RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Great Britain Application 1520271.6, filed on Nov. 17, 2015 and Great Britain Application 1613460.3, filed on Aug. 4, 2016 in the Great Britain Patent Office, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispenser, in particular but not exclusively to a dispenser for dispensing a liquid.

BACKGROUND

A smoking-substitute device is an electronic device that permits the user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol mist or vapour that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol mist or vapour typically bears nicotine and/or other flavourings without the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking and tobacco products. In use, the user experiences a similar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from a traditional smoking or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist or vapour of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using such traditional smoking or tobacco products.

A smoking-substitute device generally uses heat and/or ultrasonic agitation to vaporize a solution comprising nicotine and/or other flavouring, propylene glycol and/or glycerine-based base into an aerosol mist of vapour for inhalation. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term “smoking-substitute device” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping cigarettes, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, vaporizers and devices of a similar nature that function to produce an aerosol mist or vapour that is inhaled by a user. Some electronic cigarettes are disposable; others are reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts.

Smoking-substitute devices typically resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end through which the user can draw the aerosol mist or vapour for inhalation. These devices usually share several common components: a power source such as a battery, a reservoir for holding the liquid to be vaporized, a vaporization component for atomizing and/or vaporizing the liquid and to thereby produce an aerosol mist and/or vapour, and control circuitry operable to actuate the vaporization component responsive to an actuation signal from a switch operative by a user or configured to detect when the user draws air through the mouthpiece by sucking or inhaling.

The reservoir may be either a replaceable or refillable container that is coupled to, or located in, the main body of the smoking-substitute device and that is typically made of a resilient plastic material such as high-density polypropylene. The reservoir generally contains a wicking material in which the liquid is stored but may just be a storage space without any wicking material. Once the replaceable or refillable reservoir is emptied it must either be replaced or refilled.

Replaceable type reservoirs are typically provided in the form of a pre-filled cartridge that can be securely and removably engaged to, or within, the cylindrical main body of the smoking-substitute device. These reservoir and vaporization elements may also be integrated into a single component commonly known as a “cartomizer” that may be disposable or refillable. Additionally, replaceable type reservoirs may also be integrally formed with the mouthpiece.

In order to fit a replaceable type reservoir to, or within, the main body of a smoking-substitute device, features of the main body are configured to engage with complementary features formed on a portion of the reservoir to securely and removably couple the reservoir to the main body of the smoking substitute device and to thereby prevent the accidental or unintended separation of the reservoir from the smoking-substitute device. These complementary features typically secure the reservoir to the main body of the smoking-substitute device with a close or interference fit and the fitting step causes a portion of the reservoir to pierce the reservoir to permit liquid to be dispensed.

Alternatively, and most commonly, users utilise refillable type reservoirs. Typically, the refillable reservoir of the smoking-substitute device is refilled by dispensing liquid from a dispenser that commonly resembles the small dropper bottles used for dispensing eye drops. Refill dispensers are preferred principally for their low cost.

The ingredients of the liquid for producing the aerosol mist or vapour in smoking-substitute devices vary widely, but typically include water and flavourings in a propylene glycol and/or glycerol base. Nicotine may also be included in solutions intended to fulfil a nicotine replacement role, without the harmful products associated with tobacco smoke.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term “liquid” as used herein, may include, but is not limited to, any liquids, gels, powders and gases together with liquids comprising mixtures of liquids, gels, powders and gases that are capable of being atomized or vapourized whether or not using heat and/or ultrasonics. Additionally, the term “liquid” as used herein may also include, but is not limited to, powders capable of being entrained in a fluid flow, for example an airflow.

When refilling the reservoir from a dispenser, the user typically drips liquid from the outlet liquid-dispensing tip of the dispenser into an inlet of the reservoir by squeezing the walls of the dispenser. Any wicking material in the reservoir then absorbs the dispensed liquid or the space in the reservoir is simply filled with the dispensed liquid. Since the diameter of the inlet on the smoking-substitute device is typically quite narrow it is important that the liquid-dispensing tip of the dispenser is correctly aligned to prevent spillage.

Additionally, the user must correctly judge the pressure with which the dispenser should be squeezed to controllably expel liquid from the liquid-dispensing tip. Furthermore, as the user releases the bottle air is sucked in through the liquid-dispensing tip to replace the volume of liquid that has just been dispensed, but can also suck recently dispensed liquid from the reservoir and back into the dispenser causing droplets of liquid to be expelled inadvertently from the reservoir. Consequently, this refill technique is cumbersome and typically results in spillages of oily liquid, which has an oily consistency, and so some users have found that utilizing a syringe to draw liquid from the outlet of the dispenser before injecting it through the inlet of the reservoir is more convenient. However, such a procedure utilises a sharp such as a hypodermic needle arrangement and puts a user at risk of injury from the sharp piercing the skin and also contamination of their skin and potentially sub-dermal layers with the liquid due to its presence on the needle.

A method of refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device from a dispenser is disclosed in US 2014/0283946 A1 (Kribs, et al). This published patent application describes a cap that fits over the liquid-dispensing tip of a standard eyedropper type refill dispenser. The cap has a first portion with a bore into which the liquid-dispensing tip of a standard bottle is received, and an inner annular wall that is threaded, such that a gap is disposed between the liquid-dispensing tip and the threaded portion of the inner annular wall. When liquid is to be dispensed into the reservoir to refill the reservoir, the first portion of the cap is screwed onto a reciprocal threaded outer portion of the smoking-substitute device. When fully engaged the first portion of the cap is substantially sealed against the inlet of the reservoir of the smoking-substitute device to permit liquid to flow between the dispenser and the reservoir and alleviate leakage. Additionally, it is difficult to determine the amount of liquid input to the reservoir, unless of course the reservoir walls are transparent. Even so, if it were desired to input only a specific amount of liquid into the reservoir a user will still find it difficult even if the walls of the reservoir were transparent because the nature of a squeezable bottle for dispensing liquid into the reservoir results in an inaccurate volume of liquid being dispensed, not least because the “suck back” effect of the bottle to replace the volume of liquid dispensed with air.

The popularity and use of smoking-substitute devices has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit traditional smoking and tobacco products, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. This has caused concern that smoking-substitute devices may be becoming fashionable in certain sections of the population, and that their use may as a consequence be attractive to children and young adults who may subsequently graduate to traditional smoking and tobacco products.

There is also significant on-going scientific debate about the long-terms effects on health from the prolonged use of smoking-substitute devices and the inhalation of atomized mists and/or vapours comprising nicotine constituents. However, it is generally accepted that the levels of toxicants consumed by users of such smoking-substitute devices is a fraction of those consumed by users of traditional smoking and tobacco products. See, for example, John H. Lauterbach et al, “Suggested Protocol for Estimation of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in Mainstream Aerosols generated by Electronic Delivery Systems(ENDS)”, presented at SOT, San Francisco, Calif., Mar. 10-16, 2012 (http://cigtoxdoc.ehost-services113.com/sot2012poster1860aspresented.pdf) and hereby incorporated by reference. Nonetheless, the health issues connected with the prolonged use of smoking-substitute devices is increasingly receiving negative press coverage and is the subject of much political debate. One area of particular concern is the quality and provenance of many liquids presently available of the market. Concerns raised, particularly by the medical profession, also focus on the lack of information available to consumers regarding the use of smoking-substitute devices and associated liquids that prevent them from making informed decisions regarding their use.

To address safety and quality concerns relating to traditional smoking and tobacco products, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in May 2003. The FCTC provisions are intended to regulate the sale and marketing of tobacco and tobacco-alternative products, the disclosure of information relating to such products, the packaging and labelling of such products, and the advertising of such products. These provisions are binding on the European Union (EU) and its' Member States who have adopted a set of guidelines for the implementation of the FCTC provisions by consensus during a series of subsequent conferences. Although, the FCTC did not anticipate the market for smoking-substitute devices, the governments of several Member States have decided that it would be appropriate to adapt the current legislation resulting from the FCTC and that relates to traditional smoking and tobacco products to incorporate such smoking-substitute devices.

In Europe efforts to adapt the existing legislation followed the publication of various reports and advice received from the Scientific Committee on Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) on smokeless tobacco products and tobacco additives. The European Parliament and Council of the European Union has proposed repealing Directive 2001/37/EC and replacing it with Directive 2014/40/EU on Apr. 3, 2014 (Tobacco Products Directive or TPD). The TPD proposes regulations applicable to smoking-substitute devices that will:limit the risks of inadvertent exposure to nicotine by setting maximum sizes for refill reservoirs, containers, tanks, and cartridges (Article 20.3(a))limit the concentration of nicotine in the liquid to 20 mg/ml (Article 20.3(b)).prohibit the use of certain additives in the liquid (Article 20.3(c))require that only high-purity ingredients are used in the manufacture of liquids (Article 20.3(d)).require that all ingredients (except nicotine) do not pose a risk to human health in heated or unheated form (Article 20.3(e))require that all smoking-substitute devices deliver doses of nicotine at consistent levels under normal conditions of use (Article 20.3(f))require that all products include child and tamper-proof labelling, fasteners and opening mechanisms (Article 20.3(g)).require that all products meet certain safety and quality standards and to ensure that products do no break or leak during use or refill (penultimate and final sentences, paragraph 41 of the recitals).

One area of particular concern to consumers and regulators is that the increased availability of smoking-substitute devices and refill liquids in supermarkets and other outlets may create a health risk particularly if they fall into the hands of children. Although these liquids typically comprise nicotine in concentrations of less than or equal to 3.6% of the liquid that is generally regarded as safe and merely a stimulant, nicotine in much higher concentration has in the past been used as an insecticide and in concentrations of 50-100 mg can be harmful to humans. Nonetheless, solutions comprising nicotine are treated as toxic by postal services and carriers, and so appropriate precautions are required when handling and storing nicotine in bulk.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.

SUMMARY

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a dispenser for dispensing a liquid, comprising:

a reservoir for storing a liquid to be dispensed;

a manually operative pump arrangement disposed at a first end region of the reservoir;

a conduit extending from the pump arrangement to a second end region of the reservoir distal the first end region, the conduit configured for communicating reservoir contents from the second end region to the pump arrangement;

a dispense conduit extending from the pump arrangement and comprising a dispense aperture at an end region thereof, the dispense aperture in liquid communication with the pump arrangement; and

an open ended tube extending in a direction away from the pump arrangement and configured to surround the dispense conduit, wherein the open ended tube extends to a position such that the open end thereof is at least coterminous with a dispense aperture end of the dispense conduit and actuation of the pump arrangement causes transfer of reservoir contents from the reservoir to the dispense aperture end of the dispense conduit.

Such a dispenser provides an integrated reservoir and dispense pump arrangement in which the dispense conduit may be protected from inadvertent contact, for example by a user, thereby inhibiting the likelihood of contamination of the dispense conduit. Inhibiting contamination of the dispense conduit is particularly important if the dispenser is used for dispensing contents to be consumed by human beings, for example a medicament or a smoking substitute vapour for ingestion or inhalation by a human being.

In one or more embodiments the open ended tube extends to a position beyond the dispense aperture end of the dispense conduit thereby enhancing protection of the dispense conduit from inadvertent contact.

In one or more embodiments the dispense conduit is configured to interface with a complementary arrangement in the container to be filled to deliver reservoir contents into the container. Such an interface between the dispense conduit and a container to be filled may reduce the likelihood of spillage and/or contamination of the reservoir contents during transfer from the dispense conduit to the container to be filled. In a particular embodiment, the dispense conduit is configured to penetrate into a container to be filled to deliver reservoir contents into the container. Penetration into the container to be filled further reduces the likelihood of spillage and contamination of the reservoir contents as they are transferred to the container. Penetration of the dispense conduit into the container provides for delivery of the reservoir contents from the dispense conduit into the container storage cavity thereby avoiding spillage of the reservoir contents during filling.

In a particularly convenient one or more embodiment, the dispense conduit is configured to pierce a membrane of the container to be filled to protrude into the container to be filled to deliver reservoir contents into the container. Such a piercing arrangement is mechanically straightforward and may for example comprise a dispense conduit configured in a similar manner to that of a hypodermic needle. In such one or more embodiments, inhibiting inadvertent contact with the dispense conduit becomes more important than with a non-sharp dispense conduit in order to avoid pinprick or “stick” injury to a user and/or body fluid contamination, such as blood contamination, of the dispense conduit.

Suitably, one or more embodiments are further configured to receive a cap to close the open ended tube, such as a child safety cap. Further protection of the dispense conduit by a cap is particularly important for an embodiment having a sharp dispense conduit. Optionally, an exterior wall and/or interior wall of the open ended tube may be configured for engagement with a portion of the cap. The exterior wall and/or interior wall may comprise engagement formations configured for engagement with complementary engagement formations of the cap. Further optionally, there may be provided a plug member, a portion of which is configured for engagement with the interior wall of the open ended tube. The plug member may comprise engagement formations configured to receive complementary engagement formations of a removal device. The plug member may be removable from the dispenser, when engaged to the removal device, by a pulling action exerted on the removal device. Optionally, the removal device may comprise a container operative with the dispenser for filling the container.

Typically, the pump arrangement is resiliently biased towards a closed position. This may facilitate single-handed operation and reduce the likelihood of leakage when the pump dispenser is not in use. Additionally, such a bias requires a positive pressure to operate the pump arrangement thereby reducing the likelihood of inadvertent actuation and dispensing of the reservoir contents.

In one or more embodiments, the pump arrangement comprises an abutment surface configured to engage with a complementary surface of a container to be filled and wherein application of a force to the abutment surface actuates the pump arrangement. In such one or more embodiments, a container to be filled may be brought into contact with the abutment surface and a force applied to the container to be filled by a user to actuate the pump arrangement. With such a configuration, contact by the user with the dispense conduit and/or pump arrangement is further inhibited by use of the container to be filled as an intermediate member for actuating the pump arrangement. Typically, application of the force is against the resilient bias.

In one or more embodiments, the open ended tube is profiled so as to guide a container to be filled into engagement with the dispense conduit. Such one or more embodiments assist in location of the dispense conduit with the interface formation of a container to be filled thereby avoiding spillage or wastage of reservoir contents. Suitably, the open ended tube is profiled so as to provide a transition fit for engagement of a container to be filled for reciprocal movement of the container to be filled with respect to the open ended tube. Such a transition fit assists in controllably guiding a container to be filled in a reciprocal motion within the open ended tube for effecting actuation of the pump arrangement through contact of respective abutment surfaces of the pump arrangement. Moreover, the container to be filled may be positively located in the open ended tube.

In one or more embodiments, the inner wall of the open ended tube is profiled so as to guide a container to be filled. Insertion of a container to be filled into the open ended tube provides for detail of profiling to be interior to the open ended tube thereby providing an uninterrupted outer surface of the open ended tube. Such an uninterrupted outer surface may assist in the fitting of a cap over the open end of the open ended tube and/or improve the exterior aesthetics of the open ended tube.

In a particularly convenient one or more embodiments, the open ended tube is profiled so as to receive a mouthpiece for a smoking substitute device. In such a one or more embodiments, the open ended tube may be profiled to provide a complementary cross-section, such as for a mouthpiece for a smoking substitute device. Profiling the open ended tube with a certain configuration limits the insertion of containers to be filled to those containers that can fit within the profile, thereby providing a mechanism for inhibiting the use of containers to be filled not intended for use with the dispenser. Profiling may be sufficiently detailed, so as to substantially restrict use of containers to be filled to those having an exact complementary configuration, in particular complementary cross-sectional configuration, to the open ended tube.

Profiling of the open ended tube may also provide a mechanism by which actuation of the pump and thereby dispensing of reservoir contents may only be achieved by use of a suitably shaped member, such as a suitably shaped container to be filled, thereby avoiding inadvertent actuation of the pump and dispensing of the reservoir contents.

Additionally or optionally, the open ended tube may be configured with a locking or a positive engagement mechanism configured to permit a reciprocal movement of the container to be filled when engaged therewith. Additionally or optionally, the pump arrangement may comprise a locking or positive engagement mechanism, for example as part of and/or associated with the abutment surface, interoperable with a complementary mechanism on the container to be filled to avoid inadvertent separation of the container to be filled from the pump arrangement.

In one or more embodiments, a surface of the open ended tube is coated with an antibacterial coating, for example Microban™. This is particularly beneficial where the container to be filled comprises a mouth piece which is inserted into the open ended tube as the exterior of the mouthpiece is cleaned at is inserted into and taken from the open ended tube.

Suitably, the pump mechanism dimensions are configured to deliver a measured dose of reservoir contents for a full pump stroke length. Delivery of such a measured dose is particularly useful where the reservoir contents comprise a medicament. It is also useful where the measured dose is an equally divided amount of the volume of the container to be filled storage region since a user can then actuate the pump a particular number of times to reliably fill storage region. Optionally, a measured dose of reservoir contents for a full pump stroke length may be around 0.25 ml. If the container to be filled comprises a cartomiser (which may, typically, have a reservoir volume of around 2 ml), then it will be appreciated that the pump would require eight full pump stroke length actuations to completely fill the reservoir of the cartomiser from empty. Of course, the full pump stroke length may be configured to deliver other measured doses in other optional arrangements.

To assist in measuring a stroke length the dispenser may be configured to provide feedback indicative of reaching a maximum stroke length, wherein the feedback may be one or more of tactile, visual and audio feedback.

Viewed from a second aspect, there is provided a container operative with the dispenser as described above for filling the container, the container comprising:

a storage cavity for storing reservoir contents dispensed to the container from the dispenser;

an interface formation configured to receive the dispense conduit of the dispenser to open a conduit between the storage cavity and pump arrangement to permit transfer of reservoir contents from the pump arrangement to the storage cavity responsive to actuation of the pump arrangement; and wherein

the interface formation is disposed in an interface section of the container configured to fit to the open ended tube in order for the dispense conduit to engage with the interface formation.

In one or more embodiments, the interface formation comprises a rupturable membrane which is particularly suited to use with a dispenser having a sharp dispense conduit. Advantageously, the rupturable membrane comprises a self-sealing material, for example silicone, which obviates the need to provide a cap over a ruptured membrane to avoid leakage from the container to be filled due to the ruptured membrane. In particular, the membrane may be made entirely of silicone.

Suitably, the interface section is configured to be insertable into the open ended tube and in particular is configured to form a transition fit with the open ended tube. A transition fit assists in controllably guiding the interface section into the open ended tube such that it may interface with the dispense conduit and also in controllably guiding reciprocal motion of the interface section within the open ended tube for actuation of the pump arrangement.

In one or more embodiments, the interface section comprises an abutment surface configured to contact a complementary abutment surface of the pump arrangement of the dispenser such that reciprocal movement of the container in the open ended tube may actuate the pump arrangement. Thus, the container may be contacted by a user in order to actuate the pump arrangement thereby decreasing the likelihood of a user coming into contact with the dispense conduit or pump arrangement due to the intermediary provided by the interface section.

The interface section may comprise formations complementary to formations in the open ended tube and/or pump arrangement for providing positive engagement therewith in order to inhibit inadvertent separation of the container from the dispenser during operation.

The interface section typically comprises a hollow member at one end of which is the interface formation such that in use a dispense conduit can enter into the hollow member to reach the interface formation.

Suitably, the container may be configured as a container for a nicotine vapour precursor liquid for a smoking substitute device, for example configured as a cartomiser. In embodiments in which the container is configured for a smoking substitute device such as a cartomiser, it is particularly convenient for the interface section to be configured as a mouthpiece. However, the interface section may be configured as a mouthpiece for use with containers other than for smoking substitute devices.

Optionally, the container may be configured for engagement with a plug member located in the open ended tube of the dispenser. This can enable the plug member to be removed from the dispenser by exerting a pulling action on the container, relative to the dispenser, to pull the plug member from the open ended tube of the dispenser. Further optionally, the container may comprise engagement formations configured for engaging complementary engagement formations of the plug member. This may enable the plug member to be securely attached to the container to allow removal of the plug member from the dispenser.

Viewed from a third aspect, there is provided a kit of parts for forming an assembly for filling a container, comprising a dispenser as described above and a container as described above. Such a kit of parts may be provided to a consumer packaged together for the consumer's convenience.

Viewed from a fourth aspect, there is provided a kit of parts for forming a dispenser as described above, comprising:

a hollow tube closed at one end and configured at a position intermediate the closed-end and open-end to provide a support for a manually operative reciprocal pump arrangement, the hollow tube configured to form a reservoir between the position and closed end for storing contents to be dispensed;

a manually operative reciprocal pump arrangement;

a dip tube coupleable to the pump arrangement; and

a dispense conduit coupled to the pump arrangement.

Such a kit of parts is a useful collection of components for assembling a dispenser.

