WO2008119956A1

WO2008119956A1 - Device for despensing a fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2008119956A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louise Margaret Barlow; Paul Newton; Guy Robinson
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: GB0706081D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid. The device comprises a body (4) for housing at least one cartridge (18) containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening 16 adapted to receive said cartridge (18); and a cover portion (22). The cover portion (22) is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening (16) when the device is in a dispensing configuration. Further, at least a part of the cover portion (22) is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration.

Description

DEVICE FOR DES PENS ING A FLUID

The invention relates to a locking mechanism for a device. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid from a cartridge, the device incorporating said locking mechanism.

An air fragrancing device is an example of a device which dispenses a fluid. Air fragrancing devices are often used in domestic environments where they create a pleasant fragrance or mask a bad odour. Commonly, these devices operate in combination with a fragrance refill cartridge. The cartridge may be wick-based, wherein a fragranced liquid is drawn up the wick and evaporates on exposure to the air, or aerosol based.

It is important that the user of the device is able to replace the refill cartridge with minimal skill or effort. This is particularly important for disabled or elderly users who make lack strength and dexterity. Known devices incorporate a hatch or cover over the refill cartridge. The hatch is often difficult to access and a tool may be required in order to open it. Other known devices simply rely on a push-fitting to hold the refill cartridge in position in the device. Such devices have the disadvantage that the cartridge can be accidentally knocked out during use or they require a large force to push in or pull out the refill cartridge.

A further disadvantage of known devices is that the hatch is located underneath the device and out of sight of the user. In so doing, there are no visual clues for the user to be able to locate the refill cartridge. This often leads to the user tampering with many parts of the device which could inadvertently change settings or damage the device .

In addition to the above, a main risk when changing a refill cartridge is that of the cartridge inadvertently falling out of the device during its removal. Known devices do not comprise a safety feature which acts to catch the cartridge. Conversely, when the hatch is opened and a trigger is pressed to release the cartridge, it is left to the user to catch the cartridge before it falls to the floor and breaks. This practice is particularly dangerous because most refill cartridges are manufactured from glass.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing a fluid which attempts to overcome the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge; and a cover portion; wherein the cover portion is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration.

Preferably, the part of the cover portion comprises less than half the total surface area of said cover portion. Preferably, the part comprises substantially between 10% and 20% of the total surface area of the cover portion. Most preferably, the part comprises substantially 15% of the total surface area of the cover portion.

Advantageously, the arrangement provides a device having a hatch that is partly visible to the user when the device is in a dispensing configuration. In so doing, the user can easily see the hatch and can therefore readily locate the refill cartridge. This avoids the user unnecessarily tampering with the device to locate the hatch.

Preferably, the cover portion is adapted to at least partially support the cartridge.

The provision of a cover portion that supports the cartridge, preferably in the dispensing configuration, negates the need for an additional mechanism to hold the refill cartridge in the device. Due to the minimal parts required for the arrangement, the device is advantageously economical to manufacture.

Preferably, the cover portion forms at least a part of the support surface.

Preferably, the support surface forms a base of the device .

Preferably, the device is operable to dispense a fluid only when the cover portion substantially closes the opening.

Preferably, when the cover portion, or hatch, is closed, the device becomes operable to dispense a fragrance. If the hatch is partially or fully opened, the device is preferably inoperable and will not dispense the fragrance. Similarly, when at least one light source is provided on the device, said light source is preferably adapted to operate only when the cover portion substantially closes the opening.

Preferably, the cover portion is provided adjacent the opening. Preferably, the cover portion is provided transverse to a longitudinal axis of the body.

Preferably, the cover portion is hingedly attached to the body. Most preferably, the cover portion is hingedly attached to the support surface.

Provision of a hinged arrangement ensures that the cover portion remains attached to the device both in the open or closed positions. Therefore, the risk of losing the cover portion is minimised.

Preferably, the cover portion comprises a jaw portion and a lip portion. More preferably, the lip portion projects upwardly from the jaw portion.

Preferably, the jaw portion and/or the lip portion is/are visible to the user when the device is in the dispensing configuration .

Preferably, gripping means are provided on the lip portion. Preferably, the gripping means are resiliently deformable . Preferably, a vent is located on the body. Preferably, lugs are provided on the vent, the lugs being adapted to receive the gripping means. Preferably, the jaw portion, most preferably the lip portion extends into the vent.

Advantageously, the gripping means locate on the lugs to hold the cover portion in a fixed position when the device is in the dispensing configuration. Due to the resilient nature of the gripping means, said means can be push fitted onto the lugs.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cover portion that is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge; and a cover portion, wherein the cover portion is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration, the assembly further comprising at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective underside view of an air fragrancing device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective underside view of an air fragrancing device according to the invention;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a schematic front view of an air fragrancing device, a schematic sectional side view of an air fragrancing device in a first position, and a schematic sectional side view of an air fragrancing device in a second portion respectively;

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of an air fragrancing device;

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an air fragrancing device;

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective underside view of an alternative embodiment of an air fragrancing device.

Figures 1 to 3 show an air fragrancing device 2 according to the invention. The air fragrancing device 2 comprises a generally pear-shaped body 4, having a top portion 6, a base 8 and a longitudinal axis 10. An aperture 12, through which fluid exits the air fragrancing device 2, is provided in the top portion 6 as shown in Figure 3b.

An arched vent 14 is located on a front portion of the body ^"4. The arched vent 14 extends downwardly towards the base 8 to meet an opening 16. The opening 16 extends across a portion of the base 8 and is dimensioned to receive a refill cartridge 18. The opening 16, together with a chamber 20 of the device 2 receive said cartridge 18 in a snug fitting manner.

A cover portion 22 is located on the base 8 and is dimensioned to close the opening 16 when the device 2 is in a dispensing configuration as shown in Figure 3b. The cover portion 22 comprises a jaw 24, a lip 26 and a gripping section 28. The jaw 24 comprises an upper surface 30 and a lower surface 32 both of which are substantially flat. The refill cartridge 18 and the device 2 are at least partially supported by said surfaces 30,32 when the device 2 is in the dispensing configuration. The lip 26 extends upwardly from the jaw 24 by approximately lcm and at an obtuse angle of approximately 130 degrees. In this configuration, the lip 26 matches the contours of the device. In the dispensing configuration, the lip 26 covers a portion of the arched vent 14 as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 3a. The gripping section 28 projects inwardly from the lip 26 to form a hook or latch. The gripping section 28 comprises a ridge 34 which is received by a pair of lugs 36 on the body 4 to secure the cover portion 22 in a closed or first position. The lugs 36 are mounted towards the end of the arched vent 14 and each comprises a receiving surface 37 which is dimensioned to receive each ridge 34.

The jaw 24 is attached to the base 8 by a hinged arrangement 38 mounted in a cut-out 40 on the base 8. The hinged arrangement 38 is located transverse to the longitudinal axis 10 of the device 2. The cover portion 22 is thus able to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction away from the arched vent 14, to reveal the opening 16. A wall 42 on the body 4 is upstanding to prevent the cover portion 22 from rotating beyond a predetermined point. In so doing, the cover portion 16 rotates approximately over 90° about the hinged arrangement 38 as shown in Figure 3c.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover portion 22 further comprises indicating means 44. The indicating means provide the user with instructions on how to operate the cover portion 22 in order to replace the refill cartridge 18. The indicating means 44 are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces 30,32 of the jaw 24 and are thus immediately visible to the user.

In use, in order to replace the refill cartridge 18, the user pushes down on the lip 26 which causes the gripping section 28 to be forced free of the lugs 36. The cover portion 22 is then rotated away from the arched vent 14, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 3c, to uncover the opening 16. In this position, the cover portion 22 does not obstruct the opening 16. The refill cartridge 18 is free to be moved out of the chamber 20.

Advantageously, when the cover portion 22 is in an open configuration, the lip 26 is positioned at such an angle as to provide support to the refill cartridge 18 when the user removes said cartridge 18 from the opening 16. In so doing, the risk of the refill cartridge 18 simply falling out of the device 2 is minimised.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The device 100 comprises a cover portion 122, having a jaw 124, a lip 126 and a gripping section 128. In this arrangement, the body 104 surrounds the base 108 and encloses the opening 116. The cover portion 122 is hingedly attached to the body 104 by a hinged arrangement 138. A receiving surface 137 on the body 104 is dimensioned to receive the ridge 134 on the gripping section 128 of the cover portion 122. The lip 126 of the cover portion 122 extends downwardly from the cover portion 122 to provide a suitable surface against which the user pushes to release the ridge 134 from the receiving surface 137 of the body 104.

In use, the user pushes against the lip 126 to force the gripping section 128 to unlock from the receiving surface 137. The cover portion 122 rotates in the direction of arrow B as shown in Figure 4 to uncover the opening 122 as shown in Figure 5. In this configuration, the refill cartridge 118 is freely removable from the chamber 120 of the device 100.

A further alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6. The device 200 comprises a body 204, having an arched vent 210 and an opening 216. The opening 216 comprises a pair of hemispherical cut-outs 250 which are dimensioned to each receive a user's finger. A cover portion 222 is hingedly mounted on a base 208 of the device in the manner as previously described with respect to Figures 1 to 3. In this arrangement, the provision of the hemispherical cut-outs 250 enable the user to more easily grip and manoeuvre the refill cartridge 218 out of the device 200.

Although the air fragrancing device 2, 100, 200 is shown connected to a mains power lead, it will be understood that the said device may comprise a docking station and rechargeable batteries, or conventional batteries. Such an arrangement would allow the user to move the said device around the home and outside, for example, to the garden. When used in the garden, the device is preferably adapted for pest control.

The invention is not limited to the use of a fragrance but is equally suited for use with liquids for pest control, and pharmaceutical preparations which can be vapourised, for example, formulations to ease congestion. When used for pest control, a suitable UV light can be incorporated into the device .

Advantageously, the invention provides a cover portion which is of simple construction and is user-friendly. The construction of the cover portion allows the user to readily gain access to the refill cartridge during removal and replacement.

Further advantageously, the device is suited for use by the elderly or disabled because the refill cartridge can be replaced with minimal skill and effort. Particularly, due to the location of the cover portion being visible in use, the user is made immediately aware of the location of the cover portion. This avoids the user tampering with other parts of the device which may damage the device.

The reader' s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of aϊY such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

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. A device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge; and a cover portion; wherein the cover portion is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration .

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover portion is adapted to at least partially support the cartridge.

3. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the cover portion forms at least a part of the support surface .

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support surface forms a base of the device.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is operable to dispense a fluid only when the cover portion substantially closes the opening.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion is provided adjacent the opening .

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover portion is provided transverse to a longitudinal axis of the body.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion is hingedly attached to the body.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover portion is hingedly attached to the support surface.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion comprises a jaw portion and a lip portion.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein gripping means are provided on the lip portion.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the gripping means are resiliently deformable.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a vent is located on the body.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein lugs are located on the vent, the lugs being adapted to receive the gripping means.

15. A locking mechanism for a device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cover portion that is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration.

16. An assembly comprising, a device for dispensing a fluid, the device comprising a body for housing at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed; a support surface having an opening adapted to receive said cartridge; and a cover portion, wherein the cover portion is adapted to selectively substantially close the opening when the device is in a dispensing configuration, and at least a part of the cover portion is visible when the device is in the dispensing configuration, the assembly further comprising at least one cartridge containing a fluid to be dispensed.

17. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.