US3885738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volatilizing dispenser
Assignee: West Chemical Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A volatilizing dispenser in the form of closely interfitting and vented housing parts adapted for mounting on a vertically oriented support surface provides effective means for the controlled vaporization of liquid air freshening, odor counteractant and other formulations adapted to the introduction of volatile components to ambient air. The device includes a base providing a liquid reservoir supplied by bulk liquid or replaceable liquid containers and from which liquid is fed to a vertically oriented evaporator element within the device. Vent means peripherally of the base, and in upper portions of the device facilitate a vertical circulation of air past the evaporator element to thereby effectively introduce odorcounteractant or other volatile components to the surrounding environment. A unique flexible and slideable hinge, coupled with concealed interlock between said housing parts provides a relatively tamper-proof assemblage which is at the same time readily opened and closed for servicing by authorized personnel. The liquid reservoir is provided with a plurality of ribs on the bottom wall thereof for supporting inverted liquid containers and further includes an upwardly extending spike element centrally of said ribs for piercing diaphragm seals as inverted liquid containers are inserted in said reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 David M Chesmel
- 👤 I Martin Spier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/015; A61L9/04; A61L9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A volatilizing dispenser comprising closely interfitting and vented housing parts adapted for mounting on a support surface, vent means peripherally of one, lower part of said assemblage having angularly disposed deflecting means at the lower extremity thereof adapted to divert horizontal air streams to vertically and upwardly directed air streams within said assemblage, vent means in the other, upper part of said assemblage arranged to provide limited restriction to the escape of upwardly directed air streams from said assemblage, a liquid reservoir within said loweR part, and means within said liquid reservoir for positioning the lower end of a vertically elongated evaporator element for free standing within said assemblage, whereby liquid within said reservoir is introduced to upwardly moving air streams within said assemblage through prolonged contact with said evaporator element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A volatilizing dispenser comprising closely interfitting and vented housing parts adapted for mounting on a support surface, vent means peripherally of one, lower part of said assemblage having angularly disposed deflecting means at the lower extremity thereof adapted to divert horizontal air streams to vertically and upwardly directed air streams within said assemblage, vent means in the other, upper part of said assemblage arranged to provide limited restriction to the escape of upwardly directed air streams from said assemblage, a liquid reservoir within said loweR part, and means within said liquid reservoir for positioning the lower end of a vertically elongated evaporator element for free standing within said assemblage, whereby liquid within said reservoir is introduced to upwardly moving air streams within said assemblage through prolonged contact with said evaporator element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said assemblage is adapted for mounting on a vertical surface, the vent means in said lower part are disposed at the lower front and sides of said part, and said deflecting means are disposed inwardly of the front and side walls thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper and lower parts are pivotally joined at the front walls thereof at a point substantially above the lower extremity of said lower part by extensible hinge means providing combined vertical and pivotal action, an upward extension on said lower part interfitting with top and side walls of said upper part providing the mounting means for the assemblage, and cooperating means on said upper and lower parts providing a vertically slidable lock engagement between said upwardly extending portion of the lower part and said top wall of the upper part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 3, wherein said vertically slidable lock engagement is provided by slotted recesses in the upwardly extending portion of said lower part and interfitting tabs projecting downwardly from the top wall of said upper part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 3, wherein said extensible hinge means comprises a sheet of plastic material extending transversely of the inner front wall of the assemblage spanning the juncture between said upper and lower parts, said sheet of plastic material being fixedly secured to said upper part and movably secured to said lower part by engagement between projecting lugs on said lower part and spaced, vertically elongated apertures in said plastic sheet, and the portion of said plastic sheet aligned with the juncture between said upper and lower parts having transverse deformations imparting ''''living hinge'''' characteristics to said sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein the thickness and flexibility of said plastic sheet is such that, when the upper part is raised to disengage said vertically slidable lock engagement and said upper part is pivoted forwardly through the action of said ''''living hinge'''', said plastic sheet will support the weight of the forwardly tilted upper part at an angle of forward tilt not greater than about 45*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the vent means in said upper part comprise a plurality of closely spaced elongated slits in a top wall thereof and a plurality of closely spaced vertically elongated slits in a front wall thereof, said slits in the top wall extending from front to back and being in substantial alignment with the vertically elongated slits in said front wall, and being substantially the same width as the spacings therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein spacer means centrally of the bottom of said liquid reservoir facilitates interchangeable support of inverted liquid containers for prolonged feed of liquid to said reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein said spacer means comprise a plurality of radially oriented ribs, and an upwardly extending spike element centrally of said ribs facilitates rupture of diaphragm seals as inverted liquid containers are mounted in said liquid reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said spike element comprises a plurality of radially disposed and vertical oriented fins tapering to a sharp point of the upper end thereof and having a substantial enlargement upwardly spaced from said ribs such that said spike element produces a hole in a container diaphragm seal which is substantially larger than the lower end Of said element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the support means for said evaporator element comprises inwardly extending side flanges within said liquid reservoir and ribs protruding from the rear wall thereof whereby a planer evaporator element is supported in vertically flexed or folded orientation within said assemblage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein said evaporator element comprises fibrous material providing capillary feed of liquid from the immersed lower end of said element throughout substantially the entire area of said element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A volatilizing dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein said evaporator element comprises fibrous material providing capillary feed of liquid from the immersed lower end of said element throughout substantially the entire area of said element, and said evaporator element having sufficient body and stiffness to maintain said vertically flexed or folded orientation for indefinite periods while substantially saturated with liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |