Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler according to an embodiment comprises: a housing which comprises a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first and second surfaces, and which is provided with an elongated cavity, extending from the first surface toward the second surface, into which an aerosol-generating item including a capsule is inserted; a first needle disposed perpendicular to the second surface and extending in the longitudinal direction from the second surface toward the first surface; and a second needle adjacent to the side surface and disposed in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle crushes the capsule in the longitudinal direction, and the second needle can penetrate the side surface and move forward or backward so as to crush the capsule in the transverse direction.

Description

inspirator

[0001] The inhaler is initiated.

[0002] Conventional dry powder inhalers deliver a single, measured dose of a pharmacological agent into the body. They have been primarily used to treat patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To ensure efficient absorption, they utilize finely dried powders measuring 5 to 10 μm or less. Furthermore, a fixed amount of the drug can be filled into a hard capsule for quantitative delivery.

[0003] Such a dry powder inhaler may be composed of a capsule filled with dry powder and a device for inhalation. In this case, technology for manufacturing the dry powder and technology for designing a device that generates a vortex for delivering the dry powder may be required.

[0004] The background technology described above is technology that the inventor possessed or acquired during the process of deriving the present invention, and cannot necessarily be said to be a publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the application for the present invention.

[0005] An object of one embodiment is to provide an inhaler which is capable of being combined with an inhalation stick storing a capsule filled with a dry powder for delivering inhalation dry powder and which includes a separate perforation function for generating a vortex near the inhalation capsule while simultaneously perforating the inhalation capsule inside the stick, thereby preventing contamination near the capsule due to the external environment during storage of the stick by directly performing the perforation process for the capsule for inhalation by the user without having to create a separate vortex generating structure inside the inhaler during the manufacturing process.

[0006] The problems to be solved in the embodiments are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] An inhaler according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and an elongated cavity formed therein, the elongated cavity extending from the first surface toward the second surface and into which an aerosol-generating article including a capsule is inserted, a first needle disposed perpendicular to the second surface and extending longitudinally from the second surface toward the first surface, and a second needle disposed transversely adjacent to the side surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle can be moved forward or backward through the side surface to fracture the capsule in the longitudinal direction, and the second needle can be moved forward or backward through the side surface to fracture the capsule in the transverse direction.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the inhaler, the inhaler is capable of being combined with an inhalation stick storing a capsule filled with dry powder for delivering dry powder for inhalation, and includes a separate perforation function for generating a vortex near the inhalation capsule at the same time as perforation of the inhalation capsule inside the stick, so that the perforation is performed directly during the capsule perforation process for inhalation by the user without the need to create a separate vortex generating structure inside the inhaler during the manufacturing process, thereby preventing contamination near the capsule due to the external environment during storage of the stick.

[0009] 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.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a first needle and a second needle and an aerosol-generating article of an inhaler according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates an inhaler according to one embodiment with an aerosol-generating article inserted therein.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates an internal perspective view of an inhaler according to one embodiment with an aerosol-generating article inserted.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment with an aerosol-generating article inserted.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment with the second needle in a retracted state.

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment with the second needle in an advanced state.

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment having three first needles.

[0017] 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 idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with illustrative drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components are given identical reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments, detailed descriptions of related known structures or functions are omitted if they are deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments.

[0019] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used to describe components of the embodiments. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. When a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0020] Components included in one embodiment and components with common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in one embodiment may also apply to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

[0021]

[0022] The present invention relates to an inhaler (10) for delivering dry powder for inhalation, and more specifically, to an inhaler (10) exclusively for an inhalation stick or aerosol-generating article storing a capsule filled with dry powder.

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a first needle (102) and a second needle (103) of an inhaler (10) and an aerosol generating article (S) according to one embodiment.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment can perforate a capsule (C) included in an aerosol-generating article (S). At this time, the inhaler (10) according to one embodiment can provide a perforation function for inhaling a functional substance contained inside the capsule (C) and a perforation function for generating a vortex. For example, a first needle (102) can perform perforation for inhaling a functional substance, and a second needle (103) can perform perforation for generating a vortex.

[0025] Aerosol-generating articles (S) may be made of materials such as paper, cellulose acetate tow, and other polymer materials such as PLA, PP, and PE. Fragrance capsules may be used as aerosol-generating articles (S).

[0026] The capsule (C) may contain a functional material in the form of a dry powder. According to one embodiment, the dry powder suitable for inhalation through the structure of the inhaler (10) may be composed of a plurality of fine particles having a size of about 10 μm or less or a plurality of particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 5 μm or less. Alternatively, the dry powder may be partially mixed with flavoring or cough suppressing particles having a size of 20 μm or more. Additionally, the dry powder may contain a small amount of a substance that has a positive effect on the physical properties of the dry powder, such as other amino acids and magnesium stearate.

[0027] The dry powder that can be applied to the inside of the inhaler (10) according to one embodiment may include nicotine. For example, the nicotine may be free nicotine, nicotine lactate, or other nicotine salts. Additionally, the dry powder may be prepared with other functional materials.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the functional material of the inhaler (10) may include a small amount of a sweetener such as menthol, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, etc. added as particles for flavor or taste, and the sweetener may be in the form of a fine powder. In this case, the sweetener may be added in an amount of less than 1 to 5 wt% in the nicotine dry powder. The size of the flavor particles may be 5 μm or less on average, or 20 μm or more, or 50 to 100 μm in other cases.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which an aerosol generating article (S) is inserted.

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates an internal perspective view of an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which an aerosol-generating article (S) is inserted.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross-section of an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which an aerosol-generating article (S) is inserted.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment may include a housing (101), a first needle (102), and a second needle (103).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the housing (101) may include a first surface (1011), a second surface (1012) opposite to the first surface (1011), and a side surface (1013) connecting the first surface (1011) and the second surface (1012). In addition, the housing (101) may have an open first surface (1011) and an elongated cavity (1014) extending from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012), as illustrated in FIG. 4. An aerosol-generating article (S) including a capsule (C) may be inserted into the elongated cavity (1014).

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first needle (102) may be arranged perpendicular to the second surface (1012). The first needle (102) may extend longitudinally from the second surface (1012) toward the first surface (1011). The first needle (102) may crush the capsule (C) in the longitudinal direction. The first needle (102) may be provided as a sharp needle. The size of the needle may be 0.5 to 1.0 mm. The first needle (102) may be provided in one or more pieces.

[0035] The second needle (103) may be disposed transversely adjacent to the side surface (1013) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The second needle (103) may be operable to move forward or backward while penetrating the side surface (1013). By this forward or backward motion, the second needle (103) may shatter the capsule (C) in the transverse direction. The second needle (103) may, for example, act in a tangential direction of the capsule (C). The second needle (103) providing such a perforation function may form a hole for generating a vortex in the capsule (C). The second needle (103) may be provided as a sharp needle. The size of the needle may be 0.5 mm or more. The number of second needles (103) may be one or two, and a plurality of second needles may be provided to be suitable for generating a vortex. The second needle (103) described above will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing (101) may further include a needle guide (1015). The needle guide (1015) may be formed as a hole that laterally penetrates the side surface (1013). The second needle (103) may be accommodated in the needle guide (1015). A plurality of needle guides (1015) may be provided. Each needle guide (1015) may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the side surface (1013). The needle guide (1015) may guide the second needle (103) to move forward or backward toward the capsule (C).

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing (101) may further include an air inlet (1016). The air inlet (1016) may extend from the side surface (1013) to the elongated cavity (1014). This air inlet (1016) may communicate the elongated cavity (1014) with the outside.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment may further include a sliding portion (104). One end of an aerosol-generating article (S) may be coupled to the sliding portion (104). The sliding portion (104) may slide along the elongated cavity (1014). When the sliding portion (104) slides in a direction from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012), the first needle (102) may penetrate the sliding portion (104). That is, when the sliding portion (104) slides in a direction from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012), the first needle (102) may crush the capsule (C).

[0039] Specifically, a plurality of needle holes (1041) may be formed in the sliding portion (104) longitudinally penetrating the sliding portion (104). The number of needle holes (1041) may correspond to the number of first needles (102). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the needle holes (1041) may be formed in a shape in which the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface (1012) is larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface (1011). For example, the needle holes (1041) may be formed in a trumpet shape. This shape of the needle holes (1041) may allow the first needle (102) to smoothly reach the capsule (C) by penetrating the needle holes (1041).

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the inhaler (10) according to one embodiment may further include a spring (105). One end of the spring (105) may be coupled to the sliding portion (104) and the other end may be fixed to the bottom surface (A) of the elongated cavity (1014). The spring (105) may contract when the sliding portion (104) is pressurized and moves toward the second surface (1012). Accordingly, the first needle (102) may penetrate the sliding portion (104) and the aerosol-generating article (S) to puncture the capsule (C). For example, the first needle (102), which is composed of two needles, may be arranged at a distance smaller than the diameter of the spring (105) and may be arranged to be surrounded by the spring (105).

[0041] Additionally, the spring (105) can support the sliding portion (104) to be positioned away from the first needle (102) toward the first surface (1011) when the sliding portion (104) is not pressurized.

[0042] Hereinafter, the operation of the second needle (103) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0043] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which the second needle (103) is in a retracted state.

[0044] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which the second needle (103) is in a forward state.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of needle guides (1015) described above may be arranged to be eccentric from the central axis of the housing (101), respectively. For example, the needle guides (1015) may be arranged in a tangential direction to the capsule (C). The second needle (103) may pass through the needle guides (1015) and puncture the capsule (C) at a position eccentric from the central axis.

[0046] The forward or backward movement of the second needle (103) can be performed in conjunction with the perforation by the first needle (102). For example, the second needle (103) can be operated to move forward or backward in conjunction with the position of the sliding part (104).

[0047] To this end, the inhaler (10) according to one embodiment may further include a sensing unit (not shown) and a driving unit (not shown).

[0048] The detection unit is installed on the bottom surface (A) of the elongated cavity (1014) and can protrude toward the first surface (1011).

[0049] The driving unit can operate the second needle (103) to move forward or backward according to a signal detected by the sensing unit.

[0050] The aforementioned sensing unit can signal the driving unit to move the second needle (103) forward or backward in conjunction with the operation of the sliding unit (104).

[0051] For example, the sensing unit may signal the driving unit to move the second needle (103) forward toward the capsule (C) when the sliding unit (104) moves in a direction from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012). Based on the signal from the sensing unit, the driving unit may move the second needle (103) from the position shown in FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the second needle (103) may form an eccentric perforation in the capsule (C) as shown in FIG. 6. The perforation formed by the second needle (103) may form a vortex inside the capsule (C) when a suction force is applied to the inhaler (10) by a user.

[0052] Additionally, the sensing unit can signal the second needle (103) to move backward from the capsule (C) to the outside of the housing (101) when the sliding unit (104) moves in the direction from the second surface (1012) toward the first surface (1011). Accordingly, the driving unit can return the second needle (103) from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0053] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-section of an inhaler (10) according to one embodiment in which the first needle (102) is composed of three.

[0054] The first needle (102) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 is illustrated as consisting of two needles, but as illustrated in FIG. 7, it may be composed of three or more needles for smooth transfer and suction of the functional material.

[0055] As described above, the inhaler (10) according to one embodiment is capable of being combined with an aerosol-generating article (S) storing a capsule (C) filled with dry powder for inhalation, and simultaneously providing longitudinal perforation of the capsule (C) and a transverse perforation function for generating a vortex near the capsule (C), thereby preventing contamination of the vicinity of the capsule (C) due to the external environment during storage of the aerosol-generating article (S) by directly performing the perforation process of the capsule (C) for inhalation by the user without having to create a separate vortex-generating structure inside the inhaler (10) when manufacturing the inhaler (10).

[0056]

[0057] An inhaler (10) according to one embodiment comprises a first surface (1011), a second surface (1012) opposite to the first surface (1011), and a side surface (1013) connecting the first surface (1011) and the second surface (1012), and a housing (101) having an elongated cavity (1014) formed on the first surface (1011) into which an aerosol-generating article (S) including a capsule (C) is inserted, a first needle (102) disposed vertically on the second surface (1012) and extending in a longitudinal direction from the second surface (1012) toward the first surface (1011), and a second needle (103) disposed transversely adjacent to the side surface (1013) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle (102) crushes the capsule (C) in the longitudinal direction, and The second needle (103) can move forward or backward through the side surface (1013) to shatter the capsule (C) in the transverse direction.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the housing (101) further includes a needle guide (1015) formed as a hole penetrating the side surface (1013) in the transverse direction and capable of accommodating the second needle (103), and the needle guide (1015) can guide the second needle (103) so that the second needle (103) moves toward the capsule (C).

[0059] According to one embodiment, the needle guide (1015) may be positioned eccentrically from the central axis of the housing (101).

[0060] According to one embodiment, the needle guide (1015) can be arranged in the tangential direction of the capsule (C).

[0061] According to one embodiment, the housing (101) further includes an air inlet (1016) extending from the side surface (1013) to the elongated cavity (1014), and the air inlet (1016) can communicate the elongated cavity (1014) with the outside.

