GB2526366A

GB2526366A - Positioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2526366A
Application number: GB1409223.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Litten-Brown
Original assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Current assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-23
Filing date: 2014-05-23
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Also published as: GB201409223D0

Abstract

An adaptor 4 for positioning reeds (3, Fig. 1) in a reed diffuser, the adaptor being mountable at an opening of a fluid reservoir (1, Fig. 1) of the diffuser, wherein the adaptor has a reed support member provided with a plurality of guide formations 6, 8, 9, 13 for receiving a corresponding plurality of diffuser reeds. The plurality of guide formations are arranged so as to enable positioning of the reeds in a spaced relationship relative to one another with a portion of each of the reeds extending into fluid contained in the reservoir. The reed support member may be annular, suitably with the guide formations provided as grooves in an inner surface of the reed support member. Alternatively, the annular reed support member may be in the form of a plate, the guide formations being bores 9, 13 provided through the plate. A diffuser assembly incorporating the adaptor is also disclosed.

Description

POSITIONING DEVICE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an adaptor for positioning reeds in a reed diffuser. The invention relates more particularly to adaptors configured to enable positioning of reeds in a manner which promotes optimum diffusion properties.

"Reed diffusers" are air fresheners which use multiple elongated rigid porous structures to draw volatile liquid such as fragrance or insecticide from a reservoir via capillary action and from which the volatile material is permitted to evaporate under normal ambient room conditions of temperature, pressure and humidity.

Although such devices are commonly referred to as "reed diffusers", the term "reed" is generically used to describe a number of different materials which perform the same function.

Most commonly, the porous structure is formed from rattan stems and while the stems can be either straight, bent or formed into structures such as helices or spirals, the portion inserted into the reservoir of volatile liquid is usually straight. Any deviation from a straight section normally only occurs in the region of the diffuser which extends beyond the neck of the reservoir.

Other natural stems and materials derived from grasses, creepers, trees and other types of plant are also utilised in such devices as well as synthetic reeds composed of cellulose, ceramic or porous plastic.

As with the rattan stems, the generic composition is similar in that the reeds are composed of a straight, usually circular cross-section porous material that can absorb liquid and transfer it up the reed via internal capillary action. The reeds are also selected so that there is no significant change in rigidity or structural integrity once they have absorbed the liquid.

The precise material selected is done so depending on the nature of the liquid to be evaporated. When the fragrance, insecticide or other volatile active substance to be delivered is dissolved in a solvent such as dipropylene glycol ethyl ether or ethanol it is more usual to use a natural reed whereas if it is desirable to use a water-based system then synthetic reeds composed of cellulose are generally more effective.

The reservoir can be composed of any rigid material which is impervious to the liquid being contained within such as glass, metal, ceramic or plastics that have an appropriate resistance to the solvent and volatile active material being used.

Reed diffuser devices are generally supplied to the user in "kit" form and are either supplied as a filled bottle with separate reeds or alternatively a transport bottle containing the liquid, a separate decorative reservoir and the reeds.

Whether or not the liquid is supplied in the final reservoir and sealed with a cork, bung, stopper, screw cap or other mechanism or supplied in a separate, disposable transport vessel the user is still required to manually insert the reeds once the final reservoir has been opened or filled.

The reservoir is often supplied with a decorative cap that is made of wood, metal or other rigid materials but this generally has no functional benefit and is purely an aesthetic feature.

Reed diffusers are intended to be both efficacious with respect to the evaporation of the desired volatile active material and at the same time decorative so it is important that the reeds be placed in the optimum position to accommodate both requirements.

Reed diffuser reservoirs can be any shape or size but are most commonly between 30-200m1 in volume with reeds ranging in length from 120-400mm. The number of reeds supplied also varies but is generally between 5 and 15. Reed diameter for natural materials is usually between 0.5 and 2.0mm. Synthetic reeds tend to be slightly thicker and can be between 1.0 -5.0mm.

It should be noted that depending on the substance from which the reed is formed, capillary rise from the reservoir may only occur to a particular height within the reed and not necessarily to the end of the reed. Effective evaporation thus may only occur at the lower exposed portion of the reed.

These dimensions are given for guidance only and it is recognised that devices with parameters outside of those given here are feasible.

The length, diameter and number of reeds will determine the level of diffusion within a room of a given temperature, pressure, relative humidity, airflow and presence of direct sunlight. The volume of the reservoir will determine the overall length of life of the device by the following equation: Reservoir volume (ml) Length of life (days) = _____________________ Delivery rate (mi/day) The delivery rate will be determined by the exposed surface area of the reed. In this it is assumed that all of the reeds are separate and that all of the surface area is available for diffusion.

When the user assembles the reed diffuser device they are required to manually arrange the reeds in such a way that provides optimum spread of the reeds provided but this is often difficult. For most reed diffusers the neck of the reservoir is narrow, often 10-15mm and there are several reeds to place within this neck.

On insertion the reeds are required to cross over but once the first reed is inserted, subsequent reeds on insertion have the tendency to move those already present.

Commonly the user would put all of the reeds in at the same time and then attempt to arrange them in a regular pattern but when inserted simultaneously and then arranged the reeds may not cross one another in the optimal manner.

The result is often that the arrangement of reeds is irregular and over time two or more reeds may be drawn towards each other. If two reeds are very close together at any point there may be capillary action between them and the liquid present at this point can begin to pull the reeds towards each other.

If the reeds are not arranged optimally and are bunched together, the delivery rate or rate of diffusion can be impaired as well as the device not being aesthetically pleasing.

It is the object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the abovementioned disadvantages. What is desirable is a means by which the reeds can be inserted into the reservoir and are automatically arranged in the correct orientation.

Summary of the Invention:

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adaptor for positioning reeds in a reed diffuser, the adaptor being mountable at an opening of a fluid reservoir of the diffuser, wherein the adaptor has a reed support member provided with a plurality of guide formations for receiving a corresponding plurality of diffuser reeds, said plurality of guide formations being arranged so as to enable positioning of the reeds in a spaced relationship relative to one another with a portion of each of the reeds extending into fluid contained in the reservoir.

The reed support member may be annular. The reed support member may be in the form of a plate, the guide formations being bores provided through the plate..

The reed support member may have a second plate in a spaced relationship relative to the first plate, said second plate also having a plurality of guide formations in the form of bores. The guide formations in the first plate are preferably alignable with the guide formations in the second plate so that a reed is locatable through a bore in the first plate and a bore in the second. The first plate may be parallel to the second plate with the plurality of guide formations in the first plate and the plurality of guide formations in the second plate being disposed along notional circles about a centre of each respective plate, and with the centres of the notional circles in the first and second plates are connected by a notional line which is normal to the planes of the first and second plates. The plurality of guide formations in the second plate is preferably radially offset and/or circumferentially offset relative to the plurality of guide formations in the first plate. The first plate may be rotatable relative to and/or detachable from the second plate. The or each plate may be provided with a vent for supplying air to the inside of the reservoir.

The annular support member may have guide formations in the form of grooves provided in an inner surface of the annular reed support member. The annular reed support member may have a proximal end for facing the reservoir, the inner surface of the annular reed support member being tapered towards said proximal end. Each of the grooves may be elongate, the elongate grooves having a first end and a second end, the second end being circumferentially offset relevant to the first end.

The support member is preferably elongate and thereby able to extend into the reservoir. The support member may be detachable from the frame. The second end is preferably radially offset relative to the first end.

The frame preferably has a plugging member and is mountable on the reservoir by means of said plugging member. The plugging member may be the support member.

The frame preferably has a collar and is mountable on the reservoir by means of said collar. The collar may be the support member.

The frame is preferably comprised of wood, metal, plastic, glass, silicone rubber, natural rubber or ceramic.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a diffuser assembly for emitting a volatile active material, the assembly comprising a fluid reservoir having an opening, a frame according to the first aspect of the invention for locating at the opening of the fluid reservoir, and a plurality of diffuson elements receivable in the corresponding plurality of guide formations, said diffusion elements being adapted to transfer fluid from the reservoir into the ambient atmosphere via capillary action and evaporation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for emitting a volatile active material, the kit comprising a fluid reservoir having an opening, a frame according to the first aspect of the invention for locating at the opening of the fluid reservoir, and a plurality of diffusion elements receivable in the corresponding plurality of guide formations, said diffusion elements being adapted to transfer fluid from the reservoir into the ambient atmosphere via capillary action and evaporation.

The diffusion elements in the assembly according to the first aspect, or the kit according to the third aspect are preferably elongate, having a cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and wherein the guide formations are of dimensions larger than the cross sectional area of the corresponding diffusion elements. The guide formations are preferably configured such that reeds located therein do not contact one another within the reservoir.

What is disclosed is a means for separating and positioning reeds within a reed diffuser device.

In the first embodiment of the device, the reservoir is provided with a device which fits over the neck of the reservoir or forms a plug in the top of the reservoir.

This simple form of the device has a central orifice the circumference of which is indented with a number of cut-out portions that have the same general cross-sectional shape as the reeds intended for use in the device. The number of cut-out portions corresponds to the number of reeds to be used.

In use the collar or plug is attached to the reservoir and when the reeds are inserted each reed is placed into one of the cut-out recesses.

By a second embodiment of the invention the collar or plug is solid with the exception of a series of holes corresponding to the number of reeds to be used. The planar portion of the collar or plug or holes is formed of a thin section and the holes are of a shape or diameter slightly larger than that a! the corresponding reeds so that on insertion the reeds can be positioned diagonally rather than vertically.

In this embodiment the collar or plug can optionally have a small central orifice to ensure pressure equalisation within the reservoir as liquid is evaporated from the reeds.

In these first two embodiments of the invention the reeds are separated evenly around the circumference of the neck of the reservoir but there is nothing to dictate the angle and direction by which the reeds emerge from the reservoir.

These embodiments will prevent reeds from grouping together but may not result n the optimum spread from the point of view of diffusion or aesthetic appearance.

In a third embodiment of the invention the collar or plug has a central orifice as described in the first embodiment but n this case the collar or plug extends for a significant portion of the reservoir neck and the inner orifice is tapered such that the opening at the bottom of the structure is smaller in diameter than that at the top.

The orifice has a number of cut-out portions that have the same general cross-sectional shape as the reeds intended for use in the device. The number of cut-out portions corresponds to the number of reeds to be used.

In this device the cut-out portions are angled diagonally with respect to the vertical axis of the device in such a way that the cut-out portions angle the corresponding reeds in such a way that they can cross within the neck of the reservoir and emerge diagonally such that their upper extent is furthermost from the central vertical axis of the reservoir.

In this embodiment when the user positions the reeds they are automatically held in the correct orientation though this orientation is pre-determined and fixed.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention the collar or plug is solid and contains angled holes throughout their structure which angle the corresponding reeds in such a way that they can cross within the neck of the reservoir and emerge diagonally such that their upper extent is furthermost from the central vertical axis of the reservoir.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention the collar or plug comprises two perforated sections, a lower and an upper which have holes corresponding to the number of reeds. The holes are off-set in such a way that when reeds are inserted through the upper plate they need to be angled in order to pass through the corresponding lower plate.

In a sixth embodiment of the invention a device is described as above with two perforated sections but each section is provided on a separate piece, the upper piece being rotatable with respect to the lower.

In this embodiment of the invention, once the reeds have been inserted the upper section can be rotated and this rotation would alter the angle of the reeds uniformly allowing the user to spread them wider or narrower, depending on the desired aesthetic effect.

There are a number of ways in which this could be achieved, for instance the lower perforated plate could be within an insert placed in the neck of the reservoir and the upper perforated plate on a collar that sits over the neck of the reservoir.

Alternatively, the lower perforated plate is part of a collar that straddles the neck of the bottle firmly with a rotatable cap on top in which the upper perforated plate is incorporated.

Further preferred features of the invention are set out in the appendix and claims.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reed diffuser device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adaptor for placement on a reed diffuser device; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adaptor for placement on a reed diffuser device; Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adaptor for placement on a reed diffuser device; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the adaptor shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adaptor for placement on a reed diffuser device; and Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the adaptor shown in Figure 6.

For the description of the invention in the figures, the example of a collar will be used but it is recognised that the same principles can be applied to an insert that fits within the neck of the reservoir.

Figure 1 depicts a reservoir 1 with a neck portion 2 in which a number of reeds 3 have been inserted. In this depiction the reeds 3 are shown in an optimum spread in which they are evenly spaced and arranged with the top of the reeds 3 furthermost from the central vertical axis of the reservoir as taken from the axis rising perpendicular from the central point defined by the horizontal circular opening of the bottle neck (Axis 1" on the depiction), and the bottom of the reeds 3 extended towards the inner circumference of the reservoir base.

This is a representation of a desired orientation of reeds but it is recognised that other orientations allowing both efficient evaporation of volatile liquid and an appealing aesthetic appearance are possible so this orientation is in no way intended to be limiting.

Figure 2 shows a simple collar 4 intended to be placed over the neck of a reservoir 1 which has a central orifice 5 around the circumference of which are a number of cut-out recesses 6 into which the reeds 3 are located during use. In this depiction the collar 4 is formed of a single piece but it is recognised that the same effect could be achieved by a two-piece construction consisting of a collar body with an upper cap. In such an arrangement the body would fit over the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 and the cap would define the central orifice 5 with its cut-out recesses 6.

The advantage of a two-piece construction is that the cap could be inter-changed on a generic collar to allow for arrangements of different numbers of reeds without the requirement to construct entirely new collars.

It is also recognised that the same effect could be achieved with a device that fits within the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 without having a portion that covers the outer surface of the neck 2.

Whether the device is formed as a collar that partly or totally covers the reservoir neck or is formed as an insert that sits within the reservoir neck the functionality of the invention would be the same. The different options would be selected for aesthetic or cost reasons ony.

The same will be assumed to be applicable to the other examples given below.

Figure 3 depicts a collar 4 intended to be placed over the neck 2 of a reservoir 1 which has a central orifice 5. In this example the central orifice 5 is tapered such that the top opening is wider than the bottom and the collar 4 has an internal return 7 which would fit partially inside the neck 2 of the reservoir 1. The internal return 7 has a series of reguarly spaced straight grooves 8 into which the reeds 3 are placed. The grooves are angled with respect to the vertical axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 and thus these grooves 8 ensure that the reeds 3 are held at a pre-defined angle. The grooves 8 are also offset such that the reeds 3 when placed in the grooves 8 do not pass through the central axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 but slightly to one side allowing the multiple reeds 3 to be positioned as shown in Figure 1 or in a similar fashion.

Figure 4 depicts a collar 4 intended to be placed over the neck 2 of a reservoir 1 which has an optional central orifice 5 though may be designed without this feature.

The collar 4 has a series of regularly-spaced holes 9 which extend through the body of the collar 4 in a portion 10 (not shown) that is located partially within the inner orifice of the neck 2 of the reservoir 1.

The holes 9 are angled with respect to the vertical axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 and thus these holes 9 ensure that the reeds 3 are held at a pie-defined angle. The holes 9 are also offset such that the reeds 3 when placed in the holes 9 do not pass through the central axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 but slightly to one side allowing the multiple reeds 3 to be positioned as shown in Figure 1 or in a similar fashion.

Figure 5 shows the same device described in Figure 4 but in vertical cross section in two planes to show the internal structure of the portion 10 that is located partially within the inner orifice of the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 and the holes 9 which pass through this portion 10.

Figure 6 depicts a collar body 11 intended to be placed over the neck 2 of a reservoir 1 which has an upper cap 12 which has an optional central orifice 5. The upper cap 12 has a series of upper holes 13 which are regularly-spaced around the central vertical axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1.

Figure 7 shows the same device depicted in Figure 6 but in vertical cross-section. In this depiction it can be seen that the collar body 11 has a return portion 14 which has at its lower end a thin horizontal plate 15 in which there are a series of lower holes 16 that correspond in number to the upper holes 13 in the upper cap 12. When reeds 3 are inserted into the device they would pass through one of the upper holes 13 and a corresponding lower hole 16 in the collar body. The distance of the lower holes 16 from the vertical axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 is shorter than that of the upper holes 13.

The upper cap 12 is free to rotate around the central vertical axis (Axis 1) of the reservoir 1 and with respect to the collar body 11 meaning that the relative position of the upper holes 13 and lower holes 16 can be adjusted. With the reeds 3 in position in the corresponding holes this would have the effect of fanning the reeds out as the upper holes 13 and lower holes 16 were moved out of direct vertical alignment.

APPENDIX

Embociments of the invention will now be described in the following paragraphs.

1. A device for the positioning of reeds in the reservoir of a reed dffuser device which holds the reeds at a pre-determined spacing and orientation.

2. A device as in embodiment 1 which forms a collar which sits over the neck of a reservoir of a reed diffuser device.

3. A device as in embodiment 1 which forms an insert which sits within the neck of a reservoir of a reed diffuser device.

4. A device as in embodiment 1 in which the collar or insert has at is uppermost portion an interna orifice which has an evenly-spaced series of cut-outs into which the reeds are positioned.

5. A device as in embodiment 1 in which the collar or insert has a portion that is located at least part-way into the neck of the reservoir and has an internal orifice which tapers away from the top of the reservoir with evenly-spaced straight grooves into which the reeds are positioned.

6. A device as in embodiment 1 in which the collar or insert has a portion that is solid and which contains a series of evenly-spaced holes that are angled such that their uppermost opening is further from the central vertical axis than the lowermost opening and the central axis of the diagonal holes does not intersect with the vertical axis of the reservoir.

7. A device as in embodiment 1 in which the device has a lower part with a horizontal plate in which there are a series of evenly-spaced holes close to the central axis of the reservoir and an upper part with a similar number of evenly-spaced holes further away from the central axis of the reservoir and in which the lower and upper portions can be rotated with respect to each other to adjust the alignment of the upper and lower holes and thus the angle of the reeds inserted through them.

8. Devices as in embodiments 1 -6 which are formed from a single piece of rigid or semi-rigid material such as wood, metal, plastic, gass, silicone rubber, natural rubber or ceramic.

9. Devices as in embodiments 1 -6 which are formed of two or more rigid materials such as wood, metal, plastic, glass, silicone rubber, natural rubber or ceramic.

10. A device for separating and positioning reeds within a reed diffuser device which comprises a structure positioned on the neck of a reservoir of volatile

II

active liquid which has spacing holes or grooves into which individual reeds are located. The structure is formed either as a collar that is positioned over the neck of a reservoir or as an insert within the neck of the reservoir. The device can be fixed with pre-defined numbers and position of locating holes or grooves or can be a two-pece structure in which the two pieces are free to rotate with respect to each other and thus allow adjustment in the reed positioning.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adaptor for positioning reeds in a reed diffuser, the adaptor being mountable at an opening of a fluid reservoir of the diffuser, wherein the adaptor has a reed support member provided with a plurality of guide formations for receiving a corresponding plurality of diffuser reeds, said plurality of guide formations being arranged so as to enable positioning of the reeds in a spaced relationship relative to one another with a portion of each of the reeds extending into fluid contained in the reservoir.
2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the reed support member is annular.
3. The adaptor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reed support member is in the form of a plate, the guide formations being bores provided through the plate.
4. The adaptor according to claim 3, wherein the reed support member has a second plate in a spaced relationship relative to the first plate, said second plate also having a plurality of guide formations in the form of bores.
5. The adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the guide formations in the first plate are alignable with the guide formations n the second plate so that a reed is locatable through a bore in the first plate and a bore in the second.
6. The adaptor according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first plate is parallel to the second plate, the plurality of guide formations in the first plate and the plurality of guide formations in the second plate are disposed along notional circles about a centre of each respective plate, and wherein the centres of the notional circles in the first and second plates are connected by a notional line which is normal to the planes of the first and second plates.
7. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of guide formations in the second plate is radially offset relative to the plurality of guide formations in the first plate.
6. The adaptor according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plurality of guide formations in the second plate is circumferentially offset relative to the plurality of guide formations in the first plate.
9. The adaptor according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first plate is rotatable relative to the second plate.
10. The adaptor according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the first plate is detachable from the second plate.
11. The adaptor according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the or each plate is provided with a vent for supplying air to the inside of the reservoir.
12. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the reed support member is detachable from the adaptor.
13. The adaptor according to claim 2 wherein the guide formations are grooves provided in an inner surface of the annular reed support member.
14. The adaptor according to claim 13, wherein the annular reed support member has a proximal end for facing the reservoir, the inner surface of the annular reed support member being tapered towards said proximal end.
15. The adaptor according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each of the grooves is elongate, the elongate grooves having a first end and a second end, the second end being circumferentially offset relevant to the first end.
16. The adaptor according to claim 15, wherein the second end is radially offset relative to the first end.
17. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the adaptor has a plugging member and is mountable on the reservoir by means of said plugging member.
18. The adaptor according to claim 17 wherein the plugging member is the reed support member.
19. The adaptor according to any one of claim 1 to 17 wherein the adaptor has a collar and is mountable on the reservoir by means of said collar.
20. The adaptor according to claim 19 wherein the collar is the reed support member.
21. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the adaptor is comprised of wood, metal, plastic, glass, silicone rubber, natural rubber or ceramic.
22. An adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 2 to 7.
23. A diffuser assembly for emitting a volatile active material, the assembly comprising a fluid reservoir having an opening, an adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 22 for locating at the opening of the fluid reservoir, and a plurality of diffusion elements receivable in the corresponding plurality of guide formations, said diffusion elements being adapted to transfer fluid from the reservoir into the ambient atmosphere via capillary action and evaporation.
24. The diffuser assembly according to claim 23, wherein the guide formations are configured such that reeds located therein do not contact one another within the reservoir.
25. The diffuser assembly according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the diffusion elements are elongate, having a cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and wherein the guide formations are of dimensions larger than the cross sectional area of the corresponding diffusion elements.
26. A kit of parts for a diffuser assembly for emitting a volatile active material, the assembly comprising a fluid reservoir having an opening, an adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 22 for locating at the opening of the fluid reservoir, and a plurality of diffusion elements receivable in the corresponding plurality of guide formations, said diffusion elements being adapted to transfer fluid from the reservoir into the ambient atmosphere via capillary action and evaporation.
27. The kit according to claim 26, wherein the guide formations are configured such that reeds located therein do not contact one another within the reservoir.
28. The kit of parts according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the diffusion elements are elongate, having a cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and wherein the guide formations are of dimensions larger than the cross sectional area of the corresponding diffusion elements.