Mist generator

• US 5,893,515 A
• Filed: 04/01/1994
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Hahn
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Hahn
• Inventors: Hahn, Gary S., Williams, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US08/222,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 239/71, 239/72, 239/214.25, 239/215, 239/219, 239/221, 239/222, 239/223, 239/289, 239/323, 239/331, 239/333, 239/338, 239/350, 239/354, 239/216, 222/113, 222/207, 222/325, 222/333, 604/289, 604/294, 604/296, 604/300
• US Class Current: 239/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0038 Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0041 compensating underpressure without contact of the fluid remaining in the container with the atmospheric air B05B11/026 and B05B11/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0064 Lift valves B05B11/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/007 being opened by deformation of a sealing element made of resiliently deformable material, e.g. flaps, skirts, duck-bill valves
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/026 Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1008 by adjusting or modifying the pump end-of-dispensing-stroke position
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1028 Pumps having a pumping chamber with a deformable wall B05B11/1087 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1067 actuated by pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/082 the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/1021 with individual passages at its periphery
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2472 comprising several containers

Abstract

A device for generating a spray of mist or fine droplets includes a spinning rotor within a mist chamber. The rotor has inner walls which taper conically outwardly from the open bottom of the rotor to a hole near the top of the rotor. Liquid is pumped by a finger actuated pump from a cartridge module into a bowl surrounding the bottom end of the rotor. A spray is created as the liquid is formed into droplets as it passes through the hole in the rotor under centrifugal force. A directional light source is used for aiming the spray.

Claims

1. A mist generator comprising:

a housing;

a mist rotor in the housing having at least one mist hole, rotatably supported substantially within a mist chamber;

a motor linked to the mist rotor;

a pump adjustable to deliver a varying volume of fluid with each actuation of the pump attached to the housing, and separate from the mist rotor for supplying a fluid medium to the mist rotor.

2. The mist generator of claim 1 wherein the housing is portable and handheld.

3. The mist generator of claim 2 further comprising a bowl supply port in the bowl.

4. The mist generator of claim 1 wherein the mist rotor has a conically tapering inner surface with the at least one mist hole extending through the rotor to the inner surface.

5. The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising an anti-vortex means in the mist chamber.

6. The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising a mist port attached to the housing for shaping a mist spray.

7. The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising a cartridge module attachable to the housing for holding mist medium.

8. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a therapeutic fluid for use in the eye.

9. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a non-therapeutic fluid for use in the eye.

10. The mist generator of claim 9 wherein the fluid is a member selected from the group consisting of saline solution, artificial tears, and rewetting solution.

11. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a therapeutic fluid for use on the skin.

12. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a non therapeutic fluid for use on the skin.

13. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a fragrance.

14. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a lubricant.

15. The mist generator of claim 7 wherein the mist medium is a surface treatment selected from the group consisting of paints, stains, dyes, inks, lacquers, urethanes, lubricants, and surface protective agents.

16. The mist generator of claim 7 further comprising a medication bottle in the cartridge module.

17. The mist generator of claim 1 wherein the mist rotor has a generally elongate tapered cylindrical shape.

18. The mist generator of claim 1 wherein the mist rotor has smooth and continuously uniform tapered interior cylindrical walls.

19. The mist sprayer of claim 1 further comprising an anti-vortex vane in the mist chamber.

20. A method of spraying a fluid mist comprising the steps of:

pumping fluid with a finger actuated pump to deliver a fluid to a mist chamber;

spinning a mist rotor having a mist hole within the mist chamber, thereby causing the fluid to be drawn up into the mist rotor;

forming fine mist fluid droplets within the mist chamber by passing fluid through the mist hole in the mist rotor under centrifugal force; and

directing the mist of fluid droplets in the direction of an area to be sprayed.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the fluid is a member selected from the group consisting of therapeutic and non-therapeutic eye or skin treatments, lubricants, and liquid surface treatments.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of shaping the mist.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of selecting a volume of fluid delivered to the mist chamber.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of directing a light source onto the area to be sprayed.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of selecting a spinning speed of the mist rotor.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of digitally recording the timing, duration, or occurrence of the pumping step or spinning step.

27. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of annunciating an instruction or reminder.