United States Patent 8,062,264: A Comprehensive Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
The United States Patent 8,062,264, titled "Fluid dispensing device," is a significant patent that pertains to the design and functionality of a hand-held, manually operable intra-nasal fluid medicament dispenser. This article delves into the details of the patent's scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Background and Context
The patent, filed under the application number US11/911,060, was granted on November 22, 2011. It is part of a series of patents held by Haleon (formerly part of GlaxoSmithKline) related to nasal spray devices, particularly those used for medicaments like Flonase[4].
Scope of the Patent
General Description
The patent describes a fluid dispensing device designed for dispensing a fluid product, such as a medicament, specifically through an intra-nasal route. The device is hand-held and manually operable, making it user-friendly for administering doses of medication directly into the nasal cavity[1].
Key Components
- Housing and Nozzle: The device features a plastics housing (e.g., ABS) with a nozzle at the upper end for insertion into the nasal cavity.
- Fluid Discharge Device: This component is housed within the housing and is capable of reciprocal translation along its longitudinal axis.
- Container and Pump: The fluid discharge device includes a container containing the medicament and a compression pump mounted on the container. The pump is actuated by moving the container upwardly in the housing[1].
Claims of the Patent
Independent Claims
The patent includes several independent claims that define the core aspects of the invention:
- Claim 1: Describes the fluid dispensing device with a housing, a nozzle, and a fluid discharge device that includes a container and a pump.
- Claim 10: Details the mechanism of actuation, including the use of finger-operable side levers that cam the container upwardly to compress the pump and dispense the medicament[1].
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further elaborate on the specific features and functionalities:
- Claim 2: Specifies the material of the housing (e.g., ABS).
- Claim 3: Describes the nozzle's design for insertion into the nasal cavity.
- Claim 4: Details the cam surfaces and cam follower surfaces that facilitate the actuation process[1].
Mechanism of Operation
Actuation Process
The device is actuated by moving a pair of opposed side levers inwardly with respect to the housing. This movement causes the container to be cammed upwardly, which in turn compresses the pump and dispenses a dose of the medicament through the nozzle[1].
Reset Mechanism
The pump is reset by its internal return spring after each actuation, allowing for repeated use until the container is empty[1].
Patent Landscape
Related Patents
The patent 8,062,264 is part of a broader portfolio of patents related to nasal spray devices held by Haleon. Other relevant patents include:
- U.S. Pats. 8,147,461; 8,347,879; 8,752,543; 9,320,862; 10,391,717: These patents cover various aspects of nasal spray devices, including design improvements and additional functionalities[4].
Design Patents
In addition to utility patents, there are also design patents related to the aesthetic and functional design of the nasal spray devices, such as U.S. Design Pats. D775,945; D856,793; D818,818; D920,093[4].
Patent Analytics and Claim Coverage
Claim Coverage Matrix
To understand the full scope of protection provided by these patents, a Claim Coverage Matrix can be used. This matrix categorizes patents by claims and scope concepts, helping to identify gaps or opportunities in the patent landscape. For instance, Schwegman’s ClaimScape® software can generate interactive claim charts to review patent coverage and determine the applicability of scope concepts to target products or methods[5].
Scope Concepts
The scope concepts of the patent claims can be categorized into high, medium, or low value based on their current and future relevance to the company. This categorization helps in prioritizing patent maintenance and identifying future design opportunities[5].
Industry Impact and Market Dominance
Market Relevance
The invention described in U.S. Patent 8,062,264 has significant market relevance, particularly in the allergy relief and respiratory medication sectors. Products like Flonase, which utilize this technology, have become market leaders due to their ease of use and effectiveness[4].
Competitive Advantage
The robust patent portfolio surrounding this technology provides a competitive advantage to Haleon, protecting their intellectual property and preventing competitors from replicating similar designs and functionalities.
Key Takeaways
- Intra-Nasal Dispensing Device: The patent describes a hand-held, manually operable device for dispensing medicaments intra-nasally.
- Mechanism of Operation: The device uses finger-operable side levers to actuate a pump and dispense the medicament.
- Related Patents: Part of a broader portfolio of patents related to nasal spray devices held by Haleon.
- Patent Analytics: Utilizing tools like Claim Coverage Matrix and ClaimScape® software to analyze and manage patent claims.
- Market Impact: Significant market relevance and competitive advantage in the allergy relief and respiratory medication sectors.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary purpose of U.S. Patent 8,062,264?
The primary purpose of U.S. Patent 8,062,264 is to describe a hand-held, manually operable intra-nasal fluid medicament dispenser.
Q2: How does the device described in the patent dispense the medicament?
The device dispenses the medicament through the actuation of a pump by moving finger-operable side levers inwardly, which cams the container upwardly to compress the pump.
Q3: What is the role of the cam surfaces and cam follower surfaces in the device?
The cam surfaces and cam follower surfaces facilitate the actuation process by allowing the container to be moved upwardly when the side levers are operated.
Q4: How is the pump reset after each actuation?
The pump is reset by its internal return spring after each actuation.
Q5: What is the significance of the patent landscape surrounding this invention?
The patent landscape, including related utility and design patents, provides a robust protection of intellectual property and helps in maintaining a competitive advantage in the market.
Sources
- US8062264B2 - Fluid dispensing device - Google Patents
- United States Design Patent (12) - Googleapis.com
- Patent Claims Research Dataset - USPTO
- Flonase - Haleon Patent Information - Productpats
- Patent Analytics | Intellectual Property Law - SLWIP
