DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DIFFUSING A DRY MIST

Abstract

An anti-condensation housing includes a connector to connect to a diffusing head configured to nebulize a product to diffuse. The housing includes a conduit having an inlet for a nebulized product, an outlet opening at a diffusing end, of the conduit, a fan at an insufflating end of the conduit. The fan generates a flow of air between the insufflating end and the diffusing end of the conduit. An internal surface of the conduit extending along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the air flow creates an obstacle for the progress of the air flow in the conduit. A retainer to retain the nebulized product stopped by the internal surface. A device to diffuse a product implementing the anti-condensation housing and a method for diffusing a product using such a device are provided.

Claims

1-23. (canceled)

24. An anti-condensation housing, comprising a connector to connect the anti-condensation housing to a diffusing head configured to nebulize a product to diffuse, the anti-condensation housing comprising: a conduit comprising a diffusing end, an insufflating end, and a nebulized product inlet between the diffusing end and insufflating end; an outlet opening at the diffusing end of the conduit; a fan at the insufflating end of the conduit, the fan generates an air flow between the insufflating end and the diffusing end of the conduit; an internal surface of the conduit, located between the nebulized product inlet and the diffusing end, extending along a direction perpendicular to a direction of the air flow to provide an obstacle for a progress of the air flow in the conduit; and a retention zone to retain the nebulized product stopped by the internal surface.

25. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, wherein a diameter of a section of the conduit ranges between 60 mm and 120 mm.

26. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, wherein a length of the conduit between the insufflating end and the diffusing end ranges between 3 and 10 times a diameter of a section of the conduit.

27. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, wherein the conduit is bent between the insufflating end and the diffusing end.

28. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 27, wherein the conduit comprises two parts that can be directed one in relation to the other.

29. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, wherein the conduit comprises a baffle between the nebulized product inlet and the diffusing end.

30. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 29, wherein the baffle cooperates with a wall of the conduit to create the retention zone.

31. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, further comprising a container in communication with the retention zone.

32. The anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, further comprising a heater to heat the air flow generated at the insufflating end.

33. A device to diffuse a product in a form of a dry fog comprises a diffusing assembly comprising: a bottle containing the product to nebulize; the diffusing head is connected to the bottle and comprises a compressed air inlet; and the anti-condensation housing according to claim 24, wherein the nebulized product inlet is connected to the diffusing head.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the diffusing head comprises a regulator to limit a flow of compressed air injected into the diffusing head.

35. The device according to claim 33, further comprising a heater to heat the bottle containing the product to nebulize.

36. The device according to claim 33, further comprising a level indicator to provide a level of the product to nebulize remaining in the bottle.

37. The device according to claim 33, wherein the conduit of the diffusing assembly comprises a fastener to suspend the conduit and the bottle.

38. The device according to claim 33, further comprising a casing comprising a hatch with a lock, and an opening in communication with the diffusing end of the conduit of the anti-condensation housing.

39. The device according to claim 34, further comprising a pump configured to deliver compressed air to the diffusing head of the diffusing assembly.

40. The device according to claim 39, further comprising a dryer to dry the compressed air produced by the pump.

41. The device according to claim 39, further comprising a plurality of diffusing assemblies supplied with the compressed air by the pump; and a distributor to distribute the flow of the compressed air between said plurality of diffusing assemblies; and wherein the regulator adjusts an overall pressure of the compressed air.

42. A method for diffusing a product in a form of a dry fog in a diffusion space using the device according to claim 41, comprising steps of injecting the compressed air into the diffusing head to generate nebulization of a volume of product in the conduit of the diffusing assembly; and simultaneously controlling the fan at the insufflating end of the conduit to generate the air flow that is greater than 10,000 times a flow of the nebulized product.

43. The method according to claim 42, after the simultaneously controlling step, further comprising a step of insufflating air in the conduit after an end of a product nebulization.

44. The method according to claim 42, before the injecting and simultaneously controlling steps, further comprising steps of spatially distributing the diffusing assemblies in the diffusion space; and calibrating pressure and flow of the compressed air injected in each diffusing assembly to evenly distribute a diffused product in the diffusion space.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein a flow of air insufflated ranges between 20 m.sup.3/hour and 80 m.sup.3/hour.

46. The method according to claim 42, wherein a pressure of the compressed air pressure injected into the diffusing head ranges between 0.3 bar and 1.5 bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The invention is described below in its preferred embodiments, which are not limitative in any way, and by reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the front and right-hand side of an exemplary embodiment of a diffusing assembly according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front and left-hand side of the assembly in FIG. 1;

[0079] FIG. 3 is a right-hand view of the installation of a diffusing assembly according to the invention in a casing, a section of which is represented in this view;

[0080] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the diffusing assembly according to the invention, where the conduit comprises a part that can be turned;

[0081] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a diffusing device according to the invention, comprising a plurality of diffusion assemblies connected to a single pump unit;

[0082] FIG. 6 is a logical diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

[0083] FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a conduit with a double bend.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0084] Throughout this document, the term ‘vapor’ refers to the gaseous phase of a compound. The term “dry fog” refers to a two-phase mixture of the gaseous and liquid phases, where the liquid phases are in the form of micro droplets with a diameter that is sufficiently small to allow them to bounce off solid surfaces without wetting said surfaces.

[0085] In FIG. 1 of an exemplary embodiment, the diffusing assembly (100) according to the invention comprises a bottle (110) of the product to diffuse, the neck of which is introduced in a diffusing head (120) that communicate with the inside of said bottle. The invention relates more particularly to the diffusion of fragrances, so that the product contained in the bottle (110) is more generally a fragrance or an essential oil. However, the invention is also suitable for diffusing other products, particularly products for disinfecting, neutralizing odors, humidification, diffusing repellents or insecticides and generally diffusing a product in the form of an aerosol. The diffusing head (120) is connected to a compressed air inlet (121), for example in the form of a hose. That diffusing head comprises a nebulizing nozzle, which communicates with the inside of the conduit of an anti-condensation housing (130) using appropriate means (122), generally a tube, which may be rigid or flexible. Said anti-condensation housing (130) comprises a conduit which, in this exemplary embodiment, has a rectangular section and is made up of an assembly of bent welded plates (131, 132). The end (134) of the conduit that is proximal to the nebulized product inlet (122), comprises means (140) for generating a flow of air, for example an electric fan (140) known as a silent fan. Such a fan is commonly used in applications such as the ventilation of electrical cabinets. As a non-limitative example, said fan has a diameter of 80 mm, and its output is approximately 40 m.sup.3/h with an electricity rating of about 3 W. Said fan is supplied by a very low voltage line (not shown) with 12V or 24V power. In a particular embodiment, an electric resistance heater (not shown) powered by the same current as the fan is placed in the air flow immediately after said fan (140) in order to heat said air flow to a temperature of about 30° C. This temperature improves the diffusion of fragrances without denaturing them.

[0086] In this exemplary embodiment, the conduit has a rectangular section and is bent to 90°, with a small curvature radius, so as to reduce its dimension for an equal length. Advantageously, in this exemplary embodiment, the bending position is selected so that the conduit surrounds the bottle (110) and makes it possible to direct the jet downward when said bottle is in vertical position. This embodiment is thus particularly compact and suitable for use where the device according to the invention is concealed in a false ceiling.

[0087] The section of the conduit is determined by the nebulization jet opening into said conduit. That is because if the height of the conduit opposite that inlet is too small, the aerosol created during nebulization tends to condensate on the wall opposite said product inlet. As a non-limitative example, the height of said conduit for diffusing a fragrance is approximately 10 cm and generally ranges between 5 cm and 15 cm. The length of the conduit is selected to obtain dry fog at its outlet. Said length is determined, for example, by means of testing depending on the nebulized product. As a non-limitative example, the total length of the conduit ranges from 3 to 10 times the diameter of the circle that fits within the section of the conduit.

[0088] In FIG. 7 of an exemplary embodiment, the conduit (730) of the device according to the invention comprises a double bend, so that said conduit (730) comprises surfaces that extend substantially perpendicular to the original direction (700) of the air flow, which thus create obstacles for the progress of said flow. The largest droplets are projected against the walls of the conduit at the bends, where they flow towards a retention zone (735). In this exemplary embodiment, the bends are made around axes that are substantially perpendicular to the initial direction (700) of the air flow, with curvature radiuses that are about the same as the diameter of the conduit. An equivalent result is obtained by one or more bends along an axis parallel to that initial direction (700) of the air flow, with tighter curvature radiuses. Similarly, while the conduit is directed so that the flow of air is directed downward at the diffusing end in this exemplary embodiment, the conduit is directed for diffusion in the upward direction in other embodiments, or horizontal or any other direction suitable for the configuration of the installation comprising such a device. In other exemplary embodiments, the bends thus made have an angle that is smaller than or greater than 90°.

[0089] Returning to FIG. 1, in this exemplary embodiment, when the nebulized product is introduced in the conduit through the inlet (122) that opens into the anti-condensation housing, and the product thus nebulized is carried by the flow of air produced by the fan (140), the largest drops, for example those with a diameter above 10 μm (10×10.sup.−6 m) would be projected against the bent part (133) of the conduit. However, depending on the mode of installation of that diffusing assembly, the drops thus projected on the bent part (133) of the conduit would be liable to flow along the walls of said conduit and fall through the diffusing end. In order to avoid such a situation, the diffusing assembly according to the invention comprises, in the conduit, a baffle (135) that cooperates with the walls of the conduit in order to create a zone for retaining drops of nebulized product caught by said baffle (135). The presence of such a baffle (135) is not limited to this type of conduit. The height of the baffle is adapted depending on its position in the conduit so as to intercept the larger droplets and let the finer droplets through, particularly when their diameter is below 10 μm. The term ‘baffle’ refers to an obstacle located in the conduit, which obstacle is suitable for deviating the progress of the gas flow in said conduit. In non-exhaustive exemplary embodiments, such a baffle is obtained by adding a plate fixed to the inside of the conduit by any means such as welding, soldering or riveting or takes the form of a rib made of the conduit material by bending or molding.

[0090] In FIG. 2 of this exemplary embodiment of the diffusing assembly according to the invention, the retention zone is demarcated by the baffle in the conduit and communicates with a container (210), for example by means of a hose (235). In this exemplary embodiment, said container (210) is connected to the anti-condensation housing by a support (215) fixed to a wall of the conduit. Another wall of the conduit advantageously comprises fastening tabs (250) for suspending said anti-condensation housing. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the diffusing assembly (100) according to the invention forms a compact whole where all the means are connected to the diffusing conduit. In order to make the assembly operate, it merely needs a connection (121) to a source of compressed air, and an electrical connection (241) for the fan.

[0091] In FIG. 3, the diffusing assembly according to the invention is advantageously placed in a casing (300) comprising a hatch (310) to allow access to the bottle (110) for refilling or changing it when all the product has been consumed.

[0092] To that end, the bottle advantageously comprises a visual or electronic level indicator (not shown) to allow a maintenance operator to detect the need for replacement or refilling. In this exemplary embodiment, said casing (300) is designed for installing the diffusing assembly to the ceiling. In that situation, said hatch (310) also allows access to the device for maintenance purposes. The compressed air inlet in the diffusing head (120) advantageously comprises a means (320) to adjust the injected air flow. The adjustment of the flow determines the quantity of product taken in by Venturi effect in the bottle (110) and therefore the quantity of product nebulized in the anti-condensation housing. In this exemplary embodiment, the means (320) for adjusting the flow is manual. Alternatively, the means may be remotely controlled electronic means.

[0093] In FIG. 4 of another exemplary embodiment of the diffusing assembly according to the invention, the conduit of the assembly comprises two parts (431, 432) that can be turned in relation to each other, here along two pivot links with perpendicular axes (451, 452). Thus, the part (432) comprising the diffusing end of the conduit can be turned in order to optimize the direction of the diffusion flow in relation to the environment in which that diffusing assembly is located. In this exemplary embodiment, the fan (440) is connected to the fixed part (431) of the conduit, which is also connected to the bottle (410) containing the product to diffuse. In one particular embodiment (not shown), the mobile part (432) is turned in relation to the fixed part (431) of the conduit by means of remotely controlled powering means.

[0094] In a non-specific implementation of that last embodiment, the diffusing assembly according to the invention comprises means (460) to heat the bottle (410) of product to diffuse. In that non-exclusive exemplary embodiment, said heating means consists in resistance heater (460) suitable for heating the bottle from the outside. Other heating modes are possible from outside the bottle or directly in the product. Thus, when the diffusing assembly according to the invention is used in a cold environment, those heating means (460) make it possible to heat the diffused product to the conditions of viscosity that are favorable for nebulization. Depending on the nature of the product diffused, the heating means also make it possible to favor the vaporization of the product when it passes through the diffusing head.

[0095] In FIG. 5 of an exemplary embodiment of the diffusing device according to the invention, particularly suitable for diffusion in a large volume, said device comprises a plurality of diffusing assemblies (100) supplied with compressed air by a single pump unit (520). In alternative embodiments, said pump unit (520) is made up of a piston compressor, a screw compressor or any other device suitable for producing compressed air, associated or otherwise with a buffer capacity and advantageously made up of a diaphragm compressor or oscillating piston compressor operating without oil. At the outlet of the pump unit (520), the compressed air is directed to a distributing unit (530), after passing through a filter or an oil separator and dryer (525). Said compressed air distribution unit (530) comprises a pressure regulator (535) that is adjusted manually or electronically controlled, which makes it possible to adapt the pressure from the pump unit, generally 8 bars, to the number of diffusing assemblies (100) supplied, for example by creating a leak. Thus, regardless of the number of diffusing assemblies (100) connected, the pump (520) always operates in favorable conditions, which prevents premature wear and tear and reduces noise.

[0096] In this embodiment, supervising and controlling means (500) make it possible to control the distribution unit (530) or the pump unit and thus program, for each diffusing assembly (100), the nebulization time, the quantity of product nebulized and the time frequency of the diffusion depending on the characteristics of the space into which the product is diffused. The compressed air is injected in the diffusing heads under pressure of about 0.6 bar, more generally from 0.3 bar to 1.5 bar depending on the diffused product and the result sought. In one exemplary embodiment, the distribution unit (530) controls the sending of compressed air in the piping (540) connecting said unit (530) to the diffusing assemblies (100). In another exemplary embodiment, the distribution unit also controls the starting up and stopping of the fans of diffusing assemblies. In this last exemplary embodiment, the distribution unit is connected to each diffusing assembly (100) by a pneumatic link (540) and by an electrical connection (550) supplying very low voltage.

[0097] The diffusion assemblies (100) are distributed in the space in which the product is to be diffused. That distribution is obtained by means of tests or simulations. Such tests or simulations prior to the implementation of the device according to the invention also make it possible to define the time frequency of nebulization and volume of product thus nebulized. The volume of nebulized product depends on the calibration of the pressure and air flow injected in the diffusing heads of the diffusing assemblies (100). These adjustments are made, firstly, by means of a pressure regulator (535) and secondly, by means of individual adjusting devices (320), shown here schematically, of each diffusing assembly (100).

[0098] In one exemplary embodiment, when the diffusing device only comprises one diffusing assembly, the use of a distributing unit is not necessary. The pressure regulator is installed at the outlet of the pump unit and the supervision means (500) directly control the pump unit and the fan of said diffusing assembly (100).

[0099] In FIG. 6 of an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises, on the scale of one diffusing assembly, a first controlled injection step (610) consisting in injecting compressed air under suitable pressure into the diffusion head of said diffusion assembly. This step is managed by supervision means that control the distribution unit or directly the pump unit. Simultaneously with the injection step, a ventilation step (620) consists in controlling the starting up of the fan of the diffusing assembly. Depending on the product diffused and the conditions of implementation, that ventilation step (620) is absolutely simultaneous with nebulization or pre-triggered before nebulization or triggered after a given delay following said nebulization. In a step (630) known as the post-ventilation step of the method according to the invention, ventilation is continued after the nebulization step is completed. Depending on the nature of the ventilating means, the post-ventilation step (630) is carried out with an air flow rate identical to that in the ventilation step (620) or a different flow rate. Further, when the diffusing assembly has means for heating the air flow, the temperature of that air flow is also controlled during those two steps (620, 630). That is because the ventilation step (620) is aimed at creating a flow of dry fog from a cloud of product nebulized in the anti-condensation housing, whereas the post-ventilation step (630) is aimed at making the drops of products deposited on the walls of the conduit during the previous steps evaporate, and the conditions of ventilation and heating corresponding to those two steps (620, 630) are specifically suitable for the purpose sought. After a delay step (640) specific to each controlled diffusing assembly, the process is repeated.

[0100] The description above and the exemplary embodiments show that the invention achieves its objectives; in particular, the device and method according to the invention make it possible to diffuse a product optimally and in a controlled manner in a space, regardless of the volume of the space, and depending on the embodiment, by the individual control of said assemblies by centralized means. More precisely, the device according to the invention particularly makes it possible: [0101] to adapt the quantity of product diffused by each diffusing assembly; [0102] to make up for the head loss differences relating to the difference in length of compressed air pipes between each diffusing assembly and balance those head losses by the individual adjustments of each diffusing head.

[0103] The anti-condensation housing according to the invention makes it possible: [0104] to dilute the fog of product in a larger volume of dry air; [0105] to make it easier for the product to evaporate before it leaves the conduit and be diffused in the space in which the product is to be diffused; [0106] to improve the fineness of the fog diffused in an overall compact volume; [0107] to retain the drops of liquid formed at the exit of the diffusing head; [0108] to recover the surplus liquid product that collects at the outlet of the diffusing head and avoid contamination; [0109] to guide the flow of air and product towards specific zones of the diffusion volume; [0110] to increase the speed of flow of the air and product and thus improve the distribution of product in the volume of diffusion.

[0111] Thus, the method and the device according to the invention offer their user the following benefits: [0112] making the fog virtually invisible; [0113] making it possible to install the diffusion assembly in a small area that is removed from the diffusion zone; [0114] obtaining more even diffusion, particularly a more even olfactory sensation when the product diffused is fragrance; [0115] limiting the contamination of surrounding surfaces thanks to the absence of liquid drops.