Patent · US Expired

Liquid dispensing apparatus having a vibrating perforate membrane

US5261601A · kind A · utility

178Cited by
19References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 1992
Grant dateNov 16, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S261/48
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Dispensing apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber receiving liquid to be dispensed and comprising a perforate membrane which defines a front wall of the chamber. A vibrating means is connected to the housing and is operable to vibrate the perforate membrane to dispense droplets of liquid through holes in the perforate membrane. The membrane defines an array of holes each of which is flared such that the cross-section narrows in a direction from the rear surface of the membrane in contact with the liquid towards the front surface of the membrane. The apparatus is suitable for dispensing pharmaceutical products as an atomized mist and provides a hand-held inhaler for oral inhalation.

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