Patent Publication Number: US-11382832-B2

Title: Dip tube

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage entry, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/050258, filed on Jan. 5, 2018, and claims the benefit of and priority to European Patent Application No. 17151958.0, filed Jan. 18, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes. 
     The invention relates to a dip tube for extracting a fluid from a bottle. 
     Dip tubes are used in the art for extracting fluids, in particular liquids, from packaging containers. In a known administration system for medication, a bottle containing the medication is delivered with a dip tube inserted therein. The dip tube comprises a withdrawal tube extending into an interior of the bottle and a plug which is supported on an upper rim of a bottle neck. The plug is provided with an opening which extends through the plug and is in fluid communication with the withdrawal tube. For extracting the medication from the bottle, an oral dosing syringe is inserted into the opening formed in the plug and operated so as to generate a suction force which sucks the liquid medication from the bottle through the withdrawal tube and the opening extending through the plug into the syringe. 
     The invention is directed at the object of providing a dip tube suitable for use in an administration system which allows handling and administering a fluid, in particular a medication, in a particularly safe and reliable manner. Further, the invention is directed at the object of providing an administration system which allows administering a fluid, in particular a medication, in a particularly safe and reliable manner. 
     These objects are addressed by a dip tube as defined in claim  1  and an administration system as defined in claim  14 . 
     A dip tube for extracting a fluid from a bottle comprises an adapter which is configured to be at least partially inserted into a neck of the bottle. In other words, an outer contour of the adapter has a design, i.e. the adapter has a shape and dimensions which allow at least a part of the adapter to be inserted into the bottle neck. In particular, the adapter is configured to be inserted into the bottle neck via an opening defining an upper end of the bottle neck. The bottle may be made of any suitable material in dependence on the fluid to be received therein. The fluid to be extracted from the bottle preferably contains a liquid medication, in particular a medication for oral administration. 
     The adapter is provided with a connecting port which is configured to be connected to a suction device. The connecting port of the adapter preferably has a size and a shape which is adjusted to a size and a shape of a tip or another connecting element of the suction device. The suction device may be syringe, in particular a syringe for oral administration of a liquid medication. The connecting port then preferably is configured to interact with a tip of the oral administration syringe. The connecting port may have a tapered inner surface, i.e. an inner diameter which decreases in the direction of a through-opening extending through the adapter and which, for example, is suitable to interact with a syringe tip having a complementary tapered outer surface. The through-opening extending through the adapter may have a constant inner diameter which is smaller than a minimum inner diameter of the connecting port. A shoulder defined in a transition region between the connecting port and the through-opening then may define an abutting surface adapted to interact with a front end face of the connecting element of the suction device upon connecting the suction device to the connecting port in order to limit an insertion depth of the connecting element of the suction device into the connecting port. 
     The dip tube further comprises an elongated hollow withdrawal tube which has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the adapter and which is configured to protrude from the adapter into a fluid receiving space of the bottle, when the adapter is inserted in the bottle neck. In the context of this application, the term “fluid receiving space” designates a part of the bottle which, upon delivery of the bottle, i.e. when the fluid filling level of the bottle is at maximum, is filled with fluid. In dependence on the usual initial filling level of the bottle upon delivery, the fluid receiving space of the bottle may be arranged below the bottle neck and may have a cross-sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the bottle neck. It is, however, also conceivable that the fluid receiving space of the bottle extends into the bottle neck or that the fluid receiving space of the bottle forms only a lower part of a bottle portion having a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the bottle neck. 
     The withdrawal tube preferably has a length with allows the withdrawal tube to extend below a surface of the fluid within the bottle when the adapter is received in the neck of the bottle. In order to allow the bottle to be emptied as far as possible, the length of the withdrawal tube preferably is adjusted to the dimensions of the bottle in such a manner that the withdrawal tube substantially extends to a bottom of the bottle. The withdrawal tube is arranged in fluid communication with the connecting port of the adapter. In particular, the withdrawal tube is arranged in fluid communication with the through-opening extending through the adapter which in turn is fluidly connected to the connecting port. As a result, fluid withdrawn from the bottle via the withdrawal tube may be transferred to the connecting port and further to the suction device connected to the connecting port. 
     The dip tube further comprises a sealing disc which extends from an outer circumferential surface of the withdrawal tube and which is configured to abut against an inner surface of the bottle so as to seal the fluid receiving space of the bottle. In other words, the sealing disc has an outer circumferential surface that is designed complementary to an inner circumferential surface of the bottle in a region of the bottle where the outer circumferential surface of the sealing disc interacts with the inner circumferential surface of the bottle. Further, the sealing disc extends from the outer surface of the withdrawal tube in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube that the sealing disc forms a “separation wall” which substantially prevents fluid contained in the fluid receiving space from inadvertently flowing in the direction of the opening of the bottle, for example when the bottle is tumbled down. 
