Method of delivering volatile compositions into the air

文档序号：1301190 发布日期：2020-08-07 浏览：36次中文

阅读说明：本技术 将挥发性组合物递送到空气中的方法 (Method of delivering volatile compositions into the air ) 是由戴维·特纳莱斯利·罗塞尔·迪顿于 2019-01-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种挥发性组合物分配器和在空气中挥发挥发性组合物的方法。所述挥发性组合物分配器包括一个或多个贮存器,其中每个贮存器均包含挥发性组合物。每个贮存器具有设置成与所述贮存器中的所述挥发性组合物流体连通的一个或多个递送引擎。每个递送引擎均与蒸发表面流体连通。一个或多个蒸发辅助元件邻近所述(一个或多个)蒸发表面设置。一种挥发所述(一种或多种)挥发性组合物的方法包括在总散发程序中以变化的能量操作所述蒸发辅助元件,所述总散发程序包括能量提升时段和减小或保持能量的延长的散发时段。(The present invention provides a volatile composition dispenser and a method of volatilizing a volatile composition in air. The volatile composition dispenser includes one or more reservoirs, wherein each reservoir contains a volatile composition. Each reservoir has one or more delivery engines disposed in fluid communication with the volatile compositions in the reservoir. Each delivery engine is in fluid communication with the evaporative surface. One or more evaporation assisting elements are arranged adjacent to the evaporation surface(s). A method of volatilizing the volatile composition(s) includes operating the evaporation assistance element at varying energies during a total emission program that includes an energy boost period and an extended emission period that reduces or maintains the energy.)

1. A method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a volatile composition dispenser comprising a reservoir containing the volatile composition, a delivery engine in fluid communication with the reservoir, an evaporation surface in fluid communication with the delivery engine, and an evaporation aid adjacent at least a portion of the evaporation surface, wherein the evaporation aid defines a maximum power output;

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser;

increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a first energy during a first energy boost period, wherein the first energy is the highest energy within the first 24 hours of initiating the total emission program;

operating the evaporation assistance element below the first energy for a first extended emission period after the step of increasing the energy applied to the evaporation assistance element;

increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a second energy during a second energy boost period, wherein the second energy is less than the first energy;

operating the evaporation assistance element at or below a second energy for a second extended emission period, wherein the length of the second energy boost period is no more than half the length of the second extended emission period; and

increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a third energy in a third energy boost period, wherein the third energy is greater than the first energy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second energy boost period is no more than one third of the length of the second extended emission period.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the step of applying the first, second, and third energy boosts further comprises increasing power to the evaporation assistance element relative to the maximum power output.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the evaporation assistance element comprises a heater.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to the second energy in a second energy boost period further comprises increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element by at least 5% to the second energy in a second energy boost period.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a plurality of user-controlled power settings.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a first reservoir, wherein the volatile composition is a first volatile composition, wherein the delivery engine is a first delivery engine, wherein the evaporation surface is a first evaporation surface, and wherein the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a second reservoir containing a second volatile composition, a second delivery engine in fluid communication with the second reservoir, a second evaporation surface in fluid communication with the second delivery engine, and a second evaporation aid that applies energy to the second evaporation surface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second extended emission period comprises a plurality of discrete emission periods, wherein each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is separated by a period in which the first evaporation assistance element is off or the power is reduced to less than 20% of the maximum power output, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

turning off the first evaporation aid after a first discrete emission period; and

opening the second evaporation assistance element to apply energy to the second evaporation surface after a time gap concurrent with or subsequent to the first evaporation assistance element closing.

9. The method of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the time length of each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is randomly selected from a random number generator or a picklist.

10. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a third energy in a third energy boost period further comprises increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element by at least 200% to the third energy in the third energy boost period.

11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first energy is a temperature in a range of about 40 ℃ to about 80 ℃, wherein the second energy is a temperature in a range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃, wherein the third energy is a temperature in a range of about 60 ℃ to about 100 ℃.

12. A method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a volatile composition dispenser comprising a first reservoir comprising a first composition and a second reservoir comprising a second composition, a first delivery engine in fluid communication with the first reservoir, a second delivery engine in fluid communication with the second reservoir, a first evaporation surface in fluid communication with the first delivery engine, a second evaporation surface in fluid communication with the second delivery engine, a first evaporation aid element adjacent at least a portion of the first evaporation surface, and a second evaporation aid element adjacent at least a portion of the second evaporation surface, wherein the first delivery engine and the second delivery engine comprise wicks, and wherein the first evaporation aid and the second evaporation aid comprise heaters, wherein the first evaporation aid and the second evaporation aid each define a maximum power output;

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser, wherein the total emission program comprises the steps of:

increasing the energy applied by the first evaporation aid or the second evaporation aid to a first energy in a first energy boost period, wherein the first energy is the highest energy within the first 24 hours of initiating the total emission program;

operating the first evaporation aid or the second evaporation aid below the first energy for a first extended emission period after the step of increasing the energy applied to the first evaporation aid or the second evaporation aid;

increasing the energy applied by the first evaporation assistance element or the second evaporation assistance element to a second energy in a second energy boost period, wherein the second energy is less than the first energy;

operating the first evaporation aid or the second evaporation aid at or below the second energy for a second extended emission period, wherein the length of the second energy boost period is no more than half the length of the second extended emission period; and

increasing the energy applied by the first evaporation assistance element or the second evaporation assistance element to a third energy in a third energy boost period, wherein the third energy is greater than the first energy;

alternating operation of the first evaporation aid and the second evaporation aid in a plurality of discrete emission periods in the overall emission program, wherein the discrete emission periods of the first evaporation aid are separated by periods when the first evaporation aid is closed and the second evaporation aid is open, and wherein the discrete emission periods of the second evaporation aid are separated by periods when the second evaporation aid is closed and the first evaporation aid is open.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of simultaneously turning off operation of the first and second evaporation assistance elements to create a gap in the emission of the volatile composition.

14. The method of any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the time length of each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is randomly selected from a random number generator or a picklist.

15. A method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser;

increasing the evaporation rate of the volatile composition from the evaporation surface to a first evaporation rate over a first energy boost period, wherein the first evaporation rate is the highest evaporation rate over the first 24 hours of starting the total emission program;

evaporating the volatile composition from the evaporation surface below the first evaporation rate for a first extended emission period after the step of increasing the evaporation rate to the first evaporation rate;

increasing the evaporation rate to a second evaporation rate in a second energy boost period;

after the step of increasing the evaporation rate to a second evaporation rate, evaporating the volatile composition from the evaporation surface below the second evaporation rate for a second extended emission period, wherein the length of the second energy boost period is no more than half the length of the second extended emission period; and

increasing the evaporation rate to a third evaporation rate in a third energy boost period, wherein the evaporation rate is between 15 mg/hour and 50 mg/hour in the total emission program.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to methods of delivering volatile compositions to the air using varying energy levels to achieve long lasting perceptibility of the volatile compositions.

Background

Volatile composition dispensers exist for delivering various volatile compositions, such as freshening compositions, into the air. Such volatile composition dispensers may, for example, take the form of wick-based electrical dispensers having one or more heaters to assist in evaporating the volatile compositions into the air. Consumers desire volatile composition dispensers to provide a detectable intensity of volatile compositions over a period of weeks or months. However, perceptibility can be affected by habituation and/or a reduction in the evaporation rate of the volatile composition from the volatile composition dispenser. Attempts have been made to increase the perceptibility, but these attempts have resulted in faster evaporation of the volatile compositions. Thus, there remains a need for a delivery volatile composition dispenser that provides long-lasting consumer perceptibility.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the invention include the following combinations:

A. a method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser;

operating the evaporation assistance element below the first energy for a first extended emission period after the step of increasing the energy applied to the evaporation assistance element;

increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a second energy during a second energy boost period, wherein the second energy is less than the first energy;

increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to a third energy in a third energy boost period, wherein the third energy is greater than the first energy.

B. The method of paragraph a, wherein the second energy boost period is no more than one third of the length of the second extended emission period.

C. The method of paragraph a or paragraph B, wherein the step of applying the first, second, and third energy boosts further comprises increasing power to the evaporation assistance element relative to the maximum power output.

D. The method of any of paragraphs a-C, wherein the evaporation assistance element comprises a heater.

E. The method according to any of paragraphs a-D, wherein the step of increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to the second energy in a second energy boost period further comprises increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element by at least 5% to the second energy in a second energy boost period.

F. The method of any of paragraphs a through E, wherein the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a plurality of user-controlled power settings.

G. The method according to any of paragraphs a to F, wherein the reservoir is a first reservoir, wherein the volatile composition is a first volatile composition, wherein the delivery engine is a first delivery engine, wherein the evaporation surface is a first evaporation surface, and wherein the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a second reservoir having a second volatile composition, a second delivery engine in fluid communication with the second reservoir, a second evaporation surface in fluid communication with the second delivery engine, and a second evaporation aid element that applies energy to the second evaporation surface.

H. The method of paragraph G, wherein the second extended emission period comprises a plurality of discrete emission periods, wherein each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is separated by a period in which the first evaporation assistance element is off or the power is reduced to less than 20% of the maximum power output, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

turning off the first evaporation aid after a first discrete emission period; and

simultaneously or after a time gap after the first evaporation assistance element is closed, opening the second evaporation assistance element to apply energy to the second evaporation surface.

I. The method of paragraph G or paragraph H, wherein the time length of each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is randomly selected from a random number generator or a picklist.

J. The method according to any of paragraphs a-I, wherein the step of increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element to the third energy in a third energy boost period further comprises increasing the energy applied by the evaporation assistance element by at least 200% to the third energy in the third energy boost period.

K. The method of any of paragraphs a to J, wherein the first energy is a temperature in the range of about 40 ℃ to about 80 ℃, wherein the second energy is a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃, wherein the third energy is a temperature in the range of about 60 ℃ to about 100 ℃.

L, a method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser, wherein the total emission program comprises the steps of:

M. the method of paragraph L, further comprising the step of simultaneously turning off operation of the first and second evaporation assistance elements to create a gap in the emission of the volatile composition.

N. the method of any of paragraphs L to M, wherein the time length of each of the plurality of discrete emission periods is randomly selected from a random number generator or a picklist.

A method of dispensing a volatile composition, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a total emission program for the volatile composition dispenser;

evaporating the volatile composition from the evaporation surface below a first evaporation rate for a first extended emission period after the step of increasing the evaporation rate to the first evaporation rate;

increasing the evaporation rate to a second evaporation rate in a second energy boost period;

increasing the evaporation rate to a third evaporation rate in a third energy boost period, wherein the evaporation rate is between 15 mg/hour and 50 mg/hour in the total emission program.

P. the method of paragraph O, wherein the second energy boost period is no more than one third of the length of the second extended emission period.

Q. the method of paragraph O or paragraph P, wherein the evaporation assistance element comprises a heater, and wherein the delivery engine comprises a wick.

The method of any of paragraphs O-Q, wherein the step of increasing the evaporation rate in a second energy boost period further comprises increasing the evaporation rate by at least 5% to the second evaporation rate in the second energy boost period.

S. the method according to any of paragraphs O to R, wherein the reservoir is a first reservoir, wherein the volatile composition is a first volatile composition, wherein the delivery engine is a first delivery engine, wherein the evaporation surface is a first evaporation surface, and wherein the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a second reservoir having a second volatile composition, a second delivery engine in fluid communication with the second reservoir, a second evaporation surface in fluid communication with the second delivery engine, and a second evaporation aid element that applies energy to the second evaporation surface.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial fragmentary schematic front view showing a volatile composition dispenser including two delivery engines in the form of wicks.

Fig. 2 is a partially fragmented schematic side view of the device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded view of a volatile composition dispenser with a cartridge having a film as a delivery engine.

Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded view of the cartridge of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a printed circuit board that can be used to control the volatile composition dispensers shown in fig. 1-3, along with a heater and plug attached thereto.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the circuit shown in fig. 6.

FIG. 8 is a graph of the total emission program of a volatile composition dispenser, expressed as a percentage of the maximum heater power over time.

Fig. 9 is a graph of the evaporation rate of a volatile composition dispenser operated with the overall emission program of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plot of the evaporation rate of the volatile composition dispenser of fig. 9 overlaid with a plot of the evaporation rate of current market devices.

FIG. 11 is a graph of the total emission program of a volatile composition dispenser having high, medium, and low power settings, expressed as a percentage of maximum heater power over time.

Fig. 12 is a graph of evaporation rates for the high, medium and low settings of the overall emission program of fig. 11.

FIG. 13 is a graph of the total emission program for a volatile composition dispenser having high, medium, and low power settings, expressed as the length of time the heater is on.

FIG. 14 is a graph of an exemplary uniform evaporation rate profile over time from an exemplary volatile composition dispenser.

FIG. 15 is a graph of an exemplary increasing evaporation rate profile over time from an exemplary volatile composition dispenser.

Fig. 16 is a graph of an average flat exemplary random evaporation profile over time from an exemplary volatile composition dispenser.

Fig. 17 is a graph of an exemplary random evaporation profile with time from an average increase of an exemplary volatile composition dispenser.

Fig. 18 is a graph of an exemplary energy distribution for two heaters of a volatile composition dispenser that lowers the heater temperature so that evaporation is below the odor detection threshold of the volatile compositions from the exemplary volatile composition dispenser.

FIG. 19 is a graph of an exemplary overall emission program for an evaporation aid of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a graph of a comparative total emission program for consumer study # 1.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to volatile composition dispensers and methods of delivering volatile compositions to the air using volatile composition dispensers. The volatile composition dispenser is configured to deliver the volatile composition to the air with increased noticeability over the life of the volatile composition contained in the reservoir. It has been found that varying the energy applied to the volatile compositions during the total emission cycle can affect the consumer perceptibility of the volatile compositions over time. Specifically, an initial energy boost period applied to the volatile compositions is followed by a reduction in energy over an extended emission period, wherein successive energy boosts and changes in energy over a period result in improved user-perceptibility of the volatile compositions.

As used herein, the term "volatile composition" refers to a substance that includes an evaporable substance. The term "volatile composition" thus includes, but is not limited to, compositions that consist entirely of a single volatile material. As used herein, the terms "volatile material," "aroma," "fragrance," and "scent" include, but are not limited to, pleasant or savory smells, and thus also include substances that are used as insecticides, air fresheners, deodorants, aromacology, aromatherapy, insecticides, or any other substance that acts to condition, modify, or otherwise charge the air or to modify the environment. It should be understood that certain volatile compositions, including but not limited to perfumes, aromatic materials, and scents, will often include one or more volatile materials (which may form unique and/or discrete units comprised of a collection of volatile materials). It should be understood that the term "volatile composition" refers to a composition having at least one volatile component, and that not all of the component materials of the volatile composition are necessarily volatile. The volatile compositions described herein may also have non-volatile components. It should also be understood that when a volatile composition is described herein as being "emitted," this refers to the volatilization of its volatile components, and does not require that its non-volatile components also be emitted. The volatile compositions contemplated herein can be in any suitable form, including but not limited to solids, liquids, gels, encapsulates, and combinations thereof.

It is contemplated that the volatile composition dispenser can be configured for a variety of applications to deliver the volatile composition to the air and/or ultimately to a surface. The volatile composition dispenser can be constructed in various ways.

For example, the volatile composition dispenser can be configured as an electrical wall plug or battery-powered volatile composition dispenser having a housing, a reservoir containing the volatile composition, a delivery engine for delivering the volatile composition to the evaporation surface, and an evaporation aid for assisting in the evaporation of the volatile composition from the evaporation surface. The evaporation assistance element may be placed adjacent to the evaporation surface.

The reservoir may comprise any suitable type of container and may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials for the reservoir include, but are not limited to, glass and plastic. The reservoir may comprise any type of container suitable for holding a volatile composition. The reservoirs may be part of the housing, or they may be separate components that are removably joined to a portion of the volatile composition dispenser, such as the housing. It is also possible to have a single reservoir holding more than one type of volatile material. For example, such a reservoir may have two or more compartments for volatile materials.

The delivery engine may include an evaporative surface. In such a configuration, the delivery engine may be placed proximate to one or more evaporation assistance elements (such as a heater or fan) to volatilize the volatile compositions into the air. The evaporation assisting element may surround or at least partially surround the evaporation surface.

Instead of evaporating the volatile composition from the evaporation surface of the delivery engine, the delivery engine can deliver the volatile composition to a separate evaporation surface. The evaporation surface may be configured as a porous or semi-porous substrate, bowl or plate (including plastic, glass or metal bowls or plates), and combinations thereof.

The delivery engine may be constructed in various ways. For example, the delivery engine may be in the form of a wick, film, gel, wax, porous or semi-porous substrate (including felt pads). In volatile composition dispensers that include more than one delivery engine associated with the same or different reservoirs, the delivery engines may be the same or may be different.

If the volatile composition dispenser utilizes a wick as the delivery engine, the wick can be configured to have a variety of different shapes and sizes. For example, the wick may have a cylindrical or elongated cubic shape. The wick may be defined by a length and a diameter or width, depending on the shape. The wick can have various lengths. For example, the length of the wick may be in the range of about 1 millimeter ("mm") to about 100mm, or about 5mm to about 75mm, or about 10mm to about 50 mm. The wick can have various diameters or widths. For exampleThe diameter or width of the wick may be at least 1mm, or at least 2mm, or at least 3mm, or at least 4 mm. The wick may exhibit a density. The density of the absorbent core can be about 0.100g/cm³(g/cc) to about 1.0 g/cc.

The wick may comprise a porous or semi-porous substrate. The absorbent core may be constructed of a variety of materials and construction methods, including but not limited to bundled fibers compressed and/or formed into various shapes by an overwrap (such as a nonwoven sheet overwrap) or made of sintered plastic such as PE, HDPE, or other polyolefins. The wick may be made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene or a polyethylene blend.

An evaporation aid can be used to assist in the evaporation of the volatile composition from the evaporation surface. For example, the evaporation assistance element may be selected from a heater, a fan, a vibration-inducing stirring member or stirrer, both a powered stirrer and a manual stirrer, or a combination thereof. The evaporation assistance element can also include a heating element to heat the liquid volatile composition; chemical components are included to accelerate the rate of evaporation or vaporization; chemically heated membranes are used to provide enhanced evaporation via an exothermic reaction, or a synergistic combination thereof. The evaporation aid can also increase the amount of surface area of the delivery engine exposed to the evaporation aid, which can lead to pressure gradients, rheology, and the like.

Volatile composition dispensers having evaporation assistance elements in the form of heaters can be configured to heat an evaporation surface to various temperatures. For example, the volatile composition dispenser can be configured such that the heater raises the temperature of the evaporation surface to a temperature of about 30 ℃ to about 150 ℃. The heater can comprise any suitable type of heater and can be located in the volatile composition dispenser or in any suitable location relative to the volatile composition dispenser. The evaporation assisting element may surround or at least partially surround the evaporation surface.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the volatile composition dispenser can include a control system to control the evaporation aid.

Referring to fig. 1-3, the volatile composition dispenser 20 may take the form of an electrical wall plug volatile composition dispenser. The volatile composition dispenser 20 can include a housing 22, and the housing 22 is supported on an electrical outlet by a power source 26 that is at least indirectly coupled to the housing 22. The volatile composition dispenser 20 also includes at least one reservoir, shown for illustrative purposes as reservoirs 28 and 30, respectively, for holding volatile compositions. The housing 22 can serve as a holder for any of the reservoirs 28 and 30 and other components of the volatile composition dispenser 20. The volatile composition dispenser 20 includes one or more delivery engines 38, which are shown in fig. 1-3 as wicks for illustrative purposes only, extending into each reservoir 28, 30 at one end of the delivery engine and having an evaporation surface 48 at the opposite end. The volatile composition dispenser includes one or more evaporation assisting elements 40, 42, such as heaters as shown in fig. 1-3 (for illustration purposes only), for assisting in the evaporation of the volatile compositions from the evaporation surface 48. The reservoirs 28 and 30 can contain a first volatile composition 32 and a second volatile composition 34.

Some of the components of the volatile composition dispenser can be joined together to form a cartridge 76. For example, one or more reservoirs, one or more delivery engines, one or more evaporation surfaces, and/or evaporation assistance elements may be joined together as one or more cartridges 76. Referring to fig. 1, the reservoir 28 or 30, the delivery engine 38, and the evaporation surface 48 are connected together to form a cartridge 76. The volatile composition dispenser shown in fig. 1 includes, for example, two cartridges 76.

The cartridge or reservoir may be replaceable to provide the reservoir with new, different, or replaceable volatile compositions. Alternatively, the reservoir may be refillable and reusable in the volatile composition dispenser during a new overall emission program.

Heaters, such as heaters 40 and 42 shown in fig. 1-3 (for illustrative purposes only), may include heating elements in the form of circular rings that at least partially surround a wick protruding from a bottle of volatile composition.

The reservoir may include a seal 36 for containing the volatile composition, such as shown in fig. 1. The volatile composition dispenser 20 and/or the reservoirs 28 and 30 can also include additional seals for covering the wick 38 when the volatile compositions are not being emitted.

While fig. 1 shows two reservoirs, two evaporation assistance elements, and two delivery engines, it should be understood that the volatile composition dispenser can include one, two, three, or more reservoirs. Each reservoir in the volatile composition dispenser may include a separate delivery engine. A single evaporation aid element may be used for one or more evaporation surfaces, or each evaporation surface may be adjacent to a unique evaporation aid element. If the volatile composition dispenser includes more than one reservoir, each reservoir may contain a different volatile composition or may contain the same volatile composition.

While it is shown in fig. 1-3 that the volatile composition dispenser 20 may include two reservoirs, it should be understood that the volatile composition dispenser may include one or more than one reservoir. If one reservoir is present, the volatile composition dispenser can include one, two, or more than two delivery engines, each in fluid communication with one reservoir, and one, two, or more evaporation surfaces in fluid communication with the delivery engines. In such a configuration, the volatile composition dispenser can include one or more evaporation aid elements. If more than one delivery engine is in fluid communication with a single reservoir, each delivery engine can be used to volatilize the same volatile composition. This configuration may allow each delivery engine (such as a wick) to have an extended period of time in which the evaporation assistance element delivers low energy or is off, giving each delivery engine time for the volatile composition to be expelled and potentially released from the delivery engine. This configuration can be particularly useful where the delivery engine is in the form of a wick that can be subject to wick clogging by components of the volatile composition.

Instead of a wick, the delivery engine may be constructed of a breathable film. Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the volatile composition dispenser 70 may include a cartridge 76. The cartridge 76 may include a reservoir 72 for containing the volatile composition and a delivery engine 74 in the form of a breathable membrane that encloses the reservoir 72, such as disclosed in U.S. patent 8,709,337 and U.S. patent 8,931,711. The volatile composition dispenser 70 may also include an evaporation aid 44 in the form of a fan, as shown in fig. 5, for exemplary purposes only. As used herein, a breathable membrane is a vapor permeable membrane that prevents liquid from freely flowing out of the membrane, thereby addressing leakage issues.

Suitable breathable films include, but are not limited to, UHMWPE type films optionally filled with silica as described in US 7,498,369. Such UHMWPE membranes include Daramic from Daramic^TMV5, from DSM (Netherlands)And Teslin from PPG Industries^TMSP1100HD, and combinations thereof. Other suitable breathable films include any permeable polymeric, thermoplastic, or thermoset material, including acetal, acrylic, cellulosic, fluoroplastic, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, polyolefin, styrene, and the like, alone, coextruded, woven or nonwoven, blended or combined with elastomers, rubber, solids, silica, or combinations thereof. Also suitable are Hytrel from Dupont^TMOr L otryl from Arkema^TM. The delivery engine 74, such as shown in fig. 5, can also include a rupturable substrate 78 that seals the volatile composition in the reservoir until a rupture mechanism 80 is engaged when the volatile composition dispenser is to be used by a consumer. When the consumer is ready to use the volatile composition dispenser, the consumer can rupture the rupturable substrate 78 with the rupture mechanism 80, which allows the volatile composition in the reservoir 72 to contact the breathable film.

Referring to fig. 2, the volatile composition dispenser 20 can include a switching mechanism 50 that changes the volatile composition being emitted by the volatile composition dispenser 20. The switching mechanism 50 can comprise any suitable type of mechanism that causes the volatile composition dispenser to change the volatile composition being emitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching mechanism controls the activation of an evaporation assistance element (such as a heater) such that the heater will turn on for the volatile composition desired to be emitted. Suitable switching mechanisms include, but are not limited to, analog timing circuits, digital circuits, combinations of analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, and mechanically actuated switches, such as shape memory alloy (NiTi wire) or bimetallic switches.

Referring to fig. 2 and 6, the switching mechanism 50 may include a combination of analog and digital circuitry in the form of a printed circuit board (or "PCB"). In a non-limiting example, the circuit may include: a single-sided PC board 52; a capacitor designated C1; a pair of diodes D1 and D2; three transistors Q1, Q2, and Q3; five resistors R1-R5; three counters U1, U2, and U3; and a third diode Z1. Where the evaporation assistance element is a heater, any suitable type of heater may be used, including but not limited to a resistive heater (several types of which are commercially available). Heaters 40 and 42, shown in fig. 6 as wall-mounted power plugs, and power supply 26 are also connected to circuit board 52 by wires 66. Suitable components for the circuit are listed in the following table:

TABLE 1

Reference numerals or letters	Components	Characteristics of
			C1	Capacitor, electrolytic	1 microfarad, 250V
D1、D2	Diode with a high-voltage source	1N4004 or the like
			26	Wall type power plug
Q1、Q2、Q3	Transistor, NPN	NPN 200V、200mA
			R1-R5	Resistor with a resistor element	1/8 Watts
U1、U2、U3	Counter with a memory	CD4024 or the like
			Z1	Diode, Zener, 11V	1N4741A or the like

The components of the circuit may be through-hole or surface mounted in the configuration shown in fig. 6, a 38mm × 66mm single sided PC board 52 with through-hole components is used the material from which the PC board 52 is constructed may be standard materials such as FR-4 epoxy based fiberglass, but any U L approved material is acceptable, the power supply 26 shown in fig. 6 is a molded wall plug with a 100mm tail into the PC board fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of one example of a circuit that provides a timing function that alternates current between the two paths over a period of tens of hours with a pre-selected time for turning each heater on and off.

The switching mechanism may include, but is not limited to, the following alternative types of switching mechanisms: (1) a magnetic sensor having a pickup that counts the number of revolutions of the motor of the fan used to disperse the volatile composition(s) such that after a certain number of revolutions, the volatile composition dispenser will switch from one volatile composition to another; and (2) volatile composition dispensers comprising a dual shape memory alloy, or a bimetallic strip or switch that closes an electrical circuit at ambient temperature and then breaks the electrical circuit when a certain temperature is reached. A two-way effect can be used, since the material can close the circuit again when the temperature decreases, thus acting as a thermostat to keep the heater on and then turn it off. Shape memory alloys can be used as heaters as well as pulse generators.

The volatile composition dispenser 20 may include a number of additional optional features. The volatile composition dispenser can be provided with an indicator so that one further knows that the volatile material being emitted has changed. Such indicators may be visual and/or audible, such as lights or sounds, respectively. For example, in the case of scented materials, such indicators may allow one to see which scent material is being emitted at a given time. Referring to fig. 6-8, the indicator may be in the form of lights 70 and 72. In another example, at least a portion of the volatile composition dispenser 20 or reservoir (such as all or a portion of the housing) can be made of some type of plastic that changes color when heated.

The volatile composition dispenser can be provided with additional user controls. The volatile composition dispenser can include a power switch to allow a user to turn the volatile composition dispenser on and off without removing it from an electrical outlet. The volatile composition dispenser can be provided with a controller that allows a user to control the discrete emission periods of one or more of the volatile compositions, and/or the time between the emission of different volatile compositions, or the time at which the volatile materials are emitted during simultaneous periods of operation. For example, in one non-limiting example, if the volatile composition dispenser is provided with the ability to emit each volatile material over a period of greater than 15 minutes and less than or equal to 48 hours, the volatile composition dispenser can be provided with a controller that allows a user to set the discrete emission period of one or more of the volatile compositions to, for example, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 72 minutes, or one hour.

The volatile composition dispenser can be provided with additional user controls. The volatile composition dispenser can include a thermostat or other switch to allow a user to adjust the temperature setting of the heat source for one or more of the volatile compositions. These settings can be predetermined for a particular volatile composition, or can be adjusted based on the selected temperature to be applied to the wick. These settings can include, for example, a low setting and a high setting or a low setting, a medium setting, and a high setting that a user can place directly on the volatile composition dispenser or remotely via a remote control (computer, telephone, etc.). The device may have one, two, three, four, five, six or more different intensity settings. Settings may be marked as intensity (i.e., high, medium, low, etc.) or room type (i.e., bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc.).

The volatile composition dispenser can also include a sensor, and the volatile composition dispenser can be programmed to adjust the reading of the sensor. For example, the volatile composition dispenser can include sensors such as temperature sensors, relative humidity sensors, volatile material sensors, light sensors (e.g., to detect daytime/nighttime), and the like.

The volatile composition dispenser can be communicatively connected to various components of the dispenser (including the sensor(s), evaporation assistance element, user interface, etc.) using a wireless communication link, including 802.11(Wi-Fi), 802.15.4(ZigBee, 6L oWPAN, Thread, JennetIP), Bluetooth, combinations thereof, and the likeAn intelligent thermostat.

The cartridge or reservoir may include an identification tag, such as an RFID tag, and the housing of the volatile composition dispenser may include an RFID tag reader. The RFID tag can be used to inform the controller of details about the volatile composition contained in the cartridge or reservoir, such as a fragrance. The volatile composition dispenser may include a program that adjusts to account for information read from the RFID tag.

The volatile composition dispenser may include a tactile switch or alignment dot that, upon contact with the cartridge or reservoir, provides a signal to the volatile composition dispenser including, but not limited to, that a new or refilled cartridge or reservoir full of volatile composition has been inserted, that an old cartridge or reservoir has been removed, etc. The PCB will interpret these signals and cause the volatile composition dispenser to perform programmed instructions accordingly, such as initiating a total emission program for a new or refilled cartridge that is "full" of volatile compositions.

The volatile composition dispenser may also be sold in the form of a kit that includes a volatile composition dispenser and one or more reservoirs of volatile compositions. The volatile composition dispenser and/or kit may also include instructions for use that instruct the user as to certain discrete emission periods that may be used to produce certain effects, and/or may include instructions regarding the location of placement of the volatile composition dispenser in a given space. For example, the instructions may include instructions for configuring the volatile composition dispenser based on the dimensions of the room, vehicle, etc. in which the volatile composition dispenser is placed. Such instructions may also include instructions for the user to select more frequent changes between fragrance emissions to achieve greater fragrance awareness. Instructions may also be provided to specify how to operate the volatile composition dispenser relative to other volatile composition dispensers. The instructions may be provided in any suitable form, for example, written, audio, and/or video.

The volatile composition dispenser may include a power source, such as a plug or battery. The volatile composition dispenser can be battery powered so that it does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. If the plug is used as a power source to connect to a power outlet, the plug may include a cable or may be a wall-mounted plug. The volatile composition dispenser can also be configured such that it can be both inserted into and powered by a source of electrical current, and can also be battery powered. The volatile composition dispenser may also be provided with an adapter so that it can be inserted into a cigarette lighter in a vehicle. Further, the volatile composition dispenser can be provided with a remote control that allows a user to control any or all of the emission characteristics of the volatile composition dispenser (including but not limited to changing the volatile material being emitted) without touching the volatile composition dispenser.

The volatile composition dispenser can include a microprocessor that has fewer component parts than analog circuitry and has improved circuit quality between different batches.

An evaporation assistance element such as a heater or fan may be programmed to operate under various operating conditions. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the evaporation assistance element may be configured to have various discrete emission periods, emission gaps of any evaporation assistance element, time-varying energy profiles, randomized energy profiles, simultaneous emission periods, and combinations thereof. Each of these methods of operation, alone or in combination, can promote user-perceptibility of the volatile compositions and/or reduce the likelihood of short-term or long-term habituation of the volatile compositions.

As used herein, the term "discrete emission period" refers to a single time period during which a given volatile composition is emitted in an emission sequence. For a given charge of volatile composition, this may generally correspond to the period of time that the evaporation aid is open, although there may be a slight lag between the operation of the evaporation aid and the emission of the volatile composition. As used herein, the term "extended emission period" includes a plurality of consecutive discrete emission periods that may be separated by gaps in the operation of the evaporation assistance element being turned off.

By "total emission program" is meant the entire sequence from the beginning to the end of the life of a "filled" volume of volatile composition in the cartridge, including all discrete emission periods and the off-time of the emission gap constituting the energy boost and extended emission period. As used herein, "fill" or "filled" refers to an amount of volatile composition intended to occupy all or substantially all of the available volume in the reservoir, excluding any volume occupied by any other element of a volatile composition dispenser that may be disposed in the reservoir, such as a delivery engine. The reservoir will typically be occupied or filled to at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the total available volume of the reservoir. The overall emission program is then designed to evaporate all or substantially all of the volatile composition in the reservoir.

The overall emission program may be continuous. As used with respect to emission programs, the term "continuous" means that once a program is initiated, there is a planned emission sequence over the entire period of time. As described above, the emission program may include a period of time during which a gap exists in the emission. This will still be considered a continuous emission procedure, although there will not necessarily be a continuous emission of the volatile composition. It should be understood, however, that the emission program may be interrupted (e.g., turned off) by the user if desired. Thus, the method may provide a user interface, and the user interface may provide the user with the ability to interrupt the emission program. The emission program can be designed to run continuously or substantially continuously until at least one of the volatile compositions is substantially depleted from the cartridge. It may be desirable for the emission program to run continuously until all of the volatile compositions are substantially depleted, and this occurs at about the same time.

If the overall emission program is interrupted, the dispenser can be configured with a memory to record the last emission sequence that was initiated if the volatile composition dispenser was disconnected from the power source. Once operation of the volatile composition dispenser is resumed, the memory of the last recorded sequence is recalled to return the overall emission program to the correct emission sequence. When a new or refilled reservoir/cartridge is installed into the housing, the total emission program may only be restarted at the beginning of the program.

The total emission program may have any suitable length of time including, but not limited to, 10 days, preferably 15 days, preferably 20 days, preferably 25 days, preferably 30 days, more preferably 45 days, more preferably 60 days, more preferably 90 days, more preferably 130 days, more preferably 150 days, or a shorter or longer period, or any period between 30 days and 150 days.

The discrete emission period for each evaporation aid in the volatile composition dispenser can range from 2 minutes to 48 hours, alternatively from 5 minutes to 48 hours, alternatively from 10 minutes to 48 hours, alternatively from 15 minutes to 48 hours, alternatively from 20 minutes to 24 hours, alternatively from 30 minutes to 8 hours, alternatively from 45 minutes to 4 hours. The higher the energy supplied by the evaporation aid, such as the higher the temperature supplied by the heater, the shorter the discrete emission period that may be required to provide a perceptible amount of volatile composition into the air.

The evaporation aid will be continuously turned on during discrete emission periods of a particular evaporation aid. In volatile composition dispensers that include more than one evaporation aid, the evaporation aids can have alternating discrete emission periods. In an alternate system, one evaporation aid may be turned on, while the other evaporation aid(s) may be turned off. Alternatively, one or more evaporation assistance elements may be turned on at a given time. The operation of two or more evaporation assistance elements may overlap for a period of time. The greater the discrete emission period per evaporation aid, the higher the concentration of volatile composition in the surrounding space is potentially, in order to increase user perceptibility. There may also be periods when all the evaporation assistance elements are off. Each evaporation aid may be configured to have the same discrete emission period, or some or all of the evaporation aids may be configured to have different discrete emission periods.

The evaporation rate of the volatile composition from the evaporation surface may be between 5mg/hr and 200mg/hr, preferably between 10mg/hr and 100mg/hr, more preferably between 10mg/hr and 80mg/hr, more preferably between 15mg/hr and 60mg/hr, and more preferably between 15mg/hr and 50mg/hr, and more preferably 15mg/hr to 35mg/hr, of the total emission program.

Near the end of the overall emission program, the volatile composition dispenser can be operated at or near maximum power output (such as maximum temperature or fan speed) until the plug is unplugged and a new cartridge or reservoir is installed.

The overall emission program can be configured to turn off the evaporation assistance element when the volatile composition is depleted from the reservoir. For example, the evaporation assistance element may be turned off after a predetermined period of time for a given intensity setting. By turning off the evaporation aid, energy is not applied by the evaporation aid until the reservoir is refilled or replaced with a new charge of volatile composition.

Different energy

Varying the energy applied by the evaporation surface throughout the overall emission program can improve consumer perceptibility of the volatile composition and help prevent habituation of the volatile composition. The evaporation rate may be constant, substantially constant, increasing, or variable in order to increase the perceptibility of the volatile composition that evaporates from the volatile composition dispenser and prevent the perceptibility from continuing to decline over the life of the volatile composition in the volatile composition dispenser. To achieve a constant, substantially constant, increasing, or variable evaporation rate, the energy applied to the evaporation surface by the evaporation aid element can be varied to achieve a desired evaporation profile in the overall emission program. For example, to deliver a constant, substantially constant, or even increasing evaporation rate over time, the power of the evaporation assistance element and/or the on-time of the evaporation assistance element may be continuously increased over time. To achieve an evaporation rate that increases over time, the power applied by the evaporation assistance element and/or the on-time of the evaporation assistance element may need to be greater than the applied power and/or the on-time of the evaporation assistance element, as compared to the operation of the evaporation assistance element programmed to maintain a constant or substantially constant evaporation rate. In order to produce a random or variable evaporation rate over the total emission period, the power applied by the evaporation aid and/or the opening time of the evaporation aid may be increased, maintained and/or decreased over time. The energy applied to the evaporation surface can be adjusted at various frequencies.

The energy applied by the evaporation surface through the evaporation assistance element may be in the form of heat, an exothermic reaction, a gas flow, or the like. Operating the evaporation assistance element for an extended period of time can have the same, similar, or additive effect on the evaporation of the volatile composition as increasing the power to the evaporation assistance element over a relatively short period of time. Another method of increasing the energy applied to the evaporation surface, alone or in combination with the selection of the evaporation assistance element, may include adjusting the amount of surface area of the evaporation surface exposed to the evaporation assistance element. For example, the energy boost may include exposing more of the evaporation surface to the evaporation assisting element; similarly, the reduction in energy may also be attributed to a reduction in the exposed surface area of the evaporation surface.

The energy applied to the evaporation surface can be increased; decrease, or remain at any given point within the overall emission program. It has been found that a total emission program having a combination of extended emission periods of energy increase ("energy boost"), energy reduction, and/or energy retention provides improved consumer acceptance of volatile composition dispensers as compared to commercially available volatile composition dispensers.

It has been found that consumers desire a volatile composition with a minimum level of perceptibility at the beginning of the life of the cartridge. Volatile composition dispensers that meet this desire at the beginning of life actually improve consumer acceptance of the volatile composition dispenser not only at the beginning of life but also throughout the overall emission program. In this way, it may be desirable to achieve a relatively high energy boost period at the beginning of the total emission program to meet or exceed the minimum level of perceptibility requirements of the consumer. Thus, the initial energy boost period applied to the evaporation surface within the first 24 hours of operation of the overall emission program of the volatile composition dispenser should be high enough to meet or exceed the minimum desired evaporation rate for the volatile composition by the consumer.

The energy boost over various extended emission periods during the life of the volatile composition in the reservoir can increase the perceptibility of the volatile composition during the overall emission program by maintaining or increasing the evaporation rate of the volatile composition from the evaporation surface over time.

The overall emission program may also include an extended emission period of reduced energy applied to the evaporation surface. Reducing the energy applied to the evaporation surface over a period of time may save the volatile composition so that the volatile composition may extend the total time of the total emission program. Reducing the energy applied to the evaporation surface may also improve perceptibility over time, as subsequent energy lifts may result in greater changes in energy over the same period of time.

The overall emission program may also include an extended emission period where energy applied to the evaporation surface is maintained. Maintaining the energy applied to the evaporation surface between periods of energy boost may conserve the volatile composition so that the volatile composition may be depleted from the cartridge more slowly. Applying energy boost more frequently than necessary to increase consumer perceptibility can volatilize the volatile composition more than necessary.

The extended emission period may include a period of energy reduction, energy retention, relatively small energy increase remaining below a previous energy or subsequent energy boost, or a combination thereof.

The length of the energy boost period may extend up to half the length of the extended emission period in which energy is reduced and/or maintained. Alternatively, the duration of the energy boost may extend up to one third of the length of the extended emission period in which energy is reduced and/or maintained. The energy boost may occur on a daily, weekly, or twice-weekly basis with extended periods of emission therebetween.

In configurations where the evaporation assisting element(s) is a heater, the energy boost may comprise a temperature increase. In such a configuration, one energy boost may be at a temperature in the range of about 40 ℃ to about 80 ℃, wherein a subsequent energy boost may be at a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃, and a subsequent energy boost may be at a temperature in the range of about 60 ℃ to about 100 ℃.

In configurations in which the time length of the discrete emission periods of energy through the evaporation aid element(s) is adjusted, one energy boost may have a discrete emission period(s) of 20 to 90 minutes, a subsequent energy boost may have a discrete emission period(s) of 40 to 110 minutes, and a subsequent energy boost may have a discrete emission period(s) of 60 to 130 minutes.

