Dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, especially for dispensing fragrances and / or active substances

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, having a housing (2) which comprises a container (5) in which a volatile material (6) to be delivered to the environment is accommodated. The dispenser (1) further comprises a capillary element (4) by means of which a volatile material (6) discharged from the container (5) is conveyable by means of the capillary effect in a predetermined direction, preferably in the direction of a delivery zone (34) of the capillary element (4). According to the invention, at least one discharge point (11) of the container (5), through which the volatile material (6) is dischargeable from the container (5), preferably the entire container (5), is arranged above the capillary element (4) in relation to the use position of the dispenser (1) and viewed in the vertical axial direction (x), so that the volatile material (6) is suppliable from above to an upper end section of the capillary element (4) and, starting from this upper end section, is conveyable further downwards by the capillary action of the capillary element (4).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, especially for dispensing fragrances and / or active substances

[0003] The invention refers to a dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, especially for dispensing fragrances and / or active substances, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further refers to a method for operating a dispenser according to the preamble of claim 34.

[0004] Various volatile material dispensers are known in the prior art and generally include a housing with a container inserted therein. The container generally holds a volatile material therein. In some dispensers, the volatile material is passively emitted therefrom. In other dispensers, a diffusion element is utilized to facilitate the dispensing of the volatile material. Examples of diffusion elements include heaters, piezoelectric elements, fans, aerosol actuators, and the like. It is generally known to insert the container into the housing of a dispenser from below, with respect to its use position and viewed in the vertical axis direction. A wick is regularly held in the container as a capillary element, by means of which the volatile material is then transported from the container to a free wick end projecting from the container. This free wick end forms a delivery zone at which the volatile material is discharged from the free wick end of the wick, possibly assisted by an air stream and / or assisted by a heating element, so that an air stream enriched with the volatile material can escape into the environment of the dispenser. Such a conventional setup is known, for example, from EP 3 235 518 A1 .

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to create a dispenser for dispensing volatile materials by means of which the efficiency of the dispenser can be further increased. This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject of the subclaims.

[0006] According to claim 1 , a dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, especially for dispensing fragrances and / or active substances, is proposed with a housing comprising a container in which a volatile material to be dispensed to the environment is accommodated. Furthermore, a capillary element is provided by means of which a volatile material dispensed from the container can be conveyed by the capillary effect in a predetermined direction, preferably in the direction of a delivery zone of the capillary element. According to the invention, at least a discharge point of the container, through which the volatile material is dischargeable from the container, preferably the entire container, is arranged above the capillary element in relation to the use position of the dispenser and viewed in the vertical axial direction, so that the volatile material is suppliable from above to an upper end section of the capillary element and, starting from this upper end section, is conveyable further downwards by the capillary action of the capillary element.

[0007] At this point it should be explicitly mentioned that above and below all indications of direction relating to the terms "above" and "below", including any variations thereof, such as "upper", "higher", "top", "below", "lower", "lowest", “underside” etc., always refer to the vertical axis direction of the dispenser in the use position, even if this is not explicitly stated.

[0008] As the inventors tests have shown, with such a top or upper arrangement of a container or at least its discharge point and thus with a loading of the capillary element from above, an extremely fast loading of the capillary element is achieved, which in turn leads to an extremely fast enrichment of the capillary element with the volatile material and thus to a saturation of the capillary element with the volatile material, which is important for effective dispensing. This makes the dispenser fully operational much faster than is the case with dispensers that are loaded from below. The inventors believe, without being bound by this theory, that with this top loading, the enrichment is gravity assisted, resulting in much faster saturation of the capillary element than is the case with conventional bottom-loading dispensers. In addition, the inventors tests have shown that the liquid weight of the volatile material in the capillary element is also significantly greater in the solution according to the invention, in which top loading takes place, than in the dispenser systems loaded only from below. According to the inventors, this is due to the fact, without again being bound by this theory, that the volatile material permanently flowing in from above prevents the capillary element from drying out quickly, as can be the case with conventional devices loaded from below. The latter applies in particular if, as will be described in detail below, additional measures are taken to wet the capillary element with the volatile material from below as well.

[0009] The dispenser according to the invention can be used in conjunction with all suitable and desired volatile materials, regardless of whether this involves pure fragrance delivery or pure active substance delivery or combined fragrance and active substance delivery. The application in the field of air care or in the field of pest control is also possible at any time with such a device according to the invention.

[0010] Further advantages result in particular with the optional, advantageous embodiments described below:

[0011] Thus, according to a particularly preferred concrete embodiment, it is provided that the discharge point, in relation to the vertical axis direction, forms the lowest point of the container. Alternatively, it can be provided that the capillary element directly adjoins the discharge point with its upper end section. This provides a particularly advantageous, functionally reliable transfer of the volatile material from the container to the capillary element.

[0012] In principle, the discharge at the discharge point could be carried out in such a way that the container has a valve which is opened when contact is made with the free upper end section of the capillary element in order to enable the discharge of the volatile material, and which is closed again when no contact is made with the capillary element in order to stop the discharge of the volatile material. However, such an arrangement is relatively complex and thus also expensive, so that according to a particularly preferred concrete arrangement, which is also easy to manufacture with high functional safety, it is provided that the upper end section of the capillary element has a piercing element and / or the upper end section of the capillary element is formed by a piercing element. By means of this piercing element, a container wall area of the container can be pierced in a volatile materialdelivery position of the container to form the discharge point, so that in the pierced state of the container wall area volatile material can be delivered through the discharge point.

[0013] In principle, there are different ways of equipping the dispenser or the housing of the dispenser with a container. According to a first embodiment, the container can be connected to the housing, preferably detachably, in such a way that when the container is connected to the housing, a downward displacement movement of the container in relation to the vertical axis direction takes place in the direction of the piercing element, whereby the piercing element pierces the container wall area after a defined displacement path in the volatile material delivery position. In connection with such a container that can preferably be detachably connected to the housing, it is also particularly preferred if the container can be connected to the housing by means of a screw connection. The latter can be produced particularly easily and reliably with high precision and also ensures controlled piercing by means of the piercing element when inserting the container.

[0014] Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the container is connected non- detachably, but in relation to the vertical axis direction, downwards displaceable towards the piercing element, such that the container, starting from an unpierced use position, pierces the container wall area of the container after a defined displacement path in the volatile material-delivery position when displaced towards the piercing element. In this context, it is then particularly preferred if the container is guided along a linear guiding device on the container. With a design of this kind, in which the container is non-detachably connected to the housing but can be displaced downwards towards the piercing element, particularly easy-to-operate and controllable push operations can be realized, especially in conjunction with the linear guiding device just mentioned.

[0015] A functionally reliable outflow of the volatile material from the container, combined with a functionally reliable overflow to the capillary element, results, for example, if the piercing element is designed in the form of a hollow needle, via whose inner cavity the volatile material flowing out of the container at the discharge point overflows or flows into the hollow needle. In order to avoid leakage, it is advantageous according to a particularly preferred and optional embodiment if the container wall area forming the discharge point is formed by a material, preferably an elastomer material, which encloses, preferably tightly encloses, the piercing element on its outside in the pierced state and / or which contracts again after removal of the piercing element and closes, preferably tightly closes, the piercing point. Preferably, this container wall area is a soft plastic part that will spring back to close the perforated area when the needle is removed. An example of such a material is silicone. Provided that the material is able to contract again after removal of the piercing element and thus close the puncture site, this has the advantage that the container can then also be transferred back to a non-use position in which no volatile material is released.

[0016] It is further advantageous that the container wall area forms at least part of a side wall of the container. In particular in the case of a container having a bottle neck, it can be advantageously provided that the container wall area is formed by a sealing element inserted into the bottle neck opening. Furthermore, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the free end of the hollow needle forming a pointed end is asymmetrical and has point areas projecting at different distances from the free end of the hollow needle. This ensures smoother penetration or perforation.

[0017] In order to prevent a vacuum or negative pressure from occurring in the container or to prevent the volatile material from escaping in an uncontrolled manner, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container is provided with a pressure compensation valve, preferably on the opposite side of the discharge point with respect to the vertical axis direction, which is configured in such a way that, when the volatile material escapes via the discharge point, air from the environment flows into the container for pressure compensation and that no volatile material escapes from the container. For example, such a pressure compensation valve can be formed by a membrane covering an air inlet opening, which forms or fulfils these functionalities. According to a further particularly preferred concrete embodiment, it is provided that the piercing element has a widening wall section which widens downwards and outwards in relation to the vertical axis direction, in particular a widening wall section which widens downwards and outwards in a conical and / or funnel-shaped manner, it preferably being provided that the widening wall section encloses a piercing element cavity. In addition, it is provided that a capillary element portion having or forming the delivery zone adjoins a lower piercing element end, with respect to the vertical axis direction, which faces away from the container, in such a way that the volatile material flows along the inside and / or along the outside of the widening wall section downwards to the capillary element portion having or forming the delivery zone of the capillary element.

[0018] With such a widening wall section, which widens downwards and outwards, a very good and controlled transfer and distribution of the volatile material flowing out of the container towards the capillary element portion having or forming the delivery zone can be achieved. This is particularly the case if the widening wall section is made of a material that has no capillary effect, for example a plastic material without capillary effect. In principle, however, the widening wall section could also be made at least partially of a material having a capillary effect, or the widening wall section could be coated on its outside and / or inside at least partially with a material having a capillary effect.

[0019] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the capillary element portion comprising or forming the delivery zone of the capillary element is formed by a tube extending downward with respect to the vertical axis direction and enclosing a tube cavity at least partially, preferably completely. A tube wall forming the tube can be produced at least partially, preferably completely, from a material having a capillary effect. Alternatively or additionally, the tube wall forming the tube can be coated at least partially, preferably completely, on its outer side and / or its inner side with a material having a capillary effect. In each case, this ensures that the volatile material is reliably conveyable by means of the tube from an upper tube end to a lower tube end, as seen in the vertical axis direction. The advantage of such a tube over conventional wick designs lies in particular in the fact that such a tube can have different shapes and designs, e.g. a substantially larger circumference, than a conventional wick, so that not only more effective dispensers can be realized, but also new possibilities are available with regard to the constructive design of dispensers.

[0020] For a compact and functionally reliable design, it is advantageous if the upper tube end can be detachably connected to the lower piercing element end by means of a plug connection. This is done, for example, in such a way that the lower piercing element end has an annular insertion section extending in the direction of the vertical axis, into which the upper tube end can be inserted with an associated insertion section, in particular by contacting the lower widening wall section of the piercing element. This variant, in which the lower piercing element end or the lower end of the widening wall section embraces the upper tube end on the outer circumference in an abutment connection, is particularly advantageous if the volatile material on the inside of the widening wall section flows downwards and thus strikes the upper tube end directly. In principle, however, the kinematic reversal also works, in particular with volatile material additionally or alternatively flowing downwards along the outside of the widening wall section. In such a kinematic reversal, the upper tube end then has an annular insertion section extending in the direction of the vertical axis, into which the lower piercing element end can be inserted with an associated insertion section.

[0021] In principle, there are different possibilities for the use of a material with a capillary effect. A particularly simple and technically reliable solution is, for example, when the capillary effect material is formed by a fibre paper and / or an absorbent paper. Such paper materials have the particular advantage that they can be easily cut to size and formed into the desired tubular shape. However, the use is of course not limited to such paper materials. Other materials can of course also be used, for example porous materials such as foamed plastic materials.

[0022] In order to achieve a good flow around or through the tube, it is particularly advantageous if a plurality of tube openings spaced apart from one another are formed in the tube wall and extend in the vertical axis direction and in the circumferential direction over at least part of the tube wall.

[0023] In principle, it is of particular advantage if the capillary element can be brought into contact at least in the delivery zone with an ambient air flow and / or with a forced air flow, so that the ambient air flow and / or the forced air flow is enriched with the volatile material stored in the delivery zone and flows away from the delivery zone. In connection with a forced air flow, this can be achieved, for example, by means of a fan and / or heater, or the like. Further, for a particularly preferred concrete embodiment, it is advantageous if the capillary element is configured and arranged in such a way that the ambient air flow and / or the forced air flow impinges on at least one tube outer impact and / or contact area of the delivery zone, accumulates volatile material there, further flows through the at least one tube opening located in the region of the at least one tube outer impact and / or contact area into the tube cavity and there further flows to at least one tube inner impact and / or contact area, further enriches itself there with volatile material and flows out of the delivery zone through the at least one tube opening located in the region of the at least one tube inner impact and / or contact area. In the case of a directed air flow, this air flow can be directed in such a way that it flows from a first tube outer impact and / or contact area into the tube cavity and then flows to a tube inner impact and / or contact area opposite the tube outer impact and / or contact area in the direction of flow.

[0024] The tube itself can in principle be designed differently, depending on the specific dispenser structure, i.e. that, in the assembled state, the tube is configured to surround the tube cavity at least partially, preferably to a large extent, most preferably completely, in circumferential direction.

[0025] For a particularly simple and low-cost production of the tube, it is advantageous if the tube, in the assembled state, is formed from a flexible and rectangular material web.

[0026] Furthermore, for a particularly effective design and construction of the dispenser, it is advantageous if the housing, in relation to the vertical axis direction, has a reservoir as a collection room on an underside of the capillary element facing away from the container, in which the volatile material dripping from the capillary element and / or from the container can be collected. For this purpose, it is preferred that a lower end section of the capillary element facing away from the container with respect to the vertical axis direction projects into the reservoir and, depending on the filling level of the volatile material in the reservoir, possibly dips into the volatile material collected there, so that the volatile material - depending on the volatile material saturation level of the capillary element - is suckable in by means of the with respect to the vertical axis direction lower end section of the capillary element and / or is conveyable upwards with respect to the vertical axis direction. The particular advantage of this optional further development according to the invention is that the volatile material dripping from the capillary element and / or from the container due to gravity is not lost, but is collected in the lower section of the container to be reused. This allows a particularly advantageous, sustainable use of the volatile material and also advantageously increases the liquid weight in the capillary element to such an extent that the capillary element is completely saturated with the volatile material, which results in a particularly effective dispensing of the volatile material by means of the dispenser. In particular, even if there is no more volatile material in the container itself, such a solution can easily ensure that volatile material can still be dispensed via the volatile material collected in the reservoir.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred concrete embodiment in this respect, it is provided that the reservoir has an annular circumferential collection room corresponding to the circumferential tube geometry of the tube, into which the lower tube end projects. In connection with such a structure, it can then be provided, for example, that the reservoir has a central dome section surrounded by the annular collection room, which is convexly curved upwards with respect to the vertical axis direction and lies geodetically higher than the collection room, so that the volatile material impinging on the dome section, in particular dripping directly downwards from the container, flows in a simple manner towards the collection room. This ensures in a simple way that no volatile material is lost and thus a complete consumption of the volatile material is guaranteed.

[0028] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the reservoir has a holder part which faces the tube and in which the tube is detachably held with its lower tube end, preferably detachably held in such a way that the tube has at the lower tube end at least one downwardly projecting holding finger which engages through an associated recess in the region of the holder part and projects into the collection space located therebelow. With such a solution, a particularly compact and functionally integrated design is also achieved.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, the holder part can be formed by a separate first component of the reservoir, which is detachably connected to a second component of the reservoir forming the collection room, preferably by means of a quick release connection, most preferably with a clip connection as quick release connection. Such a multi-part design allows a particularly simple arrangement and assembly of the tube in connection with the reservoir.

