Abstract:
A medicament dispensing device has a case with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion. The device also has a plunger made up of a head and a stem. The head of the plunger is configured to contact a cartridge containing medicament that is receivable within the central portion of the case. The device also has a dosing assembly coupled to the stem and disposed partially within the case. The dosing assembly is selectively inhibited by a control system that limits the displacement of the dosing assembly and plunger within the case. The device also has a customizable dispensing assembly coupled to the upper portion and configured to receive medicament from the cartridge upon application of force from the plunger.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/546,312 filed Oct. 12, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a medicament dispensing device with dosing dial for administering dosages of oral medications. A dosing chart and a child safety lock may optionally be incorporated. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Current devices which measure and administer liquid oral medications are very difficult to use and lead to dangerous inaccurate dosing, improper administering of the medicine, messy administration, and great inconvenience to both the user and the recipient. 
         [0004]    There is a need for variation in drug-delivery attachments to accommodate the needs, comfort, and convenience of the administering individual and the recipient. 
         [0005]    The typical dropper requires extraordinary time and effort by applying the proper amount of pressure on the rubber bulb on the top to extract the desired amount of liquid. This is frustrating to parents and leads to inaccurate dosing. In addition, it is difficult to regulate the flow of the medicament to the infant when using a dropper. This can lead to the infant aspirating on the medicament or the medicament dripping out of the infant&#39;s mouth. The syringe has similar problems to the dropper. 
         [0006]    For example, oral syringes are problematic since they are difficult to control the flow of medicament, involve air bubbles forming within the liquid chamber and thereby lead to incorrect dosing, and are not child friendly. 
         [0007]    Current medicine dispensation to infants and young children lacks the type of precision that is critical, comfortable, and convenient when delivering foreign substances into the young metabolisms and bodies of children recipients. In addition these devices do not have any child safety mechanism which prevents dispensing by a child. Other vessels which are used to store oral medicaments do not have any dosing or administering mechanism whatsoever and can lead to over and under dosing. 
         [0008]    The dosing device of U.S. Pat. No. 8,007,476 provides for a piston-type dispensation mechanism for controlled dispensation of medicament from an ampoule attached to the piston housing. While U.S. Pat. No. 8,007,476 refers to cannula and nozzle administration, it fails to provide the public any details of how to use the piston-type dispensation mechanism in conjunction with precise oral administration design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Current droppers, syringes, and other vessels for dosing and administering medicine require skill and patience to deliver an accurate dose to the patient. The proposed invention offers precise dosing to the patient and convenience to the user. 
         [0010]    The invention solves the issues in the prior art by providing a dosing regimen that can be accurately measured by the dosing mechanism. Dispensing the dose is modulated by only dispensing a “click at a time”. The child safety lock button prevents dispensing by a child. In addition, the dispensing of oral medicaments in cartridges which can be loaded into the proposed device will have less of a carbon footprint thereby having a potential environmental benefit. 
         [0011]    Current devices which measure and administer liquid oral medications to children are very difficult to use and lead to dangerous inaccurate dosing, improper administering of the medicine, messy administration, and great inconvenience. The invention is a device which allows the accurate dosing of the medication via a dosing dial and push button mechanism. Interchangeable drug delivery attachments are included for the comfort and convenience of the parent and child. In addition, an optional pull-out dosing chart is incorporated into the device for the user&#39;s reference. 
         [0012]    A device comprises a case having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion, a plunger having a head and a stem, the head of the plunger disposed between the central portion and the lower portion, and the stem disposed in the lower portion, wherein the head is configured to contact a cartridge containing medicament receivable within the central portion upon application of force to the stem, a dosing assembly coupled to the stem and disposed partially within the case, the dosing assembly comprising a control system for selectively inhibiting displacement of the dosing assembly and plunger by precluding displacement of the dosing assembly within the case, and, a customizable dispensing assembly coupled to the upper portion and configured to receive medicament from the cartridge upon application of force from the stem, the dispensing assembly configured to receive the medicament through an opening from the central portion to the upper portion. 
