Indian Patents. 216858:"A DEVICE AND METHOD OF FIXING A FIRST PART OF A MULTI-PART ASSEMBLY TO A SECOND PART THEREOF"

Title of Invention	"A DEVICE AND METHOD OF FIXING A FIRST PART OF A MULTI-PART ASSEMBLY TO A SECOND PART THEREOF"
Abstract	A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together two parts (100,110) of multi-part assembly and which has a and a weakend zone (113) therein and a use state, in which the ring-like body is split (115) at the weakend zone. 22

Full Text	WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 A FIXATION DEVICE Related Application The present application claims priority from UK patent application No. 0301366.1 filed 21 January 2003, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention The present Invention relates to a fixation device which is for fixing together two parts of a multi-part assembly and which has a ring-like body, hereinafter a "fixation device of the type defined"- Background of the Invention A fixation device of the type defined is disclosed in WO-A-0128887 (Glaxo/Brand et al) for connecting a device housing to the business end of an aerosol canister, the entire content of which publication is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The device housing is for housing a mechanical or electrical device which is to be used with the canister, for instance an actuation Indicator, such as of the type disclosed in WO-A- 9856444 (Glaxo/Rand et al) or a sensor. As shown in FIGURES Ja and Jb of the accompanying drawings, the fixation device I of WO-A-0128887 has a ring-like body 3 of generally C-shape due to the body 3 having an axial split 5. The fixation device I is integrally formed with the split 5 in the body 3. However, whan the fixation device I is mass produced the fixation devices I tend to become WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 entangled with one another on the production line (e.g. in bowl feeders) due to them being integrally formed with the split 5 in the body 3. The aim of the present invention is to provide a fixation device of the type defined which alleviates the problem of entanglement. Summary of the Invention According to the present Invention there is provided a fixation device of the type defined in which the ring-like body is movable from a manufactured state, in which the body is manufactured with an endless angular extent and a weakened zone therein, and a use state, in which the ring-like body is split at the weakened zone. Thus, the problem of entanglement is overcome due to the body being manufactured with an endless angular extent. The split is formed at a later stage through provision of the weakened zone, for instance after a bowl feeder step in an automated production line process. To move the body from the manufactured state to the use state, the weakened zone may be such that the split is formed by applying a radial force on the body, e.g. a radially outward (tensile) force or a radially inward (compressive) force. In an embodiment of the invention, such as hereinafter described, the fixation device is of a plastics material, for instance made by a moulding process, such as injection moulding or the like. 2 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 in an embodiment of the invention, such as hereinafter described, the fixation device is integrally formed with the weakened zone. For instance, the fixation device is moulded with the weakened zone formed therein. The fixation device may consist of the ring-like body. The weakened zone may be a structural discontinuity in the body, e.g. a notch, or a frangible seam, etc. Preferably, the body has a generally C-shape in the use state. Further preferably, the body is of curvilinear form, for instance generally circular. The body may instead have a polygonal shape, e.g. square, hexagonal etc. Typically, the cross-sectional shape of the body is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the surfaces of the first and second parts of the assembly between which the fixation device is to be interposed. Preferably, the split allows the body to be radially expanded when in its use state. More preferably, the body is reversibly radially expandable when in its use state, e.g. the body is resilient so that it has a biasing force which biases the body to a radially contracted configuration. These features enable the fixation device to be custom fitted on one of the assembly parts. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising a first part of a multi-part assembly, a second part of the assembly and a fixation device according to the first aspect for fixing the first and second parts together. 3 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system according to the second aspect in which the fixation device is in its use state interposed between the first and second parts to fix them together. The fixation device is preferably wedged between the first and second parts. The fixation device may be interposed between an outer surface of the first part and an inner surface of the second part. The outer surface of the first part is preferably a re-entrant surface. More preferably, the re-entrant surface is presented by a neck or waist of the first part, in other words the outer surface is a flaring or tapering surface. In an alternative embodiment, the inner surface of the second part is a re-entrant surface, e.g. a flaring or tapering surface. Further preferably, the inner surface is presented by a skirt of the second part which extends about the outer surface of the first part. Preferably, the first part has a longitudinal axis and the fixation device prevents removal of the second part from the first part in a first axial direction. To this end, the outer surface of the first part may flare/taper laterally outvardly in the first direction. In the alternative embodiment, the inner surface of the second part may flare/taper laterally inwardly in the first direction. 4 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 The first and second parts may each have an abutment surface in abutting relation to prevent the second part being removed from the first part in a second axial direction. The abutment surface of the first part is thus axially spaced from the outer surface in the first direction, and may be an end surface of the first part. The inner surface of the second part may be a first inner surface with the abutment surface of the second part being a second inner surface which extends laterally to the first inner surface. Typically, the ring-like body has radially spaced-apart inner and outer circumferential surfaces. Preferably, the inner circumferential surface of the body bears against the outer surface of the first part and the outer circumferential surface bears against the inner surface of the second part. More preferably, the inner circumferential surface has a complementary profile to that of the outer surface of the first part. Preferably, the outer circumferential surface of the body is conjoined to the inner surface of the second part, e.g. through a joint formed, for instance, by adhesive a weld or the like. An ultrasonic weld is particularly preferred. Alternatively, or additionally, the inner circumferential surface may be conjoined to the outer surface of the first part. This is particularly preferred where the inner surface, not the outer surface, is a re-entrant surface. The multi-part assembly may be a product dispenser with the first part a product container. The second part may be an accessory of the dispenser, e.g. in the form of a cap. The second part may have at least a part of an actuator mechanism for actuating the dispenser, or may, as in the exemplary embodiment hereinafter described, be an actuation indicator which indicates actuation of the dispenser, preferably by indicating the number of doses of the product dispensed or left for 5 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 dispensing (a dose counter). The dispenser may be a medicament dispenser with the container containing a medicament. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fixing a first part of a multi-part assembly to a second part thereof which comprises the steps of providing a fixation device which has a ring-like body manufactured with an endless angular extent, forming an axial split in the body and interposing the fixation device between the first and second parts such that the first and second parts are fixed together through the fixation device. The fixation device may correspond to that of the first aspect of the invention. The fixation device may be moved to the use state prior to being interposed between the first and second parts. The fixation device may be radially expanded to the use state by inserting a tapered structure into the body or by inserting a radially expandable structure into the body and then causing the radially expandable structure to radially expand. The first part may have a longitudinal axis, a lateral end surface. and a longitudinal side surface which extends towards the end surface in a first axial direction and which has a profile which tapers laterally outwardly in the first axial direction, and the second part has a longitudinal axis, a lateral surface and a longitudinal skirt, wherein the first and second parts are assembled with the axes aligned, the respective lateral surfaces in bearing relation and the skirt spaced laterally from the tapered profile of the longitudinal surface of the first part, and wherein the body of the fixation device is wedged in a radially expanded condition in the space between the skirt and the tapered profile. The body of the fixation device 6 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 may be conjoined to the skirt and/or the tapered profile, preferably to the skirt. The first part may have a longitudinal axis, a lateral end surface, and a longitudinal side surface which extends towards the end surface in a first axial direction and which has a re-entrant section, and the second part has a longitudinal axis, a lateral surface and a longitudinal skirt, wherein the first and second parts are assembled with the axes aligned, the respective lateral surfaces in bearing relation to prevent removal of the second part from the first part in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, and the skirt disposed adjacent the re-entrant section of the longitudinal surface of the first part, and wherein the body of the fixation device is conjoined to the skirt and in bearing relation with the re- entrant section to prevent the second part being removed from the first part in the first axial direction. The second part may be a cap which is slidingly received on the first part. The first and/or second parts may be of generally cylindrical cross section. To make it easier to conjoin the body of the fixation device to the second part, the body of the fixation device is preferably made from the same material as the mating surface of the second part. In accordance with the present invention, features from the different aspects thereof can be incorporated into the other aspects. 7 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 Other preferred features of the invention are set forth in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention which will now be described with reference to the accompanying FIGURES of drawings. Brief Description of the Figures of Drawings FIGURE 1a is a perspective view of a prior art fixation device having a ring-like body. FIGURE 1b is a schematic, fragmentary side view of the prior art fixation device. FIGURE 2a is a perspective view of a fixation device in accordance with the present invention with the ring-like body in its manufactured state, FIGURE 2b is a schematic, fragmentary side view of the fixation device of FIGURE 2a. FIGURE 2c is a plan view of the fixation device of FIGURE 2a, FIGURE 2d is a cross-sectional side view of the fixation device of FIGURE 2a along line ll-II in FIGURE 2c. FIGURE 2e is a schematic view of the fixation device of FIGURE 2a, but with the ring-like body having been irreversibly moved to its use state. FIGURE 3 is a schematic side view, partly in cross section, of an assembly of an aerosol canister and a cap accessory fixed to one another through the fixation device of FIGURES 2a to 2e. 8 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 FIGURES 4a-c are schematic illustrations of the process in which the cap is fixed to the aerosol canister. Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention In FIGURES 2a to 2d there is shown a fixation device 101 in accordance with the present invention in its manufactured state. The fixation device 101 consists of a resilient, polypropylene ring-like body 103 defined by a circumferential wall 105 which is formed about a longitudinal axis A-A and which has an inner circumferential surface 107 and an outer circumferential surface 109 radially spaced from the inner circumferential surface 107. As shown in FIGURE 2d, the inner circumferential surface 107 is chamfered, whereas the outer circumferential surface 109 is planar over most of its extent in this instance, this gives the body 103 an axial cross section of generally trapezium shape. By providing the body 103 with a cross-sectional shape which is symmetrical about an axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis, as in this instance, allows the fixation device 101 to be used either way up, thereby aiding the assembly process, as will be more fully appreciated after reading the full description of this exemplary embodiment. The body 103 has an outer diameter OD of about I6.5mm and an inner diameter ID of about 13.7mm. The body 103 thus has a wall thickness t of about 1.4mm. The wall 106 has a height h of about 5.2mm. The body 103 is integrally formed with a weakened zone 111 in the form of an axial notch in the circumferential wall 105. This can be 9 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 achieved where the body 103 is, for example, made by a moulding process, for instance an injection moulding process. This gives the circumferential wall 105 a circumferential zone 113 of reduced axial dimension (i.e. height). The circumferential zone 113 can be broken by applying a radial force to the circumferential wall 105. As shown in FIGURE 2e, this results in an axial split 115 being irreversibly formed in the body 103 to give the body 103 a use state having a generally C-shape, as in the prior art fixation device 1 described previously with reference to FIGURES 1a and 1b. However, in contrast to the prior art device 1, the device 101 of the invention does not suffer from the problem of entanglement with other devices on a production line since the body 103 has an endless angular extent on formation thereof. Recalling that the body 103 is resilient, the body 103 in its use state is biased by a radially-inwardly directed biasing force to the radially contracted configuration shown in FIGURE 2e. However, the axial split 115 enables the body 103 to be radially expanded from the contracted radial configuration on application of a radially outward force which is greater than the biasing force. However, when the radially outward force is removed, or reduced to be less than the biasing force, the biasing force causes the body 103 to return to its contracted rest configuration. As will be appreciated, this allows the fixation device 101, in its use state, to be clamped onto an article having an outer diameter which is greater than the inner diameter ID of the body 103. In other words, a custom fit is achieved. 10 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 Referring now to FIGURE 3, the fixation device 101 is shown interposed between a generally cylindrical cap accessory 100 and a generally cylindrical aerosol canister 110 to fix the accessory 100 and the canister 110 together. The aerosol canister 110 comprises as component parts thereof a container 120 containing a pressurised fluid having a dosed base end 130, an open end (not shown) and a neck region 121 beneath the open end, a ferrule 122 closing the open end of the container 120, and a valve mechanism (not shown) supported in the container 120 and including an outlet valve stem 140 which projects through the female 122. By displacing the valve stem 140 into the container 120 a dose of the fluid is dispensed from the aerosol canister 110 through the stem 140. The valve mechanism nay be a metering valve mechanism whereby a metered dose of the fluid is dispensed by the outlet 140 on depression thereof relative to the container 120. The ferrule 122 is secured over the open end of the container 120 by crimping the ferrule 122 into the re-entrant or flaring surface 123 presented by the neck region 121. Thus, the ferrule 122 has a crimped region 124 in the neck region 121 which is caused to adopt the profile of the neck region 121. In other words, the crimped region 124 flares radially outwardly in the direction of the business (outlet) end of the aerosol canister 110. The cap accessory 100 in this non-limting embodiment takes the form of an actuation indicator device which indicates the dispensing of the fluid from the aerosol canister 110. The actuation indicator device 100 has a housing 105, of the same material as the fixation device 101, which defines an internal compartment 115 in which is housed an indexing 11 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 mechanism (not shown) which is indexed on each actuation of the aerosol canister 110 to advance a display, which has indicia to indicate the dispensing of the fluid, in a window 305 of the housing 108 (see FIGURE 4a). The display may be a numeric display which is advanced on each actuation cycle to show the number of doses of the fluid which have been dispensed or still remain. Such an actuation indicator device is disclosed in WO-A-9856444 supra and International patent application No. PCT/EP03/06466, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIGURE 3, the housing 108 has a tubular sleeve or skirt 102 which, is sized to slidingty receive the business end of the aerosol canister 110 along a longitudinal axis B-B. The housing 108 further has a lateral wall 117 which bounds the inner ends of the compartment 115 and the skirt 102. The lateral wall 117 delimits the sliding travel of the business end of the aerosol canister 110 into the skirt 102 by abutting with a transverse end surface 119 of the ferrule 122 at the business end. It will be seen that the length of the skirt 102 is sized so as to be co-extensive with the flaring surface 123 of the neck region 121 of the aerosol canister 110, and hence with the flared crimp region 124 of the ferrule 122, when the lateral wall 117 abuts the ferrule end surface 119. The body 103 of the fixation device 101 is secured around the crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122. In this regard, the body 103 of the fixation device 101 has an inner diameter ID in the rest condition of its use state which is smaller than the outer diameter of the crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122. The body 103 is thus redially expanded on the crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122 so that the inner surface 107 of the body 103 is affixed to the crimped region 124. The skirt 102 of the housing 103, on the other hand, has an inner longitudinal surface 106 which engages the 12 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 outer circumferential surface 109 of the body 103 of the fixation device 101. Thus the fixation device 101 is wedged between the inner longitudinal surface 106 of the skirt 102 and the flaring outer surface of the crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122. The fixation device 101 is welded to the skirt 102 by application of ultrasound energy, e.g. by a series of spot welds. Two sonitrodes (not shown) are generally employed in the welding process, each sonitrode having three pins which are pushed into contact with the skirt 102. Energy is transferred through the sonitrode pins, causing them to vibrate and fuse the skirt 102 to the outer circumferential surface 109 of the body 103 of the fixation device 101. Alternatively, one continuous weld may be employed by moving the sonitrode head relative to the skirt 102. It can therefore be seen that the fixation device 101 acts to fix the actuation indicator device 100 to the business end of the aerosol canister 110. Movement of the actuation indicator device 100 along the longitudinal axis B-B towards the base 130 of the aerosol container 120 is prevented by the abutment of the lateral wall 117 of the housing 108 and the ferrule end surface 119, while axial movement in the opposite direction is prevented by the fixation device 101 as the fixation device 101 is welded to the skirt 102 and wedged against the crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122 which flares radially outwardly in that direction. FIGURES 4a-c illustrate the process whereby the fixation device 101 is fitted around the neck 121 of the aerosol container 120 and welded 10 tubular skirt 102 of the housing 105. FIGURE 43 is an exploded view showing the fixation device 101 in its use state positioned between the canister 110 and the actuation 13 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 indicator device 100, FIGURE 4b shows the fixation device 101 slipped around the neck 121 of the canister 110. This is done by opening the fixation device 101, sliding it over the business end of the container 120 and then allowing the return force of the body 103 to close the fixation device 101 onto the neck 121. As shown In FIGURE 4c, the fixation device 101 is slid over the canister 110 in the direction of arrow A thereby causing the body 103 to radially expand due to the interaction of the chambered inner circumferential surface 107 of the body 103 with the flaring surface of the neck region 121 and the crimped ferrule region 124. Meanwhile, the housing 108 is positioned over the business end of the canister 110 by being pressed down in the direction of arrow B. In this way, the lateral wall 117 of the housing 108 abuts the ferrule end surface 119 and the fixation device 101 is wedged between the skirt 102 and the crimped ferrule region 124. The fixation device 101 is then joined 10 the skirt 102 by ultrasonic welding at the points indicated by arrows C, thereby securing the housing 108 to the canister 110. The aerosol canister 110 may be for dispensing metered doses of a medicament in which case the container contains a pressurised medicament fluid, for instance a medicament in a liquified gas propellant, e.g. a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant such as HFA-I34a or HFA-227. The aerosol canister may be for use in an inhalation device, in which case the medicament may be for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as XXX and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Appropriate medicaments way thus be setected from, for example, analgesics, e.g., codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl or morphine; anginal preparation, e.g., dilliazern ; antiallergics, e.g., cromoglycate (e.g. s the sodium salt), Ketotilen or nedocromil (e.g. as the sodium salt) ; 14 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 antiinfectives e.g., cephalosporins, penicillins, streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine: antihistamines, e.g., methapyrilene ; anti-inflammatories, e.g., beclomethasone (e.g. as the dipropionate ester), fluticasone (e.g. as the propionate ester). Flunisolide, budesonide, rofleponide, mometasone e.g. as the furoate ester), ciclesonide, triamcinolone (e.g. as the acetonide) or 6a, 9a- difluoro-11 a- hydraxy-16a-methy)-3-oxo-17a-propionyloxy-androsta-1, 4-diene-1 7p- carbothioic acid S- (2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl) ester; antilussives, e.g., noscapine; bronchodilators, e.g., albuterol (e.g. as free base or sulphate), salmeterol (e.g. as xinafoate), ephedrine, adrenaline, fenoterol (e.g. as hydrobromide), formoterol (e.g. as fumarate), isoprenaline, metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbulerol (e.g. as acetate), reproterol (e.g. as hydrochloride), rimilerol, terbutaline (e.g. as sulphate), isoetharine, tulobulerol or 4-hydroxy-7- [2- [ [2- [ [3- (2- phenylethoxy) propyl] sulfonyl] ethyl] amino] ethyl-2 (3H)-banzothiazolone ; adenosine 2a agonists, e.g. 2R, 3R, 4S. 5R)-2-[6-Amino-2-(1 S- hydroxymethyI-2-pheny-ethylamino)- purin-S-yl]-5- (2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-S- yl)-tetrahydro-furan-3, 4-diol (e.g. as maleate) ; a4 integrin inhibitors e.g. (2S)-3- [4- ( { [4- (aminocarbonyl)-piperidinyl] carbonyl) oxy) phenyl]-2-[ ( (2S)-4-methyl-2- ( [2- [2-methylphenoxy) acetyl] amino] pentanoyl) amino] propanoic acid (e.g. as free acid or potassium salt), diuretics, e.g., amiloride ; anticholinergics, e.g., ipratropium (e.g. as bromide), tiotropium, atropine or oxitropium; hormones, e.g., cortisone, hydrocortisone or XXX ; xanthines, e.g., aminophylline, choline thaophyllinate, lysine theophyllinate or theophylline ; therapeutic proteins and peptides, e.g., insulin or glucagon ; vaccines, diagnostics and gens therapies. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, where appropriate, the medicaments may be used in the form of salts, (e.g., as alkali metal or amins salts or as acid addtion salts) or as esters (e.g., lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (e.g., hydrates) to optimise the activity and/or stability of the 15 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 medicament and for to minimise the solubility of the medicament in the propellant. Preferred medicaments are selected from albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate and bectomethasone dipropionate and salts or solvates thereof, e.g., the sulphate of albuterol and the xinafoate of salmeteral. Medicaments can also be delivered in combinations. Preferred formulations containing combinations of active ingredients contain salbutamol (e.g., as the free base or the sulphate salt) or salmeterol (e.g. as the xinafoate salt) or formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt) in combination with an anti-inflammatory steroid such as a beclomethasone ester (e.g. the dipropionate) or a fluticasone ester (e.g., the propionate) or budesonide. A particularly preferred combination is a combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, or a salt thereof (particularly the xinafoate salt). A further combination of particular interest is budesonide and formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt). It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment, but may be varied, modified and adopt other guises within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, for the avoidance of doubt, the exemplary embodiment may be modified to incorporate one or more of the features from the claims and the statements in the 'Summary of the invention' above. Furthermore, the use of the terms "generally" and "about" as a prefix for certain parameters, for instance geometrical profiles and numerical values, is meant to include the exact parameter. Finally, the inclusion in the claims of reference numerals from the FIGURES of drawings is solely for illustrative purposes, and thus not to be 16 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 taken as having a limiting effect on the scope of the monopoly sought. 17 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 CLAIMS 1. A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a second part (100) of the assembly, the device having a ring-like body (103) which is movable from a manufactured state, in which the body is manufactured with an endless angular extent and a weakened zone (113) therein, and a use state, in which the ring-like body is split (115) at the weakened zone. 2. The device of claim 1 in which the fixation device consists at the ring-like body. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2 in which the weakened zone is a structural discontinuity in the body. 4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the split allows the body to be radially expanded when in its use state. 5. The device of claim 4 in which the body is reversibly radially expandable when in its use state. 6. A system comprising a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly, a second part (100) of the assembly and a fixation device (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for fixing the first and second parts together. 7. A system according to claim 6 in which the fixation device is in its use slate interposed between the first and second parts to the them together. 18 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 8. The system of claim 7 in which the fixation device is wedged between the first and second parts. 9. The system of claim 7 or 8 in which the fixation device is interposed between an outer surface (124) of the first part and an inner surface (106) of the second part. 10. The system of claim 9 in which one of the surfaces is a re-entrant surface. 11. The system of claim 10 in which the re-entrant surface is the outer surface of the first part. 12. The system of claim 9, 10 or 11 in which the inner surface is presented by a skirt of the second part which extends about the outer surface of the first part. 13. The system of any one of claims 7 to 12 in which the first part has a longitudinal axis and the fixation device prevents removal of the second part from the first part in a first axial direction. 14. The system of claim 13 in which the first and second parts each have an abutment surface in abutting relation to prevent the second part being removed from the first part in a second axial direction. 15. The system of any one of claims 6 to 14 in which the multi-part assembly is a product dispenser with the first part a product container. I6. The system of claim 15 in which the second part 15 an accessory of the dispenser. 19 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 17. The system of any one of claims 7 to 16 in which the first part has a longitudinal axis (B-B), a lateral end surface (119), and a longitudinal side surface (121,124) which extends towards the end surface in a first axial direction and which has a profile which tapers laterally outwardly in the first axial direction, and the second part has a longitudinal axis (B-B), a lateral surface (117) and a longitudinal skirt (102), wherein the first and second parts are able to be assembled with the axes aligned, the respective lateral surfaces in bearing relation and the skirt spaced laterally from the tapered profile of the longitudinal surface of the first part, and wherein the body (103) of the fixation device is adapted in use to be wedged in a radially expanded condition in the space between the skirt and the tapered profile. 18. The system of claim 17 in which the body of the fixation device is conjoined to the skirt and/or the tapered profile. 19. A method of fixing a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a second part (110) thereof which comprises the steps of providing a fixation device (101) having a ring-like body (103) which is manufactured with an endless angular extent forming an axial split in the body and interposing the fixation device between the first and second parts such that the first and second parts are fixed together through the fixation device. 20. The method of claim 19 in which the fixation device is according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 21. A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a second part (100) of the assembly 20 WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. 22. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with inference to FIGURES 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. 23. A method of fixing a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a second part (100) of the assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. 21 A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together two parts (100,110) of multi-part assembly and which has a and a weakend zone (113) therein and a use state, in which the ring-like body is split (115) at the weakend zone. 22

