Aerosol dispensing device and method

• US 20060180143A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Efield Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Graham, Brian, Dvorsky, James E., Piatt, Beverly A., Lind, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0255 spraying and depositing by electrostatic forces only
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0533 Electrodes specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/1691 Apparatus to be carried on or by a person or with a container fixed to the discharge device

Abstract

A method for delivering an aerosol, especially an aromatic aerosol, comprising the steps of contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, with a liquid source, whereby at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site; applying a voltage to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site; and applying a ground reference at a location external to the EHD comminution site, wherein at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate and a device therefor.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, with a liquid source, whereby at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site;

applying a first electrical potential to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site;

applying a second electrical potential at a location external to the EHD comminution site;

comminuting at least a portion of the liquid EHD; and

forming a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the spray comprises aerosol particles.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the aerosol particles comprise an aromatic fragrance.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selecting the first electrical potential; and

locating the application of the first electrical potential, wherein generally-consistent electric field pumping is effected between the location of the first electrical potential and the EHD comminution site.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

selecting the second electrical potential; and

locating the application of the second electrical potential, wherein the spray is enhanced without creating backspray.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second electrical potential is ground.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the ground is an animal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a liquid source of volume, V; and

dispensing the volume V as at spray at a generally-consistent flowrate.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrical potential is applied at a location within 0.250 inches of the EHD comminution site.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first potential is between 3 and 10 kV.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the liquid comprises material chosen from the group consisting of fragrance;

antimicrobial agents;

insect repellants;

attractants;

sterilizers;

confusants;

pheromones;

fumigants;

odor neutralizers;

therapeutic agents, such as menthol and eucalyptus;

animal mood control agents;

household cleaning products, such as surface cleaning agents, surface modification agents for aesthetic benefits, surface protection agents, and sanitization/disinfectant agents;

household laundry care products, such as stain-removing agents, fabric fresheners, and other fabric treatment agents for aesthetic benefits;

personal cosmetic care products for body cleaning, body lotion, and sunscreen products for humans; and

consumer adhesives.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the liquid has a resistivity of greater than 5 E3 ohm-cm.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the generally-consistent flowrate has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a liquid source of volume V;

applying the first electrical potential intermittently; and

dispensing the volume V intermittently as an intermittent spray at a generally-consistent flowrate over time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the step of intermittently spraying includes the step of dispensing the volume V in intermittent sprays of substantially equivalent volume.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the total flowrate difference between intermittent sprays has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the total flowrate over time has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

varying the voltage of the first electrical potential.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the location of the application of the first electrical potential relative to the EHD comminution site.

20. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a perceived level of fragrance for at least 30 days.

21. A method of delivering consistent aerosol flow from a capillary wick, comprising the steps of:

providing a length of capillary wick having first and second segments contiguous at a first location, wherein the second segment includes at least one EHD comminution site;

contacting the capillary wick first segment with a liquid source at a second location spaced from the first location;

applying a first electrical potential to the capillary wick at the first location;

positioning a reference electrode having a second electrical potential external to the capillary wick; and

electrohydrodynamically producing a spray from the at least one EHD comminution site at a generally-consistent flowrate.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the spray comprises aerosol particles.

23. A method, comprising the steps of:

contacting each of at least two capillary wicks, each wick comprising at least one EHD comminution site, with respective liquid sources, whereby at least a portion of the liquid from each source transports to the respective EHD comminution site;

applying a first electrical potential to the liquid within each of the at least two capillary wicks at a location spaced apart from each respective liquid source and proximate each respective EHD comminution site; and

applying a second electrical potential at a location external to each EHD comminution site, wherein at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

the step of applying a first electrical potential comprises applying an electrical potential different from the first electrical potential to one or more of the capillary wicks.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

a reservoir;

a capillary element positioned to contact a liquid source contained within the reservoir, the capillary element comprising;

an EHD comminution site;

a first charge source positioned in a spaced-apart relation to the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site; and

a second charge source positioned external to the EHD comminution site, whereby upon activating the first charge source at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein:

the capillary element further comprises a capillary wick.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein:

the capillary element is formed from a material having a surface energy at least eight dynes/cm greater than the surface tension of the liquid.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the capillary element comprises a first capillary tube positioned co-axially within a second capillary tube, thereby forming an annulus and a second EHD comminution site.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

a third charge source positioned in a spaced-apart relation to the liquid source and proximate the second EHD comminution site.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the capillary element further comprises a substantially non-conducting portion.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the non-conducting portion is between the second charge source and the EHD comminution site.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the capillary element is substantially non-conducting.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the capillary element EHD comminution site is substantially non-conducting.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the first charge source is within 0.250 inches of the EHD comminution site.

35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the first charge source is within the capillary element.

36. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the first charge source comprises an arcuate tab; and

the tab is in charge contact with the capillary wick.

37. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the first charge source substantially forms a helix surrounding, and coaxial with, the capillary wick.

38. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the first charge source comprises an at least partial sheath around the capillary wick.

39. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the capillary element is chosen from the group consisting of porous material disposed within one or more hollow tubes, a porous wick, compressed fibers, open-celled material, paper, cloth, porous plastic material, and combinations thereof.

40. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising one or more additional capillary wicks.

41. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the capillary wick is curvilinear.

42. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

one or more additional reservoirs; and

one or more additional capillary wicks.

43. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for enabling a user to adjust the position of the second charge source relative to the EHD comminution site.

44. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for enabling a user to adjust the position of the first charge source.

45. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing formed to include an aperture;

a charge source;

a source of EHD-comminutable liquid;

a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, the capillary wick at least partially disposed within the aperture, the EHD comminution site positioned external to the housing, and the capillary wick in liquid communication with the liquid source; and

a ground proximate the EHD comminution site.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein:

the housing is a least translucent and is further formed in the shape of a candle, the apparatus further including a light-emitting element disposed within the housing, wherein when light emitted from the light-emitting element is visible from outside the housing.