FRAGRANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20100272599A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Inventors: Sorribes, Silvia, Güell, Francisco, Broncano Atencia, Toni
• Application Number:
  US12/095,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100272599A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor

Abstract

The invention provides a fragrance delivery system comprising: a release mechanism for releasing at least one fragrance, and a control unit for controlling said release mechanism, said control unit comprising a selection unit for selecting said fragrance from at least two fragrances in response to turning on said fragrance delivery system. The invention further provides a kit of parts comprising said device and a at least two fragrance containers filled with a fragrance substance. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a release mechanism for releasing at least one fragrance and a control unit for controlling a release mechanism, said control unit comprising a selection unit for selecting said fragrance from at least two fragrances in response to turning on said fragrance delivery system.

Claims

1. A fragrance delivery system, comprising:

a release mechanism for releasing at least one fragrance, and

a control unit configured to control said release mechanism, said control unit comprising a selection unit configured to select said fragrance from at least two fragrances in response to turning on said fragrance delivery system.

2. A delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is arranged to select randomly said selected fragrance from said at least two fragrances in case said delivery system is turned on.

3. A delivery system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a memory element configured to memorize which fragrance is selected when said fragrance delivery system is switched off;

wherein said selection unit is connected to said memory element and configured to select said selected fragrance when said fragrance delivery system is turned on.

4. A delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises a switching element configured to switch said release mechanism between a first state and a second state or vice versa, wherein in said first state said release mechanism releases said selected fragrance at a higher rate than in said second state.

5. A delivery system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a timer configured to measure a period of time of said first state and/or second state,

a memory element in which at least one desired value of a period of the first and/or second state can be stored, and

a comparator configured to compare the measured period with said desired value and outputting a switching signal to said switching element,

wherein said switching element is arranged to change said release mechanism between said first state and said second state in response to said switching signal.

6. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein said selection unit is arranged to periodically select said selected fragrance.

7. A delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said selection unit is arranged to select said at least two fragrances in a predetermined order.

8. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein said selection unit is arranged to periodically select, in response to a selection signal, instead of a presently selected fragrance another selected fragrance, wherein the delivery system comprises a timer configured to measure a period of time of the first state(s) and/or second state(s) during which the presently selected fragrance has been released, and a comparator configured to compare said measured period with a predetermined value representing a desired period and output said selection signal to the selection unit.

9. A delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the desired period of time is in the range of from 15 to 60 minutes.

10. A delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said selection unit is arranged to select a selected fragrance when a period of time of the first state(s) and/or second state(s) during which another fragrance is released expires.

11. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein said switching element is arranged to switch said release mechanism between said first state and said second state during a first period of time, and to switch said release mechanism between said second state and said first state during a second period of time, whereby the second period of time is shorter than the first period of time.

12. A delivery system according to claim 11, wherein during the second period of time said release mechanism is in the second state only.

13. A delivery system according to claim 12, wherein said first period and said second period follow in an alternating manner.

14. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein in the second state said release mechanism releases said selected fragrance at a rate below a threshold at which an individual notices said fragrance.

15. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein a period of time of said first state is in the range of from 100 to 200 seconds and a period of time of said second state is in the range of from 20 to 100 seconds.

16. A delivery system according to claim 4, wherein said release mechanism includes an electro-thermal transducer, said transducer being electrically connectable to a electrical power source and configured to be coupled thermally to a fragrance substance, the transducer configured to convert electrical energy from said power source to thermal energy applied to said selected fragrance.

17. A delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a holder for holding at least two fragrance containers.

18. A delivery system according to claim 17 wherein the release mechanism comprises a release mechanism engagable on each of said fragrance containers configured to release a selected one of at least two fragrances from said fragrance container.

19. A kit of parts comprising a delivery system according to claim 1 and at least two fragrance containers filled with a fragrance substance.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein the at least two fragrance containers are part of a fragrance cartridge.

21. A kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein the at least two fragrances complement each other.

23. A method comprising the use of a fragrance deliver system according to claim 1 to deliver a fragrance to a space which is at least periodically occupied by an individual.

22. A method comprising the use of a release mechanism to release at least one fragrance and a control unit to control the release mechanism, said control unit comprising a selection unit configured to select said fragrance from at least two fragrances in response to turning on said fragrance delivery system.