Evaporator device

• US 6,580,875 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Rymer, Shaun
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US10/160,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20030007787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 392/386, 392/387, 392/390, 392/392, 392/394, 392/395, 122/366, 261/DIG.65
• US Class Current: 392/395
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick

Abstract

A container for containing a liquid has a single opening through which extends a porous wick. The wick extends into the liquid. A portion of the wick extends out of the container through a tubular shield and a generally annular electric heater. The heater is movable between a first position, where the shield is disposed between the heater and the wick, and a second position, where the shield is not so disposed, so as to enable a supply of heat from the heater to the wick to be regulated.

Claims

1. An evaporator device adapted to receive a container for containing a liquid to be evaporated, the container having a wick having a first part disposed in the container and a second part extending outside of the container, the device comprising a shield which partially covers the second part of the wick, and a heater for heating the second part of the wick, when present, the heater being relatively movable between a first relative position where the shield is disposed between the heater and the wick, when present, and a second relative position where the shield is not so disposed, so as to enable a supply of heat from the heater to the wick, when present, to be regulated.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the shield varies in a direction of relative movement of the heater.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control which is operable from outside the device to regulate the relative movement of the heater.

4. An evaporator device adapted to receive a container for containing a liquid to be evaporated, the container having a wick having a first part disposed in the container and a second part extending outside of the container, a shield partially covering the second part of the wick, the device comprising a heater for heating the second part of the wick, when present, the heater being relatively movable between a first relative position where the shield is disposed between the heater and the wick, when present, and a second relative position where the shield is not so disposed, so as to enable a supply of heat from the heater to the wick, when present, to be regulated.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the shield varies in a direction of relative movement of the heater.

6. The device according to claim 4, further comprising a control which is operable from outside the device to regulate the relative movement of the heater.

7. An evaporator device comprising a container for containing a liquid, a wick having a first part disposed in the container and a second part extending outside of the container, a heater for heating the second part of the wick, and a shield, wherein the heater is relatively movable between a first relative position where the shield is disposed between the heater and wick and a second relative position where the shield is not so disposed, so as to enable a supply of heat from the heater to the wick to be regulated.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein a thickness of the shield varies in a direction of relative movement of the heater.

9. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a control which is operable from outside the device to regulate the relative movement of the heater.