Information
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Patent Grant
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RE38150
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Patent Number
RE38,150
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Date Filed
Thursday, June 7, 200123 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, June 24, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Mar; Michael
- Nguyen; Dinh Q.
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US Classifications
Field of Search
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system includes a container which is capable of containing liquid and has an opening. A wick is partially disposed within the container and extends through the opening of the container. A hollow overcap encases the extended portion of the wick and has a closed, separable tip and an open base attached to cover the opening of the container. The system is activated by separating the tip from the overcap. A retainer may be provided for obstructing complete removal of the wick from the container through the overcap after the tip is separated from the overcap. The retainer can include a shoulder disposed in the overcap between the tip and the base to retain the wick toward the base of the overcap. Alternatively, a protrusion from the wick can engage an inner surface of the overcap or the container. In this case, the overcap can have a frangible portion facilitating separation of the tip, and the wick can extend past the frangible portion toward the tip.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wick-based liquid emanation systems, and more particularly to (i) a wick-based liquid emanation system having a child-resistant overcap, and (ii) a child-resistant overcap for use with the wick-based liquid emanation system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wick-based liquid emanation systems are known in the art for dispersing into the air vaporized particles of any number of liquids. Such systems are often used in the home with liquids varying from insect repellent to air freshener. Typically, in such systems, one end of a wick is partially submerged in the liquid to be dispersed. The liquid is contained in any suitable container. The partially submerged portion of the wick absorbs the liquid, some of which diffuses by capillary or wicking action into the exposed, unsubmerged portion of the wick. The exposed portion of the wick is locally heated, often by means of a ring-shaped heater which fits over the wick. This causes the liquid which has diffused into the exposed portion of the wick to molecularize or evaporate into the surrounding air. Continual application of heat to the exposed portion of the wick results in an evaporation/absorption process that continues until the liquid is consumed.
A problem with conventional wick-based liquid emanation systems, as with many products suitable for home use, is the potential that a child will come into contact with the liquid contents of the system. For example, this can occur when the child tampers with the system or if the system is accidentally tipped over, the contents spilled and left for the child to discover. Many of the liquids utilized with such systems can be harmful if ingested, and some are harmful if merely contacted. Therefore, it is desirable to make these systems “child-resistant” and “spill-resistant” to reduce the chance that a child will access the potentially harmful contents of the system.
An additional concern is the potential that the contents of the system will be prematurely lost through spillage or evaporation. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a sealed system in which the contents are retained inside prior to use.
In addition, it is desirable that the system provide some indication as to whether it has been opened, alerting users to the potential that some of the contents may have been spilled or otherwise depleted.
One possible approach is to provide a dispenser cap that protects the contents of the system prior to use or that regulates access to the contents during use, or both. Many attempts have been made to develop child-resistant or tamper-evident dispenser caps for use with various products.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,859 (“the '859 patent”) to G. Stull, entitled “Non-resealable Dispenser Cap Construction”, shows a non-resealable dispenser cap for use with hand-held dispensers. The cap has an elongated tapered, stepped hollow spout with a discharge orifice. A closure cap having a transverse closure wall is mounted on the spout. The transverse wall engages and closes over the discharge orifice. With the closure cap so mounted, the transverse closure wall is distorted and biased by its engagement with the wall of the discharge orifice. Either the closure cap or the spout is formed with two oppositely-disposed frangible tabs which overlie and are permanently attached to the other. Each tab has a zone of weakness that can be readily ruptured by rotating either the cap or the spout.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,063 (“the '063 patent”) to M. Stull, entitled “Dispensing Cap for Containers”, shows a flexible plastic applicator cap for use with small hand-held containers. The cap has a body adapted to be attached to the container. A hollow, cylindrical spout is integral with and extends an appreciable distance from the body. The tip of the spout has a transversely disposed, annular, external end face making an acute angle with the spout's axis, having a discharge orifice surrounded by the surface of the end face and having a stopper formed with walls of reduced thickness at its base. The walls are integral with the spout and project from the end face thereof. The cap may be readily cut or torn. Thereby, the stopper (at the reduced walls thereof) is severed from the spout to reveal the discharge orifice. The stopper has an extremity of reduced diameter for closing the orifice.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,858 (“the '858 patent”) to Biedenstein, entitled “Tear Type Container Closure”, shows a container closure which is integrally connected to the container by a frangible connection. The closure may be separated from the container by a pull on the closure. This tears the frangible connection, but leaves a major portion of the material of the frangible connection attached either to the closure or the container where it will be active as a temporary resealing means between the closure and the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,911 (“the '911 patent”) to Larkin et al., entitled “Container and Closure Construction”, shows a thin flexible fluid-tight cover of PVC bonded to a rigid port of a diluent container for use in medicinal applications and which is to be subjected to heat sterilization. The cover includes an outer flange for bonding to a complementary surface around the port, and a removable section for spanning the port. The removable section includes a central flexible diaphragm and a cylindrical wall. The diaphragm is axially expandable by flexing of an annular convolution. A frangible tear line joins the cylindrical wall to the outer flange. The cylindrical wall is disposed adjacent the outer surfaces of an abutment wall on the port to provide stress relief against rupture of the tear line from stresses generated in the cover during sterilization. A pull ring attached to a narrow post is located adjacent the wall for concentrating manual pulling forces to a limited segment of the tear line.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,695 (“the '695 patent”) to Luch et al., entitled “Spout Fitment Closure Plug”, shows a spout fitment adapted to be attached to and surround a hole in a container, particularly a paperboard carton or other flexible container. The spout fitment has internal threads and an external flange which seals around the hole and is fixed to the container by thermal means, adhesive or the like. A cap has a top disk from which an externally threaded skirt depends. The lower edge of the skirt seals against a sealing membrane on the spout. Surrounding the skirt is a tamper-evident band attached to the lower edges of gripping ribs by frangible bridges. The tamper-evident band has a locking device engaging a complementary locking device on the fitment. Thus, the cap cannot be unscrewed without removing the tamper-evident band.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,440 (“the '440 patent”) to Gross, entitled “Closure with Tamper-evident Tear-off Panel with a Flow Control Element”, shows a container closure which includes a body for mounting on the container. The body defines a dispensing orifice. A flow control device, such as a lid, is disposed on the body and moved between positions opening and closing the dispensing orifice. A tamper-indicating member is connected by a first frangible web to the lid. An anchor is connected with a second frangible web to another portion of the tamper-indicating member, and the anchor is retained by the closure body. The tamper-indicating member also includes a graspable pull tab, which can be pulled to completely sever the frangible webs, permitting the lid to be opened while providing evidence of tampering with the closure.
A problem with these cap configurations, however, is that they are not particularly suited for use with a liquid emanation system which employs a wick. Nor do they provide “child-resistant” or “spill-resistant” closures for such wick-based liquid emanation systems.
Additionally, the foregoing configurations do not address a further problem which is often encountered with such wick-based liquid emanation systems, namely, the condensation that can accumulate on the heating mechanism and other parts of the system due to excess emanation. If the wick extends a considerable length above the liquid, emanation will occur over the entire length, often leading to condensation of excess moisture on the heating device and the remainder of the system, which is inconvenient and can be potentially damaging. One possible solution to this problem would be to limit the length by which the wick extends from the liquid. However, if the wick only extends slightly above the surface of the liquid, then it becomes very difficult to heat the wick without heating the liquid reservoir as well. This can lead to additional problems such as direct evaporation of the liquid.
Accordingly, there is a need for a wick-based liquid emanation system, and for a closure for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system, which overcome these and other drawbacks.
There is also a need to provide a closure for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system that is particularly suited to resist tampering or access by children. (Hereinafter, a wick-based liquid emanation system and closure therefor will collectively be referred to as a “system.”)
There is a further need for such a system which indicates whether the system has been opened.
There is yet another need in the art for such a system which controls the rate of liquid emanation from the system.
There is an additional need in the art for such a system which can be inexpensively manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems in the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved wick-based liquid emanation system including a low cost, child resistant closure for such a wick-based liquid emanation system.
An additional object of the invention is to provide such a system which provides an indication as to whether the system has been opened.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a system that reduces condensation of product from the wick onto other parts of the system.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a system which provides for the retention of the wick within the system, to prevent access to the contents thereof.
According to one aspect, the present invention provides a child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system including a container capable of containing liquid and having an opening. A wick is partially disposed within the container and has an extended portion extending through the opening of the container. A hollow overcap encases the extended portion of the wick and has a closed, separable tip and an open base. The base is attached to the container to cover the opening. The system is activated by separating the tip from the overcap.
A retainer may be provided for obstructing complete removal of the wick from the container through the overcap after the tip is separated from the overcap. The retainer can include a shoulder disposed in the overcap between the tip and the base for retaining the wick toward the base of the overcap. Alternatively, the retainer can include a protrusion protruding from the wick for engaging at least one of an inner surface of the overcap and an inner surface of the container.
The overcap can have a frangible portion located near its tip facilitating separation of the tip from the overcap, and the wick can extend from within the container past the frangible portion toward the tip. The wick may be formed with the protrusion unitary therewith.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system includes a container capable of containing liquid, a hollow spout protruding from the container and having a closed, separable tip, and a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending into the spout. The system is activated by separating the tip from the spout.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a child-resistant overcap is provided for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system, the system including (i) a container having an opening and (ii) a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the container opening. The overcap includes a closed, separable tip, an open base attachable to the container to cover the container opening, and a shoulder disposed between the tip and the base. The overcap encases the extended portion of the wick when the base is attached to the container, and the shoulder retains the wick toward the base of the overcap. The system is activated by separating the tip from the overcap.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a child-resistant overcap is provided for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system including (i) a container having an opening and (ii) a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the container opening. The overcap includes a closed, separable tip and an open base which is attachable to the container to cover the container opening. The overcap encases the extended portion of the wick when the base is attached to the container. A retainer is provided for obstructing complete removal of the wick from the container through the overcap after the tip is separated from the overcap.
This brief summary of the invention has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be generally understood. However, this summary should not be construed to limit the invention.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a partial cross-sectional view, in elevation, of a first preferred embodiment of the wick-based emanation system with child-resistant overcap of the present invention.
FIG. 2A
is a partial cross-sectional view, in elevation, of a second preferred embodiment of the wick-based emanation system with child-resistant overcap of the present invention.
FIG. 2B
is a plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A
is an exploded cross-sectional view, in elevation, of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B
is a cross-sectional view, in elevation, of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3A
, as assembled.
FIG. 4A
is an exploded, cross-sectional view, in elevation, of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B
is a cross-sectional view, in elevation, of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4A
, as assembled.
Like reference numerals have been used for like or similar elements throughout the views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1
shows a partial cross-sectional view, in elevation, of a first preferred embodiment of the wick-based liquid emanation system
201
of the present invention. Liquid emanation system
201
includes a container
30
for containing a liquid (not shown) to be dispersed, a wick
50
partially disposed in container
30
and an overcap
101
secured to container
30
. These features will be discussed in more detail below.
One end (not shown) of the wick
50
is partially submerged in the liquid to be emanated. The shape of the container
30
is not an essential feature of the invention. Therefore, the portion of the container
30
containing the liquid is not shown in detail in the drawing. The other end of wick
50
extends out through an opening
36
in the container
30
. In this embodiment, the container
30
has a neck
35
through which the opening
36
is disposed.
In this embodiment, the overcap
101
is shown having a generally circular cross section, and is secured to the neck
35
of the container
30
, as will be discussed in more detail below. Of course, the overcap
101
need not be generally circular in cross section. Rather, other geometrical shapes can be used as desired. Nevertheless, for the purposes of conciseness and clarity, the overcap
101
will be described as being circular in cross section, with reference to such features as its “diameter” and “circumference.”
The overcap
101
encases a portion of the wick
50
which extends through the opening
36
. The tip
100
of the overcap
101
is closed. The base
200
of the overcap
101
is secured to the container neck
35
. Between the tip
100
and the base
200
, wall
150
of the overcap
101
defines a cavity
155
which preferably, but not necessarily, conforms closely to the shape and size of the wick
50
, so that it closely encases the wick
50
.
In this embodiment, overcap
101
includes a shoulder
300
provided near the tip
100
. The shoulder
300
defines a reduction in the diameter of the cavity
155
. A transverse wall
310
extends partially inward from the wall
150
to effect this reduction in diameter. This transverse wall
310
acts as a barrier, for reasons that will be made apparent later, against movement of the wick
50
by some external force past the shoulder
300
toward the tip
100
.
Extending from the tip
100
to the transverse wall
310
is a skirt
110
. The skirt
110
is shown as having a larger diameter adjacent the shoulder
300
than it does adjacent the tip
100
. However, the skirt
110
can increase, decrease, or remain constant in diameter from the shoulder
300
to the tip
100
depending on the relative dimensions of the tip
100
and the shoulder
300
. Additionally, the skirt
110
and transverse wall
310
need not be separate elements, but can be combined. If this is the case, the combination skirt/transverse wall should decrease in diameter as it approaches the tip
100
in order to provide the barrier past which the wick
50
cannot be moved without considerable effort. Alternately, the transverse wall
310
can be provided as a cantilever-like barrier, and the skirt
110
can extend from the outer perimeter
311
of the transverse wall
310
. In this case, the transverse wall
310
can be formed in any number of shapes to effect a localized reduction in diameter of the cavity
155
past which the wick
50
cannot be moved without considerable effort.
In the embodiment of
FIG. 1
, the base
200
of overcap
101
is provided with an inner flange
220
and an outer flange
240
for securing the overcap
101
to the container
30
. The inner flange
220
engages inner wall
33
of the container neck
35
. The outer flange
240
engages outer wall
34
of the container neck
35
. Together, the inner and outer flanges
220
,
240
define a seat
230
into which mouth
37
of the container
30
fits. In this embodiment, the mouth
37
and seat
230
can be welded, fused, or otherwise permanently bonded together to provide a sealed engagement. While it is preferred that the base
200
be fixed in engagement to the neck
35
, this particular means of engagement is not critical to the invention. The base
200
and neck
35
can be engaged by any of a number of means, some of which will be discussed in more detail later.
In this embodiment, the overcap
101
seals the wick
50
and liquid contents of the system
201
within the container
30
. In order to activate the system
201
, i.e., permit dispersal of the liquid into the surrounding atmosphere, the tip
100
is separated from the overcap
101
. For example, the tip
100
can be separated by cutting through the skirt
110
. This feature of the invention (the separation of the tip
100
) can be accomplished in other ways. For example, a groove (not shown) can be provided in the skirt
110
to create a localized weakness in the overcap
101
. In that case, the tip
110
can be removed by tearing the overcap
101
at this weakened groove. Alternatively, the tip
100
can be a separate piece, adhesively affixed to close the end of the overcap
101
. In that case, the system
201
would be activated by peeling off or otherwise removing the tip
100
from the overcap
101
. These and other equivalent ways to secure the tip
100
to overcap
101
can be utilized within the concepts of the present invention.
In any of these embodiments, once the tip
100
is removed, an opening is created in the overcap
101
through which the distal end
51
of the wick
50
is exposed. Now, however, the shoulder
300
of overcap
101
acts as a retainer against removal of the wick
50
. It is preferred that the wick
50
not pass by the shoulder
300
toward the newly-formed opening in the overcap
101
.
Once the tip
100
has been separated, heat can be applied to the portion of the wick
50
within the overcap
101
by means of a localized heat source (not shown), preferably but not necessarily in the form of a ring-shaped heating element (not shown) which encircles the overcap
101
. Wick
50
disperses liquid to the surrounding atmosphere, which in turn allows additional liquid to enter the wick from the container.
In addition to securing the wick
50
, the overcap
101
acts to reduce the delivery rate of molecularized liquid into the air. By permitting emanation to occur primarily through the distal end
51
of the wick
50
, instead of throughout the entire length of wick
50
, liquid residue is less likely to condense on the heating mechanism and other internal surfaces of the system
20
.
In some cases, it may be desirable to provide for a greater rate of emanation. An alternate embodiment of the wick-based liquid emanation system with child-resistant overcap of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B
. Reference should be made to the discussion of
FIG. 1
above for a detailed description of like elements from the first embodiment. A major difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the second embodiment, the wick
50
extends from overcap
102
once the tip
100
is removed.
In the second embodiment, it is preferred that the tip
100
not be separated from the overcap
102
by cutting, because the wick
50
could be cut as well. Therefore, in this embodiment, wall
150
is provided with a frangible portion
400
, in this case defined by a pair of substantially parallel, V-shaped grooves
420
and
440
. It is preferred that the distal end
51
of the wick
50
extend beyond this frangible portion
400
toward the tip
100
.
