MXPA03007339A - Methods and apparatus for a discrete vapor-dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A vapor-dispensing or other environment-altering apparatus is configured to integrate with a receptacle in a discreet manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an environment-altering apparatus is configured to mimic an electrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. The environment-altering apparatus has afront surface which includes an outlet pattern substantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of the electrical receptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electrical receptacle. A device configured to modify one or more attributes of the environment is interposed between the front surface and plug pattern. These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A DISCRETE STEAM DISTRIBUTION DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is generally related to steam jet devices, and, in particular, to a steam jet device that integrates with a receptacle in a discrete manner. Very often it is convenient to use an available receptacle, for example, a conventional house electrical outlet, as a source of electrical power for systems configured to perform some kind of task to alter the environment. Some known environment-altering systems include, for example, pluggable air purifiers, steam dispensing devices, pluggable ultrasonic pest control devices, night lighting, ionizers, and the like. Due to the location and access of conventional wall sockets, and the size and shape of known steam jet devices, it is common for such devices to be relatively conspicuous when plugged into a wall socket. In the case of purifiers that can be plugged in from home, for example, this can give rise to unfortunate conclusions from the point of view of the visits regarding the total quality of the air inside the house.

In some cases, therefore, it is desirable to improve the degree to which the steam jet devices are integrated or combined with their environment. The level of discretion is generally related to the general geometry of the device in the manner in which the device makes contact with the wall and / or the receptacle to which it is connected. In addition to this aesthetic discretion, it would also be advantageous to provide an apparatus for altering the environment with improved functional discretion. That is, there is a need for steam jet devices that do not eliminate, reduce, or otherwise alternate the user's access to the functional characteristics of the receptacle. In the case of an air purifier that is plugged in, for example, it would be advantageous to provide an air purifier where access to all or most of the receptacle plugs is substantially maintained. In general, the present invention provides a steam jet device or other apparatus for altering the environment configured to integrate with its environment in a discrete manner. The apparatus can achieve this discretion in different ways - for example, by mixing with one or more components of the environment (eg, a wall or other surface), covering or otherwise occluding all or a portion of the receptacle, and / or making it look something other than a device to alter the environment. One way in which the device for altering the environment can be combined with its environment is by including a housing configured in such a way that a cross section orthogonal to the perimeter and through the housing defines a combination contour from the front surface to the outside wall. of the perimeter of the electrical receptacle. Another way in which the device can be combined with its environment is by displaying a particular color, texture and / or geometry that matches or otherwise is thematically consistent with the environment in which the device will be placed. Yet another way in which the device for altering the environment can mix with its environment, is by making contact with a wall or other surface near the receptacle. In one embodiment, for example, the device includes a housing having at least two antipodal points on the perimeter of the housing that contact the wall outside the perimeter of the receptacle faceplate when the device is connected to the receptacle. According to another aspect of the present invention, a steam jet device combines with its environment by showing a low standardized profile in terms of a lower plug dimension or one or more suitable dimensions. The device for altering the environment may also be configured to totally or partially cover the electrical receptacle in different ways. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, for example, the device may include a housing whose perimeter substantially encompasses the perimeter of a faceplate of the electrical receptacle when the steam jet device is connected to the electrical receptacle. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a steam jet device covers the receptacle including a housing whose aspect ratio is substantially similar to the aspect ratio of a receptacle face plate, and whose centers substantially coincide with the center of the receptacle. front plate. According to another aspect of the present invention, the ability of discretion is achieved by configuring the device to alter the environment in a way that appears to be something other than the device to alter the environment. According to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, an apparatus for altering the environment is configured to simulate an electrical receptacle having an output pattern. The apparatus for altering the environment has a front surface that includes an output pattern that substantially corresponds to the output pattern of the electrical receptacle, and a plug configured to interconnect with the electrical receptacle. A device configured to modify one or more of the attributes of the environment is interposed between the front surface and the plug pattern. These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticidal vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The object of the invention will be described together with the attached drawings wherein the numbers denote similar elements, and: FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a system that provides a context in which the present invention can be practiced; FIGURE 2 shows a schematic side view of a steam jet device and a receptacle according to the present invention; FIGURE 3 shows a schematic side view of a steam jet device and a receptacle according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 shows a schematic side view of a steam jet device and a receptacle according to still another embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a schematic front view of an exemplary receptacle having an output number; FIGURE 6 represents a conventional dual outlet receptacle; FIGURE 7 represents a conventional quad-output receptacle; FIGURE 8 illustrates a variety of exemplary outlet and receptacle configurations; FIGURE 9 schematically illustrates an exemplary steam jetting device; FIGURE 10 represents several diagrams in section defining combination contours; FIGURE 11 depicts various geometry configurations of the steam jet device with respect to a receptacle; FIGURE 12 depicts the geometries of the exemplary steam jet device; FIGURE 13 represents exemplary steam jet device symmetries; FIGURE 14 is an isometric view showing the geometries of the exemplary steam jet device; and FIGS. 15A-15C depict various filling geometries according to one aspect of the present invention. The systems and methods according to the present invention generally provide a steam jet device or other apparatus for altering the environment configured to integrate with their environment in a discrete manner, for example, by combining with one or more of the components of the environment, covering or otherwise occluding all or a portion of the receptacle, and / or pretending to be a thing other than the device for altering the environment. Referring to Figure 1, an apparatus 100 for altering the environment in accordance with the present invention, is generally interconnected with a receptacle 120 within the environment 130. The apparatus 100 for altering the environment comprises any suitable component or combination of components configured for altering the environment 130 in some way, for example, by altering its aromatic vapor density, supplying an insecticide, providing a light source, ionizing the ambient air, and / or providing an ultrasonic sound source. In this regard, the phrase "steam jet device" may, without losing its generality, be used therein to refer to the apparatus to alter the environment. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to this. The environment 130 corresponds to any defined space, either open or closed by one or more surfaces, walls, ceilings, floors, or other simulated or solid boundaries, which receive the evaporated material. For example, environment 130 may correspond to a residential room (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.), commercial space (factory floor, office cubicles, etc.), automotive enclosures (automobile, truck, recreational vehicle), air compartment, or any other space where it is desirable to supply steam. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is configured to alter the environment to give the apparatus different appearance to alter the environment. For example, the apparatus for altering the environment can be configured to simulate an electrical receptacle having an output pattern. In this embodiment, the apparatus for altering the environment has a front surface that includes an output pattern that substantially corresponds to the outlet pattern of the receptacle, and a plug configured to interconnect with the electrical receptacle. For example, now referring to Figure 2, the steam jet device 100 is interconnected with the receptacle 120 through one or more plugs (or other interconnection structures) 204 that correspond to an output pattern 206. The steam jet device 100 has a front surface 204 (which may or may not be flat) that includes an outlet pattern 202 which substantially corresponds to the outlet pattern 206 of the receptacle 120. Thus, the steam jet device 100 is generally configured to be removably attached to the receptacle 120. A device 210 configured to modify one or more attributes of the environment is suitably interposed between (and / or one side of) the front surface 204 and the plug pattern 204. The environmental attributes modified by the device 210 include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticidal vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like. In an embodiment wherein the device 210 corresponds to a fragrance delivery device, it may also include one or more components (e.g., wicks, capillaries, and the like) that provide a means for transporting volatile material from a location to a another (e.g., from a reservoir to an evaporation pad or emanator), and / or one or more components (emanator bearings, secondary wicks, and the like) that provide a surface or surfaces from which the transported material undergoes mass transfer or evaporation to the environment 120. In a mode where the receptacle 120 corresponds to an electrical power output, it is advantageous to use this power source to provide any electrical functionality required by the fragrance delivery device. For example, the fragrance delivery device may include one or more emanators or heating elements designed to control the rate at which the volatile material evaporates into the environment. In such a case, the delivery device 210 may include several terminals, cables, conductive traces, plugs or other components that facilitate interconnection and power supply to the receptacle 120. In a particularly preferred embodiment, for example, the delivery device 210 includes a resistive heating element that is thermally coupled to an emanator plate or wick that communicates with the volatile material. Although the steam jet device 100 of FIG. 2 is illustrated as having a generally rectilinear transverse general cut, it can in fact include any number of integrated or discrete housings having any arbitrary shape. Further, in accordance with this embodiment, it is not necessary for the vapor jet device 100 to display a geometry that is similar in size or shape to that of the receptacle 120 or any front plate provided together with the receptacle 120. This is, as shown in Figure 3, a discrete steam jet device 100 may presently be smaller than the pod 120 (eg, in the order of size of a plug pattern 204). Likewise, as shown in Figure 4, a steam jet device may be asymmetric with respect to the receptacle 120 and / or any plug pattern 206 provided in the receptacle 120. As shown in Figure 4, for example, the lower limit of the front face 204 may extend below (or above) the receptacle 120. Figure 5 shows a general configuration for the receptacle 120 that includes an outer boundary and / or faceplate 502 together with one or more outlets 504 The outputs 504 may show any suitable shape, and may include any suitable combination of female, male or other types of connection. For example, now referring to Figure 6, the receptacle 120 may consist of a conventional dual output power receptacle including a pair of two-leg outputs 504 and a faceplate 502. Likewise, as shown in the Figure 7, the receptacle 120 may consist of a quad-output electrical receptacle including four two-leg outputs 504 and a faceplate 502. Figure 8 presents a matrix of additional standard receptacle designs that may be employed with the present invention.

Note also that the present invention can be used in conjunction with ground fault interrupter electrical outputs (GFI) It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to electrical receptacles. In fact, the receptacle 120 may comprise any suitable structure configured to provide electricity, data, or any other source of energy and / or information for the steam jet device 100 through suitable interconnection. For example, suitable receptacles include RJ-11 and RJ-45 plugs used in conjunction with high-speed coaxial data transfer (and analog telephone communication) connectors used in conjunction with optical and electrical cable networks, and any other receptacle design. now known or developed in the future. Despite the nature of the receptacle 120 - that is, if and to what extent the receptacle is configured to supply electrical power - the supply device 210 may be passive, active, or it may be changed in a selected manner between modes active and pasive. The term "passive" in this context, as applied to the delivery devices, refers to those devices that substantially depend on environmental conditions to supply a fragrance or otherwise cause the environment to change. Such environmental conditions include, for example, environmental thermal conditions (e.g., wall surface temperature and air temperature) and ambient air flow (e.g., air flow resulting from free convection as well as movement). exists) of fans, individuals, and other entities within the environment). The term "active" in this context refers to devices that are not passive, for example, devices employing integrated fans, heating elements, and other similar devices. In the event that the supply device 210 is an active device, any energy source required by the device may be intrinsic to the receptacle 120, for example, the V source 120 of a standard wall socket, or extrinsic to the receptacle 120. , for example, supplied by a battery, solar cell, or other similar device incorporated into the supply device 210 or otherwise associated therewith. Alternatively, the energy may be supplied by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic sources and / or may be incorporated into a filler component, which will be described in detail below. In order to achieve the objective of resembling something other than the steam jet device, the device may be designed to simulate not only the electrical receptacle, but any number of different objects that can typically resemble the target environment. For example, the steam jet device may be configured to simulate a wall switch, a multi-outlet power strip, a night light, or any other suitable object. As mentioned above, the discretion of the device to alter movement can also be achieved by configuring the device to match its environment. This combination can be achieved, for example, by including a housing configured such that the cross section orthogonal to the perimeter and through the housing defines a combination contour of the front surface to the wall outside the perimeter of the electrical receptacle. Referring to Figure 9, for example, a receptacle 120 includes a faceplate 502, which may or may not be rectangular as illustrated. The faceplate 502 is generally adjusted against or at the level of the wall 904. A housing 904 has a perimeter 902 (which need not be rectangular, and need not correspond to the shape of the faceplate 502) which is characterized by a cutout Transverse A 'as shown, wherein the cross section defines a contour in combination with respect to the wall 904, thereby providing an additional discretion capability. More particularly, referring to Figure 9 together with the six example cross sections illustrated in Figure 10, a cross section 1000 and near the perimeter 902 of the housing 905 forms a combination contour between the front part 1002 and the wall 904. In general, the combination contour 1000 forms a continuous curve (but not ssarily smooth or distinguishable) extending from the front part 1002 of the housing 905 to a terminus 1004 near or in contact with the wall 904. It will be appreciated that the exemplary shapes shown in Figure 10 are not limited to the range of combination contour shapes that may be used in accordance with the present invention. According to another aspect of the present invention, a steam jet device is combined with its environment including a housing wherein at least two antipodal points on the perimeter of the housing contact the wall outside the perimeter of the receptacle faceplate. when the device is coned to the receptacle. Referring to Figure 13, the perimeter 1102 of the housing is configured such that at least two points on opposite sides of the perimeter 1102 of the housing contact a wall 904 outside the perimeter 502 of the faceplate. For example, the perimeter 1102 of the housing can make contact with the wall 904 in one or more of the following pairs of points: points 1302 and 1304; points 1306 and 1308; and points 1310 and 1312. The word "point" is used in the sense of a place, and does not need to correspond to a small circular point of contact; in fact, any region of arbitrary contact (or closely located regions) can be considered as a "point" as the term used in conjunction with this modality. According to another aspect of the present invention, a steam jet device has low profile dimensions. More particularly, referring now to Figure 14, an exemplary steam jet device 100 includes a housing 1402 having a front surface 1404 and a rear surface 1406 separated by a thickness t, wherein the rear surface 1406 has a dimension x of e minor and one dimension and of greater e. A first device output 1410 and a second device output 1412 is provided on the front surface 1404 of the housing 1402. The outputs of the device (1410 and 1412) are separated by an inner output distance d; wherein: x / d is between about 2.0 and 2.5, preferably about 2.125, and / d is between about 3.0 and 3.5, preferably about 3.25, and t / d is between about 0.5 and 1.0, preferably about 0.625 . According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the thickness t is less than about 20% of the dimension and of the major axis. In order to achieve the goal of combining with the environment, any number of attributes of the device can be designed to match or be thematically consistent with one or more attributes of the environment. For example, the color, texture and / or geometry of the device can be selected to better match the wall, furniture, or other components of the environment. The ability of discretion of the device to alter the environment can also be achieved by configuring the device so that it covers all or a portion of the receptacle. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, for example, a steam jet device substantially covers the receptacle including a housing whose perimeter substantially covers the perimeter of an electrical receptacle front plate when the steam jet device is connected to the electrical receptacle. More particularly, with reference to the four exemplary configurations shown in Figure 11, a perimeter 502 of faceplate (or, alternatively, the perimeter of the receptacle) is substantially encompassed by the perimeter 1102 of the housing. That is, the housing perimeter 1102 can fully encompass the front plate perimeter 502 so that all points on the perimeter 502 fall within the area defined by the perimeter 1102 of the housing (as shown in Figures 11 (a) and 11 (b)) or so that a portion of the perimeter 502 of faceplate is at the boundary of (or in fact, slightly outside) the perimeter 1102 of the housing (as shown in Figures 11 (b) and 11). (c)). Although the housings and faceplates shown in Figure 11 are generally rectangular and generally corresponding to one another, the housings and faceplates can have any variety of shapes, and it is not necessary that the shapes generally correspond to each other. For example, the perimeter 502 of faceplate may be rectangular while the perimeter 1102 of the housing is circular or elliptical. According to another aspect of the present invention, a steam jet device includes a housing whose aspect ratio is substantially similar to the aspect ratio of a front pallet of the receptacle, and whose center substantially coincides with the center of the front plate. The supply device 210 suitably includes one or more padding components fixed removably. That is, referring to Figures 15A-15C, it may be advantageous if the delivery device 210 includes components that are integral to the delivery device itself as well as one or more filling components 1502 (or simply "fillings") that can be be replaced by the user. In the event that the supply device 210 is an air purifying device, for example, a spent filling component 1502 can be removed from the device 210 and replaced by a new filling containing fragrance oil, wax, gel, or the like. The filling in a suitable manner includes a filling body and a material that can be volatilized therein. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a filling component is provided which allows a steam jet device to simulate an electrical receptacle. For example, a filler component comprising a filler body having a volatile material provided therein may be configured to be inserted behind the front surface of the device, so that it is substantially covered by the front surface. According to one aspect of the present invention, the filler has a perimeter that is encompassed by the perimeter of the housing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the filler is configured in such a way that it does not significantly obstruct the outlet pattern 504 of the receptacle. In one embodiment, for example, this is achieved by providing a filling component 1502 that at least partially surrounds one or more of the outlets in the receptacle (variously shown in Figures 15A-15C). In the event that the delivery device is used in conjunction with a standard electrical receptacle, it is desirable that the filling 1502 encompass two or more sides of the exit pattern (Figure 15A). To the extent that it is advantageous to provide the largest possible volume of material that can be volatilized, the filler may be configured as a rectangular ring that completely surrounds the exit pattern 504 (Figure 15B). Alternatively, the filler may be U-shaped to allow the filler 1502 to be slid out of the device (Figure 15C). Referring to Figure 12, the perimeter 502 of the faceplate is characterized by a center (or centroid) 1202 and dimensions h and 1 of height and length respectively. Similarly, the perimeter 1102 of the housing is characterized by a center (or centroid) 1204 and dimensions H and L of height and length respectively. The perimeter 502 of faceplate has an aspect ratio defined as H / L, and the perimeter 1102 of the housing has an aspect ratio defined as h / 1. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the center 1202 substantially coincides with the center 1204. According to another aspect of the present invention, the aspect ratio of the perimeter 502 of the faceplate is substantially equal to the aspect ratio of the faceplate. Perimeter 1102 of the accommodation. In one embodiment, for example, the aspect ratio of the faceplate is substantially equal to the aspect ratio of a standard dual output faceplate, for example, between about 1.3 and 1.7, preferably about 1.5. It will be appreciated that the aspect ratio can be defined from any convenient matter depending on the shape of the respective face plate and the housing. Although the invention has been described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Modifications in the selection, design and arrangement of the different components and steps mentioned herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for altering the environment configured to simulate an electrical receptacle, the electric receptacle has a first output pattern, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a front surface having a second output pattern that substantially corresponds to the first pattern of departure; a plug pattern corresponding substantially in the first output pattern; and a device interposed between the front surface and the plug pattern, the device is configured to modify an attribute of the environment, wherein the attribute is selected from the group consisting of aromatic vapor density, insecticidal vapor density, ambient light intensity , ionic air content, and ultrasonic frequency intensity.
2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is a passive device.
3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is an active device.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a filling component provided between the front surface and the plug pattern.
5. 5. A steam jet device configured to be connected to an electrical receptacle, the steam jet device is characterized in that it comprises: a housing having a front surface and a rear surface separated by a thickness t, wherein the rear surface has a dimension x of minor axis and one dimension and of major axis; a first device output and a second device output provided on the front surface of the housing, the first and second outputs of the device are separated by an inner exit distance d; where: x / d is approximately between 2.0 and 2.5; y / d is approximately between 3.0 and 3.5; t / d is approximately between 0.5 and 1.0; and a plug extending from the rear surface of the housing to be connected to the electrical receptacle, the plug is electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second device outlets.
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the device is a passive device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the device is an active device.
8. The apparatus according to claim 5, further characterized in that it comprises a filling component provided between the front surface and the plug pattern.
9. 9. A filling component that is used with a steam jet device configured to connect to an electrical receptacle, characterized in that the steam jet device has a housing having a front surface and a rear surface separated by a thickness t, wherein the rear surface has a smaller axis x dimension and a larger axis dimension, wherein a first device outlet and a second device outlet are provided on the front surface of the housing, and wherein the first and second outlet of the device they are separated by an inner exit distance d, and where the plug extends from the rear surface of the housing to be connected to the electrical receptacle, the filling component comprises: a filling body having a smaller thickness at, where x / d is between approximately 2.0 and 2.5; y / d is approximately between 3.0 and 3.5; t / d is approximately between 0.5 and 1.0, the filler body is removably connected to the steam jet device.
10. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the filling component at least partially surrounds the first and second outputs.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the filling generally has a "U" shape.
12. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the filling is configured to slidably be fixed to the apparatus to alter the environment.
13. 13. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 9, characterized in that the filling is a rectangular ring.