Patent ID: 6561389
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A dispenser apparatus for dispensing medical grade ultrasound gel onto the body of a patient in a region which is to undergo ultrasound examination, said dispenser apparatus comprising:a generally cylindrical body having a closed first end and a distal second end having a dispensing opening therein, and a cylinder axis extending along its length; an inlet opening into the interior of said body near said first end thereof, said inlet opening being in fluid communication with a source of pressurized medical grade ultrasound gel; an elongated shaft extending along the cylinder axis, and having a plunger secured thereto near a first end thereof, so as to be located near said first end of said body; a valve element at a second end of said shaft, and adapted to close said dispensing opening when said shaft is in a first, at rest position, and to be in a dispensing position away from said dispensing opening when said shaft is in a second, dispensing position; said plunger having a first face facing said first end of said body, and a second face facing said dispensing opening, and having at least one passageway formed therein and extending through the height of said plunger from said first face to said second face; a plunger return spring mounted within said body and extending between a fixed first spring seat secured within the interior of said body and said second face of said plunger, said plunger return spring being adapted to urge said plunger from a second position when said shaft is in said second dispensing position towards a first position whereby said shaft and said plunger secured thereto will assume said first rest position; a freely moving sealing plate mounted for longitudinal movement along said shaft between a first position adjacent said second face of said plunger and a second position remote therefrom, said second sealing plate position being below and adjacent to said second face of said plunger; a sealing plate return spring mounted within said body and extending between a second fixed return spring seat secured within the interior of said body and a second face of said sealing plate remote from said second face of said plunger, said sealing plate return spring being adapted to urge said sealing plate from a second position near said second fixed return spring seat towards a first position adjacent said second face of said plunger; said sealing plate being adapted to cover said at least one passageway formed in said plunger when said sealing plate is urged into its first position adjacent said second face of said plunger; said plunger being adapted to cover said inlet opening when said plunger is in said first position; and trigger means adapted to move said shaft and said plunger from said first position thereof to said second position against said plunger return spring and said sealing plate return spring, whereby said valve element is moved into said dispensing position away from said dispensing opening.