Patent ID: 8622324

Claim:
A portable apparatus for electrostatically dispensing fluid comprising: an activating mechanism; a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage; a power source to supply power to said high voltage generator; a disposable cartridge, said disposable cartridge including: a reservoir containing said fluid; a fluid output channel extending from said reservoir through an exterior wall of a first end of said disposable cartridge; and a movable orifice structure located adjacent and external to said exterior wall of said first end of said disposable cartridge, said movable orifice structure including at least one exit aperture, a conductor, and an insulator, said at least one exit aperture passing through said conductor, said conductor electrically grounded when said disposable cartridge is located in said dispensing position, said insulator positioned to cover an external end of said fluid output channel and said emitter electrode when said movable orifice structure is located in a non-dispensing position thereby isolating said emitter electrode and said fluid from an environment external to said disposable cartridge, said movable orifice structure connected to said activating mechanism to be positioned thereby relative to said channel when said disposable cartridge is located in said dispensing position; an emitter electrode including an emitter electrode tip and an emitter electrode contact, said emitter electrode contact located exterior to said disposable cartridge and said emitter electrode tip located internal to said disposable cartridge, said emitter electrode contact electrically connected to said high voltage generator for electrostatically charging said fluid when said disposable cartridge is in a dispensing position, said emitter electrode tip positioned to substantially axially align with one of said at least one exit apertures when said movable orifice structure is in said dispensing position; and an emitter electrode channel extending from said emitter electrode tip to said fluid output channel, said emitter electrode channel axially aligned with said emitter electrode tip; a pressurizing mechanism connected to said activating mechanism to be driven thereby, said pressurizing mechanism located adjacent said disposable cartridge and in communication with a second end of said disposable cartridge for deforming and pressurizing said disposable cartridge; a housing, said housing substantially enclosing at least a portion of said activating mechanism, said high voltage generator, said power source, and said pressurizing mechanism, said housing including a first cartridge receptacle for detachably receiving said disposable cartridge; and a spray charge dissipation mechanism.