Diffusion device with replaceable cartridge

A diffusion device comprising:

• a housing including a flow of 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 flow of gas from the housing, a venturi with a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow end in fluid communication with a second end of the tube and the inlet, and the wide end in fluid communication with the head space, the venturi configured to permit gas to flow from the inlet through the venturi from the narrow end toward the wide end and into the head space of the reservoir;
• the diffusion head including a separate outlet in fluid communication with the head space of the reservoir, and an inlet in fluid communication with the flow of gas, the inlet and the outlet configured to selectively prevent liquid within the reservoir from exiting the reservoir;
• the diffusion device further comprising an outlet one way flow device positioned between the head space of the reservoir and the outlet, the outlet one way flow device preventing liquid from the reservoir from exiting the reservoir through the outlet, wherein placement of the cartridge within the housing opens the outlet one way flow device and permits fluid from the head space of the reservoir to exit through the outlet;
• the housing further comprising a cover which fits about the cartridge positioned within the housing, the cover including an outlet one way flow device actuator which opens the outlet one way flow device when the cover placed about the cartridge.

A diffusion device comprising:

• a housing including a flow of 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 flow of gas from the housing, a venturi with a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow end in fluid communication with a second end of the tube and the inlet, and the wide end in fluid communication with the head space, the venturi configured to permit gas to flow from the inlet through the venturi from the narrow end toward the wide end and into the head space of the reservoir;
• the diffusion head including a separate outlet in fluid communication with the head space of the reservoir, and an inlet in fluid communication with the flow of gas, the inlet and the outlet configured to selectively prevent liquid within the reservoir from exiting the reservoir;
• the diffusion device further comprising an outlet one way flow device positioned between the head space of the reservoir and the outlet, the outlet one way flow device preventing liquid from the reservoir from exiting the reservoir through the outlet, wherein placement of the cartridge within the housing opens the outlet one way flow device and permits fluid from the head space of the reservoir to exit through the outlet;
• the housing further comprising a cover which fits about the cartridge positioned within the housing, the cover including an actuator for selectively engaging the outlet one way flow device of the cartridge, wherein when the device is generally upright, the actuator opens the outlet one way flow device and permits liquid to escape from the cartridge, and wherein when the device is tipped from generally upright, the actuator permits the outlet one way flow device to close and prevents exit of liquid from the cartridge.

A venturi head for a liquid diffusion device, the venturi head comprising:

• a unitary body with an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion;
• the upper portion including a gas entry;
• the lower portion including a wide end of a venturi;
• the intermediate portion including a liquid entry in fluid communication with the gas entry and a narrow end of the venturi, the narrow end of the venturi in fluid communication with the gas entry;
• wherein gas flow through the gas entry toward the narrow end of the venturi creates a lower pressure adjacent the liquid entry and a liquid from the liquid entry mixes with the gas from the gas entry and the liquid is atomized as it passes through the narrow end of the venturi;
• a surface extending between the narrow end of the venturi and the wide end of the venturi, the surface including a texture to encourage precipitation of atomized liquid within the venturi.

A unitary cartridge for use with a liquid diffusion device, the liquid diffusion device in fluid communication with a flow of gas, the cartridge comprising;

• a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with a diffusion head;
• the liquid 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 including a venturi in fluid communication with the flow of gas and having an opening into the head space;
• a conduit having a first end extending below the liquid level in the liquid reservoir and a second end of the conduit in fluid communication with the venturi wherein the flow of gas into the venturi causes a decrease in pressure proximate the liquid reservoir that draws liquid from the reservoir into the flow of gas where the liquid mixes with the gas to form a gas and liquid mixture which flows into the head space;
• an outlet in fluid communication with the head space that selectively permits gas within the head space to exit the cartridge;
• a one way flow device mounted in the outlet preventing liquid from within the reservoir from passing through the inlet and out of the cartridge;
• the outlet further including an outlet cavity extending between a first opening into the head space and a second opening including the one way flow device;
• and
• the outlet cavity including a transverse bulkhead positioned between the first and second openings, the bulkhead defining a first cavity adjacent the first opening and a second cavity adjacent the second opening and preventing liquid within the second cavity from flowing into the first cavity, and the second cavity includes a weep hole to permit liquid within the second cavity to drain into the reservoir.

A diffusion head for a liquid diffusion device, the diffusion head comprising:

• a unitary body with a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;
• the first portion including a gas inlet;
• the second portion including an outlet of a venturi;
• the third portion including a liquid entry connected to a source of liquid and in fluid communication with the gas inlet and proximate a constriction of the venturi, the constriction of the venturi in fluid communication with the gas inlet;
• wherein a flow of gas through the gas inlet and into the constriction of the venturi causes a decrease in pressure adjacent the liquid entry and a liquid from the liquid entry mixes with the gas from the gas inlet and the liquid is atomized as it passes through a narrow end of the venturi;
• and
• a surface extending between the constriction of the venturi and the outlet of the venturi, the surface including a texture to encourage precipitation of atomized liquid within the venturi.