The energy boost period may increase the energy by at least 5%, or at least 10%, or at least 15%, or at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 75%, or at least 100%, or at least 150%, or at least 200% of the energy applied immediately prior to the energy boost period. The greater the energy increase at the energy boost period, the more noticeable the volatile composition may be to the consumer during and after the energy boost period. The successive energy boost periods in the overall emission program may be increased by a greater percentage than the previous energy boost period in order to achieve the desired uniform or increased evaporation rate.

The energy boost period may increase the evaporation rate by at least 5%, or at least 10%, or at least 15%, or at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 75%, or at least 100%, or at least 150%, or at least 200% of the evaporation rate prior to the energy boost period.

The energy boost period may occur for a length of time that is shorter than the length of time of the extended emission period in order to extend the life of the volatile composition in the reservoir. In this way, the length of time of the energy boost period may not exceed half the length of the extended emission period, or the length of the energy boost period may not exceed one third the length of the extended emission period. For example, the energy boost period may occur over the course of 1 day, and the extended emission period may occur over the course of 2 to 6 days. Alternatively, for example, the energy boost may occur over the course of 2 days, and the extended emission period may occur over the course of 4 to 6 days.

Throughout the detailed description and claims, the energy boost may be referred to as a "first energy boost", a "second energy boost", a "third energy boost", and so on. It should be understood that the numbers used with the term "energy boost" are used only to distinguish between different energy boosts and are not intended to limit the order in which energy boosts occur. That is, an additional energy boost or multiple energy boosts may occur between two sequentially numbered energy boosts. For example, the "second energy boost" and the "third energy boost" may be separated by an additional energy boost or boosts.

The overall emission program may follow a planned emission sequence, such as program 1 with energy boost periods and extended emission periods as described below and shown in fig. 8.

Procedure 1：

1. A first energy boost at a first energy;

2. a first extended emission period of reduced or constant energy maintained below the first energy;

3. second energy boost at a second energy;

4. a second extended emission period operating at a second energy;

5. third energy boost;

6. a third extended emission period operating at a third energy;

7. fourth energy boost;

8. a fourth extended emission period operating at a fourth energy;

9. fifth energy lifting; and

10. a fifth extended emission period operating at a fifth energy.

The energy in procedure 1 was varied by adjusting the percentage of maximum power output at which the evaporation assistance element was operated over a given period of time. Varying the% of maximum power output can be used alone or in combination with adjusting discrete emission periods in a system having more than one evaporation assistance element.

Procedure 1 resulted in the evaporation rate shown in figure 9. Generally, the evaporation rate of the volatile compositions begins at an initial evaporation rate, gradually decreases, increases with each applied energy boost, and then follows an approximately constant or very slowly decreasing evaporation rate. The energy boost provides an increase in consumer perceptibility throughout the total emission program. Compared to current market control devices where the evaporation rate gradually decreases over time, an increase in energy in the overall emission program followed by an extended emission period to retain energy results in operation over time within a narrower consumer preferred evaporation rate range, such as shown in fig. 10.

The program 1 may be modified to include additional extended emission periods or to include fewer extended emission periods. Procedure 1 may include additional or fewer energy boost periods. Each extended emission period of the total emission program may last for a different length of time. For example, the energy boost may be applied over a period of one or two days. The discrete emission step of reduced energy and/or the period of time during which energy is maintained may last for a period of at least one day, or at least two days, or at least three days, or at least four days, or at least five days, or at least six days.

The overall emission program may follow a planned emission sequence, such as program 2 with energy boost and extended emission periods as described below and shown in fig. 11.

11. A first energy boost at a first energy;

12. a first extended emission period of reduced or constant energy maintained below the first energy;

13. second energy boost at a second energy;

14. a second extended emission period operating below a second energy;

15. third energy boost;

16. a third extended emission period operating below a third energy;

17. fourth energy boost;

18. a fourth extended emission period operating below a fourth energy;

19. fifth energy lifting; and

20. a fifth extended emission period operating below a fifth energy.

The energy in procedure 2 is varied by adjusting the percentage of maximum power output at which the evaporation assistance element is operated over a given period of time. Varying the% of maximum power output can be used alone or in combination with adjusting discrete emission periods in a system having more than one evaporation assistance element.

For example, the volatile composition dispenser can be configured to have multiple user-controlled settings, such as high, medium, and low, or high and low. Fig. 12 shows the overall emission program for program 2 for a volatile composition dispenser having high, medium, and low settings. For the high, medium and low settings, the energy applied to the evaporation surface follows the same general extended emission period of procedure 2 at just different energy levels in the overall emission procedure, with high using the highest energy level and low using the lowest energy level.

The program 2 may be modified to include additional extended emission periods of additional energy boost or reduction or holding energy. Program 2 may also be modified to include fewer extended emission periods than shown. Each extended emission period of the total emission program may last for a different length of time. For example, the energy boost may be applied over a period of one or two days. The extended emission period of reduced energy and/or the period of energy retention may last for a period of at least one day, or at least two days, or at least three days, or at least four days, or at least five days, or at least six days.

The overall emission program may follow a planned emission sequence, such as program 3 described below and shown in FIG. 13.

1. A first energy boost at a first energy;

2. a first extended emission period of reduced or constant energy maintained below the first energy;

3. second energy boost at a second energy;

4. a second extended emission period operating below a second energy;

5. a third energy boost at a third energy;

6. a third extended emission period operating below a third energy;

7. a fourth energy boost at a fourth energy;

8. a fourth extended emission period operating below a fourth energy;

9. a fifth energy boost at a fifth energy;

10. a fifth extended emission period operating below a fifth energy;

11. sixth energy boost at a sixth energy;

12. a sixth extended emission period operating below a sixth energy;

13. a seventh energy boost at a seventh energy;

14. a seventh extended emission period operating below a seventh energy.

The energy in sequence 3 is varied by adjusting the length of the discrete emission periods of the evaporation assistance element. Varying the length of the discrete emission periods may be used alone or in combination with varying the percentage of maximum power output of the evaporation assistance element.

Program 3 for volatile composition dispenser the overall emission program has a high, medium, and low setting as shown in fig. 13. For the high, medium and low settings, the energy applied to the evaporation surface follows the same general extended emission period of procedure 3 in the total emission procedure at just different lengths of the discrete emission periods of the evaporation assistance element, with high having the longest discrete emission period and low having the shortest discrete emission period.

The program 3 may be modified to include additional extended emission periods of additional energy boost or reduction or holding energy. Program 3 may also be modified to include fewer extended emission periods than shown. Each extended emission period of the total emission program may last for a different length of time. For example, the energy boost may be applied over a period of 1 day or 2 days. The extended emission period of reduced energy and/or the period of energy retention may last for a period of at least 1 day, or at least 2 days, or at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days.

Procedures 1, 2, and 3, or any variation thereof, can be used with a volatile composition dispenser having one or more evaporation aid elements, evaporation surfaces, and/or cartridges. Each evaporation aid element may follow the procedure 1, 2, 3 or any modification thereof, or one evaporation aid may follow the procedure 1, 2, 3 or any modification thereof, and any additional evaporation aid elements, together with the evaporation aid elements operating according to the procedure 1, 2, 3 or any modification thereof, may follow a different overall emission procedure. The evaporation assistance components may alternate the operation of the same or different overall emission program.

