A bottle and collapsible bag for a pumped liquid delivery device

Abstract

A bottle and collapsible bag 1 for a pumped liquid delivery device comprises a bottle 1a comprising a main body section 3 forming a hollow elongate item having first and second ends, the first end closed, an opening formed in the second end, the opening configured to allow one end of a tube to access the interior of the main body section, wall or walls 3a of the main body section configured to support its / their own weight, a bag 1b located within the bottle 1a, the bag 1b comprising a body configured to in use hold a volume of liquid and when filled to closely follow the inner contours / inner surface of the bottle 1a; the bottle main body section 3 comprising a plurality of separate side walls 3a connected to one another at their side edges; the body of the bag configured so that negative pressure applied to the bag causes the bag to collapse inwards.

Description

[0001] A BOTTLE AND COLLAPSIBLE BAG FOR A PUMPED LIQUID DELIVERY DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a bottle and collapsible bag for a pumped liquid delivery device. More particularly, the present invention relates a bottle and collapsible bag for an aerosol inhaler device that delivers an aerosolised liquid to a user for inhalation.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Drug delivery devices such as nebulisers are used to produce an aerosol of droplets for inhalation into the lungs of a patient through the mouth and pharyngeal cavity, for nasal administration, or for spraying the surface of the eye.

[0006] In a nebulising drug delivery device such as a soft mist inhaler (SMI), liquid pharmaceutical formulations are typically stored within the drug delivery device in a reservoir or ‘bag’ formed from a plastic material. In use with a typical known type of nebuliser, the liquid pharmaceutical formulations are conveyed from the bag through a riser tube within the nebuliser into a pressure chamber, and are then forced through a nozzle under pressure and atomised. In this way, drug delivery devices such as SMIs are able to nebulise a small amount of a liquid formulation within a few seconds, to produce a required dosage in aerosol form, suitable for therapeutic inhalation. Moreover, this can be achieved without requiring the use of a separate propellant.

[0007] A typical, known, type of SMI or nebuliser device is shown in figures 1 to 3. The device has an upper half that contains a nozzle and mouthpiece, and a lower half that in use contains a collapsible reservoir or thin-walled ‘bag’, contained within a bottle. A tube extends axially along the device from the reservoir to the nozzle. In use, the upper and lower halves are rotated relative to one another to pump or prime the device. As the device is pumped (by rotating the two halves relative to one another), a negative pressure is applied to the bag (suction) to pull liquid from the reservoir into the tube towards the nozzle. When the device is subsequently triggered by a user, a nebulised mist of product is delivered through the nozzle at the upper end of the device. As a result of the negative pressure / suction during use the bag structure is pulled inwards (collapses inwards).

[0008] For each single or individual use, the collapse is small, but each use adds incrementally to the overall collapse of the bag at end-of-life. However, even with a bag that has a thin wall there is an inherent stiffness to overcome - the bag is always ‘fighting’ the collapse caused by suction of the contents from the bag. This stiffness increases as the bag incrementally empties, and as this resistance increases, the resistance to drawing liquid out and up from the bag also increases. This can lead to insufficient doses of liquid being drawn out of the bag, or to a situation where manufacturers will design and fill a bag with more contents than will be dispensed before end of life disposal, in order to ensure that the doses that are dispensed during use are full and complete.

[0009] Bags in a size range such as those that are used for nebulising drug delivery device (e.g. soft mist inhalers (SMIs)) do not collapse easily. The smaller the bag is, the more it resists collapse. The difficulty in collapsing the bag in a smaller cartridge using bag-in-bottle (BIB) technology is due to a combination of geometrical, material, and pressure-related factors:

[0010] • Increased Surface-to-Volume Ratio - Smaller cartridges have a higher ratio of surface area to volume. This means the bag material has relatively more resistance per unit of dispensed liquid, making it harder to collapse smoothly.

