Scent dispensing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides for an apparatus for dispensing scent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for scent delivery.

BACKGROUND

A variety of scents are used frequently by, for example, hunters and gardeners to attract and/or repel animals. Scents generally include attractant scents, repellant scents, and covering scents. Attractant scents are used to attract specific animals (e.g., male deer); repellant scents are used to keep animals away (e.g., from a garden); and covering scents typically are used to mask human odor (e.g., while hunting or photographing animals). For example, animals use pheromones and other hormones to communicate with one another. Thus, one or more hormones can be used as either an attractant scent or a repellant scent depending on the hormone(s).

SUMMARY

Scents are used frequently in the outdoors. The invention provides for an apparatus for dispensing scent. Such an apparatus generally includes a variable timer, which allows for optimum flexibility in when and under what conditions a scent is dispensed. A scent dispensing apparatus also includes a scent dispenser for moving the scent from a scent-holding container to the desired location. In addition, a scent dispensing apparatus includes a fitting that is adapted to connect the scent-holding container to the scent dispenser without having to open the scent container. This feature of a scent dispenser allows a user to avoid contaminating oneself with the scent.

In one aspect, the invention provides for an apparatus for dispensing scent. Such an apparatus includes a variable timer; a scent dispenser; and a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container. The invention also provides for an apparatus for dispending scent includes a variable timer; a flowable-scent dispenser; a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a flowable-scent to the flowable-scent dispenser without having to open the container; and a weather-resistant housing. In some embodiments, an apparatus for dispending scent also includes a container holding a scent.

An apparatus for dispending scent also can include a heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element. Typically, the heating element or the reservoir for holding the heating element is proximal to the container holding the scent or to the scent dispenser. A heating element can be removable, and a heating element can be an electrical heating element or a chemical heating element.

In some embodiments, the variable timer is programmable. A variable timer can be programmable for the interval between deliveries, the duration of delivery, the interval between deliveries and the duration of delivery, and the condition under which delivery occurs. Representative conditions include, but are not limited to, motion, temperature, weather, moon phase, ambient lighting, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the scent dispenser can use gravity to dispense the scent, a propellant, or a motorized pump (e.g., a rotary pump, a roller pump, a worm-drive pump, or a gravity-fed pump) to dispense the scent. In some embodiments, the flowable-scent dispenser comprises a valve. A scent dispenser also has an orifice through which scent exits the scent dispenser. For example, a flowable-scent can exit a flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice such as a wick, a nozzle, a drip tube, and a scent chamber. In some embodiments, the orifice comprises a retractable wick.

One or more of the components of an apparatus for dispensing scent (e.g., a variable timer, a motorized pump) can also include a power supply. A power supply can be battery operated or solar-powered.

A fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container can include one or more fittings such as a luer lock fitting, a press-fit fitting, a snap-fit fitting, a screw-on fitting, or a piercing fitting.

If desired, the weather-resistant housing can contain a window, and/or can be lockable. An apparatus for dispensing scent also can include a strap to hang or suspend the apparatus from an object, and further can include an on-off switch.

In some embodiments, the container holding a flowable-scent is refillable. In other embodiments, the container holding a flowable-scent is removable. Representative containers for holding a flowable-scent include a bag, a vial, a bottle, a bladder, a chamber, or a cartridge. The flowable-scent can be a solid, a powder, a liquid, and a gel.

A scent for using in such an apparatus can be an attractant (e.g., urine, estrus, glandular secretions, hormones, pheromones, apple, acorn, berry, honey, and bacon), a repellant scent (e.g., insect repellant, animal repellant, urine, and pepper spray), or a covering scent (e.g., soap, earth, pine, cedar, corn, acorn, apple, berry, persimmon, vanilla, anise, animal urine, and animal musk).

In one representative embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing scent includes a variable timer; a flowable-scent dispenser, wherein the flowable-scent dispenser uses a motorized pump to dispense a flowable scent, wherein a flowable-scent exits the flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice, wherein the orifice is a nozzle; a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container; a container for holding the scent, wherein the container is a bag; and a weather-resistant housing.

In yet another representative embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing scent includes means for variably timing delivery of a scent; means for dispensing a flowable scent, wherein the means for dispensing a flowable scent comprises an orifice through which a flowable scent exits; means to connect a container holding a scent to the scent dispenser without having to open the container; means for containing a scent; and housing means, wherein the housing means are weather-resistant.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus disclosed herein for dispensing scent can be used, for example, by hunters or wildlife photographers to “pattern” an animal and/or to cover their own scent, or by a gardener to keep animals or birds away from plants or flowers. A number of devices for delivering a scent are available, but none that have the features and flexibility of the apparatus disclosed herein. FIG. 1 is a schematic showing one embodiment of a scent dispenser 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the scent dispenser 1 has a variable timer a scent dispenser 20, and a container 30 for holding the scent. The scent dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1 is powered by a battery pack 40 and has an on-off switch 50.

A variable timer 10 includes, for example, a programmable timer. A variable timer 10 can be programmable for the particular time (e.g., of day or night) of delivery, for the interval between deliveries, for the duration of delivery, or for any combination thereof. The variable timer 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a setting for both the interval between scent delivery and the duration of scent dispensing. A variable timer 10 also can be programmable for the condition(s) under which delivery occurs. Such conditions can include, without limitation, motion, temperature, weather, moon phase, ambient lighting, or any combination thereof. A variable timer as described herein provides the user with the utmost flexibility in when and under what conditions a scent is delivered.

The container 30 shown in FIG. 1 is a bag-type container. An apparatus for dispensing scent 1 can be configured to use any type of container 30 that holds a scent (e.g., a flowable scent). A scent-holding container 30 can be, without limitation, a bag, a vial, a bottle, a bladder, a chamber, or a cartridge. A scent-holding container 30 can be a permanent part of the apparatus or can be removable. A permanently attached container can be refillable via a port (e.g., a fill intake) having, for example, a screw-top or a snap-top. A removable container can be removed and refilled via a port, or replaced with another container. A container can be provided to a user already containing scent, or a user can obtain one or more empty containers and fill them with the desired scent(s).

An apparatus for dispensing scent 1 as described herein also includes a fitting 60 to connect the scent-holding container 30 to a scent dispenser 20 such that the connection can be made without having to open the container 30. For obvious reasons, users do not want to contaminate themselves with scent. A scent container 30 and a scent dispenser 20 can be connected directly to one another via such a fitting 60, or can be connected, for example, via tubing 62 or other means of maintaining fluid communication that has such a fitting 60 at one end. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the scent dispenser 20 possesses one component of a fitting 60 (a piercing member 22) and the scent-holding container 30 possess another component of a fitting 60 (a pierceable member 32). Fittings suitable for use in an apparatus as disclosed herein include, for example, luer lock fittings, press-fit fittings, snap-fit fittings, screw-on fittings, or piercing-type fittings. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,639,019; 5,899,888; 6,070,623; 6,277,103; and 6,893,056.

An apparatus for dispensing scent 1 also includes a scent dispenser 20. A scent dispenser 20 can include any number of components provided that those components are able to move a scent (e.g., a flowable scent) S out of a container 30. The scent dispenser 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes a motorized pump 24, which moves the scent S from the container 30 out through a nozzle 28. A motorized pump 24 used in a scent dispenser 20 can be a rotary pump, a roller pump, a worm-drive pump, or a gravity-fed pump. Alternatively, a scent dispenser 20 can use gravity or a propellant to dispense the scent S. See, for example, without limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,652,492; and 5,423,759.

In addition to moving a scent S out of the container 30, a scent dispenser 20 includes an orifice 28 through which a scent exits the apparatus for dispensing scent 1. An orifice of a scent dispenser 20 is not limited to a simple opening and can be, for example, a wick, a nozzle, a drip tube, or a scent chamber. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a nozzle. A scent dispenser 20 can have multiple orifices 28 from which one or more scents S can be dispensed. The orifice 28 may be an integral component of the scent dispenser 20, or may be distal to the scent dispenser 20 and in fluid communication therewith (e.g., via tubing 26). In addition, an orifice 28 can be interchangeable via, for example, an orifice fitting. For example, a nozzle can be used to dispense a scent, and then removed and replaced with a drip tube for dispensing the same or a different scent. Furthermore, wicks, drip-tubes, and the like can be retractable for easy storage.

An apparatus for dispensing scent as disclosed herein also can include one or more power supplies 40 to provide power to one of more components such as the variable timer 10 or the scent dispenser 20 or a component thereof (e.g., a motorized pump 24). The power supply 40 shown in FIG. 1 is a battery pack for powering the motorized pump 24. A power supply 40 can be, without limitation, battery operated, solar-powered, or solar rechargeable.

An apparatus for dispensing scent further can include any number of different components that function to keep the scent moving freely within the apparatus or that function to avoid clogging or vapor lock within the apparatus or to prevent a siphoning effect. For example, an apparatus can include, without limitation, an anti-siphon check valve, and one or more air-tight vents to avoid vapor lock (e.g., within one or more of the tubing and/or in the housing itself).

The components of an apparatus for delivering scent 1 generally are contained within a weather-resistant housing 70. A housing 70 can be made of plastic or metal, and can be brightly colored (e.g., yellow or orange), neutral colored (e.g., brown, black, or grey), or camouflaged. A housing 70 can contain an opening or a window to view, for example, the settings of the variable timer 10 and/or the amount of scent S remaining in the container 30. In addition, a housing 70 can have a door for accessing the internal components (e.g., the variable timer 10). In some embodiments, one or more of the components can be attached or mounted to the inside of the door. The door of a housing 70 can have water-resistant seals, and can be lockable to avoid tampering or damage.

FIGS. 2-7 are schematics showing various other embodiments of an apparatus for dispensing scent 1. FIGS. 1-7 are representative embodiments, and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

FIG. 2 shows a scent dispensing apparatus 1 in which the scent-holding container 30 is a bottle and the scent dispenser 20 includes a motorized worm gear pump 24 placed inside the container 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fitting 60 includes, for example, a cap 32 on the container that has a gasket-type opening and a smooth-surface covering 22 on the worm gear pump. The worm gear pump portion of the scent dispenser 20 can be inserted and removed through the opening in the cap 32. In certain embodiments, the portion of the cap 32 immediately around the gasket-type opening can be configured to remove any excess scent from the smooth-surface covering 22 on the worm gear pump when the worm gear pump is removed from the container (e.g., for changing or refilling a scent). The scent S in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is a flowable gel or flowable gel-like material, and the motorized pump 24, powered by batteries 40, moves the scent S out of the container 30. The scent S in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is dispensed via a drip tube 28.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus 1 in which the container 30 is a syringe and the scent dispenser 20 includes a gear- or belt-driven motorized plunger 24 for moving the scent S through the tubing 26 and out through a nozzle 28. FIG. 3 shows the motorized plunger 24 powered by batteries 40. The variable timer 10 shown in FIG. 3 has settings for timing both the delivery interval and the duration of delivery. The fitting 60 shown in FIG. 3 is located at the top of the container 30 where the plunger enters the syringe, but could also be located at the bottom of the container 30 similar to the embodiment shown and described below in FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus 1 in which the scent-holding container 30 is a bladder reservoir and the scent dispenser 20 uses a motorized pump 24. Although the container 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a fill intake, a fitting 60 is shown in which the container 30 has a threaded male portion 32 and the pump portion of the scent dispenser 20 has a threaded female portion 22. In FIG. 4, the motorized pump 24 is connected to a battery-operated power supply 40 via a variable timer solenoid 10. The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 also has an on-off toggle switch 50.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a scent dispensing apparatus 1 having a bottle for a scent container 30. The scent dispenser 20 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a roller pump powered by a battery-operated 40 motor. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fitting 60 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a cap 32 on the container that has a gasket-type opening and a rigid or semi-rigid tube 22 extending down into the scent S. The tube 22 portion of the scent dispenser 20 can be inserted and removed through the opening in the cap 32. As described above, the portion of the cap 32 immediately around the gasket-type opening can be configured to remove any excess scent from the tube 22 when the tube is removed from the container. The scent dispenser 20 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes both a misting nozzle 28 and a drip hose 28 for dispensing the scent.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus 1 in which the scent S is contained within a bladder 30 and the scent dispenser 20 includes a CO₂ propellant. The CO₂ propellant is shown connected to a battery-operated power supply 40 via a variable timer solenoid 10. The bladder 30 shown in FIG. 6 has a fill intake for refilling purposes, and has a nozzle 28 to dispense the scent. Although the fill intake can be used, for example, to refill a container 30 with scent S, a fitting 60 is shown that can be used, for example, when introducing a new container. The fitting shown in FIG. 6 includes a male snap-fit portion 32 that attaches to a female snap-fit portion 22. In order that the container 30 need not be open by a user prior to installation, the female snap-fit portion 22 of such a fitting 60 can include a piercing member (not shown) and the male snap-fit portion 32 on a new container 30 can be sealed with, for example, a foil seal (not shown). Piercing components in a variety of fittings (e.g., screw-top, snap-fit tops) are known in the medical arts and are used routinely on medication and/or pharmaceutical dispensers.

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing an apparatus having a bag as the scent container 30. The container 30 shown in FIG. 7 is a bag such as those used for delivering fluids intravenously in the medical field. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,985; 5,853,388, and D347,890. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the scent S is delivered through tubing via gravity 20 to a scent chamber, which in turn, delivers the scent to a wick 28. Delivery of the scent according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is regulated via a roller clamp and a valve 10. The tubing can be connected to the bag via a luer lock fitting 60 and to the scent chamber via a luer lock or a press-fit fitting 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the connection can be at any position along the length of the tubing.

When a scent dispensing apparatus 1 is used in a region that experiences cold weather, it is desirable that the scent S not freeze. Therefore, an apparatus 1 can include a heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element. A heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element can be proximal to the scent dispenser 20 and/or the container 30 containing the scent S. A heating element can be an electrical heating element or a chemical heating element, and can be removable. Electrical heating elements can be powered, for example, by a power supply 40 as described above, while chemical heating elements are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,998,749; 4,265,216; 4,725,225; and 4,862,519.

Scents S suitable for use in a scent dispensing apparatus 1 can be, for example, an attractant scent, a repellant scent, or a covering scent. It would be understood by those of skill in the art that the three types of scents described here are not comprehensive and also that members are not exclusive to each type of scent. Representative examples of attractant scents include urine, estrus, glandular secretions, hormones, pheromones, apple, acorn, berry, honey, or bacon; representative examples of repellant scents include insect repellant, animal repellant, urine, pepper spray, or any type of noxious and/or irritating chemical or compound; and representative examples of a covering scent include soap, earth, pine, cedar, corn, acorn, apply, berry, persimmon, vanilla, anise, animal urine, or animal musk.

A scent S such as any of those described above can be formulated, without limitation, as a flowable solid, a flowable powder, a flowable gel, or a flowable liquid. The particular formulation will be dependent upon the container 30 and the scent dispenser 20 utilized in a scent dispensing apparatus 1, as well as the characteristics of the particular scent S and the area or region to which the scent is being dispensed or applied.

An apparatus for dispensing scent 1 can be configured to dispense multiple scents. For example, an apparatus 1 can include two containers 30a, 30b and two scent dispensers 20a, 20b, or two containers 30a, 30b and a single scent dispenser 20 having two orifices 28a, 28b. In such dual-scent embodiments, the apparatus 1 (e.g., the variable timer 10) can be programmed to deliver one scent at a particular time via, for example, a nozzle 28a and the other scent at a different time via, for example, a wick 28b.

