Air treatment device

Abstract

A device for treatment of air in a room or other space in which the air is perfumed, or deodorized, or purified. A solid refractory material acts as a carrier for air-treatment material thereon which is gasified upon heating of the carrier material. The solid carrier material is held in a casing within which an electrically energized heating element heats the carrier material and the airtreatment material is liberated and passes through openings in the casing to effect the air treatment.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to an air treatment device of the type described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 292,309 filed Sept. 26, 1972.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensers and more particularly to an air-treatment device for perfuming, purifying and/or deodorizing the air within a space.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Air perfuming devices and dispensers are well known. Many of these devices simply hold a vaporizable liquid for treatment of the air or a solid material that is sublimated. Generally these devices are limited to treatment of the air in relatively small confined space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general purpose of the present invention is to provide an air-treatment device that can be constructed as a small unit for small spaces and constructed as a large unit for use in large open spaces, for example factories and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an air-treatment device or dispenser in which heat is used for carrying out the gasification of an air-treatment material which is liberated from a solid carrier material which is unchanged by the application of heat.

The dispenser and air-treatment device according to the invention comprises a tubular casing within which is defined at least one space adjacent one end of the casing which is in communication with the atmosphere and the interior of the casing. Within this space is held a solid carrier material which is treated with a gasifiable material which is driven off from the carrier material by the application of heat to the space and carrier material therein.

Within the casing is provided an electrically energized heating element applying heat to the space and connections for connecting the heating element to an electrical power source externally of the casing. A pilot light is provided within the casing indicating that the unit is electrically energized and this is viewable through a "window" provided in the casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the air-treatment device in accordance with the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an air-treatment device according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the air-treatment device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in the drawing an air-treatment device according to the invention comprises a tubular casing 1 which is made of a suitable material, such as metal or plastic. The casing is provided at opposite ends with removable end covers 2 each having a grate 3 with openings therein. The end covers 2 are provided with an annular shoulder 12 by which they can be slidably and snugly fitted onto the tubular casing 1.

Within the casing adjacent each end thereof is mounted a washer-like element 4 having a central opening providing communication between the interior of the casing and the end between a respective element 4 and a grate 3. The elements 4 are provided with a plurality of upstanding projections 16 spaced from each other and facing toward the respective grate 3. The projections 16 fit into openings in a solid cake of carrier material 17 to snugly hold the material within the respective end spaces between an element 4 and a grate 3.

The solid carrier material 17 is provided with gasifiable air-treatment material thereon that is capable of treating the air when the carrier material 17 is subjected to heat, for example when the space within the casing is heated. The carrier material 17 is a solid refractory material containing, for example, perfume oil or essence which is more readily liberated when the cake of material is heated.

In order to effect the heating, a heating element 5, for example a heating coil or heating resistor, is provided within the interior of the casing 1. The heating element 5 is connected through leads 6-7 to a power source externally of the casing.

In order to monitor the device to ascertain that the unit is electrically energized, a transparent plug 8, made for example of a transparent plastic, is located on the casing thus providing a window through which a viewer can view internally of the casing to determine whether an electric bulb or pilot light 9 which is connected to the power source is in the "ON" condition indicating the heating element is energized. The bulb circuit may be provided with a coil or resistor arrangement protecting the bulb from excess current provided through the terminals.

The heating arrangement may be provided with an electric switch, not shown. Moreover, the heating element and circuitry can be constructed for use with alternating or direct currents.

Claims

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An air treatment device for perfuming, deodorizing and purifying air comprising, a tubular casing, grate means on each end of said casing providing communication between the interior of said casing and the atmosphere, holding means axially spaced from said grate means at each said one end of said casing, a cake of solid carrier material carrying thereon a heat activated gasifiable, air-treatment material mounted on each said holding means adjacent its respective grate means, an electrically activated heating means in said casing between said two cakes of carrier material to heat said cakes of carrier material and liberate the treatment material therein which passes through the respective grate means to the area adjacent the casing, and means for connecting said heating means to an electrical power source.

2. An air treatment device according to claim 1 in which each said holding means comprises a washer-like element mounted to said casing and having a central opening.

3. An air treatment device as in claim 1 wherein each said holding means includes at least one upstanding projection on which said cake of carrier material is mounted.

4. A device as in claim 1 further comprising a pilot lamp means for connecting said pilot lamp means to the source of electrical power, and an opening in said casing through which said lamp can be viewed.

5. A device as in claim 3 wherein each said holding means includes at least one upstanding projection on which said cake of carrier material is mounted.