AU642207B2 - Expeller device - Google Patents

Description

04220 7

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

ORIGINAL

Names of Applicants: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: ALEX CHEKLIN, MICHAEL GAMMER, YANA BEKMAN and VAL BEKMAN ALEX CHEKLIN H. R. HODGKINSON CO.

Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 26A Alfred Street Milsons Point NSW 2061 AUTOMATIC EXPELLER DEVICE C C C C 9 C o

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C C Details of Associated Provisional Application: No PJ 8833 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: The present invention relates to an expeller device, and, in particular, to an automatic expeller device which is designed to expel one or more substances from a first environment, to a second environment. The device is, in one form of the invention, preferably incorporated in a rangehood.

At present, during a cooking operation, if a certain amount of steam or gaseous substances result, it is necessary for the operator to either open a window or door, or switch on an expeller fan, to expel said steam or gaseous substances from the internal environment, into an external environment.

Such situations also occur in other environments, other than S"lants, or even in office situations, wherein a large amount 15 of gaseous substance accumulates within the environment. It S is usually necessary for persons to detect the accumulation of the said gaseous substances, and to physically switch on a suitable expelling device, such that the gaseous substances are expelled from the surrounding environment 20 into the atmosphere.

The present invention seeks to provide an automatic expelling device, wherein, should a predetermined amount of e: steam and/or gaseous substance accumulate in an environment, the expeller device may be actuated automatically, to expel the gaseous substance or steam from the environment.

The present invention also seeks to provide, in one form thereof, an automatic expeller device which is adapted to detect the presence of fire, such that a fire extinguishing chemical can be released from the device, in order to extinguish said fire.

In one broad form, the present invention provides an automatic expeller device adapted to expel one or more substances from a first environment to a second environment, comprising sensing means adapted to sense the presence of one or more substances in said first environment; switching means being connected to, and operable by, said sensing means, such as to be actuated on one or more substances being sensed by said sensing means; fan means being provided and being adapted to be activated by said switching means; audible and/or visual warning means being provided and associated with said sensing means and said switching means, such that on one or more substances being detected by said sensing means, said fan and warning means are caused to be 15 actuated, such as to expel said one or more substances from said first environment to said second environment, and so as to draw attention to the operation of said device.

o. Also preferably, the automatic expeller device is S incorporated in a rangehood unit.

In a further preferred form of the present invention, the automatic expeller device further comprises fire extinguishing chemical release means, operable by said switch means such that fire extinguishing chemical is released onto a fire when said sensing means senses the presence of said fire and/or one or more gaseous substance emitted from said fire.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description thereof, in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein a block diagram of one of possible embodiments of an expeller device in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.

In part of the block diagram is illustrated an expeller device which is adapted to expel one or more gaseous substance from a first environment to a second environment.

The expeller device, generally designated by the numeral 1, comprises a sensing means 2, a switch 3, and a fan 4. Also connected to the switch is a warning signal means 5. In .ii: 10 operation, the sensing means detects tiie presence of one or more gaseous substances in the enviroliment. The electrical output signal of the sensor 2 is provided to the switch 3, and depending on whether or not the sensing means senses a gaseous substance, the switch is actuated. If the switch is actuated, then the fan 4 is operated, such that the gaseous substance which is sensed by the sensor 2 is expelled from the first environment into a surrounding environment.

Further, the embodiment illustrated in part of the 20" diagram, is provided with a warning signal means 5, wherein, an audible and/or visual signal is provided to an operator, ol. such that the operator is, warned that more than a certain level of steam or gaseous substance was detected, such as to cause operation of the fan, which could possibly indicate that a dangerous situation exists.

In part of the block diagram, is illustrated one of options which may be incorporated with the expeller device, which may or may not use the same sensor 2 and same switch 3.

In the embodiment illustrated, for ease of explanation, a different sensor and switch are shown. The sensor, designated 6, the switch designated 7, and the fire extinguishing means designated 8, are shown in conjunction with a warning signal device 9. In this embodiment, should a fire be sensed by the sensor 6, the switch 7 is actuated, such that the fire extinguishing means 8, operates to release a fire extinguishing chemical. As with part of the illustration, an audible/visual warning signal 9 is provided to an operator to warn the operator that a dangerous situation exists.

With the embodiment shown in the diagram, which is described with reference to its use in conjunction with a rangehood, wherein either steam and/or gaseous substance is sensed, the V. advantage of the present invention should be understood.

ol15 That s, whenever a sensible amount of steam and or other gaseous substance is detected by the sensor 2, which may indicate, for instance, that the products being cooked on the stove are boiling, the fan on the rangehood and the 'warning means, are automatically switched on and actuated.

0*00 :o :20 Consequently, any buildup of steam and/or gaseous substance is eliminated. Also, whilst a dangerous situation may not exist by the buildup of steam, any unpleasant situation is obviated. It is also an advantage of the present invention, that warning means is provided, such that the attention of the operator is drawn to the need for the operation of the fan. If required, a suitable time adjustable means may be provided, such that a periodic warning signal is provided.

In a form of the invention, wherein it is preferred that fire is sensed, rather than steam, the embodiment of part of the diagram is preferred. For instance, the sensor may be adjusted such that on a predetermined or set temperature being reached, a signal to indicate the presence of fire, will be actuated. By way of example, a 57 degrees celsius thermoswitch may actuate/generate a specific signal or warning means to indicate the presence of a fire. If a temperature above 57 degrees celsius is detected, then the sensor, by means of the fire extinguishing means 8 can be adapted such that it releases fire extinguishing chemicals.

Obviously, the two embodiments illustrated in part and part of the diagram may be jointly combined. The sensors 2 and 6 may be one integral component, as may the switches 3 and 7, and as may the warning signal means 5 and 9. Appropriate electronic circuitry can then operate either the fan 4 or the fire extinguishing means 8, as required.

9 Therefore, the present invention provides a steam and/or gaseous substance expelling device which has obvious advantages over presently known rangehood devices. Where the invention is used in connection with a cooking S 2 environment, it goes at least some way towards overcoming or 20 at least minimising problems, and dangerous situations, that may arise in a cooking environment. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be applicable to other environments, other than cooking environments, for instance, in chemical plants or even office situations. For instance, in an office situation, the sensor might detect a certain amount of cigarette smoke, and activate a suitable expeller fan, or suitable deodorising gas, which overcomes the cigarette smoke.

Obviously, a large number of variations and modifications may be envisaged in the present invention. It should however be considered that all such variations and modifications fall within Lhe scope of the present invention as described herein, and as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (5)

1. An expeller device adapted to expel one or more substances from a first environment to a second environment, comprising sensing means adapted to sense the presence of one or more substances in said first environment; switching means being connected to, and operable by said sensing means; fan means being provided and being adapted to be activated by said switching means; audible and/or visual warning means being provided and being associated with said sensing means and said switching means such that on one or more go,:substances being detected by said sensing means, said fan means and said warning means are caused to be actuated, such as to expel said one or more substances from said first environment to said second environment, and so as to draw attention to operation of said device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, adapted to sense and expel one or more steam and/or gaseous substances. ii 3. A device as claimed in claim adapted to sense and expel heat and smoke from a fire. .99.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sensing means includes a heat sensor. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3 or 4, including fire extinguishing means, such that on a predetermined temperature being sensed by said sensing means, said fire extinguishing means is actuated.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a rangehood. Dated this 5th day of July 1993 ALEX CHECKLIN, MICHAEL GRAMMER YANA BEKMAN and VAL BEKMAN by:I.1

9. 0 909 *9 o6640 *09 9 Patent Attorney for the Applicants