Apparatus for evaporating volatile substances

Abstract

The device of the present invention is a device for evaporating volatile substances, and comprises a porous element (1) impregnated with a product containing a volatile substance, and a heater (2) for heating the porous element (1) to evaporate the volatile substance, the porous element (1) and the heater (2) having a cylindrical shape, and the heater (2) being arranged around the porous element (1). This makes it possible to provide a device for evaporating volatile substances, which comprises a solid porous support with a high absorption capacity for volatile substances, arranged in direct association with the heating element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for vaporizing a volatile material, and in particular to a portable device for vaporizing a volatile material. [Background technology]

[0002] The two most important categories of electric heating devices for evaporating volatile substances are primarily systems with bottles and wicks, and systems with impregnated tablets.

[0003] Tablets are used for substances with low evaporation rates and short durations due to their small content. An example of this type of tablet is an insecticide tablet for indoor use. These tablets have a flat configuration and heat up almost all of their surface, so they must be replaced after only a few hours of use. Typical amounts of insecticide required indoors are about 0.5 mg / h to 2 mg / h. The capacity of flat mats ranges from several hundred milligrams.

[0004] Wicked bottles are used for higher power output and longer duration. Examples of these types of wicked bottles are air fresheners or pest control devices, which may last for several weeks and are sometimes used outdoors.

[0005] In these cases, the wick must be continuously impregnated with the liquid containing the volatile substance of the bottle, and the bottle must be sealed to prevent the liquid from evaporating. Typical evaporation rates for such products are between 30 mg / h and 60 mg / h. Bottle volumes are usually between 20 ml and 40 ml (approximately 20 g and 40 g).

[0006] Electrical heating devices for evaporating volatile materials require significant energy to achieve the desired evaporation rate and duration, and therefore require direct connection to a continuous relevant energy source.

[0007] Therefore, this type of evaporation device is not a solution for effectively releasing large amounts of volatile material per hour, but rather for short periods of time, e.g., less than a day, and is powered by a small, non-continuous energy source such as a rechargeable battery. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for evaporating volatile substances, comprising a solid porous support with a high absorption capacity for volatile substances, placed in direct association with a heating element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The device for evaporating volatile substances according to the present invention overcomes the above drawbacks and offers other advantages which are explained below.

[0010] An apparatus for evaporating volatile substances is set out in claim 1, with further optional features included in the dependent claims.

[0011] In particular, the device for evaporating volatile substances according to the invention comprises: a porous element impregnated with a product containing a volatile substance; a heater for heating the porous element to evaporate the volatile material; Equipped with The porous element and heater have a cylindrical shape, with the heater disposed around the porous element.

[0012] Preferably, the height of the porous element is higher than the height of the heater, and the ratio between the height of the heater and the height of the porous element is between 30% and 60%, which improves the ability of the liquid insecticide impregnating the porous element to evaporate more uniformly, i.e., from start to finish.

[0013] This improvement relates to the gradual redistribution of the pesticide within the porous element during evaporation. Exposing more of the porous element area to heat allows for a more effective ability to evaporate all of the pesticide consistently and energy efficiently.

[0014] Additionally, the heater is preferably located at a central position relative to the height of the porous element.

[0015] The device for evaporating a volatile substance according to the present invention may also comprise a reflective element disposed around the heater.

[0016] Advantageously, the porous element is mounted on a support which allows correct positioning of the porous element, for example through longitudinal ribs.

[0017] Furthermore, the heater preferably has a variable heating power, which increases gradually. For this purpose, the heater is connected to a power source, for example a battery, and to a control unit which determines the power provided to the heater, which increases gradually. This gradual heating is intended to compensate for the decrease in evaporation of the active ingredient.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably the diameter of the porous element is comprised between 4 mm and 8 mm, and there is an air gap between the porous element and the heater comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0019] These values are not merely design options but provide optimal operation of the device according to the present invention, as increasing them results in less energy efficiency and decreasing them results in less energy transfer and evaporation efficiency.

[0020] For a better understanding of what is disclosed, some drawings are presented which show, diagrammatically and merely as a non-limiting example, practical cases of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an apparatus for evaporating volatile materials according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The device for evaporating volatile substances according to the invention comprises a porous element 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is a porous cylindrical element made of fibers with an absorption capacity of more than 100% by weight.

[0023] This porous element 1 is impregnated with a product containing a volatile substance, and it should be pointed out that the porous element 1 is not in contact with a liquid, as is usual in some devices for evaporating volatile substances, but rather incorporates the product into the porous element 1.

[0024] The device for evaporating volatile substances according to the invention also comprises, according to the embodiment shown, a heater 2 which also has a cylindrical shape, and which may be, for example, ceramic.

[0025] Preferably, the diameter of the porous element is comprised between 4 mm and 8 mm, and there is an air gap between the porous element and the heater comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0026] These values are not merely design options but provide optimal operation of the device according to the present invention, as increasing them results in less energy efficiency and decreasing them results in less energy transfer and evaporation efficiency.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the height of the heater 2 and the length of the porous element 1 is between 30% and 50%, for example 40%, with the porous element 1 being longer than the heater 2, as shown in Figure 1. This ratio ensures optimal use of products containing volatile substances in the porous element 1, since their concentration in the porous element 1 reduces the time for redistribution within the porous element 1 by capillary action.

[0028] Furthermore, the heater 2 only surrounds the central part of the porous element 1, i.e. it is not located on the top side of the porous element 1. This allows more product to be delivered to the central part of the porous element 1 by capillary action.

[0029] The porous element 1 is designed to be used for a limited, predetermined period of time. By way of example only, the weight of volatile material in the porous element 1 is in the range of 2 grams for evaporation of 100 mg / h over 20 hours.

[0030] In addition, the porous element 1 is attached to a support 3 which presses against the porous element 1 during use so that the correct evaporation rate is achieved. The support 3 may be made of an elastic material to apply this pressure to the porous element 1.

[0031] Furthermore, the porous element 1 is pressurized during the impregnation process when the product containing the volatile substance is applied to the porous element 1, and when the pressure is released, very fast impregnation of the porous element 1 is obtained.

[0032] Additionally, heater 2 is designed to provide a gradual increase in heating to compensate for the natural decrease in evaporation due to lower levels of volatile material in porous element 1. The profile of this increase in heating will be adjusted during product development and will depend on the evaporation and viscosity of the insecticide formulation, the properties of the porous element, and the construction and size of the heater. For example, for a 20 mm long heating element, using a 45 mm polyester fiber wick, the heating temperature will vary from 110°C to 140°C in a linear pattern, maintaining an evaporation rate between 87 mg / h and 91 mg / h.

[0033] To increase the heating of the porous element 1 , the device for evaporating volatile substances according to the invention can also comprise a reflective element 4 arranged around the heater 2 .

[0034] Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the described device is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalents without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Porous elements 2 heaters 3 Support 4. Reflective elements

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for evaporating a volatile material, comprising: a porous element (1) impregnated with a product containing said volatile substance; a heater (2) for heating the porous element (1) to evaporate the volatile material; An apparatus comprising: A device characterized in that said porous element (1) and said heater (2) have a cylindrical shape, said heater (2) being arranged around said porous element (1).

2. 2. The device for evaporating volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein the height of the porous element (1) is greater than the height of the heater (2), and the ratio between the height of the heater (2) and the height of the porous element (1) is between 30% and 60%.

3. 3. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to claim 2, wherein the heater (2) is arranged in a central position relative to the height of the porous element (1).

4. 4. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device also comprises a reflective element (4) arranged around the heater (2).

5. 5. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porous element (1) is attached to a support (3) that presses against the porous element (1).

6. 6. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to claim 5, wherein the support (3) is made of an elastic material.

7. 7. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heater (2) has a variable heating capacity, which increases gradually.

8. 8. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diameter of the porous element (1) is comprised between 4 mm and 8 mm.

9. 9. A device for evaporating volatile substances according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there is an air gap between the porous element (1) and the heater (2) comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

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