Electrically heated vapor dispensing apparatus

• US 6,085,026 A
• Filed: 06/19/1996
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Incorporated (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Incorporated (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Patel, Manhar, Hammons, Randall Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US08/665,856
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 392/386, 392/387, 392/390, 219/541, 219/542, 219/543, 219/544, 338/22 R, 338/243, 338/248, 338/273, 338/276
• US Class Current: 392/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor

Abstract

An electrically heated apparatus for dispensing fragrancing materials and other volatile substances to an enclosed volume such as the interior of a room which includes a base having a base portion which is generally planar in structure having a top surface, and a bottom surface from which extends perpendicularly two (or more) suitably dimensioned electrical plugs. The base portion further includes incorporated within its construction a heating means which, when the electrical plugs are connected to a suitable electrical source, said heating means is energized, resulting in the heating of the base portion. Further, the base portion of the invention includes a radiator means. The apparatus further includes a volatile substance container which contains a quantity of a volatile substance such as a fragrance or perfume, a disinfecting composition, or an insecticide. The radiator means provides a surprisingly uniform temperature across the top surface of the base portion.

Claims

1. An electrically heated apparatus for dispensing fragrancing materials and other volatile substances to an enclosed volume comprising:

a base having a base portion which is generally planar in structure having a top surface, and a bottom surface from which extends perpendicularly two or more electrical plugs, an electronic resistor device incorporated within the base portion, the electronic resistor device having two leads, a first least in electrically conductive contact with a first of the electrical plugs, and a second lead in electrically conductive contact with a second of the electrical plugs;

a radiator having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface which is layered in registered with the top surface of the base portion; and

,

a container element which contains a quantity of a volatile substance, layered in register with the top surface of the radiator.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the radiator is a metal plate, foil or film.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the volatile substance is in a liquid form, in a solid, or in a semi-solid, or paste-like form.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container element is a block of a porous material.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the porous material is a porous polymeric material.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the porous material is a porous ceramic material.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the porous ceramic material is selected from nonmetallic, inorganic materials containing high proportions of silicon, silicon oxide, or silicates.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the porous ceramic material selected from clays, porcelains, terra cotta, talc, and cements.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container element is a porous, fibrous material.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container element includes a volatile substance selected from the group consisting of fragrances, perfumes, disinfecting compositions, and insecticides.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes a shell adapted to completely confine the container element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the shell includes one or more passages passing therethrough.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electronic resistor device is rated from between 0.1 and 2.0 watts, and has a resistance in the range of from 1 to 100,000 Ohms.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base is formed of a polymeric material and the electronic resistor device is wholly encased within the base portion.

15. A process for delivering a volatile substance to an enclosed volume which comprises the process steps of:

(a) providing an electrically heated apparatus for dispensing fragrancing materials and other volatile substances to an enclosed volume comprising;

a base having a base portion which is generally planar in structure having a top surface, and a bottom surface from which extends perpendicularly two or more electrical plugs, an electronic resistor device incorporated within the base portion, the electronic resistor device having two leads, a first least in electrically conductive contact with a first of the electrical plugs, and a second lead in electrically conductive contact with a second of the electrical plugs;

a radiator having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface which is layered in registered with the top surface of the base portion; and

,

a container element which contains a quantity of a volatile substance, layered in register with the top surface of the radiator,

(b) connecting the electrical plugs into an electrical wall outlet within the enclosed volume and thereby heating the electronic resistor device and volatilizing the fragrancing materials or volatile substance.