Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~58~73
Electrical apparatus_for vaporizing of active substances
The invention relates to an apparatus for vaporizing active
substances, perfumes or similar volatile substances,
consisting of a housing comprising an electrical heating
means and a container for the liquid to be vaporized which
is connectable to the housing and in which a wick or the
like is mounted by means of which the liquid is supplied to
the heating means, and the wick passes through the heating
means at a through passage adapted to the wick, the heating
means further consisting of a ceramic heating body with an
electrical heating coil let into said body.
Such apparatuses are known in the art.
The known apparatuses are disadvantageous in many respects.
In particular, the constructional form is very complicated
because a great number of individual parts have to be
assembled together and these parts are technically
complicated to manufacture. A further disadvantage is that
in the known apparatuses according to the preamble the
heating body is formed as circular disc which has a centre
hole serving to receive the wick end. The heating coil is
inserted bent into the ceramic heating body, following the
shape thereof, and this leads firstly to assembly
difficulties and secondly makes a properly located
supplying and arrangement of the heating coil in the
heating body extremely difficult. Moreover, due to the
necessarily provided bending of the heating coil the
distance between the individual convolution flights of the
heating coil on the inside is relatively very small but on
the outside relatively large and this results in an
ununiform heating load which is detrimental to the life of
the heating coil. Furthermore, in the known apparatuses
2~5~73
the wick configuration iq disadvantageous because the
proper supply of liquid from the container to the heating
means is not always ensured, as practical experience ha~
shown.
Proceeding from this prior art, the problem underlying the
invention is to provide an apparatus of the type according
to the preamble which with simple production has high
functional reliability and a long life.
To solve this problem it is proposed that the heating body
comprises a recess extending tangentiall~ to its through
passage which is made rectilinear and into which the
heating coil is inserted and which is filled with potting
composition, the electrical leads of the heating coil being
led out of the heating body substantially coaxially to the
heating coil.
This configuration achieves that the heating body itself is
simpler to make than hitherto and in particular also a
uniform heat load is obtained after the proper arrangement
of the heating coil. The arrangement of the heating coil
itself involves no problems at all because said coil can be
inserted into the rectilinear recess and finally fixed
there by potting or casting composition. It is of course
also possible instead of the single arrangement of a
heating coil to arrange two heating coils extending for
example parallel to each other on either side of the
through passage in the surface of the heating body, the
latter then having to have two parallel recesses for this
purpose. The ceramic composition of the heating body
itself effects the heat conduction and thus a uniform
distribution within the entire heating body of the heat
produced by the heating coil so that the through passage is
heated largely uniformly and thus a uniform emission of
~:
,
.
2~973
1 aromatic substance from the wick end disposed in the
through passage can be achieved.
A preferred further development is seen in that the heating
body is a substantially triangular flat disc, the through
passage is formed extending transversely to the area extent
of the disc near one tip thereof and near the edge opposite
said tip the recess for the heating coil is arranged.
This configuration is firstly compact and secondly saves
material and as a result a more economical configuration is
obtained hhilst retaining the advantage of assembly and
efficiency.
A preferred further development is seen in that the heating
coil has a length corresponding substantially to the
diameter of the through passage.
In a particularly preferred further development the leads
are electrically connected within the recess to the
terminal ends of the heating coil, the connection points
are covered like the heating coil with potting composition
and the insulated leads are led out of the heating body.
This ensures that the electrically uninsulated connecting
points are insulated by the potting composition itself so
that outside the heating body only insulated leads are
disposed.
S0 To achieve uniform supply of liquid from the container to
the heating means, it is proposed that the wick consists of
a plurality of textile individual filaments which extend
parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the
wick and which are held together and surrounded by a tube-
like fabric sheath, the individual filaments projecting
beyond the fabric sheath at both wick ends.
,:
2~5~73
This configuration ensures on the one hand an improved and
permanent liquid supply from the container to the heating
means and on the other hand the tube-like fabric sheath can
be severed to a greater or lesser extent both at the
container-side end of the wick and at the heating-side end
of the wick so that a varying degree of opening of the
individual filaments of the wick at the two ends is
possible.
~ further preferred embodiment i5 seen in that the housing
consists of two half shells, one of which forms the housing
base with container connection means and the other of which
forms the housing top, the heating means being held clamped
between the two.
This arrangement facilitates production and assembly and is
in addition a configuration having cost advantages.
If the apparatus is constructed as plug-type apparatus it
is advantageous if the leads are led to a connector plug
mounted for limited relation between the edges of the
housing half shells.
a5
In a further development in which the apparatus is used as
standing apparatus and consequently a longer connection
cable is required for connection to a corresponding socket,
it is preferably provided that the leads are surrounded by
an insulating sheath, led in zig-zag manner round pins
projecting from the housing base to the housing top, and
emerge radially from the housing.
By the zig-zag path through the housing pins a tension
relief is achieved of the connecting cable (by the
insulating sheath surrounding the leads) without additional
2~8973
1 screw or other securing means being necessary for this
purpose.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the container
is provided at the wick outlet opening with an outer
threaded neck which can be screwed into a corresponding
threaded recess of the base.
It is particularly preferred that on the neck of the
container lying at the rear in the screw-in direction of
the thread an encircling ring rib is formed and an annular
groove is formed at the front in the threaded recess of the
housing, the ring rib engaging in the annular groove when
the container is in the screwed-in desired position.
With this construction a detent securing is achieved which
ensures that the user can perceivably set the desired end
position of the container and housing with respect to each
other. When screwing the container into the housing,
firstly a rotation is effected within the thread flights
until the ring rib reaches the region in which the annular
groove is disposed. The ring rib, which preferably
projects slightly beyond the thread configuration, then
engages lockingly into the correspondingly formed annular
groove so that a defined end position is set which
additionally forms a certain children's safety lock.
It is of course also possible to provide conventional
children-proof safety means for the coupling of container
and housing.
A possible variant is seen in that the bottom of the
container forms the standing base of the apparatus.
'
`- 2~5~973
1 A possibly preferred variant resides in that the side walls
of the housing base are formed to project beyond the bottom
surface of the container.
'
It is preferred here that when the container is in the
screw-in desired position between the container outer wall
and the inner wall of the housing base an air gap is formed
which opens into corresponding through openings of the
housing.
It is of course also advantageous for the side walls of the
housing base bearing on the bottom to have in the bottom
area recesses for the entrv of air, or for the housing
itself to have holes or the li~e in the region of the base
as well for the purpose of air supply.
Examples of embodiment of the invention are illustrated in
; the drawings and will be described in detail hereinafter.
:,
In the drawings
Fig. l shows a first embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention in side elevation;
Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment turned through 90;
Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus according to Fig. l
seen from above;
Fig. 4 shows individual parts of the apparatus in the
view according to Fig. 2;
~ Fig. 5 shows the individual parts in the view according
- to Fig. l;
Fig. 6 shows a component in the view according to Fig. l
. . ~
~ .
: ~
'
:
.
- -
2~8~73
1 with the container screwed in;
Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment in side view,
partially sectioned;
Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 in section seen
from above;
Fig. 9 shows a detail in side elevation;
Fig. lO shows a detail in plan elevation.
The electrical apparatus for vaporizing active substances,
perfumes and the like volatile substances consists
essentially of a housing l having an electrical heating
means 2 and a container 3 for the liquid to be vaporized
which is connectable to the housing 1. Mounted in the
container 3 is a wick 4 by means of which the liquid is
supplied from the container 3 to the heating means 2. The
wick 4 passes through the heating means 2 at a through
passage 5 adapted to the wick. The heating means 2
consists of a ceramic heating body 6 with an electrical
heating coil 7 let into said body. As apparent in
particular from Figure lO, the heating body 2 comprises a
recess 8 which extends tangentially to its through passage
5 and is made rectilinear and into which the heating coil 7
is inserted likewise rectilinearly. When the components
are in the desired position the recess 8 is filled with
potting composition so that a closed heating body 2 results
as is apparent for example from Figure 8. The electrical
leads 9 of the heating coil 7 are led out of the heating
body 2 substantially coaxially to the heating coil 7. In a
preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings the
heating body 2 is formed by a substantially triangular flat
disc, near the one tip of which, which is flattened in the
example of embodiment, the through passage is formed
' .
~ - ~
~$~3
l extending transversely to the surface longitudinal extent
of the disc. Near the edge of the disc opposite said tip
the recess 8 for the heating coil 7 is formed. The heating
coil 7 has a length substantially corresponding to the
diameter of the through passage 5. Within the recess 8 the
leads 9 are electrically connected to the terminal ends 10
of the heating coil 7, the connecting points being covered
like the heating coil 7 with the potting composition. The
insulated connecting conductors or leads 9 are led out of
the heating body 2. The configuration of the wick 4 is
preferably such that a plurality of textile individual
filaments e~tending parallel to each other in the
longitudinal direction of the wick are held together and
surrounded by a tube-like fabric sheath, the indi~idual
filaments projecting beyond the fabric sheath at both wick
ends.
; As apparent in particular from Figures 4, 5 and 7, the
housing 1 consists of two half shells 11, 12, one (12) of
which is formed as housing base with container connecting
means and the other (11) of which forms the housing top,
the heating means 2 being clamped between the two housing
parts. The leads 9 in the example of embodiment according
to Figures 1 to 3 are led to a connector plug 13 held for
limited rotational movement between the edges of the
housing half shells 11, 12. The connector plug is
rotatable so that it can be aligned firstly in the position
according to the drawings and secondly in a position turned
through 90.
As apparent in particular from Fig. 8, the leads 9 are
surrounded by an insulating sheath and are led round pins
14 projecting from the housing base 12 to the top 11 and
emerge radially from the housing 1. Due to the zig-zag
` 35 shaped guiding via the pins 14 a tension relief of the lead
cable is achieved.
,
8~73
As apparent in particular frorn Figures 6 and 7, the
container 3 is provided at the wick outlet opening with an
externally threaded neck 15 which can be screwed into a
corresponding threaded recess 16 of the base 12. In the
example of embodiment according to Figures 4 to 6, on the
neck of the container 3 at the rear in the screw-in
direction of the thread 15 an encircling ring rib 17 is
provided whilst in the threaded recess 16 of the housing a
ring groove 18 is formed at the front. When the parts are
in the screwed-in desired position as sho~n in Figure 6,
the ring rib 17 is lockingly engaged into the annular
groove 18. As a result, a perceivable resistance is formed
which on the one hand defines the screwed-in desired
position and on the other represents a resistance against
screwing out ~child-proof securing). Optionally, the
bottom 3 of the container may be formed as standing surface
of the entire apparatus 1. However, in the example of
embodiment according to Figure 7 the side walls of the
housing base 12 are made to project beyond the bottom face
of the container 3, and by overhangs of the housing side
wall edge air supply means are formed. The air supply,
which takes place at the bottom at the housing base 12, can
be through holes or gaps 19 and 20 in the housing base or
top. It is of course possible for the holes or gaps 19, 20
to be arranged in uniform distribution.
The invention is also not restricted to the examples of
embodiment but can be varied in many ways within the scope
of the disclosure.
All the new single and combination features disclosed in
the description and/or drawings are considered essential to
the invention.
. ~' '
