Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions

• US 7,981,367 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kvietok, Frank Andrej, St. Pierre, Eileen Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, SEAN EVERETT
• Application Number:
  US11/985,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20080069725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/5, 422/123, 422/124, 422/105, 261/30, 239/56, 239/57, 239/34, 239/44
• 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 method for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said method comprising providing two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, wherein said first and second volatile compositions are emitted by heating 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 composition 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 are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes 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 45 minutes.

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 user 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 35 minutes and less than 120 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said two or more volatile compositions are contained in a container having two or more compartments.

9. 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 said gap period.

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

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

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said device further comprises a timer for timing the emission of at least one of said volatile compositions.

13. A method for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said method comprising providing two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, wherein said first and second volatile compositions are emitted by heating 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 said alternating sequence is random and wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes in length.

14. A method for emitting three volatile compositions, said method comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a plug;

three different volatile compositions comprising a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and a third volatile composition, said three different volatile compositions are separately contained in glass containers, said glass containers are removably joined to a portion of said device, and each of said glass containers comprise a wick for dispensing said three different volatile compositions; and

lights for informing a user of said device which one of said three different volatile compositions are being emitted;

emitting said first, second, and third volatile compositions 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 said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods having a gap period of less than or equal to about 30 minutes between said discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes in length.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said discrete emission periods are each 45 minutes.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said discrete emission periods are each greater than or equal to about 1 hour in length and less than about 2 hours in length.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein one of said first, second, and third volatile compositions is emitted for a first time period having a beginning and end, and wherein one of said first, second and third volatile compositions is emitted for a second time period having a beginning and end, said second time period beginning before the end of said first time period and said first time period ending during said second time period.

18. A method for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said method comprising providing two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, wherein said first and second volatile compositions are emitted by heating 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 composition 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 before the end of said first time period, wherein said first time period ends during said second period; and

(c) after the beginning of said second time 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 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes in length.

19. A method for emitting two volatile compositions, said method comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a plug;

two different volatile compositions comprising a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, said two different volatile composition are separately contained in glass containers, said glass containers are removably joined to a portion of said device, and each of said glass containers comprise a wick for dispensing said two different volatile compositions; and

lights for informing a user of said device which one of said two different volatile compositions are being emitted;

emitting said first and second volatile compositions by heating the compositions and dispensing them through said 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 said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods having a gap period of less than 30 minutes between said discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes in length.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said discrete emission periods are each greater than or equal to about 1 hour in length and less than about 2 hours in length.

21. A method for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said method comprising providing two or more different volatile compositions, comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile compositions, wherein said first and second volatile compositions are emitted by heating said first and second volatile compositions and dispensing said first and second volatile compositions through a wick and by diffusing said first and second volatile compositions by a fan, and 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 composition 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 are emitted during discrete emission periods, and said discrete emission periods are each greater than 35 minutes in length and less than 120 minutes in length.