Abstract:
A dispenser for metered dosing of cream-based medicines comprising a barrel, a base having a threaded rod extending therefrom, a riser having at least one flexible seal which engages the barrel, 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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/428,470, filed Jul. 3, 2006, entitled DOSING DISPENSER FOR CREAM-BASED MEDICINES, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/695,962, filed Jul. 1, 2005, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MEDICINE, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to dispensers for cream-based medicines, and more particularly, to a dispenser having a rotatable housing which causes a floor member to rise and urge a predetermined amount of cream through an opening in a cap.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Traditionally, topically administered medicine was often formulated as liquids. Applying a liquid to a skin surface often resulted in a portion of the dose spreading beyond the target area. Cream-based formulations were developed as viscous liquids to prevent the unintended application of the medicine to an unaffected area. More recently, pharmacists have been taking traditional medicines and “compounding” them in a cream base.  
         [0004]     Administering the cream-based medicines is a challenge because providing an accurate measured dose is not easy. One common form of dispenser is a traditional hypodermic syringe, without the needle. The user can depress the plunger to force an amount of cream out of the barrel as indicated by markings on the side of the barrel. For older patients it is not always easy to measure out 0.1 ml or so of medicine as this may require more dexterity than available. It would be desirable to have a dispenser for cream-based medicines that is easier to use and which provides a positive confirmation that the desired amount of cream has been dispensed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Generally described, the present invention provides several embodiments of a dispensing apparatus which utilizes a novel rotation mechanism. In one exemplary embodiment a dispenser includes a base having a threaded rod extending therefrom over which can be fitted a riser which advances when the base is turned. The riser and rod reside within a barrel. The barrel has an applicator cap through which the cream is forced and which provides a surface to apply the cream to the skin. The dispenser also preferably includes a cap to retard drying out of the cream and to protect the applicator cap from becoming contaminated. When used the base is turned and a positive audible and tactile click is sensed, indicating that a portion of cream has been dispensed. The base cannot be turned in the reverse direction, thereby effectively eliminating the possibility of cream being drawn back into the barrel.  
         [0006]     The present invention also provides a means for filling the dispenser so as to reduce bubbles and pockets in the cream after being inserted into the barrel.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a dispenser for the metered dosing of cream-based medicine in a manner that provides a positive sensory feedback mechanism to confirm that the desired amount of cream has been dispensed.  
         [0008]     It is another feature of the present invention to provide a dosing dispenser that will allow the user to administer the cream evenly to the skin area.  
         [0009]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded schematic view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded schematic view.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is another exploded schematic view.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway view of an assembled dispenser.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an assembled dispenser.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view of an assembled dispenser and showing the bottom area.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view in partial cutaway of a first alternative embodiment showing a vibration mechanism integrated with the dispenser.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a dispenser having measuring indicia on the side of the body.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a dispenser having a colored ring on the body.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view in cutaway of an exemplary embodiment of a loading mechanism with a vibratable base that can accommodate the dispenser.  
         [0021]     FIGS.  11 A-K show an alternative embodiment incorporating a first design of a safety cap.  
         [0022]     FIGS.  12 A-D show an alternative embodiment incorporating a second design of a safety switch or mechanism.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an alternative embodiment of a “pen click” design of a dispenser.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  show an alternative embodiment of a round design of a dispenser. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]      FIGS. 1-6  show one exemplary embodiment of a dosing dispenser  10  according to the present invention for dispensing a cream  15  or a gel or other flowable material. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term cream will be used as a nonlimiting example of such a material. The dispenser  10  has the following main components: a body  20 , a base  40 , a drive screw  60 , a ring  80 , a riser  100  incorporating a fluid tight seal, an applicator pad  120  and a cap  140 . Other than the fluid tight member  100  the parts may be made of polymer, plastic, composite or other formable or moldable material. The material preferably is plastic. The fluid tight member  100  is preferably made at least partially of a material having some degree of flexibility.  
         [0026]     The body  20  comprises an outer wall  22 , an inner wall  24 , a first end  26  and a second end  28 . The inner wall  24  defines a chamber  29  which can hold the cream  15 . The first end  26  has an external rim  30 . The second end  28  has a plurality of tabs  32  projecting downward from a plate  34 . The tabs  32  are partially flexible. The plate  34  has a hole  36  extending therethrough. The body  20  may have a rim  38 . The body  20  snap fits onto the base  40 .  
         [0027]     The base  40  comprises a bottom portion  42 , sidewall  44 , bush  46  and ratchet steps  48 . The bush extends upward from the bottom portion  42 . The ratchet steps  48  are attached to the inner sidewall  44  and have an angled portion  50 . In one exemplary embodiment four ratchet steps  48  are used, but, it is to be understood that fewer or more may be used, depending on the design. The ratchet steps  48  are preferably curved and/or angled and also preferably have a gentle angled rise leading to a steep drop. The sidewall  44  may have a lip  52  which can mate with the rim  38  of the second end  28  of the body  20 . The base may optionally include one or more feet  54  extending outward from the bottom portion  42  to assist in stabilizing the dispenser  10  when in a standing position and to facilitate gripping of the base  40  by a user.  
         [0028]     The drive screw  60  comprises an elongated shaft  62  having a set of external threads  64 , a first end  66  and a second end  68 . The second end terminates in a cog  70  or a nut. The cog  70  preferably has a geometric cross-sectional shape, such as, but not limited to, square or hexagonal. The cog  70  can be inserted into the bush  46 , which also preferably has a complementary geometric shape to accommodate the cog  70 . Proximate to the second end  68  is a ring  72 . An annular angled flange  74  is proximate to the ring  72 . The shaft  62  can pass through the hole  36  in the body  20 .  
         [0029]     The ring  80  has a hole  82 , a raised portion  84  forming a shoulder  86  and at least one, and preferably two pins  88 ,  90  extending upward from the raised portion  84 . The pins  88 ,  90  may have a narrower diameter portion  92 ,  94 . The hole  82  is preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the ring  72 .  
         [0030]     The riser  100  has a preferably curved or domed top surface  102  having a hole  104  therein and also has a sidewall  106  which forms an inner wall  108  defining an interior space  110 . Extending downward from the top surface  102  is a bush  109  having a set of internal threads  111 . At least one, and preferably two sleeves  112 ,  114  are disposed in the interior space  110  and attached to the inner wall  108 . The sleeves  112 ,  114  are sized to slidingly accommodate the pins  88 ,  90 . An annular fluid tight member  116  is associated with the lower portion  118  of the riser  100 . The fluid tight member  116  comprises a first annular sealing ring  118  and, preferably, a second annular sealing ring  119 . Both first and second sealing rings  118 ,  119  are at least partially flexible and can form a fluid tight seal with the inner wall  24  of the body when the riser  100  is inserted in the chamber  29 .  
         [0031]     An applicator pad  120  has a preferably curved or domed top surface  122  having at least one hole  124  therein and a sidewall  126 . The sidewall  126  preferably has an inner groove  128  which can be snapped over the external rim  30  on the body  20 . Optionally, the applicator pad  120  may have a bush  130  extending downward from the top surface  122 .  
         [0032]     The cap  140  is sized to snugly fit over the applicator pad  120  to prevent contamination of the pad and to reduce evaporation of the cream  15 .  
         [0033]     To assemble the parts and charge the dispenser  10  with cream, the cog  70  is fitted into the bush  46  in the base  20 . The ring  80  pins  88 ,  90  are inserted into the sleeves  112 ,  114  of the riser  100 . The riser  100  and ring  80  are inserted into the first end  26  and down into the chamber  29 . The shaft  62  is inserted into the hole  36  of the body and the ring  80  and riser  100  are slid over the shaft  62  until the ring  80  rests on the ring  72 . The bush  109  is threaded using the threads  111  onto the threads  64  of the shaft  62 . The chamber is filled with the appropriate measured amount of cream  15 . The base  20  is turned so that the shaft  62  turns and advances the riser  100  and cream  15  toward the first end  26  of the body  20 . The applicator pad  120  is snapped onto the top of body  20 . The base  20  is turned and the riser  100  is advanced until there is essentially no air in the chamber  29  between the cream  15  and the applicator pad  120 . The cap  140  is placed on the applicator pad  120  and the dispenser  10  is ready for use.  
         [0034]     The user removes the cap  140  and turns the base  20  the appropriate amount of clicks (typically as directed on the instructions given to the user by the dispensing physician or pharmacy). As the base  20  is turned, the tabs  32  flex and move over the angled portions  50  of the ratchet steps  48 . As the tabs  32  reach the vertical steps  49  the tabs  32  snap back vertical, thereby causing an audible click for each stop of the base. Also, the user may sense a vibration as the tabs  32  move over the ratchet steps  48 . The vertical step  49  substantially prevents (or, at a minimum, makes it difficult to) reverse rotation of the base  20 . With each click a predetermined amount of cream  15  is forced by the rising riser  100  to be dispensed through the holes  124 . The dispensed cream  15  forms a bead or pool over the central area of the top surface  122  of the applicator pad  120 . The user applies the cream  15  to the skin by rubbing the applicator pad  120  on the skin. The cream  15  at least partially spreads out over the surface  122  and is rubbed into the skin.  
         [0035]     The tactile and audible click heard as the base  20  is turned provides feedback as to how much cream  15  is dispensed. For example, the prescription might be for 1 cc of cream per dose to be applied to the skin. If each click is 0.25 cc, for example, then the prescription might instruct the user to turn the base  20  to hear four clicks so as to dispense 1 cc of cream  15 . The design of the present invention substantially prevents reverse rotation of the base  20  with respect to the body  40  so that cream  15  is not inadvertently sucked back into the dispenser, which may reduce the effective dosage dispensed and may contaminate the cream  15  in the chamber  29 . The click also provides positive feedback when the right amount of cream  15  has been dispensed per turn.  
         [0036]     Optionally, the cap  140  may have downward projecting protrusions  142  which are receivable within the holes  124 . The protrusions  142  substantially seal the holes  124  when the cap  140  is in place, thereby reducing the risk of contamination of the cream  15  and preventing clogging of the holes  124 . Preferably, the cap  140  has a registering means to align with the applicator pad  120  to make alignment of the protrusions  142  and the holes  124  easier.  
         [0037]     The dispenser of the present invention may optionally also include a vibration mechanism whereby the dispenser  10  and, in particular, the applicator pad  120  area vibrates when activated so as to improve transfer of the cream  15  to the skin. In one exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , a dispenser  200 , similar to the dispenser  10 , also includes a battery  202 , wiring  204 , a vibrator mechanism  206 , and a power switch  208 . The vibrator mechanism  206  may be one of several possible mechanisms known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0038]     The dispenser of the present invention may also include an indicator mechanism either to show the approximate number of remaining doses or to show when the chamber  29  is near empty, both so that the user can have advance awareness that a refill may be needed.  
         [0039]     In one exemplary embodiment of an indicator, shown in  FIG. 8 , a dispenser  300  may have a ruler  302  with set of marks  304  along the side of the body  20 , with each mark being correlated to a particular quantity of cream  15  remaining in the dispenser  300 . In this embodiment the body  20 , or at least a portion thereof (such as an elongated window are extending from near the first end  26  to near the second end  28 ) is preferably clear or translucent.  
         [0040]     In a second exemplary embodiment of an indicator, shown in  FIG. 9 , a dispenser  400  the body  20  is at least in part clear or translucent and a colored ring  402  is disposed proximate to the first end  26  and the fluid tight member  116  has a colored ring  404  associated therewith. The rings  402  and  404  may be different colors. When the ring  404  moves up with the riser  10  toward the first end  26  it will eventually, after a certain number of dosings (i.e., turns of the base  20 ) overlap the ring  402 . The overlap will combine the two colors to produce a third color. For example, if the ring  404  is yellow and the ring  402  is blue, the overlap color may be green, indicating time to go refill the dispenser.  
         [0041]     The pharmacist must fill the dispenser by charging the chamber  29  with cream  15 . The base  40  must be turned to advance the riser  100  toward the applicator pad  120  to eliminate the air gap. To eliminate bubbles and air pockets which may have formed during charging, it may be preferable to agitate the dispenser  10  so that the air rises out of the cream  15 . In one exemplary embodiment the present invention also includes a separate loading unit. As shown in  FIG. 10 , a loading unit  500  comprises a base housing  502  which holds a motor  504 , power source  506  (e.g., a battery, a wire to an AC outlet, or the like), a vibration mechanism  508  (e.g., motor and out-of-balance mechanism to induce vibration), a post  510 , and a power switch  512 . To use, the pharmacist or other qualified refiller places the dispenser  10  and base  40  on the post  510 . Cream  15  is loaded into the chamber  29 . The applicator pad  120  is placed on the first end  26  and threaded tight. The switch  512  is activated and the motor  504  turns the post  510 , which in turn rotates the base  40  and the shaft  62 , which causes the riser  100  to advance with the load of cream  15  toward the applicator pad  120 . This is substantially faster and easier for the pharmacist than manually turning the base each time a dispenser needs to be charged. As the vibration mechanism  508  agitates the body  20  and the cream  15 , air in the chamber and any pockets can be released. When done, the pharmacist deactivates the switch  512  and removes the dispenser  10  from the housing  502  and the post  510 . Alternatively, rather than a switch  512 , a pressure switch  513  (not shown) can be utilized so that the vibrator is activated when the user places the dispenser  10  on the post  510  and deactivated when the user removes the dispenser  10  from the post  510 .  
