Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for increasing the flow rate of pressurized non-dilatant liquid through an orifice, the apparatus comprising: a die housing defining: a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid; an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized non-dilatant liquid; and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip, the exit orifice being adapted to receive the pressurized non-dilatant liquid from the chamber and pass the liquid out of the die housing; and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized non-dilatant liquid within the chamber without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip, wherein the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for increasing the flow rate of pressurized non-dilatant liquid through an orifice, the apparatus comprising: a die housing defining: a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid; an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized non-dilatant liquid; and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip, the exit orifice being adapted to receive the pressurized non-dilatant liquid from the chamber and pass the liquid out of the die housing; and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized non-dilatant liquid within the chamber without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip, wherein the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for applying ultrasonic energy is an immersed ultrasonic horn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit orifice is a plurality of exit orifices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit orifice is a single exit orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit orifice has a diameter of from about 0.0001 to about 0.1 inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the exit orifice has a diameter of from about 0.001 to about 0.01 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit orifice is an exit capillary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exit capillary has a length to diameter ratio of from about 4:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic energy has a frequency of from about 15 kHz to about 100 kHz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit orifice is self-cleaning.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to emulsify a pressurized multi-component liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to produce a spray of liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is adapted to produce an atomized spray of liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to produce cavitation of the pressurized liquid.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for extruding a molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer, the apparatus comprising: a die housing defining: a chamber adapted to receive the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer; an inlet orifice adapted to supply the chamber with the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer; and an extrusion orifice adapted to receive the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer from the chamber and extrude the polymer; and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer, wherein the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for extruding a molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer, the apparatus comprising: a die housing defining: a chamber adapted to receive the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer; an inlet orifice adapted to supply the chamber with the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer; and an extrusion orifice adapted to receive the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer from the chamber and extrude the polymer; and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the molten non-dilatant thermoplastic polymer, wherein the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15, in which the ultrasonic energy has a frequency of from about 15 kHz to about 100 kHz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the exit orifice includes an upstream cylindrical portion and a downstream frustum portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the extrusion orifice includes an upstream cylindrical portion and a downstream frustum portion.