IP Library Granted Patent US 9,814,797
Granted Patent B2
US 9,814,797 · App. 14/138,189 · Granted Nov 14, 2017

Activating volatile dispensing devices

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,814,797
App. No.
14/138,189
Granted
Nov 14, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for activating a volatile dispensing device. The apparatus includes a puncturing mechanism formed between a first portion and a second portion of an activation arm and the puncturing mechanism being shaped to move laterally to puncture a volatile container as a compressive load is applied to the activation arm through the first and second portions.

Claims (13)

1. A device for activating a volatile dispensing device, comprising:

a puncturing mechanism formed between a first portion and a second portion of an activation arm; and

said puncturing mechanism being shaped to move laterally to puncture a volatile container as a compressive load is applied to said activation arm through said first and second portions, wherein said second portion is positioned within a reservoir between a volatile container and a base portion of a wick, wherein a volatile composition from said volatile container is released into said reservoir upon activation of said puncturing mechanism.

2. A system for activating a volatile dispensing device, comprising:

a base end of a wick and a volatile container of a volatile composition positioned within a reservoir covered with an outer housing;

a puncturing mechanism formed between a first portion and a second portion of an activation arm where said first portion is spaced apart from an outer housing with a removable spacer and said second portion is in contact with a floor of said reservoir;

wherein said puncturing mechanism is shaped to move laterally to puncture said volatile container as a compressive load is applied to said activation arm through said first and second portions when said removable spacer is removed.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said puncturing mechanism comprises multiple living hinges that collectively bend under a compressive load applied to said activation arm such that at least one rigid section between said multiple living hinges is pivoted towards said volatile container.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein said puncturing mechanism comprises a free end of said activation arm that is positioned to slide laterally as said first and second portions are compressed together.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein said volatile container comprises a section proximate said puncturing mechanism that is made of a flexible membrane.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein said outer housing comprises a shelf to hold said reservoir within an inner chamber of said outer housing, said shelf being spaced apart from an interior protrusion protruding into said inner chamber such that when said reservoir is held with said shelf said interior protrusion causes said compressive load to said activation mechanism.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein said first portion of said activation arm comprises two pieces that form a gap wide enough to fit around a portion of said wick.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein said outer housing comprises at least one ventilation opening to vent airborne chemicals evaporated from said volatile composition from off of a surface area in communication with said wick.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2023
From: ARMALY SPONGE COMPANY
To: BANK OF ANN ARBOR
Reel/Frame 064103/0601 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: HENKEL CORPORATION
To: ARMALY SPONGE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 063566/0158 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2023
From: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
To: HENKEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063421/0324 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
To: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 059357/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2017
From: HENKEL US IV CORPORATION
To: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
Reel/Frame 042108/0150 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2017
From: THE DIAL CORPORATION
To: HENKEL US IV CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041671/0407 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2014
From: HAFER, KEVIN; CLARK, JAMES; FREEBORN, MATTHEW
To: THE DIAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032314/0101 →