Dispensing device

• US 7,886,934 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• 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, Morton, Robert, Balles, Joaquim
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US11/334,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20060175345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 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, an indicating device connected to the dispenser housing and a container removably engaged with the dispenser housing. A connector maintains a connection between the container and the dispenser housing as the container is moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the dispenser housing.

Claims

1. 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 top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector connecting said dispenser housing and said container;

wherein said container is moveable 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 dispenser housing, including said bottom defining said well, as said container is moved between said engaged and said disengaged positions, and wherein said connector is disposed in said cavity of said dispenser housing when said container is in said engaged position.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a mounting portion mounted to said container, wherein said mounting portion is connected to said dispenser housing.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein said mounting portion comprises a collar engaging said end portion of said container.

4. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein one of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion comprises at least one longitudinally extending guide, and wherein the other of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion is moveably connected to said guide and is moveable relative to said guide as said container is moved between said engaged and said disengaged positions.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein said guide comprises a track.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said one of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion comprises a follower member movably disposed in said track.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said dispenser housing further comprises a mouthpiece pivotally connected to said bottom of said container, wherein said mouthpiece is pivotable between a dispenser position and a cleaning position.

8. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said connector further comprises an extension member connecting said mounting portion and said dispenser housing.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a tether.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said tether is made of a stretchable material.

15. The dispenser of claim 13 further comprising a first anchor secured to said container and a second anchor secured to said dispenser housing, wherein said tether is connected between said first and second anchors.

16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said first anchor comprises a cap member connected to said container.

17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein an entirety of said container is moved through said opening in said top and is disposed outside of said cavity when in said disengaged position.

18. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said container remains disposed in said cavity when in said disengaged position.

19. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said indicating device is fixedly secured to said dispenser housing.

42. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said connector is coupled to said dispenser housing inside said cavity.

9. 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 top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well, wherein said container is moveable 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;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector connecting said dispenser housing and said container, wherein said connector comprises a mounting portion mounted to said container, wherein said connector comprises an extension member connecting said mounting portion and said dispenser housing, wherein said extension member is pivotally connected to said mounting portion and to said dispenser housing, and wherein said connector maintains a connection between said container and said dispenser housing as said container is moved between said engaged and said disengaged positions; and

wherein one of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion comprises at least one longitudinally extending guide, and wherein the other of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion is moveably connected to said guide and is moveable relative to said guide as said container is moved between said engaged and said disengaged positions, wherein said guide comprises a track.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein said extension member comprises at least one follower engaging said track.

11. The dispenser of claim 10 wherein said track comprises a first track and said at least one follower comprises a first follower, and wherein said extension member further comprises a second track, and wherein said other of said mounting portion and said dispenser housing comprises a second follower engaging said second track.

12. The dispenser of claim 10 wherein said wherein said track comprises a first track and said at least one follower comprises a first follower, and wherein said extension member further comprises a second follower, and wherein said other of said mounting portion and said dispenser housing comprises a second track, said second follower engaging said second track.

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

a dispenser housing comprising a top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well, wherein said dispenser housing further comprises a mouthpiece pivotally connected to said bottom of said container, wherein said mouthpiece is pivotable between a dispenser position and a cleaning position;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector having a mounting portion adapted to be directly connected to the container, said connector connected to said dispenser housing wherein said mounting portion is moveable between a first position and a second position spaced from said first position, and wherein said mounting portion is disposed in said cavity of said dispenser housing when said mounting portion is in said first position.

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

a dispenser housing comprising a top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector having a mounting portion adapted to be directly connected to the container, said connector connected to said dispenser housing wherein said mounting portion is moveable between a first position and a second position spaced from said first position, and wherein said mounting portion is disposed in said cavity of said dispenser housing when said mounting portion is in said first position, wherein said connector further comprises an extension member connecting said mounting portion and said dispenser housing.

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

a dispenser housing comprising a top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector having a mounting portion adapted to be connected to the container, said connector connected to said dispenser housing wherein said mounting portion is moveable between a first position and a second position spaced from said first position, wherein said connector comprises an extension member connecting said mounting portion and said dispenser housing, and wherein said extension member is pivotally connected to said mounting portion and to said dispenser housing;

wherein one of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion comprises at least one longitudinally extending guide, and wherein the other of said dispenser housing and said mounting portion is moveably connected to said guide and is moveable relative to said guide as said mounting portion is moved between said first and second positions, wherein said guide comprises a track.

23. The dispenser of claim 22 wherein said extension member comprises at least one follower engaging said track.

24. The dispenser of claim 23 wherein said track comprises a first track and said at least one follower comprises a first follower, and wherein said extension member further comprises a second track, and wherein said other of said mounting portion and said dispenser housing comprises a second follower engaging said second track.

25. The dispenser of claim 23 wherein said wherein said track comprises a first track and said at least one follower comprises a first follower, and wherein said extension member further comprises a second follower, and wherein said other of said mounting portion and said dispenser housing comprises a second track, said second follower engaging said second track.

26. A method for removing at least a portion of a container from a dispenser housing, the method comprising:

providing said dispenser housing comprising a top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well;

a container comprising an end portion and a valve stem extending from said end portion and defining a longitudinal axis, said end portion disposed in said well wherein said container is in an engaged position;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector connecting said dispenser housing and said container, wherein said connector is disposed in said cavity of said dispenser housing when said container is in said engaged position;

moving said container in said cavity from said engaged position to a disengaged position and thereby removing said valve stem from said well, wherein said connector maintains a connection between said container and said dispenser housing, including said bottom defining said well, as said container is moved to said disengaged position.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said moving said container to said disengaged position comprises maintaining at least a portion of said container in said cavity.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said moving said container to said disengaged position comprises moving an entirety of said container through said opening in said top and disposing said entirety of said container outside of said cavity.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein said moving said container to said disengaged position comprises moving said container in a direction along said longitudinal axis.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein said connector comprises a tether, and wherein said moving said container to said disengaged position comprises stretching said tether.

43. The method of claim 26 wherein said connector is coupled to said dispenser housing inside said cavity.

30. A method for removing at least a portion of a container from a dispenser housing, the method comprising:

providing said dispenser housing comprising a top, a bottom and a longitudinally extending cavity defining an opening in said top, said bottom defining a well;

a container comprising an end portion and a valve stem extending from said end portion and defining a longitudinal axis, said end portion disposed in said well wherein said container is in an engaged position;

an indicating device connected to said dispenser housing, said indicating device comprising an indicator comprising dosage indicia; and

a connector connecting said dispenser housing and said container;

moving said container in said cavity from said engaged position to a disengaged position and thereby removing said valve stem from said well, wherein said connector maintains a connection between said container and said dispenser housing as said container is moved to said disengaged position, wherein said moving said container to said disengaged position comprises moving said container in a direction along said longitudinal axis, and wherein said moving said container further comprises pivoting said container about a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said pivot axis is disposed outside of said cavity.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein said connector comprises an extension member connecting said container and said dispenser housing, wherein said pivoting said container about said pivot axis comprises pivoting said container relative to said extension member about said pivot axis.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said pivot axis comprises a first pivot axis, and wherein said moving said container further comprises pivoting said extension member relative to said dispenser housing about a second pivot axis.

35. A dispenser device comprising:

a reservoir of fluid to be dispensed;

a dispenser member comprising a valve system mounted on said reservoir;

a body that is suitable for receiving said reservoir, said body being provided with a dispenser orifice and with an opening via which said reservoir can be inserted into the body, said reservoir being displaceable along a longitudinal axis between a working position, in which said dispenser member cooperates with said body between a rest position and a dispensing position, and a withdrawn position in which said dispenser member does not cooperate with said body, wherein said reservoir is secured with a connector to said body, including said dispenser orifice, in all positions, and wherein said connector in combination with said reservoir have a cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the opening in said body taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and

an indicator device indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or remain to be dispensed form the reservoir, wherein said indicator device is actuated by said reservoir being displaced between said rest and dispensing positions.

36. The dispenser device of claim 35 wherein said connector comprises a flexible cord connecting said body and reservoir.

40. The dispenser device of claim 35 wherein said connector means comprises a ring coupled to said reservoir.

41. The dispenser device of claim 35 wherein said connector means enables the body and the reservoir to be positioned side by side when said reservoir is in said withdrawn position, thereby exposing the entirety of said opening of said body.

45. The dispenser device of claim 35 wherein said indicator device is connected to said body.

37. A dispenser device comprising:

a reservoir of fluid to be dispensed;

a dispenser member comprising a valve system mounted on said reservoir; and

a body that is suitable for receiving said reservoir, said body being provided with a dispenser orifice and with an opening via which said reservoir can be inserted into the body, said reservoir being displaceable between a working position, in which said dispenser member cooperates with said body between a rest position and a dispensing position, and a withdrawn position in which said dispenser member does not cooperate with said body, wherein said reservoir is secured to said body in all positions, wherein said reservoir is connected to said body with a connector means enabling said reservoir to be inseperable from said body, and wherein said connector means comprises an extension member connecting said reservoir and said body, said extension member including a first end slidably mounted in a guide formed in said body and a second end connected to said reservoir.

38. The dispenser device of claim 37 wherein said extension member is displaceable both in translation and in rotation relative to said body.

39. The dispenser device of claim 37 wherein said reservoir is moveable relative to said extension member.

44. A dispenser device comprising:

a reservoir of fluid to be dispensed;

a dispenser member comprising a valve system mounted on said reservoir; and

a body that is suitable for receiving said reservoir, said body being provided with a dispenser orifice and with an opening via which said reservoir can be inserted into the body, said reservoir being displaceable along a longitudinal axis between a working position, in which said dispenser member cooperates with said body between a rest position and a dispensing position, and a withdrawn position in which said dispenser member does not cooperate with said body, wherein said reservoir is secured with a connector to said body, including said dispenser orifice, in all positions, and wherein said connector in combination with said reservoir have a cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the opening in said body taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein said connector is coupled to an interior of said body.