Inhaler

Abstract

In one embodiment, the inhaler includes a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface on which a mouthpiece is provided, and a longitudinal channel formed therein extending from the first surface to the second surface; a cartridge attached to the first surface of the body and communicating with the channel, the cartridge containing an inhalable composition; and a plurality of baffles disposed in the channel, wherein when an inhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece, the baffles can limit the particle size of the inhalable composition 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, and the composition is sprayed 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. Inhalers include liquid inhalers and vapor inhalers, as well as powder inhalers that spray fine powder of the composition as particulates, and aerosol inhalers that aerosolize the composition and deliver it.

[0003] Dry powder inhalers deliver a fixed dose of pharmacological substances into the body. They are primarily used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They use finely dried powder of 5-10 μm or less to ensure efficient absorption of the substance. A fixed amount of the drug is packed into a hard capsule for metered delivery. Recently, the range of applications for dry powder inhalers has expanded, from single-dose and multi-dose dry powder inhalers to dry powder inhalers for inhaling pharmacological substances, functional substances, and recreational substances such as nicotine.

[0004] 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]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1759972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object, according to one embodiment, to provide an inhaler that prevents the escape of inhalable compositions and prevents the ingress of foreign matter.

[0007] 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]

[0008] In one embodiment of an inhaler to achieve the above-mentioned object, the inhaler includes a main body having a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface on which a mouthpiece is provided, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface, and having a vertical channel formed therein extending from the first surface to the second surface; a cartridge containing an inhalable composition and attached to the first surface of the main body; and a cartridge cover surrounding the main body and the cartridge and attached so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the side surface of the main body, wherein the cartridge cover can move in the vertical direction to open the cartridge and move in the opposite vertical direction to close the cartridge.

[0009] According to one aspect, the cartridge further includes a cartridge door disposed between the main body and the cartridge and opened and closed in conjunction with the cartridge cover, wherein the cartridge door communicates the cartridge with the channel when the cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction, and the cartridge door can isolate the cartridge from the channel when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite vertical direction.

[0010] According to one aspect, the cartridge door includes a flat door member arranged parallel to the first surface inside the main body, and a roller member arranged in contact with one surface of the door member and converting the direction of the door member to a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and at least one end of the door member is connected to the cartridge cover and can slide.

[0011] According to one aspect, when the cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction, the area of ​​the door member arranged parallel to the first surface decreases and the area transformed perpendicular to the first surface increases, and when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite direction to the vertical direction, the area of ​​the door member arranged parallel to the first surface increases and the area transformed perpendicular to the first surface decreases.

[0012] According to one aspect, the cartridge includes a first cartridge surface parallel to one of the plurality of side surfaces, and a second cartridge surface perpendicular to the first cartridge surface and in contact with the first surface, a housing member for housing the inhalable composition therein, an air inlet formed in the first cartridge surface of the housing member, and an air outlet formed in the second cartridge surface of the housing member, and the air inlet or the air outlet can be opened when the cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction and closed when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite vertical direction.

[0013] According to one aspect, the air inlet is formed to extend in the vertical direction along the first cartridge surface, and the cartridge cover can control the opening area of ​​the air inlet depending on the sliding distance in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to one aspect, the air flow outlet is formed to extend horizontally across the vertical direction along the second cartridge surface, and the cartridge cover can control the opening area of ​​the air flow outlet depending on the sliding distance in the vertical direction.

[0015] According to one aspect, the cartridge cover includes a cover member arranged to surround the main body and the side of the cartridge, and a protruding member protruding inward from the cover member and inserted into the side of the main body, and the vertical length of the cover member is longer than the vertical length of the cartridge.

[0016] According to one aspect, the cartridge cover further includes an elastic member disposed between the cover member and the main body, the elastic member being compressed when the cover member is pressed in the vertical direction and being decompressed when the cover member is pressed in the opposite vertical direction.

[0017] According to one aspect, two opposing sides of the main body are each formed with a slit extending along the vertical direction, and the cartridge cover can be coupled to the slit and slide along the slit.

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

[0019] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, it is possible to prevent the outflow of the inhalable composition and the inflow of foreign matter.

[0020] 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]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a cartridge cover of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 3a]Figure 3a shows the cartridge air inlet opening that is opened by moving the cartridge cover. [Figure 3b] Figure 3b shows the cartridge air inlet opening that is opened by moving the cartridge cover. [Figure 4a] Figure 4a shows a side view of an inhaler according to one embodiment in which movement of the cartridge cover causes the cartridge door to move in tandem. [Figure 4b] Figure 4b shows a side view of an inhaler according to one embodiment in which movement of the cartridge cover causes the cartridge door to move in tandem. [Figure 5a] Figure 5a shows the cartridge air outlet opened by movement of the cartridge door of Figure 4a. [Figure 5b] Figure 5b shows the cartridge air outlet opened by movement of the cartridge door of Figure 4b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a cartridge cover 300 of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0028] 3a and 3b show the air inlet 220 of the cartridge 200 being opened by the movement of the cartridge cover 300. FIG.

[0029] 4a and 4b show a side view of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment in which movement of the cartridge cover 300 causes the cartridge door 400 to move in tandem.

[0030] 5a and 5b show the air flow outlet 230 of the cartridge 200 being opened by movement of the cartridge door 400 of FIGS. 4a and 4b.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment includes a main body 100 , a cartridge 200 , and a cartridge cover 300 .

[0032] The main body 100 includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of side surfaces may include, for example, an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and left and right surfaces connecting the upper and lower surfaces and facing each other. A cartridge 200 may be coupled to the first surface. A mouthpiece 120 may be provided on the second surface.

[0033] A channel 110 is formed inside the main body 100, penetrating the first and second surfaces. The channel 110 is a passage through which the inhalable composition A is transferred to the mouthpiece 120 for delivery to the user. Here, the inhalable composition A may be transferred to the mouthpiece 120 in a vertical direction from the first surface to the second surface.

[0034] The channel 110 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 A.

[0035] A cartridge cover 300 may be slidably coupled to the outer surface of the main body 100. Here, the cartridge cover 300 is coupled to a slit 130 that extends vertically on a side surface of the main body 100. The slit 130 may be formed, for example, on two opposing side surfaces of the main body 100. The slit 130 may be formed, for example, on the left and right sides of the main body 100. Therefore, the cartridge cover 300 can slide along the slit 130.

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

[0037] The cartridge 200 is attached to a first surface of the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may contain an inhalable composition A therein, and the interior of the cartridge 200 may be in communication with the channel 110 of the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may contain one or more doses of the inhalable composition A. The inhalable composition A may contain, for example, nicotine, nicotine salt, caffeine, taurine, vitamins, or other substances. The inhalable composition A may also contain flavor particles such as natural flavor particles, menthol, or other flavoring particles. The inhalable composition A 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] 3a, 3b and 4a and 4b, the cartridge 200 includes a receiving member 210, an air inlet 220, and an air outlet 230. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The storage member 210 includes a first cartridge surface that is parallel to or connected to the upper surface of the main body 100, and a second cartridge surface that is perpendicular to the first cartridge surface and in contact with the first surface of the main body 100. The storage member 210 can store an inhalable composition A therein. The inhalable composition A may be filled in a volume ratio of 30 to 70% of the internal space of the storage member 210. The inhalable composition A may also be filled in the storage member 210 with a mass of 20 to 70 mg.

[0040] The air inlet 220 may be formed on the first cartridge surface of the housing member 210. The air inlet 220 may connect the outside of the inhaler 10 with the inside of the housing member 210. When a user applies inhalation force to the mouthpiece 120, air may flow from the outside through the air inlet 220 into the inside of the housing member 210, in which the inhalable composition A is stored.

[0041] The air flow outlet 230 may be formed on the second cartridge surface of the storage member 210. The air flow inlet 220 may connect the channel 110 of the main body 100 to the interior of the storage member 210. When a user applies inhalation force to the mouthpiece 120, the inhalable composition A can be discharged from the storage member 210 through the air flow outlet 230 into the channel 110.

[0042] For example, the flow rate of air inhaled through the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 may be 1 to 60 lpm. Preferably, the flow rate of air may be 1.67 lpm.

[0043] Furthermore, the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 may be provided with, for example, a mesh net.

[0044] As described above, when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the inhalable composition A is transferred to the mouthpiece 120 via the channel 110, thereby allowing the user to inhale the inhalable composition A into the body.

[0045] In addition, the cartridge 200 may be detachably attached to the first surface. Therefore, when the inhalable composition A contained in the cartridge 200 runs out, it can be replaced with a new cartridge 200 and attached to the main body 100. Here, the cartridge 200 may be fastened by a magnet or by a snap-on fastening method.

[0046] For example, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may be provided with a plurality of fastening members on each of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200. The fastening members may be disposed adjacent to a first surface of the main body 100. Alternatively, the fastening members may be disposed on one side of the cartridge 200 at positions corresponding to the fastening members disposed on the main body 100. The fastening members may be provided as magnetic structures such as magnets (neodymium, etc.). The fastening members of the main body 100 and the fastening members of the cartridge 200 may be magnets of different polarities and may be detachably coupled to each other.

[0047] Meanwhile, the cartridge 200 can be opened and closed by a cartridge cover 300. Specifically, the cartridge cover 300 can open and close the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200.

[0048] The cartridge cover 300 can be coupled to surround the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 and be slidable in the vertical direction along the side of the main body 100. When the cartridge cover 300 moves in the vertical direction, the cartridge 200 is opened, and when the cartridge cover 300 moves in the opposite vertical direction, the cartridge 200 is closed.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, the cartridge cover 300 includes a cover member 310 and a protruding member 320 .

[0050] The cover member 310 may be disposed to surround the main body 100 and the cartridge 200. For example, the cover member 310 may surround multiple side surfaces of the main body 100 and a first cartridge surface of the cartridge 200. Here, the cover member 310 may be formed so that its vertical length is longer than the vertical length of the cartridge. This allows the cover member 310 to simultaneously surround the main body 100 and the cartridge 200, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the vertical length of the cartridge 200 may be formed to be 5 to 15 mm.

[0051] 2, the protruding member 320 protrudes from the inner surface of the cover member 310 toward the main body 100. For example, the protruding member 320 may protrude toward both the left and right sides of the main body 100. Such a protruding member 320 may be inserted into a slit 130 in the main body 100. The protruding member 320 can move along the slit 130.

[0052] The cartridge cover 300 may further include a resilient member (not shown).

[0053] The elastic member is disposed between the cover member 310 and the main body 100. For example, one end of the elastic member may be fixed to the cover member 310 and the other end may be fixed to the main body 100. The elastic member may be, for example, a torsion spring. The elastic member is compressed when the cover member 310 is pressed in the vertical direction, and is decompressed when the cover member 310 is pressed in the opposite vertical direction. Therefore, the cartridge cover 300 can be opened and closed in a semi-automatic sliding manner.

[0054] The cartridge cover 300, which includes the above-described configuration, can move vertically along the slit 130 to open the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200, and can move in the opposite vertical direction to close the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200.

[0055] That is, a user can slide the cartridge cover 300 to open or close the air inlet 220 or the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200 in order to inhale the inhalable composition A. The user may also move the cartridge cover 300 to replace the cartridge 200.

[0056] Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the air inlet 220 of the cartridge 200 is formed to extend longitudinally along the first cartridge face.

[0057] 3a shows the inhaler 10 with the air inlet 220 closed by the cartridge cover 300. Thus, when the cartridge cover 300 is in the closed position, the air inlet 220 cannot communicate with the outside. Therefore, the cartridge cover 300 can prevent air or foreign matter from entering the inhalable composition A from the outside.

[0058] 3b, i.e., in the vertical direction, the air inlet 220 of the cartridge 200 is opened and exposed to the outside. Here, the opening area of ​​the air inlet 220 may gradually increase depending on the sliding distance of the cartridge cover 300. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the air inlet 220 may be adjusted depending on the moving distance of the cartridge cover 300.

[0059] 3a, even when the cartridge cover 300 covers the front of the air inlet 220, the inhalable composition A can be inhaled through the gap due to mechanical tolerances between the main body 100, the cartridge 200, and the cartridge cover 300. For smooth inhalation, the user can fully open the air inlet 220 by sliding the cartridge cover 300 vertically to its maximum extent.

[0060] 4a and 4b, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may further include a cartridge door 400. As shown in FIG.

[0061] The cartridge door 400 is disposed between the main body 100 and the cartridge 200. The cartridge door 400 may be opened and closed in conjunction with the cartridge cover 300. The cartridge door 400 can be operated to communicate the cartridge 200 with the channel 110 when the cartridge cover 300 moves in the vertical direction, and to isolate the cartridge 200 from the channel 110 when the cartridge cover 300 moves in the opposite vertical direction.

[0062] Specifically, the cartridge door 400 includes a door member 410 and a roller member 420 .

[0063] The door member 410 is disposed inside the main body 100. The door member 410 is disposed parallel to the first surface. The door member 410 is disposed adjacent to the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200. The door member 410 may be formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The door member 410 may be made of, for example, a mesh net. At least one end of the door member 410 can be connected to the cartridge cover 300.

[0064] The roller member 420 is disposed inside the main body 100 so as to contact one surface of the door member 410. The roller member 420 can change the direction of the door member 410 to a direction perpendicular to the first surface.

[0065] 4a, a portion of the door member 410 is parallel to the first surface, and the remaining portion of the door member 410 is bent by the roller member 420 and arranged parallel to the lower surface of the main body 100. Here, as described above, one end of the door member 410 is connected to the cartridge cover 300, and therefore the door member 410 can also be slid when the cartridge cover 300 slides.

[0066] 4b, when the cartridge cover 300 slides in the direction of the arrow, i.e., vertically, one end of the door member 410 slides along the lower surface of the main body 100. As a result, the area of ​​the door member 410 that is arranged parallel to the first surface decreases, and the area of ​​the door member 410 that is turned so as to be parallel to the lower surface increases.

[0067] Conversely, when the cartridge cover 300 slides in the opposite vertical direction, the area of ​​the door member 410 parallel to the lower surface decreases, and the area of ​​the door member 410 that is redirected to be parallel to the first surface increases.

[0068] Referring again to Figures 4a and 4b, the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200 may be formed to extend laterally across the longitudinal direction along the second cartridge face.

[0069] 4a shows the inhaler 10 with the air outlet 230 closed by the cartridge door 400. When the cartridge door 400 is in this closed position, the air outlet 230 is not in communication with the channel 110. Therefore, the cartridge door 400 prevents inhalable composition A from leaking into the channel 110.

[0070] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, Figure 5a shows the door member 410 of Figure 4a. As shown in Figure 4a, when the cartridge cover 300 is in the closed position, the door member 410 of the cartridge door 400 covers the air outlet 230. This isolates the inhalable composition A from the channel 110.

[0071] When the cartridge cover 300 slides in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4b, i.e., vertically, to open the cartridge door 400, the air outlet 230 of the cartridge 200 communicates with the channel 110. Here, the open area of ​​the air outlet 230 gradually increases according to the sliding distance of the door member 410.

[0072] Referring again to Figures 5a and 5b, Figure 5b shows the door member 410 of Figure 4b. As shown in Figure 4b, when the cartridge cover 300 slides, the door member 410 is moved laterally, thereby exposing the inhalable composition A to the channel 110. The door member 410 may be provided, for example, as a mesh.

[0073] Therefore, the opening area of ​​the air outlet 230 can be adjusted according to the movement distance of the door member 410. Also, as described above, the door member 410 can slide in conjunction with the cartridge cover 300. That is, the opening area of ​​the air outlet 230 can be adjusted according to the movement distance of the cartridge cover 300.

[0074] As described above, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment allows the cartridge 200 to be easily opened and closed using the cartridge cover 300 and cartridge door 400. Furthermore, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment is provided with the cartridge cover 300 and cartridge door 400, which has the effect of preventing the outflow of inhalable composition A and the inflow of foreign matter.

[0075] 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 of the structures, devices, etc. 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, a second surface facing the first surface and having a mouthpiece provided thereon, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface, the main body having a longitudinal channel formed therein from the first surface to the second surface; a cartridge containing an inhalable composition attached to a first surface of the body; a cartridge cover that surrounds the main body and the cartridge and is coupled to the main body so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along a side surface of the main body; Including, The cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction to open the cartridge, and moves in the opposite vertical direction to close the cartridge.

2. a cartridge door disposed between the main body and the cartridge, the cartridge door being opened and closed in conjunction with the cartridge cover; the cartridge door communicates the cartridge with the channel when the cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction; 2. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the cartridge door separates the cartridge from the channel when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite longitudinal direction.

3. The cartridge door a door member having a flat plate shape disposed inside the body so as to be parallel to the first surface; a roller member disposed in contact with one surface of the door member and configured to change the direction of the door member to a direction perpendicular to the first surface; Including, The inhaler according to claim 2 , wherein the door member has at least one end connected to the cartridge cover and slides.

4. When the cartridge cover moves in the vertical direction, an area of ​​the door member that is arranged parallel to the first surface decreases, and an area that is turned in a direction perpendicular to the first surface increases, 4. The inhaler of claim 3, wherein when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite direction to the longitudinal direction, the door member has an area that is parallel to the first surface that increases and an area that is perpendicular to the first surface that decreases.

5. The cartridge comprises: a container member including a first cartridge surface parallel to one of the plurality of side surfaces and a second cartridge surface perpendicular to the first cartridge surface and in contact with the first surface, the container member containing the inhalable composition therein; an air inlet formed on the first cartridge surface of the accommodating member; an air outlet formed on the second cartridge surface of the accommodating member; Including, The inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the air inlet or the air outlet is opened when the cartridge cover moves in the longitudinal direction and closed when the cartridge cover moves in the opposite longitudinal direction.

6. the air inlet is formed to extend in the vertical direction along the first cartridge surface, The inhaler according to claim 5 , wherein the cartridge cover controls an opening area of ​​the air inlet in accordance with the sliding distance in the vertical direction.

7. the air flow outlet is formed to extend in a horizontal direction transverse to the vertical direction along the second cartridge surface, The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge cover controls an opening area of ​​the air outlet depending on the sliding distance in the vertical direction.

8. The cartridge cover is a cover member disposed to surround the main body and the side surfaces of the cartridge; a protruding member that protrudes inside the cover member and is inserted into a side surface of the main body; Including, The inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member has a longitudinal length greater than the longitudinal length of the cartridge.

9. the cartridge cover further includes an elastic member disposed between the cover member and the main body; 9. The inhaler according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member is compressed when the cover member is compressed in the longitudinal direction, and is decompressed when the cover member is compressed in the opposite longitudinal direction.

10. two opposing side surfaces of the main body are each formed with a slit extending along the longitudinal direction; The inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge cover is coupled to the slit and slides along the slit.

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

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