1. A manually operable metered dispenser comprising:
a housing including a reciprocable piston drive stem including an inlet opening at a first end thereof, a floating piston disposed at a second end thereof, and a passage between said first and second ends;
an inlet valve provided adjacent said first end for permitting entry of liquid product into said passage, and an outlet valve provided adjacent said second end;
a cocking mechanism reciprocally disposed substantially within said housing, and biased in a first direction; and
a loading mechanism biased in said first direction, movable in a second generally opposite direction by said cocking mechanism, and engageable with said piston drive stem to move said piston drive stem in said second direction, said loading mechanism being further engageable with at least one stop provided in said housing,
wherein when said cocking mechanism is moved from an initial rest position toward said second direction, said cocking mechanism moves said loading mechanism and along therewith said piston drive stem in said second direction, further, during movement of said loading mechanism in said second direction, said loading mechanism engages said stop, and during continued movement of said cocking mechanism in said second direction, said loading mechanism is disengaged from said stop to project in said first direction by said loading mechanism bias, and along therewith, project said piston drive stem in said first direction to dispense a metered dose of liquid product through a discharge orifice provided adjacent said second end.
2. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container having said housing formed integrally with said container.
3. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container, and said housing is formed separately from said container.
4. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cocking mechanism includes a handle for permitting manual movement of said cocking mechanism toward said second direction.
5. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet valves are one-way valves for respectively permitting flow of pressurized liquid product into said passage and out through said discharge orifice.
6. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cocking mechanism is biased by a first coil spring disposed substantially around said loading mechanism, and said loading mechanism is biased by a second coil spring disposed substantially around said piston drive stem, said first coil spring has a diameter greater than said second coil spring.
7. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said loading mechanism includes at least one substantially rigid arm including a catch element engageable with a shoulder on said piston drive stem for moving said piston drive stem in said second direction.
8. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said loading mechanism includes at least one leg including a catch element engageable with said stop to retain said loading mechanism in a loaded configuration during said movement of said cocking mechanism from said initial rest position toward said second direction.
9. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said loading mechanism catch element includes a tapered surface engageable with a respective tapered surface on said stop to deflect said loading mechanism leg radially inwards and allow engagement of said loading mechanism catch element with said stop during said movement of said cocking mechanism from said initial rest position toward said second direction.
10. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said cocking mechanism includes at least one leg including a release tab engageable with said catch element on said loading mechanism leg to disengage said loading mechanism from said stop during said continued movement of said cocking mechanism in said second direction.
11. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said release tab includes a tapered surface for moving said catch element on said loading mechanism leg radially inwards to disengage said loading mechanism from said stop.
12. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cocking mechanism includes at least one flexible arm including a finger engageable with said loading mechanism, said flexible arm being deflected outwards during said continued movement of said cocking mechanism in said second direction to release said loading mechanism from said cocking mechanism and allow said loading mechanism to project said piston drive stem toward said first direction.
13. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a spring biased piston for pressurizing liquid disposed within said chamber.
14. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 13, wherein said container includes a lower end having a removable container closure for retaining said spring biased piston, said container closure includes at least one release arm for retaining said spring biased piston in a first position, said release arm further includes a detent engageable by a piston plug insertable in an opening in said spring biased piston to release said spring biased piston from said first position for pressurizing liquid disposed within said chamber.
15. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a floating piston.
16. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including an externally threaded piston engageable with complementary internal threads in said container for pressurizing liquid disposed within said sealed chamber upon rotation of said piston.
17. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein when said cocking mechanism is moved from said initial rest position toward said second direction, said floating piston is allowed to move within an area at said second end to allow liquid product to enter from said passage into a metering chamber between said floating piston and said outlet valve for allowing said metered dose of liquid product to be dispensed through said discharge orifice when said piston drive stem is projected in said first direction.
18. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said container includes one of a circular and a rectangular profile.
19. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cocking mechanism is spring biased to return to said initial rest position.
20. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is usable for at least one of nasal and eye-care.
21. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said metered dose being dispensed as a spray or a fine mist.
22. A metered dispenser comprising:
a housing including a reciprocable piston drive stem including an inlet opening at a first end thereof, a floating piston disposed at a second end thereof, and a passage between said first and second ends;
an inlet valve provided adjacent said first end for permitting entry of liquid product into said passage, and an outlet valve provided adjacent said second end;
a cocking means reciprocally disposed substantially within said housing, and biased in a first direction; and
a loading means biased in said first direction, movable in a second generally opposite direction by said cocking means, and engageable with said piston drive stem to move said piston drive stem in said second direction, said loading means being further engageable with at least one stop provided in said housing,
wherein when said cocking means is moved from an initial rest position toward said second direction, said cocking means moves said loading means and along therewith said piston drive stem in said second direction, further, during movement of said loading means in said second direction, said loading means engages said stop, and during continued movement of said cocking means in said second direction, said loading means is disengaged from said stop to project in said first direction by said loading means bias, and along therewith, project said piston drive stem in said first direction to dispense a metered dose of liquid product through a discharge orifice provided adjacent said second end.
23. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage means having said housing formed integrally with said storage means.
24. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage means, and said housing is formed separately from said storage means.
25. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said cocking means includes a handle for permitting manual movement of said cocking means toward said second direction.
26. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said inlet and outlet valves are one-way valves for respectively permitting flow of pressurized liquid product into said passage and out through said discharge orifice.
27. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said cocking means is biased by a first coil spring disposed substantially around said loading means, and said loading means is biased by a second coil spring disposed substantially around said piston drive stem, said first coil spring has a diameter greater than said second coil spring.
28. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said loading means includes at least one substantially rigid arm including a catch element engageable with a shoulder on said piston drive stem for moving said piston drive stem in said second direction.
29. A metered dispenser according to claim 28, wherein said loading means includes at least one leg including a catch element engageable with said stop to retain said loading means in a loaded configuration during said movement of said cocking means from said initial rest position toward said second direction.
30. A metered dispenser according to claim 29, wherein said loading means catch element includes a tapered surface engageable with a respective tapered surface on said stop to deflect said loading means leg radially inwards and allow engagement of said loading means catch element with said stop during said movement of said cocking means from said initial rest position toward said second direction.
31. A metered dispenser according to claim 29, wherein said cocking means includes at least one leg including a release tab engageable with said catch element on said loading means leg to disengage said loading means from said stop during said continued movement of said cocking means in said second direction.
32. A metered dispenser according to claim 31, wherein said release tab includes a tapered surface for moving said catch element on said loading means leg radially inwards to disengage said loading means from said stop.
33. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said cocking means includes at least one flexible arm including a finger engageable with said loading means, said flexible arm being deflected outwards during said continued movement of said cocking means in said second direction to release said loading means from said cocking means and allow said loading means to project said piston drive stem toward said first direction.
34. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage means including a sealed chamber defined by a storage means wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a spring biased piston for pressurizing liquid disposed within said chamber.
35. A metered dispenser according to claim 34, wherein said storage means includes a lower end having a removable storage means closure for retaining said spring biased piston, said storage means closure includes at least one release arm for retaining said spring biased piston in a first position, said release arm further includes a detent engageable by a piston plug insertable in an opening in said spring biased piston to release said spring biased piston from said first position for pressurizing liquid disposed within said chamber.
36. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a storage means including a sealed chamber defined by a storage means wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a floating piston.
37. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage means including a sealed chamber defined by a storage means wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including an externally threaded piston engageable with complementary internal threads in said storage means for pressurizing liquid disposed within said sealed chamber upon rotation of said piston.
38. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein when said cocking means is moved from said initial rest position toward said second direction, said floating piston is allowed to move within an area at said second end to allow liquid product to enter from said passage into a metering chamber between said floating piston and said outlet valve for allowing said metered dose of liquid product to be dispensed through said discharge orifice when said piston drive stem is projected in said first direction.
39. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said storage means includes one of a circular and a rectangular profile.
40. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said cocking means is spring biased to return to said initial rest position.
41. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser is usable for at least one of nasal and eye-care.
42. A metered dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said metered dose being dispensed as a spray or a fine mist.
43. A manually operable metered dispenser comprising:
a housing including a reciprocable frame member having a push-button connected thereto at a first end, said frame member and said push-button being biased in a first direction; and
an inlet valve provided adjacent a second end for permitting entry of liquid product into a metering chamber defined by a cavity in said frame member,
wherein when said push-button is moved from an initial rest position toward a second generally opposite direction against said bias, a volume of said metering chamber is reduced to allow discharge of a metered dose of liquid product through a discharge orifice of a nozzle connected to said housing.
44. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said frame member is integrally formed with said push-button.
45. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a spring biased piston for pressurizing liquid disposed within said sealed chamber.
46. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 45, wherein said container includes a lower end having a removable container closure for retaining said spring biased piston, said container closure includes at least one release arm for retaining said spring biased piston in a first position, said release arm further includes a detent engageable by a piston plug insertable in an opening in said spring biased piston to release said spring biased piston from said first position for pressurizing liquid disposed within said sealed chamber.
47. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 45, wherein said container includes one of a circular and a rectangular profile.
48. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including a floating piston.
49. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said dispenser is connectable to a pressurized storage container including a sealed chamber defined by a container wall, an upper surface including said inlet valve and a lower surface including an externally threaded piston engageable with complementary internal threads in said container for pressurizing liquid disposed within said sealed chamber upon rotation of said piston.
50. A manually operable metered dispenser according to claim 43, wherein said push-button is spring biased in said first direction.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An avalanche photodiode comprising
a first semiconductor layer that absorbs photons of a first wavelength range and having a first energy bandgap;
a second semiconductor layer that absorbs photons of a second wavelength range and having a second energy bandgap, the second energy bandgap being different from the first energy bandgap; and
a control layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the control layer having a third energy bandgap engineered to suppress carriers created from dark current and to allow for a photocurrent with a substantially vertical profile near the breakdown voltage of the avalanche photodiode.
2. The avalanche photodiode of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical photocurrent profile occurs around 1 to 2 volts before the breakdown voltage of the avalanche photodiode.
3. The avalanche photodiode of claim 1, the third energy bandgap being greater than either the first energy bandgap or the second energy bandgap.
4. The avalanche photodiode of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor layer is a Ge photon absorption layer and the first wavelength range is from around 800 nm to around 1700 nm.
5. The avalanche photodiode of claim 4, wherein the second semiconductor layer is a GaAs photon absorption layer and the second wavelength range is from around 400 nm to around 870 nm.
6. The avalanche photodiode of claim 4, wherein the control layer is a AlxGa1-xAs layer, wherein x is a mole fraction between Al and Ga, where 0\u2266x\u22661.
7. The avalanche photodiode of claim 6, wherein the Ge photon absorption layer is doped.
8. The avalanche photodiode of claim 7, wherein the GaAs photon absorption layer is undoped.
9. The avalanche photodiode of claim 7 wherein the GaAs photon absorption layer is doped with a polarity that is the same as the Ge photon absorption layer.
10. The avalanche photodiode of claim 7, wherein the AlxGa1-xAs layer is undoped.
11. The avalanche photodiode of claim 7, wherein the AlxGa1-xAs layer is doped with a polarity that is the same as the Ge photon absorption layer.
12. The avalanche photodiode of claim 7, wherein the Ge photon absorption layer is doped with a p-type dopant.
13. The avalanche photodiode of claim 1, wherein the combined thickness of the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer and the control layer is at least 600 nm.
14. The avalanche photodiode of claim 1, wherein the control layer acts as an interface between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, so that a first surface of the control layer is in contact with the first semiconductor layer and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface of the control layer is in contact with the second semiconductor layer.