An apparatus is provided for nebulizing a liquid from a liquid supply through a membrane comprising first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the membrane. The apparatus includes an area for receiving a liquid supply, arranged to deliver a liquid to the first surface o
An apparatus is provided for nebulizing a liquid from a liquid supply through a membrane comprising first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the membrane. The apparatus includes an area for receiving a liquid supply, arranged to deliver a liquid to the first surface of the membrane, a vibrator member, arranged to vibrate the membrane to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the membrane on vibration; and a mechanical coupling mechanism, arranged to provide a removable mechanical clamping force for clamping the membrane to the vibrator member. Various mechanisms for implementing the mechanical coupling are provided, and liquid containers and membranes for use in the device are proposed.
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1. An apparatus for nebulizing a liquid from a liquid supply through a membrane comprising first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface, the apparatus comprising: a liquid supply receiving area for receiving the li
1. An apparatus for nebulizing a liquid from a liquid supply through a membrane comprising first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface, the apparatus comprising: a liquid supply receiving area for receiving the liquid supply;a vibrator member, arranged to vibrate the membrane to eject liquid droplets from the second surface of the membrane on vibration; andmechanical coupling means, arranged to provide a removable mechanical clamping force for clamping the membrane to the vibrator member,wherein the apparatus is arranged for supporting the membrane at an outer lateral region of the membrane and the vibrator member comprises a membrane contact portion arrange to transmit vibration to the membrane at a point laterally inward from the outer lateral region. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator member comprises a vibrator element mounted to a substrate. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical coupling means for clamping is arranged to clamp the membrane directly to the vibrator element. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling means for clamping is arranged to clamp the membrane directly to the vibrator member. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping force for clamping of the mechanical coupling means for clamping is balanced within one or both of the vibrator member and the liquid supply. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reacting force that maintains the membrane in vibratory contact with the vibrator member acts locally to an interface between a mesh and the vibrator member. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator member comprises first and second clamping regions having a void therebetween, for allowing liquid to pass through the membrane in the region of the void. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator member and the mechanical coupling means for clamping are arranged to provide a clamping force substantially parallel to the plane of the membrane. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the clamping force is provided by an interference fit between the membrane and the vibrator member. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the clamping force is provided by a resilient part of the liquid supply, the resilient part comprising a flexible dose container. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the clamping force is provided by at least one flexible clamping member of the substrate. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flexible clamping member comprises a membrane contact part and at least one flexible support for biasing the contact part toward the membrane. 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the clamping force is provided by a flexible contact part of the membrane. 14. A membrane for use with an apparatus according to claim 8, the membrane comprising: the first and second surfaces and the plurality of apertures extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface;the apertures located in a substantially planar section of the membrane; anda clamping section arranged substantially perpendicular to the planar section to receive the mechanical clamping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar section. 15. The membrane according to claim 14, wherein the clamping section is substantially annular, for receiving a substantially radial clamping force from the mechanical coupling means for clamping. 16. The membrane according to claim 14, further comprising a flexible contact part for providing a clamping force between the membrane and the vibrator member. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is supported at the outer lateral region by a membrane support member and the membrane support member is arranged for direct or indirect connection to the vibrator member, to provide the removable mechanical clamping force. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus is arranged to apply tension to the membrane via the membrane contact portion. 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the membrane configured for vibration has a substantially planar substantially circular form and the membrane contact portion is substantially circular. 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is permanently attached to the liquid supply. 21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling means for clamping is arranged to provide a non-magnetic removable mechanical coupling force. 22. A liquid supply for an apparatus comprising a liquid supply receiving area for receiving the liquid supply; a vibrator member, arranged to vibrate a membrane to eject liquid droplets from a second surface of the membrane on vibration; and mechanical coupling means, arranged to provide a removable mechanical clamping force for clamping the membrane to the vibrator member, wherein the apparatus is arranged for supporting the membrane at an outer lateral region of the membrane and the vibrator member comprises a membrane contact portion arrange to transmit vibration to the membrane at a point laterally inward from the outer lateral region, the liquid supply comprising: a container for carrying a dose of liquid;an opening for releasing the liquid from the container;a membrane located at the opening, the membrane comprising first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface for releasing the liquid from the container through the apertures; andapparatus engaging means, for engaging the apparatus to locate the membrane at the membrane contact portion of the apparatus.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Carter Robert E. (Auburndale MA) Murphy Donald R. (Wellesley MA), Aerosol dispenser.
Newcombe Guy Charles Fernley,GBX ; Humberstone Victor Carey,GBX ; Gardner Keith,GBX ; Taylor Peter John,GBX, Apparatus for generating droplets of fluid.
Humberstone Victor C. (Cambridge GBX) Newcombe Guy C. F. (Cambridge GBX) Sant Andrew J. (Cambridge GBX) Palmer Mathew R. (Cambridge GBX), Fluid droplets production apparatus and method.
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