Block-and-holder Arrangement And Holder Pertaining Thereto

Abstract

An arrangement comprising a block and a holder device therefor is disclosed, comprising: 1. a block or shaped body of a material containing at least one active, for instance an insecticidal, substance which it gradually releases, e.g. in vapor form, to the medium surrounding the body, e.g. into the surrounding air, which block has at least one, preferably central, bore; and 2. the holder device for the body, having two centering means which project from both ends into the bore of the body, and wherein passages are provided in the holder device and associated with the said centering means, whereby fresh supplies of the surrounding medium can enter the central bore at one and can leave the bore at the other end laden with fluid, e.g. gaseous particles of the active substance escaping from the walls of the bore, while all the time fluid particles of the active substance are also released from the outer surface of the block directly into the medium, e.g. air, surrounding the block-and-holder arrangement.

Description

This invention relates to block-and-holder arrangements of the type in which a block or shaped body having at least one preferably central bore or passage therethrough and being of a material containing at least one active ingredient which is gradually released in fluid form, e.g. as vapor, into the medium surrounding the arrangement, is mounted in a holder device, parts of which engage the openings of the said bore or passage in such a manner that release of said active ingredient can take place not only from the outer surface of such block or shaped body but also from the wall of the bore, thus considerably increasing the releasing surface. The invention further relates to the holder device being per se part of the above novel arrangement.

More in detail, the invention thus provides a holder device and, mounted therein, a shaped body, which, for example, is in the form of a cylinder or a truncated cone, and which is provided with a preferably cylindrical bore and which releases into the medium surrounding the body at least one active substance, e.g., a gaseous insecticide or an odor-improving or deodorant agent.

Such bodies are able to release the active substance from all parts of their surface, so that as much as possible of their surface should be exposed to the medium surrounding the body, in order to thus obtain the largest release effect possible.

The holder device described in detail hereinafter therefore provides for excellent access of the surrounding medium to almost all parts of the surface of the body containing the active substance, as it comprises centering means which are introduced from both open ends into the bore of the block, while the remainder of the block surface is out of contact with any parts of the holder device and thus is freely accessible to the surrounding medium. Moreover, there are passages or vents provided in the holder device which are associated with, or provided in the centering means in such a manner that surrounding medium can circulate through the bore or bores in the block and thus active ingredient released from the wall of the bore or bores can also be dispersed into the medium surrounding the outside surface of the block.

The centering means comprise a preferably hollow mandrel or the like projecting part which is mounted on a carrier disc or a baseplate, and which mandrel is provided with axially extending ribs, while lower projections are provided on the face of the disc or plate bearing the mandrel and surround the latter, in order to serve as stops for the block or shaped body containing the active substance, and for maintaining its end face spaced from the baseplate. The centering means further comprise a plug member which is introduced into the block bore from the end thereof not engaged by the mandrel and which can be fixed to the mandrel with the aid of locking means. The plug member is preferably mounted on a retaining disc which holds the body in position on the aforementioned spacing projections, so that the body is centered between the mandrel and the plug member, which penetrate from opposite ends into the bore of the block. The retaining disc is provided with holes to ventilate the free spaces or channels between the ribs on the mandrel and the wall of the block bore.

It is advantageous to provide the carrier disc with a cylindrical double flange or rim, arranged concentrically and extending in a direction from the disc axial to the block bore; the interspace between the two flanges serves for receiving therein the bottom edge of a preferably cylindrical cover or casing designed to fit the overall shape of the body, and which encloses the shaped body before use, so that the latter can be transported and stored without loss of active substance.

As an important feature of the above-described holder device for shaped bodies consisting of or containing active substance, a grid- or screen-shaped cagelike protective means is provided around the cylindrical, conical or the like outer active-ingredient releasing surface of the shaped body, in order to protect the latter against contact by animals or people. This cage can consist of a number of axial rods or of latticework, made e.g. of synthetic thermoplastic resin. The cage for example be secured on the baseplate or on the retaining disc, or on both, and encloses preferably the whole outer surface of the body releasing the active substance, i.e. the surface from which the active substance evaporates or goes into solution. If that surface is, for example, cylindrical, then it will be enclosed preferably by a coaxially arranged cylindrical screen or latticework, extending from the carrier disc to the retaining disc. Such cage, which before use can be covered over by the above-mentioned cover or casing together with the holder device and the shaped body, also prevents, after removal of the protective cover, the body holding the active substance being licked or bitten by animals or children.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the holder device according to the invention, the retaining disc and the cage means are made out of one piece, e.g. pressed out of synthetic thermoplastic material, and the bottom edge of the cover is pressed over a corresponding circular flange fitted with bendable tongues or into a socket, on the carrier disc, so that the connection between cage and baseplate, after being joined together, cannot be undone again without destroying the holder device. In the case of this preferred design of the holder device according to the invention, the mandrel on the carrier disc can consist of an outer and inner part, and it can be so designed that the outer part projects into the lower end of the central bore of the shaped body, whilst, on the other hand, the plug member on the inside face of the retaining disc, which is preferably integral with, and forms the end face of the protective cage, only needs to project a short way into the top end of the block bore. A direct connection between mandrel and plug member is not necessary in this case, since centering of the two parts relative to each other is ensured by the permanent and rigid connection of the protective cage to the carrier disc.

