Apparatus having a housing made of an at least three-layer material for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air

Abstract

An apparatus for releasing a volatile substance into the air that includes a housing and an insert, the housing contains an at least three-layer first material; wherein a first layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises paper or cardboard or paperboard, a second layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises polyethylene, a third layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises oriented polypropylene, the third layer has a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, and optionally the apparatus has at least one further barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, the insert is arranged inside the housing and made of a second material, the second material is provided or impregnated with the volatile substance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air, comprising: a) a housing that contains an at least three-layer first material, wherein (i) a first layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises paper or cardboard or paperboard, (ii) a second layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises polyethylene, and (iii) a third layer of the at least three-layer first material contains or comprises oriented polypropylene, the third layer has a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, and (iv) optionally at least one further barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, b) an insert arranged inside the housing and made of a second material, the second material is provided or impregnated, with the volatile substance, the second material is one of the following materials or has one or a plurality of the specified materials: i) a plant-based fiber material or ii) sucrose or starch or iii) a mineral material.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene includes or is low-density polyethylene (LDPE/PE-LD), low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE/PE-LLD), and/or high density polyethylene (HDPE/PE-HD).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oriented polypropylene includes or is OPP (oriented polypropylene) or BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a further barrier layer comprises polyamide, polyester, aluminum, or polyvinyl alcohol.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and/or the second layer and/or the third layer has/have at least in part an acrylic coating.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third layer is water-repellant and/or transparent.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least three-layer first material comprises: (i) a first layer made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, (ii) a second layer made of polyethylene, (iii) a third layer made of polypropylene, wherein this layer has a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, and optionally, at least one further barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a stand surface on which the housing can stand on a subsurface, wherein the stand surface is water-repellant.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plant-based fiber material is paper or cardboard or paperboard, or mechanical pulp board, or wood pulp.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plant-based fiber material of the second material is mechanical pulp, ground wood pulp, or pulp or cotton fiber or grass fiber.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mineral material is rock flour or bentonite or silica gel.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert has a plurality of plys of the second material connected to one another by an adhesive.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a first housing part and a second housing part, the first housing part and/or the second housing part comprises a receiving element for the insert, wherein the first housing part has one or a plurality of through-holes through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air, and the second housing part can be displaced from a closed position, in which it covers the through-holes of the first housing part, to an open position, in which the through-holes of the first housing part are exposed for releasing the volatile substance.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the housing has a first housing part, a second housing part, and a third housing part, the first housing part and/or the second housing part comprises a receiving element for the insert, the third housing part has one or a plurality of through-holes through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air, wherein the first housing part and/or the second housing part can be displaced from a closed position, in which the first housing part and/or the second housing part covers the through-holes of the third housing part, to an open position, in which the through-holes of the third housing part are exposed for releasing the volatile substance.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a recess for the insert and one or a plurality of through-holes through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air, wherein the through-holes are provided with a removable barrier layer or a film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective elevation of an apparatus for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air according to a first exemplary embodiment in a closed position.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus according to FIG. 1 when the vapor barrier layer is detached.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus according to FIG. 1 in an open position.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a perspective elevation of an apparatus for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air according to a second exemplary embodiment in a closed position.

[0065] FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus according to FIG. 3 in an open position.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a perspective elevation of an apparatus for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air according to a third exemplary embodiment in an open position.

[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates an inner housing part of a housing of the apparatus according to FIG. 6.

[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates the apparatus according to FIG. 6 in a closed position.

[0069] FIG. 9a is a top view of an insert of the apparatus according to FIG. 1.

[0070] FIG. 9b is a side view of an insert of the apparatus according to FIG. 1.

[0071] FIG. 10 a is a top view of an insert of the apparatus according to FIG. 4.

[0072] FIG. 10b is a side view of an insert of the apparatus according to FIG. 4.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a perspective elevation of an alternative insert of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference number and therefore as a rule each is also identified or mentioned only once.

[0075] The depiction in FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 for releasing a volatile substance, for example, in the form of a fragrance or an insecticide, into the ambient air according to a first exemplary embodiment of the teachings herein. The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 10 made of a three-layer first material and further a barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance as well as an insert 20, depicted in FIGS. 9a and 9b, arranged inside the housing 10. The insert 20 comprises a second material that is a plant-based fiber material, in particular paper, cardboard, or paperboard, wherein the second material is provided, in particular impregnated, with the volatile substance.

