U.S. patent application number 10/548503 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for method and device for nebulisation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Prolitec, S.A.. Invention is credited to Karim Benalikhoudja.
Application Number | 20060237090 10/548503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32893330 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benalikhoudja; Karim |
October 26, 2006 |
Method and device for nebulisation
Abstract
The nebulisation device includes a liquid reservoir, a liquid
supply line for supply of liquid to a nebulisation zone and an
outlet opening from the nebulisation zone by which a flow of
nebulised liquid particles escapes the nebulisation zone. The
outlet opening opens into the liquid reservoir above the level of
the liquid and the liquid reservoir has an escape opening for
nebulised liquid particles, by which some of the nebulised liquid
particles, coming from the outlet opening, leave the reservoir.
Optionally, the device comprises an outside air inlet duct with a
nozzle in the nebulisation zone and an opening to outside air in
the liquid reservoir.
Inventors: |
Benalikhoudja; Karim;
(Mauguio, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EGBERT LAW OFFICES
412 MAIN STREET, 7TH FLOOR
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Assignee: |
Prolitec, S.A.
71 boulevard de Sebastopol
Paris
FR
F-75002
|
Family ID: |
32893330 |
Appl. No.: |
10/548503 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 11, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/50292 |
371 Date: |
May 2, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 12/081 20130101;
B05B 7/0012 20130101; B05B 12/008 20130101; B05B 7/2424
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/095 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/30 20060101
B65B001/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 11, 2003 |
FR |
0303316 |
Claims
1. Nebulization device comprising: a liquid container, a delivery
conduit of liquid into a nebulization zone and an escape opening of
the nebulization zone through which a nebulized liquid particle
stream escapes from the nebulization zone, wherein said escape
opening ends in the liquid container above the liquid level and
wherein the liquid container comprises a release opening of
nebulized liquid particles through which part of the nebulized
liquid particles from the escape opening exits the container.
2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising: a nebulization
venturi being comprised of a pressurized air intake conduit, the
air intake conduit and liquid delivery conduit featuring each at
least one nozzle ending toward the nebulization zone in which the
air under pressure coming from the air intake conduit nebulizes the
liquid coming from the liquid delivery conduit and an adjusting
means of the position of the liquid delivery conduit nozzle in
relation to the pressurized air intake conduit nozzle.
3. Device according to claim 1, further comprising: a free air
intake conduit being comprised of a nozzle in the nebulization zone
and an open air opening in the liquid container.
4. Device according to claim 1, further comprising: an air suction
conduit provided with a nozzle in the nebulization zone, and at
another opening of the air suction conduit, a negative pressure
sensor and a processing means for a signal from said sensor and
representative of the negative pressure inside the suction
conduit.
5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said suction conduit
further comprises an open air opening in the liquid container.
6. Nebulization method comprising: suctioning of the liquid to be
nebulized into a container, and injecting the liquid to be
nebulized into a nebulization zone, said step of injecting being
comprised of: projecting nebulized liquid particles from the
nebulization zone into said container above the level of the liquid
in the container; and exiting from the container for part of said
nebulized liquid particles.
7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising: suctioning air
into the container; and injecting for the air sucked into the
container in the nebulization zone.
8. Method according to claim 6, further comprising: measuring for
the pressure in the nebulization zone s and processing said
measurement.
9. Method according to claim 8, wherein, during the processing,
operation of an air compressor is stopped or an alarm signal is
generated when the pressure measurement meets predetermined
variation criteria.
10. Method according to claim 8, wherein said measuring is carried
out by a negative pressure sensor located in a suction conduit
provided with an open air opening and a nozzle in the nebulization
zone.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention concerns a method and device for nebulization
comprising a nebulization venturi, which can be the one that is the
subject of the filing of a patent application for a "nebulization
venturi and device comprising same" done this day by the
applicant.
[0005] The invention applies in particular to devices for the
diffusion of liquids, such as the diffusion of perfumes, liquid
fuels, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The first goal of this invention is to achieve fine
particles of liquid scattered into the air.
