Dispenser

• US 7,214,209 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mazzoni, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESANTO, MATTHEW F
• Application Number:
  US10/474,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 604/61, 604/62, 604/64, 604131-135, 604140-143, 604145-155
• 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 redo sing of the cover member;

a container of the pharmaceutical substance to be dispensed; and

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

wherein in the first position of the dispensing member the container is not in registration with the actuating member so that a release member can cause dispensing of the pharmaceutical substance through the dispensing member; and

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

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing member is pivotable relative to the base between the first and second position.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing member is mounted on a support which is pivotally connected to the base.

4. A device according to claim 3, 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.

5. A device according to claim 4, 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.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing member is slidable onto and off of the pivotal support.

7. A device according to claim 1, 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.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the cover member cooperates with the carriage such that after dispensing, opening of the cover member slides back the carnage to its initial position.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein a pin on the cover cooperates with a cam track on the carriage.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the carriage includes a surface which is blocked by the dispensing member in its first position, thus preventing movement of the carriage.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the surface is at the end of an arm of the carriage.

12. A device according to claim 7, 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 dispending member.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the release member is elongate and is arranged on the base 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.

14. A device according to claim 7, wherein sliding of the carriage compresses a spring which is released by the release member to actuate the actuating member.

15. A device according to claim 7, wherein the safety member has a second safety catch which holds it in position on the base, the second safety catch being released upon sliding movement of the carriage.

16. A device according to claim 7, wherein the carriage can be held in a forward condition on the base by means of catch surfaces on the cover.

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

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein two or more spare dispensing members are mounted on the base or cover member.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein a push button on the base or cover member is configured to move the release member, with inclined surfaces on the release member being configured to move catches on the base member which hold the actuating member.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the catches of the base member are at the ends of resilient arms.

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

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein the release member has at least a first safety catch which holds it in position on the base, the first safety catch being released by movement of the dispensing member to the second position.

23. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing member is nozzle shaped for insertion in a nasal cavity.