Method and apparatus for dispersing a volatile composition

• US 6,877,271 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC), University of Southampton
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC), University of Southampton
• Inventors: Fox, Rodney Thomas, Whitmore, Lindsey Faye, Harrison, Neale Mark, Knapp, Jennifer Jane, Hughes, John Farrell
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Teri P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRINH T
• Application Number:
  US10/774,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20040154214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 431/24, 431/25, 431/321, 361/225, 361/226, 361/230, 361/231, 361/232
• US Class Current: 43/124
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/02 with devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2033 using a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2044 Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2055 Holders or dispensers for solid, gelified or impregnated insecticide, e.g. volatile blocks or impregnated pads
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/223 by using electrocution
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/012 Flying insects
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/22 Ionisation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for dispersing a volatile composition, which method comprises dispersing the volatile composition into an air steam; and generating an ion wind, thereby causing the molecules of the composition to become electrically charged. The composition can be an insect repellent, an insecticide, an anti-microbial, an anti-allergenic or a room-fragrancing composition

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispersing a volatile composition into the atmosphere, which apparatus comprises a housing of an electrically insulating material which is in communication with the atmosphere outside the housing, the housing containing:

a source of a volatile composition; and

means for generating an ion wind comprising a first electrode and a second electrode spaced therefrom to define a region therebetween such that, when a dc electrical field is created in said region, the ion wind facilitates the dispersal of the source of the volatile composition into the atmosphere and causes molecules of the volatile composition to become charged,

the source of the volatile composition being disposed in the housing downstream of the first and second electrodes.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where in the first electrode has at least one sharp edge or point.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second electrode is a ring electrode, a tubular electrode, a grid electrode, or a combination of one or more thereof.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second electrode is earthed.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the source of the volatile composition is provided as a slow release formulation.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted to run from an electrical mains supply or light bulb socket.

7. An apparatus as claimed claim 1 which is adapted to run from a battery or a motor vehicle lighter socket.