     Due to the presence of the sealing disc, a leakage of fluid from a bottle into which the dip tube is inserted becomes less likely. In particular, the risk that fluid contained in the bottle leaks or spills from the bottle in case the bottle is inadvertently tumbled down, for example upon withdrawing fluid from the bottle, is significantly reduced. As a result, the dip tube provides for an enhanced handling safety of the bottle and the fluid contained therein while simultaneously allowing withdrawing and administering the fluid from the bottle in a comfortable and reliable manner. 
     Preferably, the sealing disc extends from the outer surface of the withdrawal tube in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube that the sealing disc is arranged adjacent to an upper end surface of the bottle&#39;s fluid receiving space. The sealing disc then preferably has a design, i.e. a cross-sectional shape that is adapted to a shape of the upper end surface of the bottle&#39;s fluid receiving space. It is, however, also conceivable that the sealing disc extends from the outer surface of the withdrawal tube in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube that the sealing disc is arranged at a distance from the upper end surface of the bottle&#39;s fluid receiving space. In any case, the design, in particular the cross-sectional shape of the sealing disc should be adjusted as close as possible to the cross-sectional shape of the bottle in the region of the bottle where the inner surface of the bottle interacts with the outer circumferential surface of the sealing disc in order to separate the fluid receiving space from a remaining portion of the bottle. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the sealing disc extends from the outer surface of the withdrawal tube in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube that the sealing disc sealingly abuts against the inner surface of the bottle in a transition region between the bottle neck and a bottle portion having an enlarged cross-sectional area as compared to the bottle neck. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the sealing disc extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the withdrawal tube. In case the dip tube is intended to be inserted into a bottle which, at least in the region of the bottle where the inner surface of the bottle interacts with the outer circumferential surface of the sealing disc, has a circular cross-sectional shape, the sealing disc preferably is designed in the form of a circular plate having an outer diameter which substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the bottle in the region where the inner surface of the bottle interacts with an outer circumferential surface of the sealing disc. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the sealing disc is adapted to interact 
     Preferably, the sealing disc is provided with a spillage prevention opening which is configured to allow a passage of fluid therethrough upon positioning the sealing disc within the bottle. Due to the presence of the spillage prevention opening, uncontrolled spillage of fluid from the bottle is prevented when the sealing disc, upon insertion of the withdrawal tube into the bottle, comes into contact with the fluid contained in the bottle&#39;s fluid receiving space. Providing the sealing disc with a spillage prevention opening is particularly advantageous in case the sealing disc extends from the outer surface of the withdrawal tube in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube that the sealing disc, upon insertion of the withdrawal tube into the bottle, is positioned close to an upper end surface of the bottle&#39;s fluid receiving space. 
     Basically, the spillage prevention opening may have any desired cross-sectional shape as long as it extends through the sealing disc and allows a fluid flow therethrough which is sufficient to prevent uncontrolled spillage of the fluid when the sealing disc comes into contact with the fluid. Further, spillage prevention opening may be arranged in any desired region of the sealing disc. Preferably, however, the spillage prevention opening is designed in the form of a notch which extends from the outer circumferential surface of the sealing disc in the direction of a central portion of the sealing disc, i.e. in the direction of the withdrawal tube. The spillage prevention opening than can easily be manufactured. 
     The adapter of the dip tube may comprise a stopper flange configured to abut against an upper rim of the bottle neck. The stopper flange limits an insertion depth of the adapter into the bottle neck and hence ensures that the dip tube is properly positioned within the bottle. In particular, the stopper flange may be configured to allow the fastening of a bottle closure cap to the bottle with the adapter being inserted in the bottle neck. The bottle closure cap preferably is a child resistant bottle closure cap. 
     The preferably child resistant closure cap, in the region of an inner surface thereof, may be provided with a thread which is adapted to interact with a complementary thread provided in the region of an outer circumferential surface of the bottle neck. In order to allow the fastening of closure cap to the bottle with the adapter being inserted in the bottle neck, the stopper flange preferably is designed and dimensioned in such a manner that the stopper flange, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the bottle neck, does not or at least not substantially extend beyond an outer circumferential surface of the bottle neck. Furthermore, the stopper flange, in a direction along the central longitudinal axis of the bottle neck, is of a flat design, which allows an unhindered for example screw fastening of the closure cap to the bottle neck. For example, the extension of the stopper flange in the direction along the central longitudinal axis of the bottle neck may be &lt;1 mm. As a result, the dip tube may remain attached to the bottle with the adapter being plugged in the bottle neck and the withdrawal tube extending into the bottle after first use of the bottle, i.e. after extracting the first dose of fluid from the bottle. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the dip tube comprises a first sealing device configured to sealingly abut against at least one of the upper rim of the bottle neck and an inner surface of an end face of the bottle closure cap. The first sealing device further reduces the risk that fluid contained in the bottle leaks from the bottle when the dip tube is inserted in the bottle, for example when the bottle is inadvertently tumbledown. 
