INHALER ARTICLE AND MOUTHPIECE FOR USE WITH THE SAME

Abstract

An inhaler article has an inhaler body comprising a tubular side wall defining an interior and a longitudinal center axis, the interior forming a receptacle for housing an inhalable powder; a mouthpiece element extending along the longitudinal center axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the distal end of the mouthpiece element being received in the interior of the inhaler body. The mouthpiece element includes a tube extending coaxially with the inhaler body and comprising an interior surface having a first diameter; a blocker disposed at the distal end of the mouthpiece element, coaxial with the tube and having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; and a collector surface comprising a ring that is coaxial with and disposed proximal to the blocker, the ring defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter.

Claims

1. An inhaler article comprising: an inhaler body comprising a tubular side wall defining an interior and a longitudinal center axis, the interior forming a receptacle for housing an inhalable powder; a mouthpiece element extending along the longitudinal center axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the distal end of the mouthpiece element being received in the interior of the inhaler body, the mouthpiece element comprising: a tube extending coaxially with the inhaler body and comprising an interior surface having a first diameter; a blocker disposed at the distal end of the mouthpiece element, coaxial with the tube and having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the blocker being arranged to block airflow through a center of the mouthpiece element at the distal end; a collector surface comprising a ring that is coaxial with and disposed proximally of the blocker, the ring defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and an airflow channel extending through the mouthpiece element and comprising an off-set portion arranged around the blocker, a discharge portion extending to an outlet at the proximal end, and an intermediate portion connecting the off-set portion and the discharge portion.

2. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the tube defines an outlet at the proximal end of the mouthpiece element.

3. The inhaler article of claim 1, further comprising a capsule containing inhalable powder disposed in the receptacle.

4. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the collector surface is configured to collect any loose powder within the inhaler body when the inhaler article is turned upside down such that the proximal end of the mouthpiece points downward.

5. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a cylindrical side wall extending from the proximal end to the distal end and circumscribing the tube.

6. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the blocker comprises a cylinder coaxial with the longitudinal center axis of the mouthpiece element.

7. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the collector surface is disposed proximal to at least a portion of the tube.

8. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the collector surface extends from the tube to the side wall.

9. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the collector surface comprises a curved cross sectional shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal center axis of the mouthpiece element.

10. The inhaler article of claim 9, wherein the curved cross sectional shape is concave toward the distal end of the mouthpiece element.

11. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein a gap between the blocker and the tube has a distance of 1 mm to 5 mm.

12. The inhaler article of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a recessed portion having a cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a distal end portion of the mouthpiece element.

13. The inhaler article of claim 12, wherein the recessed portion comprises a groove circumscribing the mouthpiece element.

14. The inhaler article of claim 12, wherein the recessed portion defines the collector surface.

15. The inhaler article of claim 12, wherein the recessed portion comprises a plurality of airflow channel openings in fluid communication with an interior of the tube.

16. The inhaler article of claim 2, further comprising a capsule containing inhalable powder disposed in the receptacle.

17. The inhaler article of claim 16, wherein the collector surface is configured to collect any loose powder within the inhaler body when the inhaler article is turned upside down such that the proximal end of the mouthpiece points downward.

18. The inhaler article of claim 8, wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a recessed portion having a cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a distal end portion of the mouthpiece element.

19. The inhaler article of claim 13, wherein the recessed portion comprises a plurality of airflow channel openings in fluid communication with an interior of the tube.

20. The inhaler article of claim 14, wherein the recessed portion comprises a plurality of airflow channel openings in fluid communication with an interior of the tube.

Description

[0125] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0126] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an inhaler article according to an embodiment.

[0127] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler article of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment.

[0128] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an inhaler article according to an embodiment.

[0129] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler article of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment.

[0130] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment.

[0131] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 1A coupled with a holder according to an embodiment.

[0132] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 1A coupled with a holder and showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0133] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of a mouthpiece element of the inhaler article of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment.

[0134] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 4A.

[0135] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 4A showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0136] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 4A showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0137] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment.

[0138] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 2A coupled with a holder according to an embodiment.

[0139] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler article of FIG. 2A coupled with a holder and showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0140] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of a mouthpiece element of the inhaler article of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment.

[0141] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 7A.

[0142] FIG. 7C is a transverse cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 7A according to an embodiment.

[0143] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional side view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 7A showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0144] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the mouthpiece element of FIG. 7A showing an airflow pattern according to an embodiment.