[0030] In connection with such a multi-part structure, it is also advantageous for ease of manufacture if the dome section is part of the holder part.

[0031] In addition, it is advantageous if, according to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the reservoir is flat on its underside in relation to the vertical axis direction. This means that the reservoir can then also form a standing surface of the dispenser.

[0032] The housing itself can be designed in different ways. For a particularly compact and stylish design of the dispenser it is provided that the housing has a housing shell which surrounds the capillary element, with respect to the circumferential direction, at least partially, preferably completely, and at a distance, and that the housing shell receives and supports the container approximately centrally on its upper side, so that the container is arranged above the capillary element in relation to the use position of the dispenser and as seen in the vertical axis direction.

[0033] Another preferred design is one in which the reservoir is arranged on the side of the housing opposite the container in the vertical axis direction, so that the housing shell is essentially arranged between the container and the reservoir. This makes it easy to realize a compact, stylish design, as already explained above. In this context, it is further advantageous if the housing shell is held with its lower end section, relative to the vertical axis direction, by means of a plug connection to a plug receiving element of the reservoir, preferably to a plug receiving element formed in the region of the holding part.

[0034] For a simple and functionally reliable delivery of the air enriched with the volatile material, a particularly preferred embodiment provides that the housing shell has, at least in the region and / or at the level of the delivery zone of the capillary element, a plurality of spaced-apart air passage openings which extend in the vertical axis direction and in the circumferential direction over at least a partial region of the housing shell.

[0035] In principle, there are various ways of designing the geometry of the housing shell. For example, the housing shell can have a round or angular or oval outer geometry, to name just a few examples. Mixed forms of various different geometries are of course also possible.

[0036] Furthermore, the object according to the invention is solved by a method for operating a dispenser. The advantages resulting therefrom are identical with those of the device previously mentioned in detail, so that reference is made to the explanations previously given in order to avoid repetition.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to a number of figures showing different embodiments:

[0038] Figure 1 a schematic, perspective exterior view of an exemplary first embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention,

[0039] Figure 2a the dispenser according to figure 1 in a perspective, extended view,

[0040] Figure 2 b a schematic longitudinal section through the dispenser according to Figure 1 ,

[0041] Figure 3 a schematic cross-section through the container of Figure 1 ,

[0042] RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Figure 4 a schematic perspective view of an exemplary second embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention,

[0043] Figure 5a a perspective, extended view of the dispenser according to Figure 4,

[0044] Figure 5b a schematic longitudinal section through the dispenser of Figure 4.

[0045] Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective an exemplary first embodiment of a dispenser 1 according to the invention, which has a multi-part housing 2, which is also apparent in particular from the illustrations in Figures 2a and 2b. Specifically, the housing 2 has a housing shell 3 as an outer enclosure, which here only exemplarily has a substantially round outer geometry.

[0046] The housing shell 3 extends in the vertical axis direction x and has, on its upper side as seen in the vertical axis direction x, a container 5 in which a volatile material 6, for example a fragrance and / or an active substance, to be delivered to the environment is accommodated.

[0047] At this point it is, once again, explicitly mentioned that all indications of direction relating to the terms "above" and "below", including any variations thereof, such as "upper", "higher", "top", "below", "lower", "lowest" etc., always refer to the vertical axis direction x of the dispenser 1 in the use position as shown in Figures 1 , 2a and 2b as well as in Figures 4, 5a and 5b, even if this is not explicitly stated.

[0048] On the underside of the housing 2 opposite the container 5 in the vertical axis direction x is arranged a reservoir 7 as a further component of the housing 2, which will be described in more detail below and whose underside 8 is flat to form a flat standing surface. A capillary element 4 is arranged in the interior of the housing 2 or the housing shell 3, as can be seen in particular from the joint view of Figures 2a and 2b, in such a way that the housing shell 3 completely surrounds or encloses the capillary element 4 here, for example, on the circumferential side and at a distance.

[0049] As can be further seen from Figures 1 , 2a and 2b, the housing shell 3 accommodates the container 5 at its upper side 9 approximately centrally, relative to the vertical axis direction x, so that the container 5 is arranged above the capillary element 4, relative to the use position of the dispenser 1 shown in Figures 1 , 2a and 2b and as viewed in the vertical axis direction x.

[0050] As can be seen in particular from Figure 3, which shows an enlarged, perspective sectional view through the container 5, the container in the example case shown here has a container wall 10 on its underside facing the capillary element 4, which in cooperation with the capillary element 4 forms a discharge point 11 in a manner to be described, at which the volatile material 6 stored in the container 5 can be withdrawn from the container 5 and fed to the capillary element 4.

[0051] To form the discharge point 11 , the capillary element 4 has a piercing element 12 at a free upper end section, which in turn is designed in the manner of a hollow needle having an inner cavity 13.

