Dispenser having piezoelectric elements and method of operation

• US 20040199116A1
• Filed: 04/01/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company, Aircom Manufacturing Inc. (Kimball Electronics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aircom Manufacturing Inc. (Kimball Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Trompen, Mick A., Lyon, Gregory A., Lubetkin, Steven D., Lyon, Ronald W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,354 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/001 Ear-tags
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/003 Devices for applying insecticides or medication A01K27/007 takes precedence; for veterinary purposes A61D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/00 Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 ; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069

Abstract

A dispenser is provided. The dispenser has a reservoir for storing a liquid or solid material. The dispenser may have a piezoelectric valve or pump located in an opening of the reservoir for regulating dispensing of the material. Alternatively, the dispenser may have a piezoelectric inchworm that directly or indirectly propels the material against or out of the opening. The opening may deposit the material directly or indirectly on the surface of an animal, or under the animal'"'"'s skin. The dispenser also has means for being attached to the surface of the animal. Alternatively, the dispenser may be placed inside the animal.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing a material comprising

a reservoir, the reservoir containing a material to be dispensed, the reservoir having an opening,

a piezoelectric element disposed adjacent to the reservoir or in the reservoir, the piezoelectric element being a piezoelectric pump or piezoelectric valve,

an electronics array for controlling electrical energy supplied to the piezoelectric element, thereby regulating the flow of the material out of the reservoir,

a power source for providing electrical energy to the electronic array and piezoelectric element, and

an attachment means for attaching the dispenser to the surface of an animal.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an internal capillary action means adjacent the piezoelectric pump or piezoelectric valve, the internal capillary action means being selected from the group consisting of a plate, a filter of fibrous or porous material, a disc, and a series of grooves or small passages.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the material is a pesticide.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the material is a therapeutic agent.

5. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser further comprises a radio frequency transponder allowing communication between an operator and the electronics array.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, a photovoltaic device, a piezoelectric bender, a thermoelectric generator, a capacitive device, or a device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

7. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of tissue piercing posts and grommets, tapes, adhesives, collars, harnesses, clamps, and staples.

8. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element is capable of dispensing the liquid as the system pulls a vacuum condition.

9. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises a one-way valve, the one-way valve allowing air to enter the reservoir as the material is dispensed.

10. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises an inlet, the dispenser further comprising an additional container, the additional container holding additional material to be dispensed.

11. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbent or porous material in communication with the opening, the absorbent or porous material being in proximity to the animal'"'"'s skin or fur when the dispenser is attached to the animal.

12. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an external capillary means, the external capillary means comprising a series of grooves molded on the exterior of the dispenser adjacent the piezoelectric element.

13. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary reservoir in communication with the opening for receiving liquid material dispensed through the opening, the secondary reservoir having an opening located such that there is a high probability that liquid material collected in the secondary reservoir will exit through the opening and make contact with the animal.

14. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an activating means.

15. A dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the activating means comprises two electrical contacts and an insulating strip disposed between the contacts, whereby removal of the strip closes a circuit by allowing the contacts to touch each other.

16. A dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the insulating strip is attached to an integral part of the dispenser, whereby use of the device will necessitate removal of the strip from between the contacts.

17. A dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the activating means comprises a push button.

18. A dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the attachment means comprises a piercing post and a grommet, and the activating means comprises an electrical circuit disposed in the grommet, whereby insertion of the post into the grommet signals the device to activate by completing the circuit or by breaking the circuit.

19. A dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the activating means comprises a magnetic reed switch.

20. A dispenser for dispensing a material in the rumen of an animal, comprising

a reservoir, the reservoir containing a material to be dispensed, the reservoir having an opening,

a piezoelectric element disposed adjacent to the reservoir, the piezoelectric element being a piezoelectric pump or piezoelectric valve,

an electronics array for controlling electrical energy supplied to the piezoelectric element, thereby regulating the flow of the material out of the reservoir,

a power source for providing electrical energy to the control means and piezoelectric element, and

a retention means for retaining the dispenser in the rumen of the animal.

21. A dispenser according to claim 20, wherein the retention means is an externally mounted structure or is an internally mounted weight or the weight of the assembled device itself.

22. A method of dispensing liquid comprising

providing a dispenser, the dispenser comprising

a reservoir, the reservoir containing a material to be dispensed, the reservoir having an opening,

a piezoelectric element disposed adjacent to the reservoir, the piezoelectric element being a piezoelectric pump or piezoelectric valve,

an electronics array for controlling electrical energy supplied to the piezoelectric element, thereby regulating the flow of the material out of the reservoir,

a power source for providing electrical energy to the control means and piezoelectric element, and

an attachment means for attaching the dispenser to the surface of an animal, and attaching the dispenser to the surface of the animal.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein when the dispenser is attached to the surface of the animal a small portion of the device is implanted under the skin of the animal to allow dispensing of the material under the animal'"'"'s skin.

24. A dispenser comprising

a reservoir,

an outlet in communication with the reservoir,

and a piezoelectric inchworm device adjacent to the reservoir, the piezoelectric inchworm comprising a first and a second piezoelectric element having axes of expansion or contraction substantially parallel to each other, the piezoelectric inchworm device further comprising a third piezoelectric element connected to and between the first and second piezoelectric element and having an axis of expansion and contraction substantially perpendicular to the axes of expansion and contraction of the first and second piezoelectric elements.

25. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising means for attaching the dispenser to an animal.

26. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising a charge of pesticide disposed in the reservoir.

27. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising a therapeutic agent disposed in the reservoir.

28. The dispenser according to claim 27, further comprising a means for retaining the dispenser in the rumen of an animal.

29. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising an absorbent material adjacent to the outlet.

30. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising an electronics array for controlling the piezoelectric inchworm device.

31. The dispenser according to claim 30, further comprising a radio frequency receiver for receiving instructions to the electronics array.

32. The dispenser according to claim 24, further comprising a power supply selected from the group consisting of a battery, a photovoltaic device, a piezoelectric bender, a thermoelectric device, clockwork, and combinations thereof.

33. A method of dispensing liquid comprising

providing a dispenser, the dispenser comprising

a reservoir, the reservoir containing a liquid material to be dispensed, the reservoir having an opening,

a piezoelectric element disposed adjacent to or in the reservoir, the piezoelectric element being a piezoelectric pump or piezoelectric valve,

an electronics array for controlling electrical energy supplied to the piezoelectric element, thereby regulating the flow of the material out of the reservoir,

a power source for providing electrical energy to the control means and piezoelectric element, and

implanting the dispenser in a domestic animal.