Improvements in the Construction of Inhaling Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1893
Con plete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Inhaling Apparatus.
FREDERICK WILLIAM LEVIERGE of 106 Highgate Hill in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:
My first improvement relates to those forms of inhalers in which a current of air
is admitted through a medicating chamber into the interior of a bellows or pump
when the said bellows is extended and forced out through a valve leading to the
inhaling tube when the bellows is compressed; these inhalers have hitherto been
constructed with a medicating chamber attached to one extremity of a concertina
bellows, the lid or cover of the medicating chamber being provided with an inlet
valve to admit air through the medicating chamber into the interior of the bellows
when the said bellows is extended, the medicated air being then forced through the
delivery valve when the bellows is compressed this arrangement makes it necessary
for the lid of the medicating chamber to fit air tight otherwise part of the medicated
air would escape through the medicating chamber at the downward or delivery
stroke of the bellows; to obviate this I fit the inlet valve into the bottom of the
medicating chamber instead of on the top of the lid, so that when the bellows is
compressed at the delivery stroke, the inlet valve closes thus preventing the
medicated air from escaping through the medicating chamber.
My 2nd improvement consists in filling up as far a possible that portion of the
bellows which still contains air when the bellows is compressed, thus obtaining a
greater pressure and more thorough delivery than under the present conditions.
My 3rd improvement consists in attaching the medicating chamber to the bottom
or base of the apparatus instead of on the top as at present, when I use this device
I fit the medicating chamber into that space in the lower part of the bellows which
contains air when the bellows is compressed; in this case the under side or bottom
of the medicating chamber is perforated and the medicating substance is contained
between the said perforated bottom of chamber and a second perforated plate
placed high up in the chamber, so arranged as not to interfere with the working of
the inlet valve which in this case is fixed to the upper end of the medicating
chamber. When I use this device I also recess the base of the bellows and provide
aperture for the admission of air through the medicating chamber into the interior
of the bellows when extended, the said air, when medicated, being expelled through
the delivery valve as at present.
My 4th improvement relates to the construction of the valves which have hitherto
consisted of a tube or casing one end of which is a valve face or seat the said tube
is provided with a central guide aperture in which slides the spindle of the other
valve face which is a flat disc this disc is pressed against the valve face on the
casing or tube by a delicate spiral spring & the spring is retained in position by a
small nob which is fitted on to the end of the stem or spindle of the valve.
My improvements consists in dispensing with the spriral spring, the central gui le
in the casing, and the valve spindle & the retaining nob.
My improved valve is constructed as follows;
1 take a piece of tube of suitable material & dimensions to form the casing or
body of the valve into one end of the tube I fit a valve into one end of the tube I
fit a valve face or seat or the face may be formed of the tube itself; at a suitable
distance from the face I provide a check to determine the lift of the valve, which
is a disc of glass or other suitable material this disc is confined between the valve
seat in the casing and the check above referred to so that when the disc valve lifts
the air can freely escape one advantage of this form of valve will be that during

page_text: the up stroke of the bellows the inlet valve will be perfectly open thus reducing
the power necessary to extend the bellows it will be seen that the natural pressure
& vacuum take the place of the spiral spring.
My next improvement consists is perforating the sides of the medicating chamber
for admission of air instead of taking the air through the top of the cover thus
minimizing the amount of dust or other impurities that might enter the medicating
chamber.
My next improvement consists in diminishing the area of the delivery tube at
the outlet end this can be done by reducing the area of the tube itself or by
attaching a tube of glass or other suitable material to the outlet end of the delivery
tube, the attached tube to be reduced in area at the outlet. Sometimes I make the
outlet end of the delivery tube to project into the cone or face shield & to be
adjustable as to the amount of projection for the purpose of regulating the force
of the blast.
My next improvement consists in dispensing with the use of valves in the above
or similar apparatus, to accomplish this I connect the delivery tube to the medicating
chamber which is attached to the pump or bellows, when the bellows is extended
the air passes through the delivery tube & through the medicating chamber into
the interior of the pump or bellows & when the bellows is compressed the medicated
air is forced to return through the medicating chamber and through the delivery
tube. In this device the cover of the medicating chamber should fit air-tight.
My next improvement consists in using an ordinary air pump provided with a
plunger but having no valves. I attach the pump to a medicating chamber which
leads to the delivery pipe, when the piston is raised the air will pass through the
delivery tube and through the medicating chamber in to the barrel of the pump
and when the piston is depressed the medicated air will be forced to return through
the medicating chamber and through the delivery pipe.
My
My next improvement consists in providing a chamber or reservoir containing
air at high pressure to this I attach a medicating chamber leading to the delivery
tube this apparatus is provided with a regulating cock or valve by means of which
the delivery of medicated air is controlled. This improvement obviates the
necessity for any exertion on the part of the patient. I prefer when praticable to
take the medicated air from the base of the apparatus which is stationary when in
use instead of from the upper end of the bellows as hitherto thus making it possible
to shorten the flexible delivery tube and preventing the movement of the said tube
caused by the up & down motion of the upper end of the bellows when in use.
last improvement relates to a small pocket inhaler which at present consists of a
glass tube or chamber for containing the medicated substance, one end of this tube
is fitted with a cover the outer face of which is divided into apertures & blank
spaces and the outer cover or disc is provided with corresponding apertures & blank
spaces is attached by a central screw to the inner cover but is left free to revolve,
when the outer disc or cover is revolved so that when the apertures in it corresponds
with the apertures in the inner cover the delivery is open, & when the blank spaces
in the outer cover correspond with the apertures in the inner cover the delivery
apertures are closed. My improvement consists in fixing a pin on the face of inner
cover near the edge I then slightly recess a portion of the edge of the outer cover
so that when the two covers are attached by means of the central screw the pin in
the face of the inner cover shall be situated within the recess in the edge of the
outer cover so that when the outer cover is revolved to the left the pin will butt
against one end of the recess in the edge of the outer cover & when revolved to
the right the pin will butt against the other end of the said recess thus indicating
when the inhaler is open & when it is closed. I sometimes accomplish the above
result by fitting a pin projection on the central screw & forming a slot near the
central hole in the outer cover for the pin to work in.
