Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance, according to various embodiments of the present invention, comprises: a holder comprising an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening; a piercing member protruding toward the inner space; and a functional substance containing member inserted into the inner space of the holder from the opening along the long axis of the holder and containing the functional substance, in which the piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, the tip of the piercing member is closer to the long axis in the second piercing position than in the first piercing position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following various embodiments of the present invention relate to an inhaler. Background Art

[0002] Currently, research on inhalers that deliver a target material directly to the lungs of a user has been conducted. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0065204 discloses a dry powder inhaler. Summary of the invention

[0003] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, vortex motion of functional substance powder can be induced.

[0005] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, it is possible to facilitate smooth discharge of functional substance powder.

[0006] Means used to solve problems

[0007] An inhaler according to an embodiment includes: a holder including an opening and an internal space connected to the opening; a piercing member protruding toward the internal space; and a functional substance containing member inserted into the internal space of the holder along the long axis of the holder from the opening and containing the functional substance, wherein the piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, wherein the tip of the piercing member is closer to the long axis at the second piercing position than at the first piercing position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the piercing member may include: a first piercing member; and a second piercing member disposed spaced apart from the first piercing member along the major axis.

[0009] The first piercing member and the second piercing member may be disposed opposite to each other with the major axis as the center.

[0010] The tips of the first and second piercing members may be oriented toward the major axis of the retainer.

[0011] The piercing member may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, and the first piercing position may be a state where the piercing member is returned, and the second piercing position may be a state where the piercing member protrudes toward the long axis.

[0012] In one embodiment, the piercing member is pivotably coupled to the holder and further comprises a stop member, the stop member contacts the piercing member to prevent the piercing member from rotating, and the stop member prevents the piercing member from rotating toward the opening. The first piercing position is a state in which the tip of the piercing member has rotated toward the opposite side of the opening, and the second piercing position may be a state in which the tip of the piercing member has rotated toward the long axis.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one of the functional substance containing member or the holder may be provided with a mark for marking the length of the functional substance containing member inserted into the internal space.

[0014] In one embodiment, the functional substance containing member may include: a cigarette rod that can be inserted into the inner space of the holder; and a capsule that is disposed inside the cigarette rod and contains the functional substance.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to various embodiments, vortex motion of the functional substance powder may be induced.

[0017] According to various embodiments, since the internal airflow flowing into the inhaler penetrates the center of the functional substance containing member, smooth discharge of the functional substance powder may be achieved.

[0018] The effects of the inhaler according to various embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned contents, and those skilled in the art may clearly understand other effects not mentioned from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 An inhaler according to various embodiments is shown in FIG.

[0020] Figure 2 2 shows the working state of the inhaler according to various embodiments.

[0021] Figure 3 An inhaler according to various embodiments is shown in FIG.

[0022] Figure 4 2 shows the working state of the inhaler according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] When selecting the terms used in the embodiments, the functions of the embodiments are taken into consideration, and widely used general terms are selected as much as possible, but there may be differences based on the intentions of practitioners in this field, precedents, new technologies, etc. In certain cases, the applicant may also arbitrarily select terms, but in such cases, the meaning of the terms will be explained in detail in the specification. Therefore, the terms used in this specification are not simple terms and should be defined according to the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0024] When it is stated throughout the specification that a certain part "includes" a component, it means that other components may also be included unless otherwise mentioned, and does not mean that other components are excluded. In addition, the terms "-part", "-module" and the like described in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0025] In this specification, when the expression "at least one" or the like appears before the listed components, it does not modify each of the listed components, but modifies the entirety of the components. For example, "at least one of a, b, and c" means the following: including a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c.

[0026] Figure 1 An inhaler 100 according to various embodiments is shown in FIG. Figure 2 2 shows the working state of the inhaler 100 according to various embodiments.

[0027] The inhaler 100 according to an embodiment may deliver a functional substance to a user. For example, the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment may be constituted by an inhaler for delivering a dry pharmacological substance or nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of an aerosol.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The inhaler 100 according to an embodiment may include a holder 110 , a piercing member 120 , and a functional substance containing member 130 .

[0029] In one embodiment, the holder 110 may be configured as a cylinder having an internal space, and the internal space may be formed to a size that allows the functional substance containing member 130 described later to be inserted. An opening for inserting the functional substance containing member 130 may be formed on one side of the holder 110, and the opening and the internal space are communicated with each other.

[0030] In one embodiment, the piercing member 120 may include a first piercing member 121 and a second piercing member 122. One side of the first piercing member 121 is disposed inside the holder 110, and the other side of the first piercing member 121 may be formed by a cutting edge protruding toward the long axis C of the holder 110. One side of the second piercing member 122 is disposed inside the holder 110, and the other side of the second piercing member 122 may be formed by a cutting edge protruding toward the long axis C of the holder 110.

[0031] The first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be spaced apart in a direction parallel to the long axis C. For example, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be spaced apart in a direction parallel to the long axis C. Figure 1 In addition, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be arranged relative to each other with the long axis C as the center. For example, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be arranged relative to each other with the long axis C as the center. Figure 1 They are spaced apart from each other in the ±X direction.

[0032] In one embodiment, the functional substance containing member 130 may include a cigarette stick 131 and a capsule 132. For example, the cigarette stick 131 may be configured in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the inner space of the holder 110, and the capsule 132 may be configured inside the cigarette stick 131.

[0033] The area for disposing the capsule 132 in the functional substance containing member 130 is such that the capsule 132 can be arranged to be located opposite to the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 when the functional substance containing member 130 is inserted into the inner space of the holder 110 .

[0034] In one example, the capsule 132 may contain a functional substance. For example, the functional substance may include 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 particles or dry powder.

[0035] In one example, the outer shell (skin) of the capsule 132 may be made of a material that can be pierced or cut by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 .

[0036] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 can be in a first piercing position (eg, Figure 2The positions of the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 of part (a)) and the second piercing position (for example, Figure 2 The piercing member 120 moves between the positions of the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 in part (b), and the tip of the piercing member 120 can be closer to the major axis C at the second piercing position than at the first piercing position.

[0037] Here, the horizontal distance between the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 at the first piercing position (eg, Figure 1 The ±X-direction distance) is set to be greater than the outer diameter of the functional substance containing member 130, and the horizontal distance between the first piercing member 122 and the second piercing member 122 at the second piercing position (for example, Figure 1 ±X direction distance) can be set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the capsule 132.

[0038] For example, before the functional substance containing member 130 is inserted into the inner space of the holder 110, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be placed in the first piercing position. Thereafter, the functional substance containing member 130 may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 110 without being interfered by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122. When the functional substance containing member 130 has been inserted into the inner space of the holder 110, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be placed in the second piercing position. In the second piercing position, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 penetrates (or pierces) the capsule 132, thereby opening at least a portion of the capsule 132, whereby the functional substance in the capsule 132 may be exposed to the outside of the capsule 132.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 may be formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the long axis C (eg, Figure 1 At this time, the first piercing position is a state where the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 has returned; the second piercing position may be a state where the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 protrudes toward the long axis C. For example, an elastic member may be provided, which can help the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 to protrude or return.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least one of the cigarette rod 131 or the holder 110 of the functional substance containing member 130 may be provided with a mark (not shown), which is used to mark the length of the cigarette rod 131 inserted into the internal space. When an open area in the form of a longitudinal slit is formed in the capsule 132, the size of the slit can be indirectly measured by the mark, and the size of these slits can be set to be proportional to the amount of each functional substance puffed at one time.

[0041] The following will refer to Figure 2 The operating states of the inhaler 100 according to various embodiments are described.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 In part (a), the functional substance containing member 130 may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 110. Here, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 may be located at the first piercing position.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 , the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 can be moved from the first piercing position to the second piercing position, and the capsule 132 can be penetrated by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122.

[0044] When the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 returns to the first piercing position, a through hole may be formed in the capsule 132 .

[0045] Alternatively, when the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 has been inserted into the capsule 132 , the tobacco rod 131 may be separated from the inner space of the holder 110 , and at this time, a slit in the length direction may be formed in the capsule 132 .

[0046] An open area in the form of a through hole or slit formed by the first piercing member 121 and an open area in the form of a through hole or slit formed by the second piercing member 122 may be formed in the capsule 132. The open areas are spaced apart along the major axis C so that the airflow passing through the open areas can pass through the central area of ​​the capsule 132.

[0047] Reference Figure 2In the (c) portion, at least a portion of the functional substance containing member 130 may be separated from the holder 110. At this time, the functional substance containing member 130 may be completely separated from the holder 110, but the functional substance may be delivered in a state where the capsule 132 is inserted into the holder 110. In this case, compared with the case where the functional substance containing member 130 is completely separated from the holder 110, the functional substance can be effectively prevented from being separated, and unnecessary leakage of the functional substance can be prevented.

[0048] In the state where the capsule 132 is formed with the open area, when the user holds one end of the cigarette stick 131 and performs a suction action, external air flows into the internal space of the holder 110 through the airflow hole (not shown) formed in the holder 110, and the air can flow into the capsule 132 through the open area formed by the second piercing member 122. Then, the air is discharged through the open area formed by the first piercing member 121 and then reaches the user, at which time, the functional substance in the capsule 132 can also be transferred to the user. Due to the eccentric position of the open area, the air can pass through the central part of the capsule 132, while causing eddy motion of the functional substance. The eddy motion causes smooth motion of the functional substance, so that the functional substance can be discharged more smoothly.

[0049] In one example, when the capsule 132 is disposed in the tobacco rod 131 in a non-fixed state, the flow of air (airflow) generated by the eccentric position of the open area can cause the capsule 132 to rotate. Thus, the functional substance can be discharged more actively.

[0050] Figure 3 An inhaler 200 according to various embodiments is shown in FIG. Figure 4 2 shows the working state of the inhaler 200 according to various embodiments.

[0051] Reference Figure 3 According to an embodiment, an inhaler 200 may include a holder 210, a piercing member 220, and a functional substance containing member 230. The holder 210 has the same or similar structure and function as the holder 110 described above, and the functional substance containing member 230 including a cigarette rod 231 and a capsule 232 has the same or similar structure and function as the functional substance containing member 130 described above, so for simplicity, description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] In one embodiment, the piercing member 220 may include a first piercing member 221 and a second piercing member 222. One side of the first piercing member 221 may be connected to the inner side of the holder 210 in a pivotable manner, and the other side of the first piercing member 221 may be configured as a cutting edge. One side of the second piercing member 222 may be connected to the inner side of the holder 210 in a pivotable manner, and the other side of the second piercing member 222 may be configured as a cutting edge.

[0053] The first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be spaced apart in a direction parallel to the long axis C. For example, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be spaced apart in a direction parallel to the long axis C. Figure 3 In addition, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be arranged relative to each other with the long axis C as the center. For example, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be arranged relative to each other with the long axis C as the center. Figure 3 They are spaced apart from each other in the ±X direction.

[0054] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can be in a first piercing position (eg, Figure 4 The positions of the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 of part (a)) and the second piercing position (for example, Figure 4 The tip of the first piercing member 221 or the tip of the second piercing member 220 can be closer to the major axis C of the retainer 210 at the second piercing position than at the first piercing position.

[0055] Here, the horizontal distance between the tip of the first piercing member 221 and the tip of the second piercing member 222 at the first piercing position (eg, Figure 3 The ±X-direction distance) is set to be greater than the outer diameter of the functional substance containing member 230, and the horizontal distance between the tip of the first piercing member 222 and the tip of the second piercing member 222 at the second piercing position (for example, Figure 3 ±X direction distance) can be set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the capsule 232.

[0056] For example, before the functional substance containing member 230 is inserted into the inner space of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be placed in the first piercing position. Thereafter, the functional substance containing member 230 may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 210 without being interfered by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222. When the functional substance containing member 230 has been inserted into the inner space of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be placed in the second piercing position. In the second piercing position, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 penetrates the capsule 232, thereby opening at least a portion of the capsule 232, whereby the functional substance in the capsule 232 may be exposed to the outside of the capsule 232.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 may be pivotally coupled to the holder 210. For example, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 is hingedly coupled to the inner side of the holder 210, and the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 may rotate between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, wherein the tip of the first piercing member 221 faces the other side of the opening of the holder 210, and the tip of the second piercing member 222 faces the major axis C.

[0058] In one embodiment, the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment may further include a stopper member 240, which contacts the piercing member 220 to prevent the piercing member 220 from rotating. The stopper member 240 prevents the piercing member 220 from rotating toward the opening, thereby allowing the piercing member 220 to rotate only between the first piercing position and the second piercing position. An open area in the form of a lengthwise slit may be formed in the capsule 232 by the stopper member 240.

[0059] In one example, the stop member 240 may include: a first stop member 241 in contact with the first piercing member 221; and a second stop member 242 in contact with the second piercing member 222. For example, the first stop member 241 is located between the first piercing member 221 and the opening and in contact with the first piercing member 221, thereby preventing the tip of the first piercing member 221 from rotating toward the opening. Similarly, the second stop member 242 is located between the second piercing member 222 and the opening and in contact with the second piercing member 222, thereby preventing the tip of the second piercing member 221 from rotating toward the opening.

[0060] In one embodiment, the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment may further include an elastic element (not shown) that rotates the piercing member 220 to the second piercing position. For example, the elastic element may be a coil spring that connects the stop member 240 and the piercing member 220, thereby returning the piercing member 220 rotated to the first piercing position to the second piercing position.