[0076] The housing 10 comprises a receiving element for the insert and one or a plurality of through-holes 12 through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air, wherein, in a closed position of the housing 10, the through-holes 12 are provided with a removable barrier layer 11, for example a film, see FIG. 1. Alternatively, it can be provided that the removable barrier layer 11 is a removable housing element made of the first material of the housing 10. For example, the removable housing element can be connected to the rest of the housing 10 via a perforation. This perforation can be separated when the housing element 11 is removed.

[0077] The depiction in FIG. 2 depicts by way of example removal of this barrier layer 11 from the through-holes 12.

[0078] In FIG. 3, the housing 10 is shown in an open position in which the through-holes are exposed so that ambient air can circulate through the latter and the volatile substance, for example a fragrance, of the insert 20 can exit from the interior of the housing 10. The barrier layer 11 has been completely removed from the housing 10 according to FIG. 3.

[0079] The three-layer first material of the housing 10 of the apparatus 1 has a first layer made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, a second layer made of polyethylene, and a third layer made of oriented polypropylene or biaxially oriented polyprobylene. It furthermore includes a barrier layer or barrier layer 11, for example comprising polyamide, polyester, aluminum, or polyvinyl alcohol. This barrier layer can be arranged in contact with a ply of the three-layer first material, in particular the paper, cardboard, or paperboard. Furthermore, it can be provided that the barrier layer is formed from that three-layer material made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, polyethylene, and oriented polypropylene or biaxially oriented polypropylene.

[0080] Furthermore, a time-temperature indicator 17 via which the shelf life of the volatile substance can be displayed is arranged on the outside of the housing 10.

[0081] A second exemplary embodiment of an inventive apparatus 1 for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The apparatus 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment also comprises a housing 10 made of a first three-layer material that is formed from a first layer made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, a second layer made of polyethylene, and a third layer made of oriented polypropylene or biaxially oriented polypropylene. It furthermore has a further barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile material, as well as an insert 20, depicted in FIGS. 10a and 10b, arranged inside the housing 10. The insert 20 comprises a second material that is a plant-based fiber material, in particular paper, cardboard, or paperboard, wherein the second material is provided, in particular impregnated, with the volatile substance.

[0082] What has been stated about the first material in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment also applies to the second exemplary embodiment. Therefore refer to the description of FIGS. 1-3.

[0083] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the housing 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment comprises a first housing part 13 having a recess for the insert, wherein the first housing part 13 has one or a plurality of through-holes 12 through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air, and a second housing part 14, which can be displaced out of a closed position, shown in FIG. 4, in which position the second housing part covers the through-holes 12 of the first housing part, into an open position, shown in FIG. 5, in which the through-holes of the first housing part are exposed for releasing the volatile substance.

[0084] The housing 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment also has a time-temperature indicator 17 via which the shelf-life of the fragrance or insecticide can be displayed.

[0085] FIG. 6 depicts a third exemplary embodiment of an inventive apparatus 1 for releasing a volatile substance into the ambient air. The apparatus 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment also comprises a housing 10 made of a first three-layer material which is formed from a first layer made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, a second layer made of polyethylene, and a third layer made of oriented polypropylene or biaxially oriented polypropylene, as well as a further barrier layer having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance, and an insert 20, depicted in FIGS. 10a and 10b and arranged inside the housing 10. The insert 20 comprises a second material that is a plant-based fiber material, in particular paper, cardboard, or paperboard, wherein the second material is provided, in particular impregnated, with the volatile substance.

[0086] What has been stated about the first material in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment also applies to the second exemplary embodiment. Refer to the description of FIGS. 1-3.

[0087] The housing 10 of the apparatus 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment comprises a first housing part 13, a second housing part 14, and a third housing part 15. The first and second housing parts 13, 14 are embodied identically in the exemplary embodiment. Both the first and also the second housing part 13, 14 have a receiving element for the insert 20; only one of the two housing parts 13, 14 is fitted with the insert 20, however.

[0088] The third housing part 15 is embodied like a tube or sleeve and comprises a plurality of through-holes 12 through which the volatile substance can be released into the ambient air if they are exposed by the first and/or second housing part 13, 14. In the closed position shown in FIG. 8, the first housing part 13 and the second housing part 14 cover the through-holes 12 of the third housing part 15. The first and second housing parts 13, 14 can be displaced from this closed position into an open position, shown in FIG. 6, in which the through-holes 12 of the third housing part 15 are exposed for releasing the volatile substance.

[0089] The housing 10 can additionally have a removable barrier layer, for example a barrier layer embodied as a sleeve, that covers a gap between the first housing part 13 and the second housing part 14 in the closed position. This barrier layer comprises a barrier material having a barrier function against permeation of the volatile substance or is embodied of such a material.

[0090] The third housing part 15 of the housing 10 is depicted in FIG. 7. It can be seen from this depiction that a plurality of first locking elements 16 are arranged on the third housing part and can cooperate with further first locking elements on the first housing part 13. Furthermore, the third housing part 15 comprises a plurality of second locking elements 16′ that can cooperate with further second locking elements on the second housing part 14. The first locking elements 16 are arranged on a first side of the third housing part 15 opposing a second side of the third housing part on which the second locking elements 16′ are arranged. Thus, when the housing is assembled, the first locking elements 16 face the first housing part 13 and the second locking elements 16′ face the second housing part. The first and second locking elements 16, 16′ are embodied as folded segments of the third housing part 13.

[0091] FIG. 8 depicts a housing 10 in the closed position having a first housing part 13 and a second housing part 14.

[0092] FIGS. 9a and 9b depict the insert 20 of the first exemplary embodiment. This insert 20 has a rectangular section with rounded corners. The insert 20 comprises a plurality of, in this case five, plys 21 of the plant-based fiber material, for example mechanical pulp board or wood pulp, connected to one another by an adhesive. The adhesive is preferably biodegradable. The plys each have an area density in the range of 350 g/m.sup.2 to 950 g/m.sup.2, preferably 450 g/m.sup.2 to 600 g/m.sup.2, or 600 g/m.sup.2 to 800 g/m.sup.2. Alternatively it can be provided that the plys each have a thickness in the range of 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm and an area density in the range of 350 g/m.sup.2 to 950 g/m.sup.2.

[0093] FIGS. 10a and 10b depict the insert 20 of the second and third exemplary embodiments. This insert 20 has a square section with rounded corners. The insert 20 comprises a plurality of, in this case five, plys 21 of the plant-based fiber material, for example mechanical pulp board or wood pulp, connected to one another by an adhesive. The adhesive is preferably biodegradable. The plys each have an area density in the range of 350 g/m.sup.2 to 950 g/m.sup.2, preferably 450 g/m.sup.2 to 600 g/m.sup.2, or 600 g/m.sup.2 to 800 g/m.sup.2. Alternatively, it can be provided that the plys each have a thickness in the range of 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm and an area density in the range of 350 g/m.sup.2 to 950 g/m.sup.2.

[0094] The exemplary embodiments of the inserts 20 depicted in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b are merely by way of example and can have a different shape, e.g. can be pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal, and/or can have sharp, non-rounded corners.

[0095] FIG. 11 depicts an insert 20 that can be used as alternative in the exemplary embodiments described in the foregoing. The insert 20 comprises a plurality of, in this case six, plys 21 of the plant-based fiber material, for example mechanical pulp board or wood pulp, connected to one another by an adhesive. The insert 20 as a plurality of, in this case three, first plys 21 that are embodied with the full surface area. The insert 20 furthermore has a plurality of, in this case three, second plys 21′ that include a plurality of, in this case three, in particular punched, holes. One of the second plys 21′ forms an outer surface of the insert 20. The recesses 22 of the second plys 21′ are arranged congruently above one another and form a receiving element for volatile material.

[0096] The inserts 20 described in the foregoing can alternatively comprise one of the following materials or one or a plurality of the cited materials: a further plant-based fiber material or sucrose or starch or a mineral material. The plant-based fiber material can be mechanical pulp, in particular ground wood pulp, or pulp or cotton fiber or grass fiber. The mineral material can be rock flour or bentonite or silica gel.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 Apparatus for releasing a fragrance or insecticide into the ambient air 10 Housing 11 Barrier layer 12 Through-hole 13 First housing part 14 Second housing part 15 Third housing part 16, 16′ Locking element 17 Time-temperature indicator 20 Insert 21, 21′ Ply 22 Recess