阅读说明：本技术 便携式热法昆虫驱避剂系统 (Portable hot insect repellent system ) 是由 斯蒂芬·J·夏皮罗 查尔斯·A·劳克林 亚当·A·霍伊纳茨基 杰克·M·唐纳利 于 2018-07-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种气化器,该气化器用于与容纳挥发性液体的带芯件的贮存器一起使用。贮存器具有围绕芯件对称地设置并且延伸超过芯件的高度的多个引导构件。气化器具有容纳电池的基部和容纳加热器的可移除的罩。将罩附接至基部对于在电池和加热器之间建立电连接而言是必要的。仅当加热器和芯件被适当地对准后引导构件才能配装到罩中的凹部中,并且除非引导构件和芯件分别与凹部和加热器适当地对准,否则加热器无法与电池进行电连接。(A vaporizer is provided for use with a wicked reservoir containing a volatile liquid. The reservoir has a plurality of guide members symmetrically disposed about the core and extending beyond the height of the core. The vaporizer has a base housing the battery and a removable cover housing the heater. Attaching the cover to the base is necessary to establish an electrical connection between the battery and the heater. The guide member can be fitted into the recess in the cover only when the heater and the wick are properly aligned, and the heater cannot be electrically connected to the battery unless the guide member and the wick are properly aligned with the recess and the heater, respectively.)

1. A vaporizer for use with a reservoir containing a volatile liquid, the reservoir having a wick disposed therein, the wick having a lower portion in contact with the volatile liquid, an upper portion projecting from the reservoir, and a plurality of guide members symmetrically disposed about the wick and extending beyond the height of the wick, the vaporizer comprising:

a base having a first recess within which the reservoir fits closely;

a battery disposed within the base; and

a cover having a cartridge heater disposed therein, the cover being closable on or securable to the base and adapted to establish a functional electrical connection between the battery and the heater when the cover is closed on or secured to the base, and the cover having an interior within which a plurality of guide recesses are disposed; wherein, when the reservoir is operatively fitted into the first recess and the cover is closed on or secured to the base, each of the plurality of guide members is fitted within one of the plurality of guide recesses and the wick is centrally disposed within the heater; and

wherein, when the reservoir is fitted into the first recess in an inoperable manner, the guide member cannot be fitted within the guide recess and the cover cannot be closed on or secured to the base;

thus, if the wick is not centrally disposed within the heater, the cover cannot be closed or secured to the base on the base and a functional electrical connection cannot be established between the heater and the battery.

2. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the hood is closed or secured to form a conductive path between the heater and the cells.

3. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein closing or securing the cover to the base causes closing of a switch that allows current to flow between the battery and the heater.

4. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the battery is a disposable battery.

5. The gasifier of claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

6. A gasifier in accordance with claim 5 wherein said battery is rechargeable on-site.

7. The vaporizer of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller and firmware adapted to control the temperature of the heater.

8. The gasifier of claim 7 wherein the firmware is programmed to enter a rapid heating mode when the heater is started from a cold state.

9. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the first recess is shaped to define a channel for passage of air between the reservoir and an interior of the first recess.

10. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the opening in the upper surface of the hood defines an airway through which the volatile substance will exit the vaporizer after being vaporized from the wick by operation of the heater, the top of the airway being provided with a raised rim extending above the upper surface of the hood.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to devices for dispensing volatile materials for repelling insects.

Background

Hunters, campers, hikers and backpackers, as well as suburban residents attempting to enjoy their backyard and terrace, are often attacked by mosquitoes, black flies and other biting insects. Insect repellents and insect killers are among the most common weapons employed to counteract such attacks. The prior art discloses devices that utilize a fuel tank to supply fuel to a burner which in turn heats and vaporizes an insect repellent or insecticide composition. Representative devices are described in U.S. patent nos. 4,699,123, 5,700,430, and 9,497,958 and references therein. The entire contents of each of these prior patents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The devices described in the above patents use an inert porous pad that is impregnated with a repellent or insecticide composition, also known as an active ingredient or volatile. The pad rests on a heating plate and serves as a reservoir for the composition as it is gradually volatilized by the applied heat. Because of the limited amount of material that can be impregnated into a single pad, the device is correspondingly limited in the amount of insect repellent or insecticide that can be used. Gas tanks also present a problem for passengers traveling by aircraft, since airlines typically prohibit carrying compressed gas on board a passenger aircraft.

Thus, there is a need for a device with a higher volatile content that will provide extended operating time and less physical waste to reduce waste and enable a user to travel with the device by airplane. An alternative to the heating pad is a wick-based volatilization system in which a reservoir of liquid volatiles of any size can be provided. A porous wick in the reservoir absorbs the liquid that is wicked to the vaporization region, which can be heated to an appropriate degree. Representative examples of the latter technique commonly used in the manufacture of room air fresheners can be found in U.S. Pat. nos. 4,913,350, 5,591,395, 6,123,935, 6,917,754, 6,931,202, and the references cited in these U.S. patents. The entire contents of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Disclosure of Invention

The device of the present invention is a vaporizer that employs a reservoir of volatile liquid insect repellant and/or insect repellant (referred to herein as "volatiles"), a wick that carries the liquid to a vaporization region, and an electric heater in the vaporization region adjacent the wick. The battery is connected to the heater and energizes the heater under appropriate control.

The device has at least two configurations: the user is able to remove and/or install the open configuration of the reservoir, and the closed or operational configuration with the reservoir locked in place with the wick centered within the heater. The wick is preferably built into the reservoir, providing the user with the convenience of removing and installing only a single item. The replaceable removable cover protects the wick and seals the reservoir during shipping and storage and can be replaced each time the reservoir is removed from the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir is shaped to fit in a complementary recess in the device, the fit being sufficiently precise to ensure that the wick is centred within the heater when the device is placed in the operating configuration. Improper placement of the reservoir and absence of the reservoir are preferably detected by an electrical or mechanical interlock that prevents the device from being in an operational configuration and prevents the heater from being energized until the reservoir is properly inserted. The reservoir is also preferably shaped or modified to at least partially surround the core, thereby protecting the core from physical damage.

The device has an on/off switch for convenient operation of the heater and preferably also a multi-position switch. The multi-position switch enables a "lock" mode in which accidental activation of the "on/off" switch does not activate the heater, an "on mode" and a "timer mode" to be achieved; in the "on mode" the "on/off switch activates the heater, in the" timer mode "pressing the on/off switch initiates the timed run.

An aspect of the present invention is the ability to precisely control the current flowing to the heating element, thereby generating a temperature in the vaporization region that is high enough to vaporize the volatiles at a rate that maintains an effective and consistent concentration of volatiles in the ambient air. Effective control of electricity is an important safety aspect and is a performance feature of the device, as users are generally unable to judge what is the appropriate release rate of volatiles. Excessive heating beyond the optimum temperature wastes energy and will prematurely drain the battery. The device of the present invention provides the required control while providing the user with the simplicity and convenience of the on/off operation.

The device of the present invention also has an air channel that establishes a convective air flow that actively carries volatilized material up and out of the device. This gas flow helps to minimize material loss due to condensation on cooler sections of the plant and enhances the operation of the plant.

Drawings

The gasifier of the present invention is shown in more detail in the illustrative drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the cover, reservoir and base of the device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base of fig. 1 from a higher angle.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of some of the elements within the cover, the perspective view showing the heater.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the base of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the base of the device.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base of fig. 5.

Detailed Description

At its broadest, the present invention provides a portable, battery-powered vaporizer 8 for vaporizing volatile material from a cored reservoir 8 by hot gas. The use of electrical energy allows for rapid and accurate control of the volatilization rate.

More specifically, the present invention provides a vaporizer for use with a removable and replaceable reservoir containing a volatile liquid. The reservoir has a wick disposed therein having a lower portion in contact with the volatile liquid and an upper portion extending from the reservoir. The gasifier generally comprises the following elements: (1) a base having a first recess within which the reservoir fits snugly; (2) a battery housed within the base; and (3) a housing within which is a cartridge heater.

The cover can be closed on the base (or can be secured to the base) and a functional electrical connection is established between the battery and the heater when the cover is closed on or secured to the base. As used herein, "establishing a functional electrical connection" includes a conductive path formed directly between the heater and the battery through an electrical joint, e.g., via mating of a plug in the cover with a complementary socket in the base, and a connection made indirectly, e.g., by closing a switch, thereby allowing current to flow between the battery and the heater.

The reservoir has two or more protruding guide members arranged substantially symmetrically around the wick and extending vertically beyond the height of the wick. The guide members fit closely within complementary guide recesses in the cover and when the guide members are fitted within these guide recesses, the relative positions of the reservoir and the cover become fixed so that the wick is centrally disposed within the heater. If the guide member is not fitted into the guide recess, the cover cannot be properly aligned with the reservoir and/or the base, and the cover cannot be closed on or secured to the base.

When the cover is closed on or secured to the base, a functional electrical connection between the heater and the battery will be established, but this will only occur if the cover and reservoir are accurately aligned and the wick is centrally disposed within the heater. Conversely, if the wick is not centrally disposed within the heater, a functional electrical connection cannot be established.

