Atomizing device

• US 7,131,599 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Katase, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dinh Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORMAN, DARREN W
• Application Number:
  US10/915,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/338, 239/350, 239/135, 239/309, 239/340, 239/346, 239/373, 239/426, 239/433, 239/434, 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.18, 128/200.23
• US Class Current: 239/102.1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/48 Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/20 Devices without heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/60 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers

Abstract

An atomizing device is provided that comprises: a casing having a release opening; discharging means provided within the casing and having at least one discharge head for discharging a liquid matter as droplets from a nozzle communicating with a cavity by driving an actuator to change a pressure within the cavity filled with the liquid matter; and atomizing means provided within the casing for atomizing the droplets discharged from the discharging means. It is preferred that at least a part of the discharging means and/or at least a part of the atomizing means are detachably mounted to the casing.

Claims

1. An atomizing device comprising:

a casing having a leading end portion, a release opening disposed on an opposite end of said casing from said leading end portion, an air inlet opening, and a tapered surface extending between said air inlet opening and said release opening, said air inlet opening being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said casing and extending between said release opening and said leading end portion;

discharging means provided within said releasing opening of said casing and having at least one discharge head for discharging a liquid matter as droplets from a nozzle communicating with a cavity defined between said air inlet opening and said release opening by driving an actuator to change pressure within said cavity filled with said liquid matter;

atomizing means provided within said casing for atomizing the droplets discharged from said discharging means;

a storage cartridge disposed along said longitudinal axis for storing said liquid matter, said storage cartridge including a pierced portion for piercing said storage cartridge and communicating said liquid matter to said discharging means through a supply pipe formed in said casing;

a control means disposed along said longitudinal axis for controlling said discharging means and said atomizing means; and

a power supply disposed along said longitudinal axis between said control means and said storage cartridge for supplying power to said discharge means and said atomizing means;

wherein said atomized droplets of liquid matter are mixed with inlet air from said inlet air opening and are directed toward said release opening by said tapered surface within said cavity prior to said mixture of inlet air and atomized droplets being discharged from said release opening.

2. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

at least a part of said discharging means; and

at least a part of said atomizing means;

is detachably mounted to said casing.

3. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein said atomizing means comprises vibrating means for vibrating and atomizing the droplets discharged from said discharging means.

4. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein said atomizing means has a droplet receiving part spaced at a predetermined distance from said nozzle for receiving said droplets.

5. The atomizing device according to claim 4, wherein said atomizing means atomizes the droplets received by the droplet receiving part by vibrating said droplet receiving part.

6. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein said casing includes a first diameter at said air inlet opening and a second diameter at said release opening, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter and cooperating with said tapered surface to direct said atomized droplets of liquid matter and said inlet air toward said release opening.

7. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge is detachably mounted to said casing.

8. The atomizing device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of:

at least a part of said discharging means; and

at least a part of said atomizing means;

is mounted to said storage cartridge such that said storage cartridge is disposed along said longitudinal axis between said cavity and said power source.

9. The atomizing device according to claim 7, further comprising a power switch for selectively turning said power supply ON and OFF by attaching said cartridge to and detaching it from said casing.

10. The atomizing device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid matter includes a component taken in by a living body.