Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for producing a spray of droplets of a liquid

US4829996A · kind A · utility

143Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 1987
Grant dateMay 16, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 24, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B5/087
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Apparatus, for example an inhaler, is disclosed in which a spray is formed electrostatically from an outlet 6 to achieve uniform droplet size. The spray is then discharged for its intended use--in the example inhaling. The spray is discharged completely by corona produced by a sharp discharge electrode 16 which is charged to a polarity opposite that of the liquid. In order to prevent the corona from spoiling the formation of the spray itself, the liquid of the outlet 6 is protected by a neutral shield electrode 8. The spray issues through a hole 14 in the shield electrode. The hole is sufficiently small to prevent corona getting through, yet sufficiently large to allow the spray through.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.