The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of three major components in a representative embodiment of the invention. The base 12 accommodates a battery 13 and has a recess 14, the reservoir 11 fitting tightly in the recess 14. For convenience, the on/off switch 15 is located on the front of the base. Mounted in the reservoir 11 is a wick 16 which extends into the interior of the reservoir (not shown). The liquid volatiles contained within the reservoir are directed out of the reservoir by capillary action and to the upper end of the wick 16. In addition to this, the reservoir is sealed, which prevents the user from coming into contact with the liquid contents, which could be a serious irritation of the skin. The liquid contents are also strong organic solvents and the sealed reservoir prevents spillage or leakage and thus damage to the finished surface and plastic articles.

In this embodiment, the reservoir has a wing 17 extending vertically beyond the wick 16. The wings 17 serve to protect the wick from impact and physical damage and, by fitting closely within guide recesses in the shroud 10, also serve as guide members for aligning the reservoir with the heater (see below) so that the wick 16 is centred within the heater barrel. The reservoir has a circular bottom into which the wick extends completely to minimize the residual, unused liquid when the reservoir is depleted. A heater containing cap 10 fits over the top of the reservoir and wick. An air duct 18 is provided in the central part of the mask and serves to direct volatilised material away from the vaporisation region and into the surrounding air. The airway is preferably topped with a raised edge 19, which raised edge 19 extends a small distance (on the order of 0.5mm to 2.0 mm) above the upper surface of the mask 10. The raised edges serve to minimize contact of the heated and volatilized material with the surface of the cover, thereby preventing or minimizing cooling and condensation of the volatile material on the cover. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved surface of the mask further helps prevent condensation by increasing the effective height of the airway opening above the surface.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base 12 showing the reservoir recess 14 more clearly, and also showing the electrical junction 20 through which electrical power is transferred from the battery to the heater located within the housing 20. The battery may be of any suitable type, including a disposable battery, but the most preferred type is a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Preferably, the battery is rechargeable in the field (without being removed), and the base includes suitable charging electronics. In a preferred embodiment, the charging electronics meet the USB "BC 1.1" charging specification and can recharge the device via a standard USB dedicated charging port.

In fig. 3, some of the components of the heating system located within the enclosure 10 are shown in operational alignment with the reservoir 1. The central element is a heater cartridge 30, the heater cartridge 30 surrounding the wick and being resistively heated by current from the battery. When the wick is heated to operating temperature, the volatiles in the wick are vaporized and expelled through the air passage opening 18. Convection alone is sufficient to disperse an effective amount of insect repellent, although an optional fan, also powered by batteries, may be used if desired. Convection can be enhanced by providing an air channel that directs air into the bottom of the heater cartridge 30 and through the wick 16. Temperature control of the heater may be maintained by firmware installed in the microcontroller, and may be achieved by response to feedback from a thermistor (thermistor). The controller may step up or down the voltage or current in an attempt to find a steady state at the target temperature, or in other embodiments, may turn on and off the power to the heater in response to a temperature deviation that exceeds a predetermined range. In other embodiments, the heat output may be calculated from the measured power consumption, and the current adjusted accordingly based on a known relationship between power loss and heater temperature. In some embodiments, the target temperature may be adjusted to different values to facilitate volatilization of different substances, or to adjust the volatilization rate.

The firmware is preferably programmed to enter a high current, rapid heating mode whenever the heater begins from a cold or relatively cold state. The device is made to respond faster, with less lag between demand and result, by avoiding extended warm-up periods where volatiles are not vaporized from the wick. The reduction in unproductive heating time also improves the energy efficiency of the device.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the vaporizer 8 and the base 2, showing the multi-position mode switch 40. As mentioned above, the mode switch enables the device to be placed in a "locked" mode in which accidental activation of the on/off switch will not activate the heater. A second "on mode" allows the on/off switch to activate and deactivate the heater; and a third "timer mode" enables the device to perform a pre-programmed timed run that terminates in an automatic shut-off. In this mode, pressing the on/off switch initiates the timed run, and in some embodiments, the device may allow the user to set the length of the timed run.

Fig. 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the base of the device. In this embodiment, an open port 50 is provided at the base of the device. When the device is in operation, air is drawn into the recess 14 of the device through the port 50 driven by convection caused by the heater 30. The position of the reservoir 11 when installed is shown in dashed lines. The central, rectangular portion of the recess 14 has a greater width than the reservoir, thereby providing an open channel 60 for air to flow upwardly through the reservoir 11.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base shown in fig. 5. The channel 60 may have any width that allows air to pass through, and preferably is between 1mm and 10mm, more preferably between 2mm and 5mm, between the recess 14 and the sides of the reservoir 1. In an alternative embodiment, two channels may be provided, one on each side of the reservoir. A void area 61 is provided to allow air to flow under the base and into the port 50.

It is to be understood that the preferred embodiments are described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.