         [0013]    A method of administering medicament, comprises the steps of coupling a dispensing tip to a case based on a medicament to be dispensed, setting a control system to inhibit displacement of a dosing assembly within the case containing a cartridge of the medicament to be dispensed, the cartridge being disposed beneath the dispensing tip, pressing the dosing assembly while it is coupled to a stem of a plunger which is disposed partially within the case, displacing the plunger so that it displaces the bottom of the cartridge toward the dispensing tip and thereby causes the cartridge to provide medicament from the cartridge and into the dispensing tip, dispensing medicament from the dispensing tip, and inhibiting further displacement of the plunger by the control system. 
         [0014]    The device and method may be implemented with a chart attached to the case to serve as a reference for the precision medicament administration according to the inventive embodiments described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary view of a medicament dispensing device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of a medicament dispensing device in an inactive configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of a medicament dispensing device in a dispensing configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  shows another exemplary cross-sectional view of a medicament dispensing device in a dispensing configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows another exemplary view of a medicament dispensing device. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A-4D  show exemplary views of medicament dispensing tips. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary medicament dispensing device  1  includes a medicament cartridge  10 , a plunger mechanism  20 , a dosing mechanism  30 , a case  40 , a medicament dispenser  50 , and a cap  60 . Optionally, a covering  70  may be installed on or within case  40  for use in dosing and operating medicament dispensing device  1 . 
         [0023]    An exemplary medicament cartridge  10  may be any suitably shaped container for holding medicine to be dispensed. Preferably, cartridge  10  is a cylindrical container which contains an oral suspension of desired medicament. 
         [0024]    An exemplary plunger mechanism  20  may be a mechanism that advances the bottom of cartridge  10  towards the top of the inside of case  40 . Plunger mechanism  20  applies pressure on the bottom of cartridge  10  to allow dispensation of medicine stored therein. The amount of pressure supplied on cartridge  10  by plunger mechanism  20  may be controlled by dosing mechanism  30 . 
         [0025]    An exemplary dosing mechanism  30  may include a rotating arm that fits inside the arm of plunger mechanism  20  and/or case  40 . By revolving dosing mechanism  30  into or away from plunger mechanism  20 , dosing mechanism  30  may be set to a prescribed dosing arrangement. Dosing mechanism  30  may also include a child safety lock button which would need to be depressed to allow dosing of medicament from device  1 . 
         [0026]    An exemplary case  40  may be shaped to fit medicament cartridge  10 , plunger mechanism  20 , and dosing mechanism  30  so as to be operable according to the numerous embodiments disclosed herein. While case  40  is shown as a single construct, an exemplary case  40  may be modular depending on the size of the components, for example, case  40  may be divided into a dispensing section component that houses plunger mechanism  20  and dosing mechanism  30 , a medicine holder component that houses cartridge  10 , and a delivery component which may accommodate one or more types of dispensing tips  50  and/or delivery cannula channels  53  and  52 . In a preferred embodiment, case  40 , in either modular or single-bodied form, is cylindrical in shape. 
         [0027]    An exemplary medicament dispenser  50  may be an interchangeable construct which can be snapped, screwed, twisted, or otherwise locked onto receiving portions in case  40 . The interchangeability of medicament dispenser  50  allows for different shaped and sized tips, and for easy cleaning of the medicament dispensing components, such as, for example, the tip portion  51 . The tip  51  may be molded in different colors, themes, and shapes for dispensing medicament to a recipient, such as, for example, a child, an infant, or an elderly person. Tip  51  preferably induces easy flow and administering of medicament from cartridge  10 . An exemplary medicament dispensing tip  51  may be in the shape of a cup to allow a user to measure the dose in another vessel, such as, for example, a spoon, before administration to the recipient. 
         [0028]    An exemplary cap  60  may be configured to safely cover all forms of case  40  and medicament dispenser  50  combinations. Cap  60  may be snapped onto case  40 , twisted on top of case  40 , or any other form of attachment to case  40  known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, cap  60  may be attached to dispenser  50  and/or  51 . 
         [0029]    An exemplary covering  70  may be a dosing chart which can be used in the space between the cartridge  10  and case  40 . Covering  70  may be attached to the outer surface of case  40  so as to wrap about the outside of case  40 . Accordingly, covering  70  may have one or more adequately shaped transparent portions  72  that provide visibility to cartridge  10  and/or medicament within cartridge  10  to monitor replacement of cartridge  10  when covering  70  is not unraveled. Covering  70  may be a retractable plastic sheet conformed to wrap around case  40  when not in a fully extended state. Fully extended, covering  70  may possess medicinal information, including, but not limited to, dosing information for one or more medicaments in a convenient easy to read chart format. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , device  1  may be illustrated from a cross-sectional view. As illustrated, exemplary cartridge  10  may have a top portion  11  made up of a membrane  13  which may be pierced by cannula  53  of case  40 . By piercing cartridge  10 , cannula  53  allows medicament from cartridge  10  to flow through cannula  53  and into the channel  52  ultimately entering into medicament dispensing tip  51  of medicament dispenser  50 . 
         [0031]    Cannula  53  and channel  52  may be integrated with case  40  or may be part of interchangeable medicament dispenser  50 . Channel  52  may be integrated with cannula  53  so that the two are one piece or they may be modular so that replacement of one can take place without replacement of the other. In an exemplary embodiment, cannula  53  may be interchangeable with medicament dispenser  50  to accommodate different types, styles, and designs of dispenser  50 , tip  51 , and/or cartridge  10 . Alternatively, cannula  53  may remain part of case  40  and channel  52  may be interchangeable with medicament dispenser  50  to accommodate different types, styles, and designs of dispenser  50 , tip  51 , and/or cartridge  10 . 
         [0032]    In an exemplary embodiment, upon removal of cannula  53  from cartridge membrane  13 , the oral suspension within cartridge  10  may be contained in a sterile environment for future dispensing. According to this exemplary embodiment, deformable portions of membrane  13  may allow for substantially tight sealing of medicament cartridge  10  so as to preserve medicament therein without losses during non-use of device  1 . 
         [0033]    An exemplary cartridge  10  may be made of any material suitable for puncturing and channeling fluid stored therein. An exemplary material may be plastic or silicone. An exemplary membrane  13  may be a crisscross slit formation in the outer surface  12  and inner surface  11  of cartridge  10  that may be moveably engaged by a pointed or other deflection inducing shaped cannula  53 . Alternatively, membrane  13  may have any slit formation in the upper surface of cartridge  10  that permits a complementarily shaped cannula  53  to enter and exit without permanent deformation in the membrane  13  of cartridge  10 . 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, membrane  13  of cartridge  10  may be configured to elastically deform when engaged by a complementary cannula  53  and return to a substantially closed configuration upon disengagement from cannula  53  so that medicament still within cartridge  10  remains therein after cannula  53  removal. Membrane  13  allows for the sterile containment of the oral suspension for future dispensing. The bottom of the cartridge  10  consists of a disc  14  spanning the girth  12  of the cartridge which is able to advance the medicament upon the application of pressure from the plunger mechanism  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, disc  14  may advance upwardly within the outer walls of cartridge  10  to move medicament through the opening in membrane  13  in response to pressure from plunger mechanism  20 . Alternatively disc  14  may be integrally molded with cartridge  10  to deform in conjunction with the outer walls of cartridge  10  to move medicament through the opening in membrane  13  in response to pressure from plunger mechanism  20 . The top  11  of the cartridge  10  can be optionally removable allowing a user to refill the cartridge  10  with appropriate medicament. 
         [0035]    Referring to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2A , in an unused state, device  1  may hold cartridge  10  in a repository  41  of case  40 . Repository  41  may provide suitable space for displacement of cartridge  10  during dispensation so that suitable deflection of cartridge walls  11  and  12  may be achieved to allow medicament to enter cannula  53  when pressure is applied to the cartridge. Walls  54  may be part of case  40  or may optionally be part of interchangeable dispenser  50 . Walls  54  may be sized and shaped to induce additional bending in cartridge wall  11  during dispensation. Alternatively, walls  54  may ensure sealing of case  40  to avoid loss of medicament during dispensation activities. In yet another alternative arrangement, walls  54  may act as coupling ports for interchangeable dispenser  50 . 
         [0036]    Further illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is plunger mechanism  20  and dosing mechanism  30  in an exemplary operable engagement. According to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2A , dosing mechanism  30  may be screwed into channel  21  of plunger mechanism  20  by adjuster component  38 . While dosing mechanism  30  may be flat without walled edges  32  and  33  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the alternative dosing mechanism  30  of  FIG. 2A  may have arms  32  and  33  that engage slots  42  and  43 , respectively, formed in case  40 . According to this embodiment, as dosing mechanism  30  is pressed upwardly, causing plunger  20  to move from a resting position in plunger housing  44  of case  40 , arms  32  and  33  of dosing mechanism  30  may slide up until they are prevented from doing so by lock combination of a latch  34  and bar  32 . 
         [0037]    According to an exemplary embodiment, latch  34  may act as an additional optimized dosing mechanism  30  to control the amount of medicament to be dispensed from cartridge  10 . Alternatively, latch  34  may serve as a child lock to prevent dispensing medicament from cartridge  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , an exemplary latch  34  may be bolt-fastened so as to tightly resist movement along slot  46  in case  40 . In this exemplary embodiment, latch  34  may resist interference from children who try to use device  1  or activate dosing mechanism  30  and/or plunger  20 . In a locked position, bar  32  of latch  34  may preclude the arms  32 / 33  of the dosing mechanism  30  from progressing further into case  40  thereby preventing substantially any operative displacement of dosing mechanism  30  and/or plunger  20 . Similar latches  31  may be used to restrict operative displacement of plunger  20  about channel  21  or other displacement points about device  1 . 
         [0038]    Alternatively, latch  34  may be a button that when compressed allows the arms  32 / 33  of dosing mechanism  30  to pass unimpeded within slot  42 . For example, arm  32  of dosing mechanism  30  may be a thin cylindrical post that slidingly engages with case  40  slot  42 . Latch  34  may be a spring loaded button that in an uncompressed state (as illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) provides bar  35  in the path of arm  32  of dosing mechanism  30  and the full length of case  40  slot  42 . By compressing latch  34 , bar  35  is compressed against a spring  37  until bypass  36  presents an opening in bar  35  for dosing mechanism  30  arm  32  to pass there-through. An exemplary spring  37  may be resilient enough to prevent children from activating device  1  to provide a medicament dose. Alternative child safety features for dosing devices such as device  1  known to those skilled in the art may also be incorporated. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , tip  51  of dispensing mechanism  50  may couple to channel  52  to establish a substantially fluid contact between channel  52  and tip  51 . Accordingly, medicament released from cartridge  10  through cannula  53  may travel through channel  52  into tip  51  and be dispensed. Tip  51  may be made of the same material as dispensing mechanism  50  or may be removable by way of screw or friction fitting. An exemplary dispensing mechanism  50  may be made of PVC or other durable plastic material. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a device  1  in an exemplary dispensing configuration may have dosing mechanism  30  in the desired dosing length configuration via screw adjustment between plunger channel  21  and adjuster component  38 . Such a dosing mechanism  30  may be pressed upwardly into case  40  so that the arms  32 / 33  of dosing mechanism  30  traverse slots  42  and  43  within case  40  until they are precluded from further movement by bar  35  of latch  34  selectively placed according to a known dosing regimen. The pressing of dosing mechanism displaces plunger  20  from a resting position in cavity  44  of case  40 . Plunger  20  applies pressure to the lower-most portion of cartridge  10  substantially about its girth  12 . 
         [0041]    Displacement of cartridge  10  may involve deformations  15  in cartridge  10  walls as well as deflections in membrane  13  at the points where cannula  53  engages membrane  13 . As cannula  53  enters cartridge  10 , medicament flows from cartridge  10  into channel  52  to be dispensed from tip  51 . In this way, device  1  may dispense one or more different types of medicament from dispensing mechanism  50  to a desired recipient. 
         [0042]    After dispensing a desired dose of medicament, dosing mechanism  30  may be withdrawn from case  40  thereby withdrawing plunger  20  from its compressed position against cartridge  10 . Accordingly, cartridge  10  may retake its original shape for subsequent use or may be replaced by a new cartridge  10  containing the same or different medicament. According to an exemplary embodiment, cartridge  10  may be refillable and/or interchangeable. Thus, in one aspect, cartridge  10  may be a universal refillable cartridge that may enable users to refill the device  1  with a desired type of medicine. 
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, a cartridge  10  is filled with medicament and loaded into the encasement  40 . An appropriate dispenser  50  is attached to the encasement  40 . An appropriate dose may be looked up on a pullout dosing chart  70  based on one or more of a child&#39;s age, a child&#39;s weight, a child&#39;s age, and/or any other variable. While removing child safety lock  34  on dosing mechanism  30 , dosing mechanism  30  is rotated to desired dosage. Child safety lock button  34  can now be released. Dispenser  50  is inserted into the child&#39;s mouth and the adult presses on dosing mechanism  30  which applies pressure on plunger mechanism  20  which applies pressure on disc  14  of cartridge  10  which advances dose into the dispenser  50  and into the mouth of the child. Alternatively, a cup shaped tip  51  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4C ) can be used which will allow user to measure and dispense the desired dose. The user will then place measured dose in another vessel such as a spoon for administering to the patient. 
         [0044]    The dosing mechanism  30 , plunger mechanism  20 , and cartridge  10  interact together in the described sequence and are attached by pressure, snap, screw on, or any other method which insures safe operation of the design. The pull-out dosing chart  70  may wrap around the dosing mechanism  30 , plunger mechanism  20 , and cartridge  10 , and together, the combination of the chart  70  and other components are secured by the encasement  40 . The medicament dispenser  50  is then attached onto the encasement  40  by screw on, snap or any other method which ensures the safe operation of the design. The cap  60  attached to the encasement  40  over the dispenser/tip  50 / 51  by snap on, by screw on, or any other method which ensures the safe operation of the design. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , a device  1  in an exemplary dispensing configuration may have dosing mechanism  30  in the desired dosing length configuration via screw adjustment between plunger channel  21  and adjuster component  38 . Such a dosing mechanism  30  may be pressed upwardly into case  40  so that the arms  32 / 33  of dosing mechanism  30  traverse slots  42  and  43  within case  40  until they are precluded from further movement by bar  35  of latch  34  selectively placed according to a known dosing regimen. The pressing of dosing mechanism displaces plunger  20  from a resting position in cavity  44  of case  40 . Plunger  20  applies pressure to disc  14  of cartridge  10 . 
         [0046]    Unlike cartridge  10  of the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2B , cartridge  10  of the illustrative device embodiment of  FIG. 2C  may not have portions of its walls  15  undergoing deformation. Instead, disc  14  may have edges  16  which may be frictionally or slidingly engaged with the inner-most surfaces of the cartridge  10  walls so as to be moved upward by pressure of plunger mechanism  20 . Disc  14  may displace medicament within cartridge  10  without necessitating deformation of cartridge  10  walls. An exemplary cartridge  10  according to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2C  may be constructed of substantially rigid materials with the exception of the membrane  13 . The bottom of the cartridge is open allowing for the plunger mechanism  20  to advance disc  14  into the interior of the cartridge. 
         [0047]    Accordingly, an exemplary cartridge  10  of the type illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  may be used in any exemplary device  1  disclosed herein without changing the overall performance and objectives described. Those skilled in the art may recognize that device  1  may utilize a first cartridge  10  constructed so as to operate according to the illustrative embodiments of  FIG. 2B  and subsequently utilize a second cartridge  10  constructed so as to operate according to the illustrative embodiments of  FIG. 2C . Preferably, device  1  may utilize a cartridge  10  constructed and operable according to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exterior view of medicament dispensing device  1  with a pull-out chart covering  70 . According to  FIG. 3 , pullout chart adheres to case  40  by a spindle  71  engaged in the exterior surface of case  40  to allow for covering  70  to roll up or to just remain attached to case  40 . Spindle  71  may be capable of being removed from case  40  to permit attachment of different coverings  70  depending on needs of the user. In an unraveled position, covering  70  may contain a transparent window  72  to permit viewing of medicament cartridge  10  in operation, for example, when covering  70  is wrapped about the outside of case  40 . Additionally, covering  70  may also contain one or more sections  73  containing information for dosing, calibrating plunger  20  and/or dosing mechanism  30 , and any such other information for dispensing medicament to the intended recipient. 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , medicament dispensing portion  50  is in the shape of a cup whereby dispensation of medicament from tip  51  fills the cup  50  for further measuring or other form of administration. 
         [0050]    Further illustrated in  FIG. 3  is an alternative dosing mechanism  30  with dial control  39  and rack and pinion set  61 / 62 . As dial  39  is turned on the external surface of case  40 , an interior gear  61  is rotated by dial  39 . The rotation of gear  61  rotates gear  62  so as to allow gear  62  to traverse slot  43  of case  40 . Translational displacement of gear  62  within slot  43  provides for incremental control of the extent of dosing displacement of dosing mechanism  30  armature  33 . In this way, the arm  33  of dosing mechanism will only displace the requisite distance as defined by precision control of dial  39 . Dial  39  may contain markings or other indicia that describe the amount of revolutions to obtain a desired dose. Instructions for such use of dial  39  may be provided for on cover  70 , for example, in information section  73 . 
         [0051]    Alternatively, rack and pinion set  61 / 62  may be visible to the viewer and be accompanied by markings on case  40  showing precisely where gear  62  should be located to achieve the desired dose. In this way, device  1  may provide precision dosing mechanisms via dosing mechanism  30  while providing easy access to dosing information and instructions via chart  70 . The dosing control described with respect to  FIG. 3  may be used in conjunction with any known cartridge  10  design, including those described and illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 2B and 2C . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C, and  4 D illustrate some exemplary medicament dispensers  50  that may be used with device  1 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a nipple tip  51 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a dropper-type tip  51 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates a cup-style tip  51 .  FIG. 4D  illustrates a spoon-type tip  51 . 
         [0053]    The advantages medicament dispensing tips of the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  provide for easy use with young children or pets which are accustomed to bottles and droppers for receiving other fluids. Advantages for medicament dispensing tips  51  of the type in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4C  is to allow subsequent handling of medicament dispensed into a cup or to provide the medicament in a way that reduces risk of loss or inaccurate placement by means of a dropper or nipple. While only exemplary, the cup tip  51  of  FIG. 4C  may be in the shape of a cone, a cup with handle, or a child&#39;s sip cup. 
         [0054]    The advantage of a medicament dispensing tip of the type of the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4D  includes the capability of directly providing accurate doses to an individual without concern for whether the spoon or holder used is representative of the desired dose. In other words, the spoon tip  51  of  FIG. 4D  avoids the concern that one is not using an actual teaspoon or table spoon and instead provides the proper dose according to the controlled dosing mechanisms herein disclosed. An exemplary spoon tip  51  may be any sized spoon known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0055]    Each of the components of the medicament dispensing device  1  may be constructed of any suitable material fit for the purposes described. However, plastic components are preferable to avoid rusting and for easy cleaning/dishwasher safe, including plastic cover  70 . Plastic cover  70  may be water resistant, as well as the internal moving components of case  40 . Where metal parts must be used, water resilient metal components are preferable, but not necessary for operation of the various disclosed embodiments. 
         [0056]    While the device and dispensing method have been described by way of example embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the scope and spirit of the system and method in their broader aspects. Although the device and method have been described herein with reference to particular interrelated structures, interrelated materials, and interrelated embodiments, it is understood that the system and method is not limited to the particulars disclosed.