WO2003026706A2

WO2003026706A2 - Diffuser for active ingredients

Info

Publication number: WO2003026706A2
Application number: PCT/EP2002/010635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Rawert
Original assignee: Aerome Gmbh Scent System Engineering
Priority date: 2001-09-21
Filing date: 2002-09-21
Publication date: 2003-04-03
Also published as: DE10146515A1; WO2003026706A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a miniaturisable electric diffuser (2) for active ingredients. Said diffuser comprises a first receiver (20), into which a storage medium (22) for substances containing active ingredients is introduced, and at least one outlet (23, 231, 232) for the substance containing active ingredients. Said receiver and outlet are designed, such that said outlet opens on an external pressure applied onto the receiver. Said storage medium (22) and/or a wall (21) of said diffuser are elastic and arranged inside the receiver (20), such that said storage medium and/or wall and the receiver restore themselves against the pressure effect. Said invention also relates, in particular, to a diffuser for active ingredients (2) comprising a receiver (20), having at least one outlet (23, 231, 232). Said receiver is covered at least partially with an elastic-plastic cap (28), at least one outlet (232) being provided in said cap (28). The outlets (231) and (232) are offset from each other such that, when a pressure is applied onto the receiver, a link between said outlets (231, 232) is provided, whereby an active ingredient escapes from said receiver through the outlets. On a pressure compensation, said link is broken such that the outlet (23) is provided with a valve function.

Description

ACTIVE DONORS

The present invention relates to an active ingredient dispenser and in particular to a miniaturizable dispenser for fragrances.

Such donors are e.g. known from DE-19946 878 A1. Fig. 1 shows such a manually operable dispenser 1, which consists essentially of a container, the one wall 11 is flexible, so that it resets against an external force. A storage medium 12, which carries an active substance, is arranged inside the container, the active substance evaporating into the interior space of the container not filled by the storage medium due to the vapor pressure of the active substance in the storage medium. The container also has suitably designed outlet and post-flow valves so that the container is compressed under the action of an external force on the elastic wall, the pressure of the air enriched with the vaporized active substance increases in the interior, and the outlet valve opens and part of the air enriched with the vaporized active ingredient flows out of the interior of the container. When the external force on the flexible wall diminishes, the wall resets against the force effect, as a result of which a negative pressure is created in the interior of the container and fresh air flows in from the outside through a suitably designed afterflow valve into the interior of the container.

With the structure described above, such conventional dispensers are designed for manual actuation, have correspondingly coordinated dimensions, and cannot be miniaturized without impairing their functioning. For many applications it is desirable to provide miniaturized and electrically controllable fragrance dispensers that can be integrated into objects and devices in a simple and visually appealing manner.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a functionally reliable miniaturizable and electrically controllable dispenser for substances containing active ingredients. The object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are mentioned in the subclaims and / or the following description.

According to the invention, an active substance dispenser of the present invention comprises a container with a first interior space in which a storage medium for substances containing active substances is accommodated, and with at least one outlet opening for the substance containing active substances and with at least one air inflow opening. The first space and the outlet opening are designed in such a way that the outlet opening opens from the outside by means of pressure on the first space, the storage medium and / or a wall of the space being at least partially elastic so that the storage medium and / or the wall resets itself and the room against the effect of pressure; and an electrically controllable pressure exerting means is arranged on the space within a second space, said means interacting with the storage medium and / or the wall, and the second space has at least one outflow opening that interacts with the inflow opening of the first space.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the storage medium fills the room at least insofar as it touches the first wall and an opposite wall of the room.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the storage medium completely fills the space. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the means for exerting pressure is, for example and suitably, a pressure piston which interacts with a coil.

Suitable storage media are those materials which can store and release active substance-containing substances, such as fragrances, and which moreover have mechanical elastic properties suitable for the function described above to provide a restoring force.

The outlet opening is preferably at least one outlet opening formed in an elastic plastic cap, which at least partially covers the container, in which at least one second outlet opening of its interior is likewise provided, the first and second outlet openings being arranged offset from one another so that when pressure is exerted the first space a connection between the first and second outlet opening is provided, which is interrupted when pressure equalization.

The dispenser can in particular be miniaturized and cooperate with a power source with essentially the same spatial shape, which, for example and suitably, is arranged in the vicinity of the dispenser. The dispenser can be arranged together with the power source and a control arrangement on an object without electrical functions, e.g. on packaging for cosmetic articles, articles for personal care and health care, cleaning and care products, pharmaceuticals and also food and beverages, and on clothing, toys and leather goods, promotional articles, to name just a few examples.

The dispenser can also advantageously be arranged inside or on an electrical or electronic device and can be controlled in cooperation with the functions of the device. Toys, robots, clocks, computers, household appliances, mobile phones and multifunctional information and communication devices are particularly suitable for this. The present invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This shows:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a conventional dispenser;

Figure 2a is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention;

Figure 2b shows a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 2a;

Figure 2c shows a further modification of the embodiment of Fig. 2a and

2 B;

Figure 3a is a sectional view of a modification of the embodiment of Figure 2a with a first and second space;

Figure 3b is a plan view of the second room of Figure 3a from above;

Figure 3c is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 3a;

Figure 4 a and b is a schematic representation of an inventive

Active substance delivery system which is formed from a large number of donors according to the invention;

Figure 5a, b, c, d, e applications of the present invention; and

5f shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 together with a current source with essentially the same spatial shape. FIG. 2a shows a section through a first dispenser 2 according to the invention, which comprises a container with an interior 20 in which a storage medium 22 for an active substance-containing substance is arranged. The container has at least one outlet opening 23 with valve function and also at least one inflow opening 24 also with valve function. Furthermore, at least one wall 21 of the container is designed in such a way that its spatial position can be changed by the action of pressure from the outside, so that the volume of the interior 20 is reduced when pressure is applied. According to the invention, the wall 21 can be formed from an elastic material and / or the storage medium 22 can be designed to be elastic and arranged within the space 20 such that the wall 21 and / or the storage medium 22 resets itself and the space 20 against the effect of the pressure , The storage medium 22 is, for example and suitably, arranged in the room 20 in such a way that it contacts the wall 21 and an opposite wall 21 ′ of the room 20. The outlet opening 23 is designed as a pressure relief valve, so that the opening 23 opens when the pressure in the interior 20 exceeds a predetermined value, and the inflow opening 24 can, for example, be designed as a check valve such that when the pressure on the interior 20 decreases Inflow opening 24 opens and air flows into the interior 20.

The storage medium 22 is designed according to the invention in such a way that it can store and release active substance-containing substances such as fragrances to a greater extent. The wall 21 and / or the storage medium 22 is designed according to the invention such that the wall 21 and / or the storage medium 22 has suitable elastic properties and resets itself and the space 20 against an external force. In addition, the storage medium 22 should consist of a material that is inert to the active ingredient. Reticulated polyester foam, for example, is preferably used as the storage medium.

With the selection and arrangement of the storage medium 22, it is advantageously achieved that the volume 20 of the interior of the container 2 is also reliably reset in relation to high-frequency external forces, and that the restoring force and storage capacity of the medium 22 are sufficient to enable the dispenser 2 to be made miniaturized.

The storage medium 22 can partially fill the space 20, the restoring force being provided solely by an elastic wall 21, or, as shown in FIG. 2a, also completely filling it. The ratio of the volume of the interior 20 to the volume of the storage medium 22 is suitably selected as a function of the vapor pressure of the active substance present in the liquid and also gaseous phase in the storage medium, so that, with the maximum storage capacity of the storage medium 22, the air is optimally enriched with vaporized active substance is achieved in the interior 20, and in addition a sufficient restoring force is provided against external forces.

2a shows a dispenser 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a first space 20, in which a storage medium 22 is arranged and which has an air outlet opening 23 and an air afterflow opening 24, and the first space 20 and the storage medium 22 are as above described trained. According to the invention, an electrically controllable means 25 for exerting pressure on a displaceable and / or flexible wall 21 and suitably in a second room is arranged on the first room 20, the displaceable wall 21 of the first room 20 being arranged between the first and second rooms.

The afterflow opening 24 of the first space 20 advantageously provides a valve connection between the first and second space, which is described in detail below with reference to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the second space has a second outflow opening 27 to the outside, which interacts with the inflow opening 24 of the first space. The outflow opening is suitably provided on the wall 21 ′ opposite the wall 21, which is also explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the third embodiment of the present invention. The means for exerting pressure 25 is, for example and suitably, a pressure piston 25 which cooperates with a coil 26 which is, for example and suitably, in the form of a ring coil. With the design of the dispenser according to FIG. 2a with the means 25 for exerting pressure, an electrically controllable dispenser 2 according to the invention is provided which can also be electrically switched at high frequency and can also be produced in a miniaturized and inexpensive manner.

2a, the first space 20 with the storage medium 22 can advantageously be between a second space with a first means 25 for exerting pressure on the wall 21 and a third space with a second means 25 for exerting pressure be arranged on the wall 21 ', which is arranged mirror-symmetrically to the first means of exerting pressure in the second space. It is clear that in this modification of the embodiment of FIG. 3a, the outlet opening 23 is suitably arranged on an outer wall of the dispenser 2.

FIG. 2b shows a further modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, which, like the embodiment of FIG. 2a, has a first room 20 with a first storage medium 22 and a second room with a means for exerting pressure 25, which is why here the above is referred. The dispenser 2 according to the invention according to FIG. 2b also has a third room which is identical in construction to the first room 20 and in which a second storage medium 22 is arranged and which is mirror-symmetrical with the first room with respect to the second room with the means for exerting pressure 25 is arranged so that the second space comes to lie sandwiched between the first and third space. With suitable electrical control of the means for exerting pressure, the pressure piston 25 can exert a force on the first or third space. Various active substances are suitably stored in the storage media 22, which can for example be different fragrances or can be a fragrance and an odor eliminator.

The fragrance outlet openings 23 of the first and third room 20 can, as shown in FIG. 2b, be directed in different spatial directions, or also in be directed in the same direction. If the outlet opening 23 is oriented in the same direction, an arrangement on the side walls of the first and third rooms can be considered.

2c shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2b with a means for exerting pressure 25, which is also arranged in a sandwich-like manner between two spaces 20 with storage media 22. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 2b, the coil 26 is designed here as a Helmholtz coil, the respective ones Coil sections 26 are each arranged in one plane with the storage media 22 in the first or third space 20 and within correspondingly arranged areas of the second space 20. In this modification of the embodiment in FIG. 2 b, a means for energy supply and / or a means for controlling the coils 26 can advantageously be arranged between the coils 26.

3a shows a sectional view of a further development according to the invention of the embodiment of FIG. 2a, with a first space 20 in which a storage medium 22 is arranged and with a second space in which an electrically controllable means for exerting pressure 25 is arranged. The development of the dispenser 2 according to the invention according to FIG. 3a is based on the embodiment according to FIG. 2a, for which reason reference is made here to what has been said in this regard, and also comprises an advantageously designed outlet opening 231, 232 and an advantageously designed afterflow opening 241, 242, which follows are explained in more detail. The space 20 is at least partially covered here with a cap 28 made of elastic plastic, and at least one outlet opening 232 is formed in the cap 28. The space 20 also has at least one outlet opening 231 which is arranged offset from the outlet opening 232 of the cap 28 such that a connection between the outlet opening 231 and 232 is provided when pressure is exerted on the space 20 due to the elastic properties of the cap 28, and the connection is interrupted when the pressure is equalized. This provides a valve function according to the invention of the outlet opening 23, which is designed as a pressure relief valve. Suitably, as is shown schematically in FIG. 3c, a multiplicity of such outlet openings 231 of the type described above are formed in suitable locations in the space 20 and, in addition, a multiplicity of the outlet openings 232 are formed in the cap 28, which advantageously form an upper side of the dispenser with respect to the means for Pressure 25 covered. The outlet openings 232 in the space 20 can, however, also be arranged at the edge of the space 20, in which case the cap 28 extends accordingly beyond the edge regions and also has corresponding outlet openings (not shown) at their edge regions. However, the cap 28 can also be pulled entirely over the edge regions of the dispenser 2, for example as a tubular plastic skin. It is clear that the dispenser 2 according to FIG. 3a has at least one outlet opening 23 described above on its top and / or its edge area.

Between the first and the second space, a plastic membrane 242 is advantageously arranged, which cooperates with the inflow opening 241 in such a way that the inflow opening 241 is closed when the piston 25 is exerted pressure and is open when the piston 25 is at rest. Suitably, as shown schematically in FIG. 3b, a plurality of post-flow openings 241 are provided in the wall 21, which are arranged in a circle at the edge region of the wall 21, and the membrane 242 is also designed to be circular corresponding to the openings 241. The membrane 242 can suitably be glued or latched to the wall 21 in the region 242K, while it merely lies loosely on the inflow opening. As a result, a flutter valve and thus the above-described valve function of the afterflow opening 24 are provided in a particularly simple manner. When the piston 25 is subjected to pressure, the membrane 242 is pressed upward by the piston 25, as a result of which the volume of the space 20 is reduced and, due to the restoring force of the wall 21 and / or the storage medium 22, the edge area of the membrane is simultaneously pressed onto the inflow openings, so that these are closed, while when the piston 25 is at rest, the space 20 is connected to the second space via the inflow opening 241. The coil 26 is suitably glued to the second space or connected in another suitable form. The working piston 25 is freely movable and is also suitably held in position by the membrane 242 in the idle state. It is clear that electrical leads lead to the coil 26. In addition, suitable openings 27 are formed in the second space, which ensure a constant and sufficient pressure equalization in the area of the working piston 25 and allow an afterflow of working air to the space 20 in the case of afterflow openings 241 released by the membrane 242.

When the dispenser 2 according to the invention is in operation, the membrane 242 is spontaneously and clearly pressed upward by the working piston 25 when current flows in the coil 26, the membrane sealing off the afterflow openings 242 in its edge region.

To simplify assembly and manufacture, the second room can be made in two parts. The first and second room can be made of stainless steel or another material, for example, which is largely neutral towards fragrances and does not emit its own smells in the interior. The membrane 242 and the plastic cap 28 are made of suitable elastic plastics, which are also largely neutral towards fragrances.

In order to achieve the most compact possible design, a dispenser according to the invention is, for example and suitably, cylindrical.

The dispenser 2 can also advantageously include an opening with a valve function suitable for refilling the storage medium 22, which can be designed in such a way that it interacts with a filling cannula of a storage container.

It is also clear that the present invention can be carried out by means of combinations of the above-described embodiments thereof without inventive step. As shown schematically in FIGS. 4a and 4b, a plurality of dispensers 2 according to the above explanations of FIGS. 2 and 3 can advantageously be combined to form a dispensing system 2S, and be arranged linearly or also in a ring, and with a central one Power source EV be supplied and / or controlled by a central control unit SE. It is clear that, for a construction that is as compact as possible, in particular the embodiment according to FIG. 2b with corresponding additional features of FIG. 3a is possible, the dispensers 2 being, for example and suitably, cylindrical and sandwiched.

5f also shows a dispenser 2 according to the invention, which is arranged together with an energy supply 3 in the form of a button cell, and advantageously has a spatial shape similar to that of the button cell 3, which likewise achieves an advantageous, particularly compact design.

Objects without electrical functions are particularly advantageous applications of the dispenser 2 according to the invention in the form of a button cell, at least one dispenser 2 being arranged together with a power source 3 according to FIG. 5f at a suitable point on the object or completely or partially sunk in the object. In particular, cosmetics and agents for body and health care and also for textile care, cleaning and care agents and also food and luxury foods and their packaging come into question. Other preferred objects are toys, as exemplified in FIG. 5d, games, mechanical watches, books, smoking accessories, learning aids, clothing, leather goods and leather substitute products and their packaging, as well as price tags, promotional items, product information in the trade on or in the vicinity of products.

An active substance dispenser 2 according to the invention can also advantageously be arranged on electrical or electronic devices and obtain its energy supply from the energy supply of the device, and can also be controllable in cooperation with the functions of the device. Electric toys, robots, watches, computers, Entertainment devices, household appliances, mobile phones and multifunctional information and communication devices in question. Due to its compact design, a dispenser 2 according to the invention can be integrated in a simple manner, particularly in very flat objects or devices. For example, FIG. 5a shows two active substance dispensers 2 and 2 'arranged on a mobile telephone 4, the active substance dispenser 2 being suitably designed in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 3a and partially being sunk into the top of the mobile telephone, and the dispenser 2' is suitably designed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2b, and is sunk into the mobile phone in such a way that it can release active substances both upwards and downwards. 5b shows the back of the mobile phone of FIG. 5a, and FIG. 5c shows a section through line AA of FIG. 5b.

5d shows a schematic representation of a toy 5, for example with four dispensers 2 arranged at suitable locations, and FIG. 5e shows the schematic representation of a clock 6 with a dispenser 2 according to the invention, to show only a few further schematic examples of the abovementioned diverse applications give.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. active substance dispenser (2), with: a first space (20) in which a storage medium (22) for active substance-containing

Substances is housed; at least one outlet opening (23) for the active substance-containing substance; the space (20) and the outlet opening (23) are designed such that

Pressure on the space (20) from the outside opens the outlet opening (23); at least one air flow opening (24); the space (20) is at least partially delimited by a wall (21) through

External pressure in their spatial arrangement with respect to space

(20) is changeable, and the storage medium (22) and / or the wall (21) is at least partially designed to be elastic and arranged within the space (20) in such a way that the storage medium (22) and / or the wall (21) is itself and resets the space (20) against the action of the pressure, and an electrically controllable means (25) for exerting pressure on the wall (21) is arranged on the space (20) within a second space, said means being in contact with the wall

(21) and / or cooperates elastically with the storage medium (22), and the second space has at least one outflow opening (27) which cooperates with the inflow opening (24).

2. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to claim 1, characterized by: the storage medium (22) fills the space (20) at least insofar as it touches the wall (21) and an opposite wall (21 ') of the space (20) ,

3. ^' active substance dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 and 2, characterized by: the means for exerting pressure is a pressure piston (25) which cooperates with a coil (26), and the coil (26) is a ring coil, and the first and second spaces are formed as flat cylinders.

4. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by: a third space which is structurally identical to the first space (20), and wherein the first and third spaces are arranged in mirror symmetry, and the second space ( 20a) is arranged between the first and third space.

5. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by: the space (20) has at least one outlet opening (231); and the space (20) is at least partially elastic with a cap (28)

Plastic covered; and at least one outlet opening (232) is formed in the cap (28); and the outlet opening (231) and the outlet opening (232) are arranged offset from one another, so that when pressure acts on the space (20), a connection between the

Outlet opening (231) and (232) is provided, with an active ingredient from the room

(20) escapes through the outlet openings (321) and (323); and at pressure equalization the connection is broken, so that the

Outlet opening (23) with valve function is provided.

6. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by: in the wall (21) at least one post-flow opening (242) is formed, and the piston cooperates with an elastic membrane (27), which at, Pressure action of the piston (25) on the wall (21) closes the inflow opening (242), and at

Rest position of the piston (25), the inflow opening (242) is open.

7. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized by the active ingredient is a fragrance and / or an odor neutralizing agent; and the storage medium (22) is elastic and made of a fragrance-inert material including reticulated, foamed polyester.

8. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized by: the space (20) is provided with a third opening with valve function for refilling an active ingredient.

9. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized by: the active ingredient dispenser cooperates with a power source (3) with substantially the same spatial shape and is arranged in the vicinity of the power source (3).

10. Active substance dispenser according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized by: at least one active substance dispenser is arranged together with a power source and a control arrangement on an object without electrical functions.

11. Active substance dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized by: at least one active substance dispenser (2) is arranged inside and / or on an electrical and / or electronic device (4, 5, 6), and is in cooperation controllable with the functions of the device (4, 5, 6).

12. active ingredient dispenser (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by: the device and / or the object is a toy and / or a robot and / or a clock and / or a computer and / or an entertainment device and / or a Household appliance and / or a mobile phone and / or a multifunctional

Information and communication device and / or a promotional item.