Removable assembly for a diffuser device, and diffuser device

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable assembly (50; 250) for a diffuser, the removable assembly comprising: - a storage container (60; 260) having a drain opening (61; 261); and - a dispensing element positioned at the outlet of the drain opening (61; 261) and connected to the drain opening, the dispensing element comprising a porous body (70; 270) having an evaporation surface located outside the storage container (60; 260). The storage container (60; 260) has a concave external shape at least partially surrounding a central free space (62; 262) so as to expose a contact surface of the porous body (70; 270) on the side opposite the evaporation surface, the contact surface being accessible through the central free space (62; 262). The invention further relates to a diffuser device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910) adapted to receive the removable assembly (50; 250) in a housing (31). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Removable assembly for a diffuser device, and diffuser device Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of diffuser devices intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid or solid state at ambient temperature. More particularly, the invention relates to a removable assembly which can be used in such a diffuser device. Prior art

[0002] A diffuser apparatus of the aforementioned type is known for example from document WO 2019 / 243734 A1. In this apparatus, a storage container containing the substance is connected to a dispensing member. The dispensing member comprises micro-pipes forming an outlet arranged in the pipe in order to constitute an evaporation zone for the substance. A heating member is arranged on or in the dispensing member so as to control a flow of the substance through the dispensing member. Summary of the invention

[0003] One idea underlying the invention is to propose an arrangement of the dispensing member and the storage container which facilitates the positioning of the heating member relative to the dispensing member.

[0004] The invention thus provides a removable assembly for a diffuser device, the diffuser device being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid or solid state at ambient temperature, the removable assembly comprising: - a storage container containing the substance and having a drain opening, the drain opening being oriented downwards when the removable assembly is in a position of use; and - a distributor member positioned at the outlet of the drain orifice and connected to the drain orifice, the distributor member comprising a porous body having an evaporation surface located outside the storage container for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, wherein the storage container has a concave outer shape at least partially surrounding a central free space so as to uncover a contact surface presented by the porous body on the side opposite the evaporation surface, the contact surface being accessible through the central free space.

[0005] The heating member allows the flow of the substance through 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 2019 / 243734 A1 already cited previously or in the document WO 2020 / 254733 A1.

[0006] Due to the fact that the storage container has a concave external shape at least partially surrounding a central free space so as to reveal a contact surface presented by the porous body, the heating member can be placed on the contact surface of the dispensing member simply by passing through the central free space of the storage container. This can in particular be achieved by arranging the heating member in a housing of the apparatus which is designed to receive the removable assembly. It is then particularly simple to position the heating member relative to the dispensing member.

[0007] According to embodiments, such a removable assembly may have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a porosity in an interior portion of the porous body that is lower than a porosity in an exterior portion of the porous body surrounding the interior portion.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a wick made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or a porous metallic material obtained by sintering a metallic powder or a metallic alloy powder.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a recess, preferably blind, located in the extension of the central free space surrounded by the storage container, and the contact surface comprises an inner surface of the recess.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a cylindrical portion.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the central free space extends in a direction coaxial with the cylindrical portion of the porous body.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the recess extends in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion of the porous body.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the porous body further comprises a projecting portion in the shape of a hemisphere or a spherical cap, the projecting portion being arranged at an axial end of the cylindrical portion opposite the central free space.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the recess extends into the projecting portion.

[0016] Various external shapes are possible for the storage container. According to a embodiment, said concave outer shape of the storage container is annular. According to one embodiment, said concave outer shape of the storage container is “C” shaped.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the drain orifice is closed by a cover, and the removable assembly further comprises a perforation device arranged between the porous body and the seal, the piercing device comprising a plurality of teeth and / or needles configured to pierce the seal when the porous body is moved towards the seal.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said substance comprises at least one compound selected from semiochemical molecules, pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones of natural or synthetic origin.

[0019] 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.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one pheromone or sexual pheromone, allomone, synomone or kairomone intended to provoke a positive or negative response relative to the target species, the behavioral result of which may be in particular appeasement, relaxation, euphoria or intimidation in the classes mammalia and aves.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises a solvent chosen from isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, for example an L or P or N or V isoparaffin.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound taken from the group formed by odoriferous agents usable for humans or animals, semiochemical substances, cosmetic agents, essential oils, perfumes and phytosanitary and agricultural agents.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the substance has a boiling temperature of between 30°C and 400°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the substance is in the liquid state at room temperature, and said storage container further contains an internal alveolar retention member impregnated with said substance in a liquid state.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the alveolar retention member comprises a material chosen from a felt, for example wool felt, and a melamine foam.

[0028] According to one embodiment, a plurality of alveolar retention members are in contact and arranged in the storage container.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the storage container has no opening other than the drain orifice, and the storage container contains, in addition to the substance, a gaseous phase occupying at least 20% of the volume of the storage container.

[0030] 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.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the substance has a viscosity which varies as a function of temperature, said viscosity being such that, in the position of use, the substance cannot 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.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the substance is in the liquid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting temperature of between -70°C and 0°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the substance is in the solid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting temperature at atmospheric pressure greater than 30°C, for example between 30°C and 40°C.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly comprises several storage containers containing different substances, each of the storage containers having a drain orifice communicating with the dispensing member. Such storage containers can be produced in different ways, for example with an internal partitioning of a single tank or by means of several separate tanks.

[0035] 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 or solid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus comprising; - a removable assembly according to any one of the embodiments described above; and - a fixed part comprising a diffusion box which defines a housing in into which said removable assembly can be inserted; and - a heating element, wherein the heating member is arranged in the housing so as to engage in the central free space of the storage container and come into contact with the contact surface presented by the porous body of the removable assembly when the removable assembly is inserted into the housing in the use position.

[0036] According to embodiments, such a diffuser apparatus may have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the heating member is received partly in the recess presented by the porous body so as to come into contact with the contact surface.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the heating member comprises an electrical resistance in contact with the contact surface.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises an electronic card, the heating member being electrically powered by the electronic card.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the diffuser apparatus further comprises a control device configured to control the heating member as a function of a set temperature defining a temperature of the porous body.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the control device is arranged on the electronic card.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the fixed part further comprises an air inlet and a ventilation system configured to create an air flow from the air inlet to the evaporation surface of the porous body.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the ventilation system comprises at least one fan.

[0044] According to one embodiment, said control device is configured to control said at least one fan.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the fixed portion further comprises a power supply box. Such a power supply box may comprise one or more batteries, a mains power socket, a direct current electrical connector, or a combination thereof.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the diffusion box is capable of being fixed to the power supply box.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the air inlet comprises a gap provided between the power supply box and the diffusion box. Brief description of the figures

[0048] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and The 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 appended drawings.

[0049] [Fig. 1] [Fig.l] is an overall perspective view of a diffuser device according to a first embodiment variant.

[0050] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the diffuser apparatus of [Fig.l].

[0051] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of a storage container of a set removable intended to be received in a housing of the diffuser device of figures 1 and 2.

[0052] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the storage container of [Fig.3], together with a distributor organ.

[0053] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an enlarged view, partly in perspective and partly in section, of detail V of [Fig.4].

[0054] [Fig.6A] [Fig.6A] is a perspective view of the storage container and dispensing member of Figures 4 and 5, together with a support.

[0055] [Fig.6B] [Fig.6B] is a perspective view along arrow VIB of [Fig.6A].

[0056] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view similar to [Fig.6A], showing in in addition to an integrity indicator in place between the storage container and the support.

[0057] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a partial perspective view of the housing of the device diffuser of [Fig.l], seen from above according to arrow VIII of [Fig.l].

[0058] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective view of a diffuser device according to a second variant of the implementation.

[0059] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial perspective view of a diffuser device according to a third embodiment variant.

[0060] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is an overall perspective view of a diffuser device according to a fourth embodiment variant.

