Volatile liquids having predetermined evaporation profiles
AssigneeS.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsPadma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair, Michael C. Liptrot, Qing Song
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims16
A method of selecting a volatile liquid, comprising:
- selecting the volatile liquid based on an evaporation rate between about 5×10−9 and about 10×10−8 meters per second measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature, as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis;
- and
- providing a wick, wherein about 90% of the volatile liquid evaporates through the wick within a predefined time period between about one and about two months under ambient conditions at ambient room temperature when the wick is exposed to the surrounding environment.
A method of volatizing a liquid, comprising:
- providing a housing and a fan mounted to the housing to generate an air stream;
- providing a selected volume of a volatile liquid carried within an enclosed reservoir,
- selecting the volatile liquid based on a predetermined evaporation rate between about 5×10−9 and about 10×10−8 meters per second measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature, as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis;
- providing a wick extending between the volatile liquid and the air stream, wherein about 90% of the volatile liquid evaporates through the wick within a predefined time period between about one month to about two months under ambient conditions at ambient room temperature when the wick is exposed to the surrounding environment;
- inserting the reservoir into the housing;
- and
- operating the fan, wherein the volatile liquid is dispersed out of the housing into the surrounding environment.
A method of determining an evaporation time period of a volume of volatile liquid, comprising the step of:
- calculating an evaporation profile of the volatile liquid including at least two evaporation rates as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis, a first evaporation rate is between about 1×10−8 and about 7×10−8 meters per second measured with about 30% of the volatile liquid remaining at room temperature, as measured and calculated by drop shape analysis, and is calculated at a first time and a second evaporation rate calculated at a second time, wherein the evaporation rate at each time is calculated using an equation, wherein the evaporation rate at a time t=2(volume at t2−volume at t1)/(surface area at t2+surface area at time t1), where time t=(t1+t2)/2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.