Dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing container assembled with a metering valve. The dispensing container defines a storage volume for a product and the dispensing container comprises a neck terminating in an open top for receiving the metering valve. The open top extends radially outwardly relative to the neck to define a support surface. The metering valve comprises a valve assembly and a ferrule, wherein the valve assembly comprises: a metering chamber body surrounding a metering chamber volume; an inner seal, for sealing an inlet of the metering chamber volume; an outer seal, for sealing an outlet of the metering chamber volume; a valve stem; and a biasing means for biasing the valve stem. The valve stem is movable between a dispensing position, in which the outlet of the metering chamber volume is open and the inlet of the metering chamber volume is closed, and a rest position, in which the outlet of the metering chamber volume is closed and the inlet of the metering chamber volume is open, wherein the inner seal is supported by the support surface of the open top of the dispensing container when the metering valve is assembled with the dispensing container.

1 . A dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing container assembled with a metering valve;
 the dispensing container defining a storage volume for a product, the dispensing container comprising a neck terminating in an open top for receiving the metering valve; the open top extending radially outwardly relative to the neck to define a support surface;   the metering valve comprising a valve assembly and a ferrule wherein the valve assembly comprises:   a metering chamber body surrounding a metering chamber volume;   an inner seal, for sealing an inlet of the metering chamber volume;   an outer seal, for sealing an outlet of the metering chamber volume;   a valve stem; and   a biasing means for biasing the valve stem;   the valve stem being movable between a dispensing position, in which the outlet of the metering chamber volume is open and the inlet of the metering chamber volume is closed, and a rest position, in which the outlet of the metering chamber volume is closed and the inlet of the metering chamber volume is open;   wherein the inner seal is supported by the support surface of the open top of the dispensing container when the metering valve is assembled with the dispensing container.   
   
   
       2 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein direct contact between the inner seal and the dispensing container acts as a gasket seal between the dispensing container and the metering valve. 
   
   
       3 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface is formed by a portion of the open top of the dispensing container located between the neck and a distal rim of the open top. 
   
   
       4 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface is orientated substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the valve stem. 
   
   
       5 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the Support surface is annular. 
   
   
       6 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the open top defines a recess for locating the metering valve in engagement with the dispensing container. 
   
   
       7 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the recess is bounded by an upturned rim of the open top of the dispensing container. 
   
   
       8 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the support surface is formed by a portion of the open top of the dispensing container located between the neck and the upturned rim of the open top. 
   
   
       9 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the dispensing container further comprises a flask portion, wherein the minimum diameter of the neck is smaller than the maximum diameter of the flask portion. 
   
   
       10 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an underside of the inner seal is supported solely by the support surface of the dispensing container. 
   
   
       11 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner seal is supported by the support surface in the rest position and the dispensing position. 
   
   
       12 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the neck has an internal diameter of between 4 and 6 mm and the open top of the dispensing container has a diameter of between 13 and 14 mm. 
   
   
       13 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metering valve, with the exception of the valve stem, does not protrude into the neck of the dispensing container. 
   
   
       14 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the biasing means comprises a spring located within the metering chamber volume for biasing the valve stem into the rest position. 
   
   
       15 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve stem is a one-piece valve stem. 
   
   
       16 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an inner end of the valve stem is open. 
   
   
       17 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the valve. stem further comprises a transfer port through a side wall of the valve stem for allowing flow of fluid into the metering chamber volume from the dispensing container and wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a slot separating the valve stem into two legs, the slot extending from the open inner end of the valve stem part-way along the valve stem into communication with the transfer port. 
   
   
       18 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the valve stem comprises only a single transfer port for allowing flow of fluid into the metering chamber volume from the dispensing container. 
   
   
       19 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve stem further comprises one or more external projections which engage an underside of the inner seal on movement of the valve stem from the dispensing position back into the rest position in order to help lift the inner seal back to its rest position in the event of the inner seal undergoing deflection during movement of the valve stem from the rest position into the dispensing position. 
   
   
       20 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein on assembly of the metering valve with the dispensing container, the inner seal is compressed directly between the support surface of the dispensing container and the metering chamber body. 
   
   
       21 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein an inner end of the metering chamber body comprises an inner recess for receiving the inner seal, wherein the degree of compression of the inner seal between the support surface and the metering chamber body on assembly of the metering valve with the dispensing container is controllable by altering the depth of the inner recess. 
   
   
       22 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein on assembly of the metering valve with the dispensing container, the outer seal is compressed directly between the ferrule and the metering chamber body. 
   
   
       23 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 22  wherein an outer end of the metering chamber body comprises an outer recess for receiving the outer seal, wherein the degree of compression of the outer seal between the ferrule and the metering chamber body on assembly of the metering valve with the dispensing container is controllable by altering the depth of the outer recess. 
   
   
       24 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metering chamber body further comprises one or more pressure filling channels. 
   
   
       25 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  comprising only seven individual parts, namely: a dispensing container, a one-piece valve stem, a metering chamber body, an outer seal, an inner seal, a spring and a ferrule. 
   
   
       26 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a dip tube connected to an inner end of the valve stem. 
   
   
       27 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metering chamber volume is between 50 and 63 microlitres. 
   
   
       28 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metering valve is a capillary retention valve. 
   
   
       29 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metering chamber volume is a fast fill gravity fed chamber. 
   
   
       30 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the dispensing apparatus is a pressurised metered dose inhaler. 
   
   
       31 . Dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the dispensing apparatus is a nasal dispenser, a sub-lingual dispenser, or an inhalatory dispenser. 
   
   
       32 . A metering valve for use in a dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       33 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 32  comprising a metering chamber body, an outer seal, an inner seal, a valve stem, a spring, and a ferrule. 
   
   
       34 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the valve stem is a one-piece valve stem. 
   
   
       35 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein an inner end of the valve stem is open. 
   
   
       36 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the valve stem further comprises a transfer port through a side wall of the valve stem for allowing flow of fluid into the metering chamber volume from a dispensing container to which the metering valve is assembled in use and wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a slot separating the valve stem into two legs, the slot extending from the open inner end of the valve stem part-way along the valve stem into communication with the transfer port. 
   
   
       37 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 36  wherein the valve stem comprises only a single transfer port for allowing flow of fluid into the metering chamber volume from the dispensing container. 
   
   
       38 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the valve stem further comprises one or more external projections which engage an underside of the inner seal on movement of the valve stem from a dispensing position back into a rest position in order to help lift the inner seal back to its rest position in the event of the inner seal undergoing deflection during movement of the inner seal from the rest position into the dispensing position. 
   
   
       39 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein an inner end of the metering chamber body comprises an inner recess for receiving the inner seal, wherein the degree of compression of the inner seal on assembly of the metering valve with a dispensing container is controllable by altering the depth of the inner recess. 
   
   
       40 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein an outer end of the metering chamber body comprises an outer recess for receiving the outer seal, wherein the degree of compression of the outer seal on assembly of the metering valve with a dispensing container is controllable by altering the depth of the outer recess. 
   
   
       41 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  the metering chamber body further comprises one or more pressure filling channels. 
   
   
       42 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  comprising only six individual parts, namely: a one-piece valve stem, a metering chamber body, an outer seal, an inner seal, and a spring. 
   
   
       43 . A metering valve as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the metering chamber volume is between 50 and 63 microlitres.