MXPA06009862A - A fluid dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing device (1405) for dispensing a fluid product having a dispensing outlet (1411) from which the fluid product is dispensable, a supply of the fluid product, a dispensing member (1430) mounted for movement in a dispensing direction along an axis X-X from a first position to a second position which causes a dose of the fluid product in the supply to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet, and a finger-operable actuator member (1420) mounted for movement in an actuating direction which is generally transverse to the axis. The actuator member has at least one cam surface (1422) and the dispensing member has at least one cam follower surface (1492). The at least one cam surface has a commitment section (1423a), oriented at a first angle to the axis, and an adjacent drive section (1423b), which is oriented at a second angle to the axis which is greater than the first angle.

Description

LIQUID SUPPLY APPARATUS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus for supplying a liquid product, for example a medicament, and is particularly, but not exclusively, related to an intranasal delivery apparatus. Background of the Invention It is well known to provide a liquid supplier in which the liquid is supplied by means of a nozzle or orifice at the moment of the application of a force by a user to a pump supplier. Said apparatuses are generally adapted with a container which contains several doses of a liquid formulation that is to be supplied by means of pump drives measured consecutively. In North American Patent No. 4, 946, 069 an example of the spray of a pumping action is shown and described. A manually portable intranasal drug supplier, intranasal liquid is described in WO-A-03/095007, the total content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The provider has a housing which houses a liquid discharge apparatus having a compression pump mounted in a container containing the medicament. The housing has at least one finger-operated lateral lever which can move inwardly relative to the housing to the container cam upward in the housing to cause the pump to compress and send a dose of the medication outside the pump stem through the nasal nozzle of the housing. In one embodiment shown in Figures 1 9, 1 9 a and 1 9 b, a pair of levers of opposite sides cooperate with a collar mounted on the neck of the container. The collar provides surfaces of a cam follower, which moves on the cam surface of the levers when the levers are moved inwardly. The surfaces of the cam follower comprise actions that are inclined at different angles to the direction (axes) of the cam movement of the liquid discharge apparatus. The steeper sections provide the supplier with a hooking feature. In other words, only at the moment of the application of at least a minimum force of the finger to the side levers can the levers overcome the more inclined sections of the surface of the cam follower. The magnitude of this force, coupled with the change in the angle of the cam follower surface for the flatter sections, ensures that each lever slides quickly on the surfaces of the cam follower, as the more inclined sections of the cam follow The cam follower surface is exceeded thereby providing reliable compression of the compression pump and medication atomization. The object of the present invention is to provide improvements to liquid supply apparatuses, in particular those for intranasal use and / or those operated by lateral actuators. Brief Description of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying liquids according to claim 1 of this document, a liquid supplying apparatus according to claim 30 of the document, a liquid supplying apparatus for according to claim 37 of the document, a liquid supplier according to claim 42 of the document, an assembly according to claim 48 of the document, and a liquid supplier according to claim 52 of the document. The useful features of the present invention are set forth in the other claims thereof. The term "operable with the finger" means that it can be operated by the action of the finger or thumb, or combinations thereof, of a typical user (eg, an adult patient or child). Usually, the minimum drive force is in a range of 5 to 30N, more generally from 1 0 to 25N. Said values tend to correspond to a force that presents a "barrier force" suitable for a weak finger movement, not described or not intended, while it may be easily overcome by the action of the determined finger (or thumb) of a finger. user. It will be appreciated that if the device is designed to be used by a child or elderly patient, it may have a lower operating force than that designed for adult use. Ideally and particularly, in the use of medicines, the supplier of the present invention supplies measured doses of the liquid product. Ideally, the provider is configured and adapted to supply each dose of the liquid product in the form of an atomized spray. Conveniently, the liquid supplier of the present invention incorporates a pump for pumping the dose of liquid product from the supplier. The pump may comprise a pre-compression pump such as a VP3 or VP7 model, or a modified version thereof, manufactured by Valois SA. Generally, said pre-compression pumps are generally used with a bottle container (glass or plastic) with a capacity of 8 to 50 ml of a liquid product. Each drive will generally administer 25 to 150μl, particularly 50 to 100μl, of the liquid product (i.e. a metered dose) and therefore, the apparatus generally has the ability to provide at least 50 measured doses (e.g. or 1 00). Other suitable supply containers include those sold by Erich Pfeiffer GmbH, Rexam-Sofab and Saint-Cobain Calmar GmbH.

To avoid doubts, different aspects of the present invention can be modified to incorporate other aspects of one or more characteristics of other aspects. The additional features and aspects of the present invention are set forth in the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a liquid supply apparatus of the present invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the provider.

Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the provider. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the area A of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area B of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged rear plan view of a nozzle of a liquid supplying apparatus mounted in a housing of the apparatus. Figure 7A is a schematic plan view of an actuating lever of the liquid supply apparatus. Figure 7B is a side view of the lever taken on arrow A of Figure 7A. Figure 8 is a side view of the nozzle. Figure 9 is a schematic reclosure of a guide mechanism of the liquid supply apparatus.

Figure 1 0 is an enlarged view of one of a pair of tips of the lever which have a cam profile. Figure 11 is a fragmentary schematic view of the lever in an outward position in relation to the housing of the liquid supply apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 to 1 1 show a liquid supply apparatus 1405 for spraying a liquid into the nasal cavity of a human user, which is in accordance with the present invention. The liquid supply apparatus 1405 comprises a plastic housing 1409 (for example, ABS), a nozzle 141 1 for inserting it into the nasal cavity at the upper end of the housing 1409 and a liquid discharge apparatus 1408 housed therein. housing 1409 for reciprocal movement along its longitudinal axis XX. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, when the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 is received in the housing 1409, its longitudinal axis X-X is in line with the nozzle 141 1. The outer surface or part of the outer surface of the nozzle 141 1 can be made of a soft plastic material on contact. However, in this embodiment, nozzle 141 1 is made of polypropylene (PP). The liquid discharge apparatus 1408 comprises a container 1430, for storing sufficient liquid for metered doses thereof to be supplied and a compression pump 1429 mounted on the container 1430. The container 1430 is made of a translucent plastic material or transparent, although it could be appreciated that it could be made of other transparent or transparent materials, such as glass. The bomb 1429 has a suction inlet 1461, in the form of a submerged tube, located within the container 1430 and a discharge outlet 1463, in the form of a pump rod for transferring the liquid from the pump 1429 to the nozzle 141 1. The housing 1409 is provided with a window 1450 through which the liquid level in the container 1430 can be checked. Mounted pivotally to the housing are the means that can be operated with the finger 1420 to apply a force to the container 1430 in a direction which is transverse to longitudinal axis XX. This transverse force moves the container 1430 towards the nozzle 141 1 along the longitudinal axis XX as to operate the pump 1429. The means that can be operated by the finger are in the form of a lever 1420 (for example of ABS) connected in a pivotal manner in its lower end to the housing 1409 and accommodated to actuate it at the moment on the container 1430 so as to urge the container 1430 towards the nozzle 141 1 when the lever 1420 is turned inward by a finger or the thumb of the user. A protective cap 1407 is provided for the protection of the nozzle 141 1. The first and second spikes 1449a, 1449b project from end cap 1407 to receive within appropriately accommodated channels 1451 a, 1451 b, provided within housing 1409 to allow secure attachment of end cap 1407 to housing 1409. When received in this manner, the first spigot 1449a further interferes with the movement of the lever 1420 so as to prevent the actuation (ie, a closing movement) of the lever 1420 when the end cap 1407 and the spigots 1449a, 1449b are in its place (that is, in the position covered by the mouthpiece). The end cap 1407 also has a protruding cap 1460 which has a convex elastic end shape 1461 adapted for a packing engagement with the supply hole 141 5 of the nozzle 141 1 to provide an essentially free seal for the orifice. the nozzle 1415 to prevent the liquid from draining when the plug 1460 is in place. The end cap is suitably made of the same material as the housing, for example, a plastic material, suitably ABS. As can be understood by referring to Figures 3, 5 and 7A, lever 1420 has a pair of tips or noses 1421 which each have a cam surface 1422 adapted to interact as one of a pair of the surfaces of followers. 1492 cam provided on the collar 1490 (eg, acetal) fixed around the neck of the container 1430. It will be appreciated that the lateral forces (e.g., substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis XX of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 ) applied to the lever 1420 result in the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 mounted on the cam surfaces 1422, making an upward movement (ie, along the axis XX) of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408. With In greater detail, the tips 1421 are located at the upper end of the lever 1420 on opposite sides thereof. In the plan view, the upper end of the lever 1420 has a U-shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 7A. The tips 1421 mounted on the opposite ends of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 to cooperate with the surface of the diametrically opposed cam follower 1492 on the collar 1490. Noting that the liquid supply apparatus 1405 has only one actuating lever 1420, the use of the pair of tips 1421 improves the ability of the lever 1420 for the cam movement of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 inwardly along its longitudinal axis XX. Each cam surface 1422 of the lever 1420 has a variable mechanical ratio adapted so that until it is applied to a predetermined force on the lever 1420, no significant force is transferred to the container 1430. In more detail, each cam surface 1422 it has a hook portion 1423a which is inclined at a first angle to the longitudinal axis XX of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 and an operating portion 1423b inclined to the longitudinal axis XX at a second angle which is greater than the first angle . The first angle should be less than about 20 °, and conveniently in a range of about 20 ° to 35 °, more conveniently about 20 ° to 26 °, even more conveniently about 22 ° to 26 °. The second angle may be at an angle of about 40 ° to 60 °, conveniently about 40 ° to 50 °, and more conveniently about 45 °. Therefore, when an inward force of the lever 1420 is initially applied, it is applied in a substantially normal manner to the longitudinal axis XX of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 and virtually no force becomes a force along the longitudinal axis XX of liquid discharge apparatus 1408, and in this way the static friction between the engaging portions 1423a of the peaks 1421 and the cam follower surfaces 1492 is sufficient to maintain the lever 1420 in an effectively stationary manner. However, when a predetermined load is applied to the lever 1420, the static friction is overcome and the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 begin to move in the engaging portions 1423a. When the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 reach the end of the engaging portions 1423a, the increase in the inclination of the cam surface to the longitudinal axis XX in combination with the magnitude of the force being applied ensures that the surfaces of the follower Cam 1490 suddenly slides along the operating portions 1423b causing the container 1430 to be quickly moved to the nozzle 141 1 to drive the compression pump. This ensures that the pump is only actuated when sufficient force is being applied to ensure the production of an effective spray from nozzle 141 1. Referring to Figure 10, it will be appreciated that the engaging portions 1423a are planar sections of the cam surfaces 1422, while the operating portions 1423b are arcuate. More specifically, the operation portions 1423b have a short rounded transition section 1423c contiguous with the associated engagement portion 1423a. The transition sections 1423c have a radius of curvature R1 which is greater than the radius of curvature R2 of the remainder of the operating portion 1423b, whose radius R2 is constant over the length of the remainder of the operating portion 1423b. The operating portions 1423c smooth the transfer of the surface of the cam follower 1429 from the engaging portions 1423a of the cam surfaces 1422 to the operating portions 1423b. They also reduce wear on cam surfaces 1422. R1 in this mode is approximately 3mm, while R2 is approximately 25mm. However, any radios could be used as can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. Referring to Figure 3, the surfaces of the cam follower 1452 are diametrically opposed embossments of the rounded surfaces 1493 of the plastic collar 1490. This makes tracking the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 on the cam surfaces 1422 easier and also reduces the wear of the respective surfaces. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 10, the tips 1421 have a peak which forms a support 1424 for the embossments 1493 of the collar 1490 of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 for resting therein. The supports 1424 have a support surface 1424a which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis XX on which the embossments 1493 can be supported. The supports 1424 act as a stop for the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 in such a way as to prevent the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 moves down past the point at which the supports 1424 engage with the embossments 1493. As will be appreciated in Figure 5, this ensures that the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 are aligned with the engaging portion 1423a of the cam surface 1422. Observing that the lever 1420 rotates inwardly, it will be appreciated that as the lever 1420 turns inward the inclined angle which forms the flat engaging portions 1423a with the longitudinal axis XX is it becomes smaller (more inclined) thereby increasing the resistance of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 to be hooked upwards. However, the arcuate nature of the operating portions 1423b, in particular the part after the transition section 1423c, is such that the inclined angle causes the longitudinal axis XX to remain the same, or substantially the same as the lever 1420 rotates towards inside. More specifically, consider that as the lever 1420 turns inward the point of the section of the operating portion 1423b having the radius of curvature R2, which is in contact with the surface of the cam follower 1492 moves the cam surface 1422 upwardly The angle at a tangent to this exchange contact point causes the longitudinal axis XX to remain the same, or substantially equal, as the lever 1420 turns inwardly to cause the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 to spray a metered dose of the product. nozzle fluid 141 1. This characteristic means that the resistance of inward movement of the lever 1420 never increases after the engagement feature has been overcome, as would be the case if the operating portion 1423b were a flat surface, since its angle to the longitudinal axis XX it would then increase as the lever 1420 rotates inwardly. The aforementioned characteristics of the cam profile means that the operator receives a soft feedback to the touch of the apparatus 1405 when the lever 1420 is actuated to cause the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 to spray a liquid. measured dose of the liquid product of the nozzle 141 1. To use the liquid supply apparatus 1405 the user must first remove the protective cap 1407 thereby removing the nozzle orifice seal 141 5 by removing the end of the cap 1460 therefrom. The user then holds the liquid supply apparatus 1405 and places the thumb and / or other finger on the lever 1420. Because only light pressure is applied to the lever 1420 no liquid will be discharged and the user can manipulate the nozzle supply 141 1 of the liquid supply apparatus 1405 inside the nostrils so that the liquid can be supplied in the nasal cavity. Then, if the user presses the lever 1420 inwardly with increasing force, it exceeds the threshold force defined by the interaction of the surface of the cam follower 1492 with the engaging portions 1423a of the cam surface 1422, is obtained as a result that the container 1430 is moved quickly towards the nozzle 141 1 to operate the pump 1429 to supply the liquid to the supply orifice 141 5. Upon releasing the pressure applied to the lever 1420, the pump is reset by its spring of internal return. In addition, the lever 1420 has a leaf spring 1465 (Figure 2) which acts against an anterior wall of the housing 1467 to tilt the lever 1420 to its rest position shown in Figures 1 through 3 and 5. The actuation procedure can be repeated until all the liquid in the container 1430 has been used. However, at a given time only one or two doses of the liquid will normally be administered. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, to counteract the lateral force that the lever 1420 applies to the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 and to guide the axial displacement of the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 in response to the operation of the lever, the collar 1490 has a pair of diametrically opposed tracks, 1469 which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis XX. These tracks 1469 are provided by the embossments 1493. Each track 1469 has a funnel shape at its upper end for autoguiding the tracks 1469 on axially extending complementary runners 1467, presented on the inner surface of the housing 1409, when the apparatus The liquid discharge 1408 is inserted into the housing 1409 through an opening 1471 (lower) at its lower end, whose lower opening 1471 is subsequently closed with a cover 1472. The positions of the mechanism of the track corridors will also be appreciated. of collar 1490 in the correct angular orientation around the longitudinal axis XX, so that the surfaces of the cam follower 1492 orientate the cam surfaces 1422. During use, the tracks 1469 move on the slides 1467 when the lever 1420 exceeds the threshold force provided by the engaging portions 1423a of the surfaces cam 1422. As will be appreciated, the cooperation of the tracks 1469 with the slides 1467 prevents rotation of the collar 1490 in the housing 1409. In addition to the tracks 1469, the collar also has a lining 1473 for the rod of the pump 1463 which forms a sliding fit in a hollow outer post 1475 of the nozzle 141 1 in which the outlet passage of the nozzle 1477 is formed. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rod of the pump 1463 is located in a lower enlarged portion of the outlet passage 1477 through an interference fit. It will therefore be appreciated that the pump stem 1463 remains stationary in the housing 1409 as the container 1430 and the collar 1490 are moved upwardly by the lever 1420, ie there is a relative movement between the container-collar unit and the stem of the pump. In this way, the pump 1429 is compressed and a metered dose of the liquid product is discharged through the rod of the pump 1463 into the outlet passage 1477 for ejection of the nozzle orifice 141 5 at the outlet passage end 1477. The latching feature of the lever 1420 ensures that the pumpage force is sufficient for atomization of the liquid product from the nozzle 141 1. In this mode, as shown in figure 8, the nozzle 141 1 is formed as a separate part of the housing 1409. This has advantages when the liquid product is being supplied is a medicament, because this isolates the only part of the apparatus that comes into contact with the medicament. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical operation test of the nozzle 141 1 can be performed without the need of the housing 1409. Therefore, once the nozzle 141 1 is finished, the test of the same can begin although the development and design continue. of the housing 1409. Therefore, the development of the apparatus does not have to be stopped, as would be the case if the nozzle 141 1 were formed integrally with the housing 1409. Any change in the molding of the housing will require a new nozzle test 141 1 to confirm that the new molding has not had an adverse effect on the operation of the nozzle. In addition, having a separate nozzle 141 1 means that the housing 1409 can be customized for different markets and / or different products. As an example, the nozzle 141 1 could be a universal nozzle for a housing assembly having different shapes, different colors, etc. An additional advantage of a separate nozzle 141 1 is that it can be formed more easily from a different material than the housing 1409, for example, one that is more acceptable for insertion into the nostril and / or to make contact with the liquid product. , especially where this is a medication, but which could be too expensive to form the full accommodation 1409 of it. For this purpose, and as shown in Figure 2, the housing 1409 has an opening 1480 (upper) and its upper end through which the nozzle 141 1 can be inserted. Referring to Figures 2, 6 and 8, the nozzle 141 1 has a flange 1481 at its lower end, which engages the inner mouth of the upper opening 1480 so that the tip of the nozzle 141 1 projects from the upper opening 1480 by the distance required for nasal use. As will be seen in Figures 2 and 6, the inner mouth of the upper opening 1480 is limited by a collar 1483 formed of a series of collar segments 1485 angularly spaced about the longitudinal axis X-X. The collar segments 1485 can be bent over the flange of the nozzle 1481, by a tool for holding the flange of the nozzle 1481 against the lower mouth to fix the nozzle 141 1 in the upper opening 1480. To assist in the assembly of the apparatus 1405, the lever 1420 is provided with means to be able to be placed in an outward position with respect to the housing 1409, to allow the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 to be inserted into the housing 1409 through the lower opening 1471 to its rest position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, and the internal position with respect to housing 1409 shown in Figures 1 to 3. With reference to Figures 7A, 7B and 1 1, at the upper end of the lever 1420 a tongue 1 501 is provided which projects up on the upper edge 1 502 of the lever 1420.

The tongue 1 501 projects from an elastic edge element 1 503 formed by a cut 1 505 on the lever 1420. The elastic edge element 1 503 tilts the tongue 1 501 to its extended position shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 1 1, but makes it possible for the tongue 1501 to be unzipped, so that it is flush with, or under the upper edge of the lever 1 502. As will be understood from FIG. 1, the lever 1420 is mounted in a slot 1 507 formed on the side of the housing 1409. The lever 1420, which is formed separately from the housing 1409, but of the same plastic material, is mounted to the housing by first inserting its lower end 1 509, which is the holder of the leaf spring 1465 through slot 1 507 to be received in axial channel 1 51 1. The lever 1420 is now placed in its outward position with the tongue 1 501 leaning against the edge of the slot 1 507 to prevent the lever 1420 from being moved through the slot 1507 to its inward position, as shown schematically in figure 11. When the lever 1420 is in its outward position, the liquid discharge apparatus 1408 can be inserted into the housing 1409 through the lower opening of the housing 1471 into its rest position, because, in particular, the Lever 1420 and its tips 1422 do not prevent loading of the liquid discharging apparatus 1408. After the liquid discharging apparatus 1408 has been loaded in its rest position, the lever 1420 is moved, for example, to its internal position by decompressing the tongue 1501, so as to clear the edge of the slot 1507 and then pushing the lever 1420 inward to its position shown in figure 2. If the lever 1420 were in the internal position before the appliance discharge liquid 1408 was loaded in the housing 1409, the liquid discharge apparatus could not be loaded into the housing 1409 into its rest position, not without damaging the lever 1420, in any case. For example, as shown in Figure 2, once the lever 1420 is moved to its internal position, the tongue 1 501 returns to its extended position and bears against the inner surface of the housing 1409 to maintain the lever 1420 in the internal position In this aspect, the leaf spring of the lever 1465 tilts the lever 1420 outwardly. In more detail, the tongue 1 501 bears against the inner surface of one of the channels 1451 a of the housing 1409 in which the pegs of the lid 1449a, 1449b are spring-loaded to hold the protective cap 1407 releasably captive the housing 1409. As shown in Figure 2, the spigot 1449a is received in the channel 1451 a which is located in front of tab 1 501. Therefore, it should be understood that the lever 1420 is prevented from moving inwardly when the lid 1407 is in place, to operate the fluid supply apparatus 1405, because the spigot 1449a locks the movement towards inside the tongue of lever 1 501. The parts of the liquid supply apparatus 1405 made of plastic material are formed by a molding process. Other features of this exemplary embodiment are contained in the other sections of this disclosure, including without limitation, the appended claims and the statements of the Brief Description of the I nvention section mentioned above. The liquid discharge apparatus 1408 may contain a medicament formulation, for example, for the treatment of severe or mild or moderate chronic or acute symptoms or for prophylactic treatment. The precise dose administered will depend on the age and condition of the patient, the particular medication used, the frequency of administration and finally will be at the discretion of the doctor who treats it. When combinations of drugs are used, the dose of each component of the combination will generally be those used for each component when used alone. Appropriate medicaments may be selected from, for example, analgesics, for example, codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl or morphine; preparations for anginas, for example, diltiazem, antiallergics, for example, cromoglycate, (for example, in the form of sodium salt), ketotifen or nedocromil (for example in the form of sodium salt); anti-infectives, for example, cephalosporins, penicillins, streptomycin, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine, antihistamines, for example, metapyrylene; anti-inflammatory, for example, beclomethasone (for example, in the form of dipropionate ester), fluticasone (for example, in the form of propionate ester), flunisolide, budesonide, rofleponide, mometasone (for example, in the form of furoate ester), ciclesonide, triamcinolone (for example, in the form of acetonide), S- (2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl) ester of 6a, 9a-difluoro-1β-hydroxy-16a -methyl-3-oxo-17a-propionyloxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic or S-fluoromethyl ester of 6a, 9a-Difluoro-17a - [(2-furanylcarbonyl) oxy] -1 1ß -h id roxy-16a-methyl-3-oxo-and rosta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid; antitussives, for example, noscapine; bronchodilators, for example, albuterol (for example, in the form of free base or sulfate), salmeterol (for example, in the form of xinafoate), ephedrine, adrenaline, fenoterol (in the form of hydrobromide), formoterol (for example, in the form of fumarate), isoprenaline, metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbuterol (for example, in the form of acetate), reproterol (for example, in the hydrochloride form), rimiterol, terbutaline, (for example, in the form sulfate), isoetarin, tulobuterol or 4-hydroxy-7- [2 - [[2 - [[3- (2-phenylethoxy) propyl] sulfonyl] ethyl] amino] ethyl-2 (3H) -benzothiazolone; in PDE4 inhibitors, for example, cilomilast or roflumilast; leukotriene antagonists, eg, montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast; [adenosine agonists 2a, eg, 2R, 3R, 4S, 5R) -2- [6-Amino-2- (1 S-hydroxymethyl-2-phenyl-ethylamino) -purin-9-yl] -5- ( 2-ethyl-2 H-tetrazol-5-yl) -tetrahi ro-furan-3,4-diol (e.g., maleate)] *; [integrin a4 inhibitors, for example, (2S) -3- [4- ( { [4- (aminocarbonyl) -1-pipepdinyl] carbonyl} oxy] phenyl] -2 - [((2S)] -4-methyl-2- { [2- (2-methylphenoxy) acetyl] amino} pentanoyl) amino] propanoic (eg in the form of free acid or potassium salt)] *, diuretics, for example, amiloride; anticholinergics, for example, ipratropium (for example, in the form of bromide), tiotropium, atropine or oxitropium; hormones, for example, cortisone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone; xanthines, for example, aminophylline, colin theophyllinate, lisin theophyllinate theophylline; therapeutic proteins and peptides, for example, insulin or glucagons. It should be clear to one skilled in the art that, where appropriate, the medicaments can be used in the form of salts, (for example, in the form of alkali metal or amine salts or acid addition salts), or in the form of esters (eg, lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (eg, hydrates) to optimize the activity and / or stability of the medicaments and / or to minimize the solubility of the medicament in the propellant. Preferably, the medicament is an anti-inflammatory compound for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. In one aspect, the drug is a glucocorticoid compound, which has anti-inflammatory properties. A suitable glucocorticoid compound has the chemical name S-fluoromethyl ester of 6a, 9a-difluoro-1a-a (1-oxopropoxy) -1 1 -b-h id roxy-16a-m eti-3-oxo-and rosta - 1, 4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid (fluticasone propionate). Another suitable glucocorticoid compound has a chemical name of: S-fluoromethyl ester of 6a, 9a-difluoro-1 7a - [(2-furanylcarbonyl) oxy] -1 1β-hydroxy-1 6a-methyl-3-oxo-androsta -1, 4-diene-1 7ß-carbothioic acid. An additional suitable glucocorticoid compound has the chemical name of: S-fluoromethyl ester of 6a, 9a-Difluoro-1 1-β-hydroxy-1 6a-methyl-1 7a - [(4-methyl-1,3-thiazole -5-carbonyl) oxy] -3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-7β-carbothioic acid. Other suitable anti-inflammatory compounds include NSAIs, for example, PDE4 inhibitors, leukotriene antagonists, NOS inhibitors, tryptase and elastase inhibitors, beta-2 integrin antagonists and adenosine 2a agonists. The medicament is formulated as any suitable liquid solution, particularly a formulation of a solution (for example aqueous) or a suspension formulation, optionally containing other pharmaceutically acceptable additive components. Conveniently, the medicament formulation in this disclosure has a viscosity of from 1 to 2000 mPa.s (1 to 2000 centipoise), particularly from 20 to 1000 mPa.s (from 20 to 1 000 centipoise), such as 50 to 1000 mPa.s (50 to 1 000 centipoise) at a temperature of 25 ° C. Suitable formulations (for example, in solution or suspension) can be stabilized (for example, using hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide) by appropriate selection of the pH generally the pH will be adjusted to a pH between 4.5 and 7.5, preferably between 5.0 and 7.0, especially around 6 to 6.5. Suitable formulations (e.g., solution or suspension) may comprise one or more excipients. In the present description the term "excipient", means substantially inert materials that are non-toxic and do not interact in a harmful manner with other components of a composition including, but not limited to, pharmaceutical grades of carbohydrates, organic or inorganic salts, polymers , amino acids, phospholipids, wetting agents, emulsifiers, surfactants, poloxamers, pluronics and ion exchange resins and combinations thereof. Suitable carbohydrates include monosaccharides which include fructose, disaccharides, such as, but not limited to lactose, and combinations and derivatives thereof; polysaccharides such as, but not limited to, cellulose and combinations and derivatives thereof; oligosaccharides such as, but not limited to, dextrins and combinations and derivatives thereof; polyols, such as but not limited to sorbitol and combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable organic and inorganic salts include sodium or calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate and combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable polymers include biodegradable protein polymers, including but not limited to, gelatin and combinations and derivatives thereof; polymers of natural biodegradable polysaccharides, include but are not limited to, chitin and starch, crosslinked starch and combinations and derivatives thereof; semi-synthetic biodegradable polymers, including, but not limited to, chitosan derivatives; synthetic biodegradable polymers, including but not limited to, polyethylene glycols (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), synthetic polymers, including but not limited to polyvinyl alcohol and combinations and derivatives thereof; Suitable amino acids include non-polar amino acids, such as leucine and combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable phospholipids include lecithins and combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable wetting agents, surfactants and / or emulsifiers include acacia gum, cholesterol, fatty acids, including combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable poloxamers and / or pluronics include poloxamers 188, Pluronic® F-108, and combinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable ion exchange resins include amberlite I R120 and combinations and derivatives thereof; Suitable solution formulations may comprise a solubilizing agent such as a surfactant. Suitable surfactants include a- [4- (1,1,1,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenyl] -? - hydroxypoly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) polymers including those from the Triton series eg, Triton X -1 00, Triton X-1 14 and Triton X-305 the number X broadly indicates the average number of repeating units ethoxy in the polymer (usually from about 7 to 70, particularly about 7 to 30, and especially about 7 to 10) and polymers 4- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol with formhyde and oxirane, such as those having a relative molecular weight of 3500 to 5000, especially from 4000 to 4700, particularly Tyloxapol. The surfactant is generally employed in a concentration of about 0.5%, at 10%, preferably about 2% at 5% w / w based on the weight of the formulation. Suitable solution formulations may also comprise hydroxyl-containing organic co-solvents including glycols, such as polyethylene glycols (e.g., PEG 200) and propylene glycol.; sugars such as dextrose; and ethanol. Dextrose and polyethylene glycol (for example PEG 200) are preferred, particularly dextrose. The propylene glycol is preferably used in an amount of not more than 20%, especially not more than 10% and more preferably is avoided altogether. Ethanol is preferably avoided. Organic hydroxyl-containing co-solvent agents are generally employed at a concentration of 0.1% to 20%, eg, 0.5% to 10%, and for example about 1% to 5% w / w based on weight of the formulation. Suitable solution formulations may also comprise solubilizing agents such as polysorbate, glycerin, benzyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene derivatives of castor oils, polyethylene glycol and polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (e.g., Cremofors, Brij). Suitable solution formulations may also comprise one or more of the following components: viscosity increasing agents; conservatives; and isotonicity adjusting agents. Suitable viscosity-increasing agents include carboxymethylcellulose, veegum, tragacanth, bentonite, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, poloxamers (e.g., poloxamer 407), polyethylene glycols, xanthine gum alginates, carrageenans and carbopoles. Suitable preservatives include quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetrimide chloride and cetylpyridinium), mercurial agents (e.g., phenylmercuric nitrate, phenylmercuric acetate and thimerosal), alcoholic agents (e.g., chlorobutanol, phenylethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol), antibacterial esters (for example, para-hydroxybenzoic acid esters), chelating agents such as disodium edetate (EDTA) and other anti-microbial agents such as chlorhexidine, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and its salts and Polymyxin The registered isotonicity adjusting agents act in such a way that the sotonicity is achieved with body fluids (eg, nasal cavity fluids), resulting in reduced levels of irritation associated with many nasal formulations. Examples of suitable isotonicity adjusting agents are sodium chloride, dextrose and calcium chloride. Suitable suspension formulations comprise an aqueous suspension of the particulate medicament and optionally suspending agents, preservatives, wetting agents or isotonicity adjusting agents. The particulate medicament conveniently has an average mass diameter (MMD) of less than 20 μm, preferably from 0.5 to 1 μm, especially between 1 and 5 μm. If the reduction of the particle size is necessary, this can be achieved by techniques such as micronization and / or microfluidization. Suitable suspending agents include carboxymethylcellulose, veegum, tragacanth, bentonite, methylcellulose and polyethylene glycols. Suitable wetting agents function to moisten the medicament particles to facilitate the dispersion thereof in the aqueous phase of the composition. Examples of the wetting agents that can be used are fatty alcohols, esters and ethers. Preferably, the wetting agent is hydrophilic, nonionic surfactant and more preferably polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (20) (supplied as the branded product Polysorbate 80). Suitable preservatives and isotonicity adjusting agents are as described above in relation to the solution formulations. The delivery apparatus of the present disclosure is suitable for administering formulations of liquid medicament for the treatment of inflammatory and / or allergic conditions of the nasal passage, such as rhinitis, for example, temporal and perennial rhinitis, as well as other local inflammatory conditions, such as asthma and dermatitis. The appropriate dosage regimen would be for the patient to inhale slowly through the nose subsequent to the nasal cavity being cleansed. During inhalation the formulation would be applied to one nostril while the other is manually compressed. Then the procedure for the other nostril would be repeated. Usually, they would be administered one or two nostril inhalations by the above procedure up to three times a day, ideally once a day. For example, each dose can administer 5μg, 50μg, 100μg, 200μg, or 250μg of the active drug. The precise dosage is either known or easily predicted by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the present description is for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention extends to modifications, variations and improvements thereof. All use of terms in the present description, such as "about", "approximately", "substantially" and the like in relation to a parameter or property means that they include the exact parameter or property, as well as the immaterial deviations thereof.

Claims (53)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for supplying liquids to supply a liquid product, having: a supply outlet from which the liquid product can be supplied, a supply of the liquid product, a supply element mounted for movement in a supply direction to along an axis in a first position and a second position which causes a dose of the liquid product the supply to be delivered from the supply outlet, and an actuator element that can be operated by the fingers mounted for movement in one direction of drive which is generally transverse to the shaft, wherein the actuator element has at least one cam surface and the supply element has at least one cam follower surface, wherein the actuator element can be moved in the direction of drive to cause at least one cam surface to be supported against at least one surface The cam follower for forcing at least one cam surface to move on the cam surface to the supply element in the supply direction from the first position to the second position, wherein said at least one cam surface has a latching section, oriented at a first angle to the axis and an adjacent operating section which is oriented at a second angle to the axis which is greater than the first angle, wherein the apparatus is configured and adapted so that, during the use, said at least one cam follower surface moves successively on the engagement and operation sections of said at least one cam surface, to the movement of the actuator element in the driving direction, to operate the supply element of the first position to the second position, and where the first angle is selected so that it is required to apply a minimum drive force to the element actuator for causing at least one cam follower surface to move over the latching section on the operating section.
2. 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first angle is of a range of about 20 ° to 35 °.
3. 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latching section is flat.
4. The apparatus as described in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the minimum driving force is in a range of approximately 20 to 45N.
5. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second angle is in a range of approximately 40 ° to 60 °.
6. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating section has an arcuate transition portion adjacent to the engaging section.
7. The apparatus as described in claim 6, characterized in that the transition portion has a radius of curvature in a range of about 1 to 5mm.
8. 8. The apparatus as described in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the operating section is arcuate.
9. The apparatus as described in claim 8, characterized in that the operating section has a first portion of a first radius of curvature contiguous with the engaging section and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and a second radius of curvature which is greater than the first radius of curvature.
10. The apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that the operation section consists of the first and second portions. eleven .
11. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching section is of a first length and the operating section is of a second length greater than the first length.
12. 12. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum driving force is in a range of approximately 25 to 40N.
13. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cam follower surface is arcuate.
14. The apparatus as described in claim 9 or any of the claims dependent thereon, characterized in that the second portion has a radius of curvature in a range of about 1 5 to 40mm.
15. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element is mounted on the apparatus for movement in an arcuate path in the driving direction.
16. 16. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, configured and adapted so that the first angle to the axis becomes more inclined as the drive member moves in the driving direction.
17. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, configured and adapted such that the second angle to the axis remains constant or substantially constant, as the driving element moves in the driving direction.
18. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element is mounted for the pivoting movement about the first end thereof and at least one cam surface is placed on the actuator element away. from the first end.
19. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply element is a supply container in which the supply of the liquid product is contained.
20. The apparatus as described in claim 18 or claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the supply direction is in the upward direction and the first end of the actuator element is a lower end thereof. twenty-one .
21. The apparatus as described in claim 20, characterized in that at least one cam follower surface is positioned towards an upper end of the supply element.
22. 22. The apparatus as described in claim 19 or any of the claims dependent thereon, characterized in that the supply container has a pump which causes it to pump the dose of the liquid product at the supply outlet in response to the container of supply that is being moved in the supply direction by the actuator element.
23. 23. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving element is the driving element alone.
24. 24. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply outlet is in a nozzle sized and shaped for insertion into a body cavity.
25. 25. The apparatus as described in claim 24, characterized in that the nozzle is for insertion into the nostril of a human or a body of an animal.
26. 26. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid product is a medicament.
27. The apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply element and the housing have guiding elements in cooperation to guide the movement of the supply element along the axis.
28. The apparatus as described in claim 27, characterized in that the cooperating guide elements prevent rotation of the supply element around the axis.
29. 29. The apparatus as described in claim 27 or 28, characterized in that one of the guide elements comprises a slide and the other guide element comprises a track for the slide.
30. 30. The liquid supply apparatus for supplying a liquid product, which has: a supply outlet from which the liquid product can be supplied, a supply of liquid product, a supply element mounted for the movement in the direction supply along an axis which causes a dose of the liquid product in the supply to be administered from the supply outlet, and a finger operated actuator element mounted for movement in a driving direction which it is generally transverse to the shaft, characterized in that the actuator element has at least one cam surface and the supply element has at least one cam follower surface, wherein the actuator element can be moved in the actuating direction to cause that at least one cam surface bears against at least one surface of a cam follower to operate the supply element in the supply direction to cause the dose of the liquid product to be supplied from the supply outlet, and wherein the actuator element further has a stop to stop the supply element that is moving along of the shaft in a direction opposite to the supply direction beyond a predetermined axial position to produce the alignment of at least one cam surface and at least one cam follower surface.
31. 31 The apparatus as described in claim 30, characterized in that the stop comprises at least one abutment surface which can be engaged with a respective surface of the supply element.
32. 32. The apparatus as described in claim 31, characterized in that at least one stop surface extends generally transverse to the axis.
33. The apparatus as described in claim 31 or 32, characterized in that said at least one stop surface forms a continuation of at least one cam surface.
34. 34. The apparatus as described in claim 31, 32 or 33, characterized in that at least one surface of the supply element forms a continuation of at least one cam follower surface.
35. 35. The apparatus as described in any of claims 30 to 34, characterized in that at least one cam surface is presented by a nose section of the actuator element.
36. 36. The apparatus as described in claim 35, when dependent on any of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that at least one abutment surface is presented by a portion of the tip of the section of nose.
37. 37. A liquid supply apparatus for supplying the liquid product, which has: a housing with a supply outlet, the housing being adapted to receive therein a supply container containing the liquid product for the movement of the liquid. supply container along an axis from a rest position in relation to the housing to a supply position in relation to the housing, which causes the supply container to provide a dose of the liquid product through the outlet of the container. supply, the housing having an access opening through which the supply container can be inserted into the housing along the axis to the rest position, and at least one actuator element that can be operated by the mounted fingers in the housing for inward movement with respect to the housing, transverse to the axis, to cause the The supply element is moved from the rest position to the supply position, wherein the actuator element can be moved from a position outwards with respect to the housing, which makes it possible for the supply container to be inserted through the opening of access to the rest position in the housing, to an inward position with respect to the housing which prevents the supply container from being inserted through the access opening to the rest position in the housing, but whose position inwardly the actuator movement can be moved inwardly with respect to the housing to cause the supply container placed in the rest position to move to the supply position, and where the apparatus has a catch mechanism that can be released to selectively hold the actuator element in its inward and outward positions.
38. 38. The supplier as described in claim 37, characterized in that the detent mechanism is in the housing and / or the actuator element.
39. 39. The supplier as described in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the detent mechanism comprises a passage element either of the housing or of the actuator element which can be moved from a first position, which prevents movement of the actuator element between the outward and inward positions, to a second position, which makes possible the movement of the actuator element between the outward and inward positions.
40. 40. The provider as described in claim 39, characterized in that the detent mechanism comprises an inclination for tilting the stop element to a first position.
41. 41 The supplier as described in claim 39 or 40, characterized in that the retainer element is in the actuator element and supports the housing in its first position.
42. 42. A liquid provider adapted to supply a liquid product in the nasal cavity of a user having a nozzle sized and shaped to be inserted in the user's nostril and a housing in which the liquid product can be contained, characterized in that the housing has an opening in which it is received to the nozzle and a clamping mechanism which holds the nozzle in the opening.
43. 43. The supplier as described in the. claim 42, characterized in that the housing houses a supply container which contains the liquid product and has a supply element, wherein the nozzle has an outlet passage through which, during use, the liquid product of the supplier is supplied, and wherein the container is placed in the housing so that the supply element and the outlet passage are in direct fluid communication.
44. 44. The supplier as described in claim 43, characterized in that the supply element is engaged with the outlet passage.
45. 45. The provider as described in any of claims 42 to 44, characterized in that the clamping mechanism has a clamping element which holds the nozzle in the opening.
46. 46. The supplier as described in any of claims 42 to 45, characterized in that the nozzle has a flange that rests on the inner surface of the housing and the clamping mechanism holds the flange to the inner surface for retain the nozzle in the opening.
47. 47. The supplier as described in claim 45 or claims 45 and 46, characterized in that the clamping element is a collar structure provided on the front surface of the housing, the collar structure being bent over the clamp for clamping the flange to the inner surface.
48. 48. A set of component parts for the manufacture of a plurality of liquid suppliers for supplying a liquid product in a nasal cavity of a user, the assembly comprising a plurality of nozzles sized and shaped to be inserted into the user's nostril and a plurality of housings for receiving a supply of liquid product, characterized in that each nozzle is identical, each housing has an opening for receiving one of the nozzles and each housing also has a different characteristic from the others.
49. 49. The assembly as described in claim 48, characterized in that each housing is of a different color.
50. 50. The assembly as described in claim 48 or 49, characterized in that each housing is of different shape.
51. 51 The assembly as described in the claim 48, 49 or 50, which further comprises a plurality of containers, one for each supplier, each container containing an identical or different liquid drug formulation.
52. 52. A fluid dispenser adapted to supply a liquid product in the nasal cavity of a user having a nozzle sized and shaped to be inserted in the user's nostril and a housing in which the liquid product can be contained and which it has an opening in which the nozzle can be received, wherein the nozzle is made of a material different from that of the housing.
53. 53. The supplier as described in claim 52, characterized in that the nozzle and the housing are made of different plastic materials.