Vaporizers Patents (Class 261/DIG65)
  • Patent number: 5536323
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for delivering an involatile reagent in gaseous form, wherein an involatile reagent source liquid is flash vaporized on a vaporization matrix structure at elevated temperature. A carrier gas may be flowed past the flash vaporzation matrix structure to yield a carrier gas mixture containing the flash vaporized source reagent. The matrix structure preferably has a high surface-to-volume ratio, and may sutiably comprise a foraminous matrix element such as screen mesh onto which the reagent source liquid is distributed for flash vaporization. The invention is particularly useful for delivery of Group II reagents and compounds and complexes of early transition metals such as zirconium and hafnium, and may be usefully employed with Group II beta-diketonate source layers, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter S. Kirlin, Robin L. Binder, Robin A. Gardiner, Peter V. Buskirk, Jiming Zhang, Gregory Stauf
  • Patent number: 5527493
    Abstract: An air-treating article for dispensing a volatilizable material, such as air freshener fragrance, into the atmosphere of an enclosed area, such as an automobile interior. The device includes a housing and a reservoir of the volatilizable material therein, and also includes a dual-configured, articulating attachment clip which enables attachment of the device at a high-air-flow station, such as the forced air vent grille of the automobile, or at a low-air-flow station, such as the sun visor of the vehicle. The device enables use of the consistent delivery rates of a low-density polyethylene membranes while at the same producing a higher delivery rate than normally achieved with such membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The Dial Corp
    Inventors: Mark W. McElfresh, Jim F. Warner, Young C. Park, Charles A. Curtiss, Martin Bogenstaerter
  • Patent number: 5480591
    Abstract: The dynamic diffuser for a naturally diffusing liquid substance such as a perfume comprises a receptacle for said substance and having a vertical flank which is closed by a membrane that is impermeable to liquid but permeable to gas. All or part of the membrane is caused to come into contact with said substance, at least intermittently, by revolving the receptacle about a horizontal axis. Air-flow generating means, e.g. impeller blades, serve to cause air to flow over the outside of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Prodifa (S.A.R.L.)
    Inventors: Patrick Lagneaux, Christian Peretti
  • Patent number: 5478506
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting vaporizers such as the Drager.TM. model 19 from pour-fill to safer indexed key-fill, and for providing overfill protection. A hollow screw is screwed up into an existing screw hole underneath the vaporizer that opens into the fluid storage compartment. A banjo encircling the screw provides two channels, one to dispense filling fluid up around the screw and into the vaporizer, and one to carry decompressing air back from the hollow through the screw. Each channel is connected to a separate pipe that communicates with a channel in an adaptor base screwed onto the vaporizer, and thereby to an indexed ISO key block connected to the fill bottle. Fluid thus flows from the bottle to the vaporizer and decompressing air flows back. For overfill protection, a special plug is fashioned to screw up into the existing sight glass access hole, and overfilling fluid flows from the vaporizer to the sight glass and then through the plug into the base where it exhausts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Southmedic Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Lavimodiere
  • Patent number: 5478505
    Abstract: An air-treating article for dispensing a volatilizable material, such as air freshener fragrance, into the atmosphere of an enclosed area, such as an automobile interior. The device includes a housing and a reservoir of the volatilizable material therein, and also includes a dual-configured, articulating attachment clip which enables attachment of the device at a high-air-flow station, such as the forced air vent grille of the automobile, or at a low-air-flow station, such as the sun visor of the vehicle. The device enables use of the consistent delivery rates of a low-density polyethylene membranes while at the same producing a higher delivery rate than normally achieved with such membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignees: Jim F. Warner, Young C. Park, Charles A. Curtiss, Martin Bogenstaerter, Mark McElfresh
    Inventors: Mark McElfresh, Jim F. Warner, Young C. Park, Charles A. Curtiss, Martin Bogenstaerter
  • Patent number: 5470441
    Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing volatile liquids comprises a packed column, a gas inlet port (for introducing a hot entrainer gas), a feed tube (for introducing a volatile liquid), a feed distributor comprising a base plate equipped with orifices (through which the liquid flows downward into the packed column) and risers (through which the formed gaseous mixture of entrainer gas and vaporized liquid flows upward), and a gas outlet port. This apparatus can be used to vaporize volatile liquids, preferably volatile tin compounds, optionally in admixture with volatile silicon compounds, wherein steam is used as the entrainer gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Ronald E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5466399
    Abstract: In a process, installation and device for enriching ventilation or air-conditioning air with aromatic substances, the enrichment is homogenized in that a mixture of preferably water and aromatic substance is produced and stocked in a container (11) having a free evaporation surface for the mixture. The intake air current of the ventilation or air-conditioning air or part thereof is taken over the free evaporation area and then fed into the air-conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Diotima Von Kempski, Wolfgang H. Mahl
  • Patent number: 5431859
    Abstract: An air freshening device employing a forced air means to diffuse air freshening material housed in the device throughout an enclosed area thereby allowing continuous freshening of the air in said enclosed area. The device is adapted to cover a heating or air conditioning vent, and may comprise either a box-like housing with adjustable front openings (FIG. 1), or a cylindrical housing (FIGS. 2 or 3) having a rotatable container therein holding an air freshening material, with cooperating adjustable slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Jerry Tobin
  • Patent number: 5419924
    Abstract: Fixed amounts of a liquid source for a chemical vapor deposition process is supplied continuously from a source tank and through a liquid mass flow controller to a three-way valve. Inside the three-way valve, the liquid source is evaporated to generate a source gas by contacting a high-temperature carrier gas which flows therethrough and becomes mixed with the source gas. The gas mixture thus generated is supplied into a process chamber for a chemical vapor deposition process. The carrier gas may be heated by a gas heater before entering the three-way valve. Alternatively, the three-way valve may be enclosed inside a thermostatic container, the carrier gas being heated inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Nagashima, Hiroshi Nishizato, Hirofumi Ono
  • Patent number: 5396884
    Abstract: A high flow rate humidifier employs a mixing body having a high pressure oxygen (128) jet that entrains water from a container (121) to provide a turbulent aerosol mixture of gas having water particles entrained therein. To remove the water particles and introduce vapor into the mixture, the mixture is passed through an evaporation chamber (200) formed by a pair of juxtaposed mutually spaced discs (202,204), each of which has a number of square holes (212a, 212b, 222a, 222b). The turbulent aerosol mixture at and about the jet orifice (132) is caused to flow linearly through the holes of the first disc into the space between the two, where it again becomes turbulent. The turbulent flow from between the discs is caused to flow linearly through the holes in the second or output disc into a mixing chamber (146) from whence the humidified gas is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Cimco, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Bagwell, Blair E. Howe
  • Patent number: 5379917
    Abstract: A dual dispenser dispenses both soap and fragrance for washrooms. The dispenser has a mounting plate for mounting on a surface in the washroom and has a lower support for a box containing a flexible bag of soap with the bag having a flexible tube extending out of the box. A container with a fragrance source is mounted in the top of the box and a fan is located thereabove which is driven by a small motor mounted on an upper support of the mounting plate. A battery is also located on the box adjacent the fragrance container. Switch contacts are in circuit with the motor and the battery for operating the motor and fan when the switch contacts are closed. A cover for the mounting plate has a hand-operated actuating plate which squeezes the tube to dispense soap and closes the contacts to operate the fan when the actuating plate is pushed, thus dispensing both soap and fragrance in a single motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, David F. Scherger, George C. Heilman, Robert B. Brown
  • Patent number: 5372754
    Abstract: In a liquid vaporizing/feeding method of the present invention, carrier gas is forced out at a very high speed against a mass flow controlled liquid feedstock to change the liquid feedstock into a mist; after that, the mist of the feedstock is vaporized and mixed with the carrier gas, and a mixture of the mist and carrier gas is furnished to a succeeding process. A liquid vaporizer/feeder according to the present invention comprises a main vaporized unit which is cylindrical in shape, and a mist nozzle having an inside nozzle fixed in an inlet of the main vaporizer unit for feeding liquid feedstock into the main vaporizer unit and an outside nozzle encompassing an opening of the inside nozzle for forcing a carrier gas at high speed around the opening of the inside nozzle, and the main vaporizer unit has an evaporation space where a mixed mist of the liquid feedstock with the carrier gas that is forced out of the mist nozzle is vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Lintec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Ono
  • Patent number: 5370829
    Abstract: A dispenser having a housing and at least one inlet vent and at least one outlet vent about the housing is shown. A fan, preferably a centrifugal fan, is operated by a battery and directs air into and out of the vents. A cartridge containing a vaporizable substance, such as a fragrant oil or gel, is located adjacent the inlet vent. The centrifugal fan pulls air in the inlet vent, at least partially across the cartridge, upward through a portion of the housing, and radially outward through the outlet vent. Preferably, a rim of the cartridge and a shelf inside the housing and adjacent the rim are adapted to form substantially a boundary between a lower and a middle compartment in the housing. The shelf and the rim cooperate to prevent air from circulating below the shelf and entering the lower compartment. At least one upper rib and a housing of the fan are adapted to form a boundary between the middle compartment and an upper compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Waterbury Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter A. Kunze
  • Patent number: 5361322
    Abstract: A portable warm air humidifier for delivery to a room a steam air mixture of uniform moisture and at a temperature that does not cause sensation of pain. A steam ejector is used to mix the steam from an evaporation chamber with the air entering the humidifier with the advantage, among others, of eliminating the need for motors and blowers. A difference in the water level between a water supply compartment and the evaporation chamber provides a constant pressure in the evaporation chamber which is necessary to drive generated steam through a steam nozzle communicating with the steam ejector. The dimensions of the steam nozzle are determined in relation with the rate of steam generation in accordance with steam velocity to effectively eliminate or minimize the noise normally associated with the passage of steam through a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Dov Z Glucksman
  • Patent number: 5343551
    Abstract: The components of an electric warm-air humidifier are enclosed in a housing resting on a base having a water supply compartment. The housing includes an evaporation chamber in the shape of an inverted cup which has a steam outlet in its top and contains an electric heating element positioned a short distance above its open end. The evaporation chamber and the heating element are immersed in water contained in the water supply compartment. The neck of an inverted, removable, water container filled with water is placed into the water supply compartment and water fills the water supply compartment until its level reaches the lower rim of the water container's neck. The housing and the water container are displaceable from the base so as to provide access to the water supply compartment and the heating element to facilitate cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 5339383
    Abstract: An electric humidifier includes a base defining a liquid reservoir and a latch aperture. A humidifier unit is hingedly mounted on the base over the reservoir and movable to provide access thereto. The humidifier unit includes an electrically energized humidification means for inducing dispersion of liquid through a discharge opening into a space to be humidified. Power is supplied to the humidification unit and aligned with the latch aperture on the base when the humidifier unit is operatively mounted on the base. A power supply cord has a plug detachably connected to the connector through the latch aperture. The engagement of the connected plug with the latch aperture prevents movement of the humidifier with respect to the base to prevent access to the reservoir and interior of the humidifier unit so long as the plug and connector are in operative engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Duracraft Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Marino
  • Patent number: 5337738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid vaporizing apparatus (18), comprising a bottom section (28) and a cover section (27) enclosing a fluid chamber (33) containing fluid to be vaporized, and a gas chamber (34) into which fluid is vaporized, and a port (39) for discharging from gas chamber (34) the vapour evaporated from the fluid chamber. Said port (39) is located above the fluid level when the angle of inclination of the fluid vaporizing apparatus differs from the operating position of the apparatus by more than 45.degree.. The invention relates also the use of a fluid vaporizing apparatus in the evaporation of anaesthetic fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corporation
    Inventor: Erkki Heinonen
  • Patent number: 5328646
    Abstract: An air treatment system has a removable and replaceable cartridge, the cartridge having a cylindrical plastic canister, and having a liquid-permeable vaporizing element disposed in the canister. The canister is located on one side in a cradle inside a housing where air flow is controlled between inlet and outlet ports by a pivoting frame member. A slider is moved up and down outside the housing to simultaneously move a pair of arms inside the housing into closed, partially open or fully open positions relative to the inlet and outlet ports. The canister has ports of special configuration and a baffle is placed in the canister to assist radial air flow and assure that air flows over the coiled air vaporizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Vaportek, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Bryson, John D. Bryson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5293865
    Abstract: An anesthetics monitoring device includes an anesthetic vaporizer, from which the anesthetic can be supplied to a setting device supplying dosed amounts of anesthetic to an anesthetics device for dispensing the anesthesia to a patient. The device has a coding for the unmistakable assignment of the setting device to the type of anesthetic used. An automatic recognition of the anesthetic used and a setting to a metering and control unit for dispersing the anesthetic is guaranteed. Any incorrect metering and incorrect setting is prevented. For this purpose, the coding is brought into an operative connection with a receiver provided between the setting device and the anesthetics dispersing device. The receiver is equipped with a scanning apparatus which is connected to the metering and control dispensing unit by means of signal transfer lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Altner, Claus-Dieter Brandt, Wilfried Buschke, Wolfgang Falb, Gotz Kullik, Carl F. Wallroth
  • Patent number: 5291579
    Abstract: A portable humidifier unit includes a base defining a water reservoir and a humidifier unit mounted over the base and movable relative to the base to provide access thereto. The humidifier unit contains an electrically energized humidification mechanism for inducing dispersion of the water from the reservoir into the space to be humidified. The humidifier unit is provided with a manually actuated On/Off switch for inducing energization of the humidification unit in the switch on position and deenergization thereof in the switch off position. In order to prevent unsafe operation, the switch and base are provided respectively with a latch arm and cooperating latch receptacle. The latch arm and latch receptacle are so arranged that in the switch on position the latch arm engages the latch receptacle to prevent movement of the humidifier unit relative to the base thus preventing access to the interior of the humidifier while the humidification unit is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Duracraft Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Marino
  • Patent number: 5273690
    Abstract: An air freshener device is disclosed herein in combination with a forced air source and which has a carrier with a plurality of fragrance or scented emitting ingredients or the like arranged in separate spaced-apart cells or compartments in rows and/or columns. The carrier includes breakable walls for each cell or compartment adapted to release the stored ingredient into a stream of oncoming forced air. Attachment elements secure the carrier to supporting structure so that released ingredient will enter the stream of forced air for distribution throughout a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: John L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 5259062
    Abstract: A single device adaptable to alter any one of a variety of air characteristics such as temperature, humidity, ion content, odor, etc. Several interchangeable cartridges are provided. Each cartridge has an apertured support structure, an air treatment element that alters a particular characteristics of an air flow through the cartridge, and male connectors. The device has a housing, a fan, and female connectors that cooperate with the male connectors to position any one of the cartridges on the housing to receive an air flow discharged from the fan. When interfitted, the connectors also complete an electric circuit to a power supply that provides current to any electrically-operable cartridge. A removable protective envelope contains the cartridge. The protective envelope has an arm that inserts through a housing slot to trip a switch controlling current flow from the power supply. When the protective envelope is removed, current flow to the cartridge is disabled, allowing safe handling of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Pelko Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kosta L. Pelonis
  • Patent number: 5258051
    Abstract: An air filter for use with a forced air handling system has a pad of air-permeable material held in a bordering frame. The bordering frame has a generally U-shaped cross section, with opposing legs extending a short distance over the edge of the pad of air-permeable material. The legs of the bordering frame have spaced apertures extending through them; and scented material is placed within the frame and located so that air passage through the apertures in the frame passes through the scented material to evaporate or volatilize the scented material and supply it to the filtered air flowing through the filter pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Phillip T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5247604
    Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a liquid reservoir; a humidification mechanism for dispensing liquid contained in the reservoir; and a tank removably mounted on the base and having a bottom wall including a tube projecting into the reservoir and with a lower lip defining a fill opening, and a liquid discharge opening for providing a controlled discharge of liquid so as to maintain a given level of liquid in the reservoir. Also included is a cap engaged with the tube and having a cover portion closing the fill opening, and an annular gripping portion extending outwardly from the cover portion by the lip and upwardly adjacent to an outer wall of the tube so as to define therewith an annular cavity, and wherein the gripping portion defines control means providing liquid communication between a lower portion of the annular cavity and the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Duracraft Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard Chiu
  • Patent number: 5240653
    Abstract: A basket fitting is provided for an air filter used in the air circulation ducting of a domestic dwelling and is designed to be attached directly to the duct covering grill within a room. Various air fresheners and germicidal agents may be retained within a particular basket attached to a grill, as can a charcoal filtering agent, and in one preferred embodiment, a plurality of these baskets may be interconnected to enhance the effectiveness of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Kaywal K. Ramkissoon
  • Patent number: 5240648
    Abstract: A compact special effects fogger has a small case with a handle on top for ease in transportation. A compressor box is positioned in the case against the base, and against one side and one end of the case. A fogger head box extends across the case on top of the compressor box. The two boxes form within the case a fan chamber at one end, a compressor cooling duct along one side, and an air entrainment duct along the top. A motor drives a compressor within the compressor box. A shaft from the motor extends into the fan chamber. A squirrel cage fan driven by the shaft draws air in through a round opening in the first end of the case and increases pressure in the fan chamber, causing air to flow through the ducts. The fogger head box has an oil sump and an oil intake is mounted in the sump. Oil tubes lead to a nozzle assembly within the fogger head. Compressed air flows through an air cooler in the compressor box and through a water trap in the fan chamber and into the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventors: James G. Gill, Martin J. Becker
  • Patent number: 5233680
    Abstract: An electrically activated aromatic ornament (1, 9, 20, 28 and 29) has a wreath shaped structure in which an electrical heater (2) activates a volatile aromatic material (30) to cause incense gases to be exhausted through selective orifices (22 and 24) proximate decorative objects. Electrical power can be provided through such limited power electrical conductors as Christmas tree light cords (5 and 6) for hanging small sizes of this aromatic ornament on Christmas trees or on other fragile objects. Electrical power can be provided also through standard extension cords (31 and 32) for larger sizes to be hung on larger and more sturdy structures. Decorative items such as natural leaves, flowers, ribbons and artificial plants can be attached to some embodiments of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Ornamotor, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Fussell
  • Patent number: 5230867
    Abstract: A cartridge for an air freshener is disclosed, having a pad sealed within a housing by an air-permeable membrane. The density, permeability, and fiber characteristics of the pad and membrane are selected to achieve extended life while maintaining satisfactory air freshening performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Waterbury Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Kunze, Robert J. Semanchik
  • Patent number: 5230837
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser utilizing a fragrance dispensing wheel is described. The fragrance wheel is directly mounted onto a rotatable motor shaft, the motor being powered by either conventional A.C. or D.C. current, or by a photovoltaic cell. Absorbent panels on the wheel direct ambient air in response to motor rotation. When powered by photovoltaic cell fragrance is dispensed in an economic and safe manner in proportion to room lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: Wolfgang W. Babasade
  • Patent number: 5223182
    Abstract: An air freshener dispenser includes a two-part housing including a base and a separable cover. The base carries a control circuit and the cover carries a dispensing blower and a replaceable cartridge including the freshening agent to be dispensed and a battery for powering the blower. When the cover is removed from the base the blower is connected directly across the battery for test purposes, but when it is mounted on the base, contact structure on the cover and the base cooperate so that the blower is connected to the battery through the control circuit and is controlled thereby. The control circuit turns off the blower and triggers visible and audible alarm signals after a predetermined time period and/or when the battery voltage gets too low. A photocell turns off the blower and disables the audible alarm in the dark. The time-out period of the timer is selectively changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Steiner Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Steiner, Charles R. Holzner, Kenneth D. Hartman, Donald B. Owen
  • Patent number: 5209225
    Abstract: A nebulizer having a bottom cup for storing liquid medication. The bottom cup has an opening therethrough to receive a source of pressurized air. A housing includes an open bottom removably attachable to the bottom cup, an open top outlet, walls extending therebetween, and an air inlet tube extending through one of the walls, traversing the housing, and terminating in an aperture adjacent the open bottom so that air entering the inlet tube will pass through and across the housing before entering the housing adjacent the open bottom. A cover is receivable within the bottom cup so that liquid medication can be drawn from the bottom cup by induction and form droplets, whereby the pressurized air and the liquid droplets will impinge on the air inlet tube of the housing, thereby breaking into micron-size droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph G. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5186869
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting air freshener or other airborn vapor into the air of a building, mounts to the side of a manifold or other air passageway, which is part of the building air conditioning or heating system. A solid, liquid-saturated dispersant cylinder is ultimately inserted into the passageway and removed from the passageway into a substantially sealed container by means of an electric motor drive which is controlled by a microprocessor-driven control system. The programmable control system is set to introduce the solid dispersant into the air passageway at selectable times of the day and for a set duration, but may be overridden manually in the event a party is to be held, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Donald D. Stumpf, Scott A. Stager
  • Patent number: 5170782
    Abstract: An improved aerosol chamber for an ultrasonic nebulizer which prevents relatively large medicament droplets from being inhaled by a patient. The chamber has a housing formed from a polycarbonate resin and is generally cylindrically shaped with a spherical top surface. The chamber includes an air inlet formed in the top surface and an aerosol outlet formed in a side surface. A centrally located mist tube extends coaxial from the air intake downwardly past the aerosol outlet. A longitudinally extending slot is formed in the mist tube facing the side surface of the housing diametrically opposite the outlet. The slot extends from a lower edge of the tube upwardly toward the air intake. A geyser baffle is disposed at an angle within the mist tube above the slot to deflect larger droplets away from the slot. The baffle includes an upper edge spaced from an adjacent inner surface of the mist tube to define a relatively small gap to allow inlet air to flow through the mist tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Health Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Kocinski
  • Patent number: 5171485
    Abstract: An ELECTRONIC FRAGRANCE EMITTING SYSTEM FOR MOTORED VEHICLES. The system consists of a plastic reservoir which houses liquid fragrance, and a pump that extracts liquid fragrance from the reservoir and transports it to a holder mounted in the passenger air vent. Action is initiated by a button mounted on the dashboard or console. The precise amount of fragrance extracted is controlled by an event timer mounted under the dashboard. Once fragrance enters holder it is quickly absorbed via a felt pad. AC Heater or vented air entering vehicle cabin will then distribute fresh scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Roger D. Ryan
    Inventor: Roger D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5168654
    Abstract: An insect-repellent device comprising a housing to hold a charger and a circuit board, two insect-repellent units movably received in two recessed surface portions on the outside of the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board by two separate electric wires, two reel assemblies fastened on housing at two opposite sides and controlled to let off or take up the insect-repellent units, a power switch for power control, a sterilization control switch for sterilization control, and indicator lamps for power and sterilization indications respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Hsiu-Hung Chien
  • Patent number: 5167877
    Abstract: An air purifier with perfume dispensing control, comprising a base plate which has a controller and an air pump, a stepped cap mounted on said base plate at the top for holding a plurality of perfume dispensers, a rotary table mounted on said stepped cap and said perfume dispensers at the top, a hood for securing said stepped cap, said perfume dispensers and said rotary table to said base plate, a trigger arm assembly controlled by an electromagnet to alternatively move back and forth causing said rotary table to rotate, and a stop arm assembly to stop said rotary table from reverse rotation. Compressed air from the pump is alternatively delivered to the perfume dispensers while the rotary table is caused to rotate, causing the perfume dispensers to give off different pleasant smells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: Wen-Chung Pai
  • Patent number: 5147582
    Abstract: A self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus with a two-part housing including a mounting section for securing the apparatus in an operative position and a closure section for connection thereto for forming an enclosure. A battery-powered air movement generating mechanism includes a fan having a hub with a motor nested at least partially within the hub and connected thereto for rotating the fan hub and five blades mounted thereon to generate a path of air flow through the enclosure. Air freshening or deodorizing mechanism for supplying a source of vaporizable material is positioned in the path of air flow. An antibootleg device is mounted in the enclosure in such a way that removal of the device renders the motor inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Steiner Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Holzner, Sr., Allen J. Voth
  • Patent number: 5133042
    Abstract: A single device adaptable to alter any one of a variety of air characteristics such as temperature, humidity, ion content, odor, etc. Several interchangeable cartridges are provided. Each cartridge has an apertured support structure, an air treatment element that alters a particular characteristic of an air flow through the cartridge, and male connectors. The device has a housing, a fan, and female connectors that cooperate with the male connectors to position any one of the cartridges on the housing to receive an air flow discharged from the fan. When interfitted, the connectors also complete an electric circuit to a power supply that provides current to any electrically-operable cartridge. A removable protective envelope contains the cartridge. The protective envelope has an arm that inserts through a housing slot to trip a switch controlling current flow from the power supply. When the protective envelope is removed, current flow to the cartridge is disabled, allowing safe handling of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Kosta L. Pelonis
  • Patent number: 5126078
    Abstract: An air freshener dispenser includes a two-part housing including a base and a separable cover. The base carries a control circuit and the cover carries a dispensing blower and a replaceable cartridge including the freshening agent to be dispensed and a battery for powering the blower. When the cover is removed from the base the blower is connected directly across the battery for test purposes, but when it is mounted on the base, contact structure on the cover and the base cooperate so that the blower is connected to the battery through the control circuit and is controlled thereby. The control circuit turns off the blower and triggers visible and audible alarm signals after a predetermined time period and/or when the battery voltage gets too low. A photocell turns off the blower and disables the audible alarm in the dark. The time-out period of the timer is selectively changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Steiner Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Steiner, Charles R. Holzner, Kenneth D. Hartman, Donald B. Owen
  • Patent number: 5114076
    Abstract: An atomizer for forming a thin film comprising an atomizing box, a guide tube having an open end of small diameter and an other open end of large diameter, a nozzle having an ejection outlet disposed in the atomizing box, an atomizing solution reservoir defined in the atomizing box adjacent to the open end of large diameter of the guide tube, and a fluid return passage defined around the circumference of the guide tube for returning the atomized solution from the atomizing solution reservoir to the one open end thereof. The atomizing box can contain a plurality of guide tubes each provided with a nozzle. The guide tube can also have a plurality of nozzles positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuho Imai, Atsuo Ito, Mikio Sekiguchi, Hideyo Iida, Kikuji Fukai, Komei Kato
  • Patent number: 5114625
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser for circulating air and evaporating an aromatic fluid into the air is disclosed. The fragrance dispenser include a wick holder body having a fluid reservoir and a wick receiving passage. The passage communicates with the fluid reservoir and includes an exposed wick receiving passage and channel portion. A wick is disposed in the wick receiving channel and has a fluid receiving end disposed in the reservoir for drawing liquid therefrom into the wick and an exposed portion positioned in the exposed portion of the wick receiving channel. A fan housing is connected to the wick holder body and includes a fan for blowing air over the exposed portion of the wick. A wick cover, supported by the wick holder body, is movable between a substantially closed position covering the exposed portion of the wick and an open position where the wick is exposed to the flow of air provided by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Clyde W. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5078976
    Abstract: A disinfectant vaporizing apparatus for dropwise flowing a disinfectant liquid on a heating unit so as to provide a uniform disinfection gas on a surface of a material to be sterilized, characterized in that at least one supply port for supplying heated carrier gas at a high temperature is provided in a vaporization chamber for the disinfectant liquid. A vaporization part is provided with a plurality of cavities on an upper surface thereof and at least one dropping nozzle is provided above each cavity, wherein the disinfection gas carried by the heated carrier gas is applied on a surface of a material to be sterilized through a droplet splash removing apparatus. The droplet splash removing apparatus has a series of vertically, spaced-apart shield plates with staggered holes therein through which the vaporized disinfectant and carrier gas pass and entrained droplets of disinfectant liquid are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Shibauchi, Koichi Hatanaka, Tasuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5071621
    Abstract: A method of supplying scents to a room of a motor-car. In this method, a scent holder is provided within the room of the motor vehicle, the scent holder containing scents bearing materials for emitting different scents useful for a driver of the motor vehicle. Reference data for respective driving conditions of the motor vehicle are stored, the reference data indicating need for supply of respective scents. After storing the reference data, a driving condition of the motor vehicle is detected for producing an electric drive signal representing the driving condition. The drive signal thus produced is compared with a corresponding reference datum for determining whether or not the detected driving condition requires one of the scents contained in the scent holder. When the detected driving condition requires the one scent, one scent bearing material containing the one scent is selected. Then, the one scent from the one scent bearing material is supplied to the room of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Tokuhiro, Norihiro Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5062999
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a vaporizer for an anesthetic medium having a throttle arrangement for throttling the gas flowing therethrough. A compensating arrangement is provided for adjusting a throttle gap in dependence upon ambient temperature and has a rod body made of a material having a low thermal coefficient of expansion. This rod body is accommodated in a sleeve made of a material having a high thermal coefficient of expansion. The rod body is tightly joined at one end thereof to the sleeve and, at its other end, the rod body is joined to a molded part. This molded part and a second molded part conjointly define the throttle gap. With the invention, a thermal adjustment device is provided for the throttle gap for which only simply formed parts are used and which are made of material not resistant to corrosion and which are easily galvanized. The housing of the throttling device is of a complicated configuration and can be made of a corrosion resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carl F. Wallroth, Wolfgang Falb, Helmut Mohr
  • Patent number: 5049317
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for generating and metering a gas mixture which includes controllable adjusting elements whereby the gas mixture is either conducted through a bypass line past a vaporizer unit to a consumer or is conducted through the vaporizer unit and from there to the consumer. With this arrangement, a calibration of the carrier gas metering especially at low flow quantities is obtained which is continuously reproducible and either carried out manually or automatically without interruption of the metering operation. This is achieved in that a calibrating line opens into a calibrating vessel upstream of the vaporizer unit and the calibrating vessel can be separated by way of shutoff valves from the vaporizer line and a level indicator is connected to the calibrating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Kiske, Ulrich Palm
  • Patent number: 5038840
    Abstract: A quick disconnnect connection for a bulk chemical supply container in an automatic refill system for a liquid chemical temperature controller is provided wherein replenishing liquid chemical is automatically supplied from the bulk chemical supply unit to a bubbler ampule in the liquid chemical temperature controller. The quick disconnect connection has shutoff valves that isolate the bulk chemical supply container to prevent depth contamination of the replenishing chemical upon connection and disconnection of the bulk supply chemical container from the automatic refill system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Fair
  • Patent number: 5032287
    Abstract: An effluent processing arrangement which takes liquid effluent from primary treatment. In a first stage the liquid is filtered. In a second stage the filtrate is treated to neutralize bacterial and other contaminants and then in a third stage is sprayed under pressure into the atmosphere to evaporate it. An air blower can be used to assist evaporation. Provision is made for flocculation of effluent and for backwashing of the filter. The main purpose of the arrangement is for treatment of septic tank effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignees: Neville Adrian Salmond, Philip John Wotton
    Inventor: Neville A. Salmond
  • Patent number: 5030253
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fragrant air supplying method, supplying apparatus, and a building having a fragrant air supplying system for supplying fragrant air to the rooms. A fragrant-material supplying means supplies fragrant material to a mist-generating means to generate mist either by blowing air or by vibration produced by an ultrasonic-oscillating means. The mist is blown to a surface portion formed at the end of a fragrant-air separating means which separates evaporated fragrant air from mist. The fragrant air is then introduced into holes formed in a fragrant-air discharging means, in which the place of holes are offset from the surface portion toward the downstream of the fragrant air. The fragrant air is then blown into a distributing passage from the fragrant-air discharging means to mix the fragrant air with conditioned-air supplied by an air-supplying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Tokuhiro, Hisato Yano, Tsuyoshi Horiyama, Norihiro Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Watanabe, Shusa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5023020
    Abstract: A method for supplying aromas to a space includes the steps of retaining a plurality of aromatic materials in respective reservoirs, selecting at least one of the aromatic materials according to a predetermined timetable determined on the basis of activities of people in the space at each time, diffusing a predetermined amount of the selected aromatic material in air to obtain aromatized air, and sending the aromatized air into the space. The apparatus for supplying aromas includes a receptor having plural aromas, a controller for controlling the receptor to select one stated aroma from the plural aromas in the receptor according to an influence on people by the stated aroma at a stated time in a day, and a ventilator for supplying an air containing the stated aroma. A facility provided with an apparatus for supplying aromas includes plural zones with each being provided with the apparatus, and plural routes for connecting the zones to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Machida, Michiaki Asano, Yozo Watanabe, Tomoya Tokuhiro, Hiroshi Satoh, Motoyuki Iwahashi, Norihiro Yamaguchi, Koshin Kikuchi, Hiroaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5008048
    Abstract: A device for aspirating liquids which is operable from any position or orientation includes a hollow housing which communicates with a source of carrier gas and a source of gas under pressure. A nozzle is disposed within the hollow housing through which the pressurized gas is directed to produce a high speed stream of gas. An entrainment member defining an aspiration chamber for the liquid is disposed in the housing with the aspiration chamber immediately adjacent to the nozzle outlet in the housing. A multi-directional liquid flow path communicating between the housing interior and the aspiration chamber is defined by the entrainment member and the edges thereof to provide fluid communication between the aspiration chamber and any point in the housing regardless of the orientation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Steven L. Ryder