Actuators for electrostatically charged aerosol spray systems
AssigneeS. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsIon I. Inculet, David A. Tomkins, Mark E. Wefler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator for electrically charging an aerosol spray has an inductor located adjacent to the spray nozzle to induce a charge on the atomized fluid. Charge to the inductor is provided by a piezoelectric crystal which is stressed by movement of an operating member to open the spray valve. Inductor charging utilizes negligible electrical power so that additional power sources are not required. The crystal may be stressed continuously such as by squeezing, or intermittently, such as by striking. When an intermittent stressing is utilized, the electrical circuit includes a switch between the crystal and inductor which is opened as the valve is opened to isolate electrically the inductor during spraying.
Claims36
An actuator for use with a spray device having a container and a valve including a nozzle to dispense the contents of said container as an atomized spray, said actuator comprising a piezoelectric crystal assembly having a piezoelectric crystal and a force transmitting member to engage said crystal and induce stress therein, an inductor electrically connectable to said piezoelectric crystal assembly by an electrical circuit and adapted to be located adjacent to said nozzle during egress of said contents, and an operating member movable from a first position in which said valve is closed to a second position to engage and open said valve, said operating member being connected to said piezoelectric crystal assembly to induce a stress in said crystal upon movement of said operating member from said first to said second position and thereby transfer an electrical charge through said circuit to said inductor, whereby fluid dispensed by said nozzle passes through an electric field established by said inductor and has an electrical charge induced thereon.
An actuator for use with a spray device having a container and a valve including a nozzle to dispense the contents of said container as an atomized spray, said actuator comprising a piezoelectric crystal assembly having a piezoelectric crystal and a force transmitting member to engage said crystal and induce stress therein, an inductor electrically connectable to said piezoelectric crystal assembly by an electrical circuit and adapted to be located adjacent to said nozzle during egress of said contents, and an operating member movable from a first position in which said valve is closed to a second position to engage and open said valve, said operating member being connected to said piezoelectric crystal assembly to cause an intermittent stressing of said crystal upon movement of said operating member from said first to said second position and thereby transfer an electrical charge through said circuit to said inductor, said electrical circuit including a circuit element interposed between said crystal and said inductor to inhibit transfer of charge from said inductor to said crystal assembly, whereby fluid dispensed by said nozzle passes through an electric field established by said inductor and has an electrical charge induced thereon.
An actuator for use with a spray device having a container and a valve including a nozzle to dispense the contents of said container as an atomized spray, said actuator comprising a piezoelectric crystal assembly having a piezoelectric crystal and a force transmitting member to engage said crystal and induce stress therein, an inductor electrically connectable to said piezoelectric crystal assembly by an electrical circuit and adapted to be located adjacent to said nozzle during egress of said contents, and an operating member movable from a first position in which said valve is closed to a second position to engage and open said valve, said operating member being connected to said piezoelectric crystal assembly to induce a stress in said crystal upon movement of said operating member from said first to said second position and thereby transfer an electrical charge through said circuit to said inductor, whereby fluid dispensed by said nozzle passes through an electric field established by said inductor and has an electrical charge induced thereon, operating member including a manually operated button that is removably mounted in said actuator and said piezoelectric crystal assembly and said electrical circuit being located on said button for removal therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.