U.S. patent application number 10/503906 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for dispensing device.
Invention is credited to James Grant Wright.
Application Number | 20060011657 10/503906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32996836 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060011657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; James Grant |
January 19, 2006 |
Dispensing device
Abstract
A device for dispensing fluid for use as an eyewash station
comprising a flexible container for containing said fluid, a
reservoir attached externally to said container, a conduit housed
within said container in fluid communication with said reservoir,
and a sealing means to prevent passage of said fluid from said
container through said reservoir prior to initial use of said
device. The device is adapted such that, upon breakage of said
sealing means, said fluid can pass through said conduit to said
reservoir when said flexible container is flexed inwards by a user
of said device.
Inventors: |
Wright; James Grant;
(Queensland, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIVE & OLIVE, P.A.
500 MEMORIAL STREET
PO BOX 2049
DURHAM
NC
27702
US
|
Family ID: |
32996836 |
Appl. No.: |
10/503906 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU02/00108 |
371 Date: |
August 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 35/02 20130101;
A61F 9/0026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 37/00 20060101
B65D037/00 |
Claims
1. A device for dispensing fluid, said fluid of use as an eyewash,
said device including: a flexible container for containing said
fluid; a reservoir attached externally to said container; a conduit
housed within said container in fluid communication with said
reservoir; and a sealing means to prevent passage of said fluid
from said container through said conduit to said reservoir prior to
initial use of said device; said device adapted such that, upon
breakage of said sealing means, said fluid can pass through said
conduit to said reservoir when said flexible container is flexed
inwards by a user of said device.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said container and said
reservoir are adapted so that said reservoir can be moved from a
first non-use position to a second in-use position.
3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein, said reservoir includes
a piercing means adapted to pierce said sealing means when said
reservoir moves to said second position.
4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said piercing means is
an extension from the base of said reservoir, said extension being
sufficiently tapered to pierce said sealing means as said reservoir
is moved to said second in-use position.
5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said reservoir includes
at least one first aperture, each said first aperture being adapted
to prevent said fluid from returning from said reservoir to said
container.
6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said reservoir includes
a plurality of second aperatures, said second aperatures adapted to
provide a spray effect for said formulation as said formulation
passes from said container to said reservoir.
7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein an inner cap is
removably affixed to the neck of said container, said inner cap
incorporating said conduit and wherein said reservoir is removable
affixed to said inner cap.
8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said inner cap and said
reservoir are further adapted to provide a stop means to initially
securely position said reservoir in said first non-use position and
then to securely maintain said reservoir in said second in-use
position when said device is in use.
9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said stop means
includes: an external ridge positioned at or near the lower portion
of said reservoir; a first recess around the exterior surface of
said inner cap at or near its lower end; and a second recess around
said exterior of said inner cap at approximately its mid-length;
wherein said external ridge is of a complementary shape to each of
said first recess and said second recess.
10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said device further
includes a cap adapted to be detachably affixed to, and cover, said
reservoir.
Description
[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to safety devices. In general, it is
directed to a dispensing device for liquid formulations which finds
particular, but not exclusive, use as an eyewash station.
[0002] Employees and their employers are naturally concerned with
safety in the workplace. Further, governments apply stringent
safety requirements in a vast range of industries and there can be
punitive fines if these safety requirements are breached.
[0003] The human eye is very sensitive to fumes, liquids or solids
which can irritate, and possibly permanently damage, eyes upon
contact therewith. Therefore, for industries which generate
significant quantities of dust, for example, the mining industries,
one safety requirement is to provide suitable devices to enable a
person to flush out these irritants from the eyes.
[0004] One method of alleviating any irritation is to apply a
liquid medicinal formulation to the eyes, the formulation often
referred to as an eyewash. A favoured formulation is a saline
solution. Such an eyewash is often contained in a bottle which is
stored at a first aid station in readiness for use when
required.
[0005] Although there are a number of prior art dispensing bottles
available, one disadvantage of these prior art devices is that they
can be difficult to operate by a user, especially if that user has
been temporarily blinded and is unable to obtain assistance. This
is of particular concern as industry is gradually eliminating the
employment of safety officers in an attempt to reduce operational
costs. An additional problem with the abolition of safety officers
is that safety equipment is often no longer regularly inspected for
satisfactory operational status and such equipment may fail when
deployed.
[0006] There is thus an increasing requirement to provide safety
equipment with a prolonged shelf life and which can be readily
operated by a lone user.
[0007] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the
above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a
device for dispensing fluid, said fluid of use as an eyewash, said
device including: [0009] a flexible container for containing said
fluid; [0010] a reservoir attached externally to said container;
[0011] a conduit housed within said container in fluid
communication with said reservoir; and [0012] a sealing means to
prevent passage of said fluid from said container through said
conduit to said reservoir prior to initial use of said device;
[0013] said device adapted such that, upon breakage of said sealing
means, said fluid can pass through said conduit to said reservoir
when said flexible container is flexed inwards by a user of said
device.
[0014] Preferably, said container and said reservoir are adapted so
that said reservoir can be moved from a first non-use position to a
second in-use position.
[0015] Preferably, said reservoir includes a piercing means adapted
to pierce said sealing means when said reservoir moves to said
second position.
[0016] Preferably, said piercing means is an extension from the
base of said reservoir, said extension being sufficiently tapered
to pierce said sealing means as said reservoir is moved to said
second in-use position.
[0017] Preferably, said reservoir includes at least one first
aperture, each said first aperture adapted to prevent said fluid
from returning from said reservoir to said container.
[0018] Preferably, said reservoir includes a plurality of second
apertures, said second apertures adapted to provide a spray effect
for said formulation as said formulation passes from said container
to said reservoir.
[0019] Preferably, an inner cap is removably affixed to the neck of
said container, said inner cap incorporating said conduit and
wherein said reservoir is removably affixed to said inner cap.
[0020] Preferably, said inner cap and said reservoir are further
adapted to provide a stop means to initially securely position said
reservoir in said first non-use position and then to securely
maintain said reservoir in said second in-use position when said
device is in use.
[0021] Preferably, said stop means includes (a) an external ridge
positioned at or near the lower portion of said reservoir, (b) a
first recess around the exterior surface of said inner cap at or
near its lower end and (c) a second recess around said exterior of
said inner cap at approximately its mid-length, wherein said
external ridge is of a complementary shape to each of said first
recess and said second recess.
[0022] Preferably, said device further includes a cap adapted to be
detachably affixed to, and cover, said reservoir.
[0023] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a device
constructed in accordance with the invention and in a
"non-activated" position;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an upper portion of
the device illustrated in FIG. 1 in a "non-activated" position;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the upper portion
of the device illustrated in FIG. 2 in an "activated" position;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a component of the device of
FIG. 1; and
[0028] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the component illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0029] With reference to the figures, the device (1) comprises a
container (2) to hold the required liquid formulation. A typical
capacity for the container (2) is 300 ml. The external surface of
the neck (3) of the container (2) includes a threaded portion (4).
A shaped inner cap (5) includes a complementary threaded portion
(6) to engage the threaded portion (4) of the neck (3). A tube (7),
open at both ends (8,9), is integral with the inner cap (5) and
extends from the inner cap (5) to terminate near the base of the
container (2). A first recess (10) (FIG. 2) extends around the
exterior surface of the inner cap (5) at its lower end. A second
recess (11) (FIG. 3) extends around the exterior surface of the
inner cap (5) at approximately mid-length of the cap (5). An eyecup
reservoir (12) includes an upper portion (13) shaped to accommodate
the eye socket of a human. A tubular lower portion (14) extends
from the base of the reservoir (12) and terminates in an internal
ridge (15). The internal ridge (15), first recess (10) and second
recess (1 1) are of complementary shapes. At the junction (16) of
the upper portion (13) and the lower portion (14) of the eyecup
reservoir (12), there is a plate (17) (FIGS. 4 & 5) which
includes a plurality of perforations (18). The eyecup reservoir
(12) also includes drain holes (19). Below the junction (16)
extends a cutting blade (20) (FIGS. 1 & 5). After the container
(2) is filled with the required formulation, a membrane (21) (FIG.
1) is sealed across the mouth of the neck (4) of the container (2).
A suitable formulation is 0.9% saline solution which is
commercially available and, when sealed from contact with the
atmosphere, has a shelf life of approximately three (3) years.
After affixing the membrane (21), the reservoir (12) is fitted to
the inner cap (5) such that the ridge (15) is accommodated in the
recess (11) (FIGS. 1 & 2). A cap (not illustrated) can be
positioned over the reservoir (12) to exclude dust and the like
from the reservoir (12) prior to use of the device (1). The entire
device (1) can then be further sealed within "shrink wrap" (22) or
a similar sealing film.
[0030] All components of the device (1) can be manufactured from a
plastics material with properties which allow the following: (a)
the sides of the container (2) to be flexed inwards by a user of
the device (1); and (b) the lower portion (14) of the reservoir
(12) to deflect resiliently enabling the ridge (15) to be released
from the recess (11) and subsequently engage the recess (10).
Preferably, but in no way essential, the inner cap (5) is coloured
differently to that of the remaining components which can assist in
establishing visually the activated or non-activated status of the
device (1). A suitable colour for the inner cap (5) is "safety
yellow".
[0031] In use, the container (2) is held in one hand as the
reservoir (12) is firmly clasped in the other hand and screwed or
pushed down until the ridge (15) engages the recess (10) (FIG. 3).
During this action, the blade (20) pierces the membrane (21). Any
dust cap is removed from the reservoir (12). The reservoir (12) is
then placed over the affected eye socket and, by squeezing the
sides of the container (2), fluid can pass up through the tube (7)
through the plate (17) and into the reservoir (12) to wash the eye.
The head of the user is only required to be tilted forward, rather
than backwards, as the fluid is sprayed upwards through the
perforated plate (17). Any unused or thus-used wash fluid drains
through the drain holes (19) external to the container (2)
therefore eliminating the possibility of flushing contaminated
fluid back into the eye. If the inner cap (5) is coloured
differently from the surrounding components, the dimensions of the
reservoir (12) can be adapted such that, when the device (1) is in
the "non-activated" or ready to use position, the mid to lower
portions of the inner cap (5) are clearly visible but, when the
device has been activated for use, the lower portion (14) of the
reservoir (12) shields those mid to lower portions from view.
[0032] The device of the present invention can thus provide a fully
assembled unit, charged with a suitable formulation, and ready for
immediate use with the ability to spray the areas surrounding the
eye socket to remove irritants therefrom before commencing the eye
wash. As a sealed assembly, the formulation remains contaminant
free, not requiring constant monitoring as to its suitability for
use, with a long shelf life, which can be activated and used by a
single person. If it is deemed desirable, the entire unit can be
discarded after use or can be sterilized, refilled and resealed for
later use. A particularly important advantage of the present
invention is that it can be operated without having to invert the
device for gravity feeding of the wash formulation as in the prior
art devices.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments
are only exemplification of the various aspects of the present
invention and that modifications and alterations can be made
thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in
the following claims.
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