Dispensing – With filter – Associated with vent passage
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-05-29
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With filter
Associated with vent passage
C222S321900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237814
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing fluid products in an aerosol form.
Such a dispensing apparatus typically comprises a dispensing unit engagingly sealed to an upper end of a storage container in which product to be dispensed is held. In order to maintain consistent operation of the dispensing apparatus, as the contents of the storage container are dispensed to an atmosphere during actuation of the apparatus, an air vent is provided to allow air to enter the container in order to equalise the pressures inside and outside the storage container.
A problem with ventilating the container in this manner lies in the potential contamination of the product by contaminants in the ambient air which are drawn into the container. This is a particular problem where the product to be dispensed is a pharmaceutical product, a product with perishable ingredients or a product liable to microbial contamination.
EP 0 487 412 A1 discloses one solution to this problem. The ventilating means in this apparatus comprises a disc-like annular filter covering a vent opening in a sheath such that ambient air entering the storage container passes through the filter. A problem with the device of EP 0 487 412 A1 is that a different size of filter is required for each type and size of dispensing apparatus that is manufactured. A further problem lies in that the transverse arrangement of the filter across the sheath means that the apparatus is not suitable for use with all storage containers, especially those having narrow openings at their upper ends. A yet further problem with disc-like filters subsists in the difficulty of assembling them with the remainder of the apparatus. Such filters tend to be difficult to handle, especially by automated machines, and easily separated from the remainder of the apparatus.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus having vent means for ventilating the storage container wherein the vent means includes a filter which is suitable for use in all shapes and sizes of storage containers.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus having filter means for filtering vented air which is suitable for use with storage containers of all sizes including containers with narrow apertures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid product comprising a pump mounted on a container for storage of the product, the pump comprising a pump body defining a metering chamber, an inlet within the container, and an actuator for discharging product from the metering chamber and recharging it, and ventilating means communicating between an exterior of the apparatus and an interior of the container, ventilating means comprising a filter through which ambient air passes, wherein the filter is annular and comprises an axially extending sleeve portion conformal with an internal surface of the pump body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3756472 (1973-09-01), Vos
patent: 4694976 (1987-09-01), Schuetz
patent: 4960230 (1990-10-01), Marelli
patent: 5025957 (1991-06-01), Ranalletta et al.
patent: 5154325 (1992-10-01), Ryder et al.
patent: 5320254 (1994-06-01), Ranalletta et al.
patent: 5727715 (1998-03-01), McKenna et al.
patent: 5772078 (1998-06-01), Knickerbocker
patent: 0487412 (1991-11-01), None
patent: 0800869 (1997-03-01), None
patent: WO 97/18902 (1997-05-01), None
patent: WO 98/48943 (1998-11-01), None
Blyler Wayne
Wright Andrew
Bespak plc
Buechner Patrick
Kaufman Joseph A.
Smith , Gambrell & Russell, LLP
LandOfFree
Relating to dispensing apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Relating to dispensing apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relating to dispensing apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2542705