Patent Grant
10399102
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to pumps and devices configured to dispense controlled amounts of fluid. It is particularly directed to spill-resistant fluid delivery systems.
Background:
Liquid and gas delivery systems serve many roles in many different fields from medical treatment devices to air fresheners. Frequently, conventional delivery systems involve some variety of a pump. Many different types of pumps exist with different strengths and weaknesses.
For example, some pumps are orientation sensitive. These pumps must be aligned or situated within certain thresholds to function properly. Other pumps require large amounts of operating force to move small amounts of material. Some pumps are susceptible to debris and particulate matter within a fluid stream.
Embodiments of a device are described. In one embodiment, the device is an orientation independent delivery device. The delivery device includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery-side flexible barrier is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery aperture allows a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber in response to compression of the delivery-side flexible barrier into the delivery chamber. Other embodiments of the device are also described.
Embodiments of a method are also described. In one embodiment, the method is a method for manufacturing a delivery device. The method includes forming a gas-side rigid portion, forming a gas-side flexible barrier, sealing the gas-side rigid portion to the gas-side flexible barrier to form a gas chamber, forming a delivery-side rigid portion, forming a delivery-side flexible barrier, sealing the delivery-side rigid portion to the delivery-side flexible barrier to form a delivery chamber, sealing the gas chamber to the delivery chamber with the gas-side flexible barrier oriented adjacent to the delivery-side flexible barrier. The method also includes disposing a gas cell in the gas-side rigid portion. The gas cell is in communication with the gas chamber. The method also includes, disposing a delivery aperture in the delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery aperture is in communication with the delivery chamber. Other embodiments of the method are also described
Embodiments of a system are also described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a delivery system. The system includes a delivery pump, a dispersion structure, and a control module. The delivery pump operates independent of orientation. The delivery pump includes a gas chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery chamber. The gas chamber includes a gas-side flexible barrier and a gas-side rigid portion. The gas cell is disposed in communication with the gas chamber to increase pressure within the gas chamber and distend the gas-side flexible barrier away from the gas-side rigid portion by generating a gas within the gas chamber. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side flexible barrier and a delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber is sealed to the gas chamber with the delivery-side flexible barrier oriented directly adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is pressed into the delivery chamber to dispense a delivery material from the delivery chamber in response to distension of the gas-side flexible barrier away from the gas-side rigid portion. The dispersion structure receives the delivery material from the chamber delivery pump. The dispersion structure delivers the delivery material to a delivery site. The control module is coupled to the gas cell. The control module controls an operating parameter of the gas cell. Other embodiments of the system are also described.
Certain embodiments include structure that is configured and arranged to resist spill of delivery material from the delivery device to the environment. For purpose of this disclosure, “spill” means undesired discharge of delivery material from the delivery chamber to the environment. Exemplary spill-resistant structure may include a passive gas-relief valve disposed in a venting association with the gas chamber to permit discharge of passive gas from inside the gas chamber to the environment. “Passive gas” is further defined below, but encompasses small non-operational amounts of gas evolved from a gas cell.
Operable spill-resistant structure may include an absorbent element disposed to facilitate completely filling the delivery chamber with delivery material during manufacture of a device. In certain cases, spill-resistant structure may encompass an overflow emanator chamber associated with the delivery aperture to receive and confine small quantities or even excessive drops of delivery material. Desirably, such an overflow emanator chamber is structured to hold a volume that is at least about half the volume held in a full delivery chamber. An absorbent element may sometimes be disposed inside the overflow emanator chamber to capture and confine discharged drops of delivery material while permitting emanation of volatized delivery material. A preferred absorbent element is made from a material that can soak up delivery material, and permit emanation of desirable volatile portions thereof. In certain cases, the absorbent element is also effective as an emanator, or is structured to communicate absorbed delivery material to an emanator.
In certain embodiments, a gas cell is self-powered. One self-powered gas cell operates under galvanic principles. Another operable gas cell may be powered by a remote or external source (e.g., by a battery), and is more properly characterized as an electrochemical cell. Regardless, it is preferred for a gas cell to be structured to resist generation of passive gas prior to the gas cell being placed into service to generate operational levels of gas.
There are various ways to structure a gas cell to resist undesired accumulation of passive gas in a gas chamber. Structure configured to avoid passive gas accumulation is regarded as encompassed within certain spill-resistant structure. It is within contemplation that a gas cell may be structured to permit on-demand release of fluid (e.g. water and/or electrolyte), from storage that is isolated from an electrode to place the cell into operational gas generating mode. Also, a gas cell may be structured to permit on-demand completion of an electrically conductive path disposed between an anode and a cathode of the gas cell to place the gas cell into operational gas generating mode. For example, a switch may be disposed to interrupt electrical continuity on a path between two electrodes. In other embodiments, a gas cell can be structured to permit on-demand coupling of on or more discrete components to place the cell into operational gas generating mode. Portions of a cell, or even the entire gas cell, may be stored at a nonoperational or remote position to avoid gas build-up in the gas chamber, and then placed into an operational position with respect to the gas chamber when operational gas generation is desired.
Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention.
In the drawings, which illustrate what are currently considered to be the best modes for carrying out the invention:
Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
While many embodiments are described herein, at least some of the described embodiments relate to a gas cell pump. Certain embodiments described below are drawn to delivery of a delivery material through mechanical pressure generated by a gas cell. Some embodiments may be useful to deliver medicines, scents, chemical agents, lubricants, saline, or other materials, chemicals, or chemical mixtures. In some embodiments, the pump may deliver the material to a local area. In other embodiments, the pump may deliver the material to a stream of material to yield a certain result at a near or relatively distant site. In another embodiment, the pump delivers the material at a sustained rate. For example, the pump may operate at a relatively slow rate of delivery or at a high rate. In other embodiments, the pump delivers the material at a variable rate.
In some embodiments, the pump can be loaded with a volatile and/or corrosive material for delivery. The pump can be built with materials that are specifically resistant to the particular chemical or agent that will be delivered by the pump. Additionally, some embodiments may incorporate materials that have a low permeability relative to the delivery agent. In this way, some embodiments may be specifically built to deliver a particular substance. Other embodiments may be built to handle a wide range of substances with varying corrosion and permeability characteristics.
In some embodiments, the components of the pump may be sealed together into a single unified piece. In other embodiments, some components may be joined in a manner that allows those components to be removed without damage to the pump or use of complex processes. For example, in some embodiments, the portion containing the delivery material may be removed to replace a spent portion with a new portion. In other embodiments, other portions may be removable.
In some embodiments, the pump is operable in any orientation. In other words, the pump is not sensitive to any particular orientation threshold. For example, the pump may be positioned to dispense a delivery material upwards, downwards, or at any angle in between.
In the pump embodiment 100 illustrated in
In the embodiment 100 of
In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 is a flexible membrane that operates like a diaphragm. As the gas cell 110 generates gas, the gas-side flexible membrane 104 flexes to form a chamber between the gas-side flexible barrier 104 and the gas-side rigid portion 102. As the gas cell 110 continues to generate gas, the gas-side flexible barrier continues to flex to provide additional capacity within the chamber. In some embodiments, the material used for the gas-side flexible barrier 104 may be selected to have a high degree of resistance to reactivity with the gas generated by the gas cell 110. Additionally, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 may be selected to provide a low degree of permeability relative to the gas generated by the gas cell 110. In some embodiments, a material may be selected for both chemical reactivity and permeability. In other embodiments, additional qualities and characteristics may influence material selection for the gas-side flexible barrier 104. Materials which might be used either alone or in combination include acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate copolymer, poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), also laminates such as biaxial aliphatic polyamides (also known as Nylon), aluminum foil, and low density polyethylene.
In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 is flexible throughout its entirety. In other embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 includes some rigid or relatively less-flexible portions incorporated within the gas-side flexible barrier 104. In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 has portions with varying degrees of flexibility. For example, the gas-side flexible barrier 104 may have a small rigid portion 111 that prevents the gas-side flexible barrier 104 from contacting the gas cell 110 when the gas-side flexible barrier 104 is fully collapsed against the gas-side rigid portion 102. Other embodiments incorporate other structural elements within the gas-side flexible barrier 104 to provide other functionality.
In some embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion 106 is similar to the gas-side rigid portion 102. In other embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion 106 is unique in form and functionality. For example, the delivery-side rigid portion 106 may be formed to improve the flow of delivery material to the delivery aperture 112 or may include a refill interface (not shown). Other functionality and structure may be included in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion 106 matches the form of the gas-side rigid portion 102 where they meet to facilitate sealing the delivery side (e.g., 116 of
In the embodiment 100 depicted in
In the device illustrated in
In some delivery devices or pumps 100, the gas cell 110 is an electrochemical cell. Gas cell technology is taught by Gordon in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,744,014 and 5,899,381 which are incorporated herein by reference
The embodiment 100 illustrated in
Although the delivery device 100 is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the delivery device 100 may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment 200, the delivery aperture 112 is connected to the delivery line 206. In some embodiments, the delivery line 206 is a tube or channel. The delivery line 206 is connected to the dispersion structure 208 to communicate a delivery material from the delivery aperture 112 of the pump 100 to the dispersion structure 208. In some embodiments, the delivery line 206 is omitted and the delivery aperture 112 is in direct communication with the dispersion structure 208. In some embodiments, the dispersion structure 208 is a molecular dispersion media. For example, the dispersion structure 208 may include gauze, foam, sponge, or other breathable surface area. In another embodiment, the dispersion structure 208 is a spray nozzle. In other embodiments, the dispersion structure 208 is a tube, a needle, a heated element, or other known mechanical, thermal, chemical or other element for delivery of a material to a target location or environment. In another embodiment, the dispersion structure 208 is omitted and the delivery aperture 112 disperses the delivery material from the pump directly out from the delivery system 200. In some embodiments, the pump 100 is implemented within the delivery system 200 to provide certain advantages over conventional technologies. For example, some embodiments of the delivery system 200 implement the pump 100 to eliminate orientation dependencies. For example, the delivery system 200 may be oriented in any direction without suffering leakage or failure in the pump 100. Other embodiments of the delivery system 200 may implement the pump 100 to achieve other advantages.
Although the delivery system 200 is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the delivery system 200 may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.
It is desirable to provide structure or to otherwise craft a device 100 to resist spill of delivery material from the device 100. Gas that is present in the delivery chamber 116 and that undergoes a temperature increase may cause a much larger undesired discharge of delivery material than expansion of the storage material, itself, due to the same temperature increase. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize gas entrapped inside the storage chamber 116. With reference again to
Sometimes, a gas generating cell 110 may generate a spurious small amount of gas during storage or other non-operating periods. For purpose of this disclosure, such spurious gas is characterized as passive gas, or non-operating gas. Non-operating gas generation may occur at a Zinc electrode when that electrode is bathed in an electrolyte, due to impurities that are realistically inherent in that electrode, for one example. Also, an electrolyte may contain a certain amount of reactive ions that react at an electrode to generate gas until a protective surface film is developed on the electrode, for a second non-limiting example. Therefore, as an alternative or additional measure to reduce spilling or undesired discharge of delivery material from confinement in the delivery chamber 116 to the environment, a passive gas-relief valve 336 may be included in a venting association with a gas chamber 114. As illustrated in
As another option to reduce or avoid spills of delivery material, an overflow emanator chamber 338 may be associated with a delivery aperture 112 to receive small quantities or even excessive drops of delivery material 334. Desirably, an overflow emanator chamber 338 is structured to confine a volume 340 that is at least about half the volume of delivery material that is initially confined in delivery chamber 116. As another option, it is within contemplation to further include an absorbent element 342 disposed inside the volume 340. In the latter case, undesirably discharged drops of delivery material 334 may be captured and confined to resist spilling delivery material from the device 100. A workable absorbent element 342 may be a sponge, or other such material that can soak up delivery material, and permit emanation of desirable volatile portions thereof. Desirably, absorbent element 342 is also effective as an emanator, or serves to communicate absorbed delivery material to an emanator.
It is within contemplation that a gas generating valve 110 may be structured to resist generation of gas prior to placing the valve 110 into operation to dispense delivery material. With reference to
Operable de-coupling structure, generally indicated at 354, may be configured, as non-limiting examples, to interrupt an electric path between electrodes, or to isolate an electrolyte from operational contact with electrodes. A portion of a gas-generating cell 110 may even be provided as an element that is physically separate from the bulk of a device 100, and the distinct elements can be coupled together in an operational configuration to generate operational quantities of gas at the time the device 100 is placed into service to dispense delivery material. In the latter case, decoupling structure encompasses distance and physical separation between constituent elements. Discrete elements within contemplation include individual active elements, such as electrolyte, or a portion of a conductive path extending between electrodes of the cell. The gas generating cell, itself, can even be stored as a discrete component and assembled in operational registration with a gas chamber at the time when a device 100 is placed into service.
Certain embodiments may include a valve member 117 to resist unintended discharge of fluid. One operable valve member 117 establishes a threshold pressure required before fluid is permitted to flow through the discharge aperture 418.
Further, a safety emanator chamber 422 may be provided to hold a quantity of fluid that is improperly, or accidentally, discharged. For example, a child may play with the discharge mechanism 406 and discharge a significant portion of fluid. Safety reservoir 422 provides a catch basin to hold the fluid, rather than permit the fluid to leak onto and damage e.g., upholstery or carpeting in an automobile. A safety reservoir 422 within contemplation may be sized to hold the entire initial (or as-manufactured) contents of volatile fluid chamber 416. Preferably, emanator chamber 422 is sized to accommodate at least half the volume that is confined in chamber 416 at time of manufacture. An emanator 424 is typically provided to facilitate distribution and evaporation of the volatile fluid in chamber 422 over a larger area. Evaporated volatile fluid is then dispensed to the local environment through one or more apertures 426.
It is preferred for threaded shaft 402 to be left-hand threaded. As indicated above, the threaded shaft 402 is placed into compression to urge motion of plunger 404. The proximal end portion 428 of housing 430 forms a fixed restraint against which the actuator knob 406 presses to urge motion of the plunger 404. The window 408 is formed in housing 430, and permits a user access to manipulate actuator knob 406. Foot 434 is engaged on discharge end 412, so as plunger 404 moves distally, a volume in chamber 416 can be reduced to discharge volatile fluid from the chamber 416. As is the case with certain other embodiments, sometimes an absorbent element 330 may be included in the delivery chamber 416 to facilitate removal of gasses from the chamber 416 during manufacture of a device 400. The absorbent element 330 collapses, as the volume of chamber 416 is reduced by displacement of plunger 404, to release volatile fluid for discharge through aperture 418 toward a local ambient environment. It is further within contemplation that an absorbent element 330 may also, or alternatively, be disposed inside safety emanator reservoir 422, similar to a previously described embodiment.
In one embodiment, the manual pump 440 is used to pressurize the air chamber 444 containing the flexible fragrance bag 442. In one embodiment, the manual pump 440 is a manual air pump. Other embodiments may use other types of pumps. Pressurizing the air chamber 444 compresses the fragrance bag 442 to expel fragrance from the fragrance bag 442 through the fragrance exit channel 446 to the emanator 450. Some examples of emanator materials include, but are not limited to, porous polymers, simple cellular papers or films. In general, embodiments of the emanator 450 have a balance of absorption, wicking, and emanation properties that allow the emanator 450 to collect, distribute, and release the fragrance over time. The fan 448 moves air over the emanator 450 to deliver the fragrance into the ambient environment.
In some embodiments, the emanator 450 includes a porous material to collect, wick, and release the fragrance. The emanator 450 may or may not have its own structural integrity to maintain a specific shape while mounted within the fragrance delivery system. In some embodiments, the emanator material is applied to, or supported by, another support structure such as a cage or frame made of any suitable material.
In the above description, specific details of various embodiments are provided. However, some embodiments may be practiced with less than all of these specific details. In other instances, certain methods, procedures, components, structures, and/or functions are described in no more detail than to enable the various embodiments of the invention, for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/010,242, filed Aug. 26, 2013 and titled “GAS CELL DRIVEN ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT DELIVERY DEVICE”, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/692,750, filed Aug. 24, 2012; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/396,759, filed Jan. 2, 2017 and titled “NO-DRIP VOLATILE SUBSTANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/632,970, filed on Feb. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,533,066, issued Jan. 3, 2017 and titled “VOLATILE SUBSTANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/944,698, filed on Feb. 26, 2014, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/537,691, filed Nov. 10, 2014 and titled “VOLATILE SUBSTANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM”, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/902,031, filed on Nov. 8, 2013, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by this reference as though set forth herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170274399 A1 | Sep 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 61944698 | Feb 2014 | US | |
| 61692750 | Aug 2012 | US | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15396759 | Jan 2017 | US |
| Child | 15485206 | US | |
| Parent | 14632970 | Feb 2015 | US |
| Child | 15396759 | US | |
| Parent | 14537691 | Nov 2014 | US |
| Child | 14632970 | US | |
| Parent | 15485206 | US | |
| Child | 14632970 | US | |
| Parent | 14010242 | Aug 2013 | US |
| Child | 15485206 | US |
