US3567130A

US3567130A - Diffuser

Info

Publication number: US3567130A
Application number: US848265A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earl T Holt
Original assignee: Wix Corp
Current assignee: Dana Inc
Priority date: 1969-08-07
Filing date: 1969-08-07
Publication date: 1971-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-02

Abstract

A diffuser having a pleated paper filter element within a closed body having only ingress and egress openings therein, an aerosol can containing a liquid under pressure, the liquid being a germicide, insecticide, deodorant, or the like and associated with the closed body. A nozzle associated with the aerosol can and operated by an operator is inserted into the closed body which is placed in position in an air circulating system whereby the contents of the aerosol can will be sprayed in the form of a fine mist or fog onto the filter element and where it will be diffused into the air circulating through the diffuser and carried into the system for distribution in a closed area.

Description

[ 1 woman m1 United States tent lnventor Earl T. Holt Gastonia, N.C. Appl. No. 848,265 Filed Aug. 7, 1969 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee Wix Corporation Gastonia, N.C.

DIFFUSER 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.

Int. Cl Field of Search 6/1953 Holden 3,027,678 4/1962 Whitney et al 43/125 3,095,866 7/1963 Dionne 55/261 3,217,942 11/1965 Humbert, Jr. et al. 222/189 3,330,481 7/1967 Dearling 239/47 Primary Examiner-Henson M. Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerEdwin D. Grant Attorney-Shoemaker & Mattare ABSTRACT: A diffuser having a pleated paper filter element within a closed body having only ingress and egress openings therein, an aerosol can containing a liquid under pressure, the liquid being a germicide, insecticide, deodorant, or the like and associated with the closed body. A nozzle associated with the aerosol can and operated by an operator is inserted into the closed body which is placed in position in an air circulating system whereby the contents of the aerosol can will be sprayed in the form of a fine mist or fog onto the filter element-and where it will be diffused into the air circulating through the diffuser and carried into the system for distribution in a closed area.

PATENTEUMAR 2:97!

SHEET 1 [1F 2 mvmwon EARL T HOLT ATTORNEYS DlIFFIJSER This invention relates to a diffuser which may be removably placed in an air circulating system whereby a particular compound, such as a germicide, insecticide, deodorant, or the like will be sprayed into a base and be diffused into the air circulating through the system under pressure and be distributed into a closed area.

More particularly the invention relates to a diffuser having a construction like a filter element and an aerosol can and nozzle associated therewith which when actuated will spray the compound in a mist or fog form onto the filter media whereupon it will be picked up by the forced circulation of air through the system and the compound will be carried by the air through the system to the points of distribution in the closed area.

The principal object is to provide a nozzle associated with the aerosol can valve which is so constructed that the compound will be sprayed into the filter media in the form of a mist or fog so as to thoroughly coat the filter media with compound.

A further object is to provide a nozzle molded of a moldable material and having very small grooves or passageways formed therein so that the compound is so restricted in its flow that it is sprayed in a very fine mist or fog.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a diffuser showing the aerosol valve and nozzle in full lines;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the nozzle taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the nozzle looking in the direction of the arrows on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the two parts forming the nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another form of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the other form of the two parts of the nozzle.

A diffuser for diffusing a compound such as a germicide, insecticide, deodorant or the like into a forced air circulating system for an enclosed area such as an airplane cargo or passenger, a bus, a ship, a railroad car, a building, a room, or other closed areas comprises a container 10 having a bottom 11 and a top 12. The top 12 is provided with a central neck 13 having a groove 14 which will engage a mounting means (not shown). Within the neck 13 is an openinglS.

Mounted within the container is a diffusing element 16 which may consist of a pleated paper filter media having inner peaks 17 and outer peaks 18. The filter media may be of any other well-known type. The filter, media is provided with an upper end cap 19 having an outer flange 20 provided at spaced points with flutes 21 which space the upper end of the filter media from the interior wall 22 of the container 10. The upper end cap 19 has a central opening 23. Within the opening 23 and engaging the end cap 19 is a grommet 24, the purpose of which will be explained later.

The bottom 11 comprises a circular plate 25 to which the filter media is attached on the inner surface thereof. The filter media may have an end cap similar in construction to the end cap 19 on the lower end which end cap is in contact with the circular plate 25. The plate is seamed to the lower part of the container 10 by a roll seam 26 or in any other manner known in the can making industry. The plate 25 is provided in the center thereof with an upwardly extending flange 27 which in turn is provided with an inwardly extending flange 28 which is parallel to the plate 25. The flange 28 is further provided with a short downwardly extending flange 29 parallel with the flange 27 and which surrounds an opening 30. Mounted within the opening 30 is a downwardly extending tubular housing 31.

The housing 31 is provided at its upperend with a flange 32 which rests on the flange 28. The housing 31 has an aerosol can 33 therein which is provided with the usual valve 34 having an upper hollow tube 35 for the discharge of the contents of the aerosol can. Mounted on the flange 32 is a cap 36 having an inwardly extending flange 37 and an outwardly extending flange 38. The flange 37 prevents the aerosol can from falling out of the housing 31 into the inside of the filter media. The

flanges

28, 32 and 38 may be joined together by spot welding or any other known means. After placing the aerosol can 33 into the housing 31 a washer 39 is placed against the bottom of the aerosol can and then the end of the housing 31 is rolled over or otherwise turned inwardly against the washer 39 as shown at 40 to hold the aerosol can in position.

The container 11) when it is to be put in use is forced on a tube 45 which is a part of an air circulating system not shown. The tube 45 passes freely through the opening 15 of the neck 13 and engages the grommet 24 in sealing engagement. Passing through the tube 45 is a valve operating rod 46 the end of which engages the spray nozzle 47 forcing the same downwardly to open the valve 34 allowing the contents of the aerosol can to pass through the tube 35 and be sprayed outwardly by the nozzle 47 onto the filter media 16. The air in the circulating system is forced into the diffuser housing 10 through the opening 15 in the neck 13 where it will then pass through the filter media 16 picking up the sprayed compound on the interior of the filter media and also become mixed with any fog on the interior of the media and then back into the circulating system through tube 45 to the point of distribution in the enclosed area. The air of the circulating system may also pass through the diffuser in the reverse manner. The aerosol can contains an amount of the compound to be sprayed by the nozzle 47 to last approximately 10 seconds. After which there is a time delay of approximately 20 seconds before the air enters diffuser housing 10, this time delay is sufficient to allow the entire surface of the filter media to be coated with the compound. The example given is for a relative small enclosure such as a passenger airplane where there are provided two systems with the distributing means being placed in the overhead racks or in other positions on each side of the passenger compartment. Where a larger area is to be treated then the amount of compound and times are relatively increased or more diffuser containers are placed in the system or a number of systems are used with a diffuser in each. While there has been shown and described a rod 46 engaging the nozzle 47 to operate the valve 34 the tube 45 may be extended inwardly to a point adjacent the nozzle 47 where the tube end would be closed and have a means attached thereto to engage the nozzle 47 and the tube 45 would have openings in the wall thereof to allow the air to flow in either direction.

The container has been described in such a manner that the left end is considered the top while the right end is considered the bottom. This description is not to be taken as limiting of the container as the same may be used in any position whatsoever and it will still accomplish the purpose for which it was intended.

The nozzle 47 is more specifically shown in FIGS. 2-4 inelusive and referring more particular to FIG. 4 it is shown as being composed of two parts, i.e. a base or body 50 and a cap 51. The two parts are made of a moldable material such as plastic, metal or the like. The base 50 has a central opening or passageway 52 and at one end thereof outwardly extending connecting nipple or bass 53 having an opening 54 therein which is in alignment with the opening 52 of the base 50. The opening 54 is larger than the opening 52 and where the openings meet a shoulder 55 is provided. The nipple 53 engages the discharge tube 35 of the aerosol can as shown in FIG. 2. The tube is forced into the opening 54 and engages the shoulder 55. The nipple engages the tube 35 by a friction fit or The base 50 is shown as being cylindrical in shape having an outer wall 56, however, it may be of any other geometrical shape. The other end of the base 50 is provided with an inwardly extending conical surface 57. A line projected outwardly from the conical surface 57 will be at an angle of approximately 45 with relation to a line projected outwardly from the outer wall 56. An outwardly and downwardly extending bevel surface 58 is between the outer end of the conical surface 57 and the outer wall 56 with a line projecting outwardly from the bevel surface 58 being an an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the outer wall 56.

The conical surface 57 is provided with a plurality of equipspaced grooves 59 radiating from the central opening 52 and with the outer ends being formed in the line of juncture 60 of the outer end of the conical surface 57 and the bevel surface 58. The grooves 59 are extremely shallow and narrow being of the order of approximately 0.010 inches wide and 0.010 inches deep. They may be made of the order of approximately 0.008 inches wide and 0.008 inches deep, the purpose of which will be explained later. The wall of the central opening 52 is smooth and at the point of juncture of the central opening 52 and the inner end of the conical surface 57 there is formed a circular groove 61 which acts as a manifold by opening into the radiating grooves 59 to allow the compound flowing through the opening 52 to enter the manifold 60 and thence to the radiating grooves 59.

The nozzle cap 51 is provided with a conical surface 62 which is complemental to the conical surface 57 of the base 50 and also has an outer bevel surface 63 which is in alignment with the bevel surface 58 of the base 50. Aline projected outwardly from the conical surface 62 of the cap 51 is at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to a line projected from the juncture 64 of the conical surface 62 and the bevel surface 63. Also, the bevel surface 63 of the cap 51 is at an angle of approximately 45 with relation to the projected line from juncture 64.

The upper or outer surface of the cap 51 is provided with a socket depression 65 which is engaged by the valve operating means 46 when the diffuser is placed in position in the circulating system.

The inner end of the cap 51 or what would be the apex of the cone is provided with a projection in the form of a pin 66. The pin 66 has an outer diameter substantially similar to the internal diameter of the opening 52. The pin 66 is inserted into the opening 52 of the base 50 and is held therein by a press fit so that the cap and base will not be separated by the force of the compound being emitted from the aerosol can. The pin is provided with a plurality of equip-spaced grooves 67 thereabout which when the pin is inserted in the opening 52 form flow passages for the compound being emitted from the aerosol can. The grooves 67 are also relatively shallow and narrow being of the order of approximately 0.020 inches wide and 0.015 inches deep.

When the cap 51 is assembled with the base 50 the lines of

juncture

60 and 64 meet and the bevel surfaces 58 and 63 become a continuous surface with only the ends of the grooves 59 providing openings 68 in the surface which openings are extremely small and fine.

The grooves 67 in the pin 66 together with the grooves 59in the bevel surface 57 and the openings 68 between the base 50 and the cap 51 as has been described are all relatively small to aid in breaking up the droplets or globules of the compound being emitted from the outlet tube 35 of the aerosol can 31 as they pass through the various grooves and when finally emitted from the opening 68 the compound is in the form of a fine mist or fog.

The mist or fog fills the inner chamber of the diffuser which is surrounded by the inner peaks 17 of the pleated paper filter media 16 and settles on the inner surface 'of the filter media. The compound is then picked up by the air passing into the diffuser, and is carried by the air into the circulating system from where it is forced into the enclosed area through perforated pipes or tubes.

The modified form of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 58 inclusive are the same in overall structure as the form shown in FIGS. 2-4 inclusive with' the exception of the placement of the grooves, therefore, the same character references are used for like parts. The interior surface 70 of the base 50 is a plain surface but has the same angular references to the parts of the body 50 as in FIG. 2. The center opening 52 of the base 50 is provided with equispaced grooves 71 in the wall thereof and for a part of the extent thereof but beginning adjacent the apex of the conical surface 70. A circular groove 72 formed at the apex of the conical surface and surrounding the central opening 52 acts as a manifold to feed the compound to the grooves formed in the cap 51.

The conical surface 73 of the cap 51 is provided with a plurality of equispaced grooves 74 with the outer ends 75 of the grooves being formed in the bevel 63. The cap is provided adjacent the apex thereof with a connecting pin 76, the outer surface of which is plain. When connecting the cap 51 to the base 50, the pin 76 will enter into the center opening 52 of the base 50 and will provide a friction fit with the base with the grooves 71 surrounding the pin longitudinally thereof. All of the grooves of the modified form of FIGS. 58 are of the same dimensions as the like grooves described in connection with FIGS. 24 and give the same results as described.

The diffuser disclosed herein is to be used in an air circulating system in an enclosed area such as described heretofore. The system comprises a pump for forcing the air through the system, a holder for the diffuser with means for inserting the diffuser into the system and perforated tubes or pipes through which the compound laden air is forced into the enclosed area. The system also comprises various controls and timers for actuating the various operating parts of the system. No claim is made in this application to the system but only to the diffuser in combination with the nozzle and the nozzle as shown and described.

The spray nozzle shown and described herein comprises two parts, namely the body and the cap. As previously stated these two parts are made of moldable material and each is complete in and of itself when molded. The two parts when assembled into the complete nozzle are-snapped together or are pressed together in such a manner that they go together with a snap action. The nozzle may be molded in one piece, however, with the grooves being formed during the molding operation or formed therein after molding by any well-known means such as drilling.

Having now described the invention, it is to be understood that such is not in any way limiting to the scope of the claims appended hereunto.

Iclaim:

l. A diffuser for diffusing a compound into a circulating air system in a closed area comprising a container having a closed end and an open end means comprising an inlet and outlet in the open end, to conduct air into and out of the container, means on the open end to fasten and hold the container in the system, a filter media in the container between the air inlet and outlet, an aerosol can containing the compound under pressure associated with the closed end, a spray nozzle on the aerosol can and within the container and surrounded by the filter media, the nozzle comprising a body and a cap, the body having a conical surface therein and the cap having a complementary conical surface thereon, the two conical surfaces fitting together, one of the conical surfaces having a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves therein, spray openings in the nozzle leading from each of the grooves between the body and cap when fitted together, the grooves and openings being of such small size as to cause the compound to be sprayed in the form of a mist or fog onto the filter media where it is diffused into the air stream passing through the filter media and carried into the system for emission into a closed area.

2. The diffuser as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a passageway therein carrying the compound from a discharge tube on the aerosol can, a pin on the cap fitting into the passageway when cap and body are connected together, the passageway having an interior surface therein, the pin having an exterior surface thereon, the two surfaces being complemental to each other when the cap is connected to the body, one of the surfaces having a plurality of grooves therein leading to the grooves in the conical surfaces.

3. The diffuser as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are in the body conical surface.

4. The diffuser as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grooves are on the cap conical surface.

S. The diffuser as set forth in claim 2 wherein the grooves are in the interior surface of the passageway.

6, The diffuser as set forth in claim 2 wherein the grooves are on the exterior surface of the pin.

7. The diffuser as set forth in claim 5 wherein the grooves are on the cap conical surface and in the interior surface of the passageway.

8. The diffuser as set forth in claim 6 wherein the grooves are in the body conical surface and on the exterior surface of the pin.

9. A diffuser for diffusing a compound into a circulating air system in a closed area, comprising a container adapted to be placed into the system, the container having a closed end and an open end, means comprising an inlet and outlet in the open end to conduct air into and out of the container, means on the open end to fasten and hold the container in the system, a pleated paper filter media in the container and mounted between the air inlet and outlet, a tube extending into the open end conducting air into the container, sealing means on the filter media surrounding the tube and sealing the same from the outlet, a tubular housing extending outwardly from the closed end, an aerosol can containing the compound under pressure and within the tubular housing, the aerosol can having a valve therein and a hollow tubular conduit leading from the valve for dispensing the compound from the can, a spray nozzle mounted on the tubular conduit and within the container and surrounded by the filter media, the nozzle comprising a body and a cap, the body being cylindrical in shape and having an outer wall and a passageway therethrough, a boss extending outwardly from the body at one end, the boss receiving the tubular conduit, the other end of the body having a conical surface therein, a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves in the conical surface, the apex of the conical surface being a continuation of the passageway, the passageway having a plain surface, the cap being of conical shape and having a pin extending beyond the apex thereof, the pin having an exterior surface complemental to the plain surface of the passageway and fitting thereinto by a press fit, the pin having a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves therein, the cap having an outer end, the outer end having a depression therein and a downwardly extending surface surrounding the depression, the body having a downwardly extending bevel surface between the upper end of the conical surface and the outer wall, the two bevel surfaces being of the same angularity with respect to the outer wall of the body, the conical surface of the body and the conical shape of the cap being complementary to each other when the cap is fully inserted in the body, the two bevel surfaces having adjacent edges where they meet, the grooves in the conical surface of the body opening between the adjacent edges, an operating means associated with the inlet tube and engaging the depression in the cap to operate the valve in the aerosol can, the valve when operated will allow the compound to enter the grooves of the spray nozzle and be broken into a fine mist or fog by the smallness of the grooves and be sprayed from the nozzle outlets in a fine mist or fog onto the filter media where the compound will be diffused into the circulating air passing through the filter media and be carried thereby into the enclosed area.

