Micromechanical dispensing device and a dispensing system including the same

• US 20050127207A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kubby, Joel A., Ma, Jun, Burke, Cathie J., Jia, Nancy Y., Francis, Edward, Duffner, Robert M., Diehl, James C.
• Application Number:
  US10/914,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127207A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/303
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

A micromechanical dispensing device comprises at least one micromechanical dispensing mechanism that is fluidly coupled to at least one included fluid reservoir. The micromechanical dispensing device is arranged to dispense at least one fluid into an atmosphere under control of an included micromechanical dispensing device controller. A dispensing system includes a micromechanical dispensing device. A dispensing system controller is provided and arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing device by means of an included communication means.

Claims

1. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a corresponding fluid reservoir;

the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms.

2. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, further comprising at least one port to which the corresponding fluid reservoir may be removably, fluidly connected.

3. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, wherein at least one micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

4. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, wherein at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

5. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance, and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller.

6. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 5, wherein the atmospheric substance is a fluid that has been dispensed by the micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere.

7. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 5, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device controller is arranged to actuate at least one of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms in response to the sensor signal.

8. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1 further comprising one or more check valves, wherein each of the one or more check valves is interposed between a corresponding micromechanical dispensing mechanism from amongst the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms and the corresponding fluid reservoir of the corresponding micromechanical dispensing mechanism.

9. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1 further comprising a dispersion pad, wherein the dispersion pad is arranged to receive at least one fluid dispensed into the atmosphere by at least one of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, wherein the dispersion pad comprises porous ceramics, celluloseic fibers, flax, cotton, wood, protein-based fibers, wool, animal hides, nylon, polyester or olefinic fibers.

10. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1 further comprising an orifice plate, the orifice plate comprising an orifice, the orifice plate arranged such that at least one fluid of the one or more fluids dispensed by at least one of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms is further dispensed through the orifice.

11. A system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere, the system comprising a micromechanical dispensing device, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a corresponding fluid reservoir;

the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms;

the system further comprising at least one other dispensing device, and a system controller, the system controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing device and with each of the at least one other dispensing devices.

12. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more micromechanical dispensing mechanisms of the micromechanical dispensing device, further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

13. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, wherein at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, a pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

14. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, wherein the system is arranged to dispense at least one of the plurality of fluids by the micromechanical dispensing device and to dispense at least one other of the plurality of fluids by the at least one other dispensing device.

15. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, further comprising a comprising a system sensor, the system sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the system sensor signal to the system controller.

16. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 15, wherein the system controller is arranged to actuate at least one of the micromechanical dispensing device and the at least one other dispensing device in response to the system sensor signal.

17. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device further comprises a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to the atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the system controller.

18. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 17, wherein the system controller is arranged to actuate at least one of the micromechanical dispensing device and the at least one other dispensing device in response to the sensor signal.

19. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 11, further comprising a communication means, the communication means comprising a network.

20. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 19, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

21. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a corresponding fluid reservoir;

the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms.

22. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21, further comprising at least one port to which the corresponding fluid reservoir may be removably, fluidly connected.

23. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21, wherein at least one micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

24. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21, wherein at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

25. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller.

26. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 25, wherein the atmospheric substance to which the sensor signal is responsive is a fluid that has been dispensed by the micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere.

27. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 25, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device controller is arranged to at least one of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms in response to the sensor signal.

28. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21 further comprising at least one check valve interposed between at least one of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms and its corresponding fluid reservoir.

29. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21 further comprising a dispersion pad, wherein the dispersion pad is arranged to receive at least one fluid dispensed into the atmosphere by at least one of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, wherein the dispersion pad comprises porous ceramics, celluloseic fibers, flax, cotton, wood, protein-based fibers, wool, animal hides, nylon, polyester or olefinic fibers.

30. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 21 further comprising an orifice plate, the orifice plate comprising an orifice, the orifice plate arranged such that at least one fluid of the plurality of fluids dispensed by at least one of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms is further dispensed through the orifice.

31. A system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere, the system comprising a micromechanical dispensing device, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a corresponding fluid reservoir;

the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with each micromechanical dispensing mechanism of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms; and

the system further comprising a system controller, the system controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing device.

32. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, wherein at least one of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms of the micromechanical dispensing device, further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

33. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, wherein at least one fluid reservoir of the micromechanical dispensing device contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

34. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, further comprising a second dispenser to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere, the second dispenser, arranged to communicate with the system controller, wherein at least one fluid reservoir of the micromechanical dispensing device contains a first fluid and the second dispenser contains a second fluid which is different from the first fluid.

35. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, further comprising a comprising a system sensor, the system sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the system sensor signal to the system controller.

36. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 35, wherein the system controller is arranged to actuate the micromechanical dispensing device in response to the system sensor signal.

37. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device further comprises a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the system controller.

38. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 37, wherein the system controller is arranged to actuate the micromechanical dispensing device in response to the sensor signal.

39. The system to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere of claim 31, further comprising a communication means, the communication means comprising a wireless network.

40. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a micromechanical dispensing mechanism, the micromechanical dispensing mechanism fluidly connected to a plurality of fluid reservoirs;

and further comprising a valve, the valve arranged to selectively couple each fluid reservoir of the plurality of fluid reservoirs to the micromechanical dispensing mechanism; and

, the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing mechanism and the valve.

41. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 40, wherein the micromechanical dispensing mechanism further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

42. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 40, wherein at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

43. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 40, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller, and the micromechanical dispensing device controller is arranged to actuate the micromechanical dispensing mechanism in response to the sensor signal.

44. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 40 further comprising a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber fluidly interposed between the micromechanical dispensing mechanism and the plurality of fluid reservoirs.

45. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir;

and, the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms.

46. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 45, further comprising a port to which the fluid reservoir may be removably, fluidly connected.

47. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 45, wherein at least one micromechanical dispensing mechanism further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

48. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 45, wherein the fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

49. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 45, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller, and the micromechanical dispensing device controller, is arranged to actuate the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms in response to the sensor signal.

50. The micromechanical dispensing device of claim 49, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises the fluid that is dispensed into the atmosphere by the micromechanical dispensing device.

51. A dispensing system including a micromechanical dispensing device, the micromechanical dispensing device being arranged to dispense a plurality of fluids into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a micromechanical dispensing mechanism that is fluidly coupled to an included valve, wherein the valve is arranged to selectively fluidly couple the micromechanical dispensing mechanism to a plurality of fluid reservoirs, the dispensing system further comprising a dispensing system controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing device by means of an included communication means.

52. The dispensing system of claim 51, wherein any of the plurality of fluid reservoirs contain a fluid comprising any of a fragrance, perfume, therapeutic, mood-enhancing agent, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent and insecticide.

53. The dispensing system of claim 51, wherein the micromechanical dispensing mechanism comprises any of an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane and a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

54. The dispensing system of claim 51, further comprising at least one additional dispensing device, the at least one additional dispensing device being arranged to dispense one or more fluids into the atmosphere.

55. The dispensing system of claim 51 further comprising a system sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal based on an atmospheric substance comprised in the atmosphere and to communicate the system sensor signal to the dispensing system controller.

56. The dispensing system of claim 55, wherein the dispensing system controller is arranged to control the micromechanical dispensing device based on the system sensor signal.

57. The dispensing system of claim 56, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises any of the plurality of fluids that are dispensed into the atmosphere by the dispensing system.

58. The dispensing system of claim 56, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises a human body fluid in liquid or gaseous form.

59. The dispensing system of claim 56, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises an odor or fragrance that is formed by a human body.

60. The dispensing system of claim 51, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device further comprises a dispensing device sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal based on an atmospheric substance comprised in the atmosphere and to communicate the system sensor signal to the dispensing system controller.

61. The dispensing system of claim 60, wherein the dispensing system controller is arranged to control the micromechanical dispensing device based on the system sensor signal.

62. The dispensing system of claim 61, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises any of the plurality of fluids that are dispensed into the atmosphere by the dispensing system.

63. The dispensing system of claim 61, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises a human body fluid in liquid or gaseous form.

64. The dispensing system of claim 61, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises an odor or fragrance that is formed by a human body.

65. The dispensing system of claim 51, wherein the communication means comprises any of a communication network, a wireless network, an internet, a network hub, a telephone network, a local area network, a cable television network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber optics network, a satellite communication system, a universal serial bus, a universal serial bus port adapter and a twisted wire pair.

66. A dispensing system including a micromechanical dispensing device, the micromechanical dispensing device being arranged to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere,

the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms that are fluidly coupled to a fluid reservoir,

the dispensing system further comprising a dispensing system controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing device by means of an included communication means.

67. The dispensing system of claim 66, wherein the fluid reservoir contains a fluid comprising any of a fragrance, perfume, therapeutic, mood-enhancing agent, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent and insecticide.

68. The dispensing system of claim 66, wherein any of the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms comprise any of an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane and a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

69. The dispensing system of claim 66, further comprising at least one additional dispensing device, the at least one additional dispensing device being arranged to dispense one or more fluids into the atmosphere.

70. The dispensing system of claim 66 further comprising a system sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal based on an atmospheric substance comprised in the atmosphere and to communicate the system sensor signal to the dispensing system controller.

71. The dispensing system of claim 70, wherein the dispensing system controller is arranged to control the micromechanical dispensing device based on the system sensor signal.

72. The dispensing system of claim 71, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises the fluid that is dispensed into the atmosphere by the dispensing system.

73. The dispensing system of claim 71, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises a human body fluid in liquid or gaseous form.

74. The dispensing system of claim 71, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises an odor or fragrance that is formed by a human body.

75. The dispensing system of claim 66, wherein the micromechanical dispensing device further comprises a dispensing device sensor arranged to form a system sensor signal based on an atmospheric substance comprised in the atmosphere and to communicate the system sensor signal to the dispensing system controller.

76. The dispensing system of claim 75, wherein the dispensing system controller is arranged to control the micromechanical dispensing device based on the system sensor signal.

77. The dispensing system of claim 76, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises the fluid that is dispensed into the atmosphere by the dispensing system.

78. The dispensing system of claim 76 wherein the atmospheric substance comprises a human body fluid in liquid or gaseous form.

79. The dispensing system of claim 76, wherein the atmospheric substance comprises an odor or fragrance that is formed by a human body.

80. The dispensing system of claim 66, wherein the communication means comprises any of a communication network, a wireless network, an internet, a network hub, a telephone network, a local area network, a cable television network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber optics network, a satellite communication system, a universal serial bus, a universal serial bus port adapter and a twisted wire pair.