Device for evaporating a volatile liquid

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for evaporating volatile liquids, for example air fresheners and insecticides. In particular, the invention relates to a device for evaporating volatile liquids from a container into a room by means of electrical energy.

[0002] Devices are known in which a volatile liquid container has a wick protruding therefrom and the device has a heater located near the distal end of the wick to accelerate the evaporation of the volatile liquid from the wick. The container, wick and heater are kept in a housing that has an electric plug. To start the heater, the device is plugged into the wall socket. Known devices of this type maintain control over the degree of evaporation of volatile liquids, for example by changing the position of the wick and heater relative to each other.

[0003] A further disadvantage of these currently used devices is the phenomenon of habituation, which takes place particularly in the case in which the user is exposed for a certain period of time to a constant level of volatile agent.

[0004] DE 10305480, DE 10305480 and US20052019-44 disclose air fresheners that are activated by motion sensors.

[0005] EP1196203 describes a method of overcoming this phenomenon, by means of which a constant supply of a volatile factor is combined with a periodical delivery of the same factor, thus "modulating" in this way all of the supplied quantity in a constantly changing manner. This is achieved by using the manual switch on the device.

[0006] A further way to overcome this phenomenon has been demonstrated in the device shown in WO 2006/042873 in which the "reinforced" delivery of the volatile factor can be selected by manual pressure of the button, and this reinforced delivery can be fed by means of a fan or by means of an additional heater or both devices.

[0007] All of the above-mentioned prior art examples show a disadvantage in terms of efficiency and convenience due to the fact that the user must manually switch the apparatus from the "normal" mode to the "enhanced" or "modulated" mode, and then switch back to normal mode, when this effect is no longer needed (eg when the room is empty or at night). A typical arrangement of electric power sources on the walls (at a low level relative to the floor) makes the process more ineffective and uncomfortable.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that overcomes the above-mentioned technical defects and ensures that the odor introduced into the room is changed at the right time and efficiently, thereby overcoming the habituation effects and at the same time minimizing the excess volatile agent. The invention is defined by the independent claims 1 and 14. A preferred embodiment of the invention is embodied in the dependent claims.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the first electric heating means are operable, and in the absence of detected motion, activated in a routine cycle where said heating means are activated for a period of time (t1) followed by a resting inactive period (x). t1 can have a range of 0.1-120 minutes, an ax range of 0.1-120 minutes. Preferably, ti has a range of 5-90 minutes, and the ax has a range of 5-60 minutes. Most preferably, t₁ has a range of 20-60 minutes, ax has a range of 10-30 minutes.

[0010] If motion is detected during use, at least one of the second electric heating means; fan; and / or the area of ​​increased heating capacity within the first heating means are capable of being activated for a period of time (t2) followed by a resting inactive period (y).

[0011] t2 may have a range of 1-120 minutes and a range of 1-60 minutes. Preferably, t2 has a range of 10-90 minutes and a range of 5-30 minutes. Most preferably, t2 has a range of 20-60 minutes and has a range of 10-20 minutes.

[0012] Preferably, t₂ <t₁ and y <x. Even more preferably, t₂ = t₁/ 2 ay = x.

Alternatively or additionally, during use, and in the absence of motion detection, the first electric heating means are operable to activate a routine cycle where said first heating means are activated for a period of time t4 at full power (in the so-called 100% load cycle). ), followed by a period of activation at a lower power for time t5 (duty cycle 50-99%, preferably 60-80%), followed by a rest period at time x (substantially 0% duty cycle). t4 can have a range of 0.05-119.95 minutes and t5 = 0.05-119.95 minutes. Preferably t4 has a range of 0.05-89.95 minutes and t5 has a range of 0.05-89.95 minutes. Most preferably, t4 has a range of 0.05-59.95 minutes and t5 has a range of 0.05-59.95 minutes.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the first electric heating means can be used, and in the absence of detection of motion can be activated continuously.

[0014] When motion is detected, in use, at least one of the second electric heating means, the fan and / or the area of ​​increased heating capacity within the first heating means are operable for a period of time (t2) followed by a resting position. inactive period (s).

t₂ It may have a range of 1-120 minutes and a range of 1-60 minutes. Preferably,₂ has a range of 10-90 minutes, and has a range of 5-30 minutes. Most preferably, t₂ has a range of 20-60 minutes, and has a range of 10-20 minutes.

Alternatively or additionally, during use, and in the absence of motion detection, the first electric heating means are operable to activate a routine cycle where said first heating means are activated for a period of time t4 at full power (so-called duty cycle 100%), followed by a period of activation at a lower power for time t5 (duty cycle 50-99%, preferably 60-80%). t4 can range from 1-120 minutes and t5 = 1-120 minutes. Preferably t4 has a range of 1-90 minutes and t5 has a range of 1-90 minutes. Most preferably, t4 has a range of 1-60 minutes and t5 has a range of 160 minutes.

[0016] For any of the aforementioned embodiments, the first and / or second heating means and / or fan may be arranged in the device in a position suitable for direct heating and / or a correspondingly air flow towards the area in which the distal end could be placed. wick when the container is detachably mounted in the housing.

[0017] Preferably, the first and / or second heating means and / or fan may be disposed in the device in a position correspondingly adjacent to the area in which the distal end of the wick would be positioned when the container is detachably mounted in the housing.

[0018] The device forming the present invention may be advantageous because the device is adapted in such a way as to react to the conditions of the surrounding environment. In particular, when the device detects movement in the surrounding vicinity, it may be usable to increase the degree of evaporation, thus, during use, increasing the amount of vaporized agent in the environment around the device. This increase in evaporation can contribute to minimizing or overcoming the phenomenon of habituation.

[0019] If there are, rest periods x and y can advantageously provide the device with a certain degree of self-regulation to protect the device, during use, causing evaporation whenever movement is detected. It can also protect the environment surrounding the device from saturation with volatile liquid. [0020] Motion sensors can be made in at least one of the forms: an infrared (IR) sensor, a laser sensor and an acoustic sensor.

[0021] The IR sensor, which is preferably a passive IR sensor, may be usable for detecting radiation in the infrared spectrum, and thus may be capable of detecting a human or an animal near the device. The laser sensor may be operable to emit one or more laser beams and may be adapted to detect when an object interrupts one or more beams by moving through this beam (these beams) thereby indicating human presence, or an animal near the device. The sound detection means may be operable to detect sound in the vicinity of the device, preferably as soon as the detected sound exceeds the predefined level, it will indicate movement near the device.

[0022] Preferably, the motion sensors are provided at least in the form of two of: an infrared (IR) sensor; a laser sensor; and acoustic sensor. Most preferably, motion sensors are provided in the form of an infrared (IR) sensor and a laser sensor and an acoustic sensor.

[0023] The movement in the vicinity of the device object of the present invention may be defined as one or more 'motion events' in the vicinity of the device. Motion sensors may be operable to detect each motion event in the vicinity of the device and signal each such event to the controller and / or directly to the first and / or second heating means and / or fan. Alternatively or additionally, the motion sensors can only signal the detection of a traffic event to the controller as soon as a predefined number of motion events is detected. As a further alternative or additional arrangement, the controller can only communicate with the first and / or second heating means and / or the fan,

[0024] The number of predefined motion events that may be required to cause activation of the first and / or second heating means and / or the fan may be fixed or selected by the user. The possibility for the user to select predefined motion events required to enable activation may be advantageous, as the user can modify this amount based on the device location and user requirements of the device.

[0025] The first and / or second heating means may be provided in any suitable form, such as a rod heater, or at least a one-point supply resistor. Preferably, said heating means are provided in the form of at least one electrical resistor, such as a thermistor.

[0026] The first and / or second heating means may be able to provide heat to the distal end of the wick in the range 50-120 during use.^aboutC, and preferably heat in the range of 50-100^aboutC, and most preferably in the range 55-90^aboutC.

Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or second heating means may be capable of providing heat to the distal tip of the wick in the range of 40-95% of flash point of volatile liquid, preferably heat in the range of 50-90%, and most preferably heat in the range of 55-75%.

[0028] Preferably, the controller is suitable for motion detecting means. The controller is also suitable for connection to the first and / or second heating means and / or fan to control their operation relative to each other.

[0029] Electricity supplied to the device may be provided in any suitable form, such as mains, batteries or solar cells. However, due to the energy demand of the heating means, an electric power supply network is preferred.

[0030] If this device is intended to be used with an electric power supply network, the device may be provided with plug-in structures, configured for insertion into openings in electrical sockets. Alternatively, the device to be used with the electric power network may be provided with a cable having plug-in structures at its distal end to allow the device to be located away from the electrical outlet.

[0031] If the device is provided with plug-in structures, these structures are located towards the generally back side of the housing part, and in such an arrangement, the security means may be located in the lower housing part and the upper opening of the output means may be located in the upper housing housing parts.

[0032] The housing may be provided with one or more discharging means to facilitate the emission of liquid discharged from the device. In addition, the housing may have one or more ventilation channels suitable to allow the fan to draw airflow through the device towards the location of the distal end of the wick of the container when said container is releasably connected to the device.

[0033] Preferably, the housing is substantially open at its lower part to allow convenient access and inspection of the container when it is held removably by the fixing means. This arrangement may be advantageous due to the fact that the user will be able to visually monitor the level of volatile liquid remaining in the container.

[0034] Alternatively, the housing can largely surround the container while the container is held by means of fastening means. This arrangement may be advantageous as the meshed container may be less susceptible to misuse. In addition, such a system can provide the device, from the user's perspective, with improved aesthetic properties.

[0035] The attachment means may engage any part of the container to provide a reservoir position relative to the device. Preferably, the attachment means are arranged to engage with the upper part of the container, because such positioning can facilitate more reliable positioning of the wick inside the device.

[0036] Alternatively, the attachment means may be meshed with the lower part of the container. This arrangement may be particularly advantageous in the case where the housing is largely surrounds the meshed container.

[0037] The attachment means may be arranged to engage with more than one part of the container.

[0038] The volatile liquid may be provided in the form of an air freshener, deodorant, perfume, fragrance, insecticide, fungicide and / or variations thereof.

[0039] The device may be operable in normal mode or in detection mode; wherein, in normal mode, the first electric heating means may be suitable for permanent or time-dependent activation t1 (depending on the form) in use, and wherein in detection mode, the motion sensors are suitable for use in detecting movement near the device and signaling any detection to the controller and / or to the first and / or second electric heating means and / or fan to cause them to be activated for a time interval t2.

[0040] The device may be switchable between normal mode and detection mode. The device can be switched manually and / or automatically between the normal mode and the detection mode. The automatic switching between the normal mode and the detection mode can be controlled by a time mechanism and / or a sensor connected to the controller, such as a light sensor and / or sound sensing means.

[0041] The use of a timer mechanism for introducing device switching between the normal mode and the detection mode may be advantageous due to the fact that the user can choose when the detection mode may be useable, thus obtaining a greater possibility of controlling the leakage rate as reaction to detected motion. This level of control will also enable the device to conserve electricity consumption by controlling the time in which the device works in detection mode, and thereby controlling when motion sensors can draw electrical energy.

Furthermore, the use of a sensor to trigger device switching between the normal mode and the detection mode may be beneficial, as the user may enable the device to automatically switch between the normal mode and the detection mode providing the user with greater control in response to detected motion. For example, a light sensor can only be used to allow switching when light is detected, so that night traffic does not trigger additional activation. Since the sound detection means may allow switching to the detection mode only when sound is detected, thus preventing the motion sensor elements from consuming electricity as long as the sound is detected, the sound may be an information factor for the environment around the device being used.

[0043] The device may be provided with an indicator, wherein said indicator may be operable to indicate to the user what function the device is performing at that instant. The indicator may be usable for providing visual indication and / or providing audio guidance.

[0044] Preferably, the indicator is configured to provide visual control by means of one or several light sources, preferably one or several LEDs.

[0045] This one or more light sources can be adapted to emit different light colors to signal the current function of the device. Additionally or alternatively, one or more light sources may pulsate or flash to indicate the current function that the device is performing.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be operable to visually indicate the currently performed function via the screen. The screen may be an LCD screen that is adapted to provide messages to the user, e.g. such messages may include "ON", "DETECTION", "DETECTED MOTION", "RECEPT", "NORMAL MODE", "DETECTION MODE", "OFF".

[0047] The device may be equipped with a support mechanism. The assistance mechanism may be connected to a switch, or a button, or the like, actuated by the user. By activating the assistance mechanism, at least one of the second electric heating means, a fan, an area of ​​increased heating capacity within the first electric heating means can be activated, irrespective of the currently operating mode of the device. As a result, the support mechanism can provide the user with control in order to force the device to initiate a particular type of work.

[0048] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to the present invention, and

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the device according to the present invention.

[0049] In general, the device 1 depicted in Figures 1 and 2 has been shown with the volatile liquid container engaged with it. The container has a reservoir portion in the form of a glass bottle containing a volatile liquid 3 and a wick 6 extending inwardly of the bottle. The wick 6 also protrudes through the gasket over the top of the container and inward the means for discharging the devices 1. The wick 6 can be substantially cylindrical. The gasket serves to hold the liquid 3 in the bottle if the device 1 has been tipped over and / or inverted while the container is engaged with it.

[0050] The device 1 has a housing 2 which partially extends over the container and its upper part. Electric plug-in structures protrude from the back wall of the housing 5.

[0051] The top of the housing 2 has a generally circular central aperture that defines the top aperture of the discharging means. The upper opening is aligned with the coaxial orifice (not shown), thus defining a channel formed between them for raising the volatile liquid out of the upper opening into the environment surrounding the device 1. The first electric heating means 8 and the second electric heating means 9, if present, can be provided in the form of separate resistors, and preferably in the form of thermistors with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC). However, any of the two first or second electric heating means 8.9 may be mounted as a ring heater or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0053] An electric fan 4 may also be provided. The fan 4 and the first and second electric heating means 8.9 may all be usable for communication during use, either directly or indirectly, with motion detecting means 12 depicted in Figures 1 and 2 as a PIR motion sensor.

[0054] Indirect communication during use may occur via a controller (not shown) that could act as the main receiver of information from the motion sensor 12, process the provided information and direct control of the components listed above.

[0055] An example of one function of the device operation and the interconnection of components with one another will be further elucidated.

[0056] First, the device 1 must be switched into a working mode. There may be a user-activated switch (not shown) that allows you to switch the device to working mode. The device 1 will draw electrical energy from an energy source, which is shown as plug-in structures 5 for deriving energy from electrical power connections that may come from solar cells mounted on the device and / or one or several batteries.

[0057] Initiating the operating mode will cause the first heating means 8 to warm up to a temperature that will cause vaporization of the volatile liquid from the device 1. In the absence of detection and / or motion detection, the first heating means 8 will continue to transfer heat towards the wick for a period of time. t1, and at the end t1, the heating means 8 will go to the rest period for time x, where the heating means 8 will not draw any energy.

[0058] A user controlled switch (not shown) may be provided to allow the user to adjust the values ​​of t1 and / or x.

[0059] However, the motion detectors 12 can also take energy, both continuously and periodically, to detect movement near the device 1. When the motion detectors 12 detect motion, it is possible to transfer this information to a controller (not shown). As soon as the controller receives this information, it is possible to instruct the commissioning of at least one of the following components: second electric heating means 9, fan 4 and / or a higher temperature region of the first heating means 8, thereby increasing the evaporation rate of the volatile liquid during the period t2 time. At the end of the period t2, at least one of: the second electric heating means 9, the fan 4 and / or the area of ​​the higher temperature of the first heating means 8 will go to the rest period for a period of time y,

Further detection of movement by motion sensors 12 may also be communicated to a controller that activates at least one of: second electric heating means 9, fan 4 and / or a higher temperature area of ​​the first heating means 8, only in the event of a period of time y .

[0061] If the device is first incorporated into the work, the controller may cause it to react substantially immediately, or after a short delay, let us know after 2 minutes.

Alternatively, the controller may after activating the first heating means 8, following the setting in the operating function, and being informed about motion detection in the vicinity of the device, delay activation of at least one of the second heating means 9, the fan 4 and / or the higher area the temperature of the first heating means 8 until the predetermined time t3 expires. After the period of time t3 has expired, another activation may occur at time t2, following the detection of motion.

[0063] Alternatively, when the operating mode is activated, the first heating means 8 will be heated to a temperature that will cause evaporation of the volatile liquid, and these heating means will remain activated without the rest period x.

[0064] The device can be manually or automatically switched between the normal mode and the detection mode. Such automatic switching may be controlled by a time mechanism and / or a sensor capable of being connected to a controller, such as a light sensor and / or sound detection means. This automatic switching may allow the device to use less energy only by allowing it to operate in detection mode for a limited period of time, thereby saving energy consumed by the motion sensors 12. Such energy saving is particularly useful in the case where the device is powered it is from a battery and / or a solar cell (solar cells).

[0065] Motion sensors 12 may have a lens cover that protrudes from the front of the device 1 to provide a wide field of view. This can be advantageous in the case where the motion sensor is a passive infrared sensor due to the fact that the detected motion does not have to occur directly in front of the detection means. Similarly, in the case where the motion sensors 12 are additionally or alternatively equipped as a laser sensor, it will also provide such sensors with a wide field of view.

[0066] The illustrated device 1 is shown as having an indicator 11 which is provided in the form of an LED. LEDs are suitable for providing a visual indication of the function currently being performed by the device. For example, an LED can indicate when the device is operating in normal mode, by emitting constant light, which is converted to pulsating when motion is detected.

[0067] Indicator 11 may also be equipped with a phonic component (not shown), wherein the component may emit an audio alarm when a particular function is performed and / or motion is detected, and the like.

Alternatively, or additionally, a exposed screen (such as an LCD screen) can be mounted on the exposed portion of the device 1 to provide the user with a message indicating the current operation of the device 1. Such messages may include, for example, "ON", "DETECTION", " DETECTED MOTION "," REST "," NORMAL MODE "," DETECTION MODE "," OFF ".

The above description describes a form comprising a controller, however, where no controller is present, the components may be connected to each other to allow communication with each other to implement the above-mentioned working relationship.