In the early Showa period in Japan, eye drops were typically used by inserting a straw-like eyedropper into a bottle containing the eye drop solution, drawing up the solution, and then dropping the drops into the eye from the eyedropper.
Launched in 1931, ROHTO Eye Drops, with its double-ended bottle, became an instant top brand thanks to its groundbreaking design that combined the bottle and eyedropper into a single unit.
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ROHTO Eye Drops (1909)
Glass bottle with cork stopper + eye dropper
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Rohto ROHTO Eye Drops (1931)
Dropper-type eye drop bottle with double spout (integrated type)
The double-ended eye drop bottle, which served as the prototype for today's eye drop containers, was the result of a container development approach that prioritized "ease of use for the customer."
In 1964, we perfected the plastic container and launched the new brand "V-Rohto." Not only was it easier to squeeze than the conventional glass container, but we also pursued a user-friendly shape, resulting in the creation of the rectangular container.
Since 1980, we have been developing eye drop containers that blend seamlessly into our customers' lifestyles, such as the one-touch cap of "ROHTO Zi Z" and the egg-shaped container of "Rohto C Cube."
Currently, we are researching and developing containers for a wide range of products, including eye drops, cosmetics, food products, and diagnostic reagents. We will continue to address the ever-changing environment and customer needs.
Containers incorporating universal design
The itch treatment drug "Mentholatum AD Cream" (now Mentholatum AD Cream m, Class 2 OTC drug), launched in 1990, is a long-selling product that many customers pick up during the dry season.
Among the daily customer feedback, some said, "It's essential during the dry season, but it would be nice if the container could be easier to open because the force is weak," so the related departments worked together to improve it. We completed the product while having elderly people and those with disabilities who have difficulty using it with their hands from the prototype stage.
Feature 1: Lid that opens and closes easily with a single twist.
Previously, the container required several twists to open the lid, but we've improved it to a lid that opens with a single twist, aiming for even greater ease of use.
Feature 2: Easy-to-grip, non-slip shape
To make it easier to grip the container firmly in your palm and apply pressure, we rounded the corners of the container and raised the lid.
Furthermore, the anti-slip structure of the lid has been redesigned, making it easier to use even with hands that have used cream.
For more details, please click here.
An eye drop container that is easy to use without worrying about your makeup smudging.
Rohto Lycee Glow (a Category 3 pharmaceutical product) was developed with the desire to provide a soothing solution for tired eyes without worrying about makeup smudging, for customers who want to maintain their desired look while actively working in society.
Feature 1: Long neck makes it easier to aim.
We studied the hand and head movements women use when applying eye drops, as well as the size of their eyes and faces, to find the optimal neck length for eye drop bottles. This design makes it easier to drop eye drops precisely where you want them and minimizes makeup smudging.
Feature 2: The cap can be opened easily thanks to the cleverly designed neck shape.
We designed the neck angle so that when you twist the cap open, it slides along the slope of the bottle neck. We compared and tested angles with multiple prototype models to determine the angle that allows for opening with minimal effort.
A nozzle designed for the perfect single drop.
Product names: ① Mentholatum White CG, ② Mentholatum R White CGP, ③ R Rohto M Essence C (all are quasi-drugs)
①②③ Efficacy/Effects: Suppresses melanin production, prevents blemishes and freckles, and prevents acne.
To meet the needs of our customers who use MELANO CC serum, the formulation has been repeatedly renewed and evolved into an even more optimal formula.
Accordingly, we are also working on developing containers that maximize the effectiveness of the formulation.
Feature 1: Prevents oxidation of pure vitamin C.
Pure vitamin C, a key ingredient in MELANO CC serum, is prone to oxidation. To ensure that customers continue to experience the effects of the formula from the time of opening until the product is used up, we use a nozzle with a spherical valve structure that suppresses oxidation. Since the launch of the first product in 2005, the container has also supported the effectiveness of MELANO CC serum.
Feature 2: One-drop nozzle for comfortable use, one drop at a time.
As the formulation continued to be reformulated, it became necessary to squeeze the tube with considerable force to dispense one drop at a time from the nozzle.
Therefore, we improved the spherical valve structure of the nozzle and developed a one-drop nozzle that allows for smooth, single-drop dispensing. In this way, we are working to make the process more comfortable for our customers, tailored to their specific formulations.
Container design that supports a skincare-like feel
The Hyaluron Serum UV (product name: SKIN AQUA Skin Moisture UVG, cosmetic) from the "SKIN AQUA" series is a sunscreen that moisturizes and leaves your skin radiant and supple with every application.
This product incorporates many innovative features, such as carefully selecting ingredients based on Rohto Pharmaceutical's expertise in hyaluronic acid research, designing a comfortable, ethanol-free formula, and encapsulating UV absorbers in naturally derived capsules. In developing the container, we thoroughly pursued a comfortable feel that makes you want to use it every day and the convenience of being able to reapply it frequently.
Feature 1: The angled nozzle makes application easy.
We considered the orientation and diameter of the nozzle to ensure that the right amount could be quickly applied to various parts of the body, such as the face and body. Through repeated prototyping and evaluation using a 3D printer, we, in collaboration with the product planning and formulation development departments, determined the optimal angled cut shape and diameter for the formulation characteristics of Hyaluron Serum UV.
Feature 2: One-touch cap allows for upside-down placement.
By making the top of the cap flat, the container can be placed upside down. Even when only a small amount of the product remains, it falls to the dispenser, allowing for comfortable use to the very last drop. Furthermore, the hinged one-touch cap can be opened quickly with one hand, making it convenient to reapply multiple times a day.
Optimizing container design through simulation
We use CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) to simulate the movement of bottles and caps, among other things. This allows us to evaluate many container design options in a short period of time.
The molded containers are visualized and quantitatively evaluated using an X-ray CT scanner. By feeding back these results, we refine the containers to achieve both functionality and ease of use.
Sensory evaluation and motion analysis
We collect feedback on user experience and visualize the factors contributing to ease of use using a correlation circle from principal component analysis.
By integrating these subjective evaluations with data measured by sensors on container handling movements, we quantify ease of use and utilize this information in container design.