GB2519781A

GB2519781A - An Inhaler

Info

Publication number: GB2519781A
Application number: GB1319144.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lai Chiu Tang; Joanne Channon; Thomas Woodman; Conor Mcgrath; Simon James Smith
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-30
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Also published as: GB201319144D0

Abstract

An inhaler 1 comprises a housing 2 to receive a canister 8 having a chamber containing formulation for inhalation and a fluid release mechanism 9 at one end of the chamber comprising first and second release elements, an actuating mechanism (3) comprising an actuator 20 and a lever 21. The lever 21 is pivotable in response to actuation of the actuator 20 by a user to displace the first release element relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber through the fluid release mechanism for inhalation by a user. The actuating mechanism (3) includes a slide member (22) in the housing 2 and the lever 21 is pivotally mounted to the slide member (22) so that, in addition to rotation of the lever 21 upon actuation of the actuator, the lever is also translated to cause displacement of the first release element relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber. The inhaler 1 may be a nicotine delivery system such as a simulated cigarette.

Description

Art Inhaler

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inhaler for administering a substance or formulation by inhalation. The substance or formulation may contain nicotine and the inhaler may take the form of a nicotine delivery system.

Background

Inhalers are known that comprise a mouthpiece, an actuator and a compartment io containing a formulation for inhalation. Upon actuation of the actuator by a user, formulation is released from the compartment and is expelled through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

Suniinary i According to the invention, there is provided an inhaler comprising a housing to receive a canister having a chamber containing formulation for inhalation and a fluid release mechanism at one end of the chamber comprising first and second release elements, an actuating mechanism comprising an actuator and a lever, the lever being pivotabe in response to actuation of the actuator by a user to dispthce the first r&ease &ement relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber through the fluid release mechanism for inhalation by a user, wherein the actuating mechanism inchides a sBde member in the housing and the ever is pivotafly mounted to the sHde member so that, in addition to rotation of the lever upon actuation of the actuator, the lever is a'so translated to cause displacement of the first release ekment relative to the second r&ease element for the r&ease of formulation from the chamber.

The lever may comprise first and second lever arms configured so that, when the actuator is urged against the second ever arm in response to actuation by the user to cause the lever to rotate relative to the slide member, the first lever arm cooperates with the canister to cause displacement of the first release element relative to the second release element. In one such embodiment, the actuator comprises a cam surface and the second lever arm is engaged by said cam surface on actuation of the actuator to rotate said lever. The cam surface may be shaped so that a force is applied to the second lever arm so as to cause the slide member to translate upon actuation of the actuator.

3 In another embodiment, the second lever arm is pivotafly mounted to the actuator.

In one embodiment, the inhaler comprises a stop-member on the slide member which is contactable by the second lever arm upon actuation of the actuator to prevent over rotation of the ever.

In one embodiment, the second lever arm extends towards the actuator at an acute angle relative to a direction in which the slide member translates upon actuation of the actuator.

In one embodiment, the slide member has an end face and the first lever arm lies io behind or flush with said end face prior to actuation of the actuator and protrudes beyond said end face when the lever rotates upon actuation of the actuator.

The first release element and the canister may be fixed relative to each other and the first lever arm may be configured so that, upon actuation of the actuator, the first lever arm moves the canister and the first rdease dement relative to the second release element for the rdease of formulation from the chamber. In one such embodiment, the first lever arm is configured to make direct contact with the canister upon actuation of the actuator so as to move the canister. In an alternate embodiment, the inhaler comprises a pressure plate disposed between the first lever arm and the canister such that the first lever arm is urged against said pressure plate which, in turn, applies pressure against the canister to move the canister and the first release element relative to the second release element.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises a slide aperture and the slide member comprises a leg slidably received in the slide aperture to mount the slide member to the housing.

The actuator may be pivotally mounted to the housing. In one such embodiment, the actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing for rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis about which the lever arm rotates relative to the sbde member.

In one embodiment, the fluid release mechanism comprises a pump and the first and second elements comprise a pump housing and a pump stem respectively, and the pump housing is moveable relative to the pump stem for the release of formulation from the chamber through the pump stem for inhalation by a user.

The invention also provides a nicotine delivery system comprising the inhaler according to the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inhaler according to a first embodiment of the io invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inhaler of Figure 1, with a mouthpiece cap removed; Figure 3 is a top view of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the inhaler of Figure 1; is Figure 5 is a side view of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler of Figure i; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing a pump of the inhaler of Figure 1, in a first position; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view showing the pump of the inhaler of Figure 1, in a second position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an outer housing of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the outer housing and a slide member of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the slide member and an actuator of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a close-tip perspective view of the actuator and a lever of the inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the slide member and lever of the inhaler of Figure 1; and, Figure 14 is a second perspective view of the sUde member and ever of the inhaler of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 to 14, an inhaler 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The inhaler 1 may be a nicotine delivery system and so be used as a substitute for cigarette, cigar or like smoking article. The inhaler 1 comprises an outer housing 2 and an actuating mechanism 3. The outer housing 2 comprises a cylindrical body 4 with a mouthpiece 5 at one end thereof. The mouthpiece 5 has an outlet channel 5A and is coverable by a mouthpiece cap 6.

An inner space 7 is formed in the cylindrical body 4 of the outer housing 2 and contains a canister 8 and a fluid release mechanism comprising a pump assembly 9. The canister 8 contains a formulation for inhalation, a discrete amount of which is expelled out of the outlet channel 5A of the mouthpiece 5 upon each operation of the pump 9. The pump 9 comprises a first release element comprising a pump housing ii that extends into the canister 8 and has a peripheral wail uA and a second release element comprising a pump stem 10 that is held in a fixed position in the body 4. The pump stem 10 comprises a plunger or piston mA that is slidably received in the pump housing ii and a rubber 0-ring 13 provides a seal between the plunger mA and the pump housing peripheral wall uk A pump chamber 12 is formed in the space between is the plunger bA and the inside surface of the peripheral wall nA of the pump housing ii. A stem channel loB extends through the pump stem 10 and fluidly communicates the ouflet channel GAin the mouthpiece 5 with the pump chamber 12.

An inlet channel iiB is formed in an end of the pump housing 11 that is remote to the pump stem 10 and fluidly communicates the pump chamber 12 with the inside of the canister 8. A first check valve 14 is disposed at an opening of the inlet channel riB and is configured to permit the flow of formulation into the pump chamber 12 from the canister 8 whilst restricting fluid flow in the opposite direction. The first check valve 14 comprises a valve ball 14A that has a larger diameter than that of the inlet channel tuB so that the valve ball 14A blocks the inlet channel riB when it is disposed against the opening thereof.

The pump housing 11 is slidable relative to the pump stem 10 between first and second positions. In the first position, the plunger ioA of the pump stem 10 is spaced from the inlet channel riB end of the pump housing ii (as shown in Figure 7). A biasing means i, for example, a spring or portion of resilient material, is positioned between the phinger bA and the pump housing ii and biases the pump housing ii into the first position with respect to the pump stem 10. If a force is applied to the pump housing ii that is sufficient to overcome the force of the biasing member 15 then the pump housing ii will move into a second position wherein the plunger uoA is slid into the pump housing ii, towards the inlet channel riB, causing the volume of the pump chamber 12 to decrease and therefore the pressure therein to increase. When the pressure in the pump chamber 12 increases, so that it is higher than the pressure in the canister 8, the valve bail 14.A wfll be urged against the pump housing ii around the inkt channel iiB to prevent fluid from flowing from the chamber 12 to the canister 8-The increased pressure in the pump chamber 12 will cause formulation in the chamber 12 to pass through the stem channel loB and out of the outlet channel 5A in the mouthpiece 5 so that it may be consumed by the user.

When a force is no longer exerted on the pump housing ii to overcome the force of the io biasing means 15, the biasing means 15 wifi return the pump housing ii to the first position and the phrnger mA wifi sEde into the first position so that the volume of the pump chamber 12 increases. A second check valve i6 is disposed in the outlet channe' 5A and is configured to permit the flow of formulation from the pump chamber 12 to the outlet of the outlet channel 5A whilst restricting fluid flow in the opposite direction.