[0062] An inhaler (10) according to one embodiment further includes a sliding part (104) to which one end of the aerosol-generating article (S) is coupled and which slides along the elongated cavity (1014), and when the sliding part (104) slides in a direction from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012), the first needle (102) can penetrate the sliding part (104).

[0063] An inhaler (10) according to one embodiment further includes a sensing unit installed on the bottom surface (A) of the elongated cavity (1014) and protruding toward the first surface (1011), and a driving unit that operates the second needle (103) according to a signal sensed by the sensing unit, and the sensing unit can signal the driving unit to move the second needle (103) forward or backward in conjunction with the operation of the sliding unit (104).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the sensing unit may signal the second needle (103) to move forward when the sliding unit (104) moves in a direction from the first surface (1011) toward the second surface (1012), and may signal the second needle (103) to move backward when the sliding unit (104) moves in the longitudinal direction.

[0065] In one embodiment, a plurality of needle holes (1041) are formed in the sliding part (104) that penetrate the sliding part (104) in the longitudinal direction, and the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface (1012) of the needle holes (1041) may be larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface (1011).

[0066] An inhaler (10) according to one embodiment further includes a spring (105) having one end coupled to the sliding portion (104) and the other end coupled to the bottom surface (A) of the elongated cavity (1014), wherein the spring (105) contracts when the sliding portion (104) is pressurized and moves toward the second surface (1012), and the spring (105) can support the sliding portion (104) to be located at a position spaced from the first needle (102) toward the first surface (1011) when the sliding portion (104) is not pressurized.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the capsule (C) may contain a functional material in powder form.

[0068]

[0069] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, but these are provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations based on this description. For example, appropriate results can be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order from the described method, and / or the described structures, devices, etc. components are combined or combined in a different form from the described method, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the claims below as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A housing including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and having an elongated cavity formed therein, the elongated cavity extending from the first surface toward the second surface and into which an aerosol-generating article including a capsule is inserted; A first needle arranged perpendicular to the second surface and extending longitudinally from the second surface toward the first surface; and A second needle disposed transversely adjacent to the side surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; Including, An inhaler, wherein the first needle penetrates the side surface and moves forward or backward to shred the capsule in the longitudinal direction, and the second needle moves forward or backward to shred the capsule in the transverse direction.

2. In paragraph 1, The housing further includes a needle guide formed with a hole penetrating the side surface in the transverse direction and capable of accommodating the second needle. An inhaler wherein the needle guide guides the second needle so that the second needle moves toward the capsule.

3. In paragraph 2, An aspirator wherein the needle guide is positioned eccentrically from the central axis of the housing.

4. In paragraph 3, An inhaler wherein the needle guide is positioned in a tangential direction to the capsule.

5. In paragraph 1, The above housing further includes an air inlet extending from the side surface to the elongated cavity, The above air inlet is an inhaler that connects the elongated cavity with the outside.

6. In paragraph 1, The above inhaler further includes a sliding part to which one end of the aerosol-generating article is coupled and which slides along the elongated cavity, An inhaler, wherein when the sliding part slides in a direction from the first surface to the second surface, the first needle penetrates the sliding part.

7. In paragraph 6, The above-mentioned suction device comprises a sensing unit installed on the bottom surface of the elongated cavity and protruding toward the first surface; and A driving unit that operates the second needle according to a signal detected by the above detection unit; Including more, An inhaler, wherein the sensing portion signals the driving portion to move the second needle forward or backward in conjunction with the movement of the sliding portion.

8. In paragraph 7, An inhaler, wherein the sensing member signals the driving member to advance the second needle when the sliding member moves in the direction from the first surface to the second surface, and signals the second needle to move backward when the sliding member moves in the longitudinal direction.

9. In paragraph 6, In the above sliding part, a plurality of needle holes are formed that penetrate the sliding part in the longitudinal direction, The above needle hole is an aspirator, wherein the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface is larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface.

10. In paragraph 6, The above suction device further includes a spring, one end of which is coupled to the sliding portion and the other end is coupled to the bottom surface of the elongated cavity, The above spring contracts when the sliding part is pressurized and moves toward the second surface, An inhaler, wherein the spring supports the sliding portion to be positioned away from the first needle toward the first surface when the sliding portion is not pressurized.

11. In paragraph 1, The above capsule is an inhaler containing a functional substance in powder form.

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