Controllable release of a volatile substance
DCFirst Claim
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1. A device for releasing a volatile substance into an environment comprising:
- a housing having an interior region, an outer surface, and an discharge opening, wherein the housing includes a volatile substance cartridge having an outlet for containing a volatile substance therewithin;
means for orienting the device such that gravity forces the volatile substance toward the outlet of the cartridge and into a chamber configured to temporarily retain the volatile substance; and
means for moving the chamber such that an opening in the chamber is in communication with the discharge opening such that a fixed amount of the volatile substance dispenses onto an emanator, and wherein the volatile substance in the cartridge of the housing is substantially protected from exposure to the outside environment, said chamber being movable into a position for receiving volatile substance from the outlet will preventing said volatile substance from dispensing onto the emanator.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a controlled amount of a volatile substance into an environment while isolating the non-released amount of such a substance from the environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance cartridge associated with the housing, wherein the cartridge can be replaced, or, alternatively, refilled with a desired fluid. A mechanism is provided for releasing a pre-determined amount of fluid from the housing, which is activated, as desired, by a user of the device.
33 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for releasing a volatile substance into an environment comprising:
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a housing having an interior region, an outer surface, and an discharge opening, wherein the housing includes a volatile substance cartridge having an outlet for containing a volatile substance therewithin; means for orienting the device such that gravity forces the volatile substance toward the outlet of the cartridge and into a chamber configured to temporarily retain the volatile substance; and means for moving the chamber such that an opening in the chamber is in communication with the discharge opening such that a fixed amount of the volatile substance dispenses onto an emanator, and wherein the volatile substance in the cartridge of the housing is substantially protected from exposure to the outside environment, said chamber being movable into a position for receiving volatile substance from the outlet will preventing said volatile substance from dispensing onto the emanator.
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2. A device for releasing a volatile substance into an environment comprising:
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a housing having an interior region, an outer surface, and an discharge opening, wherein the housing includes a volatile substance cartridge for containing a fluid therewithin, the cartridge having an outlet; a chamber for temporarily holding the volatile substance the chamber having a first opening for receiving volatile substance from the cartridge outlet; and a controller for moving the chamber such that a second opening in the chamber is in communication with the discharge opening such that a fixed amount of the volatile substance dispenses onto an emanator, the controller being movable into a position for receiving volatile substance from the outlet will preventing said volatile substance from dispensing onto the emanator. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of releasing a volatile substance into an outside environment comprising the steps of:
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storing a volatile substance in a reservoir; releasing a fixed dose of the volatile substance from the reservoir into a chamber; temporarily holding the volatile substance in the chamber; moving the chamber by actuating a controller such that the volatile substance exits the chamber onto an emanator; and vaporizing the fixed dose of the volatile substance into the outside. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification