Device for evaporating a volatile liquid

Abstract

The present invention describes a device for evaporating a volatile liquid from a container having a wick. The device includes a housing, a motion sensor, a first electrical heating element, and at least one of: a second electrical heating element; a fan; a region of increased heating capacity within the first electrical heating element. In use, the motion sensor is operable to detect motion in the vicinity of the device and, on detecting motion, the device operates to activate at least one of a second electrical heating element; a fan; a region of increased heating capacity within the first electrical heating element. The present invention also describes a method for evaporating the volatile liquid and a kit of parts for the same.

Claims

1. A method of evaporating a volatile liquid from a container of volatile liquid, the method comprising the steps of: loading a container of volatile liquid into a device which comprises: a housing; securing means within said housing to releasably secure the container to the device; a first electrical heating means; motion sensor means, wherein the motion sensor means is at least one of: an infrared (IR) sensor; a laser sensor; a sound sensor; and at least one of: a second electrical heating means; a fan; a range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means; placing the device in an operational mode wherein the motion sensor means is capable of detecting motion in the vicinity of the device; and wherein, upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of at least one of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of at least two of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of each of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; and the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the absence of motion being detected the first electrical heating means is activated on a routine cycle where said first heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.1 followed by a rest period of non-activation x, where t.sub.1 has a range of 0.1-120 minutes and x has a range of 0.1-120 minutes.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein t.sub.1 has a range of 5-90 minutes and x has a range of 5-60 minutes.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the absence of motion being detected, the first electrical heating means is activated on a routine cycle where said first heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.4 at full power followed by a period of activation at a lower power for time t.sub.5, followed by a rest period of non-activation for time x, wherein t.sub.4 has a range of 0.005-119.95 minutes and t.sub.5 has a range of 0.05-119.95 minutes.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein t.sub.4 has a range of 0.05-89.95 minutes and t.sub.5 has a range of 0.05-89.95 minutes.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein in the absence of motion being detected the first electrical heating means is activated on a routine cycle where said first heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.1 followed by a rest period of non-activation x, where t.sub.1 has a range of 0.1-120 minutes and x has a range of 0.1-120 minutes; wherein when motion is detected, the at least one of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.2 followed by a rest period of non-activation y, where t.sub.2 has a range of 1-120 minutes and y has a range of 5-30 minutes, and wherein t.sub.2t.sub.1 and yx.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein t.sub.2=t.sub.1/2 and y=x.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a wick having a proximal end region within the container and a distal end region above the container.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein when motion is detected, the at least one of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.2 followed by a rest period of non-activation y, where t.sub.2 has a range of 1-120 minutes and y has a range of 5-30 minutes.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical heating means is operable to be activated constantly.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein first electrical heating means is operable to activate on a routine cycle where said first heating means is activated for a period of time t.sub.4 at full power, followed by a period of activation at a lower power for time t.sub.5, wherein t.sub.4 has a range of 1-120 minutes and t.sub.5 has a range of 1-120 minutes, and preferably t.sub.4 has a range of 1-90 minutes and t.sub.5 has a range of 1-90 minutes.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor means only communicates the detection of a motion event once a predefined number of motion events have been detected.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user of the device may select a number of predefined motion events that are required in order to cause the activation of the first and/or second heating means and/or fan.

16. A kit of parts for evaporating a quantity of volatile liquid, said kit comprising a device which comprises: a housing; securing means within said housing to releasably secure a container to the device; a first electrical heating means; motion sensor means, wherein the motion sensor means is at least one of: an infrared (IR) sensor; a laser sensor; a sound sensor; and at least one of: a second electrical heating means; a fan; a range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means; and further comprising a container of volatile fluid wherein said container is configured to be loadable into the housing of the device, said device adapted to operate according to a method comprising the steps of: loading the container of volatile liquid into the device; placing the device in an operational mode wherein the motion sensor means is capable of detecting motion in the vicinity of the device; and wherein, upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of at least one of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of at least two of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

18. The kit according to claim 17, wherein upon detection of motion by said motion sensor means, said motion causes the activation of each of: the second electrical heating means; the fan; and the range of higher temperature in the first electrical heating means.

19. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the container comprises: a wick having a proximal end region within the container and a distal end region above the container.

Description

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device of the present invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a sectioned side view of a device of the present invention.

(4) In general terms, the device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 & 2 is shown with a container of volatile liquid engaged therewith. The container has a reservoir portion in the form of a glass bottle containing a volatile liquid 3 and a wick 6 extending into the bottle. The wick 6 also extends above the top of the bottle through a seal and into a chimney means of the device 1. The wick 6 may be substantially cylindrical. The seal is present to retain the liquid 3 within the bottle should the device 1 be knocked over and/or inverted when the container is engaged therewith.

(5) The device 1 has a housing 2 which partially extends over the container and its upper part. From the rear wall of the housing extends electrical plug formations 5.

(6) The top of the housing 2 has a generally circular central aperture which defines the upper aperture of the chimney means. The upper aperture is aligned with a co-axial lower aperture (not shown), thus defining a channel therebetween for volatilised liquid to flow up and out of the upper aperture into the environment surrounding the device 1.

(7) A first electrical heating means 8 and second electrical heating means 9, if present, may be provided in the form of separate resistors, and preferably as positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors. However, either of both of the first or second electrical heating means 8,9 could be provided by way of a ring heater or the like, or a combination thereof.

(8) An electrical fan 4 may also be provided. All of the fan 4 and the first and second electrical heating means 8,9 are in operable communication, either directly or indirectly, with a motion sensor means 12, illustrated as a PIR motion sensor in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(9) Indirect operable communication may be via a controller (not shown) which could act as the principal receiver of information from the motion sensor 12, process the provided information and direct the control of the aforementioned components.

(10) An example of one mode of operation of the device and the inter-relation of the components will now be explained.

(11) The device 1 must first be placed in an operational mode. There may be a user-activated switch (not shown) to permit the device to be switched into the operational mode. The device 1 will draw power from the power source which is depicted as plug formations 4 to draw mains electrical power, this could be from solar cells mounted on the device and/or one or more batteries however.

(12) Initiating the operational mode will cause the first heater means 8 to warm up to a temperature that will cause the evaporation of the volatile liquid from the device 1. In the absence of the detection mode and/or motion being detected, the first heater means 8 will continue to impart heat toward the wick for a period of time t.sub.1 and, at the end of t.sub.1 the heater means 8 will go into a rest period for time x where the heater means 8 will not draw any power.

(13) A user controlled switch (not shown) may be provided to allow a user to adjust the value of t.sub.1 and/or x.

(14) However, the motion sensor means 12 may also draw power, either constantly or periodically, in order to sense for movement in the vicinity of the device 1. If the motion sensor means 12 senses movement it is operable to communicate this information to the controller (not shown). Once the controller has received this information it is operable to instruct the activation of at least one of: the second heater means 9; the fan 4; and/or a range of higher temperature in the first heater means 8; thus causing an increase in the rate of evaporation of the volatile liquid for a time interval of t.sub.2. At the end of time interval t.sub.2 the at least one of: the second heater means 9; the fan 4; and/or a range of higher temperature in the first heater means 8 will go into a rest period for time interval y where said means' and/or fan will not draw any power.

(15) Subsequent detection of motion by the motion sensor means 12 may also be communicated to the controller which will cause the activation of the at least one of: the second heater means 9; the fan 4; and/or a range of higher temperature in the first heater means 8 means only if time period y has elapsed.

(16) When the device is first placed in an operational mode the controller may cause the activation to occur substantially immediately or after a short delay, say after 2 minutes.

(17) Alternatively the controller may, after the first heater means 8 has been activated following being placed in an operational mode and on being informed of detection of motion within the vicinity of the device, delay causing the activation of the at least one of: the second heater means 9; the fan 4; and/or a range of higher temperature in the first heater means 8, until a predetermined interval of time t.sub.3 has elapsed. Once time period t.sub.3 has elapsed subsequent activation following the detection of motion would take place at a time interval of t.sub.2.

(18) Alternatively, when the operational mode is initiated the first heater means 8 will warm up to a temperature that will cause evaporation of the volatile liquid and this heater means will remain activated without rest period x.

(19) The device may be manually or automatically switchable between a normal mode and a detection mode. Such automatic switching may be controlled by a timing mechanism and/or a sensor operably connected to the controller, such as a light sensor and/or sound detection means. The automatic switching may permit the device to consume less power by only permitting the device to operate in the detection mode of a limited period of time, thus conserving the power consumed by the motion sensor means 12. Such conservation of power being particularly useful where the device is powered by batteries and/or solar cell(s).

(20) The motion sensor means 12 may have a lens cover which protrudes from the front of the device 1 to ensure a wide field of view. This may be advantageous where the motion sensor means is a passive infra-red sensor, since the motion would not need to be directly in front of the sensor means to be detected. Similarly, where the motion sensor means 12 is additionally or alternatively provided as a laser sensor this will also afford such sensors a wide field of view.

(21) The illustrated device 1 is shown having an indicator 11 which is provided in the form of an LED. The LED(s) may be operable to provide a visual indication of the function currently being performed by the device. For instance, the LED could indicate when the device is in an operational mode by emitting a constant light which is converted to a flashing operation when motion has been detected.

(22) The indicator 11 may also be provided with an audio component (not shown) wherein this component is capable of giving an audible alert when a particular function is being performed and/or motion has been detected or the like.

(23) Alternatively or additionally, a screen (such as an LCD screen) could be presented on a prominent part of the device 1 to provide a message to a user indicating the current functioning of the device 1. For instance such messages could include ON, SENSING, MOTION DETECTED, RESTING, NORMAL MODE, DETECTION MODE, OFF.

(24) The above description describes an embodiment comprising a controller, however, where the controller is not present the components may be inter-connected to be operably communicative with each other to implement the above-mentioned operational relationship.

(25) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(26) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(27) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.