Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Device for inhaling powdered substances
The invention relates to a device for inhaling powdered substances from the
cavities of a
blister pack, comprising a plate which engages over a blister-pack covering
foil and has guide
holes, and an insertable suction tube which can be moved by hand from guide
hole to guide
hole and which punctures the blister-pack covering hole with its leading end
and a mouth-
piece opening is formed at its other end.
An inhalation device of this type is disclosed in DE-OS 196 19 536. The
cavities are each
reliably located by the per se repluggable suction tube by means of the guide
holes which
virtually form a target grid. In this process, that section of the covering
foil which otherwise
seals the cup-shaped cavity is pierced. For the time when it is not in use,
the suction tube is
stored under a closed lid in a separate receiving chamber at the edge.
The object of the invention is to form an inhaling device of the generic kind
with favourably
fitted parts.
This object is achieved first of all and essentially in a device of the
generic kind for inhaling
powdered substances having the features of Claim 1, it being arranged that the
suction tubs: is
removably retained by means of an adapter along the one edge of the blister
pack. The suction
tube is thus held in a tzapped manner. The adapter, which can be linked to the
blister pack,
imparts the retention of the suction tube in a manner beneficial for fitting.
On the other hand,
the deliberate release of the retention is required. The arrangement along the
one side yields a
spatially beneficial fitting. In addition, the parts joined together are able
to stabilize one
another mutually. That means that very thin walls can be employed.
Furthermore, it is
proposed that the adapter is held on the blister pack by a slide-in insertion
joint. That can be
effected in a constructionally simple manner and at the same time
inexpensively since no
additional parts are needed as attachment means. It is furthermore beneficial
that the slide-in
insertion joint is provided in the region of a central groove of the blister
pack and comprises
two tongues which receive the groove base between them. Such tongues can also
be formed
onto the adapter at the same time, just like the central groove on the blister
pack. In general, a
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
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slide-in insertion joint acting as a result of clamping is already sufficient.
However, it is
preferable that the slide-in insertion joint is latched. In this connection a
reversible latching
would have the advantage that the adapter can in each case be fitted again in
a fresh blister
pack. A constructionally simple retention lasting over the longest times of
use is achieved in
that the suction tube is clipped into a half shell-like fitting of the
adapter. The corresponding
half shell shape effects the necessary resilience or restoring force. A design
of even original
significance is yielded, in addition, in that the suction tube has a flexible
arm which is
directed radially with respect to it and which, when the blister-pack is
pushed in under the
plate, enters into a coupling position with respect to the plate. In this way,
the suction tube is,
so to speak, "put on the lead". The flexibility mentioned and the radial
alignment with respect
to the suction tube opens up an adequate freedom of movement within the
framework of the
retention limits. Furthermore, in this connection, the anchoring of the
flexible arm is in detail
such that the arm has a thickened end which is located in the blister-pack
groove and threads
under peripheral shoulders of a slot in the plate which extends congruently
with the groove,
the length of the arm corresponding at least to about half the width of the
plate. The width
region is thus completely covered for access and the length region of the
plate is completely
covered by the slot which provides an end-limited guide track for the
thickened section.
Furthermore, provision is made that the plate, including the adapter, is
covered by a flap-lid
of a housing, in which housing the plate forms an intermediate cover. In this
way, the blister
pack is protected and situationally positioned in the housing in an trapped
manner. The
appropriately free loading and unloading access is offered by an achievement
which is such
that, in the folded-open position, the flap-type lid exposes the entrance
cross section of the
compartment situated underneath the plate for the insertion of the blister
pack. The
corresponding hinge is expediently situated in~ the rear region of the
housing. The adapter
situated in front of the entrance cross section and the suction tube held by
said adapter are
kept accessible for gripping. In this connection, in the closed state of the
housing, the
situation is such that the flap-type lid embraces the adapter plus suction
tube with a free space
on the hinge side in a protective manner. In addition, a feature of the
invention is that the
flexible arm is seated on the suction tube by means of a swivel joint ring.
