Scent delivery device

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Patent Center

Netherlands © 2000843 © C PATENT²⁰ © Application number: 2000843 © Submitted: 05.09.2007

Int.CI .:

A61L9 / 12 (2006.01) A61L9 / 14 (2006.01)

<td>© Registered:</td><td>© Patent holder (s):</td>

<td> 09.03.2009</td><td>ShowFX International BV in Rotterdam.</td>

<td>© Granted:</td><td>© Inventor (s):</td>

<td> 09.03.2009</td><td>Norman van Holst in Dordrecht.</td>

<td>© Published:</td><td>© Authorized representative:</td>

<td> 06.05.2009</td><td>Drs. AA Jilderda in 3507 LJ Utrecht.</td>

© Fragrance dispenser.

© A fragrance dispenser includes an aromatic source (3) and ventilation means (2) capable of generating a forced air flow. The aromatic source includes a reservoir (3) for receiving a fragrance therein. The reservoir is in open communication with an outlet (40, 41, 42) from which, at least during operation, the fragrance escapes into the air stream. The ventilation means are electronically (10) adjustable. In addition, electronic dosing means (5) are provided which are capable and adapted to limit, at least during operation, a maximum quantity of the fragrance released at the outlet (40, 41, 42).

NL C 2000843

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This patent has been granted regardless of the enclosed result of the prior art research and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally filed.

The Netherlands Patent Center is an agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Fragrance dispenser.

The present invention relates to an odor delivery device comprising an aromatic source and ventilation means capable of generating a forced air flow, the aromatic source comprising a reservoir for receiving a fragrance therein, which reservoir is in open communication with an exhaust from which, at least during operation, the odorant escapes in the air stream.

Such an odor delivery device is increasingly used in public or non-public spaces to create a more pleasant living environment therein by stimulating the olfactory organs. In particular, the abolition of cigarette smoke as an aromatic camouflage blanket in public areas due to legal smoking bans leads to a need to otherwise provide a scent background that overshadows any existing and perceived penetrant body odors. In addition, a fragrance dispenser of the type described in the preamble can provide a grateful aromatic support to a decor, image or advertisement that is raised to positively influence a mood of a target group, or at least give it a desired direction.

However, there are drawbacks to known odor-dispensing devices that the odor emitted thereby is often experienced as penetrant and unpleasant. The only alternative in such a case is to turn off the device, but this is not in itself a satisfactory solution.

The object of the present invention is, inter alia, to provide an odor-emitting device to which this drawback does not adhere, at least to a significantly lesser extent, and which will thereby lead to a higher degree of acceptance.

In order to achieve the intended object, an odor-emitting device of the type described in the preamble according to the invention has the feature that the ventilation means are electronically controllable and that dosing means are provided which are capable and arranged, at least during operation, to deliver a maximum to the outlet limit the amount of the fragrance. Thus, both the airflow and the

LA07.1367EN.wpd

- odor emission in the device according to the invention is adjustable and adjustable. Surprisingly, it has been found that with these parameters the device can be adjusted with sufficient precision to create a desired odor image around the device in almost every situation. By weakening or increasing the airflow, the released fragrance penetrates less or further into a surrounding space and a mainly local or dispersed fragrance experience will be created. The dosing agents thereby maintain a maximum instantaneous concentration in the room always below an accepted maximum, so that the odor is never experienced as a nuisance. Thus, the fragrance delivery device according to the invention can always be adequately adjusted to be able to accurately meet the requirements of a concrete situation.

For the purpose of an accurate and reproducible setting of the device, a preferred embodiment of the fragrance dispensing device according to the invention has the feature that at least one of the ventilation means and the dosing means is microprocessor-controlled by a microprocessor unit and that the microprocessor unit is manually adjustable. A setting of the microprocessor can be changed as desired for the end user by a service technician or, if necessary, can be carried out by the end user himself.

In a special embodiment, the fragrance delivery device according to the invention is characterized in that the reservoir comprises an inlet which is in open communication with an outlet of pumping means for receiving a pumping pressure therefrom and that the dosing means are capable and arranged to electronically measure the pumping pressure of the pumping means. arrange for. The device hereby has pumping means which create an air flow through the reservoir and thereby force the fragrance through the outlet. By controlling the pump pressure, a controllable dosage of the fragrance at the outlet is provided in a particularly practical but no less effective manner. In particular, the container thereby comprises a atomiser which forms a fine mist or aerosol of the fragrance and spreads it into the environment at the outlet.

-3 Not infrequently, an operation of the device is sufficient during certain intervals and a continuous operation is undesirable because this will consume an unnecessarily large amount of odor or a saturation in the perception of the fragrance may occur in the public. In order to counteract both of these latter drawbacks, a further preferred embodiment of the odor-emitting device according to the invention has the feature that clock means are provided which are capable and arranged to put the device into operation or to take it out of operation on the basis of an adjustable timetable therein.

According to the invention, a particularly practical embodiment of the fragrance delivery device is characterized in that at least the controllable ventilation means and the aromatic source with the dosing means are accommodated in a common housing. At least the main components of the device are hereby housed in a common housing, which facilitates their installation and is also aesthetically advantageous in those cases in which the device is visibly arranged. In order to counteract abuse and vandalism, a further special embodiment of the fragrance dispensing device according to the invention has the feature that the housing can be closed with lock means.

A further preferred embodiment of the fragrance delivery device according to the invention is characterized in that the reservoir is provided with a free-removable holder which is provided with an inlet which can be inserted into an outlet of pumping means, the holder comprising the outlet. The free-standing container provides a particularly simple refill in that an empty container simply need only be exchanged for a full one. It is thus also easy to replace one fragrance with another. An empty container can be discarded as a disposable item or, if desired, refilled.

In order to promote the correct positioning of a container in the device, a further special embodiment of the fragrance dispensing device according to the invention has the feature that an outer shape and dimensions of the container and an inner shape, placement and dimensions of a receiving element provided for this purpose in the device

-4 are specifically tuned to align the pressure inlet of the container with the outlet of the pump means when the container is placed in the chamber. Thus, an end user will also always be able to place the holder without errors in the device. More in particular, a further embodiment of the fragrance dispensing device according to the invention is characterized in that the container comprises a substantially hollow plastic body.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing shows:

figure 1 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention with a pivotable access door.

The figures are schematic and not drawn to scale. In particular, some dimensions may be exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity.

The device of figure 1 comprises an impact-resistant housing 1, which in this example is of a relatively robust design, but may be designed more gracefully and aesthetically more powerful in such cases. In this case, the housing is predominantly made of hardened steel, but a suitable plastic or even wood can also be chosen instead.

The housing accommodates a fan 2 to generate a forced luminous flux and a container 3 containing a reservoir for an aromatic liquid. In this example, the container is completely free of the device and comprises a hollow body with sufficient content to release a sufficient amount of fragrance over a longer period of time. In this example, the container is completely made of plastic, for example transparent polypropylene, but other materials are also suitable for this.

During operation, the fragrance is expelled from the container 3 under the influence of a pump pressure which is applied by means of pump means 5 provided for this purpose. An external shape and dimensions of the holder on the one hand and that of a holder in the

Device provided with a receiving element in the form of a bracket 6 on the other hand, are mutually coordinated such that a pressure inlet 7 of the container accurately corresponds to an outlet 8 of the pumping means, so that when the container is placed, the pressure inlet 7 of the container protrudes into the outlet 8 of the pump.

On a cover 4, the holder 3 comprises an outlet 41 which is in open communication with an atomizer or nozzle 40 located below it. The air pressure supplied by the pump 5 is led from the pressure inlet 7 through the nozzle 40 and retracts by a Venturi action. the fragrance liquid nozzle from the reservoir into the holder 3. A riser 43 in the container thereby provides a continuous supply of fragrance into the nozzle 40 until the container 3 is empty. The nozzle in turn forms a fine mist of the liquid and releases it into a cavity within the convex lid 4. From there, an extension tube 41 directs the mist to the outlet 42 of the container, from which the aromatic mist then escapes to pass through the airflow provided by the fan 2 to be entrained.

The container 3 with the fragrance and the nozzle 40-43 forms an aromatic source and, in accordance with the invention, is provided with dosing means in that it is based on a pump 5 with an electronically adjustable pump pressure. For this purpose, the pump is controlled by a microprocessor 10 which also controls a speed of the fan 2. The microprocessor 10 can be adjusted by the user or a service technician by means of a number of operating buttons 11-13, so that the maximum dosage of the fragrance at the outlet 42 of the source 3 and the force of the airflow of the fan 2 are particularly finely tuned. on an odor image to be created in the surrounding space.

The microprocessor furthermore comprises clocking means for switching on or off the whole device or a part thereof on the basis of an entered timetable during certain time intervals in order in this respect also to have the released odor image accurately meet the wishes of the user and a counteract odor saturation and unnecessary consumption of fragrance.

-6 An electrical power supply to the device is provided by an electrical power source not shown in more detail. In this case, this is a power source with an output voltage of approximately 12V DC. This power supply can be supplied internally by means of, for example, a battery or set of batteries, or can be supplied externally from an electricity network. In the latter case, an internal or external adapter / rectifier provides the required voltage reduction and rectification. Control LEDs (not shown) provide continuous insight into the status of the device.

The device can be closed by means of a door 20, which is shown separately in the figure, but in practice is mounted pivotally in housing 1 by means of eyelets provided thereon. To this end, the eyes 21 are folded back about the indicated fold line and mounted rotatably in the housing. The door can be locked by means of lock means 22 and an appropriate key to prevent abuse, theft of the container or other vandalism,

Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be clear that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and forms are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, the dosing agents of the aromatic source may also comprise an electronic or non-electronic valve. A controllable pump, as in the example, has the advantage, however, that apart from the pressure inlet, no further connections are required to electronically dose the outlet of the container.

A control of the fan and of the pumping means or other dosing means is realized in the exemplary embodiment with a programmable digital microprocessor, but instead an analog control can also be assumed, for example a resistance circuit on the basis of one or more controllable resistors. A clock function can be provided internally as well as externally and, in addition to being digitally, can also be performed analog by means of custom-made

Capacitance values ​​of capacitors provided for this purpose, in particular so-called varicaps, and resistance values.

The device can be arranged in a room per se, but if desired also be added to an air duct of an existing air-exchange installation or air-conditioning.