Abstract:
A hand-operated disposable device for controllably dispensing medications having a paste-like or cream-like consistency includes a transparent plastic container member having a cylindrical medication-holding bore, and a plunger member which slidably engages the bore. The bore has a series of annular grooves corresponding to incremental volumes of the bore, and the plunger has a lip which interacts with the grooves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates in general to a medication applicator, and more particularly concerns apparatus for the personally adjustable, accurate and sanitary application of vaginal medication. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Known devices for the intravaginal application of medication typically consist of a hollow tubular applicator having an internal piston. The medication, generally of cream-like consistency, is disposed within the hollow applicator and is extruded therefrom by means of the internal piston in the manner of a large, crude hypodermic syringe. 
     Typical devices for the application of vaginal medication are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,496,341; 4,557,720; 5,330,427; 5,397,312; and 5,788,664. Such devices are generally lacking in the control and adjustability of the depth of insertion and amount of medication dispensed. 
     In order to assure sanitary use and low risk of reinfection, disposable devices have been available which are discarded following a single use. However, such disposable units are generally sold with the medication already contained therein, and are intended to dispense their entire content of medication as a single dose. Such devices are generally not adaptable to variation in the medication type or dosage to accommodate the specific needs of particular individuals. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a disposable dispenser for the controlled application of vaginal medications. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser as in the foregoing object which facilitates visual and tactile monitoring of medication being dispensed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispenser of the aforesaid nature permitting comfortable and adjustable insertion. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a dispenser of the aforesaid nature of simple construction amenable to low cost manufacture. 
     These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by a device for controllably dispensing substances having a paste-like or cream-like consistency comprising: 
     a) a transparent plastic container member having a cylindrical bore elongated upon a straight axis between open leading and trailing extremities and having demarcation means disposed at spaced intervals along said axis to denote successive regions within said bore of known volume, and 
     b) a plunger member elongated between forward and rearward extremities and removably associated with said container member by way of slidable engagement with said bore upon a common axis, said forward extremity having a transverse force-applying surface and surrounding outwardly protruding wiping lip, and said rearward extremity having abutment means interactive with the trailing extremity of said bore. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows upon the line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a portion broken away to reveal interior details. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3 , an embodiment of the dispensing device  10  of the present invention is shown comprised of container member  11  and plunger member  12 . 
     Said container member is fabricated of plastic material as a monolithic structure having a cylindrical bore  13  defined by sidewall  20  and elongated upon straight axis  14  between open leading and trailing extremities  15  and  16 , respectively. Said cylindrical bore is preferably of circular cylindrical configuration, having an inside diameter of about 1.50 inch and a length between 6 and 7 inches. Leading extremity  15  is defined by a circular edge  22 , which is rounded for comfort. Demarcation means in the form of a series of annular grooves  17  are fashioned within the smooth interior surface  18  of bore  13  at spaced intervals along axis  14 . Said grooves denote successive regions  19  of known volume within said bore. A first groove  23  of said series is preferably located 1.25 inches from leading extremity  15 . A second groove  24  of said series is preferably located 2.5 inches from said leading extremity, and a third groove  25  is located 3.25 inches from said leading extremity. The spacing of said grooves, in conjunction with the inside diameter of the bore creates incrementally cumulative regions  26 ,  27  and  28  which respectively hold approximately 2, 3.5 and 5 grams of cream type medications. Indicia may be located on exterior surface  37  of said container member adjacent said demarcation means to show the corresponding volume of the bore or approximate weight of medication. 
     The thickness of sidewall  20 , and the nature of the plastic employed to fabricate said container member are chosen so as to cause said sidewall to be transparent. The term “transparent”, as employed herein is intended to define a sidewall structure which permits the external visual discernment of opaque paste-like medication  21  disposed within said bore. Suitable plastics useful in providing the necessary transparency and rigidity of said container member include polyvinyl chloride, acrylic polymers, polycarbonates, cellulose butyrate, ionomer resins and olefin terpolymers. The outside diameter of sidewall  20  is between 1.75 and 2.0 inches. 
     Plunger member  12  is of cylindrical rod or tube construction, elongated between forward and rearward extremities  29  and  30 , respectively, said extremities having first and second transverse surfaces,  31  and  32 , respectively. Said plunger member is dimensioned and configured to make close fitting insertive sliding engagement with interior surface  18  of bore  13 . First transverse surface  31  is adapted to apply an advancing force to medication disposed within bore  13 . A surrounding lip  33  is disposed about the circular perimeter of said first transverse surface, preferably as a continuous integral extension thereof. Said lip protrudes outwardly from the exterior side wall surface  34  of said plunger, the extent of said outward protrusion being less than 1 millimeter. 
     The function of lip  33  is to engage grooves  17  within the interior surface  18  of bore  13 . The nature of such engagement is slight, but sufficient to produce a tactile feeling of a discontinuity in the otherwise smooth forward motion of plunger member  12  within bore  13 . In some embodiments, the nature of such engagement may be such as to produce an audible click. It is further to be noted that the seated position of lip  33  within one of the grooves  17  is visually discernible because of the transparent nature of said container member. 
     Abutment means in the form of collar  35  extends outwardly from rearward extremity  30  of plunger member  12  as a continuous integral extension thereof. One function of collar  35  is to limit forward movement of said plunger member by way of abutment with the trailing extremity  16  of said container member. Another function of collar  35  is to permit manipulative gripping of said plunger member by the user. 
     In operation, the user will enter medications  21  having paste-like consistency into said container member in desired amounts employing said demarcation grooves as volumetric measuring indicia. Suitable medications are generally sold in squeeze dispensers which facilitate transfer of the medication into said container member. Plunger member  12  is then placed within bore  13  and advanced so as to obtain an accurate, squared off displacement of the medication relative to said grooves. The leading extremity  15  of said container member is then inserted into the vagina and the plunger member is depressed until a click is felt or heard or until the plunger member has come to rest by the action of abutment collar  35 . 
     The two monolithic plastic components of the dispenser device are of such simple construction and attendant low manufacturing cost as to justify one-time use and disposal of the dispenser. 
     While particular examples of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.