Abstract:
An inhaler device comprises an inhaler body defining a recess for a capsule holding herein a substance to be inhaled, and a nosepiece communicating with the capsule, and a perforating element coupled to the inhaler body and provided for perforating the capsule for allowing an outside air flow to be mixed with the capsule contents and inhaled through the nosepiece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an inhaler device. 
   Inhaler devices for inhaling the contents of a capsule, for medical uses, are already known. 
   Available inhalers, however, are not fully satisfactory from an operating and economic standpoint and, accordingly, they would be susceptible to improvements. 
   In fact prior inhaler devices are very complex construction-wise, and accordingly very expensive and, moreover, they are affected by frequent operating malfunctions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide an inhaler device having operating and constructional features improved with respect to those of prior like inhalers. 
   Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an inhaler device which can be easily operated, without any efforts, by a user. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide such an inhaler device which allows the capsule held therein to be perfectly perforated, while reducing the possibility of damaging said capsule or clogging the inhaler. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an inhaler device including a small number of component parts. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an inhaler device, comprising an inhaler body, defining a recess for holding therein a capsule containing a substance to be inhaled and a nosepiece communicating with said capsule, characterized in that said inhaler device further comprises perforating means associated with said inhaler body and adapted to perforate said capsule to allow an outside air flow to be mixed with the contents of said capsule for inhalation through said nosepiece. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the inhaler device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of the inhaler device according to the invention shown in an open condition thereof, i.e. in the capsule loading position thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , but illustrating the inhaler device according to the present invention during the use thereof; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the inhaler device, shown with a capsule arranged therein, but in a non perforated condition; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , but illustrating the inhaler device according to the, present invention during the capsule perforating operation; and 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view, as partially cross-sectioned, of the inhaler device according to the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to the number reference of the above mentioned figures, the inhaler device, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number  1 , comprises an inhaler nosepiece  3 , including a flange  4 , having a peg  5  which can be engaged in a corresponding hole  6  formed in an inhaler body  2 . 
   The hole  6  is provided with a longitudinal slot (not shown), that can engage a cross tooth  8  of the peg  5 , and a bottom ring-like recess, not specifically shown, in which the tooth  8  can slide. 
   Thus, it is possible to engage the peg  5  in said hole, by causing the tooth  8  to pass through the slot  7  and, upon achieving the bottom, it is possible to fully rotate the peg  5  in its hole  6 , thereby also rotating the inhaler nosepiece  3  with respect to the inhaler body  2 . 
   The inhaler nosepiece  3  can be locked in its closed condition, shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , by a snap type of locking means, including a hook portion  18  of the flange  4  having a small ridge, not shown, for engaging a corresponding ridge  20  formed inside a latching recess  19 , defined in the inhaler body  2 . 
   The inhaler body  2  is moreover provided with a recess for the capsule, said recess being upward opened and communicating with the outside through a perforated plate or grid  11 , included in the inhaler nosepiece  3  at said flange  4  and designed for separating the capsule recess  9  from the duct  12  of the nosepiece. 
   A capsule  13  can be engaged in said recess  9 , said capsule being of a per se known type and adapted to be perforated to allow the drug contents held therein to be easily accessed, said perforating operation being performed by any suitable perforating means. 
   In the disclosed embodiment, the perforating means comprise a pair of perforating needles  14  which can transversely slide as counter-urged by resilient elements comprising, in this embodiment, coil springs  15 ; each coil spring coaxially encompassing said perforating needle  14  and operating between a respective abutment element  16 , rigid with the inhaler body  2 , and a hollow push-button element  17 . 
   The perforating needles  14  are similar to hypodermic needles and have a single-side beveled tip, for facilitating said perforating needles  14  in perforating the coating of the capsule  13 . 
   The operation of the inhaler device according to the present invention is as follows. 
   In the open condition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a capsule is engaged in the capsule recess  9  and the nosepiece  3  is snap closed on the inhaler body  2 . 
   By pressing the push-button elements  17 , the perforating needles  14  will perforate the capsule  13 , thereby its contents, usually a fine powder, will be communicated with the capsule recess. 
   By applying suction on the nosepiece  3 , an air flow will be generated which, coming from the outside through the holes  10 , will enter the capsule recess, thereby mixing with the capsule contents and, passing through the grid  11  and duct  12 , will allow the products to be inhaled. 
   It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. 
   In fact, the invention provides an inhaler device which is very simple construction-wise and can operate in a very satisfactory manner. 
   A further advantage of the inhaler device according to the invention is the specifically designed configuration of the perforating needles which can be assimilated, as stated, to hypodermic needles. 
   Since this type of needle presents a very small resistance against perforation and a very accurate operation, it is possible to use needles having a comparatively large diameter, without damaging the capsule, thereby providing a very simple perforating operation. 
   The use of small number of perforating needles, only two in the preferred embodiment, allows to reduce, the perforated cross section being the same, the contact surface between the needle and capsule, with a consequent reduction of the friction and of the problems affecting the prior inhalers. 
   In practicing the invention, the used materials, and their size and shapes, can be any, depending on the requirements.