[0145] Schematic views of exemplary inhaler articles according to embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. The inhaler article 10, 10 has a first, proximal end 11 and an opposing second, distal end 12. A mouthpiece element 200, 300 is disposed at the proximal end 11 of the inhaler article 10. The outside surface of the inhaler article 10 may be formed, at least in part, by a wrapper 13. The inhaler article 10 comprises an inhaler body 100 with a tubular side wall 101. The inhaler body 100 defines an interior that forms a receptacle 102 for housing an inhalable powder. The inhalable powder may be provided in a capsule 15. The inhaler body 100 further defines a longitudinal center axis A. The mouthpiece element 200, 300 extends along the longitudinal center axis A.

[0146] The mouthpiece element 200, 300 is at least partially inserted into the inhaler body 100. The mouthpiece element 200, 300 has a proximal end 201, 301 and a distal end 202, 302. The distal end 202, 302 of the mouthpiece element 200, 300 is received in the interior of the inhaler body 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the entire mouthpiece element 200 may be received in the inhaler body 100. In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the mouthpiece element 300 is only partially inserted inside the inhaler body 100.

[0147] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, cross-sectional views of the inhaler article 10 are shown. As noted above, the inhaler article 10 comprises an inhaler body 100 with a tubular side wall 101. The inhaler body 100 defines an interior that forms a receptacle 102 for housing an inhalable powder. The inhalable powder may be provided in a capsule 15 disposed inside the receptacle 102. The inhaler article 10 may have a closed distal end 12. The distal end 12 may be folded closed, for example by a fan fold. The receptacle 102 may be limited at its proximal end by the distal end 202 of the mouthpiece element 200. The receptacle 102 and the mouthpiece element 200 may be assembled together and wrapped in a wrapper 13. The inhaler article 10 comprises a receptacle 102 containing a capsule 15 containing an inhalable powder, and a mouthpiece element 200, wrapped in a wrapper 13.

[0148] The inhaler article 10 may be used with a holder 400. The holder 400 may be configured to open the distal end 12 of the inhaler article 10. The holder 400 may be configured to provide an air inlet 401 for the inhaler article 10. The holder 400 may further be configured to pierce the capsule 15. An airflow pattern 410 flowing through the inhaler article 10 is schematically shown by the arrows in FIG. 3C. Air flows from the air inlet 401, through the receptacle 102, through the mouthpiece element 200, and out the outlet 211 at the proximal end 201 of the mouthpiece element 200. According to an embodiment, a dry powder may be inhaled from the inhaler article at an airflow rate of 5 mL/min or less, or 2 mL/min or less.

[0149] A cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the mouthpiece element 200 are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. The mouthpiece element 200 comprises a tubular side wall 203. The tubular side wall 203 may be cylindrical. The tubular side wall 203 may be substantially straight, extending linearly along the length of the mouthpiece element 200. The tubular side wall 203 may extend from the proximal end 201 of the mouthpiece element 200 to the distal end 202 of the mouthpiece element 200. The mouthpiece element 200 comprises an inlet 212 at the distal end 202 and an outlet 211 at the proximal end 201.

[0150] The mouthpiece element comprises a tube 240 extending coaxially with the inhaler body 100. The tube 240 comprises an interior surface 241 having an interior diameter D241. A blocker 230 is disposed at the distal end 202 of the mouthpiece element 200. The blocker 230 may be coaxial with the tube 240. The blocker 230 may be arranged to block airflow through the center of the mouthpiece element 200 at the distal end 202. The blocker 230 may be shaped as a cylinder. The blocker 230 has a diameter D230 that is equal to or greater than the interior diameter D241 of the tube 240. The mouthpiece element 200 may further comprise a plurality of brackets 233 extending from the blocker 230 to the side wall 203. The plurality of brackets 233 may be arranged to maintain the blocker 230 in place inside the mouthpiece element 200. The blocker 230 and the tube 240 may be arranged such that a gap 224 is left between the blocker 230 and the tube 240. The gap 224 has an axial length L224.

[0151] The space between the blocker 230 and the side wall 203, the gap 224, and the tube 240 together form an airflow channel 220 through the mouthpiece element 200. The space between the blocker 230 and the side wall 203 forms an off-set portion 221 of the airflow channel. The off-set portion 221 of the airflow channel 220 may be arranged around the blocker 230. The off-set portion 221 of the airflow channel 220 may be formed of a plurality of channels disposed about the blocker 230. The plurality of channels may be symmetrically disposed about the blocker.

[0152] The tube 240 forms the discharge portion 223 of the airflow channel 220, terminating at an outlet 211 at the proximal end 201 of the mouthpiece element 200. The gap 224 forms the intermediate portion 222 of the airflow channel, connecting the off-set portion 221 and the discharge portion 223.

[0153] The mouthpiece element 200 comprises a collector surface 250 comprising a ring 251. The ring 251 surrounds the tube 240 and is disposed proximal to the blocker 230. The ring 251 may be coaxial with the tube 240. The ring 251 may be coaxial with the blocker 230. The ring 251 defines an inner diameter D251 and an outer diameter D252.