[0052] In the example shown here, the container 5 is non-detachably connected to the housing 2 or housing shell 3, but can be moved in the direction of the piercing element 12. If the container 5 is now displaced towards the piercing element 12 from a (not shown) non-pierced starting position, as is only schematically indicated by the arrow 14 in Figure 2b, then the piercing element 12 pierces the container wall 10, as is schematically shown in Figure 2b, forming the discharge point 11.

[0053] For example, the container 5 can be guided here on the upper side of the housing shell 3 along a linear guiding device not shown in detail, so that only a push operation is required to pierce the container wall 10 by means of the piercing element 12.

[0054] As shown schematically in Figure 2b by the arrows 15, the volatile material 6 can now flow out of the container 5 via the inner cavity 13 of the piercing element 12 after piercing the container wall 10.

[0055] The elastomer material of the container wall 10 is preferably designed in such a way that it tightly encloses the piercing element 12 on its outside when pierced and contracts again after removal of the piercing element 12 and preferably tightly seals the piercing point 11 .

[0056] As can be seen from Figure 2b, the free end of the piercing element, which forms a pointed end, can be asymmetrical in shape and have point areas 16, 17 projecting at different distances from the free end of the hollow needle.

[0057] As can be seen in particular from Figure 3, the container 5 has a pressure compensation valve 18 on the side opposite the container wall 10 in the vertical axis direction x, by means of which air from the environment can flow into the container 5 for pressure compensation when the volatile material 6 flows out via the discharge point 11 , but via which pressure compensation valve 18 no volatile material 6 can flow out of the container 5. For example, this pressure compensation valve 18 is formed by a membrane 19 fulfilling these functions, which covers an air vent 20, here for example from the inside.

[0058] As can be seen in particular from Figure 2b, the piercing element 12 also has a widening wall section 21 which widens conically or funnel-shaped downwards and outwards in the direction of the vertical axis x and encloses a piercing element cavity 22. The entire piercing element 12, i.e. the upper part of the piercing element 12, which is formed in the manner of a hollow needle, and the widening wall section 21 , which adjoins it at the bottom, are preferably formed here from a material which has no capillary effect, for example from a plastic material. This piercing element 12 of the capillary element 4 is adjoined at the bottom by a tube 24 which completely encloses a tube cavity 23, here merely by way of example. The tube wall 25 of the tube 24 is here, for example, made entirely of a material having a capillary effect, for example formed by a fibre paper or an absorbent paper.

[0059] Specifically, an upper tube end 26 is detachably connected to a lower piercing element end 27 by means of a plug connection 28. To make this plug connection 28, the lower piercing element end 27 has an annular insertion section 29 aligned approximately in the vertical axis direction x, into which the upper tube end 26 can be inserted with an associated insertion section 30. The insertion of the upper tube end 26 is limited by the beginning of the conical wall area of the widening wall section 21 adjoining the insertion section 29.

[0060] As can be seen from Figure 2b, which is merely schematic and exemplary, with such a structure at least part of the volatile material flowing in via the piercing element 12 can flow along the inside of the widening wall section 21 down to the tube 24, where the volatile material is sucked up by the tube 24 and can be transported in accordance with the arrows 31 from the upper tube end 26, relative to the vertical axis direction x, to a lower tube end 32.

[0061] In other words, by the container 5 being arranged above the capillary element 4, the volatile material 6 can first be fed to an upper end section of the capillary element 4 and then be conveyed downward by means of the capillary effect of the capillary element 4.

[0062] As can be seen very clearly in particular from Figure 2a, the tube wall 25 has a large number of tube openings 33 spaced apart from one another, which extend here only by way of example in the vertical axis direction and in the circumferential direction over the entire tube wall 25 and thus form a delivery zone 34. The tube 24 can, for example, be formed from a flexible and rectangularly cut fibre paper or absorbent paper as a material web, which in the assembled state is formed into the completely circumferential tube 24 shown in the figures.

[0063] A plurality of air passage openings 35, which are also spaced apart from one another, are assigned to the delivery zone 34 of the tube 24 on the housing shell 3 and extend here, again only by way of example, in the vertical axis direction and in the circumferential direction over the part of the housing shell 3 assigned to the delivery zone 34. Thus, as can be seen in particular from Figure 2b, an ambient air flow 36 can flow via the air passage openings 35 in the direction of the tube 24 and there impinge on a tube outer impact and / or contact area 37 of the delivery zone 34, where it can accumulate volatile material 6, further flow through the tube openings 33 into the tube cavity 23 and there further flow to a tube inner impact and / or contact area 38, there further enrich themselves with volatile material 6 and flow out of the dispenser 1 through the tube openings 33 located in the area of the tube inner impact and / or contact area 38 out of the delivery zone 34 and finally via the air passage openings 35 in the housing shell 3 out of the dispenser 1 into the environment.

[0064] As can be seen from the joint view of Figures 1 , 2a and 2b, the reservoir 7 has a holder part 39 formed here by a separate component, in which the tube 24 is releasably held by a plurality of downwardly projecting holding fingers 40 formed at its lower tube end 32. Specifically, this is done in such a way that the holding fingers 40 engage through recesses 41 in the region of the holder part 39 and project into an underlying collection room 42, which is part of the second component of the reservoir 7 forming the standing surface. This collection room 42 corresponds here to the circumferential tube geometry of the tube 24 and is thus also of annular circumferential design.

