DE20007785U1 - Odor removal device - Google Patents

Description

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DR. ULRICH OSTERTAG DR. REINHARD OSTERTAG

ElBENWEG 10 D-70597 STUTTGART TEL.+49-711-766845 FAX +49-71 1-7655701

Odor removal device

Registrant: Peter Rössler Bustadtstr.

74360 Ilsfeld Attorney file: 6999.8

TIT.02-023

6999.8 - 1 - 28.03.2000

Odor removal device

05

It is known that open flames such as candles or matches can absorb odors such as cigarette smoke and toilet odors. However, there are concerns about their widespread use because open flames pose fire risks and require careful handling.

The present invention aims to provide a device for odor removal which is easy to handle and operates safely.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a device for odor removal which has the features specified in claim 1.

20

In the device according to the invention, a time control unit reliably switches off the controllable heat source. The latter ensures the destruction of the odorous substances due to its high temperature of at least 2 00 C, preferably at least 4 00 C.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in subclaims.

0 The development of the invention according to claim 2 makes it possible to ensure a high temperature of the heat source in a very short time with small dimensions and low heating power.

5 The development of the invention according to claim 3 enables

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a simple and precise control of the fuel supply to a burner of the heat source.

In a device according to claim 4, the heat source can also be switched on particularly easily.

In a device according to claim 5 there is no open flame and yet at the same time a high temperature.

The development of the invention according to claim 6 is advantageous with regard to a further improvement in odor removal. Using a catalyst body, the temperature of the heat source can also be selected to be lower than without using a catalyst body, which is advantageous with regard to energy consumption and the time required for odor removal.

The development of the invention according to claim 7 is advantageous with regard to favorable energy consumption and forced guidance of the air to be cleaned along a hot surface.

In a device according to claim 8, a fragrance can be added to the air of the room in question at the same time as the odor is removed. This is controlled by the same time control unit that also controls the controllable heat source.

0 With the development of the invention according to claim 9

This ensures that the fragrance is mixed with the air to be cleaned particularly effectively, as the fragrances are fed into the middle of the air flow moving through the device.
35

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The development of the invention according to claim 19 allows a variety of different fragrances to be added to the air, which are produced in different ways from synthetic or natural materials, e.g. by producing an aqueous or alcoholic extract of plants or wood (liquid smoke).

In a device according to claim 11, the fragrance is released into the air slowly and at the same rate as the latter flows through the device.

The development of the invention according to claim 12 allows a solid fragrance to be released continuously in a precisely controlled manner.

The development of the invention according to claim 13 is particularly suitable for adding fragrance to air flowing past a flame, wherein the fiber material and the fragrances carried by it are converted into a gaseous state by the flame or the hot combustion gases.

In a device according to claim 14, accidental contact with the hot heat source is excluded.

In a device according to claim 15, the odour removal and, if applicable, the fragrance release are initiated automatically.
30

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which:

5 Figure 1: an axial section through a first device

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to remove odors; and

Figure 2: a schematic diagram of a second device for odor removal.

The odor removal device shown in Figure 1 has a hot heat source in the form of an electric heating rod 10, which is arranged vertically on the axis of a vertical catalyst body 12. The latter is a sheet metal part which is coated with a catalyzing material, e.g. Pt.

The heating rod 10 has two rod-shaped contact sections 14, 16 provided at both ends. The latter are mechanically held in holding caps 18 made of ceramic material, which additionally contain electrical leads 20 which are connected to temperature-resistant insulated feed wires 24, 26.

The retaining caps 18 are each connected to the inside of the catalyst body 12 via four retaining arms 28 distributed in the circumferential direction.

The catalyst body 12 in turn carries on its outer side 4 holding arms 30 distributed in the circumferential direction, with which it is fastened to the inner side of a cylindrical outer housing 32 which is made of a heat-insulating plastic material.

0 The outer housing 32 is closed at both ends by covers 34, 36, each of which has a grille 38 or 40. The covers 34, 36 are also made of heat-insulating material.

The feed wires 24, 26 are connected via housing openings 42

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of the outer housing 32 is connected to a supply unit 44 which is placed on the outer housing 32 along a surface line and is only shown schematically in the drawing.

The supply unit 44 includes a time control unit 46. This has a start control terminal S, which can be supplied with a signal via a start switch 48. The latter is mechanically connected to an actuation button 50, via which a valve 52 is actuated, via which a water reservoir 54 of a toilet flush can be connected to a line 56 leading to the toilet bowl.

On the output side, the time control unit 46 is connected to the magnetic coil of a two-pole relay 48, via which the supply wires 24, 26 can be connected to a power cable 60.

Another output of the time control unit 46 is connected to a solenoid valve 62, via which the outlet of a pressure bottle 64 can be connected to a line 66 which runs out of the supply unit 44 in the axial direction and is then deflected in the radial direction such that its free end lies on the axis of the outer housing 32. The free end of the line 66 carries a fragrance dispensing head 68 which can be formed by an open-pored body made of heat-resistant material, e.g. made of sintered metal beads, similar to that used for fine filters of heating oil burner nozzles.

The pressure bottle 64 contains a liquid containing fragrances, which is an aqueous 5 or alcoholic extract of flowers or other plant

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Other natural or synthetic fragrance liquids are also conceivable, including in particular so-called liquid smoke. This is a product obtained by treating wood with hot steam. This product is normally used to make smoked meat products.

