Volatile liquids having predetermined evaporation profiles
AssigneeS.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsPadma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair, Michael C. Liptrot, Qing Song
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Abstract
Dispensers and refills for volatile liquids, such as fragrances, are disclosed. Dispensers and refills in combination with dispensers according to the present invention may comprise a volatile liquid and a housing. In certain embodiments, the volatile liquid of the present invention has a predetermined evaporation rate, measured and calculated by the method described herein. In other embodiments, the volatile liquid exhibits a predefined relative evaporation rate. In addition to the housing, the present invention includes optional components, such as a motorized fan and/or a wick, to facilitate release of the volatile liquid into the atmosphere.
Claims45
A dispenser comprising:
- a housing;
- a fan mounted to the housing to generate an air stream;
- and
- a volatile liquid having an evaporation rate between about 5.0×10−9 to about 10.0×10−8 meters per second measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature, as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the evaporation rate is between about 1.0×10−8 and about 7.0×10−8 measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the volatile liquid has a relative evaporation rate between about 0.50 and about 4.0.
The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a fan for generating an air stream.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the fan exhibits a throughput of about 0.4 cubic feet per minute to about 0.45 cubic feet per minute
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the air stream is intermittent.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the air stream is on and off in a ratio of about 1 minute to 3 minutes.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the volatile liquid comprises a fragrance.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the volatile liquid comprises an insecticide.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the volatile liquid is contained within a container capable of being releasably secured to the housing.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein at least 90% of the volatile liquid is capable of evaporating within 2 months under ambient conditions.
The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the wick has a mean pore size between about 1 and about 10 microns.
- A refill in combination with a dispenser comprising:
- a container for a volatile liquid, the volatile liquid having an evaporation rate between about 5.0×10−9 to about 10.0×10−8 meters per second measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature, as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis;
- and
- wherein the container is insertable into the dispenser including a housing and a fan mounted to the housing to generate an air stream.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the evaporation rate is between about 1.0×10−8 and about 7.0×10−8 measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the volatile liquid has a relative evaporation rate of between about 0.50 and about 4.0.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the fan exhibits a throughput of about 0.4 cubic feet per minute to about 0.45 cubic feet per minute.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the air stream is intermittent.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the air stream is on and off in a ratio of about 1 minute to 3 minutes.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the volatile liquid comprises a fragrance.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the volatile liquid comprises an insecticide.
The refill of claim 25, wherein the container is capable of being releasably secured to the housing.
The refill of claim 25, wherein at least 90% of the volatile liquid is capable of evaporating within 2 months under ambient conditions.
The refill of claim 25, further comprising a wick in alignment with the fan to immerse the wick into the air stream.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the evaporation rate is between about 1.0×10−8 and about 7.0×10−8 measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the volatile liquid has a relative evaporation rate between about 0.50 and about 4.0.
The refill of claim 37, further comprising a fan for generating an air stream.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the fan exhibits a throughput of about 0.4 cubic feet per minute to about 0.45 cubic feet per minute
The refill of claim 37, wherein the air stream is intermittent.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the air stream is on and off in a ratio of about 1 minute to 3 minutes.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the volatile liquid comprises a fragrance.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the volatile liquid comprises an insecticide.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the volatile liquid is contained within a container capable of being releasably secured to the housing.
The refill of claim 37, wherein at least 90% of the volatile liquid is capable of evaporating within 2 months under ambient conditions.
The refill of claim 37, wherein the wick has a mean pore size between about 1 and about 10 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.