Dispensing device

• US 9,656,032 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• 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 Z., Morton, Robert, Balles, Joaquim
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US14/631,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20150297843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 222 36, 222 23, 222 45- 49, 222 38, 12820023, 12820312, 12820315, 12820322, 12820523
• 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 system of medicament dispensers includes a plurality of dispenser housings each having a unique first indicia and a plurality of containers each having a unique second indicia. The unique second indicia of each of the containers corresponds to one of the unique first indicia of a corresponding one of the dispenser housings. Methods for associating various containers and dispensers is also provided.

Claims

1. A dispenser that dispenses dosages of a medicament comprising:

a container comprising an end portion and a valve stem extending from said end portion, said container holding a plurality of dosages of medicament;

a dispenser housing comprising a longitudinally extending cavity and a bottom having a support block defining a well, wherein said valve stem is disposed in said well such that said container is engaged with said support block;

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

a connector connecting said dispenser housing and said container, wherein said connector is spaced apart from said support block; and

a mouthpiece rotatably connected to said housing, wherein said mouthpiece is rotatable relative to said housing between a dispenser position, wherein said mouthpiece is operable to dispense said dosages of medicament, and a cleaning position, wherein said bottom of said dispenser housing is accessible for cleaning, and wherein said container remains engaged with said support block when said mouthpiece is in said dispenser and cleaning positions.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said valve stem defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said mouthpiece is rotatable relative to said housing about a pivot axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 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 as said container is moved between said engaged and said disengaged positions.

4. 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.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein said mounting portion comprises a collar engaging said end portion of said container.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said collar comprises a plurality of catch members engaging said dispenser housing.

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

8. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein said tether is made of a stretchable material.

9. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said collar comprises a locking ring coupled to said dispenser housing.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein said locking ring has a central opening configured with a scalloped inner periphery.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a cap member connected to said dispenser housing.

12. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said cap member comprises a flexible material.

13. A dispensing device for dispensing a dosage of medicament from a container comprising:

a dispenser housing comprising a longitudinally extending cavity and a bottom having a support block defining a well;

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

a connector connected with said dispenser housing, wherein said connector is adapted to connect to the container, wherein said connector is spaced apart from said support block; and

a mouthpiece rotatably connected to said housing, wherein said mouthpiece is rotatable relative to said support block between a dispenser position, wherein said mouthpiece is operable to dispense said dosages of medicament, and a cleaning position, wherein said bottom of said dispenser housing is accessible for cleaning.

14. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein said well defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said mouthpiece is rotatable relative to said support housing about a pivot axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

15. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a collar having a plurality of catch members engaging said dispenser housing.

16. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a tether.

17. The dispensing device of claim 16 wherein said tether is made of a stretchable material.

18. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a locking ring coupled to said dispenser housing.

19. The dispensing device of claim 18 wherein said locking ring has a central opening configured with a scalloped inner periphery.

20. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a cap member connected to said dispenser housing.

21. The dispensing device of claim 20 wherein said cap member comprises a flexible material.

22. A dispensing device for dispensing a dosage of medicament from a container comprising:

a dispenser comprising a longitudinally extending cavity, a bottom having a support block defining a well, and a mouthpiece;

an indicating device directly connected to said dispenser, said indicating device configured to track a number of doses dispensed from the container;

a cap member adapted to be connected to a bottom of the container; and

a tether connecting said cap member and said dispenser, wherein said cap is moveable relative to said dispenser, wherein said tether is made of a flexible material.

23. The dispensing device of claim 22 wherein said cap is disc shaped.

24. The dispensing device of claim 22 wherein said cap comprises a top wall and an annular side wall defining a recess shaped to receive the bottom of the container.

25. The dispensing device of claim 22 wherein said indicating device is an electronic indicating device.

26. The dispensing device of claim 22 further comprising said container disposed in said cavity, wherein said container holds a medicament, and wherein said cap is connected to said bottom of said container.

27. A dispenser that dispenses dosages of a medicament comprising:

a container comprising an end portion, a valve stem extending from said end portion and a bottom, said container holding a plurality of dosages of medicament;

a dispenser comprising a longitudinally extending cavity, a bottom having a support block defining a well, and a mouthpiece, wherein said valve stem is disposed in said well such that said container is engaged with said support block;

an indicating device directly connected to said dispenser, said indicating device configured to track a number of doses dispensed from said container;

a cap member connected to said bottom of said container; and

a tether connecting said cap member and said dispenser, wherein said tether is made of a flexible material.

28. The dispensing device of claim 27 wherein said cap is disc shaped.

29. The dispensing device of claim 27 wherein said cap comprises a top wall and an annular side wall defining a recess, wherein said bottom of said container is received in said recess.

30. The dispensing device of claim 27 wherein said indicating device is an electronic indicating device.