Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler according to one embodiment includes an inhaler through which a user inhales dry powder, and a storage unit in which the dry powder is stored and a cyclone-shaped airflow is generated when a user inhales through the inhaler.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternatives to conventional cigarettes that overcome the drawbacks of such cigarettes. For example, an inhaler is a device used to inhale a composition such as a drug through the oral or nasal cavity in the form of a liquid or gas during inhalation. Such a device includes a container containing an inhalable composition, and the composition is sprayed from the container using a thin tube into the oral or nasal cavity through an inhalation port, where it can be inhaled by the user.

[0003] As an example of the prior art, European Patent No. 0017578 (registered on March 19, 1980) describes an inhaler.

[0004] The above-mentioned background art was held or acquired by the inventors in the process of deriving the contents of the disclosure of this specification, and cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known art that was disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of this application. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object, according to one embodiment, to provide an inhaler that uses a cyclone-shaped airflow.

[0006] It is an object, in one embodiment, to provide an inhaler that improves the uniformity of the inhaled dry powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inhaler according to one embodiment comprises an inhalation portion through which a user can inhale dry powder; The device may include a storage section in which the dry powder is stored and in which a cyclone-shaped airflow is generated when a user inhales through the inhaler.

[0008] The enclosure may include at least one inlet through which air is admitted.

[0009] The inhalation section includes an airflow channel through which air and the dry powder can flow, and a channel housing surrounding at least a portion of the airflow channel, and a portion of the airflow channel can be drawn into the storage section.

[0010] The storage section and the airflow channel may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0011] A cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the airflow channel that is drawn into the storage unit may be formed to be narrower than an area of ​​one end of the airflow channel.

[0012] The inlet may be formed on the storage unit closer to the intake unit than one end of the airflow channel leading into the storage unit.

[0013] The storage unit may include a cyclone chamber at least a portion of which is tapered to generate a cyclone-shaped airflow.

[0014] The inhaler according to one embodiment may further include a cover that can control the opening and closing of the inlet of the storage unit, the suction unit, or all of them.

[0015] The cover portion may include a first cover that controls opening and closing of the inlet of the storage portion and a second cover that controls opening and closing of the suction portion.

[0016] The first cover and the second cover may include adhesive elements attached to the inlet and the suction port, respectively.

[0017] The inhaler according to one embodiment may further include a support portion that supports one end of the storage portion.

[0018] The support may comprise a porous material, a rigid material, or a combination thereof. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] In one embodiment, the inhaler may use a cyclone-shaped airflow.

[0020] An inhaler according to one embodiment can improve the uniformity of the inhaled dry powder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2a shows the cover portion of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b shows the cover portion of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention below is one of various aspects of the embodiments, and the following description forms part of the detailed description of the embodiments. In the description of one embodiment, a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0023] However, various modifications may be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by such embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the patent application.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as having their ordinary dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts appropriate to the technical idea of ​​the invention in one embodiment, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to explain his or her invention in the best possible way.

[0025] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the words "comprise" or "have" and the like indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Commonly used, predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein.

[0027] In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a detailed description of related known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] Furthermore, when describing components of an embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are used to distinguish the component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. When a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the different component, but additional components may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0029] Components having common functions with components included in one embodiment will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the description of one embodiment will be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent that they overlap.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an inhaler according to one embodiment includes an intake portion 100, a storage portion 200, and a support portion 300.

[0032] A user can inhale the inhaler by applying sound pressure to the inhalation portion 100. The inhalation portion 100 may have a mouthpiece shape formed in a form that allows the user to inhale easily. The inhalation portion 100 includes an airflow channel 110 through which air flows and a channel housing 120 that structurally surrounds the airflow channel 110. A portion of the airflow channel 110 can be drawn into the storage portion 200.

[0033] The housing 200 may be connected to the inhalation unit 100. The airflow channel 110 of the inhalation unit 100 passes through one end of the housing 200. Inhalable dry powder g may be provided inside the housing 200. The dry powder g provided inside the housing 200 may include functional substances such as caffeine and taurine, pharmacological substances such as aspirin, sedatives, hypnotics, bronchodilators, and vaccines, or substances such as free nicotine and nicotine salts. The housing 200 includes a cavity s for providing the dry powder g. When a user applies sound pressure to the inhalation unit 100 and inhales, the airflow channel 110 of the inhalation unit 100 draws in air inside the housing 200, creating sound pressure inside the housing 200. The housing 200 includes an inlet 210 for introducing external air. When a user inhales into the inhalation unit 100, sound pressure is generated inside the housing 200, and air flows into the inlet 210 formed on the housing 200. The air f1 flowing into the housing 200 is again inhaled f2 by the user through the airflow channel 110 drawn into the housing 200.

[0034] The support portion 300 can be disposed so as to contact the storage portion 200. The support portion 300 may provide structural support to the storage portion. The support portion 300 may form the exterior of the inhaler together with the suction portion 100 and the storage portion 200. The support portion 300 may include a porous medium or a hard material. The support portion 300 may include a porous medium such as acetate tow, for example.

[0035] 2a and 2b show the cover portion of an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0036] The cover part can open or close the inlet 210 formed on the housing part 200, the airflow channel 110 of the inhalation part 100 through which the user inhales, or all of them. The housing part 200 includes a first cover and a second cover.

[0037] More specifically, FIG. 2a shows a first cover of an inhaler according to one embodiment. The first cover 410 can open or close an inlet formed on the storage unit. The first cover 410 may be shaped to correspond to the shape of the inlet of the storage unit. For example, if the inlet of the storage unit is shaped like a slit, the first cover 410 may have the shape of a sealing member extending in the longitudinal direction of the slit. The first cover 410 includes an adhesive element 410a formed to be attached to the storage unit. An area 410b of the first cover 410 excluding the adhesive element 410a can cover the inlet of the storage unit. Covering the inlet in the area 410b of the first cover 410 excluding the adhesive element 410a can prevent dry powder in the storage unit from sticking to the adhesive element 410a. The area 410b of the first cover 410 excluding the adhesive element 410a may include a coating layer to prevent dry powder inside the storage unit from sticking. The first cover 410 may be repeatedly attached and detached on the housing portion. The shape of the first cover 410 and the adhesive element 410a can be varied according to the shape of the inlet formed on the housing portion, and is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2a.

[0038] FIG. 2b shows a second cover of an inhaler according to one embodiment. The second cover 420 can open or close the airflow channel of the inhaler. The second cover 420 may be formed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the airflow channel of the inhaler. For example, if the airflow channel of the inhaler is cylindrical, the second cover 420 may have the shape of a circular sealing member. The second cover 420 includes an adhesive element 420a formed to be attached to the channel housing of the inhaler. The area 420b of the second cover 420 excluding the adhesive element 420a blocks the airflow channel of the inhaler. Blocking the airflow channel by the area 420b of the second cover 420 excluding the adhesive element 420a prevents dry powder inside the airflow channel from sticking to the adhesive element 420a. The area 420b of the second cover 420 excluding the adhesive element 420a may include a coating layer to prevent dry powder remaining inside the airflow channel from sticking. The second cover 420 can be repeatedly attached and detached on the inlet portion. The shapes of the second cover 420 and the adhesive element 420a can be varied according to the shapes of the airflow channel and the channel housing, and are not limited to those shown in Fig. 2b.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0040] 3, when a user inhales into the inhaler, a cyclone-shaped airflow may be generated inside the storage unit 200. When a cyclone-shaped airflow is used, the swirling flow of the fluid can be used to separate the flow according to the particle size flowing inside.

[0041] When a user inhales through the inhaler, external air flows in through the inlet 210 of the storage unit 200 (f1). The inlet 210 may be formed closer to the inhaler than the end 110e of the airflow channel 110, a portion of which is drawn into the storage unit 200. The external air flowing in through the inlet 210 swirls along the inner surface of the storage unit 200 to form a cyclone-shaped airflow. The cyclone-shaped airflow flows together with the dry powder g provided inside the storage unit 200, and flows along the airflow channel toward the inhaler (f2). As described below, the internal space (s) of the storage unit 200 may be designed to have a predetermined shape to facilitate the generation of a cyclone-shaped airflow. The air flowing in through the inlet 210 (f1) swirls along the tangent direction of the inner surface of the storage unit 200, descends (e.g., in the -y direction), and then rises again in a direction toward the airflow channel (e.g., in the +y direction) together with the dry powder g provided inside the storage unit. During this process, particles of the dry powder g that are equal to or smaller than a predetermined size according to the diameter of the storage unit 200 flow toward the airflow channel and are inhaled f1 by the user through the inhaler, while particles that are larger than the predetermined size cannot escape from the cyclone airflow swirling and flowing inside the storage unit 200 and remain inside the storage unit 200. The storage unit 200 may preferably be formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0043] 4, when a user inhales through the inhaler, external air flows in through the inlet 210 of the storage unit 200 (f2), generating a cyclone-shaped airflow inside the storage unit 200. Here, the inlet 210 is formed to be closer to the inhaler than the end of the airflow channel 110, a portion of which is drawn into the storage unit 200. The external air flowing in through the inlet 210 swirls along the inner surface of the storage unit 200 to form a cyclone-shaped airflow, and the formed cyclone-shaped airflow flows together with the dry powder (g) provided inside the storage unit 200, flowing (f1) along the airflow channel toward the inhaler.

[0044] Here, the storage unit 200 includes a cyclone chamber 220 at least a portion of which is tapered to facilitate generation of a cyclone-shaped airflow in the internal space s of the storage unit 200. The cyclone chamber 220 provided inside the storage unit 200 includes a first chamber part 221 in which the incoming airflow channel 110 may be disposed, and a second chamber part 222 extending from the first chamber part 221 and having a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area.

[0045] The inlet 210 is formed above the first chamber part 221, and air flowing in through the inlet 210 (f2) swirls and descends (e.g., in the -y direction) along the tangent to the inner surface of the second chamber part 222. Here, the shape of the second chamber part 222 facilitates the generation of a cyclone-shaped airflow. The cyclone-shaped airflow generated in the second chamber part 222 ascends again toward the airflow channel (e.g., in the +y direction) along with the dry powder (g) contained therein. During this process, particles of the dry powder (g) that are smaller than a predetermined size determined by the diameter of the storage part 200 flow (f1) toward the airflow channel and can be inhaled by the user through the inhaler. However, particles larger than the predetermined size remain trapped within the storage part 200 due to the cyclone-shaped airflow swirling and flowing within the storage part 200.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows the housing of an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0047] 5, when a user inhales into the inhaler, external air flows in through the inlet 210 of the storage unit 200 (f2), generating a cyclone-shaped airflow inside the storage unit 200. Here, the inlet 210 may be formed to be closer to the inhaler than the end of the airflow channel 110, a portion of which is drawn into the storage unit 200. The external air flowing in through the inlet 210 swirls along the inner surface of the storage unit 200 to form a cyclone-shaped airflow, and the formed cyclone-shaped airflow flows together with the dry powder (g) provided inside the storage unit 200, flowing (f1) along the airflow channel toward the inhaler.

[0048] Here, the storage unit 200 includes a cyclone chamber 220 at least a portion of which is tapered to facilitate generation of a cyclone-shaped airflow in the internal space s of the storage unit 200. The cyclone chamber 220 provided inside the storage unit 200 includes a first chamber part 221 in which the incoming airflow channel 110 is disposed, and a second chamber part 222 extending from the first chamber part 221 and having a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area.

[0049] The inlet 210 is formed above the first chamber part 221, and air flowing in through the inlet 210 (f2) swirls and descends (e.g., in the -y direction) along the tangent to the inner surface of the second chamber part 222. Here, the shape of the second chamber part 222 makes it easy to generate a cyclone-shaped airflow. The cyclone-shaped airflow generated in the second chamber part 222 ascends again toward the airflow channel (e.g., in the +y direction) along with the dry powder (g) contained therein. During this process, particles of the dry powder (g) that are smaller than a predetermined size determined by the diameter of the storage part 200 flow (f1) toward the airflow channel and are inhaled by the user through the inhaler. Particles larger than the predetermined size remain trapped in the cyclone airflow swirling and flowing inside the storage part 200 and remain inside the storage part 200.

[0050] Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the airflow channel 110 introduced into the storage unit 200 may be narrower than the area of ​​one end of the airflow channel. The airflow channel 110 introduced into the storage unit 200 may be formed to include a channel neck 111 in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases and then increases. The channel neck 111 of the airflow channel 110 may prevent a large amount of dry powder g from being inhaled at one time, and may provide a more uniform inhalation sensation by controlling the amount of airflow moving to the inhalation unit.

[0051] As described above, the embodiments have been described using specific details such as specific components and limited embodiments and drawings, but these are provided to facilitate a general understanding. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from these embodiments. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all modifications equivalent to the claims, including those set forth in the following claims, are within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. an inhalation portion that allows a user to inhale dry powder; a storage section in which the dry powder is stored and in which a cyclone-shaped airflow is generated when a user inhales through the inhaler; Including, inhaler.

2. 10. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one inlet through which air is admitted.

3. the inhalation unit includes an airflow channel through which air and the dry powder flow, and a channel housing surrounding at least a portion of the airflow channel; The inhaler of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the airflow channel is routed into the housing.

4. The inhaler of claim 3 , wherein the containment section and the airflow channel are cylindrically shaped.

5. The inhaler of claim 3 , wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the airflow channel leading into the storage section is narrower than an area of ​​one end of the airflow channel.

6. 4. The inhaler of claim 3, wherein the inlet is formed on the housing closer to the suction section than one end of the airflow channel that leads into the housing.

7. The inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit includes a cyclone chamber at least a portion of which is tapered to generate a cyclone-shaped airflow.

8. The inhaler of claim 2 , further comprising a cover portion capable of controlling the opening and closing of the inlet of the storage portion, the suction portion, or all of them.

9. The inhaler according to claim 8 , wherein the cover portion includes a first cover that controls opening and closing of the inlet of the storage portion and a second cover that controls opening and closing of the suction portion.

10. 10. The inhaler of claim 9, wherein the first cover and the second cover include adhesive elements attached to the inlet and the suction port, respectively.

11. The inhaler of claim 1 , further comprising a support portion that supports one end of the storage portion.

12. 12. The inhaler of claim 11, wherein the support comprises a porous material, a rigid material, or a combination thereof.

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