Patent Application
20250082810
The present invention relates to a device for evaporating volatile substances, which allows the evaporation rate to be regulated.
Currently known evaporation devices for volatile substances usually comprise means for regulating the evaporation rate of the volatile substances, depending on the user's preferences.
These devices for evaporation of volatile substances usually comprise an electric heater, which heats a wick impregnated with the volatile substances.
For example, one such means of regulating the evaporation rate consists of a rotating part with a window which, in a position of maximum evaporation, exposes the wick directly to the heater and, in a position of minimum evaporation, blocks direct exposure between the wick and the heater.
It has been shown in tests that these means of regulation are ineffective in changing the evaporation rate and thus the perceived intensity of fragrance.
Other means of evaporation rate regulation involving movement of the heater with respect to the wick, either vertically or radially, are also known.
These prior art regulation means involving movement of the heater with respect to the wick is more effective in changing the evaporation rate, but have disadvantages, such as potential damage to the active electrical components due to frequent movement.
In addition, the longer length of cables needed to allow such movement is also detrimental to cost, and has a negative impact on the environment, as it requires more material than necessary and adds complexity during assembly.
Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a device for evaporating volatile substances, which allows changing the area of the air flow directly around the wick through the linear movement of a rotating part, thus affecting the evaporation rate and the intensity of the perceived fragrance.
With the device for evaporating volatile substances of the invention, the aforementioned disadvantages are solved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.
The device for evaporating volatile substances according to the present invention comprises:
Preferably, the regulator comprises a projection that is housed in a complementary slot of the rotating disc.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the slot of the rotating disc is curved and extends from substantially the center of the disc to its edge, in particular, the slot of the rotating disc is curved with a non-constant radius.
Advantageously, the outlet channel has an elongated shape in cross-section.
In addition, the rotating disc preferably comprises a central cylindrical wall provided with a window.
Advantageously, the heater is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the wick.
According to a preferred embodiment, the casing comprises a partition provided with a hole, the hole being located above and in front of the heater.
In particular, the casing preferably comprises two partitions, which define a space for the heater.
According to an embodiment, the rotating disc may comprise an actuating lever.
According to this embodiment, the casing can cover the rotating disc and comprises a slot through which the actuating lever exits.
According to the present invention, as indicated above, a device for evaporating volatile substances is provided, which allows changing the area of the air flow directly around the wick through the linear movement of a rotating part, thus affecting the evaporation rate and the intensity of the perceived fragrance.
The linear movement of the rotating part is achieved through the use of a mechanism that converts the user's rotational movement while the heater remains static. The fact that the heater remains static facilitates the assembly of the components and reduces their complexity, which also reduces their cost.
Therefore, the device according to the present invention does not require movement of the heater or active electrical components, thus providing an optimal fragrance intensity regulation solution without compromising competitive price, sustainability, ease of assembly and, above all, safety.
For a better understanding of what has been explained above, some drawings are included in which, schematically and only by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment is shown.
This device for evaporating volatile substances comprises a casing 1 inside which the components of the device are suspended in a liquid.
It also comprises a container 2 inside which the volatile substances are housed, and which is removably attached to the casing 1, i.e., it is used as a refill, and it is replaced when the volatile substances inside it have been used up.
The evaporation device also comprises a wick 3, which is elongated and defines a longitudinal axis. The wick 3 is partially housed inside the container 2, so that it is impregnated with the volatile substances for their evaporation.
Next to the end of the wick 3 furthest from the container 2 is a heater 4, which is electrical and connected to the mains via a plug. The function of heater 4 is to heat the end of wick 3 protruding from container 2 in order to evaporate the volatile substances. It should be noted that this heater 4 is fixed to the casing 1, so that it is also fixed with respect to the wick 3.
In the evaporation device according to the present invention the evaporation rate of volatile substances can be regulated.
For this regulation, the device comprises a regulator 5 which is connected to a rotating disc 6.
The regulator 5 comprises an outlet channel 7 and is movable between a first position (position of minimum evaporation rate, shown in
This outlet channel 7 is elongated and the displacement of the regulator 5 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wick 3, as will be explained below.
For its part, the rotating disc 6 comprises a cylindrical wall 8 provided with a window 9. This cylindrical wall 8 extends from the inner central part of the rotating disc 6, remaining inside the outlet channel 7 of the regulator 5, as shown in
The connection between the regulator 5 and the rotating disc 6 is made by means of a projection 10 of the regulator, which is housed in a slot 11 of the rotating disc 6. This slot 11 is curved, with a non-constant radius, extending from the center of the rotating disc 6 to its edge. This slot 11 can be seen in
In this way, when the rotating disc 6 is rotated, the regulator 5 will move from the first position to the second position, or vice versa, or to any intermediate position, describing a straight trajectory substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wick 3.
It should also be noted that the casing 1 comprises two partitions 12, 14 provided with respective holes 13, 15 in correspondence with the end of the wick 3, the outlet channel 7 and the cylindrical wall 8, these partitions 12, 14 defining a space where the heater 4 is placed.
For example, in the minimum evaporation rate position, the regulator 5 is positioned approximately 1.5 mm radially from the wick 3. This corresponds to an air flow area of approximately 57 mm2 and an evaporation rate of approximately 10 mg/h at steady state.
For example, in the maximum evaporation rate position, the regulator 5 is positioned approximately 6 mm radially from the wick 3. This corresponds to an air flow area of approximately 94 mm2 and an evaporation rate of approximately 15 mg/h at steady state.
This evaporation rate ratio of 1:1.5 at minimum to maximum conditions is a noticeable change in intensity for the average consumer.
The operation of the evaporation device according to the present invention is the same as that of conventional evaporation devices.
In particular, the air entering the casing 1 through inlets is mixed with the volatile substances evaporating from the wick 3 and escapes into the environment through the outlet channel 7, the window 9 and the inner part of the cylindrical wall 8.
For simplicity reasons, the same reference numbers are used to identify the same elements.
Furthermore, the operation of the evaporation device is the same as in the previous embodiment.
The main difference between this second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the hole 15 in the partition 14 is larger and it is positioned directly above and in front of the heater 4.
In this way, the regulator 5 is adapted so that in the position of minimum evaporation rate, shown in
In the position of maximum evaporation rate, the regulator 5 covers a part of the hole 13, as shown in
For simplicity reasons, the same reference numbers are used to identify the same elements.
Furthermore, the operation of the evaporation device is the same as in the previous embodiments.
The main difference between this third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the rotating disc 6 comprises an actuating lever 16. In addition, the casing 1 covers the rotating disc 6 and comprises a slot 17 through which the actuating lever 16 exits.
In this way, the user positions the actuating lever 16 in a certain position along the slot 17, between a position of maximum evaporation rate and a position of minimum evaporation rate.
Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the device for evaporating volatile substances described is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P202130763 | Aug 2021 | ES | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/071285 | 7/28/2022 | WO |
