초록 ▼

A volatile liquid droplet dispenser for containing a liquid to be dispensed, with a first substrate having a space for containing the liquid, and having an outlet with at least one outlet nozzle, the first substrate further having the space adjacent to the liquid outlet, to receive the liquid such t

A volatile liquid droplet dispenser for containing a liquid to be dispensed, with a first substrate having a space for containing the liquid, and having an outlet with at least one outlet nozzle, the first substrate further having the space adjacent to the liquid outlet, to receive the liquid such that the liquid may exit through at least one outlet nozzle of the outlet, a second substrate having a liquid inlet, and an actuating membrane arranged to actuate liquid in the space. The first substrate also has a fluidic channel interconnected to the space and arranged to laterally connect the liquid inlet to the space, thereby conveying the liquid to the space by way of lateral capillary action. The outlet is eccentric to the liquid inlet and in a vertical plane that is substantially the same or lower than the plane of the liquid inlet, depending on the liquid used.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device for containing a liquid substance to be dispensed, wherein the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a space for containing a liquid substance, the first substrate having a liquid outlet formed therein, wherein

1. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device for containing a liquid substance to be dispensed, wherein the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a space for containing a liquid substance, the first substrate having a liquid outlet formed therein, wherein the liquid outlet comprises at least one outlet nozzle arranged to eject liquid substance therethrough, wherein the space is in fluid connection with the liquid outlet, wherein during normal operation the liquid substance exits the space by traversing the at least one outlet nozzle of the liquid outlet, wherein the liquid outlet comprises a substrate having one or more perforated portions and one or more additional portions having a greater thickness than the perforated portions;(b) a second substrate having a liquid inlet disposed to allow liquid substance to enter the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device; and(c) an actuating membrane arranged to generate and transmit vibrations to directly actuate liquid substance in the space to cause a pressure increase within the liquid substance so that the liquid substance undergoes a vibration and in response contacts the liquid outlet and exits the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the first substrate further comprises a fluidic channel interconnected to the space and arranged to laterally connect the liquid inlet to the space thereby conveying the liquid substance to the space by way of lateral capillary action; wherein the liquid outlet is arranged eccentric to the liquid inlet, wherein said first substrate has a recess in a first main surface, and wherein the recess constitutes a space arranged to contain the liquid substance, and wherein said fluidic channel contains a plurality of micro-channels arranged in the first main surface of said first substrate. 2. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) a first reservoir disposed to contain liquid substance. 3. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 2, wherein said first reservoir is an external reservoir, and wherein said first substrate or said second substrate operatively connected to receive said external reservoir. 4. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 2, wherein said first reservoir is an internal reservoir integrated into the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device. 5. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 4, wherein said first substrate has a recess in the first main surface, wherein the recess constitutes a space arranged to contain the liquid substance, and wherein said space is arranged to contain said internal reservoir. 6. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device for containing a liquid substance to be dispensed, wherein the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a space for containing a liquid substance, the first substrate having a liquid outlet formed therein, wherein the liquid outlet comprises at least one outlet nozzle arranged to eject liquid substance therethrough, wherein the space is in fluid connection with the liquid outlet, wherein during normal operation the liquid substance exits the space by traversing the at least one outlet nozzle of the liquid outlet, wherein the liquid outlet comprises a substrate having one or more perforated portions and one or more additional portions having a greater thickness than the perforated portions;(b) a second substrate having a liquid inlet disposed to allow liquid substance to enter the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device; and(c) an actuating membrane arranged to generate and transmit vibrations to directly actuate liquid substance in the space to cause a pressure increase within the liquid substance so that the liquid substance undergoes a vibration and in response contacts the liquid outlet and exits the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the first substrate further comprises a fluidic channel interconnected to the space and arranged to laterally connect the liquid inlet to the space thereby conveying the liquid substance to the space by way of lateral capillary action; wherein the liquid outlet is arranged eccentric to the liquid inlet, wherein said first substrate has a recess in a first main surface, and wherein the recess constitutes a space arranged to contain the liquid substance, and wherein said first substrate further has a through hole traversing said recess and an other main surface of said first substrate, and wherein said liquid outlet is arranged in the through hole so as to delimit said recess in said first main surface thus closing the through hole. 7. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating membrane is arranged in between the first substrate and the second substrate and delimits said space. 8. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) a programmable microcontroller that controls said actuating membrane by varying an operating frequency, and by varying a supply voltage, wherein the operating frequency range and the supply voltage are chosen to correspond to a range of viscosities and a particular droplet size. 9. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel comprises a wick. 10. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel is formed in a metal plate. 11. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel also comprises a buffer reservoir. 12. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid inlet comprises a wick. 13. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 3, wherein said liquid inlet is a tube arranged to extend into the external reservoir. 14. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating membrane is formed of a first part and a second part that are arranged in a slideable arrangement with respect to each other. 15. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 3, wherein said external reservoir comprises a collapsible bag linked to said liquid inlet. 16. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) a vent disposed to vent air bubbles contained in the liquid substance from the volatile liquid droplet dispenser device. 17. A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device according to claim 8, further comprising: (e) a vent, andwherein said programmable microcontroller is further arranged to actuate said actuating membrane in a bubble-eliminating mode for driving any air bubbles contained in the liquid substance towards the vent by applying bursts at a frequency of a few to several times higher than the normal operating frequency and with a duration from under 1 second to several seconds. 18. An apparatus comprising a volatile droplet dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum-cleaner, a floor cleaner, robotics to clean a room, an aromatherapy apparatus, a respiratory therapy apparatus, an air-freshener, a fragrancer, an air purifier, an air conditioner, an insecticide dispensing apparatus, an ironing machine, a white goods appliance and an individual communication apparatus.