Abstract:
A plug-in oxygenator for use in a vehicle to enrich the oxygen levels of the interior space of the vehicle. The oxygenator includes a plug end that fits into the auxiliary power outlet common to most vehicles also known as a cigarette lighter socket. As the oxygenator heats up, it releases oxygen which is diffused within the vehicle. When the pellet is consumed, it is replaced and the oxygenator is ready for repeated use. A thermostat regulates the temperature of the oxygenator and an insulative layer surrounding an inner housing protects the user from burns and exposure to high temperature.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/594,630, filed Mar. 25, 2005.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many people are convinced that breathing an atmosphere enriched in oxygen can help with fatigue and other symptoms in today&#39;s fast paced industrialized world. In countries such as Japan, oxygen bars have been around for years and in some areas of the United States such as California, more and more oxygen bars are opening up daily. Although the bars are often equipped with music, video and reading materials, clients using the services must go to the bar and spend valuable time in order to receive the benefit of breathing an atmosphere enriched in oxygen. Furthermore, many of these establishments scent the oxygen in order to make the experience more pleasant, but there is some evidence to suggest that breathing these vaporized scents may pose a health risk. There are many companies who manufacture and market pressurized oxygen cans. They are bulky and expensive when used on a regular basis.  
         [0003]     Many people in the industrialized world spend time commuting to work in an automobile. The effects of heavy traffic, stress and lack of sleep and fresh air is likely the cause for many automobile accidents. The modern commute is becoming synonymous with spending longer and longer periods in your car. There is a need for an oxygenator that the user can operate effortlessly without wasting time and money going to an oxygen bar.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A plug-in oxygenator for use in a vehicle to enrich the oxygen levels of the interior space of the vehicle. The oxygenator includes a plug end that fits into the auxiliary power outlet common to most vehicles also known as a cigarette lighter socket. As the oxygenator heats up, it releases oxygen which is diffused within the vehicle. When the pellet is consumed, it is replaced and the oxygenator is ready for repeated use. A thermostat regulates the temperature of the oxygenator and an insulative layer surrounding an inner housing protects the user from burns and exposure to high temperature.  
         [0005]     Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates the invention in a typical application.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the cap portion of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is yet another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts a further embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  depicts yet another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  diagrams another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view illustrating a core and oxygenating pellet according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3  and  9 , a Plug-In Oxygenator (shown generally as  100 ), consists of a housing  3  covered with a thermally insulative layer  2 . Housing  3  is made of steel, but any suitable material such as aluminum or even a high temperature plastic may be used. A resistive heating element  5  is wrapped around a thermally conductive core  11  and thermally isolated from a bottom portion of Oxygenator  100  by insulative posts  10  and a heat isolation ring  9 . Heating element  5  is electrically connected to a thermostat  7  using lead wires  8  which are electrically connected to a plug end  6  which fits into the auxiliary output of a motor vehicle (shown generally in  FIG. 2 ) also known as a cigarette lighter socket. An oxygenating pellet  50  is inserted to make thermal contact with core  11 . As pellet  50  is heated, oxygen is released. Oxygen diffuses (shown generally as  12 ) through a plurality of exhaust ports  4  and venting ports  13  to increase the oxygen level of the motor vehicle.  
         [0016]     Thermostat  7  regulates the temperature of core  11  and this controls the amount of oxygen released. The higher the temperature, the more oxygen is released; however, higher operating temperatures reduce the time that pellet  50  will last. Thermostat  7  operates on direct current and in an embodiment, a user selectable switch (not shown) is provided to allow the user to select the operating temperature and therefore the time that pellet  50  will last before needing replacement. In the embodiment shown, thermostat  7  maintains a preset temperature.  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 9 , a user removable cap  1  allows a user to place pellet  50  in core  11  and to clean out any debris left behind when pellet  50  is consumed. Cap  1  press-fits into housing  3  utilizing friction to hold cap  1  in place while in use. Cap  1  is removed after consumption of pellet  50  and oxygenator  100  is removed from the cigarette light socket (not shown) and turned upside down and gently tapped until the used ash falls free from core  11 . To place oxygenator  100  back in service, a new pellet  50  is reinserted into core  11  and cap  1  is replaced, and then oxygenator  100  is plugged back in the socket (not shown). One embodiment of the instant invention has a switch (not shown) to allow a user to turn oxygenator  100  on or off without removing it from the socket (not shown). The plurality of vents  13  allow oxygen to diffuse through cap  1  and enter the vehicle air space in order to increase the oxygen level in the vehicle as described above. Pellet  50  fits within core  11  and is heated to operating temperatures to release oxygen. Pellets  50  can be made of compressed compounds as discussed below. The shape of pellets  50  is matched to core  11  geometry (for example triangular core geometry  19  and cylindrical core geometry  18 ) in order to ensure maximum thermal contact.  
         [0018]     Pellets  50  are made of an oxidizing compound such as FeTiO 3 . FeTiO 3  has many advantages in that it does not require a catalyst to produce the oxygen and one gram produces up to ten liters of O 2 . Any ash left behind is non-toxic and may be safely disposed of. Additionally, FeTiO 3  can be formed into thin strips to increase the reactive area making O 2  production more efficient. Other compounds may be used to generate oxygen as is known in the art, such as Potassium Chloride or Potassium superoxide. Lithium perchlorate is used in the space program and is sometimes referred to as oxygen candles. There are three main methods of generating oxygen and the instant invention may be modified to use other known methods of creating oxygen. In addition to heating of compounds such as FeTiO 3  as described above, oxygen can be released through the electrolysis of water and by the use of selective membranes used to extract O 2  from ambient air. Additionally, H 2 O 2  can also be used conjunction with Potassium Permanganate to generate oxygen. Although the embodiments depicted in this application utilize oxygenating pellets  50 , other methods of making oxygen may be used.  
         [0019]     Thermally insulative layer  2  is a high temperature plastic that serves to thermally isolate the hot housing  3  from contact by a user. Temperatures inside core  11  can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, insulative layer  2  may be separated from housing  3  by a trapped air layer (not shown) providing even more insulative protection. Insulative layer  2  may also be made of a suitable insulative material such as ceramic or glass.  
         [0020]     With respect to  FIGS. 4-7 , only those features unique to the embodiment will be discussed. Note that like reference designators on different figures refer to like elements.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention (shown generally as  400 ) that includes a fan  15  rotatably connected to cap  1 . A bearing sleeve  16  positions and fixes fan  15  in place. Heat rising from core  11  spins fan  15  improving the distribution of the oxygen being produced. Other fan shapes would be suitable such as a turbine type or multi-bladed design.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a plug-in oxygenator (shown generally as  500 ) includes a screen chamber  17  that traps and contains pellet  50  and any remaining ash. Oxygen flows freely through screen  17 . Screen  17  is made of a metal mesh that is heat resistant and capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 200 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, a high temperature plastic or other suitable material may be used for screen  17 .  
         [0023]     Now referring to  FIG. 6  and  7 , a plug-in oxygenator (shown generally as  600  and  700  respectively) features a prismatic core geometry  19  ( FIG. 6 ) and a cylindrical core geometry  18  ( FIG. 7 ) to help hold and position pellet  50  within core  11 . Both shapes automatically stabilize pellet  50  and aid a user when inserting pellet  50  within core  11 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  depicts a variable geometry plug-in oxygenator (shown generally as  800 ) having a housing  230  surrounded by a thermally insulative layer  160 . Housing  230  is pivotally attached to an auxiliary plug  120  for insertion into a cigarette lighter socket (not shown). Plug  120  includes a contact stud  110  and two spring contacts  130  to ensure electrical contact with the socket (not shown) as is known in the art. A hinge  150  allows housing  230  to adjust for different vehicles to accommodate different mounting geometries among automobile designs. Hinge  150  allows housing to rotate between a essentially horizontal to vertical position. A handle  200  allows a user to easily adjust the angle of plug-in oxygenator  800 . Wires  180  are movably connected to plug  120  utilizing a sliding electrical contact (not shown) as is known in the art; thereby maintaining electrical contact throughout the pivot. A thermally conductive core  240  is centrally mounted within a space bounded by housing  230  and supported by thermally insulative posts  210 . A resistive heating element  170  surrounds core  240  to heat core  240  to over  200  degrees Celsius. A oxygenating pellet  50  ( FIG. 9 ) fits within core  240  and is surrounded by screen chamber  190  to catch ash. In operation, core  240  is heated and oxygen is released and diffused through venting ports (shown generally as  220 ) to increase the oxygen levels in the vehicle. In the embodiment shown, an LED  140  is mounted within plug  120  to indicate a power on/off status. Additionally, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) a power on/off switch allows a user to turn the unit on and off.  
         [0025]     Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.