Dispensing device along with method for dispensing product

Abstract

A device for storing and dispensing a product comprising: a package comprising at least a first compartment having a flexible wall portion; a fluid transport device; and a backing associated with said package which, during dispensing, supports the package to facilitate expression of a product from the package through said fluid transport device.

1 . A dispensing device, comprising:
 a package comprising at least a first compartment having a flexible wall portion;   a fluid transport device; and   a backing associated with said package which, during dispensing, supports the package to facilitate expression of a product from the package through said fluid transport device.   
     
     
         2 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid transport device is hermetically separated from said product prior to activation and adapted, upon activation, to be placed in fluid communication with said product via a rupturable fluid passageway. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  where said flexible wall portion is permanently sealed along a first peripheral margin of said first compartment and non-permanently sealed along a second peripheral margin of said first compartment to define at least a first frangible outlet seal located between said first compartment and said fluid transport device such that, when said first frangible seal is ruptured, a fluid communication is established between said package and said fluid transport device. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a compression panel for compressing at least a portion of said package relative to said backing. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4  wherein said compression panel is moveably joined to the backing. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4  wherein at least one of said backing and said compression panel is configured to coincide with a footprint of said at least a first compartment. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising at least a second compartment hermetically separated from said first compartment by a frangible mixing seal. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said fluid transport device is joined with said package through a fitment. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing device according to  claim 2  having at least one of a plurality packages, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of passageways, a plurality of fluid transport devices, and a plurality of frangible seals. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing device according to  claim 7  wherein a passageway interconnects said first and second compartments with said fluid transport device. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said fluid passageway and said fluid transport device is at least partially interposed between said rigid backing and said package, is formed partly in the rigid backing, is at least partially interposed between said flexible wall portion and a second wall of said package, or is at least partially integrated in at least one of said package and said backing. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of compartments and at least one mixing seal disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  wherein said package is formed from and comprises a plurality of walls. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  where in said backing defines a wall of said at least a first compartment. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a flow control device at least partially disposed between the walls of the package, between the package and the backing or in the backing. 
     
     
         16 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a flow regulator at least partially formed between the backing and the package wherein product pressure in the package distorts the package to restrict flow through the fluid passageway. 
     
     
         17 . A dispensing device according to  claim 16  wherein said flow regulator is an embossed channel having a labyrinth portion. 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  where said fluid transport device is selected from a group consisting of at least one of a needle, a mini-needle, a micro-needle, a connector, a fitting, a tube, a dropper, a topical applicator, a spray head, and a jet injector. 
     
     
         19 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4  where said package is at least partially supported by the compression panel. 
     
     
         20 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4  where said compression panel protects at least a portion of said fluid transport device prior to use. 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a cover removably joined to said backing to hermetically seal at least a portion of the fluid transport device. 
     
     
         22 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  comprising a resealable said package. 
     
     
         23 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  where said fluid transport device is disabled after use. 
     
     
         24 . A dispensing device according to  claim 4  where said compression panel disables said fluid transport device after use. 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising:
 (a) providing a device comprising:
 a package comprising at least a first compartment containing a product,
 said first compartment having a flexible wall portion; 
 
 a fluid transport device; and 
 a backing; and 
   (b) compressing said package against said backing to dispense said product through said fluid transport device.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein said device further comprises a compression panel for accomplishing (b), said method further comprising disabling said fluid transport device with said compression panel.