IMPROVEMENTS IN VAPOUR INHALERS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, ROBERT MUNROE KENNEDY of 120 Southampton Row in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN VAPOUR INHALERS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My Invention relates to medicinal inhalers and consists in a Pad, Pillow or
Cushion or other support for the head provided with a receptacle to contain and
carry medicine, such receptacle having a slide valve to regulate and govern the
amount of vapour given off, said receptacle being removable for cleansing and
refilling. The object of this invention is to construct an inhaler for medicinal
purposes for use in cases of Consumption, Bronchitis, Asthma, Catarrh and throat
and lung diseases generally, also as a preventative of Cholera and other contagious
diseases, said inhaler to be adapted to the use of a pillow, or upon a sofa, and
upon which the patient lays his head during sleep or when resting and while in this
position of ease, inhales the vapours arising from the inhaling receptacle contained
in such pad or cushion. In the accompanying drawings which form part of this
specification―
Fig. 1. represents in perspective my improved medicinal inhaler with the Pillow
pad or cushion removed.
Fig. 2. is a longitudinal perspective view of the Inhaler and Pillow pad or cushion
combined.
Fig. 3. is a perspective view of the top of the Pillow pad or cushion showing the
slit or aperture through which the vapour ascends to the Nostrils or mouth of the
person resting upon it.
A is the pad, pillow, or cushion and consists of a rectangular or other shaped
bag stuffed with hair, feathers, cotton or other equivalent substance and is pro-
vided with a hole or cavity B into which the medicine receptacle is placed Ĉ is
the medicine receptacle which may be made of glass, earthenware or Tin, copper,
brass, zinc, Iron, or other material; this receptacle is shaped like a box, although
I do not confine myself to any particular shape, it may be made oblong, round or
square and provided with a perforated lid D. D. D, said lid having a slide with
corresponding perforations to the lid; this is not shown in the drawing but is
worked by a thumb screw E and ratchet (not shown) which opens or closes the

page_text: perforations by turning either to the right or left so as to regulate the flow of
vapour; said lid D is also provided with a longitudinal hood F F on each side
supported at the ends by an upright piece G. G of the same material the lid is
composed of; between these hoods and laying lengthwise is a spiral spring H the
object of the hoods and spring, is to prevent the opening in the pillow or pad
from closing while the patient's head rests upon it. The inhaler Ċ may be used
with or without the pad or pillow.
In using the pillow inhaler the receptacle C is filled or charged with a supply of
medicine, the lid secured tightly and the receptacle C placed in the Pillow or Pad
and the Pillow Inbaler is then placed upon a Bed or sofa, and the head laid upon it.
The thumb screw E is then turned to the desired degree and while asleep or awake
the ascending vapour is inhaled. By the use of this inhaler the medication of the
lungs, and air passages can go on without the least interference with the patient's
comfort sleeping or awake; the high padded walls to the slit above the receptacle
prevent the face or head reaching the hard reservoir, and the patient may lay
resting and reading while the medication goes on continuously.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A medicinal inhaler consisting of a Pillow Pad or cushion, or any bag shaped
inclosure adapted for a support for the head, and provided with an aperture running
either longitudinally or cross-wise and also provided with an independent receptacle
to contain and carry medicine substantially as described.
2. A medicinal inhaler consisting of a pillow pad or cushion or any bag shaped
inclosure adapted for the support of the head, and provided with an independent
medicinal receptacle in combination with the valve sliding or otherwise to regulate
the flow of a vapour substantially as described.
3. A medicinal receptacle composed of suitable material provided with sliding
valve, ratchet, and thumb screw, hoods and spring combined with a pillow pad or
other support for the head all substantially as described and for the purposes set
forth,
Dated this night
1007