CN1906096A - Healthy pleasurable inhalation device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pleasant inhalation device for human use, beneficial to health, includes a tubular portion containing a flavored powder that is easily soluble in saliva and an interface tube configured to disperse the flavored powder in the user's mouth. The tubular portion includes a mechanism for metering the supply of a mixture of flavored powder and air through the device when the user inhales. Various configurations for the tubular portion and interface tube of the device are described.

Description

Wholesome and pleasant inhalation device

technical field

The field of the invention relates to oral devices providing a pleasant sensation. Foods such as chewing gum and the like provide this sensation. Nonfood items, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco, also provide this pleasurable sensation. The invention disclosed below is an appliance intended to provide a healthier alternative to, inter alia, cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

Background technique

The human respiratory tract can be divided into upper and lower respiratory tracts. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract includes the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. The divider of the upper and lower airways is generally considered to be the confluence of the larynx and trachea. The new appliance and its technology are based on oral suction.

Considering the oral respiratory passage, the passage of the oral flow can also be divided into three regions: (1) including the lips, front teeth and the front edge of the tongue, (2) the middle region and the arcuate tract enclosed by the hard palate and teeth, (3) the mouth The pharynx, where the passage joins the nasopharynx, becomes vertical. Although the flow rate of the air obviously varies, it is assumed that the flow rate is 0.5 liter/second.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to allow people to "enjoy" the sensation of inhalation. In its most basic form, the invention comprises a generally tubular device with a mouthpiece. The tubular portion includes flavored powder and structure to meter the flow of powder into the airflow leading to the mouth. The shape and size of the tubular portion can vary depending on the desired powder capacity of the appliance and on factors of appearance and comfort with respect to the user.

The use of this new appliance is somewhat similar to the use of tobacco for pipes. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece, fresh air flows into the distal end, through the tubular portion and the interior of the mouthpiece, and then into the user's mouth. With each inhalation, the flavored powder mixes with the incoming air and is deposited in the user's mouth.

When inhaling, the powder particles are deposited especially on the tongue. Because the human tongue is particularly sensitive to taste and certain nostrils perceive odors when expelling air, using this device produces a pleasant sensation in the brain. By design, the appliance deposits the powder in the front part of the airway, which is the middle part from the teeth to the palate. Deposition of the powder in this part of the respiratory tract is important because the powder can have a bitter taste if the powder particles reach the pharynx.

This appliance is designed to control the two-phase flow (of air and powder) for depositing powder particles in the first and second zones, and to avoid particle deposition in and beyond the third zone. In order to achieve the special effects produced by the two-phase flow, the new device allows the following physical changes: air velocity, air volume flow rate, air flow direction, powder density, powder particle size and speed of powder dissolution in saliva.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an appliance;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance of Figure 1;

Figure 3A is an end view of the mouthpiece of Figure 1;

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

Figure 3C is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of Figure 1;

Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the door shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the door shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 5A is an end view showing the air flow of the inclined channel in Fig. 3B;

Figure 5B is a side view showing the air flow of the inclined channel in Figure 3B;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the appliance;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the appliance;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the appliance;

9A is a longitudinal sectional view of the mouthpiece of the fourth embodiment;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the appliance;

11A is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternative mouthpiece for the appliance of FIG. 10;

11B is an end view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 11A;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance of Figure 10 with the mouthpiece of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of yet another variation of the appliance of Figures 10-12;

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the complete appliance of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the device including a filter adjacent the mouthpiece;

Figure 15A is a top view of the filter of Figure 15;

Figure 16 is a top view of an alternative to the filter of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the appliance;

Figure 18 is a top view of the inner tube cap in the appliance of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of an alternative non-cylindrical mouthpiece;

Figure 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance of Figure 17 with the mouthpiece of Figure 19 added;

Figure 21 A is a perspective view of a modified distal cap;

21B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the distal cap of FIG. 21A;

Figure 21C is a plan view of the distal cap of Figure 21A;

Figure 22A is a top view of the inner sealing strip;

Figure 22B is a perspective view of the folded inner weatherstrip;

Figure 23A is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the appliance showing the sealing strip of Figure 22 and the modified distal cap of Figure 21;

Figure 23B is a partial perspective view of the assembled distal cap and sealing strip;

Figure 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance with the sealing strip partially removed;

Figure 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance with the sealing strip completely removed;

Figure 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the appliance;

Figure 26A is a distal view of the appliance of Figure 26;

Figure 26B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the appliance of Figure 26;

Figure 27A is a partial side view of the mouthpiece of the appliance of Figure 26;

Figure 27B is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of the appliance of Figure 26;

Figure 27C is an end view of the mouthpiece of the appliance of Figure 26;

28A is a transverse cross-sectional view of a modified distal end of the appliance of FIG. 26;

Figure 28B is a horizontal longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the distal end of Figure 28A;

Figure 28C is a vertical longitudinal partial sectional view through line 28C of Figure 28A;

Figure 28D is a second transverse cross-sectional view through line 28D of Figure 28B;

Detailed ways

Described in Figure 1 is the basic shape of the appliance. It has a mouthpiece or mouthpiece 1, a hollow or tubular cylindrical body 2, and a distal cap 3 that allows air to enter the appliance. Generally, the implement is thicker and longer than a cigarette, but thinner and shorter than a large cigar.

In Figure 2, the flavored powder 17 is confined in the area between the push-up ring 16, the inner tube 13, the outer tube 14, the lower door 25 and the upper door 18 when there is no air flow drawn through the appliance. When the user inhales, air 11 passes through the distal filter 3 and flows into the appliance. The air then flows through the inner tube 13 and the channel 23 of the lower door 25 towards the upper door 18 . The air flows through the area containing the flavored powder 17 before it reaches the channel 24 of the upper door 18 . The air entrains a certain amount of powder and then flows through the channel 24 of the upper door 18 as a two-phase flow. The two-phase flow 21 passes through the channel 20 in the mouthpiece 19 and finally enters the mouth through the inclined channel 27 .

As air passes through the area between the lower door 25 and the upper door 18 and takes the flavored powder with it, further powder is continuously supplied to this area with the compression spring 15 acting on the ring 16 and powder 17 .

The inclined channel 27 at the outlet of the mouthpiece 19 directs the two-phase flow at an angle chosen to spread the powder in the user's mouth while avoiding the powder entering the pharynx. The powder will strike the user's tongue, palate, and other surfaces normally covered with saliva without passing further into the pharynx.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the structure of the mouthpiece 9 . Depending on the channel diameter and mouthpiece diameter, the number of inclined channels 27 can vary from one to any number. The minimum channel diameter is limited by any tendency of the powder to clog the channel 27 . The cross-sectional shape of the channel can vary for different purposes such as to accommodate different manufacturing processes.

The structure of the lower door 25 or the upper door 18 is described in FIG. 4 . The doors do not have to be the same size, it may be advantageous to make the passage 24 of the upper door 18 larger to accommodate the two phase flow as the powder is entrained by the air.

Figure 5 illustrates the results of tests showing the flow pattern of the two-phase flow exiting the inclined channel 27 into the user's mouth. The two-phase flow is clearly conveyed broadly from the mouthpiece 19 as desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates an appliance including a duckbill check valve 36 . Powder 17 is contained in the space between inner tube 35 , push plate 34 and duckbill check valve 36 . Compression spring 32 constantly drives powder 17 towards duckbill check valve 36 . When there is no suction, although the spring 32 pushes the powder 17 towards the duckbill check valve 36 opening 39, the friction between the powder particles and the friction between the powder and the duckbill check valve prevents the powder from flowing out of the duckbill check valve. opening 39 .

As air is drawn through the filter or distal cap 31 , the air flow 46 passes through the space 33 between the inner tube 35 and the outer tube 42 . The air flows into the channel 41 and then into the duckbill check valve 36 , carrying the powder 17 in the space 43 , towards the opening 39 . Out of opening 39, the two-phase powder and gas flow pass through passage 27 in mouthpiece 19 and then out at 21 into the user's mouth.

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a third embodiment of the appliance in which air is drawn through a filter or distal cap 59 and then into a space 56 in a tube 53 containing a compression spring 57 . The compression spring 57 acts on a spring plate 55 comprising a porous material which allows the passage of air but does not allow the powder 17 to enter the space 56 . Powder 17 is of sufficient particle size to allow air to flow therethrough and entrain some of the powder in region 52 . With the particles on board, a two-phase flow occurs in the channel 51 of the mouthpiece 19 and then enters the mouth as shown at 21 . When the powder 17 is used, the spring 57 continuously presses the powder 17 so as to repeatedly supply the area 52 with sufficient powder.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment incorporating modifications to the previous appliance. When inhaling, air 81 flows in through the filter or distal cap 69 and through the ring filter 72 . The air sucked through the filter 69 enters the space 66 which also contains the spring 67 . The continuous passage of air through the powder 17 entrains the powder in the zone 60 , creating a two-phase flow in the channel 61 of the mouthpiece 62 . An annular filter 72 in the tube side wall 63 opens into a plurality of grooves 71 between the powder 17 and the mouthpiece 62 . The other air flow through slot 71 entrains other powder to mix with the two-phase flow in channel 61 . The two-phase flow exits mouthpiece 62 at 21 . A further optional modification includes a non-porous spring plate 65 which forces all suction through the filter 72 and slot 71 .

Illustrated in FIG. 10 is a helical core, which is based on a design in which springs are eliminated and the helical core is positioned in a tube 89 . The powder is loosely placed within the helical core 86 . When inhaling, air 88 passes through filter 87 and then through powder and screw core 86 . As the air passes through the helical core 86 and the powder, a portion of the powder is entrained, creating a two-phase flow into the channel 83 in the mouthpiece 82 . The helical core 86 creates a circulating air flow which eventually entrains all the powder as the suction continues. The two-phase flow then exits the mouthpiece 82 as indicated at 81 . Ring filter 84 allows additional air to adjust the mixing ratio between the air in channel 83 and the powder on the belt.

The helical core 86 reduces the likelihood of powder falling off and coalescing when the device is held vertically. The pitch of the helical core 86 should be reduced in order to control the powder. During the inhalation phase, the appliance is most likely to be nearly horizontal, but when packaged, transported or stored, it is likely to be vertical.

In the mouthpiece 82 used in Figure 10, the two-phase flow exits the mouthpiece from a location very close to the edge of the mouthpiece. Because a person's mouth is often wet with saliva, the outlet of the mouthpiece may become blocked by a mixture of saliva and powder particles. To avoid such clogging, the mouthpiece 82 is modified by locating the outlet closer to the centerline of the mouthpiece but maintaining the outlet angle.

As shown in FIG. 11, the modified mouthpiece 90 has a two-phase flow channel 97 leading to two small channels 91 which bend at 92 to openings 94 and 95 near the centerline of the mouthpiece. The two-phase flow 93 thus enters the mouth from near the centerline of the mouthpiece. FIG. 12 illustrates a modified mouthpiece 90 installed on the appliance of FIG. 10 .

In FIGS. 13 and 14 , the helical core 100 of FIGS. 10 and 12 is modified into a spring-like structure attached to the mouthpiece 101 . Helical core 100 is loosely mounted within tube 102 , adjoining distal end 105 at 103 . By pushing the mouthpiece 101, the helical core 100 can be compressed and released to agitate the powder in the space 104, thereby eliminating the settling and clogging of the powder that may occur due to long-term sedimentation.

In a sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the filter 136 is located at the inlet of the mouthpiece 101 , outside the tube 102 and core 100 . By adjusting the size of the holes 138, the ratio of powder particles in the two-phase flow can be controlled. In addition, the shape of the pores 138 also affects the performance of the two-phase flow. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the holes may be circular 140, pentagonal 141 or triangular 142 as well as circular holes 139 of different sizes.

Illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is a seventh embodiment of the appliance in which the inner tube 111 is positioned axially relative to the outer tube 112 whereby the annular gap 106 is provided. The powder 105 is placed in an inner tube 111 with a hole 118 leading to the annular gap 106 . The powder 105 readily flows through the holes 118 into the gap 106 as indicated at 110 . When the user inhales, airflow 107 enters distal end 87 , flows through reference numeral 108 , passes through gap 106 , entrains powder 110 , and forms two-phase flow 109 . The two-phase flow then enters mouthpiece 113 and exits through channel 116 .

The inner tube includes a cover 114 and a cover 115 , as shown in FIG. 18 , formed with tabs 120 allowing access to the annular gap 106 .

Shown by reference numeral 130 in FIG. 19 is another modification of the mouthpiece. The modified mouthpiece 130 is generally elliptical and has a major axis that is horizontal and a minor axis that is vertical when the user is standing or sitting up for normal use. When the mouthpiece is properly installed on the tube 112, as shown in FIG. Air becomes a two-phase flow 109 in the annular gap 106 and exits the mouthpiece at 131, as described above.

The hole 118 in the inner tube 111 of the seventh embodiment must be sealed during transport and storage prior to use. Shown in Figure 21 is a modified end cap or filter with a solid end 156 inserted into the inner tube 111 to seal the tube end. When in use, air flows from the inner cavity 154 of the cap 150 through the groove 151 and into the annular gap 106 between the inner tube 111 and the outer tube 112 .

FIG. 22A shows the structure of the sealing strip 140 used to close the hole 118 of the inner tube 111 . The weatherstrip is preferably made of paper with perforated line 145 and perforated line 146 near the center of the weatherstrip. The two perforated lines 145 and 146 provide convenient bend lines for bending the weatherstrip into the shape shown in Figure 22B. Near the end 141 and the end 143 of the sealing strip 147 are two further perforated wires 142 and 144 for forcefully separating the ends. The sealing strip 140 is bent into a shape 147 prior to fitting the hole 118 .

FIG. 23A illustrates a sealing strip 147 within the appliance, which is located between the inner tube 111 and the outer tube 112 to seal the bore 118 and prevent powder from leaking into the annular gap 106. FIG. FIG. 23B illustrates the sealing strip 147 wrapped around the distal cap 150 . The weather strip fits into notches 153 and 158 in end cap 150 . The notches 153 and 158 allow the weather strip 147 to slide longitudinally when the user grasps the middle portion 148 of the weather strip.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , the user pulls the sealing strip 147 , exposing the hole 118 in the inner tube 111 and removing the powder coating, thereby allowing a portion of the powder to flow into the annular groove 106 . Since the two sealing ends 141 and 143 are larger than the notches 153 and 158 in the end cap 150 in FIG. 21, they cannot pass through the notches. Accordingly, the sealing strip breaks at the perforated lines 142 and 144, leaving the ends 141 and 143 plugged in the slots 153 and 158, preventing the passage of powder through the slots 153 and 158.

Still another variant of the appliance is depicted in FIG. 26 . Apparatus 200 includes two semi-cylindrical lumens or tubes 201 and 202 . Tubes 201 and 202 are separated by divider 205 . Tube 202 contains powder 204 prior to use. As indicated by reference numeral 203, there is an opening between the tubes 201 and 202.

On the distal end 206 of the device 200 there is a dosing slot 207 that allows a gas flow 208 into the tube 201 . When the user inhales at the end 210 of the mouthpiece 209 , the air 208 flows through the slot 207 , mixing with the powder near the bottom 217 of the device 200 . The airflow then becomes an air powder two-phase flow 219 through the mouthpiece 209 into the user's mouth.

Membrane door 211 is located near distal end 206 . Unless air 208 is inhaled by the user, forcing the membrane door open, the membrane door 211 is normally closed, preventing powder near the bottom 217 from entering the tube 201 .

FIG. 27 illustrates the configuration of the mouthpiece 209 in detail. As the air-powder flow 219 enters the mouthpiece 209 , the stop 255 directs the lower portion of the flow towards the upper portion 218 of the flow, becoming the flow 220 . Airflow 220 is then redirected by surface 212 at corner 213 just before entering the user's mouth. The weight of the powder particles allows for optimal deposition of the powder on the tongue and saliva-coated tissues surrounding the mouth.

Shown in FIG. 28 is an alternative version of the distal end of the embodiment of FIG. 26 . Powder flows from tube 202 from direction 232 through channel 230 and into tube 201 . After the powder has flowed into tube 230 , it does not flow directly into tube 201 , but stop 250 forces the powder to move from directions 234 and 235 to openings 251 and 252 . The stop 250 reduces the tendency of powder to flow randomly into the tube 201, thus partially fulfilling the purpose of the membrane 211 described above. The channel 230 can be sized to increase or decrease the powder flow, thus for dosing the powder flow.

Air streams 236 , 237 and 238 flow through air slots 240 , 241 and 242 from the surroundings. Referring to Figures 28A and 28C, the airflow 237, after flowing into the tube 201 from directions 234 and 235, entrains the powder as a two-phase flow (air and powder). Slots 240, 241 and 242 are designed to meter the inflow rate of incoming air.

It should be understood that the mouthpiece 209 is configured such that the user naturally knows the orientation of the appliance which, by gravity 260, moves the powder from the tube 202 into the tube 201 as shown in FIG. 26 . During the manufacturing stage, a piece of material may be inserted into channel 230 , passing through slot 240 , preventing powder from flowing out of tube 202 . This sheet of material is only withdrawn from slot 240 prior to use.

A mouthpiece, as disclosed above, is designed to direct the air-powder mixture indirectly to the throat, thereby avoiding a direct path to the throat. The powder particles are manufactured in the right size for deposition on the tongue and in the mouth. Preferably, the particle size is 100-250mm. Flavored powder granules are great for that. The granulation process combines all ingredients such as sugar, citric acid, and flavored powders (coffee, mint, strawberry, etc.) into individual granules. Alternatively, sugar granules, citrus dices and granulated flavored powder can be mixed together.

A suitable flavored powder is available under the brand Durarome ^(R) manufactured by Firmenick, Geneva, Switzerland. These powders are sealed with a substance that dissolves quickly in the mouth, thereby rapidly releasing the flavored powder. Refined silicate anti-caking preparations may be added.

Claims (12)

1. the human inhalation apparatus of a pleasant, comprise generally tubular partial sum mouth piece, the powder that adds flavor in described tubular portion, allow wherein air with air-breathing by device described mouth piece, on described utensil, and fixed supply forms the device of the compound of air that two things flow mutually and powder.

2. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is included in the described mouth piece device that is dispersed in the described powder of described two things in flowing mutually with respect to the line of centers of described mouth piece with an angle.

3. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is included in the described utensil to be used for the zone of air and powder.

4. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, allows that the device of the described utensil of air admission comprises identical physical structure with the fixed supply air with the device of the compound of powder.

5. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the described powder that adds flavor is granular.

6. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the described granular powder that adds flavor comprises cated particle.

7. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, described particle comprises preparation that sweetens and the citric acid that is added at least a spices.

8. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the described granular powder that adds flavor comprises the compound of the particle that contains the preparation, citric acid or the spices that sweeten respectively.

9. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the described spices in the described powder that adds flavor is selected from the set that mainly comprises peppermint, coffee, tea, any fruit and any medicinal herbs that add flavor.

10. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the described powder that adds flavor comprises the nicotine additive.

11. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the described spices in described particle is selected from the set that mainly comprises peppermint, coffee, tea, any fruit and any medicinal herbs that add flavor.

12. the human inhalation apparatus of pleasant as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that described particle comprises the nicotine additive.

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