AU2012202192B2 - Dispensing means with lockable dose adjuster and one way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal remedy dispensing means 100 is described which has an elongate handle (10) having a longitudinal axis (A)1 an inlet (14) for receiving a remedy and an outlet aperture (21). The outlet (21) has a central axis (B) which forms an angle (8) of between 0* and 450 with the longitudinal axis (A) of the handle. The dispensing means 100 includes a dosage control part (39) which is moveable between a first position wherein the dose dispensed can be adjusted and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted.

Description

AUSTRALIA Regulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent APPLICANT: Novartis AG Invention Title: DISPENSING MEANS WITH LOCKABLE DOSE ADJUSTER AND ONE WAY VALVE 1a DISPENSING MEANS WITH L OCKA BLE DOSE ADJUSTER AND ONE WAY VALVE 5 The present invention relates to dispensing means, for example animal remedy dispensing means. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to animal remedy dispensing means which are suitable for use in oral administration of a fernedy. 10 Background of the Invention Animal remedies for sheep, cattle and the like are applied by a number of methods. including topical or "pour-on' application., oral application, injection and nasal infusion. Each of these is typically dispensed from a "pistol grip" style dispensing 15 means. One such dispensing means of the prior art is shown in Figure i. As is common with applicators of the prior art, the applicator 1 has a piston or plunger 2 which can be reciprocated within a barrel 3 by squeezing and releasing a first handle 4 relative to a second handle 5. The liquid to be dispensed is drawn into 20 the barrel 3 through an inlet 6 via a one way inlet valve 7 when the plunger 2 is withdrawn inside the barrel 3, and is dispensed through a nozzle 8 via an outlet valve 9 when the plunger 2 is extended towards the outlet valve 9. In the dispensing means' of this type the outlet nozzle 8 (or needle if -the dispensing 25 means is an injector) is substantially aligned with the central axis of the.barret 3, and the barrel 3 is orientated approximately transverse to the first handle 4. As a consequence, the outlet of the nozzle is typically substantially parallel to. the forearm of the user when the dispensing means Is in use,.at least when the user s wrist is in -a relaxed position. 30 When applying an animal remedy to an animal. particularly in an oral formulation, the user of the dispenser typically approaches so that he or she is facing in substantially the same direction as the animal. If necessary the animal's head is restrained, and the dispenser: is orientated so that the nozzle is inside the animal's mouth. The 2 dispenser is then activated and a measured dose of animal remedy is dispensed into the animal's mouth., It is preferred that the outlet of .the nozzle is behind the animal's tongue, to ensure that the majority of the remedy is swallowed. 5 The position of the user relative to the subjict animal means that he or sher must bend their wrist and elbov to a considerable degree in.order position -the nozzle in the correct position in the animal's mouth. This can be uncomfortable, and can'be fatiguing if a large number of animals must be dosed. 10 Some dispensers of the prior art, such as the one shown in Figure 1, have nozzles which incorporate a smail bend, for example around 30% in order to position the outlet in a more suitable orientation. While this is an improvement over straight nozzles, it does not alleviate the problem. 15 An additional disadvantage of the pistol grip style dispenser is that the nozzle outlet is often a considerable distance away from the user's hand. Thisimpacts. on the user's ability to determine the position of the-nozzle in the animal's mouth, and also increases the force which must be. used to correctly position the nozzle if the animal is resisting. This can lead to further discomfort for the user, and to injury to the 20 animaL As can been seen'in Figure 1, the outlet valve 9 is substantially aligned with the central axis of the barrel 3. This means that any bubbles in the fluid may become trapped in the barrel, as bubbles.tend to accumulate at the top of the barrel 3 and therefore fail to pass; 25 through the outlet valve when the fluid is dispensed. if the bubbles cannot be purged from the barrel then the dose dispensed by the applicator will be incorrect. Many animal health dispensing means of the prior art are provided with means of adjusting the dose dispensed when the applicator is used. In many applications it is 30 critical to the health of the animal that the correct dose is applied. One example-of such a device is that described in New Zealand patent No, 521034. As is common with such devices, the dose is adjusted by rotation of a dose adjustment dial, referred to as a "dosage control part" in the patent specification.

3 Rotation of the dose adjustment dial aligns one of a number of ribs provided on the dial with a rib on the plunger. The stroke of the plunger is limited by the length of the selected rib. 5 Detents are provided which tend to stop the dial at preselected angular positions which correspond to required dose volumes. However, excluding the resistance provided by the detents, the dial can- be. freely rotated at any time. This may lead to a user accidentally or inadvertently changing the dose, and therefore providing an animal with a suboptimal dose of remedy. 10 The terms "animal remedy" and "remedy' are used herein to include any preparation which may be administered to an animal and includes drugs, medicines, remedies, therapeutic preparations and the like. 15 The term 'dose" is used herein to denote the Volume of liquid dispensed by a dispensing rmarns with a single stroke of a piston or plunger except where the context clearly requires otherwise. Where an angle between two axes is quantified, the angle measured is the acute angle, 20 rather than the obtuse angle. Object of the Inventon It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide an 25 animal remedy dispensing means which will overcome or ameliorate problems with dispensing means of the prior art. It is an alternative object of a preferred embodiment to provide an animal remedy dispensing means which will provide. improved comfort for a user to apply an animal 30 health remedy to an animal. It is a further alternative object of a preferred embodiment to minimise the chance of trauma to the animal, 4 it is* a further alternative object of a preferred embodiment to provide a one way valVe andibr a liquid dispensing means including such a one way valve which will overcome or ameliorate problems with such one way valves and/or dispensing means at -present 5 It is a further aIternative object of a preferred embodiment to provide a dispensing means -with a dosage control mechanism which will overcome or armeliorate problems with the dispensing means of the prior art 10 t is a further alternative object to provide a useful choice, Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example: only. 15 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for 20 dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 0* and 45'. 25 Preferably the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means forman angle of between 0 and 35*. Preferably the central axis of the outlet aperture is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means, 30 Preferably, the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle means the central aXis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle .of between 30* and .90*.

5 Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of -between 40* and 70* 5 Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of substantially 60*. Preferably the inlet is proximate a first end of the elongate handle means and the outlet 10 aperture is proximate a second end of the handle means, opposite the first end. Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between Omm-38mm. 15 Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and. the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 10mm-35mm. Preferably the flow control means includes a flow control member, and relative movement of the flow-control member towards the first handle causes the.remedy to flow from the 20 outlet. Preferably the dispensing means includes a barel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow control member; the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid 25 communication with the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between 60* and 90-, or more preferably between 70* and 90*. Preferably the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an 30 angle of substantially 90*. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including an elongate handle means, an inlet for receivng a remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a first end of the handle, an outlet. for dispensing the .5 remedy to be dispensed positioned proximate a second end of the handle opposite the 6 first end, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the iniet to the outlet. Preferably the flow control means includes a flow control member, and wherein relative 5 movement of the flow control member towards the first handle causes the remedy to flow from the outlet. Preferably the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the first handle and the flow control member; the barrel 10 provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an oUtlet port in fluid communication with the outlet and wherein a central akis of the barre and the longitudinal axis of the. first handle form an angle of between 60* and 90", or more preferably between 706 and 90". 15 Preferably the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle fonn an angle of substantially 90*. Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet, aperture and a longitudinal axis of 20 the elongate handle mearis is between Omrn-38mm. Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 1Omm-35mm. 25 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means including handle means adapted to be grasped by a users hand, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy to be dispensed, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to thepoutlet aperture, 30 wherein the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle means the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between 30* and 90*. Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that 35 when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between 40* and 70*.

7 Preferably the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of substantially 60*. 5 Preferably the flow control. means includes a flow control M- ember, wherein relative movement of the flow control member towards the'first handle causes the remedy to flow from the outlet. '10 Preferably the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon Telative movement of the first handle and the fblo' control member, the barred provided with an'inlet port in fluid comrnunhication with the intet, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet aperture wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the first handle form an angle of between 60* and 90*. or more 15 preferably between 70 and 90*. Preferably the central axis of the barrel and the longitudinalaxis of the first handle form ar angle of substantially 90.. 20 Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between 0mm-3Bmm. Preferably the distance between the centre of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means is between -10mm-35mrn. 25 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means, in particular an animal remedy dispensing rmeans according to the first, second or third aspect, provided with a dosage control mechanism including a dosage control part moveable between a first position wherein the dose dispensed by 30 the liquid dispensing means can be adjusted, and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted, Preferably the dose is adjustable by rotation of the dosage control part about an axis of rotation, and movement of the dosage' comrol part between the first position and 8. the second position includes a movement parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation. Preferably the liquid dispensing Means includes a housing, and the dosage control 5 part is rotatable within the housing, wherein one of the housing and the dosage control part is provided with at least one protruding member and the other is provided With a plurality of grooves or chanridis, adapted to receive at least one of the at least one protruding members when the dosage control part is in the second position, 10 Preferably the at least one protruding member includes a plurality of ribs, Preferaby the plurality of grooves or channels are defined by spaces between plurality of second ribs, 15 Preferably activation of the dispensing means moves. the dosage control part from the first position to the second position, if the dosage control part is not already in the second position when the dispensing means is activated. 20 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention a one way valve including a. valve body having at least one aperture therethrough, a closure means adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the at least one aperture in a first direction and to substantially prevent a fluid from flowing through the at least one aperture in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the valve body is provided with a flow path for receiving a fluid flowing 25 in the second direction and directing the fluid to a required location. Preferably the flow path extends around a periphery of the valve body. Preferably the valve body includes a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion and 30 the flow path extends between radially opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion. Preferably the valve body is provided with a valve guide, and the closure means includes a valve head and a valve stem slidingly engaged with the valve guide. 35 9 Preferably the closure means includes biasing means for biasing the valve head towards a sealing means. Preferably the flov path includes a channel. According to a sixth aspect of the preent invention there isprovided a liquid dispensing means, in particular an animal remedy dispensing means according to the first, second, thirdlor fourth aspect, iiduding a one way valve according to the ffth aspect. 10 Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes a barrel, and the floIw path includes a cavity defined by the channel and the barrel. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing means including a plunger reciprocable within a barrel, the liquid dispensing 16 means including an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the barrel, the liquid dispensing means further including a flow path between an area at or adjacent a top of the bar-rel wten the*Jiquid dispensing means is held in a normal in-use position, and the outlet. 20 Preferably the liquid dispensing means includes the one way valve of the fifth aspect. According to a furFther aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal remedy dispensing means according to.ithe first and/or second and/or third aspects in combination wth a liquid dispensing means of the fourth aspect and/or the seventh aspect andfor a 25: one way valve according of the fifth aspect. Theinvention also broadly consists in any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein. 30 Bdef Description of the Figures Figure 1: Is a cross-section side view of an aninaI remedy dispensing means of the prior art.. 35 10 Figure 2. Is a ide-perspective view of a dispensing reans of the present invention, with the dosage control part in a locised position and the plunger withdrawn. 5 Figure 3. Is a cross section side. view of the dispensing means of Figure.2, with the dosage control part showri in the unlocked position and the plunger withdrawn. Figure 4. Is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 2, with 10 the dosage control part shown in the unlocked position and the plunger almost fully extended into the barrel. Figure . Is a cross section side view of the dispensing means of gFiure 2, with the plunger in the fully extended position and the second handle having 15 pushed the dosage control part to the locked position. Figure 6. Is a front perspective exploded view of the dispensing means Of Figure 2. 20 Figure 7. Is a rear perspective exploded viow of the dispensing means of Figure 2j with the second handle, plunger and abutment member omitted for clarity. Figure 8 Is a side perspective view of the ohe way inlet valve. 25 Figure 9: is a top view of the one way valve of Figure 8. 30 Figure 10: Is a bottom view of the one way valve 6f Figure 8. Figure 11 Is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the dispensing means of. the preseit invention with a flow control member in a dispensing position. 35 11 Figure 12 Is a cross-section side view of the dispensing means of Figure 11, with a flow control member in a return or rest position. Figure'13 Is a ross-section side view of the dispensing means-of Figure 12. with 5 the flow control member in the dispensing position. Figure 14 Is a cross-section side View of a third embodiment of dispensing means, he'd in a position to allow the flow control member io be operated by the user's fingers. Figure 15 Is a cross-section side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 14, held in a posion to allow the flow control member to be operated by the user's thumb. 1 F Rest Mod'es for Performing the Invention Referring first to Figuries 2 to 5 a dispensing teans according to ohe embodiment of the present invention is generally referenced 100. fn the embodiment shown the dispensing means .100 is an animaI remedy dispensing means adapted for use as.an 20 oral drencher for sheep or cattle, although it may also be suitable for use with other adimals such as goats. The dispensing means 100 includes a first elongate handle .mears 10 having a longitudinal axis A, best seen in Figure 3. A barrel 11 is provided at one and of the. 25 handle 10, and a piston or plunger l inside the barrel 11 is reciprocable under the control of flow control member, which may be a second handle 13, or a trigger or the iike, The second handle 13 may actuate the plunger 12 directly, as is shown in the figures. or via a separate push rod (not shown). 3.0 The liquid to be dispensed is drawn inte the barrel 11 through an inlet 14 via a one way inlet valve 15 when the plunger 12 is withdrawn inside the barrel 11, and is dispensed through a nozzle 16 via an outlet-valve 17 when the plunger 12 is extended towards an outlet aperture 18 in the barrel.

12 The "dose" dispensed by the dispensing means 100 is determined by the volume swept by the. plunger 12 as it moves between a withdrawn position, as shown in Figure 3, and the fully extended position shown in Figure 5. 5: The outlet port 18 .is in fluid communication with the one way outlet valve 17 which is provided at the opposite end of the first-handle 10 from the barrel 11. The outlet valve 17 is in turn in fluid communication with an outlet aperture 1 9 to which an inlet aperture 20 of the nozzle 1.6 is connected in use. The nozzle 16 has an outlet aperture 21 at the opposite end to the nozzle inlet 20. The, outlet aperture 21 has a 10 central axis B. In use; an animal health remedy is administered to an animal by positioning the nozzle 16 so that the outlet aperture 21 is inside the animal's mouth and squeezing the second handle. 13 towards the first handle 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. 15 This causes the plunger 12 to force the preparation residing in the barrel 11 through the outlet port 18 and hence through the outlet valVe 17 and the outlet aperture 21. The second handle 13 is then released arid a biasing means such as a torsion spring 22 returns the second handle. 13 and the plunger 12 to the rest position shown in Figures 2 and 43 The return movement of the plunger 12 draws a predetermined 20 dose of the preparation from a suitable source, through the inlet 14 and int -the barrel 11 through the inlet valve 15. As can be seen from Figures 2 to 5, in a preferred embodiment the first and.second handles are rotatably connected at the end of the handles distal the barrel 11. 25 An important feature of the dispensing means 100 is that the central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle 0 of between 0 and 450* or more preferably between 0* and 35*, with the longitudinal axis. A of the first handle 10. In this way the angle between the central axis B of the nozzle outlet 21 and the forearm 23 of the user is between 30 and. 90% or more preferably between 40"and 70*, when the user has his 30 or her wrist in a relaxed position as. best seen in Figure 2. This reduces the need for the user to bend his or her wrist in order to insert the nozzle 16 into the mouth of the animal (not shown), In the: most preferred embodiment the central axis B of the outlet aperture 21 forms an angle of around 320 to the longitudinal axis A, meaning that the axis B forrhIs an angle of substantially 600 with the user's forearm.

