Methods, devices, compositions, and systems for improved scent delivery

• US 8,349,251 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2012
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Woo, Ricky Ah-Man, Alonso, Mario, Hecht, John Philip, Reece, Steven, Kvietok, Frank Andrej, St. Pierre, Eileen Marie, Liu, Zaiyou, Readnour, Christine Marie, Kaiser, Carl Eric, Baillely, Susan Eleanor, Agami, Sion
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Regina M.
• Application Number:
  US13/363,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20120126025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/5, 422/120, 422/123, 422/125, 239/34, 239/44, 239/56, 239/57, 261/30
• US Class Current: 422/5
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0035 characterised by the control methods for adding the substance

Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, and compositions that improve the scent perception for a user. Improved scent perception is achieved by presenting alternating scents and by varying levels of output of scents, as well as by minimizing device clogging, thereby improving evaporation profiles.

Claims

1. A method of emitting a perfume from a heated-wick device comprising the steps:

a) providing said heated-wick device comprising a first perfume composition in fluid communication with a first wick and a second perfume composition in fluid communication with a second wick;

b) applying heat to said first wick;

c) reducing the heat to said first wick;

d) maintaining reduced heat to said first wick for about 20 minutes to about 24 hours;

e) applying heat to said second wick;

f) reducing the heat to said second wick; and

g) maintaining reduced heat to said second wick for about 20 minutes to about 24 hours.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein wick temperature sufficient to increase the rate of volatilization of at least one component of said first perfume composition is greater than or equal to about 40°

C.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the wick temperature sufficient to increase the rate of volatilization of at least one component of said first perfume composition is greater than or equal to about 60°

C.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the wick temperature sufficient to increase the rate of volatilization of at least one component of said first perfume composition is greater than or equal to about 80°

C.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein wick temperature sufficient to decrease the rate of volatilization of the at least one component of said first perfume composition is less than or equal to about 40°

C.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the difference between wick temperatures at steps b) and e) is from about 10°

C. to about 100°

C.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the difference between wick temperatures at steps b) and e) is from about 20°

C. to about 80°

C.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the difference between wick temperatures at steps b) and e) is from about 40°

C. to about 60°

C.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the reduced heat is from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes to allow for back-flow of all or a portion of the components of said first perfume composition.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining the reduced heat is about 30 minutes to allow for back-flow of all or a portion of the components of said first perfume composition.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps b) through g) are each repeated at least two times.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein in said heating step of e), the temperature of said second wick is higher than in the previous heating step of b).

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein performance of step b) and step e)overlaps for a period of from about 0.1% to about 100% of the duration of step e).

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance of step b) and step e)does not overlap.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein there is a gap between performance of step b) and step e) for a period of from about 0.1% to about 100% of the duration of step b).

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reduced heat is maintained for a time sufficient to allow for back-flow of all components of the perfume composition.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) further comprises applying a fan to the first wick for enhancing release of at least one component of the perfume composition.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first wick and second wick have an average pore size of about 50-150 microns.