Powder ejection container

Abstract

This invention provides a powder dispensing container with a simple structure that allows for the preservation of powder quality before cartridge installation and is immediately usable after cartridge installation. [Solution] The powder ejection container 1 comprises a cartridge 2 for containing powder 100 and a syringe container 3 for supplying air to the cartridge 2. The cartridge 2 comprises an ejection hole 2a for ejecting powder 100, a powder storage chamber S1 communicating with the ejection hole 2a and containing powder 100, an air supply passage 50 for supplying air from the syringe container 3 to the powder storage chamber S1, and a stopper 40 that can openly close the air supply passage 50. The syringe container 3 comprises a cartridge mounting section 12 for detachably mounting the cartridge 2 in the container axis direction of the syringe container 3, and an opening projection 13 that moves the stopper 40 in the container axis direction in conjunction with mounting the cartridge 2 to the cartridge mounting section 12, thereby opening the air supply passage 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder ejection container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a powder administration container having a cartridge for storing powder, an air pump for supplying air to the cartridge, and a fixing plug for connecting the cartridge and the air pump. In this powder administration container, when the cartridge is attached to the fixing plug and the two are relatively rotated to complete the attachment, the vertical groove formed in the lower nozzle of the cartridge and the vertical groove formed in the middle plug covering the opening end of the lower nozzle communicate with each other in the circumferential direction, so that an air passage is formed between the lower nozzle and the middle plug.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above cartridge can block the air passage by making the vertical groove of the lower nozzle and the vertical groove of the middle plug not oppose each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the inside of the cartridge can be sealed and the quality of the powder can be maintained. However, due to the structure that opens the air passage simultaneously with the completion of the attachment of the cartridge, when the screwing of the cartridge with respect to the fixing plug is completed, it is necessary to precisely adjust the screw so that the vertical groove of the lower nozzle and the vertical groove of the middle plug oppose each other in the circumferential direction.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a powder dispensing container with a simple structure that can maintain the quality of the powder before cartridge installation and can be used immediately after cartridge installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The powder ejection container according to the present invention comprises a cartridge for containing powder and a syringe container for supplying air to the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises an ejection hole for ejecting the powder, a powder storage chamber communicating with the ejection hole for containing the powder, an air supply passage for supplying air from the syringe container to the powder storage chamber, and a stopper for opening the air supply passage, wherein the syringe container comprises a cartridge mounting portion for attaching the cartridge to the syringe container in the container axis direction and a stopper projection that moves the stopper in the container axis direction in conjunction with the attachment of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion, thereby opening the air supply passage.

[0007] According to the powder dispensing container of the present invention, before the cartridge is installed, the air supply passage communicating with the powder storage chamber is blocked by the inner stopper of the cartridge, thus preventing outside air from entering the powder storage chamber through the air supply passage. Therefore, it becomes possible to maintain the quality of the powder when the cartridge is stored. When the cartridge is inserted into the syringe container, the opening projection on the syringe container moves the inner stopper in the axial direction of the container in conjunction with the cartridge's movement, thereby opening the air supply passage. After the air supply passage is opened, the syringe container can forcibly supply air to the powder container through the air supply passage, and a fixed amount of powder contained in the powder container can be ejected to the outside from the ejection hole along with the air. Therefore, the device can be used immediately after the cartridge is inserted. With this configuration, the orientation of the cartridge installation and the orientation of the inner stopper opening coincide, eliminating the need for precise adjustments to open the air supply passage and allowing for a simpler structure. Furthermore, the cartridge is detachable from the syringe container, and for example, when administering powders nasally or orally, the cartridge can be replaced each time it is used, thus ensuring cleanliness at the point of contact with the human body.

[0008] (2) The powder containment chamber may include a recess having a circular shape when viewed from the direction of the container axis, and a spin groove extending in a tangential direction that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the recess when viewed from the direction of the container axis, and connected to the air supply passage.

