WO2013114111A1

WO2013114111A1 - Pill dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013114111A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert GAMES
Original assignee: A P Services (Uk) Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-01-30
Filing date: 2013-01-30
Publication date: 2013-08-08
Also published as: GB201201522D0; GB2498796B; GB2498796A

Abstract

A pill dispensing device (2) for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user is disclosed. The device (2) comprises a container (4) having an opening (30) and a cap (6) operable to engage the container (4) and close the opening (30). The container (4) comprises a liquid reservoir (16) and a dispensing chamber (22) separated from the liquid reservoir (16) by a filtering element (40). The dispensing chamber (22) comprises an air vent (36).

Description

PILL DISPENSING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many different medicinal, dietary and other preparations are supplied in the form of individual pills, tablets or capsules that must be swallowed whole. For the purposes of the present specification, the term pill will be used to refer to all such tablet, capsule or equivalent forms. Frequently, such preparations are supplied with a coating or are assembled in such a manner as to ensure timed release of their active ingredients. It is therefore imperative that the pills be swallowed whole as intended by the manufacturer, rather than crushed or dissolved before ingestion.

A significant portion of the population may experience difficulty with swallowing pills at some stage during their life. For example, in young children and in the elderly, control over the muscles of the throat and the swallowing reflex may not be sufficient to allow for easy swallowing of pills. Patients suffering from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, or experiencing reduced motor control following a stroke or other incident may also not have full control over the swallowing action. Those bedridden through illness or injury may have particular difficulty in taking pills, exacerbated by the angling of the head which is often required for such patients and which inhibits the swallowing motion. In addition to those with particular difficulties, many people simply find the experience of swallowing pills uncomfortable or unpleasant, owing to the taste or size of the pills or to the frequent tendency of pills to tick in the mouth.

In order to address this issue, it is known to provide an aid to swallowing pills, for example in the form of a lid or cap that may be placed over a container of water and in which a pill may be supported. The act of drinking the water through the cap washes the pill out of the cap and into the user's mouth, thus avoiding the need to first place the pill in the mouth and then take a mouthful of water to wash it down. A cap of this type is disclosed in US publication US2006/011639. While such devices provide basic assistance for the process of pill swallowing, issues remain with their efficacy, ease of use and suitability both for transportation and for use anywhere outside of a standard hospital environment. The present invention seeks to provide an improvement to such known aids to pill swallowing.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

For the purposes of the following statements, description and claims, the term "pill" includes within its scope all tablets, capsules and other formations comprising a relatively small mass of material, including those comprising a homogeneous mass and those which may comprise a first material encased within a coating or skin of a second material.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising: a container having an opening, and a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening; wherein the container comprises a liquid reservoir and a dispensing chamber separated from the liquid reservoir by a filtering element; and wherein the dispensing chamber comprises an air vent.

The air vent may comprise an angled opening formed in a wall of the dispensing chamber.

The cap may comprise an air vent seal, operable to seal the air vent when the cap is engaged on the container. The seal may for example comprise an annular sealing element which may be received within a corresponding groove formed in an internal surface of the cap.

The container may further comprise a deflector plate adjacent the air vent. The deflector plate may extend inside the dispensing chamber, and may at least partially cover the air vent opening so as to deflect liquid flowing past the air vent from passing through the air vent opening.

The cap may comprise a main seal, operable to seal the opening when the cap is engaged on the container. The main seal may for example comprise a disc of sealing material, which may be received and held within the cap.

The filtering element may comprise a grid which may be mounted within the container between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber. The deflector plate may be mounted on the grid, extending towards the opening to deflect passing liquid away from the air vent.

The dispensing chamber may define a mouth piece, which mouth piece may define the opening of the container. The mouth piece may narrow towards the opening of the container. The mouth piece may comprise a main body and a bridge portion, which bridge portion may comprise one of a planar portion or a concavely curved portion. The main body of the mouth piece may be convexly curved. In this manner, the shape of the mouth piece may act to accelerate liquid through the opening of the container, dispensing a pill held in the dispensing chamber directly into the mouth of a user.

The air vent may be located adjacent the bridge portion of the mouth piece.

An internal surface of the dispensing chamber may comprise a plurality of surface projections. The surface projections may comprise ribs which may extend towards the opening of the container. A height of the ribs may diminish towards the opening of the container.

The cap of the dispensing device may engage the container via a screw thread. Screw threads may be formed on an internal surface of the cap and on an external surface of the container. The container threads may be formed at a base region of the dispensing chamber. According to one embodiment, the dispensing chamber, liquid reservoir and filtering element may be integrally formed. In another embodiment, the dispensing chamber, liquid reservoir and filtering element may comprise distinct components which may be assembled to form the container.

The cap may further comprise a pill storage chamber. The pill storage chamber may be located immediately above the main seal which seals the opening of the container. The pill storage chamber may be closed by a lid, which lid may be connected to the cap by a living hinge.

The pill dispensing device may further comprise a disposable seal which may encase the container and cap. In this manner, the device may be charged with potable liquid and with one or more pills and then sealed for transport and distribution. The disposable seal may be removed by an eventual user before employing the device to swallow the pill(s) contained within it.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising: a container having an opening; and a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening; wherein the container comprises an air vent; and wherein the cap comprises an air vent seal, operable to seal the air vent when the cap is engaged on the container. The air vent may comprise an angled opening in a wall of the dispensing chamber. The air vent seal may for example comprise an annular sealing element which may be received within a corresponding groove formed in an internal surface of the cap.

The cap may further comprise a main seal, operable to seal the opening when the cap is engaged on the container. The main seal may for example comprise a disc of sealant material which may be received and held within the cap.

The container may comprise a liquid reservoir and a dispensing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The dispensing chamber may define a mouth piece, which mouth piece may define the opening of the container. The mouth piece may narrow towards the opening of the container. The mouth piece may comprise a main body and a bridge portion, which bridge portion may comprise one of a planar portion or a concavely curved portion. The main body of the mouth piece may be convexly curved. In this manner, the shape of the mouth piece may act to accelerate liquid through the opening of the container, dispensing a pill held in the dispensing chamber directly into the mouth of a user.

The air vent may be located adjacent the bridge portion of the mouth piece.

An internal surface of the dispensing chamber may comprise a plurality of surface projections. The surface projections may comprise ribs extending towards the opening of the container. A height of the ribs may diminish towards the opening of the container. The liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber may be separated by a filtering element, which filtering element may comprise a grid mounted within the container between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber. The cap of the dispensing device may engage the container via a screw thread. Screw threads may be formed on an internal surface of the cap and on an external surface of the container. The container threads may be formed at a base region of the dispensing chamber. According to one embodiment, the dispensing chamber, liquid reservoir and filtering element may be integrally formed. In another embodiment, the dispensing chamber, liquid reservoir and filtering element may comprise distinct components which may be assembled to form the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising: a container having an opening; and a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening; wherein the cap comprises a pill storage chamber.

The pill storage chamber may be closed by a lid which may be connected to the cap by a living hinge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supplying pills using a pill dispensing device according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention, the method comprising: at least partially filling the liquid reservoir with a potable liquid; enclosing one or more pills in the pill storage compartment; engaging the cap on the container to seal the potable liquid in the container; sealing the dispensing device with a disposable seal; and distributing the device to a user. It will be appreciated that in addition to where expressly indicated, features described in connection with one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into another aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example to the following drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pill dispensing device in a closed condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pill dispensing device of Figure 1 with an open lid; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pill dispensing device of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the pill dispensing device of Figures 1 to 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODFMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a pill dispensing device 2 comprises a container 4 and a cap 6, which is releasably engaged on the container 4 via cooperating screw threads 8, 10. The device 2 is of substantially cylindrical form, exhibiting also a slight longitudinal convex curvature. Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4, the container 4 comprises a base portion 12, substantially in the form of a cup or beaker, and an upper portion 14, received on the base portion 12 to complete the container 4. The base portion 12 defines within it a liquid reservoir 16, within which potable liquid may be stored, as described in further detail below. The upper portion 14 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 18 and a mouth piece 20 extending from the body 18. Together, the body 18 and mouth piece 20 define a dispensing chamber 22, within which a pill may be placed for dispensing into the mouth of a user, again as described in further detail below.

The body 18 of the upper portion 14 comprises a protruding outer rim 24 from which a cylindrical skirt 26 extends in a downward direction (as viewed in the Figures). The skirt 26 is received within an upper region of the base portion 12 such that the outer rim 24 of the body 18 rests on an upper rim surface 28 of the base portion 12. On the opposite side of the outer rim 24, the body 18 carries an external screw thread 8. The mouth piece 20 extends substantially upwardly from the body 18, narrowing towards an opening 30.

The mouth piece 20 is shaped to accelerate liquid flowing through it out of the opening 30 and into the mouth of a user. A main part 32 of the mouth piece 20 extends around an angle of approximately 230 to 270 degrees. In addition to narrowing towards the opening 30, the main part 32 of the mouth piece 20 exhibits a slight convex curvature from the base of the mouth piece 20 to the opening 30. Completing the remaining approximately 130 to 90 degrees of the mouth piece 20 is a bridge portion 34, which extends substantially directly across the device 2 and exhibits a slight concave curvature from a base of the bridge portion 34 to the opening 30. Viewed from above, the opening 30 thus comprises a D shape, with the bridge portion 34 forming the straight section of the D, and the main part 32 forming the curve of the D. In use, the device 2 is held such that the main part 32 of the mouth piece 20 is received on the lower lip of a user, with the bridge portion 34 uppermost. If the user elects to completely enclose the mouth piece 20 with the mouth, the bridge portion 34 rests against the upper lip of the user. The precise curvature of the mouth piece 20 may be varied as required. However, it is desirable to ensure that the mouth piece 20 is directed towards that part of the device 2 that will be uppermost in use. In this manner, the head tilt required by the user in order to tip the contents of the device 2 into the mouth is minimised, reducing strain on the swallowing action.

An air vent 36 opens through the body 18 of the upper portion 14 of the container 4. The air vent 36 is located adjacent and immediately below the bridge portion 34 of the mouth piece 20. The air vent comprises a substantially vertical slit 38 formed in the body 18 allowing fluid communication between the dispensing chamber 22 and the exterior of the container 4. Received within the upper portion 14 of the container 4 is a filtering element 40 in the form of a grid. The grid 40 is held within the body 18 of the upper portion 14, at the level of the projecting outer rim 24. Tabs 42 projecting radially from a rim of the grid 40 are received in recesses 44 formed in the skirt 26 of the upper portion 14, securing the grid 40 to the upper portion 14. The grid 40 occupies the entire cross section of the container 4, thus separating the liquid reservoir 16 of the base portion 12 from the dispensing chamber 22 of the upper portion 14. The openings in the grid allow for fluid communication between the liquid reservoir 16 and the dispensing chamber 22. However, the openings are sufficiently small to ensure that a pill cannot pass through the grid, and thus a pill placed through the opening 30 into the dispensing chamber 22 remains within the dispensing chamber 22, supported on the grid 40. A deflector plate 46 projects vertically upwards from an edge region of the grid 40. The grid 40 is oriented within the upper portion 14 such that the deflector plate projects in the region of the air vent 36. When the grid 40 is received within the upper portion 14, the deflector plate 46 extends at least to the level of the air vent 36, forming a barrier to prevent passage of liquid through the air vent 36.

An internal surface of the upper portion 14, which defines the dispensing chamber 22, comprises a plurality of ribs 48, extending substantially vertically from the level of the grid 40 towards the opening 30. A height of the ribs 48 in a radial direction may vary, such that the height of the ribs 48 reduces towards the opening 30. Ribs 48 in the region of the bridge portion 34 of the mouth piece 20 may extend only along the inside surface of the body 18, and not along the bridge portion 34 of the mouth piece 20. The ribs 48 serve to present a discontinuous surface to a pill contained within the dispensing chamber 22, reducing the possibility of a pill sticking to a surface of the chamber, particularly on contact with a liquid.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, the cap 6 of the device 2 is shaped to encase the upper portion 14 of the container 4 as far as the projecting outer rim 22. The cap 6 thus comprises a hollow structure having a circular end wall 50 and a substantially cylindrical projecting outer wall 52. The outer wall 52 may exhibit a slight convex curvature from the end wall 50 to a rim 54 of the outer wall 52, as illustrated in the Figures. Towards the rim 54 of the outer wall 52, on an inside surface of the cap 6, is formed a screw thread 10. This screw thread 10 engages the screw thread 8 formed on the body 18 of the upper portion 14 to engage the cap 6 on the container 4, closing the opening 30. A main seal 56 is received and held within the cap 6, immediately adjacent the end wall 50. The main seal 56 comprises a disc of sealant material which may be a resilient material and which engages and seals the opening 30 when the cap 6 is screwed onto the container 4. The main seal 56 may be held adjacent the end wall 50 by the surrounding portion of the outer wall 52. A substantially vertically oriented circular groove 58 extends around the inside surface of the outer wall 52, above the screw thread 10. The outer wall 52 may be thickened in a mid region to allow for the formation of the groove 58. The groove 58 opens downwards and held within the groove 58 is an air vent seal 60. The air vent seal 60 comprises a ring of sealant material which may be a resilient material, an upper rim 62 of which is shaped to be received within the groove 58. An upwardly facing projecting annular shoulder 64 may be formed on an inner surface of the seal to engage an edge of the groove 58. The seal 60 tapers from the annular shoulder 64 towards a lower rim 66. When engaged in the groove 58, the lower rim 66 of the seal 60 is positioned just above the screw thread 10.

On an outer, upper surface of the end wall 50 of the cap 6, a circular wall 68 projects upwards to define a low cylindrical pill storage chamber 70. The pill storage chamber 70 is closed by a lid 72 that engages the wall 68 via a cooperating annular ridge 74 formed on the wall, and annular groove formed in the lid. The lid is connected to the remainder of the cap 6 via a strip of material that forms a living hinge 76. The lid 72 and cap 6 may thus be an integrally formed component.

According to one embodiment, the pill dispensing device 2 is supplied to a user in an assembled but empty condition. If a user desires immediate assistance with swallowing a pill, the user unscrews the cap 6 from the container 4, at least partially fills the liquid reservoir 16 with water by pouring the water through the opening 30, through the grid 40 and into the reservoir 16. The user then places a pill to be swallowed into the dispensing chamber 22, where it is retained by the grid 40. The user then raises the mouth piece 20 to the mouth and tips the contents of the container 4 into the mouth. Water from the reservoir 16 passes through the grid 40 and sweeps the pill out of the dispensing chamber 22, into the mouth and down the throat of the user. The structure of the mouth piece 20 encourages water to accelerate through the distribution chamber 22 and into the mouth, ensuring that the pill is passed swiftly to the back of the throat and swallowed, often without the user being aware of swallowing anything more than a mouthful of water. The ribs 48 on the inside of the distribution chamber 22 support the pill away from the inside surface of the container 4 and reduce surface tension, assisting the flow of water through the mouth piece 20 and into the mouth. The air vent 36 allows air to enter the container 4, replacing the water exiting though the opening 30 and ensuring pressure within the container 4 remains constant and does not therefore impede the flow of water. This is particularly important for users who choose to encircle the mouth piece 20 with the mouth, sealing the opening 30. The deflector plate 46 ensures that any splashing water adjacent the air vent 36 does not escape via the air vent 36 or block the air vent 36, preventing it from functioning. It will be appreciated that placing the air vent 36 in the uppermost position when the device 2 is in use ensures that the air vent 36 is in the optimum position to allow inflow of air into the container 4. If a user requires assistance with pill swallowing at a later or unspecified time, the user may prepare the device 2 in advance and take it with them during the day or night. The user first fills the liquid reservoir 16 with the desired amount of water. The user then places the required pills into the pill storage chamber 70 and closes the lid 72. Finally, the user screws the cap 6, with pill in the storage chamber 70, onto the container 4. The act of screwing the cap 6 onto the container 4 brings the main seal 56 into sealing engagement with the opening 30 and the air vent seal 60 into sealing engagement with the air vent 36. In this manner, the container 4 is completely sealed; ensuring water cannot escape from the device 2. The device 2 may then be placed into a pocket or hand bag and carried until required. Being already charged with the necessary liquid, the device 2 ensures the pill(s) carried within the device may be taken at any time, regardless of whether there is a convenient source of water nearby. It will be appreciated that the location of the air vent 36 immediately adjacent and below the bridge portion 34 of the mouth piece 20, assists in sealing the air vent 36. The angle of the adjacent mouth piece assists in ensuring a sealing engagement between the air vent 36 and the air vent seal 60.

According to another embodiment, the pill dispensing device 2 is supplied to a user ready charged with both water and a pill or pills. This may be particularly useful for distribution for example, in developing countries or in disaster zones or to military personnel. In such areas, and for such personnel, potable water for swallowing pills may not always be readily available. Particularly in disaster zones, exhaustion or illness may also make swallowing of pills particularly difficult. According to this embodiment, the device 2 is first charged with the necessary liquid and pills in the liquid reservoir 16 and pill storage chamber 70 respectively. The pills may include medicines or dietary supplements. The cap 6 is then screwed in place to seal the container 4 and the lid 72 of the pill storage chamber 70 is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the entire device 2 is then sealed, for example within a disposable plastic wrapper, before being sent for storage, shipping or distribution. The disposable plastic wrapper both provides an additional layer of protection and acts as a tamper evident device, confirming to a user that the contents of the device are safe, sanitary and have not been interfered with. When the pills are required, the user may remove and discard the disposable wrapper, unscrew the cap 6, place the pill(s) in the distribution chamber 22 and then swallow the pills as described above.

It will be appreciated that the device 2 may be specially adapted, for example in appearance, material choice or in size, to conform to the needs of younger users, of the elderly or for hospital environments where a single use device may be desired in order to avoid the need for subsequent washing and sterilisation.

Claims

1. A pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising:

a container having an opening; and

a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening;

wherein the container comprises a liquid reservoir and a dispensing chamber separated from the liquid reservoir by a filtering element;

and wherein the dispensing chamber comprises an air vent.

2. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap comprises an air vent seal, operable to seal the air vent when the cap is engaged on the container.

3. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the container further comprises a deflector plate adjacent the air vent.

4. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cap comprises a main seal, operable to seal the opening when the cap is engaged on the container.

5. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtering element comprises a grid mounted within the container between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber.

6. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing chamber defines a mouth piece, which mouth piece defines the opening of the container.

7. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mouth piece narrows towards the opening of the container.

8. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the mouth piece comprises a main body and a bridge portion.

9. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bridge portion is one of a planar portion or a concavely curved portion.

10. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the main body is convexly curved.

11. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the air vent is located adjacent the bridge portion of the mouth piece.

12. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an internal surface of the dispensing chamber comprises a plurality of surface projections.

13. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the surface projections comprise ribs extending towards the opening of the container.

14. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a height of the ribs diminishes towards the opening of the container.

15. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap engages the container via a screw thread.

16. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap further comprises a pill storage chamber.

17. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pill storage chamber is closed by a lid.

18. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lid is connected to the cap by a living hinge.

19. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a disposable seal encasing the container and cap.

20. A pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising:

a container having an opening; and

a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening;

wherein the container comprises an air vent;

and wherein the cap comprises an air vent seal, operable to seal the air vent when the cap is engaged on the container.

21. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the cap further comprises a main seal, operable to seal the opening when the cap is engaged on the container.

22. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the container comprises a liquid reservoir and a dispensing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir.

23. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the dispensing chamber defines a mouth piece, which mouth piece defines the opening of the container.

24. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the mouth piece narrows towards the opening of the container.

25. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the mouth piece comprises a main body and a bridge portion.

26. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the bridge portion is one of a planar portion or a concavely curved portion.

27. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein the main body is convexly curved.

28. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the air vent is located adjacent the bridge portion of the mouth piece.

29. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein an internal surface of the dispensing chamber comprises a plurality surface projections.

30. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the surface projections comprise ribs extending towards the opening of the container.

31. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 30, wherein a height of the ribs diminishes towards the opening of the container.

32. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 31, wherein the liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber are separated by a filtering element.

33. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the filtering element comprises a grid mounted within the container between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing chamber.

34. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the cap engages the container via a screw thread.

35. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 34, wherein the cap further comprises a pill storage chamber.

36. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 35, wherein the pill storage chamber is closed by a lid.

37. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the lid is connected to the cap by a living hinge.

38. A pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 37, further comprising a disposable seal encasing the container and cap.

39. A pill dispensing device for dispensing a pill into the mouth of a user, the device comprising:

a container having an opening; and a cap operable to engage the container and close the opening;

wherein the cap comprises a pill storage chamber.

40. A pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the pill storage chamber is closed by a lid connected to the cap by a live hinge.

41 A pill dispensing device substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 42. A method of supplying pills using a pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

at least partially filling the liquid reservoir with a potable liquid;

enclosing one or more pills in the pill storage compartment;

engaging the cap on the container to seal the potable liquid in the container;

sealing the dispensing device with a disposable seal; and

distributing the device to a user.