Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions

• US 8,210,448 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kvietok, Frank Andrej, St. Pierre, Eileen Marié
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Sean E
• Application Number:
  US13/280,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20120037720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/5, 422/123, 422/124, 422/105, 261/30, 239/34, 239/44, 239/56, 239/57
• 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

Abstract

Systems and devices for emitting volatile materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, 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 device, the volatile compositions are alternately emitted during periods that are greater than 15 minutes and less than 2 hours.

Claims

1. A device for emitting two or more volatile compositions, wherein said device comprises two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, and wherein said device comprises a heater and wick, said heater and wick are configured to emit said first and second volatile compositions through said wick, and further, wherein said device comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said first and second 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, 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, said discrete emission periods are each from 23⅓

minutes to less than 120 minutes in length.

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

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said emission sequence is user selected.

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

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said device provides a user control which allows a user of the device to select a desired emission period within the range of 23⅓

minutes to less than 120 minutes.

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

7. The device of claim 1 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.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a plug and said plug supports said device on an electrical outlet.

9. A device for emitting two or more volatile compositions, wherein said device comprises two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, and wherein said device comprises a heater and wick, said heater and wick are configured to emit said first and second volatile compositions, and further, wherein said device comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said first and second volatile compositions in a substantially continuous emission sequence in which the emission of the different volatile compositions is random, and wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, said discrete emission periods are each from 23⅓

minutes to less than 120 minutes in length.

10. A device for emitting three volatile compositions, said 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 containers, said containers are removably joined to a portion of said device, and each of said containers comprise a wick for dispensing said three different volatile compositions;

a heater configured to emit said first, second, and third volatile compositions through said wick; and

a timing mechanism configured to emit said first, second and third 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, wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, said discrete emission periods are each from 23⅓

minutes to less than 120 minutes in length.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein one of said first, second, and third volatile compositions is emitted for a first time period having a beginning and end, wherein one of said first, second and third volatile compositions is emitted for a second time period having a beginning and end, wherein said second time period begins before the end of said first time period, and said first time period ends during said second time period.

12. A device for emitting two or more volatile compositions, wherein said device comprises two or more different volatile compositions comprising at least a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition, and wherein said device further comprises a heater and wick configured to emit said first and second volatile compositions through said wick, and further, wherein said device comprises a timing mechanism configured to emit said first and second 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, 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, wherein said second time period begins before the end of said first time period, and wherein said first time period ends during said second period; and

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

wherein said different volatile compositions are emitted during discrete emission periods, said discrete emission periods are each from 23⅓

minutes to less than 120 minutes in length.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising diffusing said first and second volatile compositions by a fan.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said discrete emission periods are each from 35 minutes to less than 120 minutes in length.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein said device comprises a plug, said plug supports said device on an electrical outlet.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein said first and second volatile compositions are separately contained in containers, said containers are removably joined to a portion of said device, and each of said containers comprise a wick for dispensing said first and second volatile compositions.