Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler according to one embodiment is capable of housing a capsule containing a functional substance, the inhaler comprising a housing including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface, a mouthpiece which at least a portion of which protrudes from the first surface of the housing along the longitudinal direction extending the first surface and the second surface, a holder which is housed within the housing and includes a capsule housing space, and a needle which is coupled to the mouthpiece and protrudes toward the capsule housing space, the tip of which is insertable into the capsule housing space.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An inhaler can deliver a target substance directly to the user's lungs. The aforementioned background art is what the inventors possessed or acquired in the process of deriving the present invention, and is not necessarily known art that has been publicly disclosed to the general public before the filing of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can be refilled with capsules.

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can achieve sufficient suction resistance.

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can prevent unintentional leakage of functional substance powder.

[0006] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can ensure a sufficiently long air flow path without enlarging the device.

[0007] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can enhance the aesthetic sense by preventing the inflow hole at the lower end that enters the capsule from being exposed outside the housing.

[0008] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an inhaler that can reduce needle contamination.

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

[0010] An inhaler according to one embodiment is capable of housing a capsule containing a functional substance, and the inhaler includes a housing having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface, a mouthpiece having at least a portion protruding from the first surface of the housing along the longitudinal direction extending the first surface and the second surface, a holder housed within the housing and including a capsule housing space, and a needle coupled to the mouthpiece and protruding toward the capsule housing space, the tip of which is insertable into the capsule housing space.

[0011] An inhaler according to one embodiment can accommodate a capsule containing a functional substance, and the inhaler includes a mouthpiece, a holder positioned longitudinally from the mouthpiece and including a capsule housing space, and an airflow path extending from the holder to the mouthpiece, the airflow path may include a first airflow path extending into the holder along the longitudinal direction, a second airflow path extending from the first airflow path into the capsule housing space along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a third airflow path extending from the second airflow path to the mouthpiece along the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, the capsule can be replaced.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, sufficient suction resistance can be achieved.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, unintended leakage of functional substance powder can be prevented.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently long airflow path without increasing the size of the device.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, the aesthetic appeal can be enhanced by ensuring that the inlet at the lower end into which the capsule enters is not exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, contamination of the needle can be reduced.

[0018] The effects of the inhaler according to one embodiment are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned should be clearly understandable to an average technician from the description below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of an inhaler according to one embodiment, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 3] This is a front view of an inhaler according to one embodiment, with the housing removed. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows the internal structure of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an inhaler holder according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the airflow path of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] As terms used in the embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible have been selected while considering the functions in the embodiments. However, this may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In certain cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the column of the description part of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based not only on the names of the terms but also on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0021] Throughout this specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, this means, unless otherwise specified, that it does not exclude other components and may further include other components. Also, expressions such as "part" and "module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented by hardware or software, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0022] As used in this specification, when an expression such as "at least one of" is placed before an array of components, it modifies the entire set of components rather than each of the arrayed components. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" is to be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inhaler 2 according to an embodiment viewed from another angle. FIG. 3 is a front view of an inhaler 3 with the housing removed according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a holder of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the airflow path of an inhaler 10 according to an embodiment.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, one embodiment of the inhaler 10 can deliver a functional substance to the user. For example, one embodiment of the inhaler 10 may consist of an inhaler that delivers nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of an aerosol.

[0025] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 can accommodate a capsule (for example, capsule C in Figure 4), the capsule C being capable of containing 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 be in the form of fine granules or a dry powder. For example, the outer shell of the capsule C may be formed from a material that can be pierced or cut by the needle 300. For example, the capsule C may be filled with the functional substance in an amount of 10 to 14 puffs.

[0026] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 may include a housing 100, a mouthpiece 200, a needle 300, and a holder 400.

[0027] The housing 100 may include a first surface 101, a second surface 102 opposite to the first surface 101, and a side surface 103 between the first surface 101 and the second surface 102. For example, the housing 100 may have an internal space defined by the first surface 101, the second surface 102, and the side surface 103. The housing 100 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and elongated projections or grooves may be regularly arranged on at least a portion of the side surface 103 adjacent to the first surface 101 of the housing 100. The projections or grooves can provide a grip that makes it easier for the user to grasp the side surface 103 of the housing 100.

[0028] The housing 100 may further include a housing cover 104 that covers the second surface 102. The housing cover 104 allows the internal space of the housing 100 to be opened, and when the housing cover 104 is opened, the capsule C can enter and exit the capsule housing space. The housing cover 104 may be disc-shaped or cylindrical and may include elongated projections or grooves formed regularly along its outer circumferential surface. The projections or grooves can provide a grip that facilitates opening and closing the housing cover 104.

[0029] In one embodiment, the housing cover 104 may include a filter 105. The filter 105 may be positioned to penetrate the housing cover 104 along a longitudinal direction (e.g., the ±Y direction in Figure 1 or 2) extending the first surface 101 and the second surface. One end of the filter 105 may be exposed to the capsule containment space, and the other end of the filter 105 may be exposed to the outside air. During the suction operation, outside air can flow in through the filter 105, and this outside air can raise the capsule C and facilitate the discharge of the functional substance powder.

[0030] For example, filter 105 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Filter 105 may be a consumable item. Alternatively, filter 105 may be usable semi-permanently.

[0031] In one embodiment, the housing 100 may include a housing inlet 103H through which external air flows into the internal space of the housing 100. The housing inlet 103H may be formed on the side surface 103. The housing inlet 103H may be a hole formed through the side surface 103. For example, there may be multiple housing inlet 103H, and the multiple housing inlet 103H may be arranged at equal intervals or at equal angles along the side surface 103 of the housing 100.

[0032] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the mouthpiece 200 may protrude from the first surface 101 of the housing 100. The mouthpiece 200 may have a cylindrical mouthpiece body 210. Referring particularly to Figure 3 or Figure 4, a mouthpiece flange may be provided on the outer surface of the mouthpiece body 210. The mouthpiece flange may protrude from the mouthpiece body 210 in the width direction (e.g., the ±X direction in Figure 3 or Figure 4). With respect to the mouthpiece flange, the upper part of the mouthpiece body 210 (e.g., the +Y direction side in Figure 3 or Figure 4) may protrude from the first surface 101 of the housing 100 to the outside of the housing 100, while the lower part of the mouthpiece body 210 (e.g., the -Y direction side in Figure 3 or Figure 4) may be housed in the internal space of the housing 100 and not exposed to the outside. The mouthpiece flange can function as a stopper for the mouthpiece body 210. For example, the mouthpiece body 210 can move forward and backward along its longitudinal direction, and the mouthpiece flange can restrict the upward movement of the mouthpiece body 210 (for example, in the +Y direction in Figure 3 or Figure 4).

[0033] The mouthpiece 200 may include a mouthpiece inhalation port 210H. The mouthpiece inhalation port 210H may be formed at the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210 (for example, the upper end in the +Y direction in Figure 1) and may penetrate the mouthpiece body 210 along its longitudinal direction (for example, the ±Y direction in Figure 1). The mouthpiece inhalation port 210H may be arranged to extend in a straight line with the capsule containment space. Through the mouthpiece inhalation port 210H, the functional substance may be inhaled from the capsule containment space to the user.

[0034] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may be formed in multiple locations, and the multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may be arranged circumferentially at the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210. For example, referring to Figure 1, the multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H may be regularly arranged at equal intervals or angles along the circumferential direction along the peripheral edge of the upper end of the mouthpiece body 210. The multiple mouthpiece inhalation holes 210H can prevent dry inhalation or wasted inhalation when inhaling functional substances and can provide appropriate inhalation resistance.

[0035] In particular, referring to Figure 4, a needle 300 may be provided at the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210 (for example, on the -Y direction side in Figure 4). The needle 300 may be provided at the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210 in a position that does not overlap with the mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H. For example, the needle 300 may be connected to the center of the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210.

[0036] As an example, the needle 300 may be formed of multiple needles. The multiple needles 300 may be arranged at equal intervals or at equal angles from the center of the lower end of the mouthpiece body 210. The multiple needles 300 may have different longitudinal lengths from each other. For example, the middle needle 300 may be formed to be the longest, and the surrounding needles 300 may be even shorter in length, in which case the central part of the capsule C can be penetrated longitudinally, and only the upper part of the outer part can be cut / shattered, thereby smoothing the vortex behavior of the airflow inside the capsule C.

[0037] The needle 300 can move together with the mouthpiece 200. For example, when the mouthpiece 200 moves longitudinally forward and backward toward the holder 400 or the capsule housing space within the holder 400, the needle 300 can also move longitudinally forward and backward together with the mouthpiece 200. The length of the needle 300 may be set such that, in the retracted position (e.g., the position of the needle 300 in Figure 4), the tip of the needle 300 is not inserted into the capsule housing space. When the needle 300 is in the advanced position (e.g., when the user presses the mouthpiece 200), the tip of the needle 300 can be inserted into the capsule housing space, and the needle 300 can penetrate, cut or crush at least a portion of the capsule C.

[0038] The needle 300 does not need to be exposed to the outside by the holder 400. Alternatively, the needle 300 does not need to be exposed to the outside by the housing 100. Since the needle 300 can be doubly protected by the holder 400 and the housing 100, contamination of the needle 300 by the external environment can be reduced.

[0039] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 may include an elastic element 600 between the mouthpiece 200 and the holder 400. The elastic element 600 can apply an elastic force that pushes the mouthpiece 200 back to its original position as the mouthpiece 200 moves forward toward the holder 400. For example, the elastic element may be formed from a coil spring.

[0040] One end of the elastic element 600 may rest on the mouthpiece flange of the mouthpiece 200. The other end of the elastic element 600 may rest on the upper end of the holder 400 (for example, the upper cover 430 of the holder 400 in Figure 4).

[0041] The mouthpiece 200 and needle 300 may normally be in a retracted position (for example, the position shown in Figure 4) due to the elastic element 600. When the user presses the mouthpiece 200, the needle 300 can advance together with the mouthpiece 200 to penetrate, cut, or crush the capsule C. For example, the maximum advance distance of the needle 300 may be set to the distance between the mouthpiece flange and the upper cover 430 of the holder 400. When the user's pressing action is released, the needle 300, together with the mouthpiece 200, can return to its original position due to the elastic element 600. At this time, the retracted position of the mouthpiece 200 can be limited by the mouthpiece flange.

[0042] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the holder 400 may be located below the mouthpiece 200 (for example, on the -Y side in Figure 4) and housed in the internal space of the housing 100. The holder 400 includes a first case 410 located inside the side surface 103 of the housing 100, a second case 420 located spaced apart inside the first case 420, and an upper cover 430 positioned near the first surface 101 of the housing 100, the second case 420 of which may be provided with a capsule housing space. The first case 410 and the second case 420 may be spaced apart from each other to form a fluid space between them in which airflow can move. The fluid space between the first case 410 and the second case 420 may be covered by the upper cover 430.

[0043] The first case 410 may have a cylindrical shape, the upper part of the first case 410 may be covered by the upper cover 430, and the lower part of the first case 410 may be covered by the second surface 102 of the housing 100 or the housing cover 104.

[0044] The second case 420 may be cylindrical in shape, its upper part may be covered by the upper cover 430, and its lower part may be covered by the second surface 102 of the housing 100 or the housing cover 104. The second case 420 may have an even smaller diameter than the first case 410 and be housed inside the first case 410.

[0045] In one embodiment, the holder 400 may further include a rib 440. The rib 440 may project from either the first case 410 or the second case 420 toward the other of the two cases. The rib 440 can form a separation distance between the first case 410 and the second case 420, allowing a stable flow space to be formed between the first case 410 and the second case 420.

[0046] The upper cover 430 may have a donut shape. The upper cover 430 may enclose the upper part of the fluid space between the first case 410 and the second case 420. The upper part of the second case 420 may further extend through the center of the upper cover 430.

[0047] The upper cover 430 may include upper cover through-holes 430H. The upper cover through-holes 430H may be formed to penetrate the upper cover 430 longitudinally from the surface of the upper end of the upper cover 430. Multiple upper cover through-holes 430H may be formed, and the multiple upper cover through-holes 430H may be arranged at equal intervals or at equal angles along the outer periphery of the surface of the upper end of the upper cover 430. The upper cover through-holes 430H allow the housing inlet hole 103H to communicate with the fluid space between the first case 410 and the second case 420, and air from outside the housing 100 can flow into the fluid space.

