Liquid dispensing apparatus having a vibrating perforate membrane
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps ofmaintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a vibratable perforate membrane defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane,and vibrating the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the flared holes as an atomised spray.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dispensing apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber receiving liquid to be dispensed and comprising a perforate membrane which defines a front wall of the chamber. A vibrating means is connected to the housing and is operable to vibrate the perforate membrane to dispense droplets of liquid through holes in the perforate membrane. The membrane defines an array of holes each of which is flared such that the cross-section narrows in a direction from the rear surface of the membrane in contact with the liquid towards the front surface of the membrane. The apparatus is suitable for dispensing pharmaceutical products as an atomized mist and provides a hand-held inhaler for oral inhalation.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of
maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a vibratable perforate membrane defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, and vibrating the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the flared holes as an atomised spray.
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2. A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of
maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a vibratable perforate membrane comprising an electroformed metal sheet defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, the diameter of the holes at the front surface being less than or equal to 20 microns, and vibrating the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the flared holes as an atomised spray.
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3. A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of
maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a perforate membrane defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, said membrane being stiffened by means of a grid of support elements, and said membrane having a sheet defining the array of holes and having thickened portions constituting the support elements, and vibrating said membrane with the grid of support elements and flared holes such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray.
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7. Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising
a vibratable perforate membrane defining an array of holes and having a front surface and rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in contact with the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane relative to the liquid supply means such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray, wherein each hole is flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface.
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8. Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising
a vibratable perforate membrane comprising an electroformed metal sheet defining an array of holes and having a front surface and a rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in contact with the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane relative to the liquid supply means such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray, wherein each hole is flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface and the holes have a diameter at the front surface less than or equal to 20 microns.
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9. Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising
a perforate membrane defining an array of holes and having a front surface and a rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in contact with the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray; wherein each hole is flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface, wherein the perforate membrane comprises a sheet defining the array of holes through which liquid is dispensed in use and support means supporting the sheet, and wherein said support means comprises a grid of support elements. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification