Patent Publication Number: US-2007095941-A1

Title: Scent dispensing apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      This invention relates to an apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for scent delivery.  
     BACKGROUND  
      A variety of scents are used frequently by, for example, hunters and gardeners to attract and/or repel animals. Scents generally include attractant scents, repellant scents, and covering scents. Attractant scents are used to attract specific animals (e.g., male deer); repellant scents are used to keep animals away (e.g., from a garden); and covering scents typically are used to mask human odor (e.g., while hunting or photographing animals). For example, animals use pheromones and other hormones to communicate with one another. Thus, one or more hormones can be used as either an attractant scent or a repellant scent depending on the hormone(s).  
     SUMMARY  
      Scents are used frequently in the outdoors. The invention provides for an apparatus for dispensing scent. Such an apparatus generally includes a variable timer, which allows for optimum flexibility in when and under what conditions a scent is dispensed. A scent dispensing apparatus also includes a scent dispenser for moving the scent from a scent-holding container to the desired location. In addition, a scent dispensing apparatus includes a fitting that is adapted to connect the scent-holding container to the scent dispenser without having to open the scent container. This feature of a scent dispenser allows a user to avoid contaminating oneself with the scent.  
      In one aspect, the invention provides for an apparatus for dispensing scent. Such an apparatus includes a variable timer; a scent dispenser; and a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container. The invention also provides for an apparatus for dispending scent includes a variable timer; a flowable-scent dispenser; a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a flowable-scent to the flowable-scent dispenser without having to open the container; and a weather-resistant housing. In some embodiments, an apparatus for dispending scent also includes a container holding a scent.  
      An apparatus for dispending scent also can include a heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element. Typically, the heating element or the reservoir for holding the heating element is proximal to the container holding the scent or to the scent dispenser. A heating element can be removable, and a heating element can be an electrical heating element or a chemical heating element.  
      In some embodiments, the variable timer is programmable. A variable timer can be programmable for the interval between deliveries, the duration of delivery, the interval between deliveries and the duration of delivery, and the condition under which delivery occurs. Representative conditions include, but are not limited to, motion, temperature, weather, moon phase, ambient lighting, or a combination thereof.  
      In some embodiments, the scent dispenser can use gravity to dispense the scent, a propellant, or a motorized pump (e.g., a rotary pump, a roller pump, a worm-drive pump, or a gravity-fed pump) to dispense the scent. In some embodiments, the flowable-scent dispenser comprises a valve. A scent dispenser also has an orifice through which scent exits the scent dispenser. For example, a flowable-scent can exit a flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice such as a wick, a nozzle, a drip tube, and a scent chamber. In some embodiments, the orifice comprises a retractable wick.  
      One or more of the components of an apparatus for dispensing scent (e.g., a variable timer, a motorized pump) can also include a power supply. A power supply can be battery operated or solar-powered.  
      A fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container can include one or more fittings such as a luer lock fitting, a press-fit fitting, a snap-fit fitting, a screw-on fitting, or a piercing fitting.  
      If desired, the weather-resistant housing can contain a window, and/or can be lockable. An apparatus for dispensing scent also can include a strap to hang or suspend the apparatus from an object, and further can include an on-off switch.  
      In some embodiments, the container holding a flowable-scent is refillable. In other embodiments, the container holding a flowable-scent is removable. Representative containers for holding a flowable-scent include a bag, a vial, a bottle, a bladder, a chamber, or a cartridge. The flowable-scent can be a solid, a powder, a liquid, and a gel.  
      A scent for using in such an apparatus can be an attractant (e.g., urine, estrus, glandular secretions, hormones, pheromones, apple, acorn, berry, honey, and bacon), a repellant scent (e.g., insect repellant, animal repellant, urine, and pepper spray), or a covering scent (e.g., soap, earth, pine, cedar, corn, acorn, apple, berry, persimmon, vanilla, anise, animal urine, and animal musk).  
      In one representative embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing scent includes a variable timer; a flowable-scent dispenser, wherein the flowable-scent dispenser uses a motorized pump to dispense a flowable scent, wherein a flowable-scent exits the flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice, wherein the orifice is a nozzle; a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container; a container for holding the scent, wherein the container is a bag; and a weather-resistant housing.  
      In yet another representative embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing scent includes means for variably timing delivery of a scent; means for dispensing a flowable scent, wherein the means for dispensing a flowable scent comprises an orifice through which a flowable scent exits; means to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container; means for containing a scent; and housing means, wherein the housing means are weather-resistant.  
      Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.  
      The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description, and from the claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 4  shows a fourth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 5  shows a fifth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 6  shows a sixth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.  
       FIG. 7  shows a seventh embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus. 
    
    
      Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The apparatus disclosed herein for dispensing scent can be used, for example, by hunters or wildlife photographers to “pattern” an animal and/or to cover their own scent, or by a gardener to keep animals or birds away from plants or flowers. A number of devices for delivering a scent are available, but none that have the features and flexibility of the apparatus disclosed herein.  FIG. 1  is a schematic showing one embodiment of a scent dispenser  1 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the scent dispenser  1  has a variable timer a scent dispenser  20 , and a container  30  for holding the scent. The scent dispenser  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is powered by a battery pack  40  and has an on-off switch  50 .  
      A variable timer  10  includes, for example, a programmable timer. A variable timer  10  can be programmable for the particular time (e.g., of day or night) of delivery, for the interval between deliveries, for the duration of delivery, or for any combination thereof. The variable timer  10  shown in  FIG. 1  has a setting for both the interval between scent delivery and the duration of scent dispensing. A variable timer  10  also can be programmable for the condition(s) under which delivery occurs. Such conditions can include, without limitation, motion, temperature, weather, moon phase, ambient lighting, or any combination thereof. A variable timer as described herein provides the user with the utmost flexibility in when and under what conditions a scent is delivered.  
      The container  30  shown in  FIG. 1  is a bag-type container. An apparatus for dispensing scent  1  can be configured to use any type of container  30  that holds a scent (e.g., a flowable scent). A scent-holding container  30  can be, without limitation, a bag, a vial, a bottle, a bladder, a chamber, or a cartridge. A scent-holding container  30  can be a permanent part of the apparatus or can be removable. A permanently attached container can be refillable via a port (e.g., a fill intake) having, for example, a screw-top or a snap-top. A removable container can be removed and refilled via a port, or replaced with another container. A container can be provided to a user already containing scent, or a user can obtain one or more empty containers and fill them with the desired scent(s).  
      An apparatus for dispensing scent  1  as described herein also includes a fitting  60  to connect the scent-holding container  30  to a scent dispenser  20  such that the connection can be made without having to open the container  30 . For obvious reasons, users do not want to contaminate themselves with scent. A scent container  30  and a scent dispenser  20  can be connected directly to one another via such a fitting  60 , or can be connected, for example, via tubing  62  or other means of maintaining fluid communication that has such a fitting  60  at one end.  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment in which the scent dispenser  20  possesses one component of a fitting  60  (a piercing member  22 ) and the scent-holding container  30  possess another component of a fitting  60  (a pierceable member  32 ). Fittings suitable for use in an apparatus as disclosed herein include, for example, luer lock fittings, press-fit fittings, snap-fit fittings, screw-on fittings, or piercing-type fittings. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,639,019; 5,899,888; 6,070,623; 6,277,103; and 6,893,056.  
      An apparatus for dispensing scent  1  also includes a scent dispenser  20 . A scent dispenser  20  can include any number of components provided that those components are able to move a scent (e.g., a flowable scent) S out of a container  30 . The scent dispenser  20  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a motorized pump  24 , which moves the scent S from the container  30  out through a nozzle  28 . A motorized pump  24  used in a scent dispenser  20  can be a rotary pump, a roller pump, a worm-drive pump, or a gravity-fed pump. Alternatively, a scent dispenser  20  can use gravity or a propellant to dispense the scent S. See, for example, without limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,652,492; and 5,423,759.  
      In addition to moving a scent S out of the container  30 , a scent dispenser  20  includes an orifice  28  through which a scent exits the apparatus for dispensing scent  1 . An orifice of a scent dispenser  20  is not limited to a simple opening and can be, for example, a wick, a nozzle, a drip tube, or a scent chamber. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  shows a nozzle. A scent dispenser  20  can have multiple orifices  28  from which one or more scents S can be dispensed. The orifice  28  may be an integral component of the scent dispenser  20 , or may be distal to the scent dispenser  20  and in fluid communication therewith (e.g., via tubing  26 ). In addition, an orifice  28  can be interchangeable via, for example, an orifice fitting. For example, a nozzle can be used to dispense a scent, and then removed and replaced with a drip tube for dispensing the same or a different scent. Furthermore, wicks, drip-tubes, and the like can be retractable for easy storage.  
      An apparatus for dispensing scent as disclosed herein also can include one or more power supplies  40  to provide power to one of more components such as the variable timer  10  or the scent dispenser  20  or a component thereof (e.g., a motorized pump  24 ). The power supply  40  shown in  FIG. 1  is a battery pack for powering the motorized pump  24 . A power supply  40  can be, without limitation, battery operated, solar-powered, or solar rechargeable.  
      An apparatus for dispensing scent further can include any number of different components that function to keep the scent moving freely within the apparatus or that function to avoid clogging or vapor lock within the apparatus or to prevent a siphoning effect. For example, an apparatus can include, without limitation, an anti-siphon check valve, and one or more air-tight vents to avoid vapor lock (e.g., within one or more of the tubing and/or in the housing itself).  
      The components of an apparatus for delivering scent  1  generally are contained within a weather-resistant housing  70 . A housing  70  can be made of plastic or metal, and can be brightly colored (e.g., yellow or orange), neutral colored (e.g., brown, black, or grey), or camouflaged. A housing  70  can contain an opening or a window to view, for example, the settings of the variable timer  10  and/or the amount of scent S remaining in the container  30 . In addition, a housing  70  can have a door for accessing the internal components (e.g., the variable timer  10 ). In some embodiments, one or more of the components can be attached or mounted to the inside of the door. The door of a housing  70  can have water-resistant seals, and can be lockable to avoid tampering or damage.  
       FIGS. 2-7  are schematics showing various other embodiments of an apparatus for dispensing scent  1 .  FIGS. 1-7  are representative embodiments, and are not meant to be limiting in any way.  
       FIG. 2  shows a scent dispensing apparatus  1  in which the scent-holding container  30  is a bottle and the scent dispenser  20  includes a motorized worm gear pump  24  placed inside the container  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the fitting  60  includes, for example, a cap  32  on the container that has a gasket-type opening and a smooth-surface covering  22  on the worm gear pump. The worm gear pump portion of the scent dispenser  20  can be inserted and removed through the opening in the cap  32 . In certain embodiments, the portion of the cap  32  immediately around the gasket-type opening can be configured to remove any excess scent from the smooth-surface covering  22  on the worm gear pump when the worm gear pump is removed from the container (e.g., for changing or refilling a scent). The scent S in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is a flowable gel or flowable gel-like material, and the motorized pump  24 , powered by batteries  40 , moves the scent S out of the container  30 . The scent S in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is dispensed via a drip tube  28 .  
       FIG. 3  shows an apparatus  1  in which the container  30  is a syringe and the scent dispenser  20  includes a gear- or belt-driven motorized plunger  24  for moving the scent S through the tubing  26  and out through a nozzle  28 .  FIG. 3  shows the motorized plunger  24  powered by batteries  40 . The variable timer  10  shown in  FIG. 3  has settings for timing both the delivery interval and the duration of delivery. The fitting  60  shown in  FIG. 3  is located at the top of the container  30  where the plunger enters the syringe, but could also be located at the bottom of the container  30  similar to the embodiment shown and described below in  FIG. 6 .  
       FIG. 4  shows an apparatus  1  in which the scent-holding container  30  is a bladder reservoir and the scent dispenser  20  uses a motorized pump  24 . Although the container  30  shown in  FIG. 4  has a fill intake, a fitting  60  is shown in which the container  30  has a threaded male portion  32  and the pump portion of the scent dispenser  20  has a threaded female portion  22 . In  FIG. 4 , the motorized pump  24  is connected to a battery-operated power supply  40  via a variable timer solenoid  10 . The apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  also has an on-off toggle switch  50 .  
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus  1  having a bottle for a scent container  30 . The scent dispenser  20  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  includes a roller pump powered by a battery-operated  40  motor. Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the fitting  60  shown in  FIG. 5  includes, for example, a cap  32  on the container that has a gasket-type opening and a rigid or semi-rigid tube  22  extending down into the scent S. The tube  22  portion of the scent dispenser  20  can be inserted and removed through the opening in the cap  32 . As described above, the portion of the cap  32  immediately around the gasket-type opening can be configured to remove any excess scent from the tube  22  when the tube is removed from the container. The scent dispenser  20  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  also includes both a misting nozzle  28  and a drip hose  28  for dispensing the scent.  
       FIG. 6  shows an apparatus  1  in which the scent S is contained within a bladder  30  and the scent dispenser  20  includes a CO 2  propellant. The CO 2  propellant is shown connected to a battery-operated power supply  40  via a variable timer solenoid  10 . The bladder  30  shown in  FIG. 6  has a fill intake for refilling purposes, and has a nozzle  28  to dispense the scent. Although the fill intake can be used, for example, to refill a container  30  with scent S, a fitting  60  is shown that can be used, for example, when introducing a new container. The fitting shown in  FIG. 6  includes a male snap-fit portion  32  that attaches to a female snap-fit portion  22 . In order that the container  30  need not be open by a user prior to installation, the female snap-fit portion  22  of such a fitting  60  can include a piercing member (not shown) and the male snap-fit portion  32  on a new container  30  can be sealed with, for example, a foil seal (not shown). Piercing components in a variety of fittings (e.g., screw-top, snap-fit tops) are known in the medical arts and are used routinely on medication and/or pharmaceutical dispensers.  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic showing an apparatus having a bag as the scent container  30 . The container  30  shown in  FIG. 7  is a bag such as those used for delivering fluids intravenously in the medical field. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,985; 5,853,388, and D347,890. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the scent S is delivered through tubing via gravity  20  to a scent chamber, which in turn, delivers the scent to a wick  28 . Delivery of the scent according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  is regulated via a roller clamp and a valve  10 . The tubing can be connected to the bag via a luer lock fitting  60  and to the scent chamber via a luer lock or a press-fit fitting  60 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the connection can be at any position along the length of the tubing.  
      When a scent dispensing apparatus  1  is used in a region that experiences cold weather, it is desirable that the scent S not freeze. Therefore, an apparatus  1  can include a heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element. A heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element can be proximal to the scent dispenser  20  and/or the container  30  containing the scent S. A heating element can be an electrical heating element or a chemical heating element, and can be removable. Electrical heating elements can be powered, for example, by a power supply  40  as described above, while chemical heating elements are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,998,749; 4,265,216; 4,725,225; and 4,862,519.  
      Scents S suitable for use in a scent dispensing apparatus  1  can be, for example, an attractant scent, a repellant scent, or a covering scent. It would be understood by those of skill in the art that the three types of scents described here are not comprehensive and also that members are not exclusive to each type of scent. Representative examples of attractant scents include urine, estrus, glandular secretions, hormones, pheromones, apple, acorn, berry, honey, or bacon; representative examples of repellant scents include insect repellant, animal repellant, urine, pepper spray, or any type of noxious and/or irritating chemical or compound; and representative examples of a covering scent include soap, earth, pine, cedar, corn, acorn, apply, berry, persimmon, vanilla, anise, animal urine, or animal musk.  
      A scent S such as any of those described above can be formulated, without limitation, as a flowable solid, a flowable powder, a flowable gel, or a flowable liquid. The particular formulation will be dependent upon the container  30  and the scent dispenser  20  utilized in a scent dispensing apparatus  1 , as well as the characteristics of the particular scent S and the area or region to which the scent is being dispensed or applied.  
      An apparatus for dispensing scent  1  can be configured to dispense multiple scents. For example, an apparatus  1  can include two containers  30   a ,  30   b  and two scent dispensers  20   a ,  20   b , or two containers  30   a ,  30   b  and a single scent dispenser  20  having two orifices  28   a ,  28   b . In such dual-scent embodiments, the apparatus  1  (e.g., the variable timer  10 ) can be programmed to deliver one scent at a particular time via, for example, a nozzle  28   a  and the other scent at a different time via, for example, a wick  28   b.    
      An apparatus for dispensing scent  1  can be used in methods of attracting one or more animals (e.g., a game animal), methods of repelling one or more animals (e.g., a nuisance animal), or methods of covering a scent (e.g., one&#39;s own scent). To do so, an apparatus  1  can be placed in any number of positions by a user. To allow for flexibility in positioning the apparatus  1 , an apparatus  1  can include one or more straps, buckles, D-rings, or any other types of mechanisms or means that allow an apparatus  1  to be attached or secured to another object. In some instances, a user may hang or suspend the apparatus  1  from a tree or tree branch such that the scent drips down into the ground or runs down the tree. In other instances, a user may securely attach the apparatus  1  to a tree or a post such that a mist or spray is emitted in a particular direction and covers a particular area.  
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS  
      It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.