Dispenser

• US 20040138618A1
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mazzoni, Paolo
• Granted Patent: US 7,214,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0036 hollow piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/02 Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1091 being first hold in a loaded state by locking means or the like, then released B05B11/1092 takes precedence

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a unit dose of a pharmaceutical substance, in particular one for intranasal administration, is disclosed. The unit dose is contained in a cylinder which is moved relative to a piston to expel the contents thereof through a passage in the piston and out of a nozzle opening. The dispensing apparatus includes a case with a base part and a cover.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a pharmaceutical substance comprising:

a base member and a cover member closeable thereon;

a dispensing member which is movable between a first position on the base member under the closed cover member and a second position protruding from the base member after opening and reclosing of the cover member;

a container of the pharmaceutical substance to be dispensed;

an actuating member for discharging the pharmaceutical substance from the container and through the dispensing member;

wherein in the second position of the dispensing member the container is in registration with the actuating member so that the actuating member can cause dispensing of the pharmaceutical substance through the dispensing member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing member includes the container.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispensing member is removable from the base member for disposal after use.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein two or more spare dispensing members are mountable on the base or cover member.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing member is pivotable relative to the base member between the first and second positions.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing member is mounted on a support which is pivotally connected to the base member.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing member has a protective cap which has locking wings to hold it on the dispensing member, the pivotal support having surfaces which retract the locking wings upon mounting of the dispensing member on the support.

8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the dispensing member is slidable onto and off the pivotal support.

9. A device according to claim 7 or to claim 8 when appended to claim 7, wherein the base member has an edge surface which prevents registration of the dispensing member with the actuating member until removal of the protective cap.

10. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a latch for latching the actuating member and a release member for releasing the actuating member from the latch.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the release member has at least a first safety catch which holds it in position on the base member, the first safety catch being released by movement of the dispensing member to the second position.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuating member has a primed condition and an unprimed condition, the primed condition being achieved by sliding movement of a carriage on the base member.

13. A device according to claim 12 when appended to claim 10 or 11, wherein sliding of the carriage compresses a spring which is releasable by the release member to actuate the actuating member.

14. A device according to claim 12 or 13 when appended to claim 11, wherein the release member has a second safety catch which holds it in position on the base member, the second safety catch being released upon sliding movement of the carriage.

15. A device according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the cover member cooperates with the carriage such that after dispensing, opening of the cover member slides back the carriage to its initial position.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein a pin on the cover member cooperates with a:

cam track on the carriage.

17. A device according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the carriage includes a surface which is blocked by the dispensing member in its first position, thus preventing movement of the carriage.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the surface is at the end of an arm of the carriage.

19. A device according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the carriage can be held in a forward position on the base member by means of catch surfaces on the cover member.

20. A device according to claim 10, claim 11 or to any of claims 12 to 19 when appended to claim 10, wherein the latch has catches on the base member which hold the actuating member, and wherein a push button on the base or cover member is able to move the release member to cause inclined surfaces on the release member to move the catches to release the actuating member.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein the catches are at the ends of resilient arms.

22. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing member is nozzle shaped for insertion in a nasal cavity.

23. A device according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the carriage and dispensing member are provided at opposite ends of the base member, the carriage being slidable in a direction towards the dispensing member in its second position, the actuating member comprising a piston rod arranged between the carriage and the dispensing member.

24. A device according to claim 23 when appendant on claim 11, wherein the latch has catches on the base member which hold the actuating member, wherein a push button on the base or cover member is able to move the release member to cause inclined surfaces on the release member to move the catches to release the actuating member and wherein the release member is elongate and is arranged on the base member parallel to the piston rod, the safety catches of the release member being at opposite ends thereof and the push button being moveable perpendicularly to the release member.