U.S. patent application number 13/962007 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for single use enhancement for dispenser assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bonggeun Kim, Sungmoon Kim. Invention is credited to Bonggeun Kim, Sungmoon Kim.
Application Number | 20150041496 13/962007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51399615 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041496 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Sungmoon ; et
al. |
February 12, 2015 |
SINGLE USE ENHANCEMENT FOR DISPENSER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A locking device structured to maintain an activating plunger of
a dispenser assembly in an inoperative position, subsequent to
dispensing, so as to facilitate a single-use operation thereof and
thereby preclude the potential confusion between a used and an
unused single-use dispensing device. The locking device includes a
body disposed in receiving relation to the plunger as it moves from
an operative position to an inoperative position. A locking
structure connected to the body is disposed to frictionally engage
the plunger in movement restricting relation during its passage
from the operative position to the inoperative position. Such
frictional engagement is sufficient to restrict movement of the
plunger back into the operative position once the material has been
dispensed.
Inventors: |
Kim; Sungmoon; (Quebec,
CA) ; Kim; Bonggeun; (Quebec, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Sungmoon
Kim; Bonggeun |
Quebec
Quebec |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
51399615 |
Appl. No.: |
13/962007 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 11/007 20140204;
A61M 15/08 20130101; B65D 83/0033 20130101; A61M 15/0081 20140204;
A61M 2205/273 20130101; A61M 15/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/153.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Claims
1. A dispenser assembly structured for a single-use application,
said dispenser assembly comprising: a housing including a
dispensing portion disposed and structured to deliver material from
said housing, a plunger movably connected to said housing and
disposable thereon between an operative position and inoperative
position, a locking device disposed within said housing and
structured to facilitate passage of said plunger from said
operative position into said inoperative position, and said locking
device including a locking structure disposed and configured for
movement restricting engagement with said plunger when said plunger
is in said inoperative position.
2. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said movement
restricting engagement comprises a frictional engagement of said
locking structure with said plunger.
3. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said movement
restricting engagement further comprises a movable sliding
engagement between said locking structure and said plunger.
4. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking
device is connected within said housing and includes an open
interior, said open interior disposed in receiving relation to said
plunger when in said inoperative position.
5. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said locking
structure is disposed exteriorly of said open interior in sliding,
frictional engagement with said plunger.
6. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said locking
structure comprises a flange connected to an exterior of said
locking device and extending outwardly therefrom, said flange at
least partially formed of a flexible material, said movement
restricting engagement comprises said flange disposed in biased
engagement with said plunger.
7. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said open
interior is disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to
said dispensing portion and said plunger when said plunger is in
said inoperative position.
8. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking
device comprises a body including an open at least partially hollow
interior disposed in receiving relation to said plunger when in
said inoperative position.
9. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said locking
structure is connected to an exterior of said body and extends
outwardly therefrom into said movement restricting engagement with
said plunger when in said inoperative position.
10. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said body
comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall configuration;
said locking structure comprising a flange connected to an exterior
of said outer wall and extending outwardly therefrom.
11. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said flange
is at least partially formed from a flexible material and comprises
an at least partially annular configuration connected to and
extending outwardly from an exterior of said outer wall and in at
least partially surrounding relation thereto.
12. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 8 further comprising a
connector disposed in interconnecting relation between said body
and interior of said housing.
13. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said body
comprises a head portion; said connector disposed in
interconnecting relation between said head portion and an interior
portion of said housing.
14. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said
connector is at least partially formed of an adhesive material
disposed to adhesively secure said body to said housing.
15. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said head
portion is disposed transversely outward in at least partially
surrounding relation to an open end of said body, said head portion
including an outer exposed surface, said connector mounted on said
exposed surface in attached engagement with an interior of said
housing.
16. A locking device structured to maintain an activating plunger
of a dispenser assembly in an inoperative position, said locking
device comprising: a body dimensioned and configured to be disposed
with an interior of a housing of a dispenser assembly and in
accessible relation to the plunger, said body including a locking
structure disposed thereon in movement restricting engagement with
the plunger when the plunger is in an operative position, said body
comprising an open interior disposed in receiving relation to the
plunger when disposed from an operative position to an inoperative
position, and said locking structure disposed on an exterior of
said body in sliding, frictional engagement with the plunger when
in the inoperative position.
17. A locking device as recited in claim 16 wherein said body
comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall configuration;
said locking structure comprising a flange connected to an exterior
of said outer wall and extending outwardly therefrom.
18. A locking device as recited in claim 17 wherein said flange is
at least partially formed of a flexible material and comprises an
at least partially annular configuration connected to and extending
outwardly from an exterior of said outer wall and in at least
partially surrounding relation thereto.
19. A locking device as recited in claim 18 wherein said flange is
flexibly connected to said outer wall, said movement restricting
engagement comprising said flange biased into said frictional,
movement restricting engagement with the plunger.
20. A locking device as recited in claim 16 further comprising a
connector disposed in interconnecting relation between said body
and an interior of the dispenser assembly.
21. A locking device as recited in claim 20 wherein said body
comprises a head portion; said connector disposed in
interconnecting relation between said head portion and interior of
said dispenser assembly.
22. A locking device as recited in claim 21 wherein said connector
is at least partially formed of an adhesive material disposed to
adhesively secure said body to the interior of the dispenser
assembly.
23. A locking device as recited in claim 21 wherein said head
portion is disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to
said body and includes an outer exposed surface, said connector
mounted on said exposed surface in attached engagement with an
interior of said housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is directed to a locking device structured
for use in combination with a dispenser assembly and including the
structural versatility enabling it to be an original part of the
dispensing assembly when manufactured and assembled or as an add-on
device. In either application, the locking device is structured to
assume a movement restricting engagement with an activating plunger
of the dispenser assembly thereby assuring that the dispenser
assembly will be used and operated as a "single-use" device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Dispenser assemblies structured to dispense medical or
therapeutic compositions into the nasal passages of an individual
are common and used extensively for the treatment of nasal and
sinus conditions. One typical structure for this type of dispenser
is known as a "squeeze" bottle, wherein resilient walls of the
dispenser structure are manually compressed, resulting in a mixture
of air and intended medication being directed from the discharge
nozzle thereof. Typically, a dispenser of this type is intended for
repeated use, thereby rendering it difficult to control the amount
of composition delivered. In addition, there is a tendency, after
discharge, to release the resilient walls of the squeeze type
dispenser which in turn results in an inadvertent withdrawal of
fluids from the nasal passage. Such fluids typically will
accumulate on the exterior surface of the nozzle. As a result
multiple users of the same dispenser assembly are in danger of
infection by coming in contact with or inhaling the bodily fluids
accumulated from the last user or previous users.
[0005] In addition the operation and structure of many dispensers
do not provide a meaningful control of the dose or amount of
therapeutic composition being dispensed. As a result, the dose
regimen for each dispenser cannot be controlled and may result in
problems, disadvantages and harm to the user.
[0006] Accordingly, single-dose administration devices are
sometimes preferred for a variety of reasons including dose
precision and prevention of transmission of infection/reduction of
risk of contamination. More specifically, depending on the
structural and/or operative features of the administration device,
it may be obvious that the dose has been dispensed and that it no
longer has any medication in it. However, for other designs it may
be difficult or indeed impossible to know if the device has been
used or not. Such situations may occur if the administration device
does not preclude the operative positioning of an activating member
such as, but not limited to, the withdrawal of an activating
"plunger" or like component. As a result a discharge device may
appear to be identical to a device which has not been discharged.
Accordingly, in the latter scenario, a person may not recognize the
medication dispenser has been used until after they try to use it.
