Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F25/00—Devices used by the smoker for controlling the moisture content of, or for scenting, cigars, cigarettes or tobacco
  • A24F25/02—Moistening devices

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices intended to ensure the humidification of cigar boxes. It consists of a set of elements forming a new device capable of regulating the humidity level of the medium of said container.
• this humidity level is not known; it cannot, moreover, be stable since evaporation takes place more slowly than the water load of the support is less; all other things being equal, the humidity level therefore regularly decreases as the support dries; in addition, nothing being provided to ensure air circulation, such humidifiers cannot prevent the appearance of more or less significant humidity gradients in the cabinet depending on the shape and volume of the cabinets, the position of the device. inside it, and the part of the volume actually occupied by cigars; Finally, no regulation allows the rate of evaporation to be controlled as a function of the humidity of the medium in which the box is placed and of the humidity prevailing within it, except for natural rules of 'hygrometric balances.
• the object of the present invention is to offer a new response to the production of humidifiers, by overcoming all of the drawbacks of existing systems. It makes it possible to obtain, throughout a cigar box, a homogeneous and constant degree of humidity.
• the invention which has been the subject of this patent consists of the association of a set of elements with related functions, the combination of which constituted a new humidifier device for a cigar box.
• a humidifier produced according to the invention is intended to offer a certain number of advantages, the research of which conditions the choice of the elements used in its development.
• the humidifier must be able to be integrated into a cigar box during the design and production thereof, or be introduced into a pre-existing box without any problem of adaptation; it must be able to be placed in various positions without risking letting out a liquid; the humidity medium must offer a large capacity; the humidity level in the cabinet must be stable within a defined range and it must be known and verified; Finally, the device must be such as to prevent moisture gradients from existing in the cabinet.
• the humidification device is composed of several elements making it possible to meet the stated objectives, various variants being achievable.
• the humidity medium is defined so that it can either be sought or exchanged after drying.
• the source of humidity it can be constituted either by water, or by a salty squous solution.
• the structure of the humidity support has been chosen for its very large capacity for absorbing liquid in relation to its own size, as well as for the ability it has to retain large quantities of liquids in the absence of circulation. surrounding air. It may be a crosslinked structure, the porosity of which must be very large on the one hand, widely open on the other hand, and the pores of which must be very small. Thus, it is advantageously possible to retain an expanded plastic foam, for example made of polyurethane, or a super-absorbent body. Such supports are easily loaded with water which they retain by absorption or by capillarity. Their porosity index being greater than 95%, their apparent volume is barely greater than the volume of water retained, without risk of flow. In the case where the moisture carrier is constituted by a super-absorbent body, it can be a super-absorbent gel.
• the liquid with which this structure is filled can advantageously be either water or a neutral aqueous saline solution.
• the introduction of a salt is intended to slow the evaporation of the liquid in the absence of air circulation.
• the device which is the subject of the present invention comprises a humidity detector and a fan intended to cause an air sweep on the surface of the humidity support. These two elements are connected and controlled by an electronic circuit.
• This is designed to include a logic control circuit controlling the fan from two pre-selected humidity thresholds: the fan is put into operation when the hygrometric cell measures a humidity level corresponding to the minimum threshold chosen , and disconnected when the determined maximum threshold is reached; the fan must therefore operate as soon as the minimum threshold is reached and as long as the humidity level of the enclosure remains between the two thresholds.
• the whole is naturally supplied with energy: it can be by an autonomous and dcnc source integrated in the device (batteries, accumulators, photovoltaic generators, ...), or by connection to an external source (sector ,. ..).
• the two thresholds of minimum and maximum humidity rate controlling the action of the ventilator are definitively established during the production of the device and cannot therefore be subject to subsequent adjustments.
• the thresholds can be, for example, 65% and 75%.
• the device and more precisely its electronic circuit, either with an analog output allowing the direct reading of the humidity rate, or with a digital output.
• an analog output allowing the direct reading of the humidity rate
• a digital output allowing direct reading of the humidity level on a micro-display with light-emitting diodes or liquid crystals-Naturally, any other mode of reading this information is part of the present invention.
• One concerned a threshold of "discharge" in liquid of the humidity support the reading being able in particular to be provided by an indicator light and / or sound or a digital output.
• the measurement of such a threshold can, for example, be obtained by observing an excessive operating time of the fan.
• a second useful information relates, in the case of the use of an energy source integrated into the device, the demonstration of an upcoming exhaustion threshold of the generator, which can be measured by the evolution of the voltage Them terminals of it. The reading of this information can be obtained as indicated in the previous case.
• the fan As far as the fan is concerned, its size must be such that it does not lead to excessive bulk, having regard to the size of the other components of the device; it can advantageously be a micro-fan whose propeller diameter is less than two centimeters.
• the energy source of the device may vary, in particular depending on whether it is intended to be original equipment for certain boxes, or to equip already existing boxes.
• the device can be autonomous, ie it has its own source of energy.
• the device may include a set of rechargeable accumulators or batteries.
• the most suitable option for making a cigar humidifier sslon the invention appears to be the use of commercial batteries, such as alkaline batteries.
• the operating autonomy of a set of 4 alkaline batteries of 1.5 volts, and 1800 mAh each, for a device comprising, in addition to a micro-fan and a hygrometric cell, a hybrid circuit and the liquid crystal display of the humidity level, the approach of a depletion of the batteries, and the threshold of drying of the humidity support, is approximately 3000 hours.
• the electronic circuit should be programmed so that the humidity measurement is not carried out continuously, but only at regular time intervals, so that the circuit is only energized for a very long time. low usage time; it is also possible to limit the display of the information to only the instants when the user expresses the will by manual command.
• the assembly of a humidifier with forced and regulated ventilation according to the invention is capable of being carried out according to quite diverse ways. Here are given by way of nonlimiting examples, some characteristics which can advantageously be retained.
• the dimension of the second compartment will be more or less large depending on the type of electronic circuit used.
• the third compartment is that of the humidity support and the air circulation. It has an opening lid for replacing or recharging the humidity support. Located on the same side of the case as the air intake of the hygrometric cell and the data indicators and any display commands, two groups of holes located at the two ends of the compartment form the circuit entry and exit. air circulation, between which, along the length of the compartment, is placed the humidity support.
• the compartment is designed so that the air flow is forced to closely sweep the surface of the wet cartridge.
• the foam is surrounded or formed itself on its surface by a fine structure responsible for creating, on its surface, air turbulence when the fan works, so as to favor the humidification of the circulating air.
• This coating structure may in particular be a kind of plastic mesh net, for example having the appearance of an expanded.
• the ratio of the belsy surface to the thickness of the wet structure is important, which may be greater than 100.
• An exemplary embodiment of the device such as that which has just been briefly described, can advantageously be fixed against the inside of the lid of a cigar box by the face opposite to that on which appear displays, controls and air intakes. .

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• Air Humidification (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9269891

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

• 1982
  • 1982-01-12 FR FR8200340A patent/FR2519518B1/fr not_active Expired
• 1983
  • 1983-01-07 EP EP83400042A patent/EP0086117A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (6)

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