DEVICE FOR DIFFUSING A AROMATIC PRODUCT IN A WATER STREAM AND ASSOCIATED DIFFUSER BODY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for diffusing a fragrant product in a water stream. The device includes a main body with an inlet and an outlet for the water stream, interconnected by a channel for the passage of the stream. The main body is configured to be mounted on a water circuit with the inlet and the outlet arranged between an outlet of the water stream distribution system and a shower pipe inlet, respectively, so as to allow the water stream to circulate through the passage channel of the distribution system towards the shower pipe. The main body includes a receptacle configured to receive and position a diffuser body in the passage channel for the fragrant product to be diffused. The diffuser body blocking, at least partially, the passage channel such that, in the open position, the water stream from the outlet of the distribution system flows through the diffuser body when passing through the channel, causing the fragrant product to be diffused in the water stream and hence allowing a perfumed water stream to reach the shower pipe.

Claims

1. A diffuser body for a diffusion device for diffusing an aromatic product in a water flow, the diffusion device being intended to be mounted on a water circuit between an outlet of a distribution system of said water flow and an inlet of a shower duct to allow said water flow to circulate from said distribution system to the shower duct, the diffuser body comprising: a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube dimensioned relative to each other to fit into each other and form a receptacle for receiving the aromatic product to be diffused in the water flow, wherein said first hollow tube and second hollow tube cooperate together to have two positions including a first closed position wherein the receptacle is sealed in order to avoid any contact of the aromatic product with the water flow, and a second open position wherein said receptacle is open to allow the water flow to circulate therethrough and come into contact with the aromatic product.

2. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow tube comprises a top cover and the second hollow tube comprises a bottom, or vice versa.

3. The diffuser body according to claim 2, wherein the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube are configured relative to each other so that switching from the closed position to the open position is activated by exerting a pressure on the top cover towards the bottom, or vice versa.

4. The diffuser body according to claim 1, further comprising position holding means configured to hold in position the first and second hollow tubes in either the closed and/or open position.

5. The diffuser body according to claim 4, wherein the position holding means comprises: a groove extending at least partially around the periphery of the upper portion of one of the first or second tubes, and a bead extending at least partially around the periphery of the upper portion of the other tube, said groove being dimensioned to receive said bead, the reception of said bead in said groove ensuring the sealing of the receptacle.

6. The diffuser body according to claim 5, wherein said first and second tubes are at least partially made of an elastically deformable material so that the pressure exerted on the top cover causes a deformation of the first and second tubes disengaging the bead from said groove to allow switching from the closed position to the open position of the receptacle.

7. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the first tube and the second tube comprise, on their respective peripheral wall, a plurality of through windows.

8. The diffuser body according to claim 7, wherein the through windows respectively of the first tube and of the second tubes are positioned relative to each other such that: in the closed position, the through windows are offset from one another preventing the passage of the water flow inside the receptacle; and in the open position, the through windows face each other allowing the passage of the water flow inside the receptacle.

9. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic product to be diffused, positioned inside the receptacle, includes aromatic salts.

10. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic product to be diffused, positioned inside the receptacle, includes a felt soaked in said aromatic product to be diffused.

11. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic product to be diffused, positioned inside the receptacle, includes a sponge soaked in the aromatic product to be diffused.

12. The diffuser body according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic product to be diffused, positioned inside the receptacle, includes a porous stone comprising said aromatic product to be diffused.

13. A device for diffusing an aromatic product in a water flow, said device comprising: a main body having a water flow inlet and outlet interconnected by a passage channel of said flow, said main body being intended to be mounted on a water circuit according to said inlet and said outlet respectively between an outlet of a distribution system of said water flow and an inlet of a shower duct to allow said water flow to circulate through said passage channel from said distribution system to the shower duct, said main body comprising: a receiving case configured to receive and position in the passage channel; and a removable diffuser body having a receptacle containing said aromatic product to be diffused, said diffuser body at least partially obstructing said passage channel and being configured to have two positions including a first closed position wherein the receptacle is sealed in order to avoid any contact of the aromatic product with the water flow and a second open position wherein said receptacle is open so that said water flow from the outlet of said distribution system passes through said receptacle as it passes through said channel so that said aromatic product diffuses in the water flow thus allowing a flow of aromatised water to enter said shower duct.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the receiving case is substantially cylindrical in shape and the device further comprises a toroidal-shaped purifying filter capable of conforming to a peripheral wall of the receiving case and a central part of which is dimensioned to receive the diffuser body.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the purifying filter has an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall, said inner and outer peripheral walls defining therebetween a volume where mineral balls are positioned.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the mineral balls are at least partially made of ceramic.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the inner peripheral wall of the purifying filter comprises a plurality of through perforations arranged together to allow said water flow to circulate through said filter.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the perforations each have a triangular configuration and are entangled relative to each other.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the perforations are substantially oblong and are slightly inclined to promote the emulsion of the water when the water flow passes through the filter.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the perforations are disposed in two rows head to tail.

21. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a removable and sealed protective cover covering the receiving case and configured to hermetically close the receiving case when said diffuser body is inserted into said case.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the protective cover has on the front a substantially flat upper portion intended to be visible and having a marking area for marking information relating to the aromatic product associated with said diffuser body.

23. The device according to claim 13, wherein the inlet and the outlet of said main body respectively comprise first and second assembly means configured to cooperate respectively with the outlet of the distribution system of said water flow and the inlet of said shower duct for integrally assembling the main body with said distribution system and said shower duct.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the first and second assembly means are configured for assembling said main body with said distribution system and said shower duct by screwing.

25. The device according to claim 21, further comprising seals respectively between the inlet of said main body and the outlet of the distribution system and between the outlet of said main body and the inlet of said shower duct.

26. An assembly comprising: a diffusion device according to claim 13; and at least one diffuser body according to claim 1 comprising an aromatic product to be diffused in a water flow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED FIGURES

[0090] Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 5A-5B, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting nature and on which:

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a device for diffusing an aromatic product in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of a device for diffusing an aromatic product in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0093] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of a purifying filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0094] FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a perspective sectional diagram of a diffuser body, in the closed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0095] FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a perspective sectional diagram of a diffuser body, in the open position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO AN ADVANTAGEOUS EMBODIMENT

[0096] A device for diffusing an aromatic product according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment as well as the diffuser body which is associated therewith will now be described in what follows with reference jointly to FIGS. 1 to 5A-5B.

[0097] As a reminder, one of the purposes of the present invention is to design a diffusion system, which is simple to be installed on a water circuit, allowing to provide a user with an experience of aromatherapy or equivalent type which is prolonged over time without having to replace the cartridge system after only a few showers, as is the case with existing solutions such as for example in documents WO 2011107221 and WO 2014174191.

[0098] This is made possible by the exemplary embodiment of the invention described below:

[0099] In the example described here, a diffusion device 100 intended to be mounted on a water circuit of the shower system type is provided.

[0100] In the example described here, the diffusion device 100 is specially designed for diffusing an aromatic product A in a water flow F.

[0101] Here, the aromatic product A comprises aromatic salts.

[0102] It will be understood here that other aromatic products can be used in the context of the present invention.

[0103] In this example, the device 100 more particularly comprises a main body 10 having a water flow inlet 10a and outlet 10b.

[0104] The user, alone without an installer, can himself install the device 100 on the water circuit.

[0105] In this example, the user fixes the main body 10 on the circuit by connecting the inlet 10a of the main body 10 to the outlet of a water flow distribution system (for example to the outlet of the mixing valve, not shown here) and by connecting the outlet 10b of the main body 10 to the inlet of a shower duct (not shown here).

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 2, provision can be made to this end of a first 12 and second 13 assembly means arranged respectively at the inlet 10a and the outlet 10b of the body 10 and able to cooperate respectively with the outlet of the distribution system and the inlet of the shower duct for integrally assembling the main body 10 with the distribution system and the shower duct.

[0107] Preferably, the assembly is done by screwing.

[0108] In this example, the first 12 and second 13 assembly means each include a helical portion of the threading type allowing an assembly by screwing.

[0109] Here, it is preferable for the user to position seals (not shown here) between the inlet 10a of the main body 10 and the outlet of the distribution system and between the outlet 10b of the main body 10 and the inlet of the shower duct. Such seals ensure the sealing of the system.

[0110] In this example, the main body 10 is therefore integrally mounted on the circuit of the shower system.

[0111] It will be understood that alternatively the diffusion device 100 as designed in the context of the present invention can also be directly integrated into a diffusion showerhead such as, for example, a showerhead.

[0112] In the example described here and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the inlet 10a and outlet 10b of the device 100 are interconnected by a passage channel 10c. It is understood here that the passage channel 10c allows the passage of the water flow F from the inlet 10a to the outlet 10b.

[0113] When the user actuates the distribution system, it is then possible to circulate the water flow F in the water circuit through the passage channel 10c of the distribution system to the shower duct.

[0114] The diffusion device 100 is characteristic of the present invention and allows to overcome the problems encountered so far when providing an aromatherapy experience to the user.

[0115] In this example, the device 100 has a main body 10 comprising at its centre a receiving case 11 of substantially cylindrical shape.

[0116] Such a case 11 is configured to receive and position within the passage channel 10c a purifying filter 20 as well as a diffuser body 200.

[0117] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the purifying filter 20 is toroidal in shape: it is also called a “donut” for its shape.

[0118] Such a filter 20 is therefore positioned in the receiving case 11 against the peripheral walls 11a thereof (FIG. 2).

[0119] Openings 23 and 24 are provided to ensure the flowing of water from the inlet 10a of the device to the outlet 10b.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the purifying filter 20 has a double skin, namely here an inner peripheral wall 20a and an outer peripheral wall 20b, said walls 20a-20b defining therebetween a volume 20c in the shape of a hollow ring wherein ceramic mineral balls are positioned.

[0121] These balls (not shown here) have the property of purifying water.

[0122] The water flow circulating through the passage channel 10c necessarily passes through the purifying filter 20 so that the water is filtered at the outlet of the device 100.

[0123] The toroidal shape of the filter 20 allows the positioning of a diffuser body 200 in the central part 20d thereof (FIG. 2).

[0124] As can be seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of through perforations 22 ensuring communication between the filter 20 and the diffuser body 200 are provided on the inner peripheral wall 20b of the filter 20.

[0125] When the diffuser body 200 is positioned in the central part 20d of the filter 20, it is possible to circulate the water flow F through both said filter 20 and through the diffuser body 200: the water flow F passing through the passage channel 10c therefore passes through the central part 20d of the filter 20 (that is to say the diffuser body 200 placed in this central part) and the volume 20c of the filter 20. The water flow therefore passes through the filter 20 and the diffuser body 200.

[0126] In the example described here and illustrated in FIG. 3, the perforations 22 are disposed in two rows; they are substantially oblong and slightly inclined.

[0127] Such a configuration ensures a good flow, good diffusion of the aromatic product A and furthermore allows an emulsion of water at the outlet 10b of the body 10.

[0128] On a practical level, the user therefore grasps the diffuser body 200 and positions it in the central part 20d of the filter 20 which is dedicated thereto.

[0129] The diffuser body 20 is therefore positioned by the user in the body 10 to at least partially obstruct the passage channel 10c.

[0130] In the example described here, the receiving case has a diameter which is substantially comprised between approximately 18 to 22 millimetres and a height substantially comprised between approximately 23 to 27 millimetres. Advantageously, the diffuser body 200 and the filter 20 are dimensioned to be inserted into the case 11 and to occupy all or part of the volume defined by the latter.

[0131] The diffuser body 200 has a particular design allowing it to have two positions: a closed position P1 and an open position P2.

[0132] The closed position (4A-4B) and the open position (5A-5B) can be distinguished in the example described here and illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5B.

[0133] The closed position P1 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B corresponds to a configuration of the body 200 wherein the latter is sealed avoiding any contact of the aromatic product with the water flow. Such a configuration allows a storage of the body 200 and guarantees a good preservation of the aromatic properties of the product A contained in the receptacle.

[0134] The open position P2 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, in turn, corresponds to a configuration of the body 200 wherein the latter is open thus allowing the water flow to pass therethrough for infusion of the aromatic product into the water flow.

[0135] Such a position P2 is advantageous when the body 200 is positioned in the diffusion device 100.

[0136] Ensuring the proper operation of the system in active configuration and preserving the aromatic properties of the product A over time is one of the purposes of the present invention.

[0137] Means for holding in position 210, are thus provided, ensuring that the tubes 201 and 202 are held in position in a position P1/P2 or in the other.

[0138] In this example, the diffuser body 200 therefore has first 201 and a second 202 hollow tubes and dimensioned relative to each other to fit into each other and form a receptacle 203 for receiving the aromatic product A to be diffused in the water flow F, here for example bath salts.

[0139] To form a box, a cover 201a and a bottom 202a are also provided.

[0140] In the embodiment described here, the user, by exerting a pressure on the cover 201a in the direction of the bottom 202a, causes an elastic deformation of the walls of the box which disengages the bead 212 provided on the outer periphery of the outer tube of the groove 211 formed on the inner periphery of the rim of the cover 201a capping the inner tube.

[0141] By releasing the bead 212 from the groove 211 by a simple pressure on the cover 201a in the direction of the bottom 202a of the receptacle, the body is switched from the closed position P1 (FIGS. 4A-4B) to the open position P2 (FIGS. 5A-5B).

[0142] Here, it can be noted that the cooperation of the bead 212 engaged in the groove 211 ensures the sealing of the receptacle.

[0143] It will be noted in the example described here and illustrated in FIG. 2, that the outer tube has a substantially flared shape which allows, when pressure is exerted on the cover, to bear against the upper peripheral crown 20e of the filter 20. By bearing in this way on this crown, it is easier for the user to switch from a closed position P1 to an open position P2.

[0144] In the example described here and as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5B, a plurality of through windows 204 and 205 is provided on the peripheral wall 201b and 202b of the tube.

[0145] In this example, the through windows 204 and 205 respectively are positioned relative to each other so that: [0146] in the closed position P1, the through windows 204 and 205 are offset from one another preventing the passage of the water flow F inside the receptacle 203 (see FIGS. 4A-4B); and [0147] in the open position P2, the through windows 204 and 205 are facing each other forming a passage opening allowing the passage of the water flow F inside the receptacle 203 (see FIGS. 5A-5B).

[0148] Thus, by exerting a pressure on the cover 201a, the windows 204 and 205 are offset so as to align them with one another and form a passage opening allowing the water flow to circulate through the receptacle.

[0149] Once the diffuser body 200 is correctly positioned in the receiving case 11, the user closes the protective cover 30 to hermetically close the receiving case 11.

[0150] It will be noted here that it is considerable to provide that it is the closing of the protective cover 30 which pushes the cover 201a causing the switching from the closed position P1 to the open position P2.

[0151] Finally, it will be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the protective cover 30 comprises on the front a substantially flat upper portion 0a. This portion is visible. Then, a marking area is provided therein allowing to mark information relating to the aromatic product A associated with the diffuser body 20.

[0152] Alternatively, a front can be provided comprising a transparent portion allowing to view the upper portion of the cover 201a of the diffuser body 200.

[0153] The present invention thus provides the user with the possibility of benefiting at home (or for example at the hotel) from a daily aromatherapy experience thanks to the presence of a diffusion device 100 which is easily mounted on a water distribution circuit which is accessible by the user and which allows easy use by freeing access to a receiving case intended to receive a removable and rechargeable diffuser body, containing an aromatic product to be diffused in the water flow.

[0154] The design of the diffuser body is characteristic of the present invention in that it is in the shape of a hermetic capsule, possibly refillable, the operating principle of which lies in a system having a dual configuration of both storage and diffusion.

[0155] The first configuration ensuring a storage which is hermetic and durable over time allowing the aromatic product to be stored and avoiding any contact with the water flow, and the second configuration ensuring the contacting of said aromatic product with the water flow for an infusion and diffusion of the product into the water flow.

[0156] The design of the diffuser body, thanks to this system of hollow tubes which are fitted into each other, ensures the switching from one configuration to another by the simple exertion of pressure.

[0157] It is therefore sufficient for the user to position his capsule or diffuser body 200 in the diffusion device 100 and actuate the switch from one configuration P1 to the other P2 to obtain this aromatherapy experience.

[0158] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting nature of the object of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the following claims.

[0159] It should also be observed that the reference signs placed in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims as well as the scope of the protection sought.