Controlled release of substances

• US 6,923,383 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Original Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Inventors: Winkle, Joseph Raymond, Kassebaum, James Web, Wold, Truman C., Joshi, Ashok V., Snyder, Daniel Earl, Hartvigsen, Joseph J., McEvoy, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dinh Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/645,673
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 239 34- 60, 239302-379
• US Class Current: 239/302
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2072 combined with a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/02 using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/048 air treating gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/145 air-liquid contact processes, e.g. scrubbing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a fluid. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a fluid contained within the interior region, and the ability to controllably release the fluid from the housing.

Claims

1. A device for delivering a fluid comprising:

a housing having an interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region comprises an interior pressure;

a quantity of fluid within the interior of housing; and

means associated with the opening for controlling flow of the quantity of fluid through the opening,

wherein the housing comprises means for absorbing radiative heat to, in turn, increase the temperature of the quantity of fluid, and the interior pressure, and deliver at least a portion of the quantity of fluid from the housing, and

further includes means for cyclically varying the pressure differential between the interior region of the housing and the immediate surroundings of the housing.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the device further includes a check valve, to, in turn, prevent inadvertent flow of fluid when the interior pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the flow control means further comprises a porous plug.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flow control means further comprises a tunnel of predetermined length and cross-sectional area, so as to permit a certain level of maximum flow therethrough.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the opening includes:

a restrictor plug having an outer surface;

a receptacle having an inner surface; and

a groove disposed on one of the inner and outer surfaces,

wherein the tunnel is defined by the cooperation of the groove and the outer surface upon positioning of the restrictor plug and the receptacle into operative engagement.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an emanator associated with the opening of the housing.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the emanator is positioned at a predetermined distance from the opening of the housing.

8. The device according to claim 6 wherein the emanator comprises a porous material.

9. The device according to claim 6 wherein the emanator comprises a substantially non-porous material.

10. The device according to claim 6 wherein the emanator further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

11. The device according to claim 6 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a ventilation fan associated with the emanator.

12. The device according to claim 6 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a heating element associated with at least one of the emanator or the housing.

13. The device according to claim 1 further including means for providing a bolus to, in turn, temporarily increase the quantity of fluid delivered from the device.

14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the bolus providing means comprises means for increasing the pressure within the housing, to, in turn, increase flow through the opening.

15. The device according to claim 13 wherein the bolus providing means further comprises:

a second opening associated with the housing; and

means for delivering the fluid within the housing through the opening.

16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the delivering means comprises a spray pump.

17. The device according to claim 15 wherein the delivering means comprises an atomizer.

18. The device according to claim 13 wherein the bolus providing means further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

19. The device according to claim 18 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a heating element.

20. The device according to claim 18 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a ventilation fan.

21. A device for delivering a fluid comprising:

a housing having an interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region comprises an interior pressure;

a quantity of fluid within the interior of housing; and

means associated with the opening for controlling flow of the quantity of fluid through the opening,

the flow control means further comprising a tunnel of predetermined length and cross-sectional area, so as to permit a certain level of maximum flow therethrough,

the opening including;

a restrictor plug having an outer surface;

a receptacle having an inner surface; and

a groove disposed on one of the inner and outer surfaces,

such that the tunnel is defined by the cooperation of the groove and the outer surface upon positioning of the restrictor plug and the receptacle into operative engagement;

wherein the housing comprises means for absorbing radiative heat to, in turn, increase the temperature of the quantity of fluid, and the interior pressure, and deliver at least a portion of the quantity of fluid from the housing.

22. The device according to claim 21 wherein the pressure differential causing means further includes means for cyclically varying the pressure differential between the interior of the housing and the immediate surroundings of the housing.

23. The device according to claim 22 wherein the bolus providing means further comprises:

a second opening associated with the housing; and

means for delivering the fluid within the housing through the opening.

24. The device according to claim 23 wherein the delivering means comprises a spray pump.

25. The device according to claim 23 wherein the delivering means comprises an atomizer.

26. The device according to claim 22 wherein the bolus providing means further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

27. The device according to claim 26 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a heating element.

28. The device according to claim 26 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a ventilation fan.

29. The device according to claim 21 wherein the device further includes a check valve to, in turn, prevent inadvertent flow of fluid when the interior pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

30. The device according to claim 21 wherein the flow control means further comprises a porous plug.

31. The device according to claim 21, further comprising an emanator associated with the opening of the housing.

32. The device according to claim 31 wherein the emanator is positioned at a predetermined distance from the opening of the housing.

33. The device according to claim 31 wherein the emanator comprises a porous material.

34. The device according to claim 31 wherein the emanator comprises a substantially non-porous material.

35. The device according to claim 31 wherein the emanator further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

36. The device according to claim 35 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a ventilation fan associated with the emanator.

37. The device according to claim 35 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a heating element associated with at least one of the emanator or the housing.

38. The device according to claim 21 further including means for providing a bolus to, in turn, temporarily increase the quantity of fluid delivered from the device.

39. The device according to claim 38 wherein the bolus providing means comprises means for increasing the pressure within the housing, to, in turn, increase flow through the opening.

40. A device for delivering a fluid comprising:

a housing having an interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region comprises an interior pressure;

a quantity of fluid within the interior of housing; and

means associated with the opening for controlling flow of the quantity of fluid through the opening,

wherein the housing comprises means for absorbing radiative heat to, in turn, increase the temperature of the quantity of fluid, and the interior pressure, and deliver at least a portion of the quantity of fluid from the housing, and

further comprising an emanator associated with the opening of the housing.

41. The device according to claim 40 wherein the emanator is positioned at a predetermined distance from the opening of the housing.

42. The device according to claim 40 wherein the emanator comprises a porous material.

43. The device according to claim 40 wherein the emanator comprises a substantially non-porous material.

44. The device according to claim 40 wherein the emanator further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

45. The device according to claim 40 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a ventilation fan associated with the emanator.

46. The device according to claim 40 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a heating element associated with at least one of the emanator or the housing.

47. The device according to claim 40 wherein the pressure differential causing means further includes means for cyclically varying the pressure differential between the interior of the housing and the immediate surroundings of the housing.

48. The device according to claim 40 wherein the device further includes a check valve to, in turn, prevent inadvertent flow of fluid when the interior pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

49. The device according to claim 40 wherein the flow control means further comprises a porous plug.

50. The device according to claim 40 wherein the flow control means further comprises a tunnel of predetermined length and cross-sectional area, so as to permit a certain level of maximum flow therethrough.

51. The device according to claim 50 wherein the opening includes:

a restrictor plug having an outer surface;

a receptacle having an inner surface; and

a groove disposed on one of the inner and outer surfaces,

wherein the tunnel is defined by the cooperation of the groove and the outer surface upon positioning of the restrictor plug and the receptacle into operative engagement.

52. The device according to claim 40 further including means for providing a bolus to, in turn, temporarily increase the quantity of fluid delivered from the device.

53. The device according to claim 52 wherein the bolus providing means comprises means for increasing the pressure within the housing, to, in turn, increase flow through the opening.

54. The device according to claim 53 wherein the bolus providing means further comprises:

a second opening associated with the housing; and

means for delivering the fluid within the housing through the opening.

55. The device according to claim 54 wherein the delivering means comprises a spray pump.

56. The device according to claim 55 wherein the delivering means comprises an atomizer.

57. The device according to claim 53 wherein the bolus providing means further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

58. The device according to claim 57 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a heating element.

59. The device according to claim 58 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a ventilation fan.

60. A device for delivering a fluid comprising:

a housing having an interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region comprises an interior pressure;

a quantity of fluid within the interior of housing; and

means associated with the opening for controlling flow of the quantity of fluid through the opening,

wherein the housing comprises means for absorbing radiative heat to, in turn, increase the temperature of the quantity of fluid, and the interior pressure, and deliver at least a portion of the quantity of fluid from the housing, and

further including means for providing a bolus, to, in turn, temporarily increase the quantity of fluid delivered from the device.

61. The device according to claim 60 wherein the bolus providing means comprises means for increasing the pressure within the housing, to, in turn, increase flow through the opening.

62. The device according to claim 60 wherein the bolus providing means further comprises:

a second opening associated with the housing; and

means for delivering the fluid within the housing through the opening.

63. The device according to claim 62 wherein the delivering means comprises a spray pump.

64. The device according to claim 62 wherein the delivering means comprises an atomizer.

65. The device according to claim 60 wherein the bolus providing means further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

66. The device according to claim 65 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a heating element.

67. The device according to claim 60 wherein the volatilization enhancing means comprises a ventilation fan.

68. The device according to claim 60 wherein the pressure differential causing means further includes means for cyclically varying the pressure differential between the interior of the housing and the immediate surroundings of the housing.

69. The device according to claim 60 wherein the device further includes a check valve, to, in turn, prevent inadvertent flow of fluid when the interior pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

70. The device according to claim 60 wherein the flow control means further comprises a porous plug.

71. The device according to claim 60 wherein the flow control means further comprises a tunnel of predetermined length and cross-sectional area, so as to permit a certain level of maximum flow therethrough.

72. The device according to claim 71 wherein the opening includes:

a restrictor plug having an outer surface;

a receptacle having an inner surface; and

a groove disposed on one of the inner and outer surfaces,

wherein the tunnel is defined by the cooperation of the groove and the outer surface upon positioning of the restrictor plug and the receptacle into operative engagement.

73. The device according to claim 60 further comprising an emanator associated with the opening of the housing.

74. The device according to claim 73 wherein the emanator is positioned at a predetermined distance from the opening of the housing.

75. The device according to claim 74 wherein the emanator comprises a porous material.

76. The device according to claim 74 wherein the emanator comprises a substantially non-porous material.

77. The device according to claim 74 wherein the emanator further includes means for enhancing the volatilization of the fluid.

78. The device according to claim 77 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a ventilation fan associated with the emanator.

79. The device according to claim 78 wherein the volatilization enhancing means further comprises a heating element associated with at least one of the emanator or the housing.