CA2234257A1 - Article for providing release of a volatile material - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable, disposable article for repelling insects. The article includes a fibrous substrate which can be impregnated with the insect repellent. In one embodiment, the fibrous substrate is disposed intermediate a porous cover and a barrier layer and comprises fibers having external capillary channels. The porous cover can comprise an apertured plastic film having tapered apertures. The insect repellent can be contained in a breakable packet, such that when the breakable packet is broken, the insect repellent is directed through the fibrous substrate for release through the apertured film.

Description

CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 W O 97/12518 PCT~US96/15692 ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING RELEASE OF A VOLATILE MATERIAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to an article for providing release of a volatile substance, and more particularly, to a portable, disposable article for providing release of an insect repellent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bug or insect repellent for personal use has been historically delivered in a number of different ways. For example, it may be sprayed or wiped onto one's skin, sprayed into one's imme~ te environment, and/or sprayed onto one's clothing. Thebug repellent solution is typically volatile so that vapors are emitted which repel bugs away from one's body.
Absorbent substrates saturated with volatile solutions of bug repellent, made in the form of patches, have been available for application to clothing. Typically, a patch cont~ining a volatile solution must be contained in a package which prevents vaporization of the solution prior to application of the patch. U.S. Patent Application 08/369,068, "Package for Col.l;t;..il.~ and Applying a Bug RepellentPatch" filed January 5, 1995 in the name of Cook et al, discloses a package for co.~ g a bug repellent impre~n~t~ patch. The disclosed package enables a user to apply the patch to a target surface without contacting the patch.
Such patches can have a barrier m~teri~l between the ,ub.,lL~e and a target surface, such as a user's clothing. The barrier material can permit greater volumes of the volatile solution to be used to provide longer lasting protection from insects.
As the amount of solution is increased, however, it is more likely that some of the solution may leak out of the substrate in liquid form, and possibly be absorbed into the user's skin, or be transferred from a finger into one's eye or mouth. Accordingly, the amount of solution that can be released in vapor form in a given amount of time, from a given surface area of the article, and for a given amount of liquid initially provided on the article is limited by the need to prevent contact of the volatile solution with the user's skin.

CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 W O 97/12518 PCT~US9~/15692 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, disposable article for providing release of a volatile snhst~nee~ such as liquid insect repellent.
~ t is another object of the present invention to provide an article having a barrier layer, a porous cover layer, and a substrate impregn~ted with a volatile liquid bug repellent, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is disposed intermediate the barrier layer and the porous cover layer.

SUMM~RY OF THE ~NVENTION
The present invention comprises a disposable, portable article for providing a consumer controlled release of volatile material, such as an insect repellent, from a substrate.
The article comprises a :jub~Lldte supported on the article for receiving and releasing the volatile liquid s~lbst~n~ e; and a breakable vessel supported on the article. The breakable vessel contains the volatile liquid substance. The vessel is breakable by a user to direct the volatile liquid sukst Inre to the substrate. In one embodiment, the vessel is broken by co..lplessillg and lu~lulhlg the vessel, such as between a thumb and forfinger. In another emboAin~nt, the article can comprise apiercing element for breaking the vessel.
The substrate can comprise a fibrous substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises fibers which are non-absoll,elll with respect to the volatile liquid substance. The fibers can be formed from a polyolefinic material. In one embodiment, the substrate compri~es capillary channel fibers having external capillary ch~nnel~
In one embodiment of the present invention, the article comprises a barrier layer and a porous cover layer. The article can also comprise an a&esive ~ctenerfor ~ hinP the article to a target surface, such as a wearer's g~rment The porous cover layer can comprise an apertured plastic film having an open area ratio of at least about 10 percent, and more preferably at least about 20 percent.

BRiEF DESCR~PTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly cl~imin~ the present invention, it is believed the present invention will be better l]nrierstood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article eneiosecl in a sealed p~ck~e.

CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 W O 97/12S18 PCT~US96/15692 Figure 2 is a top plan view of the article of Figure 1, with the sealed package removed and the porous cover layer partially cut away to show a substrate having a relatively lower density region extenrling between relatively higher density regions.
Figure 3 is a enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the article of Figure 1 showing a porous cover layer having generally conically shaped apertures.
Figure 4 is a a cross-sectional illustration of a capillary channel fiber having a generally I-shaped cross section.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to the present invention having a breakable vessel cont~ininp a predetermined quantity of volatile liquid insect repellent positioned intermediate the porous cover layer and the barrier layer.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a snhstr~te formed of generally parallel capilla;y fibers and a breakable packet of the volatile liquid disposed in an elongated p~cl~ge having a removable end.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 6 showing the end of the elongated package removed to provide a relatively low density portion of the substrate e~ten~ling from the package.
Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a substrate formed of a strand of woven polyolefinic fibers and a breakable vessel conn~ct~l to the substrate through a fluid conduit.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of an ,.ltern,.tive embodiment of the present invention having the substrate and the breakable vessel enclosed in a co,.l~ine., with a portion of the top surface of the container shown cut away.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the article shown in Figure 9 taken along the lines 10-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE rNVENTION
Figures 1 and 2 show a disposable, portable article 20 for providing a release of volatile material compri~ing one or more components. The article 20 comprises a substrate wnich can be impregn .te-l with a volatile liquid material, such as an insect repellent. By the term "disposable" it is meant that the article 20 is intended to be discarded after a single use. By the term "portable" it is meant that the article 20 can be conveniently and comfortably carried in a pocket, purse, or h,.ntlb~g. By the CA 02234257 l99X-04-03 terrn "volatile liquid material" it is meant a liquid material comprising a component having a vapor pressure of at least about 0.00l mm Hg at 50 degrees Centigrade.
In Figures 1-2, the article 20 comprises a barrier layer 30, a porous cover layer 40, and a substrate 50. The article 20 can also include a f~cten~r 60, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive. The f~stener 60 can be used to support the article 20 on a target surface, such as a wearer's g~rment The article 20 can be sealed in wrapper 22 to prevent evaporation of the insect repellent prior to use of the article 20. In Figure 2 the wrapper 22 is omitted to show the intern~1 construction of the article 20.
The article according to the present invention comprises a breakable vessel 90. The breakable vessel contains a pre.1eterrnin~A quantity of a volatile liquid material l 00 for impregn~tinE the substrate 50. The vessel 90 is shown in Figure 5.
Referring to the components of the article 20 of the present invention in more detail, the barrier layer 30 is generally impervious to the volatile liquidsubstance. The barrier layer 30 prevents the volatile liquid substance in the substrate 50 from contacting the target surface on which article 20 is supported. In one embodiment the barrier layer 30 comprices a flexible film, such as a polymeric film; a flexible foil; or a composite material such as a foil/polymeric film Izlmin~t~
By flexible it is meant that barrier 30 is compliant and readily conrc~ s to theshapes and contours of the human body.
A suitable barner layer 30 can comprise a woven or nonwoven material or a polymeric film such as thermoplastic filrn of polyethylene or polypropylene. A
suitable thermoplastic film is a polyethylene film having a thickness of betweenabout 0.012 mrn to about 0.0~1 rnm. Suitable films are m~m1f~tllred by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Onio under the (1'ocign~tion P l 8-0401 and by Ethyl Corp.
of Terre Haute, Tn~ n~ under the design~tion XP-39385. A1tern~tively, the barrier layer 30 can comprise a l~min~te of foil and polymeric film, such as a Type M2077 foil/film k~min~te m~nllfiFI-~tllred by tne American Can Co. of Minn., Minnesota.
- The fact~n~r 60 can be joined directly or indirectly to the barrier layer 30, as shown in Figure l. Suitable fs1~l...L.~ 60 include, but are not limited to, adhesive fi~ct~n~rs and merhs~nics~1 f~ctf~n~rs~ such as VELCRO brand f~ct~n~rc Suitable S~ e sensitive adnesives from which the f~cten~r 60 can be formed are Century A-305-IV brand A&esive manllf~tured by Century A&esives Corp. of Columbus, Ohio; and Instant Lock 34-2823 brand adhesive m~nllf~chlred by the National Starch and Chemical Company of Bridgewater, N.J.
The wldpper 22 can comprise a thermoplastic film incorporating a release liner for covering the f~et~nt?r 60 while the article 20 is sealed in the Wl~ e~ 22.

, CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 Suitable release liners for adhesive fasteners are described in U.S Patent 4,917,697, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Non-limitinp; examples of suitable release liners are BL30MG-A Silox E1/0 and BL30MG-A Silox 4P/0 m~nllf~chlred by the Akrosil Corp. of Menasha, Wisconsin.
The porous cover layer 40 provides a release of an effective amount of the volatile substance from the article 20 The porous cover layer 40 can comprise a film formed of a liquid impermeable material. A plurality of apertures 41 extendthrough the film. In one preferred embodiment, the porous cover layer can comprise an apertured formed plastic film having an outwardly facing surface 44, and inwardly facing surface 42. In one embodiment, apertured formed plastic films are preferred because they are generally non-absorbent with respect to the volatile liquid substance and help prevent the volatile liquid material from passing through thecover layer 40 to contact the wearer's skin or clothing.
The porous cover layer 40 can be joined to the barrier layer 30, either directly or indirectly, by a number of suitable methods. In the embodiment shownin Figure 1, the perimeter of the cover layer 40 can be secured directly to the barrier layer 30 by adhesives, heat and/or ~ sez-ling, ultrasonic bonding, and the like.
A suitable heat sealing method is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,382,245 issued Jan. 17, 1995 to Thompson et al.
In one embodiment, the porous cover layer has a caliper 45 of at least about 0.005 inch. The caliper 45 is measured under a compressive load of 95 grams per square inch using a circular load foot having a 2.00 inch diameter. The caliper 45 provides sc;~dldLion of the liquid in the substrate 50 from the outwardly facingsurface 44 of the porous cover layer 40. Such a caliper 45 helps to restrict the liquid in the substrate 50 from re~ching the surface 44, and possibly contacting the wearer's skin or clothing. In one embodiment, the caliper 45 can be at least about 0.010 inch, and more preferably at least about 0.015 inch. For example, a suitable porous cover layer 40 can have a caliper 45 between about 0.015 inch and about 0.025 inch.
The d~ S 41 can also be shaped to restrict flow of the liquid from the substrate 50 to the outer surface 44. As shown in Figure 3, the ~ s 41 can be tapered from a relatively large base opening 46 at the outwardly facing surface 44 to a relatively smaller apex opening 48 at the inwardly facing surface 42. U.S. Patent 3,929,135 issued Dect?mber 30, 1975 to Thompson is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of disclosing a suitable formed film having tapered openings. In an ~It~rn~tive embodiment not shown, the apertures 41 can be tapered W O 97/12~18 PCT~US96/15692 from a relatively large opening at the inward surface 42 to a relatively smaller apex at the outward surface 44.
Each of the openings 46 can each have a surface area between about 0.015 square rnrn and about 32 square mm. The porous cover layer 40 can have an open area ratio of at least about l0 percent. In one embodiment, the porous cover layer 40 has an open area ratio of at least about 20 percent. For instance, a suitableporous cover layer 40 can have an open area ratio between about 20 percent and about 50 percent. Such an open area ratio is suitable for providing effective release of the volatile material from the substrate.
The open area ratio is deterrnined by first measuring the total sur~ace area of the porous cover layer 40, as viewed in Figure ~, including the area of the openings 46. The surface areas of all the openings 46 in the cover layer 40 are then measured and added. The surface areas of the openings 46 are measured at the outward surface 44. The open area ratio is the ratio of the surn of the areas of these openings 46 divided by the total surface area of the cover layer 40.
While the porous cover layer 40 is shown having tapered apertures 41 in Figures 1-3, it will be l~n~lerstQod that other formed films can also be used toprovide release of the volatile material from the article 20, while restricting flow of the liquid volatile material from the ~ub~ dl~ 50 to the surface 44. Other forrned films suitable for use as the cover layer 40 are disclosed in the following U.S
Patents, which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Patent 4,324,246 issued to Mullane et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314 issued to Radel et al.; U.S. Pat. No 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,643 issued to Curro et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 issued to Baird. One suitable porous cover layer 40 is marketed as DRI-WEAVE by The Procter & Garnble Company on sanitary napkins.
The substrate 50 can be fibrous, and can be in the form of a woven or non-woven patch, batt, tow, tuft, or bundle of a fibers which are non-absorbent withrespect to the volatile liquid substance. By "non-absorbent" it is meant that when the substrate 50 is imrnersed in the volatile liquid substance, the individual fibers absorb an amount of the volatile liquid substance less than their own weight (less than one gram of the volatile liquid substance absorbed by the fiber per grarn of fiber weight). Accordingly, the volatile li~uid substance is stored in the irlle~ ial space between fibers or along the fibers' surfaces, rather than inside the fibers themselves, thereby enhancing release of the volatile liquid substance from the substrate 50.
In one embodiment, the substrate can comprise fibers formed from a polymer such as a polyolefin. Suitable fibers include but not limited to polyethylene, CA 022342~7 l99X-04-03 W O 97/12518 PCT~US96/15692 polypropylene, and polyester fibers. The substrate 50 can be joined, directly orindirectly, to the barrier layer 30. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the substrate 50 is secured directly to an inwardly facing surface of the barrier layer 30 by a layer of adhesive 35. Suitable adhesives 35 include Findley Adhesive #2120 or Findley H2031 Adhesive available from Findley Adhesives, Inc. of Elmgrove, Wisconsin, and Century 5227 Adhesive available from Century Tntçrn~tional Adhesive and Coating Corp. of Columbus, Ohio.
In another embodiment, the substrate 50 can comprise a plurality of capillary channel fibers 55. Capillary channel fibers 55 are fibers that have one or more channels formed therein, preferably on their exterior surfaces. Figure 4 shows acapillary channel fiber 55 having a generally I-shaped cross-section. It will beunderstood that suitable capillary channel fibers 55 can have any number of shapes, including but not limited to I, H, C, V, and U-shaped cross-sections. The channels 57 in the exterior surfaces of the fiber 55 can have a width W and a depth D. The value of W can be between about 10 microns and about 100 microns. The value of D can be between about 10 microns and about 100 microns. The capillary channel fibers 55 can have a denier of between about 10 and about 45 grams/9000 meters of fiber length. Exarnples of capillary channel fibers 55 are disclosed in the following references, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent 5,382,245 issued January 17, 1995 to Thompson et al.; and U.S. Patent 5,200,248 issued April 6, 1993 to Thompson et al.
The value of W can be greater than or equal to the value of D. In on embodiment, the ratio of WtD can be at least about 1.5, and more preferably at least about 2Ø Such relatively shallow channels 57 having a relatively high W~D ratio are capable of transporting the volatile substance while providing for enhanced release of the substance from the substrate 50 col,lpal~d to the release that would be provided with fibers 55 having ch~nn~lc 57 with lower W/D ratios. In one embodiment the value of D can be between about 15 microns and about 30 microns, and the value of W can be between about 40 microns and about 70 microns.
The substrate 50 can comprise a relatively high density region and a relatively low density region. The relatively high density region provides relatively rapid transport of the volatile fluid throughout the substrate, while the relatively lower density region promotes relatively rapid release of the volatile liquid material from the substrate. The fibers in at least a portion of the substrate 50 can be oriented in a pre~lçterrnined direction, and in one embodiment the fibers in at least a portion of the substrate 50 are arranged in a generally parallel fashion to provide wicking of the volatile liquid in a pre-lPterrnined direction.

CA 022342~7 l99X-04-03

2~18 PCT~US96/15692 Referring to Figure 2, the substrate 50 can comprise a relatively low density region 54 e~t~n~iing bet~,veen and joining two relatively high density regions 52A
and 52B. The fibers in the relatively high density regions 52A and 52B can be arranged in a generally parallel fashion to provide wicking of the volatile liquid substance into the relatively low density region 54 The substrate shown in Figure 2 can be formed from a length of generally parallel capillary channel fibers 55. The length of generally parallel capillary channel fibers can be co~ essed to buckle a portion of the fibers radially outwardly, thereby forming the relatively low density region 54.
In another embo-lim~nt the substrate 50 can comprise a natural or synthetic sponge material, or an open celled foam material. Suitable open celled foarns, such as foarns prepared by polymerizin~g a high intl-rn~l phase emulsion, are described in the following U.S. Patent docnm.ont~, which are incorporated herein by reference:
U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 08/370,695, Absorbent Foams Made From High Tnt~rnAl Phase Emulsions Useful For Acquiring and Distributing Aqueous Fluids, filed Jan. 10, 1995 in the name of Stone, et al.; U.S. Patent Application entitled Absorbent Foams Made From High TnternAl Phase Fmnlcion~ Useful For Acquiring Aqueous Fluids, filed Aug. 30, 1995 in the name of DesMarais, U.S.
Patent 5,147,345; High Efficiency Absorbent Articles for Incontinenre Management, issued September 15, 1992 in the narne of Young et al., which patentis incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to Figure 5, the article 20 according to the present invention comprises a liquid impermeable breakable vessel 90 contAining a pre~lett-rmin~ cl quantity of the volatile liquid 100. The breakable vessel 90 is breakable by a user to direct the volatile liquid 100 to the substrate 50. The breakable vessel ~ irl~ the volatile liquid mAt~riAl separate from the substrate 50 until the article 20 is ready to be used. Accordingly, the volatile liquid substance is less likely to evaporate from the article 20 prior to the time the article is placed in use.
The mAtenAI with which the substrate 50 is i~ le~ llated preferably comprises one or more components effective in repelling bugs, including but not limited to insects such as mosquitos. In one embodiment, the substrate 50 can beimpregnAt~d with a liquid mAteriAI comprising one or more organic compounds.
Such organic compounds can have between one carbon atom and 20 carbon atoms (Cl-C20 organic compounds), and more preferably, bet~,veen 6 carbon atoms and 12carbon atoms (C6-C12 organic compounds). In one embodiment, the substrate 50 is impre~nAtf d with a liquid material comprising one or more C6-C12 organic CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 WO 97ll2518 PCTrUS96/15692 compounds. Such organic compounds can be saturated. unsaturated, or aromatic.
and can have straight carbon chains, branched carbon chains, or cyclic structures.
Examples of suitable organic compounds include, but are not limited to, alchohols, such as cintronellol; aldhehydes, such as citronellal; ketones; esters;
lactones, and amids. One suitable mixture with which the substrate 50 can be impregnated is CITRONELLA CEYLON, designated Flt FDG, FP 138, m~n~lf~tured by International Flavors and Fragrances of New Jersey. Other suitable materials with which the substrate 50 can be impregnated include but are not limited to Ethyl Butylacetylaminopropinate, N.N diethyl-M-toluarnide (DEET);and Dimethyl Phth~l~t~.
The articles of the present invention can have a substrate 50 impregnated with an initial loading of about 2.0 grams or less of the volatile liquid material carried in the breakable vessel 90. In embodiment. the breakable vessel can contain about 1.0 grams or less of the volatile liquid material. Additionally, the ratio of the weight of the volatile liquid material to the weight of the substrate should be at least about 0.1. In one embodiment, the ratio of the weight of the volatile liquid material contained in the breakable vessel 90 to the weight of the dry substrate 50 is preferably at least about 2.0, and more preferably, at least about 4Ø By way of illustrative example, the substrate 50 can have a dry weight of about 0.22 gramsimpregnated with about 2.0 grams of a liguid comprising citronella oil, such as the above referenced CITRONELLA CEYLON.
The structures of the present invention can provide an effective release rate of insect repellent material with a relatively small arnount of insect repellentmaterial. Without being limited by theor~, it is believed that the ability of the structures of the present invention to provide an effective release rate with a small amount of insect repellent is due, at least in part, to having a relatively high ratio of weight of the initial loading of insect repellent material to dr,v substrate weight.
The breakable vessel 90 can comprise a packet formed from a liquid impervious layer of material. For instance, the vessel 90 can comprise a packet formed from a polymeric film, such as a thermoplastic film. Such a packet can also be formed from a l~min~t~ of foil and a polymeric film. Suitable materials from which the vessel 90 can be formed include the films and l~min~t~ from which the barrier layer 30 can be formed, as described above. In one embodiment, the vessel 90 can be formed from a film m~nllfzlctured by Tredegar Industries of Terre Haute, In~ n~ under the ~lecign~tion C-8570 and having a thickness of about 0.028 mm.
The breakable vessel 90 and at least a portion of the substrate 50 can be disposed in a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit directs the predetermined amount of CA 022342~7 l998-04-03 WO 97/12518 PCT~US96/15692 volatile liquid 100 from the vessel 90 to the substrate 50, once the vessel 90 is broken. In Figure 5, the fluid conduit comprises a sleeve 80 having a closed end 82 and an open end 84. The vessel 90 is disposed in the sleeve 80 ~ cçnt the closedend 82. At least a portion of the relatively high density region 52A of the substrate 50 extends into the open end 84 of the sleeve 80. Generally parallel capillary channel fibers 55 in the region 52A extend into the sleeve 80 to wick fluid from the broken vessel 90 to the relatively low density region 54.
The sleeve 80 can be joined to the substrate 50 to form a fluid seal. For instance, the open end 84 of the sleeve 80 can be adhesively joined to the substrate 50 to prevent the predetermined amount of liquid 100 from flowing between the substrate 50 and the sleeve 80. The sleeve can be formed of a licluid impermeable film, such as a polymeric film which is substantially non-absorbent with respect to the volatile liquid substance. Suitable materials from which the sleeve can be formed include those films and l~min~t~ from which the barrier layer 30 can be formed. Another suitable film from which the sleeve 80 can be formed is SARAN
brand wrap .. .~ l ri1~tured by Dow Brands, Inc. of Tn~ n~polis, Tnrlis~n~
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6, an article 220 according to the present invention comprises a substrate 50 formed of generally parallel capillary fibers 55 and a breakable vessel 90 cont~inin~ a pre-i~termined amount of a volatile liquid 100. The substrate 50 and the breakable vessel 90 are disposed in an elongated package 235. A f~tener 60 can be disposed on an extern~l surface of the package 235.
The package 235 can have a generally cylindrical shape, and can have a first end 237 and a second removable end 239. The second removable end 239 can be sep~u~Led from the package 235 at a line of we~knt-~s, such as along a line of pelroldlions 238. The package 235 preferably comprises a licluid impermeable film, such as a plastic film which is subst~nti~lly non-absorbent with respect to the volatile liquid substance. Suitable materials from which the package 235 can be formed include those films and l~min~te from which the barrier layer 30 can be formed.
The breakable vessel 90 can be disposed in the package 235 adjacent the first end 237. The fibers 55 can extend in a generally parallel fashion from the vessel 90 to the second end ~39. The fibers 55 can be transversely restrained by a sheath 245.
The sheath 245 can comprise one or more layers of paper which encircle the fibers 55 and m~int~in the fibers 55 in a radially compact, generally cylindrical form.Orienting the fibers 55 in a general parallel fashion, and m~int~ining the fibers 55 in a radially compact form along at least a portion of their lengths is desirable. Such a CA 022342~7 1998-04-03 W O 97/12518 11 PCT~US96/15692 fiber configuration is desirable for wicking the volatile liquid m~t~ri~l from the vessel 90 toward the second end 239.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the article 220 of Figure 6 showing the removable end 239 ~et~r~ç~l from the elongated package 235. With the removable end 239 detached from the package, a portion of the sheath 245 adjacent to the end 239 can be peeled back to free the ends of the fibers 55~ as shown in Figure 7.
Freeing the ends of the fibers 55 permits the ends of the fibers to expand transversely as indicated by the arrows 154 in Figure 7, such as in a radial direction, thereby forming a a relatively low density region 54 of the substrate 50. The portion of the s~bstr~te 50 which remains encircled by the sheath 245 comprises a relatively high density region 52. The vessel 90 can be broken by exerting oppositely directed cOl,~le~ e forces on either side of the package 235 (e.g. by pinching the package 235 between two fingers) as indicated by arrows 236.
Figure 8 is a partially cut away top plan view of an article 320 according to analternative embodiment of the present invention. The article 320 comprises a barrier layer 30, a porous cover layer 40 joined to the barrier layer 30, and a substrate 50 disposed intermediate the barrier layer and the porous cover layer 40. The substrate 50 comprises a strand of braided polyolefinic fibers. The strand of braided fibers can have two ends disposed in a sleeve 80, to be positioned adjacent a breakablevessel 90 co.~ g the volatile liquid s~lbst~nl~e In yet another embodiment, the substrate 50 can comprise a woven or non-woven web of non-absorbent fibers in the form of a patch. Such a patch can comprise polypropylene fibers, and can have a basis weight of about 5-6 ounces per square yard and a caliper of bet~,veen about 0.05 inch and about 0.10 inch.
In another embollim~nt, the substrate 50 can comprise a nonwoven web of paper fibers, including paper webs m~mlf~rtllre by through air drying techniques as well as by conventional ~ king techniques. Suitable webs from which the substrate 50 can be formed are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent 4,528,239 issued July 9, 1985 to Trokhan; U.S. patent 5,277,761 issued January 11, 1994 to Phan et al.; and U.S.
Patent 5,245,025 issued September 4, 1993 to Tro-k-han et al. In one embodiment,the substrate 50 can have a weight of about 0.25 grams, and can comprise 2 or more sections of 2-ply paper towels cut from BOUNTY brand paper towels m~nllfsl~tnredby The Procter and Gamble C~ lp~ly.
Figures 9 and 10 show an article 420 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The article 420 comprieee a container 425. The container 425 can comprise a shell 440 having ~ cs 441 the.e~ gh. The shell 440 can CA 022342~7 l99X-04-03 WO 97/12518 PCT~US96/lS692 12 be joined directly or indirectly to a base 430, such as by adhesive, by interference fit, or by other suitable means. A fibrous substrate 50 and a breakable vessel 90 cont~ining a predet~rrninPcl amount of volatile liquid l OO are shown disposed in the cont~iner, intermediate the shell 440 and the base 430. The shell 440 and the base 430 can be thermoformed from thermoplastics.
A piercing element 443 can be joined to or extend integrally from an inside surface of the shell 440. The breakable vessel 90 can be positioned subjacent the piercing element 443. The substrate SO can at least partially encircle the vessel 90, so that fibers SS of the substrate 50 extend around the vessel 90 in a generallyparallel fashion.
The shell 440 can be resiliently or p1~ctic~11y deformed relative to the base 430, such as by applying oppositely directed co,l,~,~,ssi~e forces 436 to the shell and base (e.g. by sqne~o7ing the shell and base bet~,veen two fingers). Deflection of the shell relative to the base causes the piercing element 443 to pierce the vessel 90, thereby releasing the volatile liquid to impregnate the substrate 50. Vapors of the volatile liquid substance are then released through the ap~.Lu,~s 441 in the shell 440.

In the embodimPnte described, the substrate 50 is impregn~t~cl with substance effective for repelling insects. In other embodiment, the substrate 50 can be impregn~te-l with m~tori~1c which are effective in providing a desired frz3grz~n~e such as perfume m~t~n~1c, or combinations of such materials.
While particular embo-lim.?ntc of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. It is int~on~l.ofl to cover, in the appended claims, all such modifications and inten-1e-1 uses.

~ _ _ _ ___

Claims (10)

1. An article for providing consumer controlled release of a volatile liquid substance, the article comprising:
a substrate supported on the article for receiving and releasing the volatile liquid substance, and a breakable vessel supported on the article, the vessel containing the volatile liquid substance, wherein the vessel is breakable by a user to direct the volatile liquid substance to the substrate.

2. The article of Claim 1 wherein the article comprises a porous cover and a barrier layer, the barrier layer being relatively impervious to the volatile liquid, and wherein at least a portion of the substrate is disposed intermediate the porous cover and the barrier layer.

3. The article of Claims 1 or 2 further comprising a fluid conduit for directing volatile fluid from the breakable vessel to the substrate upon breaking of the vessel.

4. The article of Claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein the fibrous substrate comprises a relatively low density region and a relatively high density region.

5. The article of Claims 4 wherein the relatively high density region of the substrate transports the volatile liquid substance from the breakable vessel to the relatively lower density region of the substrate.

6. The article of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein the substrate comprises non-absorbent fibers, and wherein the substrate preferably comprises capillary channel fibers having external capillary channels.

7. The article of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 wherein the disposable article comprises a fastener for joining the article to a target surface.

8. The article of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 comprising a container for holding the fibrous substrate and the breakable vessel, wherein the container comprises a piercing element for breaking the breakable vessel.

9. The article of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 comprising one or more one breakable vessels, wherein the total amount of volatile liquid material contained in the breakable vessels is about 2.0 grams or less, and more preferably about 1.0 grams or less of the volatile liquid material, and where the ratio of the total weight of the volatile liquid material in the one or more breakable vessels to the weight of the substrate is preferably at least about 2Ø

10. The article of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 wherein the breakable vessel contains an insect repellent material.