Abstract: A liquid atomizing device for dispensing liquid droplets includes a container for holding a liquid, the container having a porous wick positioned to communicate the liquid from the container, and an orifice plate with apertures, the orifice plate being vibrated by a piezoelectric element to cause liquid communicated from the container to be atomized and dispensed as liquid droplets through the apertures. The device employs a unique placement and design of heaters or fans to promote evaporation and dispersion of the atomized liquid while the liquid is airborne.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling emission of fragrances into a given area such as a room or a region of a yard; and more particularly the creation of a desired atmosphere within the given area. In addition, the invention involves a volatile substance dispensing device (200) having mounted therein a plurality of reservoirs (31) storing a volatile substance, and a plurality of atomizer assemblies (34) for emitting volatile substances communicated thereto by the reservoirs (31). Preferably, a microcontroller (50) controls the emission of the volatile substances in accordance with preferred programs.

Abstract: A volatile dispenser is provided, including a reservoir containing a quantity of volatile liquid having a viscosity of no greater than 3.9 centipoises. Each of its individual components has a vapor pressure of no less than 0.008 mm Hg. The dispenser also includes an emanator fluidly coupled to the reservoir (either directly or through a wick) that is comprised of elongated oriented bonded fibers, the fibers being impermeable to the volatile material.

Abstract: A volatile dispenser is provided, including a reservoir containing a quantity of volatile liquid having a viscosity of no greater than 3.9 centipoises. Each of its individual components has a vapor pressure of no less than 0.008 mm Hg. The dispenser also includes an emanator fluidly coupled to the reservoir (either directly or through a wick) that is comprised of elongated oriented bonded fibers, the fibers being impermeable to the volatile material.

Abstract: A volatile material dispensing system with a dispenser for providing controlled release of a volatile material, the dispenser being attached to a display frame, and having at least one protrusion. Protrusions are disposed on a face of the frame to distance the membrane from a delicate surface. The system prevents and/or hinders concentration of volatile material gases that could harm a delicate surface and resists tipping from a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: An indicator system with a dispenser providing controlled release of a volatile material contained within a dispenser, which indicates the exhaustion of the volatile material. The dispenser includes a blister that contains a vapor permeable membrane that collapses on a bottom wall due to internal vacuum forces created by the evacuation of volatile material. As the membrane collapses the remaining volatile material migrates to the periphery of the dispenser thereby indicating exhaustion of the volatile material.

Abstract: An atomizer 10 atomizes a multi-component liquid from a reservoir 20 into a cloud 14 comprising small droplets 38 which are ejected into the atmosphere to a certain height and allowed to fall toward a surface 12. Essentially complete evaporation is assured by maintaining the size of the droplets, the liquid's component vapor pressures and the height through which the droplets fall according to a predetermined relationship. Also, the suitability of a liquid for evaporation in a vibrating plate atomizer is determined by measuring the rate of size decrease and the surface tension of a pendant drop of the liquid after a predetermined amount of the liquid has evaporated from the drop.

Abstract: A replacement reservoir assembly (30) for an atomizing device (20), which uses a vibratable orifice plate (37) for atomizing liquid, includes a container (31), which contains a liquid to be atomized, and an elongated wick (56) having a lower end which is immersed in the liquid within the container (31) and an upper end located above the container (31). The wick (56) includes a dimensionally stable material having capillary passages for drawing liquid out of the container (31) to the upper end of the wick (56), which is outside the container (31). The upper end of the wick (56) has at least one surface that is configured to provide an unobstructed passage to the atmosphere from a region between a top surface of the wick (56) and a facing surface of the vibratable orifice plate (37) when the replacement reservoir is positioned in the atomizing device (20).

