Cups and container assemblies for storing and dispensing liquid pharmaceutical formulations

Abstract

The present invention provides cups for storing and dispensing liquids, such as liquid pharmaceutical formulations, having a bowl with an open top and a curved inner surface with an annular base extending from a bottom portion of the bowl, and a rim circumscribing the upper portion of the bowl. The present invention also provides unit dose container assemblies including cups according to the present invention and lids enclosing the open top, and container package assemblies for storing and dispensing liquid pharmaceutical formulations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cup for dispensing a liquid comprising: 
 a bowl having an open top, a curved bottom portion which is concave on at least a portion of its inner surface, and an annular wall forming an upper sidewall for said cup;    an annular base circumscribing the bottom portion of said bowl and forming a lower sidewall for said cup; and    an annular rim circumscribing the open top of said bowl and having a top surface extending outward from the upper sidewall of the cup.    
     
     
         2 . The cup of  claim 1  further comprising a lid removably affixed to the rim and enclosing the open top.  
     
     
         3 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of said bowl comprises a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and cylic olefin copolymer barrier material.  
     
     
         4 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said cup is formed by injection molding.  
     
     
         5 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said annular rim has a rounded edge.  
     
     
         6 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said annular base extends beyond the bottom of said bowl.  
     
     
         7 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said annular base is cylindrical.  
     
     
         8 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said annular base is frustoconical.  
     
     
         9 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said annular base has a lateral hip extension.  
     
     
         10 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said rim comprises a reverse draft angle.  
     
     
         11 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said rim comprises a step.  
     
     
         12 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said rim top surface meets said bowl inner surface at an angle.  
     
     
         13 . The cup of  claim 1  further comprising a step between the top of said rim and the inner surface of said bowl.  
     
     
         14 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said concave bowl bottom portion is hemispherical.  
     
     
         15 . The cup of  claim 2  wherein said lid is a flexible, disposable lid.  
     
     
         16 . The cup of  claim 2  wherein said lid comprises a laminate.  
     
     
         17 . The cup of  claim 2  wherein said lid comprises a tab for facilitating removal of the lid.  
     
     
         18 . The cup of  claim 2  wherein said lid comprises a label.  
     
     
         19 . The cup of  claim 1  further comprising a stacking vane affixed to the inner surface of the bowl.  
     
     
         20 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein the upper sidewall further comprises a gripping surface.  
     
     
         21 . The cup of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid pharmaceutical formulation present within the bowl of said cup.  
     
     
         22 . The cup of  claim 21  wherein said liquid pharmaceutical formulation is indicated for oral administration.  
     
     
         23 . The cup of  claim 21  wherein said liquid pharmaceutical formulation is present in a unit dose amount.  
     
     
         24 . The cup of  claim 21  wherein said liquid pharmaceutical formulation is selected from the group consisting of solutions, syrups, and suspensions.  
     
     
         25 . The cup of  claim 21  wherein the liquid pharmaceutical formulation is a suspension.  
     
     
         26 . The cup of  claim 21  wherein the liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient selected from the group consisting of lactulose, nystatin, phenytoin, sulfatrim, ibuprofen, and megestrol acetate.  
     
     
         27 . A package assembly for storing and dispensing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising the cup of  claim 1  and a reservoir containing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation.