US3186450A - Dispensing assembly - Google Patents

Description

June 1, 1965 Filed June 1 1962 G. L. BEALL ETAL DISPENSING ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 1, 1965 G. BEALL ETAL 3,186,450

DISPENS ING ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1, 1962 J1me 1965 G. L. BEALL ETAL 3,186,450

DISPENSING ASSEMBLY Filed June 1, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,186,450 DISPENSING ASSEMBLY Glenn L. Beall, Wildwood, and Henry M. Scislowicz, Lake Bluli, Ill., assignors to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 1, 1962, Ser. No. 199,539 2 Claims. (Cl. 141-319) This invention relates to a dispensing assembly and in particular the invention relates to a dispensing assembly which is particularly adapted to serve as a pump. It is recognized in the prior art that it is sometimes necessary to store a substance such as a powdered medicament or the like in the dry state until it is ready to be used. At that time it is necessary to bring the medicament into contact with a liquid, for example a solution, for purposes of parenteral administration. The primary purpose of storing a medicament or the like in the dry state is to preserve its medicinal characteristics.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a dispensing assembly which includes a flexible diaphragm to which there is connected a dispensing cannula. A closure is unseatable and displaceable into the container, in response to the sufficient flexure of the flexible diaphragm, when the proximal terminal end of the dispensing cannula is forced or pushed against the closure, or alternatively, when the flexible diaphragm is forced or pushed againstthe closure. The dispensing assembly is adapted to be suitably connected to a dispensing container. When it is desired to mix the dry medicament with the liquid in a solution container, the dispensing cannula is brought into communication with the inside of the solution container. When a force is exerted on the dispensing container by the user, the flexure of the flexible diaphragm causes the inward displacement of the closure into the container so that liquid communication is thereby estab-- lished between the dispensing container and the solution container. When the closure is displaced into the dispensing container and upon flexure of the diaphragm, it is readily apparent that the powder is pumped into the solution container from the dispensing container during each forward movement of the dispensing container toward the solution container and that solution is sucked from the solution container into the dispensing container upon each backward movement of the dispensing container away from the solution container; therefore, once the closure has been released from its eating engagement, there is a free interchange of the medicament in the dispensing container and the liquid in the solution container. Gnce the closure has been displaced into the dispensing container, the closure also serve as an agitator to facilitate mixing of the dry medicament and the liquid.

It is one of the purposes of the invention to provide a closure assembly by which a medicament in a dispensing container is closed oil from communication with the out side by a closure and in which the closure is permanently displaced from its position of closure into the inside of the dispensing container. Thereafter the dispensing assembly of the invention serves as a pump to facilitate intermix= ing of the medicament in the dispensing container and the liquid in the solution container.

It is also one of the features of the invention to provide a reduced portion in the flexible closure to facilitate In the diagrammatic drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the dispensing assembly of the invention is adapted to be used;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view, partly cutaway,

of one embodiment of the dispensing assembly of the invention;

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FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4- of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing an alternate form of closure;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plain view of another alternative form of closure;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the closure illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the illustrative drawings;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the manner in which the closure is released from its seating position;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation view, mainly in crosssection, showing another manner in which the closure is adapted to be seated against the flexible diaphragm and showing an alternate mounting for the dispensing cannula;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view, mainly in crosssection, showing the manner in which the closure serves as an agitator subsequent to it release;

FIGURE 11 illustrates one type of contain-er with which in a modified form of the dispensing assembly is adapted to be used; and

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation view, partly broken away, of a modified form of dispensing assembly which is adapted to be used with, for example, the container shown in FIGURE 11 of the illustrative drawings.

Like reference characters are employed to designate components having the same construction, function and relative location. 7

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 4 of the illustrative drawings, there is illustrated the manner in which a liquid, such as a parenteral solution, in a solution container 2% is adapted to be mixed with a dry medicament M in a dispensing container 21. The dispensing container 21 is shown to be provided with a dispensing assembly generally indicated at 22. The dispensing container 21 is shown to be provided with a container body 23 and a tubular neck 23a joined by an inclined portion 23b. The tubular neck 23a is shown to have an annular head 24 as seen for example in FIGURE 3 of the illustrative drawings. A terminal end 25 of the tubular neck 23a of the container 21 defines an opening 26 through which the medicament M is filled into the container 21.

The dispensing assembly 22 is shown to comprise a flexible dome-shaped diaphragm 27 from which there depends an annular flange portion 28. The annular flange portion 28 is shown to have an internal bead 29 which is adapted to engage an annular shoulder 30 defined by the bead 24. The flexible diaphragm 27 is provided with a socket portion 31 which extends axially therefrom. The internal intersection of the diaphragm 27 and the socket portion 31 defines an aperture 32 in the flexible diaphragm 27. The diaphragm 27 defines a converging inner surface 27s which converges toward the aperture 32 to prevent the closure disk 46 from unseating. An annular external bead 33 reinforces the flexible diaphragm 27 and the socket portion 31 externally at their place of intersection. A dispensing cannula 34 is shown to be provided at its distal marginal end 35 with a sharpened outward end 36, while the proximal marginal end 37 of the dispensing cannula 34 is shown to be provided with an external annular flange 38. The proximal marginal end 37 of the dispensing cannula 34- is shown to be provided with an axially extending transverse slot 39. The slot 39 enables the proximal marginal end 37 of the dispensing cannula 34 to flex sufliciently to enable the external annular flange 38 to be inserted through a terminal end 40 of the socket portion 31 to the position shown for example in FIGURE 3 of the illustrative drawings. The

a socket portion 31, being resilient, also flexes as the annular flange 38 passes therethrough. The annular flange 38 is inclined inwardly to aid in the insertion of the dispensing cannula through the socket 31. The dispensing cannula 34 is provided with a flange 42 which serves the dual function of limiting the inward movement of the dispensing cannula 34 with respect to the socket portion 31 and of providing a convenient finger stop to enable the user to insert a free length portion 43 of the dispensing cannula 34 into a pierceable stopper 44 of the container 20.

As one of the salient features of the invention, there is provided a closure generally indicated at 45 which is shown to take the form of a closure disk 46. The closure disk 46 is shown to be seated both against the terminal end 25 of the container 21 and against a lower peripheral portion 27' of the flexible diaphragm 27. It is readily apparent that the closure disk 46 remains releasably seated until the user is ready to transfer the dry medicament M into the container 20. The user establishes communication between the'container 21 and the container 25 by means of the free length portion 43 of the dispensing cannula 34. The user grasps the container 21 and the container 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the illustrative drawings and begins to move the container 21 repeatedly toward and away from the container 20, or vice versa by short pumping strokes. Upon the first inward movement of the dispensing cannula 34 the flexible diaphragm 27 temporarily flexes sufficiently in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the illustrative drawings to enable a proximal terminal end 37 of the dispensing cannula 34 to unseat the releasably seated closure 45 from between the terminal end 25 of the container 21 and the flexible diaphragm 27. The closure 45 is displaced into the container 21 and the operator continues the inward and outward pumping movement of the container 21 so that the dry medicament M is pumped from the container 21 on the inward movement and liquid in the container 20 is sucked into the container 21 during the backward movement, The closure 45 helps to retain the dry medicament M dry and sterile, but the closure 45 is also useful to prevent the dry medicament M from falling out through a passage 47 of the dispensing cannula 34 after asheath 48 is removed and as the free length portion 43 is being inserted into the pierceable stopper 44 of the container 20.

In order to facilitate in the release of the closure disk 46 upon the flexure of the flexible diaphragm 27, the closure 46 is preferably provided with a reduced portion 49 which is shown to take the form of a cutout 49' taken along a cord of the circular periphery 50 of the closure disk 46. Although the closure disk 46 is shown to be provided with a reduced portion 49, other constructions for facilitating the flexure of the disk 46 are within the purview of the invention; for example in FIGURE of the illustrative drawings, a reduced portion 51 is shown to take the form of two radial cutouts 52 and 53. As shown in FIGURE 6 and FIGURE 7 of the illustrative drawings, a reduced portion 54 is shown to take the form of radial weakening as indicated by score lines 55, 56 and 57. The provision of a reduced portion is preferably employed in the event that the closure disk 46 is to be composed of a flexible plastic such as polyethylene or vinyl. In this event the closure disk 46 is about 0.030 of an inch thick. The reduced portion 49, 51 and 54 extend short of the opening 26 so that the entire opening 26 is closed off by the closure 45. The reduced portions 49 and 51 are disposed transversely beyond the opening 26. Each reduced portion 49, 51 and 54 is preferably eccentrically disposed in relation to the center of the closure disk 46 as shown in the drawings. The closure 45 is, however, preferably of lesser extent than the inside diameter of the container body 23.

Referring now to FIGURE 9 of the illustrative drawings there is illustrated a modified form of dispensing assembly generally indicated at 22A. The dispensing assembly 22A is shown to have a dispensing cannula 34a a proximal marginal end 37a of which is disposed slightly above an aperture 32a in a flexible dome-shaped diaphragm 27a. The proximal marginal end 37a of the dispensing cannula 34a is shown to be provided with a barbed-shape flange 33a which fits into a corresponding annular recess 58 in a socket portion 31a. A peripheral side 59 of the flexible diaphragm 27a is shown to be stepped outwardly to form an annular shoulder 60 against which the closure disk 46 is seated. The closure disk 46 is also seated against the terminal end 25 of the container 21. In this embodiment of the invention it is the flexible dome-shaped diaphragm 27a which serves to unseat the closure disk 46 as indicated in phantom in FIGURE 9 of the illustrative drawings.

In FIGURE 10 of the illustrative drawings the closure 45 is composed of a flexible deformable metal. The metal closure disk 46 is displaced into the container 25 after it has been permanently deformed upon pushing the dispensing cannula 34 thereagainst. The deformed disk 46 serves to agitate the liquid L and the dry medicament M during the pumping of the dispensing assembly 22.

As shown in FIGURE 11 of the illustrative drawings, the container 21 contains the dry medicament M, which is purchased by the user with a tamper-proof closure in place. The closure 65 has a tear strip '66 to which there is secured a tab 67. When the tear strip 66 is removed, an annular collar 68 remains locked below the bead 24 on the container 21. The construction of a dispensing assembly 22B is substantially like that indicated at 22 of the illustrative drawings, however, the dispensing assembly 2213 is provided with a sleeve-like flange portion 28b. The flange portion 28b has a first internal shoulder 69 which abuts against the annular collor 68 and a second shoulder 74) which abuts against the inclined portion 23b of the container 21. Extending downwardly of the second shoulder portion 70 is a sleeve portion '72 which has a slight downward and outward taper to enable the flange portion 28b to be snugly received by the container body 23 of the container 21. The flange portion 28b enables the dispensing assembly 22B to be employed on various types of containers, for example those not having an annular collar 68.

In each of the embodiments of the invention, the dispensing assembly exclusive of the dispensing cannula is preferably composed of flexible material such as plastic, for example polyethylene or vinyl. A plastic which is able to be flexed the required number of times suitable to accomplish the stated purposes of the invention is to be employed. It is to be understood that a material such as rubber is employable for this purpose, if desired. The dispensing cannula 34 is preferably composed of a somewhat more rigid material such as plastic, for example propylene or nylon. The closure disk 46 is preferably composed of a plastic such as polyethylene or vinyl and the like which is compatible with Whatever substance is to be present in the container 2].. The, closure disk 46 is of a character to be composed of a thin stainless steel or a coated or uncoated aluminum depending upon the nature of the medicament M. The container 21 is preferably composed of a rigid material such as glass although it is comprehended that a plastic having Sllfl'lClfillt rigidity for the purpose such as methyl methacrylate or a high density polyethylene is also employable.

It is to be understood that although the distal marginal end 35 of the dispensing cannula 34 is shown to have a sharpened outward end, it is within the purview of the invention to provide a suitable connection at the distal marginal end 35 of the dispensing cannula 34 so that liquid communication can be established through a suitable threaded rigid adapter cap in the event that a rubber stopper is not to be employed. i

The invention is not dependent upon the presence of any particular type of substance in the dispensing container or any particular type of liquid in the solution container. For example, the solution container can contain water, if desired.

The above-described embodiments being exemplary only, it will be understood that modifications in form or detail can be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited save as is consonant with the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing container comprising: a container having an opening at its terminal end, a flexible dome-shaped diaphragm having an aperture therein, said flexible domeshaped diaphragm defining a converging inner surface which converges toward said aperture, a flange portion depending from said diaphragm and externally engaging said terminal end of said container, a dispensing cannula connected to said diaphragm and extending outwardly beyond and inwardly beyond said aperture in said dome-shaped diaphragm, a flexible closure disc releasably seated between said terminal end of said container and a lower peripheral portion of said dome-shaped diaphragm, said converging inner surface of said domeshaped diaphragm preventing said closure disc from unseating against said terminal end of said container, said closure disc having an eccentrically disposed cut-out portion located at the periphery thereof, said flexible closure disc being releasable and displaceable into said container in response to the inward flexure of said diaphragm and the pushing of the inwardly extending end of said dispensing cannula against said flexible closure disc.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible closure disc is constituted of a deformable metal.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,152,601 9/15 Carpenter 222--209 X 1,308,919 7/19 Sellar 128-215 2,650,740 9/53 Hammerstein 222490 X 2,665,037 1/54 Zublin 222490 3,057,520 10/62 Nufier 222209 3,066,833 12/62 Hershenson 222209 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER COMPRISING: A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING AT ITS TERMINAL END, A FLEXIBLE DOME-SHAPED DIAPHRAGM HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, SAID FLEXIBLE DOMESHAPED DIAPHRAGM DEFINING A CONVERGING INNER SURFACE WHICH CONVERGES TOWARD SAID APERTURE, A FLANGE PORTION DEPENDING FROM SAID DIAPHRAGM AND EXTERNALLY ENGAGING SAID TERMINAL END OF SAID CONTAINER, A DISPENSING CANNULA CONNECTED TO SAID DIAPHRAGM AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND AND INWARDLY BEYOND SAID APERTURE IN SAID DOME-SHAPED DIAPHRAGM, A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE DISC RELEASABLY SEATED BETWEEN SAID TERMINAL END OF SAID CONTAINER AND A LOWER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID DOME-SHAPED DIAPHRAGM, SAID CONVERGING INNER SURFACE OF SAID DOMESHAPED DIAPHRAGM PREVENTING SAID CLOSURE DISC FROM UNSEATING AGAINST SAID TERMINAL END OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID CLOSURE DISC HAVING AN ECCENTRICALLY DISPOSED CUT-OUT PORTION LOCATED AT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, SAID FLEXIBLE CLOSURE DISC BEING RELEASABLE AND DISPLACEABLE INTO SAID CONTAINER IN RESPONSE TO THE INWARD FLEXURE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM AND THE PUSHING OF THE INWARDLY EXTENDING END OF SAID DISPENSING CANNULA AGAINST SAID FLEXIBLE CLOSURE DISC.

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