Abstract: Extended surface apparatus contained within a vessel for dispensing a liquid and connected to a nozzle assembly fitted to the vessel comprises an array or arrays of spaced apart elements and a communicating device connecting the array or arrays to the nozzle assembly. The elements are adapted to retain a predetermined dose of the liquid using the solid-liquid intermolecular attraction between the liquid and the elements when the elements come into contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A device and method for aerosolizing a liquid in a gas using a pressurized gas by creating the fog or "steam" at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The liquid is drawn into the gas stream using a venturi pipe. The amount of entrained liquid is enhanced by directing the flow of liquid and gas against a deflector. Liquid entrainment is further enhanced by directing the flow past projections causing turbulence in the stream. The device may be operated in either a horizontal postion or vertical position by providing a liquid passage to the perimeter of the liquid reservoir by means of an angled liquid conduit formed between a pair of cone members.

Abstract: Generator for producing aerosols from liquids including an atomizer mounted in a vessel which is provided with an aerosol outlet. The outlet of the vessel is connected to an ejector operated by a gaseous driving agent. The atomizer is assembled from a plurality of vertically spaced rings with annular liquid outlets, a supply of compressed gas is discharged across the outlets causing the liquid to be drawn upwardly through the outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying an active ingredient as an aerosol. A transducer (22) for creating an aerosol includes a propellant inlet (96) and a chamber defined by at least one chamber wall (128) confluent with the propellant inlet. A bluff body (112) is provided for creating at least one vortex (152) in the chamber when the propellant enters the propellant inlet in a supersonic flow condition. An orifice (118, 146) spaced apart from the bluff body and separated therefrom by the chamber wall is provided for creating an exiting vortex (154).

Abstract: A perforated planar member is spaced from the outlet of a vortex generating transducer and a tube is coupled between the outlet of the transducer and the perforated member to completely close the space therebetween. Preferably, the perforated member is a screen composed of non-conductive criss-crossing wires having resonant dimensions as to a component frequency of the sonic waves generated by the transducer. In addition, the screen is also preferably spaced from the outlet of the transducer a resonant distance as to the component frequency. A drag member is spaced from the perforated member. Preferably, the drag member is cylindrical and its axis lies transverse to the plane of the perforated member; the drag member is spaced from the perforated member a resonant distance as to a component frequency of the sonic waves generated by the transducer. Atomization in the described apparatus is enhanced by means of thermal and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: The nebulizing device (44') and apparatus (10) for supplying nebulized liquids or powders for inhalation is provided. The device (44') include a base (108) having a closed bore (50) and an annular passageway (60) extending from the bore to an outlet (62). At least one auxiliary passage (62) is provided which extends through the base from the bore and opens to the passageway. Compressed gas is supplied through a supply hose (52) to the bore. A liquid port (118) extends from a liquid supply to the passageway adjacent the outlet such than when compressed gas is supplied to the bore the gas flows through the passageway and is discharged from the outlet, generating a subatmospheric pressure region to draw the liquid through the port into the passageway, the gas further generating a vortex action to nebulize the liquid. A plurality of screens (88, 92, 100) may be provided in series to further slow and nebulize the liquid. The apparatus includes a container (12).

Abstract: An improved nebulizer for directing an aerosol from a spray orifice toward an outlet pipe against a target comprises a convex target surface substantially enlarged relative to the diameter of the spray orifice and a cylindrical hood coaxially surrounding said target having a single open port coaxial with said spray orifice, the spray orifice including means for forming an inverted aerosol cone all of which first impinges against the target, and whereby substantially all of the aerosol must exit from the cavity through the single open hood port.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and dispensing portions of soap foam or lather is provided with a double-acting compressed air membrane pump for generating compressed air and with a soap solution dosing pump. Both pumps are operated by means of a single lever which need only be pressed in a single direction, the return motion to the initial position being effected by a return spring. The forward actuation of the lever causes soap foam or lather to be formed in a mixing chamber. The return motion of the lever dispenses a dose of soap foam or lather through a dispensing aperture. In order to obtain a double-acting pump action of the membrane of the membrane pump, inlet valves and and outlet valves are employed. One of the outlet valves assists in the generation of the soap foam in the mixing chamber. The other outlet valve then assists in ejecting a portion of the soap foam through the dispensing aperture during the return motion of the lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray-diffuser for the atomization of liquids or solid substances, such as medicaments, with the help for the flow of compressed air, particularly for inhalation purposes. The spray-diffuser comprises a spray-diffuser nozzle (3) located in an atomizing chamber (10), which nozzle is connected to a compressed air channel (2) and comprises a suction device for sucking up the medicament, wherein the compressed air channel adjacent the nozzle has a release opening (15) for escape of the compressed air, which opening is settable to a non-operation position, and which can for example be closed during inhalation of the patient and opened during exhalation of the patient. In known spray-diffusers, diverted air is guided through the release opening with a development of a hissing noise and a danger of harm to the staff. In order to avoid this disadvantage, in the spray-diffuser according to the invention the release opening leads into the atomizing chamber.

Abstract: A powered aerosol spray device includes an internally disposed motor, a fluid reservoir and a baffle arrangement for filtering a liquid and air mixture in order to provide a fine micelles controlled spray.

Abstract: A squeeze type foamed liquid dispensing device comprising a squeeze container, an inner cap threaded on the container and defining a mixing chamber receiving a secondary porous foaming member thereabout, a check valve chamber, an air intake port and an air discharge tube receiving portion, an outer or cover cap releasably fitted on the inner cap for normally closing the air intake port and having a foamed liquid jet orifice and an air discharge tube received in the air discharge tube receiving portion of the inner cap and having a primary porous foaming member thereabout.

Abstract: A mist generator for producing mists having uniformly fine particles which includes a housing having a base, a nozzle extending upwardly therefrom and a compressed gas inlet coupled to the nozzle and a cooperating structure disposed within the housing and engaging the nozzle, the cooperating structure having a plurality of successive chambers which function with the nozzle to aspirate a liquid retained in the base to form a mist and then effect agitation of the mist and, discharge it in a downward direction within the housing and an outlet on said housing for discharging the mist.

Abstract: Aerosol valve is provided with a mixer-homogenizer plate disposed in the bottom of the valve cup. Vapor tap passing vapor into a central chamber between the valve inlet and the homogenizer plate creates a swirl in that chamber and subsequent passage of the mixture through arcuate slots effects high shear to enhance the mixing and promote homogenization in preparation for the ultimate atominzation by the actuator.

Abstract: A nebulizer device for use in a breathing circuit is disclosed. The device consists of a nebulization chamber in flow communication with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas inlet is configured to be coupled to a source of gas which is directed into the nebulization chamber. The gas outlet is configured to direct gas from the chamber to a patient connection. A uniquely configured siphon jet assembly for producing fine particles of liquid extends into the nebulization chamber and is movable into a plurality of positions. This permits the regulation of both the amount of liquid entrained by the gas as well as the size of the liquid particles formed.

Abstract: An arrangement for spraying liquid from a bottle comprises an air pump and a member which actuates the pump when a spraying action is desirable. The air flow is transmitted into the interior of the bottle to pressurize the liquid and urge the latter into a liquid outlet conduit which has a lower end extending into the liquid in the bottle and a discharge end outside the bottle. The arrangement is further provided with an element for spraying the liquid when the latter under the pressure supplied into the bottle enters the discharge end of the outlet conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nebulizer of simple three-piece construction, adapted by its design to be injection molded for delivering to a patient, entrained in a stream of oxygen or other gas flowing at a modest rate (such as 6 to 8 liters a minute) a quantity of liquid supplied from a unit-dose hermetically sealed vial. The entire nebulizer with unit-dose vial attached, fits the hand of the patient, and its small size and the use of a unit-dose vial simplifies self-administration by an out-patient. Also disclosed is an adapter for connecting the nebulizer to a mouthpiece, with means permitting the patient to control the concentration of the mist delivered to the lungs.

Abstract: A mist generator for producing mists having fine particle sizes which includes a jet for aspirating a liquid such as water, oil, paints, liquid suspensions and the like, a series of chambers through which said mist is successively passed and deflecting the flow of said mist by baffles, auxiliary gas jets and the like to remove the larger mist particles.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid atomizer of the type having an piezoelectric vibrating system with the vibrations from an piezoelectric transducer being transmitted to an atomizer plate through conical members wherein the atomizer plate is positioned interiorly of a chamber defining member adjacent a discharged orifice and blower means are positioned to induce an air flow through the chamber defining member past the atomizer plate to the orifice providing a jet-like flow past the atomizer plate periphery.

Abstract: This invention relates to new vaporizers and particularly to atomizing equipment useful for dispensing anesthetic liquids.