Therefore, when the vohime of the pump chamber 12 is increased as the pump housing 11 moves to the first position, the pressure therein decreases so that it is less than the pressure in the canister 8, and the valve bail 14A wifi be urged away from the inlet channel iiB and formulation will flow from the canister 8, through the inlet channel iiB, and into the pump chamber 12.

The second check valve 16 comprises a static insert 17 and a sliding insert 18. The sliding insert iSis slidably received in the outlet channel 5Atowards an end thereof that is spaced from the stem channel loB. The sliding insert 18 comprises an outlet aperture iSA therethrough that, in use, vents to user's mouth. The static. insert 17 comprises an insert passage 17A and a face 17B that is distal to the stem channel loB.

The static insert 17 is disposed in the outlet channel 5A between the stem channe' loB and the sliding insert i8 so that when the pressure in the pump chamber 12 is lower than the pressure at the outlet aperture iBA, the sliding insert 18 will be urged against the face 17B of the static insert 17 so that the aperture i8A is blocked. When the pressure in the pump chamber 12 is higher than the pressure at the outkt aperture i8A, the sBding insert 18 will be urged away from the face 17B of the static insert 1750 that a gap is formed therebetween, aflowing for fluid to flow from the pump chamber 12, through the stem channel ioB and insert passage 17A and then out of the outlet aperture 18A, via the gap formed between the static and sliding inserts 17, 18.

A cut-out 19 is formed into an end of the cylindrical body 4 that is distal to the mouthpiece 5 and exposes a recess 19A that is formed in the cylindrical body 4. A pair of circiflar apertures 19B and a pair of slide apertures 19C are formed in opposing portions of the cylindrical body 4, towards an end thereof that is distal to the mouthpiece.

The actuating mechanism 3 comprises an actuator 20, a lever 21 and a slide member 22. The actuator 20 comprises disk shaped end portion 23 and a curved portion 24 with a pair of legs 25 extending from an inner surface thereof. Each leg 25 has a circular io protrusion 25A at an end thereof that is configured to be received in one of the circular apertures 19B of the cyhndrical body 4. The curved portion 24 has an outer surface that has the same curvature as the outer surface of the cylindrical body 4. The actuator 20 is positioned over the recess 19A of the cylindrical body 4 so that the circular protrusion 25A of each leg 25 fits into a corresponding circular aperture 19B of the cylindrical body 4 to pivotafly connect the actuator 20 to the outer housing 2.

The cylindrical body 4 together with the curved portion 24 of the actuator 20 form a cylindrically shaped inhaler 1 that is closed off at one end by the disk shaped end portion 23 of the actuator 20. The mouthpieces is disposed at the end of the cylindrical body 4 that is distal to the disk shaped end portion 23. The end of the cylindrical body 4 that is proximate to the disk shaped end portion 23 has tapered corners 19D to allow for movement between the cylindrical body 4 and the end portion 23 so that the actuator 20 may pivot relative to the outer housing 2. A button 24A is provided on the outer surface of the curved portion 24 at or near an end thereof that is remote to the end portion 23.

The slide member 22 comprises a slide body 26 with a pair of legs 27 extending from an end thereof. Each of the legs 27 has a free end with a slide protrusion 27k The slide body 26 is cylindrical and has a central axis. A first aperture 28 extends through the shde body 26 in the direction of the central axis and a second aperture 29 extends through the sUde body 26 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and intersects the first aperture 28. The shde body 26 has a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the cy'indrical body 4 of the outer housing 2 and is shdably received therein. The legs 27 of the slide member 22 extend into the recess 19A of the cylindrical body 4 so that each slide protrusion 27A is received in a corresponding slide aperture 19C to limit the range of movement of the slide member 22 within the outer housing 2.

