Pill plunger

• US 7,744,558 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maag R. John
• Original Assignee: Maag R. John
• Inventors: Maag, R. John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, PRITESH ASHOK
• Application Number:
  US12/157,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20080302816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19
• US Class Current: 604/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0053 Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers

Abstract

A pill plunger includes a hollow tube having a forward end and a rearward end. A rod or plunger has a forward end having a dished out portion for receiving medication and a rearward end having a button. The plunger occupies the tube with the dished out portion at the forward end of the tube and the button extending from the rearward end of the tube. Medication is placed in the dished out portion, which is then retracted into the tube. After insertion of the tube into a patient'"'"'s mouth, the button is depressed to extend the plunger and dispense the medication. A spring can be used to retract the plunger upon release of the button. The dished out portion can be sealed to carry a fluid or powder. A dual dished out portion can be provided in the rod, and a window can be formed in the hollow tube.

Claims

1. A pill plunger, comprising:

a cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, and having an inner surface defining an inner diameter;

a flange extending outwardly from the first end of the cylindrical tube;

a plunger insert having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a thumb button, and the second end comprising a dual receptacle, the dual receptacle having a semi-cylindrical base and first and second end walls, the first and second end walls being substantially circular and having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube, and an intermediate wall, the first end wall and the intermediate wall defining a first receptacle, and the second end wall and the intermediate wall defining a second receptacle.

2. The pill plunger according to claim 1, further comprising the first and second walls form a seal with the inner surface of the hollow tube.

3. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the cylindrical tube further comprising a window opening in a side wall thereof.

4. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having a first, retracted position within the cylindrical tube, wherein the first receptacle aligns with the window opening.

5. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having a second, extended position within the cylindrical tube, wherein the first receptacle extends beyond the second end of the cylindrical tube.

6. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having a second, extended position within the cylindrical tube, wherein the second receptacle aligns with the window opening.

7. The pill plunger according to claim 1, further comprising a compression spring for biasing the plunger insert into a retracted position.

8. The pill plunger according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first end wall, the second end wall and the intermediate wall comprises a circumferential groove, and a seal is received in the circumferential groove and engages the inner surface of the cylindrical tube.

9. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert further comprising an alignment projection and the cylindrical tube comprising an alignment groove on said inner surface, the alignment projection being received in the alignment groove.

12. The pill plunger according to claim 8, wherein the seal comprises an o-ring.

10. A pill plunger, comprising:

a cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, and having an inner surface defining an inner diameter;

a flange extending outwardly from the first end of the cylindrical tube;

a plunger insert having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a thumb button, and the second end comprising a receptacle, the receptacle having a semi-cylindrical base and first and second end walls, the first and second end walls being substantially circular and having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube, wherein the first end wall comprises a first circumferential groove and the second end wall comprises a second circumferential groove and further comprising a seal received in each of the first and second circumferential grooves and engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical tube.

11. The pill plunger according to claim 10, wherein the seal received in each of the first and second circumferential grooves comprises an o-ring.