COVER ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR FOR INHALER
An actuator ( 100 ) for an inhaler includes a sleeve ( 106 ) having a first end ( 102 ) and a second end ( 104 ). The sleeve is substantially hollow and defines a longitudinal axis ( 110 ) along its length. A base ( 108 ) is formed at the first end of the sleeve. A mouthpiece ( 112 ) is joined to the sleeve and the base. The mouthpiece is substantially hollow and defines a delivery opening ( 114 ). The actuator includes a cover ( 116 ) removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering the delivery opening. The actuator further includes a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece. The retaining member includes a ring ( 120 ) disposed around the sleeve. The ring is at least selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve. The retaining member further includes a strap ( 122 ) extending from the ring and attached to the cover.
1 . An actuator for an inhaler, the actuator comprising:
a sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein the sleeve is substantially hollow and defines a longitudinal axis along its length;
a base formed at the first end of the sleeve;
a mouthpiece joined to the sleeve and the base, wherein the mouthpiece is substantially hollow and defines a delivery opening;
a cover removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering the delivery opening; and
a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece, the retaining member comprising:
a ring disposed around the sleeve, wherein the ring is at least selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve; and
a strap extending from the ring and attached to the cover.
2 . The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the ring defines a ring axis that extends through a center of the ring, wherein the ring axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and further wherein the ring is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
3 . The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the ring is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein:
in the locked position, the ring is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and locked with the sleeve to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the ring; and
in the unlocked position, the ring is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
4 . The actuator according to claim 3 , wherein, in the locked position, the ring is inclined towards the base.
5 . The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
6 . The actuator according to claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
7 . The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a protrusion at the second end thereof, and wherein the protrusion is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
8 - 9 . (canceled)
10 . An inhaler comprising:
an actuator comprising:
a sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein the sleeve is substantially hollow and defines a longitudinal axis along its length;
a base formed at the first end of the sleeve;
a mouthpiece joined to the sleeve and the base, wherein the mouthpiece is substantially hollow and defines a delivery opening;
a cover removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering the delivery opening; and
a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece, the retaining member comprising:
a ring disposed around the sleeve, wherein the ring is at least selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve and
a strap extending from the ring and attached to the cover; and
a canister containing a fluid formulated with a medicament, wherein the canister is at least partially received within the sleeve.
11 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein the ring defines a ring axis that extends through a center of the ring, wherein the ring axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and further wherein the ring is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
12 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein the ring is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein:
in the locked position, the ring is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and locked with the sleeve to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the ring; and
in the unlocked position, a ring axis defined by the ring and that extends through a center of the ring is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
13 . The inhaler according to claim 12 , wherein, in the locked position, the ring is inclined towards the base.
14 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein the mouthpiece is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
15 . The inhaler according to claim 14 , wherein the mouthpiece is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
16 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a protrusion at the second end thereof, and wherein the protrusion is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
17 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein the strap is deformable.
18 . The inhaler according to claim 10 , wherein a diameter of the ring is greater than a width of the sleeve.
19 . A method of using the inhaler according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
detaching the cover from the mouthpiece to at least partially expose the delivery opening;
rotating the ring relative to the sleeve to move the cover away from the mouthpiece; and
actuating the inhaler to deliver the medicament through the delivery opening.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising sliding the ring towards the second end of the sleeve.
21 . A cover assembly for an actuator of an inhaler, the actuator having a sleeve, a base and a mouthpiece, the cover assembly comprising:
a cover removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering a delivery opening of the mouthpiece; and
a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece, the retaining member comprising:
a ring disposed around the sleeve, wherein the ring is at least selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the sleeve and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve; and
a strap extending from the ring and attached to the cover.
22 . The cover assembly according to claim 21 , wherein the ring defines a ring axis that extends through a center of the ring, wherein the ring axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
23 . The cover assembly according to claim 21 , wherein the ring is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein:
in the locked position, the ring is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and locked with the sleeve to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the ring; and
in the unlocked position, a ring axis defined by the ring and that extends through a center of the ring is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is both rotatable and slidable relative to the sleeve.
24 . The cover assembly according to claim 23 , wherein, in the locked position, the ring is inclined towards the base of the actuator.
25 - 26 . (canceled)