[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1997025662A1 - Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids - Google Patents

Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997025662A1
WO1997025662A1 PCT/FR1997/000044 FR9700044W WO9725662A1 WO 1997025662 A1 WO1997025662 A1 WO 1997025662A1 FR 9700044 W FR9700044 W FR 9700044W WO 9725662 A1 WO9725662 A1 WO 9725662A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
container
flow
outlet
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/FR1997/000044
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claude Tournassat
Yves Lecoffre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR9600447A external-priority patent/FR2743553B1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU13133/97A priority Critical patent/AU1313397A/en
Publication of WO1997025662A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997025662A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/02—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
    • B67D7/0238—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
    • A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
    • A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
    • A61L9/122—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor comprising a fan
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D7/00—Control of flow
    • G05D7/01—Control of flow without auxiliary power
    • G05D7/0186—Control of flow without auxiliary power without moving parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for delivering a liquid with a controlled low flow rate and to an installation applying said device.
  • Perfumes are generally in liquid form. Their diffusion into the atmosphere implies a prior phase change by vaporization, the perfume passing from the liquid form to the gaseous form.
  • Two vaporization methods are generally used, vaporization from droplets (sprays) or vaporization from porous media previously soaked with the liquid to be diffused. This latter mode of spraying is used for continuous use room diffusers.
  • the present invention relates to a device for metering a liquid initially contained in a reservoir, said liquid tending to escape from said reservoir under the effect of an external, gravitational or mechanical force.
  • the tank possibly divided into two parts by a flexible membrane, can only be emptied if it enters a gas which will generally be air. This air flow is controlled by a pressure drop in which the flow is laminar, so that it can be made as low as desired.
  • This laminar pressure drop can be produced in the form of a capillary tube or a porous medium whose pores are very small.
  • the special provisions relating to the tank and its accessories make it possible to control the flow of liquid escaping therefrom while maintaining almost constant pressure drop over the air, or, equivalently, the pressure difference on either side of said laminar flow pressure drop.
  • the invention relates to aerodynamic installations making it possible to disperse the vapors of the liquid thus dosed in order to carry out an atmospheric treatment in particular situations.
  • the vapors from the evaporation of the liquid are convected by means of a fan.
  • one or more dispensers are placed in the same enclosure consisting of a hollow post, said post being provided with calibrated orifices regularly spaced so that the flow of perfume from this post is driven by the wind and forms a dihedral at a certain distance from the post.
  • the association of such posts placed at regular intervals along a line in a plane makes it possible to introduce perfume in a homogeneous manner into the aerodynamic wake of this surface.
  • a perfume can be introduced uniformly into a fluid medium in motion by placing perfume diffusers at regular intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions in a surface which will preferably be a plane or a cylinder.
  • the device for delivering a controlled flow rate of less than 2 1 per day of a liquid is characterized in that it comprises
  • the gas passage section is less than 1 mm at any point. It is preferably less than 0.2 mm.
  • porous media are currently produced in the form of membranes or massive media consisting of packed or agglomerated particles. They are often used in industry for their filtration capacity. In this case, the equivalent diameter of the pores of said porous medium will always be less than 1 micron.
  • FIG. lb shows the same device in which the air flow control is performed by means of a porous membrane
  • FIG. 2a shows a diffuser in which the force intended to escape the liquid is given by a spring acting on a pocket initially filled with said liquid, the control of the air flow taking place through a porous membrane;
  • FIG. 2b shows a liquid diffuser in which the force intended to escape the liquid is given by a spring acting on an initially empty pocket which gradually fills with gas and thus pushes the liquid, controlling the flow air through a porous membrane.
  • the diffuser is provided with a reservoir in the form of a tube formed between two cooperating parts which makes it possible to avoid too rapid emptying of the liquid reservoir in the event of alternating temperature variations;
  • Figure 2c shows a diffuser similar to that of Figure 2b in which the liquid passes through a calibrated laminar pressure drop to partially compensate for the influence on the air flow and therefore liquid of the variation of viscosity of air with temperature.
  • the reservoir containing the liquid is formed of a flexible pocket;
  • FIG. 3 gives a particular embodiment of the gravity liquid diffusion device in which the main constituents are made by thermoforming from a single sheet of plastic;
  • - Figure 4 shows a constant flow diffuser placed in a tube provided with holes in which a fan creates a permanent air flow which helps evaporation of the perfume and allows its injection into the medium to be treated;
  • - Figure 5a shows the section of a perforated post into which are introduced several diffusers at constant flow, this post being subjected to air currents which allow the entrainment of the diffused product;
  • FIGS. 5b and 5c show a top and side view of a set of posts placed in line in the smelly wake of a treatment plant.
  • the set of diffusion orifices thus formed makes it possible to regularly seed said wake, and by means of the application of suitable perfumes, it is thus possible to mask or reduce odors;
  • FIG. 1 a tank 3 is shown which contains a liquid 1 covered with an air atmosphere 2.
  • the tank is provided with a tube 7 which plunges into a tank 8 containing liquid up to dimension 9.
  • the tank is also provided internally with a dip tube 5, the end of which is at dimension 6.
  • This pressure difference is independent of the height of liquid in the tank above dimension 6.
  • the tank is, moreover, provided with an air inlet according to the arrow FI.
  • This air passes through a laminar pressure drop formed by a porous medium 4 whose pore size is such that the air flow rate, illustrated by the bubbles 11 escaping from the tip 6 of the tube 5, is very low.
  • the air entering the tank expels an equivalent quantity of liquid. This overflows in the form of drops 12 from the reservoir 8, spreads in the cup 13, is sucked back by the cellulose wadding 14 from which it can evaporate.
  • the height ⁇ h is equal to 40 mm
  • the height of the reservoir in its zone of maximum diameter is 60 mm
  • the diameter is also 60 mm.
  • the pressure drop of the porous medium is characterized by an air flow rate equal to 0.012 microliter per minute under 70,000 Pa. With such an apparatus, the flow rate of liquid escaping from the reservoir is approximately 100 ml per month, value well suited to the dosage of perfumes.
  • FIG. 1b represents the same application in which the block of porous medium 4 is replaced by a membrane 15, the pressure drop of which is also characterized by an air flow rate equal to 0.012 microliter per minute under a pressure difference of 70,000 Pa More generally, the air flow rate is less than 1 ml per hour under a pressure difference of 1 Pa and preferably less than 1 1 per month.
  • the Laminar pressure drop will preferably be adapted to control a liquid outlet flow of less than 20 ml / day.
  • the porous pressure drop can be replaced by a large length and small diameter pipe, for example by a capillary tube of 120 micrometers in diameter and 5 m in length or any other obstruction seat of laminar flows of the same pressure drop coefficients.
  • a capillary tube of 120 micrometers in diameter and 5 m in length or any other obstruction seat of laminar flows of the same pressure drop coefficients can, in particular, use capillary tubes of very small diameter such as those developed by the company Dupont de Nemours to carry out the treatment of water by reverse osmosis.
  • 2a represents a fluid metering device formed of the following elements, a tank in two parts 201 and 202 welded together in a sealed manner, a flexible bag 203 containing the liquid to be diffused 204, a plate 205 pressed by a spring 206 which presses on the flexible bag 203 and tends to make the liquid escape, a porous membrane 208 which limits the arrival of air.
  • the pocket is pierced by the tip 210 of the part 211 which is an integral part of the part 209 which surrounds the reservoir. The liquid therefore tends to be released under the effect of the pressure due to the spring, but its flow rate is limited by the air flow which passes through the membrane 208.
  • the liquid leaving the flexible bag enters the spiral channel 212 formed between the bottom of the piece 209 and the cover of the reservoir 202, then in the helical channel 213 formed between the piece 209 and the piece 201 constituting the reservoir, then reaches the cellulose wadding 214 which it soaks before evaporating in the atmosphere.
  • the role of the spiral and then helical channel is to compensate for temperature variations. When the temperature increases, the air present in the tank tends to expand and therefore to push the liquid outside the pocket. In the absence of a channel, during successive increases and decreases in temperature, air would enter the pocket which would be emptied much faster than expected. The channel therefore acts as a buffer and avoids this annoying phenomenon.
  • the channel In a situation where the channel is full of liquid, the expansion of the air forces the liquid to come out and moisten the cotton wool. When the temperature decreases, the air shrinks and the liquid in the channel tends to flow back to the tank.
  • the channel volume must be greater than the variation in air volume.
  • the channel therefore plays the role of a buffer tank and prevents the return of air to the tank and its too rapid emptying.
  • An example of sizing can be as follows: the tank has a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 20 mm.
  • the steel spring is optimized so that it has 11 turns, its free length is 300 mm, its outside diameter of 30 mm and its wire diameter of 1 mm. It presses on the plate 205 with an almost constant force of 20 N over its entire useful stroke.
  • the pressure drop of the membrane will be characterized by a flow rate of 0.005 microliter / min under a pressure difference of 70,000 Pa. Under these conditions, the liquid contained in the bag will flow in one month.
  • the tubular tank formed of the spiral and the propeller will have a total length of 1.5 m and its section will be a square of 2 mm, so that its volume is 6 cm. This compensates for temperature variations of 60 ° C in the ordinary temperature range.
  • the mean diameter of the plate is at least equal to the useful stroke of the spring. More preferably, this ratio is greater than two.
  • Figure 2b gives another embodiment of a motorized liquid diffuser by means of a spring.
  • the liquid 225 is contained in a reservoir formed by two welded parts 222 and 223.
  • a flexible and deformable pocket 220 is placed in this reservoir containing a spring 221 which tends to open it.
  • Air is introduced in a controlled manner through a porous membrane 235 and seat of a laminar flow.
  • the volume of air 224 therefore tends to increase and expels the liquid 225 contained in the tank.
  • the system is started up in this example by destroying a cover 227 by means of the tip 228 of the part 226 which surrounds the reservoir.
  • FIG. 2c shows another embodiment of a motorized perfume diffuser by means of a spring 251, in which the liquid is contained in a flexible pocket 254.
  • the flexible pocket 250 which contains the air coming from the atmosphere through the porous membrane 253, the spring which makes it possible to place the bag 250 in vacuum.
  • the bag 250 absorbs air through the membrane 253 and inflates.
  • the liquid contained in the bag 255 is therefore ejected little by little as the bag 250 inflates.
  • the liquid bag 255 is itself provided in this example with a porous membrane 256 through which the ejected liquid passes, this membrane causing a pressure drop. It is well known that the viscosity of liquids decreases with temperature and that, on the contrary, that of gases increases with said temperature.
  • the pressure drops of the two porous membranes 253 and 256 placed respectively on the air flow and the water flow can be adjusted, so that the flow of liquid is almost independent of the temperature in a range of temperatures. data.
  • These two membranes are the seat of laminar flows characterized in that the pressure losses which they generate are proportional to the volume flow rates of the fluids which pass through them and to coefficients kl and k2 characteristic of their geometry. The calculation allowing the relative value of these pressure drop coefficients to be defined for a given temperature range and a given liquid-gas couple is easily carried out by a person skilled in the art.
  • the liquid soaks the wadding 257 and evaporates through holes drilled in the container 258.
  • This container can optionally be produced by thermoforming.
  • FIG. 3 gives an embodiment of the gravity liquid diffuser in which the constituent parts are produced by thermoforming, which makes it possible to lower the production prices dramatically.
  • the device is essentially produced from two thermoformed plastic plates, the plate 301 which is the most worked in the example and the plate 302 which is practically flat. These two plates are welded together along the welding line 315.
  • This reservoir is provided with an extension tube 306 which communicates with the compensating reservoir of temperature 308 through the piping 307.
  • the level 309 in the tank in normal operation is established so that the liquid overflows through the opening 309 to create drops 314, said drops falling by gravity on the porous medium 310 which absorbs them and allows the liquid evaporation.
  • Air is introduced through the porous membrane 311, passes through the tube 316 which opens into the reservoir 303 through the tube 312 near its bottom. Said air enters this reservoir 303 in the form of bubbles 313.
  • the reservoir 308 makes it possible to compensate for variations in temperature and to prevent unwanted re-entry of air into the tank 303 under the effect of temperature changes causing the expansion or shrinking of the air volume 305.
  • the characteristic dimensions of an apparatus of this type can be analogous to those of the apparatus described in FIG. 1. Only change the embodiments, the principle described in FIG. 3 allowing very significant savings on the cost price.
  • the volume of the reservoir 8 is less than 20% of the volume of the container 2 and the volume of the reservoir 308, below the discharge hole 309, is less than 20% of the volume of the container 303. More preferably, the ratio is less than 10%.
  • the area of the straight (or horizontal) section of the outlet tube 7 or 306, 307 is less than 1/5 of the area of the horizontal section of the container 2 or 303.
  • FIG. 4 gives an example of an apparatus making it possible to improve the homogeneity of said mixture.
  • a constant-flow liquid diffuser 401 is used which moistens a cotton wool 402 from which the liquid evaporates.
  • Said diffuser 401 is placed in a tube 403 pierced with openings 404 and 405 allowing respectively the entry and exit of the air coming from the atmosphere 400.
  • This entry and exit of gas is ensured by a fan 408 which creates a air flow according to arrows FI, F2 and F3.
  • FI, F2 and F3 In certain applications requiring the implementation of higher flow rates, it will be possible to install a plurality of diffusers in the same tube.
  • Figure 5 gives an example of implementation of diffusers
  • the diffusers are placed in hollow posts 500, shown in FIG. 5a, placed regularly in the wake of the medium, generally smelly to be treated.
  • a real wall of odors is thus put in place which allows an intimate mixture of the smelly wake, whose turbulent puffs 505 have an external limit 506, with the wakes 507 coming from the orifices 502 drilled in the posts. All these wakes join at 508, a position from which it is certain that any volume of smelly gas has been mixed with the treatment gas.
  • the mixture effectively becomes sufficiently homogeneous only at a distance twice that existing between the first junction point of the wakes from the posts and the post surface itself. If ⁇ is the characteristic angle of the opening of the plumes and 1 the distance between two posts, this minimum distance L is equal to:
  • O'autc ⁇ B d ⁇ posiiâ ⁇ B fragrance emitters can be envisaged, but the solution consisting in using poles is particularly advantageous, because it makes it possible to shelter the odor diffusers from the elements by using a simple and modular structure.
  • Microporous membranes are known which are used to filter liquids or gases. These membranes are shaped to allow a sufficient flow of fluid to pass while retaining the impurities of said fluid. These membranes are, for example, pierced by heavy ions accelerated by a high energy cyclotron.
  • This patented "cyclopore” process marketed by the company Whatmann, allows fairly fine control of the pore diameters, their length and their surface density. These membranes are marketed by this company to be used for fine filtrations and separations. In general, separation and filtration specialists seek to increase the pore density to obtain the highest possible specific flow rate.
  • the microporous membrane is fixed to the body of the device by welding or gluing.
  • these microporous filters could be defined to constitute the laminar pressure drop element usable in the flow control devices according to the invention. More specifically, these microporous membranes for controlling an air flow q under a pressure difference Dp will have pore diameters D and pore lengths L, the total number of pores being n.
  • the quantities n, D and L will be calculated using the following formula, in which m is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid:
  • This type of porous medium will be particularly well suited to controlling the flow of pure fluids.
  • a membrane comprising ⁇ 2x10 orifices of 0.1 micron in diameter and a length equal to 12 microns, the thickness of the standard cyclopore membrane.
  • a porous membrane having 7 million to 0.1 micron channel diameter and a length of 12 microns corresponding to the thickness of the membrane.
  • Such a membrane can be produced by the cyclopore process which makes it possible to obtain 600 million channels per cm as standard.
  • An equivalent result would be obtained with a membrane comprising 700 channels of 1 micron in diameter and 12 microns in length. This same flow would pass in a channel of 5 microns in diameter and 12 microns in length or in a Picoflow with a length of 5 m and an equivalent diameter of 120 microns.
  • the porous media used in the microdosing processes have pores of diameters less than 10 microns and the number of which is between 100 and 1 000 000 000.
  • the wetting of the porous medium would ideally be carried out after the membrane has been put in place, for example by forcing the liquid to pass through it, since the welding or bonding with the membrane support could prove to be of poor quality if the membrane is soaked.
  • FIG. 6 we find the essential elements of FIG. 2c concerning the motorized spring diffuser, the envelope formed by the welded parts 652 and 658, the air pocket 650, the liquid pocket 654, the spring 651.
  • the porous air inlet membrane 653 is made of cyclopore material or equivalent welded to the air pocket 650.
  • a porous membrane pre-soaked with liquid is also welded to a plate 660 itself welded to the pocket 654, such so that the liquid is forced to pass through this membrane to leave the pocket 254.
  • the filling with liquid is carried out with a pre-degassed liquid or, at least, a liquid whose total dissolved gas pressure is always lower than atmospheric pressure regardless of the temperature to which it is subjected.
  • the degassing operation is a known operation in chemical engineering and will not be described here.
  • FIG. 7 an assembly of the microporous membrane 701 is shown by welding on a wall 702.
  • This microporous membrane is protected on one side by a second porous membrane 703 against dust, liquids and greases coming from contacts with the fingers.
  • a second hydrophobic membrane 704 has been placed which makes it possible to protect it from possible liquid returns. The latter provision applies in particular to gravity liquid diffusers.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

A device for delivering a controlled liquid flow at a controlled rate of less than 2 litres per day, including a closed liquid container provided with a liquid outlet, means for exerting a force on said liquid in order to drive it out through said outlet, means for generating a relative pressure in the container in connection with said liquid outlet such that the relative pressure counters the effect of the force exerted on the liquid, and means for generating a laminar flow over at least part of their length to control the flow rate of a gas fed into said container, whereby the gas flow rate controls the relative pressure and thus the flow rate of the liquid exiting the container. In one embodiment, the devices are arranged in columns fitted with fans.

Description

PROCÉDÉ ET APPAREILS POUR DOSER ET ÉVAPORER DES LIQUIDES ET LES DISPERSER DANS DE GRANDS VOLUMES DE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOSING AND EVAPORATING LIQUIDS AND DISPERSING THEM IN LARGE VOLUMES OF

FLUIDES.FLUIDS.

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour délivrer un liquide avec un faible débit contrôlé et une installation faisant application dudit dispositif.The present invention relates to a device for delivering a liquid with a controlled low flow rate and to an installation applying said device.

La diffusion de parfum dans un volume d'air est une opération délicate qui implique que soient mises en oeuvre deux opérations, le dosage dudit parfum et sa diffusion dans le volume d'air à traiter.The diffusion of perfume in a volume of air is a delicate operation which implies that two operations are implemented, the dosage of said perfume and its diffusion in the volume of air to be treated.

Les parfums se présentent en général sous forme liquide. Leur diffusion dans l'atmosphère implique un changement de phase préalable par vaporisation, le parfum passant de la forme liquide à la forme gazeuse. Deux modes de vaporisation sont en général utilisés, la vaporisation à partir de gouttelettes (Sprays) ou la vaporisation à partir de milieux poreux préalablement imbibés du liquide à diffuser. Ce dernier mode de vaporisation est utilisé pour les diffuseurs d'ambiance à usage continu.Perfumes are generally in liquid form. Their diffusion into the atmosphere implies a prior phase change by vaporization, the perfume passing from the liquid form to the gaseous form. Two vaporization methods are generally used, vaporization from droplets (sprays) or vaporization from porous media previously soaked with the liquid to be diffused. This latter mode of spraying is used for continuous use room diffusers.

La plupart des diffuseurs d'ambiance à usage continu utilisent des diffuseurs poreux préimbibés ou continûment imbibés au moyen d'une mèche ou d'un milieu poreux. Dans pratiquement tous les systèmes existants, le taux d'évaporation est très dépendant de la température. Par ailleurs, les constituants du parfum ou plus généralement du produit à évaporer s'évaporent suivant la loi de Raoult, les plus volatils quittant le milieu poreux proportionnellement plus vite que les moins volatils. Il en résulte que la surface d'évaporation s'épuise très rapidement en agents volatils et que la sensation olfactive décroît dans le temps. On peut dire que le processus d'évaporation conditionne le débit de parfum évaporé et que la constitution de ce parfum est fonction de l'historique qu'il a subi et d'agents physiques extérieurs telle la vitesse de l'air autour de la zone d'évaporation, et sa température.Most continuous use room diffusers use pre-soaked or continuously soaked porous diffusers using a wick or porous medium. In almost all existing systems, the rate of evaporation is very dependent on temperature. Furthermore, the constituents of the perfume or more generally of the product to be evaporated evaporate according to Raoult's law, the most volatile leaving the porous medium proportionally faster than the less volatile. As a result, the evaporation surface depletes volatile agents very quickly and the olfactory sensation decreases over time. We can say that the evaporation process conditions the flow of evaporated perfume and that the constitution of this perfume is a function of the history it has undergone and of external physical agents such as the speed of the air around the area. of evaporation, and its temperature.

Au contraire, si on peut assurer un débit de liquide connu, la composition du gaz évaporé est indépendante de la température, du vent et de toute autre caractéristique du milieu récepteur. On peut donc obtenir dans le cas des parfums une impression olfactive elle-même contrôlée, et éventuellement constante si le débit de liquide est constant. La présente invention est relative à un dispositif de dosage d'un liquide initialement contenu dans un réservoir, ce dit liquide ayant tendance à s'échapper dudit réservoir sous l'effet d'une force externe, gravitaire ou mécanique. Le réservoir, éventuellement divisé en deux parties par une membrane souple, ne peut se vider que s'il y pénètre un gaz qui sera généralement de l'air. Ce débit d'air est contrôlé par une perte de charge dans laquelle l'écoulement est laminaire, de telle sorte qu'on puisse le rendre aussi faible que l'on veut. Cette perte de charge laminaire peut être réalisée sous forme d'un tube capillaire ou d'un milieu poreux dont les pores sont de très faible dimension. Les dispositions particulières relatives au réservoir et à ses accessoires font qu'il est possible de contrôler le débit de liquide qui s'en échappe en maintenant quasi constante la perte de charge sur l'air, ou, de manière équivalente, la différence de pression de part et d'autre de ladite perte de charge à écoulement laminaire. Par ailleurs, l'invention est relative à des installations aérodynamiques permettant de disperser les vapeurs du liquide ainsi dosé pour effectuer un traitement d'atmosphère dans les situations particulières. Dans une version de l'invention, les vapeurs provenant de l'évaporation du liquide sont convectées au moyen d'un ventilateur. Dans une autre version, on place un ou plusieurs doseurs dans une même enceinte constituée d'un poteau creux, ledit poteau étant muni d'orifices calibrés régulièrement espacés de telle sorte que le flux de parfum issu de ce poteau soit entraîné par le vent et forme un dièdre à une certaine distance du poteau. L'association de tels poteaux placés à intervalles réguliers selon une ligne dans un plan permet d'introduire du parfum de manière homogène dans le sillage aérodynamique de cette surface. Plus généralement, on peut introduire un parfum de manière uniforme dans un milieu fluide en mouvement en plaçant des diffuseurs de parfum à intervalles réguliers suivant les directions verticales et horizontales dans une surface qui sera preferablement un plan ou un cylindre.On the contrary, if a known liquid flow rate can be ensured, the composition of the evaporated gas is independent of the temperature, the wind and any other characteristic of the receiving medium. It is therefore possible to obtain, in the case of perfumes, an olfactory impression which is itself controlled, and possibly constant if the liquid flow rate is constant. The present invention relates to a device for metering a liquid initially contained in a reservoir, said liquid tending to escape from said reservoir under the effect of an external, gravitational or mechanical force. The tank, possibly divided into two parts by a flexible membrane, can only be emptied if it enters a gas which will generally be air. This air flow is controlled by a pressure drop in which the flow is laminar, so that it can be made as low as desired. This laminar pressure drop can be produced in the form of a capillary tube or a porous medium whose pores are very small. The special provisions relating to the tank and its accessories make it possible to control the flow of liquid escaping therefrom while maintaining almost constant pressure drop over the air, or, equivalently, the pressure difference on either side of said laminar flow pressure drop. Furthermore, the invention relates to aerodynamic installations making it possible to disperse the vapors of the liquid thus dosed in order to carry out an atmospheric treatment in particular situations. In one version of the invention, the vapors from the evaporation of the liquid are convected by means of a fan. In another version, one or more dispensers are placed in the same enclosure consisting of a hollow post, said post being provided with calibrated orifices regularly spaced so that the flow of perfume from this post is driven by the wind and forms a dihedral at a certain distance from the post. The association of such posts placed at regular intervals along a line in a plane makes it possible to introduce perfume in a homogeneous manner into the aerodynamic wake of this surface. More generally, a perfume can be introduced uniformly into a fluid medium in motion by placing perfume diffusers at regular intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions in a surface which will preferably be a plane or a cylinder.

Pour atteindre ces buts, le dispositif pour délivrer un débit contrôlé inférieur à 2 1 par jour d'un liquide se caractérise en ce qu'il comprendTo achieve these goals, the device for delivering a controlled flow rate of less than 2 1 per day of a liquid is characterized in that it comprises

- un récipient fermé contenant ledit liquide, ledit récipient étant muni d'un orifice de sortie du liquide ; - des moyens pour appliquer audit liquide une force qui tend à provoquer la sortie dudit liquide par ledit orifice ;- a closed container containing said liquid, said container being provided with a liquid outlet orifice; - Means for applying to said liquid a force which tends to cause the exit of said liquid through said orifice;

- des moyens pour créer dans ledit récipient une pression relative en relation avec la sortie dudit liquide, ladite pression relative s'opposant à l'effet de ladite force sur ledit liquide ; et- Means for creating in said container a relative pressure in relation to the outlet of said liquid, said relative pressure opposing the effect of said force on said liquid; and

- des moyens aptes à créer sur au moins une partie de leur longueur un écoulement laminaire dont le débit maximal est de 1 ml/h/Pa pour contrôler le débit d'entrée d'un gaz dans ledit récipient, par quoi le débit d'entrée de gaz contrôle la pression relative et donc le débit de sortie du liquide.- Means capable of creating over at least part of their length a laminar flow whose maximum flow rate is 1 ml / h / Pa to control the flow rate of entry of a gas into said container, whereby the flow rate of gas inlet controls the relative pressure and therefore the liquid outlet flow.

La section de passage du gaz est en tout point inférieure à 1 mm . Elle est, de préférence, inférieure à 0,2 mm .The gas passage section is less than 1 mm at any point. It is preferably less than 0.2 mm.

Pour réaliser une telle entrée laminaire, plusieurs procédés peuvent être envisagés, parmi lesquels les suivants : - la mise en oeuvre d'un ou plusieurs tubes capillaires placés en série ou en parallèle ;To achieve such a laminar entry, several methods can be envisaged, including the following: - the implementation of one or more capillary tubes placed in series or in parallel;

- la mise en oeuvre de canaux de grande longueur résultant de la coopération entre un microsillon de forme spirale et une surface plane. Cette technique est connue et a fait, entres autres, l'objet du brevet 94 909 146.6 du 4 mars 1994 ;- the implementation of very long channels resulting from the cooperation between a microgroove in a spiral shape and a flat surface. This technique is known and has been, inter alia, the subject of patent 94 909 146.6 of March 4, 1994;

- la mise en oeuvre de milieux poreux. Ces milieux poreux sont actuellement produits sous forme de membranes ou de milieux massifs constitués de particules tassées ou agglomérées. Ils sont souvent utilisés dans l'industrie pour leur capacité de filtration. Dans ce cas, le diamètre équivalent des pores dudit milieu poreux sera toujours inférieur à 1 micron. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description qui suit des principes et de plusieurs modes de mise en oeuvre de l'invention donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs. La description se réfère aux figures annexées sur lesquelles : - la figure la illustre un mode de réalisation d'un diffuseur de liquide dans lequel le contrôle de débit d'air est effectué au moyen d'un bouchon poreux ;- the use of porous media. These porous media are currently produced in the form of membranes or massive media consisting of packed or agglomerated particles. They are often used in industry for their filtration capacity. In this case, the equivalent diameter of the pores of said porous medium will always be less than 1 micron. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following description of the principles and of several embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the appended figures in which: - the figure illustrates an embodiment of a liquid diffuser in which the air flow control is carried out by means of a porous plug;

- la figure lb montre le même appareil dans lequel le contrôle de débit d'air est effectué au moyen d'une membrane poreuse ; - la figure 2a présente un diffuseur dans lequel la force destinée à faire s'échapper le liquide est donnée par un ressort agissant sur une poche initialement remplie dudit liquide, le contrôle du débit d'air se faisant au travers d'une membrane poreuse ;- Figure lb shows the same device in which the air flow control is performed by means of a porous membrane; - Figure 2a shows a diffuser in which the force intended to escape the liquid is given by a spring acting on a pocket initially filled with said liquid, the control of the air flow taking place through a porous membrane;

- la figure 2b présente un diffuseur de liquide dans lequel la force destinée à faire s'échapper le liquide est donnée par un ressort agissant sur une poche initialement vide qui se remplit peu à peu de gaz et pousse ainsi le liquide, le contrôle du débit d'air se faisant au travers d'une membrane poreuse. Le diffuseur est muni d'un réservoir sous forme d'un tube ménagé entre deux pièces coopérantes qui permet d'éviter une vidange trop rapide du réservoir de liquide en cas de variations alternées de température ;- Figure 2b shows a liquid diffuser in which the force intended to escape the liquid is given by a spring acting on an initially empty pocket which gradually fills with gas and thus pushes the liquid, controlling the flow air through a porous membrane. The diffuser is provided with a reservoir in the form of a tube formed between two cooperating parts which makes it possible to avoid too rapid emptying of the liquid reservoir in the event of alternating temperature variations;

- la figure 2c représente un diffuseur analogue à celui de la figure 2b dans lequel le liquide passe au travers d'une perte de charge laminaire calibrée permettant de compenser partiellement l'influence sur le débit d'air et donc de liquide de la variation de viscosité de l'air avec la température. Sur cette figure, le réservoir contenant le liquide est formé d'une poche souple ;- Figure 2c shows a diffuser similar to that of Figure 2b in which the liquid passes through a calibrated laminar pressure drop to partially compensate for the influence on the air flow and therefore liquid of the variation of viscosity of air with temperature. In this figure, the reservoir containing the liquid is formed of a flexible pocket;

- la figure 3 donne un mode de réalisation particulier du dispositif gravitaire de diffusion de liquide dans lequel les constituants principaux sont réalisés par thermoformage à partir d'une seule feuille de matière plastique ;- Figure 3 gives a particular embodiment of the gravity liquid diffusion device in which the main constituents are made by thermoforming from a single sheet of plastic;

- la figure 4 présente un diffuseur à débit constant placé dans un tube muni de trous dans lequel un ventilateur permet de créer un débit d'air permanent qui aide à Févaporation du parfum et permet son injection dans le milieu à traiter ; - la figure 5a présente la coupe d'un poteau perforé dans lequel sont introduits plusieurs diffuseurs à débit constant, ce poteau étant soumis à des courants d'air qui permettent l'entraînement du produit diffusé ;- Figure 4 shows a constant flow diffuser placed in a tube provided with holes in which a fan creates a permanent air flow which helps evaporation of the perfume and allows its injection into the medium to be treated; - Figure 5a shows the section of a perforated post into which are introduced several diffusers at constant flow, this post being subjected to air currents which allow the entrainment of the diffused product;

