Nebulizer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9744313-B2
Application number	US-201414453801-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2014
Priority date	Aug 9, 2013
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

A nebulizer and a housing part comprising a blocking device as well as use of a blocking device are proposed. The blocking device blocks a rotatable element of a counter device in a defined rotational position until the nebulizer is closed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A nebulizer ( 1 ) for a fluid ( 2 ), comprising:
a housing,
a housing part ( 18 ) which, for purposes of closing the housing, is connectable or attachable to the housing via a delivery mechanism, wherein a container ( 3 ) holding the fluid ( 2 ) is arranged in the housing part ( 18 ) and is fluidically connected to the delivery mechanism when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, and
a counter device ( 23 ) which is inseparably connected with the housing part ( 18 ), the counter device ( 23 ) comprising a rotatable element that, in a closed state of the nebulizer ( 1 ) when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, meshes with a drive member arranged at the housing,
wherein the nebulizer ( 1 ) comprises a blocking device ( 74 ) for blocking the rotatable element until the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) blocks the rotatable element against rotation by form-fit engagement,
wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) comprises a blocking part ( 75 ) which has a receiving opening ( 76 ) for receiving an engagement portion ( 70 ) which is associated to or forms part of the rotatable element, and
wherein the blocking part ( 75 ) is axially moveable, in particular out of radial engagement with the engagement portion ( 70 ) for unblocking rotation of the rotatable element in the closed state.

2. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) is arranged at or within the housing part ( 18 ).

3. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) is actuated directly or indirectly by the housing or an inner part ( 17 ) of the nebulizer ( 1 ) when connecting the housing part ( 18 ) to the housing in order to unlock the rotatable element, and/or that the blocking of the rotatable element is terminated upon the closing or connection of the housing part ( 18 ) and/or the housing.

4. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) unlocks the rotatable element automatically when the closed state is at least essentially or completely reached and/or when the rotatable element is in meshing engagement with the drive member.

5. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the counter device ( 23 ) comprises a threaded shaft ( 42 ) and/or a drive gear ( 43 ) as the rotatable element.

6. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the nebulizer ( 1 ) or housing comprises a toothing ( 45 ) as the drive member.

7. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion ( 70 ) is associated to or forms part of the rotatable element and/or a threaded shaft ( 42 ) of the counter device ( 23 ).

8. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking part ( 75 ) is axially moved or depressed when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, wherein in particular the blocking part ( 75 ) is depressed by the housing or by an inner part ( 17 ) of the nebulizer ( 1 ), a retaining part ( 39 ) or a securing part ( 40 ) arranged within the housing part ( 18 ).

9. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the counter device ( 23 ) or the rotatable element is driven by rotation of the rotatable element or housing part ( 18 ) relative to the housing.

10. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein for replacing the container ( 3 ), the housing part ( 18 ) is detachable from the housing.

11. A nebulizer ( 1 ) for a fluid ( 2 ), comprising:
a housing,
a housing part ( 18 ) which, for purposes of closing the housing, is connectable or attachable to the housing via a delivery mechanism, wherein a container ( 3 ) holding the fluid ( 2 ) is arranged in the housing part ( 18 ) and is fluidically connected to the delivery mechanism when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, and
a counter device ( 23 ) which is inseparably connected with the housing part ( 18 ), the counter device ( 23 ) comprising a rotatable element that, in a closed state of the nebulizer ( 1 ) when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, meshes with a drive member arranged at the housing,
wherein the nebulizer ( 1 ) comprises a blocking device ( 74 ) for blocking the rotatable element until the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) blocks the rotatable element against rotation by form-fit engagement, and
wherein the nebulizer ( 1 ) or a member ( 50 ) thereof comprises a holding part ( 80 ) or multiple holding parts ( 80 ) for selectively pulling the rotatable element.

12. The nebulizer according to claim 11 , wherein the holding part ( 80 ) or the multiple holding parts ( 80 ) selectively pull the rotatable element by engaging a collar ( 82 ) of the rotatable element, in an axial direction.

13. The nebulizer according to claim 12 , wherein the collar ( 82 ) of the rotatable element is disc-like.

14. A housing part ( 18 ) for a nebulizer ( 1 ) for dispensing a fluid ( 2 ), comprising:
a counter device ( 23 ) arranged at the housing part ( 18 ), and
a rotatable element within the counter device ( 23 ) which is driven by the nebulizer ( 1 ),
wherein the housing part ( 18 ) comprises a blocking device ( 74 ) for blocking the rotatable element when the housing part ( 18 ) is detached from the nebulizer ( 1 ) and/or when the housing part ( 18 ) does not completely close a housing of the nebulizer ( 1 ), wherein, for blocking the rotatable element, the blocking device ( 74 ) locks the rotatable element against rotation by form-fit engagement,
wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) comprises a blocking part ( 75 ) which has a receiving opening ( 76 ), and
wherein the blocking part ( 75 ) is axially moveable or depressible for unblocking the rotatable element.

15. The housing part according to claim 14 , wherein the blocking device ( 74 ) is arranged at or within the housing part ( 18 ).

16. The housing part according to claim 14 , wherein the counter device ( 23 ) comprises a threaded shaft ( 42 ) and/or a drive gear ( 43 ) as the rotatable element.

17. The housing part according to claim 14 , wherein the housing part ( 18 ) holds the container ( 3 ) containing the fluid ( 2 ) inseparable from the counter device ( 23 ).

18. The housing part according to claim 14 , wherein for blocking the rotatable element, the blocking device ( 74 ) blocks the rotation of the rotatable element in a defined rotational position of the rotatable element.

19. The housing part according to claim 14 , wherein the receiving opening ( 76 ) has at least partly a non-circular cross section for receiving a non-circular engagement portion ( 70 ) for rotational blocking of the rotatable element.

20. A nebulizer ( 1 ) for a fluid ( 2 ), comprising:
a housing,
a housing part ( 18 ) which, for purposes of closing the housing, is connectable or attachable to the housing via a delivery mechanism, wherein a container ( 3 ) holding the fluid ( 2 ) is arranged in the housing part ( 18 ) and is fluidically connected to the delivery mechanism when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, and
a counter device ( 23 ) which is inseparably connected with the housing part ( 18 ), the counter device ( 23 ) comprising a rotatable element that, in a closed state of the nebulizer ( 1 ) when the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, meshes with a drive member arranged at the housing,
wherein the nebulizer ( 1 ) comprises a blocking device ( 74 ) for blocking the rotatable element until the housing part ( 18 ) is connected to the housing, wherein the blockin

Assignees

• Besseler Jens
• Herrmann Frank
• Holakovsky Holger
• Argauer Herbert
• Gatz Josef
• Gorshoefer Andreas
• Boehringer Ingelheim Int

Inventors

• Besseler Jens
• Herrmann Frank
• Holakovsky Holger
• Argauer Herbert
• Gatz Josef
• Gorshoefer Andreas

Classifications

• A61M15/0081

  Locking means · CPC title

• A61M15/0036

  hollow piercing means · CPC title

• A61M15/00

  Inhalators {(drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04)} · CPC title

• A61M15/0071

  having a display or indicator · CPC title

• A61M11/007

  Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers · CPC title