[0154] The collector surface 250 may extend from the tube 240 to the side wall 203. The collector surface 250 may have any suitable shape. For example, the collector surface 250 may have a curved cross sectional shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal center axis A of the mouthpiece element 200, as shown in FIG. 4A. Preferably, the curved cross sectional shape is concave toward the distal end 202 of the mouthpiece element 200. The collector surface 250 is disposed proximally of the blocker 230. The collector surface 250 may be disposed proximally of the gap 224. The collector surface 250 may be disposed proximal to at least a portion of the tube 240. At least a portion of the tube 240 may extend from the collector surface 250 toward the distal end 202 of the mouthpiece element 200. The portion of the tube 240 extending distally from the collector surface 250 may have a length L240.

[0155] The length L224 of the gap 224 may be selected in view of the length L250 between a midpoint of the gap 224 and the proximal end of the collector surface 250. A longer length L250 may be coupled with a longer length L224 of the gap 224. A shorter length L250 may be coupled with a shorter length L224 of the gap 224.

[0156] The mouthpiece element 200 may have an outer diameter D200 that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inhaler body 100 such that the mouthpiece element 200 may be completely disposed inside the inhaler body 100. The proximal end 201 of the mouthpiece element 200 may be aligned with a proximal end 11 of the inhaler body 10, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0157] When a user uses the inhaler article 10, air with entrained dry powder particles may flow through the mouthpiece element 200 as shown schematically in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The air and particles may enter the mouthpiece element 200 airflow channel 220 through the inlets 212. The air and particles flow through the off-set portion 221 of the airflow channel 220. Some of the air and particles may flow past the gap 224 toward the collector surface 250 and then turn back toward the gap 224. The air and particles may flow into the gap 224 and through the discharge portion 223. The air and particles may flow out through the outlet 211 at the proximal end of the mouthpiece element 200.

[0158] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, cross-sectional views of the inhaler article 10 are shown. As above, the inhaler article 10 comprises an inhaler body 100 with a tubular side wall 101 that defines a longitudinal center axis A. The inhaler body 100 defines an interior that forms a receptacle 102 for housing an inhalable powder. The inhalable powder may be provided in a capsule 15 disposed inside the receptacle. The inhaler article 10 may have a closed distal end 12. The distal end 12 may be folded closed, for example by a fan fold. The receptacle 102 may be limited at its proximal end by the distal end 302 of the mouthpiece element 300.

[0159] The inhaler article 10 may be used with a holder 400. The holder 400 may be configured to open the distal end 12 of the inhaler article 10. The holder 400 may be configured to provide an air inlet 401 for the inhaler article 10. The holder 400 may further be configured to pierce the capsule 15. An airflow pattern 410 flowing through the inhaler article 10 is schematically shown by the arrows in FIG. 6C. Air flows from the air inlet 401, through the receptacle 102, through the mouthpiece element 300, and out the outlet 311 at the proximal end 301 of the mouthpiece element 300. According to an embodiment, a dry powder may be inhaled from the inhaler article at an airflow rate of 5 mL/min or less, or 2 mL/min or less.

[0160] The inhaler article may further comprise a wrapper 13. The transition from the inhaler body 100 to the mouthpiece element 300 may be covered by the wrapper 13. The wrapper 13 may be wrapped about a portion of the mouthpiece element 300 and at least a portion of the inhaler body 100. For example, the wrapper 13 may extend distally from the main portion 344 of the mouthpiece element 300.

[0161] Cross-sectional views and a perspective view of the mouthpiece element 300 are shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. The mouthpiece element 300 extends from the proximal end 301 of the mouthpiece element 300 to the distal end 302 of the mouthpiece element 300. The mouthpiece element 300 comprises an inlet (airflow channel opening) 312 adjacent the distal end 302 and an outlet 311 at the proximal end 301.

[0162] The mouthpiece element comprises a tube 340 extending coaxially with the inhaler body 10. The tube 340 comprises an interior surface 345 having an interior diameter D345. A blocker 330 is disposed at the distal end 302 of the mouthpiece element 300. The blocker 330 may be coaxial with the tube 340. The blocker 330 may be arranged to block airflow through the center of the mouthpiece element 300 at the distal end 302. The blocker 330 has a diameter D330 that is greater than the interior diameter D345 of the tube 340.

[0163] The mouthpiece element 300 comprises a recessed portion 351 having a cross-sectional dimension D351 that is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension D330 of the blocker 330. The recessed portion 351 may be formed by a groove circumscribing the mouthpiece element 300. The recessed portion 351 may comprise a plurality of airflow channel openings 312.

[0164] A transverse cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece element 300 at the recessed portion 351 is shown in FIG. 7C. The mouthpiece element 300 may further comprise a plurality of channels 353 extending from the plurality of airflow channel openings 312 to an interior of the tube 340 (to the discharge portion 323 of the airflow channel 320). In a preferred embodiment, the inhaler article comprises four such intermediate channels. The plurality of channels 353 may extend radially inward from the recessed portion 351. The plurality of channels 353 may be orthogonal to the tube 240. The plurality of channels 353 may be distributed symmetrically about the longitudinal center axis A.

[0165] The space between the blocker 330 and the tubular side wall 101 of the inhaler body 100, the plurality of channels 353, and the tube 340 together form an airflow channel 320 through the mouthpiece element 300. The space between the blocker 330 and the tubular side wall 101 of the inhaler body 100 forms the off-set portion 321 of the airflow channel. The off-set portion 321 of the airflow channel 320 may be arranged around the blocker 330. The tube 340 forms the discharge portion 323 of the airflow channel 320, terminating in an outlet 311 at the proximal end 301 of the mouthpiece element 300. The plurality of channels 353 form the intermediate portion 322 of the airflow channel, connecting the off-set portion 321 and the discharge portion 323.

[0166] The mouthpiece element 300 comprises a collector surface 350 formed by the recessed portion 351. The collector surface 350 may be coaxial with the tube 340. The collector surface 350 may be coaxial with the blocker 330. The collector surface 350 may also be considered to include the recessed wall 352 between the airflow channel openings 312. The recessed portion 351 may form a collector region comprising the collector surface 350, where particles that are not drawn into or do not fall into the discharge portion 323 are collected. The collected particles may later be dislodged by turning the inhaler article upright (with the distal end 12 facing down) and dropped back into the receptacle. Alternatively, the inhaler article and mouthpiece may be cleaned by turning the inhaler article upside down and tapping the inhaler article against a surface (for example, a table). The inhaler article may be tapped several times to cause loose powder to fall out.

[0167] The collector surface 350 may extend from the inner diameter D351 to the side wall 101 of the inhaler body 100. The collector surface 350 is disposed proximally of the blocker 330. The collector surface 350 may be disposed distal to the tube 340. The collector surface 350 may have any suitable shape. For example, the collector surface 350 may have a curved cross sectional shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal center axis A of the mouthpiece element 200, as shown in FIG. 4A. The curved cross sectional shape may be concave toward the side wall 101 of the inhaler body 100.

[0168] The mouthpiece element 300 may comprise multiple sections or portions having varying cross sectional dimensions (for example, diameters). For example, the mouthpiece element 300 (for example, the tube 340) may comprise a first reduced portion 341 separating the mouth end 343 from a main portion 344 of the mouthpiece element 300. The first reduced portion 341 may have a cross sectional dimension D341 (for example, diameter) that is smaller than the cross sectional dimension D343 (for example, diameter) of the mouth end 343 and the cross sectional dimension D344 (for example, diameter) of the main portion 344. The mouthpiece element 300 may further comprise a second reduced portion 342 between the main portion 344 of the mouthpiece element and the recessed portion 351. The second reduced portion 342 may have a cross sectional dimension D342 that is smaller than the cross sectional dimension D344 of the main portion 344 and greater than the cross sectional dimension D351 of the recessed portion 351. The difference in the dimensions of the second reduced portion 342 and the main portion 344 may be only slight. The difference in the dimensions of the second reduced portion 342 and the main portion 344 may account for the thickness of the tubular wall 101 of the inhaler body such that the inhaler wall appears to continue at about the same circumference from the inhaler body 100 to the mouthpiece element 300, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

[0169] When a user uses the inhaler article 10, air with entrained dry powder particles may flow through the mouthpiece element 300 as shown schematically in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Air and particles are directed by the blocker 330 to flow around the curved top and past the sides of the blocker 330, through the off-set portion 321 of the airflow channel 220. The air and particles enter the mouthpiece element 300 through the airflow channel openings 312. From the airflow channel openings 312, the air and particles may flow into the plurality of channels 353. The air and particles may flow through the plurality of channels 353 (the intermediate portion 322) and continue into the discharge portion 323. The air and particles may flow out through the outlet 311 at the proximal end of the mouthpiece element 300. Any particles that do not enter through the airflow channel openings 312 may be collected by the collector surface 350. For example, loose particles within the receptacle 102 that otherwise could fall out, may be collected on the collector surface when the inhaler article 10 is turned upside down (the proximal end 11 facing downward). The collected particles may later be dislodged by turning the inhaler article upright (with the distal end 12 facing down) and dropped back into the receptacle. Alternatively, the inhaler article and mouthpiece may be cleaned by turning the inhaler article upside down and tapping the inhaler article against a surface (for example, a table). The inhaler article may be tapped several times to cause loose powder to fall out.