WO2013076696A1

WO2013076696A1 - An inhalation device

Info

Publication number: WO2013076696A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/056673
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marianne BARNARD
Original assignee: Barnard Marianne
Priority date: 2011-11-23
Filing date: 2012-11-23
Publication date: 2013-05-30

Abstract

A portable, personal, hand-held inhalation device (1) is described. The device (1) comprises a generally elongate, non-combustible body (4), an inlet (5) for admitting air into the device (1), an outlet (2) for releasing air from the device and an airflow passage through the body (4) extending between the inlet and the outlet. The device includes an obstruction, typically in the form of a filter (8), in the airflow passage configured to filter impurities from the air drawn through the device by a user and to at least partially restrict or otherwise slow down the air flow through the passage. The device (1) may be of modular construction and may include any one or more of a HEPA filter (8), an activated carbon filter, an antimicrobial filter, a fragrance compartment, a flavour compartment (7), and an air ionizer (24) in the passage.

Description

AN INHALATION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for purifying air inhaled by its user, as well as for assisting in regulating the user's breathing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pollutants and other contaminants in the air such as, for example, dust, pollen, smoke, exhaust fumes and other harmful gases and allergens hinder normal healthy breathing and also pose considerable short- as well as long term health risks. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants may also lead to, or exacerbate, health conditions, in particular pulmonary conditions such as asthma. Conventional air purifiers of which the applicant is aware include machines fitted with various filters that are designed to filter and remove contaminants from the environments in which they are installed. While these machines can be effective for purifying the air in enclosed areas, they often require external power sources to operate and are usually very bulky and unwieldy, if not permanently installed in dedicated areas. These air purifiers are not useful in outdoor situations or to be carried around on the user's person.

Face masks that can be used for filtering out harmful contaminants and at least partially filtering air are available, but are usually unattractive in that they obscure the user's face. They also tend to attract unwanted attention to their users.

In addition to the benefits of inhaling clean, uncontaminated air, it has also been shown that so-called "meditative breathing", in other words slow, controlled breathing, may have beneficial effects. These effects include the lowering of stress levels, increased levels of endorphins, improved digestion, alleviation of asthmatic and allergic conditions and improved concentration levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a personal, portable, hand-held inhalation device comprising a generally elongate, non- combustible body, an inlet for admitting air into the device, an outlet for releasing air from the device and an airflow passage through the body between the inlet and the outlet, the device being characterized in that it includes an obstruction portion, preferably a filter, in the airflow passage configured to filter impurities from air drawn through the device by a user and to at least partially restrict or otherwise slow down air flow through the airflow passage.

Further features of the invention provide for the obstruction portion to include at least one filter, preferably a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter configured to trap impurities contained in the air being drawn through the passageway; for the device to include any one or more of an activated carbon filter to eliminate and absorb odours, an antimicrobial filter, a fragrance compartment configured to fragrance the air, a flavour compartment configured to flavour the air, and an air ionizer, in the airflow passage; for the fragrance and flavour compartments to be combined, and for the fragrance and flavour compartments to be interchangeable and provided in an assortment of different fragrances and flavours.

Still further features of the invention provide for the outlet to include a mouthpiece configured to be secured thereto; and for the inlet to include a porous plastic filter configured to be secured over or onto the inlet and to filter out large particulate matter from the air. Yet further features of the invention provide for the device to be of modular construction and made up of a series of parts, with each module being configured to perform a distinct function; for the modules to include one or more of the at least one filter, activated carbon filter, antimicrobial filter, fragrance compartment and/or air ionizer; for the parts to be provided separately and to be configured to be secured in end-to-end configuration to make up the airflow passage of the device; and for one or more of the parts to be disposable.

Further features of the invention provide the breathing device to be in a cylindrical shape and to represent a conventional cigarette or cigar; for the device to be in the shape of a conventional smoking pipe; and for the device to be in novelty shapes and decorated or coloured to appeal to younger users.

Still further features of the invention provide for the outlet of the breathing device to be adaptable for use via either the nose or the mouth of the user, preferably to the mouth of the user, and for the outlet to be readily sterilised; or provided in a pre-sterilised package.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of an inhalation device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the inhalation device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a part-sectional side view of a filter of an inhalation device of the invention; and

Figure 4 is an alternative part-sectional side view of an alternative configuration of the filter of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of an inhalation device having removable or interchangeable components;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention which includes an ionizing compartment;

Figure 8 is a side view of an inhalation device according to the invention having a pendant suspended therefrom; and Figure 9 is a sectional side view of a further alternative embodiment of the invention in the shape of a pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of an inhalation device (1 ) in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 1 . The device (1 ) includes an outlet (2) positioned at an end of a tapered mouth piece (3), a generally elongate, non-combustible cylindrical body (4) terminating in an inlet (5) at which is positioned a porous plastic filter (6). The device (1 ) as a whole has the appearance of a conventional cigarette and provides an airflow passage from the inlet (5), through the body (4) to the outlet (2). The body (4) of the device (1 ) is made up of a number of distinct parts assembled in end-to-end configuration. In combination, the mouth piece (3), the parts of the body (4) and the porous plastic filter (6) make up the airflow passage. A fragrance and/or flavour compartment (7) is positioned next to the mouth piece (3). The fragrance/flavour compartment (7) comprises a filter impregnated with fragrance and/or flavour enhancing agents which fragrances/flavours the air as it moves through it. This compartment may also be in the form of a fragrance/flavour impregnated mesh or sponge or a fragranced/flavoured gel or liquid capsule, depending on whether the parts need to be totally disposable or partially disposable. A sub-micron filter (8), in the current example a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (8), is positioned after a joining section (9) that follows the fragrance/flavour compartment (7). A sponge filter (12) is positioned after the sub-micron filter and is followed by the porous plastic filter (6).

Figure 2 shows an end view of the porous plastic filter (6). The filter (6) is typically moulded from a suitable plastics material and defines a number of apertures (13) which provide the air inlet to the device while preventing large airborne particles, such as dust or insects, from entering the airflow passage. The plastics material used will typically be a non-toxic material free of BPA (bisphenol A).

HEPA filters are commonly used for air filtering and are configured to remove as much as 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometres from the air that passes through it. A HEPA filter as used in the device (1 ) is shown in more detail in Figure 3 and comprises a continuous sheet of filter medium

(10) which is repeatedly folded onto itself, with aluminium separator sheets

(1 1 ) inserted between the folds. The HEPA filter (8) forces air moving through it to travel along essentially the whole length of the filter medium (10) which is composed of a mat of randomly arranged fibres. As the air moves through the filter (8) solid particles are trapped by the fibres. The filter (8) also provides resistance to the normal air flow, thereby slowing down the air flow through it, acting as such as a choke. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a HEPA filter and any filter having a similar filtering capability may be used. In use, a user brings the device (1 ) to his or her lips and inhales air through the device. As air enters the inlet (5), provided by the apertures (13) in the plastic filter (6), large particles are filtered out, the air then moves through the sponge filter (12) where further filtering of impurities takes place. Once through the sponge filter (12), the air passes through the sub-micron filter (8). While moving through the sub-micron (HEPA) filter (8) the majority of particles larger than a predetermined particle size (as determined by the filter properties) are also removed. After the sub-micron filter the air passes over the joining section (9) and into the fragrance/flavour compartment (7) where fragrance/flavour particles are introduced into the air as it passes through it. Finally, the air passes through the mouth piece (3) and escapes through the outlet (2) into the mouth of the user and is inhaled.

It should be appreciated that after having passed through the air flow passage the air that is inhaled by the user is clean, purified and has a pleasant fragrance and/or flavour. In addition, the series of filters and other parts of the device body present obstructions to the air flow through the passage, thus partially inhibiting and slowing down the air flow through the airflow passage. This in turn forces the user to breathe in more slowly and deeply while having a pleasant experience. If done repeatedly, the breathing rate of the user is slowed down and the benefits associated with meditative- type breathing are experienced while the user is experiencing the added benefit of breathing in purified air.

It should be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it is envisaged that the order and number of the parts constituting the body may be changed in any number of ways. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, for example, the sub-micron filter (8) comprises two separate parts (14, 15), both of which may again be HEPA filters or filters with similar filtering capabilities. The benefit of having this construction is that the two filter parts (14, 15) may be designed to have different particle size thresholds. The first filter part (14) nearer the outlet may, for example be manufactured to have a smaller particle size threshold than the second filter (15) nearer the inlet. The second filter (15) will therefore filter out the larger particles down to a specified threshold and the first filter (14) smaller particles down to an even smaller threshold. In this way the construction of the second filter may be simpler and hence more cost effective, and the longevity of both filter portions may be improved.

It is also envisaged that the device (1 ) may be manufactured as a unit that may have a finite lifetime and which is disposable when that lifetime expires or when it has been used more than a specified number of times. To facilitate determining when the lifetime of the unit has expired, the device may be fitted with a suitable indicator which, for example, may give the user an indication of the amount of impurities that has accumulated in the filters, or when a certain amount of time or usage has lapsed. When a predetermined limit is reached the user will know that the device should be disposed and a new one used.

Alternatively, the various parts of the device may be manufactured and sold separately. In such an embodiment the various parts may be provided with securing means to enable them to be secured in end-to-end configuration to make up the device. This also makes it possible for certain parts of the device to be disposable or replaceable. So, for example, the sub-micron filter may be replaced when it reaches a predetermined state of contamination. Likewise, the fragrance/flavour compartments may be replaced when the fragrance/flavour particles have been depleted or they may be interchanged with another compartment containing alternative fragrances or flavours as and when the user desires. In this embodiment fragrance/flavour compartments may be manufactured separately and in a wide variety of different fragrances and flavours.

An example of a device (1 ) with removable or interchangeable components is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece (3) is attachable to the body (4) of the device by means of corresponding male and female screw threads (17, 16) on the mouthpiece (3) and the flavour compartment (7), respectively. When screwed together, these threaded parts (17, 16) form the joining section (9) of the device (1 ). The mouthpiece (3) may have a longer lifespan than the filter (8) and flavour compartment (7) of the device (1 ), and once the filter or flavouring units need to be replaced, the user would only need to buy the specific part of the device that needs to be replaced. This also enables a user to have a variety of flavouring units, which will allow him or her to replace these units if a change in flavour is required. It should be noted that to separately replace the flavour compartment and the filter, an additional joining section may be present between the flavour compartment (7) and the filter (8). This joining section may also operate with male and female threads on the flavour compartment (7) and filter (8), respectively, or with any other convenient joining mechanism such as, for example, a snap or friction fit of the one part over the other.

The same method for replacing or interchanging parts of the device as described above may also be applied to the inlet (5) end of the device. Figure 6 shows a joining section (20) with similar male and female threaded engagement formations (19, 18) as described with reference to Figure 5. In this embodiment, it is accepted that the porous plastic filter (6) on the inlet (5) of the device (1 ) may have a longer lifespan than several other parts of the device. Figure 6 also shows an embodiment of the invention with the sub- micron filter (8) divided into two parts (14, 15) as described with reference to Figure 4. It should be noted that the joining section (20) could similarly be positioned between the sponge filter (12) and the porous plastic filter (6), or between the sponge filter (12) and the sub-micron filter (15), if required. It is also envisaged that a number of alternative or additional parts may be added to the body, each of which may perform an alternative or additional function. Such additional parts may, for example, include additional pre- filters designed to extend the lifetimes of the inner filters, or additional inner filters to increase the filtering capabilities of the devices, antimicrobial units designed to disinfect and/or sterilise the air moving through the device, activated charcoal filters designed to eliminate and absorb odours present in the air or even ionizers designed to ionize the air and thereby extract further unwanted elements from the air. The antimicrobial unit may also be incorporated in one of the other filters already provided. The device may also be provided with a compartment which contains substances with pharmaceutical or medicinal properties, some of which may even contain scheduled pharmaceuticals which may need to be prescribed by healthcare practitioners. The addition of components to the device, such as extra filters, in this embodiment of the invention will create the appearance of an elongated cigarette such as those used in the 1920's, for users also wishing to customise the look of their device. A further embodiment of the device (1 ) of the invention which includes an ionizing compartment (24) is shown in Figures 7. For the sake of illustrating that the order of the various components in the device may be altered, Figure 7 has been divided up into Figure 7(a) and 7(b), in which the flavour and ionizing compartments have been swopped around. The ionizing compartment (24) may require a power unit, in this embodiment a battery (25), in order for it to function. The battery (25) may be located on the outside of the body of the device, or incorporated inside the body.

