METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING AN AIR MODIFYING AGENT INTO SURROUNDING AIR

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispersing air freshening, fragrancing and/or deodorising substances into surrounding air includes a hanging container for the substance, a wick (9) to draw the substance and outlet apertures (8) to allow the substance to disperse from the container into surrounding air via the wick (9). Repelling magnetic discs (10, 11) are provided, the (10) disc being a permanent magnet and the three (11) discs being electromagnets, the associated electrical control systems being housed in a base (1) of the apparatus. By arranging for the disc (10) to repel the discs (11), and by pulsing and optionally synchronising the electromagnetic discs (11), the hanging container (4) can be made to swing for a desired length of time in a random or controlled manner, thereby generating a flow of air into and out of the outlet apertures (8) and assisting the dispersal of the substance (5) into the surrounding air.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING AN AIR MODIFYING AGENT INTO SURROUNDING AIR This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispersing an air modifying agent - particularly, though not solely, air freshening, fragrancing and/or deodorising substances - into surrounding air. It is well known to provide sources of air modifying agents such as air freshening, fragrancing and/or deodorising substances in a volatile or vaporisable form such that, upon volatilisation or vaporisation of the appropriate substance, an active vapour is dispersed into the surrounding air. Such sources of air modifying agents typically comprise a reservoir containing the air modifying agent. The reservoir can, for example, comprise a container housing a solid or fluid body of a carrier composition containing the air modifying agent. Wick means can be present, where the carrier composition is a liquid. Alternatively, in the case of a solid body of a carrier composition, the container can be omitted. In a further alternative, where a container is present the carrier composition can be omitted and the air modifying agent used "neat". The reservoir is arranged such that a portion of it can contact the surrounding air, whereby the active vapour is dispersed from the reservoir into the surrounding air. The present invention aims to provide an improved or at least alternative method and apparatus for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air, the method comprising the steps of providing an air modifying agent reservoir containing the air modifying agent, suspending the air modifying agent reservoir in the air, and causing the air modifying agent reservoir to swing in the air to effect or assist dispersion of the air modifying agent from an outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir into the surrounding air. According to a second aspect, the invention provides apparatus for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air, the apparatus comprising: an air modifying agent reservoir containing the air modifying agent; a support device; and a suspension member connected between the support device and the air modifying agent reservoir to suspend the air modifying agent reservoir in the air in a manner whereby the air modifying agent reservoir can swing in the air to effect or assist dispersion of the air modifying agent from an outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir into the surrounding air. The air modifying agent reservoir may, for example, comprise a container housing the air modifying agent in solid or fluid form, or housing a solid or fluid composition containing the air modifying agent. The reservoir may comprise a wick or other absorbent member, where the air modifying agent is a liquid. The container is provided with an outlet whereby the air modifying agent or composition is in contact with air and a flow of air is possible between the air modifying agent and the air surrounding the container. The air modifying agent reservoir may, for example, comprise a dimensionally stable substance or structure capable of retaining the air modifying agent within its volume, the air modifying agent being optionally contained within a carrier such as a solvent. In that case, the outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir typically comprises a surface of the substance or structure which is in contact with the surrounding air (suitably over a large surface area), from which the air modifying agent can disperse into the surrounding air. Examples of such substances, structures or compositions for use in the reservoir include gels (for example natural or synthetic polysaccharide gels), absorbent mats, felts or pads, wicks, bulk liquid water or other solvent, or any combination thereof. The support device suitably comprises a base member, an upstanding support member extending from the base member and adapted to support the suspension member to suspend the air modifying agent reservoir in a swingable manner from the device. The suspension member is suitably a conventional string or chain, and is typically supported from the support member by any conventional device (e.g. a hook, loop or clip). The support device is suitably of a size to sit on a table, desk or other surface in a room or vehicle, for example up to about 40 cm in height, although larger devices can be constructed if desired. In a particularly preferred form, there is further provided a device for modifying the normal line and/or arc of swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. Such a device may operate in a controlled or random manner and may optionally act to maintain, reinforce or resonate the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir, typically by introducing some additional impulse or force into the system. Thus, for example, at least two magnetic or magnetisable parts of the device may be present, one or some of which is/are associated with the air modifying agent reservoir and movable with the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. The other magnetic or magnetisable part(s) may be disposed so that the first passes near it/them during the motion of the swing, the relative magnetic polarities being arranged so that the parts mutually repel in proximity to one another. If the parts include permanent magnets, this can have the effect of imparting random modifications to the normal line and/or arc of swing. If the parts include electromagnets, the magnetisation may be controlled by a suitable electrical pulse control circuit, whereby the electromagnetic(s) is/are actuated in synchronised pulses. In this way the motion of swing can be controlled and optionally maintained reinforced or resonated, as desired. The magnetic or magnetisable part(s) associated with the air modifying agent reservoir may, for example, be fixedly or releasably retained to the exterior of the air modifying agent reservoir, e.g. via a conventional clip or other retainer. The arrangement is preferably such that, when the air modifying agent has been used up, the air modifying agent reservoir can be replenished or replaced, to refill the apparatus for reuse. It is further preferred that the device for modifying the normal line and/or arc of swing of the air modifying agent reservoir is adapted to cause the reservoir to stop after a predetermined time. The length of time over which an unmodified pendulum will swing is determined primarily by the weight and length of the pendulum and friction losses at the support. For apparatus of the size typically used in the present invention, a swinging time of only a few seconds or a few tens of seconds may be possible. However, by arranging the apparatus of the present invention so that the swing is forced or impulsed occasionally, for example by the magnetic or magnetisable parts, a longer swinging time can be achieved. Moreover, by arranging for the magnetic or magnetisable parts to be movable and/or electrically pulsed (in the case of electromagnets), the swinging time can be varied in an at least approximately controlled manner. Thus, the apparatus of the present invention can be set to disperse air modifying agent for a predetermined length of time and then stop. The dispersion can be restarted and restopped at will. Moreover, the use of magnets can enable the swinging to be manually stopped at will, by moving the air modifying agent reservoir means into an equilibrium position in which no net magnetic repulsive force is acting on the reservoir. For ease of understanding the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, an embodiment will now be described, without limitation and purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air; and Figure 2 shows (to a slightly reduced scale) a perspective view of a refill container for the apparatus of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, the apparatus consists of a flat base plate 1 (e.g. of metal or plastic) and an upstanding support rod 2 (e.g. of metal or plastic) extending from the base plate and provided at its top end with an eye, from which a suspension string 3 hangs. A container 4 (e.g. of glass) holding an air freshening agent 5 in a suitable solvent hangs from the suspension string 3. The container 4 has a top neck 6 (e.g. of metal or plastic) which engages within a cowl 7 (e.g. of metal or plastic), to which the suspension string 3 is connected, the cowl having slit apertures 8, in such a way that there is air flow communication between the surrounding air and the interior of the neck 6. A conventional fabric wick 9 is retained in the neck and dips into the air freshening agent 5 in the container. The weight of the container and air freshening agent is borne by the string 3 via the cowl 7. Therefore, any flow of air that is generated through the slit apertures 8 will impinge on the wick 9 in the neck 6 of the container, and will become charged to at least some degree with air freshening agent from the wick 9. A magnetic iron disc 10 is fixed to the bottom underside of the container 5 and three electromagnetisable iron discs 11 are provided in the base plate 1, together with associated solenoids and electrical control circuitry (not shown; such solenoids and control circuitry are housed invisibly below the base plate). The magnetic polarities of the iron discs 10,11 are such that they will repel when magnetic. The location and configuration of the discs are such that this repulsion causes the container 4 to swing in an abnormal (e.g. somewhat circular) arc. This causes a flow of air through the slit apertures 8, which in turn causes the air modifying agent to disperse from the wick 9 through the slit apertures 8 in a generally wide arc. By synchronising and optionally pulsing the electrical actuation of the electromagnetisable discs 11 , the swinging pendulum motion can be continued as long as desired. A refill container 4 as shown in Figure 2 is arranged so that its neck 6 can be easily push or snap fitted into the cowl 7, in place of a used container which has been emptied of its air freshening agent. The foregoing broadly describes the present invention without limitation to particular embodiments. Variations and modifications as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art are intended to be included within the scope of this application and any resulting patent(s).

