Patent Application
20140079586
The present invention relates generally to devices for dispensing volatile active substances. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing device that is provided with a blower for directing active ingredient to a desired area.
Handheld, portable devices that utilize heat to evaporate or volatilize active ingredients or other volatile substances are well known in the prior art. Such devices are commonly used to dispense insect control active ingredients or air treatment materials, such as air fresheners. Users employ these devices in a variety of places, such as in their backyards, near swimming pools or patios and the like.
Many dispensing devices utilize heat to volatize and dispense volatilizable substances. For instance, in some devices a conductive heat plate is provided—upon which a mat impregnated with a volatilizable substance is placed. When the heat plate is sufficiently heated—the volatilizable substances evaporate and are thereby dispensed.
In such systems, the heat source causes a rising hot air current that is directed upwardly. Repellant or other substances to be dispensed are carried upward in the rising hot air stream. However, this system may be suboptimal for several reasons. First, the repellant devices are often placed off to the side of a site whereby repellant is desired. For instance, picnickers, gardeners, or hunters often place the dispensing device in an area near where they are situated. Because the device creates an upward stream—repellant or other active ingredient is not directed to where it is needed most.
Moreover, some active ingredients carried in the hot air stream are rather heavy as compared to pure air. As a result, it may be difficult to achieve wide dispersal of active ingredient relying on a hot air stream alone.
There is therefore a need in the art for a dispensing device that is capable of directing an air stream containing active ingredient to an area of interest. Moreover, there is a need for dispensing device whereby active ingredient particles are propelled beyond the confines of a hot air stream.
The current invention addresses these problems by providing a dispensing device that contains an adjustable blower, such as a fan, for blowing airborne active ingredient. The fan directs the air containing active ingredient toward a desired area and it also propels active ingredient particles to travel distances greater than they would normally travel unassisted by the fan.
The air stream must entrain the particles or vapor of active ingredient after they have been volatilized by heating. It is desirable that the air circulation created by the fan not interfere with the vaporization caused by heating the active ingredient. The inventive system achieves that end with a two stage process whereby, first the active ingredient is incorporated into the air by heating and then secondarily, the air/active ingredient mixture is energized by a mechanical fan or other blowing device to flow further from the dispenser than it would without such a fan. The fan or air blowing device may be mounted in such a way as to allow the user to direct the flow of active ingredient in a more favorable direction than without the fan.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-identified Drawings. However, the Drawings and the description herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, Also, features described herein may be omitted, additional features may be included, and/or features described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.
In the inventive device, active ingredient is volatized and released into the air. In embodiments of the invention, a hydrocarbon fuel source is utilized to sustain a flame for dispensing the volatilizable substances. For example, the dispenser may be similar to the one disclosed in any of U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,430 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,605—each of which is incorporated by reference herein. The device, in principle, includes a burner that is capable of sustaining flame, a catalytic structure, a candle, or an electric heating element to heat and volatize active ingredient. In the embodiment described herein, a combustion nozzle located in a combustion chamber is used as a heat source to volatize active ingredients. The combustion nozzle supports a flame produced by hydrocarbon combustion, which heats a heating plate positioned above the combustion chamber. The heating plate is made of thermally conductive material—such as aluminum, copper or the like. In use a pad or mat that is impregnated with a volatilizable substance is placed on the heating plate. When a flame is ignited (or a heater is initiated), the heating plate reaches sufficient temperature to cause evaporation of the volatilizable substance. The evaporated substance is then introduced into the ambient air.
The active ingredient that is introduced into the ambient air in this manner is not directed to a specific region and because the active ingredient is heavier than air—it may not travel a far enough distance for maximal efficacy. The inventive device provides an air stream to assist in carrying at least a portion of active ingredient to distances it would not otherwise travel and it allows for more focused delivery of active ingredient. In an embodiment of the invention, active ingredient to be dispensed is insect repellant; however, it will be understood that the dispersal of any of different active ingredients are within the teaching of the invention.
A blower unit 12 is shown connected to the outer housing 11 at the dispensing end. The blower unit has an outer housing 21, which encases a chamber having a fan, pump, impeller, vacuum or similar blowing apparatus located therein. The outer housing as an opening 22 or similar aperture or channel allowing for the intake of air. Air enters through opening 22 and it is directed upward by an internal fan 24 and then out of the chamber through a second opening or vent 26. An air stream emanates (upwardly in the embodiment shown) from the vent 26 as the fan continuously draws in air and redirects it to be forced out of vent 26.
When the dispenser 10 is engaged, active ingredient rises into the air above the heating plate. When the blowing unit 12 is simultaneously engaged, the resulting air stream propels particles of active ingredient to distances they would have otherwise traveled unassisted by a generated air stream.
In one embodiment of the invention, a battery operated fan is provided, but it will be understood that a fan or similar blowing apparatus may be powered by way of a line cord to a power outlet.
It will be understood that the blower unit 12 need not be permanently mounted to the dispenser unit and that in embodiments of the invention, the blower unit 12 may be an independent unit that is selectively detachable from the dispensing unit 10. It will be understood that the blower unit 12 may be temporarily attached to the dispensing unit 10 by way of snaps, Velcro®, screws, hooks or any of various male-female connection mechanisms. Moreover, the invention is not limited to a single blower unit and more than one blower unit may be mounted (either permanently or temporarily) to the dispenser unit. In one embodiment, a second blower unit (not shown) may be attached to the side wall of the dispensing unit on the opposite side of the blower unit shown in the Figures herein.
In an embodiment of the invention, the blower unit 12, is pivotably mounted to the device in a manner in which it may be rotated by as much as 360°. That is, the blower unit 12 may be mounted by way of a pivot which allows incremental movement of the blower unit 12 thereabout.
It will be understood that the invention set forth herein, broadly relates to an apparatus and method of creating two independent air streams. A first air stream is generated by rising heat causing volitilzable substances to vaporize and enter into the air. A second, independent air stream is generated by a mechanical blowing device. The air stream generated by the blowing device energizes the particles of active ingredient generated in the first air stream and propels them to distances that are greater than the particles would have otherwise traveled unassisted by a secondary air stream. Preferably, the first air stream and second air stream are generated in a side-by-side arrangement. Namely, a hot air stream is positioned adjacent to an air stream generated by a mechanical blower.
In one embodiment of the invention, directable louvers are provided on vent 26 to direct an air stream emanating therefrom. A motor control also can be incorporated to control air flow rate. In this manner, the direction and rate of the flow of active ingredient may be easily selected and adjusted by rotating the blower unit and/or louvers and to a desired position and by adjusting the motor to control flow rate.
Embodiments of the invention, thus allows for a more tailored experience where active ingredient is directed to an area where it is needed most. Moreover, the active ingredient is carried further and it covers greater area than it would otherwise travel unassisted by a fan.
Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further modifications and variations may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover all such modifications and variations.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. Ser. No. 61/701,089, filed on Sep. 14, 2012—the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61701089 | Sep 2012 | US |
