Cartridge-type aroma percolator

• US 4,595,564 A
• Filed: 07/02/1984
• Issued: 06/17/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector, Robert H. Miller
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector, Robert H. Miller
• Inventors: Spector, Donald, Miller, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Barry S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/626,726
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 422/125, 422/124, 422/4, 422/305, 422/306, 422/5, 422/218, 422/275, 422/311, 239/53
• US Class Current: 422/125
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/1686 involving vaporisation of the material to be sprayed or of an atomising-fluid-generating product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers

Abstract

A cartridge-type aroma percolator for wafting fragrance into the atmosphere at a relatively high rate. The percolator includes a cylindrical container having a vented cap and a base provided with a raised hub housing an electric heater. Telescopically inserted into the container is a replaceable cartridge having a can whose base has a reentrant socket that complements and receives the hub. Placed adjacent the upper end of the can is a liquid-permeable toroidal insert incorporating a pad of porous material, the insert defining therebelow a chamber having a pool therein of an aqueous solution of a volatile liquid fragrance. A tube coaxial with the can extends through the hollow core of the barrier, the tube inlet being immersed in the pool adjacent the socket, the tube outlet being above the barrier. When the heater is energized, the solution in the region of the socket is caused to boil to produce a head of pressurized gas above the pool, forcing the liquid to rise in the tube and to be discharged from the outlet to shower onto the insert whereby the liquid percolates through the pad before returning to the chamber. An aromatic vapor emitted from the pad is wafted into the atmosphere through the vented cap of the percolator. A removable cover means is provided for hermetically sealing said can, and for storing the contents thereof, while the cartridge is not in use.

Claims

1. A cartridge-type aroma percolator comprising:

(A) a container having an inside bottom surface, an electrical heater secured to the inside bottom surface and a removable vented cap; and

(B) a replaceable cartridge telescopically received in said container, said cartridge being constituted by a can having a toroidal insert permeable to liquid secured at a position adjacent the top of the can and arranged so that it extends across an entire cross section of the can, the can and insert definining a chamber in the can below the toroidal insert that is partially filled with a pool of an aqueous solution of liquid fragrance, said insert having a hollow core and incorporating a porous pad surrounding the core, and a tube coaxial with the can extending through the hollow core of the insert, the lower end of the tube forming a liquid inlet immersed in the pool, whereby when the heater in the container is energized, the liquid in the can in a region above the heater is boiled to produce a gas pressure in a head space located above the pool in the chamber, forcing the liquid up the tube discharging it from the outlet thereof and showering it down on the insert thus percolating it through the pad before returning it to the pool, an aromatic vapor being exuded from the pad and discharged into the atmosphere through the vented cap, and whereby when the liquid is exhausted, one may dispose of the spent cartridge and replace it with a fresh cartridge; and

(C) removable cover means for hermetically sealing said can, and for storing the contents thereof, while the cartridge is not in use.

2. A percolator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heater is disposed in a hub secured to the inside bottom surface of the container, and said can has a reentrant socket which complements and receives said hub.

3. A percolator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cap has a circumferential array of vents along its side.

4. A percolator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said insert is provided with upper and lower perforated discs between which the pad is sandwiched.

5. A percolator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pad is formed of blotting paper.