DEVICE FOR DIFFUSING VOLATILE SUBSTANCES

Abstract

The device for diffusing volatile substances, comprises a container (1) that contains a volatile substance (2); a perforable sheet (3) that closes at least a portion of said container (1); at least one perforating element (4) that can perforate said perforable sheet (3); and a porous element (5) that is impregnated with the volatile substance (2) when the perforable sheet (3) is perforated; wherein the porous element (5) comprises at least one weakened area (6) in correspondence with said at least one perforating element (4).

It permits to provide a device for diffusing volatile substances where an accidental leakage is avoided.

Claims

1. A device for diffusing volatile substances, comprising: a container that contains a volatile substance; a perforable sheet that closes at least a portion of said container; at least one perforating element that can perforate said perforable sheet; and a porous element that is impregnated with the volatile substance when the perforable sheet is perforated; wherein the porous element comprises at least one weakened area in correspondence with said at least one perforating element.

2. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein said at least one perforating element is mounted on a plate, which when the perforable sheet is perforated, is in contact with the porous element.

3. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area is a cut or several cuts made in said porous element.

4. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 3, wherein the weakened area is formed by two crossing cuts defining a central point.

5. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 2, wherein said plate includes two or more perforating elements.

6. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein the or each perforating element comprises a stopper at its tip.

7. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 5, wherein the perforating elements in said plate are placed vertically, defining an upper perforating element and a lower perforating element.

8. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 7, wherein the container is partially filled with the volatile substance, defining a filled portion and an empty portion in the container so that the upper perforating element is at a height corresponding to the empty portion and the lower perforating element is at a height corresponding to the filled portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] For a better understanding the above explanation and for the sole purpose of providing an example, some non-limiting drawings are included that schematically depict a practical embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a portion of the device for diffusing volatile substances according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the device for diffusing volatile substances according to the present invention before its activation; and

[0026] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the device for diffusing volatile substances according to the present invention after its activation, when the perforation element has perforated the perforable sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The present invention refers to a device for diffusing volatile substances, such as perfume or insecticide, comprising a container 1 containing a liquid volatile substance 2, having at least on part of it that is easily perforable sheet 3.

[0028] It must be pointed out that the device according to the present invention can comprise more that one container, but for simplicity reasons only one container is shown in the drawings.

[0029] The device for diffusing volatile substances according to the present invention also comprises one or more perforating elements 4, such as needles, which are designed to be able to perforate the perforable sheet 3 of the container 1 when user press them against the perforable sheet 3.

[0030] The device for diffusing volatile substances according to the present invention also comprises a porous element 5 that is able to absorb and contain the liquid after the perforable sheet 3 of the container 1 has been perforated.

[0031] This porous element 5 is placed between the perforating elements 4 and the perforable sheet 3, and the porous element 5 comprises a weakened area 6 in the proximity of the perforating elements 4.

[0032] Furthermore, the perforating elements 4 have a design that avoid that it goes back after perforating the perforable sheet 3 of the container 1. To this end, e.g. each perforating element 4 has a stopper 7 or a portion with greater dimensions than the rest of the perforating element 4, e.g. an arrow shape, i.e. the cross section of the perforation element 4 is progressively wider distally from its tip.

[0033] This way, after perforating the perforable sheet 3, the perforating element 4 cannot be removed from the container 1, avoiding an accidental leakage.

[0034] According to the embodiment shown in the drawing, two perforating elements 4 are mounted on a plate 8 that covers the external part of the weakened area of the porous element 5.

[0035] As the perforating elements 4 are not able to be removed from the container 1, the plate 8 is maintained in physical contact with the porous element 5 after activation, avoiding liquid to flow freely through the weakened area 6 of the porous element 5.

[0036] Preferably, the container 1 is made from a plastic cup, thermoformed, closed by a rupturing foil.

[0037] The rupturing foil is preferably a very thin aluminium foil with a sealing layer on one side and a protective lacquer on the other.

[0038] The porous element 5 is preferably a cellulosic support. Alternatively, it could be made of plastic fibers or plastic foam.

[0039] The weakened area 6, according to a preferred embodiment, is a cut or a partial cut with a cross shape, where the center of the cross matches with the tip of the perforating element 4.

[0040] Alternatively, the weakened area 6 can be made by a hole in the porous element 5.

[0041] According to an embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device according to the present invention comprises two perforating elements 4, placed vertically to each other, where the upper perforating element 4 is at a height where, inside the container 1, there is no liquid, and the lower perforating element 4 is at a height corresponding to the bottom of the container 1. This way, the user can form a hole in the perforable sheet 3 yet still having the liquid to flow through it (the upper hole aim is to allow air to enter in the container 1).

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention is a device to be hanged to a car mirror with an overall dimension of e.g. 13×8 cm.

[0043] The device can comprise a U-shape plastic frame, preferably made of polypropylene, where four containers 1 can be made, containing the liquid volatile substance 2.

[0044] The perimetric wall of the plastic frame is done with a U-shape profile in order to guide and retain the porous element 5 in position.

[0045] In the back part of the frame, four plates 8 with activation perforating elements 4 can be formed, each plate for one container. These plates 8 can be individually pressed by a user to force the perforating elements 4 to perforate the perforable sheet 3.

[0046] The four containers 1 are preferably filled with the same amount and kind of fragrance. E.g. each container contains the volume of fragrance equivalent of a duration of 1 week.

[0047] For using the device according to the present invention, the user just activates it pressing on the plate 8 so that the perforating element(s) 4 perforate(s) the perforable 3, and the porous element 5 is impregnated with the liquid volatile substance 2.

[0048] Even though reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the device for diffusing volatile substances described herein is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all of the details mentioned can be substituted for other technically equivalent ones without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.