Fluid dispenser having a housing and flexible inner bladder

• US 20040245289A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Py Institute LLC
• Original Assignee: Daniel Py, Joseph M. Ting
• Inventors: Py, Daniel, Ting, Joseph M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,000,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/183
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0072 A valve member forming part of an outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0097 Means for filling or refilling the sprayer through additional openings in the container B05B11/0056
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/026 Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1004 comprising a movable cylinder and a stationary piston
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1074 located outside pump chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1077 characterised by a particular shape or material B05B11/1076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1092 automatically released from a loaded state at the end of the loading stroke
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1094 having inlet or outlet valves not being actuated by pressure or having no inlet or outlet valve
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/245 Internal membrane, floating cover or the like isolating the contents from the ambient atmosphere loosely-attached linings B65D25/16; dispensing pistons B65D83/0005; flexible bags for expelling the contents B65D83/0055
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing a fluid includes a rigid vial that has a main fluid chamber containing a fluid, and a pump assembly that is in fluid communication with the main fluid chamber and is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid from the main fluid chamber. A flexible bladder is provided which is located within the main fluid chamber and is configured to expand to fill the ullage created within the main fluid chamber during dispensing of fluid by the pump assembly. The resilient bladder tends to force itself outwardly toward the rigid vial and, in turn, increases the pressure within the main fluid chamber in comparison to the interior of the bladder to thereby prevent the ingress of air or vapors through the bladder or otherwise into the main fluid chamber.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a housing;

a flexible bladder mounted within the housing and defining an interior chamber within the flexible bladder, and a fluid-receiving chamber between the flexible bladder and the housing; and

first means for creating a first pressure within the fluid-receiving chamber greater than a second pressure within the interior chamber of the bladder and thereby preventing the ingress of gases or vapors into the fluid-receiving chamber.

33. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the bladder is capable of being penetrated by a needle or like injection member for introducing a predetermined substance into the fluid-receiving chamber, and the bladder includes a first portion substantially infusible in response to the application of thermal energy thereto and compatible with the substance to be received within the fluid-receiving chamber, and a second portion overlying the first portion and fusible in response to the application of thermal energy thereto for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the flexible bladder and fluid-receiving chamber in a region thereof penetrable by the needle or like injection member.

34. A dispenser as defined in claim 33, wherein the second portion is formed of at least one of a thermoplastic and an elastomeric material.

35. A dispenser as defined in claim 33, wherein the first portion is formed of vulcanized rubber.

2-32. -32. (Cancelled)

36-43. -43. (Cancelled)