[0048] The second case 420 may include a second case inlet 420H. The second case inlet 420H may be formed on the lower side of the second case 420 and can penetrate the second case 420 in the width direction. The inlet side of the second case inlet 420H is positioned in contact with the fluid space, and the outlet side of the second case inlet 420H is positioned in contact with the capsule housing space, so that the fluid space and the capsule housing space can communicate through the second case inlet 420H. External air that flows into the fluid space can flow into the capsule housing space through the second case inlet 420H.

[0049] The second case inlet 420H does not need to be exposed to the outside by the first case 410. This ensures that the inhaler 10 has a superior aesthetic appearance, and the functional substance powder is not exposed to the outside of the inhaler 10.

[0050] The housing inlet 103H may be located even closer to the first surface 101 of the housing 100 than the upper cover 430. This allows the housing inlet 103H to be located above the upper cover through-hole 430H. The second case inlet 420H may be located below the upper cover through-hole 430.

[0051] Returning to Figure 3 or Figure 4, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may further include an intermediate holder 500. The intermediate holder 500 may be a tubular (pipe-shaped) structure that can be positioned between at least a portion of the mouthpiece 200 and the holder 400. An elastic element 600 may be positioned outside the intermediate holder 500, and a needle 300 may be positioned inside the intermediate holder 500. The intermediate holder 500 can serve to guide the elastic element 600 and / or the needle 300. Depending on the design specifications of the inhaler 10, the intermediate holder 500 may be omitted.

[0052] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 does not have to include a housing 100. For example, the inhaler 10 may be configured without a housing 100, as shown in Figure 3, in which case the elastic element 600 may be arranged to be housed within the intermediate holder 500 so that it is not exposed to the outside. If the inhaler 10 does not include a housing 100, outside air can flow into the inhaler 10 through the upper cover through-hole 430H. By not including a housing 100, the inhaler 10 can have an even smaller volume and weight.

[0053] Referring to Figure 6, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may include an airflow path.

[0054] In one embodiment, if the inhaler 10 does not include a housing 100, the airflow path may include a first airflow path P1 extending longitudinally into the holder 400, a second airflow path P2 extending from the first airflow path P1 in the width direction into the capsule housing space, and a third airflow path P3 extending from the second airflow path P2 to the mouthpiece 200.

[0055] The first airflow path P1 may be an airflow path (airflow channel) through which air flowing into the upper cover through-hole 403H moves longitudinally through a flow space formed between the first case 410 and the second case 420.

[0056] The second airflow path P2 may be an airflow that penetrates the second case 420. For example, the airflow that has passed through the first airflow path P1 can flow into the second case inlet hole 420H and move from the flow space to the capsule containment space along the width direction.

[0057] The third airflow path P3 may be a path through which air flows from the capsule containment space to the mouthpiece inhalation hole 210H, and the third airflow path P3 may be formed along the longitudinal direction. As air moves along the third airflow path P3, the functional substance powder that has flowed out of capsule C may also move with it and be inhaled by the user.

[0058] In one embodiment, the airflow path of the inhaler 10 is formed to pass through a first airflow path P1 and connect to a second airflow path P2. As a result, the second case inlet 420H, which communicates with the capsule containment space, is not exposed to the outside, thus maintaining a neat appearance. This allows the inhaler 10 to have excellent aesthetics and effectively prevents the functional substance powder from flowing out of the inhaler 10.

[0059] By further including a first airflow path P1, compared to the case where the airflow path of the inhaler 10 includes only a second airflow path P2 and a third airflow path P3, the inhaler 10 can ensure sufficient inhalation resistance. If the inhalation resistance is low, most of the functional substance powder may be expelled during the initial transfer, making it impossible to achieve uniform transfer. In one embodiment, the airflow path of the inhaler 10 includes a first airflow path P1, so sufficient inhalation resistance can be ensured, thereby allowing the functional substance to be evenly distributed while the user takes 10 to 14 puffs.

[0060] In one embodiment, if the inhaler 10 includes a housing 100, the airflow path may further include a housing airflow path PH. The housing airflow path PH may be an airflow path that penetrates the side surface 103 of the housing 100 along the width direction.

[0061] The housing airflow path PH may be a path through which air that has flowed in through the housing inlet hole 103H formed on the side surface 103 of the housing 100 moves into the internal space of the housing 100. The airflow that has passed through the housing airflow path PH may connect to the first airflow path P1.

[0062] In one embodiment, the airflow path of the inhaler 10 includes a housing airflow path PH, a first airflow path P1, a second airflow path P2, and a third airflow path P3, allowing the airflow to move in the width direction, longitudinal direction, and then move again along the longitudinal direction to be delivered to the user. In one embodiment, the airflow path of the inhaler 10 also includes a housing airflow path PH, ensuring sufficient suction resistance even in a compact space.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the inhaler 10, the capsule C can be easily replaced, ensuring a sufficiently high suction resistance. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the inhaler 10, unintentional leakage of the functional substance powder can be prevented, and a sufficiently long airflow path can be ensured without increasing the size of the device. In addition, according to one embodiment of the inhaler 10, the lower inlet hole that enters the capsule C (for example, the second case inlet hole 420H) can be kept from being exposed to the outside of the housing 100 or holder 400, ensuring a superior aesthetic appearance, and the needle 300 can be doubly protected by the holder 400 and the housing 100, reducing contamination of the needle 300 by the external environment.

[0064] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can accommodate a capsule C containing a functional substance, and the inhaler 10 includes a housing 100 having a first surface 101, a second surface 102 opposite to the first surface 101, and a side surface 103 between the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, a mouthpiece 200 having at least a portion protruding from the first surface 101 of the housing 100 along the longitudinal direction extending the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, and a holder 400 housed within the housing 100 and including a capsule containment space, and a needle 300 coupled to the mouthpiece 200 and protruding toward the capsule containment space, the tip of which is insertable into the capsule containment space.

[0065] In one embodiment, the housing 100 includes a housing inlet 103H through which air flows into the housing 100, and the housing inlet 103H may be formed on the side surface 103.

[0066] In one embodiment, the holder 400 includes an upper cover 430 positioned near the first surface 101, a first case 410 inside the side surface 103, and a second case 420 spaced apart inside the first case 410, wherein the second case 420 is provided with the capsule housing space, a fluid space is formed between the first case 410 and the second case 420, and the fluid space may be covered and enclosed by the upper cover 430.

[0067] The holder 400 further includes a rib 440 projecting from at least one of the first case 410 or the second case 420 toward the other of the first case 410 or the second case 420, the rib 440 which may form the flow space.

[0068] The upper cover 430 includes an upper cover through hole 430H that penetrates the upper cover 430 along the longitudinal direction, and the upper cover through hole 430H allows the housing inlet hole 103H to communicate with the flow space.

[0069] The housing inlet 103H may be located even closer to the first surface 101 than to the upper cover 430.

[0070] In one embodiment, the second case 420 includes a second case inlet 420H, through which the fluid space and the capsule containment space can communicate.

[0071] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 has a cylindrical mouthpiece body 210, the mouthpiece 200 includes a mouthpiece intake hole 210H formed along the circumferential direction, the mouthpiece intake hole 210H penetrates the mouthpiece body 210 along the longitudinal direction, and the needle 300 may be coupled to the central part of the mouthpiece body 210.

[0072] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 and the needle 300 may be formed to be able to move back and forth toward the holder 400.

[0073] An elastic element 600 is provided between the mouthpiece 200 and the holder 400, allowing the mouthpiece 200 to return to its original position by the elastic element 600.

[0074] In one embodiment, the housing 100 further includes a housing cover 104 that covers the second surface 102, the housing cover 104 including a filter 105, one side of which is exposed to the capsule containment space, and the other side of which is exposed to the outside air.

[0075] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 may further include an intermediate holder 500 positioned between the holder 400 and the mouthpiece 200.

[0076] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can accommodate a capsule containing a functional substance, and the inhaler 10 includes a mouthpiece 200, a holder 400 arranged longitudinally from the mouthpiece 200 and including a capsule housing space, and an airflow path extending from the holder 400 to the mouthpiece 200, wherein the airflow path may include a first airflow path P1 extending into the holder 400 along the longitudinal direction, a second airflow path P2 extending from the first airflow path P1 along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction into the capsule housing space, and a third airflow path P3 extending from the second airflow path P2 along the longitudinal direction to the mouthpiece 200.

[0077] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 further includes a housing 100 having a first surface 101, a second surface 102 located on the opposite side of the longitudinal direction from the first surface 101, and a side surface 103 between the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, at least a portion of the mouthpiece 200 protruding from the first surface 101 of the housing 100, and the airflow path further includes a housing airflow path PH formed on the side surface 103 of the housing 100 along the width direction, and the first airflow path P1 may extend from the housing airflow path PH.

[0078] In one embodiment, the holder 400 includes an upper cover 430 positioned near the first surface 101, a first case 410 inside the side surface 103, and a second case 420 spaced apart inside the first case 410, wherein the first case 410 and the second case 420 are covered by the upper cover 430, the second case 420 has the capsule housing space, a fluid space is formed between the first case 420 and the second case 420, at least a portion of the first airflow path P1 is formed along the fluid space, and at least a portion of the second airflow path P2 may be formed passing through the second case 420.

[0079] The above-described embodiments are illustrative only, and any person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that a wide variety of modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims, and any differences that fall within the same scope as those described in the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. In an inhaler that contains a capsule containing a functional substance, A housing including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface, A mouthpiece that protrudes at least a portion from the first surface of the housing along the longitudinal direction extending the first and second surfaces, A holder housed within the aforementioned housing, including a capsule housing space, A needle connected to the mouthpiece and protruding toward the capsule housing space, Includes, An inhaler in which the tip of the needle can be inserted into the capsule housing space.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a housing inlet through which air flows into the housing, and the housing inlet is formed on the side surface.

3. The aforementioned holder is, An upper cover positioned near the first surface, The first case on the inner side of the aforementioned side surface, The second case is located inside the first case, Includes, The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the second case is provided with the capsule housing space, a fluid space is formed between the first case and the second case, and the fluid space is covered and enclosed by the upper cover.

4. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the holder further includes ribs protruding from at least one of the first case or the second case toward the other remaining part of the first case or the second case, the ribs forming the fluid space.

5. The upper cover includes an upper cover through hole that penetrates the upper cover along the longitudinal direction, The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the housing inlet hole and the fluid space are in communication through the upper cover through-hole.

6. The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the housing inlet is located even closer to the first surface than the upper cover.

7. The aforementioned second case includes a second case inlet, The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the fluid space and the capsule containment space are in communication through the second case inlet.

8. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece has a cylindrical mouthpiece body, the mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece inhalation hole formed along the circumferential direction, the mouthpiece inhalation hole penetrates the mouthpiece body along the longitudinal direction, and the needle is coupled to the central part of the mouthpiece body.

9. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece and the needle are movable forward and backward toward the holder.

10. The inhaler according to claim 9, wherein an elastic element is provided between the mouthpiece and the holder, and the mouthpiece returns to its original position by the elastic element.

11. The housing further includes a housing cover that encloses the second surface, The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover includes a filter, one side of the filter is exposed to the capsule housing space, and the other side of the filter is exposed to the outside air.

12. The inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate holder disposed between the holder and the mouthpiece.

13. In an inhaler that contains a capsule containing a functional substance, Mouthpiece and A holder is positioned along the longitudinal direction from the mouthpiece and includes a capsule housing space, An airflow path extending from the holder to the mouthpiece, Includes, The aforementioned airflow path is A first airflow path extending within the holder along the longitudinal direction, A second airflow path extends from the first airflow path along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction into the capsule housing space, A third airflow path extends from the second airflow path along the longitudinal direction to the mouthpiece, Inhalers, including...

14. The housing further includes a first surface, a second surface located on the opposite side of the longitudinal direction from the first surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface. At least a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the first surface of the housing, The inhaler according to claim 13, wherein the airflow path further includes a housing airflow path formed on the side surface of the housing along the width direction, and the first airflow path extends from the housing airflow path.

15. The aforementioned holder is, An upper cover positioned near the first surface, The first case on the inner side of the aforementioned side surface, The second case is located inside the first case, Includes, The inhaler according to claim 14, wherein the first case and the second case are covered by the upper cover, the second case comprises the capsule housing space, a fluid space is formed between the first case and the second case, at least a portion of the first airflow path is formed along the fluid space, and at least a portion of the second airflow path is formed passing through the second case.

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