13 The: distance X between the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 10 and the centre of the outlet aperture 21 is preferably relatively small, for example between 0mm 38mrn, or more preferably 40mm-35mm. The first handle 10 is preferably provided 'With a widened base Odrtion, 24 which is dimensioned so as: to be substantially incapable of entering the mouth of an animal with which the dispenser 100. is intended to be used. The widened base portion 24 forms a stop, thereby avoiding problems with the user inserting the nozzle 1.6 too 10 deeply into the animal's mouth, such as may occur with the dispensers of the prior art. Although it is preferred that the handle 10 be provided with a widened base portion 24, problems with determining how far to insert the nozzle into the animal's .mcuth may be alleViated to some extent even without the widened portion 24 in view of the extra sensitivity provided by the position of the nozzle 16 relative to the 15 handle 10 and the user's hand 23, Referring next to Figures 6. and 7, a preferred mechanism for varying the dose dispensed is described, 20 The dispensing means 100 includes a housing 25 which is connected to or integral with the first handle 10..The barrel 1 1 is connected to or formed integrally with the housing 25. The dosage control mechanism. includes an abutment member 30 which- is siidably 25 engaged with the plunger 12. The abutment member 30 is keyed to the plunger 1 2, for example by means of one or more ribs 31 provided on the pluger 12 which engage complimentary channels 32 provided on an internal surface 33 of the abutment member 30. The engagement of the ribs.31 with the channels 32 prevents rotation of the abutment member 30 relative to the plunger 12. The 30 plunger is in. turn prevented from moving-relative to the body of the dispensing means by its connection to the second handle 13, as is described further below. The abutment member 30 is provided with an.externally threaded portion 34 along at least part. of its length, A substantially cylindrical sleeve 35 is provided which fits 14 over the abutment: member 30. and which has an internal thread 36 which engages vith the external threaded portion 34 of-the abutment member 30 The sleeve 35 is able to rotate about the plunger 12 relative to. the housing 25, but is not able to move longitudinally relative to the housing 25. In a preferred embodiment the sleeve 5 35 is provided with an annular rib 37 which abuts a pair of inwardly protruding tabs 38 provided inside the housing 25, one of which. can be seen. inFigure 7. The tabs 38 prevent the sleeve 35 from moving outward from the.housing 25, and the stepped shape of the barrel 1I and housing 25, (best seen in Figures 3-5) prevents the sleeve 35 front moving further inside the housing 25. 10 A dosage. control part 39 is provided as a sliding fit over the sleeve 35. The dosage control 39 part is keyed to the sleeve 35, for example by means of one or more longitudinal ribs 40 provided on an outet surface of the sleeve 35 engaging one or more inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs 4I provided inside a central aperture 42 of 15 the dosage control part 39. The- engagement of the ribs 40, 41 means that the dosage control part 39 is able to move longitudinally relative to the sleeve 35, but any rotation of the dosage control part 39 reative to the housing 25 also rotates. the. sleeve .35. 20 The outer surface 43 of the dosage control part 39 is also provided with a plurality of external ribs 44. The internal surface 45 of the housing 25.is provided with a plurality of internal ribs 46.which are spaced apart to provide a series of channels or grooves capable of receiving the extenally protrudig ribs 44 of the dosage control part 39, The dosage control part 39 is slidable betv/een a first, locked position, shown in Figures 2 anS 5, wherein the external ribs 44 engage with the internal ribs 46 of the housing 39, and a second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the external ribs 44 are clear of the internal ribs 46. When the dosage control part 39 is in the 30. first position the interengagement of the external ribs 44- and internal ribs 46 prevents rotation of the dosage control part :39 relative to the housing 25. However, the length and position of the internal and external ribs are such that when the dosage control part 39 is moved longitudinally away from the housing 25 to the second position, the external ribs 44 are clear of the internal ribs 46 of the housing 25, and the dosage control part 39 is free to rotate. Rotation of the dosage control part 39 causes rotation of the sleeve 35. Because 5 the threaded portion 36 of the sleeve 35 is engaged with the: threaded portion 34 of the abutment member 30, tha longitudinal position of the abutment member 30 changes with rotation of the sleeve 35. The inner end of the abutment member 30 has an abutment portion 47, best seen in Figure 6, which limits the distance that an abutment portion 48 of the plunger 1.2 can be moved inside the barrel 11, in this 10 way rotation of the dosage contr-ol part 39 changes the dose dispensed. by the dispensing means 100, In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 the plunger 12 may be removed fror the barre 11 by turning the dosage:control part 39 until the threaded portion 34 of 15 the abutment member 30 disengages from the sleeve 35. This allows maintenance of the head of the plunger 12. In some embodiments the plunger 1:2 may be removable by pivoting the pluriger 12 so that the outer end 1 2a of the plunger can be disengaged from the slot 13a in the second handle 13. However, it is preferred that the plunger be retained within the slot 13a by a suitable iockirg means (not 20 shown). When engaged with the slot 13a the plunger 12 is prevented from rotating,. but is able to slide Within the slot relative to the second handle 1.3 to allow for the arcuate path followed by the end of the second handle 13 as it is squeezed towards the first 25 handle 10.. In the embodiment shown the dose is adjusted by changing the distance the plunger 1 2 is able to withdraw within the barrel 11. The plunger 12 reaches the same position in the barrel 11 at the end of the dispensing stroke, regardless of the dose 30 dispensed. in other embodiments (not shown) the plunger may withdraw to the same position regardless of the required dose, and the dose control may be achieved by limiting the movement of the plunger away from the fully withdrawn position during the dispensing strokea 16 A feature of the embodiment shown in Figures 2-7 is that movement of the handles 10,13 to dispense a dose will automatically. move the dosage control, part from the second position. shown iniFigures 3 and 4 to the first, locked position. shown in Figures 2 and 5. This means that if the dosage control member part is: left in the 5 unlocked position, it will be moved to the locked position the next time the dispensing means is:used, This may be useful in: preventing inadverteht.or accidental changes in the set dosage, In the embodiment shown this selflocking movement is caused by one of the handles 13 abutting the end of the dosage control part 39 and pushing it towards the first position, However, in an alternative embodiment the 1 olunger 12. may be provided with a protruding portion such as a tab or the like (not shoyvn) which performs the: same function. The dosage control part 39.is preferably provided with detent nieans adapted to hold it in the first position. in the embodiment shown the dosage control part 39 is 1 5 provided with a plurality of inwardly facing tabs 49, best seen in Figure 7, which releasabiy engage depressions or apertures 50 in the sleeve 35 when the dosage control part 39 is in the first position. A second similar detent mechanism may additionally be provided to releasably hold the dosage control part 39 in the second position. 20 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the dosage control means has been described with reference to its applicatiOn to an animal health applicator, it may have application to any piston operated liquid dispensing means which dispenses a preselected, adjustable, volume of liquid. Accordingly the use of the term "dose" is 25 not intended to limit the invention to applications in which the liquid being dispensed is-an animal health remedy. The barrel 11 is preferably transparent or at least translucent,. or has a transparent or translUcent portion 51, best seen in Figure 2, so that the. user is able to perform a 30 visual check that it is filling correctly, and that there are no bubbles trapped in the barrel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that bubbles in the barrel 11 will result in the dose of preparation dispensed being less than that required.

