FR2944705A1 - Dispenser for spreading volatile substance e.g. perfume, in e.g. atmosphere, has bit permitting to supply liquid composition to dispensing cap by capillarity, and polymeric resin placed between end of bit and bottom of housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has a bottle (1) containing a liquid composition (2) i.e. essential oils, to be dispensed. A neck of the bottle is sealed by a dispensing cap (10) made of absorbing material. The cap has a housing (100) in which a bit (11) is enclosed, where the bit immerses in the liquid composition. The bit is made of a porous or fibrous material permitting to supply, by capillarity, the liquid composition to the dispensing cap. A polymeric resin (3) i.e. polyether-ester-amide based resin, is placed between an end of the bit and a bottom of housing. An independent claim is also included for a method for fabricating a dispenser.

Description

DIFFUSER FOR REGULATING THE EVAPORATION OF VOLATILE SUBSTANCES, IN PARTICULAR FRAGRANCE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME The invention relates to a diffuser for regulating the evaporation of volatile substances, in particular perfume, and its manufacturing process. The invention relates to the industrial and commercial field of articles intended to spread into the atmosphere a perfume or any other volatile substance intended to improve the comfort of the ambient air, usable in closed public or private places, dwellings, offices , stores, hotels or 20 others, as well as in means of transport and in particular motor vehicles. It also relates to articles intended to spread into the atmosphere a deodorant, an insecticide, a bactericide, a relaxant, a euphoriant, or any other similar volatile substances.

State of the art. Volatile diffusers are well known in the art. Patent document WO 95/05855 (KIEFER) discloses a wooden deodorizer comprising a perfume charging chamber; 2944705 -2

FR 2.725.372 (JACQUIS) a diffuser of perfumes or wick scents; FR 2.772.275 (SOMMERARD) a diffuser of room perfumes for a dropper bottle; FR 2.542.173 (ANDREANI) a mixing bottle and dispenser of perfumes. Patent FR 2,875,137 (JEAN) more particularly discloses a diffuser for volatile substances, in particular perfume, consisting of a bottle containing a liquid composition to be diffused. This diffuser is shown schematically in Figure 1 attached. The neck of the bottle 1 'is closed by a diffuser plug 10' of absorbent material, typically wood, the latter having a housing 100 'in which is enclosed a wick 11' dipping into the liquid composition 2 '. This wick 11 'is made of a porous or fibrous material for conveying, by capillarity, the liquid composition 2' to the diffuser cap 10 '. This diffuser is for example intended to be positioned in a motor vehicle, by being fixed on an aerator, so as to exploit the ventilation to accelerate the diffusion of volatile substances impregnating the diffuser cap. This diffuser is particularly effective because it allows to evaporate in a small amount, and more evenly over time, the liquid composition, which is very significant when the latter consists of natural essential oils pure or mixed, or perfume compositions high end used at the highest level of concentration.

By comparison, a wick diffuser immersed in an open bottle as described in the patent EP 1,595,552 (SARA LEE), causes, in particular when it is highly stressed, for example during a rise in the ambient temperature excessive diffusion of the liquid composition. Now, it is well known, especially perfumers, that the perception of a scent is an enjoyment of use as long as the neurons recognize it and accept it. But by nature, the role of neurons is to control the olfactory system to forget it to feel and be ready to perceive 2944705 -3

a solicitation of new scents. To want to make feel a perfume or a continuous aroma is therefore a nonsense, the permanent diffusion in pure loss is it also and leads to an abusive consumption. So that 10 ml of a fragrance product designed to last several months provides an extremely short benefit, often a few days under extreme temperature conditions (> 60 ° C) and then decline inexorably.

The Applicant has found that the broadcaster described in FR 2,875,137 could also excessively diffuse the liquid composition 2 'contained in the vial 1' when the latter was subjected to a relatively high temperature. Indeed, when such a diffuser is positioned in a motor vehicle, the phenomenon of greenhouse effect can bring the temperature inside the passenger compartment up to 60 ° C-65 ° C. Temperatures of the order of 80 ° C can be reached at the outlet of the aerator 15 when the ventilated heating starts with a low outside temperature. At these temperatures, the pressure in the bottle 1 'is such that the wick 11' pumps a large amount of liquid composition 2 'which impregnates excessively (shown schematically by the black arrows in Figure 1) the diffuser cap 10'. This results in an irregular and random diffusion of the volatile substances. A seepage phenomenon may also appear at the neck of the bottle 1 'when the cap 10' can no longer evaporate all the liquid composition 2 'which impregnates it.

The only diffusers of the prior art for controlling sufficiently and in all circumstances the evaporation so that the volatile substances are not diffused indiscriminately and at a loss, are aerosol sprays. However, we know the limit of such broadcasters: if there is no human intervention and voluntary to activate them or even delaying process, they lose their functionality. 30 2944705 -4

In view of this state of affairs, the main objective of the invention is to improve the diffuser of the type described in patent document FR 2.875.137 in order to control and make more regular the diffusion of volatile substances at the plug, whatever the temperatures at which said diffuser is subjected.

Disclosure of the invention. The solution proposed by the invention is a diffuser of volatile substances, in particular perfume, said diffuser being formed of a bottle containing a liquid composition to diffuse, the neck of said bottle being closed by a diffuser plug of absorbent material, this the latter having a housing in which is enclosed a wick immersed in said liquid composition, said wick being made of a porous or fibrous material for conveying, by capillarity, said liquid composition to said diffuser cap. This diffuser is remarkable in that polymer resin is disposed between the end of the wick and the bottom of the housing. The inventor has found that the presence of polymer resin makes it possible to control the diffusion of the liquid into the diffuser plug. It acts as a buffer regulator that transfers a quasi-constant amount of liquid into the diffuser cap, regardless of the amount of liquid pumped by the wick. Unlike most known devices of the prior art, the diffusion of the liquid composition is no longer carried out without discernment and at a loss.

Preferably, the polymer resin is based on polyether-ester-amide. - 5

According to a preferred embodiment, the diffuser plug is turned wood and the wick is a wooden rod, the fibers of said plug and said rod being longitudinal and in the same direction.

A pierced seal is advantageously arranged at the bottom of the diffuser plug so as to form a seal with the lips of the neck of the bottle.

The wick is preferably configured to leave a space at the inner neck of the bottle and a space at its housing in the cap, these spaces allowing the liquid composition pumped in excess by said wick to flow on the latter and return inside said bottle.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing the diffuser according to the preceding characteristics and wherein: - solid polymer resin is introduced at the bottom of the housing made in the diffuser cap, - said resin is melted so as to make it fluid, the wick is inserted in force into the housing while the resin is still fluid.

Preferably, the polymer resin is melted by subjecting it to microwaves.

Before being melted by microwave, the polymer resin may be previously impregnated with a perfuming composition or a neutral solvent provided to return to the core of said resin.

In an alternative embodiment: - 6

- Polymer resin is introduced at the bottom of the housing made in the diffuser cap, said resin being introduced while it is in melting and fluid, - the wick is inserted in force in the housing while the resin is still fluid.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing the diffuser according to the preceding characteristics, wherein, to achieve a strongly impregnated fragrance tester and able to retain the volatile fragrance over a prolonged period: - we use a wooden stopper , the latter being preheated for 1 min to 3 min in a hot air oven to be heated to a temperature between 150 ° C and 200 ° C, the cap is then immersed in a liquid perfume at room temperature, said cap being immersed between 1 min and 30 min depending on the level of impregnation desired, - the liquid perfume is completely drained and the stopper is left to finish its impregnation in the empty sealed container for about 24 hours so that at the end of the operation said cap is dry to the touch.

Description of the figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a diffuser known from the prior art and which is intended to be improved, FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a diffuser according to FIG. FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are sectional views along AA of the diffuser of FIG. 2, showing different possible sections of a wick according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention The diffuser object of the invention is formed of a bottle 1 containing a liquid composition 2 to be diffused. The bottle 1 is typically made of transparent glass and has a capacity close to 10 ml of liquid composition 2. The latter is preferably a liquid perfume, of the type highly concentrated essential oils. Indeed, this diffuser is particularly intended to diffuse, for a long time, a volatile aromatic active ingredient such as most essential oils 100% natural. With compositions of essential oils, can be added assets offering by their constituents a total security of employment. The overall objective will be to be respectful of health and the environment. The object diffuser 20 of the invention can also be used to diffuse a deodorant, an insecticide, a bactericide, a relaxant, a euphoricant or any other similar volatile substances.

The neck of the bottle 1 is closed by a diffuser cap 10 of absorbent material. The stopper 10 is preferably made of turned wood, a pure artisanal product which constitutes an incomparable natural evaporator, much superior to plastics associations, which proves that nature is often very good and that it is wise to Inspire. The wood species used may be a woody and knotless species such as cork, reed, exotic woods, oak, ash or, preferably, beech. However, it is possible to consider using another natural absorbent material, or 2944705 -8

synthetic material such as terracotta, some plastics, etc. In practice, the plug 10 is clipped or screwed onto the neck of the bottle 1. In the latter case, the plug 10 is provided with an inner screw pitch cut in the mass.

The plug 10 comprises a housing 100 in which is enclosed a wick 11 immersed in the liquid composition 2. This wick 11 is made of a porous or fibrous material for conveying, by capillarity, the liquid composition 2 to the diffuser cap 10. The wick 11 is advantageously made of wood, with longitudinal fibers. This orientation of fibers makes it possible to facilitate the capillary migration of the liquid composition 2, from the bottle 1 to the stopper 10. In addition, the escape of the liquid composition 2 is encouraged by the end of the wick 11, in preventing it from escaping radially from said wick. In practice, the fibers of the cap 10 and the wick 11 are longitudinal and in the same direction. The wick 11 is preferably assembled in force, without gluing, in the housing 100. It can advantageously be made of the same wood as the plug 10. However, other materials may be used than wood, for example terracotta, natural or synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, etc. The choice of the diameter of the wick will be a function of the absorption / diffusion that one wishes to obtain.

In the case of a stopper made of beech wood, for a liquid composition 2 rich in essential oils and for a vial 1 having a capacity of about 10 ml, the outer section and the height of the diffuser cap 10 is between 15 mm and 30 mm (its weight being about 3.5 g for beech wood), the diameter of the wick 11 being between 2 mm and 6 mm. Such characteristics make it possible to obtain a right balance between the volume of the liquid composition 2 and that of the stopper 10 so as to be able to diffuse said composition for about 75 days with a reasonable objective of 60 days or more depending on the good adjustment of the ventilation. 2944705 -9 One of the main difficulties encountered for liquid perfume dispensers in vials with wicks, is the excess of evaporation, especially when the diffuser is placed on the aerator of a vehicle, behind the windscreen where the 5 temperatures in the sun can reach 60 ° C to 65 ° C. It is the same when the ventilation of the heating starts with a low outside temperature (for example -10 ° C), the pulsed air can reach up to 80 ° C. In this case, the pressure inside the vial 1 is such that the wick 11 excessively pumps the liquid composition 2, i.e., more than the amount that the stopper 10 can and / or must diffuse.

To solve this problem and in accordance with the invention, the polymer resin 3 is disposed between the end of the wick 11 and the bottom of the housing 100. This resin 3 is preferably based on polyether ester amide (PEEA) . In particular, the resin known under the trade name PEBAX, the composition of which is described in patent document FR 2,743,566, is used. Other equivalent polymer resins, whether or not based on polyesters or polyamides, and for controlling the diffusion of the liquid composition 2 in the diffuser plug 10 can be used by those skilled in the art. This polymer resin 3 indeed acts as a regulating buffer which makes it possible to transfer a quasi-constant quantity of liquid (represented by the small black arrows in FIG. 2) into the diffuser plug 10, whatever the quantity of liquid pumped by the wick 11. The passage of the liquid composition 2 from the end of the wick 11 to the diffuser cap 10 is thus controlled and the diffusion of the volatile substances is controlled, even for the extreme situations of high temperatures (greater than about 60 ° C).

The inventor has been able to observe that this polymer resin 3 makes it possible to obtain a true regularity of the diffusion, in particular with a diffuser cap entirely made of wood, a noble and living material, whose results 2944705 -10-

are unpredictable, its behavior and its reactions being necessarily variable in the presence of active products of different volatility, and in particular the aromatic essences. In the preferred case where the material used is wood, the polymer resin 3 fills the interstices that may exist when assembling the end woods of the wick 11 and the plug 10. Several methods are conceivable for the manufacture of the diffuser object of the invention and in particular for the introduction of the polymer resin 3. Preferably, solid polymer resin 3 is introduced to the bottom of the housing 100. The resin 3 is then melted so as to render it fluid. and that it can be properly housed in the interstices of the constituent material of the cap 10. With the aforementioned dimensions, a very small amount of polymer resin 3, in practice between 0.02 g and 1 g, makes it possible to fill these interstices. Since the average melting point of a polymer resin, particularly a PEEA resin, is about 160 ° C. for heat-molding and molding, a conventional oven would require a high temperature and time which could be detrimental to the plug. 10, especially when the latter is made of wood. For this reason, the polymer resin 3 is preferably melted by subjecting it to microwaves. For example, it is possible to introduce the plug 10 in which the polymer resin 3 is inserted in a microwave oven, between 30 s and 1 min, at a power of between 700 W and 1000 W. It will be possible to use either an oven closed microwave or an open microwave oven operating continuously by adjusting the duration of the operation. To promote its melting in a microwave oven, the polymer resin 3 may be previously impregnated with liquid perfume or solvent before being melted. In particular, the melting rate is greatly accelerated when PEEA resin is previously impregnated in the heart of a perfume composition or a neutral solvent. Indeed, the fusion is more effective when the microwaves can stir the molecules of a liquid which will have penetrated to the core in the resin 3. It is known in particular by the document FR 2944705 -11-

2.908.419 (JEAN), impregnate PEEA resin with appropriate active ingredients up to 50/50 weight / weight.

In an alternative embodiment, the polymeric resin 35 already molten and in liquid form is introduced into the bottom of the housing 100. For example, the polymer resin 3 may be melted with the aid of a heating and dosing gun. this process being comparable to the dosage distribution of HOTMELT glues.

Whatever the melting process employed, the wick 11 is inserted into the housing 100 while the polymer resin 3 is still fluid. When the wick 11 is thus inserted, the excess of polymer resin 3 tends to escape from the housing 100 by lining the side walls of the latter. Consequently, the small quantity of liquid composition 2 capable of escaping radially through the sidewalls of the wick 11 can no longer come into direct contact with the stopper 10, which makes it possible to control even more the impregnation of said plug and evaporation of said composition. In practice, the wick 3 is forced into a preferably conical housing 100 which will prevent it from touching the bottom of said housing. The end of the wick 11 can thus remain separated from the stopper 10 by the presence of the polymer resin 3.

Another technique for inserting the polymer resin 3 into the housing 100 is to mold a piece of resin to the required dimensions and then to position this piece in said housing before introducing the wick 11. It is also possible to extrude resin tubes. polymer which are then cut to the dimensions required to adjust to the diameter of the wick 11 and that of the bottom of the housing 100.

The diffuser plug 10 is preferably provided with a screw thread carved in the mass and exactly calculated to be always joined between 2944705 -12-

the top of the neck of the bottle 1 and the bottom of said plug 10. This configuration ensures, especially after expansion, a sufficient seal.

Referring to Figure 2, a seal 4 may be disposed between the bottom of the cap 10 and the neck of the bottle 1 so as to create a perfectly airtight chamber and which is contained in the liquid composition 2. The seal 4 is flexible and pierced with a hole of a diameter greater than that of the wick 11 so that it can pass through it and do not interfere with the return of the liquid in the bottle 1. It can be used 10 either a flat seal or an O-ring made of a material resistant to active products. A Viton type seal or a suitable polyethylene foam meets this requirement with a correct hold over time, without excessive expansion. The seal 4, if it is flat, has a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm to optimize the use of the material. In the present case, by way of nonlimiting example, a 4 flat seal 12 mm in diameter, will be drilled with a hole of 4 mm to 5 mm in the center to allow the passage of the wick 11 and a return of the liquid 2 in excess of the inside of the bottle 2. An O-ring 4 having a thickness of about 1.5 mm, an internal diameter of about 9 mm and an outside diameter of about 12 mm, gives an equivalent result s' it has sufficient flexibility to be crushed to the screw by a female hand. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to carve the bottom of the cap 10 so as to form a self-sealing lip, such as that usually found inside the plastic caps for closing the bottles. This configuration avoids using the seal 4 described in the preceding paragraph. Whether through the seal 4 or the self-sealing lip, the objective is to obtain a cap 10 which hermetically closes the bottle 1, avoiding the return of air into said bottle. The liquid composition 2 thus undergoes no oxidation, which makes it possible to use very sensitive products, in particular essential oils. Naturally, a very high stability is obtained and the presence of preservatives becomes unnecessary. In order to be adapted to the high stresses due to the internal pressure in the extreme situations of high temperatures (above about 60 ° C.) or in all the other cases where it is useful to recover the seeps of the liquid, the wick 11 may be configured to leave a space at the neck of the vial 1 and a space at its housing 100 in the cap 10, these spaces allowing the pumped liquid in excess, to return inside said vial. runoff against said wick. This arrangement can consist in using not a cylindrical bit, but a half round wick (FIG. 3a) or for example 3/4 of a round (FIG. 3c), or else producing longitudinal grooves 111 on said wick (FIG. 3b), so that the liquid pumped in excess under pressure by said wick can return by trickling inside the bottle 1. In FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c, the material which is removed from the wick 11 is intentionally hatched in black for more than 15 clarity. In practice the recess or recesses made on the wick 11 are such that the surface of the initial section of a wick 4 mm in diameter is reduced and comparable to that of a wick of about 3 mm (if it is hollowed out '/ of a cylindrical section of diameter 4 mm, there is the surface of a cylindrical section of diameter 3 mm). It is possible to produce a strongly impregnated fragrance tester capable of retaining the volatile fragrance over a prolonged period of time. To obtain this tester directly with a diffuser cap 10 made of wood, it is possible to carry out a rapid impregnation by dipping according to the simple technique of the submerged basket, more or less 30 seconds, to put in said stopper provided with its wick 11 and resin 3 between 0.5 mL and 1 mL of perfuming solution. To absorb a wooden plug 10 weighing 3.5 g, a larger amount of liquid perfume, we can use the method described by the same inventor in the patent FR 2,798,313 for perfuming cork. It is known that wood, like cork, is sensitive to hygrometry and retains, even with a dry appearance, a natural presence of residual water, such as water.

5% to 20%. To obtain practically doubling of the absorption capacity of the wooden cap 10, the latter is preheated for 1 min to 3 min in a hot air oven to be brought to a temperature between 150 ° C and 200 ° C, so as not to excessively heat it and risk burning it, these values being determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the wood, the ambient humidity, the conditions of prior storage, etc. This preheating operation will allow to evacuate a large part of the moisture contained in the wood. The cap 10 is then immersed in a liquid perfume at room temperature contained in a container which will then be sealed. The plug 10 remains immersed between 1 min and 30 min, preferably between 15 min and 30 min, depending on the level of impregnation desired. A plug 10 of dry appearance is then obtained by completely draining the liquid perfume and allowing said plug to finish its impregnation in the empty container which will remain hermetically closed, generally between 24 and 48 hours or more if necessary, so that in the end operating said plug is dry to the touch. We will thus have replaced the natural presence of water by the perfume solution.

Claims (10)

Revendications1. Diffuser of volatile substances, in particular of perfume, said diffuser being formed of a bottle (1) containing a liquid composition (2) to diffuse, the neck of said bottle being closed by a diffusing plug (10) of absorbent material, the latter comprising a housing (100) in which is enclosed a wick (11) immersed in said liquid composition, said wick being made of a porous or fibrous material for conveying, by capillarity, said liquid composition to said diffuser cap, characterized by the fact that polymer resin (3) is disposed between the end of the wick (11) and the bottom of the housing (100). 2. Diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the polymer resin (3) is based on polyether-ester-amide. 3. Diffuser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser plug (10) is turned wood and wherein the wick (11) is a wooden rod, the fibers of said plug and said rod being longitudinal and in the Same direction. 4. Diffuser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a pierced seal is disposed at the bottom of the diffuser cap (10) so as to form a seal with the lips of the vial neck (1). 5. Diffuser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wick (11) is configured to leave a space at the inner neck of the vial (1) and a space at its housing (100) in the plug (10), these spaces allowing the liquid composition (2) 2944705 pumped in excess by said wick to flow on the latter and return inside said bottle. 6. Diffuser according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the cap (10) hermetically closes the bottle (1), avoiding the return of air into said bottle, the liquid composition (2) undergoing no oxidation , which makes it possible to use very sensitive products, in particular essential oils. 10 7. A method of manufacturing the diffuser according to claim 1, wherein: - solid polymer resin (3) is introduced at the bottom of the housing (100) made in the diffuser plug (10), - said resin is melted in order to make it fluid, the wick (11) is inserted in force into the housing (100) while the resin (3) is still fluid. 8. The process as claimed in claim 7, in which the polymer resin (3) is melted by submitting it to microwaves, said polymer resin being previously impregnated with a perfuming composition or a neutral solvent provided for returning to heart of said resin. 9. A method of manufacturing the diffuser according to claim 1, wherein: - polymer resin (3) is introduced to the bottom of the housing (100) formed in the diffuser plug (10), said resin being introduced while it is melt and fluid, - is inserted in force the wick (11) in the housing (100) while the resin is still fluid. 2944705 -17- 10. A method of manufacturing the diffuser according to claim 1, wherein, to achieve a strongly impregnated fragrance tester and capable of retaining the volatile perfume over a prolonged period: - a stopper (10) made of wood, the latter being previously heated for 1 min to 3 min in a hot air oven to be heated to a temperature between 150 ° C and 200 ° C, the cap (10) is then immersed in a liquid perfume at room temperature, said cap being immersed between 1 min and 30 min depending on the level of impregnation desired, 10 - the liquid perfume is completely drained and the stopper (10) is left to finish its impregnation in the hermetically closed empty container for about 24 hours so that in the end operating said plug is dry to the touch. 15