阅读说明：本技术 水溶性片状制剂的敷料器2 (Applicator 2 for water-soluble sheet preparations ) 是由 权英淑 田中弘 神山文男 于 2020-04-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种更稳定的水分供给手段,其来自于附接喷嘴的敷料器,其从水溶性片状制剂的背面供给水分。一种水溶性片状制剂的保持溶解用喷嘴,其包含喷嘴和环状发泡体,所述喷嘴在具有能够保持水溶性片状制剂大小的平面的前端部具有至少1个孔,除了该孔以外的该平面是平滑的,所述环状发泡体配置于该喷嘴的前端部的周缘的周围；一种水溶性片状制剂的保持溶解用喷嘴,其包含喷嘴和环状发泡体,所述喷嘴在具有能够保持水溶性片状制剂的大小的平面的前端部具有至少1个孔,除了该孔以外的该平面上具有凹凸部,所述环状发泡体配置于该喷嘴的前端部的周缘的周围；以及一种水溶性片状制剂的敷料器,其包含液体容器和上述水溶性片状制剂的保持溶解用喷嘴。(A more stable moisture supply means is provided which comes from an applicator attached with a nozzle, which supplies moisture from the back of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation. A nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at a tip end portion of a flat surface capable of retaining a size of the water-soluble sheet preparation, the flat surface being smooth except for the hole, and an annular foam disposed around a periphery of the tip end portion of the nozzle; a nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at a tip end portion of a plane having a size capable of retaining the water-soluble sheet preparation and having a concave-convex portion on the plane except for the hole, and an annular foam disposed around a peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the nozzle; and an applicator for a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a liquid container and a nozzle for holding and dissolving the water-soluble sheet preparation.)

1. A nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at a tip end portion of a flat surface having a size capable of retaining the water-soluble sheet preparation, the flat surface being smooth except for the hole, and an annular foam disposed around a peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the nozzle.

2. A nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at a tip end portion of a flat surface having a size capable of retaining the water-soluble sheet preparation and having a concave-convex portion on the flat surface except for the hole, and an annular foam disposed around a peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the nozzle.

3. The nozzle for maintaining dissolution of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to claim 2, wherein the depth of the uneven portion is 0.1mm to 3.0 mm.

4. The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the uneven portion is formed with a groove extending from the hole to a peripheral edge of the distal end portion.

5. The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the periphery of the distal end portion is surrounded by a convex portion higher than the concave-convex portion.

6. The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper end of the foam is 0.1mm to 10mm higher than the peripheral edge of the nozzle tip when the tip of the nozzle is directed upward and the peripheral edge of the tip is directed horizontally.

7. The nozzle for maintaining dissolution of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, soft polyolefin resins, polyurethane resins, polyvinyl chloride, soft polyvinyl chloride resins, and silicone resins.

8. The nozzle for maintaining dissolution of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin having self-adhesiveness.

9. The nozzle for maintaining dissolution of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin having self-adhesiveness selected from a soft polyolefin resin, a polyurethane resin, a soft polyvinyl chloride resin, and a silicone resin.

10. The nozzle for retaining dissolution of a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a material of the foam is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyolefin, phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin, and a mixture thereof.

11. An applicator for a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a liquid container and a nozzle for retaining and dissolving the water-soluble sheet preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein the nozzle is mounted at an opening portion of the liquid container.

13. The applicator according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at a front end portion of the nozzle and applied to the skin, and the liquid is supplied to a back side of the preparation by pressing the liquid container.

14. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein said liquid container is equipped with a spraying device, said nozzle being mounted at a front end opening portion thereof.

15. The applicator according to claim 14, wherein a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at the front end portion of the nozzle and is adapted to the skin, and the liquid is supplied to the back side of the preparation by the emission of the spraying means.

16. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein said liquid container is equipped with a pump, at the front end opening of which said nozzle is mounted.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at the front end portion of the nozzle and applied to the skin, and the pump is pressed to expel the liquid to the back side of the preparation.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an applicator nozzle for applying a water-soluble sheet preparation to skin and an applicator equipped with the same.

Background

As a method of administering a drug into the human body, oral administration and transdermal administration are often used. Injection is a representative transdermal administration method, but is cumbersome and painful. In transdermal administration, the stratum corneum of the skin functions as a barrier to drug permeation, and if a drug is applied only to the skin surface, the permeation is not necessarily sufficient. In contrast, when a microneedle, which is a minute needle, is used to perforate the stratum corneum, the drug permeation efficiency can be significantly improved as compared with the coating method. A microneedle array is formed by integrating a plurality of such microneedles on a substrate. In addition, a product that is easy to use by adding an adhesive sheet for attaching the microneedle array to the skin, a protective release sheet for protecting the adhesive sheet and serving as a support when attaching the microneedle array to the skin, or the like is called a microneedle patch.

When administering a microneedle array to the skin, if the microneedle array is pressed only with fingers, it is not easy to pierce the microneedles into the skin. This is because, since the skin is generally a soft and elastic tissue, even if the sharp distal end of the microneedle is pressed against the skin, the skin absorbs the impact and deforms, thereby preventing the microneedle from penetrating into the skin.

In order to administer the microneedle array to the skin having an impact absorbing ability, it is appropriate to hit the microneedle array toward the skin. As specific methods therefor, microneedle drug delivery devices (microneedle applicators) using springs (patent documents 1 to 6 and 8), air pressure (patent document 5), magnetic force (patent document 7), and the like have been proposed so far. In order to make it easy for women and children to use the spring as well, contrivances are required in terms of a spring compression method and a trigger method. Further, the use of air pressure and magnetic force is not always simple. The conventional microneedle array administration device has a practical problem, and a user needs a device which can achieve penetration more easily and reliably.

Microneedles made of water-soluble materials are dissolved by moisture in the skin after penetration, but require a considerable time, particularly in the case of cosmetic purposes, and thus significantly impair convenience of the subject. When a microneedle array is made of a water-soluble material and water is supplied from the back surface of the microneedle array after the microneedle array has penetrated into the skin, the microneedles are rapidly dissolved (patent document 9). In addition, the present inventors have reported that: a cosmetic hyaluronic acid gel sheet using hyaluronic acid as a water-soluble polymer as a raw material has been developed, and the hyaluronic acid gel sheet is applied to the skin and then massaged with a small amount of water, thereby promoting permeation of hyaluronic acid and a compounding ingredient into the skin (patent document 10).

The present inventors have developed an applicator capable of reliably applying a water-soluble sheet-like preparation to the skin of each site and supplying water from the back surface of the water-soluble sheet-like preparation (patent document 11).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese Kokai publication 2004-510530 (patent 4198985)

Patent document 2: japanese Kokai publication 2004-510534 (patent 4104975)

Patent document 3: japanese Kokai publication 2004-510535 (patent 4659332)

Patent document 4: japanese Kokai publication Hei-2005-533625

Patent document 5: japanese Kokai publication No. 2006-500973

Patent document 6: japanese Kokai publication 2007-As-509706 (patent 4682144)

Patent document 7: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-078711

Patent document 8: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-42788

Patent document 9: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-194189 (patent 5408592)

Patent document 10: japanese laid-open patent publication 2014-024828 (patent 5840107)

Patent document 11: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-164688

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Microneedle arrays and cosmetic gel sheets made of water-soluble polymers are flexible sheet-like preparations having a thickness of about several hundred micrometers in order to improve adhesion to the skin. The water-soluble sheet preparation absorbs moisture from fingertips when applied to the skin, adheres to fingers more than the target skin, or is prevented from adhesion by hair when applied to the scalp, and is peeled off before absorption from the scalp. Therefore, the present inventors have developed a nozzle to which a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is easily attached and detached, and have succeeded in developing an applicator that can apply and dissolve a water-soluble sheet-like preparation to the skin instantly by attaching the nozzle to various liquid containers (patent document 11).

However, when water is supplied from the back surface of the water-soluble sheet-like preparation using an applicator equipped with the nozzle, if the degree of adhesion of the nozzle to the skin is not appropriately adjusted, the water may not be appropriately supplied. More specifically, if the nozzle is pressed excessively against the skin, moisture cannot be sufficiently supplied to the skin, and the angle of the nozzle toward the skin is not appropriate, which may cause water to flow down along the skin.

The invention provides a more stable water supply means from an applicator with a nozzle for supplying water from the back of a water-soluble sheet preparation.

Here, the water-soluble sheet preparation in the present invention includes not only the microneedle array but also a sheet preparation for the purpose of being rapidly dissolved by moisture and absorbed into the skin after being applied to the skin, such as a water-soluble gel sheet for cosmetics. The water-soluble sheet preparation is prepared with water-soluble polymer as base material, and has a thickness of about 1mm or less. Examples of the water-soluble polymer include hyaluronic acid (or a sodium salt thereof) and a derivative thereof, collagen, hydroxypropylcellulose, chondroitin sulfate, dextran, proteoglycan, and the like, and a mixture thereof. The back surface of the water-soluble sheet preparation is the surface opposite to the skin-facing surface.

Means for solving the problems

The present inventors have conducted extensive studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, succeeded in developing a nozzle to which a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is easily attached and detached. The present inventors have found that the nozzle is more stable in moisture supply to the skin by surrounding the outer periphery of the tip of the nozzle, which is a liquid outlet, with a foam, and developed a device in which the nozzle is attached to various liquid containers, and the application and dissolution operation of a water-soluble sheet preparation to the skin can be appropriately and surely performed, thereby completing the present invention.

The present invention is as follows.

[ 1] A nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at a tip portion of a flat surface having a size capable of retaining the water-soluble sheet preparation, the flat surface excluding the hole being smooth, and an annular foam disposed around a peripheral edge of the tip portion of the nozzle.

[ 2] A nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation, comprising a nozzle having at least 1 hole at the tip of a plane having a size capable of retaining the water-soluble sheet preparation and having a concave-convex portion on the plane except for the hole, and an annular foam disposed around the periphery of the tip of the nozzle.

[ 3] the nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation according to [ 2], wherein the depth of the uneven portion is 0.1mm to 3.0 mm.

[ 4] the nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to [ 2] or [ 3], wherein the uneven portion is formed with a groove extending from the hole to a peripheral edge of the distal end portion.

[ 5 ] the nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation according to any one of [ 2] to [ 4], wherein the periphery of the distal end portion is surrounded by a projection higher than the uneven portion.

[ 6 ] the nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 5 ], wherein when a tip end portion of the nozzle is directed upward and a peripheral edge of the tip end portion is directed horizontally, an upper end of the foam is 0.1mm to 10mm higher than the peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the nozzle.

The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 6 ], wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene resin, a polypropylene resin, a soft polyolefin resin, a polyurethane resin, polyvinyl chloride, a soft polyvinyl chloride resin, and a silicone resin.

[ 8 ] the nozzle for dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 7 ], wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin having self-adhesiveness.

The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet-like preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 8 ], wherein the nozzle is made of a synthetic resin having self-adhesiveness selected from the group consisting of a soft polyolefin resin, a polyurethane resin, a soft polyvinyl chloride resin, and a silicone resin.

The nozzle for retaining and dissolving a water-soluble sheet preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 9 ], wherein the material of the foam is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyolefin, phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin, and a mixture thereof.

An applicator for an aqueous sheet preparation, comprising a liquid container and a nozzle for retaining and dissolving the aqueous sheet preparation according to any one of [ 1] to [ 10 ].

[ 12 ] the applicator according to [ 11 ], wherein the nozzle is attached to an opening of the liquid container.

[ 13 ] the applicator according to any one of [ 11 ] and [ 12 ], wherein a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at a tip of the nozzle and applied to the skin, and the liquid is supplied to a back surface of the preparation by pressing the liquid container.

[ 14 ] the applicator according to [ 11 ], wherein the liquid container is provided with a spraying device, and the nozzle is attached to a front end opening of the spraying device.

An applicator according to [ 14 ], wherein a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at a tip of the nozzle and applied to the skin, and the liquid is supplied to the back surface of the preparation by the emission of the spray device.

[ 16 ] the applicator according to [ 11 ], wherein the liquid container is provided with a pump, and the nozzle is attached to a front end opening of the pump.

An applicator according to [ 16 ], wherein a water-soluble sheet-like preparation is held at a tip of the nozzle and applied to the skin, and the liquid is discharged to the back of the preparation by pressing the pump.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The nozzle for retaining and dissolving the water-soluble sheet preparation of the present invention (hereinafter, abbreviated as "nozzle with foam rim of the present invention") can quickly dissolve the water-soluble sheet preparation by pressing the tip of the nozzle against the water-soluble sheet preparation adhered to the skin and supplying water from the hole of the nozzle. The invention is characterized in that the periphery of the nozzle is provided with an annular edge made of foaming body. The rim is made of an open-cell foam, and when water is supplied from the nozzle hole, air between the nozzle and the skin can be smoothly discharged to the outside. Therefore, the water supplied to the skin by the nozzle with the foam rim of the present invention can more easily and smoothly reach the back of the microneedle patch than the case without the rim. The front end portion of the nozzle preferably has a concave-convex portion, but in the nozzle of the present invention having a rim, the concave-convex portion is not necessarily required.

The applicator of the present invention includes the nozzle with the foam rim of the present invention and the liquid container, and any liquid container may be used as long as the opening of the liquid container and the nozzle can be fitted. In the case of administering a water-soluble microneedle array using the applicator of the present invention, the microneedles reliably penetrate the skin by pressing the tip of the nozzle against the microneedle array and leaving it for an appropriate period of time. Further, by pressing the tip of the nozzle against the microneedle array, water is uniformly supplied from the liquid container to the entire back surface of the array, and the microneedle array is rapidly dissolved. At this time, water is accurately and uniformly supplied to the back of the microneedle array with the aid of the foam rim, and there is no inconvenience that water runs down the skin or the like. When the applicator of the present invention is used to apply a water-soluble gel sheet for cosmetic use, the gel sheet is rapidly dissolved and diffused on the skin surface by pressing the tip of the nozzle against the gel sheet and supplying water in the liquid container from the back surface, thereby promoting skin moisturization and absorption of active ingredients.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view and a bottom view of a nozzle of embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an applicator in which the nozzle of example 1 is attached to a polyethylene liquid container.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a nozzle (A, B, C). The left side shows a bottom view and the right side shows a cross-sectional view. The annular foam is omitted for simplicity.

Fig. 4 shows an example of an applicator in which a nozzle is attached to a liquid container (A, B, C).

Detailed Description

The nozzle with a foam rim of the present invention includes a nozzle (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "nozzle in the present invention") having at least 1 hole at a tip end portion of a flat surface having a size capable of holding a water-soluble sheet preparation, the flat surface excluding the hole being smooth or having a concave-convex portion, and an annular foam (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "foam in the present invention") disposed around a peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the nozzle.

The nozzle in the present invention is a water supply means for dissolving the water-soluble sheet preparation. The front end of the nozzle has a flat surface capable of holding the size of the water-soluble sheet-like preparation. The shape of the plane of the front end part of the nozzle can be changed according to the size of the water-soluble sheet preparation, and the nozzle can also be a polygon such as a circle, an ellipse, a hook jade shape, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon and the like. The main body of the nozzle of the present invention may be cylindrical, elliptic cylindrical, or polygonal in accordance with the shape of the plane of the tip portion. The cylindrical shape is preferable in order to be fitted into the opening of various liquid containers.

Preferably, the nozzle of the present invention is configured such that the peripheral edge of the tip end portion thereof is surrounded by a convex portion higher than the smooth surface or the uneven portion so that the supplied water does not overflow. The convex portions on the peripheral edge function as dams for preventing water diffused in the smooth plane or water diffused in the grooves formed by the concave and convex portions from escaping to the outside of the water-soluble sheet preparation.

The front end of the nozzle in the present invention has at least 1 hole. The number of the holes may be 2 or more for introducing water from the liquid container to the back surface of the water-soluble sheet preparation, and the size of the holes is not particularly limited. The position of the hole may be the center of the plane of the distal end portion or the peripheral portion. The arrangement and the interval of the plurality of holes are not particularly limited.

The plane of the front end of the nozzle in the present invention may be smooth. However, in order to supply water to the nozzle tip portion more uniformly, it is preferable that a concave-convex portion is formed in addition to the hole on the plane. The uneven portion may have any shape such as a spiral shape, a dot shape, or a radial shape as long as the water-soluble sheet preparation can be attached to and detached from the tip portion of the nozzle and a groove in which water can be supplied from the hole to the entire tip portion can be formed. Typically, the degree of the unevenness is preferably 0.1mm to 3.0mm, more preferably 0.1mm to 2.0mm in depth of the unevenness. If the depth is 0.1mm or less, the water supplied through the holes is not supplied to the surface quickly. In addition, if the depth is 3.0mm or more, a large amount of water is required to be supplied through the holes over the entire surface.

The area ratio of the convex portion or the flat portion to the groove portion or the concave portion is preferably 20: 1 or more. If the area ratio of the recess is too small, the groove is small and the entire bottom surface of water is difficult to supply. Further, if the area of the groove portion is too large, the plane of the planar portion of the nozzle becomes small, and even if the water-soluble sheet is pressed against the skin by the nozzle, the degree of adhesion to the planar portion is insufficient, and there is a possibility that the water-soluble sheet does not adhere to the nozzle sufficiently. Therefore, the area ratio of the convex portion or the flat portion to the groove portion or the concave portion is preferably 1: 10 or less.

In order to smoothly supply an appropriate amount of water to the entire water-soluble sheet preparation, the nozzle of the present invention is preferably configured such that the uneven portion is formed with a groove extending from the hole to the periphery of the distal end portion. Here, the groove is a depression formed by 2 adjacent projections and 1 recess surrounded by the 2 projections. The shape of the groove is not particularly limited. Specific examples thereof include concentric elongated grooves in the uneven portion 3 which concentrically spreads around the hole 2 in the center portion at the tip portion of the nozzle shown in fig. 1, and radial (fan-shaped) grooves 5 which are directly connected to the hole 2. The nozzle also has a projection 4 formed on its periphery.

Another aspect of the nozzle of the present invention is shown in fig. 3. In fig. 3A, the plane of the tip end portion of the nozzle is smooth, and neither the uneven portion nor the groove is formed. Fig. 3C shows radial grooves 5 and concentric grooves. In fig. 3B, the concave-convex portion 3 is formed by a plurality of dots, and a dot-shaped groove 5 is formed from the hole 2 toward the peripheral edge.

The material of the nozzle in the present invention is not particularly limited, and various materials such as metal, ceramic, plastic, and the like can be used. Plastic is preferable in view of ease of manufacture, convenience of use, and the like, and among them, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene resins and polypropylene resins, and synthetic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins are more preferable. In consideration of good fitting properties with liquid containers made of various materials and good contact feeling of the nozzle with the skin, a soft polymer is preferable. The Young's modulus, which is a measure of the hardness of the nozzle material, is preferably 500 to 5 MPa. The soft polymer has a glass transition temperature of room temperature or lower, is in a rubber state at room temperature, and has self-adhesiveness and adhesiveness to the back surface of the microneedle patch. Herein, the room temperature means 20 ℃ to 25 ℃. Such properties are referred to as self-adhesion. The polymer itself may be a soft and self-adhesive synthetic resin as a resin composition containing a plasticizer, even if it is hard. Specific materials include soft polyolefin resin, polyurethane resin, soft vinyl chloride resin, and silicone resin is more preferable. The nozzle has self-adhesion convenience in that adhesion to the water-soluble sheet preparation is improved, and the sheet preparation is attached to the nozzle by weak contact and pressed against the skin in this state, thereby providing convenience in that the sheet preparation can be applied to the skin.

The synthetic resin nozzle can be manufactured by a known method, for example, by injecting a resin as a raw material into a mold and molding the resin.

In the nozzle with a foam rim according to the present invention, the rim made of the annular foam is disposed around the periphery of the tip end of the nozzle according to the present invention. The annular foam is disposed higher than the smooth flat surface, the uneven portion, and the convex portion on the peripheral edge so that the supplied water flows uniformly to the nozzle tip without overflowing. The annular foam at the peripheral edge functions as a weir for preventing water diffused to the distal end portion from escaping to the outside of the water-soluble sheet preparation.

The foam in the present invention may be used by molding any of the resin foams. The resin foam used is of the continuous cell type. The continuous bubble type is preferred because it has open cells that are connected and interconnected. If the bubble diameter is too small, air is difficult to permeate, and if the bubble diameter is too large, water is also easy to permeate, so the bubble diameter is preferably 0.1mm to 5 mm.

The foam in the present invention is disposed around the periphery of the tip end portion of the nozzle in the present invention. The foam body has an annular shape having a cavity at the center thereof, the cavity matching the periphery of the tip end of the nozzle. The outer circumference of the annular shape is typically circular, but may be elliptical or polygonal. The shape of the hollow at the center can be set appropriately according to the shape of the plane of the front end of the nozzle, and can be circular, elliptical or hook-jade; the shape of the polygon may be a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, or the like.

Regarding the relationship between the annular foam body and the nozzle, the upper end of the foam body needs to be higher than the peripheral edge of the nozzle tip. When the nozzle tip is directed upward and the periphery of the tip is oriented horizontally, the upper end of the foam is preferably 0.1mm to 10mm, more preferably 0.3mm to 5mm higher than the periphery of the nozzle tip.

The raw material of the foam in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include synthetic resins. Examples of the synthetic resin include polyurethane, polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin, and a mixture thereof.

The size of the foam in the present invention can be set to any size according to the shape of the nozzle to be arranged. In the case of a doughnut shape having a concentric circular hollow in the center, the difference in the radius of 2 circles, that is, the size of the portion surrounding the nozzle, is usually about 5mm to 30mm, preferably 7mm to 20 mm. The foam of other shapes can be set similarly to the concentric doughnut-shaped foam.

The following methods can be mentioned for producing the foam of the present invention: a foamed block having open cells is produced by a known chemical foaming method or physical foaming method, and the produced foamed block is molded by slicing, slit processing, punching, or the like.

The nozzle with a foam body of the present invention can be produced by placing the tip of the nozzle of the present invention in the central hollow portion and fixing the tip at a predetermined position with respect to the annular foam body produced as described above. When the nozzle tip is directed upward and the peripheral edge of the tip is directed horizontally, the position of the annular foam is preferably: the upper end of the annular foam is 0.1mm to 10mm higher than the peripheral edge of the nozzle tip, and more preferably 0.3mm to 5mm higher.

Examples of the fixing method include fixing with an adhesive or the like, and fixing with a stopper provided at a position rearward of the thickness of the annular foam from the front end of the nozzle.

In the case of the fixing method using an adhesive or the like, the annular foam may be replaced together with the nozzle, and in the case of the fixing method using a stopper, only the annular foam may be replaced. In the latter case, the annular foam can be removed from the nozzle, washed and dried every time it is used, and the cleanliness of the foam can be maintained. In addition, when only the ring-shaped foam is deteriorated, partial replacement of the foam can be performed.

The applicator of the present invention comprises a liquid container and the nozzle of the present invention with a foam-surround. The liquid container and the nozzle with foam rim may be a single combination. In this case, the nozzle with the foam rim is attached to the opening of the liquid container when in use. The liquid container may be pre-filled with liquid or may be filled with liquid immediately before use. In the present invention, the liquid is typically water, but may be a mixed liquid with a solvent other than water as long as the water-soluble sheet preparation can be dissolved therein. Further, an aqueous solution containing a pharmaceutically effective ingredient or an active ingredient suitable for the skin may be added as necessary.

The material of the liquid container is not particularly limited, and various materials such as metal, ceramic, and plastic may be used in consideration of the fitting property with the nozzle. Plastic is preferable in view of ease of manufacture, convenience of use, and the like, and among them, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene resins and polypropylene resins, and synthetic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins are more preferable.

The applicator of the present invention has the nozzle of the present invention with a foam bead. For example, an applicator shown in fig. 4C may be mentioned. In this case, the water-soluble sheet-like preparation can be applied to the skin while being held at the tip of the nozzle, and the liquid can be supplied to the back surface of the preparation by pressing the liquid container. The amount of the liquid to be supplied may be appropriately set according to the size (area, thickness) of the water-soluble sheet preparation, and the like. The amount of liquid can be adjusted by the size of the hole of the nozzle, the pressure applied to the liquid container, the number of pressing times, and the like.

In the case where the liquid container is equipped with a spraying device as described above, the applicator of the present invention is equipped with a nozzle at the front end opening of the spraying device. For example, an applicator shown in fig. 4B may be mentioned. In this case, similarly, the water-soluble sheet-like preparation can be applied to the skin while being held at the tip of the nozzle, and the liquid can be supplied to the back surface of the preparation by the emission of the spray device. The amount of the liquid to be supplied may be appropriately set according to the size (area, thickness) of the water-soluble sheet preparation, and the like. The amount of liquid can be adjusted by the size of the orifice of the nozzle, the discharge capacity of the spraying device, the number of shots, etc.

In the case where the liquid container is equipped with a pump as described above, the applicator of the present invention is equipped with a nozzle at the front end opening of the pump. For example, an applicator shown in fig. 4A may be mentioned. In this case, similarly, the water-soluble sheet-like preparation can be applied to the skin while being held at the tip of the nozzle, and the pump can be pressed to discharge the liquid to the back side of the preparation. The amount of the liquid to be discharged can be appropriately set in accordance with the size (area, thickness) of the water-soluble sheet preparation and the like. The amount of liquid can be adjusted by the size of the hole of the nozzle, the discharge capacity of the pump, the number of discharges, and the like.

In this way, the present invention can provide various types of applicators by using various types of liquid containers and attaching the nozzle with the foam rim of the present invention to be fitted to the opening of the liquid container. Therefore, the nozzle and the liquid container can be freely combined according to the shape, application purpose, application frequency, application site, and the like of the water-soluble sheet preparation. Further, the nozzle with the foam rim of the present invention can be mass-produced at low cost, and therefore, can be replaced and used for each subject and each application day. The used applicator may be reused by removing the nozzle with the foam rim, sealing the opening with a cap or the like, and refrigerating and storing the liquid remaining in the liquid container. The applicator of the present invention may be used as a disposable device that is used 1 time by attaching a liquid container filled with 1 time of liquid amount and a nozzle with a foam rim.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the examples.

Examples

Example 1

A nozzle as shown in fig. 1 was produced. The resin composition was prepared by injection molding using a silicone resin (one-pack type RTV rubber, shin-Etsu chemical Co., Ltd.). The diameter of the plane of the nozzle tip 1 was 12mm, the depth of the concentric uneven portions 3 was 0.5mm, and the interval between the uneven portions was 1 mm. The cross section of the entire nozzle is shown in the upper view of fig. 1, and the bottom view of the nozzle is shown in the lower view of fig. 1. The hole 2 penetrates the center of the nozzle body 10 and is visible in the center of the tip portion. The liquid comes out of the holes 2, spreads to the grooves 5 and further spreads to the whole plane via the concave-convex portions 3. A polyurethane foam sheet (Dazai, Dazai Kabushiki Kaisha, a product of 5 times expansion ratio, specially ordered, and 2.0cm thick) was cut into a circular shape having an outer shape of 3.0cm, and an annular foam having a hole with a center inner diameter of 1.5cm was produced. The annular foam was fixed to the periphery of the tip of the nozzle, and was set to be 1.0mm higher than the plane of the tip of the nozzle.

The nozzle with the foam rim was attached to a polyethylene container (see fig. 2), and 0.1g of limeveil (リムベール) HV (1.2% fucoidan-containing aqueous solution, Tanglewood corporation) was dissolved in 200g of water to fill the extract containing fucoidan, thereby preparing an applicator.

Microneedle patches were made as follows. Hyaluronic acid (FCH-80, from culture, Kikkoman Biochemifa Co., Ltd.) 5g and 5g of Limuveil HV were added to 90g of water to prepare a uniform solution. The aqueous solution was cast on a mold, dried at room temperature for 24 hours, and taken out of the mold to obtain a microneedle array sheet. The sheet was cut to obtain a microneedle array having a diameter of 1 cm. The fucoidan content of each microneedle was 25 μ g. The microneedle patch and the extract are preparations for hair growth.

Before use, the back surface of the microneedle array is pressed and held in place by an applicator nozzle portion. Fucoidan extract was supplied from the back of the microneedle array by pressing the container against the forehead of the volunteer. The test was performed on 10 volunteers. In 10 of the forehead portions when the applicator was pressed, no water flowed out from the nozzle face.

Comparative example 1

The same test as in example 1 was carried out using the same nozzle as in example 1 except that the annular rim was not provided. Fucoidan extract is supplied from the back of the microneedle array by pressing the container. The test was performed on 10 volunteers. When the applicator was pressed, 3 of 10 of the forehead portions showed outward flow of water from the nozzle surface.

Description of the reference numerals

1: front end of nozzle

2: hole(s)

3: concave-convex part

4: convex part of the periphery

5: trough

6: ring-shaped foam

10: nozzle body

20: liquid container

21: opening part

22: pump and method of operating the same

23: spraying device