Patent Description:
In more detail, the invention relates to a pre-filled container which allows the contents of at least two compartments to be mixed at the time of dispensing, so as to ensure the isolation of the substances to be dispensed until the time of actual use.

Further, the above-mentioned invention relates to a pre-filled container which is easy to use, while ensuring accuracy in the release of the contents, and avoiding, to the greatest extent possible, possible contamination.

This system makes it possible to create products with different uses and purposes operating under the same principle according to this invention.

As is known, spray devices for dispensing substances are widely used in the medical sector, especially when the substances to be dispensed have to be sterile and/or are dangerous, or even for particularly expensive substances or substances whose dispensing is permitted in specific dosages. Such a container is disclosed in the <CIT>.

One problem with the above-mentioned type of pre-filled containers is that they are made up of several parts which require assembly, often with metal components, which considerably increases the cost thereof.

A further problem with medical sprays is the difficulty in producing a consistent size of the atomised droplets of medicine in the three phases of drug use, i.e.: droplet formation phase, full development phase, and dissipation phase.

Another common use of these containers is for pre-filled syringes.

There is currently no affordable, sterile system on the market that allows needle and product to be kept separate for long shipping and storage periods, and that is sterile until it is activated.

Further, there are currently no known affordable mechanisms in the field which, if required, would also prevent the reuse of the container after an initial dispensing of the product.

Within the above-mentioned requirements therefore, the main aim of this invention is to propose a pre-filled container, for example of one or more given medicaments, capable of overcoming the technical drawbacks mentioned above and in particular, to make a pre-filled container that is safe to use, whatever the shape thereof.

A further aim of this invention is to make a pre-filled container which is capable of dispensing drops of medicine like a spray.

Further, it is an aim of this invention to make a pre-filled container which, if required, guarantees the non-reusability by the user or by third parties.

Another aim of this invention is to make a pre-filled container adapted to allow a safe use in a number of respects: hygiene, accuracy in releasing the drug and intrinsic safety for the patient and the operator.

Furthermore, it is an aim of this invention to make a pre-filled container adapted to be used for making standard syringes, vials, or other medical or non-medical containers, etc..

A further aim of this invention is to make a pre-filled container which is functional, quick to implement and sufficiently accurate in releasing the medication.

The aim of this invention is therefore to create an effective product in terms of cost, ease of production, use, safety and, in addition, to guarantee sterility up to the moment of use.

These and other aims are achieved by a pre-filled container according to the invention, as will better emerge later in this description.

Thus, the object of this invention is a container which is pre-filled or pre-fillable with one or more substances, such as a medical liquid and similar, wherein the container may comprise a squeezable activation compartment intended to contain the aforesaid one or more substances, a dispensing compartment in turn comprising a first portion equipped with at least one dispensing member for dispensing the substances contained therein, and a second portion at which the dispensing compartment and the activation compartment are fluid-dynamically connected; the container also comprises therein a movable activator element adapted to pass from a closed position, wherein it hermetically and/or fluid-dynamically isolates the contents of the activation compartment from the contents of the dispensing compartment, to an open position, wherein it puts them into communication, thus allowing the substances to be dispensed through the dispensing member.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the activator element passes from the closed position to the open position when the activation compartment is squeezed.

Further, the activation compartment is configured so that when squeezed, it interferes with the activator element to allow the movement thereof.

In addition, the activator element comprises a tapered closing portion configured to engage between the activation compartment and the dispensing compartment of the container.

Further, the activator element may comprise a head bottomly coupled with a closing portion, and a stem in turn bottomly coupled with respect to the closing portion itself; the aforesaid stem is contained in the activation compartment when the activator element is in the closed position.

Preferably, in preferred embodiments, the stem of the activator element may be of the elastic and/or flexible type and may have a substantially rhomboidal spring shape to facilitate the use thereof.

In addition, the head of the activator element may comprise one or more containment portions arranged above the closing portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the head may also comprise a sliding crown provided with one or more mixing means arranged above the containment portion of the activator element and being larger than the closing portion.

In detail, the aforesaid mixing means may be selected from at least one of the following types:.

In addition, in further preferred embodiments, the head of the activator element may comprise one or more sliding crowns interposed between the containment portion and the above-mentioned sliding crown.

Further, the head of the activator element may comprise a relief arranged on the top to improve the mixing of the substances to be dispensed from the container the object of this invention.

In a preferred variant, the head of the activator element in question may have a locking area which may be made in different shapes and materials, so as to block a needle and/or another dispensing accessory which may be connected to the container to prevent reuse.

In addition, the container according to the invention may comprise a sealing insert arranged therein, having a substantially truncated cone shape, and having: one or more protrusions or perimeter recesses along the relative wall so as to promote the anchoring thereof at the second portion of the dispensing compartment, and a converging portion arranged between the activation compartment and the dispensing compartment, the activator element in this embodiment being hermetically engaged with the aforesaid converging portion when it is in closed position; the sealing insert and the activator element may be assembled and tested prior to the insertion into the container the object of this invention.

Further, in other preferred embodiments, the sealing insert may comprise a pair of levers arranged inside the activation compartment, each of which may be fixed to the outer surface of the converging portion or to the outer surface of the lateral surface, and may further comprise a hook relief such that when they are actuated, thus squeezing the activation compartment of the container, they interfere with the activator element, disengaging it from the converging portion of the sealing insert and causing the activator element to pass from the closed position to the open position.

Further, the sealing insert may comprise a trigger device connected to the sealing insert through tabs comprising a thrust member wherein, when the activation compartment is squeezed, the trigger device is moved in such a way as to cause the sealing area of the activator element to disengage from the converging portion of the sealing insert.

In other preferred but non-limiting embodiments, the activation compartment of the container the object of this invention may have a spheroidal or ellipsoidal shape, in particular to promote the squeezing thereof.

In addition, the activation compartment may comprise one or more bellows adapted to facilitate the compressibility thereof, in particular during the step of using the aforesaid container.

Further, the activation compartment of the container may have a shaped portion adapted to receive the free end of the stem of the activator element so as to guide and facilitate the translational movement thereof along the axis thereof.

In addition, the dispensing member may comprise a nozzle which may be arranged on the top thereof or on the lateral wall of the dispensing compartment;
a pair of nozzles, which are preferably arranged at a distance from each other such that the substance may be dispensed into the nostrils of a user's nose.

In preferred embodiments, the relief on the head of the activator element may be made of soft material, such as rubber and similar, to allow the same to be inserted at the base of an insert which is located either in the first portion of the dispensing compartment or in the nozzle, thereby avoiding possible reuse of the container, particularly when the activator element is in the open position.

The container according to this invention may be used for dispensing the at least one substance contained in the activation compartment and/or in the dispensing compartment by disengaging the activator element so as to fluid-dynamically connect the aforesaid compartments until a predefined threshold is reached; and by dispensing the at least one substance through at least one dispensing member of those described above.

In addition, the contents of the activation compartment may be mixed with the contents of the dispensing compartment both after the disengagement of the activator element and prior to opening the dispensing members.

In particular, mixing takes place by means of the above-mentioned mixing means of the sliding crown of the activator element.

Finally, the container the object of this invention may be made:.

Further, during the manufacturing steps of the aforementioned container, there may be a further step of inserting the sealing element into the container together with the activator element, the activator element may be pre-assembled inside the sealing element itself; this happens prior to centring and engaging the sealing insert in the container and prior to closing the container once it has been made.

In preferred embodiments, the activation compartment and/or said dispensing compartment are moulded using a "Blow Fill Seal" process.

Further features and advantages of the pre-filled container according to this invention will be more evident from the following description, referring to a preferred, but non-limiting, example embodiment, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> show a first embodiment of the pre-filled container, generically indicated by the numerical reference <NUM>.

The container <NUM> comprises an activation compartment <NUM>, a dispensing compartment <NUM> and an activator element <NUM>.

The activation compartment <NUM> is made so as to be squeezable even by the pressure of a user's fingers, as will be explained in more detail below.

In the embodiment under consideration, said activation compartment <NUM> has a substantially globose shape, although different shapes or configurations may be provided in other embodiments.

The aforesaid activation compartment <NUM> comprises a weakened bellow area <NUM> at the middle area thereof, to facilitate the squeezing of the activation compartment <NUM> itself when it is squeezed.

Advantageously, the activation compartment <NUM> also has, on the base, a shaped portion <NUM> obtained as a recess on the relative inner surface, so that when the activation compartment <NUM> is squeezed to dispense the substance contained therein, the aforesaid shaped portion <NUM> facilitates the use, and thus the functioning, of the container <NUM>, as further explained below.

The aforementioned activation compartment <NUM> may be moulded using the "Blow Fill Seal" (BFS) process. In particular, in preferred embodiments, the activation compartment <NUM> is made of substantially elastic materials, for example plastic or rubber, in such a way as to favour, as mentioned above, the squeezing thereof, as shown in <FIG>. Thus, when the activation compartment <NUM> is squeezed by the user, a portion thereof collapses substantially onto itself, in the squeezing direction.

Generally, for sterility reasons, said activation compartment <NUM> is pre-filled with at least one substance or mixture to be dispensed.

It should be noted that also several substances or mixtures of substances, such as by way of example, air and/or other gases, to be dispensed simultaneously may also be inserted into said activation compartment <NUM>.

The dispensing compartment <NUM> in this embodiment has a substantially tubular geometry, but may also take on other geometries and shapes, as will be shown in the following embodiments. Also the dispensing compartment <NUM> may also be made of substantially elastic and/or plastic materials, and also moulded using the BFS process.

Further, the dispensing compartment <NUM> may be pre-filled with at least one substance or mixture, such as also air, similarly to the activation compartment <NUM> which as seen below, is dispensed from the container <NUM>.

Said dispensing compartment <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM>, equipped with at least one dispensing member <NUM>, i.e. in the embodiment under consideration, a nozzle, which may advantageously be connected to accessories, such as e.g. needles, for dispensing the substances contained in the container <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> comprising a groove section <NUM>, at which the dispensing compartment <NUM> itself is connected to the activation compartment <NUM>.

There may be one or more shaped portions <NUM> in the second portion <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM>, which are adapted to improve the mixing of the liquid.

In particular, when the dispensing compartment <NUM> is made, also by means of the aforementioned BFS moulding process, said groove section <NUM> is moulded and calibrated by inserting the activator element <NUM> into the container <NUM>.

More in detail, the activator element <NUM> is inserted when the materials forming the dispensing compartment <NUM>, as said, for example of plastic type, are still malleable due to the temperatures of the aforementioned BFS process still underway, and therefore acts as a mould for calibrating the groove section <NUM>.

Generally, the activator element <NUM> may be inserted before or after the mould is closed during the process of making the container.

In embodiments, the activator element <NUM> may be inserted either before or after the mould is closed in the BFS process.

In this way, given that it is complementary to the groove section <NUM>, the activator element <NUM> has a greater seal therein, thus consequently increasing the degree of isolation between the dispensing compartment <NUM> and the activation compartment <NUM>.

In the embodiment under consideration, the activator element <NUM> is arranged completely inside the container <NUM>, wherein it is held in position to be subsequently moved or deformed between a closed position and an open position, as further explained below, in particular in the squeezing direction of the activation compartment <NUM>, as further explained below.

The aforementioned activator element <NUM> may be made, for example of plastic materials and/or by moulding.

The activator element <NUM> also comprises a head <NUM>, whose function is explained later.

Said head <NUM> of the aforesaid activator element <NUM> comprises a substantially tapered sealing portion <NUM> adapted to engage with the groove section <NUM> so as to hermetically isolate the contents of the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>, respectively.

Moreover, said activator element <NUM> also comprises a stem <NUM> having substantially elongated shape, which is coupled below the sealing portion <NUM>. In the embodiment under consideration, the stem <NUM> is arranged inside said activation compartment <NUM> when the activator element <NUM> is in the closed position.

In particular, the free end of said stem <NUM> of the activator element <NUM> is arranged at the shaped portion <NUM> of the activation compartment <NUM> in order to facilitate the use of the aforesaid container <NUM> during the dispensing of the at least one substance.

The aforesaid shaped portion <NUM> intercepts and receives the free end of the stem <NUM> when the activation compartment <NUM> is squeezed to dispense the substance contained in the activation compartment <NUM> itself.

Said stem <NUM> allows the squeezing force exerted on said activation compartment <NUM> to be transmitted to the activator element <NUM> itself. Furthermore, the length of the stem <NUM> determines the pressure inside the activation compartment <NUM> when said activator element <NUM> is disengaged from the groove section <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM>, due to said squeezing force.

The head <NUM>, the sealing area <NUM> and the stem <NUM> of the activator element <NUM> in this embodiment are made in one piece, therefore moulded and made at the same time, or are of the pre-assembled type. In further embodiments not shown in the figures, the head <NUM>, the sealing area <NUM> and the stem <NUM> may be moulded separately and with different materials, and thus be considered as different parts to be assembled prior to or after insertion.

The operation of the pre-filled container <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> is as follows.

Prior to the use of the pre-filled container <NUM>, the activator element <NUM> is in the closed position (<FIG>), in which the portion <NUM> is coupled to the pre-filled container <NUM>, thus fully engaging the groove portion <NUM> and thus hermetically closing the fluid-dynamic connection between the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> so as to isolate the respective contents thereof.

Moreover, in the embodiment under consideration, in particular reference to <FIG>, the dispensing compartment <NUM> has a removable closing seal <NUM>, for example with a twist-off mechanism, adapted to keep the dispensing compartment <NUM>, and possibly its contents, isolated from the external atmosphere until the moment the pre-filled container <NUM> is used.

In <FIG>, given that the container <NUM> is in open configuration, the closing seal <NUM> is removed, the dispensing nozzle <NUM> is exposed.

Subsequently, as shown in the exemplifying <FIG>, the user, gripping the activation compartment <NUM> with his/her fingers, squeezes it according to the direction L, reaching a position in which the surface of the portion <NUM> of said activation compartment <NUM> touches the lower part of the stem <NUM>; at this point, the desired pressure for dispensing is created inside the container <NUM>.

Subsequently, the user, while continuing to squeeze the compartment <NUM> according to the direction L, starts to move the stem <NUM> of said activator element <NUM> by disengaging the portion <NUM> of the activator element <NUM> from said groove section <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, so that the activator element <NUM> passes from said closed position to said open position, putting the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> into fluid-dynamic communication, causing the mixing of the substance/mixture of the activation compartment <NUM> with the product contained in said dispensing compartment <NUM>.

Further, the substance or mixture contained in the indicated compartments thus leaves the nozzle <NUM> with considerable pressure, adapted for example, to be administered as a spray.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of the activator element <NUM>.

In particular, such activator element <NUM> comprises a closing portion <NUM> coupled to said stem <NUM> and to the head <NUM>, intended to engage with said second portion <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM>, at the groove section <NUM>, when said activator element <NUM> is in the closed position.

The head <NUM> of such activator element comprises a sliding crown <NUM> which is, for example circular in shape, is larger than said closing portion <NUM>, and comprising mixing means which in this case, are through holes <NUM> adapted to mix the substance to be dispensed and sprayed.

Said sliding crown <NUM> also acts as a guide for the activator element <NUM> during the movement thereof, as seen in <FIG>.

Said head <NUM> of said activator element <NUM> also contains an area <NUM> that is substantially cylindrical in shape, which may allow the substance to be dispensed to be placed between the sliding crown and the closing portion <NUM> so as to improve the mixing thereof.

The head <NUM> under consideration also comprises a relief <NUM> arranged above said sliding crown <NUM> and intended to improve mixing.

Again advantageously, the aforesaid relief <NUM> and a portion relative to the aforesaid stem <NUM> may be used for the transport of said container <NUM>.

The stem <NUM> in the aforesaid embodiment has a substantially cross-shaped section so as to favour the passage of the at least one substance from said activation compartment <NUM> to said dispensing compartment <NUM>. As said, the stem <NUM> is adapted to transmit the squeezing force from said activation compartment <NUM> to the activator element <NUM>, to dose the amount of the at least one substance to be dispensed and to regulate the pressure inside the activation compartment <NUM> when the sealing area <NUM> of said activator element <NUM> is disengaged from the groove section <NUM> of said container <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a second embodiment of the activator element <NUM>, wherein the sliding crown <NUM> has no mixing holes and the stem <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, for example to give said stem <NUM> of said activator element <NUM> greater rigidity.

The activator element <NUM> of the embodiment described herein is the one depicted in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a third embodiment of the activator element <NUM>, wherein the sliding crown <NUM> has mixing hooks <NUM> located along the perimeter of the crown <NUM> itself and adapted to also create turbulence as the substance to be dispensed passes so as to improve mixing.

