Improvements in Inhalers.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th June, 1889-Accepted, 27th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inhalers.
I JOSEPH STENSON HOOKER of 7 Geneva Terrace, Clive Vale, Hastings in the
County of Sussex, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
All inhalers at present sold are of a somewhat bulky character, and when placed in
a box with the necessary bottles of medicinal agents, make up a rather large parcol,
which may under certain circumstances be a source of annoyance, besides which they
necessitate in most cases the propping up of the invalid while being used, and from
their size are not easy to grasp in one hand, without considerable fatigue to a weakly
patient.
Now the object of this invention is to simplify the construction of inhalers, so that
they may be used by invalids in bed without inconvenience or fatigue, and also that
they may be more portable than heretofore.
In carrying out my invention, I form the inhaler with a bowl and a stem like a
tobacco pipe. The inhaler will be contained in a case like a pipe case, recesses being
made therein on either side of the stem to receive flat ounce bottles to contain the
medicinal agents (in the case of a chloride of ammonium inhaler, ammonia and
hydrochloric acid), so that the whole apparatus will take up little more space than a
large pipe.
The bowl is double, that is to say, it consists of an inner bowl and an outer bowl,
the closed-in space between which (of greater or less dimensions) will form a mixing
chamber for the romedial agents. The inner bowl is divided along its diameter by a
partition into two equal sized chambers, the side walls of which are perforated for the
passage of the vapors of the remedial agents.
On one side, the outer bowl is forined with a hollow enlargement forming a chamber
in which is placed a piece of damp sponge. To this enlargement the pipe stem is
attached in any convenient manner.
The chambers in the bowl are filled with some porous material to receive and hold
the remedial agents.
On applying suction to the mouth piece of the stem, the air will be cause to rush
in through the perforations in the bowl, carrying with it the vapors of the remedial
agents, which will combine in the mixing chamber."
In some cases, I may find it necessary to employ a larger mixing chamber than
can conveniently be provided in the above form of inhaler, in which case, I enlarge
the stem, making therein two chambers of slightly conical form, one for the mixing
chamber, and the other for the damp sponge.
The stem will be provided with a suitable mouthpiece, and caps may be provided
both for the bowl and the mouthpiece.
The apparatus may be made of any suitable material which will withstand the action
of the acid.
Dth th dow of October jese
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a novel construction of inhaler, the chief advantages of
which are its portability, lightness, and general convenience for invalids in every stage
of weakness.
In the accompanying drawing,-
Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, partly in section, my new form of inhaler.
Fig. 2 is a section on the line 1, 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of arrow, or
away from the mouthpiece.
Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the inhaler, and
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan taken in the line 3, 4 of Fig. 1.
The inhaler takes somewhat the form of a tobacco pipe, having a flexible extension
to carry the mouth piece attached to the stem A.
B is the bowl, shown as formed in one with the stem A, but it may, if desired, be
made separate therefrom.-The proportions of this bowl are somewhat in excess of the
ordinary tobacco pipe, it being intended to receive within it a bowl C, which, when
in place, leaves ample room for a mixing chamber D.
This bowl C is divided into two compartments by a vertical partition c, which may
be made in one with the bowl, or may be separate, and let into a groove in the bowl
made to receive it.-The bowl C is also formed with a flange c', which rests upon the
lip of the bowl B, and closes in a space constituting the mixing chamber D.-An
annular shoulder below this flange fits the mouth of the bowl B, and a nick is made in
it to fit a projection from the inner periphery of the mouth of the bowl B.-This inter-
locking of the parts serves to ensure the proper fitting of the bowl C in its place, and
of maintaining the partition c centrally with respect to the pipe.-In the sides of the
bowl C, at opposite sides of the partition c, and at points furthest from the stem of
the pipe, small openings e² are made, for the purpose to be presently explained.
One division of the bowl C I fill with sponge, for the absorption of ammonia, and
the other with pumice stone, or equivalent absorbent material, charged with hydro-
chloric acid. In the pipe, at or about the junction of the bowl with the stem, a
piece of sponge is fitted, as at E, which is to be moistened from time to time with pure
water.
When the inhaler is thus charged, it is ready for use. -On the patient applying
suction to the mouth piece of the pipe, the ammonia sponge, and the absorbent of the
hydrochloric acid, will discharge their respective vapours, through the openings c² of
the compartments, into the chamber D which surrounds the bowl C.-Here the vapours
will commingle, and passing together through the moistened sponge at E, where they
-will neutralize each other, will be drawn up into the mouth of the patient. A cap or
cover may be provided, as at F (Figs. 1 and 2), to protect the pipe from dust when
not in use, and to check the escape of the vapours from the sponges when the charged
pipe is packed away in its case. A similar contrivance may be applied to the
mouthpiece.
The inhaler may be made of glass, porcelain, celluloid, or other material that will
withstand the action of the acid employed.
I would remark that in charging the inhaler, care must be taken not to supply an
undue quantity of either the ammonia or the acid to the absorbent materials.-If
more of the liquid ammonia, or of the hydrochloric acid, is accidently applied, than
the absorbent material will hold, then the surplus quantity should be carefully
removed.The. like remark applies to the moistening of the sponge at E.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The inhaler above described, consisting of a pipe, in the bowl of which is fitted
a smaller flanged bowl divided vertically into two compartments for the reception of
the chemical substances to be inhaled, such compartments. being pierced with holes

page_text: for the discharge of the vaporous chemical substances into a mixing chamber contained
within the outer bowl, and closed against the stem of the pipe by a plug of moistened
sponge, as and for the purpose above set forth.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.