Apparatus for improving air quality in a building

Abstract

A diffuser to distribute vapors throughout a building using an HVAC system. The diffuser has an inner tube with vents and a rotatable outer tube with vents, being rotatable by a rotation mechanism. The vents on both tubes can be misaligned, or fully or partially aligned by rotation of outer tube. The inner tube has a connector at one end to removably connect to a liquid container, and an annular flange. An elbow is located between the connector and the flange such that the container may be oriented vertically when the tubes are horizontal. A cavity in the inner tube is open to the container, and a wick in the cavity transmits liquid from the container to the cavity. Vapor diffuses out of the cavity through the vents when they are at least partially aligned. The diffuser may be installed into an HVAC duct.

Claims

1. An apparatus for diffusing a vapor from a liquid into an air space, the apparatus comprising: a. an elongate outer tubular member having at least one outer vent opening defined thereon; b. an elongate inner tubular member received within the outer tubular member for a close rotatable fit therewith, the inner tubular member having at least one inner vent opening defined thereon configured to at least partial align with the at least one outer vent opening by rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member relative to each other; c. a connector portion adjacent one end of the inner tubular member and being operable to removably connect to a liquid container; d. an annular flange connected to the inner tubular member adjacent the one end of the inner tubular member; e. an elbow portion between the connector portion and the annular flange to orient the container when connected to the connector portion at an angle relative to the annular flange wherein the container may be oriented toward a vertical plane when the outer tubular member and inner tubular member are oriented in a horizontal plane; f. an elongate cavity defined by the inner tubular member that is open to the connector portion and the container but closed at an opposite closed end; and g. an elongate wick received in the cavity and extending beyond the connector portion, the wick being operable to transmit by capillary action liquid form the container to the cavity.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rotation mechanism operable from an elbow-side of the annular flange to rotate the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member between a closed position in which the at least one outer vent opening is not in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening, and an open position in which the at least one outer vent opening is in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening to permit vapor from the liquid in the wick to exit the cavity into the air space.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a projection on one of the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member that is captured within a channel that limits a range of motion of the projection to correspond to the open position at one extreme and the closed position at an opposite extreme.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a projection on the outer tubular member extending to the elbow-side of the annular flange and that is captured within a channel that limits a range of motion of the projection to correspond to the open position at one extreme and the closed position at an opposite extreme.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the channel is defined in the annular flange.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rotation mechanism operable to rotate the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member between a closed position in which the at least one outer vent opening is not in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening, and an open position in which the at least one outer vent opening is in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening to permit vapor from the liquid in the wick to exit the cavity into the air space; and an electric motor having an output shaft coupled to the rotation mechanism to drive the rotation mechanism.

7. An apparatus for diffusing a vapor from a liquid into an air space, the apparatus comprising: a. an elongate outer tubular member having at least one outer vent opening defined in the outer tubular member; b. an elongate inner tubular member received within the outer tubular member for a close rotatable fit therewith, the inner tubular member: i. having a first end that extends beyond the outer tubular member and that includes a connector portion that is operable to removably connect to a liquid container, wherein the first end defines an elbow portion that terminates in the connector portion to orient the container at an angle to the inner tubular member wherein the container may be oriented toward a vertical plane when the inner tubular member is oriented in a horizontal plane; ii. having an annular flange connected to the inner tubular member adjacent the elbow portion; iii. having a second end opposite to the first end, iv. defining an elongate cavity that is open to the connector portion and the container but closed at the second end, and v. having at least one inner vent opening defined thereon configured to at least partial align with the at least one outer vent opening by rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member relative to each other; and c. an elongate wick received in the cavity and extending beyond the connector portion, the wick being operable to transmit by capillary action liquid form the container to the cavity.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a rotation mechanism operable from an elbow-side of the annular flange to rotate one of the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member between a closed position in which the at least one outer vent opening is not in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening, and an open position in which the at least one outer vent opening is in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening to permit vapor from the liquid in the wick to exit the cavity into the air space.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one outer vent comprises a plurality of outer vents spaced around a periphery of the outer tubular member, and the at least one inner vent comprises a plurality of inner vents spaced around a periphery of the inner tubular member.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a projection on the outer tubular member extending to the elbow-side of the annular flange that is captured within a channel that limits a range of motion of the projection to correspond to the open position at one extreme and the closed position at an opposite extreme.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the channel is defined in the flange.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connector portion includes female threads to accommodate complementary male threads on the container.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an electric motor coupled to the projection and is operable to drive the projection through its range of motion within the channel.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a controller operable to control the electric motor in carrying out programmatic instructions.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a sensor operable to measure volatile organic compounds in the air space, and the programmatic instructions are related to the measurements from the sensor.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the projection provides a point of coupling to an electric motor thereby enabling the rotation of the outer tubular member to be motorized.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a rotation mechanism operable to rotate the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member between a closed position in which the at least one outer vent opening is not in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening, and an open position in which the at least one outer vent opening is in alignment with the at least one inner vent opening to permit vapor from the liquid in the wick to exit the cavity into the air space; and an electric motor having an output shaft configured to cooperate with the rotation mechanism to drive the rotation mechanism.

18. A method of diffusing a vapor from a liquid in an air space in a building comprising mounting an apparatus comprising: An elongate outer tubular member having at least one outer vent opening defined thereon; An elongate inner tubular member received within the outer tubular member for a close rotatable fit therewith, the inner tubular member having at least one inner vent opening defined thereon configured to at least partial align with the at least one outer vent opening by rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member relative to each other; A connector portion adjacent one end of the inner tubular member and being operable to removably connect to a liquid container; An annular flange connected to the inner tubular member adjacent the one end of the inner tubular member; An elbow portion between the connector portion and the annular flange to orient the container when connected to the connector portion at an angle relative to the annular flange wherein the container may be oriented toward a vertical plane when the outer tubular member and inner tubular member are oriented in a horizontal plane; An elongate cavity defined by the inner tubular member that is open to the connector portion and the container but closed at an opposite closed end; and An elongate wick received in the cavity and extending beyond the connector portion, the wick being operable to transmit by capillary action liquid from the container to the cavity, into an air distribution duct of a commercial HVAC system configured to distribute air into the air space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2. is a longitudinal section of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a view from one end of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of the inner tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view from one end of the inner tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a top view of the inner tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the outer tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10 is a view from one end of the outer tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of the outer tubular member of the diffuser in FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 12 is a side view of the diffuser in FIG. 1 shown attached to an essential oil container; and

(14) FIG. 13 is a section view of another embodiment of a diffuser of the present invention which is motor driven.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Referring to FIGS. 1-13, there is shown an embodiment of a diffuser for improving air quality or disinfecting the air and surfaces in a building in accordance with the present invention and shown as diffuser 10. Diffuser 10 comprises an elongate inner tubular member 12 having a first end 14 with a connector portion 16 and a second end 18 that is opposite the first end 14. Inner tubular member 12 defines an elongate cavity 20 within the wall of the inner tubular member 12, and further includes a plurality of vent openings 24 defined in the inner tubular member 12, preferably spaced apart and around the periphery of the inner tubular member 12. The connector portion 16 in the illustrated embodiment includes an elbow portion 26 and a threaded portion 28 for connecting to a vessel or container 30 having a complementary threaded portion 32. The elbow 26 orients the container 30 to approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member 12. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the elbow 26 may include a bend that is at any other angle to the inner tubular member 12, or the elbow portion may be omitted altogether such that the container 30 may be in line with the inner tubular member.

(16) The container 30 may be provided with an essential oil 34 and an elongate wick 36 that extends from within the container 30 and into the cavity 20, preferably along the length of the inner tubular member 12. The wick 36 soaks up the essential oil and by capillary action transmits it along its length from the container 30 and along the length of cavity 20. The wick 36 is suited to soaking up essential oils, such as for example a wick made of a wool material. Wicks of this nature are well known in the art. The essential oil in the wick 36 within the cavity 20 vaporizes and diffuses into the air within the cavity. The vaporized essential oil exits the cavity via the vent openings 24 and thereafter is able to diffuse throughout the air in the space surrounding the diffuser 10.