The stem <NUM> in the aforesaid embodiment is substantially identical to that described in the first embodiment, in particular in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a fourth embodiment of the activator element <NUM>.

In the embodiment under consideration, the sliding crown <NUM> is connected below a further sliding crown <NUM>, which is adapted to improve the mixing and dispensing process of the substance from said pre-filled container <NUM>. The further sliding crown <NUM> is coupled to said portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>, which is connected in turn to said closing portion <NUM>.

Similarly to that described for the previous embodiments, the closing portion <NUM> is connected to the stem <NUM> of the activator element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a fifth embodiment of such activator element <NUM>. The sliding crown <NUM> has lateral cuts <NUM> to improve the passage of the mixture. There is an area <NUM> in the head <NUM> that may also be made of a different material, for example rubbery, which allows a needle or other accessory to be jammed and prevent reuse, which will be explained later.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of the sealing insert <NUM> coupled to an activator element.

In the embodiment under consideration and with particular reference to <FIG>, both the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> are substantially similar to what is described, for example with reference to the embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The dispensing compartment <NUM> does not have the groove <NUM>; in the embodiment under consideration, the aforesaid dispensing compartment <NUM> is not fluid-dynamically connected to the activation compartment <NUM> since the sealing insert <NUM> is between them. In this embodiment, the activator element <NUM> moves inside the aforementioned sealing insert <NUM>, for example in the shape of a truncated cone, it also located inside the pre-filled container <NUM>, prepared to ensure a more controlled and uniform movement of the activator element <NUM> during the step of using the pre-filled container <NUM>.

The sealing insert <NUM> could comprise one or more protrusions or perimeter recesses <NUM> located along the outer surface <NUM> of said insert to allow greater anchorage when such sealing insert is inserted into the pre-filled container <NUM> at the portion <NUM> of the dispensing element <NUM>.

Such lateral wall <NUM> may have a cylindrical or truncated cone shape, for example, as depicted in particular in <FIG>.

A converging portion <NUM> arranged in use between the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> defining the section of area separating the two compartments, is provided on the lower edge of said lateral wall <NUM>. The inner surface of said converging portion <NUM> performs substantially the same function as the groove section <NUM>, which is present, for example in the embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In preferred embodiments, said sealing insert <NUM> may be pre-assembled to the activator element <NUM> to allow a seal check before being inserted into said pre-filled container <NUM>, if necessary. If said activator element <NUM> is coupled to said sealing insert <NUM> prior to the insertion into said container <NUM>, it is possible to couple them with a system that ensures accurate calibration of the sealing force between such activator element and such sealing insert to also ensure an accurate decoupling force. As shown in <FIG>, the lower walls of the activation compartment collapse towards the inside of the pre-filled container <NUM> through the squeezing by the user of the activation compartment <NUM> in the direction L. In other words, in this embodiment, part of the activation compartment <NUM> changes from concave to convex. Further, thanks to the shape and deformability of the activation compartment <NUM>, the inner walls of the latter remain adjacent, allowing the dispensing of the entire substance contained therein and at the same time avoiding any risk of reflux, i.e. the return of part of the substance dispensed inside container <NUM>, after the user releases the container. The configuration described above effectively prevents the reuse of the pre-filled container <NUM> and facilitates and improves the dispensing reliability of the substance or mixture contained in the latter.

<FIG> describes a further embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM>, wherein the activator element <NUM> comprises only the head <NUM> and the tapered part <NUM> intended to engage with the converging portion <NUM> of the sealing insert <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the sealing insert <NUM> comprises a trigger device <NUM>, which is contained in said activation compartment <NUM> when the activator element <NUM> is in the resting position. Said trigger device <NUM> comprises a thrust member <NUM>.

The contents inside said activation compartment <NUM> are pressurised during the squeezing of the activation compartment <NUM> in the direction L.

Continuing the squeezing of the activation compartment <NUM> in the direction L, the thrust member <NUM> of the trigger device <NUM> moves the head <NUM> of the activator element <NUM>, disengaging the same from the portion <NUM> of said sealing insert, putting the contents of the activation compartment <NUM> and the contents of the dispensing compartment <NUM> in fluid-dynamic communication, thus causing the dispensing of the mixture at the desired pressure.

<FIG> shows a sixth embodiment of the activator element <NUM>.

The activator element <NUM> has a tapered sealing area <NUM> adapted, as described above, to engage the aforementioned groove section <NUM> so as to hermetically isolate the contents of the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>, respectively.

In the embodiment under consideration, the sealing area <NUM> of the activator element <NUM> is connected below an elastic stem <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal spring shape, in such a way as to facilitate or favour the squeezing process of the activation compartment <NUM> itself, by the user.

In particular, in the case under consideration, the sliding crown <NUM> of the activator element <NUM> has a substantially circular surface that has mixing means, in particular, lateral cuts <NUM> to improve mixing.

The pre-filled container <NUM> depicted in <FIG> has a dispensing compartment <NUM> which is substantially the one described in the figures in the previous embodiments, while the activation compartment <NUM> has, in the embodiment depicted, a quadrangular shape such as to allow the lateral squeezing thereof in the direction R shown in the analysed figures. The activation compartment <NUM> may also take on other shapes than the quadrangular one, as required.

As may be verified in detail in <FIG>, the operating mechanism allows the user to compress the activation compartment <NUM> during use, laterally in the squeezing direction R.

During the squeezing of the activation compartment <NUM>, the internal pressure thereof increases until the inner surface which is pushed, for example, by the user's fingers, begins to press on the stem <NUM>, thus causing the sealing area <NUM> of said activator element <NUM> to decouple from the groove section <NUM> of said container <NUM>. Following this decoupling, substantially what has already been described in <FIG> takes place, namely the dispensing of the at least one substance contained in container <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second embodiment of the sealing insert <NUM>, inside which the same is arranged in a simplified manner in a pre-filled container <NUM> like the one in the embodiment described above.

As shown, the shuttle <NUM> has, connected to the converging portion <NUM>, a pair of levers <NUM> arranged inside the activation compartment <NUM> of the pre-filled container <NUM>. Each of said levers <NUM> is fixed at one end to the converging portion <NUM> of said shuttle <NUM> and comprises a hook relief <NUM>, the function of which is further described below.

As with other embodiments, when using the pre-filled container <NUM>, the activation compartment <NUM> must be squeezed here too, particularly on the lateral walls, according to the arrows indicated by letter R in <FIG>. The pair of levers <NUM> is actuated so that each of the hook reliefs <NUM> interferes with the base of the sealing area <NUM> of the activator element <NUM>, disengaging it from the converging portion <NUM>, putting the contents of the activation compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> into fluid-dynamic communication; moreover, the relative internal pressure is raised by means of the pressure applied on the sides of the activation compartment <NUM> so that when said activator element <NUM> is disengaged from the converging portion <NUM>, the same dispensing process described in the previous embodiments takes place.

<FIG> shows a sixth embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM>.

In the embodiment under consideration, in addition to what has been described above, the activation compartment <NUM> comprises, in positions parallel to a middle area thereof, multiple weakened bellow areas <NUM> adapted to facilitate the squeezing process.

<FIG> shows a seventh embodiment of the pre-filled container the object of this invention, in which the dispensing compartment <NUM> includes, in the first portion <NUM>, a further nozzle <NUM>, additional to the nozzle <NUM>, which is adapted, for example to facilitate use when the at least one substance must be dispensed in both nostrils of a patient, in order to make the process in question simpler and highly ergonomic.

Moreover, the activator element is of the type shown in <FIG> also in the embodiment described above.

The operation of the pre-filled container <NUM> according to the aforementioned third embodiment is substantially similar to that described above, with the additional feature given by the fact that, in the step of using the pre-filled container <NUM>, the substance will be dispensed simultaneously through the two nozzles <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an eighth embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM>, wherein the dispensing compartment <NUM> comprises a tilted portion <NUM> on which the nozzle <NUM> is located so as to be more ergonomic, especially for nasal applications.

The operation of the pre-filled container <NUM> according to the above-mentioned second embodiment is substantially as described above.

During the step of using the container <NUM>, the tilted portion <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM> allows the user to place one finger in the area <NUM> and one finger below the activation compartment <NUM>, in the area indicated by number <NUM>, thus facilitating and making the grip and subsequently the application, easier and more ergonomic.