Full Text

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
A FIXATION DEVICE
Related Application
The present application claims priority from UK patent application
No. 0301366.1 filed 21 January 2003, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the Invention
The present Invention relates to a fixation device which is for fixing
together two parts of a multi-part assembly and which has a ring-like body,
hereinafter a "fixation device of the type defined"-
Background of the Invention
A fixation device of the type defined is disclosed in WO-A-0128887
(Glaxo/Brand et al) for connecting a device housing to the business end of
an aerosol canister, the entire content of which publication is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. The device housing is for housing a
mechanical or electrical device which is to be used with the canister, for
instance an actuation Indicator, such as of the type disclosed in WO-A-
9856444 (Glaxo/Rand et al) or a sensor.
As shown in FIGURES Ja and Jb of the accompanying drawings,
the fixation device I of WO-A-0128887 has a ring-like body 3 of generally
C-shape due to the body 3 having an axial split 5. The fixation device I is
integrally formed with the split 5 in the body 3. However, whan the fixation
device I is mass produced the fixation devices I tend to become

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
entangled with one another on the production line (e.g. in bowl feeders)
due to them being integrally formed with the split 5 in the body 3.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a fixation device of
the type defined which alleviates the problem of entanglement.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present Invention there is provided a fixation
device of the type defined in which the ring-like body is movable from a
manufactured state, in which the body is manufactured with an endless
angular extent and a weakened zone therein, and a use state, in which the
ring-like body is split at the weakened zone.
Thus, the problem of entanglement is overcome due to the body
being manufactured with an endless angular extent. The split is formed at
a later stage through provision of the weakened zone, for instance after a
bowl feeder step in an automated production line process.
To move the body from the manufactured state to the use state, the
weakened zone may be such that the split is formed by applying a radial
force on the body, e.g. a radially outward (tensile) force or a radially
inward (compressive) force.
In an embodiment of the invention, such as hereinafter described,
the fixation device is of a plastics material, for instance made by a
moulding process, such as injection moulding or the like.
2

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
in an embodiment of the invention, such as hereinafter described,
the fixation device is integrally formed with the weakened zone. For
instance, the fixation device is moulded with the weakened zone formed
therein.
The fixation device may consist of the ring-like body.
The weakened zone may be a structural discontinuity in the body,
e.g. a notch, or a frangible seam, etc.
Preferably, the body has a generally C-shape in the use state.
Further preferably, the body is of curvilinear form, for instance
generally circular. The body may instead have a polygonal shape, e.g.
square, hexagonal etc. Typically, the cross-sectional shape of the body is
complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the surfaces of the first
and second parts of the assembly between which the fixation device is to
be interposed.
Preferably, the split allows the body to be radially expanded when
in its use state. More preferably, the body is reversibly radially
expandable when in its use state, e.g. the body is resilient so that it has a
biasing force which biases the body to a radially contracted configuration.
These features enable the fixation device to be custom fitted on one of the
assembly parts.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
system comprising a first part of a multi-part assembly, a second part of
the assembly and a fixation device according to the first aspect for fixing
the first and second parts together.
3

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a
system according to the second aspect in which the fixation device is in its
use state interposed between the first and second parts to fix them
together.
The fixation device is preferably wedged between the first and
second parts.
The fixation device may be interposed between an outer surface of
the first part and an inner surface of the second part.
The outer surface of the first part is preferably a re-entrant surface.
More preferably, the re-entrant surface is presented by a neck or waist of
the first part, in other words the outer surface is a flaring or tapering
surface.
In an alternative embodiment, the inner surface of the second part
is a re-entrant surface, e.g. a flaring or tapering surface.
Further preferably, the inner surface is presented by a skirt of the
second part which extends about the outer surface of the first part.
Preferably, the first part has a longitudinal axis and the fixation
device prevents removal of the second part from the first part in a first
axial direction. To this end, the outer surface of the first part may
flare/taper laterally outvardly in the first direction. In the alternative
embodiment, the inner surface of the second part may flare/taper laterally
inwardly in the first direction.
4

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
The first and second parts may each have an abutment surface in
abutting relation to prevent the second part being removed from the first
part in a second axial direction. The abutment surface of the first part is
thus axially spaced from the outer surface in the first direction, and may be
an end surface of the first part. The inner surface of the second part may
be a first inner surface with the abutment surface of the second part being
a second inner surface which extends laterally to the first inner surface.
Typically, the ring-like body has radially spaced-apart inner and
outer circumferential surfaces. Preferably, the inner circumferential
surface of the body bears against the outer surface of the first part and the
outer circumferential surface bears against the inner surface of the second
part. More preferably, the inner circumferential surface has a
complementary profile to that of the outer surface of the first part.
Preferably, the outer circumferential surface of the body is
conjoined to the inner surface of the second part, e.g. through a joint
formed, for instance, by adhesive a weld or the like. An ultrasonic weld is
particularly preferred. Alternatively, or additionally, the inner
circumferential surface may be conjoined to the outer surface of the first
part. This is particularly preferred where the inner surface, not the outer
surface, is a re-entrant surface.
The multi-part assembly may be a product dispenser with the first
part a product container. The second part may be an accessory of the
dispenser, e.g. in the form of a cap. The second part may have at least a
part of an actuator mechanism for actuating the dispenser, or may, as in
the exemplary embodiment hereinafter described, be an actuation
indicator which indicates actuation of the dispenser, preferably by
indicating the number of doses of the product dispensed or left for
5

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
dispensing (a dose counter). The dispenser may be a medicament
dispenser with the container containing a medicament.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a
method of fixing a first part of a multi-part assembly to a second part
thereof which comprises the steps of providing a fixation device which has
a ring-like body manufactured with an endless angular extent, forming an
axial split in the body and interposing the fixation device between the first
and second parts such that the first and second parts are fixed together
through the fixation device. The fixation device may correspond to that of
the first aspect of the invention.
The fixation device may be moved to the use state prior to being
interposed between the first and second parts.
The fixation device may be radially expanded to the use state by
inserting a tapered structure into the body or by inserting a radially
expandable structure into the body and then causing the radially
expandable structure to radially expand.
The first part may have a longitudinal axis, a lateral end surface.
and a longitudinal side surface which extends towards the end surface in a
first axial direction and which has a profile which tapers laterally outwardly
in the first axial direction, and the second part has a longitudinal axis, a
lateral surface and a longitudinal skirt, wherein the first and second parts
are assembled with the axes aligned, the respective lateral surfaces in
bearing relation and the skirt spaced laterally from the tapered profile of
the longitudinal surface of the first part, and wherein the body of the
fixation device is wedged in a radially expanded condition in the space
between the skirt and the tapered profile. The body of the fixation device
6

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
may be conjoined to the skirt and/or the tapered profile, preferably to the
skirt.
The first part may have a longitudinal axis, a lateral end surface,
and a longitudinal side surface which extends towards the end surface in a
first axial direction and which has a re-entrant section, and the second part
has a longitudinal axis, a lateral surface and a longitudinal skirt, wherein
the first and second parts are assembled with the axes aligned, the
respective lateral surfaces in bearing relation to prevent removal of the
second part from the first part in a second axial direction opposite to the
first axial direction, and the skirt disposed adjacent the re-entrant section
of the longitudinal surface of the first part, and wherein the body of the
fixation device is conjoined to the skirt and in bearing relation with the re-
entrant section to prevent the second part being removed from the first
part in the first axial direction.
The second part may be a cap which is slidingly received on the
first part.
The first and/or second parts may be of generally cylindrical cross
section.
To make it easier to conjoin the body of the fixation device to the
second part, the body of the fixation device is preferably made from the
same material as the mating surface of the second part.
In accordance with the present invention, features from the different
aspects thereof can be incorporated into the other aspects.
7

