Insert molded aerosol generator and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing an aerosol generator, the method comprising:
- providing a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures that are configured to produce liquid droplets upon vibration of the vibratable member, the vibratable member having a front surface, a back surface, and an outer periphery, wherein vibrations of the vibrating member causes the plurality of apertures to be displaced and liquid to move through the apertures from the back side to the front side thereby nebulizing the fluid;
injection molding a support member about the vibratable member, the vibratable member being injection molded to surround the outer periphery of the vibratable member, wherein a center of the vibratable member having the apertures is available for receiving a liquid to be aerosolized; and
placing a vibratable element in vibrational communication with the vibratable member.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for producing an aerosol generator utilizes a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures for producing liquid droplets upon vibration of the vibratable member. A support member is injection molded about the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is placed in vibrational communication with the vibratable member.
225 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for producing an aerosol generator, the method comprising:
-
providing a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures that are configured to produce liquid droplets upon vibration of the vibratable member, the vibratable member having a front surface, a back surface, and an outer periphery, wherein vibrations of the vibrating member causes the plurality of apertures to be displaced and liquid to move through the apertures from the back side to the front side thereby nebulizing the fluid;
injection molding a support member about the vibratable member, the vibratable member being injection molded to surround the outer periphery of the vibratable member, wherein a center of the vibratable member having the apertures is available for receiving a liquid to be aerosolized; and
placing a vibratable element in vibrational communication with the vibratable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of nebulizing a fluid, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a vibrating element and a vibrating member, the vibrating member being vibrated by the vibrating element, the vibrating member having a plurality of apertures extending from a front side to a back side of the vibrating member, the vibrating member also having an outer perhiphery surrounding the plurality of apertures;
injection molding a supporting element around the outer periphery of the vibrating member to embed the outer periphery in the supporting element, the supporting element being injection molded to form an opening in the supporting element with the vibrating member extending across the opening, the supporting element also being injection molded around at least part of the vibrating element;
delivering a fluid to the back side of the vibrating member;
vibrating the vibrating element so that the vibrating member vibrates to displace the plurality of apertures, wherein the fluid at the back side of the vibrating member passes through the plurality of apertures as the plurality of apertures are displaced thereby nebulizing the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification