Manually actuatable inhaler

Abstract

A hand operable inhalator for dispensing a powdery substance, in particular a pharmaceutical substance, with a supply chamber, a discharge channel and a dosing chamber, wherein the discharge channel protrudes into the supply chamber, and the dosing chamber and discharge channel can be moved relative to each other. In order to indicate an inhalator for dispensing a powdery substance that makes the dosing chamber advantageously fillable, the discharge channel can be rotated around a rotational axis, and that the dosing chamber can be filled while the discharge channel rotates. The inhalator can have a dosing chamber that can be moved from a closed into an open state and vice versa. The inhalator can have a discharge channel that incorporates a turbulence means, which has a helically running wall and is to carry a flow while discharging air provided with the substance.

Claims

1. A hand operable inhalator (1) for dispensing a powdery substance, comprising: a supply chamber, a discharge channel (13) and a dosing chamber (19), wherein the discharge channel protrudes into the supply chamber (12), and the dosing chamber (19) and discharge channel (13) can be moved relative to each other, wherein the discharge channel (13) can be rotated around a rotational axis (A), and wherein the dosing chamber (19) can be filled while the discharge channel (13) rotates, wherein a side of the dosing chamber (19) lying opposite the discharge channel (13) has an opening that can be closed by a plug (28), wherein the dosing chamber (19) can be lifted from the plug (28), and wherein the dosing chamber (19) can be moved together with the discharge channel (13).

2. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis (A) runs at least partially along a transport direction prescribed by the discharge channel (13) for the substance transported in the discharge channel.

3. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the dosing chamber (19) is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotational axis of the discharge channel (13).

4. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the dosing chamber (19) is separate from the discharge channel (13).

5. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the dosing chamber (19) is located on the a floor side of the supply chamber (12).

6. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge channel (13) has a foot, which, as the discharge channel (13) rotates, releases the dosing chamber (19) for filling purposes.

7. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein a lower side of the discharge channel (13) runs in-plane with a floor (22) of the supply chamber.

8. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge channel (13) has an angled progression relative to a flow path formed therein.

9. The inhalator according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the supply chamber (12) together with the discharge channel (13) can be moved relative to the mouthpiece (4) so as to displace the dosing chamber (19) from a closed into an open state and vice versa.

10. The inhalator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge channel (13) incorporates a turbulence means (14), which has a helically running wall and is configured to carry a flow while discharging air provided with the substance, wherein the helically running wall divides the air flowing through the discharge channel into partial flows (T.sub.1, T.sub.2) guided thereafter in an entry area, and the first partial flows (T.sub.1, T.sub.2) ensuing in a direction of flow in an interruption area are divided into second partial flows (T.sub.3, T.sub.4) that are thereafter guided adjacent to one another, wherein at least one of the second partial flows (T.sub.3, T.sub.4) is based on a convergence of portions of both first partial flows (T.sub.1, T.sub.2).

11. The inhalator according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece that has an orifice plane, and a closing cap (2) configured for flashing the mouthpiece (4) and one end of the discharge channel (13) allocated to the mouthpiece (4), wherein the discharge channel (13) can be moved relative to the mouthpiece (4) from a first position in which the end of the discharge channel (13) is closer to the orifice plane, into a second position in which the end of the discharge channel (13) is further away from the orifice plane, and vice versa, and wherein an influencing section is provided on the closing cap (2) so as to cause the discharge channel (13) or supply chamber (12) to move from the first position into the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will further be explained below based on the drawing, which only presents an exemplary embodiment. Shown here on:

(2) FIG. 1 is an outer view of the inhalator on the side having a counter display;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inhalator;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective, longitudinal section through the inhalator;

(5) FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the inhalator while unscrewing the covering cap;

(6) FIG. 5 is another longitudinal section through the inhalator with filled dosing chamber;

(7) FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section according to FIG. 5, with the discharge channel moved over the dosing chamber and the dosing chamber lifted off of the plug;

(8) FIG. 7 is an outer view of the discharge channel;

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross section through the object according to FIG. 7, cut along the VIII-VIII line;

(10) FIG. 9 is an outer view of the mouthpiece with rear part;

(11) FIG. 10 is a view of the inhalator from above with closing cap removed;

(12) FIG. 11 is a lower side of the closing cap, and

(13) FIG. 12 is a separate, perspective illustration of the turbulence means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(14) Illustrated and described is an inhalator 1 for dispensing a powdery substance. In particular, the powdery substance is a pharmaceutical substance. The powder can contain an active agent, which can be removed from the inhalator by the user through inhalation.

(15) Visible in the view on FIG. 1 is an upper closing cap 2, and below that a rear part 3, which as yet to be explained below can be designed integrally with a mouthpiece 4. There is also a floor part 5 having a window 6 in the view on FIG. 1. A counting ring 7 of a counter preferably provided in the floor part can be visible through the window 6.

(16) As evident, the inhalator 1 has an essentially cylindrical shape. In the exemplary embodiment and preferably, an upper part of the closing cap 2 is shaped so as to conically taper toward the respective end.

(17) The parts of the inhalator 1 are further evident from the exploded view on FIG. 2. A reservoir 8 can be arranged inside of the closing cap 2. The reservoir 8 can contain a dehumidifying means. The reservoir can be fastened, for example latched, inside of the cap 2 by a connecting part 9.

(18) In the assembled state, the cap 2 flashes the rear part 3, which in the exemplary embodiment is integral in design with a mouthpiece 4.

(19) Below the orifice section 10 usable by the user, the mouthpiece 4 or rear part 3 has a male thread 11 that can interact with a female thread in the closing cap 2. In the process of unscrewing, one or more catch elements 29 on the closing cap 2 can interact with corresponding catch elements 30 on a discharge channel 13, so that the discharge channel 13 rotates while unscrewing the closing cap 2.

(20) The supply chamber 12 can extend inside of the rear part 3, preferably be accommodated as a separate chamber through which the discharge channel 13 penetrates. A turbulence means 14 can be arranged in the discharge channel 13, preferably allocated to the mouthpiece 4. The supply chamber 12 can be supported against a thrust bearing 16 by means of a spring 15. With the cap in place, the thrust bearing 16 can be pressurized by an entraining element 29, for example, so that the spring 15 acts on the supply chamber 12. The thrust bearing 16 can be guided along the discharge channel 13 so as to be axially displaceable, and if necessary also prevented from rotating. The discharge channel 13 can in any event be arranged in the supply chamber 12 so that it can rotate relative to the supply chamber 12.

(21) A supply chamber floor part 18 can further be provided, in which the dosing chamber 19 can also be formed. The counting ring 7 and a driving wheel 20 acting on the latter can be arranged below the supply chamber floor part 18.

(22) A plug 28 can be mounted in the floor part 5, so as to close or release the dosing chamber 19.

(23) As also evident from a comparison of FIGS. 4 to 6, for example, the discharge channel 13 is arranged in the inhalator 1 so that it can rotate around a rotational axis A. Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the rotational axis A coincides with a geometric axis of the inhalator 1 with respect to its cylindrical design.

(24) Because the discharge channel 13 can be moved around the rotational axis A, the dosing chamber 19 can be filled while the discharge channel 13 rotates.

(25) Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the discharge channel 13 has a foot 21. As the discharge channel 13 rotates around the rotational axis A, the foot 21 brushes over the supply chamber floor with an alternating covering that overall corresponds to a circular ring surface. In particular, a further detail of the foot is visible on FIGS. 7 and 8. The foot has a shape 31 that deviates from a circle (as viewed in the direction of the rotational axis A) in relation to the supply chamber floor 22. During a rotation, a respective part of the supply chamber floor can be exposed, while another is covered by the foot 21.

(26) The dosing chamber 19 is formed in the supply chamber floor 22. In the exemplary embodiment and preferably, it is a chamber that extends downwardly proceeding from a surface of the supply chamber floor 22. A continuous, for example cylindrical, chamber wall 23 can be formed.

(27) The dosing chamber 19 is preferably designed as a free passage opening. Depending on a specific rotational position of the discharge channel 13, it can be covered at the top by the discharge channel 13 or, if designed that way, by its foot 21. It can be closed by the plug 28 at the bottom.

(28) The plug 28 can be removed from the dosing chamber in order to empty the dosing chamber 19.

(29) The plug 29 preferably consists of a soft, for example elastomeric part. It can also be a rubber material. A thermoplastic elastomer can also be involved.

(30) Alternatively, the chamber wall 23 can also consist of an elastic material, and the plug 20 of a hard material, such as hard plastic.

(31) The plug 20 is preferably set up to interact with the chamber wall 23 in such a way that a specific threshold force must be overcome to pull the plug 20 out of the dosing chamber 19 so as to open the dosing chamber 19.

(32) The threshold force is adjusted to the negative pressure that can be generated by a human user while performing an inhaling process.

(33) The discharge channel 13 can be mounted below via a bearing protrusion 24 provided in the area of the supply chamber 12. The bearing projection 23 can be accommodated in a corresponding bearing recess of the supply chamber floor part 22, preferably centrally relative to the rotational axis A. As evident, a top section thereof projects at the top into a lower area of the discharge channel 13 or, in particular in the exemplary embodiment, into the foot 21. At a certain radius to a rotational axis of the bearing projection 24, an area can arise in the area of the bearing projection 24 in which the supply chamber floor 22 is constantly covered, regardless of the rotational position of the discharge channel 13.

(34) As further also evident from FIGS. 7 and 8, the peripheral edges of the foot 21 are shaped like a scoop. As the discharge channel 13 or foot 21 rotates, a scooping of the dosing chamber 19 can take place, as it were, so as to fill it.

(35) Further preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the discharge channel 13 is provided with a kinked progression. While an essentially rotationally symmetrical extension to the rotational axis A is formed in its upper area allocated to an upper end of the supply chamber 12 and extending until into the mouthpiece 4, a kink is provided in the lower area, in the exemplary embodiment and preferably solely in the supply chamber 12. A longitudinal axis L of the kinked area preferably includes an obtuse angle of 100-175 with the rotational axis A. In the exemplary embodiment and preferably, it measures 155-175, and further preferably approx. 168. The discharge channel further preferably consists of a few, further preferably only two, sections that each run along a straight line.

(36) The discharge channel 13 has an inner cavity 25, through which substance-laden suction air is transported from the supply chamber floor to the mouthpiece 4 during an inhalation.

(37) As evident and preferred, this cavity 25 in the area of the longitudinal axis L is formed with a smaller diameter, and then expands into a larger diameter.

(38) The turbulence element 14 is arranged in the area of the larger diameter and upstream from the mouthpiece 4 in the outflow direction. Preferably with regard to the rotational axis A in the area of the gasket 17, one or more through openings 26 are formed in the rear part 3. With the closing cap 2 unscrewed, the user can aspirate air from outside through these through openings 26, which then flows through an air channel 27 below the supply chamber floor 22, for example one designed as an annular chamber, and further through the dosing chamber 19, expelling the substance then contained therein, and loaded with the substance into the cavity 25 of the discharge channel 13.

(39) The turbulence means 14 is shown in further detail on FIG. 12. It consists of partial areas 42 and 43 arranged one after the other in an axial direction. Each partial area 42 and 43 preferably in itself corresponds to a conventional helical turbulence device. Between the partial areas 42 and 43, however, these partial areas, in a plane E-E running perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L.sub.1 of the turbulence means 14, are separated, as it were, out of a continuous helical part that theoretically contains these partial areas and then angularly displaced, specifically by a rotational angle of 90, and then brought together again. For the suction air AL loaded with substance and flowing into the partial 42 that is first, lowermost or first in the flowing direction, the respective first partial flows T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 thus impact respective dividing edges 44, 45 of the second partial area 43, which divide the first partial flows T.sub.1, T.sub.2 into second partial flows T.sub.3, T.sub.4, wherein these second partial flows T.sub.3, T.sub.4 are again based upon bringing together portions of the first partial flows T.sub.1, T.sub.2. The turbulence means 14 is preferably also designed in such a way as to deflect each partial flow T.sub.1 to T.sub.4 so that it completes roughly a quarter rotation or more around the longitudinal axis L.sub.1.