<FIG> shows a ninth embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM>, wherein in addition to what was described above, in particular in the first embodiment of the container <NUM>, the activation compartment <NUM> has a shape that is substantially ellipsoidal and is in an offset position with respect to the dispensing compartment <NUM>.

The offset position of the activation compartment <NUM> during use allows squeezing to be carried out by two fingers placed on the areas indicated by numbers <NUM> and <NUM> in the activation compartment <NUM> itself, thus effectively decreasing the effort necessary for dispensing the at least one substance from the container <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a tenth embodiment of the pre-filled container <NUM>, wherein the dispensing compartment <NUM> comprises an additional portion <NUM> arranged laterally to the dispensing compartment <NUM> and at the second section <NUM>, on which there is the nozzle <NUM> which, as shown in Figure 22A, has the cap <NUM>, similarly to what was said above, adapted to isolate the contents of the container <NUM> from the atmosphere.

This design makes the system ergonomic for the user to grip, especially for nasal applications.

The operation of the pre-filled container <NUM> is the same as the one for the embodiments described above. In particular, the additional portion <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM> allows the user to position one finger at the portion <NUM> of the dispensing element <NUM> and one finger below the activation compartment <NUM>, numbered <NUM>, during use, thus making this specific application easier.

<FIG> shows an eleventh embodiment of the container <NUM>, wherein the dispensing compartment <NUM> comprises two additional portions <NUM> located laterally with respect to the dispensing element <NUM>, on which there is a first nozzle <NUM> and a second nozzle <NUM>, respectively, so as to be more ergonomic, especially for nasal applications. The grip is substantially the same as that described for <FIG>, so one finger may be positioned in the area <NUM>, while the other may be positioned in the area <NUM>. During use, the substance contained in the pre-filled container <NUM> is simultaneously dispensed, for example, as mentioned, into the patient's nostrils by means of the two nozzles <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> describe using, in a further embodiment, the pre-filled container <NUM>, which provides a dispensing element, for example a needle <NUM>.

The use of such container is substantially the same as that described for <FIG>. The activator element shown is substantially the same as the one depicted in <FIG>.

It should be noted that the container <NUM> according to this invention may also be pre-fillable, i.e. the substances to be dispensed may possibly be inserted into the activation compartment <NUM> or dispensing compartment <NUM> after the container <NUM> itself has been made.

The pre-filled container as described above and in accordance with the examples illustrated in detail in accompanying <FIG>, has several advantages in particular; the invention thus conceived also makes it possible to create a disposable pre-filled, sterile container which allows the substances contained therein to be administered in the form of a spray; further, it ensures:.

The invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically-equivalent elements.

Lastly, providing they are compatible with the specific use, the components used, as well as the dimensions, may vary according to requirements and the prior art.

Claim 1:
Container (<NUM>) which is pre-filled or pre-fillable with one or more substances, such as a medical liquid and similar, comprising
a squeezable activation compartment (<NUM>) intended to contain said one or more substances,
a dispensing compartment (<NUM>) including a first portion (<NUM>) equipped with at least one dispensing member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of said one or more substances, and a second portion (<NUM>), wherein said second portion (<NUM>) of said dispensing compartment (<NUM>) and said activation compartment (<NUM>) are fluid-dynamically connected,
an activator element (<NUM>) arranged inside said container (<NUM>), having a head (<NUM>) comprising a tapered closing portion (<NUM>) and adapted to engage between said activation compartment (<NUM>) and said dispensing compartment (<NUM>) of said container (<NUM>);
wherein said activator element (<NUM>) is movable so as to pass from
a closed position, wherein it hermetically and/or fluid-dynamically isolates the contents of said activation compartment (<NUM>) from the contents of said dispensing compartment (<NUM>), to
an open position, wherein said activator element (<NUM>) puts said activation compartment (<NUM>) and said dispensing compartment (<NUM>) in fluid-dynamic communication so as to allow the dispensing of said substances through said at least one dispensing member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
the container (<NUM>) characterized in that said head (<NUM>) of said activator element (<NUM>) comprises a sliding crown (<NUM>) which is larger than said closing portion (<NUM>), which is provided with one or more mixing means (<NUM>, <NUM>).