U.S. patent application number 12/864258 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for inhaler.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH. Invention is credited to Jessica Frentzel-Beyme, Ralf Thoemmes.
Application Number | 20100307494 12/864258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39468818 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100307494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thoemmes; Ralf ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
INHALER
Abstract
An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation
from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is
proposed. The inhaler comprises a mouthpiece cover pivotable to
move the blister strip onward.
Inventors: |
Thoemmes; Ralf; (Willich,
DE) ; Frentzel-Beyme; Jessica; (Witten, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL P. MORRIS;BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM USA CORPORATION
900 RIDGEBURY ROAD, P. O. BOX 368
RIDGEFIELD
CT
06877-0368
US
|
Assignee: |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL
GMBH
Ingelheim am Rhein
DE
|
Family ID: |
39468818 |
Appl. No.: |
12/864258 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 23, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP09/00424 |
371 Date: |
August 18, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/203.15 ;
128/203.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 15/0036 20140204;
A61M 15/0041 20140204; A61M 2202/064 20130101; A61M 15/0051
20140204; A61M 15/0045 20130101; A61M 15/0081 20140204; A61M
15/0026 20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/203.15 ;
128/203.21 |
International
Class: |
A61M 15/00 20060101
A61M015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2008 |
EP |
08001293.3 |
Claims
1. In an inhaler (1) for delivery of an inhalation formulation from
a band-shaped blister strip (2) with a plurality of blister pockets
(3) containing the inhalation formulation in doses, comprising: a
conveyor (5) for stepwise onward movement of the blister strip (2),
a piercing member (7), an actuator (12) which is pivotally mounted
to a housing (12a) of the inhaler (1) or operable to cause the
piercing member (7) to puncture a lid (3a) of an aligned blister
pocket (3), a mouthpiece (8), and a mouthpiece cover (15) pivotable
around a cover axis (16) to open and close the mouthpiece (8), the
inhaler (1) being designed such that by breathing in during
inhalation--an air stream (9) of ambient air can be sucked or
delivered in order to discharge the respective dose from an opened
blister pocket (3) and deliver it with the ambient air as an
aerosol cloud (11), the improvement which is characterized in that
the mouthpiece cover (15) is coupled with the conveyor (5) to drive
the conveying wheel (14) and to move the blister strip (2) onward,
or that the axis of the actuator (12) or conveying wheel (14)
extends coaxial or is identical to the cover axis (16).
2. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
mouthpiece cover (15) is pivotally mounted to the housing
(12a).
3. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
mouthpiece cover (15) covers axially an axle (28) or the axis of
the actuator (12) or conveying wheel (14).
4. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
actuator (12) and the mouthpiece cover (15) have the same opening
direction.
5. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
mouthpiece cover (15) is coupled with the conveying wheel (14) via
a transmission, a freewheel, a slipping clutch or another
coupling.
6. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
actuator (12) supports the mouthpiece (8).
7. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
pivot range of the actuator (12) is smaller than the one of the
mouthpiece cover (15) or is restricted to at most 20 degrees, in
particular to about 10 degrees.
8. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
blister strip (2) is conveyed only during a portion of the opening
movement of the mouthpiece cover (15).
9. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
blister strip (2) is conveyed only during movement of the
mouthpiece cover (15) in one direction.
10. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that the actuator (12) is opened
together with or by the mouthpiece cover (15).
11. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that when the mouthpiece cover (15) is
opened completely or when the actuator (12) is closed, any movement
of the blister strip (2) is set or fixed or any rotation of the
conveying wheel (14) is blocked.
12. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that the opened actuator (12) can be
closed again only if the mouthpiece cover (15) has been fully
opened.
13. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that the mouthpiece cover (15) is
blocked against closure after the blister strip (2) has been moved
onward until the mouthpiece cover (15) has been fully opened or
until the actuator (12) has been closed again.
14. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that the mouthpiece cover (15) can be
opened more than the actuator (12) up to a first angle without
movement of the blister strip (2).
15. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
actuator (12) is lockable in its opened position, or until the
blister strip (2) has been moved onward by one blister pocket
(3).
16. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) comprises a spring (27) biasing at least one lock
element (22, 23) into a position locking the actuator (12) against
closure.
17. The inhaler according to claim 16, characterized in that the at
least one lock element (22, 23) engages into the actuator (12) when
an outer contour of the lock element (22, 23) fits with or into a
respective opening (26) of the actuator (12).
18. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the
inhaler (1) is designed such that the conveying wheel (14) can be
rotated or is unlocked only when the actuator (12) is in its opened
position.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler according to the
preamble of claim 1.
[0002] The present invention relates to an inhaler for delivery of
a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a
plurality of blister pockets (also called blisters) containing the
inhalation formulation in doses.
[0003] GB 2 407 042 A discloses an inhaler with a rolled-up blister
strip. The inhaler comprises a manually operated, pivotable
actuator which operates a conveyor for stepwise moving the blister
strip. The actuator supports a piercer and an associated
mouthpiece. By pivoting the actuator, the blister strip can be
moved forward and blister pockets of the blister strip can be
pierced one after the other. When a patient breathes in an air
stream passes through the previously pierced blister pocket, with
the result that the inhalation formulation in the blister pocket
mixes with the air and is discharged to the patient. Before use, a
mouthpiece cover of the inhaler has to be opened. The mouthpiece
cover can be pivoted around an axis that extends in a plane
perpendicular to the pivot axis of the actuator.
[0004] Object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler
with simple and/or compact construction and/or with optimized
design, handling and/or functionality.
[0005] The above object is achieved by an inhaler according to
claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are subject of the subclaims.
[0006] A pivotable mouthpiece cover is coupled with a conveyor to
move a blister strip when the mouthpiece cover is operated. This
allows a very simple construction and optimized handling.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, which
can be realized independently, the axis of the moveable mouthpiece
cover extends coaxial with or is identical to the axis of the
actuator and/or conveying wheel of the inhaler. This allows a very
simple construction and optimized handling.
[0008] Further aspects, features, properties and advantages of the
present invention are described in the claims and the subsequent
description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the
drawing. There are shown in:
[0009] FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of an inhaler without
mouthpiece cover;
[0010] FIG. 2 a schematic sectional representation of the inhaler
with closed mouthpiece cover;
[0011] FIG. 3 a schematic view of the inhaler with opened
mouthpiece cover;
[0012] FIG. 4 a side view of the mouthpiece cover;
[0013] FIG. 5 another side view of the mouthpiece cover;
[0014] FIG. 6 a side view of an actuator of the inhaler;
[0015] FIG. 7 a partial enlargement of FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 another perspective view of the actuator;
[0017] FIG. 9 a perspective view of one half of a housing of the
inhaler;
[0018] FIG. 10 a partial enlargement of FIG. 9;
[0019] FIG. 11 a perspective view of a first lock element of the
inhaler;
[0020] FIG. 12 a side view of the first lock element;
[0021] FIG. 13 a perspective view of a second lock element of the
inhaler;
[0022] FIG. 14 a side view of the second lock element;
[0023] FIG. 15 a horizontal sectional view of the inhaler;
[0024] FIG. 16 a partial vertical sectional view of the
inhaler;
[0025] FIG. 17 a perspective view of an axle of the inhaler;
[0026] FIG. 18 a perspective view of a coupling element;
[0027] FIG. 19 a perspective view of a conveying wheel of the
inhaler; and
[0028] FIG. 20 a schematic view of a freewheel of the inhaler.
[0029] In the Figures, the same reference numbers are used for
identical or similar parts, even if a repeated description is
omitted. In particular identical or corresponding advantages and
properties then also result or may be achieved.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic sectional representation an
inhaler 1. Preferably, the inhaler 1 is portable, works only
mechanically and/or is hand-held.
[0031] The inhaler 1 serves to deliver a powdered inhalation
formulation from a band-shaped blister strip 2. The blister strip 2
is finite, not forming an endless or closed loop. It has a large
number of blister pockets 3 respectively containing directly a dose
of the loose inhalation formulation. Thus, the formulation is
pre-metered.
[0032] The inhaler 1 has a reservoir 4 for the still unused blister
strip 2 with closed (sealed) blister pockets 3. The blister strip 3
is rolled up or wound up in the reservoir 4. In the representation
example the reservoir 4 is formed such that the blister strip 2 can
be moved outwards or pulled out of the reservoir 4 as easily as
possible.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the blister strip 2 is directly
received in the reservoir 4. However, instead of this a cassette, a
container, a drum or suchlike can also be fitted or inserted with
the blister strip 2 into the inhaler 1 or the reservoir 4.
[0034] The inhaler 1 has a conveyor 5 for stepwise onward movement
of the blister strip 2 in direction of arrow 5a by one blister
pocket 3 in each case, in order to feed the blister pockets 3
successively to an opening and/or removal position 6 where the
respective blister pocket 3 is opened and can be emptied.
[0035] The blister pockets 3 can be opened respectively preferably
by means of a piercing member 7 which punctures or cuts open a lid
3a of the respectively aligned blister pocket 3 in position 6. The
piercing member 7 fluidically connects the blister pocket 3 with an
adjacent mouthpiece 8 of the inhaler 1.
[0036] During or for inhalation a patient or user, not represented,
places the mouthpiece 8 in his mouth and breathes in. The
respectively opened blister pocket 3, into which the piercing
member 7 extends, is thereby emptied by sucking in. An air stream 9
of ambient air is sucked in and passed through the opened blister
pocket 3 such that the loose powder 10 (forming the inhalation
formulation and being schematically shown in FIG. 1 only in the
actually opened blister pocket 3 below mouthpiece 8) is dispensed
with the sucked-in ambient air as an aerosol cloud 11 via the
mouthpiece 8. This situation is schematically represented in FIG.
1.
[0037] The inhaler 1 has a preferably manually actuatable,
lever-like actuator 12 being pivotally mounted to a housing 12a of
the inhaler 1. The piercing member 7 and the mouthpiece 8 are
attached to and supported by the actuator 12.
[0038] The actuator 12 is pivotally supported by the housing 12a,
namely directly by at least one respective sliding bearing or
indirectly by other components as appropriate.
[0039] The actuator 12 is operable (pivotable) to cause the
piercing member 7 to puncture the lid 3a of the respectively
aligned blister pocket 3 in position 6 below the mouthpiece 8.
[0040] When the actuator 12 swivels from the position shown in FIG.
1 (here anti-clockwise) to its (partially) opened position shown in
FIG. 3, the piercing member 7 is withdrawn from the last-pierced
blister pocket 3.
[0041] Then, the blister strip 2 is moved forward by one blister
pocket 3, so that the next blister pocket 3 is moved in position 6.
This will be explained in more detail later.
[0042] When the actuator 12 swivels back into the position shown in
FIG. 1, i.e. is manually moved back, the next aligned blister
pocket 3 of the blister strip 2 is punctured by the piercing member
7 and thereby opened. Then, the inhaler 1 is activated and the next
inhalation can take place.
[0043] The inhaler 1 has a receiving space or apparatus 13 to
receive or store the used part of the blister strip 2. The
receiving space or apparatus 13 is formed such that the used part
can be wound up. FIG. 1 shows a situation with essentially filled
reservoir 4 and still essentially empty receiving space 13.
[0044] The conveyor 5 comprises a conveying wheel 14, which can
engage between the blister pockets 3 and thus convey the blister
strip 2 in form-locking or form-fit manner. This allows very secure
or precise moving or indexing of the blister strip 2 as desired
and/or necessary.
[0045] The conveyor 5 or its conveying wheel 14 is arranged between
the reservoir 4 and the receiving apparatus 13, in particular
between the removal position 6 and the receiving apparatus 13, thus
after the emptying of the blister pockets 3.
[0046] The pivot axis of the actuator 12 is coaxial with the
rotation axis of the conveying wheel 14. In particular, the
actuator 12 may be supported by an axle of the conveying wheel 14
and/or by the housing 12a.
[0047] The inhaler 1 comprises a mouthpiece cover 15. The
mouthpiece cover 15 is not shown in FIG. 1 which explains only the
basic principle of the inhaler 1, but in FIG. 2 which shows a more
realistic, but still schematic sectional view of the inhaler 1.
FIG. 2 shows the inhaler 1 with closed mouthpiece cover 15, wherein
the blister strip 2 has been partly omitted for illustration
purposes. FIG. 3 shows the inhaler 1 with completely opened
mouthpiece cover 15.
[0048] The mouthpiece cover 15 is pivotable around a cover axis 16
which is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and extends perpendicular to
the drawing plane in the present representation.
[0049] Preferably, the mouthpiece cover 15 covers axially an axle
or the axis of the actuator 12 and/or conveying wheel 14.
[0050] The pivot axis of the actuator 12 extends coaxial to or with
the cover axis 16. The rotation axis of the conveying wheel 14
extends coaxial to the cover axis 16 and to the pivot axis of the
actuator 12.
[0051] The conveyor 5 or its conveying wheel 14 is driven by the
mouthpiece cover 15, namely by the pivotal movement of the
mouthpiece cover 15. In particular, the blister strip 2 is moved
forward, when the mouthpiece cover 15 is opened. Preferably, only
part of the opening movement of the mouthpiece cover 15 actuates or
operates the conveyor 5 or its conveying wheel 14 to move the
blister strip 2 forward. In particular, the mouthpiece cover 15 is
coupled with the conveyor 5 such that indexing occurs only during
partial movement of the mouthpiece cover 15 in one direction, here
in opening direction.
[0052] When the mouthpiece cover 15 is opened starting with the
completely closed position shown in FIG. 2, in a first phase of the
opening movement, for example up to a first angle of about 10, 20,
30 or 40 degrees, in particular about 35 degrees, the blister strip
2 is not moved due to a respective freewheel (explained later)
between the mouthpiece cover 15 and the conveying wheel 14.
[0053] First of all, the actuator 12 has to be moved or opened in
order to withdraw the piercing member 7 from the previously pierced
and usually/already emptied blister pocket 3. This opening movement
of the actuator 12 can be performed manually. However, the actuator
12 preferably opens automatically or together with the mouthpiece
cover 15 when opening the mouthpiece cover 15.
[0054] In particular, the mouthpiece cover 15 is opened up to the
first angle. When the mouthpiece cover 15 reaches this angle or
reaches or exceeds the opened position of the actuator 12, the
actuator 12 can flip automatically open into its opened position
shown in FIG. 2, in particular due to a biasing or spring means
(not shown) or the like. However, it also possible and preferred in
the present embodiment that the actuator 12 moves jointly with the
mouthpiece cover 15 in the first phase of the opening movement
(e.g. due to a ratchet mechanism, a spring, a driving or coupling
means which is explained later, or the like) until the actuator 12
reaches its opened position (preferably at on opening angle of
about 5 to 15 degrees, here about 10 degrees) or the first
angle.
[0055] The opened position of the actuator 12 is preferably set
such that the piercing member 7 is not exposed to the exterior
and/or that the inhaler 1 is not completely opened in order to
avoid or at least minimize any potential external influences and/or
to optimize the handling.
[0056] In order to limit the open position of the actuator 12, the
opening or pivot range of the actuator 12 is smaller than the one
of the mouthpiece cover 15, in particular smaller than the first,
and/or is restricted to the opening angle, preferably at most 20
degrees, in particular to about 10 degrees or less.
[0057] However, it is also possible that the actuator 12 is not
limited in its opening position, but can open or pivot as far as
the mouthpiece cover 15, in particular jointly with the mouthpiece
cover 15.
[0058] During the further opening (second phase) of the mouthpiece
cover 15, the conveyor 5 or its conveying wheel 14 is actuated to
move or index the blister strip 2 by one blister pocket 3 onward to
the next blister pocket 3 that shall be emptied. In particular, the
mouthpiece cover 15 is pivoted during the second phase or indexing
independently from the actuator 12. The blister movement happens
preferably up to the complete opening of the mouthpiece cover 15
shown in FIG. 3.
[0059] Preferably, only when the mouthpiece cover 15 is opened
completely, i.e. reaches its end position and the actuator 12 is
then closed, the movement of the blister strip 2 is set or fixed by
a respective mechanism (explained later) and/or decoupled from the
mouthpiece cover movement to keep the next blister pocket 3 in
position 6 for puncturing. However, if the mouthpiece cover 15 is
not fully opened and closed again or if the actuator 12 has not
been closed after the mouthpiece cover 15 has been fully opened,
then, the blister strip 2 may be moved backward during closure of
the mouthpiece cover 15. This facilitates operation of the inhaler
1 and, in particular, prohibits that incomplete or unintended
operation of the mouthpiece cover 15 results in an undesired
movement or positioning of the blister strip 2 and eventually in an
undesired opening of the next blister pocket 3.
[0060] Preferably, a lock (explained later) is provided so that the
opened actuator 12 can be closed again only if the mouthpiece cover
15 has been fully opened and the actuator 12 has been closed. Thus,
the piercing member 7 cannot be pushed against an area of the
blister strip 2 without or beside a blister pocket 3.
[0061] When the mouthpiece cover 15 has been fully opened and the
next blister pocket 3 has been moved in position 6, the actuator 12
can be pivoted back, i.e. closed, in order to pierce the already
aligned, still closed blister pocket 3. Then, the inhaler 1 is
ready for inhalation, i.e. activated as already described.
[0062] After inhalation, the inhaler 1 can be closed by pivoting
back the mouthpiece cover 15 into its closed position.
[0063] In order to operate the conveyor 5 or its conveying wheel 14
by movement of the mouthpiece cover 15 as described above or in any
other suitable manner, the mouthpiece cover 15 is coupled with the
conveyor 5, in particular the conveying wheel 14, via the already
mentioned freewheel and/or via a suitable transmission, a slipping
clutch or any other suitable coupling or the like.
[0064] Preferably, the freewheel, transmission, coupling or the
like is integrated into or located adjacent to the conveying wheel
14 or a respective axle.
[0065] Further details of the preferred embodiment of the inhaler 1
will be explained in the following with reference to the further
figures.
[0066] The driving or coupling means for moving the actuator 12
from its closed position shown in FIG. 1 to its opened position
shown in FIG. 3 preferably comprises at least one cam or protrusion
17 cooperating with an associated recess 18. Preferably, two
protrusions 17 are provided at opposite sides at the mouthpiece
cover 15 and/or adjacent to the cover axis 16 as schematically
shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 representing different side views of the
mouthpiece cover 15. In particular, the protrusions 17 are
bolt-like or cylindrical.
[0067] Preferably, two recesses 18 are provided at or formed by the
actuator 12 (as schematically shown in the perspective side view of
the actuator 12 in FIG. 6) which cooperate with the associated
protrusions 17.
[0068] Each protrusion 17 extends or engages into its associated
recess 18 and can move along the recess 18 corresponding to the
pivotal movement or position of the mouthpiece cover 17 relative to
the actuator 12 (see also FIG. 20). Therefore, each recess 18
extends circumferentially around the cover axis 16 and/or may form
a pivotal restriction or stop for the mouthpiece cover 15.
[0069] Each recess 18 preferably comprises a holding or clamping
means, here one or two noses 19 as shown in FIG. 7 representing a
partial engagement of FIG. 6. This holding or clamping means holds
the associated protrusion 17 at a position within the recess 18
(here at one end of the recess 18) so that the actuator 12 is
pivoted together with the mouthpiece cover 15 when the mouthpiece
cover 15 is opened in the first phase. Only when the actuator 12 is
held manually in its closed position or reaches its opened
position, the protrusion 17 can overide the holding or clamping
means, here the noses 19, and freely move along the further recess
18 so that the actuator 12 is decoupled from the further pivotal
movement of the mouthpiece cover 15.
[0070] In order to clean the mouthpiece 8 it is possible for
example to hold the actuator 12 manually down when opening the
mouthpiece cover 15. In this case, the protrusions 17 directly
overwrite the cam means (noses 19). Thus, it is possible to open
the mouthpiece cover 15--at least up to the first angle--without
movement of the actuator 12 and/or without onward movement of the
blister strip 2.
[0071] The inhaler 1 preferably comprises a restriction means for
restricting the opening movement of the actuator 12. In particular,
the restricting means defines the opened position of the actuator
12. In the present embodiment, the restricting means is formed by
one or two stops 20 formed e.g. at the inner side of actuator 12
(one stop 20 is shown in the perspective view according to FIG. 8).
In particular, the stops 20 protrude from opposite sides towards
the housing 12a of the inhaler 1.
[0072] The housing 12a comprises associated counterstops 21 (one
counterstop 21 in shown in the perspective view of one half of the
housing 12a according to FIG. 9 and in FIG. 10 representing a
partial enlargement of FIG. 9) so that the stop 20 abuts at its
associated counterstop 21 when the actuator 12 reaches its opened
position. Thus, the opened position is defined and any further
opening of the actuator 12 is prevented by the abutment.
[0073] In the preferred embodiment, the counter stops 21 preferably
extend in opposite directions and/or on opposite sides of the
housing 12a.
[0074] However, other constructional solutions are possible to
realize the driving or coupling means and/or the restriction means
described above. For example, the driving or coupling means can
comprise or be formed by a spring (not shown) biasing the actuator
12 into its opened position and by a respective actuator lock to
hold the actuator 12 in the closed position as desired.
[0075] When the actuator 12 reaches its opened position it is
locked. The actuator lock preferably comprises at least one lock
element, preferably two lock elements 22 and 23 as shown in FIG. 11
to FIG. 14, for locking the actuator 12 with the housing 12a or any
other suitable component of the inhaler 1.
[0076] In particular, the locking works as follows. This
explanation focusses on one lock element 22. If the additional lock
element 23 is provided, the explanation preferably applies in a
similar manner.
