Dispenser with biased cover

• US 7,077,129 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Anderson, Gregor John McLennan, Taylor, Anthony James
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/168,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20030010337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,038 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/208.12, 128/203.15
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• 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 in which said cover fully protects the exit channel, to an in-use position wherein the exit channel is exposed;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the control element comprises a cam surface and a cam follower.

2. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the control element comprises a ramp.

3. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, wherein the biasing element comprises a pressure based system, and wherein the pressure based system is a pneumatic system.

4. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, wherein the biasing element comprises a pressure based system, and wherein the pressure based system is a hydraulic system.

5. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the cover is slidably movable.

6. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the biasing element comprises a spring, and the control element comprises a cam surface and cam follower.

7. 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 the exit channel is exposed;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the biasing element comprises an articulated assembly and the control element comprises a ramp.

8. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the cover is movable by sliding thumb motion.

9. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the cover has a clear portion to enable the user to see the location of the exit channel when in the storage position.

10. 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the dispenser is additionally provided with a dose counter display.

11. A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said dose counter display is visible through the clear portion of the cover when the cover is in the in-use position.

12. A dispenser comprising

a body for receipt of a carrier for a composition;

an exit channel definable by said body 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;

a biasing element capable of generating a biasing energy for acting on the cover when the cover is not in said in-use or storage positions, capable of biasing the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position depending on the location of the cover between its storage and in-use positions; and

a control element cooperatively engaging the biasing element to control the direction of the bias acting on the cover,

wherein said control element defines a biasing energy curve varying according to the proximity of the cover to the storage and in-use positions, and wherein the biasing energy curve has a maximum when the cover is at a defined point between the storage and the in-use position such as to bias the cover away from said defined point and towards either the in-use position or the storage position, and wherein the dispenser is additionally provided with an alphanumeric display.

13. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the alphanumeric display is visible through the clear portion of the cover when the cover is in the in-use position.

14. A dispenser comprising:

(a) a body in receipt of a carrier for a composition, said body defining an exit channel for passage of said composition to a user;

(b) a cover for said exit channel, said cover defining opposing interior surfaces;

(c) at least one inwardly directed cam follower about which said cover pivots, said cam follower defined by or connected to said interior surface, said cam follower having a cam follower face;

(d) a hollow shaft associated with said body, said hollow shaft at least partially enclosing a spring, at least one cam and said cam follower face, said spring communicating with said cam and said cam defining a mating face which abuts said cam follower face;

wherein said cover is reversibly and pivotally 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

wherein movement of said cover rotates said cam follower face causing partial distancing of the cam follower and cam mating face and compression of said spring to create a biasing force biasing said cover toward either the storage position or in use position, depending on the degree of rotation of the cover.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said mating face of said cam further comprises a surface defining a peak and a trough, and said cam follower face has a surface defining a corresponding peak and trough, and wherein the peak of one surface resides in the trough of the other surface when said cover is the in-use position or in the storage position, and the distance between the mating face and the cam follower face is at a minimum.