FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a distributor of perfumed essences which can be used for the diffusion of perfumed essences in rooms or premises, domestic or public, such as offices, restaurants, hotels or other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Distributors of perfumed essences for rooms are known, having a containment box which is placed on a top, table or shelf, in which there is a substance impregnated with a desired perfumed essence. The containment box also has at least a perforated surface facing toward the room, which allows the perfumed essence to come out from the containment box and to propagate, in a substantially continuous manner, into the surrounding area.

Distributors of perfumed essences are also known which are fed electrically, and provide a timed release of a predetermined quantity of essence, for example at regular intervals, guaranteeing a substantially constant perfuming of the rooms into which they are inserted.

One disadvantage of such known distributors is that the continuous or timed distribution of the perfumed essence also takes place when the room is already adequately perfumed. This causes their diffusion capacity to finish prematurely or, alternatively, in order to prolong their perfuming action, the user is obliged to selectively obstruct the perforated surface from which the essences come out, or to unplug the electric distributor.

Another disadvantage of known distributors is that they are normally disposed in view or, in the case of electric distributors, permanently occupy an electric socket of the electric distribution plant, which might not be desirable or compatible in particular premises such as public offices or other.

One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a distributor which allows to diffuse in an efficient and progressive manner the perfumed essences contained therein, minimizing the intervention of the user during their use.

Another purpose is to achieve a distributor of perfumed substances which is ecologically compatible, which does not consume energy, which is activated only when the user so desires and as a consequence of his actions, and which is made of a natural and/or recyclable material.

A further purpose is to have a distributor in which, when its efficiency is finished, can be recharged with a simple, direct imbibition of the perfumed essence in its cavity without having to eliminate or substitute any part thereof. A further purpose is to have an interchangeable distributor, which can be substituted by another identical or similar, soaked with the same or different perfumed essence, without any difficulty, in a short time and without needing tools or complex manual operations.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, a distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention comprises at least a diffuser element, which can be associated with a furnishing element, such as a chair, an armchair or other, for the diffusion of a predetermined perfumed substance to be diffused into the room.

The distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention comprises rapid attachment means for the stable attachment of the diffuser element to a part of the furniture element, such as the seat part, the back or a support element. The diffuser element also comprises at least an activation portion, mechanically coupled, in use, to said part of the furniture element, and able to be made active by said part of the furniture element so that the air mixed with the perfumed essence exits every time the furniture element is used by the user who sits or rests on the furniture element or part of it.

Indeed, the action produced by the weight of the user on the seat part or the back, and therefore on the diffuser element, causes a circulation of a stream of air to be activated that causes the air to pass through the diffuser element, and hence causes perfumed air to come out. It is thus possible to prevent the essence from coming out almost continuously, as in known distributors, thus obtaining a gradual release that prolongs the operating duration. Furthermore, since it is coupled with the seat part of a furniture element, for example under the seat part itself, the distributor can be positioned out of sight.

According to a variant, the attachment means comprise magnetic elements able to cooperate directly with a magnetic, ferromagnetic or metallic portion of the seat part of the furniture element.

According to another variant of the present invention, the attachment means comprise rapid attachment means.

According to a variant, the rapid attachment elements are the bayonet type. In a preferential embodiment, the diffuser element is made of wood, or wood- based material, for example beech, or other suitable material, and the activation portion comprises a hollow seating able to be impregnated and/or filled at least partly with a perfumed essence.

According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the diffuser element and the hollow seating are provided with canalizations so that a mixture of air and perfumed essence can come out, which allow the stream of air caused by the user sitting or resting on the furniture element to come out, laterally and/or from below, from the distributor so as to spread into the environment surrounding the furniture element.

According to a variant, the invention provides that the distributor of perfumed essences comprises an auxiliary diffuser element, with a shape mating to the hollow seating and disposed during use in the hollow seating.

According to another characteristic feature of the present invention, the auxiliary diffuser element is made of a wood-based material, able to be soaked with perfumed essence. In this way, once the charge of the auxiliary diffuser element is finished, it is possible to replace it with a new one, or impregnate it again with a desired quantity of perfumed essence.

According to another variant, the diffuser element comprises at least a container element to contain a perfumed essence in liquid form and, according to another variant, nebulizer means are present, associated with the container element. The activation portion comprises pneumatic drive means, mechanically coupled with the part of the furniture element and the nebulizer means.

According to another variant, the activation portion of the diffuser element comprises a bellows portion and a connected emission portion, inside which a pellet element is disposed, soaked with the perfumed substance.

The present invention also concerns a furniture element, such as a chair, an armchair or other, which comprises a distributor of perfumed essences associated with a relative portion such as a seat part, a back or a support element, as described before.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral schematic view of a furniture element to which a distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention is applied;

- figs. 2-7 are schematic views showing a first form of embodiment of the distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention;

- figs. 8- 16 are schematic views of a second form of embodiment of the distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention;

- fig. 17 shows schematically a third form of embodiment of the distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify common identical elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment may conveniently be incorporated in other forms of embodiment, without further clarification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached drawings, a distributor of perfumed essences according to the present invention can be used in domestic or public rooms or premises, such as offices, restaurants, hotels etc., to propagate air perfumed with said essences. As shown in fig. 1 , the distributor 10 is mounted on a part of the furniture element, in this case below the seat part 13 of a chair 12, in proximity with at least a vent-hole 14, for emission of air from the seat part 13.

With reference to figs. 2-7, which show schematically a first preferential form of embodiment according to the present invention, a distributor 10 comprises a diffuser element 16 and magnets 1 8 to attach it to the seat part 13.

The diffuser element 16, preferably made of a wood-based material, for example beech or similar type of wood, has a discoid shaping provided with an upper portion 19, substantially flat and shaped like a circular crown, disposed during use in contact with a lower surface of the seat part 13 so as to couple with the hole 14 of the seat part, and a convex lower portion 20. The diffuser element 16 also has an activation cavity 22, substantially cylindrical in shape, made centrally therein and disposed during use preferably aligned and concentric with the hole 14. so that the circulation of a stream of air generated by the seat part when someone sits on it can pass through.

The diffuser element 16, in the case shown here as a non-restrictive example, also has first circular through apertures 23, shown by dashes, which extend longitudinally and advantageously in a circular uniform manner, substantially parallel to an axis of radial symmetry Z (fig. 4) of the diffuser element 16, so as to connect the bottom of the cavity 22 with the lower portion 20. The apertures 23 allow to convey the air expelled by the diffuser element 16 downward and outward, and at least part of the cavity 22, that is, its wood-based material, is impregnated or soaked with a perfumed essence.

The diffuser element 16 also comprises second apertures or grooves 25, with a regular shape, for example with a rectangular cross section, and disposed substantially horizontal, on the circumference of the circular crown upper portion 19, which extend radially, advantageously in a uniformly distributed manner, from the edge that delimits the cavity 22 at the top, toward the external surface of the diffuser element 16. In this case, there are eight grooves 25 separated at intervals of 45° on the upper portion 19. The grooves 25, like the first apertures 23, allow to channel the air from inside the cavity 22 toward the outside of the distributor 10.

In this way, every time a user sits upon the seat 12, it causes a stream of air to circulate which, passing through the cavity 22, is charged with perfumed essences and then exits downward through the first apertures 23 and laterally through the second apertures or grooves 25.

It comes within the field of the invention to have only the first apertures 23, only the second apertures 25, or both the first and second apertures. It also comes within the field of the invention to provide any number of first and/or second apertures, also in relation to the specific shape and size of the distributor.

The magnets 18, substantially cylindrical in shape, are disposed in housing seatings, not shown, shaped mating with the magnets and made substantially symmetrically in the diffuser element 16. An upper base of each magnet 18 is disposed substantially flush with the upper portion 19. Figs. 2 and 4 show two magnets 18, disposed diametrically opposite with respect to the center of radial symmetry of the diffuser element 16.

The attachment magnets 18, of which there may be any number and in any position suitable for the purpose, allow to keep the distributor 10, that is, the diffuser element, stably coupled with the chair 12. The magnets 18 cooperate with metal portions of the chair or with a circular crown mounted below the seat part 13, near the vent-hole 14.

Advantageously the distributor 10 can also comprise an auxiliary diffuser 17, shown separate for reasons of clarity in figs. 6 and 7, also made of wood-based material, for example natural wood, advantageously cut head-wise so as to use the natural channel structure of the wood to distribute the perfumed essence. The auxiliary diffuser 17 has a cylindrical shape mating with that of the cavity 22, and has a slightly smaller diameter, such as to allow an easy insertion and removal thereof. The auxiliary diffuser 17 also has notches 27 that extend radially toward the inside and develop along the whole of its height between the respective lower and upper bases. The notches have a width coordinated with the width of the grooves 25 and of the first apertures 23 and are distanced, in this case, at intervals of 45°.

The auxiliary diffuser 17 is disposed so as to be soaked with a desired quantity of perfumed essence, which is released progressively through the first apertures 23 and the grooves 25, every time the chair is used, that is, every time the seat part 13 causes air to be circulated through the vent-hole 14.

Once the charge is finished, the auxiliary diffuser 17 can be again soaked with perfumed essence, or replaced by a similar diffuser 17 soaked with other essence. The replacement operation, of both the auxiliary diffuser 17 or the recharging of the diffuser 16, is extremely quick, as the distributor 10 can be separated from the seat part 13 very quickly.

In a second form of embodiment, shown in figs. 8- 16, a distributor 1 10 of perfumed essences comprises a support 30 and a diffuser element 1 16 which contains a capsule 40 to distribute essence.

The support 30, a hollow cylinder, is open at the upper part so as to define a containing seating, and has a pair of opposite attachment fins 33, to attach the distributor 1 10, for example by means of bayonet-type coupling, to a mating seating 15 of the seat part 13.

The support 30 also has through slits 34, made on its lateral surface, which put the containing seating in communication with the outside of the distributor 1 10 and through which the perfumed essence is made to exit.

The diffuser element 1 16, made for example of paper or cardboard, is substantially cylindrical in shape, mating with that of the support 30, and has a slightly smaller diameter, so as to be housed in its containing seating, and in turn has a second containing seating into which the capsule 40 is inserted.

The diffuser element 1 16 comprises a lower emission portion 36, and a bellows portion 37, that is, an activation portion, connected at the upper part thereto. The emission portion 36 has a plurality of exits 38 that connect the second containing seating with the containing seating of the support 30.

The exits 38 are made at a predetermined height from the bottom of the emission portion 36, so that when the diffuser element 1 16 is disposed in the support 30, the exits 38 are substantially adjacent to the slits 34, to allow the air and essence to exit effectively through them.

The distribution capsule 40, for example of the gradual emission type, is attached, for example by gluing, on the bottom of the emission portion 36.

The bellows portion 37 is disposed during use with its upper surface in contact with the seat part 13, so as to determine, by mechanical compression, a movement from an inactive position to a compressed position when the seat part 13 is occupied by a user, which in turn causes the air and perfumed essence to flow out from the capsule 40 through the exits 38 and the slits 34. Inside the bellows portion 37 there is also a spring 42, which allows the bellows portion 37 to return from the compressed position to the inactive position, and subsequently the air to refill the diffuser 1 16. In a third form of embodiment, shown in fig. 17, a distributor 210 for perfumed essences comprises a support 230 and a diffuser bottle 216, which contains perfumed essence in liquid form.

The support 230 has a similar shape to that of the support 30 in the second form of embodiment, and has a height correlated to the size of the diffuser bottle 216 it has to contain. The support 230 comprises attachment fins 233 to attach the distributor 2 10, for example by means of bayonet-type coupling, to a mating seating 15 of the seat part 13.

The diffuser bottle 216 comprises a nebulizer 45, mobile vertically, which comprises a suction pipe, not shown, of a known type, which allows to extract the perfumed essence. The nebulizer 45 in turn is mechanically connected to a drive head 46, substantially flat and provided with a surface that is in contact at the upper part with the seat part 13. The drive head 46 is mobile vertically between an inactive position and a distribution position in which it is compressed so as to determine the distribution through nebulization of the perfumed essence. When the chair 12 is used by a user, this causes the compression of the seat part 13 which in turn exerts a mechanical thrust action on the drive head 46, thus determining a displacement thereof from the inactive position to the distribution position and therefore a predetermined quantity of perfumed essence is sucked in from the bottle 216, subsequently nebulized and expelled from the nebulizer 45.

The drive head 46 is contrasted in its displacement toward the distribution position by means of a helical spring 47 interposed between a lower surface of the head 46 and a contrast portion, not shown, of the nebulizer 45. The spring 47 allows the head 46 to return to its inactive position and therefore it is possible to effect a subsequent distribution when a user again sits on the chair 12.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the distributor of perfumed essences as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example, it comes within the field of the invention to provide that the distributor of essences can be mounted on the back of the chair, for example of an office chair, or on a support element such as the hydraulic piston supporting the chair.

It also comes within the field of the invention to provide to use perfumed essences in liquid form, without pneumatic activation means, which are disposed in the cavity of the distributor up to a certain level, and then the stream of air simply passes through them, to spread in the external environment as perfumed air.