Battery powered device for dispensing a volatile substance

A battery powered insect repellent device capable of the battery being separated from the volatile dispenser element and further including wireless communication facilities between a smartphone and the repellent device enabling electronic monitoring of the status of the various elements in the device as well as displaying the same to the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portable dispensing devices, more specifically to a battery-powered device for dispensing a volatilizable substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people utilize portable devices to heat volatile substances such as mosquito repellents as part of camping gear or for various outdoor activities where there exists a threat of mosquitoes. Such volatile substances most commonly are either insect control active ingredients or air treatment materials, such as air fresheners. The mosquito repellent systems are manifold, and for camping or special uses, it is desirous that the mosquito repellent system be portable and easy to operate.

An example of a prior art mosquito repellent system is that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,605, assigned to the instant assignee. In that device, a butane cartridge supplies fuel to uniformly heat a thermally conductive plate upon which a mat containing volatile insect repellent is positioned. When the plate is sufficiently heated, the insect repellent is volatilized and thereby dispensed. The evaporation of the insecticide and its dispersion causes mosquitoes to be repelled for a reasonable space around the portable mosquito repellent device.

However, there is a need in the art for a dispensing device that is battery operated—thereby avoiding the need for hydrocarbon combustion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these limitations by providing a device to dispense a volatile substance, which is powered by batteries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-identified Drawings. However, the Drawings and the description herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, features described herein may be omitted, additional features may be included, and/or features described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The inventive dispenser has a heating plate, a heating chamber or such similar heat box for heating a mat that is impregnated with insect repellent or other volatilizable substance. When sufficient heat is transferred to the mat, the impregnated substance is volatilized and dispensed.

FIG. 1shows a battery-powered unit12according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, housing14of unit12has a first end16and a second end18. First end16houses one or more batteries and electrical circuitry for delivering electric current to a heating element. Second end18is a dispensing end. Dispensing end18houses a heating plate20comprising a thermally conductive material—such as aluminum, copper or the like—for receiving a mat impregnated with a volatilizable substance. The heating plate20is secured atop of the heat source and is in thermal communication therewith. When the heat source is activated, heat is transferred to the conductive plate. The conductive plate20reaches a sufficient temperature so as to dispense a volatilizable substance in thermal communication therewith.

In an embodiment of the invention, a ceramic material is used as a heating plate20. The ceramic material itself may be conductive, it may be coated with conductive material, or a combination of both is possible. For example, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) may be used. Molybdenum disilicide is an intermetallic compound, a silicide of molybdenum, and is a refractory ceramic primarily used in heating elements.

In the embodiments where ceramic material is used—the ceramic material may be utilized as both a heating element and as a heating plate. That is, because the ceramic material is conductive, a ceramic plate may be used to both generate heat and receive a mat impregnated with a volatilizable substance—dispensing with the need for a separate heating element and a separate heating plate.

In another embodiment of the invention, heaters with PTC Ceramic elements may be utilized. PTC ceramic material is named for its positive thermal coefficient of resistance (i.e., resistance increases upon heating). This class of ceramics (often barium titanate and lead titanate composites) has a highly nonlinear thermal response, so that it becomes extremely resistive above a composition-dependent threshold temperature. This behavior causes the material to act as its own thermostat. PTC heaters draw very high current briefly when they are cold (room temperature) so special control circuitry, generally available, is required to use them with lithium polymer batteries.

One or more batteries are held within first end16of housing12. Batteries may be removable or they may be rechargeable and permanently affixed therein. In the embodiment where rechargeable batteries are affixed to the inner housing, contacts on an outer surface thereof in the conventional manner are accessible to charging the batteries. Removable batteries may be rechargeable either in place within the unit, or outside of the unit with an accessory charger.

FIG. 1shows a cover22that is a pocket or similar casing having a shape similar to unit12that fits over dispensing end18of unit12. Cover22protects the heating plate and any exposed mechanical and/or electrical elements disposed therebelow. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an on/off button24is positioned within the reach of an inner wall of cover22, when cover22is inserted over dispensing end18.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, an on/off switch comprising a button24extending upwardly from a top surface26of housing12is positioned to be contacted by top inner wall28of cover22. As such, if a user attempts to place cover22on unit12while the unit is still on—once the user fully slides the cover over the unit, the inside wall28of cover22will bear against the “off” button and interrupt electric current from flowing to the heating element.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that cover may communicate with “off” switch in any of various configurations—so long as cover22physically contacts a button, lever, or switch or is brought into proximity with a sensor to have sufficient force to push the button24and thereby terminate flow of electric current.

FIG. 3shows another embodiment of this invention, where rather than a single housing for holding batteries and dispensing elements—the unit is divided into two separate detachable parts. As shown, unit30has a first battery housing32having an empty space to hold batteries in a cavity thereof and a separable second dispenser housing34for holding a heating element, heating plate and other dispenser elements.

FIG. 4shows dispenser housing34ofFIG. 3separated from battery housing32according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, a heating plate36(or heat exchanger) is disposed below a grill38. A mat40may be placed atop heat exchanger36and below grill38. The heating elements and/or conductive plates described with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2may be used in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3-7and the specifics are not repeated here.

As shown inFIG. 4, one or more electrical contacts42, leads or similar conductive elements extend from dispenser housing34and are insertable into a cooperating slot or receptacle in battery housing32. Contacts42contact the electrical circuitry disposed in battery housing32and they deliver current to power a heating element disposed in dispenser housing34. It should be noted that in one embodiment of the invention, contact may emanate from battery housing32and insert into dispenser housing34. Alternatively, contacts may be a flat contact surface positioned on side surface44of dispenser housing32, which aligns with a similar contact surface positioned on a side surface46of battery housing32(side surface32, shown inFIG. 5). The respective contact surfaces contact one another when dispenser housing34is connected to battery housing32.

FIG. 5shows housing32connected to dispenser housing34in one embodiment of the invention. The top cover of dispenser housing32is removed for visual clarity. An electrical connector48is shown electrically coupling battery housing32to dispenser housing34. A printed circuit board50with a temperature controller also is shown for controlling the temperature of the heating element.

FIG. 6shows a partial cross-sectional view through the length of a unit30. As shown, a connector assembly52couples dispenser housing34to battery housing32. It will be understood, that in addition to an electrical connection between dispenser housing34and battery housing32, the unit may also have a mechanical coupling mechanism for securing the two housing parts together. Connection assembly could be any of various male/female connections, snaps, detents or similar temporary securement devices. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism ensures that any electrical contact between dispenser housing34and battery housing32is covered and insulated.

FIG. 7shows unit30having a cover similar to that described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2in which the cover ensures that when placed over the unit the on/off switch is moved to the off position to turn off the device.

It should be noted that although separable unit30was described with respect to a battery housing32and dispenser housing34, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any of various attachments to battery housing32are possible according to different embodiments of the invention. For example, a flashlight, a fan, a radio or any such similar electronic device may be provided with one or more electrical contacts, leads or similar conductive elements extending therefrom are insertable into a cooperating slot or receptacle in battery housing32. In addition, the dispensing housing34may be attachable to other power sources in addition to the batter housing32. That is, electrical contacts, leads or similar conductive elements on dispensing housing34may align with and or contact cooperating contacts or a respectable on an automobile or a boat. For example, a boat may be provided with a receptacle that derives electricity from the boat engine and which is adapted to receive a dispensing housing32.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive battery-powered devices described herein may be remotely controlled via a remote control device, computer, smart phone or similar devices. As described, units12,30generate heat by an electric heat source powered by batteries, and there are unique advantages due to the differences in using a battery-powered, electric heat source rather than butane-powered combustion. With electric power, no valves, seals, or lighted candles need to be manipulated in order to turn the device on or off. Various functions of the unit may, thus, be controlled via wireless systems such as Bluetooth or by remote control transmitters/receivers known in the art. Commands such on/off and temperature control may be wirelessly transmitted to the unit. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the units are capable of two-way communication, whereby, in addition to wirelessly receiving commands—the unit sends information relating to operating conditions to a user's remote handheld device, computer or smartphone for monitoring purposes. For example, the unit may send information battery charge level and operating temperature, which information is displayed on a user's smartphone or computer.

Moreover, with prior combustion-based dispensing device, a user usually peers into the repellent vaporizer to observe the fuel level remaining in the butane cartridge. In an embodiment of the invention, however, units12,30are provided with a visible display indicating battery status, status of the unit (on/off), progress of battery charge and similar operational conditions such as temperature of the heating plate, on/off conditions, etc. In an embodiment of the invention the visible display is one or more lights or LEDs. For example, a series of LEDs60,62and64may be provided on the outer housing of units12,30, whereby a number of illuminated LEDs corresponds to a battery level and other functions.

In an embodiment of the invention, electronic power supplied by batteries is adjustable by a user to adjust the temperature level. In one embodiment, the heat is automatically adjusted by an internal program comprising software and/or firmware. The unit could be programmed to provide initial heat that is higher than necessary for dispensing upon start up (e.g. 10 or 20 C higher than dispensing temperature). After a specified period of time, the internal program will cool down to normal dispensing temperature. The purpose is to dispense the active ingredient more quickly to rid an area of insects (using initial high heat) and subsequently maintain a cooler temperature so the mat lasts longer (using normal dispensing temperature). Further, the device may have manually adjustable temperature controls. The purpose is to be able to maximize mat life when a smaller area of coverage is required or if insect pressure is low.

Still, in another embodiment of the invention, a fuel-powered device is provided with battery-powered valve control in order to maximize efficiencies of each respective modality. That is, a dispensing unit that relies on a fuel cartridge to provide fuel for combustion is combined with a battery-powered valve controller that is used to control the output of fuel from the cartridge. In one embodiment, the valve is automatically adjusted by an internal program comprising software and/or firmware. The unit could be programmed to provide an initial increased flow of fuel in order to provide heat that is higher than necessary for dispensing upon start up (e.g. 10 or 20 C higher than dispensing temperature). After a specified period of time, the internal program will lower the amount of fuel flowing from the cartridge to cool the device down to normal dispensing temperature as described above.

It should be understood that the preferred embodiment was 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 legally and equitably entitled.