# US 5,349,944 A · Inhalation devices with a reduced risk of blockage

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- Number: US 5,349,944 A
- Document ID: US5349944A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/958,449
- Filed: 1992-10-07
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1988-03-28
- Assignees: Fisons Limited
- Inventors: Kevan E. Chippendale; John S. Corbett; John L. Hart; Geraldine Walkley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349944A

## CPC

- B65D 83/75: {Aerosol containers not provided for in groups B65D83/16 - B65D83/74}
- A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)}
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- 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

An aerosol inhalation device, having a mouthpiece (12) and a canister (15) of pressurized hygroscopic medicament, the canister (15) being fitted at one end with a dispensing metering valve; wherein a protective barrier (19) is provided between the dispensing metering valve and the mouthpiece (12) so as to eliminate or substantially reduce blockage of the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An aerosol inhalation device, comprising:
a mouthpiece;
a canister of pressurized hygroscopic medicament, said canister having an end fitted with a dispensing metering valve feeding said medicament to said mouthpiece, said metering valve having a valve stem provided with an inlet port;
said valve stem being movable between an inoperative position in which the inlet port is located outside the metering valve and an operative state in which the inlet port is located within the metering valve; and
a cap of elastomeric material fitted over the end of the canister provided with the valve, said cap being provided with a frusto-conical central portion through which the valve stem passes and protrudes, such that in the inoperative position of the valve stem, the cap shields the inlet port from a user's breath and upon movement between the inoperative and operative positions the cap brushes the surface of the valve stem.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An aerosol inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil sodium.