Abstract: A spray orifice selector system for a spray package. The spray orifice selector, containing at least two spray orifices, is movably secured to a container housing a liquid. The selector provides fluid communication between the container and each of the spray orifices individually as the selector is moved from one detented position to another. A thumb wheel rotates the selector about a push button actuator connected to a spray pump. The spray pump is located between the selector and container. The push button does not rotate relative to the container, and it has a contoured shape which indicates the direction of spray to a user. Therefore, the user grips the pump the same way for each spray. The user may continue to grip the pump with one hand and select a different spray orifice by rotating the thumb wheel with the other hand, thereby avoiding the need to regrip the container when a different spray orifice is selected.

Abstract: A spray pump package capable of delivering two or more different predetermined spray patterns or spray characteristics through two or more different spray orifices, but at a liquid application amount per unit of area being treated which is optimum for the particular spray orifice selected rather than a compromise between two extremes. The predetermined spray patterns from which the end user may select may differ by any desired spray pattern or characteristic, including but not limited to: the cone angle of the spray; the width of the spray pattern; the average size of the particles in the spray; the amount of particle size deviation from the average; etc. The packages are provided with structure for automatically adjusting the maximum available pump stroke so as to optimize the maximum amount of product which can be delivered on each complete pump stroke for whichever orifice is selected by the end user.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved pump piston for pressurizing liquid dispensing containers, and more particularly improved air inlet valve designs for such pistons. According to the present invention, the inlet valves are located remotely from the lower end of the pump piston, such that they are protected from contamination by liquid product and resulting degradation of performance. One inlet valve design utilizes a lost motion connection between the pump piston and upper cap, with structural elements of the upper cap and piston cooperating to form an inlet valve that is opened to admit air into the interior of the piston when the cap is pulled upward and tightly sealed when the cap is pushed downward. Another inlet valve design utilizes slits in the wall of the piston itself and the flexibility of the piston material to form an inlet valve that is opened to admit air into the interior of the piston when the cap is pulled upward and tightly sealed when the cap is pushed downward.

Abstract: A thin film beam spring valve is provided for use in a squeeze pump package. The squeeze pump package includes a resilient outer bottle and an inner flexible bag with a rigid fitment. An apertured diptube is utilized to enable substantially all of the product within the bag to be dispensed. The outer bottle of the package has a substantially cylindrical finish which includes an aperture therethrough and an internally extending ledge at its lower end. The thin film beam spring is located above the ledge in a cavity created between the bottle finish and the rigid fitment of the inner bag. The central portion of the beam spring is located adjacent to the aperture of the finish such that the beam spring will seal the aperture upon exposure to a positive dispensing pressure within the bottle. The beam spring will allow air to enter the bottle upon the application of negative pressure within the bottle.

Abstract: A container for successively dispensing substantially uniform volumes of a plurality of liquid ingredients such that the liquids are simultaneously dispensed in a desired proportion to form a mixture. The container has a plurality of separate compartments; each compartment being adapted to house a different liquid ingredient. Each compartment has a tubular metering device located therein. The metering device dispenses a previously metered volume and meters a second volume by controlling the venting of air within the compartment each time the container is tilted and uprighted as in a normal dispensing operation. A continuous lip surrounds the dispensing opening of each metering device. The continuous lip prevents a liquid ingredient from entering the dispensing opening of another liquid ingredient compartment and contaminating that compartment. In addition, a flip top cap is attached to the upper end wall. In the closed position the cap seals the dispensing openings of each metering device.

Abstract: A metering device for successively dispensing uniform volumes of liquid from a container. The upper portion of the dispensing device is divided into a dispensing passage and a metering chamber by a vertical wall. The lower portion of the dispensing device is undivided forming a collecting chamber, the upper portion of which communicates with both the metering chamber and the dispensing passage. The metering chamber has axially spaced inlet and vent openings connected to the inner area of the liquid container. The metering chamber is partially segregated from the collecting chamber by a baffle protruding from the vertical wall. This baffle insures accurate operation of the dispensing device and reduces its necessary volume and length.

Abstract: A flexible storage and dispensing package for fluid material. The package has a first mode of operation capable of storing the fluid material without leakage when the package is subjected to unintentional external forces and a second mode of operation capable of dispensing the fluid material when the package is subjected to external forces intentionally applied by the user. The second mode of operation is capable of dispensing the fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and of automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when the manually applied forces are removed. The package is also resistant to leakage in the second mode of operation when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles.

Abstract: A resiliently deformable container having at least one discharge orifice equipped with a self-sealing dispensing valve, said valve having a resiliently deformable, concave shaped portion with its perimeter sealingly secured across the container's discharge orifice. The self-sealing valve is secured across the orifice so that it is inwardly concave when the container is in an undeformed condition. The concave shaped portion of the valve includes at least one substantially linear slit extending through the thickness of the valve. The valve requires the attainment of a threshold opening pressure to effect inversion from a concave at rest position in order to dispense the package contents.

Abstract: A dispenser for a product is described which incorporates a follower piston slidably mounted therewithin. The dispenser comprises an axially extending bore of a tubular container body for housing a product to be dispensed and having an upper end from which the product is dispensed and an open lower end. The follower piston is slidably mounted within the lower end of the bore of the container body to support the product thereabove. The piston is constructed of resilient material and comprises a face portion adapted to contact the product and a peripherally attached sidewall. The sidewall further comprises at least one integral peripheral contact band conforming to the shape of the cross section of the bore, and is adapted to virtually resiliently extend or contract in response to axial forces exerted on the face portion with such change in length resulting in an inversely proportional virtual change in lateral dimension of the peripheral contact band.

Abstract: A catheter for drainage of or infusion into a body cavity. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular shaft having a distal end provided with at least one port near the distal end and intended to be located in the body cavity. The catheter has an open proximal end for connection to a drain, suction conduit or infusion line. A sleeve is mounted about the shaft extending along a portion at least of the internal body surface contacting part thereof between its proximal and distal ends. The sleeve forms a substantially concentric fluid reservoir between the drainage tube and the sleeve. Filling means are provided at the proximal end of the shaft for supplying to the reservoir a fluid antimicrobial agent capable of controlled passage through the sleeve by diffusion. The inner surface of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending capillary channels or grooves providing uniform distribution of the fluid antimicrobial agent within the reservoir and throughout the length of the reservoir.

Abstract: A closure device for a flexible package having an opening is described as including a substantially concavo-convex closure strip mounted at the opening of the package with its convex face oriented toward the interior thereof. The closure strip is resiliently flexible between a stable undeflected position wherein it maintains the opening of the package in closed condition, and a stable deflected position wherein it maintains the opening in a substantially opened condition. The closure strip includes two non-parallel intersecting surfaces which are joined longitudinally along their intersection by a curved fillet-like section having a predetermined radius r. The intersecting surfaces each have a width greater than or equal to a minimum width w; and such surfaces are disposed relative to one another at a predetermined angle .alpha. as measured between the adjacent faces of such intersecting surfaces, wherrein angle .alpha. is greater than 0.degree. and less than 180.degree. and the value of r/w.sup.

Abstract: A pump-type dispenser for a fluid product is described which incorporates a single outlet check valve and a follower piston slidably mounted therewithin. The dispenser includes an axially extending bore of a tubular container body for housing a product to be dispensed and having an upper end from which the product is dispensed and an open lower end. The follower piston is slidably mounted within the lower end of the bore of the container body to support the product thereabove. The piston is constructed of resilient material and comprises a face portion adapted to contact the product and a peripherally attached sidewall.

Abstract: Improved reinforced devices, which can be retained in the vagina during intercourse, deliver spermicidal surfactants and provide contraceptive benefits. Lobed devices provide channels through which menses and other biological fluids can pass. Multi-compartment devices provide added protection against leakage, rupture or perforation during manufacture, handling and use.

Abstract: Improved devices which can be retained in the vagina during intercourse deliver spermicidal surfactants and provide contraceptive benefits.

Abstract: A device which is used in the vagina to deliver spermicidal surfactants. This device can be inserted by the user, and does not require insertion by a physician as, for example, in the case of intrauterine contraceptive devices. By virtue of its unique construction and shape, the device herein is foldable for easy insertion. Once in position at the cervical os, the device opens to "cap" the os and remain in position, even during intercourse, so that access of the spermicidal surfactant source to the cervical os is not interrupted. The device is designed to remain comfortably in the vagina during the time between menstrual periods to provide desirable, prolonged release of a spermicidal surfactant, and its construction and shape facilitate retention therein while minimizing awareness and discomfort. An effective between-period contraceptive device is thereby provided.

Abstract: Improved reinforced devices which can be retained in the vagina during intercourse, deliver spermicidal surfactants and provide contraceptive benefits.