# US 5,346,132 A · Mist generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,132 A - Document ID: US5346132A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/974,801 - Filed: 1992-11-12 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1992-11-12 - Assignees: Gary S. Hahn - Inventors: Gary S. Hahn; David R. Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346132A ## CPC - B05B 11/1008: {by adjusting or modifying the pump end-of-dispensing-stroke position} - A61F 9/0008: {Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein (putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00)} - B05B 3/082: {the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces} - B05B 7/2472: {comprising several containers} - B05B 11/0038: {Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing} - B05B 11/0041: {compensating underpressure without contact of the fluid remaining in the container with the atmospheric air (B05B11/026 and B05B11/028 take precedence)} - B05B 11/0064: {Lift valves (B05B11/007 takes precedence)} - B05B 11/007: {being opened by deformation of a sealing element made of resiliently deformable material, e.g. flaps, skirts, duck-bill valves} - B05B 11/1028: {Pumps having a pumping chamber with a deformable wall (B05B11/1087 take precedence)} - B05B 11/1067: {actuated by pressure} - B05B 3/1021: {with individual passages at its periphery} - B05B 11/0054: {Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer (attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043)} - B05B 11/026: {Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A device for generating a spray of mist or fine droplets includes a spinning rotor within a mist chamber. The rotor has inner walls which taper conically outwardly from the open bottom of the rotor to a hole near the top of the rotor. Liquid is pumped by a finger actuated pump from a cartridge module into a bowl surrounding the bottom end of the rotor. A spray is created as the liquid is formed into droplets as it passes through the hole in the rotor under centrifugal force. A directional light source is used for aiming the spray. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mist generator comprising: a housing; a mist rotor within the housing and having at least one mist hole, rotatably supported substantially within a mist chamber; means for rotating the mist rotor, supported by the housing; a bowl in the mist chamber for supplying a fluid medium to the mist rotor; and a bowl supply port in the bowl for supplying a mist medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mist generator of claim 1 wherein the mist rotor has a conically tapering inner surface with the at least one mist hole extending through the rotor to the inner surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mist generator of claim 2 further comprising a mist port extending through the housing into the mist chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mist generator of claim 3 further comprising means for aiming the mist port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The mist generator of claim 4 wherein the means for aiming comprises a light beam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising an anti-vortex means in the mist chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mist generator of claim 6 wherein the anti-vortex means comprises a vertical surface adjacent the mist rotor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising shaping means attached to the housing for shaping a mist spray. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mist generator of claim 1 further comprising a pump connected to the bowl supply port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The mist generator of claim 9 further comprising a cartridge module attachable to the housing for holding mist medium. ### Claim 11 A device for generating a spray of fine surface-wetting droplets of a liquid comprising: a nebulizing module including: a nebulizing module housing; a motor within the nebulizing module housing, the motor including a shaft; a rotor mounted on the shaft and supported in a mist chamber; a mist port extending through the nebulizing module housing into the mist chamber; a directional light source within the nebulizing module housing for targeting the spray; a switch means for actuating the motor and directional light source; attachment means on the nebulizing module housing for attaching it to another module; a pump and cartridge composite module attached to the nebulizing module by said attachment means and including: a composite module housing; a cartridge for holding a liquid within the composite module housing; and a finger actuated pump within the composite module housing for pumping the liquid from the cartridge to the mist chamber in the nebulizing module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 further comprising anti-back flow means linked to the pump to prevent back flow into the composite module housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 further comprising a slot on one of the nebulizing module and composite module for accepting a key. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 further comprising a key detection switch adjacent the slot for detecting the presence of a key in the slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 further comprising a control and communication circuit within the nebulizing module and linked to the motor, light source, and switch means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15 further comprising one of an alphanumeric display and a sound transducer linked to the control and communication circuit. ### Claim 17 A device for generating a spray of fine surface-wetting droplets of a liquid comprising: a nebulizing module including: a nebulizing module housing; a motor, within the nebulizing module housing, the motor having a shaft; a rotor mounted on the shaft and supported in a mist chamber; a mist port extending through the nebulizing module housing into the mist chamber; a switch on the device for actuating the motor; a pump module attached to the nebulizing module housing; a cartridge module attached to the pump module, for containing the liquid; and a pump in the pump module for pumping the liquid from the cartridge module into the mist chamber of the nebulizing module.