Diffuser element suitable for dispersing a substance that is in the liquid state at ambient temperature into the air as vapor, and diffuser apparatus comprising the diffuser element

Abstract

The invention relates to a diffuser element (20, 120, 220, 320) suitable for dispersing a substance that is in the liquid state at ambient temperature into the air as vapor, the diffuser element comprising a porous body (30, 230, 330) having an inner surface (32, 232, 332) in contact with the substance, the porous body (30, 230, 330) having an evaporation surface (33, 233, 333) for evaporating the substance in the ambient air, the evaporation surface (33, 233, 333) being separated from the inner surface (32, 232, 332) by a thickness portion (34, 234, 334) of the porous body (30, 230, 330), wherein the inner surface (32, 232, 332) has a concave shape defining an inner volume (31, 231, 331) in the porous body, the inner volume (31, 231, 331) containing the liquid substance.

Description

Diffuser element suitable for dispersing in air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at room temperature, and diffuser apparatus comprising the diffuser element

[0001] The invention relates to a diffuser element suitable for dispersing in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at room temperature. The invention also relates to a diffuser apparatus comprising such a diffuser element. Technological background

[0002] Document WO 2020 / 254733 A1 discloses a removable assembly for a diffuser apparatus, the diffuser apparatus being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at room temperature. The substance is contained in a storage container. A heating element heats a porous body associated with the storage container so as to control a flow of the substance through the porous body. Summary

[0003] An idea underlying the invention is to propose a diffuser element capable of being used in a aforementioned diffuser device or of being used in isolation, of reduced size and simple to manufacture.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a diffuser element suitable for dispersing in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser element comprising a porous body having an internal surface in contact with the substance, the porous body having an evaporation surface for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, the evaporation surface being separated from the internal surface by a portion of thickness of the porous body, wherein the internal surface has a concave shape delimiting an internal volume in the porous body, the internal volume containing the liquid substance.

[0005] With the invention, the choice is made to store the liquid substance in an internal volume in the porous body, rather than in a storage container associated with the porous body. As a result, the overall size of the diffuser element is reduced, since the storage container can be eliminated. In addition, the manufacture of the diffuser element can be very simple, since it is no longer necessary to provide a connection between the storage container and the porous body, in particular a sealed connection to prevent losses of liquid substance.

[0006] The larger the internal surface area, the more the porous body can be permanently impregnated with the liquid substance despite the evaporation of the substance into the ambient air at the evaporation surface, at least as long as a sufficient amount of liquid substance remains in the internal volume. Thus, it is possible to ensure that the evaporation surface remains permanently wet despite the evaporation of the substance, even without heating the porous body as described in the aforementioned WO 2020 / 254733 A1 or in WO 2019 / 243734 A1. The diffuser element can therefore be used in isolation, i.e. without a diffuser device, to disperse the substance into the air. It is also possible to use the diffuser element in a diffuser device ensuring ventilation of the ambient air around the evaporation surface and / or heating of the porous body.In this case, the diffuser device can be significantly energy-efficient, as the same rate of dispersion of the substance into the air can be achieved with less intense ventilation and / or heating.

[0007] According to embodiments, such a diffuser element may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the internal volume does not receive any absorbent solid support capable of being impregnated with the liquid substance. Thus, the substance received in the internal volume can only impregnate the porous body.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises pores which constitute micro-channels opening onto the evaporation surface. The term “micro-channel” means a channel whose cross-section has an area of ​​between 10 -4 and 10 6 µm 2According to one embodiment, said pores have a diameter of between 0.01 and 10 µm.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the porous body is made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or a porous metallic material obtained by sintering a metallic powder or a metallic alloy powder.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the porous body has uniform porosity.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the diffuser element further comprises a closure element fixed in a sealed manner to the porous body, the porous body and the closure element together constituting a closed envelope containing the substance. The term "closed envelope containing the substance" means that, at room temperature, the substance in the liquid state cannot flow out of the closed envelope.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the closure element is made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or a porous metal material obtained by sintering a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. According to one embodiment in this case, the closure element is made of the same material as the porous body.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the closed envelope is a rigid closed envelope. This can be achieved by ensuring that the porous body and the closure member are each rigid. According to another embodiment, the closure member comprises a rigid portion sealed to the porous body, and a flexible portion retained on the rigid portion. The flexible portion, the rigid portion and the porous body then together constitute a closed envelope containing the substance which is partly non-rigid.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a collar surrounding a mouth of the internal volume, the closing element covering the collar.

