Device employing gas generating cell for facilitating controlled release of fluid into ambient environment

Abstract

A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice. The fluid compartment contains the fluid for release to the ambient environment. The orifice compartment includes a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and contains an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state. A fluid restrictor is disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state. A gas-generating cell is in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state. A fluid membrane is disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state. The device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening and activating the cell to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 868,203, entitled “Device for Employing Gas Generating Cell for Facilitating Controlled Release of Fluid into Ambient Environment,” filed Jun. 14, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of the following applications: a.) U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 645,673, entitled “Controlled Release of Substances,” filed Aug. 24, 2000; b.) U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 649,563, entitled “Controlled Release of Substances,” filed Aug. 28, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 028,372, entitled “Controlled Release of Substances,” filed Feb. 24, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,539, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 880,124, entitled “Controlled Release of Substances,” filed Jun. 20, 1997, now abandoned; c.) U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 115,273, entitled “Electrochemical Cell with Cathode Constructio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The third compartment has an opening in the bottom of the device. The third compartment contains a small initial amount of fluid. This compartment is sealed at the bottom opening by metal or plastic. The user of the device breaks the seal to get initial instant dose of fluid on to the emanator system to be volatilized into a surrounding atmosphere. The container of the device is positioned such that the first compartment is above second compartment and second compartment is above third compartment to allow gravity to help effectuate delivery of the fluid.

[0017] Means for protecting and separating gas generating and associated electronics from exposure to fluid or its vapor in the second compartment is also provided. Means for not allowing the fluid in second compartment to flow into third compartment under storage or inactivated conditions is also provided. Means for allowing the fluid in the second compartment to flow through third compartment out of container and on to emanator system under gravity and hydrogen gas pressure under an activated condition is also provided.

Problems solved by technology

Most known devices, however, are not designed for long shelf life, especially when they are mated to bladder-type fluid delivery reservoirs.

There are three major issues that affect shelf life of fluid delivery devices.

First, shelf life is affected by the loss of moisture from the gas generating cell due to permeation through the gas chamber shell or through the flexible diaphragm.

Since most of the reactions which generate hydrogen involve the consumption of water, desiccation of the cells typically will have a negative impact resulting in lower performance or shorter than desirable life.

Second, if the gas generators are the type which consumes a metal, and oxygen is uncontrollably admitted to the cell, the metal will oxidize prematurely, and be spent when the device is to be activated.

Third, if the gas generators are the type which consume a metal, hydrogen is generated to some degree prematurely.

While corrosion inhibitors may be utilized to significantly reduce this effect, some hydrogen generation will occur if the active metal is in the presence of the aqueous solution, especially if the device is exposed to elevated temperature during storage.

This hydrogen must be vented passively, otherwise the device will prematurely pressurize resulting in premature dispensing of the liquid, deformation of the device, or an undesirable burst of fluid delivery when the device is first activated.

With such devices, there is a delay before pumping of fluid occurs after the device is activated.

This creates environmental concerns since mercury is toxic.

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