MX2008009769A - System for delivering volatile materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A flippable/tiltable non-energised volatile material delivery system for delivery in a continuous manner and boost on demand, the system comprising:A) a delivery engine comprising:i) a liquid comprising at least one volatile material;ii) at least two liquid reservoirs;iii) a liquid flow retardant situated in the liquid flow path between the at least two liquid reservoirs and wherein the flow retardant has at least one evaporative surface;and iv) a protective membrane adjacent to the retardant;and B) optionally a housing encasing the delivery engine.

Description

SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING VOLATILE MATERIALS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for emitting or releasing volatile material into the atmosphere. Specifically, the invention relates to methods for supplying one or more volatile materials in a continuous and action-driven manner using a non-energized delivery system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is generally known to use a device for evaporating a volatile composition in a space, particularly a domestic space, to provide a variety of benefits, such as changing the environment or perfuming the environment. Non-energized systems, for example, systems that are not powered by electric power, are a popular mode for the supply of volatile materials in the atmosphere. Systems can be classified into: i) those that require human activation, such as aerosols; and ii) those that do not require human activation such as wick-based systems and gels. The first type supplies volatile materials on request and the second type in a more continuous manner.

Methods and systems for the release of volatile materials into the atmosphere, which provide a level of continuous emission maintenance and a level of temporary stimulus, are known in the industry. WO 05/032606 and WO 05/032607 describe a supply system for the supply of a volatile material comprising two fluid reservoirs and a wick that fluidly communicates the two reservoirs. One drawback with this class of systems is that they are prone to leakage and have safety problems associated with them. A second inconvenient is the lack of flexibility in the design of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a system for supplying a volatile material is provided. The system of the invention is suitable for supplying volatile material continuously and activating or regenerating volatile material on demand. The stimulation or regeneration of volatile material is achieved by rotating or tilting the system. The system supplies volatile material in a continuous manner when there is no human interaction, that is, when the device is allowed to operate on its own. The system provides an activation or regeneration of volatile material by human interaction, that is, by tilting or tilting it. The system of the invention is preferably "rotatable" or "tiltable". By "rotable" or "tilt" it is understood that the system can be use in different spatial arrangements, which are achieved through, for example, rotation (preferably inversion or tilt) of the system. The system is designed to stand on its own and fully operational in different inclinations or orientations, that is, it is a multiple position system. A stimulus or regeneration of volatile material is achieved by rotating or tilting the supply system. By "stimulus" is meant an increase in the perceived intensity of the volatile material. By "regeneration" is meant a change in the perceived nature of the material supplied. The system is "not energized". By not energized it is understood that the system does not need to be powered by an external energy source. In general, the system does not need to be powered by a source of heat, gas or electric current, and the volatile material is not supplied by an aerosol medium. The delivery system comprises a supply motor and optionally a housing enclosing it. The supply motor comprises: i) A liquid comprising at least one volatile material; ii) at least two reservoirs of liquid, that is, two different places to store liquid; iii) A liquid flow retardant located in the liquid flow path between the at least two reservoirs of liquid and further characterized in that the flow retardant has at least one vaporization surface; and iv) a protective membrane adjacent to the retarder.

By "liquid reservoir" is meant a part of the supply motor in which liquid can be stored. The at least two reservoirs of liquid do not need to be two different receptacles, they can be part of the same receptacle that stores liquid in more than one place depending on the spatial orientation of the system. For example, the reservoir for liquid may be a single receptacle surrounding the flow retardant, with a hexagonal, rectangular, square, circular, oval or any irregular shape. Then the liquid can be stored in different parts of the receptacle depending on its orientation. The system of the invention provides great flexibility allowing different modes of operation (continuous and on demand) with or without human interaction. The handling of devices containing liquids, especially when device movement is involved (such as inversion or tilt), predisposes the device to leaks. Additionally, devices of this type could cause children to touch the supply engine. The liquid composition may be unsafe, if a child puts his hand in his mouth after touching it. The system of the invention, in particular, the supply motor, is leak resistant even if the supply motor is pushed with a finger. In addition, the system is leak-free even when placed on a non-horizontal surface. The performance of the system is not altered by its position thereby providing flexibility of use. The protective membrane not only makes the supply leak-free but also can provide some protection to the components oxygen fluids which can degrade the liquid by changing the character of the volatile material. The supply motor can be used as it is or enclosed in a housing. This allows great design flexibility. The different configurations of the supply motor provide benefits to the system of the invention. The outer housing can be designed independently of the supply motor. The appearance of the system of the invention is very important, because it is usually used inside the home and in addition to the supply of volatile materials the system can be considered an ornamental or distraction piece. The supply motor can be replaced or refilled while the outer housing is maintained. The flow retardant can be anything that increases the time it takes the liquid to travel from one reservoir of fluid to another. The flow retardant comprises a vaporization surface from which volatile material is constantly emitted. The delivery system of the invention can be used for a variety of applications, including perfume supply, odor elimination, plague control, aroma therapy, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the system is used for the supply of perfumes. The habituation to perfume is one of the problems that are faced when the perfume is constantly supplied, the human brain gets used to the perfume and no longer notices it. This problem is overcome with the device of the present which provides a stimulus of volatile materials. Another problem that was found in the systems to supply volatile materials using evaporation surfaces is that different materials can evaporate at different times, if the vaporization surface is an absorbent medium, the medium can become clogged or blocked. These two problems can be avoided or relieved again with the device of the invention by tilting or tilting it. In a preferred embodiment the liquid reservoirs are two independent receptacles and preferably the liquid reservoirs are located one above the other. Preferably the width / height ratio of the liquid reservoirs is at least about 6: 1, more preferably at least about 5: 2. This provides better control of the flow of the liquid in the flow retardant. In a preferred embodiment each of the at least two liquid reservoirs is connected to the flow retardant through an opening, preferably a channel or conduit. Preferably the conduit has a width considerably smaller than the width of the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the width of the reservoir is at least twice, more preferably at least five times and even more preferably at least eight times the width of the conduit. This helps to reduce the entry of the liquid into the flow retardant. Although the flow retardant can have any configuration, a flat configuration of the surface area and the supply and efficiency viewpoints are preferred. By "flat" it is understood that the width and the height of the flow retardant are at least twice, preferably, at least five times and more preferably at least eight times the thickness of the flow retardant. In a preferred embodiment, the flow retardant is a wick. The wick can have any shape or configuration. Preferably, the wick is flat, for example, with a square or rectangular shape. It is also preferred that the thickness of the wick be small compared to the remaining dimensions of the wick. Preferably the width of the wick is at least twice, more preferably at least five times and even more preferably at least eight times the thickness of the wick. It is also preferred that the wick does not extend to the liquid reservoirs. Systems comprising a wick may present the potential problem of providing a distillation release of the volatile materials of a composition, wherein the more volatile materials are released first, followed by materials of continuous decreasing volatility. This leads to changes in the character of the composition due to the lifetime of the device. This problem can be reduced or even overcome with the system of the invention by rotating or tilting the device, this helps to improve the homogeneity of the composition by mixing the materials by the movement of the liquid due to the action of rotating or tilting. In a preferred embodiment, the flow retardant is in contact with the membrane, this seems to favor the transfer of volatile material to the outside.

Preferably, the protective membrane is vapor permeable and impermeable to the liquid thereby stopping the problems of wetting and leakage. The housing may be made of a material permeable to volatile materials or may have openings, such as pinholes or small holes for the supply of volatile materials. In a methodical aspect of the invention, a volatile material supply method is provided on request by rotating or tilting the device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is suitable for supplying volatile material in a continuous manner while transferring liquid comprising at least one volatile material from one reservoir of liquid to another and additionally allowing to provide a stimulus or regeneration of the volatile material by rotating or tilting the device. The system of the invention is suitable for delivering fragrances, environmental modifiers, environmental deodorants, odor eliminators, elements to counteract malodor, insecticides, insect repellents, medicinal substances, disinfectants, climate enhancers and aroma therapy aids, or for any other purpose using a material that acts to condition, modify or otherwise change the atmosphere or the environment. The at least one volatile material provided by the system of the invention may be from a single source, or alternatively from multiple sources. The only volatile material or volatile materials may have different volatility indices throughout the life of the supply system. The term "volatile material" as used herein, refers to a material that is vaporizable at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure without the need for an energy source. Any suitable volatile material can be used in any amount or form. Suitable liquids for use herein include (but are not limited to) compositions that are formed entirely of a single volatile material or compositions that have more than one volatile component, and it is not necessary that all liquid component materials be volatile. It should also be understood that when a liquid is described herein as "emitted" or "released," it refers to the volatilization of the volatile components thereof and does not require that the non-volatile components thereof be emitted. The volatile material may be in the form of an essential oil. Most conventional fragrance materials are volatile essential oils. The volatile material can be a volatile organic compound, usually available from perfume suppliers. In addition, volatile materials can be natural or synthetic materials. Examples include but are not limited to: bergamot oil, orange bitter, lemon, tangerine, caraway, cedar leaves, clove leaf, cedar wood, geranium, lavender, orange, oregano, amara, white cedar, patchulí, lavandín, neroili, rosa damasceno and the like. In the case of environmental modifiers or fragrances, the different volatile materials can be similar, related, complementary or contrasting. The volatile material can also originate in the form of a crystalline solid, which has the ability to sublimate in the vapor phase at ambient temperatures or be used to give fragrance to a liquid. It is possible to use any crystalline solid in any quantity or form. For example, suitable crystalline solids include, but are not limited to, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin, tonalid, caloe, musk heliotropene, musk xylol, cedrol, ketone musk benzophenone, raspberry ketone, methyl naphthyl beta ketone, phenylethyl salicylate, veltol, maltol, maple lactone, proeugenol acetate, evemil, and the like. However, for volatile materials it may not be convenient, to be too similar if different volatile materials are used in an attempt to avoid the problem of habituation to emission, in any other way, people who experience the emissions will not notice that it is emitted a different issue Different emissions may be related to each other by a common theme or in some other way. An example of emissions that are different but complementary could be one of cinnamon and one of apple. For example, different emissions can be provided using a plurality of supply systems each of which provides a different volatile material (such as musk, floral, fruit emissions, etc.). The delivery system is preferably sealed, discarding the transfer to the outside of the liquid and only allowing the transfer of volatile material. The delivery system of the invention emits volatile materials in a virtually continuous manner when the system is in rest position, ie the system is not rotated, tilted, agitated or otherwise moved. The emission level of the volatile material can exhibit a uniform intensity until virtually all volatile materials are depleted of the liquid at virtually the same time. This uniformity can be altered by rotating or tilting the device, thereby altering the delivery profile, i.e. the intensity or character of the emission. The supply of the emission of the maintenance level can be of any suitable length, preferably at least 24 hours, more preferably at least 2 days and most preferably at least 1 week. When the mode of emission of the stimulus level is activated by human interaction, i.e. rotating or tilting the system, an intensity of the highest volatile material is emitted, optionally uniform for an adequate duration of emission, in which the time of the Supply system can automatically return by supplying volatile material in the maintenance level emission mode without additional human interaction. The term "temporary" with reference to the emission of the stimulus level, means that although it is desired for emissions from the stimulus level to emit at a higher intensity for a limited period of time after being activated or controlled by human interaction, the emission of the stimulus level may also include periods in which there are openings in the broadcasts. Without theoretical limitation of any kind, an emission of the stimulus level of greater intensity depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: the "perfumed effect" of the volatile material; the volume of the volatile material supplied to the vaporization surface to supply a stimulus emission; the speed of supply of volatile material available from the source of enhanced emissions; and the available surface area of the device of the vaporization surface during the delivery of the stimulus emission. To raise or control the intensity of the emission of the stimulus level it is possible to use any volatile material, any volume of suitable volatile material and any supply index, or surface area of vaporization. Suitable volumes, delivery rates and surface areas are those in which the emission of the stimulus level exhibits an emission intensity greater than or equal to the emission of the maintenance level. If, for example, a higher volatile material is supplied for the evaporation surface device, the consumer may increase or control the intensity of the emission of the stimulus level. The volume of volatile material that is supplied to the vaporizing surface device can also be controlled using a dosing device specific with a specific volume. It is possible to use a collecting container to force part of the volume through the vaporizing surface device. The collection container can be made from any suitable material, shape or size and can collect any suitable volume of volatile material. The delivery system, for example, may include a collecting container as a unit dose chamber, capable of at least partially filling with at least one volatile material to activate emission of the stimulus level. The unit dose chamber supplies a controlled volume of the volatile material to a vaporizing surface device, such as a vaporizing surface device. Suitable liquid flow retardants for use herein include any suitable medium that retards the flow of liquid from one reservoir of liquid to the other, including channels of different diameters, structures that provide zigzagging liquid paths, plugs for liquid and liquid devices. surface that have any size, conformation, shape or appropriate configuration. The liquid flow retardants include at least one surface that allows at least some evaporation of volatile material. The flow retardant can be a separate element from the liquid reservoir or it can be part of the liquid reservoir. Suitable flow retardants made of any suitable material, include but are not limited to: natural materials, artificial materials, fibrous materials, non-fibrous materials, porous materials, non-porous materials and combinations thereof. Preferred flow retardants for use herein include materials absorbents, generally wicks that can be impregnated with the liquid containing volatile material. The absorbent material absorbs the liquid by capillary action. Examples of absorbent material are blotting paper, felt, cellulose, cotton, wooden snacks, dry vegetation, sponge, polymers, copolymers and other porous or fibrous materials. For use herein, water insoluble polymers such as low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene acetate and vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, methyl cellulose, polyisobutylene acetate butyrate cellulose are preferred. , etc. The absorbent can be shaped or presented in an attractive or decorative manner. The absorbent material can be hollow. This arrangement allows excess fluid to flow through the center. The absorbent material has areas of different densities. This can help with flow control. In some non-limiting embodiments, the capillarity absorption element is a capillary absorbing element of aligned (ie "sintered") fibers. Such capillarity absorption elements allow a better containment of the perfume (versus a compression or absorption element by "amorphous" capillarity), increasing the directionality of the volatile material flow. In one embodiment, the capillarity absorption element of aligned fibers is made from a polyester / polyolefin blend. Such blends absorb fewer components of the perfume composition than the pure polyester, thus providing a more rapid movement of any excess perfume and reducing the saturation incident of the perfume element. absorption by capillarity and leaks. In another embodiment, the capillarity absorption element has an average density of about 1 g / cm3 to about 0.01 g / cm3. Preferably, the wick has an average density of less than about 0.5 g / cm 3, more preferably less than about 0.02 g / cm 3. Wicks that have a high density, that is, greater than 0.5 g / cm3 can contribute to flow control. Preferably, the delivery system maintains the fidelity of its character over time with periodic investments in the direction of the flow of volatile material in the vaporization surface device. For example, over time the fidelity of the nature of the supply system may decrease due to the fractionation (such as partition effects) of at least one volatile material or by obstruction or blockage of the vaporization surface. The solution for fractionation as for blocking or blocking is to provide a suitable flow direction change or inversion in the vaporizing surface device for a suitable duration by rotating or tilting the device. For example, an appropriate inversion of the vaporization surface device may consist of the activation of the emission of the stimulus level and the emission for an adequate duration. In this case, the reversal of flow of the volatile material of the vaporization surface device resulting from rotating, tilting or any other mechanism can practically unload the vaporization surface in a manner sufficient to eliminate some of the insoluble precipitates, fractionation or effects of unwanted partition.

Therefore, the fidelity of the character is at least partially recovered by means of the discharge of the vaporization surface during the emission of the stimulus level. In this way, the consumer can easily relive the dynamic experience of interactive perfume, feeling the full range of different volatile materials contained in the delivery system. The housing preferably allows visual inspection of the supply motor. This is preferred for aesthetic reasons and provides an element of distraction. The housing can be made of any suitable material such as glass, ceramic, wood, plastic, composite, etc., and can have any suitable size to enclose the supply motor. The housing may be rigid or flexible and may be made of material that allows the transfer of volatile materials to the surrounding environment. Preferably, the housing has openings that help control the supply of volatile material. By increasing the effective size of the housing openings, the supply of volatile material will increase. Conversely, decreasing the effective size of the openings will decrease the supply of volatile material. Preferably, the number or size of the openings is not fixed but can be controlled by the user, for example, by sliding doors. Preferably, the shape of the housing is such that it can be stopped at one of its bases before and after being rotated. The housing preferably has two or more positions in which it can support itself. The protective membrane can be made of any polymeric, thermoplastic or thermal permeable material, including acetal, acrylic, cellulose, fluoroplastic, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl, polyolefin, styrenic, etc., only, coextruded, woven or non-woven, mixed or in combination with elastomers, rubber, solids, silica or combinations thereof. Preferably, the protective membrane for use herein is permeable to volatile and liquid impervious material, more preferably the membrane is a microporous composite membrane of a particular construction that allows it to safely contain a volatile dispersant that emits substances in the form solid or liquid while allowing the uniform dissolution of a suspended or gaseous dispersant to the surrounding environment. The membrane is located adjacent to the retarder, preferably the membrane is parallel to the retarder. An empty space can exist between the membrane and the retardant. For performance reasons, it is preferred to have the membrane and the retarder in close proximity, more preferably in contact with one another. Preferred membranes for use herein comprise a backing material, such as a non-woven polymer, a permeable membrane such as an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film, and a coating such as a polytetrafluoroethylene resin. When they are combined in various ways in the manner described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,497,942, these elements produce a compound that resists wetting by liquids of low surface tension and provides a uniform and regular surface for the release of a wide variety of dispersing materials.

