GB2372214A

GB2372214A - Inhaler cover

Info

Publication number: GB2372214A
Application number: GB0104208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Iain Bamber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-20
Filing date: 2001-02-20
Publication date: 2002-08-21
Also published as: GB0104208D0

Abstract

An inhaler cover 10 comprises a sheath 12 with openings 14, 16 at each end to enable the insertion of an inhaler and means 20 on an inside surface of the cover to releasably secure the cover to the inhaler. In a preferred embodiment, the cover may have a groove or ridge to engage a corresponding ridge or groove on the inhaler and a luminescent strip 24. A clip 22 and a projection 18 to enable the cover to stay upright may also be provided on its external surface (Figure 2; not shown). The outer surface of the cover may be moulded in the shape of cartoon characters or animals for aesthetic appeal.

Description

TITLE Inhaler Cover DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a protective casing for asthmatic metered dose equipment, otherwise known as bronchial inhalers.

Most available bronchial inhalators, such as those used to dispense VentolinIP, Becotideg or Flixotidet, consist of a pre-formed shell or housing enclosing a pressurised canister which contains the active drug or ingredient. The preformed shell is generally angular in construction and can therefore feel sharp to the user stored in a pocket. Furthermore, falling or landing upon the pre-formed shell can be a very painful experience which can lead to bruising or cuts on the skin.

It is generally understood that users of inhalers must have immediate access to them at all times in case they have an attack. However, the pre-formed shell of a conventional inhaler is shaped so that it can only be stored in a pocket, pouch or other such like container. Quite often participants in sporting activities wear clothing that does not have pockets in which to store an inhaler and it is often impractical to carry an inhaler around by the hand or in a bag. Accordingly this can hinder and may even prevent people dependent upon inhalers from participating in sports events.

An average asthmatic would use an inhaler up to 20 times a day and on this basis a new inhaler would have to be obtained once every three to four weeks.

To ensure that the correct dosage of drug is administered each time, a prescription automatically includes the pre-formed shell together with the pressurised canister. Hence, since the pre-formed shell is an extremely important component of the inhaler since it controls the dosage amount, it is not a viable option to do away with the shell.

It is an objective of the present invention to reduce the above-mentioned problems associated with conventional inhalers by providing a cover to receive a conventional inhaler, the cover comprising a sheath-like body with an opening at each opposing end, one of these openings enabling the insertion of the inhaler, and means provided on an inside surface thereof for releasably securing the cover to the inhaler.

Preferably, the means for securing the cover to the inhaler is a groove or a ridge to engage with a corresponding ridge or groove on the inhaler.

The cover may also comprise a clip on an external surface of the sheath-like body so that the cover can be secured to an article of clothing. Preferably the end of the body containing the opening into which the inhaler may be inserted is provided with a projection to support the cover in an upright position.

To aid visibility at night, a luminescent strip could be applied to the cover.

The outer surface of the sheath-like body may be moulded into sculpted shapes for aesthetic appeal.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an inhaler cover according to the present invention ; Figure 2 is a side view of the inhaler of Fig. 1 ; Figure 3 shows a conventional inhaler being inserted into the cover of Fig. 2 Figure 4 shows a conventional inhaler fully inserted into the cover of Fig. 2 ; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the inhaler and cover of Fig. 4.

An inhaler cover 10 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The cover 10 is moulded from a plastics material and comprises a sheath-like body 12. The outer surface of the body 12 is substantially cylindrical giving it a smooth feel. The smooth outer surface of the body 12 effectively rounds off the angular edges on the shell 34 of a conventional inhaler 30 thereby protecting the asthmatic from cutting and bruising of the skin.

A first opening 14 is provided at the lower end of the body 12. This communicates with a sidewall opening 14a machined into the body 12. A second opening 16 is formed in the upper end of the body 12.

A groove 20 is machined from the internal surface of the body 12 in the vicinity of the first opening 14. This groove 20 is used to releasably secure the cover 10 to the inhaler 30 as will be described later on.

A luminescent strip 24 is mounted around the second opening 16 to enable a user to easily recognise the cover 10 in the dark. As asthmatic tend to suffer worse at night the ability to locating the inhaler in the dark without turning a light on is a distinct advantage.

As shown specifically in Fig. 2, a clip 22 is mounted to the top of the cylindrical body 12 of the cover 10 enabling the user to attach the cover 10 to an article of clothing. The clip 22 allows the wearer to carry the inhaler 30 without the need for pockets. In sporting applications the clip 22 will allow the wearer to participate without having to carry or store the inhaler 30, thus making the medication immediately available.

Beneath the clip 22 a projection extends outwards from the body 12. As shown in Fig. 2 this projection is smooth and extends down to the lower end of the cylindrical body 12. The projection 18 enables the cover 10 to stand upright. Preferably both the clip 22 and the projection 22 are mounted on that side of the body 12 which is remote from sidewall opening 14a.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the way in which a conventional inhaler 30 is inserted and removed from the cover 10. The conventional inhaler has a pre-formed shell 34 which houses a pressurised canister 32 containing a drug. The inhaler is inserted through the first opening 14 into the cover 10 as shown in Fig. 3.

That end of the inhaler shell 34 with the nozzle 36 is the last portion of the inhaler to be received.

Once the inhaler has been fully inserted, as shown in Fig. 4, a ridge 35 on the shell 4 of the inhaler engages with the corresponding groove 20 formed on the internal surface of the body 12, the nozzle is received by and extends from the sidewall opening 4a, and the canister 32 of the inhaler extends slightly from the second opening 16 of the cylindrical body 12 ready to be activated.

When the user needs the inhaler, he or she depresses the canister 32 which causes a metered mount of the drug to be dispensed from the nozzle 36 as best illustrated in Fig. 5.

When the inhaler 30 has expired, the user merely holds the inhaler 30 at either end and pulls on the projection 18 of the body 12 which tends to disengage the ridge 35 from the groove 20 permitting the user to slide the inhaler 30 out from the first opening 14.

It is my intention to create a number of pre-moulded designs on the external surface of the cover 10 including, cartoon characters, football strip replicas, animals, faces etc. These are in principal aesthetic but would provide an appealing finish to the product.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cover to receive a conventional inhaler, the cover comprising a sheath-like body with an opening at each opposing end, one of these openings enabling the insertion of the inhaler, and means provided on an inside surface thereof for releasably securing the cover to the inhaler.
2. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for securing the cover to the inhaler is a groove or a ridge to engage with a corresponding ridge or groove on the inhaler.
3. A cover as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 further comprising a clip on an external surface of the sheath-like body so that the cover can be secured to an article of clothing.
4. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the body containing the opening into which the inhaler may be inserted is provided with a projection to support the cover in an upright position.
5. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a luminescent strip to aid visibility at night.
6. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the sheath-like body is moulded into sculpted shapes for aesthetic appeal.
7. A cover to receive a conventional inhaler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.