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The present invention relates to a disposable dispensing apparatus for delivering a powdered product nasally or orally. The apparatus comprises a housing (1) defining an outlet (7) and a shaft (32) having a storage chamber (33) therein for a product provided with a first inlet (34) and a first outle

The present invention relates to a disposable dispensing apparatus for delivering a powdered product nasally or orally. The apparatus comprises a housing (1) defining an outlet (7) and a shaft (32) having a storage chamber (33) therein for a product provided with a first inlet (34) and a first outlet (35). A sheathing means (4) is slidably mounted on the shaft and has a second inlet (42) and a second outlet closed by a frangible membrane (44). There is also provided a variable volume means (2) operatively connected to the shaft. The shaft is movable, on operation of the variable volume means to reduce the variable volume so as to pressurize gas in an interior of the variable volume means, from an initial storage position in which the first and second inlets are out of alignment so as to close a gas flow path, to a dispensing position in which the first and second inlets are brought into alignment by action of the housing against the sheathing means. At the same time, the frangible membrane is ruptured by the shaft so as to open the gas flow path, such that pressurized gas from the interior of the variable volume means is discharged along the gas flow path comprising the first and second inlets, storage chamber, second outlet and first outlet, to thereby entrain powdered product and dispense it through the housing outlet.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powdered product comprising:a housing defining an outlet, a shaft having a storage chamber therein for a powdered product provided with a first inlet and a first outlet, a sheathing member slidably mounted on the shaft and having a second inlet and a second o

1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powdered product comprising:a housing defining an outlet, a shaft having a storage chamber therein for a powdered product provided with a first inlet and a first outlet, a sheathing member slidably mounted on the shaft and having a second inlet and a second outlet closed by a frangible membrane, and a variable volume member operatively connected to the shaft; wherein the shaft is moveable, on operation of the variable volume member to reduce the variable volume so as to pressurize gas in an interior of the variable volume member, from an initial storage position in which the first and second inlets are out of alignment so as to close a gas flow path, to a dispensing position, in which the first and second inlets are brought into alignment by action of the housing against the sheathing member and in which the frangible membrane is ruptured by the shaft so as to open the gas flow path, such that pressurized gas from the interior of the variable volume member is discharged along the gas flow path comprising the first and second inlets, storage chamber, second outlet and first outlet, to thereby entrain powdered product and dispense it through the housing outlet. 2. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises means for sealing the housing outlet in the storage position.3. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a second frangible membrane which is ruptured by the shaft as the shaft moves from the storage position to the dispensing position.4. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises is a flexible member sealing between the sheathing member and the housing.5. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft is adapted such that the or each frangible membrane is ruptured by the shaft moving relative to the frangible membrane in the direction of the housing outlet.6. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each frangible membrane comprises one or more pre-formed lines of weakness.7. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each frangible membrane is 0.05 to 0.30 mm thick.8. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein as the shaft moves from the storage position to the dispensing position the sheathing member abuts an inwardly directed shoulder of the housing.9. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the inwardly directed shoulder is formed within a tubular extension of the housing.10. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein a mouth of the tubular extension which receives the shaft as it moves from the storage position to the dispensing position has a frusto-conical form.11. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the sheathing member comprises an outwardly directed shoulder which abuts the inwardly directed shoulder of the housing as the shaft moves from the storage position to the dispensing position.12. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheathing member forms a sliding seal against the shaft.13. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein one or more sealing members are provided between the sheathing member and the shaft.14. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axis of the first inlet of the shaft is radially directed.15. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axis of the first inlet of the shaft is axially directed.16. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axis of the first inlet of the shaft is directed to have both radial and axial components.17. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axis of the first inlet of the shaft is directed to have radial, axial and circumferential components.18. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage chamber has more than one inlet.19. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the inlets are displaced axially relative to one another along the length of the storage chamber.20. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first inlet of the shaft is located above the level of powdered product stored within the storage chamber.21. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first inlet of the shaft is located below the level of powdered product stored within the storage chamber.22. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage chamber in the shaft comprises a hemi-spherical, V-shaped or U-shaped base.23. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal walls of the storage chamber are rifled.24. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft comprises a piercing member for rupturing the or each frangible membrane.25. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft comprises means for engaging the housing and retaining the shaft relative to the housing when in the dispensing position.26. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft comprises one or more reverse-directed projections adjacent the outlet of the shaft for engaging the housing and retaining the shaft relative to the housing when in the dispensing position.27. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the variable volume member is a bellows.28. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the variable volume member is a flexible sac.29. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the variable volume member is a tube with weakened sections.30. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the housing is a moulded component.31. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein the shaft is a moulded component.32. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein the sheathing member is a moulded component.33. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 formed from on or more of polyethylene, polypropylene or other thermoplastic elastomer.34. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 adapted for nasal delivery of powdered products.35. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 adapted for oral delivery of powdered products.