Methods for emitting volatile compositions

• US 7,223,361 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kvietok, Frank Andrej, St. Pierre, Eileen Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): JASTRZAB, KRISANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/204,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20060018803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/5, 422/124, 261/104, 239/326
• US Class Current: 422/4
• 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 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• 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: A61L 9/145 air-liquid contact processes, e.g. scrubbing
• 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 method for emitting two volatile compositions, said method comprising providing two different volatile compositions comprising a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, wherein said fast and second volatile compositions are emitted by healing the compositions and dispensing them through a wick, and further, wherein said first and second 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 wherein in said alternating sequence:

(a) said first volatile compositions is emitted for a first time period, said first time period having a beginning and an end;

(b) said second volatile composition is emitted for a second time period, said second time period having a beginning and an end, and said second time period begins at one of the following times;

(i) at the end of said first period;

or

(ii) after a period of time comprising a gap period after the end of said first period; and

(c) after the beginning of said second period, said first volatile composition is emitted again, and the pattern repeats;

wherein said different volatile compositions arc emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 15 minutes in length and less tan or equal to about 48 hours in length.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 15 minutes in length and less than 24 hours in length.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than or equal to about 1 hour in length and less than about 2 hours in length.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second period begins after a gap period that is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said emission sequence is pre-selected.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said method provides a user interface, and said user interface provides a user with the ability to interrupt said pattern.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said method provides a user 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 48 hours.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said two or more volatile compositions are emitted from at least one device, wherein said second period begins after a gap period following the end of said first period, and said device is provided with controls that allow a user to select the gap period.

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

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said device comprises a plug and said plug supports said device on an electrical outlet.

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

12. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said two or more devices comprises a plug and said plug supports said at least one device on an electrical outlet.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said device further comprises a timer for timing the emission of at least one of said volatile compositions.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said device further comprises a sensor for detecting a condition for emitting at least one of said volatile compositions.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

motion sensors, light sensors, and noise sensors.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of providing a visible or audible signal that informs a user which volatile composition is being emitted.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said volatile compositions comprises a malodor control composition.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the malodor control composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

odor neutralizing materials, odor blocking materials, odor masking materials, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating sequence of emission of the different volatile materials is in a pattern.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating sequence of emission of the different volatile materials is random.

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

22. A method for emitting three volatile compositions, said method comprising providing three different volatile compositions comprising a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and a third volatile composition, wherein said first, second, and third volatile compositions are emitted by heating the compositions and dispensing them through a wick, and further, wherein said first, second and third 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 wherein in said alternating sequence:

(a) said first volatile compositions is emitted for a first time period, said first time period having a beginning and an end;

(b) said second volatile composition is emitted for a second time period, said second time period having a beginning and an end, and said second time period begins at one of the following times;

(i) at the end of said first period;

or

(ii) after a period of time comprising a gap period after the end of said first period; and

(c) said third volatile composition is emitted for a third time period, said third time period having a beginning and an end, and said third time period begins at one of the following times;

(i) at the end of said second period;

or

(ii) after a period of time comprising a gap period after the end of said second period; and

(d) after the beginning of said third period, said first volatile composition is emitted again, and the pattern repeats;

wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 15 minutes in length and less than or equal to about 48 hours in length.