Patent Publication Number: US-2021190566-A1

Title: Controlled liquid dose dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a controlled liquid dose dispenser for dispensing liquids. Specifically, the present invention relates to a controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of a pen for dispensing liquids in specified quantities accurately. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Precise dispensing of liquids is useful in food and pharmaceutical industry to distribute small quantities of solutions, chemicals, reagents, medicines, drugs, enzymes, additives etc. In various processes, it is desired to deliver small quantities of valuable reagents necessary to initiate chemical reactions and to get intended results. 
     Micro-volume liquid handling technologies have been extensively used in the field of molecular biology and have been under rapid development over the last several decades. Accompanying the trend of laboratory automation and high-throughput, the liquid dispensing is increasingly playing. 
     Dispensing liquid volumes of less than 1 milliliter accurately and reproducibly in a single drop is a long-sought goal in areas as diverse as chemical screening for drug discovery, pharmaceutical formulation, agricultural chemistry, cosmetic and food processing, and ink-jet printing. 
     Thus, there is a need to develop a dispenser for controlled delivery of liquids which is portable, effective and economical. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser for dispensing small amounts of liquids/semi liquids/gels/solutions/viscous liquids accurately. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of a pen that is easy to carry and to dispense the liquid in a hygienic manner at the desired location. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser wherein the cap of the pen shaped controlled liquid dose dispenser is used for delivering the liquid from the reservoir present in the pen. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid dose dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser comprises main body having a front assembly, mid assembly and a rear assembly. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a reservoir (liquid container), liquid dispensing tip, and textured grip on the outer casing of the front assembly. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a lead screw having a lead screw head at a front end, a rubber gasket for guiding the screw in a mid assembly. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a stopper at the end of the front assembly for holding the reservoir in contact. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a cam, nut, and a spring element present in the mid assembly. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the spring aids in retraction of the structure to the normal position. The dispenser further comprises a slider, an end cap with a female part (groove) and the lead screw extending to the rear end. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the rear assembly controls the dispensing of liquid from the dispenser. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the end cap is a closer of the main body at the rear end with a cap assembly with engaging structure. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required doses of liquids, solutions, viscous fluids for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food applications. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is in the shape of a pen with the cap assembly adapted to be used as a covering to the tip from which the fluid is dispensed. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said cap assembly comprises an engaging structure from inside. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said engaging structure present in the cap fit to the female part (groove) in the end cap. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said structures present in the cap activate the valve of the dispensing system. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said the engaging structure present in the cap pushes the female part in the end cap. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said cap assembly is detachable from the pen shaped dispenser body. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser comprises a non-return valve (not shown), for allowing liquid from the reservoir. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said lead screw acts as a plunger assembly having a plunger element and a liquid-tight seal and the plunger assembly is extending from the reservoir. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing controlled amount of liquid/medicine in nose, ears, mouth or onto the other parts of the body. The medicine in the dose range of 0.01 ml to 2 ml is delivered accurately. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used in dental applications for dispensing medicine in the form of fluid or semi fluid to teeth or in between tooth. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required amount of dosage of fluid accurately in upward, sideward or in any intended direction. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing enzymes in a food industry. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required amount of dosage of fluid accurately in upward, sideward or in any intended direction. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is a disposable type dispenser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates perspective of view and  FIG. 1B  illustrates side sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates perspective view of controlled liquid dose dispenser with cap inserted from back of the pen shaped dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 3B  illustrates bottom view of the cap arrangement of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 4B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 4C  illustrates bottom view of the front assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 5B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 5C  illustrates top view of the mid assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 6B  illustrates side sectional view,  FIG. 6C  illustrates top view and  FIG. 6D  illustrates bottom views of the cam assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates perspective view,  FIGS. 7B, 7C  illustrate the side sectional views,  FIG. 7D  illustrates top view and  FIG. 7E  illustrates bottom of a nut assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 8B  illustrates side sectional view,  FIGS. 8C and 8D  illustrate top and bottom views of the injector assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 9B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 9C  illustrates bottom view of the coil assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 10B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 10C  illustrates bottom of the mid shell assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates perspective view and  FIG. 11B  illustrates bottom view of grip of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of pen is disclosed. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, applications, or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates perspective view and  FIG. 1B  illustrates front sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the controlled liquid dose dispenser  100  is present in the shape of a pen. The controlled liquid dose dispenser  100  has a cap  110  with engaging structure  112 , main body assembly  120 , an end cap  122 , cam engaging slider  124 , cam  126 , nut  128 , lead screw  130 , spring  132 , reservoir (liquid container)  134 , liquid dispensing tip  136 , front end assembly  138 , rear assembly  140 , grip  142 , stopper  144 , lead screw  156 , lead screw head  152 . The cap  110  is present at the front side of the controlled liquid dose dispenser  100  when the controlled liquid dose dispenser  100  is not dispensing liquid. The cap  122  is detachable from the main body assembly  120 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of controlled liquid dose dispenser  200  with cap  210  inserted from back of the main body assembly  220  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in shown in  FIG. 2 , the cap  210  is inserted from the rear end  240  of the main body. The cap  210  contains an engaging structure  212  inside of it. When the cap  210  is inserted from the rear side of the main end of the main body assembly  220 , the engaging structure  212  acts as a male part and fits into the female part  262  of the end cap  222 . 
