US2064314A - Inhaler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 15, 1936. L, H MORIN' 2,064,314

INHALER Filed Dec. 28, 1955 A INVENTOR. ou/5 /WO/.v//v

Patented Dec. 15, 1936 INHALER Louis H. Morin, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to S. Sternau & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 28, 1933, Serial No. 704,226

This invention relates to inhaler ldevices and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this class in connection with which medicinalV or other substances are used-as an inhaling agent, such, for example, as germicides, inhaling salts, or the like, which may be fluid or a combination of iluid and solids; a further object being to provide an inhaler device in the form of a tube, with means at one end for detachably and rotatably supporting an inhaling head or nozzle in connection therewith, and further with means at the other end of the tube for coupling a protector casing with the device to guard and protect the same as well as to provide means for supporting the complete device in connection with a pocket or other support; a further object being to provide means whereby the head or nozzle is frictionally retained in a closed position and capable of movement into two dierent positions for distinct uses, with means on the tube for indicating such uses; a further object being to provide a device of the class described, wherein the inhaling head and the coupling sleeve or cap therefor include, as'a unit part thereof, a single tube extending downwardly into the tubular body of the device to a point adjacent the lower end thereof; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and vfor the purpose speci'ed, which is simple in construction, efficient in use and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and

in which:

' Fig. 1 is a side and sectional view of the device made according to my invention.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a. view similar to Fig. 3 showing parts in a different position.

Fig. 5 is a side and sectional view of one end portion of the device, the section being diagrammatic on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, showing the parts in another position.

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of the head or nozzle detached.

7 Claims.

(Cl. 12S-200) Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the upper end of the device with the nozzle removed; and,

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2. For the purpose of illustrating one method of carrying my invention into effect, I have shown 5 in the accompanying drawing, an inhaler consisting of a tube or container I0, preferably composed of glass or other suitable material, the upper end of which is open, and the lower end Illa of which is closed as clearly seen in Fig. 2.

A coupling sleeve I I is mounted within and secured to the open end of the tube I0 by a. suitable cement, and this sleeve protrudes beyond the end of the tube and is externally threaded' as indicated at i2 to receive a detachable closure 15 cap I3, the latter having a skirt portion I4 which overlaps the upper end of the tube I0. The outer surface of the skirt portion of the 'cap I0 is preferably knurled as indicated at I5 to facilitate attachment and detachment of the cap, as 20 will be apparent. The upper end wall I6 of the cap is reduced to form a shoulder portion I1 and the end wall I6 is provided centrally with an aperture |8lto receive a rivet pin I 9 of a head or nozzle 20, the latter being rotatably mounted 25 with respect to the cap, including on its lower surface a pin 2| entering an arc-shaped groove 22 in the end wall I6 to limit the rotary movement of the head 20 in two directions.

A conduit or pipe 23 is secured to the end wall 30 I6 and opens outwardly through the upper surface thereof and extends downwardly into the tube or container I6 to a point adjacent the lower closed end Ia thereof, as is indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The end wall I6 is also provided in the construction shown with two conduits or passages 24, 24a which open into the container I0 and outwardly through the upper surface of the end wall I6 and with which the discharge passage 25 of the nozzle or head 20 and/or the air supply passage 26 of said head are adapted to register in the several positions of the head in the distinct uses of the device.

The passage 26 opens outwardly through one side of the head adjacent the lower end thereof as indicated at 26a, whereas the passage 25 has an angular oiset 25a to bring the same in radial alinement with the pipe23 as well as with one of the passages 24, 24a. The head 25 includes at its lower end an annular downwardly directed ilange 21, which'seats in the groove I1 so as to dispose the outer surface of the head in alinement with the corresponding surface of the cap I3, and the ange portion 21 of the head 25 is i alsopreferably knurled on its outer surface to 5153i facilitate the rotation of the head into the several positions of adjustment thereof.

A packing ring or gasket 28 is disposed between the upper surface of the coupling sleeve Il and the lower surface `of the end wall I6 to form a seal preventing the discharge of the fluid or other substance 29 from the container between the sleeve II and the cap I3. At 30, I have shown a conca-vo-convex or cup-shaped spring, which is arranged upon the rivet pin I9 and held in place by the rivet head I9a. the spring being cut out as seen at 30a to span the pipe 23, thus preventing the rotation of said spring when the head or nozzle 20 is rotated. It is also preferred that two apertures 39h be disposed therein in alinement with the apertures 24, 24a to complete the communication from the chamber of the container through said apertures 24, 24a, the spring 30 serving to tensionally support the head 20 upon the cap I3 and at the same time to permit the rotation of said head in the use of the device.

Mounted in the protruding portion of the end wall I6 is a spring actuated ball 3I, which is adapted to register with a groove 32 formed on the inner surface of the flange 2l at such point as to frictionally retain the head 20 in its neutral or closed position as seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing when the device is not in use. To indicate this position, an arrow including the word Close is arranged on the outer surface of the tube I0 as indicated at 33, note Fig. l. Another arrow, entitled Spray" is indicated at 34 with the direction indicated to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, whereas a third arrow entitledV Inhale shown at 35 indicates a turn to the left.

With this indicating means, if the head 20 is held by the fingers of one hand against rotation and the cap I3 is held by the fingers of the other hand and turned to the right, the parts will assume the position indicated in Fig. 3 and diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2, that is to say, with the discharge passage 25 in registering alinement with the pipe 23 and the air passage 26 in alinement with the aperture 24.

It will thus be seen that if the head 20 is placed in the nostril and the user draws inwardly through the nostril, the fluid 29iof the container I0 will be drawn upwardly through the pipe 23 and discharged through the passage 25 in a douche or spray-like manner. It will also be apparent that by turning the cap I3 to the left as indicated by the arrow 35, the parts will be moved into the position shown in Fig. 4 and diagrammatically lillustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the passage 25`registers with the aperture 24a and the air passage 26 registers with the pipe 23. In this use of the device, air will be drawn into the device through the pipe 23 downwardly into and through the fluid 29, and this saturated air, or what may be termed vapor, will rise from the fluid and be discharged into the nostril through the passage 25. In the neutral or closed position of the device, that is to say, when the ball 3| is in engagement with the groove 32, the passages 25 and 26 are disposed intermediate and out of registering alinement with the pipe 23 as well as the apertures 24 and 24a as is clearly seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing. At this time, it will be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to the4 specific arrangement of ports and apertures herein disclosed, nor to the specific means herein illustrated for controlling and regulating the movement of the head or the degree of rotation thereof. ,y At the vclosed end-of the tube or container I 0 is a guard can 36 cemented or otherwise secured thereto and including a dome portion 31 covering and protecting the end Illa of the tube, and also having an externally threaded portion 38 by means of which a guard casing 39 may be detachably coupled with the cap 36, the casing being in threaded engagement with the threaded portion 38 as clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The casing 39 is preferably in the form of a tube of metal, rubber, Celluloid, thermo setting type of phenol condensation resins or any other suitable material and may include a plug 40 at the closed end thereof having a flexible packing or gasket 4I on its inner surface, against which the discharge and contracted end of the head 20 is adapted to rest when the casing 39 is mounted in position as seen in Fig. l of the drawing. The casing 39 also preferably includes a spring clip 42 of any desired or conventional form, by means of which the complete device may be supported' in a pocket or in connection with any other support in the manner of mounting and supporting fountain pens and similar devices.

It will be understood that the tube or container I0 may have arranged therein any desired type of medicinal preparation in the form of a fluid or a combination of solids and fluids, and these ingredients may act as germicides for various kinds and classes of nasal and throat treatment or may be in the form of smelling salts or other ingredients.

It will be'understood that the fluid or other contents of the container I0 is inserted therein by removal of the cap I3 together with the head 20 and pipe 23, thus providing a quick and efficient means of refilling the device, and by virtue of the simplicity of the construction of the device and the substantially straight lines thereof, the same becomes very compact for shipment and transportation as well as in use, the outer casing in conjunction with the guard cap forming means for reinforcing and protecting the complete devices, especially when not in use, thus insuring long, durable life with a reasonable amount of care. It willl also appear that by virtue of the simplicity of the mechanical parts of the device as well as the manner of operation the entire device becomes substantially foolproof.

