JP2000051355A - Steam inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam inhaler which simplifies a switching mechanism between a throat and a nose, facilitates operation, reduces cost by decrease in number of parts, and precisely inhale to a throat and a nose. SOLUTION: A shielding part 22 for deviating spraying to one side of a spraying path is provided in a spraying path in a spray guide 21, and a switching knob 30 having a deflecting plate 31 for switching the spraying path to the throat or the nose is provided in the connecting part between the spray guide 21 and a spray pipe 40 rotatably and axially movably. Spraying produced by the interaction of the nozzles 7, 8 flows with deviation to one side in the shielding part 22, and the flow is changed for the nose or the throat by the direction of the deflecting plate 31 to be emitted from an inhalation port 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for treating inflammation or the like caused in a respiratory system such as a throat and a nose by inhaling an atomized / sprayed inhalation liquid using steam. It relates to a steam type inhaler.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional steam type inhaler is shown in FIG.
It is as shown in. In this steam-type inhaler, a suction liquid tank 71 is detachably attached to a main body 70, and a suction liquid atomizing means (water tank) that draws up and inhales the suction liquid (chemical liquid) in the suction liquid tank 71 using steam. , A heater, a nozzle, etc., not shown) are built in the main body 70. The spray generated by the suction liquid atomizing means is discharged to the outside of the main body 70 by the cylindrical portion 72 provided in the main body 70. An openable / closable lid 73 is screwed into the main body 70, and a switching lever 74 having a function of turning off the power, selecting a throat and a nose is provided.

In the inhaler shown in FIG. 7, when the switching lever 74 is set to the "throat", a spray is released from the cylindrical portion 72, and this is inhaled into the throat to treat throat inflammation and the like. When treating inflammation of the nose or the like, a nose attachment 75 is attached to the cylindrical portion 72 as shown in FIG. 8, and the switching lever 74 is set to "nose". On the other hand, in the steam type inhaler, there is another type that switches between the throat and the nose as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (a schematic diagram of the internal structure). In this steam type inhaler, the spray 1 atomized by using the steam ejected from the nozzle 80 is provided in the spray path in the cylindrical portion 77 of the main body 70.
A shielding plate 81 for guiding the flow of 00 is provided, and a control plate 82 for switching the spray 100 for the throat and the nose is displaceably disposed. By changing the position of the control plate 82 by operating a lever (not shown), the state is switched between a throat suction state (FIG. 9) and a nasal suction state (FIG. 10).

[0004] On the other hand, there is one using an attachment 90 as shown in FIG. This attachment 90
Has a throat / nose switching mechanism and a spray temperature adjusting mechanism independently, and has a throat / nose switching lever 92 and a temperature adjusting knob 93 corresponding to each mechanism. By operating the temperature control knob 93 to adjust the amount of steam emitted from the steam outlet 95 to increase or decrease, the temperature of the spray emitted from the inlet 99 is adjusted. The attachment 90 includes an attachment guide 9.
In addition to 1, an air intake 96 is provided.

[0005]

However, in the conventional steam type inhaler as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a) It is necessary to attach and detach the nose attachment 75 every time the throat and the nose are switched. b) When inhaling into the throat, it is necessary to store the removed nose attachment 75. c) Parts of the nose attachment 75 are required as a product. Therefore, there are the following problems. It takes time to switch between throat and nose. There is a possibility that the removed nose attachment 75 may be lost, and a hygiene problem may easily occur during storage. The parts cost of the nose attachment 75 is required.

In the conventional steam type inhaler as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, even if the control plate 82 is used to switch between the throat and the nose, the spray 100 discharged from the cylindrical portion 77 spreads over a wide range. Since the spray reaches the area other than the nose, there is the following problem. The amount of spray that leaks from the mouth and nose and cannot be inhaled and is wasted is large, and the face from the mouth to the nose gets wet.

Further, in the steam type inhaler using the attachment 90 as shown in FIG. 11, a part for switching the throat / nose and a part for adjusting the spray temperature are separately required.
There are the following problems. Component costs for two functions are required. The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and simplicity and ease of operation of a throat and nose switching mechanism,
An object of the present invention is to provide a steam-type inhaler that realizes cost reduction by reducing the number of parts and accurate inhalation into the throat and nose.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a steam type inhaler according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a suction liquid tank and a suction liquid sucked from the suction liquid tank using steam. And a tubular portion having a path for guiding the spray generated by the suction liquid atomizing device to the outside. A path switching mechanism for switching the spray path between throat and nose. A knob is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the cylindrical portion, and a knob for operating the path switching mechanism is provided on the cylindrical portion.

In this inhaler, the path switching mechanism is provided close to the opening of the cylindrical portion. Therefore, when the path switching mechanism is operated by a knob to switch the spray path to the throat / nose, the spray is supplied to each. It is easy to concentrate on the throat and nose, reducing the amount of wasted spray. It is also unlikely that the spray will wet the mouth and nose.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a steam-type inhaler according to one embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure. In this steam type inhaler, an inhalation liquid tank 2 for storing an inhalation liquid (drug liquid) L1 is detachably provided in the main body 1, and a water tank 3 for storing water L2 is disposed inside the main body 1. A heater 5 that heats and evaporates the water L2 in the water tank 3 is disposed on a side of the water tank 3. The lid 6 of the water tank 3 can be opened and closed so as to supply water and the like. Further, the water tank 3 is provided with a nozzle 7 for ejecting steam generated by heating by the heater 5 to the outside of the water tank 3, and is attached to a tip of a suction liquid suction tube 9 inserted into the suction liquid tank 2. The nozzle 8 is in close proximity to the nozzle 7. Also, the main unit 1 is powered off.
An OF switch lever 10 and a power cord 11 are provided.

A cover 20 is mounted on the upper part of the main body 1 and has a spray guide 21 for guiding the spray generated by the interaction between the nozzles 7 and 8. A shield 22 is provided that is biased to one side of the path. Spray guide 2 for cover 20
A spray pipe 40 is fitted into 1, and the spray pipe 40 has a suction port 41 and a plurality of air intakes 42. When the inhaler is not used, the suction port 41 is covered with a cap 45.
In this embodiment, the spray guide 21 and the spray pipe 40
Thus, a cylindrical portion having a path for guiding the spray to the outside is formed.

At the connection between the spray guide 21 and the spray pipe 40, the cylindrical throat / nose switching knob 30, which can be rotated, is straddled over the outer periphery of the spray guide 21 and the spray pipe 40.
Are mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the spray guide 21 and the spray pipe 40 (see FIG. 4). The switching knob 30
A deflection plate 31 as a path switching mechanism for switching the spray path between the throat and the nose is provided integrally with the suction port 41 (opening) of the spray pipe 40. When the switching knob 30 is rotated, the deflecting plate 31 is also rotated.
The spray path is switched between throat and nose depending on the position of.

The switching knob 30 also has a spray temperature adjusting function. As shown in FIG. 4, when the switching knob 30 is rotated and moved back and forth in the axial direction, the spray pipe 40 is controlled.
Can be opened and closed, whereby the temperature of the spray can be adjusted. That is, when the switching knob 30 is moved to the spray guide 21 side as shown in FIG. 4A, the air inlet 42 appears, and the air enters the spray pipe 40 from the air inlet 42, so that the spraying is performed. The air mixes,
Spray temperature decreases. On the other hand, when the switching knob 30 is moved to the suction port 41 side as shown in FIG. 4B, the air intake 42 is closed by the switching knob 30, and the air and the spray do not mix, and the temperature is high. The spray is discharged from the suction port 41 as it is. Accordingly, the switching knob 30 allows the air intake 4
By changing the appearance degree of No. 2, the spray temperature can be adjusted to a higher or lower level.

In this embodiment, the deflection plate 31
Is an example, and may be another mode. For example, an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 may be used. FIG. 5 is a view briefly showing the structure inside the cylindrical portion 49 composed of the spray guide 21 and the spray pipe 40. Here, the shielding part 22 in the spray guide 21 is arranged on the upstream side of the spraying path in the cylindrical part 49, and the shielding part 22 is located close to the shielding part 22.
The deflecting plates 35 and 36 are arranged so as to close the spray path. The deflection plate 35 has a large hole 35a and four small holes 35b, and is fixed so as not to move. The deflection plate 36 has only a large hole 36a, is rotatably supported, and can be rotated by a switching knob (not shown) provided around the cylindrical portion 49.

In the case of inhaling the throat with the structure of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the hole 36a of the deflecting plate 36 is
5 hole 35a. In this case, most of the spray 100 flowing to one side of the spray path in the cylindrical portion 49 by the shielding portion 22 is largely displaced by the flow of the momentum as it is.
It passes through 36a and exits through the suction port 41. When inhaling the nose, the hole 36a of the deflecting plate 36 is made to face the hole 35b of the deflecting plate 35 as shown in FIG. Then, the shielding part 2
2, the spray 100 is divided into a flow passing through the holes 35a and 35b and weakened, and the force of the spray 100 passing through the hole 36a and exiting from the suction port 41 is weakened. That is, the deflection plate 3
By the combination of 5, 36, the flow of the spray 100 can be changed strongly. Therefore, by moving the deflection plate 36 by operating the switching knob, it is possible to switch between the strong spray for the throat and the weak spray for the nose.

Next, the operation of the steam inhaler configured as described above will be described. When inhaling the nose, the switching knob 30 is set to the “Hana” position. At this time, the deflection plate 31 of the switching knob 30 is in a state as shown in FIG. Then, when the switching lever 10 is turned on, the heater 5 is energized, and the water L2 in the water tank 3 is heated and boiled to generate steam. Although the steam is ejected from the nozzle 7, since the nozzle 8 is positioned so as to be in close proximity to the nozzle 7, a negative pressure is generated at the tip of the nozzle 8, and the negative pressure causes the suction liquid L <b> 1 in the suction liquid tank 2 to flow through the tube. The water is sucked up through the nozzle 9 and is atomized by the steam ejected from the nozzle 7 at the same time as the gas exits the nozzle 8.

Mixture (spray) of this vapor and atomized inhalation liquid 1
6, as shown in FIG. 6A, the flow is biased to one side of the spray path by the shielding portion 22 of the spray guide 21, the flow direction is further changed by the deflecting plate 31 upward, and the spray pipe 40 (inlet port) 41) is released toward the nose.
The flow of the spray 100 at this time is weakened by the deflecting plate 31, so that the spray 100 is suitable for inhaling the nose.

On the other hand, when inhaling the throat, the switching knob 30 is set to the "throat" position. At this time, the deflection plate 31 of the switching knob 30 is in a state as shown in FIG.
Then, when the switching lever 10 is turned on, the spray 100 is similarly generated by the interaction between the nozzles 7 and 8. Spray 1
6, as shown in FIG. 6B, the air flows deflected to one side of the spray path by the shielding part 22, passes through the deflecting plate 31 without being blocked by the deflecting plate 31, It is released toward. The spray 100 at this time is
Since the flow is still strong, it is suitable for inhaling the throat.

As described above, by simple operation of the switching knob 30, the spray can be easily switched between the throat and the nose, and the temperature of the spray can be adjusted. In addition, the simple structure for changing the direction of the deflection plate 31 of the switching knob 30 for one component can reduce the number of components and cost.

[0020]

The steam type inhaler of the present invention has the following effects because it is configured as described above. (1) According to the configuration of the first aspect, the following effects can be obtained. i) When the spray path is switched to the throat and nose by operating the path switching mechanism with the knob, the spray is easily concentrated toward the throat and the nose, respectively. The problem that the face gets wet, such as around, is unlikely to occur. ii) Since no attachment for the nose is required, there is no risk of loss of the attachment, and the number of parts and cost can be reduced. iii) It is not necessary to remove the components of the spray path except during cleaning, and the structure can be easily removed during cleaning. Therefore, the components of the spray path can be easily cleaned and kept clean. (2) According to the configuration of the second aspect, switching between the throat and the nose can be easily performed in a short time. (3) According to the configuration of the third aspect, the spray is sprayed into the throat and the throat with a simple structure that only displaces the deflection plate as the path switching mechanism.
Can be switched to nose. (4) According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the flow of the spray can be more efficiently used for the throat and the nose by biasing the spray toward one side of the path by the shielding portion. (5) According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, by adjusting the opening area of the air intake with the knob, not only can the spray temperature be adjusted, but also throat / nose switching and spraying can be performed with one component. Since the temperature can be adjusted, the cost of parts can be reduced. (6) According to the configuration of claim 6, since it is sufficient to rotate the knob, the operation of switching the throat and nose (and adjusting the temperature of the spray) becomes very simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a steam-type inhaler according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the steam type inhaler.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the steam type inhaler.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining temperature control of spray by a switching knob in the steam type inhaler, in which FIG. 4 (a) shows a case where the temperature of the spray is lowered, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a case where the temperature of the spray is raised. It is.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view schematically showing another form of the deflecting plate in the steam type inhaler, and is a schematic view (a) for throat inhalation and a schematic view (b) for nasal inhalation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram (a) showing a case of nasal inhalation and a schematic diagram (b) showing a case of throat inhalation in the spraying action of the steam type inhaler.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a conventional steam-type inhaler in the case of throat inhalation.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the steam-type inhaler of FIG. 7 in a state where a nose attachment is attached for nasal inhalation.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a steam-type inhaler according to another conventional example in the case of throat inhalation.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the steam type inhaler of FIG. 9 in the case of nasal inhalation.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a main part of a steam type inhaler according to still another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Suction liquid tank 3 Water tank 5 Heater 7,8 nozzle 20 Cover 21 Spray guide 22 Shielding part 30 Switching knob 31 Deflection plate 40 Spray pipe 41 Suction port 42 Air intake 100 Spray L1 Suction liquid L2 Water

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A suction liquid tank, suction liquid atomization means for sucking and atomizing the suction liquid in the suction liquid tank using steam, and a path for guiding the spray generated by the suction liquid atomization means to the outside. A steam-type inhaler comprising: a tubular portion having: a route switching mechanism for switching the spray path between the throat and the nose is provided near an opening of the tubular portion; and a knob for operating the route switching mechanism is provided on the tubular portion. A steam-type inhaler characterized by the following. 2. The steam type inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said path switching mechanism and a knob are integrated. 3. The steam type inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said path switching mechanism is a deflection plate which is displaceably disposed in a cylindrical portion. 4. A shielding section for biasing the spray toward one side of the path in the spray path in the cylindrical section at an upstream side of the path switching mechanism. Steam inhaler as described. 5. The cylinder according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder has an air inlet, and said knob is movably mounted in an axial direction of said cylinder so as to open and close said air intake. The steam type inhaler according to claim 2, 3, or 4. 6. The steam type according to claim 1, wherein said knob is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be rotatable on a cylindrical portion. Inhaler.