Apparatus for dispensing pressurized contents
First Claim
1. A container for dispensing pressurized contents, comprising:
- a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents;
a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel; and
a measuring device associated within the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Containers for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents are described. The containers comprise a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents, a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel, preferably incrementally in approximately equal amounts, and a measuring device disposed in or otherwise associated with the vessel such that the quantity or amount of contents in the vessel can be measured or assessed. The measuring device senses ambient conditions in the vessel and, directly or with other components, indicates, for example, the amount of pressurized contents remaining in the vessel and displaying it to an observer. Devices for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents from such containers are also described.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A container for dispensing pressurized contents, comprising:
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a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents; a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel; and a measuring device associated within the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for incrementally dispensing a therapeutic composition for inhalation by a patient, comprising:
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a. a container, comprising; i. a vessel containing a therapeutic composition stored under pressure, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises a therapeutic agent and a physiologically acceptable carrier; ii. a port integral with the vessel and through which at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be released from the vessel; and iii. a measuring device associated within the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel; b. a metering valve functionally associated with the port for dispensing a pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition from the vessel; and c. a dispenser functionally associated with the metering value such that at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be dispensed from the container upon actuation of the metering value by the dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. An apparatus for incrementally dispensing a therapeutic composition for inhalation by a patient, comprising:
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a. a container, comprising; i. a vessel containing a therapeutic composition stored under pressure, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises a therapeutic agent and a physiologically acceptable carrier; ii. a port integral with the vessel and through which at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be released from the vessel; and iii. a measuring device associated within the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel; b. a metering valve functionally associated with the port for dispensing a pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition from the vessel; c. a dispenser functionally associated with the metering value such that at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be dispensed from the container upon actuation of the metering value by the dispenser; and
d. circuitry configured to receive the signal output from the measuring device and process the signal to produce a result representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification