IMPROVED DEODORISING VAPOUR DISPERSION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates generally to an air freshening device of the type adapted to disseminate a deodorant and/or a fragrance into the atmosphere of a room or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to electrically powered air freshening devices which operate to automatically disseminate a deodorant and/or a fragrance.

Background Art.

Air fresheners are commonly used to deodorise and/or introduce fragrant odours into enclosed spaces such as rooms and the like. Passive air fresheners progressively release a deodorant and/or a fragrance into the atmosphere and gradually lose their effectiveness over time so that they eventually need to be replaced.

Generally air fresheners operate by heating the deodorant and/or a fragrance source. The heating of the deodorant and/or a fragrance source may, in addition to consuming more power, alter the aroma by causing the deodorant and/or a fragrance source to chemically degrade over time as well as presenting a potential fire risk in the case of a malfunction.

In a number of applications, it is desirable to be able to move an air freshening device from room to room. For example, in the hotel industry rooms are cleaned by staff going from room to room. As part of the cleaning process the rooms are generally deodorised, often with an aerosol spray can of air freshener/deodorant.

The use of spray cans is relatively expensive and generally believed to be environmentally irresponsible. Alternatives to the use of aerosol spray cans are desired.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention. The present invention is directed to an improved deodorising vapour dispersion system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in A vapour dispersion system including a casing defining a closed chamber and having an inlet and an outlet, a receptacle for receiving a deodorant/fragrance source at ambient temperature whereby a deodorant/fragrant vapour is produced by the movement of air over the deodorant/fragrance source, an electrically powered fan adapted to draw air into the chamber through the inlet and to expel air, together with vapour from the deodorant/fragrance source, through the outlet.

The casing of the dispersion system is normally a multipart casing which defines the receptacle when the casing is in the closed condition. The casing normally also has an open condition which allows access to the interior of the casing for replacement of components, most usually the deodorant/fragrance source.

The casing preferably includes a first portion and an attachable second portion. The first and second portions are both normally hollow in order to contain the deodorant/fragrance source within the portions and casing when closed. The first portion of the casing normally includes either the inlet or the outlet located substantially toward one end of the portion and an opening at the other of the ends of the first portion which corresponds to an opening of the second portion such that when the respective openings of the first portion and second portion are aligned, the closed casing is formed. Normally the first and second portions of the casing will have suitable engagement means in order to at least temporarily attach the first portion to the second portion to form the closed chamber. Typically, the engagement means will include a snap-fit closure with a movable tab which can be moved to disengage the snap-fit to open the casing. Typically, the movable tab will be located towards an upper portion of one of the first or second portions. An engagement tab will normally be provided on one or the other of the first or second portions, normally towards a lower portion, with a corresponding opening or depression provided on the other of the first or second portions. Alternatively, the lower portion of the first and second portions may be provided with partially overlapping edges in order to engage one another.

In this way, when closing the casing, the engagement tab is fitted into the opening or depression and then the upper portion of the first and second portions is typically move together to engage the movable tab to maintain the portions

temporarily locked together. Moving the movable tab, normally by depressing the tab will preferably disengage the tab and allow the portions to be separated.

One or the other of the first or second portion will typically mount a power source and also the fan. Suitable control means will normally be provided in association in order to control the fan speed which in turn will normally control the rate of vapourisation of the deodorant/fragrance. There will typically also be a power switch operable between the "on" and "off". The power switch may be associated with a timer to automatically switch the unit off after a preset time period. There may also be an indicator light to show that the device is working or other control or feedback means in order to operate the apparatus.

Normally the deodorant/fragrance source is located towards a lower region of the casing with the control and operation means provided towards an upper region of the casing.

Preferably, the deodorant/fragrance source retains the deodorant/fragrance in a pad, sponge or other absorbent or fluid retaining media whereby a liquid deodorant/fragrance is prevented from spilling from the receptacle.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the deodorant/fragrance source is a cartridge. The cartridge is preferably a substantially hollow tubular member with a bore therethrough. Normally the cartridge will be substantially circular in cross-section but other shapes may be used.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge for use in a deodorising vapour dispersion system, the cartridge having a substantially hollow tubular body with a bore therethrough, the body having a central core with at least one layer of absorbent material provided about the central core and a non-permeable outermost layer.

The cartridge may be provided with bracing arms extending diametrically across the bore. Where provided, the bracing arms may be discreet, or may extend over the entire length of the cartridge. Further, the bracing arms might also form part of the wicking function of the cartridge. The cartridge will typically include at least one absorbent material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cartridge may be formed with a central core including a substantially rigid hollow tube with at least one layer of absorbent material provided about the central core.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the core is manufactured from a semi-rigid board or similar. The core will preferably be manufactured from cardboard or other similar fibrous material allowing the core to act as a wick. Preferably, the major function of the core is to control the rate at which the deodorant/fragrance permeates from the absorbent storage material surrounding the core into the bore of the cartridge. It is particularly preferred that unpasted cardboard of approximately 1800 micrometres (μm) in thickness is used to form the core of the cartridge.

As stated above, the cartridge is normally provided with at least one layer of absorbent material about the core. Particularly preferred is a single layer of engineering "B grade" felt material of approximately 15 mm in thickness.

The cartridge preferably also includes an outer layer of non-permeable plastic or similar in order to prevent dispersion or vapourisation of the deodorant/fragrance outwardly from the cartridge. Normally, the non-permeable layer is provided substantially about the full length of the cartridge with a portion extending inwardly over the terminal edges of the cartridge, at least partially. The nonpermeable layer of this form will therefore preferably not only prevent loss of deodorant/fragrance outwardly from the cartridge, but will also assist with maintaining the absorbent layer(s) in position on the core. hi one preferred form of the invention, the cartridge is removable from the chamber to allow the deodorant and/or fragrance source within the receptacle to be replenished or to allow the cartridge to be replaced entirely.

Normally, the fan will be located between the inlet and outlet of the casing. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, each of the first and second portions includes a bore portion defining part of a channel through the device with the deodorant/fragrance source defining the remainder of the channel through the device. The fan will normally be provided towards either the inlet or the outlet and is normally provided coaxially with the inlet or the outlet.

According to a most preferred embodiment, the first portion of the casing includes the inlet opening and a first bore portion, the second portions includes the outlet opening and a second bore portion, each defining part of a channel or chamber through the casing with the deodorant/fragrance cartridge defining the remainder of the channel or chamber through the device with the fan located within at

least part of the channel. The flow of air through the casing is therefore preferably in the order of inlet opening, cartridge bore and outlet opening. The inlet, outlet, fan and cartridge are all preferably coaxially mounted relative to one another.

Each of the inlet and outlet preferably provided with engagement means to engage the cartridge. Normally the engagement means is provided in the form of a cylindrical extension portion with a recess provided on either the first or second portion, the recess adapted to receive an end of the cartridge therein, and the other of the first or second portion provided with a cylindrical extension portion adapted to be received at least partially within the bore of the cartridge. As an alternative to a cylindrical extension portion, one or more extension arms may be provided in order to engage the respective ends of the cartridge to maintain the cartridge in position within the casing.

The deodorant/fragrance is typically stored within the absorbent material of the deodorant/fragrance cartridge and as the air is drawn through the channel or bore of the device, the deodorant/fragrance moves through the absorbent layer and core. Normally, the deodorant/fragrance moves radially towards the centre of the bore. The absorbent material and the material used to form the core are preferably configured to control the mass transfer rate of the deodorant/fragrance through the cartridge layers to in turn control of the rate of vapourisation. The air speed through the channel or bore will also contribute towards the rate of vapourisation with a high air speed increasing the rate of vapourisation of the deodorant/fragrance. Preferably, the materials used to form the absorbent material and the core will have a maximum transfer rate and increasing the air speed beyond a predetermined level will have little or no increase in amount of deodorant/fragrance that is vaporised due to a lack of the supply at the vapourisation surface, namely the internal surface of the cartridge which defines the bore portion.

The device of the present invention is advantageously suited for use in room cleaning in hotels and the like, where the air freshener can simply be positioned in the rooms and activated whilst the cleaning staff attend to the cleaning of the room. The absence of a heating element in the air freshening device makes it convenient to move the air freshening device from room to room.

By the movement of air over the deodorant/fragrance source, the concentration of the deodorising and/or fragrant vapour in the air which is expelled

from the air freshening device remains consistent for a longer period of time compared to the previously mentioned prior art air fresheners.

In another embodiment the device of the present invention further includes a cyclic timer adapted to control the operation of the fan such that the fan is inoperative for a first period during which the vapour from the source accumulates within the chamber, and subsequently operates for a second period during which air and vapour are expelled from the chamber into the external atmosphere.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view from above of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, taken along line A-A as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of a cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the cartridge illustrated in Figure 4 taken along line A-A as illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sectional side view of a first portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 taken along line A-A as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the first portion illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a side view of a second portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 9 is an end elevation of the second portion illustrated in Figure

8.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an improved deodorising vapour dispersion system 10 is provided. According to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the vapour dispersion system 10 includes a casing 14 defining a closed chamber and having an inlet 11 and an outlet 12.

A deodorant and/or a fragrance cartridge 13 is also provided whereby a

deodorising and/or a fragrant vapour produced by the movement of air over the cartridge 13 is able to enter the chamber, and an electrically powered fan is provided to draw air into the chamber through the inlet 11 and to expel air, together with vapour from the cartridge 13, from the chamber through the outlet 12. Each of the inlet 11 and outlet 12 are provided with screens 21 to prevent access to the fan.

According to the preferred embodiment, the casing 14 is a two part casing which defines the receptacle to contain the cartridge 13 when the casing 14 is in the closed condition. The casing 14 also has an open condition which allows access to the interior of the casing 14 for replacement of components, most usually the deodorant/fragrance cartridge 13.

The casing 14 includes a first portion 15 and an attachable second portion 16. The first 15 and second 16 portions are both hollow in order to contain the cartridge within the casing 14 when closed. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 15 of the casing 14 includes the inlet 11 located substantially toward one end of the portion 15 and an opening 17 at the other end of the first portion 15 which corresponds to an opening 18 of the second portion 16 such that when the respective openings 17, 18 of the first portion 15 and second portion 16 are aligned, the closed casing 14 is formed. The first 15 and second 16 portions of the casing 14 have suitable engagement means in order to at least temporarily attach the first portion 15 to the second portion 16 to form the closed casing 14. According to the illustrated embodiment, the engagement means includes a snap-fit closure with a movable tab 19 which can be moved to disengage the snap-fit to open the casing 14. The movable tab 19 is located towards an upper portion of the second portion 16 of the casing 14 and the lower portion of the first 15 and second 16 portions are provided with partially overlapping edges 20 with a depending tab 25 in order to engage one another.

In this way, when closing the casing, the overlapping edges 20 are engaged and then the upper portion of the first 15 and second 16 portions are moved together to engage the movable tab 19 to maintain the portions temporarily locked together. Depressing the movable tab 19 will disengage the tab 19 and allow the portions to be separated.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the first portion also mounts a power source (not illustrated) and also the fan 22. A fan speed control knob 23 is provided in order to control the fan speed which in turn will normally adjust the rate of vapourisation of the deodorant/fragrance. There is also a power switch 24 operable between the "on" and "off ¹ .

Normally the deodorant/fragrance cartridge 14 is located towards a lower region of the casing 14 with the control knob 23 and power switch 24 provided towards an upper region of the casing 14.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 13 has a substantially hollow tubular and cylindrical body 26 with a bore/chamber 27 therethrough, the body having a central core 28 with a layer of absorbent material 29 provided about the central core 28 and a non-permeable outermost layer 30.

The cartridge is also provided with bracing arms 31 extending diametrically across the bore 27. According to the illustrated embodiment, the core 27 is manufactured from a semi-rigid unpasted cardboard of approximately 1800 micrometres (μm) in thickness allowing the core 28 to act as a wick. .

As stated above, the cartridge 13 is provided with a layer of absorbent material 29 of engineering "B grade" felt material of approximately 15 mm in thickness, about the core 28.

The cartridge 13 of the illustrated embodiment also includes an outer layer 30 of non-permeable plastic or similar in order to prevent dispersion or vapourisation of the deodorant/fragrance outwardly from the cartridge 13 . The non- permeable layer 30 is provided substantially over the full length of the cartridge 13 with a portion extending inwardly over the terminal edges of the cartridge 13 , at least partially as illustrated in Figure 5.

The cartridge 13 is removable from the receptacle within the casing 14 to allow the cartridge 13 to be replaced entirely.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 15 of the casing 14 includes the inlet opening 11 and a first bore portion, the second portion 16 includes the outlet opening 12 and a second bore portion, each defining part of a channel or chamber through the casing 14 with the deodorant/fragrance cartridge 13 defining the remainder of the channel/chamber through the device, with the fan 22

located within the channel/chamber adjacent the inlet 11. The inlet 11, outlet 12, fan 22 and cartridge 13 are all coaxially mounted relative to one another.

Each of the inlet 11 and outlet 12 have engagement means to engage the cartridge 13. As illustrated in Figure 3, a cylindrical extension portion 32 with a recess is provided on the first portion 15, the recess adapted to receive an end of the cartridge 13 therein, and the second portion 16 is provided with a cylindrical extension portion 33 adapted to be received at least partially within the bore of the cartridge 13. A secondary cylindrical portion 34 is provided on the first portion 15 radially within the cylindrical extension portion 32 such that the end of the cartridge 13 is received between the two portions.

The deodorant/fragrance is stored within the absorbent material 29 of the deodorant/fragrance cartridge 13 and as the air is drawn through the chamber or bore of the device, the deodorant/fragrance moves through the absorbent layer 29 and core 28. Normally, the deodorant/fragrance moves radially towards the centre of the bore.

In the present specification, use of the term "vapour" is intended to cover the formation of a true vapour as well as dispersed droplets of small size in an air flow.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.