GB2548783A

GB2548783A - An apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2548783A
Application number: GB1517176.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Perry James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-29
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2017-10-04
Also published as: GB201517176D0

Abstract

An apparatus 3 for providing a fluid dispenser to accompany a portable electronic device 70; e.g. mobile phone, comprising: housing 41 arranged in use to make at least a part of the electronic device inaccessible, and arranged with at least one perforation leaving the controls of said device accessible; a dispensing atomising nozzle 19 for fluid; a displaceable cartridge 2 of perfume; wherein the housing comprises an indentation 7 for receipt of the displaceable cartridge of fluid and allowing travel therein so as to activate the dispensing nozzle for the fluid from the cartridge. The indentation projects outwards from a rear face of the housing where the nozzle, that is a separate unit to the cartridge, has its own projection 6 from the cartridge indentation and comprises a broader base to limit damage.

Description

AN APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing fluid dispensing out and about; more particularly but not exclusively apparatus providing an electronic device case or holder.

Background

Increasing awareness of smell, perfume and fragrance in interpersonal relations has been accompanied in modern societies by an increasing of stress, tension and overworking in many environments.

Having perfume or aftershave on the go is an inconvenience due to the size, shape and weight of perfume bottles.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted United States patent US 8 784 747 (CARMICHAEL et al) discloses a fragrance dispenser for portable electronic devices, comprising: a portable electronic device cover having a pocket formed therein, said pocket being configured to removably hold a scented insert, said scented insert being capable of absorbing a selected scented liquid and then releasing vapors of said scented liquid to the surrounding air; and said insert being held within said pocket by a door, said door being configured to rotate on a hinge, said hinge being integral with said door and said portable electronic device cover.

United States patent application US 2013 206 860 (BERGMAN et al) discloses a cover, comprising: a flexible enclosure defining an outer surface and an inner surface; a cartridge fastener attached to the inner surface, the cartridge fastener configured to releasably retain an aromatic cartridge at a semi-fixed position along the inner surface; and an aroma-permeable region of the flexible enclosure proximate to the semifixed position.

United States patent application US 2008 020 794 (GARON et al) discloses a portable electronic device comprising an outer casing having at least one electrical component and a fluid delivery system therein, said fluid delivery system being integrally defined within at least a portion of the outer casing, said fluid delivery system including an internal reservoir defined within said outer casing and within which a fluid is contained, said fluid delivery system being operable to dispense said fluid from said portable electronic device, wherein said fluid delivery system is removable from said portable electronic device and includes an outer housing defining at least said reservoir therein, said outer housing having a configuration corresponding to a removable rear casing portion of the portable electronic device, said outer housing being adapted to replace said rear casing portion to integrate said fluid delivery system with said portable electronic device.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a fluid dispenser to accompany a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a housing arranged in use to make at least a part of the electronic device inaccessible, and arranged with at least one perforation leaving at least part of the device accessible; a dispensing atomising nozzle for fluid; and a displaceable cartridge of fluid; wherein the housing comprises an indentation for receipt of the displaceable cartridge of fluid and allowing travel therein so as to activate the dispensing nozzle for the fluid from the cartridge.

In some embodiments the device may be left accessible to a frontmost face, wherein the device comprises a typically rectangular and generally planar form having at least one side, around two opposing faces, one providing a screen and the other a back, and defining by use a top end and a bottom end.

In this way the apparatus may provide a smartphone case designed to house a quantity of perfume allowing the user to dispense their fragrance wherever they may be, and which allows a user to always have a fragrance at their disposal even when a handbag or backpack is not appropriate.

The rearmost face in such arrangements may be the location of the indentation. In this way maximum space is left for the indentation and consequently the displaceable cartridge.

In some embodiments the side(s) may be locations for perforations, such that the perforations are appropriate for the device’s buttons or controls.

In some embodiments the cartridge is wholly displaceable. In this way the cartridge may be replaced when emptied.

In some embodiments the cartridge may displace in a first direction. With reference to the device, the first direction may comprise upwards, wherein the device is liable to held substantially vertically arranged.

In some embodiments the dispensing nozzle may be situated uppermost of the cartridge, such that the displaceable cartridge displaces into the nozzle.

The cartridge may be rigid, wherein the nozzle may provide a resiliently deformable member, which member may be arranged to push the displaceable cartridge so as to return the cartridge to a prior position.

The cartridge thereby moves from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position comprises an ‘at rest’ position, and the second position depresses the nozzle so as to dispense fluid.

The nozzle and cartridge thereby comprises a fluidic pathway therebetween.

The pathway may be permanent or temporary, formed in use, manufacture or retail.

For example in some embodiments the apparatus may comprise displaceable modules, said modules comprising the nozzle and cartridge, which modules comprise an advantageously easily and readily manufactured unit in many societies.

In other embodiments the apparatus comprises a nozzle unit and a displaceable cartridge unit, wherein the nozzle unit is incorporated into the housing and the cartridge unit provides a consumable, advantageously so as to reduce wastage.

In some embodiments the housing is shaped appropriate to existing device cases or protective covers such as to replicate known stylings, dimensions and formats. The indentation may comprise a projection or indentation within a projection, or may comprise an indentation in the reverse of a face of the housing, wherein an outer face may project.

In this way the cartridge may be replaced or accessed solely when the device is not in the housing, advantageously ensuring that the cartridge is never accidentally removed or displaced.

The indentation may consequently encompass a substantially cartridge shape, allowing for movement of the cartridge in use, or vertically displacement thereof.

The projection may consequently provide a largely appropriate form, which may in some embodiments have rounded, chamfered or radiused edges, corners or surfaces.

In order to displace the cartridge it may be envisaged that the housing may include a displaceable button. This button may displaceable on or in the housing, and act to drive the cartridge upwards.

The button may comprise the cartridge bottom, and/or may comprise a button permanently arranged with the housing, so as to enable vertical movement on or in the housing. The button may be any width in reference to width of the cartridge. In some embodiments the widths may be approximately equal so as to ensure effective vertical displacement of both the cartridge and button. In some embodiments the width of the button may be substantially less than the width of the cartridge, such that accidental depression of the button may be minimised.

In some embodiments a lock of the button may be provided or encompassed in the invention, so as to advantageously limit accidental or unauthorised dispensing of fluid, risking damage to pockets or handbag contents.

Such lock may comprise a sliding mechanism, for example orthogonal to the travel of the cartridge.

Advantageously the button or indentation may be shaped so as to enable easier or more difficult displacement of the button, with reference to standard holding patterns of the device. For example the device may be envisaged to comprise a substantially planar form with a screen face and opposing rear face, and the housing replicates this, wherein the indentation comprise a projection from said rear face of the device in use. A user may be envisaged to hold the device and consequently apparatus with screen facing diagonally upwards and the rear face at an incline away from them. Accordingly a natural position for the reversed device and apparatus may be inclined in a reversed manner. In this way the user may be enabled to comfortably slide a button upwards on the device from said starting position.

In this way the button may be envisaged to travel along this inclined rear face which may be inclined towards or away from the user in standard further dispensing usage, and consequently in order to aid the displacement of the button and cartridge the button may provide an inclined and/or indented contact section.

The contact surface may be reflected in a body of the button, in some embodiments the contact surface may be reflected in the cartridge.

The contact section may incline at an acute angle from the rear face of the device and housing. This advantageously enables easier displacement, but may be more prone to accidental displacement.

The contact section may incline at an obtuse angle from the rear face of the device and housing. This advantageously effectively enables a requirement for deliberate displacement, and is consequently less prone to accidental displacement.

In some embodiments the contact section may be shaped or indented for thumb displacement, and/or with reference to left or right handed users.

In some embodiments the apparatus may include the device.

In some embodiments a spring may be included to return the button.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 show isometric views of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, closed;

Figures 5 show isometric views of an apparatus according to the present invention, open;

And

Figures 6 show diagrammatic views of working parts of the apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising a case for an Apple iPhone (RTM) device 70. The dimensions and perforations are accordingly standardised for the device, wherein other embodiments may have appropriately various dimensions and perforations appropriate to devices’ buttons or controls.

In the first pictured embodiment therefore the housing 3 comprises a rectangular open topped tray with two sets of parallel sides, with radiused corners therebetween.

In the second pictured embodiment the housing comprises four corner-only catches 21, for resiliently deformable tolerance fitting of the device, such catches projecting from a rear face 41 of the housing, said rear face comprising a substantially planar plate, which plate is formed in a leather or fabric material, and having a hinge 43 along a left side of the device, so as to allow for a substantially planar front plate 42 to hinge over the device’s screen. A locking means 44 is provided to hold the two plates together over the device.

In both embodiments the rear face 40 of the housing comprises an indentation 7 into which the displaceable cartridge 2 is placed in use, and against which the rear of the device abuts to maintain the cartridge in situ. The indentation is the depth of the cartridge.

The indentation comprises inclined sides 17, which sides incline towards a planar window portion. Said portion is translucent or transparent, and may comprise a perforation or window; in this way advantageously contents of a translucent or transparent cartridge may be monitored or displayed.

The inclined sides are reflected on the housing’s external projection, such that the housing rear face provides a contoured or smoothed surface with reference to bag or pocket contents.

The dispensing nozzle projects in a nozzle projection 16 vertically above the cartridge projection 18, such that displacement of the cartridge in use displaces is upwards towards the nozzle.

The dispensing nozzle projects centrally from the top inclined side of the projection, wherein the nozzle is situated in line with the housing’s plane and is of lesser depth than the indentation. In this way the nozzle projects less than the cartridge, and is less liable to snagging etc.

In addition or the alternative the nozzle components are surrounded and protected by projection to limit damage to the components. The nozzle indentation 6 comprises a substantially rectangular indentation extending from a front edge of the cartridge indentation. The nozzle projection 16 comprises a substantially frustroconical projection extending from a front edge of the projection and having a broader base.

In this way the form of the nozzle projection provides bracing of the internal components in use.

The external projection extension comprises an easy way for the user to identify the button side 8 and dispensing side 22, even in low light conditions.

On the parallel opposing side of the projection/indentation, the button comprises a bottom side of the cartridge projection/indentation; which is slidably moveable towards the opposing side.

The button includes a driving lip 20, which lip is arranged to catch the cartridge and drive it under pressure on or of the button.

The components of the nozzle comprise a:

Egress point and casing for index assembly 14

Perpendicular channelling index part for spray tube to pass through 13

Split gaiter cross slit valve to break seal 12

Collar cartridge securing/ piercing part 11

Cartridge channel spray tube 4

The cartridge channel is secured to the collar through a friction fit, so as to allow egress of the fluid through the cartridge channel, through the collar, the gaiter, through 90 degrees so as to exit through the egress point.

In the pictured embodiments the nozzle comprises a nozzle assembly 19 which is secured to the cartridge, wherein the cartridge and nozzle are sold as a unit and comprise the consumable part of the apparatus.

The cartridge channel may comprise an integral part of the nozzle, cartridge, neither or both in other embodiments.

In further embodiments for environmental or cost reasons the cartridge, with or without cartridge channel, may be the consumable.

The cartridge comprises a rigid part having a translucent front face for monitoring the contents and an opaque support plate 1, intermediate the device and the cartridge in use, having a notch 15 in a bottom edge for accommodating movement of the button. The cartridge has a top holelO for receipt of the cartridge channel.

The cartridge comprises approximately 5ml of fluid.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a fluid dispenser to accompany a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a housing is arranged in use to make at least a part of the electronic device inaccessible, and arranged with at least one perforation leaving at least part of the device accessible; a dispensing atomising nozzle for fluid; and a displaceable cartridge of fluid; wherein the housing comprises an indentation for receipt of the displaceable cartridge of fluid and allowing travel therein so as to activate the dispensing nozzle for the fluid from the cartridge.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises a separate unit to the cartridge.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises a wholly displaceable unit with the cartridge.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the perforations correspond to controls on the device.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the indentation comprises inclined sides.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the indentation approximately corresponds to a projection outwards from a rear face of the housing.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle indentation that corresponds to a nozzle projection.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the nozzle projection extends from the cartridge indentation.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the nozzle projection comprises a broader base to limit chances of damage.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cartridge displaces towards the dispensing nozzle in use.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cartridge slidably displaces towards the dispensing nozzle in use.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the cartridge is moved against the nozzle by a button.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the button comprises a driving lip, against the cartridge.

14. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4.

15. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to figures 5 and 6.