GB2586630A

GB2586630A - Dispenser for Volatile Materials

Info

Publication number: GB2586630A
Application number: GB1912450.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Corneloues Andrew
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Current assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date: 2019-08-30
Filing date: 2019-08-30
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-30
Also published as: GB2586630B; GB201912450D0

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing volatile substances into the atmosphere comprising a resilient enclosure (402), which is substantially gas impermeable and at least one part is flexible, a vent (portal, outlet) from the interior to exterior (302), which can be a gas permeable membrane. A holder (mount, reservoir) for the volatile substance is inside the enclosure (302) and air passes through or past the volatile substance when the enclosure is compressed, and the enclosure contains a biasing means to give resilience. The resilient enclosure is made of a pad of foam, batting, wadding or textile and the volatile substance can be a scent, perfume, insect repellent or disinfectant. This apparatus can be used in a headrest, headrest cover, storage bin, bin liner, mat, or used in a vehicle (automobile).

Description

Dispenser for Volatile Materials

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing a dispenser for materials to allow then to become airborne in a desired volume and/or location.

Background to the invention

The cabins of automobiles and particularly cars have evolved into a space that fulfils multiple roles for the occupants. While a primary function of a vehicle cabin is allowing the user to control the vehicle, the environment that the driver and passengers travel in are increasingly important. Vehicle fittings, furniture and equipment have been developed to cater to these needs and improve and/or maintain a suitable and pleasant environment.

The primary advantage of a vehicle is the ease of travel which it provides. Part of the ease and convenience of travel stems from the security, safety and comfort during travel provided by the vehicle cabin. In particular a sealed and weatherproof cabin is considered essential, or at least highly desirable, in the vast majority of modern vehicles.

However a sealed cabin necessitates that the environment within the cabin be controlled in that it can maintained in a pleasant condition for the occupants. In particular, the quality of the air within the cabin has a significant impact on the sense of well-being of the occupants.

The sealed and limited volume of the environment of a cabin can mean that the presence of certain scents can be more noticeable or even magnified because of the relatively small space in which they circulate. Accordingly, part of ensuring a pleasant environment can include endeavouring to condition or treat the air in the cabin for the occupants so that it pleasantly scented and/or deodorised.

The passenger compartment may be equipped with various items of equipment and amenities for the use and comfort of the passenger or passengers. These might include seats, headrests, backrests, armrests, storage bins, glove compartments, -2 -door pockets, boot/trunk compartments and other storage spaces with and without lids.

The use of air fresheners in vehicles is well known. Air fresheners typically comprise a reservoir, such as absorbent pad held within a housing, wherein the reservoir is impregnated or otherwise imbued with a scent agent. Alternatively, a scent agent may be dispensed by spraying or atomising the agent by entraining the scent agent in a stream of carrier liquid. Typically such a carrier liquid would be air and the scent agent is stored in a reservoir or tank as a liquid to be mixed with the stream of carrier liquid.

Such a scent agent is normally a mixture of volatile compounds that become airborne over time within the environment of the vehicle cabin by being emitted from the reservoir. Emitting perfumes or scent agents from air fresheners can be done passively or actively. Passive air fresheners simply allow the scent agent to be omitted from the reservoir into the air over time. Active air fresheners normally have a power source that causes the scent agent to be emitted or released in response to a specific event or signal in order to introduce the scent agent into the air. Examples of these might be automated scent atomisers or air fresheners that comprise a heating element. The action of such automated scent emitters can be made dependent on a signal related to a vehicle cabin being occupied, e.g. they are only active when the appropriate part of the vehicle's electrical system is active to supply them with the necessary electrical power. Frequently, such heated air fresheners are intended to be plugged in to the electrical supply of a car, preferably via a cigarette lighter socket or USB socket.

The sense of smell is a highly specific but subjective sense that precisely recognises specific molecules by their shape as these molecules fit into receptors in the noses of those perceiving the scent of these particular molecules. As the sense of smell is so intimately tied to the precise shape of the molecules then degradation or alteration of these molecules will significantly alter the "scent profile" of any scent agent or perfume. When a particular scent is intended to be dispensed this is undesirable. The primary means by which a scent agent can be degraded is by extremes in environmental conditions and in particular exposing the scent agent to -3 -excessive heat. Thus air fresheners, such as those with an integral heater to volatilise the perfume or scent material have the disadvantage that direct heating damages scent molecules.

A vehicle headrest for a motor-vehicle seat having a rigid rear wall provided with a receptacle for a perfuming element is described in patent application EP2233349. The receptacle is preferably perforated with holes to allow the perfuming agent to diffuse from the receptacle into the vehicle cabin.

The space in an interior compartment of an automobile is limited and consequently variations in the environmental conditions in this limited space can change quickly and be perceived as more pronounced to the occupant of the compartment. One solution for ameliorating the presence of unpleasant odours is the use of known air fresheners and other scent or perfuming devices.

However there is a need for improved systems of delivery of perfume or scent molecules to vehicle cabins that do not require heat, which potentially damages the scent molecules, and without the need for electronically controlled devices and/or complicated scent dispensing equipment. Furthermore, an improved air freshener should operate when needed, i.e. when the user is present, so as not to waste scent, and be easily and economically replenished.

The space and surface areas available are frequently limited by design constraints that are governed by the overarching requirements that the vehicle must accommodate regarding its size, safety and engineering limitations. Furthermore, there is competition for space in a crowded interior compartment with other furniture, decoration and equipment. Consequently, the space available for mounting air fresheners is limited. However, a pleasant smelling vehicle interior is desirable and requires that an air freshener be located somewhere in the car interior. The air freshening means might be located outside the cabin, in the ductwork of the air conditioning system for instance, but this would mean that the air freshener was removed from the user and difficult to replace or replenish. This presents a problem to the designers of cars and car interiors in respect of accommodating the installation of air freshening of scent dispensing systems in a car. -4 -

Furthermore, there is a need for improved systems of delivery of perfume or scent molecules to vehicle cabins that do not require heat, which potentially damages the scent molecules and without the need for electronically controlled devices and/or complicated scent dispensing equipment.

Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for a vehicle cabin for a scent agent, perfume or other volatile molecules. A further object is that the dispenser of the invention should have a reservoir for the volatile molecule that is easily replenished with scent agent or replaced. A yet further object is that the dispenser should be compatible with existing vehicle cabin furniture so that the dispenser can be included in the vehicle without significant alterations needing to be made to the vehicle or the interior of the vehicle cabin.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus for dispensing volatile substances into the atmosphere comprising: (a) a resilient enclosure, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable material, wherein the enclosure has least one portal from the interior to the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a flexible material; (b) a position within the enclosure for a source of a volatile substance, wherein (a) and (b) are located such that deformation of the enclosure expels gas from the enclosure via the portal and the gas to be expelled flows past or through the location of the source of the volatile substance.

An enclosure is a contiguous collection of sections or a continuous piece of material surrounding and defining a volume. The volume may be substantially enclosed apart from the portal from the interior to the exterior. We note that it is optional that the portal may be closed by a door or valve, e.g. by a flap of material resting over or otherwise covering the portal. -5 -

By way of the enclosure being resilient the enclosure may have an expanded/relaxed state or condition that the enclosure is biased towards. Conversely the resilient enclosure is biased away for a form in which it is compressed or deformed away from its relaxed state. Thus part of the enclosure may be made of a flexible material in order to achieve this. Flexible in this case may mean substantially non-rigid and examples of such materials include materials for clothing or upholstery such as cotton or wool cloth textiles, artificial textiles and soft leather.

The resilience of the enclosure may be intrinsic to the enclosure by virtue of the material it is made of. Further the resilience of the enclosure may be intrinsic to the envelope of the enclosure by virtue of the material it is made of. Alternatively, or in addition, the resilience of the enclosure may be supplied by resilient material located in the enclosure supporting a less or non-resilient enclosure envelope by pressure on the interior surfaces of the enclosure. This may be by material substantially expanding to fill the volume of the enclosure or by springs or other resilient elements located within the enclosure. Such springs may comprise rubber, silicone or soft plastics material.

Thus the present invention has the advantage of delivering volatile molecules such as scent agent, perfume or insect repellent to vehicle cabins without require heat, which potentially damages the scent molecules and without the need for electronically controlled devices and/or complicated scent dispensing equipment. Thus the apparatus of the invention does not require a power source and can be activated by the movement and/or presence of the user.

Accordingly, the body of resilient material may be a pad of foam, batting, wadding or textile. The body of resilient material may be made of polyester, cotton, wool, felt or leather. Conveniently the material can be chosen so that it is not allergenic or prone to production/trapping/dispensing of dust. This is a particular advantage in the case of items of vehicle furniture such as headrest that comprise the invention and whereby volatile molecules are necessarily dispensed near the eyes, nose and mouth of the user. -6 -

Necessarily, the maximum amount of gas that can be expelled from the apparatus will match the reduction in volume caused by deformation of the enclosure. The enclosure may be partially resilient or its resilience may act over a period of time significantly longer than the deformation time. This has the advantage of being able to optimise the amount of gas expelled on deformation versus the speed and extent of the return to the expanded/relaxed state of the enclosure. This has the further advantage of being able to optimise the dispending of the volatile substance with the comfort of an item of cabin furniture in contact with a user, e.g. a headrest.

The apparatus may also comprise a source of the volatile substance. The apparatus may further comprise a mount or holder for the source of the volatile substance. The atmosphere within the enclosure may be continuously exposed to the source of the volatile substance, preferably the atmosphere within the enclosure is constantly accepting the volatile substance from the source thereof. It is therefore preferable that the volatile substance mixes freely with the atmosphere inside the enclosure.

Accordingly, the concentration of the volatile substance advantageously accumulates in the interior of the enclosure during periods of inactivity. Thus the first expulsion of gas from the enclosure after such a period of inactivity is 'primed' with a higher concentration of the volatile molecule at the time when the atmosphere to be treated is in most need of this addition.

The atmospheres of the interior and on the exterior of the enclosure may be in free fluid connection. That is the interior and exterior of the enclosures are in fluid connection such that movement of gas between the atmospheres of each is not prevented or retarded by a valve or other impediment to this movement. This has the advantage of quick and convenient expulsion of the air and conveniently unimpeded reset of the apparatus when drawing new air into the enclosure.

The enclosure may comprise at least one section of gas permeable material. A gas permeable material allows the passage of gas through holes, pores or other routes through the material, preferably the gas permeable material is perforated leather. Accordingly, the portal of an apparatus described herein may be covered with a gas permeable material. -7 -

Other gas permeable materials may be used which substantially retard or prevent the passage of solid objects, such as dust, through the material. Gas permeable material can therefore selectively exclude the passage of solid objects therethrough and thus separate them from the gas expelled from the apparatus described herein. Gas permeable materials are known which can exclude small or allergenic particles, e.g. as excluded by HEPA filters.

At least one section of the envelope of the enclosure may comprise a rigid material.

Examples of such rigid materials include metals, plastics, composite materials and hardened or rigid leather. The use of a rigid material for part of the enclosure is that the expulsion and passage of the gas can be better controlled, more responsive and more complete with a solid surface within the enclosure for the expulsion forces to bear against. Conversely, in the absence of a rigid element in the enclosure then the enclosure can distend under pressure leading to lesser control and efficiency.

One or more sections of the enclosure may be attached to one another by stitching. The stitching is preferably formed of lock stitches formed by the use of a sewing machine. One or more lines of stitches may be used. These lines of stitches may be of varying lengths. When more than one line of stitches is used the pattern or periodicity of the lines of stitches may be offset with respect to one another so as to better prevent any air flow through a seam secured by such stitches.

The source of the volatile substance may be a reservoir for the volatile substance, preferably the reservoir comprises a pad, wick and/or bottle suitable for storing the volatile substance. Preferably, the reservoir is a pad of material on which the volatile substance is absorbed or adsorbed thereon, or impregnated into. Advantageously, the reservoir may be replaceable, preferably via a reclosable portal in the enclosure. The portal may be reclosable by virtue of cooperating Velcro® surfaces or snaps/poppers being located on the appropriate borders/edges of the portal or on the appropriate borders/edges of flaps covering the portal.

The volatile substance may be a scent agent, perfume, insect repellent and/or disinfectant, preferably the volatile substance is a scent agent or perfume. -8 -

Advantageously, any volatile substance may be dispensed by the invention, e.g. an essential oil.

A scent agent is a volatile substance, preferably dissolved, emulsified or admixed in a solvent or other carrier agent, which has a particular scent. Alternatively a scent agent may be a volatile substance, preferably dissolved, emulsified or admixed in a solvent or other carrier agent, which reduces, negates or absorbs other scents present in the atmosphere.

The apparatuses described herein are preferably for use in a vehicle, for example an automobile or car, an aeroplane, train or boat, preferably an automobile. In such vehicles the present invention has the advantage of convenient and controlled treatment of the closed and potentially sealed atmosphere of the vehicle cabin without the need for heating apparatus or any external source of power.

Advantageously, apparatus of the invention can be conveniently incorporated into items of furniture in the cabin.

Thus, the invention also provides: A headrest cover comprising an apparatus described herein.

A headrest comprising an apparatus described herein.

A storage bin or vessel comprising an apparatus described herein.

A liner for a storage bin or vessel comprising an apparatus described herein. A mat comprising an apparatus described herein, preferably a floor mat.

A liner, such as that described above may cover the base and/or sides of the vessel that lines, i.e. sits inside said vessel.

Thus as a further advantage, treatment of the atmosphere of the invention can be focussed with particular volatile molecules emitted by particular items of cabin 30 furniture. For example, a headrest cover might dispense a scent agent or insect repellent and a floor mat might dispense a disinfectant. -9 -

The invention also provides a kit comprising: a reservoir for the apparatus described herein; and a container of a volatile substance for dispensing said apparatus. The kit may further comprise an apparatus described herein.

The invention also provides a vehicle comprising an apparatus or kit described herein.

The invention further provides a method of dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere using an apparatus described herein, comprising the step of deforming the enclosure by contacting the exterior of the enclosure with an object thus expelling gas from the enclosure past or through the location of the source of the volatile substance. Preferably the object used in the method is a body part and most preferably the body part is the head of a user. Thus, advantageously, activation of the apparatus is automatic upon contact of the user with the enclosure.

The invention also provides a method for making a device for dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere comprising the steps of: i) forming a resilient enclosure, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable material, wherein the enclosure has least one portal from the interior to the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a flexible material; ii) forming a mount, holder or reservoir for a source of the volatile substance forming within the enclosure or inserting a mount, holder or reservoir for a source of the volatile substance and locating the mount, holder or reservoir inside the enclosure; Hi) locating the source of the volatile substance on or in the mount, holder or reservoir.

The method may further comprise the step of attaching one or more sections of the enclosure together with one or more stitches as noted above.

The method may further comprise the step of attaching one or more sections of the enclosure together with an adhesive. Such adhesives include rubber cements, -10 -silicone adhesives, cyanoacrylates and water-based contact adhesives. Alternatively, welding, preferably thermal welding, can be used to join appropriate materials such as compatible plastics materials.

The invention also provides for use of the apparatus described herein for dispensing a volatile substance, preferably in the interior of a vehicle such as those considered above.

Examples and Description of the Drawings

The invention is now illustrated in the following specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings showing:-Fig. 1 a photograph showing a typical headrest 101 for a vehicle, a headrest cover 107 and a section of padding being an insert 109 for placing internally to the headrest cover that acts as a reservoir for dispensing a volatile substance.

Fig. 2 a photograph of the process of inserting the padding reservoir 109 for dispensing a volatile substance within the envelope of the headrest cover 107 and then attaching/mounting the headrest 101 cover on a headrest. Fig. 2A and 2B show insertion of the reservoir into the headrest cover. Fig. 2C shows closing of the envelope of the headrest cover with the reservoir inside. Fig. 2D shows the flaps of material 201 attached to the headrest cover 107 that wrap around the headrest 101 and thus allow attachment of the headrest cover to the headrest as shown in Fig. 2E.

Fig. 3 a photograph of a headrest cover wherein the back and right sides of the envelope of the headrest cover are made of perforated leather 301 and certain seams of the headrest cover are protected with leather binding (piping) 302.

Fig. 4 diagrammatic representations of the passage of air out the envelope of a headrest cover. Fig. 4A shows a cross section through a headrest cover 107 in its resting, uncompressed state. Fig. 4B shows a headrest cover 107 in a partially compressed state wherein air contained in the cushion 401 is expelled from the headrest cover via the perforated leather panel 302 on the rear of the headrest cover with the airflow being directed by the gas impermeable sections 402 of the headrest cover, as indicated by the arrows.

Example 1

A car is typically fitted with headrests. A seat headrest 101 (Fig. 1) is a three-dimensional, upholstered and/or padded structure mounted on the seat back in order to support and protect the head of a vehicle occupant. Typically the headrest is mounted on the seat via supporting pillars 105 that fit compatible sockets in the seats.

One or more of the headrests in the vehicle are further equipped with a headrest cover 107 that is mounted on the face of the headrest that contacts the drivers head 103. The headrest cover 107 comprises an envelope made up of sections of fabric or leather defining an internal volume. The headrest cover is designed to cover the face of the headrest and consequently is of substantially similar dimensions. A first (back) face of the headrest cover abuts and is supported by the face of the headrest and a second (front) face of the headrest cover is intended to contact the drivers head. The circumferential edges of the fabric or leather sections defining the first and second faces of the headrest cover are joined by sections of fabric or leather in order to form the sides of the headrest cover and thus to define the depth, and therefore volume, of the headrest cover envelope. The fabric sections are joined together by stitching. The top, bottom, left and right sides of the headrest cover may be made of different materials. The closed interior of the envelope is accessed through the space between sections of material providing the lower edge of the first (back) face of the headrest cover and the bottom side. The space can be closed up and secured via complementary attachment means on the edges of the sections of material bordering the space. Typically this would be with Velcro() or snaps/poppers 205.

Leather or fabric binding (piping) 302 may be attached (typically by sewing) to the headrest cover in order to protect and strengthen the areas where the edges of the leather and/or fabric are joined (again, typically by sewing).

Within the envelope is located a pad of absorbent felt or fleece material 109 on which is absorbed a scent agent. This can be inserted, removed and/or replaced via access 203 to the envelope from the bottom rear of the headset cover 107.

-12 -The scent agent is typically a liquid comprising a carrier vehicle liquid into which are mixed molecules having a specific scent or odour and which are volatile at room temperature. Typically, a scent agent is a perfume. The scent agent may be replaced with or augmented by the addition of other volatile compounds, e.g. insect repellents such as citronella. Once the scent agent has been applied to the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material then the relatively large surface area of the pad combined with the ambient temperature causes the volatile scent molecules to be emitted from the pad into the volume defined by the envelope of the headrest cover.

The headrest cover 107 also comprises and contains a cushion 109 (i.e. a pad of compressible material bounded and contained within an envelope of fabric, wherein the pad is compressible but is biased to return to its original, expanded volume as defined by the size of the fabric envelope.) The compression and relaxation of the cushion caused by pressure on the exterior of the headrest cover causes air to be alternately expelled from the cushion and new air drawn in. The cushion fits within the envelope of the headrest cover. Further, the cushion is of substantially the same dimensions as the interior of the headrest cover is of a size that there remains sufficient volume within the envelope of the headrest cover to also accommodate the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material on which is absorbed a scent agent.

In one version of the headrest cover 107, the upper, left and right sides, and first back face of the headrest cover are made of perforated leather 301 and are thus easily gas permeable. The other parts of the envelope of the headrest cover are made of unperforated leather and thus are substantially gas impermeable 402.

The envelope of the headrest cover 107 has a substantially gas impermeable area 402 and a substantially gas-permeable area 301. Accordingly, when pressure is applied to the headrest (for example by a user's head leaning on the headrest cover) the air stored in the internal cushion of the headrest cover is expelled therefrom.

The pattern of gas impermeable and gas permeable sections in the envelope of the headrest cover means that the airflow generated in this way is directed across or through the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material with the scent agent absorbed thereon and thence out of the headrest cover via the gas permeable areas of the -13 -envelope. In this way the headrest cover allows for more efficient storage release of a scent agent into a vehicle effectively triggered by use of the headrest cover.

In addition, the first use of the headrest cover after a period of inactivity will produce a more concentrated emission of volatile molecules because of the scent molecules evolved from the storage pad during the period of inactivity are effectively 'stored' within the atmosphere of the headrest cover at a higher concentration than in the ambient atmosphere. During the period of inactivity less of the volatile components of the scent agent will be dispensed into the cabin of the vehicle. Similarly, it is after a period of inactivity that a burst of scent is likely to be most required and advantageously the storage characteristics of the headrest cover cater to this need.

Other versions of the headrest cover are also envisaged that are made of similar material and function in the same way. For example headrest covers in which: -The first (back) and second (front) faces of the headrest cover are substantially gas impermeable and the upper, lower, left and right side sections of the headrest cover are gas permeable.

-The envelope of the headrest cover is substantially gas impermeable apart from gas permeable portals in the second (front) face of the headrest cover. Typically these would be circular portals in the envelope that would then be partially obscured by inserts of perforated leather sewn to the interior surface of envelope to cover the portal/opening while allowing this portion of the envelope to be gas permeable.

The headrest cover is equipped with a flaps of material 201 that are of a size that they can be wrapped around a compatible headrest 101 and secured thereon. In this example a flap is attached to the top edge of the first (back) face of the headrest cover whose length substantially matches the height of the headrest. In addition, a shorter flap is attached to the bottom edge of the first (back) face. The sides of the flaps distal to the headrest cover are equipped with fastening means that are complementary or compatible such that the ends of the flaps can be releasably attached to one another. This can be achieved using snaps/popper 205 or Velcro®. In this this way the headrest cover 107 can be securely installed but detached and/or replaced when needed.

-14 -

Example 2

The features of headrest cover described above in Example 1 lend themselves to being included in the headrest itself, as described above. The headrest in many 5 vehicles is an item that can be unmounted from the seat back and replaced.

One or more of the headrests comprises an envelope made up of sections of fabric or leather defining an internal volume. The front face of the headrest is intended to contact the drivers head. The circumferential edges of the fabric or leather sections making up the front and rear faces of the headrest are joined by sections of fabric or leather in order to form the sides of the headrest and thus to define the depth, and therefore volume, of the headrest envelope. The fabric sections are joined together by stitching. The top, bottom, left and right sides of the headrest may be made of different materials. The closed interior of the envelope is accessed through the space between sections of material providing the lower edge of the rear face of the headrest cover and the bottom side. The space can be closed up and secured via complementary attachment means on the edges of the sections of material bordering the space. Typically this would be with Velcro@ or snaps/poppers.

Leather or fabric binding (piping) may be attached (typically by sewing) to the headrest in order to protect and strengthen the areas where the edges of the leather and/or fabric are joined (again, typically by sewing).

Within the envelope is located a pad of absorbent felt or fleece material on which is 25 absorbed a scent agent as described above. This can be inserted, removed and/or replaced via access to the envelope from the bottom rear of the headrest.

The headrest is upholstered and thus also comprises and contains padding within the envelope of the headrest (i.e. compressible material bounded and contained within the envelope, wherein the padding is compressible but is biased to return to its original, expanded volume as defined by the size of the envelope.) The compression and relaxation of the padding caused by pressure on the exterior of the headrest causes air to be alternately expelled from the padding and new air drawn in. Further, there remains sufficient volume within the envelope of the headrest cover to also -15 -accommodate the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material on which is absorbed a scent agent.

In one version of the headrest, the upper, left and right sides, and first back face of 5 the headrest are made of perforated leather and are thus easily gas permeable. The other parts of the envelope of the headrest are made of unperforated leather and thus are substantially gas impermeable.

The envelope of the headrest has a substantially gas impermeable area and a substantially gas-permeable area. Accordingly, when pressure is applied to the headrest (for example by a user's head leaning on the headrest cover) the air stored in the internal padding of the headrest is expelled therefrom. The pattern of gas impermeable and gas permeable sections in the envelope of the headrest means that the airflow generated in this way is directed across or through the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material with the scent agent absorbed thereon and thence out of the headrest via the gas permeable areas of the envelope. In this way the headrest allows for more efficient storage release of a scent agent into a vehicle effectively triggered by use of the headrest cover.

In addition, the first use of a headrest after a period of inactivity will produce a more concentrated emission of volatile molecules because of the scent molecules evolved from the storage pad during the period of inactivity are effectively 'stored' within the atmosphere of the headrest at a higher concentration than in the ambient atmosphere. During the period of inactivity less of the volatile components of the scent agent will be dispensed into the cabin of the vehicle. Similarly, it is after a period of inactivity that a burst of scent is likely to be most required and advantageously the storage characteristics of the headrest cater to this need.

Other versions of the headrest are also envisaged that are made of similar material 30 and function in the same way. For example headrests in which: -The front and back faces of the headrest are substantially gas impermeable and the upper, lower, left and right side sections of the headrest cover are gas permeable.

-16 - -The envelope of the headrest is substantially gas impermeable apart from gas permeable portals in the front face of the headrest. Typically these would be circular portals in the envelope that would then be partially obscured by inserts of perforated leather sewn to the interior surface of envelope to cover the portal/opening while allowing this portion of the envelope to be gas permeable.

Example 3

The structure of the headrest cover and headrest of examples 1 and 2 lend themselves to being applied in other locations within a vehicle.

A liner or mat for a storage bin or vessel is formed from an envelope made up of sections of fabric, leather or pliable rubber material defining an internal volume. The liner or mat is designed to fit the storage bin or vessel and consequently the sections of fabric are of substantially compatible dimensions. A first (back) face of the liner or mat abuts and is supported by the base and/or walls of the storage bin or vessel and a second (front) face of the liner or mat faces the interior of the storage bin or vessel. The circumferential edges of the sections defining the first and second faces of the liner or mat are joined by sections of similar material in order to form the sides of the headrest cover and thus to define the depth and therefore internal volume of the liner or mat. The sides of the liner or mat may also abut and be supported by the base and/or walls of the storage bin or vessel. , A further version of the liner or mat is suitable for use as a floor mat in a vehicle, typically being a larger version of the liner or mat described herein.

The different sections of the liner or mat may be made of different materials.

The closed interior of the liner or mat may be accessed through a closable portal from the exterior of the liner or mat.

Leather or fabric binding (piping) may be attached (typically by sewing) to the edges of the liner or mat in order to protect and strengthen the areas where the edges of the sections of material are joined.

-17 -Within the envelope is located a pad of absorbent felt or fleece material on which is absorbed a scent agent as described in more detail above. This can be inserted, removed and/or replaced via access to the envelope as described above.

The liner or mat comprises and contains padding within the envelope of the headrest (i.e. compressible material bounded and contained within the envelope, wherein the padding is compressible but is biased to return to its original, expanded volume as defined by the size of the envelope.) The compression and relaxation of the padding caused by pressure on the exterior of the liner or mat causes air to be alternately expelled from the padding and new air drawn in. Further, there remains sufficient volume within the envelope of the headrest cover to also accommodate the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material on which is absorbed a scent agent. Alternatively, the functions of the padding and the absorbent felt or fleece material can be combined and the scent agent applied directly to the padding, which then occupies the whole of the volume of the envelope.

In one version of the liner or mat, the second (front) face of the liner or mat facing the interior of the storage bin or vessel is made of perforated leather and is thus easily gas permeable. The other parts of the envelope of the liner or mat are made of flexible rubber material and thus are substantially gas impermeable.

Thus the liner or mat has a substantially gas impermeable area and a substantially gas-permeable area. Accordingly, when pressure is applied to the second (front) face of the liner or mat facing the interior of the storage bin or vessel (for example by an object being placed in the storage bin or vessel) the air stored in the internal padding of the liner or mat is expelled therefrom. The pattern of gas impermeable and gas permeable sections in the envelope of the liner or mat means that the airflow generated in this way is directed across or through the pad of absorbent felt or fleece material with the scent agent absorbed thereon and thence out of the liner or mat via the gas permeable areas of the envelope. In this way the liner or mat allows for more efficient storage release of a scent agent into a vehicle effectively triggered by use of the storage bin or vessel containing the liner or mat within.

-18 -The invention thus provides an apparatus for dispensing volatile substances into the atmosphere comprising: (a) a resilient enclosure, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable material, wherein the enclosure has least one portal from the interior to the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a flexible material; (b) a position within the enclosure for a source of a volatile substance, wherein (a) and (b) are located such that deformation of the enclosure expels gas from the enclosure via the portal and the gas to be expelled flows past or through the location of the source of the volatile substance. The apparatus is preferably for use in a vehicle, most preferably an automobile in the form of headrest covers, headrests, mats, floor mats, and liners for storage bins or vessels. The invention further provides kits including apparatus of the invention, methods for the use of these apparatuses, and for their manufacture.

Claims

-19 -Claims: 1. An apparatus for dispensing volatile substances into the atmosphere comprising: (a) a resilient enclosure, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable material, wherein the enclosure has least one portal from the interior to the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a flexible material; (b) a position within the enclosure for a source of a volatile substance, wherein (a) and (b) are located such that deformation of the enclosure expels gas from the enclosure via the portal and the gas to be expelled flows past or through the location of the source of the volatile substance.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus also comprises a source of the volatile substance.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus also comprises a mount or holder for the source of the volatile substance.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilience of the enclosure is produced by a biasing means located inside the enclosure.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure contains a body of resilient material.
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the body of resilient material is a pad of foam, batting, wadding or textile.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a gas permeable material.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a rigid material.
-20 - 9. An apparatus according to claims 2 to 8, wherein the source of the volatile substance is a reservoir for the volatile substance.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir is a pad of material on which the volatile substance is absorbed or adsorbed thereon, or impregnated into.
11. An apparatus according to claims 2 to 10, wherein the volatile substance is a scent agent, perfume, insect repellent and/or disinfectant.
12. A headrest or headrest cover comprising an apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11.
13. A storage bin or vessel comprising an apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11.
14. A liner for a storage bin or vessel comprising an apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11.
15. A mat comprising an apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11.
16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is for use in a vehicle.
17. A kit comprising a reservoir for the apparatus of claims 9 to 16 and a separate container of a volatile substance for dispensing using the apparatus of claims 9 to 16.
18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein the kit further comprises an apparatus of any of claims 1 to 16.
19. A vehicle comprising an apparatus or kit of any of claims 1 to 18.
20. A vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
21. A method of dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere using the apparatus of any of claims 1-16 comprising the step of deforming the enclosure by contacting the exterior of the enclosure with an object thus expelling gas from the enclosure past or through the location of the source of the volatile substance. -21 -
22. A method of dispensing a volatile substance according to claim 21, wherein the object is a body part.
23. A method for making a device for dispensing a volatile substance into the atmosphere comprising the steps of: i) forming a resilient enclosure, wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable material, wherein the enclosure has least one portal from the interior to the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein at least one section of the envelope of the enclosure comprises a flexible material; H) forming a mount, holder or reservoir for a source of the volatile substance forming within the enclosure or inserting a mount, holder or reservoir for a source of the volatile substance and locating the mount, holder or reservoir inside the enclosure; Hi) locating the source of the volatile substance on or in the mount, holder or reservoir.
24. Use of the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 16 to dispense a volatile substance.
25. Use of the apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the volatile substance is dispensed in the interior of a vehicle.