Removable components for diffusion devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diffusion device for diffusing a substance in a vapor state into the surrounding air, and in particular to a removable component of the device, the removable component comprising a storage container (10, 110, 210) comprising an orifice (12) and containing a liquid substance selected from the group consisting of semiochemical molecules, pheromones, egotropins, kairomones, mutualists and fragrances of natural or synthetic origin and an internal microporous retaining member, the internal microporous retaining member being contained in at least one mouth region of the storage container adjacent to and recessed from the opening. The removable component of the device may include a dispensing member (30) comprising a porous body having an evaporation surface located outside the storage container. The substance may have a viscosity that varies according to temperature, the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid substance being such that when a gravitational acceleration is applied from the opening toward the porous body, the substance does not flow through the porous body at an ambient temperature below a first temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of diffusion devices intended to diffuse a substance in vapor state into the surrounding air, said substance being a liquid comprising at least one substance chosen from semiochemical molecules, pheromones, egotropins, kairomones, mutualists and fragrances of natural or synthetic origin. In particular, the present invention relates to a removable component that can be used for such a diffusion device. Background Art

[0002] [Compounds such as semiochemical molecules, pheromones, egotropins, kairomones, mutualists and fragrances of natural or synthetic origin can be used in a variety of applications. In agrochemical applications, semiochemical substances are used, for example, to repel or control populations of predatory animals.

[0003] US-A-20180000977A1 ​​describes a vaporizer device for extending the range and efficacy of a scent. The device includes a removable container containing a scent.

[0004] US-A-2140516 describes an electric steam generator for generating water vapour in an instantaneous manner, said vapour being capable of containing a medicament or fumigant.] Summary of the invention

[0005] Some aspects of the invention derive from the idea of ​​proposing a removable assembly for a diffusion device for diffusing a substance in vapor state into the surrounding air, making it possible to achieve low energy consumption in order to ensure long autonomy.

[0006] Some aspects of the present invention arise from the idea of ​​proposing a removable component for a diffusion device that regulates the flow of a substance dispensed through a porous body by simple temperature control.

[0007] Some aspects of the invention derive from the idea of ​​proposing a removable assembly for a diffusion device that is particularly suitable for using high-value substances with high precision and without loss of substance.

[0008] In the case of expensive substances, substances containing pheromones (eg in liquid form at ambient temperature) waste must be avoided. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to supply a sufficiently small amount of liquid to the evaporation surface of the porous distributor member so that flow occurs without the formation of droplets.

[0009] The flow of liquid through a porous body is governed by Julin's law when cold and by Darcy's law when hot.

[0010] Darcy's law states:

[0011] Q=KA(ΔH) / L,

[0012] Where Q is the volume flow rate, K is the hydraulic conductivity, A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the porous body under investigation, ΔH is the difference in piezometric height upstream and downstream of the porous body sample, and L is the length of the porous body sample. Hydraulic conductivity is calculated using the following formula:

[0013] K=kρg / μ,

[0014] Where k is the intrinsic permeability of the porous body, ρ is the mass per unit volume of the liquid substance, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and μ is the viscosity of the liquid substance.

[0015] Julin's law corresponds to the formula:

[0016] h=(2γcos(θ)) / (rρg),

[0017] where h is the height of the liquid, γ is the surface tension of the liquid, θ is the contact angle between the liquid and the wall of the microchannel, ρ is the mass per unit volume of the liquid, r is the radius of the microchannel, and g is the gravitational constant.

[0018] “Removable component” shall designate a component comprising in particular a consumable element, in particular a liquid substance to be diffused, and which can be moved, inserted or extracted from the diffuser device as a whole, rather than a fixed part of the diffuser device, in particular comprising a component having a longer service life.

[0019] This removable assembly for a diffusion device can be designed in various ways based on a container, which is used to store liquid substances and is integrated with a greater or lesser number of elements of the diffusion device, the element being in particular an element whose function is to distribute the liquid substance to the outside of the storage container and / or an element whose function is to generate an airflow and / or guide an airflow for evaporating the liquid substance. The selection of integrating the elements of the diffusion device in a removable part rather than in a fixed part can be based on a variety of considerations. The first consideration is the mechanical integration of the element with the storage container, for example, for the purpose of limiting the overall size or production cost of the device. For example, integrating certain elements of the collaborative generation or guidance of airflow into the removable assembly can achieve this purpose. The second consideration is the functional relationship between the element and the liquid substance to be distributed, for example, for the purpose of facilitating the compatibility of the diffusion device with a variety of different substances without the risk of contamination or in other words without the undesirable mixing. For example, integrating certain elements of the collaborative delivery of liquid substances into the removable assembly can achieve this purpose.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a removable assembly for a diffusion device for diffusing a substance in a vapor state into surrounding air, the removable assembly comprising a storage container including an orifice and containing a liquid substance.

[0021] Such removable components can be designed to diffuse a variety of substances.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the liquid substance comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of semiochemical molecules, pheromones, egotropins, kairomones, mutualists and fragrances of natural or synthetic origin.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one sexual or other pheromone, egocentric, mutualistic or kairomone for inducing a positive or negative reaction associated with a target species, the behavioral outcome of which can be sexual confusion, another confusion, sexual attraction, another attraction, or any kind of repulsion of any species of arthropod (including Arachnida, or including hexapods, particularly including Insecta, including pests).

