adhesive, and preferably some form of welding may be used by ultrasonic or heating or the like. To facilitate removal of the opening area and collision with the opening area, a seal may be made in the restricted area around the opening. In multi-container structures, it is preferable to make the layers individually removable for each container, for example in the form of stars for round discs, for example by using separation films, pre-cut films or separation tongues. For the film material, similar considerations apply as for the back wall material. Although the need for impermeability can be slightly reduced in terms of small opening areas, the film need not be deformable by stretching.

The described portion typically must be combined and liquid filled into the cavity to form a pre-filled sealed container containing the liquid to be delivered once. It is possible to fill the container cavity through the container opening, for example via a needle, but a preferred method is to fill the cavity from the rear side of the front wall before attachment of the rear wall. Next, a useful procedure is to bond the sealing film under welding action as far as possible over the opening, to fill the liquid into the container cavity from the back side, and to glue the back wall under welding action as much as possible over the filled cavity. Preferably, these steps are performed in the order mentioned. The present invention realizes the efficiency and simplicity of such a procedure in several ways, especially compared to blister-type manufacturing and filling. In comparison to blister spheres, flat sheet-like materials can be used for the sealing film and the rear wall, equally simply flat or single-curved gluing with a rolled tool, gluing over several containers in a multi-container structure, No elongation or other material deformation step is necessary. Suitable welding action, eg heating, is applied directly to the sealing film and the back wall separately and directly to the included adhesive material, while in blister manufacturing the sealing heating to the front and back materials must be applied through the release layer. This should overlap the release layers, extend the process, affect the liquid present as far as possible, and increase manufacturing tolerances.

In general, a transfer or dispenser device for ejecting liquid from a container includes a housing having a seat for the container or container structure, a ram that is substantially axially movable up to the container when seated against the housing, and an actuator operative to actuate the ram. Device.

The housing should be understood in a broad sense and may take a variety of forms. The device housing represents a reference point for the described container position and movement, such as a ram used for the collapse of the container rear wall, and for the force applied by the actuating means to perform the movement, the force being the housing and the moving part. Is applied between. The minimum performance requirement is to provide actuating means for the housing to provide movement and force, and support or platform for the container and the movable portion. However, as in the usual practice, the housing has a container that at least partially surrounds the portion, and preferably encloses the container to the extent that it is externally exposed only features designed to be controlled and monitored by the operator for use in a conventional overall design. It is preferable to form.

The housing comprises a container for one container or several containers, the requirement for the seat being that at least the container to be emptied remains fixed relative to the ram, preferably the container axis and the moving axis relative to the ram are parallel, Most preferably it is coaxial with respect to the ram portion to impinge on the container rear wall. Preferably, it is possible to accommodate a container having the features described herein, for example a simplified shape and size. Preferably, the seat supports the container against a force forward from the ram and preferably against some rearward and lateral force. Preferably, the seat exposes the entire rear wall surface on the cavity to the ram and also exposes at least an opening on the front side of the container so as not to obstruct the liquid stream, although the rigidity of the current container requires no heavy support at all. Also preferably the seating part facilitates easy exchange of separate containers, or the continuous movement of individual containers of the multi-container structure to the seating's working position, for example by having a track in which the structure can be moved in one or two dimensions. Is designed to allow. In a preferred embodiment of the container arranged in a circle, it is preferably suitable for bringing the container onto the disc shaped structure, by rotating the disc around the central disc axis to align with the operating position in a revolvo method. For single and especially multi-container devices, the guide device is provided to ensure good alignment with the ram axis so as to achieve the intended high conveying accuracy, for example housings, seats or preferred arrangements so that the structures are mutually locked in proper alignment. It is preferably provided in association with each container on the package to interact with at least one corresponding locking structure on the ram. Preferably, the locking in between may be associated with a signal, for example a tactile or auditory signal in manual operation, or a mechanical or electronically detectable signal in automatic operation, to help stop in the correct position. In addition, it is desirable to again include manual or automatic, mechanical or electrical counting devices, which are designed to keep track of the number of containers used or the remaining number and warn and prevent reuse of already empty containers. .

The ram may include a ram head and a piston device for moving the ram head along a moving shaft. It is possible to design ram heads that do not conform to the container cavity, but to be designed to fully inflate the cavity for use in other cavity shapes or depending on rear wall extensibility to emptying. It is soft and adaptable, for example, to increase the operating range or to obtain a specific emptying pattern, for the purpose of making it compatible with other cavity shapes, preferably to squeeze liquid from the peripheral cavity part towards the central, axial part. This can be done with any ram head possible, which can be done by making a soft ram head of slightly thinner shape than the shape of a cavity container. However, for a single cavity form, it is desirable to make the ram head front surface substantially identical to the interior cavity surface, in other words the rear surface of the front wall in container space. The ram head may be surrounded by a support, for example a tube structure on which the ram head runs, and is preferably in contact with the cavity to seal the space between the ram head and the cavity at least during the rear wall collapse movement. The piston portion of the ram will generally not be evaluated for the dynamics of the blowout but rather for the propulsion and will be explained in connection with the actuating system.

The RAM can be propelled by using various instruments and energy sources. The instrument can be operated directly with manual energy, but in this case it is desirable to provide a lever or gear change to amplify or deform the force or speed, preferably at lower and greater forces. In general, in order to have a controlled and consistent result, it is desirable to have an automatic function in that the propulsion force is generated automatically and preferably irreversibly by using stored energy after the operator has started. The energy can be stored in any manner, for example mechanical springs, gas springs or gas generators, electrical energy combinations thereof. The energy is transferred to the ram by suitable motors or transmission means, for example electric motors or solenoid type motors for electrical energy, piston and cylinder arrangements for gas springs or gas generators, and rotary shafts or plungers for coiled and helical springs. Can be delivered. In general, it is desirable to provide force amplification, including a transmission between the motor means and a suitable ram, in particular by using a transmission of, for example, a gear wheel or cam surface type. At least the ram head and preferably the portion of the ram piston are prevented from rotating during forward movement, which is achieved by all known guiding structures such as complementary and rotationally symmetrical portions respectively located on the housing and ram. Can be fixed. Preferred components of the transmission for propulsion of the ram are a screw and nut arrangement, one of which is located on the ram and the other on the motor side of the transmission. The required speed, force, and movement properties for the ram depend on many conditions, such as the nature of the container parts and openings, special application practices (e.g. surface or through feed), viscosity of chemicals (e.g. aqueous solutions or ointments), etc. Depends on the description and may not be given a general description. However, simplified energy sources, motor means and transmissions can be adapted to each requirement. It is also known to control the speed while maintaining a stable force, including dampers such as dash pots, linear dampers, flow valves, magnetic dampers and the like. For most applications, it is desirable for the pressure to increase and decrease rapidly, and generally requires a stable, non-delayed speed of the ram, which is facilitated by dampers or high inertia, for example in rams and transmissions.

It is also desirable to include a device arrangement to facilitate breakage and removal of the temporary seal on the opening as described. Although it is possible to break the seal by the self pressure generated when the rear wall collapses, it is preferable to use an operating step to break the seal. This can be done by having a withdrawal device for removal of a non-sealed tool, for example a rupturable seal or welding penetration tool or a peelable seal film, arranged in connection with the housing. Such a device is for example located in or close to the seat to allow for late action, or is located far away, for example when the seat area is filled. The non-sealing tool can be operated manually or automatically or forcibly into the seating position, for example as part of the movement of the container. However, it is known to position the non-sealing tool on the rear side of the container for movement from rear to front, and to place the non-sealing tool in the best possible way, ie on the film rear side, for lifting from the front wall front surface. Let the film attack. In addition, the non-sealed tools and mechanisms are more conveniently arranged within the housing and to the rear of the container to less interfere with the ejection area and ejection target. The tool may have its own movement mechanism, but most preferably the tool is arranged on the ram and connected to the ram in such a way as to move with the ram, using the same movement mechanism, just prior to the ejection and of the ejection procedure. It is an inevitable part that facilitates removal. Preferably, the non-sealing tool passes through the opening of the front wall structure and through the rear wall as far as possible and is not occupied by the container cavity and covered by the sealing film. Preferably, the dimensions of such openings and non-sealing tools can be manually adapted to act as a guide device as described for final alignment of the ram and cavity prior to operation. In operation, the tool first lifts the film out of the container opening, and then the ram head hits the container back wall. For the simplest operation and the last possible non-sealing it is possible to carry out these two steps in a single continuous movement for the ram or in a two-step operation, for example if the user wishes to remove the film properly. It requires two initiating actions from the user to be able to confirm. It may also be of interest to use two steps, for example slow movement for peeling and other movement properties for quick action for ejection so as not to cause tearing or rupture, such steps being for example gears Some shifting devices, such as shift devices, brake breakers or dampers, may be required. The general container design principle of the present invention greatly extends the above-mentioned advantages, in particular by having the rigidity of using the front wall for guiding purposes and of utilizing the area outside the cavity portion without any instability problem.

Depending on the respective application, it may be advantageous to have a device with means to assist in targeting and positioning. For example, when used to release liquid to the eye, the device has a cowling, eye piece or eye cup adjacent to the eye socket. Penetration applications require a small distance or direct contact between the opening and the target surface, while larger surface treatments may require an eyepiece defining both angle and distance. As is generally known per se for the dispenser device, the device may further comprise mechanical or electronic warning, alarm or timing means.

As pointed out at the outset, the invention described herein is used for a variety of purposes within and beyond the medical domain and is of all types, such as chemicals, compounds or mixtures, delivered in all containers and for all purposes. It can be used in medicine. It can be used in liquids of a wide variety of compounds, such as pure liquids, solutions, emulsions, dispersions, body excretion, and viscous materials such as high viscosity ointments. For this reason, the system has certain value in relation to medical delivery devices that are more design constrained than in most other applications. For convenience, the present invention has been described in this application.

Preferred use of the invention is medical use in connection with ophthalmic treatment of the eye. The usual method of administration is by tears or ointments, but has some disadvantages. In general, both methods deliver substantially greater amounts than can be absorbed by the eye, thereby resulting in dosage uncertainty and loss of expensive medical treatment, as well as unabsorbed drugs in the nasolacrimal duct. If released far beyond the duct, a potential side-effect occurs, for example the beta-blocking agent used to treat the eye has a substantial systemic effect. Another problem is that the usual methods of administration tend to induce a flicker reflex action that renders the treatment totally invalid and at least exhibits a high degree of uncertainty. In addition, the general method does not provide the ability to hit the iris portion of the eye, which is a penetrating portion of the eye for high targeting precision, for example prostaglandin. The principle used in the present invention is the precise targeting by the possibility of conveying a small amount of liquid which is actually ejected and not determined by the liquid surface tension, by the possibility of conveying the liquid at a speed sufficient to surpass the flicker reflex The problem is solved by the possibility of ejecting a concentrated tight stream for the purpose. Typical elements for such applications will be given below, although the invention is not considered to be limited to all such simplified elements. Typical single doses for delivery to the eye are less than 25 microliters, preferably less than 15 microliters, and most preferably less than 10 microliters. In general, the dosage is at least 1 microliter, preferably at least 2 microliters, most preferably at least 3 microliters. Since each container preferably contains a single unit dose, these numbers relate to the amount of liquid filled and contained in the container, possibly with some overfill (eg 25%, but preferably no more than 10%). This allows compensation for non-ejectable amounts of liquid residues such as those buried in film or container opening ducts. In addition to liquids, in many instances even if little or no gas needs to be present, for example, to facilitate manufacturing, to aid in misting or to act as a pressure buffer, the container may contain other materials, in particular gases such as air, Or purge gas such as nitrogen or rare gas. For example, the container may have a maximum cavity diameter of about 1 mm to 22 mm, preferably 1 mm to 10 mm, and the diameter was calculated to be equivalent to a round surface when the cavity is not round. Suitable speeds for a stream of jets or jets that are ejected, on the one hand, have sufficient linear momentum to move fast enough to cross the air gap between the opening and the target without the aid of gravity and not to be disturbed by flickering, while on the other hand Equilibrium should be balanced between fast linear momentum that does not cause sensitive shock. The ideal velocity is in some range depending on the droplet size used, but as a general rule the droplet should be able to traverse at least 1 cm, preferably at least 1 cm, most preferably at least 5 cm, through the air by its own momentum, the distance being A reasonable distance between the opening and the target. The lower speed limit suitable for starting the opening is 1 m / sec, preferably at least 5 m / sec, most preferably at least 10 m / sec. In general, the speed is less than 200 m / sec, preferably less than 100 m / sec. The suitable droplet size so formed should be sufficient to not slow down too quickly and to be easily oriented in other directions (eg, to be inhaled), preferably with a minimum diameter of 20 microns, preferably at least 50 microns and most preferred. To a diameter of at least 100 microns. Normally, the droplet size is less than 2000 microns, preferably less than 1500 microns. The stream may take the form of a shower or spray of misted liquid droplets, but preferably the stream is narrow and very tight even if the stream tends to break down into individual droplets after a period of time. The values given above relate to spherical droplets and to the weight average of the particle diameter for multiple droplets. The tight stream tends to break down into droplets approximately twice the diameter of the stream. Thus, a suitable opening diameter of the container is about half of the given drop diameter, or about 10 microns to 1000 microns, preferably 20 microns to 800 microns. Suitable front wall thicknesses from the front of the opening to the rear wall are from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm. The above considerations are completely independent of liquid viscosity and tend to apply to both potions and ointments.

In all embodiments of FIG. 1 except as shown in FIG. 1F, the front wall is formed from a plate-like structure, which is flat in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D and 1E and curved with a concentric surface in FIGS. 1C and 1G. have. Various useful shapes are shown in the figures, but for the sake of clarity, not all necessary or preferred parts are shown in all figures.

In FIG. 1A, the container 110 includes a front wall 111 having substantially parallel front and rear surfaces. The front wall 111 has a cavity 112 in the form of a container having a rear opening 114 opposite the front container surface 113. The cross section of the cavity shown is generally in the form of a circular segment. An opening 115 defining the container axis 116 provides a fluid connection between the interior and exterior of the cavity at the front wall front side. The opening 115 is shown here as a substantially constant cross-sectional channel with a thin inner film 117 that is formed from the material left in the injection molding and acts as a temporary seal that bursts upon cavity pressurization. The deformable rear wall 118 covers the rear opening 114 of the cavity container with a seal (not shown). The back wall is originally formed from a flat sheet material, shown here as a discontinuous curve in the form of a number of bends 119, extending perpendicular to the drawing plane, where the bends are required to stretch the back wall material when pressed into the container cavity. Act to reduce it.

FIG. 1B shows a container designed similarly to FIG. 1A, with the opening 125 slightly converging and by means of a temporary seal in the form of a tearable or peelable sheet 127 sealed to the front surface of the front wall. What is covered on the front surface of the front wall is different. The back wall 128 is shown as a film with a continuous curved portion 129 and provides an additional volume provided to the container when confined by the back container opening 124, where the dashed line is equivalent to the back surface of the front wall. Shown in height, it also adds a surface to the rear wall that limits its elongation. The curve of the rear wall portion 129 can be formed from flat sheet material if the curve is constantly perpendicular to the drawing plane, and for cylindrical cover surfaces, it may require a double curved material when in spherical form. have.

FIG. 1C shows a container formed in the front wall 131 in the form of a cylindrical portion having essentially a single curved front and rear surface centered on the cylindrical axis 133 and an opening 135 on the convex surface outside the cylindrical portion. 130 is shown. Also shown is a cavity 132 with a cylindrical portion 134 terminating in spherical segment portion 137, which is symmetrically centered in opening 135 and axis 136. The back wall 138 is formed from a continuously curved single curved material and is suitable for the inner surface of the cylinder of the front wall 131, and thus the surface rather than the corresponding flat sheet on the cavity container opening shown by the dotted line 139. This is bigger.

1D shows a container having a front wall 141 having a cavity 142, wherein the container surface of the cavity 142 has a cylindrical portion 143 and a flat bottom portion 144. On the front surface of the front wall, there is also shown an opening 145 having a suitable opening and a peripheral recess 146 which acts to prevent direct contact between the release film 147 and its sealing surface 148. The surface is disposed in a ring outside the recess 146.

FIG. 1E shows a container 150 having a cavity in the form of a circular segment centered on the midpoint 153 of the circle, as in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The radial construction line 154 drawn from the point 153 intersects perpendicularly with the inner surface 155 of the cavity 152 and when measured along these construction lines perpendicular to the container surface, the wall thickness is determined by the cavity axis 156. Is shown to increase laterally away from (solid line portion of line 154). In contrast, FIG. 1F illustrates that the cavity 162 has a front wall 161, which is shaped to give a constant wall thickness, as measured along construction line 164 centered on point 163 in the same manner as FIG. 1E. An embodiment of a container 160 formed therein is shown. This figure also shows a longer opening 165, with a converging portion 166 and a straight portion 167 having a generally constant cross section. For the sake of clarity, the dividing line is omitted in these figures.

