Fluid dispenser having a housing and flexible inner bladder

• US 6,761,286 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Py Institute LLC
• Original Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Ting, Joseph M., Py, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cartagena, Melvin A.
• Application Number:
  US10/001,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20020074362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 222/105, 222/386.5, 222/95, 222/321.6
• US Class Current: 222/105
• 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 an axially-elongated surface facing the housing and forming a fluid-receiving chamber between the flexible bladder and the housing; and

wherein the flexible bladder is formed with a resilient material that biases the axially-elongated surface thereof radially outwardly toward the housing 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.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber for pumping a fluid received therein from the dispenser; and

a one-way valve coupled in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid the therethrough and preventing the passage of fluids in the opposite direction.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bladder is movable between a collapsed condition upon filling the fluid-receiving chamber with a fluid and an expanded condition upon dispensing the fluid from the fluid-receiving chamber.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plug receivable within an open end of the housing.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 4, further comprising a seal formed between the plug and housing, and wherein the plug defines at least one aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the flexible bladder.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bladder defines at least one radially compressible sealing surface, and at least one axially compressible sealing surface axially spaced relative to the at least one radially compressible sealing surface for effecting both axially and radially directed seals.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bladder defines an open end and a closed end, and is movable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, wherein upon expansion of the flexible bladder from the collapsed condition into the expanded condition, the flexible bladder and housing define an annular gap therebetween, and the annular gap defines an increasing width in the axial direction from the open end toward the closed end of the flexible bladder to facilitate the removal of fluid from the fluid-receiving chamber upon expansion of the flexible bladder.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein upon expansion of the flexible bladder from the collapsed condition into the expanded condition, the flexible bladder initially contacts the housing adjacent to the open end of the flexible bladder, and the flexible bladder progressively engages the housing in the axial direction from the open end toward the closed end of the flexible bladder with further expansion thereof.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bladder defines an external shape in an expanded condition, the rigid vial defines an internal shape, and the external and internal shape are substantially the same to thereby allow the flexible bladder to conformably contact the housing and substantially eliminate any dead space in the fluid-receiving chamber therebetween.

10. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bladder is made of a resilient material and defines an outer width in an expanded condition, the housing defines an inner width, and the outer width of to bladder is at least equal to or greater than the inner width of the housing to thereby allow the resilient bladder to exert pressure on the fluid-receiving chamber and housing upon expanding into contact therewith.

11. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a piston; and

a slide for slidably receiving the piston therein, wherein at least one of the piston and the slide is reciprocable relative to the other, and the piston is made of a relatively hard material, the slide is made of a relatively soft material, and the piston flexes at least a portion of the slide outwardly upon moving at least one of the piston and the slide relative to the other.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein the piston and housing are formed integral with each other as a single part.

13. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a plug defining at least one peripheral protuberance;

and wherein the flexible bladder defines a peripheral flange, and the housing defines an open end and a recess spaced axially inwardly from the open end, and wherein the peripheral flange of the flexible bladder is receivable within the recess for temporarily sealing the fluid-receiving chamber, and the at least one peripheral protuberance is receivable within the recess upon depressing the plug axially inwardly into the housing to thereby secure the plug and bladder to the housing.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein upon engaging the at least one peripheral protuberance with the recess of the housing, the plug axially compresses the peripheral flange to seal the fluid-receiving chamber formed between the flexible bladder and housing.

15. 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 bladder and the housing;

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; and

a seal formed between the flexible bladder and housing for sealing the fluid-receiving chamber, wherein the seal includes a first protuberance extending radially outwardly on an outer surface of the flexible bladder, and a second protuberance axially spaced relative to the first protuberance and extending radially inwardly on an inner surface of the bladder, and the first and second protuberances are subject to radial compression to seal the interface between the flexible bladder and housing.

16. A dispenser as defined in claim 15, wherein the first protuberance extends about an outer peripheral surface of the bladder and defines an outer annular sealing surface, and the second protuberance extends about an inner peripheral surface of the bladder and defines an inner annular sealing surface.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 16, wherein the first protuberance defines a tapered surface for directing bladder material in approximately the direction of the second protuberance to thereby facilitate maintaining a fluid-tight seal in the event of bladder material creep.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the tapered surface is curved.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 15, wherein the seal further includes a peripheral flange extending about an open end of the bladder and subject to axial compression for further sealing the interface between the bladder and housing.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 15, further comprising a plug receivable within an open end of the housing and engageable with at least one of the first and second protuberances for radially compressing the at least one protuberance to seal the interface between the flexible bladder and housing.