     After the fit is attained, the cap  210  is clicked manually on cap head  216  which engages the injector linearly forward that results in the dispensing of liquid in the reservoir  234  through the tip  236 . Further the required dosage can be dispensed by the user either based on the number of clicks or as per dosage required. 
     In one embodiment, the dosage dispensed is about 0.01 ml to 2 ml. The liquid reservoir  234  can store about 2 to 15 ml of the liquid. Once the liquid in the liquid reservoir  234  is over, the user may dispose the controlled liquid dose dispenser  200 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the cross-sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser cap arrangement  310  and bottom view of the cap arrangement  310  respectively. The cap  310  is present at the front side of the liquid dose dispenser  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the cap  310  is detachable from the pen shaped liquid dose dispenser  300  body and is inserted from rear end  340  of the main body that contains engaging structure  312  inside (not shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). 
     The engaging structure  312  will be inserted in to the female portion  362  provided at the end cap  322  of the liquid dispenser. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the operation of the dispenser is carried out only when the cap  310  is inserted at the back of the rear side of the main end of the main body and cap head  316  is operated manually by click mechanisms. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates front assembly  438  of controlled liquid dose dispenser perspective view,  FIG. 4B  illustrates front view and  FIG. 4C  illustrates side view of front assembly  438  of liquid dose dispenser. 
     The front assembly  438  of pen shaped controlled liquid dose dispenser  400  includes a reservoir (liquid container)  434 , liquid dispensing tip  436  and grip  442 . 
     The reservoir  434  is present in the main body  400 . The reservoir  434  stores the liquid to be dispensed. The lead screw  430  pushes the liquid towards the tip  436  during dispensing of the liquid. The liquid container (reservoir)  434  stores about 2 ml to 15 ml of the that is used nor dispensing liquid as per the requirement. 
     The tip  436  of the controlled liquid dispenser is generally made of polypropylene and is integrated with the front assembly  438 . The dosage is dispensed from the tip  436  in the specified amounts by the user. 
     When the cap  410  is inserted at the rear assembly  440  of the pen shaped liquid dispenser  400 , the lead screw  430  pushes the liquid present in the reservoir  434  towards the tip  436  by clicking the head cap  416  as many times as the dosage required. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the dosage dispensed is in the range of 0.01 ml to 2 ml. 
     The outer shell  446  of the main body can be transparent so that the volume of the liquid present in the reservoir  434  can be viewed from outside without opening the main body. 
     In one embodiment of the invention the outer body of the main body is opaque so that it can remain unexposed to the surroundings. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates rear assembly  540  of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5A  displays a hollow cylindrical shape with internal thread grip  546  at front end,  FIG. 5B  displays front view of the rear assembly  540 . The rear assembly comprises of nut  528 , cam  526  and cam engaging slider  524  and a lead screw  530 . The rear assembly  540  is an arrangement of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the outer shell of the dispensing system is made of polymers like ABS, PU, and HDPE etc. It protects the all internal parts according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the perspective view and  FIG. 6B  illustrates front view and  FIGS. 6C and 6D  illustrate corresponding side views of the cam assembly  626  of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6B  the linear movement of the lead screw  630  is guided by the cam  626  that engages the lead screw  630  to serve the purpose of liquid dispensing. The slider  650  moves the cam  626 . The slider  650  has two projections one at each end (not shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). The movement of the cam  626  in forward direction helps in pushing the lead screw  630  which in turn pushes the liquid inside the reservoir  634  through the tip  636  for the desired dosage of the liquid dose dispenser. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates perspective view,  FIGS. 7B, 7C  illustrate the side sectional views,  FIG. 7D  illustrates top view and  FIG. 7E  illustrates bottom of a nut assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7D , the nut assembly  728  rotates and the lead screw  730  which connects to the reservoir (liquid container)  734  moves forward. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 8B  illustrates side sectional view,  FIGS. 8C and 8D  illustrate top and bottom views of the injector assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 8A to 8D , the lead screw  830  has an inner face having a rubber gasket  852  towards the liquid reservoir  834  and an outer face for engaging a lead screw  830  that may be manually operated using the pen cap slider mechanism. During the operation of the controlled liquid dose dispenser, the lead screw pushes the liquid reservoir  834  in the forward direction for dispensing of the liquid. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates perspective view and  FIG. 9B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 9C  illustrates bottom view of the coil assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9C , the coil  932  is mounted on the lead screw  830 , to serve the clicking mechanism that is used for dispensing the required dosage. The coil  932  helps in retraction of the cam assembly (not shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9C ) after dispensing of the liquid. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates perspective view,  FIG. 10B  illustrates side sectional view and  FIG. 10C  illustrates bottom of the mid shell assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 10A to 10C , the mid shell acts as a casing for the entire mid body that covers all the interior parts like lead screw  1030 , nut  1028 , cam  1026  and end cap  1022 . The mid shell  1048  is therein attached to the front assembly  1038  of the liquid dose dispenser. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates perspective view and  FIG. 11B  illustrates bottom view of grip of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the grip  1142  helps the user to hold the main body assembly (not shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ) firmly so that a comfortable hold is assured.