[0061] In one embodiment, at least one of the cigarette rod 231 or the holder 210 of the functional substance containing member 230 may be provided with an identification mark (not shown), which is used to indicate the length of the cigarette rod 231 inserted into the internal space. The size of the longitudinal slits formed in the capsule 232 can be indirectly measured by the identification mark, and the size of these slits can be set to be proportional to the amount of the functional substance puffed at one time.

[0062] Next, we will refer to Figure 4 The operating state of the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment is described.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 In part (a), when the functional substance containing member 230 is inserted into the internal space through the opening of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 can rotate with its tip facing the direction opposite to the opening (a state of the first piercing position). Since the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can rotate freely in the direction opposite to the opening, the functional substance containing member 230 can be inserted into the holder 210 without being interfered by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 In part (b), when the functional substance containing member 230 begins to be pulled toward the outside of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 can rotate with its tip toward the long axis C (a state of a second piercing position). At this time, the tip of the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 can penetrate the capsule 232. In this state, when the functional substance containing member 230 continues to be pulled toward the outside of the holder 210, an open area in the form of a longitudinal slit can be formed in the capsule 232 through the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222.

[0065] Here, the slit formed by the first piercing member 221 and the slit formed by the second piercing member 222 may be formed separately. Since the slits are formed spaced apart along the major axis C in a manner opposite to each other, the airflow passing through the slits may pass through the central area of ​​the capsule 232.

[0066] Reference Figure 4 In the case of (c), at least a portion of the functional substance containing member 230 may be completely separated from the holder 210, but the capsule 232 may be kept inserted into the holder 210. In this case, when the functional substance is transferred, the functional substance can be effectively prevented from being separated, and unnecessary leakage of the functional substance can be prevented, compared with the case where the functional substance containing member 230 is completely separated from the holder 210.

[0067] In the state where the slit is formed in the capsule 132, when the user holds one end of the cigarette stick 231 and performs a suction action, external air flows into the internal space of the holder 210 through the airflow hole (not shown) formed in the holder 210, and the air can flow into the capsule 232 through the slit formed by the second piercing member 222. Then, the air is discharged through the slit formed by the first piercing member 221 and then reaches the user, at which time, the functional substance in the capsule 232 can also be transferred to the user. Due to the eccentric position of the slit, the air can pass through the central part of the capsule 232, while causing eddy motion of the functional substance. The eddy motion causes smooth motion of the functional substance, so that the functional substance can be discharged more smoothly.

[0068] In one example, when the capsule 232 is disposed in the tobacco rod 231 in a non-fixed state, the flow of air (airflow) generated by the eccentric position of the slit may cause the capsule 232 to rotate. Thus, the functional substance can be discharged more actively.

[0069] The above embodiments are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made and various equivalents may be used. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be as defined by the appended claims, and any differences within the equivalent scope recorded in the claims shall be deemed to be included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance, characterized in that: include: a holder including an opening and an inner space communicating with the opening, a piercing member protruding toward the interior space, and a functional substance containing member, inserted from the opening into the inner space of the holder along the long axis of the holder, and containing the functional substance; The piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, The tip of the piercing member is closer to the major axis at the second piercing location than at the first piercing location.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that The piercing member comprises: a first piercing member; and The second piercing member is disposed along the long axis and is spaced apart from the first piercing member.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that The first piercing member and the second piercing member are disposed opposite to each other with the long axis as the center.

4. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that The tips of the first piercing member and the second piercing member are oriented toward the major axis of the retainer.

5. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that The piercing member is capable of protruding in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, The first piercing position is a state where the piercing member is returned, and the second piercing position is a state where the piercing member protrudes toward the long axis.

6. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that The piercing member is pivotably coupled to the retainer. The piercing member further comprises a stop member, the stop member being in contact with the piercing member to prevent the piercing member from rotating, The stop member prevents the piercing member from rotating toward the opening.

7. The inhaler according to claim 6, characterized in that The first piercing position is a state in which the tip of the piercing member is rotated toward the opposite side of the opening. The second piercing position is a state in which the tip of the piercing member is rotated toward the long axis.

8. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one of the functional substance containing member or the holder is provided with a mark for marking a length of the functional substance containing member inserted into the internal space.

9. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that The functional substance containing component comprises: A cigarette rod capable of being inserted into the inner space of the holder; and The capsule is arranged inside the cigarette stick and contains the functional substance.

Images