Abstract: A fragrance sampling system for use in a store comprises a piezoelectrically vibrated orifice plate atomizer mounted to extend from a support structure in the store, such as a shelf and operated to emit puffs of very small droplets of the liquid fragrance and eject them upwardly into the atmosphere such that they become fully evaporated before contacting any supporting surface. The atomizer is controlled by electrical circuits which limit the times during which atomization occurs.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated liquid atomizer device which applies alternating voltages from an ordinary wall outlet to a piezoelectric actuator intermittently and at a high rate sufficient to cause an atomization plate which is vibrated by the actuator to form small droplets from liquid which is supplied to the plate. The intermittent application of voltages to the piezoelectric actuator is carried out according to a duty cycle in which the off times are adjustable. An override of the duty cycle is provided so that the piezoelectric actuator operates continuously for intervals which are manually or automatically controlled.

Abstract: A battery operated atomizer device comprising, in a housing (22), a liquid reservoir (30) from which a capillary type liquid delivery system (38) extends to contact a piezoelectric actuator an atomization plate assembly (34), the assembly (34) being supported by means of wire-like elements (36) in cantilever fashion over the liquid delivery system, the liquid delivery system comprising an outer tubular member (52) and a solid rod (56) which have facing surfaces configured to define between them, longitudinal capillary liquid passages.

Abstract: An atomizer 10 atomizes a multi-component liquid from a reservoir 20 into a cloud 14 comprising small droplets 38 which are ejected into the atmosphere to a certain height and allowed to fall toward a surface 12. Essentially complete evaporation is assured by maintaining the size of the droplets, the liquid's component vapor pressures and the height through which the droplets fall according to a predetermined relationship. Also, the suitability of a liquid for evaporation in a vibrating plate atomizer is determined by measuring the rate of size decrease and the surface tension of a pendant drop of the liquid after a predetermined amount of the liquid has evaporated from the drop.

Abstract: A vibratory plate liquid atomization device (10) having a tilted orifice plate (34) which is vibrated by a piezoelectric actuator (36); and a novel replaceable liquid reservoir (40) having a vertically extending, dimensionally stable, liquid delivery system (44) with a non-horizontal upper surface (44a).

Abstract: A liquid atomizer is constructed with a hollow shell-like top cover and a unitary molded main support which snaps into place inside the top cover and divides it into upper and lower regions. The main support includes formations for mounting, on its upper side, a printed circuit board assembly including an electrical oscillator, as well as a piezoelectric actuator and orifice plate pump assembly. The main support also includes formations for removably mounting, on its lower side, a battery and a liquid reservoir. An openable bottom cover closes the bottom of the device and allows access to the battery and to the liquid reservoir for replacement of these elements.

Abstract: There is described, in conjunction with a vibrating orifice plate type atomizing dispenser, a refill reservoir which has a wick mounted in a unitary wickholder to provide precise locating of the wick in relation to the vibrating orifice plate in the dispenser. There are also described a novel reservoir overcap and wickholder construction in which mating tubular surfaces on these elements telescope together to ensure a good liquid seal without interfering with the wick. There is also described a novel camming arrangement which enables the overcap to be removed easily from the reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid is held in a high viscosity solids suspension in a reservoir and is separated from the suspension by a capillary element which transfers the liquid to a vibrating orifice plate from which the liquid is ejected in the form of aerosolized liquid droplets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by means of a battery operated atomizer utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a ceramic piezoelectric element. By use of solder joining to bond the orifice plate to the piezoelectric element, and subsequent repolarization of the piezoelectric element if necessary, superior results are achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by a battery operated dispenser utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a piezoelectric element. By control of the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid to be dispersed, an improved method of dispensing such liquid is achieved.

Abstract: Liquid to be atomized is supplied from a wick to the underside of a vibrating orifice plate which pumps the liquid up through atomizing orifices in the plate and ejects the liquid from is upper side; and liquid which is pumped up through the orifices in an elevated region of the plate, but which has not been ejected, is directed back down through larger openings in a lower region of the plate. The liquid also flows back onto the wick which places the liquid in capillary communication along the underside of the plate with the atomizing orifices for reputing and ejection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by means of a battery operated continuous action dispenser utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a piezoelectric element. By use of a wick having specified properties and high compliance, superior results are achieved.