Improvements in rocket inflore.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
Improvements in rocket inflore.
A communication from FORTUNE FORNÉ, of Brest, in the Republic of
France, M.D.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
The subject of this invention is an improved portable or pocket-inhaler enabling
persons to inhale filtered air, charged or not with various vapours, whenever they
require it.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a section of the improved inhaler enclosed in a protecting case or sheath
of metal.
Fig. 2 is a section of the same apparatus contained in a sheath of wood,
meerschaum, or the like.
Figs. 3 and 4 show modifications in the mode of the employment of the
inhaler.
The apparatus mainly consists of a glass tube A open at both ends and containing
a filter constructed as follows:-
(1) The filtering material proper is placed in the centre of the glass tube and
consists of a cylindrical body B. It is of mineral origin (mineral or glass wool,
asbestos fabric made in the shape of a bag etc.) and is adapted to contain the
substances to be inhaled.
(2) and (3) At both ends of the glass tube are placed plugs of cotton wool or
wadding CC'
The filter C B C¹ thus formed and the glass tube A in which it is located may
previously to being used undergo an antiseptic operation by being heated to a
temperature exceeding 120° C., which will cause no alteration in the filtering
material.
The central portion of the filter, being of a mineral nature, is not subject to
corruption or decay and will therefore serve its purpose for an indefinite period of
time. As to the cotton-wool plugs, one of which is intended to keep out dust and
any germs in suspension in the atmosphere while the other re-filters the air charged
with the required vapours new plugs may be substituted for the old ones as
frequently as is necessary.
The filter-carrying glass tube A is enclosed in and protected by a case or sheath
made either of metal, as shown in Fig. 1, or of wood, meerschaum, or the like as
indicated in Fig. 2.
To the metal sheath E (Fig. 1) are fitted two nozzles or canule, one of which (D)
forms the mouth-piece the other N being applied to one of the nostrils.
The mouth-piece D of the inhaler whatever its shape is practically similar to an
ordinary cigar-holder from which it only differs in the diameter of the central
opening which is four or five times larger than that of a cigar-holder, to permit the
air drawn in by the invalid or other person through the filter to fill the lungs
within the time usually expended on an inhalation, without causing the patient
undue fatigue. This mouth-piece enters the outer metal tube E much like a piston
enters its cylinder fitting it exactly with frictional contact.
The other canula N which may be termed the nose-piece as it is intended to
enter or be applied to one of the nostrils of the patient while he is taking
inhalations through the nose assumes the shape of a funnel freely entering the

page_text: glass tube A and adapted to be tightly fitted to the opposite end of the metal
tube E.
This method of fitting together the protecting sheath or tube E and the nose-
piece N permits the employment of the lightest metal existing, viz. aluminium, for
soldering which no means have as yet been discovered.
It should further be noted that the glass filter-holder is tightly held within the
metal tube by the mouth-piece D and washer R which separates it from the nose-
pieces N so that the air drawn in by the repeated movements of the chest of the
invalid necessarily passes through the filter.
It is also noteworthy that the protecting tube or sheath and the nose-piece being
both of metal may be sterilized or made antiseptic by heat.
Where a wooden sheath is used (Fig. 2) it consists of two parts G H fitted one
within the other.
The portion G in this case forms the nose-piece and the portion H the mouth-
piece.
In the centre of both a cylindrical opening is provided within which the filter-
holding glass tube A is inserted.
One of the essential advantages of this improved portable inhaler especially in
the form illustrated in Fig. 1, is that it enables inhalations to be taken at will
through either the mouth or the nose, without requiring any addition to the
apparatus.
In inhalations through the mouth the action of the mouth is the same as in
smoking a cigar. The mouth-piece is held between the lips and teeth and air is
drawn or sucked in through the inhaler the exhalations issuing in this case through
the nose.
Nasal inhalations may be performed according to two methods viz. either by an
ordinary smelling action, the nose-piece of the inhaler being held at a short distance
from the nostrils, not unlike smelling salts or a scent bottle; or by inserting the
nose-piece N directly into one of the nostrils.
In the latter case both the ala of the free nostril and that of the nostril occupied
by the nose-piece N are compressed with the fingers in opposite directions towards
the partition of the nose so as to secure a perfect occlusion of both nostrils. The
exhaled air in this case departs through the mouth.
Whether the inhalations take place through the mouth or nose however the
operation of the improved inhaler remains identical. The air drawn in through
the inhaler is filtered before reaching the air-ducts of the invalid by passing first
through the cotton-wool plug which intercepts dust and germs then through the
intermediate filtering or vapour generating portion B and lastly through the
second cotton-wool plug.
The pocket inhaler herein described constitutes a hygienic germ filtering
respirator chiefly intended for persons who are habitually in good health but
desirous of having constantly a light apparatus of small size near at hand in case
they should temporarily find themselves in a place filled with impure air.
Owing to the shape of the nose-piece the inhaler may be readily arranged to act
by either suction or ventilation, which is another exceedingly important feature of
this invention as invalids may thus be spared the effort and fatigue attending the
inhalation of air through the filter of the inhaler in consequence of the resistance
the air has to overcome in being filtered.
To obtain this result it is sufficient to connect the pocket-inhaler by means of a
flexible tube with some suitable arrangement for creating air-currents an ordinary
bellows or an elastic ball as in Fig. 3 or with a compressed air-reservoir as in
Fig. 4 or with a balloon filled with oxygen.
With the bellows arrangement or the like the patient will soon acquire the habit
of introducing air into the inhaler while he is using it, so that the movements and
expansion of the chest may take place without effort.
Where
a compressed air-reservoir is employed, the patient while holding the
mouth-piece of the inhaler between the lips and teeth closes the orifice thereof with

page_text: the tip of his tongue during the exhaustion of the air and allows it to remain open
during inhalation. In this case by far the most favourable of the two, the filter of
the inhaler is ventilated by the compressed air and the inhalation rendered
exceedingly easy.
Fig. 3 shows how the apparatus may be combined with an indiarubber ball
adapted for forcing in air.
Or an air-dome may be used as shown in Fig. 4 in connection with a bellows
arranged to be operated by the foot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A pocket inhaler consisting of a case or sheath of metal wood or other
suitable material containing a glass or equivalent tube A into which is inserted
mineral filtering material such as B capable of being sterilized by heat and charged
with a medicinal substance such mineral material being retained in place by two
cotton-wool or equivalent plugs such as C C₁ substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. A pocket inhaler fitted at one end with a mouth-piece and so shaped at the
other end as to be capable of being inserted into one of the nostrils for nasal
inhalation substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 27th day of October 1891,
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.