This invention relates to a dispenser configured for the delivery of a substance in metered amounts.
Many substances are provided in tubes or other deformable dispensers that tend to leave behind an appreciable amount of material. Many expensive pharmaceuticals require such packaging due to intrinsic thermal, light, and/or oxidative sensitivity of the pharmaceutical. Current packaging to prevent or eliminate such sensitivity typically results in wasted material that cannot be accessed by the user. In addition, current packaging that primarily functions to protect the contents thereof is not designed or capable of metered dispensing.
In a first embodiment, a dispenser is provided. The dispenser comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to receive a packet comprising at least one collapsible cavity containing at least one substance, a support member positioned in the housing, the support member having a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a wedge coupled to the support member, the wedge configured to move in a plane substantially parallel within the longitudinal axis of the housing, a bias element exerting a force on the wedge, the force directed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A reciprocating actuator coupled to the housing is engagable with the support member. The actuator is moveable between an initial position and a first position whereby the wedge advances a single predetermined increment thereby collapsing a portion of the cavity.
In a first aspect of the first embodiment, support member is rotatable within a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
In a second aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the wedge rotates in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing cooperatively with the movement of the support member.
In a third aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the actuator reciprocates in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and cooperatively with the movement of the wedge.
In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the bias element is positioned on the support member. The bias element can be at least one of a spring, a compressed elastomer, a lever, and a living hinge. The lever can comprises a first end coupled to the support member and a second end coupled to the wedge, the second end operably coupled to the bias element.
In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the support member comprises gear teeth operably engaged with the actuator. The dispenser can further comprise a pawl pivotably coupled to the actuator, the pawl engaging the gear teeth. The pawl can be biased against the gear.
In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the housing further comprises a stop allowing rotation of the support member in a first direction and substantially preventing rotation in a reverse direction. The housing can comprise a bottom portion having a wall projecting upwardly therefrom, the wall having an opening operably receiving at least a portion of the actuator.
In a seventh aspect, the support member and the actuator are stationary within the plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the actuator reciprocating in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the actuator reciprocating from an initial position to a first position.
In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with the seventh aspect of the first embodiment, the wedge is rotatable about the support member.
In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the seventh through eighth aspects of the first embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a non-electrical stored energy source operably coupled to the actuator to release energy when the actuator is in the first position, the stored energy source operably coupled to the wedge and providing rotation about the support member. The non-electric stored energy source can be a torsion spring or a clock spring.
In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the seventh through ninth aspects of the first embodiment, the actuator comprises a surface and an annular side wall projecting upwardly therefrom and at least partially surrounding the support member, the side wall having a plurality of interdigitally positioned stops on its internal surface engaged with the wedge. The interdigitally positioned stops can comprise a plurality of first stops engaging the wedge in the initial position and a plurality of second stops engaging the wedge while in the first position, whereby a “click-click” sequence is provided during use.
In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with any of the seventh through tenth aspects of the first embodiment, the bias element is positioned between the support member and the actuator, the bias element operably coupled to the actuator and support member.
In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the seventh through eleventh aspects of the first embodiment, the housing comprises a bottom portion having a wall projecting upwardly therefrom and at least partially surrounding the actuator, the bottom portion having an opening exposing at least a portion of the actuator.
In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the seventh through twelfth aspects of the first embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a cover, the cover mounted on the exterior of the housing, the cover configurable in a first position wherein reciprocation of the actuator is allowed, and the cover configurable in a second position wherein reciprocation of the actuator is prevented.
In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a packet, the packet comprising the at least one cavity containing at least one substance, the at least one cavity having a first sealed end separated from a second end coupled to an orifice. The at least one cavity can be annular and the first end separated from the second end by a gap configured to accommodate at least a portion of the wedge.
In a second embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises providing a dispenser as described in the first, second, or third embodiments, optionally with a packet comprising at least one collapsible cavity containing at least one substance.
In a third embodiment, a dispenser packet is provided. The dispenser packet comprising at least one annular collapsible cavity therein, the at least one cavity having a first sealed end separated from a sealable second end forming a gap in the at least one annular collapsible cavity, and at least one substance to be dispensed, where the gap is configured to receive a wedge of a dispenser for metering portions of the substance.
In a first aspect of the third embodiment, the method further comprises providing a disposable, arcuate collapsible laminate packet having a material therein and dispensing a predetermined amount of the material.
In a second aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the third embodiment, the at least one cavity is annular.
In a third aspect, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the third embodiment, the at least one cavity comprises at least two cavities. The at least one collapsible cavity can comprise a laminate of material comprising aluminum. The at least one substance can a pharmaceutical or over-the-counter (OTC) substance suitable for treating a condition of the skin, eye, or mucus membrane.
In a fourth embodiment, a dispenser for metering a substance is provided. The dispenser comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to receive a packet comprising at least one collapsible annular cavity containing at least one substance, a support member positioned in the housing, the support member having a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the support member rotatable within a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a wedge coupled to the support member to rotate cooperatively with the support member, a bias element exerting a force on the wedge, the force directed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and a reciprocating actuator coupled to the housing and engagable with the support member. The actuator is moveable between an initial position and a first position whereby the wedge advances a single predetermined increment thereby collapsing a portion of the cavity. The actuator reciprocates in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and cooperatively with the rotation of the support member.
In a fifth embodiment, a dispenser for metering a substance, the dispenser comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to receive a packet comprising at least one collapsible annular cavity containing at least one substance, a support member positioned in the housing, the support member having a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a wedge rotationally coupled to the support member, the wedge rotatable in a plane substantially parallel within the longitudinal axis of the housing, a bias element exerting a force on the wedge, the force directed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a non-electrical stored energy source operably coupled to the wedge for rotating the wedge about the support member, and a reciprocating actuator coupled to the housing and the support member, the actuator engagable with the wedge and operable coupled to the stored energy source. The actuator is moveable between an initial position and a first position causing the wedge to advance a single predetermined increment thereby collapsing a portion of the cavity. The actuator reciprocates in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing cooperatively with the rotation of the wedge.
A dispenser for dispensing a substance is provided. The dispenser is configured to receive a collapsible packet containing the substance to be dispensed. In one aspect, the dispenser is configured to dispense the substance in metered amounts, for example, of substantially equal amounts. In one aspect, the dispenser maintains the packet in a relatively fixed position with the packet's longitudinal axis essentially parallel with that of the longitudinal axis of the dispenser. The dispenser provides for a force normal to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser, the force applied to a wedge to engage the packet and urge the substance out. The wedge is movable in predetermined increments controlled by the user to dispense, e.g., metered amounts, of the substance of the packet. The combination of dispenser and collapsible packet provides numerous advantages such as the ability to dispense small, accurate amounts of (viscous) substances, re-usability of the dispenser, no use of electrical/batteries or compressed gases/aerosols, and environmentally friendly manufacturability (“green”).
In one aspect, the wedge of the dispenser acts on a packet comprising at least one collapsible annular cavity that can be deformed by applying a pressing or squeezing force so as to reduce the internal volume of the packet and thus to exert a pressure on the material so as to deliver it through a orifice or orifice coupled to the one end of the annular cavity. The packet can comprise multiple cavities having the same or different substances that can be dispensed together and/or mixed upon dispensing.
Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The precise shapes and sizes of the components herein described are not essential to the disclosure unless otherwise indicated. For ease of description, the dispenser of this disclosure will be described in a normal operating position and such terms as up, down, top, bottom, etc. will be used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispenser of this disclosure may be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in an orientation other than the position described.
Although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element. As used herein, the phrase “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
When an element is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. I n contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the element in addition to any orientation depicted in the figures.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the figures. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Relative terms such as “substantially” and “essentially” may be used herein to encompass, for example, manufacturing tolerances related to height, length, width, flatness, curvature, force, load, amount, relative orientation, etc. Such terms are used to describe an element or limitation with precision appropriate to the manufacture of such devices.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The term “substance,” as used herein, encompasses any composition of matter or mixture that can be dispensed. For example, “substance” encompasses liquids, dispersions, solutions, suspensions, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, microgels, nanogels, gases, powders, and combinations thereof. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the substance is a medicament and/or pharmaceutical mixture and/or composition of matter, for example, for the treatment of skin, eye, and/or mucus membrane of a subject in need thereof. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the substance is viscous. Viscous substances include thixotropic materials, shear thinning (pseudoplastic) materials, and rheopectic materials. Exemplary substances can include pharmaceuticals such as Altabax, Altargo, Bactroban, Betnovate, Eumovate, Trimovate, and Zovirax, cosmeceuticals such as Abreva, Biotene, and Eumovate. Consumer Goods that can be used in the dispenser include, for example, Aqua Fresh, Polident, Hinds, lodex, Lactacyd, Macleans, Paradontax, and Sensodyne, specialty items such as Eletté brands (Stiefel Corp.), e.g., Creamy Wash, Exfoliating Solution, Zone Treatment; and REVALESKIN® brands, e.g., Facial Cleanser, Day Cream with SPF 15 Sunscreen, Night Cream, Intense Recovery Treatment, and Replenishing Eye Therapy.
Numerous other advantages and features of the dispenser as disclosed herein will become readily apparent from the claims, drawings and the detailed description of the disclosure.
Thus, referring now to
Cover 28 partially straddles first housing portion 22, cover 28 being slidably received in track 26a of first housing portion 22.
Dispenser 20 as shown is generally annular in shape but may be of any geometric shape, such as oval, triangular, rectangular, square or other polygon shape. Seat 25 receives actuator 24. Actuator 24 protrudes from housing in a plane substantially parallel to axis A, actuator 24 being secured to housing 21 via seat 25.
Support member 30 is movable in a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Support member 30 can comprise centered opening 40b for receiving threaded projection 40c of housing portion 22. Threaded retaining element 40a can be configured to receive opening 40 of packet 50 for positioning by user and to prevent rotation of packet 50 relative to support member 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Housing can comprises opening 34 sized to allow a human finger to freely enter. Indicia 80 shows, for example, a locked and open configuration. Window 81 provides, for example, the viewing of the number of doses dispensed, which can correspond to the amount of material present or remaining in the dispenser.
Cover 28 provides for selective positioning where orifice 60 of packet 50 is received by sealing element 142 for reversibly sealing the contents of packet 50 and preventing the contents thereof from drying out or otherwise degrading. Cover 28 as shown, straddles housing 21, and track 26a cooperatively engages grove 26a of housing portion 22 via track preventing over travel. Audible or tactile sensations can be provided to the user for indicating proper sealing of the cover, and sealing element 142 over orifice 60. Cover 28 includes tongue 27a which is received by actuator opening 27b when cover is positioned in a closed configuration, tongue 27a interfers with the reciprocation of actuator 24 and prevents it from activating unintentionally. Other configurations can be employed for moving cover 28 about the housing 21 and for preventing accidental dispensing, as are known in the art.
In dispenser 20 as shown in
As shown in
Still referring to
Pawl 27 is pivotably connected to actuator 24 at its opposite end. Pawl 27 free end is engages one of gear teeth 32 of support member 30. Pawl 27 is biased against gear teeth 32 by bias element 29, (e.g. arm spring) which is secured by housing element 29b. Actuator 24 is configured so as to provide a first state (or configuration) at rest, and a second state or configuration wherein the actuator is depressed towards housing portion 22 by a user, causing pawl 27 to drive support member 30 an incremental distance in a first direction in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of housing 21. In the exemplary dispenser shown in
Actuator 24 is biased against housing portion 22 by spring (not shown) positioned between element 24b of housing portion 22 and seat element 24a of actuator 24, causing actuator 24 to return to the first state after incremental movement of the support member 30 is complete. In one aspect, incremental movement of support member 30 is provided as pawl 27 drives the support member and then falls between the moving gear teeth. During transition from the actuator's first state to the second state, the support member 30, together with wedge 70, moves away from closed end 50b of packet 50 towards open end 50a, collapsing a portion thereof, urging the contents of packet towards outlet 52. To prevent reverse movement of support member 30 and wedge 70 during or immediately after activation, stop 31 sized to the spacing between gear teeth 32 and secured to housing portion 22 can be used. Stop 31 cooperates with the driving of the support member 30 by pawl 27, falling between the teeth as the support member moves. In one aspect, stop 31 is configured to allow a predetermined amount of reverse movement so as to reduce or eliminate “drooling” of the device. Drooling is where substance in packet 50 continues to exit the dispenser after the actuator is returned to the first state, which is undesirable. Gear teeth, pawl length, arm spring, stop, and diameter of gear can be sized and configured so as to dispense a predetermined amount of the contents of the collapsible packet so as to provide a predetermined amount upon activation of the dispenser and, in addition, to reduce or eliminate drooling. For example, a 30 day supply of material can be dispensed using an appropriately sized diameter gear with 33 gear teeth. Other dimensions of diameter and number of gear teeth can be used to match the amount of material in the packet with the expected number of doses. Audible and/or tactile indications to the user to indicate successful operation of the device upon depressing the actuator and transitioning from the first state to the second state and then returning back to the first state can be provided, for example, by using an audial “click-click” created by the gear spring. Other tactile and audile indications to the user can be employed.
Cover 28 is positioned on the perimeter of housing portion 22 and comprises groove 26b for slidably receiving track 26a of housing portion 22. Tongue 27a of cover 28 is received by actuator opening 27b when cover is positioned in a closed configuration to prevent the actuator from driving the pawl. Cover 28 can further comprise additional elements for engaging orifice 60 or outlet 52 to reversibly seal the packet and prevent and/or protect the material from drying out or oxidation, or protect the orifice from contamination.
The actual elements, including without limitation, gear teeth, pawl, arm spring, gear spring, actuator, actuator housing, wedge, lever member, cover, and housing portions are exemplified the drawings, and can be configured and arranged in other shapes or substituted with functionally equivalent components, so long as the dispenser provides for metering of a substance as herein disclosed.
To use dispenser 20, a user would slide cover 28 back and separate the corresponding housing portions 22, 23 of the dispenser by twisting in opposite directions. Packet 50 would be positioned on housing portion 22 such that gap 51 in packet is positioned over wedge 70 and orifice/outlet is aligned with the corresponding housing portion 22d, as depicted in
In a second embodiment, an alternate dispenser configuration is provided, where the principle of operation is essentially the same as described above, e.g., a wedge applying a force substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser with movement of the wedge in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser. At least one difference in the second embodiment dispenser is that the reciprocation of the actuator is normal to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser. Other differences include the use of a stored energy source coupled to the actuator to drive the movement of the wedge. In this alternate configuration, the support member is stationary relative to the packet, the actuator reciprocating relative to the support member, the wedge driven about stationary support member. Metered dispensing of a substance from a packet having a collapsible cavity(s) is provided.
Thus, referring now to
Support member 200 includes receiving element 202, shown as an annular collar. Wedge 501 is coupled to annular collar 500 sized to be received by receiving element 202 of support member 200. Annular collar 500 rotates wedge 501 about support member 200 in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of housing 99 while receiving a force substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of housing 99 from bias element 170.
Winder 112 has post having threading elements 112a projecting through annular collar 500 and support member 200, secured by nut/washer 174 and to lower housing portion 99a via screw 172. Winder 112 is operably engaged to stored energy source 600 coupled with winder 112 first position 602, and with engagement element 510 of annular collar 500 at its second position 604. Stored energy source 600 can comprise a torsion spring or clock spring, for example. Other sources of stored energy sources can be used. Winder 112 can include a stop to prevent over winding of the stored energy source 600. Choice of stored energy source, length and width of wedge can be determined taking into account the dimensions of packet and viscosity of the material to be dispensed, which is within the skill of one in art. For example, packet can be tapered towards the orifice to facilitate dispensing. Thus, in this configuration, wedge 501 moves from a first position relative to the support member 200 to a second position along the support member corresponding to the reciprocation of the actuator as further discussed below. Annular collar 500 includes wedge 501, which can include pin 502 or other projection along the longitudinal axis of wedge 501.
The dispensing mechanism is supported on support member 200 via corresponding collar 202 which receives annular collar 500 and is secured to support member 200 by fastening elements, shown as screw 172 and nut/washer 174.
In other words, actuator 130 is configured to move in a second direction (along horizontal axis B) different from the first direction of wedge 501. In one aspect, inner perimeter of actuator 130 at least partially surrounds outer perimeter of support member 200. As shown, all of the outer perimeter of support member 200 is surrounded by actuator 130.
Hingably connected to first housing portion 99a is second housing portion 99b via cooperating hinges 75a, 75b, respectively, securing together with corresponding securing elements 128a, 128b, respectively. Second housing portion 99b receives packet 50 with collapsible cavity(s) 152 and can include cooperating alignment elements 154b, 154a, respectively. Openings 110d and 110c of lower housing portion 99a and of upper housing portion 99b, respectively, receives orifice 110 of packet 50. Second housing portion 99b includes opening 156 for exposing winder 112. Packet 50 can include corresponding opening to at least partially surround opening 156 of upper housing portion 99b.
Cover 140 includes projection 144 that prevents the reciprocal movement of actuator 130 by blocking the travel of actuator so as to prevent accidental activation. Thus, projection 144 of cover in a closed configuration, interferes with feature 144a (
Sealing element 142 is positioned in cover 140 to sealably engage orifice 110 to prevent the contents of packet 152 from drying out or degrading.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The portions of the housing, the support member and actuator can be manufactured of plastic or metal. Plastic components can be thermoformed, e.g., injected molded, compression molded, etc. The assembly of the dispensing mechanism and its components can be by hand or automated. The dispenser can be designed for sterilization by autoclave, high-energy radiation, or chemical treatment. In one aspect, the dispenser can be packaged with a supply of packets that the user inserts into the dispenser as need. In another aspect, the dispenser is configured with a single packet already assembled therein and is intended for single use.
Referring now to
Referring to
As shown graphically in
While this disclosure is susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated.
The precise shapes and sizes of the components herein described are not essential to the disclosure unless otherwise indicated. For ease of description, the dispenser of this disclosure will be described in a normal operating position and such terms as up, down, top, bottom, etc. will be used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispenser of this disclosure may be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in an orientation other than the position described.
All or portions of the housing, the support member and actuator can be manufactured of plastic or metal. Plastic components can be thermoformed, e.g., injected molded, compression molded, etc. The assembly of the dispensing mechanism and its components can be by hand or automated. The dispenser can be designed for sterilization by autoclave, high-energy radiation, or chemical treatment. In one aspect, the dispenser can be packaged with a supply of packets that the user inserts into the dispenser as need. In another aspect, the dispenser is configured with a single packet already assembled therein and is intended for single use.
The substance to be dispensed must be inserted into the packet before it is closed by sealing of the film laminates. In one aspect, the quantity of fluid substance in the packet can be essentially the total capacity of the packet so that essentially no portion of the packet remains filled with a gas, e.g. air. After closure of the laminate, the material in the packet is isolated from the outside until used in conjunction with the dispenser.
The material to be dispensed is not limited to any particular type or any particular end-use. Thus, the material to be dispensed can include any medicament, such as medicaments for skin, mucus membranes, eyes, ears, nose, etc. The medicament can be a liquid, dispersion, suspension, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, microgels, nanogels, gas, powder, and combinations thereof. For example, medicaments can include medications for the treatment of acne, actinic keratosis, alopecia, cold sores, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic, dermatitis contact, aging, and other disorders of the skin and/or mucus membranes.
In certain aspects, the medicament is an expensive pharmaceutical and/or a readily degradable substance (e.g., by light, heat or oxygen) that is used in small amounts, repetitively, such as topical retinoids, clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide gels, antibiotics, antifungals, and the like. Materials are not limited to pharmaceuticals, and can be cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, perfumes, nutrients, suntan lotion, toothpaste and the like.
The dispenser herein disclosed provides metered dispensing, which in turn allows for accurate dosing of creams, ointments, gels, fluids, etc. In addition, the dispenser is a cost saving and ‘green’ packaging solution, providing a re-useable dispenser with disposable foil packet inserts, in a novel, attractive, ergonomic design. The dispenser can be configured as a re-useable compact shell. The dispenser provides one-handed activation and product delivery, and dispensing can be provided in any orientation.
The design and configuration of the dispenser allows for delivering a single product or mixing two or more products. The laminate sheet/packet can be configured to provide moisture, light & vapor barrier protection. The laminate sheet/packet also allows for complete dispensing of package contents.
In one aspect, instead of “one shot” injection-device, such as an epi-pen and the like, the dispenser disclosed herein can be configured to allow repeated injection of metered amounts of medication. Moreover, the compact dispenser as disclosed herein is particularly well suited for metered dosing of insulin in treating the symptoms of diabetes. Thus, the diabetic patient can be provided with a lightweight device that includes a readily accessible source of insulin that can be easily refilled or replaced.
Thus, the instant dispenser can serve several other purposes in addition to dispensing a substance. For example, if configured with a needle, it can be used to give an emergency injection, such as a remedy for anaphylaxis, (e.g., epinephrine), or provide an antidote to a chemical agent, (e.g., anti-venom, nerve gas antidote, or biochemical threat treatment). A user can wear or carry the dispenser on their person and in the event of need, slide the cover to expose (or attach) the needle, insert the needle into the skin and presses (and release) the actuator to introduce a metered amount of the contents of the dispenser.
While this disclosure is susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/701,648, filed Dec. 3, 2012, entitled “ACTUATOR-DRIVEN DISPENSER,” and claims the benefit of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/039186, filed on Jun. 3, 2011, which claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61/351,145, filed on Jun. 3, 2010; and 61/406,411, filed Oct. 25, 2010; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61406411 | Oct 2010 | US | |
61351145 | Jun 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13701648 | Aug 2013 | US |
Child | 14860108 | US |