Liquid dispenser with integral wick/emanator assembly

• US 5,857,620 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nakoneczny, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US08/892,323
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 239/34, 239/44, 239/47, 239/56, 239/289, 15/246.3, 15/339, 55/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 239/47
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick

Abstract

A liquid vapor dispenser is disclosed that includes a two-compartment reservoir for retaining a quantity of liquid to be dispensed, and an integral wick/emanator assembly. The assembly includes a wick, which extends into the reservoir to conduct the liquid out from the reservoir. An emanator is formed integrally with the wick and provides an evaporative surface to dispense the liquid conducted from the reservoir.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a generally planar reservoir for retaining a quantity of liquid to be dispensed;

a generally planar integral wick/emanator assembly comprising;

a wick, extending into said reservoir, for conducting said liquid out of said reservoir; and

an emanator, formed integrally with said wick, for providing a dissipative surface to dispense liquid conducted from said reservoir, wherein the wick/emanator assembly is formed of an absorbent material wherein the liquid is conducted by capillary action to the emanator, where it is evaporated into the atmosphere, and wherein the wick and the emanator are formed integrally from a single piece of absorbent material.

2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is a generally planar bag formed by the peripheral sealing of at least one sheet member.

3. The liquid dispenser of claim 2 wherein the sheet member is an impermeable, flexible, polymeric film.

4. The liquid dispenser of claim 2 wherein the reservoir comprises a two-compartment reservoir including a liquid containment pouch separated from the wick by a frangible seal, wherein the seal is broken to activate the dispenser.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the liquid is a scent-producing air freshener.

6. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 further including a dispenser shell for mounting and aerating the dispenser, and means for activating the dispenser.

7. A dirt-collection bag comprising:

a bag for receiving and retaining dirt;

a liquid vapor dispenser comprising;

a generally planar reservoir for retaining a quantity of liquid to be dispensed;

a generally planar integral wick/emanator assembly comprising;

a wick, extending into said reservoir, for conducting said liquid out of said reservoir; and

an emanator, formed integrally with said wick, for providing an evaporative surface to dispense liquid conducted from said reservoir, wherein the wick/emanator assembly is formed of an absorbent material wherein the liquid is conducted by capillary action to the emanator, where it is evaporated into the atmosphere, and wherein the wick and the emanator are formed integrally from a single piece of absorbent material, whereby said liquid vapor dispenser dispenses a scent-producing air freshener.

8. The dirt-collection bag of claim 7, wherein said bag is a vacuum cleaner bag.

9. The dirt collection bag of claim 7 wherein the reservoir is a generally planar bag formed by the peripheral sealing of at least one sheet member.

10. The dirt collection bag of claim 9 wherein the sheet member is an impermeable, flexible, polymeric film.

11. The dirt collection bag of claim 9 wherein the reservoir comprises a two-compartment reservoir including a liquid containment pouch separated from the wick by a frangible seal, wherein the seal is broken to activate the dispenser.

12. The dirt collection bag of claim 7 further including a dispenser shell for mounting and aerating the dispenser, and means for activating the dispenser.