Patent ID: 7331944
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: A61F,B05B,B65B,B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An ophthalmic dispenser comprising: a housing; a trigger coupled to the housing; a self contained cartridge disposable within the housing and comprising: a body defining a fluid reservoir; a pump coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir and defining a compression chamber, the pump being movable between (i) a first actuated position, and (ii) a rest position; a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression chamber, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and an actuator coupled to the cartridge and drivingly connected between the trigger and the pump, the actuator having a spring formed integrally therewith, wherein in a first phase of actuation, the trigger is manually engaged to cause the actuator to actuate the pump from the rest position to the first actuated position, and in a second phase of actuation, the trigger is released to cause the pump to return to the rest position, whereby during actuation, the pump pressurizes fluid in the compression chamber and, in turn, dispenses a metered dosage of fluid through the valve and into a user's eye.