[0011] • Higher Material Stiffness Relative to Volume - The bag material has some inherent rigidity and ‘material shape memory’. In a larger cartridge, the volume of liquid provides more force to overcome this stiffness. In a smaller cartridge, there is less volume to generate that force, making the collapse less efficient.

[0012] • Higher Localised Internal Pressure Differences - As the bag empties, the vacuum created inside needs to be strong enough to collapse the bag. In smaller cartridges, any slight resistance from the bag material or any minor imperfections in the collapse process will have a greater impact due to the smaller internal volume.

[0013] • Increased Wrinkling and Folding Resistance - In a small cartridge, the bag has less room to fold and collapse naturally. If the bag material is thick or less flexible, it may create resistance as it folds in on itself, requiring more force for proper emptying. The shape we want to cover in this case helps prevent uncontrolled wrinkling.

[0014] In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle and collapsible bag for a pumped liquid delivery device which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

[0017] Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a bottle and collapsible bag for a pumped liquid delivery device, comprising: a bottle comprising a main body section forming a hollow elongate item having first and second ends, the first end closed, an opening formed in the second end, the opening configured to allow fluid communication from the exterior to the interior of the main body section, wall or walls of the main body section configured to support its / their own weight; a bag located within the bottle, the bag comprising a body configured to in use hold a volume of liquid and when filled to closely follow the inner contours / inner surface of the bottle, the bag comprising an opening substantially congruent with the bottle opening; the bottle main body section comprising a plurality of separate side walls connected to one another at their side edges; the body of the bag configured so that negative pressure applied to the bag causes the bag to collapse.

[0018] In an embodiment, the bottle side walls are arranged substantially parallel to one another.

[0019] In an embodiment, the bottle side walls are substantially equally sized and shaped.

[0020] In an embodiment, the bottle further comprises a base section connecting with and closing the first end of the main body section.

[0021] In an embodiment, the bottle further comprises a top end part closing the second end of the main body section, an opening formed through the top end part, the opening configured to allow access from the exterior to the interior of the main body section.

[0022] In an embodiment, the bottle side walls are connected at their edges by smoothly curving nodes.

[0023] In an embodiment, the bottle side walls are shaped and connected to one another so as to curve outwards between the mutual connection at their side edges.

[0024] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a Reuleaux polygon.

[0025] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a polygon with outwardly-curving walls.

[0026] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a Reuleaux triangle.

[0027] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a triangle with outwardly-curving sides.

[0028] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially ovalshaped.

[0029] In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially triangleshaped. In an embodiment, the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially trefoilshaped, comprising three outwardly-curving lobes spaced at equal intervals from one another, the node between each lobe comprising a smoothed curve.

[0030] In an embodiment, the bottle side wall has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm.

[0031] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a side view of a known, prior art type of manually-operated nebuliser that has an upper half and a lower half, the two halves rotated relative to one another in use to pump or prime the device for use.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a perspective view from one side and slightly above of a known, prior art nebuliser similar to that of figure 1 , the nebuliser having a lid that is shown slightly open.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a known, prior art nebuliser from generally the same angle as that of figure 2 but with the lid closed, the outer casing elements of the nebuliser shown semi-transparent so as to show some internal detail of several of the main internal parts of the nebuliser.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a perspective cutaway side view of a known type of pumped liquid delivery device similar to those shown in figures 1 to 3, from roughly the same angle as that of figures 2 and 3, showing detail of the main internal elements of the device, the internal elements comprising a bottle and collapsible bag according to an embodiment of the invention, the bag and bottle mutually configured so that in use the bottle contains the bag and its contents, the bag closely following the internal surface of the bottle, the bag further configured to in use hold a liquid pharmaceutical formulation and located towards the lower end or base of the nebuliser, the nebuliser in this embodiment further having a riser tube that runs the length of the nebuliser, the tube extending into the collapsible bag and configured to deliver liquid from the bag to a pressure chamber located at the other or top end of the nebuliser, the pressure chamber configured to convert the liquid into an aerosolised mist for delivery to a user via a mouthpiece at the top end of the nebuliser.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of the bottle shown in figure 4, the bottle containing the bag, the bag conforming closely to the inner surface of the bottle, the bottle having a closed base, an open top end, and a hollow main body extending between the base and top end.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a cutaway side view of the top end of the bottle and bag of figures 4 and 5.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a top end or plan view of the bottle and bag of figures 4 to 6, looking from the open top end of the bottle / bag towards the base of the bottle / bag, the main body of the bottle shaped so that in plan view the main body has a similar appearance to that of a Reuleaux triangle, with three outwardly-curving or convex side walls that extend between a mutual connection or nodes at their side edges.

[0042] Figure 8 shows a perspective cutaway view of the base or lower end of the bottle and bag of figures 4 to 7, the cutaway plane aligned horizontally or across the bottle / bag, a short distance above the base.

[0043] Figure 9 shows a top-down view of the base or lower end of the bottle and bag of figures 4 to 8, cut away in the same plane as figure 8.

[0044] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the bottle of figures 4 to 9, looking from the base of the bottle towards the top end.

[0045] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional cutaway view of the lower end of a second embodiment of bottle and bag, the bottle / bag shown cut away in substantially the same plane as that shown for the first embodiment in figure 9, the bottle / bag of this embodiment having a top end and base substantially the same as the embodiment of figures 4 to 9, but having a main body with four outwardly-curving sides extending between their mutual side edge connection, the main body appearing generally diamond-shaped in cross-sectional end / plan view.

[0046] Figure 12 shows a perspective side view of the cutaway section of the lower end of the bottle and bag of figure 11.

[0047] Figure 13 shows a perspective view from the other side of the cutaway lower end of the bottle and bag of figures 11 and 12.

[0048] Figures 14a to 14e show front perspective, rear perspective, top-down, base-upwards and cutaway top-down view respective of a third embodiment of bottle and bag, the bottle / bag of this embodiment having a top end and base substantially the same as the embodiment of the previous figures, but having a main body with two outwardly-curving sides extending between their mutual side edge or node connection.

[0049] Figures 15a to 15e show front perspective, rear perspective, top-down, base-upwards and cutaway top-down view respective of a fourth embodiment of bottle and bag, the bottle / bag of this embodiment having a top end and base substantially the same as the embodiment of the previous figures and in particular figures 4 to 9, but having three straight side walls that extend between a mutual connection or node at their side edges.

[0050] Figures 16a to 16e show front perspective, rear perspective, top-down, base-upwards and cutaway top-down view respective of a fifth embodiment of bottle and bag, the bottle / bag of this embodiment having a top end and base substantially the same as the embodiment of the previous figures, the side walls having a concave or trefoil shape in cutaway profile as best shown in figure 16e.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Detailed embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

[0053] General

[0054] Embodiments of the bottle and bag of the present invention are described below and shown in the figures. For the embodiments of bottle and bag shown and described below, these are shown and described as being used with an inhaler comprising a nebuliser 1000. The nebuliser 1000 is of the known prior art type shown in figures 1 to 3. It should be noted that in the embodiments described and shown, the bottle and bag comprise an item where the bottle has a wall or walls that support its / their own weight so the bottle retains its shape in the absence of any forces acting on it other than normal gravitational forces and atmospheric pressure. The bag is located inside the bottle. The bag is thin-walled, and in isolation (i.e. without the bottle present) would collapse under its own weight (and in particular when filled). In the embodiments described and shown, the bag and bottle are formed from a plastic material by coextrusion blow moulding, blow moulding or similar, in a single action (the bag and bottle are formed simultaneously. The preferred material for the bottle is polypropylene, and the preferred material for the bag is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In variations, a two-step process can be used (two separate steps - one to create the bottle and one to create the bag) In use, the bag is filled with a liquid medicament and when filled (before use) closely follows the inner contours / inner surface of the bottle and has the shape of the interior of the bottle. The bag and bottle are inserted within the nebuliser in use and retained within the nebuliser through the life of the cartridge. As the nebuliser is used and the contents of the bag depletes, the bag collapses within the bottle. In liquid delivery systems of this type - that is, a nebuliser of the type shown, and which the bag and bottle of the present invention is used with - the bag typically has a volume of between 1 ml and 20ml, and preferably a volume of substantially 4.5ml, and typically the volume being removed each time a dose is dispensed is between substantially Sul and up to substantially 50ul, with a typical dose usually substantially around 15uL