17 Referring next to Figur-e 2 it can be seen that when the applicator 100 is held in its normal in use position, the barrel 11 is in a substantially horizontal orientation, although it may be tilted to one side depending on left or right handed users. 5 Referring next to Figures 3 to 5 and in particular to Figures 8 to 10, it can be seen that the inlet valve 15 includes a generally cylindrical or frusto-conical valve body 52 through which a plurality of apertures 53 extend from a first side 54 to an axially opposite side 55 A closure means 56 is provided which includes a stem 57 and a head 58. The stem 57 is slidably engaged with a guide aperture 58a provided in the valve body 52. The valve 10 head 58 is biased against a seating means 59, best seen in Figure 4, by a suitable biasing means such a spring (not shown). In the embodiment shown the sealing means 59 is provided at the end of the barrel 11, although in other embodiments (not shown) the head 58 may seal against a sealing means which is connected to or integral with the valve body. 15 The closure means 56 allows liquid to flow through the apertures 53 from the inlet 4 to the barrel 11, but prevents flow in the opposite direction, as is corrimon with one way valve mechanisms of the prior art. 20 A channel60 is defined on an outer surface of the valve body 52, and extends from one side 61 of the body 15 to-the radially-opposite side 62. The channel 60 defines a flow path for the fluid when the plunger 12 is extended towards the valve 15. The flow path directs fluid from an area at or adjacent the top of the barrel 11 to the barrel outlet 18, which in the embodiment shown is provided in a lower surface of the barrel 11, best seen 25 in Figures 3 to 5. Taking fluid from the top of the barrel 11 ensures that any entrained.8ir in the barrel 11 is purged as efficiently as possible, as air bubbles in the fluid tend to rise to the top of the barrel 11. In a preferred embodiment the channel 60 extends around one side of the valve body 52 30 only, in order to avoid any turbulence which might be caused if the fluid flowed around both sides of the body 52 and was recombined into a single stream. The channel 60 preferably has a cross-sectional area at least equat-to that of the barrel outlet 18 in order to minimise the resistance to the fluid flowing through the channel 60. thereby ninmislng the force necessary to drive the plunger 11. The valve body 52 preferably fits srugly 35 within the barrel 11, so that the flow path is defined by the cavity created between the channel 60 and the barrel 11, as best seen in Figure 4.

18 As can be seen in Figures 8-40, the channel 60 Is preferably provided with radiussed corners 63, It is preferred that sharply angular changes in direction are avoided,. as.these can cause eddies in the fluid flow and/or areas of low or no floW, which may trap entrained 5 air bubbles in the fluid flow and make purging the applicator of air more difficult. Referring next to Figre 4, a conduit 64 extends between the barre! outlet 18 and the one way outlet valve 17 provided adjacent outlet nozzle 16. In a preferred embodiment the combined volume of the conduit 64 and the channel 60 is less than the volume of fluid 10- dispensed by tbe dispensing means 100 when set to its lowest dose setting. If the conduit 64 has a greater volume than the minimum dose, then at low dose settings bubbles in the fluid may be carried only part of the way to the oulet valve 17 with a first dose of fluid, and may then float back up the conduit.64 before the next dose is expressed. 15 In some embodiments (not shown) the outlet valve 17 may be positioned on top of the barrel 11. thereby eliminating the need for the integrated inlet valve / outlet channel. Alternatively the outlet valve could be positioned immediately under the integrated inlet valve / outlet channel. However, both these options cause the end of the barrel to became quite bulky. 20 An additional advantage to having the outlet valve 1.7 close to the nozzle 16 is that the weight of fluid. in the conduit 64 is held by the outlet valve 17, eliminating the need for a non-drip valve at the nozzle 16 for most applications. 25 In some embodiments a spherical valve element may be used instead of the head 86 and stem 57 shown in Figures 8 to 10. Such a ball-valve arrangement is well know to those skilled in the art, and may include the use a rubberised ball sealing against the end of the barrel, a hard ball with a soft seats or a high precision hard-ball. / hard seat configuration, 30 Although the flow path from barrel 11 to the nozzle outlet 21 is shown as running inside the first handle 10, in less preferred embodiment (not showTr*the nozzle inlet 20 may connect directly to the barrel 11, but may be shaped so that the nozzle outlet 21 exits at the opposite end of the first handle to the barrel 11 in substantially 35 the same position as the nozzle outlet shown-in-Figures 2-5.

19 Referring next to Figures 11, 12 and 13, an alternative embodiment of the dispensing rmesns is generally referenced .200. In this embodiment the dispensing means 200 has first a handle means 10, and a second handle means 13 hingeably 5 mounted to the first handle. means. 10 iri asirnilar configuration to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10. However, in this embodiment, the barrel 11 is provided inside the first handle means 13. The. second handle means 13 is provided with a toothed rack 64 which engages a 10 gear or pinion 65, such that squeezing the second handle 13 t wards the first handle 10 causes the rack 64 to rotate the gear 65. A plunger 66 is connected to a toothed push rod 67 which is preferably engaged directly with the gear 65, although in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the push rod 67 may be engaged with a second gear which rotates with the gear 65. The push rod 67 may be integrally formed with 15 the plunger 66. The preparation enters the barrel 11 from an iniet 68 through a flow path 69 in the push rod 67 via a one way inlet valve.70 which is integral with the plunger 66. A one way outlet valve 17 is provided at the barrel outlet. 20 As with the embodiment shown in Figures 2 - 5, a nozzle 1'6 has an inlet 20 in fluid communication with the outlet valve 17 and an outlet aperture 21.. The central axis 8 of the outlet aperture 21 and the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 10 form an: angle-of between 0' and 450,.so that the angle between the nozzle-and the forearm 25 of the. user is between 30" and 90* when the.user has his or her wrist in a relaxed position. The outlet valve 17 is also proVided at the opposite end of the handle means 10 to the inlet 68. Although the embodiment shown in Figures 11-13 may function well, the 30 embodiment shown in Figures 2-7 may be preferred because the arrangement of the barrel I1 with its central axis C at an angle of between 60* and 90*-or more. preferably between 70* and 90*, to the longitudinal awis A of the first handle 10 allows .a more direct actuation of the plunger 12 by the second handle 13, without the need for a rack and gear arrangement. This may lead to improved reliability of the 20 applicator, and to an improved "feel" as to whether the correct dose has been applied, in a preferred embodiment the central axis C of the barrel 11 forms an angje of substantially 90* to the longitudinal axis A of the first handle 10, 5 The feel, and the -accuracy and repeatability -of the dosage dispensed, may also be: improved if the barrel 11 has a greater length dimension than its diameter. In a preferred embodirnent the length.to diameter ratio of the barrel is between 2:1 and 10 Figures 14 and 15 show a third possible embodiment of the dispensing means, generally referenced 300. This embodiment of the dispensing means differs from that shown in Figures 1-13 in that the plunger 66 is actuated by a connecting rod 70 which is rotatably connected to the second handle 13 at a firt end and rotatably connected to the plunger 66 at a second end. 16 TheAdispensing means 300 can be held so that the second handle 13 is actuated with the fingers, as shown in Figure 14, or Vviih the thumb, as shown in Figure 15. While the examples of the dispensing means of the present invention described 20 above are configured as oral drendhers, alternative embodiments of the dispensing means may be configured for use with alternative methods of dispensing. an animal remedy such as pour-or, .nasal infusion or injection. Similarly, while the dispensing means shown-is a manually actuated type, alternative 25 embodiments of the invention may be powered electrically or by pressurised gas, or the remedy may be deliVered to the dispensing means under pressure and the dispensing means may-control the flow of the remedy by opening and closing a valve between the inlet and the nozzle outlet. 30 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that dispensing means made in accordance with the present invention may be more comfortable to use than the dispensing means of the prior art, and may be less fatiguing to use over extended periods of time. Where the preparation dispensed is intended to be swallowed by the animal, the dispensing means of the present invention may allow the user to po-sition the 21 nozzle more accurately in the animal's mouth, and. may reduce the likelihood of injury to the animal during the application process. Where in the foregoing description, reference has beenmade to specific components 5 or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated .as if individually set forth. Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible ambodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or 10 improvements may be made thereto without departing frormi the spirit or scope of the appended claims,

Claims (18)

1. A liquid dispensing means for oral application provided with a dosage control mechanism including a dosage control part moveable between a first position wherein the dose dispensed by the liquid dispensing means can be adjusted, and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted, the liquid dispensing means further including an elongate handle means having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy to be dispensed, an outlet aperture separate from the inlet for dispensing the remedy, the outlet aperture having a central axis, and flow control means for controlling flow of the remedy from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 00 and 450; and wherein the dispensing means includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocable within the barrel upon relative movement of the elongate handle means and the flow control means, the barrel provided with an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, wherein a central axis of the barrel and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 70 0 C and 90 0 C.

2. The liquid dispensing means of claim 1 wherein the dose is adjustable by rotation of the dosage control part about an axis of rotation, and movement of the dosage control part between the first position and the second position includes a movement parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation.

3. The liquid dispensing means of claim 2 wherein the liquid dispensing means includes a housing, and the dosage control part is rotatable within the housing, wherein one of the housing and the dosage control part is provided with at least one protruding member and the other is provided with a plurality of grooves or channels, adapted to receive at least one of the at least one protruding members when the dosage control part is in the second position.

4. The liquid dispensing means of claim 3 wherein the at least one protruding member includes a plurality of ribs.

5. The liquid dispensing means of claim 3 or 4 wherein the plurality of grooves or channels are defined by spaces between a plurality of second ribs. 23

6. The liquid dispensing means of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein activation of the dispensing means moves the dosage control part from the first position to the second position, if the dosage control part is not already in the second position when the dispensing means is activated.

7. The liquid dispensing means of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means form an angle of between 0* and 350*.

8. The liquid dispensing means of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the central axis of the outlet aperture is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle means.

9. The liquid dispensing means of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the inlet is proximate a first end of the elongate handle means and the outlet aperture is proximate a second end of the handle means, opposite the first end.

10. The liquid dispensing means according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle means the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between 30* and 90*.

11. The liquid dispensing means of claim 10 wherein the position of the outlet aperture relative to the handle means is such that when the user grasps the handle, the central axis of the outlet aperture and the forearm of the user form an angle of between 40 * and 70 0.

12. The liquid dispensing means according to any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a one way valve including a valve body having at least one aperture therethrough, a closure means adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the at least one aperture in a first direction and to substantially prevent a fluid from flowing through the at least one aperture in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the valve body is provided with a flow path for receiving a fluid flowing in the second direction and directing the fluid to a required location. 24

13. The liquid dispensing means of claim 12 wherein the flow path extends around a periphery of the valve body.

14. The liquid dispensing means of claim 13 wherein the valve body includes a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion and the flow path extends between radially opposite sides of the substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical portion.

15. The liquid dispensing means of claim 13 or 14 wherein the valve body is provided with a valve guide, and the closure means includes a valve head and a valve stem slidingly engaged with the valve guide.

16. The liquid dispensing means of claim 12, 13, 14 or 15 wherein the closure means includes biasing means for biasing the valve head towards a sealing means.

17. The liquid dispensing means of any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the flow path includes a channel.

18. The liquid dispensing means according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which is an animal remedy dispensing means.