EP0016015B1 - Fragrance dispenser with prolonged activity - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/CH79100081 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 30, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 30, 1980 PCT Filed Jun. 1, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/00003 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 10, 1980.A device for long-term evaporation of liquid perfumes, particularly for placing in the pockets of garments and handbags and equipped with a stand, comprising a flat, plate-like basic member which encloses a perfume carrier and which has at least one wall having an evaporation region made porous for evaporation purposes. The basic member is provided with a reserve perfume chamber which communicates with the evaporation chamber through at least one channel for the passage of perfume. A cover member is mounted on the basic member and movable thereon in the manner of a slide from a sealing position, in which the porous evaporation region is covered, to at least one evaporating position.

Description

Technical field:

The invention relates to a fragrance dispenser with long-term effect for the evaporation of liquid fragrances for placement in pockets of clothing, in handbags and. Like. And in the assembly with a base body for use as an erosion device. In the fields mentioned, the invention relates to such an organ for long-term evaporation, which has a base body in the form of a disc-shaped, hollow hollow plate, which has an evaporation chamber between two approximately plane-parallel, at least partially porous broad side walls, in which there is a fragrance carrier for evaporation , wherein on the base body there is a cover body which can be moved in a slide-like manner and which can be adjusted from at least one evaporation position from a closed position covering the porous part of the broad side walls. The fragrances can also be paramedical, e.g. to influence the respiratory tract.

Underlying state of the art:

Fragrance dispensers similar to the above type with a disk-shaped flat base body have already become known in writing. They are used to accommodate corsetry, bras, welding sheets and the like. Like. Garments that are provided with special pockets for this purpose. In one of these previously known designs, the container surrounding the fragrance carrier is made of viscose sponge and contains a slit-shaped chamber into which a flat, flat, perfume vial with a capillary bore is inserted (Swiss Patent No. 367945). The flexible container is surrounded by an elastic, perforated cover. Another proposal is to place a perfume pastille of solid or semi-solid consistency directly in a bag provided with evaporation holes (Swiss Patent No. 345432).

In the case of a further fragrance dispenser to be worn as or in connection with a jewelery item with a base body which is also flat and has evaporation openings, liquid fragrance is bound to a lozenge made of activated carbon. The base body is overlapped by a sleeve-shaped cover body, which, however, is not used to regulate the evaporation openings (French patent No. 752934).

The disadvantages of these fragrance dispensers are, in particular, a very small evaporation capacity, a lack of a closure or metering device for the evaporation, and also the unpleasant property that the liquid fragrance also wets the evaporation wall areas of the base body on the outside as a result of the creeping action and here consists of the liquid fragrance Oil leaves sticky residue.

For the reasons mentioned, these fragrance dispensers have never been approved.

Disclosure of the Invention:

The object of the present invention is to further develop a fragrance dispenser of the type mentioned, avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above, in such a way that, thanks to a novel shape and construction which is particularly practical in terms of handling, in particular for wearing in pockets already present in clothing, such as breast pockets of jackets, Shirts and blouses, inside jacket pockets, etc. An expedient simple further development should also allow the use of this organ as a standing device.

The invention is now characterized in that the base body is provided with a flat fragrance reserve chamber which extends approximately in the plane of the evaporation chamber and communicates with it by means of at least one fragrance passage channel, and in that at least one wick-like fragrance conductor protruding through a fragrance passage channel has a solid straight-line design with an immediately as extends into the evaporation chamber directly in the longitudinal region serving the fragrance carrier evaporating the surrounding air, in which the non-contact runs along the broad side walls thereof at a short distance.

The arrangement of a liquid reserve chamber is known per se based on French patent no. 2043890 in the case of evaporators consisting of a base body and a cover body. However, this is a device with a round cross-section for the evaporation of insecticides, disinfectants, deodorants and the like. Such a device is placed upright somewhere in a room, so that the considerable depth dimension given the diameter is irrelevant. Apart from the fact that this evaporator does not correspond to the type of device improved by the present invention for the reasons mentioned, the liquid reserve chamber is not in the base body but in the cover body. This makes sealing the reserve chamber difficult when the device is open. A liquid other than the upright position would flow out. In addition, the evaporation chamber is in direct contact with the reserve liquid via the evaporation slots when the base body is inserted.

Another very significant disadvantageous difference is that this known device is equipped with a conventional flexible, wick-like liquid conductor (in contrast to the perfume conductor of a solid, straight-line design according to the present invention). The said flexible liquid conductor also extends into the evaporation chamber. However, this is also filled with an absorbent evaporation material. As a result, the liquid conductor does not evaporate to the surrounding air, but instead passes the liquid on to the additional evaporation material in liquid form. This is in direct contact with the jacket wall of the evaporation chamber, so that this results in a liquid wetting of this wall, which - in contrast to this - is avoided by the construction according to the invention.

Another feature of the invention is that the cover body is designed as a sheath-shaped sleeve which, in order to secure a plurality of adjustment positions, is provided with an inwardly directed latching cam which, due to the self-springing of the corresponding cover body wall, interacts with a longitudinal row of sealing openings in the base body.

Further features of the invention emerge from the description of the drawing.

• In der Zeichnung sind mehrere Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung dargestellt. Es zeigen:
  • Fig. 1 einen teilgeschnittenen Seitenriss eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels,
  • Fig. 2 einen Schnitt A-A nach Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 3 einen Schnitt B-B nach Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 4 einen Schnitt C-C nach Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 5 einen Schnitt D-D nach Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 6 eine Perspektive in erster Abdunstungsposition,
  • Fig. 7 einen geschnittenen Teilseitenriss eines Duftstoffspenders mit einem in der Duftstoffreservekammer angeordneten, elastischen Druckausgleichskörper,
  • Fig. 8 in gleicher Darstellung eine Alternative zu Fig. 7,
  • Fig. 9 einen Seitenriss eines mit einem getrennten Sockelkörper versehen Duftstoffspenders entsprechend dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
  • Fig. 10 einen Seitenriss einer Schmalseite nach Fig. 9,
  • Fig. 11 einen teilgeschnittenen Seitenriss einer Ausführungsvariante, bei welcher Grundkörper und Sockelkörper einteilig ausgebildet sind und
  • Fig. 12 einen Schnitt E-E nach Fig. 11.

Description of the drawing figures:

• Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:
  • 1 is a partially sectioned side elevation of a first embodiment;
  • 2 shows a section AA according to FIG. 1,
  • 3 shows a section BB according to FIG. 1,
  • 4 shows a section CC according to FIG. 1,
  • 5 shows a section DD according to FIG. 1,
  • 6 is a perspective in the first evaporation position,
  • 7 shows a sectional partial side view of a fragrance dispenser with an elastic pressure compensation body arranged in the fragrance reserve chamber,
  • 8 shows an alternative to FIG. 7 in the same representation,
  • 9 is a side elevation of a fragrance dispenser provided with a separate base body according to the first embodiment,
  • 10 shows a side elevation of a narrow side according to FIG. 9,
  • 11 shows a partially sectioned side elevation of an embodiment variant in which the base body and base body are formed in one piece and
  • 12 shows a section EE according to FIG. 11.

In order to achieve the greatest possible clarity of the individual construction details, the figures were shown on different scales. In contrast, the fragrance dispenser in the training for wearing in pockets of clothing is dimensioned so that it e.g. also fits in a small breast pocket of a shirt or blouse. For base-only devices, the size is of less importance.

