Abstract:
Dispensers for fragrance and chemical compounds include paperboard materials and unique shapes to allow for simplified production and use of the dispensers in various environments.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the dispensing of fragrances or chemicals and more particularly to dispensers for dispensing fragrances or chemicals into the air. 
         [0003]    2. State of the Art 
         [0004]    Air care and air fragrance dispensers are well known. From candles to solid or semi-solid fragrance materials that emanate fragrance into the air in order to provide a scent to an area have been used for years. Similarly, scented oils, scented alcohol, and other liquids have been used to produce or introduce a scent or fragrance within a room. Some dispensers utilize heat or other energy to release fragrances from such oils. 
         [0005]    For example, many of the air freshener or air care products available on the market include plug-in systems with a reservoir holding a scented oil or alcohol. Electricity warms the product in the reservoir, releasing a scent. In other examples, scented oils or liquids may wick through a wicking material from a reservoir to an exposed end where evaporation of the product at the wick end releases a scent into the air. 
         [0006]    Other devices are also used to release chemicals into the air. For example, devices are used to disperse mosquito or bug repellant into the air around a user. Many such devices exist and take different forms. 
         [0007]    While various products exist to facilitate the release of a scent or fragrance or chemical from a product stored in a reservoir into the air, there is a need to develop new dispensers and methods for releasing such scents, fragrances, and chemicals. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a fragrance or chemical dispenser may include a paperboard or plastic body with a hollow interior portion containing a scented product. The scented product may include gels, liquids, solids, or any combination thereof. The body may accordion such that it may be shipped in a smaller form than when in use. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the body is shipped in a compressed format with a product inside. Upon desired use, a user may pull the ends of the body apart, allowing the body to grow or expand as an accordion does. Upon expansion, a product reservoir, hollow area, or other container within an interior of the body may be opened such that a product contained in the product reservoir is exposed to air circulating through the body through holes in the body, natural airflow through the body material, or through controlled flow of air through the body. Air flowing over the product may evaporate the product and release a scent that may be carried to the area around the body, thereby scenting the air in the vicinity of the body. 
         [0009]    According to other embodiments of the invention, an accordion body may include a scent or scented particles contained in that portion of the body that pulls apart upon use. When the body is pulled apart, the accordion sidewalls may be exposed to air and the product embedded in the sidewalls may begin to evaporate or disperse a scent or other chemical into the air around the 
         [0010]    In still other embodiments, the body may include a wicking material or dispersion device on an interior thereof such that the scent may be reactivated on the wicking material by pressing the body back into the original position and then expanding the accordion body again. In some embodiments, contraction and expansion of the body may dip the wicking material in a product reservoir within an interior of the body and then remove the wicking material such that the wicking material then carries a product that evaporates and disperses a scent through the body. In this manner, a user may activate the dispenser as needed to add scent to area around the dispenser. 
         [0011]    According to other embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may include accordion sections that may be selectively opened or expanded to release a desired amount of fragrance at one time or over a period of time. 
         [0012]    In still other embodiments, a dispenser may include one or more wicking components made from a recyclable or compostable paperboard material. In some embodiments, the paperboard material may include a plastic coating or surface to direct or control wicking. In still other embodiments, the wicking components may be shaped to provide decorative features to a dispenser. 
         [0013]    In still other embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may be powered and may include one or more refills such that the fragrance may be dispersed over time and a refill used to change the fragrance or refill an empty dispenser. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates a dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may be used to dispense or disperse a scent, fragrance, or chemical into the air or atmosphere surrounding the dispenser. While various embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the dispensing or dispersing of a fragrance, it is understood that such embodiments of the invention could also be used to dispense or disperse a scent or chemical as well. 
         [0031]    A dispenser  100  according to some embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The dispenser  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is in an initial—or unopened—state. The dispenser  100  may include a base  120  and a top  110 . A wall  130  may extend from the top  110  to the base  120  as illustrated. In some embodiments of the invention, the wall  130  may fold-up upon itself and expand away from itself in order to allow the height or length of the dispenser  100  to be altered. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the dispenser  100  includes a wall  130  that is folded over upon itself multiple times. Pulling on the top  110  of the dispenser  100  while holding the base  120  may expand the wall  130 . For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wall  130  of the dispenser  100  may be expanded like an accordion. The dispenser  100  may then rest on the base  120 . In other embodiments, the dispenser  100  may be inverted and the dispenser  100  may rest on the top  110  of the dispenser  100 . 
         [0032]    A dispenser  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  may include a hollow interior compartment. Within the interior or interior compartment of the dispenser  100 , a reservoir for containing a product may exist. The reservoir may contain a liquid, gel, or other product having a fragrance or scent. Upon actuation or expansion of the wall  130  of the dispenser  100 , the product may be released or unsealed within the interior dispenser  100  such that it is exposed to the environment within the dispenser  100 . For instance, a flexible, plastic reservoir holding a fragrance gel or liquid product may be contained within the dispenser  100 . The reservoir may include an sealed lid or cap that is connected to an interior portion of the top  110  of the dispenser  100 . Upon movement of the top  110  of the dispenser  100  away from the base  120  of the dispenser  100 , the top  110  may pull or remove the sealed lid or cap, exposing the product to the atmosphere within the interior of the dispenser  100 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wall  130  may include one or more holes  140  or passageways through the wall  130 . In some embodiments, a passageway through the wall  130  may include a wicking material capable of wicking a fluid or product from an interior of the dispenser  100  to an exterior thereof. When the top  110  of the dispenser  100  is pulled away from the base  120  of the dispenser  100 , the wall  130  may accordion and expand as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Expansion of the wall  130  may expose the one or more holes  140  or passageways to the atmosphere surrounding the dispenser  100 . At the same time, expansion may open a reservoir contained on the interior of the dispenser  100 , allowing a product within the dispenser  100  to be exposed to the atmosphere. For example, air flowing through the one or more holes  140  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may pass over a product within the dispenser  100  and flow back out through the one or more holes  140  with a scent or fragrance. In this manner, the fragrance may be dispersed into the atmosphere surrounding the dispenser  100 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the dispenser  100  wall  130  may include one or more rings  131  and one or more troughs  132 . The rings  131  may extend outward from troughs  132  and define an outermost edge of the wall  130 . In some embodiments of the invention, the rings  131  may include a stiffened portion or a rigid structure to facilitate the integrity of the package. In still other embodiments, the rings  131  may provide protection against accidental breakage or opening of a reservoir or container on the interior of the dispenser  100  when the dispenser  100  is in an unopened or collapsed position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0035]    The dispenser  100  embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  may be made of plastic. In other embodiments of the invention, the dispenser  100  may be made of paperboard or a molded fiber material. In still other embodiments, portions of the dispenser  100  may be made of plastic and other portions may be made of paperboard. For example, the top  110  and base  120  of the dispenser  100  may be made of plastic and the wall  130  made of paperboard. In further embodiments, the material used to make the dispenser  100  may be a recyclable or compostable material such that when the dispenser  100  is used-up, it may be disposed of in a sustainable way. 
         [0036]    While the dispenser  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  may have a product contained on an interior thereof for dispersion into the atmosphere, in other embodiments the wall  130  of the dispenser  100  itself may contain the product to be dispersed. For instance, the wall  130  of the dispenser  100  may be made of a paperboard or other fibrous material having a scented or fragrance product embedded in the wall  130  material. In the initial—or unopened—position illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the wall  130  may be protected from exposure to the air or atmosphere. Upon opening the dispenser  100  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wall  130  and any product embedded therein may be exposed to the atmosphere such that a fragrance or product may be dispersed into the atmosphere. 
         [0037]    In other embodiments of the invention, the wall  130  may itself act as a wick for a product on the interior of the dispenser  100 . When the top  110  of the dispenser  100  is raised or separated from the base  120 , the wall  130  expands and a reservoir full of product within an interior of the dispenser  100  may be opened. The wall  130  may contact the product after the reservoir is opened and wick the product up the wall  130  where it is exposed to the atmosphere and may evaporate to release or disperse a fragrance or scent. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the accordion-like wall  130  may also allow the top  110  of the dispenser  100  to be depressed after opening to collapse the wall  130  and re-wet the wall  130  with a product from an interior portion of the dispenser  100 . Thus, a user may push the top  110  of the dispenser  100  down multiple times to re-wet the wall  130  and increase the amount of product on the wall  130  to be dispersed. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates a dispenser  100  with a wrap  150 . The wrap  150  may be placed on or around the dispenser  100  to keep the dispenser  100  in an unopened state until the user is ready to use it, at which time the wrap  150  may be removed. The wrap  150  may also be used for branding, labeling, or otherwise communicating to a user how the dispenser  100  is to be used. 
         [0040]    A dispenser  200  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 8 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the dispenser  200  may include a base  220 , a top  210 , a wall  230 , and a wrap  250 . The wrap  250  may be used in the same manner as the wrap  150  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    The dispenser  200  may include rings  231  having a greater width as illustrated. The greater width of the rings  231  and larger area of the troughs  232  may be sectioned off such that the dispenser  100  may be expanded all at once or over time. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a dispenser  200  may be fully expanded to open troughs  232  for dispersion of a product from the dispenser  200 . According to various embodiments of the invention, as the dispenser  200  is opened, a reservoir within an interior of the dispenser  200  may be opened and product dispersed over the trough  232  material for dispersion therefrom. In other embodiments, the trough  232  material may wick product to an outer surface of the wall  230  for dispersion or may act as a material to disperse the product from an interior of the dispenser  200  to an exterior thereof. 
         [0042]    In still other embodiments of the invention, the wall  230  material of the dispenser  200  may be imbedded with a product such that when the dispenser  200  is expanded into the position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the product is dispersed over a period of time. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 6 through 8  illustrate a method of using a dispenser  200  according to certain embodiments of the invention. As illustrated, the dispenser  200  may be opened in sections such that the top  210  is separated from a first ring  231  to expose a first trough  232  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Upon such exposure, a product embedded in the wall  230  material along the trough  232  may be dispersed or a product contained on an interior of the dispenser  200  may be dispersed through holes in the trough  232 , through wicking material, or through the trough  232  material itself. 
         [0044]    A second trough  232  may be exposed by again raising the top  210  away from the base  220  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The second trough  232  area is then exposed to allow dispersion of a product contained in the wall  230  material or in the interior of the dispenser  200 . 
         [0045]    A third trough  232  may be exposed by yet again raising the top  210  away from the base  220  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The third trough  232  area is then exposed to allow dispersion of a product contained in the wall  230  material or in the interior of the dispenser  200 . 
         [0046]    While only three sections or troughs  232  of a dispenser  200  are illustrated, it is understood that the dispenser  200  may have any number of troughs  232  and rings  231 . For example, a single trough  232  device without rings  231  could have just a top  210 , a base  220 , and a wall  230 . In other embodiments, any number of troughs  232  and rings  231  could be used to form the wall  230 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated, the dispenser  200  may include multiple trough  232  portions in the wall  230  to allow a dispenser  200  to be used over longer periods of time, where a user expands a new trough  232  on a regular basis to disperse a product therefrom. In some embodiments of the invention, the first trough may be exposed to a product in the unopened state. When expanded, the first trough  232  moves to allow dispersion and the product may be put into contact with the second trough  232 . When the second trough  232  is expanded, the third trough  232  may be put into contact with the product such that as new trough  232  and wall  230  portions are exposed, there is sufficient product in the exposed portion to continue to disperse a fragrance or scent. 
         [0048]    In other embodiments of the invention, a dispenser  200  may be used to disperse a little to a lot of a fragrance at one time. If just a faint fragrance or scent is desired, a single trough  232  may be exposed. If a greater amount of fragrance or scent is desired, multiple troughs  232  may be exposed at once. 
         [0049]    A dispenser  300  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 through 11 . As illustrated, a dispenser  300  may include a container  900  holding a product  910 . A wick  315  made of a paperboard or plastic material may be inserted into the container  900  to contact the product  910  and wick the product into the wick  315 . Evaporation of the product  910  form the wick  315  may disperse a fragrance or scent into the atmosphere. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the wick  315  may come folded in a compact form or shape. User expansion of the wick  315  may open the wick  315  to provide a larger surface area for evaporation of a product  910  in the wick  315 . The wick  315  may then be inserted into the container  900  and into the product  910 . 
         [0051]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a kit for dispersing a fragrance or scent may be produced and sold. The kit may include a container  900 , one or more vials or packages of a product  910  and one or more wicks  315 . The user may open the kit, add product  910  to the container  900  and insert the desired wick  315  to create a customized dispenser  300 . The kit may include products  910  having different fragrances. The kit may also include different shaped wicks  315  and different sized wicks  315 . For instance, the wicks  315  may be made of a paperboard material or a paperboard and plastic material to control the rate of evaporation off of the wick  315 . In addition, the wicks  315  may include different designs so that a user could pick a wick  315  in the shape of a column or of their favorite flower. The wicks  315  may also be recyclable or compostable, as may be the container  900 . 
         [0052]    A dispenser  400  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated, the dispenser  400  may include a wall or walls having wicking features  450  through which a product may be exposed to the atmosphere to disperse a scent or fragrance. The dispenser  400  may be made of a paperboard material or a paperboard and plastic mixed material. The dispenser  400  may be placed in a pool of product. Upon contacting a product, the wicking features  450  may draw the product up the dispenser  400  and allow evaporation of the product or dispersion of a fragrance or scent. 
         [0053]    In other embodiments, a product may be contained within the dispenser  400  such that when the dispenser  400  is cracked or the integrity of the dispenser  400  is altered, a product is released within the dispenser  400 . Once released, the product may follow the wicking features  450  within the dispenser  400 , wetting those features and allowing dispersion of a fragrance or scent. For example, a vial or pouch of product may be stored on an interior of the dispenser  400 . When the vial or pouch is cracked or opened by the user, the product is released, contacting the wicking features  450  and wetting those features. Air passing over an exterior portion of the dispenser  400  may evaporate product, releasing a scent or fragrance into the air. 
         [0054]    A dispenser  500  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 through 15 . As illustrated, the dispenser  500  may include a shell  505  within which is contained a motor and power-source (such as a battery). The motor may drive a fan or heat source directed at a gel fragrance insert  565 . The gel fragrance insert  565  may be contained in a refill cartridge  560  attached to the shell  505  of the dispenser  500  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0055]    In operation, a user may select a level of desired fragrance and set the dispenser  500  accordingly. Once set, the dispenser  500  may actuate the motor to apply heat or a flow of air over the gel fragrance insert  565 , causing the dispersion of a fragrance or scent at the desired, set level. When the gel fragrance insert  565  has expired or no longer produces a scent, the refill cartridge  560  may be replace with a new scent or fragrance as desired. 
         [0056]    While various embodiments of the invention include a gel fragrance insert  565 , it is understood that a porous material may be used with a liquid product added to the material instead. In still other embodiments, an insert having a fragrance embedded in the insert for slow release may be used instead of the gel fragrance insert  565 .