It is further envisaged that accessories may be added to or sold separately from the device (1 ) to serve as novelty items, to enhance the visual appearance or to assist in the identification of a specific inhalation device. In Figure 8, a pendant (22), in this embodiment heart-shaped, is suspended from an end of the device (1 ) by means of a string, thread or chain (21 ). It should be appreciated that the pendant (22) may be secured from an engagement formation on the device which could, for example, be provided at the joining section (9) of the device (1 ). As mentioned, a pendant may improve the appearance of the device or, in the case where several users are in possession of similar devices, assist a user in identifying his or her device.

It should be appreciated that the inhalation device and all of its alternative components may be manufactured from biodegradable materials thus making them more environmentally friendly.

Due to its beneficial properties the use of the device will also not be limited to adult users and it may be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. The device may, for example, be manufactured to resemble novelty shapes such as animals, abstract shapes, whistles, toys and the like in order to appeal to younger users. For adult users it may also be manufactured in otherwise well-known shapes associated with smoking such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes. These items will provide a healthy alternative to habitual smokers to maintain the social aspect of smoking and may even be used as aids to assist smokers to stop smoking.

An example of a device (1 ) according to the invention, which is in the shape of a pipe is shown in Figure 9. In much the same manner as described in relation to Figure 1 , the body (4) of the device (1 ) is made up of a number of distinct parts. In combination, the mouth piece (3), the parts of the body (4) and the porous plastic filter (6) make up the airflow passage. A fragrance and/or flavour compartment (7) is again positioned next to the mouth piece (3). A sub-micron filter (8) is again positioned after the fragrance/flavour compartment (7) and a sponge filter (12) after the sub-micron filter, finally followed by the porous plastic filter (6).

As already mentioned above, the device simulates slow and deep breathing that is associated with normal smoking, but without having any combustible parts and therefore does not suffer from the harmful personal and environmental effects of cigarette or tobacco smoke but instead offers the added health benefits as described.

Due to the size and portability of the device it can be carried by the user on his or her person and used in any environment including environments commonly regarded as non-smoking areas. The invention therefore provides a portable inhalation device which provides clean, purified and pleasantly fragranced and flavoured air. In addition, the flow of air through the device is at least partially obstructed to slow down the breathing rate of the user.

1 . A personal, portable, hand-held inhalation device (1 ) comprising a non-combustible body (4), an inlet (5) for admitting air into the device, an outlet (2) for releasing air from the device and an airflow passage through the body between the inlet and the outlet, the device being characterized in that it includes at least one filter (8) in the airflow passage configured to filter impurities from air drawn through the device by a user and to at least partially restrict air flow through the airflow passage.

2. A device (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one filter (8) is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter configured to trap impurities contained in the air being drawn through the airflow passage.

3. A device (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which includes any one or more of an activated carbon filter, an antimicrobial filter, a fragrance compartment (7) configured to fragrance the air, a flavour compartment configured to flavour the air and an air ionizer (24), in the airflow passage.

4. A device (1 ) as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fragrance and/or flavour compartments (7) are interchangeable and are provided in an assortment of different fragrances and flavours.

5. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a mouthpiece (3) configured to be secured to the outlet.

6. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding which includes a porous plastic filter (6) configured to be secured onto or over the inlet and to filter out large particulate matter from the air.

Claims

7. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is of modular construction with each module being configured to perform a distinct function. 8. A device (1 ) as claimed in claim 7 wherein the modules comprise one or more of the at least one filter (8), the activated carbon filter, the antimicrobial filter, the fragrance compartment, the flavour compartment (7), the air ionizer (24), the mouthpiece (3) and the porous plastic filter (6).

9. A device (1 ) as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the modules are provided separately and are configured to be secured in end-to-end configuration to make up the device and to define the airflow passage.

10. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein one or more of the modules are disposable.

1 1 . A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is of generally elongate, cylindrical construction so as to represent a conventional cigarette or cigar.

12. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 which is shaped to resemble a conventional smoking pipe.

13. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 which is shaped and decorated to resemble novelty shapes so as to appeal to younger users. 14. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet (2) is adaptable for use via either the nose or the mouth of the user.

15. A device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mouthpiece (3) is interchangeable and is provided in pre-sterilised packaging.