Abstract:
A vortex generator creates a waveform within a housing. The waveform evolves into a vortex as it exits an orifice of the housing. The vortex carries a bolus of active substances held within the housing. A different number of actives can be used. To form a waveform, the housing has a diaphragm with an actuator for moving the diaphragm. The housing may have a mechanism for facilitating directional pointing and/or causing oscillating movement of the housing to enable multi-directional targeting of the vortex.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/445,240, filed Feb. 6, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a device for dispensing an active substance, such as a fragrance or insecticide, by generating a vortex. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The ability to directionally and accurately target the dispensing of active substances is the desired goal of devices for dispensing such substances. Fans generating a fluid stream for carrying active substances have been used to dispense such substances. The fluid stream often lacks integrity and, while dispersing the active substance, does not always provide the ability to target an area remote from the origin. 
   Previous patents have disclosed the use of a vortex generator to deliver active substances. One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,726 (Watkins) which discloses a system having a plurality of cartridges and a vortex delivering a bolus of scent in an air ring. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,434 (Cooper) discloses an aerosol dispensing apparatus having a speaker diaphragm mounted in the bottom of a housing. The apparatus generates a train of ring vortices exiting the apparatus through an orifice. 
   One aspect of the invention is to provide a vortex generator for dispensing active substances. 
   Another aspect of the invention to have a vortex generator that uses minimal energy to create a vortex. 
   A still further aspect of the invention to provide a targeted dispensing device. 
   It is yet another aspect of the invention to have an oscillating vortex generator. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A vortex generator creates a waveform within a housing. The waveform evolves into a vortex as it exits an orifice of the housing. The vortex carries a bolus of active substances held within the housing. A different number of actives can be used. To form a waveform, the housing has a diaphragm with an actuator for moving the diaphragm. The housing may have a mechanism for facilitating directional pointing and/or causing oscillating movement of the housing to enable multi-directional targeting of the vortex. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the elements needed for a vortex generating mechanism; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a complete vortex generating mechanism; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vortex generator; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a vortex generator; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a vortex generator; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a bobbin actuator; 
       FIG. 10  is a view of a torsional spring and cam actuator; 
       FIGS. 11   a–b  are views of hub and flapper actuators; 
       FIG. 12  is a view of a clapper with return spring actuator; 
       FIG. 13  is a view of a bolt action striker actuator; 
       FIG. 14  is a view of a foot pedal actuator; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of an oscillating mechanism; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an oscillating vortex generator with a section of the base broken away for clarity purposes; 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the vortex cone having the active insert; 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the active insert of  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the active insert of  FIG. 18  with spokes removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 21  is a cross section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17  with a refill bottle; 
       FIG. 22  is a cross section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17  with a replaceable refill nozzle tip; 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 24  is a bottom view of the vortex cone having the active insert. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The essential parts of a vortex generator are depicted in  FIG. 1 . A vortex chamber has a diaphragm on one end and a vortex cone with an orifice on the opposite end. A diaphragm actuator causes movement of the diaphragm to induce a waveform in the vortex chamber. As the waveform travels through the vortex chamber and exits through the orifice in the vortex cone, the wave evolves into a vortex. Any airborne or gaseous substance within the vortex chamber will be entrained by an active substance held within the chamber to create a vortex bolus. The active substance usually contained in a refill  28 , and is introduced into the vortex chamber in the manner described. 
   A diaphragm actuator  18  causes movement of the diaphragm  16 . The diaphragm actuator needs both power and control signals. The power is provided by a disposable or rechargeable battery  22 , photovoltaic cell, or standard power cord  24  plugged into a household outlet. Control signals are provided through a PC board to control the movement of the actuator. Controls  26  alter the PC board signals. The controls  26  are accessible to the user to allow the customizing of the actuator timing and, therefore, the disbursement of the substance within the vortex chamber. 
     FIG. 2  shows a perspective of a vortex generator having a housing  30 . The vortex cone  14  is mounted on the front of the housing and controls  26  are easily accessible to the user to allow control of the vortex formation. The cross section of the vortex generator is seen in  FIG. 3 . The chamber formed by the housing  30  serves as a vortex chamber with the nozzle  14  serving as a vortex cone. Power supply  24  mounted to the inside of the housing allows the vortex generator to be connected to a household outlet. A diaphragm  16  situated within the housing separates the housing into two compartments. In the lower compartment, an actuator  18  causes movement of the diaphragm. The actuator  18  is connected a PC board  20  which receives power from the power cord  24  and is controlled by controls  26 . A refill bottle  28  extends upwardly into the housing to release any active substance into the upper compartment of the housing. 
   A second embodiment of the vortex generator is shown in  FIG. 4  having a housing  130  receiving a refill  128  and having a vortex cone  114  on the front surface and controls  126  mounted on the side. A cross section of this second embodiment is seen in  FIG. 5 . Power supply  124  extends from the housing for engagement with a household outlet. The refill bottle  128  is suspended over the vortex chamber  112  and feeds an eminator within the chamber. A diaphragm  116  encloses one end of the chamber and the vortex cone  114  is located at the other end. It must be noted that the vortex cone can be provided of virtually any shape (conical, bevel, square, etc.) provided that the orifice in the cone is centrally located, and proportional to the diameter of the diaphragm. This is critical to generating an optimized vortex bolus. In the described embodiment, an ideal proportion of diaphragm area to orifice opening is 3:1. 
   A third tabletop, portable embodiment of a vortex generator is seen in  FIG. 6 . The embodiment has a housing  230  receiving a refill  228  and having a vortex cone  214 . The cross-sectional view of this tabletop embodiment is seen in  FIG. 7  with a rechargeable battery  222  providing power to the vortex actuator  218  to move the diaphragm  216 . The diaphragm  216  is at a terminal end of the vortex chamber  212  which leads to the vortex cone  214 . The vortex chamber receives a membrane  228  impregnated with fragrance, repellant, insecticide or any other active substance wishing to be dispensed. 
     FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of the vortex generator having a housing  330  formed by a front half  331  and a back half  332 . The two halves retain a diaphragm  316 . The front half forms the vortex chamber  312  and has a nozzle cap  332  holding a nozzle serving as a vortex cone  314 . The vortex cone can be pointed in any desired direction and retained by tightening the nozzle cap  332 . In this way, the bolus can be aimed without any other affect on the bolus. The back half of the housing accommodates the power supply  324  and battery  322 . An actuator  318  controlled by a PC board  320  creates the waveform within the vortex chamber. The back half of the housing is sealed by a back cap  334 . A retainer  329  holds a refill cartridge  328  in the vortex chamber  312 . 
   Actuators can take one of several forms in the described embodiments. It is essential that the actuator reliably creates a mechanical disturbance that translates into a traveling pressure wave within the vortex generator to create the vortex bolus as it exits the orifice. Just as important is the ability for the actuator to move the diaphragm while only requiring minimum power. If the vortex generator is to be battery powered, the ability for a battery to power the generator for a long period of time is an advantage to the user. 
     FIG. 9  shows an actuator having a bobbin  412  formed by a cylinder  414  and attached diaphragm  416  made from paper, plastic, or similar lightweight but structurally sound material. A central iron piece  440  has a base and upstanding pedestal. The bobbin  414  fits about the pedestal and is surrounded by a coil  418  attached to a PCB controlling the current to the coil. Surrounding the coil is a second iron piece  442  and a ceramic magnet  444 . The assembly is housed within a Delrin housing or suitable material. Wire is wound about the bobbin. When current is supplied through the wire, the oscillating movement of the pedestal causes the movement of the diaphragm to create a waveform. A vortex having an effective distance of five to seven feet is possible with this type of actuator. 
     FIG. 10  shows a second embodiment of a actuator having a motor  50  and a torsional spring  56  causing rotation of a cam  52 . A cam follower  54  is moved in a reciprocating manner to cause corresponding movement of a diaphragm. 
   Yet another actuator shown in  FIG. 11   a  includes a central hub  150  having a plurality of flappers  154  extending radially therefrom. Rotation of the hub  150  causes the flappers to abut a retainer  152  extending into the housing. When the flappers are free from the retainer, they strike the diaphragm  116  to cause the movement of the diaphragm and the creation of a waveform. 
     FIG. 11   b  shows a similar actuator eliminating the membrane. The flappers  154  are bent by the interference of the retainer  152 . When the flappers clear the retainer, their resilience causes the flappers to straighten. This action causes a waveform and no diaphragm is needed. 
     FIG. 12   a  discloses an actuator having a solenoid  250  and a return spring  252  acting upon a linkage  254  to create oscillating movement. The linkage  254  causes oscillating movement of a clapper  256  striking a diaphragm.  FIG. 12   b  is a perspective view of this actuator. 
     FIG. 13   a  is a perspective view of a bolt action actuator and  FIG. 13   b  is a side view of this actuator. A motor  350  causes rotation of a cam  354 . A striker  356  has a cam follower  358  bearing against the cam. Rotation of the cam causes oscillating movement of the follower. A return spring  352  insures the continued oscillating movement of the striker so that it may strike against the diaphragm. 
     FIG. 14   a  is a perspective view of a foot pedal actuator and  FIG. 14   b  is a side view of this actuator. A motor  450  bears against linkage  454  to cause movement of the striker  456 . A return spring  452  is provided to insure the continued oscillating movement of the striker. 
   An additional feature of a vortex generator is the ability to directionally vary the generated vortex. It is beneficial to provide the housing with an oscillating motion so that the vortices can be spread throughout the desired affected area. An oscillating mechanism is shown in side view in  FIG. 15  and perspective view in  FIG. 16 . A motor  650  drives an oscillating linkage  652 . Rotation of the linkage causes oscillating of the vortex generator. The motor is powered by a battery  622 , but may be powered by other means. 
     FIG. 17  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the vortex generator having a vortex chamber  712  and vortex cone  714 . The actuator and diaphragm may be mounter in either the chamber or cone. The chamber and cone together define a cone having a curved longitudinal axis. The result is an outlet at an angle to the bottom of the chamber, as shown. As with all embodiments of the vortex cone, any of the disclosed actuators for the diaphragm may be used to create the waveform. 
     FIG. 18  shows a bottom view of the vortex cone with an active refill in the form of a hub  720  and spokes  722 . The spokes are made of absorbent material to contain the substance to be dispensed. As the pressure wave passes through the vortex cone, it passes by the spokes and picks up the substances from the spokes. 
     FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the active insert seen in  FIG. 18 . The active insert has a hub  720  with a plurality of spokes  722  extending therefrom. The hub  720  has a central recess  724  to receive a bottle  726  containing the active liquid. The hub and spokes are retained within the vortex chamber in any suitable manner. 
   The bottle  726  is retained within the recess  724  by conventional means such as threads. When the central recess  724  fills with liquid to cover the opening of this bottle  726 , no further liquid can escape the bottle until the level falls below the bottle opening, allowing air into the bottle. Details of this active can be seen in  FIG. 20 . In this view, all but one spoke have be removed for clarity purposes. In this view the bottles  726  is fully engaged in the hub  720 . As can be seen in this Figure, each spoke has depending retainer  728  provided with a slot to receive the spoke  722 . 
   Each retainer  728  has a passageway leading to the recess  724  to receive liquid from the bottle  726 . The hub need not have a recess and bottle but, if not, the active insert will need to be replaced once the initial charge of active is dissipated from the absorbent material. Alternatively, the spokes may be made of a gel of active material rather than absorbent material. 
   An advantage of the hub and spokes arrangement is the large surface area of active. This large surface area creates a high concentration of active within the vortex cone which is especially beneficial to dispense insecticides in an effective amount. 
     FIG. 21  shows a cross section of the vortex generator of  FIG. 17  having a diaphragm  716  creating a waveform in vortex cone  714 . Extending from the inner sidewall of the vortex cone  714  is bracket  718  for retaining a bottle refill  730 . The bottle refill  730  has a wick  732  extending into the active contained in the bottle refill  730  and outwardly above the bracket  718 . The wick is saturated with the active and is able to create a concentration in the air proximate the outlet of the vortex cone  714 . The waveform generated by diaphragm  716  carries the active concentration out of the outlet where, upon leaving the outlet, the waveform is transformed into a vortex and the bolus carries the concentration produced by the wick  732 . It has been found that creating the concentration near the outlet allows the concentration to become entrapped within the vortex. Because the waveform does not travel far after picking up the concentration before developing into a vortex, a high percentage of the concentration is successfully trapped by the vortex. 
     FIG. 22  shows an alternative method for creating a concentration proximate the outlet of the vortex cone  714 . In this embodiment, the end of the nozzle and refill are combined and releasably attached to the end of the vortex cone  714 . The refill has a ring  734  attachable to the end of the vortex cone  714  and carrying refill  736 . The refill  736  can be a gel, wick or saturated sponge or any other material capable of producing a concentration of the active in the air at the outlet of the vortex cone  714 . The waveform generated by the diaphragm  716  carries the concentration out of the vortex cone  714  and upon exiting the cone creates a vortex entraining the concentration as a bolus. When the active  736  is exhausted, the ring  734  is detached from the vortex cone  714  and a new ring having a fresh supply of active is attached. 
     FIG. 23  is a view of another preferred embodiment of the vortex generator having a vortex chamber  812  housing the diaphragm and diaphragm actuator and a vortex cone  814 . The bottom view of the vortex cone of  FIG. 24  shows the active refill in the form of concentric rings separated from one another by corrugations. The pressure wave passing through the vortex cone, passes through the active refill and picks up the active substance from the refill.