Controlled-rate liquid dispenser
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorCheryl D. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Liquid is dispensed at a uniform rate over an extended period of time through use of a distinctive wicking structure that comprises a matrix of closely packed, solid particles bonded together with a bonding material that only partially fills interstices between the particles and thereby leaves a uniform interconnected network of pores.
Claims14
A method for dispensing liquid comprising wicking said liquid into a wicking structure that comprises a matrix of closely packed, solid, rounded particles adhered together so as to leave an interconnected network of pores that occupies at least 20 volume-percent of the porous structure;
- the average diameter of said particles in the wicking structure being between 150 and 600 micrometers, and all said particles in the wicking structure having a diameter within plus-or-minus 20 percent of the average diameter of the particles, whereby the pores in the porous structure are uniform in size and the liquid is released from the porous structure at a uniform rate over an extended period of use;
- and exposing said wicking structure in the environment where it is desired to give off said liquid.
A vapor dispenser comprising a wicking structure and a volatile liquid stored in, and capable of wicking through, said wicking structure for release as vapor from the periphery of the structure;
- characterized in that the wicking structure comprises a matrix of closely packed, rounded solid particles adhered together so as to leave an interconnected network of pores that occupies at least 20 volume-percent of the porous structure;
- the average diameter of said particles in the wicking structure being between about 150 and 600 micrometers and all of said particles in the wicking structure having a diameter within plus-or-minus 20 percent of said average diameter, whereby the pores in the porous structure are uniform in size and the liquid is released from the porous structure at a uniform rate over an extended period of use.
A dispenser comprising a wicking structure and a container that is closed except for an opening adapted to tightly receive said wicking structure, with the wicking structure being positionable in the opening so that a portion is exposed outside the container, and another portion extends into a liquid that is stored within the container, whereby the liquid can wick through the wicking structure for release from the periphery of the wicking structure;
- characterized in that the wicking structure comprises a matrix of closely packed, solid, discrete rounded particles bonded together with a bonding material that only partially fills interstices between the particles so as to form an interconnected network of pores that occupies at least 20 volume-percent of the porous structure;
- the average diameter of said particles in the wicking structure being between about 150 and 600 micrometers, and all of said particles in the wicking structure having a diameter within plus-or-minus 20 percent of said average diameter, whereby the pores in the porous structure are uniform in size and the liquid is released from the porous structure at a uniform rate over an extended period of use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.