Aerosol Generator

• US 20110290248A1
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: British American Tobacco Limited (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Original Assignee: British American Tobacco Limited (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Inventors: Schennum, Steven Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/787,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20110290248A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.21
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/20 Devices without heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/60 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/207 Actuators comprising a manually operated valve and being attachable to the aerosol container, e.g. downstream a valve fitted to the container; Actuators associated to container valves with valve seats located outside the aerosol container portable spraying apparatus comprising pressurised supply containers B05B7/2402, B05B9/0805; manually actuated controlling means for spraying apparatus B05B12/002; actuators connected to the aerosol container by a flexible tube B65D83/756
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/262 by clockwork, motor, electric or magnetic means operating without repeated human input
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/30 for guiding the flow of spray , e.g. funnels, hoods

Abstract

An aerosol generator has a generally cylindrical body with a mouthpiece at one end a removable canister received within the body, the canister containing pressurised fluid, an interior, continuous canister valve and a depressible discharge tube that releases the fluid into the body. An electrically operable valve controls the discharge of the fluid from the canister towards the mouthpiece, and a nozzle forms an aerosol of the fluid that discharges from the canister. A pressure switch switches in response to a pressure reduction at the mouthpiece and supplies electrical power from internal batteries to the valve to produce a discharge of the fluid through the valve to create an aerosol in the mouthpiece for the consumer.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator comprising:

a body having a mouthpiece, the body configured to receive a supply of pressurised fluid discharged towards the mouthpiece as an aerosol;

an electrically operable valve configured to control the discharge of the fluid towards the mouthpiece; and

a pressure switch configured to switch electrical power to the valve and produce a discharge of the fluid through the valve in response to a pressure reduction at the mouthpiece.

2. The generator according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle configured to form the aerosol from the fluid discharged from the valve.

3. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the body is elongate and configured to be held between the fingers of a hand.

4. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a compartment configured to receive a supply of the pressurised fluid.

5. The generator according to claim 4, wherein the compartment comprises a canister compartment configured to receive a canister containing the pressurised fluid with an interior canister valve and a depressible discharge tube that releases the fluid into the body, the canister compartment configured to hold the interior canister valve open when fitted into the body.

6. The generator according to claim 5, further comprising the canister.

7. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a battery compartment configured to receive a battery to power the valve.

8. The generator according to claim 1, further comprising a generally cylindrical main body housing and a distal end housing releasably attached to and coaxial with the main body housing.

9. The generator according to claim 8, including a battery compartment and the pressure switch in the distal end housing.

10. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure switch includes a diaphragm moveable in response to said pressure reduction at the mouthpiece, and an electrically conductive switch contact moved by the diaphragm in response to the pressure reduction.

11. The generator according to claim 1, including electrical circuitry responsive to operation of the pressure switch configured to supply electrical power to the valve.

12. The generator according to claim 11, wherein the circuitry is operable to supply the electrical power to the valve for a predetermined time following actuation of the pressure switch.

13. The generator according to claim 11, wherein the circuitry is operable to inhibit supply of the electrical power to the valve for a predetermined time following operation of the switch.

14. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operable valve comprises a solenoid operated valve.

15. The generator according to claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a bobbin with a longitudinal passageway, a valve seat in the passageway, an inlet to supply the fluid to the passageway, a valve member moveable in the passageway to engage the valve seat, and an electrical coil to be energised for moving the valve member to open and close the valve.

16. An aerosol generator, comprising:

a generally cylindrical body having a mouthpiece and a canister compartment;

a removable canister received within the canister compartment, the canister containing pressurised fluid, an interior canister valve and a depressible discharge tube that releases the fluid into the body, the canister compartment being configured to hold the interior canister valve open;

an electrically operable valve configured to control discharge of the fluid from the canister towards the mouthpiece;

a nozzle configured to form an aerosol of the fluid that discharges from the canister; and

a pressure switch configured to switch electrical power to the valve and produce the discharge of the fluid through the valve in response to a pressure reduction at the mouthpiece.

17. The generator according to claim 16, including a battery compartment at an end of a housing distal from the mouthpiece, the pressure switch being located between the canister and the battery compartment.