U.S. patent number RE40,464 [Application Number 11/123,252] was granted by the patent office on 2008-08-26 for evaporation device for multiple volatile substances.
This patent grant is currently assigned to C.T.R.. Invention is credited to Pedro Queiroz Vieira.
United States Patent |
RE40,464 |
Vieira |
August 26, 2008 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Evaporation device for multiple volatile substances
Abstract
An evaporation device is disclosed for evaporating volatile
substances such as insecticides and aromatics of a type having a
housing containing a heating block with a heating element, a
container for a volatile substance to be evaporated, a wick having
a wick end protruding out of the container into a wick opening in
the heating block, a switching device for the activation and
deactivation of the heating device, and an adjusting device for the
adjustment of the degree of evaporation. Preferably, two heating
elements with different heating capacity are carried by the heating
block. The heating elements are operatively connected to the
switching device to adjust the heat output of the heating device
and the degree of evaporation of the volatile substance.
Inventors: |
Vieira; Pedro Queiroz (Cascais,
PT) |
Assignee: |
C.T.R. (PT)
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Family
ID: |
8176979 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/123,252 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09918898 |
Jul 31, 2001 |
06563091 |
May 13, 2003 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 5, 2001 [EP] |
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01107795 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
219/486;
392/395 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M
1/2077 (20130101); A61L 9/037 (20130101); F24F
8/50 (20210101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05B
3/02 (20060101); F24F 6/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;219/483-508,543-548
;392/386-395 ;261/139,142,94,95,104,DIG.65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 362 397 |
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Apr 1990 |
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EP |
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0 451 331 |
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Oct 1991 |
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EP |
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0 591 537 |
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Apr 1994 |
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EP |
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0 911 041 |
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Apr 1999 |
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EP |
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0 943 344 |
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Sep 1999 |
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EP |
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0 962 132 |
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Dec 1999 |
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EP |
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0 998 947 |
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May 2000 |
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EP |
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1 055 430 |
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Nov 2000 |
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EP |
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0 839 061 |
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Jun 2003 |
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EP |
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2 804 662 |
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Aug 2001 |
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FR |
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11-000391 |
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Jan 1999 |
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JP |
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WO 98/19526 |
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May 1998 |
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WO |
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WO 98/58692 |
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Dec 1998 |
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WO |
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WO 01/05442 |
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Jan 2001 |
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WO |
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WO 01/05442 |
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Jan 2001 |
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WO |
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Other References
"Defendant Dial Corporation's Answer, Defenses and Counterclaims in
Response to Plaintiffs' Complaint", filed Jan. 16, 2008, in S. C.
Johnson & Son, Inc., and Consultoria Tecnica e Representacoes,
LDA vs. The Dial Corporation, Case No. 07-C-0689-C. cited by other
.
"The Dial Corporation's Original Answers to Plaintiffs' First Set
of Interrogatories," filed Feb. 19, 2008, in S. C. Johnson &
Son, Inc., and Consultoria Tecnica e Representacoes, LDA vs. The
Dial Corporation, Case No. 07-C-0689-C. cited by other .
"The Dial Corporation's First Supplemental Answers to Plaintiffs'
Interrogatory Nos. 7 and 8," filed Mar. 3, 2008, in S. C. Johnson
& Son, Inc., and Consultoria Tecnica e Representacoes, LDA vs.
The Dial Corporation, Case No. 07-C-0689-C. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Paik; Sang Y
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCracken & Frank LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances
such as insecticides and aromatics comprising: a housing containing
a heating block with at least two heating elements having different
heating capacities; a container for a volatile substance to be
evaporated; a wick having a wick end protruding out of said
container into a wick opening in said heating block; a control
device for the activation and deactivation of said heating
elements; and said control device having a plurality of heat
settings to vary the heat produced by the heating elements so the
evaporation of the volatile substance may be controlled..].
.[.2. The device of claim 1 wherein said heating elements are
operatively connected to said control device so that one or more of
said heating elements may be selectively activated and deactivated
to adjust the degree of evaporation..].
.[.3. The device of claim 1 wherein said heating elements are
connected via electrical lines to a connection plug, and said
control device is installed in said housing..].
.[.4. The device of claim 1 wherein said wick opening is formed in
a central area of said heating block between two parallel aligned
heating elements..].
.[.5. The device of claim 4 wherein said heating elements are
spaced an equal distance from said wick opening so that a symmetric
placement of said heating elements relative to said wick opening is
achieved..].
.[.6. The device of claim 1 including at least one additional wick
opening in said heating block assigned to at least one heating
element; said additional wick opening being assigned to an
additional container having a wick with a wick end extending into
said additional wick opening for the evaporation of the substance
contained in the additional container..].
.[.7. The device of claim 6 wherein said wick openings are spaced a
distance from each other in a central area between said heating
elements; said heating elements being disposed near the edge of
said heating block..].
.[.8. The device of claim 6 including a single container having a
first and second separate chamber, each chamber capable of
containing a different substance to be evaporated, and said second
chamber constitutes said additional container..].
.[.9. The device of claim 6 including at least one separator
disposed in the area between said wick openings to achieve at least
partial thermal uncoupling between wick openings and assigned
heating elements..].
.[.10. The device of claim 9 wherein said separator includes an air
gap extending through said heating block in the area between said
wick openings..].
.[.11. The device of claim 1 wherein said heating elements comprise
electrical resistance elements carried by said heating
block..].
.[.12. The device of claim 11 wherein said resistance elements have
different resistance values in order to make different heating
capacities available for different volatile substances..].
.[.13. The device of claim 11 wherein said electrical resistance
elements include rod-shaped, cylindrical resistance body to provide
an overall miniaturized heating device for the evaporation of
volatile substances; said rod-shaped resistance body being at least
partially coated with a resistance layer to allow for the
adjustment of a given resistance value corresponding to the
evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the substance
to be evaporated; and said resistance layer being ground into said
resistance body..].
.[.14. The device of claim 13 including a helicoidal spiral cut
into said resistance lay of said rod-shaped, cylindrical resistance
body to produce a given resistance value corresponding to the
evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the substance
to be evaporated..].
.[.15. The device of claim 11 wherein said electrical resistance
elements are encapsulated in said heating block by highly
heat-conductive material; said heating block including openings
through which electrical lines are passed to said connection plug
and switching device..].
.[.16. The device of claim 1 wherein said control device includes
one of a manual switch and a programmable microprocessor..].
.[.17. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing has an upper
shell and a lower shell connected by locking elements; said lower
shell having a connection member for connecting said container to
said housing; and an aeration slit located above said wick ends so
that evaporated volatile substance may escape..].
.[.18. An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances
such as insecticides and aromatics comprising: a housing containing
a heating block with a plurality of heating elements having
different heating capacities; a plurality of containers for a
volatile substance to be evaporated; a plurality of wick openings
formed in said heating block; a plurality of wicks having wick ends
protruding out of said containers into said wick openings; a
control device for the activation and deactivation of said heating
elements to adjust the heat produced by the heating elements and
the evaporation of the volatile substance..].
.[.19. The device of claim 18 wherein said heating elements are
operatively connected to said control device so that one or more of
said heating elements may be selectively activated and deactivated
to adjust the evaporation..].
.[.20. The device of claim 18 wherein said wick openings are formed
in a central area of said heating block between two parallel
aligned heating elements..].
.[.21. The device of claim 20 wherein said heating elements are
spaced an equal distance from said wick opening so that a symmetric
placement of said heating elements relative to said wick opening is
achieved..].
.[.22. The device of claim 18 wherein said wick openings are spaced
a distance from each other in a central area between said heating
elements; said heating elements being disposed near the edge of
said heating block..].
.[.23. The device of claim 18 including at least one separator
disposed in the area between said wick openings to achieve at least
partial thermal uncoupling between wick openings and assigned
heating elements..].
.[.24. The device of claim 23 wherein said separator includes an
air gap extending through said heating block in the area between
said wick openings..].
.[.25. The device of claim 18 wherein said heating elements
comprise electrical resistance elements having different resistance
values in order to control the evaporation rate for different
volatile substances..].
.[.26. The device of claim 25 wherein said electrical resistance
elements include rod-shaped, cylindrical resistance body to provide
an overall miniaturized heating device for the evaporation of
volatile substances; said rod-shaped resistance body being at least
partially coated with a resistance layer to allow for the
adjustment of a given resistance value corresponding to the
evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the substance
to be evaporated; and said resistance layer being ground into said
resistance body..].
.[.27. The device of claim 26 including a helicoidal spiral cut
into said resistance lay of said rod-shaped, cylindrical resistance
body to produce a given resistance value corresponding to the
evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the substance
to be evaporated..].
.[.28. The device of claim 18 wherein said control device includes
one of a manual switch and a programmable microprocessor..].
.Iadd.29. An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances
such as insecticides and aromatics comprising: a housing containing
a heating block with a plurality of heating elements; a plurality
of containers for a volatile substance to be evaporated; a
plurality of wick openings formed in said heating block; a
plurality of wicks having wick ends protruding out of said
containers into said wick openings; a control device for the
activation and deactivation of said heating elements to adjust the
heat produced by the heating elements and the evaporation of the
volatile substance; and at least one separator disposed in the area
between said wick openings to achieve at least partial thermal
uncoupling between wick openings and the heating
elements..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The device of claim 29 wherein said heating elements are
operatively connected to said control device so that one or more of
said heating elements may be selectively activated and deactivated
to adjust the evaporation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The device of claim 29 wherein said heating elements
comprise electrical resistance elements each having a rod-shaped,
cylindrical resistance body to provide an overall miniaturized
heating device for the evaporation of volatile substances; said
rod-shaped resistance body being at least partially coated with a
resistance layer to allow for the adjustment of a given resistance
value corresponding to the evaporation temperature adapted to the
composition of the substance to be evaporated; and said resistance
layer being ground into said resistance body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The device of claim 31 including a helicoidal spiral cut
into said resistance layer of said rod-shaped, cylindrical
resistance body to produce a given resistance value corresponding
to the evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the
substance to be evaporated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The device of claim 29 wherein said electrical heating
elements are encapsulated in said heating block by highly
heat-conductive material for heating said wick; said heating block
including openings through which electrical lines are passed to
said connection plug and switching device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The device of claim 29 wherein said separator includes an
air gap extending through said heating block in the area between
said wick openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances
such as insecticides and aromatics comprising: a housing containing
a heating block with a plurality of heating elements; a plurality
of containers for a volatile substance to be evaporated; a
plurality of wick openings formed in said heating block; a
plurality of wicks having wick ends protruding out of said
containers into said wick openings; a control device to adjust the
heat produced by the heating elements and the evaporation of the
volatile substance; and at least one separator disposed in the area
between said wick openings to achieve at least partial thermal
uncoupling between wick openings and the heating
elements..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The device of claim 35, wherein said heating elements
comprise electrical resistance elements each having a rod-shaped,
cylindrical resistance body to provide an overall miniaturized
heating device for the evaporation of volatile substances; said
rod-shaped resistance body being at least partially coated with a
resistance layer to allow for the adjustment of a given resistance
value corresponding to the evaporation temperature adapted to the
composition of the substance to be evaporated; and said resistance
layer being ground into said resistance body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The device of claim 36, including a helicoidal spiral cut
into said resistance layer of said rod-shaped, cylindrical
resistance body to produce a given resistance value corresponding
to the evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the
substance to be evaporated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The device of claim 35, wherein said separator includes
an air gap extending through said heating block in the area between
said wick openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The device of claim 35, wherein said heating elements are
operatively connected to said control device so that one or more of
said heating elements may be selectively activated and deactivated
to adjust the evaporation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances
such as insecticides and aromatics comprising: a housing containing
a heating block with a plurality of heating elements having
different heating capacities; a plurality of containers for a
volatile substance to be evaporated; a plurality of wick openings
formed in said heating block; a plurality of wicks having wick ends
protruding out of said containers into said wick openings; a
control device for the activation and deactivation of said heating
elements to adjust the heat produced by the heating elements and
the evaporation of the volatile substance; and at least one
separator disposed in the area between said wick openings to
achieve at least partial thermal uncoupling between wick openings
and the heating elements..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The device of claim 40 wherein said heating elements are
operatively connected to said control device so that one or more of
said heating elements may be selectively activated and deactivated
to adjust the evaporation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The device of claim 40 wherein said wick openings are
formed in a central area of said heating block between two parallel
aligned heating elements..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The device of claim 42 wherein said heating elements are
spaced an equal distance from said wick opening so that a symmetric
placement of said heating elements relative to said wick opening is
achieved..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The device of claim 40 wherein said wick openings are
spaced a distance from each other in a central area between said
heating elements; said heating elements being disposed near the
edge of said heating block..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The device of claim 40 wherein said separator includes an
air gap extending through said heating block in the area between
said wick openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The device of claim 40 wherein said heating elements
comprise electrical resistance elements having different resistance
values in order to control the evaporation rate for different
volatile substance..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The device of claim 46 wherein said electrical resistance
elements include rod-shaped, cylindrical resistance body to provide
an overall miniaturized heating device for the evaporation of
volatile substances; said rod-shaped resistance body being at least
partially coated with a resistance layer to allow for the
adjustment of a given resistance value corresponding to the
evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the substance
to be evaporated; and said resistance layer being ground into said
resistance body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. The device of claim 47 including a helicoidal spiral cut
into said resistance layer of said rod-shaped, cylindrical
resistance body to produce a given resistance value corresponding
to the evaporation temperature adapted to the composition of the
substance to be evaporated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. The device of claim 40 wherein said control device
includes one of a manual switch and a programmable
microprocessor..Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.More than one reissue has been filed in connection with this
patent. Specifically, the application that resulted in this reissue
comprises a parent application of reissue application Ser. No.
11/655,036, filed Jan. 18, 2007..Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.Iadd.This application is a reissue of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/918,898 filed on Jul. 31, 2001, issued to U.S. Pat. No.
6,563,091. Other related applications are U.S. application Ser. No.
09/994,032, issued to U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,906, which is a CIP of
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/918,898, and U.S. application Ser. No.
11/655,036 which is a continuation of this pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/123,352..Iaddend.
The present invention relates to a device for evaporating volatile
substances, in particular insecticides and/or aromatics.
Insecticide and aromatic evaporation devices are generally known.
For example, evaporation devices are known where a small plate,
introduced into an evaporation device and impregnated with an
active ingredient, is heated in order to evaporate the active
ingredient. Furthermore a method is also known by which a container
containing a volatile substance is introduced into a housing of an
evaporation device. This container comprises a wick that conveys
the substance to be evaporated by means of capillary action out of
the container, whereby the wick end protruding from the container
is located next to a heating element such as a ceramic block. The
substance is evaporated through the heat radiated by the ceramic
block and can escape from the housing into the environment through
aeration slits in the housing.
A disadvantage with prior evaporation devices is that it was not
possible to adapt the degree of evaporation to the prevailing room
conditions or to the different sensitivities of persons present in
the room. Thus, for example, in smaller rooms with insufficient air
ventilation, it is desirable to lower the degree of evaporation,
which was not possible with prior evaporation devices. Furthermore,
it is especially desirable to be able to adjust,the evaporation for
insecticides, so that the degree of evaporation can be adjusted in
accordance with the sensitivity of persons present in the room.
This has also not been possible with the prior evaporation
devices.
The ability to adjust the degree of evaporation for volatile
substances is now known in the prior art. For example, EP 0 962 132
A1 discloses a device for the evaporation of volatile substances,
in particular for insecticides and/or aromatics, by using a housing
with a heating device located therein that comprises a ceramic
heating block. The heating block uses a heating element to heat the
heating block and evaporate a volatile substance. A container is
carried in the housing and stores a volatile substance to be
evaporated. A wick is inserted into the container with a wick end
protruding from the container into a wick opening formed in the
heating block. The invention discloses a switching device for
activating and deactivating the heating element, as well as an
adjusting device for adjusting the degree of evaporation. The
housing of the evaporation device contains a large opening for
receiving the container holder. On the outside of the container
holder is a cylindrical extension with a helicoidal thread
projection that extends in the form of spiral around the
cylindrical extension. The thread projection interacts with a
threaded bushing, already inside the housing, which has a receiving
opening for the cylindrical extension of the container holder, and
a corresponding counter-element to the thread projection on an
inner side of this receiving opening. The bushing is moved by means
of a pivoting lever to the outside of the housing. The container
with a volatile substance to be evaporated is inserted into the
container holder, with the wick extending into the wick opening in
the form of a depression at the edge of the heating block above the
container holder. To adjust the degree of evaporation, the bushing
is rotated into a horizontal plane via the pivoting lever of the
bushing. The interaction of counter-elements and thread projection
make it possible for the container holder to be shifted in the
longitudinal direction of the wick so that the wick end can be
fixed in a different position relative to the heating block. This
type of design, where the degree of evaporation is adjusted by
changing the relative distance between the heating element and
wick, is relatively expensive due to the number of complicated
components required to effect the adjustments.
Another type of evaporation device is known from WO 98/19526, in
which the heating output remains constant and the relative distance
between the wick and the heating element is adjusted to control
evaporation. The evaporation device comprises a housing into which
a container with a wick can be screwed. The container is connected
via a bushing to a swivel arm that moves in a guide slot, extending
radially at an angle to the horizontal in the housing wall. Through
the coupling of the swivel arm to the container, the container is
lifted relative to the housing in the axial direction when the
swivel arm is turned radially. As a result, the wick end protruding
from the container may be shifted relative to the fixed heating
element. On the whole, this is a relatively expensive and
complicated construction with a great number of additional
components, making the evaporation device expensive to
manufacture.
It is also disclosed in EP 0 943 344 A1 that the relative distance
between the heating element and wick can be changed to adjust the
degree of evaporation while the heating output is maintained
constant. The evaporation device includes a resistance heating
element with a connecting plug that is threaded into a housing
element where the container holding the substances to be evaporated
is located. Pin openings are provided on the housing element into
which locking pins are inserted in such manner that they mesh with
the threads of the plug. The distance between the
resistance-heating element and the wick end protruding from the
container can be changed by twisting the plug element. The plug
element can be mounted eccentrically in the housing element so that
it too can be used to change the relative distance between the wick
end and the resistance heating element to achieve the desired
degree of evaporation. However, this method of adjusting the degree
of evaporation is relatively complicated in construction and is
also expensive to manufacture.
A similar design with the disadvantages discussed above is
disclosed in WO 98/58692, wherein the tast of changing the
evaporation capacity is accomplished by changing the position of
the wick relative to the heating block.
Moreover, it is a common feature among all these known evaporation
devices that they are relatively large in size and therefore less
attractive aesthetically. The large size in design of the prior art
is caused by the number of adjustment components needed to control
the degree of evaporation. This large size turn affect the overall
visual impressions of a room, and even an outdoor area.
The types of evaporation device disclosed above can only evaporate
one substance at a time and requires a changing of the volatile
substance container to evaporated different insecticides or
aromatics. Especially when used for aromatherapy, it is often
necessary to evaporate two or more aromatics together. This would
normally require a corresponding number of evaporation devices,
depending on the number of aromatics to be mixed and evaporated. As
well, all these prior art devices would require the utilization of
several evaporation devices to use multiple insecticides
simultaneously.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a single
evaporation device for multiple volatile substances, in particular
insecticides and/or aromatics, which is simple in structure and can
be produced economically yet the degree of evaporation can be
easily adjusted to meet current requirements
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objective is accomplished according to the present
invention by providing at least two heating elements with different
heating capacities on a heating block. The heating elements are
connected to a switching system that adjusts their activation and
deactivation. Advantageously, with a design of this type, the
desired degree of evaporation, commonly referred to as the
evaporation capacity, can be adjusted through one single switching
system. Depending on the number of heating elements in the heating
block, the device can be made in a desirable small size. It is
especially advantageous for the manufacturing cost, that the costly
components needed to adjust the position of the wick relative to
the heating element, are no longer needed. The degree of
evaporation is not adjusted by changing the relative distance
between wick and heating element, but by changing the heating
capacity. This is accomplished by switching between the different
heating elements.
For example, varying heating capacities from different heating
elements can be used to regulate the evaporation of the substances,
usually aromatics or insecticides, to cause a rapid or slow
evaporation. Because the evaporation capacity can be easily adapted
to the substance being evaporated, a great variety of
multi-functional applications is possible from a single evaporation
device. A design of this type represents a simple and economic
alternative to the evaporation devices currently known from the
state of the art, where the degree of evaporation can be changed
only in an expensive and complicated manner by mechanical means
that adjusts the distance between the volatile substances and
heating element. In addition, the risk that the threads which
adjust the distance of the container to the heating element may
become locked by components of the substances to be evaporated, is
avoided.
As a result, one simple single device for the evaporation of
volatile substances is provided, in which simple and quick
adaptation and change-over to the applicable aromatic or
insecticide to be evaporated is not possible. Depending on the
number of heating elements located in the heating block, all of
these, or at least part of them, can have a different heating
capacity so that the degree of evaporation is highly adjustable,
depending on the number of activated heating elements. In the
preferred embodiment, the heating elements for the adjustment of
the degree of evaporation can be selectively activated or
deactivated individually, or together in groups. As a result, the
possibilities for application of the device are considerably
increased so that an even better adaptation of the degree of
evaporation to the substance to be evaporated is possible.
To achieve the compact design, the wick opening is formed
approximately in the center of two heating elements. In the
preferred embodiment, a switching device serves to either
deactivate both heating elements. Depending on the desired
evaporation capacity of the substance to be evaporated, either one
or the other heating element can be switched on. In this sense, the
switching device simultaneously acts as an adjustment device. If
necessary, both heating elements can be activated jointly in one
switch position for a more rapid evaporation.
In one preferred embodiment, the heating block has an approximately
rectangular or approximately oval form, whereby the wick opening is
formed approximately in the central area of the heating block
between heating elements. This results in an especially well
controlled and adjustable heat transmission in the direction of the
wick opening on the heating block, allowing for optimal evaporation
of the volatile substance. Ease of control and adjustability for
different evaporation capacities of different heating elements is
achieved when the heating elements are at the same distance from
the wick opening with symmetrical placement of the heating elements
relative to the wick openings.
In an alternative embodiment, at least two wick openings are
provided on the heating block. Each heating element is assigned to
at least one wick opening, which together constitutes one heating
unit. With this design greater flexibility and functionality is
achieved. By having a number of heating elements and corresponding
wick openings, a plurality of individual heating units, each
consisting of heating elements and wick openings, can be integrated
into one single device. These individual heating units can be
activated and deactivated together or separately via the switching
system so that an individual inclusion or exclusion is possible,
depending on the current evaporation demands.
Generally, one heating element can always be assigned to one wick
opening. It is, however, also possible for more than one heating
element with different heating capacities to be assigned to a
single wick opening area. Thus, depending on the currently
activated and assigned heating element, different evaporation
capacities, e.g., rapid or slow, can be assigned to one wick
opening area. If necessary, however, all the associated heating
elements can be actuated together, or individual heating elements
in a group can be activated alone or in pairs. In the same manner,
it is also possible for one of several heating elements to be
assigned to several wick openings so that, if necessary, several
wick opening areas can be heated to evaporation temperature through
one heating element. Overall, the evaporation capacity can be
easily adapted to the current substance to be evaporated whereby
the integration of multiple functions into a single component
enables it to be used in a variety of applications. Furthermore, it
is also possible with design to use identical heating elements,
producing the same heating capacity, to evaporate different
substances having about the same evaporation temperature.
In a preferred embodiment, two wick openings, as well as two
heating elements, are provided on a heating block with one heating
element assigned to each wick opening. There are different
possibilities for the placement of the two wick openings and
assigned heating units on the heating block. However, in order to
be able to activate and deactivate the individual heating units
separately from each other without causing one heating unit to heat
up the area of the other heating unit, two wick openings must be
located at a distance from each other in a central area between the
two heating elements, preferably located at the edge of the heating
block. With such an arrangement of heating elements be located a
sufficient distance from each other, and, especially from the other
wick opening, it is possible to prevent the transfer of heat in the
area from one heating unit to the other. As a result, any undesired
evaporation that might be caused from adjacent heating units is
prevented.
The two volatile substance containers can be separate containers
with one single wick. As an alternative, it is also possible to
provide one single container with two chambers separated from each
other, whereby different substances to be evaporated have separate
wicks for each chamber. In the latter case, an especially compact
design of the evaporation device is possible in actual
application.
The thermal uncoupling of the different heating units is
considerably reinforced when at least one separator is provided in
an area between the two wick openings, creating at least partial
uncoupling of the two heating units. This separator preferably
consists of an air gap going through the heating block in the area
between the two wick openings. Such thermal uncoupling by means of
a separator, such as the air gap, is also possible in evaporation
devices having more than two heating units.
A small-size and well-suited heating element with good heating
capacity is created by using an electric resistance element
contained in the heating block. The electrical resistance elements
are approximately rod-shaped. Where two resistance elements are
used with a central wick opening, the electrical resistance
elements are placed approximately parallel to each other. This
allows for an especially compact and efficient design of the
heating device. In order to provide different heating capacities,
resistance elements with different resistance values are used to
form the heating elements. The heating element is connected via
electric lines to a connection plug on the housing and to a
switching device on the housing. The electric resistance element
can consist of any know resistance elements, such as a PTC
resistance. In the preferred embodiment, every electrical
resistance element is provided with a rod-shaped resistance body
covered with a resistance layer that is notched and/or machined off
in spots to set a given resistance value adapted to the evaporation
temperature for the composition of the applicable substance to be
evaporated. This allows for the construction a heating device with
small dimensions, creating an overall miniaturized device for the
evaporation of volatile substances. Advantageously, a resistance
element of the type described above for use in heating units can be
of relatively small size so that the heating block and the entire
housing containing the heating unit may be given a relatively small
size. Thus, evaporation devices with small dimensions such as
miniaturized evaporation device can be created, while at the same
time using one or more suitably adapted low-volume containers in
the housing. Thanks to the reduced expenditure on material and
components, such a miniaturized evaporation device can be produced
relatively simply and inexpensively as a disposable item.
It is an additional advantage of such an evaporation device that
the evaporation temperature can be adjusted optimally to the
composition of the substance to be evaporated at any time with a
resistance element of this type, where the resistance layer for the
setting of a given resistance value is cut or ground in at
different locations. Thereby, the danger of flammability of the
overall device is reduced and any possible negative effect on the
degree of evaporation can be avoided. There are different
possibilities for notching or grinding the resistance layer in
order to set a given resistance value. In a preferred embodiment,
the resistance layer is cut into and around the rod-shaped,
cylindrical resistance body in a helicoidal form, by helicoidal
laser cutting. With such a helicoidal cut the resistance value can
be adjusted very precisely and easily for optimal evaporation
performance. The resistance layer can in principle be also made of
different materials in the form of a special metal layer. However,
the resistance layer is preferably a metal oxide layer, such as
nickel-chrome alloy burned on thermochemically by vacuum
metallizing or cathodic sputtering in the form of a thin layer.
After the resistance layer has been applied, it is preferably
subjected to a thermal process in order to stabilize the resistance
layer. The resistance body can be made of ceramic in this case,
preferably with a high content of AL.sub.2O.sub.3 (aluminum oxide),
so that an especially good heat conductivity of the resistance
body, and thereby of the resistance element overall, is achieved.
The context of AL.sub.2O.sub.3 depends on the actual installation
conditions such as housing material, the wick material, etc., being
used. Metal caps can be pressed on the ends of the coated,
rod-shaped resistance body. Electrical lines are connected to each
of these metal caps, preferable by welding, which are in turn then
connected to the connection plug. Preferably, copper wire with good
electrical conductivity is used for the electric lines. As a
result, a good electrical contact with the resistance layer is
easily and reliably achieved.
Several possibilities exist for the installation of the rod-shaped
resistance element on the heating block. In an especially preferred
embodiment, the rod-shaped resistance element can be inserted into
a recess in the heating block, whereby the resistance element is
encapsulated therein by a highly heat-conductive material in order
to fix the resistance element in the heating block. The highly
heat-conductive material is preferably a flame-resistant insulation
cement. Furthermore, a slit is formed on either side of the
resistance element, at the opposite ends of the recess, whereby the
electrical lines come out of the heating block and go through these
slits to the connection plug. With a design of this type, the
resistance element can easily be inserted into the recess during
assembly using a clamping lock, so that the resistance element
cannot slip during the encapsulating process. In addition, the
electrical lines can easily be curved in the direction of the
connection plug. The electric lines can be insulated in a
conventional manner. Additionally, the wick opening is preferably
made in the form of a round passage opening in the heating
block.
Depending on the application of the device, several possibilities
for the design of the switching device are possible. When used with
a compact, small-size device according to the invention, the switch
can be integrated directly on the housing in the form of a manual
switch. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the switching
and/or control device in the form of a programmable microprocessor
which is suitably connected to the device.
Especially simple and rapid assembly of the heating device in the
housing is possible if the housing is made from two parts, an upper
shell and a lower shell. The upper shell and the lower shell can be
connected with each other by locking and/or clip elements. The
lower shell preferably contains connecting members to connect the
container to the housing locking elements. At least one of the two
shells is provided with aeration slit for the escape of the
evaporated substance into the environment. The aeration slits are
preferably made in the area above the wick end in the upper shell.
The production of a housing of this type in two parts is especially
simple and inexpensive.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the
following specification and by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the
invention is shown and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a heating device for the
evaporation of volatile substances according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the device of FIG.
1;
FIGS. 3-5 shows schematic representations of the assembly of the
evaporation device in different stages of assembly according to the
invention;
FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a resistance element for use
in an evaporation device according to the invention;
FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view along line A-A of FIG.
1;
FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a heating device for the evaporation of volatile
substances according to the invention;
FIG. 9 shows a schematic top view of a heating block of the
embodiment according to FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 9;
and
FIGS. 11-13 show schematic perspective views of the assembly of the
device for the evaporation of volatile substances according to the
alternative embodiment of FIG. 8 at different stages of
assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will
now be described in more detail.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show different schematic views of a heating device 1
with a heating block 2 as components of an evaporation device 3.
Heating block 2 in the top plain view of FIG. 1 has an
approximately rectangular form, with a wick opening 4 formed in an
approximately central area of heating block 2. Wick opening 4 is
approximately in the middle area between two heating elements in
the form of electrical resistance heaters 5 and 6. As can best be
seen in FIG. 2, heating elements 5 and 6 are located in openings 7
and 8 on heating block 2 and are encapsulated with highly
heat-conductive material such as flame-resistant insulation is
cement.
On the opposite opening walls, on either side of heating elements 5
and 6, slits 9-12 are made through which electrical lines 13-16
connect to heating elements 5 and 6 and are routed. FIG. 7 shows a
schematic cross-section through heating block 2 along line A-A of
FIG. 1. Electric line 13 starts at heating element 5 and electric
line 15 at heating element 6, each of which goes to manual switch
17, while electric line 14 of heating element 5 and electric line
16 of heating element 7, are respectively going to connection plug
18. Manual switch 17 is also connected via an electric line 19 to
connection plug 18 to complete the circuit.
FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the structure of heating elements
5 and 6. Thus, each of heating elements 5 and 6 comprise a
rod-shaped resistance body 20 that is preferably made of a ceramic
material with a certain content of AL.sub.2O.sub.3 for good heat
conductivity. Resistance body 20 is coated with a metal oxide
resistance layer 21. Resistance layer 21 is then laser cut so that
a helicoidal cut 22 is formed around the rod-shaped cylindrical
resistance body 20 to provide the adjustment of a given resistance
value.
Metal caps, 23 and 24, are pressed on each end of the coated,
rod-shaped cylindrical resistance body 20 for an electrical
connection to resistance layer 21. To each of these caps, 23 and
24, one of electric lines 13-16, preferably made from copper wire,
is welded and insulated with an insulation material. As can further
be seen in FIG. 1, heating elements 5 and 6 are positioned
approximately parallel to each other the same distance to wick
opening 4 in the form of a passage opening. Preferably, heating
elements 5 and 6 have different resistance values for different
heating capacities.
The assembly of the entire evaporation device 3 is explained step
by step in FIGS. 3-5. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, heating
block 2 is received in an assembled state in housing 25. The
heating block is connected to a lower shell 26 of the housing.
Lower shell 26 contains a receptacle for the integration of manual
switch 17 with housing 25. An upper shell 27 can be clipped on
lower shell 26. Upper shell 27 is provided with an aeration slit 28
through which the substances to be evaporated can escape into the
environment.
As best can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a container 29, having a wick
30, is placed into housing 25 as an additional component of the
evaporation device 3. Wick 30 can be fixed to container 29 by means
of a wick holding ring 31 in such a manner that wick 30 has a wick
end 32 protruding from within container 29. When container 29 is
inserted into housing 25, wick end 32 extends into wick opening 4
of heating block 2, as can best be seen in FIG. 4. With an
evaporation device 3 of this type, different operational states can
be set. A first operational state can be set in which activation of
manual switch 17 causes both heating elements 5 and 6 to the
deactivated so that the heating block 2 is not heated. In the case
where heating element 5 provides a greater heating capacity than
heating element 6, by switching on heating 5 instead of 6, a rapid
evaporation of the substances in the container to be evaporated
takes place and is conveyed through the capillary action of wick 30
into the area of wick opening 4. If necessary, manual switch 17 can
also be actuated in such manner that both heating elements 5 and 6
are switched on at the same time in order to achieve especially
rapid and effective evaporation. The selection of the switch
position, and thereby the selection of heating elements 5 and 6 for
the evaporation of the volatile substances used, e.g., insecticides
and/or aromatics, can be made a function of the evaporation
capacity desired.
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a heating block 40 for an
evaporation device 41, in which heating block 40 has two wick
openings 42 and 43 at a distance from each other and located, as
shown in the top plain view of FIG. 9, in a central area between
two heating elements 44 and 45 at the edges of the heating block.
FIG. 10 shows a cross-section along line B-B through heating block
40 of FIG. 9.
Heating elements 44 and 45 are designed as resistance element 3
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-7 and it is not
necessary to discuss this in further detail. Preferably, heating
elements 44 and 45 are capable of having different resistance
values for adjusting the evaporation capacity.
Heating elements 44 and 45 are received in recesses 46 and 47 on
heating block 40 and are cemented in place therein. Electrical
connection lines 48-51 are assigned to each heating element 44 and
45. These electrical lines are routed through slits near the
lateral recess walls in such a manner that connection line 48 of
heating element 44, as well as connection line 49 of heating
element 45, go to a manual switch 52. On the other hand, connection
line 50 of heating element 44 and connection line 51 of heating
element 45 go to a connection plug 53. In addition, an electric
line 54 goes from manual switch 53 to connection plug 53.
FIGS. 8 and 10 further show an air gap 57 through heating block 40
as a separation between two wick recesses 42 and 43 to from an at
least partial thermal uncoupling of two heating units 55 or 56. The
heating units consisting of wick recess 42 and heating element 44,
as well as wick recess 43 and heating element 45. Again, heating
elements 44 and 55 preferably have different resistance values
corresponding to the evaporation temperature adapted to the
composition of the substance to be evaporated.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11-13, evaporation device 41 is also
equipped with a container 58 having two chambers 59 and 60. Each
chamber is assigned a wick 61 and 62 that, is the assembled state,
extend with a wick end 63 and 64 from chamber 59 and 60. In the
preferred embodiment, different substances to be evaporated with
different evaporation temperatures are contained in chambers 59 and
60.
As can best be seen in FIG. 12, in the devices assembled state,
heating block 40 is located in housing 67. Housing 67 consists of
an upper housing shell 65 and a lower housing shell 66. A recess
can be provided in housing 67 for the integration of manual switch
52. In addition, upper shell 65 is provided with an aeration slit
68. Heating units 55 and 56 can be activated separately via manual
switch 52 so that either volatile substance contained in chamber 59
or 60 can be evaporated. The resistance value of heating elements
44 and 45 can be adapted to the substances in chambers 59 and 60 to
be evaporated as described above. The manual switch can furthermore
be provided with an additional switching position that activates
both heating units 55 and 56 so that, especially in an
aromatherapy, a mixture of aromatics can be produced by evaporation
from both chambers 59 and 60. Alternatively, in another switching
position of manual switch 52, heating units 55 and 56 can both be
deactivated.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes
only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be
made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following
claims.
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