Aerosol dispensing device and method

• US 8,141,795 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Efield Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Dvorsky, James E., Piatt, Beverly A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorman, Darren W
• Application Number:
  US12/859,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20100314460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 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: 239/326
• 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. An apparatus, comprising:

a reservoir;

a capillary wick positioned to contact a liquid source contained within the reservoir, the capillary wick comprising an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) comminution site;

a first charge source forming a helix surrounding said capillary wick and positioned proximate the EHD comminution site; and

a second charge source positioned external to the EHD comminution site, whereby upon activating the first charge source at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the capillary wick further comprises a substantially non-conducting portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the capillary wick is substantially non-conducting.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the capillary wick EHD comminution site is substantially non-conducting.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first charge source portion is within 0.250 inches of the EHD comminution site.