Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler according to one embodiment can house a capsule containing a functional substance and includes a housing with an open first end, a mouthpiece with at least a portion protruding from the first end, a needle coupled to the mouthpiece and extending toward the capsule housed in the housing, and a retraction mechanism for retracting the mouthpiece into the housing, the retraction mechanism being able to change the position of the mouthpiece between a first state in which at least a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the first end and a second state in which the mouthpiece is inserted into the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following various embodiments relate to an inhaler.

Background Art

[0002] An inhaler can deliver a target substance directly to a user's lungs. For example, Patent Application No. 2000-7010085 discloses a nicotine inhaler.

[0003] The above-described background art is what the inventor possessed or acquired during the derivation process of the present invention, and it cannot necessarily be said that it is a known technology publicly disclosed to the general public before the filing of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler in which the replacement of capsules is easy.

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can retract and store the mouthpiece when not in use.

[0006] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can ensure hygiene when not in use.

[0007] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can achieve sufficient suction resistance.

[0008] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can prevent unintentional leakage of functional substance powder.

[0009] To provide an inhaler that can enhance the aesthetic sense.

[0010] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can reduce needle contamination.

[0011] The problems to be addressed by these embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An inhaler according to one embodiment can house a capsule containing a functional substance, and the inhaler includes a housing with an open first end, a mouthpiece with at least a portion protruding from the first end, a needle coupled to the mouthpiece and extending toward a capsule housed in the housing, and a retraction mechanism for retracting the mouthpiece into the housing, the retraction mechanism being able to change the position of the mouthpiece between a first state in which at least a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the first end and a second state in which the mouthpiece is inserted into the housing.

[0013] An inhaler according to one embodiment can house a capsule containing a functional substance, the inhaler includes a housing having an open first end and a second end, a mouthpiece with at least a portion protruding from the first end, a holder housed within the housing and containing the capsule, a needle coupled to the mouthpiece and protruding toward the capsule, and a cap coupled to the second end and opening and closing the second end, the cap including a cap body, a coupling part formed on the outside of the cap body and connectable to the housing, and a capsule seating part at one end of the cap body on which the capsule is seated, the capsule seating part protruding from the cap body and including a recess in the center. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, the capsule can be easily replaced.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, the mouthpiece can be retracted and stored when not in use.

[0016] According to the inhaler according to one embodiment, when not in use, the mouthpiece can be protected from external contamination to ensure hygiene.

[0017] According to the inhaler according to one embodiment, sufficient suction resistance can be achieved.

[0018] According to the inhaler according to one embodiment, leakage of the functional substance powder can be prevented unintentionally.

[0019] According to the inhaler according to one embodiment, the aesthetic sense can be enhanced.

[0020] According to the inhaler according to one embodiment, contamination of the needle can be reduced.

[0021] The effects of the inhaler according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1a] It is a perspective view of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 1b] It is a perspective view of the inhaler according to one embodiment seen from another angle. [[ID=第35]] [Figure 1c] It is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler according to one embodiment along the line A-A of FIG. 1b. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the inhaler according to one embodiment with the mouthpiece retracted. [Figure 3a] It shows the inhaler according to one embodiment with the mouthpiece removed. [Figure 3b] It is a front view of the inhaler according to one embodiment with the housing removed. [Figure 3c] It is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 3b. [Figure 3d] It shows the housing of the inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 4]It is a perspective view of the cap of an inhaler according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The terms used in the embodiments are generally selected as widely used terms at present while considering the functions in the embodiments. However, this may change according to the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should not be simply the names of terms, but should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0024] When any part of the specification states that any component "includes", this does not exclude other components unless there is a particularly stated contrary description, but means that other components are further included. Also, terms such as "~ part" and "~ module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and this can be realized by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0025] As used in this specification, when an expression such as "at least any one of" is in front of the arranged components, it modifies the entire components, not each of the arranged components. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0026] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an inhaler according to an embodiment. FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the inhaler according to an embodiment seen from another angle. FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler according to an embodiment along the line A-A of FIG. 1b.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can deliver a functional substance to the user. For example, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may consist of an inhaler that delivers nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of an aerosol.