That increases the
manoeuvrability. A constructionally beneficial achievement of the suction tube
fitting then
consists in that the suction tube is retained only with its mouth-piece end by
a tongue of the
fitting of the adapter and a second tongue of the fitting is fitted as impact
protection at the
i
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
opposite, cutting-edge end. Said tongue extends like a sight in front of the
sensitive cutting-
edge end. Under these circumstances, this also means that no damage occurs
during
manipulation. In addition, the preferably symmetrically designed tongue
structure promotes
manipulation for left-handed individuals since the suction tube is easily
replugged. To retain
the arm, the procedure is furthermore such that the groove of the blister pack
is fitted with a
limit stop which prevents the thickened end of the flexible arm from escaping
from the
threaded-under position. This is the closed position. The latter is loaded by
a stop on the
housing side. For the threading underneath mentioned, it proves advantageous
that the one
tongue of the adapter has a groove for inserting the flexible arm. Thickened
section and cross
section of the arm are thus kept out of the way. An advantageous variant
consists in that the
adapter is retained at the one rim edge of the blister pack by means of a
pushbutton-type joint.
This expediently involves a formation of corresponding pushbutton parts in
pairs. In an
advantageous manner, the procedure is such in this connection that one
pushbutton half is
moulded out of the side-wall material of the blister pack. This is the male
part. The associated
female part is formed in a congruently aligned manner on the adapter. The
avoidance of a
perforation in the blister pack is desirable insofar as the further design is
such that the blister
pack has moisture-absorbing insertion inserts in the region between the
cavities. In this
respect, the procedure is furthermore such that the groove is moulded into the
wall forming
the cavities and the groove base is situated at approximately the central
height of the plane of
the blister pack thickness, and from which longitudinal webs moulded from the
wall material
proceed which extend right down to a blister-pack rear wall which is provided
on the side
situated opposite the blister-pack covering foil. This and the further measure
that the blister-
pack rear wall terminates the receptacle for the insertion inserts results in
closed spaces in
which the insertion inserts are received. Finally, a measure is furthermore
proposed which is
such that there are fitted to the leading end of the suction tube latching
fingers which, being
resilient in the radial direction, enter fitting niches in the guide holes of
the plate and engage
in latching niches provided in the guide holes. In this way, a safe fitting of
the suction tube
for use is achieved. The latching is perceptible so that the user can be sure
of having reached
the correct standby position for sucking. The suction tube can be deliberately
pulled off. The
latching niches ensure that the latching heads of the latching fingers are
also pulled into the
fitting function. Constructionally, the appropriate structure can easily be
formed in that the
latching niches are formed by webs which extend parallel to the guide hole rim
and are less
3
i
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thick than
the height
of the
guide
hole.
Finally,
it also
proves
advantageous
that the
upper
side of
the webs
is countersunk
with respect
to the
upper
side of
the plate.
The subject
matter
of the
invention
is explained
in greater
detail
below
by reference
to an
exemplary
embodiment
illustrated
in a drawing.
In the
drawing:
Figure shows a perspective view of the device according to
1 the invention for inhaling,
specifically in a ready-to-use position and with plate
accordingly exposed, that
is with the housing open,
Figure shows the front view of the closed housing,
2
Figure shows a side view thereof,
3
Figure shows a plan view of the housing,
4
Figure shows a bottom view of the housing,
5
Figure shows a front view of the device with flap-type lid
6 opened,
Figure shows a side view thereof,
7
Figure shows a view, corresponding to Figure 6, with a blister
8 pack equipped with an
adapter fitted,
Figure shows a side view thereof,
9
Figure shows the suction tube in side view,
10
Figure shows the same in front view,
11
Figure shows the arm in side view,
12
~h
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Figure 13 shows the same in front view,
Figure 14 shows the adapter in plan view,
Figure 15 shows a side view thereof,
Figure 16 shows the blister pack in plan view,
Figure 17 shows a side view thereof,
Figure 18 shows a perspective separate view of the adapter on an enlarged
scale,
Figure 19 shows the associated coupling end of the blister pack,
Figure 20 shows a cross section through the joint between adapter and blister
pack,
Figure 21 shows a longitudinal section through said joint,
Figure 22 shows a staggered longitudinal section through the inhaling device,
with a
section through the inserted suction tube,
Figure 23 shows a staggered cross section through the inhaling device, with a
section
through the inserted suction tube,
Figure 24 shows the plan view of a region of a cavity of the blister pack on a
considerably enlarged scale and with the hole pattern shown in the covering
foil,
Figure 25 shows the front view of the suction tube with the cutting edge
disposed at the
leading end on a more enlarged scale than Figure 22,
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Figure 26 shows the plan view thereof,
Figure 27 shows the bottom view of the suction tube, specifically viewed in
the direction
of the cutting edge,
Figure 28 shows a side view of Figure 25,
Figure 29 shows a longitudinal section through Figure 28,
Figure 30 shows a longitudinal section through Figure 25,
Figure 31 shows a perspective view of the cutting-edge end of the suction
tube,
Figure 32 shows a cross section through a modified design of a blister pack in
an
exploded view,
Figure 33 shows a plan view thereof illustrating fitted moisture-absorbing
insertion
inserts and shown only in an enlarged detail,
Figure 34 shows said blister pack in assembled form, specifically viewed
towards the
one end,
Figure 35 shows a plan view of said blister pack in its entirety,
Figure 36 shows a side view thereof,
Figure 37 shows the other end of said blister pack,
Figure 38 shows the associated adapter, uncoupled, and
Figure 39 shows the same coupled.
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The device V shown for inhaling powdered substances comprises an essentially
flat plate 1.
The latter is pierced in sieve fashion. This involves guide holes 2, disposed
in a row for the
selective application or plugging-in of a suction tube 3.
The suction tube 3 has, at its leading, insertable end, a cutting edge 4 in
the form of a
centrally situated blade-type flank. The latter pierces in a cutting fashion
an unsupportedly
stretched section 5' of a covering foil 5 covering a cavity 6.
The cavity 6 is a cup-shaped recess 7 of a blister pack 8. The cup depth is
approximately 4
mm and cup diameter in the entrance region approximately 7.5 mm.
The latter (8) contains powdered substance in a multiplicity of such cavities
6. These
compartmented amounts of powder substance are, for example, medication powder
6. That is
indicated in the drawings by a dot pattern.
The covering foil 5 is composed of an aluminium foil. It is attached to the
otherwise planar
upper side of the blister pack 8, for example, by sealing it on.
The rims 6' of the cavities 6, which are in this case circular, are situated,
when the blister pack
8 is fitted, in a manner suitable for utilization, to the plate 1, which
functions, as it were as a
mask congruently with respect to the guide holes 2 of the said plate 1.
Thus, the medication powder 9 can be gradually administered in precisely
metered doses by
introducing and removing and advancing the suction tube 3 to the next guide
hole 2. The
corresponding feeding to the target point takes place by sucking the suction
tube 3. For this
purpose, the suction tube 3 has a mouth-piece opening 10 at its other end.
The mouth-piece opening 10 is connected for flow purposes via a suction
channel 11 to the
surroundings of the cutting edge 4 which are open to the tube. In this way,
the cavity 6 is
emptied without residue.
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The suction channel 11 is connected for flow purposes to the transverse
ventilation holes 12.
The latter emerge at the outer surface of the suction tube 3 and provide an
additional flow to
the central powder-laden main stream which empties the cavity 6. However, they
debouch in
an outer wall plane which stands back from the actual gripping zone of the
suction tube 3, and
specifically, also have strips projecting beyond them laterally so that the
fingers of the
holding hand cannot keep the transverse ventilation holes 12 closed. In
addition, that region
of the outside-surface wall provided for gripping is roughened to increase
gripping capability,
in particular coarsely grooved annularly.
The suction tube 3 is fitted to the blister pack 8 in a trapped manner. An
adapter 13 is inserted
as a suitable connecting web. The latter extends at the one edge 14 of the
blister pack 8 and is
mounted there. The edge is a narrow edge or transverse edge of the blister
pack 8 which is
rectangular in outline. The other narrow edge has the reference symbol 15.
The removable suction tube 3 retained in this way by means of the adapter 13
is inserted in a
half shell-like mounting 16 of the adapter 13. This is a clip connection. The
latter results from
tongues 16', 16" which are curved in an arc shape and are of identical
profile. Said tongues
are separated spatially, preferably in the corner zones of the one edge 14 and
are open
towards the plane of the plate 1.
Despite the provision of two tongues 16', 16", the suction tube 3 is retained
otherwise in a
freely projecting manner suitable for gripping only by means of its end on the
mouth-piece
side by the tongue 16' of the fitting 16 of the adapter 13 at that point, on
the left-hand side in
the drawing. Embraced by the tongue 16" is a recessed, essentially cylindrical
outside-wall
section, circumscribing the mouth-piece opening 10, of the other end of the
suction tube 3,
which end is reserved for applying the mouth. This allows the use or fitting
habits of both
right-handed and left-handed individuals to be covered.
Optionally, the cutting-edge-type end, that is to say the cutting-edge 4,
extends, retained by
clipping on the right-hand side or left-hand side, in both cases in proximity
to the respective
internal flank of the lashes 16', 16" which is so close that one can always
function as impact
protection. The centrally situated point 4' of the cutting edge 4 extends even
only slightly into
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
the interior of the respective tongue. The mouth-piece recess is used as an
axial stop
limitation for the clipped-in suction tube 3. The internal flank of the
respective tongue 16' or
16" reciprocates.
The adapter 13 is mounted on the blister pack 8 by means of a sliding
insertion connection.
The relevant means emerge particularly clearly from Figures 18 to 21. The
contribution on
the blister-pack side to the sliding insertion connection is a central groove
17. The latter is
open towards the edge 14. The groove-forming wall material in the region of
the central
groove 17 assumes, when viewed in cross section, a U-shaped form, proceeding
from a flat
cover 18 which essentially forms the blister pack 8 and on which the recesses
7 are deep-
drawn or moulded to project in the same direction.
The U-shaped wall form is matched in mould fashion by two tongues 19, 20.
Projecting
freely, the latter proceed from the back 21 of a transverse strip 22 of the
adapter 13. They (19,
20) overlap in the assigned position the coupling-side end region of the
blister pack 8 on the
upper and lower side. In this connection, a groove base 23 and even sections
of lateral groove
flanks 24 of the central groove 17 are situated in a U-shaped insertion slot
25 formed by the
two tongues 19, 20. The U-shape has a direction-ensuring action. Swivelling is
prevented.
The front end, adjacent to the edge 14, of the lower tongue 20 converges
towards the insertion
slot 25. That has a centring action on the corresponding front end of the U-
profile wall of the
central groove 17. The chamfering including both the U-shaped web and the U-
shaped limb
of the tongue 20 which is U-shaped in cross section is at a good 45°.
The rectangular cross
section of the upper tongue 19 partially plunges into the U-space of the
tongue 20 leaving a
slit for the purpose of forming the insertion slot 25.
Relative to the plane of the blister pack 8, the unsupported front end of the
finger-shaped
upper tongue 19 is convexly rounded in said plane. Mounted in front of the
matching
rounding 26 is a matchingly concave terminating contour 27 on the internal end
of the central
groove 17.
9
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The U-limbs of the lower tongue -20 terminate at a distance from the upper
side of the
transverse strip 22, which is equal at least to the total thickness of the
cover 18 plus covering
foil S of the blister pack 8 so that the edge 14 can be supported on the back
21 of the adapter
13 also as a result of this so as to be free of transverse tipping for the
blister pack 8 and not to
damage the slide-in insertion joint.
The upper edge of the upper tongue 19, on the other hand, terminates at the
same level as the
upper side of said transverse strip 22. The tongues 16' and 16" forming the
fitting 16
explained above proceed from the breast of the transverse strip 22.
If fixing proceeding beyond a clamping action should be desired in regard to
the slide-in
insertion joint to avoid an unintentional separation of the components 8 and
13, then it
consists in a latching which is shown particularly clearly in Figures 19 to
21. Specifically,
this involves a latching projection 28 in the groove base 23. The latching
recess 29 is
assigned to the latching projection 28. Said recess is situated in the U-web
of the lower
tongue 20. The latching recess 28 is formed as a continuous hole. This forms
the basis for a
further function, explained below, for the purpose of latching. The
convergence emphasized
above is useful for the function of a facilitated traversal of the mouth of
the insertion slot 25
during the assembly. The wart-like embossing (shown somewhat exaggeratedly) of
the
latching projection is forced back and latches forcefully into the latching
recess 29 in the
event of congruent alignment with the latter. The joint can be released again
by applying a
suitable pulling force.
The insertion length of the slide-in insertion joint is greater than the width
of the insertion slot
25. The ratio is about 2:1. The insertion length of the tongues 19, 20 is
equal to about one,
fiRh of the total length of the blister pack 8.
The suction tube 3 is retained via adapter 13 by means of a flexible arm 30.
The latter holds
the suction tube 3 "like a dog on the lead". The suction tube is thus trapped
and has a
movement freedom in the necessary "radius" of action. The arm 30 proceeds
radially from the
elongated-pipe-type suction tube 3. An open ring 31 serves as retention means
for the arm 30
on the suction-tube side. As a consequence of its radial opening 32, the arm
30 can be clipped
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CA 02316345 2000-06-21
onto a waist 33 of the suction tube 3. The waist circumference is circular,
just like the interior
of the ring 31. A rotation capability is therefore left between the ring,
denoted below as
swivel joint ring 31 and the waist 33 formed as an annular groove.
Attached diametrically with respect to the opening 32 of the swivel joint ring
31 is a cord-
type arm 30. At the other end, the latter merges into a thickened end 34. This
is a sphere
formed on immediately at that point. The arm 30 acts in a centre-orienting
manner (compare
Figures 12 and 13).
The thickened end 34 holds the arm 30 on the blister pack 8 or plate 1. The
appropriate
coupling position is brought about when the blister pack 8 is pushed under the
plate 1 as
envisaged here (compare Figures 8, 9). For this purpose, the latter forms a
compartment 35
which takes into account the corresponding cross-sectional profile of the
blister pack 8
(compare Figure 22). Serving as guiding section, in the narrower sense, of the
compartment
35 are parallel longitudinal edges 8' of the longitudinal-groove-type sections
which guide the
blister pack, but which continue on the lower side of the plate 1 into a
receiving space 36
which is dimensioned so that the latter is capable of receiving the cavities 6
formed by
recesses 7 (compare Figures 22 and 23).
The lower side of the receiving space 36 terminates with a rear wall 37. The
latter extends
parallel to the plate 1. Longitudinal walls joining plate l and rear wall 37
together integrally
are denoted by 38. The latter merge in the region of the one edge 14 and the
other edge 15 of
the blister pack 8 inserted in card-type fashion into transverse walls 39.
This results in a
housing 40 of very shallow design about the size of a cigarette packet.
Plate 1, including the adapter 13 of the housing 40, is covered by a flap-type
lid 41. To this
extent, the plate 1 functions as an intermediate cover of the housing 40 of
the device V.
The flap-type lid 41 is hinged in the coupling region of the adapter 13. The
corresponding
hinge axis is 42. It is formed in the end region at that point of the rear
wall 37 and extends in
a spatially parallel manner with respect to the longitudinal central axis x-x
of the suction tube
3 held in the fitting 16. In the open position, the lid cross section is
situated outside the
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
housing cross section. Since the hinge axis 42 is somewhat set back from the
hinge-side
transverse wall of the flap-type lid 41, a lid-side overhang 41' remains. The
latter functions as
an opening-limiting stop. The counterstop is provided by the back of the rear
wall 37 at that
point.
The suction tube 3 is attached when the blister pack 8 is inserted. For this
purpose, the arm 30
is placed like an arrow in the groove of a crossbow. For this purpose, in the
figurative sense,
the upper tongue 19 forms a groove 43 on its upper side, which groove also
crosses the strip
22. The cross section of said groove is dimensioned so that the arm 30 when
actually
stretched out linearly does not exceed the rectangular base cross section of
the tongue 19
towards the outside. The groove 43 is, in addition, open towards both ends.
The length of the
arm 30 in the loading position is dimensioned so that the thickened end 34
comes below the
central groove 17 on the other side of the terminating contour 27.
Said terminating contour is extended as a transverse wall up to the level of
the upper side of
the blister pack 8. This barrier is, however, interrupted by a slit 44 which
is open upwards.
The latter permits the passage of the arm 30, whose thickened end has, on the
other side of
the terminating contour 27 forming the transverse wall mentioned, a limit stop
45 which
prevents the thickened end 34 of the flexible arm 30 from leaving its threaded-
under position
(compare Figures 6 and 7). That part of the central groove 17 which continues
on the other
side of the terminating contour 27 interrupted only by the gap or the slit 44
is denoted by 17'
and is dealt with further under the concept of a groove. The depth of the
groove 1 T is less
than that of the adapter-connecting central groove 17. Its (17') profile is
hemispherical and
dimensioned so that at least half of the thickened end 34 constructed as a
sphere comes below
it. The groove 1T forms a longitudinally oriented running path indicated by
double arrow y
for the thickened end 34. That end of the groove 17 situated nearer the other
edge 15 of the
blister pack 8 likewise has a limiting stop 46.
A continuation or addition to the said running path arrow y on the upper side
into that region
of the housing 40 overlapping the blister pack 8 or its compartment 35 is
formed by rim
shoulders 47 on the lower side of the plate 1. The rim shoulders 47, which in
cross section
each circumscribe just under a quarter circle and supplement the remaining
hemispherical
IZ
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
profile of the running path are, as clearly emerges from Figure 23, disposed
in pairs and
merge into a slot 48 which, although it allows the arm 30 through, retains the
thickened end
34. When the arm 30 is in the threaded-under state, the "lead" can obviously
no longer be
released from the housing 40 unless the limit stop 45 is free.
The slot 48 which extends in the longitudinal central plane of the housing 40
provides a
movable retention point on the housing side for the arm 30, which retention
point is fully
adequate for access. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the radius of action
for introducing
the suction tube 3 into the guide holes 2 is covered, as is also the space
requirement in the
lateral direction, for which purpose the length of the arm 30 is equal at
least to about half the
width of the plate 1.
The outlet of the slot 48 on the upper side is chamfered. That applies also in
regard to the end
48' situated nearer the edge 15, of the slot, which is open in the opposite
direction, that is to
say towards the adapter 13. The inclined flanks of the slot 48 which are
achieved by the
chamfering and diverge outwards are denoted by 49. Such a contour promotes the
joint
mobility of the end 34, that is to say the sphere, held in a guided and
floating manner. In
addition, it is increased owing to a slight overwidth of the slot 48 compared
with the cross
section of the arm 30.
Even in the state where the suction tube 3 is held in the adapter 13, it is
substantially
protected against mechanical stresses. The central groove 17 and its linear
continuation in the
form of the groove denoted by 1T are moulded deeply enough into the wall
forming cavities
6. The groove base 23 is situated at about the central height of the plane of
the blister-pack
thickness. The longitudinal central axis of the suction tube 3 clipped into
the fitting 16 also
extends essentially in the plane. The radially applied arm 30 can thus be
inserted in the
appropriately extending channel 43 without transverse stress.
Stresses do not occur via the flap-type lid 41 since the flap-type lid 41 is
provided with a free
space 50 on the hinge side. This free space 50 accommodates the free-standing
section of the
adapter 13, that is to say essentially the fitting 16 and the suction tube 3,
in a load-free
manner. The folded-open position of the flap-type lid 41 provides a free
gripping access to
~3
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
the adapter 13 so that the blister pack can be fitted or an empty one removed
and a fresh
blister pack 8 can readily be fitted. In the swung-open position, the entrance
cross section 35'
is completely free, this also being the case in the region of the compartment
35 on the upper
side and lower side.
Although the rim-carrying support explained for the blister pack 8 in the slot
35 plus
receiving space 36 is already adequate, in accordance with a development of a
variant, shown
from Figure 32 onwards, of the blister pack 8, a measure has been taken which
consists in
that longitudinal webs 51 are provided which are moulded from the wall
material of the
blister pack 8. In addition, the wall material is in this case peripherally
angled. The narrow
peripheral rim wall thus achieved is denoted by 52. This gives said blister
pack 8 a, so to
speak, shell-type shape instead of a card-type shape. The narrow edge of the
longitudinal web
51 and the rim wall 52 terminate in the same plane.
The longitudinal webs 51 proceed from the outside of the central groove 17 or
the groove 17'.
This blister structure produced as an injection-moulded part takes into
account in the same
way the cavities 6 described above. The reference numerals are applied
analogously.
The shell-type blister structure is provided with a rear wall 53 on the side
remote from the
plate 1. This provides a sealed termination from the outside. Here, again, the
cavities 6
containing the medication powder 9 are sealed by the covering foil 5 explained
above. The
finished blister pack 8 is revealed by Figure 34 as well as 35 and 36.
Accommodated in the region between the cavities 6 or the cup-forming recesses
7 on the
ready-to-use blister pack 8 are moisture-absorbing inserts 54. The latter have
a tablet shape
and are accommodated in a situation-positioned manner in a gap 55 left by four
equally
spaced cavities 6 (compare Figure 33).
The blister-pack rear wall 53 closes off the two receptacles 56 situated on
both sides of the
groove 17/17' extending in the longitudinal central plane. The moisture-
absorbing action is
thus distributed over two independent chambers. The inserts 54 have a height
which is equal
y
CA 02316345 2000-06-21
to that of the receptacles 56. A support is thus very well provided by the
rear wall 53, which
is composed, for example, of aluminium foil.
The rear wall 53 and the longitudinal webs 51 are supported on the inside or
upper side of the
rear wall 37 of the housing 40. It goes without saying that the lower side of
the cup-forming
recess 7 could also extend up tv said upper side or to the upper side of the
blister pack rear
wall 53.
The adapter 13 is coupled to a blister pack 8 from Figure 32 onwards in a butt
application, i.e.
the adapter does not overlap the outline shape of the blister pack 8. On the
contrary, the
adapter 13 is in this case effected through a push-button-type joint to the
one rim edge 14,
specifically in this case with the utilization of the peripheral, angled rim
wall 52 described.
Reference may be made to Figure 37.
The one pushbutton half 57, which forms a male part, is moulded out of the
side-wall material
of said blister pack 8. The associated female part is situated in the
transverse strip 22 of the
adapter 13. The pushbutton-type joint is designed in terms of force so that a
detachment of
the adapter 13 from the matching blister pack is deliberately possible. The
pushbutton half 57
representing the male part involves mushroom-head-type, transversely slotted
or cross-slotted
projections having a constricted shank. The mushroom-head widened section
which is
accordingly present catches behind a neck shoulder 58 of the other pushbutton
half 59
forming the female part. As far as is necessary for comprehension, the
reference numerals are
otherwise analogously applied; here again leaving a possibility of choice
open, namely
aligning the cutting edge 4 either on the right-hand side or on the left-hand
side of the fitting
16 of the adapter 13.
The cutting edge 4 has a bracket-shaped or frame-shaped cutting-edge blade.
Relative to the
circular extension of the cavity 6 guided so as to be locatable, said cutting-
edge blade extends
along the diametrical line D-D (compare Figure 24). The cut goes almost up to
the internal
rim 6' of the cavity 6. First, the centrally situated point 4' penetrates the
cavity-sealing section
5' of the covering foil 5 centrally. The subsequent cut is brought about by
the penetration of
the cutting-edge flanks 4" of the cutting edge 4, which cutting-edge flanks
fall away in roof
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CA 02316345 2000-06-21
slope manner, in the form of a central cut. The cutting-edge flanks 4", 4"
enclose an angle a
of approximately 120°. The roof slopes extend symmetrically with
respect to the longitudinal
central axis x-x of the suction tube 3 (compare Figure 29).
The frame hollow section of the cutting-edge blade is denoted by 60. It is
situated in a flow
connection, open towards tl'~e cutting-edge head, to the suction channel 11
and to the
transverse ventilation holes 12. It forms the open partition of the suction
channel.
Extending on both sides of the diametrically aligned cutting edge 4 and spaced
apart from the
latter are plunger blades 61 as adjacent flanks. Their free-standing impact
flanks 61' are
axially markedly re-entrant compared with the exposed contour of the cutting
edge 4. Said
plunger blades 61 extend laterally and in parallel at a distance from the
broad sides of the
cutting edge 4.
The plunger blades 61 function as displacement tools. They guide the cut-slit
edges of the
pierced, unsupportedly stretched section 5' of the covering foil 5 to the
side, proceeding
virtually to the internal rim 6' of the cavity 6. This ruptures a large hole
cross section.
Accordingly, the cavity 6 is discharged with regard to the powder 9 with an
advantageous
flow.
An always identically reproducible rupture pattern results, as emerges from
Figure 24. The
plunger blades 61 rupture the pre-cut slit further proceeding on both sides of
the cutting edge
4. Outwardly extending wedge pairs result whose wedge apex near the rim is
denoted by 62.
This results in tongue-shaped folded flaps 63 which are forced against the
cavity rim by the
plunger blades 61 and in triangular or angle-shaped intermediate flaps 64
which are due to the
slit cut and are situated between a wedge apex 65 situated on the diametrical
line D-D and the
wedge apex 62 already described.
The plunger blades 61 may, as shown, also be sharpened, which does not in any
case
adversely affect their displacement function.
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CA 02316345 2000-06-21
The clearance between the plunger blades 61 and the width, measured in the
greater cutting-
edge width, of the cutting-edge blade frame hollow section 60 are equal. From
the root of the
two elements 60, 61, the markedly narrower clear cross section of the suction
tube 3 merges
into a greater clear internal diameter, forming the suction channel 11.
Situated in the region
forming the larger cross section, are also the transverse ventilation holes
12.
Disposed symmetrically in the lower region of the transverse ventilation holes
12 are
insertion limiting projections 66 for the head end of the suction tube 3,
which head end can be
inserted into the guide holes 2. The insertion limiting projections 66
corresponding to the
lower sides and provided in quadruplicate and essentially distributed at equal
angles locate
the hole rim zones on the upper side of the guide holes 2 of the plate 1. In
this position, the
optimum insertion depth of the cutting edge 4 with respect to the cavity has
been reached.
In order to make this clear to the user by simple means, the suction tube 3
has precautions for
latching to the plate 1. For this purpose, latching fingers 67 are formed on
the leading end of
the suction tube 3. Said latching fingers extend in a free-standing manner and
parallel to the
cutting edge 4, and terminate in latching heads 68 which point outwards. The
latching is
noticeable.
