Inhalation responsive dispensers

Claim 1

A dispenser (20, 70, 90, 110) for use with an aerosol container (23) having a valve (24) for dispensing aerosol from an outlet in the container, the valve having a hollow stem (25) which is movable relative to the container between an outer closed position and an inner discharging position of the valve, said dispenser including a housing (27,72,91,111) having a mouthpiece (29, 80, 121) and an air passage (26, 76, 99, 119) therethrough terminating at the mouthpiece, the housing being adapted to receive such an aerosol container (23), having a support block (31, 71, 92, 112) with a socket, adapted to receive the stem and a through orifice (32) communicating between the socket and the air passage, and said dispenser including latch means having parts (37, 40, 42, 45; 74, 77, 78; 94, 96, 98; 114, 116, 118) movable between an engaged position in which movement of the container and the support block toward each other upon the application of a force to bias the container and the support block toward each other is prevented and a release position in which movement of the container and the support block toward each other in response to said force is permitted causing the stem to move to its inner discharge position, the latch means comprising a vane (37, 74, 98, 118) mounted on the housing in the air passageway between the orifice and the mouthpiece for movement toward the mouthpiece under the influence of inhalation through the mouthpiece to release the latch means characterised in that the vane (37, 74,98,118) moves toward the mouthpiece (29, 80, 121) from a blocking to a non-blocking position with respect to the passageway (26, 76, 99, 119) in response to inhaling at the mouthpiece (29, 80, 121) and releases the latch means only during the application of said force to bias the container (23) and support block (31, 92,112) toward each other.