GB2060392A - Perfume dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A perfume dispenser for use as an air freshener includes a body of synthetic resinous foam having an open-cell structure (15) having a fine cell structure such as to permit liquid perfume held in the cells of the foam (15) to migrate under capilliary action to the surface (16) to be released into the air. The foam (15) may have a permanent housing, for example in the form of a closable can (11) having a screw-on lid (13) or in the form of a plastic cassette (17) insertable into an air duct. The foam is preferably a closed cell phenol formaldehyde foam of the type sold under the Registered Trade Mark OASIS. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Perfume dispenser This invention relates to a perfume dispenser of the type used as an air freshener in buildings.

It has been proposed to use various types of air freshener holding a perfume, which are capable of slowly releasing the perfume into the air so as to provide a fresh smell and to mask existing smells such as those of cooking ortobacco smoke.

Such prior air fresheners have sometimes incorporated a gelled or crystalline solid as a carrier for the perfume which is typically a liquid; the gell or crystalline solid gradually sublimes or evaporates and releases the perfume. Other air fresheners use felt or paper-type materials to adsorb liquid perfume. In each case, only a small amount of perfume can be incorporated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved perfume dispenser.

According to the invention there is provided a perfume dispenser comprising a body of synthetic resinous foam having an open cell structure which is wholly or partly filled with a liquid perfume, the material of the foam and the dimensions of passages in the open cell structure being such that the liquid is caused to migrate from within the body to the outer surface thereof by capilliary action, so that it can evaporate when the outer surface is exposed to the atmosphere.

The foam may be housed in a sealed enclosure means before use. The enclosure means may comprise a disposable sealed package or alternatively may comprise a permanent container which is openable or apertured.

The container may be in the form of an apertured cassette.

The container may be adapted to be received in an air duct of an air conditioning, heating or ventilating apparatus in a position such that ducted air is caused to flow over or through the exposed surface of the foam.

Alternatively, where a permanent container is provided, this may be reclosable. For example, the container may comprise a metal can having a screw-on lid.

In a further alternative, the container may comprise a metal can having a tear-off portion by which it can be opened.

The foam preferably comprises an open-celled phenol formaldehyde foam.

Alternatively, the foam may comprise an opencelled polyurethane foam.

The liquid perfume may be introduced into the foam under pressure.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a vertical exploded section through one embodiment of perfume dispenser according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, an air freshener is shown in section in an open condition.

The air freshener generally indicated at 10 comprises a metal can 11 having an external screw thread 12 and is provided with a metal lid 13 which has internal screw thread formations 14. The air freshener is normally supplied with the lid 13 threadedly engaged on the can 11 so as to seal the unit from the atmosphere.

The can 11 isfilledwithafoam material 15. The foam 15 is of an open-cell type having small pores which are so sized that a liquid perfume introduced into the foam can pass through it by capilliary action to the surfaces thereof.

The foam 15 is preferably a rigid open-cell phenol formaldehyde foam of the type frequently used as a mounting medium for flowers which is marketed under the Registered Trade Mark OASIS.

In order to ensure security, the foam may be compressed slightly before being introduced into the can 11. Preferably it extends right to the upper surface of the can 11,which has an open mouth of sufficient size to produce a moderately large surface area 16, exposed to the air when the lid 13 has been removed from the can.

A liquid perfume in the form of a perfume oil for example is introduced into the foam either before or afterthefoam 15 is inserted intothe can 11.This may be done in a variety of ways, for example by immersing the foam in the liquid until the maximum possible amount has been absorbed, or by pouring the liquid into thefoam-filled can. Alternatively, the foam may be filled under pressure so as to ensure complete filling of the available open cells of the foam structure.

It has been found that OASIS (RTM) foam has a very high capacity for absorbing liquid, such that some 70% of its total volume is occupied by the liquid perfume.

Although Figure 1 shows a metal can containing the foam 15, the can 11 could be replaced by a box or jar having a removable and replaceable closure.

Alternatively, the can may be of a generally known type having a tear-off portion which enables it to be opened to reveal the surface 16 of the foam 15. For example, the can may be provided with a tear-off arrangement capable of removing the entire top surface ofthe can.

In certain applications, it may be preferred that the foam is unenclosed in use. In this case, the type of foam used must be selected so that it is selfsupporting and so that at least the bulk of the liquid perfume is retained within the foam, that is that the perfume does not leak out of the foam at too great a rate.

Figure 2.of the drawings shows a cassette 17 which is formed of plastics material, the front and back being substantially identical. The cassette 17 is elongate and rectangular in form and includes a number of slots 18 through which perfume vapour can be dispensed into the air. Within the cassette an elongate generally rectangular block of foam 19 is provided. The cassette is supplied for use enclosed in a sealed plastics envelope which can be removed and discarded. Clearly, the can shown in Figure 1 of the drawings may be opened and closed so as to be used intermittently whereas the cassette of Figure 2 remains constantly in use until the perfume has dissipated.

The cassette is intended for use in air ducting, for example of a ventilating, air conditioning or heating system, where it will be subjected to forced air current. Alternatively it could be used in an air gill or ventilator subject to natural air currents. The air can be arranged to pass over the surfaces ofthe foam block 19 or, provided that the foam block 19 is fairly thin, some of the air passing through the air duct may be forced through the foam block 19 to pick up the perfumed vapour. This arrangement may be used for example in high volume air conditioning systems in factory premises.

The cassette 17 may be openable so that the foam block 19 can be removed and replaced buy a refill block, which would be supplied in a sealed disposable plastics envelope. Thus, the perfume can be replenished by inserting a new foam block 19 into the cassette.

Although the foam 15 may be a phenol formaldehyde foam, other synthetic plastics material may be suitable use for use in the invention, provided that they have an open cell structure and are capable of drawing liquid perfume by capilliary action through the body of the foam to the surfaces. It will be appreciated that any other type of foam would not be suitable. A closed cell structure would not be capable of absorbing an adequate quantity of liquid perfume. A foam having excessively large pores would not be capable of drawing the perfume to the surface by capilliary action and, if filled with perfume, would liberate the part of the perfume lying close to the surface of the foam and would then cease to be effective in dispensing further perfume, which would remain trapped in the body of the foam.

For example, it is believed that certain types of polyurethane foam may be capable of being used in the invention, having the necessary open cell form and sufficiently small capilliary size.

Claims (14)

1. A perfume dispenser comprising a body of synthetic resinous foam having an open cell structure which is wholly or partly filled with a liquid perfume, the material of the foam and the dimensions of passages in the open cell structure being such that the liquid is caused to migrate from within the body to the outer surface thereof by capilliary action, so that it can evaporate when the outer surface is exposed to the atmosphere.

2. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 1 wherein the foam is housed in a sealed enclosure means before use.

3. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 2 wherein the enclosure means comprises a dispos able sealed package.

4. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the enclosure means comprises an openable or apertured permanent container.

5. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 4 wherein the container is an apertured cassette.

6. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the container is adapted to be received in an air duct of an air conditioning, heating or ventilating apparatus in a position such that ducted air is caused to flow over or through the exposed surface ofthefoam.

7. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 4 wherein the container is reclosable.

8. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 7 wherein the container is a metal can having a screw-on lid.

9. A perfume dispenser according to Claim 4 wherein the container is a metal can having a tear-off portion whereby it can be opened.

10. A perfume dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein thefoam!comprises an opencelled phenol formaldehide foam.

11. A perfume dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the foam comprises an opencelled polyurethane foam.

12. A perfume dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the liquid perfume is introduced into the foam under pressure.

13. A perfume dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A perfume dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.