Device with tamper resistent closure

Abstract: A tamper resistant closure closing an opening of a container, the container defining an outer peripheral wall (97) adjacent the opening and presenting at least one inner ledge below the opening, the closure comprising a cylindrical skirt portion (92) having a lip (93) on its outer periphery, whereby when assembled the lip forms a snap fit with the ledge to hold the closure in place. The closure can be used to close the reservoir (56) of an inhalation device comprising a body (55) defining a reservoir (56) for medicament in the form of a powder, an outlet (57) through which a user can inhale, and a dosing member (53) with at least one metering recess formed therein. The dosing member (53) is moveable between a first position in which the at least one metering recess communicated with the reservoir (56) to receive a dose of powder therefrom and a second position in which the at least one metering recess communicates with the outlet (57) to permit the user to inhale the dose.

Description: This invention relates to a device comprising a container with a tamper resistant closure. The device can be an inhalation device by means of which metered doses of medicament in the form of a powder can be dispersed to a user. In particular the device can be of the type in which the medicament powder is held in bulk in a reservoir with which the device is provided, and is metered to the user from the reservoir. The device may comprise an inhalation device, comprising a body defining a reservoir for medicaments in powder form, an outlet through which a user can inhale and a dosing member with at least one metering recess formed therein. International Patent Application Publication No. WO 96/08284 describes such a device. United States Patent No. 4,491,238 describes a receptacle having a plug closure. According to the present invention there is provided a device as defined by the accompanying claims. The invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section through a device according to the invention with a tamper resistant closure and Figure 2 is an exploded and partially sectioned view through the device shown in figure 10. The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body 94 which can define a reservoir and a tamper resistant closure. The reservoir can contain a supply of medicament in the form of a powder (not shown). The medicament is one which is suitable for inhalation, and many such medicaments are well known to those skilled in the art, for example for the treatment of asthma. Powdered medicaments suitable for this purpose include salbutamol, beclomethasone, salmeterol, fluticasone, formoterol, terbutaline, budesonide and flunisolide, and physiologically acceptable salts, solvates and esters or any combination thereof. Preferred medicaments are salbutamol, salbutamol sulphate, salmeterol, salmeterol xinafoate, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate and terbutaline sulphate. Individual isomers, such as R-salbutamol, can also be used. It is to be understood that the medicament powder may consist purely of one or more active ingredients, or there may additionally be a carrier, for example lactose powder. The device may be intended to be disposable after exhaustion of the supply of powder in the reservoir. Figures 1 and 2 show a device with a tamper resistant closure which closure may be used with a device according to the invention or for other applications where it is desired to seal a container to prevent access to its contents. The closure comprises a cap 90 which has a circular top portion 91 and an annular depending cylindrical portion 92 formed with an outwardly directed protrusion or lip 93 extending around its lower periphery. The cap 90 is made of a material such as polypropylene which allows some resilient flexibility of the cylindrical portion 92, the purpose of which is explained below. The top of the body 94 is formed with an outer peripheral wall 97 and a concentric inner peripheral wall 96 which together define the mouth of the reservoir 100. An annular channel 95 is further defined between inner and outer peripheral walls 96, 97. The outer wall 97 has an increased wall thickness extending into channel 95 at distinct locations around its inner face which forms retaining ledges under which lip 93 latches, as seen in figure 1. For manufacturing purposes, the ledges are formed by means of five equispaced slots 98 extending radially through to channel 95 from a groove 102, which is provided around the periphery of outer wall 97 at the same level as the bottom of channel 95. The inner surface of the outer wall forms an inclined slope leading from the upper part of channel 95 to the point of maximum wall thickness just above each slot 98. To fit cap 90 to body 94, the cylindrical portion 92 is inserted into channel 95. As the lower periphery of the cylindrical portion 92 contacts the inclined slopes formed on the outer wall 97, the cap 90 is pushed down onto the body 94 such that the cylindrical portion 92 flexes inwardly due to its resilient flexibility at the regions of contact to allow further movement into channel 95, until lips 93 reach slots 98 and snap outwardly to latch under the retaining ledges. When assembled, cylindrical portion 92 is substantially surrounded by outer peripheral wall 97 such that it is concealed and inaccessible from the outside. Sealing ring 99 is sandwiched between the top of inner wall 96 and the underside of top portion 91 to seal the reservoir 100 from the atmosphere. Finally, band 101 of polypropylene or copolymere polypropylene-polyethylene is stretched around groove 102 to hide slots 98 and to prevent access and tampering with lips 93. Once in place, band 101 is not easily removed.

Claims: A device comprising a container defining an opening; and a tamper resistant closure (90) for closing said opening of said container, wherein the container defines an outer peripheral wall (97) adjacent the opening and presents at least one inner ledge below the opening, and the closure comprises a cylindrical skirt portion (92) having a lip (93) on the outer periphery thereof, whereby the lip is capable of forming a snap fit with said inner ledge to hold the closure in place, and wherein the container further defines an inner peripheral wall (96) which is capable of sealing against the closure characterized in that the inner ledge of the container comprises a plurality of equispaced slots (98) extending radially around said outer peripheral wall. A device according to claim 1 wherein the outer peripheral wall is capable of concealing the skirt portion such that it is substantially inaccessible from outside. A device according to claim 1 or 2, additionally comprising a sealing ring (99) compressible against the closure by the inner peripheral wall to seal the container from the atmosphere. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, additionally comprising a groove (102) extending radially around the outer peripheral wall of the container between said slots, said groove being sealable with a band (101) to prevent tampering with the slots therein. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, aditionally comprising a band which can be stretched around said groove to hide the slots and to prevent access and tampering. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, in kit of parts form, wherein said kit of parts comprises the container and the tamper resistant closure. A device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device is an inhalation device, as wherein the container defines a reservoir for medicament in the form of a powder, said inhalation device additionally comprising an outlet through which a user can inhale and a dosing member. An inhalation device according to claim 7, additionally comprising medicament in the form of a powder. An inhalation device according to claim 8, wherein said medicament is selected from the group consisting of salbutamol, salbutamol sulphate, salmeterol, salmeterol xinafoate, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate and terbutaline sulphate and salts or solvates thereof and any combinations thereof.

Inventors: BRAND PETER JOHN, BUDAY-GOLDBERGER DAVID, DMITROVIC BOSKO, RAND PAUL KENNETH, SEGUELAS ETIENNE, BRAND, PETER JOHN, BUDAY-GOLDBERGER, DAVID, DMITROVIC, BOSKO, RAND, PAUL KENNETH, SEGUELAS, ETIENNE, DMITROVIC, BOSKO LABORATOIRE GLAXO WELLCOME
Applicants: GLAXO GROUP LTD, GLAXO GROUP LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61M15
IPC codes: A61M15