Delivery system for dispensing volatiles

• US 6,293,474 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Tomkins, David A., Martens, Edward J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWU, DAVIS D
• Application Number:
  US09/498,859
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/4, 346/140.1, 346/141, 347/6, 347/9, 347/20, 347/47, 347/68, 347/70
• US Class Current: 239/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/205 using vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic or piezoelectric atomizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• 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 17/0684 Wicks or the like

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by means of a battery operated continuous action dispenser utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a piezoelectric element. By use of a wick having specified properties and high compliance, superior results are achieved.

Claims

1. In an atomizer for dispensing a liquid active material, the combination of, a container for said liquid, an orifice plate having apertures therein, said plate being vibrated by a piezoelectric element, a capillary feed mechanism positioned to supply said liquid from said container to said orifice plate, said capillary feed mechanism comprising a highly porous and compliant wick and a wick holder arranged to hold said wick in a position such that it contacts the orifice plate to provide liquid to said orifice plate, the compliance of said wick being appropriate to cause negligible damping of said orifice plate.

2. A vibrator atomizer comprising:

an orifice plate having a plurality of fine orifices extending therethrough;

an actuator connected to vibrate said plate; and

a wick element extending from within said reservoir to and contacting said plate in a manner which does not interfere with its vibration,

said wick element comprising a cotton fiber cloth,

said wick element being formed as a broadcloth weave.

3. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 2, wherein said wick element has a thread count of about 68×

68 and a density of about 7.2 grams per 100 square inches.

4. A vibrator atomizer according to claim 2, wherein said wick element is shaped to conform to the surface of said orifice plate.

5. A vibrator atomizer according to one of claims 2-4, wherein said wick is looped where it touches said orifice plate.

6. A vibratory atomizer according to one of claims 2—

4, wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

7. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 5, wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

8. A vibrator atomizer according to claim 3, wherein said wick element is shaped to conform to the surface of said orifice plate.

9. A vibratory atomizer comprising:

a liquid reservoir;

an orifice plate having a plurality of fine orifices extending therethrough;

an actuator connected to vibrate said plate; and

a wick element extending from within said reservoir to and contacting said plate in a manner which does not interfere with its vibration,

said wick element comprising a fiber cloth and being looped at the region thereof which contacts said orifice plate.

10. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 9, wherein said wick element is formed of cotton.

11. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 10, wherein said wick element is formed as a broadcloth weave.

12. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 11, wherein said wick element has a thread count of about 68×

68 and a density of about 7.2 grams per 100 square inches.

13. A vibratory atomizer according to one of claims 9-12, wherein said wick element is shaped, where it is looped, to conform to the surface of said orifice plate.

14. A vibratory atomizer according to one of claims 9-12, wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

15. A vibratory atomizer according to claim 13, wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

16. A refill container for a vibratory type atomizer having an orifice plate which vibrates to atomize a liquid into the atmosphere in the form of very small droplets, said refill container comprising:

a liquid reservoir which contains a liquid to be atomized; and

a wick comprising a fiber cloth and extending from within said reservoir to a location above an upper surface of said reservoir, said wick being folded over at said location.

17. A refill container according to claim 16, wherein said wick is formed of cotton.

18. A refill container according to claim 17, wherein said wick is formed as a broadcloth weave.

19. A refill container according to claim 18, wherein said wick has a thread count of about 68×

68 and a density of about 7.2 grams per 100 square inches.

20. A refill container according to one of claims 16-19, wherein said wick has a pair of tails extending into the reservoir.