HIGH VOLUME ATOMIZER FOR COMMON CONSUMER SPRAY PRODUCTS

• US 20090272818A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Gu, Wenlu, Blandino, Thomas P., Valpey, Richard S. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/102.200
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0653 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like

Abstract

A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for use with common consumer spray products is disclosed. The piezoelectric atomizer may include an actuator, a substrate and a supply of a liquid product to be dispensed. The substrate may include a plurality of tapered perforations in direct contact with the supply of a liquid product. A control circuit vibrates the actuator, substrate and its tapered perforations against the supply at velocities of at least 500 mm/s. Droplets are dispensed at a delivery rate of approximately 0.2 g/s resulting in plumes of at least 2 feet in length resulting in a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.

Claims

1. A high volume atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:

a substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;

a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the perforations;

an actuator capable of vibrating the substrate at a velocity no less than 500 mm/s and is selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic, a piezoelectric crystal, a flextensional transducer, an oscillating magnetic couple, a high speed motor, and a servo motor; and

a control circuit in electrical communication with the actuator.

2. The atomizer of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator.

3. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a cantilever.

4. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.

5. The atomizer of claim 1, further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.

7. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.

8. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.

6. (canceled)

9. A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:

a first piezoelectric actuator;

a substrate to which the piezoelectric actuator is operatively associated, the substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;

a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the perforations; and

a control circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuator.

10. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, further comprising a second piezoelectric actuator, the substrate disposed between the first and second piezoelectric actuators.

11. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the substrate is a cantilever.

12. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.

13. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.

15. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the wick comprises polyester for use with polar liquid products.

16. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the wick comprises polyethylene for use with non-polar liquid products.

17. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.

18. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.

19. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 9, wherein the control circuit provides a substrate velocity greater than 500 mm/s.

14. (canceled)

20. A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:

a substantially sealed liquid chamber;

an electronics chamber;

a piezoelectric actuator;

a substrate comprising a plurality of tapered perforations;

a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the tapered perforations; and

a control circuit disposed within the electronics chamber, the control circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuator.

21. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, wherein the liquid chamber further comprises a cap and a gasket.

22. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, wherein the substrate is a cantilever.

23. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.

25. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, further comprising a second piezoelectric actuator.

26. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.

27. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 20, wherein the control circuit provides a substrate velocity greater than 500 mm/s.

24. (canceled)

28. A high volume atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:

an actuator;

a substrate to which the actuator is operatively associated, the substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;

a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the perforations; and

a control circuit in electrical communication with the actuator, the atomizer having a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.

29. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric material.

30. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 28, wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.

31. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 28, further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.

33. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 28, wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.

34. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 28, wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.

32. (canceled)