It will be apparent that while I have shown certain details of construction for carrying my invention into effect, I am not necessarily limited to these details and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without 'departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, an end wall at one end of said container having separate conduits therethrough, one of said conduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said container below the normal level of fluid contained therein a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and having a lower side in surface kcontact therewith, said head having a passage extending from the tip thereof to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lower side to the atmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end Wall conduits with said tip passage and said extendedconduit in registry in one relative position of said head and end wall and with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit in another relative position of said head and end wall.

2. A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, an end wall at one end of said container having separate conduits therethrough, one of said conduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said container below the normal level of fluid contained therein, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and havinga lower side in surface contact therewith, said head having a passage extending from the tip thereof to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lower side to the asmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end Wall conduits with said tip passage and said extended conduit in registry in one relative position of said head and end Wall and with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit in another relative position of said head and end wall, and means for limiting relative rotation between said head and end wall to movement between said named relative positions.

3. A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, and end wall at one end of said container having separate conduits therethrough, one of said conduits being extended downwardly into tl'e interior of said container below the normal level of fluid contained therein, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and having a lower side in surface contact therewith, spring means constantly holding such contacting surfaces against each other under spring tension, said head having a passage extending from the tip thereof to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lower side to the atmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said tip passage and said extended conduit in registry in one relative position of said head and end wall and with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit in another relative position of said head and end wall, means for limiting relative rotation between said head and end wall to movement between said named relative positions, and means on the device for indicating the several positions of the head and end wall.

4. A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, an end wall at one end of said container having .separate conduits therethrough, one of said conduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said container below the normal level of fluid contained therein, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and having a lower side in surface contact therewith, spring means constantly holding such contacting surfaces against each other under spring tension, said-head having a passage extending from the tip thereof to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lower side to the atmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said tip passage and said extended conduit in registry in one relative position of said head and' end wall and with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit in another relative position o1 said head and end wall, and'with none of said passages and conduits in registry in an intermediate position, means for limiting relative rotation between said head and end wall to movement between said registry effecting relative position, and detent means for holding said head and end wall in said intermediate position.

5.` A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, an end wall at one end of said container having three conduits therethrough, one of said conduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said container below the normal level of the fluid contained therein and the remaining conduits opening into said container above said level, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and having a lower side in surface contact therewith, said head having a passage extending from the tip thereof -to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lowed side to the atmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said tip passage and said extended conduit in registry while said second passage and one of said remaining conduits are in registry, said head passages also being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit while said tip passage registers with the other of said remaining conduits.

6. A nasal applicator comprising a tubular container having a single interior chamber for fluid medicament or the like, an end wall at one end of said container having three conduits therethrough, one of said Aconduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said container below the normal level of the fluid contained therein and the remaining conduits opening into said container above said level, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said end wall and having a lower side in surface contact therewith, said head having a passage extending from the tip trereof to said lower side and having a second separate passage extending from said lower side to the atmosphere, said head passages being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said tip passage and said extended conduit in registry while said second passage and one of said remaining conduits are in registry, said head passages also being adapted selectively to register with said end wall conduits with said second passage in registry with said extended conduit while said tip passage registers with the other of said remaining conduits, said end wall having an arcuate groove therein, and a pin extending from said head into said groove, said groove being of sufficient length to limit rotation between said head and end wall to movement between said named alternative registering positions. y

7. A nasal applicator comprising a container having a single enclosed chambei` for fluid medicament, separate conduits communicating with the interior of said chamber, oneof said conduits being extended downwardly into the interior of said chamber below the normal level of fluid therein, a nozzle head rotatably mounted on said container and having a dispensing passage and an air vent passage extending therethrough, said dispensing passage being 'registered with said extended conduit and said another of said conduits in a second relative position of said head and container whereby air is forced through said fluid and thence through said dispensing passage in a vapor-laden state upon application of suction of such dispensing 5 passage.

LOUIS H. MORIN.

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