[0024] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one pheromone or sex pheromone, egotrophin, mutualist or kairomone for eliciting a positive or negative reaction in relation to a target species, the behavioral outcome of which may be soothing, relaxation, pleasure or intimidation in particular in mammals and birds.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises a solvent selected from isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether and isoparaffin (eg isoparaffin L or P or N or V).

[0026] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one substance from the group formed by odorants for humans or animals, semiochemicals, cosmetics, essential oils, fragrances and phytosanitary and agricultural agents.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the odorant useful for animals is selected from fatty acids or esterified forms of the fatty acids, such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, dimethyl azelate and dimethyl pimelate.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the liquid substance at 25°C is greater than 1 cPa.s, such as greater than 8 cPa.s at 25°C, and less than 1 cPa.s at 60°C.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the substance has a boiling point between 30°C and 400°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the storage container also contains an inner microporous retaining member impregnated with the liquid substance.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the microporous retaining member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of felt (eg wool felt) and melamine foam.

[0032] According to one embodiment, a plurality of microporous retaining members in contact are disposed in a storage container.

[0033] Depending on the embodiment, the microporous retaining member may have different stiffness and / or different hardness and / or different density.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the inner microporous retaining member is accommodated at least in a mouth region of the storage container adjacent to an orifice from which the microporous retaining member is arranged rearwardly.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the microporous retaining member covers the complete section of the mouth region adjacent to the orifice of the storage container.

[0036] Thanks to a microporous retaining member of the above-described type, if the storage container is not connected to a dispenser member in the form of a porous body, the liquid substance can be reliably retained in the container by capillary action without the risk of uncontrolled flow.

[0037] According to one embodiment, a plurality of internal microporous retaining members are provided in the storage container, a first internal microporous retaining member located in the mouth region of the storage container being harder than a second internal microporous retaining member provided at a distance from the mouth region.

[0038] According to one embodiment, means for retaining the internal microporous retaining member is located in the container and extends from the end of the storage container opposite the orifice to secure the microporous retaining member so as to maintain the microporous retaining member in place in the mouth region.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the means for holding the internal microporous holding member comprises a rod fixed to the end of the storage container opposite to the orifice, for example a solid rod with a cross-shaped end, the end being in contact with the microporous holding member.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the storage container comprises a retaining lip which is arranged around the orifice and projects inwardly. Thus, the inner periphery of the retaining lip has an opening whose size is smaller than the orifice. These sizes make it possible to accommodate the rearwardly disposed internal microporous retaining member in the storage container.

[0041] The removable component may include one or more elements that cooperate to dispense the liquid substance outside the storage container. According to one embodiment, the removable component includes a dispenser member in the form of a porous body having an evaporation surface located outside the storage container to evaporate the substance into the surrounding air. In other words, the porous body includes pores that constitute microchannels leading to the evaporation surface.

[0042] "Microchannel" will mean a cross-sectional area of ​​10 -4 and 10 6 μm 2According to one embodiment, the diameter of the pores is between 0.01 μm and 10 μm.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the hollow body comprises a wood, textile, ceramic or polymer core.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a cylindrical shape.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the porosity of the porous body in the inner part of the hollow body is lower than the porosity of the outer part of the hollow body surrounding the inner part. This makes it possible to control the flow rate of the flow in the porous body with low porosity and increase the exchange with air with high surface porosity.

[0046] A dispenser member of this type may be connected directly or indirectly to the orifice of the container in various ways.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the connection between the storage container and the dispenser member associated therewith is provided by a conduit.

[0048] According to one embodiment suitable for a diffusion device, the fixed part of the diffusion device comprises a distributor member comprising a hollow needle configured to pierce a film and / or to move a membrane forming a valve of the storage container and to deliver the substance contained in the storage container to the evaporation surface, the film or the membrane being located at the outlet of the orifice and intended to be pierced.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the needle is arranged at one of the ends of the porous body. This type of needle can also be used in combination with a "self-healing" perforable plug (that is, a piece of elastic material that elastically closes the perforation created by the needle so that no flow occurs after the needle is withdrawn) housed in the orifice of the storage container.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the film is made of an elastomer or a metal film.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the distributor member is located at the outlet of the orifice and the porous body is assembled in a sealed manner to the container and has an end portion engaged in the orifice so as to be in contact with the microporous retaining member.

[0052] Due to the above-mentioned features, the distribution of the liquid substance between the container and the evaporation surface can be produced by direct contact of the porous body with the retaining member, which contact produces capillary tension.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the end portion comprises a lug arranged on an upper portion of the porous body and extending along a longitudinal axis of the porous body and configured to receive a substance by contact with a microporous retaining member.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly comprises at least one heating member enabling heating of the porous body and an electrical contact associated with the heating member and intended to make an electrical connection with a fixed portion of the diffusion device.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the removable component or the fixed part comprises at least one temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the distributor member and / or the temperature of the air flow. According to one embodiment, the distributor member is provided with a temperature sensor, for example at the level of the free end.

[0056] The temperature sensor may be, for example, an expansion thermometer or a thermistor.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the heating member and the storage container are arranged on respective opposite sides of the dispenser member in the removable assembly.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the heating member is placed directly on the surface of the porous body.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises at least one recess accommodating at least a portion of the heating member.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the heating member is configured to regulate the flow of the substance through the distributor member by changing the viscosity of the substance without reaching the boiling point of the substance.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the set point temperature is defined as a function of the substance.

[0062] The flow of the liquid substance may be controlled in various ways.The porous distributor member in particular enables a control of the flow of the liquid substance which is primarily based on the temperature of the porous body.

[0063] For this purpose, it is desirable that at ambient temperature, without heating the porous distributor member, the hydraulic conductivity K is too low for flow to occur, ie, the situation is the so-called "capillary action" situation.

[0064] On the other hand, when hot, the desired flow is sufficient to produce an expansion of the liquid substance over the outer surface of the porous body forming the evaporation surface, and the liquid adheres to the surface. The liquid layer adhering to the surface changes the piezometric height difference ΔH, and thus the flow rate of the flow is reduced because the hydraulic conductivity K has reached a maximum value. In other words, the thermal flow (that is, the flow at the temperature applied by the heating element) is generated only to the extent that the liquid layer adhering to the surface is hidden by evaporation and no droplets are detached from the surface of the porous body.

[0065] Therefore, the more important parameters are the viscosity of the fluid, its surface tension and the temperature of the porous body.

[0066] In one embodiment, cosθ is positive, that is, the substance wets the distributor member, which is made of ceramic, for example, and the mass per unit volume of the liquid is 0.6 g / cm 3 and 1g / cm 3 and the radius of the microchannel is between 5 nm and 1 μm.

[0067] When cold (that is to say at an ambient temperature below the temperature threshold), the area of ​​evaporable liquid is therefore very small: it is the sum of the cross-sections of the microchannels leading to the evaporation surface. It is thus possible to obtain a state in which the liquid substance is withdrawn into the hollow body without the possibility of flowing. In this state, the evaporation when cold depends on the volatility of the liquid, which, if low enough, can be substantially zero. The temperature threshold depends on the physical properties of the hollow body (porosity, cross-section of the pores), the physical properties of the liquid (viscosity, surface tension) and the dynamic forces that facilitate the flow (gravity, pressure).

[0068] The heat provided by the heating element reduces the dynamic viscosity of the substance so that the fluid can circulate in the distributor member according to Darcy's law and then expand on the surface of the distributor member. In the absence of heat input, the flow is fixed because the sum of the adhesion forces in the distributor member follows Julin's law. In other words, due to the reduction in dynamic viscosity caused by the increase in temperature, the flow is allowed to pass through the distributor member when hot, but due to the wettability of the fluid on the evaporation surface, the flow is maintained on the surface by the adhesion forces between the fluid and the surface of the distributor member. At room temperature, the adhesion forces between the fluid and the surface of the microchannels in the hollow body keep the liquid confined in the distributor member.

[0069] During the flow, the energy required to form the droplets that will separate is greater than the energy required to maintain the liquid substance in the distributor member and the storage container. This means two conditions:

[0070] 1. The dynamic viscosity of the substance must not be too low within the temperature range achievable with the aid of the heating element, and

[0071] 2. The liquid leaving the storage container must be balanced with the atmospheric pressure, which can be produced in a variety of ways. For example, the portion of the storage container without liquid is depressurized. Alternatively, this balance is ensured by a pressure management system of the liquid-free portion.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the substance has a viscosity that changes according to temperature, and the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid substance are such that when gravitational acceleration is applied from the orifice in the direction of the porous body, the substance cannot flow through the porous body at an ambient temperature lower than a first temperature, the first temperature is greater than 0°C, and the substance can flow through the hollow body at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

[0073] The first temperature can be fixed within various ranges. If the diffusion device is intended to be used outdoors, the first temperature will be selected in particular according to local climate data. According to an embodiment, the first temperature is, for example, between 1°C and 50°C, or between 5°C and 40°C, or between 10°C and 35°C, or between 15°C and 25°C.

[0074] The removable component may comprise elements cooperating to generate and / or direct an air flow for vaporizing the liquid substance.According to one embodiment, the removable component comprises an air flow guide located at the periphery of the aperture.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the airflow guide is used to guide the airflow in a direction tangential to the evaporation surface or an expected location of the evaporation surface, and the removable component comprises sealing elements for creating a sealed connection between the container and the airflow guide and between the airflow guide and the porous body.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly comprises a tubular chute extending around the porous body or a location intended for the porous body, the vein enabling the gas flow to be directed over the porous body.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the storage container has an elongated shape in the axial direction, the orifice is located at the axial end of the storage container, the evaporation surface of the porous body is parallel to the axial direction, and the guide member includes a plurality of fins parallel to the axial direction and arranged around the container.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the removable component comprises all or part of an air mixer chamber extending around the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the removable component comprises an upper wall of the air mixer chamber extending around the circumference of the storage container.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the air mixer chamber comprises an opening connectable to a ventilator.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the air mixer chamber includes a fan positioned to generate an air flow in the air mixer chamber and an electrical connector for associating with an electrical connector in a fixed part of the diffuser to supply power to the fan. For example, the air flow rate of the fan can be 0.2m 3 / h and 60m3 / h.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the flow guide features a plurality of channels opening into the mixer chamber and oriented in a direction tangential to the evaporation surface or to the intended location of the evaporation surface.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the removable component comprises a flange protruding around the storage container and adapted to cover an opening in the fixed part of the diffusion device for inserting the removable component into the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly comprises an air flow regulator member configured to control a fan in order to regulate the air flow in the aeration chamber and / or the air flow guide.

[0084] Storage containers can be manufactured in various ways.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the storage container includes a pressurization vent hole, which establishes communication between the interior space of the storage container and the surrounding air.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly comprises an external storage container and an internal storage container accommodated in the external container, the internal storage container being connected to the dispenser member via an orifice and comprising a vent hole connected to the atmosphere at the end opposite to the orifice, the communication opening between the external storage container and the internal storage container being arranged near the orifice in the mouth region, and the external storage container having no opening except for the communication opening. One or more microporous retaining members are preferably arranged in the internal storage container and / or the external storage container.

[0087] According to one embodiment suitable for a diffusion device, the fixed part of the diffusion device comprises a dispenser member, and the removable component comprises a plug, which is arranged to close the orifice in a sealed manner during transportation of the removable component. For example, a storage container of this type can be provided with a plug arranged on the discharge orifice when the device is not in use (that is to say, before the container has been connected to the dispenser member or after the container has been disconnected from the dispenser member).

[0088] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly includes a seal arranged around the aperture to establish a seal between the storage container and the dispenser member.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the removable component comprises mechanical retaining means enabling the removable component to be stabilized in said fixed part of the diffusion device.For example, the removable component is mounted in said fixed part of the diffusion device by screwing or clamping.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the storage container has no openings other than the orifice, said storage container containing the gas phase and the liquid substance occupying at least 20% of the volume of the storage container.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the removable component comprises mechanical polarizing means to facilitate the insertion of the removable component in its operative position into the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the porous body is configured to establish thermal engagement with a heating element of the diffusion device.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the removable component is arranged in contact engagement between the microporous retaining member and the dispenser member during its insertion into the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the orifice of the container connected to the dispenser member is oriented downwards, that is to say in the direction of the gravitational acceleration, when the device is in its use position.

[0095] The object of the present invention is also a diffusion device, which includes the removable component according to any of the above embodiments and a fixed part, the fixed part includes an outer shell, the outer shell defines a shell, and the removable component is inserted into the shell in a functional position so that the substance can be diffused into the surrounding air in a vapor state.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the fixed part comprises the outer housing and substantially all elements of the diffusion device that have not yet been integrated into the removable component (i.e. individually or in combination and in a non-exhaustive manner): guide pieces, chutes, mixer chambers or chamber parts, fans, distributor members, heating members, communication modules, control devices (e.g. in the form of an electronic card), fixing devices for fixing the removable component in the housing, e.g. by clamping or screwing.

[0097] The cover of the housing may be integrated into the fixed part or the removable component, for example in the form of a flange attached to the storage container.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the fixed part or said removable assembly comprises at least one electronic regulator element configured to regulate the heating means.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the electronic regulator element comprises at least one electronic card and at least one resistor electrically excited by the electronic card. The resistor may be arranged on the electronic card or remote from the electronic card.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the electronic regulator element is configured to control the heating member as a function of a set point temperature in the distributor member.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the removable component includes means for identifying the substance stored in the container, for example digital and electromagnetic means, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, or analog means, such as a bar code or other marking.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the electronic regulator element is connected to a detector arranged in the fixed part and configured to detect a mark at the level of the storage container, the mark indicating the substance contained in the container, and the control device determines at least one operating parameter of the device selected from the set point temperature, the air flow rate and a time indication defining a stop / run cycle as a function of the mark. Such time indications include, for example, a cycle start date, a cycle end date, a cycle duration, an inter-cycle duration, etc.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the electronic regulator element comprises a memory storing a table of values ​​relating substances to set point temperatures.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the fixed part further comprises a communication module to provide wired or wireless communication with a data server, for example in order to modify a value table or to update a regulation program.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the stationary part comprises a housing for receiving a plurality of storage containers, each storage container containing a liquid substance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0106] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] Figure 1 Exploded view showing a diffusion device that can be produced in the form of a fixed part of a removable assembly.

[0108] Figure 2 Indicates from Figure 1 Exploded cross-section of a diffusion device.

[0109] Figure 3 A storage container according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0110] Figure 4 A storage container according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0111] Figure 5 A storage container according to a third embodiment having a double storage container is shown.

[0112] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a storage container including a stopper according to one embodiment.

[0113] Figure 7 A dispenser member with a heating member according to one embodiment is shown.

[0114] Figure 8 A removable assembly including a storage container and an airflow guide according to one embodiment is shown.

[0115] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a removable assembly including a storage container, an airflow guide, and a dispenser member according to one embodiment.

[0116] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view showing a removable assembly including a storage container, an airflow guide, and a chute according to one embodiment.

[0117] Fig.11 is a cutaway perspective view showing a removable assembly including a storage container, an air mixer chamber, an air flow guide, a chute, and a distributor member according to one embodiment.

[0118] Fig.12 is a perspective view showing a removable assembly including a storage container, an air mixer chamber, a fan, an air flow guide, and a chute according to one embodiment.

[0119] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing a removable assembly including a storage container, a dispenser member, a sealing element, and a chute according to one embodiment.

[0120] Fig.14 Is from Fig. 9 A larger scale partial view of the removable component in section taken along line XIV-XIV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0121] Embodiments of diffusion devices intended to diffuse a substance in a vapor state into the surrounding air will now be described.

[0122] Figure 1 and Figure 2A diffusion device 1 is shown, which consists of elements represented here in an exploded perspective view. A cylindrical storage container 10, 110, 210 contains a liquid substance. The storage container 10, 110, 210 comprises a cylindrical hollow body 17, which is closed at its upper end by a fluid-tight end piece 11, which carries a retaining tab 13 at its upper part. The lower part of the cylindrical hollow body 17 comprises an orifice 12. The orifice enables the liquid substance to communicate to the outside of the storage container 10, 110, 210. The diffusion device 1 comprises an air guide 40. The air guide 40 comprises a guide 41 associated with a chute 42 intended to be arranged around the orifice 12 of the storage container 10. An air mixer chamber 60 is intended to be positioned around the storage container 10, 110, 210 and is in communication with the guide 41. The mixer chamber 60 may extend along the entire or partial height of the storage container 10, 110, 210. The porous body 30 comprises lugs 301 protruding therefrom and is intended to be penetrated into the orifice 12 or to be connected to said orifice by means of a tube not shown.

[0123] The lower part of the porous body 30 comprises a heating element 32 enabling heating of the porous body 30 and an electrical connector 33 intended to be connected to an electronic card 85 arranged in the housing 80. In the use position, the electrical connector 33 is connected to the electronic card 85 and / or the energy source 86 and enables supply of current and / or control signals. The control signal can be generated by the electronic card 85, for example by using a control program defining the stop / start cycle of the heating element 32, the cycle start date, the cycle end date or the cycle duration. The energy supply can take various forms, such as a battery, a connection to an external mains power source and / or a solar panel.

[0124] The housing 80 has a cover 82 including a hinge 83, a bottom part 81 including an opening to the external environment, and a fixing part 84. The cover 82 can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position, which enables the replacement of the storage container 10, 110, 210 when it has been emptied of the substance to be diffused. In the closed position, the cover 82 can also press on the retaining tongue 13 to hold the storage container 10, 110, 210 in the housing 80 in a stable manner.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the diffusion device 1 is made of two parts: a removable part comprising at least the storage container 10, 110, 210 alone or in combination with other elements, as explained below, and a fixed part comprising at least a housing 80 intended to receive the removable part.

[0126] Storage container 10 may be manufactured in a variety of ways.

[0127] Figure 3A storage container 10 is shown, comprising a cylindrical hollow body 17 comprising an upper portion closed by a fluid-tight tip 11 and a lower portion comprising an orifice 12 and a retaining lip 19 arranged around the orifice 12. The fluid-tight tip 11 enables the storage container 10 to be sealed after being filled. The orifice 12 enables the substance contained in the storage container 10 to flow to the porous body 30.

[0128] according to Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the storage container 110 contains two pieces of retaining foam. The first foam 111 is arranged in the mouth area of ​​the storage container 110 set backward from the orifice 12 and the second foam 112 is in contact with the first foam 111 in the storage container 110. The rod 121 extends from the tip 120 of the fluid seal into the container. For example, the rod 121 has a cross-shaped cross section. The rod 121 will keep the retaining foam in place. The rod 121 applies pressure to maintain the second foam 112 in contact with the first foam 111, so that the first foam 111 can be kept in the mouth area of ​​the storage container 110. The first foam 111 is set backward from the orifice to reduce the risk of accidental contact with external elements, which may cause contamination, damage or waste of the liquid material intended to be diffused. The retaining lip 19 is arranged around the orifice 12. The retaining lip 19 reduces the size of the orifice 12 and enables the microporous retaining member 111 to be kept set backward from the orifice 12.

[0129] Figure 5A storage container 210 according to another embodiment is shown. The storage container 210 includes an outer storage container 211, which is completely closed when it is not in contact with the inner storage container 212 at its ends. The inner storage container 211 is covered by a vent 213 at its upper end. The vent 213 enables the pressure between the air outside and inside the inner storage container 212 to be balanced. The inner storage container 212 contains a microporous retaining member, such as a sponge or microporous foam, which is intended to be in contact with a porous body (not shown here) through the orifice 12. The retaining lip 19 is arranged around the orifice 12 and enables the microporous retaining member 111 to remain set back from the orifice 12. Therefore, as each drop of liquid flows toward the porous body, the pressure in the inner storage container 212 is balanced via its vent 213 and causes the liquid level to drop. The outer storage container 211 refills the inner storage container 212 by being connected via the joint 214 between the two storage containers, but the outer storage container 211 decompresses and then increases the portion of the storage container that does not or no longer has any liquid. Therefore, the inner storage container 212 is balanced with the decompression of the outer storage container 211. Nevertheless, the inner storage container 212 is always able to exit this equilibrium state due to its vent 213 and the traction generated by the porous body of the distributor member (not shown here). In order for the flow to occur normally, when the storage container 210 is placed in the fixed part of the diffusion device, the outer storage container 211 is completely filled with material.

[0130] Figure 5 It is also shown that the flange 90 can be arranged to protrude around the storage container 210 and is suitable for covering the opening of the fixed part of the diffusion device during its insertion. In this case, the fixed part of the diffusion device does not necessarily include a cover. The flange 90 can be positioned anywhere on the length of the container 210 at will.

[0131] The fixed portion may contain all or part of the mixer chamber, as depicted at the mixer chamber 88. According to one embodiment, flange 90 constitutes the upper wall of the mixer chamber 88 to close the mixer chamber when the removable assembly is inserted into the operating position. Alternatively, the upper wall 90 may be rigidly connected to the fixed portion instead of the removable assembly. In this case, the storage container 210 closes the mixer chamber 88 when inserted into the central opening in the upper wall 90, the diameter of the central opening being equal to the outer diameter of the storage container 210.

[0132] refer to Figure 6The opening 12 of the storage container 10, 110, 210 is equipped with a plug 50 to prevent the liquid material contained in the storage container 10, 110, 210 from flowing out when the storage container is not in use and / or when the storage container is transported. The plug 50 includes a ring 51 supporting an O-ring. The plug 50 can be fixed by, for example, screwing it in or by clamping it. The use of the plug facilitates the transportation of the container 10, 110, 210 and can avoid potentially costly material losses. The sealing plug can avoid material losses even in the event of a fall, impact or other disturbance.

[0133] Figure 7 1 shows an embodiment of a porous body 30. The porous body 30 comprises a main part 300 having a cylindrical shape covered by a lug 301. The lug enables the transport of substances towards the main part 300 of the porous body 30. On the side of the porous body 30 opposite to the side carrying the lug 301, two recesses 302 are formed so that each recess receives a heating element 132 and / or a temperature sensor. The heating element 132 is a resistor powered by the circuit 185. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor. The peripheral surface of the main part 300 forms an evaporation surface 39 on which open microchannels are formed by the porosity of the porous body 30.

[0134] The porous body 30 can be integrated into a removable assembly with the container 110 or 210. In this case, the lug 301 will be inserted into the orifice 12 to compress the microporous retaining member located in the mouth area of ​​the storage container 110, 210. The porous body 30 can also have a uniform or non-uniform porosity. The open porosity is preferably 25% at the core and 45% at the surface. Then, this will be a porous body in which the open porosity (that is, the pore volume per unit volume of the porous body) increases from the core toward the evaporation surface, which is conducive to a greater expansion of the outlet from the pores over the entire surface of the porous body, and the mechanical integrity of the porous core is strengthened by a denser core.

[0135] Figure 8 The embodiment of the embodiment shows a removable assembly 800, which comprises a storage container 10, 110, 210 and an airflow guide 41 located at the periphery of the orifice 12. The airflow guide 41 is intended to guide the airflow in a specific direction. The removable assembly 800 is intended to be installed in a first part of the diffuser device, which in particular comprises an airflow generator and a distributor member. The airflow generated by the airflow generator in the direction of the airflow guide 41 will then be guided in the direction of the distributor member of the fixed part of the diffuser device.

[0136] Fig. 9 An embodiment of a removable assembly 900 is shown, except for the Figure 8In addition to the elements of the present invention, the removable assembly also comprises a porous body 130 connected to the orifice 12. The porous body 130 is intended to be connected to a heating element located in the fixed part of the diffusion device. The diffusion of the substance can be regulated by controlling the temperature of the porous body 130 using one or more heating members integrated into the fixed part of the diffusion device. The airflow guide 41 comprises a plurality of parallel fins 43 defining a channel 44 that enables the airflow to be directed in the direction of the porous body 130.

[0137] Fig.10 The embodiment of the present invention represents a removable component 1000, which includes a storage container 10, 110, 210 associated with an airflow guide 41 located at the periphery of the orifice 12 and a tubular chute 42 fixed to the airflow guide 41. The chute 42 is a rotating body, and the internal space 45 of the chute has a section that first converges and then diverges. The smallest section is approximately located at the level of half the length of the porous body 30. The upper edge 46 of the chute 42 is attached around the guide 41, for example by clamping the guide 41. The chute 42 enables the airflow to be guided over the porous body 30, thereby facilitating the evaporation of the substance in the desired direction (i.e., toward the bottom of the housing 80). In this embodiment, the porous body and the airflow generator can be located in the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0138] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A removable assembly 1100 is shown, which includes a container 10, 110, 210, an air mixer chamber 60 arranged around the storage container 10, 110, 210, an air flow guide 41 including a plurality of fins 43, and a chute 42. The fins 43 are parallel to the axial direction and are arranged around the storage container 10, 110, 210. The air mixer chamber 60 may include a fan 61.

[0139] The porous body 30 carries an electric heating element 32. An electrical connector 33 enables the electric heating element 32 to be connected to a power supply circuit situated in the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0140] In operation, the electric heating element 32 will cause the porous body 30 to heat, reducing the viscosity of the liquid substance and thus flowing from the mouth of the storage container in the direction of the dispenser member. The liquid thus rises by capillary action to the top of the pores of the porous body 30, which together constitute the evaporation surface, which is therefore located at the periphery of the porous body 30.

[0141] As the air flow passes through the air mixer chamber 60, it is then directed tangentially to the evaporation surface 39 via the air flow guides 41 and the chutes 42, so that the substance on the surface is evaporated and transported in the vapor state in the direction of the air flow.

[0142] Capillary forces are caused by the nature of the surface, which consists of sufficiently narrow channels or pores to generate capillary traction. Capillary traction and retention forces must cause the liquid to rise to the top of the pores of the evaporation surface 39; however, this must occur without being allowed to expand uncontrollably over the evaporation surface 39 due to the forces of the gravitational field (gravity and hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column that may be present) or static attractive forces generated by the interaction between the solution and the rest of the surface of the porous body 30.

[0143] This capillary pull exists only by renewing the final volume (the cylindrical liquid section at the top of the pore). This volume is renewed by evaporation and is controlled by the equilibrium of the concentrations of liquid and gas molecules at the liquid and gas interface, according to the specific parameters of each solution and mainly depending on the temperature (at atmospheric pressure), i.e. the saturated vapor pressure. Increasing the temperature of the solution to be evaporated leads to an increase in the saturated vapor pressure, so the equilibrium of the concentrations of liquid and gas molecules at the interface shifts towards the gas molecules: evaporation continues until equilibrium is established again. If the gas phase is mobile, equilibrium is never reached and evaporation continues until the liquid phase is exhausted. The more mobile the gas phase is (the faster the molecules tend to be evaporated into the gas phase), the faster the evaporation rate.

[0144] In the use position, the fan 61 remains connected to the electronic card 85 and the electric energy generator 86 by means of an electronic joint. The fan 61 generates an air flow in the mixer chamber 60 in a direction perpendicular to the fins 43 of the guide. The air flow is disturbed and changed in direction at the fins 43 of the guide 60 and passes through the chute 42, after which the air flow is directed towards the porous body 30 comprising the heating element 32. As described above, heating the porous body 30 will reduce the viscosity of the substance, and this will enable the substance to evaporate into the external environment as the air flows. In a variant of this embodiment, the fan 61 is mounted in a fixed part of the diffuser, and when the removable component is mounted in the fixed part of the diffuser, an orifice is provided in the mixer chamber 60, so that the fan 61 can be integrated.

[0145] Fig.13A removable assembly 1300 is shown, which includes a container 10, 110, 210, a guide 41 and a chute 42 located around a porous body. The guide 41 and the chute 42 can be formed integrally. A double seal is provided between the container 10, 110, 210, the chute 42 and the porous body 30. A sealing element 70 is located between the container 10, 110, 210 and the chute 42, and a sealing element 71 is located between the chute 42 and the porous body 30. The porous body 30 includes two recesses 402, each of which is shaped to receive a heating element 132 and / or a temperature sensor. In this embodiment, in the use position, the two recesses of the removable assembly are nested with the two heating elements 132 of the fixed part of the diffusion device.

[0146] Fig.14 A section of a removable assembly 900 is shown that includes a storage container 110, an airflow guide 41 and a porous body 30. The porous body 30 is inserted into the orifice 12 of the container 110 until the porous body begins to compress the microporous retaining member 111, and then a contact joint is formed. The guide 41 is arranged around the storage container 110 at the level of the joint between the storage container 110 and the porous body 30. An O-ring 72 is assembled at the level of the joint between the storage container 110 and the porous body 30. Another seal 47 can be accommodated in a groove 48 in the guide 41. In the use position, the seal can constrain the flow of liquid in the direction of the porous body 30 without any associated leakage of material. For example, the seal can be single, double, radial and / or compression.

[0147] Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is by no means limited to these embodiments and that the invention comprises all technical equivalents of the described means and their combinations if the described means fall within the scope of the invention.

[0148] Use of the verb "include" and "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

[0149] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

[0150] Example:

[0151] Several embodiments of the diffusion device 1 have been constructed and tested.

[0152] Experiment 1:

[0153] The active molecule used is (7E,9Z)-dodecan-7,9-dienol acetate, which has a flash point of 137°C and a unit volume mass (at 20°C) of 0.903 g / cm3 , the viscosity at 23°C is 8 mPa.s, and the saturated vapor pressure at 15°C is 0.15 Pa.

[0154] The compositions studied included:

[0155] – 99.5% by weight of (7E,9Z)-dodeca-7,9-dienol acetate, and

[0156] - 0.5% by weight of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).

[0157] The product name of this compound 2New is known and will be used in the storage container for this experiment.

[0158] Three systems were studied:

[0159] The porous body is a sintered alumina ceramic core with a pore size of 100 nm and a uniform porosity of 40%.

[0160] System 1:

[0161] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 7.9 cm2, the core diameter is 2.3 cm (centimeter) and the height is 1.2 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.2 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0162] System 2:

[0163] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 15.5 cm2, the core diameter is 2.6 cm (centimeter) and the height is 1.9 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.45 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0164] System 3:

[0165] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 22.8 cm2, the diameter of the core is 2.8 cm (centimeter) and the height is 2.6 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.50 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0166] Controlling temperature environment 52℃ 58℃ RAK 2 evaporation on system 1 (mg / h) 0 1.9 3.8

[0167] system System 1 System 2 System 3 <![CDATA[Evaporation area (cm 2 )]]> 7.9 15.5 22.8 RAK 2 evaporation at 58°C (mg / h) 3.8 8.9 12.2 Non-evaporation threshold temperature ℃ 33 33 33

[0168] The measurements were made according to a systematic relative mass loss protocol, taking into account (by visual observation) that any mass loss is due to the molecules being driven out of the system following evaporation.

[0169] Experiment 2:

[0170] The molecule used is isopropyl myristate, which has a flash point of 160°C and a unit volume mass of 0.855 g / cm at 20°C.3 , the dynamic viscosity at 20°C is 5.58 mPa.s, and the saturated vapor pressure at 20°C is 100 Pa.

[0171] System 1:

[0172] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 7.9 cm2, the core diameter is 2.3 cm (centimeter) and the height is 1.2 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.2 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0173] System 2:

[0174] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 15.5 cm2, the core diameter is 2.6 cm (centimeter) and the height is 1.9 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.2 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0175] System 3:

[0176] The evaporation area of ​​the core is 15.5 cm2, the core diameter is 2.6 cm (centimeter) and the height is 1.9 cm. The average speed of the air flow around the surface is 0.45 m / s. The outdoor temperature is 25°C.

[0177]

[0178]

[0179]

[0180] The measurements were made according to a systematic relative mass loss protocol, taking into account (by visual observation) that any mass loss is due to the molecules being driven out of the system following evaporation.

Claims

1. A removable component for a diffusion device (1) for diffusing a substance in a vapor state into the surrounding air, the removable component comprising: - a storage container, said storage container comprising an orifice (12), The storage container contains the substance in liquid state and a dispenser member positioned at the outlet of the orifice (12) and connected to the orifice (12) to evaporate the substance into the surrounding air, The substance comprises at least one substance selected from semiochemical molecules or fragrances of natural or synthetic origin, The dispenser member comprises a porous body (30, 130) having an evaporation surface (39) located outside the storage container, and The substance has a viscosity that changes according to temperature, and the viscosity and surface tension of the substance are such that when gravitational acceleration is applied from the orifice (12) in the direction of the porous body (30, 130) to form a driving force that easily generates a flow from the storage container toward the evaporation surface (39), the substance does not flow through the porous body (30, 130) at an ambient temperature lower than a first temperature, the first temperature being greater than 0° C., and the substance flows through the porous body (30, 130) at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

2. The removable component according to claim 1, wherein: The first temperature is between 1°C and 50°C.

3. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The removable assembly comprises at least one heating member (32) for heating the porous body (30, 130) and an electrical contact associated with the heating member and for making an electrical connection with a fixed portion of the diffusion device (1).

4. The removable assembly of claim 3, further comprising at least one adjustment electronic component configured to adjust the heating member (32).

5. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The porous body (30, 130) comprises pores with diameters between 0.01 μm and 10 μm.

6. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The removable component comprises an airflow guide (41) located at the periphery of the orifice (12), the airflow guide (41) being used to guide the airflow in a direction tangential to the evaporation surface (39), wherein the removable component comprises a sealing element for creating a sealed connection between the storage container and the airflow guide (41) and between the airflow guide (41) and the porous body (30, 130).

7. The removable assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The storage container has an elongated shape in the axial direction, the orifice (12) is located at the axial end of the storage container, the evaporation surface (39) of the porous body (30, 130) is parallel to the axial direction, and the airflow guide (41) includes a plurality of fins (43) parallel to the axial direction and arranged around the storage container.

8. The removable assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The removable assembly comprises a tubular chute (42) extending around the porous body (30, 130), the tubular chute (42) enabling the gas flow to be directed onto the porous body (30, 130).

9. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The removable assembly includes some or all of an air mixer chamber (60) extending around the periphery of the storage container.

10. The removable assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The air mixer chamber (60) includes an opening to allow connection to a fan.

11. The removable assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The air mixer chamber (60) includes a fan (61) positioned to generate an air flow in the air mixer chamber (60) and an electrical connector for associating with an electrical connector in a fixed part of the diffuser (1) to supply power to the fan (61).

12. The removable assembly of claim 9, wherein: The removable component comprises an airflow guide (41) located at the periphery of the orifice (12), the airflow guide (41) being used to guide the airflow in a direction tangential to the evaporation surface (39), wherein the removable component comprises a sealing element for producing a sealed connection between the storage container and the airflow guide (41) and between the airflow guide (41) and the porous body (30, 130), and the airflow guide (41) comprises a plurality of channels (44) which open into the air mixer chamber (60) and are oriented in a direction tangential to the evaporation surface (39).

13. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The removable component comprises a flange (90) which projects around the storage container and is suitable for covering an opening in a fixed part of the diffusion device (1) for inserting the removable component into the fixed part of the diffusion device (1).

14. The removable component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The storage container includes a pressurized vent (213) that establishes communication between the interior space of the storage container and the ambient air.

15. The removable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plug (50) arranged to block the orifice (12) in a sealed manner during transportation of the removable assembly.

16. The removable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage container has an elongated shape in the axial direction and the orifice (12) is located at an axial end of the storage container, The storage container contains an inner microporous retaining member (111) impregnated with the substance in a liquid state, The storage container is intended to be assembled to the distributor member in a sealed manner, the porous body (30, 130) of the distributor member having an end portion adapted to engage in the orifice (12), and the evaporation surface (39) of the porous body (30, 130) being intended to be parallel to the axial direction of the storage container, The inner microporous retaining member (111) is accommodated at least in a mouth region of the storage container adjacent to the orifice (12) and is disposed rearward from the orifice (12) so as to be able to contact the end portion of the porous body when the end portion is engaged in the orifice (12), and The removable assembly includes a seal (72) arranged around the orifice (12) to allow the porous body (30, 130) to be assembled to the storage container in a sealed manner, thereby establishing a sealed connection between the storage container and the dispenser member.

17. The removable assembly according to claim 16, wherein: A plurality of internal microporous retaining members are disposed in the storage container.

18. The removable assembly according to claim 17, wherein: A first inner microporous retaining member located in the mouth region of the storage container is harder than a second inner microporous retaining member located a distance from the mouth region.

19. The removable assembly of claim 16, wherein: The inner microporous retaining member retaining means is located in the storage container and extends from the end of the storage container opposite the orifice (12) to retain the inner microporous retaining member in place at least in the mouth region.

20. The removable assembly of claim 16, wherein: The retaining means of the inner microporous retaining member comprises a rod (121) fixed to the end of the storage container opposite to the orifice (12).

21. The removable assembly of claim 16, wherein: The storage container includes a pressurized vent (213) that establishes communication between the interior space of the storage container and the ambient air.

22. The removable assembly of claim 1, wherein: The substances include pheromones.

23. The removable assembly of claim 1, wherein: The substance comprises at least one substance selected from egocentrics, kairomones or mutualists.

24. A diffusion device, characterized in that: The diffusion device (1) comprises: - a removable assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, and - a fixed part comprising a casing (80) defining a housing into which the removable component is inserted in an operating position to enable the substance to diffuse in the vapor state into the surrounding air.

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