Composition for air treatment dispensers providing a long lasting, constant emanating composition

• US 6,152,379 A
• Filed: 05/07/1999
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symrise Gmbh & Co. Kg (Symrise AG)
• Original Assignee: Dragoco Gerberding & Co AG (Symrise AG)
• Inventors: Sorgenfrey, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US09/307,224
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 239/6, 239/34, 239/44, 239/47, 239/49, 239/50, 239/145, 422/4, 422/5, 422/123, 422/125, 422/305, 422/306, 512/1, 512/2, 512/3
• US Class Current: 239/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/01 Deodorant compositions compositions released by contact with a liquid A61L9/05
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/04 using substances evaporated in the air without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor

Abstract

Two associated air treatment compositions are formulated such that when used together they produce a constant emanating composition throughout the life of an air treatment dispenser of the wick type (dispenser). Composition I comprises components (at least two active agents) in their respective intended concentrations and is used to impregnate the evaporation surface and/or wick of the dispenser. Composition II comprises the same components (at least the same two active agents) as the first composition. However, the concentrations of the components in Composition II with respect to Composition I are adjusted such that a constant emanating composition is maintained. The relationship between Composition I and II can be described by equation ##EQU1## where ##EQU2## is composition II and ##EQU3## is composition I. Coefficients c_i can be calculated based on quantitative analysis of composition I and II by means known in the art. Composition II serves as a replenishing fluid, typically provided in a reservoir, with which the wick is in contact.

Claims

1. A method for treating air using a wick type dispenser comprising a reservoir and a wick and/or evaporation surface extending between said reservoir and the air to be treated, said method comprising:

(a) formulating a first composition comprising at least first and second active agents, said second active agent having a higher evaporation rate than said first active agent;

(b) formulating a second composition comprising said at least first and second active agents, wherein the ratio of said first active agent to said second active agent in said second composition is lower than the ratio of said first active agent to said second active agent in said first composition;

(c) treating said wick and/or evaporation surface with said first air treatment composition; and

providing a supply of said second air treatment composition in said reservoir.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said active agents are selected from the group consisting of air-freshener aromatics, medicaments, decongestants, inhalants, repellants, insecticides, bactericides, and deodorants.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said active agents is an air-freshener aromatic.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of treating said wick with said first air treatment composition comprises wetting less than half of said wick with said first air treatment composition.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of treating said wick with said first air treatment composition comprises wetting more than half of said wick with said first air treatment composition.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of treating said wick with said first air treatment composition comprises wetting all of said wick with said first air treatment composition.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the vapor pressure of said second active agent is at least 20% greater, measured in torr than the vapor pressure of said first active agent.

8. A replenishing solution for replenishing an in-use wick type dispenser,

wherein said in-use wick type dispenser comprises a reservoir and a wick and/or evaporation surface extending between said reservoir and the air to be treated, said wick and/or evaporation surface being provided with an air treating composition comprising at least first and second active agents, said second active agent having a higher evaporation rate than said first active agent;

said first and second active agents being present in a desired ratio for emanating said first and second active agents into the air,

wherein said replenishing solution comprises at least said first and second active agents such that when said replenishing solution is added to said reservoir the proportion of said second active agent to first active agent is greater in said replenishing solution than in said air treatment composition on said wick and/or evaporation surface.

9. A system for treating air using a wick type air treatment dispenser comprising a reservoir and a wick and/or evaporation surface communicating between said reservoir and the air to be treated, said system employing at least two air treatment compositions, Composition I and Composition II, which two compositions, when used together, result in a constant emanating composition throughout the life of said wick type air treatment dispenser, wherein Composition I and Composition II contain, in different proportions, at least two identical active agents having different evaporative character, said system comprising formulating Composition I to give the desired emanating composition measured at the wick and/or evaporation surface, using Composition I to impregnate or wet the wick and/or evaporation surface of the dispenser, formulating Composition II as a replenishing fluid, and supplying Composition II to said reservoir, wherein the relationship between said Composition I and Composite II is further described by the equation ##EQU17## wherein ##EQU18## is Composition II and ##EQU19## is Composition I;

wherein coefficients c_i can be calculated based on quantitative analysis of Composition I and II.

10. An air treatment dispenser comprising:

a wick type dispenser comprising a reservoir and a wick and/or evaporation surface extending between said reservoir and the air to be treated, said wick treated with a first air treatment composition comprising at least first and second active agents, said second active agent having a higher evaporation rate than said first active agent, wherein at least said wick is sealed against evaporation; and

a second air treatment composition comprising at least said first and second active agents, said second composition being provided in said reservoir, wherein the ratio of said first active agent to said second active agent in said second composition is lower than the ratio of said first active agent to said second active agent in said first composition, said reservoir sealed against the atmosphere and against said wick.