Air freshening device.

(54) Title: AIR REFRESHING DEVICE.

(54) Title: AIR FRESHENING DEVICE.

(57) Summary

An air cooling device (100) includes a liquid supply that operates to supply liquid fragrance material (10), a wick (20) in contact with the liquid supply, a conductive mesh material (30) that operates to retain the liquid material in the insterstices thereof, and a power supply (60) that operates to apply a voltage across the mesh material to thereby heat the mesh material and liquid fragrance material contained in the mesh material inserts (35) to a temperature sufficient to evaporate the liquid. The air cooling device operates to prevent the deposition of the evaporated liquid material. Also described is a method for generating evaporated material and a method for generating repeated pulses of evaporated material.

(57) Abstract

An air freshening device (100) ineludes a liquid supply operable to supply liquid fragrance material (10), a wick (20) in contact with the liquid supply, a conductive mesh material (30) operable to retain the liquid material in interstices thereof, and a power supply (60) operable to apply voltage across the mesh material so as to heat the mesh material and the liquid fragrance material contained in interstices (35) of the mesh material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid. The air freshening device is operable to prevent deposition of the vaporized liquid material. A method for generation of vaporized material and a method for repeated pulsed generation of vaporized material is also disclosed.

PATENT TITLE NO. 344098

YES.

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

<img file="MX344098B_D0001.tif" />

Headlines):

PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S. A

Home:

Quai Jeanrenaud 3, CH-2000, Neuchatel, SWITZERLAND

Denomination:

AIR REFRESHING DEVICE.

Classification:

lnt.CI.8: A61L9 / 03

Inventor (s):

CHRISTOPHER S TUCKER; WALTER A. NICHOLS

REQUEST

International filing date:

MX / a / 2012/004424 October 2010

PRIORITY

Country:

Date:

Number:

US October 2009

61/251,189

Expiration Date •• The reference patent was signed

In accordance with article 2, counted from the rights record.

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to: October 13, 2030

Validity: Twenty years of | based on articles 1, 2 fraction V, 6^or fraction III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law, the Industrial Property Law, this patent has a validity of twenty non-extendable years, notation of the international application and will be subject to payment tadfo gafo keep the

Whoever signs the present title does so based on the provisions of articles fi · haccionee III and 7 ° bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Official Oterio of the Federation (DOF) 27106/1991, amended on 02W1994, 28 / 10/1996, 12/26/1 # 7, 05/17/1999, .26 / 01/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 06/05/2009, 08/01/2010, 18 / 06/2010, 06/28/2010, 01/27/2012 and 08/0472012) articles 3^or section V subsection a), 4th and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the. Instituto Mexicano de la PfogMad JjKfcHMal (DOF 12/14/19 »reformed on '01 / 07/2002, 07/15/20041 07/28/2002 ^ 14 and 07/09/2007); article »1 S ·, 4 or« action Vmcrso'a)_Dnis I and III and 30 of the Organic Institute of the Mexican Institute &lt;fo Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1099, «formed on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 13/69 / 2007) 1^or, 3^or• and 5th paragraph a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Genwwe Directors »A * moa, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Holders of the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (BOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007)

Issue Date: December 5, 2016

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

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REFRESHING DEVICE DEgJjM ^ p J tWmVTO MEXICAN DC LA r jOREDAO rríDumiAt

Cross Reference with Related Requests.-.-, —.___________

This application claims the priority of the Provisional Application for 5 US Patent No. 61 / 251,189, filed on October 13, 2009, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

An air cooling device is provided to generate an essentially deposition free vapor. The air cooling device includes a liquid supply that operates to supply the liquid material, a wick in fluid communication with the liquid supply, a conductive mesh material that operates to retain the liquid material in the insterstices thereof, and a supply of energy that operates Í5 to apply a voltage through the mesh material, which acts as a heater, in order to heat the liquid material contained in the mesh material inserts to a temperature sufficient to evaporate, at least partially, the liquid. In one embodiment, the steam is condensed, at least partially to form an aerosol. The&gt; 0 air cooling device operates to essentially prevent deposition of the evaporated liquid material.

The conductive mesh material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, porous ceramic materials coated with a

<img file="MX344098B_D0004.tif" />

IMPI ^

ΙΝΪΤΠνΤΟ MEXICAN

DE LA MONEDAD thin resistive material, nickel-chromium alloys, and cornBiftaciches thereof. Preferably, the OtJ conductive mesh material uses a mesh of about 200 to about 600. More preferably, the mesh material is about 400 mesh. Preferably, the conductive mesh material is formed from a 0.025 wire. mm (0.001 inch) in diameter and may comprise one or more layers of woven wire.

Preferably, the wick comprises at least one polymer. Also preferably, the wick comprises a porous plastic wick.

In a preferred embodiment, the air cooling device may also include a capillary tube underlying the conductive mesh material. The capillary tube includes an inlet end in fluid communication with the wick and an outlet end that operates to deliver the liquid to the mesh material by capillary or direct action with the liquid material on the mesh as a result of heating the tube. capillary. Preferably, a capillary passage has an internal diameter of about 0.05mm to about 0.4mm and a length of about 5mm to about 100mm, more preferably, about 10mm to about 40mm. In one embodiment, the capillary passage comprises the interior of a stainless steel tube or the interior of a non-metallic tube.

In one embodiment, the power supply includes a supercapacitor that supplies an energy pulse to the heater. Air cooling device also includes control circuitry

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OF THE PIOFHDAD that operates to supply energy from the supply of ene7gTá ° 'has mesh in cycles of heating in cycles so that the maTéTraM-rqtti4® ~ -.

it evaporates, at least partially, after filling the mesh inserts.

A method for generating evaporated material is also provided. The method includes extracting the liquid material within the mesh material, and periodically applying a voltage across the mesh material to rapidly heat up the mesh material inserts to a temperature sufficient to at least partially evaporate the liquid material so that the liquid material forms an evaporated material. The method may also include dragging the liquid material into a wick from a liquid supply, and dragging the liquid material into the mesh material inserts from the wick.

The method may also include a) generating the evaporated material; b) cool the mesh material and c) repeat steps a) and b). Preferably, the mesh material cools in less than 10 seconds. Also preferably, the evaporated material is generated approximately every 2 to 100 seconds. In the preferred embodiment, the evaporated material is generated at least once per hour. The method may also include periodically applying voltage to a heater from a supercapacitor.

In another embodiment, the method includes extracting the liquid material within the capillary tube, applying voltage to the capillary tube to at least partially volatilize and ejecting the liquid material, trapping the remaining liquid material in the mesh material, and applying the voltage with the material.

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE. DF LA FROF1EDAD INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX344098B_D0005.tif" />

mesh to evaporate, at least partially, the liquid material contained in the mesh material inserts when heating the liquid.

When it forms, the evaporated material is discharged into the ambient air.

Background of the Invention

Figure 1 is an illustration of a first embodiment of an air cooling device that includes a mesh material and a capillary tube.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the air cooling device of Figure 1, showing the capillary tube and the mesh material.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a first embodiment of the mesh material.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the mesh material.

Figure 5 is an illustration of a third embodiment of the mesh material.

Figure 6 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the air cooling device that includes a mesh material.

Figure 7 is an illustration of a third embodiment of an air cooling device that includes a mesh material.

Figures 8A; 8B and 8C are photographs showing the deposition created by an air cooling device that includes a single capillary tube, an air cooling device that includes a capillary tube and a mesh, as described here, and an air cooling device includes only one mesh, as described here.

Figure 9 is a schematic of a first exemplary control circuit for use with the air cooling device.

Figure 10 is a schematic of a second exemplary control circuit for use with the cooling device.

Brief Description of the Invention

A steam and / or aerosol generator is provided. Preferably, the steam and / or aerosol generator is an air cooling device for generating a vapor and / or aerosol fragrance material. The air cooling device operates to essentially prevent deposition of the evaporated liquid and to provide a vapor and / or aerosol having an essentially uniform particle size.

As shown in Figure 1, in a first embodiment, the air cooling device 100 includes a liquid supply 10, a wick 20 in contact with the liquid supply 10, a capillary tube 40 in fluid communication with the wick 20 , a conductive mesh material 30 in communication with the capillary tube 40, and a power supply 60 operating to apply voltage across the mesh material 30. Liquid supply 10 operates to supply a liquid fragrance material to wick 20, which is in fluid communication with capillary tube 40. Capillary tube 40 is located under mesh material 30 and transfers at least some liquid from wick 20 to material 30.

IMPI Instituto mmicano de LA FKOPIEDA * tNBUSTUML tube 40 capillary in which the voltage is applied in sufficient quantity to volatilize at least liquid contained in the tube 40 capillary, which

<img file="MX344098B_D0006.tif" />

the matter partially acts as a first heater. Once the liquid 10 has been delivered to the mesh material 30, the mesh material 30 retains the liquid material in the insterstices thereof. The power supply 60 then operates to rapidly heat the mesh material 30, which acts as a second heater. The liquid is rapidly heated above its boiling point and then released as a vapor. In one embodiment, the steam is condensed, at least partially to form an aerosol. Preferably, the liquid heats up in less than about 1 second. In this way, the liquid material contained in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30 is set at a temperature sufficient to evaporate the liquid 10 once the mesh material 30 is heated.

In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 and the capillary tube 40 are formed of conductive materials, and therefore each acts as a heater. Preferably, the capillary tube 40 is heated before the mesh material 30 is heated. Upon heating the capillary tube 40 at least some of the liquid volatilizes and the remaining liquid is trapped by the mesh material 30, which is then heated to evaporate the remaining liquid material.

In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 is formed from a thermally and / or electrically conductive material. Appropriate materials to form the mesh material 30 are selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, materials

IMPI INSTTTUTO MCXICANO nt LA WtOP! TDAD porous coated with a thin resistive material, Inconel ^ á'is. from Special Metáis Corporation, which is a nickel-CIüniU 'alloy,' Nichrome® which is also a nickel-chromium alloy and combinations thereof.

In use, once the capillary tube 40 is heated, the liquid material contained within a heated portion of the capillary tube 40 volatilizes and is ejected out of outlet 42. Any remaining liquid is driven into the mesh material 30, where it remains in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. To avoid dispersion of the liquid through the mesh material 30, a film 55 can be added to the upper portion 45 of the mesh material 30. Voltage can then be applied to the mesh material 30 to rapidly heat the liquid 10 and evaporate any liquid in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. Evaporated material is released through outlet 200 in film 55, when present and on top of mesh material 30, once the pressure of the expanding liquid 10 forces the evaporated material out of outlet 200. Outlet 200 may be placed in an opening in film 55. Alternatively, outlet 200 may be located at the bottom of mesh material 30. An enlarged view showing the relationship of the capillary tube 40 to the mesh material 30 is shown in Figure 2.

In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion 45 of the mesh material 30 may be at least partially covered with a film.

55, such as a polyimide film. Appropriate polymide films include Kapton® which is available from DuPont.

<img file="MX344098B_D0007.tif" />

IMPI

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX344098B_D0008.tif" />

Preferably, film 55 is a non-porous film that prevents liquid material from dispersing through film 55.

In one embodiment, the evaporated material formed as described herein can at least partially condense to form an aerosol that includes particles. Preferably, the particles contained in the vapor and / or in the aerosol range in size from about 0.5 microns to about 4 microns, preferably, about 1 micron to about 4 microns. In the preferred embodiment, the vapor and / or aerosol has particles of approximately 3.3 microns or less. Also preferably, the particles are essentially through steam and / or aerosol.

Particle size can be analyzed with the use of a detector

Spraytec® having the following settings and conditions: a 300mm lens, a refractive index of 1.40 + 0.00¡ at a dispersive refractive index of 1.00, a path length of 25,400, a particle density of 0.90 gm / cc, a mesh factor of 0%, a wavelength of 632.8 mm, a beam diameter of 10.00 mm, and a transmission of 98.719543457%. When tested, the volume average diameter particle values ​​are as follows: dv (10) of approximately 198 μπι (miera), (dv (10) is the particle size below which the

10% of the volume of the particles) and dv (90) of approximately 3,300 μηη (dv (90) is the particle size below which there is 90% of the volume of the particles).

In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 can vary in

<img file="MX344098B_D0009.tif" />

the preferred modality, the 30 mesh material e.s__de — a prox rirraclmn and 11 le .......

400 mesh and includes small gaps / inserts 35 between the wires forming the mesh material 30. Preferably, the mesh material 30 is formed with a wire of a diameter of 0.025 mm (0.001 inch), such as wire available from Smallparts, Inc. Preferably, the wire is solid and not hollow and / or tube type. Also preferably, the mesh material 30 has a board-like pattern, crossed with the inserts 35 therein. In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 is a single flat layer of the mesh material.

In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 is formed as a rectangle (shown in Figure 3) having dimensions ranging from about 2.0mm to about 10mm wide and about 15mm to about 40mm in length. In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 has dimensions of about 2.75mm in width and about 23mm in length. Preferably, the mesh material 30 achieves an electrical resistance ranging from approximately 0.1Ω (ohm) to approximately

50Ω, more preferably from 0.8 Ω to approximately 2.5Ω. In the preferred embodiment, the mesh material 30 has an electrical resistance of approximately 2.0 Ω. Preferably, the size of the mesh material 30 and therefore, the inserts 35 will determine the amount of evaporated material released therefrom.