[0016] In this way, a larger dimension of the closure element can be strictly larger than a larger dimension of the collar. A user can thus manipulate the diffuser element without touching the porous body impregnated with the liquid substance.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a seal is disposed between the collar and the closure element. According to one embodiment, the seal is a flat seal. According to one embodiment, the seal is received in a groove that the closure element comprises, the groove being opposite the collar.

[0018] Thus, the diffuser element can be freely manipulated by a user without the risk of accidentally spilling the liquid substance.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a “U” shaped cross section, so as to have a flat outer surface opposite the collar.

[0020] This tends to further simplify the manufacture of the porous body and therefore of the diffuser element.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the internal volume is a first internal volume, the thickness portion is a first thickness portion, and the porous body comprises a second internal surface having a concave shape delimiting a second internal volume in the porous body, the second internal surface being separated from the first internal surface by a second thickness portion of the porous body.

[0022] More particularly, according to one embodiment, the diffuser element comprises: - a porous body having an internal surface in contact with the substance, the porous body having an evaporation surface for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, the evaporation surface being separated from the internal surface by a first portion of thickness of the porous body, in which the internal surface has a concave shape delimiting a first internal volume in the porous body, the first internal volume containing the liquid substance, the porous body having a second surface separated from the first internal surface (32) by a second portion of thickness of the porous body, the diffuser element further comprising - a heating element configured to heat the porous body and received against the second surface, and - the substance contained in the first internal volume of the porous body, the substance having a viscosity varying as a function of the temperature,said at any ambient temperature lower than a first temperature, the first temperature being greater than 0°C, and the substance flowing through the porous body at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.,

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second surface is a second internal surface which has a concave shape delimiting a second internal volume in the porous body, this second internal volume receiving said heating element.

[0024] According to one embodiment, said second surface is an external surface of the porous body.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a diffuser apparatus, the diffuser apparatus being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus comprising:- a diffuser element according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments; and- a diffusion housing which defines a housing into which said diffuser element can be inserted.

[0026] According to embodiments, such a diffuser apparatus may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises a heating element configured to heat the porous body.

[0028] According to an embodiment in which the porous body of the diffuser element comprises the aforementioned second internal volume, the heating element is received in the second internal volume. According to an embodiment in this case, the heating element is in contact with the second internal surface.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the heating element comprises or consists of an electrical resistor.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises a control device configured to control the heating element as a function of a set temperature of the porous body.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises a support element for the heating element, the support element being integral with the diffuser apparatus. According to one embodiment, the heating element is integral with the support element.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises at least one temperature sensor, connected to the control device, and the control device is configured to control the heating element according to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises an air inlet, at least one air outlet and at least one fan for driving an air flow from the air inlet to said at least one air outlet so that the air flow circulates around the evaporation surface of the porous body.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the control device is further configured to control the fan.

[0035] According to one embodiment, said substance comprises at least one compound selected from semiochemical molecules, pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones of natural or synthetic origin.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one sexual or non-sexual pheromone, an allomone, a synomone or a kairomone intended to provoke a positive or negative response relative to the targeted species, the behavioral result of which may be sexual confusion, confusion of another nature, sexual attraction, attraction of another nature, repulsion of any nature, in arthropods, including arachnids, or including hexapods, among which in particular insects, including harmful insects.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one pheromone or sex pheromone, allomone, synomone or kairomone intended to provoke a positive or negative response relative to the target species, the behavioral result of which may notably be appeasement, relaxation, euphoria or intimidation in the classes mammalia and aves.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises a solvent selected from isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, for example an L or P or N or V isoparaffin.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound taken from the group formed by odoriferous agents usable for humans or animals, semiochemical substances, cosmetic agents, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectant agents, odor neutralizing agents and phytosanitary and agricultural agents. According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound taken from this group.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound taken from the group formed by odoriferous agents usable for humans, cosmetic agents, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectant agents, odor neutralizing agents. According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound taken from this group.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the odoriferous agents usable for the animal are chosen from fatty acids or the esterified form of said fatty acids such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, dimethyl azelate, and dimethyl pimelate.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the substance has a temperature-dependent viscosity, said viscosity being such that the substance does not flow through the porous body at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0°C, and that the substance flows through the porous body at a second temperature above the first temperature.

[0043] Thus, the heating element makes it possible to control the flow of the substance through the thickness portion of the porous body, simply by heating or not heating the porous body. The physical principles underlying this control of the flow of the substance through the porous body are described in the document WO 2020 / 254733 A1 already cited previously or in the document WO 2019 / 243734 A1.

[0044] The first temperature can be set in different ranges. If the diffuser device is intended to be used outdoors, the first temperature will be chosen in particular according to local climatic data. According to embodiments, 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.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the substance has in the liquid state a viscosity greater than 1 cPa.s at 25°C, for example greater than 8 cPa.s at 25°C, and less than 1 cPa.s at 60°C.

[0046] These viscosity values ​​are dynamic viscosity values ​​characterizing the resistance of a fluid to its laminar flow at a given temperature.

[0047] These physicochemical data are available on the safety data sheets of the chemical products that may constitute the substance.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the substance has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of between 30°C and 400°C. For example, the substance may have a melting point at atmospheric pressure of between -70°C and 0°C. Brief description of the figures

[0049] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] This is a schematic sectional view of a diffuser assembly according to a first embodiment.

[0051] This is a schematic sectional view of a diffuser apparatus comprising the diffuser assembly thereof, together with a functional block diagram showing various elements of the diffuser apparatus.

[0052] This is a view similar to the, showing a diffuser assembly according to a second embodiment.

[0053] This is a view similar to the, showing a diffuser assembly according to a third embodiment.

[0054] This is a view similar to the, showing a diffuser assembly according to a fourth embodiment.

[0055] This is a view similar to the, showing a diffuser assembly according to a fifth embodiment.

[0056] This is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a diffuser element 20 suitable for dispersing in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at room temperature. The diffuser element 20 comprises a wick 30 and a capsule 50. The wick 30 extends in a longitudinal direction QQ. The longitudinal direction QQ is indicated by a solid dot-and-dash line in the.

[0057] The wick 30 has an internal volume 31. The internal volume 31 is delimited by an internal surface 32 having a concave shape. The internal volume 31 is intended to receive the substance (not shown in the) in the liquid state. The internal surface 32 is in contact with the substance when the internal volume 31 is filled with the substance.

[0058] The wick 30 further comprises a peripheral surface 33. The peripheral surface 33 is separated from the internal surface 32 by a wall 34. Equivalently, the peripheral surface 33 is separated from the internal volume 31 by the wall 34.

[0059] In the example shown, the wick 30 comprises a collar 36 surrounding a mouth 35 of the internal volume 31, and the capsule 50 is fixed to the wick 30 so that the capsule 50 covers the collar 36 as shown in the. Consequently, the largest dimension of the capsule 50 is strictly greater than the largest dimension of the collar 36. Furthermore, a seal 60, for example a flat seal, is received in a groove 51 that the capsule 50 comprises to ensure sealing between the capsule 50 and the wick 30.

[0060] Thus, the capsule 50 is tightly attached to the wick 30, so that the wick 30 and the capsule 50 together constitute a rigid closed envelope containing the substance. By "closed envelope containing the substance" is meant that, at room temperature, the substance in the liquid state cannot flow out of the closed envelope.

[0061] To manufacture the diffuser element 20, the wick 30 and the capsule 50 are manufactured, then the wick 30 is filled with the liquid substance through the mouth 35 surrounded by the collar 36, then the capsule 50 is fixed in a sealed manner to the wick 30.

[0062] The wick 30 further comprises a recess 40 opposite the mouth 35 and the collar 36. The recess 40 is delimited by an internal surface 41. The internal surface 41 is separated from the internal surface 32 by a wall 44.

[0063] The wick 30 is made partially or entirely of a porous material, for example wood, textile, ceramic or polymer. Another example of a possible porous material is a porous metal material obtained by sintering a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. Such porous metal materials are known per se and the techniques for obtaining them are not described in detail here.

[0064] The wick 30 is for example made of ceramic, for example alumina, with or without the addition of a pore-forming agent, for example starch. Alternatively, the wick is made of mullite composed of kaolin or clay mixed with alumina and silica.

