GB2388779A

GB2388779A - Air freshener unit in combination with a light source

Info

Publication number: GB2388779A
Application number: GB0310123A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derrick Barker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-15
Filing date: 2003-05-02
Publication date: 2003-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-02
Also published as: GB2388779B; GB0211095D0; GB0310123D0

Abstract

A ceiling mounted air freshener which incorporates an impeller or fan 4 for distributing a fragrance to the ambient environment. The main body of the device comprises an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15 defining an inner chamber 20. Within this chamber are a series of radially dividing walls compartmentalizing the inner chamber. Centrally located within the main body of the device is a cartridge opening 16 which retains a fragrance cartridge 17. Air is drawn by the impeller through a plurality of inlets (18, drawing C), the configuration of which is designed to encourage a rotating airflow and for the air to pass over the fragrance cartridge. The radial dividing walls encourage cyclonic air flow. The fragrance cartridge may also have directional inlets 24 that initiate and encourage the air to flow cyclonically. The device may also incorporate locking means 27 which interface with retaining interlocking features of the cartridge to inhibit the removal of the cartridge. The impeller may be driven by a motor and/or thermal circulation caused by the heat from the light source.

Description

Version I The Samp mains electricity (l) provides the main power for both

the light (2) and the control unit (3) and impeller (4) or trigger motor (S). The control unit supports rechargeable back up batteries (6), which will run the air freshener unit (11) for up to 24 hours. The batteries are charged from the 5amp power supply aided by a transformer (7).

The power supply can drive the impeller (4) or trigger motor (5) to distribute the scent.

With tungsten and halogen lights (8 & 9) they create a thermal circulation ( l O) that can also be used to distribute the scent.

During the period when the light (2) is off the backup batteries (6) continue to operate the air freshener ( I I). However in many cases the lighting circuit is part of a continuous power feed at the ceiling point. The on/off switch is often a separate cable link.

Therefore mains power ( I) would be on tap.

The control unit (3) would be a PCB and the mains power supply (1) would run via it and the backup batteries (6).

The impeller (4) can be operated by electricity and thermal circulation (10) from the tungsten or halogen light (8 & 9).

The control unit (3) activates the trigger motor (5) to distribute the scent evenly throughout the room.

The scent may be emitted in different directions (12) from the Luminar Airfresh Combined Unit to produce a more even distribution of scent around the room.

The components of the Airfresh Unit are held within a casing (13) with a transparent area for emitting light, holes from which the scent can be emitted into the room (12), holes for being attached to a wall or ceiling' and an opening for the mains supply cable to be fed into. The scent source is perfume in a contained form that can be replaced by the user.

Version 2 The main body (21) comprises an out wall (14) and an inner wall (15). The area between the outer wall (14) and inner wall (15) is the inner chamber (20). Within the inner chamber (20) are a series of radial dividing walls ( 19) compartmentalizing the inner chamber. Centrally located is a cartridge opening (16) that retains a fragrance cartridge (17). Adjacent to the fragrance cartridge (17) and within the perimeter defined by the maximum diameter of the impeller (4) is a series of inlets ( 18) through which the air is drawn by the impeller (4). The configuration of the inlet ( 18) openings encourages a rotating airflow and for the air to pass over the surface of the centrally located fragrance cartridge (17). The impeller (4) directs the air from the center laterally outwards into the inner chamber (20). The radial dividing walls ( 19) within the inner chamber (20) encourage a cyclonic airflow. At the outer periphery of the outer wall (14) and inner wall (l 5) is an opening (23) configured to redirect the cyclonic air flow projecting it laterally and rotational outward and away from the airfreshener unit ( I I) mounting surface (22).

As a further embodiment of the invention the fragrance cartridge ( 17) incorporates about the periphery of the fragrance medium (25) a series of directional inlets (24) that initiate and encourage the air to flow cyclonically by the impeller (4) and the radial dividing wall (19) within the main body (21).

The cartridge (17) incorporates retaining interlock features (26) used to secure the cartridge (17) into the opening (16) The main body (21) incorporates a locking means (27) which interfaces with the retaining interlock features (26) of the cartridge ( 17) to inhibit the removal of the cartridge other than by way of a secondary component or key herein described as key (28).

The key (28) provides a means of support for the cartridge (17) when installing the cartridge into the main body (21). Additionally the key (28) incorporates protruding features (29) which act upon locking means (27) such as to displace said locking means (27) so permitting engagement of the retaining interlocking features (26) resulting in a condition where die cartridge ( 17) cannot be removed without use of the key (28). To remove the cartridge (17) the operation using the key (28)is carried out in reverse.

Where the airfreshener unit (11) is ceiling mounted the airflow would be projected rotationally downwards into the room.

The advantages are: 1. The light is often positioned in the middle of the room resulting in a more even distribution of the scent.

2 In most toilet areas there is a power supply for the light available to use.

3. There is no requirement to install power supply on walls often decorated with tiles.

4. The power supply is continuous unlike solar or batteries that need replacing.

(I 3 5. The unit cost should be similar to a stand-alone unit as much of the construction is common to both a light and an air freshener.

6. It is very easy to install.

7. The air that enters the unit then is encouraged into a cyclonic or rotational motion until being exhausted back into the atmosphere with a cyclonic and conical and spiralling motion. In so doing maximising an even distribution of the fragrance.

Drawing A: An example of how the Lurninar Airfresh Unit parts may be when incorporating a tungstenlhalogen ceiling light.

Drawing B: An example of how the Luminar Airfresh Unit parts may be when incorporating a fluorescent light.

Drawing C: An example of how the airfreshener units may be without a light source from a central section view.

Drawing D: An example of how the airfreshener units may be without a light source from a top view Drawing E: An example of the cartridge and key assembly prior to installation in the main body Drawing F: A general sectional view through the complete assembly prior to installing the fragrance cartridge Drawing G: A general isometric view Drawing H: A section view of the assembled unit and the cartridge removal key.

Claims

1) An airfreshener unit comprising a means of distributing fragrance into the atmosphere in combination with a light source.

2) The airfreshener unit as claimed in Claim I has an impeller, which is driven both by a motor and by thermal circulation caused by the heat from the light source.

3) That the unit as claimed in Claim I & 2 can function solely as a means of distributing fragrance into the atmosphere by means of an impeller.

4) The unit as claimed in claim 1, 2 & 3 comprises a main body assembly made up of an outer wall and an inner wall creating an inner chamber.

5) The airfreshener unit's as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating an inner chamber which is sub-divided into compartments by a series of radial walls designed to encourage the airflow into a cyclonic or radial motion.

6) The airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim has a main body, which houses an impeller centrally, the impeller draws the air into its center and directs the air laterally outward into the inner chambers.

7) The airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim has centrally located within the main body and adjacent to the center of the impeller, a cartridge to carry the fragrance medium.

8) The airfreshener unit's as claimed in any preceding claim main body incorporates a series of inlets radially about the perimeter of the cartridge such that the air being drawn in by the impeller can pass over the fragrance medium.

9) As a Filcher embodiment, an airfreshener unit making use of the thermal circulation caused by the heat from a light source within the unit to distribute fragrance

9) The airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim could have the inlets so shaped as to encourage the air into a cyclonic or rotational motion before entering the impeller.

10) The airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim has a main body which has at the outer periphery an opening configured to redirect the air flow projecting it laterally and rotationally outward and away from the mounting surface.

I I) That the airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim has a configuration and combination of the main body assembly and the complete unit will draw air in through inlets, allow the air to pass over the cartridge, in so doing collect fragrance. 12) That the airfreshener unit's as claimed in any preceding claim as a further embodiment the airflow upon entering the unit then is encouraged into a cyclonic or rotatable motion until being exhausted back into the atmosphere with a cyclonic and conical and spiralling motion.

13) An airfreshener unit as a further embodiment a cartridge incorporating a series of directional inlets to direct the airflow.

14) An airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claims incorporating an interlocking interface means on the main body and the cartridge releasable only by a dedicated key which displaces the locking means on the body permitting security of the cartridge.

15) An airfreshener unit substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

( Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1) A ceiling mounted airfreshener unit with a series of elements which in combination manage the airflow, which upon entering the unit then is encouraged into a cyclonic or rotational motion until being exhausted downwards into the atmosphere with a diverging cyclonic and conical and spiral motion.

2) The airfreshener unit as claimed in preceding claims incorporating an inner chamber, within which are a series of radial walls to direct the airflow into a cycloruc or radial motion.

3) The airfreshener unit as claimed in preceding claims has a main body, which houses an impeller with a series of straight blades which draws the air into its center and directs the air laterally outward into the inner chamber.

4) The airfreshener unit as claimed in any preceding claim has centrally located within the main body and within the center of the impeller, a cartridge to carry the fragrance medium.

5) The airfreshener unit as claimed in preceding claims incorporating a series of shaped inlets about the periphery of the fragrance medium, which direct the airflow into a cyclonic or radial motion.

6) The airtreshener unit as claimed in preceding claims which has an exhaust opening, configured to redirect the airflow and projecting it downwards and rotationally outward and away from a generally horizontal and elevated mounting surface. 7) As a further embodiment an airIreshener unit a cartridge incorporating a series of directional inlets to direct the airflow.

8) As a further embodiment an airfireshener unit as claimed in any preceding claims incorporating an interlocking interlace means on the main body and the cartridge, releasable only by a dedicated key, which displaces the locking means to remove the cartridge.