Abstract:
A multi-dose, metered dispenser and applicator for topical medications includes inner and outer cylinders and a plurality of expanding bases. These bases form part of a telescopic piston drive system that advances the main piston through the inner cylinder, in accordance with a selected dosage, to dispense a metered amount of the topical medication. The dosage may be selected by a switch located on an outside of the outer cylinder, and dispensed by rotating the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. A tactile and audible feedback mechanism informs the user that the desired dosage of medication has been dispensed.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/760,263, filed on Feb. 4, 2013. The entire disclosure of the above application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a dispenser and applicator for a topical medication and, more particularly, a dispenser and applicator for selectively dispensing different metered doses of a topical medication. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Topical dispensers known in the art are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,994 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,348, both to Phipps et al. The known topical dispensers are for metered dosing of cream-based medicines. The dispensers include a barrel, a base having a threaded rod extending therefrom, a riser having at least one flexible seal which engages the barrel, and an applicator cap having apertures therein for spreading dispensed cream onto a user&#39;s skin. The user positively knows when a metered amount of cream has been dispensed by tactile and audible feedback. 
         [0004]    There is a continuing need for an improved multi-dose dispenser for topical application of medications. Desirably, the topical dispenser facilitates a selection and application by the user of multiple different doses of the medications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In concordance with the instant disclosure, an improved multi-dose dispenser for topical application of medications, which facilitates a selection by the user of multiple different doses of the medications, is surprisingly discovered. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure includes a multi-dose dispenser and applicator for topical medications. In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-dose dispenser and applicator has a cylindrical body, and includes an inner cylinder top ring, an inner cylinder, a cylinder sprocket, an outer cylinder, a safety lid, a switch that may consist of a top button and a main button, a main cap, a main piston, an expanding plunger base, and a plurality of expanding bases. The number of expanding bases is dependent on the volume size of the multi-dose dispenser and applicator. The dispensing function in the multi-dose dispenser and applicator involves a telescoping actuation, as opposed to actuation by a drive screw. The telescopic actuation system allows for facilitated filling of the topical medication into the inner cylinder, and enables a multi-dosage capability. 
         [0007]    In a particular embodiment, the multi-dose dispenser and applicator for topical medications may be provided in a model based on volume size, for example, a model configured to contain a medication in a total amount of 65 mL, 35 mL, or 15 mL. The device is generally cylindrical in shape, consisting of an inner cylinder top ring, an inner cylinder, a cylinder sprocket, an outer cylinder, a safety lid, a switch that may consist of a top button and a main button, a main cap, a main piston, an expanding plunger base, and several expanding bases of which the number is dependent on the volume size of the particular device model. The device may also include a view window that consists of a clear plastic strip down the length of the cylinder. The view window allows for viewing of the content inside the dispenser. 
         [0008]    In a filling operation, the inner cylinder can be filled with a topical medication to the fill-line which indicates the total containment volume of the particular device model. The main cap can then be snapped onto the top of the inner cylinder by administering a minimal force from the top downward. Once snapped in place, the main cap cannot be removed to prevent tampering or contamination of the stored content. 
         [0009]    In an end-use operation, the safety lid can be removed by pressing the two interlock tabs, which are on opposite sides of the inner cylinder top ring, simultaneously while lifting the safety lid upward. By vertically sliding the switch up or down, the device can be set to one of three dosage choices, for example: 0.10 mL, 0.25 mL, or 0.50 mL. The expanding bases comprise a threaded telescopic piston drive system which advances the main piston up the inner cylinder when the inner cylinder top ring is twisted one of clockwise and counter clockwise. The completion of each turn is confirmed by the tactile and acoustic feedback of a clicking action produced by a ratchet mechanism between the switch and inner cylinder. This ratchet system also prevents misuse or incorrect dosing by preventing the inner cylinder top ring from turning in the wrong direction. The degree by which the cylinder is twisted will vary according to the dosage setting. At each turn, the piston pushes out the allotted dosage through the hole in the main cap. The topical content can then be applied by simply rubbing the top of the device (i.e., the main cap as the safety lid is removed) onto the area to be treated. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a dispenser for a topical medication includes a ratchet system and a piston drive system. The ratchet system permits a user to selectively provide one of a plurality of measured doses of the topical medication using at least one of a tactile feedback and an acoustic feedback. The ratchet system includes an outer cylinder having a switch for selecting one of the plurality of measured doses of the topical medication. An inner cylinder is disposed within of the outer cylinder, and has a plurality of gears that cooperate with the switch to provide at least one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback during a rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is configured to contain the topical medication. The piston drive system has a piston disposed within the inner cylinder, which is configured to advance along an axial length of the inner cylinder with the rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. The piston drive system is configured to dispense the topical medication from the inner cylinder, in an amount corresponding to the one of the plurality of measured doses selected, by the rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. A completion of the rotation is confirmed by the at least one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the piston drive system of the dispenser includes a plurality of expanding bases that are configured to advance the piston along the axial length of the inner cylinder with the rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment, the dispenser includes further a main cap disposed on an open end of the inner cylinder. The main cap has at least one hole configured to dispense the topical medication from the inner cylinder. The dispenser also has an inner cylinder top ring disposed over the outer cylinder and coupled with the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder top ring permits the rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. The dispenser also includes a safety lid selectively coupled with the inner cylinder top ring. Optionally, the dispenser may include a clear view window formed in the outer cylinder. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a topical dispenser according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are a side elevational view, a front elevational view, and rear elevational view, respectively, of the topical dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with an optional view window further shown in  FIG. 2C ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational cross-sectional view of the topical dispenser taken along section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are a top exploded perspective view and a bottom exploded perspective view, respectively, of the topical dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a piston drive system of the topical dispenser illustrated in an exploded view in  FIG. 4A  and the piston drive system illustrated in an assembled view in  FIG. 4B ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the piston drive system for the topical dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the piston drive system shown in a collapsed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the assembled telescopic drive system taken along section line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the telescopic drive system illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A-8B  are a front exploded perspective view and a rear exploded perspective view, respectively, of a ratchet system for the topical dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, are not necessary or critical unless otherwise stated. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-8  of the present disclosure show a multi-dose dispenser  100  for a topical medication (not shown). The multi-dose dispenser  100  permits a user to selectively provide one of a plurality of measured doses of the topical medication using at least one of a tactile feedback and an acoustic feedback. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2C , the multi-dose dispenser  100  may have a main body including an outer cylinder  102 , an inner cylinder top ring  104 , a safety lid  106 , and a switch  108 . The outer cylinder  102  may have a plurality of markings  110 , which are indicative of the plurality of measured doses of the topical medication that may be selected with the switch  108 . Although three measured doses are shown, for purposes of simplicity, one of ordinary skill in the art may manufacturer the multi-dose dispenser  100  with the ability to select any number of measured doses, as desired. 
         [0024]    Optionally, the multi-dose dispenser  100  may include a clear view window  110  disposed along a length of the outer cylinder  102 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2C . Where the window  110  is used, the inner cylinder  116  may be formed from a transparent material. The clear view window  110  permits a viewing of topical medication within the multi-dose dispenser  100 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 4B , the multi-dose dispenser  100  includes a main cap  112 . The main cap  112  has at least one hole  114  configured to dispense the topical medication. The main cap  112  is disposed on an open end of an inner cylinder  116 , and has an upper surface that facilitates an application of the dispensed topical medication. The inner cylinder  116  is disposed within the outer cylinder  102 , and is configured to contain the topical medication before it is dispensed from the multi-dose dispenser  100 . 
         [0026]    The inner cylinder top ring  104  of the multi-dose dispenser  100  is disposed over the outer cylinder  102 . The inner cylinder top ring  104  is also coupled with the inner cylinder  116 . A rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102  is permitted by holding one of the outer cylinder  102  and the inner cylinder top ring  104  stationary, while twisting the other of the outer cylinder  102  and the inner cylinder top ring  104 . It should be appreciated that such an operation may be easily and accurately performed by a user of the multi-dose dispenser  100  according to the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    The safety lid  106  of the multi-dose dispenser  100  may be selectively coupled with the inner cylinder top ring  104 . For example, the inner cylinder top ring  104  may include a pair of interlocking tabs  118  that are disposed on opposite sides of the inner cylinder top ring  104 . The interlocking tabs  118  may be depressed and then inserted into the safety lid, where they press against an inner surface of the safety lid  106 . Each of the interlocking tabs  118  may further have a lip that cooperates with a ridge formed on an inner surface of the safety lid  106  to secure the inner cylinder top ring  104  with the safety lid  106 . The safety lid  106  may subsequently be removed by again depressing the interlocking tabs  118 , and pulling the safety lid from the multi-dose dispenser  100 . Other means or fasteners for selectively coupling the safety lid  106  with the inner cylinder top ring  104  may also be employed, as desired. 
         [0028]    The multi-dose dispenser  100  of the present disclosure further includes a piston drive system  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the piston drive system  110  includes a piston  122  and a plurality of expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 . The piston  122  and the expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  are disposed within the inner cylinder  116 . The piston  122  has a shape that does not permit the piston  122  to rotate within the inner cylinder  116 . A cross-sectional shape of the piston  122  may conform to a cross-sectional shape a cavity of the inner cylinder  116  within which the piston  122  is disclosed. As nonlimiting examples, a suitable cross-sectional shape for the piston  122  and the cavity of the inner cylinder  116 , which militates against a rotation of the piston  122  within the cavity of the inner cylinder  116 , may be one of substantially square and substantially rectangular. One of ordinary skill in the art may select other shapes for the piston  122  and the cavity of the inner cylinder  116  within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0029]    The inner cylinder  116  is disposed within the outer cylinder  102 . The piston drive system  120  is configured to advance the piston  122  along an axial length of the inner cylinder  116  with a rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 . In this manner, the piston drive system  112  is also configured to dispense the topical medication from the inner cylinder  116 , in an amount corresponding to the one of the plurality of measured doses selected. 
         [0030]    As a nonlimiting example, the expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  may include a first expanding base  124 , a second expanding base  126 , a third expanding base  128 , and a fourth expanding base  130 . The first expanding base  124  has internal threads  132  and the second expanding base  126  has external threads  134 . The internal threads  132  of the first expanding base  124  cooperate with the external threads  134  of the second expanding base  126 . Likewise, the third expanding base  128  may have external threads  134  cooperating with the internal threads  132  of the second expanding base  126 , and the fourth expanding base  130  may have the external threads  134  cooperating with the internal threads  132  of the third expanding base  128 . The expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  thereby cooperate with one another, nested in series, with the piston  122  disposed on and supported by the fourth expanding base  130 . 
         [0031]    The piston drive system  120  further includes an expanding plunger base  136 . The expanding plunger base  136  is disposed within the inner cylinder  116  adjacent a bottom wall  138  of the inner cylinder  116 . The first expanding base  124  is coupled with the expanding plunger base  136 . For example, the first expanding base  124  may conform to the shape of a recess formed in the expanding plunger base  136 , and be nested within the recess of the expanding plunger base  136 , such that the first expanding base  124  is rotated when the expanding plunger base  136  is rotated. Other means for coupling the first expanding base  124  with the expanding plunger base  136  may also be used within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0032]    The piston drive system  120  may also include a cylinder sprocket  140 . The cylinder sprocket  140  is disposed within the outer cylinder  102  adjacent the bottom wall  138  of the inner cylinder  116 . The cylinder sprocket  140  has a plurality of teeth  142  that cooperate with a plurality of notches  144  formed on an inner surface of the outer cylinder  102 . The cylinder sprocket  140  is coupled to the expanding plunger base  136  through an opening  146  formed in the bottom wall  138  of the inner cylinder  116 . It should be appreciated that the rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102  thereby results in corresponding rotations of the cylinder sprocket  140 , the expanding plunger base  136 , and the expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  of the piston drive system  120 . Furthermore, a skilled artisan understands that, because the piston  122  is not permitted to rotate within the inner cylinder  116 , expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  are caused to move from a collapsed position (shown in FIGS.  3  and  4 B- 6 ) to an expanded position. The piston  122  is thereby moved along the axial length of the multi-dose dispenser  100  to dispense the topical medication from the inner cylinder  116  of the multi-dose dispenser  100 . 
         [0033]    The multi-dose dispenser  100  of the present disclosure further includes a ratchet system  148 . In operation, the ratchet system  148  causes at least one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback, which is used to confirm when the measured doses of the topical medication have been dispensed. As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the ratchet system includes the switch  108  of the outer cylinder  102  and the inner cylinder  116 . The inner cylinder  116  may have a plurality of gears  150 ,  152 ,  154 . The gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  cooperate with the switch  108  to provide at least one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback during the rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 . 
         [0034]    The gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  are arranged adjacent one another on an outer surface of the inner cylinder  116 , along the axial length of the inner cylinder  116 . The gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  may be integral with the inner cylinder  116 , or formed separately and then affixed to the inner cylinder  116 , as desired. Each of the gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  has interruptions  156 , in the form of either depressions or projections, disposed along the outer perimeters of the gears  150 ,  152 ,  154 . The interruptions  156  of the gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  are configured to cooperate with a corresponding feature  158  on the switch  108 , to create at least one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback as the inner cylinder  116  is rotated relative to the outer cylinder  102 . For example, the corresponding feature  158  may be a pawl. In particular, the interruptions  156  are configured to only allow rotational movement of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102  in one direction. 
         [0035]    It should be appreciated that any number of gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  may be used within the scope of the present disclosure. In one example, the plurality of gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  may include a first gear  150 , a second gear  152 , and a third gear  154 . The interruptions  156  of the first gear  150  are spaced apart a first interval, the interruptions  156  of the second gear  152  are spaced apart a second interval, and the interruptions  156  of the third gear  154  are spaced apart a third interval. As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the third interval is greater in length than the second interval, and the second interval is greater in length than the first interval. A skilled artisan may select suitable lengths for the first, second, and third intervals, as desired. 
         [0036]    In particular embodiments, the rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 , along an entirety of the first interval, results in the topical medication being dispensed from the inner cylinder  116  by the piston  122  in an amount corresponding to a first measured dose. The rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 , along an entirety of the second interval, results in the topical medication being dispensed from the inner cylinder  116  by the piston  122  in an amount corresponding to a second measured dose. The rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 , along an entirety of the third interval, results in the topical medication being dispensed from the inner cylinder  116  by the piston  122  in an amount corresponding to a third measured dose. In a most particular embodiment, the third measured dose is greater than the second measured dose, and the second measured dose is greater than the first measured dose. One of ordinary skill in the art may select the amounts for the first measured dose, the second measured dose, and the third measured dose, as well as the corresponding lengths for the first interval, the second interval, and the third interval, respectively, as desired. 
         [0037]    It should be appreciated that the switch  108  cooperates with only one of the gears at a time, during the rotation of the inner cylinder  116  relative to the outer cylinder  102 . The switch  108  may be adjusted by the user to interact with the desired one of the gears  150 ,  152 ,  154 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4B , the switch  108  may be at least partly disposed through a slot  160  formed in the outer cylinder  102 . In a particular example, the slot  160  is elongate and orientated vertically along the outer cylinder  102 . In another particular example, the switch  108  may be two-part, including a top button  162  and a main button  164 . The top button  162  is disposed on an outside of the outer cylinder  102 , and may have a texture that facilitates an operation of the switch  108  by the user. The main button  164  may be disposed through the slot  160 , and have the corresponding feature  158  formed thereon. A skilled artisan may select other types of switches  108  within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    In operation, the safety lid  106  of the multi-dose dispenser  100  may first be removed by pressing the two interlocking tabs  118 , which are on opposite sides of the inner cylinder top ring  104 , simultaneously while lifting the safety lid  106  upward. By vertically sliding the switch  108  up or down, the dispenser can be set to one of the three dosage choices: 0.10 mL, 0.25 mL, or 0.50 mL, as nonlimiting examples. The threaded telescopic piston drive system  120  with the expanding bases  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  advances the piston  122  up the inner cylinder  116  when the inner cylinder top ring  104  is twisted, for example, one of counter clockwise and clockwise. 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the completion of each turn is confirmed by one of the tactile feedback and the acoustic feedback, also known as a “clicking action”, produced by the ratchet system  148  between the switch  108  and one of the gears  150 ,  152 ,  154  of the inner cylinder  116 . The ratchet system also militates against misuse or incorrect dosing by only permitting the rotation of the inner cylinder top ring  104  in one direction. At each turn, the piston  122  pushes out the allotted dosage through the hole  114  in the main cap  112 . The topical medication can then be applied by simply rubbing the top of the multi-dose dispenser  100  (i.e., the main cap  112  after the safety lid  106  is removed) onto the area to be treated. 
         [0040]    While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.