US4793339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic atomizer and storage bottle and nozzle therefor
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1988-02-04
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2008-02-04
Abstract
Abstract This ultrasonic atomizer includes an oscillating member, a means for vibrating the oscillating member at a supersonic frequency, a bottle for liquid storage, with an opening, fitted generally above the oscillating member with regard to the preferred orientation of the atomizer during use, and a nozzle fitted into the opening of the bottle, this nozzle having a tip portion protruding outside the bottle in the generally downwards direction and approached closely to the oscillating member. The nozzle is formed with a fine groove for leading liquid in the bottle downwards to the tip portion of the nozzle by capillary action and by gravitational action, and with an aperture for introducing air from the outside into the bottle. Thereby liquid in the bottle may be properly supplied to the oscillating member to be atomized in a controlled fashion, and interruption of liquid supply and also dribbling of liquid are positively prevented. Constructions for the nozzle and for the bottle are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Matsumoto
- 👤 Kei Asai
- 👤 Hirohito Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:29
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607; B05B17/0653; B05B17/0676; B05B17/0684; B05B17/0623
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid comprising: an oscillating member; a means for vibrating said oscillating member at an ultrasonic frequency; a bottle, with an opening, for storing the liquid to be atomized, said bottle disposed above said oscillating member when said atomizer is oriented for use; and a nozzle means fitted within said bottle opening for directing fluid downwardly from said bottle toward said oscillating member for atomization, said nozzle means having a tip portion extending from said bottle toward said oscillating member with a very narrow gap therebetween, said nozzle means having a fine liquid conducting groove means for leading liquid from said bottle downwardly to said tip portion by capillary action and gravitational action, and said nozzle means further having an air conducting groove means for introducing air from the outside of said bottle to the inside of said bottle, wherein the liquid to be atomized travels from the bottle, through the nozzle means to the vicinity of the oscillating member for atomization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid comprising: an oscillating member; a means for vibrating said oscillating member at an ultrasonic frequency; a bottle, with an opening, for storing the liquid to be atomized, said bottle disposed above said oscillating member when said atomizer is oriented for use; and a nozzle means fitted within said bottle opening for directing fluid downwardly from said bottle toward said oscillating member for atomization, said nozzle means having a tip portion extending from said bottle toward said oscillating member with a very narrow gap therebetween, said nozzle means having a fine liquid conducting groove means for leading liquid from said bottle downwardly to said tip portion by capillary action and gravitational action, and said nozzle means further having an air conducting groove means for introducing air from the outside of said bottle to the inside of said bottle, wherein the liquid to be atomized travels from the bottle, through the nozzle means to the vicinity of the oscillating member for atomization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein said fine liquid conducting groove means is orientated in the longitudinal direction of said nozzle means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein said air conducting groove means is orientated in the longitudinal direction of said nozzle means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein said nozzle means is further formed with a liquid accumulation groove means substantially orientated in the circumferential direction of said nozzle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 2, further comprising a tube member fitted between said nozzle means and said opening of said bottle, wherein said tube member serves for partly delimiting said fine liquid conducting groove means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 5, wherein said tube member is in the radially compressed state as fitted between said nozzle and said opening of said bottle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising a tube member fitted between said nozzle means and said opening of said bottle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 7, wherein said tube member is elastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 8, wherein said tube member is in the radially compressed state as fitted between said nozzle means and said opening of said bottle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the portion of said bottle remote from said opening thereof is flexible.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein said bottle is flexible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein said bottle is formed with a filling opening proximate to said opening thereof in which said nozzle is fitted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 12, further comprising a plug fitted into said filling opening of said bottle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 13, wherein said plug has a cross section generally resembling the letter "H.".
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 13 wherein said plug and said filling opening are both formed with threaded shapes, and are engaged together by their said threaded shapes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 12, wherein said filling opening of said bottle is formed substantially in a bottom planar portion of said bottle in which is also formed said said opening of said bottle in which said nozzle means is fitted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic atomizer according to claim 12, wherein said filling opening of said bottle is formed substantially in a side planar portion of said bottle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |