IP Library Granted Patent US 8,771,242
Granted Patent B2
US 8,771,242 · App. 13/994,438 · Granted Jul 8, 2014

Visually aligning dispensing unit

Inventor: Christopher John Buntel (Singapore, SG)
Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,771,242
App. No.
13/994,438
Filed
Jun 14, 2013
Granted
Jul 8, 2014
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3761
USPC
604/290
Abstract

Dispensing units and methods for using dispensing units to apply eye drops to an eye of a user are disclosed. A dispensing unit may include a dispensing barrel having a dispensing orifice and one or more concentric rings. A particular dispensing unit has one concentric ring that is disposed around the circumference of the dispensing barrel and is configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user. An alternate dispensing unit has first and second rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel that are configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user by one or more of color mixing or polarization techniques.

Claims (8)

1. A method for applying eye drops to an eye of a user, the method comprising:

placing a dispensing unit above the eye of the user in a dispensing configuration, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a dispensing barrel and one or more concentric rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel, wherein the one or more concentric rings comprise a first ring having a first color and a second ring having a second color that differs from the first color, and wherein the dispensing configuration comprises having the dispensing barrel disposed towards the eye of the user;

aligning the dispensing unit so that the one or more concentric rings provide a visual indication of alignment above the eye of the user, wherein aligning the dispensing unit comprises aligning the first and second rings such that a user perceives a complete ring having a third color, wherein the third color comprises a combination of the first color and the second color; and

dispensing one or more eye drops from the dispensing unit to the eye of the user.

2. A method for applying eye drops to an eye of a user, the method comprising:

placing a dispensing unit above the eye of the user in a dispensing configuration, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a dispensing barrel and one or more concentric rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel, wherein the one or more concentric rings comprise a first ring having a first polarization and a second ring having a second polarization that differs from the first polarization, and wherein the dispensing configuration comprises having the dispensing barrel disposed towards the eye of the user;

aligning the dispensing unit so that the one or more concentric rings provide a visual indication of alignment above the eye of the user, wherein aligning the dispensing unit comprises aligning the first and second rings such that a user perceives a complete dark ring, wherein the complete dark ring results from the differing polarization of the first and second rings; and

dispensing one or more eye drops from the dispensing unit to the eye of the user.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED ON JANUARY 29, 2019, AT REEL/FRAME 048373/0217 Recorded Jun 22, 2026
From: CRESTLINE DIRECT FINANCE, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 075799/0053 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED ON JANUARY 29, 2019 AT REEL 048373 FRAME 0217 Recorded Sep 22, 2025
From: CRESTLINE DIRECT FINANCE, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 072936/0464 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2019
From: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
To: CRESTLINE DIRECT FINANCE, L.P.
Reel/Frame 048373/0217 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61612663 · Mar 19, 2012
Related Publication 20140058341A1 · Feb 27, 2014