[0077] The lock element 22 blocks in the locked position any
pivotation of the actuator 12 relative to the housing 12a. The lock
element 22 comprises a canted or polygonal protrusion or portion 25
(preferably square in cross section) cooperating with and extending
through a corresponding (complementary) canted or polygonal opening
24 in the housing 12a (compare FIG. 9) so that the lock element 22
cannot rotate around the axis of the actuator 12. However, the lock
element 22 is axially moveable with regard to the axis of the
actuator 12. It is biased outwards or towards a flap 29 of the
actuator 12 so that the portion 25 can axially move into a
respective opening 26 of the actuator 12 (compare FIG. 6 and FIG.
8) when the actuator 12 reaches its opened position. The opening 26
is also canted or polygonal as the opening 24 and/or in a
complementary manner to the portion 25. Thus, the actuator 12 can
be blocked by the portion 25 engaging into the opening 26 against
rotation relative to the housing 12a. This blocked state will also
be named actuator locking.
[0078] The actuator locking prevents that the actuator 12 can be
closed during movement of the blister strip 2. Thus, piercing can
be prevented during movement or any undefined positioning of the
blister strip 2.
[0079] The inhaler 1 comprises a spring 27 in order to bias the at
least one lock element 22, preferably both lock elements 22 and 23,
axially into engagement with the actuator 12 for actuator
locking.
[0080] FIG. 15 representing a horizontal section of the inhaler 1
in the plane of the axis of the actuator 12, i.e. also in the plane
of the cover axis 16 in the state when the mouthpiece cover 15 is
closed, shows the spring 27. FIG. 16 shows a partial, enlarged,
vertical, sectional view of the inhaler 1 in the plane of the axis
of the actuator 12 and the cover axis 16, i.e. perpendicular to the
section according to FIG. 15, but also in the state with closed
mouthpiece cover 15.
[0081] The spring 27 is arranged between the lock elements 22 and
23 and biases the lock elements 22, 23 axially in opposite
directions. The canted portions 25 of the lock elements 22 and 23
are guided within the associated openings 24 in the housing 12a but
do not engage into the openings 26 of the actuator 12 in the shown
state.
[0082] An axle 28 extends through the lock elements 22 and 23 and
through the preferably helical spring 27 and forms the cover axis
16. The axle 28 can rotate in or relative to the lock elements 22
and 23 which cannot rotate due to their outer from engaging with a
stationary part of the inhaler 1 such as the housing 12a. It is
noted that the lock elements 22 and 23 are essentially
mirror-symmetrical and/or have different through holes or openings
for axially inserting the axle 28.
[0083] The axle 28 extends into axial flaps 29 of the mouthpiece
cover 15 which axially cover the conveyor 5, the housing 12a, the
lock elements 22 and 23, the axle 28 and/or the conveying wheel 14.
In particular, the conveying wheel 14 is hollow. The axle 28 is
extending through the conveying wheel 14. The spring 27 is arranged
within the conveying wheel 14 and/or encompassing the axle 28.
[0084] The axle 28 is preferably driven or rotated by the
mouthpiece cover 15. Preferably, the axle 28 forms a pivotal
bearing for the mouthpiece cover 15 or vice versa. In particular,
the axle 28 forms the cover axis 16.
[0085] A coupling element 30 is arranged between the spring 27 and
each lock element 22 and 23, respectively. The coupling elements 30
are axially moveable together with the lock elements 22 and 23 on
the axle 28. However, the coupling elements 30 cannot rotate
relative to the axle 28. The coupling elements 30 are rotationally
ridgidly connected with the axle 28, in particular via radially
engaging keys 31, ridges or the like as schematically shown in FIG.
17.
[0086] In particular, each coupling element 30 comprises an inner
axial groove 32 (compare FIG. 18) into which the associated key 31,
ridge or the like can radially engage in order to rotationally
couple the coupling element 30 to the axle 28.
[0087] With closed mouthpiece cover 15 and/or with the coupling
elements in the axially inner position, the conveying wheel 14
(shown in a perspective view in FIG. 19) is rotationally decoupled
from the coupling element 30. Instead, the lock elements 22 and 23
axially engage the conveying wheel 14 in this state. In particular,
axially opened notches 33 formed in an annular portion of the lock
element 22 and 23, respectively, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14
engage with the conveying wheel 14, in particular with radially
extending ridges 34 shown in FIG. 19.
[0088] When the actuator 12 reaches its opened position and the
actuator locking is reached, the following happens. The lock
elements 22 and 23 and the coupling elements 30 move axially
outwards due to spring 27. Thus, the rotational (axial) locking
between the lock elements 22 and 23 and the conveying wheel 14 is
unlocked.
[0089] Simultaneously, the axially shifted coupling elements 30
couple the conveying wheel 14 rotationally to the axle 28. This
rotational coupling is achieved in the present embodiment by the
cooperation of inner teeth 35 of the conveying wheel 14 (compare
FIG. 19) with outer teeth 36 of the coupling element 20 (compare
FIG. 18). In particular, the tooths 35/36 are arranged in different
row circumferentially distributed and extending in axial direction,
wherein each rows consists of multiple spaced teeth 35/36. Thus,
the teeth 35 and 36 can rotationally couple and decouple the
respective coupling element 30 with the conveying wheel 14
depending on the axial position of the coupling element 30 relative
to the conveying wheel 14. However, other constructional solutions
are possible as well.
[0090] In the state of actuator locking, the conveying wheel 14 is
rotational rigidly coupled to the axle 28 as described above, i.e.
rotation of the axle 28 drives the conveying wheel 14 and, thus,
moves the blister strip 2 onwards.
[0091] As already mentioned, the mouthpiece cover 15 can be opened
further up to the first angle without onward movement of the
blister strip 2. This is preferred in order to allow a wide opening
of the mouthpiece cover 15 so that the mouthpiece cover 15 does not
disturb during inhalation. In the present embodiment, namely, a
rotational movement of the mouthpiece cover 15 of about 90.degree.
is sufficient to move the blister strip 2 by one blister pocket 3
further to the next blister pocket 3. In order to achieve a fully
opened position of the mouthpiece cover 15 that does not disturb a
user or patient (not shown) of the inhaler 1, the first angle is
preferably more than 20 degrees, in particular more than 30
degrees, preferably about 35 degrees, i.e. much greater than the
angle of the actuator 12 in its opened position. This results in an
angle much greater than 90.degree. of the mouthpiece cover 15 in
the completely opened position.
[0092] As already mentioned, a freewheel is preferably provided in
order decouple the axle 28 when the mouthpiece cover 15 is opened
up to the first angle. The freewheel is preferably formed by a
radial wing 37 of the axle 28 (see FIG. 17) cooperating with a
respective engagement portion 38 formed at the mouthpiece cover 15
(compare FIG. 4). The schematic section of the inhaler 1 in the
region of the partially opened mouthpiece cover 15 represented by
FIG. 20 explains the cooperation of the wing 37 with the engagement
portion 38. In particular, the engagement portion 38 forms a
key-hole-like recess or recessed segment so that the wing 37/axle
28 can freely rotate relative to the around cover axis 16 within a
limited angle range which permits movement of the mouthpiece cover
15 from the completely closed position to the first angle without
rotation of the axle 28. FIG. 20 shows the situation when the
mouthpiece cover 15 has reached the first angle. The engagement
portion 38 or a side wall thereof has just abutted at one side of
the wing 37. During further opening of the mouthpiece cover 15
(rotation in anti-clockwise direction in the representation
according to FIG. 20), the wing 37 and, thus, the axle 28 will be
rotated together with the mouthpiece cover 15 (second phase of
opening) until the fully opened position is reached. This rotation
of the axle 28 during the second phase drives the conveying wheel
14 via the coupled coupling elements 30 and, consequently, moves
the blister strip 2 forward by one blister pocket 3.
[0093] Other designs of the freewheel are possible as well.
Alternatively or additionally, the freewheel can be integrated or
arranged at any other position or between other components in the
drive train between the mouthpiece cover 15 and the conveying wheel
14. Further, the freewheel could be integrated into the coupling,
provided by the coupling elements 30 and the conveying wheel 14, or
any other coupling or vice versa.
[0094] FIG. 20 further shows the protrusion 17 mouthpiece cover 15
which has already left its initial position at the left-hand side
of recess 18 because the mouthpiece cover 15 has already been
opened beyond the opened position of the actuator 12, namely up to
the first angle.
[0095] When the mouthpiece cover 15 reaches its fully opened
position the mouthpiece cover 15 is preferably held in the fully
opened position by at least one cam 39 formed at the mouthpiece
cover 15 (compare FIG. 4) engaging at least one nose 40 formed at
the housing 12a (compare FIG. 9). Thus, a holding effect is
achieved. However, the holding effect is such that the engagement
of the cams 39 with the noses 40 can be released or overcome by
manually closing the mouthpiece cover 15.