[0065] In this collection room 42, the volatile material 6 dripping from the lower tube end 32 can collect as well as the volatile material 6 dripping directly downwards from the container 5 or from the piercing element cavity 22, respectively, essentially due to gravity, which is schematically shown in Figure 2b by the arrows 43.

[0066] The holder part 39 and the second component of the reservoir 7 forming the collection room 42 are detachably connected here only by means of a clip connection as a quick release connection 44.

[0067] As can be seen from Figure 2b, in the example case shown here the holder part 39 also has a central dome section 45 which, in the assembled state, is surrounded by the annular collection room 42 and which, in relation to the vertical axis direction x, is convexly curved upwards and lies geodetically higher than the collection room 42. As a result, the volatile material 6 (arrow 43) hitting the dome section 45, in particular dripping directly downward from the container 5, can flow directly toward the collection room 42 after impact and be collected there.

[0068] For example, the volume of the collection room 42 may be greater than or equal to the volume of volatile material contained in the container 5. As can be seen further, the housing shell 3 is further retained here with its lower end section 46 by means of a plug receiving element 47 of the reservoir 7 in the region of the holder part 39.

[0069] Such a design ensures that the volatile material 6 collected in the collection room 42 can also be sucked in by means of the tube 24 and conveyed upwards as seen in the vertical axis direction x, as shown by the arrows 48 in Figure 2b.

[0070] Figures 4, 5a and 5b show a second embodiment alternative to the first embodiment of Figures 1 , 2a, 2b and 3, which is described here only insofar as it differs from the first embodiment. Otherwise, the same parts are designated with the same reference signs.

[0071] A first difference of the second embodiment according to figures 4, 5a and 5b is that the container 5 here has a bottle-like shape with a bottle neck 49, wherein a sealing element 51 is inserted into the bottle neck opening 50. This sealing element 51 has the same function as the container wall 10 of the first embodiment to be pierced with the piercing element 12.

[0072] A further difference is that the container 5 is designed here as an exchangeable refill and accordingly the container 5 can be detachably connected to the housing 2 or the upper side of the housing shell 3 in such a way that when the bottle neck 49 of the container 5, which has a corresponding thread, is screwed in, a downward displacement movement of the container 5 towards the piercing element 12 takes place and the piercing element 12 pierces the sealing element 51 after a defined displacement path in the volatile material delivery position shown in Figure 5b. As a result, the volatile material 6 emerges from the container 5 in the same way as in the first embodiment and flows into the inner cavity 13 of the piercing element 12, which is otherwise essentially identical.

[0073] A final difference to the embodiment according to the first embodiment example of Figures 1 , 2a, 2b and 3 is that the collection room 42 in the second embodiment example is correspondingly adapted to the larger volume of the container 5 and is accordingly also larger than in the first embodiment example. Otherwise, the structure corresponds to that of the first embodiment, so that reference is made in this respect to the explanations there.

[0074] 5

[0075] Reference list

[0076] 1 dispenser 30 insertion section

[0077] 2 housing 31 arrow

[0078] 3 housing shell 32 lower tube end

[0079] 4 capillary element 33 tube opening

[0080] 5 container 34 delivery zone

[0081] 6 volatile material 35 air passage opening

[0082] 7 reservoir 36 ambient air flow

[0083] 8 lower side 37 tube outer impact and / or

[0084] 9 upper side contact area

[0085] 10 container wall 38 tube inner impact and / or

[0086] 11 discharge point contact area

[0087] 12 piercing element 39 holder part

[0088] 13 inner cavity 40 holding finger

[0089] 14 arrow 41 recess

[0090] 15 arrow 42 collection room

[0091] 16 point area 43 arrow

[0092] 17 point area 44 quick release connection

[0093] 18 pressure compensation valve 45 dome section

[0094] 19 membrane 46 lower end section

[0095] 20 air vent 47 plug receiving element

[0096] 21 widening wall section 48 arrow

[0097] 22 piercing element cavity 49 bottle neck

[0098] 23 tube cavity 50 bottle neck opening

[0099] 24 tube 51 sealing element

[0100] 25 tube wall

[0101] 26 upper tube end

[0102] 27 lower piercing element end

[0103] 28 plug connection

[0104] 29 insertion section

Claims

Claims1 . Dispenser for dispensing volatile materials, with a housing (2) comprising a container (5) in which a volatile material (6) to be delivered to the environment is accommodated, with a capillary element (4), by means of which a volatile material (6) discharged from the container (5) is conveyable by means of the capillary effect in a predetermined direction, preferably in the direction of a delivery zone (34) of the capillary element (4), characterized in that at least a discharge point (11 ) of the container (5), through which the volatile material (6) is dischargeable from the container (5), preferably the entire container (5), is arranged above the capillary element (4) in relation to the use position of the dispenser (1 ) and viewed in the vertical axial direction (x), so that the volatile material (6) is suppliable from above to an upper end section of the capillary element (4) and, starting from this upper end section, is conveyable further downwards by the capillary action of the capillary element (4).

2. Dispenser according to claim 1 , characterised in that the discharge point (11 ), in relation to the vertical axis direction, forms the lowest point of the container (5) and / or that the capillary element (4) directly adjoins the discharge point(11 ) with its upper end section.

3. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterised in that the upper end section of the capillary element (4) has a piercing element(12) and / or the upper end section of the capillary element (4) is formed by apiercing element (12), with a container wall area of the container (5) in a volatile material-delivery position of the container (5) being pierceable by means of the piercing element (12) to form the discharge point (11 ), such that in the pierced state of the container wall area volatile material (6) is deliverable through the discharge point (11 ).

4. Dispenser according to claim 3, characterised in that the container (5) is connectable, preferably detachably connectable, to the housing (2) such that, when the container (5) is connected to the housing (2), a downwardly directed displacement movement of the container (5) in relation to the vertical axis direction (x) takes place in the direction of the piercing element (12) and the piercing element (12) pierces the container wall area after a defined displacement path in the volatile material delivery position.

5. Dispenser according to claim 3, characterised in that the container (5) is connected non-detachably, but in relation to the vertical axis direction (x), downwards displaceable towards the piercing element (12), such that the container (5), starting from an unpierced use position, pierces the container wall area of the container (5) after a defined displacement path in the volatile material-delivery position when displaced towards the piercing element (12).

6. Dispenser according to any one of claim 3 to 5, characterised in that the piercing element (12) is designed in the manner of a hollow needle, via the inner cavity (13) of which the volatile material (6) flowing out of the container (5) at the discharge point (11 ) flows into the hollow needle.

7. Dispenser according to claim 6, characterised in that the container wall area forming the discharge point (11 ) is formed by a material, preferably an elastomer material, which encloses, preferably tightly encloses, the piercing element (12) on its outside in the pierced state and / or which contracts again after removal of the piercing element (12) and closes, preferably tightly closes, the piercing point.

8. Dispenser according to claim 7, characterised in that the container wall area forms at least part of a side wall of the container (5), in particular in the case of a container (5) having a bottle neck (49), it is provided that the container wall area is formed by a sealing element (51 ) inserted into the bottle neck opening (50).

9. Dispenser according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the free end of the hollow needle forming a pointed end is asymmetrical and has point areas (16, 17) projecting at different distances from the free end of the hollow needle.

10. Dispenser according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the container (5), preferably on the opposite side of the discharge point (11 ) with respect to the vertical axis direction (x), has a pressure compensation valve (18) configured in such way that, when the volatile material (6) flows out via the discharge point (11 ), air from the environment flows into the container (5) for pressure compensation and that no volatile material (6) emerges from the container (5).11 . Dispenser according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the piercing element (12) has a widening wall section (21 ) which widens downwards and outwards in relation to the vertical axis direction (x), in particular a widening wall section (21 ) which widens downwards and outwards in a conical and / or funnel-shaped manner, it preferably being provided that the widening wall section (21 ) encloses a piercing element cavity (22), and that a capillary element portion comprising or forming the delivery zone (34) adjoins a lower piercing element end (27) facing away from the container (5) with respect to the vertical axis direction (x), such that the volatile material (6) flows along the inside and / or along the outside of the widening wall section (21 ) down to the capillary element portion comprising or forming the delivery zone (24) of the capillary element (4).

12. Dispenser according to claim 11 , characterised inthat the capillary element portion comprising or forming the delivery zone (34) of the capillary element (4) is formed by a tube (24) extending downwards with respect to the vertical axis direction (x) and enclosing a tube cavity (23) at least partially, preferably completely, with a tube wall (25) forming the tube (24) being produced at least partially, preferably completely, from a material having a capillary effect and / or with a tube wall (25) forming the tube (24) being coated at least partially, preferably completely, on its outer side and / or its inner side with a material having a capillary effect, and that the volatile material (6) is conveyable by means of the tube (24) from an upper tube end (26) to a lower tube end (32), as seen in the vertical axis direction (x).

13. Dispenser according to claims 11 and 12, characterised in that the upper tube end (26) is detachably connected to the lower piercing element end (27) by means of a plug connection, in particular in such a way that the lower piercing element end (27) has an annular insertion section (29) extending in vertical axis direction (x), into which the upper tube end (26) is insertable with an associated insertion section (30).

14. Dispenser according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the widening wall section (21 ) is made of a material having no capillary effect or is coated with a material having no capillary effect, or that the widening wall section (21 ) is produced at least partially from a material having a capillary effect or that the widening wall section (21 ) is coated on its outer side and / or inner side at least partially with a material having a capillary effect.

15. Dispenser according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the material having a capillary effect is formed by a fibre paper and / or absorbent paper.

16. Dispenser according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that a plurality of spaced tube openings (33) are formed in the tube wall (25)extending in vertical axis direction (x) and in circumferential direction over at least a portion of the tube wall (25).

17. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capillary element (4), at least in the delivery zone (34), is contactable with an ambient air flow (36) and / or with a forced air flow, such that the ambient air flow (36) and / or the forced air flow accumulates with the volatile material (6) stored in the delivery zone (34) and flows away from the delivery zone (34).

