Air treatment dispensers delivering multiple chemicals

• US 7,544,332 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Brian T., Ananth, Gopal P., De Silva, Ranjit A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McKane; Elizabeth L
• Application Number:
  US11/684,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20080226493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 239/53, 239/54, 239/55, 239/56
• US Class Current: 422/125
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/50 by odorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence

Abstract

Devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals are described. They have a first substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical that is dispensed when the first substrate is heated, and a second substrate bearing a second volatile air treatment chemical that is dispensed from the second substrate when the second substrate is heated. The substrates are positioned in stacked fashion relative to each other, optionally with a permeable membrane there between. There may also be a use-up cue indicator unit coordinated with use of the chemicals. The first and second substrates and indicator unit can be in a single replaceable cartridge unit, preferably with the second substrate in the form of a porous ring that houses the indicator unit.

Claims

1. An air treatment chemical dispensing system, comprising:

a first substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the first substrate when the first substrate is heated;

a second substrate bearing a second volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the second substrate when the second substrate is heated;

an indicator unit holding a volatile indicator chemical separate from both the first volatile air treatment chemical and the second volatile air treatment chemical;

wherein the second substrate is in a form of a porous structure stacked over the first substrate and has an opening in the form of an axial pathway;

wherein the indicator unit is stacked over the second substrate; and

wherein the dispensing system is configured such that heat from the first substrate is able to pass through the axial pathway of the second substrate to the indicator unit.

2. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the porous structure is a porous ring.

3. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first and second substrates are positioned relative to each other such that when the first substrate is dispensing the first volatile air treatment chemical, heat from the first substrate is capable of passing through the axial pathway through the second substrate to the indicator unit.

4. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the porous structure is comprised of polyethylene.

5. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the indicator unit is housed in a cavity of the second substrate.

6. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate and the indicator unit are all mounted as part of a single replaceable cartridge refill unit.

7. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the second substrate is treated directly with a material that changes appearance over time in coordination with the volatilization of either or both of the first or second air treatment chemicals.

8. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first volatile air treatment chemical is an insect control active ingredient and the second volatile air treatment chemical is fragrance.

9. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first volatile air treatment chemical is an insect control active ingredient and the second volatile air treatment chemical is a synergist for the insect control active ingredient.

10. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 1, further including a heating element, the first substrate being positioned proximate the heating element such that the first substrate is sandwiched between the heating element and the second substrate.

11. An air treatment chemical dispensing system, comprising:

a first substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the first substrate when the first substrate is heated;

a second substrate bearing a second volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the second substrate when the second substrate is heated;

an indicator unit holding a volatile indicator chemical separate from both the first volatile air treatment chemical and the second volatile air treatment chemical;

wherein the second substrate is in a form of a porous structure stacked over the first substrate;

wherein the indicator unit is stacked over the second substrate; and

wherein the dispensing system is configured such that heat from the first substrate is able to pass through the second substrate to the indicator unit;

wherein the porous structure is a porous ring; and

wherein the first and second substrates are separated by a sealing layer sufficient to resist transfer of the volatile of either of the substrates to the other substrate.

12. An air treatment chemical dispensing system, comprising:

a first substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the first substrate when the first substrate is heated; and

a second substrate bearing a second volatile air treatment chemical capable of being dispensed from the second substrate when the second substrate is heated;

wherein the second substrate is in a form of a porous structure stacked adjacent to the first substrate;

wherein the porous structure is a porous ring; and

wherein the porous structure comprises a ring shaped body having an annular channel and a frustum shaped cavity radially inward of the annular channel.

13. The air treatment chemical dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the frustum shaped cavity is linked to an axial passageway extending to an outer surface of the second substrate.