An apparatus for dispensing scent 1 can be used in methods of attracting one or more animals (e.g., a game animal), methods of repelling one or more animals (e.g., a nuisance animal), or methods of covering a scent (e.g., one's own scent). To do so, an apparatus 1 can be placed in any number of positions by a user. To allow for flexibility in positioning the apparatus 1, an apparatus 1 can include one or more straps, buckles, D-rings, or any other types of mechanisms or means that allow an apparatus 1 to be attached or secured to another object. In some instances, a user may hang or suspend the apparatus 1 from a tree or tree branch such that the scent drips down into the ground or runs down the tree. In other instances, a user may securely attach the apparatus 1 to a tree or a post such that a mist or spray is emitted in a particular direction and covers a particular area.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing scent comprising:

a variable timer;

a scent dispenser; and

a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to said scent dispenser without having to open said container.

2. An apparatus for dispensing scent comprising:

a variable timer;

a flowable-scent dispenser;

a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a flowable-scent to said flowable-scent dispenser without having to open said container; and

a weather-resistant housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a container holding a scent.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a heating element or a reservoir for holding a heating element.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said heating element or said reservoir for holding said heating element is proximal to said container holding said scent or to said scent dispenser.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the heating element is removable.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the heating element is an electrical heating element or a chemical heating element.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the variable timer is programmable.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the variable timer is programmable for the interval between deliveries.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the variable timer is programmable for the duration of delivery.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the variable timer is programmable for the interval between deliveries and for the duration of delivery.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply connected to said variable timer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power supply is battery operated.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power supply is solar-powered.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the variable timer is programmable for the condition under which delivery occurs.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the condition is motion, temperature, weather, moon phase, ambient lighting, or a combination thereof.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said scent dispenser uses gravity to dispense said scent.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said scent dispenser uses a propellant to dispense said scent.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said scent dispenser uses a motorized pump to dispense said scent.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a power supply connected to said motorized pump.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said power supply is battery-operated.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said motorized pump is a rotary pump, a roller pump, a worm-drive pump, or a gravity-fed pump.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said flowable-scent dispenser comprises a valve.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein a flowable-scent exits said flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice selected from the group consisting of a wick, a nozzle, a drip tube, and a scent chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said orifice comprises a retractable wick.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to said scent dispenser without having to open said container comprises a luer lock fitting, a press-fit fitting, a snap-fit fitting, a screw-on fitting, or a piercing fitting.

27. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the weather-resistant housing contains a window.

28. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the weather-resistant housing is a lockable.

29. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container holding a flowable-scent is refillable.

30. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container holding a flowable-scent is removable.

31. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container holding a flowable-scent is a bag, a vial, a bottle, a bladder, a chamber, or a cartridge.

32. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flowable-scent is selected from the group consisting of a solid, a powder, a liquid, and a gel.

33. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flowable-scent is an attractant.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the scent is selected from the group consisting of urine, estrus, glandular secretions, hormones, pheromones, apple, acorn, berry, honey, and bacon.

35. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flowable-scent is a repellant scent.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the scent is selected from the group consisting of insect repellant, animal repellant, urine, and pepper spray.

37. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flowable-scent is a covering scent.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the scent is selected from the group consisting of soap, earth, pine, cedar, corn, acorn, apple, berry, persimmon, vanilla, anise, animal urine, and animal musk.

39. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strap to hang or suspend the apparatus from an object.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an on-off switch.

41. An apparatus for dispensing scent comprising:

a variable timer;

a flowable-scent dispenser, wherein said flowable-scent dispenser uses a motorized pump to dispense a flowable scent, wherein a flowable-scent exits said flowable-scent dispenser through an orifice, wherein the orifice is a nozzle;

a fitting adapted to connect a container holding a scent to said scent dispenser without having to open said container;

a container for holding said scent, wherein said container is a bag; and

a weather-resistant housing.

42. An apparatus for dispensing scent comprising:

means for variably timing delivery of a scent;

means for dispensing a flowable scent, wherein said means for dispensing a flowable scent comprises an orifice through which a flowable scent exits;

means to connect a container holding a scent to said scent dispenser without having to open said container;

means for containing a scent; and

housing means, wherein said housing means are weather-resistant.