EP4653602A1

EP4653602A1 - A fragrance dispenser for a dryer

Info

Publication number: EP4653602A1
Application number: EP25176480.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Ferrari; Marco TRIVELLA
Original assignee: SMP Srl
Current assignee: SMP Srl
Priority date: 2024-05-20
Filing date: 2025-05-14
Publication date: 2025-11-26

Abstract

The invention concerns a fragrance dispenser (1) made of plastic material to be used for perfuming laundry during drying cycles in electric dryers.

Said fragrance dispenser (1) for a dryer has a substantially spherical shape, comprises a plastic material, the formulation of which incorporates perfume essences, and comprises a first (10) and a second (20) spherical cap, where each spherical cap (10, 20) is provided with at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) emerging from a respective inner surface (12, 22) beyond a respective base (B) and at least one recess (5, 6, 7) having shapes complementary to each other, where said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) and said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of said first spherical cap (10) are respectively identical to said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) and said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of said second spherical cap (20), and where said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) of a spherical cap (10, 20) is adapted to cooperate with said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of the other spherical cap (20, 10) to make said spherical caps (10, 20) reversibly couplable to each other.

Description

Technical field of application

The invention concerns a fragrance dispenser made of plastic material for perfuming laundry during drying cycles in electric dryers.

Prior art

Various products and devices for perfuming laundry and clothes in electric dryers are currently available on the market.
The known products can be divided into four types:

fragrance dispensers made of sheets of special paper or fine cloth soaked in fragrance, in addition to cationic agents to reduce the static electricity; these are placed in the dryer drum, normally using one sheet for each drying cycle; it is currently the cheapest system on the market, but disadvantageously it has been found that the result in terms of perfuming is very poor and unsatisfactory for the majority of users;
fragrance dispensers in liquid form or in the form of microcapsules, disadvantageously having a fairly high cost and being difficult to use because they can stain or soil the laundry being dried;
balls of wool, or other soft material, which are perfumed with fragrance oils before each drying cycle; their big disadvantage is that they are not very practical and require the addition of fragrance oils which are costly and always inconvenient to use because there is the risk of staining the laundry or leaving it greasy;
fragrance devices in various shapes, preferably round, made of E.V.A. (ethyl vinyl acetate) with the possible addition of polyethylene; disadvantageously these devices are very noisy inside the dryers, because they are not soft, but fairly hard, since the hardness of the E.V.A. with the addition of polyethylene, which is necessary in order to withstand the high temperatures in the dryers ranging from 60 to 100 degrees centigrade, varies from 70 to 90 on the Shore A scale; said fragrance devices made of E.V.A. also tend to soften and therefore deform in contact with the walls of the dryers, from 60 degrees centigrade upwards, with the risk of damaging more delicate clothes at higher temperatures.

The latter fragrance devices have a further drawback: their fragrance power is not modifiable, and therefore the user cannot decide on the degree of fragrance he/she wishes to give to the laundry, and the fragrance tends to disappear with the various drying cycles.

Presentation of the invention

The invention aims to overcome these limits, providing a fragrance dispenser for a dryer which is convenient and versatile in use, not noisy, robust, easy and inexpensive to produce, original and attractive in aesthetic terms.
These objects are achieved by a fragrance dispenser for a dryer having a substantially spherical shape, comprising a plastic material, the formulation of which incorporates perfume essences, characterized in that it comprises a first and a second spherical cap, where each spherical cap is provided with at least one emerging structure emerging from a respective inner surface beyond a respective base and at least one recess having shapes complementary to each other, where said at least one emerging structure and said at least one recess of said first spherical cap are respectively identical to said at least one emerging structure and said at least one recess of said second spherical cap, and where said at least one emerging structure of a spherical cap is adapted to cooperate with said at least one recess of the other spherical cap to make said spherical caps reversibly couplable to each other.
According to a first aspect of the invention, said at least one emerging structure comprises rounded profiles, without sharp edges.
Advantageously, said at least one emerging structure comprises conical surfaces adapted to facilitate the respective insertion into the corresponding at least one recess, thus making the coupling between said spherical caps modular.
According to a possible variation of the invention, each spherical cap comprises a plurality of emerging structures, arranged radially, and the corresponding plurality of recesses of said cap is delimited, also radially, by said emerging structures.
In a preferred embodiment, each spherical cap comprises four emerging structures arranged in a cross shape and four recesses also arranged in a cross shape, thus alternating with said emerging structures.
Alternatively, the emerging structures of the same spherical cap are identical to or different from each other and, in the same way, the recesses of the same spherical cap are identical to or different from each other.
In a further possible variation of the invention, the emerging structures and the recesses of the same spherical cap are arranged along a plurality of concentric circles and are separated by radial interruptions.
Advantageously, the outer surface of said first and second spherical cap comprises blind cavities.
In an advantageous embodiment, the formulation of the plastic material with which said fragrance dispenser is made comprises a composition of styrene, polyethylene and butylene.
Furthermore, the plastic material with which each cap is made is coloured, and each different colour is associated with a different perfume essence.
The invention has numerous advantages due mainly to the modular configuration of the fragrance dispenser, made with two identical perfectly modular spherical caps: the interlocking interference system between emerging structures and recesses allows the two spherical caps to remain perfectly joined when they are assembled, without separating for the entire duration of the drying.
In the same way, the fact of dividing the fragrance dispenser into two equal parts makes it very versatile and easily adaptable to the various situations of use: in fact, the fragrance dispenser can be used whole, with the two spherical caps joined, or half, namely using one single spherical cap, or placing the two separate spherical caps in the drum, thus having a larger free surface for emission of the fragrance.
The use of two perfectly identical spherical caps also ensures a production advantage since one single mould is sufficient.
Furthermore, the emerging structures with rounded profiles do not have any pointed or rough parts and therefore, even if only half of the fragrance dispenser is used, therefore placing in the dryer drum one single spherical cap, or the two separate spherical caps, they cannot cause any type of damage or laceration even in the case of fine and delicate or particularly fragile garments.
The preferred formulation of the invention is advantageously very soft, having a hardness of 30-35 on the Shore A scale, so that the fragrance dispenser does not produce any noise during the drying phase; furthermore, the preferred formulation is able to withstand high drying temperatures, up to 120°C, hence the fragrance dispenser does not become soft and deform.

Brief description of the drawings

The advantages of the invention will become clearer below, where preferred embodiments are described by way of non-limiting example and with the help of the figures in which:

Fig. 1 shows, in an exploded lateral view, a fragrance dispenser for a dryer according to a first possible variation of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows, in section along a vertical plane, the fragrance dispenser for a dryer of Fig. 1 in an assembled configuration;
Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c show, in an overhead view, lateral view and axonometric view respectively, a component of the fragrance dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c show, in an overhead view, lateral view and axonometric view respectively, a component of a fragrance dispenser for a dryer according to a possible variation of the invention;
Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c show, in an overhead view, lateral view and axonometric view respectively, a component of a fragrance dispenser for a dryer according to a further possible variation of the invention.

Detailed disclosure of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b and 3c, a fragrance dispenser 1 for a dryer is shown according to a first possible variation of the invention.
Said fragrance dispenser 1 is made of elastomeric rubber, with a plastic material the formulation of which comprises perfume essences.
Said fragrance dispenser 1, in its assembled form, has a slightly compressed substantially spherical shape and comprises a first 10 and a second 20 spherical cap, having an outer surface 11, 21 and an inner surface 12, 22.
Each spherical cap 10, 20 is provided with a plurality of emerging structures 2, which extend from the respective inner surface 12, 22 beyond the respective base B, and a plurality of recesses 5. Said emerging structures 2 and said recesses 5 have shapes complementary to each other.
Said first 10 and second 20 spherical caps are identical to each other: the emerging structures 2 and the recesses 5 of said first spherical cap 10 are respectively identical to the emerging structures 2 and the recesses 5 of said second spherical cap 20.
The complementary shape of emerging structures 2 and recesses 5 means that they can cooperate (Fig. 1), by interlocking and shape coupling, to allow said spherical caps 10, 20 to be reversibly coupled to each other and obtain a fragrance dispenser 1 having a substantially spherical shape.
Fig. 2 illustrates a first configuration of use of the fragrance dispenser 1, namely a complete fragrance dispenser, to be placed in the dryer with the two spherical caps 10, 20 coupled to each other.
With particular reference to Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c, a single spherical cap 10 of the fragrance dispenser 1 of Fig. 1 is illustrated, it having already been explained that the spherical caps 10, 20 are identical to each other.
Said spherical cap 10 comprises four emerging structures 2 arranged in a cross shape and four recesses 5 also arranged in a cross shape and thus alternating with said emerging structures 2.
All the emerging structures 2 of the spherical cap 10 have the same shape, and likewise all the recesses 5.
Said emerging structures 2 comprise rounded profiles 8 so as not to damage the garments during the drying phase, if one single spherical cap 10, 20 or two spherical caps 10, 20 separate from each other are placed in the drum. For the same configuration of use, the emerging structures 2 offer a larger perfumed surface exposed to the hot air during the drying phase.
Said emerging structures 2 comprise conical surfaces adapted to facilitate the insertion thereof in the corresponding recesses of the opposite cap, thus allowing the coupling between said spherical caps 10, 20 to be modulated. The taper is variable from 1 to 3 degrees, with an interference variable from 0.1 to 0.3 mm.
The interlocking created when the user assembles the two spherical caps 10, 20, until the two respective bases B match and until the respective emerging structures 2 fully touch the corresponding recesses 5, guarantees a coupling that remains stable and secure and without the possibility of opening throughout the drying and perfuming cycle, thus fully meeting user requirements.
The outer surface 11 of said spherical cap 10 comprises blind cavities 9 that provide a decorative design and increase the exchange surface with the drying air. Advantageously said cavities 9 can have many different shapes, also to make the fragrance dispenser 1 more aesthetically attractive, but always produced so as not to have pointed or rough parts, and therefore generally having rounded shapes.
With reference to Fig. 1 and 2, to interlock said first 10 and second 20 cap, it is necessary to position the two spherical caps 10, 20 rotated with respect to each other, offset by 45°, thus arranging at the four emerging structures 2 of the first spherical cap 10 the four recesses 5 of the second spherical cap 20, and vice versa.
With particular reference to Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c, a single spherical cap 10 of a fragrance dispenser 1 is illustrated according to a possible variation of the invention.
Said spherical cap 10 comprises a plurality of emerging structures 3 and a corresponding plurality of recesses 6, arranged radially and alternating with one other. Said spherical cap 10 comprises twelve emerging structures 3 and twelve recesses 6.
Also in this case, the emerging structures 3 are all identical to one another, and also the recesses 6 are all identical to one another, in a perfectly symmetrical configuration.
To achieve the interlocking between two spherical caps 10, 20 of the type illustrated in Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c, it is necessary to position the two spherical caps 10, 20 rotated with respect to each other, offset by 18°, thus arranging at the twelve emerging structures 3 of the first spherical cap 10 the twelve recesses 6 of the second spherical cap 20, and vice versa.
Naturally there can be any number of emerging structures 3 and recesses 6, likewise the respective angular arrangement can vary.
With particular reference to Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c, a single spherical cap 10 of a fragrance dispenser 1 is illustrated according to a further possible variation of the invention.
Said spherical cap 10 comprises a plurality of emerging structures 4 and a corresponding plurality of recesses 7, arranged in concentric circles and spaced by radial interruptions 13.
In the same spherical cap 10 there are emerging structures 4 having different shape; in the same way, there are also recesses 7 different from one another.
Along a first diameter D1 of the base B of the cap 10 there are six emerging structures 4 in the shape of an arc of a circle with length decreasing towards the centre of the base B of the cap 10; along a second diameter D2, orthogonal to the first, there are four emerging structures 4, also in the shape of an arc of a circle with length decreasing towards the centre of the base B of the cap 10. The emerging structures 4 delimit corresponding recesses 7, with the same modularity but rotated by 90°.
To achieve the interlocking between two spherical caps 10, 20 of the type illustrated in Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c, it is necessary to position the two spherical caps 10, 20 previously rotated with respect to each other by 90°, thus arranging at the six emerging structures 4 of the first spherical cap 10 the six recesses 7 delimited by the four emerging structures 4 arranged on the orthogonal diameter D2 of the second cap 20, and vice versa.
Regardless of the conformation of the spherical caps 10, 20, the fragrance dispenser 1 according to the invention is made of a plastic material, the formulation of which comprises, in addition to the perfume essences, also a composition of styrene, polyethylene and butylene, designed to guarantee a softness of 30-35 on the Shore A scale, and heat resistance up to 120°C.
The plastic material of which said fragrance dispenser 1 is made is coloured, and each possible colour is associated with a perfume essence.
As mentioned above, the fragrance dispenser 1 according to the invention is versatile and usable in three different modes:

a first mode is to use one single spherical cap 10, which we identify as a fragrance intensity level of 1;
a second mode is to use the two spherical caps 10, 20 assembled to each other (Fig. 2) and therefore with a fragrance intensity level of 1.5;
a third mode is to use the two spherical caps 10, 20 separately, but positioned simultaneously in the dryer and therefore with a fragrance intensity level of 2.

It is evident that this system allows the user to adapt the fragrance intensity as required, also according to the quantity of laundry to be dried.
Furthermore, taking account of the fact that the olfactory curve drops in the long term, the user can vary the configuration of the fragrance dispenser over time, according to the drying cycles already carried out: for example at the beginning the user can use only one cap; after a certain number of cycles he/she can use the two caps assembled together and, lastly, he/she can use the two caps separately, optimizing the perfuming and duration of the fragrance dispenser itself.
The modularity of the fragrance dispenser 1 also allows the assembly of spherical caps 10, 20 with different fragrances, so that the user can create new fragrances for the laundry as required.
The choice of the fragrance can be facilitated also by the different colour of the spherical caps 10, 20.

Claims

A fragrance dispenser (1) for a dryer having a substantially spherical shape, comprising a plastic material, the formulation of which incorporates perfume essences, characterized in that it comprises a first (10) and a second (20) spherical cap, where each spherical cap (10, 20) is provided with at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) emerging from a respective inner surface (12, 22) beyond a respective base (B) and at least one recess (5, 6, 7) having shapes complementary to each other, where said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) and said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of said first spherical cap (10) are respectively identical to said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) and said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of said second spherical cap (20), and where said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) of a spherical cap (10, 20) is adapted to cooperate with said at least one recess (5, 6, 7) of the other spherical cap (20, 10) to make said spherical caps (10, 20) reversibly couplable to each other.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one emerging structure (2, 3 4) comprises rounded profiles (8), without sharp edges.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one emerging structure (2, 3, 4) comprises conical surfaces, adapted to facilitate respective insertion into the corresponding at least one recess (5, 6, 7), thus making the coupling between said spherical caps (10, 20) modular.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each spherical cap (10, 20) comprises a plurality of emerging structures (2, 3), arranged radially, and the corresponding plurality of recesses (5, 6) of said cap (10, 20) is delimited, also radially, by said emerging structures (2, 3).
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each spherical cap (10, 20) comprises four emerging structures (2) arranged in a cross shape and four recesses (5) also arranged in a cross shape, thus alternating with said emerging structures (2).
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the emerging structures (2, 3) of the same spherical cap (10, 20) are identical to each other and, in the same way, the recesses (5, 6) of the same spherical cap (10, 20) are identical to each other.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the emerging structures (4) of the same spherical cap (10, 20) are different from each other and, in the same way, the recesses (7) of the same spherical cap (10, 20) are different from each other.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the emerging structures (4) and the recesses (7) of the same cap are arranged along a plurality of concentric circles and are separated by radial interruptions (13).
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface (11, 21) of said first (10) and second (20) spherical cap comprises blind cavities (9).
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the formulation of the plastic material with which said fragrance dispenser is made comprises a composition of styrene, polyethylene and butylene.
The fragrance dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic material with which each spherical cap (10, 20) is made is coloured, and a different perfume essence is associated with each different colour.