Abstract: A nebulizer comprising a main body, an atomizer, and a vibrating element. The atomizer comprises a substrate, a main recipient supported by the substrate for containing liquid and having surfaces delimiting the liquid reservoir, and a dosing reservoir arranged on the main recipient so as to delimit a predetermined amount of liquid to be expelled. The dosing reservoir comprises a hollow section defining the predetermined amount of liquid, a solid section, a central section, an orifice membrane plate, and a fluidic channel arranged in-between a bottom surface of the solid section and the flat top surface of the main reservoir so as to create a capillary communication between the hollow section and the orifice membrane plate.

Abstract: A nozzle body (1) for a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the nozzle body is arranged to receive a liquid substance from the liquid droplet spray device, wherein the nozzle body includes: (a) a substrate (2), and (b) a plurality of traversing output nozzles (4, 24, 34) formed in the substrate (2, 22, 32) for ejecting liquid as a low pressure mono-dispersive droplet spray, wherein each traversing output nozzle is arranged to receive the liquid such that the liquid may be expelled from the nozzle body by traversing the output nozzles, wherein the output nozzles (4, 24, 34) have straight and parallel side-walls that have a near vertical profile. The output nozzles are arranged in the substrate such that the density of the output nozzles increases from the center towards the edges of the substrate.

Abstract: A watertight fragrance dispensing device for ejecting fragrance as a spray of droplets, the device including: a spray head for ejecting fragrance from the device; a liquid reservoir arranged to provide the fragrance to the spray head, wherein the reservoir includes a primary reservoir (31), a secondary reservoir (34), and a capillary liquid feed (33) connecting the liquid reservoir to the spray head, wherein the device further includes a bottom housing; and electronic control means arranged in the bottom housing for controlling the dispensing of fragrance from the device, wherein the secondary reservoir is disposed in the primary reservoir and is in direct contact with the capillary liquid feed, wherein the secondary reservoir is smaller than the primary reservoir and contains a unit dose of fragrance to be ejected from the device.

Abstract: A refillable liquid cartridge system includes: a docking cap (2) for controlling liquid flow from a main container (3) to a refillable cartridge (1), a refillable cartridge (1) for use as a portable spray device and mounted on the docking cap (2), a main container (3) for providing liquid contained therein to the refillable cartridge and mounted on the docking cap (2), and a power supply (26) for powering the docking cap (2). The docking cap (2) may include: a micro-pump system (23), and a system controller (25) operable to control the micro-pump. The micro-pump system (23) is operable to pump liquid from the main container (3) to the refillable cartridge (1) and to detect an empty state of the main container (3) and a full state of the refillable cartridge (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing device (1) comprising a container (2) suitable for holding the fluid, such as a perfume, a decorative body (5) located inside the container (2) and destined to be located in the fluid, wherein the decorative body (5) includes light emitting means (13), and activation means (14) for activating the light emitting means (13). The fluid dispensing device further includes a passive label (23) arranged externally to the container (2) and adapted to cooperate with an LCR circuit (22) to control activation of the light emitting means (13).

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 center 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: 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 watertight fragrance dispensing device for ejecting fragrance as a spray of droplets, the device including: a spray head for ejecting fragrance from the device; a liquid reservoir arranged to provide the fragrance to the spray head, wherein the reservoir includes a primary reservoir (31), a secondary reservoir (34), and a capillary liquid feed (33) connecting the liquid reservoir to the spray head, wherein the device further includes a bottom housing; and electronic control means arranged in the bottom housing for controlling the dispensing of fragrance from the device, wherein the secondary reservoir is disposed in the primary reservoir and is in direct contact with the capillary liquid feed, wherein the secondary reservoir is smaller than the primary reservoir and contains a unit dose of fragrance to be ejected from the device.

Abstract: A nozzle body (1) for a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the nozzle body is arranged to receive a liquid substance from the liquid droplet spray device, wherein the nozzle body includes: (a) a substrate (2), and (b) a plurality of traversing output nozzles (4, 24, 34) formed in the substrate (2, 22, 32) for ejecting liquid as a low pressure mono-dispersive droplet spray, wherein each traversing output nozzle is arranged to receive the liquid such that the liquid may be expelled from the nozzle body by traversing the output nozzles, wherein the output nozzles (4, 24, 34) have straight and parallel side-walls that have a near vertical profile. The output nozzles are arranged in the substrate such that the density of the output nozzles increases from the center towards the edges of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, Its housing consists of a at least a first substrate (15), a space (12) within the housing for containing the supplied liquid substance, an outlet means arranged in the first substrate (15) and comprising at least one outlet nozzle (19) and at least one output channel (20), said output channel (20) having straight side-walls, and a vibrating element (18) for vibrating the liquid so as to eject it. According to the present invention, each output channel (20) has a stepped shape having a lower portion (20a) and an upper portion (20b), the lower portion being arranged adjacent the space (12) and being of larger diameter than the upper portion (20b). The outlet nozzle (19) of each output channel is straight and does not show notching effects.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a liquid droplet spray system for atomizing 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: A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, a fluid interface for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, an ultrasound generating mechanism for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and an electronic control device for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating mechanism.

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: 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: A nebulizer comprising a main body, an atomiser, and a vibrating element. The atomiser comprises a substrate, a main recipient supported by the substrate for containing liquid and having surfaces delimiting the liquid reservoir, and a dosing reservoir arranged on the main recipient so as to delimit a predetermined amount of liquid to be expelled. The dosing reservoir comprises a hollow section defining the predetermined amount of liquid, a solid section, a central section, an orifice membrane plate, and a fluidic channel arranged in-between a bottom surface of the solid section and the flat top surface of the main reservoir so as to create a capillary communication between the hollow section and the orifice membrane plate.

Abstract: The present self-sensing dispensing device includes: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control the actuator, liquid supply means connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to the liquid dispensing element, valving means allowing or blocking liquid to flow from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element, wherein the actuator operates to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing the actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the valving means and the actuator based on the reception of the command signal.

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: Volatile liquid droplet dispenser device, comprising: a first substrate having a space for containing liquid, and liquid outlet means for ejecting liquid from the device, the space arranged proximate to the liquid outlet means so liquid may exit the space by traversing the liquid outlet means, a second substrate comprising a support for receiving and holding the first substrate, and a vibrating element arranged to actuate liquid in the space so liquid undergoes vibration and contacts the liquid outlet means thereby exiting the device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the liquid outlet means comprises a perforated nozzle membrane having a plurality of outlet nozzles, and an actuating element arranged between the vibrating element and the first substrate, and a sealing element arranged between the actuating element and the first substrate, wherein the actuating element and the sealing element are arranged to transmit ultrasound energy to liquid in the space.

Abstract: A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, fluid interface means for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, ultrasound generating means for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and electronic control means for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating means.