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air, the apparatus comprising: an air modifying agent reservoir containing the air modifying agent; a support device; and a suspension member connected between the support device and the air modifying agent reservoir to suspend the air modifying agent reservoir in the air in a manner whereby the air modifying agent reservoir can swing in the air to effect or assist dispersion of the air modifying agent from an outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir into the surrounding air. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air modifying agent reservoir comprises a container provided with an outlet whereby the air modifying is in contact with air and a flow of air is possible between the air modifying agent and the air surrounding the container. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container houses an absorbent member. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the absorbent member is a wick. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air modifying agent reservoir comprises a dimensionally stable substance or structure retaining the air modifying agent within its volume. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the dimensionally stable substance or structure has a surface which is in contact with the surrounding air over a majority of its surface area, whereby to provide the outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir from which the air modifying agent can disperse into the surrounding air. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the support device comprises a base member, an upstanding support member extending from the base member and adapted to support the suspension member to suspend the air modifying agent reservoir in a swingable manner from the device. 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a device for modifying the normal line and/or arc of swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the swing modifying device operates in a controlled manner by introducing a controlled additional impulse into the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the swing modifying device operates in a random manner by introducing a random additional impulse into the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the swing modifying device comprises at least two magnetic or magnetisable parts of the device, one or some of which is/are associated with the air modifying agent reservoir and movable with the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the magnetic or magnetisable part(s) is/are disposed so that the one(s) associated with the air modifying agent reservoir pass(es) near the other(s) during the motion of the swing, the relative magnetic polarities being arranged so that the parts mutually repel in proximity to one another. 13. An apparatus according to either of claims 11 and 12, wherein permanent magnets are present to impart random modifications to the line of arc of swing. 14. An apparatus according to either of claims 11 and 12, wherein electromagnets are present to impart random or controlled modifications to the line or arc of swing. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the electromagnets are pulse energisable. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pulses are synchronisable with the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 17. An apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the pulses are maintainable for a predetermined period of time, whereby the swinging of the air modifying agent reservoir is maintained for a predetermined period of time and then stopped. 18. A method for dispersing an air modifying agent into surrounding air, the method comprising the steps of providing an air modifying agent reservoir containing the air modifying agent, suspending the air modifying agent reservoir in the air, and causing the air modifying agent reservoir to swing in the air to effect or assist dispersion of the air modifying agent from an outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir into the surrounding air. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the air modifying agent reservoir comprises a container provided with an outlet whereby the air modifying agent is in contact with air and a flow of air is possible between the air modifying agent and the air surrounding the container. 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the container houses an absorbent member. 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the absorbent member is a wick. 22. A method according to claim 18, wherein the air modifying agent reservoir comprises a dimensionally stable substance or structure retaining the air modifying agent within its volume. 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the dimensionally stable substance or structure has a surface which is in contact with the surrounding air over a majority of its surface area, whereby to provide the outlet of the air modifying agent reservoir from which the air modifying agent can disperse into the surrounding air. 24. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, further including the step of causing the normal line and/or arc of swing of the air modifying agent reservoir to be modified. 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the modification of the normal swing of the air modifying agent reservoir is performed in a controlled manner by introducing an additional impulse into the swing. 26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the modification of the normal swing of the air modifying agent reservoir is performed in a random manner by introducing an additional impulse into the swing. 27. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the swing modification is performed. 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the magnetic modification of the swing is performed by providing at least two mutually repelling magnetic or magnetisable parts so that they come into proximity to one another during the swing. 29. A method according to claim 28, wherein permanent magnets are employed to impart random modifications to the line or arc of swing. 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein electromagnets are employed to impart random or controlled modifications to the line of arc of swing. 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the electromagnets are pulse energised. 32. A method according to claim 31 , wherein the pulses are synchronised with the swing of the air modifying agent reservoir. 33. A method according to any of claims 18 to 32, wherein the swinging of the air modifying agent reservoir is maintained for a predetermined period of time and then stopped.

Inventors: SMITH NIGEL PETER, SMITH, NIGEL, PETER
Applicants: GLOBOL CHEM UK LTD, SMITH NIGEL PETER, GLOBOL CHEMICALS (UK) LIMITED, SMITH, NIGEL, PETER
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61L9
IPC codes: A61L9