Pendant Capable Of Exposing Different Areas Of A Volatile Tablet

Abstract

A device for exposing different areas of a body of a volatile material can be constructed using a multi-part housing to contain the body. At least one of the parts of the housing has at least one perforate area and at least one imperforate area. The housing and the body are shaped so that the body may be assembled in the housing against movement in different positions in which different portions of the body are covered by the perforate area or areas of the housing. Preferably the device is formed as a pendant so as to include means for securing the housing to a support member such as the collar fitting around the neck of an animal. Preferably the body used is in a disc-like tablet form and includes a volatile flea and tick insecticide.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention set forth in this specification is broadly directed to devices for holding a body of a volatile material so that vapors from such a body of material may be distributed externally of the device. It is presently considered that this invention will have its primary utility in the construction of so-called "flea pendants" for use in holding a recognized flea and tick insecticide. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to devices having only this utility.

In many fields it is desirable to hold a body of a volatile material so that vapors from such material can be readily disseminated. Thus, for example, such bodies of material are frequently held so that they are exposed to air in locations where vapors from the material may combat or mask noxious odors or in locations where vapors of the material held may tend to prevent moth damage or the like.

Although on many occasions bodies of material to be vaporized have merely been located in an area where ambient air can contact such bodies, it has become conventional to hold or support such bodies in perforate housings so that the vapors from them are distributed through the openings in these housings. There are a number of reasons for this use of housings. Certain of such reasons concern essentially aesthetic considerations. It is considered, however, that the use of perforate housings in holding bodies of volatile material is primarily desirable in preventing or limiting direct access to these bodies of materials. The use of housing such things effectively minimizes toxicity problems and the like.

Although it is commonplace to form perforate housings as indicated which can be taken apart so that the new bodies of material can be located within them, it is considered that such devices as indicated are unsatisfactory from a commercial standpoint in that they do not make adequate provisions for the use of a body containing a volatile material over a prolonged period. This can be readily illustrated by referring to so-called flea pendants as are commonly used with dogs and cats.

Such flea pendants can be constructed in such a manner that new or fresh bodies containing volatile material can be located within them. Generally, however, this is undesirable to the users of such pendants because of problems of locating and storing a body of a particular shape or size to fit within a particular housing. As a consequence of this and as a consequence of a relatively low cost of a perforate housing for holding a body as indicated it is commonplace to manufacture at least so-called flea pendants with sealed housings so that these devices are simply thrown away and replaced after the volatile material within them has become vaporized.

One major factor which is influenced the comparatively widespread adoption and use of pendants such as flea pendants having sealed housings concerns possible poisoning or toxic type reactions. It is well known that children like to play with their pets. During such play there is the distinct possibility that any comparatively small child might disassemble a separable housing used in a flea pendant. If this should occur there is a significant danger that the child might then taste the body of material within the pendant housing or might rub such a body of material against his or her skin.

If something of this type should occur there would be a significant danger of damage to the child. In the past the only effective way of combating such damage has been to seal the housings used so that a child cannot gain access to a material within such housings. Also, it has been conventional to form the openings within such housings so that they are sufficiently small as to effectively preclude a child gaining access to the material within them through their openings or perforations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A broad objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device for use in distributing the vapors from a body containing a volatile material which is not subject to the various limitations and disadvantages of prior related structures such as are briefly indicated in the preceding discussion. A more specific objective of the present invention is to provide a device as indicated which is of such a character that a body of material within the device may be located in various different positions within the device so that different portions of such device may be sequentially exposed to ambient air. It is not considered that the importance of this feature or objective of this invention will be readily apparent.

Normally a body of material within a flea pendant or the like is located in a housing so that effectively all portions of such a body of material are exposed to at least some extent to the perforations in the housing used. As a conseuquence of this, vapors are given off by substantially parts of the body as the device is used. As a consequence of this, after a period of time the body has no further utility. In accordance with this invention the housing used is constructed so that only one or more portions of such a body of material are exposed through housing perforations at any one time and the remainder of the body is at all times covered so as to minimize vaporization from it.

