Scent dispenser

• US 4,374,571 A
• Filed: 02/20/1981
• Issued: 02/22/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George T. Hirvela
• Original Assignee: George T. Hirvela
• Inventors: Hirvela, George T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixson, Jr., William T.
• Application Number:
  US06/236,311
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 206/0.5, 206/38, 206/37, 239/36, 239/57 X, 239/58, 239/56 X, 220/212, 220/69, 215/100 R
• US Class Current: 239/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers

Abstract

A device (10) for dispensing a scent is disclosed which includes a container (12) having a first end (13) with an opening (16) therein and a second closed end (14). The scent is held in an absorbent body of material (20) which is disposed within the interior of the container (12). Retaining means (25) releasably holds the scent-holding body (20) within the container (12). A cover (30) is provided which can be secured upon either end (13, 14) of the container (12) in a manner enclosing that portion of the container. A sealing ring (40) and sealing disc (44) prevent the scent from being released when the cover (30) encloses the opening end (13) of the container (12).

Claims

1. An animal scent holding and releasing device for outdoor use, comprising:

(a) a container having a continuous side wall, a first end having an opening therein, and a closed second end opposite said first end, said container having a generally circular cross-section;

(b) means removably disposed within said container for holding a scent;

(c) means associated with said container for releasably retaining said scent holding means within said container, said retaining means including a plurality of retaining members projecting from said container first end adjacent said opening in a direction towards said second end, each of said retaining members having a free end terminating at a location intermediate said container first and second ends, said scent holding means being a sponge-like body of absorbent material capable of holding a scent, said body being disposed between and engaged by said retaining member ends and said container second end, said body of material being flexible whereby said body may be inserted into and removed from said container through said first end opening;

(d) a cover constructed and designed to enclose either of said container ends;

(e) means for securing said cover to either said first end for sealing said container to prevent loss of the scent carried therein, or to said second end to permit the scent to be released from said container through said first end opening, said securing means including a pair of mating surfaces, one of said mating surfaces being located on said cover and the other mating surface being located on said container, each of said mating surfaces including raised surface portions,

said cover having a generally circular cross-section, a solid end, an open end and a continuous side extending therebetween, said side having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface containing said respective raised surface portions, said cover raised surface portions being designed to be threaded upon said respective raised surface portions on said container side wall in a direction originating from either of said container ends; and

(f) means disposed on said cover solid end for attaching said device to a separate object.

2. The device according to claim 1 including a locking block disposed on said closed second end and a replaceable safety pin disposed in said locking block.

3. The device according to claim 1 further including means for preventing the release of the scent from said container, said means including a sealing ring projecting outwardly from the periphery of said container opening, said ring designed to seal against an inner surface of said closed second end when said cover encloses said container first end.

4. The device according to claim 1 further including a sealing ring projecting outwardly from said container first end around said opening and a closed sealing disk disposed intermediate said second end and said sealing ring.

5. A device for dispensing a scent comprising:

(a) a container having a generally circular cross-section and a hollow interior, including a first end having a portion with an opening therein, a closed second end, a plurality of retaining members projecting from said first end around said opening into said interior, each retaining member having an end terminating at a location intermediate said first end and said second end, and a cylindrical side extending between said first and second ends, said cylindrical side having raised surface portions arranged in a helical pattern;

(b) a body of absorbent material designed to hold a scent, said body being disposed intermediate said retaining member ends and said closed second end and having a flexible construction for insertion into and removal from said container interior through said first end opening;

(c) a cover designed to enclose a portion of said container, said cover having a generally circular cross-section, a solid end, an open end and a cylindrical side extending therebetween, said cylindrical side having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having raised surface portions designed to thread with said container raised surface portions in a direction originating from either of said container ends;

(d) means, disposed on an outer surface of said cover solid end, for attaching said device to a separate object, said means including a locking block and a replaceable safety pin disposed in said locking block, said locking block having a slot with opposing walls and a protrusion extending from each of said side walls, said protrusions being located adjacent each other and cooperating with said slot to provide a narrow passageway therebetween, said slot and said protrusions restricting said safety pin in said locking block while allowing the removal and insertion of said pin from said block through said narrow passageway;

(e) means for preventing the release of the scent from said container including a sealing ring projecting outwardly from the periphery of said container opening, said ring including an end edge having a surface portion designed to contact and seal against an inner surface of said cover when said cover encloses said container first end; and

(f) a substantially flat sealing disc substantially equal in diameter to that of said cover solid end, said disc being disposed intermediate said solid end and said sealing ring when said cover encloses said container first end.