[0055] Bags within this size range, dispensing doses within this range, do not collapse easily. The smaller the bag is, the more difficult it is to collapse, as outlined in the ‘Background’ section. The collapse pressure of a cartridge depends on the particular design, but is usually less than 4kPa for typical cartridges, and almost always less than 20kPa for cartridges used in this particular field. For nebulisers that are used to dispense very small doses, this may reduce to less than 2kPa. If used with a bottle of the present invention, a bag having a volume in the range outlined above, and dispensing doses in the ranges outlined above, will collapse more easily that if used with a bottle having a known cross-section, such as a bottle having a circular cross-section, when a negative pressure of less than 20kPa is applied.

[0056] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the bottle and bag 1 being used with the nebuliser 1000. The bottle and bag are marked generally as a single item 1 (bottle and bag 1), with the bottle being item 1 a and the bag being item 1 b. The description of the general operation is for a nebuliser using embodiments of bottles / bags described herein.

[0057] It should also be noted that similar numbering is used to denote common or similar elements for each of the embodiments - e.g. bottle-and-bag 1 , 101 , 201 ; main body 3, 103, 203; base section 4, 104, 204, etc.

[0058] For the purposes of this specification, references to orientations such as ‘upper, ‘lower’, ‘top’, ‘bottom’, ‘vertical’, ‘horizontal’ and similar or related references should be taken as meaning an orientation with the nebuliser 1000 stood upright with the mouthpiece at the upper end, even if in use the orientation would differ from this.

[0059] As shown in figure 4, the nebuliser 1000 in this embodiment comprises an upper housing half 1011 , and a lower housing half 1012. The upper housing half 1011 contains a nozzle assembly 1013 and a mouthpiece 1002, and the lower housing half 1012 contains the bottle and bag 1 (and could also contain the bags 100, 200, etc of the other embodiments). A riser tube or capillary tube 1014 extends between the bottle and bag 1 and the nozzle assembly 1013. It should be noted that other forms of nebuliser or similar can be used, that do not necessarily require a riser tube that extends into the interior of the bottle - the bottle and bag are fluidically connected to the nebuliser via a fitting that allows fluid communication but which does not include a tube. In use, a user rotates the upper and lower parts 1011 , 1012 relative to one another to pump or prime the device for use. This action causes the capillary tube 1014 and bottle and bag 1 to move away from the nozzle assembly 1013 (that is, downwards towards the base of the nebuliser 1000 if it is aligned upright in a similar manner to the prior art nebuliser shown in figure 1 ). Liquid from the bottle and bag 1 is sucked up the tube 1014 towards the upper end. This action also tensions a spring 1035 within the nebuliser 1000. When a user then triggers the nebuliser 1000 (e.g. by pressing a button or similar on the housing of the nebuliser 1000), the tube 1014 is forced upwards , and the head of the tube 1014 moves rapidly upwards, forcing liquid through the nozzle assembly 1013 and then through the mouthpiece 1002, for delivery to a user as a spray or aerosol of fine droplets.

[0060] As noted in the ‘background’ section above, during this operation, negative pressure is applied to the bag 1 b (suction) which pulls liquid from the reservoir contained within the interior of the bag 1b into the tube 1014. The structure of the bag 1 b is pulled inwards (collapses) due to this negative pressure. The bottle and bag of the present invention are particularly configured so that there is less resistance to collapse during this operation than there would be for a bag that is circular in cross section, or which has a substantially cylindrical body. Embodiments of the invention - bottles and bags 1 , 100, 200, 300 - are described below. Similar numbering is used to denote the same or similar features in both embodiments - e.g. bottles and bags 1 , 100, 200; top ends 2, 102, 202; main body sections 3, 103, 203; base sections 4, 104, 204, etc.