[0009] In this case, the air supplied from the syringe container through the air supply channel entrains the powder in the powder containment chamber, making it easier for the powder to be ejected to the outside through the ejection port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The powder dispensing container according to the present invention has a simple structure, can maintain the quality of the powder before cartridge installation, and can be used immediately after cartridge installation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a powder ejection container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a powder ejection container immediately before installation of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a powder ejection container after a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention has been installed. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, as shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the use of a powder dispensing container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes a powder ejection container according to one embodiment, based on the drawings.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the powder dispensing container 1 comprises a cartridge 2 for containing powder 100 and a syringe container 3 for supplying air to the cartridge 2. The cartridge 2 is fitted with a top-shaped cylindrical cap 4 that covers the dispensing hole 2a of the powder 100. Figure 1 shows the powder dispensing container 1 immediately before the cartridge 2 is attached to the syringe container 3.

[0014] The powder dispensing container 1 can be administered to the affected area by removing the cap 4, inserting the exposed tip of the cartridge 2 into, for example, the nasal cavity or oral cavity, and then pressing the syringe container 3. This allows the powder 100 (drug) contained in the cartridge 2 to be dispensed by air pressure.

[0015] In this embodiment, the central axes of the cartridge 2 and the syringe container 3 lie on a common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis O, the cartridge 2 side (upper side in Figure 1) along the container axis direction will be referred to as the upper side, and the syringe container 3 side (lower side in Figure 1) along the container axis direction will be referred to as the lower side. Furthermore, when viewed from the container axis direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction revolving around the container axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0016] The syringe container 3 comprises a syringe 10 that extends in the axial direction of the container and has an air outlet hole 3a on its upper side, and a plunger 11 that is fitted into the syringe 10 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. When the plunger 11 is fitted into the syringe 10, it defines an air-containing chamber S2 for containing air in the portion of the syringe 10 that is located above the plunger 11.

[0017] The plunger 11 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the container. A sliding member 11a is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the top of the plunger 11. The sliding member 11a is formed in an annular shape and is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the syringe 10 in the axial direction of the container. The lower end of the plunger 11 protrudes downward from the lower end opening of the syringe 10 and can be subjected to a pressing operation.

[0018] The syringe 10 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the container. At the top of the syringe 10, a cartridge mounting portion 12 and an opening plug protrusion 13 are formed. The cartridge mounting portion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the top of the syringe 10. An internal thread into which the cartridge 2 can be mounted is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge mounting portion 12.

[0019] The opening plug protrusion 13 is disposed radially inside the cartridge mounting portion 12. The opening plug protrusion 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending upward from the center of the top of the syringe 10. The inside of the opening plug protrusion 13 is vertically partitioned by a partition wall 14. The space below the partition wall 14 in the opening plug protrusion 13 communicates with the air storage chamber S2. An air injection hole 3a is formed through the opening plug protrusion 13 in the radial direction at the upper end position of the space below the partition wall 14 of the opening plug protrusion 13.

[0020] As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the cartridge 2 includes a cartridge cover 20, a cartridge body 30, and a middle plug 40. Note that FIG. 2 shows the state immediately before the cartridge 2 is mounted on the syringe container 3, similar to FIG. 1. The cartridge cover 20 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the container.

[0021] The cartridge cover 20 comprises a top wall 21 with an ejection hole 2a formed therein, and a peripheral wall 22 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 21. A cylindrical ejection tube 23 is vertically mounted on the lower surface of the top wall 21 so as to surround the ejection hole 2a. A contact surface 24 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 22, to which the upper end of the cartridge body 30 abuts or approaches in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a fitting groove 25 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 22 below the contact surface 24, into which the cartridge body 30 is fitted.

[0022] The cartridge body 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the axial direction of the container. The cartridge body 30 comprises a fitting cylinder 31 that fits into the cartridge cover 20, a mounting cylinder 32 that is attached to the syringe container 3, and a wing portion 33 that is positioned between the fitting cylinder 31 and the mounting cylinder 32 and extends radially outward.

[0023] The fitting cylinder 31 is positioned above the cartridge body 30. The upper end of the fitting cylinder 31 is in contact with or close to the contact surface 24 of the cartridge cover 20 from below. A sealing projection 37 is formed on the inside of the upper end opening of the fitting cylinder 31, projecting radially inward. The sealing projection 37 closes the air supply passage 50 (described later) by being in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner plug 40. A stepped portion 36 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder 31 below the sealing projection 37.

[0024] A fitting projection 34 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder 31, which fits into the fitting groove 25 of the cartridge cover 20. Furthermore, a flange 35 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder 31, extending radially outward below the fitting projection 34. The lower end of the cartridge cover 20 abuts against or is in close proximity to the upper surface of the flange 35 from above.

[0025] The mounting cylinder 32 is located below the cartridge body 30. The mounting cylinder 32 extends downward from the lower end of the fitting cylinder 31. The outer circumferential surface of the mounting cylinder 32 has male threads that screw into the female threads of the cartridge mounting portion 12. The opening projection 13 is inserted into the inside of the mounting cylinder 32 from below. The inner circumferential surface of the mounting cylinder 32 has an annular sealing portion 38 that makes close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the opening projection 13 when mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 12 as shown in Figure 3. The opening projection 13 extends to near the upper end of the fitting cylinder 31.

[0026] The wing portions 33 are formed in pairs on the outer circumferential surface of the cartridge body 30, below the flange 35 of the fitting cylinder 31 and above the male thread of the mounting cylinder 32, in positions that are axially symmetrical when viewed from the direction of the container axis. The wing portions 33 are formed in an L-shape, extending radially and bending upward. When the upper end of the cartridge 2 is inserted into the nasal cavity or oral cavity, the wing portions 33 abut against the edge of the nasal cavity or oral cavity, restricting further insertion of the cartridge 2 into the nasal cavity or oral cavity. The wing portions 33 also function as a knob for rotating the cartridge 2 when attaching or detaching it from the syringe container 3.

[0027] The inner plug 40 is positioned to be movable upward inside the fitting cylinder 31. The inner plug 40 comprises an inner plug body 41 that is pushed up by the opening projection 13, an upper cylindrical portion 42 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the inner plug body 41, and a lower cylindrical portion 43 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the inner plug body 41.

[0028] The inner plug body 41 is formed in a disc shape. The upper surface of the inner plug body 41 forms a powder storage chamber S1 for containing the powder 100. The lower surface of the inner plug body 41 can be pushed upward by the opening projection 13. The upper cylindrical portion 42 protrudes upward from the upper end opening of the fitting cylinder 31.

[0029] The inner circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical portion 42, together with the inner stopper body 41, forms a powder storage chamber S1 for containing the powder 100. As shown in Figure 3, the ejection nozzle 23 of the cartridge cover 20 can be inserted from above into the inside of the upper cylindrical portion 42. Figure 3 shows the state immediately after the cartridge 2 has been installed in the syringe container 3 (after installation).

[0030] As shown in the IV-IV cross-sectional view in Figure 4, the inner stopper body 41 has a circular recess 41a when viewed from the container axis direction, and a spin groove 41b that extends tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the recess 41a when viewed from the container axis direction and is connected to the air supply passage 50. The powder 100 is contained in the recess 41a.

[0031] When the ejection tube 23 is positioned inside the upper cylindrical portion 42 and contacts the upper surface of the inner plug body 41 outside the recess 41a, with a radial gap between it and the upper cylindrical portion 42, a flow path is formed connecting the air supply passage 50 to the spin groove 41b and the recess 41a. As a result, the air supplied from the syringe container 3 via the air supply passage 50 swirls in the recess 41a, entraining the powder 100, and is ejected to the outside from the ejection hole 2a.

[0032] Returning to Figure 2, the lower cylindrical portion 43 is positioned inside the fitting cylinder 31. The lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 43 abuts against the stepped portion 36 of the fitting cylinder 31 so as to be able to move upward. A vertical groove 43a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion 43, extending upward from the lower end. Multiple vertical grooves 43a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion 43 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0033] The cartridge 2 with the above configuration has a discharge hole 2a for ejecting powder 100, a powder storage chamber S1 communicating with the discharge hole 2a and containing the powder 100, and an air supply passage 50 for supplying air from the syringe container 3 to the powder storage chamber S1. The air supply passage 50 is blocked by the inner stopper 40 when the cartridge 2 is in the state shown in Figure 2 before installation.

[0034] The powder containment chamber S1 is formed within the cartridge cover 20 in a portion located above the sealing projection 37 that abuts the outer circumferential surface of the inner stopper 40. As shown in Figure 3, the air supply passage 50 is formed by the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the cartridge cover 20 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner stopper 40, the vertical groove 43a, and the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the cartridge body 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the opening projection 13. In the state before the cartridge 2 is installed, as shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the vertical groove 43a is located below the sealing projection 37, and the air supply passage 50 is closed as the outer circumferential surface of the inner stopper 40 abuts the sealing projection 37 around its entire circumference.

[0035] When cartridge 2 is installed as shown in Figure 3, the upper end of the vertical groove 43a is positioned above the sealing projection 37 due to the upward thrust of the inner stopper 40 by the opening projection 13. As a result, the space above and below the sealing projection 37 are connected via the vertical groove 43a, making it possible to supply air from the air supply passage 50 to the powder containment chamber S1.

[0036] Next, we will explain how to use the powder ejection container 1, which has the above configuration. To attach cartridge 2 to syringe container 3, first, screw the attachment tube 32 of cartridge 2, as shown in Figure 2, into the cartridge attachment section 12 of syringe container 3. When attaching cartridge 2 to syringe container 3, you may also grasp the pair of vane sections 33 and rotate cartridge 2 relative to syringe container 3.

[0037] When cartridge 2 is rotated, it is screwed in, and the entire cartridge 2 moves downward. As a result, the opening projection 13 of the syringe container 3 rises relative to cartridge 2, pushing the inner stopper 40 upward. As shown in Figure 3, once cartridge 2 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 12, the vertical groove 43a of the inner stopper 40, which has been pushed up by the opening projection 13, is positioned to straddle the sealing projection 37 vertically, and the air supply passage 50 is opened.

[0038] Next, the cap 4 (see Figure 1) is removed from the cartridge 2 to expose the ejection port 2a, and the tip of the cartridge 2 is inserted into the nasal cavity or oral cavity. Then, as shown in Figure 5, when the plunger 11 of the syringe container 3 is pushed up, air in the air containment chamber S2 is supplied to the air supply passage 50 from the air ejection port 3a. At this time, since the annular seal portion 38 of the mounting cylinder 32 is in close contact with the outer surface of the opening projection 13, air leakage when the plunger 11 is pushed up can be prevented.

[0039] The air supplied to the air supply passage 50 passes through the gap between the cartridge body 30 and the opening projection 13, the gap between the cartridge body 30 and the inner stopper 40, and the vertical groove 43a of the inner stopper 40, and is supplied to the powder containment chamber S1. As shown in Figure 4, a spin groove 41b is formed in the powder containment chamber S1, and the air that swirls in the recess 41a entrains the powder 100 and is ejected to the outside from the ejection hole 2a as shown in Figure 5.

