Gel-Based Liquid Dispensing Device

Abstract

An active volatile liquid-dispensing device comprising a gel and a separate source of active volatile liquid (“the source”), the gel (a) comprising volatile material the emission of which causes the reduction in size of least one physical property of the gel, and (b) being equipped with a screening means that screens the source from the atmosphere, which screening means is caused to open by the size reduction in physical property, thus causing a progressively greater exposure of the source to the atmosphere with passage of time, the exposure of the gel to the atmosphere remaining essentially constant. The physical property utilised is usually reduction in weight or shrinkage in physical dimensions. The devices permit a more controlled release of active into the atmosphere and a longer life, and are especially useful as air fresheners.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.