[0096] When the mouthpiece cover 15 has been fully opened, the
actuator locking is preferably released. In particular, the lock
elements 22 and 23 are moved radially inwards just when the
mouthpiece cover 15 reaches its fully opened position so that the
actuator 12 can be manually closed to pierce the next blister
pocket 3 which has been aligned by the onward movement of the
blister strip 2 due to the opening of the mouthpiece cover 15. The
axial inward movement of the lock elements 22 and 23 results also
in a central alignment of the conveying wheel 14 and, thus, of the
blister pocket 3 that is to be opened. Further, this results in
rotational locking of the conveying wheel 14 by axial engagement of
the lock elements 22 and 23. In addition, the axial inward movement
of the coupling elements 30 caused by the axial inward movement of
the lock elements 22 and 23 results in decoupling of the conveying
wheel 14 form the axle 28.
[0097] The mouthpiece cover 15 comprises preferably means, such as
at least one or more ramps 41 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 which
cooperate with associated means, such as at least one or more ramps
42 on the lock elements 22 and 23 (compare FIGS. 11 to 14). The
ramps 41 and 42 extend axially and are inclined in circumferential
direction. The ramps 41 and 42 can interfere through respective
openings 43 in the actuator 12 (compare FIG. 6 and FIG. 8) and
openings 44 in the housing 12a (compare FIG. 9) and are arranged
and dimensioned such that the lock elements 22 and 23 are inwardly
pushed just when the mouthpiece cover 15 reaches its fully opened
position to unlock the actuator 12, to engage the conveying wheel
14 and to decouple the coupling elements 30 from the conveying
wheel 14.
[0098] Then, the actuator 12 can be manually closed. This results
in a rotation of the openings 26 in the actuator 12 so that the
lock elements 22 and 23 can not be axially moved outwards again
even if the mouthpiece cover 15 closed again releasing the
engagement of the ramps 41 and 42.
[0099] Preferably, the inhaler 1 has a lock against incomplete
opening of the mouthpiece cover 15 and/or against closure of the
mouthpiece cover 15 before the actuator 12 has been manually
closed. This lock is preferably formed by a ratchet mechanism. The
ratchet mechanism can be formed only on one side or on both sides
of the inhaler 1. In the present embodiment, the ratchet mechanism
is formed by engagement of the ramp 41 in associated steps or
depressions 45 before the ramp 41 interferes with its associated
ramp 42 near the fully opened position of mouthpiece cover 15. The
steps or depressions 45 are preferably formed on the associated
lock element 22 and 23, respectively. However, other constructional
solutions are possible as well.
[0100] In the present embodiment, the conveying mechanism or
conveyor 5 preferably comprises the lock elements 22 and 23, the
axle 28 and/or the coupling element 30 in addition to the conveying
wheel 14 and/or other guiding elements (not shown).
[0101] The actuator 12 preferably comprises holes 46 as shown in
FIG. 6 as inlets for air flowing into the inhaler 1.
[0102] Preferably, the terms "blister strip" and "blister pockets"
have to be understood in a very broad sense to cover also other
kinds of storage means with receptacles or even bulk storages for
the formulation.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0103] 1 inhaler [0104] 2 blister strip [0105] 3 blister pocket
[0106] 3a lid [0107] 4 reservoir [0108] 5 conveyor [0109] 5a onward
movement [0110] 6 opening and/or removal position [0111] 7 piercing
member [0112] 8 mouthpiece [0113] 9 air stream [0114] 10 powder
[0115] 11 aerosol cloud [0116] 12 actuator [0117] 12a housing
[0118] 13 receiving apparatus [0119] 14 conveying wheel [0120] 15
mouthpiece cover [0121] 16 cover axis [0122] 17 protrusion [0123]
18 recess [0124] 19 noses [0125] 20 stop [0126] 21 counterstop
[0127] 22 lock element [0128] 23 lock element [0129] 24 opening
[0130] 25 portion [0131] 26 opening [0132] 27 spring [0133] 28 axle
[0134] 29 flap [0135] 30 coupling element [0136] 31 key [0137] 32
groove [0138] 33 notch [0139] 34 ridge [0140] 35 inner tooth [0141]
36 outer tooth [0142] 37 wing [0143] 38 engagement portion [0144]
39 cam [0145] 40 nose [0146] 41 ramp [0147] 42 ramp [0148] 43
opening [0149] 44 opening [0150] 45 depression [0151] 46 hole
* * * * *