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
Other preferred features of the invention are set forth in the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention which will now be
described with reference to the accompanying FIGURES of drawings.
Brief Description of the Figures of Drawings
FIGURE 1a is a perspective view of a prior art fixation device
having a ring-like body.
FIGURE 1b is a schematic, fragmentary side view of the prior art
fixation device.
FIGURE 2a is a perspective view of a fixation device in accordance
with the present invention with the ring-like body in its manufactured state,
FIGURE 2b is a schematic, fragmentary side view of the fixation
device of FIGURE 2a.
FIGURE 2c is a plan view of the fixation device of FIGURE 2a,
FIGURE 2d is a cross-sectional side view of the fixation device of
FIGURE 2a along line ll-II in FIGURE 2c.
FIGURE 2e is a schematic view of the fixation device of FIGURE
2a, but with the ring-like body having been irreversibly moved to its use
state.
FIGURE 3 is a schematic side view, partly in cross section, of an
assembly of an aerosol canister and a cap accessory fixed to one another
through the fixation device of FIGURES 2a to 2e.
8

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
FIGURES 4a-c are schematic illustrations of the process in which
the cap is fixed to the aerosol canister.
Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention
In FIGURES 2a to 2d there is shown a fixation device 101 in
accordance with the present invention in its manufactured state. The
fixation device 101 consists of a resilient, polypropylene ring-like body 103
defined by a circumferential wall 105 which is formed about a longitudinal
axis A-A and which has an inner circumferential surface 107 and an outer
circumferential surface 109 radially spaced from the inner circumferential
surface 107.
As shown in FIGURE 2d, the inner circumferential surface 107 is
chamfered, whereas the outer circumferential surface 109 is planar over
most of its extent in this instance, this gives the body 103 an axial cross
section of generally trapezium shape. By providing the body 103 with a
cross-sectional shape which is symmetrical about an axis which is
transverse to the longitudinal axis, as in this instance, allows the fixation
device 101 to be used either way up, thereby aiding the assembly
process, as will be more fully appreciated after reading the full description
of this exemplary embodiment.
The body 103 has an outer diameter OD of about I6.5mm and an
inner diameter ID of about 13.7mm. The body 103 thus has a wall
thickness t of about 1.4mm. The wall 106 has a height h of about 5.2mm.
The body 103 is integrally formed with a weakened zone 111 in the
form of an axial notch in the circumferential wall 105. This can be
9

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
achieved where the body 103 is, for example, made by a moulding
process, for instance an injection moulding process. This gives the
circumferential wall 105 a circumferential zone 113 of reduced axial
dimension (i.e. height).
The circumferential zone 113 can be broken by applying a radial
force to the circumferential wall 105. As shown in FIGURE 2e, this results
in an axial split 115 being irreversibly formed in the body 103 to give the
body 103 a use state having a generally C-shape, as in the prior art
fixation device 1 described previously with reference to FIGURES 1a and
1b.
However, in contrast to the prior art device 1, the device 101 of the
invention does not suffer from the problem of entanglement with other
devices on a production line since the body 103 has an endless angular
extent on formation thereof.
Recalling that the body 103 is resilient, the body 103 in its use state
is biased by a radially-inwardly directed biasing force to the radially
contracted configuration shown in FIGURE 2e. However, the axial split
115 enables the body 103 to be radially expanded from the contracted
radial configuration on application of a radially outward force which is
greater than the biasing force. However, when the radially outward force
is removed, or reduced to be less than the biasing force, the biasing force
causes the body 103 to return to its contracted rest configuration. As will
be appreciated, this allows the fixation device 101, in its use state, to be
clamped onto an article having an outer diameter which is greater than the
inner diameter ID of the body 103. In other words, a custom fit is achieved.
10

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
Referring now to FIGURE 3, the fixation device 101 is shown
interposed between a generally cylindrical cap accessory 100 and a
generally cylindrical aerosol canister 110 to fix the accessory 100 and the
canister 110 together.
The aerosol canister 110 comprises as component parts thereof a
container 120 containing a pressurised fluid having a dosed base end
130, an open end (not shown) and a neck region 121 beneath the open
end, a ferrule 122 closing the open end of the container 120, and a valve
mechanism (not shown) supported in the container 120 and including an
outlet valve stem 140 which projects through the female 122. By displacing
the valve stem 140 into the container 120 a dose of the fluid is dispensed
from the aerosol canister 110 through the stem 140. The valve mechanism
nay be a metering valve mechanism whereby a metered dose of the fluid
is dispensed by the outlet 140 on depression thereof relative to the
container 120.
The ferrule 122 is secured over the open end of the container 120
by crimping the ferrule 122 into the re-entrant or flaring surface 123
presented by the neck region 121. Thus, the ferrule 122 has a crimped
region 124 in the neck region 121 which is caused to adopt the profile of
the neck region 121. In other words, the crimped region 124 flares radially
outwardly in the direction of the business (outlet) end of the aerosol
canister 110.
The cap accessory 100 in this non-limting embodiment takes the
form of an actuation indicator device which indicates the dispensing of the
fluid from the aerosol canister 110. The actuation indicator device 100
has a housing 105, of the same material as the fixation device 101, which
defines an internal compartment 115 in which is housed an indexing
11

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
mechanism (not shown) which is indexed on each actuation of the aerosol
canister 110 to advance a display, which has indicia to indicate the
dispensing of the fluid, in a window 305 of the housing 108 (see FIGURE
4a). The display may be a numeric display which is advanced on each
actuation cycle to show the number of doses of the fluid which have been
dispensed or still remain. Such an actuation indicator device is disclosed
in WO-A-9856444 supra and International patent application No.
PCT/EP03/06466, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
As shown in FIGURE 3, the housing 108 has a tubular sleeve or
skirt 102 which, is sized to slidingty receive the business end of the aerosol
canister 110 along a longitudinal axis B-B. The housing 108 further has a
lateral wall 117 which bounds the inner ends of the compartment 115 and
the skirt 102. The lateral wall 117 delimits the sliding travel of the
business end of the aerosol canister 110 into the skirt 102 by abutting with
a transverse end surface 119 of the ferrule 122 at the business end. It will
be seen that the length of the skirt 102 is sized so as to be co-extensive
with the flaring surface 123 of the neck region 121 of the aerosol canister
110, and hence with the flared crimp region 124 of the ferrule 122, when
the lateral wall 117 abuts the ferrule end surface 119.
The body 103 of the fixation device 101 is secured around the
crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122. In this regard, the body 103 of the
fixation device 101 has an inner diameter ID in the rest condition of its use
state which is smaller than the outer diameter of the crimped region 124 of
the ferrule 122. The body 103 is thus redially expanded on the crimped
region 124 of the ferrule 122 so that the inner surface 107 of the body 103
is affixed to the crimped region 124. The skirt 102 of the housing 103, on
the other hand, has an inner longitudinal surface 106 which engages the
12

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
outer circumferential surface 109 of the body 103 of the fixation device
101. Thus the fixation device 101 is wedged between the inner
longitudinal surface 106 of the skirt 102 and the flaring outer surface of the
crimped region 124 of the ferrule 122.
The fixation device 101 is welded to the skirt 102 by application of
ultrasound energy, e.g. by a series of spot welds. Two sonitrodes (not
shown) are generally employed in the welding process, each sonitrode
having three pins which are pushed into contact with the skirt 102. Energy
is transferred through the sonitrode pins, causing them to vibrate and fuse
the skirt 102 to the outer circumferential surface 109 of the body 103 of
the fixation device 101. Alternatively, one continuous weld may be
employed by moving the sonitrode head relative to the skirt 102.
It can therefore be seen that the fixation device 101 acts to fix the
actuation indicator device 100 to the business end of the aerosol canister
110. Movement of the actuation indicator device 100 along the
longitudinal axis B-B towards the base 130 of the aerosol container 120 is
prevented by the abutment of the lateral wall 117 of the housing 108 and
the ferrule end surface 119, while axial movement in the opposite direction
is prevented by the fixation device 101 as the fixation device 101 is
welded to the skirt 102 and wedged against the crimped region 124 of the
ferrule 122 which flares radially outwardly in that direction.
FIGURES 4a-c illustrate the process whereby the fixation device
101 is fitted around the neck 121 of the aerosol container 120 and welded
10 tubular skirt 102 of the housing 105.
FIGURE 43 is an exploded view showing the fixation device 101 in
its use state positioned between the canister 110 and the actuation
13

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
indicator device 100, FIGURE 4b shows the fixation device 101 slipped
around the neck 121 of the canister 110. This is done by opening the
fixation device 101, sliding it over the business end of the container 120
and then allowing the return force of the body 103 to close the fixation
device 101 onto the neck 121. As shown In FIGURE 4c, the fixation
device 101 is slid over the canister 110 in the direction of arrow A thereby
causing the body 103 to radially expand due to the interaction of the
chambered inner circumferential surface 107 of the body 103 with the
flaring surface of the neck region 121 and the crimped ferrule region 124.
Meanwhile, the housing 108 is positioned over the business end of the
canister 110 by being pressed down in the direction of arrow B. In this
way, the lateral wall 117 of the housing 108 abuts the ferrule end surface
119 and the fixation device 101 is wedged between the skirt 102 and the
crimped ferrule region 124.
The fixation device 101 is then joined 10 the skirt 102 by ultrasonic
welding at the points indicated by arrows C, thereby securing the housing
108 to the canister 110.
The aerosol canister 110 may be for dispensing metered doses of a
medicament in which case the container contains a pressurised
medicament fluid, for instance a medicament in a liquified gas propellant,
e.g. a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant such as HFA-I34a or HFA-227.
The aerosol canister may be for use in an inhalation device, in which case
the medicament may be for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as
XXX and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Appropriate
medicaments way thus be setected from, for example, analgesics, e.g.,
codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl or morphine; anginal
preparation, e.g., dilliazern ; antiallergics, e.g., cromoglycate (e.g. s the
sodium salt), Ketotilen or nedocromil (e.g. as the sodium salt) ;
14

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
antiinfectives e.g., cephalosporins, penicillins, streptomycin,
sulphonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine: antihistamines, e.g.,
methapyrilene ; anti-inflammatories, e.g., beclomethasone (e.g. as the
dipropionate ester), fluticasone (e.g. as the propionate ester). Flunisolide,
budesonide, rofleponide, mometasone e.g. as the furoate ester),
ciclesonide, triamcinolone (e.g. as the acetonide) or 6a, 9a- difluoro-11 a-
hydraxy-16a-methy)-3-oxo-17a-propionyloxy-androsta-1, 4-diene-1 7p-
carbothioic acid S- (2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl) ester; antilussives, e.g.,
noscapine; bronchodilators, e.g., albuterol (e.g. as free base or sulphate),
salmeterol (e.g. as xinafoate), ephedrine, adrenaline, fenoterol (e.g. as
hydrobromide), formoterol (e.g. as fumarate), isoprenaline,
metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbulerol (e.g. as
acetate), reproterol (e.g. as hydrochloride), rimilerol, terbutaline (e.g. as
sulphate), isoetharine, tulobulerol or 4-hydroxy-7- [2- [ [2- [ [3- (2-
phenylethoxy) propyl] sulfonyl] ethyl] amino] ethyl-2 (3H)-banzothiazolone
; adenosine 2a agonists, e.g. 2R, 3R, 4S. 5R)-2-[6-Amino-2-(1 S-
hydroxymethyI-2-pheny-ethylamino)- purin-S-yl]-5- (2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-S-
yl)-tetrahydro-furan-3, 4-diol (e.g. as maleate) ; a4 integrin inhibitors e.g.
(2S)-3- [4- ( { [4- (aminocarbonyl)-piperidinyl] carbonyl) oxy) phenyl]-2-[
( (2S)-4-methyl-2- ( [2- [2-methylphenoxy) acetyl] amino] pentanoyl)
amino] propanoic acid (e.g. as free acid or potassium salt), diuretics, e.g.,
amiloride ; anticholinergics, e.g., ipratropium (e.g. as bromide), tiotropium,
atropine or oxitropium; hormones, e.g., cortisone, hydrocortisone or
XXX ; xanthines, e.g., aminophylline, choline thaophyllinate,
lysine theophyllinate or theophylline ; therapeutic proteins and peptides,
e.g., insulin or glucagon ; vaccines, diagnostics and gens therapies. It will
be clear to a person skilled in the art that, where appropriate, the
medicaments may be used in the form of salts, (e.g., as alkali metal or
amins salts or as acid addtion salts) or as esters (e.g., lower alkyl esters)
or as solvates (e.g., hydrates) to optimise the activity and/or stability of the
15

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
medicament and for to minimise the solubility of the medicament in the
propellant. Preferred medicaments are selected from albuterol, salmeterol,
fluticasone propionate and bectomethasone dipropionate and salts or
solvates thereof, e.g., the sulphate of albuterol and the xinafoate of
salmeteral.
Medicaments can also be delivered in combinations. Preferred
formulations containing combinations of active ingredients contain
salbutamol (e.g., as the free base or the sulphate salt) or salmeterol (e.g.
as the xinafoate salt) or formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt) in
combination with an anti-inflammatory steroid such as a beclomethasone
ester (e.g. the dipropionate) or a fluticasone ester (e.g., the propionate) or
budesonide. A particularly preferred combination is a combination of
fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, or a salt thereof (particularly the
xinafoate salt). A further combination of particular interest is budesonide
and formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt).
It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
exemplary embodiment, but may be varied, modified and adopt other
guises within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, for the
avoidance of doubt, the exemplary embodiment may be modified to
incorporate one or more of the features from the claims and the
statements in the 'Summary of the invention' above. Furthermore, the use
of the terms "generally" and "about" as a prefix for certain parameters, for
instance geometrical profiles and numerical values, is meant to include the
exact parameter.
Finally, the inclusion in the claims of reference numerals from the
FIGURES of drawings is solely for illustrative purposes, and thus not to be
16

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
taken as having a limiting effect on the scope of the monopoly sought.
17

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
CLAIMS
1. A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together a first part (110)
of a multi-part assembly to a second part (100) of the assembly, the
device having a ring-like body (103) which is movable from a
manufactured state, in which the body is manufactured with an endless
angular extent and a weakened zone (113) therein, and a use state, in
which the ring-like body is split (115) at the weakened zone.
2. The device of claim 1 in which the fixation device consists at the
ring-like body.
3. The device of claim 1 or 2 in which the weakened zone is a
structural discontinuity in the body.
4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the split allows the body to be
radially expanded when in its use state.
5. The device of claim 4 in which the body is reversibly radially
expandable when in its use state.
6. A system comprising a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly, a
second part (100) of the assembly and a fixation device (101) according to
any one of claims 1 to 5 for fixing the first and second parts together.
7. A system according to claim 6 in which the fixation device is in its
use slate interposed between the first and second parts to the them
together.
18

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
8. The system of claim 7 in which the fixation device is wedged
between the first and second parts.
9. The system of claim 7 or 8 in which the fixation device is interposed
between an outer surface (124) of the first part and an inner surface (106)
of the second part.
10. The system of claim 9 in which one of the surfaces is a re-entrant
surface.
11. The system of claim 10 in which the re-entrant surface is the outer
surface of the first part.
12. The system of claim 9, 10 or 11 in which the inner surface is
presented by a skirt of the second part which extends about the outer
surface of the first part.
13. The system of any one of claims 7 to 12 in which the first part has a
longitudinal axis and the fixation device prevents removal of the second
part from the first part in a first axial direction.
14. The system of claim 13 in which the first and second parts each
have an abutment surface in abutting relation to prevent the second part
being removed from the first part in a second axial direction.
15. The system of any one of claims 6 to 14 in which the multi-part
assembly is a product dispenser with the first part a product container.
I6. The system of claim 15 in which the second part 15 an accessory of
the dispenser.
19

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
17. The system of any one of claims 7 to 16 in which the first part has a
longitudinal axis (B-B), a lateral end surface (119), and a longitudinal side
surface (121,124) which extends towards the end surface in a first axial
direction and which has a profile which tapers laterally outwardly in the
first axial direction, and the second part has a longitudinal axis (B-B), a
lateral surface (117) and a longitudinal skirt (102), wherein the first and
second parts are able to be assembled with the axes aligned, the
respective lateral surfaces in bearing relation and the skirt spaced laterally
from the tapered profile of the longitudinal surface of the first part, and
wherein the body (103) of the fixation device is adapted in use to be
wedged in a radially expanded condition in the space between the skirt
and the tapered profile.
18. The system of claim 17 in which the body of the fixation device is
conjoined to the skirt and/or the tapered profile.
19. A method of fixing a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a
second part (110) thereof which comprises the steps of providing a fixation
device (101) having a ring-like body (103) which is manufactured with an
endless angular extent forming an axial split in the body and interposing
the fixation device between the first and second parts such that the first
and second parts are fixed together through the fixation device.
20. The method of claim 19 in which the fixation device is according to
any one of claims 1 to 5.
21. A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together a first part (110)
of a multi-part assembly to a second part (100) of the assembly
20

WO 2004/065224 PCT/EP2004/000663
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES 2 to 4
of the accompanying drawings.
22. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with inference to
FIGURES 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A method of fixing a first part (110) of a multi-part assembly to a
second part (100) of the assembly substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
21

A fixation device (101) which is for fixing together two parts (100,110) of multi-part assembly and which has a
and a weakend zone (113) therein and a use state, in which the ring-like body is split (115) at the weakend zone.
22

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Patent Number

216858

Indian Patent Application Number

01151/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

12/2008

Publication Date

21-Mar-2008

Grant Date

19-Mar-2008

Date of Filing

15-Jun-2005

Name of Patentee

GLAXO GROUP LIMITED

Applicant Address

GLAXO WELLCOME HOUSE, BERKELEY AVENUE, GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX, UB6 0NN, GREAT BRITAN.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	GODFREY JAMES WILLIAM	GLAXOSMITHKLINE, PARK ROAD, WARE, HERTFORDSHIRE SG12 0DP GREAT BRITAIN

PCT International Classification Number

F16B 21/18

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2004/000663

PCT International Filing date

2004-01-19

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	030 1366.1	2003-01-21	U.K.