[0061] Bottle and Collapsible Bag - First Embodiment

[0062] The bottle and collapsible bag 1 of the first embodiment is shown in figures 4 to 10. The bottle and bag 1 comprise a top end part 2, a main body section 3, and a base section 4.

[0063] The main body section 3 of the bottle 1 a comprises a hollow elongate item with parallel sides or walls 3a. The main body section 3 is closed at the lower end by the base section 4, and at the upper end by the top end part 2. In use, liquid is retained within the hollow centre of the bag 1 b - the bag 1b acts as a liquid reservoir. When filled, the bag 1b closely follows the inner contours / inner surface of the bottle 1 b. In this embodiment and the other embodiments described below, ‘closely follow’ can be taken as meaning that the bag 1b is directly in contact with the inner wall surface of the bottle 1 a and follows the contours of the inner wall, across substantially the entirety of the outer surface of the bag 1b.

[0064] The top end part 2 of the bottle 1 a is configured to connect with the bottle walls 3a, and to then narrow from the connection with the walls 3a to a neck 5. The neck 5 has substantially parallel sides and is substantially circular in plan or top view, the upper end of the neck 5 formed as a lip or flange 6 that extends substantially horizontally outwards and then downwards from the upper end, all the way around the upper end. The neck 5 forms a passage having a circular opening 7 to the interior of the bottle 1 a from the top end of the bottle 1 a. The top end of the bag 1 b merges into the neck 5 so that the passage formed by the neck 5 leads into the interior of the bag 1b.

[0065] As best shown in figures 7, 8, and 9, the bottle main body 3 is formed so as to have three side walls 3a connected to one another at their side edges (those edges extending between the top and the lower ends), the walls 3a substantially the same size as one another so that the corners or nodes 3b where the wall connect to one another are spaced substantially equidistant from one another. The side walls 3a curve outwards between the nodes 3b, with the nodes 3b comprising a short smoothly curving section between the sides. In plan or top view the main body 3 has a similar appearance to that of a Reuleaux triangle. That is, in plan view the main body 3 has the form of a triangle with outwardly-curving sides. The profile does not have to take the exact form of a Reuleaux triangle. Where ‘Reuleaux’ is used in this specification, this should be taken to mean ‘having outwardly-curving side walls’, and may include, as part of that set, Reuleaux figures The side walls 3a extend substantially parallel to one another - that is, each wall 3a extends substantially vertically and therefore parallel to the other walls if the nebuliser 1000 is sitting upright on its base on a flat horizontal surface (e.g. similar to as shown in figure 1 ). This should be taken as applying to all of the embodiments described and shown, when walls are described as ‘parallel’ in this specification.

[0066] Each bottle side wall 3a has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm. The thicknesses of the top end part 2 and the base section 4 are greater, and these parts have a greater rigidity than the main body section 3 and do not collapse or significantly distort in normal use.

[0067] Collapsible Bag - Second Embodiment

[0068] A second embodiment of bottle and bag 100 is shown in figures 11 , 12, and 13. In this embodiment, the bottle and bag 100 has a similar structure to that of the first embodiment, with the bottle 100a having parallel sides or walls 103a that form a hollow main body section 103 that contains the bag 100b, the bag 100b closely following the contours of the inner surface of the bottle 100a, and filled with liquid in use. The main body section 103 is closed at the lower end by a base section 104. The base section 104 is substantially the same as described above for the first embodiment.

[0069] In cross-section or plan view, the main body 103 of the bottle 100a has four outwardly-curving sides or walls 103a connected to one another at their side edges (those edges extending between the top and the lower ends) by nodes 103b. The walls 103a are substantially the same size as one another so that the corners or nodes 103b where the walls 103a connect to one another are spaced substantially equidistant from one another. The side walls 103a curve outwards between the nodes 103b. The main body appears generally diamond-shaped in cross-sectional end / plan view.

[0070] As for the previous embodiment, each side wall 103a has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm, with the top end part 102 and the base section 104 having a greater cross-sectional thickness so that these parts have a greater rigidity than the main body section 103 and do not collapse or significantly distort in normal use.

[0071] Collapsible Bag - Third Embodiment

[0072] A third embodiment of bottle and bag 200 is shown in figures 15a to 15e. In this embodiment, the bottle 200a has a similar structure to that of the first embodiment, with parallel sides or walls 203a forming a hollow main body section 203 that contains the bag 200b, the bag 200b closely following the contours of the inner surface of the bottle 200a, when filled with liquid in use. The main body section 203 is closed at the lower end by a base section 204, and the upper end is closed by a top end part 202. The top end part 202 and the base section 204 are substantially the same as described above for the first and second embodiments.

[0073] In cross-section or plan view, the bottle main body 203 has two outwardly-curving sides or walls 203a connected to one another at their side edges or nodes 203b, the walls 203a substantially the same size as one another so that the corners or nodes 203b where the walls 203a connect to one another are spaced substantially equidistant from one another. The side walls 203a curve outwards between the nodes 203b. The nodes 203b curve smoothly between the walls 203a. The main body appears generally oval or almond-shaped in cross-sectional end / plan view - that is, and oval with the two ends slightly pointed.

[0074] As for the previous embodiment, each bottle side wall 203a has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm, with the top end part 202 and the base section 204 having a greater cross-sectional thickness so that these parts have a greater rigidity than the main body section 203 and do not collapse or significantly distort in normal use.

[0075] Collapsible Bag - Fourth Embodiment

[0076] A collapsible bottle and bag 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 15a to 15e. The bottle 300a comprises a top end part 302, a main body section 303, and a base section 304.

[0077] The structure of the bottle 300a in this embodiment is very similar to that of the first embodiment, with the main body section 303 comprising a hollow elongate item with parallel sides or walls 303a, the main body section 303 closed at the lower end by the base section 304 and at the upper end by the top end part 302, with the main body 303 formed so as to have three side walls 303a connected to one another at their side edges or nodes 303b. As for the first embodiment, the walls 303a are substantially the same size as one another so that the corners or nodes 303b where the wall connect to one another are spaced substantially equidistant from one another, with the nodes 303b curving smoothly between the sides. The main body section 303 contains the bag 300b, the bag 300b closely following the contours of the inner surface of the bottle 300a when filled with liquid in use.

[0078] However, in this embodiment, each of the walls 303a is substantially flat or planar between the nodes, with no curve. The side walls extend substantially parallel to one another, and each side wall 3a has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm. The thicknesses of the top end part 302 and the base section 4 are greater, and these parts have a greater rigidity than the main body section 303.

[0079] Collapsible Bag - Fifth Embodiment

[0080] A fifth embodiment of bottle and bag 400 is shown in figures 16a to 16e. In this embodiment, the bottle 400a has a similar structure to that of the previous embodiments, with parallel sides or walls 403a forming a hollow main body section 403 closed at the lower end by a base section 204, and at the upper end by a top end part 402. The top end part 402 and the base section 404 are substantially the same as described above for the first and second embodiments.

[0081] In cross-section or plan view, the main body 403 has a profile or perimeter shape that has the general appearance of a trefoil, with three outwardly-curving lobes 403a spaced at equal intervals from one another around the perimeter (the centrepoint of each lobe spaced substantially 120 degrees from the two neighbouring lobes). The lobes 403a are equivalent to the side walls of the previous embodiments. The connection or node 403b between each lobe comprises a smoothed curve (rather than a sharp corner as would be the case for three overlapping circles). The main body section 403 contains the bag 400b, the bag 400b closely following the contours of the inner surface of the bottle 400a when filled with liquid in use.

[0082] As for the previous embodiment, each lobe 403a has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm, with the top end part 402 and the base section 404 having a greater cross-sectional thickness so that these parts have a greater rigidity than the main body section 403 and do not collapse or significantly distort in normal use.

[0083] It should be noted that as used in this specification, ‘node’ should be taken to indicate a location where there is a transition from one plane or curve to another plane or curve (the ‘separate side walls' referred to in this specification). For example, mathematically, an oval has two vertices at each end of the major axis. In the embodiment of the invention shown in figures 14a - 14e, the nodes 203b correspond roughly to the vertices of an oval, with the (two) separate side walls running between these. Similarly, the bottle of the first embodiment has three nodes as generally indicated by numeral 3b, which correspond roughly to the three vertices of a triangle. The nodes 303b in the embodiment shown in figures 15a - 15e also correspond roughly to the three vertices of a triangle. The ‘nodes’ are not a point, as a vertex would be in a mathematically precise or pure shape. However, the nodes correspond generally to the vertices as this term is used in more mathematically precise shapes and definitions.

[0084] In the embodiments showing a generally triangular bottle, the walls 3a and 303a correspond generally to the walls of a triangle even if curved (as in the first embodiment), or straight (as in the embodiment of figures 15a - 15e).

[0085] Similarly, the bottle of the embodiment shown in figures 11 - 13 has four nodes 103b, the side walls 103a extending between these, the side walls curved (the side walls corresponding to but not exactly the same as a mathematically ‘pure’ square).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bottle and collapsible bag for a pumped liquid delivery device, comprising: a bottle comprising a main body section forming a hollow elongate item having first and second ends, the first end closed, an opening formed in the second end, the opening configured to allow fluid communication from the exterior to the interior of the main body section, the wall or walls of the main body section configured to support its / their own weight; a bag located within the bottle, the bag comprising a body configured to in use hold a volume of liquid,, the bag comprising an opening substantially congruent with the bottle opening; characterised in that the bottle main body section comprises a plurality of separate side walls connected to one another at their side edges; the body of the bag is configured when filled to closely follow the inner contours / inner surface of the bottle, a negative pressure applied to the bag in use causing the bag to collapse within the bottle.

2. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bag is configured to have a volume less than 20ml;3. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottle side walls are arranged substantially parallel to one another.

4. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 3 wherein the bottle side walls are substantially equally sized and shaped.

5. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the bottle further comprises a base section connecting with and closing the first end of the main body section.

6. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the bottle further comprises a top end part closing the second end of the main body section, an opening formed through the top end part, the opening configured to allow access from the exterior to the interior of the main body section.

7. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the bottle side walls are connected at their edges by smoothly curving nodes.

8. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the bottle side walls are shaped and connected to one another so as to curve outwards between the mutual connection at their side edges.

9. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a Reuleaux polygon.

10. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a polygon with outwardly- curving walls.11 . A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a Reuleaux triangle.

12. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view has the overall general form of a triangle with outwardly- curving sides.

13. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially oval-shaped.

14. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially triangle-shaped.

15. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bottle main body in cross-sectional plan view is substantially trefoil-shaped, comprising three outwardly- curving lobes spaced at equal intervals from one another, the node between each lobe comprising a smoothed curve.

16. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the bottle side wall has a thickness of substantially 0.9mm.

17. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the bag has a volume of substantially 4.5ml.

18. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the bag is configured to collapse in steps with substantially between Sul and substantially 50ul removed from that bag at each step, each time a negative pressure is applied to the bag.

19. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in claim 18 wherein the bag is configured so that the volume being removed each time a negative pressure is applied is substantially around 15ul.

20. A bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the bag and bottle are configured so that the application of a negative pressure of less than 20kPa removes substantially between Sul and substantially 50ul from the bag.

21. An inhaler, comprising a bottle and collapsible bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20.

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