(40) As also evident in particular from a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 6, the discharge channel 13 is made to rotate in the process of unscrewing by removing the entraining element 29 from the entraining formations 30, as long as the latter are not yet overlapping. This rotation can preferably measure up to 360 or slightly less, but at any rate preferably 300 or more. At the same time, removing the entraining elements 29 frees up space in the entraining formations 30 in a vertical direction for engaging areas 32 of the thrust bearing 16 that are preferably also guided in the entraining formations 30. The thrust bearing 16 moves upward, and with the closing cap removed closes the entraining formations 30.

(41) In a state covered and closed by the closing cap 2, e.g., one corresponding to FIG. 1, the cavity 25 or a relevant food-side orifice of the discharge channel 13 does not overlap the dosing chamber 19. In this state, the dosing chamber 19 is preferably completely exposed toward the interior of the supply chamber 12, see FIG. 5. As a result, the dosing chamber 19 can in particular have already been filled to a certain extent from the supply chamber 12 given a preceding twisting of the discharge channel 13 also initiated while screwing on the closing cap, or directly out of the supply chamber 12 through exposure to gravity.

(42) While the thrust bearing 16 is driven up after unscrewing is complete, as evident from FIG. 6, the dosing chamber 19 is still in the closed position shown on FIG. 5, and the supply chamber 12 is also still in the position shown on FIG. 5. If a user then applies a negative suction pressure to the mouthpiece 4, the discharge channel 13 along with the dosing chamber 12 is lifted into the position depicted on FIG. 6. As shown by the arrows P, air can be siphoned through openings 33 in the rear part 3 into the gap between the dosing chamber 12 and rear part 3, and enter into the dosing chamber 19 from below. The dosing chamber 19 is thereby evacuated into the discharge channel 13, and the content of the dosing chamber is sucked in by the user, if necessary after passing through the turbulence means 14.

(43) The discharge channel 13 can thus be moved relative to the mouthpiece 4 out of a first position, in which the end of the discharge channel 13 of an orifice plane M of the mouthpiece 4 is closer, see FIG. 6, into a second position, see FIG. 5, in which the end of the discharge channel of the orifice plane is more remote, and vice versa. Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the discharge channel 12 can be moved together with the supply chamber 12 in this regard.

(44) At any rate, the entraining elements 29 on the closing cap 2 also described here yield one or several influencing sections in this regard, so as to cause the discharge channel 13 and/or supply chamber 12 to move between the first and second positions.

(45) With the closing cap 2 screwed on, e.g., see FIGS. 4 and 5, the thrust bearing 16 and spring 15 ensure that the dosing chamber 19 has again moved over the plug 28, and is thus closed from below. The thrust bearing 16 presses down the dosing chamber 19and thereby preferably the discharge channel 13 at the same time.

(46) The upper side of the dosing chamber 12 is further sealed against an interior surface of the rear part 3 with a continuous gasket 34. While screwing and unscrewing the cap 2, this gasket moves accordingly in a vertical direction along an interior surface of the rear part 3.

(47) On the floor side of the discharge chamber 12, the discharge channel 13 is rotatably mounted in the supply chamber floor 22 by means of a bearing pin 35. Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the configuration is such that a rotational axis passing through the bearing pin 35 penetrates through a portion of the free supply chamber in a vertical elongation due to the mentioned kinking and formation of the foot.

(48) Once inhalation is complete and the user has replaced the closing cap 2, the entraining elements 29, for example which can be designed as opposing rib elements that are bent in the circumferential direction, impact an interior surface 46, see FIG. 10, which is designed to circularly run on the upper, extended area of the discharge channel 13 inside a preferably cylindrical interior surface 47 of the mouthpiece 4. In part, preferably at two opposing areas, this surface 46 is formed by the end face 48 of the thrust bearing 16 with the inhalator in this state. In another detail, the end faces 48 can be provided at engagement areas 32 of the thrust bearing 16 that run parallel to the rotational axis A and protrude upwardly toward the orifice.

(49) During placement, the thread of the closing cap 2 can be made to engage the male thread 11 if the entraining elements 29 have previously struck the mentioned end faces 48 of the thrust bearing 16 in a corresponding angular alignment, and have downwardly pressed this thrust bearing 16 by a first amount against the force of the spring 15.

(50) It is further preferred that the force set for the spring 15 be stronger than a displacement resistance offered by the combination of the discharge channel 13 and supply chamber 12 against a downward displacement, i.e., from the position on FIG. 6 into the position on FIG. 5. As a consequence, downwardly pressing the thrust bearing 16 initially yields a downward displacement of the discharge chamber 13 along with the supply chamber 12 while correspondingly pressing the closing cap 2 toward the rotational axis A, even if the entraining elements 29 are already aligned relative to the end faces 48. As a result, the discharge channel 13 can also be prevented from moving, in particular rotating, relative to the supply chamber 12 before the dosing chamber 19 has been closed once again on the floor side. Against further resistance while screwing on the closing cap 2, the entraining elements 29 then move deeper into the corresponding openings in the circular ring surface 46, and press the thrust bearing 16 into the position according to FIG. 4 while compressing the springs 15, in the completely screwed state of the closing cap 2. With the entraining elements 29 retracted, rotating the closing cap 2 simultaneously causes the discharge channel 13 to rotate relative to the supply chamber 12. It is here also preferred that it only be possible to retract the entraining elements 29 into the entraining formations 30 after a specific threaded engagement has been established. The closing cap 2 can then no longer be pulled off toward the top.

(51) It is further preferred that the thread of the closing cap 2 and the male thread 11 on the housing of the inhalator only engage into each other with the closing cap 2 aligned at a specific rotational angle. As a consequence, a precisely defined twisting of the discharge channel 13 relative to the fixed supply chamber 12 is achieved by the time of the complete rotational closure of the closing cap 2, thus yielding the desired alignment of the discharge channel 13 relative to the dosing chamber 19 with the closing cap 2 screwed on completely.

(52) An entrainer 36 is secured to the supply chamber floor part 18 further toward the lower side. This entrainer is part of the counter, and interacts with the driving wheel 20. The driving wheel 20 further interacts with a backflow preventer, which is not shown in detail.

(53) When driving up the supply chamber 12 and in particular the supply chamber floor 22, the driving wheel 20 is entrained to an angular extent by the entrainer 36. The driving wheel 20 is preferably designed as a worm shaft, further preferably as a single-thread worm shaft, with a screw helix pitch adjusted to the spacing of entraining projections 37 on the counting ring 7. The entraining projections 37 are obviously directed inwardly in relation to the counting ring 7. An entraining projection allocated to the respective driving wheel 20 enters between the flanks of the screw helixes at roughly the height of a rotational axis of the driving wheel 20. Given a rotational displacement of the driving wheel 20, the engaged entraining projection is correspondingly displaced in the horizontal direction, i.e., transverse to the rotational axis A. As a result, the counting wheel 7 is correspondingly turned.

(54) Each time the cap 2 is screwed shut, the counting wheel 7 is thus incrementally turned.

(55) With respect to the configuration of the counter, reference is further also made to WO 2007/104698 A1, in particular to FIGS. 13 to 19 and the accompanying description, and also to the parallel U.S. Pat. No. 8,261,737 B2, in terms of the figures with the same numeration and the relevant description.

(56) The function and configuration are the same, with the only difference being that, in the subject matter of the mentioned publications, counting takes place when pressing down to load the dosing chamber, and that the entrainer 36 overlaps the driving wheel 20 at rest, here with the cap 2 screwed on.

(57) In an extension of the rotational axis, the inhalator 1 has a length overall that is adjusted to the width of a hand of a human user, for example, up to two or three times the width of the hand of a human user. As consequence, the inhalator in this extension can have a length of 7 to 20 cm, for example.

(58) The diameter in the cylindrical area can measure 5 to 10 cm, for example.

(59) With respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, the foot 21 has a relatively steep flank 38 radially inward, roughly overlapping vertically to the bearing pin 35, which transitions radially outside into a scoop surface 29. The flank 38 can include an acute angle of 0 to 30 with a vertical, while the scoop surface 39, if necessary also varyingly angled in relation to its radial extension, can include an angle with a vertical ranging from 20 to 40. Regardless of the specifically selected angular alignment, it is always preferred that the flank 38 be steeper than the scoop surface 39. This configuration is obviously given on one side in the rotational direction, while only a continuous counter-flank 40 is formed on the opposite side. The counter-flank 40 preferably also has a steep design. It can also include an angle with a vertical corresponding to the rotational axis A of 0 to 30.

(60) A rotational stop is preferably also formed with regard to the discharge channel 13. To this end, a stop projection 41 can be formed on the discharge channel 13, and a corresponding counter-stop on the supply chamber 12, specifically a supply chamber cover through whose vertically continuous opening the discharge channel 13 passes. At any rate, no complete 360 rotation is thus enabled.

(61) The above statements serve to explain the inventions encompassed by the application overall, which further develop the prior art at least through the following feature combinations, and even independently as well, specifically:

(62) A hand operable inhalator 1, characterized in that the discharge channel 13 can be rotated around a rotational axis A, and that the dosing chamber (19) can be filled while rotating the discharge channel 13.

(63) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the rotational axis A runs at least partially along a transport direction prescribed by the discharge channel 13 for the substance transported in the discharge channel.

(64) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the dosing chamber 19 is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotational axis of the discharge channel 13.

(65) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the dosing chamber 19 is separate from the discharge channel 13.

(66) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the dosing chamber 19 is located on the floor side of the supply chamber 12.

(67) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the discharge channel 13 has a foot, which as the discharge channel 13 rotates releases the dosing chamber 19 for filling purposes.

(68) Inhalator 1, characterized in that a lower side of the discharge channel 13 runs in-plane with a floor 22 of the supply chamber outside of the dosing chamber 19.

(69) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the discharge channel 13 has an angled progression relative to a flow path formed therein.

(70) Inhalator 1, characterized in that the side of the dosing chamber 19 lying opposite the discharge channel 13 has an opening that can be closed by a plug 28.

(71) Inhalator 1 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing chamber 19 can be lifted from the plug 28, wherein the dosing chamber 19 can preferably be moved together with the discharge channel 13.

(72) TABLE-US-00001 Reference List 1 Inhalator 2 Closing cap 3 Rear part 4 Mouthpiece 5 Floor part 6 Window 7 Counting ring 8 Reservoir 9 Connecting part 10 Orifice section 11 Male thread 12 Supply chamber 13 Discharge channel 14 Turbulence means 15 Spring 16 Thrust bearing 17 Gasket 18 Supply chamber floor part 19 Dosing chamber 20 Driving wheel 21 Foot 22 Supply chamber floor 23 Chamber wall 24 Bearing projection 25 Cavity 26 Through opening 27 Air channel 28 Plug 29 Entraining element 30 Entraining formation 31 Formation 32 Engagement area 33 Opening 34 Gasket 35 Bearing pin 36 Entrainer 37 Entraining projection 38 Flank 39 Scoop surface 40 Counter flank 41 Stop projection 42 Partial area 43 Partial area 44 Dividing edge 45 Dividing edge 46 Interior surface/circular ring surface 47 Interior surface 48 End face A Rotational axis AL Suction air Angle E Plane L Longitudinal axis L.sub.1 Longitudinal axis M Orifice plane P Arrow T.sub.1 Partial flow T.sub.2 Partial flow T.sub.3 Partial flow T.sub.4 Partial flow V Vertical