Piezoelectric Device for the Targeted Diffusion of Active Material in Animals

Abstract

The invention relates to a refillable device (1) for spraying an active substance, comprising a reservoir (2) containing at least one active substance, said device being equipped with a piezoelectric spraying mechanism (6). The device is attached to or in the collar of an animal. The invention also relates to the use of said device for spraying an active substance in a controlled manner from a distance in a desired direction. Said device can be used multi-directionally independently of the movements of the animal.

Claims

1. A collar for an animal equipped with a rechargeable device for spraying an active substance, wherein the rechargeable spraying device is attached to or in the collar, and the rechargeable spraying device comprises: a. a removable reservoir containing a wick and at least one active substance, b. a nebulization body containing a piezoelectric spraying mechanism, c. a seal providing tightness between said reservoir and said nebulization body.

2. The collar according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric spraying mechanism comprises a piezoelectric pad in contact with the active substance, said pad vibrating at a frequency comprised between 75 and 190 kHz and being covered with a perforated membrane whose perforation size is between 1 and 40 μm.

3. The collar according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric pad is in contact with a wick whose end is planar.

4. The collar according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric pad is in contact with a wick whose end is hemispherical.

5. The collar according to claim 1, wherein the nebulization body is equipped with an orientation system for the piezoelectric spraying mechanism.

6. The collar according to claim 1, wherein the active substance is an insecticidal, repellent, painkiller, soothing, antibacterial or antiseptic active substance.

7. The collar according to claim 1, wherein the active substance represents 0.01% to 100% by weight of a liquid composition.

8. The collar according to claim 7, wherein the liquid composition is sprayed in the form of particles with an average diameter of between 1 μm and 40 μm.

9. A use of a rechargeable device for spraying an active substance according to claim 1, wherein the device can be used in a multidirectional manner and independently of the movements of the animal.

10. The use of a rechargeable device for spraying an active substance according to claim 1, wherein the device makes it possible to spray the active substance in a localized manner on a target zone of the animal.

11. The use according to claim 9, wherein the device equipped with a piezoelectric spraying mechanism makes it possible to spray the active substance in a controlled and remote manner.

12. The use according to claim 9, wherein the spraying targets the ear-nose-and-throat sphere of the animal.

13. The use according to claim 9, wherein the spraying targets the back, stomach, chest, legs or flanks of the animal.

14. The use according to claim 10, wherein the device equipped with a piezoelectric spraying mechanism makes it possible to spray the active substance in a controlled and remote manner.

15. The use according to claim 10, wherein the spraying targets the ear-nose-and-throat sphere of the animal.

16. The use according to claim 11, wherein the spraying targets the ear-nose-and-throat sphere of the animal.

17. The use according to claim 10, wherein the spraying targets the back, stomach, chest, legs or flanks of the animal.

18. The use according to claim 11, wherein the spraying targets the back, stomach, chest, legs or flanks of the animal.

19. The use according to claim 12, wherein the spraying targets the back, stomach, chest, legs or flanks of the animal.

Description

[0087] FIGS. 1 to 6 show an example of a device according to the invention, without limiting its shape.

[0088] FIG. 1 represents an example of a complete device according to the invention consisting of the two main parts, namely, the body of the device constituting the nebulization body (1) and the reservoir (2) embedded within the nebulization body (1).

[0089] FIG. 2 represents the reservoir (2) consisting of the cartridge part (3) containing the active substance or the composition comprising the active substance, within which is fastened a wick (4) with a flat end. A seal (5) ensures the tightness between the reservoir and the nebulization body when the reservoir is in place within the device.

[0090] FIG. 3 represents an alternative to the reservoir (2) consisting of the cartridge part (3) containing the active substance or the composition comprising the active substance, within which is fastened another variant of wick (4′) having a rounded, hemispherical end.

[0091] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 represent the reservoir with the piezoelectric pad (6) in place as it is arranged within the element of the nebulization body.

[0092] FIG. 4 represents the case where the piezoelectric pad (6) is placed on a wick with a flat end (4).

[0093] FIG. 5 represents the case where the piezoelectric pad (6) is placed on a wick with a hemispherical end (4′) making it possible to orient the cell in order to direct the spray in a chosen direction.

[0094] FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the orientation system of the piezoelectric pad (6) when the latter is in contact with the active substance through a hemispherical wick (4′). In this particular embodiment, the piezoelectric pad is embedded within a tilting system making it possible to choose an orientation to give to the piezoelectric pad, thus directing the spray in the desired direction.

[0095] FIG. 7 represents the orientation system of the piezoelectric pad and, in particular, the detail of the ball-and-socket type mechanism (7) consisting of a fixed part (8) and a mobile part (8′) embedded within said fixed part (8).

[0096] The present invention is illustrated by means of the following non-exhaustive and non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLE 1: DIFFUSION DEVICE FOR ANTI-TICK AND FLEA ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FOR DOGS

[0097] A prototype of a device for the distribution of active substance against ticks and fleas was produced. The device consists of the assembly comprising: [0098] a hemispherical polypropylene casing, 4 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height, [0099] an alcoholic solution comprising an essential oil of lavandin which represents 5% by weight of the composition, contained in a cylindrical polypropylene reservoir, 3 mL in volume (3 cm in diameter, 0.44 cm in height), the reservoir being provided with an outlet orifice, [0100] a cellulose wick whose role is to convey the liquid from the reservoir to the piezoelectric pad, [0101] a nitrile rubber O-ring to ensure the seal between the reservoir and the hemispherical casing, [0102] a piezoelectric ceramic pad (PZT4 SMMOD10F190, Steminc) in contact with the solution, allowing it to be nebulized. The toric-shaped piezoelectric pad (16 mm in external diameter, 3 mm in height) is covered with a perforated membrane (perforation size 3-20 μm over an area 4 mm in diameter). The pad vibrates at a frequency of 110 kHz), [0103] an electronic control board allowing manual activation of the piezoelectric pad using a push button located in the center of the hemisphere of the casing to activate the spray, [0104] a 3.7 V, 300 mAh and 1.11 Wh battery supplying the device (29×19×5 mm), [0105] a filling orifice located on the casing, and fitted with a flexible silicone cap to allow the reservoir to be filled with active liquid, [0106] a connector fitted with a USB port to allow the battery to be recharged, [0107] the entire device just described is attached to a nylon collar provided with a collar-loop type closure means such as Velcro, for example. The device is fastened in order to spray the solution downwards, with the liquid reservoir pointing upwards, This device is designed so that a mist of active material is formed at the outlet of the nozzle, moving along the lower parts of the wearer's body in order to protect it against infestations by the targeted parasites (ticks and fleas). The electronic circuit board was programmed to allow activation of the pad for 20 seconds, for a nebulized volume of approximately 77 μL. The autonomy of the battery makes it possible to trigger approximately 100 activations before fully recharging.

EXAMPLE 2: DIFFUSION DEVICE FOR ANTI-TICK AND FLEA ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FOR DOGS

[0108] A prototype of a device for the distribution of repellent active material against fleas and ticks was produced. The device consists of the assembly comprising: [0109] a casing in the shape of a block, 4 cm wide, 3.5 cm high and 1.5 cm deep, on which there is a protuberance to house the piezoelectric pad (see FIG. 1) as well as a groove inside which a seal can be housed. [0110] a solution based on tangerine essential oil and Ceylon citronella essential oil (50/50) with repellent properties against ticks and fleas, contained in a cylindrical glass reservoir, 1.5 mL in volume (1.1 cm in diameter, 3 cm in height), the reservoir being provided with an outlet orifice, [0111] a piezoelectric ceramic (PZT4 SMMOD10F190, Steminc) in contact with the solution, allowing it to be nebulized. The toric-shaped piezoelectric pad (16 mm in external diameter, 3 mm in height) is covered with a perforated membrane (perforation size 3-20 μm over an area 4 mm in diameter). The pad vibrates at a frequency of 110 kHz, [0112] a hydrophobic treated cellulose wick, 6 mm in diameter and 3.5 cm in height, whose role is to convey the mixture of essential oils from the reservoir to the piezoelectric pad, [0113] an 11 mm diameter nitrile rubber O-ring to ensure the seal between the reservoir and the hemispherical casing [0114] an electronic control card allowing manual remote activation of the piloting of the piezoelectric system using a remote control allowing activation of the spray, located in the center of the hemisphere of the casing, [0115] a 3.7 V, 300 mAh and 1.11 Wh battery supplying the device (29×19×5 mm), [0116] a connector fitted with a USB port allowing the battery to be recharged, [0117] the entire device just described is attached to a nylon collar provided with a loop type closure means. [0118] the assembly is placed on the collar in order to spray the solution downwards on the animal. This device is designed and placed on the animal in such an orientation that at the outlet of the nozzle, a mist of active material is formed which moves along the lower parts of the animal and thus protects the wearer against flea or tick bites. The electronic circuit board was programmed to allow activation of the pad for 4 seconds, for a nebulized volume of approximately 17 μL. The autonomy of the battery makes it possible to trigger approximately 500 activations before fully recharging.

EXAMPLE 3: DIFFUSION DEVICE FOR SOOTHING ACTIVE SUBSTANCE FOR CATS

[0119] A device prototype was produced for the diffusion of a soothing composition for cats. The device consists of the assembly comprising: [0120] a casing in the shape of a block, 4 cm wide, 3.5 cm high and 1.5 cm deep, on which there is a protuberance to house the piezoelectric pad, as well as a groove inside which a seal can be housed. [0121] a solution based on Nepeta cataria essential oil and hemp essential oil, rich in cannabinoids without THC (50/50) with soothing and pain-relieving properties, diluted in ethanol up to 10%, contained in a cylindrical glass reservoir, 1.5 mL in volume (1.1 cm in diameter, 3 cm in height), the reservoir being provided with an outlet orifice, [0122] a cellulose wick, 6 mm in diameter and 3.5 cm in height, with a hemispherical end, whose role is to convey the mixture of essential oils from the reservoir to the piezoelectric pad, [0123] an 11 mm nitrile rubber O-ring to ensure the seal between the reservoir and the hemispherical casing [0124] a piezoelectric ceramic (PZT4 SMMOD10F190, Steminc) in contact with the solution, allowing it to be nebulized through the hemispherical wick. The toric-shaped piezoelectric pad (16 mm in external diameter, 3 mm in height) is covered with a perforated membrane (perforation size 1-10 μm over an area 4 mm in diameter). The pad vibrates at a frequency of 110 kHz, [0125] an electronic control board allowing manual remote activation of the piloting of the piezoelectric system using a remote control allowing activation of the spray, located in the center of the hemisphere of the casing, [0126] a 3.7 V, 300 mAh and 1.11 Wh battery supplying the device (29×19×5 mm), [0127] a connector fitted with a USB port allowing the battery to be recharged, [0128] the entire device just described is attached to an EVA collar fitted with a buckle-type closure means, [0129] the assembly is placed on the collar in order to spray the solution towards the top of the animal.

[0130] This device is designed and placed on the animal in such an orientation that, at the outlet of the nozzle, a mist of active material is formed which is directed towards the ENT sphere of the cat. The electronic circuit board was programmed to allow activation of the pad for 10 seconds, for a nebulized volume of approximately 38 μL. The autonomy of the battery makes it possible to trigger approximately 200 activations before fully recharging.