CA2687914C - Dispensing means with lockable dose adjuster and one way valve - Google Patents
Dispensing means with lockable dose adjuster and one way valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2687914C CA2687914C CA2687914A CA2687914A CA2687914C CA 2687914 C CA2687914 C CA 2687914C CA 2687914 A CA2687914 A CA 2687914A CA 2687914 A CA2687914 A CA 2687914A CA 2687914 C CA2687914 C CA 2687914C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- dispensing means
- handle
- barrel
- animal remedy
- outlet
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
- A61D7/00—Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
- A61M5/31533—Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose
- A61M5/31535—Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
- A61M5/31536—Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
- A61M5/31565—Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose
- A61M5/31576—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods
- A61M5/31578—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger rod
- A61M5/31581—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger rod performed by rotationally moving or pivoting actuator operated by user, e.g. an injection lever or handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
- A61M5/31565—Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose
- A61M5/31576—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods
- A61M5/31583—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods based on rotational translation, i.e. movement of piston rod is caused by relative rotation between the user activated actuator and the piston rod
- A61M5/31586—Constructional features or modes of drive mechanisms for piston rods based on rotational translation, i.e. movement of piston rod is caused by relative rotation between the user activated actuator and the piston rod performed by rotationally moving or pivoted actuator, e.g. an injection lever or handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
- A61M5/31565—Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose
- A61M5/3159—Dose expelling manners
- A61M5/31593—Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir
- A61M5/31595—Pre-defined multi-dose administration by repeated overcoming of means blocking the free advancing movement of piston rod, e.g. by tearing or de-blocking
Abstract
An animal remedy dispensing means 100 is described which has an elongate handle (10) having a longitudinal axis (A), an inlet (14) for receiving a remedy and an outlet aperture (21). The outlet (21) has a central axis (B) which forms an angle (8) of between 0° and 45° with the longitudinal axis (A) of the handle The dispensing means 100 includes a dosage control part (39) which is rnoveabie between a first position wherein the dose dispensed can be adjusted and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted. A novel one way valve (15) is also described.
Description
DISPENSING MEANS WITH LOCKABLE DOSE ADJUSTER AND ONE WAY.
VALVE
The present invention relates to dispensing means, for example animal remedy dispensing means. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to animal remedy dispensing means which are suitable for use in oral administration of a remedy.
Background of the Invention Animal remedies for sheep, cattle and the like are applied by a number of methods including topical or "pour-on" application, oral application, injection and nasal infusion. Each of these is typically dispensed from a "pistol grip" stye dispensing means. One such dispensing means of the prior art is shown in Figure 1, As is common with applicators of the prior art the applicator I has a piston or plunger 2 which can be reciprocated within a barrel 3 by squeezing and releasing a first handle 4 relative to a second handle 5. The liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the barrel 3 through an inlet 6 via a one way inlet valve 7 when the plunger 2 is withdrawn inside the barrel 3, and is dispensed through a nozzle 8 via an outlet valve 9 when the plunger 2 is extended towards the out/et valve 9.
in the dispensing means of this type the outlet nozzle 8 (or needle if the dispensing means is an injector) is substantially- aligned with the central axis .of the barrel 3, and the barrel 3 is orientated approximately transverse to the first handle 4. As a consequence, the outlet of the nozzle is typically substantially parallel to the forearm of the user when the dispensing means.is in use, at least when the user's wrist is in a relaxed position.
When applying an anima/ remedy to an animal, particularly in an oral formulation, the user of the dispenser typically approaches so that he or she is facing in substantially the same direction as the animal, If necessary the animal's head is restrained, and the dispenser is orientated so that the nozzle is inside the animal's mouth, The
VALVE
The present invention relates to dispensing means, for example animal remedy dispensing means. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to animal remedy dispensing means which are suitable for use in oral administration of a remedy.
Background of the Invention Animal remedies for sheep, cattle and the like are applied by a number of methods including topical or "pour-on" application, oral application, injection and nasal infusion. Each of these is typically dispensed from a "pistol grip" stye dispensing means. One such dispensing means of the prior art is shown in Figure 1, As is common with applicators of the prior art the applicator I has a piston or plunger 2 which can be reciprocated within a barrel 3 by squeezing and releasing a first handle 4 relative to a second handle 5. The liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the barrel 3 through an inlet 6 via a one way inlet valve 7 when the plunger 2 is withdrawn inside the barrel 3, and is dispensed through a nozzle 8 via an outlet valve 9 when the plunger 2 is extended towards the out/et valve 9.
in the dispensing means of this type the outlet nozzle 8 (or needle if the dispensing means is an injector) is substantially- aligned with the central axis .of the barrel 3, and the barrel 3 is orientated approximately transverse to the first handle 4. As a consequence, the outlet of the nozzle is typically substantially parallel to the forearm of the user when the dispensing means.is in use, at least when the user's wrist is in a relaxed position.
When applying an anima/ remedy to an animal, particularly in an oral formulation, the user of the dispenser typically approaches so that he or she is facing in substantially the same direction as the animal, If necessary the animal's head is restrained, and the dispenser is orientated so that the nozzle is inside the animal's mouth, The
2 dispenser is then activated and a measured dose of animal remedy is dispensed into the animal's mouth, it is preferred that the outlet of the nozzle is behind the animal's tongue, to ensure that the majority of the remedy is swallowed.
The position of the user relative to the subject animal means that he or she must bend their wrist and elbow to a ebrisiderable degree in order position the nozzle in the correct position in the animal's mouth This can be uncomfortable, and can be fatiguing if a large number Of animals milst be dosed, Some dispenser* of the prior art, euch as the one shown in Figure 1, have nozzles which incorporate a email bond, for example around =3Cr, in order to position the outlet in a more suitable Orientation. While this is an improvement over straight nozzles, it does not alleviate the problem.
An additional disadvantage of the pistol grip style dispenser is that the nozzle outlet is often a considerable distance away from the user's hand. This impaott On the user's ability to determine the position of the nozzle in the animal's mouth, and also increases the fore which must be used to correctly position the nozzle if the animal is resisting, This can lead to further discomfort for the user, and to injury to the animal.
As Can been seen in Figure 1, the outlet vaive:9 is substantially aligned with the central axis of the barrel 3. This means that any bubbles in the fluid may become trapped in the barrel, as bubbles tend to accumulate at the top of the barrel 3 and therefore fail to pass through the outlet velve when the fluid it dispensed, if the bubbles cannot be purged from The barrel then the dose dispensed by the applicator will be incorrect.
Many animal health dispensing means of the prior art are proVided with means of adjusting the dose dispensed when the applicator is used. In many appiicationa it is critical to the health of the animal that the correct dose is applied.
One example of such a device is that destribed in New Zealand patent No, 521084, As is common with such devices, the dose is adjusted by rotation of a dose adjustment dial, referred to as a 'dosage Control part' in the patent specification,
The position of the user relative to the subject animal means that he or she must bend their wrist and elbow to a ebrisiderable degree in order position the nozzle in the correct position in the animal's mouth This can be uncomfortable, and can be fatiguing if a large number Of animals milst be dosed, Some dispenser* of the prior art, euch as the one shown in Figure 1, have nozzles which incorporate a email bond, for example around =3Cr, in order to position the outlet in a more suitable Orientation. While this is an improvement over straight nozzles, it does not alleviate the problem.
An additional disadvantage of the pistol grip style dispenser is that the nozzle outlet is often a considerable distance away from the user's hand. This impaott On the user's ability to determine the position of the nozzle in the animal's mouth, and also increases the fore which must be used to correctly position the nozzle if the animal is resisting, This can lead to further discomfort for the user, and to injury to the animal.
As Can been seen in Figure 1, the outlet vaive:9 is substantially aligned with the central axis of the barrel 3. This means that any bubbles in the fluid may become trapped in the barrel, as bubbles tend to accumulate at the top of the barrel 3 and therefore fail to pass through the outlet velve when the fluid it dispensed, if the bubbles cannot be purged from The barrel then the dose dispensed by the applicator will be incorrect.
Many animal health dispensing means of the prior art are proVided with means of adjusting the dose dispensed when the applicator is used. In many appiicationa it is critical to the health of the animal that the correct dose is applied.
One example of such a device is that destribed in New Zealand patent No, 521084, As is common with such devices, the dose is adjusted by rotation of a dose adjustment dial, referred to as a 'dosage Control part' in the patent specification,
3 Rotation of the dose adjustment dial aligns one of a number of ribs provided on the dial with a rib on the plunger. The stroke of the plunger is limited by the length of the selected rib.
Detente are provided which tend to atop the dial at preselected angular pp.sitions which correspold to required dote volumes. However, excluding the resistance provided by the detentsõ the dial can be freely, rotated at any time. This may cad to a user accidentally or inadvertently changing the dose, arid therefore providing an animal With a suboptimal dose of remedy, The terms'`animai remedy" and ."remedy' are used herein to indude any preparation which May be administered teen animal and includes drugs, medicines, remedies, therapeutic preparations and the like.
The term "dose" it used herein to denote the volume of liquid dispensed by a dispensing means with a single stroke of a piston or Munger, except : whore the context clearly requires otherwise Where an angle between two axeS is:quaritined, the angle measured is the acute angle, 2Ø rather than the obtuse angle, Object of the hwenticm It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide an animal remedy dispensing means which will Overcome or:arheliorate problems with dispensing means of the prior art.
It is an alternative object of a preferred embodiment to provide an animal remedy dispensing means which= will provide improved comfort for a user to apply an animal health remedy to an animal.
It is a=fOrthe(eiternative object of a preferred embodiment to minim* the chance Of trauma to the anima/.
Detente are provided which tend to atop the dial at preselected angular pp.sitions which correspold to required dote volumes. However, excluding the resistance provided by the detentsõ the dial can be freely, rotated at any time. This may cad to a user accidentally or inadvertently changing the dose, arid therefore providing an animal With a suboptimal dose of remedy, The terms'`animai remedy" and ."remedy' are used herein to indude any preparation which May be administered teen animal and includes drugs, medicines, remedies, therapeutic preparations and the like.
The term "dose" it used herein to denote the volume of liquid dispensed by a dispensing means with a single stroke of a piston or Munger, except : whore the context clearly requires otherwise Where an angle between two axeS is:quaritined, the angle measured is the acute angle, 2Ø rather than the obtuse angle, Object of the hwenticm It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide an animal remedy dispensing means which will Overcome or:arheliorate problems with dispensing means of the prior art.
It is an alternative object of a preferred embodiment to provide an animal remedy dispensing means which= will provide improved comfort for a user to apply an animal health remedy to an animal.
It is a=fOrthe(eiternative object of a preferred embodiment to minim* the chance Of trauma to the anima/.
4 it s a further alternative Object of a preferred embodiment to provide a one way valve and/or a liquid dispensing means including such a one way valve which will overcome or ameliorate problems with such one way valves and/or dispensing means at present ft is a further alternative object of a preferred. embodiment to provide a dispensing means .with a .dosage control mechanism which will overcome or ameliorate problems With the dispensing means of the prior art IQ It is a further alternative object to _provide a useful chcioe.
Otherobjects,pf the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.
1 5 Summary of the invention According:to one aspect of thepresentinvention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means having a longitudinai.axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, anoutletaperture separate from the inlet for 20 dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having 'a central akis. and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between Cr and 45, 25 Preferably the. central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate.
handle means form an angle of between 0" and 35 .
Preferably the central axis of the outlet aperture.itsubStantially parallel:
to the longitudinal aXIS of the elongate handle means, Preferably, the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle meana.the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm Of the user form an angle of between 30 and 90 , Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative' to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between grand 70.
Otherobjects,pf the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.
1 5 Summary of the invention According:to one aspect of thepresentinvention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means having a longitudinai.axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, anoutletaperture separate from the inlet for 20 dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having 'a central akis. and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between Cr and 45, 25 Preferably the. central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate.
handle means form an angle of between 0" and 35 .
Preferably the central axis of the outlet aperture.itsubStantially parallel:
to the longitudinal aXIS of the elongate handle means, Preferably, the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle meana.the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm Of the user form an angle of between 30 and 90 , Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative' to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between grand 70.
5 Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that:
when the user grasps the handle, the centrel axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle Of substantially 60r, Preferably the inlet is proximate, a first end of the elongate handle means and the outlet aperture is proximate a second end of the handle Means, opposite the first end Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal OAS
of the elongate handle means is between Ornm-38mm.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between lOrtine-35rnms Preferably the flow control means includes a flow control member, and relative movement of the flow control member towards the fret handle causes the remedy tO flow from the outlet.
Preferably the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow control member, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication With the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between :6O and 90 , or more preferably between Ar and Preferably the: central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of substantially 9Wõ
According toe second aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means, en inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a first end of the handle, an outlet for dispensing the $6 remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a wond end of the handle opposite the
when the user grasps the handle, the centrel axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle Of substantially 60r, Preferably the inlet is proximate, a first end of the elongate handle means and the outlet aperture is proximate a second end of the handle Means, opposite the first end Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal OAS
of the elongate handle means is between Ornm-38mm.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between lOrtine-35rnms Preferably the flow control means includes a flow control member, and relative movement of the flow control member towards the fret handle causes the remedy tO flow from the outlet.
Preferably the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow control member, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication With the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between :6O and 90 , or more preferably between Ar and Preferably the: central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of substantially 9Wõ
According toe second aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means, en inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a first end of the handle, an outlet for dispensing the $6 remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a wond end of the handle opposite the
6 PCT/EP2008/057922 first end, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outtot.
Prefers* the low Control means includes:a flow control member, and wherein relative:
fliioverrient of the flow control member towards the first handle causes the remedy to flow from the outlet.
Preferably thedispenting means includes a barrel and a plunger reciproCable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow Control member, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid coMmunication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication withthe outlet, and wherein a central aXisdf the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between 60 and 909, or more preferably between 70 and 909.
Preferably the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis ..of the first handle fOrtn an angle Of subttantially 90 Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and a longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 0miri-38mm, Preferably the distance between the Centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 10rrim-35mm.
According to a third aspect Of the present invention there le provided an animal remedy dispensing meansincluding handle means adapted to be grasped by a users hand, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an Outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy to be dispensed, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet aperture, wherein the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle meant j4 such that when the user grasps the handle means the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the OW form an angle of between 300 and 90G, Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that op When the user grasps the handle, the: dental axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between: 409 and 70
Prefers* the low Control means includes:a flow control member, and wherein relative:
fliioverrient of the flow control member towards the first handle causes the remedy to flow from the outlet.
Preferably thedispenting means includes a barrel and a plunger reciproCable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow Control member, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid coMmunication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication withthe outlet, and wherein a central aXisdf the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between 60 and 909, or more preferably between 70 and 909.
Preferably the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis ..of the first handle fOrtn an angle Of subttantially 90 Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and a longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 0miri-38mm, Preferably the distance between the Centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 10rrim-35mm.
According to a third aspect Of the present invention there le provided an animal remedy dispensing meansincluding handle means adapted to be grasped by a users hand, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an Outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy to be dispensed, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet aperture, wherein the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle meant j4 such that when the user grasps the handle means the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the OW form an angle of between 300 and 90G, Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that op When the user grasps the handle, the: dental axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between: 409 and 70
7 Preferably the position .of the. outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle., the centre/ axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of substantially 6cY, Preferably the flow control means includes a flow control Member;. wherein relative movement of the flow control member towards the first handle caLiSeS:therernady.te flow from the outlet.
1.0 Prefetablythe dispensing means inciudes a barreland a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement Of the first handle and the firm .control member, the barrel provided..with an inlet port in fluid communication with thOrilet, andartputletwri in fluid communioatign with the outlet .a0erture, wherein a central k of thtbertel and the longitudinal axis .of the first handiefOrrhan angle of between 60 and 900, orpore preferably between 70µ) and OCV%
Preferably thecentrai axis of the .barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of substantially 9.00.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the:Outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between Omm-38mm.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handie means is between 1Omm-35mm, .25 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing mewls, in particular an animal remedy dispensing nleang accdrding to the first, second or third aspect provided with a dosage control mechanism including a dosage :control.prt moveable between a first position wherein the. dose dispensed by.
the liquid dispensing means can be adjusted, and a second position wherein the ..dose dispensed cannot be a.diusted.
Preferably the dose is adjustabie by rotation of the dosage control part about an axis of rotation, and movement of the dosage cOntrol part between the first positiortand the second position includes a movement parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes a housing, and the dosage control parr is rotatable within the housing, wherein one of the housing and the dosage:
control pail is provided with at least one protruding member and the other iS
provided with a plurality of grooves or channels, adapted to receive at least one of the at .1st one protruding members When the dosage control part is in the wend position.
Preferably the at leapt one protruding memberincludes a plurality of rips, Preferably the plurality of grooves or channels are defined by spaces between a plurality :of second ribs.
Preferably activation of the dispensing means moves the dosage control part from the first position to the second position. if the dosage control part:is :hot already in the second position when the dispensing means is activated, According to a fifth aspect of the present invention a one way valve including a valve body having at least one aperture therethrough, a closure means adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the at least one aperture in a first direction and to substantially prevent a fluid from flowing through the at least one aperture in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the valve bodyls:provided with a flow path for receiving a fluid flowing in the second direction and directing the fluid to a required location.
Preferably the flow path extends around a periphery of the valve body.
Preferably the valve body includes a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion and the flow path extends between radially opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion.
Preferably the valve body is provided with a valve guide, and the closure means includes a valve head and a valve stett slidingly engaged with the valve guide Preferably the closure means includes biasing means for biasing the valve head towards a sealing means.
Preferably the flow path includes a channel.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means, in particular an animal remedy dispensing means according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, including a one way valve according to the fifth aspect.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes a barrel, and the flow path includes a cavity defined by the channel and the barrel.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means including a plunger reciprocable within a barrel, the liquid dispensing means including an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the barrel, the liquid dispensing means further including a flow path between an area at or adjacent a top of the barrel when the liquid dispensing means is held in a normal in-use position, and the outlet.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes the one way valve of the fifth aspect.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means according to the first and/or second and/or third aspects in combination with a liquid dispensing means of the fourth aspect and/or the seventh aspect and/or a one way valve according to the fifth aspect.
. 31393-49 9a According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means for use in oral administration including an elongate handle means having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 00 and 45 ;
and wherein the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the handle means and the flow control means, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the handle means form an angle of between 70 and 90 .
The invention also broadly consists in any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1: Is a cross-section side view of an animal remedy dispensing means of the prior art.
Figure 2. Is a side perspective view of a dispensing means of the present invention, with the dosage control part in a locked position and the plunger withdrawn.
5 Figure 3. is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the dosage control part shown in the unlocked position and the plunger withdrawn, Figure 4. Is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with 10 the dosage control part shown in the unlocked position= and the plunger almost fully extended into the barrei.
Figure 5, Is a MSS section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the plunger in the fully extended position and the second handle having pushed the dosage control part to the locked position.
Figure 6, Is a front perspective exploded view of the dispensing means of Figure 2.
Figure 7. Is a rear perspective exploded view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the second handle, plunger and abutment member omitted for clarity.
Figure 8 Is a side perspective view of the one way inlet valve, Figure 9: Is a top view of the one way valve of Figure 8, Figure 10: is a bottom view of the one way valve of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the dispensing means of the present invention with a flow control member in a dispensing position, Figure. 12 is a crots-sebtion side view of the di$PenSing moans of Figure 11, with a flow control member in a return or rest position.
Figure 13 is a cross-'section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 12, with the flow controi member in the dispensing position, Figure 14 is a cross-section side view of a third embodiment of dispensing means, heid in 4 position to allow the flow control member to be operated by the user's:fingers.
Figure 15 Is a cross-section side view Of the embodiment shown in Figure 14, held in a position to ailow the flow oqntrol member to be operated by the user's thumb, Best Modes for Performing the invention Referring first to Figures 2 to 5 a dispensing means according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally referenced 100. In the embodiment shown the dispensing means 100 is an animal remedy dispensing means adapted for use as an oral drencher for sheep or cattle, although it may also be suitable for use with other animals such as goats.
The dispensing means 100 includes a first elongate handle &leans 10 having a longitudinal axis A, bestseeh in Figure: a:. A barrel 11 is provided at one end of the handle 10, and a piston or plunger 12 inside the barrel 11 is tediprocable under the control of'flow control member, which may be a second handle 13, ota trigger or the like. The second handle 13 may actuate the plunger 12 directly, as is shown in the figures, or via a separate push rod (pot shown), :30 The liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the barrel 11 through an inlet 14 via a one way inlet valve. 15 when the plunger 12 is withdrawn inside the barrel 11, and is dispensed through a nozzle 16 via an outlet valve 17 when the plunger 12 is extended towards an outlet aperture 18 in the barrel.
1.2 The "dose" dispensed by the giepensing means 100 is determined by the volume swept by the plunger 12 as it moves between a withdrawn position, as shown in Figure 3, and the fuliy extended position shown in Figure 5, 6. The outlet port 18 is in fluid communicetion with the one way outlet valve 17 which is provided at the opposite end of the first handle 10 from the barrel 11, The outlet valve 17 is in turn in fluid communication with an outlet aperture 19 to which an inlet aperture 20 of the nozzle 16 is connected in use. The nozzle 16 has an outlet aperture 21 at the opposite end to the nozzle inlet 20. The outlet aperture 21 has a centre/ axis B.
In use, an animal health remedy is administered tO an animal by positioning the nozzle 16 so that the outlet aperture 21 is inside the animal's mouth and squeezing the second handle 13 towards the first handle 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
This causes the plunger 12 to force the preparation residing in the barrel 11 through the outlet port 18 and hence through the outlet valve 17 and the outlet aperture 21.
The second handle 13 is then released and a biasing means such as a torsion spring 22 returns the second handle 13 and the plunger 12 to the rest position shown in Figures 2 and 3. The return movement of the plunger 12.draws a predetermined dose of the preparation from a suitable source, through the iniet 14 and into the barrel 11 through the inlet valve 15. As can be seen from Figures 2 to 5, in a preferred embodiment the first and second handles are rotatabiy connected at the end of the handles distal the barrel 11.
An important feature of the dispensing means 100 is that the central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle 6 of between 0 and 4 = or more preferably between Wand 35 ,. with the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 10. In this way the angle between the central axis B of the nozzle outlet 21 and the forearm 23 of the user is between 30 and 90', or more preferably between 40 and 704, when the user has his or her wrist in a relaxed position, as best seen in Figure 2. This reduoes the need for the user to bend his or her wrist in order to insert the nozzle 16 into the mouth of the animal (not shown), In the most preferred embodiment the central axis 6 of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle of around 32 to the iongitudinai axis A, meaning that the axis 13 forms an angle=of substantialiy 80' with the user's forearm, 1.3 The distance X between the longitudinal axis A of the first handle. IQ and the centre Of the outlet aperture 21 is preferably relatively small, for example between Omm -38mrn, or more preferably =10mm-35mtn.
The firsthandie 10 is preferably provided With a widened base portion 24 whieh iS
dimensioned so as to be substantially incapable of entering the mouth of an animal with which the dispenser 100 is intended to be used. The widened base portion forms a ttdp, thereby avoiding problems with the user inserting the nozzle 16 too deeply into the animal's moixth, such as may OCCW With the dispensers of the prior art. Althoudh it is preferred that the handle 10 be prOyided with a widened base portion: 24, problems with determining how far to insert the nozzle into the animal's mouth may be alleviated to some extent even without the widened Onion 24 in .view of the extra sensitivity provided by the position of the nozzle 16 relative to the handle 10 and the users hand 23 Referring next to Figures 6 and 7, a preferred mechanism for varying the dote dispensed is described, The dispensing means 100 includes a housing 25 which: is connected to or integral with the first handle 10.. The barrel 11 is connected to or formed integrally with the housing 25.
The dosage control mechanism includes an abutment member 30 which is slidably iengaged: With the plunger 12. The abutment member 30 it keyed to the plunger 12, for example by means of one or more ribs 31 proVickId on the plunger 12 which engage complimentary channels 32 provided on en internal surface 3.3:= of the:
abutment member 30. The engagement of the ribs 31 with the channels 32 prevents rotation of the abutment member 30 relative to the plunger 12, The 39 plunger is in turn prevented from moving' relative to: the body of the dispensing means by its connection to the: second handle 13, as it described further below.
The abutment member 30 is provided with an externally threaded portion 34 along at least part of its length. A substantially cylindrical sleeve 35 is provided which fits over the abutment member 30 and which has an internal thread 36 which engages With the extern& threaded portion 34 of the abutment member 30, The sleeve 35 iS
able to rotate about the plunger 12 relative to the hop:sine 25, but is net able to move longitudinally relative to the housing 25. in a preferred embodiment the sleeve 35 is provided with an annular rib 37 which abuts a pair of inwardly protruding tabs 38 provided inside the hOtieing 25, one of which can be seen. in Figure 7, The tabs 38 prevent the sleeve 35 from moving outward from the housing 26, and the stepped shape: of the barrel 11 and housing 25, (best seen in Figures 3-5) prevents the sleeve 35 from moving further inside the housing 25, A dosage control part 39 is provided as a sliding fit over the sleeve 35 The dosage control 39 part is keyed to the Sleeve 35, for example by means of Onsor more iongitudinal ribs 40 prOvided on an outer surface of the Sleeve 35 engaging one or more inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs 41 provided inside a central aperture 4:2 of the dosage control part 39. The engagement of the ribs 40, 41 means that the dosage control part 39 it able to moyeforigitudinally raiative:to the sleeve 35, but any rotation of the dosage control part 39 relative to the:housing 2.$ also rotates the sleeve 35.
The outer surface 43 of the dosage control part 39 is also provided with a piurality of external ribs 44. The internal surface 45 of the housing 26 is provided with a plurality of internal ribs 46 which are spaced apart to provide a series of Channels or grooves capable of receiving the e,xternaily protruding ribs 44 of the dotage control part $9õ
The dosage control part 39 is :Skiable between a first, locked position, shown in Figures 2 and 5, wherein the external ribs: 44 engage with the internal riles 46 of the housing 39, and a second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the external ribs 44 are:clear of the inteoai ribs 46. When the dosage control part 39 is in the first position the interengagement of the external ribs 44 and internal ribs prevents rotation of the dosage control part '39: relative to the housing 25.
However, the length and position of the internal and external ribs are such that when the dosage control part 39 is moved 'longitudinally away from the housing 25 to the second position, the external ribs 44 are clear of the internal ribs 46 of the housing 25, and the dosage control part 39 is free to rotate.
Rotation of the dosage control part 39 causes rotation of the .sleeve 35, Because 5 the threaded portion 36 of the sleeve 35 is engaged with the threaded portion 34 of the abutment member 30, the longitudinal position of the abutment member 30 changes with rotation of the sleeve 35. The inner end of the abutment member.
has an abutment portion 47, best seen in Figure 6, which limits the distance that an abutment portion 48 of the plunger 12 can be moved inside the barrel 11, in this 10 way rotation of the dosage control part 39 changes the dose dispensed by the dispensing means 100.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 the plunger 12 may be removed from the barrel 11 by turning the doSeoe control part 39 until the threaded portion 34 of 15 the abutment .member 30 disengages from the sleeve 35. This allows maintenance of the head of the plunger 12. In some embodiment the plunger 12 May be removable by pivoting the plunger 12 so that the outer end 12a of the plunger can be disengaged from the slot 1.3a in the second handle 13. .However, it is preferred that the plunger be retained within the slot 13a by a suitable locking means (not shown), When engaged with the slot 13a the plunger 12 is prevented from rotating, but is able to slide within the slot relative to the second handle 13 to aliovl for the arcuate path followed by the end of the second handle 13 as it is squeezed towards the first handle 10.
in the embodiment shown the dose is adjusted by changing the distance the plunder 12 is able to withdraw within the barrel 11. The plunger 12 reaches the same position in the barrel 11 at the end of the dispensing stroke, regardless of the dose dispensed. in other embodiments (not shown) the plunger .may withdraw Ito the same position regardless of the required dose, and the dose control may be achieved by limiting the movement of the plunger away from the fully withdrawn position during the dispensing stroke.
A feature of the embodiment shown in Figures 24 is that movement of the handles 10, 13 to:dispense a dose will automatically move the dosage control part from the second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4 to the first, locked putition, shown in Figures 2 and 5. This means that if the dosage control member part is: left in the unlocked position, it will:be moved to: the locked position: the next time the dispensing means is:used. This may be:Useful in: preventing inadvertent or accidental changes in the sat dosage. in the embodiment shown this self locking movement is caused by one of the handles abutting the end of the dosage control pert 39 and pushing it towards the first position. However, in an alternative embodiment the plunger 12 may be provided with a protruding portion such as a tab or the like (not shown) which performs the same funOtion.
The dosage control part 39 is preferably provided with dete,nt means adapted to hold it in the first position. in the embodiment shown the dosage control part 39 Is provided with a: plurality of inwardly facing tabs 49, beat peen in Figure 7, which releasably engage depressions or apertures 50 in the sleeve 35 when the dosage Control part 39 is in the first position. A second similar detent mechanism rritY
additionally be provided to releasahiy hold the dosage control part 39 in the second position.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the dosage control means no been described with reference to its application to an animal health applicator, it may have application to any piston operated liquid dispensing means which dispenses a preselected, adjustable, volume of liquid. Accordingly the t,ise:of the .term "dose" is not intended to limit the invention to applications in which the liquid being dispensed is an animal health remedy.
The barrel 11 is preferably transparent or at least translucent, or has a transparent or translucent portion 51, best seen in Figure 2, so that the titer is able to perform a visual check that it it filling correctly, and that there are no bubbles trapped in the barrel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that bubbles in the barrel 11 wiii result in the dose of preparation dispensed being less than that required.
Referring next to Figure:2 it can be seen that when the applicator 100 is held in its normal in use potion, the barrel 11 is in a substantially horizontal orientation, although it may be tilted to oneSide depending on left or right handed users.
Referring next to FigureS 3 t0:5 and in particular to FigureS 8 to 10, it can be seen that the inlet valve 15 ineludes e generally cylindrical or frusto-conical valve body 52 through which apluraiity of apertures 53 extend from a first side 54 to an axially opposite side 55.
A closure means 56 is pilovided which includes a stem 57 and a head S. The stem 57 is slidably engaged with a guide aperture 58a provided in the valve body 52. The valve head 56 is biased against a sealing means:59, best seen in Figure 4, by a suitable biasing means such aspring (not shown): in the embodiment shown:the:sealing means 59 is provided at the end of the barrel 11, although in other embodiments (hot shown) the head $8 may seal against a sealing means which is connected to or integral with the valve body.
The CiOSUM means 56 allows liquid to flow through the apertures 53 from the inlet 4 to the barrel 11, but prevents flew in the opposite direction, as is common with orie :Way valve mechanisms of the prior aft A channel 60 is defined on an outer surface of the valve body 52, and extends from one side 61 of the body 15 to the radially opposite side 6Z The channel 60 defines a flow path for the fluid when the plunger 12 is extended towards the valve 15. The flow path directs fluid from an area at or adjacent the top of the barrel 11 to the barrel outlet 18, which in the embodiment shown is provided in a lower surface of the barrel 11, best seen in Figures 3 to 5 Taking fluid from the top of the barrel 11 ensures that any entrained air in the barrel 11 is purged as efficiently as possible, as air bubbles in the fluid tend to rise to the top of the barrel 11.
In a preferred embodiment the channel 50 extends around one side Of the: valve body 52 only, in order to avoid any turbulence which might be caused if the fluid flowed amend both sides of the body 52 and was recqmbined into a single stream. The channel preferably has a cross-sectional area at /east equal to that of the barrel outlet 18 in order to minimise .the resistance to the fluid flowing through the channel 60, thereby minimising the force necessary to drive the plunger 11. The valve body:52 preferably fits snugly within the barrel 11, so that the flow path is defined by the cavity crested between the channel 60 and the barrel 11, as best seen in Figure 4.
As can be seen in Figures 8 -10, the channel 60 is preferably provided with radiussed corners 83. It is preferred that sharply angular changes in direction are avoided, as these can cause eddies in the fluid flow and/or areas of low or no flow, which may trap entrained air bubbles in the fluid flow and make purging the applicator of air more difficult.
Referring next to Figure 4, a conciuit 64 extends between the barrel outlet 18 and the one way outlet valve 17 provided adjacent outlet nozzle 16. In a preferred embodiment the combined volume of the conduit 64 and the channel 60 is less than the volume of fluid dispensed by the dispensing means 100 when set to its lowest dose setting. If the conduit 64 has a greater volume than the minimum dose, then at low dose settings bubbles in the fluid may be carried only part of the way to the outlet valve 17 with a first dose of fluid, and may then float back up the conduit 64 before the next dose ia expressed.
In some embodiments not shown) the outlet valve 17 may be positioned on top of the barrel 11, thereby eliminating the need for the integrated inlet valve /
outlet channel, Alternatively the outlet valve could be positioned immediately under the integrated inlet valve/outlet channel. However, both these options cause the end of the barrel to became quite bulky, An additional advantage to having the outlet valve 17 dose to the nozzle 16 is that the weight of fluid in the conduit 64 is held by the outlet valve 17, eliminating the need for a non-drip valve at the nozzle 16 for most applications.
In sOrtle embodiments a spherical valve element may be used instead of the head 56 and stem 57 shown in Figures 8 to 10. Such a ball-valve arrangement is well know to those skilled in the art, and may include the use a rubberised bail sealing against the end of the barrel, a herd ball with a soft seat, or a high precision hard-ball hard seat configuration, Although the flow path from barrel 11 to the nozzle outlet 21 is shown as running inside the first handle 10, in less preferred embodiment (not shown) the nozzle inlet 20 may connect directly to the barrel 11, but may be shaped so that the nozzle outlet 21 exits at the opposite end of the first handle to the barrel 11 in substantially the same position as the nozzle outlet shown in Figures 2-5.r Referring next to Figures 11, 12 and 13? an alternative embodiment of the dispensing means is generally referenced 200, in this embodiment the dispensing means 200 has first a handle means 10, and e second handle means 1:3 hingeably mounted tome first handle means :10 in a similar configuration to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10. However, in this ernbodirnent the barrel 11 is provided inside the first handle means The second handle means 1:3 is provided with a toothed: radk:64 which engages a gear or pinion 65, such that squeezing the seobnd handle 13 towards the first handle 10 causes the rack 64 to rotate the gear 66., A plunger 66 is connected to a toothed push rod 67 which is preferably engaged directly with the gear 65, although in an alternative embodirnent (not shown) the push rod 67 may be engaged with a second gear which rotates with the gear 65. The push rod 67 may be: integrally formed with the plunger 66.
The reparation .enters the barrel 11 from an inlet 66 through a flow path 69 in the push rod 67 via:a one way inlet valve 70 which is integral with the plunger 66. A
one way outlet valve 17 is provided at the barrel outlet As with the embodiment shown in Figures 2 - 5, a nozzle 16 has an inlet 20 in fluid communication with the outlet valve 17 and an outlet aperture 21: The central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 and the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 1:0 form an:
angle of between 0 and 45:5o that the angle between the nozzle and the forearm of the user is between 30 and 90 when the user has his or her wrist in a relaxed position. The outlet vaive 17 is also provided at the opOOSite end of the handle means 10 to the inlet 68L
Although the embodiment shown in Figures 11-13 rney':funetion well, the embodiment shown in Figures 2-7 may be preferred because the arrangement, of the barrel .11 with its central axis C at an angle of between 60" and 90 , or more preferably between 709 and 90', to the longitudinal axis A of the first handle. 10 ellows e more direct actuation of the plunger 12 by the second handle 13, without the need for a reek and gear arrangement. This may lead to improved reliability Of the applicator, and to an improved "feel" as to whether the corTett= dose hes been applied, /n a preferred embodiment the central axis C of the barrel 11 forms an angie of substantially 90 to the loNitudinai axis A of The first handle 10, 5 The feel, and the accuracy and repeatability of the dosage dispensed, may also be improved if the barrel 11 has a greater length dimention than its diameter, in preferred embodiment the iength to diameter ratio of the barrel is between 2:1 end 2.6;1.
10 Figures 14 and 15 show a third possible embodiment of the dispensing means, generally referenced 300, This embodiment of the dispensing means differs from that shown in Figures 11-13 in that the plunger 66 iS actuated by 6 connecting rod 70 Which is rotatably cannected to the second handle 13 at a first end and rotatably connected to the plunger 66 at a second end, The dispensing means 300 can be held so that the second handle: 131S aftuated with the fingers, as shown in Figure 14, or with the thumb, as shown in Figure 1.:5.
While the examples of the dispensing means of the present invention deacribed above are Configured as oral drenchers, alternative embodiments of the dispensing means may be:configured for use with alternative methods of dispensing an animal remedy such as pour-on, nasal infusion or injection.
Similarly, while the dispensing means shown is a manually actuated type, alternative embodiments of invention may be powered electrically or by pressurised gas, or the remedy may be delivered to the dispensing means Under pressure and the dispensing means may control the flow of the remedy by opening and closing a valve:
between the inlet and the hozzie outlet.
Those skilled in the art wil:laopreciate that dispensing means made in accordance with the present invention may be more comfortable to use than the dispensing mearie Of the Otiot art, end may be le,Ss.: fatiguing to pee over extended periods of time. Where the preparation dispensed is intended to be swallowed by the animal, the dispensing means of the present invention may allow the peer to position the . 31393-49 nozzle more accurately in the animal's mouth, and may reduce the likelihood of injury to the animal during the application process.
Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
1.0 Prefetablythe dispensing means inciudes a barreland a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement Of the first handle and the firm .control member, the barrel provided..with an inlet port in fluid communication with thOrilet, andartputletwri in fluid communioatign with the outlet .a0erture, wherein a central k of thtbertel and the longitudinal axis .of the first handiefOrrhan angle of between 60 and 900, orpore preferably between 70µ) and OCV%
Preferably thecentrai axis of the .barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of substantially 9.00.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the:Outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between Omm-38mm.
Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handie means is between 1Omm-35mm, .25 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing mewls, in particular an animal remedy dispensing nleang accdrding to the first, second or third aspect provided with a dosage control mechanism including a dosage :control.prt moveable between a first position wherein the. dose dispensed by.
the liquid dispensing means can be adjusted, and a second position wherein the ..dose dispensed cannot be a.diusted.
Preferably the dose is adjustabie by rotation of the dosage control part about an axis of rotation, and movement of the dosage cOntrol part between the first positiortand the second position includes a movement parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes a housing, and the dosage control parr is rotatable within the housing, wherein one of the housing and the dosage:
control pail is provided with at least one protruding member and the other iS
provided with a plurality of grooves or channels, adapted to receive at least one of the at .1st one protruding members When the dosage control part is in the wend position.
Preferably the at leapt one protruding memberincludes a plurality of rips, Preferably the plurality of grooves or channels are defined by spaces between a plurality :of second ribs.
Preferably activation of the dispensing means moves the dosage control part from the first position to the second position. if the dosage control part:is :hot already in the second position when the dispensing means is activated, According to a fifth aspect of the present invention a one way valve including a valve body having at least one aperture therethrough, a closure means adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the at least one aperture in a first direction and to substantially prevent a fluid from flowing through the at least one aperture in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the valve bodyls:provided with a flow path for receiving a fluid flowing in the second direction and directing the fluid to a required location.
Preferably the flow path extends around a periphery of the valve body.
Preferably the valve body includes a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion and the flow path extends between radially opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion.
Preferably the valve body is provided with a valve guide, and the closure means includes a valve head and a valve stett slidingly engaged with the valve guide Preferably the closure means includes biasing means for biasing the valve head towards a sealing means.
Preferably the flow path includes a channel.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means, in particular an animal remedy dispensing means according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, including a one way valve according to the fifth aspect.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes a barrel, and the flow path includes a cavity defined by the channel and the barrel.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means including a plunger reciprocable within a barrel, the liquid dispensing means including an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the barrel, the liquid dispensing means further including a flow path between an area at or adjacent a top of the barrel when the liquid dispensing means is held in a normal in-use position, and the outlet.
Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes the one way valve of the fifth aspect.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means according to the first and/or second and/or third aspects in combination with a liquid dispensing means of the fourth aspect and/or the seventh aspect and/or a one way valve according to the fifth aspect.
. 31393-49 9a According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means for use in oral administration including an elongate handle means having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 00 and 45 ;
and wherein the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the handle means and the flow control means, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the handle means form an angle of between 70 and 90 .
The invention also broadly consists in any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1: Is a cross-section side view of an animal remedy dispensing means of the prior art.
Figure 2. Is a side perspective view of a dispensing means of the present invention, with the dosage control part in a locked position and the plunger withdrawn.
5 Figure 3. is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the dosage control part shown in the unlocked position and the plunger withdrawn, Figure 4. Is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with 10 the dosage control part shown in the unlocked position= and the plunger almost fully extended into the barrei.
Figure 5, Is a MSS section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the plunger in the fully extended position and the second handle having pushed the dosage control part to the locked position.
Figure 6, Is a front perspective exploded view of the dispensing means of Figure 2.
Figure 7. Is a rear perspective exploded view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with the second handle, plunger and abutment member omitted for clarity.
Figure 8 Is a side perspective view of the one way inlet valve, Figure 9: Is a top view of the one way valve of Figure 8, Figure 10: is a bottom view of the one way valve of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the dispensing means of the present invention with a flow control member in a dispensing position, Figure. 12 is a crots-sebtion side view of the di$PenSing moans of Figure 11, with a flow control member in a return or rest position.
Figure 13 is a cross-'section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 12, with the flow controi member in the dispensing position, Figure 14 is a cross-section side view of a third embodiment of dispensing means, heid in 4 position to allow the flow control member to be operated by the user's:fingers.
Figure 15 Is a cross-section side view Of the embodiment shown in Figure 14, held in a position to ailow the flow oqntrol member to be operated by the user's thumb, Best Modes for Performing the invention Referring first to Figures 2 to 5 a dispensing means according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally referenced 100. In the embodiment shown the dispensing means 100 is an animal remedy dispensing means adapted for use as an oral drencher for sheep or cattle, although it may also be suitable for use with other animals such as goats.
The dispensing means 100 includes a first elongate handle &leans 10 having a longitudinal axis A, bestseeh in Figure: a:. A barrel 11 is provided at one end of the handle 10, and a piston or plunger 12 inside the barrel 11 is tediprocable under the control of'flow control member, which may be a second handle 13, ota trigger or the like. The second handle 13 may actuate the plunger 12 directly, as is shown in the figures, or via a separate push rod (pot shown), :30 The liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the barrel 11 through an inlet 14 via a one way inlet valve. 15 when the plunger 12 is withdrawn inside the barrel 11, and is dispensed through a nozzle 16 via an outlet valve 17 when the plunger 12 is extended towards an outlet aperture 18 in the barrel.
1.2 The "dose" dispensed by the giepensing means 100 is determined by the volume swept by the plunger 12 as it moves between a withdrawn position, as shown in Figure 3, and the fuliy extended position shown in Figure 5, 6. The outlet port 18 is in fluid communicetion with the one way outlet valve 17 which is provided at the opposite end of the first handle 10 from the barrel 11, The outlet valve 17 is in turn in fluid communication with an outlet aperture 19 to which an inlet aperture 20 of the nozzle 16 is connected in use. The nozzle 16 has an outlet aperture 21 at the opposite end to the nozzle inlet 20. The outlet aperture 21 has a centre/ axis B.
In use, an animal health remedy is administered tO an animal by positioning the nozzle 16 so that the outlet aperture 21 is inside the animal's mouth and squeezing the second handle 13 towards the first handle 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
This causes the plunger 12 to force the preparation residing in the barrel 11 through the outlet port 18 and hence through the outlet valve 17 and the outlet aperture 21.
The second handle 13 is then released and a biasing means such as a torsion spring 22 returns the second handle 13 and the plunger 12 to the rest position shown in Figures 2 and 3. The return movement of the plunger 12.draws a predetermined dose of the preparation from a suitable source, through the iniet 14 and into the barrel 11 through the inlet valve 15. As can be seen from Figures 2 to 5, in a preferred embodiment the first and second handles are rotatabiy connected at the end of the handles distal the barrel 11.
An important feature of the dispensing means 100 is that the central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle 6 of between 0 and 4 = or more preferably between Wand 35 ,. with the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 10. In this way the angle between the central axis B of the nozzle outlet 21 and the forearm 23 of the user is between 30 and 90', or more preferably between 40 and 704, when the user has his or her wrist in a relaxed position, as best seen in Figure 2. This reduoes the need for the user to bend his or her wrist in order to insert the nozzle 16 into the mouth of the animal (not shown), In the most preferred embodiment the central axis 6 of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle of around 32 to the iongitudinai axis A, meaning that the axis 13 forms an angle=of substantialiy 80' with the user's forearm, 1.3 The distance X between the longitudinal axis A of the first handle. IQ and the centre Of the outlet aperture 21 is preferably relatively small, for example between Omm -38mrn, or more preferably =10mm-35mtn.
The firsthandie 10 is preferably provided With a widened base portion 24 whieh iS
dimensioned so as to be substantially incapable of entering the mouth of an animal with which the dispenser 100 is intended to be used. The widened base portion forms a ttdp, thereby avoiding problems with the user inserting the nozzle 16 too deeply into the animal's moixth, such as may OCCW With the dispensers of the prior art. Althoudh it is preferred that the handle 10 be prOyided with a widened base portion: 24, problems with determining how far to insert the nozzle into the animal's mouth may be alleviated to some extent even without the widened Onion 24 in .view of the extra sensitivity provided by the position of the nozzle 16 relative to the handle 10 and the users hand 23 Referring next to Figures 6 and 7, a preferred mechanism for varying the dote dispensed is described, The dispensing means 100 includes a housing 25 which: is connected to or integral with the first handle 10.. The barrel 11 is connected to or formed integrally with the housing 25.
The dosage control mechanism includes an abutment member 30 which is slidably iengaged: With the plunger 12. The abutment member 30 it keyed to the plunger 12, for example by means of one or more ribs 31 proVickId on the plunger 12 which engage complimentary channels 32 provided on en internal surface 3.3:= of the:
abutment member 30. The engagement of the ribs 31 with the channels 32 prevents rotation of the abutment member 30 relative to the plunger 12, The 39 plunger is in turn prevented from moving' relative to: the body of the dispensing means by its connection to the: second handle 13, as it described further below.
The abutment member 30 is provided with an externally threaded portion 34 along at least part of its length. A substantially cylindrical sleeve 35 is provided which fits over the abutment member 30 and which has an internal thread 36 which engages With the extern& threaded portion 34 of the abutment member 30, The sleeve 35 iS
able to rotate about the plunger 12 relative to the hop:sine 25, but is net able to move longitudinally relative to the housing 25. in a preferred embodiment the sleeve 35 is provided with an annular rib 37 which abuts a pair of inwardly protruding tabs 38 provided inside the hOtieing 25, one of which can be seen. in Figure 7, The tabs 38 prevent the sleeve 35 from moving outward from the housing 26, and the stepped shape: of the barrel 11 and housing 25, (best seen in Figures 3-5) prevents the sleeve 35 from moving further inside the housing 25, A dosage control part 39 is provided as a sliding fit over the sleeve 35 The dosage control 39 part is keyed to the Sleeve 35, for example by means of Onsor more iongitudinal ribs 40 prOvided on an outer surface of the Sleeve 35 engaging one or more inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs 41 provided inside a central aperture 4:2 of the dosage control part 39. The engagement of the ribs 40, 41 means that the dosage control part 39 it able to moyeforigitudinally raiative:to the sleeve 35, but any rotation of the dosage control part 39 relative to the:housing 2.$ also rotates the sleeve 35.
The outer surface 43 of the dosage control part 39 is also provided with a piurality of external ribs 44. The internal surface 45 of the housing 26 is provided with a plurality of internal ribs 46 which are spaced apart to provide a series of Channels or grooves capable of receiving the e,xternaily protruding ribs 44 of the dotage control part $9õ
The dosage control part 39 is :Skiable between a first, locked position, shown in Figures 2 and 5, wherein the external ribs: 44 engage with the internal riles 46 of the housing 39, and a second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the external ribs 44 are:clear of the inteoai ribs 46. When the dosage control part 39 is in the first position the interengagement of the external ribs 44 and internal ribs prevents rotation of the dosage control part '39: relative to the housing 25.
However, the length and position of the internal and external ribs are such that when the dosage control part 39 is moved 'longitudinally away from the housing 25 to the second position, the external ribs 44 are clear of the internal ribs 46 of the housing 25, and the dosage control part 39 is free to rotate.
Rotation of the dosage control part 39 causes rotation of the .sleeve 35, Because 5 the threaded portion 36 of the sleeve 35 is engaged with the threaded portion 34 of the abutment member 30, the longitudinal position of the abutment member 30 changes with rotation of the sleeve 35. The inner end of the abutment member.
has an abutment portion 47, best seen in Figure 6, which limits the distance that an abutment portion 48 of the plunger 12 can be moved inside the barrel 11, in this 10 way rotation of the dosage control part 39 changes the dose dispensed by the dispensing means 100.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 the plunger 12 may be removed from the barrel 11 by turning the doSeoe control part 39 until the threaded portion 34 of 15 the abutment .member 30 disengages from the sleeve 35. This allows maintenance of the head of the plunger 12. In some embodiment the plunger 12 May be removable by pivoting the plunger 12 so that the outer end 12a of the plunger can be disengaged from the slot 1.3a in the second handle 13. .However, it is preferred that the plunger be retained within the slot 13a by a suitable locking means (not shown), When engaged with the slot 13a the plunger 12 is prevented from rotating, but is able to slide within the slot relative to the second handle 13 to aliovl for the arcuate path followed by the end of the second handle 13 as it is squeezed towards the first handle 10.
in the embodiment shown the dose is adjusted by changing the distance the plunder 12 is able to withdraw within the barrel 11. The plunger 12 reaches the same position in the barrel 11 at the end of the dispensing stroke, regardless of the dose dispensed. in other embodiments (not shown) the plunger .may withdraw Ito the same position regardless of the required dose, and the dose control may be achieved by limiting the movement of the plunger away from the fully withdrawn position during the dispensing stroke.
A feature of the embodiment shown in Figures 24 is that movement of the handles 10, 13 to:dispense a dose will automatically move the dosage control part from the second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4 to the first, locked putition, shown in Figures 2 and 5. This means that if the dosage control member part is: left in the unlocked position, it will:be moved to: the locked position: the next time the dispensing means is:used. This may be:Useful in: preventing inadvertent or accidental changes in the sat dosage. in the embodiment shown this self locking movement is caused by one of the handles abutting the end of the dosage control pert 39 and pushing it towards the first position. However, in an alternative embodiment the plunger 12 may be provided with a protruding portion such as a tab or the like (not shown) which performs the same funOtion.
The dosage control part 39 is preferably provided with dete,nt means adapted to hold it in the first position. in the embodiment shown the dosage control part 39 Is provided with a: plurality of inwardly facing tabs 49, beat peen in Figure 7, which releasably engage depressions or apertures 50 in the sleeve 35 when the dosage Control part 39 is in the first position. A second similar detent mechanism rritY
additionally be provided to releasahiy hold the dosage control part 39 in the second position.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the dosage control means no been described with reference to its application to an animal health applicator, it may have application to any piston operated liquid dispensing means which dispenses a preselected, adjustable, volume of liquid. Accordingly the t,ise:of the .term "dose" is not intended to limit the invention to applications in which the liquid being dispensed is an animal health remedy.
The barrel 11 is preferably transparent or at least translucent, or has a transparent or translucent portion 51, best seen in Figure 2, so that the titer is able to perform a visual check that it it filling correctly, and that there are no bubbles trapped in the barrel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that bubbles in the barrel 11 wiii result in the dose of preparation dispensed being less than that required.
Referring next to Figure:2 it can be seen that when the applicator 100 is held in its normal in use potion, the barrel 11 is in a substantially horizontal orientation, although it may be tilted to oneSide depending on left or right handed users.
Referring next to FigureS 3 t0:5 and in particular to FigureS 8 to 10, it can be seen that the inlet valve 15 ineludes e generally cylindrical or frusto-conical valve body 52 through which apluraiity of apertures 53 extend from a first side 54 to an axially opposite side 55.
A closure means 56 is pilovided which includes a stem 57 and a head S. The stem 57 is slidably engaged with a guide aperture 58a provided in the valve body 52. The valve head 56 is biased against a sealing means:59, best seen in Figure 4, by a suitable biasing means such aspring (not shown): in the embodiment shown:the:sealing means 59 is provided at the end of the barrel 11, although in other embodiments (hot shown) the head $8 may seal against a sealing means which is connected to or integral with the valve body.
The CiOSUM means 56 allows liquid to flow through the apertures 53 from the inlet 4 to the barrel 11, but prevents flew in the opposite direction, as is common with orie :Way valve mechanisms of the prior aft A channel 60 is defined on an outer surface of the valve body 52, and extends from one side 61 of the body 15 to the radially opposite side 6Z The channel 60 defines a flow path for the fluid when the plunger 12 is extended towards the valve 15. The flow path directs fluid from an area at or adjacent the top of the barrel 11 to the barrel outlet 18, which in the embodiment shown is provided in a lower surface of the barrel 11, best seen in Figures 3 to 5 Taking fluid from the top of the barrel 11 ensures that any entrained air in the barrel 11 is purged as efficiently as possible, as air bubbles in the fluid tend to rise to the top of the barrel 11.
In a preferred embodiment the channel 50 extends around one side Of the: valve body 52 only, in order to avoid any turbulence which might be caused if the fluid flowed amend both sides of the body 52 and was recqmbined into a single stream. The channel preferably has a cross-sectional area at /east equal to that of the barrel outlet 18 in order to minimise .the resistance to the fluid flowing through the channel 60, thereby minimising the force necessary to drive the plunger 11. The valve body:52 preferably fits snugly within the barrel 11, so that the flow path is defined by the cavity crested between the channel 60 and the barrel 11, as best seen in Figure 4.
As can be seen in Figures 8 -10, the channel 60 is preferably provided with radiussed corners 83. It is preferred that sharply angular changes in direction are avoided, as these can cause eddies in the fluid flow and/or areas of low or no flow, which may trap entrained air bubbles in the fluid flow and make purging the applicator of air more difficult.
Referring next to Figure 4, a conciuit 64 extends between the barrel outlet 18 and the one way outlet valve 17 provided adjacent outlet nozzle 16. In a preferred embodiment the combined volume of the conduit 64 and the channel 60 is less than the volume of fluid dispensed by the dispensing means 100 when set to its lowest dose setting. If the conduit 64 has a greater volume than the minimum dose, then at low dose settings bubbles in the fluid may be carried only part of the way to the outlet valve 17 with a first dose of fluid, and may then float back up the conduit 64 before the next dose ia expressed.
In some embodiments not shown) the outlet valve 17 may be positioned on top of the barrel 11, thereby eliminating the need for the integrated inlet valve /
outlet channel, Alternatively the outlet valve could be positioned immediately under the integrated inlet valve/outlet channel. However, both these options cause the end of the barrel to became quite bulky, An additional advantage to having the outlet valve 17 dose to the nozzle 16 is that the weight of fluid in the conduit 64 is held by the outlet valve 17, eliminating the need for a non-drip valve at the nozzle 16 for most applications.
In sOrtle embodiments a spherical valve element may be used instead of the head 56 and stem 57 shown in Figures 8 to 10. Such a ball-valve arrangement is well know to those skilled in the art, and may include the use a rubberised bail sealing against the end of the barrel, a herd ball with a soft seat, or a high precision hard-ball hard seat configuration, Although the flow path from barrel 11 to the nozzle outlet 21 is shown as running inside the first handle 10, in less preferred embodiment (not shown) the nozzle inlet 20 may connect directly to the barrel 11, but may be shaped so that the nozzle outlet 21 exits at the opposite end of the first handle to the barrel 11 in substantially the same position as the nozzle outlet shown in Figures 2-5.r Referring next to Figures 11, 12 and 13? an alternative embodiment of the dispensing means is generally referenced 200, in this embodiment the dispensing means 200 has first a handle means 10, and e second handle means 1:3 hingeably mounted tome first handle means :10 in a similar configuration to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10. However, in this ernbodirnent the barrel 11 is provided inside the first handle means The second handle means 1:3 is provided with a toothed: radk:64 which engages a gear or pinion 65, such that squeezing the seobnd handle 13 towards the first handle 10 causes the rack 64 to rotate the gear 66., A plunger 66 is connected to a toothed push rod 67 which is preferably engaged directly with the gear 65, although in an alternative embodirnent (not shown) the push rod 67 may be engaged with a second gear which rotates with the gear 65. The push rod 67 may be: integrally formed with the plunger 66.
The reparation .enters the barrel 11 from an inlet 66 through a flow path 69 in the push rod 67 via:a one way inlet valve 70 which is integral with the plunger 66. A
one way outlet valve 17 is provided at the barrel outlet As with the embodiment shown in Figures 2 - 5, a nozzle 16 has an inlet 20 in fluid communication with the outlet valve 17 and an outlet aperture 21: The central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 and the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 1:0 form an:
angle of between 0 and 45:5o that the angle between the nozzle and the forearm of the user is between 30 and 90 when the user has his or her wrist in a relaxed position. The outlet vaive 17 is also provided at the opOOSite end of the handle means 10 to the inlet 68L
Although the embodiment shown in Figures 11-13 rney':funetion well, the embodiment shown in Figures 2-7 may be preferred because the arrangement, of the barrel .11 with its central axis C at an angle of between 60" and 90 , or more preferably between 709 and 90', to the longitudinal axis A of the first handle. 10 ellows e more direct actuation of the plunger 12 by the second handle 13, without the need for a reek and gear arrangement. This may lead to improved reliability Of the applicator, and to an improved "feel" as to whether the corTett= dose hes been applied, /n a preferred embodiment the central axis C of the barrel 11 forms an angie of substantially 90 to the loNitudinai axis A of The first handle 10, 5 The feel, and the accuracy and repeatability of the dosage dispensed, may also be improved if the barrel 11 has a greater length dimention than its diameter, in preferred embodiment the iength to diameter ratio of the barrel is between 2:1 end 2.6;1.
10 Figures 14 and 15 show a third possible embodiment of the dispensing means, generally referenced 300, This embodiment of the dispensing means differs from that shown in Figures 11-13 in that the plunger 66 iS actuated by 6 connecting rod 70 Which is rotatably cannected to the second handle 13 at a first end and rotatably connected to the plunger 66 at a second end, The dispensing means 300 can be held so that the second handle: 131S aftuated with the fingers, as shown in Figure 14, or with the thumb, as shown in Figure 1.:5.
While the examples of the dispensing means of the present invention deacribed above are Configured as oral drenchers, alternative embodiments of the dispensing means may be:configured for use with alternative methods of dispensing an animal remedy such as pour-on, nasal infusion or injection.
Similarly, while the dispensing means shown is a manually actuated type, alternative embodiments of invention may be powered electrically or by pressurised gas, or the remedy may be delivered to the dispensing means Under pressure and the dispensing means may control the flow of the remedy by opening and closing a valve:
between the inlet and the hozzie outlet.
Those skilled in the art wil:laopreciate that dispensing means made in accordance with the present invention may be more comfortable to use than the dispensing mearie Of the Otiot art, end may be le,Ss.: fatiguing to pee over extended periods of time. Where the preparation dispensed is intended to be swallowed by the animal, the dispensing means of the present invention may allow the peer to position the . 31393-49 nozzle more accurately in the animal's mouth, and may reduce the likelihood of injury to the animal during the application process.
Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (18)
1. An animal remedy dispensing means for use in oral administration including an elongate handle means having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 0° and 45'; and wherein the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the handle means and the flow control means, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the handle means form an angle of between 70° and 90°.
2. The animal remedy dispensing means of claim 1, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 0° and 35°.
3. The animal remedy dispensing means of claim 2, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means.
4. The animal remedy dispensing means of claim 1, wherein the inlet is proximate a first end of the elongate handle means and the outlet aperture is proximate a second end of the handle means, opposite the first end.
5. The animal remedy dispensing means of claim 1, wherein the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 10mm-35mm.
6. The animal remedy dispensing means of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow control means includes a second handle, and relative movement of the second handle towards the handle means causes the remedy to flow from the outlet.
7. The animal remedy dispensing means of claim 1, wherein the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the handle means form an angle of 90°.
8. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising in addition a dosage control mechanism including a dosage control part moveable between a first position wherein the dose dispensed by the liquid dispensing means can be adjusted, and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted.
9. An animal remedy dispensing means according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing means includes a housing, and the dosage control part is rotatable within the housing, wherein one of the housing and the dosage control part is provided with a plurality of protruding members and the other is provided with a plurality of grooves or channels, adapted to receive the protruding members when the dosage control part is in the second position.
10. An animal remedy dispensing means according to claim 9, wherein the protruding members include a plurality of ribs.
11. An animal remedy dispensing means according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of grooves or channels are defined by spaces between a plurality of second ribs.
12. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein activation of the dispensing means moves the dosage control part from the first position to the second position, if the dosage control part is not already in the second position when the dispensing means is activated.
13. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising in addition a one way valve including a valve body having a plurality of apertures therethrough, a closure means adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the apertures in a first direction and to substantially prevent a fluid from flowing through the apertures in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the valve body is provided with a flow path for receiving a fluid flowing in the second direction and directing the fluid to a required location.
14. An animal remedy dispensing means according to claim 13, wherein the flow path of the one way valve extends around a periphery of the valve body.
15. An animal remedy dispensing means according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the valve body includes a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion and the flow path extends between radially opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion.
16. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the valve body is provided with a valve guide, and the closure means includes a valve head and a valve stem slidingly engaged with the valve guide.
17. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the closure means includes biasing means for biasing the valve head towards a sealing means.
18. An animal remedy dispensing means according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the flow path includes a channel.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ556142A NZ556142A (en) | 2007-06-25 | 2007-06-25 | Animal remedy dispensing means |
| NZ556142 | 2007-06-25 | ||
| PCT/EP2008/057922 WO2009000786A2 (en) | 2007-06-25 | 2008-06-23 | Dispensing means with lockable dose adjuster and one way valve |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2687914A1 CA2687914A1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
| CA2687914C true CA2687914C (en) | 2016-03-01 |
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ID=39865095
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2687914A Active CA2687914C (en) | 2007-06-25 | 2008-06-23 | Dispensing means with lockable dose adjuster and one way valve |
Country Status (22)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US8460251B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP2170216B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP5384489B2 (en) |
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| CY (1) | CY1121019T1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK2170216T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2703875T3 (en) |
| HR (1) | HRP20181843T1 (en) |
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| TR (1) | TR201816419T4 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2009000786A2 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200907962B (en) |
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2007
- 2007-06-25 NZ NZ556142A patent/NZ556142A/en unknown
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2008
- 2008-06-23 HU HUE08774204A patent/HUE041515T2/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 EP EP08774204.5A patent/EP2170216B1/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 ES ES08774204T patent/ES2703875T3/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 US US12/666,532 patent/US8460251B2/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 MX MX2009013526A patent/MX2009013526A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2008-06-23 BR BRPI0812452-3A patent/BRPI0812452B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2008-06-23 PL PL08774204T patent/PL2170216T3/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 PT PT08774204T patent/PT2170216T/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 CA CA2687914A patent/CA2687914C/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 AU AU2008267262A patent/AU2008267262B2/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 DK DK08774204.5T patent/DK2170216T3/en active
- 2008-06-23 LT LTEP08774204.5T patent/LT2170216T/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 WO PCT/EP2008/057922 patent/WO2009000786A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-06-23 SI SI200832010T patent/SI2170216T1/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 TR TR2018/16419T patent/TR201816419T4/en unknown
- 2008-06-23 JP JP2010513871A patent/JP5384489B2/en active Active
- 2008-06-25 AR ARP080102739A patent/AR067169A1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2009
- 2009-11-12 ZA ZA200907962A patent/ZA200907962B/en unknown
- 2009-12-11 CO CO09141972A patent/CO6241090A2/en active IP Right Grant
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2018
- 2018-11-05 HR HRP20181843TT patent/HRP20181843T1/en unknown
- 2018-12-12 CY CY181101333T patent/CY1121019T1/en unknown
Also Published As
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|---|---|
| ZA200907962B (en) | 2010-07-28 |
| JP5384489B2 (en) | 2014-01-08 |
| PL2170216T3 (en) | 2019-04-30 |
| TR201816419T4 (en) | 2018-11-21 |
| HUE041515T2 (en) | 2019-05-28 |
| AU2008267262B2 (en) | 2012-02-02 |
| BRPI0812452A2 (en) | 2014-12-02 |
| DK2170216T3 (en) | 2018-12-10 |
| CO6241090A2 (en) | 2011-01-20 |
| US8460251B2 (en) | 2013-06-11 |
| EP2170216A2 (en) | 2010-04-07 |
| CY1121019T1 (en) | 2019-12-11 |
| ES2703875T3 (en) | 2019-03-12 |
| CA2687914A1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
| AU2008267262A1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
| AR067169A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 |
| WO2009000786A2 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
| US20100174241A1 (en) | 2010-07-08 |
| MX2009013526A (en) | 2010-01-27 |
| WO2009000786A3 (en) | 2009-05-14 |
| PT2170216T (en) | 2019-01-17 |
| NZ556142A (en) | 2009-11-27 |
| SI2170216T1 (en) | 2018-12-31 |
| HRP20181843T1 (en) | 2019-01-11 |
| BRPI0812452B1 (en) | 2019-08-06 |
| JP2010531180A (en) | 2010-09-24 |
| EP2170216B1 (en) | 2018-10-17 |
| LT2170216T (en) | 2018-12-10 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20130509 |