Handheld sprayer with removable cartridge and method of using same

• US 7,673,819 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Efield Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Graham, Brian, Trees, Gregory, Zambanini, Joseph E., Harpham, R. Reade, Lind, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Dinh Q
• Application Number:
  US11/474,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 239/690, 239/690.1, 222/390, 222/391, 222/613, 401171-180
• US Class Current: 239/690
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/1691 Apparatus to be carried on or by a person or with a container fixed to the discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0838 supply being effected by follower in container, e.g. membrane or floating piston, or by deformation of container

Abstract

A cartridge for a handheld electrohydrodynamic (EHD) spraying device and a spraying device incorporating the cartridge. The cartridge is disposable, and can contain therapeutic products. The device includes a wetted lead screw with a compliant seal, where the placement of the seal relative to the screw inhibits leakage during both cartridge use and storage. A frame disposed within the cartridge acts as a load-transferring mechanism for the weight of the cartridge to a handle of the spraying device.

Claims

1. An electrohydrodynamic spray device comprising:

a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising;

a body defining a substantially closed fluid chamber therein, said fluid chamber configured to contain a fluid therein, said fluid chamber comprising a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite said proximal end;

a lead screw disposed within said fluid chamber;

a piston threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon rotation of said lead screw, said piston advances toward said distal end to force at least a portion of said fluid out of said cartridge; and

a seal associated with said piston and threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon said advancing of said piston, said seal inhibits fluid leakage along said lead screw, said seal being made from a material softer than that of said screw;

a handle comprising a rotational power source and a high voltage electrical source therein, said handle configured to attachably receive said cartridge;

a spray manifold in fluid communication with said cartridge; and

a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with said spray manifold, at least one of said manifold and said plurality of nozzles in electrical communication with said high voltage electrical source such that upon application of a voltage to said at least one of said manifold and said plurality of nozzles, at least a portion of said fluid being discharged from said plurality of nozzles is comminuted.

2. The spray device of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a grip at least a portion thereof made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, electrically conductive plastic, electrically conductive polymer, electrically conductive rubber, and combinations thereof.

3. The spray device of claim 2, wherein said at least a portion of said grip comprises a trigger.

4. The spray device of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal dimension of said handle and a longitudinal dimension of said cartridge are substantially aligned along a common longitudinal axis.

5. The spray device of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal dimension of said handle and a longitudinal dimension of said cartridge are angularly disposed relative to one another.

6. The spray device of claim 5, wherein an angle formed between said longitudinal dimensions is up to thirty degrees.

7. The spray device of claim 1, wherein said cartridge is rotatably positionable about its longitudinal axis.

8. The spray device of claim 7, wherein said cartridge is rotatably positionable up to ninety degrees from a neutral position.

9. The spray device of claim 7, wherein said cartridge is rotatably positionable up to forty five degrees from a neutral position.

10. The spray device of claim 7, wherein said cartridge is rotatably positionable up to fifteen degrees from a neutral position.

11. The spray device of claim 1, further comprising a frame configured to provide axial and radial support to said lead screw.

12. The spray device of claim 11, wherein said frame is resiliently connected to said fluid chamber such that same frame inhibits movement of said lead screw along at least one direction of a longitudinal dimension of said cartridge.

13. The spray device of claim 12, wherein said frame comprises a hub-and-spoke construction.

14. The spray device of claim 13, wherein an interface defined between said cartridge and said handle comprises a load-bearing surface disposed on said handle that cooperates with a complementary surface on said frame such that at least a portion of an operational force associated with operation of said piston and said lead screw is carried by said load-bearing surface.

15. The spray device of claim 1, wherein a driver situated in said handle and a proximal end of said lead screw comprise a complementary fit therebetween such that an engagement between them is self-adjusting.

16. The spray device of claim 15, wherein a driver comprises a female fitting with a plurality of teeth disposed about a substantial inner periphery thereof, and wherein said proximal end of said lead screw comprises a complementary male projection extending therefrom.

17. The spray device of claim 1, wherein said seal is disposed in an axial bore of said piston and said seal comprises an inner bore provided with threads.

18. An electrohydrodynamic spray device comprising:

a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising;

a body defining a substantially closed fluid chamber therein, said fluid chamber configured to contain a fluid therein, said fluid chamber comprising a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite said proximal end;

a lead screw disposed within said fluid chamber;

a piston threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon rotation of said lead screw, said piston advances toward said distal end to force at least a portion of said fluid out of said cartridge, said piston having a bore; and

a seal disposed in said bore and threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon said advancing of said piston, said seal inhibits fluid leakage along said lead screw, said seal being made from a material softer than that of said piston.

19. The spray device of claim 18, wherein said seal material is also softer than that of said screw.

20. An electrohydrodynamic spray device comprising:

a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising;

a body defining a substantially closed fluid chamber therein, said fluid chamber configured to contain a fluid therein, said fluid chamber comprising a first end and a second end substantially opposite said first end;

a lead screw disposed within said fluid chamber;

a piston threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon rotation of said lead screw, said piston advances toward said second end to force at least a portion of said fluid out of said cartridge, said piston having a bore; and

a seal disposed in said bore and threadably cooperative with said lead screw such that upon said advancing of said piston, said seal inhibits fluid leakage along said lead screw said seal being made from a material softer than that of said screw;

a handle comprising a rotational power source and a high voltage electrical source therein, said handle configured to attachably receive said cartridge;

a spray manifold in fluid communication with said cartridge; and

a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with said spray manifold, at least one of said manifold and said plurality of nozzles in electrical communication with said high voltage electrical source such that upon application of a voltage to said at least one of said manifold and said plurality of nozzles, at least a portion of said fluid being discharged from said plurality of nozzles is comminuted.