According to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6, the base body consists of the disc-shaped flat hollow plate 1 surrounding the evaporation chamber 1a and the flat hollow body 2 serving as a grip part and simultaneously containing the fragrance reserve chamber 2. These two parts are fastened to one another by liquid-tight ultrasonic welding. A central refill dosing space 2b separates the fragrance reserve chamber 2a into two halves, each of which is filled by a plurality of tampons 4, which are enclosed in the form of a sleeve and made of absorbent material. The two halves of the fragrance reserve chamber 2a are connected to the evaporation chamber 1a by perfume passages 1g. Wick-like perfume conductors 5 of solid, straight-line design lead through these channels. They preferably consist of man-made fibers and roll with their upper longitudinal regions into the tampons 4, while their lower regions which extend into the evaporation chamber 1a immediately serve as an evaporating fragrance carrier 5a. The refill dosing space is delimited on both sides towards the two halves of the fragrance storage chamber 2a by the webs 2d, between which there are liquid passage slots 2e. An outward-facing filling opening 2c of the refill dosing space 2 is closed by the removable plug 3. A pressure compensation opening 1h leads from the refill dosing space 2b into the evaporation chamber ia. The two side walls 1 b of the hollow plate 1 are provided with evaporation openings 1 arranged in rows.

The covering element 6 is designed as a sheath-shaped body 6 which closely encloses the hollow plate 1. For the purpose of securing different adjustment positions in the area of its opening, it has two locking cams 6a on the inside, which due to the elasticity of the side walls of the body resiliently interact with corresponding rows of evaporation openings 1d. The conical design of the same and the corresponding evaporation openings 1c facilitates the locking and unlocking function. The latching openings 1d allow a third evaporation position in which all three transverse rows of evaporation openings 1c are exposed. The top or first latching position is the locking position.

Since the latching means 1c, 6a described do not offer sufficient protection against the cover body 6 being pulled off completely from the hollow plate 1, a cylindrical stop cam 6b which is arranged in the center and which is higher than the latching cams 6a is provided on the inside of the cover body, which fits into a longitudinal stop groove 1e of the hollow plate 1 intervenes. This groove is delimited on two opposite sides by webs 1f.

The longitudinal regions 5a of the fragrance conductors 5 are at a certain distance from the side walls 1b of the hollow plate 1. This prevents the fragrance conductors from being able to bring about undesired wetting of the walls mentioned as a result of contact. So that the fragrance conductors 5 remain in this position with certainty, they are each arranged between the longitudinal rows of evaporation openings 1 and are thereby protected. In addition, the webs 1f of the hollow plate 1 ensure the mutual spacing of the walls 1b.

The fragrance dispenser can be put on the market when filled or empty. In the former case, the stop area between the base body 1, 2 and the cover body 6 pushed into the closed position is closed practically airtight by means of a circumferential self-adhesive tape.

By later removing the self-adhesive tape by the user, the fragrance dispenser is immediately ready for use.

After the covering body 6 has been set to one of the three possible evaporation positions in accordance with the desired evaporation intensity, it is now carried discretely with the handle part 2 pointing upward, for example in a breast pocket of a garment. The amount of perfume evaporated from the longitudinal areas 5a of the perfume ladder 5 is continuously fed to the latter from the fragrance reserve chamber 2a.

The absorbent filler of the tampons 4 binds the liquid fragrance and thus counteracts excessive fragrance release.

The pressure equalization opening 1a fulfills the task of pressure equalization required for the fragrance release. However, it not only serves this purpose, but is also of particular importance if the fragrance dispenser suddenly rises to a higher altitude during a flight or a mountain trip and thus under the influence of a lower atmospheric pressure, which is also immediately in the fragrance reserve chamber 2a can adjust.

When the atmospheric pressure increases again, a compensation takes place in the opposite direction.

This fragrance dispenser combines the following advantages over the previously known devices: very flat, unobtrusive design, easy to use multi-stage setting, direct use of liquid fragrances, particularly large evaporation capacity due to the fragrance reserve chamber and refillability.

For the purpose of refilling, the stopper 3 is pulled off in order to fill up the refill dosing space 2d with a pipette. The replenished amount of perfume is then slowly absorbed by the tampons 4 through the slots 2e. Instead of the closure 2c, 3 - as in the case of a refillable lighter - a self-closing valve can be provided, as a result of which refilling would be carried out in a known manner.

The embodiment variant according to FIG. 7 is identical to the previously described exemplary embodiment except for the pressure compensation means and the lack of arrangement of tampons 4. The same parts are therefore provided with the same reference numbers and will not be described again.

For pressure equalization, the pressure equalizing element 7 is located at the top in the fragrance reserve chamber 2a. It is designed as a thin-walled, rubber-elastic hollow body, connected to the nozzle-like projection 1j by means of the connecting neck 7a and communicates with the atmosphere through the pressure equalizing opening 1e. The pressure compensation element 7 is thus under pressure from the outside of the fragrance reserve chamber 2a, while atmospheric pressure prevails in the pressure compensation element. These two pressures are usually about the same. If the evaporation organ now reaches a greater height and therefore under the influence of a lower atmospheric pressure, the overpressure thus created in the fragrance reserve chamber 2a acts on the compensating member 7 from the outside and reduces its volume, as a result of which the pressure of the fragrance reserve chamber 2a adjusts to the atmospheric external pressure . This prevents an undesired escape of fragrance. When the atmospheric pressure increases again, the compensation takes place in the opposite direction.

• Zunächst werden nur sieben der acht Duftstoffleiter 5 eingesetzt. Anschliessend wird mittels einer Pipette eine vordosierte Menge flüssigen Duftstoffes durch den achten Kanal 1g gespritzt und dieser nun durch Einsetzen des achten Duftstoffleiters besetzt. Diese Art des Auffüllens erspart eine zusätzliche Einfüllöffnung. Allerdings besteht bei dieser Ausführung keine Möglichkeit eines späteren Nachfüllens.

Factory filling of the fragrance reserve chamber 2a takes place, for example, as follows:

• Initially, only seven of the eight fragrance conductors 5 are used. A pre-metered amount of liquid fragrance is then sprayed through the eighth channel 1g using a pipette and this is now occupied by inserting the eighth fragrance conductor. This type of filling saves an additional filling opening. However, there is no possibility of refilling later with this version.

An alternative pressure equalization device to that shown in FIG. 7 is shown with reference to FIG. 8. The bag-like flexible insert 7 'is located in the fragrance reserve chamber 2a' of the handle part 2 '. It is connected with its connecting neck 7a 'to the socket-like projection 1j'. The fragrance passage 1g 'is located in this. This is penetrated by the fragrance conductor 5 ', the longitudinal region of which extends into the evaporation chamber 1a' in turn serves for evaporation. The walls of the evaporation chamber 1a 'contain the evaporation openings 1c'. The pressure compensation opening 1h 'ensures that the bag-shaped insert 7' is under atmospheric pressure on the outside wall. In accordance with the amount of fragrance flowing out and because of its film-like thin wall, the bag 7 'changes its spatial shape - so it is smaller in terms of its content, which solves the problem of an air supply which may otherwise be necessary. Pressure differences that also arise due to sudden height differences are immediately compensated for.

It is also possible to use several fragrance conductors with this solution (or one fragrance conductor with a larger cross-section).

According to the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 and 10, the evaporation element consisting of parts 1, 2 and 6 is provided with a separate plug-in base body 8.

The advantage of this further embodiment is that the evaporation element is chosen worn wisely in clothing or on a desk, bookshelf or the like. can be placed. Two different types of application can thus be implemented with the least effort.

A hole 2f is formed on top of the handle part 2, which is a hanging arrangement e.g. in a motor vehicle. For adhesive attachment, the organ or the like can be used with double-sided adhesive tape 9. be provided. Equipping with a clip is also possible.

11 and 12 show that the evaporation element can also be provided with a firmly molded base 18. It is made in one piece with the hollow plate 11 surrounding the evaporation chamber 11a.

It is noticeable that this embodiment variant has an inverted position of use, in that the cover body 16 is now at the top, while the fragrance reserve chamber 12a is arranged inside the base body 18. A pressure equalization opening is designated 11h. At the bottom, the fragrance reserve chamber 12a is closed by a cover 19 fastened by liquid-tight ultrasonic welding, in which a refill screw cap 20 is located.

All other construction details such as fragrance, evaporation openings, locking devices, etc. correspond to those of the first embodiment and can be understood without further explanations.

Claims (14)

1. A perfume dispenser with a long-term action for the evaporation of liquid perfumes, in particular for putting in pockets in clothing and handbags, and in conjunction with a base member, comprising a main body which is in the form of a flat hollow plate-like member and which has an evaporation chamber between two substantially plane-parallel broad side walls which are at least in part of a porous nature, a perfume carrier for evaporation of the perfume being disposed in the evaporation chamber; further comprising a cover member which is arranged movably with a sliding action on the main body and which is movable from a closure position of covering the porous part of the broad side walls, into at least one evaporation position, characterised in that the main body (1, 2) is provided with a flat perfume reserve chamber (2) which extends substantially in the plane of the evaporation chamber (1a) and which communicates therewith by means of at least one perfume communication passage (1g), and that at least one perfume conductor wick (5) of solid straight configuration, which estends through a perfume communication passage (1g) extends into the evaporation chamber (1a), with a longitudinal portion (5a) which at once serves as a perfume carrier for evaporating perfume directly to the air therearound, the conductor wick extending in the evaporation chamber (1a) without contact along the broad side walls (1b) at a small spacing.

2. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the cover member (6) is in the form of a partitioning sleeve which, for the purposes of securing a plurality of setting positions, si provided with an inwardly directed latching projection (6a) which, as a result of natural resiliency of the corresponding wall of the cover member, latchingly co-operates with a longitudinal row of evaporation openings (1c) in the main body (1, 2).

3. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the cover member (6) has an abutment projection (6b) on its inside, with which it co-operates with an abutment groove (1e) in a broad side wall (1b) of the main body.

4. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the perfume reserve chamber (2) is filled with absorbent material (4), wherein any number of perfume conductors (5) is in contact with said material.

5. A perfume dispenser according to claim 4 characterised in that the absorbent material in the perfume reserve chamber comprises a plurality of tampons (4) which are enclosed in a sleeve- like configuration.

6. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the perfume reserve chamber (2a) is connected to atmosphere by way of a small pressure compensating opening (1 h).

7. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the perfume conductors (5) are of a bar-like configuration comprising chemical fibres, and that the longitudinal portions (5a) thereof, which extend into the evaporation chamber (1 a), as viewed in a view on the broad side of the main body (1, 2), are respectively disposed between two rows of evaporation openings (1c), which extend in the longitudinal direction of the perfume conductors (5).

8. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the perpendicular spacing between tre broad side walls (1b) of the evaporation chamber (1a) is stabilised by at least one web portion (1f) extending along the middle.

9. A perfume dispenser according to claim 4 characterised in that the perfume reserve chamber (2a) has a refilling metering chamber (2b) which is separated from the space.in the perfume reserve chamber (2a) which is filled with material (4), by partitioning web portions (2d), except for at least one liquid communication slot (2e), said metering chamber (2b) being provided with a closable, outwardly facing refilling opening (2c).

10. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that a space in the perfume reserve chamber (2a), for receiving reserve perfume, is in pressure-compensating relationship with respect to the outside atmospheric pressure, by way of a resilient member (7).

11. A perfume dispenser according to claim 10 characterised in that the resilient pressure compensating member (7) is in the fom of a flexible hollow member which is disposed in the perfume reserve chamber (2a) and the interior of which is connected to atmosphere by way of a pressure compensating opening (1i) of the perfume reserve chamber (2a).

12. A perfume dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that it is provided with a base member (8, 18).

13. A perfume dispenser according to claim 14 characterised in that the base member (18) is fixedly connected to the main body (11) at the reserve chamber end.

14. A perfume dispenser according to claim 14 characterised in that the base member (8) is formed as an insertion base for insertion of the unit comprising the main body (1, 2) and the cover member (6).

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