Abstract: An on-demand fluid dispenser to dispense fluid in response to gas generation by a gas cell. The on-demand fluid dispenser includes an expandable gas chamber, a fluid chamber, and an on-demand gas cell. The expandable gas chamber includes a moveable plunger forming a wall of the expandable gas chamber. The moveable plunger also forms a wall of the fluid chamber. The on-demand gas cell is configured to generate the gas on demand. The on-demand gas cell is also configured to direct the gas to the expandable gas chamber to expand the expandable gas chamber. Expansion of the expandable gas chamber moves the moveable plunger to reduce a volume of the fluid chamber and to dispense an amount of fluid from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a fluid comprising generating a gas from a liquid, directing the gas to an expandable gas chamber to expand a volume of the expandable gas chamber, reducing a volume of a fluid chamber in response to expansion of the expandable gas chamber to dispense an amount of the fluid from the fluid chamber, and removing the gas from the expandable gas chamber to collapse the expandable gas chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing controlled delivery of a beneficial agent is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a water chamber and a filter to produce filtered water by removing impurities from water introduced into the water chamber. A water-transporting membrane transports filtered water from the water chamber to an extraction chamber, thereby expanding the extraction chamber. The extraction chamber contains an osmagent that provides the driving force to pull the filtered water through the water-transporting membrane. As the extraction chamber expands, a dispensing chamber containing a beneficial agent contracts. This causes the beneficial agent to be expelled through a port in communication with the dispensing chamber. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber. The method features steady rate performance without refreshing the water chamber and low temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a fluid comprising generating a gas from a liquid, directing the gas to an expandable gas chamber to expand a volume of the expandable gas chamber, reducing a volume of a fluid chamber in response to expansion of the expandable gas chamber to dispense an amount of the fluid from the fluid chamber, and removing the gas from the expandable gas chamber to collapse the expandable gas chamber.

Abstract: A method for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber. The method features steady rate performance without refreshing the water chamber and low temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

Abstract: An on-demand fluid dispenser to dispense fluid in response to gas generation by a gas cell. The on-demand fluid dispenser includes an expandable gas chamber, a fluid chamber, and an on-demand gas cell. The expandable gas chamber includes a moveable plunger forming a wall of the expandable gas chamber. The moveable plunger also forms a wall of the fluid chamber. The on-demand gas cell is configured to generate the gas on demand. The on-demand gas cell is also configured to direct the gas to the expandable gas chamber to expand the expandable gas chamber. Expansion of the expandable gas chamber moves the moveable plunger to reduce a volume of the fluid chamber and to dispense an amount of fluid from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably releasing a substance is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a chamber to store a non-gaseous fluid. An outlet communicates with a bottom of the chamber to dispense the non-gaseous fluid. An inlet communicates with a top of the chamber to enable gas to flow into the chamber. To regulate the flow of non-gaseous fluid through the outlet, a regulator element is coupled to the inlet to regulate the flow of gas into the chamber. In certain embodiments, to provide more consistent release rates, the chamber includes a short wide portion situated above a relatively long narrow portion. Such a configuration generates more consistent head pressure and thus more consistent release rates for the non-gaseous fluid. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

Abstract: A fragrance delivery system for delivering a fragrance from a card is disclosed. In the system, a canister attached to a first surface, which may be the face of a card. An emanator is disposed within the canister, including a fragrance-emitting material. A removable cover is attached to a second surface, which may be an opposing face of the card, such that the when the first and second surfaces are brought together, the cover inhibits or prevents fragrance from escaping the canister. Upon opening the card, the cover is removed and fragrance escapes from the canister.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a subterranean location is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber having a substantially open end. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent such as fertilizer, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled from the subterranean delivery channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a subterranean location is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber having a substantially open end. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent such as fertilizer, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled from the subterranean delivery channel.

Abstract: An on-demand fluid dispenser to dispense fluid in response to gas generation by a gas cell. The on-demand fluid dispenser includes an expandable gas chamber, a fluid chamber, and an on-demand gas cell. The expandable gas chamber includes a moveable plunger forming a wall of the expandable gas chamber. The moveable plunger also forms a wall of the fluid chamber. The on-demand gas cell is configured to generate the gas on demand. The on-demand gas cell is also configured to direct the gas to the expandable gas chamber to expand the expandable gas chamber. Expansion of the expandable gas chamber moves the moveable plunger to reduce a volume of the fluid chamber and to dispense an amount of fluid from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: Toothbrushes are provided which incorporate in a handle portion of the toothbrush a volume of a beneficial agent that may be dispensed using an included manual pump mechanism. The volume of the beneficial agent provided in the brush and the dispense rate of the beneficial agent may be widely varied. The toothbrush may be constructed to have a beneficial agent volume and dispense rate that are estimated to provide approximately three months of usage to correspond to the length of the effective life of toothbrush bristles, thus allowing the entire unit to be disposable upon dispensing of the last of the fluid.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a controlled amount of a volatile substance into an environment while isolating the non-released amount of such a substance from the environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance cartridge associated with the housing, wherein the cartridge can be replaced, or, alternatively, refilled with a desired fluid. A mechanism is provided for releasing a pre-determined amount of fluid from the housing, which is activated, as desired, by a user of the device.