US3318309A

US3318309A - Pressurized medicinal foam applicator

Info

Publication number: US3318309A
Application number: US378333A
Authority: US
Inventors: Max E Bowen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-06-26
Filing date: 1964-06-26
Publication date: 1967-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-09

Description

May 9, 1967 M. E. BOWEN PRESSURIZED MEDICINAL FOAM APPLTCATOR Filed June 2, 1964 Z4 J4 25 J? INVENTOR B /l//czx t". Bowen AT TO RN EY M. E. BOWEN 3,389

PRESSURIZED MEDICINAL FOAM APPLICATOR May 9, 1967 Filed June 26, 1964 30 ff- 5- BY @Mfzm /im .5M

AT TO RN EY United States Patent O 3,318,309 PRESSURIZED MEDICINAL FOAM APPLICATOR Max E. Bowen, 30885 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Mich. 48152 Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,333 16 Claims. (Cl. 12S-225) This invention relates to improvements in pressurized medicinal foam applicator.

The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a container and applicator for pressurized medicinal foam consisting of a tubular vial having a radially reduced portion intermediate its ends with an extension on one end and an outlet at the other end spaced from the restriction with a container portion therebetween, a valve rod extending through said outlet and said reduced portion with an enlarged head at the outer end of said outlet, a flexible tube positioned around said rod tand sealed between said head and the edge of said outlet, a stop on the other end of said rod from said head, a spring compressed between said stop and said reduced portion and within said tube to press said t-ube into sealing relation with said reduced portion, a tubular dose chamber and probe sleeved slidably over said vial and having a discharge `opening engageable with said head yand extensible therefrom to dose receiving position, a double ended cover having ends alternatively receivable in the extension of said vial, and a valve rod actuating projection positioned off-center longitudinally of said cover land engageable with the end of said rod in one position of said cover and Yin spaced, non-contactable relation to said rod in the inverted position of the cover.

Second, to provide a container and applicator having the foregoing properties in which said projection on said vial and said cover have coacting radially outwardly projecting stops, and said vial and said probe having a seal therebetween at the outer end of the vial, said probe having a projection forming a grip at the inner end and said probe having an inwardly turned flange around said discharge opening.

Third, to provide a container and dispenser havingthe foregoing properties which can be charged with a medicine and foam forming gas by pressing said rod upwardly to break the seal at said head and introduce the medicine yand gas therethrough and in which said -probe may be extended on said vial to form a dose measuring chamber and said cover pressed in to release a dose of medicated foam into the chamber and the vial then pressed into the probe to dispense the dose of foam into a body cavity.

Fourth, to provide a container and dispenser having the foregoing properties, the elements of which are inexpensive and easily assembled making it practical to merchandise the container with single d-oses of medication.

Fifth, to provide a modified form of the container and dispenser, especially useful for treating mastitis in cattle, in which the same type of tubular vial, valve rod and seal are provided with a button on the valve rod which also forms an abutment for the spring and in which a dispensing nozzle having a tip smaller than the vial is fitted over the other end of the vial.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims. The drawings, of which there is one sheet, show two highly practical forms of the invention adapted for human use and one practical form adapted for use on cattle.

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a plural dose form of the container in shipping or storage condition.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view through the container in FIG. 1 in dose forming position.

3,318,309 Patented May 9, 1967 ICC FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the container in dispensing position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view of a modified form of the container sized for a single dose storage and application.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view through a modified form of container and applicator designed for use with cattle.

The multi-dose `container and applicator shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 consists of `a tubular vial 1 of glass or any pressure resistant material, preferably transparent. The vial yhas a radially reduced neck portion 2 intermediate of its ends forming a `restriction and a seal seat. The front or lower end of the vial is thickened at 3 to for-m an outlet opening at 4. The thickened portion also carries an external seal ring 5 and the space between the thickened portion and the restriction forms a pressure chamber 6. Rearwardly or upwardly from the reduced portion, the vial has a tubular extension 7 forming a guide for a cover 8 and a chamber for a spring 9.

Positioned within. the vial is a valve rod 10 that may be of glass or any rigid material. The rod extends through the reduced portion 2 and has an abutment 11 in the spring chambe-r. A rounded head 12 projects into the outlet opening 4. A sleeve 13 of flexible material such as rubber is positioned around the rod and preferably closed over the rounded head 12. The double tapered coil spring 9 enters the upper end of the sleeve and abuts against the abutment 11 to press the sleeve into sealing engagement with the inside of the reduced portion 2 and to draw the head 12 and sleeve 13 into sealing engagement with the outer edge of the outlet opening 4, the diameter of the head 12 plus twice the thickness of the sleeve 13 being greater than the diameter of the opening 4.

T he upper or outer extension 7 of the vial has an outturned rim 14 which forms a grip and a stop for the external flange 15 formed intermediately of the ends of the cover 8. The cover has a transverse Wall or projection 16 that is off-set longitudinally from the flange 15. When the cover 8 is in normal position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 for storage or application of the medication respectively, the wall 16 will not reach or contact the upper or rear end of the valve rod. When the cover is inverted as in FIG. 2 to form the dose charge, the cover and vial may Ibe gripped between the thumb and fingers with two fingers under the rim 14 `and pressure on the cover will force the wall 16 against the end of the rod 10, unseating the ball i". and the seal around the opening 4.

Positioned slidably around the vial 1 and sealingly engaged with the seal 5 is a thin tubular dose and dispensing chamber 17 desirably formed of inexpensive plastic. The dose chamber 17 has an -outturned grip flange 1S at its upper or outer end and a discharge opening 19 in its rounded lower end, desirably surrounded by an inturned rim 20 that seats against the rubber sleeve 13 when flange 18 abuts the flange 14 on the vial. FIG. 1 shows the vial, dose chamber and cover as they will be shipped and stored.

The vial is easily filled by automatic machinery by placing it in inverted position and pressing the vial downV until a stop unseats the head 4. A measured amount of suitable liquid medication and a charge of a propellant and foaming gas are introduced through hollow needles and the seal at the head closed and the needles withdrawn. The dose chamber and probe 17 and cover 8 are then applied and the unit packaged in a sterile wrapper (not shown).

To use the container, the external probe and dose chamber is extended and the cover is inverted as in FIG. 2. The cover ispressed in (preferably with the vial inverted and the probe uppermost) so that the gas forms and forces a dose of medicated foam indicated by the bubbles 21. When the cover is released and the vial is righted, the remaining liquidstands at the liquid line 22 with gas thereabove. The dose chamber and probe indicatea full dose when full and the probe is desirably transparent for this purpose. If the charge in the vial is defective or spent, the lack of proper dosage is immediately apparent and the unit is discarded.

To apply the dose of medicated foam, the cover is again-reversedor righted as in FIG. 3 to avoid 'danger of the pressure in the vial from being released against delicate body tissues. The probe 17 is inserted as into vaginal` or rectaly openings of the body and the vial pushed into the probe by grasping the flange 18 around the-probe between the fingers and pressing the cover with the thumb. This ejects or expels the foam under safe pressure into the body. The arrows at 23 'in FIG. 3 indicate the dispensing motion.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified form of thevial 1A adapted for single dose storage and dispensing. The vial andy probe 17 arefof the same or suitable length as in FIGS. 1 to 3 but the restriction 2A is moved closer to the outlet end of the probe to provide a reduced pressure chamber 6A. The sleeve 13A is correspondingly shortenedand the abutment 11 is moved down on valve rod A. Otherwise thesingle dose form operates in theV same manner as the plural dose form.

FIG. 5 shows a modified form of container and applicator particularly adapted for use in treating mastitis in cattle. Since mastitis is highly contagious, the applicator is a single dose applicator that is discarded after use. The vial 24 has its restriction 25 spaced the correct distance from-the end opening 26 to form a single dose pressure chamber 27. Valve rod 28 passes from the ball end 29 through the restriction to an applicator button 30fheld on the end of the rod by a snap or wedge gripper 31. The gripper forms the upper abutment for spring 32. The lower or inner end of the spring presses the outer end of rubber sleeve 34 into sealing engagement with the wall of the restriction 25. The pressure chamber 27 is charged as in the first two forms of the conf tainer and applicator.

Since the direct release of pressure into the teats of the cow is notV harmful, no dose chamberis necessary. Instead a plastic tip 35 having a soft narrow probe 36 of. the `desired size and length is fitted directly over the discharge end of the vial, or the probe may be packed alongside of: the vial to conserve space and be installed by the user.

It is a feature of the rst two forms of the container, that the plastic dose forming chamber collapsed over the vial Will meet and comply with regulations requiring a protective cover over pressurized glass containers during shipment. When the probe is extended for use, the pressurefin the container is almost immediately reduced,

l'or eliminated entirely in the single dose modification.

With the multiple dose form the protective shield of the probe. is returned to position with each use.

In the multiple dose form, the probe may be provided with dose indicia marks 37 which may be alinedwith the seal 5 to determine the size of dose to bev administered.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A container and applicator for a foamed medication characterized by a tubular pressure containing vial having an outlet opening in one end Land a restriction of reduced internaly diameter intermediate of its ends,

an extension on said vial at the other end from said restriction,

a valve rod extending through said vial with an enlarged head positioned externally of said outlet open- 111g a sleeve of deformable stretchablematerial extending around said rod and through said restriction,

an abutment on said rod in said extension,

a spring coiled around said rod and 'compressed between said abutment and said restriction and entering the end of said sleeve in said restriction to seal the sleeve to the vial,

deformable sealing material sealed between said head and the edge of said outlet opening by the pressure of said spring,

a cap slidably mounted in said extension to press said rod and unseal said head and said sealing material from said vial,

a probe fitting over the end of said vial and around said head and having an end insertable into a body opening with a discharge opening through the end of the probe,

and a charge of foamable medicating liquid and propellant foaming gas sealed in said vial between said head and said restriction.

2. A container and. applicator as defined in claim 1 in which said cap is double ended to slide in obverse and reverse positions in said extension and having an axially off-set` internal projection engageable with said rod only in the reverse position of the cap in said extens1on.

3. A container and applicator as defined in claim 2 in which-said sealing material and said sleeve are formed as an integral sleeve.

4. A container and applicator as defined in claim 3 in which saidv sleeve is closed over said head and the discharge opening in said probe seals against said sleeve in the retracted position of said probe.

5. A container and applicator-as defined in claim 3 in which said probe and said extension have outturned peripheral flanges at their outer ends.

6. A container and applicator as defined in claim 1 in which said sleeve and said sealing material are formed as parts of an integral sleeve closed over said head.

7. A container and applicator as defined in claim 1 in which said probe is a cylinder slidable over a substantial length of said vial with the end around the discharge opening rounded externally.

8. A container and applicator as defined in claim 7 in which said vial is long enough between said outlet opening and said restriction to contain multiple doses of said liquid and said gas and said probe has dose measuring indicia there-on near its outer end.

9. vA container and applicator asdefined in claim 1, in which saidprobe has an elongated tip of reduced cross section in which said discharge opening is formed.

10. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

a tubular glass vial having a reduced neck portion intermediate of its ends with a cylindrical extension and ared rim at one end and a thickened Wall defining an outlet at the other end,

a valve rodvextending through said vial with an inwardly facing shoulder kpositioned in said extension and an enlarged ball end projecting beyond the other end of said vial,

a tubeV of ydeformable material positioned around said rod and closed around the end and sides `of said ball end in sealing engagement with the edge of said outlet, said neck,

a double taper coil spring positioned around said rod lbetween said shoulder and extending in expanding relation into said tube to seal the -tube to the inside of said neck,

a dose of medicinal material and foam forming gas under pressure in said vial and around said tube,

a tubular dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial with a dispensing opening in the front end having an inwardly turned rim scalable against the end of said tube and said ball end,

an annular seal between said other end of said vial and said probe,

a flared ange forming a grip on the other end of said probe,

and a double ended reversible cap slidably mounted in said one end of said vial with an intermediate external ange engageable with said one end of said vial,

said cap having an axially olf-set inner wall engageable with the end of said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at said ball end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to prevent opening the seal at said hall end in the inverted position of said cap with the external ange engaged with the end of the vial.

11. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

a tubular vial having a reduced neck portion intermediate of its ends with an extension at one end and an outlet at the other end,

a valve rod extending through said vial with an inwardly facing shoulder positioned in said extension and an enlarged ball end projecting beyond the other end of said vial,

a tube of deformable material positioned around said rod and closed around the end and sides of said ball end in sealing engagement with the edge of said outlet,

said tube extending through the reduced portion of said neck,

a double taper coil spring positioned around said rod between said shoulder and extending in expanding relation into said tube to seal the tube to the inside of said neck,

a tubular dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial with a dispensing opening in the front end sealable against the end of said tube and said ball end,

a grip on the other end of said probe,

and a double ended reversible cap slidably mounted in said one end of said vial with an intermediate external flange engageable with said one end of said vial, v

said cap having an axially olf-set inner projection engageable with the end of said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at said ball end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to prevent opening the seal at said ball end in the inverted position of said cap with the external flange engaged with the end of the vial.

12. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

a tubular glass Vial having a reduced neck portion intermediate of its ends with a cylindrical extension and llared rim at one end and a radially reduced inner wall delining an outlet at the other end,

a valve rod extending through said vial with an inwardly facing shoulder positioned in said extension and an enlarged end projecting beyond the other end of said vial,

a tube of deformable material positioned around said rod and closed around the end and sides of said enlarged end in sealing engagement with the edge of said outlet,

said tube extending through the reduced portion of said neck,

a double taper coil spring positioned around said rod between said shoulder and extending in expanding relation into said tube to seal the. tube to the inside of said neck,

a dose of medicinal material and foam forming gas under pressure in said Vial and aro-und said tube,

a tubular dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial `with a dispensing opening in the front end having an inwardly turned rim sealable against the end of said tube and said enlarged end,

means forming a grip on the other end of said probe,

and a double ended reversible cap slidably and telescopically mounted with said one end of said vial with an intermediate flange engageable with said one end of said vial,

said cap having an axially olf-set inner wall engageable with the end of said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at said enlarged end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to prevent opening the seal at said enlarged end in the inverted position of said cap with the llange engaged with the end of the vial. y

13. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

a tubular glass Vial having a reduced neck portion intermediate of its ends with a cylindrical extension at one end and a radially reduced inner wall defining an outlet at the other end,

a tube of deformable material positioned around said rod and sides of said enlarged end in sealing engagement with the edge of said outlet,

said tube extending through the reduced portion of said neck,

a coil spring positioned around said rod between said shoulder and extending in expanding relation into said tube to seal the tube to the inside of said neck,

a tubular dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial with a dispensing opening in the front end having an inwardly turned rim scalable against the end of said tu'be and said enlarged end,

and a double ended reversible cap slidably and telescopically mounted with said one end of said vial with an intermediate liange engageable with said one en-d of said vial,

said cap having an axially off-set inner wall engageable with the end of said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at said enlarged end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to prevent opening the seal at said enlarged end in the inverted position of said cap with the ange engaged with the end of the vial.

14. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

deformable means on said enlarged end in sealing engagement with the edge of said outlet,

expandable means on said rod-extending through the reduced portion of said neck,

a coil spring positioned around said rod between said shoulder and vial and extending in expanding relation -into said expandable means to seal the rod to the inside of said neck,

a dose of medicinal material and foam forming gas under pressure in said vial and around said rod, a dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial with a dispensing opening in the front end,

a grip on the other end of said probe,

and a ydouble ended reversible cap slidably mounted in telescopic relation to said one end of said vial with an intermediate projectionfengageable with said one end of said vial,

said cap having an axially off-set inner projection engagealble with the end lof said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at` said enlarged end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to -prevent opening the seal at said enlarged end in the inverted position of said cap with the intermediate projection engaged with the end of the vial.

15. A pressurized medicinal foam container and applicator comprising,

a valve rod extending through said vial with an inwardly facing shoulder positioned in said extension and an enlarged end projecting -beyond the other end of said vial,

deformable means on said rod adjacent the reduced portion ofl said neck, a coil spring positioned around said rod between said shoulder and vial and pressing said deformable means to seal the rod to the inside of said neck,

a dose of medicinal material and foam forming gas undery pressure in said vial and around said rod,

a tubular dose receiving chamber and dispensing probe sleeved over said other end of said vial with a ydispensing opening in the front end,

and a ydouble endedreversible cap slidably mounted .in telescopic relation to said one end of said vial with an intermediate projection engageable with said one end of said vial,

said cap lhaving an axially off-set inner projection engageable with the lend of said rod to depress the rod and open the seal at said enlarged end in one position of said cap and spaced from the end of said rod to prevent opening the seal at said enlarged end in the inverted position of said cap with the intermediate projection engaged with the end of the vial.

16. A container and applicator for a foamed medication characterized by a tubular pressure containing vial having an outlet opening in one end and a restriction of reduced internal diameter intermediate of its ends,

an extension on said vial at the other end from said restriction,

a valve rod extending through said vial with an enlarged head positioned externally of said outlet openmg,

a sleeve of deformable stretchable material extending around said head on said rod and through said restriction, said sleeve and head sealing the edge of said outlet opening,

a Ibutton on said rod forming an abutment in said eX- tension and projecting from the extension,

a spring coiled around said rod and compressed between said abutment and said restriction and entering the end of said sleeve in said restriction to seal the sleeve to the vial,

a tubular probe fitting over the one end of said vial and around said head and having an end of radially reduced size insertable into a body opening with a discharge opening through the end of the probe,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,686,188 10/1928 Tipton. 1,719,163 7/1929 Bergl 12S- 224 2,746,797 5/ 1956 lRemane 239-337 2,945,494. 7/ 1960 Bowen 12S-248 3,275,000 9/1966 Bowen 12S-272 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONTAINER AND APPLICATOR FOR A FOAMED MEDICATION CHARACTERIZED BY A TUBULAR PRESSURE CONTAINING VIAL HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING IN ONE END AND A RESTRICTION OF REDUCED INTERNAL DIAMETER INTERMEDIATE OF ITS ENDS, AN EXTENSION ON SAID VIAL AT THE OTHER END FROM SAID RESTRICTION, A VALVE ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID VIAL WITH AN ENLARGED HEAD POSITIONED EXTERNALLY OF SAID OUTLET OPENING, A SLEEVE OF DEFORMABLE STRETCHABLE MATERIAL EXTENDING AROUND SAID ROD AND THROUGH SAID RESTRICTION, AN ABUTMENT ON SAID ROD IN SAID EXTENSION, A SPRING COILED AROUND SAID ROD AND COMPRESSED BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENT AND SAID RESTRICTION AND ENTERING THE END OF SAID SLEEVE IN SAIDD RESTRICTION TO SEAL THE SLEEVE TO THE VIAL,