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Title:
INTERACTIVE IONIZERS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING IONS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/002607
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
According to various embodiments, an interactive ionizer may be provided. The interactive ionizer may include: a coupling device configured to couple the interactive ionizer with an air flow device; and at least one ionizer device configured to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device.

Inventors:
GAN SEM YAM (SG)
Application Number:
PCT/SG2013/000279
Publication Date:
January 08, 2015
Filing Date:
July 05, 2013
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
GAN SEM YAM (SG)
International Classes:
A61L9/22; B03C3/017; F24F3/16; H01T23/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO1993022603A11993-11-11
WO2006058126A22006-06-01
Foreign References:
US20070263338A12007-11-15
US20030231459A12003-12-18
US8451578B12013-05-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
VIERING, JENTSCHURA & PARTNER LLP (Rochor Post OfficeRochor Road, Singapore 3, SG)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An interactive ionizer comprising:

a coupling device configured to couple the interactive ionizer with an air flow device; and

at least one ionizer device configured to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device.

2. The interactive ionizer of claim 1,

wherein the coupling device comprises at least one coupling device selected from a list of coupling devices consisting of:

a clip;

a hook;

tape;

a screw;

a magnet;

a suction cup;

blue-tack;

adhesive tape; and

double sided tape.

3. The interactive ionizer of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a power supply device configured to provide a voltage to the at least one ionizer device.

4. The interactive ionizer of claim 3,

wherein the power supply device comprises at least one power supply device selected from a group of power supply devices consisting of:

a battery;

a rechargeable battery;

a power generator;

a photovoltaic cell;

a fuel cell;

a hydrogen fuel cell; and

a power plug.

5. The interactive ionizer of any one of claim 1 to 4, further comprising:

an air flow determining device configured to determine an air flow provided by the air flow device; and

an operation determining circuit configured to control the ionizer device based on the determined air flow.

6. The interactive ionizer of claim 5, WO 2015/002607 PCT/SG2013/000279

wherein the operation determining circuit is further configured to determine whether the at least one ionizer device is to be operated based on the air flow determined by the air flow determining device.

7. The interactive ionizer of claim 6,

wherein the operation determining circuit is further configured to switch on the at least one ionizer device if the air flow determined by the air flow determining device is stronger than a pre-determined switch-on threshold.

8. The interactive ionizer of claim 6 or 7,

wherein the operation determining circuit is further configured to switch off the at least one ionizer device if the air flow determined by the air flow determining device is weaker than a pre-determined switch-off threshold.

9. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 8,

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a tip portion.

10. The interactive ionizer of claim 9,

wherein the tip portion comprises one or more fins or cable ends.

1 1. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 10,

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a high voltage generation circuit configured to generate a high voltage.

12. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 1 1,

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a tip portion; and

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a high voltage generation circuit configured to generate a high voltage and configured to provide the high voltage to the tip portion.

13. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 12,

wherein the coupling device is configured to couple the interactive ionizer with at least one air flow device selected from a list of airflow devices consisting of: an air conditioner;

a centralized air conditioner;

a stand-alone air conditioner;

an automotive air conditioner;

a fan;

a handheld fan;

a hat-mounted fan;

a heating;

a blower;

a suction device;

a window;

a door;

an exhaust hood; a vacuum cleaner;

a hair blower; and

a hair dryer.

14. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 13,

wherein the interactive ionizer is configured to be provided in an area enclosed by at least one of a door or a window; and

wherein the ionizer device is configured to provide a high concentration of negative ions in the area.

15. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising:

a fragrance dispenser configured to provide a fragrance to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

16. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising:

a humidifier configured to provide humidity to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

17. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising:

an ozone circuit configured to provide ozone to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

18. The interactive ionizer of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the coupling device is configured to couple the at least one ionizer device to the air flow device in a pre-determined relationship.

19. The interactive ionizer of claim 18, wherein the pre-determined relationship provides a minimum distance between the ionizing device and the air flow device.

20. The interactive ionizer of claims 18 or 19, wherein the coupling device is configured to adjustably couple the at least one ionizer device to the air flow device.

21. A method for providing ions, the method comprising:

coupling at least one ionizer device with an external air flow device; and controlling the at least one ionizer device to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device.

22. The method of claim 21 ,

wherein the coupling comprises using at least one coupling device selected from a list of coupling devices consisting of:

a clip;

a hook;

tape;

a screw; a magnet;

a suction cup;

blue-tack;

adhesive tape; and

double sided tape.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, further comprising:

controlling a power supply device to provide a voltage to the at least one ionizer device.

24. The method of claim 23,

wherein the power supply device comprises at least one power supply device selected from a group of power supply devices consisting of:

a battery;

a rechargeable battery;

a power generator;

a photovoltaic cell;

a fuel cell;

a hydrogen fuel cell; and

a power plug.

25. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising:

determining an air flow provided by the air flow device; and controlling the ionizer device based on the determined air flow.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

determining whether the at least one ionizer device is to be operated based on the determined air flow.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

switching on the at least one ionizer device if the determined air flow is stronger than a pre-determined switch-on threshold.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, further comprising:

switching off the at least one ionizer device if the determined air flow is weaker than a pre-determined switch-off threshold.

29. The method of any one of claims 21 to 28,

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a tip portion.

The method of claim 29,

wherein the tip portion comprises one or more fins or cable ends.

31. The method of any one of claims 21 to 30, further comprising:

generating a high voltage.

32. The method of any one of claims 21 to 31 ,

wherein the at least one ionizer device comprises a tip portion.

wherein the method further comprises generating a high voltage and providing the high voltage to the tip portion.

33. The method of any one of claims 21 to 32,

wherein the coupling comprises coupling the interactive ionizer with at least one air flow device selected from a list of airflow devices consisting of:

an air conditioner;

a centralized air conditioner;

a stand-alone air conditioner;

an automotive air conditioner;

a fan;

a handheld fan;

a hat-mounted fan;

a heating;

a blower;

a suction device;

a window;

a door; and

an exhaust hood;

a vacuum cleaner;

a hair blower; and a hair dryer.

34. The method of any one of claims 21 to 33,

wherein the interactive ionizer is configured to be provided in an area enclosed by at least one of a door or a window; and

wherein the ionizer device is configured to provide a high concentration of negative ions in the area.

35. The method of any one of claims 21 to 34, further comprising:

providing a fragrance to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

36. The method of any one of claims 21 to 35, further comprising:

providing humidity to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

37. The method of any one of claims 21 to 36, further comprising:

providing ozone to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

38. The method of any one of claims 21 to 37, wherein the coupling comprises coupling the at least one ionizer device to the air flow device in a pre-determined relationship.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the pre-determined relationship provides a minimum distance between the ionizing device and the air flow device.

0. The method of claims 38 or 39, wherein the coupling comprises adjustably coupling the at least one ionizer device to the air flow device.

Description:
INTERACTIVE IONIZERS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING IONS

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate generally to interactive ionizers and methods for providing ions.

Background

[0002] Ionizers, for example air ionizers, may be used to release negative ions to the air, which may provide positive effects to humans exposed to the air with negative ions.

Summary

[0003] According to various embodiments, an interactive ionizer may be provided. The interactive ionizer may include: a coupling device configured to couple the interactive ionizer with an air flow device; and at least one ionizer device configured to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0004] According to various embodiments, a method for providing ions may be provided. At least one ionizer device may be coupled with an external air flow device. The method may include controlling the at least one ionizer device to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an interactive ionizer in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows an interactive ionizer in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing ions in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an interactive ionizer in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a system in which an interactive ionizer in accordance with an embodiment is used.

Description

[0006] Embodiments described below in context of the devices are analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

[0007] Ionizers, for example air ionizers, may be used to release negative ions to the air, which may provide positive effects to humans exposed to the air with negative ions. [0008] Existing ionizers are typically integrated with a blower device which provides for the transport of the negative ions generated to the ambient air. Such ionizers with an integrated blower may be referred to as a driving ionizers or dynamic ionizers.

[0009] According to various embodiments, an interactive ionizer may be provided, which may interact (and therefore may be called an "interactive" ionizer) with an air flow generated by another device. In the same way, the air flow device may interact with the interactive ionizer by distributing the ions provided by the ionizer device using the air flow. The interactive ionizer according to various embodiments may be coupled with an external air flow device. The air flow device may provide the air flow. For example, the interactive ionizer may be mounted on the air flow device. The airflow may trigger off (or fire off) negative ions from the interactive ionizer to the environment and this may result in a distribution of negative ions in the environment. The interactive ionizer may work with an air flow of a broad range of magnitudes (wherein the amount of air flow may be may be measured in terms of cfm (cubic feet per minute) or in cubic meter per hour). The interactive ionizer according to various embodiments may for example work together with an air flow device, and may work under a broad range of humidity conditions, temperature levels and airflow rates. The interactive ionizer may create a different kind of ambient condition. The interactive ionizer may be powered by sources of conventional energy sources, new energy sources (for example like energy generated from volcanos or thunders), or green (or clean) energy sources, like will be described in more detail below.

[0010] The interactive ionizer according to various embodiments may improve humidity, and may provide a fragrance or flavour (for example automatically at pre- determined times) or may remove odorous smell (for example auto smell from cars or automobiles, or smell from human feet, or smell from burning, or smell from cigarettes) from the air provided in the air flow.. The flavour or fragrance may be provided by the negative ions, and/or by removal of bad odours, and/or may be provided by an addition of fragrance or flavour particles, for example an active addition, to the air flow through the ionizer, for example by a fragrance or flavour dispensing device integrated with or coupled to the interactive ionizer.

[0011] An interactive ionizer may also be referred to as a passive ionizer, a static ionizer, or as ionizer as such. The interactive ionizer may also be referred to as an interchangeable ionizer. The (inter-changeable) ionizer may be used with different air flow devices. For example, the interactive ionizer may be referred to as a versatile ionizer. The (interactive or inter-changeable or versatile) ionizer may turn normal air flow devices into ionizers, so that the ionizer according to various embodiments may be an upgrade device or add-on device or retro-fitted device. In other words: the ionizer (or interactive ionizer) according to various embodiments may be an ionizer conversion device for an air flow device.

[0012] An (interactive) ionizer according to various embodiments may be a healthcare device which may for example help patients (for example cancer patients) to increase their well-being, for example while being treated or while recovering from treatment or disease.

[0013] When a human person is exposed to negative ions, immunity of the person may increase. [0014] With an (interactive) ionizer according to various embodiments, a high concentration of negative ions may be provided in a large area around the ionizer, for example in an entire room where the ionizer is provided, for example a living room, a meeting room, a hospital room, a car, a bus, a train, an airplane, or a stadium. The ions generated by an (interactive) ionizer according to various embodiments may have a high sustainability.

[0015] The (interactive) ionizer according to various embodiments may provide ions directly (in other words: it may provide ions to a person) or indirectly (in other words: it may provide ions to an environment of the person).

[0016] The (interactive) ionizer according to various embodiments may provide a high level of ionizing, under all humidity conditions (for example under conditions of high humidity).

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an interactive ionizer 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The interactive ionizer 100 may include a coupling device 102 configured to couple the interactive ionizer 100 with an air flow device (which is not shown in FIG. 1; the air flow device may not be a part of the interactive ionizer 100; in other words, the air flow device may be external or different or separated from the interactive ionizer 100). The coupling device 100 may also be referred to as a mounting device or as a securing device. The interactive ionizer 100 may further include at least one ionizer device 104 configured to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device. The coupling device 102 and the at least one ionizer device 104 may be integrated or combined in one device (in the interactive ionizer 100), and may for example be provided in a common housing, and this mechanical or electrical connection (or relation) is indicated by line 106 in FIG. 1.

[0018] In other words, the interactive ionizer 100 may comprise an ionizer device 104 and a device 102 for securing the ionizer device 104 to an air flow device, and the interactive ionizer 100 itself may be free from any air flow device. The coupling device 102 may be configured to couple the ionizer device 102 with the air flow device, such that a relationship between the ionizer device 102 and the airflow device is a predetermined relationship. For example, the coupling device 102 may be configured to couple the ionizer device 102 with the air flow device, such that a distance between the ionizer device 102 and the airflow device is pre-determined, for example minimal. According to various embodiments, the coupling device 102 may be configured to couple the ionizer device 102 with the air flow device, such that the coupling device 102 does not inhibit the air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0019] According to various embodiments, the interactive ionizer 100 may include a plurality of ionizer devices 104. According to various embodiments, the coupling device 102 may be configured to adjustably, for example rotatably, attach the one or more ionizer devices 104 to the air flow device, such that the one or more ionizer devices 104 can be brought into a desired relationship upon mounting to the air flow device. This can also allow adjustments to the relationship, or dynamic adjustment of the relationship, during use of the interactive ionizer. In one example, one or more ionizer devices 114 may be positioned on an at least substantially circular-shape circumferential portion of the coupling device 102, for example at least substantially equidistant on the at least substantially circular-shape circumferential portion of the coupling device 102. [0020] The negative ions (in other words: negatively charged ions) may also be referred to as negative (or negatively charged) air elements or negative (or negatively charged) air molecules.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the coupling device 102 may include or may be a clip and/ or a hook and/ or tape and/ or a screw and/ or a magnet and/ or a suction cup and/ or blue-tack and/ or adhesive tape and/ or double sided tape.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an interactive ionizer 200 in accordance with an embodiment. The interactive ionizer 200 may, similar to the interactive ionizer 100 of FIG. 1, include a coupling device 102 and at least one ionizer device 104. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include a power supply device 202, like will be described below. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include an air flow determining device 204, like will be described below. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include an operation determining circuit 206, like will be described below. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include a fragrance dispenser 208, like will be described below. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include a humidifier 210, like will be described below. The interactive ionizer 200 may further include an ozone circuit 212, like will be described below. The coupling device 102, the at least one ionizer device 104, the power supply device 202, the air flow determining device 204, the operation determining circuit 206, the fragrance dispenser 208, the humidifier 210, and the ozone circuit 212 may be integrated or combined in one device (in the interactive ionizer 200), and may for example be provided in a common housing, and this mechanical or electrical connection (or relation) is indicated by line 214 in FIG. 2. [0023] According to various embodiments, the power supply device 202 may be configured to provide a voltage to the at least one ionizer device 104.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the power supply device 202 may include or may be a battery and/ or a rechargeable battery (for example a car battery) and/ or a power generator and/ or a photovoltaic cell and/ or a fuel cell and/ or a hydrogen fuel cell and/ or a power plug (for example configured to be coupled to a public power grid or to a localized power grid, for example a low voltage power outlet in a car or automobile).

[0025] According to various embodiments, the air flow determining device 204 may be configured to determine an air flow (for example determine an air flow rate of the air flow) provided by the air flow device. According to various embodiments, the operation determining circuit 206 may be configured to control the ionizer device 104 based on the determined air flow.

[0026] According to various embodiments, the operation determining circuit 206 may be configured to determine whether the at least one ionizer device 104 is to be operated based on the air flow determined by the air flow determining device 204.

[0027] According to various embodiments, the operation determining circuit 206 may further be configured to switch on the at least one ionizer device 104 if the air flow determined by the air flow determining device 204 is stronger than a pre-determined switch-on threshold.

[0028] According to various embodiments, the operation determining circuit 206 may further be configured to switch off the at least one ionizer device 104 if the air flow determined by the air flow determining device 204 is weaker than a pre-determined switch-off threshold. [0029] According to various embodiments, the at least one ionizer device 104 may include a tip portion.

[0030] According to various embodiments, the tip portion may include or may be one or more fins or one or more cable ends. The one or more fins or one or more cable ends may be disposed for exposure to the air flow generated by the air flow device. A plurality of fins or a plurality of cable ends may be arranged in a fanned-out configuration to facilitate, for example to maximise, generation of ions in the air flow.

[0031] According to various embodiments, the at least one ionizer device 104 may include a high voltage generation circuit configured to generate a high voltage.

[0032] According to various embodiments, the high voltage generation circuit may be configured to provide the high voltage to the tip portion.

[0033] According to various embodiments, the coupling device 102 may be configured to couple the interactive ionizer 104 with an air conditioner and/ or a centralized air conditioner and/ or a stand-alone air conditioner and/ or an automotive air conditioner and/ or a fan and/ or a handheld fan and/ or a hat-mounted fan and/ or a heating and/ or a blower and/ or a suction device and/ or a window and/ or a door and/ or an exhaust hood and/ or a vacuum cleaner and/ or a hair blower and/ or a hair dryer.

[0034] According to various embodiments, the interactive ionizer 200 may be configured to be provided in an area enclosed by at least one door and/ or at least one window. The ionizer device 104 may be configured to provide a high concentration of negative ions in the area.

[0035] According to various embodiments, the fragrance dispenser 208 may be configured to provide a fragrance to the air flow provided by the air flow device. The fragrance dispenser 208 may be integrated with at least a portion of the ionizer device 104.

[0036] According to various embodiments, the humidifier 210 may be configured to provide humidity to the air flow provided by the air flow device. The humidifier 210 may be integrated with at least a portion of the ionizer device 104.

[0037] According to various embodiments, the ozone circuit 212 may be configured to provide ozone to the air flow provided by the air flow device. The ozone circuit 212 may be integrated with at least a portion of the ionizer device 104.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram 300 illustrating a method for providing ions in accordance with an embodiment. The method may include coupling at least one ionizer device with an air flow device, in 302.. In 304, the at least one ionizer device may be controlled to provide negative ions to an air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0039] According to various embodiments, the coupling may use a coupling device, which may include or may be a clip and/ or a hook and/ or tape and/ or a screw and/ or a magnet and/ or a suction cup and/ or blue-tack and/ or adhesive tape and/ or double sided tape.

[0040] According to various embodiments, the method may further include controlling a power supply device to provide a voltage to the at least one ionizer device.

[0041] According to various embodiments, the power supply device may include or may be a battery and/ or a rechargeable battery (for example a car battery) and/ or a power generator and/ or a photovoltaic cell and/ or a fuel cell and/ or a hydrogen fuel cell and/ or a power plug (for example configured to be coupled to a public power grid or to a localized power grid, for example a low voltage power outlet in a car or automobile). [0042] According to various embodiments, the method may further include determining an air flow provided by the air flow device. According to various embodiments, the method may further include controlling the ionizer device based on the determined air flow.

[0043] According to various embodiments, the method may further include determining whether the at least one ionizer device is to be operated based on the determined air flow.

[0044] According to various embodiments, the method may further include switching on the at least one ionizer device if the determined air flow is stronger than a predetermined switch-on threshold.

[0045] According to various embodiments, the method may further include switching off the at least one ionizer device if the determined air flow is weaker than a predetermined switch-off threshold.

[0046] According to various embodiments, the at least one ionizer device may include a tip portion.

[0047] According to various embodiments, the tip portion may include or may be one or more fins or one or more cable ends. The one or more fins or one or more cable ends may be disposed for exposure to the air flow generated by the air flow device. A plurality of fins or a plurality of cable ends may be arranged in a fanned-out configuration to facilitate, for example to maximise, generation of ions in the air flow.

[0048] According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating a high voltage. [0049] According to various embodiments, the method may further include providing the high voltage to the tip portion.

[0050] According to various embodiments, upconverters or voltage amplifiers may be used to generate the high voltage from a lower voltage.

[0051] According to various embodiments, the coupling device may be configured to couple the interactive ionizer with an air conditioner and/ or a centralized air conditioner and/ or a stand-alone air conditioner and/ or an automotive air conditioner and/ or a fan and/ or a handheld fan and/ or a hat-mounted fan and/ or a heating and/ or a blower and/ or a suction device and/ or a window and/ or a door and/ or an exhaust hood and/ or a vacuum cleaner and/ or a hair blower and/ or a hair dryer.

[0052] According to various embodiments, the interactive ionizer may be configured to be provided in an area enclosed by at least one door and/ or at least one window. According to various embodiments, the ionizer device may provide a high concentration of negative ions in the area.

]0053] According to various embodiments, the method may further include providing a fragrance to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0054] According to various embodiments, the method may further include providing humidity to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0055] According to various embodiments, the method may further include providing ozone to the air flow provided by the air flow device.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a portion of an interactive ionizer 400 in accordance with an embodiment. A circuit arrangement 402, for example a PCBA (printed circuit board arrangement) may include a voltage step-up module. The voltage step-up module may generate a high voltage and may provide this high voltage to a ion generation module arrangement 404 of the interactive ionizer 400. The ion generation circuit 404 may be formed on the same PCBA as the circuit arrangement 402, or may for example be formed on a separate PCBA. The ion generation module arrangement 404 may include various elements. Generation of high voltages and generation of ions is understood in the art, and will not be described in any detail herein. Different implementations of the circuit arrangement 402 and of the ion generation module arrangement 404 can be used in various embodiments. The high voltage may generate ions in the ion generation module arrangement 404. Although the circuit arrangement 402 and the ion generation module arrangement 404 are shown as two separate blocks in FIG. 4, it will be understood that the circuit arrangement 402 can be functioned alone without the ion generation module arrangement 404; for example, the ions may be generated in the circuit arrangement 402. The ions may be conducted through a cable or bundle of cables 406, which on one end has or forms a tip portion 408. The tip portion 408 may have one or more fins or one or more cable ends exposed to the air, so that when ions reach the tip portion, they may be emitted to the air via the one or more fins or one or more cable ends. The fins or cable ends may be made of conductive material. For example a plurality of fins or cable ends, for example 20 fins or cable ends, may be provided. The tip portion 408 with a plurality of fins or cable ends may have the shape of a brush. The plurality of fins or cable ends may be arranged in a fanned-out configuration. The tip portion 408 may emit negative ions 410.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a system 500 in which an interactive ionizer 504 in accordance with an embodiment (for example the interactive ionizer 100 of FIG. 1 or the interactive ionizer of FIG. 2) is used. The interactive ionizer 504 may use an air flow 502 as a driving media. For example, the interactive ionizer 504 may generate negative ions 506, which may be carried to the ambient space using the air flow 502, like illustrated by arrow 508. The air flow 502 may be generated by an external device (not shown) which does not form a part of the interactive ionizer 504.

[0058] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced. Also, the invention includes any combination of features, in particular any combination of features in the patent claims, even if the feature or combination of features is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or the present embodiments.