The body itself, which releases active substance, rests on riblike projections, which are arranged radially on the top face of a flat flange or baseplate carried by the outer mandrel part at some distance above the carrier disc. Between the ribs there are holes in the said flange through which particles of the body, which may drip down or crumble away, can get into the annular space between the flange and the carrier disc below. This annular space can be completely or partially filled with a substance for absorbing moisture or such like, and in which also the descending particles or drops from the body can be absorbed.

The outer mandrel part carries axially arranged ribs on the preferably cylindrical or slightly conical outer face of the portion thereof projecting into the bore of the shaped body or block. These ribs serve to center the body and also, as described below, to promote the flow of surrounding medium, e.g., air, through the bore of the body.

The whole arrangement of the holder device and the body mounted therein for releasing active substance, is advantageously covered, before use and during transport and storage, by the above-mentioned casing, which can be detachably fixed to the carrier disc, e.g., by snapping or screwing the casing on to the latter.

Although, in principle, the holder device can be made of any material, i.e. of metal or wood, it is preferably made of thermoplastic material, e.g., by injection molding, whilst as starting material for the cover or casing, sheet metal is preferably used.

When being used, the casing or cover is removed from its seating on the carrier disc by unscrewing or by being pulled out, whereupon the holder device is set up in the position shown in the drawings, or it can be suspended by a suspension eye.

Although in the foregoing description it is mainly contemplated that the shaped body releases as active ingredient, e.g., an insecticide, or an odorous substance or an air purifier, into air as the surrounding medium, the invention is obviously not limited to this kind of ingredients. Thus, a shaped body can be used in the arrangement according to the invention, which releases an active substance into a surrounding liquid, for example into water for keeping the same fresh in a water reservoir, or in the flushing container of a toilet. In this case, the mandrel is preferably filled with a weighting material, e.g., lead shot, so that the holder device stands on the bottom of the vessel and does not float about in the water.

It is also possible, as already indicated above, to introduce other active substances into the hollow space in the mandrel, particularly substances which are not compatible with the constituents of the body. The release of these active substances to the surrounding medium can either occur through holes in the mandrel or by diffusion through the walls of the latter.

An important feature of the arrangement, according to the invention, resides in the fact that fresh medium, which is not yet charged with active substance, may pass from the vicinity of the holder device through apertures or vents in the retaining disc and the upper cage wall into the bore or bores of the shaped body. Here it may become charged with evaporated active substance emerging from the walls of the bore or bores and may thus pass through the interspaces between the ribs towards the baseplate or carrier disc, and pass on between the projections or ribs mounted on the latter and extending radially outwards, and further through the apertures in the protective cage, and finally into the surrounding space. Such circulation of the surrounding medium may thus occur continuously, for example until the air in a room or chamber to be cleared of flies, has attained the desired concentration, effective against flies, of an insecticidally active substance.

Embodiments of the holder device and arrangement of the invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in one half thereof a side view and in the other half an axial section through a first embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a detail thereof;

FIG. 3 shows, partly as a side view and partly as an axial section, another, preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, comprising the holder device and the shaped body clamped therein; and

FIG. 4 shows a transverse section through FIG. 3 along a plane designated by IV-IV.

