Volatile fluid dispenser with rotational activation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016263344-A1
Application number	US-201514644363-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 11, 2015
Priority date	Mar 11, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for fluid dispensers with rotational activation mechanisms. The device may include a reservoir that is sealed to prevent an escape of fluid. The sealed reservoir includes an internal barrier. The device includes a wicking assembly that includes a wick and a rotational element. Rotation of the rotational element breaks the internal barrier of the sealed reservoir and allows the fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A device for activating a volatile reservoir, comprising:
a container assembly, comprising:
a reservoir that is sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile fluid; and
an internal barrier; and
a wicking assembly, comprising:
a wick; and
a rotational element;
in which rotation of the rotational element:
breaks the internal barrier of the container assembly; and
allows the volatile fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

2 . The device of claim 1 , in which the volatile fluid in the container assembly comprises a fragrance, an aromatherapeutic agent, an insecticide, or a repellant.

3 . The device of claim 1 , in which the internal barrier is flexible.

4 . The device of claim 1 , in which the internal barrier is rigid.

5 . The device of claim 1 , in which the wick is a porous solid.

6 . The device of claim 1 , in which the wicking assembly further comprises a wicking fitment which guides the rotation of the rotational element.

7 . The device of claim 1 , in which the internal barrier comprises a reservoir fitment which guides the rotation of the rotational element.

8 . The device of claim 1 , in which the rotational element comprises an activation lever.

9 . The device of claim 1 , in which the rotational element comprises an activation tab which breaks the internal barrier upon rotation of the rotational element.

10 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an outer housing assembly to contain the reservoir and wicking assembly.

11 . The device of claim 10 , in which the joining of the outer housing assembly to the container assembly and wicking assembly breaks the internal barrier of the container assembly.

12 . The device of claim 1 , in which the wicking assembly further comprises an emanator pad.

13 . A method to produce an apparatus to activate a reservoir, comprising:
providing a container assembly comprising a reservoir; placing a fluid into the reservoir; applying a seal to contain the fluid within the reservoir; and affixing a wicking assembly comprising a wick and a rotational element to the container assembly; in which:
the rotation of the rotational element breaks an internal barrier separating the fluid in the reservoir from the wick of the wicking assembly.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying a second seal to prevent leakage of the fluid following breakage of the internal barrier.

15 . The method of claim 14 , in which the second seal remains intact upon rotation of the rotational element.

16 . The method of claim 13 , in which the internal barrier that is broken upon rotation of the rotational element is included with the seal that is applied to contain the fluid within the reservoir.

17 . The method of claim 13 , in which the wicking assembly is affixed to the container assembly before placing a fluid into the reservoir.

18 . A consumer product for dispensing a volatile fluid, comprising:
a container assembly comprising a reservoir that is sealed to contain a volatile fluid, in which the sealed reservoir comprises an internal barrier; a wicking assembly comprising a wick, a rotational element, and a fitment; and an outer housing assembly comprising a rib to engage the rotational element and a slot into which the container assembly and the wicking assembly may be inserted; in which:
the engagement of the rib with the rotational element couples the rotation of the rotational element to the outer housing assembly;
the rotation of the rotational element relative to the container assembly breaks the internal barrier of the container assembly; and
the breakage of the internal barrier of the container assembly allows the volatile fluid contained in the reservoir to contact the wick of the wicking assembly.

19 . The consumer product of claim 18 , in which the engagement of the rib with the rotational element occurs by an activation lever on the rotational element.

20 . The consumer product of claim 18 , in which the outer housing assembly comprises a number of ventilation openings.

Assignees

• Dial Corp

Inventors

• Hafer Kevin
• Clark James
• Freeborn Matthew

Classifications

• A61M2021/0016

  by the smell sense · CPC title

• A01M1/20

  Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects {(fumigation apparatus A01M13/00)} · CPC title

• A61M21/02 Primary

  for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021) · CPC title

• A01M13/00

  Fumigators; Apparatus for distributing gases {(poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide A01M1/2022)} · CPC title

• A61L2209/13

  Dispensing or storing means for active compounds · CPC title