# US 10,441,732 B2 · End fitting for disposable spacer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,732 B2 - Document ID: US10441732B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/502,521 - Filed: 2015-08-11 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-13 - Assignees: Clement Clarke International Ltd. - Applicants: Clement Clarke International Ltd - Inventors: Ronald Bruin; Mark Sanders - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441732B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/0025: {with caps} - A61M 15/002: {with air flow regulating means} - A61M 15/0086: {Inhalation chambers} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present invention provides an end fitting (1) for a spacer assembly and a spacer assembly having such an end fitting for fitting to a drug delivery inhaler device (21). The spacer assembly has a spacer body (17) with opposing first and second axial ends. The end fitting comprises an end panel having an upper end face (2) and a lower end face (3). A lower annular recess (4) is provided on the lower end face for receiving the first axial end (18) of the spacer body in a first configuration. An upper annular recess (12) is provided on the upper end face for receiving the second axial end (20) of the spacer body in a second configuration. The end fitting further comprises an open-ended tubular projection (16) extending from the upper end face and an aperture extending through the end panel from the lower end face to the tubular projection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end fitting for a spacer assembly for fitting to a drug delivery inhaler device, said spacer assembly having a spacer body with opposing first and second axial ends, the end fitting comprising: an end panel having opposing first and second end faces; a first annular recess on the first end face for receiving the first axial end of the spacer body in a first configuration; second annular recess on the second end face for receiving the second axial end of the spacer body in a second configuration; an open-ended tubular projection extending from the second end face, the tubular projection forming a mouthpiece in the first configuration; and an aperture extending through the end panel from the first end face to the tubular projection to provide fluid communication from within the spacer body to the mouthpiece in the first configuration and for receiving the mouthpiece of a drug delivery inhaler device and allowing fluid communication through the tubular projection into the spacer body in the second configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 wherein the first annular recess is defined at its radially outer limit by an annular flange extending away from the first end face around the periphery of the end panel, the flange including a skirt portion and a curved gripping portion proximal the end panel for gripping the first axial end in the first configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 wherein the second annular recess is defined at its radially outer limit by an inner face of a circumferentially-extending wall, the circumferentially-extending wall being spaced from the periphery of the second end face by a second annular rim. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An end fitting according to claim 3 wherein the base of the inner face of the circumferentially-extending wall has an annular bead for engaging the second axial end of the spacer body in the second configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) An end fitting according to claim 3 wherein the first annular recess is defined at its radially inner limit by an outer face of the circumferentially-extending wall, the circumferentially-extending wall being spaced from the aperture by a first annular rim. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 wherein the second annular recess is defined at its radially inner limit by the tubular projection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 wherein the open-ended tubular projection extends from the axial centre of the second end face. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An end fitting according to claim 7 wherein the aperture extends through the axial centre of the end panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 formed of a one-piece plastics material construction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 comprising a cellulosic material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An end fitting according to claim 1 further comprising a one-way valve, the valve comprising a slit silicone disc seated on a valve seat, the valve seat positioned across the aperture and allowing the disc to flex and the slits to open towards the opening of the tubular projection but preventing flexing of the disc and opening of the slots away from the opening of the tubular projection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A spacer assembly for fitting to a drug delivery inhaler device, said spacer assembly comprising: a spacer body having opposing first and second axial ends; and at least one end fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first axial end is received in the first annular recess of the end fitting or wherein the second axial end is received in the second annular recess of the end fitting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A spacer assembly according to claim 12 wherein the at least one end fitting comprises a first end fitting and a second end fitting, wherein the first axial end is received in the first annular recess of the first end fitting or wherein the second axial end is received in the second annular recess of the second end fitting. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A spacer assembly according to claim 12 wherein the spacer body and/or the at least one end fitting is formed of paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastics material or plastic/paper composite. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A spacer assembly according to claim 14 wherein the spacer body is a disposable cup. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A spacer assembly kit for providing a spacer assembly for fitting to a drug delivery inhaler device, said kit comprising: a spacer body having opposing first and second axial ends; and at least one end fitting according to claims 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A spacer assembly kit according to claim 16 wherein the at least one end fitting comprises a first end fitting and a second end fitting. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A spacer assembly kit according to claim 17 wherein the first and second end fittings are stackable one upon the other. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A spacer assembly kit according to claims 16 wherein the spacer body and/or the at least one end fitting is formed of paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastics material or plastic/paper composite. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A spacer assembly kit according to claim 19 wherein the spacer body is a disposable cup.