GB2376414A

GB2376414A - Dispenser for an air modifying agent

Info

Publication number: GB2376414A
Application number: GB0109312A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Peter Smith
Original assignee: Globol Chemicals UK Ltd
Current assignee: Globol Chemicals UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-17
Filing date: 2001-04-17
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0109312D0

Abstract

The invention provides a dispenser 5 for dispensing an air modifying agent such as, for example, an air freshener, insecticide or odour neutralizer. The dispenser includes a base 6, and a carrier 7 loosely connected to the base, the air modifying agent being dispensed from the carrier. Repulsive means, preferably in the form of repelling magnets 16a, 16b, cause the carrier 7 to move away from the base 6 yet allow the carrier 7 to move about with respect to the surrounding atmosphere thus enhancing airflow over the carrier 7.

Description

A DISPENSER Field of the Invention This invention relates to a dispenser and, in particular, to a device for dispensing an air modifying agent into the surrounding atmosphere.

Background to the Invention Air modifying agents, typically comprising air fresheners, deodourisers, insect repellants and the like, can be dispensed in many different ways. One way is to entrain the agent in a gel which volatilizes when exposed to the atmosphere. The gel may be packed in a moulded container, which container is vented to atmosphere at point of use.

Examples of alternatives to entraining the active ingredient or agent in gel, comprise incorporating the agent in a mat or wick such that the same may be dispensed into the atmosphere therefrom.

There are numerous examples of the above types of dispenser, on the market, at the present time. Most effective results are achieved if the dispenser is placed in a draft as air movement over the agent carrier helps to release and distribute the agent.

Whilst a static dispenser may be placed in a draft to enhance distribution of the air modifying agent, it will be appreciated that the dispenser itself may also be subjected to motion to enhance the flow of air over the carrier in which the air modifying agent is entrained. One example of the latter is a common form of air freshener, designed for use in motor vehicles, which is suspended from the rear view mirror of a

vehicle and moves through an arc induced by motion of the vehicle. Another form of moving air freshener is described in our pending International Patent application WO 00/35497.

This application describes a form of apparatus which can move under the influence of external drafts but can also be displaced by selectively energising electro-magnets, thereby causing the vessel which contains the air modifying agent to be displaced in the surrounding atmosphere.

It is an object of this invention to provide a form of dispenser for an air modifying agent which is at least a novel and useful variation to the forms of apparatus described above, or otherwise known heretofore.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a dispenser For an air modifying agent, said dispenser including: a base; a carrier having a surface from which an air modifying agent can emanate, said carrier being loosely associated with said base; and repulsion means acting between said carrier and said base and operable to bias said carrier away from said base whilst allowing a degree of movement between said carrier and said base.

Preferably said carrier comprises a container configured to carry gel in which said air modifying agent is entrained. Alternatively said carrier comprises or includes a mat or wick from which said air modifying agent maybe dispensed.

Preferably said dispenser further includes a tying member operable to maintain said carrier in attachment to said base yet allow said carrier to move, at least to a limited extent, with respect to said base.

Preferably said repulsion means comprise magnetic repulsion means. Said magnetic repulsion means may comprise one or more fixed magnets on both said carrier and on said base, the poles of the magnets being arranged to cause said carrier to be repelled away from said base.

Many variations in the way the invention may be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description. The description which follows should not be regarded as limiting but rather, as an illustration only of one mode of performing the invention. Where possible, a description of any element or component should be taken as including any or all equivalents thereof whether or not specifically mentioned. The scope of the invention should be

determined solely by the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings One form of dispenser embodying the various aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 : shows an isometric view of a dispenser according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, the invention provides a dispenser 5 for

dispensing an air modifying agent, the dispenser including a base 6; a carrier 7 having a surface, shown in dotted outline by

reference numera'-, rom w. iCn an air moiying agenl. c n emanate, the carrier 7 being loosely associated with the base 6.

The dispenser further includes repulsion means operable to cause the carrier 7 to be repelled from the base 6, yet allow the carrier to move, at least to a limited extent, with respect to the base 6. As shown, the dispenser further includes tying means 9 to maintain the carrier 7 in association with the base 6 yet allow the limited movement as referred to above.

In the form shown the carrier 7 comprises a hollow spherical ball into which a mass of gel can be loaded, the gel entraining a volatile air modifying agent in the known manner. As the air modifying agent volatilizes from the surface 8 of the gel it passes out through vents or grilles 10 provided in the surface of the sphere, and thence into the surrounding atmosphere.

As an alternative to placing gel, or a gel-like substance, in the carrier 7, the carrier could contain a mat impregnated with an air modifying agent, and from which the air modifying agent could emanate in the known manner. As yet a further alternative, the carrier 7 could house or otherwise carry a wick, the wick drawing liquid air modifying agent from a suitable source. Such source could include the base 6, the tying means 9 serving to convey liquid from the base 6 to the emanating surface of the wick carried by the carrier 7.

The base 6 may be of any suitable form and, as shown, comprises a hollow cylindrical body having an upper surface 12 through which the tying means 9 passes, the surface also serving to mount part of the repulsion means as will be described in greater detail below.

In the form shown the tying means 9 comprises a simple rod or

spike member fixed to the bottom of sphere 7 and passing loosely through aperture 14 provided in upper surface 12 of the base 6. A collar 15 may be provided about the tying means 9 to

prevent inadvertent disassociation of the carrier 7 from the base 6.

As described above, the repulsion means serves to repel the carrier away from the base. Whilst this could be achieved by, for example, a compression spring, a spring of sufficient strength to keep the two members apart might unduly limit the ability of the carrier to move with respect to the base. Thus the repulsion means preferably comprises magnetic repulsion means.

To this end, one or more magnets 16a are preferably mounted on surface 12 of the base 6 whilst one or more further magnets 16b are mounted on the underside of the carrier 7. The poles of the magnets 16a and 16b are arranged so that a repulsive force is created between base 6 and carrier 7.

The strength and positioning of the magnets 16a, 16b can be selected to cause the carrier to hover over the base. This, in combination with the tying means 9, keeps the carrier 7 tethered to the base yet allows the carrier to move with respect to the surrounding air thereby causing airflow over the surface from which the air modifying agent emanates.

This particular form of dispenser is particularly suited for mounting on or in moving objects, for example, motor vehicles, the motion of which, in turn, causes the carrier to rock with respect to the base.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention, at least in the case of the working embodiment described above, provides a

simple yet effective form of dispenser for an air modifying agent which allows the emanating surface to move with respect to the

surrounding air without the need to add any external energy.

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Claims

Claims 1) a dispenser for an air modifying agent, said dispenser including : a base; a carrier having a surface from which an air modifying agent can emanate, said carrier being loosely associated with said base; and repulsion means acting between said carrier and said base and operable to bias said carrier away from said base whilst allowing a degree of movement between said carrier and said base.
2) A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises a container configured to carry gel in which said air modifying agent is entrained.
3) A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises or includes a mat or wick from which said air modifying agent maybe dispensed.
4) A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further including a tying member operable to maintain said carrier in attachment to said base yet allow said carrier to move, at least to a limited extent, with respect to said base.
5) A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said repulsion means comprise magnetic repulsion means.

<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
6) A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said repulsion means comprise one or more fixed

rno5r, ets or. both said ^ar-. er and o.. sa d base, the poles -..--.- CA. A. U.. of the magnets being arranged to cause said carrier to be repelled away from said base.
7) A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 when constructed arranged and operable substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.