US2561570A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1951 E L. HADDEN 2,561,570

AToMrzER Filed March e, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. 23u-Z Z/adduu w m m T AH m1 E L. HADDEN July 24, 1951 ATOMIZER 2 Sheets-Shee 2 Filed March 8, 1947 0% m wp m 6 MW m H MWPMA Patented July 24, `1951 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,561,57voV A'roMlznn Edward L. Hadden, Westfield, N. J. Application March 8, 1947"Sc1rial No. 733,266

o 4 claims. (ol. 299-88) My invention relates to that classof devices designed to spray or atomize a fluid. Such a device is described in my application Serial No. 654.825, now abandoned, of which this `is a continuation-impart. More particularly it relates i to the spraying of the nose or throat of a person. It is well known that the use of such medical means are clumsy, and in some cases offensive. Attempts have been made `to over come these objections, but only with partial success, as the proposed devices have one or more serious objections. For example, United States patent to Scott, No. 1,838,873, has that portion which is to be inserted in the nostrils, exposed at all times. Thus it will become contaminated by the mucus from the nasal passage, and by the spray employed. This condition is unavoidable, the result being that it is unsightly and the clothing of the user may be soiled. o o

My invention has for its principal object to eliminate these objections by providing for a complete enclosure of the tip except when actually in use thus insuring the production of a sanitary device..` I,

A further object is to construct an improved sprayer `which shall present a substantially identical resemblance in size and shape to a fountain pen. In this manner I am able to avoid attention to theusers inrmity. A further object is to construct a sprayer which will deliver a predetermined measured quantity of fluid at eachstroke.

A further object is to accomplish the foregoing objects in a relatively simple manner by prof viding `a construction which willnot easily g'et` out of order.

YMy means of accomplishing the foregoing `ob` jects may be4 more fully comprehended by havo ing reference to the accompanying drawings which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this'specication, in which:

Fig. 1` is a vertical sectional view vation of my improved'device;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2 2 inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. `3 `isa modified form of construction of the device shown in Fig. 1, the cap, plunger, and spring being omitted for sakegof clarity;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified construction for an atomizer, the upper part being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional 6 6 in Fig. 5;

partly in eleview `taken on the line Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 1 in Fig. 5; i

Fig 8 is a view taken on the line 8 8 in the direction of the arrows, the cap being omitted; Fig; 9 `is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 IIJin Fig. 8, and f Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of a modied elements being omitted.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar 'parte throughout the specification.

` As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings my invention comprises a barrel I. Thebarrel may if desired be made of a transparent plastic material so: the amount of fluid may be seen. This barrel is' provided with a cap 2, which is tele- 'sc'opically tted to it. The cap 2 being provided with `a` clip 3 to` attach the articletoausers garment.` 'The lower portion of the barrel I is provided with a filler plug 4, which is'shaped so a'sto provide" an appearance common to many fountain pens. A fluid reservoir 5 is provided in the lower part of the barrel I, and a pump similar in function and operation to pumps which are known as a displacementpump is provided to eject the fluid from the reservoir 5. This pump is mounted in a body or member B which is telescoped into an upper endl' of the barrel I. A cylinder'l is formed in this body 6. In the cylinder l, I mount a reciprocating piston 8; tothe lower portion of which is secured a cup washer 9, whichis mounted upon an extension 4'I on the end lof the piston 8. Below the piston 8 I mount a return spring I0, as illustrated, the lower-portion of the spring I0 is broken away to show how its end is bent diametrically across thehelix of the spring, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. I

The piston 8 is provided with a piston rod 8' which telescopes an enlarged part I 2 of a push rod I I. At the upper end of the push rod Il I mountl a suitable push button I9, for the convenient manipulation of the piston 8. `At the lower end of the cylinder 1, I provide a cylindriealrecess I3, smaller in diameter than the cylinder in which a ball check valve is located. This valve consists of a ball I4, and a coil spring I5, adapted to cause the ball to contact the valve seat I6 formed at the bottomof the cylindrical recess I3. This serves to hold the valve normally closed; The lower end of the spring I0 serves as a stop `for the upper end of the spring I5. Thisend ispreferably looped over `the end of the flange 2l), which is adapted to press a gasketV 2i against the upper end of the body 6.

At the inner end of the bushing IB is formed a chamber 22 which cooperates with Aa conoidal annulus 23 formed on the enlarged part I2 of the push rod II. This forms a valve the function of which is to prevent oozing of the liquid,

but will permit the entrance of air to replace the discharged liquid.

The enlarged part I2, of the push' rod .II, should be made to t loosely in the cylinder to allow air to pass to a port or passage 24, which provides communication with a space 2.5 formed by atteningthe body B, as clearly seen in Fig. 2.

This space 25 opens into the upper part of the reservoir 5, but should not extend above the barrel I. This effectually prevents any leakage and thus protects the users clothes.

A port'or passage 36 leads to an enlarged lower part formed by a circumferential groove 34, in a longitudinal chamber 3l `which is closed by a plug 29. This plug 1y so as to prevent any leakage. The plug 29 has an upwardly extending portion 30, which forms a seat `28 for a ball 26 of a secondary ball check valve. The ball is normally held to its seat 28 by a coil spring 21. The upwardly extending portion 30 of the plug 29 has an axial passage 32 which connects with the circumferential groove 34,'formed on a reduced neck or stem 35. The groove 34 is in communication through port or passage 3B, with the cylindrical recess I3, at the lower end of the .cylin'f der 1. Any suitable means of tightening or removing the plug 23 may be employed. As illustrated it is a slot 31.

.An upwardly extending longitudinal passage 39.

tube 3B is tted to the This tube is provided with a nozzle 39' which has a capillary size open.

ing 40, through which the fluid is ejected.

In order to protect this' minute opening 40,1 form an inverted conoidal recess 4I, in the end of the nozzle 3S', and the opening 40 is atits apex. Thus should the user drop the device when the cap 2 is removed, nodamage will result. The cap 2 carries means to seal the nozzle which consists of a sealing plunger 42, the lower end 43 of which is fitted to land coincides with the surface of the inverted conoidal recess 4I. This sealing may be omitted if desired to reduce the manufacturing cost. The plunger 42 has a peripheral ilange 46 whichengages a member 45 fixedly mounted in the `cap `2. A coil spring 44, serves to hold the end 43 yieldingly, but Atightly against its seat in the conoidal recess 4I.

, It may be found desirable in some cases to employ the modified form of construction shown inl Fig. 3, which is identical with that shown in Fig. l, with the exception of-certain details as follows: The tube 3B, is omitted and the body 6, is extended upwardly in its place. The passage 39 extends throughout its length. As illustrated a concave longitudinal groove I9 is provided so the push rod II, and push button I9, may be 29 Should be fitted tight-` freely reciprocated.r A slightly different form of orifice 5I) is shown in Fig. 3- Instead of the cylindrical recess I3, I form the cylinder 1 of the same diameter throughout. The shoulder upon which the spring rests is formed by a tube which is slightly fitted into the cylinder bore. The suction tube I1, is extended upwardly, its end forms a seat for the ball I4.

The operation is as follows:

The movement of the piston 8 upwardly due to the action of the spring Ill will draw the liq- `luid past the check valve I4 into the cylinder 1. The push button is then depressed forcing the pis-ton 8 downwardly. This closes the check valve I4 and the liquid (not shown) is forced through the port 36 into the annular chamber 34. The velocity of the liquid lifts the ball check valve 26 and the liquid enters the passage 39, where it travels up through the tube 38, and is ejectd ed through the orice in the nozzle, which preferably is of capillary size in the form of a line mist or spray. The acceleration of the fluid in its passage operates to atomize it. k

In Figures 4 to l0, I have shown a modified form of construction of my invention In these figures the cap 2 is screwed to the body 5I, in' stead of telescoping it. Obviously, any desired form of detachably securing the cap in place may be employed.

As shown the device yis provided with both an air duct 52 and a liquid duct 53 These ducts are preferably of capillary size. In Fig. 5 I show the body 5I having an air cylinder 54, and the location of the two ducts 52 and 53, I also in this form provide two flat sides 55 and 56, formed on the body 5I. These ats serve a double purpose, one-they materially reduce the dead weight of the device; andtwo-they increase the capacity of the reservoir. They extend from the lower end of the body 5I to a point adjacent'the upper end of the barrel 51. A groove 58 provides communication between the air duct 52 and the space formed by the flat' 55. l. This groove is formed in ordei` that the displaced liquid `in thereservoir may be replaced by ain- 'Thefair will also operate to transmit some cfg-'the pressure produced by the pump onto the lsurface off( the liquid, in this manner a hydrostatic pressure is produced which results in assisting theicapillary actionintubes 59and60. e l A In the detail View Figure 6 is shownthe Vair pump cylinder. In it is mountedA a loosely Vlitting piston 62, which is carriedfby a'push" rod 6I, the upper end of which has a push button 6I' forv convenient operation of the piston.. The outer end of the push rod/6I carries ja flexible cup washer 53, which abuts the pistonf62.jIt is held in place by means of a washer 64, and

a nut 65 mounted on threads 66,'. cut on. the end of the push rod 6I. The piston B2 isheld nor?. mally retracted by a spring 61. The lower end of the cylinder 54, is closed by a plug 68,` whichV has a central opening. An annular groove ythis cut in the top of plug 58 to form a 4seat-for'.the spring 61. The bottom of the plug 68` atthe central opening is counter-bored to form ,afvalve seat 10 ,for a ball 1I of a check valve. The ball 1I is held normally seated by means of a coil spring 13. This spring 13 is located in a socket 14 cut or cast in plug 15 screwed into the lower end of the body 5I. This plugf15 is provided with a series of radial grooves which affords pas.;

sage for the air to reach air duct 52-by means of an air port or passage 11 castor formed in.

the body Means may be provided `to screw ,the plug""in1place,` as shown it consists of a lscrewizlriver slot, though obviously, any form of construction may/be employed. A means of screwing plug 68 in place s provided `byscrew 'driver slot `T2, as shown on the drawings; `An air hole 19 for the air tube 89 is formed inthe body 5|.

A' supplemental airsuction hole 8|, maybe formed if there is notsullicient space intermedtA atethe push rod 6|, and the hole 82 in which it slides, otherwise hole 8| may be omitted.

In the detail view Figure 7, I have shown the manner in which the liquid duct may by-,pass the air pump. In this view I have omitted thepisvton andrelated parts as they in no manner aid this view. I mount the liquid tube 59, in such a manner as to` provide a passage therefrom to the liquid duct 53, which is in communication with a liquid hole 83, `from which it passes to capillary tube 99. A spray member 85 is screwed into internal threads formed on the Wall of a hole 86 in the nozzle 84. This member 85 is bored to form a Venturi tube 81, which has a seatf at its open end adapted to receive the end 43 of the sealing plunger 42. The rim of the seat 88 will prevent damage to the Venturi tube should the user drop the device. An anular groove 89 is formed on the threaded part of member 85. This groove 89 communicates with the-Venturi tube 81, through radial holes 99. l As illustrated I show two of these, it may be found in practicethat one is suilicient for the `desired purpose. The top of the capillary tube 69 is xed in nozzle 85, and is in communication with the annular groove 89 by means of connecting holes 9| and 92. The upper end of the air tube 89 is fastened to the nozzle 84.

A port or passage 93 provides communication between the air tube 89 and the hole 86, formed in the nozzle or spray member 85. It will be apparent to those skilled in .the art that I provide a continuous air passage from inlet port 8| through the air pump, check valve, air port 11, air duct 52, air hole 19, air tube 89, air hole 93, tapered hole in Venturi tube 81 where it escapes. The air is bled from the pressure side of the system through groove 58 to the surface `oi the liquid in the reservoir where it replaces the exhausted liquid and provides for urging the liquid up the capillary tube 59 as hereinbefore explained.

It will also be obvious that there will be a continuous now of liquid from the reservoir through capillary tube 59, liquid duct 53, hole 83, capillary tube 69, holes 9| and 92, holes 99 into Venturi tube 81, whence it will be discharged as spray in predetermined quantities per stroke.

The operation is similar to that of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Pressure upon the push button 9| forces the air through the check valve up to air tube B9 and through the Venturi tube 81. At this point its increased velocity produces a partial vacuum in the holes 99. This acts to draw the liquid up the capillary tubes 59 and 69, into the Venturi tube 81.

When the liquid reaches this point the air blast forceably discharges it in a spray formed of minute globules. By releasing the pressure upon push button 6| the spring 61 operates t0 retract the piston 62 to its normal position. The movement of the piston in this direction causes the peripheral ange of the flexible cup washer to collapse and air will rush into the system because of the partial vacuum produced by the return of the piston to its normal position.

