Powder Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler for inhaling powdered medicament from capsules is described. Once the capsule has been placed in the capsule holder ( 3 ) the patient can press an actuating member ( 8 ), which interacts with at least one pin ( 9 ) adapted to be pushed into the capsule holder ( 3 ), causing the medicament to be released. In a preferred embodiment, the actuating member ( 8 ) is constructed as a multi-functional actuating member ( 8 a) wherein, in a first functional position, the closure element ( 6 ) can be disengaged from the lower part ( 1 ) in order to pivot the cover ( 5 ), and wherein, in a second functional position, the mouthpiece ( 4 ) engaging with the plate ( 2 ) can be released from the plate ( 2 ) in such a way that the mouthpiece ( 4 ) can be pivoted away from the lower part ( 1 ).

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An inhaler for inhaling powdered medicament from capsules, comprising 
 a lower part ( 1 )    a plate ( 2 ) capable of latching to the lower part ( 1 ), with which the lower part ( 1 ) can be closed, and a capsule holder ( 3 ) for receiving the capsules which can be countersunk in the lower part ( 1 ),    a mouthpiece ( 4 ) capable of latching to the plate ( 2 ),    a cover ( 5 ) which covers the mouthpiece ( 4 ) in a closed position and latches it by means of a closure element ( 6 ), the lower part ( 1 ), the plate ( 2 ), the mouthpiece ( 4 ) and the cover ( 5 ) being jointed to one another by hinge recesses ( 7   a,    7   b ,  7   c ,  7   d ) and a hinge bolt ( 7   e ); and    an actuating member ( 8 ) which can be set in motion from a resting position and thereby co-operates with at least one pin ( 9 ) that can be pushed into the capsule holder ( 3 );    characterized in that in the lower part ( 1 ) there is at least one operating window ( 24   b ) with functional elements ( 25 ) formed thereon, the minimum of one operating window ( 24   b ) being capable of being pressed into the lower part ( 1 ) in guided and spring-loaded manner and releasing the mouthpiece ( 4 ) latched to the plate ( 2 ) from said plate ( 2 ) by means of the functional elements ( 25 ) ( FIG. 2 ).    
   
   
       22 . The inhaler according to  claim 21 , characterized in that operating windows ( 24   b ) are provided opposite one another in the lower part ( 1 ).  
   
   
       23 . The inhaler according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the functional elements ( 25 ) comprise hooks ( 26 ) and retaining elements ( 27 ) constructed to complement them.  
   
   
       24 . The inhaler according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the hooks ( 26 ) are integrally formed with the minimum of one operating window ( 24   b ).  
   
   
       25 . The inhaler according to  claim 23 , characterized in that the hooks ( 26 ) extend in the manner of crosspieces in the direction of the mouthpiece ( 4 ).  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . The inhaler according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the plate ( 2 ) latched to the lower part ( 1 ) can be released from the lower part ( 1 ) such that the plate ( 2 ) can be pivoted away from the lower part ( 1 ).  
   
   
       28 . The inhaler according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the actuating member ( 8 ) is attached to the plate ( 2 ) such that it can be released from the lower part ( 1 ) and pivoted away together with the plate ( 2 ) latched to the lower part ( 1 ).