KR20120005053A - Decorative luminary - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a decorative light-emitting body 10 for providing an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The decorative light emitter 10 may include a shade 40. Sunshade 40 may be disposable. Decorative illuminator 10 may also include a base 20. Light source 27 may also be included. The invention also relates to a method for producing a decorative light emitter of the invention.

Description

Decorative illuminant {DECORATIVE LUMINARY}

The present invention relates to a decorative light emitter for providing an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.

It is known in the art to use scented candles to provide a pleasant atmosphere. However, the scented candles can be messy and can also cause problems related to the use of open flames.

Scented candles can be messy and can also cause problems with the use of open flames. The present invention overcomes this limitation. The decorative light emitter of the present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. This does not use a flame and thus eliminates the problem with the use of an open flame. In addition, since the decorative luminaries are not wax-based, there are no problems with the dripping and dirt that may be associated with the scented candle. In addition, the luminous body of the present invention provides the user with flexibility since the shade of the luminous body can be easily exchangeable and disposable, thereby providing the user with a choice regarding scent and decorative style. .

These and other features, aspects, advantages, and modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure in conjunction with the appended claims, which are included within the scope of the claims.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a decorative light emitter. Decorative light emitters may include a base, a light source, and one or more disposable shades. The sunshade may be impregnated with a composition consisting of about 50% to about 100% with a volatile composition comprising at least one component having a Kobat's Index of about 600 to about 1800.

Disposable shades may comprise a component of the first group having a boiling point of about 20 ° C. to about 250 ° C. and a ClogP value of about −2 to about 3; A second group of components having a boiling point of about 20 ° C. to about 250 ° C. and a ClogP value of about 3 to about 9; A third group of components having a boiling point of about 250 ° C. to about 400 ° C. and a ClogP value of about −2 to about 3; A fourth group of components having a boiling point of about 250 ° C. to about 400 ° C. and a ClogP value of about 3 to about 9; Or impregnated with a volatile composition comprising a perfume component selected from combinations thereof.

Disposable sunshades may comprise a volatile composition that is at least about 50% exhausted from the sunshade within about 24 hours after the sunshade is exposed to air. The disposable sunshade can be made of a material having a fluid retention capacity of about 5 ml / m 2 to about 1000 ml / m 2 and an average pore size of about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers.

In another aspect of the invention, a composition for a decorative light emitter is provided. The composition comprises a volatile composition, the volatile composition being provided in an amount capable of adding about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams of volatile composition to the disposable shade. Prior to addition to the disposable sunshade, the volatile composition is contained in ampoules, pouches, drops, sachets, sprays, blow-fill sealed containers, or combinations thereof. Volatile compositions may have a Cobat index of about 600 to about 1800.

In another aspect of the invention, the decorative light emitter comprises a base and a disposable shade. The sunshade is combined with the base. The base includes a connecting element and the sunshade includes an interactive connecting element such that the connecting element of the base contacts the mutual connecting element of the sunshade.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disposable shade is provided, the shade comprising a material having a thickness from about 0.008 mm to about 5 mm, the shade comprising a volatile composition.

In another aspect of the invention, a decorative light emitter is provided, which includes a disposable shade and an altered indicia.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a decorative light emitter is provided. In this method,

a) providing a base comprising a light source;

b) providing a disposable awning; And

c) engaging the base with the disposable sunshade such that the base is in communication with the sunshade.

In another aspect of the invention, providing a disposable awning in a flat or substantially flat form; And extending the disposable shade to a substantially non-flat shape.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for a user to customize the components of a decorative light emitter. In this method,

a) providing an interactive sample display comprising respective options of each decorative illuminant component;

b) providing user access to the interactive sample display; And

c) The user may select a sample of the decorative illuminator that includes each option of each decorative illuminant component selected by the user, thereby allowing the user to select which option of each decorative illuminant component the user would like. Including the steps to make

The decorative light emitter of the present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. This does not use a flame and thus eliminates the problem with the use of an open flame. In addition, since the decorative luminaries are not wax-based, there are no problems with the dripping and dirt that may be associated with the scented candle. In addition, the luminous body of the present invention provides the user with flexibility since the shade of the luminous body can be easily exchangeable and disposable, thereby providing the user with a choice regarding scent and decorative style. .

It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decorative light-emitting body made according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the decorative light emitter shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decorative light-emitting body made according to the invention.
4 is a side view of the decorative light emitter shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decorative light-emitting body made according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the decorative light emitter shown in FIG. 5; FIG.
7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a base for a decorative light emitter made according to the invention.
8 is an electrical connection diagram of one embodiment of a light source for a decorative light emitter made according to the invention.
9 is a top sectional view of one embodiment of a substrate material made in accordance with the present invention.
10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decorative light-emitting body produced according to the present invention.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decorative light emitter made according to the invention.
12 is a bottom view of the decorative light emitter of FIG.
Figure 13 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a decorative light emitter made according to the present invention;
14 is a perspective view of the base of the decorative light emitter of FIG.
15A is a side view of one embodiment of a decorative light emitter.
15B is a cross sectional view taken along line 15-15 of the decorative light-emitting body of FIG. 15A;
16A is a front view of one embodiment of a awning made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 16B is a top perspective view of the shade of FIG. 16A; FIG.
17 is a front view of one embodiment of a awning made in accordance with the present invention.
18 is a front view of the sunshade of FIG. 17;
19 is a perspective view of the sunshade of FIG. 17;

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. All percentages, ratios, and ratios are by weight unless otherwise indicated herein.

Except where otherwise noted, all quantities, including quantities, percentages, parts, and ratios, are to be understood as being modified by the word "about," and the amounts are not intended to represent significant figures.

Except where noted, the articles "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more".

As used herein, "comprising" means that other steps and other ingredients may be added that do not affect the final result. This term includes the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of". The compositions and methods / processes of the invention include, consist of, and consist of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, and any additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein. In essence.

As used herein, "disposable" refers to being discarded after a few uses.

As used herein, "durable" refers to something that can be used many times.

As used herein, "cover" refers to any desired array that produces an image or pattern.

As used herein, "opacity" is an indication of how much light passes through a material. The higher the opacity, the less light passes through the material. In general, the opacity is calculated from the reflectance measurements of the material with the black backing and the same material with the white backing:

% Opacity = (Y _{Black Backing} / Y _{White Backing} ) × 100

Where Y is the CIE tristimulus value of Y.

As used herein, "volatile material" refers to a material that can be evaporated.

As used herein, "volatile dye" refers to a soluble or insoluble coloring matter that can be evaporated. The chemical composition may be a single component or a mixture.

It is to be understood that all maximum numerical limitations set forth throughout this specification include all such lower numerical limitations as if explicitly set forth herein. All minimum numerical limitations set forth throughout this specification will include all such larger numerical limitations as if all larger numerical limitations were expressly described herein. All numerical ranges given throughout this specification will include all narrower numerical ranges within which all narrower numerical ranges are within this broader numerical range as if explicitly set forth herein.

Decorative illuminant

Decorative light emitters of the present invention may include bases, lights, and shades surrounding the lights. Decorative light emitters may also include volatile compositions that may be included separately from, and / or included with, the base, shade, or a combination thereof. Awnings may be included with the base and / or with the lighting. Alternatively, it may be provided separately as a standalone article. The sunshade may include a marker. In one non-limiting example, the indicia may experience a visual transition during use.

A. Donation

1 to 7, the decorative light emitter 10 of the present invention may include a base 20. Base 20 may be sized and shaped to receive and support sunshade 40. Illumination 27 may also be combined with the base. If lighting 27 is present, power supply 26 may also be present to provide power to lighting 27 and / or a switch to turn the lighting on and off. Any power supply 26 may be used, including, but not limited to, batteries, household currents, solar power, and the like. If a battery is used, it may be desirable to optionally include an access panel, such as a door, to allow easy access to the battery for replacement. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the bottom 23 of the base 20 can serve as an access panel. In addition, volatile compositions may be combined with the base 20. If desired, base 20 may be decorated. In general, the base 20 should be heavy enough to support the weight of the assembled decorative light 10 without falling over. Base 20 may be formed in any of a number of ways familiar to those skilled in the art, non-limiting examples of which include injection molding, compression molding, and thermoforming. Base 20 may comprise one or more polymers, one non-limiting example of which is a thermoplastic polymer. Typically, the illumination / light source 27 is protected by using a cover 22. The cover 22 may also function as a light diffuser to help diffuse light from the illumination / light source 27 if desired. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cover 22 can be a thermoplastic cover, such as a transparent thermoplastic cover that is resistant to different materials that may come into contact with the base 20, such as components of the volatile composition. One non-limiting example of a suitable polymer is an injection molded grade impact modified acrylonitrile manufactured by Innovene, Chicago, Illinois, available under the name BAREX. Other suitable materials include, but are not limited to, injection molded and / or thermoformed grades of styrene acrylonitrile ("SAN"), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), or combinations thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, in one non-limiting embodiment, around cover 22 (shown) or around base 20 to provide a support area in the bottom portion of the sunshade, such as sunshade 440. It may be desirable to include an (not shown) step or ledge 293. Alternatively, cover the sunshade (eg, sunshade 40, sunshade 410, or sunshade 440 shown in FIGS. 1-6, 10-10, 11, 13, and 15-19). One or more members (not shown) may be included with the cover 22 and / or the base 20, which may be used to engage the sunshade to hold in place on the 22 and / or the base 20, Non-limiting examples thereof include pins and protrusions. The members can be reciprocating or stationary, or a combination thereof. If desired, the sunshade can also include one or more reciprocating members that can be designed to engage the reciprocating member (s) of the cover 22 and / or base 20. Additionally or alternatively, if necessary, the reciprocating member included with the cover 22, the base 20, and / or the awning 40 serves as a switch such that illumination of the decorative light emitter is activated when the reciprocating member is engaged. can do.

B. lighting

1-7, the present invention may also include an illumination / light source 27. Generally, the light source 27 will be coupled with the base 20, but it can be located in other areas, including but not limited to the shade 40. In addition, if desired, there may be more than one illumination / light source 27 as shown in FIG. 7. Suitable light sources include incandescent light sources, including but not limited to light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), filament-based bulbs, and electroluminescent, chemiluminescent, cathodoluminescent, triboluminescent, and light Light-emitting light sources including, but not limited to, photoluminscent materials.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the light source is one or more LEDs. The LED may be any number of colors, including but not limited to yellow, white, red, green, blue, pink, or a combination thereof. One non-limiting example of an LED suitable for use in the present invention is part number MV8305 (available from Fairchild Semiconductor, South Portland, Maine, USA).

In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the illumination 27 is mounted on a mounting 25 present in the base 20 of the decorative light-emitting body 10 as shown in FIG. The light 27 can be designed to automatically turn on when the shade 40 is in contact with the base 20. This can be accomplished in any of a number of ways, a non-limiting example of which is to use a surface mounted contact switch (not shown) that engages when the shade 40 is in contact with the base 20. If desired, the light source may be connected to a timer (not shown) included in the base 20 such that the lighting 27 automatically turns off after a predetermined period after the shade 40 has been placed in contact with the base 20. . In other non-limiting embodiments (not shown), the light source can be present in the shade 40. This can be accomplished in any number of ways. For example, a surface mounted contact switch (not shown) may be mounted on the shade 40 such that the lights 27 are turned on when the shade 40 is in contact with the base 20. Alternatively, electroluminescent and / or chemiluminescent materials can be used as the light source. In one non-limiting example, the electroluminescent material is provided as part of the shade 40, as part of the base 20, or as a combination thereof. For example, sunshade 40 and / or base 20 may be made in whole or in part from electroluminescent material. One non-limiting example of an electroluminescent material suitable for use in the present invention is EL available from Novatech Electroluminescent Incorporated, Chaino, CA.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the absorbent and / or porous shade 20 can be impregnated with phenyl oxalate ester with fluorescent dyes. A rupturable pouch containing hydrogen peroxide can be included with the shade 20. The user will then rupture the pouch, thereby bringing the hydrogen peroxide into contact with the phenyl oxalate ester / dye. Contact with the phenyl oxalate ester / dye impregnated in the shade 20 of hydrogen peroxide contained in the pouch will provide light through a chemiluminescent reaction between the two materials.

If necessary, the light source can provide light of varying intensity. The light source can be combined with a power source (including but not limited to a battery and / or AC power source), a microcontroller, a switch, and one or more LEDs. One non-limiting example of a microcontroller suitable for use in the present invention is part number MSP430F122 available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas. Light intensity can be varied by a microcontroller using pulse width modulation ("PWM"). PWM refers to the process of instantaneously digitally controlling the amount of power delivered to an LED. 8 shows a non-limiting example of an electrical connection diagram showing a circuit suitable for controlling the light source of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the microcontroller 200 may be programmed to execute an algorithm for changing the LED intensity. In essence, the microcontroller 200 can be programmed to closely mimic visual features such as the intensity and movement of the candle's flame. For example, a typical candle usually has a significant amount of left and right movement that produces a change in light intensity. The microcontroller 200 used to control the light source of the present invention can be programmed to capture changes in light intensity. For example, left and right movements can be captured by placing two LEDs side by side and using pulse width modulation to change intensity and movement. In an alternative non-limiting example, the microcontroller 200 can be programmed to change the intensity of the LED in a random manner. In another example, microcontroller 200 can be programmed to increase or decrease the intensity of the LED over time.

C. Shades

1 to 7, the decorative light emitter 10 of the present invention also includes a shade 40. Sunshade 40 may be included with base 20 and / or with a light source. Alternatively, sunshade 40 may be provided separately as a standalone article. The sunshade 40 of the present invention is preferably disposable. The sunshade 40 may be a disposable sunshade 40 that is used once, or alternatively may be a disposable sunshade 40 that is designed to be used more than once. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, the decorative light 10 may include a more durable outer shade 410 and a disposable inner shade 440. In one non-limiting example, outer awning 410 may be a durable decorative awning, while inner awning 440 may be a disposable awning used to deliver fragrance without having to discard the outer awning 410. Since the inner shade 440 is disposable, it can be easily swapped out to allow the user to experience a different scent when needed.

Typically, when used with a light source, sunshade 40 surrounds a large portion of the light source. For example, sunshade 40 surrounds at least about 90 ° around the light source, at least about 180 ° around the light source, or completely surrounds the light source.

Sunshade 40 includes a substrate. The substrate may be made of a single material or a combination of materials. Shades 40 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. Generally, shade 40 is made from any material or combination of materials that will allow light to pass through a portion of the substrate and is rigid enough to maintain shape. A non-limiting list of suitable materials includes cellulosic materials, noncellulosic materials, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of these include, but are not limited to, foamed thermoplastics and polyolefin based materials including, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"); Thermosets, including but not limited to polyurethane; paper; Vellum; Parchment; Leather; Woven material; And nonwovens. One suitable nonwoven is SYNNERGEX 6130, available from BBA / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA.

Sunshade 40 may be comprised of one or more layers of material 300 as shown in FIG. 9. Each layer may comprise one or more types of materials. Each layer of the sunshade typically has a thickness of about 0.008 mm to about 5, as measured by a handheld thickness gauge such as Model No. 22P-10 available from Mahr-Federal, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Mm or about 0.01 mm to about 1 mm and the average total thickness of the sunshade is from about 0.02 mm to about 5 mm or from about 0.04 mm to about 1 mm.

The layers can be combined by any means known to create a layered flexible structure, non-limiting examples of which include adhesive combinations, thermal or ultrasonic bonding, extrusion coating, extrusion laminating, or combinations thereof.

In one non-limiting embodiment, sunshade 40 can include at least one layer of absorbent material capable of maintaining the volatile composition without shedding or releasing, for example, due to gravity or capillary forces. Suitable absorbent materials include, but are not limited to, porous materials having a fluid retention capacity of about 5 ml / m 2 to about 1000 ml / m 2 or about 10 ml / m 2 to about 400 ml / m 2 of sun visor material. Suitable absorbent materials include, but are not limited to, fibrous cellulose based materials, spunbond polypropylene, spunbond polyesters, and the like, and fibrous thermoplastic based materials, and other fibrous materials, including but not limited to glass fibers. And the material has a pore volume of about 10% to about 95% or a pore volume of about 20% to about 90% and an average pore size of about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers or about 0.3 micrometers to about 80 micrometers. to be. Non-limiting examples of other suitable absorbent materials include, but are not limited to, foams made from thermoplastics which are open cell polyethylene foams (such as those available from Sentinel Products Corporation, Hyannis, Mass.), Urethanes, celluloses and / or starches, and microporous polymer films having at least 20% open area for retaining and releasing volatile compositions. Pore size distribution and% pore volume can be measured using, for example, a TRI autoporisimeter available from TRI / Princeton, Princeton, NJ. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include Synexx 6130, manufactured by BBay / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA and GRADE, manufactured by Cellutissue Corporation, East Hartford, Connecticut. 7020, including but not limited to.

If desired, the absorbent material may be treated to be hydrophilic, hydrophobic, lipophilic, or oleophilic, or a combination thereof, to help release the volatile composition or to maintain the volatile composition. If necessary, all or part of the absorbent material can be treated. For example, it may be desirable to treat the entire surface of the absorbent material or to treat only the edges to prevent or limit the migration of volatile compositions to the edges of the sunshade. For example, in one non-limiting scenario, treating from about 5 mm to about 20 mm along the awning edge with an oleophobic coating is potentially useful to prevent oil-based fragrance from moving to the awning edge. It can help.

If desired, the shade can consist of two layers, in which case the outer layer consists of a barrier material which is substantially impermeable to, for example, the liquid volatile composition impregnated into the inner layer. The outer layer can serve to minimize the contact between the user and the volatile composition impregnated in the inner layer. Alternatively, sunshade 40 may be comprised of three layers, as shown in FIG. 9, in which case inner layer 310 may comprise an absorbent material impregnated with a volatile composition, intermediate layer 320. ) May comprise a barrier material that is substantially impermeable to the volatile composition impregnated into the inner layer 310, and the outer layer 330 is a non-limiting example of a porous material, a nonporous material, or a combination thereof. It may include a second material included. Suitable barrier materials are non-porous films such as low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, ethylenevinyl alcohol ("EVOH"), aluminum oxide coated polyester, silicon dioxide coated polyester, metallization, where PET is a suitable example. Polyesters, or combinations thereof, but is not limited thereto. The barrier layer is typically from about 0.005 mm to about 1 mm or from about 0.01 mm to about 0.1 mm thick to maintain the flexibility of the shade 40. In other variations of this embodiment, the intermediate barrier layer may be omitted.

In another embodiment (not shown), the volatile composition may be located on a separate substrate that is separate from the shade 40 but connected to the shade. The separate substrate may optionally be in the form of a patch or label. In one non-limiting embodiment, the separate substrate can be more absorbent and thicker than the shade 40 to allow this separate substrate to contain a higher proportion of volatile composition in a smaller space or area. In addition, a thicker separate substrate may also serve to provide support and stability to the sunshade, for example by being attached to the bottom of the sunshade 40. One example of a suitable absorbent material that can be used as a separate substrate is product number 7620W, available from EMI Specialty Papers, Reading, Connecticut.

The sunshade 40 is upright by its own weight and must be rigid enough to easily fit over the base 20 (when used). In general, the shade 40 has a span of 25.4 mm (ie, as measured on an Instron Compression / Tensile Tester Model No. 550RC5451 manufactured by Instron Corporation of Norwood, Mass., USA). 50 mm in length and width as measured using distance, in accordance with ASTM D790-03, the Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials. Force required to deflect 3 mm samples having dimensions of 12.7 mm and thickness less than 1.6 mm) from about 1 gram to about 200 grams or from about 5 grams to about 100 grams, and a flexural modulus of about 0.1 gigapascals It is preferably from about 10 gigapascals (" ㎬ ").

The substrate constituting the shade 40 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. Typically, the materials that make up the sunshade 40 are selected to appear translucent, transparent, or a combination thereof when at least a portion of the sunshade 40 is assembled. Additionally, sunshade 40 may include a portion from which sunshade material has been removed, a non-limiting example of which pattern is die cut into sunshade 40 and the die cut portion of material is removed from sunshade 40. This is where. Shades 40 may have an opacity in the range of about 0% to about 100%, or about 20% to about 80%, or about 25% to about 70%. Opacity of the substrate may vary from region to region and / or within a given time frame. For example, sunshade 40 may have a specific opacity that may be different after evaporation of the composition when partially wetted with the composition, a non-limiting example of which is a volatile composition such as a perfume. One suitable instrument that can be used to measure opacity is the Hunter LabScan XE manufactured by Hunter Associates Laboratory, Reston, Virginia.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the outward side of sunshade 40 is made of a material that has a natural appearance and can be printed or embossed in a pattern or image. In one embodiment, a thin and flat material or combination of materials is folded into a tubular shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, and then joined along one edge 340 to prevent the tube from unwinding. If desired, the shade 40 may include wrinkles that allow the shade 40 to be flattened. For example, for packaging purposes, it may be desirable to provide the sunshade 40 to the consumer in a flattened or substantially flattened form. The consumer may open the shade 40 in use to expand it into a non-flat or substantially non-flat shape, non-limiting examples of which are conical, tubular, spherical, cuboidal, polygonal, or any other Include shape.

If desired, the shades can be individually packaged in a high barrier pouch that helps prevent the release of volatile components of the composition. One suitable pouch material available from Sonoko Flexible Packaging, Franklin, Ohio, USA, is an acrylonitrile sealant film extrudate (sold under the trade name Varex) and a reverse print laminated to an aluminum foil barrier layer. Lamination of the PET outer layer. The varex sealant layer is preferred because of its ability to minimize perfume absorption into the packaging sealant film. Non-limiting examples of other suitable sealant layers include, but are not limited to, blends or single layers of various polyolefins, EVOH, metallized polyesters, and the like. Alternatively, it is possible to package a number of shades into a reclosable pouch of high barrier. The pouch can be made reclosable in any of a number of ways familiar to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to using zip lock features, adhesive tapes, or combinations thereof.

In other non-limiting examples, it may be desirable to configure the sunshade and package as one unit as shown in FIGS. 17-19. This provides an integrated air freshening package without the need for separate packaging. As mentioned above, the shade can be configured as a multilayer system having an inner absorbent layer 540 and an outer barrier layer 520 as shown in FIG. 17. If desired, additional decorative outer layers (not shown) may optionally be added to the outside of the barrier layer 520. The barrier layer 520 may be made of a material suitable to prevent movement of the fragrance outwards as described above. In this example, barrier layer 520 also becomes a package layer to minimize fragrance loss throughout the shelf life of the product. Referring to Figures 18 and 19, the multilayer configuration is wound around itself and sealed along the sealing edge 555 by butt or overlapping seams or other methods as known in the art. This tubular shape may then be bonded on both open ends along the sealing edge 550 as shown in FIG. 18 to contain the fragrance therein. In this way, the sunshade is sealed on all sides to prevent fragrance loss and the sunshade becomes the primary package. The sealed end 550 of the awning / package 570 is then cut with scissors or any other simple and easy opening of a tear line 540, release tape, pull strip, or barrier pouch as shown in FIG. It may be removed by the user in any of a number of ways known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to using one means. Sunshade / package 570 may then be placed in an open shape by a user, a non-limiting example of which is in the form of a cube shown in FIG. 19. Once in the open shape, the fragrance can then be released from the inside of the shade / package. Optionally, element 560 can be used to maintain the shape of the folded cube to maintain an open cube shape. A non-limiting example of such element 560 would be a piece of aluminum foil tape or tin tie as shown in FIG. 18. A further option (not shown) may be a frame that fits around the top of the cube shape to help maintain the shape of the cube.

When the inner absorbent layer is made of PET or other synthetic fibers that are difficult to tear, it may be desirable not to extend the inner absorbent layer to the barrier layer to prevent the inner absorbent layer from being in the sealed end portion of the shade / package. . To allow light to pass through the light emitting shade, it may be desirable for the integrated shade / package to consist of a transparent barrier layer whose non-limiting examples are EVOH and / or silicon dioxide.

In other non-limiting embodiments, the shade can include multiple components, such as inner and outer shades, which can be of similar shape and size or can be of different sizes and / or shapes from one another. If desired, the outer or inner shades or both may be flavored, not flavored, or one or the other. Non-limiting examples thereof are shown in FIGS. 13-15. 13 and 15, the outer awning 410 is an unflavored decorative awning, while the inner awning 440 may be oriented. The inner awning 440 is similar in shape to the outer awning 410 but may be slightly smaller, such that the inner awning 440 is on the base 20 and / or cover 22 without interfering with the outer awning 410. It can be easily inserted. Referring to FIG. 15 (sectional views taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 13), the outer shade 410 and the inner shade 440 are shown lying on the base 20 and the cover 22. Base 20 may optionally include a ledge 293 to help facilitate centering of inner awning 440 within outer awning 410. The outer shade 410 may be made of a material similar to the inner shade 440, or alternatively the outer shade 410 may be made from a more decorative and / or more expensive material. The inner awning 440 may be of a simpler form than the outer awning 410, if desired, and may include, for example, a fragrance so that the inner awning 440 is used while the outer awning 410 is used for repeated use. ) Can be exchanged more frequently. The outer shade 410 can be used once, several times, or it can be a durable shade intended to be used as a decorative element for use in a large number of times. If desired, outer shade 410 may be durable or semi-durable, and inner shade 440 may be disposable. Alternatively, outer shade 410 may be disposable, while inner shade 440 is durable or semi-durable. In addition, if desired, both the outer shade 410 and the inner shade 440 may be durable or semi-durable, or both the outer shade 410 and the inner shade 440 may be disposable. A more durable outer shade 410 can be made from a durable translucent material, non-limiting examples of which include glass; Preferably plastics such as polycarbonate, CPET, polypropylene, or other plastics that can be injection molded; Bellum; Cellulosic materials such as specialty paper; Or various woven and nonwoven materials. Durable shades can also be made from materials that are not translucent and have openings that allow light to pass therethrough. Non-limiting examples of materials that can make up non-translucent durable sheets include thick / large caliper paper structures, metals, colored plastic materials, or combinations thereof. Using separate inner and outer shades allows more decorative material to be used for the outer shade without the limitations associated with cost, fragrance compatibility, and ink compatibility. Also, using separate outer and inner shades enables the user to frame decorative shades with different flavored shades. This can also potentially reduce the number of variants the store needs to keep in stock.

If desired, the flavored awning 300 may be configured to have one or more handles, to allow a user to handle the awning 300 without the possibility of putting the fragrance on his hand, a non-limiting example of which is illustrated in FIG. Tab 301 as shown in 16a and 16b. The tab 301 also provides an easy way to grip the shade 300 by pressing the tab 301 inward to allow the shade 300 to form a shape such as the cube shape shown in FIG. 16B. Tab 301 may also form a sealing area where the layers forming shade 300 are combined, such as by adhesive combination, heat sealing, or the like, if desired.

D. Volatile Compositions

Decorative light emitter 10 of the present invention may also comprise a volatile composition. As used herein, the terms "fragrance", "fragrance", "aroma", and "fragrance" are used interchangeably. Volatile compositions of the present invention include volatile dyes, fragrance compositions, insecticides, air fresheners, deodorants, fragrances, aromatics, compositions that function as essential oils, or regulate, alter, or release the atmosphere into the atmosphere or It can include volatiles, including but not limited to any other material that acts to alter. Deodorants or odor control compositions may include odor neutralizing materials, odor blocking materials, odor masking materials, or non-limiting examples of which are non-limiting examples of which are reactive aldehydes (as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0124512). Sensory altering materials which are ionones, and combinations thereof, as disclosed in Application Publication No. 2005/0124512.

Typically, volatile compositions are included in sunshade 40 and / or base 20. Volatile compositions may also be included in separate sachets or pouches (not shown). As used herein, the terms "sachet" and "pouch" are used interchangeably. Generally, the volatile composition contained within the awning 40, base 20, separate sachets, or combinations thereof, may range from about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams, or awnings per shade, base, separate sachets, or combinations thereof. 40, about 120 milligrams to about 5 grams per base 20, separate sachets or a combination thereof, or about 250 milligrams to about 1 per shade 40, base 20, separate sachets or a combination thereof. It is included in the amount of grams. In one non-limiting embodiment, sunshade 40 is impregnated with about 0.1 grams to about 2 grams of volatile composition or about 0.3 grams to about 0.8 grams of volatile composition. In one non-limiting embodiment, after exposure to air, the volatile composition is within about 24 hours, or about 24 hours, assuming that the temperature of the air in the location where the volatile composition is located is approximately 21 ° C. and the relative humidity is approximately 50%. Within about 12 hours, or about 6 hours, at least about 50% is consumed from the shade 40, base 20, sachet, and the like.

In one embodiment, the volatile composition may comprise a fragrance composition. The fragrance composition can provide a short-term fragrance experience. In the present invention, a number of methods for controlling the intensity of fragrance are contemplated. In some cases, this may be the product of the fragrance composition, or the design of the shade 40, the base 20, or any surface to which the fragrance composition is added, or a combination thereof. For example, the perfume composition can be formulated to have the feature of providing a faster release profile to the perfume composition. Fragrances typically include one or more fragrance components. Often the volatility, boiling point, and odor detection thresholds of these components are different. When volatilizing the fragrance composition into the air, the more volatile components (referred to as "top notes") are the less volatile components (referred to as "middle notes") and the least volatile components. (Which is referred to as a "bottom note"), which will volatilize more quickly and will be detected by the human sense of smell. This causes the fragrance characteristics to change over time, since after the fragrance is first released the overall fragrance characteristics will comprise fewer and fewer upwards and more downwards.

The perfume composition may comprise components suitably used in volatile composition release devices such as the present invention. The component is not limited but may be selected based on its Kobat's Index (“KI”) (determined on the 5% phenyl-methylpolysiloxane phase as the nonpolar silicone stationary phase). KI relates the volatilization properties of analytes (eg, components of volatile compositions) on gas chromatography columns to the volatilization characteristics of the n-alkanes (normal alkanes) series on this column. Typical gas chromatography ("GC") columns are DB-5 columns available from Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA. By this definition, the KI of normal alkanes is set to 100n, where n is the number of carbon atoms of n-alkanes. The KI of analyte x eluted at time t 'between two n-alkanes having "n" and "N" carbon atoms, respectively, with corrected residence times t' _n and t ' _N , is Will be calculated:

On nonpolar or slightly polar GC stationary phases, the analytes' KI correlates with their relative volatility. For example, analytes with smaller KIs tend to be more volatile than those with larger KIs. Grading the analytes to their corresponding KI values provides a good comparison of the rate of evaporation of the analytes in the liquid-gas distribution system. Volatile compositions according to the present invention may have at least one component having a KI value of about 600 to about 1800, or about 800 to about 1700, or about 900 to about 1600. The volatile composition may comprise about 50% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100% of one or more components having these KI values.

Rather than or in addition to the Cobart index, volatile composition components can be selected based on their boiling point (or "B.P.") and their octanol / water partition coefficient (or "P"). The boiling point referred to herein is measured under normal standard pressure of 0.10 MPa (760 mmHg). The boiling point of many fragrance components at standard 0.10 MPa (760 mmHg) can be found in "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals)," written and published by Steffen Arctander, 1969.

The octanol / water partition coefficient of the perfume component is the ratio between the octanol and its equilibrium concentration in water. The partition coefficient of the fragrance component used in the volatile composition may be more conveniently given in the logarithm to base logP. LogP values of many fragrance components have been reported, for example Pomona, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, CA. 92 See database. However, logP values are most conveniently calculated by the "CLOGP" program, also available from Daylight CIS. The program also lists experimental logP values when available in the Pomona92 database. The calculated logP (“ClogP”) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, PG Sammens). , JB Taylor and CA Ramsden, Eds., Page 295, Pergamon Press, 1990). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each perfume component and takes into account the number and type of atoms, atomic connectivity and chemical bonds. ClogP values, the most reliable and widely used assessment of these physicochemical properties, are typically used in place of experimental logP values in the selection of perfume components for volatile compositions.

The perfume composition may comprise a perfume component selected from one or more groups of components. The components of the first group may include perfume components having a boiling point of about 20 ° C. to about 250 ° C., or a boiling point of about 25 ° C. to about 240 ° C., or a boiling point of about 30 ° C. to about 235 ° C. The components of the first group may comprise perfume components having a ClogP value of about -2 to about 3 or about -1 to about 2.5. In certain embodiments, the perfume component selected from the perfume component of the first group, when present, is from about 20% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or of the perfume composition It may be present at a level of about 50% to about 100% by weight.

The components of the second group may include perfume components having a boiling point of about 20 ° C. to about 250 ° C., or a boiling point of about 25 ° C. to about 240 ° C., or a boiling point of about 30 ° C. to about 235 ° C. The component of the second group may comprise a perfume component having a ClogP value of about 3 to about 9 or about 3.5 or more to about 7. In certain embodiments, the second perfume component, if present, is from about 20% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 50% by weight to about the perfume composition. It may be present at a level of 100% by weight.

The component of the third group may comprise a perfume component having a boiling point of about 250 ° C to about 400 ° C, or about 260 ° C to about 375 ° C. The component of the third group may comprise a perfume component having a ClogP value of about -2 to about 3 or about -1 to about 2.5. In certain embodiments, the perfume component selected from the third group of perfume components, when present, may be present at a level of about 0.5% to about 90% by weight of the perfume composition or about 1% to about 80% by weight of the perfume composition. .

The component of the fourth group may comprise a perfume component having a boiling point of about 250 ° C to about 400 ° C, or about 260 ° C to about 375 ° C. The fourth group of components may include a perfume component having a ClogP value of about 3 to about 9 or about 3.5 or more to about 7. In certain embodiments, the perfume component selected from the fragrance component of the fourth group may be present at a level of from about 0.5% to about 90% by weight of the perfume composition or from about 1% to about 80% by weight of the perfume composition. .

When formulating perfume compositions, some perfume components may also have other functionality, such as functioning as solvents, diluents, extenders, fixatives, and the like. Non-limiting examples of such materials are ethyl alcohol, carbitol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

In addition to the aforementioned methods for delivering volatile compositions of the present invention, other non-limiting suitable methods for delivering such compositions are described below. In one non-limiting embodiment, the volatile composition can be delivered by using a pouch having a semipermeable membrane on at least one side of the pouch. The pouch may be attached to the shade 40. The membrane can be selected from several known materials that allow perfume vapor to pass through without allowing significant liquid leakage. Examples of suitable membrane materials include, but are not limited to, polyethylene and microporous polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), and other microporous membranes known in the art. Such membranes allow volatile activators to be released by rapid diffusion through membrane materials such as thin polyethylene films or by evaporation through porous regions of materials such as microporous PTFE.

The fragrance strength of the shade 40 can be varied by selectively varying the size of the shade 40 in width and / or height and by changing the pore size and / or material properties of the material. Shades 40 of different heights but the same width may be provided to deliver different levels of fragrance intensity and to effectively inform end users which shade 40 should be used depending on location or timing. For example, the flavored awning 40 of the present invention having a circumference of 20 cm and a height of 22 cm may be a size suitable for a living room or a family room, and the oriented awning 40 having a diameter of 20 cm and a height of 10 cm. ) May be the appropriate size for the bathroom or smaller space. Typically, the shades 40 are similar in circumference such that the shade 40 fits on the same base.

The release rate of the volatile composition from the substrate can also be controlled by providing layers that can be customized such that the release rate lasts for various periods of time. For example, the substrate can include one or more layers. The individual layers can be intermittent or continuous layers designed to release perfume at various time intervals. The layer can be activated by UV light, oxygen, moisture change, or other stimulus.

In other non-limiting embodiments, the release of volatile components can be altered by changing the material properties of the shade 40. Without wishing to be bound by theory, generally, volatile compositions impregnated in a polymer, such as a thermoplastic, will release more slowly than volatile compositions loaded into absorbent or porous materials. Porous materials exposed to the atmosphere will cause the volatile composition to evaporate at the surface, but volatile compositions impregnated in the polymer generally require the volatile composition to diffuse through the polymer. For example, a thermoplastic material, such as EVA or polyolefin, can be impregnated with a perfume, and the diffusion properties and / or thickness of the thermoplastic can be tailored to release the perfume at various rates. Including open or closed cells in the thermoplastic will also have a significant impact on the diffusion properties, which can alter the effective level of perfume that is saturated or absorbed into the material. Without wishing to be bound by theory, in general, open cells / pores will release volatile compositions faster than closed cells, which causes open cells to evaporate by directly exposing the volatile compositions to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the cell walls. This is because the need for diffusion of the composition through is minimized. It is known in the art that various foaming agents and / or gases may be included in the process of extruding or injecting thermoplastics to produce such pores or cells in the plastic walls. Engelhard Corporation, Eislin, NJ, is one suitable manufacturer of foam formers that may be included in the extrusion process of thermoplastics. Trexel Incorporated, Woburn, Mass., Is a provider of technology for injecting gases into thermoplastics to produce closed cell foamed materials suitable for use in the present invention. A non-limiting example of an open cell thermoplastic foam suitable for use in the present invention is CELLECT foam available from Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, Mass., USA.

Another means of controlling the release of volatile compositions is to encapsulate the volatile composition in capsule form, non-limiting examples of which include microcapsules or starch encapsulate. There are a number of means by which the capsule can be designed to release fragrance. For example, the fragrance may be released by rupturing the capsule or by diffusion through the capsule wall. In another example, the fragrance is released from the microcapsules when the capsule wall is ruptured by moisture in the air. Alternatively, the capsule may be ruptured by peeling off the adhesive layer which causes the microcapsules to tear or rupture. Capsule size and material properties can also be adjusted to control diffusion.

In another non-limiting embodiment, when the fragrance is positioned inside the shade 40, the release of the fragrance can be controlled by varying the air flow through the inside of the shade 40 to change the rate of evaporation of the perfume. . Without wishing to be bound by theory, this can be regarded as a chimney effect, except that steam from the fragrance can flow upward or downward depending on the fragrance and shade design. The fragrance will naturally cool the air as it evaporates, so the air flow is naturally considered to be directed downwards due to heavier cooler air. Typically, most fragrances are of course heavier than air and therefore the fragrances tend to "sink" or flow downward. To maximize fragrance release, sunshade 40 is preferably fully open on top and bottom to maximize air flow. Also, the larger the shade 40 opening on the top and bottom, the more air flow will be through this opening. This may be particularly desirable for perfumes containing larger molecular weights or larger KI values that tend to have slower evaporation rates. In order to minimize or stop scent release, it is desirable that the top and bottom openings of the shade 40 are substantially closed from the surrounding environment. For example, the top and / or bottom of the sunshade 40 may have a vent 220 as shown in FIG. 10. Additionally or alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, base 20 may also include vent 220. If desired, the vent can be designed to be closed or open (to some extent) to adjust / control the fragrance evaporation rate. There are a number of non-limiting ways in which the top of sunshade 40 and / or base 20 can be manufactured to regulate air flow. For example, in one non-limiting example, an adjustable slide (not shown) is provided that allows a user to rotate or slide an element that opens or closes an opening that allows air flow through the interior of sunshade 40. It may be included in the bottom of the (20). In another non-limiting example, the top of sunshade 40 can be adjusted to control the air flow through the top. One non-limiting example is to use a frame (not shown) with an integral slide element that can be fitted on top of the sunshade 40 and rotated or slid open to open or close the upper vent. Another non-limiting means of doing so would be the use of a material that retains the folded shape upon folding. For example, the upper part of the sunshade 40 is gathered to close the opening when pressure is applied to both sides of the upper part of the sunshade 40, thereby limiting air flow through the sunshade 40 opening. It may be made of a material such as thin metal. In another non-limiting example, the upper opening of the shade 40 can be limited by using a pull string, thin metal wire tie, or the like.

In another non-limiting embodiment for controlling the evaporation rate of the fragrance, a small amount of heat can be used to help advance the air flow. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a temperature rise of about 0.2 ° C. to about 1 ° C. in combination with appropriate aeration may potentially produce higher air flow through the interior of the sunshade 40. This chimney effect due to a small temperature rise is due to the heat output of small heaters such as lighting, circuits, battery powered heaters, or the heat generating reactivity that may be included in the shade 40 and / or base 20 such as iron oxide. It can be obtained in a number of different ways, including but not limited to by chemicals. In one non-limiting method, the iron oxide particles can be coated or encapsulated with the fragrance and applied to the shade 40. Awning 40 may then be placed in a nitrogen filled foil pouch that prevents oxidation of iron oxide until the pouch is opened. Nitrogen filled pouches can also be used to prevent oxygen from oxidizing the fragrance and prevent the fragrance from evaporating before being used by the consumer. When the pouch is opened by the user, the iron oxide encapsulated with the fragrance begins to heat, resulting in a higher rate of evaporation of the fragrance. This will allow the low volatility fragrance to disperse more easily in the room, providing good fragrance quality in an evaporative fragrance release system.

Shades 40 may have a plurality of scents and / or scents that are released at different time intervals. In some cases, it may be desirable for certain fragrances to be released for the first 4 hours and other fragrances to begin to be released for the next 4 hours. This may be accomplished by treating one side of the shade 40 with one technique as described above, and other techniques (eg, different materials, coatings, thicknesses, etc.) may be used for the other aspects. This provides the benefit of providing alternating fragrances to help extend the fragrance over longer periods or to reduce compliance with the fragrance by the user.

Sunshade 40 is also administered in a volatile composition, including but not limited to fragrance by a user using an ampoule, pouch, drop, sachet, spray, or any other means of delivering fluid to sunshade 40, or It may be recharged. A non-limiting example would be the use of individually contained pouches containing from about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml of fragrance composition that the user can apply by tearing the corners of the pouch and compressing the contents onto the shade 40. In another non-limiting example, from about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml of fragrance is contained in individual blown dosed small blow-fill sealed containers similar to the unit dose container used as the contact eye solution container. It may be contained. One suitable manufacturer of equipment for making such unit dosage packages is Rommelag USA Incorporated, Edison, NJ. Alternatively, the fragrance can be encapsulated and loaded onto the shade 40, and intermittent spraying of water by the user can be used to release the volatile composition.

In other non-limiting embodiments, it may be desirable to treat the outside of sunshade 40 with a deodorizing component. Non-limiting examples of such components include titanium dioxide, cyclodextrins, metal oxides, polyoxometalates, and the like. Without wishing to be bound by theory, having a deodorant component on the inside or outside of the shade 40 provides an odor removal benefit beyond masking the odor with a scent or using reactive scent components such as reactive aldehydes as described above. It is believed to provide a means for delivery. The deodorant component is ideally thought to be located at a position where the air flow moves across the deodorant component before the air evaporates the fragrance. In this way, the deodorizing component does not remove the fragrance from the air. Non-limiting examples of locations may include where along the edge of the sunshade 40 the air flows into the sunshade.

E. Optional Additional Components

The present invention may also include other optional components, a non-limiting example of which is a signal informing the user of the status of the decorative illuminant 10. For example, there may be a signal indicating when the process has started and / or completed. Non-limiting examples of signals that can be used include color, sound, and / or olfactory signals.

In some cases, the light source recognizes the shade 40 to adjust the illumination pattern, intensity, or duration based on the life of the shade 40, the design of the shade 40, the type of fragrance, and / or the intensity of the fragrance emission. It may be desirable to. This enables intelligent devices that can deliver good illumination 27, fragrance, and / or dynamic beacon pattern experience (ie, beacon appearance changes during use). Alternatively, it can also be used to recognize when the sunshade is ready to be replaced by exhausting its scent.

One non-limiting means to do this is to include a small microchip, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) chip in communication with the base 20. For example, an RFID chip may be included in the shade 40, while an RFID sensor capable of detecting the RFID chip may be included in the base 20. In one non-limiting example, the RFID sensor can detect the presence of the shade 40 by detecting an RFID chip in the shade 40 to send a signal to turn on the lighting 27, or in another non-limiting example, It is possible to detect whether the sunshade 40 with the RFID chip has exhausted the volatile composition. RFID chips and sensors suitable for use in the present invention are available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas.

Another means to achieve this is to provide a color coded area on the shade 40 that is detected by an optical sensor such as a photo-eye located within the base 20. One non-limiting example of this is that the shade 40 has a specific color in a given area that can be detected by the photo eye in the base 20, which can then activate the illumination 27 when it detects this color. . This color coding region may also be designed to change color over time to communicate with base 20 about the life of sunshade 40 and / or to communicate when sunshade 40 needs to be replaced. have.

Optionally, sunshade 40 may function in combination with base 20 to provide a time indicator. For example, the time indicator may provide a signal that the fragrance of shade 40 has been exhausted. For example, the lighting 27 may be made dark or not functional after the shade 40 has been used for a period of time. One non-limiting means of achieving this is in the shade 40 to electrically contact a surface-mounted fuse, such as manufactured by Littelfuse Corporation, Des Plaines, Ill., In electrical contact with the control circuitry of the light source. It is to include. In this case, an electrical spike from the light source microcontroller may cause the fuse to open after a set period of time corresponding to the fragrance duration. If base 20 detects an open fuse on shade 40, the light will either not function or will dim. Another approach is to have a wet area of the shade 40 or an area of the shade 40 containing the electrolyte so that electricity is conducted through the area when wet and not conducting when the area is dry. This can then be used as a communication signal to the light source that the shade 40 needs to be fully used and replaced. Another approach is to include a thin electrically conductive metal in the bottom portion of the shade 40. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the resistance of the metal will increase over time. The light source will then measure the resistance and, based on this, can determine the life of the sunshade 40.

In another non-limiting example, shade 40 may include a color change dye. The color change dye may be detected by an optical sensor such as a photo-eye located within the illumination base. For example, when the shade 40 is activated, for example by a user opening a package containing the shade, a color change on the bottom of the shade 40 begins to occur. Color changes can occur as a result of using, for example, oxidizing inks and / or inks that react with carbon dioxide present in the air. This color change can be designed to take hours or days and can be used to communicate with the lighting base to signal whether the sunshade is a new sunshade or an old sunshade that needs to be replaced. The color change can also adjust the light to potentially signal the scent and the desired intensity, and to change the intensity, duration, or blink pattern of the light. The color change may correspond to a preset code for the shade 40 so that the base knows what type of shade 40 is present. For example, black points may be associated with one fragrance experience and blue dots may be associated with different fragrance experiences.

Such fuses and / or circuit connectors in sunshade 40 have the additional benefit of also preventing base 20 from operating properly unless a new sunshade of correct design is located on base 20. In another non-limiting example, sunshade 40 and / or base 20 can include a marker. The beacon can be static or dynamic. In one non-limiting example, base 20 can include an extended area / sleeve that includes a label. The label can be visible or invisible through the use of light. Non-limiting examples thereof include light provided by the use of flat panel displays or optical fibers. The cover may be in the form of a decorative pattern or image for providing an aesthetically pleasing article. Additionally or alternatively, the label may be used to provide a signal to the user, such as when the shade 40 needs to be exchanged and / or when the fragrance is exhausted. Shades 40 may be printed with stable ink (ie, ink that does not easily spill, dissolve or wear) while in contact with the fragrance or oil. In a non-limiting example, the cover page can be printed by using an ink jet printer. A non-limiting example of a suitable inkjet printer is a DESKJET 950C inkjet printer with ink cartridge part numbers 51645A and C6578D, available from Hewlett Packard Corporation, Palo Alto, CA. The cover may also be printed by any other known printing method, including but not limited to flexographic printing, screen printing, gravure, offset printing, air knife, roll coating, blade coating, and the like.

Sunshade 40 may include an indicator that undergoes a visual change after activation by the user. In one non-limiting example, the shade 40 is imprinted with a marker that undergoes a visual change after activation by the user. Alternatively or additionally to the above, the entire shade 40 or a portion of the shade 40 may undergo a visual change, including but not limited to a change in opacity after activation. Activation may include, for example, removal of the shade 20 from the secondary package, rupture of the pouch, removal of the film, addition of the film, addition of liquid, or other action that creates a stimulus to affect visual alterations. Can be. Possible stimuli include changes in oxygen, carbon dioxide, or humidity in the ambient atmosphere, changes in the amount of some other vapor in the ambient atmosphere, changes in pH or temperature, exposure to ultraviolet or infrared radiation, or some other stimulus. The visual change may be in the form of a decorative pattern that appears, disappears, changes color, changes in intensity, changes in opacity, or any combination of these effects. Visual changes will generally occur for the first 8 hours after activation, or for the first 4 hours after activation, or for the first 2 hours after activation.

The visual change can be initiated by various means. For example, the decorative pattern may appear, disappear, or change color as a result of changes in the air composition (ie, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.) of the atmosphere surrounding the sunshade. In one non-limiting embodiment, an oxygen indicator can be used, in which case the shade is printed with an oxygen indicator, filled with nitrogen or other inert gas and then sealed to prevent oxygen from entering the pouch. It is placed in a wall (eg metallized PET or foil) pouch. Upon activation, eg removal from the pouch, color change will occur as exposure to oxygen in the atmosphere initiates oxidation of the indicator. Suitable oxygen indicators and methods of making oxygen indicators are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,349,509, 4,526,752, 4,812,053, and 6,703,245. Alternatively, another non-limiting example would be a visual change that could be initiated by a change in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air in the presence of the shade 40.

The decorative pattern may appear, disappear or change color, for example as a result of a change in pH. Suitable indicators that change color by changing pH include, but are not limited to, for example, phenolphthalein, thymolphthalein, m-nitrophenol, ethyl red, and congo red. Such acid base indicators can be found in the CRC Handbook 60th Edition published in 1979 on pages D150-D153. Other well known indicators include fluorescent indicators such as salicylic acid, acridine and the like as described in the CRC Handbook. Alternatively, volatile acids or bases may be included in the sunshade to be stably maintained by a peelable barrier layer or high barrier packaging that completely surrounds the sunshade to prevent volatile components from evaporating or moving. Upon exfoliation of the layer or opening of the barrier package, the volatile components are allowed to evaporate, resulting in a pH change and hence color change on the shade 40 in which these components are present. In one non-limiting example, the pH change can be generated from a change in the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere surrounding sunshade 40. For example, sunshade 40 may be packaged in a barrier package that is substantially impermeable to carbon dioxide under an atmosphere richer or leaner than carbon dioxide.

The decorative pattern may appear, disappear or change color or intensity as a result of the capillary / wicking action. This may be accomplished in one non-limiting embodiment by providing a source of fluid contained in a separate pouch or reservoir attached to the sunshade 40. Upon rupture of a separate pouch, fluid may be wicked through the shade 40 as a result of capillary action. Water activated dyes or pH activated dyes may be printed on shade 40 so that they are invisible when dry but appear when wet. Alternatively, the fluid may contain a dye, a pH changing component that changes the pH of the fluid, a volatile composition including but not limited to a fragrance, or a combination thereof. Optionally, a user of the product may add water to the shade 40 by pouring or spraying water over the material or by adding water to a retention reservoir in contact with the shade 40 to cause the fluid to wick to the shade 40. have. The retention reservoir may be included in the base 20, may be attached to the sunshade 40, may be a separate part, or a combination thereof.

In other non-limiting embodiments, the decorative pattern may appear, disappear or change color as a result of exposure to ultraviolet or infrared radiation. Base 20 may include, for example, a source of ultraviolet or infrared radiation to effect alteration. For example, base 20 may include illumination 27, such as one or more LEDs that emit light having a wavelength less than about 410 nm. An example of a suitable LED is part number SSL-LX5093SUVC, available from Lumex Incorporated, Pallatin, Illinois. Along with the ultraviolet or infrared LED-containing light source, shade 40 may include a label containing a photochromic dye, as is known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable photochromic dyes are provided by Chromatic Technologies Incorporated, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, and are available under the tradename DYNACOLOR PHOTOCHROMIC INK. . Ultraviolet or infrared LEDs are positioned to affect the visual alteration of a label printed with photochromic ink. The decorative pattern may appear as a result of evaporation of the volatile dye, or the color or intensity may change. Non-limiting examples of suitable volatile dyes include guaizulene (1,4-dimethyl-7- (1-methyletherazulene, CAS # 489-84-9) and azulene (bicyclo [5.3.0 ] Decapentaene, CAS # 275-51-4) Volatile dyes may be dissolved in a solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol or other volatile solvents, or may be combined with a binder as known in the art. It can be formulated in ink by combination with other ingredients such as.

Another non-limiting means of creating a visual change is to design the sunshade 40 such that at least a portion of the sunshade 40 undergoes an opacity change after activation. One way to affect the opacity change is by evaporation of the volatile composition from the porous material that makes up at least a portion of the shade 40. Porous sunshade materials suitable for use in the present invention will typically have an opacity reduction of about 5% to about 30%, depending on the thickness and type of material when wetted with volatile compositions such as water and / or fragrances. For example, a non-limiting example of a suitable non-limiting polyester nonwoven, Synergy 6130, available from BB / Fiberweb, having a basis weight of about 100 g / m 2, may have an opacity of about 63% when dried. When wetted with a volatile scent, it drops to about 43%. As the fragrance evaporates over a period of approximately 1 hour, the opacity can slowly change from about 43% back to about 63% of the original. This change in opacity will also affect how light from the light source is diffused, and thus can be used to provide a visual signal to the consumer that the shade 40 is changing. In another non-limiting example, the Kim WIPES® tissue produced by Kimberly Clark Corporation, Nina, WI, has an opacity of about 48% when the tissue is dry and such as a fragrance. It may have an opacity of about 25% when wet with the liquid volatile composition.

If the opacity change is large enough, the altered opacity of the shade 40 can also be used to expose or hide graphics printed on the shade 40. For example, a material comprising micropores, which typically have an average pore size of about 0.01 micrometers to about 15 micrometers, is opaque when dry but quasi-transparent when wet with fluid. Suitable materials for this purpose include microporous polyethylene, polypropylene, nitrocellulose, and polyesters having a pore volume of about 50% pore volume / total material volume (“v / v”) to about 99% v / v. But not limited to this. Examples of suitable materials include those available in grades 7P03A, 5P09B, and 10P05A under the name SOLUPOR, available from DSM Solutech, Heerene, The Netherlands. In a non-limiting example, such microporous material can be reduced from about 20% to about 70% of opacity depending on thickness, material type, and pore size. For example, Sollupo 7P03A having a nominal basis weight of about 7 g / m 2 has an opacity of about 95% when dry and about 45% when wet. Graphics or images can be printed on one side of the sheet, and as the fluid evaporates, the sheet will gradually become opaque and will eventually pass little or no light. Initially, the graphic can be seen from the other side, in particular by a backlight from a light source, for example. As the shade dries, it becomes more opaque, allowing less light to pass through the shade 40 and making the graphics no longer visible.

The pore size of the sun visor material is typically from about 0.01 micrometers to about 50 micrometers or from about 0.05 micrometers to about 5 micrometers to provide the highest opacity when dry and to provide transparency when wet. The average pore size diameter for absorbing the volatile composition is typically from about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers or from about 1 micrometer to about 50 micrometers. Thus, the average pore size diameter for opaque and absorbent materials without the use of pigments can be from about 0.1 micrometers to about 50 micrometers. This allows a single material to maintain a fluid such as a fragrance and provides a semi-opaque shade when dry and a semi-transparent shade when wet with the liquid composition. Alternatively, a multi-layer structure can be used for the shade, whereby one layer serves as an opaque altering layer having a pore size of about 0.01 micrometers to about 50 micrometers, with additional layers ranging from about 0.1 micrometers to about It is designed to maintain volatile compositions with an average pore size of 100 microns.

In other non-limiting embodiments, in order to ensure proper alignment and / or recognition between base 20 and awning 40, awning 40 corresponds to a unique / mutual geometry within base 20. It may be desirable to have one geometric shape / shape. Suitable non-limiting examples include tabs located on sunshade 40, with corresponding indentations on the base receiving the tabs. Another non-limiting example can be a pin / hole configuration.

Kit

The components of the decorative light emitter of the present invention, including, but not limited to, the shade 40, the base 20, the light source / light 27, a sealed pouch for holding the shade 40, and a volatile composition, may be used as a kit. Can be provided. Alternatively, one or more of the components of the decorative light emitter may be provided separately. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the shade 40 of the decorative light emitter can be provided with one or more other components as part of a kit, or can be provided and / or sold separately. In other non-limiting examples, the volatile composition can be provided as part of a kit and can be included, for example, in a sunshade or in a separate sachet, pouch, ampoule, bottle, or the like. In another non-limiting embodiment, the volatile composition can be provided separately, such as part of a dosing container or refill unit, which can be purchased separately by a user. In a further non-limiting embodiment, the base and / or light source can be provided with other components of the decorative light emitter, each can be provided as one unit, or each can be provided and / or sold separately. For example, it may be desirable for a user to have the flexibility to select the type of light source used, or to interchange the illumination (s) and / or base.

It may also be desirable for a user to have the ability to select the individual components that make up the decorative illuminant 10 to customize the decorative illuminant 10 according to an individual's preferences. For example, an interactive sample display may be a component (eg, sunshade 40, base 20, light source / light 27, volatile composition) that a user wishes to construct a decorative light emitter 10. May be provided to select / customize. The interactive sample display can be manually controlled by the user, by a computer controlled by the user, or by a combination thereof. Such interactive sample displays may be provided electronically, for example, via an internet / virtual web site, or may be located in a physical location, such as a store location, for example via parcel post and / or through a newspaper / magazine entry. Can be delivered to the user's home. In a non-limiting example of a passive interactive sample display, each option of each decorative illuminator component will allow the user to see how the decorative illuminator 10 will look based on the selected option for each component. A component is provided on the movable wheel located along one row of the sample display to superimpose one component on the next component. Alternatively or additionally to the above, different samples of volatile compositions, such as fragrances, also benefit from the overall customization / selection of the decorative illuminant 10 which best satisfies the user's personal preferences before making a final purchase decision. The components can be nested in a configuration of, for example, a scratch and sniff type so that the user can have it.

Self explanatory goods

The invention also includes a product comprising a set of instructions for instructing a user on how to use 1) the decorative light 10 of the invention, and 2) the decorative light 10.

In one embodiment, the merchandise includes a decorative light emitter 10 of the present invention associated with a set of instructions, in which case the instruction directs the user to follow a method of using the decorative light emitter 10. The instructions may be in the form of written sentences, pictures, symbols / icons, and the like, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, such instructions provide the user with 1) placing the decorative light 10 on the surface, 2) removing the shade 40 from the package, for example, and / or placing the shade within the base 20. Will instruct to activate decorative illuminant 10.

In this specification, “related” refers to such a description, in order to deliver a set of instructions to a consumer of the decorative illuminant, either directly on the decorative illuminant 10 or on a packaging for the decorative illuminant 10. Directly printed or printed on a decorative light 10 or a label attached to a packaging for the decorative light 10, including, but not limited to, brochures, print advertisements, electronic advertisements, broadcast or internet advertisements and / or other media. It does not mean that it is provided in a different way.

Non-limiting examples of the present invention are disclosed below.

Example  One

Wicking shades are made by including a rupture pouch in the base of the shade. Burst pouches are manufactured by Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Nina, Wis., With a SURLYN® sealant available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Manufactured from high-walled metalized PET laminate. The pouch is sealed at a lower temperature on one side (approximately 93 ° C. to about 149 ° C. for the other two sides of the pouch) to provide a weak seal that will burst at a force of less than about 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds) when pressurized. Create The pouch is filled with about 3 ml of water, 3 drops of green edible color dye, and about 1 ml of pine fragrance fragrance oil. Awnings, 15 cm x 28 cm (6 inches x 11 inches) of absorptive paper having a basis weight of 50 g / m 2, so that one side is an absorbent paper and the other side is a polyethylene film (non-limiting examples are paper towels, cosmetics) Tissue and bathroom tissue), which is constructed by laminating onto a layer of 0.0254 mm (1 mil) polyethylene film. The paper side is then covered with a tree shaped template and the lacquer coating is sprayed onto the paper to create porous and nonporous regions in the paper for controlled wicking of the fluid. The rupturable pouch is then placed on the paper side of the awning material and the bottom edge is folded and sealed over the pouch to prevent the pouch from loosening and moving in the awning. The sunshade is then folded in the form of a tube with a 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) overlap and sealed along a 15 cm (6 inch) corner to approximately 23 cm with a circumference of 27 cm (10.5 inch) due to the overlap. Create a tube (9 inches) tall. The sunshade is folded so that the polyethylene side is on the outside of the tube and the paper is on the inside. When the rupturable pouch is ruptured, fluid is released near the base and placed at the base of the tree so as to wick slowly into the tree based on the capillary properties of the paper and paper / film lamination. The sunshade is then placed in a 20 cm x 13 cm (8 inch x 5 inch) foil pouch and sealed.

The consumer uses the shade by opening the foil pouch. This is done by the consumer tearing the sealed area along one edge of the foil pouch. The sunshade is removed and placed over the battery-powered light base. The fragrance / colored dye in the rupturable pouch is activated by squeezing the awning and illumination base in the area where the rupturable pouch is located at the bottom of the awning. In this way, the pouch is ruptured, which allows the release of fluid of approximately 3 cc to about 4 cc. This fluid then comes into contact with the sunshade. The outside of the sunshade and the bottom of the sunshade are not wet because the film surface of the sunshade keeps the bottom surface and the outside of the sunshade dry. After approximately 30 minutes, the fluid is wicked up about 5 cm (2 inches) of the sunshade. Within 120 minutes, the fluid is wicked to the full 15 cm (6 inches) height of the sunshade. In this particular embodiment, a tree pattern appears as wicking occurs because the colored dye will only wick within the porous area of the paper. The wicking fluid also has no scent initially delivered when it ruptures the pouch, but rather delivers the scent so that the scent is released slowly as the scent / oil mixture in the pouch is wicked onto the paper and evaporates.

Example  2

Translucent paper sold by CTI Paper USA, Sun Prairie, Wis., Under the name "Parchment White Glama Natural" with a nominal basis weight of 110 g / m 2 Three layers comprising a low density polyethylene film of about 0.03 mm and creped tissue paper having a nominal basis weight of about 23 g / m 2, sold by Cellutissue Incorporated as a 7020 grade Arrange a shade comprising a low density polyethylene between the two paper layers. The three layers are then thermally bonded using a thermal roll laminator set to a temperature and laminating pressure sufficient to prevent the layers from easily separating.

The three-layer laminate described above is folded and cut to form a tube having a circumference of 190 mm and a height of 220 mm. The tube is formed such that the creped tissue paper is positioned inside the cylinder. The seam of the tube is fixed by applying a transfer adhesive tape (approximately 0.5 cm) overlap (sold as 9471LE, available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.). . Thereafter, the tube is folded to form a flat structure.

Creped tissue paper of a three layer laminate tube using a transfer pipette with approximately 0.7 g of volatile composition having the composition shown in Table 1, wherein components of greater than 90% by weight of the volatile composition have a KI value of less than about 1500. Apply to the layers. The three layer laminate tube is then immediately placed into a metallized poly bag (available as Part No. S-6176 from ULine Corporation, Wokgangan, Ill.) And heat sealed.

After approximately 16 hours, the three layer laminate tube is removed from the metalized bag, opened into a tube shape, and placed in a room having a temperature of approximately 21 ° C. (70 ° F.). After about 6 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag, about 50% of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade. After about 24 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag, more than about 70% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade.

Example  3

Awnings are prepared as in Example 2, except that the volatile compositions are those described in Table 2, wherein greater than 80% by weight of the volatile compositions have a KI value of less than about 1700. After about 6 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag about 20% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade.

Example  4

Awnings are made using Synax® 6130 manufactured by BBK / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA. The synax material consists of calendered polyester fibers having a basis weight of 102 g / m 2 and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The material is folded and cut to form a tube having a circumference of 190 mm and a height of 190 mm. The seam of the tube is fixed by applying a transfer adhesive tape (available as 9471LE, available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.) To approximately 0.5 cm overlap. Thereafter, the tube is folded to form a flat structure.

About 0.7 g of the volatile composition described in Table 3, wherein only components of about 62% by weight of the volatile composition have a KI value of less than about 1700, is applied to the tubular sunshade. The tubular awning is then immediately placed into a metalized 0.055 mm (2.2 mil) poly bag (available as part number S-6176 from U-Line Corporation) and heat sealed.

After approximately 4 hours, the tubular sunshade is removed from the metalized poly bag, opened into a tubular shape and placed in a room having a temperature of approximately 21 ° C. (70 ° F.). After about 5 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag about 20% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade. After about 24 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag about 30% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade.

Example  5

Awnings are made using Synax® 6130 manufactured by BBK / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA. The syntax material consists of calendered polyester fibers having a basis weight of 102 gsm and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The material is folded and cut to form a tube having a circumference of 190 mm and a height of 220 mm. The seam of the tube is fixed by applying a transfer adhesive tape (available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., USA, sold as 9471LE) to approximately 0.5 cm overlap. Thereafter, the tube is folded to form a flat structure.

0.7 g of volatile compositions described in Table 2 are applied to the tubular sunshade. The tubular sunshade is then immediately placed and heat sealed into a metalized 0.055 mm (2.2 mil) poly bag (available as part number S-6176 from Yu-Line Corporation).

After approximately 24 hours, the tubular sunshade is removed from the metalized poly bag, opened into a tubular shape and placed in a room having a temperature of approximately 21 ° C. (70 ° F.). After about 5 hours, more than about 50% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the awning evaporates from the awning upon removal from the metalized bag. After about 24 hours, more than about 65% w / w of fragrance originally present in the shade upon removal from the metalized bag is evaporated from the shade.

Example  6

Awnings are made using Synax® 6130 manufactured by BBK / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA. The syntax material consists of calendered polyester fibers having a basis weight of 102 gsm and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The material is folded and cut to form a tube having a circumference of 190 mm and a height of 220 mm. The seam of the tube is fixed by applying a transfer adhesive tape (available as 9471LE, available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.) To approximately 0.5 cm overlap. Thereafter, the tube is folded to form a flat structure.

0.7 g of the volatile composition described in Table 1 is applied to the tubular sunshade. The tubular sunshade is then immediately placed and heat sealed from a 0.05-mm (2.2 mil) thick poly bag available as part number S-6176 from U-Line Corporation.

After approximately 24 hours, the tubular sunshade is removed from the metalized poly bag, opened into a tubular shape and placed in a room having a temperature of approximately 21 ° C. (70 ° F.). After about 5 hours, about 80% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the awning evaporates from the awning upon removal from the metalized bag. After about 24 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag, more than about 85% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade.

Example  7

Fold and cut a semi-transparent paper sold by Citi Paper USA of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, USA, with a nominal basis weight of 110 g / m2, "Pattern White Glama Natural". Form a tube with a height. The seam of the tube is fixed by applying a transfer adhesive tape (available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., USA, sold as 9471LE) to approximately 0.5 cm overlap. Thereafter, the tube is folded to form a flat structure.

A strip of absorbent material (sold as product number 7620W, available from EM Specialty Papers, Reading, Connecticut) was cut to approximately 1.7 cm x 19 cm, and double-sided (sold as product number 9500PC available from 3M Corporation). Use tape to secure the inside of the paper tube very close to the end of the tube.

Approximately 0.45 g of volatile composition having the composition shown in Table 1, wherein more than 90% by weight of the volatile composition has a KI value of less than about 1500, is applied to the absorbent material strip using a transfer pipette. The tube is then placed into a metallized poly bag (available as Part No. S-6176 from Euline Corporation) and heat sealed.

After approximately 48 hours, the tube is removed from the metalized poly bag, opened into a tube shape, and placed in a room having a temperature of approximately 21 ° C. (70 ° F.). The tube is placed vertically on the table so that the absorbent strip is on top of the tube. After about 6 hours, about 50% w / w of the fragrance in the shade is evaporated from the shade upon removal from the metalized bag. After about 24 hours, upon removal from the metalized bag about 65% w / w of the fragrance originally present in the shade is evaporated from the shade.

Example  8

Awnings are made using Synax® 6130 manufactured by BBK / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA. The synax material consists of calendered polyester fibers having a basis weight of 102 g / m 2 and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The average pore size diameter of such materials is approximately 34 micrometers in the range of about 10 micrometers to about 75 micrometers. The material is printed in a graphic pattern using conventional ink with an inkjet printer. The synax material is then cut into dimensions of 19 cm x 20 cm, wound into a tube, and sealed along a 19 cm length with a 1 cm overlap. The synax material is heat sealed to itself using a VERTROD brand impulse heat sealer. The opacity of the shade when dried prior to fragrance addition is measured at 65% drying using Hunter Labscan XE. The sunshade is loaded with 0.7 grams of fragrance composition shown in Table 1. Immediately after loading the shade with the fragrance, the opacity was measured and found to be 43%. At 4 hours after application of the fragrance composition to the shade, 50% of the fragrance is evaporated and the opacity is increased to 55%.

Example  9

A sunshade is prepared as in Example 2. Prior to sealing into a metalized poly bag, the floral shaped decorative design is a "Disappearing Ink Marking Pen" available from Pyrm-Dritz Corporation, Spartanburg, SC, USA. Draw on the outside of the shade using a pen). The decorative design disappears from the shade within about 24 hours after removal from the metalized bag.

Example  10

110 g / m2 nominal basis weight of flexible sheet article A layer of translucent paper sold by Citi Paper US, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, in the name of "Patchment White Glamor Natural", Heerene, the Netherlands, named Solupor 7PO3A, with a nominal basis weight of 7 g / m2. It is constructed by adhesive lamination on a layer of microporous high molecular weight polyethylene sold by DSM Solutech. Translucent paper is printed as decorative graphics using an HP inkjet printer. The laminated structure is then cut to 200 mm x 185 mm and wound along a 200 mm width with a 10 mm overlap to create a 190 mm circumferential elliptic tube with a 185 mm height. The flexible article is wound so that the microporous polyethylene is on the outside and the translucent paper on which the graphics are printed is on the inside. A layer of double-sided tape from 3M Corporation (available as 3M 9471LE) is used in the overlap area to prevent the tube from unwinding.

Approximately 2 ml of volatile composition having the composition described in Table 1 is applied to the flexible tube article. The flexible article is then placed in a high barrier pouch and sealed to prevent loss of volatile composition in the article until ready for use. The flexible tube article can be used as a standalone air freshener or can be placed on the base to help keep the article upright. Alternatively, the article may also be used as a light emitter shade when positioned over the illumination base.

Samples of the laminated structure are cut and the opacity before and after wetting with the volatile composition is measured. The dry structure has an opacity of 95% and the wet structure has an opacity of 45%. When dry, the tube article or light-emitting shade is white in appearance due to the opacity of the microporous polyethylene. When wet, the microporous polyethylene is semitransparent and the graphic on the inside can be seen very clearly both with and without illumination on the inside of the tube. As the volatile composition evaporated over a period of 10 hours, the shade became more opaque and returned to its original 95% opacity within two days with little visible graphics. This change in appearance helps inform the user that the fragrance is substantially exhausted and can now be discarded and replaced with a new shade.

Example  11

The flexible article is constructed from the same material as described in Example 10, but the microporous polyethylene is printed graphically instead of translucent paper, and the laminated structure is printed with the microporous PE printed inside with the printed surface of the tube. Wind up the tube so that the unprinted translucent paper is on the outside.

The flexible article is again wetted with the same volatile composition as used in Table 1, but now the volatile composition is inside the tube. The opacity of the article varied from 95% when dry to 45% when wet and again the graphic was very well seen when wet but was hidden due to the change in the opacity of the microporous polyethylene material. In this embodiment, the release rate of the volatile composition is slower due to the wet microporous polyethylene on the inner side to the outer side of the elliptical tube shape. The perfume is released over a period of five days.

Example  12

Three shades are made using a multilayer structure. Aeration of the shade is adjusted to determine the effect of the fragrance evaporation rate. The sunshade consists of three layers. The outer layer is 60 gsm heat sealable paper from Ahlstrom Windsor Locks LLC, Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The middle barrier layer consists of a blown PE / EVOH / PE 0.06 mm (2.5 mil) thick film available from Printpak Incorporated, Atlanta, Georgia. The inner layer consists of a 102 gsm spunbond polyester nonwoven with the tradename Synergy 6130, available from BBi / Fiberweb, Simpsonville, SC, USA. The synapse material consists of calendered polyester fibers having a thickness of 0.3 mm. The three layers are laminated together using a hot roll laminator with a roll pressure of 0.41 MPa (60 psi), a roll temperature of 182 ° C. (360 ° F.) and a speed setting of 20. The three-layer sheet is then die cut to a dimension of 185 mm x 200 mm using a hydraulic press and a steel rule die. Thereafter, the 185 mm x 200 mm sheet is folded around a 185 mm long x 95 mm wide folding board with the synax absorbent material inside. The sunshade is then sealed along the 185 mm length at the overlap using an overlapping seam. This produces a 185 mm long flattened tube with a circumference of approximately 192 mm (with an 8 mm overlap). Sealing is done with impulse heat sealer model number 24LABMod S / N: V-49093 at a bar pressure of 0.34 MPa (50 psi), a heat pulse duration of 8 seconds, and a cold duration of 16 seconds. The output setting for heating the impulse metal ribbon is set to 27.5 on the dial.

Inside the awning (synergy layer) formed is administered 0.5 grams of cucumber and melon fragrances available from International Flavors and Fragnances, Hazellet, NJ. The sunshade is then placed on the ellipse-shaped base to keep the sunshade upright with the sunshade tube opening facing upwards and the other opening fitted snugly within the elliptical base.

Two different types of thermoformed bases are used to maintain the shade. One base has a closed bottom such that the sunshade fits snugly into the base with little or no possibility of air moving through the base and / or between the interface between the base and the sunshade. This is referred to as "airless base". The other base has two 19 mm (0.75 inch) diameter holes in the center of the base that correspond to 6.45 cm 2 (1 square inch) area openings on the sides of the base. This is referred to as the "ventilated base" with an area equal to 6.45 cm 2 (1 square inch) for air to flow through the base (side walls and top) and the bottom of the sunshade.

The top of the sunshade is adjusted to open or close using a paper clip to close and block the sunshade and a thin ring of 35 mm diameter to open the sunshade. Optionally, a foil tape can be applied on the top of the shade to help keep the shade open or closed in the desired shape. Three shades are tested under three different conditions: 1) closed top and closed base, 2) open top and closed base, and 3) open top and open base of the sunshade. The fragrance evaporation rate is measured by weighing the shades at different time intervals and taking the difference over the time intervals to calculate the average weight loss / hour. The results shown in Table 4 below describe how the open top at the closed bottom increases evaporation and how the evaporation is further increased when the vented base is used with the top and bottom of the vented sunshade.

Example  13

Integral shades and packages were manufactured to demonstrate how low cost all-in-one flavor products and packages can be made. Awnings are made by taking a two-laminate substrate comprising an absorbent nonwoven laminated to a barrier film. The aforementioned Syntax 6125 PET nonwovens are used for the inner absorbent layer. The outer barrier film is a film supplied by a print pack of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, consisting of PET / PE / EVOH / PE. The barrier film is synergized in a manner similar to that described in Example 12, except that the synergex is 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) narrower on the top and bottom (see FIG. 20), leaving an area where no absorbent material is present. Laminated by heat to nonwovens. This narrower width of the nonwoven is made such that the nonwoven is not in the sealing area. The nonwoven is then loaded with 1 gram of fragrance as described in Table 1 of Example 2. The 2-laminate is then folded into itself with the fragrance added nonwoven on the inside and the barrier film facing outward. The barrier film is then heat sealed to itself on the three open ends. The sealed package can be opened by cutting with a scissors the sealing area on the two ends. Alternatively or additionally, the barrier film can be laser scored to help tear the end easily. The open package is formed into a cuboid shape and inserted onto the base to enable the release of fragrance. All-in-round packages and awnings of this kind can be manufactured at one time using vertical or horizontal forming / filling / sealing machines such as those produced by Hayssen Packaging Technologies, Duncan, SC, USA. have.

Example  14

An integral shading and package was prepared in the same manner as described in Example 13, except that the absorbent material was product number 7620W, available from EM Specialty Papers, Reading, Connecticut, instead of Synexx 6125. This thicker and more absorbent material is then administered and sealed with 7 ml of fragrance in the same manner as described in Example 13. This shade is opened by removing and opening the sealed end to form a cuboidal shape. This embodiment illustrates how a more continuous and low cost air freshener can be manufactured. To provide faster fragrance release, the cube can be placed on several small blocks that allow air to flow through the cube.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention are intended to be included in the appended claims. All documents mentioned in this specification are incorporated by reference in the relevant parts. No citation of any document should be construed as an admission to the prior art relating to the present invention.

Claims (11)

As a decorative luminous body,
A decorative light emitter comprising a disposable shade comprising a material having a fluid retention capacity of about 5 ml / m 2 to about 1000 ml / m 2 and an average pore size of about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers. The decorative light emitter of claim 1, wherein the disposable shade comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer, the barrier layer having a thickness of about 0.005 mm to about 1 mm. The decorative light emitter of claim 2, wherein the disposable shade has a deflection force of about 1 gram to about 200 grams. The decorative illuminant of claim 3, wherein the disposable shade has a flexural modulus of about 0.1 gigapascals to about 10 gigapascals. The decorative illuminant of claim 1, further comprising a volatile composition, wherein the shade comprises from about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams of the volatile composition. The decorative illuminant of claim 1, wherein the shade further comprises a color changing dye, a color changing ink, or a combination thereof. 7. The decorative light emitter of claim 6, wherein the color changing ink is an oxidizing ink, an ink that reacts with carbon dioxide present in air, or a combination thereof. The decorative illuminant of claim 1, wherein the shade comprises an indicia that undergoes a visual change after activation. The decorative illuminant of claim 8, wherein the visual change is in the form of a decorative pattern that appears, disappears, changes color, changes in intensity, changes in opacity, or a combination thereof. The decorative light emitter of claim 8, wherein the activation comprises removing the shade from the secondary package, rupture of the pouch, removal of the film, addition of a film, addition of liquid, or a combination thereof. The decorative illuminant of claim 8, wherein the activation is due to a change in oxygen, carbon dioxide, humidity, pH, temperature, or a combination thereof.

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