EP1789100A1 - Appareil de distribution de substance volatile - Google Patents

Appareil de distribution de substance volatile

Info

Publication number
EP1789100A1
EP1789100A1 EP05775459A EP05775459A EP1789100A1 EP 1789100 A1 EP1789100 A1 EP 1789100A1 EP 05775459 A EP05775459 A EP 05775459A EP 05775459 A EP05775459 A EP 05775459A EP 1789100 A1 EP1789100 A1 EP 1789100A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reservoir
liquid
cartridge
tubular member
orifice
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05775459A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Colin Brown
Guy Edward Naish
Kishen Gohil
Simone Anderson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Givaudan SA
Original Assignee
Givaudan SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Givaudan SA filed Critical Givaudan SA
Publication of EP1789100A1 publication Critical patent/EP1789100A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
    • A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
    • A61L9/127—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor comprising a wick
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/13—Dispensing or storing means for active compounds
    • A61L2209/133—Replaceable cartridges, refills
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/13—Dispensing or storing means for active compounds
    • A61L2209/134—Distributing means, e.g. baffles, valves, manifolds, nozzles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to devices for dispensing volatile materials into an atmosphere.
  • a typical device comprises a reservoir for holding the liquid and a means of conveying it from the reservoir to the atmosphere and there causing it to evaporate.
  • One of the most common conveying/evaporating means is a wick made of a porous material that conveys the liquid by capillary action. This wick is generally fitted to the reservoir in a liquid- and vapour-tight fashion, so that liquid can only escape by capillary action through the wick.
  • the means sealing the wick in place (generally an insert or cap) comprises a passage of small cross-sectional area, this allowing communication between atmosphere and reservoir interior, such that liquid can continue to evaporate and, if necessary, that excess liquid on the wick can drain back into the reservoir.
  • This kind of device has two problems. First of all, only the wick sealed into the reservoir can be used - there is no possibility of using another type of wick, or multiple wicks. Secondly, if the device is inadvertently knocked over, liquid can leak from the pressure equalisation passage.
  • Alternative wicks can be desirable, for both aesthetic and practical reasons. For example, it is desirable to use dried natural materials, such as plant stems, as wicks. These can only be installed in open-necked vessels, which are even more prone to spillage when knocked over than are devices with sealed wicks.
  • the invention therefore provides a device adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid into an atmosphere, the device comprising a reservoir containing the liquid and a liquid-transporting capillary means for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere, the reservoir having an upper orifice into which the capillary means fits loosely, and, fixed to the reservoir in liquid-tight contact and extending downwardly from the orifice, a tubular member, the tubular member and reservoir being proportioned such as to define a liquid-retaining volume regardless of the orientation of the device.
  • loosely is meant that the capillary means is not tightly sealed in the reservoir such that there is no free space around it.
  • the orifice is substantially larger in diameter than the capillary means (or the combined diameters of a number of capillary means, should a number be used).
  • the capillary means can be freely inserted in the reservoir, and if necessary freely withdrawn therefrom. It is a feature of this invention that the orifice is partially open to the atmosphere, but that accidental spillage cannot take place.
  • the reservoir is a vessel with an upper orifice and may be made of any desirable or appropriate material, such as plastics, glass, metal or ceramic.
  • the precise configuration of the reservoir shall be hereinafter described, in conjunction with the other elements of the device, but a wide variation of shapes is possible from the purely functional to the highly aesthetic. The variety is much wider than that possible by using known technology.
  • the capillary means may be any means that is capable, by capillary action, of transporting a volatile liquid from the reservoir and permitting it to evaporate into the atmosphere. It may be, for example, a wick of the type well known to and widely used by the art. Alternatively, it may be a rod with external capillaries formed therein as described, for example, in United States Patent 4,913,350. A further alternative is the combination of wick and capillary sheet as described in International Patent Application PCT/CH04/000102. A further alternative is dried plant material, such as plant stems. This has the advantage of being cheap, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
  • the advantage of this invention is that, because the capillary means may be loosely inserted into the reservoir, any kind of known capillary means may be used, or even two or more different ones at the same time, depending on the aesthetic or practical effect desired, again a versatility not possible in the known art.
  • the reservoir has an upper orifice for insertion of the capillary means and for adding the liquid.
  • a tubular member that is, a member that extends completely around the boundary of the orifice.
  • the tubular member may be provided by any convenient means.
  • it may be a separate component, inserted into the reservoir and held in place by any convenient means, for example, by adhesive, screw threads or a snap fitting.
  • the join, where tubular member and reservoir meet, must be liquid-tight.
  • the tubular is formed integrally with the reservoir, such that the tubular member is a re-entrant portion of the reservoir.
  • the tubular member may be easily made by methods well known to the art, such as casting or moulding. In this case, there is no problem with attaining liquid tightness.
  • the tubular member may be a downwards extension of the boundary of the orifice itself, that is, the transverse cross-section of the tubular member matches the shape of the orifice. Alternatively, it may be a different shape. It may have parallel sides, or it may taper or widen as it moved away from the orifice.
  • the relationship between the reservoir and the tubular member should be such there is defined a liquid-retaining volume when the device is in any orientation, even if completely inverted. This ensures that, should the reservoir be accidentally knocked over, little or no liquid will be spilled.
  • the basic principle here is that the liquid level should never reach the lower end of the tubular member. The two factors that have to be regulated to ensure that this happens are: - the volume of the reservoir; the distance into the reservoir which the tubular member extends.
  • the volume of the liquid present also has a bearing on whether there will be spillage should the reservoir be accidentally inverted, but it is self- evident that the liquid level should not be higher than the bottom of the tubular member, otherwise the risk of liquid running out if the reservoir is tipped over is very great.
  • volume of reservoir and extension of tubular member into the reservoir will differ, depending on the volumes and shapes of reservoir and tubular member, which in turn will be regulated by practical and aesthetic demands, but the skilled person, having this concept of a reservoir and tubular member that will essentially not spill any liquid, even if completely inverted, will be able to provide the necessary interrelationship as part of the normal skill of the art.
  • the liquid may be introduced by simply pouring it through the orifice into the reservoir. If the orifice is small, this can be a problem and lead to splashing or spillage. However, a novel construction avoids these problems completely.
  • the invention therefore also provides a device adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid into an atmosphere, the device comprising a reservoir containing the liquid and a liquid-transporting capillary means for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere, the reservoir having an upper orifice into which the capillary means fits loosely, and, extending downwardly from the orifice, a tubular member, the tubular member and reservoir being proportioned such as to define a liquid-retaining volume when the device is in an inverted position, the liquid being supplied in a sealed cartridge that is openable when the cartridge is in place in the reservoir.
  • the cartridge may be any suitable cartridge capable of holding a liquid. It should be capable of holding an appropriate amount of liquid, to comply with the desire of non-spillage, should the reservoir be tilted or inverted. It is preferably in the form of an elongate cylinder. It is naturally of such cross-section that the desired capillary means can also be inserted into the reservoir.
  • the cartridge may be supplied separately from the reservoir and the reservoir provided with a structure adapted to open the cartridge upon insertion into the reservoir.
  • One way of achieving this is to seal the lower end of the cartridge with a foil of metal or plastics, which foil is adapted to be penetrated by an opening element associated with the reservoir.
  • This opening element is typically a prong extending from the floor of the reservoir, and disposed such that inserting the cartridge and pushing it home opens the cartridge and releases the liquid.
  • a liquid-filled cartridge has an openable end that is affixed to the floor of the reservoir, such that the action of moving the cartridge away from the floor causes the cartridge to open and liquid to come out. Again, this may be done by closing the cartridge with a foil, which is then adhered to the floor of the reservoir. Alternatively, the foil may be replaced by a screw cap or a protrusion of the base that acts as a stopper for the cartridge.
  • the capillary means may be separate from the cartridge and inserted loosely. However, in the case of a cartridge that is separate from the reservoir, the capillary means may be attached to the cartridge and may be supplied and inserted with it. This can be achieved by any suitable means, but preferably the capillary means is affixed by any suitable means around the circumference of the cartridge and the orifice of the reservoir is sufficiently wide to permit the combined cartridge and capillary means to be inserted.
  • the capillary means should be place such that their bottoms will be immersed in the liquid when it is released, but the skilled person can readily provide this.
  • the device according to the invention is considerably more versatile than known devices based on capillary mechanisms.
  • a wider variety of forms is available, adding to the aesthetic appeal, and the nature of the capillary means may be selected from the wide range available to the art, as opposed to the normal restriction to one type.
  • the device and its components may be easily and cheaply manufactured from known materials.
  • the most important attribute of the device of the present invention is the fact that spills of liquid may be completely avoided when the device is accidentally tipped over.
  • the invention therefore also provides a method of preventing spillage of volatile liquid from a device adopted to disseminate the liquid into an atmosphere, the device comprising a reservoir containing the liquid and liquid-transporting capillary means extending between the liquid and the atmosphere, the reservoir being open to the atmosphere via an orifice at the top thereof, the method comprising the provision in the reservoir of a tubular member extending downwards into the reservoir from the orifice from a liquid-tight contact with the top of the reservoir, the length of the tubular member and the volume of the reservoir being so proportioned that there is provided sufficient volume to contain the liquid in any orientation of the device.
  • An additional advantage of the present invention is that it allows easier compliance with the legal requirements of many countries. These define a maximum amount of headspace permissible in a liquid-filled container, and it is generally so small as to require a high liquid level. This means that the liquid level will be so high that it is practically impossible to provide a device for a liquid level sufficiently low to permit the principle of the present invention to work. In the case of the present invention, especially the cartridge variant, there is no such problem.
  • Figure 1 depicts a longitudinal cross-section through a reservoir according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 depicts a longitudinal cross-section through a liquid-carrying cartridge equipped with capillary means and adapted to fit into the reservoir of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 depicts a complete device, with the cartridge of Figure 2 inserted into the reservoir of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 depicts the device of Figure 3 tipped on its side, to show the effect of the invention.
  • Figure 5 depicts a further embodiment of the invention.
  • a reservoir 1 is a vessel that is bulbous at the lower end that sits on a support surface (to make the device more stable. At its upper end, it has an orifice 2, adapted to receive capillary means and to permit refilling.
  • the orifice 2 merges into a tube 3 that extends downwards into the reservoir.
  • a projection 4 Rising upwards from the bottom of the reservoir and positioned directly under the tube 3 is a projection 4. This projection is adapted to pierce the bottom of a liquid-containing cartridge inserted into the reservoir.
  • FIG 2 shows a cartridge suitable for use with the reservoir of Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows it in place, prior to its being punctured, with resultant release of the liquid.
  • the cartridge 5 has a form similar to a classical test-tube. It is filled with liquid 6 and is mounted with its mouth downwards, the open end being sealed by a tearable metal foil barrier 7. To the sides of the cartridge are attached capillary means 8 (in this case dried plant stalks), attachment being made by plastic ties 9. As shown in Figure 3, the cartridge and associated capillary means are insertable into the orifice 2 of the reservoir 1. When this is done and the cartridge is pushed home, the projection 4 breaks through the foil barrier 7 and releases the liquid in the reservoir 1.
  • Figure 4 the device of Figure 3 has been tipped on its side. As can be seen, the level of the liquid 6 does not reach the bottom of the tube 3, so there is no leakage, even if the vessel were to be fully inverted.
  • Figure 5 shows two views of a further embodiment.
  • a tearable foil 7, which closes a cartridge 5 and therefore holds liquid in the cartridge is affixed to the bottom of the reservoir 1, as can be seen in Figure 5(i).
  • the device is thus supplied as a single unit.
  • the liquid is released by pulling the cartridge 5 in the direction of the arrows A as shown in Figure 5(ii). This will cause the cartridge to separate from the foil, causing liquid to flow into the reservoir

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un dispositif adapté pour la dispersion d'un liquide volatile, tel qu'un parfum, dans une atmosphère comportant un réservoir (1) contenant le liquide (6) et un moyen capillaire (8) pour le transport du liquide depuis le réservoir vers l'atmosphère. Le réservoir comporte un orifice supérieur (2) dans lequel le moyen capillaire est fixé de manière desserrée. Cet orifice est en contact liquide étanche avec un élément tubulaire (3), qui s'étend vers le bas dans le réservoir, l'élément tubulaire et le réservoir étant proportionnés de manière à définir à définir un volume de rétention de liquide indépendamment de l'orientation du dispositif. Le liquide est de préférence introduit au moyen d'une cartouche scellée (5) qui peut être fournie séparément ou comme une partie intégrale du dispositif. Le dispositif permet l'utilisation d'une large gamme de moyens capillaires et présente l'avantage d'être anti-gouttes.
EP05775459A 2004-09-09 2005-09-02 Appareil de distribution de substance volatile Withdrawn EP1789100A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0420001A GB0420001D0 (en) 2004-09-09 2004-09-09 Container
PCT/CH2005/000517 WO2006026877A1 (fr) 2004-09-09 2005-09-02 Appareil de distribution de substance volatile

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1789100A1 true EP1789100A1 (fr) 2007-05-30

Family

ID=33186715

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05775459A Withdrawn EP1789100A1 (fr) 2004-09-09 2005-09-02 Appareil de distribution de substance volatile

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1789100A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2008512154A (fr)
KR (1) KR20070050069A (fr)
CN (1) CN101014374B (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0514964A (fr)
GB (1) GB0420001D0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2007002479A (fr)
WO (1) WO2006026877A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6002558B2 (ja) * 2012-11-29 2016-10-05 エステー株式会社 薬剤揮散装置
KR101593030B1 (ko) * 2013-09-13 2016-02-12 에버레이드 주식회사 해충 퇴치기
JP6319982B2 (ja) * 2013-09-30 2018-05-09 小林製薬株式会社 薬剤揮散器
KR101689842B1 (ko) * 2014-11-18 2016-12-28 주식회사 헬스맥스 향기 분사 장치
BR112022000614A2 (pt) * 2019-07-12 2022-03-03 Zobele Holding Spa Dispositivo para evaporação de substâncias voláteis

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3781164A (en) * 1972-09-25 1973-12-25 D Mccaffery Anti-spill container
US4840597A (en) * 1986-06-17 1989-06-20 Jesmar S.A. Doll with means for producing soap bubbles and having an anti-spill container
US5491929A (en) * 1994-10-11 1996-02-20 Speedy Products Co. Leak-resistant transportation and storage container

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5935038B2 (ja) * 1978-11-20 1984-08-25 三菱電機株式会社 自動放送装置
DE3218480C1 (de) * 1982-05-15 1983-06-01 Globol-Werk Gmbh, 8858 Neuburg Verdunstungsvorrichtung für Insektizide und/oder andere flüchtige Wirkstoffe
JPH073082B2 (ja) * 1985-11-06 1995-01-18 松下電器産業株式会社 湯沸器等のフイルタ−取付装置
US5875968A (en) * 1997-07-18 1999-03-02 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Liquid air freshener dispenser device with nonporous capillary wicking function
EP1088562A1 (fr) * 1999-09-29 2001-04-04 Givaudan SA Dispositif pour le transfert contrôlé d'un liquide et appareil pour la distribution de liquides transférés
EP1275402A1 (fr) * 2001-07-14 2003-01-15 Givaudan SA Dispositif pour vaporiser et diffuser des huiles
US20060175425A1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2006-08-10 Givaudan Sa Dispensing device
WO2004043565A2 (fr) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-27 Givaudan Sa Distributeurs a moteur conçus pour diffuser des matieres vaporisables

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3781164A (en) * 1972-09-25 1973-12-25 D Mccaffery Anti-spill container
US4840597A (en) * 1986-06-17 1989-06-20 Jesmar S.A. Doll with means for producing soap bubbles and having an anti-spill container
US5491929A (en) * 1994-10-11 1996-02-20 Speedy Products Co. Leak-resistant transportation and storage container

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2006026877A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0420001D0 (en) 2004-10-13
WO2006026877A1 (fr) 2006-03-16
CN101014374B (zh) 2011-06-01
MX2007002479A (es) 2007-05-04
KR20070050069A (ko) 2007-05-14
CN101014374A (zh) 2007-08-08
JP2008512154A (ja) 2008-04-24
BRPI0514964A (pt) 2008-07-01

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