Passive Dispenser of Volatile Material

A non-automated dispenser adapted to passively emanate a volatile material at room temperatures via a membrane, in particularly concerned with the emanation of a volatile material such as a fragrance/air freshener, an insecticide, a disinfectant, a bactericide, a fungicide and/or a medicament.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

As can be seen inFIG. 1, a dispenser (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated comprising a generally rectangular cube shape defined by a hollow housing with side edges (15) that space apart the front wall and rear wall (not shown) of the dispenser (10). In the front wall of the dispenser (10), are held two discrete membranes (11,12) separated by a separation member (13) of the housing. The membranes (11,12) are secured to the front wall of the housing to form a leak-proof seal therewith. A portion of the internal volume of the housing is filled with a volatile material, preferably a liquid volatile material. In the illustrated embodiment, the volatile material fills the internal volume of the housing up to the dashed line (14). This quantity of volatile material is preferred as it does not directly contact all of the membrane (12), thus likely permitting a general amelioration of vacuum effects as discussed hereinbefore.

Capillary/diffusion effects may cause the volatile material to be carried across the membrane (12) from its surface facing the interior of the housing to its surface facing the exterior of the housing. On reaching the exterior-facing surface of the membrane (12), the volatile material may be emanated into the surrounding environment by evaporation.

FIG. 1illustrates a first position of the dispenser (10) and it is to be noted that one of the membranes (11) is not in direct contact with the volatile material.

The boost feature according to the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 2where the movement of the dispenser (10) from a first position (position A) to a second position (position C,D) is demonstrated.

The movement of the dispenser (10) may be provided by a user lifting the dispenser (10), rotating it (position B) and placing back on to the surface such that a substantially opposite side edge(s) of the dispenser is in contact with the surface to the edge(s) that was in contact prior to moving the dispenser (position C,D). This movement of the dispenser may cause the volatile material to move to a substantially opposite end of the interior of the housing and, in doing so, move from direct contact with the membrane (12) and come into direct contact with the other membrane (11). The result of the movement is that for a temporary period of time (as shown in position C) both membranes (11,12) are wetted with volatile material even though only one membrane (11) is in direct contact therewith. With both membranes (11,12) wetted more evaporation of the volatile material from the exterior surfaces of both membranes (11,12) is permitted. For the membrane (12) that is no longer in direct contact with the volatile material, the quantity of volatile material in this membrane(12) will eventually evaporate away therefrom and, thus, once substantially completely evaporated away, the boost period will be over until the user moves the dispenser (10) again.

Although the dispenser (10) illustrated inFIGS. 1 & 2is of a general cubical shape,FIGS. 3 & 4illustrate that numerous shapes of housings and membranes have been envisaged within the various embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention.

InFIG. 5the particular orientation of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention illustrates how a user of the dispenser may alter the passive emanation rate of said dispenser.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser is provided with numerous discrete membranes, in this case four membranes with two sets of sizes. If desired however, all of the discrete membranes (or portions of a membranes) could be of different sizes or a combination of sizes. The dashed line illustrates the level of volatile material held within the housing. As can be seen, a user may orientate the housing by altering which part of its side edge is in contact with the surface on which the housing stands. In so altering the orientation, different membranes are placed in direct contact with the volatile material. Where the membranes are of a different size, as is the case inFIG. 5, where the biggest membranes are in direct contact (see G), the greater the passive emanation rate of the volatile material will be. In contrast, where the smaller membranes are in direct contact with the volatile material (see E), the lower the passive emanation rate.

Thus, the embodiment illustrates one example of how a dispenser in accordance with the present invention may be operated to vary the emanation rate either passively by selecting the orientation of the dispenser, or actively by activating the boost feature.