WO2012140637A1

WO2012140637A1 - An evaporator and a vaporising device

Info

Publication number: WO2012140637A1
Application number: PCT/IE2012/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred Peter Oglesby
Original assignee: Oglesby & Butler Research & Development Limited
Priority date: 2011-04-13
Filing date: 2012-04-13
Publication date: 2012-10-18
Also published as: EP2696903A1

Abstract

An evaporator (2) for evaporating an aromatherapy oil comprises a body member (18) terminating in a plug element (20) and having a receptacle forming element (22) extending from the plug element (20). The receptacle forming element (22) defines a receptacle (23) for the aromatherapy oil. The plug element (20) is engageable with a heated socket (5) of a vaporising device (1). The heated socket (5) is formed in a housing (12) which is heated by a gas catalytic combustion element (13). A spigot accommodating bore (21) extending into the plug element (20) accommodates a heat transfer spigot (17) located in the heated socket (5). The plug element (20) engages the heated socket (5) and the spigot (17) with heat conducting engagement for transferring heat from the heated socket (5) to the receptacle (23) for evaporating the aromatherapy oil.

Description

"An evaporator and a vaporising device"

The present invention relates to an evaporator for evaporating a liquid, and in particular, though not limited to an evaporator for evaporating a volatile liquid, for example, a liquid comprising an essential oil an aromatherapy oil or the like. The invention also relates to a vaporising device comprising the evaporator, and the invention further relates to a method for evaporating a liquid, such as, for example, a volatile liquid comprising, for example, an essential oil, an aromatherapy oil or the like.

Evaporators for evaporating volatile liquids, such as essential oils, aromatherapy oils and the like are known. Such evaporators typically comprise a housing having an upper receptacle for the liquid to be evaporated. A cavity is located in the housing beneath the receptacle for accommodating a burner for heating the receptacle to in turn evaporate the liquid therefrom. The burner may be a candle, a tea light, or a mini gas burner. The candle, tea light or mini gas burner is located in the cavity within the housing and is lit to heat the receptacle, to in turn evaporate the liquid. While such evaporators produce sufficient heat to evaporate a liquid, such as an aromatherapy oil, they can be relatively slow to bring the receptacle, and in turn the liquid to a temperature at which evaporation of the liquid commences. This is a disadvantage of such devices.

There is therefore a need for an evaporator which addresses this problem. The present invention is directed towards providing such an evaporator, and the invention is also directed towards providing a vaporising device comprising the evaporator, and further, the invention is directed towards a method for evaporating a liquid. According to the invention there is provided an evaporator for evaporating a liquid, the evaporator comprising a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid, and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating vapour of the liquid from the receptacle, and terminating in an adaptor of heat conductive material configured to engage a heated socket with heat conducting engagement, and adapted to transfer heat from the heated socket to the receptacle.

Preferably, the vapour outlet is formed by an open mouth. Advantageously, the open mouth is configured to face in a generally upwardly direction when the evaporator is engaged in the heated socket.

In one embodiment of the invention the evaporator is adapted to engage a heated socket of a vaporising chamber of a vaporising device of the type disclosed in PCT published Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571.

Preferably, the adaptor is of circular transverse cross-section. Advantageously, the transverse cross-section of the adaptor is substantially similar to the internal transverse cross-section of the heated socket.

In one embodiment of the invention an elongated spigot accommodating bore extends into the adaptor, the spigot accommodating bore being adapted to accommodate a heat transfer spigot located in the heated socket. Preferably, the spigot accommodating bore extends in a generally axial direction into the adaptor. Advantageously, the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to engage the spigot in the heated socket with heat conducting engagement.

In one aspect of the invention the spigot accommodating bore extends coaxially with the adaptor. Preferably, the spigot accommodating bore is of transverse cross- section substantially similar to the transverse cross-section of the heat transfer spigot.

In another aspect of the invention the adaptor comprises a plug element. In another aspect of the invention the receptacle is of circular transverse cross- section. Preferably, the receptacle is coaxial with the adaptor.

In one embodiment of the invention the body member comprises a receptacle forming element, the receptacle forming element defining the receptacle. Preferably, the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor. Advantageously, the receptacle forming element extends coaxially with the adaptor. Ideally, the receptacle forming element defines the open mouth to the receptacle.

In one aspect of the invention the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor and terminates in the open mouth.

Preferably, the body member comprises a heat conductive material.

In one aspect of the invention the evaporator is adapted for evaporating a liquid comprising an essential oil.

In another aspect of the invention the evaporator is adapted for evaporating an aromatherapy oil.

The invention also provides a vaporising device comprising a socket, the socket being adapted to be heated, and an evaporator according to the invention with the adaptor thereof engaged in the socket for transferring heat from the socket to the body member.

Additionally the invention provides a vaporising device comprising a socket, the socket being adapted to be heated, and an evaporator, the evaporator comprising a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid, and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating vapour of the liquid from the receptacle, and terminating in an adaptor of heat conductive material, the adaptor being in heat conducting

engagement with the socket for transferring heat from the socket to the body member. In one embodiment of the invention a heating means is provided for heating the socket. Preferably, the vaporising device comprises a housing of heat conductive material, the socket being formed in the housing and extending therefrom, and the heating means being located in the housing. Advantageously, the housing defines a combustion chamber within which the heating means is located.

In one aspect of the invention the heating means comprises a gas catalytic combustion element. Alternatively, the heating means comprises an electrically powered heating means.

Further the invention provides a method for evaporating a liquid, the method comprising providing an evaporator which comprises a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating a vapour from the receptacle, providing the body member with an adaptor of heat conductive material, whereby the body member terminates in the adaptor, and configuring the adaptor to engage a heated socket with heat conducting engagement and to transfer heat to the receptacle from the heated socket. In one aspect of the invention the evaporator is adapted to engage a heated socket of a vaporising chamber of a vaporising device of the type disclosed in PCT published Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571.

In another aspect of the invention an elongated spigot accommodating bore is provided to extend into the adaptor, and the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to accommodate a heat transfer spigot located in the heated socket. Preferably, the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to engage the spigot in the heated socket with heat transfer engagement. The advantages of the invention are many. In particular, the evaporator according to the invention is efficient. It rapidly raises the temperature of the liquid to be evaporated to a temperature at which evaporation of the liquid commences, and secondly, it maintains the liquid at a relatively constant temperature during evaporation. The provision of the adaptor which is adapted to engage a heated socket with heat conducting engagement provides efficient heat transfer between the heated socket and the adaptor, which in turn results in efficient heat transfer to the receptacle forming element, and in turn to the liquid in the receptacle to be evaporated. The provision of the spigot accommodating bore in the adaptor provides for particularly efficient heat transfer from the heated socket to the receptacle forming element in cases where the heated socket is provided with a heat transfer spigot. By adapting the evaporator to be engageable with the socket of a vaporising device, a particularly efficient evaporator is provided.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vaporising device according to the invention comprising an evaporator also according to the invention for evaporating a liquid,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the vaporising device of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a partly cutaway and partly cross-sectional side elevational view of the vaporising device of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the evaporator of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the evaporator of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the evaporator of Fig. 4 on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the evaporator of Fig. 4, and Fig. 8 is an underneath plan view of the evaporator of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a vaporising device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , which comprises an evaporator also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 2, engaged in a heated socket 5 of the vaporising device 1 for heating and evaporating a liquid, for example, an essential oil, an aromatherapy oil or the like. In this embodiment of the invention the vaporising device 1 is of the type disclosed in PCT published Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571 with reference to Figs. 1 to 20 thereof, and would normally be suitable for vaporising vaporisable constituents of herbal matter for producing an aerosol thereof for inhaling. Since the vaporising device 1 and its use for vaporising vaporisable constituents of herbal matter is disclosed in published PCT Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571 , only those elements of the vaporising device 1 which co-operate with the evaporator 2 for evaporating liquid will be described.

Briefly, the vaporising device 1 comprises an external casing 6 of injection moulded plastics material, which is formed in two halves 8 which are secured together along a seam 9. A vaporising chamber 10 for vaporising the herbal matter comprises the heated socket 5 which is formed in a housing 12 of heat conductive material. The vaporising chamber 10, as will be understood from the disclosure in PCT published Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571 is formed by the heated socket 5 and a hollow plug element (not shown) which is engaged in the heated socket 5, so that the heated socket 5 and the plug element (not shown) together form the vaporising chamber 10. However, since the evaporator 2 is engaged with the heated socket 5, the hollow plug element (not shown) of the vaporising device 1 is not required, and in fact, is replaced by the evaporator 2. The housing 12 defines a combustion chamber 14 within which a gas powered heating means, namely, a gas catalytic combustion element 13 is located for converting fuel gas to heat, for heating the housing 12, and in turn the socket 5. A cylindrical side wall 15 extends from the housing 12 to form the socket 5 of circular transverse cross-section, and a base wall 16 which extends transversely within the housing 12 isolates the socket 5 from the combustion chamber 14. A spigot 17 of circular transverse cross-section extending from the base wall 16 coaxially with the cylindrical side wall 15 extends into the socket 5, and is provided for transferring heat to herbal matter in the vaporising chamber 10 when the vaporising device 1 is used for vaporising vaporisable constituents from the herbal matter. The side wall 15 and the base wall 16 of the socket 5, as well as the spigot 17 and the combustion chamber 14 are of brass material to provide good heat transfer by conduction from the combustion chamber 14 to the socket 5.

The vaporising device 1 comprises a reservoir (not shown) for liquid fuel gas which is supplied to the gas catalytic combustion element 13 in the combustion chamber 14 through a thermostatically controlled valve (not shown) for controlling the supply of fuel gas to the catalytic combustion element 13 in order to maintain the temperature of the socket 5 at a substantially constant desired temperature, suitable for vaporising the liquid in the evaporator 2. Fuel gas from the thermostatically controlled valve (not shown) is fed to the combustion chamber 14 through a venturi mixer (also not shown) where the fuel gas is mixed with air to provide a fuel gas/air mixture to the gas catalytic combustion element 13. This aspect of the vaporising device is disclosed in detail in PCT published Application Specification No.

WO 2006/082571 with reference to Figs. 1 to 20 thereof, and further description of this aspect of the vaporising device should not be required.

Turning now to the evaporator 2, the evaporator 2 comprises a body member 18 of heat conductive material, which in this embodiment of the invention is aluminium. The body member 18 defines a longitudinally extending central geometrical axis 19, and terminates in an adaptor, namely, a plug element 20 also of aluminium of circular transverse cross-section. The diameter of the plug element is substantially similar to the internal diameter of the side wall of the socket 5, so that the plug element 20 tightly but releasably engages the socket 5 with heat conducting engagement for transferring heat from the housing 12 into the body member 18.

An elongated spigot accommodating bore 21 extends into the plug element 20 coaxially therewith for engaging the heat transfer spigot 17 which extends into the socket 5. The spigot accommodating bore 21 is of circular transverse cross-section and of diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the spigot 17 for tightly but releasably engaging the spigot 17 with heat conducting engagement for transferring heat from the spigot 17 into the body member 18. The body member 18 extends from the plug element 20 to form a receptacle forming element 22, within which a receptacle 23 for the liquid to be evaporated is formed. The receptacle 23 is of circular transverse cross-section and extends into the receptacle forming element 22 from an end 24 of the body member 18. The receptacle forming element 22 is also of aluminium and of external circular transverse cross-section and comprises a cylindrical side wall 25 extending from the plug element 20, so that the side wall 25 and the plug element 20 define the receptacle 23, with the plug element 20 forming a base wall 26 of the receptacle 23. The side wall 25 of the receptacle forming element 23 defines a central axis which coincides with the central geometrical axis 19 of the body member 18. The side wall 25 defines an open mouth 27 which forms a vapour outlet from the receptacle 23 for accommodating vapour evaporated from the liquid in the receptacle 23. A flange 29 extending outwardly around the side wall 25 adjacent the open mouth 27 of the receptacle 23 provides a handgrip for gripping the evaporator 2 for inserting the plug element 20 of the evaporator 2 into the socket 5 and for removing the evaporator 2 therefrom.

In use, when it is desired to use the vaporising device 1 for evaporating a liquid, for example, an aromatherapy oil, the hollow plug element (not shown) of the vaporising device 1 is removed from the vaporising chamber 10, and the evaporator 2 is inserted into the socket 5 by engaging the plug element 20 in the socket 5 with the heat transfer spigot 17 engaged in the spigot accommodating bore 21 of the plug element 20. The vaporising device 1 is oriented with the evaporator 2 extending upwardly and the open mouth 27 to the receptacle 23 facing generally upwardly. A stand (not shown) is provided for engaging the vaporising device 1 , and for supporting the vaporising device 1 with the evaporator 2 facing upwardly, so that the vaporising device 1 may be supported in the stand (not shown) with the stand placed on a table or bench, and with the vaporising device 1 extending in a generally vertical direction and the open mouth 27 of the evaporator 2 facing in a generally upwardly direction as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

The vaporising device 1 is operated to convert fuel gas to heat to heat the socket 5, and the liquid to be evaporated is poured into the receptacle 23. Heat from the combustion chamber 14 is transferred by conduction through the housing 12 into the socket 5 and in turn into the body member 18 of the evaporator 2 through the plug element 20. Heat is also transferred by conduction through the heat transfer spigot 17 into the body member 18 through the plug element 20. The heat in the body member 18 commences to heat the liquid in the receptacle 23 of the evaporator 2, which commences to evaporate, and vapour from the evaporating liquid rises through the open mouth 27. When the vaporising device 1 is no longer required to evaporate a liquid, the evaporator 2 is removed from the socket 5, and the hollow plug element (not shown) of the vaporising chamber 0 is re-engaged in the socket 5, so that the vaporising device 1 can again be used for vaporising vaporisable constituents of herbal matter. While the body member of the evaporator has been described as being of a particular heat conductive material, any other suitable heat conductive material may be used, for example, brass, stainless steel, a metal alloy, a ceramics material or any other suitable material. It is also envisaged that the receptacle forming element of the evaporator may be of any other desirable shape or construction. However, it will be appreciated that the plug element of the evaporator will be dimensioned to engage the heated socket of the vaporising device with heat transfer engagement. Additionally, it is envisaged that the spigot accommodating bore 21 may be omitted from the plug element 20 of the evaporator 2 in the event of the vaporising device being provided with a socket without a heat transfer spigot 17 located therein. Further, it is envisaged that where the socket of the vaporising device may be provided with more than one heat transfer spigots 17, the plug element 20 of the evaporator may be provided with a corresponding number of spigot accommodating bores appropriately located in the plug element of the evaporator for engaging the corresponding heat transfer spigots in the socket of the vaporising device. Alternatively, the plug element may be provided with a cylindrical side wall for engaging the socket of the housing of the vaporising device, and the cylindrical side wall of the plug element would define a hollow interior region which would provide clearance for the heat transfer spigots, should one or more heat transfer spigots be provided in the socket of the vaporising device, and should it not be possible to conveniently align respective spigot accommodating bores in the plug element of the evaporator with corresponding heat transfer spigots in the socket of the vaporising device.

While the evaporator has been described for use with the vaporising device which is disclosed with reference to Figs. 1 to 20 in published PCT Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571 , it will be appreciated that the evaporator according to the invention may be used in conjunction with any of the other vaporising devices disclosed in the published PCT specification. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the evaporator may be used in conjunction with any other suitable vaporising device or in any other device which comprises a heated socket which would be suitable for transferring heat into the body member of the evaporator.

Claims

1. An evaporator for evaporating a liquid, the evaporator comprising a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid, and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating vapour of the liquid from the receptacle, and terminating in an adaptor of heat conductive material configured to engage a heated socket with heat conducting engagement, and adapted to transfer heat from the heated socket to the receptacle.

2. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 1 in which the vapour outlet is formed by an open mouth.

3. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 2 in which the open mouth is configured to face in a generally upwardly direction when the evaporator is engaged in the heated socket.

4. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the evaporator is adapted to engage a heated socket of a vaporising chamber of a vaporising device of the type disclosed in PCT published Application Specification No.

WO 2006/082571.

5. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the adaptor is of circular transverse cross-section.

6. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the transverse cross-section of the adaptor is substantially similar to the internal transverse cross- section of the heated socket.

7. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which an elongated spigot accommodating bore extends into the adaptor, the spigot accommodating bore being adapted to accommodate a heat transfer spigot located in the heated socket.

8. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 7 in which the spigot accommodating bore extends in a generally axial direction into the adaptor.

9. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to engage the spigot in the heated socket with heat conducting engagement.

10. An evaporator as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 in which the spigot accommodating bore extends coaxially with the adaptor.

11. An evaporator as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10 in which the spigot accommodating bore is of transverse cross-section substantially similar to the transverse cross-section of the heat transfer spigot.

12. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the adaptor comprises a plug element.

13. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the receptacle is of circular transverse cross-section.

14. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the receptacle is coaxial with the adaptor.

15. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body member comprises a receptacle forming element, the receptacle forming element defining the receptacle.

16. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 15 in which the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor.

17. An evaporator as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the receptacle forming element extends coaxially with the adaptor.

18. An evaporator as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which the receptacle forming element defines the open mouth to the receptacle.

19. An evaporator as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18 in which the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor and terminates in the open mouth.

20. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body member comprises a heat conductive material.

21. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the evaporator is adapted for evaporating a liquid comprising an essential oil.

22. An evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim in which the evaporator is adapted for evaporating an aromatherapy oil.

23. A vaporising device comprising a socket, the socket being adapted to be heated, and an evaporator as claimed in any preceding claim with the adaptor thereof engaged in the socket for transferring heat from the socket to the body member.

24. A vaporising device comprising a socket, the socket being adapted to be heated, and an evaporator, the evaporator comprising a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid, and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating vapour of the liquid from the receptacle, and terminating in an adaptor of heat conductive material, the adaptor being in heat conducting engagement with the socket for transferring heat from the socket to the body member.

25. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 24 in which a heating means is provided for heating the socket.

26. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 25 in which the vaporising device comprises a housing of heat conductive material, the socket being formed in the housing and extending therefrom, and the heating means being located in the housing.

27. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 26 in which the housing defines a combustion chamber within which the heating means is located.

28. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 27 in which the heating means comprises a gas catalytic combustion element.

29. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 27 in which the heating means comprises an electrically powered heating means.

30. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 29 in which the vapour outlet is formed by an open mouth.

31. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 30 in which the open mouth is configured to face in a generally upwardly direction.

32. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 31 in which the adaptor is of circular transverse cross-section.

33. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 32 in which the transverse cross-section of the adaptor is substantially similar to the internal transverse cross-section of the socket.

34. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 33 in which an elongated spigot accommodating bore extends into the adaptor, the spigot accommodating bore being adapted to accommodate a heat transfer spigot located in the socket.

35. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 34 in which the spigot

accommodating bore extends in a generally axial direction into the adaptor.

36. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 34 or 35 in which the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to engage the spigot in the heated socket with heat transfer engagement.

37. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 34 to 36 in which the spigot accommodating bore extends coaxially with the adaptor.

38. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 34 to 37 in which the spigot accommodating bore is of transverse cross-section substantially similar to the transverse cross-section of the heat transfer spigot.

39. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 38 in which the adaptor comprises a plug element.

40. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 39 in which the receptacle is of circular transverse cross-section.

41. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 40 in which the receptacle is coaxial with the adaptor.

42. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 41 in which the body member comprises a receptacle forming element, the receptacle forming element defining the receptacle.

43. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 42 in which the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor.

44. A vaporising device as claimed in Claim 42 or 43 in which the receptacle forming element extends coaxially with the adaptor.

45. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 42 to 44 in which the receptacle forming element defines the open mouth to the receptacle.

46. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 42 to 45 in which the receptacle forming element extends from the adaptor and terminates in the open mouth.

47. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 46 in which the body member is of heat conductive material.

48. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 47 in which the evaporator is adapted for evaporating a liquid comprising an essential oil.

49. A vaporising device as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 48 in which the vaporising device is adapted for evaporating an aromatherapy oil.

50. A method for evaporating a liquid, the method comprising providing an evaporator which comprises a body member defining a receptacle for the liquid and defining a vapour outlet for accommodating a vapour from the receptacle, providing the body member with an adaptor of heat conductive material, whereby the body member terminates in the adaptor, and configuring the adaptor to engage a heated socket with heat conducting engagement and to transfer heat to the receptacle from the heated socket.

51. A method as claimed in Claim 50 in which the evaporator is adapted to engage a heated socket of a vaporising chamber of a vaporising device of the type disclosed in PCT published Application Specification No. WO 2006/082571.

52. A method as claimed in Claim 50 or 51 in which an elongated spigot accommodating bore is provided to extend into the adaptor, and the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to accommodate a heat transfer spigot located in the heated socket.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 52 in which the spigot accommodating bore is adapted to engage the spigot in the heated socket with heat transfer engagement.

54. A method as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 53 in which the evaporator is adapted for evaporating a liquid comprising an essential oil.

55. A method as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 54 in which the evaporator is adapted for evaporating an aromatherapy oil.