WO2014037730A1

WO2014037730A1 - Assembly for delivering volatile fluid to surrounding environment

Info

Publication number: WO2014037730A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhihao Liang; Laura MOUSSA; Dan WOOD; Francesco De Leonardis
Original assignee: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
Priority date: 2012-09-05
Filing date: 2013-09-05
Publication date: 2014-03-13
Also published as: GB201215808D0; GB2507635B; GB201315830D0; GB2507635A

Abstract

Assembly for Delivering Volatile Fluid to Surrounding Environment An assembly is described which comprises a device and a refill of volatile fluid, wherein the device comprises a housing with an internal recess configured to releasably retain the refill therein and an activation member within the internal recess; and wherein the refill is a sealed unit comprises a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber; at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness; a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween; whereby the action of retaining the refill in the device causes the activation member to impinge against the refill to bend the refill at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness and open the feed tubes to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm 2 to 19.50mm 2 and permit the volatile fluid to flow from the reservoir and through at least one of the openings to the membrane chamber. A refill, a device and a method of use are also described.

Description

Assembly for Delivering Volatile Fluid to Surrounding Environment

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a non-energised assembly for delivering volatile fluid to the surrounding environment without the use of powered mechanisms or moving parts and particularly, but not exclusively, the delivering volatile fluids containing one or more active materials wherein the active material comprises at least one of: a fragrance; an insecticide; a fungicide; a pesticide. Background

To provide a constant delivery of volatile fluids into the domestic environment there are a variety of delivery mechanisms commonly available. Non-energised systems, which are systems not requiring electrical power or moving parts to deliver the volatile fluid, are well known and are popular due to their passive nature of constantly emanating a volatile fluid after the system is initiated without routine user intervention.

Many non-energised systems work on the basis of using an absorbent wicking material exposed at one end to a reservoir of liquid and exposed to the surrounding environment at their other free end. For instance the AIRWICK (RTM) FRESH'N UP product as sold by Reckitt Benckiser is an example of such a product. Whilst such products fulfil the role of a non-energised system they are not without drawbacks. Systems using wet wicks can pose a spill hazard if knocked over.

To address the spill hazard risks for wet wick systems non-energised systems have been created as sealed systems, such as those described in W010120960. This document described sealed systems with a vapour-permeable membrane is provided to trap the volatile liquid within the system and merely permitting the vapour therefrom to diffuse through the membrane and into the surrounding environment. If this sealed system was knocked over it is unlikely that any more than a negligible amount of liquid would leak therefrom and thus a spill hazard is prevented. However, both the non-energised systems using wet wicks and also the sealed systems both suffer from a further drawback of non-uniform delivery of the volatile fluid into the surrounding environment. Wick materials generally have a limited porosity and liquid transfer rate/evaporation rate due, at least in part, to fractionation and/or blocking/clogging of the wick. Similarly, vapour permeable membranes have a limited permeability and vapour transfer rates/evaporation rates therethrough again due, at least in part, to fractionation and/or blocking/clogging of the available membrane. As the volatile fluids contain a range of different components having different molecular weights they tend toward fractionation when exposed to wick materials and permeable membranes leaving the heavier components in the reservoir whilst the lighter components are delivered to the surrounding environment in the first instance. Fractionation can be noticeable to a user in a variety of circumstances. For instance, when the volatile fluid includes a fragrance fractionation will change the character and/or intensity which will manifest itself by the 'high notes' of a fragrance which are often the light and fresh scented parts of the fragrance to be evaporated as soon as the wick or membrane is first exposed to the fragranced liquid, and the 'low notes'/'base notes' which are the heavier and deeper scented notes are evaporated thereafter which affects the user's experience and perception of the fragrance. Alternatively or additionally, fractionation will change the performance of the delivery of an insecticide, fungicide or pesticide for similar reasons, heavier molecular weight actives in the formulation are delivered after the light molecular weight actives are delivered which can result in non-uniform performance during the lifetime of use.

A further critical requirement of all non-energised assemblies is that they can be manufactured as inexpensively as possible with the smallest number of separate components as such assemblies have to be inexpensive in order to be commercially viable.

The present invention seeks to provide a non-energised assembly to deliver volatile fluids to the surrounding environment which overcome the abovementioned drawbacks as well as other associated drawbacks.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore an assembly comprises a device and a refill of volatile fluid, wherein the device comprises a housing with an internal recess configured to releasably retain the refill therein and an activation member within the internal recess;

and wherein the refill is a sealed unit comprises a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber;

at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mmextending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness;

a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween;

whereby the action of retaining the refill in the device causes the activation member to impinge against the refill to cause the refill to bend at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness and open the feed tubes such that each tube has an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm² and permit the volatile fluid to flow from the reservoir and through at least one of the openings to the membrane chamber.

Preferably the refill is provided with two feed tubes. The presence of two feed tubes may be advantageous as this may improve the continuity of fluid flow from the reservoir chamber to the membrane chamber as one tube may be able to act in whole or in part as an air vent to permit air to travel from the membrane chamber to pass into the reservoir chamber to prevent the fluid flow along the feed tubes from becoming vacuum locked or the like. Preferably each feed tube has a diameter of 3mm +/-1 mm and even more preferably a diameter of substantially 3mm. The feed tubes are preferably configured to open at or adjacent the predetermined zones of weakness to provide an open area of between substantially 2.50 mm² to 15.00mm², and even more preferably to provide an open area of less than 10mm², and most preferably to provide an open area of less than 8mm². Preferably the membrane chamber has a volume of <5ml, and more preferably less than 4ml and even more preferably <3ml.

The membrane is preferably provided with an area of between 10-60cm², and more preferably with an area of between 15-50cm², and even more preferably with an area of between 20-45cm², and most preferably with an area of between 25-35cm².

The aforementioned parameters advantageously ensure that only a limited quantity of fluid is permitted to enter the membrane chamber from the reservoir chamber via the feed tube(s) and the opening therein such that fractionation of the fluid is less likely to occur as only a relatively small proportion of the total volume of fluid that can be retained in the refill will be allowed to flow into the membrane chamber. Indeed, physical embodiments commercially available on the market containing a piercing or rupturing mechanism which required to tear or puncture a hole in a substrate to commence the flow of liquid through the hole into contact with a permeable membrane can be unsatisfactory as due to the uncontrolled, or at least somewhat uncontrolled, nature of the tearing and puncturing and the variable size of the resultant hole(s), indeed it is common for the tearing and puncturing to result in hole sizes which effectively exposes the entire contents of its reservoir into its equivalent of the membrane chamber substantially immediately after the reservoir is ruptured which in turn will affect the uniformity of the release of the fluid over the lifetime of the device such that fractionation of the fluid to be diffused across the membrane is inevitable. The housing of the device is preferably provided with a base to encourage the device to be placed on a surface for use in a single orientation that is also referred to as the intended operating orientation. The base of the housing may be provided with one or more feet that protrude therefrom.

The refill is preferably configured to be loaded into the device in a single orientation to better ensure the retaining of the refill in the device, and when so loaded in said single orientation and retained by the device this is referred to as the intended operating configuration of the assembly. The refill may be provided with an at least partially irregular shape to promote the loading of the refill into the device in a single orientation to better ensure the retaining of the refill in the device and facilitation of the intended operating configuration. Preferably the reservoir chamber is provided with a shape that promotes the single orientation of the refill into the device to achieve the intended operating configuration. The device may also be provided with an internal irregular shape in the internal recess of the housing that complements the irregular shape of the refill to further promote the loading of the refill into the device housing via a single orientation and facilitation of the intended operating configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the access to the internal recess of the housing may be partially covered by a screening member with a complementary irregular shape to the irregular shape of the refill to further promote the loading of the refill into the device housing via a single orientation and facilitation of the intended operating configuration.

When the device is in the intended operating configuration and the at least two feed tubes are configured such that one tube initially extends downwardly from the lowest part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration and another tube initially extends upwardly from the uppermost part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration. The provision of at least two tubes may be advantageous as the uppermost tube extends upwardly to better act as a return air vent as liquid cannot flow therealong under the force of gravity when in the intended operating configuration.

Preferably the feed tubes are provided one above the other with respect to the intended operating configuration. Said two or more feed tubes are preferably provided with a zone of weakness that is orientated substantially vertically relative to the intended operating orientation, such that the respective zones of weakness are directly above and below each other.

The zone of weakness is may be provided by a score line or perforation or the like along one side of the tube, such that the tube is opened via a pivoting action which tears an opening in the tube along the zone of weakness leaving the opposite side of the tube intact to provide the centre of the pivot. Preferably the zone of weakness extends substantially perpendicularly across the feed tube to promote most consistent opening of said tube when the refill is impinged by the activation member in the device. Most preferably the zone of weakness for each tube is orientated substantially vertically relative to the intended operating orientation, such that the respective zones of weakness are directly above and below each other.

The zone of weakness for each feed tube may be provided inboard of the extremity of the feed tube that is remote from the reservoir chamber, this arrangement may be advantageous in ensuring a consistent opening of the feed tube at the zone of weakness by the activation member of the device. If the feed tube is defined as having a length wherein the 0% length is the point at which the feed tube connects to the reservoir and the 100% length is the extremity of the feed tube that is remote from the reservoir, then preferably the zone of weakness is located between the 10% length to 90% length point of the feed tube, and is more preferably located between the 30% length to 70% length point of the feed tube.

Preferably the feed tubes are configured to open at the zone of weakness when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through an angle greater than a snap angle, wherein the snap angle is preferably >20° and <100°, most preferably 60° +/- 10°. These snap angles are advantageous as they are not so slight that the refill is prone to being accidentally activated by a user erroneously bending the feed tube(s) past the snap angle and not so great that the activation member of the device may not be able to routinely impinge upon the refill sufficiently to cause the snap angle to be reached and the tube(s) be opened. Preferably the feed tubes are configured to open when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through with a force greater than a snap force, wherein the snap force is preferably between 10-50N, most preferably 30N +/- 10N . These snap forces are advantageous as they are not so slight that the refill is prone to being accidentally activated by a user erroneously bending the feed tube(s) past the snap force and not so great that the user would not easily be able to generate the snap force when the activation member of the device is made to impinge upon the refill.

The refill is preferably provided with a layer of carbon on an external surface of the refill adjacent the reservoir chamber and on the opposite side of the refill to the membrane. This may be advantageous as the layer of carbon may be particularly useful when the volatile fluid contains or is a fragrance as the carbon is able to absorb malodour in the external environment surrounding the assembly thus permitting the user with a greater olfactive opportunity to be able to notice the emanation of the fragrance in the volatile fluid. Preferably the layer of carbon is activated carbon with a carbon content of substantially 225g/m² +/-25% and preferably provided in a thickness of between 1 -5mm, and most preferably of a thickness of substantially 2mm for optimum malodour absorption.

The membrane is vapour permeable and is preferably at least partially microporous wherein the majority of the pores therein have a diameter between 20-200nm. Preferably the vapour transmission rate through the membrane is between 500-1000g/m²/24hrs, and is most preferably between 600-900g/m²/24hrs. This preferred vapour permeability of the membrane is advantageous in providing a controlled flow of volatile fluid into the surrounding environment that is particularly well tuned for the delivery of volatile fluids containing one or more active materials wherein the active material comprises at least one of: a fragrance; an insecticide; a fungicide; a pesticide, since this controlled delivery is optimal for providing a user-desirable level of active material.

Preferably the membrane is attached to the refill via edge sealing, this is advantageous as the sealing of the membrane can be kept substantially removed from the feed tube(s) such that the sealing does not interfere with the snap angle and/or snap force required to open the feed tube. Furthermore, edge sealing affords the refill providing a sealed system such that leaking of the fluid contained therein is avoided.

Most preferably the refill is composed of a material that is flexible and preferably at least somewhat resiliently flexible such that after the refill have been retained in the device in the intended operating configuration on removal the refill has a tendency to return toward its original shape which will also urge the opening(s) in the feed tube(s) to close substantially or at least partially.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the refill is composed of at least three layers, wherein the first layer has a reservoir chamber protruding therefrom and on the opposite side to the protruding chamber is a backing shield having the feed tube(s) and their zone of weakness formed therein and on the opposite side of the backing shield to the reservoir chamber is the membrane.

Preferably the backing shield is attached to the first layer such that the backing shield seals the reservoir chamber fluid tight such that fluid is only able to flow out of the chamber via the feed tube(s) and the membrane is attached to the backing shield and/or the first layer by edge sealing. Preferably the reservoir chamber is transparent or translucent to permit the fluid level therein to be viewed by a user. Alternatively or additionally the feed tube(s) may be formed in the first layer to correspond with the feed tube(s) in the backing shield.

Alternatively the backing shield may not be provided with any feed tube(s) and the feed tube(s) are instead formed in the first layer to correspond with zone of weakness formed in the backing shield.

Where a carbon layer is provided it is provided in contact with the outer surface of the first layer and is preferably provided with a recess where the reservoir chamber can protrude through said carbon layer to permit the chamber to be viewed by a user.

The refill preferably contains a volatile liquid containing one or more active materials wherein the active material comprises at least one of: a fragrance; an insecticide; a fungicide; a pesticide. The assembly of the present invention is advantageous as it permits the flow of volatile fluid from the reservoir chamber to be in an On' position when the at least one feed tube is opened by the activation member but then placed in an 'off position when the activation member no longer impinges the refill to hold open the at least one feed tube. In the context of the present invention the term "substantially closed" is understood to mean that the opening created in the feed tube(s) is closed such that the flow of fluid through the opening is resisted but that the closing of the opening may not necessarily result in a fluid-tight closure. Preferably the feed tube(s) can be closed when the refill is no longer being impinged by the activation member such that the flow of liquid from through the opening is reduced by at least 50%, and preferably by at least 60%, and most preferably by at least 70%.

A further advantage of the assembly of the present invention is that an On' and 'off position, or at least a 'partially off position, can be achieved for the feed tube(s) without the requirement of separate parts such as a valve or a tap or the like thus providing the dual advantage of inexpensive raw materials and manufacture as well as providing a potential for ease of use by the user.

The device preferably comprises two parts, a top and a base. Preferably the base has a bottom surface which is substantially flat to conveniently facilitate the device being positioned in the intended operation position. Extending from the bottom surface may be a surrounding wall which extends around or adjacent to the perimeter of the base. Within a central portion of the base may be refill retaining means which, preferably, extend above the surrounding wall. The refill retaining means may be provided by any suitably shaped means which are configured to securely and releasably retain the refill within the base and which, preferably only permit the refill to be inserted in a single orientation and which preferably comprise the activation member.

The activation member may comprise a camming surface or a sloped surface configured to contact the refill and bend same during the operation of insertion of the refill into the refill retaining means of the base to open the feed tube(s) at or adjacent their zone of weakness.

The top may be generally hollow and is preferably sized to fit within the surrounding wall, ideally forming a frictional fit therewith or such that cooperating clip arrangements on the top and/or base engage with each other. The top is preferably provided with one or more refill impinging means therein. The refill impinging means are preferably configured, in operation whereby the top in moved in a downward direction toward the base such that the top fits within the surrounding wall, to make contact with the refill and thereby impart downward movement to the refill causing the activation member to further bend the refill until near or at the conclusion of the downward travel the force of the downward movement with the activation member results in the refill being bent with an angle of >20° and <100°, which is the snap angle, and with a force of 10-50N which is the snap force. Once the downward movement has imparted both the snap angel with the snap force on the refill the feed tubes open at their zone of weakness 15 to release the liquid therethrough and into contact with the membrane 16.

Preferably the top and the base and provided with a plurality of vent holes to ensure airflow therethrough to permit satisfactory emanation of evaporated liquid from the membrane.

Whereas several prior art assemblies require the user to determine how much force to apply directly to the refill to activate the flow of liquid, the top of the device of the present invention may be advantageous thereover as the simple action of pushing the top into engagement with the base ensures that the refill impinging means contact the refill and push the refill into refill retaining means to both securely retain the refill therein but to also into contact with the activation member thus necessarily imparting the required snap force and snap angle to the feed tube(s).

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a refill of sealed volatile fluid comprising a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber;

at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness;

a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween; whereby each feed tube is configured to be openable at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm² and, in use, permit the volatile fluid to flow from the reservoir and through at least one of the openings to the membrane chamber. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a device for opening the feed tubes of the refill of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the device comprises a housing with an internal recess configured to releasably retain a refill of volatile fluid therein and an activation member within the internal recess; whereby the action of retaining the refill in the device causes the activation member to impinge against a refill to cause the refill to bend at or adjacent a predetermined zone of weakness in each feed tube to bend said tubes to a snap angle of between >20° and <100° and/or to bend said tube(s) with a snap force of between 10-50N.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a method of activating a non-energised delivery assembly for a volatile fluid, the method comprising the steps of: loading a refill of volatile fluid into the delivery device wherein the refill comprises a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber; at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness; a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween; whereby each feed tube is configured to be openable at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm²; and wherein the delivery device comprises top and a base, wherein the bases has refill retaining means comprising an activation member in a central portion configured to releasably retain the refill of volatile fluid therein;

whereby the action of connecting the top of the device to the base of the device moves the reill against the activation member to bend the refill at or adjacent a predetermined zone of weakness in said feed tube to bend said tube(s) to a snap angle of between >20° and <100° and/or to bend said tube(s) with a snap force of between 10-50N.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a base of the device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a top of the device according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the top and the base of the device according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a refill according to the present invention in an open position

Description of an Embodiment

In Figs.1 -3 a device 1 is shown which consists of two parts, a top 2 and a base 3. In more detail, the base 3 has a bottom surface 5 which is substantially flat and configured to stand on a surface, such as a table or a shelf or the like, to support the base 3 and, when engaged, the top 2. The extending from the bottom surface 5 is a surrounding wall 6 which extends around the perimeter thereof. Within a central portion of the base 3 and within the surrounding wall 6 is an inner wall 7 which extends at least above the surrounding wall 6. Also within the central portion of the base is a refill retaining means 4 provided by a retaining wall 8 and ribs 9 which extend inwardly from the inner wall 7 toward the retaining wall 8 to define a channel 18 therebetween which is sized to accept a refill 10 (not shown). An activation member 19 is provided in the form of a camming surface which also extends from the inner wall 7 toward the central portion of the base. The inner wall 7 is at least partially incomplete in order to promote airflow therethrough. The inner wall is provided with vent holes 22 to further promote airflow.

The camming surface 19 defines a surface which increases in curvature from its uppermost surface adjacent to the inner of the inner wall to near its lowermost surface in the central portion of the base. Or the camming surface 19 defines a surface which is sloped downwardly from its uppermost surface adjacent to the inner of the inner wall to near its lowermost surface in the central portion of the base.

The top 2 is generally hollow and sized to fit snuggly over the inner wall 7 and eventually rest between the inner wall 7 and the surrounding wall 6 of the base. Although not shown a cooperating clip arrangement may be providing on a lower portion of the top 2 to engage with a corresponding clip arrangement on the inner wall 7 and/or the surrounding wall 6 to permit a secure attachment between the top 2 and the base 3 when joined together. The top 2 is provided with prongs 20 in its hollow cavity that are provided with refill impinging means 21 as free ends thereof. The refill impinging means 21 are preferably formed in a convenient shape to engage, in use, with a refill, as discussed further below.

Fig.4 shows an exploded view of a refill 10 of the present invention. The refill 10 comprises a volatile fluid containing one or more active materials wherein the active material comprises at least one of: a fragrance; an insecticide; a fungicide; a pesticide, preferably refill contains a volatile liquid. The volatile fluid is held in reservoir chamber 11 which is shown as protruding from a reservoir layer 12. The reservoir layer 12 can be a single layer of material which is press- stamped or moulded to provide the reservoir cha mber 11 such that the chamber is open on one side thereof. A backing shield 13 is provided with two feed tubes 14 moulded therein. The backing shield is attached to the reservoir layer 12 such that the feed tubes 14 at least partially overlap the reservoir chamber 11 , thereby sealing the reservoir chamber 1 1 but permitting fluid flow from the chamber 11 into the feed tubes 14. The backing shield is provided with a zone of weakness 15 in the form of a score-mark that runs the vertical length of the backing shield 13 and overlaps the feed tubes 14. Attached to the opposite side of the backing shield 13 to the reservoir layer 12 is a vapour-permeable membrane 16. The membrane 16 is preferably at least partially microporous wherein the majority of the pores therein have a diameter between 20- 200nm and possesses a vapour transmission rate through the membrane of between 500- 1000g/m²/24hrs. The membrane 16 is attached to the other layers of the refill 10 via edge sealing which is advantageous as the sealing of the membrane 16 can be kept substantially removed from the feed tubes 14 such that the sealing does not interfere with the operation of the feed tubes 14 which is discussed below.

