Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
  • A61M11/006—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
  • A61M11/007—Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
  • A61M15/0035—Piercing means
  • A61M15/0036—Piercing means hollow piercing means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
  • A61M15/004—Details of the piercing or cutting means with fixed piercing or cutting means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0066—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices with means for varying the dose size
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
  • A61M15/0081—Locking means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/109—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring
  • B05B11/1091—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring being first hold in a loaded state by locking means or the like, then released
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
  • A61M15/0021—Mouthpieces therefor
  • A61M15/0025—Mouthpieces therefor with caps
  • A61M15/0026—Hinged caps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
  • A61M15/007—Mechanical counters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
  • A61M15/007—Mechanical counters
  • A61M15/0071—Mechanical counters having a display or indicator
  • A61M15/0073—Mechanical counters having a display or indicator on a ring
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/07—General characteristics of the apparatus having air pumping means
  • A61M2205/071—General characteristics of the apparatus having air pumping means hand operated
  • A61M2205/073—Syringe, piston type

Definitions

• the invention relates to an nebulizer for a fluid located in a container, having a housing, the housing having a first housing part with a mouthpiece and a second housing part having a receiving space for the container, which container can be inserted into the housing, the first and second housing parts further being rotatable relative to one another for preparing an atomization process, a counter being furthermore provided in the second housing part, for counting atomizing operations carried out with an inserted container, and the rotation of the housing parts relative to one another can be used for counting the atomizing operations, wherein furthermore the first housing part is designed to act on a holding part for the container, which holding part can be displaced axially relative to the first and second housing parts when connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second housing part, wherein furthermore the holding part has an axial groove which is open in the direction of an inner surface of the axially overlapping second housing part.
• Nebulizers of the type in question are known, for example, from WO 2007/022898 A2 (US 7 823 584 B2) and further, for example, from WO 2012/160052 Al (US 9 827 384 B2) or also from WO 2017/080895 Al (US 2017/0128681 Al).
• the container thereby forms, whereby this description also concerns possible parts and modes of operation of the nebulizer according to the invention, a reservoir for an atomizing fluid, whereby such a container is insertable into the receiving space of the nebulizer prior to an initial use of the nebulizer.
• the container may have a rigid outer shell, for example made of a metal material, such as further for example aluminum, and an inner bag in which the fluid is stored.
• the fluid is stored in the container without pressure, i.e. without propellant gas or the like.
• the container within the housing is lowered, together with a hollow piston located therein.
• a spring acting on the container is tensioned.
• fluid flows into a pressure chamber located outside the vessel. This can be achieved by a vacuum created in the pressure chamber.
• the container together with the hollow piston located therein can be released for an upward pressure movement.
• the fluid in the pressure chamber is pressurized and then ejected as a spray mist.
• the hollow piston can preferably be provided with a check valve at its end associated with the pressure chamber so that it can act as a piston.
• a predetermined fluid quantity (dosing quantity) is brought into a chamber, from which the divided fluid quantity is voluntarily expelled by user intervention and atomized into an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
• the expulsion of the fluid dose takes place according to a pressurization, which pressure is built up in the course of the relative rotation of the first and the second housing part to each other due to tension of a spring.
• a pressure of for example about 1 to 40 MPa, further for example 10 to 25 MPa can act on the fluid to be expelled, whereby with each stroke a fluid delivery of about 5 to 50 pl, further for example about 10 to 20 pl, so further for example about 15 pl can take place.
• a counter is provided for recording and displaying the atomization operations performed.
• the counting is essentially carried out at a moment when the fluid dose atomization occurs due to pressurization or in the course of a twisting of the housing parts relative to each other.
• the atomizers known from the above-mentioned publications are designed in such a way that they can no longer be used after a predetermined maximum number of atomization processes has been carried out, so if necessary - at least theoretically - with complete emptying of the container, and are disposed of.
• a means comes into effect that prevents further use of the nebulizer.
• the invention presents the task of further improving the design of an nebulizer of the type in question, in particular with regard to the aforementioned prevention of further use when the maximum number of atomization operations has been reached.
• a possible solution of the problem is given in an nebulizer, in which it is intended that a locking part is accommodated in the second housing part, which is movable into the axial groove in dependence on a number of atomizing operations detected by the counter, for blocking the axial movability of the retaining part relative to the second housing part.
• a blocking of the nebulizer is achieved in the sense that upon reaching a predetermined number of atomizing operations, for example, as well as preferably, upon reaching a maximum number of atomizing operations, the further use of the nebulizer is prevented.
• This prevention is achieved by a specific engagement of a locking part accommodated in the second housing part, which interacts in a locking manner with the axial groove of the retaining part holding the container.
• the locking part thereby preferably directly prevents the axial displacement of the retaining part together with the container, which is necessary for the preparation of an inhalation process, by corresponding interaction with the axial groove.
• the decisive component of the nebulizer which must be displaced in order to expel the fluid is directly blocked in an advantageous manner, since each fluid expulsion process or inhalation process is necessarily preceded by an axial displacement of the retaining part - preferably triggered by a relative rotational displacement of the housing parts with respect to one another - in order to convey a partial fluid quantity via this into an expulsion chamber or into the said pressure chamber.
• a count is performed in an advantageous manner, whereby preferably the relative rotation of the first and second housing parts with respect to each other is registered and accepted as a count value.
• the corresponding counting i.e. the corresponding action on the counter, can take place immediately at the beginning of the relative rotation, alternatively at the end of the preferably stop-limited relative rotation. In this respect, counting is also possible when an intermediate position is reached between the beginning and the end of the relative rotation of the housing parts with respect to each other.
• the counting corresponding to a change in the display of the counted atomization processes, can take place at each preferred relative rotation of the housing parts to each other by, for example, 180°, but alternatively also, for example, only at every second atomization process, so further, for example, at each relative rotation of the housing parts to each other over a total of 360°.
• the immediate blocking of the axial displaceability of the retaining part which is preferably triggered automatically when the specified number of atomization processes is reached, can also indirectly block the rotatability of the housing parts relative to one another, which can also haptically indicate to the user that the nebulizer has reached its end-of-use position. Accordingly, the nebulizer can no longer be used.
• first housing part is often also described as the fixed and/ or upper housing part and the second housing part is often described as the rotatable and/ or lower housing part relative to this first housing part.
• the locking part can be displaced between a release position and a locking position.
• the release position is preferably the position of the locking part which is assumed during the usual use of the nebulizer, i.e., for example, beginning with the first use, further, for example, with insertion of the container into the housing, until the predetermined maximum number of atomization processes is reached.
• This release position can also, as is also preferred, already be predetermined and assumed during manufacture.
• the locking part can be moved from this release position further preferably only via means on the nebulizer side, further in particular only via a means on the counter side, into the locking position, whereby further preferably no non- destructive or tool-free resetting of the locking part from the locking position into the release position is possible.
• the locking part can be hook-shaped, with an angled section facing the retaining part, in the end of the locking part facing the mouthpiece.
• the locking part engages with this angled portion in the locking position in the axial groove of the retaining part and thereby interacts in a locking manner with a boundary wall of the axial groove aligned transversely to the axial displacement direction of the retaining part.
• the locking part can be spring-loaded.
• the locking part can spring from the release position into the locking position. The locking position is secured by the spring force.
• the locking part can also be provided with a retaining section.
• This retaining section can, as is also preferred, be formed in one piece and further preferably of the same material as the aforementioned angled section.
• the locking part may be a stamped-bent part, further preferably made of a metal material, such as further for example spring steel.
• the locking part can be held on the second housing part so that it can move in the axial direction by means of the retaining section.
• This axial movability of the locking part can be limited to a stop in one direction, but if necessary also in both directions.
• the axial movability of the locking part allows it to be moved as a whole from the release position to the locking position.
• the retaining section of the locking part provides captive retention on the second housing part over the entire displacement path.
• the locking part can be spring-loaded in the release position.
• the locking part remains in a spring-loaded standby position in the release position, so that after an overall axial displacement of the locking part when the maximum number of atomization processes is reached, the locking part automatically falls into the blocking position with spring support as it is angled away.
• This spring bias can, as is also preferred, be provided solely by the selected design and choice of material of the locking part (for example, spring steel).
