Apparatus for emitting a volatile chemical agent by heating and means for adjusting a spacing between a heater and the chemical agent to regulate the rate of vaporization

• US 5,402,517 A
• Filed: 04/29/1992
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt & Colman Products Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Hammond, Geoffrey R., Hampshire, Michael J., Gillett, Colin
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Application Number:
  US07/877,952
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 392/386, 392/390-395, 392/403-407, 422/125, 219/432, 219/433, 239/34, 239/44, 239/135, 239/136, 239/53, 239/55, 239/56, 239/57
• US Class Current: 392/386
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/89 Electrically heated aroma dispensers

Abstract

An apparatus for emitting a chemical agent includes a housing defined by first and second co-axial housing sections received in end-to-end engagement, a heating element in the second housing section. The heat supplied to the chemical agent is varied so that the rate of vaporization can be controlled. The first housing section includes a vented base portion and a wall portion connected to the base portion so as to define a recess for receiving a volatile chemical agent. The chemical agent or a carrier therefor is secured within the recess. The second housing section includes a solid base portion and a wall portion connected to the base portion. An electric heater element is imbedded within the base portion of the second housing section so that it is electrically isolated from the base surface. The wall portions of each section are received in co-axial engagement so that the chemical agent is adjacent to the heated base. The spacing is varied by relatively movable cooperating formations on the wall portions of the two housing sections which guide and facilitate movement of the first housing section with respect to the second housing section. In a preferred embodiment the cooperating formations are cooperating threads on the surfaces of the wall portions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for emitting a volatile chemical agent comprising:

a housing defined by first and second co-axial housing sections, said first housing section including a vented base portion and a wall portion connected to the base portion so as to define a recess for receiving said chemical agent, said first housing section further including means for securing said chemical agent within said recess, said second housing section including a base portion and a wall portion connected to the base portion;

heating means imbedded in said base portion of said second housing section so as to be electrically isolated from a surface of said base portion, said wall portion of said first housing section being removably received in engagement with said wall portion of said second housing section such that said chemical agent in said recess is enclosed within said housing and is positioned adjacent said heated base portion of said second housing section; and

means for varying an amount of heat supplied to said chemical agent so as to vary the rate of release of said chemical agent, said means for varying said heat comprising relatively movable cooperating formations on the wall portions of the first and second housing sections wherein said cooperating formations guide relative movement of said first and second housing sections and facilitate a change in a spacing between said heated base portion of said second housing section and said chemical agent received in said recess in said first housing section.

2. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the co-operating formations comprise screw threads.

3. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater means comprises at least one resistor.

4. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater means comprises a light output device which acts as a power indicator and a fuse.

5. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means for indicating the distance between the heater means and the container.

6. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises an absorbant material in order to absorb any chemical agent which may leak from the container.

7. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chemical agent comprises a fragrance.

8. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chemical agent comprises an insecticide.

9. An apparatus for releasing a chemical agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chemical agent is contained within a carrier, said apparatus including means for securing said carrier within said recess.