Dispensing device

• US 7,743,945 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Lu, Winston, Pickard, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US11/335,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 222/36, 222 45- 49, 222/38, 222/23, 116309-319, 116/284, 116/285, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.22, 128/200.23, 128/205.23
• US Class Current: 222/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/08 Pocket atomisers of the injector type aerosol cans A61M15/009
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0025 with 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 15/0068 Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/007 Mechanical counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0073 on a ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0076 on a drum
• 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: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/268 wherein the stem portion is moved for opening and closing the valve, e.g. by translation, rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/27 preventing use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A dispenser includes a dispenser housing, a key device adapted to be mounted to a container and an indicating device. The key device is moveable between an engaged position wherein it is engaged with the indicating device and a disengaged position wherein it is disengaged from the indicating device. In other aspects, a resilient, flexible cap is fixedly secured to the dispenser housing and covers the container and prevents the valve stem from being disengaged from the dispenser housing. In another aspect, a dispenser housing has at least one guide and a connector has at least one arm having a catch portion. The arm is disposed through the at least one guide with the catch portion engaged with the guide such that the valve stem is prevented from being disengaged from the dispenser housing. In yet another aspect, a catch portion engages a ferrule portion of the container such the valve stem is prevented from being disengaged from the dispenser housing.

Claims

1. A dispenser that dispenses dosages of a substance from a container, the dispenser comprising:

a dispenser housing having at least one guide;

a container with a valve stem engaged with the dispenser housing, said container moveable relative to said valve stem between at least a first and second position; and

a connector comprising at least one arm having a catch portion, said arm disposed through said at least one guide with said catch portion engaged with said at least one guide such that said valve stem is prevented from being disengaged from said dispenser housing, wherein said at least one arm is moveable through said at least one guide as said container is moved between said first and second position with said catch portion disengaged from said at least one guide as said at least one arm is moved through said at least one guide.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said connector is connected to said container.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein said connector comprises a collar engaging said container.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispenser housing comprises a module housing and an indicator disposed in said module housing, wherein said at least one guide is formed in said module housing.

5. A dispenser that dispenses dosages of a substance comprising:

a container comprising an end portion and a valve stem extending from said end portion;

a dispenser housing comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion defining a well and said upper portion having a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, wherein said lower portion is releasably secured to said upper portion; and

a connector connecting said upper portion of said dispenser housing and said container, wherein said connector is fixed relative to said upper portion and is moveable relative to said container;

wherein said container and said lower portion of said dispenser housing are moveable relative to each other between an engaged position wherein said valve stem is disposed in said well and a disengaged position wherein said valve stem is removed from said well, and wherein said connector maintains a connection between said container and said upper portion as said container and said lower portion are moved relative to each other between said engaged and said disengaged positions.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said connector comprises at least one arm having a catch portion.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said catch portion engages a shoulder formed on said container.

8. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said arm extends radially inwardly and longitudinally downwardly toward said lower portion.

9. The dispenser of claim 5 further comprising an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein said indicating device is connected to said lower portion of said housing.

11. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein at least said upper portion is at least partially see-through.

12. A dispenser that dispenses dosages of a substance from a container, the dispenser comprising:

a dispenser housing having at least one guide and a well;

a container with a valve stem, wherein said container and said dispenser housing are moveable relative to each other between an engaged position wherein said valve stem is disposed in said well and a disengaged position wherein said valve stem is removed from said well, said container moveable relative to said valve stem between at least a first and second position when said container and said dispenser housing are in said engaged position; and

a connector connected to said container, said connector comprising at least one arm having a catch portion, said arm retained by and moveable relative to said at least one guide with said catch portion engaged with said at least one guide such that said container is prevented from being disengaged from said dispenser housing, wherein said at least one arm is retained by said at least one guide as said container is moved between said first and second position with said catch portion disengaged from said at least one guide as said at least one arm is retained by and moveable relative to said at least one guide.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein said arm is disposed through said at least one guide with said catch portion engaged with said at least one guide such that said valve stem is prevented from being disengaged from said dispenser housing.

14. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein said connector comprises a collar engaging said container.

15. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein said dispenser housing comprises a module housing and an indicator disposed in said module housing, wherein said at least one guide is formed in said module housing.