[0065] The nature of the aluminas used and the addition of porogenic agents influence the porosity rate as well as the pore size of the ceramic.

[0066] Ceramic is obtained by a sintering process which also influences the pore size and porosity of the strands.

[0067] Commercial alumina ceramics that can be used come, for example, from the company NABALTEC ®, with the trade names Granalox ®, Nabalox ®.

[0068] In a simple embodiment, the wick 30 is made entirely of the same porous material and has uniform porosity. This can simplify the manufacture of the wick 30.

[0069] Alternatively, the wick 30 may be made with non-uniform porosity and / or made of several of the aforementioned porous materials.

[0070] Various cross sections can be chosen for the wick 30.

[0071] For example, the cross-section may be annular, so that the internal volume 31 is cylindrical and the peripheral surface 33 forms a concentric cylinder with the internal volume 31. Such a cross-section further simplifies the manufacture of the wick 30.

[0072] Alternatively, the cross-section may be such that the internal volume 31 and the peripheral surface 33 form concentric cylinders with a polygonal base, in particular with a regular polygonal base, more particularly with a regular hexagonal base.

[0073] In the example shown, the recess 40 has a constant cross-section. Alternatively, the recess 40 may have a non-constant cross-section, for example a conical or frustoconical cross-section.

[0074] A sectional view of a diffuser device 1 according to one embodiment is shown. The diffuser device 1 is intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, the substance in the liquid state at room temperature. It will be referred to below as "the device 1" for convenience.

[0075] Device 1 has a fixed part generally designated by 2.

[0076] The fixed part 2 comprises a wall 3. The wall 3 delimits an internal space 4 of the fixed part 2. Various elements of the device 1 are received in this internal space 4 as will be described below.

[0077] In a manner not shown in the, the wall 3 may be part of a housing or other suitable rigid container forming part of the fixed part 2. This housing or rigid container may contain various elements of the device 1, in particular an electrical power socket and / or a battery, one or more indicator lights for the user of the device 1, one or more buttons for the user of the device 1, etc.

[0078] The diffuser element 20 is intended to be inserted partly or completely into the internal space 4. Since the capsule 50 is fixed to the wick 30, the diffuser element 20 can be inserted as a single piece into the internal space 4 by grasping the capsule 50. The fact that the wick 30 and the capsule 50 together constitute a rigid closed envelope containing the substance, and the sealed fixing of the capsule 50 to the wick 30, ensure that the diffuser element 20 can be freely handled by the user without risking accidentally spilling the liquid substance L (cf.) contained in the internal volume 31 (cf.). Furthermore, since the largest dimension of the capsule 50 is strictly greater than the largest dimension of the collar 36, and the capsule 50 covers the collar 36, the user can extract the diffuser element from the apparatus 1 without touching the wick 30.

[0079] In the remainder of this description, the longitudinal direction QQ is assigned an upward direction A and a downward direction D opposite to the upward direction A. The upward direction A and the downward direction D are indicated by arrows on la and la. Expressions such as "lower than", "downwards" are understood in relation to the downward direction D along the longitudinal direction QQ. Expressions such as "higher than", "upwards" are understood in relation to the upward direction A along the longitudinal direction QQ.

[0080] La shows that the apparatus 1 can be used in a position of use in which the downward direction D is downward and the upward direction A is upward relative to the acceleration of gravity G. The direction and direction of the acceleration of gravity G is indicated by an arrow on the. More particularly, in the position of use, the longitudinal direction QQ is parallel to the direction of the acceleration of gravity G. Alternatively, other orientations are possible.

[0081] The apparatus 1 comprises, in the internal space 4, a heating member 8. The heating member 8 comprises a heating element 9 such as an electrical resistor. When the diffuser element 20 is inserted into the internal space 4 as mentioned above, the heating element 9 is received in the recess 40. More particularly, the heating element 9 is entirely received in the recess 40. Preferably, the heating element 9 and the recess 40 are dimensioned so that the heating element 9 is in contact with the internal surface 41. This increases the efficiency of the heating of the wick 30. For this purpose, the heating element 9 may have a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the recess 40.

[0082] The heating element 9 is secured to, or at least held in place by, a support element 9A of the heating member 8, the support element 9A being located lower than the heating element 9. The support element 9A is made integral with the apparatus 1 in any suitable manner.

[0083] Lamontre further shows that the device 1 has an air inlet 5, an air outlet 7, and a fan 6.

[0084] The operation of the apparatus 1 is now described when the diffuser element 20 is in its position shown in the figure.

[0085] Since the wick 30 is made partially or entirely of a porous material and the internal surface 32 is in contact with the liquid substance as described above, the liquid substance L (cf.) impregnates the walls 34 of the wick 30 (cf.), then diffuses by capillarity through the walls 34 of the wick 30 until it reaches the peripheral surface 33 (cf. and). The peripheral surface 33 then forms an evaporation surface for the substance.

[0086] In the embodiment shown, the internal volume 31 does not receive any absorbent solid support capable of being impregnated with the substance. Thus, the substance received in the internal volume 31 can only impregnate the wick 30 as just described.

[0087] When the fan 6 is operating, the fan 6 drives an air flow F, which is indicated by the dot-and-dash arrows in the figure. The air flow F is driven from the air inlet 5 to the air outlet 6, here in the longitudinal direction QQ and in the upward direction A. The geometry of the wall 4 ensures that the air flow F circulates in the longitudinal direction QQ. The air flow F circulates around the peripheral surface 33, where it is loaded with evaporated substance. The air flow F loaded with evaporated substance exits through the air outlet 7 and disperses the evaporated substance into the ambient air.

[0088] When the heating element 9 is operating, the heating element 9 heats the wick 30. Heating the wick 30 tends to promote evaporation of the substance at the peripheral surface 33.

[0089] The amount of substance evaporated by the apparatus 1 can be adjusted by suitably adjusting the operating parameters of the fan 6 and / or the heating element 9.

[0090] Various constructions may be adopted for the fan 6, including an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, or other types of fan. The fan 6 may be held in place in the apparatus 1 in any suitable manner.

[0091] An air filter may optionally be placed between the air inlet 5 and the fan 6 in order to limit the risk of the wick 30 becoming clogged by undesirable external particles.

[0092] Lamontre also shows a functional block diagram showing various elements of the device 1. The dotted lines indicate connections between the elements shown.

[0093] A control device 12, such as a microprocessor, controls the heating element 9 as a function of a temperature detected by a temperature sensor 10 suitably arranged in the apparatus 1. For example, as shown in the, the temperature sensor 10 is arranged on the peripheral surface 33 of the wick 30 so as to measure a temperature of the peripheral surface 33. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 10 is embedded in the wick 30. The control device 12 can then control the heating element 9 as a function of a set temperature of the wick 30 detected by the temperature sensor 10.

[0094] Alternatively, the temperature sensor 10 may be arranged elsewhere in the apparatus 1, for example in or on the heating element 9.

[0095] The control device 12 is for example arranged on an electronic card, the electronic card also being able to provide the electrical power supply to the heating element 9. The control device 12 can furthermore control the fan 6, in particular an operating speed of the fan 6.

[0096] It should be noted that the elements described above with reference to are represented schematically and may be located at various locations in the apparatus 1.

[0097] It should further be noted that many other constructions are conceivable for the apparatus 1, in particular with several fans 6, and / or several air outlets 7 as described in document WO 2023 / 089019 A1, and / or several diffuser elements 20 each heated by a heating element 9 as described in document WO 2023 / 089019 A1, etc.

[0098] It should be noted that the diffuser element 20 can also be used to disperse the substance in isolation, that is to say without the apparatus 1. In particular, the user can place the diffuser element 20 on a flat surface, the natural circulation of the ambient air around the peripheral surface 33 tending to disperse the evaporated substance. In this case, it is conceivable that the flat surface is a support provided with a heating element similar to the heating element 9 and received in the recess 40.

[0099] La represents a diffuser element 120 according to a second embodiment. In this figure, elements similar or identical to those described above in relation to figures 1 and 2 bear the same reference signs and are not described again.

[0100] The diffuser element 120 differs from the diffuser element 20 according to the first embodiment in that the wick 30 has a “U” shaped cross section, so that the wick 30 has a flat outer surface 140 opposite the collar 36. In other words, the wick 30 does not include the recess 40. As a result, the manufacture of the diffuser element 120 is even simpler, since it is no longer necessary to provide for the manufacture of the recess 40. Furthermore, the flat outer surface 140 allows the user to place the diffuser element 120 on a flat surface, like the diffuser element 20, but with a reduced risk of the diffuser element 120 tipping over.

[0101] Alternatively, the capsule 50 may be replaced by a closure element comprising a rigid portion tightly attached to the wick 30 in a manner similar to the capsule 50, and a flexible portion retained on the rigid portion. The flexible portion, the rigid portion and the wick 30 then form a closed envelope containing the substance which is partly non-rigid.

[0102] The capsule 50 may be made of various materials, in particular polymer. Alternatively, the capsule 50 may be made of a porous material similar to that of the wick 30, for example the same porous material as the wick 30.

[0103] La represents a third embodiment of the diffuser element. This embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. In this figure, elements similar or identical to those described above in relation to la bear the same reference signs and are not described again.

[0104] The diffuser element 120 of the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it comprises a heating element 9 which is applied against the flat outer surface 140 of the wick 30 formed from a porous body.

[0105] Thus, the heating element can be fixed, for example glued, on this flat external surface. This fixing is simple and quick. The heating element is adapted to heat the porous body constituting the wick 30 and therefore the substance contained inside the wick, to improve the diffusion of the substance in the gas phase.

[0106] La represents a diffuser element 220 according to a fourth embodiment. In this figure, elements similar or identical to those described above in relation to figures 1 and 2 bear the same reference signs increased by 200.

[0107] The diffuser element 220 comprises a porous body 230 and a closure element 250.

[0108] The porous body 230 is hollow, such that the interior volume 231 (partially shown in the) of the porous body 230 is separated from an exterior surface 233 of the porous body by the wall 234 of the porous body 230.

[0109] The closing element 250 is fixed in a sealed manner to the porous body, so that the closing element 250 closes a mouth (not shown) of the porous body 230 opening into the interior volume 231.

[0110] The closure element 250 may be made of a porous material similar to that of the porous body 230, for example the same porous material as the porous body 230. In this case, the closure element 250 may be fixed to the porous body 230 by gluing, for example by means of ceramic adhesive 280 when the closure element 250 and the porous body 230 are made of ceramic.

[0111] In the example shown, the porous body 230 and the closure element 250 each have an ovoid outer shape. Alternatively, the porous body 230 and the closure element 250 each have a hemispherical outer shape, so that the diffuser element 220 has a spherical outer shape. Alternatively, the porous body 230 and the closure element 250 each have a spherical cap shape, so that the diffuser element 220 has a spherical outer shape.

[0112] The diffuser element 220 makes it possible to disperse the substance contained in the interior volume 231 by evaporation on the exterior surface 233 forming an evaporation surface. This evaporation may be sufficient for the diffuser element 220 to be used in isolation, that is to say without the apparatus 1. In particular, the diffuser element 220 may be used as an aesthetic or decorative element, the natural circulation of air around the exterior surface 233 tending to disperse the evaporated substance. In particular, in the example shown, the closure element 250 is provided with a handle or other attachment 290 adapted to suspend the diffuser element 220 as a pendant by means of a chain, rope or the like; the heat released by the user's body tending to promote the evaporation of the substance on the exterior surface 233.

[0113] La represents a diffuser element 320 according to a fifth embodiment. In this figure, elements similar or identical to those described above in relation to la bear the same reference signs increased by 100.

[0114] The diffuser element 320 consists of a single hollow porous body 330, similar to the porous body 230. In the example shown, the porous body 330 has an ovoid external shape. Alternatively, the porous body 330 has a spherical external shape. The interior volume 331 (partially shown in the) of the porous body 330 is filled with the liquid substance by means of a hole 391, preferably a single one, passing through the wall 334 of the porous body 330. The hole 391 is then sealed by means of ceramic or ceramic glue 392.

[0115] In the embodiments described above, it is envisaged to diffuse, for example, a substance consisting of a pheromone solution corresponding to the following composition:

[0116] - 87% by weight of (8E,10E)-dodeca-8,10-dien-1-ol, known as Codlemone, a pheromone associated with Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), and

[0117] - 13% by weight of dodecan-1-ol. This solution is known under the trade name RAK3®.

[0118] The boiling point of Codlemone solution at atmospheric pressure is about 270°C, and the viscosity at room temperature, i.e. 25°C, is about 8 cPa.s and 1 cPa.s at 60°C.

[0119] It is possible to substitute the Codlemone in the solution with the pheromone of formula (7E,9Z)-Dodeca-7,9-dienylaceteate, trade name RAK2®, whose boiling point is approximately 300°C. The viscosity of the solution remains close to that of the Codlemone solution. The RAK2® pheromone can also be used pure (100% by weight).

[0120] Alternatively, the substance may consist of rapeseed oils with a viscosity of 7.78 cPa.s at 20°C and 2.57 cPa.s at 50°C. The boiling point is approximately 150°C.

[0121] The substance to be diffused may also contain, for example, a pheromone component acting on the Oriental fruit moth, also known as Grapholita molesta. This is the chemical compound Z8-dodecenyl acetate, which has a dynamic viscosity of 3.4 mPa.s at 20°C.

[0122] The substance to be diffused can also consist of fatty esters that are components of mammalian appeasing pheromones, for example methyl oleate which has a dynamic viscosity of 6.8 mPa.s at 20°C.

[0123] The substance to be diffused can also be a conventional insecticide such as prallethrin which has a dynamic viscosity of 0.55 Pa s at 25°C, or a mosquito repellent such as citriodiol which has a dynamic viscosity of 56.1 cP at 60°C = 0.06 Pa.s at 60°C.

[0124] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0125] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0126] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

A diffuser element (20, 120, 220, 320) suitable for dispersing in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser element comprising:- a porous body (30, 230, 330) having an internal surface (32, 232, 332) in contact with the substance, the porous body (30, 230, 330) having an evaporation surface (33, 233, 333) for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, the evaporation surface (33, 233, 333) being separated from the internal surface (32) by a first thickness portion (34, 234, 334) of the porous body (30, 230, 330), wherein the internal surface (32, 232, 332) has a concave shape delimiting a first internal volume (31, 231, 331) in the porous body, the first internal volume (31, 231, 331) containing the liquid substance, the porous body comprising a second surface (41) separated from the first internal surface (32) by a second portion of thickness (44) of the porous body (30),the diffuser element (20) further comprising- a heating element (9) configured to heat the porous body and received against the second surface (41),and- the substance contained in the first internal volume of the porous body, the substance having a viscosity varying as a function of temperature, said at any ambient temperature lower than a first temperature, the first temperature being higher than 0°C, and the substance flowing through the porous body (30, 230, 330) at a second temperature higher than the first temperature., The diffuser element (20, 120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element further comprises a closure element (50, 250) sealingly attached to the porous body (30, 230), the porous body (30, 230) and the closure element (50, 250) together constituting a closed envelope containing the substance. Diffuser element (20, 120) according to claim 2, in which the porous body (30) comprises a collar (36) surrounding a mouth (35) of the internal volume (31), the closure element (50) covering the collar (36). A diffuser element (20) according to claim 3, wherein a seal (60) is disposed between the collar (36) and the closure element (50). A diffuser element (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porous body (30) has a "U" shaped cross-section, so as to have a flat outer surface (140) opposite the collar (36). A diffuser element (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said second surface is an external surface of the porous body. Diffuser element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second surface (41) is a second internal surface (41) which has a concave shape delimiting a second internal volume (40) in the porous body (30), this second internal volume (40) receiving said heating element (9). Diffuser apparatus (1), the diffuser apparatus (1) being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus (1) comprising:- a diffuser element (20, 120, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and- a diffusion housing which defines a housing (4) into which said diffuser element (20, 120, 220, 320) can be inserted. Diffuser apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the diffuser apparatus (1) further comprises a control device (12) configured to control the heating element (9) as a function of a set temperature of the porous body (30, 230, 330). Diffuser apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the diffuser apparatus (1) further comprises an air inlet (5), at least one air outlet (7) and at least one fan (6) for driving an air flow (F) from the air inlet (5) to said at least one air outlet (7) so that the air flow (F) circulates around the evaporation surface (33, 233, 333) of the porous body (30, 230, 330). Diffuser apparatus (1) according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 7, wherein the control device (12) is further configured to control the fan (6).

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