Mesh material 30 can be formed with other geometries,

<img file="MX344098B_D0010.tif" />

INJTrTVTO MEXICANO r * i * tV property as shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in TaTIguraV ^ f mesh material 30 can be formed with a shape trpo ~ ernbudu C | Utí Lluireextremes 33 and a narrow central region 31. As shown in Figure 5, the mesh material 30 can be formed into a trapezoid shape.

Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that by changing the geometry of the mesh material 30, the temperature profile of the heater (mesh material) can be altered. Altering the heater's temperature profile can result in less energy being used to form the steam. For example, the rectangular shaped mesh material 30 shown in Figure 3 is essentially uniform in temperature across the length and width of the heater. In contrast, the funnel-shaped mesh material 30, as shown in Figure 4, is configured such that the heating preferably can be focused in the central region 31, which cools the ends 33 of the material 30 mesh. In this way, the funnel-shaped mesh material 30 provides an efficient heating system, where the heater is generated when the mesh material 30 contacts the wick in a liquid retention zone 300 (shown in Figure 7), and therefore where the liquid is contained in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. The trapezoid shape of Figure 5 can be used to provide a means of increasing the temperature from right to left, allowing the release of a vapor over time. By designing the different wick geometries with different heater geometries, a heater design can be achieved

<img file="MX344098B_D0011.tif" />

fast and efficient.

Preferably, at least two guides 50 eIgctr i'cásé are connected with the mesh material 30. In the preferred embodiment, the at least two electrical guides 50 are welded with the mesh material 30. Preferably, an electrical guide 50 is welded to a first end 101 of the mesh material 30 and a second electrical guide 50 is welded to a second end 102 of the mesh material 30, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

In a preferred embodiment, the wick 20 is dipped into the liquid supply 10. Although the wick 20 can be made from a variety of materials, the porous plastic wicks are preferred. An example of a porous plastic wick is a wick 20 made of ultra-high molecular weight high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Generally, such strands 20 are made of HDPE particulate blends and the blends are developed to achieve the objective pore characteristics of the strand 20. Preferably, the solubility parameter of the polymer is entirely different from that of the material. of the liquid, which prevents the wick 20 from swelling or other changes that may lead to a change in the pore size and porosity of the wick 20.

Preferably, the wick 20 is positioned to be away from the heat source so as to avoid damage to the wick 20. However, in a preferred embodiment, the wick 20 contacts the mesh material 30. Also preferably, the wick 20 is cylindrical and has a diameter of from about 4mm to about 5mm. In the

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MIXICAN INSTITUTE preferred modality, the diameter of the m is apr85¿ítÉH3f £ ftfte

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mm. _r........-___________

In the preferred embodiment, the liquid supply 10 includes a liquid fragrance material that can be any suitable liquid fragrance material that can supply the mesh material 30 and / or the capillary tube 40 for generation of a vapor and / or a aerosol. For example, the liquid material can be any commercially available liquid material suitable for use with commercially available vapor and / or aerosol fragrance generators. Preferably, the liquid material is aqueous based, alcohol based, such as, for example, methanol, or propylene glycol based. In an alternative embodiment, the air freshening device 100 can be used as a steam and / or aerosol generator for use with liquid supplies that include, without limitation, insecticides, disinfectants, deodorizers, lubricants, fumigants, pesticides, and detergents. pest control and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, an inlet end 41 of the capillary tube 40 contacts the wick 20 and transports the liquid from the wick 20 through the capillary tube 40 by capillary action. The capillary tube 40 preferably has an internal diameter of 0.01 mm to 10 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and more preferably 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm. For example, the capillary tube 40 may have an internal diameter of about 0.05mm. 'Capillary tubes that have a smaller diameter are more preferred because the heat transfer to the fluid because the shorter the

IMPI • NSTITUTO MEXICANO i DE LA nOHF.DAD Ά-. INDUSTRIAL \ l distance from the center to the fluid the smaller the amount of in

<img file="MX344098B_D0013.tif" />

and the time to evaporate. Alternatively, the capillary tube lieñé utt cross sectional area of ​​8 x 10 '⁵ mm² at 80 mm², preferably,

0.0002 mm² to 0.8 mm², most preferably 0.002 mm² 0.05mm². For example, the capillary tube has an internal cross-sectional area of ​​approximately 0.002 mm².

Capillary tube 40 may have a length of from about 5mm to about 100mm, more preferably, about 10mm to about 40mm, eg, about 25mm to about 50mm. The capillary tube 40 is preferably a stainless steel capillary tube 40, which serves as a second heater through the electric guides 50 coupled with it for the passage of alternating or direct current along the length of the tube 40 . In this way, the stainless steel tube 40 is heated by resistance heating. The stainless steel tube 40 preferably has a circular cross section. Tube 40 may be of a tube suitable for use as a multi-gauge hypodermic needle. For example, a 32 gauge needle has an internal diameter of 0.11mm and a 26 gauge needle has an internal diameter of 0.26mm.

However, the capillary tube 40 may be of an electrically conductive material with the ability to be resistively heated while maintaining the necessary structural integrity at the operating temperatures experienced by the capillary tube 40, and which is sufficiently nonreactive with the liquid material . Such materials include, without limitation, stainless steel, INCONEL, metal compounds or

<img file="MX344098B_D0014.tif" />

<img file="MX344098B_D0015.tif" />

INSTITUTO MEXICANO other metals and alloys. ^Klain ™ ”™ a^cl

In a further embodiment, the metallic capillary tube 40 can be a metallic tube, such as, for example, a glass tube. In such an embodiment, the heater is formed of a conductive material with the ability to be resistively heated, eg, stainless steel, NICHROME, or platinum wire, arranged along the length of the glass tube. When the heater arranged along the glass tube is heated, the liquid material in the capillary tube 40 is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least volatilize the liquid material in the capillary tube 40.

The power supply 60 for applying a voltage may include a voltage source and at least two electrical guides 50, as described in United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2009/0194607, filed August 28. 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. At least two electrical guides 50 are connected to the mesh material 30 and at least two electrical guides 50 are connected to the capillary tube 40. Preferably, capillary tube 40 includes a first voltage source and a mesh material 30 includes a second voltage source. In one embodiment, the voltage source may be a direct current abr. The battery can be a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the voltage source provides an alternating current. Air cooling device 100 can be connected to a voltage source in a threaded or non-threaded manner. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical guides 50 are coupled to separate locations along the mesh 30 and / or the capillary tube 40 to supply energy to resistively heat the

<img file="MX344098B_D0016.tif" />

<img file="MX344098B_D0017.tif" />

INSTITUTO MÍMGANO DF LÁ PlfcÜflRlAMfr 30 mesh material and / or 40 capillary tube. Capillary tube 40 mesh 30 can be powered by the same was ^ e ^ de-voltage or by a different voltage source.

Preferably, the energy supply 60 delivers an energy pulse to the mesh material 30 and / or to the capillary tube 40 through the electrical guides 50. The selected voltage determines the amount of energy that will be used to heat the mesh material 30 and / or the capillary tube 40 on each pulse. The energy transferred to the mesh material 30 and / or to the capillary tube 40 from the energy source is dictated by Ohm's Law.

V (voltage) = I (current) x R (Resistance) (1)

Energy = V x I = V² / R (2)

Preferably, the liquid supply 10 is vented. Liquid supply 10 may include a wick 20 that supplies the liquid material from the liquid supply to the inlet of capillary tube 40 through capillary action. Preferably, the wick material contains multiple pores, and these pores act as capillary passages causing the liquid material to be entrained within them and then into the inlet of the capillary tube 40.

Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the manipulation of the parameters of the air cooling device, such as, for example, the internal diameter of the capillary tube 40, the geometry of the wick 20 and / or the mesh material 30 and / or or the heat transfer characteristics of the material defining the capillary tube 40 and / or the mesh material 30, can be selected to control the temperature of the heater and the

<img file="MX344098B_D0018.tif" />

I

INSTITUTO MEXICANO CS Ά «OHBDAD INPUSTKIAl average particle mass diameter. Furthermore, the selection of the liquid material can affect the heater temperature and the average particle mass diameter of the evaporated material.

Air cooling device 100 may be a small portable device that includes a power supply 60 in the form of a battery. In a second embodiment, the power supply 60 may be an alternating current (AC) source, such as an AC outlet, and the air cooling device may include a converter, if desired, converting the AC to direct current supplied to the heater . The air cooling device 100 can be operated by the control circuitry 70 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) which operates to supply power from the power supply 60 to the heater (mesh material 30 and / or a capillary tube 40) in timed heating cycles. In this way, the control circuitry 70 controls the application and / or frequency of the voltage through the mesh material 30 and / or the capillary tube 40 in order to evaporate the liquid material.

Control circuitry 70 can automatically control the frequency of repeated pulse evaporation of the liquid material. Alternatively, the frequency of the repeated pulse generation of the evaporated material can be pre-adjusted or adjusted manually, with the control circuitry 70 controlling the generation of the evaporated material according to the selected preset or adjusted frequency. Handbook. When desired, the power supply / control circuitry 70 may include primary and / or secondary cells, preferably the primary cells, the capacitors including supercapacitors, the

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cargo pumps and combinations of

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Supercapacitor can prolong battery life and voope'i'WtTr'éT'usü of more or less batteries.

It is desirable for an air cooling device 100 to produce a particle size as small as possible. Stroke's Law predicts the rate of adjustment of small spheres in the fluid such as water or air. The equation of Stroke's Law.

Where w is the rate of adjustment, p is the acceleration due to gravity, r is the particle radius, and μ is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid. Table 1 shows the setting speed in air for a series of particle sizes from 1 pm to 50 pm.

TABLE 1

<td>Average Particle Diameter</td><td>Adjustment speed</td>

<td>Miera</td><td>Cm / sec</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 0.003</td>

<td> 5</td><td> 0.07</td>

<td> 10</td><td> 0.3</td>

<td> 50</td><td> 7.4</td>

During the power cycle, any tendency of the liquid to be entrained within the heated zone 90, including the capillary tube 40 and / or the mesh material 30, is interrupted by heating of the liquid that is already within the heated zone 90 , and preferably, it is applied

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF l&gt; ΡβΟΜΕΟΑ ·

INDUSTRIAL '- sufficient in length along the heated portion of capillary tube 40 and / or

<img file="MX344098B_D0021.tif" />

of the mesh material 30 to completely evacuate the liquid along the zone 90 heated by the conclusion of the energy cycle. The required energy can be easily known by the volume and therefore the mass of the liquid contained along the heated zone 90 of the capillary tube 40 and / or the mesh material 30, the latent mass heater plus the specific heat volume / mass, with the addition of approximately 25% margin to accommodate variations and losses. Such an operation ensures that the liquid is completely evacuated and does not remain in any location along the heated zone 90 of the capillary tube 40 and / or the mesh material 30, so that the supply of the liquid in the heated zone 90 is you can resume after completing the power cycle and don't get stuck. The time between power cycles is preferably greater than the time required for capillary action to entrain liquid from the liquid supply 10 and fill the heated zone 90.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a basic 555 timer circuit for use with the air cooling device 100. Two resistive potentiometers (POT) are used to adjust the timing of the square wave pulse signal. The signal is sent to a field effect transistor (FET) that connects the power supply to the heater. Alternatively, programmable circuits, such as those described above, can be used.

Figure 10 is a schematic of the exemplary control circuitry, including a heater for the capillary tube and / or the

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO nt ia noMEDAR mesh material (capillary in Figure 10) and electrT'defS 'íCa'plTy - ^ * Caplry-). These guides can be attached at separate locations along the stainless steel capillary tube and / or the mesh material where the liquid material is heated by driving energy through the guides. Although the control circuitry can be powered by one or more batteries, such as AA cells, the control circuitry is powered by a B battery. Preferably, the control circuitry comprises a master power switch SW1, as well as a U1 microcontroller, such as a PIC12F675, manufactured by Microchip. Microcontroller U1 has unused outputs 2, 3, 5, 7 that can be used depending on the complexity of the control circuitry. The time to energize the preferred air cooler heater is adjusted by an internal microcontroller clock. For an adjustable timer, a switch button can be pressed one or more times to adjust the time interval between steam delivery. An indicator LED displays information such as the set time interval that can also be controlled by the microcontroller. A Q1 field effect transistor, such as, for example, SÍ4876, is used to transfer power to the capillary heater under the control of the microcontroller. Although power can be delivered directly to the heater by the battery, the control circuitry has a power supply that includes a C1 supercapacitor, which supplies power as a power pulse to the capillary heater, i.e. the supercapacitor discharges a pulse of energy to the heater sufficient to volatilize the liquid fragrance material in the capillary tube and / or evaporate the mesh material with the fragrance material

<img file="MX344098B_D0022.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE liquid. U1 microcontroller is pre-programmed^,THE¿* /! &amp;&amp; 'i manually for a cycle whose duration is shorter than the time required by the C1 supercapacitor for recharging. Additional elements of the control circuitry include a capacitor C2 and resistors R1, R2, R3, R4.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of an air cooling device 100 that includes a mesh material 30 that forms both the wick 20 and a heater. The mesh material 30 can form an L-shaped piece, with one portion submerged, at least partially in the liquid supply 10 and a second portion perpendicular to the submerged portion and not in contact with the liquid supply 10. Preferably, the mesh material is flat, has a cross-linked pattern, and is a 400 mesh to 600 mesh. The portion that is not in contact with the liquid supply 10 forms a heated portion 204 that operates to evaporate the contained liquid material in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. The submerged portion forms an unheated portion 202 that acts as a wick to transfer liquid 10 from the liquid supply to the heated portion 204. The liquid is contained in the insterstices of the wick 20 and is then pushed into the insterstices of portions of the heated portion 202 in contact with the insterstices of the unheated portion 202 containing liquid. The liquid is then heated to a temperature sufficient to evaporate the liquid contained in the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. The electrical guides 50 are coupled with the heated portion 204 of the mesh material 30 at a first end 101 and a second end 102

<img file="MX344098B_D0023.tif" />

IMPI

INSTITUTO MtXtCAH ·

DF '..A TROFISOAC INDUSTIIAI.

of the heated portion 204.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of air-cooling de-tHi dispusillVü ITO including a mesh material 30 in contact with a wick 20, which is immersed in the liquid supply 10. Preferably, the mesh material 30 is a single A thin layer of wire mesh lying on top of and contacting the tip of the wick 20. The mesh material 30 can be removed from the wick 20, and therefore is not permanently or permanently connected to one another. shape with the wick 20. In other embodiments, the mesh material 30 may be wrapped around the end of the wick 20 and / or the mesh material 30 may be in contact with the top and sides of the wick 20. Preferably, the wick 20 is a porous, polymeric wick as described above. The mesh material 30 makes contact with the wick so that the liquid is transferred to the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30, where the mesh material 30 contacts the wick 20. Preferably, the capillary action is not used to entrain the liquid within the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30. Instead, the liquid is transferred to the insterstices by contact with them. The electric guides 50 are coupled with a first end 101 and with a second end 102 of the mesh material 30. A heated zone 90 is formed between the electrical guides 50 when voltage is applied. Air cooling device 100 can be operated by control circuitry 70 which operates to deliver power from the power supply to the heater. The power supply operates to apply voltage across the screen to heat the liquid material contained in the insterstices of the

INSTITUTO MEXICANO mesh material at a temperature sufficient to evaporate ^ ^ liqwl &amp; r ^^ evaporated material is then released through an outlet ·· at the top of the mesh.

In the preferred embodiment, the liquid contained in the mesh material inserts evaporates in less than about 1 second, more preferably in less than about 0.5 seconds, and more preferably in less than about 0.2 seconds.

The following examples are illustrative and are not intended to limit any aspect of the modalities described herein.

Example 1

An air cooling device was formed that includes a mesh material made of stainless steel wires having a diameter of approximately 0.025 mm (0.001 inch). The mesh material has dimensions of about 2.75mm by about 23mm to provide a heater that does not carry excessive current and covers most of the top of the polymer wick. The mesh material has a theoretical resistance of approximately 0.793Ω and a measured resistance of approximately 0.84Ω. At each end of the mesh material, an electrical guide is welded across the width of the mesh material. The heater assembly mates with a 5V (volt) pulse width modulated 555 timer circuit. The 555 timer circuit was adjusted with a 0.14 second cycle, every 7 seconds. Timer circuit 555 output activated

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Heater. The heater was mounted above the m extending from the liquid fragrance material reservoir. When the mesh heater contacted the top of the wick, the liquid was dragged by the capillary action to the top of the wick filling the inserts of the mesh material that was in contact with the wick. The capillary action did not move the liquid along the length of the heater. The circuit was turned off and the fragrance output was measured at the end of one hour. The liquid fragrance output was approximately

114 mg / hr.

The output of the air-cooling device of Example 1 correlates with the theoretical calculation of the insterstitial area of ​​the heater on the wick and the thickness of the liquid film within the insterstices of approximately 0.04 mm (0.0015 inches). This correlation also supports that capillary action does not occur along the length of the mesh material. Also, there are no signs of wick degradation or melting.

A method for generating evaporated material is also provided, which includes entraining the liquid material into the inlet 41 of the capillary tube 40 only by capillary action. Liquid enters the inserts 35 of the mesh material 30 by contacting the mesh material 30 and the wick 20. The method also includes periodically applying voltage across the mesh material 30 and the capillary tube 40 in a first embodiment, or the mesh material 30 only in a second embodiment, to heat the liquid material in the material 30.

IMPI

1N5TITUTO MLXICAN &lt;D £ IA PROPERTY industrial mesh and / or capillary tube 40 at a temperature sufficient to evaporate by

<img file="MX344098B_D0025.tif" />

at least partially the liquid material.

In the preferred embodiment, when the capillary tube 40 and the mesh material 30 are used, the liquid is entrained within the capillary tube 40 by the capillary action. Then, voltage is applied to the capillary tube 40 to volatilize, at least partially, the liquid material contained therein and eject a fragrance material from the outlet 42 of the capillary tube and therefore from device 100. Any remaining liquid expelled along with the fragrance material is trapped by the mesh material 30 where the liquid is contained in the inserts 35 thereof. Then, voltage is applied to the mesh material 30 to rapidly heat the mesh material 30 and cause the liquid material trapped in the mesh material 30 and contained in the inserts 35 thereof to form a vapor. Thus, both the capillary tube 40 and the mesh material 30 are heaters that have individual circuits that include two electrical guides and a power supply.

After voltage is applied across the mesh and / or capillary tube, the evaporated liquid material and the mesh and / or capillary tube are cooled and refilled. The filling time of the mesh and / or the capillary tube is a function of the length of the mesh material and / or the length and diameter of the capillary tube, as well as the properties of the wick and the liquid material. For example, for a 25mm long and 0.15mm diameter capillary tube, refilling can occur in less than 10 seconds. Once the capillary tube and / or the mesh material are cooled,

IMPIAS ^{one Nrr mex, can &lt;} more liquid is drawn into the capillary tube and the mesh material instwSifélbsQteí are filled with the liquid material in * -4en4e - aLjXLai ££ UL liquid makes contact with the wick. The control circuitry can be periodically activated to apply voltage across the mesh and / or the capillary tube to heat the liquid material in the mesh inserts and / or contained in the capillary tube. Accordingly, a method for generating repeated pulses of vaporized material includes evaporating the liquid material, cooling the mesh and / or the capillary tube, and repeating the filling and evaporation steps.

The frequency of generation of the repeated impulse of the evaporated material is limited by the filling time of the mesh and / or the capillary tube. Thus, depending on the length of the mesh material and the length and diameter of the capillary tube and liquid material, the evaporated fragrance material can be generated as often as 2 to 100 seconds, probably at least once per minute. and less frequently, such as, for example, at least once an hour or at least once a day. In order for the mesh and / or capillary tube to be effectively filled, essentially all of the liquid material contained in the mesh and / or capillary tube is dragged out of the mesh and / or the capillary tube upon heating, which provides an essentially dry mesh and / or capillary tube.

To determine the deposition of the liquid material product evaporated by the air cooling device of Figure 1 and Figure

2, Compared to the prior art air cooling devices include only a capillary tube and no mesh material, the

<img file="MX344098B_D0026.tif" />

<img file="MX344098B_D0027.tif" />

MIXICANC INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY Air cooling devices were prepared and filled with liquid material. Then, each refreshing device would drop off every 15 seconds for about an hour. A piece of thermal paper was placed under and at the outlet end of each air cooling device. When exposed to liquid drops, thermal paper shows a color contrast where the liquid made contact with the thermal paper. The results are shown in Figures 8A, Figure 8B and Figure 8C.

Figure 8A shows the substantial deposition of the liquid material by an air-cooling device that includes only a heated capillary tube and no mesh material. Figure 8B shows essentially less deposition by the air cooling device that includes a heated capillary tube and a heated mesh material compared to the air cooling device that includes only a capillary tube. Figure 8C shows that at least deposition occurs as a result of using an air cooling device that includes only a heated mesh material without a heated capillary tube.

In the specification, the term "approximately" is used in connection with a numerical value to indicate that the mathematical precision of such a value is not included. Accordingly, it is intended that when "approximately" is used with a numerical value, a tolerance of 10% is contemplated for that numerical value.

Furthermore when the words "generally" and "essentially" are used in connection with geometric shapes, it is intended that the precision of the geometric shape is not required but that the latitude

IMPI Mexican twrmvro? T 'A MtOTIIDAD IWWWTRIAt for the form is within the scope of this description. When used with geometric terms, the words "generally" and "essentially" are also intended to encompass only features that meet the strict definitions and 5 features that approximate those strict definitions.

Although the foregoing description describes an apparatus and method for forming an evaporated fragrance material, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made, however, they should not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. . Accordingly, all changes and modifications and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, are intended to be covered by the invention.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF THE 'NtMJSTRIAL PBOPIEDAD