- les figures 5b et 5c présentent en vue de dessus et de côté un ensemble de poteaux placés en ligne dans le sillage malodorant d'une station d'épuration. L'ensemble des orifices de diffusion ainsi constitué permet d'ensemencer régulièrement ledit sillage, et moyennant la mise en oeuvre de parfums adaptés, on peut ainsi masquer ou atténuer les odeurs ;- Figures 5b and 5c show a top and side view of a set of posts placed in line in the smelly wake of a treatment plant. The set of diffusion orifices thus formed makes it possible to regularly seed said wake, and by means of the application of suitable perfumes, it is thus possible to mask or reduce odors;

- la figure 6 représente un appareil motorisé de diffusion d'un liquide dans lequel l'entrée d'air est contrôlée par un élément microporeux sous forme de membrane et dans lequel la sortie de liquide est elle-même contrôlée par une membrane microporeuse préimbibée du liquide à diffuser ; - la figure 7 présente un montage dans lequel la membrane microporeuse d'entrée d'air est protégée des poussières extérieures et du contact des doigts par une seconde membrane poreuse de porosité beaucoup plus importante. Sur la figure la est représenté un réservoir 3 qui contient un liquide 1 recouvert d'une atmosphère d'air 2. Le réservoir est muni d'un tube 7 qui plonge dans un réservoir 8 contenant du liquide jusqu'à la cote 9. Le réservoir est, par ailleurs, muni en interne d'un tube plongeur 5 dont l'extrémité est à la cote 6. La différence de hauteur Δh entre la cote 6 et la cote 9 fait que la pression au point 6 est inférieure à la pression atmosphérique d'une valeur égale à : Δp = pgΔh- Figure 6 shows a motorized device for diffusing a liquid in which the air inlet is controlled by a microporous element in the form of a membrane and in which the liquid outlet is itself controlled by a microporous membrane soaked in liquid to diffuse; - Figure 7 shows an arrangement in which the microporous air inlet membrane is protected from external dust and finger contact by a second porous membrane of much greater porosity. In FIG. 1 a tank 3 is shown which contains a liquid 1 covered with an air atmosphere 2. The tank is provided with a tube 7 which plunges into a tank 8 containing liquid up to dimension 9. The tank is also provided internally with a dip tube 5, the end of which is at dimension 6. The difference in height Δh between dimension 6 and dimension 9 means that the pressure at point 6 is less than the pressure atmospheric with a value equal to: Δp = pgΔh

Cette différence de pression est indépendante de la hauteur de liquide dans le réservoir au-dessus de la cote 6. Le réservoir est, par ailleurs, muni d'une entrée d'air selon la flèche FI. Cet air passe dans une perte de charge laminaire formée d'un milieu poreux 4 dont la dimension des pores est telle que le débit d'air, illustré par les bulles 11 s'échappant de la pointe 6 du tube 5, soit très faible. L'air pénétrant dans le réservoir chasse une quantité équivalente de liquide. Celui-ci déborde sous forme de gouttes 12 du réservoir 8, se répand dans la coupelle 13, est réaspiré par la ouate de cellulose 14 à partir de laquelle il peut s'évaporer.This pressure difference is independent of the height of liquid in the tank above dimension 6. The tank is, moreover, provided with an air inlet according to the arrow FI. This air passes through a laminar pressure drop formed by a porous medium 4 whose pore size is such that the air flow rate, illustrated by the bubbles 11 escaping from the tip 6 of the tube 5, is very low. The air entering the tank expels an equivalent quantity of liquid. This overflows in the form of drops 12 from the reservoir 8, spreads in the cup 13, is sucked back by the cellulose wadding 14 from which it can evaporate.

Dans une application particulière, la hauteur Δh est égale à 40 mm, la hauteur du réservoir dans sa zone de diamètre maximum est de 60 mm et le diamètre est également de 60 mm. La perte de charge du milieu poreux est caractérisée par un débit d'air égal à 0,012 microlitre par minute sous 70 000 Pa. Avec un tel appareil, le débit de liquide s'échappant du réservoir est d'environ 100 ml par mois, valeur bien adaptée au dosage des parfums.In a particular application, the height Δh is equal to 40 mm, the height of the reservoir in its zone of maximum diameter is 60 mm and the diameter is also 60 mm. The pressure drop of the porous medium is characterized by an air flow rate equal to 0.012 microliter per minute under 70,000 Pa. With such an apparatus, the flow rate of liquid escaping from the reservoir is approximately 100 ml per month, value well suited to the dosage of perfumes.

La figure lb représente la même application dans laquelle le bloc de milieu poreux 4 est remplacé par une membrane 15 dont la perte de charge est également caractérisée par un débit d'air égal à 0,012 microlitre par minute sous une différence de pression de 70 000 Pa. Plus généralement, le débit d'air est inférieur à 1 ml par heure sous une différence de pression de 1 Pa et de préférence inférieur à 1 1 par mois. Ces dispositions permettent d'obtenir aisément un débit de liquide inférieur à 2 1/jour. Dans le cas de la réalisation de diffuseurs de parfum, la perte de charge laminaire sera de préférence adaptée pour contrôler un débit de sortie de liquide inférieur à 20 ml/jour.FIG. 1b represents the same application in which the block of porous medium 4 is replaced by a membrane 15, the pressure drop of which is also characterized by an air flow rate equal to 0.012 microliter per minute under a pressure difference of 70,000 Pa More generally, the air flow rate is less than 1 ml per hour under a pressure difference of 1 Pa and preferably less than 1 1 per month. These provisions make it possible to easily obtain a liquid flow rate of less than 2 1 / day. In the case of perfume diffusers, the Laminar pressure drop will preferably be adapted to control a liquid outlet flow of less than 20 ml / day.

Dans d'autres formes de réalisation, on peut remplacer la perte de charge poreuse par une tuyauterie de grande longueur et de faible diamètre, par exemple par un tube capillaire de 120 micromètres de diamètre et de 5 m de longueur ou tout autre obstruction siège d'écoulements laminaires de mêmes coefficients de perte de charge. On peut, en particulier, utiliser des tubes capillaires de très faible diamètre tels ceux développés par la société Dupont de Nemours pour effectuer le traitement de l'eau par osmose inverse. La figure 2a représente un appareil de dosage de fluide formé des éléments suivants, un réservoir en deux parties 201 et 202 soudées entre elles de manière etanche, une poche souple 203 contenant le liquide à diffuser 204, une plaque 205 pressée par un ressort 206 qui appuie sur la poche souple 203 et tend à faire s'échapper le liquide, une membrane poreuse 208 qui limite l'arrivée d'air. A la mise en route de l'appareil, la poche est percée par la pointe 210 de la pièce 211 qui est partie intégrante de la pièce 209 qui entoure le réservoir. Le liquide tend donc à se libérer sous l'effet de la pression due au ressort, mais son débit est limité par le flux d'air qui passe dans la membrane 208. Le liquide sortant de la poche souple pénètre dans le canal spiral 212 formé entre le fond de la pièce 209 et le couvercle du réservoir 202, puis dans le canal hélicoïdal 213 ménagé entre la pièce 209 et la pièce 201 constitutive du réservoir, puis atteint la ouate de cellulose 214 qu'il imbibe avant de s'évaporer dans l'atmosphère. Le rôle du canal spiral puis hélicoïdal dont la longueur est très grande est de compenser les variations de température. Lorsque la température augmente, l'air présent dans le réservoir tend à se dilater et donc à repousser le liquide à l'extérieur de la poche. En l'absence de canal, lors d'augmentations et de diminutions successives de température, de l'air pénétrerait dans la poche qui se viderait beaucoup plus vite que prévu. Le canal joue donc le rôle de tampon et évite ce phénomène gênant. Dans une situation où le canal est plein de liquide, la dilatation de l'air oblige le liquide à sortir et à humecter la ouate. Lorsque la température décroît, l'air se rétracte et le liquide contenu dans le canal tend à refluer vers le réservoir. Le volume du canal doit être supérieur à la variation de volume d'air. Le canal joue donc le rôle d'un réservoir tampon et empêche le retour d'air vers le réservoir et sa vidange trop rapide. Un exemple de dimensionnement peut être le suivant : le réservoir a un diamètre de 50 mm et une hauteur de 20 mm. Le ressort en acier est optimisé de sorte qu'il présente 11 spires, que sa longueur libre soit de 300 mm, son diamètre extérieur de 30 mm et son diamètre de fil de 1 mm. Il appuie sur la plaque 205 avec une force quasi constante de 20 N sur toute sa course utile. La perte de charge de la membrane sera caractérisée par un débit de 0,005 microlitre/min sous une différence de pression de 70000 Pa. Dans ces conditions, le liquide contenu dans la poche s'écoulera en un mois. Le réservoir tubulaire formé de la spirale et de l'hélice aura, quant à lui, une longueur totale de 1,5 m et sa section sera un carré de 2 mm, de telle sorte que son volume soit de 6 cm . Ceci permet de compenser des variations de température de 60*C dans la gamme des températures ordinaires.In other embodiments, the porous pressure drop can be replaced by a large length and small diameter pipe, for example by a capillary tube of 120 micrometers in diameter and 5 m in length or any other obstruction seat of laminar flows of the same pressure drop coefficients. One can, in particular, use capillary tubes of very small diameter such as those developed by the company Dupont de Nemours to carry out the treatment of water by reverse osmosis. FIG. 2a represents a fluid metering device formed of the following elements, a tank in two parts 201 and 202 welded together in a sealed manner, a flexible bag 203 containing the liquid to be diffused 204, a plate 205 pressed by a spring 206 which presses on the flexible bag 203 and tends to make the liquid escape, a porous membrane 208 which limits the arrival of air. When the apparatus is started up, the pocket is pierced by the tip 210 of the part 211 which is an integral part of the part 209 which surrounds the reservoir. The liquid therefore tends to be released under the effect of the pressure due to the spring, but its flow rate is limited by the air flow which passes through the membrane 208. The liquid leaving the flexible bag enters the spiral channel 212 formed between the bottom of the piece 209 and the cover of the reservoir 202, then in the helical channel 213 formed between the piece 209 and the piece 201 constituting the reservoir, then reaches the cellulose wadding 214 which it soaks before evaporating in the atmosphere. The role of the spiral and then helical channel, the length of which is very great, is to compensate for temperature variations. When the temperature increases, the air present in the tank tends to expand and therefore to push the liquid outside the pocket. In the absence of a channel, during successive increases and decreases in temperature, air would enter the pocket which would be emptied much faster than expected. The channel therefore acts as a buffer and avoids this annoying phenomenon. In a situation where the channel is full of liquid, the expansion of the air forces the liquid to come out and moisten the cotton wool. When the temperature decreases, the air shrinks and the liquid in the channel tends to flow back to the tank. The channel volume must be greater than the variation in air volume. The channel therefore plays the role of a buffer tank and prevents the return of air to the tank and its too rapid emptying. An example of sizing can be as follows: the tank has a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 20 mm. The steel spring is optimized so that it has 11 turns, its free length is 300 mm, its outside diameter of 30 mm and its wire diameter of 1 mm. It presses on the plate 205 with an almost constant force of 20 N over its entire useful stroke. The pressure drop of the membrane will be characterized by a flow rate of 0.005 microliter / min under a pressure difference of 70,000 Pa. Under these conditions, the liquid contained in the bag will flow in one month. The tubular tank formed of the spiral and the propeller will have a total length of 1.5 m and its section will be a square of 2 mm, so that its volume is 6 cm. This compensates for temperature variations of 60 ° C in the ordinary temperature range.

Plus généralement, afin d'obtenir un débit de sortie du liquide régulier, de préférence, le diamètre moyen de la plaque est au moins égal à la course utile du ressort. De préférence encore, ce rapport est supérieur à deux.More generally, in order to obtain a regular liquid outlet flow, preferably, the mean diameter of the plate is at least equal to the useful stroke of the spring. More preferably, this ratio is greater than two.

La figure 2b donne un autre mode de réalisation d'un diffuseur de liquide motorisé au moyen d'un ressort. Le liquide 225 est contenu dans un réservoir formé deux pièces soudées 222 et 223. On place dans ce réservoir une poche souple et déformable 220 contenant un ressort 221 qui tend à l'ouvrir. De l'air est introduit de manière contrôlée au travers d'une membrane 235 poreuse et siège d'un écoulement laminaire. Le volume d'air 224 tend donc à augmenter et chasse le liquide 225 contenu dans le réservoir. La mise en route du système se fait dans cet exemple par destruction d'un opercule 227 au moyen de la pointe 228 de la pièce 226 qui entoure le réservoir. Comme dans l'exemple précédent, le liquide s'échappe au travers du jeu 234 existant entre la pièce 226 et la pièce 223 du réservoir, puis dans l'hélice 229 usinée dans la pièce 223 qui forme avec la pièce 226 un conduit long et de faible section. Le liquide s'échappe ensuite au travers de l'ouverture 230 et vient mouiller la ouate 233 qui est maintenue entre les pièces 226 et 232, cette dernière étant ajourée pour permettre l'évaporation du liquide. On notera qu'avec cette conception, on peut envisager de mettre en oeuvre un réservoir souple à la place de l'ensemble formé des pièces 222 et 223. La figure 2c montre un autre mode de réalisation d'un diffuseur de parfum motorisé au moyen d'un ressort 251, dans lequel le liquide est contenu dans une poche souple 254. On retrouve certains des éléments de la figure précédente, la poche souple 250 qui contient l'air provenant de l'atmosphère au travers de la membrane poreuse 253, le ressort qui permet de mettre la poche 250 en dépression. Sous l'effet de ladite dépression, la poche 250 absorbe de l'air au travers de la membrane 253 et se gonfle. Le liquide contenu dans la poche 255 est donc éjecté petit à petit à mesure que se gonfle la poche 250. La poche de liquide 255 est elle-même munie dans cet exemple d'une membrane poreuse 256 au travers de laquelle passe le liquide éjecté, cette membrane engendrant une perte de charge. Il est bien connu que la viscosité des liquides diminue avec la température et qu'au contraire celle des gaz augmente avec ladite température. On peut régler les pertes de charge des deux membranes poreuses 253 et 256 placées respectivement sur l'écoulement d'air et l'écoulement d'eau, de telle sorte que le débit de liquide soit quasiment indépendant de la température dans une gamme de températures données. Ces deux membranes sont le siège d'écoulements laminaires caractérisés en ce que les pertes de charge qu'ils engendrent sont proportionnelles aux débits volumiques des fluides qui les traversent et à des coefficients kl et k2 caractéristiques de leur géométrie. Le calcul permettant de définir la valeur relative de ces coefficients de pertes de charge pour une gamme de températures données et un couple liquide-gaz donné est aisément réalisé par l'homme de l'art. A la sortie de la membrane poreuse 256, le liquide imbibe la ouate 257 et s'évapore au travers d'orifices percés dans le conteneur 258. Ce conteneur peut éventuellement être réalisé en thermoformage.Figure 2b gives another embodiment of a motorized liquid diffuser by means of a spring. The liquid 225 is contained in a reservoir formed by two welded parts 222 and 223. A flexible and deformable pocket 220 is placed in this reservoir containing a spring 221 which tends to open it. Air is introduced in a controlled manner through a porous membrane 235 and seat of a laminar flow. The volume of air 224 therefore tends to increase and expels the liquid 225 contained in the tank. The system is started up in this example by destroying a cover 227 by means of the tip 228 of the part 226 which surrounds the reservoir. As in the previous example, the liquid escapes through the clearance 234 existing between the part 226 and the part 223 of the reservoir, then in the propeller 229 machined in the part 223 which forms with the part 226 a long conduit and small section. The liquid then escapes through the opening 230 and wets the wadding 233 which is held between the parts 226 and 232, the latter being perforated to allow the liquid to evaporate. It will be noted that with this design, it is possible to envisage implementing a flexible tank in place of the assembly formed by parts 222 and 223. FIG. 2c shows another embodiment of a motorized perfume diffuser by means of a spring 251, in which the liquid is contained in a flexible pocket 254. We find some of the elements of the previous figure, the flexible pocket 250 which contains the air coming from the atmosphere through the porous membrane 253, the spring which makes it possible to place the bag 250 in vacuum. Under the effect of said depression, the bag 250 absorbs air through the membrane 253 and inflates. The liquid contained in the bag 255 is therefore ejected little by little as the bag 250 inflates. The liquid bag 255 is itself provided in this example with a porous membrane 256 through which the ejected liquid passes, this membrane causing a pressure drop. It is well known that the viscosity of liquids decreases with temperature and that, on the contrary, that of gases increases with said temperature. The pressure drops of the two porous membranes 253 and 256 placed respectively on the air flow and the water flow can be adjusted, so that the flow of liquid is almost independent of the temperature in a range of temperatures. data. These two membranes are the seat of laminar flows characterized in that the pressure losses which they generate are proportional to the volume flow rates of the fluids which pass through them and to coefficients kl and k2 characteristic of their geometry. The calculation allowing the relative value of these pressure drop coefficients to be defined for a given temperature range and a given liquid-gas couple is easily carried out by a person skilled in the art. At the outlet of the porous membrane 256, the liquid soaks the wadding 257 and evaporates through holes drilled in the container 258. This container can optionally be produced by thermoforming.

La figure 3 donne un mode de réalisation du diffuseur de liquide gravitaire dans lequel les pièces constitutives sont réalisées par thermoformage, ce qui permet d'abaisser les prix de réalisation de manière spectaculaire. L'appareil est essentiellement réalisé à partir de deux plaques de matière plastique thermoformées, la plaque 301 qui est la plus ouvragée dans l'exemple et la plaque 302 qui est pratiquement plane. Ces deux plaques sont soudées entre elles selon la ligne de soudure 315. On trouve le réservoir 303 qui contient le liquide à diffuser 304 surmonté de l'atmosphère 305. Ce réservoir est muni d'un tube prolongateur 306 qui communique avec le réservoir compensateur de température 308 au travers de la tuyauterie 307. Le niveau 309 dans le réservoir en fonctionnement normal s'établit de telle sorte que le liquide déborde au travers de l'ouverture 309 pour créer des gouttes 314, lesdites gouttes tombant gravitairement sur le milieu poreux 310 qui les absorbe et permet l'évaporation du liquide. L'air est introduit au travers de la membrane poreuse 311, passe dans le tube 316 qui débouche dans le réservoir 303 au travers du tube 312 à proximité de son fond. Ledit air pénètre dans ce réservoir 303 sous forme de bulles 313. On a donc un mécanisme exactement identique à celui illustré sur la figure 1. Le réservoir 308 permet de compenser les variations de température et d'éviter les rentrées intempestives d'air dans le réservoir 303 sous l'effet de changements de température provoquant la dilatation ou le rétrécissement du volume d'air 305. Les dimensions caractéristiques d'un appareil de ce type peuvent être analogues à celles de l'appareil décrit sur la figure 1. Seuls changent les modes de réalisation, le principe décrit sur la figure 3 permettant des gains très importants sur le prix de revient.FIG. 3 gives an embodiment of the gravity liquid diffuser in which the constituent parts are produced by thermoforming, which makes it possible to lower the production prices dramatically. The device is essentially produced from two thermoformed plastic plates, the plate 301 which is the most worked in the example and the plate 302 which is practically flat. These two plates are welded together along the welding line 315. There is the reservoir 303 which contains the liquid to be diffused 304 surmounted by the atmosphere 305. This reservoir is provided with an extension tube 306 which communicates with the compensating reservoir of temperature 308 through the piping 307. The level 309 in the tank in normal operation is established so that the liquid overflows through the opening 309 to create drops 314, said drops falling by gravity on the porous medium 310 which absorbs them and allows the liquid evaporation. Air is introduced through the porous membrane 311, passes through the tube 316 which opens into the reservoir 303 through the tube 312 near its bottom. Said air enters this reservoir 303 in the form of bubbles 313. There is therefore a mechanism exactly identical to that illustrated in FIG. 1. The reservoir 308 makes it possible to compensate for variations in temperature and to prevent unwanted re-entry of air into the tank 303 under the effect of temperature changes causing the expansion or shrinking of the air volume 305. The characteristic dimensions of an apparatus of this type can be analogous to those of the apparatus described in FIG. 1. Only change the embodiments, the principle described in FIG. 3 allowing very significant savings on the cost price.

De préférence, le volume du réservoir 8 est inférieur à 20 % du volume du récipient 2 et le volume du réservoir 308, en dessous du trou de déversement 309, est inférieur à 20 % du volume du récipient 303. De préférence encore, le rapport est inférieur à 10 %. De plus, l'aire de la section droite (ou horizontale) du tube de sortie 7 ou 306, 307, est inférieure à 1/5 de l'aire de la section horizontale du récipient 2 ou 303.Preferably, the volume of the reservoir 8 is less than 20% of the volume of the container 2 and the volume of the reservoir 308, below the discharge hole 309, is less than 20% of the volume of the container 303. More preferably, the ratio is less than 10%. In addition, the area of the straight (or horizontal) section of the outlet tube 7 or 306, 307 is less than 1/5 of the area of the horizontal section of the container 2 or 303.

Afin d'améliorer la diffusion des gaz provenant de la vaporisation des liquides dans l'atmosphère 400 à traiter, il est souhaitable de les mettre en oeuvre de telle sorte que le mélange entre lesdits gaz et le milieu à traiter soit le plus intime possible.In order to improve the diffusion of the gases coming from the vaporization of the liquids in the atmosphere 400 to be treated, it is desirable to use them so that the mixture between said gases and the medium to be treated is as intimate as possible.

La figure 4 donne un exemple d'un appareil permettant d'améliorer l'homogénéité dudit mélange. On met en oeuvre un diffuseur de liquide à débit constant 401 qui humecte une ouate 402 à partir de laquelle s'évapore le liquide. Ledit diffuseur 401 est placé dans un tube 403 percé d'ouvertures 404 et 405 permettant respectivement l'entrée et la sortie de l'air provenant de l'atmosphère 400. Cette entrée et sortie de gaz est assurée par un ventilateur 408 qui crée un flux d'air selon les flèches FI, F2 et F3. Dans certaines applications nécessitant la mise en oeuvre de débits plus élevés, on pourra mettre en place une pluralité de diffuseurs dans un même tube. La figure 5 donne un exemple de mise en oeuvre de diffuseursFIG. 4 gives an example of an apparatus making it possible to improve the homogeneity of said mixture. A constant-flow liquid diffuser 401 is used which moistens a cotton wool 402 from which the liquid evaporates. Said diffuser 401 is placed in a tube 403 pierced with openings 404 and 405 allowing respectively the entry and exit of the air coming from the atmosphere 400. This entry and exit of gas is ensured by a fan 408 which creates a air flow according to arrows FI, F2 and F3. In certain applications requiring the implementation of higher flow rates, it will be possible to install a plurality of diffusers in the same tube. Figure 5 gives an example of implementation of diffusers

501 permettant d'injecter des vapeurs dans une atmosphère 503 en mouvement selon les flèches FI caractérisée en ce que les diffuseurs sont placés dans des poteaux creux 500, représentés sur la figure 5a, mis en place de manière régulière dans le sillage du milieu, généralement malodorant à traiter. On met ainsi en place un véritable mur d'odeurs qui permet un mélange intime du sillage malodorant, dont les bouffées turbulentes 505 ont une limite externe 506, avec les sillages 507 issus des orifices 502 percés dans les poteaux. Tous ces sillages se rejoignent en 508, position à partir de laquelle on est certain que tout volume de gaz malodorant a été mélangé avec le gaz de traitement. Cependant, pratiquement, le mélange ne devient effectivement suffisamment homogène qu'à une distance double de celle existant entre le premier point de jonction des sillages issus des poteaux et de la surface de poteaux proprement dite. Si α est l'angle caractéristique de l'ouverture des panaches et 1 la distance entre deux poteaux, cette distance minimale L est égale à :501 for injecting vapors into an atmosphere 503 in movement according to the arrows FI characterized in that the diffusers are placed in hollow posts 500, shown in FIG. 5a, placed regularly in the wake of the medium, generally smelly to be treated. A real wall of odors is thus put in place which allows an intimate mixture of the smelly wake, whose turbulent puffs 505 have an external limit 506, with the wakes 507 coming from the orifices 502 drilled in the posts. All these wakes join at 508, a position from which it is certain that any volume of smelly gas has been mixed with the treatment gas. However, practically, the mixture effectively becomes sufficiently homogeneous only at a distance twice that existing between the first junction point of the wakes from the posts and the post surface itself. If α is the characteristic angle of the opening of the plumes and 1 the distance between two posts, this minimum distance L is equal to:

L * 41 tg |L * 41 tg |

O'autcβB dύposiiâαB des émetteurs de parfum peuvent être envisagées, mais la solution consistant à utiliser des poteaux est particulièrement intéressante, car elle permet de mettre les diffuseurs d'odeur à l'abri des intempéries en utilisant une structure simple et modulaire.O'autcβB dύposiiâαB fragrance emitters can be envisaged, but the solution consisting in using poles is particularly advantageous, because it makes it possible to shelter the odor diffusers from the elements by using a simple and modular structure.

On connaît des membranes microporeuses qui sont utilisées pour filtrer des liquides ou des gaz. Ces membranes sont conformées pour laisser passer un débit suffisant de fluide tout en retenant les impuretés dudit fluide. Ces membranes sont, par exemple, percées par des ions lourds accélérés par un cyclotron à haute énergie. Ce procédé breveté "cyclopore", commercialisé par la société Whatmann, permet de contrôler de manière assez fine les diamètres des pores, leur longueur et leur densité surfacique. Ces membranes sont commercialisées par cette société pour servir à des filtrations fines et des séparations. En général, les spécialistes de séparation et de filtration cherchent à augmenter la densité de pores pour obtenir un débit spécifique le plus élevé possible. Selon l'invention, il s'agit de régler le nombre de pores pour une surface donnée ou de régler les surfaces pour obtenir, dans les deux cas un nombre de pores donné dont le débit total est régi par une loi d'écoulement laminaire ou quasi laminaire, le débit de fluide étant quasi proportionnel à la différence de pression de part et d'autre de la membrane. Avantageusement, la membrane microporeuse est fixée sur le corps du dispositif par soudage ou collage. Selon l'invention, on a mis en évidence que ces filtres microporeux pouvaient être définis pour constituer l'élément de perte de charge laminaire utilisable dans les dispositifs de contrôle de débit selon l'invention. Plus précisément, ces membranes microporeuses pour contrôler un débit d'air q sous une différence de pression Dp auront des diamètres de pores D et des longueurs de pores L, le nombre total de pores étant n. Les grandeurs n, D et L seront calculées à l'aide de la formule suivante, dans laquelle m est la viscosité dynamique du fluide :Microporous membranes are known which are used to filter liquids or gases. These membranes are shaped to allow a sufficient flow of fluid to pass while retaining the impurities of said fluid. These membranes are, for example, pierced by heavy ions accelerated by a high energy cyclotron. This patented "cyclopore" process, marketed by the company Whatmann, allows fairly fine control of the pore diameters, their length and their surface density. These membranes are marketed by this company to be used for fine filtrations and separations. In general, separation and filtration specialists seek to increase the pore density to obtain the highest possible specific flow rate. According to the invention, it is a question of adjusting the number of pores for a given surface or of adjusting the surfaces to obtain, in both cases a given number of pores whose total flow is governed by a laminar or quasi-laminar flow law, the fluid flow rate being almost proportional to the pressure difference on either side of the membrane. Advantageously, the microporous membrane is fixed to the body of the device by welding or gluing. According to the invention, it has been demonstrated that these microporous filters could be defined to constitute the laminar pressure drop element usable in the flow control devices according to the invention. More specifically, these microporous membranes for controlling an air flow q under a pressure difference Dp will have pore diameters D and pore lengths L, the total number of pores being n. The quantities n, D and L will be calculated using the following formula, in which m is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid:

Figure imgf000013_0001
Figure imgf000013_0001

Ce type de milieu poreux sera particulièrement bien adapté au contrôle des écoulements de fluides purs.This type of porous medium will be particularly well suited to controlling the flow of pure fluids.

Par exemple, pour contrôler un débit d'air de 100 ml par mois sous une pression de 400 Pa, on pourra utiliser une membrane comportant π 2x10 orifices de 0,1 micron de diamètre et d'une longueur égale à 12 microns, l'épaisseur de la membrane standard cyclopore.For example, to control an air flow of 100 ml per month under a pressure of 400 Pa, one could use a membrane comprising π 2x10 orifices of 0.1 micron in diameter and a length equal to 12 microns, the thickness of the standard cyclopore membrane.

Les membranes réelles ont une certaine dispersion de diamètres de pores. Par ailleurs, en raison de la très petite dimension des pores utilisés, les formules à appliquer peuvent être légèrement différentes de la précédente qui ne doit être considérée que comme une base de prédimensionnement.Actual membranes have a certain dispersion of pore diameters. Furthermore, due to the very small size of the pores used, the formulas to be applied may be slightly different from the previous one which should only be considered as a basis for pre-dimensioning.

Par exemple, pour assurer un débit d'air de 100 ml par mois sous une différence de pression de 400 Pa à 20*C, on mettra en oeuvre une membrane poreuse comportant 7 millions de canaux de 0,1 micron de diamètre et d'une longueur de 12 microns correspondant à l'épaisseur de la membrane. Une telle membrane est réalisable par le procédé cyclopore qui permet d'obtenir en standard 600 millions de canaux par cm On obtiendrait un résultat équivalent avec une membrane comportant 700 canaux de 1 micron de diamètre et de 12 microns de longueur. Ce même débit passerait dans un canal de 5 microns de diamètre et de 12 microns de longueur ou dans un Picoflow d'une longueur de 5 m et d'un diamètre équivalent de 120 microns.For example, to ensure an air flow rate of 100 ml per month under a pressure difference of 400 Pa at 20 ° C, it will implement a porous membrane having 7 million to 0.1 micron channel diameter and a length of 12 microns corresponding to the thickness of the membrane. Such a membrane can be produced by the cyclopore process which makes it possible to obtain 600 million channels per cm as standard. An equivalent result would be obtained with a membrane comprising 700 channels of 1 micron in diameter and 12 microns in length. This same flow would pass in a channel of 5 microns in diameter and 12 microns in length or in a Picoflow with a length of 5 m and an equivalent diameter of 120 microns.

On peut donc revendiquer le fait que, dans tous les cas, les milieux poreux utilisés dans les processus de microdosage présentent des pores de diamètres inférieurs à 10 microns et dont le nombre est compris entre 100 et 1 000000000.It can therefore be claimed that, in all cases, the porous media used in the microdosing processes have pores of diameters less than 10 microns and the number of which is between 100 and 1 000 000 000.

Il est impossible de faire passer du liquide avec une faible différence de pression dans des pores de très petites dimensions en raison d'effets combinés de mouillabilité et de tension superficielle. Il est nécessaire de prémouiller le milieu poreux avant de pouvoir utiliser une perte de charge de ce type pour faire transiter un liquide au travers d'une membrane dont les deux faces sont en contact avec le liquide.It is impossible to pass liquid with a small pressure difference through very small pores due to the combined effects of wettability and surface tension. It is necessary to pre-wet the porous medium before being able to use a pressure drop of this type to make a liquid pass through a membrane whose two faces are in contact with the liquid.

Il faut donc se donner les moyens dans une application de diffusion de liquide au travers d'une telle membrane : - de mouiller le milieu poreux,We must therefore give ourselves the means in a liquid diffusion application through such a membrane: - to wet the porous medium,

- d'extraire le gaz contenu dans le réservoir en contact avec la membrane, de ne pas créer de gaz parasite pendant le stockage et l'utilisation du fait d'un dégazage sous l'effet de différences de température par exemple,to extract the gas contained in the reservoir in contact with the membrane, not to create parasitic gas during storage and use due to degassing under the effect of temperature differences for example,

- de maintenir du liquide au contact des deux faces de la membrane pendant le stockage et l'utilisation.- keep the liquid in contact with the two faces of the membrane during storage and use.

Le mouillage du milieu poreux serait réalisé idéalement après mise en place de la membrane, par exemple en forçant le liquide à le traverser, car la soudure ou le collage avec le support de membrane pourrait s'avérer de mauvaise qualité si la membrane est imbibée. Sur la figure 6, on retrouve les éléments essentiels de la figure 2c concernant le diffuseur motorisé par ressort, l'enveloppe formée des pièces soudées 652 et 658, la poche d'air 650, la poche de liquide 654, le ressort 651. La membrane poreuse d'entrée d'air 653 est réalisée en matériau cyclopore ou équivalent soudée sur la poche d'air 650. Une membrane poreuse préimbibée de liquide est par ailleurs soudée sur une plaque 660 elle-même soudée sur la poche 654, de telle sorte que le liquide soit forcé de passer au travers de cette membrane pour quitter la poche 254. De l'autre côté de la membrane 656 par rapport à la poche, on a disposé une petite poche de liquide 658 destinée à maintenir toujours mouillée la membrane 656. La mise en route du diffuseur s'effectue en perçant la poche 658 au moyen de la pointe 659. Le liquide contenu dans la poche 658 peut alors s'écouler et mouiller la ouate de diffusion 657. Les pertes de charge respectives des deux membranes sont calculées de telle sorte que le débit soit constant dans une grande gamme de températures par compensation des variations de viscosité, la viscosité du gaz augmentant avec la température alors que celle du liquide diminue.The wetting of the porous medium would ideally be carried out after the membrane has been put in place, for example by forcing the liquid to pass through it, since the welding or bonding with the membrane support could prove to be of poor quality if the membrane is soaked. In FIG. 6, we find the essential elements of FIG. 2c concerning the motorized spring diffuser, the envelope formed by the welded parts 652 and 658, the air pocket 650, the liquid pocket 654, the spring 651. The porous air inlet membrane 653 is made of cyclopore material or equivalent welded to the air pocket 650. A porous membrane pre-soaked with liquid is also welded to a plate 660 itself welded to the pocket 654, such so that the liquid is forced to pass through this membrane to leave the pocket 254. On the other side of the membrane 656 relative to the pocket, there is a small pocket of liquid 658 intended to keep the membrane always wet 656. The diffuser is started up by piercing the pocket 658 by means of the tip 659. The liquid contained in the pocket 658 can then flow and wet the diffusion wadding 657. The respective pressure drops of the two membranes are calculated so that the flow rate is constant over a wide range of temperatures by compensating for variations in viscosity, the viscosity of the gas increasing with temperature while that of the liquid decreases.

De préférence, le remplissage en liquide s'effectue avec un liquide prédégazé ou, du moins, un liquide dont la pression totale en gaz dissous soit toujours inférieure à la pression atmosphérique quelle que soit la température à laquelle il est soumis. L'opération de dégazage est une opération connue en génie chimique et ne sera pas décrite ici.Preferably, the filling with liquid is carried out with a pre-degassed liquid or, at least, a liquid whose total dissolved gas pressure is always lower than atmospheric pressure regardless of the temperature to which it is subjected. The degassing operation is a known operation in chemical engineering and will not be described here.

Sur la figure 7, on montre un montage de la membrane microporeuse 701 par soudage sur une paroi 702. Cette membrane microporeuse est protégée d'un côté par une seconde membrane poreuse 703 contre les poussières, les liquides et les graisses provenant de contacts avec les doigts. Par ailleurs, de l'autre côté de la membrane microporeuse, on a disposé une seconde membrane hydrophobe 704 permettant de la protéger d'éventuels retours de liquide. Cette dernière disposition s'applique en particulier aux diffuseurs de liquide gravitaires. In FIG. 7, an assembly of the microporous membrane 701 is shown by welding on a wall 702. This microporous membrane is protected on one side by a second porous membrane 703 against dust, liquids and greases coming from contacts with the fingers. Furthermore, on the other side of the microporous membrane, a second hydrophobic membrane 704 has been placed which makes it possible to protect it from possible liquid returns. The latter provision applies in particular to gravity liquid diffusers.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS 1. Dispositif pour délivrer un débit contrôlé inférieur à 2 1 par jour d'un liquide, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend - un récipient fermé contenant ledit liquide, ledit récipient étant muni d'un orifice de sortie du liquide ;1. Device for delivering a controlled flow rate less than 2 1 per day of a liquid, characterized in that it comprises - a closed container containing said liquid, said container being provided with a liquid outlet orifice; - des moyens pour appliquer audit liquide une force qui tend à provoquer la sortie dudit liquide par ledit orifice ;- Means for applying to said liquid a force which tends to cause the exit of said liquid through said orifice; - des moyens pour créer dans ledit récipient une pression relative en relation avec la sortie dudit liquide, ladite pression relative s'opposant à l'effet de ladite force sur ledit liquide ; et- Means for creating in said container a relative pressure in relation to the outlet of said liquid, said relative pressure opposing the effect of said force on said liquid; and - des moyens aptes à créer sur au moins une partie de leur longueur un écoulement laminaire dont le coefficient de débit maximal est de 1 ml/h/Pa pour contrôler le débit d'entrée d'un gaz dans ledit récipient, par quoi le débit d'entrée de gaz contrôle la pression relative et donc le débit de sortie de liquide.- Means capable of creating a laminar flow over at least part of their length, the maximum flow coefficient of which is 1 ml / h / Pa to control the flow of entry of a gas into said container, whereby the flow gas inlet controls the relative pressure and therefore the liquid outlet flow. 2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit récipient est constitué par une paroi rigide et etanche comportant un fond, ledit orifice de sortie étant prévu dans ledit fond de telle manière que la force appliquée au liquide soit la gravité et en ce que le moyen de contrôle d'entrée du gaz est un élément en matériau microporeux de diamètre de pores inférieur à 1 micron, dont une face est en communication avec une source de gaz et dont une autre face est en communication avec l'intérieur du récipient, ledit matériau microporeux créant ledit écoulement laminaire du gaz entre ladite source et ledit récipient, ledit gaz étant sensiblement non soluble dans ledit liquide.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said container consists of a rigid and waterproof wall having a bottom, said outlet orifice being provided in said bottom in such a way that the force applied to the liquid is gravity and in that that the gas inlet control means is an element made of microporous material with a pore diameter of less than 1 micron, one side of which is in communication with a gas source and the other side of which is in communication with the interior of the container , said microporous material creating said laminar flow of gas between said source and said container, said gas being substantially insoluble in said liquid. 3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième face de l'élément microporeux est prolongée par une tubulure d'entrée de gaz dont l'extrémité ouverte débouche dans ledit récipient à proximité de son fond.3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second face of the microporous element is extended by a gas inlet pipe whose open end opens into said container near its bottom. 4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit orifice de sortie est prolongé par une tubulure de sortie débouchant dans un réservoir, l'ensemble constitué par le récipient, la tubulure de sortie et le réservoir formant un siphon, ledit réservoir étant muni d'une paroi latérale pourvue d'un trou de sortie formant déversoir, ledit trou de sortie étant disposé à une cote inférieure à celle du fond du récipient.4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said outlet orifice is extended by an outlet pipe opening into a tank, the assembly consisting of the container, the outlet pipe and the reservoir forming a siphon, said reservoir being provided with a side wall provided with an outlet hole forming a weir, said outlet hole being arranged at a dimension lower than that of the bottom of the container. 5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite tubulure de sortie a une section droite inférieure à 1/5 de la section horizontale moyenne dudit récipient.5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said outlet tube has a cross section less than 1/5 of the average horizontal section of said container. 6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit réservoir a un volume disposé en dessous dudit trou de sortie inférieur à6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said tank has a volume disposed below said outlet hole less than 20 % du volume dudit récipient.20% of the volume of said container. 7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les parois dudit récipient, de ladite tubulure de sortie, dudit réservoir et de ladite tubulure d'entrée de gaz sont constituées par des feuilles de matériaux plastiques préformées pour définir lesdits volumes et fixées entre elles, l'élément microporeux étant fixé dans un orifice desdites feuilles.7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the walls of said container, said outlet pipe, said tank and said gas inlet pipe are formed by sheets of preformed plastic materials for defining said volumes and fixed together, the microporous element being fixed in an orifice of said sheets. 8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite tubulure d'entrée de gaz est constituée par un volume dans une paroi duquel est fixé ledit élément microporeux et par un élément de conduite raccordant ledit volume audit récipient à proximité de son fond.8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said gas inlet pipe is constituted by a volume in a wall of which is fixed said microporous element and by a pipe element connecting said volume to said container near its bottom. 9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 et 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdites feuilles de matériau sont soudables et thermoformables.9. Device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said sheets of material are weldable and thermoformable. 10. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le liquide est contenu dans une poche déformable sur laquelle appuie un ressort mécanique par l'intermédiaire d'une plaque, ladite poche étant disposée dans ledit récipient, de telle sorte que le liquide tende à s'échapper, le débit de liquide ne pouvant s'effectuer que si le gaz pénètre dans le réservoir pour compenser la sortie de liquide. 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid is contained in a deformable pocket on which a mechanical spring rests by means of a plate, said pocket being arranged in said container, so that the liquid tends to escape, the flow of liquid can only take place if the gas enters the tank to compensate for the outflow of liquid. 11. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le liquide est contenu dans ledit réservoir, le ressort étant placé dans une poche etanche déformable entourée du liquide, de telle sorte que ladite poche tende à s'ouvrir et à se remplir de gaz au travers de la perte de charge laminaire, la déformation de ladite poche obligeant le liquide à s'échapper dudit réservoir le contenant.11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid is contained in said reservoir, the spring being placed in a deformable waterproof pocket surrounded by the liquid, so that said pocket tends to open and fill with gas through the laminar pressure drop, the deformation of said pocket forcing the liquid to escape from said reservoir containing it. 12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 et 11, caractérisé en ce que la sortie de liquide s'effectue au travers d'un long tube qui se remplit et se vide sous l'effet d'augmentations et de baisses de température ambiante, de telle sorte que la capacité tampon ainsi constituée empêche une vidange trop rapide du réservoir de liquide par entrée d'air lors des séquences de refroidissement, évitant ainsi une vidange excessivement rapide du liquide contenu dans ledit réservoir.12. Device according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the liquid outlet takes place through a long tube which fills and empties under the effect of increases and decreases in temperature ambient, so that the buffer capacity thus formed prevents too rapid emptying of the liquid reservoir by air intake during the cooling sequences, thus avoiding excessively rapid emptying of the liquid contained in said reservoir. 13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 12, caractérisé en ce que la sortie de liquide s'effectue au travers d'une perte de charge laminaire calibrée destinée à compenser les variations de débit résultant de variations de température en ajustant la perte de charge laminaire sur le gaz et la perte de charge laminaire sur le liquide de telle sorte qu'on compense les effets visqueux dus à l'augmentation de la viscosité du liquide et à la diminution de la viscosité du gaz avec la température dans une plage de température fixée à l'avance.13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the liquid outlet takes place through a calibrated laminar pressure drop intended to compensate for the variations in flow rate resulting from variations in temperature by adjusting the laminar pressure drop on the gas and the laminar pressure drop on the liquid so that the viscous effects due to the increase in the viscosity of the liquid and the decrease in the viscosity of the gas with temperature are compensated for in a temperature range set in advance. 14. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le rapport entre le diamètre équivalent de ladite plaque et la course du ressort est au moins égale à 1.14. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the ratio between the equivalent diameter of said plate and the stroke of the spring is at least equal to 1. 15. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, caractérisé en ce que les moyens aptes à créer un écoulement laminaire comprennent un élément à structure microporeuse de diamètre de pores inférieur à 1 micron.15. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the means capable of creating a laminar flow comprise an element with a microporous structure with a pore diameter of less than 1 micron. 16. Application du dispositif pour délivrer un débit de liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15 à la réalisation d'une installation de diffusion de liquide, caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend :16. Application of the device for delivering a flow of liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to the production of a liquid diffusion installation, characterized in that said installation comprises: - un poteau creux vertical dont la paroi est percée d'une pluralité d'orifices ; et - une pluralité de dispositifs de délivrance du liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15 disposés à l'intérieur dudit poteau à des niveaux différents.- a vertical hollow post, the wall of which is pierced with a plurality of orifices; and - a plurality of liquid delivery devices according to any one of claims 1 to 15 arranged inside said post at different levels. 17. Application selon la revendication 16, caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend en outre des moyens formant ventilateurs disposés dans ledit poteau.17. Application according to claim 16, characterized in that said installation further comprises means forming fans arranged in said post. 18. Application selon la revendication 17, caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend une pluralité de poteaux disposés en maille.18. Application according to claim 17, characterized in that said installation comprises a plurality of posts arranged in mesh. 19. Application du dispositif de délivrance de liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15 à la réalisation d'une installation de diffusion de liquide, caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend :19. Application of the liquid delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to the production of a liquid diffusion installation, characterized in that said installation comprises: - une pluralité de dispositifs de délivrance de liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15, et- a plurality of liquid delivery devices according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and - des moyens formant ventilateurs.- means forming fans. 20. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 9 et 15, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément microporeux est une membrane mince.20. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 9 and 15, characterized in that said microporous element is a thin membrane. 21. Dispositif selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que ladite membrane est en PET.21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that said membrane is made of PET. 22. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 20 et 21, caractérisé en ce que l'épaisseur de ladite membrane est inférieure à 50 microns.22. Device according to any one of claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the thickness of said membrane is less than 50 microns. 23. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 20 à 22, caractérisé en ce que le diamètre des pores est inférieur à 10 microns. 23. Device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the pore diameter is less than 10 microns. 24. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 20 à 23, caractérisé en ce que le nombre de pores dans ladite membrane est compris entre 100 et 1 milliard. 24. Device according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the number of pores in said membrane is between 100 and 1 billion.
PCT/FR1997/000044 1996-01-11 1997-01-10 Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids Ceased WO1997025662A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU13133/97A AU1313397A (en) 1996-01-11 1997-01-10 Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9600447A FR2743553B1 (en) 1996-01-11 1996-01-11 METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DOSING AND EVAPORATING LIQUIDS AND DISPERSING THEM IN LARGE VOLUMES OF FLUIDS
FR96/00447 1996-01-11
FR96/03242 1996-03-11
FR9603242A FR2745559A1 (en) 1996-01-11 1996-03-11 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DOSING AND EVAPORATING LIQUIDS AND DISPERSING THEM IN LARGE VOLUMES OF FLUIDS

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997025662A1 true WO1997025662A1 (en) 1997-07-17

Family

ID=26232449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FR1997/000044 Ceased WO1997025662A1 (en) 1996-01-11 1997-01-10 Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1313397A (en)
FR (1) FR2745559A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1997025662A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2773442A1 (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-16 Akahoshi Ryoichi Aroma apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere
WO1999049904A1 (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Quest International B.V. Dispensing means
RU2577294C2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2016-03-10 Рекитт Энд Колмэн (Оуверсиз) Лимитед Devices and methods for perfection of volatile fluid feed
WO2016205029A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2016-12-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Energized air freshening apparatus comprising perfume mixtures having an olfactive index
US9827342B2 (en) 2015-06-19 2017-11-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Perfume mixtures comprising an olfactive index for activated air fresheners

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4614299A (en) * 1984-06-13 1986-09-30 International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Article which dispenses at a constant rate a volatile composition, and process for using same
DE4222470A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-14 Baxter Int Fluid-infusion instrument - has fluid chamber kept pressurised by preloading mechanism acting on plunger
US5299376A (en) * 1992-10-29 1994-04-05 Roberts Benton A Electronic scrape drip
DE4242938A1 (en) * 1992-12-18 1994-06-23 Richter Berthold Dispenser with spring reservoir drive
WO1994020390A1 (en) * 1993-03-09 1994-09-15 Yves Lecoffre Device for supplying low fluid flow rates from a container
FR2702465A1 (en) * 1993-03-09 1994-09-16 Lecoffre Yves Methods and apparatuses for controlling low fluid flows from self-contained containers

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4614299A (en) * 1984-06-13 1986-09-30 International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Article which dispenses at a constant rate a volatile composition, and process for using same
DE4222470A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-14 Baxter Int Fluid-infusion instrument - has fluid chamber kept pressurised by preloading mechanism acting on plunger
US5299376A (en) * 1992-10-29 1994-04-05 Roberts Benton A Electronic scrape drip
DE4242938A1 (en) * 1992-12-18 1994-06-23 Richter Berthold Dispenser with spring reservoir drive
WO1994020390A1 (en) * 1993-03-09 1994-09-15 Yves Lecoffre Device for supplying low fluid flow rates from a container
FR2702465A1 (en) * 1993-03-09 1994-09-16 Lecoffre Yves Methods and apparatuses for controlling low fluid flows from self-contained containers

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2773442A1 (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-16 Akahoshi Ryoichi Aroma apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere
WO1999049904A1 (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Quest International B.V. Dispensing means
US6568604B1 (en) 1998-04-01 2003-05-27 Quest International Bv Dispensing means
RU2577294C2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2016-03-10 Рекитт Энд Колмэн (Оуверсиз) Лимитед Devices and methods for perfection of volatile fluid feed
WO2016205029A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2016-12-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Energized air freshening apparatus comprising perfume mixtures having an olfactive index
US9737627B2 (en) 2015-06-19 2017-08-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Energized air freshening apparatus comprising perfume mixtures having an olfactive index
US9827342B2 (en) 2015-06-19 2017-11-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Perfume mixtures comprising an olfactive index for activated air fresheners
CN107750171A (en) * 2015-06-19 2018-03-02 宝洁公司 Energization air freshening device comprising the spice mixt with smell index

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2745559A1 (en) 1997-09-05
AU1313397A (en) 1997-08-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0379818B1 (en) Device for producing foam
EP2531154B1 (en) Vial for packaging a liquid having a drip dispensing head
JP2017526494A (en) Microfluidic delivery system for releasing a fluid composition
WO1999059881A1 (en) Sampling-type spraying device
FR2767492A1 (en) Nebulizer producing a fine mist of liquid droplets to mix with an immiscible liquid
CA3142706A1 (en) Removable assembly for a diffusing apparatus
WO1994020390A1 (en) Device for supplying low fluid flow rates from a container
EP2879966B1 (en) Drop dispensing head
WO1997025662A1 (en) Method and apparatuses for metering and evaporating liquids and dispersing same in large volumes of fluids
EP1747815B1 (en) Adapting a dispenser to produce foam
WO1999051358A1 (en) Improved sprayer and system for controlled spraying
EP1264639A1 (en) Apparatus for spraying liquids, particularly as a product sample
EP1638855B1 (en) Application device for liquid product
FR2743553A1 (en) Low output controlled, liquid distribution system, for perfuming air
FR2610302A1 (en) Foam dispenser
FR3022807A1 (en) DEVICE FOR THE NEBULIZATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIQUID
EP1252900B1 (en) Device for diffusing a volatile product, particularly a perfume in a large space
EP1714707B1 (en) Refillable foam pump
US8329477B2 (en) Method and system for controllably releasing solutions
WO2008043885A1 (en) Refillable foam pump
WO2009122035A2 (en) Method and device for diffusing liquids
FR2702465A1 (en) Methods and apparatuses for controlling low fluid flows from self-contained containers
FR2723851A1 (en) Drive unit permitting slow and controlled movement
WO1996005876A1 (en) Motorisation device for producing very short displacements
WO2008043884A1 (en) Device for adapting non-specific pumps to the production of foam

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 97524928

Format of ref document f/p: F

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase