REMOVABLE ASSEMBLY FOR A DIFFUSION DEVICE AND DIFFUSION DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) for a diffusion device, said removable assembly comprising: - a storage vessel (60; 260; 360; 460) including a drain orifice (61; 261; 361; 461); a dispensing member arranged at the outlet of said drain orifice and connected to said drain orifice, said dispensing member comprising a hollow body (70, 270, 370, 470) having an evaporation surface located outside said storage vessel; Includes. The storage container (60; 260; 360; 460) has a concave contour at least partially surrounding a central free space (62; 262; 362; 462) and exposes a contact surface of the porous body opposite the evaporation surface, said contact surface being accessible via said central free space (62; 262; 362; 462). The present invention further relates to a diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) configured to receive said removable assembly within a housing (31).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of diffusion devices intended to disperse a substance in its vapor state into the air at ambient temperature, which is in liquid or solid state, and more particularly to a removable assembly that can be used in such a diffusion device. [Background technology]

[0002] A diffusion device of the aforementioned type is known, for example, from WO 2019 / 243734. In that device, a reservoir containing a substance is connected to a dispensing member. The dispensing member includes a microchannel forming an outlet arranged in the channel to define a substance evaporation zone in the channel. A heating member is arranged on or in the dispensing member to control the flow of the substance through the dispensing member. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One idea behind the present invention is to propose an arrangement of the dispensing member and the reservoir that facilitates the arrangement of the heating member relative to the dispensing member.

[0004] The invention therefore proposes a removable assembly for a diffusion device, said diffusion device being intended to disperse a liquid or solid substance in the vapor state into the air at ambient temperature, said removable assembly comprising: a reservoir containing the substance and including a drain orifice, the drain orifice facing downwards when the removable assembly is in a use position; and a dispensing member arranged at an outlet of said drain orifice and connected to said drain orifice, said dispensing member including a porous body having an evaporation surface located outside said reservoir for evaporating said substance into the surrounding air; Including, The storage vessel has a concave contour at least partially surrounding a central free space and exposes a contact surface of the porous body opposite the evaporation surface, the contact surface being accessible via the central free space.

[0005] The heating element makes it possible to control the flow of material through the porous body simply by heating or not heating the porous body. The physical principles for controlling the flow of material through a porous body are described in WO 2019 / 243734 or WO 2020 / 254733 already cited above.

[0006] The storage container has a concave contour at least partially surrounding the central free space so as to expose the contact surface of the porous body, so that the heating element can be positioned on the contact surface of the dispensing element by simply passing through the central free space of the storage container. This can be achieved in particular by arranging the heating element in a housing of the device intended to accommodate the removable assembly. This makes it particularly easy to position the heating element relative to the dispensing element.

[0007] Embodiments of such a removable assembly may have one or more of the following features.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the porous body has an inner portion having a lower porosity than an outer portion of the porous body surrounding the inner portion.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a core made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or porous metal obtained by sintering metal or metal alloy powders.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a void aligned with a central free space surrounded by the reservoir, the contact surface being the inner surface of the void.

[0011] Thus, the heating element is partially contained within a void in the porous body such that it contacts the contact surface, resulting in contact between the heating element and the porous body over a larger surface area than would be the case with planar contact, which makes it easier to control the temperature of the porous body and easier to control the flow of material through the porous body.

[0012] The porosity is preferably blind, alternatively the porosity may be non-blind, i.e. open throughout the porous body.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a cylindrical portion.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the central free space extends coaxially with the cylindrical portion of the porous body.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the voids extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion of the porous body.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the porous body further comprises a hemispherical or spherical dome-shaped protruding portion, which is arranged at the axial end of the cylindrical portion opposite the central free space.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the gap extends within the protruding portion.

[0018] The external shape of the storage container can be designed in a variety of ways.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the reservoir extends along a main axis.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the axis of the cylindrical portion of the porous body coincides with the main axis.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the direction in which the central free space extends is parallel to the main axis.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the axial direction in which the gap extends is parallel to the main axis.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the porous body exhibits rotational symmetry about a major axis.

[0024] According to one embodiment, in the use position, the main axis is parallel to the direction of acceleration due to gravity.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the reservoir includes a bottom wall, the bottom wall being located at a lower end of the reservoir along the major axis.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the drain orifice is in the lower wall.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall is provided with a counterbore, the central free space opens into the counterbore, and the drain orifice is formed in the counterbore.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the concave contour of the reservoir is annular, for example a cross section perpendicular to the major axis of the reservoir is annular.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the reservoir exhibits rotational symmetry about a major axis.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the concave profile of the reservoir is "C" shaped. For example, a cross section perpendicular to the major axis of the reservoir is "C" shaped.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the drain orifice is blocked by a foil.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly further comprises a perforation device disposed between the porous body and the foil, the perforation device comprising a plurality of teeth and / or needles configured to perforate the foil when the porous body is moved towards the foil.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly further comprises a wick support element configured to be assembled to the storage container, the wick support element including a support portion configured to support the porous body and including a through hole, the porous body passing through the through hole, and the support portion including a plurality of teeth and / or needles configured to pierce the foil when the wick support element is assembled to the storage container.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the core support element is configured to be assembled to the storage container by screwing it onto the storage container, where a plurality of teeth and / or needles pierce the foil when the core support element is screwed onto the storage container. For example, the core support element may include an assembly part that includes an internal thread configured to cooperate with an external thread of the storage container.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the core support element is configured to be assembled to the storage container by screwing it into an intermediate position in which the teeth and / or needles do not pierce the foil, and a final position in which the teeth and / or needles pierce the foil, and the passage from the intermediate position to the final position requires a clamping force greater than the clamping force required to screw the core support element to the intermediate position. For example, the assembly part includes an internal protrusion configured to cooperate with an external protrusion of the storage container, and the passage from the intermediate position to the final position requires a clamping force sufficient to allow the internal protrusion to pass through the external protrusion.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound selected from semiochemical molecules of natural or synthetic origin, pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one sexual or non-sexual pheromone, allomone, synomone, or kairomone intended to induce a positive or negative reaction in a target species, the behavioral outcome of which may be sexual confusion, another type of confusion, sexual attraction, another type of attraction, or any type of aversion in arthropods, including arachnids, or hexapods, including harmful insects.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one pheromone or sex pheromone, allomone, synomone or kairomone intended to induce a positive or negative outcome in a target species, the behavioral outcome may be sedation, relaxation, euphoria or intimidation, particularly in mammals and birds.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the material comprises a solvent selected from isopropyl myristate, glycol dipropylene, monomethyl glycol dipropylene ether, and isoparaffinic hydrocarbons, such as L- or P- or N- or V-type isoparaffins.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound from the group consisting of fragrances, semiochemicals, cosmetics, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectants, phytosanitary and agricultural agents usable for humans or animals. According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound from the above groups.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound from the group consisting of fragrances, cosmetics, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectants, which are suitable for human use. According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound from the above groups.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the animal-safe odorant is selected from fatty acids such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, dimethyl azelate, dimethyl pimelate or esterified forms of said fatty acids.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the substance has a viscosity in the liquid state of more than 1 cPa.s at 25°C, for example more than 8 cPa.s at 25°C and less than 1 cPa.s at 60°C.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the substance has a boiling point between 30° C. and 400° C. at atmospheric pressure.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the substance is in a liquid state at ambient temperature and the reservoir further comprises an inner cellular retaining member impregnated with the substance in the liquid state.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the cellular retaining member comprises a material selected from felt, for example wool felt, and melamine foam.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a plurality of cellular retaining members are disposed in contact within the storage container.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the reservoir has no openings other than the drain orifice, and the reservoir contains, in addition to the substance, a gas phase that occupies at least 20% of the volume of the reservoir.

[0049] The first temperature can be set in various ranges. If the diffusion device is intended for outdoor use, the first temperature is selected in particular depending on the local climatic data. According to an embodiment, the first temperature is, for example, between 1°C and 50°C, between 5°C and 40°C, between 10°C and 35°C, between 15°C and 25°C.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the substance is a liquid substance whose viscosity changes as a function of temperature, the viscosity being such that at the position of use the substance cannot pass through the porous body at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0° C. and the substance flows through the porous body at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the substance is in a liquid state at room temperature, for example the melting point of the substance is between −70° C. and 0° C. at atmospheric pressure.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the substance is solid at room temperature, for example, the substance may have a melting point above 30° C. at atmospheric pressure, for example, between 30° C. and 40° C.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly includes a plurality of reservoirs for containing different substances, each reservoir having a drain orifice in communication with the dispensing member. Such reservoirs can be manufactured in a variety of ways, for example by partitioning the interior of a single reservoir or by being manufactured by a plurality of separate reservoirs.

[0054] The invention also proposes a diffusion device intended to disperse into the air a substance that is liquid or solid at ambient temperature in the vapour state, The diffusion device comprises: - a removable assembly according to any of the above embodiments, a fixed part including a diffusion module defining a housing into which said removable assembly can be inserted; a heating element; Equipped with The heating element is positioned within the housing such that when the removable assembly is inserted into the housing in the use position, it engages a central free space of the storage container and contacts the contact surface on the porous body of the removable assembly.

[0055] According to embodiments, such a diffusion device may have one or more of the following features:

[0056] According to one embodiment, the heating element is partially contained within the void in the porous body such that the heating element is in contact with the contact surface.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the heating element comprises an electrical resistor in contact with the contact surface.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises an electronic circuit card, said heating element being supplied with electrical energy from said electronic circuit card.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the diffusion device further comprises a control device configured to control the heating element as a function of a set temperature defining the temperature of the porous body.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the controller is provided on the electronic circuit card.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the fixing part further comprises an air inlet and an aeration system configured to create an air flow from the air inlet to the evaporation surface of the hollow body.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the aeration system includes at least one fan.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the at least one fan.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the fixed part further comprises a power supply module, such a power supply module may comprise one or more batteries, a mains plug, a DC electrical connector, or a combination thereof.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the diffusion module may be secured to the power supply module.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the air inlet includes a gap between the power module and the diffusion module.

[0067] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent through the following description of certain embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0068] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a diffusion device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the diffusion device of FIG. [Figure 3A]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a removable assembly reservoir intended to be received within the housing of the diffusion device of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a top view of the storage container of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a top view similar to FIG. 3B showing a variation of the reservoir. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir of FIG. 3A in combination with a dispensing member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in perspective, of detail V of FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the reservoir and dispensing member of FIGS. 4 and 5 together with a support. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view seen from the direction of arrow VIB in FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6A, further showing a tamper evident indicator in place between the reservoir and the support. [Figure 8] 8 is a partial perspective view of the casing of the dispensing device of FIG. 1, seen from above in the direction of arrow VIII of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a diffusion device according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a diffusion device according to a third modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a diffusion device according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a diffusion device according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the removable assembly shown in FIGS. [Figure 14] 14 is an exploded view of the reservoir of the removable assembly of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A is a side view of the storage container. [Figure 15B]FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir of FIG. 15A. [Figure 15C] FIG. 15C is a side view of the core support element. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a side view of another variation of the removable assembly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, including the reservoir shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the wick support element of FIG. 15C, and a dispensing member. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the removable assembly of FIG. 16A. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a diffusion device according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 16B, illustrating another variation of the removable assembly shown in FIGS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0069] 1 shows a perspective view of a first variant of a diffusion device intended for dispersing a substance in the vapor state in the air from a liquid state at ambient temperature, said diffusion device being given the reference number 10 in the drawing. For convenience, said diffusion device will be referred to below as "device 10".

[0070] The device 10 includes a stationary portion generally designated by the reference numeral 20 .

[0071] First, the stationary portion 20 will be described. The stationary portion 20 includes a diffusion module 30 and a power supply module 40. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device 10, revealing the components of the device 10 disposed within the diffusion module 30 and the power supply module 40.

[0072] The diffusion module 30 defines a housing 31, here having a generally cylindrical cross section. The housing 31 is adapted to receive a removable assembly 50, described below.

[0073] The power supply module 40 includes one or more batteries 41 for powering the electrical components of the diffusion module 30. A power cable 42 connects to an external power source, such as a solar panel (not shown), for powering the device 10.

[0074] The device 10 is suspended from a taut cable 1000, such as a tie-in cable (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 2), by two suspension rings 1001, one on each side of the diffusion module 30, as shown in FIGS.

[0075] 3A to 7, the removable assembly 50 will now be described. The removable assembly 50 includes a storage container 60 and a wick 70. The wick 70 is secured to the storage container 60 such that the removable assembly 50 can be inserted together into the housing 31 when the removable assembly 50 is held.

[0076] 3A is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir 60 itself. As seen in FIG. 3A, the reservoir 60 has an annular cylindrical outer shape extending along a major axis PP. By "annular cylindrical" we mean that a cross-section of the reservoir 60 perpendicular to the axis PP is annular, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3B. The reservoir 60 thus has a central free space 62 near its center and the axis PP. The central free space 62 is defined by a proximal wall 63 of the reservoir 60. An internal volume 69 of the reservoir 60 is defined by the proximal wall 63, a distal wall 64 that is further from the axis PP than the proximal wall 63, an upper wall 66, and a lower wall 65.

[0077] As can be better seen in FIG. 3A, the bottom wall 65 includes a counterbore 65A. A central free space 62 opens into the counterbore 65A. A drain orifice 61 is formed in all or part of a bottom surface of the counterbore 65A. The drain orifice 61 is oriented downwardly in the use position of the removable assembly 50, which is shown in FIG.

[0078] The terms "downward," "lower," and "upper" should be understood with reference to acceleration due to gravity in the position of use.

[0079] The reservoir 60 may exhibit rotational symmetry about the axis PP.

[0080] In one embodiment, the reservoir 60 is made by injection molding a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP). To ensure that the liquid substance contained in the reservoir 60 can continue to flow until the reservoir 60 is emptied, one or more pressurized vents (not shown) may be formed in the top wall 66 and / or the distal wall 64. Alternatively, the reservoir 60 does not include any openings other than the drain orifice 61 and contains, in addition to the liquid substance, a gas phase that occupies at least 20% of the volume of the reservoir 60.

[0081] The proximal wall 63 may have a sloped portion 63A near the top of the reservoir 60 such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the central free space 62 increases toward the top of the reservoir 60. The distal wall 64 may also have a sloped portion 64A such that the cross-sectional area approaches the axis PP toward the top of the reservoir 60.

[0082] In another embodiment, the walls of the reservoir 60, with the exception of some or all of the bottom wall 65, may be flexible, such that the internal volume 69 of the reservoir 60 decreases under the influence of atmospheric pressure when the reservoir 60 is emptied. Techniques for producing such flexible walls are known per se and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] In further embodiments, the cross section of the storage container 60 perpendicular to the axis PP does not necessarily have to be annular. Any outer shape of the storage container 60 can be envisaged, provided that the outer shape of the storage container 60 is concave and at least partially surrounds the central free space 62, in which the heating element 100 can be accommodated, as will be described below. In particular, the storage container 60 may have a "C"-shaped concave outer shape, as is diagrammatically represented in the top view of Fig. 3C, or a more complex concave outer shape.

[0084] The internal volume 69 of the storage vessel 60 can optionally be at least partially filled with a polymer foam (not shown) that is impregnated with the liquid substance, or the internal volume 69 can simply be filled with the liquid substance. In the figures, reference numeral 69L denotes the free surface of the liquid substance.

[0085] In some variants not shown, the internal volume 69 may contain a number of different liquid substances. For this purpose, the internal volume 69 may be divided to define a number of internal sub-volumes, each of which contains a liquid substance and has a drain orifice 61 for said liquid substance. According to other variants not shown, the removable assembly 50 may comprise a number of reservoirs 60, which may be identical, each of which contains a liquid substance and which are all connected to a wick 70, which will be described below. These variants make it possible to provide a removable assembly 50 containing a number of liquid substances which are not mixed until the moment they are dispersed by the device 10.

[0086] The reservoir 60 is shown in cross section in FIGS.

[0087] The wick 70 is located at the outlet of the drain orifice 61, by means of which the liquid substance can pass from the internal volume 69 of the storage container 60 to the wick 70 and from there to the evaporation surface consisting of the outer wall of the wick 70. Here, the wick 70 comprises a cylindrical central part 72 and a protruding part 73, which here is hemispherical, but which may equally be in the form of a spherical dome. Furthermore, a void 75 extends in the wick 70, where the void 75 is parallel to the axis PP and thus aligned with the central free space 62. The void 75 is preferably a blind void, as shown in the figure. The void 75 may or may not extend in the wick 70 to the protruding part 73. Alternatively, the void 75 may not be blind, i.e. it may be discharged through the protruding part 73.

[0088] The core 70 may exhibit rotational symmetry about the axis PP.

[0089] 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 spigot 77 to close the lower end of the central free space 62. The spigot 77 is, for example, press-fit into the central free space 62. The upper surface of the spigot 77 is marked in the figures with the reference sign 77A.

[0090] The core 70 is made partially or entirely of a porous material, for example wood, textile, ceramic or polymer. Another example of a porous material is a porous metal obtained by sintering a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. Such porous metals are known per se and the techniques for obtaining them will not be described in detail here.

[0091] As already mentioned above, the storage container 60 comprises a drain orifice 61 oriented downwards in the use position of the removable assembly 50. A wick 70 is located at the outlet of this drain orifice 61, which receives the liquid substance contained in the internal volume 69 of the storage container 60 and, being porous, impregnates it.

[0092] 5 is an enlarged, partially perspective and partially cross-sectional view of detail V of FIG. 4, thus better illustrating the connection between the wick 70 and the drain orifice 61. In the embodiment shown, the wick 70 includes a flange 79 facing the drain orifice 61. The drain orifice 61 is blocked by a foil 65B. The removable assembly 50 further includes a piercing device 140 between the flange 79 and the drain orifice 61. The piercing device 140 includes an annular body 141 having dimensions such that the spigot 77 of the wick 70 can pass through its center. The body 141 includes a number of teeth 142 and a number of gaps 143 between the teeth 142. The teeth 142 are arranged to be able to penetrate the foil 65B. When the foil 65B is pierced by the teeth 142, the liquid material flows through the holes created by the teeth 142, then through the gaps 143, wetting the flange 79 by capillary action and then the remainder of the wick 70.

[0093] The perforation device 140 can be made, for example, by injection molding a suitable polymer, or it can be a metallic part, for example a casting or a ceramic part, etc. Furthermore, the perforation device 140 can be, but does not necessarily have to be, made up of a number of annular sectors fixed to one another.

[0094] The teeth 142 and gaps 143 are preferably regularly spaced to promote uniform impregnation of the core 70 with the liquid substance.

[0095] 5 is merely one example. Many other configurations are possible. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of the teeth 142, hollow or solid teeth can be disposed on the punching device 140 to punch the foil 65B as described above.

[0096] The above-described connection between the wick 70 and the internal volume 69 of the storage vessel 60 via the drain orifice 61 is merely one example. Many other connections are possible. In particular, in the case where the internal volume 69 of the storage vessel 60 is at least partially filled with a polymer foam impregnated with a liquid substance, the wick 70 may include one or more spigots that pass through the drain orifice 61 and contact this polymer foam. One or more seals (not shown) may then be arranged in such a way as to ensure a sealed connection between the wick 70 and the drain orifice 61.

[0097] Returning to FIG. 2, the removable assembly 50 is seen in its position of use in the housing 31 defined by the diffusion module 30. A heating element, generally designated by reference number 100, is arranged in the diffusion module 30. The heating element 100 comprises a rod 101 carrying an electrical resistance 110 at its lower end. The presence of a central free space 62 allows the rod 101 to extend through the central free space 62, such that the electrical resistance 110 is in contact with the wall of the cavity 75 when the removable assembly 50 is in position in the housing 31. Depending on whether or not the electrical resistance 110 is supplied with electricity, the flow of the liquid substance through the wick 70 can be controlled according to the physical principles described in WO 2019 / 243734 and WO 2020 / 254733.

[0098] The top surface 77A may optionally be connected to the cavity 75 by an angled spigot 77B to facilitate insertion of the rod 101 and electrical resistor 110 into the cavity 75.

[0099] The heating element 100 may include an electronics card 130 for supplying power to and controlling the electrical resistance 110. For example, a controller (not shown), such as a microprocessor, may be located on the electronics card 130 to control the electrical resistance 110 as a function of the set point temperature of the wick 70. This set point temperature may be measured, for example, by a temperature sensor (not shown) mounted on the rod 101. The electronics card 130 may be located in various locations within the device 10. By way of example only, in FIG. 2 the electronics card 130 is depicted as being located within the housing 31 on the removable assembly 50.

[0100] The device 10 further includes an aeration system configured to generate an air flow from the air inlet 99 toward an evaporation surface formed by the outer wall of the wick 70. The aeration system includes a fan 120. In the illustrated example, the fan 120 is disposed on the removable assembly 50. The fan 120 draws an air flow from the air inlet 99 to the wick 70. The air inlet 99 is preferably a gap between the diffusion module 30 and a cover 33 fixed to the diffusion module 30. The dashed and dotted arrow F in FIG. 1 indicates the direction of air entry from this gap.

[0101] An air filter (not shown) may preferably be placed between the air inlet 99 and the fan 120 to limit the risk of contamination of the wick 70 by unwanted external particles.

[0102] Furthermore, as can be seen in Fig. 8, the diffusion module 30 may include fins 309 between the inner wall of the diffusion module 30 and the casing 39 intended to receive the storage container 60. The fins 309 may be adapted in such a way as to guide the air flow towards the wick 70. Furthermore, as can be seen in Fig. 8, at the bottom of the casing 39, a bottom plate 39F may be provided which supports the electronic circuit card 130. Then, through holes 39FF are formed in the bottom plate 39F for passing the rods 101 and the electrical resistors 110.

[0103] The fan 120 may be controlled by the controller described above, which is carried by the electronics card 130 .

[0104] The removable assembly 50 may be held in place within the housing 31 in a variety of ways, provided that the removable assembly 50 can be removed from the housing 31 for replacement in the same manner when all of the liquid substance contained in the reservoir 60 has been used. For example, the removable assembly 50 may be screwed or clipped to the housing 31.

[0105] Certain variations of removable assembly 50 that facilitate placement of removable assembly 50 within housing 31 are described below with reference to Figures 2, 6A, 6B, and 7. As depicted in these figures, removable assembly 50 includes support 80 in addition to reservoir 60 and wick 70.

[0106] The support 80 includes a central body 81 and a peripheral body 82 .

[0107] The central body 81 comprises at least one central portion 81A (see FIG. 6A), which is tapered so as to accommodate the lower portion of the storage container 60 and the flange 79 of the wick 70 thereon (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, the central body 81 comprises a through orifice 81AA whose dimensions are selected to allow the passage of the wick 70, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 6B. More precisely, as can be seen in FIG. 6B, at least the projecting portion 73, and possibly part of the central portion 72, are adapted to pass through the through orifice 81AA.

[0108] The peripheral body 82 is annular and fixed to the central body 81. The peripheral body 82 is adapted to be fixed to the inner wall of the diffusion module 30. For example, the peripheral body 82 is fixed to the inner wall of the diffusion module 30 by a bayonet coupling, which here includes a notch 89 (FIGS. 6A and 7) carried by the peripheral body 82 and which cooperates with a corresponding pin 30A (FIG. 8) carried on the inner wall of the diffusion module 30. Here, the peripheral body 82 is fixed to the central body 81 by being integrally formed with a rib 812 arranged between the peripheral body 82 and the central body 81. The rib 812 may be shaped to at least partially direct the air flow towards the wick 70.

[0109] The central body 81 can support the reservoir only at the level of its tapered central portion 81A, but alternatively the central body 81 can further comprise an annular bearing band 81R received in the groove 68 of the reservoir 60.

[0110] The groove 68 and the bearing band 81R allow for the optional attachment of a tamper evident indicator 150, shown in Figure 7. As shown, the tamper evident indicator 150 comprises at least one "C" shaped portion 152 that is received in the groove 68, or more precisely also on the bearing band 81R. The tamper evident indicator 150 also includes a grippable tongue 151 for easy removal by the user.

[0111] Obviously, as shown in Fig. 7, as long as the tamper-evident indicator 150 remains in place, the portion 152 prevents the bearing band 81R from abutting against the upper wall of the groove 68. Conversely, when the tamper-evident indicator 150 is removed, for example by pulling on the tongue 151, the support 80 can move in the direction of the upper wall 66 of the storage container 60 until the bearing band 81R abuts against the upper wall of the groove 68. As will become clearer when comparing Figs. 2 and 5, this movement of the support 80 may cause the above-mentioned perforation of the foil 65B, in particular by the teeth 142 of the perforation device 140. In the absence of the tamper-evident indicator 150, the foil 65B may have been perforated, thus indicating that the liquid substance from the storage container 60 is beginning to be released.

[0112] The configuration of device 10 shown in Figures 1-8 is merely exemplary, and many other configurations are contemplated.

[0113] A second variant of the device 710 is shown in partly see-through view in Figure 9. In this figure, elements which are the same as those described above with reference to Figures 2 to 8 are given the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again. The device 710 differs from the device 10 in that the power supply module 740 is provided with a mains plug 741 opposite the diffusion module 30. The device 710 can therefore be powered from the mains, making it possible in particular to use it in enclosed places such as greenhouses or buildings.

[0114] A third variant of the device 810 is shown in partly see-through view in Fig. 10. In this figure, elements which are the same as those described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail again. The device 810 differs from the device 10 in that the power supply module 840 is provided with a DC power plug 841 (here called pogo pin) on the opposite side to the diffusion module 30. The device 810 can therefore be powered by a DC power source such as a battery.

[0115] A fourth variant of the device 910 is shown in a perspective view in Fig. 11. In this figure, elements that are the same as those described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 are given the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again. The device 810 differs from the device 10 in that it comprises two diffusion modules 30 arranged on opposite sides of a common power supply module 1040. The power supply module 1040 includes, for example, a battery (not shown) and is powered by the power cable 42 as described above. The device 910 may be used to diffuse two different substances by inserting two removable assemblies 50 containing different substances into the two diffusion modules 30.

[0116] A fifth variant of the device 1910 is shown in an exploded view in Fig. 12. In this figure, elements that are the same as those described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 are given the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again. The device 1910 is designed for use outdoors and at high altitudes. For this, the diffusion module 30 is fixed to a vertical post 2000, for example by means of a Jubilee clip 1991. On top of the diffusion module 30, a power supply module 1940 is arranged, here cylindrical and of the same diameter as the diffusion module 30. The power supply module 1940 is also fixed to the post 2000, for example by means of a Jubilee clip 1995. The diffusion module 30 is fixed to the power supply module 1940, for example by means of a screw or clip. The power supply module 1940 may include a battery (not shown) and / or may be connected to a photovoltaic panel (not shown) in order to supply power to the device 1910. However, the device 1910 may be powered in other ways, in particular by a mains supply. Preferably, the air inlet 99 may be a gap (not shown) between the diffusion module 30 and the power supply module 1940. The arrow F12 in Fig. 12 indicates the direction of air inflow through this gap.

[0117] The shape of the removable assembly 50 shown in Figures 2-7 is merely an example, and many other shapes are contemplated.

[0118] Another example of a removable assembly 250 is shown in cross-section in Figure 13. Figure 14 is an exploded view of a storage container 260 of this removable assembly 250. In these figures, elements that are the same as those described above with reference to Figures 2 to 12 are numbered by 200 and will not be described in detail again unless necessary.

[0119] In this example, the reservoir 260 is in the form of a very long cylindrical piece made by injection molding a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP). The interior volume 269 of the reservoir 260 is filled with a polymer foam 268 impregnated with a liquid substance. One or more pressure vents (not shown) may be formed near the top of the reservoir 260, for example in its top wall 266 and / or distal wall 264. Alternatively, the reservoir 260 has no openings other than the drain orifice 261 and contains, in addition to the liquid substance, a gas phase occupying at least 20% of the volume of the reservoir 260.

[0120] As can be better seen in Figure 14, the lower end of the storage container 260 is provided with an external thread 291 onto which a stopper 290 with a corresponding internal thread (not shown) can be screwed. The stopper 290 thus prevents loss of liquid substance prior to use of the removable assembly 250, and in particular during its transport. Preferably, the wick 270 is retained on the storage container 260 by the stopper 290, which prevents the wick 270 from being lost or damaged prior to use of the removable assembly 250. A foil 296 can be arranged at the lower end of the storage container 260 to block the drain orifice 261.

[0121] To attach the core 270 to the storage container 260, the stopper 290 is loosened, then the foil 296 is removed, and then the core 270 is pushed into the drain orifice 261 so that the spigot 279 on the core 270 comes into contact with the polymer foam 268. In this case, as shown in Figure 13, the stopper 290 can optionally be dimensioned such that after the core 270 has been thus inserted, it can be screwed back onto the threads 291, thereby improving the seal at the joint between the core 270 and the polymer foam 268.

[0122] In another variation, not shown, the spigot 279 may be configured to allow the wick 270 to be screwed into the drain orifice 261 of the reservoir 260. In this case, the spigot 279 may optionally include a microneedle (not shown) that pierces the foil 296 when the wick is screwed in.

[0123] Another example of a removable assembly 350 is shown in Figures 15A, 15B, 15C, 16A, and 16B. The removable assembly 350 may include a reservoir 360, a wick 370, and a wick support element 380.

[0124] First, the storage container 360 will be described. FIG. 15A is a side view of the storage container 360 alone, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the storage container 360. The storage container 360 has an annular cylindrical outer shape extending along a main axis QQ. In other words, a cross section of the storage container 360 perpendicular to the axis QQ is annular. Thus, the storage container 360 has a central free space 362 at its center near the axis QQ. The central free space 362 is bounded by a proximal wall 363 of the storage container 360. An internal volume 369 of the storage container 360 is bounded by the proximal wall 363, a distal wall 364 farther from the axis QQ than the proximal wall 363, an upper wall 366, and a lower wall 365.

[0125] The bottom wall 365 defines a drain orifice 361. The drain orifice 361 faces downwardly in the use position of the removable assembly 350 shown in FIG.

[0126] The reservoir 360 may exhibit rotational symmetry about the axis QQ.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the reservoir 360 is manufactured by injection molding a suitable plastic material, such as, for example, polypropylene (PP). One or more pressurization vents (not shown) may be formed in the top wall 366 and / or the distal wall 364 to ensure that the liquid substance contained within the reservoir 360 continues to flow until the reservoir 360 is emptied. Alternatively, the reservoir 360 has no openings other than the drain orifice 361 and contains, in addition to the liquid substance, a gas phase that occupies at least 20% of the volume of the reservoir 360.

[0128] Near the top of the reservoir 360, the proximal wall 363 is provided with a rounded portion 363A such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the central free space 362 increases in a direction toward the top of the reservoir 360. The distal wall 364 may further include a rounded portion 364A such that the distal wall 364 approaches the axis QQ in a direction toward the top of the reservoir 360.

[0129] In another embodiment, the walls of the reservoir 360, except for some or all of the bottom wall 365, are flexible, such that the interior volume 369 of the reservoir 360 decreases under the influence of atmospheric pressure when the reservoir 360 is emptied. Techniques for producing such flexible walls are known and will not be described in detail here.

[0130] In further embodiments, the cross section of the reservoir 360 perpendicular to the axis PP does not necessarily have to be annular. The external shape of the reservoir 360 can assume any shape, as long as it is concave and at least partially surrounds a central free space 362 and is able to accommodate the heating element 100 in the central free space 362, as will be described below. In particular, the reservoir 360 may have a "C"-shaped concave contour or a more complex concave contour.

[0131] The interior volume 369 of the storage vessel 360 may be at least partially filled with a polymer foam (not shown) that is impregnated with the liquid substance, or the interior volume 369 may simply be filled with the liquid substance.

[0132] According to some variants not shown, the internal volume 369 contains several different liquid substances. For this purpose, the internal volume 369 is divided to define several internal sub-volumes, each of which contains a liquid substance and is provided with a drain orifice 361 for said liquid substances. According to other variants not shown, the removable assembly 350 comprises several reservoirs 360, which may be identical, each of which contains a liquid substance and which are all connected to a wick 370, which will be described below. These variants make it possible to provide a removable assembly 350 containing several liquid substances that do not mix until the moment of diffusion.

[0133] The wick 370, wick support element 380, and the cooperation of wick support element 380 with wick 370 and reservoir 360 will now be described.

[0134] Wick support element 380 is shown alone in a side view in Figure 15C. Wick support element 380 is configured to receive wick 370 and be assembled to storage container 360 such that wick support element 380 holds wick 370 in place relative to storage container 360. Retaining removable assembly 350 allows removable assembly 350 to be inserted together into housing 31. Figure 16A is a side view of removable assembly 350 thus assembled, and Figure 16B is a cross-sectional view of removable assembly 350 thus assembled.

[0135] The core 370 comprises a cylindrical central portion 372 and a protruding portion 373, which here is hemispherical, but which may also be in the shape of a spherical dome. Furthermore, a void 375 extends into the core 370, where the void 375 is parallel to the axis QQ and thus aligned with the central free space 362. The void 375 is preferably a blind void, as shown in the figure. The void 375 may or may not extend into the core 370 up to the protruding portion 373. Alternatively, the void 375 may not be blind, i.e. it may be discharged through the protruding portion 373.

[0136] Core 370 may exhibit rotational symmetry about axis QQ.

[0137] Core support element 380 includes a support portion 381 and an assembly portion 386. Support portion 381 and assembly portion 386 may be integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), to manufacture core support element 380. Alternatively, core support element 380 may be a metal part, such as a casting, or a ceramic part.

[0138] The support 381 comprises a central through orifice 382 (see FIG. 15C), where the orifice 382 is aligned with the central free space 362. The dimensions of the orifice 382 are selected to allow the upper part of the wick 370 to pass through it, as shown in FIG. 16B. To hold the wick 370 on the support 381, the wick 370 comprises a flange 379, the underside of which rests on a shoulder 383 of the support 381 around the orifice 382. The support 381 may further comprise an internal projection 384 around the shoulder 383 cooperating with a side of the flange 379 and / or an external projection 385 in line with the orifice 382 cooperating with a chamfer of the wick 370 below the flange 379.

[0139] Here, the support 381 may include a frustoconical portion to ensure sufficient space for the flange 379 between the lower wall 365 of the storage container 360 and the support 381. The support 381 may exhibit circular symmetry about the axis QQ.

[0140] Here, the assembly part 386 has a cylindrical outer shape extending along the axis QQ and has a larger diameter than the storage container 360. The assembly part 386 can thus be assembled to the lower part of the storage container 360.

[0141] For example, the assembly part 386 includes internal threads 386A (see FIG. 16B) that correspond to external threads 364A (see FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 16B) on the distal wall 364 of the storage container 360, such that cooperation of the internal threads 386A and the external threads 364A enables the assembly part 386 to be screwed into the storage container 360.

[0142] The reservoir 360 may include an upper flange 367 that projects from the distal wall 364 perpendicular to the axis QQ and defines a final position of the assembly part 386. Additionally or alternatively, the reservoir 360 may include a lower flange 365A that projects from the lower wall 365 perpendicular to the axis QQ and cooperates with an internal protrusion 386B on the assembly part 386 to hold the assembly part 386 in its final position.

[0143] In the embodiment shown, the drain orifice 361 is blocked by the foil 365B. The assembly part 386 may include a number of teeth 388, only one of which is shown in FIG. 16B. The teeth 388 are configured so that they can pierce the foil 365B. More precisely, the teeth 388 pierce the foil 365B when the assembly part 386 is screwed onto the storage container 360. When the foil 365B is pierced by the teeth 388, the liquid substance flows through the holes opened by the teeth 388 and wets the flange 379 by capillary action and then the rest of the wick 370. It is clear that the support 381 and the flange 379 must be dimensioned such that the liquid substance cannot flow anywhere other than through the wick 370, as previously described. A seal (not shown) can also be inserted between the support 381 and the flange 379.

[0144] The teeth 388 are preferably spaced apart to promote uniform impregnation of the wick 370 with the liquid substance.

[0145] Further, in addition to or instead of the teeth 388, hollow or solid needles may be disposed in the assembly portion 386 to pierce the foil 365B as previously described.

[0146] 15A to 16B, the storage container 360 preferably includes, in addition to the external threads 364A, two external projections 364P (see Figs. 15A, 15B and 16B) projecting perpendicularly to the axis QQ from the distal wall 364. The assembly part 386 may include an internal projection 386P (see Fig. 16B). The assembly part 386 can be partially screwed into the storage container 360 by the threads 364A and 386A until the internal projections 386P interlock with the external projections 364P. The assembly part 386 is in an intermediate position in which the teeth 388 or needles have not yet pierced the foil 365B. The removable assembly 350 can be shipped in an assembled state, in which the core support element 380 receives the core 370 and is held on the storage container 360 by screwing it, and the foil 385B is not pierced.

[0147] Thereafter, when using the removable assembly 350, the screwing of the assembly part 386 is completed by applying a sufficient clamping force so that the internal projection 386P is pushed past the external projection 364P. It is clear that the clamping force required for the internal projection 386P to pass the external projection 364P is greater than the clamping force required to screw the assembly part 386 to the intermediate position. Thus, the teeth 388 or needles pierce the foil 365B and the assembly part 386 reaches the final position shown in FIG. 16B. To facilitate the passage of the internal projection 386P through the external projection 364P, the upper part 386S of the assembly part 386 carrying the internal projection 386P (see FIGS. 15C, 16A and 16B) has a large cross section and / or has a certain degree of elasticity, which is achieved, for example, by manufacturing the assembly part 380 by injection molding a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene (PP).

[0148] Alternatively, the assembly part 386 may be assembled to the storage container 360 in other ways, such as by snap fit, clip fastening, bayonet coupling, or guillotine type closure means, in which case assembling the assembly part 386 also generates the aforementioned perforations in the foil 365B by the teeth 388 and / or needles.

[0149] With reference to Fig. 17, a device 2010 according to a sixth variant is shown. In this figure, elements identical to those described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 are given the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again. Due to the presence of a central free space 362, the rod 101 can extend through it, so that the electrical resistance 110 is in contact with the wall of the cavity 375 when the removable assembly 350 is placed in the housing 31. By supplying or not supplying electricity to the electrical resistance 110, the flow of the liquid substance through the wick 370 can be controlled according to the physical principles described in WO 2019 / 243734 and WO 2020 / 254733.

[0150] The cavity 375 may optionally include a shoulder 375A (see FIGS. 16B and 17) to facilitate insertion of the rod 101 and electrical resistor 110 into the cavity 375.

[0151] The diffusion module 30 of the device 2010 may optionally include a retaining portion 2080 for holding the removable assembly 350 in place within the housing 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the retaining portion 2080 holds the removable assembly 350 by supporting the removable assembly 350, here by a wick support element 380 of the removable assembly 350. In this case, the retaining portion 2080 includes a through hole 2081 that allows the wick 370 to pass through. This through hole 2081 may help to direct the air flow generated by the fan 120 along the evaporative surface consisting of the outer wall of the wick 370.

[0152] The diffusion module 30 of the device 2010 may further comprise an annular portion 2090 around the wick 370, which, in the use position of the removable assembly 350 shown in Fig. 17, is open below the wick 370. Thus, the substance that evaporates at the outer wall level of the wick 370 is diffused into the air, while the annular portion 2090 tends to protect the wick 370, for example, from mechanical damage (e.g., during transportation of the device 2010) and / or contact with undesirable particles from the outside.

[0153] Preferably, the annular portion 2090 and the retaining portion 2080 are integrally formed, as shown in FIG.

[0154] Another example of a removable assembly 450 is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 18. In this figure, elements that are the same as those of the removable assembly 350 are numbered with the same reference numbers increased by 100 and will not be described again unless necessary. The removable assembly 450 differs from the removable assembly 350 in that the core 470 has a cylindrical annular section perpendicular to the axis QQ over its entire length. The core 470 therefore includes a cylindrical cavity 475 over its entire length that is aligned with the central free space 462. A portion of the core 470 is accommodated in the central free space 462 of the storage container 460. The position of the electrical resistance 110 when the removable assembly 450 is placed in the housing 31 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 18.

[0155] Although not shown in FIG. 18, the core 470 may be retained on the core support element 481 in a manner similar to how the core 370 is retained on the core support element 381, for example by a screw fastener, snap fit, clip fastening, bayonet coupling, or guillotine type closure means, and / or may be retained within the central free space 462.

[0156] Although embodiments have been described in which the substance is in a liquid state at room temperature, there are alternative embodiments in which the substance is in a solid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting point above 30° C. at atmospheric pressure, for example in the range of 30° C. to 40° C. In this case, the reservoir 60 (or 260, 360, 460, respectively) contains a substance in a solid state at ambient temperature. Heating of the wick 70 (or 270, 370, 470, respectively) by the heating element 100 causes local melting of the substance near the drain orifice 61 (or 261, 361, 461, respectively). The liquid substance can then flow through the wick 70 (or 270, 370, 470, respectively) as described above.

[0157] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that the invention is not limited thereto, but encompasses all technical equivalents and combinations of the means described, provided they fall within the scope of the invention.

[0158] Use of the verb "include" or "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

[0159] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) for a diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010), the diffusion device intended to disperse a liquid or solid substance in the vapor state into the air at ambient temperature, the removable assembly comprising: a storage container (60; 260; 360; 460) containing said substance and including a drain orifice (61; 261; 361; 461), said drain orifice (61; 261; 361; 461) facing downwards when said removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) is in a use position; and a dispensing member arranged at the outlet of said drain orifice (61; 261; 361; 461) and connected to said drain orifice, said dispensing member comprising a porous body (70, 270, 370, 470) having an evaporation surface located outside said reservoir (60, 260, 360, 460) for evaporating said substance into the surrounding air; Including, the storage container (60; 260; 360; 460) has a concave contour at least partially surrounding a central free space (62; 262; 362; 462) and exposing a contact surface of the porous body (70, 270, 370, 470) opposite the evaporation surface, said contact surface being accessible via said central free space (62; 262; 362; 462); a removable assembly, wherein the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470) comprises a void (75; 275; 375; 475), preferably a non-through void, located in alignment with the central free space surrounded by the storage container, and wherein the contact surface comprises the inner surface of the void (75, 275, 375, 475).

2. 2. The removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) of claim 1, wherein the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470) comprises a cylindrical portion (72; 272; 372).

3. 3. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) according to claim 2, wherein the central free space (62; 262; 362; 462) extends coaxially with the cylindrical portion (72; 272; 372) of the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470).

4. 4. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) according to claim 3, wherein the void (75; 275; 375; 475) extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion (72; 272; 372) of the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470).

5. The porous body further comprises a hemispherical or spherical dome-shaped protrusion (73; 273; 373), 5. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the protruding portion (73; 273; 373) is arranged at the axial end of the cylindrical portion (72; 272; 373) opposite the central free space (62; 262; 362).

6. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350) according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the gap (75; 275; 375) extends within the protruding portion (73; 273; 373).

7. The removable assembly (50) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porous body (70) includes a spigot (77) that engages the central free space.

8. A removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the concave contour of the reservoir (60; 260; 360; 460) is annular.

9. The removable assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the concave contour of the reservoir is a "C" shape.

10. A removable assembly (50; 350; 450) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drain orifice (61; 361; 461) is blocked by a foil (65B; 365B; 465B).

11. The removable assembly (50) further comprises a perforation device (140) disposed between the porous body (70) and the foil (65B); 11. The removable assembly (50) of claim 10, wherein the perforation device (140) comprises a plurality of teeth (142) and / or needles configured to perforate the foil (65B) when the porous body (70) is moved toward the foil (65B).

12. The removable assembly (350; 450) further comprises a wick support element (380; 480) configured to be assembled to the storage container (360; 460); said core support element comprises a support portion (381; 481), The support portion (381; 481) is configured to support the porous body (370; 470) and includes a through hole (382; 482), and the porous body (370; 470) passes through the through hole (382; 482), A removable assembly (350; 450) as described in claim 10, wherein the support portion (381; 481) includes a plurality of teeth (388) and / or needles configured to pierce the foil (365B; 465B) when the core support element (380; 480) is assembled to the storage container (360; 460).

13. the substance is a liquid substance whose viscosity changes as a function of temperature; A removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the viscosity is such that, at the position of use, the substance cannot pass through the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470) 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; 370; 470) at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

14. a plurality of storage containers containing different substances; A removable assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of said reservoirs is provided with a drain orifice in communication with said dispensing member.

15. Diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) intended to disperse a liquid or solid substance in the vapor state into the air at ambient temperature, comprising: The diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) - a removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a fixed part (20) including a diffusion module (30) defining a housing (31) into which said removable assembly (50; 250; 350) can be inserted; a heating element (100), Equipped with the heating element (100) is arranged in the housing (31) so as to engage in a central free space of the storage container and to contact the contact surface on the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470) of the removable assembly when the removable assembly (50; 250; 350; 450) is inserted into the housing (31) in the use position, A diffusion device, wherein the heating element (100) is partially housed within the void (75; 275; 375; 475) in the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470) so as to be in contact with the contact surface.

16. Further, an electronic circuit card (130) is provided; Diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) according to claim 15, wherein the heating element (100) is supplied with electrical energy from the electronics card (130).

17. A diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) as described in claim 15, further comprising a control device configured to control the heating element (100) as a function of a set temperature defining the temperature of the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470).

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: providing a control device configured to control the heating element (100) as a function of a set temperature defining the temperature of the porous body (70; 270; 370; 470); 17. The diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) of claim 16, wherein the control device is provided on the electronics card (130).

19. The diffusion device (10; 710; 810; 910; 1910; 2010) of claim 15, wherein the fixing part (20) further comprises an air intake (99) and an aeration system configured to create an air flow from the air intake (99) to the evaporation surface of the hollow body.

Images