MINIATURIZED INHALATION DEVICE

Abstract

Provided is a miniaturized inhalation device for inhaling at least one active ingredient through the nose, including: a U-shaped component and a first and second elongate reservoir portion which each have a cavity for receiving an active ingredient and being configured to be introduced into a nostril. The cavities each have an opening on the top side through which the active ingredient can exit from the corresponding cavity. The inhalation device also has a curved bracket portion which integrally connects the first and the second elongate reservoir portion and extends at least in a base region of the U-shaped component, and a self-holding mechanism to be held against the nose, and an integral clamping projection is arranged on the inside in the region of the first and the second elongate reservoir portion. A set comprising at least one inhalation device and one storage container may also be provided.

Claims

1. A miniaturized inhalation device for inhaling at least one active ingredient through the nose, comprising a substantially U-shaped component and a first elongate reservoir portion which has a first cavity for receiving a first amount of an active ingredient and is configured to be introduced into a first nostril, wherein the first cavity has a first top side opening through which the active ingredient can exit from the first cavity; a second elongate reservoir portion (3) which has a second cavity, which is separate from the first cavity, for receiving a second amount of the active ingredient or a different active ingredient and is configured to be introduced into a second nostril, wherein the second cavity has a second top side opening through which the active ingredient and/or the different active ingredient can exit from the second cavity; a curved bracket portion which integrally connects the first and the second elongate reservoir portion and extends at least in a base region of the U-shaped component; and a self-holding mechanism to be held against the nose, in which mechanism the first and the second elongate reservoir portion are elastically pretensioned by the curved bracket portion against a bending up movement which increases the distance between the first and the second elongate reservoir portion and an integral clamping projection is respectively arranged on the inside in the region of the first and the second elongate reservoir portion, which projections engage opposite sides of the nasal septum for holding.

2. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second elongate reservoir portions and the curved bracket portion form an integral body together with the U-shaped component, which consists of a plastics material.

3. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the curved bracket portion is flat in the cross section.

4. Miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the curved bracket portion is integrally molded on the inside of the first and the second elongate reservoir portion in each case.

5. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second elongate reservoir portion each have a cylindrical shape.

6. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second cavity each have a cylindrical shape.

7. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein, in each clamping projection, a projection tip is rounded.

8. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein each clamping projection has a triangular shape when the U-shaped component is viewed from the front.

9. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein each clamping projection is formed such that it completely overlaps with the first and second elongate reservoir portions, respectively, in the longitudinal direction.

10. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein each clamping projection has a smaller component thickness than the first and second elongate reservoir portions, when the U-shaped component is viewed from above.

11. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein each clamping projection is arranged below and at a distance from a circumferential edge of the first and second top side openings, respectively.

12. The miniaturized inhalation device according to at least claim 1, wherein the first cavity is provided with a first closure made of material permeable to the active ingredient, and the second cavity is provided with a second closure made of material permeable to the active ingredient and/or the different active ingredient; and/or a plug is arranged in the first and/or the second cavity, in which the active ingredient and/or the different active ingredient are received such that they can be dispensed.

13. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the self-holding mechanism has an edge thickening on the outer side along the circumferential edge of the first and second top side openings, respectively.

14. The miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second top side openings have an opening cross section which is substantially equal to a cavity cross section in the region of the first and the second cavity.

15. A set, comprising at least one miniaturized inhalation device according to claim 1 and a storage container for the at least one inhalation device, wherein the storage container is configured to accommodate the inhalation device, the storage container comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle which are dimensioned and shaped to at least partly accommodate the first elongate reservoir portion and the second elongate reservoir portion therein, such that the first and second cavity are sealed against the environment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0029] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a miniaturized inhalation device from the front;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the miniaturized inhalation device of FIG. 1 obliquely from the front;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a miniaturized inhalation device in cross section;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the miniaturized inhalation device of FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage container obliquely from above;

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 5 obliquely from below; and

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the storage container of FIG. 5 in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a miniaturized inhalation device 1 comprising a first and a second elongate reservoir portion 2, 3 which are integrally interconnected by a curved bracket portion 4. The curved bracket portion 4 has a flat cross section in the embodiment shown. The curved bracket portion 4 extends at least in a lower region of the U-shaped component of the miniaturized inhalation device 1.

[0038] The curved bracket portion 4 is integrally molded on the inside of the first and the second elongate reservoir portion 2, 3. It is molded on each portion 5, 6 which tapers towards the curved bracket portion 4. In the embodiment shown, the tapering portion 5, 6 forms a lower portion 2a, 3a of the elongate reservoir portions 2, 3 and is flattened on an outer side 5a, 6a.

[0039] The elongate reservoir portions 2, 3 have a round, cylindrical shape. Each opening 2c, 3c on the top side is provided at the upper end 2b, 3b, through which an active ingredient for inhalation can exit when the miniaturized inhalation device 1 together with the elongate reservoir portions 2, 3 are at least partially inserted into a nose (not shown).

[0040] The active ingredient to be inhaled is received in cavities 9, 10 which are arranged in the elongate reservoir portions 2, 3, for example in the form of cylindrical cavities, which are in fluid communication with the openings 2c, 3c. A plug, which completely or partially fills the cavity 9, 10, may be arranged in each cavity 9, 10 (not shown). The plug may be wholly or partially made of an absorbent material which contains and soaks up each active ingredient in such a way that it can then escape through the opening 2c, 3c of the cavity 9, 10 during use.

[0041] In order to hold the miniaturized inhalation device 1 on a nose, a clamping mechanism 11 having clamping projections 12, 13 is provided, which are arranged on the inside of the elongate reservoir portions 2, 3 and opposite one another. In the embodiment shown, the clamping projections 12, 13 comprise, when viewed from the front of the miniaturized inhalation device 1, a substantially triangular design, a projection tip 12a, 13a that is rounded, which is also the case for transitions 12b, 12c, 13b, 13c between the clamping projections 12, 13 and the elongate reservoir portions 2, 3.

[0042] The clamping projections 12, 13 are arranged in the region of the cavities 9, 10 and below an edge thickening 14, 15 which surrounds each opening 2c, 3c on the top side.

[0043] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of a miniaturized inhalation device in section and in perspective. The same reference numerals are used for the same features as in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The openings 2c, 3c on the top side are surrounded by the sealing edge thickening 14, 15. The cavities 9, 10 taper in a lower portion 9a, 10a. In an upper portion 9b, 10b, an expansion region 16, 17 is formed which serves to accommodate a closure 7, 8 in each case. The closures 7, 8 are permeable for inhalation of each active ingredient to be dispensed. The active ingredient to be inhaled can then be received in the cavities 9, 10 in liquid form or, as described above, absorbed in a plug. The outer circumferential wall is thinned in the extension region 16, 17 in each case.

[0044] At the transition between the lower portion 9a, 10a and the relevant upper portion 9b, 10b, or at the lower end of each expansion region 16, 17, a step 18, 19 is formed in the embodiment shown, which defines a stop for each closure 7, 8. This prevents the closures 7, 8 from entering too deeply into each cavity 9, 10, in particular into the lower portion 9a, 10a, which is provided for the liquid active ingredient or is filled with the ingredient.

[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of a storage container 20. In FIG. 7, it is shown in cross section and together with an inhalation device 1. The inhalation device 1 may be stored in the container 20, in particular when not in use and after a sealed packaging has been opened for the first time, in order to protect the inhalation device 1 and improve its shelf life, for example to preserve a fragrance of the active ingredient (hence also called “fragrance case”). For this purpose, the inhalation device 1 is inserted into an accommodating part 21 of the container 20 and the lid 22 is closed (cf. the corresponding arrows in FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the lid 22 is connected to the accommodating part 21 by a film hinge 23 and has a latching lug 28a which can latch into a corresponding recess 28b in the housing part in order to close. An eyelet 24 may be used, for example, to attach the device to a key ring.

[0046] The accommodating part 21 has two elongate receptacles 25, 26 which are adapted to the two elongate reservoir portions 2, 3 of the inhalation device 1 to be accommodated. In particular, each edge thickening 14, 15 comes into contact with a circumferential inner wall in an end region 25a, 26a of the receptacles 25, 26 such that the cavities 9, 10 (for all of the above-described embodiments of the inhalation device) are sealed against the environment and the active ingredient is preserved longer than when stored openly. The edge thickenings 14, 15 may also be pressed against the respective end of the receptacles 25, 26 for a further sealing effect when the container 20 is closed. For this purpose, corresponding structures 27 may be provided in the lid 22 which, in the closed state, press against the bracket portion 4 of the inhalation device 1. The receptacles 25, 26 also have corresponding accommodating regions 25b, 26b for the clamping projections 12, 13.

[0047] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0048] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of ‘a’ or ‘an’ throughout this application does not exclude a plurality.