[0028] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 can house a capsule C, which can house a functional substance. For example, the functional substance may contain at least one of nicotine, theanine, caffeine, taurine, a pharmacological substance, or a mixture thereof. The functional substance may be in the form of fine granules or a dry powder. For example, the outer shell of the capsule C may be made of a material that can be pierced or cut by a needle 300. For example, the capsule C may be filled with a functional substance in an amount corresponding to 10 to 14 puffs of the user.

[0029] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 may include a housing 100, a mouthpiece 200, a needle 300, a holder 400, a retraction mechanism 500, an elastic body 600, and a cap 700.

[0030] The housing 100 may have an internal space that is open at both ends. For example, the housing 100 may be configured as a cylindrical shape that is open at both ends.

[0031] For example, elongated protrusions or grooves may be regularly arranged on at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing 100. These protrusions or grooves can provide a grip that makes it easier for the user to grasp the outer surface of the housing 100.

[0032] A mouthpiece 200 is provided at the first end of the housing (for example, the end facing the +Y direction in Figure 1a). At least a portion of the mouthpiece 200 can optionally protrude from the housing 100 or be inserted into the housing 100.

[0033] The inhaler 10 is provided with a cap 700 at the second end of the housing (for example, the end facing the -Y direction in Figure 1a). The cap 700 allows the internal space of the housing 100 to be opened, and when the cap 700 is opened, the capsule C can enter or exit the internal space of the housing 100. The cap 700 may be disc-shaped or cylindrical and may include elongated projections or grooves formed regularly along its outer surface. The projections or grooves may provide a grip that facilitates opening and closing the cap 700.

[0034] In one embodiment, the cap 700 may include a filter. The filter may be positioned to penetrate the cap 700 along a longitudinal direction (for example, the ±Y direction in Figure 1a) extending from the cap 700 to the mouthpiece 200. One end of the filter may be exposed to the capsule C, and the other end of the filter may be exposed to the outside air. During the inhalation operation, outside air may flow in through the filter, which can raise the capsule C and facilitate the discharge of the functional substance powder. For example, the filter may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter may be a consumable item, or it may be semi-permanently usable.

[0035] In one embodiment, the housing 100 may include a housing airflow inlet hole 100H. External air can flow into the internal space of the housing 100 through the housing airflow inlet hole 100H. The housing airflow inlet hole 100H may be formed on a side surface of the housing 100 (for example, a surface perpendicular to the XZ plane in Figure 1a). The housing airflow inlet hole 100H may be a hole formed through the side surface of the housing 100. For example, there may be multiple housing airflow inlet holes 100H, and the multiple housing airflow inlet holes 100H may be arranged at equal intervals or at equal angles along the side surface of the housing 100.

[0036] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 may have a cylindrical mouthpiece body 210. The mouthpiece body 210 can move back and forth along its longitudinal direction. The mouthpiece 200 can move between a first state in which it protrudes from the first end of the housing 100 and a second state in which it is inserted into the housing 100. In the first state, a portion of the mouthpiece 200 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 100, and the user can bite on the exposed portion of the mouthpiece 200 to inhale a functional substance.

[0037] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece body 210 may have a portion that protrudes in the width direction (for example, in the direction aligned in the XY plane in Figure 1a). The portion of the mouthpiece body 210 that protrudes in the width direction is housed in the internal space of the housing 100 and can prevent the mouthpiece body 210 from detaching from the housing 100. For example, the portion of the mouthpiece body 210 that protrudes in the width direction can restrict the movement of the mouthpiece body 210.

[0038] The mouthpiece 200 may include a mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H. The mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H may be formed at the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210 (for example, the side facing the +Y direction in Figure 1a). The mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H may penetrate the mouthpiece body 210 along its longitudinal direction (for example, the ±Y direction in Figure 1a). The mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H may be arranged to extend in a straight line with the capsule C. A functional substance can be inhaled from the capsule C to the user through the mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H.

[0039] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may consist of multiple holes, and these multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may be arranged circumferentially along the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210. For example, referring to Figure 1a, the multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may be regularly arranged at equal intervals or angles along the circumferential direction along the edge of the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210. Multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H can prevent unnecessary inhalation when inhaling functional substances and can provide appropriate inhalation resistance.

[0040] In particular, referring to Figure 3c, a needle 300 is provided at the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210 (for example, the side facing the -Y direction in Figure 3c). The needle 300 is positioned at the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210 so as not to overlap with the mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H. For example, the needle 300 can be attached to the center of the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210.

[0041] As an example, the needle 300 may consist of multiple needles. The multiple needles 300 may be arranged at equal intervals or at equal angles from the center of the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210. The multiple needles 300 may have different lengths. For example, the central needle 300 may be the longest, and the peripheral needles 300 may be shorter. In this case, the central part of the capsule C can be penetrated longitudinally by the central needle 300, and only the upper part of the outer part of the capsule C can be cut / shattered by the peripheral needles 300. This can smooth the vortex behavior of the airflow inside the capsule C.

[0042] The needle 300 can move together with the mouthpiece 200. For example, when the mouthpiece 200 moves forward and backward along its longitudinal direction toward the capsule C, the needle 300 can also move forward and backward along its longitudinal direction toward the mouthpiece 200. The length of the needle 300 can be set such that, in the retracted state (e.g., a first state with the mouthpiece 200 protruding), the tip of the needle 300 is not inserted into the capsule C. When the needle 300 is in the advanced state (e.g., a second state with the user pushing the mouthpiece 200), the tip of the needle 300 can be inserted into the capsule C, and at least a portion of the capsule C can be penetrated, cut, or crushed by the needle 300.

[0043] The needle 300 may not be exposed to the outside by the holder 400. Furthermore, the needle 300 may not be exposed to the outside by the housing 100. Since the needle 300 is doubly protected by the holder 400 and the housing 100, contamination of the needle 300 by the external environment can be prevented.

[0044] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 may include an elastic body 600 between the mouthpiece 200 and the cap 700. More specifically, the elastic body 600 may be positioned between the sliding rotating body 510 (described later) and the cap 700. Alternatively, the elastic body 600 may be positioned between the sliding rotating body 510 and a portion of the holder 400. The elastic body 600 can apply an elastic force that pushes the mouthpiece 200 or the sliding rotating body 510 back to its original position as the mouthpiece 200 moves forward toward the holder 400.

[0045] The elastic body 600 may be arranged to surround the holder 400. For example, the elastic body 600 may consist of a coil spring surrounding the holder 400.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the mouthpiece 200 inserted into the housing 100. Figure 3a shows the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment with the mouthpiece 200 removed. Figure 3b is a front view of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment with the housing 100 removed. Figure 3c is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 3b. Figure 3d shows the inside of the housing 100 of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0047] Referring to Figure 2, the mouthpiece 200 can be kept retracted into the housing 100 (second state) when the inhaler 10 is not in use. On the other hand, referring to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, when the inhaler 10 is in use, the mouthpiece 200 is switched to a state where it protrudes from the housing 100 (first state). The retraction mechanism (for example, the retraction mechanism 500 in Figure 1c) can realize both the second state in which the mouthpiece 200 is retracted and the first state in which the mouthpiece 200 protrudes.

[0048] Figures 3a to 3d show the first state of the inhaler 10, and referring to Figures 3a to 3d, the retraction mechanism 500 may include a sliding rotating body 510 and a stopper 520.

[0049] In one embodiment, the sliding rotating body 510 can contact the mouthpiece 200 and is housed within the housing 100. Referring particularly to Figures 3b and 3c, the sliding rotating body 510 may include a sliding rotating body 511, a locking member 512, and a sliding rotating cam 513.

[0050] The sliding rotating body 511 is slidable along its longitudinal direction within the housing 100 and rotatable along the circumferential direction of the housing 100. The sliding rotating body 511 may have a cylindrical shape with open upper and lower ends. The sliding rotating body 511 may be positioned concentrically with the housing 100 and / or the holder 400.

[0051] The locking member 512 can protrude to the outside of the sliding rotating body 511. For example, the locking member 512 may be formed to protrude elongated along the longitudinal direction from the outer surface of the sliding rotating body 511.

[0052] The locking member 512 may consist of multiple members. For example, multiple locking members 512 may be: They may be arranged at equal intervals and / or at equal angles along the outer surface of the sliding rotating body 511.

[0053] The sliding rotary cam 513 may be formed at the end of the sliding rotary body 511. The sliding rotary cam 513 can face the mouthpiece 200 and is provided at the end of the sliding rotary body 511 toward the first end 101 of the housing 100.

[0054] The sliding rotary cam 513 may consist of multiple components, and the multiple sliding rotary cams 513 may be regularly arranged at the end of the sliding rotary body 511. The sliding rotary cam 513 may have a triangular shape, and the corners of the triangle may be arranged so as to face the first end 101 of the housing 100.

[0055] In one embodiment, the stopper 520 may be formed on the inner surface of the housing 100. The stopper 520 can optionally come into contact with a part of the sliding rotating body 510.

[0056] In particular, referring to Figure 3d, the stopper 520 may include a locking member 522 that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing 100 toward the center of the housing 100. The locking member 522 may consist of multiple members, and slits may be formed between the multiple locking members 522.

[0057] A pair of locking elements 5221 and 5222 are provided at the end of the locking member 522 located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece 200. More specifically, a first locking element 5221 and a second locking element 5222 are provided at the end of the locking member 522 facing the second end 102 of the housing 100. The first locking element 5221 and the second locking element 5222 may have a triangular shape. For example, the first locking element 5221 and the second locking element 5222 may have a right-angled triangular shape. Depending on the shape of the first locking element 5221 and the second locking element 5222, a recessed portion may be formed between them toward the first end 101 of the housing 100. The sliding rotating body 510 is seated in the recessed portion, and the inhaler 10 can be maintained in the second state.

[0058] The distance from the longitudinal centerline of the housing 100 to the locked member 522 may be greater than the distance from the longitudinal centerline of the housing 100 to the outer surface of the sliding rotating body 511. The slit 524 may have a width 524W in the circumferential direction, and the width 524W of the slit 524 may be greater than the circumferential width 512W of the locked member 512. With this relationship, particularly referring to Figure 3a, when the inhaler 10 is in the first state, the locked member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 can be located within the slit 524, and the sliding rotating body 511 can be located away from the locked member 522 inside the housing 100. At this time, the longitudinal movement of the sliding rotating body 510 is not restricted by the stopper 520.

[0059] In the first state, the longitudinal movement of the sliding rotating body 510 can be restricted by the mouthpiece 200. In particular, referring to Figure 3c, the mouthpiece body 210 may include a first mouthpiece body 211 and a second mouthpiece body 212 along its longitudinal direction. The diameter of the first mouthpiece body 211 in the width direction (for example, in the direction aligned in the XZ plane in Figure 3c) may be smaller than the diameter of the open portion on the first end 101 side of the housing 100. The first mouthpiece body 211 may be the portion exposed through the first end 101 of the housing 100. The second mouthpiece body 212 may be the portion that extends in width more than the first mouthpiece body 211. The longitudinal movement of the second mouthpiece body 212 may be restricted by the portion that curves inward from the first end 101 of the housing 100. The second body 212 of the mouthpiece can restrict the longitudinal movement of the mouthpiece 200, preventing the mouthpiece 200 from detaching from the housing 100. Since the longitudinal movement of the mouthpiece 200 is restricted, the longitudinal movement of the sliding rotating body 510 that contacts the mouthpiece 200 can also be restricted.

[0060] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 may further include a mouthpiece cam 220 and a guide projection 230.

[0061] The mouthpiece cam 220 is located at the end of the mouthpiece 200 facing the sliding rotating cam 513. More specifically, the mouthpiece cam 220 is located at the end of the second body 212 of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece cam 220 may be configured in an inverted triangular shape.

[0062] In particular, referring to Figures 3a to 3c, the hypotenuse of the inverted triangle of the mouthpiece cam 220 and the hypotenuse of the triangle of the sliding rotation cam 513 may be arranged to be in contact with each other. As the mouthpiece body 210 moves in the longitudinal direction, the sliding rotation body 511 can be pressed in the opposite direction by the elastic body 600, and at this time, the sliding rotation body 511 can be rotated by the mouthpiece cam 220 and the sliding rotation cam 513.

[0063] In the first state, the vertices of the inverted triangle of the mouthpiece cam 220 and the corresponding vertices of the triangle of the sliding rotation cam 513 may be positioned in a non-aligned position along their longitudinal directions. This positional relationship allows the rotational force from the sliding rotation cam 513 to be applied to the sliding rotation body 511. At this time, the rotation of the sliding rotation body 511 is restricted by the locking member 512 located in the slit 524 of the stopper 520. In addition, since the elastic body 600 pressurizes the sliding rotation body 510, the mouthpiece 200 can be kept exposed.