Fig.4 shows that one feed tube 14 initially extends away from the lowest part of the reservoir chamber 11 in a downward direction, in use and in the intended operating configuration this will promote the flow of fluid therealong under the force of gravity. After the initial downward extension it extends further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration. The other feed tube 14 initially extends upwardly from the uppermost part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration. By extending upwardly this tube 14 is able to better act as a return air vent as liquid cannot flow therealong under the force of gravity when in the intended operating configuration.

The two feed tubes 14 are provided one above the other with respect to the intended operating configuration and share a zone of weakness 15 that is provided by a score line that is orientated substantially vertically relative to the intended operating orientation, such that the respective zones of weakness 15 for each tube 14 is located directly above and below each other. The zone of weakness 15 is provided inboard of the extremity of each feed tube 14 to better ensure a consistent opening of the feed tubes 14 at the zone of weakness 15. The feed tubes 14 are configured to open at the zone of weakness 15 when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness 15 through an angle greater than a snap angle and with a force greater than the snap force. The snap angle is between >20° and <100°, but preferably 60° +/- 10°. The snap force is between 10-50N, but preferably 30N +/- 10N.

The snap angle and snap force are configured to be imparted through a user placing the refill 10 in the channel 19 of the base 3 of the device 2 and in doing so causing the activation member 19 to bear against the refill 10 to bend same on the opposite side thereof to the zone of weakness 15 , this operation will be discussed in more detail below.

The refill 2 is further provided with a layer of activated carbon 17 which is attached to external surface of the reservoir layer 12 and is provided with a substantially central aperture to permit the reservoir chamber 11 to protrude therethrough.

The refill 10 is composed of one or more materials that is/are flexible and preferably at least somewhat resiliently flexible such that after the refill 10 have been retained in the device 2 in the intended operating configuration, as discussed below, on removal the refill 10 the resilience tends the refill 10 to return toward its original shape which will also urge opening(s) in the feed tubes 14 to close substantially or at least partially close which may arrest or reduce the flow of liquid from the feed tubes 14 to the membrane 16. Referring back to Figs.1 -3, the loading of a refill 10 (not shown) into the device 1 will be described. The refill 10 is preferably shaped such that only a single option for its orientation is permitted for a user to insert the refill 10 into the device 1 . To facilitate the single option for orientation of the refill 10 the ribs 9, retaining wall 8 and activation member 19 in the form of the camming surface are orientated accordingly.

To load a refill 10 in the device 2, a user firstly locates the bottom surface 5 of the base on a flat surface and then orientates the refill 10 into its single loading orientation and then inserts the refill 10 into the channel 18 until the refill 10 is partially located therein and there is a degree of resistance against further insertion into the channel 18 due to the refill bearing against the camming surface 19. The user then locates the top 2 and orientates it over the base 3 such that downward movement of the top will allow the top to fit snuggly over the inner wall 7 but within the boundary defined by the surrounding wall 6.

As the user moves the top 2 in the downward direction the refill impinging means 21 of each of the prongs 20 contacts with the refill 10 such that further downward movement of the top toward the base 3 causes the refill impinging means to push the refill 10 downwardly into the channel 18 and against the camming surface 19. The camming surface 19 defines, in use, a guide slope for the refill 10 and the camming surface is configured to bend the refill on the opposite side thereof to the zone of weakness 15. The radii or the gradient of the camming surface 19 is configured such that it forces the refill when located at the lowermost point in the channel 18 to bend about to an angle of 60° +/- 10° which is the snap angle, and in achieving this the user must impart 30N +/- 10N of force in the downward movement, which is the snap force. Once the downward movement has imparted both the snap angel with the snap force on the refill the feed tubes open at their zone of weakness 15 to release the liquid therethrough and into contact with the membrane 16. A further advantage of the assembly of the present invention is that an On' and at least 'partially off' position can be achieved for the feed tube(s) without the requirement of separate parts such as a valve or a tap or the like thus providing the dual advantage of inexpensive raw materials and manufacture as well as providing a potential for ease of use by the user. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 . An assembly comprises a device and a refill of volatile fluid, wherein the device comprises a housing with an internal recess configured to releasably retain the refill therein and an activation member within the internal recess;

and wherein the refill is a sealed unit comprises a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber; at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness;

whereby the action of retaining the refill in the device causes the activation member to impinge against the refill to bend the refill at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness and open the feed tubes to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm² and permit the volatile fluid to flow from the reservoir and through at least one of the openings to the membrane chamber.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the refill is provided with two feed tubes.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each feed tube has a diameter of 3mm +/-1 mm, and preferably a diameter of substantially 3mm.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open at or adjacent the predetermined zones of weakness to provide an open area of between substantially 2.50 mm² to 15.00mm², and preferably to provide an open area of less than 10mm², and most preferably to provide an open area of less than 8mm².

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane chamber has a volume of <5ml, and preferably less than 4ml and more preferably <3ml.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is provided with an area of between 10-60cm², and preferably with an area of between 15-50cm² , and more preferably with an area of between 20-45cm², and most preferably with an area of between 25- 35cm².

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the refill is configured to be loaded into the device in a single orientation.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the access to the internal recess of the housing is partially covered by a screening member with a complementary shape to the shape of the refill to promote the loading of the refill into the device housing via a single orientation.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least two feed tubes are configured such that one tube initially extends downwardly from the lowest part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration and another tube initially extends upwardly from the uppermost part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed tubes are provided one above the other with respect to the intended operating configuration.

1 1 . An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed tubes are provided with a zone of weakness that is orientated substantially vertically relative to the intended operating orientation, such that the respective zones of weakness are directly above and below each other.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the zone of weakness is provided by a score line or perforation or the like along one side of the tube, such that the tube is opened via a pivoting action which tears an opening in the tube along the zone of weakness leaving the opposite side of the tube intact to provide the centre of the pivot.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the zone of weakness extends substantially perpendicularly across the feed tube.

14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the zone of weakness for each feed tube is provided inboard of the extremity of the feed tube that is remote from the reservoir chamber.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open at the zone of weakness when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through an angle greater than a snap angle, wherein the snap angle is preferably >20° and <100°, and preferably 60° +/- 10°.

16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through with a force greater than a snap force, wherein the snap force is preferably between snap force is between 10-50N, and preferably 30N +/- 10N.

17. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the refill is provided with a layer of carbon on an external surface of the refill adjacent the reservoir chamber and on the opposite side of the refill to the membrane.

18. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is at least partially microporous wherein the majority of the pores therein have a diameter between 20- 200nm.

19. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the vapour transmission rate through the membrane is between 500-1000g/m²/24hrs, and is preferably between 600-

900g/m²/24hrs.

20. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is attached to the refill via edge sealing.

21 . An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the refill is composed of a material that is at least somewhat resiliently flexible.

22. A refill of sealed volatile fluid comprising a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber; at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness;

a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween; whereby each feed tube is configured to be openable at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm² and, in use, permit the volatile fluid to flow from the reservoir and through at least one of the openings to the membrane chamber.

23. A refill according to claim 22, wherein the refill is provided with two feed tubes.

24. A refill according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein each feed tube has a diameter of 3mm +/-1 mm, and preferably a diameter of substantially 3mm.

25. A refill according to any of claims 22-24, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open at or adjacent the predetermined zones of weakness to provide an open area of between substantially 2.50 mm² to 15.00mm², and preferably to provide an open area of less than 10mm², and most preferably to provide an open area of less than 8mm².

26. A refill according to any of claims 22-25, wherein the membrane chamber has a volume of <5ml, and preferably less than 4ml and more preferably <3ml.

27. A refill according to any of claims 22-26, wherein the membrane is provided with an area of between 10-60cm², and preferably with an area of between 15-50cm², and more preferably with an area of between 20-45cm², and most preferably with an area of between 25-35cm².

28. A refill according to any of claims 22-27, wherein the refill is configured to be loaded into the device in a single orientation.

29 A refill according to any of claims 22-28, wherein the at least two feed tubes are configured such that one tube initially extends downwardly from the lowest part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration and another tube initially extends upwardly from the uppermost part of the reservoir chamber before extending further in a substantially horizontal position relative to the intended operating configuration.

30. A refill according to any of claims 22-29, wherein the feed tubes are provided one above the other with respect to the intended operating configuration.

31 . A refill according to any of claims 22-30, wherein the feed tubes are provided with a zone of weakness that is orientated substantially vertically relative to the intended operating orientation, such that the respective zones of weakness are directly above and below each other.

32. A refill according to any of claims 22-31 , wherein the zone of weakness is provided by a score line or perforation or the like along one side of the tube, such that the tube is opened via a pivoting action which tears an opening in the tube along the zone of weakness leaving the opposite side of the tube intact to provide the centre of the pivot.

33. A refill according to any of claims 22-32, wherein the zone of weakness extends substantially perpendicularly across the feed tube.

34. A refill according to any of claims 22-3340, wherein the zone of weakness for each feed tube is provided inboard of the extremity of the feed tube that is remote from the reservoir chamber.

35. A refill according to any of claims 22-34, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open at the zone of weakness when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through an angle greater than a snap angle, wherein the snap angle is preferably >20° and <100°, most preferably 60° +/- 10°.

36. A refill according to any of claims 22-35, wherein the feed tubes are configured to open when the feed tubes are bent at or adjacent a point opposite to their zone of weakness through with a force greater than a snap force, wherein the snap force is preferably between 10-50N, most preferably 30N +/- 10N.

37. A refill according to any of claims 22-36, wherein the refill is provided with a layer of carbon on an external surface of the refill adjacent the reservoir chamber and on the opposite side of the refill to the membrane.

38. A refill according to any of claims 22-37, wherein the membrane is at least partially microporous wherein the majority of the pores therein have a diameter between 20-200nm.

39. A refill according to any of claims 22-38, wherein the vapour transmission rate through the membrane is between 500-1000g/m²/24hrs, and is preferably between 600-900g/m²/24hrs.

40. A refill according to any of claims 22-39, wherein the membrane is attached to the refill via edge sealing.

41 . A refill according to any of claims 22-40, wherein the refill is composed of a material that is at least somewhat resiliently flexible.

42. A refill according to any of claims 22-41 , wherein the refill is composed of at least three layers, wherein the first layer has a reservoir chamber protruding therefrom and on the opposite side to the protruding chamber is a backing shield having the feed tube(s) and their zone of weakness formed therein and on the opposite side of the backing shield to the reservoir chamber is the membrane.

43. A refill according to claim 42, wherein the backing shield is attached to the first layer such that the backing shield seals the reservoir chamber fluid tight such that fluid is only able to flow out of the chamber via the feed tube(s) and the membrane is attached to the backing shield and/or the first layer by edge sealing.

44. A refill according to claim 42 or claim 43, wherein a carbon layer is provided in contact with the outer surface of the first layer and with a recess where the reservoir chamber can protrude through said carbon layer to permit the chamber to be viewed by a user.

45. A refill according to any of claims 28-51 , wherein the refill contains a volatile liquid containing one or more active materials wherein the active material comprises at least one of: a fragrance; an insecticide; a fungicide; a pesticide.

46. A device for opening the feed tubes of the refill according to claims 22-45, wherein the device comprises a housing with an internal recess configured to releasably retain a refill of volatile fluid therein and an activation member within the internal recess; whereby the action of retaining the refill in the device causes the activation member to impinge against a refill to cause the refill to bend at or adjacent a predetermined zone of weakness in each feed tube to bend said tubes to a snap angle of between >20° and <100° and/or to bend said tube(s) with a snap force of between 10-50N.

47. A method of activating a non-energised delivery assembly for a volatile fluid, the method comprising the steps of: loading a refill of volatile fluid into the delivery device wherein the refill comprises a reservoir layer with a reservoir chamber; at least two feed tubes with a diameter of 3mm +/-2mm extending away from the reservoir wherein each feed tube is provided with a predetermined zone of weakness; a vapour permeable membrane that is exposed to the external environment on one side and sealed to the at least a part of the refill on the other side to define a membrane chamber therebetween; whereby each feed tube is configured to be openable at or adjacent the predetermined zone of weakness to each have an open area of between substantially 0.50 mm² to 19.50mm²; and wherein the delivery device comprises top and a base, wherein the base has refill retaining means comprising an activation member in a central portion configured to releasably retain the refill of volatile fluid therein;

whereby the action of connecting the top of the device to the base of the device moves the refill against the activation member to bend the refill at or adjacent a predetermined zone of weakness in said feed tube to bend said tube(s) to a snap angle of between >20° and <100° and/or to bend said tube(s) with a snap force of between 10-50N.