21. A dispenser as defined in claim 20, wherein the plug defines an annular surface engageable with the second protuberance for radially compressing the second protuberance and thereby sealing the interface of the flexible bladder and housing.

22. 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

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;

a plug receivable within an open end of the housing and defining at least one aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the flexible bladder;

a seal formed between the plug and housing; and

a two-way valve coupled in fluid communication between the interior chamber of the flexible bladder and the aperture of the plug for preventing fluid communication between the interior chamber of the bladder and the ambient atmosphere when a pressure differential across the two-way valve is less than a threshold level.

23. A dispenser as defined in claim 22, wherein the two-way valve is formed by a flexible, annular protuberance extending radially inwardly from an inner peripheral surface of the flexible bladder and engageable with an annular surface of the plug.

24. A dispenser as defined in claim 23, wherein the annular protuberance defines axially-opposed surfaces that taper inwardly in the radial direction to facilitate flexing of the protuberance in response to a pressure differential across the protuberance exceeding a predetermined threshold level.

25. 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

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; and

wherein the flexible bladder defines two radially compressible sealing surfaces and at least one axially compressible sealing surface axially spaced relative to each radially compressible sealing surface, and wherein a first radially compressible sealing surface is located on an external peripheral surface of the flexible bladder, and a second radially compressible sealing surface is located on an internal peripheral surface of the bladder, and the first and second radially compressible sealing surfaces are axially offset relative to each other.

26. A dispenser as defined in claim 25, wherein the first radially compressible sealing surface defines a tapered surface portion for directing bladder material in approximately the direction of the second radially compressible sealing surface to facilitate maintaining a fluid-tight seal in the event of bladder material creep.

27. 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;

means for creating 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;

a piston;

a slide for slidably receiving the piston therein, wherein at least one of the piston and the slide is reciprocable relative to the other, and the piston is made of a relatively hard material, the slide is made of a relatively soft material, and the piston flexes at least a portion of the slide outwardly upon moving at least one of the piston and the slide relative the other; and

a nozzle coupled in fluid communication with the slide for receiving fluid pumped therethrough by the piston, and wherein the nozzle and slide are formed integral with each other as a single part.

28. 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

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; and

wherein the flexible bladder is movable between an expanded condition and a predetermined collapsed condition, and the dispenser further comprises means for controlling the bladder to collapse into the predetermined collapsed condition.

29. A dispenser as defined in claim 28, wherein the means for controlling includes a plurality of legs extending axially inwardly into the interior chamber of the flexible bladder for conformably contacting the flexible bladder upon collapse thereof.

30. A dispenser as defined in claim 28, wherein the means for controlling includes at least one axially elongated surface discontinuity formed in the flexible bladder.

31. A dispenser as defined in claim 30, wherein the means for controlling further includes at least one axially elongated rib formed on the flexible bladder and angularly spaced relative to the at least one surface discontinuity.

32. 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, wherein the flexible bladder is movable between a collapsed condition upon filling the fluid-receiving chamber with a fluid, and an expanded condition upon dispensing the fluid from the fluid-receiving chamber, and is formed of a resilient material that flexes the bladder outwardly toward the expanded condition and, in turn, creates a first pressure within the fluid-receiving chamber greater than a second pressure in the interior chamber of the bladder to thereby prevent the ingress of gases or vapors into the fluid-receiving chamber;

a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber and including a slide defining an axially-elongated passageway and a piston slidably received within the axially-elongated passageway, wherein the slide defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between the compression zone and the fluid-receiving chamber, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first radius and the compression zone is defined by a second radius that is less than the first radius, and at least one of the piston and slide is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position with the tip of the piston received within the first portion of the slide, and the compression zone coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position with a tip of the piston received within the second portion of the slide; and

a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween.

33. A dispenser as defined in claim 32, further comprising at least one spring drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and slide, wherein the spring drives at least one of the piston and the side from the first actuated position to the rest position to pressurize fluid in the compression zone and, in turn, dispense a metered dosage of fluid through the valve.

34. A dispenser as defined in claim 32, further comprising an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and slide for moving at least one of the piston and slide from the rest position to the first actuated position.

