In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an aperture plate includes depositing a releasable seed layer above a substrate, applying a first patterned photolithography mask above the releasable seed layer, the first patterned photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a desired aperture pattern, electroplating a first material above the exposed portions of the releasable seed layer and defined by the first mask, applying a second photolithography mask above the first material, the second photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a first cavity, electroplating a second material above the exposed portions of the first material and defined by the second mask, removing both masks, and etching the releasable seed layer to release the first material and the second material. The first and second material form an aperture plate for use in aerosolizing a liquid. Other aperture plates and methods of producing aperture plates are described according to other embodiments.

Nebulizers are used to deliver a medicine to a patient's lungs in the form of an airstream, with fluid comprising the medicine entrained in the airstream. To enable the fluid to be entrained in the airstream, a nebulizer contains an aerosol generator typically comprising a vibratory element (28) with a piezoelectric actuator. There is a need to frequently sterilize the nebulizer. This involves dipping the nebulizer in boiling water for a significant time. It has been found that repeated sterilization cycles can force water through gaps in the vibratory element, and its encapsulation (26), and damage the piezo element. The present invention proposes to more effectively seal the piezo of the vibratory element (28) from the effects of water ingress. In particular, it is proposed to create, at an interface of the vibratory element (28) and the encapsulating element (26), a discontinuity which provides a barrier geometry. Through capillary forces, the progress of water towards the piezoelectric element (12) comprised in the vibratory element (28) is arrested, and the lifetime of the aerosol generator is improved.

An aerosol delivery system that includes an aerosol generator that aerosolizes a fluid for delivery to a patient. The aerosol generator includes a housing with a fluid chamber that fluidly communicates with a housing inlet and a housing outlet. Within the housing, the aerosol generator includes a support plate with an aperture that fluidly communicates with the housing outlet. A vibratable member couples to the support plate across the aperture. A piezoelectric actuator also couples to the support plate, and in operation expands and contracts to vibrate the vibratable member, which aerosolizes a fluid. The aerosol generator receives fluid through a fluid conduit that couples to the housing.

A system to provide media (e.g., scent, therapeutics, other substances) includes a dispenser that may include a reservoir, an actuator (e.g., nebulizer), and an outlet through which a vapor or aerosol may be supplied or dispensed, the vapor or aerosol, for example comprising readily-soluble droplets having a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns for introduction to vessel. An interface is positionable over an opening of the vessel to close the opening while allow media to be dispensed into the interior of the vessel, thereby retaining the dispensed media until taken in by a user. The interface (e.g., annular plate) has a pair of opposed major surfaces, and the first major face supported on a rim of the vessel, with the dispenser supported on the second major face in an inverted orientation. A sensor may sense orientation, and cause an actuator (e.g., nebulizer) to dispense media when in the inverted orientation or otherwise titled for normal.

An atomization device includes a liquid storing member that stores a liquid therein, a carrier detachably assembled to the liquid storing member, an opener disposed on at least one of the liquid storing member and the carrier, and an atomizing module that is assembled to at least one of the liquid storing member and the carrier. The opener is configured to form an opening on the liquid storing member. The atomization device has a buffering chamber arranged between the atomizing module and the opening of the liquid storing member, and a volume of the buffering chamber is less than a volume of the liquid. The liquid storing member can be pressed to change an inner pressure thereof, such that a part of the liquid is driven to flow from the opening into the buffering chamber for an atomizing process of the atomizing module. The buffering chamber can receive the liquid stored in the liquid storing member over multiple times, such that the atomization device can atomize the liquid over multiple times through the buffering chamber.

A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.

An atomization device according to the present invention is provided with: a main body part which has a container space that contains a hydrogen peroxide solution; and a diaphragm which is provided with through holes where the hydrogen peroxide solution contained in the container space passes, and which atomizes the hydrogen peroxide solution passing through the through holes.

A volatile material dispenser includes a base that houses a printed circuit board, a stand assembly that is coupled with the base, the stand assembly including a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand, the manifold containing a circular piezoelectric element. The dispenser further includes a shroud that is coupled with the stand assembly and defines a chimney, and a refill comprising a wick, the refill being removably coupled with the manifold. The manifold includes a cylindrical wall that extends upward from the manifold, a spring is disposed within the manifold and is coaxial with the cylindrical wall, and a top end of the spring is wrapped around the cylindrical wall and a bottom end of the spring applies a force against the piezoelectric element.

This liquid surface detection device comprises: a liquid retention part in which hydrogen peroxide water is retained, the hydrogen peroxide water to be atomized by a vibrating plate in which a through-hole is provided; a float positioned inside the liquid retention part; and a sensor that detects, via the float, the arrival of the liquid surface of the hydrogen peroxide water retained in the liquid retention device at a prescribed position.

A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.