AU2018101035A4 - Asthma inhaler clip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an asthma inhaler clip. The clip connects onto an asthma inhaler, allowing the asthma inhaler to be clipped to items such as a pocket or the like. -1/2 Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

ASTHMA INHALER CLIP

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to clips for attachment of an asthma inhaler to an article of clothing, such as a belt or any other suitable object.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use with the Ventolin™ style asthma inhalers and for the attachment of the asthma inhaler to general objects and articles of clothing and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention [3] Presently, there is a need for a convenient device for keeping an asthma inhaler connected to the user whilst being readably accessible. It will be appreciated that easy accessibility is important in the case of conditions such as asthma where an attack can occur with little or no warning.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [5] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an asthma inhaler clip for allowing an asthma inhaler to be carried by an object in use, comprising: a first portion for attachment to the asthma inhaler; and a second portion that is adapted for allowing the asthma inhaler to be releasably carried by the object in use.

[6] Advantageously, the asthma inhaler can be carried by a user such that it is easily accessible, which is important when the user suffers from conditions such as asthma which often can require ready availability to an asthma inhaler in the situation where an asthma attack occurs.

[7] Preferably, the first portion comprises a slidable attachment for slidable attachment to the asthma inhaler.

[8] Advantageously, the slidable attachment allows for easy attachment and detachment of the asthma inhaler from the asthma inhaler clip, providing benefits when replacing the asthma inhaler.

[9] Preferably, the slidable attachment comprises a looped portion.

[10] Advantageously, the looped portion provides for a secure fitment of the asthma inhaler to the asthma inhaler clip.

[11] Preferably, the slidable attachment comprises two arms, each arm having a transverse portion, the transverse portion being transverse to the general direction of the length of the arm.

[12] Advantageously, the two arms allow for easy attachment of the asthma inhaler to the asthma inhaler clip.

[13] Preferably, the second portion is a member made of a resilient material adapted such that, in use with an elongate object, the elongate object can pass through a gap defined by the asthma inhaler and the member.

[14] Advantageously, the resilient material provides a self-adjusting function allowing for the second portion to adjust to different thickness materials to which it may be attached.

[15] Preferably, the second portion is biased against the asthma inhaler.

[16] Advantageously, the biasing of the second portion against the asthma inhaler provides for a more secure attachment of the asthma inhaler to the object in use.

[17] Preferably, the member comprises a curved portion and the gap is created adjacent the curved portion.

[18] Advantageously, the curved portion aids in the attachment of the asthma inhaler to the object in use by providing a gap allowing for easy attachment to the object in use.

[19] Preferably, the asthma inhaler comprises an embossment on an outer surface, wherein the looped portion is adapted such that when it is located past the embossment, the embossment at least causes resistance to the looped portion sliding off the asthma inhaler.

[20] Advantageously, this enables the asthma inhaler clip to more reliably retain the asthma inhaler. In another embodiment, the looped portion is adapted such that when it is located past the embossment, the embossment stops the looped portion sliding off the asthma inhaler unless the user pulls the asthma inhaler out of the asthma inhaler clip.

[21] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [24] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an asthma inhaler clip connected to an asthma inhaler in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [25] Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of the asthma inhaler clip of Fig. 1 connected to an asthma inhaler; [26] Fig. 3 shows a front perspective view of the asthma inhaler clip of Fig. 1; and [27] Fig. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the asthma inhaler clip of Fig. 1.

Description of Embodiments [28] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[29] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the asthma inhaler clip which allows for an asthma inhaler 101 to be carried by an object in use (not shown). The object in use could be a belt, jacket, handbag, first-aid box, pocket or any other article of clothing among other things. In this embodiment, the asthma inhaler clip is attached to an asthma inhaler 101 by way of a first portion 106 which is adapted for attachment to the asthma inhaler 101. A second portion 100 of the asthma inhaler clip is adapted to allow the asthma inhaler 101 to be releasably carried by the object in use, allowing for easy removal of the asthma inhaler 101 from the object in use, which is important when the need arises to use the asthma inhaler 101, which in certain cases may be urgent due to the sudden nature of the symptoms associated with asthma.

[30] As can be seen in Figure 1, the asthma inhaler 101 comprises an embossment 102 on the outer surface of the asthma inhaler 101. The embossment 102 is typical of Ventolin™ type asthma inhalers, where the first portion 106, which in this embodiment is a looped portion is adapted such that when it is located past the embossment 102, the embossment 102 at least causes resistance to the first portion 106 from sliding off the asthma inhaler 101.

[31] Figure 2 shows a side view of the asthma inhaler clip detailing the location of the second portion 100 of the asthma inhaler clip in relation to the asthma inhaler 101. As previously discussed, the asthma inhaler clip comprises a first portion 106 which in this embodiment is a slidable attachment which comprises a looped portion for attachment to the asthma inhaler 101.

[32] In Figure 2 the second portion 100 in one embodiment, is a member made of a resilient material adapted such that, in use with an elongate object (not shown), the elongate object can pass through a gap 104 defined by the asthma inhaler 101 and the second portion 100. The elongate object may, for example, be a belt of a user or a strap of a handbag.

[33] The clip as shown in Figure 2 exemplifies that the second portion 100 is biased against the asthma inhaler 101. This provides a more secure attachment of the asthma inhaler 101 to the object in use (not shown). In this embodiment, the second portion 100 is biased against the asthma inhaler 101 by virtue of the second portion 100 being manufactured from a resilient plastic material, although, in other embodiments, the resilience could be achieved by a hinge and spring.

[34] In Figure 3 the asthma inhaler clip is shown in a front perspective view outlining the asthma inhaler clips structure showing the location of the first portion 103 which includes two sides 107 and 108 in relation to the second portion 100.

[35] In Figure 4 the second portion 100 which is attached to the first portion 103 comprises a curved portion with a rounded end 105 allowing for easy attachment of the first portion 100 to an object in use.

[36] In another embodiment (not shown) the slidable attachment comprises two arms, each arm having a transverse portion, the transverse portion being transverse to the general direction of the length of the arm.

Interpretation

Embodiments: [37] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[38] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[39] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects [40] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details [41] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology [42] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[43] For the purposes of this specification, the term “plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[44] As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

[45] As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including [46] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[47] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention [48] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[49] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability [50] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the consumer product industries.

Claims (5)

1. Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. An asthma inhaler clip for allowing an asthma inhaler to be carried by an object in use, comprising: a first portion for attachment to the asthma inhaler; and a second portion that is adapted for allowing the asthma inhaler to be releasably carried by the object in use.
2. 2. The asthma inhaler clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a slidable attachment for slidable attachment to the asthma inhaler.
3. 3. The asthma inhaler clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slidable attachment comprises a looped portion.
4. 4. The asthma inhaler clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slidable attachment comprises two arms, each arm having a transverse portion, the transverse portion being transverse to the general direction of the length of the arm.
5. 5. The asthma inhaler clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion is a member made of a resilient material and configured to be biased against the asthma inhaler in use, to allow the object to which it is being attached in use to be inserted into a gap defined by the asthma inhaler and the member.