Aerosol delivery system with perforate membrane
Inventors
Selby, Robert Gordon Maurice • Collingwood, Clennell Douglas • Greenenko, Alon • Hoppe, Hans-Jürgen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12514994-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aerosol delivery system includes a perforate membrane including a plurality of apertures, as well as a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with a first side of the perforate membrane and actuation means configured to vibrate the perforate membrane to cause a liquid in the fluid reservoir during use to be ejected as liquid droplets from a second side of the perforate membrane. The plurality of apertures includes first and second arrays of apertures of first and second configurations which are grouped together in first and second discrete regions of the perforate membrane. The fluid reservoir includes first and second reservoir portions and a liquid barrier by which the first and second reservoir portions are separated. A removable cartridge for an aerosol delivery system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aerosol delivery system that includes a perforate membrane having a plurality of apertures and actuation means configured to vibrate the perforate membrane. During use, liquid from a fluid reservoir passes through at least some of the apertures and is ejected as liquid droplets from a second side of the perforate membrane. The plurality of apertures includes a first array of apertures of a first configuration and a second array of apertures of a second configuration, different to the first configuration.
The aperture arrays are grouped together in different discrete regions of a single perforate membrane. The first array is grouped in a first discrete region, and the second array is grouped in a second discrete region. The fluid reservoir is arranged to supply a first liquid to the first discrete region and a second liquid to the second discrete region, while the membrane remains a single perforate membrane extending across the opening.
To enable separate delivery of the two liquids to the respective aperture arrays, the reservoir includes at least one liquid barrier configured to separate the first and second reservoir portions. The at least one liquid barrier comprises a flexible seal in contact with the first side of the perforate membrane to separate the first and second reservoir portions and the first and second arrays such that the first liquid is delivered to the first array separately of the second liquid delivered to the second array.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is presented, defining an aerosol delivery system with four inventive features across membrane/aperture configuration, membrane vibration-driven droplet ejection, reservoir partitioning, and liquid barrier isolation.
Single perforate membrane with first and second aperture arrays in discrete regions
The plurality of apertures comprises a first array of apertures of a first configuration and a second array of apertures of a second configuration different to the first configuration, wherein the first array is grouped in a first discrete region of the perforate membrane and the second array is grouped in a second discrete region of the perforate membrane.
Vibration-driven liquid passage and droplet ejection from a second membrane side
Actuation means configured to vibrate the perforate membrane to cause a liquid in the fluid reservoir during use to pass through at least some of the plurality of apertures and to be ejected as liquid droplets from a second side of the perforate membrane.
First and second reservoir portions supplying separate liquids to respective aperture regions
The fluid reservoir comprises a first reservoir portion configured to supply a first liquid to the first discrete region and a second reservoir portion configured to supply a second liquid to the second discrete region, wherein the perforate membrane is a single perforate membrane extending across the opening such that the first array of apertures is in fluid communication with the first reservoir portion and the second array of apertures is in fluid communication with the second reservoir portion.
Liquid barrier with flexible seal to separate liquids delivered to the two aperture arrays
At least one liquid barrier configured to separate the first and second reservoir portions, wherein the at least one liquid barrier comprises a flexible seal in contact with the first side of the perforate membrane to separate the first and second reservoir portions and the first and second arrays such that the first liquid is delivered to the first array of apertures separately of the second liquid delivered to the second array of apertures.
The claim combines a single perforate membrane with two different-configured aperture arrays in two discrete regions, actuation means that vibrate the membrane to pass liquid through apertures and eject droplets from the second side, and a split fluid reservoir with a liquid barrier and flexible seal that separates delivery of the two liquids.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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