[0040] Thus, according to the powder dispensing container 1 of this embodiment, before the cartridge 2 is installed, the air supply passage 50 communicating with the powder storage chamber S1 is blocked by the inner stopper 40 of the cartridge 2, so that outside air does not enter the powder storage chamber S1 through the air supply passage 50. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the quality of the powder 100 when the cartridge 2 is stored. When cartridge 2 is attached to syringe container 3, the opening projection 13 of syringe container 3 moves the inner stopper 40 in the axial direction of the container in conjunction with the movement of cartridge 2, thereby opening the air supply passage 50. After the air supply passage 50 is opened, the syringe container 3 can forcibly supply air to the powder storage chamber S1 via the air supply passage 50, and a fixed amount of powder 100 contained in the powder storage chamber S1 can be ejected to the outside from the ejection hole 2a along with the air. Therefore, cartridge 2 can be used immediately after attachment. With this configuration, the mounting direction of cartridge 2 and the opening direction of the inner stopper 40 coincide, eliminating the need for precise adjustment to open the air supply passage 50 and allowing for a simple structure. Furthermore, cartridge 2 is detachable from syringe container 3, and for example, when administering powder 100 via nasal or oral administration, cartridge 2 can be replaced each time it is used, thus ensuring cleanliness at the point of contact with the human body.

[0041] As described above, the powder ejection container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a cartridge 2 for containing powder 100 and a syringe container 3 for supplying air to the cartridge 2. The cartridge 2 comprises an ejection hole 2a for ejecting powder 100, a powder storage chamber S1 communicating with the ejection hole 2a and containing powder 100, an air supply passage 50 for supplying air from the syringe container 3 to the powder storage chamber S1, and a stopper 40 that opens and closes the air supply passage 50. The syringe container 3 comprises a cartridge mounting section 12 for detachably mounting the cartridge 2 in the container axis direction of the syringe container 3, and an opening projection 13 that moves the stopper 40 in the container axis direction in conjunction with mounting the cartridge 2 to the cartridge mounting section 12, thereby opening the air supply passage 50. With this configuration, the quality of the powder 100 can be maintained with a simple structure before mounting the cartridge 2, and it can be used immediately after mounting the cartridge 2.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the powder containment chamber S1 includes a circular recess 41a when viewed from the container axis direction, and a spin groove 41b that extends tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the recess 41a when viewed from the container axis direction and is connected to the air supply passage 50. With this configuration, the air supplied from the syringe container 3 via the air supply passage 50 entrains the powder 100 in the powder containment chamber S1, making it easier to eject the powder 100 to the outside from the ejection hole 2a.

[0043] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0044] For example, while cartridge 2 was designed to be detachable from syringe container 3 by screwing in the axial direction of the container, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, cartridge 2 may be detachable from syringe container 3 by undercut fitting in the axial direction of the container.

[0045] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 Powder injection container 2 cartridges 2a spout hole 3 Syringe container 3a Air outlet 4 caps 10 syringes 11 Plungers 11a Sliding member 12 Cartridge mounting section 13. Opening protrusion 14 Bulkhead 20 Cartridge Covers 21. Top Wall 22 Peripheral wall 23 Spout tube 24 Contact surface 25 Fitting groove 30 cartridges 31 Fitting cylinder 32 Mounting cylinder 33. Wing section 34. Attachment projection 35 Flange 36 Step part 37 Seal protrusions 38 Annular seal section 40 Inner stopper 41 Inner stopper body 41a Recess 41b Spin groove 42 Upper cylinder part 43 Lower cylinder part 43a Longitudinal groove 50 Air supply path 100 powder O Container axis S1 Powder Handling Room S2 Air-Containing Chamber

Claims

1. A cartridge for containing powder, The system includes a syringe container for supplying air to the cartridge, The aforementioned cartridge is A nozzle for ejecting the aforementioned powder, A powder containment chamber that communicates with the ejection hole and contains the powder, The powder containment chamber is provided with an air supply passage for supplying air from the syringe container, The air supply passage is provided with an inner plug that can be opened and closed, The syringe container is A cartridge mounting section for detachably attaching the cartridge to the syringe container in the axial direction of the container, The device includes an opening projection that, in conjunction with the insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge mounting section, moves the inner stopper in the axial direction of the container, thereby opening the air supply passage. Powder jetting container.

2. The aforementioned powder containment chamber is The aforementioned container has a circular recess when viewed from the axial direction of the container, The container comprises a spin groove that extends tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the recess when viewed from the axial direction of the container, and is connected to the air supply passage, The powder dispensing container according to claim 1.

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