The `operation maybe repeated as often `as desired. l

In Figure 11 I have shown a simplied form of construction. In this form I move the ball check valve 26 from its seat 28 on the plug 29, toI a seat |99, mounted in a sleeve I9I. This sleeve is se,- cured to the tube38, which telescopes it, and may be fastened in anysuitable and convenient manner. Below this ball-check valve 26 and mounted in the same sleeve |9| adjacent its end I mount the upper end |92 of a tube |93 which depends downwardly into the reservoir 5, a ball l M exactly similar in function, manner of functioning and result produced to ball I4 shown in Figure 1, is tted to aseat |95 formed on the end of tube |93. I provide a port orpassage |06 similar to the passage 36. Practice has shown this form is easier and less expensive to manufacture, than the oneshown in the other figures. l Although I have described check valvesI of the ball type, it: will be clear that any form of check valve may be employed. The operation of this'form is not materially different from the description herein beforeset forth. The upward movement of the piston will unseat the ball |94 and the liquid (not shown) will be drawn up into the lower part of the sleeve |0I,.and vthence through the port or passage |96 into the cylinder 1. Depressing the push button |19 will force `the liquid out through port |96, and willseat the ball |94 in the lower part of the sleeve, then `will travel upwardly lifting the ball check valve 26 .from its seat, thus permitting the liquid to enter the passage 39. It will then continue to travel upwardly and be ejected out the oriiice in the nozzle. As explained this orifice is of such size as to cause the liquid to be ejected in the form of a line mist or spray. Practice has shown that the acceleration of the liquid in its passage operates to atomize it where it vtravels up through the tube 38, and is ejected through the orice in the nozzle, which preferably is of capillary size in the form of a ne mist or spray. The acceleration of the uid in its passage operates to atomize it.

Should the user wish a larger proportion of liquid he may obtain this result by inverting the atomizer, this will cause the liquid to flow into the space formed by the ilat 55, and hence through groove 58 into the air duct.

If pressure is then applied to the push button 6|' the liquid will be ejected by the air pressure through the Venturi tube 81 in almost a solid stream. In this manner attaining the desired result.

It will be clear to persons who are skilled in the art that although I have described many specific details of construction, I do not wish thereby to limit myself thereto except as such limitations may appear in the hereinafter contained claims.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described a barrel, a body portion therein which extends downwardly for a portion of the length of said barrel leaving a space below its lower end which constitutes a reservoir, said reservoir being adapted to hold fluid, said body portion having a cylinder formed therein, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder, means including a rod to actuate said piston, guide means for said rod, resilient means to hold said piston normally retracted, means formed in part on said piston and in part on said guide means adapted to admit air to the reservoir on a delivery stroke of the piston to replace fluid and to seal said cylinder when the piston is in returned position, a tubular conduit in said barrel offset but generally parallel tothe axis of the cylinder in said body and extending downwardly to a region adjacent the lower end of said reservoir and upwardly to a region above the upper end of the body, a delivery nozzle at the upper end of said conduit having a discharge opening in substantial axial alignment with the axis of said barrel, said conduit being in fluid communication with the lower end of the said cylinder, and valve means in said conduit operatively responsive to reciprocation of the piston to pass uid from the reservoir to the cylinder on an upward stroke of the piston and from the cylinder through the said nozzle on a downward stroke of the piston.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a cap member constructed and arranged to enclose said nozzle and the said barrel when thedevice is not in use and means in the cap adapted to seal the opening in the nozzle against leakage.

3. In a device of` the character described a barrel, a body portion therein which extends downwardly for a portion of the length of said barrel leaving a space constituting a reservoir for a liquid medium, a cylinder in said body, a. reciprocable piston therein, a push rod which eX- tends upwardly beyond said body for actuating the piston, means to hold said piston normally in an upward retracted position, a sleeve member disposed within the barrel in substantial parallelism with the axis of the cylinder in the said body, there being a fluid passageway between the interior of the sleeve at a medial region thereof and the interior of the cylinder at the lower end thereof, a conduit means extending from the lower end of the sleeve to the lower portion of the reservoir, a second conduit means extending upwardly from the sleeve and above the body portion adapted to mount a delivery nozzle, and valve means in the sleeve responsive to movement of the piston on its retracting stroke to pass fluid from the reservoir into the cylinder and on its pressure stroke to pass uid from the cylinder through said upwardly extending conduit means. 4. The combination of claim 3 including means operatively associated with said piston to admit air to the reservoir on a pressure stroke of the piston and to seal the cylinder against leakage at the end of a retracting stroke of the piston.

EDWARD L. I-IADDEN.v

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this :patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 441,969' Pitney Dec. 2, 1890 1,585,798 Stiriss May 25, 1926 1,632,218l Chan et al June 14, 1927 2,078,483 De Weal et al. Apr. 27, 1937 2,081,674 Mehrman et al. May 25, 1937 2,162,756' Seyforth June 20, 1939 2,211,595 Crowley Aug. 13, 1940 2,348,190 Bullock May 9, 1944

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