Electrostatic spraying device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrostatic spraying device which comprises:
- (i) a reservoir of an electrostatically sprayable liquid;
(ii) a capillary structure which comprises a hollow tube having a convoluted inner surface and being formed of a polymeric material which is impermeable to the liquid, the capillary structure at one end contacting the reservoir of the liquid and at the other end terminating in an atomization tip, the capillary structure being such that when oriented substantially vertically and with the atomisation tip uppermost, the capillary action is sufficient to transport the liquid to the outlet at the uppermost end of the tube; and
(iii) means for applying high voltage to the liquid in order to cause the liquid to be projected from the atomization tip as one or more ligaments and thereafter to break up into a plurality of electrically charged droplets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrostatic spraying device for spraying liquids comprises a hollow capillary structure having a convoluted inner surface, one end of which contacts a reservoir of an electrostatically sprayable liquid preferably having a viscosity from 1 to 20×10-6 m2 /s and a volume resistivity from 2.5×106 to 5×108 ohm cm, the other end of which terminates in an atomization tip, and means for applying high voltage to the liquid in order to cause the liquid at the atomization tip to break up into a plurality of electrostatically charged droplets. Cartridges for use in the electrostatic spraying device are also described.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electrostatic spraying device which comprises:
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(i) a reservoir of an electrostatically sprayable liquid; (ii) a capillary structure which comprises a hollow tube having a convoluted inner surface and being formed of a polymeric material which is impermeable to the liquid, the capillary structure at one end contacting the reservoir of the liquid and at the other end terminating in an atomization tip, the capillary structure being such that when oriented substantially vertically and with the atomisation tip uppermost, the capillary action is sufficient to transport the liquid to the outlet at the uppermost end of the tube; and (iii) means for applying high voltage to the liquid in order to cause the liquid to be projected from the atomization tip as one or more ligaments and thereafter to break up into a plurality of electrically charged droplets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A cartridge for the storage of a liquid suitable for electrostatic spraying, which cartridge comprises:
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(a) a cartridge body containing a reservoir of an electrostatically sprayable liquid; (b) a capillary structure which comprises a hollow tube having a convoluted inner surface and being formed of a polymeric material which is impermeable to the liquid, the capillary structure at one end contacting the reservoir of the liquid and at the other end terminating in an atomization tip, the capillary structure being such that when oriented substantially vertically and with the atomization tip uppermost, the capillary action is sufficient to transport the liquid to the atomization tip; and (c) means for providing an electrical connection to a high voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electrostatic spraying device which comprises
a cartridge comprising (a) a cartridge body containing a reservoir of an electrostatically spraying liquid, (b) a capillary structure which comprises a hollow tube having a convoluted inner surface and being formed of a polymeric material which is impermeable to the liquid, the capillary structure at one end contacting the reservoir of the liquid and at the other end terminating in an atomization tip, the capillary structure being such that when oriented substantially vertically and with the atomization tip uppermost, the capillary action is sufficient to transport the liquid to the atomisation tip, and (c) means for providing an electrical connection to a high voltage source; -
a housing into which the cartridge is adapted to be removably located with the capillary structure extending in a substantially vertical direction; and the high voltage source located within the housing for application of an electrostatic potential to the electrical connection on said cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification