Adjustable dose dispenser

• US 5,085,351 A
• Filed: 11/05/1990
• Issued: 02/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James H. Martin
• Original Assignee: James H. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US07/608,690
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 222/282, 222/287, 222/288, 222/309, 222/394, 222/402.1, 222/402.17, 222/402.2, 222/434, 222/435, 222/438
• US Class Current: 222/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/525 with means for adjusting the metered quantity

Abstract

A liquid dispensed in adjustable, predetermined quantities from a pressurized reservoir upon each actuation of a metering and dispensing valve incorporated in the dispenser. A flexible sleeve is disposed between the reservoir chamber and a selected one of a plurality of differently sized metering chambers to expel the contents of the selected metering chamber when the metering and dispensing valve is actuated. The metering chambers are carried by a rotatably adjustable member which is mounted to the stem of the metering and dispensing valve.

Claims

1. A unit dose dispenser, comprising in combination

a pressurizable reservoir having a first chamber therein for containing a supply of liquid under pressure,

nozzle means for dispensing said liquid from said reservoir,

second chamber means for containing a quantity of said liquid,

dispensing valve means disposed between said second chamber and said nozzle means and including a rotatable tubular valve stem axially movable between a fill position wherein said second chamber is filled with said liquid from said first chamber and a dispensing position wherein a predetermined volume of the liquid from said second chamber is supplied to said nozzle means when said valve stem is axially moved from said fill position to said dispensing position, and

means for adjusting said predetermined volume,

said means for adjusting said predetermined volume is mounted on said valve stem and is responsive to the angular position of said valve stem to selectively adjust the predetermined volume of said liquid to be dispensed through said valve stem to said nozzle means.

2. A unit dose dispenser according to claim 1, wherein

said second chamber has a constant volume when filled with said liquid.

3. A unit dose dispenser according to claim 1 comprising

spring means urging said valve stem to said fill position.

4. A dispenser for dispensing an adjustable dose of fluid in response to each actuation of said dispenser, comprising in combination

reservoir means for containing a supply of liquid under pressure,

a nozzle for dispensing a quantity of said liquid supplied thereto,

a plurality of metering chamber recesses mounted within said reservoir means,

first valve means connected between said metering chamber recesses and said reservoir for communicating said metering chamber recesses to said reservoir when said valve means is in a first position and for sealing said metering chamber recesses from said reservoir when said valve means is in a second position,

second valve means connected between said metering chamber recessses and said nozzle when said second valve means is in a first position and for sealing said metering chamber recessess from said nozzle when said second valve means is in a second position,

said first and second valve means being interconnected for simultaneous operation,

manually adjustable means for selecting one of said metering chamber recesses, and

means for expelling the liquid from the selected one of said metering chamber recesses when said first valve means is in said second position and said second valve means is in said first position.

5. The dispenser according to claim 4, further comprising

a valve stem,

said first and second valve means being mounted on said valve stem, and

a member carrying said metering chamber recesses,

said member being mounted on said valve stem.

6. The dispenser according to claim 4,

said metering chamber recesses being angularly positioned around said valve stem whereby said metering chambers are individually selectable by rotation of said valve stem.

7. The dispenser according to claim 4, comprising

an imperforate flexible member interposed between the one of said metering chamber recesses in the selected position and said reservoir,

said flexible member being forced into the selected one of said metering chamber recesses by the pressure in said reservoir when said dispenser is actuated.

8. The dispenser according to claim 6 wherein

said member is eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of said valve stem.

9. A unit dose dispenser, comprising in combination

a container,

a nozzle and actuator member mounted to said container,

a pressurizable reservoir having a chamber therein for containing a supply of liquid under pressure,

dispensing valve means connected between said chamber and said nozzle, means,

metering chamber means connected to said valve means for containing a volume of said liquid and for supplying a predetermined volume of said liquid from said metering chamber to said nozzle upon each actuation of said valve means, and

means including an eccentric surface for adjusting said predetermined volume,

said dispensing valve means comprising

a rotatable valve stem axially movable between a fill position wherein said metering chamber means is filled with said liquid and a dispensing position wherein said predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed from said metering chamber means, and

said means for adjusting said predetermined volume of liquid is mounted on said valve stem and is responsive to the angular position of said valve stem.