Dispersion device for dispersing multiple volatile materials

• US 20080085103A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Porchia, Jose, Neumann, Hermann, Beland, Rene Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 392/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick

Abstract

A dispersion device for dispersing volatile materials includes a housing and a plurality of receptacles containing volatile material therein. The device also includes a means for generating or permitting two or more airflows that exit the housing and a switch for adjusting the airflows with respect to speed or path. The plurality of receptacles is connected to the housing such that a portion of the volatile material can be placed into one or more airflows.

Claims

1. A dispersion device for dispersing a volatile material, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of receptacles containing volatile material therein;

means for generating two or more airflows that exit the housing; and

a switch for adjusting the airflows with respect to speed or path,

wherein the plurality of receptacles is connected to the housing such that a portion of the volatile material can be placed into one or more airflows.

2. The dispersion device of claim 1, wherein the airflow generating means is selected from the group consisting of fans, pumps, blowers, and air conduits and baffles therefor.

3. The dispersion device of claim 2, wherein one or more switches are employed for controlling a parameter of electric power supplied to the airflow generating-or-permitting means.

4. The dispersion device of claim 3, wherein the switch or switches indirectly control the airflow.

5. The dispersion device of claim 1, further comprising a panel that is connected to the housing, wherein the airflow is permitted or blocked by opening or closing the panel.

6. The dispersion device of claim 1, further comprising at least one wick per receptacle, wherein the wicks extend from the respective receptacles.

7. The dispersion device of claim 6, further comprising at least one air filter that is disposed to intercept air that enters the housing.

8. The dispersion device of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a plurality of vents that align with the wicks and are configured to control the direction of airflow exiting the housing.

9. The dispersion device of claim 6, wherein the wicks and respective airflows are moveable with respect to each other.

10. The dispersion device of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of heating elements that are disposed proximate to the volatile material such that the volatile material is heated.

11. The dispersion device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a holder for additional or refill receptacles.

12. The dispersion device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a communication port for communicating with the switch.

13. A dispersion device for dispersing multiple volatile materials, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of receptacles attached to the housing containing volatile materials, wherein the receptacles have wicks extending therefrom;

a plurality of fans disposed in the housing to generate a plurality of airflows that exit the housing, wherein the wicks extend into the plurality of airflows; and

a switch associated with each of the plurality of fans to control a parameter of electric power supplied to the fan to control its speed.

14. The dispersion device of claim 13, wherein a part of each of the plurality of wicks is associated with an airflow such that only one receptacle is associated with a given airflow.

15. The dispersion device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes at least one in-flow vent and at least one out-flow vent.

16. The dispersion device of claim 15, further comprising at least one air filter associated with the in-flow vent.

17. The dispersion device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a communication port for controlling the parameter of electric power supplied to the fans.

18. The dispersion device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a holder for holding additional or refill receptacles.

19. The dispersion device of claim 13, further comprising one or more heating elements that are disposed proximate to the volatile material such that the volatile material is heated.

20. A method for dispersing two or more volatile materials, comprising:

generating two or more airflows;

selectively controlling the respective airflows with respect to rate or path of flow; and

placing the volatile materials into the airflows.