US20060163376A1 - Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid - Google Patents
Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060163376A1 US20060163376A1 US11/341,166 US34116606A US2006163376A1 US 20060163376 A1 US20060163376 A1 US 20060163376A1 US 34116606 A US34116606 A US 34116606A US 2006163376 A1 US2006163376 A1 US 2006163376A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wick
- container
- assembly
- opening
- retention member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920006178 high molecular weight high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000003205 fragrance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 150000001336 alkenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000071 blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
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- JRZJOMJEPLMPRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N olefin Natural products CCCCCCCC=C JRZJOMJEPLMPRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/042—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating with the help of a macromolecular compound as a carrier or diluent
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
- A01M1/20—Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects
- A01M1/2022—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide
- A01M1/2027—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide without heating
- A01M1/2044—Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
- A01M1/20—Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects
- A01M1/2022—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide
- A01M1/2061—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide using a heat source
- A01M1/2072—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide using a heat source combined with a fan
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
- A01M1/20—Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects
- A01M1/2022—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide
- A01M1/2061—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide using a heat source
- A01M1/2077—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide using a heat source using an electrical resistance as heat source
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/02—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
- A61L9/03—Apparatus therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
- A61L9/122—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor comprising a fan
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
- A61L9/127—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor comprising a wick
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M2200/00—Kind of animal
- A01M2200/01—Insects
- A01M2200/012—Flying insects
Definitions
- the present invention relates to wicks for dispensing a volatile liquid and, more particularly, wicks which project from a container holding the volatile liquid.
- Apparatus for dispensing volatile actives into the surrounding environment.
- Many such apparatuses include a container for containing a liquid that carries the volatile active and a soft, pliable wick extending through an opening in the container. The wick is in contact with the liquid inside the container so that the liquid can migrate by capillary action up the wick to an exterior side of the opening, where the volatile active is able to disperse into the surrounding environment.
- a wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity formed in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity.
- the discontinuity is disposed between a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially inside the dispenser and a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially outside the dispenser.
- FIG. 2A is a side elevational view showing the dispenser assembled of FIG. 1 with the housing partially cut away;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the wick taken along line 5 - 5 in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the wick shown in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 a is an enlarged partial view cross-sectional view of a central portion of the wick shown in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 7 is showing breakage of the wick in FIG. 5 under application of a force to the wick
- FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the wick.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the wick assembly showing the wick of FIG. 8 in a container for holding a volatile liquid to which it is secured;
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the wick of FIG. 9 in which the wick is fitted inside a retention member;
- FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the wick of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the wick of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the wick of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wick of FIG. 13 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid;
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the wick taken along the length of the wick;
- FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the wick taken along the length of the wick;
- FIG. 17 is a view of the embodiment of the wick shown in FIG. 15 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid;
- FIG. 18 is the wick assembly shown in FIG. 17 showing breakage of the wick in a predetermined location
- FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the wick of the present invention.
- FIG. 19 a is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 19 a - 19 a of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 19 b is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 19 b - 19 b of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the wick of FIG. 19 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid;
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a retention member of the present invention.
- a wick assembly is designed for use in a volatile liquid dispenser 10 .
- Liquid dispenser 10 is designed to disseminate a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance compound, into a room.
- the fragrance compound is disseminated via a forced air stream flowing around a wick, generally designated 310 , at room ambient temperature.
- dispenser 10 includes a housing 30 , a motorized fan 32 mounted in housing 30 for generating the air stream, and a wick 310 coupled to housing 30 , wherein wick 310 may be formed from a plastic material such as nylon ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene, or high density polypropylene.
- housing 30 includes sidewalls 36 and back wall (not shown) to form an interior 40 .
- Base 44 is configured to be able to place dispenser 10 on a flat surface and is a convenient location to position the battery for motorized fan 32 .
- the air stream to impact and pass around wick 310 is generated by the rotation of blades 48 .
- Portions of housing 30 form an enclosure 40 for fan 32 and for receiving wick 310 of wick assembly 500 into the air stream generated by fan 32 .
- Wick 310 is to be positioned and secured in enclosure 40 formed by housing 30 so as to reside in the air stream generated by fan 32 .
- Wick 310 may be secured in the desired position by coupling wick assembly 500 to dispenser housing 30 using any one of numerous methods.
- container 20 can carry detents or grooves in its sidewalls which will engage housing 30 and thereby releasably secure container 20 to housing 30 .
- Other ways of securing container 20 to housing 30 may include contact adhesives and/or hook and loop fasteners, for example.
- the volatile liquid migrates along wick 310 from the volatile liquid in reservoir 20 to a portion of wick 310 immersed in an air stream generated by fan 32 , where it is evaporated from the surface of wick 310 by forced airflow generated by fan 32 .
- FIGS. 3-20 show various embodiments of wicks and wick assemblies of the present invention.
- the cross section is generally taken along a length of the wick.
- the cross-sections will be taken along line C-C shown in FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the wick assembly 500 of the present invention which includes wick 310 secured in a container 20 acting as a reservoir for the volatile liquid.
- Container 20 defines an opening 536 in which wick 310 may be received and secured.
- wick assembly 500 includes a container 20
- one portion of wick 310 will reside inside container 20 in contact with the volatile liquid held by the container, while another portion of wick 310 resides outside the container.
- a seal is formed between wick 310 and container 20 along the portion of wick 20 which transitions from the inside of container 20 to the outside of the container.
- wick 310 may be secured in a retention member 510 ( FIG. 21 ).
- Retention member 510 has a generally annular shaped body 651 defining an opening 511 for receiving wick 310 therein, a pair of opposite ends and a flange 650 at one end which abuts an end of container opening 536 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) when retention member 510 is secured in container opening 536 .
- Retention member 510 may be constructed of a polymeric material, such as an olefin, and other suitable materials.
- seals are formed between both wick 310 and retention member 510 , and retention member 510 and container 20 to prevent leakage of the volatile liquid from container 20 .
- Forces acting on wick 310 may be sufficient to cause breakage of the wick.
- the portion of wick 310 residing outside container 20 is subjected to a force acting in a direction indicated by arrow “A” while the portion of wick 310 residing inside container 20 is prevented from moving, the applied force may be sufficient to cause breakage of wick 310 .
- wick 310 breaks at a predetermined point along the length of the wick before breakage of any other component of wick assembly 500 , such as container 20 or retention member 510 , to which wick 310 is secured.
- wick assembly 500 incorporate breakage features therein which facilitate breakage of wick 310 at a predetermined location on the wick when a force is applied to the wick.
- the breakage feature incorporated into wick assemblies described herein comprises a discontinuity formed in an exterior surface of the wick.
- the discontinuity in wick 310 may be formed by a junction 516 between two adjacent wick segments 512 and 514 secured in abutting contact with each other. Segments 512 and 514 may be constructed of different materials.
- Wick segments 512 and 514 may be secured in abutting contact using any of a variety of methods.
- the method used for securing wick segments 512 and 514 together ensures a certain minimum, uninterrupted area of contact between wick segments 512 and 514 in order to provide sufficient migration of the volatile liquid from one wick segment to another.
- segments 512 and 514 may be secured together using an adhesive substance applied at junction 516 between the segments.
- segment 512 has a depression 518 formed therein and segment 512 has an end portion 519 adapted to be received in depression 518 .
- segment 512 When end portion 519 is received in depression 518 , segment 512 is engaged in abutting contact with segment 514 along a surface of segment 512 proximate depression 518 . Segments 512 and 514 form a junction 516 on the surface of wick 310 .
- an adhesive material may be applied along either depression 518 or end portion 519 to bond end portion 519 to depression 518 , thereby securing segment 512 in abutting contact with segment 514 .
- an adhesive is preferably applied intermittently along the respective surfaces to keep open a capillary flow of volatile liquid upwardly through wick 310 .
- the adhesive to be applied is preferably of lesser resistance to sheer force than the wick 310 material itself.
- a second embodiment includes a depression 525 in segment 514 that has a pair of opposed walls 524 .
- an end portion of segment 512 includes a tab 526 adapted to be received between opposed walls 524 to form an interference fit therewith, thereby securing segment 512 in abutting contact with segment 514 along their mutual surfaces.
- an adhesive may be applied to opposed walls 524 and/or to tab 526 to aid in securing segments 512 and 514 in abutting contact with each other.
- the interference fit with or without adhesive should not be as resistant to sheer force as the wick 310 material itself.
- FIG. 7 shows an embodiment 500 of the wick assembly of the present invention.
- wick 310 of one of the wick embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is secured in opening 511 formed in retention member 510 .
- retention member 510 is secured in an opening 536 defined by container 20 .
- wick 310 a may be secured directly in opening 536 of container 20 .
- the wick 310 will generally be secured in either retention member 510 or container 20 such that a breakage feature incorporated into the wick resides proximate an end portion of retention member 510 or an end portion of container 20 .
- FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which wick 310 is positioned in retention member opening 511 such that wick junction 516 resides proximate an end of retention member 510 . If wick 310 were to be secured directly in container opening 536 , wick 310 would be positioned in container opening 536 such that wick junction 516 would reside proximate an end of container opening 536 .
- Wick 310 may be secured in retention member opening 511 using an interference fit, adhesive, or other known methods. Any method used to secure wick 310 in retention member opening 511 should aid in preventing leakage of the volatile liquid along a path extending between wick 310 and retention member 510 .
- retention member 510 may be secured in container opening 536 using an interference fit, adhesive, or other known methods. Any method used to secure retention member 510 within container opening 536 preferably aids in preventing leakage of the volatile liquid along a path extending between retention member 510 and container 20 .
- FIG. 7 shows the manner in which the breakage features of the present invention operate.
- the mode of operation shown applies generally to all embodiments of wick 310 and wick assembly 500 described herein.
- wick assembly 500 when a force is applied to wick 310 (for example, in the direction indicated by arrow “A”) of wick assembly 500 , tensile and compressive stresses are generated in the wick material.
- Application of a force to wick 310 incorporating one of the breakage features described herein may induce stresses in the wick material near the breakage feature which are greater than the stresses acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions of wick 310 .
- the structure of wick 310 in the region of the breakage feature may be less resistant to stresses generated by application of the force due to inclusion of the breakage feature.
- formation of a breakage feature in a pre-determined region of wick 310 provides some predictability as to the location of a breaking point of wick 310 when a force is applied to the wick.
- retention member 510 acts as a pivot about which wick segment 512 may turn in a direction indicated by arrow “B”.
- Application of sufficient force causes wick segment 512 to disengage from abutting contact with wick segment 514 , pivot about retention member 510 and dislodge from retention member opening 511 .
- container 20 acts as a pivot and wick portion 512 breaks away from container 20 at container 20 opening.
- the discontinuity is formed by a junction 508 between a portion 504 of wick 310 and another, adjacent portion 506 of wick 310 having a different cross sectional area than portion 504 .
- Wick 310 has one or more thickness dimensions W measured in a direction generally transverse to a length dimension L of wick 310 . Generally, each thickness dimension will be smaller than length L.
- wick 310 has multiple thickness dimensions W, W′.
- wick 310 has a cylindrical shape and portion 506 of wick 310 has a diameter different from portion 504 of wick 310 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show the implementation of the third embodiment of wick.
- wick assembly 500 FIG. 9
- wick 310 of FIG. 9 is secured in retention member 510 , generally an annular plug discussed in more detail below, mounted in container opening 536 of container 20 .
- wick assembly 500 FIG. 10
- wick 310 is secured directly in container opening 536 .
- a portion 504 of wick 310 residing on a first side of the discontinuity will generally be positioned outside container 20
- another portion of wick 506 residing on an opposite side of the discontinuity will be positioned inside container 20 .
- portion 506 of wick when portion 506 of wick is secured within container 20 while a force in a direction indicated by arrow “A” is applied to portion 504 of wick 310 , a region of relatively high stresses will be created at junction 508 between adjacent wick portions 504 and 506 , due to the relatively abrupt change in cross-sectional area between the adjacent portions. If a sufficient force is applied to wick portion 504 , retention member (or container 20 ) will act as a pivot, about which portion 504 may rotate. Thus, wick 310 will tend to break in the region of junction 508 rather than elsewhere along the length of wick 310 .
- the discontinuity is in the form of a notch 530 formed in an exterior surface of wick 310 .
- Notch 530 creates a region of stress concentration in the body of wick 310 during application of a force to wick 310 .
- the stresses acting on the wick material in the region of this discontinuity due to an applied force will be greater than the stresses acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions of the wick. Consequently, wick 310 will tend to break in the region of notch 530 rather than elsewhere along the length of the wick.
- a continuous notch 535 may be formed extending about a circumference of the body of wick 310 .
- FIG. 14 shows employment of FIG. 13 wick 310 mounted in retention member 510 which is secured, in turn, in container opening 536 as described above. Wick 310 may alternatively be secured directly in container opening 511 . Referring to FIG. 14 , wick 310 is secured in retention member opening 511 such that notch 535 resides proximate an end of either retention member 510 or container opening 536 to provide a predictable pivot and breakage location along the wick, as described above.
- the breakage feature incorporated into wick assemblies described herein comprises an absence of material formed in an interior portion of the wick.
- wicks 310 have elongated bodies and opposite ends 542 and 544 .
- wicks 310 may be formed from a plastic material such as nylon or high density polyethylene or the like and be substantially rigid.
- one or more absences 546 of the wick material are selectively positioned within the wick body intermediate ends 542 and 544 .
- absence (or absences) 546 may be formed by a blow molding process. In this process, a blow pin is inserted into a molten wick secured in a mold. Compressed air is then injected into the interior of the wick to displace a portion of the plastic in the wick interior.
- Absence 546 creates a portion of the wick having a cross-sectional area less than adjacent portions of the wick which are substantially filled with the material from which the wick is formed.
- the pressure acting on the wick material along this reduced cross-sectional area due to an applied force will be greater than the pressure acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions of the wick. Consequently, this reduced cross-sectional area provides less resistance to breakage than adjacent portions of the wick.
- the forming of absence 546 in a pre-determined region of the wick provides some predictability as to the location of a breaking point of the wick when a force is applied to the wick.
- FIG. 18 shows employment of the embodiment of wick 310 shown in FIG. 15 .
- Wick 310 is secured in a retention member 510 .
- Wick 310 may alternatively be secured directly in an opening 536 of a container 20 for holding the volatile liquid.
- wick segment 542 resides outside container 20 while wick segment 544 is secured within container 20 .
- wick 310 is positioned with respect to an end portion of retention member 510 or container 20 such that an exterior surface of wick 310 that is proximate interior absence 546 resides proximate the end portion of retention member 510 or container 20 .
- retention member 510 acts as a pivot about which wick segment 542 will tend to rotate, in a direction indicated by arrow “B”.
- the wick will tend to break proximate retention member 510 , in the manner described previously.
- a ninth embodiment of the wick 310 comprises two segments 550 and 552 and a length L along which successive adjacent cross sectional areas of wick 310 taken generally transverse to length L vary along the length of the wick.
- wick 310 may be secured in either a retention member 510 or in a container 20 .
- the variation in cross-sectional area of wick 310 generally occurs between segment 550 of wick 310 residing outside container 20 , and a portion 560 residing proximate an end portion of either retention member 510 or container 20 .
- wick 310 successive adjacent cross sectional areas of wick 310 vary uniformly along the length L of wick 310 between segment 550 of wick 310 and position 560 on the wick.
- the areas of successive cross sections of wick 310 taken transverse to the wick will vary at a uniform rate, generally depending on the convergence or divergence of opposing exterior surfaces of the wick.
- perimeters of successive adjacent cross sections of the wick taken generally transverse to the length will have substantially the same shape.
- perimeters of successive adjacent cross sections taken along lines 19 a - 19 a and 19 b - 19 b FIG. 19
- FIGS. 19 a and 19 b will have substantially similar shapes, as shown in FIGS. 19 a and 19 b.
- wick 310 may have a pre-determined location 560 along its length at which a cross sectional area of the wick taken generally transverse to the length is less than or equal to a cross sectional area of wick 310 taken generally transverse to length L of wick 310 at any other location along the length of the wick.
- This location defines a cross section 560 having smallest area of any cross section taken transverse to length L of wick 310 in comparison to the wick portion 550 positioned outside of container 20 .
- the wick will tend to break at location 560 having the smallest cross sectional area, of the portion of the wick 550 outside of container 20 , when a force is applied to wick segment 550 .
- location 560 on wick 310 may be positioned proximate an end portion of either retention member 510 or container 20 to provide a predictable pivot and breakage location along length L of wick 310 .
- the wick is longitudinal, has a longitudinal axis and a curved exterior surface.
- the wick may be formed such that a cross-section of the wick taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has any one of or a combination of a variety of simple geometric shapes, such as a circle, a diamond, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval or a triangle.
- the present invention provides various features incorporated into a wick assembly that facilitate the breakage of a porous wick at a predetermined location on the wick when a force is applied to the wick.
- the wick is secured within an opening of a container for holding a volatile liquid, with a portion of the wick residing inside the container and a portion of the wick residing outside the container.
- the features described herein facilitate breakage of the wick before breakage of any other portion of the wick assembly (for example, the container). These features also help ensure that the portion of the wick secured in the container opening remains secured in the opening after wick breakage, thereby preventing leakage of the volatile liquid through the container opening.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
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- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity. In one embodiment, the wick is adapted to be positioned to extend from an inside of a container, through an opening defined in the container, to an outside of the container, and the wick is formed such that a portion of the wick will block the opening when the wick is broken at the discontinuity.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/266,798, filed Oct. 8, 2002, Ser. No. 10/266,512, filed Oct. 8, 2002, Ser. No. 10/394,621, filed Mar. 21, 2003, Ser. No. 10/394,623, filed Mar. 21, 2003, Ser. No. 10/607,702, filed Jun. 27, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/609,843, filed Jun. 30, 2003, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in the entirety thereof.
- Not applicable
- Not applicable
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to wicks for dispensing a volatile liquid and, more particularly, wicks which project from a container holding the volatile liquid.
- 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
- Apparatus is known for dispensing volatile actives into the surrounding environment. Many such apparatuses include a container for containing a liquid that carries the volatile active and a soft, pliable wick extending through an opening in the container. The wick is in contact with the liquid inside the container so that the liquid can migrate by capillary action up the wick to an exterior side of the opening, where the volatile active is able to disperse into the surrounding environment.
- In one aspect of the invention, a wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity formed in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity. The discontinuity is disposed between a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially inside the dispenser and a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially outside the dispenser.
- In another aspect of the invention, A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface, a discontinuity formed in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity, and a retention member defining an opening adapted to be received in another opening of a container for holding the volatile liquid. The opening of the retention member receives a portion of the wick therein. The portion of the wick received in the opening of the retention member forms an interference fit with the retention member.
- In a further aspect of the invention, a wick assembly for use in a dispenser for volatile liquid includes a wick adapted to be positioned to extend from an inside of a container for holding the volatile liquid, through an opening defined in the container, and to an outside of the container. The wick assembly further includes means for enabling the wick to separate into at least two portions wherein one of the portions blocks the opening of the container.
- Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing insertion of the wick of the present invention into a housing of a dispensing device; -
FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of the dispenser assembled ofFIG. 1 showing the dispenser housing partially cut away; -
FIG. 2A is a side elevational view showing the dispenser assembled ofFIG. 1 with the housing partially cut away; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line c-c ofFIG. 2A of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the wick of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the wick taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 5 a is an enlarged partial view of the wick shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the wick shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 a is an enlarged partial view cross-sectional view of a central portion of the wick shown inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 7 is showing breakage of the wick inFIG. 5 under application of a force to the wick; -
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the wick; -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the wick assembly showing the wick ofFIG. 8 in a container for holding a volatile liquid to which it is secured; -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the wick ofFIG. 9 in which the wick is fitted inside a retention member; -
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the wick of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the wick of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the wick of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wick ofFIG. 13 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid; -
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the wick taken along the length of the wick; -
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the wick taken along the length of the wick; -
FIG. 17 is a view of the embodiment of the wick shown inFIG. 15 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid; -
FIG. 18 is the wick assembly shown inFIG. 17 showing breakage of the wick in a predetermined location; -
FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the wick of the present invention; -
FIG. 19 a is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 19 a-19 a ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 19 b is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken alongline 19 b-19 b ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the wick ofFIG. 19 secured in a retention member mounted in a container for holding a volatile liquid; and -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a retention member of the present invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A, a wick assembly, generally designated 500, is designed for use in a volatileliquid dispenser 10.Liquid dispenser 10 is designed to disseminate a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance compound, into a room. The fragrance compound is disseminated via a forced air stream flowing around a wick, generally designated 310, at room ambient temperature. According to the present invention,dispenser 10 includes ahousing 30, a motorizedfan 32 mounted inhousing 30 for generating the air stream, and awick 310 coupled tohousing 30, whereinwick 310 may be formed from a plastic material such as nylon ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene, or high density polypropylene. - In referring to
FIG. 2 ,housing 30 includessidewalls 36 and back wall (not shown) to form aninterior 40.Base 44 is configured to be able to placedispenser 10 on a flat surface and is a convenient location to position the battery formotorized fan 32. The air stream to impact and pass aroundwick 310 is generated by the rotation ofblades 48. - Portions of
housing 30 form anenclosure 40 forfan 32 and for receivingwick 310 ofwick assembly 500 into the air stream generated byfan 32.Wick 310 is to be positioned and secured inenclosure 40 formed byhousing 30 so as to reside in the air stream generated byfan 32.Wick 310 may be secured in the desired position by couplingwick assembly 500 to dispenserhousing 30 using any one of numerous methods. As generally shown inFIG. 2A ,container 20 can carry detents or grooves in its sidewalls which will engagehousing 30 and thereby releasablysecure container 20 tohousing 30. Other ways of securingcontainer 20 tohousing 30 may include contact adhesives and/or hook and loop fasteners, for example. - The volatile liquid migrates along
wick 310 from the volatile liquid inreservoir 20 to a portion ofwick 310 immersed in an air stream generated byfan 32, where it is evaporated from the surface ofwick 310 by forced airflow generated byfan 32. -
FIGS. 3-20 show various embodiments of wicks and wick assemblies of the present invention. In cross-sectional views showing the wicks alone, the cross section is generally taken along a length of the wick. In showing embodiments ofwick assembly 500, the cross-sections will be taken along line C-C shown inFIG. 2A . - In one example,
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of thewick assembly 500 of the present invention which includeswick 310 secured in acontainer 20 acting as a reservoir for the volatile liquid.Container 20 defines anopening 536 in which wick 310 may be received and secured. Whenwick assembly 500 includes acontainer 20, one portion ofwick 310 will reside insidecontainer 20 in contact with the volatile liquid held by the container, while another portion ofwick 310 resides outside the container. To prevent leakage of volatile liquid fromcontainer 20, a seal is formed betweenwick 310 andcontainer 20 along the portion ofwick 20 which transitions from the inside ofcontainer 20 to the outside of the container. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 21 ,wick 310 may be secured in a retention member 510 (FIG. 21 ).Retention member 510 has a generally annular shapedbody 651 defining anopening 511 for receivingwick 310 therein, a pair of opposite ends and aflange 650 at one end which abuts an end of container opening 536 (as shown inFIG. 3 ) whenretention member 510 is secured incontainer opening 536.Retention member 510 may be constructed of a polymeric material, such as an olefin, and other suitable materials. In embodiments of the wick assembly in which wick 310 is secured inretention member 510 with an interference fit, seals are formed between bothwick 310 andretention member 510, andretention member 510 andcontainer 20 to prevent leakage of the volatile liquid fromcontainer 20. - Forces acting on wick 310 (e.g., during handling of the wick by a user) may be sufficient to cause breakage of the wick. For example, referring to
FIG. 3 , if the portion ofwick 310 residing outsidecontainer 20 is subjected to a force acting in a direction indicated by arrow “A” while the portion ofwick 310 residing insidecontainer 20 is prevented from moving, the applied force may be sufficient to cause breakage ofwick 310. In such a case, it is desirable that the portion ofwick 310 residing inside container opening 536 remains secured inopening 536 after breakage ofwick 310 in order to prevent leakage of volatile liquid fromcontainer 20 throughopening 536. To ensure that a portion ofwick 310 remains inopening 536 after wick breakage, it is desirable to ensure thatwick 310 breaks at a predetermined point along the length of the wick before breakage of any other component ofwick assembly 500, such ascontainer 20 orretention member 510, to whichwick 310 is secured. The embodiments ofwick assembly 500 described below incorporate breakage features therein which facilitate breakage ofwick 310 at a predetermined location on the wick when a force is applied to the wick. - In one embodiment, the breakage feature incorporated into wick assemblies described herein comprises a discontinuity formed in an exterior surface of the wick. Referring to
FIGS. 4, 5 , 5 a, 6 and 6 a, the discontinuity inwick 310 may be formed by ajunction 516 between twoadjacent wick segments Segments -
Wick segments wick segments wick segments FIGS. 5, 5 a, 6 and 6 a,segments junction 516 between the segments. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 5 a, in oneexample segment 512 has adepression 518 formed therein andsegment 512 has anend portion 519 adapted to be received indepression 518. Whenend portion 519 is received indepression 518,segment 512 is engaged in abutting contact withsegment 514 along a surface ofsegment 512proximate depression 518.Segments junction 516 on the surface ofwick 310. In this embodiment, an adhesive material may be applied along eitherdepression 518 orend portion 519 tobond end portion 519 todepression 518, thereby securingsegment 512 in abutting contact withsegment 514. In the event an adhesive is used to securesegments wick 310. Also, the adhesive to be applied is preferably of lesser resistance to sheer force than thewick 310 material itself. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 6 a, a second embodiment includes adepression 525 insegment 514 that has a pair of opposedwalls 524. In this embodiment, an end portion ofsegment 512 includes atab 526 adapted to be received betweenopposed walls 524 to form an interference fit therewith, thereby securingsegment 512 in abutting contact withsegment 514 along their mutual surfaces. Alternatively (or additionally), an adhesive may be applied to opposedwalls 524 and/or totab 526 to aid in securingsegments wick 310 material itself. -
FIG. 7 shows anembodiment 500 of the wick assembly of the present invention. In this embodiment,wick 310 of one of the wick embodiments shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 is secured in opening 511 formed inretention member 510. In this embodiment,retention member 510 is secured in anopening 536 defined bycontainer 20. Alternatively, wick 310 a may be secured directly in opening 536 ofcontainer 20. - For reasons to be explained later, the
wick 310 will generally be secured in eitherretention member 510 orcontainer 20 such that a breakage feature incorporated into the wick resides proximate an end portion ofretention member 510 or an end portion ofcontainer 20. For example,FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which wick 310 is positioned inretention member opening 511 such thatwick junction 516 resides proximate an end ofretention member 510. Ifwick 310 were to be secured directly incontainer opening 536,wick 310 would be positioned incontainer opening 536 such thatwick junction 516 would reside proximate an end ofcontainer opening 536. -
Wick 310 may be secured inretention member opening 511 using an interference fit, adhesive, or other known methods. Any method used to securewick 310 inretention member opening 511 should aid in preventing leakage of the volatile liquid along a path extending betweenwick 310 andretention member 510. - Similarly,
retention member 510 may be secured incontainer opening 536 using an interference fit, adhesive, or other known methods. Any method used to secureretention member 510 within container opening 536 preferably aids in preventing leakage of the volatile liquid along a path extending betweenretention member 510 andcontainer 20. -
FIG. 7 shows the manner in which the breakage features of the present invention operate. The mode of operation shown applies generally to all embodiments ofwick 310 andwick assembly 500 described herein. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , when a force is applied to wick 310 (for example, in the direction indicated by arrow “A”) ofwick assembly 500, tensile and compressive stresses are generated in the wick material. Application of a force towick 310 incorporating one of the breakage features described herein may induce stresses in the wick material near the breakage feature which are greater than the stresses acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions ofwick 310. Additionally, the structure ofwick 310 in the region of the breakage feature may be less resistant to stresses generated by application of the force due to inclusion of the breakage feature. Thus, formation of a breakage feature in a pre-determined region ofwick 310 provides some predictability as to the location of a breaking point ofwick 310 when a force is applied to the wick. - As seen in
FIG. 7 , when oneportion 514 of wick is secured withincontainer 20 while a force is applied in the direction of arrow “A” to anotherportion 512 ofwick 310,retention member 510 acts as a pivot about which wicksegment 512 may turn in a direction indicated by arrow “B”. Application of sufficient force causes wicksegment 512 to disengage from abutting contact withwick segment 514, pivot aboutretention member 510 and dislodge fromretention member opening 511. If aretention member 510 is not employed,container 20 acts as a pivot andwick portion 512 breaks away fromcontainer 20 atcontainer 20 opening. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , in a third embodiment of thewick 310, the discontinuity is formed by ajunction 508 between aportion 504 ofwick 310 and another,adjacent portion 506 ofwick 310 having a different cross sectional area thanportion 504.Wick 310 has one or more thickness dimensions W measured in a direction generally transverse to a length dimension L ofwick 310. Generally, each thickness dimension will be smaller than length L. As seen inFIG. 8 ,wick 310 has multiple thickness dimensions W, W′. In a particular version of this embodiment,wick 310 has a cylindrical shape andportion 506 ofwick 310 has a diameter different fromportion 504 ofwick 310. -
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the implementation of the third embodiment of wick. In wick assembly 500 (FIG. 9 ),wick 310 ofFIG. 9 is secured inretention member 510, generally an annular plug discussed in more detail below, mounted incontainer opening 536 ofcontainer 20. In wick assembly 500 (FIG. 10 ),wick 310 is secured directly incontainer opening 536. Also, aportion 504 ofwick 310 residing on a first side of the discontinuity will generally be positioned outsidecontainer 20, while another portion ofwick 506 residing on an opposite side of the discontinuity will be positioned insidecontainer 20. In this manner, as described above, positioning of the discontinuity orjunction 508 in relation tocontainer 20 in this example near the entrance of theopening 536 ofcontainer 20, provides predictability as to the location of a breaking point ofwick 310 with respect tocontainer 20 when force “A” is applied towick 310. In this configuration any volatile liquid contained incontainer 20 will be blocked from spilling out ofcontainer 20 uponwick 310 breaking atjunction 508. - Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , whenportion 506 of wick is secured withincontainer 20 while a force in a direction indicated by arrow “A” is applied toportion 504 ofwick 310, a region of relatively high stresses will be created atjunction 508 betweenadjacent wick portions wick portion 504, retention member (or container 20) will act as a pivot, about whichportion 504 may rotate. Thus,wick 310 will tend to break in the region ofjunction 508 rather than elsewhere along the length ofwick 310. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , in afourth embodiment 310 of the wick, the discontinuity is in the form of anotch 530 formed in an exterior surface ofwick 310.Notch 530 creates a region of stress concentration in the body ofwick 310 during application of a force towick 310. Thus, the stresses acting on the wick material in the region of this discontinuity due to an applied force will be greater than the stresses acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions of the wick. Consequently,wick 310 will tend to break in the region ofnotch 530 rather than elsewhere along the length of the wick. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , in a fifth embodiment of thewick 310, multiplediscrete notches wick 310, only two notches are shown inFIG. 12 for purposes of clarity. In a sixth embodiment of thewick 310, shown inFIG. 13 , acontinuous notch 535 may be formed extending about a circumference of the body ofwick 310. -
FIG. 14 shows employment ofFIG. 13 wick 310 mounted inretention member 510 which is secured, in turn, incontainer opening 536 as described above.Wick 310 may alternatively be secured directly incontainer opening 511. Referring toFIG. 14 ,wick 310 is secured inretention member opening 511 such thatnotch 535 resides proximate an end of eitherretention member 510 orcontainer opening 536 to provide a predictable pivot and breakage location along the wick, as described above. - In another embodiment, the breakage feature incorporated into wick assemblies described herein comprises an absence of material formed in an interior portion of the wick. Referring to
FIGS. 15 and 16 of the seventh and eighth embodiments, respectively,wicks 310 have elongated bodies and opposite ends 542 and 544. As stated above,wicks 310 may be formed from a plastic material such as nylon or high density polyethylene or the like and be substantially rigid. - In these embodiments, one or
more absences 546 of the wick material are selectively positioned within the wick body intermediate ends 542 and 544. When the wick is formed from a plastic material, for example, absence (or absences) 546 may be formed by a blow molding process. In this process, a blow pin is inserted into a molten wick secured in a mold. Compressed air is then injected into the interior of the wick to displace a portion of the plastic in the wick interior. -
Absence 546 creates a portion of the wick having a cross-sectional area less than adjacent portions of the wick which are substantially filled with the material from which the wick is formed. The pressure acting on the wick material along this reduced cross-sectional area due to an applied force will be greater than the pressure acting on adjacent, relatively homogeneous portions of the wick. Consequently, this reduced cross-sectional area provides less resistance to breakage than adjacent portions of the wick. In this manner, the forming ofabsence 546 in a pre-determined region of the wick provides some predictability as to the location of a breaking point of the wick when a force is applied to the wick. -
FIG. 18 shows employment of the embodiment ofwick 310 shown inFIG. 15 .Wick 310 is secured in aretention member 510.Wick 310 may alternatively be secured directly in anopening 536 of acontainer 20 for holding the volatile liquid. As seen inFIG. 18 ,wick segment 542 residesoutside container 20 whilewick segment 544 is secured withincontainer 20. In general,wick 310 is positioned with respect to an end portion ofretention member 510 orcontainer 20 such that an exterior surface ofwick 310 that is proximateinterior absence 546 resides proximate the end portion ofretention member 510 orcontainer 20. - As seen in
FIG. 18 , when a sufficient force is applied to theexposed end 542 ofwick 310 in the direction indicated by arrow “A”,retention member 510 acts as a pivot about which wicksegment 542 will tend to rotate, in a direction indicated by arrow “B”. Thus, when a sufficient force is applied towick 310, the wick will tend to breakproximate retention member 510, in the manner described previously. - Referring to
FIGS. 19, 19 a, 19 b and 20, a ninth embodiment of thewick 310 comprises twosegments wick 310 taken generally transverse to length L vary along the length of the wick. As seen in the embodiments described above,wick 310 may be secured in either aretention member 510 or in acontainer 20. Whenwick 310 is secured in aretention member 510 orcontainer 20, the variation in cross-sectional area ofwick 310 generally occurs betweensegment 550 ofwick 310 residing outsidecontainer 20, and aportion 560 residing proximate an end portion of eitherretention member 510 orcontainer 20. - Referring to an example of this embodiment of
wick 310 successive adjacent cross sectional areas ofwick 310 vary uniformly along the length L ofwick 310 betweensegment 550 ofwick 310 andposition 560 on the wick. In this embodiment, the areas of successive cross sections ofwick 310 taken transverse to the wick will vary at a uniform rate, generally depending on the convergence or divergence of opposing exterior surfaces of the wick. In a particular embodiment, perimeters of successive adjacent cross sections of the wick taken generally transverse to the length will have substantially the same shape. For example, perimeters of successive adjacent cross sections taken along lines 19 a-19 a and 19 b-19 b (FIG. 19 ) will have substantially similar shapes, as shown inFIGS. 19 a and 19 b. - Referring to
FIG. 20 ,wick 310 may have apre-determined location 560 along its length at which a cross sectional area of the wick taken generally transverse to the length is less than or equal to a cross sectional area ofwick 310 taken generally transverse to length L ofwick 310 at any other location along the length of the wick. This location defines across section 560 having smallest area of any cross section taken transverse to length L ofwick 310 in comparison to thewick portion 550 positioned outside ofcontainer 20. Due to the relatively small amount of wick material resisting a force applied towick 310, the wick will tend to break atlocation 560 having the smallest cross sectional area, of the portion of thewick 550 outside ofcontainer 20, when a force is applied towick segment 550. - As seen in
FIG. 20 , whenwick 310 is secured in eitherretention member 510 orcontainer 20 as described above,location 560 onwick 310 may be positioned proximate an end portion of eitherretention member 510 orcontainer 20 to provide a predictable pivot and breakage location along length L ofwick 310. - In the above-described embodiments, the wick is longitudinal, has a longitudinal axis and a curved exterior surface. In alternative embodiments, the wick may be formed such that a cross-section of the wick taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has any one of or a combination of a variety of simple geometric shapes, such as a circle, a diamond, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval or a triangle.
- The present invention provides various features incorporated into a wick assembly that facilitate the breakage of a porous wick at a predetermined location on the wick when a force is applied to the wick. Generally, the wick is secured within an opening of a container for holding a volatile liquid, with a portion of the wick residing inside the container and a portion of the wick residing outside the container. The features described herein facilitate breakage of the wick before breakage of any other portion of the wick assembly (for example, the container). These features also help ensure that the portion of the wick secured in the container opening remains secured in the opening after wick breakage, thereby preventing leakage of the volatile liquid through the container opening.
- Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in the entireties thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid, comprising:
a wick having an external surface; and
a discontinuity formed in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity;
wherein the discontinuity is disposed between a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially inside the dispenser and a portion of the wick adapted to reside substantially outside the dispenser.
2. The wick assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wick is elongate.
3. The wick assembly of claim 2 , wherein the wick has a thickness measured in a direction generally transverse to a length of the wick and is of a lesser dimension than the length.
4. The wick assembly of claim 3 , wherein the location and the adjacent location have different cross sectional areas.
5. The wick assembly of claim 4 , wherein the wick has a cylindrical shape in which the location has a smaller diameter than the adjacent location.
6. The wick assembly of claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of a cross section of the wick is a simple geometric shape.
7. The wick assembly of claim 6 , wherein the geometric shape includes one of a circle, a diamond, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval and a triangle.
8. The wick assembly of claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity comprises a junction between two portions of the wick.
9. The wick assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wick is substantially rigid.
10. The wick assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wick comprises high density polyethylene.
11. The wick assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retention member defining an opening adapted to be received in another opening of a container for holding the volatile liquid and in which the opening of the retention member receives a portion of the wick therein with an interference fit.
12. The wick assembly of claim 11 , wherein the discontinuity in the surface of the wick is positioned proximate the retention member.
13. The wick assembly of claim 11 , wherein the discontinuity is positioned proximate to the other opening of the container.
14. A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid, comprising:
a wick having an external surface;
a discontinuity formed in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity; and
a retention member defining an opening adapted to be received in another opening of a container for holding the volatile liquid and in which the opening of the retention member receives a portion of the wick therein;
wherein the portion of the wick received in the opening of the retention member forms an interference fit with the retention member.
15. The wick assembly of claim 14 , wherein the wick is substantially rigid and comprises ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene.
16. A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for volatile liquid, comprising:
a wick adapted to be positioned to extend from an inside of a container, for holding the volatile liquid, through an opening defined in the container and to an outside of the container; and
means for enabling the wick to separate into at least two portions wherein one of the portions blocks the opening of the container.
17. The wick assembly of claim 16 , wherein the means for enabling the wick to separate comprises an absence of the material selectively positioned within the body.
18. The wick assembly of claim 16 , wherein the means for enabling the wick to separate comprises a notch formed in an exterior surface of the wick.
19. The wick assembly of claim 16 , wherein the means for enabling the wick to separate comprises a seam formed between a first and a second portions of the wick in which the second portion of the wick abuts the first portion.
20. The wick assembly of claim 16 , wherein the wick has a first cross section generally transverse to a length of the wick, the first cross section having a first cross sectional area, and the means for enabling the wick to separate comprises providing a second cross section of the wick generally transverse to a length of the wick and adjacent the first cross section in which the second cross section has a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/341,166 US20060163376A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2006-01-27 | Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid |
US12/711,684 US8733670B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2010-02-24 | Container for holding a volatile material and a wick |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/266,512 US7007863B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2002-10-08 | Wick-based delivery system with wick made of different composite materials |
US10/266,798 US20040074982A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2002-10-08 | Wick-based delivery system with wick having small porosity sections |
US10/394,621 US7032831B2 (en) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-03-21 | Container for a device for dispensing a volatile liquid |
US10/607,702 US20040262419A1 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-06-27 | Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid |
US10/609,843 US7309024B2 (en) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-06-30 | Wick assembly for dispensing a volatile liquid from a container and method of assembling same |
US11/341,166 US20060163376A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2006-01-27 | Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid |
Related Parent Applications (5)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/266,798 Continuation-In-Part US20040074982A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2002-10-08 | Wick-based delivery system with wick having small porosity sections |
US10/266,512 Continuation-In-Part US7007863B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2002-10-08 | Wick-based delivery system with wick made of different composite materials |
US10/394,621 Continuation-In-Part US7032831B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2003-03-21 | Container for a device for dispensing a volatile liquid |
US10/607,702 Continuation-In-Part US20040262419A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2003-06-27 | Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid |
US10/609,843 Continuation-In-Part US7309024B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2003-06-30 | Wick assembly for dispensing a volatile liquid from a container and method of assembling same |
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US12/711,684 Division US8733670B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2010-02-24 | Container for holding a volatile material and a wick |
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US20060163376A1 true US20060163376A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
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US11/341,166 Abandoned US20060163376A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2006-01-27 | Breakable wick for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid |
US12/711,684 Expired - Fee Related US8733670B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2010-02-24 | Container for holding a volatile material and a wick |
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US12/711,684 Expired - Fee Related US8733670B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2010-02-24 | Container for holding a volatile material and a wick |
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Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2008036263A2 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2008-03-27 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Refill for a volatile material |
US20080315006A1 (en) * | 2007-06-21 | 2008-12-25 | Belongia David C | Diffusion device |
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