Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions

• US 20040033171A1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kvietok, Frank Andrej, St. Pierre, Eileen Marie
• Application Number:
  US10/417,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20040033171A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/123
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2033 using a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2038 Holders or dispensers for pressurized insecticide, e.g. pressurized vessels, cans
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2072 combined with a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/02 using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/04 using substances evaporated in the air without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/042 with the help of a macromolecular compound as a carrier or diluent A61L9/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/048 air treating gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0042 with ventilating means for adding the substances
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/005 with heating means for adding the substances
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0064 adding more than one substance
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0007 Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen

Abstract

Methods and devices for emitting volatile materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods and devices for emitting two or more fragrance compositions are disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment of a device, the device has a housing, and the housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to the housing. The device contains a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition. The first volatile composition is emitted in an alternating period relative to said second volatile composition. In one embodiment of the method, the volatile compositions are alternately emitted during periods that are greater than 15 minutes and less than 2 hours.

Claims

1. A system for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said system comprising at least one device wherein said two or more volatile compositions comprise a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and optionally additional volatile compositions, wherein said at least one device is configured to emit said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions in a substantially continuous emission sequence in which the emission of the different volatile compositions automatically alternates between the different volatile compositions in the sequence.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said two or more volatile compositions comprises a fragrance composition.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein two or more volatile compositions comprise a fragrance composition.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said two or more volatile compositions are emitted from a single device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least one device comprises a plug and said plug supports said at least one device on an electrical outlet.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one device comprises a single device comprising a housing, wherein said housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to said housing, and said housing contains receptacles for said volatile compositions.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said two or more volatile compositions are emitted from two or more devices.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said devices comprises a plug that is adapted to plug into an electrical wall outlet and to support said at least one of said devices on a wall by said plug.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said two or more devices comprise at least one aerosol sprayer.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said two or more devices further comprises a timer for timing the emission of at least one of said volatile compositions.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said two or more devices further comprises a sensor for detecting a condition for emitting at least one of said volatile compositions.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

motion sensors, light sensors, and noise sensors.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein at least two of said two or more devices are configured to communicate with each other.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one device further comprises an indicator for informing the user of the device which volatile material is being emitted.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said indicator is selected from the group consisting of:

visual and audible.

16. The device for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said device comprising a housing, wherein said housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to said housing, and said housing contains receptacles for said volatile compositions wherein said two or more volatile compositions comprise a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and optionally additional volatile compositions, wherein said device is configured to emit said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions in a substantially continuous emission sequence in which the emission of the different volatile compositions automatically alternates between the different volatile compositions in the sequence.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising a heater in said housing for volatilizing at least one of said volatile compositions.

18. The device of claim 16 further comprising a fan in said housing for dispersing at least one of said volatile compositions.

19. The device of claim 16 further comprising a heater and fan in said housing for emitting at least one of said volatile compositions.

20. The device of claim 16 wherein at least one of the volatile compositions is in a liquid form.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein at least one of the volatile compositions is supplied in a container provided with a wick.

22. The device of claim 21 further comprising at least one heater wherein said at least one heater surrounds the wick of said container.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said at least one heater is operated electrically.

24. The device of claim 16 further comprising a timing mechanism wherein said volatile compositions are each emitted during a period that is greater than 15 minutes and less than or equal to about 48 hours.

25. The device of claim 16 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period within the range of greater than 15 minutes and less than or equal to about 24 hours.

26. The device of claim 16 wherein said volatile compositions are emitted during a period that is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.

27. A device for emitting at least one volatile composition, said device comprising a housing and a plug that is adapted to plug into an electrical wall outlet and to support said device on a wall by said plug, said device further comprising a detection device wherein said detection device is programmed to turn on said device in response to a stimulus.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein said detection device is selected from the group consisting of:

motion sensors, light sensors, and noise sensors.

29. A system for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said system comprising:

(a) a first device capable of emitting one or more volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition;

(b) a second device capable of emitting one or more volatile compositions comprising at least a second volatile composition; and

(c) optional additional devices capable of emitting one or more optioinal additional volatile compositions;

wherein said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions are emitted in a substantially continuous emission sequence in which the emission of the different volatile compositions automatically alternates between the different volatile compositions in the sequence.

30. A method for providing fragrance compositions for a system that emits two or more fragrance compositions, said method comprising:

(a) providing a consumer with a selection of two or more fragrance compositions, said fragrance compositions being provided in containers wherein said containers are configured for use in one or more emitting devices, or as stand alone articles; and

(b) providing some type of indicia to inform a consumer which of said two or more fragrance compositions are compatible for use together.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said two or more fragrance compositions are complementary, yet discernably different.