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
  • A61L9/14—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• • 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
  • A61L9/125—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor emanating multiple odours

Definitions

• the scope of the present invention is generally related to the field of smart home/smart building devices, currently generally referred to as Internet of things (loT) devices.
• LoT Internet of things
• the present invention relates to systems for improving the environmental comfort, pleasantness, and usability conditions inside a building, which avails itself of the use of a device capable of analyzing the status of the surrounding environment and allowing for an interaction between the environment and a user by means of a sensory communication of a visual, audible and, in special conditions, even olfactory type, by activating a plurality of operating modes which make it intelligent.
• a device capable of analyzing the status of the surrounding environment and allowing for an interaction between the environment and a user by means of a sensory communication of a visual, audible and, in special conditions, even olfactory type, by activating a plurality of operating modes which make it intelligent.
• Fragrance and aroma diffusors are substantially air fresheners used for a number of purposes: besides being used to scent some areas of a confined environment, they can also be used to perform aromatherapy functions; some models are also used to keep a right humidity in the environment so as to moderately humidifying it.
• Document JP2014014609 entitled“Aroma diffuser selectively using any one of multiple aromas” illustrates a multifragrance scenting device provided with aromatic bottles, a cam mechanism and sliding cans and a fan for diffusing scents delivered by those bottles; this device is also provided with built-in sensors capable of detecting the presence of people in an environment and of triggering scent delivery.
• Said device is not provided with spray delivery bottles but avails itself of a fan for diffusing scents.
• Document US2010272599 entitled“Fragrance delivery system” illustrates a system for diffusing fragrances comprising: a mechanism for releasing at least one fragrance and a control unit for controlling said release mechanism, said control unit comprising a selection unit to select said fragrance from at least two fragrances; the invention also provides a kit of component parts comprising said device and at least two fragrance containers filled with a scented substance.
• Said device allows to dispense two fragrances and simultaneously detects the presence of people in an environment; however, it is not provided with any microphone nor does it interact with external sensors.
• Document JPH04354950 entitled“Fragrance device” illustrates a multifragrance diffuser device provided with a motor-driven mechanism which operates a number of cams connected to a plurality of fragrance containers by way of a rod supported by a frame. Said device avails itself of the help of cams for a selective opening of the fragrance containers and an even simultaneous diffusion of one or more fragrances.
• Document WO2014135722 illustrates a method for emitting aromas/odors, consisting of playing an audiovisual product in a software element, with at least one encoded environmental odor emission situation.
• said software sends an encoded odor emission signal via wireless communication means, and said signal is received by an aroma/odor emitting device by way of wireless communication receiver means.
• the aroma/odor emitting device in turn comprises a control printed circuit which controls the synchronized operation of at least one solenoid valve in an aerosol assembly, for releasing aromas/odors and at least one fan for facilitating the diffusion of said aromas/odors according to the encoded odor release signal received.
• the scent diffuser devices described in said documents use mechanisms for alternately or simultaneously activating scent delivery by means of electric motors/actuators, but none of them allows for a fast, precise, instant, programmable emission of said scents.
• a further drawback of said inventions is in that none of them provides a scent diffuser that is also capable of taking evolved measurements of environmental conditions notifiable to a user in different modes and of activating programmable operating options. Also, none of them is a scent diffuser that simultaneously allows a multifragrance delivery, by way of an instant spray emission, and is designed for use of standard, easy to handle, cost-effective, and customary containers.
• Patent documents are also known which describe devices and systems for monitoring people-related conditions or environmental conditions, in particular the thermo- hygrometric, acoustical, visual, and electromagnetic ones and in general the air quality conditions in a reference environment; said devices are provided with built-in sensors for detecting a reference condition and with actuators for interacting with users by way of sensorial alerts, in particular for interacting therewith by way of aromas/scents whose delivery is triggered by appropriate mechanisms.
• Document EP1946790 entitled“Multisensorial diffuser with wellness sequences related to meditation, sleep, relax and energy” illustrates a multisensorial diffuser that is programmable via a special control capable of simultaneously distributing four reference therapies: aromatherapy, chromotherapy, music therapy, and crystal therapy; however, said device does not allow for such an interaction with users as to enable them to program a timed diffusion or a diffusion depending on other parameters.
• Document KR1017935940000 entitled “Integrated safety system using air quality measurement” illustrates an air condition monitoring system based on a loT that uses eight sensors, including CO, CO2, VOC, LPG gas, temperature, humidity, and lighting sensor; such system is available for being used to measure air conditions in real time and in any situations, given it compact dimensions, and the assessed data is saved on a database in a server consumable by users in any installed environment and in any moment; however, said device is not a scent diffuser capable of alerting users.
• Some further prior art inventions focus on monitoring the surrounding environment, or the presence of the users, which are facilities more or less evolved and more or less notified to users, combining some olfactory elements in some way.
• scent diffusers Unfortunately, most of them cannot be classed as scent diffusers and, in any way, they do not solve the typical problems of air fresheners, including saving of raw materials, absence of conflicts with the presence of inflammable gases, presence of gases signaled to users via a specific and intentional“bad smelling”.
• the main object of the present invention is to provide a scent delivery device capable of analyzing the status of the surrounding environment and consequently provide diversified feedbacks in order to communicate the environment status to users.
• the object of the intelligent device according to the present invention is to allow for an instant interaction between the environment and users by way of a sensorial communication by using alerts of the following type:
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent device for releasing fragrances configured in a manner suitable for its use or alternatively a kit comprising said device, at least two fragrance containers filled with different scented substances, and at least one support for said containers positionable inside the device.
• the device for double fragrance diffusion of scents comprises a mechanism which allows the alternating release of one fragrance and a control unit used to control said release mechanism and to select the fragrance that is appropriate for the assessed environmental conditions.
• the device is provided with built-in sensors which allow to monitor the thermo-hygrometric and acoustical conditions of a reference environment and with actuators for interacting with users by way of sensorial alerts.
• the device according to the present invention is capable of simultaneously meeting all of the following requirements:
• figure 1 illustrates an orthogonal side view of the device
• figure 2 illustrates an axonometric view of the device depicted in figure 1 ,
• figure 3 illustrates another axonometric view of the device depicted in the previous figures, wherein some parts are pre-assembled
• figure 4 illustrates an axonometric view of the device depicted in the previous figures, some parts being shown partially transparent,
• figure 5 illustrates an orthogonal view of the device depicted in the previous figures, wherein some parts are partially disassembled
• figure 6 illustrates an orthogonal view and a detail of the internal mechanism of the device depicted in the previous figures.
• compartment for removably accommodating two pressurized containers 6 3.1. seats for accommodating appendages 21.3
• electric power connector possibly of the USB type or in any case implementing a wired data communication
• pressurized container 6 support
• the device 1 according to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in figures 1 and 2, comprises an outer case 2 provided with at least one compartment 3 for removably accommodating two pressurized containers 6 containing two scented liquids having different fragrances, a door 4 for closing said compartment 3, openable by exerting a slight pressure onto a button 5 and unhooking the element 4.1 , and two holes 7 through which the scented liquid is allowed to go out from the two pressurized containers 6 in the form of an aerosol.
• the outer case 2 of the device is also provided with two opposed slots 8 for diffusing sounds emitted by the loudspeakers 23, an aeration grid 9, and a protection grid 17 used to protect the internal component parts.
• the device 1 On the lower part, close to the base, the device 1 is provided with a push-button 10, which controls its switch-on and off, an electric power connector 11 , possibly of the USB type or in any case implementing a wired data communication, a WPS Wi-Fi connection identification button 12, an operating mode programming push-button 13, and two loudspeaker 23 volume adjustment push-buttons 14.
• sensors 16 including a microphone sensor, a gas sensor (used to detect CO, CO2, VOC, NO2, SO2, H2S, NH3, C2H4, benzene, methane gas, propane gas, and other gases whose presence in a confined environment would be useful to detect, a relative humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor respectively, and actuators, such as light emitters 15, a multicolor light emitter 22, and two loudspeakers 23.
• an encoder 20 provided with an optical sensor 20.1 , and a toothed wheel 20.2, a wireless modem, a wired modem, possibly a carrier wave one, electronic processors 24.1 , 24.2, and a digital memory provided with firmware/software means.
• the fragrance emitting system used by the device consists of a mechanism 18 for alternately activating delivery of a scent contained in one of said spray cans 6; the mechanism 18 comprising gears 18.1 , 18.2, 18.5 and a cam 18.4 featuring a double sense of rotation.
• the toothed cam 18.4 features a flat surface positioned in such a way as to adhere to the lower flat surface 6.1 of at least one of two pressurized containers 6 and a toothed surface engaging said gear means operatively connected to a direct current electric motor 19 which, upon starting, operates said cam and triggers a lower thrust onto a container 6, or alternately the other one, depending on the sense of rotation of the cam, and makes a pressurized scented liquid go out from a valve 6.2 equipped with a conveyer 6.3 conjugated with either hole 7 in the outer case 2, in the form of an aerosol.
• the device is provided with a support 21 , illustrated in figure 3, which can be removably positioned inside the compartment 3 of the outer case 2 and is provided with two seats 21.1 for slidingly accommodating the two containers 6, and two holes 21.2 for positioning in correspondence with the two conveyers 6.3 as necessary to spray deliver the scented liquid from each of the two pressurized containers 6 via a respective conjugated hole 7 in the door 4.
• a support 21 illustrated in figure 3, which can be removably positioned inside the compartment 3 of the outer case 2 and is provided with two seats 21.1 for slidingly accommodating the two containers 6, and two holes 21.2 for positioning in correspondence with the two conveyers 6.3 as necessary to spray deliver the scented liquid from each of the two pressurized containers 6 via a respective conjugated hole 7 in the door 4.
• the support 21 is provided with two side appendages 21.3, conjugated with seats 3.1 operating as guides for its correct positioning inside the compartment 3 of the case 2 and for a perfect alignment between the cam 18.4 and the containers 6 and between the conveyers 6.3 and the holes 7 respectively.
• the encoder 20 monitors the positions of the gear means 18.1 and 18.2 and of the cam 18.4 and makes them move alternately and instantly bring them to the following positions, respectively:
• a user can manually interact by sequentially pressing the operating mode selector button 13 or alternatively entering a remote or local control via an application for mobile devices or similar software and hardware means to set the operation of the device according to a logic process which contemplates the following operating statuses of the device:
• the “unsafe” alarm mode depends on the threshold level set for the presence of methane, or LPG or other inflammable gases in the environment, as compared to threshold values set on the device; above said gas presence values, it is possible to decide whether to trigger the unsafe mode, i.e. to stop emitting fragrances, in order to prevent users from being confused in their capability of olfactorily discriminating such gases which are typically odorized.
• The“harmful” alarm mode is based on threshold levels set for the presence of CO2, CO, or other inflammable gases in the environment as compared to the threshold values set on the device; above said gas presence values, it is possible to decide whether to trigger the harmful mode, i.e. to stop emitting the fragrances according to the scheduling made, and rather emitting the fragrance selected by a user as a“bad smell”, at the highest frequency, so as to enable users to sense said harmful condition and take the measures they think most appropriate, such as opening windows or activating a ventilation, in order to remove the harmful condition.
• Said thresholds are associated with a hysteresis which the system is capable of setting autonomously, in order to prevent instable behaviors; for instance, should the unsafe and harmful modes, if enabled, occur simultaneously, the unsafe mode prevails, hence no scent diffusion takes place any longer.
• Said modes are controlled by a firmware/software algorithm, being run on any of the electronic processors 24.1 , 24.2, which processes at least one environmental condition of the confined environment.
• the direct current electric motor 19 is activated, depending on the results of a comparison between the data assessed by the internal sensors and the pre-set optimum threshold values related to the environmental wellness parameters concerning relative humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure (used as a ventilation level indicator), microphone signal, and alarm threshold values due to concentrations of CO, CO2, VOC, NO2, SO2, H2S, NH3, C2H4, benzene, methane gas, propane gas, and other gases whose presence in a confined environment would useful detect, and with respect to the presence, or not, of a user in the environment, assessed as a function of any combinations of the values assessed by said sensors, and also intentionally confirmed by a user by way of a software application for mobile devices.
• activating the device aims, amongst others, at providing a user with an olfactory feedback related to at least one environmental condition of the confined environment; said feedback is programmable in correspondence with one or several environmental conditions, i.e. any combinations of the values assessed by the internal sensors, or possibly by sensors external to the device, as compared to user programmable thresholds and/or timings.
• the loudspeakers controlled by the electronic processor, to emit specific sounds, or music or voices, previously loaded in the memory of the device, accessible from the external world or taken from the web, in association with each of the previous possible statuses, provided the user preliminarily selected the colors to be associated with the individual statuses,
• the device is also provided with an automatic safety system which uncouples the cam 18.4 from the gear means 18.5 in the end-of-stroke position, in the case of an abnormality in the operation of the mechanism; once the abnormal condition is over, the motor 19 being driven into rotation the reverse sense, thanks to a spring 18.3 which enables the cam 18.4 to couple again with the gear means 18.5, brings the cam 18.4 back to its stand-by position.
• the device according to the present invention simultaneously meets all of the following requirements:
• - user s programmability, both with respect to start-of-diffusion time and with respect to frequency of diffusion, by using a remote or local control, and availability of information on the operating status via a mobile app or via web;
• the intelligence of the device is such as to discriminate the two following cases:
• the intelligence of the system shall make it possible to use a specific fragrance the user can recognize as a harmful condition; reference is made in particular to a case wherein there is CO or CO2 in excess, a condition that would worthily be perceived as a harmful situation, hence with no scent or addition of a specific scent the user is capable of distinguishing and associating with the alarm condition, i.e. a“bad smell”; the air fresheners according to the present status of the art typically disregard this opportunity, i.e.
• the device according to the present invention aims at meeting these requirements and makes it possible to achieve the advantages set forth below.
• a specific support makes it possible to slidingly position the cans inside a compartment of the device, in such accurately set position as to allow its handling by means of an actuator consisting of a motor which turns in one direction of travel to actuate either of them and in the other direction of travel to actuate the other, thanks to a specific cam.
• the device is provided with on-board electronic devices, including both logic devices (electronic processors and memories) and wireless communication devices for connecting to the Internet, so as to take advantage of server services for complex processings, as well as for being reachable from a remote position whenever a user is outside the environment wherein the device is installed and he/she wishes to program its use; the user can thus use an app on his/her own smartphone or, via software, on his/her own PC, to display how is the device programmed, to extemporary disable it, and to configure the parameters which the intelligent operation is based on.
• logic devices electronic processors and memories
• wireless communication devices for connecting to the Internet
• the on-board electronics also includes a multifunction key by means of which a user can set the device to the“standard” mode or switch it off, should he/she be present in person in front of the device and wish to rapidly set the device without accessing it via app.
• a user can display the operating conditions in a simple manner by looking at three bi-color leds placed on the device and at a multicolor led programmable for signaling any alarm conditions of alternatively by listening to sounds from two loudspeakers programmable for outputting different sounds to be associated with the different operating statuses.
• a specific application makes it possible to set all operating parameters of the intelligent device.
• the device also allows to avoid wastes of fragrances in the following cases:
• the device can assess further values by means of sensors external to the device but present in the environment, for instance a window opening sensor, thanks to its wireless communication capabilities; in this case, the user will be aware of the fact that a high ventilation condition is not measured, but presumed; optionally the device can also assess the presence of a user by way of an app, wherein a specific request will be addressed to the user to confirm his/her presence in the environment and to which he/she can give his/her confirmation via a graphical interface on the app.
• sensors external to the device but present in the environment for instance a window opening sensor, thanks to its wireless communication capabilities; in this case, the user will be aware of the fact that a high ventilation condition is not measured, but presumed; optionally the device can also assess the presence of a user by way of an app, wherein a specific request will be addressed to the user to confirm his/her presence in the environment and to which he/she can give his/her confirmation via a graphical interface on the app.
• the user is given the possibility of configuring either can as a“bad smell” one to be associated with“harmful” conditions, in order to enable him/her to sense it and take measures accordingly, either by increasing ventilation or via other actions which might also be configured automatically and implemented by wireless actuators controlled by the device; note that this specific function of the intelligent device under consideration is strictly related to the fact that all conditions leading to a harmful status shall be bound to the detection of gases that are harmful to health but are intrinsically odorless.
• a harmful condition is the only one whereby the device uses a fragrance, in particular one only of the two, to send a feedback to users, without prejudice to the fact that this function is usually performed by the multicolor led, by the loudspeakers, and by the apps, be they mobile or PCs.
• the emission system used is fully original in its details in that it uses an electric motor, with the axis of which one cam featuring a double sense of rotation is associated, with an electronic control that allows an instant emission of a quantity of fragrance, and an encoder makes it possible to know for sure that a movement took place, thus making the system a highly reliable one.
• the mechanics of the device is such that the openable space, upon closing, automatically sets the cans to an aligned position as appropriate for their operation by the cam which, driven by the motor via gears, triggers the emission of fragrance from a spray can as a function of the sense of rotation of the motor.
• the encoder provides very high reliability in that it provides a feedback to the electronics for its motor control and user signaling functions.
• the intelligent device can be a component part of a kit comprising at least two pressurized containers, each containing a scented liquid, featuring a flat surface below and a valve and a conveyer above, and at least one support, configured to be positioned inside a compartment of the intelligent device, for the removable and interchangeable insertion of said pressurized containers containing scented liquids of different fragrances.

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• 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)
• Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
• Fats And Perfumes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=63965919

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (9)

• 2018
  • 2018-08-06 IT IT102018000007878A patent/IT201800007878A1/it unknown
• 2019
  • 2019-08-05 EP EP19768912.8A patent/EP3833407A2/en active Pending
  • 2019-08-05 WO PCT/IB2019/056632 patent/WO2020031052A2/en unknown
  • 2019-08-05 CN CN201980052483.0A patent/CN112533650A/zh active Pending

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