FIG. 1G shows a container 170 formed in the front wall 171 in the form of a basically cylindrical portion having a single curved front and rear surface centered on the cylindrical axis 173, as in FIG. 1C. . However, in this embodiment, the opening 175 is disposed on the concave surface inside the cylindrical portion. The back wall 178 is formed from a single curved material that is continuously curved and is suitable for the cylindrical outer surface of the front wall 171, thus having a larger surface than the corresponding flat sheet on the cavity 172 container. Temporary sealing film 177 covering opening 175 is also formed from a single curved sheet of material.

All container embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1G may be used as a single separate container or may be part of a multiple container structure by joining in the form of similar or different containers by laterally extending the front wall shown. .

2A-2C show a rear view, a cross-sectional view, and a partial enlarged view of a disk-shaped multi-container front wall structure having 14 containers distributed around the disk periphery. The disk 200 may have a peripheral front wall structure 210 with containers, a slightly offset central auxiliary portion 230 with actuation and retention devices, and a transition portion 250 with peeling and guiding devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall structure 210 whose plate shape is the basic shape includes fourteen identical cavities 220 having a front side 211 and a back side 212 and in the form of a generally circular segment, the cavity Rear rim 221 is slightly rounded. The cavity opening 222 slightly converges and a small recess 223 is provided to form an initial appearance on the anterior side 211 of the front wall structure 210. The auxiliary portion 230 may have a central shaft hole 231 for support and operation with a key surface 232 that provides non-rotational symmetry to facilitate operation. The hole 231 is slightly conical and preferably converges from rear to front to facilitate actuator insertion and centering. The spacing ridge 233 acts to provide a gap between the discs when stacked, ie, during sterilization. The transition portion 250 acts to allow the penetration of the release tool from the rear side to the front side to converge slightly forward and lift the temporary seal in the form of a release film (not shown). The cooperation between the tool and the bore also acts as a guide device to center the cavity relative to the ram head of the dispenser device. In the illustrated cavity arrangement, a flat rear wall film (not shown) can be positioned above the cavity backside to seal the container after filling. Each cavity may be sealed with a separate film portion but it is also possible to use a single sheet covering all the cavities. Preferably this film is radially limited to the front wall portion 210 of the disk, leaving the transition portion 250 and the auxiliary portion 230 uncovered. A typical overall thickness of the front wall plate may be about 2 mm and the depth of the cavity is about 1.5 mm.

3A-3D show a disk device similar to FIG. 2. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the disc front side, Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the rear side, Fig. 3C is a sectional view from the outer edge of the disc before ejection to the center, and Fig. 3D is a similar sectional view of the cavity after use. As in FIG. 2, the disk has a peripheral front wall structure 310 with containers, a slightly laterally offset central auxiliary portion 330 with actuation and retention devices and a transition portion 350 with peeling and guiding devices. Has All details common to FIG. 2 are not repeated. Also in this embodiment, there are fourteen identical cavities 320 in the form of generally circular segments with cavity openings 322 with front side recesses 323. The hole 311 acts to facilitate handling of the disk during manufacture and filling. The secondary portion 330 has teeth 332 which are symmetrically arranged so that the disk is attached to the corresponding toothed working axis of the dispenser device without considering the positioning of any individual container or disc portion. It has a central shaft hole 331 for support and operation. The transition portion 350 has a bore 351 that acts to allow the release tool to penetrate from the rear side to the front side to lift the temporary seal in the form of the described release film. A single flat rear wall film 370 cut in the form of a ring and radially limited to the front wall structure 310 covers all the cavity backsides to seal the container. As shown in FIG. 3A, a release film 390 is attached to the disc front side to cover all cavity openings 322. The release film comprises an integral central ring portion 391 formed in a star form from a single flat sheet and concentrically attached to the secondary disk portion 330 from which a ring portion tongue 392, one for each cavity, is provided. Under the covering of the bore 351 passes through the transition portion 350 and extends further in the radial direction to extend radially to cover the cavity opening 322. Initially all cavity openings 322 are covered by tongues 392. When liquid from one of the containers is dispensed, the unsealing tool (not shown) is moved from the disc rear side to the anterior side through the corresponding bore 351, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D. Lift the corresponding tongue 392 'to release and expose the corresponding cavity opening 322. The container contents are then ejected by pressing the rear wall 370 under extension from the flat state shown in FIG. 3C to the cavity filled state shown in FIG. 3D.

4A and 4B show a dispenser device for a multi-container disc as described in connection with FIG. 3. Device 400 is shown without any casing portion of the housing. The device receives the disk 410 on its front side, to the right of the figure. The apparatus may have a sheet 420 for a disc that incorporates a disc support shaft 421 having teeth 422 corresponding to the teeth of the disc central opening. The shaft 421 has a support gear wheel 423 that cooperates with a control gear wheel 424 coupled to a thumb wheel 425 to sequentially advance individual containers to the described ejection position. The thumb wheel may be manually operated or may be coupled to an instrument (not shown) to automatically increment in conjunction with a motor operating cycle. It is ensured that the pawl and ratchet mechanism 426 can only rotate in one direction to occupy a predetermined position and to avoid reusing an already empty container. These parts may also be provided with metrology means or other auxiliary means (not shown) that require disk replacement. In the figure, the lowermost disc portion is an active ejection position (not shown), which may include additional support or guides (not shown) for the disc for forward and backward movements, such as to balance the force from the ram. 427). Preferably such support structure can be arranged on the door device of the housing for disc insertion. In this position the cavity is centered relative to the ram 430. The ram has a ram head 431 having a circular segment front shape suitable for container cavity shape. The ram head is part of the ram head support 432 and also includes the bore in FIG. 3 for the described purpose of lifting the temporary sealing film from the container opening and centering and stabilizing the container cavity with respect to the ram head 431. An unsealing and guiding tool in the form of a probe pin 433 arranged to penetrate the bore corresponding to 351 is supported in the disk 410. The probe pin 433 extends further forward than the ram head 431 to perform this function before the ram head hits the rear wall of the container. The ram further includes screw-screws 434 for pushing the ram axially forward and backward. The ram is fixed against axial rotational movement by a guide (not shown) of the flat lower surface 435 of the ram head support 432. The apparatus further includes a motor and powertrain system 450 for operation of the ram movement. The drive nut 451, which is arranged to rotate but is fixed axially, has an internal screw-screw 452 for cooperating with the ram outer screw-screw 434 to move the ram axially with the rotation of the drive nut. . Angular viscous damper 453 has a fixed portion 454 and a rotating portion 455 coupled to the driving nut 451 to rotate with the driving nut. The drive nut 451 has an external gear tooth 456 on which the drive nut can be rotated. Rotatingly disposed motor housing 460 has an outer gear 461 that is larger than the diameter of drive nut 456. A motor spring 462 is disposed inside the motor housing 460, and the motor spring 462 extends through the open portion 463 of the motor housing 460 to the left side of the drawing (not shown). Can be locked against rotation. A catch wheel 464 having a rim groove 465 cooperating with an arming pin 466 of a hand accessible safety switch 467 is firmly and concentrically mounted to the motor housing 460. Attached. The firing system 470 incorporates a release system (not shown) with a firing button 471 having two actuating positions, and as shown in the drawing, actuation of the first portion of the firing button is performed by a probe pin ( The motor and powertrain system 450 advances the ram such that 433 completely removes the temporary sealing film without any contact between the container rear wall and the ram head 431, and the second actuation of the launch button 471 causes the ram to move forward. Head 431 causes the forward movement into the container cavity to complete. Typical propulsion speeds for the ram during ejection can be about 2 mm of movement for a time of about 50 ms, for example about a cavity depth of about 1.5 mm.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

According to the invention there is provided a front wall having or enclosing a cavity corresponding to the shape of an open container, in a front wall suitable for ejecting liquid from the container, an opening forming the container axis, an optional seal on the opening suitable for temporary use. A rear wall for sealing and sealing the open portion of the front wall container to define a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall being at least partially orthogonal to the container axis and displaced to move towards the opening to compress the container liquid. A liquid ejection method and a liquid ejection apparatus using a container, which are possible or deformable, are provided.

Claims (38)

A method of ejecting liquid from a container, comprising: a front wall having or enclosing a cavity corresponding to the shape of an open container, an opening in the front wall suitable for ejecting liquid from the container, the opening forming a container axis; C) an optional seal on the opening suitable for temporary use, and a rear wall for sealing and sealing the open portion of the front wall container to define a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall being at least partially on the container axis. Wherein the liquid ejection method is orthogonal to and displaceable or deformable to move towards the opening for compressing the container liquid, Pressurizing the container by moving the rear wall at least partially towards the opening and axially at a speed sufficient to eject liquid through the opening; Elastically or inelastically stretching said rear wall to increase its surface; Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Said stretching step comprises stretching said rear wall from a flat or single-curve to a double curve form Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Deforming the rear wall until the stretching step substantially corresponds to the cavity shape. Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Substantially discharging the liquid in the container Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, The liquid is ejected from the opening at a speed of at least 5 m / sec, preferably at least 10 m / sec Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, The liquid is in the form of droplets of diameter less than about 20 microns Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Characterized in that the liquid is ejected in the form of a close jet Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Characterized in that the liquid is passed through the air at a distance no less than 1 cm before hitting the target surface Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Characterized in that the liquid is allowed to strike the eye Liquid jet method. The method of claim 1, Characterized in that the liquid is allowed to strike a smooth surface for its at least partial penetration Liquid jet method. A device for ejecting liquid from a container, the apparatus comprising: a front wall having or enclosing a cavity corresponding to the form of an open container, an opening in a front wall suitable for ejecting liquid from the container, the opening defining a container axis; C) an optional seal on the opening suitable for temporary use, and a rear wall for sealing and sealing the open portion of the front wall container to define a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall being at least partially on the container axis. 10. A liquid ejection device, orthogonal to and displaceable or deformable to move towards an opening for compressing a container liquid, A housing having a seating portion for a container suitable for receiving a container having a distance of at least 0.5 mm between the rear wall and the front wall front surface; A ram arranged in the axial direction of movement substantially in the container of the seating portion with respect to the housing; An actuator operable to drive the ram; Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, When positioned in the seating portion, the container substantially exposes the entire portion of the rear wall surface covering the cavity towards the ram. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, The seating portion is configured to permit replacement of the container therein Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 13, The seating unit is configured to be replaced by sequentially feeding containers in the multi-container unit into the seating unit. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 14, The seating portion comprises a track, wherein the container is fed into the track. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 14, The seating portion is characterized in that the sequential feeding is made by the rotation of the multi-container unit having a container arranged in a circular pattern Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, A guide device is arranged to ensure alignment between the ram and the container cavity Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 17, And the guide device comprises a lock that is releasable between the container and the housing or seating portion. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 17, And the guide device comprises a lock that is releasable between the container and the ram. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 19, And a structure for locking the container when the locking device moves in the direction of movement of the ram. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, Wherein the ram comprises a ram head and a ram piston. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 21, The front portion of the ram head is substantially homogenous with the container cavity Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 21, At least the ram head front portion is made of a soft material suitable for the container cavity Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 21, The actuator is arranged to displace the ram piston Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, The actuator comprises an electrical device for driving the ram Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, The actuator comprises a mechanical device for driving the ram Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 26, The mechanical device comprises at least one spring for storing energy Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, The actuator comprises a transmission including at least one drive force conversion device; Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 28, Characterized in that the transmission comprises a screw and nut device Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, Characterized in that a damper is configured to carry out the ram movement. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, And the release tool is arranged to break or remove the seal on the container opening. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 31, wherein Characterized in that the tool is arranged at the rear of the container when it is positioned in the seat and arranged for forward movement during unsealing. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 32, The tool is arranged to pass through or past the front wall during its forward movement to break the seal Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 33, wherein The tool and the container configured to cooperate as a guide device arranged to ensure alignment between the ram and the container cavity. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 32, The tool is connected to the ram for joint movement with the ram Liquid ejecting device. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein The tool is connected to the ram such that the ram strikes the seal before the ram strikes the container. Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, The container is a container according to any one of claims 1 to 10 Liquid ejecting device. The method of claim 11, A liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that arranged to enable the ejection of the liquid Liquid ejecting device.

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