• a separate spring element which is supported, for example, with one end region on the lower housing part and with the other end region on the locking part, can be provided to act on the locking part, in particular on its angled section.
• the locking part can be latched to the second housing part in the release position.
• This latching position of the locking part is preferably already in place before the nebulizer is used for the first time and can only be overcome once the maximum number of atomization processes has been reached for the corresponding displacement of the locking part.
• the locking can be released by means of a release part, which, when the maximum number of atomization processes is reached, acts on the locking part in such a way that the locking is released.
• the release part can also be used to actively act on the locking part in such a way that the locking part is displaced in the axial direction into the locking position.
• the release part can be acted upon by the counter, so that according to a further preferred embodiment, there is a direct connection between the mechanics of the counter and the release part.
• the release part can be acted upon by the counter during the entire counting cycle, starting from the initial use until the maximum number of atomization processes is reached. Only when the maximum number of atomization processes has been reached is a position reached in which the release part can act on the locking part accordingly.
• the locking part can be moved automatically into the locking position after disengagement.
• the locking position is automatically assumed due to the spring preload.
• Fig. 1 the nebulizer in perspective view
• Fig. 2 the nebulizer in a further perspective view, after opening a cover cap exposing a mouthpiece;
• Fig. 3 the nebulizer in a perspective exploded view
• Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a spindle-shaped transmission part with a counter pointer having a release part and a locking part;
• Fig. 5 an individual perspective view of the counter pointer with release part
• Fig. 6 the counter pointer with release part in a side view
• Fig. 7 the counter pointer with release part in a plan view
• Fig. 8 the transmission part in a single perspective view
• Fig. 9 the transmission part in top view
• Fig. 10 the locking part in a single perspective view
• Fig. 11 the locking part in a side view
• Fig. 14 a second housing part of the nebulizer with the counter arranged in a detailed perspective view
• FIG. 15 view of the illustration according to Fig. 14;
• Fig. 15a a sectional view of figure 15;
• Fig. 16 the section along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15;
• Fig. 17 the section along line XVII-XVII in Figure 15;
• Fig. 18 the section along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15; Fig. 19 the section along section plane XIX-XIX Figure 1;
• Fig. 20 an another sectional view according to Fig. 19, concerning the preparation position of the nebulizer
• Fig. 21 the section along line XXI-XXI in Figure 19;
• Fig. 22 an enlarged view of area XXII in Fig. 21, relating to an interme- diate position with the sectional plane offset;
• FIG. 23 the section along line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 22;
• Fig. 24 a continuation of Fig. 20, concerning the atomization position
• Fig. 25 an exploded perspective view of a release ring with release but- ton and associated mounting part
• Fig. 26 an additional explosion perspective view of the components according to Fig. 25;
• Fig. 27 a first housing part in perspective view
• Fig. 28 the first housing part in a sectional view along sectional plane XXVIII in Fig. 27;
• Fig. 29 the section according to the line XXIX -XXIX in Fig. 15; concerning a release position of the locking part; Fig. 30 a cut along line XXX-XXX in Fig. 15a through the area of the locking part;
• Fig. 31 the section along line XXXI-XXXI in Fig. 15a through the area of the locking part;
• Fig. 32 a sectional view according to Fig. 29, concerning a release position for cancelling the release position of the locking part;
• Fig. 33 a subsequent illustration to the illustration in Fig. 32, concerning a temporary intermediate position after the release position has been triggered;
• Fig. 34 a subsequent illustration to the illustration in Fig. 33, concerning the locking position of the locking part.
• FIG. 1 Shown and described, first with reference to the illustrations in Figures 1 to 3, is an nebulizer 1 for spraying dispensing of a fluid 3 stored in a container 2.
• the nebulizer 1 is preferably designed as a portable inhaler 1, further preferably having an elongated design, round or oval in cross-section, with a length of 80 to 200 mm, considered in the direction of a longitudinal housing axis x, further preferably about 100 to 150 mm, and a width or diameter of 20 to 60 mm, considered transversely thereto, further preferably about 25 to 50 mm. Accordingly, the nebulizer 1 can be guided and used with one hand, in particular when carrying out an inhalation process.
