Patent ID: 7614568

Claim:
A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the device comprising: a housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice, the fluid compartment containing a predetermined amount of fluid for release to the ambient environment, the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable membrane and containing a separate predetermined amount of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state; a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state; a gas-generating cell in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state; and a fluid membrane disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state; wherein the device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the predetermined amount of fluid in the orifice compartment to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening and activating the cell to generate gas and force the predetermined amount of fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.