US 7712683 B2
A removable replaceable cartridge for use with a liquid diffusing device. The cartridge includes a venturi, a conduit extending to the venturi, a mixing area and an outlet path for atomizing and dispersing a liquid within the cartridge. A diffusion device including a removable replaceable cartridge received within a housing. The housing includes a source of compressed gas which is directed into the cartridge. A venturi head with a unitary body for use with a diffusion device.
1. A cartridge for use with a liquid diffusing device, the diffusing device including a source of compressed gas, the cartridge comprising:
a reservoir and a diffusion head mounted to the reservoir;
the reservoir defining an interior space partially filled with a liquid to be diffused and a head space above the liquid within the reservoir;
the diffusion head comprising:
a venturi having a narrow end and an opposing wide end, the wide end opening into an initial expansion chamber, the expansion chamber having a plurality of openings into the head space, the narrow end including only a first opening and a second opening;
a conduit including a first end extending below the liquid level in the reservoir, a second end of the conduit in fluid communication with the first opening of the narrow end and fixed in position with respect to the narrow end;
an inlet in fluid communication with the second opening of the narrow end of the venturi and permitting gas to flow from the source of compressed gas of the diffusing device into the venturi;
an outlet in fluid communication with the head space permitting gas within the head space to exit the cartridge, the outlet including a second chamber through which the gas within the head space must pass to exit the cartridge, the second chamber including a liquid return opening permitting liquid accumulating within the secondary chamber to return the reservoir.
2. A diffusion device comprising:
a housing including a source of compressed gas and a recess for receiving a removable liquid cartridge;
a removable cartridge within the recess, the cartridge comprising:
a reservoir within which a liquid to be diffused is contained and a head space defined above the liquid within the reservoir;
a diffusion head mounted to the reservoir, the diffusion head including a tube with a first end extending into the liquid, an inlet in fluid communication with the source of compressed gas of the housing, a venturi with a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow end only in fluid communication with a second end of the tube and the inlet, and the wide end in fluid communication with the head space through an initial expansion chamber opening into the head space;
the diffusion head including an outlet separate from the venturi in fluid communication with the head space of the reservoir, the outlet including a secondary chamber through which gas from the head space must pass to exit the cartridge, the secondary chamber including a liquid return opening through which any liquid accumulating within the secondary chamber may return to the reservoir.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/734,660, filed on Apr. 12, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Diffusion devices in the past have had the ability to dispense scent or other liquids throughout the atmosphere of desired spaces but have suffered from several drawbacks. Changing the scent or product that is being diffused has typically required that a reservoir of the diffusing device be emptied and then filled with the new liquid or scent. Conventional reservoirs may be configured to be refilled directly with the liquid to be diffused, which can be messy or have a highly concentrated odor. This refilling may not be desirably carried out in a public setting, such as a store, restaurant, casino or other commercial setting where the scent or other product may be diffused.
Additionally, having to deal with bulk refills that must be poured or otherwise placed into the reservoir of the diffusion device may not be a desirable arrangement for home or non-commercial diffusion devices. An improved ability to refill or recharge a diffusion device with scent or other product is desirable.
Conventional diffusion devices may require that a liquid reservoir be emptied before a new scent or other product may be added to the device for diffusion. Unless the reservoir and perhaps other portions of the apparatus that perform the diffusion are cleaned of any residual of the prior diffused material, at least some degree of cross-contamination between the different scents or other products to be diffused is likely to occur when changing scents. Improvements permitting quick and easy shifting between scents and/or other products to be diffused is desirable.
Conventional diffusion devices may include a diffusion head with a venturi within which mixing of the liquid to be dispersed and pressurized gases take place prior to the liquid being released into the area to be treated. Openings and passages within these diffusion heads may be quite small and susceptible to clogging or blockage by contaminants or larger particles within the liquid to be diffused. Periodic cleaning or replacement of the diffusion heads may sometimes be necessary to ensure efficient operation of the diffusion device. Improvement in the ease with which diffusion heads may be replaced is desirable.
The present disclosure relates generally to liquid diffusion devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a removable replaceable cartridge for use with a diffusion device where the liquid to be diffused is contained within the cartridge. The present disclosure further relates to a diffusion device including a removable replaceable cartridge received within a housing. The housing includes a source of compressed gas which is directed into the cartridge. The removable replaceable cartridge includes a tube, venturi, mixing areas and outlet paths for diffusing and dispersing a liquid within the cartridge. The present disclosure further relates to a unitary diffusion head for use with a diffusion device, the head including a gas conduit and a liquid conduit in fluid communication with a venturi.
The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the figures is as follows:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Within the present disclosure, the terms atomize and diffuse are used in their various forms interchangeably. They are intended to refer to generally the same action, that being the dispersion of liquid into very small particle sizes (preferably but not limited to one micron or less in size) and releasing the particles into the atmosphere of a generally enclosed space. This particle size helps ensure that that the liquid to be dispersed remains airborne long enough to effectively treat the space.
A conventional approach to providing this small particle size is to incorporate a dispersion or gas-liquid mixing location adjacent an expansion chamber, which may include one or more baffles. The mixed gas and liquid combination may contain particles of greater than desirable size. Allowing this mix to remain resident within the expansion chamber prior to release into the treated space will allow the larger particles to precipitate out of the mix. Intermediate bulkheads or walls that a flow of the gas and liquid mix impinge upon may also assist in the collection of these larger particles and leave only the desired predominantly smaller sized particle to be released. This expansion chamber could be maintained at a positive pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure within the space to be treated, so that the gas and liquid mix will be injected from the device into the space. Alternatively, the expansion chamber may generally be maintained at the atmospheric pressure of the space to be treated with the flow of gas through the chamber providing the impetus for movement of the gas and liquid mix from the device into the space to be treated. It may also be possible to have the pressure within the expansion chamber at a pressure lower than that of the treated space which may aid in the mixing or dispersion of the diffused liquid within the atmosphere within the space.
Within the context of this disclosure, diffusion also generally refers to a process or method of dispersing a liquid without destroying the integrity of the liquid compound. While some degree of reactivity between the gas and the liquid may be desirable, diffusion generally does not change the nature of the liquid, unlike heating or the application of electrical energy into the liquid to diffuse the liquid.
Device 100 may used to provide or introduce a pleasant or soothing scent (or some other type of liquid that may be used as an airborne treatment or compound) into the air space of a room or other enclosed space. The particular liquid to be dispensed by device 100 is contained within replaceable cartridge 104. Other possible types of liquids that may be dispersed by device 100 or similarly configured devices may include decontamination agents, insecticides, insect repellents, and many different types of liquids that may be desirably dispersed within an enclosed space. The present disclosure is not limited to a particular type or nature of liquid to be dispersed, but is intended to encompass any desirable airborne liquid treatments that are preferably dispersed within an enclosed space to be effective. The term enclosed space, as used herein, refers to any volume of space within which the atmospheric turnover is sufficiently slow to permit the dispersed liquid to have its desired effect within the space. Larger spaces, such as concert halls, casinos, lobbies, etc, may have one or more openings into the space and still have the desired characteristics to permit treatment with a diffused liquid. Other spaces may be preferably fully enclosed to permit treatment by the selected liquid. In other cases, the liquid used for treatment may preferably be used in a sealed space for maximum effectiveness or for safety reasons. Within the scope of the present disclosure, it is not intended to limit the nature, size or configuration of the space to be treated except as may be appropriate for the liquid used to treat the space and the nature of treatment within the space that is desired.
It is also anticipated that some of the compounds or materials that might be diffused into the space could be stored in a solid form and only dissolved or reduced to a liquid form immediately prior to diffusion. Storage as a solid may provide greater compound stability during transportation or storage, or may provide a greater shelf life for cartridges for use with diffusion devices of the present disclosure.
A source of compressed gas is provided within housing 102, such as a small air compressor or pump, an internal reservoir, or a connection to an external source of compressed gas. Controls 108 may be configured to provided to permit adjustment of the timing and force of compressed gas or air generated by the pump or compressor within housing 102 and directed into cartridge 104. Within cartridge 104, the compressed gas is directed to atomize the liquid within the cartridge and to aid in the dispersion of the atomized liquid from device 100 and into the air space to be treated.
As taught by conventional liquid diffusion devices, it may be desirable to have an indirect route from the point of actual atomization of the liquid within device 100 and the outlet through which a portion of the atomized particles exit from device 100. As will be described below, cartridge 104 provides an atomization zone where liquid from the cartridge and compressed gas from the housing meet and are mixed. In addition, cartridge 104 may also provide an expansion chamber within the cartridge where the atomized liquid is retained until a portion of the atomized liquid is allowed to leave device 100 through opening 110. Cartridge 104 may combine storage of the liquid to be diffused, an atomization structure to transform the liquid into an airborne concentration, an expansion chamber, and a path to outlet. These features are discussed in further detail below. Cartridges according to the present disclosure may also be used with conventional expansion chambers which are external to the cartridge to further aid in the separation of particle sizes and permit only desirably small particles to be allowed into the space to be treated.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Within inlet cavity 168 is an opening 178 for receiving and mounting one way flow device 138 to regulate gas flow into cartridge 104 and flow of liquid 116 out of cartridge 104. Also within cavity 168 is an recess 180 for mounting a venturi and tube assembly, shown below. One or more openings 182 are provided within recess 180 permitting passage of gas and/or liquid from cavity 168 into reservoir 114. Gas flow during operation of diffusion device 100 would generally be from inlet 128 through opening 178 into cavity 168 and then through recess 180 and openings 182 into reservoir 114.
Outlet cavity 172 includes an opening 184 for gas and atomized liquid to flow from head space 120 of reservoir 114 into the cavity. A transverse bulkhead 186 extends across cavity 172 and divides the cavity into a first chamber 188 and a second chamber 190. Bulkhead 186 does not extend to upper edge 176 so that the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with each other over bulkhead 186.
Bulkhead 186 may aid in the separation of undesirably large particles of airborne liquid from exiting cartridge 104 by providing additional space for such large particles to precipitate out of the gas and atomized liquid exiting through cavity 172. Any precipitate accumulating in chamber 188 may flow back into reservoir 114 through opening 178. Any precipitate accumulating in chamber 190 may flow back into reservoir 114 through a weep hole 192. Weep hole 192 may help prevent undesirable build up of liquid within chamber 190 that may interfere with smooth passage of gas and atomized liquid from opening 184 through cavity 172 and through outlet 124. Bulkhead 186 is preferably positioned close to the level of upper edge 176 to encourage precipitation of undesirable large particles and to discourage refilling of cartridge 104, as will be described below, and far enough below the level of upper edge 176 so as not unduly impede movement of the liquid and gas mix from the reservoir to the outlet.
A molded feature 194 may be included within cavity 172 to aid in positioning a one way flow device 138 adjacent to opening 124. This one way flow device would regulate the flow of gas and atomized liquid through opening 124 and prevent liquid 116 from escaping through opening 124.
Referring now to
Positioned about openings 182 and extending from lower plate 162 is a wall 198 defining an initial expansion chamber 200 for gas and atomized liquid being ejected into head space 120 from the venturi to be mounted within recess 180. Preferably, a lower extension 199 (shown in
An extension 202 of lower plate 162 extends beyond mating surface 196 and forms a lower portion of extension 126 of diffusion head 122. Extending from extension 202 is a wall 204 about inlet opening 178. Wall 204 may engage a mating feature within or adjacent to recess 112 of housing 102 to aid in the positioning of cartridge 104 into recess 112 and proper engagement of the source of compressed gas of housing 102. A recess or valve seat 206 (shown in
As shown in
As indicated above, one way flow devices 138 may be positioned within diffusion head 122 in both the inlet and outlet cavities of baffle 140. It is anticipated that one way flow device 138 will be inserted within seal 216 facing downward in seat 206 in opening 178. When cartridge 104 is placed within recess 112 of housing 102, opening 178 is connected to the source of pressurized gas. Gas pressure may be used to overcome spring member 218 and open one way flow device 138 and permit pressurized gas to enter cartridge 104. Alternatively, recess 112 may include a valve engaging member that extends into opening 178 and mechanically presses one way flow device 138 open.
It is anticipated that one way flow device 138 will be positioned within second chamber 190 of outlet cavity 172 beneath opening 146 with seal 216 facing upward. One way flow device 138 in this position would prevent contamination from entering inlet cavity 172 and also prevent liquid 116 from leaking through opening 146. Cover 106 may include a member inside the cover adjacent outlet 110 to engage and depress seal 216 downward when cover 106 is placed over housing 102 and cartridge 104.
The cooperation of one way flow devices 138 with housing 102 and cover 106 permits cartridge 104 to be configured with a secure seal against contamination or leakage of liquid 116 during transportation and storage of cartridges 104 prior to use. These seals do not require direct intervention of a user to prepare cartridge 104 for use with device 100. Preferably, seals 216 of one way flow device 138 are resilient and durable, so that cartridge 104 may be removed from housing 102 prior to being fully depleted of liquid 116 and stored for reuse. During partial use storage, one way flow devices 138 would return to the closed position and protect against leaks and contamination. The cartridge could then be reused until fully depleted.
Such an arrangement of one way flow devices would permit cartridges to be replaced whenever a new scent or air treatment is desired required, without wasting any unused portion of a removed cartridge. Such an arrangement of one way flow devices 138, in cooperation with the configuration of outlet cavity 172 with intermediate transverse bulkhead 186, may also prevent or render inefficient attempts to refill cartridges 104 or to introduce undesirable elements into cartridge 104. A one way flow device 138 may be installed atop feature 194 in second chamber 190, with seal 216 facing upward. The combination of one way flow device 138 and bulkhead 186 makes it difficult to insert a tube or conduit through opening 126, through one way flow device 138, up and over bulkhead 186 and then through opening 184 into reservoir 114. Merely depressing seal 216 of one way flow device 138 will permit a person to only charge second chamber 190 with the liquid or material to be introduced into reservoir 114. Cartridge 104 could then be tilted to empty second chamber into the first chamber and have it drain through opening 184. Weep hole 192 is sized to permit small amounts (drops) of precipitated liquid to drain into reservoir 114 and is preferably not large enough to permit larger amounts of liquid to be quickly introduced into reservoir 114. It is also anticipated that a flapper valve or similar arrangement might be placed between a top edge of bulkhead 186 and bottom surface 150 of top wall 142. Such a flapper or other valve might be biased to allow atomized liquid and gas to pass from opening 184 to opening 126, but to close off the space between bulkhead 186 and bottom surface 150 of top wall 142 when cartridge 104 is tilted to encourage liquid to flow over bulkhead 186 n the opposite direction.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Gas passage 246 directs the gas into narrow end 238 of venturi 240. The gas flow in narrow end 238 creates a low pressure environment adjacent second end 236 of tube 220. This vacuum draws liquid 116 up tube 220 and into narrow end 238. High velocity gas and liquid 116 mix in venturi 240 as they pass from narrow end 238 to wide end 242. Leaving venturi 240, the mixed gas and liquid pass through openings 182 and into head space 120 of reservoir 114. This may also pressurize the gas within head space 120.
The flow of gas and diffused liquid into head space 120 will urge gas and diffused liquid to flow toward the only exit from head space 120, which is through opening 184 and into outlet cavity 172. Gas flowing through opening 184 will also transport any atomized liquid suspended in the gas into outlet cavity 172. While the gas and suspended liquid are within head space 120, larger, less desirable liquid particles atomized in the gas should precipitate back into liquid 116. To pass from first chamber 188 into second chamber 190, the gas/liquid mixture must pass over bulkhead 186. While the gas/liquid mixture passes through first chamber 188, additional large liquid particles may precipitate out and drain back into reservoir 114.
To exit second chamber 190, the gas/liquid mixture must pass about an opened one way flow device 138 and exit through opening 146. Any additional liquid particles precipitating within second chamber 190 may drain back into reservoir 114 through weep hole 192. Thus, by the time a gas/liquid mixture exits from cartridge 104, there has been some amount of time during residency in the head space and passage through the two chambers of outlet cavity 172 to permit undesirably large liquid particles or droplets to precipitate from the mixture and be returned to reservoir 114 for later atomization and dispersion.
Referring now to
Intermediate portion 254 may also include a liquid entry such as an opening 256 permitting insertion of second end 236 of tube 220 to a position adjacent narrow end 238 of venturi 240 and gas passage 246. Lower portion 252 may include a slot 248 to permit insertion of tube 220 during assembly of venturi and tube assembly 228. Flow of gas through gas entry 244 and into narrow end 238 of venturi 240 creates a lower pressure condition adjacent second end 236 of tube 220. The lowered pressure urges liquid to be drawn through tube 220 into venturi 240 where it can mix with gas entering through gas entry 244. The mixing of gas and liquid within venturi 240 causes the liquid to be atomized into smaller airborne liquid particles. The gas and liquid particles are urged through venturi 240 by the pressure of the gas and exit through wide end 242 of venturi 240.
A surface 258 of venturi 240 extending between narrow end 238 and wide end 242 may include a coating or molded texture. Such a coating or texture may enhance the removal or precipitation of larger than desired atomized particles or droplets of liquid prior to release of the atomized liquid from cartridge 104 into the space to be treated.
During operation of device 100, it is not uncommon for some very small contaminants within the pressurized gas or liquid 116 to build up within gas passage 246 or venturi 240. Such a buildup may significantly degrade the ability of device 100 to treat the air as desired. Due to the size of the passages that may be blocked or occluded, it may not be feasible or desirable to clean or permit a user to remove the buildup. It is anticipated that many portions of cartridge 104 will be made from molded or formed plastic or polymeric materials. Such materials may be too soft to effectively clean and may be so damaged during the cleaning process that the function or performance of device 100 or cartridge 104 may be irrevocably degraded.
In addition, if users are successful in refilling cartridges 104 with the same or different liquids 116, users may be attempting to use the cartridges beyond a point where the buildup of material has fully compromised function of device 100.
To address this issue, it is anticipated that head 222 may be molded or formed from a material with known degradation characteristics when exposed to liquid 116, the gas used to drive the diffusion, or the pressure of the gas passing through the head. The degradation of head 222 may be matched with the expected life of the liquid in the cartridge and normal operation of device 100. Head 222 may also be made of a bio-degradable material which may have the known degradation characteristics. It is also anticipated that all of cartridge 104 may be made of a biodegradable material, as it may be desirable that the cartridge is configured to be used only one time before being discarded. It is also anticipated that cartridge 104 could be configured to be returned to a manufacturer or other entity after its planned use to have the cartridge disassembled, cleaned, any worn or damaged parts replaced and then refilled and resealed for use.
When changing a scent or treatment liquid in a conventional diffusion device 100, it would not be unknown for some amount of the prior liquid to remain in the tube, the venturi, the mixing chamber or other areas of the outlet path. These prior liquids would essentially contaminate the new scent or treatment liquid desired until they are purged from the outlet path through either cleaning or continued operation of the system. Having cartridges 104 with all elements of the tube, mixing zones, and outlet path contained in a single removable unit, changes to the scent or air treatment dispensed by device 100 can be accomplished without any undesirable cross-contamination from prior scents or treatments. Prevention of such possible cross-contamination is especially desirable or required in settings such as treatment of medical facilities where a high degree of cleanliness is essential, or when delivering liquids which may react with each other.
In the present disclosure, the openings of the housing and/or the cartridge have permitted the atomized liquid from with the cartridge to flow directly into a space to be treated. However, the openings could direct the diffused liquid into an air transport or distribution system instead. The air transport system might include ductwork or other avenues that would permit the diffused liquid to the dispersed into a remotely located space or a plurality of remotely located spaces. Thus, cartridge 104 could be used to diffuse and disperse liquid throughout an entire building, for example, through the existing HVAC conduits.
It is also anticipated that cartridge 104 might be adapted to mount directly to a fitting on a conduit or source of compressed gas without the need for mounting within or as part of a housing. Such a fitting might permit cartridge 104 to be positioned to treat air within a single enclosed space or may be used to treat air flowing through a air transport system and treat a plurality of spaces. Alternatively, a plurality of cartridges might be used to treat individually spaces but may be linked to the same gas source. The source of compressed gas could then be controlled centrally for all of the spaces treated without the need for or provision of local controls for each treated space. Or each space could have a valve for controlling the flow of gas through the cartridge and thus the strength or intensity of the treatment within a particular space. Such local control valves could be then permit the same or similar cartridges to be used in conjunction with a common gas source to treat a plurality of different sized or configured spaces.
Along upper edge 130 of reservoir 114 may be a lip 304 and formed within baffle 140 may be a mating recess 306. These two features may be configured to engage each other and provide a firm engagement of the reservoir to the baffle and to seal liquid 116 within cartridge 104. Lip 304 and recess 306 may be joined by physically, such as by spin welding or other common techniques. Alternatively, baffle 140 and reservoir 114 may be joined by chemical of physical bonding, such as with an adhesive. It is desirable, regardless of the technique or bonding used, that the connection between baffle 140 and reservoir 114, that a seal be formed preventing liquid 116 from escaping from within cartridge 104, regardless of the orientation of the cartridge.
Cover 510 includes an interior valve engagement or actuating assembly 540 positioned about outlet 110 and extending toward cartridge 504. Assembly 540 may include a cage 552 with a tapered cartridge engaging portion 554. Positioned within cage 552 may be a ball 556, which is sized to allow free movement within cage 552 but not permit removal of ball 556 through outlet 110. Extending from within cage 552 and toward cartridge 504 may be a valve actuating pin 558. A first end of pin 558 may be configured to engage one way flow device 138 of cartridge 504. A second opposite end of pin 558 extends within cage 552 through tapered end 554 and is engaged by ball 556. Alternatively, pin 558 may be formed integrally with one way flow device 138.
When cover 510 is placed onto device 500 with cartridge 504 in recess 112, fitting 550 engages tapered end 554 of cage 552 and positions pin 558 to engage one way flow device 138. Pin 558 should move freely enough and be sufficiently light so that merely placing the cover about the cartridge does not depress one way flow device 138 and open the flow device to permit passage of gas and liquid. When device 500 is in a generally upright position, as shown in
However, if device 500 is tipped beyond a certain amount from upright, ball 556 would no longer be providing sufficient force to pin 558 to depress and open one way flow device 138. Thus, the liquid and gas mix or liquid by itself may not exit from cartridge 504 once device 500 is tipped too far from upright. Since device 500 may be configured to rest of a table or other flat horizontal surface, it may be desirable to have a device to prevent accidental spills of liquid of the device is knocked over or overly tipped while being moved. Other configurations of anti-spilling or tip sensing devices may be incorporated into device 500 and it is not intended to limit the nature of these spill prevention features to the particular features illustrated herein.
Referring now to
As mentioned above, head assembly 604 and reservoir 602 may be jointed to each other by heat or ultrasonic welding, spin welding, or by use of an adhesive.
Referring now to
An anti-spill feature may also be included in head assembly 604. This is provided by ball 556 nested between baffle 616 and a ball cage 622. A pin extends from cage 622 to engage one-way flow device 138, which may be held in place by a lower cover 624. Operation of this ball-activated spill preventer is similar to that described with regard to
Cartridge 600 is configured to be used either mounted within a known diffusion device or may be used on a non-enclosed installation including a mating bayonet fitting providing pressurized gas. Such a fitting could be located within ductwork or a plenum for supplying diffused liquid through a facility served by the ductwork or plenum. In this fashion, the controller could be mounted remotely from the cartridge, and such a controller may be used to control more than one diffusion device. Such a non-enclosed mounting arrangement may also be suitable for more industrial or utilitarian installations, where enclosure of the cartridge and control mechanism are not as aesthetically desirable or required.
Referring now to
Referring now to
It may also be noted that the various diffusion devices disclosed above have included some form of operational control, such as controls for varying the speed or timing of operation of an on-board air compressor to provide gas flow through the cartridge. In addition to using such controls to alter the amount of liquid diffused by the devices and the amount of treatment of a space, the characteristics of the liquid to be diffused and the amount of liquid within the reservoir may also alter the amounts. More viscous liquids may diffuse more slowly. Lower liquid levels within the reservoir will create a greater head to be overcome within the siphon tube to draw liquid into the venturi for diffusion. The density of the liquid may also affect the amount of treatment provided. These characteristics of the cartridge may also be taken into account when setting controls regarding the function and operation of the diffusion devices into which the cartridges are received.
It is also anticipated that a cartridge according to the present disclosure may include several reservoirs with different liquids or compounds. Each of these reservoirs may be in fluid communication with a common expansion chamber of the cartridge. A single common venturi may be provided through the pressurized gas may flow to diffuse the different compounds or liquids at the same time. Alternatively, such a multi-reservoir cartridge may have a single expansion chamber and a plurality of venturis. Each of the different reservoirs could be in fluid communication with one of the venturis and pressurized gas flow would individually diffuse the compounds or liquids into the common expansion chamber for dispersion within the space to be treated. It may desirable to have different treatment compounds separated until diffusion due to reactions or interactions between different compounds or due to decay characteristics of the different compounds. The liquids to be diffused may be immiscible and thus not suited for containment within the same reservoir. The different cartridge embodiments and diffusion device embodiments of the present disclosure may be adapted to include such a multiple compound concept.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Thus, it is recognized that those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, modifications, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the invention, and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.
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