GB2519173A

GB2519173A - Locking device for a nasal sprayer

Info

Publication number: GB2519173A
Application number: GB1318166.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Krister Thuresson; Marcel Wirth
Original assignee: CORIGO AB
Current assignee: CORIGO AB
Priority date: 2013-10-14
Filing date: 2013-10-14
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Also published as: GB201318166D0

Abstract

A device 1 for retrofitting to a standard nasal sprayer 50 for reversibly locking sprayer 50 comprises a blocking portion 2 for blocking a portion of a space 51, preferably an external space, between a moveable portion 52 and a stationary portion 53 of sprayer 50 when moveable portion 52 is in a rest position. Device 1 may provide a child-resistant lock of sprayer 50. Device 1 may comprise a portion 2 of a ring snapping onto space 51. Alternatively, device 1 may comprise a hinged clamp operable by a tamper-evident child-resistant cap, or may be a complete ring (4, Figure 15) captive to space 51, comprising a piston (90, Figure 15) radially moveable to block or unblock sprayer 50 and optionally counting the number of doses administered from sprayer 50.

Description

Locking Device for a Nasal Sprayer The present invention relates to a locking device for reversibly locking a nasal sprayer.

The ability to store potentially harmful substances, such as medicines, in a secure manner is very important to many industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry. In particular in the pharmaceutical industry, there are rigorous and stringent regulations to be met to ensure that potentially harmful substances are stored in a secure manner, and to ensure that the substances cannot be misused, for example, by children.

One field in which there is such a need for secure storage is that of the nasal sprayer. As is known, certain types of medicine may be administered through the nostrils and nasal passages of a user with a multi-dose nasal sprayer. Further, it is known that it may be desirable to provide secure storage of the nasal sprayer when not in use, so as to prevent use by, for example, a child.

However, in the prior art, such a need has not been limited to secure storage of nasal sprayers. For example, US 5823396 discloses a child-resistant trigger-actuated sprayer in which a removable latch resiliently engages a trigger level and prevents the trigger actuation by acting as a brace.

Further, US 4441633 discloses a child-resistant trigger-actuated sprayer in which a rotatable circular cap, having an integrally formed arm extending radially from the cap, may be rotated into a position such that the arm prevents trigger actuation and rotated into another position such that the trigger is released as free for actuation.

These two prior art documents, however, relate to trigger-actuated sprayers.

It is known in the art that a standard nasal sprayer is not trigger-actuated, but rather is actuated by pressing a pump head down towards a bottle containing the liquid to be administered.

US 6543649 discloses such a child-resistant liquid dispenser which is actuated by pressing a plunger and discharge spout down towards a bottle. In this disclosure, a hollow sleeve is used to surround the plunger head and hence to prevent it from being actuated. This disclosure relates to a liquid pump dispenser and does not disclose how a multi-dose nasal sprayer may be made child-resistant.

Regarding attempts to provide secure storage and prevent misuse of a multi-dose nasal sprayer, the previous solutions have been complex and expensive. For example, US 2008/210229 discloses a nasal sprayer in which the pump can only be actuated if the pump nozzle is rotated into a certain position. Such a rotation requires complex internal features to be formed in the pump and so is undesirable.

The pump must also be specifically made to incorporate such features, which cannot be incorporated into existing mass-produced nasal sprayer devices.

US 2012/0187151 and US 2012/0187070 disclose a bottle and pump mechanism which is placed in an outer packaging which can be locked. This locking outer packaging may add further expense to the sprayer. Further, since the sprayer contains features specifically present to engage with the outer packaging, complexity of the sprayer is increased and again standard nasal sprayer devices are not

suitable.

US 6926174 discloses a specially designed cap that has to be removed from a nasal sprayer prior to use. Again, in order for the cap to function, the sprayer must contain features specifically present to engage with the cap! thus increasing the complexity of the sprayer and the costs of production.

All of these examples have the disadvantages of being complex, bulky and expensive, and/or requiring specially designed pump mechanisms.

Thus, it would be an advantage to provide a simplified locking mechanism for a nasal sprayer. It would be a further advantage to provide a locking mechanism which can be fitted to a standard nasal sprayer. In particular it would be an advantage if no additional features or mod Wications were required to be made to a standard, non-secured nasal sprayer in order for the locking device to function with such a nasal sprayer and thereby render it lockable. In other words, it would be an advantage it the locking device could be retro-fitted to a standard nasal sprayer, without any modification of the standard nasal sprayer. This greatly reduces the overall costs of producing a secure-storage nasal sprayer.

In a first aspect, the present invention thus provides a locking device for reversibly locking a standard nasal sprayer, the locking device comprising a blocking portion for blocking at least a portion of a space between a moveable portion and a stationary portion of the standard nasal sprayer when the moveable portion is in its rest position.

As is known in the art, a "standard nasal sprayer" is a metered atomiser pump, i.e. a spray pump which is configured to deliver a predefined dosage. Several variants of the nasal sprayers inner construction allows the manufacturer to alter it to alternatively be configured into a nasal dropper or by further alteration to work as an eye-dropper pump. All these variants have the same activation mechanism, i.e. by pressing down the pump head in order to pump the liquid through the system and ultimately to administer the liquid through the nozzle/orifice. The nasal sprayer referred to herein evidently encompasses these and similar known variants. Many of these will be metered pumps, with the metered atomiser pump being a preferred example. Generally, such a dosage is provided in the form of a fixed volume of liquid delivered as a "atomised" spray of microscopic droplets (e.g. having a volume median diameter of around 5 to 500 micrometers). Such a nasal sprayer typically comprises a pump head attached to a bottle, the bottle being provided to contain the fluid which is to be atomised by the nasal sprayer. The volume of this bottle may typically range from 3 ml to 100 ml, preferably from 10 ml to 50 ml. The predefined dosage from each use of a standard nasal sprayer may be, for example, between 20 mg and 300 mg of fluid, preferably from 25 mg to 200 mg, and further preferably from mg to 100 mg. The dimensions of a standard nasal sprayer may vary within ranges suitable for providing the desired capacity. Some known commercial examples of standard nasal sprayers are Apofri (Evolan Pharma, SWE), Otrivin (Novartis, SLJI), Nozoil (Pharmacure, SWE), PecEent (Archimedes Pharma, UK), Rhinocort Aqua (AstraZeneca, SWE), Zolpimist (Novaoel, US).

The locking device of the invention may preferably be configured to be inoperable by a child, when in use. For the device to be considered to be inoperable by a child, it must meet legal requirements. The US Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (PPPA) states that sensitive drugs and drugs containing controlled substances, as defined by Titlel 6, Chapter II, Subchapter E, Part 1700.14 of the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), require special packaging. Such special packaging is described in CFR, Titlel6, Chapter II, Subchapter F, Part 1700.15, titled "Poison prevention packaging standards", and CER, Title 16, Chapter II, Subchapter E, Part 1700.20, titled "Testing procedures for child resistant packaging". Further examples of legal standards which apply to reclosable and non-reclosable packaging are ISO 28317 and EN 14375, respectively. These are European standards established under the CEN system. Additionally, in the US there is ASTM D3475 Standard Classification for Child-Resistant Packages. Similar regulations are also in place in other countries. Thus, the requirements for a locking device to be inoperably by a child are well established by law. Correspondingly, where a device is described herein as inoperable by a child, irremovable by a child, child-resistant, etc., such a device will be inoperable, irremovable or child-resistant according to CFR, Titlel 6, Chapter II, Subchapter F, Part 1700.15, CFR, Title 16, Chapter II, Subchapter F, Part 1700.20, ISO 28317 and/or EN 14375.

Preferably, the blocking portion may be for blocking an external space between the moveable portion and the stationary portion of the standard nasal sprayer. Such a blocking portion may simplify the locking mechanism of the locking device, and may ease operation of the locking device by the user.

Further preferably, the locking device may comprise a protruding section protruding from the blocking portion. Such a protruding section may further aid the locking mechanism and/or ease operation of the locking device by the user.

Further preferably, the blocking portion may be for blocking at least a portion of a space between a pump head and a bottle, or a pump head and a part of a pump mechanism respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the blocking portion may be configured to be attachable to and removable from an intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer respectively. The intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer: is a section located between the moveable portion and the stationary portion of the standard nasal sprayer; has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the moveable portion in at least one direction; and has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stationary portion in at least one direction.

The blocking portion may comprise at least a portion of a ring portion, the ring portion comprising an inner surface having cross-sectional dimensions which are substantially similar to the cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section.

Such a blocking portion may improve the locking mechanism of the locking device and may also improve the aesthetic of the nasal spray device when fitted with the locking device. The cross sections of both the intermediate section and the ring portion may be substantially circular.

As used herein, the term "substantially" is generally used to provide that an item has in substance the property described. Where this is a measurable dimension, capacity or other quantifiable property, this will typically signify a variation of no more than ±10%, more preferably no more than ±5% and most preferably no more than ±1%. Correspondingly, the term "approximately" may, for example, signify a variation of not more than ±25%, more preferably no more than ±10%.

In this embodiment, the locking device may be configured to be a snap-on device, preferably wherein the ring portion is configured to snap on to the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer. Such a snap-on locking device may comprise any form of suitably resilient material, such as polyurethane or metal.

An advantage of the locking device being a snap-on device is that it may only consist of one piece, thus simplifying manufacture and use, and improving reliability, of the device.

The protruding section may be a handle, the handle being suitable for aiding with the attachment and removal of the locking device. Such a handle may comprise a thumb grip, which preferably comprises a second ring portion. The thumb grip may be substantially circular in cross-section. Such a handle can aid attachment and removal of the locking device by providing the user with a component with which the user can produce an adequate force to attach/remove the locking device to/from the standard nasal sprayer.

The ring portion may comprise an open section of the ring portion, a length of the open section being configured to be smaller than a width of the intermediate section in its smallest dimension. In one example, the inner surface of the ring portion may a circular arc-shaped cross-section, in which the arc subtends an angle larger than 1800, preferably the arc subtends an angle larger than 200°, 220°, 250°, 270°, 280° or 300°. The smaller the open section in comparison to the width of the intermediate section in its smallest dimension, the greater the force required to operate the locking device. Thus, the size of the opening section may be considered as a variable! along with the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the ring portion and the material of the ring portion, which may be controlled to ensure the locking device is suitable for being inoperable by a child.

A midpoint of the open section of the ring portion may be substantially 180° opposite a midpoint of the handle. This configuration makes the locking device easier to use as it ensures that the force required to attach/remove the locking device can be applied to the handle in a radial direction, with respect to the standard nasal sprayer.

In another embodiment, the locking device may be configured to be a clamp-on device, wherein the locking device may be operable to close around the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer. The device may preferably comprise a child-resistant cap operable to reversibly lock the standard nasal sprayer by means of the device. The child-resistant cap may be a standard child-resistant cap, and may optionally and preferably provide tamper evidence. Such child-resistant caps adhering to the standards described herein and known in the art are well known and widely available. It is a further advantage of the present invention that in many embodiments standard child-resistant caps may be used as a locking device, thereby relieving the designer and/or manufacturer of the device of the present invention from designing, testing, evaluating and validating a new device to the exacting standards required in the various rules relating to child-resistant technologies.

Thus in this and all appropriate embodiments it is an advantage that, since standard child-resistant caps can be used, the burden of the providing the locking device with a specific resistance to use, and validating that against the required standards, which may be extremely costly and time-consuming, need not fall on the manufacturer of the locking device.

In this embodiment, the locking device may comprise a hinge.

Preferably, the at least a portion of a ring portion is a complete ring portion, the complete ring portion comprising the hinge; a first portion having a first end attached to the hinge and a second end; and a second portion having a first end attached to the hinge and a second end. The hinge may be operable to open and close the complete ring such that when closed the second ends of the first and second portions are in contact, and when open the second ends of the first and second portions are not in contact. The device may be removable from the intermediate section of the nasal sprayer when the complete ring is open and the device may not be removable from the intermediate section when the complete ring is closed around that section. When in its closed position, the ring can either clamp gently/loosely around the intermediate section of the nasal sprayer or alternatively may clamp more firmly such that it is fixed in position. In the latter case, if the pump head is removable from the bottle, the locking device may further ensure child-safe properties of the nasal sprayer by remaining attached to the intermediate section.

Having the ring portion firmly fixed to the intermediate section can ensure that the pump head is irremovable by a child or alternatively may ensure that if the pump head is removed then the ring cannot be removed and the pump head re-attached.

In one embodiment, therefore, the ring clamps against the intermediate section when closed. Preferably this is such that the ring cannot be removed by a child even in the absence of the pump head. The inner surface of the complete ring portion may have a circular cross-section when closed, preferably wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second portions have semi-circular cross-sections.

Since the child resistance is provided by the child-resistant cap, such a locking device may require less force to operate than other locking devices (e.g. a snap-on device). This may therefore ease the use of operation of the locking device.

Preferably, the protruding section comprises a complete threaded portion; the second end of the first portion is attached to a first threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; and the second end of the second portion is attached to a second threaded portion of the complete threaded portion, such that, when the complete ring portion is closed, the first and second threaded portions of the complete threaded portion contact each other and form the complete threaded portion.

The first and second threaded portions of the complete threaded portion may each constitute one half of the complete threaded portion. Alternatively, the first threaded portion may form the major part of the complete threaded portion and may comprise a void to accept the second threaded portion whereby to generate the complete threaded portion. The complete threaded portion is configured to engage with the child-resistant cap to lock the standard nasal sprayer. The complete threaded portion may also be hollow.

Alternatively, the second end of the first portion may be attached to the protruding portion, which may comprise a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion may comprise a thread or groove around its circumference for accepting or locating and mating with the child-resistant cap. Such a cap may be threaded and removable or may be permanently attached by means of said groove. The cylindrical portion may have a slot extending radially and extending axially with respect to the cylindrical portion; the child-resistant cap may surround the cylindrical portion and, if permanently attached, may comprise an opening corresponding to the slot; the second end of the second portion may be attached to a mating portion, such that, when the complete ring poition is closed, the mating portion may be passed (e.g. through the opening in the child resistant cap) into the slot, and the locking device may be configured to be locked by adding the child-resistant cap, or rotating the child-resistant cap relative to the second ends of the first and second portions.

For the opening of the permanently attached child-resistant cap to correspond to the slot, it may have a similar area, when viewed in the same radial direction with respect to the cylindrical portion. The width of the opening (i.e. its dimension perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion when viewed in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion) may be larger than width of the slot, or may preferably be substantially the same as the width of the slot. In such cases, the corresponding width of the mating portion may be equal to or less than the width of the slot. When the width of the mating portion is substantially the same as the width of the slot, the closed locking device may be provided with a stronger structure.

The slot may extend axially from an end of the cylindrical portion nearest the first portion, and extends along a portion ot the length of the cylindrical portion. The depth of the slot may be approximately the radius of the cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the slot does not extend the full length of the cylindrical portion. This preferable slot can provide the cylindrical portion with a stronger structure. . The slot may extend to approximately 50% of the length of the cylindrical portion The opening may extend axially from an end of the child-resistant cap nearest the end of the cylindrical portion nearest the first portion, and extends along a portion of the length of the child-resistant cap. Preferably, the opening does not extend the full length of the child-resistant cap. This preferable opening can provide the child-resistant cap with a stronger stiucture. The opening may extend to approximately 50% of the length of the child-resistant cap.

Many hinge mechanisms are well known in the art and many will be suitable for use as any of the hinge mechanisms of the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, the hinge may comprise resilient material which may be attached to or be part of the first ends of the first and second portions, and may be elastically deformed to open/close the complete ring portion.

Alternatively, the hinge may be formed by a pivot portion in the first end of the first/second portion being received by the first end of the second/first portion. The pivot portion may be received by providing the first end second/first portion with a cutaway through which a narrowed portion of the first end of the first/second portion can pass, and a hole with which the pivot portion of the first end of the second/first portion can mate. The pivot and hole may extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the complete ring portion. Two holes may be provided either side of the cutaway and two pivots may be provided either side of the narrowed portion. Such a hinge may therefore by symmetrical about a surface which bisects the ring portion in its axial direction. The hole(s) may be a complete closed hole, or may have an open portion. Such an open portion may ease construction of the hinge.

In another embodiment, the at least a portion of a ring portion comprises: a first portion having a first end and a second end; and a second portion having a first end and a second end, wherein: the protruding section comprises a complete threaded portion; the second end of the first portion is attached to a first threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; the second end of the second portion is attached to a second threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; and the protruding section comprises the hinge, the hinge being operable to open and close the ring, the device being removable from the intermediate section when the ring portion is open and the device not being removable from the intermediate section when the ring portion is closed around that section, such that, when the ring portion is closed, the first and second threaded portions of the complete threaded portion align to form the complete threaded portion.

In such a case, the first threaded portion may comprise a slot into which the second threaded portion is configured to be mated. The slot may extend radially with respect to the threaded portion, and may extend to a depth of approximately half the diameter of the threaded portion (e.g. 50% ±10%, of the diameter). The width of the slot and the second threaded portion may be substantially similar, and the slot may extend the entire length of the first threaded portion or may extend for only a part of the length of the first threaded portion. The second threaded portion may be configured such that it substantially fills the slot when the locking device is in its closed position. Thus the second threaded portion may have a width substantially equal to the width of the slot in the first threaded portion. The second threaded portion may have a length substantially equal to the length of the slot in the first threaded portion.

At an end of the first threaded portion furthest from the ring portion, there may be a hole extending from the slot to the surface of the first threaded portion, in a direction peipendicular to both the radial direction in which the slot extends and the axial direction of the threaded portion. The second threaded portion may comprise a pivot configured to mate with the hole to form the hinge. There may be a corresponding hinge and pivot on the opposite side of the threaded portion.

When closed, the at least a portion of a ring portion may form a complete ring portion.

Furthei, it is also possible that the locking device can be open-able even if the cap is not fully removed, but only partly unscrewed to a position such that the locking device can be opened and removed from the sprayer. In such an embodiment, for example, the slot in the first threaded portion may extend to only part of its length, preferably beginning at the end of the first threaded portion closest to the ring section and ending 30-70% of the distance to the furthest end of the first threaded portion.

This would ease the reattachment of the locking device to the sprayer after use since the cap and locking device would not be separated. For example in the event of a slot extended less that the full length of the first threaded portion (e.g. to around 50% of that length) then the cap may be unscrewed to greater than the length of the slot (e.g. >50%) such that the second threaded portion may be removed from the slot without the cap being fully removed. In such any embodiment where the cap need not be fully removed in operation, the cap may be arranged such that it is restrained or prevented from being fully removed from the first threaded portion.

In another embodiment, the locking device may be irremovably attachable to the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer, the device comprising: a complete ring portion, having cross-sectional dimensions larger than the corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section, configured to surround the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer. The blocking portion may comprise a piston which can be moved inwards and outwards with respect to the centre of the complete ring portion to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer respectively.

The locking device may be irremovably attachable to intermediate section by being a snap on part, preferably consisting of plastic. Such a part may be configuied to be able to pass over the moveable portion of the pump (i.e. the pump head) to the intermediate section, but not able to pass over the moveable portion of the pump from the intermediate section. An irremovable locking device may be advantageous since there is no risk of it being misplaced by the user. Further, since there is no need fora hinge orfor the ring material to be flexible, the locking device may have a stronger, sturdier design thus reducing the possibility of failure through fatigue.

Cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section corresponding to the cross-sectional dimensions of the complete ring portion may be the dimensions of the intermediate section in the same direction as a direction of a given dimension of the intermediate section. The complete ring portion may be formed such that it is rotatable with respect to the intermediate section, by ensuring its smallest cross-sectional dimension is larger than the intermediate section's largest cross-sectional dimension. The complete ring portion also may be formed such that it is non-rotatable with respect to the intermediate section. This may be, for example, by ensuring at least its smallest cross-sectional dimension is smaller than at least the intermediate section's largest cross-sectional dimension. The ring portion may also be sized to fit tightly around the intermediate section as described herein. This may additionally serve to reduce rotation around the intermediate section.

The locking device may further comprise a protruding section protruding from the complete ring portion. The piston may pass through the protruding section.

The protruding section may comprise a threaded portion, and the locking device may further comprise a child-resistant cap being configured to engage with the threaded portion and to engage with the piston, such that the piston is moved inwardly or outwardly as the child-resistant cap is tightened and loosened respectively. Such a configuration may be advantageous since, when a standard child-resistant cap is used, the burden of the providing the locking device with a specific resistance to use and validating this to the required standard, which may be extremely costly and time-consuming, need not fall on the manufacturer of the locking device.

The locking device may be further operable to count the number of doses administered from the standard nasal sprayer. Such a locking device allows the user to know when how much of a course of medication they have completed, and/or how much liquid remains in the standard nasal sprayer.

Certain preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exemplary snap-on locking device attached to a standard nasal sprayer; Figure 2 shows an exemplary snap-on locking device; Figure 3 shows an exemplary clamp-on locking device attached to a standard nasal sprayer; Figures 4 and 5 show an exemplary clamp-on locking device; Figures 6 to 8 show another exemplary clamp-on locking device; Figures 9 to 11 show another exemplary clamp-on locking device; Figures 12 to 14 show another exemplary clamp-on locking device; and Figure 15 shows an exemplary irremovable locking device.

Figure 16 shows a photograph of a device of the invention in position on a standard nasal sprayer.

In more detail, Figure 1 shows a locking device 1 for reversibly locking a standard nasal sprayer 50, the locking device 1 comprising a blocking portion 2 for blocking at least a portion of a space 51 between a moveable portion 52 and a stationary portion 53 of the standard nasal sprayer 50 when the moveable portion 52 is in its rest position. In Figure 1, the locking device 1 is shown attached to the nasal sprayer 50 and the blocking portion 2 is shown blocking an external space 51 between a pump head 52 and a bottle 53 of the standard nasal sprayer. The locking device 1 further comprises a protruding section 3 protruding from the blocking portion 2. The pump head 52 is shown as having a removable cap 55.

In preferred embodiments, the blocking portion 2 is configured to be attachable to and removable from an intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 50 to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer 50 respectively. The intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 50: is a section located between the moveable portion 52 and the stationary portion 53 of the standard nasal sprayer 50; has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the moveable portion 52 in at least one direction; and has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stationary portion 53 in at least one direction.

Turning to Figures 2 to 14, the blocking portion 2 comprises at least a portion of a ring portion 4, the ring portion 4 comprising an inner surface 5 having cross-sectional dimensions which are substantially similar to the cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section 54. The cross sections of both the intermediate section 54 and the ring portion 4 are substantially circular.

As shown in Figure 2, the locking device 1 is configured to be a snap-on device, wherein the ring portion 4 can snap on to the intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 1. Such a snap-on locking device 1 may comprise any form of suitably resilient material! such as a polymeric material (e.g. polyethylene, or polyurethane) or a metal.

In Figure 2, the protruding section 3 is a handle 6, the handle 6 being suitable for aiding with the attachment and removal of the locking device. The handle 6 comprises a thumb grip 7, which comprises a second ring portion 8. The thumb grip 7 is substantially circular in cross-section. Such a handle 6 can aid attachment and removal of the locking device by providing the user with a component with which the user can produce an adequate force to attach/remove the locking device to/from the standard nasal sprayer.

Further in Figure 2, the ring portion 4 comprises an open section 9 of the ring portion 4, a length of the open section 9 being smaller than a width of the intermediate section 54 in its smallest dimension. The inner surface 5 of the ring portion has a circular arc-shaped cross-section, in which the arc subtends an angle larger than of approximately 3000. The smaller the open section in comparison to the width of the intermediate section in its smallest dimension, the greater the force required to operate the locking device.

A midpoint of the open section 9 of the ring portion 4 is substantially 180° opposite a midpoint of the handle 6. This configuration makes the locking device easier to use as it ensures that the force required to attach/remove the locking device can be applied to the handle in a radial direction, with respect to the standard nasal sprayer.

Turning to Figures 3 to 14, the locking device 1 is configured to be a clamp-on device, wherein the locking device 1 is operable to close around the intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 50. The device 1 comprises a child-resistant cap 60 operable to reversibly lock the standard nasal sprayer 50 by means of the device 1. The child-resistant cap 60 may be a standard child-resistant cap, and may provide tamper evidence. In these embodiments, the locking device further comprises a hinge 20, 30, 40 and the ring portion 4 is a complete ring portion.

As shown in Figures 4 to lithe complete ring portion 4 comprises the hinge 20, 30; a first portion 10 having a first end 11 attached to the hinge 20, 30 and a second end 12; and a second portion 13 having a first end 14 attached to the hinge 20, 30 and a second end 15. The hinge 20, 30 is operable to open and close the complete ring 4 such that when closed the second ends 12, 15 of the first and second portions 10, 13 are in contact, and when open the second ends 12, 15 of the first and second portions 10, 13 are not in contact. The device 1 being removable from the intermediate section 54 when the complete ring 4 is open and the device 1 not being removable from the intermediate section 54 when the complete ring 4 is closed around that section 54. The inner surface 5 of the complete ring portion 4 has a circular cross-section when closed, and the inner surfaces of the first and second portions 10, 13 have semi-circular cross-sections.

As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the protruding section 3 comprises a complete threaded portion 16; the second end 12 of the first portion 10 is attached to a first threaded portion 17 of the complete threaded portion 16; and the second end 15 of the second portion 12 is attached to a second threaded portion 18 of the complete threaded portion 16, such that, when the complete ring portion 4 is closed, the first and second threaded portions 17, 18 of the complete threaded portion 16 contact each other and form the complete threaded portion 16.

The first and second threaded portions 17, 18 of the complete threaded portion 16 each constitute one half of the complete threaded portion 16. Further, the complete threaded portion is hollow.

Turning to Figures 9to 11, the second end 12 of the first portion lOis attached to a cylindrical portion 70. The cylindrical portion 70 comprises a groove 71 around its circumference for locating and mating with the child-resistant cap 60, and a slot 72 extending radially and extending axially with respect to the cylindrical portion 70. The child-resistant cap 60 surrounds the cylindrical portion 70 and comprises an opening 61 corresponding to the slot 72. The second end 15 of the second portion 13 may be attached to a mating portion 19, such that, when the complete ring portion 4 is closed, the mating portion 19 may be passed through the opening 61 in the child resistant cap 60 into the slot 72, and the locking device 1 can be locked by rotating the child-resistant cap 60 relative to the second ends 12, 15 of the first and second portions 10, 13.

The opening 61 of the child-resistant cap 60 corresponds to the slot 72 by having a similar area, when viewed in the same radial direction with respect to the cylindrical portion 70. The width of the opening 61 (i.e. its dimension perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 70 when viewed in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 70) is approximately the same as the width of the slot 72. The corresponding width of the mating portion 19 is approximately equal to the width of the slot 72.

The slot 72 extends axially from an end 73 of the cylindrical portion 70 nearest the first portion 10, and extends along a portion of the length of the cylindrical portion 70. The depth of the slot 72 is approximately the radius of the cylindrical portion 70. The slot 72 does not extend the full length of the cylindrical portion 70.

The opening 61 extends axially from an end 63 of the child-resistant cap 60 nearest the end 73 of the cylindrical portion 70 nearest the first portion 10, and extends along a portion of the length of the child-resistant cap 60. The opening does not extend the full length of the child resistant cap.

As is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hinge 20 comprises resilient material 21 which is part of the first ends 11, 14 of the first and second portions 10, 13, and may be elastically deformed to open/close the complete ring portion 4.

Alternatively, as is shown in Figures 6 to 8, the hinge 30 is formed by a pivot portion 31 in the first end 11, 14 of the first/second portion 10, 13 being received by the first end 14, 11 of the second/first portion 13, 10. The pivot portion 31 is received by providing the first end 14, 11 second/first portion 13, 10 with a cutaway 32 through which a narrowed portion 33 ofthefirstend 11,14 of thefirst/second portion 10, 13 can pass, and a hole 34 with which the pivot portion 31 of the first end 11, 14 of the second/first portion 14, 11 can mate. The pivot 31 and hole 34 extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the complete ring portion 4. Two holes 34 may be provided either side of the cutaway 32 and two pivots 31 may be provided either side of the narrowed portion 33. Such a hinge 30 is symmetrical about a surface which bisects the ring portion 4 in its axial direction. The holes have an open portion 35.

As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the at least a portion of a ring portion 4 comprises a first portion 10 having a first end 11 and a second end 12; and a second portion 13 having a first end 14 and a second end 15. The protruding section 3 comprises a complete threaded portion 16. The second end 12 of the first portion 10 is attached to a first threaded portion 17 of the complete threaded portion 16. The second end 1501 the second portion 13 is attached to a second threaded portion 18 of the complete threaded portion. The protruding section 3 comprises the hinge 40, the hinge 40 being operable to open and close the ring portion 4, the device 1 being removable from the intermediate section 54 when the ring portion 4 is open and the device 1 not being removable from the intermediate section 54 when the ring portion 4 is closed around that section, such that, when the ring portion 4 is closed, the first and second threaded portions 17, 18 of the complete threaded portion 16 align to form the complete threaded portion 16.

The first threaded portion 17 comprises a slot 80 into which the second threaded portion 18 can be mated. The slot 80 extends radially with respect to the threaded portion 16, and extends to a depth of approximately half the diameter of the threaded portion 16. The width of the slot 80 and the second threaded portion 18 are substantially similar, and the slot 80 extends the entire length of the first threaded portion 17. The second threaded portion 18 is configured such that it substantially fills the slot 80 when the locking device 1 is in its closed position. Sufficient material may be removed when forming slot 80 and/or the hinge portion of threaded portion 18 that the first and second portions 10 and 13 may open and close around the hinge without threaded portions 17 and 18 jamming in the vicinity of hinge 40.

At an end of the first threaded portion 17 furthest from the ring portion, a hole 41 extends from the slot 80 to the surface of the first threaded portion 17, in a direction perpendicular to both the radial direction in which the slot 80 extends and the axial direction of the threaded portion 16. The second threaded portion 18 comprises a pivot 42 configured to mate with the hole 41 to form the hinge 40. There may be a corresponding hole 41 and pivot 42 on the opposite side of the threaded portion.

Turning to Figure 15, the locking device 1 is irremovably attachable to the intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 50. The device 1 comprises a complete ring portion 4, having cross-sectional dimensions larger than the corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section 54, configured to surround the intermediate section 54 of the standard nasal sprayer 50. The blocking portion 2 comprises a piston 90 which can be moved inwards and outwards with respect to the centre of the complete ring portion 4 to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer 50 respectively.

The locking device 1 is irremovably attachable to intermediate section by being a snap on part, preferably consisting of plastic.

The locking device 1 further comprises a protruding section 3 protruding from the complete ring portion 4. The piston 90 passes through the protruding section 3.

The protruding section 3 comprises a threaded portion 16, and the locking device 1 further comprises a child-resistant cap 60 (not shown) being configured to engage with the threaded portion 16 and to engage with the piston 90, such that the piston 90 is moved inwardly or outwardly as the child-resistant cap 60 is tightened and loosened respectively.

Claims

Claims: 1. A locking device for reversibly locking a standard nasal sprayer, the locking device comprising a blocking portion for blocking at least a portion of a space between a moveable portion and a stationary portion of the standard nasal sprayer when the moveable portion is in its rest position.
2. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be inoperable by a child, when in use.
3. The locking device of claim 1 or 2. wherein the blocking portion is for blocking an external space between the moveable portion and the stationary portion.
4. The locking device of any of claims ito 3, wherein the locking device further comprises a protruding section protruding from the blocking portion.
5. The locking device of any of claims ito 4, wherein the blocking portion is for blocking at least a portion of a space between a pump head and a bottle, or a pump head and a part of a pump mechanism respectively.
6. The locking device of any of claims ito 5, wherein the blocking portion is configured to be attachable to and removable from an intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer respectively.
7. The locking device of claim 6, wherein the blocking portion comprises at least a portion of a ring portion, the ring portion comprising an inner surface having cross-sectional dimensions which are substantially similar to the cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section.
8. The locking device of claim 7, wherein the device is configured to be a snap-on device, preferably wherein the ring portion is configured to snap on to the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer.
9. The locking device of claim 8. wherein the protruding section is a handle for aiding with the attachment and removal of the locking device.
10. The locking device of claim 8 or9, wherein the ring portion comprises an open section of the ring portion, a length of the open section being configured to be smaller than a width of the intermediate section in its smallest dimension.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein a midpoint of the open section of the ring portion is substantially 1800 opposite a midpoint of the handle.
12. The device of claim 7, wherein the locking device is configured to be a clamp-on device, wherein the device is operable to close around the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer, and wherein the device further comprises a child-resistant cap operable to reversibly lock the standard nasal sprayer by means of the device.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the child-resistant cap is a standard child-resistant cap, and preferably wherein the child-resistant cap provides tamper evidence.
14. The locking device of claim 12 or 13, wherein the locking device comprises a hinge.
15. The locking device of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of a ring portion is a complete ring portion, the complete ring portion comprising: the hinge; a first portion having a first end attached to the hinge and a second end; and a second portion having a first end attached to the hinge and a second end, wherein: the hinge is operable to open and close the complete ring such that when closed the second ends of the first and second portions are in contact, and when open the second ends of the first and second portions are not in contact, the device is removable from the intermediate section when the complete ring is open and the device is not removable from the intermediate section when the complete ring is closed around that section.
16. The locking device of claim 15, wherein: the protruding section comprises a complete threaded portion; the second end of the first portion is attached to a first threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; and the second end of the second portion is attached to a second threaded portion of the complete threaded portion, such that, when the complete ring portion is closed, the first and second threaded portions of the complete threaded portion contact each other and form the complete threaded portion.
17. The locking device of claim 15, wherein: the second end of the first portion is attached to a protruding section comprising a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion comprising a groove around its circumference for locating and mating with the child-resistant cap, and a slot extending radially and extending axially with respect to the cylindrical portion; the child-resistant cap surrounds the cylindrical portion and comprises an opening corresponding to the slot; the second end of the second portion is attached to a mating portion, such that, when the complete ring portion is closed, the mating portion is passed through the opening in the child resistant cap into the slot, and the locking device is configured to be locked by rotating the child-resistant cap relative to the second ends of the first and second portions.
18. The locking device of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of a ring portion comprises: a first portion having a first end and a second end; and a second portion having a first end and a second end, wherein: the protruding section comprises a complete threaded portion; the second end of the first portion is attached to a first threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; the second end of the second portion is attached to a second threaded portion of the complete threaded portion; and the protruding section comprises the hinge, the hinge being operable to open and close the ring portion, the device being removable from the intermediate section when the ring portion is open and the device not being removable from the intermediate section when the ring portion is closed around that section, such that! when the ring portion is closed, the first and second threaded portions of the complete threaded portion align to form the complete threaded portion.
19. The locking device of any of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, the locking device being irremovably attachable to an intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer, the intermediate section having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the moveable portion in at least one direction and a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stationary portion in at least one direction, the device comprising: a complete ring portion, having cross-sectional dimensions larger than corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section, configured to surround the intermediate section of the standard nasal sprayer; wherein: the blocking portion comprises a piston which can be moved inwards and outwards with respect to the centre of the complete ring portion to lock and unlock the standard nasal sprayer respectively.
20. The locking device of claim 19, wherein the locking device further comprises a protruding section protruding from the complete ring portion.
21. The locking device of claim 20, wherein the piston passes through the protruding section.
22. The device of claim 20 or 21, wherein the protruding section comprises a threaded portion, and wherein the device further comprises a child-resistant cap being configured to engage with the threaded portion and to engage with the piston, such that the piston is moved inwardly or outwardly as the child-resistant cap is tightened and loosened respectively.
23. The device of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the device is further operable to count the number of doses administered from the standard nasal spray.