GB2251601A

GB2251601A - A scent holder

Info

Publication number: GB2251601A
Application number: GB9127494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Michael Mowbray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-28
Filing date: 1991-12-30
Publication date: 1992-07-15
Also published as: GB9127494D0

Abstract

A disposable scent holder comprises two sheets of transparent plastic material sealed together at 27 to define a volume 26 for scent. The sheet 20 is stiff and forms a resilient clip for engagement with the upper edge of an automobile window 24. Adjacent the upper end of the volume 26, the holder is provided with a perforation or perforations (28, Fig. 2) sealed before use by a tear-off adhesive strip. The scent holder can instead hold a replaceable scent release module e.g. a bottle or cylindrical module (34, Figs 5-16), to which access by a young child can be frustrated. The scent holder may be used free standing or suspended by holes 31. When used free standing a foot 30 may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

Scent Holder The present invention is concerned with a scent holder. Scent holders are used in various forms to release a scent for various reasons. The release of scents in confined spaces is well-known for producing a pleasing olefactory sensation, for masking unpleasant smells such as tobacco smoke, for producing a hygienic environment, and for deterring insects such as midges and mosquitos.

In automobiles scent is released from holders of various descriptions including throw-away sachets which are first hung by a chain from the dash-board or the rearview mirror, and are then punctured by a pin to release its liquid contents slowly onto a piece of plastic foam which acts as a diffuser. Such scent holders tend to swing about as the vehicle moves and can distract or otherwise annoy the driver.

Furthermore, if there are young children in the vehicle, there is a real danger that they will interfere with the scent holder which might be sucked or bitten allowing the child to ingest its contents, or might otherwise be discharged onto personal clothing or the vehicle upholstery.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a scent holder which can be mounted more securely in a vehicle and may also be useful for other applications.

According to the invention a scent holder comprises a scent carrier secured to a flap for engaging the edge of a thin lamina. In the case of an automobile the thin lamina would be an openable window whereby the scent holder can be clipped onto the upper edge of the window whilst open. In this event the scent holder will be spaced sufficiently below the upper portion of the flap to allow for the position of the window sealing trim when the window is closed to hold the scent holder firmly in position.

The scent holder may be a throw-away product in which the scent carrier is a sachet which is secured to the flap. The sachet may be perforated by a pin, or the like, after purchase but preferably is provided with one or more scent release holes covered by a tear-off strip. The sachet preferably has a reduced horizontal crosssection near the scent release hole or holes to minimize any possibility of spillage when the vehicle is moving.

Alternatively the scent holder may be re-usable. In the event that the scent is in liquid form, the scent carrier may merely be provided with a refilling aperture. Such refilling aperture may be a scent release hole. Preferably the scent holder is arranged to locate a replaceable scent release module. Such replaceable scent release module may comprise a container of liquid scent, an absorbant matrix loaded with the scent, or a deliquescent solid loaded with the scent.

The scent holder is preferably arranged to frustrate the removal of the scent release module by a young child. Preferably access to the scent release module is blocked either by the window (or other thin lamina) engaged by the flap, or by the proximity of the scent holder and/or the scent release module to the window trim when the window is shut. The scent release module is preferably a tight fit inside the scent holder and can only be removed by using a tool.

The scent release module preferably releases scent through one or more apertures in the scent holder. Such scent release apertures are preferably also connected to an airway whereby a child sucking any scent release aperture will be unable to suck any liquid from the scent release module.

The flap, or the base of the scent holder, is preferably provided with a foot whereby the scent holder can be free-standing instead of the flap being secured to a thin lamina. In this event a closure plate may be provided to fit inside the flap. The flap may be provided with an aperture whereby the scent holder may alternatively be suspended from a projection such as a hook or nail, or by a string.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a first type of throw-away scent holder; Figure 2 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical section through a second type of scent holder; Figure 4 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a vertical section through a third type of scent holder with a renewable scent release module; Figure 6 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end elevation of a fourth type of scent holder with two renewable scent release modules; Figure 8 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 8 in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a plan view in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 8;; Figure 10 is an end elevation of a fifth type of scent holder with two renewable scent release modules; Figure 11 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 11 in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view in the direction of arrow 12 in Figure 11; Figure 13 is an end elevation of a sixth type of scent holder with two renewable scent release modules; Figure 14 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 14 in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a vertical section taken on the line 15-15 in Figure 14; Figure 16 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow 16 in Figure 14, and Figure 17 is an end elevation of a closure plate for insertion behind the flap of Figure 13.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a disposable scent holder comprises two sheets of transparent plastics material 20, 21. The sheet 20 is quite stiff and has been formed into a flap 22 which is parallely spaced from another vertical section 23 to form a resilient clip for engagement with the upper edge of a thin lamina 24 in the form of an automobile window. The vertical section 23 is formed integral with a horizontal section 25 to define one side wall and the bottom wall of a scent carrier 26 which is in the form of a sachet. The remaining walls of the sachet are provided by the sheet 21 which has been pressed, or vacuum-formed, to the shape illustrated and has an integral flange 27 which is heat-sealed, or otherwise bonded, to the sections 23 and 25.In this manner the shape of the sheet 21 serves additionally to stiffen the vertical section 23 thereby enhancing the grip of the flap 22. Adjacent to its upper end, the sachet 26 is provided with a number of perforations 28 which would be sealed by an unshown tear-off adhesive strip until the scent holder is mounted in the position shown. As soon as the perforations 28 are uncovered, they serve as scent release holes whereby the scent will mix with the air inside the automobile. From Figure 2 it will be seen that the sachet 26 is of triangular form whereby it has a reduced horizontal cross-section near the perforations 28 to minimize any possibility of spillage when the vehicle is moving.Furthermore, as seen in Figure 1, the maximum level of the liquid scent 29 is arranged some distance below the level of the perforations 28 also to reduce the possibility of spillage when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating. In use the vehicle window would be opened to allow the flap 22 to be clipped onto the upper edge of the window as shown in Figure 1, and the window would then be closed to hold the scent holder firmly in position. It should particularly be noted that the uppermost edge of the sachet 26 is spaced sufficiently below the uppermost portion of the flap 22 to allow for the position of the window sealing trim when the window is closed.

Removal of the scent holder by a young child is prevented when the window is in its shut position, and the position of the perforations 28 close to the window trim furthermore prevents a young child from sucking the liquid scent out of the sachet 26.

The scent holder may be clipped to any other substantially vertical thin lamina if so desired, for instance the top of a mirror, or may be left free-standing on the horizontal section 25. To improve its free-standing qualities, the bottom edge of the flap 22 preferably terminates in the plane of the lower surface of the horizontal section 25. Furthermore, it may be extended, as shown by dotted lines, to define a stabilising foot 30. Similarly the overlapped joint between the horizontal section 25 and the flange 27 may be extended to define a stabilising foot projecting in the opposite direction to the foot 30. The flap 22 and the vertical section 23 are provided with aligned apertures 31 whereby the scent holder may alternatively be suspended from a projection such as a hook or a nail, or by a string.Thus, although the scent holder is primarily intended for clipping to a vehicle window or other thin substantially vertical lamina, it may also be left free-standing on any surface (for instance a window-sill) or suspended from any vertical surface by a hook or a nail, or suspended from any higher surface by a string (for instance behind curtains).

Although the scent holder illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is shown with preformed perforations 28, it may alternatively be supplied with no perforations, the purchaser being instructed where to perforate the sachet 26, for instance by using a pin or needle. The plastics sheets 20, 21 are preferably transparent, or trans- lucent so that the level of remaining liquid scent can be readily seen. If desired, the sachet 26 could be provided with a refill opening - this could be one of the small perforations 28, or a larger refilling aperture provided with a suitable closure.

In Figures 3 to 6 the same reference numerals have been used to indicate identical or equivalent features and only the points of difference will be described.

The second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is also a disposable type of scent holder, the difference being in the shape of the sachet 26 which is generally rectangular but has a narrow vertical neck 32 of reduced horizonatal cross-section in which the perforations 28 are formed. The narrowness and length of the neck 32 minimize the possibility of spillage when the vehicle is moving.

The third embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is a re-usable scent holder in which the sheet 21 is formed to define a pocket having an opening 33 into which a replaceable scent module 34 is inserted. The illustrated replaceable scent module 34 is a bottle having a narrow neck to minimize the possibility of spillage when the vehicle is moving. The bottle 34 may have any convenient type of closure and, if the neck is too wide, may have an insert defining a number of smaller perforations defining the scent release holes. Whilst the vehicle window is closed, the proximity of the opening 33 to the window trim prevents the bottle 34 being withdrawn and also prevents a young child from sucking it. After the window has been wound down, the neck of the bottle 34 can be gripped between the fingers and then withdrawn through the opening 33 either for refilling or replacement.Alternatively, the bottle 34 can be refilled in situ. The sheets 20, 21 may be spaced so that the bottle 34 is gripped quite firmly in the pocket such that small children would have difficulty in withdrawing it even if the window was partially open. In such a case, an aperture may be provided in the horizontal section 25 to assist an adult to remove the bottle 34 using a tool such as a pencil. Instead of the bottle 34 being gripped by the close spacing of the sheets 20, 21 the latter may be provided with any convenient indentation or clip to grip the bottle or to otherwise hold it in position. Instead of being in the form of a bottle 34, any other convenient form of replaceable scent module may be used. If desired, the grip of the flap 22, or the vertical section 23 of sheet 20, on the window can be enhanced, for instance by the use of an adhesive, or an adhesive strip or pad.

Figures 7 to 17 show three further embodiments of re-usable scent holders of differing construction but each taking a pair of replaceable scent modules 34 of cylindrical shape. Features identical or equivalent to those already described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 have been denoted by the same reference numerals and only the points of difference will be described.

The cylindrical scent modules 34 are best seen in Figure 13 and each comprises a cylindrical skin 35 packed tightly with an absorbant wadding 36 impregnated with the scent. Such cylindrical scent modules 34 can take the form of those already marketed for use in carpet sweepers in which the cylindrical skin is merely a length of extended impermeable plastic tubing and the wadding 36 is cotton wool. This form of scent module releases scent from both of its ends and is marketed in sealed packs so that no scent will be lost until after the pack has been opened. It also has the advantage that the impermeable skin 35 controls the release of the scent and can be handled without the liquid scent impregnated in the wadding touching the hands.By virtue of this construction the cylindrical skin 35 can be slightly deformed either radially or axially and this property is utilised in some of the embodiments.

In the fourth embodiment, illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the scent holder is made from three stiff pieces of plastic sheet 40, 41 and 42. The sheet 40 has been formed into an S-shape, as best seen in Figure 7, to define the flap 22, the vertical section 23, the horizontal section 25, and a further vertical section 43. The sheets 41 and 42 are of identical shape and have integral flanges 44 which are secured to the sections 23, 25 and 43 of the sheet 40 to define a pocket for the two cylindrical scent modules 34. From Figures 7 and 9 it will be noted that the sheets 41 and 42 are each of V-section and provided with a pair of spaced apertures 45 and 46 which align with the ends of the cylindrical scent modules 34 to facilitate the release of the scent.

The apertures 45 and 46 also communicate with an airway 47 extending vertically behind each of the sheets 41 and 42 whereby a child trying to suck any of the scent release apertures 45, 46 will be unable to suck any liquid from the absorbant wadding 36. Such an attempt by a child to suck any of the apertures 45, 46 is also made extremely difficult by the close proximity of the apertures with the plane of the window. The two cylindrical scent modules 34 are held wedged in place, as shown in Figure 9, by the slight interference between the ends of their cylindrical skins and the sheets 41 and 42. An aperture 48 is formed through the horizontal section 25 so that a tool, such as a pencil, can be inserted to eject the scent modules 34 after the window has been opened.

The fifth embodiment, illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, is functionally similar to the fourth embodiment, the primary difference being that the scent holder has been manufactured as a one-piece injection moulding. The spaced apertures 45, 46 are now in the form of a series of smaller holes as seen in Figure 10.

The sixth embodiment, illustrated in Figures 13 to 16 is also manufactured as a one-piece injection moulding, the primary difference from the fifth embodiment being that the two scent modules 34 are inserted from the side. The flap 22 is formed with a window 50 whereby, when the scent holder has been removed from the window, the scent modules can be withdrawn to the left as seen in Figure 15. Each scent module is held in a separate recess 51, 52 by the engagement of their cylindrical skins 35 with moulded ribs 53 which are positioned to indent the cylindrical skins slightly. The apertures 45 and 46 are conveniently formed during the moulding of the scent holder by utilizing the indentations 54 which also make it very difficult for a child to seal its lips against any of the apertures 45 or 46.This embodiment has the additional advantage that access to the scent modules 34 is normally closed by the vehicle window 34 the scent modules only being accessible by removing the scent holder completely from the window. Even then it will be necessary to use a tool, such as a screw-driver or a knife, to remove the scent modules from their respective recesses. If desired, the grip of the flap on the vehicle window 34 can be increased by sticking a thin strip to the outside of the vehicle window so that it will bear against the lower edge of the window 50, removal of the scent holder being achieved by flexing the lower edge of the flap 22 to clear this strip.

When the scent holder of Figures 13 to 16 is to be used other than clipped to a thin lamina, a closure plate 55 (such as that illustrated in Figure 17) can be inserted, and can have a lip 56 for engagement in the window 50.

The cylindrical scent modules may, if desired, be of different specification to those currently supplied for carpet sweepers. For instance, the strength and/or nature of the impregnated scent may be modified to suit this new application. Alternatively the cylindrical skin 35 may be formed in any other convenient manner and may be made pervious to the scent. In this event further scent release apertures may be provided in the scent holder. The scent modules could also be formed of a cylinder of pervious material impregnated with a scented liquid, or be made from a deli ques cent or a biodegradable solid loaded with the scent. If desired all such constructions of scent modules may be of non-cylindrical shape.

Instead of releasing a scent merely having a pleasant olefactory sensation, the scent holder may be used for slowly releasing substances which mask unpleasant smells, or sterilize the air, or act as insecticides, or otherwise deter insects.

Claims

1. A scent holder comprising a scent carrier secured to a flap for engag ing the edge of a thin lamina.

2. A scent holder,according to claim 1 and in the case where the flap is for engaging the upper edge of an openable automobile window,in which scent carrier is spaced sufficiently below the upper portion of the flap to allow for the position of the window sealing trim when the wi ndow is closed to hold the scent holder firmly in position.

3. A scent holder,according to claim 1 or 2,in the forn of 9 throw-away product,and the scent carrier is a sachet secured to the flap.

4. A scent holder,according to claim 3,in which the sachet is provided with one or more. scent release holes covered before use by a ter -off strip.

5. A scent holder,according to claim 3,in which the sachet has a zone to be perforated before use to provide a scent release hole.

6. A scent holder,according to claim 4 or 5,in which the sachet has a red uced horizontal cross-section near the scent release hole or holes to minimise th any possibility of spillage when the vehicle is moving.

7. A scent holder,according to claim 1 or 2,in which the scent carrier is re-usable or replaceable and is provided with an aperture for scent refilling in liquid form.

8. A scent holder,accordins to claim 7,in which the refilling aperture is a scent release hole.

9. A scent holder,according to claim I or 2,in which the scent carrier is in the form of a replaceable scent release module located by the scent holder.

10 A scent holder,according to claim 9,in which the replaceable scent release module cpmprises a container of liquid scent.

11. A scent holder,according to claim 9,in which tht replaceable scent re lease module comprises an absorbant matrix loaded with scent.

12. A scent holder,according to claim 9,in which the replaceable scent re lease module comprises a deliquescent solid loaded with scent.

13. A scent holder,according to any of claims 9 to 12,in which the re?lace- able scent release module is loceted Ey the scent holder in ruch a manner as to frustrate its removal by a young child.

14. A scent holder,according to claim 13,in which access to the scent re lease module is through an aperture which will be blocked by the engage ment of the flap with the lamina.

15. A scent holder,according to claim 13 and in the case where the flap is for engaging the upper edge of an openable autor.obile winow,in which aceess to the scent release module is through an aperture which will be blocked by the proximity of the aperture to the window trim when the window is shut.

16. A scent holder,accordin to sny of claims 9 to 15,in which the scent release module is a tight fit inside the scent carrier and can only be removed by using a tool.

17. A scent holder,according to any of claims 9 to 16,in which the scent release module is arranged to release scent through one or more apert ures it the scent holder.

13 A scent holder,according to claim 17,in which such scent release aper tures is also connected to an airway whereby a child sucking any scent release aperture will be unable to suck any liquid from the scent rel ease ;nodule.

19. A scent holder,accoriing to any preceding claim,in which the flap,or the base of the scent holder,is provided with a foot whereby the scent holder can be free-standing instead of the flap being secured to a thin lamina.

20. A scent holder,according to claim 19,in which a closure plate is prov ided to fit inside the flap.

21. A scent holder,according to any preceding claim,in which the flap is provided with an aperture whereby the scent holder may be suspended by a projection or string engaging the aperture instead of the flap engage ing : a lamina.

22. A scent holder substantially as described herein with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.