Abstract: Adaptive piezoelectric actuator control system, including: a power supply, a piezoelectric actuator, a driver driving the actuator, a signal generator providing a frequency signal to the driver, a user interface allowing user input of operating conditions, memory storing parameters of the actuator, and system control means controlling the power supply, driver generator and memory so operating frequency of the actuator is monitored and regulated, wherein the driver comprises test means providing a test signal to the actuator, voltage measurement means measuring voltage applied to the actuator caused by the test signal and voltage applied to the actuator caused by the frequency signal, the system control means receiving a response signal in response to the test, and receiving voltages measured by the voltage measurement means, and comprising signal analysis means creating a response signal envelope and controlling the generator to generate a frequency signal corresponding to the envelope maximum.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a liquid droplet spray system for atomising a liquid substance, comprising: a support having a central aperture (27), a liquid droplet spray device in which a space is provided, the space being arranged to receive the liquid substance, and including a nozzle body (28) covering the space such that the liquid substance may exit the space of the device by traversing the nozzle body (28) and the system by traversing the central aperture (27) of the support, a reservoir (33) for containing the liquid substance.

Abstract: This wicking apparatus includes a liquid reservoir, a wick holder, and a wick. The wick holder has a top part for fitting on the reservoir neck and a bottom part for insertion into the reservoir opening, the top part being plate-formed with a central opening, and with two peripheral projections that are spaced apart and that extend downward from the plate towards the reservoir body, projections for contacting inner and outer walls of the reservoir neck, and a second projection for contacting an outer wall of the reservoir neck, the bottom part having wick supporting arms that extend downwards and have flexible end portions projecting inwardly towards the centre of the reservoir opening. The wick is step-shaped with a larger diameter part, and a smaller diameter part; the interface between them defines a shoulder which is supported and held in place by the flexible end portions of the supporting arms.

Abstract: A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device includes: a first substrate (1) having a space (2c) for containing a liquid substance, and having liquid outlet means (2a) for ejecting the liquid substance; a second substrate (3) having a liquid inlet means (3i) for allowing the liquid substance to enter said device; an actuating element (2b, 8, 10) arranged to actuate the liquid substance so as to exit the device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the liquid outlet means (2a) of the first substrate comprises a perforated nozzle membrane (2a) having a plurality of outlet nozzles, and wherein the first substrate (1) contains at least one fluidic capillary priming channel (1a, 1b, 1c) arranged to receive liquid substance from the space (2c) so as to fill the channel such that the liquid substance is in close proximity to the outlet nozzles for priming the liquid substance for ejection through the nozzle membrane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle body for a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a high viscous liquid substance such as perfume. A first and second substrate enclose a space for containing the liquid substance. Outlet means are arranged in the second substrate and have at least one outlet nozzle and at least one output channel, said output channel having straight side walls. Each output channel has a stepped shape having a wider portion and a thinner portion, the wider portion being arranged adjacent the space. The thinner portion contains a protrusion section protruding beyond the top surface of the second substrate such that the exterior side wall of the protrusion section is at a substantially straight angle with respect to the top surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a Liquid droplet plug & spray system for atomising a liquid substance and comprising a liquid droplet spray device including a housing in which a space is provided for receiving a liquid substance, a reservoir for containing said liquid substance, a fluidic interface for connecting said reservoir to said space in said housing thereby conveying liquid substance contained in said reservoir to said space by way of capillary action, a valve arranged between said reservoir and said fluidic channel for controlling access of said liquid substance from said reservoir to said fluid channel, an electromechanical actuation means for actuating the liquid substance in said space such that the liquid substance undergoes a vibration and is expelled as a liquid droplet spray, and electronic control means for controlling said electromechanical actuation means, wherein said liquid droplet spray system consists of two parts, a first, disposable part in which said reservoir and said valve are arranged,

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle body (1) for a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a high viscous liquid substance such as perfume. A first and second substrate enclose a space for containing the liquid substance. Outlet means are arranged in the second substrate (4) and comprise at least one outlet nozzle (19) and at least one output channel (20), said output channel (20) having straight side-walls.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, comprising a housing comprising a first substrate, a second substrate superposed on the first substrate and a space enclosed by said first and second substrates for containing the liquid substance. An outlet means is arranged in at least one of said first or second substrates and comprises at least one outlet nozzle (19) and at least one output channel (20) connecting the space (12) to each outlet nozzle (19). A vibrating element (18) is disposed to vibrate liquid in said space (12) so as to eject said liquid substance as a spray through said outlet nozzles (19).

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, comprising a housing comprising a first substrate, a second substrate superposed on the first substrate and a space enclosed by said first and second substrates for containing the liquid substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, comprising: a base unit having a recess for engaging at least one cartridge; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; an active portion of a nebulizer that includes a piezoelectric element connected to be driven by a driving and switching circuit connected to the power supply, wherein the active portion is incorporated with the base unit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the recess of the base unit, wherein the cartridge comprises a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, a passive portion of the nebulizer, wherein the passive portion includes an interface; a casing enclosing the first and second bags, and housing the passive portion; wherein when the dispensing cartridge engages the recess of the base unit, the passive portion is connected to the active portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomizing a liquid substance, comprising a housing comprising a first substrate, a second substrate superposed on the first substrate and a space enclosed by said first and second substrates for containing the liquid substance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, comprising a housing comprising a first substrate, a second substrate superposed on the first substrate and a space enclosed by said first and second substrates for containing the liquid substance. An outlet means is arranged in at least one of said first or second substrates and comprises at least one outlet nozzle (19) and at least one output channel (20) connecting the space (12) to each outlet nozzle (19). A vibrating element (18) is disposed to vibrate liquid in said space (12) so as to eject said liquid substance as a spray through said outlet nozzles (19).

Abstract: The liquid droplet spray device (1) comprises a housing formed of a superposition of a first and a second substrate (5, 6) and a space (2) within the housing for containing a liquid substance (3), vibrating means (8) for applying a frequency vibration to the substance (3) thereby generating the liquid droplet spray, and outlet means (7, 9, 10) for ejecting the liquid droplet spray. The outlet means comprise a cavity (7), output nozzles (9) and output channels (10) connecting the cavity (7) to the outlet nozzles (9). According to the invention, the vibrating means (8) creates a standing wave pattern within the liquid substance (3), and the outlet means are arranged such that said outlet nozzles (9) are superposed on the vibration mode peaks of the standing wave pattern. Advantageously, the first and second substrates have similar geometrical shapes. Minimal retention and optimal flow of the substance are obtained.

Abstract: The liquid droplet spray device (5) has a micromachined substrate (8, 18, 18a; 8a, 18, 18a), a space (9) within the substrate for containing a liquid substance (4), an inlet channel for supplying (7) the liquid (4) to the space (9), and outlet structure (13, 14, 15) for ejecting the liquid as a mono-dispersive droplet spray when the liquid undergoes a vibration. The outlet structure comprises a cut-off pyramid-shaped tapered cavity (13) which is micromachined in the space (9). The outlet structure further comprises at least one output (14) and output channel (15) connecting the tapered cavity (13) to the outlet (14), the outlet (14) and the output channel (15) having a non-tapered vertical shape. Thanks to such a device, the exact amount ejected may be determined accurately which allows for a predicted lung deposition of the droplets by using appropriate control means adapted to the kind of patient.