GB2405096A

GB2405096A - Air Freshener

Info

Publication number: GB2405096A
Application number: GB0318779A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Adam Todd; Carl Richard Cotton
Original assignee: PHS GROUP PLC
Current assignee: PHS GROUP PLC
Priority date: 2003-08-09
Filing date: 2003-08-09
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-09
Also published as: GB0318779D0; GB2405096B

Abstract

Air freshener apparatus 10 with a rotatable cartridge member 14. One side of the member 14 forms a reservoir 37 to locate liquid air freshener 54. Towards the periphery of the cartridge member 14 on the same side as the reservoir, a U-shaped formation 34 is provided with a through hole 22 towards the base of the U. On the other side of cartridge member 14 a plurality of inclined fins (24, Fig. 1) are provided. The apparatus is arranged so that the cartridge member is rotated such that the U-shaped formation is filled with air freshener once each revolution, and the freshener slowly passes through the hole onto the other side of the cartridge member. The freshener then falls slowly down the inclined fins whilst providing air freshening. The inclined fins may be made of absorbent material. A fan (46, Fig. 5) may be provided to cause air to pass over the fins so as to increase evaporation of the liquid from the fins. An alternative arrangement is also disclosed in which, rather than the fins, a piece of wicking material (62, Fig. 6) is provided covering the discharge hole 22. Liquid is wicked through the hole and air is blown thereover to cause evaporation.

Description

Air Freshener ADoaratus This invention concerns improvements in or

relating to air freshener apparatus.

Air fresheners are used in a wide range of locations, and it is desirable for them to provide a consistent and regular level of fragrance. In general, non-aerosol systems do not provide a consistent level of fragrance, tending generally to provide increased air freshening when full, and then subsequent reduced levels of fragrance.

According to the present invention there is provided air freshener apparatus, the apparatus comprising a main reservoir for receiving an air freshening liquid, a dose reservoir, means for periodically filling the dose reservoir from the main reservoir, and discharge means for releasing liquid from the dose reservoir so as to provide air freshening.

The discharge means may include an opening for the liquid to pass through, and desirably one or more formations over which liquid from the opening passes so as to increase evaporation of the liquid.

The formations may have a texture to increase their surface area. The formations may be made of a solvent material.

The formations may comprise a plurality of inclined fins, arranged such that liquid from the discharge means will sequentially pass thereover.

The discharge means may include a wicking member, which may comprise a piece of wicking material.

A fan may be provided and arranged so as to push or pull air over the discharge means.

The apparatus may include a chamber which includes the main reservoir, and an area divided thereof which forms the dose reservoir. The apparatus may be arranged such that movement of the chamber enables filling of the dose reservoir from the main reservoir.

The apparatus may comprise a support member with the chamber rotatably mounted thereon. The apparatus may be arranged such that a 360 rotation of the chamber on the support member causes the dose reservoir to fill from the main reservoir.

The chamber may be substantially circular in cross section, with the main reservoir forming the whole thereof except for a divided off section towards the perimeter which constitutes the dose reservoir. The dose reservoir may have an opening extending into the main reservoir towards the perimeter thereof. The opening may be substantially circumferential.

The chamber may form one side of a rotatable cartridge member, with the other side of the cartridge member forming the discharge means.

The apparatus preferably includes means for periodically rotating the cartridge member to fill the dose reservoir from the main reservoir. The apparatus may include a timer to cause the periodic rotation. The timer may be arranged to operate the fan for a predetermined period following rotation.

The cartridge member may be selectively removable from the apparatus. The cartridge member may be refillable. A removable closure member may be provided over the discharge means opening following filling of a chamber.

The apparatus may be battery operated and may include alarm means to indicate when the battery level is low.

The cartridge member may be integrally formed to include the chamber and discharge means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: lO Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of part of a first air freshener apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic rear view of the part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective diagrammatic front view of the part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus with a cover removed; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of part of a second air freshener apparatus according to the invention.

Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings show air freshener apparatus 10 with a support member 12. The support member 12 is provided on its rear side with a control unit and motor, neither of which are visible in the drawings. The support member 10 can be mounted on a wall or other fixture and has a cover which is not shown in the drawings.

A cartridge member 14 is removably mounted on a lower part of the front of the support member 12. The cartridge member 14 has a generally circular cross section and has a front face 16 with an upstanding rim 18. A breather hole 20 is provided towards the rim 18 and spaced below the breather hole 20 is a larger discharge hole 22. In a rest position as shown in the drawings the breather hole 20 will be towards the top most part of the rim 18. It is to be realised that the cartridge member 14 can be rotated by the motor as will hereinafter be described.

A plurality of inclined fins 24 are provided beneath the discharge hole 22 and arranged such that liquid passing through the discharge hole 22 will drop onto the fins and sequentially pass along the top surfaces thereof passing along the inclined fins and dropping on a lower fin which is inclined in an opposite direction. A T-shaped projection 26 with a short stem is provided extending through the front face 16. The projection 26 is hollow and permits mounting of the cartridge member 14 on the support member 12.

On the opposite side of the front face 16 there is provided a rear face 28 with a deeper surrounding rim 30. In normal use a foil seal 32 extends across the rim 30 to define a chamber between the seal 32, rim 30 and rear face 28.

A formation 34 is provided at the upper part of the rear face 28 at a rest position to define a dose reservoir 35, with the remainder of the enclosed area forming a main reservoir 37. The formation 34 is generally U-shaped but with one longer side limb 36 which extends as far as the rim 30. The other side limb 38 stops short of the rim 30 and extends into a curved extension 40 parallel to the rim 30 to define a circumferential opening 42. The discharge hole 22 passes through the rear face 28 at the inside base of the U of the formation 34. The breather hole 20 is adjacent the rim 30 and also adjacent the side limb 36. An inclined portion 44 extends from the rim 30 adjacent to where the opening 42 enters the U-shape and points towards the limb 36 to prevent liquid which enters the opening 42 from passing directly to the breather hole 20.

Located on the support member 12 immediately above the cartridge member 14 is a fan 46. The fan 46 is arranged to pull air into the apparatus across the front of the cartridge member 14, and for air to exit the fan 46 axially as is shown by the arrows 48, 50. Appropriate openings are provided in the cover to let such air enter the apparatus and also pass thereoutof.

In use, the cartridge member 14 will be supplied substantially full of liquid air freshener 54 on the rear side thereof. A tape seal 52 is provided on the front face 16 so as to cover and close the breather hole 20 and discharge hole 22. Immediately before fitting on the support member 12 the tape seal 52 is removed to permit discharge of the air freshener liquid to provide for air freshening. The apparatus 10 is arranged and the control unit configured such that periodically the cartridge member 14 will be rotated in a clockwise direction for 360 . This causes the dose reservoir to fill with liquid 56 from the main reservoir 37 through the circumferential opening 42.

The liquid 56 in the dose reservoir 35 will then pass through the discharge hole 22 with air passing in the opposite direction through the breather hole 20. The liquid 56 will drop from the discharge hole 22 on the front face 16 onto the fins 24 where it will pour slowly downwardly sequentially onto subsequent lower inclined fins 24. The fan 46 will be actuated to cause air to pass over the front of the cartridge member and hence increase evaporation of the liquid from the fins 24, with the evaporated liquid passing out axially from the fan 46 to provide required air freshening.

A control unit will cause the rotation to take place at a required time intervals, and will cause the fan to operate for a required time interval after the rotation hence supply of air freshener liquid onto the front of the cartridge member. Obviously once the cartridge member is empty, this can be replaced by a further cartridge member. The cartridge members can readily be refilled by removing the seal 32 and replacing this with a fresh seal following filling.

Fig. 6 shows a similar arrangement 60, which is the same as the apparatus 10 except as follows. Rather than the fins, a piece 62 of wicking material is provided on the front face covering the discharge hole 22. The piece 62 wicks liquid through the hole 22 and air can be blow thereover to cause evaporation of the liquid. A larger seal 64 is provided which also initially covers the whole of the material 62.

The apparatus thus provides a consistent dose of air freshener at regular time intervals irrespective of how full the apparatus is of air freshener liquid. It will be known when the cartridge member requires replacement, bearing in mind the known doses which will be supplied to the dose reservoir each time, and the regularity of these doses.

The apparatus may be mains operated or battery operated as is appropriate for particular locations. In the latter instance a low battery indicator can be provided. The apparatus could be arranged to provide an indication as to when a refill cartridge member will be required, and for instance the number of days left of supply in the fitted cartridge.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the fins may be textured to provide a greater surface area. Also alternatively, the fins may be made of an absorbent material. A pad or other formation may be provided to catch any liquid which spills.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Air freshener apparatus, the apparatus comprising a main reservoir for receiving an air freshening liquid, a dose reservoir, means for periodically filling the dose reservoir from the main reservoir, and discharge means for releasing liquid from the dose reservoir so as to provide air freshening.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the discharge means includes an opening for the liquid to pass through.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the discharge means includes one or more formations over which liquid from the opening passes so as to increase evaporation of the liquid.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the formations have a texture to increase their surface area.

5. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 4, in which the formations are made of an absorbent material.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, in which the formations comprise a plurality of inclined fins, arranged such that liquid from the discharge means will sequentially pass thereover.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the discharge means includes a wicking member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the winking member comprises a piece of wicking material.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which a fan is provided which is arranged so as to push or pull air over the discharge means.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a chamber which includes the main reservoir, and an area divided thereoff which forms the dose reservoir.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the apparatus is arranged JO such that movement of the chamber enables filling of the dose reservoir from the main reservoir.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the apparatus comprises a support member with the chamber rotatably mounted thereon.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the apparatus is arranged such that a 360 rotation of the chamber on the support member causes the dose reservoir to fill from the main reservoir.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, in which the chamber is substantially circular in cross section, with the main reservoir forming the whole thereof except for a divided off section towards the perimeter which

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, in which the dose reservoir may have an opening extending into the main reservoir towards the perimeter thereof.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 14, in which the opening is substantially circumferential.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 16, in which the chamber forms one side of a rotatable cartridge member, with the other side of the cartridge member forming the discharge means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the apparatus includes means for periodically rotating the cartridge member to fill the dose reservoir from the main reservoir.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the apparatus includes a l O timer to cause the periodic rotation.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the timer is arranged to operate the fan for a predetermined period following rotation.

21. Apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 20, in which the cartridge member is selectively removable from the apparatus.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the cartridge member is refillable.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in which a removable closure member is provided over the discharge means opening following filling of the chamber.

24. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is battery operated.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which the apparatus includes alarm means to indicate when the battery level is low.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 25, in which the cartridge member is integrally formed to include the chamber and discharge means.

27. Air freshner apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

28. Air freshner apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

29. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.