Dual function dispenser

• US 6,569,387 B1
• Filed: 08/10/1999
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Furner, Paul E., Uick, Heidi J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chorbaji, Monzer R.
• Application Number:
  US09/371,209
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 422/123-125, 422/306, 222/183, 222/402.13, 222/402.1, 239/34, 239/43, 239/44, 239/47, 239/51.5, 239/53-55, 239/57-60, 239/289
• US Class Current: 422/123
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2033 using a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2038 Holders or dispensers for pressurized insecticide, e.g. pressurized vessels, cans
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2044 Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2055 Holders or dispensers for solid, gelified or impregnated insecticide, e.g. volatile blocks or impregnated pads
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/134 Distributing means, e.g. baffles, valves, manifolds, nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/22 Treatment by sorption, e.g. absorption, adsorption, chemisorption, scrubbing, wet cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/048 air treating gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/145 air-liquid contact processes, e.g. scrubbing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/384 comprising an aerosol container disposed in an outer shell or in an external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/68 Dispensing two or more contents , e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them

Abstract

Disclosed herein are dispensers for dual functional use, wherein the dispensers are independently capable of dispensing a spray or an evaporative long term dispersible material. Also disclosed are refill units for such dispensers, which refill units comprise a spray can and associated control means, and an evaporative dispenser which may be activated by removal of a covering membrane which is impermeable to a volatile dispersible material. The spray and the evaporative volatile dispersible may or may not be the same material, permitting the consumer greater flexibility and choice.

Claims

1. A dual capacity dispenser for dispersible materials, said dispenser comprising the combination of:

a) an active dispenser for an actively dispersible material, said active dispenser comprising a first reservoir containing said actively dispersible material, and means to actively dispense said actively dispersible material from said reservoir to the atmosphere;

b) a passive dispenser for a volatile dispersible material, said passive dispenser comprising a second reservoir containing said volatile dispersible material, and means to control volatilization of said volatile dispersible material; and

c) means to combine said passive dispenser and said active dispenser into a dual function dispenser.

2. A dual capacity dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dispersible materials are selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions.

3. A dual capacity dispenser as set forth in claim 2, wherein said actively dispersible material differs from said volatile dispersible material.

4. A dual capacity dispenser as set forth in claim 2, wherein said actively dispersible material and said volatile dispersible material are the same.

5. The dual capacity dispenser of claim 2, wherein said active dispenser and said passive dispenser are independently replaceable.

6. A refill unit for a dual capacity dispenser of dispersible materials, said refill unit comprising a first reservoir containing a spray dispersible material, and a second reservoir of volatile passively dispersible material, said second reservoir having a membrane bonded thereto which is permeable to the gaseous form of said volatile passively dispersible material but impermeable to liquid or solid forms thereof and a vapor impermeable membrane bonded to said second reservoir containing said volatile passively dispersible material external to said permeable membrane to prevent volatilization of said volatile passively dispersible material and adapted for removal to permit volatilization of said volatile passively dispersible material.

7. A refill unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein said dispersible materials are selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions.

8. A refill unit as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first reservoir and said second reservoir may be independently replaced.

9. A refill unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein said actively dispersible material differs from said volatile passively dispersible material.

10. A refill unit for a dual capacity dispenser of dispersible materials, said refill unit comprising a first reservoir containing an actively dispersible material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions, said first reservoir adapted to engage a second reservoir comprising a volatile passively dispersible material.

11. A refill unit for a dual capacity dispenser of dispersible materials, said refill unit comprising a passive dispenser comprising a reservoir containing a volatile passively dispersible material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions, and means to control volatilization of said volatile passively dispersible material, said refill unit adapted to engage an active dispenser unit capable of independently dispensing an actively dispersible material from an independent reservoir.

12. The refill unit of claim 11, wherein said passive dispenser comprises a gel cartridge having at least two independent compartments.

13. A dual function dispenser, said dispenser comprising a spray dispenser having a first reservoir for a spray dispersible material and means to dispense said spray dispersible material to the atmosphere, a gel cartridge dispenser comprising a second reservoir for a volatile passively dispersible material and means to control vaporization of said volatile passively dispersible material, and means to join said spray dispenser and said gel cartridge dispenser.

14. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 13, wherein said spray dispenser and said gel cartridge dispenser independently as desired dispense a dispersible selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions.

15. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 14, wherein said gel cartridge comprises a vapor permeable membrane to permit vaporization of said volatile dispersible material.

16. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 15, further comprising means to enhance the vaporization of said volatile dispersible material.

17. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 16, wherein said enhancement means comprises a fan.

18. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 16, wherein said enhancement means comprises means to heat said volatile dispersible material.

19. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 15, wherein said means to join said spray dispenser and said gel cartridge dispenser comprises a shell adapted to hold said dispensers.

20. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 19, wherein said shell comprises a passage for said spray dispersible material to reach the atmosphere, and openings for said volatile dispersible material reach the atmosphere.

21. A dual function dispenser as set forth in claim 20, wherein said openings comprise an area corresponding to from about 40 to about 60 percent of the surface area of said vapor permeable membrane.