[0061] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is an exploded view of a diffuser device according to a fifth embodiment variant.

[0062] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the removable assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0063] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is an exploded view of the storage container of the removable assembly of [Fig. 13]. Description of the embodiments

[0064] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a first variant embodiment of a diffuser apparatus intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid state at room temperature. This diffuser apparatus bears the reference 10 in the drawings; it will hereinafter be referred to as “apparatus 10” for convenience.

[0065] The apparatus 10 comprises a fixed part generally designated by the reference 20.

[0066] First, the fixed part 20 is described. The fixed part 20 comprises a diffusion housing 30 and a power supply housing 40. [Fig. 2] is a sectional view of the apparatus 10 and thus reveals components of the apparatus 10 arranged inside the diffusion housing 30 and the power supply housing 40.

[0067] The diffusion housing 30 defines a housing 31, here of generally cylindrical section. The housing 31 is capable of receiving a removable assembly 50 described below.

[0068] The power supply box 40 comprises one or more batteries 41 in order to supply electricity to the electrical components of the diffusion box 30. A power cable 42 is connected to an external power supply source, such as a photovoltaic panel (not shown), in order to supply electricity to the apparatus 10.

[0069] The apparatus 10 is suspended from a taut cable 1000 (not shown in [Fig.l] but shown in [Fig.2]), such as a trellis wire, by means of two suspension rings 1001. The suspension rings 1001 are arranged on either side of the diffusion box 30 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0070] The removable assembly 50 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. The removable assembly 50 comprises a storage container 60 and a wick 70. The wick 70 is secured to the storage container 60 so that the removable assembly 50 can be inserted as a single piece into the housing 31 by grasping the removable assembly 50.

[0071] [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of the storage container 60 alone. As is visible in [Fig. 3], the storage container 60 has an external shape of an annular cylinder extending along a main axis PP. By "annular cylinder" is meant that a section of the storage container 60, perpendicular to the axis PP, is of annular shape. Thus, the storage container 60 has, in its center and in the vicinity of the axis PP, a central free space 62. The central free space 62 is delimited by a proximal wall 63 of the storage container 60. The interior volume 69 of the storage container 60 is delimited by the proximal wall 63, by a distal wall 64 further from the axis PP than the proximal wall 63, by an upper wall 66, and by a lower wall 65.

[0072] As can be better seen in [Fig. 3], the lower wall 65 has a counterbore 65A. The central free space 62 opens into the counterbore 65A. A drain orifice 61 is made in all or part of the bottom of the counterbore 65A. The drain orifice 61 is oriented downwards in a position of use of the removable assembly 50, this position of use being shown in [Fig. 2].

[0073] It is specified that the terms “downward”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the acceleration of gravity in the position of use.

[0074] The storage container 60 may have a symmetry of revolution around the axis PP.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage container 60 is made by injection molding a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) for example. One or more pressurization vents (not shown) may be provided in the upper wall 66 and / or the distal wall 64 to ensure that the liquid substance contained in the storage container 60 can continue to flow as the storage container 60 is emptied. Alternatively, the storage container 60 has no opening other than the drain orifice 61, and contains, in addition to the liquid substance, a gaseous phase occupying at least 20% of the volume of the storage container 60.

[0076] In the vicinity of the upper end of the storage container 60, the proximal wall 63 may have an inclined portion 63A so that the section of the central free space 62 increases towards the upper end of the storage container 60. The distal wall 64 may further have an inclined portion 64A so that the distal wall 64 approaches the axis PP towards the upper end of the storage container 60.

[0077] In another exemplary embodiment, the walls of the storage container 60, possibly with the exception of all or part of the bottom wall 65, may be flexible such that the interior volume 69 of the storage container 69 decreases under atmospheric pressure as the storage container 60 is emptied. Techniques for making such flexible walls are known per se and are not described in detail herein.

[0078] In still other embodiments, the section of the storage container 60, perpendicular to the axis PP, is not necessarily annular in shape. Any external shape of the storage container 60 is conceivable as long as this external shape is concave and at least partially surrounds a central free space 62 and as long as the heating member 100 can be received in the central free space 62 as will be described below. In particular, the storage container 60 may have a concave external shape in the form of a “C” or a more complex concave external shape.

[0079] The interior volume 69 of the storage container 60 may optionally be at least partially filled with a polymer foam (not shown) impregnated with the liquid substance. Alternatively, the interior volume 69 may simply be filled with the liquid substance. Reference 69L indicates a surface free of the liquid substance in the drawings.

[0080] According to certain variants not shown, the interior volume 69 can contain several different liquid substances. For this purpose, the interior volume 69 can be partitioned so as to define several interior sub-volumes, each interior volume 69 containing a liquid substance and having a drain orifice 61 for this liquid substance. liquid substance. According to still other variants not shown, the removable assembly 50 can comprise several storage containers 60, possibly identical, each containing a liquid substance and all connected to the wick 70 which will now be described. These variants make it possible to provide a removable assembly 50 containing several liquid substances which only mix at the time of their diffusion by the device 10.

[0081] Figures 4 and 5 show in section the storage container 60 together with a wick 70.

[0082] The wick 70 is positioned at the outlet of the drain orifice 61, so that the liquid substance can pass from the interior space 69 of the storage container 60 to the wick 70 and thereby to evaporation surfaces formed by the outer walls of the wick 70. The wick 70 here comprises a cylindrical central portion 72 and a projecting portion 73, which is here hemispherical but which could also be in the form of a spherical cap. Furthermore, a recess 75 extends into the wick 70, here parallel to the axis PP. The recess 75 is preferably blind as shown in the figures. The recess 75 may or may not extend into the wick 70 as far as the projecting portion 73.

[0083] The wick 70 may have a symmetry of revolution around the axis PP.

[0084] The wick 70 can be attached to the storage container 60 in various ways. In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the wick 70 comprises a cylindrical lug 77, so as to close the lower end of the central free space 62. The lug 77 is for example forced into the central free space 62. The upper surface of the lug 77 bears the reference 77A in the drawings.

[0085] The wick 70 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 as such and the techniques for obtaining them are not described in detail here.

[0086] As already mentioned above, the storage container 60 comprises a drain orifice 61 which is oriented downwards in a position of use of the removable assembly 50. The wick 70 is positioned at the outlet of this drain orifice 61 so as to receive and be impregnated, due to its porosity, with the liquid substance contained in the interior volume 69 of the storage container 60.

[0087] [Fig. 5] is an enlarged view, partly in perspective and partly in section, of detail V of [Fig. 4] and thus allows a better visualization of the connection between the wick 70 and the drain orifice 61. In the embodiment shown, the wick 70 comprises a collar 79 arranged opposite the drain orifice 61. The drain orifice 61 is closed by a cover 65B. The removable assembly 50 further comprises a perforation device 140 disposed between the collar 79 and the drain orifice 61. The perforation device 140 comprises an annular main body 141 which is sized so as to allow the lug 77 of the wick 70 to pass through its center. The main body 141 has a plurality of teeth 142, and, between the teeth 142, a plurality of slots 143. The teeth 142 are arranged so as to be able to perforate the cover 65B. Once the cover 65B is perforated by the teeth 142, the liquid substance flows through the holes made by the teeth 142, then through the slots 143, and wets the collar 79, then the rest of the wick 70 by capillarity.

[0088] The perforation device 140 may for example be produced by injection molding of a suitable polymer. Alternatively, it could also be a metal part, for example molded, or a ceramic part. Furthermore, the perforation device 140 could consist of several annular sectors, possibly but not necessarily integral with each other.

[0089] The teeth 142 and the slots 143 are preferably regularly spaced so as to promote uniform impregnation of the wick 70 by the liquid substance.

[0090] The geometry of the teeth 142 and the slots 143 shown in [Fig. 5] is only an example. Many other configurations are possible. In addition, in addition to or as a replacement for the teeth 142, needles, hollow or not, may be arranged on the perforation device 140 so as to perforate the cover 65B as just described.

[0091] The connection which has just been described between the wick 70 and the interior volume 69 of the storage container 60 via the drain orifice 61 is only one example. Many other connections are possible. In particular, when the interior volume 69 of the storage container 60 is at least partly filled with a polymer foam impregnated with the liquid substance, the wick 70 may have one or more lugs which pass through the drain orifice 61 until they come into contact with this polymer foam. One or more seals (not shown) may then be arranged so as to guarantee a sealed connection between the wick 70 and the drain orifice 61.

[0092] Returning to [Fig. 2], the removable assembly 50 is shown in its position of use in the housing 31 defined by the diffusion housing 30. A heating member, generally designated by the reference 100, is arranged in the diffusion housing 30. The heating member 100 comprises a rod 101 carrying at its lower end an electrical resistance 110. Due to the presence of the central free space 62, the rod 101 can extend through the central free space 62, such that the electrical resistance 110 comes into contact with the walls of the recess 75 when the removable assembly 50 is in place in the housing 31. By supplying or not supplying electricity to the electrical resistance 110, it is possible to implement control of the flow of the liquid substance through the wick 70 according to the physical principles described in the documents WO 2019 / 243734 Al and WO 2020 / 254733 Al.

[0093] Optionally, the upper surface 77A can be connected to the recess 75 by an inclined face 77B, so as to facilitate the insertion of the rod 101 and the electrical resistance 110 into the recess 75.

[0094] The heating member 100 may comprise an electronic card 130 for the electrical power supply and control of the electrical resistance 110. For example, a control device (not shown), such as a microprocessor, may be arranged on the electronic card 130 in order to control the electrical resistance 110 as a function of a set temperature of the wick 70. This set temperature may be detected by a temperature sensor (not shown), carried for example by the rod 101. The electronic card 130 may be arranged at various locations in the appliance 10. Purely by way of example, the electronic card 130 is shown in [Fig. 2] as being arranged in the housing 31 above the removable assembly 50.

[0095] The apparatus 10 further comprises a ventilation system configured to create an air flow from an air inlet 99 to the evaporation surfaces formed by the outer walls of the wick 70. This ventilation system comprises a fan 120. In the example shown, the fan 120 is arranged above the removable assembly 50. The fan 120 brings the air flow from an air inlet 99 to the wick 70. Advantageously, the air inlet 99 is materialized by a gap formed between the diffusion housing 30 and a cover 33 secured to the diffusion housing 30. The arrow F in phantom lines in [Fig.l] illustrates the direction of the air inlet through this gap.

[0096] An air filter (not shown) may optionally be arranged between the air inlet 99 and the fan 120 in order to limit the risk of the wick 70 becoming clogged by undesirable external particles.

[0097] Furthermore, as can be seen in [Fig. 8], the diffusion housing 30 may comprise fins 309 arranged between the inner wall of the diffusion housing 30 and a casing 39 intended to receive the storage container 60. The fins 309 may be shaped so as to guide the air flow towards the wick 70. It can also be seen in [Fig. 8] that the bottom of the casing 39 may be provided with a bottom plate 39F to support the electronic card 130. A through hole 39FF is then made in the bottom plate 39F to allow the rod 101 and the electrical resistance 110 to pass through.

[0098] The fan 120 can be controlled by the above-mentioned control device carried by the electronic card 130.

[0099] The removable assembly 50 can be held in place in the housing 31 in various ways, as long as the removable assembly 50 can be removed from the housing 31 in order to be replaced identically when the liquid substance contained in the storage container 60 is exhausted. For example, the removable assembly 50 can be screwed or snapped into the housing 31.

[0100] A particular variant of the removable assembly 50 which facilitates its installation in the housing 31 is described below with reference to Figures 2, 6A, 6B, and 7. As shown in these figures, the removable assembly 50 comprises, in addition to the storage container 60 and the wick 70, a support 80.

[0101] The support 80 comprises a central body 81 and a peripheral body 82.

[0102] The central body 81 comprises at least one central portion 81A which is flared so as to receive the support of a lower portion of the storage container 60 and the support of the collar 79 of the wick 70. In addition, the central body 81 has a through orifice 81 AA which is dimensioned so as to allow the wick 70 to pass, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 6B. More precisely, the through orifice 81 AA allows at least the projecting portion 73 and possibly a part of the central portion 72 to pass as can be seen in [Fig.6B].

[0103] The peripheral body 82 is annular and integral with the central body 81. The peripheral body 82 is intended to be fixed to the inner wall of the diffusion housing 30. For example, the peripheral body 82 is fixed to the inner wall of the diffusion housing 30 by means of a bayonet fixing, here comprising notches 89 (FIGS. 6A and 7) which are carried by the peripheral body 82 and which cooperate with corresponding studs 30A ([Fig. 8]) which are carried by the inner wall of the diffusion housing 30. The peripheral body 82 is here made integral with the central body 81 by being formed in one piece with ribs 812 arranged between the central body 81 and the peripheral body 82. The ribs 812 may at least partly be shaped so as to guide the air flow towards the wick 70.

[0104] The central body 81 could only receive support from the storage container at its flared central portion 81A. However, as a variant, the central body 81 further comprises an annular support strip 81R which is received in a groove 68 that the storage container 60 has.

[0105] The groove 68 and the support strip 81R may optionally allow the placement of an integrity indicator 150 which is shown in [Fig.7]. As shown, the integrity indicator 150 has at least one “C”-shaped portion 152 which is also received in the groove 68, more precisely above the support strip 81R. The integrity indicator 150 may also comprise a grippable tab 151 which facilitates the removal of the integrity indicator 150 by a user.

[0106] It is understood that as long as the integrity indicator 150 remains in place as shown in [Fig. 7], the portion 152 prevents the support strip 81R from abutting the upper wall of the groove 68. Conversely, when the integrity indicator 150 is removed, for example by pulling on it using the tab 151, the support 80 can move towards the upper wall 66 of the storage container 60, until the support strip 81R abuts the upper wall of the groove 68. As will be better understood by comparing FIGS. 2 and 5, this movement of the support 80 can in particular cause the perforation described above of the seal 65B by the teeth 142 of the perforation device 140. It is understood that the absence of the integrity indicator 150 then indicates that the seal 65B has potentially been perforated and therefore that the storage container 60 has started to release liquid substance.

[0107] The construction of the apparatus 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 is only one example. Many other constructions are conceivable.

[0108] A second variant embodiment of a device 710 is shown partially in perspective in [Fig. 9]. In this figure, the elements identical to those described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8 bear identical references and are not described in detail again. The device 710 differs from the device 10 in that the power supply box 740 comprises, on the side opposite the diffusion box 30, a mains power socket 741. The device 710 can thus be supplied with electricity from the mains, which in particular allows use in an enclosed space such as a greenhouse or a building, for example.

[0109] A third variant embodiment of a device 810 is shown partially in perspective in [Fig. 10]. In this figure, the elements identical to those described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8 bear identical references and are not described in detail again. The device 810 differs from the device 10 in that the power supply box 840 comprises, on the side opposite the diffusion box 30, a direct current power supply socket 841, here a Pogo pin. The device 810 can thus be powered by electricity from a direct current source such as a battery.

[0110] A fourth alternative embodiment of a device 910 is shown in perspective in [Fig. 11]. In this figure, elements identical to those described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8 bear identical references and are not described in detail again. The device 810 differs from the device 10 in that it comprises two diffusion boxes 30 arranged on either side of a common power supply box 1040. The power supply box 1040 may contain, for example, batteries (not shown) and be supplied with electricity by a power supply cable 42 as described above. The device 910 can thus be used to diffuse two different substances, by inserting into each of the two diffusion boxes 30 two removable assemblies 50 containing different substances.

[0111] A fifth variant embodiment of a device 1910 is shown in exploded view in [Fig. 12]. In this figure, the elements identical to those described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8 bear identical references and are not described in detail again. The device 1910 is intended to be arranged outdoors and at height. For this purpose, the diffusion box 30 is fixed to a vertical post 2000, for example by means of a fixing flange 1991. A power supply box 1940, here of cylindrical shape and of the same diameter as the diffusion box 30, is arranged above the diffusion box 30. The power supply box 1940 is also fixed to the post 2000, for example by means of a fixing flange 1995. The diffusion box 30 is fixed to the power supply box 1940 by screwing or snapping, for example.The power supply box 1940 may include batteries (not shown) and / or be connected to a photovoltaic panel (not shown) in order to supply electricity to the device 1910. However, the device 1910 may be supplied with electricity in other ways, in particular by a mains power supply. Advantageously, the air inlet 99 is materialized by a gap (not referenced) provided between the diffusion box 30 and the power supply box 1940. The arrow F12 in phantom in [Fig. 12] illustrates the direction of the air inlet through this gap.

[0112] The geometry of the removable assembly 50 shown in Figures 2 to 7 is only one example. Many other geometries are conceivable.

[0113] Another example of a removable assembly 250 is shown in section in [Fig. 13]. [Fig. 14] is an exploded view of the storage container 260 of this removable assembly 250. In these figures, elements identical to those described above in connection with Figures 2 to 12 bear reference numbers increased by 200 and are not described in detail again except where necessary.

[0114] In this example, the storage container 260 takes the form of a very elongated cylindrical part, produced for example by injection molding of a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) for example. The interior volume 269 of the storage container 260 is filled with a polymer foam 268 impregnated with the liquid substance. One or more pressurization vents (not shown) may be made in the vicinity of the upper end of the storage container 260, for example in its upper wall 266 and / or its distal wall 264. Alternatively, the storage container 260 has no opening other than the drain orifice 261, and contains, in addition to the liquid substance, a gaseous phase occupying at least 20% of the volume of the storage container 260.

[0115] As best seen in [Fig. 14], the lower end of the storage container 260 is provided with an external thread 291 allowing the screwing of a cap 290 which has a corresponding lower thread (not referenced). The cap 290 thus makes it possible to avoid losing liquid substance before using the removable assembly 250, in particular during its transport. Advantageously, the wick 270 can be retained on the storage container 260 by the cap 290, which makes it possible to misplace or damage the wick 270 before using the removable assembly 250. A cover 296 can be arranged at the lower end of the storage container 260 so as to close its drain orifice 261.

[0116] To install the wick 270 on the storage container 260, the cap 290 can be unscrewed, then the cover 296 removed, then the wick 270 forced into the drain orifice 261 so that a lug 279 carried by the wick 270 comes into contact with the polymer foam 268. Optionally in this case, as shown in [Fig. 13], the cap 290 can be sized so that it is possible to screw the cap 290 back onto the thread 291 after the wick 270 has been inserted, which improves the sealing of the junction between the wick 270 and the polymer foam 268.

[0117] In another variant not shown, the lug 279 can be configured such that the wick 270 can be screwed into the drain orifice 261 of the storage container 260. Optionally in this case, the lug 279 can comprise microneedles (not shown) which perforate the seal 296 during this screwing.

[0118] Embodiments have been described so far where the substance is in the liquid state at room temperature. However, as a variant, the substance is in the solid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting point at atmospheric pressure greater than 30°C, for example between 30°C and 40°C. In this case, the storage container 60 or 260 contains the substance in the solid state at room temperature. Heating the wick 70 or 270 by the heating member 100 causes local melting of the substance in the vicinity of the drain orifice 61. The substance, thus becoming liquid, can then flow through the wick 70 or 270 as described above.

[0119] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0120] 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.

[0121] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Claims Removable assembly (50; 250) for a diffuser device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910), the diffuser device being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid or solid state at ambient temperature, the removable assembly comprising: - a storage container (60; 260) containing the substance and having a drain orifice (61; 261), the drain orifice (61; 261) being oriented downwards when the removable assembly (50; 250) is in a position of use; and - a distributor member positioned at the outlet of the drain orifice (61; 261) and connected to the drain orifice, the distributor member comprising a porous body (70; 270) having an evaporation surface located outside the storage container (60; 260) for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, wherein the storage container (60; 260) has a concave outer shape at least partially surrounding a central free space (62; 262) so as to uncover a contact surface that the porous body (70; 270) has on the side opposite the evaporation surface, the contact surface being accessible through the central free space (62; 262), and wherein the porous body (70; 270) has a recess (75; 275), preferably blind, located in the extension of the central free space surrounded by the storage container, and the contact surface comprises an inner surface of the recess (75; 275). Removable assembly (50; 250) according to claim 1, wherein the porous body (70; 270) comprises a cylindrical portion (72; 272). Removable assembly (50; 250) according to claim 2, wherein the central free space (62; 262) extends in a coaxial direction with the cylindrical portion (72; 272) of the porous body (70; 270). Removable assembly (50; 250) according to claim 3, wherein the recess (75; 275) extends in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion (72; 272) of the porous body (70; 270). Removable assembly (50; 250) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the porous body further comprises a projecting portion (73; 273) in the shape of a hemisphere or spherical cap, the projecting portion (73; 273) being arranged at an axial end of the cylindrical portion (72; 272) opposite the central free space (62; 262).

6. A removable assembly (50; 250) according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 4, wherein the recess (75; 275) extends into the projecting portion (73; 273).

7. A removable assembly (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the porous body (70) comprises a lug (77) engaged in the central free space.

8. A removable assembly (50; 250) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said concave outer shape of the storage container (60; 260) is annular.

9. A removable assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said concave outer shape of the storage container is "C" shaped.

10. A removable assembly (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drain orifice (61) is closed by a cover (65B), and wherein the removable assembly (50) further comprises a perforation device (140) disposed between the porous body (70) and the cover (65B), the perforation device (140) comprising a plurality of teeth (142) and / or needles configured to perforate the cover (65B) when the porous body (70) is moved towards the cover (65B).

11. A removable assembly (50; 250) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the substance is a liquid substance which has a temperature-dependent viscosity, said viscosity being such that, in the position of use, the substance cannot flow through the porous body (70; 270) at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0°C, and the substance flows through the porous body (70; 270) at a second temperature above the first temperature.

12. A removable assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a plurality of storage containers containing different substances, each of the storage containers having a drain orifice communicating with the dispensing member.

13. Diffuser apparatus (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910), the diffuser apparatus being intended to disperse in the air, in the vapor state, a substance in the liquid or solid state at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910) comprising: - a removable assembly (50; 250) according to any one of the claims preceding indications; and - a fixed part (20) comprising a diffusion housing (30) which defines a housing (31) in which said removable assembly (50; 250) can be inserted; and - a heating member (100), in which the heating member (100) is arranged in the housing (31) so as to engage in the central free space of the storage container and come into contact with the contact surface presented by the porous body (70; 270) when the removable assembly (50; 250) is inserted into the housing (31) in the position of use, and in which the heating member (100) is partly received in the recess (75; 275) presented by the porous body (70; 270) so as to come into contact with the contact surface.

14. A diffuser apparatus (10;710;810;910;1910) according to claim 13, which further comprises an electronic card (130), the heating member (100) being electrically powered by the electronic card (130).

15. A diffuser apparatus (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, further comprising a control device configured to control the heating member (100) as a function of a set temperature defining a temperature of the porous body (70).

16. A diffuser apparatus (10;710;810;910;1910) according to claim 14 and claim 15 taken in combination, wherein the control device is arranged on the electronic card (130).

17. A diffuser apparatus (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the fixed portion (20) further comprises an air inlet (99) and an aeration system configured to create an air flow from the air inlet (99) towards the evaporation surface of the porous body.

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