U.S. patent application number 10/579611 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-22 for healthy pleasurable inhalation device.
Invention is credited to Yansong Shan.
Application Number | 20070267032 10/579611 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34619526 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070267032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shan; Yansong |
November 22, 2007 |
Healthy Pleasurable Inhalation Device
Abstract
A healthy pleasurable inhalation device for humans comprises a
tubular portion containing a flavored powder easily dissolvable in
saliva and a mouthpiece configured to distribute the powder in the
user's mouth. The tubular portion contains apparatus to meter the
mixing of powder with air as the user inhales through the device. A
variety of configurations for the device tubular portion and
mouthpiece are presented.
Inventors: |
Shan; Yansong; (San Marino,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES M. DEIMEN
320 N. MAIN STREET
SUITE 300
ANN ARBOR
MI
48104
US
|
Family ID: |
34619526 |
Appl. No.: |
10/579611 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US04/38741 |
371 Date: |
March 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60520874 |
Nov 18, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 42/20 20200101;
A24F 42/60 20200101; A61M 15/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/275 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20060101
B65D083/06 |
Claims
1. A pleasurable human inhalation device comprising a generally
tubular portion and a mouthpiece, a flavored powder in the tubular
portion, means on the device to admit air therein in response to
inhalation through the mouthpiece, and means to meter mixing of air
with powder to form a two-phase flow.
2. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1, including
means in the mouthpiece to distribute the powder in the two-phase
flow at an angle relative to the centerline of the mouthpiece.
3. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1, including a
region in the device for mixing air with powder.
4. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1 wherein the
means to admit air into the device and the means to meter mixing of
air with powder comprise the same physical structure.
5. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1 wherein the
flavored powder is in granular form.
6. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 5 wherein the
granular flavored powder comprises coated granules.
7. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 5 wherein the
granules include a sweetening agent and citric acid in addition to
at least one flavor.
8. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 5 wherein the
granular flavored powder comprises a mixture of granules separately
containing a sweetening agent, citric acid or a flavor.
9. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1 wherein the
flavor in the flavored powder is selected from the group consisting
essentially of mint, coffee, tea, any fruit and any flavorful
herb.
10. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 1 wherein the
flavored powder includes a nicotine additive.
11. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 5 wherein the
flavor in the granules is selected from the group consisting
essentially of mint, coffee, tea, any fruit and any flavorful
herb.
12. The pleasurable human inhalation device of claim 5 wherein the
granules include a nicotine additive.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention pertains to oral devices that
provide a pleasurable experience. Foods and similar items, such as
chewing gum, provide such experiences. Non-food items, such as
cigarettes, cigars, smoking pipes and chewing tobacco, also provide
such experiences. Disclosed below is a device intended to
healthfully substitute for cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes, in
particular.
[0002] The human respiratory tract can be divided into upper and
lower airways. The upper airway tract includes the nose, mouth,
pharynx and larynx. The lower airway tract consists of the trachea,
bronchi and bronchioles. The division between the upper and lower
airways is usually taken as the junction of the larynx and the
trachea. The new device, and its technology, is based on oral
inhalation.
[0003] Considering the oral airway tract, the passage for oral flow
can also be divided into three regions: (1) the entrance consisting
of lips, front teeth and the leading edge of the tongue, (2) the
middle region and arching channel bounded by the tongue and the
hard palate, and (3) the oral pharynx where the passage joins the
nasopharynx and the flow becomes vertical. While the flow rate of
air obviously varies, the flow rate is assumed to be 0.5 L/sec.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An objective of the invention is to enable people to "enjoy"
the sensation of inhalation. The invention in its fundamental form
consists of a generally tubular device with a mouthpiece. The
tubular portion contains a flavored powder and a configuration that
meters the flow of powder into the air stream leading to the mouth.
The size and shape of the tubular portion can vary, depending on
the amount of powder capacity desired for the device and also
depending on appearance and comfort factors pertinent to the
users.
[0005] Use of the new device is somewhat similar to the use of
smoking tobacco. When the user inhales through the mouthpiece,
fresh air flows into the distal end, through the internal
configuration of the tubular portion and mouthpiece, and then into
the user's mouth. With each inhalation, flavored powder is mixed
with the flowing air to be deposited in the user's mouth.
[0006] Upon inhalation, the powder particles deposit on the tongue,
in particular. Since the human tongue is particularly sensitive to
taste and certain nasal passages sense smell during exhalation, the
brain develops a pleasurable experience with the device. By design,
the device causes deposit of the powder in the front portion of the
respiratory tract, namely from the teeth to the middle portion of
the palate. Deposition of the powder in this portion of the
respiratory tract is important because the powder can cause
bitterness if the powder particles reach the pharynx.
[0007] The device is designed to control the two-phase flow (of air
and powder) for deposit of the powder particles in the first and
second regions and to avoid deposit of particles in the third
region and beyond. To achieve this particular result with the
two-phase flow, the new device allows variation of the following
physical aspects: the airflow speed, volumetric airflow rate,
airflow direction, the powder density, powder particle size and
quickness of powder solubility in saliva.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
device;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the device of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3A is an end view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3B is a cross-section of the mouthpiece of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 4A is a cross-section of a gate shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a gate shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 5A is an end view demonstrating the airflow of the
angled channels in FIG. 3B;
[0016] FIG. 5B is a side view demonstrating the airflow of the
angled channels in FIG. 3B;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the second
embodiment of the device;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the third
embodiment of the device;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section of the fourth
embodiment of the device;
[0020] FIG. 9A is a longitudinal cross-section of the mouthpiece of
the fourth embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 9B is an inner end view of the mouthpiece of FIG.
9A;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-section of the fifth
embodiment of the device;
[0023] FIG. 11A is a longitudinal cross-section of an alternative
mouthpiece for the device of FIG. 10;
[0024] FIG. 11B is an end view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 11A;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-section of the device of
FIG. 10 with the mouthpiece of FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of a further
modification of the device of FIGS. 10-12;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-section of the complete
device of FIG. 13;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-section of the sixth
embodiment of the device, including a filter adjacent the
mouthpiece;
[0029] FIG. 15A is a plan view of the filter of FIG. 15;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a plan view of an alternate form of the filter of
FIG. 15;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-section of the seventh
embodiment of the device;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the inner tube cap in the device
of FIG. 17;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an optional non-cylindrical
mouthpiece;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-section of the device of
FIG. 17 with the mouthpiece of FIG. 19 attached;
[0035] FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a modified distal end
cap;
[0036] FIG. 21B is a longitudinal cross-section of the end cap of
FIG. 21A;
[0037] FIG. 21C is a plan view of the end cap of FIG. 21A;
[0038] FIG. 22A is a plan view of an inner sealing strip;
[0039] FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the folded inner sealing
strip;
[0040] FIG. 23A is a partial longitudinal cross-section of the
device showing the modified end cap of FIG. 21 and the sealing
strip of FIG. 22;
[0041] FIG. 23B is a partial perspective view of the end cap and
sealing strip assembled together;
[0042] FIG. 24 is a longitudinal cross-section of the device
showing the sealing strip partially removed;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a longitudinal cross-section of the device
showing the sealing strip fully removed;
[0044] FIG. 26 is a longitudinal cross-section of the eighth
embodiment of the device;
[0045] FIG. 26A is a distal end view of the device of FIG. 26;
[0046] FIG. 26B is a lateral cross-section view of the device of
FIG. 26;
[0047] FIG. 27A is a partial side view of the mouthpiece of the
device of FIG. 26;
[0048] FIG. 27B is a longitudinal partial cross-section of the
mouthpiece of the device of FIG. 26;
[0049] FIG. 27C is an end view of the mouthpiece of the device of
FIG. 26;
[0050] FIG. 28A is a lateral cross-section of a modified distal end
for the device of FIG. 26;
[0051] FIG. 28B is a horizontal longitudinal partial cross-section
of the distal end of FIG. 28A;
[0052] FIG. 28C is a vertical longitudinal partial cross-section
taken along the line 28C of FIG. 28A; and
[0053] FIG. 28D is a second lateral cross-section taken along the
line 28D of FIG. 28B.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is the basic external appearance of
the device. There is a mouth portion or mouthpiece 1, a cylindrical
main body 2 that is hollow or tubular, and a distal end filter or
end cap 3 to admit air into the device. In general, the device is
somewhat thicker and longer than a cigarette but thinner and
shorter than a large cigar.
[0055] In FIG. 2 when there is no airflow drawn through the device,
a flavored powder 17 is confined in the area between pushup ring
16, inner tube 13, outer tube 14, lower gate 25 and upper gate 18.
When a user inhales, air 11 flows into the device through distal
end filter 3. The air then flows through inner tube 13 and channel
23 of the lower gate 25 toward upper gate 18. Before the air
reaches channel 24 of upper gate 18, the air flows through a region
containing the flavored powder 17. The air entrains a certain
amount of powder and becomes a two-phase flow through channel 24 of
upper gate 18. The two-phase flow 21 passes through channel 20 in
the mouthpiece 19 and finally into the mouth through angled channel
27.
[0056] As air passes through the region between the lower gate 25
and upper gate 18 and the flavored powder becomes entrained,
additional powder is continuously supplied to this region in
response to the compression spring 15 acting against the ring 16
and powder 17.
[0057] The angled channels 27 at the exit of the mouthpiece 19
direct the two-phase flow at an angle selected to distribute the
powder in the user's mouth and avoid passage of powder into the
pharynx. The powder will impinge the user's tongue, palate and
other surfaces normally coated with saliva, rather than pass
further to the pharynx.
[0058] FIG. 3 further illustrates the structure of the mouthpiece
19. The number of angled channels 27 can vary from one to any
number depending upon channel diameter and mouthpiece diameter.
Minimum channel diameter is limited by any tendency of the powder
to clog in the channels 27. The cross-sectional shape of the
channels 27 can be varied for different purposes, for example, to
suit various manufacturing processes.
[0059] Illustrated in FIG. 4 is the structure of either the lower
gate 25 or the upper gate 18. The gates need not be of identical
size, and it may be preferential to make the passages 24 of the
upper gate 18 somewhat larger to accommodate the two-phase flow as
powder becomes entrained in the air.
[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates test results showing the flow patterns of
the two-phase flow exiting the angled channels 27 into the user's
mouth. The two-phase flow clearly spreads widely from the
mouthpiece 19 as intended.
[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates a device including a duckbill check valve
36. Powder 17 is contained in the space between the inner tube 35,
push plate 34 and the duckbill valve 36. A compression spring 32
continuously urges the powder 17 toward the duckbill valve 36.
Absent inhalation, although the spring 32 pushes the powder 17
toward the duckbill check valve 36 opening 39, the friction among
the powder particles and the friction between the powder and the
duckbill check valve prevent the powder from exiting the duckbill
valve opening 39.
[0062] When air is inhaled through the filter or end cap 31, the
air flows 46 through the space 33 between the inner tube 35 and
outer tube 42. The air flows into a gap 41 and on into the duckbill
check valve 36 picking up powder 17 in the space 43 leading 37 to
the opening 39. Exiting the opening 39, the two-phase powder and
airflow passes through the channel 27 in the mouthpiece 19 and
exits 21 into the user's mouth.
[0063] Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a third embodiment of the device
wherein air is drawn in through a filter or end cap 59 and then
into a space 56 in the tube 53 containing a compression spring 57.
The compression spring 57 acts against a spring plate 55 made of a
porous material that allows air to pass through, but does not
permit the powder 17 to pass into, space 56. The powder 17 is of
sufficient particle size to permit air to flow there through and
entrain some powder in the region 52. With the entrained particles,
two-phase flow occurs in channel 51 of the mouthpiece 19 and the
flow enters the mouth as shown at 21. As powder 17 is used, spring
57 continues to compress powder 17 to re-supply region 52 with
adequate powder.
[0064] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment comprising
modifications to the previous device. Upon inhalation, air 81 flows
in both through the filter or end cap 69 and through an annular
filter 72. The air inhaled through filter 69 passes into space 66
also containing spring 67. The air continues through the powder 17,
entrains powder in region 60 forming two-phase flow in channel 61
of mouthpiece 62. The annular filter 72 in tube sidewall 63 leads
to a plurality of slots 71 between the powder 17 and mouthpiece 62.
The flow of additional air through slots 71 entrains additional
powder mixing in with the two-phase flow in channel 61. The
two-phase flow exits the mouthpiece 62 at 21. A further optional
modification comprises a non-porous spring plate 65 forcing all
inhalation to be through filter 72 and slots 71.
[0065] Illustrated in FIG. 10 is a spiral core based design wherein
the spring is eliminated and a spiral core 86 is located inside the
tube 89. The powder is loosely placed 85 within the spiral core 86.
Upon inhalation, air 88 passes through filter 87 and through the
powder and spiral core 86. As the air passes through the spiral
core 86 and powder, a portion of the powder is entrained, creating
two-phase flow entering channel 83 in the mouthpiece 82. The spiral
core 86 creates a circulating airflow that eventually entrains all
of the powder as inhalation continues. The two-phase flow then
exits the mouthpiece 82 as indicated at 81. An annular filter 84
admits additional air to adjust the mix ratio of entrained powder
to air in channel 83.
[0066] The spiral core 86 lessens the likelihood that the powder
will fall and compact when the device is held vertically. The pitch
of the spiral core 86 should be made small to control the powder.
During inhalation, the device is most likely close to horizontal
but otherwise is likely to be almost vertical when packaged,
shipped or stored.
[0067] In the mouthpiece 82 used in FIG. 10, the two-phase flow
leaves the mouthpiece from locations very close to the edge of the
mouthpiece. Since the human mouth is usually wet due to saliva, the
outlets from the mouthpiece can be blocked by the mixture of saliva
and powder particles. To avoid blockage, the mouthpiece 82 is
modified by locating the outlet nearer the mouthpiece centerline
but retaining the angle of the outlet.
[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the modified mouthpiece 90
two-phase flow channel 97 leads to two small channels 91 which
angle 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 center of the mouthpiece. FIG. 12 illustrates the modified
mouthpiece 90 mounted on the device of FIG. 10.
[0069] In FIGS. 13 and 14, the spiral core 100 of FIGS. 10 and 12
is modified to a spring-like configuration that is attached to the
mouthpiece 101. The spiral core 100 loosely fits within the tube
102 and abuts the distal end 105 at 103. By pushing on the
mouthpiece 101, the spiral core 100 can be compressed and released
to disturb the powder in space 104 thereby eliminating the setting
or blocking of the powder which can occur with settling over
time.
[0070] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a filter
136 is positioned at the entrance to the mouthpiece 101 beyond the
tube 102 and spiral core 100. By adjusting the size of the holes
138, the ratio of powder particles in the two-phase flow can be
controlled. Moreover, the shapes of the holes 138 also affect the
two-phase flow performance. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the
holes can be circular shaped 140, pentagon shaped 141 or triangular
shaped 142 and of differing size 139.
[0071] Illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 is the seventh embodiment of
the device wherein an inner tube 111 is axially located relative to
the outer tube 112 thereby providing an annular gap 106. Powder 105
is located in the inner tube 111, and the inner tube is formed with
holes 118 leading to the annular gap 106. Powder 105 tends to flow
through holes 118 into gap 106, as shown at 110. When a user
inhales, airflow 107 enters the distal end 87 and moves 108 through
the gap 106 entraining powder 110 to form a two-phase flow 109. The
two-phase flow then enters the mouthpiece 113 and flows out through
passage 116.
[0072] The inner tube includes caps 114 and 115, as shown in FIG.
18, and is formed with tabs 120 allowing passages for the annular
gap 106.
[0073] Another modification of the mouthpiece is shown at 130 in
FIG. 19. The modified mouthpiece 130 is generally oval shaped with
the major axis horizontal and minor axis vertical in normal use by
a user standing or sitting up. With the mouthpiece 130 properly
mounted on the tube 112, as best shown in FIG. 20, the row of holes
118 faces downwardly allowing the powder 105 to utilize gravity to
exit the inner tube 111 into the annular gap 106. As above, the air
in the annular gap 106 becomes two-phase flow 109 and exits the
mouthpiece at 131.
[0074] The holes 118 in the inner tube 111 of the seventh
embodiment must be sealed during shipment and storage prior to use.
Illustrated in FIG. 21 is a modified end cap or filter 150 having a
solid end 156 that is inserted in inner tube 111 to seal the tube
end. When in use, air flows from the inner cavity 154 of the cap
150 through slots 151 and into annular gap 106 between inner tube
111 and outer tube 112.
[0075] FIG. 22A shows the structure of a sealing strip 140 used to
block the holes 118 of inner tube 111. The sealing strip is
preferably paper with perforated lines 145 and 146 near the center
of the sealing strip. These two perforated lines 145 and 146
provide convenient bending lines to bend the sealing strip into the
shape shown at 147 in FIG. 22B. Near the ends 141 and 143 of the
sealing strip 147 are two additional perforated lines 142 and 144
for separating the ends by force. The sealing strip 140 is bent
into the shape 147 prior to assembly about the holes 118.
[0076] FIG. 23A illustrates the sealing strip 147 inside the device
between the inner tube 111 and the outer tube 112 to seal the holes
118 and prevent powder from leaking into the annular gap 106. FIG.
23B illustrates the sealing strip 147 wrapped about the distal end
cap 150. The sealing strip 147 fits into notches 153 and 158 in the
end cap 150. The notches 153 and 158 allow the strip 147 to slide
lengthwise when the user grasps the central part 148 of the
strip.
[0077] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the user pulls the sealing
strip 147 out exposing holes 118 in the inner tube 111 and
uncovering the powder thereby allowing a portion to flow into the
annular gap 106. Since the two sealing strip ends 141 and 143 are
larger than the notches 153 and 158 in end cap 150, FIG. 21, they
cannot pass through the notches. Rather, the sealing strip breaks
at perforated lines 142 and 144 leaving the ends 141 and 143 jammed
in notches 153 and 158 and preventing loss of powder through
notches 153 and 158.
[0078] Illustrated in FIG. 26 is a further modification of the
device. The device 200 comprises two hemi-cylindrical lumens or
tubes 201 and 202. Tubes 201 and 202 are divided by a partition
205. Tube 202 contains powder 204 prior to use. As indicated by
203, there is an opening between tubes 201 and 202.
[0079] On the distal end 206 of the device 200, there is a metering
slot 207 which allows airflow 208 to pass into tube 201. When a
user inhales at the end 210 of the mouthpiece 209, air 208 flows
through the slot 207 and mixes with the powder near the bottom 217
of the device 200. The flow then becomes an air-powder two-phase
flow 219 that passes through the mouthpiece 209 into the user's
mouth.
[0080] A thin film door 211 is located near the distal end 206. The
door 211 is normally closed, preventing powder near the bottom 217
from moving into the tube 201, unless air 208 is drawn in by the
user, forcing the door open.
[0081] FIG. 27 illustrates in detail the mouthpiece 209
configuration. As the air-powder flow 219 enters the mouthpiece
209, a barrier 255 forces the lower portion 216 of the flow toward
the upper portion 218 of the flow becoming the flow 220. The flow
220 is then re-directed 221 by surface 212 at an angle 213 just
before entering the user's mouth. The weight of the powder
particles causes the powder to be preferentially deposited on the
tongue and surrounding saliva-coated tissues of the mouth.
[0082] Illustrated in FIG. 28 is an alternative form of the distal
end for the embodiment of FIG. 26. Powder from tube 202 flows in
the direction 232 through channel 230 and on into tube 201. The
powder does not directly flow into tube 201 after flowing into
channel 230 but rather the barrier 250 forces the powder to move in
directions 234 and 235 to reach openings 251 and 252. The barrier
250 reduces the tendency of the powder to randomly flow into tube
201 and thus partially serves the purpose of thin films 211 above.
The size of channel 230 can be designed to increase or decrease the
flow of powder and therefore serves to meter the flow of
powder.
[0083] Airflow 236, 237 and 238 from the environment passes through
air slots 240, 241 and 242. Referring to FIGS. 28A and C, airflow
237 carries the powder after flow in the directions 234 and 235
into tube 201 as a two-phase flow (air and powder). The sizes of
slots 240, 241 and 242 are designed to meter the flow rate of
entering air.
[0084] It should be noted that the mouthpiece 209 is configured
such that the user naturally knows the orientation of the device to
enable gravity 260 to move powder from tube 202 into tube 201, as
shown in FIG. 26. During manufacture, a piece of material may be
inserted into channel 230 through slot 240 to prevent powder from
exiting tube 202. Just before use, the piece of material is merely
extracted from slot 240.
[0085] The mouthpiece, as disclosed above, is designed to direct
the air-powder mixture oblique to the throat and thereby avoid a
direct path to the throat. The powder particles are sized to
encourage deposit on the tongue and within the mouth tract.
Preferably, the particle size is 100-250 mm. Flavor powder granules
work well. The granulation processes combine all the ingredients,
such as sugar, citric acid and flavor powder (coffee, mint,
strawberry, etc.) into individual granules. Alternatively, sugar
granules, citrus granules and flavor powder in granule form can be
mixed together.
[0086] Suitable flavor powders are available under the
Durarome.RTM. brand produced by Firmenick, of Geneva, Switzerland.
These powders are encapsulated with a substance that quickly
dissolves in the mouth, thereby quickly releasing the flavor. A
fine silicate anti-caking agent may be added.
* * * * *