More in detail, the holder device designated as 1 comprises a round carrier disc 2, upon which is mounted a hollow mandrel 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this mandrel 3, which can be cylindrical or slightly conical in shape, is provided with axially extending ribs 4. The opening 3c of the mandrel is closed by a plug member 5. This plug member 5 is formed by a tube 5a and a retaining disc 5b, which carries on its outer surface a suspension eye 6. Fitted to the baseplate 2 and on the mandrel 3 are several projections or spacing means 7 which together form a support, on which the body 8 provided with a cylindrical bore 8a is placed, so that it does not sit directly on the carrier disc 2. The body 8 is provided with the central bore 8a, the axial cavity of which can be cylindrical or slightly conical, is secured by means of the retaining disc 5b. The tubular portion or sleeve 5a of the plug member 5 is provided with annular ribs 5c for locking engagement with similar annular ribs 3a on the inside face of mandrel 3. The interior of mandrel 3 may be filled with a moisture-absorbing substance 9, for example silica gel, and is provided with holes 3d in its sidewall. The part of plug member 5 constituting retaining disc 5b has openings 5d for ventilation of the space formed between the ribs 4 in the bore 8a of the shaped block 8. The carrier disc 2 is provided with a double flange about the periphery thereof, the outer flange of which is denoted by 10a and the inner flange by 10b. The inside face of flange 10a has projections 10c protruding into the interspace between the two flanges and these projections serve to secure the beaded rim of the cylindrical casing 11 in snap engagement. Between the flange 10b and the body 8 there is formed an annular space 12 connecting the space 13 below the body 8 with the external space filled with the surrounding medium. The whole of the space enclosed by the casing 11 and the carrier disc 2 is maintained dry by the drying agent 9, e.g. during storage, since, by virtue of the openings 5d and 12, the medium, e.g. air filling the bore 8a of body 8, communicates via the aperture 3d with the inner space of the mandrel 3 containing the drying agent.

A protective cage or screen 14, which is only indicated schematically by a dotted line in FIG. 1, is provided around the body 8. The bent-in upper edge of the screen fits into a peripheral recess 15 of the retaining plate 5b, the screen thus being held in place between the retaining plate and the end face of the cylindrically bored body 8. The lower edge 16 of the screen 14 rests on the tapered outer face of the flange 10a.

In a further embodiment not shown, the protective screen or cage can be cup or bell shaped and can be provided with an inside thread at the edge or rim of the opening facing the carrier disc 2. By means of this thread, the screen can then be screwed on to a thread provided on the outer face of the inner flange 10b. This thread can be designed as a locking thread, so that consequently the cage can be undetachably connected to the carrier disc, thus permanently protecting the material 12 on the carrier disc from being touched, licked or bitten.

In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the same reference numbers denote equivalent components.

The top portion of the screen or cage 17 constitutes the retaining plate 18. On the inside of the latter there is mounted a short tube or sleeve 19, which penetrates into the top end of the bore of the shaped body 8. At its lower rim 20, the cage 17 is reinforced and has in its outer face an annular groove 21, whereby it is inserted into the socket 23, on the inside face of which are fitted e.g., six or eight bendable tongues. As the lower end of the cage 17 is inserted, the tongues are bent downwards, i.e. towards the carrier disc 2 and engage in the groove 24, so that the bottom end 25 of the tongues rests against the lower shoulder 26 of the groove 21, thus preventing any removal of the cage 17 from the socket 23. On the outside of the socket 23, circular ridges are provided which can be snapped into corresponding grooves 28 on the inside face of the protective casing 11. The protective casing 11 thus comes to rest with its bottom edge on an annular shoulder 29 of the baseplate 2.

An annular projection or rib 30 is provided on the carrier disc 2 against the inside of the bottom rim of cage 17, to give a better support for the cage.

The mandrel 4 mounted on the carrier disc 2, and being preferably integral with the latter, forms in its preferred embodiment only the inner part of the mandrel, whilst the outer part of the mandrel, 31, is provided with a central recess 32, by means of which it can be mounted and centered on the inner mandrel 4. The outer mandrel part 31 bears a flat flange or annular baseplate 33 mounted at some distance above the carrier disc 2, and is preferably integral with the outer mandrel part 31. On the upper face of the flange 33 are located ribs 34 extending radially outwards and serving to support the shaped body 8. On the outside face of the portion of mandrel part 31 which extends beyond the flange 33 into the interior of the bore 8a of body 8, there are located ribs 35. These ribs which extend in an axial direction, serve the same purpose as ribs 4 in the embodiment of the holder device according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1. In the top end face of cage 17 which forms the retaining plate 18, apertures 36 and 38 are provided, which serve the same purpose as the apertures 5a in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The opening 37 also serves for suspending the holder device, similar to the eye 6 in FIG. 1.

The active substance contained in the shaped body 8, is released, e.g. in vapor form, from the outer face of the latter directly into the surrounding medium and also from the inside wall of its central bore 8a, from where it can pass into the spaces or channels between the ribs 4 or 35, respectively, from where it reaches, admixed with surrounding medium, the aperture 12, via the spaces 13, in FIG. 1, or the free radially extending spaces between ribs 34, the baseplate 33 and the lower end face of block 8, respectively, while fresh medium may flow in through the openings 5d,or 36 and 37. Furthermore, apertures 38 are provided in flange 33, through which apertures small particles of body 8 can drop into the space below the flange, whereby a clogging of the channels for the medium is prevented.

When not in use, the protective casing 11 is placed over the whole block-and-holder arrangement so that the casing edge is clamped between the flanges 10a and 10b in FIG. 1, or annular beads 27 of the socket 23 in FIG. 3 are snapped into grooves 28 of casing 11.

Apart from the preferably central bore 8a shaped body 8, the latter can also be provided with additional bores (not shown) extending preferably parallel to the central bore 8a.

The shaped body 8 can also consist of several blocks, e.g. of blocks 8b and 8c, each of which blocks releases a different active ingredient into the surrounding medium.

A preferred shaped body suitable for being mounted in the arrangement according to the invention and releasing an insecticidal agent into the surrounding air has been described in the copending application Ser. No. 786,553 filed by Willy Roth and Anna Elisabeth Keller on even date herewith.

Claims

We claim:

1. A holder device comprising:

a. a carrier disc;

b. mandrel-shaped centering means mounted on said carrier disc;

said mandrel-shaped centering means being provided with ribs extending parallel to the control axis of said disc, and leaving spaces between them;

c. a plurality of spacing means above said carrier disc, and of less height than said mandrel-shaped centering means and associated with the letter in such a way as to leave spaces therebetween, said spaces being in free communication with each other and with the spaces between said ribs as well as with the space surrounding said holder device;

d. second centering means substantially aligned with said mandrel-shaped centering means, and being at a greater distance than the far end of the latter centering means from said carrier disc, said second centering means being provided with passage means for placing the space surrounding said holder device in free communication with the spaces between said ribs; and

e. fastening means for holding said second centering means in a permanent manner at a determined distance in alignment with said mandrel-shaped centering means.

2. A holder device as described in claim 1, further comprising a protective cage extending between said carrier disc and said second centering means and surrounding the space defined therebetween by the circumferences of said disc and of said second centering means.

3. A holder device as described in claim 1, wherein said mandrel-shaped centering means comprise a mandrel mounted on said carrier plate and provided near its top end with said fastening means adapted for undetachable engagement with said second centering means.

4. A holder device as described in claim 1, wherein said second centering means comprise a retaining plate and plug means mounted thereon and adapted for undetachable engagement with said mandrel-shaped centering means, said retaining plate being provided with openings for the passage of medium surrounding said holder device, through said retaining plate and into the spaces between said ribs.

5. A holder device as described in claim 2, wherein said cage is provided with means for connecting the same undetachably with said retaining disc.

6. A holder device as described in claim 2, further comprising a casing adapted for covering all parts of said holder device above said carrier disc.

7. A holder device as described in claim 6, wherein said carrier disc is provided with a peripheral double flange, the interspace of which serves for seating the rim of said casing removably therein.

8. A holder device as described in claim 7, wherein said cage is cup-shaped and bears at the cup rim thereof a lockable threading, and wherein the inside rim of said double flange is provided with a corresponding threading, whereby said cage can be connected permanently with said double flange.

9. A holder device as described in claim 2, wherein said protective cage is integral with said second centering means and cup shaped, and wherein the cup rim thereof is provided with means for permanently fixing said rim to said carrier plate, the closed end of said cup-shaped cage being provided with vents and, on its inside, with protrusions between which free spaces are left for the passage of medium surrounding said holder device, through said vents toward said mandrel-shaped centering means.

10. A holder device as described in claim 9, wherein said mandrel-shaped centering means comprise an inner mandrel centrally mounted on said carrier disc, and an outer mandrel part, mounted on said inner mandrel, and bearing at a level intermediate the tip of said outer mandrel and said carrier disc, an annular flange bearing, on the annular face thereof away from said carrier disc, said spacing means, and on the wall portion of said outer mandrel part, on the same side as said spacing means, ribs extending parallel to the central axis of said disc, said flange being provided with openings placing the space between said ribs on said wall, portion of said outer mandrel part in free communication with the space between said annular flange and said carrier disc.

11. A holder device as described in claim 10, wherein said spacing means extend on said annular flange radially outwards from said outer mandrel part toward the rim of said flange.

12. A holder device as described in claim 1, wherein said mandrel-shaped centering means are weighted sufficiently to prevent floating of said holder device in a liquid medium.

13. A holder device as described in claim 1, wherein said mandrel-shaped centering means is hollow and is provided with vent means for establishing free communication between the interior of said hollow centering means and the space surrounding the latter.

14. A holder device as described in claim 13, further comprising a drying agent filling in the interior of said hollow centering means.

15. A holder device as described in claim 1, further comprising means for suspending said holder device.