The lever 21 comprises first and second lever arms 30, 31 that extend from a connecting portion 32 at an obtuse angle to one another. The second lever arm 31 has a rounded free end 31A. A central bore 33 runs through the connecting portion 32, perpendicularly to the direction that each of the first and second lever arms 30, 31 extends from the connecting portion 32. The central bore 33 is aligned with the second aperture 29 of the slide body 26 and an axle 34 is slid therethrough so that so that the first and second lever arms 30, 31 are pivotally mounted to the slide member 22. The lever 21 is pivotal between a retracted position, wherein the first lever arm 30 sits flush io to an end surface 26A of the slide body 26, and an extended position, wherein the first lever arm 30 extends from the end surface 26A of the shde body 26.

The actuator 20 further comprises an interfacing portion 35 that comprises a projection 36 having a cam surface that is formed by a curved recess 36A in the projection 36.

When the inhaler 1 is assembled, the rounded end 31A of the second ever arm 31 is received in the curved recess 36A of the projection 36s0 that the second lever arm 31 may pivot relative to the actuator 20.

In use, a user positions the mouthpiece 5 between their lips and applies a force on the button 24A to press the curved portion 24 of the actuator 20 towards the cylindrical body 4 in a direction transverse the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 4.

This causes the actuator 20 to pivot relative to the outer housing 2 so that the actuator moves into the recess 19A of the cylindrical body 4. As the actuator 20 moves into the recess 19A, the actuator 20 will exert a force on the second lever arm 31 that urges the second lever arm 31 to rotate about the axle 34 so that the rounded end 31A moves towards the cylindrical body 4 in a direction transverse the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 4. The rounded end 31A will be urged against the cam surface of the projection 36 as the actuator 20 pivots and so will be restricted from moving in the ongitudin& direction of the outer housing 2. Therefore, to facilitate the rotational movement of the second ever arm 31 as the button 24A is pressed, the end of the second ever arm 31 that is proximate to the connecting portion 33 will be urged towards the mouthpiece 4 in the longitudinal direction. As the second kver arm 31 is rotatably mounted to the slide member 22, the slide member 22 will slide in the longitudinal direction within the cylindrical body 4 when the force is exerted on the second lever arm 31 and also the lever 21 will rotate about the axle 34, causing the first lever arm 30 to rotate into its extended position in which it extends from the end surface 26A of the slide body 26.

The rotational movement of the first lever arm 30 into its extended position urges the canister 8 in the longitudinal direction towards the mouthpiece 5. Additionally, the sliding motion of the slide member 22 also results in the first lever arm 30 urging the canister 8 in the longitudinal direction towards the mouthpiece j. Since the canister 8 is attached to the pump housing ii, when the canister 8 moves towards the mouthpiece the pump 9 is actuated and a dosage of formulation is expelled through the outlet io channel 5A and into the user's mouth in the manner previous'y described. The user then releases the button 24A and the biasing means i returns the canister 8 and pump housing ii to a position wherein they are spaced from the mouthpiece 5 in the longitudinal direction, causing the lever 21 to rotate back to its retracted position and the second lever arm 31 to urge the button 24A out of the recess of the cylindrical body 4.

As the force of the user pressing the button 24A is transthted into both a rotational movement of the first lever arm 30 and a sliding movement of the sliding member 22, the canister 8, and thus the pump housing ii, will be moved a greater longitudinal displacement for any given movement of the button 24A. Therefore, a greater volume of formulation may be expelled for each press of the button 24A by the user.

A stopper 37 is provided on an internal surface of the sliding member 22 and is configured to restrict the maximum rotation of the second lever arm 31 to prevent the first lever arm 30 from being over extended which could otherwise damage the canister 8 if excessive force is applied to the button 24A of the actuator 20. Furthermore, by limiting the extension of the first lever arm 30, the maximum volume of formulation that is expelled from the pump 9 in one actuation of the button 24A can be controlled.

A pressure pthte 38 is disposed between the first ever arm 30 and the canister 8 such that the first ever arm 30 is urged against said pressure pthte 38 which, in turn, appBes pressure against the canister 8 to move the canister 8 and the pump housing ii relative to the pump stem 10. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the pressure plate is omitted and the first lever arm is configured to make direct contact with the canister upon actuation of the actuator so as to move the canister.

A ventilation aperture (not shown) is provided in the end of the mouthpiece 5 and is fluidly communicated with the atmosphere. Therefore, when the user inhales the formulation that is expelled from the outlet channel A, air is also drawn into the user's mouth to mix with the formulation. The draw resistance of the ventilation aperture may be pre-selected, by selecting its length or diameter, so that when the user draws on the mouthpiece j to inhale the formulation the draw resistance of a cigarette is imitated. In an alternate embodiment, the ventilation aperture is omitted.

The mouthpiece 5 comprises an external rim B on a peripheral wall thereof and the io mouthpiece cap 6 comprises a bead (not shown) that is configured to engage with the rim B when the cap 6 is positioned over the mouthpieces to secure the cap 6 thereto.

Therefore, the mouthpiece cap 6 may be releaseably attached to the mouthpiece 5 to protect the mouthpieces from dirt and debris during storage of the inhaler 1. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the mouthpiece cap 6 comprises an internal screw thread (not shown) that corresponds to a screw thread (not shown) provided on a peripheral wa of the mouthpiece 5 so that the cap 6 may be releasably screwed over the mouthpieces. In another embodiment (not shown), the cap 6 is omitted.

Although in the above described embodiment the actuator comprises an interfacing portion 35 that has a projection 36 with a curved recess 36A that forms a cam surface and receives the rounded end 31A of the second lever arm 31, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the projection 36 may have a recess that is not curved that forms the cam surface. In yet another embodiment, the projection 36 is omitted and instead the rounded end 31A of the second lever arm 31 is pivotally connected to the actuator 21.

Although in the above described embodiment the pump 9 comprises a biasing means 15 to bias the pump housing 11 away from the pump stem 10, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) thc biasing means of the pump is omitted and instead a biasing means is provided in another portion of the outer housing 2, for example, in a space provided between an end of the canister 8 and the disk shaped end portion 23 of the actuator 20.

Although in the above described embodiment the outer housing 2 and actuator 20 are curved to form an inhaler 1 that is generally cylindrical in shape, in alternate embodiments (not shown) the inhaler 1 may be another shape, for example, cuboidal or an elongated cylinder. -10-

It should be recognised that the invention is suitable for use with pump types which differ from the pump 9 described above, providing that the pump is Uneary actuated.

In one specific examp'e embodiment, the pump comprises an Aptar Pharma (TM) Classic Line (TM) pump. In such an embodiment (not shown), the pump comprises a dip tube that fluidly communicates the inlet of the pump with the inside of the canister.

Alternatively, the dip tube may be omitted so that the inhaler 1 may be used in any orientation provided that the canister 8 is at least half-full of formulation. A pressurised canister may also be used so that the formulation is emitted as an aerosol upon io activation of the inhaler. In one such embodiment (not shown), the fluid rdease mechanism comprising the pump is omitted and is repthced by an akernative fluid release mechanism comprising a valve, for example, a metering valve, pressure-relief valve, or a flow control valve. The valve has first and second release elements comprising a valve seat and a valve head respectively that are sildable relative to each other upon actuation of the actuator by a user to permit the flow of formtilation through the valve under the pressure of the formuthtion in the chamber for inha'ation by the user.

Although in the above described embodiment the first check valve 14 comprises a vake ball 14A that obstructs the inlet channe' nB when the pressure in the pump chamber 12 is greater than the pressure in the canister 8, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the first check valve 14 is of a different configuration, for example, having a construction that is similar to the second check valve 16, comprising a static insert and a sliding insert.

Although in the above described embodiment the second check va've i6 comprises a static insert 17 and a sliding insert i8 so that the ouUet channel 5A is blocked when the pressure in the pump chamber 12 is lower than the pressure at the exit of the outlet charniel 5A, in an alternate cmbodimeift (not shown) the second check valve 16 has a different configuration, for examp'e, having a construction that is similar to the first check va've 14, comprising a vahe bafi that obstructs the ouflet channel 5A.

Mthough in the above described embodiment the actuator 20 is pivotafly connected to the outer housing 2 and rotates relative thereto to exert a force on the second lever aim 31 to actuate the pump 9, in alternate embodiments (not shown) the actuator 20 has a different range of movement relative to the outer housing 2. In one such embodiment, -11 -the actuator 20 is slidable relative to the outer housing 2 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing 2 to exert a force on the second lever arm 31 to actuate the pump 9.

Although in the above described embodiment the canister 8 is urged against the pump housing 11 so that each moves relative to the pump stem to to actuate the pump 9, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the canister 8 may be fixed relative to the pump stem 10 and the first lever arm 30 exerts a force on the pump housing ii to move the pump housing ii relative to the pump stem 10 to actuate the pump 9. In one such Jo embodiment (not shown), the canister is disposed between the slide member and the disk shaped end portion of the actuator and the pump housing is disposed in the inner space of the cylindrical body. A conduit fluidly communicates the inside of the canister with the inlet channel of the pump. When the user presses on the button of the actuator, the first lever extends to exert a force on the pump housing that causes the pump housing to be urged towards the pump stem and the pump to actuate. When the pump is actuated, formulation in the canister is sucked into the conduit, passes through the pump housing, and is then expefled out of the ouflet channeL In such an embodiment, the canister may be integrally formed with the outer housing.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior inhaler. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, arid that other embodiments may be utilised and 3° modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disdosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentiafly of, various combinations of the disclosed dements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure indudes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

-12 -Claims 1. An inhaler comprising a housing to receive a canister having a chamber containing formulation for inhalation and a fluid r&ease mechanism at one end of the chamber comprising first and second release elements, an actuating mechanism comprising an actuator and a lever, the lever being pivotable iii response to actuation of the actuator by a user to displace the first release element relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber through the fluid release mechanism for inhalation by a user, wherein the actuating mechanism includes a slide io member in the housing and the lever is pivotally mounted to the sfide member so that, in addition to rotation of the lever upon actuation of the actuator, the ever is also translated to cause displacement of the first release element relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber.
2. An inhaler according to daim 1, wherein the ever comprises first and second lever arms configured so that, when the actuator is urged against the second ever arm iii response to actuation by the user to cause the ever to rotate relative to the slide member, the first lever arm cooperates with the canister to cause displacement of the first release element relative to the second release element.
3. An inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a cain surface and the second lever arm is engaged by said cam surface on actuation of the actuator to rotate said lever.
4. An inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the cain surface is shaped so that a force is applied to the second lever arm so as to cause the slide member to translate upon actuation of the actuator.
5. An inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the second lever ann is pivotally mounted to the actuator.
6. An inhaler according to any of daiins 2 to 5, comprising a stop-member on the shde member which is contactable by the second ever arm upon actuation of the actuator to prevent over rotation of the lever.

-13 -
7. An inhaler according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second lever ann extends towards the actuator at an acute angle relative to a direction in which the slide member translates upon actuation of the actuator.
8. An inhaler according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the slide member has an end face and the first lever arm lies behind or flush with said end face prior to actuation of the actuator and protrudes beyond said end face when the lever rotates upon actuation of the actuator.io
9. An inha'er according to any of cthims 2 to 8, wherein the first release element and the canister are fixed relative to each other and the first ever arm is configured so that, upon actuation of the actuator, the first lever arm moves the canister and the first release element relative to the second release element for the release of formulation from the chamber.
10. An inha'er according to daim 9, wherein the first lever arm is configured to make direct contact with the canister upon actuation of the actuator so as to move the canister.
11. An inhaler according to claim 9, comprising a pressure plate disposed between the first lever arm and the canister such that the first lever arm is urged against said pressure plate which, in turn, applies pressure against the canister to move the canister and the first release element relative to the second release element.
12. An inhaler according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a slide aperture and the slide member comprises a leg slidably received in the slide aperture to mount the slide member to the housing.
13. An inhalcr according to any prcccding claim, whcrcin the actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing.
14. An inha'er according to daim 13, wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing for rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis about which the lever arm rotates relative to the slide member.
15. An inhaler according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid release mechanism comprises a pump and the first and second elements comprise a pump housing and a pump stem respectively, and wherein the pump housing is moveable relative to the pump stem for the release of formulation from the chamber through the pump stem for inhalation by a user.

i6. A nicotine delivery system comprising an inha'er according to any preceding claim.