When the suction tube 3 is fitted by insertion, the latching fingers 47 also
travel into the guide
holes 2 of the plate 1 which forms a mask.
The latching fingers 67 are outside the circular cross section of the guide
holes 2 and do not
therefore remove any flow path cross section. Fitting niches 69 provided in an
equal number
are the corresponding receptacles for the latching fingers 67, which latching
fingers enter
behind the hole rim of the guide holes 2. Said fitting niches are oriented in
the longitudinal
extension of the housing 40 with respect to the row of holes shown in Figure
1. They are
situated in a common diametrical line of the guide holes 2. That can be used
for the
corresponding cutting-edge orientation of the suction tube 3. Said fitting
niches 69 are thus
already oriented in the insertion direction, but also merge at the lower side
of the plate 1 into
latching niches 70 (compare Figure 22). The latter are seized from below by a
flank 68',
situated transversely to the insertion direction, of the latching head 68.
Said flank 68' is not
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CA 02316345 2000-06-21
very steep so that the suction tube 3 can be deliberately withdrawn again from
its insertion
fitting. There is therefore a latching-type coupling in which the latching
fingers 67 spring
inwards in the radial direction for a short time. The flank 68' of the
latching head 68 has a
radial width which is equal to at least the deflection space 71 on the cutting-
edge side
between the cutting-edge head of the suction tube 3 and the back of the
latching fingers 67.
As emerges particularly clearly from Figure 22, the latching niches 70 are
formed by webs 72
which hold the plate 1 together over the rows of holes. They thus extend
parallel to the
guiding rim and have a thickness which is less than is the length or the
height of the guiding
hole 2. The latching niche 70 reduces the vertical height of the web 72. A
withdrawal in this
respect also results on the upper side. The upper side of the web 72 is
obviously recessed with
respect to the plate 1. In this way, there are flow webs 73 to the adjacent
guide holes 2 if, for
any reason, said guide holes 2 should be blocked for the inflow of air. In any
case, provision
is made for an adequate suction air inflow in the external surroundings of the
cutting edge 4
and the plunger blades 61. The relevant inflow path based on the corresponding
wall offsets is
denoted in Figure 23 by 74. The retaining function of the plunger blades 61
with
displacement action can also be seen in this figure with regard to the
ruptured and folded-
back areas of the section 5' of the covering foil 5.
Returning to the additional function indicated of the latching recess 29, it
is to be explained
that it also interacts with a further latching projection 75 on the housing
side (compare Figure
21). The latter proceeds from the inside of the rear wall 37 of the housing 40
and engages by
means of its wart-like structure in the bore at that point. In this way, the
adapter 13 and the
blister pack 8 suspended thereon can only be pulled deliberately out of the
housing 40 of the
device V.
The corresponding withdrawal movement of the blister pack 8 can furthermore be
aided by
pressing out the partially exposed edge 15 of the blister pack 8 from the end
at that point of
the housing 4. The appropriate access is achieved by a niche 76 in the plate
1, which niche
crosses or intersects the compartment 35 next to the receiving space 36 in
this end region in
the plate 1. In addition, the niche 76 interacts with a projection 78 which
can be appropriately
inserted. The latter is situated at a suitable point on the inside of the flap-
type lid 41.
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CA 02316345 2000-06-21
Such a joint projection 78 has a protective action on the hinge axis 42. The
joint projection 78
may, in addition, also be used to form a latch which keeps the flap-type lid
41 closed, its latch
counterpart being situated at a corresponding point in the niche 76.
The version according to Figure 1 may also be such that the suction tube 3 is
joined to the
plate 1 by means of the flexible arm (for example a cord), be it proceeding
from a central
fixed point in the plate 1 (and the arm 30 being long enough to reach all the
holes 2), or in
that the sphere 34 remains trapped in the slot 49, independently of the
blister pack (8). The
slot 49 may then be closed at both ends and the tongues 16' and 16" may be
seated preferably
on the plate 1.
It is also possible that the sphere 34 or the like is displaceable and
retained in a channel,
preferably central groove 17 of the blister pack 8, in which case the adapter
13 may also be
displaced with or replaced by another holding means for fixing the suction
tube 3 to the
blister pack when not in use.
All the feature disclosed are essential to the invention. Also incorporated in
the disclosure of
the application are herewith the disclosure contents of the
associated/appended priority
documents (copy of the prior application) in their full scope, also for the
purpose of including
features of these documents in the claims of the present application.
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