[0064] The guide projection 230 may be formed to protrude from the outside of the second body 212 of the mouthpiece. The guide projection 230 may be inserted into the slit 524 of the stopper 520. The guide projection 230 can move longitudinally along the slit 524. The guide projection 230 prevents the mouthpiece body 210 from rotating and allows it to move longitudinally.

[0065] When the user presses the mouthpiece 200 in the first state, the inhaler 10 switches to the second state.

[0066] As the user pushes, the mouthpiece 200, which was in the first state, descends toward the housing 100, and the sliding rotating body 510 also descends together with the mouthpiece 200. At this time, the guide projection 230 of the mouthpiece 200 and the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 are housed in the slit 524 of the stopper 520, so the rotation of the sliding rotating body 510 is restricted as it slides.

[0067] If the user continues to press the mouthpiece 200, the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 will disengage from the slit 524 of the stopper 520. At this point, the sliding rotating body 510 is freed from the locked member 522, and thus rotates. More specifically, the sliding rotating cam 513 of the sliding rotating body 510 and the mouthpiece cam 220 of the mouthpiece 200 initiate a primary rotation of the sliding rotating body 511, and this primary rotation can continue until the vertex of the inverted triangle of the sliding rotating cam 513 is positioned in the recessed area between adjacent sliding rotating cams 513. The primary rotation of the sliding rotating cam 513 places the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 in a position that is not aligned longitudinally with respect to the slit 524 of the stopper 520.

[0068] When the user's pushing action is completed and the pushing force is released, the sliding rotating body 510 and the mouthpiece 200 move upward by the elastic body 600. At this time, the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 may be restricted from moving longitudinally by the locked member 522 of the stopper 520. The inclined surface of the upper surface of the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body engages with the second locked element 5222 of the stopper 520. Due to the corresponding inclined surface shapes of the locking member 512 and the second locked element 5222, the locking member 512 slides longitudinally and rotates circumferentially, causing a secondary rotation of the sliding rotating body 511. Such a secondary rotation can continue until the vertex of the inverted triangle of the sliding rotating cam 513 is located in the recessed portion between the first locked element 5221 and the second locked element 5222. After the secondary rotation of the sliding rotating cam 513, the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 can be maintained in a state of being locked to the locked member 522 of the stopper 520, thereby allowing the mouthpiece 200 to maintain a second state in which it is inserted into the housing 100 without retracting any further along its longitudinal direction.

[0069] In the second state, when the user pushes the mouthpiece 200 again, the mouthpiece 200 and the sliding rotating body 510 move slightly forward downward, and the locking between the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 and the locked member 522 of the stopper 520 is released. At this time, the mouthpiece cam 220 of the mouthpiece 200 and the sliding rotating cam 513 of the sliding rotating body 510 come into contact again, and the sliding rotating body 511 performs a third rotation.

[0070] When the user releases the force pressing on the mouthpiece 200, the mouthpiece 200 and the sliding rotating body 510 retract upward due to the elastic body 600, and the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 comes into contact with the first locked element 5221 of the stopper 520, causing the sliding rotating body 511 to perform a fourth rotation along the inclined surface of the first locked element 5221. This fourth rotation continues until the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 is inserted into the slit 524 of the stopper 520. Once the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 is inserted into the slit 524 of the stopper 520, the sliding rotating body 511 stops rotating and retracts along its longitudinal direction. This retraction of the sliding rotating body 511 causes the mouthpiece body 210 to retract, and the mouthpiece 200 is placed in the first position. In the first state, the guide projection 230 of the mouthpiece 200 and the locking member 512 of the sliding rotating body 510 can be inserted into the slit 524 of the stopper 520 and maintained in an aligned state.

[0071] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cap 700 of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0072] Referring to Figure 4, the cap 700 can be coupled to the housing 100 at the second end of the housing 100 (for example, the second end 102 in Figure 3a). The cap 700 can open and close the open second end 102 of the housing 100.

[0073] In one embodiment, the cap 700 may include a cap body 710, a connecting part 720, and a capsule seating part 730. For example, the cap body 710 may be cylindrical.

[0074] The coupling part 720 may be formed on the outside of the cap body 710 and consist of a part that can be coupled to the housing 100. For example, the coupling part 720 may be a thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 710. The inner surface of the housing 100 may have a corresponding thread formed to couple with the aforementioned thread.

[0075] The capsule seating part 730 may project upward from the cap body 710 (for example, in the +Y direction in Figure 4) and may include a recess in the center for housing the capsule C.

[0076] The cap 700 can be separated from the housing 100, and the cap 700 can be coupled to the housing 100 with the capsule C seated on the capsule seating part 730 of the cap 700. The cap 700 facilitates the replacement of capsule C and allows capsule C to be maintained in a fixed position within the housing 100.

[0077] A cap airflow inlet 710H may be formed on the side of the cap 700. The cap airflow inlet 710H can communicate with the housing airflow inlet hole 100H. The cap airflow inlet 710H may be formed on the side of the cap body 710 (for example, on a plane perpendicular to the XZ plane in Figure 4). The cap airflow inlet 710H can penetrate the cap body 710 and extend to the capsule seating part 730. For example, there may be multiple cap airflow inlets 710H, and the multiple cap airflow inlets 710H may be arranged along the cap body 710 at equal intervals or at equal angles.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the inhaler 10, the capsule C can be easily replaced via the cap 700, and the powder inside the capsule C can be effectively prevented from leaking unintentionally.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the inhaler 10, when not in use, the mouthpiece 200 can be retracted into the housing 100 for storage, thereby protecting the mouthpiece 200 from external impacts and ensuring hygiene by preventing the mouthpiece 200 from being exposed to external contamination.

[0080] In one embodiment, an inhaler 10 can house a capsule C containing a functional substance, and the inhaler 10 includes a housing 100 with an open first end 101, a mouthpiece 200 with at least a portion protruding from the first end 101, a needle 300 coupled to the mouthpiece 200 and extending toward the capsule C housed in the housing 100, and a retraction mechanism 500 for retracting the mouthpiece 200 into the housing 100, the retraction mechanism 500 being able to change the position of the mouthpiece 200 between a first state in which at least a portion of the mouthpiece 200 protrudes from the first end 101 and a second state in which the mouthpiece 200 is inserted into the housing 100.

[0081] In one embodiment, the retraction mechanism 500 may include a sliding rotating body 510 that contacts the mouthpiece 200 and is housed within the housing 100, and a stopper 520 formed on the inner surface of the housing 100 that optionally contacts a portion of the sliding rotating body 510.

[0082] In one embodiment, the sliding rotating body 510 may include a sliding rotating body 511 that is slidable along its longitudinal direction within the housing 100 and rotatable along the circumferential direction of the housing 100, a locking member 512 that protrudes to the outside of the sliding rotating body 511, and a sliding rotating cam 513 formed at the end of the sliding rotating body 511 facing the mouthpiece 200.

[0083] The sliding rotating body 511 may have a cylindrical shape.

[0084] The locking member 512 may consist of multiple members, and the multiple locking members 512 may be arranged at equal intervals.

[0085] The sliding rotating cam 513 may have a triangular shape, and there may be multiple sliding rotating cams 513, and the multiple sliding rotating cams 513 may be arranged regularly.

[0086] In one embodiment, the stopper 520 may include a locking member 522 protruding from the inner surface of the housing 100, and the sliding rotating cam 513 can be arbitrarily locked to the locking member 522.

[0087] The locking member 522 may consist of multiple members, and a slit 524 may be formed between the multiple locking members 522, and the circumferential width 524W of the slit 524 may be larger than the circumferential width 512W of the locking member 512.

[0088] The end of the locking member 522 located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece 200 includes a pair of locking elements 5221, 5222, the locking elements 5221, 5222 may have a triangular shape.

[0089] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 may include an inverted triangular mouthpiece cam 220 at the end of the mouthpiece 200 facing the sliding rotating cam 513, and the mouthpiece cam 220 may be in contact with the sliding rotating cam 513.

[0090] The mouthpiece 200 may include a guide projection 230 that protrudes outward from the mouthpiece 200, and the guide projection 230 can be aligned with the locking member 512 along the longitudinal direction in the first state.

[0091] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 further includes an elastic body 600 located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece 200 from the sliding rotating body 510 and in contact with the sliding rotating body 510, the elastic body 600 being able to apply an elastic force that presses the sliding rotating body 510 toward the mouthpiece 200.

[0092] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 further includes a cap 700 that is coupled to the housing 100 on the opposite side of the mouthpiece 200, the housing 100 further includes a second end 102 that is open on the opposite side of the first end 101, and the cap 700 can open and close the second end 102.

[0093] A housing airflow inlet hole 100H may be formed on the outer surface of the housing 100.

[0094] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can house a capsule C containing a functional substance, and the inhaler 10 includes a housing 100 having an open first end 101 and a second end 102, a mouthpiece 200 with at least a portion protruding from the first end 101, a holder 400 housed within the housing 100 for housing the capsule C, a needle 300 coupled to the mouthpiece 200 and protruding toward the capsule C, and a cap 700 coupled to the second end 102 for opening and closing the second end 102, wherein the cap 700 includes a cap body 710, a coupling part 720 formed on the outside of the cap body 710 and connectable to the housing 100, and a capsule seating part 730 at one end of the cap body 710 on which the capsule C is seated, the capsule seating part 730 protruding from the cap body 710 and may include a recess in the center.

[0095] The above-described embodiments are illustrative only, and any person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences that are equivalent to those described in the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An inhaler that contains a capsule containing a functional substance, Housing, including the open first end, A mouthpiece, which is capable of protruding at least a portion from the first end, A needle attached to the mouthpiece and extending toward a capsule housed in the housing, A retraction mechanism for retracting the mouthpiece into the housing, Includes, The retraction mechanism changes the position of the mouthpiece between a first state in which at least a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the first end and a second state in which the mouthpiece is inserted into the housing.

2. The aforementioned retraction mechanism is, A sliding rotating body that contacts the mouthpiece and is housed within the housing, and A stopper formed on the inner surface of the housing, which optionally contacts a part of the sliding rotating body, The inhaler according to claim 1, including the following:

3. The aforementioned sliding rotating body is A sliding rotating body that is slidable along the longitudinal direction within the housing and rotatable along the circumferential direction of the housing, A locking member protruding from the outside of the sliding rotating body, and A sliding rotating cam formed at the end of the sliding rotating body facing the mouthpiece, The inhaler according to claim 2, including the following:

4. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the sliding rotating body has a cylindrical shape.

5. The aforementioned locking member is composed of multiple members. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the multiple locking members are arranged at equal intervals.

6. The sliding rotating cam has a triangular shape. The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the sliding rotating cams are composed of a plurality of components, and the plurality of sliding rotating cams are arranged in a regular pattern.

7. The stopper includes a locking member that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the sliding rotating cam can be arbitrarily locked to the locked member.

8. The aforementioned locking member is composed of multiple members, A slit is formed between the aforementioned locking members. The inhaler according to claim 7, wherein the circumferential width of the slit is greater than the circumferential width of the locking member.

9. The inhaler according to claim 8, wherein the end of the locking member located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece includes a pair of locking elements, the locking elements having a triangular shape.

10. The mouthpiece includes an inverted triangular mouthpiece cam at the end of the mouthpiece facing the sliding rotating cam, The inhaler according to claim 6, wherein the mouthpiece cam is in contact with the sliding rotating cam.

11. The mouthpiece includes a guide projection that protrudes outward from the mouthpiece, The inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the guide projection is aligned with the locking member along the longitudinal direction in the first state.

12. It further includes an elastic body located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece, with the sliding rotating body in between, and in contact with the sliding rotating body. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the elastic body applies an elastic force that presses the sliding rotating body toward the mouthpiece.

13. The mouthpiece further includes a cap that connects to the housing on the opposite side of the mouthpiece, The housing further includes a second end that is open on the opposite side of the first end, The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the cap opens and closes the second end.

14. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein a housing airflow inlet hole is formed on the outer surface of the housing.

15. An inhaler that contains a capsule containing a functional substance, Housing including the open first and second ends, A mouthpiece, which is capable of protruding at least a portion from the first end, A holder housed within the aforementioned housing, which contains the capsule, A needle attached to the mouthpiece and protruding toward the capsule, A cap that connects to the second end and opens and closes the second end, Includes, The aforementioned cap is Cap body, A coupling part formed on the outside of the cap body and capable of coupling with the housing, A capsule seating part at one end of the cap body, in which the capsule is seated. Includes, The capsule seating part protrudes from the cap body and includes a recess in the center of the inhaler.

Images