WO2021073896A1

WO2021073896A1 - Device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, in particular for an aroma diffuser, comprising means for sealing a removable scent cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2021073896A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/077644
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guillaume Rolland; Misha NESARATNAM
Original assignee: Produits Berger
Priority date: 2019-10-15
Filing date: 2020-10-02
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Also published as: FR3101778A1

Abstract

The invention proposes a device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma or of a scent comprising an interior circuit for the forced circulation of an airflow, a housing (74) for receiving a removable cartridge (C) which comprises a case in which there is housed a support for storing an aromatic or scented substance or composition and the wall of which comprises an inlet opening and an opposite outlet opening, a sealed-closure sleeve (90) which is mounted with the ability to move with respect to the housing (74) between a raised rest position in which the sleeve (90) cooperates with the housing (74) so as to delimit a sealed internal cavity (98) in which the support is enclosed, and a lowered active position that allows an airflow to pass through the case (130), and at least one controlled actuator of the movements of the sealing sleeve (90).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, in particular for an aroma diffuser, comprising means for sealing a removable scent cartridge

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, of a scent or of a scented composition.

The invention relates in particular to an aroma diffuser device capable of awakening a user or helping them to fall asleep, using an aroma or a scent. The invention relates to a device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, in particular for an aroma diffuser for awakening a user, helping them to fall asleep and maintaining the quality of their sleep, comprising means for sealing a removable scent cartridge.

Technical background Document FR-A1 -3.007.540 describes and illustrates a device for awakening an individual using an aroma, which comprises a clock module and an aroma diffuser device and in which a signal coming from the clock module may, through interpretation of this signal, initiate the diffusion of an aroma via the aroma diffuser device and thus awaken the user through their sense of smell. The diffusion device is made up of a blower, of a dose carrier impregnated with an aromatic substance which is introduced into the aroma diffuser device via a slot and of a controlled-diffusion duct which is opened when the smell-based alarm is switched on.

To improve such a device, document FR-A1 -3.070.272 has proposed a design of a removable cartridge or capsule for storing the aromatic substance which comprises a case in which a support for storing an aromatic or scented substance or composition is housed, and the wall of which comprises at least one inlet opening and an opposite outlet opening for the passage of an airflow through the case.

It is an object of the present invention to perfect such a type of diffuser device to avoid unwanted untimely diffusion of the aroma from the device when the latter is switched off.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes a device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, of a scent or of a scented composition, comprising :

- an interior circuit for the forced circulation of an airflow;

- a housing, arranged in the said circuit, for receiving a removable cartridge;

- a cartridge that is removable, in the position of use in the housing, which comprises a case in which there is housed a support storing an aromatic or scented substance or composition, and the wall of which comprises at least one inlet opening and an opposite outlet opening for the passage of an airflow through the case;

- a sealed-closure sleeve which is mounted with the ability to move with respect to the housing between: ^* a raised rest position in which the sleeve cooperates with the housing or with a complementary part of the case of the cartridge in the position of use, so as to delimit a sealed internal cavity in which the support is enclosed, and ^* a lowered active position that allows an airflow to pass through the case;

- and at least one controlled actuator of the movements of the sleeve, between its rest position and its active position.

According to other features of the device:

- the housing is formed in a tube for receiving the cartridge, in which tube a solid sealing-wall portion of the case of the cartridge is housed in a sealed manner when the cartridge is in the position of use; - the sleeve comprises an open face through which the case is able to move with respect to the sleeve and which is delimited by an annular end edge; and

- in the rest position of the sleeve, the annular edge of the sleeve cooperates with an annular sealing surface of the housing to delimit the said sealed internal cavity;

- the sealing sleeve is mounted with the ability to slide axially with respect to the receiving tube between its rest position and a retracted active position of the sleeve with respect to the cartridge;

- the device comprises guide means for guiding the movements of the sealing sleeve, and the actuator is connected to the sleeve by a rack and pinion connection;

- the actuator is a wax cylinder; - the device comprises a closed external casing comprising:

- an inlet grid admitting air into the interior circulation circuit;

- an outlet grid for aromatised or scented air leaving the interior circulation circuit;

- an orifice for the insertion of a removable cartridge, in the position of use, into the housing for receiving the cartridge;

- the said orifice is connected to one end of the tube for receiving the cartridge;

- in the rest position of the sleeve, the annular end edge of the sleeve cooperates with an annular sealing surface arranged at the other end of the tube for receiving the cartridge;

- the case comprises a planar inlet face in which at least one inlet opening is formed and a parallel planar opposite outlet face in which at least one outlet opening is formed.

The invention also proposes a removable cartridge for a device according to the invention of which the case comprises a planar inlet face in which at least one inlet opening is formed and a parallel planar opposite outlet face in which at least one outlet opening is formed.

Brief description of the figures

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent while reading the detailed description which follows, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: [Fig.1 ] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, of a scent or of a scented composition, in particular for awakening its user, helping them to get to sleep and maintaining the quality of their sleep, in which figure illustrates a removable cartridge in the position of use in the device;

[Fig.2] - Figure 2 is a perspective view, from another viewpoint, of the device of Figure 1 , without a cartridge in the device;

[Fig.3] - Figure 3 is a perspective view in section, on a vertical and longitudinal midplane, of the device of Figure 2; [Fig.3] - Figure 3 is a view in section, on a vertical and longitudinal midplane, of the device of Figure 1 in which figure the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the lowered active position;

[Fig.4] - Figure 4 is a view in section, on a vertical and longitudinal midplane, of the device of Figure 2, in which figure the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the lowered active position;

[Fig.5] - Figure 5 is a detail view on a larger scale of certain components illustrated in Figure 4 and in which the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the raised rest position;

[Fig.6] - Figure 6 is a view in section on a vertical and transverse plane passing through the vertical midplane of the cartridge, of some of the components of the device, and in which the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the raised rest position;

[Fig.7] - Figure 7 is a perspective view from beneath of the components of the device which are illustrated in Figure 6, and in which figure the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the lowered active position;

[Fig.8] - Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, in which the sealing sleeve is illustrated in the raised rest position;

[Fig.9] - Figure 9 is a lateral detail view illustrating the sealing sleeve and the key components of its motorised actuating system; [Fig.10] - Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the key components of the technical module of the device illustrated in the preceding figures;

[Fig.11 ] - Figure 11 is a perspective view from above of the lower half framework of the technical module of the device; [Fig.12] - and Figure 12 is a view on a larger scale, in perspective and in section on a vertical and longitudinal midplane, of the case of a removable cartridge or capsule able to be received in the diffuser device.

Detailed description of the invention

For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted non-limiting, and without limiting reference to the gravitational field of the Earth, according to the frame of reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, in which the longitudinal axis L and transverse axis T extend in a horizontal plane.

By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from the rear forwards and in the direction in which a flow of air that is to be diffused passes through the device.

In the following description, elements that are identical, similar or analogous will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the following description, the diffuser device has overall symmetry of design with respect to its vertical and longitudinal midplane.

The outer casing

The figures illustrate a device 20 for the controlled diffusion of an aroma or of a scent, which comprises an outer casing which in this example is produced as two parts or half-casings, a lower one 22 and an upper one 24, connected along a horizontal jointing plane 26.

The lower half-casing 22 incorporates a central portion 28 forming a foot. The inclined planar lower face 30 of the foot 28 is designed to rest on a table or similar piece of furniture.

The upper half-casing 24 comprises, substantially at its centre, a vertical aperture 32 the contour of which is rectangular with rounded corners, and which is surrounded by a convergent concave guide surface 34 for guiding the insertion of a cartridge “C” into the device 20. The aperture 32 is associated with two transversely opposed lateral tabs 36. The two, horizontal and longitudinal upper coplanar edges 38 of the opposed lateral tabs 36 constitute an abutment surface determining the inserted position of a cartridge C inserted into the device. In the vicinity of the aperture 32, the upper half-casing 24 comprises a button 40 for actuating an electric control switch.

The casing 22-24 of the device is of cylindrical overall shape with a substantially horizontal axis and is closed at its two opposite rear and front axial ends by, respectively, a rear inlet grid 42 for admitting fresh air into the device 20 and by a front face 44 which incorporates a front outlet grid 46 via which scented air exits the device 20.

The rear inlet grid 42 is produced in this example as a single piece with the upper half-casing 24.

The overall axis A1 of the circulation of the airflow through the device 20 has been indicated in the figures.

The components of the outer shell 22-24, 42 and 46 are for example produced by moulding in plastic material.