As a consequence of this, it is possible to construct the unit with the body of sufficient size so that at periodic intervals fresh portions of the body of material are exposed to the exterior of the device when previously exposed areas of the body have been exhausted of their volatile content. As a consequence of this, the device itself can be sold for use over a relatively prolonged period without a purchaser being concerned with buying either a new device with a sealed housing or buying and storing separate replacement bodies containing a volatile material.

A further specific objective of the present invention is to provide devices of the type indicated which are of a child-resistant character in that they are of such a nature that they cannot be readily opened by comparatively young children. It will be recognized that there is a large body of existent art relative to child-resistant closures which is not specifically discussed in this specification. In some of its more specific aspects the invention is concerned with housings or devices as indicated which use features from such known closures and which are more desirable than such closures inasmuch as they utilize means for securing said housings against opening and in that they utilize novel spring means as hereinafter described.

Further objectives of the present invention are to provide devices as indicated in the preceding discussion which may be easily and conveniently constructed at a comparatively nominal cost, which may be used with a minimum of difficulty, which are capable of providing prolonged effective service and which are of such a character that there is little danger of problems of toxicity or the like arising from their use.

In accordance with this invention these and various related objectives are achieved in a device having a perforate housing holding a body containing a volatile material by the improvement which comprises: the body being a multi-part housing including means for securing the parts of the housing together, at least one of the parts of the housing having at least one perforate area and at least one imperforate area, the body fitting within the interior of the housing so that portions of the body are covered by both perforate and imperforate areas, and the housing in the body being formed so that they may be assembled with the body in the housing in different relative positions in which different portions of the body are covered by the perforate area and in which the body is held against movement relative to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention involves a number of facets and features which will not be directly apparent from the aforegoing summary. Further details with respect to this invention are best explained with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a presently preferred embodiment or form of a pendant in accordance with this invention, this view being partially broken away in order to reveal certain aspects of the construction of this device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a modified form of a pendant in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a further modified form of a pendant in accordance with this invention.

The structure shown in the drawing embodies the essentially intangible concepts of the invention verbally set forth in the appended claims forming a part of this disclosure. These concepts can be utilized in various different devices which are different from the illustrated pendants through the use or exercise of routine product engineering skill. For this reason the illustrated structures are not to be taken as limiting the invention in any respect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing there is shown a device or pendant 10 in accordance with this invention which has a two-part housing 12 consisting of a container 14 and a lid 16. This container 14 has a bottom 18 and a peripheral cylindrical wall 20. This wall 20 preferably, but not necessarily includes a stepped shoulder 22 which is adapted to fit against the lower edge of a skirt 24 carried by the top 26 of the lid 16. This cylindrical skirt 24 is adapted to be spaced concentrically around an upper portion 28 of the wall 20 so as to be spaced a short distance from a plurality of equally spaced locking elements 30 located on the exterior of the portion 28.

These locking elements 30 include sloping surfaces 32 leading to notches 34 which face away from the top of the container 14 towards the shoulder 22. These locking elements 30 are adapted to coact with other locking elements 36 on the interior of the skirt 24 so as to hold the lid 16 in place. These other locking elements 36 are essentially lugs which are designed to move against and along the surfaces 32 as the pendant 10 is assembled. If desired, these locking elements 30 and 36 may be considered as mating elements because of the manner in which they operate. Preferably at least three of the elements 30 and an equal number of the elements 36 are used and all of these elements are spaced angularly around the housing 12 an equal amount.

The housing 12 also includes lugs 38 formed on both the wall 20 and the skirt 24 in such a manner that these lugs 38 overlap one another and abut against one another when the locking elements 36 are within the notches 34. These lugs 38 are provided with centrally located holes 40 which are aligned with one another when the container 14 and the lid 16 are in this position. These lugs 38 and these holes 40 serve as important in the pendant 10 in preventing the lid 16 from being moved on the container 14 past the point where the locking elements 36 have gone beyond the notches 34.

Because of this function these lugs 38 may be considered as a "stop means." In addition, however, these lugs 38 provide a structure whereby a conventional fastener such as a snap hook 42 may be secured to the pendant 10 for the purpose of securing this pendant 10 to a support member such as an animal collar or the like and for the purpose of blocking or preventing undesired opening of the lid 16. Thus, these lugs 38 and the holes 40 may be considered as a "means" for securing the pendant 10 to a fastener so as to prevent undesired opening and for supporting the entire pendant 10.

The pendant 10 also preferably includes at least one axially extending rib 44 located on the interior of the wall 20. This rib 44 is designed to fit within any of several correspondingly shaped notches 46 in the cylindrical wall 48 of a disc-shaped body 50 containing a volatile material. When the pendant 10 is assembled, this body 50 has sides 52 which fit against the bottom 18 and the top 26. Preferably, but not necessarily this body 50 has a central opening 54. The purpose of this rib 44 and of the notches 46 relates to the indexing of the body 50 in various positions within the housing 12 so that it is secured against movement within this housing 12.

As the pendant 10 is assembled as shown, areas 56 in the top 26 expose portions (not numbered) of one of the sides 52 of the body 50 while other portions (not numbered) of this same side 52 are covered by the remainder of the top 26. Normal circulation of air, and in some cases heat from ambient sources, will be adequate to convey volatile material from the body 50 through these perforate areas while such loss of volatile material from the covered portion of this side 52 is substantially prevented. When such an exposed portion of the body 50 has been exhausted of volatile material the housing 12 may be disassembled and the body 50 may be turned within the housing 12 so as to be indexed so that a fresh portion of this body 50 will be exposed so that vaporization can occur.

This is essentially an indexing function which can be accomplished by various conventional indexing means such as through the use of non-round configurations on the exterior of the body 50 and on the interior of the wall 20 or the like. Preferably the perforate areas 56 in the top 26 contain perforations which are sufficiently small so that there is substantially no danger of a child extracting material from the body 50 through them. If desired, the bottom 18 may be provided with perforate areas 56 corresponding to those in the top 26.

It will be recognized that these perforate areas 56 must be correlated around the axis of the housing 12 so as to extend in an angular amount in an amount equal to the angular displacement between the rib 44 and the notches 46. If it is intended that the body 50 only be "exposed" twice during the use of the pendant 10, these areas 56 can cover approximately one-half of either the top 26 and/or the bottom 18. If it is intended that the body 50 be moved for three different consecutive periods of use the perforate areas 56 should cover approximately one-third of any surface within which they are located.

In order to complete the pendant 10 it is considered necessary to incorporate within this device "means" which will resiliently bias the locking element 36 within the notches 34 of the locking elements 30 so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the housing 12 if the hook 42 should be disengaged from the lugs 38. In the embodiment of the invention as shown, such a spring action is accomplished by forming either the container 14 or the lid 16, or both, out of a comparatively resilient material which will abut against the sides 52 of the body 50.

When there is such abutment the top 26 and the bottom 18 will flex in such a manner as to permit the locking elements 36 to be twisted down against spring or spring pressure on the sloping surfaces 32 of the locking elements 30 as the device is assembled. If because of design limitations adequate flexure cannot be achieved directly within the top 26 of the bottom 18, it is possible to include upon either or both of these parts a small bump 58 which will engage the body 50 so as to tend to increase the flexure necessary to achieve the desired spring action.

Many materials are capable of being utilized so as to achieve this spring action. Preferably the parts of the housing 12 are formed by injection molding techniques out of a somewhat resilient, inert polymer or polymer composition which possesses the desired resilient characteristics and which is also sufficiently physically strong as to resist breaking. A number of such polymers are well known at the present time. It is considered that both the container 14 and the lid 16 may be satisfactorily formed out of common injection molding grade polypropylene or the like.

Such resilient materials are particularly desired in the housing 12 when the body 50 is formed as a disc out of comparatively non-resilient compositions such as a compressed body of crystals of a volatile material. This body 50 can, however, include various other inert secondary ingredients designed to secure particles within it together or as to act as a carrier for a volatile material or composition. In the preferred use of the pendant 10 the body 50 will be a disc of a recognized flea and tick insecticide such as 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate. More information relative to such an insecticide is set forth in the Brekstresser U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,114 issued Aug. 29, 1972. If desired, the body 50 may include internally extending holes 50 which lead from the sides 52 in order to promote air circulation.

In FIG. 3 of the drawing there is shown a modified pendant 70 which illustrates that it is not necessary to utilize the bottom 18 and/or the top 26 as a separate spring element. The pendant 70 is essentially the same as the pendant 10. For this reason various parts of the pendant 70 which correspond to parts of the pendant 10 are not separately identified herein and are shown in the drawing and are indicated in this specification by the primes of the numerals previously used to designate such parts.

In the pendant 70 a small resilient post 72 extending from the top 26' through the opening 45' engages the bottom 18' so as to bias the lid 16' away from the container 14' in order to hold the elements 30' and 36' in engagement with one another. For the post 72 to act in this manner either the lid 16' or the container 14' should be formed of a resilient material as indicated in the preceding discussion.

This pendant 70 illustrates the lattitude permitted in achieving a spring action which will hold these latter parts in a desired manner against inadvertent or undesired opening. The extreme character of this lattitude is indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawing. Here there is shown another pendant 80 which is substantially identical to the pendant 10. Various parts of the pendant 80 which correspond to parts of the pendant 10 are not separately identified herein and are shown in the drawing and are indicated in this specification by the double primes of the numerals previously used to designate such parts.

In the pendant 80 the body 50" is formed of a material or composition which in and of itself is of a somewhat resilient character. As a result of this, such a body 50" can and will act as a spring if the sides 52' are located far enough apart so that assembly of the lid 16" on the container 14" requires that this body 50" be compressed for the housing 12" to be completely assembled. When the body 50" is formed of such a resilient character no separate mechanical spring or spring means is normally required although such a separate spring means may be desirable if the body 50" is constructed so that it is formed of a composition such that its resilient properties will be lost as a result of vaporization of one or more materials within it.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device having a perforate housing and a body of volatile material located within the interior of said housing, said device being intended to be used to distribute vapors from said body of material externally of said device, in which the improvement comprises:

said housing being a multi-part housing capable of being at least partially disassembled so as to permit the insertion of said body within the interior of said housing,

means for securing said parts of said housing to one another so that said parts are assembled together, said means for securing being located on said parts of said housing,

at least one of said parts of said housing having at least one perforate area and at least one imperforate area, said perforate area serving to place the interior of said housing in communication with the exterior of said housing,

said body fitting within the interior of said housing so that portions of said body are covered by said perforate and said imperforate areas,

said housing being capable of being assembled with said body within said housing in at least two different relative positions in each of which different portions of said body are covered by said perforate area and in each of which said body is held against movement relative to said housing.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said housing consists of a container and a lid, said lid fitting on said container so as to cover the interior of said container when said housing is assembled,

said means for securing are mating elements formed on said container and said lid,

and including,

means formed on said housing for securing said housing to a support member so that such a support member holds the lid and said housing so that said lid cannot be removed from said container.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said housing consists of a container having a bottom and a cylindrical peripheral wall and a lid having a top and a dependent peripheral skirt capable of being located concentric to said cylindrical wall,

said means for securing are mating elements formed on said cylindrical wall and said skirt permitting said housing to be assembled by locating said lid on said container and twisting said lid with respect to said skirt,

and including,

lug means formed on said lid and said skirt for limiting the amount that said lid may be twisted upon said skirt so that when said lid is assembled upon said skirt and twisted so that said lug means on said lid and said skirt engage one another said perforate and imperforate areas will always be located in the same relative position in relationship to said entire housing.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said body is disc shaped and is capable of fitting within said container between said bottom and said lid,

and including,

indexing means for use in locating said body within said housing in said relative positions located within the interior of said housing and on said body,

said indexing means on said body and on said housing permitting said housing to be assembled with said body within said housing in said relative positions.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said lug means both include holes formed therein in locations in which said holes are aligned with one another when said lug means are in engagement with one another,

and including,

fastener means extending through said holes in said lug means for holding said lid and container with respect to one another so that said housing cannot be disassembled until said fastener means are removed from said lug means.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said body is disc shaped and is capable of fitting within said container between said bottom and said lid,

said lug means both include holes formed therein in locations in which said holes are aligned with one another when said lug means are in engagement with one another,

and including,

indexing means for use in locating said body within said housing in said relative positions located within the interior of said housing and on said body,

said indexing means on said body and on said housing permitting said housing to be assembled within said body within said housing in said relative positions,

and including,

fastener means extending through said holes in said lug means for holding said lid and container with respect to one another so that said housing cannot be disassembled until said fastener means are removed from said lug means.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said housing consists of a container having a bottom and a cylindrical peripheral wall and a lid having a top and a dependent peripheral skirt capable of being located concentric to said cylindrical wall,

said means for securing are interengageable locking means for securing said lid against rotation relative to said container formed on said cylindrical wall and said skirt, said locking means being spaced periodically around said cylindrical wall and said skirt,

said locking means being capable of being disengaged from one another by movement of said lid towards said contaainer followed by rotation of said lid relative to said container to a position in which said lid may be lifted off of said container,

and including,

spring means biasing said lid away from said container so as to hold said locking means in engagement with one another so that said lid cannot be rotated relative to said container until said spring means is compressed.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said spring means is integral with a part of said housing and said part is formed of a resilient material.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said body is resilient body and serves as said spring means by bearing against said bottom of said container and said top of said lid.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said body is shaped as a disc having side surfaces and an outer wall fitting within the interior of said peripheral wall,

at least a part of said housing being resilient and serving as said spring means and engaging a side surface of said disc.

11. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said body is shaped as a disc having side surfaces located against said bottom of said container and said top of said lid,

and including,

indexing means for use in locating said body within said housing in said relative positions located within the interior of said housing and on said body,

said indexing means on said body and on said housing permitting said housing to be assembled with said body within said housing in said relative positions.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said locking means include sloping surfaces which mate against one another as said lid is assembled on said container so as to compress said spring means until said locking means are interengaged with one another.

13. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said body is shaped as a disc having side surfaces located against said bottom of said container and said top of said lid,

said locking means include sloping surfaces which mate against one another as said lid is assembled on said container so as to compress said spring means until said locking means are interengaged with one another,

and including,

lug means formed on said lid and said skirt for limiting the amount that said lid may be twisted upon said skirt so that when said lid is assembled upon said skirt and twisted so that said lug means on said lid and said skirt engage one another said perforate and imperforate areas will always be located in the same relative positions in relationship to said entire housing,

both of said lug means having holes located therein in locations in which said holes are aligned with one another when said lug means are in engagement with one another,

and including,

fastener means extending through said holes in said lug means for holding said lid and container with respect to one another so that said housing cannot be disassembled until said fastener means are removed from said lug means,

and including,

indexing means for use in locating said body within said housing in said relative positions located within the interior of said housing and on said body,

said indexing means on said body and on said housing permitting said housing to be assembled with said body within said housing in said relative positions.

14. A device having a perforate housing and a body of volatile material in the interior of said housing, said device being used to distribute vapors from said body of material, in which the improvement comprises:

said housing being a multi-part housing capable of being at least partially disassembled,

means for securing said parts of said housing so that they are assembled together located on said parts of said housing,

at least one of said parts of said housing having at least one perforate area and at least one imperforate area, said perforate area enabling vapors to pass between the interior and the exterior of said housing,

said body and the interior of said housing being shaped so that said body may be inserted into the interior of said housing in at least two different positions when said housing is disassembled,

said body being shaped so as to fit within the interior of said housing so as to be clearly located with respect to both said perforate and said imperforate areas when said body is located in both of said different positions,

said body and housing being shaped so that in each of said positions a different portion of said body is exposed to said perforate area.