Anril 25th 1002.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Inhaling Apparatus.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LEVIERGE of 106 Highgate Hill in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :---
This invention relates to apparatus for inhaling medicinal vapours and like
purposes, in which compressed air is forced through a chamber charged with
medicinal substances, and thence passes through a flexible tube to the mouth or
nostrils of a patient.
The apparatus now in use contains two or three small valves in which is a
delicate spring, and these valves are very liable to get out of order, either by the
spring itself giving way, or by dust or other deposit, carried by the air being
deposited on the lip of the valve.
My invention consists of (1) an improved valve having no spring, and being on
this account and because of its peculiar construction, less liable to get out of order.
It also embraces (2) an improved valve cap or outlet valve for pocket inhalers and
(3) a method of constructing inhalers with one valve only or without valves.
There is also (4) the use of an air pump or receptacle for compressed air, an improved
position for the medicating chamber and a method of contracting the orifice of the
outlet or delivery tube.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which,
Fig. 1, shows au elevation, partly in section of my one valve inhaler. The valve
here shewn is my improved springless valve as set forth in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.
It is placed at the bottom of the medicating chamber and not on the lid as usual,
the lid being made airtight to avoid leakage. It is arranged to act as an outlet for
the air driven out by pressure from the bellows a, beneath, which air it allows to
escape through the medicating chamber c, into the flexible tube d.
My invention of a valveless inhaler is precisely the same as Fig. 1, but without
the valve there shown the air being admitted and returned through the flexible
tube.
Fig. 2, shows an enlarged elevation of my improved springless valve which
can be used either for inlet or outlet purposes. In the position shown it acts as
an inlet.
Fig. 3, shows a vertical cross section of same on line 1-2 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, shows a plan and Fig. 5, a cross section on line 3-4 of Fig. 4, of my
improved adjustable mouthpiece or valve-cap for pocket inhalera. The special
feature of this invention is the slot and pin which regulates the motion.
a, is an ordinary concertina bellows.
b, is the handle operating same.
c, is the medicating chamber with lid c and mouthpiece e².
d, is the flexible tube extending to usual mouthpiece.
e, is the exterior shell or case of the valve.
el, e', el, are three circumferential slots in e, through which the air passes inwards
or outwards according to the position of the valve.
f, is a screw cap in which is inserted the glass tube g, supported by the metal
tube g'. The tube g, extends nearly to the bottom of the valve when the cap f,
is screwed home, and is adjustable by said cap so as to regulate the flow of air.
g, is the glass tube in the screw cap f.
g, is the metal tube around g.
h, is a glass disc which is moved up and down by air pressure or suction, and in
so moving opens or closes the tube
g.

page_text: k, is an opening at one end of the valve to allow the air access to the disc h.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5.
7, is the upper plate of my valve-cap for pocket inhalers.
m, is
a screw fastening 1, to lower plate o.
n, n, are airholes in plate l.
n', n', are similar holes in the plate o. They are shown by dotted circles in
Fig. 4.
p, is a slot and pin which regulate the travel of plates and o, and ensure the
proper and effective opening and closing of the airholes n, n, and n³, n', and their
relative position.
X, my improved springless valve.
My fourth improvement relates to placing the medicating chamber at the bottom
or base of the apparatus, instead of at top as at present.
A further inprovement consists in providing a receptacle for compressed air
which can be attached to an inhaler and fitted with a regulating valve or tap, so
that the quantity of air admitted can be adjusted to requirements.
arrangement relieves the patient from the labour of working the bellows.
This
Another improvement consists in using instead of the bellows an ordinary air
pump or syringe without valves, and connecting same to medicating chamber.
When the piston is drawn back, the pump will fill with medicated air drawn back
through the delivery tube by the suction caused by the piston and when the piston
is pressed forward the medicated air will be forced to return through the
medicating chamber and thence into the delivery pipe again and out through the
usual orifice.
Another improvement consists in diminishing the outlet end of the delivery tube
either by contracting same, or by adding a smaller tube.
Sometimes I make the end of the delivery tube project a regulable distance into
the face shield, the object being to regulate the amount and force cf the current
' of air.
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,
1. In an inhaling apparatus the combination and construction of parts shown in
Fig. 1.
2. In an inhaler the construction of same entirely without valves, as herein
.described and set forth.
3. In an inhaling apparatus the springless valve a with its glass tube glass
disk h, slots e¹ and regulating screw cap fas herein described and set forth.
4. In an inhaler placing the medicating chamber at the base of or beneath the
bellows, and diminishing the outlet nozzle or pipe end as herein described and set
forth.
5. In an inhaler the employment of an air pump with or without a receptacle
for compressed air, with tap for regulating exit of air as herein described and set
forth.
6. In an inhaler the employment of a receptacle for compressed air with
regulating tap with or without an air pump as herein described and set forth.
7. In a pocket inhaler the valve cap or mouthpiece i with discs or plates l, o,
slot and pin p, air holes n, n', and screw m, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 25th day of January 1894.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.