The outer shell in particular acts as trim allowing for variation in shape and colour, and also various designs of air intake and outlet grids for the device 20.

The outer shell houses a technical module “M”, also referred to as the technical core, produced according to the teachings of the invention.

The technical module

The technical module M comprises a hollow framework 50 which in this example is produced in two parts or half-frameworks, rear 52 and front 54, connected along a vertical jointing plane 56.

The two half-frameworks 52 and 54 are two components moulded in plastic material which are fixed together in particular by lug and notch assemblies 58.

The hollow framework 50 internally limits a duct for the “forced” circulation of air through the device 20. The circulation duct comprises an upstream duct formed in the rear half framework 52 for guiding the airflow, and a downstream duct formed in the front half-framework 54 for guiding the airflow.

Thus, the air circulation duct extends from the rear forward from a rear circular inlet 62 as far as a circular front outlet 64.

The passage cross section decreases over all from the rear inlet 62 as far as the front outlet 65.

With the exception of the upper tube 72 that holds the cartridge C in the position of use in the hollow framework 50 and that will be described later on, and with the exception mainly of the lower cut out 80 which receives the sealing sleeve 90, the duct 60 is continuous and sealed overall between its rear inlet 62 and its front outlet 64.

The rear inlet 62 is formed in a rear transverse face 68 (made in two parts, upper and lower) to which in this example is attached an electric blower 70 which, when powered, causes air, drawn in through the rear grid 42, to circulate along the duct 60 from which it emerges via the front outlet 64 which is immediately adjacent to the front grid 46 of the casing of the device 20.

The upper tube 72 for retaining the cartridge C, which tube in this example is produced as a single piece with the upper half-framework 54, delimits a cylindrical internal housing 74 which in cross section is rectangular with rounded corners, for receiving a removable cartridge.

The upper tube 72 is delimited by a horizontal edge 76 which is arranged on the outside of the upper half-framework 54 and which is adjacent to the lower edge 33 of the vertical aperture 32 of the upper half-casing 24.

The upper tube 72 is also delimited by a horizontal lower edge 78 which is arranged inside the upper half-framework 54, on the inside of the duct 60 for the circulation of air through the device 20.

As may be seen in particular in Figure 7, the lower edge 78 is tapered.

The lower half-framework 52 essentially comprises a rectangular cut out 80 which is vertically aligned with the upper tube 72. At its rear end, the rectangular cut out 80 is adjacent to a vertical and transverse wall 82 that comprises a central slot 84 over its entire height. The cut out 80 is extended forward by a longitudinal slot 86. In front of the slot 86, the lower half-framework 52 also comprises a circular hole 88.

The sealing sleeve

The lower half-framework 52 partially houses and guides the vertical movements of a sealing sleeve 90.

The sealing sleeve 90 is of tubular overall shape with a cross section in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. It is closed at its lower part by a substantially horizontal end wall 92, while its upper face is open and delimited by a tapering horizontal edge 94.

The wall of the sealing sleeve 90 delimits an internal cavity 98.

The wall of the sealing sleeve 90 comprises a transverse and vertical rear external face 100 and a parallel and opposite front external face 102.

At its centre, the rear external face 100 comprises a vertical rail 104, of T-shaped cross section, for guiding the vertical sliding of the sealing sleeve 90 in the lower half-framework 52, being housed in the vertical slot 84.

At its centre, the front external face 102 comprises a toothed vertical rack 106.

The dimensions of the sealing sleeve 90 are such that it is able to move vertically in both directions through the cut out 80.

To drive the mobile sleeve in its movement vertically in both directions, the device comprises a drive system essentially made up of the rack 106, of a complementary pinion 108 in the form of a toothed circular-arc sector, and of a driver 110 that drives the pinion 108 in both directions of rotation.

The pinion 108 is mounted with the ability to rotate in the lower half framework 52 about a horizontal transverse axis A2 and comprises a split front tab 112 which houses a swing arm 114 arranged at the free end 116 of the rod 118 of the driver 110 which rod can be driven in both directions along its axis.

The axis extends in the vertical and longitudinal midplane and is inclined slightly with respect to the vertical as may in particular be seen in Figure 4. The body of the driver 110 is fixed to the lower half-framework 52 on the outside, and extends partially on the inside with its rod 118 passing through the circular hole 88.

When the sealing sleeve 90 is in the lowered active position illustrated in particular in Figure 4, the rod 118 is in the deployed position.

Starting from this lowered position, in order to “raise” the sealing sleeve 90, the driver 110 needs to be powered in order to cause a retraction or lowering of the rod 118 which drives the pinion 108 in rotation in the anticlockwise direction in order to drive the rack 106 and the sealing sleeve 90 upwards. By way of non-limiting example, the driver 110 is preferably a wax cylinder.

The device comprises an electronic circuit for controlling and managing its operation and which in particular comprises an electronic board 120 illustrated schematically in Figures 3 and 4 which is associated with a vertical plate 122 which is adjacent to the rear face of the upper tube 72 and which may bear or incorporate an RFID transmitter or antenna intended to cooperate with an RFID tag facing it by a cartridge C.

The removable cartridge Figure 12 illustrates one embodiment of the case 130 of a removable cartridge C compatible with the diffuser 20.

Non limitingly, this is a cartridge of the kind described and illustrated in detail in document FR-A1-3070272, to the content of which reference may be made. The large vertical and transverse rear plate or face 132 of the wall of the case 130 comprises a series of inlet openings 134.

The large vertical and transverse front plate or face 136 of the wall of the case 130 comprises a series of outlet openings 138.

The rear plate 132 and front plate 136 are parallel and opposite one another and the inlet openings 134 and outlet openings 138 are arranged substantially facing one another.

A flow of air can thus pass through the case 130 while coming, on its way, into contact with an aromatic substance or composition arranged inside and which is for example supported by a support or substrate (not illustrated in Figure 12).

The design and arrangement of the substrate may be of any appropriate type. In a variant, the cartridge may be a single unit forming a substrate, for example in the form of a “slide” that is scented and holed in order to allow the passage of the air that is to be scented. In that case, the case of the cartridge within the definition of the invention is made up of the unit itself.

In its upper part, the case 130 is closed by a horizontal plate 140 which extends transversely beyond the case on each side. Thus, the upper plate 140 comprises two lower facets 141 each of which is able to come to bear vertically downwards against an associated upper edge 38 of a lateral tab 36 which constitutes an abutment surface that determines the inserted vertical position of a cartridge C inserted into the device (see Figure 6). The inlet openings 134 and outlet openings 138 are arranged overall in the lower half of the case, while the upper other half 133 and 137 of the rear plate 132 and front plate 136 are solid parts.

Thus, the case 130 of the cartridge C comprises an upper portion 142 delimited over its entire periphery by a solid wall. In the position of use of the cartridge C in the device 20, it is this “solid” upper portion 142 which is housed in the upper tube 72, in a sealed or almost sealed manner, which is to say with reduced clearance. Thus, practically no air can escape from the duct 60 by passing between the upper tube 72 and the upper portion 142 of the cartridge C (see in particular Figures 3, 5 and 6). Below the solid upper portion 142, the cartridge C comprises a pierced or holed lower portion 144.

Operation The operation and use of the device 20 will now be described.

When the device 20 is not being used to diffuse a flow of scented air on command, it is at rest, and the blower 70 is switched off. No forced airflow circulates through the duct 60. If the cartridge C is in the position of use inside the device 20, its lower portion comprising the inlet openings 34 and outlet openings 136 is situated inside the internal duct 60 of the framework 50.

According to the teachings of the invention, in this state of rest, the lower portion 144 of the cartridge C is surrounded by the sealing sleeve 90 which occupies its raised or upper rest position which is in particular illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 8.

In this rest position, the upper edge 94 of the sealing sleeve 90 cooperates in a near-sealed manner with the lower edge 78 of the tube 72 that receives the case of the cartridge C, the solid upper portion 142 of which is housed in an almost sealed manner in the housing 74.

Thus, as can be seen in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the substrate or the support which is housed in the case 130 of the cartridge C is enclosed in a sealed or almost sealed cavity 98. According to a variant which has not been illustrated, the sealing sleeve may cooperate directly with one or more complementary parts of the case of a cartridge, designed for this purpose, to “enclose” in a sealed manner the substrate or the support that is housed in the case 130 of the cartridge C.

As a preference, the programme of operation of the device 20 is such that the sealing sleeve 90 is always in its raised rest position when the device 20 is in its state of rest, whether or not a removable cartridge is present in the position of use in the device 20. This makes it possible to ensure that when a user places a cartridge C in the position of use in the device 20, the risk of leaks of scented air at rest is avoided, even if the user does not switch the device on and right up until the next switch-on.

When the device 20 is switched on, by a user or automatically in a programmed manner, the drive system that drives the sealing sleeve 90 is actuated to bring about the change in position thereof so that it comes to occupy its lowered or lower position, referred to as active position, which is in particular illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 7.

To this end, the application of power to the wax cylinder 110 causes its rod 108 to rise or deploy, causing pivoting, in the clockwise direction. In the active lowered position, the holed lower portion 144 is arranged out of the sealing sleeve 90 and a forced airflow, circulating through the internal duct 60, can pass through the inlet openings 134 and outlet openings 136 to become laden with scent or with aromatic substance. This airflow is brought about by switching on the electric blower 70 which can be done slightly prior to the change in position of the sealing sleeve, or simultaneously.

It will be noted that, in its active lowered position, the sealing sleeve 90 is arranged almost entirely outside the internal duct 60, thus avoiding causing pressure drops.

The use of the mobile sealing sleeve 90 makes it possible to enclose the entire portion of the cartridge C that comprises openings that could be the origin of undesired leaks when the device 20 is not in operation.

The design according to the invention allows the use of sealing means that prevent untimely leaks of scented air, without entailing modifications to the design of existing cartridges such as those mentioned earlier.

Claims

1. Device (20) for the controlled diffusion of an aroma, of a scent or of a scented composition, comprising : an interior circuit for the forced circulation of an airflow;

- a housing (74), arranged in the said circuit, for receiving a removable cartridge (C);

- a cartridge (C) that is removable, in the position of use in the housing (74), which comprises a case (130) in which there is housed a support storing an aromatic or scented substance or composition, and the wall of which comprises at least one inlet opening (134) and an opposite outlet opening (136) for the passage of an airflow through the case (130);

- a sealed-closure sleeve (90) which is mounted with the ability to move with respect to the housing (74) between:

- a raised rest position in which the sleeve (90) cooperates with the housing (74) or with a complementary part of the case (130) of the cartridge (C) in the position of use, so as to delimit a sealed internal cavity (98) in which the support is enclosed, - and a lowered active position that allows an airflow to pass through the case (130);

- and at least one controlled actuator (110) of the movements of the sleeve (90), between its rest position and its active position.

2. Device (20) according to the preceding claim characterized in that:

- the housing (74) is formed in a tube (72) for receiving the cartridge (C), in which tube a solid sealing-wall portion (133, 137, 142) of the case (130) of the cartridge (C) is housed in a sealed manner when the cartridge (C) is in the position of use; - the sleeve (90) comprises an open face through which the case

(130) is able to move with respect to the sleeve (90) and which is delimited by an annular end edge (94); and

- in the rest position of the sleeve (90), the annular edge (94) of the sleeve (90) cooperates with an annular sealing surface (78) of the housing (74) to delimit the said sealed internal cavity (98).

3. Device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sealing sleeve (90) is mounted with the ability to slide axially with respect to the receiving tube (72) between its rest position and a retracted active position of the sleeve (90) with respect to the cartridge (C).

4. Device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises guide means (104) for guiding the movements of the sealing sleeve (90), and in that the actuator (110) is connected to the sleeve (90) by a rack (106) and pinion (108) connection.

5. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (110) is a wax cylinder.

6. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closed external casing (50) comprising:

- an inlet grid (42) admitting air into the interior circulation circuit;

- an outlet grid (46) for aromatised or scented air leaving the interior circulation circuit; - an orifice (32) for the insertion of a removable cartridge (C), in the position of use, into the housing (74) for receiving the cartridge (C).

7. Device (20) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the said orifice (32) is connected to one end (76) of the tube (72) for receiving the cartridge (C).

8. Device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the rest position of the sleeve (90), the annular end edge (94) of the sleeve (90) cooperates with an annular sealing surface (78) arranged at the other end of the tube (72) for receiving the cartridge (C). 9. Removable cartridge (C) for a device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the case (130) comprises a planar inlet face (132) in which at least one inlet opening (134) is formed and a parallel planar opposite outlet face (136) in which at least one outlet opening (138) is formed.