SOLID STATE FRAGRANCING

• US 20140076991A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Impact Products, LLC (Genuine Parts Company)
• Original Assignee: Impact Products, LLC (Genuine Parts Company)
• Inventors: Irwin, John T., Dukes, Stephen A., Hayes, Robert James, Staufenberg, Donald James, Gayer, Jeffrey C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,422,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/60
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0206 to protect the underlying surface, e.g. temporary covers, disposable carpets, absorbent pads, wheelchair pads, hearth rugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/264 Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/00 Urinals without flushing devices A47K11/00 ; Means for connecting the urinal to the flushing pipe and the wastepipe; Splashing shields for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/005 Accessories specially adapted for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/007 Devices for eliminating smells by diffusing deodorants in lavatories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23 Sheet including cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/237 Noninterengaged fibered material encased [e.g., mat, batt, etc.]

Abstract

Fragrance control is provided by articles of manufacture including various solid state fragrancing objects, methods of using such objects, and systems that employ one or more such objects. The fragrancing object can be easy to manufacture, long lasting, provide fragrance that is consistently released over time, provide an indication to the user that the object needs to be replaced, and can hold a desired ratio of fragrance. The fragrancing object can include a first material comprising a polyether block amide, a second material comprising a polyolefin elastomer (POE), and a fragrance component such as a fragrance oil.

Claims

1. A solid state fragrancing object comprising a solid material, the solid material including a fragrancing component, wherein the solid material has a substantially constant cross-sectional area in a longitudinal dimension and a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.5:

1 to about 50;

1.

2. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material includes between about 0.01% to about 66% by weight of the fragrancing component.

3. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material includes between about 10% to about 30% by weight of the fragrancing component.

4. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the fragrancing component comprises a fragrance oil.

5. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the fragrancing component is perceptible for at least about 30 days within an environment of 800 cubic feet surrounding the solid state fragrancing object.

6. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the fragrancing component is perceptible for at least about 60 days within an environment of 800 cubic feet surrounding the solid state fragrancing object.

7. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material comprises a member of the group consisting of a polyether block amide, a polyolefin elastomer, and combinations thereof.

8. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material comprises a polyether block amide and a polyolefin elastomer, and the fragrancing component comprises a fragrance oil.

9. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the solid material is hollow.

10. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, further comprising a mount coupled to the solid material.

11. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 10, wherein a portion of the mount includes an adhesive operable to couple the solid state fragrancing object to a surface.

12. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material has a transverse dimension that is less than the longitudinal dimension.

13. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material includes a protuberance formed in the longitudinal dimension.

14. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material includes a plurality of protuberances formed in the longitudinal dimension.

15. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 1, wherein the solid material comprises a base and a blade extending in the longitudinal direction, the blade extending from the base.

16. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 15, wherein the blade comprises a greater portion of the solid material than the base.

17. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 15, further comprising a mount coupled to the base.

18. A system for fragrance control of an environment, the system comprising:

a plurality of solid state fragrancing objects, each fragrancing object comprising a solid material, the solid material including a fragrancing component, wherein the solid material has a substantially constant cross-sectional area in a longitudinal dimension and a surface area to volume ratio of about 0.5;

1 to about 50;

1, wherein the fragrancing objects are arranged in the environment to provide fragrance substantially throughout the environment.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the solid state fragrancing objects is at least one of configured as a sign, configured as a kick plate on a door, coupled to a toilet divider or urinal divider, coupled to a toilet door, coupled to an air vent, and coupled to a pipe.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the solid state fragrancing objects is conspicuously displayed in the environment.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the solid state fragrancing objects is inconspicuously displayed in the environment.

22. A method of forming a solid state fragrancing object comprising:

extruding a material and a fragrancing component to form a solid material, the solid material including the fragrancing component, wherein the solid material has a substantially constant cross-sectional area in a longitudinal dimension and a surface area to volume ratio of about 0.5;

1 to about 50;

1.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the extruding step is performed between about 160 to about 210 degrees Centrigrade.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

mixing the material and the fragrancing component in an extruder followed by extruding the material and the fragrancing component to form the solid material including the fragrancing component.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the mixing includes melt-mixing the material and the fragrancing component in the extruder.

26. A solid state fragrancing object comprising a solid material, the solid material including a fragrancing component and an aperture configured to couple to a mount, wherein the solid material has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.5:

1 to about 50;

1.

27. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 26, further comprising a mount coupled to the aperture.

28. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 27, wherein the mount comprises a projection, the projection coupled to the aperture, the projection configured to provide an airspace between the solid material and a remainder of the mount.

29. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 26, wherein the solid material is substantially disk-shaped.

30. A solid state fragrancing object comprising a solid material and a dispenser, the solid material including a fragrancing component, wherein the solid material is slidably disposed within the dispenser and operable to move between an enclosed position and an exposed position and has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.5:

1 to about 50;

1.

31. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 30, further comprising a plurality of solid materials slidably disposed within the dispenser.

32. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 31, wherein one of the solid materials includes a fragrancing component that is different from another of the solid materials.

33. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the solid material is configured as a screen.

34. A solid state fragrancing object comprising a solid material and an enclosure enclosing the solid material, the solid material including a fragrancing component, wherein the enclosure includes an aperture configured to expose a portion of the solid material and the solid material has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.5:

1 to about 50;

1.

35. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 34, wherein the solid material is configured to move within the enclosure to change the portion of the solid material exposed in the aperture.

36. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 35, further comprising a motor operable to change the portion of the solid material that is exposed in the aperture.

37. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 34, further comprising a fan operable to move air across the portion of the solid material that is exposed in the aperture.

38. A solid state fragrancing object comprising an extruded solid material, the extruded solid material including a polyether block amide, a polyolefin elastomer, a fragrancing component, and having a plurality of apertures, wherein the solid material is configured as a urinal screen that is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of a urinal drain.

39. The solid state fragrancing object of claim 38, further comprising a pick-up loop.