10. A diffuser for diffusing a compound into a circulating air system in a closed area, comprising a container adapted to be placed into the system, the container having a closed end and an open end, means comprising an inlet and outlet in the open end to conduct air into and out of the container, means on the 0 en end to fasten and hold the container in the system, a p eated paper filter media in the container and mounted between the air inlet and outlet, a tube extending into the open end conducting air into the container, sealing means on the filter media surrounding the tube and sealing the same from the outlet, a tubular housing extending outwardly from the closed end, an aerosol can containing the compound under pressure within the tubular housing, the aerosol can having a valve therein and a hollow tubular conduit leading from the valve for dispensing the compound from the can, a spray nozzle mounted on the tubular conduit and within the container and surrounded by the filter media, the nozzle comprising a body and a cap, the body being cylindrical in shape and having an outer wall and a passageway therethrough, a boss extending outwardly from the body at one end, the boss receiving the tubular conduit, the other end of the body having a conical surface therein, the apex of the conical surface being a continuation of the passageway, the passageway having a plurality of grooves therein, the cap being of conical shape and having a pin extending beyond the apex of thereof, thesurface of the cap having a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves therein, the pin having an exterior surface complemental to the plain surface of the passageway and fitting thereinto by a press fit, the cap having an outer end, the outer end having a depression therein and a downwardly extending bevel surface surrounding the depression, the body having a downwardly extending bevel surface between the upper end of the conical surface and the outer wall, the two bevel surfaces being of the same angularity with respect to the outer wall of the body, the conical surface of the body and the conical shape of the cap being complementary to each other when the cap is fully inserted in the body, the two bevel surfaces having adjacent edges where they meet, the grooves in the conical surface of the cap opening between adjacent edges, an operating means associated with the inlet tube and engaging the depression in the cap to operate the valve in the aerosol can, the valve when operated will allow the compound to enter the grooves of the spray nozzle and be broken into a fine mist or fog by the smallness of the grooves and be sprayed from the nozzle outlets in a fine mist or fog onto the filter media where the compound will be diffused into the circulating air passing through the filter media and be carried thereby into the enclosed area.

Claims

1. A diffuser for diffusing a compound into a circulating air system in a closed area comprising a container having a closed end and an open end means comprising an inlet and outlet in the open end, to conduct air into and out of the container, means on the open end to fasten and hold the container in the system, a filter media in the container between the air inlet and outlet, an aerosol can containing the compound under pressure associated with the closed end, a spray nozzle on the aerosol can and within the container and surrounded by the filter media, the nozzle comprising a body and a cap, the body having a conical surface therein and the cap having a complementary conical surface thereon, the two conical surfaces fitting together, one of the conical surfaces having a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves therein, spray openings in the nozzle leading from each of the grooves between the body and cap when fitted together, the grooves and openings being of such small size as to cause the compound to be sprayed in the form of a mist or fog onto the filter media where it is diffused into the air stream passing through the filter media and carried into the system for emission into a closed area.

5. The diffuser as set forth in claim 2 wherein the grooves are in the interior surface of the passageway.

6. The diffuser as set forth in claim 2 wherein the grooves are on the exterior surface of the pin.

10. A diffuser for diffusing a compound into a circulating air system in a closed area, comprising a container adapted to be placed into the system, the container having a closed end and an open end, means comprising an inlet and outlet in the open end to conduct air into and out of the container, means on the open end to fasten and hold the container in the system, a pleated paper filter media in the container and mounted between the air inlet and outlet, a tube extending into the open end conducting air into the container, sealing means on the filter media surrounding the tube and sealing the same from the outlet, a tubular housing extending outwardly from the closed end, an aerosol can containing the compound under pressure within the tubular housing, the aerosol can having a valve therein and a hollow tubular conduit leading from the valve for dispensing the compound from the can, a spray nozzle mounted on the tubular conduit and within the container and surrounded by the filter media, the nozzle comprising a body and a cap, the body being cylindrical in shape and having an outer wall and a passageway therethrough, a boss extending outwardly from the body at one end, the boss receiving the tubular conduit, the other end of the body having a conical surface therein, the apex of the conical surface being a continuation of the passageway, the passageway having a plurality of grooves therein, the cap being of conical shape and having a pin extending beyond the apex of thereof, the surface of the cap having a plurality of shallow and narrow grooves therein, the pin having an exterior surface complemental to the plain surface of the passageway and fitting thereinto by a press fit, the cap having an outer end, the outer end having a depression therein and a downwardly extending bevel surface surrounding the depression, the body having a downwardly extending bevel surface between the upper end of the conical surface and the outer wall, the two bevel surfaces being of the same angularity with respect to the outer wall of the body, the conical surface of the body and the conical shape of the cap being complementaRy to each other when the cap is fully inserted in the body, the two bevel surfaces having adjacent edges where they meet, the grooves in the conical surface of the cap opening between adjacent edges, an operating means associated with the inlet tube and engaging the depression in the cap to operate the valve in the aerosol can, the valve when operated will allow the compound to enter the grooves of the spray nozzle and be broken into a fine mist or fog by the smallness of the grooves and be sprayed from the nozzle outlets in a fine mist or fog onto the filter media where the compound will be diffused into the circulating air passing through the filter media and be carried thereby into the enclosed area.