     The first sealing device may comprise at least one of a first sealing rib and a second sealing rib. The first sealing rib may comprise a first portion which extends from a first surface of the stopper flange, i.e. a surface of the stopper flange which faces the inner surface of the end face of the bottle closure cap when the dip tube is inserted in the bottle and the closure cap is attached to the bottle neck. The first portion of the first sealing rib may be configured to sealingly abut against the inner surface of the end face of the bottle closure cap to form a seal between the first surface of the stopper flange and the inner surface of the end face of the bottle closure cap. Preferably, the first portion of the first sealing rib, in a circumferential direction, has a continuous shape. The first portion of the first sealing rib prevents fluid present in the region of the first surface of the stopper flange from leaking from the bottle, at least when the bottle closure cap is attached to the bottle neck. Further, the first portion of the first sealing rib, in a region adjacent to the first surface of the stopper flange, may have a width that is larger than a width of a tip region of the first portion which protrudes from the first surface of the stopper flange. 
     Further, the first sealing rib of the first sealing device may comprise a second portion which extends from a second surface of the stopper flange which is arranged opposite to the first surface of the stopper flange. When the dip tube is inserted in a bottle, the second surface of the stopper flange faces the bottle. The second portion of the first sealing rib may be configured to sealingly abut against the upper rim of the bottle neck when the dip tube is inserted in the bottle. As a result, the second portion of the first sealing rib is configured to form a seal between the second surface of the stopper flange and the upper rim of the bottle neck. At least the second portion of the first sealing rib has a shape that is adapted to shape of the upper rim of the bottle neck. For example, in case the upper rim of the bottle neck has a circular shape, the second portion of the first sealing rib has a corresponding circular shape with a corresponding diameter. 
     The second sealing rib of the first sealing device may extend from a surface of the adapter which faces away from the bottle when the adapter is inserted in the bottleneck and, similar to the first portion of the first sealing rib, may be configured to sealingly abut against the inner surface of the end face of the bottle closure cap. Preferably, the second sealing rib surrounds the connecting port of the dip tube adapter, i.e. an opening of the connecting port formed in the first surface of the stopper flange. As a result, the second sealing rib prevents fluid from leaking from the bottle via the through-opening and the connecting port formed in the dip tube adapter, at least when the bottle closure cap is attached to the bottle neck. Preferably, the second sealing rib and the first portion of the first sealing rib are concentrically arranged with the first portion of the first sealing rib surrounding the second sealing rib. 
     The dip tube adapter may also comprise a plug portion configured to be received within the bottle neck. The design of an outer contour of the plug portion preferably is selected in such a manner that the plug portion fits in the bottle neck, i.e. can be introduced into the opening of the bottle neck and received therein. For example, the adapter of a dip tube suitable for insertion into a bottle having a bottle neck with a circular cross section preferably is provided with a plug portion which also has a substantially circular cross-section, i.e. a plug portion having a substantially circular cylindrical shape. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the plug portion of the adapter is configured to be inserted and to fit into a PP18 mm bottle neck-finish. 
     Preferably, the dip tube, in particular in the region of the plug portion of the adapter, is provided with a second sealing device which is configured to sealingly abut against an inner surface of the bottle neck. In particular, the second sealing device is configured to form a press fit with the inner surface of the bottle neck. This may be achieved, for example, by designing the second sealing device with outer dimensions which slightly exceed inner dimensions of the bottle neck. The second sealing device prevents fluid contained in the bottle from leaking from the bottle via a leakage path between an outer surface of the plug portion and the inner surface of the bottle neck. Further, the press fit design of the second sealing device allows the adapter to be inserted into the bottle neck with a convenient attachment force, whereas a high detachment force is necessary for detaching the adapter from the bottle neck. Hence, the dip tube distinguishes by a high handling comfort and simultaneously a high operational safety. 
     The second sealing device preferably comprises at least one further sealing rib extending from an outer circumferential surface of the plug portion and being adapted to sealingly abut against the inner surface of the bottle neck. Preferably, however, the second sealing device comprises a plurality of further sealing rips, for example a third sealing rib extending from an outer circumferential surface of the plug portion and a fourth sealing rib extending from the outer circumferential surface of the plug portion at a distance from the third sealing rib. In particular, each of the third and the fourth sealing rib is designed so as to form a press fit with the inner surface of the bottle neck. This may be achieved, for example, by designing the third and the fourth sealing rib of the second sealing device with an outer diameter which slightly exceeds an inner diameter of the bottle neck. 
     Furthermore, the third and the fourth sealing rib may be made of a slightly compressible material such as, for example polyolefine, in particular low density polyethylene. Upon inserting the adapter into the bottle neck, the third and the fourth sealing rib then may be slightly compressed so as to finally form a press fit with the inner surface of the bottle neck when the adapter is arranged in its final position within the bottle neck. Such a design of the second sealing device ensures that the dip tube can be attached to the bottle with a convenient or at least reasonable attachment force, whereas a high detachment force is required for removing the adapter from the bottle neck. As a result, a secure fitting of the adapter to the bottle neck and hence a secure fitting of the dip tube to the bottle is ensured. 
     In a region arranged adjacent to the withdrawal tube, the adapter may be designed in such a manner that a cross-sectional area of the adapter decreases in a direction towards an end face of the adapter which faces the withdrawal tube. Upon attaching the dip tube to a fluid containing bottle, the region of the adapter with a decreasing cross-sectional area, i.e. the region of the adapter plug portion with a decreasing cross-sectional area can easily be inserted into the bottle neck. Further, due to the interaction of the adapter region with a decreasing cross-sectional area with the bottle neck, the adapter of the dip tube is guided into the desired position relative to the bottle neck until the adapter, i.e. in particular the plug portion of the adapter is sealingly received within the bottle neck. As a result, insertion of the adapter into the bottle neck and hence the handling of the dip tube is simplified. In an adapter wherein the plug portion has a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially circular cylindrical shape, the adapter region with a decreasing cross-sectional area may have a frustro conical shape. 
     Upon extracting a fluid from a bottle via a dip tube by means of a suction device, a fluid containing a liquid, for example a liquid medication received in the bottle, and gas bubbles, in particular air bubbles, may be sucked into a container of the suction device. The presence of large gas bubbles in the fluid, however, would affect the dosage accuracy upon administrating the liquid medication to a patient. Therefore, in conventional medication administration systems, the bottle containing the liquid medication, after being connected to a suction device, for example a syringe, is turned upside down in order to bring the suction device in direct contact with the liquid and hence ensure that the liquid can be sucked into the container the suction device substantially free of gas bubbles. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the dip tube, the adapter is provided with a vent hole which is configured to establish a venting path between the fluid receiving space of the bottle and an ambient atmosphere. For example, the vent hole may extend through the adapter in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the adapter. Due to the presence of a vent hole in the adapter of the dip tube, gas bubbles, in particular air bubbles, contained in a fluid sucked from the bottle into a container of a suction device may be removed from the fluid by simply discharging the fluid back into the bottle and sucking it into the container of the suction device again without any overpressure risk inside the bottle, since the gas bubbles are vented from the interior of the bottle via the vent hole upon discharging the fluid from the container of the suction device back onto the bottle. As a result, the dip tube allows extracting a fluid which is substantially free from at least large gas bubbles from a bottle without turning the bottle upside down. This further reduces the risk of fluid leakage or spillage and, in addition, increases the handling comfort and the dosage accuracy of an administration system comprising the dip tube described herein. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dip tube, a spillage channel is formed in the adapter. The spillage channel may have an access opening formed in a surface of the adapter which faces away from the bottle when the adapter is inserted in the bottle neck. The spillage channel serves to collect fluid which inadvertently is received on the adapter surface which faces away from the bottle when the adapter is inserted in the bottleneck, for example upon disconnecting a suction device from the connection port of the adapter. In a preferred embodiment, the spillage channel extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter along at least 50%, preferably at least 80% of the length of the adapter along its longitudinal axis. Due to the presence of the spillage channel, the fluid leakage risk is further reduced. 
     The spillage channel may extend around the connecting port of the adapter. In particular, the spillage channel may extend concentrically around the connecting port of the adapter which may be arranged in a central region of the adapter. Further, the spillage channel preferably has a ring-shaped cross-section. 
     A dip tube which comprises an adapter provided with a spillage channel may be claimed independently from the above described dip tube design. In particular, an independent claim may be formulated which is directed to a dip tube for extracting a fluid from a bottle which comprises an adapter configured to be inserted into a neck of the bottle and being provided with a connecting port which is configured to be connected to a suction device, and an elongated hollow withdrawal tube which is configured to protrude from the adapter into a fluid receiving space of the bottle, when the adapter is inserted in the bottle neck, and which is arranged in fluid communication with the connecting port of the adapter, wherein a spillage channel is formed in the adapter. The spillage channel may be designed as described above. 
     The vent hole formed in the adapter may extend from an end face of the adapter which faces the withdrawal tube to a bottom surface of the spillage channel. As a result, the vent hole may fulfill the double function of, at the one hand, allowing a pressure equalization between the interior of the bottle and the ambient atmosphere, for example upon discharging fluid sucked from the bottle into a container of a suction device back into the bottle, and, on the other hand, allowing fluid which is received and collected in the spillage channel to flow back into the fluid receiving space of the bottle. 
     The withdrawal tube of the dip tube may comprise a first portion which faces the adapter and a second portion which faces away from the adapter. An outer dimension, in particular an outer diameter of the first portion may be larger than an outer dimension, in particular an outer diameter of the second portion. Additionally or alternatively thereto, a wall thickness of the first portion may be larger than a wall thickness of the second portion. As a result, the second portion may deformable, at least to a certain extent, upon abutting against an inner surface of a bottom of the bottle. Such a design of the withdrawal tube allows the bottle to be emptied as far as possible. Simultaneously, the first portion of the withdrawal tube provides for the desired stability and structural integrity of the withdrawal tube, in particular upon inserting the dip tube into the bottle. 
     Preferably, the dip tube is designed in the form of a one-piece component. The dip tube then is easy to handle. Further, a one-piece dip tube does not contain components that are small enough that they can inadvertently be swallowed, for example by a pediatric or a senior patient to be treated with the fluid withdrawn from a bottle with the aid of the dip tube. 
     Further, the dip tube preferably is made of polyolefine, in particular low density polyethylene. The dip tube then may be made without plasticizers and is suitable for use for extracting oral liquid drug products from a medication bottle. 
     An administration system comprises a bottle having a fluid receiving space and a bottle neck. The bottle may be made of any suitable material in dependence on the fluid to be received therein. For example, the bottle may be made of glass or a suitable plastic material. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the administration system, the bottle is a 30 ml amber glass bottle, a 5 ml amber glass bottle or a 20 ml amber glass bottle which is provided with a PP18 mm bottle neck-finish. Further, the administration system comprises a dip tube as described above. The dip tube is in particular configured to be inserted into the bottle in order to extract a fluid, in particular a medication, from the bottle. 
     The administration system may further comprise a suction device having a connecting end adapted to be connected to the connecting port of the dip tube adapter. The suction device may further comprise a container in fluid communication with the connecting end for receiving the fluid which is extracted from the bottle with the aid of the dip tube. In a preferred embodiment of the administration system, the suction device is designed in the form of an oral administration syringe having a connecting end in the form of a tip adapted to be inserted into the connecting port of the dip tube. The tip of the oral administration syringe preferably has a tapered outer surface, i.e. an outer diameter of the syringe tube preferably decreases in a direction of a distal end of the syringe tip. 
    
    
     
       A preferred embodiment of the invention now will be described in greater detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional view of a dip tube for extracting a fluid from a bottle, 
         FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional top view of the dip tube according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the dip tube according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  shows a longitudinal sectional view of the dip tube according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of a first sealing rib of the first sealing device of the dip tube depicted in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows an administration system comprising the dip tube according to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , and 
         FIGS. 7 a - f    illustrate the use of the administration system according to  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1 to 6  illustrate a dip tube  10  for use in an administration system  100  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  for extracting a fluid  102  from a bottle  104 . The dip tube  10  comprises an adapter  12  and an elongated hollow withdrawal tube  14 . The withdrawal tube  14  has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the adapter  12 . The dip tube  10  is designed in the form of a one-piece component and made of low density polyethylene. As becomes apparent from  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in use in the administration system  100 , the dip tube  10  is inserted into the bottle  104  in such a manner that a part of the adapter  12  is inserted into a neck  106  of the bottle  104  and the withdrawal tube  14  protrudes from the adapter  12  into a fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the adapter  12  comprises a plug portion  16  which is configured to be received within the bottle neck  106 . In order to allow the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  to be inserted into the bottle neck  106 , an outer contour of the plug portion  16  is adapted to an inner contour of the bottle neck  106 . In the embodiment of the dip tube  10  shown in the drawings, the dip tube  10  is designed for insertion into a bottle  104  having a bottle neck  106  with a circular cross-section. Therefore, the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  also has a substantially circular cross-section. In particular, the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  is configured to be inserted and fit into a PP18 mm bottle neck-finish. 
     In a region  16   a  adjacent to the withdrawal tube  14 , the adapter  12 , i.e. the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12 , is designed in such a manner that a cross-sectional area of the adapter  12  decreases in a direction towards an end face  17  of the adapter  12  which faces the withdrawal tube  14 . In the embodiment of the dip tube  10  shown in the drawings, wherein the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  has a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially circular cylindrical shape, the adapter region  16   a  with a decreasing cross-sectional area has a substantially frustro conical shape. 
     The adapter  12  further comprises a stopper flange  18  which, in the embodiment of the dip tube  10  as shown in the drawings, radially protrudes from the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  in the region of a proximal end thereof. When the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104 , the stopper flange  18  of the adapter  12  abuts against an upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106  and hence limits an insertion depth of the adapter  12  into the bottle neck  106 . The design of the stopper flange  18  is adapted to the design of the bottle neck  106 , i.e. the stopper flange  18  is of a ring-shaped design, wherein an outer diameter of the stopper flange  18  is selected in such a manner that the stopper flange  18  is securely supported by the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106 , but does not or at least not substantially extend beyond an outer circumferential surface of the bottle neck  106 . Further, an extension of the stopper flange  18  in a direction along a central longitudinal axis Ln of the bottle neck  106  is &lt;1 mm. 
     This design of the stopper flange  18  allows the fastening of a bottle closure cap  112  to the bottle  104  with the adapter  12  being inserted in the bottle neck  106 . Hence, the dip tube  10  may remain inserted in the bottle  104  after the first use of the bottle  104 , i.e. after extracting a first dose of fluid  102  from the bottle  104  with the aid of the dip tube  10 , see in particular  FIGS. 7 e - f   . In the embodiment of a bottle  104  shown in the drawings, the bottle closure cap  112  is designed in the form of a child resistant bottle closure cap. In the region of its inner surface, the bottle closure cap  112  is provided with a thread that is adapted to interact with a complementary thread  114  provided in the region of an outer circumferential surface of the bottle neck  106 . 
     As shown in particular in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the dip tube  10  comprises a first sealing device  20  which is configured to sealingly abut against the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106  and, when the closure cap  112  is screw fastened to the bottle neck  106  with the dip tube  10  being inserted in the bottle  104  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 f   , to also sealingly abut against an inner surface of an end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112 . The first sealing device  20  comprises a ring-shaped first sealing rib  22  that has a first portion  24  and a second portion  26 , see in particular  FIG. 5 . 
     The first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  extends from a first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18  which faces the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112 , when the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104  and the closure cap  112  is screw fastened to the bottle neck  106  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 f   . In a region adjacent to the first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18 , the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  has a width w 1  that is larger than a width w 2  of a tip region  32  of the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22 . When the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104  and the closure cap  112  is screw fastened to the bottle neck  106 , the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  sealingly abuts against the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112  and hence forms a seal between the first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18  and the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112 . 
     The second portion  26  of the first sealing rib  22  extends from a second surface  30  of the stopper flange  18  which is arranged opposite to the first surface  28  and which faces the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106 , when the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104 . A width w 3  of the second portion  26  of the first sealing rib  22  is smaller than the width w 1  of the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  in a region adjacent to the first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18  and smaller than a width of the upper rim  110  of the bottleneck  106 , but larger than the width w 2  of the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  in its tip region  32 . When the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104 , the second portion  26  of the first sealing rib  22  sealingly abuts against the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106  and hence forms a seal between the second surface  30  of the stopper flange  18  and the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106 . 
     In the embodiment of the dip tube  10  shown in the drawings the first sealing device  20  comprises only one first rib  22  with a first and the second portion  24 ,  26 . It is, however, also conceivable that the first sealing device  20  comprises a plurality, in particular two first ribs  22 , one extending from the first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18  and one extending from the second surface  30  of the stopper flange  18 . The two first ribs  22  may be arranged offset relative to each other and may also have different shapes in dependence on the design of the bottle neck  106  and the design of the bottle closure cap  112 . 
     The first sealing device  22  further comprises a second sealing rib  34  that extends from a surface  36  of the adapter  12  which faces away from the bottle  104  when the adapter  12  is inserted in the bottle neck  106  and hence extends coplanar with the first surface  28  of the stopper flange  18 . Like the first sealing rib  22 , the second sealing rib  34  is also of a ring-shaped design, extends concentrically with the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  and surrounds a connecting port  38  which is formed in the adapter  12  and which will be described in greater detail below. When the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104  and the closure cap  112  is screw fastened to the bottle neck  106  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 f   , the second sealing rib  34  of the first sealing device  20  sealingly abuts against the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112  and hence forms a seal between the surface  36  of the adapter  12  and the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112 . 
     The dip tube  10  further comprises a second sealing device  40  which is configured to sealingly abut against an inner surface of the bottle neck  106  and in particular to form a press fit with the inner surface of the bottle neck  106 , when the adapter  12  is inserted in the bottle neck  106 . The second sealing rib comprises a third and a fourth sealing rib  42 ,  44 . The ring-shaped third sealing rib  42  extends from an outer circumferential surface  46  of the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  and is provided with a flattened tip in order to enlarge the contact area with the inner surface of the bottle neck  106 . The fourth sealing rib  44  is also ring-shaped and provided with a flattened tip and extends from the outer circumferential surface  46  of the plug portion  16  of the adapter  12  at a distance from the third sealing rib  42 . The third and the fourth sealing rib  42 ,  44  have an outer diameter which slightly exceeds an inner diameter of the bottle neck  106 . Further, since the dip tube  10  and hence also the third and the fourth sealing rib  42 ,  44  are made from low-density polyurethane, the third and the fourth sealing rib  42 ,  44  are slightly compressible. 
     The connecting port  38  which is formed in the adapter  12  is configured to be connected to a suction device  118  which, in the embodiment of an administration system  100  shown in the drawings, is designed in the form of an oral administration syringe. The connecting port  38  therefore has a design that is adapted to a design of a connecting element, i.e. a tip  120  of the suction device  118  which is intended to be inserted into the connecting port  38 . In particular, the connecting port  38  has a tapered inner surface, i.e. an inner diameter of the connecting port  38  decreases in a direction of the through-opening  48  extending through the adapter  12 . The connecting port  38  thus is suitable to firmly receive the section device tip  120  which is provided with a complementary tapered outer surface. The through-opening  48  has a constant inner diameter which is smaller than a minimum inner diameter of the connecting port  38 . Thus, a shoulder  50  formed in a transition region between the connecting port  38  and the through-opening  48  defines an abutting surface for interacting with a front end face of the suction device tip  120  in order to limit an insertion depth of the suction device tip  120  into the connecting port  38 . 
     As becomes apparent in particular from  FIGS. 6 and 7   d - f , the withdrawal tube  14  has a length which allows the withdrawal tube  14  to protrude from the adapter  14  into the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104 , when the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  14  and the adapter  12  is arranged in its final position in the bottle neck  106 . The fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104  is defined by the maximum fluid filling level of the bottle  104  upon delivery. Further, the withdrawal tube  14  has a proximal first portion  14   a  which faces the adapter  12  and a distal second portion  14   b  which faces away from the adapter  12 . An outer dimension, i.e. an outer diameter, of the first portion  14   a  is larger than an outer dimension, i.e. an outer diameter, of the second portion  14   b . In addition, the first portion  14   a  has a wall thickness that is larger than a wall thickness of the second portion  14   b.    
     The withdrawal tube  14 , i.e. an inner lumen of the hollow withdrawal tube  14 , is arranged in fluid communication with the connecting port  38  of the adapter  12  via the through-opening  48 . Hence, fluid withdrawn from the bottle  104  via the withdrawal tube  14  can be transferred to the connecting port  38  and further to a container  126  of the suction device  118  the tip  120  of which is connected to the connecting port  38 . 
     The dip tube  10  further comprises a sealing disc  52  which extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis Lw of the withdrawal tube  14  from an outer circumferential surface  54  of the withdrawal tube  14 . The sealing disc  52  which, in the embodiment of a dip tube  10  shown in the drawings, is designed in the form of circular plate, is configured to abut against an inner surface  128  of the bottle  104  so as to seal the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104 , see in particular  FIG. 6 . In the embodiment of a dip tube  10  shown in the drawings, the sealing disc  52  extends from the outer surface  54  of the withdrawal tube  14  in such a position along the length of the withdrawal tube  14  that the sealing disc  52  is arranged slightly above an upper end surface of the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104  in a transition region between the bottle neck  106  and a bottle portion having an enlarged cross-sectional area as compared to the bottle neck  106 . When the dip tube  10  is inserted in the bottle  104 , the sealing disc  52  thus forms a physical “separation wall” which substantially separates the fluid receiving space  108  from a remaining part of the bottle  104 . 
     The sealing disc  52  is provided with a spillage prevention opening  56  which is configured to allow a passage of fluid  102  therethrough upon inserting the dip tube  10  into the bottle  104  and hence positioning the sealing disc  52  within the bottle  104 . In the embodiment of a dip tube  10  as depicted in the drawings, the spillage prevention opening  56  is designed in the form of a notch extending radially inwards from an outer circumferential surface  58  of the sealing disc  52  in the direction of a central portion of the sealing disc  52 . 
     The adapter  12  of the tube  10  is provided with a spillage channel  60 . The spillage channel  60  has an access opening  62  formed in the surface  36  of the adapter  12  which faces away from the bottle  104  when the adapter  12  is inserted in the bottle neck  106  and serves to collect fluid  102  which is inadvertently received on the adapter surface  36 , for example upon disconnecting the tip  120  of the suction device  118  from the connecting port  38  of the adapter  12 . In the embodiment of the dip tube  10  shown in the drawings, the spillage channel  60  has a ring-shaped cross-section and concentrically extends around the connecting port  38 . Further, the spillage channel  60 , in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis La of the adapter  12 , extends along more than 80% of the length of the adapter  12 . 
     Finally, the adapter  12  of the dip tube  10  is provided with a vent hole  64  which establishes a venting path between the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104  and an ambient atmosphere when the dip tube is inserted in the bottle  104 . In particular, the vent hole  64  extends from the end face  17  of the adapter  12  which faces the withdrawal tube  14  to a bottom surface  66  of the spillage channel  60 . 
     The administration system  100  according to  FIG. 6  comprises the dip tube  10 , the bottle  104  and the suction device  118 . In the embodiment of an administration system  100  shown herein, the bottle  104  is a 30 ml amber glass bottle, a 5 ml amber glass bottle or a 20 ml amber glass bottle provided with a PP18 mm bottle neck-finish. The fluid  102  received within the bottle  104  contains a liquid medication for oral administration. 
     The use of the administration system  100  is depicted in greater detail in  FIGS. 7 a - f   . The bottle  104  with the fluid  102  in the form of a liquid medication for oral administration contained therein, the dip tube  10  and the suction device  118  are delivered as separate components. In a first step, the child resistant closure cap  116  is unscrewed from the bottle neck  106 , see  FIGS. 7 a - b   . Thereafter, the dip tube  10  is inserted into the bottle  104  until the adapter  12  of the dip tube  10  is firmly received within the bottle neck  106  and the second surface  28  of the stopper flange  18  abuts against the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106 . 
     Upon attaching the dip tube  10  to the bottle  104 , the frustro conical region  16   a  of the adapter plug portion  16  simplifies the insertion of the adapter  12  into the bottle neck  106 . Further, due to the interaction of the frustro conical region  16   a  of the adapter plug portion  16  with the inner surface of the bottle neck  106 , the adapter  12  is guided into the desired position relative to the bottle neck  106  until the adapter has reached its final position within the bottleneck  106 . Further, upon inserting the adapter  12  into the bottle neck  106 , the third and the fourth sealing rib  42 ,  44  of the second sealing device  40  are slightly compressed so as to finally form a press fit with the inner surface of the bottle neck  106 . Hence, the adapter  12  can be inserted into the bottle neck  106  with a convenient insertion force, whereas, however, a high detachment force would be required for detaching the adapter  12  from the bottle neck  106 . 
