CN113197411A

CN113197411A - Portable device for atomizing a scented liquid substance

Info

Publication number: CN113197411A
Application number: CN202110126190.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·普莱斯蒂尼
Original assignee: Promee Inc
Current assignee: Promee Inc
Priority date: 2020-01-30
Filing date: 2021-01-29
Publication date: 2021-08-03
Also published as: IT202000001846A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to portable devices for atomizing scented liquid substances. Scented liquid substance, preferably essential oil, perfume, essential oil, perfume or fragrance from essential oil, in particular for cosmetic use, the device (100) comprising a container body (1) in which at least one battery (12), at least one electronic control circuit (17), at least one power switch (2) of the device (100), at least one activation button (4) of said device (100), at least one USB port (11) for charging said device (100), at least one motorized ventilation unit (14), at least one inlet (31) for sucking air, at least one outlet (6) for delivering an aerosolized liquid substance, at least one cartridge (20) comprising a vaporization/nebulization element (33), at least one tube (13) adapted to connect the cartridge (20) to the motorized ventilation unit (14), at least one electrical switch (2) of the device (100), at least one actuation button (4) of the device (100), and at least one electronic control unit (14) of the device (100) comprising a control unit (1) adapted to control the device (1) and/or to control the device (1) of the device (1) and/or (2) of the device(s) and/or(s) of the device(s) and/(s) of the type(s) and/or(s) of the type(s) and(s) of the type(s) is/(s) is/or(s) is/(s) for the type(s) for delivering(s), At least two electrical contacts 10 for connecting a vaporization/nebulization element (33) arranged in the cartridge (20) to an electronic control circuit (17).

Description

Portable device for atomizing a scented liquid substance

Technical Field

The present invention describes a portable device for atomizing a scented liquid substance, preferably an essential oil, a perfume, an essential oil, a perfume or a fragrance from an essential oil, in particular a scented liquid substance for cosmetic use.

Background

In fact, the need is particularly felt to perfume a person and/or the environment directly surrounding the person with particularly simple and easy-to-use devices.

Furthermore, the need for portable, easily rechargeable devices that can operate for long periods of time is increasingly felt, precisely because the user can use the device in any environment and continuously.

Perfuming is preferably carried out by using perfumes or fragrances obtained from essential oils extracted from plants, and generally by atomizing these with a device capable of atomizing them in a suitable manner.

According to the existing and traditional methods, this nebulization process is carried out by devices and apparatuses that are, of course, not portable, because of their size and their risks: in fact, the nebulizing devices known in the prior art for odoriferous liquid substances nebulize by combustion at high temperatures, which also leads to a deterioration of the fragrance itself. This type of combustion delivers an uncontrolled amount of fragrance in the air in the form of smoke, which is precisely generated by combustion.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic portable device for atomising a flavoured liquid substance that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and represents an improvement in one or more aspects of the technology.

Another object of the invention is to identify an electronic portable device adapted to atomize a scented liquid substance in order to scent a person and/or the environment surrounding the person.

Another object is to identify an electronic portable device for nebulizing a scented liquid substance that allows nebulization in a safe and controlled manner.

These and other objects are obtained by an electronic portable device for nebulizing a scented liquid substance as reported in the accompanying claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

In this specification, the terms atomization, vaporization and atomization are used indifferently, as they have the same meaning.

More precisely, the object of the present invention is an electronic portable device 100 for nebulizing a scented liquid substance, comprising a container body 1 inside which there are provided at least a battery 12, at least an electronic control circuit 17, at least an energizing switch 2 of said device 100, at least an activation button 4 of said device 100, at least a USB port 11 for charging said device 100, at least a motorized ventilation unit 14, at least an inlet 31 for sucking air, at least an outlet 6 for delivering the nebulized liquid substance, at least a cartridge 20 comprising a vaporization/nebulization element 33, at least a tube 13 adapted to connect the cartridge 20 to the motorized ventilation unit 14, at least two electrical contacts 10 for connecting the vaporization/nebulization element 33 provided in the cartridge 20 to the electronic control circuit 17.

In the device 100 according to the invention, the cartridge 20 comprises or is constituted by a tank 29 containing the liquid substance to be atomized, the vaporization/atomization element 33 comprising, in the vaporization chamber, a heating element 21, preferably a resistor 21 made of steel or other material chosen from chromium-aluminum-cobalt-heat-resistant steel (Kanthal) (family iron-chromium-aluminum alloy (FeCrAl)), titanium, Ni200, NiCr, arranged around a core 22 made of cotton or other material chosen from aramid (Kevlar), aramid or ceramic, suitable for conveying the liquid substance to be atomized onto the vaporization/atomization element 33.

The fragrancing liquid substance to be nebulized is in fact conveyed from the tank 29 to the centre of the nebulizer 33, i.e. to the heating and nebulizing element 21, by the material (for example cotton) 22 on which the resistor 21 is wound.

By activating device 100 with activation button 4, and at the same time activating resistor 21, it heats and atomizes the perfuming liquid substance, and motorised ventilation unit 14 pushes the atomized perfuming liquid substance out of device 100 through outlet 6 to deliver the atomized liquid substance.

According to the invention, the device 100 is controlled by an electronic control system 17 with a CPU, which allows to manage the nebulization process in qualitative and quantitative terms.

The device according to the invention has undoubted advantages with respect to the prior art of perfuming by combustion: which ensures a controlled flow and density of evaporation and the particular evaporation system does not alter the aroma of the perfuming liquid substance or perfume. Furthermore, the precise temperature management of the heating element ensures a constant fragrance effect in the fragrance.

Another extremely important advantage of the device according to the invention is that, instead of perfuming by combustion, it can be realized as a portable, pocket-sized, absolutely safe device for personal use.

Moreover, the cartridge 20 of the device according to the invention is an interchangeable disposable cartridge, preloaded in the device itself, which guarantees a constant efficiency of the device, in addition to allowing a high versatility of the device itself, which can be used by simply and continuously varying the perfuming liquid substance and thus the perfume vaporized.

With the interchangeable cartridge solution, each cartridge is characterized by containing a specific perfuming liquid substance, and the user can choose different perfuming according to personal, religious or other events.

The disposable, interchangeable cartridge also guarantees the quality characteristics of the scented liquid substance to be nebulized, both in terms of constancy of the formulation characteristics and for the safety of the user.

The device 100 according to the invention comprises a motorized ventilation unit 14, which may consist of at least one motorized fan 15 or a rotary or linear air compression system, the motorized fan 15 or rotary or linear air compression system being adapted to push the vaporized scented liquid substance out of the device 100 from the vaporization chamber of the nebulizing element 33. The speed of the motorized ventilation unit may be variable.

The device 100 according to the invention also comprises at least one USB port 11 capable of performing one or more of the following functions: charging the device by connecting to a power grid; charging the device by connecting to a Portable Computer (PC) or otherwise; the device is connected to a PC for exchanging data and the like.

Furthermore, the device 100 according to the invention can also be made with a "smart" version of the management and control Application (APP) which, in addition to checking the battery charge state and the possible cartridge consumption state, will allow managing each function of the device. Applications may also use "Wi-Fi" and "bluetooth" solutions for remotely managing and programming the device in all its functions and programming.

Furthermore, the invention can be satisfied for stand-alone use for perfuming the environment around a user (portable solutions, for example for tables, desks, bedside cabinets etc.).

Drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the upper surface of an embodiment of a portable device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the lower surface of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the left surface of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the front surface of the device of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a top view of the device of fig. 1 after removal of the cover and protective grid 7 shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-section along the line ZZ shown in FIG. 3 in a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-section along the line XX shown in FIG. 4 of a plan view of the lower surface of the device of FIG. 1;

figures 8a-8f show all views of the cartridge of the device of figure 1 according to the invention.

Detailed Description

As can be readily appreciated, there are various ways of actually implementing the invention, which is defined in its main advantageous aspects in the appended claims, and not limited to the following detailed description or the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, an electronic portable device for atomizing a scented liquid material, for purposes of the present invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 100.

The device 100 shown in fig. 1 comprises a container body 1 of substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners, preferably of limited dimensions for manufacturing pocket-sized portable devices. The container body 1 preferably has less than about 75cm³The volume of (a).

Fig. 1-5 show different views of the device 100, highlighted as follows:

in fig. 1, the upper surface of a device 100 according to the invention is shown, presenting an outlet 6 for delivering an aerosolized liquid substance, an activation button 4, a cover and a protective grille 7, an LED 5 that lights up when the device is activated;

in fig. 2, which shows the lower surface of the device 100, an optional opening 8 obtained on the external rear cover 9 can be seen, which allows checking the level of the fragranced liquid substance to be nebulized in the cartridge 20 (not visible in fig. 2) of the device 100;

in fig. 3, which shows the side of the device 100, there is shown a button 2 for powering the device 100 on and off and an LED indicator 3 (not visible in fig. 3) allowing checking of the battery charge level; said elements are also shown in fig. 1;

in fig. 4, which shows the front surface of the device 100, a USB port 11 for charging a battery and/or for connecting to a computer (PC) is shown. Said elements are also shown in fig. 1;

in fig. 5, in which the cover of the upper surface of the device 100 and the protective grille 7 have been removed, an inlet for sucking air 31 through the motorized ventilation unit 14 is shown, the motorized ventilation unit 14 not being shown in fig. 5.

As is evident from the illustration of the device 100 of fig. 6, the section of which highlights the main components of said device, the device 100 comprising a container body 1, a battery 12, an electronic circuit with a CPU 17, an energizing switch 2, an activation button 4, an LED 5 indicating when the device 100 is activated, three LED indicators 3 allowing to check the battery charge level, a USB port 11 for charging the device, a motorized ventilation unit 14 in the device of fig. 6 constituted by a fan 15, a tube 13 connecting the ventilation unit 14 to the cartridge 20 through a tube 16 and thus allowing the vaporized perfuming liquid substance to be pushed out through the outlet 6. The tube 13 is preferably made of silicone.

Also shown are two electrical contacts 10 connecting the heating element 21 of the cartridge 20 to the electronic circuit 17 with the CPU.

As shown in fig. 7, which shows the lower surface of the device, which is cut away to highlight the position of the cartridge 20 in the compartment 32, the container body 1 of the device 100 has a set of fixing screws 30 which delimit an inner lid element 19 located below an outer lid element 9, the outer lid element 9 not being shown in fig. 7, said lid element 9 in turn being fixed by at least two magnets 18 provided on the inner lid element 19.

The position of the cover element 9, when mounted, is shown in figure 2, in which the window 8 for detecting the level of the perfuming liquid substance to be atomized is also visible.

Fig. 8a-8f show the cassette 20 in different views and highlighted as follows:

in fact, in the device 100 according to the invention, in the portion of the body or compartment 32 of the container 1, below the outlet 6 for delivering the nebulized liquid substance, there is also a cartridge 20.

As shown in fig. 8a-8f, the cartridge 20 comprises a tank 29 containing the perfumed liquid substance to be vapourised, a tube 16 feeding air from the tube 13 connected to the motorised ventilation unit 14, and a vapourising/nebulising element 33 comprising a resistor 21 wound outside the wick 22, two electrical contacts 25 and associated connections 26, a series of filling holes 23, and an associated cap 24 adapted to allow filling of the tank 29 of the cartridge 20 with the perfumed liquid substance to be nebulised.

Furthermore, the cartridge 20 comprises two silicone gaskets 28, which seal two housings containing a tank 29 of the liquid to be atomized; there are also two silicone seals 27 to prevent the perfuming liquid substances present in the tank 29 during transport from leaking from the outlet 6. These seals 27, which are placed when the cartridge 20 is manufactured, block the transfer of liquid from the tank 29 to the atomizer 33. To use the cartridge, the user must tear these seals 27 to allow the transfer of the perfuming liquid substance from the tank 29 to the vaporizing/nebulizing element 33.

The cartridge 20 provides an outlet for the discharge of the vaporized liquid substance, coinciding with the outlet 6 provided on the body 1 of the device 100.

The device according to the invention is used as follows.

First, the power-on button, i.e., the laterally arranged switch 2, is pressed for about two seconds to power on the device 100. When the battery charging is completed, the three LEDs 3 disposed on the same side of the switch 2 are lit in a steady mode. These LEDs also indicate the battery charge level and periodically flash when the battery is in a charging mode.

More precisely, if the battery charge level is such that the power is less than 30% when the device is powered on, the single LED remains on;

if the battery charge level is such that the power is comprised between 30% and 70%, then both LEDs are lit;

if the battery charge level is such that the power exceeds 70%, then three LEDs are lit;

when the battery drops below 3.2V, the start button blinks a predetermined number of times, for example fifteen times, and the device stops and enters standby mode. The device must then be connected to a suitable energy source for battery charging. When the battery is charged, no function is active.

When the battery has been fully charged, the three LEDs, the battery charge indicator, blink a predetermined number of times (e.g., ten times), and then remain on as long as the device remains on.

Once the device is powered on, by pressing the activation button 4, the motorised fan 15 and the vaporisation/atomisation element 33 will be activated simultaneously and automatically, and the vaporised scented material will be expelled from the outlet, the aperture 6, allowing the device to dispense perfume, the desired fragrance, on the user or in the environment.

In case the device is not activated for 5 minutes, it will automatically switch off and the activation switch 2 must be pressed again to restart.

The device according to the invention can be operated interchangeably manually and automatically.

The selection of the operating mode of the device can be made by quickly pressing the start button 4 twice. The alarm lamp 5 of the activation button 4 will flash twice to confirm that the selected mode has been activated (manual or automatic).

If the device is operated in manual vaporisation mode, the primer button 4 may remain pressed to continue vaporisation for a maximum time of five seconds. In this way, the flow of vaporized perfuming substance can be activated when required, and for a shorter or longer time. If the start button 4 is kept pressed for more than five seconds, the warning lamp 5 of the start button 4 blinks a predetermined number of times (for example, eight times) to warn the user that the maximum vaporization time (five seconds) has been exceeded, and then the apparatus stops.

In the case of operation of the device according to the automatic vaporisation mode pre-selected as described above, the actuation button 4 must be pressed and released rapidly (within 0.5 seconds); thus, the automatic circulation vaporization is activated for five seconds, and then the apparatus is stopped.

In the electronic panel of the device according to the invention, there is a safety thermostat which manages the operating temperature of the device during the vaporisation phase. Which, in addition to controlling the temperature during the vaporization cycle, also controls the temperature peak of the hot part of the vaporization/atomization element 33, i.e. of the heating element or resistor 21. When the perfuming liquid substance present in the tank 29 ends, the temperature of the resistor 21 of the vaporizing/nebulizing element 33 tends to rise, since it is no longer wetted by the liquid substance, and the thermostat switches the device to standby mode, while the fan 15 remains rotating to ensure cooling of the vaporizing/nebulizing element 33. By pressing the start button 4 again, the device is automatically switched off in case the cartridge 20 is not replaced. This function therefore also signals the need to replace the now empty cassette 20.

Typically, the factory settings of the device according to the invention are in manual mode.

When the cartridge 20 is properly mounted in the device according to the present invention, the power-on button 2 blinks a predetermined number of times (e.g., three times) and indicates that the device is ready for use.

On the other hand, when the cartridge 20 is not properly mounted in the apparatus, the power-on button 2 blinks a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times), and the apparatus remains on standby.

In the case where the cartridge 20 is properly mounted in the apparatus but the apparatus is short-circuited, the power-on button 2 blinks a predetermined number of times (e.g., six times) and the apparatus remains on standby.

The insertion of the cartridge 20 into the device according to the invention is achieved by removing the cover or back cover element 9 of the device, which is held by the magnet 18. In a cartridge compartment 32 suitably obtained in the container body 1, the cartridge 20 is inserted, together with the selected perfume/fragrance, contained in a sealed package.

The cartridge 20 is preferably positioned in the compartment 32 when a proper fit with the contacts 10 and the air tubes 13 is achieved. It is also important that the ejection strip 31 of the cartridge 20 (shown in fig. 7) is disposed entirely on the base of the device, leaving the flap outside the compartment 32. Removal and replacement of the cassette can thus be achieved very simply by pulling the flap of the tape 31. The now empty cartridge 20 automatically leaves compartment 32 and the device according to the invention is ready to contain a new cartridge 20 containing the same perfuming liquid substance or a different perfuming liquid substance.

The described embodiments overcome the limitations of the prior art. In particular, the described portable electronic device allows to realize an efficient portable electronic device, preferably pocket-sized, for vaporizing scented liquid substances, such as essential oils, perfumes, essential oils, perfumes or fragrances from essential oils, preferably OUD extracted oil.

Moreover, the presence of an electronic control system allows to optimize the management of the nebulization process, both qualitatively and quantitatively, ensuring a controlled flow and density of vaporization, without altering the fragrance of the perfuming liquid substances or fragrances, and with a constant perfuming effect in perfuming.

Another extremely important advantage of the device according to the invention is that, instead of perfuming by combustion, it can be realized as a portable, pocket-sized, absolutely safe device for personal use. In fact, the electronic control system allows continuous control of all the safety parameters of the device.

Moreover, the cartridge of the device according to the invention is an interchangeable cartridge, which guarantees a constant efficiency of the device, in addition to allowing a high versatility of the device itself, which itself can be used by simply changing the cartridge to continuously change the perfuming liquid substance and thus the vaporized perfume.

Moreover, the specific position of the exit aperture of the vaporized perfuming substance allows to direct the vaporized stream directly to the person using it, thus having a precise direction of the perfumed vaporized stream to achieve an effective personal perfuming of the person.

Claims

1. An electronic portable device (100) for nebulizing a scented liquid substance, comprising a container body (1) inside which there are arranged at least one battery (12), at least one electronic control circuit (17), at least one power switch (2) of the device (100), at least one activation button (4) of the device (100), at least one USB port (11) for charging the device (100), at least one motorized ventilation unit (14), at least one inlet (31) for sucking air, at least one outlet (6) for delivering a nebulized liquid substance, at least one cartridge (20) comprising a vaporization/nebulization element (33), at least one tube (13) suitable for connecting the cartridge (20) to the motorized ventilation unit (14), at least one tube (13) for connecting a vaporization/nebulization element (33) arranged in the cartridge (20) to the electronic control circuit (17) At least two electrical contacts 10.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge (20) comprises or consists of a tank (29) containing the liquid substance to be atomized, the vaporization/atomization element (33) comprising, in a vaporization chamber, a heating element (21), preferably a resistor (21) made of steel or other material chosen from chrome-aluminum-cobalt heat-resistant steel, titanium, Ni200, NiCr, arranged around a core (22) made of cotton or other material chosen from aramid, aramid or ceramic, suitable for delivering the liquid substance to be atomized onto the vaporization/atomization element (33).

3. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is pocket-sized portable or intended for home use.

4. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an electronic controller (17) is configured to manage the nebulization process, preferably to manage and control the heating temperature and nebulization flow, and to control device safety parameters.

5. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (20) is disposable, pre-filled, interchangeable, comprising a liquid substance to be nebulized.

6. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid substance to be nebulized is selected from an essential oil, a perfume, an essential oil, a perfume or a fragrance from an essential oil, preferably OUD extracted oil.

7. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said motorized ventilation unit (14) is selected from a motorized fan (15) or a rotary or linear air compression system, the motorized fan (15) or rotary or linear air compression system being adapted to push the vaporized scented liquid substance out of the device from the vaporization chamber, preferably a motorized fan (15).

8. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed of the motorized ventilation unit (14) is variable.

9. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the USB port (11) is configured to charge the device by connecting to an electrical grid or a Portable Computer (PC) or the like, and to connect the device to a PC for exchanging data or the like.

10. The apparatus (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is configured to interface with a management and control Application (APP) for remote management and programming of the apparatus functions.