U.S. patent number 3,711,023 [Application Number 05/128,277] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-16 for device for controlling the evaporation of volatile substances particularly for use in air conditioning systems.
Invention is credited to Dean E. Smith.
United States Patent |
3,711,023 |
Smith |
January 16, 1973 |
DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE EVAPORATION OF VOLATILE SUBSTANCES
PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
Abstract
A method of creating odors in which the individual components
from which the odor is to be formed, in volatile form, are stored
in their own individual receptacles, controlled amounts of said
components being released, by evaporation, from their individual
storage receptacles, with the various evaporation products being
subsequently intermixed to produce the desired odor by first
intermixing individual evaporation products into respective streams
of air and thereafter intermixing the respective streams of air to
effect an intermixing of the various evaporation products therein
contained, and a device for practicing such method employing means
for producing a plurality of individual air streams, novel
individual storage means for respective components to be employed
in the creation of such odor, each individual storage means having
means associated therewith for effecting a controlled release by
evaporation of the associated stored component, such storage means
being so arranged with respect to the air stream that the release
of the evaporation products of each of the various stored
components is effected into a different air stream, means being
provided for effecting an intermixture of such air streams
subsequent to the introduction therein of the various
components.
Inventors: |
Smith; Dean E. (Chicago,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
22434525 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/128,277 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/54; 239/55;
261/DIG.88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L
9/04 (20130101); A61L 9/122 (20130101); Y10S
261/88 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61L
9/12 (20060101); A61L 9/04 (20060101); A24f
025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/54,55,57 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Culp, Jr.; Thomas C.
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A device for creating an odor, comprising a plurality of
individual storage structures, the aromatic components to be
employed in the creation of such an odor, each of said storage
means being constructed to effect a controlled release by
evaporation, of the associated stored component, means forming
respective air passageways, one of said storage structures being
disposed in each of said passageways with each storage structure
containing compatible components and any respective non-compatible
components being disposed in storage structures positioned in
different passageways, air moving means arranged to create air flow
through the respective passageways, whereby release of the
evaporation products of any stored non-compatible aromatic
components is effected into different air streams, and means for
effecting intermixture of said air streams subsequent to the
introduction therein of the various components, the storage
structures for each separate passageway each comprising a plurality
of storage cells each constructed to provide a controlled
dissemination therefrom of the aromatic components stored therein,
said storage cells being assembled into a storage stack, means for
retaining the elements of such storage stack in assembled relation,
said passageway-forming means comprising a generally rectangular
shell open at opposite ends and having at least one partition wall
extending from one open end to the other, dividing the same into a
plurality of air passageways, each passageway having a storage
stack therein, said air moving means operatively communicating with
one end of such shell, operative to draw air therethrough, said air
moving means providing a common discharge for air streams through
said shell whereby such air streams are discharged from said common
discharge in an intermixed state, and a movable closure member
disposed adjacent the air discharge end of said shell, movable to a
piston closing said end and thereby shutting off said air flow, or
to an open position exposing such end.
2. A device for creating an odor from a plurality of aromatic
components, some of which may be incompatible with one another,
comprising a plurality of storage structures, each having at least
one porous block impregnated with a volatile aromatic component and
enclosed in a sealing shell having at least one opening therein,
which is small in comparison with the exterior surface of the
porous block, each such block having a mixing passageway therein
communicating with such opening in the shell thereof for controlled
dissemination of the contained aromatic component, by evaporation,
to the exterior, incompatible components, if any, being disposed in
respective storage structures, and means forming respective air
passageways, each having an air inlet and an air outlet, air moving
means cooperably disposed relative to the air outlets of the
respective air passageways, operative to draw air into the air
inlets of, and through the respective passageways and discharge
such air to the exterior, at least one of said storage structures
being disposed in each air passageway, with the component
disseminating opening of such storage structure being so disposed
relative to air flowing through the passageway that such
dissemination takes place into such air flow, and with any
incompatible components contained in respective storage structures
disposed in different air passageways, said air moving means and
the air outlets of said air passageways being so arranged that
intermixing of the respective air flows therethrough and thus
intermixing of any incompatible components takes place only
subsequent to discharge of air containing the same from the
corresponding air passageways.
3. A device according to claim 2 comprising in further combination
selectively actuatable means interposed between said air moving
means and said storage structures for controlling the flow of air
at said storage structures.
4. A device according to claim 3, comprising in further combination
means actuatable with said air control means and cooperable
therewith for effectively sealing said storage structures in their
respective passageways, to prevent emission therefrom of the
respective components contained therein when the device is not in
use.
5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the storage structures
for each separate passageway comprises a plurality of storage cells
each constructed to provide a controlled dissemination therefrom of
the aromatic components stored therein, said storage cells being
assembled into a storage stack, means for retaining the elements of
such storage stack in assembled relation, said passageway-forming
means comprising a generally rectangular shell open at opposite
ends and having at least one partition wall extending from one open
end to the other, dividing the same into a plurality of air
passageways, each passageway having a storage stack therein, said
air moving means operatively communicating with one end of such
shell, operative to draw air therethrough, said air moving means
providing a common discharge for air streams through said shell
whereby such air streams are discharged from said common discharge
in an intermixed state.
6. A device according to claim 5, comprising in further combination
a movable closure member disposed adjacent the air discharge end of
said shell, movable to a position closing said end and thereby
shutting off said air flow, or to an open position exposing such
end.
7. A device according to claim 6, comprising in further combination
a second movable closure member, disposed adjacent the opposite end
of said shell, movable to a position closing such shell end, and
means for simultaneously actuating both of said closure members,
the latter being operable when in closed position to substantially
seal the aromatic components of the storage stacks disposed in the
shell with respect to the exterior thereof.
8. A device according to claim 7, comprising in further combination
a storage assembly comprising generally rectangular shaped housing
structure having top, bottom, side and end walls, said shell being
removably supported in said casing adjacent one end thereof with
the open ends of the shell extending parallel to the side walls of
the casing, such housing side walls having openings therein
exposing the open ends of said shell, said closure members each
being of plate-like construction, said housing side walls having
guide means thereon for said closure members whereby the latter are
slidably movable along said sidewalls between their open and closed
positions.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said actuating means for
the closure members comprises a rotatable threaded shaft, the axis
of which extends parallel to the planes of said closure members,
with the adjacent end of said shaft extending through the wall of
said housing at the opposite end thereof from said shell, a
carriage block threaded on said shaft and movable therealong in
response to rotation of said shaft, said carriage block having
transversely disposed portions extending through slots in said
housing side walls and engaged with respective closure members
whereby movement of said carriage is transmitted thereto.
10. A device according to claim 9, comprising in further
combination leaf spring means carried by a partition wall of said
shell and adapted to flexibly bear on the inner face of the
adjacent closure member when the latter is in closed position to
effect a sealing relation between the partition wall and such
closure member.
11. A device according to claim 10, comprising in further
combination additional leaf springs and engageable with each
disposed adjacent a respective transverse edge of said sealing
springs at the top and bottom walls of said shell for providing an
improved seal at such edges between adjacent passageways.
12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the storage assembly is
constructed to receive a plurality of said shells, similarily
oriented and arranged one after the other and each provided with
its own pair of closure members and associated actuating means.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein each shell, closure
members therefor and associated actuating means are associated into
a single housing forming a unitary section, a plurality of such
housing structures being assembled into a unitary storage
assembly.
14. A device according to claim 12, wherein said air moving means
comprises a centrifugal blower, said means for intermixing said air
streams comprising duct means operatively connecting the intake
opening of such blower with the air discharge ends of the
respective shells, forming a chamber common to all of said air
streams.
15. A storage cell for controlling volatization of a volatile
substance over a relatively long period of time, comprising an
elongated tubular shell, a closure block at each end of said shell,
each block having a transverse configuration complemental to the
transverse internal configuration of and transverse dimensions such
that each closure block can be inserted into an end of said shell
in engagement throughout the inner periphery thereof, said closure
blocks being disposed in and operatively closing the respective
ends of said shell, forming seals therefor, and a porous relatively
non-volatile structure disposed in the closed shell and
substantially filling the same, said structure being adapted to be
impregnated with a volatile substance, said porous structure having
passageway means therein opening on at least one closure block,
such closure block having a bore therein operatively connecting
such passageway means and the exterior, to provide an outlet at
such cell and for such a volatile substance.
16. A storage cell according to claim 1, wherein the closure blocks
are so disposed in the shell that the ends of the latter define the
wall length of the cell.
17. A storage cell according to claim 15 wherein the passageway
means of said porous structure opens on each closure block, each
closure block being provided with a bore therein, connecting such
passageway means with the exterior.
18. A storage cell according to claim 15, wherein said shell has a
square transverse cross-section and said porous structure is in the
form of two individual cubes, one being disposed adjacent each
respective end of the shell, said passageway means comprising a
bore in each cube, extending to the adjacent closure block, each of
the latter having a bore therein connecting the bore of the
adjacent cube with the exterior.
19. A storage cell according to claim 18 wherein the bores of the
respective cubes and the bores in the closure members are axially
aligned, with each bore in said cubes extending completely
therethrough.
20. A storage cell according to claim 19, wherein said shell and
closure blocks are formed from metal stock.
21. A storage structure according to claim 20, wherein said
retaining means comprising a peripherally extending frame having
inwardly directed flanges extending along the end edge portions of
the outermost cells of the stack and a tray member disposed between
adjacent layers of cells and having similar flanges extending along
the end edge portions of the cells of the associated layer.
22. A storage structure for volatile substances, comprising a
plurality of elongated rectangularly shaped individual storage
cells, each constructed to contain a supply of such a volatile
substance and having outlet means in the end walls thereof for the
discharge of such a substance therefrom, said cells being arranged
in a plurality of superimposed layers with the cells of each layer
disposed in side-by-side relation with their corresponding ends
disposed in respective cam parallel planes, whereby discharge of
such volatile substance will take place from opposite faces of the
stack of cells so formed and means for retaining said cells in
assembled relation.
23. A storage structure according to claim 22, wherein each of said
storage cells comprises a storage cell controlling volatization of
a volatile substance, an elongated tubular shell, a closure block
at each end of said shell, each block having a transverse
configuration complemental to the transverse internal configuration
of and transverse dimensions such that each closure block can be
inserted into an end of said shell in engagement throughout the
inner periphery thereof, said closure blocks being disposed in and
operatively closing the respective ends of said shell, forming
seals therefor, and a porous relatively non-volatile structure
disposed in the closed shell and substantially filling the same,
said structure being adapted to be impregnated with a volatile
substance, said porous structure having passageway means therein
opening on at least one closure block, such closure block having a
bore therein operatively connecting such passageway means and the
exterior, to provide an outlet at such cell end for such a volatile
substance.
24. A storage structure according to claim 23, wherein said
retaining means comprising a peripherally extending frame having
inwardly directed flanges extending along the end edge portions of
the outermost cells of the stack and a tray member disposed between
adjacent layers of cells and having similar flanges extending along
the end edge portions of the cells of the associated layer.
25. A storage structure for volatile substances, comprising a shell
open at two opposite ends and having partition wall means extending
from one open end to the other and dkviding the same into a
plurality of passageways and a plurality of storage structures for
volatile substances, each structure disposed in one of said
passageways, each storage structure comprising a storage cell
controlling volatization of a volatile substance, an elongated
tubular shell, a closure block at each end of said shell, each
block having a transverse configuration complemental to the
transverse internal configuration of and transverse dimensions such
that each closure block can be inserted into an end of said shell
in engagement throughout the inner periphery thereof, said closure
blocks being disposed in and operatively closing the respective
ends of said shell, forming seals therefor, and a porous relatively
non-volatile structure disposed in the closed shell and
substantially filling the same, said structure being adapted to be
impregnated with a volatile substance, said porous structure having
passageway means therein opening on at least one closure block,
such closure block having a bore therein operatively connecting
such passageway means and the exterior, to provide an outlet at
such cell end for such a volatile substance.
26. A storage structure according to claim 25, wherein each of said
storage cells comprises a storage cell controlling volatization of
a volatile substance, an elongated tubular shell, a closure block
at each end of said shell, each block having a transverse
configuration complemental to the transverse internal configuration
of and transverse dimensions such that each closure block can be
inserted into an end of said shell in engagement throughout the
inner periphery thereof, said closure blocks being disposed in and
operatively closing the respective ends of said shell, forming
seals therefor, and a porous relatively non-volatile structure
disposed in the closed shell and substantially filling the same,
said structure being adapted to be impregnated with a volatile
substance, said porous structure having passageway means therein
opening on at least one closure block, such closure block having a
bore therein operatively connecting such passageway means and the
exterior, to provide an outlet at such cell end for such a volatile
substance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally directed to the storage and
dissemination of odor producing components, and more particularly
to a method and apparatus for producing or reconstructing a natural
odor or scent from a plurality of individual components to effect,
if not an identical reproduction, a very close reproduction of the
natural odor or scent, which heretofore could not be produced by
currently employed techniques.
In the past, it has been common practice to produce various odors
or scents in liquid or solid form, for example, a liquid perfume or
the like. As is well known in the art, the production of a perfume
may involve the blending of many individual components, the number
of which may run as high as 100 or more. However, it will be
particularly noted that in the production thereof the components
are all intermixed. It has long been recognized that natural flower
scents and the like involve various odor strains, entering into
combination in the living bloom, which are often incompatible with
one another when they come into contact with each other in liquid
form. The same strains, however, in their volatile form will unite
in the harmony which is recognized as the characteristic actual
flower scent thus created and brought to completion in the process
of its influorescence.
Consequently, mixtures of odor strains in liquid form must be
limited to those which, when in such intermixed form, are
compatible with one another, thereby imposing a severe limitation
on the materials that can be used and in particular in attempting
to employ the same materials in combination as may be involved in
the natural flower. Furthermore, such limitation thus results in
the manufacture of a liquid perfume or the like, in the
substitution of other compatible components for the natural one
whereby it is necessary to endeavor to arrive at a final
"artificial" odor or scent which, so far as possible, will approach
the natural. Thus, while it has been recognized that a combining of
various odor strains entering, for example, into combination in a
living bloom involve a combining of such strains in their volatile
form, as distinguished from a liquid or solid form, no practical
way of achieving the desired results has heretofore been
available.
In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,284, issued on June 13, 1961, there
is illustrated a device or structure by means of which the storage
and controlled evaporation can be achieved of volatile substances
such as those used in perfumes and the like to simulate or produce
a desired scent or odor. More specifically, such patent disclosed
the use of a porous relatively non-volatile structure containing a
supply of a volatile aromatic substance therein, with such
structure, in the form of a block, having a passageway or chamber
therein, which might be deemed a "mixing passageway" for the
contained volatile aromatic substance. Such passageway extended to
at least one face of the block and communicated with the exterior
thereof through a small opening. Emission from the block of the
volatile aromatic substance was restricted to such opening by a
shell enclosing the block and formed from a substantially
impervious material, illustrated in the patent as comprising a
coating on the block, the patent suggesting various materials which
might be utilized in the formation of such a coating. As brought
out in the patent, the construction is such that a controlled
volatilization is provided over relatively very long periods of
time. Likewise, it was also suggested in such patent that it might
be possible to utilize normally incompatible substances in arriving
at a desired odor which heretofore could not be suitably
accomplished, by containing the incompatible substances in
respective separate blocks and utilizing a group of blocks, as for
example in a sachet, in an effort to achieve the desired results.
However, subsequent experience has disclosed that interaction still
takes place when blocks containing different components are
intermixed in a close group.
The present invention is therefore directed to an apparatus,
including an improved storage structure, by means of which the
previous problems are overcome and the creation of scents from
physically incompatible components may be precisely achieved to
substantially duplicate a natural fragrance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an acknowledged attribute of aromatic compounds that they are
almost universally composed of light, medium and heavier fractions
which correspondingly evaporate quickly, moderately and more or
less slowly from their original state in liquid form. The above
referred to patent discloses a structure by means of which the
disadvantages attendant to the utilization of evaporation may be
overcome or minimized, the patented structure providing for a
continual mixing of the evaporating fractions of an aromatic
compound through a process of evaporation and recondensation in a
mixing tunnel of a cellulose cube impregnated with the aromatic
substance. The present invention is directed to a structure which
makes use of these principles. Thus, by disposing a plurality of
suitably constructed storage cells or units in a closed space of
moderate dimensions and controlling the air flow through such
space, a desired scenting of air can be controlled as desired.
Likewise, by employing a series of closed spaces, each with its own
supply of impregnated storage cells, with cells containing
different volatile materials being disposed in different spaces, by
control of the air flow through such respective spaces and in
particular the intermixing of air discharged from such spaces a
whole new field of odor creation is opened, enabling a
substantially unlimited selection of components, compatible or
incompatible, to be used in the creation of the desired odor.
Surprisingly, it has been found that, at the present stage of
development, relatively small impregnated cells are preferable and
that a relatively small quantity of cells will provide, in a
structure embodying the present invention, adequate emission of the
volatile substances to enable the scenting of a relatively large
room or enclosure, at the same time distributing such emission over
a surprisingly extended period before complete dissipation of the
components. At the same time, an apparatus for the desired purposes
may be readily constructed with relatively very small external
dimensions, enabling the utilization of air moving means, such as a
centrifugal blower of very moderate capacity.
More particularly, the invention is also directed to the
fabrication of storage structures or cells embodying the general
principles set forth in the previously referred to patent, but
which are so constructed that in addition to a relatively simple
structure enabling the use of efficient production techniques, the
resulting cell structure is vastly superior to the construction
illustrated in said patent, in particular, in enabling accurate and
uniform dimensioning of the cells and thus, in turn, the assembly
of a plurality of cells into an accurately dimensional integrated
structure. At the same time, storage cells constructed in
accordance with the present invention are considerably more durable
than those illustrated in the patent as in the present invention a
metallic shell is utilized to encase the individual impregnated
blocks as distinguished from applied coatings such as described in
my prior patent.
The cells of the present invention, may then be assembled in
respective groups or stacks and disposed in means forming a
plurality of chambers, each chamber of which contains its own
supply of impregnated blocks, means being provided for supplying an
air flow through the respective chambers whereby the flowing air
will pick up volatile fractions passing out of the individual cells
and for suitably intermixing the air streams from different
chambers to effect a mixing or combining of the respective volatile
components while the latter are in a state of evaporation or
volatilization. Means is also provided for effectively controlling
the absence or presence of an air flow through the respective
chambers.
In the particular embodiment illustrated, the apparatus is provided
with three independently controllable sections or divisions, each
of which is provided with three component-containing compartments
through which air may flow, following which the respective air
streams may be combined to produce a desired scent. More
particularly, suitable closure means in each division are operable
to permit the admission of the requisite air to activate
evaporation or to close off the sections when not in operation. The
various vapor strains preceding from the evaporation cells or
capsules are brought into combination by the action of an
electrically operated centrifugal blower, or the like, which is
arranged to draw air through the respective sections and bring the
same into combination, whereby they are exhausting from the
apparatus in their combined form. Thus in the construction
illustrated it is possible to provide for as many as nine separate
sources of different strains which can then be suitably combined
and discharged from the device.
It will thus be apparent that the present invention enables the
achievement, heretofore considered impossible, of accurately, in
effect, recreating an actual fragrance of a living flower,
utilizing components at least some of which may be incompatible
with one another.
The invention also has among its objects the production of such an
apparatus which may be efficiently "turned off," i.e., the
operation of the device discontinued and further discharge of
volatile substances effectively prevented to insure the retention
of the supply of such volatile materials over long periods of
non-use, without material dissipation of such materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or
corresponding parts;
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a scent disseminating device
constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic elevational view similar to FIG. 1
but with the outer cabinet removed;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage assembly;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the storage shell and
associated storage stacks;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal section of a housing structure for a shell,
illustrated in FIG. 4, taken approximately on the line V--V of FIG.
2;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the housing structure
illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the
line VII--VII of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a semi-diagrammatic section illustrating the details of
the shell sealing mechanism with the latter shown in open
position;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the mechanism in closed
position;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the storage cells or
capsules of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a cell, such as
illustrated in FIG. 10, showing the details of construction;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a storage stack, composed of a
plurality of cells such as illustrated in FIG. 8; and
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the tray structures
utilized in the assembly of a stack illustrated in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
General Construction
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 indicates
generally a cabinet structure illustrated as being of generally
rectangular configuration having respective top, bottom, front,
back and side walls, the front wall 2 having a plurality of
manually adjustable control members 3, illustrated in the present
embodiment as totalling three such members, and indicating means 4
by means of which the effective adjustment of the device may be
readily visually ascertained, as set by the individual knobs 3. If
more than one scent is involved, for example if each knob 3
controls a particular scent, respective identification means 5 may
be provided to identify the scent controlled by each respective
knob. The front of the device is also provided with an air outlet 6
through which the scented air is discharged, and in the embodiment
illustrated an air inlet 7 is provided at one side whereby air
enters the inlet 7, picks up the desired scent as determined by the
respective knobs 3, and the scented air discharged through the
outlet 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, there is disposed in the cabinet 1
(indicated in broken lines) adjacent the side wall having the air
inlet 7, a component storage assembly, indicated generally by the
numeral 8, comprising three sections or divisions 9a, 9b and 9c
vertically stacked one upon the other and suitably secured in
assembled relation and mounted in the cabinet 1. If desired like
walls of the sections may be formed as single wall members. The
storage assembly 8 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3. Each
section or division is provided with an air discharge opening 11
adapted to be closed, when desired by a movable closure member 12,
the closure member associated with the upper division 9a being
represented in open position while both members of the other two
sections are illustrated in their respective closed positions, such
opening and closing movements of the members being controlled by
manual adjustment of the corresponding knob 3, the actuating
mechanism of which will be subsequently described.
As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 5, the longitudinal
side wall, not visible in FIG. 3 is constructed in the same manner
as the longitudinal side wall visible in FIG. 3 and thus each
division or section is provided with a similar opening 11 and
cooperable closure member 12, the latter likewise being movable in
response to actuation of a knob 3 simultaneously with the closure
member 12 illustrated in FIG. 3.
Disposed in each section or division 9 is a generally rectangular
shaped shell, indicated generally by the numeral 13, that in the
embodiment of the invention illustrated comprising a top wall 14,
bottom wall 15 and side walls 16 whereby the remaining opposite
ends of the shell are open. The shell 13 is divided into a
plurality of chambers or passages, numbering 3 in the present
instance, by a pair of spaced parallel partition walls 17 secured
in sealing relation to the top and bottom walls, and disposed in
each of the passageways so formed is a storage structure or stack
indicated generally by the numeral 18 in which is stored at least
one aromatic component of the desired scent involved.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, which illustrates a partially assembled
storage structure 18, such structure is composed of a plurality of
relatively small storage cells or capsules indicated generally by
the numeral 19, the details of which are illustrated in FIGS. 10
and 11.
Each cell 19 comprises an outer casing or housing 21, of
rectangular configuration which is square in transverse
cross-section having square end walls 22 and four elongated
rectangular side walls 23 extending therebetween. Each end wall of
the unit is provided with a small port 24 therein through which the
aromatic component contained within the cell is adapted to be
discharged. As illustrated in FIG. 12, a plurality of such
individual cells 19 are disposed in stacked arrangement lying on
one of their long sides 23 with the discharge port or ports 24
exposed along opposite longitudinal faces of the stack.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the shell 13 for each section 9 is so
arranged therein that air may flow through the one opening 11
forming an air inlet passing through the passages in the shell 13
and discharged through the opposite opening 11 forming an air
outlet. Likewise by moving the closure members 12 into closed
positions the associated shell 13 and its contents are effectively
sealed to prevent undesired discharge of the aromatic components
contained therein when the device is not in use.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the storage assembly 8 is disposed in the
cabinet structure 1 with the knobs 3 disposed at the exterior of
the front panel 2 and the openings 11 of each section at opposite
sides of the assembly as viewed in FIG. 2. Thus the openings 11 at
the right hand side of the assembly are disposed for operative
communication with the air inlet 7 and the openings 11 at the
opposite side of the assembly are adapted to be connected with the
inlet side 25 of a centrifugal blower 26, the discharge opening 6
of which forms the air discharge of the device, suitable duct means
27 extending between the storage assembly and the inlet 25 of the
blower 26.
It will thus be apparent that in operation the movement of air
through the inlet 7, shell 13 and duct 27 is not under pressure but
rather is drawn therethrough and following mixing of the air
streams, passing through the respective sections 9 in the duct 27
and the blower 26, is discharged under pressure.
Consequently, air flow through the shells 13 is gentle and of
relatively low volume, providing an ideal environment for the
discharge of volatized aromatic components from the respective
cells of the individual storage stacks into the air moving through
the associated passageway of the shell, and it is only after such
dissemination that the air streams from the respective shells are
permitted to intermix in the duct 27. Pressurizing of the air takes
place only within the blower 26 after the individual components of
the scent have been thoroughly mixed.
The nature of the aromatic components involved will depend entirely
upon the characteristics of the scent or scents be employed. For
example, conceivably the device of FIG. 1 could be employed for the
selective creation and discharge of any one of three different
scents, each of which would be stored in a respective shell 13 with
normally incompatible components being stored in different storage
stacks 18. With such an arrangement the knobs 3 would be so
actuated that only a selected one of the several sections would be
operable, so that at any time only the components of the selected
section are being disseminated.
It is also quite possible that a desired scent requires a
sufficient number of incompatible components that more than one
section would be required to provide adequate separated storage
structures for each of such components, in which case more than one
section would contain components of a single scent.
It will therefore be appreciated that the construction illustrated
in the drawings is merely illustrative and that the number of
sections, as well as the number of stacks in each section, and the
number of individual storage units or receptacles in each stack may
be readily varied to meet specified requirements.
While I have referred to the control of the closure members 12 as
being manually performed, obviously the closure members could be
motor operated and the manual control suitably performed through
push buttons, etc. Likewise where only one scent is involved the
closure members could be automatically controlled by means of the
on-off switch for the blower motor.
While the above general description has been presented sequentially
from the entire assembly through successively smaller
sub-assemblies, the detailed description of each of such
sub-assemblies, etc. will be considered in the reverse order,
beginning with the basic individual storage cell 19.
The Individual Storage Units
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the side walls 23 of each cell or
capsule 19 is formed from a short section of aluminum tubing of
square cross section, while the end walls 22 are formed from
respective rectangular blocks of aluminum which are suitably
secured to the side walls 23 adjacent corresponding edges thereof
by any suitable means that will provide a firm connection and a
good seal between the respective parts. In most cases it is
believed that a press fit or a so-called pressure weld will be
adequate, eliminating the necessity of providing additional sealing
means. Disposed in the container thus formed is a
component-retaining core structure indicated generally by the
numeral 28, illustrated in the present embodiment as comprising two
substantially square blocks 28a and 28b of identical construction.
The blocks 28 are provided with respective centrally disposed
aligned bores 29 therein which extend longitudinally parallel to
the planes of the side walls 23 and each of the end blocks 22 is
provided with a respective bore 31, illustrated, in the present
instance, as being of a diameter less than that of the bores 29;
the outer end of each bore 31 forming the port 24.
The respective blocks 28 may be of any suitable material which will
adequately accept impregnation with the aromatic components to be
used. It will be appreciated that the general construction of the
individual cells 19 corresponds to that of the blocks illustrated
in may prior patent, previously referred to, and the individual
blocks may be constructed in accordance with the general teaching
of said patent, it being noted however, that the construction
illustrated herein represents an improvement over those illustrated
in such patent, providing improved overall results as well as
simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the respective
components. I have found that for the present purposes it will
normally be desirable to construct the individual cells 19 as
relatively very small structures which may then be assembled to
form a larger storage structure such as the respective stacks 18.
While the cells 19 of the present invention employ a metal
prefabricated shell structure in lieu of an applied coating or the
like, as illustrated in my prior patent, obviously the overall
operation of the cell 19 corresponds, for example, to a
construction such as illustrated in FIG. 6 of such patent wherein
the relatively large bore in the respective block functions as a
mixing chamber or tunnel therein from which the vapor is discharged
through a smaller bore.
Consequently no need is seen to go into the general theory and
operation of such type of structure, reference being made to my
previous patent in connection therewith. Sufficient to say, the
construction of the individual cells 19 is such that the aromatic
components contained therein, will be discharged therefrom, during
operation of the device, at a controlled rate over a relatively
very long period of time, for example a period of months or even a
year or more before requiring replacement.
It will be appreciated however that the present construction
eliminates coating operations, the performing of drilling
operations on a coated structure, etc., enabling the production of
accurately and uniformly dimensioned cells requiring no drilling or
other operations after the impregnated blocks have been encased in
the aluminum shell, as well as providing a more efficient shell
structure than can be achieved by applied coatings. Consequently,
the cell 19 of the present invention represents a considerably
improved storage unit over those illustrated in my previous
patent.
Another advantage of the construction illustrated in FIGs. 10 and
11 involves the relatively small physical dimensions of the cells
19, preferably employed in the practice of the present invention. I
have found that a very advantageous size for use in devices such as
that herein described is one in which the cubes 28 have uniform
dimensions of approximately seven thirty-seconds inch. The length
of the tube forming the side walls 23 may, for example, in such
case be three-fourths inch in length and may be constructed with a
side wall thickness of, for example, 0.01 inch which has been found
wholly adequate for the purposes. With such dimensions, the end
blocks 22 may each have a thickness of approximately five
thirty-seconds inch whereby the overall dimensions of each cell 19
is three-fourths inch in length and slightly over seven
thirty-seconds inch in transverse dimensions. In such a dimensioned
construction, I have found that a very suitable diameter for the
mixing tunnels 29 is about one-twentieth inch while the evaporating
outlet apertures 31 preferably have a diameter of 0.02 to 0.01 inch
depending at least in part on the volatility of the impregnated
substance.
The Storage Structures or Stacks
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, each storage structure or stack
18 comprises a plurality of layers of storage cells 19 arranged
side-by-side into horizontal rows and the individual rows
vertically stacked one upon the other. Cooperable with the
individual cells to form the respective stacks is a supporting
frame member 32 having a bottom wall 33 and respective upwardly
extending end walls 34, each of which is provided with inwardly
directed parallel flanges 35 adapted to form retaining walls for
the peripherally disposed cells 19 extending therealong.
Cooperable with the frame 32 is a plurality of tray structures 36
each having a bottom wall 37 and upwardly directed longitudinally
extending parallel flanges 38, the latter having an overall length
substantially equivalent to the distance between the vertical edges
of corresponding flanges 35 on the respective vertical walls 34 of
the frame structure while the overall length of the bottom wall 37
of each tray is approximately equal to the distance between the
vertical walls 34 whereby the free end portions of the bottom wall
37 of each tray structure will be disposed between the adjacent
flanges 35 carried by the vertical walls 34. As will be apparent
from a reference to FIG. 12 the lowermost row of storage cells 19
are disposed on the bottom of the tray structure and retained in
position by the flanges 35 carried thereby. A tray structure 36 is
then disposed on the top faces of such assembled row of storage
cells and the second row of cells disposed on such tray. This
assembly operation is repeated until the tray structure is
completely filled, following which a cover member 39 may be engaged
with the upper ends of the respective vertical walls 34, the cover
member having a peripheral flange 41 extending around both the
longitudinal and end edges of the cover member with the internal
dimensions between opposed flanges being such that the ends of the
walls 34 will be received in the cover member to interlock the
structure in assembled relation, the cover being retained in
position as a result of a press fit or by other suitable means as
may be deemed necessary or desirable.
The Storage Shell
Details of the storage shell structure are illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 7. It will be noted that, as previously described, the shell 13
is open at opposite ends and provided with partition walls 17. As
illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 7, each partition wall 17 is
provided adjacent its free outer edge with a flexible extension 42
suitably secured in sealing relation with the associated partition
wall and thus forming an extension of the latter. It will be noted
that each partition wall 17 ends approximately on a line with the
adjacent end of the respective stacks 18 with the flexible strip 42
extending outwardly beyond the adjacent edges of the shell.
Disposed at the top and bottom edges of the flexible extensions 42
preferably are cooperable leaf spring seals 43, the latter being
suitably secured at one end to the inner face of the top or bottom
walls 14 and 15 of the shell as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
7.
The stacks 18 may be suitably retained within the shell 13 by any
suitable means as for example by spot welding as indicated at 44 or
any other suitable securing or interlocking arrangement at both the
top and bottom faces of the respective stacks.
The Component Sections or Divisions
Details of construction of the component storage divisions or
sections 9a, 9b, and 9c are illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, each section 9 may comprise a
pair of side walls 45 which are provided with respective aligned
openings 46 of a size to receive a cooperable shell 13, as well as
aligned elongated slots 47. As illustrated in FIG. 5 the two side
walls 45 are connected by a tubular sleeve indicated generally by
the numeral 48 which has the same dimensions as the openings and is
welded to the side walls to form an integral structure, thereby
forming a chamber for reception of a shell 13 and its contents. The
shell 13 and the member 48 may be provided with suitable means for
adequately securing the shell within the chamber, for example
inwardly directed projections on the top and bottom wall of the
member 48 adapted to seat in the dimples 48' on the top and bottom
walls of the shell 13, or suitable set screws threaded in a side
wall of the sleeve 48.
Extending along the top and bottom edges of the side walls 45 and
the end of each side wall adjacent the opening 46 is a generally
C-shaped member 49 having grooves 51 in its inwardly disposed
faces, in which a corresponding door member 12 is adapted to be
slidably carried. The frame member 49 may be of any suitable
construction fabricated in one or more pieces, and secured to the
associated side wall 47 by any suitable means as for example a
plurality of screws, welding etc. The respective ends of each
enclosure are provided with a front wall 52 and a rear wall 53,
again suitably secured as for example by screws or the like to the
remaining section structure. As previously mentioned, respective
sections 9 may be individually constructed and assembled into a
unitary structure in accordance with modular techniques, or all or
selected side and end walls may be fabricated as respective unitary
structures common to all three sections. Obviously, such details of
construction may be widely varied to meet specific requirements of
cost or to fit in with existing production techniques, etc. Where
individual units are employed, they may be readily assembled and
secured one to the other to form a unitary storage assembly.
Carried by the right-hand wall of the structure 48, as viewed in
FIG. 5 is a suitably mounted hub member 54 cooperable with a
similar flanged member 55 mounted on the front wall 52 by any
suitable means as for example screws, in which members 54 and 55 is
journalled a threaded shaft 56, the outer end 57 of which carries a
knob 3. Threadedly mounted on the shaft 56 is a carriage block 57
having oppositely directed pin or stem portions 58 extending
through the slots 47 in the side walls and through apertures 59 in
the respective closure members 12 thereby operatively connecting
the carriage block 57 to the respective closure members whereby
movement of the carriage 57 as the shaft 56 is rotated, for
example, by manual actuation of the knob 3, the closure members 12
may be moved from closed positions as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6
to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 3 with respect to the
section 9a.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate, in diagrammatic form, the operation of
the door members 12 and the flexible strips 42 on the respective
partition walls, as well as the spring seals 43.
It will be noted that when the door members 12 are in their open
positions as illustrated in FIG. 8 the respective passages in the
shell 13 are open at opposite ends permitting air to flow through
such passageways and along the ends of the cells 19 carried in the
respective stacks 18 so that vapor products eminating from the
cells of the stack will be picked up by the air and exhausted from
the storage structure. However, when the door members are in closed
positions as illustrated in FIG. 9 they will closely bear on the
end edges of the shell structure of suitable gasket means
interposed therebetween and the flexible portions 42 will flex to
the position illustrated in FIG. 9 as a result of their engagement
with the associated closure member 12 to provide an effective seal
between such member and the partition wall, with the top and bottom
sealing springs 43 serving to improve the seal at the top and
bottom of the flexible portions 42. Thus when the door members are
in their closed position the associated shell 13 is effectively
sealed at both of its open ends and no vapor will be discharged
therefrom.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the storage assembly 8 of FIG. 3 may be
suitably disposed in the cabinet 1 with the inlet openings 11 of
the assembly disposed adjacent the inlet opening 7 and the outlet
openings communicating with the blower 26 through the duct 27. With
dimensions of approximately 7/32 .times. 7/32 .times. 3/4 inch for
each storage cell 19, 128 capsules may be disposed in a stack 18
and three such stacks placed in a shell 13 approximately 4 1/2 inch
long .times. 2 1/4 inch high and a depth from one open end to the
other of 4 inches, whereby each shell with three stacks will
deliver aroma from 384 storage units through 728 evaporation
outlets. The three sections 9 would, in such case, contain a total
of 1,152 storage units with 2,304 apertures. Likewise, the blower
26 may be of small capacity, as for example 60 cubic feet per
minute air displacement, with the outlet of the blower having for
example, a diameter of 2 inches. A device embodying storage
structures such as described could be readily fabricated with
maximum dimensions of approximately 15 inches in width, 10 inches
in depth and 8 inches in height, not allowing for leg structures,
etc.
Under normal operating conditions the knobs 3 would be so adjusted
that only one scent is being emitted from the storage structure and
at the same time all closure members associated with the storage
elements of such scent would be in fully opened positions as
indicated by the corresponding indicator or indicators 4 which may
be of any suitable construction and suitably geared or otherwise
operatively connected to the shaft 56, the details of which
indicators form no part of the present invention. Various types of
structures are available on the market, as for example so-called
Vernier dials and the like.
To preserve the life of the aromatics employed in the device and to
preserve their effectiveness, it is essential to keep the closure
members completely closed when the mechanism is not in operation
and likewise to keep it completely open when the valves are opened
to insure full evaporation. Likewise, while aromatic vapors do not
readily unite with other vapors at ordinary temperatures, such
vapors when airborne may unite with a liquid surface, and the
various flexible seals, etc. serve to effectively reduce the flow
of any airborne vapors into undesired areas.
It will be apparent that the inlet and discharge openings in the
cabinet 1 may be provided with suitable louvers or the like,
particularly self closing louvers which are either electrically or
otherwise actuated to open position when the device is placed in
operation, thus limiting air movement through the structure as much
as possible when the device is not in operation.
It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a
novel structure having the ability to create, preserve and deliver
the finer features of a scent over an extended period of time
attaining this capacity through the effective control of the
evaporation processes. Likewise, the construction is such that when
the device is not in use the evaporation chambers are effectively
closed whereby evaporation from the basic storage units is in a
state of quiescence since energy derived from the air is completely
shut off, and in such state the aromatic substances contained in
the individual storage containers fall into equilibrium with their
own vapors, in which condition they will remain until the
evaporation chamber is again opened and operation resumed. It will
be appreciated that the size of the storage structures may be
varied to meet specific requirements. Thus if a considerably less
quantity of one component is required, the proportions of the width
of the passageways in the shell 13 may be varied to give a
different proportion of air distribution and/or the outlets of the
individual cells reduced in size to reduce the rate of discharge
therefrom, as may be deemed desirable.
It will be particularly noted that the invention enables
replacement of the volatile components in several different ways
and to provide any one of several different modes of
replacement.
Thus, individual cells 19 may be used as the replacement units, the
new cells merely being substituted for spent cells.
Similarly one entire stack structure 18 may be replaced as a unit,
or an entire shell 13 and its contents.
Consequently, replacement units may be sold separately from the
remainder of the device, in any one of these forms or in several or
all of such forms.
It will also be noted that the present invention enables the
production of many scents and odors which heretofore could not be
realistically achieved due to incompatibility of the various
components.
It will also be appreciated from the above disclosures that I have
provided a relatively simple yet highly effective device for the
purposes intended and that various immaterial modifications may be
made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the
exact form, construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and
described.
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