Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a controlled amount of a volatile substance into an environment while isolating the non-released amount of such a substance from the environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance cartridge associated with the housing, wherein the cartridge can be replaced, or, alternatively, refilled with a desired fluid. A mechanism is provided for releasing a pre-determined amount of fluid from the housing, which is activated, as desired, by a user of the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to controlling the release of a volatile substance, more particularly, to controlling the release of a predetermined amount of a volatile substance of fluid and isolating the container of the volatile substance from the outside environment.  
         [0003]     2. Background Art  
         [0004]     Prior art methods for delivering volatile substances from a container, for example a volatile substance such as a liquid, make use of absorbent material such as wicks. For example, one end of a wick is placed in a fluid to be dispensed, while the other end is exposed to the atmosphere. Capillary action will force liquid through the wick and to the exposed end of the wick. Once at the exposed end of the wick the liquid evaporates off of the end of the wick and into the surrounding atmosphere.  
         [0005]     Other prior art fluid delivery systems have relied upon various types of gravity driven mechanisms, allowing fluids to diffuse through a membrane under the force of gravity. For instance, Zembrodt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,047 shows a container for holding a liquid reservoir which is in contact with a membrane positioned in the bottom of the container. Under the force of gravity, the liquid diffuses through the membrane and volatilizes into the surrounding atmosphere from the exposed surface of the membrane. Likewise, Munteanu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,301, discloses a similar container for housing a liquid, with a membrane in the bottom of the container. Gravity again forces the liquid to diffuse through the membrane, from where it then evaporates into the surrounding atmosphere. Joshi et al. also describes gravity based devices in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,204, 6,109,539 and 6,419,163 B1.  
         [0006]     Although these and other conventional controlled delivery systems have worked well they have failed to provide for both the controlled fixed amount of fluid to be released while isolating the rest of the fluid under large temperature swings or pressure swings occurring in some applications such as automobiles or airplanes and other temperature and pressure swing environments. Accordingly, such prior art devices have traditionally failed to isolate the volatile fluids from emanating under such high temperature or pressure swings, which, in turn, result in an excessive and rapid volatilization of fluids at a faster rate when no one is occupying the particular environment.  
         [0007]     Furthermore such devices have failed to provide a means for a user to selectively dispense only a fixed amount of fluid on the emanator and isolate the rest of fluid in the container from exposure to the atmosphere when the volatile substance needs to be protected from coming into contact with the atmosphere.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention comprises a device for controllably releasing a fixed, predetermined amount of volatile substances (“fluid”) from a housing and isolating the rest of the fluid from the outside environment. The controlled substance release device comprises a housing, a volatile substance cartridge (for releasably holding a volatile fluid), and means for controllably releasing the substance from the housing on to an emanator pad. The housing further consists of an interior region, a release mechanism in the bottom end of the device, and means for orienting the device so that the force of gravity maintains the volatile substance over the releasing mechanism on the bottom end of the device.  
         [0009]     In one preferred embodiment, the device further includes a valve which functions as the controlled release means. The valve is positioned within the opening in the bottom of the device, and is in contact with the volatile substance. At the same time, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the valve is exposed to the atmosphere to allow the fixed amount of volatile substance to dispense from the valve on to an emanator pad. In addition, the device may further comprise means to re-supply the housing with additional amounts of volatile substance. Such re-supplying means may consist of an independent top end to the device, or an inlet port through which the volatile substance may be poured. Moreover, it is also contemplated that the volatile substance may be contained in a replaceable cartridge having means to cooperate with the housing during use of the device, to, in turn, allow the volatile substance to be released from the cartridge.  
         [0010]     In another preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a valve, and the housing is constructed of a material which is substantially permeable to ambient air, yet substantially impermeable to the volatile substance contained within the housing—in combination functioning as the controlled release means. The housing may consist of a series of microscopic pores, and may be fabricated from polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and polyethylene, to name a few. The housing allows ambient air to enter the interior region of the housing, thus allowing the volatile substance to dispense through an “on/off” valve when the valve is activated. At the same time, the housing prevents any loss of the volatile substance from the housing walls, through, for instance, a vent, thus preventing uncontrolled loss of the volatile substance, until such time that the valve is activated to dispense a fixed amount of fluid on to the associated emanator. It is likewise contemplated that the housing is substantially flexible yet substantially impermeable to the volatile substance. Once the valve is activated, the fixed amount of volatile substance is dispensed on to an emanator and the rest of the fluid is isolated from coming into contact with the emanator.  
         [0011]     In yet another preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a housing with an electrochemical gas generating cell as well as a fixed amount dispensing valve which acts to control the amount of the volatile substance from the housing. The cell emits gases into the interior region of the housing, thus allowing the release of the volatile substance through a valve and onto the emanator and, in turn, into the surrounding atmosphere.  
         [0012]     In another preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a dispensing valve in the housing, which is positioned below the volatile substance, and an emanator pad, which is positioned below the valve—thus comprising the controlled release means in this embodiment. The volatile substance drips through the valve when activated, where it falls onto the emanator pad. The emanator pad, in turn retains or absorbs the volatile substance, before the substance volatilizes from the surface of the emanator pad into the surrounding atmosphere.  
         [0013]     In still another preferred embodiment, the device further consists of a heating element associated with an emanator which serves to increase the evaporation rate, and thus the release rate of the volatile substance into the atmosphere. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side cross sectional view of the controllable release device of the present invention in a pre-release, ready orientation;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1   a  is a side cross sectional view of the controllable release device shown in  FIG. 1 , in a fluid dispensing orientation;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side cross sectional view of another embodiment of the controllable release device of the present invention in a pre-release, ready orientation;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2   a  is a side cross sectional view of the controllable release device of  FIG. 2 , in a fluid dispensing orientation;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of a rack and pinion rotating a pin to activate a controllable release device of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a controllable release device of the present invention in a pre-release, ready orientation;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is a sectional view of a check valve shown in  FIG. 4  and taken along lines  1 - 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is a side cross sectional view of the controllable release device of  FIG. 4  in a fluid dispensing orientation; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 4   c  is a sectional view of a check valve shown in  FIG. 4   b.    
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, shown is a drawing of a sectional side view of one embodiment of the present invention providing controlled release device  10 . Controlled release device  10  is in a ready position  11  and the controlled release device  10  has a fragrance or fluid bottle  12  and a housing  14 . The fragrance or fluid bottle  12  may be disposable or may be reusable.  
         [0025]     In  FIG. 1 , as in one embodiment of the present invention, device  10  includes spring  16  and chamber  18  disposed inside housing  14 . Volatile substance, or fluid,  20  is inside fluid bottle/cartridge  12  when a shuttle  24  is in the ready position  11 . When shuttle  24  is in the ready or dispensing position  13  ( FIG. 1   a ), seals  22  protect fluid  20  from the outside environment or atmosphere  15  by closing off the environment or atmosphere  15  from fluid  20 . Seals  22  close off atmosphere  15  by providing contact with shuttle  24  and housing  14 . Shuttle  24  is positioned in the ready position  11  and dispensing position  13  by spring  16  which is in contact with shuttle  24 . Spring  16  provides the ready position  11  when in a substantially uncompressed state  17 . Conversely, spring  16  provides the dispensing position  13  when in a substantially compressed state  34  ( FIG. 1   a ). Controller  19  provides the force  30  and timing to compress spring  16 . As will be understood, the controller may comprise mechanical actuation by a user, or, an electromechanical switch for activation. Other conventional controlling/activating means are likewise contemplated for use.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1   a , as in one embodiment of the present invention, shown is controlled release device  10  in dispensing position  13  with spring  16  in a substantially compressed state. Force  30  causes chamber  18  to line up with discharge hole  26 . Emanator  28  is provided under the discharge hole  26 . When chamber  18  lines up with discharge hole  26 , fluid  20  is allowed to exit  32  housing  14  and collect on emanator  28 . Vapors  36  leave fragrance  20  and fill the environment or atmosphere  15 . Emanator  28  has an emanator surface  29 .  
         [0027]     Controlled release device  10  can be activated by control  19  to fill the environment or atmosphere  15  with fluid  20  (such as a volatile fragrant fluid) for a certain period of time, and may be activated manually when more fragrance or fluid  20  is desired. For example, in a cabin of an automobile, the controller  19  may be a driver who can place controlled release device  10  in dispensing position  13  when, for example, the driver first enters the automobile. The driver may move shuttle  24  into dispensing position  13  once, or a multiple of times as desired. Fragrance or fluid  20  will be in the environment or atmosphere  15  for a period of time and may be boosted with a second, or subsequent activations by pushing the controller  19  when desired.  
         [0028]     Again, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , emanator surface  29  can be an absorbent pad or a simple hard surface, amongst others. Also the emanator surface can be heated to promote fragrance or fluid evaporation  31 . Further emanator surface  29  may be placed in the airflow of a fan or a car vent or other such acceleration and distribution means.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown are drawings of one embodiment of the present invention providing controlled release device  40 . Controlled release device  40  is shown in the ready position  42 . Also shown is a fragrance or fluid bottle/cartridge  48  and a housing  50 . The fragrance or fluid bottle/cartridge  48  may be disposable or may be reusable. When the bottle is disposable, it is contemplated that a replacement bottle/cartridge (filled with fluid) be substituted in its place. Release and replacement of the cartridge can be accomplished by any number of conventional means such as threaded releasable securement to the housing, snap-fit, biasing means, ratched mechanisms, etc. Alternatively, the cartridge may include a sealable aperture for enabling re-filling with additional fluid.  
         [0030]     Chamber  52  is disposed inside housing  50 . A dosage  53  of fluid  54  is released from cartridge  48  and into chamber  52 , which is formed in a cup-like shape in rotating pin  56 . Rotating pin  56  is shown in the ready position  42 , in  FIG. 2 , when cup-like chamber  52  aligns with opening  52 ′ of cartridge  48 . When rotating pin  56  is in the ready position  42 , seals  58  protect fragrance/fluid  54  from an outside environment or atmosphere  60  by closing off the environment or atmosphere  60  from fragrance  54 . Seals  58  close off atmosphere  60  by providing contact with the rotating pin  56  and housing  50 . Rotating pin  56  is positioned in the ready position  42  and dispensing position  62  (see FIG.  2   a ) by controller  64 . Controller  64  provides the ready position  42  and may be rotated 180 degrees (with mechanical stops, if desired) thereby moving to dispensing position  62 . Also, controller  64  may provide the ready position  42  and dispensing position  62  by using a spring return mechanism, among other types of return means. Also shown in  FIG. 2  is optional gas generating cell  60 ′ which can assist in gravitational displacement of fluid.  
         [0031]     Controlled release device  40  is shown in  FIG. 2   a  in a dispensing position  46 . As can be seen, chamber  52  is lined up with discharge hole  66  of housing  50 . Dosage  53  passes from chamber  52  through discharge hole  66  to emanator  68 . Emanator  68  is provided under discharge hole  66 . When chamber  52  lines up with discharge hole  66 , fragrance  20  is allowed to exit  72  housing  50  and collect on emanator  68 . Vapors  76  leave fragrance  54  and fill the environment or atmosphere  60 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is another preferred embodiment of a rotating mechanism which can be used in the present invention. The rotating mechanism includes rotating pin  80  by way of a rack  82  and pinion  84 . Further shown is return spring  86  and fragrance dose chamber  88 . Rotating pin  80  rotates  91  to dump a dosage  90  when the rack  82  is pushed  92 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown is controlled release device  100 . Furthermore, as can be seen, the controlled release device is in a ready potion  108 . Fluid reservoir  102 , with fluid  104  inside includes vent  101 . A dispensing chamber inlet valve  106  is below the fluid reservoir  102 . The ready position  108  provides a dispensing chamber or bubble  110  filled with fluid  104 . Dispensing chamber  110  is generally made of a flexible material. Activation force  112  is placed on the dispensing chamber  110 .  
         [0034]     Discharge valve  114  is positioned below dispensing chamber  110  and above fluid outlet  118 . Emanator  120  is positioned below the fluid outlet. Both the dispensing chamber inlet check valve  106  and the discharge valve  114  may be one-way check valves. Referring to  FIG. 4   a , shown is an exploded cross sectional view of the discharge valve  114 . Discharge valve  114  is in a closed state  122  with ball  124  providing a seal force  125  from an un-compressed spring  126 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 4   b  as in one embodiment of the present invention, provided is controlled release device  100  in a dispensing position  130 . Dispensing chamber inlet check valve  106  is closed and discharge valve  114  is open. Dispensing chamber  110  is collapsed  132  by activation force (squeezing) causing fluid  104  to be forced out discharge valve  114  and onto emanator or evaporation surface  120 . Referring to  FIG. 4   c  is an exploded cross sectional view of the discharge valve  114 . Discharge valve  114  is in an open state  134  with ball  124  allowing fluid  104  to pass with a compressed spring  136 .  
         [0036]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 4   b,  a means for providing a predetermined dose  140  by using a flexible bubble or dispensing chamber  110  and two-one way check valves  106  and  114  is disclosed. With dispensing chamber  110  full, compression forces are applied and fluid  104  is forced through the discharge valve  114  and the outlet  118  and onto the emanator  120 . When the dispensing chamber  110  is compressed, the inlet valve or dispensing chamber inlet valve  106  is forced closed to prevent fluid  104  from moving back into the fluid reservoir  102 .  
         [0037]     When dispensing chamber  110  is released, bubble  110  expands back toward its original shape prior to the application of the compression forces. At this time the outlet valve  114  is shut preventing air from being sucked into bubble  110 . As bubble  110  expands it draws fluid in through inlet valve  106  from reservoir  102  so that bubble  110  is full and ready for another dose  140 . As fluid  104  moves from the reservoir  102  into bubble  110 , the volume of the reservoir  102  is replaced by air entering vent  101 .  
         [0038]     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.