ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY DEVICE

An electrostatic spray device (100) equipped with a spray electrode (1) and a reference electrode (2) includes: a groove (8) formed on a surface of the device for collecting a substance adhered to the surface of the device; and a substance recovery section (9) for recovering the collected substance into the device from the groove (8), wherein the substance recovery section (9) is provided in the form of a trapezoidal opening, and the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoidal opening is located below in the direction of gravity in a state where the device is made to stand.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrostatic spray device which can reduce effects caused by adhesion of a liquid.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a spray device for spraying a liquid in a container from a nozzle has been used in various fields. As this type of spray device, there has been known an electrostatic spray device which sprays a liquid after atomizing the liquid by making use of Electro Hydrodynamics (EHD). This electrostatic spray device forms an electric field in the vicinity of a tip of a nozzle, and atomizes a liquid existing at the tip of the nozzle by making use of the electric field, and sprays the atomized liquid. As document which discloses such an electrostatic spray device, there has been known Patent Document 1.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the prior art has the following problems.

In general, in an electrostatic spray device, an electric field is generated between two electrodes (a pin and a capillary) by applying a voltage across both electrodes. In this state, the electric field is directed in the direction of the pin and hence, with respect to a sprayed substance, there is a possibility that a spray back where the substance is sprayed in the direction of the pin, that is, in the direction toward the device or the like occurs, so that a liquid adheres to the electrostatic spray device. When a surface of the device is in a wet state, a hand of a user becomes wet when the user grips the device. The electrostatic spray device may be used for spraying essential oils, chemical substances for agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, insecticides, air purifying agents or the like and hence, it is desirable that the adhesion of a liquid to a surface of the device is as small as possible.

In this respect, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrostatic spray device provided with the collecting structure for collecting a liquid staying on a surface of the device. However, the collecting structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed of a groove for collecting a liquid into a prescribed region (reference symbol7in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1), and the collected liquid remains on the surface of the device although the liquid is collected into the prescribed region. Accordingly, when the liquid has high viscosity or has low volatility, an evaporation amount is small, so that an amount of remaining liquid is increased whereby there is a possibility that the liquid overflows from the groove. Further, when the electrostatic spray device is tilted, the collected liquid flows in the direction that the electrostatic spray device is tilted. Also in this case, the collected liquid may overflow from the groove.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic spray device which can reduce effects caused by adhesion of a liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

To overcome the above-mentioned problems, the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention is an electrostatic spray device equipped with a first electrode for spraying a substance from the tip thereof and a second electrode across which and the first electrode voltage is applied, wherein the electrostatic spray device includes: a groove formed on a surface of the device for collecting the substance adhered to the surface; and a substance recovery section formed in the groove for recovering the collected substance into the device from the groove. The substance recovery section is provided in the form of a trapezoidal opening, and when the device is made to stand, the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoid is located below in the direction of gravity.

Due to such a constitution, even when the substance sprayed from the first electrode adheres to the surface of the device due to a spray back or the like, for example, the substance is collected into the groove for collecting the substance. Further, the substance recovery section is formed in the groove and the substance recovery section recovers the substance collected into the groove to the inside of the device from the groove.

At this stage of operation, the substance recovery section is provided in the form of a trapezoidal shape, and the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoidal is located below in the direction of gravity (hereinafter, such a shape also being referred to as an inverse trapezoidal shape). Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, with respect to the parallel sides of the trapezoidal shape, the longer side is referred to as an upper parallel side, and the shorter side is referred to as a lower parallel side. Due to such a constitution, in the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention, the lower parallel side having a narrow width is located below the upper parallel side having a wide width in the direction of gravity and hence, the substance smoothly moves toward a lower-parallel-side side from an upper-parallel-side side, and is efficiently recovered in the inside of the device.

Assume the case where the substance recovery section is provided in the form of a triangular shape, and one of vertexes is directed in the direction of gravity (hereinafter, such a shape also being referred to as “inverse triangular shape”). In this case, there is a possibility that the substance which moves in the direction of gravity is directed to the vertex, and the substance overflows to the groove from the substance recovery section at the vertex. There is also a possibility that the substance which overflows from the substance recovery section also overflows from the groove.

To the contrary, the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention includes the substance recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape and hence, a substance which moves toward the lower parallel side is made to stay in the lower parallel side portion thus decreasing frequency that the substance overflows to the outside of the device from the lower parallel side.

In this manner, the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned substance recovery section and hence, the electrostatic spray device can recover a substance more efficiently whereby effects brought about by the adhesion of a liquid can be reduced.

Effect of the Invention

As described above, the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention includes: the groove formed on the surface of the device for collecting the substance adhered to the surface; and the substance recovery section formed in the groove for recovering the collected substance into the device from the groove. The substance recovery section is provided in the form of the trapezoidal opening, and when the device is made to stand, the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoid is located below in the direction of gravity.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an advantageous effect that an electrostatic spray device which can reduce effects caused by adhesion of a liquid is provided.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an electrostatic spray device100of an embodiment is described by reference to drawings. In the description made hereinafter, the same symbol is given to the identical parts or constitutional elements. Identical parts or constitutional elements also have the same name and the same function. Accordingly, the detailed description of identical parts or constitutional elements is not repeated.

[Constitution of Essential Part of Electrostatic Spray Device100]

Firstly, the constitution of an essential part of the electrostatic spray device100is described by reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a view for describing the constitution of the essential part of the electrostatic spray device100.

The electrostatic spray device100is a device which is used for spraying essential oils, chemical substances for agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, insecticides, air purifying agents or the like. The electrostatic spray device100includes at least: a spray electrode (first electrode)1; a reference electrode (second electrode)2; a power source device3; a dielectric10; and a storage container20for storing a liquid recovered from a liquid recovery section (opening).

The power source device3may be disposed outside the electrostatic spray device100, and the power source device3and the electrostatic spray device100may be connected to each other.

The spray electrode1includes: a conductive conduit such as a metal capillary (made of 304 stainless steel or the like, for example); and a spray portion which constitutes a tip portion of the spray electrode1. The spray electrode1is connected to the reference electrode2via the power source device3, and sprays a substance to be sprayed from the spray portion. In the description made hereinafter, a substance to be sprayed is simply referred to as “liquid”.

The reference electrode2is formed of a conductive rod such as a metal pin (made of a 304 steel pin or the like, for example). The spray electrode1and the reference electrode2are arranged parallel to each other in a spaced-apart manner from each other by a prescribed distance. The spray electrode1and the reference electrode2are arranged in a spaced-apart manner from each other with a distance of 8 mm therebetween, for example.

The power source device3applies a high voltage across the spray electrode1and the reference electrode2. For example, the power source device3applies a high voltage of 1-30 kV (for example, 3-7 kV) across the spray electrode1and the reference electrode2. When a high voltage is applied across the spray electrode1and the reference electrode2, an electric field is generated between the electrodes, and an electric dipole is generated in the inside of the dielectric10. In such a state, the spray electrode1is positively charged while the reference electrode2is negatively charged (it is also possible that the spray electrode1is negatively charged while the reference electrode2is positively charged). A negative dipole is generated on a portion of a surface of the dielectric10disposed closest to the positively charged spray electrode1, while a positive dipole is generated on a portion of a surface of the dielectric10disposed closest to the negatively charged reference electrode2. Charged gas and charged substance species are discharged by the spray electrode1and the reference electrode2.

The dielectric10is made of a dielectric material such as nylon 6, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 66, polypropylene or polyacetyl-polytetrafluoroethylene mixture, for example. The dielectric10supports the spray electrode1at a spray electrode mounting portion6, and supports the reference electrode2at a reference electrode mounting portion7.

Next, a groove8and a liquid recovery section (substance recovery section)9formed on the electrostatic spray device100are described by reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a view showing a surface of a casing of the electrostatic spray device100. The direction directed to a lower side of the drawing is the direction of gravity.FIG. 1shows the electrostatic spray device100in an upright posture.

The electrostatic spray device100has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. In a surface30of the electrostatic spray device100on a side where a liquid is sprayed, a circular annular opening31and a circular annular opening32are formed, wherein the circular annular opening31is formed such that the opening31may surround the spray electrode1, and the circular annular opening32is formed such that the opening32may surround the reference electrode2.

A groove8a, a groove8band a groove8care formed on the surface30. The groove8band the groove8care formed in an extending manner in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in the drawing) of the electrostatic spray device100, and are connected to each other by way of the groove8a. The groove8ais formed in an extending manner in the lateral direction (the right-and-left direction in the drawing) of the electrostatic spray device100, and the groove8band the groove8care connected to each other byway of the groove8a. InFIG. 1, the groove8aintersects with the groove8band the groove8cin the substantially perpendicular direction. The groove8band the groove8care not indispensable, and only the groove8amay be formed on the surface.

A liquid recovery section9a, a liquid recovery section9band a liquid recovery section9care formed in the groove8a. The liquid recovery section9ais located in the center portion of the groove8awhich extends in the horizontal direction, and the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9care located in each end of the groove8arespectively. The liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9care provided in the form of a trapezoidal shape, and the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoidal opening is located below in the direction of gravity (hereinafter such a shape being also referred to as “inverse trapezoidal shape”). The liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9cmay be formed with a tilt in the groove8a, for example, such that a liquid can be easily recovered into the inside of the electrostatic spray device100.

In this embodiment, the groove8ahaving a length of 26 mm and a height of 1 mm, for example, is formed. The liquid recovery section9ahaving an upper parallel side of 6 mm, a lower parallel side of 4 mm, and a height 1.6 mm is formed. The liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9chaving an upper parallel side of 5 mm, a lower parallel side of 3 mm, and a height of 1.6 mm are formed. These numerical values are described merely as one example, and sizes of these portions are not limited to these numerical values.

As described in the drawing, the spray electrode1is connected to an electric conductor21, and a voltage is applied to the spray electrode1from the power source device3not shown in the drawing through the electric conductor21. The reference electrode2is connected to an electric conductor22, and a voltage is applied to the reference electrode2by the power source device3not shown in the drawing through the electric conductor22. The electric conductor21and/or the electric conductor22may be coated with a material having water repellent performance and oil repellent performance. Further, an O-ring made of silicon, fluoro rubber, a resin or the like having chemical resistances may be provided to the spray electrode1and/or the reference electrode2.

The electrostatic spray device100has the above-mentioned constitution and hence, the electrostatic spray device100can provide the following advantageous effects.

To be more specific, on the surface30of the electrostatic spray device100, the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9care formed in the groove8a. Accordingly, when a liquid flows into the groove8a, the liquid is smoothly introduced into the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9c. Even when the electrostatic spray device100is tilted right and left, since the liquid recovery section9band liquid recovery section9care formed in each end of the groove8arespectively, the liquid can be smoothly introduced into the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9c.

Accordingly, even when a liquid which is introduced into the groove8ahas high viscosity and/or low volatility, the liquid can be smoothly introduced into the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9cand is recovered into the inside of the electrostatic spray device100.

By connecting the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9cto the storage container20not shown in the drawing, a liquid recovered by the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9ccan be stored in the storage container. The stored liquid may be used again. By using the stored liquid again, the electrostatic spray device100can suppress a use amount of liquid compared to a conventional electrostatic spray device.

In the case shown inFIG. 1, three units of the liquid recovery section, that is, the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9care formed in the groove8a. However, one or two units of the liquid recovery section may be formed in the groove8a. Alternatively, four or more units of the liquid recovery section may be formed in the groove8a. If only one unit of the liquid recovery section is formed, there is a possibility that a liquid is recovered less efficiently when the electrostatic spray device100has tilted right and left, as compared with the case of three units of the liquid recovery section being formed. On the other hand, when four or five units of the liquid recovery section are formed in the groove8a, a size of each liquid recovery section is made small and hence, there is a possibility that absorbing property of the liquid recovery section is lowered with respect to physical property of the liquid. For this reason, it is desirable that the number of units of the liquid recovery section is set to approximately three.

[Comparison Test Based on Change in Shape]

Advantageous effects provided by the electrostatic spray device100including a liquid recovery section9having an inverse trapezoidal shape on the surface30of the electrostatic spray device100are described by reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.

FIG. 3is a view for describing results of recovering a liquid using liquid recovery sections having various shapes. As shown in the drawing, a trapezoidal shape (small), an inverse trapezoidal shape, a rhombic shape, a trapezoidal shape (large), a rectangular shape, a regular triangular shape and a circular shape are used as shapes of the liquid recovery sections for comparison. Sizes (a length of a larger side (in the horizontal direction), a length of a shorter side (in the horizontal direction) and a height) and the like of the respective shapes are as described inFIG. 3. The number of units of each liquid recovery section is one or two. Further, 30 μl of formulation mainly made of DPM is dripped to these liquid recovery sections from above the surface30for 10 minutes for every one minute, and liquid absorption property of the formulation into the liquid recovery sections was visually observed. The results of recovering a liquid under such test conditions were evaluated in three grades, that is, “◯”, “Δ” and “x”, and the evaluations were shown inFIG. 3. With respect to such evaluations, “◯” indicates that the recovery result is favorable, “Δ” indicates that the recovery result is intermediate, and “x” indicates that the recovery result is bad.

To confirm the results of the evaluation in the order of shapes described inFIG. 3from the top, when the liquid recovery section had a trapezoidal shape (small), the absorption of liquid was not observed, air bubbles were generated, and leakage of liquid was observed. As the result, the determination “x” was given to the result of recovering a liquid using the liquid recovery section having a trapezoidal shape (small).

Next, when the liquid recovery section had an inverse trapezoidal shape, the liquid recovery section exhibited the highest liquid absorption property. Accordingly, the determination “◯” was given to the result of recovering a liquid using the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape.

When the liquid recovery section had a rhombic shape, although the liquid recovery section absorbed a liquid, air bubbles were generated, and leakage of liquid was observed. As the result, the determination “Δ” was given to the result of recovering a liquid using the liquid recovery section having a rhombic shape. The substantially same result was obtained with respect to the other comparison cases, that is, the case where the liquid recovery section had a trapezoidal shape (large), the case where the liquid recovery section had a rectangular shape, and the case where the liquid recovery section had a regular triangular shape.

When the liquid recovery section had a circular shape, air bubbles were generated, and leakage of liquid was observed. As the result, the determination “x” was given to the result of recovering a liquid using the liquid recovery section having a circular shape.

In view of the above, it is found that when the liquid recovery section has an inverse trapezoidal shape, the liquid recovery section exhibits the highest liquid absorption property, so that the liquid recovery section provides the highest liquid leakage preventing effect. It is considered that the reason that the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape can provide the highest liquid leakage preventing effect is as follows.

To be more specific, to consider the case where a large amount of liquid is brought into contact with a liquid recovery section, there may be a case where air bubbles are generated. The air bubbles become a factor which impairs smooth recovery of a liquid, so it is preferable that air bubbles disappear as early as possible. When the liquid recovery section has an inverse trapezoidal shape, a liquid is easily collected to a lower-parallel-side side having a narrow width from an upper-parallel-side side having a wide width, and it is considered that the dissipation of air bubbles is accelerated in the process that the liquid is collected to the lower-parallel-side side. On the other hand, when the liquid recovery section has an inverse triangular shape, for example, an excessively large amount of liquid is collected in the direction of gravity and overflows from the groove8a. Accordingly, it is found that while the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape makes use of a property of liquid that the liquid is easily collected on a lower-parallel-side side having a narrow width from an upper-parallel-side side having a wide width in the same manner as the liquid recovery section having an inverse triangular shape, the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape and having a lower parallel side can more efficiently recover a liquid to the inside of the electrostatic spray device100than the liquid recovery section having an inverse triangular shape which does not have a lower parallel side.

FIG. 4is a view for describing results of recovering a liquid using liquid recovery sections having various shapes. Particularly, the respective shapes shown inFIG. 4are shapes prepared by considering the case where the liquid recovery sections having such shapes are used as the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9clocated in each end of the groove8a.

As shown in the drawing, a trapezoidal shape, a circular shape (small), a triangular shape (small), a circular shape (large), a triangular shape (intermediate) and a triangular shape (large) are used as shapes of the liquid recovery sections for comparison. Sizes (a length of a larger side (in the horizontal direction), a length of a shorter side (in the horizontal direction) and a height) and the like of the respective shapes are as described inFIG. 4. The number of units of each liquid recovery section is one or two. Further, 30 μl of formulation mainly made of DPM was dripped to these liquid recovery sections from above the surface30for 10 minutes for every one minute, and liquid absorption property of the formulation into the liquid recovery sections was visually observed. In this case, the electrostatic spray device body was tilted toward either a left side or a right side at 7.5 degrees.

The results of recovering a liquid under such test conditions were evaluated in three grades, that is, “◯”, “Δ” and “x”, and the evaluations were shown inFIG. 4. With respect to such evaluations, “◯” indicates that the recovery result is favorable, “Δ” indicates that the recovery result is intermediate, and “x” indicates that the recovery result is bad.

To confirm the results of the evaluation in the order of shapes described inFIG. 3from the top, the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape exhibited the highest liquid absorption property, so that the determination “◯” was given to the result of recovering a liquid using the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape. In the liquid recovery section having a circular shape (small), air bubbles remained and hence, the liquid recovery section having a circular shape (small) exhibited less liquid absorption property compared to the liquid recovery section having an inverse trapezoidal shape. In the liquid recovery section having a triangular shape (small) and the liquid recovery section having a circular shape (large), air bubbles remained, so that it was hard to say that these liquid recovery sections exhibited favorable liquid absorption property. With respect to a liquid recovery section having a triangular shape (intermediate), there might be a case where air bubbles were generated, so that it was hard to say that the liquid recovery section having a triangular shape (intermediate) exhibited favorable liquid absorption property. With respect to the liquid recovery section having a triangular shape (large), a part of a liquid remained in a vertex portion and the remaining liquid inhibited the intrusion of a liquid whereby there might be a case where liquid leakage occurred. Accordingly, it was hard to say that the liquid recovery section having a triangular shape (large) exhibited favorable liquid absorption property.

The results of the comparison tests have been described heretofore by reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4. As can be understood from the results of the comparison tests, the liquid recovery section9ais formed in the groove8a, and has an inverse trapezoidal shape. By forming the liquid recovery section9ain this manner, a liquid which flowed into the groove8acan be smoothly recovered into to the inside of the electrostatic spray device100through the liquid recovery section9a. Further, even when a liquid leaks out from the liquid recovery section9a, it is possible to guide and disperse the liquid to the inside of the groove8a. The leaked-out liquid can be recovered to the inside of the electrostatic spray device100through the liquid recovery section9band/or the liquid recovery section9c. In this case, by forming the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9cinto an inverse trapezoidal shape, it is possible to further smoothly recover the leaked-out liquid to the inside of the electrostatic spray device100.

Sizes of the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9care not particularly limited. However, when the sizes are excessively large, these sizes influence the degree of freedom in designing the electrostatic spray device100. Accordingly, when a height of the groove9ais set to approximately 1 mm, it is preferable to set heights of the liquid recovery section9a, the liquid recovery section9band the liquid recovery section9cto approximately 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm. By setting the heights as described above, a liquid can be smoothly recovered to the inside of the electrostatic spray device100, and it is also possible to maintain the degree of freedom in designing the electrostatic spray device100.

[Slit Formed in Liquid Recovery Section9]

The description has been made heretofore with respect to the case where the liquid absorption property of the liquid recovery section9can be increased by the liquid recovery section9having an inverse trapezoidal shape. Next, the constitution which further increases liquid absorption property of the liquid recovery section9having an inverse trapezoidal shape is described by reference toFIG. 5and the like.

FIG. 5is a view showing a lower portion of the electrostatic spray device100in an upright posture where slits are formed in a liquid recovery section9.

As described in the drawing, slits15a,15b,15care formed in upper parallel sides of the liquid recovery sections9a,9b,9c, respectively (hereinafter, simply referred to as “slit15” when the slits15a,15b,15care not distinguished from each other). To be more specific, in the case shown inFIG. 5, minute notches (gaps) are formed in upper parallel sides of the liquid recovery section9having an inverse trapezoidal. In this embodiment, such a notch (gap) is referred to as “slit”. In the case shown inFIG. 5, the slit15has a triangular shape, and a length of one side of the slit15is sufficiently short and minute compared to a length of the upper parallel side of the liquid recovery section9. In the case shownFIG. 5, the slit15is formed such that one corner portion of the triangular shape may be directed in the upward direction.

The slits15may be formed at any position on the upper parallel side of the liquid recovery section9. In the case shown inFIG. 5, one slit15is formed in the respective liquid recovery sections9a,9b,9c. However, a plurality of slits15may be formed in the respective liquid recovery sections9a,9b,9c.

A shape of the slit15is not limited to a triangular shape, and the slit15may have various shapes. The variation of the slit15in shape is described by reference toFIG. 6(a) andFIG. 6(b).FIG. 6(a) andFIG. 6(b) are views for describing a shape of the slit15, whereinFIG. 6(a) is a view for describing a plurality of slits15ahaving a triangular shape, andFIG. 6(b) is a view for describing a slit15bhaving an elliptical shape.

InFIG. 6(a), the plurality of slits15aare formed in the liquid recovery section9. The slits15aare away from each other at irregular intervals. The slits15adiffer from each other in an angle which a side of each slit15amakes with an upper parallel side of a liquid recovery section9and a height of each slit15a. InFIG. 6(b), the slit15bis formed in the liquid recovery section9. The slit15bhas an elliptical shape, and a tip portion of the slit has a curved surface. Both the slit15ashown inFIG. 6(a) and the slit15bshown inFIG. 6(b) have a size sufficiently small compared to a length of the upper parallel side of the liquid recovery section9.

In this manner, a shape of the slit15is not limited to a triangular shape, and the slit15may have various shapes. A shape, a size and a position of the slit15may differ for the respective units of the liquid recovery section9. Further, the slit15may be formed in some units of the liquid recovery section9and may not be formed in some other units of the liquid recovery section9.

Advantageous effects provided by forming the slit15in the liquid recovery section9are as follows. When the slit15is not formed in the liquid recovery section9, a liquid which is dripped from the surface30flows along the upper parallel side, so that there may be a case where the liquid is not smoothly recovered to the inside of the liquid recovery section9or it takes time to recover the liquid to the inside of the liquid recovery section9. To the contrary, it is found that, by forming the minute slit15which constitutes a notch (gap) on the upper parallel side of the liquid recovery section9, a liquid which is dripped from the surface30easily flows into the slit15. That is, by forming the slit15in the upper parallel side of the liquid recovery section9, it is possible to further increase a possibility that a liquid dripped from the surface30is recovered to the inside of the liquid recovery section9.

Next, a modification which brings about advantageous effects substantially equal to the advantageous effects brought about by the slit15shown inFIG. 5is described by reference toFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a view showing the modification shown inFIG. 5.

As described in the drawing, in an electrostatic spray device shown inFIG. 7, portions of a surface30of the device project from an upper parallel side of a liquid recovery section9in the downward direction. To be more specific, in the liquid recovery section9a, minute portions of the surface30each having a triangular shape (projecting portions16ain the drawing) project in the downward direction from a portion in the vicinity of a center portion of the upper parallel side. In the liquid recovery section9b, minute portions of the surface30each having a triangular shape (projecting portions16bin the drawing) project in the downward direction from an upper parallel side over the whole upper parallel side. In the liquid recovery section9c, minute portions of the surface30each having a triangular shape (projecting portions16cin the drawing) project in the downward direction from a portion of the upper parallel side in the right side (liquid recovery section9aside).

That is, in the electrostatic spray device shown inFIG. 7, by forming the projecting portions16ato16cin the surface30, slits are formed in the upper parallel sides of the liquid recovery section9. Due to such a constitution, also in the liquid recovery section9shown inFIG. 7, a liquid which is dripped from the surface30can be recovered to the inside of the liquid recovery section9and hence, it is possible to further increase liquid absorption property.

Although the projecting portions16ato16cshown inFIG. 7have a triangular shape, the projecting portions16ato16cmay have other shapes. Further, sizes, positions and the number of projecting portions are not limited and may be suitably determined.

The electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment may be configured such that plural units of substance recovery section may be formed in the groove.

By forming the plural units of substance recovery section in the groove, it is possible to increase a recovery ratio (amount) of substance collected in the groove.

The electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment may be configured such that the groove may extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity when the device is made to stand, and there may be provided three units of the substance recovery section, one located in the center of the extending groove and the other two in each end of the extending groove respectively.

The electrostatic spray device has three units of the substance recovery section, one located in the center of the extending groove and two in each end of the extending groove respectively. Due to such a constitution, the substance recovery section can favorably recover a substance which moves in the direction where the electrostatic spray device according to the present invention is tilted.

The electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment may be configured such that a storage container for storing the substance may be disposed in the inside of the device, and the substance recovery section may be communicably connected to the storage container.

According to the above-mentioned constitution, the substance recovered by the substance recovery section can be stored in the storage container. Due to such a constitution, a substance adhered to the surface of the device due to a spray back or the like can be used again and hence, it is possible to accelerate the effective utilization of the substance.

The electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment may be configured such that the groove is formed such that the groove may surround the first electrode and the second electrode.

A substance adhered to the surface of the device due to a spray back or the like is a substance sprayed from the first electrode. Accordingly, there are many cases in which a substance adheres to a surface of the device around the first electrode and the second electrode.

In view of the above, by forming the groove such that the groove may surround the first electrode and the second electrode, a larger amount of substance adhered to the surface of the device can be recovered.

The electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment may be configured such that a slit15is formed on the longer of the parallel sides of the trapezoid in the substance recovery section9.

By forming the slit in the longer of the parallel sides of the trapezoid, the substance recovery section9can further recover a substance in the electrostatic spray device according to one mode of this embodiment.

Various modes of the electrostatic spray device according to the embodiment have been described heretofore. However, these modes merely constitute one example of the embodiment so that it is a matter of course that the modes described in the embodiment can be combined with each other.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are conceivable with respect to the embodiment within the scope of inventions called for in claims. That is, embodiments which are obtained by combining technical units suitably modified within the scope of invention called for in claims also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitably applicable to electrostatic spray devices which spray a substance to be sprayed such as essential oils, chemical substances for agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, insecticides or air purifying agents.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS