GB9015522D0 — Inhaler

USPTO Abstract

The invention provides an inhaler for delivering a substance in a finely divided form from a storage chamber within the inhaler. The inhaler comprises a metering member operable to transfer a dose of the substance from the storage chamber (10) to an inhalation passage (15), the metering member having a frusto-conical metering surface (7) which is indented to provide at least one dispensing cup (8) and being moveable between a first position in which a dispensing cup (8) is presented to the storage chamber (10) to receive a dose of the substance and a second position in which a dose of the substance is presented to the inhalation passage (15) in an upwardly open dispensing cup (8). The body (4) of the inhaler comprises a seat having an annular, frusto-conical contact surface making sliding contact with the metering surface and defining a socket within which the metering member (6) is journalled for rotation between its first and second positions. The use of a frusto-conical metering member allows a good seal to be obtained between it and the seat and also makes the inhaler relatively compact. <IMAGE>