Multi-chamber, multi-formulation fluid delivery system
The application discloses a multi-chamber, multi-formulation fluid delivery system, comprising a multi-chamber applicator in fluid communication with multi-chamber packaging. Applicators according to the instant disclosure have reduced squeeze-strength requirements, and are useful for dispensing fluids, including medicaments, to animals, including livestock animals. The multi-chamber packaging provides separate storage for formulations containing incompatible active ingredients, and is suitable for use with the multi-chamber applicator. The application also discloses methods for using the system to simultaneously deliver multiple active ingredients, at least some of which are not suitable for co-formulation, thus reducing the time, economic burden and animal stress involved with applying multiple, separate formulations to animals.
1. A multi-chamber, multi-liquid delivery system comprising:
an applicator having an outlet for delivering at least two liquids; and
a dual chamber hose coupled to the applicator for providing parallel fluid communication from packaging, the packaging comprising at least two separate containers that prevents a liquid in each container from mixing with each other prior to entering the applicator, wherein the applicator comprises at least two barrels;
each barrel comprising:
an inlet that is coupled to one chamber of the dual chamber hose;
a one-way valve adjacent to inlet for receiving fluid from the inlet, the one-way valve comprising means for limiting pressure within a respective barrel;
wherein the pressure limiting means comprises:
a first valve head and a first valve seat, wherein the first valve head can be moved from a closed position to an open position by movement of a diaphragm; and
a second valve head and second valve seat, wherein the second valve head is connected to the first valve head and moves with the first valve head, such that a pressure difference across said first valve head is substantially equal to a pressure difference across said second valve head;
a dispensing conduit that is in fluid communication with the one-way valve;
a piston for displacing fluid through the dispensing conduit;
the applicator further comprising:
a mixing chamber coupled to each dispensing conduit of each barrel for mixing fluid received from each dispensing conduit to create a mixed liquid, the mixing chamber also coupled to the outlet; and
an actuator coupled to each piston and for moving each piston within a respective barrel when a force is applied to the actuator, each piston when moved dispenses the mixed liquid from the mixing chamber through the outlet, whereby the applicator provides a mechanical advantage in reducing the force needed to actuate the actuator for dispensing the mixed liquid through the outlet.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a volume control for adjusting a fluid volume within a respective barrel received from the dual chamber hose.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the volume control is coupled to the mixing chamber.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a disc.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the disc is coupled to a spring.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the means for limiting pressure comprises a force transfer component coupled to the spring and a ring hub, and a flexible diaphragm that engages the ring hub and a clamp ring.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a first handle coupled to a first end of each piston and a second handle coupled to the mixing chamber.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the two containers are coupled together by a fastening device.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the fastening device comprises at least one bracket for holding the two containers together when they are coupled to the dual chamber hose.
10. A multi-chamber, multi-formulation delivery system comprising:
an applicator having an outlet for delivering at least two liquid formulations, the applicator comprises at least two barrels;
each barrel comprising:
an inlet;
a one-way valve adjacent to inlet for receiving fluid from the inlet, the one-way valve comprising means for limiting pressure within a respective barrel;
wherein the pressure limiting means comprises:
a first valve head and a first valve seat, wherein the first valve head can be moved from a closed position to an open position by movement of a diaphragm; and
a second valve head and second valve seat, wherein the second valve head is connected to the first valve head and moves with the first valve head, such that a pressure difference across said first valve head is substantially equal to a pressure difference across said second valve head;
a dispensing conduit that is in fluid communication with the one-way valve;
a piston for displacing fluid through the dispensing conduit;
the applicator further comprising:
a mixing chamber coupled to each dispensing conduit of each barrel for mixing fluid received from each dispensing conduit to create a mixed formulation liquid, the mixing chamber also coupled to the outlet; and
an actuator coupled to each piston and for moving each piston within a respective barrel when a force is applied to the actuator, each piston when moved dispenses the mixed formulation liquid from the mixing chamber through the outlet, whereby the applicator provides a mechanical advantage in reducing the force needed to actuate the actuator for dispensing the mixed formulation liquid through the outlet.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a dual chamber hose coupled to the applicator for providing parallel fluid communication from packaging.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the packaging comprises at least two separate containers, each container comprising a different liquid formulation.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the two containers are coupled together by a fastening device.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the fastening device comprises at least one bracket for holding the two containers together when they are coupled to the dual chamber hose.
15. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a volume control for adjusting a fluid volume within a respective barrel received from the dual chamber hose.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the volume control is coupled to the mixing chamber.
17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a disc.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the disc is coupled to a spring.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the means for limiting pressure comprises a force transfer component coupled to the spring and a ring hub, and a flexible diaphragm that engages the ring hub and a clamp ring.
20. The system of claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises a first handle coupled to a first end of each piston and a second handle coupled to the mixing chamber.
21. A multi-chamber, multi-formulation delivery system comprising:
an applicator having an outlet for delivering at least two liquid formulations, the applicator comprises at least two barrels;
each barrel comprising:
an inlet;
a one-way valve adjacent to inlet for receiving fluid from the inlet, the one-way valve comprising a pressure relief device for limiting pressure within a respective barrel;
wherein the pressure limiting device comprises:
a first valve head and a first valve seat, wherein the first valve head can be moved from a closed position to an open position by movement of a diaphragm; and
a second valve head and second valve seat, wherein the second valve head is connected to the first valve head and moves with the first valve head, such that a pressure difference across said first valve head is substantially equal to a pressure difference across said second valve head;
a dispensing conduit that is in fluid communication with the one-way valve;
a piston for displacing fluid through the dispensing conduit;
the applicator further comprising:
a mixing chamber coupled to each dispensing conduit of each barrel for mixing fluid received from each dispensing conduit to create a mixed formulation liquid, the mixing chamber also coupled to the outlet; and
an actuator coupled to each piston and for moving each piston within a respective barrel when a force is applied to the actuator, each piston when moved dispenses the mixed formulation liquid from the mixing chamber through the outlet, whereby the applicator provides a mechanical advantage in reducing the force needed to actuate the actuator for dispensing the mixed formulation liquid through the outlet.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a disc.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the disc is coupled to a spring.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the pressure relief device comprises a force transfer component coupled to the spring and a ring hub, and a flexible diaphragm that engages the ring hub and a clamp ring.
25. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a dual chamber hose coupled to the applicator for providing parallel fluid communication from packaging.
26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the packaging comprises at least two separate containers, each container comprising a different liquid formulation.
27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the two containers are coupled together by a fastening device.
28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the fastening device comprises at least one bracket for holding the two containers together when they are coupled to the dual chamber hose.
29. The system of claim 27 , wherein the fastening device comprises two brackets for holding the two containers together.
30. The system of claim 24 , further comprising a volume control for adjusting a fluid volume within a respective barrel received from the dual chamber hose.
31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the volume control is coupled to the mixing chamber.