(17) Diffuser 10 further comprises an elongate outer tubular member 40 having a diameter slightly larger than the inner tubular member 12 such that the outer tubular member 40 closely surrounds the inner tubular member 12 and in a manner that enables the outer tubular member to rotate around the inner tubular member. Accordingly, the outer tubular member 40 comprises a sleeve around the inner tubular member 12 that is rotatable about the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member has an open end 42 and a closed end 44 opposite the open end 42. The outer tubular member 40 also includes a plurality of outer vent openings 46 that, in one position of the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member, align with the inner vent openings 24 of the inner tubular member 12. This is referred to herein as the open position. In another position of the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member, the outer vent openings 46 do not align with the inner vent openings 24 such that the inner vent openings are covered by the material of the outer tubular member, and the outer vent openings are covered by the material of the inner tubular member. This position is referred to herein as the closed position. The outer tubular member 40 is rotatable relative to the inner tubular member between the open position and the closed position.

(18) In the open position, the alignment of the inner vent openings 24 and the outer vent openings 46 enables essential oil vapor to diffuse out of the diffuser 10 via the aligned inner and outer openings into the air space around the diffuser 10 and eventually around the room or rooms in the building. In the closed position, the essential oil vapor is trapped within the cavity 20 as a result of the closed inner vent openings and outer vent openings. In positions in between the open position and closed position, the outer vent openings 46 partially align with the inner vent openings 24, which allows some essential oil vapors to exit the cavity 20. Hence the amount of essential oil vapor exiting form the diffuser may be adjusted by varying the size of the overlap between the inner vent opening and the outer vent openings by rotating the outer tubular member 40 to positions in between the open position and closed position.

(19) In a simplest form, the outer tubular member 40 may be configured to be manipulable by a user to be rotated between the open and closed positions. For example, a grip mechanism may be provided that facilitates being gripped by a hand or fingers of a user.

(20) In the illustrated embodiment, diffuser 10 includes a projection 48 at the open end 42 of the outer tubular member 40 that is received within a channel 50 defined within a circumferential flange 52 at the first end 14 of the inner tubular member 12. Channel 50 defines a range of motion of the projection 48 that at one extreme places the diffuser 10 in the open position and at the other extreme places the diffuser in the closed position. The projection 48 may be connected to an arm or shaft of a motor so that the rotation of the outer tubular member 40 may be controlled by an electric motor. And preferable the motor may be controlled by a controller, such as a programmable logic controller or computer, in response to measured amounts of essential oil vapor in a room obtained by a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor. Thus, the operation of the diffuser 10, whether it is in open position, closed position, or in between, may be controlled in response to the level of essential oil measured at a location and whether the measurement is below, at, or above a set point.

(21) Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown another embodiment of the diffuser 10 that includes a rotation mechanism that is driven by an electric motor 60 having an output shaft 62 that is coupled to the rotation mechanism, which in the illustrated embodiment includes a gear 64 that is coupled to the outer tubular member 40 to drive the rotation of the outer tubular member 40 relative to the inner tubular member 12. The device 10 may further include a controller 66 operable to control the speed and direction of rotation of the electric motor 60 pursuant to programmatic instructions. A sensor 68 may be provided that is operable to measure volatile organic compounds in the air space, and the programmatic instructions are related to the measurements from the senor.

(22) Preferably the essential oil is one that is known to have air cleansing properties, and preferably anti-microbial and/or anti-viral properties. For example, a preferred essential oil is an essential tree oil, and more preferably the essential oil is cedar leaf oil. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the diffuser 10 distributes cedar leaf oil vapor into the surrounding air and then into the interior of the building where it neutralizes contaminants, micro-organisms and viruses in both the air and on various surfaces.

(23) While the embodiment of the present invention as described and illustrated herein is configured such that the outer tubular member rotates about the inner tubular member to effect open position and the closed position, it will be apparent to the ordinary skilled reader that alternative embodiments of the diffuser could be configured such that the outer tubular member is stationary and connected to container while the inner tubular member is rotatable relative to the outer tubular member. As well, instead of the closed end being provided on the outer tubular member, it may be provided on the inner tubular number. Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description.