A preferred permeable membrane comprises a permeable or porous polymeric layer, for example, a polyolefin and, generally, a fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), copolymers of PTFE or other fluoropolymers, perfluorodioxole polymer, etc. Ideally, the membrane comprises a PTFE membrane that expands to form a permeable network of polymeric nodules and fibrils. This material can be made in any known manner, such as the manner described in U.S. Pat. no. 3,953,566. As is known, this material has the unique ability to be impermeable to water and permeable to moisture vapor. As such, it has been determined that the volatile material will freely dissipate through this membrane while the liquid is contained safely within the supply motor. Expanded PTFE material is commercially available from Gore & amp;; Associates, Inc., Elkton, MD., In a variety of ways under the trademark ORE-TEX or ZINTEX. Another suitable membrane is the microporous polymer membrane described in patent FR 2,754,455 which has a porous diameter of about 0.1 to about 5 μm and which has been subjected to a treatment to make it super hydrophobic and oleophobic. In preferred embodiments, the delivery system comprises two liquid reservoirs, one on top of the other. The reservoir of the upper part has an opening, preferably a channel, in the bottom and the reservoir of the bottom has an opening, preferably a channel in the part higher. A flow retardant preferably in the form of an absorbent surface such as a wick, preferably a flat wick, is placed between the two openings. Preferably the reservoirs of liquid are not discharged with the wick but have an additional back space, which contributes to flow control. When the supply motor is in its vertical position the liquid flows through the opening of the upper part into the absorbent surface, wetting it. The volatile material evaporates from the absorbent surface. A permeable membrane, preferably vapor permeable and liquid impervious, is placed between the absorbent surface and the exterior. The volatile material passes through the membrane and is supplied to the surrounding atmosphere. The remaining liquid is collected in the bottom reservoir. The process can be repeated by rotating the motor 180 °. Preferably, the supply motor is enclosed by a housing. Also preferred is a housing having a front, rear, top, bottom and side side, for example, a parallelepiped, preferably having a nearly rectangular or square profile of two dimensions. Preferably, the housing has two holes, preferably of a diameter smaller than about 8 mm, on the front side or the rear side. It is also preferred that the housing have openings in the upper part, part of the bottom, or side openings to favor the flow of air through the device by improving the supply of volatile material. The system can also comprise more than two reservoirs that can be filled with the same or different compositions. The reservoirs can have any configuration, they can be at 45 °, preferably 90 ° more preferably 180 ° one with respect to the other. The supply motor is sealed to liquid and allows the transfer of volatile material to the outside through the protective membrane. The body of the supply motor can be made of any material, plastic and, in general, the use of transparent colored or non-colored plastic is generally preferred. The transparent material allows the observation of the liquid that flows from one reservoir to the other.

Claims (11)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A system for the supply of non-energized rotatable or tiltable volatile material to supply in a continuous manner and stimulus upon request, the system comprises: A) a supply engine comprising: i) a liquid comprising at least one volatile material; ii) at least two liquid reservoirs; iii) a liquid flow retardant located in the liquid flow path between the at least two reservoirs of liquid and wherein the flow retardant has at least one vaporization surface; and iv) a protective membrane adjacent to the retarder; and B) optionally a housing enclosing the supply motor.

2. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the liquid is a perfume composition.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the at least two liquid reservoirs are two independent receptacles.

4. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the at least two liquid reservoirs are located one above the other.

5. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the at least two reservoirs of liquids are connected to the flow retardant by an opening.

6. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the flow retardant has a flat configuration.

7. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the flow retardant is a wick.

8. The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the flow retardant is in contact with the membrane.

9. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the membrane is vapor permeable and liquid impervious.

10. - The system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the housing comprises openings for the supply of volatile material.

11. - A method for supplying a volatile material stimulus upon request using the device of any preceding claim comprising the step of rotating or tilting the device.