1. A dispenser cap comprising:
first and second pieces and a biasing mechanism; the first and second pieces being pivotally connectable; the first piece having:
a top portion;
at least one catch protruding downwardly from the top portion;
a stopper extending outwardly from the top portion; and
a lever that actuates pivotal movement of the stopper between first and second positions when the first piece is pivotally connected to the second piece and force is applied to the lever; and
the second piece having:
a plate having a product aperture;
a side wall extending upwardly around the plate; and
a spout channel; wherein when the stopper is in the first position the stopper blocks the spout channel; wherein the spout channel is generally unobstructed by the stopper when the stopper is in the second position; wherein the biasing mechanism is positioned such that it creates a force biasing the stopper toward the second position; and wherein the first piece is removably securable to the second piece.
2. The dispenser cap of claim 1, further comprising a foot attached to each catch.
3. The dispenser cap of claim 1, further comprising an inner wall extending downwardly from the top; wherein the inner wall is sized and configured to fit snuggly within the side wall such that a seal is formed between the top of the first piece and the side wall.
4. The dispenser cap of claim 1, wherein the plate has an air inlet.
5. The dispenser cap of claim 1, wherein the handle has a recess sized and configured to receive the lever when the lever is depressed.
6. The dispenser cap of claim 1, wherein the second piece further includes a dividing wall that extends across the surface of the plate.
7. The dispenser cap of claim 6, further including at least one securing member extending downwardly from the top of the first piece.
8. The dispenser cap of claim 7, wherein the securing member has a ridge; wherein the dividing member can pivot within the ridge when the lever is depressed.
9. The dispenser cap of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.
10. The dispenser cap of claim 9, further including a post, wherein the spring circles the post such that the post reinforces the spring.
11. The dispenser cap of claim 1, wherein the first piece further includes at least one pivot and the second piece further includes at least one groove; wherein the pivot rotates within the groove when the lever is depressed.
12. A dispenser comprising:
a cap including:
first and second pieces and a biasing mechanism; the first and second pieces being pivotally connectable; the first piece having:
a top portion;
at least one catch protruding downwardly from the top portion;
a stopper extending outwardly from the top portion; and
a lever that actuates pivotal movement of the stopper between first and second positions when the first piece is pivotally connected to the second piece and force is applied to the lever;
the second piece having:
a plate having a product aperture;
a side wall extending upwardly around the plate; and
a spout channel; wherein the stopper is in the first position when the stopper blocks the spout channel; wherein the spout channel is generally unobstructed by the stopper when the stopper is in the second position; wherein the biasing mechanism is positioned such that it creates a force biasing the stopper toward the second position; and wherein the first piece is removably securable to the second piece; and
a container operatively connectable to the cap.
13. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising a foot attached to each catch.
14. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising an inner wall extending downwardly from the top; wherein the inner wall is sized and configured to fit snuggly within the side wall such that a seal is formed between the top of the first piece and the side wall.
15. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the plate has an air inlet.
16. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the handle has a recess sized and configured to receive the lever when the lever is depressed.
17. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the second piece further includes a dividing wall that extends across the surface of the plate.
18. The dispenser of claim 17, further including at least one securing member extending downwardly from the top of the first piece.
19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the securing member has a ridge, wherein the dividing member can pivot within the ridge when the lever is depressed.
20. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.
21. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the first piece further includes at least one pivot and the second piece further includes at least one corresponding groove; wherein the pivot rotates within the groove when the lever is depressed.
22. A method of disassembling a dispenser cap; the method comprising the steps of:
providing a dispenser cap having a first piece and a second piece; wherein the first piece is removably connected to the second piece; wherein the first piece has a top and at least one catch protruding down from the top; each catch having a foot; wherein the second piece includes a base having a generally hollow interior and a plate within the interior of the base; the plate having a catch aperture for each catch; wherein the catch foot extends through the catch aperture and loosely grips the plate;
grasping the base; and
pushing the first piece until the catch foot travels through the catch aperture such that the first piece is disengaged from the second piece.
23. A method of assembling a dispenser cap; the method comprising the step of:
providing a first piece having a top, at least one catch protruding down from the top, each catch having a foot, the first piece further including a first and second pivot;
providing a second piece having a base having a generally hollow interior and a plate within the interior of the base; the plate including a catch aperture sized to receive one of the catch feet and a first and second groove sized and arranged to receive the first and second pivot;
aligning each catch foot with at least one catch aperture; and
pressing the first piece towards the second piece until each catch foot passes through the corresponding catch aperture and the pivots rest within the corresponding first and second grooves.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of pressing further includes pressing the first piece towards the second piece until each catch foot grips the plate.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. In a metered dosage inhaler device having a main housing member for receiving and dispensing inhalation medication, said main housing member being hollow, and having an aerosol medication container insertion end and a central axis of direction of insertion of an aerosol medication container and having a nozzle portion for spraying medication into a mouth of a user, said nozzle portion extending away from said central axis, wherein said nozzle portion includes a nozzle segment that is exterior from said main housing member and has a defined length L, and has an orifice with outer surfaces and inner surfaces, the improvement which comprises:
a spacer member, said spacer member being fitted on said nozzle segment and adapted to move outwardly and inwardly relatively to said nozzle segment, said spacer member being hollow and being located about said outer surfaces of said nozzle segment, said spacer member including a plurality of moveable segments, each of said moveable segments being interconnected with one another, said spacer member having an open extended position wherein said moveable segments are extended relative to one another to create an elongated spacer member, wherein an extended most moveable segment is a mouthpiece segment, and said spacer member having a closed, collapsed position wherein said moveable segments are all located about said nozzle segment, including said mouthpiece segment, so as to have a total length about equal to or less than said nozzle segment length L, so as to preserve significant compactness when said spacer is moved inwardly relative to said nozzle segment, and so as to eliminate protrusion beyond said nozzle segment.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said moveable segments are interlocking collapsible, telescopic rings.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said interlocking telescopic rings are of decreasing internal diameter, such that, when in its open, extended position, a smallest internal diameter ring is furthest away from said nozzle segment and is said mouthpiece segment.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said moveable segments are bellows segments.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said moveable segments are popoid segments.
6. The device of claim 1, which further comprises:
a divider wafer, said divider wafer being positioned within said main housing member between said container insertion end and said nozzle portion so as to inhibit air movement from said nozzle portion to said container insertion end.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said divider wafer includes a one-way valve to permit air flow from said container insertion end of said main housing member to said nozzle portion and not vice-versa.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said moveable segments are interlocking collapsible, telescopic rings.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein said moveable segments are bellows segments.
10. The device of claim 7 wherein said moveable segments are popoid segments.
11. In a metered dosage inhaler device having a main housing member for receiving and dispensing inhalation medication, said main housing member being hollow, and having an aerosol medication container insertion end and a central axis of direction of insertion of an aerosol medication container and having a nozzle portion for spraying medication into a mouth of a user, said nozzle portion extending away from said central axis, wherein said nozzle portion includes a nozzle segment that is exterior from said main housing member and has a defined length L, and has an orifice with outer surfaces and inner surfaces, the improvement which comprises:
a spacer member fitted on said nozzle segment and adapted to move outwardly and inwardly relatively to said nozzle segment, said spacer member being hollow and being located within said inner surfaces of said nozzle segment, said spacer member including a plurality of moveable segments, each of said moveable segments being interconnected with one another, said spacer member having an open extended position wherein said moveable segments are extended relative to one another to create an elongated spacer member, wherein an extended most moveable segment is a mouthpiece segment, and said spacer having a closed, collapsed position wherein said moveable segments are all located about said nozzle segment, including said mouthpiece segment, so as such that at least half of the length of said spacer member, in its closed position is contained within said nozzle portion so as to preserve significant compactness.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said moveable segments are interlocking collapsible, telescopic rings.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said interlocking telescopic rings are of decreasing internal diameter, such that, when in its open, extended position, a smallest internal diameter ring is furthest away from said nozzle segment and is said mouthpiece segment.
14. The device of claim 11 wherein said moveable segments are bellows segments.
15. The device of claim 11 wherein said moveable segments are popoid segments.
16. The device of claim 11, which further comprises:
a divider wafer, said divider wafer being positioned within said main housing member between said container insertion end and said nozzle portion so as to inhibit air movement from said nozzle portion to said container insertion end.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said divider wafer includes a one-way valve to permit air flow from said container insertion end of said main housing member to said nozzle portion and not vice-versa.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein said moveable segments are selected from the group consisting of interlocking collapsible, telescopic rings, bellow segments and popoid segments.
19. In a metered dosage inhaler device having a main housing member for receiving and dispensing inhalation medication, said main housing member being hollow, and having an aerosol medication container insertion end and a central axis of direction of insertion of an aerosol medication container and having a nozzle opening for spraying medication into a mouth of a user, said nozzle opening extending away from said central axis, the improvement which comprises:
a spacer member fitted into said nozzle opening and said main housing member, and adapted to move outwardly and inwardly relatively to said nozzle opening, said spacer member being hollow and being located within said nozzle opening, said spacer member including a plurality of moveable segments, each of said moveable segments being interconnected with one another, said spacer member having an open extended position wherein said moveable segments are extended relative to one another to create an elongated spacer member, wherein an extended most moveable segment is a mouthpiece segment, and said spacer having a closed, collapsed position wherein said moveable segments are substantially located within said main housing member such that at least half of the length of said spacer member is located within said main housing member, so as to preserve significant compactness when said spacer member is moved inwardly relative to said nozzle.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein said moveable segments are selected from the group consisting of interlocking collapsible, telescopic rings, bellow segments and popoid segments.