Device employing gas generating cell for facilitating controlled release of fluid into ambient environment

Abstract

A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice. The fluid compartment contains the fluid for release to the ambient environment. The orifice compartment includes a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and contains an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state. A fluid restrictor is disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state. A gas-generating cell is in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state. A fluid membrane is disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state. The device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening and activating the cell to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.

1 . A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the device comprising: 
 a housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice, the fluid compartment containing the fluid for release to the ambient environment, the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and containing an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state;    a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state;    a gas-generating cell in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state; and    a fluid membrane disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state;    wherein the device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening and activating the cell to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid membrane comprises an impermeable seal that prevents gas generated from the cell to pass therethrough into the fluid compartment until sufficient pressure is generated to break the impermeable seal.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid memberane is a selectively permeable membrane that allows gas generated from the cell to pass therethrough into the fluid compartment while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an emanating system disposed adjacent the fluid exit opening to receive the fluid from the fluid compartment in the activated state and deliver the fluid into the ambient environment.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable sealing element is a removable cap.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable sealing element is a pierceable membrane.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a moveable piercing element disposed adjacent the pierceable membrane to pierce the membrane when the device is activated.  
     
     
         8 . A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the device comprising: 
 a housing including a cell compartment, a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment;    the fluid compartment containing the fluid for release to the ambient environment and in fluid communication with the orifice compartment via an orifice;    the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and containing an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state;    the cell compartment containing a gas-generating cell in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment and applies pressure to the fluid therein when the device is in an activated state;    a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state; and    a fluid membrane disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state; and    a fluid emanator disposed adjacent the fluid exit opening to facilitate delivery of the fluid to the ambient environment;    wherein the device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening to the emanator and activating the cell to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening to the emanator in a controlled manner.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid membrane comprises an impermeable seal that prevents gas generated from the cell to pass therethrough into the fluid compartment until sufficient pressure is generated to break the impermeable seal.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid membrane is a selectively permeable membrane that allows gas generated from the cell to pass therethrough into the fluid compartment while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the removable sealing element is a removable cap.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the removable sealing element is a pierceable membrane.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a moveable piercing element disposed adjacent the pierceable membrane to pierce the membrane when the device is activated.  
     
     
         14 . A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the device comprising: 
 a housing including a cell compartment, a fluid compartment containing the fluid for release to the ambient environment, and an orifice compartment in fluid communication with the fluid compartment, the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and containing an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state;    a gas-generating cell disposed within the cell compartment;    means for holding and sealing the gas generating cell within the cell compartment such that gas generated by the cell when the device is in an activated state applies pressure to the fluid in the fluid compartment;    means for protecting the gas generating cell from the fluid in the fluid reservoir;    means for preventing fluid in the fluid compartment from flowing into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state;    means for allowing fluid in the fluid compartment to flow into the orifice compartment and out through the fluid exit opening in the activated state; and    a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state;    wherein the device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening to the emanator and activating the cell to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.    
     
     
         15 . A device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the device comprising: 
 a device housing having a fluid activation mechanism; and a removable cartridge removably connected to the device housing, the cartridge comprising:    a cartridge housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice, the fluid compartment containing the fluid for release to the ambient environment, the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and containing an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state;    a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state;    a gas-generating cell in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state; and    a fluid membrane disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state;    wherein the device is activated by removing the sealing element to allow the initial quantity of fluid to exit out of the orifice compartment via the fluid exit opening and activating the cell via the fluid activation mechanism of the device housing to generate gas and force fluid from the fluid compartment to the orifice compartment and out the fluid exit opening in a controlled manner.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device housing comprises a cover that engages the removable cartridge such that the fluid activation mechanism is in communication with the gas generating cell of the removable cartridge.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device housing comprises: 
 a housing portion; and    a cover portion movably attached to the housing portion allowing the cover portion to be in a open position and a closed position, the cover portion including the fluid activation mechanism;    wherein the fluid activation mechanism is in communication with the gas generating cell of the removable cartridge when the cover portion is in a closed position.    
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the removable cartridge further comprises a moveable piercing element disposed adjacent to the removable sealing element, the piercing element piercing the removable sealing element when the cover portion is placed in the closed position.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the piercing element is held in a temporarily fixed position by a removable strip of material.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device housing includes a fan blade and a motor to rotate the fan blade to facilitate emanation of the fluid from the device.  
     
     
         21 . A removable cartridge for use with a device for controllably releasing a fluid into an ambient environment, the cartridge comprising: 
 a cartridge housing having a fluid compartment and an orifice compartment disposed adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith via an orifice, the fluid compartment containing the fluid for release to the ambient environment, the orifice compartment including a fluid exit opening covered by a removable sealing element and containing an initial quantity of fluid when the device is in an inactivated state;    a fluid restrictor disposed adjacent the orifice to restrict fluid flow from the fluid compartment into the orifice compartment in the inactivated state;    a gas-generating cell in selective communication with the fluid compartment such that gas generated by the cell is directed into the fluid compartment when the device is in an activated state; and    a fluid membrane disposed between the gas-generating cell and the fluid compartment that allows the gas generated by the cell to pass therethrough to the fluid compartment in the activated state while preventing fluid within the fluid container from passing therethrough to the cell in the inactivated state.    
     
     
         22 . The cartridge of  claim 21 , further comprising a moveable piercing element disposed adjacent to the removable sealing element that can be moved to pierce the removable sealing element.  
     
     
         23 . The cartridge of  claim 21 , further comprising an activation member having a piercing element, the activation member moveably disposed adjacent to the removable sealing element.  
     
     
         24 . The cartridge of  claim 23 , wherein the activation member is held in a temporarily fixed position by a removable piece of material.  
     
     
         25 . The cartridge of  claim 23 , wherein the activation member is linearly moveable in a direction that is perpendicular to the removable sealing element.  
     
     
         26 . The cartridge of  claim 25 , wherein the activation member is rotatably moveable and linearly moveable via a rotational cam and follower arrangement.  
     
     
         27 . The cartridge of  claim 22 , wherein the piercing element comprises multiple blades.  
     
     
         28 . The cartridge of  claim 21 , further comprising a wicking material in communication with the fluid exit opening.