Liquid air freshener dispenser device with capillary wicking means

• US 5,749,520 A
• Filed: 12/18/1996
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Eric J., Martin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US08/768,549
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 239/145, 239/34, 239/35, 239/44, 239/45, 239/49, 239/57, 239/51.5, 261/99, 261/110
• US Class Current: 239/44
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2044 Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick

Abstract

This invention provides an air freshener dispenser device with a nonporous wicking feature, which in an operational mode consists of (a) a first container with an upside open end, (b) a second container which is inverted and internally-nested within the first container with a downside open end and an upside closed end, and with the sidewalls of the two containers in a capillary spacing proximity, (c) a top-surface closure in the first container which is a vapor-emanating surface mechanism, such as an absorbent matrix, that is in contact with the upside closed end of the nested second container, and (d) a content of air freshener medium confined within the nested second container. The capillary spacing proximity of the container sidewalls provides a nonporous wicking mechanism for transmission of the liquid air freshener medium from the interior reservoir to the vapor-emanating surface for evaporation into the atmosphere.

Claims

1. An air freshener dispenser device comprising:

(a) a first sheer sidewall container with an upside open end, and a downside closed end having a porthole means accessing the container interior;

(b) a second sheer sidewall container which is inverted and internally-nested within the first container, with a downside open end and an upside closed end, wherein the coextensive sidewalls of the two containers are in a capillary spacing proximity;

(c) a closure in the first container which comprises a vapor-emanating surface means that is in contact with the upside closed end of the inverted internally-nested second container; and

(d) a cover means which is removably attached to the first container, and which seals and isolates the vapor-emanating surface from the atmosphere.

2. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the nested containers have conformational annular-shaped structures comprising a transparent thermoplastic composition.

3. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vapor-emanating surface means comprises a liquid-permeable thermoplastic, thermoset, cellulosic or ceramic composition.

4. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first container is structurally adapted to receive and secure the cover means at either end of the said first container.

5. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cover means is a cap which is removably attached to the first container by screw-on or snap-on securing means.

6. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the device is inverted with the cover means positioned as a base support for the said device, and wherein the interior volume of the upright internally-nested second container is a reservoir with a content of liquid air freshener medium.

7. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 6 wherein the porthole means in the upside closed end of the first container is sealed after it has served as an access filling means for infusion of the liquid air freshener medium into the internally-nested second container reservoir.

8. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the porthole means is an optional feature.

9. An air freshener dispenser device comprising:

(a) a first sheer sidewall container with an upside open end and a downside closed end;

(b) a second sheer sidewall container which is inverted and internally-nested within the first container, with a downside open end and an upside closed end, wherein the coextensive sidewalls of the two containers are in a capillary spacing proximity;

(c) a reservoir content of liquid air freshener medium which is confined within the interior volume of the internally-nested second container; and

(d) a closure in the first container which comprises a vapor-emanating surface means that is in contact with the upside closed end of the internally-nested second container;

wherein the dispenser device is in an operational mode with the said capillary spacing proximity of the container sidewalls providing a wicking means for transmission of the liquid air freshener medium from the interior reservoir to the vapor-emanating surface for evaporation into the atmosphere.

10. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the nested containers have conformational annular-shaped structures comprising a transparent thermoplastic composition.

11. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the vapor-emanating surface means is an absorbent matrix comprising a liquid-permeable thermoplastic, thermoset, cellulosic or ceramic composition.

12. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the air freshener medium is a liquid fragrance composition.

13. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the air freshener medium is a liquid pesticide composition.

14. A dispenser device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the air freshener medium is a liquid therapeutic composition.