Medicine Dropper & Eye Dropper
Ethically manufactured in the United States by RTN Applicator Co., a family owned and operated business
Medicine Dropper Assemblies & Eye Dropper
- In-House Expertise: From design to production, we handle every step of the manufacturing process under one roof. This allows us to maintain rigorous quality control and deliver products that exceed expectations.
- Custom Solutions: We understand that every business has unique requirements. Our team works closely with you to create custom dropper assemblies that precisely fit your specifications. Please see our custom dropper page or give us a call.
- Reliability: Count on us for consistent quality and reliable production. Our droppers are trusted by businesses across various industries for their made to specification quality and on time deliveries.
Standard Dropper Assemblies
Dropper Pipette:
- Glass 7mm by 48 to 130mm in Length
- Plastic LDPE, various popular sizes such as 7×58, 7×66, 7×76, 7×89, 7×92 and 7x108mm
- Tip choice, Pointed Pipette, Straight Tip Pipette, Blunt Tip Pipette, Snub Nose Pipette
- Decorations available in Standard Calibrations and Custom Calibrations
Dropper Bulb:
- Rubber Dropper bulb for sizing between 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, and 24mm
- Medalist Dropper bulb for sizing between 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, and 24mm
- Monprene Dropper bulb for sizing between 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, and 24mm
- Color availability: Black | White | Natural | Custom
Dropper Cap:
- 18 DIN |18 NONDIN | 18-400 |18-405 | 18/415
- 20MM Tamper Resistant | 20-400 | 20-410 | 20-415
- 22MM Tamper Resistant | 22-400 | 22-400 | 22-405
- 24-400
- Color Availability: Black | White | Custom
Medicine Dropper Assembly Components explained
Dropper Bulb Material
Straight Tip Pipette
- General Purpose Dropper Pipette found in 90% of the dropper market (Variation of Bent tip).
- Intended for low viscosity liquids
- Creates a smaller drop due less surface area (surface tension)
Blunt Tip Pipette
- Special purpose Dropper Pipette Found in 10% of the dropper market.
- Intended for high viscosity liquids and select gels.
- Creates a lager drop due to orifice size.
- Transferring liquid
- May be used for sensitive soft-area administration
The blunt tip pipette is often used for transferring larger volumes of liquids. The wider opening at the end allows for faster and more efficient pipetting of larger quantities. This makes it suitable for tasks that involve transferring bulk solutions or working with samples that require a higher volume.
Blunt tip pipettes can be used in applications where the liquid being dispensed is less likely to damage delicate tissues or structures when dispensing liquids. Example, when administering medication to the eyes or ears, a blunt tip Dropper can be less likely to cause discomfort or injury to the patient.
Glass Pipette vs Plastic Pipette
Glass pipettes are generally less durable as the material is brittle yet most resistant to chemicals and high temperatures compared to plastic LDPE pipettes.
Glass pipettes are easier to clean and sanitize by autoclave and can be reused (Type I borocylicate), making them more environmentally friendly. Glass pipettes are considered more efficient to manufacture by our methods and will come in at a lower cost by volume. All Glass Pipettes are formed to fit your needs by length, tip style, and calibrations & Decorations.
Plastic LDPE pipettes are lightweight and can be more affordable than glass pipettes in lower quantities. They are considered one use and are disposable, which eliminates the need for cleaning and reduces the risk of cross contamination between samples. Plastic LDPE pipettes are also more flexible than glass pipettes, making them easier to use in hard-to-reach areas.
We manufacture a wide variety of Plastic pipette droppers to fit most general needs.
Bottle Finish, Closure, and Dropper Cap
History of the Medicine Dropper Assembly
The invention of the Medicine Dropper is not attributed to a single individual. However, the use of small dropper-like instruments for dispensing liquids can be traced back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, for example, hollow bird bones were used to transfer fluids, and the Romans used glass tubes to transfer liquids in medicine.
The modern eye dropper as we know it today is thought to have been developed in the late 19th century. In 1872, the American inventor Charles Barnes patented a “new and useful improvement in eye-droppers” that featured a rubber bulb for squeezing and a glass dropper tube. Other inventors, including Joseph H. Batten and William E. O’Brien, also filed patents for similar devices around the same time.
The use of medicine droppers for administering medications became more widespread in the early 20th century, as advances in medicine and manufacturing made it possible to produce and distribute liquid medicines on a larger scale. Today, medicine droppers are an essential tool in ophthalmology, optometry, and many other fields where precise, controlled dispensing of liquids is necessary.
FAQ – Medicine Dropper Assemblies
What is a medicine dropper assembly?
A medicine dropper assembly is a liquid dispensing component made up of a pipette, closure, and dropper bulb used to dispense measured drops for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, and regulated liquid products.
Does RTN Applicator manufacture medicine dropper assemblies?
Yes. RTN Applicator manufactures medicine dropper assemblies in the United States for liquid packaging applications that require consistent fit, accurate dispensing, and controlled component quality.
Are medicine dropper assemblies compatible with alcohol or oil-based liquids?
Yes. Many liquid medicines and supplements contain alcohol, oils, or active ingredients that require compatible materials. RTN Applicator offers glass pipettes, LDPE pipettes, polypropylene closures, and Medalist TPE bulbs designed for compatibility with common liquid formulations.
What materials are used for medicine dropper assemblies?
Medicine dropper assemblies can be made with glass or plastic pipettes, polypropylene closures, and Medalist® thermoplastic elastomer dropper bulbs. Material selection depends on the formulation, compatibility requirements, and dispensing performance needed.
Can medicine dropper assemblies be customized?
Yes. Dropper assemblies can be manufactured to match bottle finish, pipette length, graduation, bulb material, and dispensing requirements. Custom assemblies are commonly used for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and private label packaging.
Are RTN Applicator medicine dropper assemblies made in the USA?
Yes. RTN Applicator manufactures dropper assemblies in the United States using controlled materials and automated production processes to maintain consistent dimensions, reliable fit, and repeatable dispensing performance.