35. A dispenser as defined in claim 32, wherein one of the piston tip and the compression zone of the slide is softer than the other, and the piston tip and compression zone form an interference fit to thereby form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

36. A dispenser as defined in claim 32, wherein at least one of the piston and the slide is movable relative to the other between (i) the rest position with the piston tip located in the second portion of the slide;

(ii) the first actuated position with the piston tip located in the first portion of the slide and the compression zone coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber for receiving fluid therefrom;

(iii) a second actuated position with the piston tip located in the compression zone, a fluid tight seal formed between the piston tip and compression zone to pressurize the fluid in the compression zone to a pressure greater than the valve opening pressure and, in turn, cause the pressurized fluid to open the valve and dispense through the valve; and

(iv) the rest position with the piston tip located in the second portion of the slide and the outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber to reduce the pressure between the outlet aperture and the compression zone and allow closure of the valve.

37. A dispenser as defined in claim 32, wherein the flexible bladder defines an axially-elongated surface facing the housing and forming the fluid-receiving chamber therebetween, and wherein the axially-elongated surface thereof is biased by the resilient material radially outwardly toward the housing to create the first pressure greater than the second pressure.

38. A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a housing defining therein an enclosure;

first means mounted within the enclosure of the housing for forming an expandable and collapsible first fluid-receiving chamber on one side thereof, and an expandable and collapsible second fluid-receiving chamber on another side thereof;

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

a pump coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir and including an axially-elongated passageway and third means for pumping fluid within the axially-elongated passageway wherein the pump defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between the compression zone and the first fluid-receiving chamber, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first dimension and the compression zone is defined by a second dimension that is less than the first dimension, and at least one of the third means and axially-elongated passageway is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position wherein the third means is received within the first position of the axially-elongated passageway, and the compression zone is coupled in fluid communication with the first fluid-receiving chamber for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position wherein the third means is received within the second portion of the axially-elongated passageway; and

fourth means coupled in fluid communication with the third means for dispensing the pumped fluid and preventing any fluid from flowing therethrough in the opposite direction.

39. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, wherein the first means is defined by a flexible bladder mounted within the enclosure of the housing and defining the second fluid-receiving chamber within the flexible bladder, and the first fluid-receiving chamber between the flexible bladder and the housing.

40. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, wherein the second means is formed by a resilient material of the first means that flexes the first means outwardly toward the expanded condition and thereby creates the first pressure within the first fluid-receiving chamber greater than the second pressure in the second fluid-receiving chamber.

41. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, further comprising means for controlling the first means axis to collapse into a predetermined collapsed condition.

42. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, wherein the fourth means includes a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween.

43. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, further comprising fifth means for biasing at least one of the third means and the axially-elongated passageway from the first actuated position to the rest position and, in turn, pressurizing fluid in the compression zone to dispense fluid through the valve.

44. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, further comprising sixth means for actuating the pump and, in turn, moving at least one of the third means and axially-elongated passageway relative to the other.

45. A dispenser as defined in claim 38, further comprising an eyelid depressor engageable with the facial tissue adjacent to an eye for moving the tissue and, in turn, lowering the adjacent eyelid, and an actuator drivingly connected to both the eyelid depressor and at least one of the housing and pump for substantially simultaneously actuating the eyelid depressor and the pump.

46. A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a housing;

a chamber-forming member mounted within the housing and forming (1) a fluid-tight seal between the housing and the chamber-forming member, and (2) a variable-volume, fluid-receiving chamber between the housing and the chamber-forming member;

a pump coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume, fluid-receiving chamber and including a slide defining an axially-elongated passageway and a piston slidably received within the axially-elongated passageway, wherein the slide defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between to compression zone and the fluid-receiving chamber, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first radius and the compression zone is defined by a second radius that is less than the first radius, and at least one of the piston and slide is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position with the tip of the piston received within the first portion of the slide, and the compression zone coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position with a tip of the piston received within the second portion of the slide;

a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and

at least one spring drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and slide, wherein the spring drives at least one of the piston and the slide from the first actuated position to the rest position to pressurize fluid in the compression zone and, in turn, dispense a metered dosage of fluid from the variable-volume fluid-receiving chamber trough the valve, and wherein the volume of the variable-volume fluid-receiving chamber decreases in an amount substantially equal to the metered dosage of fluid dispensed therefrom.