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.
Claims24
An article of manufacture consisting of:
- a housing;
- a fan mounted to the housing to generate an air stream;
- between about 10 ml and about 15 ml of a volatile liquid carried within an enclosed reservoir, the volatile liquid having an evaporation rate between about 5.0×10−9 and 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
- a wick extending between the volatile liquid and the air stream;
- wherein about 90% of the volatile liquid evaporates through the wick between within one and two months under ambient conditions at ambient room temperature when the wick is exposed to the surrounding environment.
An article of manufacture consisting of:
- a housing;
- a porous wick associated with the housing;
- and
- a preselected volume of volatile liquid enclosed within a reservoir, 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, wherein the wick is in fluid communication with the volatile liquid and the surrounding environment, and wherein at least 90% of the volatile liquid evaporates within 2 months under ambient conditions at ambient room temperature when the wick is exposed to the surrounding environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.