Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions

• US 8,016,207 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• 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:
  US11/124,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20050201944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,318 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: 239/34
• 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 emmitted 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 system for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said system comprising at least one device wherein said two or more volatile compositions comprise a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and optionally additional volatile compositions, wherein said at least one device is configured to emit said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions 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, and further, wherein said two or more volatile compositions are contained in one or more bottles, said two or more volatile compositions are emitted using wicks, and said device comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said volatile compositions for a discrete emission period that is greater than 35 minutes and less 120 minutes.

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

3. The system of claim 1 wherein two or more volatile compositions comprise a fragrance composition.

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

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least one device comprises a plug and said plug supports said at least one device on an electrical outlet.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one device comprises a single device comprising a housing, wherein said housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to said housing, and said housing contains receptacles for said volatile compositions.

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

8. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said devices comprises a plug that is adapted to plug into an electrical wall outlet and to support said at least one of said devices on a wall by said plug.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said two or more devices comprise at least one aerosol sprayer.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said two or more devices further comprises a sensor for detecting a condition for emitting at least one of said volatile compositions.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

motion sensors, light sensors, and noise sensors.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein at least two of said two or more devices are configured to communicate with each other.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one device further comprises an indicator for informing the user of the device which volatile material is being emitted, wherein said indicator is selected from the group consisting of:

visual and audible.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a 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.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period within the range of greater than or equal to about 1 hour and less than about 2 hours.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period about 45 minutes.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said timing mechanism is configured to emit said volatile compositions for a discrete emission period that is greater than or equal to about 1 hour and less than about 2 hours.

18. A device for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said device comprising a housing, wherein said housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to said housing, and said housing contains receptacles for said volatile compositions wherein said two or more volatile compositions comprise a first volatile composition, a second volatile composition, and optionally additional volatile compositions, wherein said device is configured to emit said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions 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, and further, wherein said two or more volatile compositions are contained in one or more bottles, and said two or more volatile compositions are emitted using wicks, and further, wherein said device comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said volatile compositions for a discrete emission period that is greater than 35 minutes and less than 120 minutes;

and an indicator, the indicator being a light or a type of plastic that changes color when heated, for informing a user of said device which one of said two or more volatile compositions is being emitted.

19. The device of claim 18 further comprising a heater in said housing for volatilizing at least one of said volatile compositions.

20. The device of claim 18 further comprising a fan in said housing for dispersing at least one of said volatile compositions.

21. The device of claim 18 further comprising a heater and fan in said housing for emitting at least one of said volatile compositions.

22. The device of claim 18 wherein at least one of the volatile compositions is in a liquid form.

23. The device of claim 18 further comprising at least one heater wherein said at least one heater surrounds said wick.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said at least one heater is operated electrically.

25. The device of claim 18 further comprising a 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.

26. The device of claim 18 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period within the range of greater than or equal to about 1 hour and less than about 2 hours.

27. The device of claim 18 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period of about 45 minutes.

28. A system for emitting two or more volatile compositions, said system comprising:

(a) a first device capable of emitting one or more volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition;

(b) a second device capable of emitting one or more volatile compositions comprising at least a second volatile composition; and

(c) optional additional devices capable of emitting one or more optional additional volatile compositions;

wherein said first, second, and optional additional 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, and further, wherein said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions are contained in one or more bottles, said two or more volatile compositions are emitted using wicks, and wherein each of said first, second, and optional additional devices comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said first, second, and optional additional volatile compositions for a discrete emission period that is greater than 35 minutes and less than 120 minutes;

and an indicator, the indicator being a light or a type of plastic that changes color when heated, for informing a user of said device which one of said two or more volatile compositions is being emitted.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising a 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.

30. The system of claim 28 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period within the range of greater than or equal to about 1 hour and less than about 2 hours.

31. The system of claim 28 further comprising a control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period of about 45 minutes.