• the fluid 3 is preferably a therapeutic or pharmaceutical product to be inhaled by the user in the course of an inhalation process. Preferably, such inhalation is performed without propellant gas.
• the fluid 3 is preferably sucked from the container 2 into a pressure chamber 4 and, as a result of pressurization, expelled in an atomizing manner via a mouthpiece 5.
• the atomization processes carried out are preferably counted using a counter 6 arranged on the housing side.
• the nebulizer 1 has a housing 7 which is essentially divided into a first (upper) housing part 8 and a second (lower) housing part 9 (compare essentially Figure 3), which housing parts 9 and 8 can be rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal housing axis x to a limited extent.
• the first housing part 8 with the mouthpiece 5 formed thereon is defined as a stationary housing part, to which the second housing part 9 is rotatable relative to it about the longitudinal housing axis x (see direction of rotation a in Figure 1).
• the container 2 is received or is receivable in the housing 7 of the nebulizer 1, in particular in a receiving space 10 in the second housing part 9.
• the container 2 has a substantially circular-cylindrical or cartridge-like shape, wherein in an outer rigid casing, substantially comprising a circumferential container wall 11 and a container bottom 12, a collapsible, collapsible bag, in which the fluid 3 is held, is preferably accommodated.
• a sleeve-shaped closure housing part 13 is non-rotatably connected to the second housing part 9 in the usual position of use, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2.
• the container 2 can be inserted from below into the housing 7 , in particular into the second housing part 9 or into the receiving space 10, before initial use.
• the container 2 is snap-fitted to a retaining part 16 guided in the second housing part 9 linearly along the longitudinal housing axis x of the housing and non-rotatably relative to the second housing part 9.
• Spring-loaded, radially inwardly directed latching projections 17 of the retaining part 16 engage in a circumferential latching groove 18 of the container 2 in the area of its container neck (compare Figure 19).
• the mouthpiece 5 is preferably covered by a cover cap 19.
• the cover cap 19 can be pivotally dis- placeably mounted on the housing 7, here in particular on the first housing part 8.
• the geometric pivot axis y enabling this pivotal displacement can extend essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x of the housing.
• the cover cap closed position shown, for example, in Figure 1 the cover cap 19 can engage behind a counter latching section 21 provided on the housing side by means of a latching section 20 to secure the closed position.
• the retaining part 16 serves in particular for dispensing and atomizing the fluid 3, preferably in a defined metered quantity.
• the retaining part 16 has, in addition to the holder 22 for the container 2, which has the latching projections 17, a suction tube 23 which, when the container 2 is latched to the holder 22, dips into the interior of the container, in particular into the interior of the bag accommodated in the container 2, while piercing a passage opening 24 of the container 2.
• the end of the suction tube 23 facing away from the container 2 and pointing upwards in the illustrations can be provided at the end with a non-return valve 25, this end region of the suction tube 23 being inserted in the pressure chamber 4 formed in a nozzle body 26 so as to be linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis x of the housing.
• an ejection nozzle 27 can be formed associated with the mouthpiece 5 at the end of the pressure chamber.
• the retaining part 16 can be spring-loaded in the direction of the mouthpiece 5, preferably with a limited stop.
• a compression spring 28 for example in the form of a cylinder compression spring, can be provided, which preferably extends concentrically to the longitudinal axis x of the housing.
• the compression spring 28 is supported in the region of one end on the underside of the retaining part 16, surrounding the holder 22, and in the region of the opposite and, according to the illustrations, downwardly pointing end on a base part 29 latched to the second housing part 9.
• This base part 29 is provided with a central opening 30, through which the container 2 can project downwardly into the region of the closure housing part 13 or through which opening 30 the container 2 can be inserted for latching to the holder 22.
• the compression spring 28 is tensioned, i.e. compressed in its axial extension.
• the second housing part 9 is rotated relative to the first housing part 8 about the longitudinal housing axis x, preferably by an angle of rotation of about 180°.
• fluid 3 is simultaneously sucked or conveyed from the container 2 via the suction tube 23 into the pressure chamber 4, which successively enlarges in the course of the displacement of the retaining part 16.
• the container base 12 is pierced, in particular in the course of initial use of the container 2 during the downward displacement described above for clamping the system, for which purpose a piercing needle 33 is provided on the base side of the closure housing part 13, preferably spring-supported in the direction of the longitudinal axis x of the housing (compare Figure 20).
• the piercing needle 33 can, as shown, be part of a spring plate member 34 held and formed in the closure housing part 13, so that the piercing needle 33 is spring-biased in the direction of the container base 12.
• a trigger ring 35 arranged in the first housing part 8 serves this purpose, which can be acted upon from the outside by the user via a trigger button 36.
• the trigger button 36 is exposed in a window 37 of the first housing part 7 (compare Figures 3 and 21).
• the trigger button 36 may be covered by the cover cap 19 in a non-use position of the nebulizer 1 and held in a protected hidden position.
• the trigger ring 35 initially and substantially surrounds a wall 38 of the retaining part 16 surrounding the area of the counter inclined surface 32, with an increase in the thickness of the ring measured in the radial direction on both sides viewed in the circumferential direction from the area of the trigger button 36 (compare Figure 21).
• the trigger ring 35 has a receptacle 39 (see also Figure 3) for a housingside rib, which opens upwards in a U-shape with respect to an orientation of the nebulizer 1 according to Figure 19, whereby a rotationally secure retention of the trigger ring 35 as a whole in the first housing part 8 is provided.
• the receptacle 39 is formed on the top side of the trigger ring 35.
• a control projection 40 is formed on the underside of the trigger ring 35 approximately overlapping in the direction of the longitudinal housing axis x with respect to the receptacle 39.
• this projection interacts with a counter control projection 41 of the second housing part 9, which rotates in the course of the rotation relative to the stationary trigger ring 35, in such a way that loading of the trigger ring 35 in the region of the control projection 40 in a radially inward direction is achieved via sloping surfaces of the projections sliding against one another.
• the control projection 40 can partially engage in the recess 42 in order to lock the clamped position, thereby supporting itself on a shoulder of the retaining part 16 which delimits the recess 42 in the circumferential direction, as well as, if necessary, further or alternatively thereto, with a radial shoulder of the projection spaced in the circumferential direction of the trigger ring 35 from the inclined surface of the control projection 40, on an associated radial shoulder of the counter control projection 41, which shoulder can be reached after overrunning (compare figures 21 to 23).
• the ring-side control projection 40 is overlapped by the counter control projection 41.
• the tension of the release ring 35 when the retaining part 16 is displaced downwards, possibly supported by the radial displacement of the control projection 40 by the counter control projection 41, may result from the design of the trigger ring 35 with different thicknesses in the circumferential direction, in particular in this region diametrically opposite the trigger button 36 and having the control projection 40, an inward displacement of the trigger ring 35 - preferably together with the control projection 40 - in a radially inward direction, so that the relevant section of the trigger ring 35 lies in front of the facing end face of the wall 38 of the retaining part 16 in a locking manner in the axial direction and engages in the recess 42, respectively engages in the recess 42 and locks in front of the bottom of the recess 42 (compare Figures 22 and 23).
• the user moves the cover cap 19 to a position exposing the mouthpiece 5 as shown in Figure 16 and surrounds the mouthpiece 5 with the lips.
• the fluid dose divided in the pressure chamber 4 is expelled via the ejection nozzle 27 (compare Figure 24).
• the user can inhale the emerging aerosol 43, for which purpose air can be sucked in via at least one ventilation opening 44 at the foot side of the mouthpiece 5.
• Unlocking is effected by a pressure actuation of the release button 36 by the user, whereby the trigger ring 35 is loaded in such a way that its area essentially opposite the trigger button 36, in particular having the control projection 40, is displaced back radially outward again, which leads to a release of the retaining part 16. Accordingly, this can spring back into the initial position as a result of the release of the restoring force of the compression spring 28, whereby the fluid is expelled from the pressure chamber 4 and via the ejection nozzle 27 via the now closed non-return valve 25, which serves quasi as a piston in the course of this process.
• This can result in a nozzle jet fan of the aerosol 43 as shown in Figure 24, with an opening angle of about 30 to 150°, further about 75 to 115°.
• An atomizing operation can be registered and counted using the counter housed in the housing 7.
• the counting takes place with the rotation of the housing parts 8 and 9 relative to each other, i.e. with the preparation of the nebulizer 1 for carrying out a fluid discharge.
• Part of the counter 6 is first of all a spindle-like transmission part 45 with a geometrical spindle axis z, which transmission part 45, when aligned parallel to the longitudinal housing axis x, has a thread 46 running around the outside which rises along the spindle axis z.
• the transmission part 45 lies freely rotatable about its spindle axis z in a bead-like recess 47 of the housing wall 68 of the second housing part 9, wherein further the transmission part 45 is held on the second housing part 9 substantially rotatably and captively at each end.
• the transmission part 45 can engage in a bore 48 provided on the foot side of the recess 47 and, opposite the latter, be gripped in a region of a waist formation 80 by clip projections 49 formed on the housing side (compare Figures 14, 15 and 17).
• a counter pointer 50 meshing with the thread 46 of the transmission part 45 is movable. Starting from a position in which the counter pointer 50 is assigned to the end of the second housing part 9 facing away from the mouthpiece 5, this pointer moves successively in the direction of the end region of the transmission part 45 enclosed by the clip projections 49. Accordingly, with reference to the illustration in Figure 19, for example, there is a successive movement of the counter pointer 50 from bottom to top (see arrow r in Figure 14).
• the counter pointer 50 points with its pointer tip directed transversely to the shaft axis z to a scale 51 arranged on the outside of the wall of the second housing part 9 (see Figures 14 and 15).
• the value to which the pointer tip of the counter pointer 50 points can, as is preferred, indicate the number of possible atomization processes still available or, alternatively, the number of atomization processes already performed.
• This count value of the scale 51 is preferably visible to the user through a transparent portion of the closure housing part 13.
• the transmission part 45 is rotationally driven by the relative rotational displacement of the housing parts 8 and 9 with respect to each other, which is carried out in the course of the inhalation preparation, for which purpose the transmission part 45 has a tooth formation 52 in the region of the end enclosed in the bore 48, with, for example, four radially aligned teeth 53 distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction, as also shown in Figure 16.
• two diametrically opposite drivers 54 are formed, in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis x of the housing (compare enlarged sectional view in Figure 16), for cooperation with the tooth formation 52 when the housing parts 8 and 9 are rotated relative to one another (compare direction of rotation arrow a of the housing part and direction of rotation arrow b of the transmission part in Figure 16). Due to this diametrical arrangement of two drivers 54, a rotational effect on the transmission part 45 and thus a linear displacement on the counter pointer 50 along the spindle axis z is achieved for each inhalation preparation.
• nebulizer 1 When a maximum number of atomization processes has been reached, i.e., when a predetermined maximum use of nebulizer 1 has been reached, the nebulizer 1 is not to be usable any further, since in this situation it cannot be ensured that container 2 still contains a sufficient amount of fluid to carry out proper inhalation. A supposed inhalation without or with reduced fluid output is to be prevented.
• the nebulizer 1 has a locking part 55 which, in the locked position, prevents the axial displaceability of the retaining part 16 for building up the tension of the compression spring 28 and for filling the pressure chamber 4.
• the locking part 55 initially has a plate-like base section 56 with a window-like latching opening 57.
• the base section 56 is thereby bounded on one side by a section with an impact surface 58 projecting from the base section 56 in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the locking part 55.
• the base section 56 merges, preferably in one piece and of the same material, into two arms which are essentially adjacent to one another and determine the elongated design of the locking part 55 in the direction of the spindle axis z, of which a shorter arm 61 forms a hook-shaped bend 59 in the region of the free end and the other (longer) arm 62 bears a retaining section 60.
• the bend 59 assumes an obtuse angle a to the arm 61 carrying the bend 59, which angle a can be about 115 to 150°, further for example about 135°, wherein further with respect to the crosssection the bend 59, starting from the arm 61, runs in the opposite direction to the section of the base section 56 forming the impact surface 58.
• a bead-like embossing 63 in the transition area of the arm 61 into the angled bend 59 and further in the area of the angled bend 59 itself provides a high degree of stability and rigidity in this area of the locking part 55.
• the finger-like projecting angled bend 59 forms a blocking edge 64 in the region of the free end.
• the arm 62 which is approximately 1.3 to 1.8 times longer than the arm 61, merges in the region of its end remote from the impact surface 58 into a U- connecting web 65, which in turn carries the aforementioned retaining section 60, which in cross-section preferably extends approximately parallel to and at a distance from the arm 62.
• the free edge 66 of the retaining section 60 is directed towards the base section 56, the retaining section 60 projecting with its free end in the cross-section and with respect to a projection perpendicular to the cross- sectional plane beyond the blocking edge 64 of the bend 59 (compare Figure 12).
• the locking part 55 is preferably made of a stamped and bent spring plate.
• the locking part 55 is held on the outer wall side of the second housing part 9.
• a radially outwardly open pocket 67 can be provided in the housing wall 68 substantially as an extension of the bead- like recess 47 for receiving the spindle-shaped transmission part 45, in which pocket 67 the locking part 55 is axially displaceable to a limited extent and captive (compare Figures 15 and 29).
• the locking part 55 is held essentially by enclosing the edge 69 of the second housing part 9 facing the mouthpiece 5 by the U-connection web 65 and the adjoining retaining section 60, which preferably rests against the inner surface 70 of the housing wall 68 (compare Figures 29 and 30).
• the selected length of the retaining section 60 provides limited axial displaceability of the locking part 55 while retaining the retaining means on the second housing part 9.
• the release part 72 which is displaced together with the counter pointer 50 in the direction of the arrow r, reaches the impact surface 58 of the locking part 55 with its control finger 73 and lifts the latter as a result of the lift-off bevel 74 formed on the control finger 73 in such a way that the latching between the housing-side latching projection 71 and the latching opening 57 of the locking part 55 is cancelled.
• the locking part 55 can now, in the course of the further displacement of the release part 72 in the direction of arrow r, be displaced in the axial direction to such an extent that ultimately the angled bend 59 with its blocking edge 64 loses its support on the bottom of the pocket and falls with spring support through an opening 75 formed in the bottom of the pocket 67, in order to engage through this opening into an axial groove 76 of the retaining part 16, which is open radially outwards in the direction of the inner surface 70 of the second housing part 9, which overlaps the retaining part 16.
• the axial groove 76 is bounded on the mouthpiece side by a locking shoulder 77. According to the illustration in Figure 34, this locking shoulder 77 extends in the locking position essentially directly above the blocking edge 64 of the locking part 55, so that the retaining part 16 as a whole, correspondingly together with the container 2, is prevented from axial movement, preferably permanently, in the stop-limited basic position according to Figure 19. The nebulizer 1 cannot be used any further in this locking position, which cannot be undone without causing damage. [0076] Due to the given spring bias, under which the locking part 55 is preferably in the release position as well as in the locking position and in any intermediate position, the locking position is particularly secured.
• An nebulizer 1 characterized in that a locking part 55 is received in the second housing part 9, which is movable into the axial groove 76 in response to a number of atomizing operations detected by the counter 6, for blocking axial movability of the retaining part 16 relative to the second housing part 9.
• An nebulizer 1 characterized in that the locking part 55 is displaceable between a release position and a locking position.
• An nebulizer 1 characterized in that the locking part 55 is hook-shaped, with a bend 59 facing the retaining part 16 at the end of the locking part 55 facing the mouthpiece.
• An nebulizer 1 characterized in that the locking part 55 is resiliently formed.
• An nebulizer characterized in that the locking part is movably held on the housing part 9 in the axial direction by means of the retaining section 60.
• An nebulizer characterized in that the locking part 55 is spring biased in the release position.
• An nebulizer characterized in that the locking part 55 latches to the second housing part 9 in the release position.
• An nebulizer which is characterized in that the latching can be released by means of a release part 72 which can be acted upon by the counter 6.

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• 2023
  • 2023-06-08 EP EP23735855.1A patent/EP4568721A1/de active Pending
• 2024
  • 2024-04-01 WO PCT/IB2024/053151 patent/WO2024209333A1/en not_active Ceased

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