Dispenser with biased cover

• US 20030010337A1
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Anderson, Gregor John McLennan, Taylor, Anthony James
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/22 Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/24 Devices for retaining in open position holding lids in open position in general E05C17/00; hinges with means for holding open E05D11/10

Abstract

There is provided a dispenser comprising a body for receipt of a carrier for a composition; an exit channel definable by the body for passage of the composition to a user; a cover for the exit channel reversibly movable between a storage position in which the cover fully protects the exit channel, to an in-use position wherein the exit channel is exposed. Biasing means act on the cover when the cover is not in the in-use or storage positions, to bias the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising

a body for receipt of a carrier for a composition;

an exit channel definable by said body for passage of said composition to a user;

a cover for said exit channel reversibly movable between a storage position in which said cover fully protects the exit channel, to an in-use position wherein the exit channel is exposed; and

biasing means acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, to bias the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, additionally comprising a control element to control the amount of biasing energy acting on the cover.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the biasing energy curve reaches a maximum when the cover is at a definite point between the starting and in-use positions.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the biasing energy curve has a single maximum.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the biasing energy curve is symmetrical.

7. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the biasing energy curve is asymmetrical.

8. A dispenser according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the control element comprises a cam surface and a cam follower.

9. A dispenser device according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the control element comprises a ramp.

10. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

11. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the biasing means comprises an articulated assembly.

12. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the biasing means comprises resilient material.

13. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the biasing means comprises a pressure based system.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13 wherein the pressure based system is a pneumatic system.

15. A dispenser according to claim 13 wherein the pressure based system is a hydraulic system.

16. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the cover is reversibly lockable in the storage or in-use positions.

17. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 16 wherein the cover is rotatably movable.

18. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 16 wherein the cover is slidably movable.

19. A dispenser according to any of claims 2 to 18 wherein the biasing means comprises a spring, and the control element comprises a cam surface and cam follower.

20. A dispenser according to any of claims 2 to 18 wherein the biasing means comprises an articulated assembly and the control element comprises a ramp.

21. A dispenser according to any of claims 2 to 18 wherein the biasing means comprises a resilient plug movable between two sockets and the control element comprises the surface between said two sockets.

22. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the cover is movable by a sliding thumb motion.

23. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the cover is movable by one-handed operation.

24. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the cover is movable by a right-handed or left-handed user.

25. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 24, additionally comprising a carrier.

26. A dispenser according to claim 25, wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of aerosol container, tube, bottle, phial, vial, blister strip and capsule.

27. A dispenser according to either of claims 25 or 26, wherein the carrier additionally comprises a composition.

28. A dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the physical form of said composition is selected from the group consisting of cream, ointment, powder, solution, suspension, tablet and emulsion.

29. A dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the carrier is an aerosol container.

30. A dispenser according to claim 29, wherein said aerosol container additionally comprises a suspension of a composition in a propellant.

31. A dispenser according to claim 30, wherein said propellant comprises liquefied HFA134a, HFA-227 or carbon dioxide.

32. A dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the carrier is a dry-powder container.

33. A dispenser according to claim 32, wherein said dry-powder container additionally comprises a composition and optionally excipient in dry-powder form.

34. A dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the carrier is a liquid container.

35. A dispenser according to claim 34, wherein said liquid container comprises a solution of a composition in a solvent.

36. A dispenser according to any of claims 27, 28, 30, 33 and 35, wherein said composition comprises a medicament.

37. A dispenser according to claim 36, wherein said medicament is selected from the group consisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate and salts or solvates thereof and any mixtures thereof.

38. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 37, wherein the cover has a clear portion to enable the user to see the location of the exit channel when in the storage position.

39. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 38, wherein the dispenser is additionally provided with a dose counter display.

40. A dispenser according to claim 39, wherein said dose counter display is visible through the clear portion of the cover when the cover is in the in-use position.

41. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 40, wherein the dispenser is additionally provided with an alphanumeric display.

42. A dispenser according to claim 41, wherein the alphanumeric display is visible through the clear portion of the cover when the cover is in the in-use position.

43. A dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the composition comprises a foodstuff.

44. A dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of tomato puree, mustard, fish paste, meat paste, sweet sauce, savoury sauce and pate.

45. A dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the composition comprises a toiletry.

46. A dispenser according to claim 45, wherein said toiletry is selected from the group consisting of toothpaste, deodorant, soap, eye drop, shampoo, moisturising cream and hand cream.

47. Use of dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 42 for dispensing medicament.

48. A kit of parts comprising a dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 24 and a medicament carrier.