The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2004
Craig Miller, State College, PA (US);
Andreas Hadjicostis, Carmel, IN (US);
Craig Miller, State College, PA (US);
Andreas Hadjicostis, Carmel, IN (US);
Piezo Technologies, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus of the present invention includes: a container operable to hold a liquid; circuitry operable to provide an electrical stimulus; and a piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the circuitry. The piezoelectric element includes a first face positioned beneath the liquid when the liquid is placed in the container, the piezoelectric element being responsive to the electrical stimulus to produce acoustic energy that causes droplets to form from the liquid. The piezoelectric element has a focal length along a focal axis intersecting the first face. The piezoelectric element and the container are structured in relation to one another to form an oblique angle between the focal axis and an axis generally parallel to a surface of the liquid when the liquid is at rest in the container.