18. Dispenser according to claim 16 and 17, characterised in that the capillary element (4) is configured and arranged in such a way that the ambient air flow (36) and / or the forced air flow impinges on at least one tube outer impact and / or contact area (37) of the delivery zone (34), accumulates volatile material (6) there, further flows through the at least one tube opening (33) located in the region of the at least one tube outer impact and / or contact area (37) into the tube cavity (23) and there further flows to at least one tube inner impact and / or contact area (38), further enriches itself there with volatile material (6) and flows out of the delivery zone (34) through the at least one tube opening (33) located in the region of the at least one tube inner impact and / or contact area (38).

19. Dispenser according to any one of the claims 12 to 18, characterised in that, in the assembled state, the tube (24) is configured to surround the tube cavity (23) at least partially, preferably to a large extent, most preferably completely, in circumferential direction.

20. Dispenser according to claim 19, characterised in that the tube (24), in the assembled state, is formed from a flexible and rectangular material web.21 . Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (2), in relation to the vertical axis direction (x), has a reservoir (7) as a collection room (42) on an underside of the capillary element (4) facing away from the container (5), in which reservoir the volatile material (6)dripping from the capillary element (4) and / or from the container (5) is collectable.

22. Dispenser according to claim 21 , characterised in that a lower end section of the capillary element (4) facing away from the container (5) with respect to the vertical axis direction (x) projects into the reservoir (7) and, depending on the filling level of the volatile material (6) in the reservoir (7), dips into the volatile material (6) collected there, so that the volatile material (6) - depending on the volatile material saturation level of the capillary element (4) - is suckable in by means of the with respect to the vertical axis direction (x) lower end section of the capillary element (4) and / or is conveyable upwards with respect to the vertical axis direction (x).

23. Dispenser according to any one of claims 12 to 20 and claim 22, characterised in that the reservoir (7) has an annular collection room (42) corresponding to the circumferential tube geometry of the tube (24), into which the lower tube end (32) projects.

24. Dispenser according to claim 23, characterised in that the reservoir (7) has a central dome section (45) surrounded by the annular collection room (42), which dome section (45) is convexly curved upwards with respect to the vertical axis direction (x) and lies geodetically higher than the collection room (42), so that the volatile material (6) impinging on the dome section (45), in particular dripping directly downwards from the container (5), flows in the direction of the collection room (42).

25. Dispenser according to claim 23 or 24, characterised in that the reservoir (7) has a holder part (39) which faces the tube (24) and in which the tube (24) is detachably held with its lower tube end (32), preferably detachably held in such a way that the tube (24) has at the lower tube end (32) at least one downwardly projecting holding finger (40) which engages through an associated recess (41 ) in the region of the holder part (39) and projects into the collection space (42) located therebelow.

26. Dispenser according to claim 25, characterised in that the holder part (39) is formed by a separate first component of the reservoir (7), which is detachably connected to a second component of the reservoir (7) forming the collection room (42), preferably by means of a quick release connection (44), most preferably with a clip connection as quick release connection (44).

27. Dispenser according to claim 24 and claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the dome section (45) is part of the holder part (39).

28. Dispenser according to any one of claims 21 to 27, characterised in that the reservoir (7) is flat on its underside as seen in the vertical axis direction (x).

29. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (2) has a housing shell (3) which surrounds the capillary element (4), with respect to the circumferential direction, at least partially, preferably completely, and at a distance, and that the housing shell (3) receives and supports the container (5) approximately centrally on its upper side, so that the container (5) is arranged above the capillary element (4) in relation to the use position of the dispenser (1 ) and as seen in the vertical axis direction (x).

30. Dispenser according to claim 28 and 29, characterised in that the reservoir (7) is arranged on the side of the housing (2) opposite the container (5) in vertical axis direction (x), so that the housing shell (3) extends and is arranged substantially between the container (5) and the reservoir (7).

31. Dispenser according to any one of claims 21 to 28 and claim 29 or 30, characterised in that the housing shell (3) is held with its lower end section (46) by means of a plug connection to a plug receiving element (47) of the reservoir (7), preferably to a plug receiving element (47) formed in the region of the holder part (39).

32. Dispenser according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , characterised in that the housing shell (3) has, at least in the region and / or at the level of the deliveryzone (34) of the capillary element (4), a plurality of spaced-apart air passage openings (35) which extend in vertical axis direction (x) and in circumferential direction over at least a partial region of the housing shell (3).

33. Dispenser according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterised in that the housing shell (3) has a round or square or oval outer geometry.

34. Method for operating a dispenser (1 ), especially a dispenser (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, with a housing (2) comprising a container (5) in which a volatile material (6) to be delivered to the environment is accommodated, with a capillary element (4), by means of which a volatile material (6) discharged from the container (5) is conveyable by means of the capillary effect in a predetermined direction, preferably in the direction of a delivery zone (34) of the capillary element (4), characterized in that at least a discharge point (11 ) of the container (5), through which the volatile material (6) is dischargeable from the container (5), preferably the entire container (5), is arranged above the capillary element (4) in relation to the use position of the dispenser (1 ) and viewed in the vertical axial direction (x), so that the volatile material (6) is supplied from above to an upper end section of the capillary element (4) and, starting from this upper end section, is conveyed further downwards by the capillary action of the capillary element (4).

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