Activation methods for volatile dispenser

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9586719-B2
Application number	US-201514644374-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2015
Priority date	Mar 11, 2015
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for volatile fluid dispensers with novel activation mechanisms. The device includes a container assembly that includes a reservoir that is sealed to contain a volatile fluid, and an internal barrier. The device also includes a wicking assembly that includes a wick and a puncture element. The application of a force along a longitudinal axis of the wick to the puncture element breaks an internal barrier and allows the fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A consumer product for dispensing a volatile fluid, comprising:
a container assembly comprising:
a reservoir that is sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile fluid;
an internal barrier; and
a fitment;

a wicking assembly comprising:
a wick; and
a puncture element; and

an outer housing assembly comprising:
a rib; and
a slot into which the container assembly and wicking assembly may be inserted;

in which:
the container assembly and the wicking assembly are provided as a single unit;
the insertion of the container assembly and the wicking assembly into the outer housing assembly causes the rib to apply a force to the puncture element along a longitudinal axis of the wick; and
the force applied to the puncture element along a longitudinal axis of the wick breaks the internal barrier, allowing contact of the volatile fluid with the wick.

2. The consumer product of claim 1 , further comprising a removable collar to prevent premature activation of the consumer product.

3. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the fitment guides the motion of the puncture element through a spiral path.

4. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the fluid in the reservoir comprises a volatile fragrance, an aromatherapeutic agent, an insecticide, a repellant, or insecticide.

5. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the internal barrier is flexible.

6. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the internal barrier is rigid.

7. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the wick is a porous solid.

8. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the fitment guides the motion of the puncture element through a spiral path.

9. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the fitment guides the motion of the puncture element to break the internal barrier such that the puncture element does not rotate.

10. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the puncture element comprises an activation lever.

11. The consumer product of claim 1 , in which the wicking assembly further comprises an emanator pad disposed on the wick.

12. The consumer product of claim 1 , further comprising a removable collar to prevent premature activation of the reservoir.

Assignees

• Dial Corp

Inventors

• Hafer Kevin
• Clark James
• Freeborn Matthew

Classifications

• B65D2401/15

  Tearable part of the closure (B65D2401/60 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01M29/12

  using odoriferous substances, e.g. aromas, pheromones or chemical agents · CPC title

• A61M11/04

  operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised {(air-humidification, e.g. "room humidifiers" F24F6/00)} · CPC title

• A61M15/0041

  with movable piercing or cutting means · CPC title

• A61L9/127

  comprising a wick · CPC title