[0007] The nebulization devices currently known of feature a
nebulization zone open in the direction of the outlet of the
nebulized liquid particles of said device. The result is that
either large particles escape from the device, or a means of
recovery of these large size particles has to be provided for in
the device. This invention intends to remedy these
disadvantages.
[0008] Under a second aspect, this invention concerns a
nebulization device comprising a liquid container, a delivery
conduit of the liquid into a nebulization zone and an escape
opening of the nebulization zone through which the nebulized liquid
particle stream escapes from the nebulization zone, characterized
in that said escape opening ends in the liquid container above the
liquid level and in that the liquid container comprises a nebulized
liquid particle escape opening through which part of the nebulized
liquid particles from the escape opening exits the container.
[0009] Because of these arrangements, the larger nebulized liquid
particles settle by the effect of gravity or because of their
inertia in the container where they join the liquid to be
nebulized.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to special characteristics, the nebulization
device comprises a nebulization venturi comprising a pressurized
air intake conduit, the air intake conduit and liquid delivery
conduit, each provided with at least one nozzle ending toward a
nebulization zone in which the air under pressure coming from the
air intake conduit nebulizes the liquid coming from the liquid
delivery conduit and an adjusting means of the position of the
liquid delivery conduit nozzle The device thus offers the
advantages outlined with the first aspect of this invention.
[0011] According to special characteristics, the device comprises
an air intake conduit provided with a nozzle in the nebulization
zone and an open air opening in the liquid container. Because of
these arrangements, part of the stream of nebulized liquid
particles returns to the nebulization zone through the free air
intake conduit and the particle concentration of the stream is thus
increased.
[0012] According to special characteristics, the device comprises:
[0013] an air suction conduit provided with a nozzle in the
nebulization zone, and at another opening of the air suction
conduit, a negative pressure sensor and [0014] a processing means
of a signal coming from said sensor and representative of the
negative pressure inside the suction conduit.
[0015] According to special characteristics, the suction conduit
comprises also an open air opening in the liquid container.
[0016] Since other advantages of each of these characteristics have
been mentioned above, they are not repeated here.
[0017] This invention also concerns a nebulization method
comprising: [0018] a suction step for the liquid to be nebulized
into a container, [0019] an injection step for the liquid to be
nebulized into a nebulization zone, characterized in that it also
comprises: [0020] a projection step for the nebulized liquid
particles from the nebulization zone into said container above the
level of the liquid in the container [0021] a step for the exit
from the container of said nebulized liquid particles.
[0022] According to special characteristics, the method comprises
also: [0023] a step for air suction into the container and [0024] a
step for injection of the sucked air into the container in the
nebulization zone.
[0025] According to special characteristics, the method comprises
also: a step for measurement of the pressure in the nebulization
and a step for processing said measurement.
[0026] According to special characteristics, during the processing
step, the operation of an air compressor is stopped or an alarm
signal is generated when the pressure measurement meets
predetermined variation criteria.
[0027] According to special characteristics, the measurement step
is carried out by a negative pressure sensor located in a suction
conduit provided with an open air opening and a nozzle in the
nebulization zone.
[0028] Since the advantages and goals of the method correspond to
those of the nebulization device briefly described above, they are
not restated here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Other advantages, goals and characteristics of this
invention will become apparent from the description to follow, done
based on the attached drawings.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a venturi according
to a first special embodiment of a first aspect of this invention;
and FIG. 1a shows at an enlarged scale the details of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a venturi according
to a second special embodiment of a first aspect of this
invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a venturi according
to a third embodiment of a first aspect of this invention.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a venturi according
to a fourth special embodiment of a first aspect of this
invention.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a venturi
according to another special embodiment of the first aspect of this
invention.
[0035] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cross-sectional views of a special
embodiment of a nebulization device according to another aspect of
this invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view of FIG. 6.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows schematic view of a nebulization device
comprising a means of alarm generation.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a representation of a process
flowchart of a nebulization device according to one special
embodiment of a process that is the subject of one aspect of this
invention.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a representation of a shutter
adaptable to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 through 9.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a representation of an
alternative shape for the liquid delivery conduit nozzle that can
be used in each embodiment of this invention.
[0041] FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of an open (FIG. 13)
and closed (FIG. 14) case intended to receive the device under the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] In each of FIGS. 1 through 4, a venturi 61 through 64
respectively can be seen, each comprising a venturi body, an air
intake conduit 10, a delivery conduit for the liquid to be
nebulized 20, a nebulization zone 30 in which are located a nozzle
15 of the air intake conduit 10 and a nozzle 25 of the liquid
delivery conduit 20, a free air conduit 40 provided with a nozzle
45 in the nebulization zone 30, the nebulization zone being formed
in the venturi body and various conduits entering said body, more
specifically said conduits fitting into borings made in the venturi
body, proper sealing being achieved between the outside cylindrical
faces of the conduits and the cylindrical faces of the
corresponding borings. One can see that the conduit 20 enters into
the nebulization zone 30 that is formed by a cylindrical chamber.
One can see that the conduit 20 can be made of a containing part
and of a contained part mounted in the containing part with a tight
fit or slightly tight fit, the nozzle 25 being provided for at the
end of the contained part. The type of fit can allow for the
sliding of the contained part inside the containing part or prevent
it.
[0043] One can also see that the nozzle 45 is in a geometric plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit 40 and that
the nozzle 15 is arranged according to a geometric plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of conduit 10. One can also
see that the longitudinal axes of the conduits 10, 20 and 40 are
secant, that the longitudinal axis of the conduit 10 is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the conduits 40 and 20.
One can also see that the conduits 40 and 20 are axially
aligned.
[0044] The air intake conduit 10 is connected to a compressor (FIG.
9) that supplies air under pressure, e.g., equal to between one and
ten times the atmospheric pressure. The liquid delivery conduit 20
is connected at one end to a container of liquid to be nebulized
(FIGS. 6, 7 and 9). In the nebulization zone 30, the nozzle 15 of
the air intake conduit 10 and the nozzle 25 of the liquid delivery
conduit 20 are respectively positioned so that through Venturi
effect, the liquid either is sucked into the nebulization zone 30
where the air flow coming out of the nozzle causes the generation
of a flow of nebulized liquid particles, directed toward an outlet
50 of the nebulization zone 30, in a well-known manner.
[0045] It can be noted that the venturi 61 through 64 has an
adjusting means 70 of the position of the nozzle 25 on the liquid
delivery conduit 20. Adjustment can be achieved through
longitudinal sliding and/or rotation of the liquid delivery conduit
20 in the venturi 61 through 64. To that effect, the liquid
delivery conduit can be provided with a threaded section and the
boring in the venturi body designed to receive said conduit shall
be tapped, the conduit thread matching the boring tap. With such
solution, the axial displacement of the conduit cannot be
dissociated from its rotation. According to an alternative
embodiment, the liquid suction conduit 20 and the corresponding
boring are smooth, which allows for longitudinal adjustment of the
conduit independently from its rotational adjustment.
[0046] Adjustment of the position of the nozzle 25, using the
adjusting means 70, permits to vary the operating parameters of the
venturi 61 through 64, to compensate at least partially for the
fabrication variations and to adapt the stream of nebulized liquid
particles to each use. By moving longitudinally the nozzle 25, at
least the average diffusion angle of the nebulized liquid particles
is adjusted in relation to the air intake conduit axis 10.
[0047] In FIG. 1, the nozzles 15 and 25 touch, except for the
thickness of conduit 25. In FIG. 2, on the other hand, the nozzle
25 is apart from the nozzle 15 by a distance of the same order of
magnitude as the diameter of the nozzle 25, i.e., between half and
three times this diameter.
[0048] In FIG. 3, the same elements as in FIG. 2 can be noted, plus
a taper 75 extending axially the nebulization zone 30. In FIG. 4,
the same elements as in FIG. 3 can be noted, plus an extension of
the taper 75 in the form of a cylindrical chamber 80 acting as
diaphragm, i.e., laterally retaining the stream of nebulized liquid
particles. Thus, the larger particles that are generally located in
the lateral parts of this stream settle on the cylindrical lateral
surface of the chamber 80 and flow under the effect of gravity to
be recovered either in the nebulization zone, or in the container
of the liquid to be nebulized (see FIGS. 6 through 8).
[0049] In FIG. 1 through 3 it can be noted that the nozzles 25 and
45 are arranged according to parallel geometrical planes, and that
the nozzle 25 is in a geometrical plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the conduit 20, while in FIG. 4, it can be
noted that the liquid delivery nozzle 25 is not provided with
revolution symmetry in relation to the liquid delivery conduit
axis: the plane of the nozzle 25 shows, in relation to the
longitudinal axis of the conduit 25, an angle different from 90
degrees. In alternative solutions, the absence of revolution
symmetry is reflected by a non-circular shape of the conduit 20.
The adjusting means 70 is designed to adjust at least the angular
position of the liquid delivery nozzle 25, in relation to the
liquid delivery conduit 20. The rotation of this conduit 20 permits
to vary the operation of the venturi 64.
[0050] Although not shown in the Figures, alternatively, the
adjusting means 70 of the position of the nozzle 25 also permits to
adjust the distance between said nozzle 25 and the nozzle 15 along
the axis of nozzle 15, to adjust the distance between said nozzle
25 and the axis of the nozzle 15 and/or to adjust the angle between
the axes of nozzles 15 and 25, according to mechanical means known
as such.
[0051] In each of FIGS. 1 through 4, one can note the free air
intake conduit 40 that ends in the nebulization zone 30, through
the nozzle 45 and for which another opening is in the open air,
e.g., in the container of the liquid to be nebulized (see FIGS. 6
through 8). The shape and/or position of nozzle 45 of the free air
intake conduit in the nebulization zone 30 cause the suction of
free air into this area, e.g., through the venturi effect, or
through the effect of the negative pressure generated on the
lateral parts of the nebulization zone 30 through the air flow
injected by nozzle 15. The inventor noted that the presence of the
free air intake conduit 40 made it possible to increase the
efficiency of each venturi 61 through 64, compared to a similar
venturi not provided with this free air intake conduit 40.
[0052] In FIG. 5, a venture 65 can be noted that comprises an air
intake conduit 10, a cylindrical conduit 85 for delivery of the
liquid to be nebulized on one hand, and intake of free air on the
other hand, a nebulization zone 30 comprising a nozzle 15 of the
air intake conduit 10 and two openings 86 and 87 of conduit 85. The
conduit 85 is designed to slide in a cylindrical boring made in the
body of venturi 65. In this manner, the adjusting means 70,
consisting of this boring, makes it possible to slide conduit 85
both in rotation in relation to its axis and in translation along
its axis, which makes it possible to vary the position of openings
86 and 87 in relation to nozzle 15 and thus constitutes two
adjusting parameters of the operation of venturi 65. In addition to
the openings 86 and 87, conduits 85 has at one end an open air
opening and at the other end an opening in a container of the
liquid to be nebulized.
[0053] The openings 86 and 87 are circular and have diameters
practically equal to the diameter of nozzle 15. They are placed
symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of conduit 85.
They are thus diametrically opposite.
[0054] FIGS. 6 through 8 show a container of the liquid to be
nebulized 100, a delivery conduit of the liquid to be nebulized 120
consisting of a hollow rod 121 plunging into the liquid contained
in the container 100 and of a secondary conduit 122 inserted into a
venturi 160, said secondary conduit being in a communication
relation with the conduit 120. The venturi 160 rests on the rim of
the container through a centering flange 161, either independent or
rooted in the venturi body. A pilferproof ring 162 is positioned
around the upper part of the container and through a locking collar
163 in its upper part rests against the centering flange 161. This
pilferproof ring 162 is attached in a non-removable fashion on the
container. In addition, the venturi 160 is covered with a cap 164
in which an air intake conduit 110a and a nebulisate discharge
conduit 195 are formed.
[0055] The air intake conduit 110a is appropriately extended by a
fitting end 110b that is proof against a source of pressurized air,
e.g., the compressed air output of a compressor. This fitting end
110b can be vertical as shown and extend either upward or downward,
but said fitting end can also have a horizontal position.
[0056] The cap 164 is attached to the centering flange 161 with
screws and covers the locking collar 163 on the pilferproof ring
162. Each screw is inserted into a boring through the flange 161
and into a blind tap made in the cap 164. Because of this
arrangement, the screw heads are in the inside volume of the
container or opposite it and are therefore inaccessible.
[0057] Thus, after the pilferproof ring 162 is secured on the
container, it is no longer possible to remove the venturi, without
destroying the ring and to access the content of the container.
[0058] This device can then be single-use and disposable after
depletion of the liquid contained in the container.
[0059] To reinforce safety by precluding the introduction into the
device, and especially into the container, of any foreign matter or
liquid before or after complete depletion of the liquid initially
contained in the container, the various conduits accessible from
outside the device can be equipped with securement means such as
check valves and alike.
[0060] The venturi 160 comprises an air intake conduit 110 in
communication relation with the conduit 110a provided in the cap,
the secondary conduit 122, a nebulization zone 130 in which there
is a nozzle 115 of the air intake conduit 110 and a nozzle 125 of
the liquid delivery conduit 120, an outlet 150 of the nebulization
zone 130, an adjusting means 170 of the position of the secondary
conduit 122, a taper 175 extending outlet 150 of the nebulization
zone and a cylindrical chamber 180 extending the taper. The
adjusting means 170 consists of a micrometric pitch screw. The
venturi 160 can also have a free air conduit 140 with a nozzle 145
in the nebulization zone 130. This free air conduit will be in
communication relation with a through-conduit 140a provided in the
cap.
[0061] In a preferred design, the conduit for the liquid to be
nebulized 121 comprises at its lower end a filter 121a. This filter
plunges into the liquid present in the container.
[0062] The free air conduit or suction conduit 140 also features:
[0063] an opening 142 designed to receive a negative pressure
sensor (see FIG. 9).
[0064] In the nebulization zone 130, the nozzle 115 of the air
intake conduit 110 and the nozzle 125 of the liquid delivery
conduit 120 are respectively positioned so that through Venturi
effect, the liquid is sucked into the nebulization zone 130 where
the air flow coming out of the nozzle 115 causes the generation of
a flow of nebulized liquid particles, directed toward the outlet
150 of the nebulization zone 130, in a well-known manner.
[0065] The inventor noted that the presence of the free air intake
conduit 140 made it possible to increase the output of the venturi
160 compared to an identical venturi not equipped with this free
air intake conduit 140. In addition, since the suction conduit
sucks air in the chamber 180, part of the stream from the venturi
is injected into the nebulization zone, which makes it possible to
increase the concentration of nebulized liquid particles in the
stream leaving the chamber 180.
[0066] In a manner characteristic of one aspect of this invention,
the escape opening 190 through which the stream coming out of the
chamber 180 exits the venturi 160 ends into the liquid container
100 and the liquid container 100 comprises a nebulized liquid
particle release opening 195 through which part of the nebulized
liquid particles coming from the escape opening 190 exits the
container 100 and the nebulization liquid to be diffused in the
atmosphere surrounding this nebulization device.
[0067] Thus, the larger nebulized liquid particles settle by the
effect of gravity or because of their inertia in the container 100
where they join the liquid to be nebulized.
[0068] In a preferred design, the escape opening 190 is directed
toward the surface of the liquid contained in the container.
[0069] FIG. 9 shows a nebulization device 200 comprising the
container 100 and venturi 160, a compressor 210, a power supply 220
for the compressor 210, a pressure sensor 230, a processing means
240, an alarm signal generator 250, a sound transmitter 260, an
indicating light 270 and a computer network 280.
[0070] The pressure sensor 230 is positioned on the opening 142 of
the conduit 140 and generates a signal representative of the
pressure (or negative pressure) in the lateral parts of the
nebulization zone 130. The processing means 240, for example an
electronic board (possibly of the microprocessor type), a computer
or a threshold circuit, receives the signal transmitted by the
pressure sensor 230 and, based on predetermined variation criteria
of this signal, causes the generation of alarm signals by the alarm
signal generator 250 sent to the sound transmitter 260, indicating
light 270 and/or computer network 280.
[0071] The predetermined criteria are for example: drop of pressure
measured below a threshold level or drop of pressure by at least
10% measured in less than 5 minutes.
[0072] The inventor indeed discovered that when there is no more
liquid in the nozzle 125, the value of the negative pressure sensed
by the pressure sensor 230 is different from the value of the
negative pressure when said nozzle contains liquid to be nebulized.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9, the value of
the pressure measured is, when there is no more liquid in the
nozzle 125, lower than when there is still liquid to be nebulized
in the nozzle 125.
[0073] The alarm signal generator 250 is designed to command:
[0074] the transmittal of sound signals by the sound transmitter
260, consisting for example of a speaker, [0075] the transmittal of
visual signals by the indicating light 270, consisting for example
of a LED and/or [0076] the transmission of alarm signals by the
computer network 280, consisting for example of a wire or non-wire
connection connected to a capture board itself connected to a
computer system.
[0077] The processing means is also designed to cut off the power
supply of the compressor 210 when it detects that there is no more
liquid to be nebulized.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows an initialization step 300 during which a
venturi is connected to a container of liquid to be nebulized so
that the projection by the venturi of nebulized liquid particles is
done inside the container.
[0079] Then, during step 310, an air compressor is started to cause
suction of the liquid to be nebulized into a container.
[0080] For each part of the liquid sucked during step 310, an
injection step 320 into a nebulization zone then takes place and a
projection step 330 of the nebulized liquid particles into said
container.
[0081] Part of the nebulized liquid particles then exits the
container through a release opening during step 340.
[0082] In parallel to the steps 320 through 340, part of the air in
the container is sucked into a free air conduit, step 350, and
injected into the nebulization zone, step 360.
[0083] In parallel to the steps 320 through 360, a measurement step
370 is carried out for the pressure in the nebulization zone and a
processing step 380 of said measurement.
[0084] According to a preferred design, during measurement step
370, the pressure is measured in a suction conduit provided with a
nozzle in the nebulization zone, and possibly with an open air
opening, for example, in the container.
[0085] During the processing step 380, the compressor operation is
stopped or an alarm signal is generated whenever the pressure meets
predetermined variation criteria, as explained based on FIG. 9.
[0086] FIG. 11 shows a circular component or diaphragm 196 with
three lateral openings 197 that can be inserted into the escape
opening 190 preferably in a shoulder provided at the end of this
opening, i.e., opposite to the nebulization chamber (see FIG. 6).
The function of this circular component is to retain the largest
particles of the nebulized liquid so that they form large size
drops that fall under the gravity effect into the container 100,
which prevents the formation of an emulsion liable to cause
oxidation of the liquid to be nebulized.
[0087] FIG. 12 shows an alternative form 26 of the nozzle 25 (see
FIGS. 1 through 4).
[0088] In this alternative, the opening of nozzle 25 has a
non-plane shape formed by the intersection of the liquid delivery
conduit 70 cylinder and of a cylinder surrounding the nozzle of the
pressurized air intake 10, with the pressurized intake air conduit
as axis.
[0089] The inventor noted that this particular shape 26 allows for
good efficiency of the nebulization venturi 61 through 64. Any
other shape, for example, triangular can be provided for.
[0090] The device as described will be appropriately arranged in a
compartmented protective case as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. As one
can see, this case has a closing flap with a lock. One of the
compartments of the case shall be designed to receive the device
under the invention and another one of the compartments shall be
designed to receive the compressed air compressor. The compressor
compressed air outlet shall be connected through a flexible or
rigid line to a socket secured in the first compartment and
designed to receive the cap socket end of the nebulization device.
Another compartment shall be provided to receive the device
electronics.
[0091] In a preferred design, to secure the device inside the case
without altering the removability of the device, the latter is
equipped with a locking lever designed to work together through
pivoting with two anchoring studs mounted in the first
compartment.
[0092] It is understood that this invention can accommodate any
fixtures and alternatives from the field of equivalent techniques
without thereby going outside the scope of this invention.
* * * * *