In the case of a medicine that is needed for emergency purposes,
this could be extremely dangerous. Therefore, a mechanism that
ensures a "used" single-use device could not be "reused" and would
therefore not be confused with an "unused" single use device.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art relating to dispenser
assemblies specifically including, but not limited to, nasal or
other dispenser structures intended to deliver a therapeutic or
medicinal composition, for an improved dispenser assembly. Such an
improved dispenser structure should be operative to overcome
problems and disadvantages of the type set forth above. Accordingly
one proposed and improved dispenser assembly can be initially
structured and/or subsequently modified to operate as a
"single-use" dispenser. As such, the operative components of such
an improved dispenser assembly would become inoperable at least to
the extent of preventing its re-use thereby limiting the quantity
of material that may be dispensed therefrom. As should be apparent,
single-use dispensers overcome many of the problems of the type set
forth above by allowing only a single dose to be dispensed. In
addition due to the fact that a dispenser assembly cannot be
re-used, the chances of infections being transferred from one
individual to another is eliminated or significantly reduced.
[0008] Moreover, a single-use structuring of a dispenser assembly
may involve the inclusion of an improved locking device. Further,
the structural and operative features of such an improved locking
device facilitates its use as an original component of a dispenser
assembly as manufactured and assembled (OEM) or alternatively serve
as an "add-on" component to a dispenser assembly which has already
been designed and manufactured. Structural and operative features
of such a proposed and improved locking device would enable the
normal operation of other components of the dispenser assembly such
as, but not limited to, an activating plunger movable into a
dispensed orientation to facilitate the dispensing of a single dose
material from the dispenser assembly. However, the proposed and
improved locking device would also serve to interact with the
plunger assembly or other operative components of the dispenser
assembly to prevent a re-use thereof and/or more than one,
predetermined doses being dispensed therefrom.
[0009] Finally an improved and proposed locking device of the type
needed to overcome the problems and disadvantages as set forth
above would be of simple structure and design and would
significantly reduce the cost thereof thereby facilitating its use
in a single-use dispenser assembly which may thereafter be
discarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to a locking device which
is structured to be used in combination with a dispenser assembly,
either as part of its original manufactured components (OEM) or as
an "add-on" included after the other components of the dispensed
assembly have been designed and manufactured. In either
application, the locking device of the present invention renders
the dispenser assembly a "single-use" device by preventing or at
least restricting an activating plunger of the dispenser assembly
from being disposed back into an operative or "ready" position from
an inoperative or dispensed position, once a single dispensing
cycle has occurred.
[0011] Accordingly, the dispenser assembly, as described and
represented herein may be considered only representative of other
dispenser assemblies having different structural and operative
features. As such, the representative dispenser assembly referred
to herein includes a housing, a dispensing portion, an activating
plunger, and a supply of material and/or composition intended to be
dispensed.
[0012] More specifically, the locking device of the present
invention comprises a body dimensioned and configured to be
disposed on an interior of the housing of the dispensing assembly
in an accessible, engaging relation to the plunger, as the plunger
moves from the aforementioned operative or "ready" position into
the inoperative or "dispensed" position. In at least one preferred
embodiment, the body includes an open and/or hollow interior having
oppositely disposed open ends. Further, the body includes a
substantially cylindrically configured outer wall disposed in
surrounding relation to the open interior and at least partially
defining the boundaries thereof. The inner or proximal open end of
the body includes a head portion extending transversely outward,
about the periphery thereof and includes an outer exposed surface.
Fixed positioning and secure mounting of the body within the
interior of the housing of the dispenser assembly is facilitated
through the provision of a connector disposed in securing position
between the outer or exposed surface of the head of the body and
correspondingly disposed interior surface portions of the housing
dispenser. In at least one embodiment a connector may be at least
partially formed of an adhesive material thereby serving to
adhesively secure the body of the locking device in its intended
position.
[0013] In addition, the body includes a locking structure formed
thereon. In at least one preferred embodiment the cylindrical outer
wall of the body includes a locking flange connected to the
exterior outer wall and extending outwardly therefrom preferably,
but not necessarily at an upwardly directed angular orientation.
The dimension and configuration of the locking flange will be such
as to purposefully interfere with passage and movement of the
plunger by sliding but frictionally engaging corresponding portions
of the activating plunger as it is selectively forced from the
operative, ready position into the inoperative, dispensed position.
Once disposed in the dispensed or inoperative position, the
frictional engagement between the locking flange of the locking
structure and corresponding surface portions of the activating
plunger will define a movement restricting engagement therebetween.
As a result, activating plunger will be prevented from moving back
into the operative or ready-to-use position after a single
dispensing cycle of the dispenser assembly has occurred. As should
be evident, maintaining the activating plunger in the inoperative
or dispensed position prevents its re-use.
[0014] Other structural and operative features of the locking
device of the present invention may include the locking flange of
the locking structure being at least partially flexible, being
formed of a relatively flexible material and/or having at least a
minimal amount of flexibility due to its interconnection with the
outer wall of the body. As such passage of the activating plunger
into the dispensed or inoperative position will force corresponding
interior surfaces of the activating plunger into a sliding,
frictional engagement with the outwardly extending locking flange
of the locking structure. When such engagement occurs, the locking
flange may be flexed inwardly towards the outer wall of the body to
which it is attached.
[0015] As a result the frictional engagement between the locking
flange and the corresponding surface of the plunger will be
enhanced and maintained in that the flexible characteristics of the
locking flange will tend to bias it outwardly into the
aforementioned frictional, movement restricting engagement. As a
result, the movement of the plunger back into the operative or
ready position will be restricted or prevented, thereby making the
dispenser assembly a "single-use" device. As set forth above, the
locking device demonstrates sufficient structural versatility to be
considered an original component of the dispenser assembly as it is
manufactured and assembled. In contrast, the locking structure may
be an add-on device so as to assure that the dispenser assembly
operates as a single use dispenser.
[0016] Moreover, the dispenser assembly itself may be structured to
dispense a variety of different materials and/or be specifically
customized or structured as to serve as a single purpose dispenser
such as nasal dispenser. In such a latter application, the
dispensing portion of the dispenser assembly may be at least
partially dimensioned or configured to facilitate specified
dispensing procedures, such as including a dispensing nozzle. In
addition, the locking device of the present invention is
operatively structured with both the dispensing portion of the
dispenser assembly as well as the plunger so as to not interfere
with movement or positioning of the plunger into operative relation
with the dispensing portion and supply of material to be dispensed.
Therefore, the open interior configuration of the body as well as
the oppositely disposed open ends thereof are disposed and
dimensioned to facilitate the normal or intended operation of the
plunger as it interacts with the dispensing portion of the
dispenser assembly when the plunger is forced from the ready or
operative position to the dispensed or inoperative position.
However, the aforementioned locking structure at least partially
defined by the locking flange will prevent return movement of the
plunger from the inoperative, dispensed position back into the
operative, ready position.
[0017] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as
the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking device to be
operatively positioned within the interior of a dispenser assembly
thereby facilitating its use as a single-use dispenser.
[0020] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a connector used to connect
the locking device of the embodiment of FIG. 1 within the interior
of the dispensed assembly.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing interior
portions of an example of a dispenser assembly with which the
locking device of the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be used.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a detailed view in partial cutaway of the
indicated portion of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an interior sectional view in the partial cutaway
of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 in an operative position.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an interior sectional view in partial cutaway of
the embodiment of FIG. 4 in an at least partially dispensed
position.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an interior sectional view of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-5 in a non-operative position upon completion of the
dispensing of the material from the dispensing assembly.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the indicated portion of FIG.
6.
[0027] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] As represented in the accompanying drawings, the present
invention is directed to a locking device generally indicated as 10
structured to be used in combination with a dispenser assembly of
the type represented in FIG. 2 and generally represented as 12. It
is emphasized that the dispenser assembly 12 is represented in
example form only in that structural features of a different
dispenser assembly (not shown) may vary from the dispenser assembly
12 and still be operative when used in combination with the locking
device 10.
[0029] Accordingly the dispenser assembly 12 includes a housing 14
and a dispensing portion generally indicated as 16 connected
thereto or otherwise associated therewith. The dispensing portion
16 is operatively associated with a material or composition (not
shown) intended to be dispensed. The dispenser assembly 12 also
includes a delivery portion 18 which may be in the form of a nozzle
or like structure such as, but not limited to, the type intended to
deliver medicinal or therapeutic material to nasal passages of an
individual. The delivery portion or nozzle 18 may be appropriately
shaped for at least minimal insertion into the nostril and/or nasal
passages of the individuals, but is not limited to such a use or
application. Additional operative features of the dispenser
assembly 12 include a plunger generally indicated as 20, which
serves to engage and activate the dispensing portion 16 as it moves
from an operative or "ready" position of FIG. 2 into a "dispensed"
or inoperative position as represented in FIG. 6.
[0030] Dependent upon the specific cooperative structuring of the
various components of the dispenser assembly 12, the plunger in the
embodiment represented in FIG. 2 has an activating member 22
disposable into activating and/or operative engagement with a
portion of a dispensing assembly 16 so as to cause the dispensing
of the intended material from the dispensing portion 16 and
delivery portion or nozzle 18. Accordingly, the activating member
or portion 22 moves with the plunger 20 as it is forced within the
interior of the body 14, such that the activating member or portion
22 engages the dispensing portion 16 in an intended manner.
Therefore and as indicated above, in the operative or ready
position of FIG. 2 the plunger extends outwardly from the body 14
in a "non-activating" engagement or relation to the dispensing
portion 16. In contrast, the activating member 22 associated with
the plunger 20 moves into activating engagement with the dispensing
portion 16 as the plunger 20 progressively passes through the
interior of the housing 14 in the manner represented in FIGS. 5 and
6.
[0031] With primary reference to FIG. 1, the locking device 10
includes a body 30 preferably comprising a substantially
cylindrical outer wall configuration and an open interior including
oppositely disposed open ends 32 and 34. The body 30 also includes
a head portion generally indicated as 36 comprising a connecting
flange 38 having an outer exposed surface 38' which is dimensioned
and configured to facilitate secure connection or mounting of the
locking device 10 within the interior of the housing 14 of the
dispenser assembly 12. As represented, the connecting flange 38
extends transversely outward from the body 30 in at least partially
surrounding relation to the open end 34 and/or the periphery
thereof.
[0032] As further represented in FIG. 1, a connector generally
indicated as 40 is dimensioned and configured to be at least
partially mounted on the outer surface 38' of the connecting flange
38. When so positioned, the connecting flange 38 serves to
interconnect the body 30 to correspondingly disposed interior
portions, as at 42, of the housing 14. In more specific terms, at
least one embodiment of the connector 40 may include a
substantially annular configuration at least partially
corresponding to the annular configuration of the connecting flange
38 and outer exposed surface 38'. Further, the connector 40 may be
at least partially formed from an adhesive material or have
adhesive characteristics sufficient to adhesively interconnect the
mounting flange 38 and accordingly the remainder of the body 30 to
interior surface portions or other corresponding portions 42 within
the housing 14.
[0033] Therefore, it is emphasized that the locking device 10 may
be operatively mounted and/or connected within the interior of the
housing 14 and as such may be an original component of the
dispenser assembly 12 as it is initially manufactured, produced
and/or assembled. In contrast, the structural versatility of the
locking device 10 enables it to be added to a dispenser assembly
12, of the type represented in FIG. 2, as an "add-on" component. In
either application, the locking device 10 is structured to
facilitate the original manufacture or the conversion of a
dispenser assembly 12 to a "single-use" dispenser. In doing so,
many of the disadvantages and problems recognized in the structural
and operative features of known devices of this type are overcome.
As set forth herein such problems include, but are not limited to,
the monitoring or regulating of the individual dose of material
being dispensed from the dispenser assembly 12.
[0034] Accordingly, the structural and operative features of the
locking device 10 which enables the operation and use of a
dispenser assembly 12 as a "single-use" dispenser includes the
provision of a locking structure generally indicated as 46. More
specifically, the locking structure 46 preferably comprises a
locking structure 46 in the form of locking flange 48. The locking
structure and locking flange 48 is connected exteriorly of the body
30 to the outer cylindrical wall 30' preferably, but not
necessarily, adjacent or contiguous to a corresponding end 32. In
addition, the locking flange 48, due at least in part to the
material from which it is formed or alternatively due to its
connection to the body 30, is at least partially flexible and/or
demonstrates flexible characteristics. Moreover, the maintenance of
the plunger 20 in the non-operative and/or dispensed position
renders the dispenser assembly 12 a single-use device. This is
accomplished by the locking flange 48 frictionally engaging and
possibly at least minimally penetrating corresponding interior
surfaces as at 21' as clearly represented in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0035] Therefore, as the plunger 20 is pushed inwardly into the
interior of the housing 14, the activating member 22 will
operatively engage the dispensing portion 16 causing the dispensing
of the intended material from the delivery portion or nozzle 18, as
intended. However, the forced inward travel of the plunger 20 will
also result in the interior surface portions 21 passing into
sliding, frictional engagement with the locking flange 48 defining
the locking structure 46. Therefore, as represented in FIGS. 6 and
7, at least the outer free end or periphery 48' of the locking
flange 48 will slidingly engage the correspondingly disposed
interior surfaces 21 of the plunger 20 resulting in a frictional
engagement therebetween. Further, when such frictional engagement
occurs the locking flange 48 may be forced or "biased" inwardly
towards the outer cylindrical wall 30'. Due to the flexible
characteristics of the locking flange 48 as well as the material
from which it is formed, the locking flange 48 will be normally
biased outwardly into the orientation or position represented in
FIG. 2, when the locking flange 48 is not engaged by the plunger
20, as at plunger portion or surface 21. However, once frictional
engagement occurs between the interior surfaces 21 and the plunger
20 the locking flange 48, the locking flange 48 will be at least
partially biased inwardly towards the outer cylindrical wall 30'.
This biased, frictional engagement may result in at least minimal
embedding, scraping, penetrating, etc. of the outer free periphery
48' into the interior surfaces 21, as at 21', of the plunger 20 as
at least partially represented in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0036] As a result the plunger 20 will be maintained into a
movement restricting engagement with the locking flange 48 of the
locking structure 46 and/or the outer free peripheral end 48'. The
plunger 20 will thereby be prevented from being returned to the
operative or ready position as represented in FIGS. 2 and 4. The
provision of the locking device 10 and its interactive movement
restricting engagement with the interior surfaces 21 of the plunger
20 will thereby render the dispenser assembly 12, with which the
locking device 10 is used, as a "single-use" dispenser, as set
forth above.
[0037] Further structural features of the locking device 10 include
the open interior of the body 10 and the direct communication of
the open ends 32 and 34 therewith. As a result, the locking device
10, including the body 30 can be said to be operatively mounted in
at least partially surrounding relation to the dispensing portion
16 of the dispenser assembly 12 as clearly represented throughout
the Figures. Further the opened distal end 32 of the body 30 allows
passage of the activating member 22 of the plunger 20 into
activating or operative engagement with the dispensing portion 16
of the dispenser assembly 12 as clearly represented in FIGS. 5
through 7. Therefore, the open interior of the body 30 of the
locking device 10 can be said to be in receiving relation to the
plunger 20 or at least the activating portion 22 thereof when the
plunger 20 is forced into the dispensed position as clearly
represented in FIG. 6. When the activating portion 22 of the
plunger 20 is in the aforementioned dispensed position the body 30
and the outer cylindrical wall 30' can also be said to be in at
least partially surrounding relation with both the dispensing
portion 16 as well as the activating portion 22 of the plunger
20.
[0038] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail
can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention,
it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and
shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative
and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
[0039] Now that the invention has been described,
* * * * *