Aerosol inhalation device
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted to cooperate with, attached to, or formed integrally with a chamber to define a major fluid passage comprising an upstream zone within the chamber and a downstream zone;
a major fluid exit provided in the downstream zone;
a back-flow fluid exit in selective fluid communication with the downstream zone, said back-flow fluid exit comprising an annular passage surrounding said major fluid passage, said annular passage comprising an annular sealing ledge; and
a diaphragm, mounted within the housing, comprising;
a central region, comprising crossed slits defining a plurality of flaps interfacing the upstream and downstream zones and being operable to allow fluid flow therethrough from the upstream zone to the downstream zone and through the major fluid exit, anda continuous peripheral region across the back-flow fluid exit being closeable by resting against said annular sealing ledge when the major valve means is opened and operable upon deflection at the periphery away from said sealing ledge when the central region is closed and when fluid pressure in the downstream zone is higher than ambient pressure so as to allow escape of fluid from the downstream zone to atmosphere via the back-flow fluid exit.
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Abstract
A diaphragm valve mechanism comprises a diaphragm valve support structure having passages extending therethrough. Projecting normal to a grid are a number of locating pins which are adapted to extend through holes in the diaphragm valve. The diaphragm valve is formed of flexible material and is provided with a pair of cross slits, each corresponding with the grid bridge element. The central portion of the diaphragm valve is located within a major flow passage whereas the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm valve is located within an exit passage.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a housing adapted to cooperate with, attached to, or formed integrally with a chamber to define a major fluid passage comprising an upstream zone within the chamber and a downstream zone; a major fluid exit provided in the downstream zone; a back-flow fluid exit in selective fluid communication with the downstream zone, said back-flow fluid exit comprising an annular passage surrounding said major fluid passage, said annular passage comprising an annular sealing ledge; and a diaphragm, mounted within the housing, comprising; a central region, comprising crossed slits defining a plurality of flaps interfacing the upstream and downstream zones and being operable to allow fluid flow therethrough from the upstream zone to the downstream zone and through the major fluid exit, and a continuous peripheral region across the back-flow fluid exit being closeable by resting against said annular sealing ledge when the major valve means is opened and operable upon deflection at the periphery away from said sealing ledge when the central region is closed and when fluid pressure in the downstream zone is higher than ambient pressure so as to allow escape of fluid from the downstream zone to atmosphere via the back-flow fluid exit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification