Inhaler comprising powder cartridge

Abstract

The inhaler includes: a housing including a first end wall, a second end wall formed on an opposite side of the first end wall, and a side wall formed between the first end wall and the second end wall; the suction nozzle is arranged adjacent to the first end wall of the shell; the smoke cartridge is arranged adjacent to the suction nozzle, and the smoke cartridge can comprise a rotating screw rod.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to an inhaler, and more particularly, to an inhaler including a powder cartridge. BACKGROUND

[0002] Research has been conducted on an inhaler including a reusable cartridge. For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2021-0117266 discloses a dry powder inhaler.

[0003] The above background art is information obtained or mastered in the derivation process of the disclosure, and thus does not specify technology known before the filing of the present application. SUMMARY

[0004] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the disclosure, a user can be supplied with a prescribed amount of powder per puff.

[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, easy replacement of a dry powder cartridge can be achieved, and thus user convenience can be improved.

[0006] MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS An inhaler according to various embodiments includes a housing including a first end wall, a second end wall formed on an opposite side of the first end wall, and a side wall formed between the first end wall and the second end wall; a mouthpiece disposed adjacent to the first end wall of the housing; and a cartridge disposed adjacent to the mouthpiece and internally storing a functional material, wherein the cartridge can supply a prescribed amount of the functional material.

[0007] In an embodiment, the cartridge further includes a housing for storing dry powder; a rotating screw disposed inside the housing in a length direction of the cartridge; a dispensing cone integrally formed with the rotating screw and in contact with the mouthpiece, the dispensing cone including a plurality of holes; and a plate member disposed between the rotating screw and the dispensing cone and including a powder discharge hole, wherein the rotating screw is disposed inside the housing in the length direction of the cartridge, and wherein, when the powder discharge hole of the plate member corresponds to the holes, the dry powder stored inside the cartridge can move to the mouthpiece.

[0008] In an embodiment, the mouthpiece can include a mouthpiece portion protruding outward from the first end wall of the housing; a recess portion connected to the mouthpiece portion and formed on an inner side of the housing; a plurality of partitions for partitioning a space of the recess portion; and an elongated cavity extending from the recess portion to one end of the mouthpiece portion.

[0009] In an embodiment, the holes can correspond to spaces formed between the partitions adjacent to the mouthpiece.

[0010] In an embodiment, when the number of the plurality of partitions is n, the rotating screw can rotate 360 / n degrees.

[0011] In an embodiment, further comprising a puff sensor, wherein, when the puff sensor senses a puff of a user, the rotating screw can rotate on an axis parallel to a length direction of the cartridge.

[0012] In an embodiment, further comprising a switch exposed to an outside of the housing, wherein, when the switch is clicked, the rotating screw can rotate on an axis parallel to a length direction of the cartridge.

[0013] In an embodiment, the mouthpiece can further comprise: an inhalation delay portion disposed inside the elongated cavity.

[0014] In an embodiment, the inhalation delay portion can be helical along a length direction of the elongated cavity.

[0015] In an embodiment, the cartridge further comprises: a lid disposed at one side of the housing, wherein the housing can be opened and closed by the lid.

[0016] In an embodiment, the cartridge can be reusable.

[0017] Effects of Invention The inhaler according to an embodiment can deliver a prescribed amount of powder per puff to a user. The inhaler according to an embodiment can achieve easy replacement of a dry powder cartridge, thereby improving the ease of use of a user. The effects of the inhaler according to an embodiment are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dry powder inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a dry powder inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dry powder inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 A perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With respect to the terms used in the embodiments, the functions of the embodiments are taken into consideration, and general terms widely used at present are selected in order to describe the embodiments, but the terms can vary according to the intention of the one of ordinary skill in the art, the precedents, new technology, etc. Also, the applicant can arbitrarily select the terms to be used in the description, but the selected terms will be explicitly described in the description. Therefore, the terms used in the description should be defined based on the meaning of the terms in the context and the overall contents of the present application.

[0026] When a certain part is described as "including" a component in the whole specification, it means that the other components can also be included unless otherwise mentioned, and does not mean that the other components are excluded. Also, the terms "unit", "module", etc. described in the specification are units for processing at least one function or action, and can be implemented by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0027] In the specification, when a phrase such as "at least one of" is used in a list of two or more items, it means that all of the items in the list and combinations thereof are included. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" is understood to include a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c.

[0028] In the following embodiments, the term "inhaler" can refer to an article that includes a powder or liquid inhalation substance and delivers the inhalation substance into the mouth of a user. A representative example of the inhaler can be a dry powder inhaler (DPI), but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0029] In the following embodiments, the term "upstream" or "upstream direction" can refer to a direction away from the mouth of a user (a smoker), and the term "downstream" or "downstream direction" can refer to a direction close to the mouth of a user. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" can be used to describe the relative positions of components constituting the inhaler.

[0030] In the following embodiments, the term "puff" can refer to inhalation of a user, which means a case in which the user inhales an aerosol into the mouth, the nasal cavity, or the lungs through the mouth or the nose.

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inhaler 10 according to an embodiment.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the inhaler 10 can include a housing 11, a mouthpiece 12, a cartridge 13, and a driving portion 14.

[0034] In an embodiment, the housing 11 can constitute an outer appearance of the inhaler 10. The housing 11 can be formed to cover components housed inside the housing 11. The housing 11 can be made of a material having high strength and high rigidity, and thus can protect the components from impacts, heat, dust, dirt, etc. from the outside. The housing 11 can include a first end wall 11a, a second end wall 11b, and a side wall 11c. The first end wall 11a can be a wall formed in a direction in which the mouthpiece 12 is disposed. The second end wall 11b can be a wall disposed at an opposite side of the first end wall 11a. The side wall 11c can be a wall formed between the first end wall 11a and the second end wall 11b. Powder stored inside the inhaler 10 can move from the second end wall 11b toward the first end wall 11a.

[0035] In an embodiment, the mouthpiece 12 can be in contact with a user's mouth when the user inhales an inhalation substance stored inside the inhaler 10. The mouthpiece 12 can be disposed adjacent to the first end wall 11a of the housing 11. The mouthpiece 12 can be formed to protrude from the first end wall 11a. The mouthpiece 12 according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail below with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 .

[0036] In an embodiment, the cartridge 13 can be housed inside the housing 11. The cartridge 13 can be disposed adjacent to the mouthpiece 12. The cartridge 13 can contain a functional material that a user wants to inhale. For example, the functional material can include at least one of nicotine, theanine, caffeine, taurine, a pharmacological substance, or a mixture thereof. The functional material can have a form of fine particles or dry powder. When the functional material stored inside the cartridge 13 is delivered to the mouthpiece 12, the user can inhale the functional material. The cartridge 13 according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail below with reference to Figure 3 .

[0037] In an embodiment, the driving portion 14 can be disposed adjacent to the cartridge 13. For example, the driving portion 14 can be disposed at a downstream side of the cartridge 13. The driving portion 14 can include a battery (not shown) and a control portion (not shown).

[0038] The battery can provide power for operating the inhaler 10. For example, the rotating screw (e.g., the rotating screw 132 of the cartridge 13) can be rotated by receiving power from the battery. The control portion can control the overall operation of the inhaler 10. In an embodiment, the control portion can include at least one processor. The processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it can also be implemented in other types of hardware. Figure 3

[0039] Although Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 not shown in FIG. 1, the inhaler 10 can further include a puff sensor or a switch. In an embodiment, the inhaler 10 including the puff sensor can recognize a user's puff and rotate the rotating screw 132 without a separate input. The puff sensor can sense a user's puff. When the puff sensor senses a user's puff, a signal is transmitted to the control portion of the driving portion 14, thereby rotating the rotating screw (e.g., the rotating screw 132 of the cartridge 13). The rotating screw 132 can be rotated on the basis of an axis parallel to the length direction of the cartridge 13. In an embodiment, the inhaler 10 including the switch can rotate the rotating screw 132 when a user clicks (inputs) the switch. When the user clicks the switch, a signal is transmitted to the control portion of the driving portion 14, thereby rotating the rotating screw 132. Figure 3

[0040] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge 13 according to an embodiment. Figure 4 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment.

[0041] The internal structure and driving mechanism of the cartridge 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cartridge 13 can include a housing 131, a rotating screw 132, a dispensing cone 133, a plate 134, and a lid 135.

[0042] In an embodiment, the housing 131 can constitute the appearance of the cartridge 13. The shape of the housing 131 can correspond to the internal space of the housing 11 of the inhaler (e.g., the inhaler 10 of FIG. 1). For example, the housing 131 can be cylindrical. The housing 131 can store a functional material (e.g., a dry powder, etc.) contained inside the housing 131. The housing 131 can be made of a material having high strength and high rigidity, thereby protecting components from external impact, high temperature, dust, dirt, etc. Figure 1

[0043] ​​​In an embodiment, the rotating screw 132 can include a thread formed with reference to a shaft formed in a length direction of the cartridge 13. As the rotating screw 132 rotates, the thread of the rotating screw 132 can move forward. A thread edge of the rotating screw 132 can be in contact with an inner face of the housing 131. As the thread edge is in contact with the inner face of the housing 131, the delivery efficiency can be maximized as the functional material is pushed toward the dispensing cone 133 as the rotating screw 132 rotates. The rotating screw 132 can be formed from one end to the other end in the length direction of the cartridge 13.

[0044] In an embodiment, the dispensing cone 133 can be provided at one end of the cartridge 13. The dispensing cone 133 can be in contact with the mouthpiece 12. For example, the dispensing cone 133 can be in contact with a baffle (e.g., the baffle 123 of the Figure 5 and Figure 6 The dispensing cone 133 can be integrally formed with the rotating screw 132 (see Figure 4 ). As the dispensing cone 133 is integrally formed with the rotating screw 132, the dispensing cone 133 can rotate together with the rotating screw 132. The dispensing cone 133 can include apertures 133a. The apertures 133a of the dispensing cone 133 can be formed in plural. The apertures 133a can be formed in a manner of communicating an inner space and an outer space of the cartridge 13. The apertures 133a can be formed at positions adjacent to an edge of the dispensing cone 133 at a prescribed angle interval. For example, when the dispensing cone 133 includes four apertures 133a, each aperture 133a can be provided at an interval of 90 degrees. For example, when the dispensing cone 133 includes three apertures 133a, each aperture 133a can be provided at an interval of 120 degrees.

[0045] In an embodiment, the plate member 134 can be provided between the rotating screw 132 and the dispensing cone 133. That is, the plate member 134 can include a large hole formed in the center through which the rotating screw 132 and the dispensing cone 133 can be connected to be integrally formed. The plate member 134 can be formed separately from the rotating screw 132 and the dispensing cone 133. The plate member 134 can be fixed to the housing 131 even though the rotating screw 132 rotates. The plate member 134 can include a powder discharge port 134h. The powder discharge port 134h can be formed to be formed through in the length direction of the cartridge 13. A diameter of the powder discharge port 134h can be greater than a diameter of the aperture 133a of the dispensing cone 133. When any one of the plural apertures 133a of the dispensing cone 133 corresponds to the powder discharge port 134h as the rotating screw 132 rotates, the dry powder stored in the inside of the cartridge 13 can move to the mouthpiece 12 (see the arrow of Figure 4 ).

[0046] In one embodiment, a cover 135 may be formed on one side of the outer shell 131 of the cartridge 13. The cover 135 can be separated from the outer shell 131 (opened and closed). Since the cartridge 13 is configured to open and close via the cover 135, when the functional material stored inside the cartridge 13 is depleted, the functional material can be refilled by opening the cover 135. Therefore, the cartridge 13 according to one embodiment can be reused.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a suction nozzle 12 according to an embodiment. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a suction nozzle 12 according to an embodiment.

[0048] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The mouthpiece 12 may include a mouthpiece portion 121, a recessed portion 122, a partition 123, an elongated cavity 124, and an inhalation delay portion 125.

[0049] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece portion 121 may correspond to the portion that directly contacts the user's mouth. The mouthpiece portion 121 may be formed from the housing (e.g., Figure 1 The first end of the housing 11) (e.g., Figure 1 The first end portion 11a) protrudes outward. The mouthpiece portion 121 may be configured such that its thickness decreases as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side. The mouthpiece portion 121 may be flattened in a direction perpendicular to its length direction. The mouthpiece portion 121 may include an elongated cavity 124 formed on its inner side along its length direction.

[0050] In one embodiment, a recess 122 may be formed on the opposite side of the mouthpiece portion 121. The recess 122 may be integrally formed with the mouthpiece portion 121. The recess 122 may include an extension into the housing (e.g., Figure 4 The space formed inside the shell 11). The recess 122 can temporarily store functional materials (e.g., dry powder) passing through the powder outlet 134h of the plate 134 and the hole 133a of the dispensing cone 133 (see See Figure 4 The recessed portion 122 can communicate with the elongated cavity 124 formed along the length direction inside the mouthpiece portion 121.