The device described above works as follows:

If the toilet is flushed by pressing the operating button 50, the start switch 48 is automatically closed and the time control unit 46 begins a pre-programmed operating cycle. The relay 58 is closed for the duration of this cycle and the heating element 10 is heated via the power cable 60 so that it glows bright red. The heating element 10 now heats up the catalyst body 12 which surrounds it at a small distance (e.g. 1 cm). The strong heating of the heating element 10 and the catalyst body 12 generates an axial convection current in the device. Air from the environment enters the outer housing 32 through the lower grille 38 and passes over the hot surfaces of the heating element 10 and the catalyst body 12. In the process, odorous substances contained in the air are destroyed.

The time control unit 46 also switches on the solenoid valve 62 after it has been triggered. This is delayed by such a period of time compared to the switching on of the relay 58 that stable temperature conditions have already developed inside the device. When the solenoid valve 62 is activated, the liquid containing the fragrances in the pressure bottle 64 is then conveyed to the fragrance dispensing head 58 under the pressure prevailing in the pressure bottle 64. There, the liquid containing the fragrances is pressed through the hot water from the

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Air escaping from the device evaporates and is carried away by the hot air.

In this way, the air in a room can be quickly freed of odors.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2, a flame 70 is used as a hot heat source that destroys the odorous substances. This is generated by a burner 72, which can be connected via a solenoid valve 74 to a gas bottle 76 containing liquid gas.

The solenoid valve 74 is switched by a time control unit 46 which, similar to the time control unit shown in Figure 1, is forcibly started by a start switch 48 when a toilet is flushed. The time control unit 46 of Figure 2 also controls an ignition head 78 which is arranged above the burner 72 and ignites the flammable mixture, e.g. O, flowing out there by generating a spark.

Above the ignition head 78, a catalyst body 80 is arranged, which can be formed, for example, by a spiral winding of a sheet metal which is coated with catalyst material, e.g. platinum.

The flame 70 extends through the catalyst body 80.

0 Above the catalyst body 80, a scented fuse 82 is introduced transversely into the flame 70. This consists of a plant material, e.g. hemp or flax fibers or rayon fibers. Fragrance articles are incorporated into this fiber material. These can be wood chips or other materials that give off scent when burned.

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Particles. The scented fuse 82 is guided in a nozzle 84, where it works together with two cooperating, counter-rotating conveyor rollers 86, 88. The scented fuse 82 is drawn off from a supply roll 92 via a deflection section 90 of the nozzle 84.

The conveyor rollers 86, 88 are mechanically connected to an electric motor 94, which in turn is controlled by the timing control unit 46.
10

The device shown in Figure 2 works as follows:

When the toilet is flushed, the time control unit 46 is triggered and initially opens the solenoid valve 74. A short time later, by activating the ignition head 78, the combustible mixture flowing out of the burner 72 is ignited and the flame 70 is obtained.

Through the hot flame 70 and by passing over the hot surfaces of the catalyst body 80

Air is freed from odorous substances, which enters through a lower grille 96 of an outer casing 98 of the device and leaves the latter again through an upper grille 100.
25

After stable burning conditions of the flame 70 are achieved, the time control unit 46 then energizes the electric motor 94 so that the scented wick 82 is continuously fed to the flame 70. In this way, scents are again added to the air flowing through the device.

In the embodiments described in detail above, the transport of the air to be freed of odors past the hot heat source was carried out by convection.

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28.03.2000

If desired, it is also possible to provide for forced circulation of the air to be cleaned through the device housing, for which purpose an electric fan can be placed on one end of the housing, as indicated by dashed lines at 102 in Figure 1.

Claims (14)

1. Device for removing odors, characterized by a controllable heat source ( 10 ; 70 ) which provides heat at a temperature of at least 200°C, preferably at least 400°C, and by a time control unit (46) cooperating with the heat source ( 10 ; 70 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat source comprises an open flame ( 70 ). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heat source has a burner ( 72 ) which can be connected to a fuel source ( 76 ), in particular a liquid gas bottle, via a valve ( 74 ) controlled by the time control unit (46). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the burner ( 72 ) is adjacent to an ignition unit ( 78 ) which is also controlled by the time control unit (46). 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat source comprises an electric heater ( 10 ) which is switched by the ignition control unit ( 46 ). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a catalyst body ( 12 ; 80 ) is arranged in the vicinity of the controllable heat source ( 10 ; 70 ). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the catalyst body ( 12 ; 80 ) surrounds the heat source ( 10 ; 70 ) and/or is mounted on it. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the time control unit (46) additionally controls a fragrance generator ( 64 to 68 ; 82 to 92 ). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a fragrance delivery section of the fragrance generator ( 64 to 68 ; 82 to 92 ) is substantially aligned with the axis of the heat source ( 10 ; 70 ). 10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the fragrance generator ( 64 to 68 ) has a pressure bottle ( 64 ) for gaseous or liquid fragrance, which can be connected to a fragrance dispensing head ( 68 ) via a controllable valve ( 62 ). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the fragrance delivery head ( 68 ) comprises an open-pored heat-resistant foam material. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the scent generator ( 82 to 92 ) has a roving-like scent material ( 82 ) and a controllable conveyor device ( 84 to 90 ) for this. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the scent material ( 82 ) has a natural fiber material and at least one scent impregnating it and/or scent particles enclosed in the fiber material. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has an outer housing ( 32 to 36 ; 98 ) made of heat-insulating material. 15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by a start switch ( 48 ) which can be connected to an actuating button ( 50 ) of a toilet flush ( 52 to 56 ).