A device for storing, dosing and direct or indirect snuffing of substances

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for storage, dosing and direct or indirect sniffing of powder or finely-grained substances, such as tobacco, cacao, glucose, therapeutic substances, etc. The device (1) according to the invention comprises a hollow housing part (2) having a cylindrical inner surface (2a) and a first through-hole (2b), an annular dispenser (3), which is rotatably installed in the housing part (2), at least one second through-hole (3a) and a drive element (3b) with which the annular dispenser may be rotated in the housing part, an annular container (4) provided in the annular dispenser (3) so that it is non-rotatable with regards to the housing part (3), wherein the annular container has in its cylindrical wall a third through-hole (4a), wherein the annular container is installed so that the third through-hole is diametrically opposite the first through-hole of the housing part, and a first (5) and a second (6) closure means, which close the sides of the housing part. An advantage of the device according to the invention is in that it enables storage, easy dosing and direct or indirect sniffing of substance without the substance falling out.

Description

[0001] A DEVICE FOR STORING, DOSING AND DIRECT OR INDIRECT SNUFFING OF SUBSTANCES

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention belongs to the field of devices for snuffing. The invention relates to a device for storing, dosing and direct or indirect snuffing of powder or finegrained substance, such as for example tobacco, cacao, glucose, therapeutic substances, etc.

[0004] Background of the invention and the technical problem

[0005] Snuffing or sniffing is the intake of substances, especially tobacco and various powdery substances, through the nose. It is a procedure that has been known for centuries. Various boxes, bottles and flat surfaces are used for this purpose, but they do not allow for good hygiene.

[0006] The technical problem is to provide a device, which will enable hygienic storage, simple and precise dosing at each use as well as direct or indirect snuffing of substances. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a device that will enable dosing different dosages.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] Different snuffing devices are already known. Document WO D221370 discloses a device for sniffing. The device is designed as a plate with hollows arranged to receive individual doses of sniffing substance, wherein said hollows may be closed with a cover provided with sliding guides. The substance is sniffed directly via a hollow tube or a straw. A disadvantage of this device is in that the filling the device with the substance and its arrangement in the hollows is not practical, as the substance is often falls out. Furthermore, the device does not allow direct sniffing.

[0009] Description of the solution to the technical problem

[0010] The technical problem is solved as defined in the independent claim, wherein the preferred embodiments are defined in dependent claims.

[0011] The essence of the invention is a device for storing, dosing and direct or indirect snuffing of powder or fine-grained substances, such as tobacco, cacao, glucose, therapeutic substances, etc., said device comprising:

[0012] - a hollow housing part, having an inner surface shaped as a cylinder and wherein a wall of the housing part is provided with a first through-hole, preferably an oblong through-hole, in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner surface directed through the first through-hole,

[0013] - an annular dispenser, which is rotatably installed in the housing part, and which is with it outer surface tightly fitting to the inner surface of the housing part, and wherein the dispenser has in its cylindrical wall at least one second through-hole, preferably an oblong through-hole, in the axial direction of the ring dispenser directed through hole, or at least one group of second through-holes, which are arranged in an oblong in the axial direction of the annular dispenser directed formation, and a drive element arranged to rotate the annular dispenser in the housing part,

[0014] - an annular container installed in the annular dispenser so that it is not rotatable with regards to the housing part, said container having in its cylindrical wall a third through hole, preferably an oblong through-hole, and in the axial direction of the annular container directed through-hole, wherein the annular container is fixed with regards to the housing part so that the third through-hole is diametrically opposite to the first through-hole of the housing part,

[0015] - first closure means arranged to close the hollow housing part on a first side end of the device, and - second closure means arranged to close the hollow housing part on a second side end of the device, which is located opposite the first side end of the device, wherein the second closure means is arranged to allow opening to allow access to the interior of the annular container.

[0016] During use the user first opens the second closure means and fills the interior of the annular container with the substance for sniffing or inhaling. After closing the second closure means the user holds the device with one hand so that the longitudinal axis of the device is horizontal and the first through-hole is directed upwards. With the other hand the user rotates the annular dispenser with the drive element. When the second through-hole or a group of second through-holes are aligned with the third through-hole of the annular container, the substance for sniffing from the annular container fills the space of the second through-hole or the group of second through- holes due to gravitation. Upon further rotation of the annular dispenser the dosage of the substance is transported between walls of the housing part and the annular container, until the second through-hole or the group of second through-holes reaches the area of the first through-hole of the housing part. In this position the dosage of the substance is available to the user for sniffing either directly or indirectly via a straw or a tube. The amount of the substance dosage is defined by the surface of the second through-hole or the sum of surfaces of the group of second through- holes as well as the thickness of the wall of the annular dispenser.

[0017] An advantage of the device according to the invention is in that it allows hygienic storage, simple and accurate dosing every time it is needed as well as direct or indirect substance sniffing without the substance falling out.

[0018] The invention will be described in further detail based on an exemplary embodiment and figures, which show:

[0019] Figure 1 : Explosion view of the device

[0020] Figure 2: The device with the straw in the housing part

[0021] Figure 3: The device with a threaded closure from exterior and in the longitudinal cross-section Figure 4: The device with the threaded closure with a drying chamber from exterior and in the longitudinal and transverse cross-section

[0022] Figure 5: The annular container of the device

[0023] Figure 1 shows the device 1 for storage, dosing and direct or indirect sniffing of powder or finely grained substance, such as tobacco, cacao, glucose, therapeutic agents, etc., wherein said device comprises:

[0024] - a hollow housing part 2, having an inner surface 2a shaped as a cylinder and wherein the wall of the housing part is provided with a first through-hole 2b, preferably an oblong through-hole, in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner surface directed through the first through-hole,

[0025] - an annular dispenser 3, which is rotatably installed in the housing part 2, and which is with it outer surface tightly fitting to the inner surface of the housing part, and wherein the dispenser has in its cylindrical wall at least one second through- hole 3a, preferably an oblong through-hole, in the axial direction of the annular dispenser directed through hole, or at least one group of second through-holes, which are arranged in an oblong in the axial direction of the annular dispenser directed formation, and a drive element 3b arranged to rotate the annular dispenser in the housing part,

[0026] - an annular container 4 installed in the annular dispenser 3 so that it is not rotatable with regards to the housing part 2, said container having in its cylindrical wall a third through hole 4a, preferably an oblong through-hole, and in the axial direction of the annular container directed through-hole, wherein the annular container is fixed with regards to the housing part so that the third through-hole is diametrically opposite to the first through-hole of the housing part,

[0027] - first closure means 5 arranged to close the hollow housing part on a first side end of the device, and

[0028] - second closure means 6 arranged to close the hollow housing part on a second side end of the device, which is located opposite the first side end of the device, wherein the second closure means is arranged to allow opening to allow access to the interior of the annular container 4. In case the annular dispenser is provided with one second through-hole or with a group of second through-holes arranged in an oblong formation in the axial direction of the annular dispenser, the annular dispenser has to be rotated for 360° after substance consumption, so as to allow a new dosage of the substance. In a preferred embodiment there are several second through holes or several groups of second through-holes and said second through-holes are evenly arranged along the circumference of the annular dispenser. This allows reducing the need to rotate the annular dispenser for ensuring a new substance dose.

[0029] The annular container 4 may comprise at least one bore 4b, which is provided in the outer circumferential surface in the radial direction of the annular container in the area of the third through-hole 4a and in which a coil spring 4c with a ball 4d is provided, which interacts with at least one hole 3c provided in the inner circumferential surface of the annular dispenser 3, wherein the hole is provided at least in the longitudinal axis of the second through hole 3a or the group of second through-holes of the annular dispenser. During rotation of the annular dispenser 3 the ball 4d is stuck in the hole 3c of the annular dispenser, when the hole 3c enters the area of the ball 4d. The user feels that action as a “click”, which notifies the user that the position for sniffing has been reached. The position for sniffing is the position in which the first through-hole and the second through hole are essentially circumferentially aligned. Holes 3c may be provided in other areas in the middle between adjacent second through-holes 3a or groups of second through-holes of the annular dispenser. In this case the “click” notifies the user about the position, in which the bottom of the first through-hole is closed by the wall of the annular dispenser. The balls also prevent unwanted rotation of the annular dispenser.

[0030] The drive element 3b is preferably formed so that its outer circumference protrudes over the circumference of the housing part, which enables easier rotation of the annular dispenser in the housing part. Further, the cross-section of the outer circumference of the drive element 3b may be polygonal, which prevents or disables the device, which has a cylindrical outer surface of the housing part, from rolling on the surface and falling down from said surface. The housing part 2 and the annular container 4 may be on the first end provided with an inwardly directed flange 2c, 4e, wherein the first closure means 5 may be formed a screw 5a with a flange and a nut 5b with a flange, which mutually correspond so that their flanges are positioned on the flanges of the housing part of the annular container, respectively.

[0031] The first closure means may be made integrally with the housing part, i.e. as one piece. Alternative, the first closure means and the housing part are connected with a fixed connection, for example with gluing, welding, or with a detachable connection, such as screwing.

[0032] The device may further comprise a first sealing ring 10, which is installed between the second closure means 6 and the annular dispenser.

[0033] The second closure means 6 may be formed as a threaded closure (cork) 6e, which is provided with an external thread corresponding to the inner thread provided in the annular dispenser.

[0034] Furthermore, the second closure means 6 may be designed as a threaded closure provided with a chamber for receiving a drying agent, such as for example edible salt, rice, silica gel, etc., wherein the chamber is defined by an annular part 6a, a cover 6b, which is removable from the annular part, so that it enables replacement of the drying agent, and a mesh 6c, which prevents passage of the substance for sniffing from the container into the chamber as well as passage of the drying agent in the reverse direction.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the second closure means is designed as a threaded closure with an elongation 6d for increasing the capacity of the space for receiving the substance. The device may further comprise a first spring ring 9, which is installed between the housing part and the annular dispenser, which prevents the annular dispenser and the annular container from uncoupling from the housing part, even if the first and / or the second closure means are removed.

[0036] The annular container may be provided with a hollow 4f shaped as a pocket for receiving the dispensed substance, wherein said hollow is provided in the outer surface of the cylindrical wall on the area diametrically opposite from the third through-hole. Each time the second receiving hole or a group of second through- holes passes over the pocket-shaped hollow, the substance for sniffing falls into the hollow due to gravitation. An advantage of the annular dispenser with the pocket-like hollow is in that it enables receiving multiple doses.

[0037] The device may further comprise a first pin 7, with which the angular position of the annular container may be fixed with regards to the housing part, so that the pocketshaped hollow 4f and the first through hole 2b are circumferentially aligned.

[0038] The device may further comprise a telescopic straw 8, which comprises a central part 8a of the straw, two end parts 8b of the straw, which are installed on the central part of the straw, each from each side, and second spring rings 8c, which end parts 8b of the straw connect to the central part of the straw. The straw is dimensioned so that in its non-extended state the pocket-shaped hollow 4f can receive it, when the first through hole 2b of the housing part 2 and the second through hole 3a of the annular dispenser 3 are aligned with the pocket-shaped hollow 4f.

[0039] The cross-section of the shape of the outer circumference of the housing part is arbitrary, for example a triangular, square, oval, etc., however, the preferred shapes are circular, hexagonal and octagonal.

Claims

Patent claims1. A device (1 ) for storage, dosing and direct or indirect sniffing of powder or finely grained substance, such as tobacco, cacao, glucose, therapeutic agents, etc., wherein said device comprises:- a hollow housing part (2), having an inner surface (2a) shaped as a cylinder and wherein the wall of the housing part is provided with a first through-hole (2b), preferably an oblong through-hole directed in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner surface,- an annular dispenser (3), which is rotatably installed in the housing part (2), and which is with it outer surface tightly fitting to the inner surface of the housing part (2), and wherein the dispenser (3) has in its cylindrical wall at least one second through-hole (3a), preferably an oblong through-hole, in the axial direction of the annular dispenser directed through hole, or at least one group of second through-holes, which are arranged in an oblong in the axial direction of the annular dispenser directed formation, and a drive element (3b) arranged to rotate the annular dispenser in the housing part (2),- an annular container (4) installed in the annular dispenser (3) in a non- rotatable with regards to the housing part (2), said container having in its cylindrical wall a third through hole (4a), preferably an oblong through-hole, and in the axial direction of the annular container directed through-hole, wherein the annular container is fixed with regards to the housing part so that the third through-hole is diametrically opposite to the first through-hole of the housing part- first closure means (5) arranged to close the hollow housing part on a first side end of the device, and- second closure means (6) arranged to close the hollow housing part on a second side end of the device, which is located opposite the first side end of the device, wherein the second closure means is arranged to allow opening to allow access to the interior of the annular container (4).

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the annular container (4) comprises at least one bore (4b), which is provided in the outer circumferential surface in the radial direction of the annular container in the area of the third through-hole (4a) and in which a coil spring (4c) with a ball (4d) is provided, which can interact with at least one hole (3c), which is provided in the inner circumferential surface of the annular dispenser (3), wherein the bore is provided at least in the longitudinal axis of the second through-hole (3a) or group of second through-holes of the annular dispenser.

3. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (3b) is shaped to protrude with its outer circumference over the circumference of the housing part.

4. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the external circumference of the drive element (3b) is polygonal.

5. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing part (2) and the annular container (4) have on their first end an inwardly directed flange (2c; 4e), and the first closure means (5) is designed with a screw (5a) with a flange and a nut (5b) with a flange, which mutually interact so that they are positioned with their flanges on the flange of the housing part or the flange of the annular container, respectively.

6. The device according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a first sealing ring (10), installed between the second closure means (6) and the annular dispenser.

7. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second closure means (6) is designed as a threaded cap (6e), which is provided with an external thread arranged to correspond to an inner thread formed in the annular dispenser.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the threaded cap has a chamber for receiving a drying agent, such as edible sat, rice, silica gel, wherein the chamber is defined by an annular part (6a), a cover (6b), which is removable from the annular part (6a) so that replacement of the drying agent is possible, and a net (6c), which prevent passage of the substance for sniffing from the container to the chamber and passage of the drying agent in the reverse direction.

9. The device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the threaded cap is provided with an elongation (6d) for increasing the capacity of the container space.

10. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a first spring ring (9), which is installed between the housing part and the annular dispenser, which prevent disengagement of the annular dispenser and the annular container from the housing part even in case the first and / or the second closure means are removed.

11. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the annular container is provided with a hollow (4f) shaped as a pocket for receiving dosed substance, said hollow being provided in the outer surface of the cylindrical wall in the area diametrically opposite the third through-hole (4a).

12. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a first pin (7), with which the angular position of the annular container may be fixed with regards to the housing part, so that the pocket-shaped hollow (4f) and the first through hole (2b) are circumferentially aligned.

13. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a telescopic straw (8), which comprises a central part (8a), two end parts (8b), which are installed on the central part each from one side, and second spring rings (8c), which are arranged to connect the end parts (8c) with the central part (8a) of the straw.

14. The device according to claim 13, when it depends on claim 11 or 12, wherein the straw is dimensioned so that in its non-extended state it is received by the pocketshaped hollow (4f), when the first through-hole (2b) of the housing part (2) and the second through-hole (3a) of the annular dispenser (3) are aligned with the pocket-shaped hollow (4f).

15. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the outer circumference of the housing part has in the cross-section one of the selected shapes: circular, hexagonal, octagonal.

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