Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise: a holder comprising an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening; a piercing member disposed in the internal space and protruding toward the opening; and a functional substance accommodating member inserted into an inner space of the holder from the opening along a long axis of the holder and accommodating the functional substance, the piercing member may include a plurality of holes capable of communicating air with each other.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, research has been conducted on inhalers that deliver a target material directly to the user's lungs. For example, Korean 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 even when the cigarette rod is not provided with a separate vortex tunnel structure.

[0005] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, it is possible to induce the functional substance powder to be discharged smoothly.

[0006] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, noise caused by rotation of the capsule can be prevented.

[0007] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, it is possible to prevent the functional substance powder from leaking from the lower end of the capsule by preventing the lower end hole of the capsule from being exposed.

[0008] According to the inhaler of various embodiments, appropriate inhalation resistance can be imparted.

[0009] Means used to solve problems

[0010] According to various embodiments, the inhaler includes: a holder including an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening; a piercing member disposed in the internal space and protruding into the opening; 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 used to contain the functional substance, wherein the piercing member may include a plurality of holes, and the plurality of holes are capable of communicating air with each other.

[0011] In one embodiment, the retainer includes a first retainer surface formed with the opening, a second retainer surface facing the first retainer surface, and a side retainer surface formed between the first retainer surface and the second retainer surface, the internal space is composed of a groove formed by being recessed from the opening to the second retainer surface, and the piercing member can protrude from the end of the internal space toward the opening.

[0012] In one embodiment, the piercing member may include: a base coupled to the end of the internal space; a body extending from the base toward the opening; a tip configured at the end of the body; an airflow path formed inside the body; and a plurality of airflow holes formed on the outside of the body and connected to the airflow path.

[0013] A plurality of the air flow holes may be formed spaced apart from each other along the long axis direction of the body.

[0014] In one embodiment, the functional substance containing member may include: a cigarette rod that can be inserted into the internal space; and a capsule that is disposed inside the cigarette rod and is used to contain the functional substance.

[0015] The length of the piercing member from the base to the tip may be configured to be greater than the length of the capsule in the long axis direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the inhaler may further include an elastic member disposed at an end of the inner space.

[0017] The air flow holes include a first air flow hole group and a second air flow hole group, the first air flow hole group is formed in a first main body area of ​​the piercing member, and the second air flow hole group is formed in a second main body area of ​​the piercing member, the first main body area is an area between the base and the end of the elastic member when the elastic member is not compressed, and the second main body area is an area between the end of the elastic member and the tip when the elastic member is not compressed.

[0018] The length of the second body region in the long axis direction may be configured to be smaller than the length of the capsule in the long axis direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, an inlet for allowing air flow to flow in may be formed between the outer side of the holder and the inner space.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to various embodiments, vortex motion of the functional substance powder may be induced even in a case where the cigarette rod is not provided with a separate vortex tunnel structure.

[0022] 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 can be achieved.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the transfer of the functional substance powder can be smoothly achieved even if the capsule is not rotated, and thus noise caused by the rotation of the capsule can be prevented.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the functional substance powder may be prevented from leaking from the lower end of the capsule by preventing the lower end hole of the capsule from being exposed.

[0025] According to various embodiments, appropriate inhalation resistance may be imparted through narrow airflow holes, thereby improving the smoking sensation.

[0026] 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

[0027] Figure 1 An inhaler according to an embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0028] Figure 2 Schematically shows the configuration of an inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3 A piercing member according to an embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0030] Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows a functional substance containing member according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 Detailed description of the invention is given in FIG. 2 , wherein the configuration of the piercing member and the capsule according to an embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a working state of an inhaler according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Figure 1 FIG. 4 shows an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment, Figure 2 FIG. 1 schematically shows an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 The structure in part A, Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows a piercing member 120 of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment, Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows a functional substance containing member 130 of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 5 The configuration relationship between the piercing member 120 and the capsule 132 of the inhaler 100 is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a working state of the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment.

[0037] 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 that delivers nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of an aerosol.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The inhaler 100 according to an embodiment may include a holder 110 , a piercing member 120 , and a functional substance containing member 130 .

[0039] In one embodiment, the holder 110 may be configured as a cylinder having an internal space 114, and the internal space 114 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 114 are communicated with each other.

[0040] In one example, the retainer 110 may include a first retainer surface 111, a second retainer surface 112, and a side retainer surface 113. The opening may be formed on the first retainer surface 111, and the second retainer surface 112 may be a surface formed on the opposite side of the first retainer surface 111. The side retainer surface 113 may be formed between the first retainer surface 111 and the second retainer surface 112. The internal space 114 may be composed of a recess, which is formed from the opening of the first retainer surface 111 to the second retainer surface 112, and the internal space 114 may be along the long axis of the retainer 110 (for example, Figure 2 ±Y direction) is formed longitudinally.

[0041] In one embodiment, an inlet (not shown) may be formed between the outer side of the holder 110 and the inner space 114 , and air outside the holder 110 may flow into the inner space 114 through the inlet.

[0042] In one embodiment, the piercing member 120 may be disposed in the internal space 114 and may be formed to protrude toward the opening of the first retainer surface 111. For example, the piercing member 120 may be protruded from the end of the internal space 114 in a direction toward the opening (e.g., Figure 2 +Y direction) protrudes.

[0043] The inhaler 100 according to an embodiment may further include an elastic member 140. For example, the elastic member 140 may be disposed at the end of the inner space 114 and may be composed of a coil spring, and when the functional substance containing member 130 is inserted into the inner space 114 of the holder 110, the elastic member 140 may exert a force for pushing the functional substance containing member 130 toward the direction of the opening of the holder 110 (for example, Figure 2 +Y direction) elastic force.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 The piercing member 120 may include a base 121 , a body 122 , a tip 123 , an airflow path 124 , and an airflow hole 125 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the base 121 may be fixed at the end of the inner space 114 of the holder 110. The body 122 may be extended from the base 121 along the long axis direction toward the opening of the holder 110 (eg, Figure 3 The tip 123 may be disposed at the end of the body 122.

[0046] In one embodiment, an airflow path 124 may be formed inside the body 122 . For example, the airflow path 124 may be a cavity formed along the long axis direction from the base 121 through the body 122 to the tip 123 .

[0047] The airflow hole 125 may be formed on the outside of the body 122 and may be a hole through which air can communicate with the airflow path 124. A plurality of airflow holes 125 may be provided, and the plurality of airflow holes 125 may be spaced apart from each other along the long axis direction. For example, the plurality of airflow holes 125 may be spaced apart from each other in a zigzag manner along the length direction.

[0048] Here, one end of the airflow path 124 adjacent to the base 121 (eg, Figure 3 -Y direction side) or the other end of the airflow path 124 adjacent to the tip 123 (for example, Figure 3 The +Y direction side) can be formed into a closed structure, through one end of the airflow path 124 (for example, Figure 3 The airflow flowing into the airflow hole 125 adjacent to the tip 123 (the -Y direction side) can pass through the airflow path 124 and flow out from the other end of the airflow path 124 adjacent to the tip 123 (for example, Figure 3 The air is discharged from another air flow hole 125 on the +Y direction side.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 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 114 of the holder 110, and the capsule 132 may be configured inside the cigarette stick 131.

[0050] For 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.

[0051] In one example, the outer shell (sheath) of the capsule 132 may be made of a material that can be pierced or cut by the piercing member 120 .

[0052] In particular, refer to Figure 4The cigarette rod 131 of the functional substance containing member 130 may include a plurality of parts. For example, the part for arranging the capsule 132 may be configured as a cavity for accommodating the capsule. Here, since the capsule 132 is fixed in the cavity, the capsule 132 can be prevented from rotating freely, thereby preventing the noise generated by the rotation of the capsule 132 when the functional substance is inhaled.

[0053] As an example, at the front end of the portion where the capsule 132 is provided (for example, Figure 4 The front end of the part (the -Y direction side) may be provided with a cellulose acetate material to prevent leakage of the functional substance powder. Figure 4 A mouthpiece may be provided on the +Y direction side of the capsule 132, and the mouthpiece may be in contact with the user's mouth. The cavity in which the capsule 132 is provided and the mouthpiece may be connected in an air-permeable manner.

[0054] The cigarette rod 131 of the functional substance containing member 130 may not be provided with a vortex channel for forming a vortex (for example, an airflow channel formed on one side of the cigarette rod 131 and forming air circulation with the cavity in which the capsule 132 is provided). This is because, according to one embodiment, the airflow passing through the airflow path 124 and the airflow hole 125 of the piercing member 120 can form a vortex while flowing into the capsule 132.

[0055] Reference Figure 5 In one embodiment, the body 122 of the piercing member 120 may include a first body region 1221 and a second body region 1222. The first body region 1221 may be defined as a region of the body 122 between the base 121 of the piercing member 120 and the end of the elastic member 140 when the elastic member 140 is not compressed. The second body region 1222 may be defined as a region of the body 122 between the end of the elastic member 140 and the tip 123 of the piercing member 120 when the elastic member 140 is not compressed.

[0056] The air flow holes 125 may include a first air flow hole group 1251 and a second air flow hole group 1252. The air flow holes constituting the first air flow hole group 1251 may be formed in the first body region 1221, and the air flow holes constituting the second air flow hole group 1252 may be formed in the second body region 1222.

[0057] For example, the air flow holes 125 may include a first air flow hole 12511, a second air flow hole 12512, a third air flow hole 12521, a fourth air flow hole 12522, and a fifth air flow hole 12523 arranged in sequence from the base 121 to the tip 123 of the piercing member 120. In addition, the first air flow hole 12511 and the second air flow hole 12512 may be formed in the first main body region 1221; the third air flow hole 12521, the fourth air flow hole 12522, and the fifth air flow hole 12523 may be formed in the second main body region 1222. The first air flow hole group 1251 may include the first air flow hole 12511 and the second air flow hole 12512, and the second air flow hole group 1252 may include the third air flow hole 12521, the fourth air flow hole 12522, and the fifth air flow hole 12523. Here, the first air flow hole group 1251 may be used as an inlet for air to flow into the air flow path 124 , and the second air flow hole group 1252 may be used as an outlet for air to flow out to the capsule 132 .

[0058] In one embodiment, the length D of the piercing member 120 from the base 121 to the tip 123 can be configured to be greater than the length D of the capsule 132 in the long axis direction (eg, Figure 5 Since the length D of the piercing member 120 is sufficiently greater than the length C of the long axis direction of the capsule 132, the piercing member 120 can enter one side of the capsule 132 (for example, Figure 5 -Y direction side), and can penetrate the other side of the capsule 132 (for example, Figure 5 Since the piercing member 120 penetrates the capsule 132, a through hole for airflow can be formed on the other side of the capsule 132, and the through hole can be connected to the mouthpiece of the functional substance containing member 130, so that air can circulate.

[0059] In one embodiment, the second main body region 1222 of the piercing member 120 is Figure 5The length d of the second main body region 1222 in the longitudinal direction (in the ±Y direction) may be configured to be smaller than the length C of the long axis direction of the capsule 132. Since the length d of the long axis direction of the second main body region 1222 is configured to be smaller than the length C of the long axis direction of the capsule 132, when the capsule 132 retreats from the base 121 of the piercing member 120 by the elastic force of the elastic member 140, at least a portion of the second main body region 1222 may be located inside the capsule 132. Here, at least a portion of the airflow holes 12521, 12522, and 12523 of the second airflow hole group 1252 formed in the second main body region 1222 may be located inside the capsule 132, thereby enabling the airflow path 124 to communicate with the interior of the capsule 132, thereby allowing air to circulate.

[0060] In another example, when the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment is not provided with a separate elastic member, the user can insert the cigarette rod 131 of the functional substance containing member 130 into the internal space 114 of the holder 110 and appropriately press the cigarette rod 131, and then slightly lift the cigarette rod 131 in the state where the cigarette rod 131 is inserted into the internal space 114. At this time, the user only needs to lift the cigarette rod 131 to the inhalation position for making the second airflow hole group 1252 located inside the capsule 132. The mark (e.g., guide line) for indicating the inhalation position can be marked on the outer surface of the holder 110 or the cigarette rod 131.

[0061] Below, refer to Figure 6 The working state of the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment is described.

[0062] Reference Figure 6 In the (a) part, when the functional substance containing member 130 is inserted into the holder 110, the capsule 132 can be penetrated by the piercing member 120 along the long axis direction. Here, when the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment includes the elastic member 140, the elastic member 140 can be in a state of being compressed by the functional substance containing member 130.

[0063] Reference Figure 6 In part (b), the capsule 132 can be retracted from the base 121 of the piercing member 120, so that the functional substance can be placed in the inhalation position. Here, due to the retraction of the piercing member 120, a through hole can be formed at one end of the capsule 132, and the through hole can be connected to the internal space 114 of the holder 110, the airflow hole 125, the airflow path 124 and the internal space of the capsule 132 in a state where air can flow.

[0064] For example, when the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment includes the elastic member 140, the capsule 132 can be retracted by the restoring force (elastic force) of the elastic member 140. In another example, when the elastic member 140 is not provided, the user can move the capsule 132 to the inhalation position using a mark indicating the inhalation position.

[0065] Reference Figure 6 In part (c), when the user applies suction force at the inhalation position while holding the mouthpiece, an airflow path P can be formed. The airflow path P is an airflow path toward the internal space 114 of the retainer 110, the first airflow hole group 1251, the airflow path 124, the second airflow hole group 1252, the internal space of the capsule 132 and the mouthpiece.

[0066] Here, the airflow (air) flowing into the airflow path 124 through the first airflow hole 12511 or the second airflow hole 12512 can flow into the internal space of the capsule 132 through the third airflow hole 12521, the fourth airflow hole 12522 or the fifth airflow hole 12523. Since the first airflow hole 12511, the second airflow hole 12512, the third airflow hole 12521, the fourth airflow hole 12522 or the fifth airflow hole 12523 are arranged in a zigzag manner in the long axis direction, the airflow flowing into the internal space of the capsule 132 can form a vortex. Through the effect of this vortex, even if the capsule 132 does not rotate, the functional substance (for example, nicotine powder) can move smoothly to the mouthpiece.

[0067] According to the inhaler 100 of one embodiment, even if an additional vortex channel (tunnel) is not formed in the cigarette rod 131, the airflow flowing into the inner space of the capsule 132 can form a vortex through the structure of the airflow hole 125 formed in the piercing member 120, thereby smoothly achieving the movement of the functional substance (e.g., nicotine powder).

[0068] Furthermore, according to the inhaler 100 of one embodiment, even if the capsule 132 does not rotate, the functional substance can be smoothly moved by the configuration of the airflow hole 125 formed in the piercing member 120, thereby preventing unnecessary noise from being generated due to the rotation of the capsule 132.

[0069] Since the functional substance is inhaled in a state where the piercing member 120 of the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment is inserted into the lower end of the capsule 132, unnecessary leakage of the functional substance powder through the lower end of the capsule 132 can be reduced.

[0070] Since the airflow path P of the inhaler 100 according to an embodiment includes a plurality of relatively narrow airflow holes 125, these airflow holes 125 can provide appropriate inhalation resistance, thereby providing a better smoking feeling for the user.

[0071] The description of the above embodiments is for illustration only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made and various equivalents may be used. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the definition of the appended claims, and any difference within the equivalent scope recorded in the claims shall be deemed to be included in the protection scope 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 disposed in the inner space and protruding toward the opening, 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 includes a plurality of holes, and the plurality of holes are capable of communicating air with each other.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that The retainer comprises: a first retainer face formed with the opening, a second retainer face, facing said first retainer face, and a side retainer surface formed between the first retainer surface and the second retainer surface; The internal space is formed by a groove formed from the opening toward the second retainer surface. The piercing member protrudes from a distal end of the interior space toward the opening.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that The piercing member comprises: a base coupled to an end of the inner space; a body extending from the base toward the opening; a tip, disposed at a distal end of the body; an air flow path formed inside the body; and A plurality of air flow holes are formed on the outer side of the main body and communicated with the air flow path.

4. The inhaler according to claim 3, characterized in that The plurality of air flow holes are formed spaced apart from each other along the long axis direction of the body.

5. The inhaler according to claim 4, characterized in that The functional substance containing component comprises: A cigarette stick, insertable into the internal space; and The capsule is arranged inside the cigarette stick and is used to contain the functional substance.

6. The inhaler according to claim 5, characterized in that The length of the piercing member from the base to the tip is configured to be greater than the length of the capsule in the long axis direction.

7. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Also included is an elastic member, which is disposed at an end of the inner space.

8. The inhaler according to claim 7, characterized in that The air flow holes include a first air flow hole group and a second air flow hole group, The first airflow hole group is formed in the first main body area of ​​the piercing member, The second airflow hole group is formed in the second main body area of ​​the piercing member, The first main body region is the region between the base and the end of the elastic member when the elastic member is not compressed. The second main body region is a region between the end of the elastic member and the tip when the elastic member is not compressed.

9. The inhaler according to claim 8, characterized in that The length of the second main body region in the long axis direction is configured to be smaller than the length of the capsule in the long axis direction.

10. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that An inlet for allowing air flow to flow in is formed between the outer side of the holder and the inner space.

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