     Upon inserting the dip tube  10  into the bottle  104  the sealing disc  52  which radially extends from the outer surface  54  is positioned within the bottle  104  slightly above the upper end surface of the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104  in the transition region between the bottle neck  106  and the bottle portion having an enlarged cross-sectional area as compared to the bottle neck  106 . Fluid  102  that comes into contact with the sealing disc  52  upon positioning the sealing disc  52  within the bottle  104  may first pass through the spillage prevention opening  56  and later flow back into the fluid receiving space  108  of the bottle  104  when the sealing disc  52  has reached its final position within the bottle  104 . As a result, spillage and hence leakage of fluid  102  upon positioning the sealing disc  52  within the bottle  104  is prevented. 
     In order to allow the bottle  104  to be emptied as far as possible, the length of the withdrawal tube  14  is adjusted to the dimensions of the bottle  104  such that the withdrawal tube substantially extends to a bottom  124  of the bottle  104 . Further, due to the design of the withdrawal tube  14  with a large diameter/large wall thickness proximal first portion  14   a  and a small diameter/small wall thickness distal second portion  14   b , the distal second portion  14   b  of the withdrawal tube  14  is deformable to a certain extent upon abutting against an inner surface of the bottom  124  of the bottle  104 , while the first portion  14   a  of the withdrawal tube  14  provides for the desired stability and structural integrity of the withdrawal to  14 , in particular upon inserting the dip tube  10  into the bottle  104 . 
     In order to extract a dose of the medication fluid  102  from the bottle  104 , the suction device  118  is connected to the dip tube  10  by bringing the tip  120  of the suction device  118  into engagement with the connecting port  38  formed in the adapter  12 . Thereafter, fluid  102  can be sucked into the container  126  of the suction device  118  by actuating a plunger  132  of the suction device  118 , while the bottle  104  remains in its upright position. The fluid  102  which is sucked into the container  126  with the first suction stroke, however, may contain gas bubbles, i.e. air bubbles that would affect the dosage accuracy for the liquid medication. If need be, the fluid  102  therefore may be discharged back into the bottle  104  and sucked into the container  126  again several times until the fluid  102  is substantially free from at least large air bubbles. Air introduced into the bottle  104  in the course of this repeated discharge of fluid  102  back into the bottle  104  and sucking of fluid  102  from the bottle  104  into the container  126  may vent from the interior of the bottle  104  via the vent hole  64 . Hence, overpressurization of the bottle  104  and spillage of fluid  102  from the bottle  104  can be prevented. 
     After extracting a dose of the medication fluid  102  from the bottle  104  by means of the suction device  118 , the suction device  118  is detached from the connecting port  38  of the dip tube adapter  12  and the bottle closure cap  112  is again fastened to the bottle neck  106 , while the dip tube  10  remains inserted in the bottle, see  FIG. 8 e   . The design of the adapter  12  and in particular the design of the stopper flange  18  ensures that the screw fastening of the bottle closure cap  112  to the bottle neck  106  is not affected by the presence of the adapter  12 . Fluid  102  which may, in the course of detaching the suction device  118  from the adapter  12 , inadvertently be applied to the first surface  22  of the stopper flange  18  is collected in the spillage channel  60  and, via the vent hole  64 , discharged back into the interior of the bottle  104 . 
     The sealing disc  52  which forms a physical “separation wall” extending between the fluid receiving space  108  and an opening  130  of the bottle  104 , prevents fluid contained in the fluid receiving space  108  from inadvertently flowing in the direction of the opening  130  of the bottle  104 , for example when the bottle  104  is tumbled down. Further, due to the presence of the second sealing device  40 , fluid is prevented from leaking from the system  100  via a leakage path between the outer surface  46  of the plug portion  16  and the inner surface of the bottle neck  106 . 
     In addition, when the bottle closure cap  112  is properly secured to the bottle neck  106 , the bottle closure cap  112  applies a slight pressing force to the adapter  12  of the dip tube  10 . As a result, the second portion  26  of the first sealing rib  22  is pressed against the upper rim  110  of bottle neck  106  so as to form a seal. This sealing interaction of the second portion  26  of the first sealing rib  22  with the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106  further improves the leakage proofness of the administration system  100 , since it prevents any residual fluid droplets which may be present in the region of the upper rim  110  of the bottle neck  106  from leaking from the system  100 . 
     Moreover, the inner surface of the end face  116  of the bottle closure cap  112  sealingly interacts with both the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  and the second sealing rib  34  of the first sealing device  20 . While the second sealing rib  34  prevents fluid  102  from leaking from the bottle  104  via the connecting port  38  of the adapter  12 , the first portion  24  of the first sealing rib  22  prevents fluid which is collected in the spillage channel  60  but still not discharged back into the interior of the bottle  104  via the vent hole  64 , from leaking from the system  100 . As a result, leakage proofness of the administration system  100  is insured even in case the bottle  104  with the dip tube  10  inserted therein is inadvertently tumbled down.