Title of Invention

AN ELECTRIC HEATING DEVICE TO EVAPORATE AN ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Abstract The present invention provides an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising: a housing(1) with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perlmetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover (3) , both of said parts having axial through holes(2) and (4) defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element{5); and two twin electric contacts(6) and (7) made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, wherein said first part of the housing comprises supports positioned diametrically opposite from the PTC element in order to maintain a distance between the contacts, the distance being equivalent to the thickness of the PTC element.
Full Text -1 A -
The present invention provides an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several state-of-the-art devices exist that are used for evaporating aromatic or active substances, for instance insecticides or fragrances, equipped with electric heating designed to nonpermanently release the active substances, only in case of need
The aromatic or active substances can thus be supported by solid materials or be liquid
Several state-of-the-art devices are known, for instance disclosed in registrations such as European Patent 90121288 6, Utility Model no 9203290/7, Utility Model 9501364/4, and others
Due to their design, state-of-the-art devices have two drawbacks worthy of note, one of which is the large quantity of constituent parts they have, with the ensuing costs derived from the moulding of manufacturing process of said parts A second drawback is due to the substantial degree of difficulty the mounting process represents, which poses problems in connection with an automated mounting
That is why said heating elements are expensive and hence barely competitive as compared with other conventional apparatus designed for similar purposes
Another drawback of the state of the art is the absence of specific means devised for an easy, optional connection of additional elements, such as timers, adjusters, and others
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The company applying for the present Patent of Invention has used its expertise in the manufacture of devices of this kind, to devise heating

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means to heat a body having a round shape, and provided with a hole to receive the wick carrying a means to be evaporated
A first object of the invention is to achieve an arrangement of the kind aforesaid, designed so as to have a small number of constituent parts, which are sandwiched together in order thereby to provide a fully automatic assembly, which results in substantial costs savings
A second object of the invention is to provide said device with heating means that use up little electricity in operation and produce a homogeneous heating, irrespective of the supply voltage
This second object is achieved using a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) element for the heating to render the quantity of electric power released and the supply voltage independent from each other, due to the peculiar Positive Temperature Coefficient(PTC) characteristics, which self-stabilise and control temperature within a very wide voltage field.
The invention successfully solves the problem that usually arises when PTC elements are employed, for, being very small components, approximately with a diameter of eight millmietres and a thickness of three millimetres, the transfer of heat energy is locally limited.
Because in the device subject of the invention, the round body, which receives the means to be evaporated, must be heated as uniformly as possible, a special shape and material is used for the electrodes, which are ring-shaped in order to encircle the hole that is to be heated, and made of a material of good heat-conducting characteristics
This organisation allows a single PTC element to be used to supply power with the ensuing economic savings
In spite of the power concentration at the PTC location, a very uniform heating is achieved to meet requirements, given the characteristic that the electrodes fully surround the hole that is to be heated

2A
Accordingly, the present invention provides an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising: a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element; and two twin electric contacts made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, wherein said first part of the housing comprises supports positioned diametrically opposite from the PTC element in order to maintain a distance between the contacts, the distance being equivalent to the thickness of the PTC element.

2B
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising:
a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element; and two twin electric contacts made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, the twin contacts having respective extensions, the dimensions of said extensions lying within the limits of a structure made up of the housing and cover, spaces being formed respectively between said housing and cover and said extensions, said

2C
extensions being adapted to receive hook shaped electric connection terminals coupled by elastic pressure in the spaces.
Further, the present invention also provides an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising: a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element; and two twin electric contacts made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage.
Preferably, the twin contacts have respective extensions which extend radially and project from a structure made up of

2D
the housing and the cover, and are adapted to allow the electric terminals of the heating element to be connected outside the housing.
Preferably, the electric heating device is made up of five parts consisting of the housing, the cover, the two twin electric contacts and the PTC element.
The improvements in accordance with the present invention offer the advantages described herein before and others that will follow easily from the embodiment of a device provided with electric heating having the said improvements that is described herein after in further detail for an easier understanding of the characteristics set out herein before, concurrently referring to a number of details, to which end a number of drawings are attached to the present specification which represent a practical embodiment of the present invention, merely as an example that is not intended to limit the same

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device having the improvements subject of the invention
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the device of figure 1
Figure 3 is a cross-section of the device along 1II-1II
Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the electrode respectively in accordance with plan, side and diametrical cross-section views
Figure 7 is a plan view of the electrode, in accordance with an alternative embodiment designed for it to be connected to printed circuit board contacts
Figure 8 is a cross-section o vet view oi the device, in accoi dance with the bulb and printed circuit connection vanant
Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the printed cncuit board respectively in accordance with front, rear and side views
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVEN'I ION
As shown in the drawings, the device equipped with electric heating to release active substances in accordance with the invention and in accordance with an embodiment thereof, comprises a housing made of a moulded plastics material, generally designated -1-, with an axtal through hole, -2-
The housing-1- has a cricular shape in plan view, with a primctric skirt -1a- that is closed with a part -3- that setves as a cover, is similarly circular and has a central hole -4- comciding with the hole -2- In order to obtain a lasting closure, the cover -3- and the base of the housing -1-are joined by ultrasonic soldering
This ultrasonic soldering provides a seal between parts -1- and -3-at areas designated -17- and -18- The seal -17- selves a safety purpose in order to avoid leakage of electnc cunent towards the wick supporting

-4-
the substance to be evaporated, which constitutes a conducting element
because it is moist The seal -18- provides a wateri-ght seal to insulate the
components located within the housing -1-3-
The holes -2- and -4- of the housing -1- and cover -3- establish an axial passage into the unit to leceive a wick that is to be heated, not shown, soaked in a liquid that is to be evapoiated
A pill-shaped PTC element, designated -5- is located within the unit formed by the housing -1 - and cover -3- This element -5- is mounted between two twin contacts, designated -6- and -7-, made of a material with good heat conduction characteristics shaped as an annul us, as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6 The central hole -8- of said contacts has a diameter equivalent to the wall of the through hole -2-4-, theieby encuchng said wall throughout the cucuinfeience, in oidei to piovide a homogeneous heat distribution The said contacts -6- and -7- have an edge -9- aiound the central hole-8-to offci a gicatei interface with the wall of the through hole -2- and -4-, thereby improving the heat performance
In order to prevent the contacts fiom touching one another at the point diamctucally opposite the IMC element, causing a short cricuit, supports -10- are provided inside the base to hold the distance given by the thickness of the PTC element between the contacts -6- and-7-
Iu older to ensure the lequncd pressure between the contacts -6-and -7- and the PTC element -5-, three coil-like elements -3a- aie provided intcgral with the cover -3- These elements-3a- are pressed against the top contact, transmitting a biasing force thtoughout the unit The contacts -6- and -7- have a tab -11- on the side opposite the extension -12-, lor locating the PIC clement, which tab serves to connect the conducting wire -13- This WIRE -13- is mscrtcd under the tab. as shown in figure 4, which is then folded o\ei the wite, thereby cnsuring a bond between both components
If contact is made through a punted circuit board -15-, connection is made through spear-shaped terminals -14- which aie snapped into the space left between the electrodes -6- and -7-, and the housing -l-and covei -3-, respectively, making contact with the tab -19- of the iclevant electrode, winch tab is shorter in thus case, as illustialcd in figure 7

-5-
The printed cricuit -15- optionally allows the inclusion of sundry electric devices, namely for instance a timer, adjustei, etc
In accordance with the description, an arrangement is obtained that works using up very little electricity to produce a homogeneous heating, irrespective of the supply voltage
The arrangement is convenient in that it comprises only five parts which are sandwiched together, thus allowing an automatic mounting and at the same tune an enhanced safety of the element at issue, concurrently resulting in substantial cost savings
In accordance with the above, in said mounting the PTC element -5- is located between the two contacts -6- and -7- such that the contacts and the PTC element take up a position parallel to the cover -3- and the inner surface of part -1 -
The Invention can, observing its essence, be otherwise embodied in practice, with details diffenng fiom the embodiment set out as an illustration in the dcscription, and which shall also be covered by the protection applied for herein It can thcrefore be constructed in any form and size, with the most suitable materials, since lying within the sprit of the claims

6
WE CLAIM:
1. An electric heating device to evaporate an active
substance, comprising:
a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for
use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance
to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises
by capillary action up to the electric heating element;
said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together
to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts
being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered
by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said
parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage
for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the
substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an
annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element, and
two twin electric contacts made of a material having good
heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides
of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus
and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage
defined by said through holes and in order to provide a
homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an
axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact
surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, wherein
said first part of the housing comprises supports positioned
diametrically opposite from the PTC element in order to
maintain a distance between the contacts, the distance being
equivalent to the thickness of the PTC element.

7
2. An electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising:
a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element; and two twin electric contacts made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, the twin contacts having respective extensions, the dimensions of said extensions lying within the limits of a structure made up of the housing and cover, spaces being formed respectively between said housing and cover and said extensions, said extensions being adapted to receive hook shaped electric

8
connection terminals coupled by elastic pressure in the spaces.
3 An electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising.
a housing with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element; said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perimetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover, both of said parts having axial through holes defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element; and two twin electric contacts made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage. 4. An electric heating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the twin contacts have respective extensions which extend radially and project from a structure made up of the housing

9
and the cover, and are adapted to allow the electric terminals of the heating element to be connected outside the housing.
5. An electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, substantially as herein described, particularly with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of June, 1997
The present invention provides an electric heating device to evaporate an active substance, comprising: a housing(1) with an electric heating element and adapted for use in an apparatus having a container carrying the substance to be evaporated and a wick through which the substance rises by capillary action up to the electric heating element;
said housing comprising two molded parts assembled together to make up a closed compact package, a first of said parts being circular in plan view with a perlmetric skirt covered by a second of the parts serving as a cover (3) , both of said parts having axial through holes(2) and (4) defining an axial passage for housing a wick to be heated which is soaked in the substance to be evaporated, said parts together forming an annular enclosure housing a disc shaped PTC element{5); and two twin electric contacts(6) and (7) made of a material having good heat conduction characteristics and pressed on opposite sides of the PTC element, said contacts being shaped as an annulus and tightly encircling an outer wall of the axial passage defined by said through holes and in order to provide a homogeneous heat distribution, said twin contacts having an axial, perimetric wall for providing a greater contact surface with the outer wall of the axial passage, wherein said first part of the housing comprises supports positioned diametrically opposite from the PTC element in order to maintain a distance between the contacts, the distance being equivalent to the thickness of the PTC element.

Documents:

01208-cal-1997-abstract.pdf

01208-cal-1997-assignment.pdf

01208-cal-1997-claims.pdf

01208-cal-1997-correspondence.pdf

01208-cal-1997-description(complete).pdf

01208-cal-1997-drawings.pdf

01208-cal-1997-form-1.pdf

01208-cal-1997-form-2.pdf

01208-cal-1997-form-3.pdf

01208-cal-1997-pa.pdf

1208-CAL-1997-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

1208-CAL-1997-FORM 27.pdf

1208-CAL-1997-FORM-27-1.1.pdf

1208-CAL-1997-FORM-27.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-abstract.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-assignment.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-claims.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-correspondence.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-description (complete).pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-drawings.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-form 1.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-form 2.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-form 3.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-letter patent.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-pa.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1208-cal-1997-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 195292
Indian Patent Application Number 1208/CAL/1997
PG Journal Number 30/2009
Publication Date 24-Jul-2009
Grant Date 28-Oct-2005
Date of Filing 24-Jun-1997
Name of Patentee DBK ESPANA, S.A.
Applicant Address ARGENTERS 2-4-8, EDIFICIO 3C/P, CALLE B PARK TECHNOLOGIC DEL VALLES, 08290, CERDANYOLA DEL VALLES(BARCELONA)
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 JORDI BASAGANAS MILLAN DBK ESPANA, S.A., ARGENTERS 2-4-8, EDIFICIO 3C/P, CALLE B PARK TECNOLOGIC DEL VALLES, 08290, CERDANYOLA DEL VALLES (BARCELONA)
PCT International Classification Number A61L 9/03
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA