RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U. S. Utility Application No. 13/957,844 filed August 2, 2013 entitled "ACTIVATING A VOLATILE RESERVOIR USING A LATERAL FORCE", which is a continuation in part of U. S. Provisional Application No. 61/747,184 filed on December 28, 2012, and entitled "ACTIVATING VOLATILE DISPENSING DEVICES". These applications are herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a device for dispensing a volatile, and more particularly relates to a device that punctures a volatile reservoir as a wicking assembly is inserted into container assembly with a volatile reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Air fresheners remove or mask unpleasant odors in the air. Some types of air fresheners use oil or water based volatiles that contain a fragrance. When the air freshener's volatile is exposed to the ambient environment, the volatile evaporates over time, and the fragrance is released into the air. Some air fresheners incorporate a wick that carries the volatile to an emanator pad with a larger surface area to promote evaporation. To prevent the volatile from evaporating until desired, a cap is often placed over the emanator pad to minimize the pad's exposure to air until it is desirable to activate the air freshener.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to control when a volatile reservoir of an air freshener is opened to release the volatile. In addition, it is desirable that a user of an air freshener can activate the air freshener by breaking the protective seal of the volatile reservoir with minimal effort. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An apparatus is provided for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force. The apparatus includes a container assembly that includes a volatile reservoir sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile where a seal of the volatile reservoir is at least in part formed by an internal barrier. The container assembly has an opening shaped to receive a puncturing end of a wicking assembly. The internal barrier is positioned to break under a lateral force resulting from insertion of the puncturing end of the wicking assembly into the container assembly.

[0006] A method is provided for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force. The method includes inserting a puncturing end of a wicking assembly into an opening of a volatile container such that the puncturing end imposes a lateral force on an internal barrier that seals off a volatile reservoir in the volatile container such that the lateral force breaks the internal barrier.

[0007] A system is provided for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force. The method includes a container assembly that includes a volatile reservoir sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile where a seal of the volatile reservoir is at least in part formed with an internal barrier. The internal barrier is positioned to break under a lateral force resulting from insertion of a puncturing end of a wicking assembly into the container assembly. The wicking assembly is restrained from full insertion into an opening of the container assembly with a removable spacer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly according to the principles described herein;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly according to the principles described herein;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a method for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force according to the principles described herein;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly according to the principles described herein;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly according to the principles described herein; and

[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly according to the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.

[0016] For those air fresheners that use an emanator pad with a large amount of surface area, a cap is less effective due to a higher likelihood that leaks will form between the cap and the pad. Such leaks could cause damage to materials that are in close proximity to the unit, or expose some of the volatile to the ambient environment and lead to premature evaporation before it is desirable to activate the air freshener. The principles described herein include a system that prevents the emanator pad from contacting the volatile composition before the air freshener is activated. Such a system prevents the volatile composition from evaporating prematurely and allows a user to activate the air freshener while inserting a container assembly into the air freshener's outer housing.

[0017] The principles described herein include a container assembly that includes a volatile reservoir sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile where a seal of the volatile reservoir is at least in part formed by an internal barrier. The container assembly has an opening shaped to receive a puncturing end of a wicking assembly. The internal barrier is positioned to break under a lateral force resulting from insertion of the puncturing end of the wicking assembly into the container assembly. By breaking the seal of the volatile reservoir, the volatile in the reservoir is released and comes into contact with the wick of the wicking assembly. The wick draws the volatile in through capillary action to an emanator pad that distributes the volatile composition across the pad's surface area. The volatile evaporates off of the emanator pad. By puncturing the volatile reservoir automatically as the wicking assembly is inserted into the container assembly, the air freshener is activated with minimal effort on the user.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly (100) according to the principles described herein. In this example, the container assembly (100) has a volatile reservoir (102) that contains a volatile (104). The volatile reservoir (102) is formed in part by an internal barrier (106) and an outer wall (108) of the container assembly (100). The internal barrier (106) forms a seal with the outer wall (108) to prevent the volatile from escaping from the volatile reservoir (102).

[0019] The volatile (104) may be any appropriate type of volatile. For example, the volatile may be an aqueous based composition, an oil based composition, another type of composition, or combinations thereof. The volatile composition (104) may include a fragrance, a pesticide, an insecticide, a repellant, an insect repellant, an animal repellant, another volatile composition, or combinations thereof. [0020] The outer wall (108) of the container assembly (100) may be made of any appropriate material. For example, the outer wall (108) may be made of a plastic that is injection molded, thermoformed, blow molded, formed with another process, or combinations thereof. In other examples, the main body is made of a metal, another material, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Further, the internal barrier (106) is made of any appropriate material that is impermeable to the volatile and is capable of being punctured with a low force while still having enough strength to retain the weight of the volatile (104) within the volatile reservoir (102). For example, the internal barrier (106) may be made of an impermeable plastic, an injection molded material, a blow molded material, another type of material, or combinations thereof. Also, the internal barrier (106) may be made of a flexible material or a rigid material. In some examples, the internal barrier (106) is a fitment that can be inserted into an opening (110) formed in the outer wall (108) of the container assembly (100). In the example of FIG. 1, the internal barrier (106) is a rigid fitment with a tapered section (112) that is shaped to contact a floor (114) of the volatile container (100). The fitment can be inserted into the opening after the volatile (104) has been added into the open space (116) of the container assembly (100). The tapered section (112) contacts the floor (114) and forms a volatile free receptacle (118) in communication with the opening (110). A hook (120) of the fitment comes into contact with a lip (122) of the opening (110) when the fitment is fully inserted into the container assembly (100) to form a seal that prevents the volatiles from escaping from the volatile reservoir (102).

[0022] In the example of FIG. 1, a wicking assembly (124) is partially inserted into the opening (110). The wicking assembly (124) includes a wick (126), a puncturing end (128), a flange (130), and an emanator pad (132). A removable spacer (134) is inserted between the hook (120) of the fitment and the underside (136) of the flange (130). The underside (136) of the flange (130) rests on the removable spacer (134), which prevents the wicking assembly (124) from being inserted enough into the opening (110) to activate the container assembly (100). Thus, the removable spacer (134) prevents premature activation while the container assembly (100) is in storage, is in packaging, is being commercially distributed, in another condition where premature activation is undesirable, or combinations thereof. The thickness of the removable spacer (134) is sufficient to prevent the puncturing end (128) from loading the tapered section (112) of the fitment. In some examples, the removable spacer's thickness is such that the puncturing end (128) does not make contact with the tapered section (112). In other examples, the removable spacer's thickness allows the puncturing end (128) to make contact with the tapered section (112) without generating a sufficient force to break the fitment.

[0023] The puncturing mechanism (128) can be formed by the wick (126) or another component of the wicldng assembly (124). In the illustrated example, a holder (138) that holds the wick forms a portion of the puncturing end (128) that is intended to contact the tapered section (112). The holder (138) may be made of a material or have a structure that allows the volatile (104) to pass through and contact the wick (126) when the fitment is broken. For example, the holder (138) may be open at the bottom to allow the volatile to contact the wick (126). In other examples, the holder (138) has apertures or other holes formed along its length or width to allow the volatile to contact the wick (126). The holder (138) can be shaped to increase its ability to impose a force on the fitment. In the example of FIG. 1, the holder (138) has an increased width (140) that is shaped to impart a greater lateral force against the tapered section (112) when the wicking assembly (124) is fully inserted into the opening (110).

[0024] When the wicking assembly (124) is fully inserted into the opening (110), the puncturing end (128) imposes a lateral force on the tapered section (112) such that the fitment breaks. With the fitment broken, volatile (104) from the volatile reservoir (102) is free to exit through the breaks in the fitment. The fitment is formed such that when the fitment breaks, the volatile (104) is directed to the wick (126) of the wicking assembly (124). In some examples, the fitment is shaped such that the fitment breaks at or near the floor (114) of the container assembly (100) so that most, if not all, of the volatile (104) can drain towards the wick (126). Break points can be formed in the fitment by creating a thinner cross sectional thickness at the desired locations for the fitment to break, such as at or near the container assembly's floor (114). Such a thinner cross sectional thickness may be formed at the joints (123) between a bottom of the fitment and the tapered section (112). [0025] The slope of the tapered section (112) converts a vertical force from inserting the wicking assembly (124) through the opening (110) into a lateral force that is sufficient to break the fitment. The lateral force is a generated force that is generally perpendicular to a central axis (142) of the wicking assembly (124). In some examples, the lateral force exhibits hoop tension in the tapered section (112). The lateral force may have a wedging effect that applies a splitting force across the volatile free receptacle (118). The lateral force may be accompanied with other types of forces such as compressive forces, tensile forces, downward forces, upward forces, other types of forces that are generated from the insertion of the wicking assembly (124), or combinations thereof. The overall forces felt by the fitment depend on the shape of both the puncturing end and the fitment. The strength of the lateral force depends on the slope of the tapered section (112), the vertical force from insertion, the shape of the puncturing end (128), the thickness of the puncturing end (128), the width of the volatile free receptacle (118), other factors, or combinations thereof. In the example of FIG. 1, the fitment has a symmetric shape. However, in other examples, the fitment has an asymmetric shape.

[0026] In response to breaking the fitment, the volatile (104) makes contact with the wick (126) which draws in the volatile (104) through capillary action to an emanator pad (132). The emanator pad (132) distributes the volatile (104) across the pad's surface area to promote evaporation. The wick (126) is made of any appropriate material that causes aqueous based and/or oil based volatiles (104) to be transported through capillary action. The emanator pad (132) is made of any appropriate material such as porous substrates like porous plastic, paper, fiber, other materials, or combinations thereof. The emanator pad's function is to provide a large surface area from which the volatile (104) can evaporate.

[0027] The container assembly (100) can be commercially packaged for purchase such that the container assembly (100) is loosely fitted within an outer housing (144) where the removable spacer (134) is in place. With the removable spacer (134) in place, the wicking assembly is prevented from being inserted enough into the opening to generate a lateral force sufficient to break the internal barrier (106). To activate the container assembly (100) to disperse the volatile (104), the removable spacer (134) is removed, and the outer housing (144) is snuggly placed around the container assembly (100). An internal rib (146) formed on the inside surface of the outer housing (144) makes contact with the flange (130) of the wicking assembly (124) which forces the wicking assembly (124) to be fully inserted into the opening (110). As a result, the internal barrier (126) is broken, and the volatile (104) is transported to the emanator pad (132) for evaporation.

[0028] In some examples, the container assembly (100) is shaped so that it can be inserted into the outer housing (140). In such an example, a bottom of the outer housing (140) may have an opening that is shaped or keyed such that other objects or devices cannot be inserted into the outer housing (140).

[0029] The outer housing (144) has multiple ventilation openings (148) which provide air exposure to the emanator pad's surface area and allows the evaporated volatiles to pass from the emanator pad (132) into the ambient environment outside of the outer housing (144). The ventilation openings (148) may be spaced and shaped to provide an aesthetic look for the outer housing (148) while controlling an amount of air exposure to the emanator pad's surface area.

[0030] In some examples, the wick (316) is connected to an emanator pad (132) where the wick (126) provides a transfer mechanism from the drained volatile (104) to the emanator pad (132), and the emanator pad (132) provides the surface area to promote the volatile's evaporation. In other examples, the surface area for promoting the volatile's evaporation is provided with the shape of the wick (126).

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly (200) according to the principles described herein. In this example, the outer housing (114, FIG. 1) and the emanator pad (132, FIG. 1) are removed for illustrative purposes. The removable spacer (202) is removed such that the wicking assembly (204) can be fully inserted into the opening (206) of the container assembly (200). In this example, the flange (208) of the wicking assembly (204) rests on the hook portion (210) of the internal barrier (212) when the wicking assembly (204) is fully inserted into the opening (206). The wicking assembly (204) is also shaped such that when the wicking assembly (204) is fully inserted into the opening (206), the wicldng assembly's puncturing end (214) contacts the internal barrier (212) and a lateral force is imposed on an inside surface (216) of the internal barrier (212). The lateral force is sufficient to break the internal barrier (212) which also breaks the seal of the volatile reservoir (218) and releases the volatile (220) into the receptacle (222) that was formerly free of volatiles.

[0032] In some examples, the internal barrier (212) is shaped so that the internal barrier (212) breaks at or near the floor (224) of the container assembly (200). In such an example, the location of the break directs the volatile (220) towards the bottom of the wick (226) of the wicking assembly. Further, the location of such breaks also allows a majority, if not all, of the volatile (220) to drain to the wick (226). The wick (226) transports the volatile (220) to the emanator pad for evaporation to release the volatiles into the ambient environment.

[0033] While the above examples have been described with reference to an internal barrier breaking when the wicking assembly is fully inserted, other examples include any appropriate amount of insertion to break the internal barrier. For example, the wicking assembly may generate a sufficient lateral force in response to being inserted just half way into the opening. In other examples, inserting the wicking assembly into the opening by just ten percent may cause a sufficient lateral force to break the internal barrier.

[0034] The lateral force may be imposed with any appropriate mechanism. For example, a tapered section may be formed in the internal barrier that translates a vertical force from inserting the wicking assembly into a lateral force. In other examples, the internal barrier may be generally vertical, and the puncturing end may include a tapered section that translates a generally vertical force from inserting the wicking assembly into a lateral force. In other examples, the puncturing end of the wicking assembly and the internal barrier may include shapes, protrusions, recesses, tapers, slopes, angles, other geometries, or combinations thereof to collectively translate the insertion forces into a lateral force sufficient to break the internal barrier.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a method (300) for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force according to the principles described herein. In this example, the method (300) includes inserting (302) a puncturing end of a wicking assembly into an opening of a volatile container such that the puncturing end imposes a lateral force ori an internal barrier that seals off a volatile reservoir in the volatile container such that the lateral force breaks the internal barrier. As a result, the volatile may be allowed to flow from the punctured volatile reservoir to a base end of a wick positioned within the container assembly.

[0036] In some examples, the method also includes removing a removable spacer that prevents the wicking assembly from being inserted enough to generate the lateral force. The base end of a wick is positioned within the container assembly such that the volatile flowing from the volatile reservoir comes into contact with the wick. The wick is made of a material that draws in the volatile and transports the volatile to the emanator pad, other structure, or other location to position the volatile for evaporation.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly (400) according to the principles described herein. In this example, the wicldng assembly (402) includes a wick (404) that is inserted into the opening (406) of the container assembly (400). The wick (404) has a puncturing end (406) shaped such that it can impose a lateral force on the internal barrier (408) when the wicking assembly (402) is inserted far enough into the opening (406).

[0038] In some examples, the portion of the wick (404) that contacts the internal barrier (408) is fortified with a stiff material, such as a ring of stiff material that provides additional strength to the wick (404) to impart the lateral force. In other examples, the material of the wick (404) has a sufficient strength to impart the lateral force into the internal barrier (408).

[0039] The flange (410) of the wicking assembly (402) may be integrally formed with the material of the wick (404). In other examples, the flange (410) is formed separately from the wick (404) and is attached to the wick (404) or an appropriate intermediary component through any appropriate attachment mechanism.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly (500) according to the principles described herein. In this example, the internal barrier (502) is shaped to push the puncturing end (504) of the wicking assembly (506) to a weak spot formed in the internal barrier (502). As a result, the puncturing end (504) is deflected laterally from the insertion forces and breaks the internal barrier (502) at the weak spot.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the internal barrier (502) includes a ramp (508) that is angled to deflect the puncturing end (504) of the wicking assembly (506). However, in other examples, the ramp is formed in another component of the container assembly (500). For example, the floor (510) of the container assembly may incorporate a ramp (508) that pushes the puncturing end (504) towards the weak spot. In other examples, the interior shape of the outer wall (512) includes a ramp that deflects the puncturing end.

[0042] While the above examples have been described with reference to ramps positioned and shaped to deflect the puncturing end of the wicking assembly, any appropriate mechanism may be used to deflect the puncturing end. For example, the bumps, knobs, protrusions, recesses, multiple ramps, other mechanisms, or combinations thereof may be used to deflect the puncturing end.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a container assembly (600) according to the principles described herein. In this example, the wicking assembly (602) includes an activation arm (604) that includes the puncturing end (606). The activation arm (604) has a flange (608) that contacts the rib (610) of the outer housing, which causes the wicking assembly (602) to be more fully inserted into the container assembly (600). As the wicking assembly (602) is moved deeper into the container assembly (600), the activation arm (604) buckles under a compressive load as it makes contact with a floor (630) of the container assembly (600). The activation arm (604) has several living hinges (612, 614, 616) that collectively bend so that a portion of the activation arm (604) bends towards an internal barrier (618) that seals off the volatile reservoir (620) under a lateral force. The lateral force from the contact of the bending portion (622) of the activation arm (604) and the internal barrier (618) is sufficient to break the internal barrier (618) and release the volatile (624).

[0044] The lateral force of the bending portion (622) of the activation arm (604) breaks the volatile reservoir (620) in any appropriate manner. A break in the internal barrier (618) may be formed at the location where the bending portion (622) contacts the internal barrier (618). In other examples, the bending portion (622) causes the break(s) to be formed elsewhere in the internal barrier (618). For example, the bending portion (622) may induce tensile forces throughout the internal barrier (618) originating at the site of contact that causes the internal barrier (618) to tear at a weak spot located elsewhere in the internal barrier (618). In other examples, the bending portion (622) has a rough surface area, sharp edges, protruding features, or other mechanisms that contribute to forming a break in the internal barrier (618)

[0045] The punctured volatile reservoir (620) releases the volatile (624) into the remainder of the container assembly's internal volume where the volatile (624) comes into contact with the wick (626) of the wicking assembly (602). In the example of FIG. 6, the remainder of the container assembly's internal volume has a lower floor (628) than a floor (630) of the volatile reservoir (624). The height difference between these floors (628, 630) increases the rate at which the volatile (624) drains from the punctured volatile reservoir (620). Also, the base (632) of the wick (626) resides in a narrower portion of the container assembly (600) which causes the base (632) of the wick (626) to be submerged deeper into the volatile' s volume thereby providing a larger contact area between the wick (626) and the volatile composition (624).

[0046] The principles described herein incorporate any appropriate puncturing mechanism that causes lateral movement resulting from inserting the wicking assembly into the container assembly. A non-exhaustive list of features in puncturing mechanisms that can be triggered as a result of the insertion forces include living hinges, ramps, wedges, other mechanisms, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the wicking assembly, or a portion thereof, bends, buckles, or otherwise moves laterally to break the internal barrier.

[0047] The principles described herein may be used in any appropriate volatile dispensing device. While the above examples have been described with reference to volatile dispensing devices that are air fresheners, any appropriate volatile dispensing device may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. The above description may also be well suited for passive, non-electric devices, such as non-electric continuous action scented oil air fresheners. Other appropriate volatile dispensing devices include devices that dispense fragrances, insecticides, pesticides, insect repellant, animal repellant, other repellants, other volatiles, or combinations thereof.

[0048] While the above examples have been described above with reference to specific puncturing mechanisms, any appropriate type of puncturing mechanism according to the principles described herein may be used. Further, while the above examples have been described with reference to specific types of activation arms, any appropriate type, shape, and/or size of activation arm may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. Also, while the above examples have been described with reference to specific types of container assemblies, any appropriate type of container assembly may be used with more or less components in similar or different arrangements than those container assemblies described above.

[0049] The insertion forces that activate the puncturing mechanism may be generated with any appropriate mechanism according to the principles described herein. For example, the insertion forces may be generated by inserting the wicking assembly into the container assembly. In other examples, the insertion forces may be generated by pushing the outer housing down over the wicking assembly.

[0050] While the examples above have been described with reference to specific outer housings, the outer housing may have any appropriate shape and/or size. For example, the outer housing may have a cylindrical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a symmetric shape, an asymmetric shape, a triangular shape, another shape, or combinations thereof. The ventilation openings in the outer housing may also have any appropriate shape, size, and/or spacing.

[0051] While the examples above have been described with reference to specific wick shapes and sizes, any appropriate wick may be used according to the principles described herein. For example, the wick may have a triangular shape, a loop shape, a square shape, a cylindrical shape, another shape, or combinations thereof. The wick may have multiple contact areas with the volatile composition. For example, the wick may have multiple base ends that join to a common emanator pad. Also, the emanator pad may also have surface geometries that increase its surface area and thereby promote an increased rate of evaporation. For example, the surface may have corrugations, dimples, bends, holes, divots, other surface geometries, or combinations thereof. Further, the emanator pad can also have multiple panels that are attached to a common wick.

[0052] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.