U.S. patent application number 10/893848 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for device for the controllable transfer of a liquid and an apparatus for dispensing transferred liquids.
This patent application is currently assigned to Givaudan SA. Invention is credited to Hart, Gerald Leslie, Naish, Guy Edward.
Application Number | 20050001052 10/893848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8243053 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050001052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hart, Gerald Leslie ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Device for the controllable transfer of a liquid and an apparatus
for dispensing transferred liquids
Abstract
A device is disclosed which allows the controllable transfer of
a liquid, such as a perfume, a pharmaceutical agent, a masking
agent, an insecticide or an organoleptic substance, through an
outlet opening of a container. This device includes a holder with a
fitting designed to embrace a capillary medium and to fit into the
opening in such a way that liquid is only transferable through the
opening by the capillary medium. The holder, adjacent to the
fitting, further includes a sleeve which further embraces the
capillary medium at least at a length which is chosen in such a way
that, in a first vertical position of the sleeve liquid has access,
and in a second, inverse, vertical position of the sleeve liquid
has no access to the capillary medium. An apparatus is also
provided in which at least one device is installed on a rotor.
Inventors: |
Hart, Gerald Leslie;
(Surrey, GB) ; Naish, Guy Edward; (Leicester,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NORRIS McLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, P.A.
18th Floor
875 Third Avenue
New York
NY
10022
US
|
Assignee: |
Givaudan SA
Geneva
CH
|
Family ID: |
8243053 |
Appl. No.: |
10/893848 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10893848 |
Jul 19, 2004 |
|
|
|
09672158 |
Sep 27, 2000 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 1/2033 20130101;
A01M 1/2044 20130101; A61L 9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/034 |
International
Class: |
A61L 009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 1999 |
EP |
99810876.5 |
Claims
1. (cancelled)
2. A device for the controllable transfer of a liquid stored in a
container through an outlet opening of said container, which device
comprises: a container having an opening, and a bottom; a quantity
of a liquid selected from the group consisting of a perfume, a
pharmaceutical agent, a masking agent an insecticide or an
organoleptic substance within said container: a capillary medium
having two ends, one end extending into the region of the bottom of
the container; a holder for the capillary medium, the holder
comprising a fitting adapted to embrace the capillary medium and to
fit within the opening, and further comprising a sleeve which
extends into the container and which embraces the capillary medium,
the sleeve having a length less than the length of the capillary
medium, and wherein there is no gap in contact between the length
of the holder and the capillary medium; wherein in a first position
of the device the capillary medium is in contact with the quantity
of liquid, and in a second position of the device the quantity of
liquid contacts the sleeve but does not contact the capillary
medium; and wherein the capillary medium, which is extended out of
the fitting, is connected to a second capillary medium, from which
the transferred liquid is exposed to the air or to the air flow
generated by an air flow generator and evaporated.
3-7. (cancelled)
8. The device according to claim 2 further comprising an annular
container with at least one reservoir being equipped with a holder
for the transfer of a liquid through a first capillary medium to a
second capillary medium which is embraced by the annular
container.
9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the annular container is
molded in one piece or consists of interconnectable segments
comprising a reservoir.
10. The device according to claim 2 wherein the holder is
incorporated in the container.
11. An apparatus for dispensing at least one liquid, comprising at
least one device according to claim 2 for the controllable transfer
of a liquid through an outlet opening of a container to a second
capillary medium, the device being rotatably mounted between at
least a first position in which liquid is transferred and a second
position in which transfer of liquid is prevented.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a rotor
which is turned around at least a first axis in such a way that for
two devices installed on a second axis perpendicular to the first
axis, in a first position of the rotor liquid is transferred only
in the first device and in a second position of the rotor liquid is
only transferred in the second device.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a third
device installed on a third axis which is perpendicular to the
first and the second axis so that in a first position of the rotor
liquid is transferred only in the first device, in a second
position of the rotor liquid is only transferred in the second
device, and in a third position of the rotor liquid is only
transferred in the third device.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the rotor is
rotatable around the first axis and the second axis with at least a
fourth and/or a fifth device installed on the first axis so that in
a fourth position of the rotor liquid is transferred only in the
fourth device and that in a fifth position of the rotor liquid is
only transferred in the fifth device.
15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the second
capillary medium of the installed devices is oriented towards the
crossing point of the first and the second axis.
16. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a device
having an annular container with at least one reservoir equipped
with a holder for the transfer of a liquid through a first
capillary medium to a second capillary medium, which is embraced by
the annular container.
17. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising an air
flow generator which is generating an air flow towards at least the
second capillary medium of the device whose first capillary medium
is exposed to the liquid.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the air flow
generator is a fan.
19. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a
control unit comprising a switch for actuating the air flow
generator and/or comprising a sensor for detecting the position of
the rotor, the control unit being able to actuate the air flow
generator and/or to control the air flow depending on the position
of the rotor.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the control unit is
programmable and capable of controlling a motor used to turn the
rotor between the operating positions.
21. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a stator
comprising the air flow generator and a bearing for the axis of the
rotor which carries at least one device.
22. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the liquid is a
perfume, a pharmaceutical agent, a masking agent, an insecticide or
an organoleptic substance.
23. (cancelled)
24. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising a stator
comprising the air flow generator and a bearing for the axis of the
rotor which carries up to five devices.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the
controllable transfer of a liquid, and an apparatus for dispensing
transferred liquids with at least one of the devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In order to transfer liquids it is known to use capillary
action which is dependent on the cohesion forces within the liquid
and the adhesion forces of the liquid to a porous capillary medium
containing small channels for the transfer of the liquid. Such a
capillary medium, being introduced through an opening into a
container, can therefore transfer a liquid out of the container by
means of capillary action. The transferred liquid may be used to
distribute chemical substances to the ambient air in order to mask
or generate an odor, to evoke a medical or organoleptic effect, or
to affect insects.
[0003] In order to stop the transfer of liquid the capillary medium
must be removed or covered, which is inconvenient and may cause
further distribution of the remaining liquid on the cover or the
removed capillary medium. The use of two or more liquids increases
the inconvenience accordingly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a device, which allows an easily
controllable transfer of a liquid through a capillary medium and an
apparatus for dispensing transferred liquids with at least one of
the devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention allows the controllable transfer of a liquid,
such as a perfume, a pharmaceutical agent, a masking agent, an
insecticide, or an organoleptic substance, by a first capillary
medium such as a scrib-rod from a container preferably to a second
capillary medium such as a gauze. The first capillary medium is
inserted into a holder containing a fitting being designed to
embrace the capillary medium, and to fit into an opening of the
container. The holder further containing a preferably non-porous
sleeve, which further embraces the capillary medium at least at a
length which is chosen in such a way, that, in a first vertical
position of the sleeve, liquid has access and in a second, inverse,
vertical position of the sleeve the liquid has no access to the
capillary medium.
[0006] The invention is therefore easily controllable by turning it
from a first to a second position.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the end of the
sleeve extends to a side-wall of the container in such a way that
in a third, horizontal position of the container access of the
liquid to the capillary medium is prevented as well. This
embodiment is used for an apparatus containing two devices which in
positions one and two are activated alternatively and which are
both deactivated in the third position. A further advantage of this
embodiment is, that two or more liquids may be diffused
separately.
[0008] In a further embodiment, the first capillary medium is
connected to a second capillary medium such as a gauze or an
extended portion of the first capillary medium, from which the
transferred liquid is diffused preferably under the support of an
air flow generated by a fan.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the device includes an annular
container with one or more, preferably three, compartments
respective reservoirs filled with different liquids which through a
first capillary medium are guided to a second capillary medium
which is embraced by the container. The annular container may be
molded in one piece which can be produced at low cost. The annular
container may, however, also consist of segments which can be
separated, for example for the refill of the liquids, and combined
afterwards. Using an annular container also facilitates handling of
the device and integration into an apparatus which automatically
turns the device into positions in which transfer of selected
liquids is initiated or terminated. For this purpose the outer
surface of the device, which is held in a bearing, may be in
contact with a drive wheel.
[0010] In a further embodiment of the device, the holder for the
first capillary medium may be integrated into the containers of the
inventive devices.
[0011] The first and the second capillary medium may be made in one
piece. This would be especially advantageous in cases where the
container is to be disassembled and reassembled, embracing the
second capillary medium in the center.
[0012] The inventive apparatus, which allows dispensing of
transferred liquids, contains at least one inventive device as
described above being rotatably mounted on an axis of a stator
between at least a first vertical and a second vertical thereto in
inverse position.
[0013] One embodiment of the apparatus contains two inventive
devices arranged towards each other along the same axis on a rotor
with the second capillary medium oriented towards the center of the
rotor in such a way that in a first position of the rotor, only one
of the devices and in the second position, the other one of the
devices transfers the liquid.
[0014] The apparatus is preferably equipped with a control unit
containing a sensor for detecting the position of the rotor. The
control unit is able to actuate the air flow generator and/or to
control the air flow depending on the position of the rotor.
[0015] In the third position, the diffusion of the liquid is
therefore immediately stopped because liquid is no longer
transferred by the first capillary medium, and no longer diffused
from the second capillary medium.
[0016] In a further embodiment the apparatus may be fully
automated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a holder 10 and a first capillary medium 3,
separated from each other.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the holder 10 with the installed capillary
medium 3.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a container 20 with an opening 22 suitable for
inserting the holder 10.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the container 20 with the holder 10 and the
capillary medium 3 installed.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the container 20 of FIG. 4 turned upside
down.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a modified container 201 containing two
reservoirs 204a, 204b.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows the first capillary medium 3 connected to a
second capillary medium 5.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of FIG. 7 installed in a
container 20 of a first and a second inventive device 1x and 1y,
respectively.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows the two inventive devices 1x, 1y of FIG. 8 in
horizontal alignment and a third, vertically aligned inventive
device 1z transferring liquid through the capillary media 3 and
5.
[0026] FIG. 10 shows an inventive apparatus with the devices 1x, 1y
of FIG. 8 installed.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows an inventive device 101 with an annular
container 2000 containing one reservoir.
[0028] FIG. 12 shows an inventive device 102 with an annular
container 2001 containing three reservoirs.
[0029] FIG. 13 shows the inventive device 102 of FIG. 12 cut along
line A-A.
[0030] FIG. 14 shows a segment 102a' of an annular container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a first capillary medium 3 and a holder 10 (in
a sectional view) containing a fitting 11 with a flange 12. The
fitting 11 is connected to a sleeve 13. Fitting 11 and sleeve 13
build a tube with a channel 15 into which the capillary medium 3
may be inserted.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the holder 10 with the installed capillary
medium 3. The length of the capillary medium 3 is chosen in such a
way that it is longer than, i.e. extends beyond fitting 11 and
sleeve 13 combined. When installed, one end 31 of the capillary
medium 3 will extend out of the sleeve 13 at end 14, and the other
end of the capillary medium 32 extends out of the fitting 11, which
tightly seals the opening 22 of the container (FIG. 3) after the
installation.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows in a sectional view a container 20 with an
opening 22 and a corresponding fitting 24, which is suitable to
receive the fitting 11 of the holder 10 in such a way that the
sleeve 13 is inserted into the container 20 and the flange 12 rests
on the fitting 24 of the container 20 which is filled with a liquid
21 such as a perfume, a pharmaceutical agent, a masking agent, an
insecticide or an organoleptic substance. Further shown is a cover
25 with an opening 26 through which the capillary medium 3 may be
guided. The cover 25 may be screwed onto the fitting 24 of the
container 20.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the container 20 with the holder 10 and the
capillary medium 3 installed. Due to the tight sitting of the
fitting 11 in the opening 22 and the tight sitting of the capillary
medium 3 in the channel 15 of the holder 10 the liquid 21 is only
transferable through the opening 22 through the capillary medium 3
by capillary action. The liquid 21 can enter only at the end 31 of
the capillary medium 3 at the end 14 of the sleeve 13 because the
sleeve 13 shields the remaining part of the capillary medium 3,
introduced into the container 20, against the liquid 21. The end 14
of the sleeve 13 of the installed holder 10 preferably extends to a
region close to the bottom 23 of the container 20.
[0035] Therefore, when turning the container 20 upside down, as
shown in FIG. 5, the liquid 21 has no access to the capillary
medium 3 which is shielded by the sleeve 13. Only in the case where
the container 20 was filled more than 95%, could liquid reach the
capillary medium 3. The capillary medium 3 and the sleeve 13,
however, could also be extended to the bottom 23 of the container
20, containing in there narrow channels for the liquid 21 to pass
through to the capillary medium 3.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a modified container 201 comprising two
reservoirs 204a and 204b, respectively at the side-wall 202, which
receive the liquid 21 whenever the container 201 is turned into
horizontal alignment. A clockwise rotation of the container 201
will cause the liquid 21 to enter reservoir 204b. A
counter-clockwise rotation will cause the liquid 21 to enter
reservoir 204a. The liquid 21 will therefore not be in contact with
the capillary medium 3 in either horizontal orientation of the
container 21. The reservoirs 204a, 204b may also be part of a
cylindrical extension of the side-wall 202. The modified containers
201 are recommended for the use in arrangements containing three or
more inventive devices 1x, 1y, 1z. In the arrangement shown in FIG.
9, modified containers 201 could therefore advantageously be
installed.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows the first capillary medium 3 connected to a
second capillary medium 5 such as a gauze or an extended portion of
the first capillary medium 3, which preferably consists of a porous
synthetic material from which the transferred liquid 21 is exposed
to the air or to the air flow 28 generated by an air flow generator
4 (see FIG. 10). From the first or second capillary medium 3, 5 the
diffused liquid 27 (see FIG. 8, 9, or 10) is forwarded to the
environment.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of FIG. 7 installed in a
container 20 of a first and a second inventive device 1x and 1y,
respectively. The first device 1x is oriented as the device 1 shown
in FIG. 4. As explained above, in this orientation liquid 21 is
transferred by the capillary medium 3. The second device 1y is
oriented as the device 1 shown in FIG. 5 preventing the transfer of
liquid 21.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the two inventive devices 1x, 1y of FIG. 8 in
horizontal alignment along an axis v and a third device 1z in
vertical alignment along an axis u. The third device 1z is
transferring liquid 21 through the capillary media 3 and 5 while no
liquid is transferred by the horizontally aligned devices 1x, 1y,
which contain only a small amount of liquid 21. Turning the
arrangement around axis v by 90.degree., will cause transfer of
liquid 21 to stop in device 1z as well. However, turning the
arrangement around an axis w, which is perpendicular to the axis u
and v, to the left or to the right by 90.degree. will start
transfer of liquid 21 in one of the devices 1x respective 1y while
transfer of liquid 21 in the device 1z will cease.
[0040] Adding two inventive devices 1 aligned along axis w will
extend the arrangement to five devices 1 which may be turned around
axis v or w into corresponding positions where liquid 21 is
transferred in the corresponding devices 1.
[0041] In order to allow the use of larger volumes of liquid 21 the
devices 1x, 1y, and 1z may be replaced by devices comprising a
modified container 201 as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 (insert).
[0042] Of course, the vertical and horizontal alignment need not be
exact and may vary in a broad angle depending on the percentage of
liquid 21 in the containers 20; 201 and the form (bent, straight)
and length of the sleeve 13.
[0043] It is also possible to use a single inventive device 1
preferably in a housing which may be located on a surface in at
least two positions in such away that in both positions (inverse
and not inverse) the device 1 is at least approximately vertically
aligned.
[0044] FIG. 10 shows an inventive apparatus for dispensing liquids
21 comprising a stator 7 which, on a axis 71, carries a rotor 9
with two axially aligned inventive devices 1x, 1y. Possible is also
the installation of only one device 1x in the apparatus. In the
position as shown, only the lower device 1y is transferring liquid
21 through the first and second capillary medium 3; 5 from where it
is forwarded to the environment by a flow of air 28 being generated
by a fan 4, which is preferably located in the stator 7. The air
flow 28 is preferably guided in channels 93 in the rotor 9 and in
the stator 7 in order to maximize the efficiency. The second
capillary media 5 of the first and the second device 1x, 1y may be
framed and isolated from each other by a frame 91 containing
openings 92 for the air flow 28. The rotor 9 can now be turned
between at least a first position, e.g. as shown in FIG. 10 and a
position in which the rotor 9 is turned by 180.degree.. In the
first position, liquid 21 from the first device 1y is transferred
and diffused, while no liquid 21 is transferred in the second
device 1x. In the second position liquid 21 is transferred in the
second device 1x while no liquid 21 is transferred in the first
device 1y. The liquid 21 to be diffused can therefore easily be
selected by turning the rotor 9. In case that no liquid 21 should
be diffused the devices 1x and 1y are brought into a third position
where they are horizontally aligned. In case that this third
position is used in the apparatus, then preferably the containers
201 shown in FIG. 6 are installed.
[0045] The positions of the rotor 9 are preferably detected by a
sensor 62 which is connected to a control unit 6 which is
controlling the fan 4 and/or a motor 63 which, in a preferred
embodiment, is used to turn the rotor between positions. In case
that the rotor 9 reaches the third position driven by the motor 63
or manually the fan 4 is switched off by the control unit 6 because
no liquid is transferred in this position. In a further embodiment,
depending on the input from a sensor 65, which measures temperature
and/or humidity, the control unit 6 adjusts the air flow generated
by the fan 4 or actuates fan 4 and rotor 9 in a suitable way.
[0046] The electrical devices in the apparatus are connected to a
power supply 64. In order to control the apparatus, preferably one
or more control buttons 61 (mains switch, etc.) are installed. The
apparatus may also be programmable and equipped with a timer. The
apparatus may rest on a support 73 or may be installed on the wall
by corresponding means 72.
[0047] FIG. 11 shows an inventive device 101 with an annular
container 2000 containing one reservoir which is filled with a
liquid 21. The annular container 2000, which may also have a
toroidal form, embraces a cylindrical capillary medium 5 such as a
gauze or an extended portion of a first capillary medium which is
embraced by a holder 10. As described above, the holder 10 is
inserted into the container 2000 in such a way that in the position
shown in FIG. 11, liquid 21 is transferred through the first
capillary medium. With a turn of the device 101, the holder 10 is
lifted out of the liquid 21 thus preventing the transfer of the
liquid 21.
[0048] FIG. 12 shows an inventive device 102 with an annular
container 2001 with three reservoirs 102a, 102b, and 102c, each
being filled with a liquid 21a, 21b, 21c and being equipped with a
holder 10a, 10b, 10c for a first capillary medium 3a, 3b, 3c. In
the position shown in FIG. 12 the liquid 21a is transferred through
the first capillary medium in the holder 10a to the second
capillary medium 5. Transfer and distribution of the other liquids
21b or 21c may be initiated by turning the device 102 by
approximately 120.degree. to the left or to the right.
[0049] FIG. 13 shows the inventive device 102 of FIG. 12 cut along
line A-A. It is shown that an air flow generator 4 is installed
behind the second capillary medium 5 in such a way that the air
flow generated is driven through the second capillary medium 5 thus
distributing the transferred liquid 21a. The second capillary
medium 5 can be formed of one piece, allowing the liquids to get
mixed, or three pieces separated from each other, preventing the
liquids from being mixed. The number of reservoirs 102 can be two,
three or more.
[0050] The annular container 2001 of the inventive device 102 shown
in FIG. 12 can be molded in one piece. The container 2001, however,
can also be composed of three discrete segments 102a' as shown in
FIG. 14. The shown segment 102a' preferably comprises means 102x,
102y for interconnecting all segments.
[0051] The holder 10' for the first capillary medium 3 is
incorporated into the segment 102a'. Handling of this device is
therefore facilitated, since liquid 21a can be refilled without
removing the holder. Incorporation of the holder 10 can
advantageously also be done in the containers 20, 201 shown in FIG.
1 to FIG. 10.
[0052] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention
and all such modifications are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *