EP1838357A1

EP1838357A1 - Deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments

Info

Publication number: EP1838357A1
Application number: EP06727237A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Freddi
Original assignee: Evifill Srl
Current assignee: Evifill Srl
Priority date: 2005-01-18
Filing date: 2006-01-17
Publication date: 2007-10-03
Also published as: WO2006087610A8; WO2006087610A1

Abstract

A deodorizing device (1) for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments, comprising a case (2) which contains a deodorizing substance (D) and is provided with at least one portion (4) which is permeable to the vapors of the deodorizing substance and is adapted to be struck by the stream of air (F) that flows out of a vent (B) at a, region where a pressure drop occurs due to the reduction in cross- section determined by the placement of the case on the outflow front of the stream.

Description

DEODORIZING DEVICE FOR ENVIRONMENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS Technical Field

The present invention relates to a deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments. Background Art

Various types of deodorizing devices used to dispense fragrances and/or absorb odors in environments, such as automotive vehicle passenger compartments, are known. In particular, in the field of car accessories, in view of the increasing attention of customers to caring for their cars, various solutions of deodorizing device have been developed.

A first type of known deodorizing device is constituted by a pouch which contains a scented and/or odor-absorbing substance in the form of powder, granules, pearls or the like, which must be poured into the ashtray provided in the passenger compartment and replaced periodically.

This solution is scarcely practical, since during the transfer from the package to the ashtray the substance may be spilled.

Further, the effect produced inside the passenger compartment is rather limited, in view of the fact that the ashtray is normally closed and the scented substance is gradually covered by trash, ash and cigarette tabs.

Moreover, the need to empty the ashtray frequently in order to maintain a good level of cleanliness and hygiene in the passenger compartment entails wasting substantial quantities of the substance, therefore making it rather onerous to use this solution.

A second type provides for deodorizing devices designed to be hung in the passenger compartment, generally at the rear-view mirror.

In a first case, these devices consist substantially of a piece of absorbent card impregnated with fragrance, which over time releases said fragrance through its opposite breathable surfaces. When the entire scented substance has evaporated, the card no longer performs its function and therefore must be replaced.

The use of these cards, in addition to being potentially annoying and dangerous, since they may reduce visibility or at least distract the driver, is sometimes not appreciated by motorists, since it is believed that they penalize the aesthetics of the passenger compartment.

One must in fact consider that these cards must be sized with sufficiently large surfaces in order to ensure a duration thereof which is convenient for users. Moreover, if any children carried in the car come into contact with the scented substance and then ingest it, for example by bringing to their mouth a hand with which they have touched the card, health-damaging effects can occur.

Further, the amount of fragrance diffused within the passenger compartment is absolutely not controllable, decreases over time and is greatly affected by weather conditions (temperature, humidity, etc).

Moreover, from the point of view of manufacturers, the need to make these cards pleasant for users and to differentiate the products that originate from the various manufacturers has caused them to be given the most disparate shapes, increasing the complexity of their manufacture and increasing considerably the generation of production waste.

As an alternative, such hanging devices can have a container which is constituted by a thermoformed tray closed by a breathable membrane, which in turn is protected by a peel-off film, inside which a dose of scented substance in liquid or gelatinous form is enclosed.

For activation, the user must remove at least partially the peel-off film so as to expose the breathable membrane.

Although this device is more compact, it has substantially the same drawbacks noted above with reference to scented cards, in addition to being rather expensive. Another type of known deodorizing device consists of a bottle which contains a liquid scented substance and is provided with a mouth which is associated with a fragrance diffusion chamber which accommodates a wick, which is partly immersed in the substance and partly protrudes into such chamber.

The bottle is usually provided on the back with a fork for fastening to the grille provided on one of the air vents available on the dashboard of the vehicle, so that the device is arranged in front of such vent.

Said vents are in fact provided with protective grilles and with one or more adjustment elements, which can be controlled manually or automatically and can be fixed in a chosen position in order to vary the flow rate and/or the direction of said flow. In particular, adjustment valves of the shutter-like rotating type are known which are constituted by flat vanes which are pivoted to said vent so that they can assume different arrangements with respect to the outflow direction of the air stream.

If the ventilation system is operating, the air stream that flows out of the vent facilitates the diffusion of the fragrance within the passenger compartment, passing through the diffusion chamber, which is appropriately perforated. Although this device is rather effective, it has drawbacks, due to the fact that it is relatively complicated to manufacture and is therefore considerably more expensive than the devices described above.

Moreover, once applied it remains conspicuous, altering the harmony and the aesthetics of the dashboard of the automotive vehicle, and for this reason it is not appreciated by some motorists. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of known devices, by providing a deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments, which allows to increase effectiveness with respect to known devices and to control the diffusion of fragrance within the environments to be deodorized. Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device which is compact and has reduced dimensions, so as to be scarcely conspicuous and not penalize the aesthetics of the environment in which it is applied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is easy to apply and use and also safe for users.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which has a simple structure, is relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by the present deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments, characterized in that it comprises a case which contains a deodorizing substance and is provided with at least one portion which is permeable to the vapors of such deodorizing substance and is adapted to be struck by the stream of air that flows out of a vent at a region where a pressure drop occurs due to the reduction in cross-section determined by the placement of the case on the outflow front of said stream. Brief description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device of Figure 1, with the case open and the cartridge removed from said case; Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a view of the device of Figure 4, applied to a vent;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the device of Figure 6, with the case open and the cartridge extracted from said case; Figure 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the device of

Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the device of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a view of the device of Figure 9 applied to a vent; Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a device according to the invention, provided with flow control means according to a first embodiment;

Figure 12 is a schematic transverse sectional view of a device according to the invention provided with flow control means in a second embodiment;

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the a cartridge used in the device according to the invention;

Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the cartridge used in the device according to the invention; Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention, provided with a valve for adjusting a vent;

Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the vent of Figure 15.

Ways of carrying out the Invention With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments.

The device 1 comprises a case 2, which contains a deodorizing substance D, for example a scented and/or odor-absorbing substance, and means 3 for fastening said case to a vent B at the outflow side of an air stream F.

Conveniently, the case 2 is provided with at least one portion 4 which is permeable to the vapors of the deodorizing substance D, which during use is struck by the air stream F at a region where a pressure drop occurs due to the reduction in cross-section produced by the placement of the case 2 on the outflow front of said stream.

As it is known, a pressure drop occurs at a constriction of the useful passage section of an air stream and is compensated, in order to keep the flow-rate constant, by an increase in the speed of such stream. This pressure drop allows to draw through the permeable portion 4 the vapors of the deodorizing substance D, optimizing the effectiveness of the device 1 with respect to known devices.

According to the invention, the device 1 in fact utilizes the particular arrangement on the outflow front of the air stream F from the vent B in order to increase the amount of vapors of deodorizing substance D conveyed by said stream into the space to be deodorized, allowing, for an equal deodorizing effectiveness with respect to a known device, to reduce the extent of the permeable portion 4 and therefore the overall dimensions of the device 1 or, for equal dimensions, to increase the resulting deodorizing effect.

The device 1 can be applied advantageously to vents of the type provided conventionally on the dashboards of automotive vehicle, or in room ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

In Figures 5 and 10, the device 1 is shown with the engagement means 3 applied to an orientable vane A of the type generally provided at the vent B; conveniently, in this manner the case 2 is arranged tangentially with respect to the direction of the air stream F.

As an alternative, the device 1 can be provided with engagement means 3 which can be applied, for example, to a protective grille of the type usually provided at the vent B; in this case, the position of the case 2 remains fixed as the orientation of the air stream F (adjusted by means of the vane A) changes.

The case 2, the corresponding permeable portion 4 and the amount of deodorizing substance D introduced in said case are conveniently sized depending on the volume of the environment to be deodorized.

The case 2 is substantially box-like and is provided with two mutually opposite and preferably parallel faces 2a adapted, during use, to be struck by the air stream F; the permeable portion 4 is arranged at at least one of the faces 2a. In the illustrated embodiments, the faces 2a are adapted to constitute the top and bottom walls of the case 2 in the configuration for use and are connected by a perimetric band which forms two front walls, a front one and a rear one, respectively 2b and 2c, and two side walls 2d.

The case 2 can be flat, so as to be interposed between the vanes A provided in the vent B without being particularly conspicuous, and can be elongated or rounded in order to adapt to the particular shape of the vanes.

If the case is rounded, the walls 2b and 2c are curved.

The engagement means 3 are provided with a substantially elastic fork 5, which protrudes from the wall 2c and the prongs 5 a of which preferably have rounded ends so as to reduce the load losses experienced by the air stream F which strikes them.

The fork 5 and the case 2 are provided monolithically.

Preferably, the deodorizing substance D is in the form of a replaceable cartridge 6 and the case 2 is provided with a seat 7 for inserting said cartridge; therefore, the device 1 can be used for an economically δ convenient period of time simply by replacing the cartridge 6, optionally changing the type of deodorizing substance D inside it.

Preferably, the cartridge 6 can be inserted substantially snugly within the seat 7. The case 2 can be openable; in this case, the case 2 is constituted by a tray 8 associated with an openable lid 9.

The tray 8 is delimited by one of the faces 2a, which constitutes the back wall thereof, and by the walls 2b, 2c and 2d, while the lid 9 is arranged at the other one of the faces 2a. The lid 9 can be associated with the tray 8 by interlocking or articulately about one of its sides.

Of course, alternative embodiments of the case 2 are not excluded in which the lid 9 is arranged differently or associated differently with the tray

8 or in which there are, for example, two panels which are arranged at the faces 2a and are detachably associated with the perimetric band formed by the walls 2b, 2c and 2d.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the case 2 has the lid 9 arranged above the tray 8, which can be opened upward, and the permeable portion 4 is formed in the back wall of the latter.

In a second embodiment of the device 1, shown in Figures 6 to 10, the case 2 has the lid 9 arranged below the tray 8 and openable downwards; in this case, the permeable portion 4 is associated with the lid 9.

It should be noted that in this second embodiment the wall 2b is beveled, so as to further reduce the visual impact produced by the device 1 on the contour of the vent B to which it is applied.

The permeable portion 4 comprises at least one opening 10, which is formed at the bottom of the tray 8 and/or in the lid 9.

The opening 10 can have an elongated shape and can run along the longitudinal direction of the case 2. As an alternative, it is possible to provide a plurality of openings 10 which are arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the case 2 or are constituted by holes.

Advantageously, the device is provided with flow control means 11, which can be actuated by the user, are associated with the permeable portion 4, and are adapted to adjust the flow-rate of the vapors of deodorizing substance D that flow out through said portion.

The flow control means 11 have an element for controlling flow through the permeable portion 4 which can be accessed from the outside of the case.

In an embodiment shown in Figure 11, the flow control element is constituted by a plate 12, which is contoured so as to be approximately S- shaped and is articulated at its central portion inside the face 2a associated with the permeable portion 4 and has a portion 12a which protrudes from a slot 13 formed in one of the side walls 2d for actuation of its rotation on the part of the user.

In the device 1 of Figure 11, the permeable portion 4 is associated with the wall 2a which forms the bottom of the tray 8 and is constituted by two elongated openings 10 which are mutually aligned along the longitudinal direction of the case 2 and lie on opposite sides of the pivoting point of the plate 12; each one of the two mutually opposite arms of the plate 12 "sweeps" one of the openings 10 and, depending on its angular position, blocks it to a greater or smaller extent, adjusting the flow-rate of vapors of the deodorizing substance D that flow out from the case 2. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 14, the flow control element is constituted by a pivot 14, which is provided with one or more notches 15 in a diametrical direction and is accommodated so that it can rotate within a corresponding receptacle 16 which is formed in the tray 8 at the permeable portion 4, which is constituted by one or more openings 10 connected to said receptacle. The pivot 14 is provided with a tab which protrudes from the receptacle and can be accessed by the user in order to turn it so as to adjust the flow of vapors of deodorizing substance D through the opening or openings 10. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the flow control element can further be associated slidingly with the case 2 at the permeable portion 4.

The cartridge 6 is constituted by an enclosure 17, which contains the deodorizing substance D in liquid, gelatinous, powder, grain, pearl or other form and is closed by a breathable membrane 18 which is adapted to face the permeable portion 4.

The enclosure 17 is preferably obtained by thermoforming and is provided in an upper region with a flat rim 17a to which the membrane 18 is heat-sealed. Conveniently, the cartridge 6 is provided with a peel-off film 19, which is detachably associated so as to cover the membrane 18.

The film 19 is provided with a tab 20 for grip and removal by the user.

It should be noted that in the device 1 shown in Figures 6-10, the rim 17a is partially accommodated between the perimetric edge of the tray 8 and the lid 9, instead of being accommodated completely within the tray, so as to reduce the protrusion of the device according to the invention with respect to the vent B to which it is applied.

In a first embodiment (Figure 13), the film 19 is provided with a portion which covers the membrane 18 and is associated with the tab 20 and must be removed before positioning the cartridge 6 within the seat 7.

In another embodiment (Figure 14), the tab 20 is substantially longer than the longitudinal extension of the film 19 and is folded back onto said film. The cartridge 6 is therefore inserted in the seat 7 with the film 19 still applied so that the tab 20 protrudes partially through a slot provided in the case 2, so that it can be extracted from the outside of the case.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the case 2 is open at one of the side walls 2d and is crossed by a longitudinal seat 7 which is blind at the other side wall and in which the cartridge 6 is inserted slidingly.

The seat 7 has a transverse cross-section which substantially matches the cross-section of the cartridge 6.

Preferably, the cartridge has a portion, constituted for example by a flap of the rim 17a, which protrudes from the seat 7 for grip, insertion and extraction by the user.

With reference to Figures 15 to 16, the device according to the invention comprises an adjustment valve 21 for room vents.

The vent B is provided, at the outflow front of the air stream F, with a plurality of conventional adjustment valves, which are constituted by respective vanes A, which can be preferably oriented, and with a valve 21 of the device according to the invention.

The valve 21 can be applied during the production of the vent B or can be fitted at an existing vent B as a replacement of a vane A.

The number and distribution of the valves 21 at the vent B can of course vary depending on the dimensions of the vent, on the volume of the environment to be ventilated and deodorized, and on other contingent requirements.

The valve 21 has a vane 22 which is preferably flat and arranged at the outflow front of the air stream F from the vent B so as to cut the stream transversely.

The valve 21 comprises at least one case 2, which contains a deodorizing substance D, which is for example scented and/or odor- absorbent, and is provided with at least one portion 4 which is permeable to the vapors of such substance and is rigidly associated with the vane 22. Preferably, the case 2 is formed monolithically in the vane 22 so as to constitute a single body and is connected thereto without discontinuities.

Therefore, the vane 22 is constituted by an elongated body which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped.

The portion of the vane 22 which faces the air stream F can be contoured appropriately so as to reduce the resistance offered to such stream.

The case 2 is adapted to be arranged at the outflow front of the air stream F so that the permeable portion 4 is struck by said stream at a region where a pressure drop occurs due to the reduction in cross-section determined by the placement of said case on said outflow front.

The valve 21 can be applied advantageously to vents B of the type provided conventionally on dashboards of automotive vehicles, or in room ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Preferably, the vane 22 is associated with the walls of the vent B, optionally by interposing a protective grille, not shown, so that it can be oriented, so as to be able to vary the direction of the air stream F in output from said vent.

The inclination of the vane 22 can be changed manually or automatically, as it is already known for the vanes A. The case 2 is substantially box-shaped and is provided with at least one face which, during use, is struck by the air stream F at which the breathable portion 4 is arranged.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are two faces, which are adapted to constitute the upper and lower walls of the case 2 in the active configuration and are connected by a perimetric band.

Preferably, the deodorizing substance D is in the form of a replaceable cartridge 6 and the case 2 is provided with a seat 7 for the insertion of the cartridge.

Conveniently, the case 2 comprises an openable side, which is arranged so as to face the environment to be ventilated and can be accessed by a user for inserting and removing the cartridge 6; in this case, the case 2 is constituted by a tray 8, which is delimited by the mutually opposite faces struck by the air stream F and by part of the perimetric band and is associated with a removable lid 9 which is arranged at the openable side. The permeable portion 4 comprises at least one opening 10, which is provided at at least one of the mutually opposite faces struck by the air stream.

Advantageously, the valve 21 can be provided with flow control means, not shown. The longitudinal extension of the case 2 can be comparable with the extension of the vane 22 or smaller; in this last case, it is possible to provide a plurality of cases 2 which contain respective cartridges 6, distributed along said vane.

In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed aim and objects.

In particular, the device according to the invention allows to maximize and control, independently of the environmental conditions, the resulting deodorizing effect with a solution which is simple, compact and cheap both for manufacturers and for users. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the protective scope of the appended claims.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No. MO2005A000008 and MO2005A000055, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A deodorizing device for environments, particularly for automotive vehicle passenger compartments, characterized in that it comprises a case which contains a deodorizing substance and is provided with at least one portion which is permeable to the vapors of said deodorizing substance and is adapted to be struck by the stream of air that flows out of a vent at a region where a pressure drop occurs due to the reduction in cross-section determined by the placement of the case on the outflow front of said stream.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for engaging said case to said vent at the outflow side of the air stream.

3. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case is substantially box-like and comprises at least one face which is adapted to be struck by said air stream, the permeable portion being arranged at said face.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said deodorizing substance is in the form of a replaceable cartridge and said case comprises a seat for the insertion of said cartridge.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said cartridge can be inserted substantially snugly within said seat.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge comprises an enclosure which contains said deodorizing substance and is closed by a breathable membrane which is adapted to face said permeable portion.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge comprises a peel-off film which is detachably associated so as to cover said breathable membrane.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge comprises a user grip tab associated with said film.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tab is substantially longer than the longitudinal extension of said film and is folded onto said film.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case comprises a slot for the insertion of a portion of said tab and for its extraction after placing said cartridge within said case.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case can be opened.

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case comprises a tray associated with a lid.

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lid is articulately associated with said tray.

14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case comprises two of said faces which are adapted to be struck by said air stream and are mutually opposite, the permeable portion being arranged at at least one of said faces.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said lid is arranged at one of said mutually opposite faces.

16. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said permeable portion comprises at least one opening.

17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening is elongated.

18. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises flow control means which are associated with said permeable portion and are adapted to adjust the flow-rate of vapors of said deodorizing substance which are aspirated through said portion.

19. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control means comprise a flow control element for said permeable portion which can be accessed from the outside of said case.

20. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control element is articulately associated with said case.

21. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control element is slidingly associated with said case.

22. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control element comprises a pivot provided with at least one notch in a substantially diametrical direction, which is inserted so that it can rotate in a receptacle which is associated with said case at said permeable portion.

23. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement means comprise at least one substantially elastic fork.

24. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the prongs of said fork have rounded ends.

25. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case is substantially flat and rounded.

26. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case is substantially flat and elongated.

27. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement means and said case are formed monolithically.

28. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement means are adapted to be applied to an orientable vane provided at said vent.

29. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement means are adapted to be applied to a protective grill provided at said vent.

30. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an adjustment valve for said vent which comprises a vane which is adapted to be arranged at the outflow front of the air stream and is rigidly associated with said case.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that said case is formed monolithically with said vane.

32. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case is connected to said vane without discontinuities.

33. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case comprises an openable side, which is arranged so as to face the environment to be ventilated.

34. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said case comprises a tray which is associated with a detachable lid arranged at said openable side.

35. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lid is associated articulately or by pressure with said openable side.