Aerosol dispensing device and method

• US 7,798,420 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Efield Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Graham, Brian, Dvorsky, James E., Piatt, Beverly A., Lind, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorman; Darren W
• Application Number:
  US11/351,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,684 Days
• Field of Search: 239/3, 239/11, 239/34, 239/44, 239 67- 70, 239/102.1, 239/145, 239/302, 239/326, 239/690, 239/696, 239/697, 239/706, 239/707, 128/200.14, 128/203.15, 204/450, 204/600
• US Class Current: 239/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• 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: B05B 5/0255 spraying and depositing by electrostatic forces only
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0533 Electrodes specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/1691 Apparatus to be carried on or by a person or with a container fixed to the discharge device

Abstract

A method for delivering an aerosol, especially an aromatic aerosol, comprising the steps of contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, with a liquid source, whereby at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site; applying a voltage to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site; and applying a ground reference at a location external to the EHD comminution site, wherein at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate and a device therefor.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site and a substantially non-conducting portion including the EHD comminution site, with a non-water based liquid source, whereby the liquid has a resistivity of greater than 5 E3 ohm-cm and at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site;

applying a first electrical potential to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and nearer to the EHD comminution site than to the liquid source;

applying a second electrical potential at a location external to the EHD comminution site;

comminuting at least a portion of the liquid via EHD; and

forming a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the spray comprises aerosol particles.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the aerosol particles comprise an aromatic fragrance.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selecting the first electrical potential; and

locating the application of the first electrical potential, wherein generally-consistent electric field pumping is effected between the location of the first electrical potential and the EHD comminution site.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

selecting the second electrical potential; and

locating the application of the second electrical potential, wherein the spray is enhanced without creating backspray.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second electrical potential is ground.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a liquid source of volume, V; and

dispensing the volume V as a spray at a generally-consistent flowrate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first potential is between 3 and 10 kV.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the liquid comprises material chosen from the group consisting of fragrance;

antimicrobial agents;

insect repellants;

attractants;

sterilizers;

confusants;

pheromones;

fumigants;

odor neutralizers;

therapeutic agents;

animal mood control agents;

household cleaning products;

household laundry care products;

personal cosmetic care products for body cleaning, body lotion, and sunscreen products for humans; and

consumer adhesives.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the generally-consistent flowrate has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a liquid source of volume V;

applying the first electrical potential intermittently; and

dispensing the volume V intermittently as an intermittent spray at a generally-consistent flowrate over time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the step of intermittently spraying includes the step of dispensing the volume V in intermittent sprays of substantially equivalent volume.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the total flowrate difference between intermittent sprays has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the total flowrate over time has a C_v of less than 20 percent.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

varying the voltage of the first electrical potential.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the location of the application of the first electrical potential relative to the EHD comminution site.

17. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a perceived level of fragrance for at least 30 days.