Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Fluid distribution – Pumping
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-11
2001-07-03
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Fluid distribution
Pumping
C261S030000, C261S104000, C261SDIG008, C422S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254065
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an evaporation dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Deodorizing dispensers (also referred to as air fresheners) can essentially be divided into four categories: those with natural convection of the active substance (air-freshening material); those with mechanically-assisted circulation; those with thermally intensified evaporation of the volatile components of the substance; and room-spray dispensers which spread a fine cloud of droplets by means of a pump operated in bursts (EP-A1-0 127 573 and WO 94/04280).
These latter dispensers intermittently spray an intense cloud of fragrance, but in small rooms. on account of being mounted on or near a door, have the tendency to spray the person entering or leaving the room.
In contrast, another device (WO 80/00792) uses a continuously operated, battery-powered fan which blasts the surface of a liquid active substance and steadily evaporates it. This requires the aerated liquid surface to be at a constant level, which is achieved by means of a liquid supply arranged in the manner of a bird bath, i.e. via a bottle with its mouth immersed in the liquid.
The disadvantage of this device is the constant consumption of active substance, in particular when used in washrooms and/or toilets which are only in intermittent use. In toilets in office buildings, for example. this can also lead to “overperfuming” during the relatively great periods of non-use and, furthermore, requires excessively frequent and uneconomical replacement of the refill bottles containing the active substance. Battery consumption is high; the service intervals needed are therefor very short and may be in the range of a few days.
Hygiene problems also arise; on account of the continuously operating fan, there is a large and continuous supply of germs and the like to the open liquid surface. Viable encrustments in the open containers form.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,891 describes an air cleaner connected to a power supply system. The air to be cleaned is drawn in by suction by means of a fan, passes over a filter and is enriched in an inner part of the housing with an active substance and is then discharged. The enrichment occurs over wicks immersed in bottles and/or evaporation tablets on a grid. Underneath the grid is located a relatively large mains operated fan as well as an accompanying electronic controller, which switches the fan sequentially on and off in a predetermined manner.
The disadvantage of this device is the absence of a possibility or requirement-dependent control of function, because the inherently low rate of evaporation allows only short standstill times and therefore makes a mains connection necessary, thus forming a security risk in wet areas such as toilets etc. and calls for special costly installations. Further, outside air streams over the filter through the inner part of the housing and the delivery pipe, even when the fan is switched off, so that the active substance contained therein continuously degrades in an uncontrolled manner.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic device which produces an effect precisely adapted to the requirements of the users, which avoids spraying people and, furthermore, is economical to operate and easy to maintain.
In addition, the device should be as versatile as possible and be suitable in particular for toilets, urinals and washrooms. The noise generated by the device should be minimal so that it may also be used in other areas without problem, for example in waiting rooms, lifts, telephone booths, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other objects are achieved in the present invention having a volatile active substance for evaporation in a storage container and an evaporating element which allow transfer of the volatile active substance into the atmosphere of a closed evaporation space in the apparatus, the atmosphere reaching saturation. A direct-current motor and compressor withdraws a quantity of the atmosphere saturated with the volatile substance and delivers it into the ambient atmosphere. Saturation of the atmosphere of the closed evaporation space allows the subsequent delivery of the active substance into the ambient atmosphere in an efficient and controlled manner.
The dispenser makes use of the natural, temperature-dependent evaporation capacity of the active substances in the virtually closed evaporation space which is then “ventilated” as required or after use of the environment and its infrastructure (accessible room, toilet, etc.). That is, the atmosphere of the closed evaporation space, saturated with active substance released into the environmental space and is replaced by outside or ambient air which then reaches saturation for a subsequent release.
The time interval between two air changes is defined in accordance with the evaporation rate in the closed evaporation space. In practice, the timing of the emergent air flow can be adjusted according to the average ambient temperature which in turn can be time of year dependent.
The apparatus requires only minimal auxiliary power and ensures almost silent short-time operation.
A suction/delivery fan, which is advantageous from the point of view of energy consumption and effects directional flushing of the evaporation space, has proved successful in use. In addition, the use of two suction and delivery chambers, which are separate from the point of view of flow, can act as labyrinth seals when the rotor is stationary and prevent uncontrolled diffusion of the atmosphere saturated with active substance into the environment.
Two storage bottles provided with suitable evaporating elements permit uninterrupted operation. During the normal service intervals, one bottle allowed to be partially emptied; then a second containing full a supply of active substance is installed. In subsequent intervals the second bottles continues after depletion of the first bottle and a new, full replacement bottle is put in place of the first.
The evaporating elements employed are hygienically satisfactory and can be disposed of without problem while the storage bottles are reusable.
By means of the incorporation of shutters and slides, the admissible or desired emergent volume of evaporated active substance can be adjusted according to the ambient temperature and room size. This results in adjustment of the “background fragrance”, which may be produced either through the use of a diffusion port intended for such a purpose or through leakage (lack of tightness) about the rotor of the fan when stationary.
An air inlet may be arranged in the upper portion of the appliance housing. Use of a single rotor fan with a radial partition, which can be manufactured particularly simply and economically, is effective. The fan both evacuates the saturated atmosphere from the evaporation space and drives the new air into the space to be saturated.
The activation of the fan by a sound or motion sensor can results in optimization of duration of operation and running time for the apparatus. By means of a light-sensitive switch, the overall running time of the fan can be further reduced. In addition, the sound sensor (e.g. microphone with quiescent current) and the amplifier connected downstream thereof can be switched off in order to save energy.
Tuning of the sound sensor to the frequencies associated with the environment in which the apparatus is to be used can be particularly advantageous. In toilets and washrooms, the closing of a door and/or the operation of a flush are in particular suitable as detection criteria.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4078891 (1978-03-01), Madjar
patent: 4780253 (1988-10-01), Fukuhara et al.
patent: 5377363 (1995-01-01), Shieh
patent: 5595324 (1997-01-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5735918 (1998-04-01), Barradas
patent: 5894001 (1999-04-01), Hitzler et al.
patent: 645148 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 2222775 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 4-165239 (1992-06-01), None
patent: 5-84285 (1993-04-01), None
patent: 8000792 (1980-05-01), None
patent: WO90/00231 (1990-03-01), None
Ehrensperger Markus
Studer Hans-Jorg
CWS International AG
Hopkins Robert A.
Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP
Simmons David A.
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