Inhaler

Abstract

In one embodiment, the inhaler includes a main body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface on which a mouthpiece is provided, and having a first channel and a second channel formed therein that are separated vertically from the first surface to the second surface; a cartridge attached to the first surface of the main body and communicating with the first channel and the second channel, the cartridge containing a plurality of inhalable compositions; and a first baffle set disposed in the first channel and a second baffle set disposed in the second channel, wherein when an inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, the first baffle set and the second baffle set can respectively control the particle size of the plurality of inhalable compositions transferred to the mouthpiece.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An inhaler is disclosed. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, an inhaler is a device used to inhale compositions such as drugs and other substances as a liquid or gas through the oral or nasal cavity during the inhalation process. Such inhalers include a container containing the inhalable composition, which is propelled from the container along a tube connected to the container and ultimately into the oral or nasal cavity of the user through an inhalation port.

[0003] In addition to liquid inhalers and vapor inhalers, there are also powder inhalers that spray fine powder of the composition as fine particles, and aerosol inhalers that supply the composition in the form of an aerosol.

[0004] Recently, the application fields of dry powder inhalers have expanded to include not only single-dose and multi-dose dry powder inhalers, but also dry powder inhalers for inhaling pharmacological substances, functional substances, and recreational substances such as nicotine.

[0005] The above-mentioned background art is what the inventors possessed or learned in the process of deriving the present invention, and is not necessarily publicly known art that was disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1759972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of one embodiment to provide an inhaler that utilizes the inertial force of particles to transport the inhalable composition and prevents the influx of particles of random sizes that can induce coughing.

[0008] An object of one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can transfer multiple inhalable compositions by arranging baffle structures on both sides with different particle removal capabilities.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one embodiment, an inhaler to achieve the above-mentioned object includes a main body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface on which a mouthpiece is provided, and having a first channel and a second channel formed therein that are separated vertically from the first surface to the second surface; a cartridge attached to the first surface of the main body and communicating with the first channel and the second channel, the cartridge containing a plurality of inhalable compositions; and a first baffle set disposed in the first channel and a second baffle set disposed in the second channel, wherein when an inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, the first baffle set and the second baffle set can respectively control the particle size of the plurality of inhalable compositions transferred to the mouthpiece.

[0011] According to one aspect, the first baffle set or the second baffle set may each be composed of a plurality of baffles, and the baffles of the first baffle set may be alternately spaced apart on the inner wall of the first channel along the longitudinal direction, and the baffles of the second baffle set may be alternately spaced apart on the inner wall of the second channel along the longitudinal direction.

[0012] According to another aspect, the baffles in the first baffle set and the baffles in the second baffle set may be spaced at different intervals.

[0013] On the one hand, the baffles of the first baffle set and the baffles of the second baffle set may have different lengths.

[0014] According to one aspect, the baffle includes a first baffle member having one end fixed to the inner wall of the first channel or the second channel and the other end extending toward the longitudinal centerline of the first channel or the second channel, and a second baffle member forming an angle with the other end of the first baffle member and extending further toward the centerline, and the second baffle member does not allow particles of the inhalable composition that exceed a predetermined size to pass through the first channel or the second channel.

[0015] According to one aspect, the second baffle member may extend further beyond the centerline of the first channel or the second channel.

[0016] According to one aspect, the cartridge may include a first receiving member in communication with the first channel, and a second receiving member separated from the first receiving member by a partition and in communication with the second channel.

[0017] According to one aspect, the first container may contain a first inhalable composition, and the second container may contain a second inhalable composition having a different particle size or composed of a different substance than the first inhalable composition.

[0018] According to one aspect, the cartridge can be detachably fastened to the first surface by a magnet or a snap-on mechanism.

[0019] According to one aspect, a portion of the first channel or the second channel adjacent to the second surface may be formed in a spiral shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, the dry powder is transferred using the inertial force of the particles, which has the effect of preventing the inflow of particles of a non-specific size that induces coughing.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, baffle structures with different particle removal capabilities are arranged on both sides, which has the effect of allowing the transfer of multiple dry powders.

[0022] The effects of the inhaler according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an inhaler according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in such drawings.

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed in this specification are merely examples for the purpose of describing the embodiments, and the embodiments may be implemented in various different forms, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the claims.

[0026] Furthermore, in describing components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are merely 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 the components.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment includes a main body 100, a cartridge 200, a first baffle set 300, and a second baffle set.

[0033] The main body 100 includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of side surfaces surrounding the first and second surfaces. A cartridge 200 may be attached to the first surface. A mouthpiece may be provided on the second surface. Channels 110 and 120 may be formed inside the main body 100, penetrating the first and second surfaces. The channels 110 and 120 are passages through which the inhalable composition for delivery to the user is transferred to the mouthpiece. Here, the channels 110 and 120 are separated into a first channel 110 and a second channel 120 along a longitudinal direction from the first surface to the second surface.

[0034] The first channel 110 or the second channel 120 may be formed in a spiral shape with the end adjacent to the second surface having a helical shape, so that a vortex may be generated in the flow of the inhalable composition.

[0035] The body 100 may also be provided with a flow distribution structure at the end adjacent to the second surface for regulating the inhalation rate of the inhalable composition.

[0036] Furthermore, the main body 100 is made of materials such as PLA, ABS, PC, and PP, and may also be made of other biodegradable (environmentally friendly) materials or metals.

[0037] The cartridge 200 is attached to the first surface of the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may contain an inhalable composition therein and may be internally connected to the channels 110, 120 of the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may contain one or more doses of the inhalable composition. The inhalable composition may contain substances such as nicotine, nicotine salts, caffeine, taurine, vitamins, etc. The inhalable composition may also contain flavor particles such as natural flavor particles, menthol, etc. The inhalable composition may be provided, for example, in the form of a dry powder. Here, the dry powder used in the inhaler 10 may or may not contain a carrier.

[0038] Cartridge 200 may contain multiple inhalable compositions.

[0039] Specifically, the cartridge 200 may include a first receiving member 210 and a second receiving member 220 .

[0040] The first accommodating member 210 and the second accommodating member each form a space inside the cartridge 200, and are separated by a partition wall.

[0041] The first containing member 210 may contain a first inhalable composition A in communication with the first channel 110 .

[0042] The second containing member 220 may communicate with the second channel 120 and contain a second inhalable composition B. Here, the second inhalable composition B may have a different particle size from the first inhalable composition A. The second inhalable composition B may also have a different constituent material from the first inhalable composition A.

[0043] An air inlet 240 is formed on one side of the cartridge 200. When inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, air flows into the first receiving member 210 or the second receiving member 220 through the air inlet 240, and the contained inhalable composition can be transported along the channel toward the mouthpiece along with the air flow.

[0044] As described above, the first inhalable composition A and the second inhalable composition B are transferred through different channels, so that a user can inhale multiple inhalable compositions A and B into their bodies using a single inhaler 10.

[0045] In addition, the cartridge 200 can be detachably coupled to the first surface. Therefore, when the inhalable composition contained in the cartridge 200 is consumed, a new cartridge 200 can be replaced and attached to the main body 100. Here, the cartridge 200 can be fastened to the main body 100 using a magnet, or can be fastened in a snap-fit ​​manner by having a groove 230 formed in a shape that matches the end of the main body 100.

[0046] A mesh is provided between the main body 100 and the cartridge 200. The mesh may be made of the same material as the main body 100, such as PLA. The mesh may also be made of a chemically stable metal such as stainless steel that is not toxic when inhaled.

[0047] Meanwhile, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment is a device that transfers inhalable compositions A and B, including dry powder, using the inertial force of the particles of the inhalable compositions A and B. If the transferred particles of the inhalable compositions are larger than a certain size, they may induce coughing in the user. Therefore, a plurality of baffles 310, 410 may be provided in a zigzag configuration as a countermeasure structure to prevent the inflow of particles of an unspecified size.

[0048] In addition, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment is a device capable of transferring multiple inhalable compositions A and B, and multiple fertilizer structures with different particle removal capabilities are arranged on both sides of the main body 100, allowing multiple dry powders to be transferred.

[0049] A first baffle set 300 may be disposed in the first channel 110 .

[0050] A second set of baffles 400 may be disposed in the second channel 120 .

[0051] When inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, inhalable compositions A and B contained in cartridge 200 are transferred through the channel toward the mouthpiece, where first baffle set 300 and second baffle set 400 can each control the particle size of the inhalable compositions transferred to the mouthpiece.

[0052] For example, the first baffle set 300 may filter particles of a predetermined size or larger from the first inhalable composition A passing through the first channel 110. The second baffle set 400 may filter particles of a predetermined size or larger from the second inhalable composition B passing through the second channel. Here, the predetermined particle sizes filtered by the first baffle set 300 and the second baffle set 400 may be different from each other.

[0053] First baffle set 300 or second baffle set 400 may each be comprised of multiple baffles.

[0054] The baffles 310 of the first baffle set 300 may be spaced apart alternately along the length of the inner wall of the first channel 110, as shown in FIG.

[0055] The baffles 410 of the second baffle set 400 may be spaced apart alternately along the length of the inner wall of the second channel 120, as shown in FIG.

[0056] Here, the baffles 310 of the first baffle set 300 and the baffles 410 of the second baffle set 400 may be arranged at different intervals, as can be seen by comparing FIGS.

[0057] 2 and 4, the baffles 310 of the first baffle set 300 and the baffles 410 of the second baffle set 400 may have different lengths.

[0058] The structure of the baffle 310 or the baffle 410 will be described in detail below, taking the baffle 310 of the first baffle set 300 as an example.

[0059] The baffle 310 includes a first baffle member 3101 and a second baffle member 3102 .

[0060] The first baffle member 3101 has one end fixed to the inner wall of the first channel 110 or the second channel 120 and the other end extending toward the longitudinal centerline of the first channel 110 or the second channel 120 .

[0061] The second baffle member 3102 can extend further toward the centerline at an angle to the other end of the first baffle member 3101. The second baffle member 3102 can extend further beyond the centerline of the first channel 110 or the second channel 120. Such a second baffle member 3102 does not allow particles of the inhalable composition that exceed a predetermined size to pass through the first channel 110 or the second channel 120.

[0062] As described above, the inhaler 10 of one embodiment can easily deliver inhalable compositions A and B of different sizes by arranging multiple baffle sets 300, 400 with different particle removal capabilities in a single main body 100.

[0063] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments and drawings that are limited to specific features, such as specific components, but these are provided to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made from these embodiments. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the described components, such as structures and devices, may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, or may be substituted or replaced with other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should encompass not only the following claims, but also all equivalent or similar modifications within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a main body including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface on which a mouthpiece is provided, the main body having a first channel and a second channel formed therein, the first channel and the second channel being separated in a vertical direction from the first surface toward the second surface; a cartridge coupled to a first surface of the body, in communication with the first channel and the second channel, containing a plurality of inhalable compositions; a first baffle set disposed in the first channel and a second baffle set disposed in the second channel; Including, When an inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, the first baffle set and the second baffle set each control particle sizes of the plurality of inhalable compositions transferred to the mouthpiece.

2. the first baffle set or the second baffle set each comprises a plurality of baffles; the baffles of the first baffle set are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction on the inner wall of the first channel; 2. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the baffles of the second baffle set are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction on the inner wall of the second channel.

3. 3. The inhaler of claim 2, wherein the baffles in the first set of baffles and the baffles in the second set of baffles are spaced apart at different intervals.

4. 3. The inhaler of claim 2, wherein the baffles in the first set of baffles and the baffles in the second set of baffles are of different lengths.

5. The baffle is a first baffle member having one end fixed to an inner wall of the first channel or the second channel and the other end extending toward the longitudinal centerline of the first channel or the second channel; a second baffle member that forms an angle with the other end of the first baffle member and further extends toward the centerline; Including, 3. The inhaler of claim 2, wherein the second baffle member does not allow particles of the inhalable composition exceeding a predetermined size to pass through the first channel or the second channel.

6. 6. The inhaler of claim 5, wherein the second baffle member extends beyond the centerline of the first channel or the second channel.

7. The cartridge comprises: a first receiving member in communication with the first channel; a second housing member separated from the first housing member by a partition wall and communicating with the second channel; 10. The inhaler of claim 1, comprising:

8. the first housing member contains a first inhalable composition; 8. The inhaler of claim 7, wherein the second housing member contains a second inhalable composition having a different particle size or composed of a different substance than the first inhalable composition.

9. The inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is detachably fastened to the first surface by a magnet or a snap-on mechanism.

10. The inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first channel or the second channel adjacent to the second surface is formed in a spiral shape.

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