US1864980A - Vapobizeb - Google Patents

Description

F. J. CURRAN June 28, 1932.

VAPORIZER Filed Sept. 6. 1930 which is formed by impregnating a Patented 28, 1932 PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS J'. CURRAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS VAIPCRIZEB Application aleaseptember e, 1930. serial No. 480,035.

This invention relates to a vaporizer and more particularly to such a device'having special utility in the treatment of colds and other infections of the nose and throat. It isjalso 5 well adapted to function as a disinfecting or deodorizing device.

In my copending application Serial No. 307,342, filed September 20, 1928, there is disclosed a disinfecting and deodorizin device lock of light, porous, fibrous material, such as, balsa wood, with a volatile deodorizing or disinecting agent. Usually, a gum or resin is combined with the volatile substance to retard the rate at which the volatile substance is emitted from the block. I have now discovered that I can form a vaporizer adapted to be used as a disinfecting or deodorizing device, or in the treatment of colds, by imat pregnating a block of fibrous material as disclosed in my above identified application, with a volatile substance having disinfecting, deodorizing, or medicinal properties, the librous material being formed so as to be readily combined with a heater to vaporize and drive the volatile substances from the fibrous block. The vaporizer should, of course, be readily available for use and in order to provide for this, the fibrous block of a0 the vaporizer is made in the form of a cup so as to fit over an electric light bulb which supplies heat for vaporizingthevolatile substances in the block.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a vaporizer in the form of an impregnated fibrous block combined with a heating element.

It is a further object of this invention to w provide a vaporizer for treating colds by a become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

' Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing showing a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an imin Fi proved vaporizer of this invention, showing one form of the brous block emplo ed.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view o the imprgnated fibrous block of Figure 1.

igure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the fibrous block and lamp bulb of Figure 1, the block being shown in section.

Figure 41s a front elevation of a vaporizer of this invention employing a modified form of fibrous impregnated block, the block being shown in section.

In Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, which disclose one form of my invention, the vaporizer indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, is composed of a cup-shaped, porous wooden block 2, of balsa wood or the like which ts over and is supported upon a conventional electric lamp 3. The porous block 2 is impregnated with a mixture of a gum or resin and a volatile substance having medicinal properties, such as those employed in curing colds as, for instance, substances containing thymol, menthol, eucalyptus, or the like. It is to be understood, however, that the vaporizer may also be used as a disinfecting or deodorizing devlice, in which event, the block 2 would be impregnated with a volatile disinfecting or deodorizing agent; also that other heaters may be employed in place of the electric lamp shown, and the block shaped to conform to the contour of the heater.

The block illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inelusive, while it will function effectively in the vaporizer, is inclined to become charred, especially if a lamp of high Wattage is combined with the block. Furthermore, it sometimes happens that the volatile substances are driven from the block at too rapid a rate with the result that the block becomes ineffective for use after a relatively short period of time. The gums incorporated in the block with the volatile substances while they tend to retard the rate at which the volatile substances leave the block do not always accomplish this purpose in a satisfactory manner. For these reasons, I prefer to construct the vaporizer with a porous block as illustrated re 4. This block, indicated by the reference numeral 5, is impregnated with a gum and a volatile substance as defined above, and shaped to conform to a cup, so as to t over and be supported by the light bulb 8 of an electric lamp. In order to prevent charring of the block, the interior of the same is provided with a covering 6 of a heat resisting medium, such as, asbestos, or the like, adapted to Contact the surface of the light bulb. The top of the block 5 has a recess 7, forming a receptacle in which an amount of the volatile substance used for impregnating` the block may be placed. By such an arrangement, the block is continually supplied with the volatile substance desired, and its eective life substantially increased thereby. If it is desired, an amount of the volatile substances may be placed in an open container and the same set in the recess of the block 5. In that event, it would be unnecessary to supply recess 7 with the volatile substance.

When the vaporizer is to be used, the fibrous block is placed upon the bulb of a readily accessible electric lamp, and the current turned on. The volatile substance will thereupon be' driven from the block in the form of a vapor. It will thus be a preciated that my device affords a very simp e way for eilicaciously treating infectious conditions of the nose and throat, or for other purposes.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent ranted hereon otherwise than necessitated y the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A vaporizer forl use in treating colds comprising a block of balsa wood impregnated with a gum and a volatile substance having medicinal properties, and means for driving said substance from the block in the form of a vapor. v

2. A vaporizer for use in treating colds comprising a porous, hollow cup-shaped block of balsa wood impregnated with a volatile substance having medicinal properties, and a heater in said block for vaporizing said volatile substance.

3. A vaporizer for use in treating colds comprising a porous, hollow cup-shaped block of balsa Wood impregnated with a volatile substance having medicinal properties, and an electric light bulb positioned in and supporting the block and adapted, when energized, to drive the volatile substance from the block in the form of a vapor.

4. A vaporizer for use in treating colds comprising a porous, light, cup-shaped wooden block, impregnated with a gum and a volatile substance having medicinal properties, a coating of a heat resisting medium on the interior of the block, and a heater in the block for driving the volatile substance from the block.

5. A vaporizer comprising a porous, cupshaped block of balsa wood, impregnated with a gum and a volatile substance having medicinal properties, a coating of asbestos on the interior of the block, an electric light bulb positioned in and supporting the block and adapted, when energized, to drive the volatile substance from the block, the block having a recess in the top thereof for containing a supply of the volatile substance.

6. A vaporizerA for use in disinfecting deodorizing and the like, comprising a block of wood impregnated with a Volatile material, said block being adapted to fit over an electric light bulb and having a coating of an insulating material over the surface which comes in contact with said bulb.

7. A vaporizer comprising a hollow hemispherical piece of wood impregnated with a volatile material and having an insulating material on its inner surface, whereby the volatile material may be Vaporized by placli)nglr)said block of wood on an electric light 8. A vaporizer com rising a cup shaped block of wood treate with a volatile material, and lined on the inside with an insulating material, said block adapted to be placed on an electric light bulb to vvaporize said volatile material. 9. A vaporizer comprising a cup shaped block of balsa wood impregnated with Volatile material, and coated on its inner surface with an insulating material, and adapted to be placed over an electric light bulb whereby said volatile material will be vaporized.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

FRANCIS J. CURRAN.

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