Applicator and dispenser with interface

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed invention feature a dispenser for incrementally metering discrete volumes of a medicant into an applicator having a tubular barrel and a plunger by attaching the dispense end of the applicator into an interface on a cover of the dispenser. Dispensing the dispenser to inject medicant into the applicator which moves the plunger in the applicator. The cover having a open and closed state by rotating an outer cover on an inner cover to align apertures for the open state. The interface may be configured with a C-shaped collar for extending partially circumferentially around, more than 180 degrees, of the dispense end of the tubular barrel to releasably grasp the tubular barrel. A lip on the dispense end of the tubular barrel seats in a groove in the interface and the end tip of the barrel sealing about a dispense port of the inner cover.

Description

[0001] APPLICATOR AND DISPENSER WITH INTERFACE

[0002] RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 535,045 filed on August 28, 2025. The application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Metered dose dispensers for dispensing prescribed medicants have become popular for dispensing topical medicants by patients that are often prepared in compounding pharmacies. The pharmacy fills the dispenser with the medicants to give to the consumer. These dispensers may be utilized to dispense the medicants out of a plurality of apertures on a smooth surfaced topical application cap of the dispenser for direct topical application to the user. Such dispensers may also be provided with an appropriate applicator interface cap, rather than the applicator cap, to interface with and fill vaginal or rectal applicators. Such applicators have a barrel defining a chamber, and a plunger in the barrel chamber with a dispense end of the barrel attachable to an upwardly extending nipple on the applicator interface cap. The plunger having a handle projecting from the barrel end opposite the dispense end.

[0006] U.S. patent Pub. US 2020 / 0129743 illustrates an example of such a system with a vaginal or rectal applicator that interfaces with a dispenser cap with a nipple, the nipple received within the dispense end such that the plunger is pushed upwardly withing with barrel. When removed from the nipple after filling from the metered dispenser, there will be a portion of the chamber at the dispense end that does not have medicant due to the displacement provided by the nipple interface. To the extent that applicator has indicia indicating volumes of medicant therein, this void of medicant can provide inaccuracy in such measurements. Said application / publication is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. U.S. Patent No. 11,040,181, owned by the owner of this application, illustrates a metered dispenser with a rotating actuating knob and having a smooth surfaced topical application cap.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Embodiments of the disclosed invention feature a dispenser for incrementally metering discrete volumes of a compounded pharmaceutical liquid, cream, or gel formulation, and for loading such medicants into a vaginal or rectal applicator by way of interface on an applicator cover. The applicator interface providing an easy to make and break connection between the dispenser and the applicator. In embodiments, the applicator having a tubular barrel with a dispense end that is received at an interface at a filling port on the dispenser cover. In embodiments interface may be a boss projecting upwardly on the cover assembly. The boss having a collar portion that extends circumferentially partially around the dispense end of the applicator and may have a pair of free collar spring ends to releasably secure the dispense end of the applicator within the interface. In embodiments, the applicator interface of the dispenser may be configured as a receiving slot to receive the applicator dispense end in a radial direction with respect to an axis of the dispenser and an axis of the applicator.

[0009] The dispense end of the applicator barrel may have a radially projecting lip extending entirely around the tip of the barrel, the lip received within a cooperating inside groove in the interface boss or slot. The collar portion may be positioned for engaging an upper portion of the radially projecting lip for securement of the applicator dispense end in the interface. The applicator may be connected to the interface by directly inserting the applicator dispense end axially into the boss and / or receiving slot until the dispense end is seated at which point the dispense end lip will be received in an inside lip receiving groove of the interface and the collar portion will secure the applicator in a proud position projecting from the applicator interface cover ready for filling. In embodiments, the applicator may be easily removed from the interface after filling by tilting the applicator toward an open end the collar portion. This motion releases the clamping force provided by the collar portion and the applicator is released and removable from the interface.

[0010] In embodiments, the dispenser having cover assembly for closing the dispense end which may provide an open and close feature, for example have a shut off and open feature effectuated by a partial rotation of the out. In embodiments, the cover assembly comprises an inner cover secured to a dispenser housing by way of threads or snap on structure, for example. An outer cover covers and cooperates with the inner cover and is secured thereto axially while providing a partial rotation between an open position where apertures in the inner cover and outer cover are aligned and a closed position where the respective apertures are displaced from one another. In embodiments, a projection such as a nub, may project downwardly from an interior surface outer cover to seat in the aperture of the inner cover. In embodiments, a flexible elastomeric cover with a unitary strap extends from a lower neck portion of the boss to allow the cover to be placed on and over the dispense boss when not in use.

[0011] In embodiments, the dispense end of the applicator may be slid into a slot defined on the cover assembly. In embodiments the slot defined at a juncture of the outer cover and inner cover. In embodiments, an aperture defined in the outer cover may have converging edge portions leading to a seating region for the applicator dispense end. The converging edge portions and seating region may have a keyhole shape. Collar portions for engaging applicator dispense end may be positioned to grasp the applicator at a circumferential lip at the tip of the dispense end of the applicator with the annular end surface of the applicator positioned on a seating surface of the inner cover that extends about a dispense aperture, the dispenser port, of the inner cover.

[0012] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that a user can readily see when the cover assembly is in an open state or a closed state and the cover assembly can be easily changed from open state to the closed state or vice versa by a simple partial rotation of the exterior cover of the cover assembly. Indicia may be provided on the outer cover for directing the rotational direction to a user.

[0013] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that medicant can be mixed in the chamber above the elevator in that the space is open. That is, it does not have a drive screw extending through the elevator into the space above the chamber as is common in prior art dispensers. The covers described herein attach to the exterior or the housing defining the chamber with the elevator therein, by way of cooperating structure on the covers and the exterior of the housing.

[0014] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the dispense port of the cover assembly is offset from the center of the cover assembly when viewed axially allowing the outer cover to be rotated on the inner cover and allowing the dispense aperture of the inner cover and the aperture of the outer cover to be displaced from one another and aligned with one another with the rotation of the outer cover on the inner cover. Such rotation allows opening and closing of the cover assembly.

[0015] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that interior surfaces of the applicator tubular barrel and does not contact or engage any structure on the dispenser, the engagement between the applicator barrel and dispenser is exclusively at the exterior circumferential surfaces of the applicator barrel and the annular end surface of the barrel. The dispenser is exposed to minimal surface on the exterior of the dispenser minimizing the opportunity for contaminants on the dispenser from contaminating the applicator, particularly the applicator interior. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the dispenser structure does not intrude into the interior of the tubular barrel of the applicator. The applicator plunger may be displaced to its maximum dispense position, flush with or approximately flush with the end tip surface. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the plunger does not need to project out of the end of the tubular barrel. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the plunger does not interact with any dispenser structure including the applicator interface of the dispenser. Insertion of the applicator into the applicator interface on the dispenser does not move the applicator plunger.

[0016] In embodiments, a tubular barrel of the applicator has an exterior diameter in the range of .40 inches to .65 inches at a mid section of the tubular barrel. In embodiments, a tubular barrel of the applicator has an exterior diameter in the range of .45 inches to .55 inches at a mid section of the tubular barrel. In embodiments the tubular barrel has a wall thickness of from .02 to .06 inches at a mid section of the tubular barrel. In embodiments the tubular barrel has a wall thickness of from .03 to .05 inches at a mid section of the tubular barrel. In embodiments, the tubular barrel of the applicator has a localized taper at the dispense end, the taper extending decreasing the diameter of the barrel at least .015 inches over an axial distance of .20 inches or less. In embodiments, the tubular barrel of the applicator has one or more radially extending recesses, grooves, or concavities positioned within .30 inches from the end tip of the dispense end of the tubular barrel. In embodiments, a recess, concavity, or groove is defined at a juncture of a annular lip extending circumferentially around the barrel. In embodiments, the annular lip is at the end tip of the tubular barrel.

[0017] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that removal of a filled applicator from the interface on the dispenser leaves minimal medicant residue at the dispenser port, minimizing waste and potential for contamination. Additionally in embodiments, the keyhole shape of the aperture of the outer cover provides access to the minimal medicant reside allowing the dispense port to be wiped clean with a tissue or the like. A feature and advantage of embodiments is when the filled applicator is removed from the interface on the dispenser, the applicator is full to the tip of the of the applicator.

[0018] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the applicator is engaged in a direction that is transverse to the axis of the applicator and the axis of the dispenser and that no rotation or screwing-on motion is necessary. A simple tactile click may provide assurance that the applicator is secured on the dispense port ready to be filled with the medicant in the dispenser.

[0019] A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the components may be readily manufactured by conventional injection molding techniques and readily assembled manually or robotically.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser applicator system.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components comprising an embodiment of the metered dispenser applicator system. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the applicator connecting to the dispenser with the dispenser cover in an open position.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the cover of the dispenser in accord with embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the dispense end of the application prior to engagement with an interface boss on the dispenser cover.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an inner cover and outer cover.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a upward looking perspective view of the inner cover and outer cover of FIG.

[0027] 6.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an applicator being disengaged from the interface of a cover in accord with embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a dispenser according to embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 10 is another exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 9.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dispenser that slidingly receives an applicator in a applicator receiving slot on a cover assembly in accord with embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the dispenser received in the applicator receiving slot.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the underside of the cover assembly and applicator of FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cover assembly of the dispenser of FIG. 11 in an open state.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cover assembly of FIG. 14 with a applicator received in the applicator receiving slot.

[0036] FIG. 16 is perspective view of the cover assembly of FIG. 14 in a closed state.

[0037] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0038] FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken at line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

[0039] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the underside of cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0040] FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken at line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

[0041] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the outer cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0042] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the outer cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0043] FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the outer cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0044] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the inner cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0045] FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the inner cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0046] FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the inner cover of the cover assembly of FIG. 14.

[0047] FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the cover assembly with a applicator received in the applicator receiving slot and the cover assembly in an open dispense state. FIG. 28 is a detailed cross sectional view of the interface of the applicator in the applicator receiving slot.

[0048] FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view of the cover assembly in a closed state.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of system 15 comprising a metered dose dispenser 20 and an applicator 30 that is engageable with at a dispenser discharge port 32 on a cover assembly 36 of the dispenser 20. In embodiments, the cover assembly having an interface 37 at the discharge port configured as an interface boss 38 for securing the applicator thereto. The dispenser 20 includes a housing 40 and an actuating knob 44 rotatable on the housing and positioned opposite a dispense end 45 of the housing 40. Details of the operation of the dispenser are described below, particularly in association with FIGS. 9 and 10. The applicator 30 has a syringe configuration with a tubular barrel 46 and a plunger 48 that includes plunger portion 52, a stem portion 54, and a manual handle 56. The tubular barrel 46 has a circumferentially and radially extending projection 62 configured as a lip at the tip 64 of a dispense end 66 of the tubular barrel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the applicator is in a state with the plunger fully inserted into the barrel and the plunger portion is then positioned at the tip 64 of the dispense end. In embodiments, the outer surface 68 of the plunger may be flush or slightly recessed with respect to the tip 64.

[0051] Referring in particular to FIGS 2-5, the dispense end 66 of the applicator 30 cooperatively engages with the interface boss 38 on the cover 36 as best shown by FIGS. 1 and 3. The interface boss may be configured with a collar 70 extending circumferentially in a partial circle, that is for example a C-shape, at the distal region of the boss and having a pair of collar arms 72, 73 defining an open side 75 of the interface boss. The outer cover at the interface boss having a central opening 76 through which medicant may flow into an applicator seated in the interface boss. The collar 72 and collar arms 72, 73 extending more than 180 degrees about the applicator barrel when the applicator is inserted into the interface boss providing an open side 78 to the interface boss 38. In embodiments, the collar and collar arms have a C-shape and extend more than 190 degrees about the central opening 76 of the discharge port. In embodiments, the collar and collar arms extend more than 205 degrees about the central opening 76. In other embodiments, the collar may extend 360 degrees about the central opening 76, with no open side. In embodiments, the interface boss 38 has an internal groove 79 on the inside surface of the collar 70 that is positioned and conformingly sized to the lip 62 at the dispense end 66 of the tubular barrel. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the applicator 46 may be inserted directly into the interface boss 38 in a direction parallel to the axis of the dispenser 20 and may have a tactile sensation of seating when the projection 62 is received in the groove 79 and the tip 64 of the applicator 30 seats on an upwardly facing surface 83 of a base 84 of the interface boss 38. The collar arms are configured to effectuate a clamping action on the tubular barrel 46 and accordingly may be configured to provide an interference fit with the applicator 30. The applicator may be slid into the

[0052] As illustrated by FIG. 8, the applicator 30 may be easily removed by rotating the upper portion 89 of the applicator 30 in the direction as illustrated. The upper surface of the collar acts as a fulcrum to allow the dispense end 66 to expand the collar arms 72, 73 and release the dispense end 66.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9, in embodiments, cover means 90 may comprise an inner cover 92 and an outer cover 94, the outer cover having the interface boss 38 for receiving the applicator 30. The inner cover may be secured to the dispenser housing 40 with cooperating structures 96, 97 molded in the respective top of the housing and inside surface 98 of the inside cover, such as angled projections and ribs, or cooperating threads and / or recesses2. The outer cover may snap onto the inner cover 92 with angled wedges 102 that snap over a circumferential rib 104 of the inner cover. Upright ribs 105, extending axially inside the outer cover, can provide limited rotation by placement in a gap 107 in the circumferential rib 104. With the inner cover non rotationally attached to the housing, the outer cover can rotate a limited amount with the limits of the rotation defined by upright ribs abutting the rib ends 111, 112 defining the rotational stops.

[0054] As best shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the inner cover 92 and outer cover 94 each have an upper wall 120, 122 which may engage one another in a flush manner when the covers are secured to the housing. Each of inner cover and outer covers may have a dispensing aperture 126, 127 through which medicant 125 in the dispenser 20 may be dispensed through, when in alignment, into the applicator when seated in the interface boss. The applicator plunger 48 then may be pushed upwardly in the tubular barrel 46 as medicant is dispensed from the dispenser and received in the applicator such that the handle extends away from the upper end of the tubular barrel. The apertures 126, 127 when in alignment have the respective upper walls 120, 122 making surface to surface contact essentially providing a closed and sealed path for medicant through the aperture of the inner cover and the aperture of the outer cover. The confronting surfaces 129, 130 of the upper walls of the inner and outer covers may have cooperating projections 131 and recesses 133 to seat the upper cover in respective open and closed positions.

[0055] Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10, these show how the component parts of dispenser 20 are arranged and assembled. The housing 40 accepts actuating knob 44 into its lower end 160 with stem 162 extending into the interior 164 of the housing 40. Drive nut 177 snaps onto and fixed to the stem such that rotation of then knob rotates the drive nut 177. Screw member 180 is non rotatably attached to elevator 184 and is threadingly engaged with drive nut 177 such that rotation of drive nut moves the screw member and the connected elevator axially toward the dispense end of the housing forcing any medicant in the chamber out through the discharge port of the cover, when the cover is in an open position. See USP 11,040,181 to Skakoon for further explanation of operation and construction of such dispensers. Said patent is owned by the owner of this application and is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0056] Cap member 190 may be formed for an elastomeric material providing the flexible strap portion 192 and a flexible cap portion 194. The aperture 195 may be placed around the interface boss 38 for retention thereon. The cap portion sized to be positioned on and removably retained on the interface boss.

[0057] The components described herein may be injection molded from suitable polymers.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 11-29, another embodiment of a 215 system comprising a metered dose dispenser 220 and an applicator 230 that is engageable with dispenser discharge port 232 on a cover assembly 236 of the dispenser 220. The cover assembly 232 having an interface 237 at the discharge port 232 configured as a slot 239 for receiving and securing the applicator 230 thereto.

[0059] Operation and configuration of the components of the dispenser 220 attached to the cover assembly 232 may be as described above in association with FIGS. 9 and 10 and as described in USP 11,040,181 to Skakoon. In embodiments, the dispenser generally having a housing 240 and rotatable knob 244 for dispensing contents.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 11-13 and 27-28, the applicator 230 has a syringe configuration with a tubular barrel 246 and a plunger 248 that includes plunger portion 252, a stem portion 254, and a manual handle 256. The tubular barrel 246 may have a circumferentially and radially extending projection configured as a lip 262 at the end tip 264 of a dispense end 266 of the tubular barrel 246 and the applicator 230. The lip providing a surface 267 that is faces toward the handle end of the applicator and defines a concavity or groove 269 between the cylindrical surface 270 of the barrel and the lip. In embodiments a circumferential groove or notches may be positioned at the dispense end of the tubular barrel providing one or more surfaces facing away from the dispense end of the applicator such that the dispense end of the applicator can be captured in a slot defined by the cover assembly.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 27 the applicator is in a state with the plunger fully inserted into the barrel and the plunger portion 252 is then positioned at the tip 264 of the dispense end and is seated in the interface 237. In embodiments, the outer surface 268 of the plunger may be flush or slightly recessed with respect to the tip 264. The applicator may be configured as a vaginal applicator with the diameter of the mid section of the tubular barrel in the range of .40 to .65 inches. The tubular barrel may have a slight lengthwise taper which can facilitate moldability.

[0062] Referring generally to FIGS. 11-29, in embodiments, the cover assembly 232 comprises an inner cover 292 and outer cover 294 each generally have an upper wall 320, 322 with a circular periphery. The upper walls 320, 322 confront one another and have localized contact when assembled. Downwardly extending skirts or annular wall portions 330, 333 also cooperatively engage with one another. The inner and outer covers 292, 294 may interface with one another as described above with respect to the cover assembly 36 for axial retention while allowing a partial rotation with respect to each other. The inner annular wall portion 330 has attachment features 336 such as wedges or recesses for securement to the housing, the inner cover then defining the upper wall of the dispenser chamber that holds and dispenses the medicant ass illustrated in FIG. 3 of an earlier described embodiment. The outer cover 294 having a C-shaped collar portion 370 with a lower arcuate inset portion 372 defining a groove 373 that is configured for receiving the lip 266 of the applicator 230 and an arcuate cylindrical portion 376 for receiving the tubular barrel 246 that is positioned above the lip 266. The lower inset portion and arcuate cylindrical portion conformingly sized to receive and releasably grasp the applicator maintaining it in the retained proud position as depicted in FIG. 12 for filling same. The inner cover 292 may also have cooperating features such as upwardly projecting rib 381 and an inner region having a raised plateau surface 382 that may be received in the outer cover aperture 384 and that cooperatively define the arcuate receiving groove 386 for receiving the tip 264 and lip 266. In embodiments. The dispense end of the applicator at the lip 266 is may thus be captured between the upper walls 322, 320 of the outer cover and inner cover when the cover assembly is in the dispense state pressing the tip of the applicator against the raised surface 382 of the inner cover 292. The raised surface 382 is an inner region as defined by the U-shaped boundary extending to or toward the annular wall 330.

[0063] The inner cover 292 when secured to the housing does not rotate with respect to the housing during usage. The outer cover when secured to the inner cover has at least a partial rotation available to the user to convert the cover assembly from a closed or non-dispense state to an open or dispense state, see for example, FIGS 14, 15, and 16. In FIG. 15, a dispensing aperture 382 of the inner cover 292 is aligned and centered within the aperture 384 configured as a slot with converging edge portions that extend to the applicator retention portion, specifically the arcuate collar portion 370. With the alignment of the apertures 382 and 384 a user can visually see that the cover assembly is open in the dispense state ready for slidingly receiving the dispense end 266 of the applicator 230. Referring to FIG. 11, the applicator may be inserted in a direction transverse to the axis al of the applicator 230 and transverse to the axis a2 of the dispenser. The tubular barrel 246 may flex inwardly and the C-shaped retention portion 370 may flex slightly outward facilitating the entry of the dispense end into the seating region 373 of the cover assembly 232 to the position of FIGS. 12 and 27. In the seating region, the tip 264 of the tubular barrel of the applicator 230 is seated on the upper or outer surface 375 of the inner cover 292 with the tip making circular sealing contact about the periphery of the inner cover aperture 382 as best shown in FIG. 27.

[0064] In this dispense state, the knob of the dispenser may be rotated to dispense medicant from the dispenser to load the applicator. Upon loading of the applicator, the applicator may be removed, for example by pushing the applicator end 266 in a direction opposite the arrow of FIG. 11, that is, radially outward, or by tilting the upper portion of the applicator in a direction consistent with the arrow of FIG. 11 thereby pivoting the tip 264 out of the lower arcuate inset portion 372 releasing the dispense end from the seating region.

[0065] Rotation of the outer cover 294 clockwise as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, a partial rotation with respect to the inner cover 292 and the attached dispenser will move the inner cover aperture 382 out of alignment with the outer cover aperture 384 thereby closing the cover assembly 236.

[0066] As best shown in FIGS. 17, 19, 20, and 29, the inside surface 387 of the upper wall 322 of the outer cover 294 may have structure 389 that cooperates with the top or outer surface of the inner cover and features thereon when the cover assembly is rotated to the closed or nondispense position. For example, U-shaped rib 391 and dome shaped projection 393 may be conformingly sized and shaped to capture the rib 381 and raised surface 382 of the inner cover. The dome projection sized to sealingly close the dispense aperture 382 of the inner cover 292. The dome shaped projection 393 may operate as a detent for positioning and retention of the cover assembly in the closed position.

[0067] In embodiments, the outer cover 294, rotatable on the inner cover 292, may have indicia

[0068] 397 thereon providing instructions for opening or closing the cover assembly. In embodiments The following patents are incorporated by reference for all purposes:

[0069] U.S. Pat. No. 1,568,178 to Noble

[0070] U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,970 to Baumann et al.

[0071] U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,127 to Gentile

[0072] U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,158 to Woodruff et al.

[0073] U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,111 to Mizusawa

[0074] U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,124 to Duval et al.

[0075] U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,344 to Sutenbach et al.

[0076] U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,444 to Oshida

[0077] U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,242 to Schaty

[0078] U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,178 to Konietzko

[0079] U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,302 to Dornbusch et al.

[0080] U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,133 to laia

[0081] U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,079 to Horstman et al.

[0082] U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,621 to Szekely

[0083] U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,471 to Lang

[0084] U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,686 to Neuner et al.

[0085] U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,611 to Elliesen et al.

[0086] U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,272 to Yamanaka

[0087] U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,609 to Konietzko

[0088] U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,564 to Corrigan

[0089] U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,994 to Phipps et al.

[0090] U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,348 to Phipps et al.

[0091] U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,707 to Bougamont et al.

[0092] U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,892 to McCoy

[0093] U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,780 to Zhang

[0094] U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,703 to Skwarek et al.

[0095] U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,532 to Nasu et al.

[0096] U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,684 to Perez

[0097] U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,993 to Gagne et al.

[0098] U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,571 to Phipps et al.

[0099] U.S. Pat. No. 11,040,181 to Skakoon

[0100] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2008 / 0101850 to Wojcik et al.

[0101] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2014 / 0031323 to Perez U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2014 / 0221945 to Dos Santos et al.

[0102] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2016 / 0129228 to Perez

[0103] WO 2014 / 121259 to Dos Santos et al.

[0104] U.S. patent Pub. US 2020 / 00129743 to Perez

[0105] The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive futures thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered by the spirit and technical theory of the subject invention.

[0106] When used herein, “portion” may be all of or less than all of an item, an assembly or a compilation unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0107] While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail. It is understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the application to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0108] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that various embodiments can comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the claims can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

[0109] References to “embodiment(s)”, “disclosure”, “present disclosure”, “embodiment(s) of the disclosure”, “disclosed embodiment(s)”, and the like contained herein refer to the specification (text, including the claims, and figures) of this patent application that are not admitted prior art.

[0110] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in the respective claim.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for filling an applicator with medicant, the system comprising: a dispenser having a reservoir with the medicant in the reservoir, the dispenser having an interface at a dispense port; and the applicator having a tubular barrel with an interior wall surface defining an interior for receiving medicant, and a plunger axially slidable in the interior of the tubular barrel; wherein the interface on the dispenser has a retention portion for extending about and releasably receiving a dispense end of the applicator, the interface on the dispenser not extending into the interior of the tubular barrel of the vaginal applicator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface has a C-shaped retention portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a metered dose dispenser.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a housing defining a chamber, the housing having a discharge end and an opposite end, the dispenser further comprising an elevator in the chamber, a mechanism for moving the elevator toward the discharge end, and an exterior knob rotatably attached to the opposite end of the housing and connected to the mechanism whereby rotation of the knob actuates the mechanism to move the elevator towards the discharge end.

5. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the dispenser has a cover assembly with a outwardly exposed rigid polymer circular wall and wherein the dispense port is positioned on the circular wall.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the dispense port is offset from a center of the circular wall.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the cover assembly comprises an inner cover and an outer cover rotatably attached to the inner cover, wherein the dispense port is on the inner cover, and wherein the outer cover has an aperture that is alignable with and displaceable from the dispense port of the inner cover by rotation of the outer cover with respect to the inner cover.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the aperture on the outer cover has a keyhole shape.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the aperture defines the retention portion for extending about and releasably receiving the dispense end of the applicator.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the outer covers rotation on the inner cover is limited to 120 degrees or less.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the inner cover has a U-shaped rib with the dispense port positioned in an inner region defined by the U-shaped rib.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the inner region defined by the U-shaped rib has a surface that is raised with respect to the surface outside of the inner region defined by the U-shaped rib.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the outer cover has indicia thereon providing directional rotation information for opening and closing the cover assembly.

14. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the applicator plunger has a fully depressed state where the plunger surface at the discharge end of the tubular barrel does not extend past the end tip of the tubular barrel.

15. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the applicator tubular barrel has a radially outward projecting rib positioned at the end tip that is captured by the dispenser interface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the cover assembly has an inner cover and an outer cover that is rotatably attached to the inner cover, and wherein the radially outward projecting rib is captured at a junction between the inner cover and the outer cover.

17. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the applicator tubular barrel has a surface facing in a direction away from the end tip, and wherein when the retention portion of the interface on the dispenser receives the dispense of the applicator, the interface captures the tubular barrel at the surface facing away from the end tip.

18. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the applicator is slidingly received in the interface in a direction transverse to an axis of the dispenser.

19. The system of claim 7, wherein the C-shaped retention portion is part of the outer cover and partially defines the aperture of the outer cover.

20. The system of claim 7, wherein the C-shaped retention portion is configured as a C-shaped collar that releasable grasps the applicator tubular barrel above a lip positioned at a dispense end of the tubular barrel.

21. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the applicator is configured as a vaginal applicator and the tubular barrel has a mid section with a diameter in the range of .40 to .65 inches.

22. The system of claim 6, wherein the applicator is configured as a vaginal applicator and the tubular barrel has a mid section with a diameter in the range of .40 to .65 inches.

23. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein when the applicator is received at the dispenser interface, the tubular barrel deforms inwardly.

24. The system of claim 2, wherein the C-shaped retention portion is spaced from the dispense port, and wherein the dispense port has an axially facing surface, and wherein an annular tip surface of the tubular barrel seats against the axially facing surface when the applicator is received by the C-shaped retention portion.

25. The system of claim 7, wherein when the dispense end of the applicator is received by the interface, the end tip of the barrel seals against a surface extending around the dispense port of the inner cover.

26. The system of claim 2, wherein the C-shaped retention portion releaseably secures the dispense end of the barrel axially and radially.

27. The system of claim 2, wherein the applicator has a handle end opposite the dispense end and wherein the tubular barrel of the applicator has a clamping surface facing axially toward the handle end, the C-shaped retention portion engaging the clamping surface when the dispense end of the applicator is received by the interface.

28. A method of filling an applicator from a metered dispenser having a medicant therein, the method comprising: inserting a dispense end of the applicator into a boss on the cover of a metered dispenser.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising opening the cover of the metered dispenser.

30. The method of claim 28 or 29, further comprising rotating the knob of the dispenser to move an elevator toward a dispense end of the dispenser to dispense the medicant out of the chamber of the dispenser and through the boss and into the dispense end of the applicator.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising removing the dispense end of the applicator from the boss on the cover by rotating the applicator with respect to a gap in the boss on the cover.

32. The method of any of claims 28-29, further comprising opening the cover by rotating the cover on an inner cover such that an aperture in the inner cover goes into alignment with an aperture on the outer cover.

33. The method of any of claims, 28-29, further comprising covering the boss with an elastomeric cap after the dispensing into the applicator.

34. A system of providing an applicator with a measured dosage of medicant, the system comprising: a metered dose dispenser with a housing defining a chamber, the housing having a dispense end and an opposite end, an elevator in the chamber, a mechanism for moving the elevator toward the dispense end, an exterior knob rotatably attached to the opposite end of the housing and further connected to the mechanism whereby rotation of the knob actuates the mechanism to move the elevator towards the dispense end, a dispense end cover comprising an interface of the end cover, the end cover providing a conduit to the chamber defined by the housing above the elevator to an interior of the boss; an applicator comprising tubular barrel with a dispense end and a plunger positioned in the tubular interior of the barrel sized for engagement with an interior wall surface of the barrel, the plunger having a stem portion extending from the plunger to an applicator actuation handle on the exterior of the applicator, the barrel having a dispense end sized to be slidingly received in a direction transverse to an axis of the dispenser and retained by the interface.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the dispense end of the barrel has a lip extend radially outward and circumferentially around a tip of the dispense end, and wherein the interface has a groove conformingly sized for receiving the lip.36 The system of claim 34 or 35, wherein the interface is configured as a projecting boss and a distal portion of the boss is C-shaped.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the boss has a lower slot extending in a direction transverse to an axis of the boss, the slot extending partially through the boss.

38. The system of any of claims 34-35, wherein the interface defines a C-shaped collar portion extending in a partial circle greater than 180 degrees for capturing the barrel of the applicator.

39. The system of any of claims 34-35, wherein the dispense end cover is an outer cover attached to an inner cover, the inner cover attached to the housing.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the inner cover snaps onto the housing and the outer cover snaps onto the inner cover and is rotatable thereon between an open condition and a closed condition.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the inner cover has an aperture and the outer cover has an aperture, and wherein the apertures may be brought into alignment providing a medicant outlet path from the housing chamber.

42. Any of the components described or illustrated herein.

Images