Dispensing – With lock or fastening seal – Inhibiting actuation of discharge assistant
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-22
2001-02-13
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With lock or fastening seal
Inhibiting actuation of discharge assistant
C222S321900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186364
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a manually actuated pump dispenser which provides for a predetermined number of pump strokes for dosage control prior to automatically resetting after the final stroke. The pump plunger of the dispenser is locked against actuation in a condition prior to the first stroke and following the final stroke.
More particularly the dispenser according to the invention has a freely rotatable control ring engaging the plunger for controlling the number of plunger strokes and thereby the dosage during an unlocked condition of the pump for each revolution of the control ring. The control ring is coupled to the plunger in a manner for releaseably locking the plunger against reciprocation. The control ring and the plunger must be relatively rotated to unlock the ring thereby rendering the dispenser child-resistant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,823 discloses a discharge apparatus for media of a random type in which a discharge process is performed with one or more discharge actuating means. The dispenser is so constructed that it can be moved backwards and forwards in one or more motion cycles in manual manner between one or more starting positions and one or more end positions. In one or more of such positions the discharge actuating means can be fixed by one or more catch systems at least within certain movement limits against movements in the actuating direction, and/or return direction in the catch system can be released again by one or more manual actuations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,302 discloses an actuatable dosing mechanism with an actuating pusher for dispensing a measured quantity of a flowable substance from a container. A counter is provided for automatically counting the actuated strokes, the counter being started up by the actuation of the actuating pusher. A locking device is provided for the actuating stroke which can be actuated as a function of the counter. The locking means is activated after a daily maximum dose of a certain number of strokes and can then be released again.
These prior art dosing mechanisms, however, generally lack the ability providing for a specified number of strokes for dosage control prior to being automatically reset after the final stroke. For example, the user may require three strokes of nasal medicant per nostril such that after the end of the third stroke the dispenser is rendered child proof until the operator restarts the device. The known prior art dispensers having a dosage or metering control are incapable of achieving a specified control of designated strokes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser having a dosage control mechanism which provides for a specified number of strokes ending in automatic resetting and locking of the pumping actuator after the end of the last stroke. The dispenser with such a control according to the invention is developed as having relatively few moving parts, is easy to operate and assemble yet is highly economical.
The control ring is mounted on the dispenser body and is coupled to the plunger for rotation in only one direction from a locked position and through a plurality of predetermined cam cycles whereupon the plunger is automatically reset at a relocked position. The coupling between the control ring and the plunger converts translatory motion to rotatory motion such that the plunger is capable of only a specified number of strokes in each revolution of the control ring.
A cam on the plunger engages an abutment shelf on the control ring for locking the plunger against reciprocation before the beginning of the first stroke and after the end of the last stroke. The control ring and plunger are both freely rotatable and are rotatable relative to one another. And limit stops are provided on the shelf, one of which is overridden upon relative rotation of the ring and plunger to place the same in readiness for actuation. After the end of the last stroke the plunger is automatically locked as the cam returns to the shelf.
The coupling between the control ring and the plunger further includes a zigzag track in which the cam engages the rearward faces of track walls forming index ramps at acute and obtuse angles. The track walls have free ends which deflect and permit the cam to pass from one angular ramp to the other, thereby acting as a one-way gate for each individual cam cycle.
The need to relatively rotate the control ring to that of the plunger renders the dispenser child resistant as the relative rotation between the two parts is generally incapable of being carried out by a young child.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3678884 (1972-07-01), Robbins
patent: 4051983 (1977-10-01), Anderson
patent: 4565302 (1986-01-01), Pfeiffer et al.
patent: 4566611 (1986-01-01), Sukopp
patent: 5277334 (1994-01-01), Malinconico
patent: 5335823 (1994-08-01), Fuchs et al.
patent: 5405057 (1995-04-01), Moore
patent: 5725128 (1998-03-01), Foster
patent: 5791518 (1998-08-01), Amann et al.
Calmar Inc.
Derakshani Philippe
Dykema Gossett PLLC
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