In this embodiment, as in the previous one, system
202
is activated by removal of the tip
100
. In this case, the removal is accomplished by tearing the tip
100
off of the overcap
102
at the frangible portion
400
. The wick
50
will extend out from the overcap
102
, which is now open at the frangible portion
400
, to allow greater wicking action to occur due to the additional wick exposure. In order to facilitate the removal of the tip
100
, a tab
500
may be provided, extending from the wall
150
between the grooves
420
,
440
. This allows the user to grasp the tab
500
and pull to effect the tearing of the frangible portion
400
. Tab
500
, attached to wall
150
, is shown in more detail in FIG.
2
B.
In this embodiment, because there is no shoulder to act as a retainer, it may be desired to provide an alternate form of retainer for obstructing the removal of the wick
50
through the overcap
102
once the tip
100
is separated. This would reduce the likelihood that a child could remove the wick
50
and access the liquid. It would also minimize the amount of spillage that would occur should the system
202
be accidentally tipped. This can be done by several means. If the wick
50
is straight and of conventional construction, i.e., bonded polyester, cellulose, or the like, an external mechanical retainer can be employed. For example, a pin (not shown) can be inserted through the wick
50
, so that it protrudes from the wick
50
and the combination cannot fit through the overcap
102
or the container opening
36
. Alternatively, a clamping collar
53
or the like can be provided, as shown, as a protrusion for the same purpose. Clamping collar
53
can be secured to wick
50
in any desired manner.
Also, as an alternative to the arrangement discussed above, this embodiment and the ones discussed below employ various “stake-on” or “snap-fit” methods of engaging the overcap
102
and the container
30
. The method used in this embodiment will now be discussed.
Outer flange
240
of base
200
is provided with an inwardly-depending pawl
248
. This pawl
248
engages with container lip
38
which protrudes from the container neck
35
. Preferably the lip
38
and pawl
248
extend fully around the perimeters of the neck
35
and outer flange
240
, respectively. The lip
38
and the pawl
248
are respectively provided with a tapered leading edge
39
,
249
and a flat trailing edge
37
,
247
. Therefore, when the overcap
102
is brought into engagement with the container
30
, the leading edge
39
of the lip
38
initially engages the leading edge
249
of the pawl
248
. This engagement of these tapered surfaces
39
,
249
causes the outer flange
240
to deform outwardly, allowing the pawl
248
to slip past the lip
38
. The pawl
248
snaps behind the lip
38
, so that the trailing edge
37
of the lip
38
engages the trailing edge
247
of the pawl
248
.
In another embodiment, shown in the exploded cross-sectional view of
FIG. 3A
, in order to securely retain the wick
50
while facilitating the loading of the wick
50
through the container opening
36
, a flexible collar
55
is provided. Collar
55
can have flexible wings
57
which angle upward and can be flexed upward against the wick
50
. Thus, upon insertion, the wings
57
will elastically collapse against the wick
50
to permit the wick
50
and collar
55
to be inserted through the container opening
36
into the container
30
. Once entirely through the container opening
36
, the wings
57
will open and engage the inside of either the container
30
or the overcap
103
, as shown in
FIG. 3B
, obstructing the removal of the wick
50
. To increase the integrity of this design, a circumferential groove
58
can be cut out of the wick
50
to provide a seat for the collar
55
. Collar
55
can be made of flexible metal or plastic, for example, to facilitate installation.
FIG. 3B
also shows an optional recess
303
in the container
30
for receiving wick
50
.
FIGS. 3A and 3B
illustrate an additional feature that can be provided with any of the embodiments. In these figures, the tip
100
(see
FIGS. 1
,
2
A and
2
B) has already been removed from the overcap
103
. Instead of merely leaving behind an opening through which the wick
50
extends, in this embodiment, a pervious cage
120
closely encases the extended portion of the wick
50
. This assists in retaining the wick
50
. When cage
120
is utilized, it is preferred, for simplicity of construction, that the tip
100
of the overcap
103
be a separate piece adhesively affixed to or sealed over the cage
120
, so that it can be peeled or otherwise readily removed from the overcap
10
to activate the system
20
. The tip
100
alternatively could be integrally formed with the overcap
103
, so that the tip
100
is a separate layer which encases the cage
120
, and the overcap
103
can be provided with a frangible portion at which the tip
100
can be separated therefrom.
This embodiment employs a variation of the earlier-described “stake-on” method of engagement between the overcap
103
and the container
30
. Similar to the arrangement discussed with respect to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A
, the outer flange
240
of the overcap
103
is provided with an inwardly-depending pawl
248
. The container
30
is provided with a corresponding lip
38
, which engages the pawl
248
in a similar manner to the earlier embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the inner flange
220
does not depend downwardly from the base
200
. Instead, the inner flange
220
extends upwardly from a spacer ring
235
, which extends out from the base
200
. By spacing the inner flange
220
from the base
200
, the overcap
103
can sit within the container neck
35
, as shown in FIG.
3
B. This arrangement permits the container neck
35
to have a substantially larger cross section than the wick
50
, making it much easier to insert the wick
50
and overcap
103
into the container neck
50
.
In yet another embodiment, shown in the exploded cross-sectional view of
FIG. 4A
, a protrusion or collar
53
may be formed integrally with a wick
50
itself. By way of example, this can be accomplished by molding a wick
50
with an integral collar
53
.
In the present invention, the preferred method of molding the wick
50
is sintering. In this method, a suitable powdered plastic, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene, is lightly packed into a mold. This packing can be accomplished by light pressure or vibration or any other suitable means. The packed mold is then heated to a temperature which is sufficient to allow the plastic to bond together, but not sufficient to liquefy the plastic to such an extent that it can flow. This results in a solid piece which is porous and therefore wicks liquid. A wick of such construction can be molded into a variety of shapes. In addition, an overcap
10
for use with such a wick can be formed to have a shape conforming thereto.
Referring back to
FIG. 4A
, in this embodiment, overcap
104
is provided with an inner step
225
. As can be seen in
FIG. 4B
, the step
225
engages the collar
53
when system
204
is assembled, retaining the wick
50
in the container
30
. It should be noted that, using this method, the wick
50
alternatively could be molded with a groove for use as a seat for a separate winged collar such as described above with respect to the
FIGS. 3A and 3B
.
A variation of the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 2A through 4B
is one in which only a single flange is provided, which engages the container neck
35
. This single flange may snugly fit either over or within the container neck
35
. Further, although a “stake-on” arrangement has been shown in the preceding embodiments, other methods may be utilized to secure a respective overcap to container
30
. For example, frictional securement, various mechanical interlocking arrangements, chemical bonding, or heat welding may be utilized. It is preferred, however, that the engagement be such that the respective overcap cannot be removed without considerable force or effort.
Of course, it is not a necessary feature of the invention that the container
30
have a neck
35
. If no neck is provided, a respective overcap can be affixed directly to the mouth
37
of the opening
36
of the container
30
in a manner similar to those described above.
It is also possible that an overcap can be integrally formed with the container
30
. If this is the case, the container/overcap is formed with a temporary orifice for filling and loading. The liquid is added, and the wick is loaded into place. At this point, the orifice is sealed, closing the system. Such a system could be configured according to any of the embodiments described above.
In each of the embodiments discussed above, for cost effectiveness, a respective overcap is preferably formed by injection molding. In general, an overcap is preferably made of a thermoplastic or other material which has a high enough heat index to withstand heating and is impervious to chemical attack from the liquid used in the emanation system. In the case of a snap-fit or similar engagement mechanism, the material should provide sufficient flexibility to permit engagement. The particular application of the system will dictate which specific material is best.
If the system is being used to emanate an air freshener, then the wick
50
will need to be exposed to temperatures on the order of approximately 60° C. Polyethylene is particularly well-suited for this, especially with respect to the embodiments in which a tip is tom from an overcap at a localized weakness, because this thermoplastic has less tensile strength and tears more easily than most.
On the other hand, materials such as nylon, polypropylene or other thermoplastics with higher heat indexes will be better suited for higher-temperature applications. For example, if the system is being used to emanate an insect repellant, temperatures closer to or exceeding 120° C. may be necessary for proper wicking.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The wick-based liquid emanation system and overcap of the present invention can be used wherever it is desired to molecularize and disperse a liquid into the atmosphere via a wicking mechanism. For instance, the system and overcap can be used in such varied applications as dispersal of insect repellent or air freshener, for example, into the air.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that this description is merely for purposes of illustration. Various modifications of and equivalent structures corresponding to the disclosed aspects of the preferred embodiments in addition to those described above may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the following claims. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that certain variations in the size, shape, number, arrangement, and material of various portions of the disclosed system and overcap may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention defined by the following claims should be accorded the broadest reasonable interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.
Claims
- 1. A child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system comprising:a container capable of containing liquid, said container having an opening; a wick partially disposed within said container and having an extended portion extending through the opening of said container; and a hollow overcap encasing the extended portion of said wick, said overcap having (i) a closed tip, separable from the overcap, and (ii) an open base, the base being attached to said container to cover the opening, said overcap closely conforming to the shape and size of said wick, wherein said system is activated by separating the tip from said overcap.
- 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a retainer for obstructing complete removal of said wick from said container through said overcap after the tip is separated from said overcap.
- 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the retainer comprises a shoulder disposed in said overcap between the tip and the base for retaining said wick toward the base of said overcap.
- 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said retainer comprises a protrusion protruding from said wick for engaging at least one of an inner surface of said overcap and an inner surface of said container.
- 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said overcap has a frangible portion located near the tip, the frangible portion facilitating separation of the tip from said overcap.
- 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said wick extends from within said container past the frangible portion toward the tip.
- 7. The system of claim 6, wherein:said container has a neck through which the opening is disposed, and said overcap has a flange depending from the base which engages the neck of said container.
- 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the neck of said container and the flange of said overcap have corresponding protrusions which interact to lock the base of said overcap to said container.
- 9. The system of claim 4, wherein said wick is formed with said protrusion unitary therewith.
- 10. The system of claim 9, wherein:said container has a neck through which the opening is disposed, and said overcap has a flange depending from the base which engages the neck of said container.
- 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the neck of said container and the flange of said overcap have corresponding protrusions which interact to lock the base of said overcap to said container.
- 12. A child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system comprising:a container capable of containing liquid; a unitary, hollow spout projecting from said container, said spout having a closed tip, separable from the spout; and a wick partially disposed within said container and having an extended portion extending into said spout, said spout closely conforming to the shape and size of said wick, wherein said system is activated by separating said tip from said spout.
- 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a retainer for obstructing complete removal of said wick from said container through said spout after the tip is separated from said spout.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the retainer comprises a shoulder disposed in said spout between the tip and said container, the shoulder retaining said wick toward said container.
- 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the retainer comprises a protrusion protruding from said wick for engaging at least one of an inner surface of said spout and an inner surface of said container.
- 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said spout has a frangible portion located near said tip, said frangible portion facilitating separation of said tip from said spout.
- 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said wick extends from within said container past said frangible portion toward said tip.
- 18. The system of claim 15, wherein said wick is formed with said protrusion unitary therewith.
- 19. The system of claim 13, wherein said wick has a circumferential groove on a portion thereof which is disposed within said container, and wherein said retainer comprises:a collar seated in the groove of said wick; and a wing extending from said collar for engaging at least one of an inner surface of said spout and an inner surface of said container.
- 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said wing is elastically foldable against said wick toward the extended portion of said wick to facilitate insertion into said container of the portion of said wick at which said wing extends from said collar.
- 21. A child-resistant overcap for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system, the system including (i) a container having an opening and (ii) a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the container opening, said overcap comprising:a closed tip, separable from the overcap; an open base being attachable to the container to cover the container opening, wherein said overcap encases the extended portion of the wick when said base is attached over the container opening, said overcap closely conforming to the shape and size of said wick; and a retainer for obstructing complete removal of the wick from the container through said overcap after said tip is separated from said overcap.
- 22. The overcap of claim 21, wherein said retainer comprises a pervious cage, and said tip is removably attached to said cage.
- 23. The overcap of claim 21, wherein the wick has a protrusion, and said retainer comprises an inner surface of said overcap for engaging the protrusion.
- 24. The overcap of claim 23, wherein said overcap has a frangible portion located near said tip, said frangible portion facilitating separation of said tip from said overcap.
- 25. The overcap of claim 24, wherein the container has a neck through which the opening is disposed, and said base has a flange which is attachable to said neck.
- 26. The overcap of claim 25, wherein said flange and the container neck have corresponding protrusions which interact to lock said base to the container.
- 27. The overcap of claim 21, wherein said retainer comprises a shoulder, disposed between said tip and said base, which retains the wick toward said base.
- 28. The overcap of claim 27, wherein the container has a neck through which the opening is disposed, and said base has a flange which is attachable to said neck.
- 29. The overcap of claim 28, wherein said flange and the container neck have corresponding protrusions which interact to lock said base to the container.
- 30. A wick-based liquid emanation system comprising: a container capable of containing liquid, the container having an opening; a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the opening of the container; and an overcap including: (i) a pervious cage encasing the extended portion of the wick, the pervious cage having (a) an open base portion that is attached to the container to cover the opening, and (b) a distal portion, opposite from the base portion, having an opening through which the wick can be exposed to the atmosphere, the pervious cage having an interior surface that closely conforms to the shape and size of the wick; and (ii) a closed tip covering at least the opening in the distal portion of the pervious cage, the closed tip being separable from the overcap to expose the wick to the atmosphere, wherein the system is activated by separating the closed tip from the overcap.
- 31. The overcap of claim 30, wherein the closed tip encases the pervious cage.
- 32. The overcap of claim 30, wherein the closed tip is removably attached to the pervious cage.
- 33. The overcap of claim 30, wherein the wick has a protrusion, and the interior surface of the pervious cage engages the protrusion.
- 34. A wick-based liquid emanation system comprising: a container capable of containing liquid; a unitary, hollow spout projecting from the container, the spout having a distal portion with an opening therein; a closed tip, covering at least the opening in the distal portion of the spout, the closed tip being separable from the spout; and a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending into the spout, the spout having an interior surface closely conforming to the shape and size of said wick, wherein the system is activated by separating the tip from the spout, thereby exposing the wick to the atmosphere through the opening in the distal portion of the spout.
- 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the closed tip encases the spout.
- 36. The system of claim 34, wherein the closed tip is removably attached to the spout.
- 37. The overcap of claim 34, wherein the wick has a protrusion, and the interior surface of the spout engages the protrusion.
- 38. An overcap for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system, the system including (i) a container having an opening and (ii) a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the container opening, the overcap comprising: a pervious cage encasing the extended portion of the wick, the pervious cage having (i) an open base portion that is attached to the container to cover the container opening, and (ii) a distal portion, opposite from the base portion, having an opening through which the wick can be exposed to the atmosphere, the pervious cage having an interior surface that closely conforms to the shape and size of the wick; and a closed tip covering at least the opening in the distal portion of the pervious cage, the closed tip being separable from the overcap to expose the wick to the atmosphere, wherein, when the closed tip is separated from the overcap, the pervious cage obstructs complete removal of the wick from the container through the opening in the distal portion of the pervious cage.
- 39. The overcap of claim 38, wherein the closed tip encases the pervious cage.
- 40. The overcap of claim 38, wherein the closed tip is removably attached to the pervious cage.
- 41. An overcap for use with a wick-based liquid emanation system, the system including (i) a container having an opening and (ii) a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the container opening, the overcap comprising: an open base attachable to the container to cover the container opening; a sheath extending from the base and having an end opposite to the base to define a cavity that closely conforms to the shape and size of the wick, the sheath encasing the extended portion of the wick when the base is attached to the container to cover the container opening; a closed closure member separable from the overcap to expose the wick to the atmosphere through the end of the cavity; and a retainer for obstructing complete removal of the wick from the container through the sheath when the closure member is separated from the overcap.
- 42. The overcap of claim 41, wherein the closed closure member encases the sheath.
- 43. The overcap of claim 41, wherein the closed closure member is removably attached to the sheath.
- 44. A wick-based liquid emanation system comprising: a container capable of containing liquid, the container having an opening; a wick partially disposed within the container and having an extended portion extending through the opening of the container; and an overcap including: (i) a pervious cage encasing the extended portion of the wick, the pervious cage having (a) an open base portion that is attached to the container to cover the opening, and (b) a distal portion, opposite from the base portion, having an opening through which the wick can be exposed to the atmosphere, the pervious cage having an interior surface that closely conforms to the shape and size of the wick; and (ii) a sealing structure that encases the pervious cage, the sealing structure being separable from the overcap to expose the wick to the atmosphere, wherein, when the sealing structure is separated from the overcap, the pervious cage prevents complete removal of the wick from the container through the opening in the distal portion of the pervious cage.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
664685 |
Nov 1995 |
AU |
0740941 |
Nov 1996 |
EP |
688320 |
Jan 1930 |
FR |
747069 |
Feb 1932 |
FR |
477291 |
Dec 1953 |
IT |
Divisions (1)
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08/673393 |
Jun 1996 |
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09/875172 |
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Reissues (1)
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08/673393 |
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09/875172 |
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