MEDICINE DISPENSER

Abstract

A medicine dispenser is provided. The dispenser includes a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing a medicine and defining a generally elongate base on a second end thereof. The base has a width greater than a width of the spout and further defines a sidewall having a pair of opposing sidewall portions that have generally continuous biconvex cross-sections and extend from respective wide ends of the spout and the base. The dispenser is configured for dispensing medicines of a high viscosity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a medicine dispenser, and more particularly towards a medicine dispenser for dispensing liquid medicine having a high viscosity.

BACKGROUND

Medicine dispensers taking the form of a depressible container having a medicine within are used for applying liquid medicines to many parts of the body, and in particular for dispensing medicine to the eye. These dispensers usually contain multiple dosages such that many applications of the medicine can be applied over a period of time. Typically, these containers are suitable for at home use by most patients.

One such example of a medicine for use in these types of dispensers may be the use of an antibiotic suspended within a viscous liquid for treating various eye infections. The antibiotic is suspended within the viscous liquid so that the liquid does not flow from the application site in order to maintain the antibiotic onto the surface of the eye, otherwise, a low viscosity fluid would tend to drip off of the eye and require the patient to constantly hold their head in a lay flat position in order to maintain the medicine on their eye or apply additional doses.

It follows that the higher viscosity of the liquid containing the medicine, the more likely that the medicine can maintain prolonged contact with the patient's eye and therefore provide greater treatment effectiveness. Unfortunately, the viscous liquid does not lend itself to easy dispensing within the medicine dispenser. The viscous liquid tends to collect at the lowest portion of the bottle which is typically oppositely placed from the dispenser spout. Due to the higher viscosity of the viscous liquid, the viscous liquid does not quickly flow towards the spout once the bottle is inverted for dispensing. The bottle may also have hard edge lines along the medicine's flow path which also slows the rate of medicine travel. Not only is this time consuming, but, many times, the liquid remains on the bottom or edges of the dispenser thus leaving additional dosages unusable.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a medicine dispenser that addresses the various disadvantages associated with previous devices, and more particularly, a medicine dispenser that is configured for dispensing liquid medicines of a high velocity.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a medicine dispenser is provided. The medicine dispenser includes a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing a medicine and defining a generally elongate base on a second end thereof that has a width greater than a width of the spout. A sidewall having a pair of opposing sidewall portions that have generally continuous biconvex cross-sections that extend from respective wide ends of the spout and the base contains a liquid medicine therein.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 115 and 155 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 125 and 145 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is about 135 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 25 and 65 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 35 and 55 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is about 45 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a medicine dispenser is provided. The dispenser includes a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing a liquid medicine and a generally elongate base on a second end thereof. A sidewall interconnects the spout and the elongate base to form a volume therein for containing the liquid medicine and defines a pair of opposing sidewall portions for being compressed by a user to thereby direct the liquid medicine through the spout.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the two sidewall portions are joined at a seam extending between respective wide ends of the spout and the elongate base.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the sidewall has a width that is about twice the distance between opposing sidewall portions.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the sidewall portions define generally circular cross-sections.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the dispenser includes a cap engageably received by the spout.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a medicine dispenser having a viscous medicine contained therein is provided. The dispenser includes a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing the viscous medicine and a generally elongate base on a second end thereof. A sidewall interconnects the spout and the elongate base to form a volume therein containing the viscous medicine.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the viscous medicine has a viscosity greater than 1 centipoise.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 1 and about 2000 centipoise.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 1000 and about 2000 centipoise.

According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 500 and about 1000 centipoise.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a medicine dispenser according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a medicine dispenser according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a medicine dispenser according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a medicine dispenser according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of a medicine dispenser having first and second caps removed according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a medicine dispenser having tangential reference lines provided thereon according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a medicine dispenser illustrated in an inverted position according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 8 is a sequential front view of a medicine dispenser illustrated in the inverted position of FIG. 7 according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As illustrated throughout the drawings, a medicine dispenser is provided and is generally designated as 10. The medicine dispenser 10 generally includes a container 12 having a spout 14 on a first end thereof for dispensing a medicine 1. The container 12 may be fabricated from a plastic molding process and may be generally translucent so that the medicine 1 is viewable to a user handing the dispenser 10. The container 12 also includes a generally elongate base 16 on a second end thereof. The base 16 may have a width greater than a width of the spout 14 so as to provide increased support to the bottom of the container 12 while being positioned on a flat surface. The container 12 also defines a sidewall 20 that includes a pair of opposing sidewall portions 22, 24. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 may have generally continuous biconvex cross-sections that extend from respective wide ends of the spout 14 and the base 16. The generally continuous biconvex cross-sections are void of any hard edges that may inhibit flow of medicine 1.

As additionally illustrated in FIG. 2, the distance between opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 is relatively narrow. This is advantageous because a user will tend to grasp the dispenser 10 about each of the pair of opposing sidewall portions 22, 24. For example, a user may position their thumb on sidewall portion 22 and their index and middle fingers on sidewall portion 24. The user will then squeeze opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 to thereby reduce the distance between opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 and consequently the volume of the container 12 to force medicine 1 out of the spout 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sidewall 20 has a width that is about twice its depth or distance between opposing sidewall portions 22, 24. Due to the relatively large surface areas of opposing sidewall portions 22, 24, squeezing of opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 imparts a larger reduction in volume of the container 12 for each incremental squeezing of the container 12 as opposed to an equal incremental squeezing along a seam 26 formed at the intersection between opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Seam 26 is formed during the manufacturing process and provides a joint between opposing sidewall portions 22, 24. The location of seam 26 is additionally advantageous because the seam 26 is formed at a position where it is unlikely that the user will compress the container 12 about the seam 26. The seam 26 may have increased structural rigidity as compared to the surfaces of the opposing sidewall portions 22, 24, so it would not be desirable to compress the container 12 about seam 26.

The sidewall portions 22, 24 define generally circular cross-sections. These generally circular cross-sections of the sidewall portions 22, 24 cooperate to generally define a channel 28 formed about seam 26 in which the medicine 1 will generally flow. In typical use, the user will grasp opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 and invert the dispenser 10 into an inverted position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Once in the inverted position, the medicine 1 will flow about channel 28. As illustrated throughout the drawings, channel 28 has a generally arcuate slope so as to provide a moderate amount of curvature thereto without substantially increasing its length. In this manner, the tortuosity of medicine flowing about channel 28 is not substantially increased and the channel 28 is provided without any hard edge lines.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a first cap 30 may be provided for being threadably engaged by a threaded portion 34 defined on the spout 14. A second cap 32 may also be provided for engaging the spout 14. Each of the first cap 30 and second cap 32 are removed before application of medicine 1 and may be replaced after application of the medicine 1 to preserve future doses.

The dispenser 10 is provided for containing medicine 1, which may be an ocular medicine that includes an antibiotic portion suspended in a vicious fluid. In an embodiment, this medicine may be AzaSite® available from Inspire Pharmaceuticals in Durham, N.C. In an embodiment, the medicine may have a viscosity greater than 1 centipoise at room temperature. In another embodiment, the medicine may have a viscosity between about 1 and about 2000 centipoise at room temperature. In yet another embodiment, the medicine may have a viscosity between about 1000 and about 2000 centipoise at room temperature. In another embodiment, the medicine has a viscosity between about 500 and about 1000 centipoise at room temperature.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a tangent surface S1 is defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 at about the intersection of the sidewall 20 and the base 16. In an embodiment, an angle θ1 is formed between tangent surface S1 and a horizontal H1 of the base 16 and may be between about 115 and 155 degrees. In another embodiment, θ1 is between about 125 and 145 degrees. In another embodiment, θ1 is about 135 degrees. A tangent surface S2 is defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls portions 22, 24 about the intersection of the sidewall 20 and the spout 14. In one embodiment, an angle θ2 is formed between tangent surface S2 and a vertical V1 of the spout 14 and may be between about 25 and 65 degrees. In another embodiment, θ2 is between about 35 and 55 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout. In another embodiment, θ2 is about 45 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

At illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user applies medicine 1 by inverting the dispenser 10. Once the dispenser 10 is initially inverted, medicine 1 begins to flow along channel 28 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Shortly thereafter, the medicine 1 forms about the spout 14. Optionally, the user may press their fingers against opposing sidewall portions 22, 24 in order to impart compression forces onto the container 12. Pressure imparted to the sidewall portions 22, 24 reduces the volume of the container 12 and thereby forces medicine 1 through the spout 14. Application of appropriate dosages is then provided to the patient. The first cap 32 and second cap 34 may then be reinstalled if additional doses of medicine 1 remain in the container 12.

While the embodiments have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A medicine dispenser comprising:

a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing a medicine and defining a generally elongate base on a second end thereof that has a width greater than a width of the spout and further defining a sidewall having a pair of opposing sidewall portions that have generally continuous biconvex cross-sections that extend from respective wide ends of the spout and the base.

2. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 115 and 155 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

3. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 125 and 145 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

4. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is about 135 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

5. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 25 and 65 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

6. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewall portions about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 35 and 55 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

7. The medicine dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is about 45 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

8. A medicine dispenser comprising:

a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing a liquid medicine and a generally elongate base on a second end thereof; and

a sidewall interconnecting the spout and the elongate base to form a volume therein for containing the liquid medicine and defining a pair of opposing sidewall portions for being compressed by a user to thereby direct the liquid medicine through the spout.

9. The medicine dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the two sidewall portions are joined at a seam extending between respective wide ends of the spout and the elongate base.

10. The medicine dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the sidewall has a width that is about twice the distance between opposing sidewall portions.

11. The medicine dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the sidewall portions define generally circular cross-sections.

12. The medicine dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising a cap engageably received by the spout.

13. A medicine dispenser having a viscous medicine contained therein, the dispenser comprising:

a container having a spout on a first end thereof for dispensing the viscous medicine and a generally elongate base on a second end thereof; and

a sidewall interconnecting the spout and the elongate base to form a volume therein containing the viscous medicine.

14. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the viscous medicine has a viscosity greater than 1 centipoise.

15. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 1 and about 2000 centipoise.

16. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 1000 and about 2000 centipoise.

17. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the viscous medicine has a viscosity between about 500 and about 1000 centipoise.

18. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the sidewall defines a pair of opposing sidewall portions for being compressed by a user to thereby direct the viscous medicine through the spout.

19. The medicine dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the sidewall portions define generally circular cross-sections.

20. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 115 and 155 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

21. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is between about 125 and 145 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

22. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the base is about 135 degrees relative to a horizontal of the base.

23. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 25 and 65 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

24. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is between about 35 and 55 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.

25. The medicine dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a tangent surface defined on an intersection of the pair of opposing sidewalls about the intersection of the sidewall and the spout is about 45 degrees relative to a vertical of the spout.