[0051] In an embodiment, the partition 123 can be formed to protrude from the edge of the recess 122 toward the center. The partition 123 can be formed in plural. The plural partitions 123 can not contact each other and can extend to the beginning of the elongated cavity 124. The plural partitions 123 can divide the internal space of the recess 122. The space formed between the partitions 123 adjacent to each other can correspond to the hole 133a formed in the distribution cone 133 of the cartridge 13. The functional material moved to the mouthpiece 12 through the hole 133a can be temporarily stored in the space formed between the partitions 123 of the mouthpiece 12, and then can be moved to the user's mouth through the elongated cavity 124. The partitions 123 can be formed at a prescribed angle interval in the recess 122. For example, when the recess 122 includes four partitions 123, each partition 123 can be disposed at an interval of 90 degrees. For example, when the recess 122 includes three partitions 123, each partition 123 can be disposed at an interval of 120 degrees. That is, when the number of the partitions 123 formed in the recess 122 is n, preferably, the number of the holes (for example, Figure 3 hole 133a) formed in the distribution cone (for example, Figure 3 distribution cone 133) of the cartridge 13 is also n, and the rotation screw (for example, Figure 3 rotation screw 132) can be rotated by 360 / n degrees each time the user puffs or clicks the switch.

[0052] In an embodiment, the elongated cavity 124 can extend from the center of the recess 122 to one end of the mouthpiece 121 and can be in fluid communication with the outside of the inhaler 10. The functional material temporarily stored in the recess 122 can be moved to the user's mouth through the elongated cavity 124.

[0053] In an embodiment, the inhalation delay portion 125 can be formed in the inside of the elongated cavity 124. The inhalation delay portion 125 can prevent a large amount of functional material from being inhaled into the user's mouth at once due to a single puff of the user. The inhalation delay portion 125 can form a structure having a complex shape in the inside of the elongated cavity 124 formed straight in the length direction. For example, the inhalation delay portion 125 can include a spiral structure rotated about an axis parallel to the length direction of the elongated cavity 124. The complex shape of the inhalation delay portion 125 can prevent a large amount of functional material (for example, dry powder) from being inhaled at once due to a long flow path, thereby avoiding symptoms such as coughing of the user.

[0054] In view of the foregoing description, it will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the application. For example, the described techniques can be performed in different orders than the order described, and / or the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. components can be combined or combined in different ways than described, or replaced or substituted by other components or their equivalents, and still obtain desirable results.

[0055] Therefore, other embodiments and uses of the application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and it will be understood that the description and examples herein are illustrative. Numerous variations and modifications will be possible for the embodiments described and it will be apparent that the scope of the application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An inhaler, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a first end wall, a second end wall formed on the opposite side of the first end wall, and a side wall formed between the first end wall and the second end wall; A suction nozzle is disposed adjacent to the first end wall of the housing; and The cartridge, disposed adjacent to the mouthpiece, stores functional materials. The cartridge delivers a specified amount of the functional material to the mouthpiece.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette cartridge also includes: The outer shell is used to store the dry powder; A rotating screw is disposed inside the outer casing along the length of the cartridge; A dispensing cone, integrally formed with the rotating screw and in contact with the nozzle, the dispensing cone including a plurality of holes; and A plate, disposed between the rotating screw and the dispensing cone, includes a powder discharge port. The rotating screw is disposed inside the outer casing along the length of the cartridge. When the powder outlet of the plate corresponds to the hole, the dry powder stored inside the housing moves to the suction nozzle.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The suction nozzle includes: The mouthpiece portion protrudes outward from the first end wall of the housing; A recessed portion, which connects to the mouthpiece portion and is formed on the inner side of the housing; Multiple partitions, which are used to separate the space of the recess; and A long, narrow cavity that extends from the recess to one end of the mouthpiece portion.

4. The inhaler according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hole corresponds to the space formed between adjacent partitions of the suction nozzle.

5. The inhaler according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the number of the plurality of partitions is n, the rotating screw rotates 360 / n degrees.

6. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes: a suction sensor, When the inhalation sensor detects the user's inhalation, the rotating screw rotates around an axis parallel to the length direction of the cartridge.

7. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The switch is exposed outside the housing. When the switch is clicked, the rotating screw rotates about an axis parallel to the length direction of the cartridge.

8. The inhaler according to claim 3, characterized in that, The nozzle further includes a suction delay section, which is disposed on the inner side of the elongated cavity.

9. The inhaler according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inhalation delay section is spiral-shaped along the length of the elongated cavity.

10. The inhaler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cartridge further includes a cover, which is disposed on one side of the outer shell. The outer casing can be opened or closed via the cover.

11. The inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette cartridges are reusable.

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