Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance according to various embodiments includes a holder including an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening, a piercing member protruding into the internal space, and a functional substance accommodating member inserted into the internal space of the holder along the longitudinal axis of the holder from the opening to accommodate the functional substance. The piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, and at the second piercing position rather than the first piercing position, a tip of the piercing member is closer to the longitudinal axis.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Research has been conducted on inhalers that directly deliver a target substance to a user's lungs. For example, Published Patent Gazette No. 10-2016-0065204 discloses a dry powder inhaler.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The inhalers according to various embodiments are directed to inducing a swirling behavior of the functional substance powder.

[0004] The inhalers according to various embodiments are directed to inducing a smooth discharge of the functional substance powder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An inhaler according to one embodiment includes a holder including an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening, a piercing member protruding into the internal space, and a functional substance accommodating member inserted into the internal space of the holder along the longitudinal axis of the holder from the opening and accommodating the functional substance. The piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, and at the second piercing position rather than the first piercing position, the tip of the piercing member is closer to the longitudinal axis.

[0006] The piercing member according to one embodiment can include a first piercing member and a second piercing member arranged to be spaced apart from the first piercing member along the longitudinal axis.

[0007] The first piercing member and the second piercing member can be arranged to face each other about the longitudinal axis.

[0008] The tips of the first piercing member and the second piercing member can face the longitudinal axis of the holder.

[0009] The piercing member can project in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first piercing position is the state in which the piercing member has returned, and the second piercing position is the state in which the piercing member projects toward the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The piercing member according to one embodiment is pivotally rotatably coupled to the holder, and further includes a stop member that contacts the piercing member and obstructs the rotation of the piercing member. The stop member obstructs the rotation of the piercing member toward the opening. The first piercing position may be 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 longitudinal axis.

[0011] At least one of the functional substance accommodating member or the holder according to one embodiment can be provided with a marker that indicates the length by which the functional substance accommodating member is inserted into the internal space.

[0012] The functional substance accommodating member according to one embodiment can include a stick that can be inserted into the internal space of the holder, and a capsule that is disposed inside the stick and accommodates the functional substance.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to various embodiments, the swirling behavior of the functional substance powder can be induced.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the internal airflow introduced into the inhaler can smoothly discharge the functional substance powder by passing through the center of the functional substance accommodating member.

[0015] The effects of the inhaler according to various embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and different effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The terms used in the embodiments are selected as general terms currently widely used while considering the functions in the present invention, but this may change according to the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not just simple term names, but must be defined based on the meaning they have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0018] When any part of the specification states that a component "includes" something, this does not exclude other components unless otherwise stated to the contrary, but means that other components are further included. Also, terms such as "~ part" and "~ module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0019] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least any one of" is in front of the arranged components, it modifies the entire components that are not in each of the arranged configurations. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler 100 according to various embodiments, and FIG. 2 shows an operating state of the inhaler 100 according to various embodiments.

[0021] The inhaler 100 according to one embodiment transmits a functional substance to a user. For example, the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment can be composed of an inhaler that transmits a dried pharmacological substance or nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of an aerosol.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment includes a holder 110, a piercing member 120, and a functional substance accommodating member 130.

[0023] In one embodiment, the holder 110 may be configured in a cylindrical shape having an internal space, and the internal space may be formed in a size into which the functional substance accommodating member 130 described later can be inserted. An opening into which the functional substance accommodating member 130 is inserted is formed on one side of the holder 110, and the opening and the internal space are connected to each other.

[0024] In one embodiment, the piercing member 120 includes 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 is composed of a cutting edge protruding toward the longitudinal 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 is composed of a cutting edge protruding toward the longitudinal axis C of the holder 110.

[0025] The first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 can be arranged to be separated from each other in a direction parallel to the axis C in the longitudinal direction. For example, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the ±Y direction shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] Also, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 can be arranged to face each other around the axis C in the longitudinal direction. For example, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the ±X direction shown in FIG. 1 with reference to the central axis C.

[0027] In one embodiment, the functional substance containing member 130 includes a stick 131 and a capsule 132. For example, the stick 131 may be configured in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the internal space of the holder 110, and the capsule 132 may be disposed inside the stick 131.

[0028] The region where the capsule 132 is disposed in the functional substance containing member 130 may be set such that when the functional substance containing member 130 is inserted into the internal space of the holder 110, the capsule 132 faces the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122.

[0029] As an example, the capsule 131 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 have fine particles or dry powder.

[0030] As an example, the outer skin of the capsule 132 may be made of a material that can be penetrated or cut by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 are movable between a first piercing position (for example, the positions of the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 in FIG. 2(a)) and a second piercing position (for example, the positions of the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 in FIG. 2(b)), and at the second piercing position rather than the first piercing position, the tip of the piercing member 120 is closer to the longitudinal axis C.

[0032] Here, the horizontal distance (for example, the ±X direction distance in FIG. 1) between the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 at the first piercing position is larger than the outer diameter of the functional material accommodating member 130, and the horizontal distance (for example, the ±X direction distance in FIG. 1) between the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 at the second piercing position may be set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the capsule 132.

[0033] For example, before the functional material accommodating member 130 is inserted into the internal space of the holder 110, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 are placed at the first piercing position. Thereafter, the functional material accommodating member 130 can be inserted into the internal space of the holder 110 without being obstructed by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122. With the functional material accommodating member 130 inserted into the internal space of the holder 110, the first piercing member 121 and the second piercing member 122 can be placed at the second piercing position. At the second piercing position, at least a part of the capsule 132 is opened by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 penetrating the capsule 132, and the functional material in the capsule 132 is exposed to the outside of the capsule 132.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 may be formed to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C (for example, in the ±X direction in FIG. 1). Here, in a state where the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 has returned, the first piercing position is defined, and in a state where the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 protrudes toward the longitudinal axis C, the second piercing position is defined. For example, an elastic member for assisting the protrusion or return of the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 may be provided.

[0035] In one embodiment, at least one of the stick 131 of the functional substance containing member 130 or the holder 110 may be provided with a marker (not shown) for indicating the length by which the stick 131 is inserted into the internal space. When an open region in the form of a longitudinal slit is formed in the capsule 132, the size of the slit is indirectly measured by the marker, and the size of such a slit is set to be proportional to the single-dose amount of the functional substance.

[0036] Hereinafter, the operating states of the inhaler 100 according to various embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2(a), the functional substance containing member 130 can be inserted into the internal space of the holder 110. Here, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 is in the first piercing position.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 can move from the first piercing position to the second piercing position, and the capsule 132 is penetrated by the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122.

[0039] If the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 returns to the first piercing position, a through hole can be formed in the capsule 132.

[0040] Alternatively, the stick 131 can be separated from the internal space of the holder 110 with the first piercing member 121 or the second piercing member 122 inserted into the capsule 132. At this time, a longitudinal slit may be formed in the capsule 132.

[0041] A through hole or a slit-shaped open area by the first piercing member 121 and a through hole or a slit-shaped open area by the second piercing member 122 can be formed in the capsule 132. Since the open areas are formed to be separated along the longitudinal axis C, the airflow passing through the open areas can pass through the central region of the capsule 132.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2(c), at least a part of the functional substance accommodating member 130 is separated from the holder 110. Here, the functional substance accommodating member 130 may be completely separated from the holder 110, or the functional substance may be transferred with the capsule 132 inserted into the holder 110. In this case, compared with the case where the functional substance accommodating member 130 is completely separated from the holder 110, the detachment of the functional substance can be efficiently prevented, and unnecessary leakage of the functional substance can be prevented.

[0043] When the user performs an inhalation operation of biting down on a stage of the stick 131 with the release area formed in the capsule 132, outside air flows into the internal space of the holder 110 through an air flow hole (not shown) formed in the holder 110, and the air flows into the capsule 132 through the release area formed by the second piercing member 122. Next, the air exits through the release area formed by the first piercing member 121 and reaches the user. At this time, the functional substance in the capsule 132 also transfers to the user. Due to the eccentric position of the release area, the air passes through the central portion of the capsule 132 and can induce a swirling behavior of the functional substance at the same time. The swirling behavior induces smooth movement of the functional substance, and the discharge of the functional substance is performed more smoothly.

[0044] As an example, when the capsule 132 is arranged in a state where it is not fixed within the stick 131, the air flow (air current) generated by the eccentric position of the release area can induce rotation of the capsule 132. Therefore, the discharge of the functional substance can be performed more vigorously.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows an inhaler 200 according to various embodiments, and FIG. 4 shows an operating state of the inhaler 200 according to various embodiments.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, an inhaler 200 according to an embodiment includes a holder 210, a piercing member 220, and a functional substance accommodating member 230. The holder 210 has the same or similar structure and function as the holder 110 described above, and the functional substance accommodating member 230 including a stick 231 and a capsule 232 has the same or similar structure and function as the functional substance accommodating member 130 described above. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted for simplicity.

[0047] In one embodiment, the piercing member 220 includes a first piercing member 221 and a second piercing member 222. One side of the first piercing member 221 is pivotally connected to the inside of the holder 210, and the other side of the first piercing member 221 is composed of a cutting edge. One side of the second piercing member 222 is pivotally connected to the inside of the holder 210, and the other side of the second piercing member 222 can be composed of a cutting edge.

[0048] The first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can be arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis C. For example, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the ±Y direction in FIG. 3. Further, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be arranged to face each other around the longitudinal axis C. For example, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the ±X direction in FIG. 3 with reference to the central axis C.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 are movable between a first piercing position (for example, the positions of the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 in FIG. 4(a)) and a second piercing position (for example, the positions of the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 in FIG. 4(b)), and the tip of the first piercing member 221 or the tip of the second piercing member 220 at the second piercing position may be in a state closer to the longitudinal axis C of the holder 210 than at the first piercing position.

[0050] Here, the horizontal distance (for example, the ±X direction distance in FIG. 3) between the tip of the first piercing member 221 and the tip of the second piercing member 222 at the first piercing position is larger than the outer diameter of the functional material accommodating member 230, and the horizontal distance (for example, the ±X direction distance in FIG. 3) between the tip of the first piercing member 221 and the tip of the second piercing member 222 at the second piercing position may be set smaller than the outer diameter of the capsule 232.

[0051] For example, before the functional material accommodating member 230 is inserted into the internal space of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can be placed at the first piercing position. Then, the functional material accommodating member 230 may be inserted into the internal space of the holder 210 without being obstructed by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222. With the functional material accommodating member 230 inserted into the internal space of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can be placed at the second piercing position. At the second piercing position, at least a part of the capsule 232 is opened by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 penetrating the capsule 232, and the functional material in the capsule 232 is exposed to the outside of the capsule 232.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 can be pivotally coupled to the holder 210. For example, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 is coupled to the inside of the holder 210 by a hinge coupling method, and the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 can be rotated between a first piercing position where its tip is rotated toward the opposite side of the opening of the holder 210 and a second piercing position toward the longitudinal axis C.

[0053] In one embodiment, the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment further includes a stopper member 240 that contacts the piercing member 220 and obstructs the rotation of the piercing member 220. The stopper member 240 obstructs the piercing member 220 from rotating toward the opening, and enables the piercing member 220 to rotate only between the first piercing position and the second piercing position. An opening region in the form of a longitudinal slit can be formed in the capsule 232 via the stopper member 240.

[0054] As an example, the stopper member 240 may include a first stopper member 241 that contacts the first piercing member 221 and a second stopper member 242 that contacts the second piercing member 222. For example, the first stopper member 241 is located between the first piercing member 221 and the opening, contacts the first piercing member 221, and can prevent the tip of the first piercing member 221 from rotating toward the opening. Similarly, the second stopper member 242 is located between the second piercing member 222 and the opening, contacts the second piercing member 222, and can prevent the tip of the second piercing member 221 from rotating toward the opening.

[0055] In one embodiment, the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment may further include an elastic element (not shown) that rotates the piercing member 220 at the second piercing position. For example, the elastic element may be a coil spring, and the coil spring can connect the stopper member 240 and the piercing member 220 and return the piercing member 220 rotated at the first piercing position to the second piercing position.

[0056] In one embodiment, at least one of the stick 231 of the functional substance accommodating member 230 or the holder 210 may be provided with a marker (not shown) for indicating the length by which the stick 231 is inserted into the internal space. The longitudinal slit formed in the capsule 232 has its size indirectly measured by the marker, and the size of such a slit may be set to be proportional to the single-dose amount of the functional substance.

[0057] The following describes the operating state of the inhaler 200 according to one embodiment with reference to FIG. 4.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4(a), when the functional substance accommodating 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 is rotated so that its tip faces in a direction opposite to the opening (state at the first piercing position). Since the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222 can rotate freely in a direction opposite to the opening, the functional substance accommodating member 230 can be inserted into the holder 210 without being obstructed by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4(b), when the functional substance accommodating member 230 starts to be pulled out of the holder 210, the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 is rotated so that its tip faces the longitudinal axis C (state at the second piercing position). Here, the tip of the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222 penetrates the capsule 232. In this state, if the functional substance accommodating member 230 continues to be pulled out of the holder 210, an open region in the form of a longitudinal slit can be formed in the capsule 232 by the first piercing member 221 or the second piercing member 222.

[0060] Here, slits can be formed by the first piercing member 221 and the second piercing member 222, respectively. Since the slits are formed at intervals along the longitudinal axis C in a state facing each other, the airflow passing through the slits can pass through the central region of the capsule 232.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4(c), the functional substance containing member 230 may be completely separated from the holder 210, or may hold the state in which the capsule 232 is inserted into the holder 210. In this case, when the functional substance is transferred, the detachment of the functional substance is prevented as compared with the case where the functional substance containing member 230 is completely separated from the holder 210, and thus unnecessary leakage of the functional substance can be prevented.

[0062] When the user performs an inhalation operation of biting a stage of the stick 231 with the slit formed in the capsule 232, external air flows into the internal space of the holder 210 through an air flow hole (not shown) formed in the holder 210, and the air flows into the capsule 232 through the slit formed by the second piercing member 222. Next, the air exits through the slit formed by the first piercing member 221 and reaches the user. At this time, the functional substance in the capsule 232 is also transferred to the user. Due to the eccentric position of the slit, the air passes through the central portion of the capsule 132, and a swirling behavior of the functional substance can be induced. The swirling behavior induces smooth movement of the functional substance, and the discharge of the functional substance is performed smoothly.

[0063] As an example, when the capsule 232 is arranged in a state of not being fixed in the stick 231, the air flow (airflow) generated by the eccentric position of the slit can induce the rotation of the capsule 232. Therefore, the discharge of the functional substance can be performed more vigorously.

[0064] The description of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and those having ordinary knowledge in the art will be able to understand that various modifications and equivalent different embodiments will be possible hereafter. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention must be determined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the content described in the claims must be construed as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance, comprising: a holder including an opening and an internal space communicating with the opening; a piercing member protruding into the internal space; a functional substance accommodating member inserted into the internal space of the holder along the longitudinal axis of the holder from the opening and accommodating the functional substance; wherein the piercing member is movable between a first piercing position and a second piercing position; an inhaler, wherein at the second piercing position rather than the first piercing position, the tip of the piercing member is closer to the longitudinal axis.

2. The piercing member comprises a first piercing member; and a second piercing member arranged to be spaced apart from the first piercing member along the longitudinal axis; The inhaler according to claim 1.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the first piercing member and the second piercing member are arranged to face each other about the longitudinal axis.

4. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the first piercing member and the tip of the second piercing member face the longitudinal axis of the holder.

5. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member can protrude in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first piercing position is a state where the piercing member returns, and the second piercing position is a state where the piercing member protrudes toward the longitudinal axis.

6. The piercing member is pivotally rotatably coupled to the holder, and further includes a stop member that contacts the piercing member and obstructs the rotation of the piercing member, The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the stop member obstructs the rotation of the piercing member toward the opening.

7. The inhaler according to claim 6, wherein the first piercing position is a state where the tip of the piercing member rotates toward the opposite side of the opening, and the second piercing position is a state where the tip of the piercing member rotates toward the longitudinal axis.

8. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional substance accommodating member or the holder is provided with a marker indicating the length at which the functional substance accommodating member is inserted into the internal space.

9. The functional substance accommodating member comprises a stick insertable into the internal space of the holder; A capsule that is disposed inside the stick and houses the functional substance, The inhaler according to claim 1, comprising.

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