Abstract:
The present invention provides a fragrance dispensing device, which is gravity-induced and capable of replenishing the fragrance at will by the use of a gravity-induced supply. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cartridge type device which contains a fragrance. The air freshening cartridge can be an independent unit or can be incorporated into the design of consumer products so that as a consumer product is tilted or inverted during normal use the dispensing device is refreshed with flowing liquid or gel fragrance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Traditional air freshening dispensers employ a wick to convey a liquid or a volatile material from a container to an emanator and are designed to slowly diffuse a liquid through the wick. The liquid may be a volatile scent-producing liquid, as in the case of air fresheners. In wick type air fresheners, the scent-producing liquid is conveyed from a container, by means of capillary action through a wick, to an emanator, which diffuses the scent-producing liquid into the atmosphere in the form of a vapor, by the process of evaporation. Wick type liquid dispensers, which diffuse liquid material into the atmosphere, at a slow, controlled rate, are not limited to use as air freshening devices.  
         [0002]     While wick type liquid dispensing devices are applicable to many different uses with minor modifications, wick type liquid dispensers are especially suited, and commonly used for stand alone air freshening devices. When used in this manner the air fresheners require a space in which to rest on a table or shelf. Further, in order to be effective, the wick type dispensing device must provide the desired fragrance at a slow uniform rate, over an extended period of time.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,423 discloses a device for the diffusion of a volatile active ingredient with a hydrophobic medium, a volatile active ingredient and a superabsorbent substance. The superabsorbent substance is capable of forming a gel with the hydrophobic medium and is susceptible of enclosing the volatile active ingredient within the gel to permit diffusion of the volatile ingredient from the gel upon exposure to air. The device enables a fresh supply of fragrance composition to be fed to the emanator surface each day preventing gradual diminution in the rate of emanation of the fragrance composition with time.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,549,693 and 4,306,679 disclose dispensers comprised of a two part housing, whereby the effective aperture openings in the housing are controlled by twisting or sliding motion, bringing the apertures in each part, in and out of register.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,387 and 6,610,254 disclose a dual function dispenser for releasing a long-term passive or continuous release of a dispersible composition, or an active release such as a burst or spray of the chosen composition.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,432 discloses a fragrance emanating device for freshening atmospheric air comprising a closed container for accommodating a liquid fragrance composition in its interior and emanator having a surface open to the ambient air for evaporation of the liquid fragrance composition and a conduit linking the emanator surface with the liquid fragrance composition.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,011 discloses a fragrance control release system which is an emulsifier-free single phase, non-porous continuous permeable polymeric film having a substantially uniform thickness of from about 1 up to about 150 microns, having entrapped and dissolved therein molecules of at least one fragrance substance capable of evolving from the film into the environment.  
         [0008]     A basic disadvantage associated with the above described dispensers is the requirement for a user to continually adjust the housing aperture to maintain a desired scent level. A further disadvantage is the limited supply of scent-producing liquid which is subject to a shortened period of effectiveness depending upon the environment and liquid absorbing capabilities of the absorbent. Wick or film types of air freshener units have traditionally suffered from a lack of adequate control, to deliver a scent-producing liquid at a slow, constant rate over an extended period of time.  
         [0009]     There remains a need for an improved dispensing device, capable of slow, controlled dispensing and diffusion of fragrances. The primary advantage of the present invention is the slow, controlled dispensing of an active liquid material to a location by a use of a replenishable supply cup and an emanator. The active liquid or fragrance is continually refreshed to the emanator as the commercial good is used.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fragrance dispensing device comprising a reservoir or a supply cup which holds an active liquid, and an emanator. The supply cup maintains the active liquid in isolation from the ambient atmosphere and replenishes the active liquid of the emanator. The emanator receives active liquid from the supply cup via a tubular element, the emanator diffuses the active liquid into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation. The active liquid is desirably a fragrance; however, the active liquid can be any desired air dispersible medium, for example, a nutrient or insect repellant. The dispensing device can further comprise an adhesive backing so that the dispenser can be adhered to a surface.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device comprising a supply cup which holds an active liquid, an emanator, and a holding vessel used to store consumer products. The supply cup maintains the active liquid supply in isolation from the ambient atmosphere and replenishes the active liquid of the emanator. The emanator receives active liquid from the reservoir via a tubular element and the emanator then diffuses said active liquid into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation. The holding vessel used to store consumer products can be formed into any number of desirable configurations.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is a method for providing an active liquid to the environment comprising tilting a dispensing device comprising a supply cup which holds an active liquid and an emanator. Upon tilting the dispensing device, the emanator receives active liquid from the supply cup via a tubular element and the emanator then diffuses said active liquid into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of the present dispensing device.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  depicts a head on view of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present dispensing device.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3A  depicts a head on view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3B  depicts a head on view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3C  depicts a head on view of a third embodiment in the engaged position of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3D  depicts a head on view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The main advantage of the present invention is that it provides long-lasting fragrance performance. There is an equivalent amount of fragrance supplied as desired or alternatively every time a consumer goods bottle is tilted or otherwise moved to fill the dosing chamber.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the dispensing device comprising a dispensing device of the invention  10  which holds an active liquid  20 , wherein said dispensing device  10  maintains the active liquid  20  in isolation from the ambient atmosphere; a supply cup  30  located within the dispensing device  10 ; and an emanator  40  which receives active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  via a tubular element  50 , said emanator  40  diffuses said active liquid  20  into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation.  
         [0022]     The dispensing device of the present invention  10  comprises a supply cup  30  and an emanator  40  for dispersing fragrance from an active liquid. The dispensing device  10  holds an active liquid, such as a fragrance. The dispensing device  10  holds or maintains the active liquid  20  supply in isolation from the ambient atmosphere so that it does not leak or evaporate. A supply cup  30  is located within the dispensing device  10  so that the emanator  40  can be replenished with active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  as needed or desired. An emanator  40  receives active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  via a tubular element  50 . The emanator  40  diffuses the active liquid  20  into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation.  
         [0023]     The dispensing device  10  comprises a generally planar bag formed by the peripheral union of two wall members  60 , said wall members being comprised of an impermeable material and being sealed together in a continuous manner along their edgewise periphery providing a liquid-tight peripheral seal, wherein a passageway extends from said supply cup  30  through said peripheral seal to accommodate the protrusion of said tubular element  50  between said wall members, wherein a liquid-tight seal is additionally maintained between said periphery seal and said emanator  40 . The dispensing device  10  can comprise an impermeable flexible material such as foils, metals, polymeric films, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyvinylidene chlorides, ethylene vinyl acetates, polystyrenes, modified polystyrenes, polyfluorocarbons, metallized polymeric films, composite laminates or coextrusions of such aforementioned films. The dispensing device  10  can further comprise an adhesive backing and a release layer wherein the release layer can be removed to expose said adhesive backing so that the dispenser can be adhered via the wall of the dispensing device  10  to a surface such as a bottle, box, sporting good, consumer good, package, or other desirable surface.  
         [0024]     The emanator  40  is replenished with active liquid  20  when the dispensing device  10  is rotated or tilted so that the active liquid  20  flows from the supply cup  30 . After the emanator  40  is filled the excess active liquid  20  is recaptured and held in the supply cup  30  ready to replenish the emanator  40  as needed.  
         [0025]     The emanator  40  is supplied with active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  via a tubular element  50  protruding through said dispensing device  10  container wall. The emanator  40  makes physical contact with said active liquid  20  during functional operation, and said emanator  40  comprises an absorbent pad  70  such as paper, cloth, filter paper, or other desirable material. The tubular element  50  is open at each end and connects the emanator  40  with the supply cup  30 . The tubular element  50  can be an actual hollow component or can comprise simply a pierced opening or passage which allows free flow of the active liquid  20 . The tubular element  50  allows the active liquid  20  to flow through the tubular element  50  and make physical contact with the emanator  40 . During functional operation said supply cup  30  on the other end makes physical contact with said active liquid  20  provided to the supply cup  30 .  
         [0026]     The emanator  40  comprises an absorbent material  70  capable of absorbing said active liquid  20  and releasing said active liquid  20  into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation. The absorbent material can comprise high porosity fibers or high porosity cellulose, woven cotton fibers, non-woven cotton fibers, woven synthetic fibers, non-woven synthetic fibers, polymeric foams, porous ceramics, paper, cloth filters, sponges, or any other suitable materials. Optionally, the emanator  40  can further comprise a peelable seal  80  which can be removed to expose the emanator  40  to the atmosphere. The vent  90  is depicted opposite to the emanator  40  wherein the absorbent material  70  is placed between the emanator  40  and the vent  90 . The vent  90  may have the same shape as the absorbent material  70  and the emanator  40  as depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]     The active liquid  20  is desirably a scent-producing oil, scent-producing liquid, scent-producing gel, scent-producing thickened fragrance or an insect repellent being maintained isolated from said emanator  40  prior to functional operation by means of a containment member such as a stopper, whereby upon removal of said containment member said active liquid  20  is free to contact said emanator  40  thus, commencing the functional operation of said active liquid  20  dispensing device.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a second embodiment of the present invention is presented. In this embodiment the active liquid is provided in one or more supply cups  130  which are formed in a weir shape device wherein the liquid level is below the fluid connecting tubes  150  which provides liquid communication between the supply cups and the absorbent pad and emanator below. The active liquid is dispensed by tilting the dispensing device  110  so as to move the liquid level from the supply cups into the fluid dispensing tubes. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the supply cups are fed into a common fluid dispensing tube, but those with skill in the art can easily envision designs in which multiple fluid connection tubes are used to provide liquid to the absorbent pad and emanator system. Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the dispensing device  110  is depicted in a frontal view. The emanantor  140  is shown, but the absorbent pad is not visible. The wall member  160  is shown and the peelable seal  180  is depicted as a hatch pattern. The vent  190  is depicted above the active supply cups in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A  to  3 D, a third embodiment of the present invention is presented. In this embodiment the active liquid is provided in a supply cup  230  which is formed by the peripheral union of two wall member  260  wherein the liquid level is below the fluid connecting tubes  250  which provides liquid communication between the supply cups and the absorbent pad and emanator below. The active liquid is dispensed by tilting the dispensing device  210  so as to move the liquid level from the supply cups into the fluid dispensing tubes. In  FIGS. 3A-3D , the supply cups are fed into the fluid connecting tubes  250 , but those with skill in the art can easily envision designs in which multiple fluid connection tubes are used to provide liquid to the absorbent pad and emanator system. Referring again to  FIG. 3A , the dispensing device  210  is depicted in a frontal view. The emanantor  240  is shown and the absorbent pad  270  is in the form of a stick. The union of the two wall members  260  is shown and the removable tab  280  is depicted in the detached position. The tab  280  may be removed by snapping and tearing or any other means known in the art.  FIG. 3B  illustrates the dispensing device  210  when the tab  280  is removed.  FIG. 3C  depicts the dispensing device  210  is tilted in the engaged position and the connecting tubes  250  are filled with the active liquid  220  which can contact the emanator  240  thus, commencing the functional operation of said active liquid  220  and the evaporation of the active liquid  220  into the surrounding atmosphere.  FIG. 3D  depicts the dispensing device  210  in the upright position and the active liquid  220  can still evaporate into the surrounding atmosphere from the absorbent material  270  for a continued effect.  
         [0030]     The active liquids of the present invention are desirably fragrance chemicals that can be used alone or in combination with solvents, adjuvants, surfactants, emulsifiers, as well as polymers for encapsulating the fragrance, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The nature and variety of these other ingredients are well-known to those with skill in the art.  
         [0031]     Many types of fragrances can be employed in the present invention, the only limitation being the compatibility with the other components being employed. Suitable fragrances include, but are not limited to, fruits such as almond, apple, cherry, grape, pear, pineapple, orange, strawberry, raspberry; musk, flower scents such as lavender-like, rose-like, iris-like, carnation-like. Other pleasant scents include herbal and woodland scents derived from pine, spruce and other forest smells. Fragrances can also be derived from various oils, such as essential oils, or from plant materials such as peppermint, spearmint and the like.  
         [0032]     A list of suitable fragrances is provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,145,184; 4,152,272; 4,209,417; 4,534,891 and 5,234,610; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Another source of suitable fragrances is found in  Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps,  Second Edition, edited by W. A. Poucher, 1959. Among the fragrances provided in this treatise are acacia, cassie, chypre, cyclamen, fern, gardenia, hawthorn, heliotrope, honeysuckle, hyacinth, jasmine, lilac, lily, magnolia, mimosa, narcissus, freshly-cut hay, orange blossom, orchid, reseda, sweet pea, trefle, tuberose, vanilla, violet, wallflower, and the like.  
         [0033]     An olfactory effective amount is understood to mean the amount of compound in perfume compositions the individual component will contribute to its particular olfactory characteristics, but the olfactory effect of the perfume composition will be the sum of the effects of each of the perfumes or fragrance ingredients. Thus the compounds of the invention can be used to alter the aroma characteristics of the perfume composition, or by modifying the olfactory reaction contributed by another ingredient in the composition. The amount will vary depending on many factors including other ingredients, their relative amounts and the effect that is desired.  
         [0034]     In another embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient is an insect repelling or insecticide material. These materials are well-known in the art and include, but are not limited to, citronella oil and N,N-diphenyl-m-toluamide, commonly referred to as DEET in the art. Additional information regarding insect repellants and insecticide materials is found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,756,046; 6,750,256; 6,749,861; 6,746, 988; 5,439,941; and 5,387,418.  
         [0035]     In a particular embodiment, the dispensing device comprises a supply cup  30  which holds an active liquid  20 , wherein said supply cup  30  maintains the active liquid  20  supply in isolation from the ambient atmosphere; the supply cup  30  located within the dispensing device  10  replenishes with active liquid  20  of the emanator  40 ; an emanator  40  which receives active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  via a tubular element  50 , said emanator  40  diffuses said active liquid  20  into the ambient atmosphere by the process of evaporation; and a holding vessel. The holding vessel can be any bottle or container used to store consumer products such as detergent, soap, cleanser, bleach, solvents, paints or the like.  
         [0036]     The dispensing device is initiated when a wall of the dispensing device  10  is punctured via the disengagement of a stopper or removal of a barrier, such as a peelable seal, so that the active liquid  20  is free to travel through a tubular element  50  open at each end, to convey the active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  present to the emanator  40 . One end of the tubular element  50  protrudes into the flexible pouch or bag. The tubular element  50  maintains a liquid seal to the pouch or bag via a stopper or barrier at one end of the element. When the stopper is disengaged, the tubular element  50  allows the active liquid  20  to travel and contact the emanator  40 . The active liquid  20  can be isolated from the emanator  40  prior to use, by enclosing the liquid in a frangible container within the bag or pouch, or by the use of rupturable or removable barrier strips.  
         [0037]     The rate of active liquid  20  dispensing from the supply cup  30  container to emanating surface is primarily controlled by the dimensions of the tubular element  50 . A smaller diameter tubular element  50  will result in a slower liquid dispensing rate, when compared to a larger diameter shorter tubular element  50 . The active liquid  20  is replenished into the supply cup  30  every time the dispensing device  10  is tilted, resulting in a frequent replenishing of the supply cup  30  and enhanced or prolonged air freshening capability. Typically the tubular element has a diameter of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 centimeters, or more generally from about 0.3 to about 0.7 centimeters and most desirably from about 0.5 centimeters.  
         [0038]     The air freshening dispenser operation is initiated by removing or rupturing the barrier between the active liquid  20  present in the supply cup  30  and the emanator  40 . The emanator  40  quickly becomes saturated with the active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30 . The active liquid  20  is conveyed along the length of the emanator  40 . As the active liquid  20  is diffused by the emanator  40  at a slow rate, more liquid is supplied to the emanator  40  at a slow, controlled rate from the supply cup  30 . The emanator  40  can in turn be continually replenished with active liquid  20  from the supply cup  30  upon tilting the dispensing device  10 .  
         [0039]     The tubular element  50  can further comprise a barrier strip which is removed to allow free passage of the active liquid  20  to the emanator  40 . The dispensing device  10  is constructed of a flexible material which is capable of collapsing inward in response to the reduced volume, as the active liquid  20  is depleted. The dispensing device  10  material must also be impermeable and compatible with the active liquid. The shape of the dispensing device  10  is generally a planar bag however the shape is not limited to a rectilinear shape. The dispensing device  10  can be constructed by closing or welding the periphery of two polymeric sheets by techniques well-known in the art including heat, adhesives, and ultrasonic energy.  
         [0040]     As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the barrier strips of this invention are not limited to the examples described. Any means of maintaining the active liquid  20  isolated from the emanator  40  would serve the purpose of the barrier strip. A variety of other methods to keep the active liquid  20  isolated from the emanator  40  prior to use can be used as a barrier for this invention. For example, a complementary rib and groove strip could be welded to the interior walls of the dispensing device  10  bag. The liquid interlocking profile would keep the active liquid  20  isolated from the emanator  40  prior to use. At the time of use, the dispensing device  10  bag walls could be pulled apart, opening the barrier strip, and allowing the active liquid  20  to contact the emanator  40 . Any type of rupturable or removable liquid barrier could be used in this invention, to maintain the active liquid  20  isolated from the emanator  40 , prior to use. As the active liquid  20  is depleted within the dispensing device  10 , the bag collapses inward, in response to the reduced volume, obviating the need for an atmospheric vent. In a particular embodiment, a vent  90  is provided to enable air to enter the reservoir and enable the active liquid to flow more easily. Desirably vents are placed with a flapper or similar mechanism which will substantially reduce spillage from the device when it is tilted or inverted. Each tubular element  50  may have a little hole in the end that when the device is tilted the hole is open to allow air to flow in and out which facilitates the flow of liquid.  
         [0041]     The emanator  40  is comprised of any absorbent material  70  capable of conveying the active liquid  20  over a relatively large surface area to aid in its evaporation process. Additionally, the emanator  40  can be fabricated in an aesthetically pleasing or functional shape. When functioning as an air freshener, the emanator  40  of the invention can be formed into a shape characteristic of the scent. For example, the emanator  40  can be shaped as a strawberry, apple, or cherry whereby, the diffused scent would be characteristic of a strawberry, apple, or cherry. A feature of this dispensing device is the compact size of the air freshener, when present on a holding vessel such a consumer goods detergent bottle, the dispensing device does not use any more shelf space than the bottle itself. This allows the area where the bottle is stored to be freshened between uses. With every tilt of the bottle, the supply cup  30  replenishes with active liquid  20  fragrance to the emanator  40 . The fragrance will be effective for air freshening, aromatherapy, malodor covering, air sanitizing, insect repellent and the like.  
         [0042]     All U.S. patents and patent applications referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety. The above description and drawing are provided as specific embodiments of the present invention. Other modifications of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and such modifications are understood to be within the scope of this invention.