         [0042]     The present invention also contemplates the optional incorporation of a safety cap to prevent children from accessing the cream  15 . In one exemplary embodiment of a safety cap, shown in FIGS.  11 A-K, a dispenser  600  includes a safety cover  602  which fits over substantially the entire body  20 . The bottom edge  604  of the cover  602  has an inward extending rim  606  or series of spaced apart rim portions which snap fits over a set of complementary protrusions  608  extending outward from the base  40 . Each protrusion  608  has a notch  609  and a step portion  610 . The top  611  of the cover  602  has a series of inwardly curved tabs  612  disposed within openings  614 . In use the cover  602  is fitted over the dispenser  600  and the bottom rim  606  fits over the protrusions  608 . The cover  608  is rotated clockwise and the rim  606  flexes into the notch  609  area over the step  610 . The tabs  612  contact the cover  140  and urge the cover  602  upward, thereby biasing the rim portions  608  into the notches  609  and locking the cover  602  onto the dispenser  600 . When the user desires to use the dispenser  600 , he or she grasps the base  40  in one hand and the cover  602  in the other and presses downward on the cover  602  (as shown by arrow  620  and rotates the cover  602  counterclockwise, thereby disengaging the rim portions  608  from the notches  609 .  
         [0043]     In a second embodiment of a safety cap, shown in FIGS.  12 A-D, a dispenser  700  includes a preferably horizontal finger  702  extending from the base  40  in a coplanar manner. The finger  702  has the ability to flex slightly. The finger  702  includes a button  704 . When the button  704  is depressed the finger  702  flexes and allows the base  40  to turn with respect to the body  20 .  
         [0044]     The following are alternative embodiments of various dispenser designs.  
         [0045]     FIGS.  13 A-B depict an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing system  810 - 12  comprising a button  813 - 7  which is pressed to dispense a cream  15 . The dispensing system  810 - 12  comprises a case  816 , a medicine output interface  812 , a button  813 - 7 , and a plunger  871 . The case  816  comprises a tab  872 . The button  813 - 7  comprises a handle  873 , a spring  875 , a piston  873 , and a piston guide  876 . The plunger  871  comprises click tabs  874  and support grooves  878 . The dispensing mechanism comprises a user pressing the button  813 - 7  which in turn compresses the spring  875 . The spring  875  applies pressure regulated by the piston guide  876  to the piston  873 . The piston  873  moves the plunger  871  by applying pressure to the support groove  878 . The click tab  874  on the plunger  871  makes contact with the tab  872  producing an audible click. The spring  875  returns the piston  873  to the start position after moving the plunger  871  up one notch on the support grooves  878 .  
         [0046]     FIGS.  14 A-B depict a cross-sectional view of a dispensing system  910 - 11  comprising a user input dial  913 - 6  which is turned to dispense medicine. The cross-section of the dispensing system  190 - 11  comprises a cover  950 , a user input dial  913 - 6 , and a base  959 . The cover  950  comprises a tab  951  and a tab  952  which attaches to a groove  953  and a groove  954  on the base  959  to connect the cover  950  to the base  959 . The user input dial  913 - 6  comprises a paddle  955 , a screw  941 , and a tab  956 . The paddle  955  rotates with the user input dial  913 - 6  pushing medicine to the medicine output interface  912 . The screw  941  connects the input knob to the base  959 . The tab  956  makes contact with a groove  957  and a groove  958  on the base  959  to produce an audible click as the user input dial  913 - 6  is rotated. This audible click notifies the user of the dosage.  
         [0047]      FIG. 14B  depicts an internal view of a dispensing system  910 - 11  comprising a user input dial  913 - 6  which is turned to dispense medicine. The dispensing system  910 - 11  comprises a paddle  955 , a user input dial  913 - 6 , and a medicine output interface  912 . The paddle  955  moves responsive to turning the user input dial  913 - 6 . Medicine is dispensed to the medicine output interface  912  by the movement of the paddle  955 .  
         [0048]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.  
         [0049]     It should further be noted that any patents, applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.