Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition. A housing contains the reservoir and has an outlet end and an opposite end. A composition flow path for the flow of the composition extends from the reservoir along the flow path and out of a composition outlet at the outlet end of the housing. A flexible diaphragm within the housing defines an air flow path from an air inlet to an air outlet at the outlet end of the housing, the diaphragm extending past the air flow inlet towards the opposite end separating the air flow path on one side of the diaphragm from the remainder of the housing on the opposite side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid formulation for inhalation into the lungs, comprising an aqueous solution of nicotine or a nicotine analogous molecule, at least one organic and/or inorganic salt, an organic liquid having a viscosity higher than water, and optionally an organic alcohol, wherein the pH of the formulation is greater than pH 7 and the formulation does not include a propellant. There is further disclosed a corresponding method of aerosolising the liquid formulation, a method for delivering nicotine to the user, and an aerosol-generating device.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition, a heater to selectably volatilize at least some components of the composition, and a power source arranged to selectively supply electrical power to the heater when the user inhales from the inhaler. The power source is arranged to heat the heater to a temperature that will volatilize some, but not all of the components of the composition.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition, a heater to selectably volatilise at least some components of the composition, and a power source arranged to selectively supply electrical power to the heater when the user inhales from the inhaler. The power source is arranged to heat the heater to a temperature that will volatilise some, but not all of the components of the composition.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir for an inhalable composition and a heating element and/or vibrating transducer to selectively volatilise at least some components of the composition. A power source supplies electrical power to the heater/transducer when the user inhales from the inhaler. The inhaler further comprises at least one airflow path arranged to draw air in through the inhaler as a user inhales from an inhaling end, and impinge on a plume of composition downstream of the heater/transducer at the inhaling end to reduce the mean particle size of the plume.

Abstract: A combination of an inhaler and a refill pack. The inhaler comprises a reservoir for an inhalable composition, a heating element and/or vibrating transducer to selectively volatilise at least some components of the composition and at least one inhaler capacitor arranged to supply electrical power to the heater and/or vibrating transducer when a user inhales from the inhaler. The refill pack comprises a refill reservoir of inhalable composition and a battery coupled to a refill capacitor, and is arranged to engage with the inhaler and to simultaneously refill the reservoir and recharge the inhaler capacitor from the refill capacitor. The invention also extends to the inhaler and refill pack separately and to a method of refilling and recharging the inhaler.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition with an outlet at one end through which the inhalable composition is discharged. A non-metered breath-activated valve is provided between the one end and the reservoir, the breath-activated valve comprising a flow path extending from the reservoir to the outlet end. At least a portion of the flow path is a deformable tube. A clamping member pinches the deformable tube closed when no suction force is applied to the device and releases the tube to open the flow path when suction is applied at the outlet, to provide uninterrupted flow from the reservoir to the outlet.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition with an outlet at one end through which the inhalable composition is discharged. A non-metered breath-activated valve is provided between the one end and the reservoir, the breath-activated valve comprising a flow path extending from the reservoir to the outlet end. At least a portion of the flow path is a deformable tube. A clamping member pinches the deformable tube closed when no suction force is applied to the device and releases the tube to open the flow path when suction is applied at the outlet, to provide uninterrupted flow from the reservoir to the outlet.

Abstract: Container assembly comprising a container and a top chime fixed to each other, the container having a top part and a peripheral side wall, characterized in that the fixation between the chime and the container is situated at the top part of the container and at a distance from said peripheral side wall.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition. A valve element moved by a flexible diaphragm and biased into a position in which it closes a composition flow path from a reservoir. A first air flow path is partly defined by one side of the diaphragm and a second air flow path is partly defined by the opposite side of the diaphragm. Each flow path has an outlet opening at an outlet end and the second flow path has an inlet upstream of the outlet end. The air flow paths are arranged such that suction at the outlet end causes a reduction in pressure in the first air flow path relative to the pressure in the second air flow path creating a pressure differential across the diaphragm that moves the valve element against the biasing force to open the composition flow path.

Abstract: A simulated cigarette device containing a pressurised reservoir of inhalable composition and an outlet valve controlling the output of the inhalable composition. A capillary plug extends from the vicinity of the outlet to fill a substantial portion of the reservoir and is configured to wick the inhalable composition towards the outlet valve.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a valve assembly, comprising at least one sealing portion and a fixation portion, characterized in that the fixation portion and the at least one sealing portion are connected by a flexible portion.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition. A housing contains the reservoir and has an outlet end and an opposite end. A composition flow path for the flow of the composition extends from the reservoir along the flow path and out of a composition outlet at the outlet end of the housing. A flexible diaphragm within the housing defines an air flow path from an air inlet to an air outlet at the outlet end of the housing, the diaphragm extending past the air flow inlet towards the opposite end separating the air flow path on one side of the diaphragm from the remainder of the housing on the opposite side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition with an outlet at one end through which the inhalable composition is discharged. A non-metered breath-activated valve is provided between the one end and the reservoir, the breath-activated valve comprising a flow path extending from the reservoir to the outlet end. At least a portion of the flow path is a deformable tube. A clamping member pinches the deformable tube closed when no suction force is applied to the device and releases the tube to open the flow path when suction is applied at the outlet, to provide uninterrupted flow from the reservoir to the outlet.

Abstract: Container assembly comprising a container and a chime fixed to each other, the container having an end part and a peripheral side wall, characterized in that the fixation between the chime and the container is situated at the end part of the container and at a distance from said peripheral side wall.

Abstract: A method for fixing a valve assembly to a container, the container comprising a neck portion in a first thermoplastic material and the valve assembly comprising a ring of a second thermoplastic material, the method comprising positioning the valve assembly on or in the container's neck portion to form an interface between the thermoplastic ring and the container's neck portion, characterized in that the method further comprises laser welding the thermoplastic ring to the container's neck portion.

Abstract: Container assembly comprising a container and a top chime fixed to each other, the container having a top part and a peripheral side wall, characterized in that the fixation between the chime and the container is situated at the top part of the container and at a distance from said peripheral side wall.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, comprising at least an inhaler body and a cartridge with one or more compartments each containing one dose of a drug. The compartment has holes to admit air and holes to deliver powder, which, in use, communicate with an inhalation channel in the inhaler body. To prevent the powder from leaking through the compartment holes before use, the air admission holes are of reduced dimension, thereby blocking or hindering powder exit under the force of gravity. When the cartridge is inserted inside the inhaler body, all its holes can be blocked. By sliding the cartridge in relation to the body until the inhalation position is reached, the holes come into in fluid communication with one another and with the inhalation channel, thereby allowing a flow of air to disperse and entrain the dose through the mouthpiece. Five embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is provided for use in an inhaler comprising a pressurised container, and a metering chamber, and a valve mechanism wherein the inlet and outlet valves are separate and can be operated independently. The pressure of the fluid in the canister is used to aid the opening of the outer valve so reducing the force to fire a dose. A variant of the valve mechanism allows the user to select from a range of dose volumes bv appropriate orientation of the stem.