Uniform evaporation

The overall emission program can generally be configured to achieve uniform evaporation over time. The energy applied to the evaporation surface is increased to produce an average evaporation rate over the life of the volatile composition in the reservoir. In multiple intervals, the energy may be increased by 3% to 500%, preferably 5% to 300%, more preferably 10% to 200%, more preferably 15% to 100%. The interval may comprise an energy boost every 1-20 days, preferably 1-15 days, more preferably 1-10 days, more preferably 1-7 days. A graph illustrating the uniform evaporation rate is shown in fig. 14.

Increase the evaporation rate

Another method of operation includes increasing the energy applied to the evaporation surface over time to produce a regularly increasing average evaporation rate. To increase the evaporation rate, the energy applied to the evaporation surface may be increased by 3% to 500% at regular intervals. The regular interval may be an increase in energy every 1-20 days, preferably 1-15 days, more preferably 1-10 days, more preferably 1-7 days. Each newly determined evaporation rate will be between 1% and 500% greater than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 5% and 400% greater than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 300% greater than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 250% of the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 200% of the previous evaporation rate. A graph illustrating the increased average evaporation rate is shown in fig. 15.

Random rate of evaporation

Another method of operation includes increasing or decreasing the energy applied to the evaporation surface by 3% to 500% at regular or irregular intervals to produce an irregularly changing, increasing or decreasing average evaporation rate. Each newly determined evaporation rate will be between 1% and 500% greater or less than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 5% and 400% greater or less than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 300% greater or less than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 250% greater or less than the previous evaporation rate, more preferably between 10% and 200% greater or less than the previous evaporation rate. A plot of the flat random evaporation rate over the life of the volatile composition is shown in fig. 16. A graph of the increased random evaporation rate over the life of the volatile composition is shown in fig. 17. Changing the evaporation rate over time can reduce the likelihood that the user will become accustomed to the volatile composition because the user cannot predict when discrete emission periods will start or stop.

If the energy applied to the evaporation surface increases over time, the method may include operating at a wide energy range. For example, for an evaporation aid configured as a heater, each evaporation aid may be configured to operate within a temperature range beginning at about 25 ℃ and ending at about 120 ℃, more preferably beginning at about 35 ℃ and ending at about 110 ℃, more preferably beginning at about 40 ℃ and ending at about 100 ℃, more preferably beginning at about 45 ℃ and ending at about 100 ℃, more preferably beginning at about 50 ℃ and ending at about 90 ℃ over the life of the volatile composition contained in each reservoir, such as a period of weeks or months.

Each evaporation aid may have a different temperature than any other evaporation aid in the system. Furthermore, these evaporation aid temperatures (for each evaporation aid) may be changed, increased or decreased each time a new discrete emission period is started.

In addition to or separate from changing the temperature of the evaporation aid element over the life of the volatile composition, other methods of alternating the evaporation rate may include increasing or decreasing the surface area of the delivery engine or the evaporation surface exposed to the evaporation aid element, and/or increasing or decreasing the airflow to the delivery engine or the evaporation surface. Adjustments in temperature, airflow, and surface area can be used independently or in parallel to control the rate of evaporation of the volatile composition from the delivery engine or evaporation surface.

The overall emission program of the volatile composition dispenser can include one or more methods including varying the energy, the gap period, the random emission period, and/or the simultaneous emission with one or more evaporation surfaces and one or more evaporation aids. Varying the energy, the gap period, the random emission period, and/or the simultaneous emission period can result in a method that increases the user-noticeability of the volatile compositions in the space and/or decreases the likelihood that the user will become accustomed to one or more of the volatile compositions.

Gap period

The total emission program can include a gap period ("gap period") in which all of the evaporation assistance components of the volatile composition dispenser are closed. By introducing a gap period, the perceptibility of the volatile composition in the space decreases, making it less likely that the user will become accustomed to the volatile composition.

Another method that can be used to achieve comparable results is to periodically reduce the energy of the evaporation assistance element such that the energy provided to the evaporation surface is less than the energy necessary to evaporate the volatile composition at a level sufficient for the odor detection threshold ("ODT") of the volatile composition. The reduced evaporation rate and operation at sub-ODT levels provides an interruption to sensory stimuli, thus enabling enhanced perceptibility when the stimuli are reintroduced. This operation also maintains the evaporation surface at an elevated state above ambient conditions, thereby speeding up the response time and/or reducing the energy to return to steady state at the beginning of the next cycle phase. An example of operating with a reduced release rather than turning off the evaporation assistance element is shown in fig. 18.

Operating below the ODT of the volatile composition can translate to operating the evaporation assistance element at less than 30% of the maximum power output, or less than 25% of the maximum power output, or less than 20% of the maximum power output, or less than 15% of the maximum power output, or less than 10% of the maximum power output.

There are many different methods for programming evaporation assistance elements, such as heaters and fans, to operate in the various configurations described above. As a non-limiting example of a volatile composition dispenser that includes two evaporation assistance elements in the form of heaters (heater a and heater B), heater B off time is equal to the on time for heater a to operate, and occurs in parallel (e.g., heater B off while heater a is operating) or in series (e.g., heater a on for 30 minutes, and then heater B off for 30 minutes). The off time of each heater may be in a period of 0 minutes to 48 hours, preferably 5 minutes to 24 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 24 hours. Another method of programming the off time of the evaporation assistance element may be defined as follows:

heater B (or any additional heater or evaporation aid, such as heater)

C. Heater D, etc.) for D1+ a1+ D2,

wherein:

a1 ═ the on time of heater a;

d1-a deprivation factor ranging from 0 minutes to the maximum operating time of heater a (e.g., if heater a is on for 300 minutes, then the period of D1-0 minutes to 300 minutes); and

d2 is the deprivation factor selected from the "pick-up list" of times (1 minute, 2 minutes.. 1440 minutes). D2 may be predefined, picked from an array, randomly selected from a "pick list," or selected via a random number generator.

An exemplary procedure for a volatile composition dispenser can be defined as follows: heater a was turned on and heated for 60 minutes, while heater a was on, heater B was off for the entire time (in parallel operation), heater a was then off and heater B was on and operated for the same amount of time as heater a was operating (while heater B was on, heater a was off). The heater B is then turned off. Both heaters a and B are kept off for a period of time, for example 0, 5, 10 or 15 minutes. At this time, the next heater (e.g., heater a or subsequent heater C) is activated. The loop continues until the end of the program is reached (e.g., the program loop is defined as 60 days). An example of a heater a being turned on for 60 minutes, a heater B being turned off for 60 minutes, and left to stand for 10 minutes is as follows:

a heater A: opening time 60 minutes

D1 ═ 60 minutes

The software chooses random numbers from the pick-up list "P1" { P1 is chosen from a-G, where a is 0 minutes, B is 5 minutes, C is 10 minutes, D is 15 minutes, E is 20 minutes, F is 25 minutes, and G is 30 minutes.

The heater B off time is 60+60+ P1.

The programming description is applicable to any form of evaporative assist element, such as a heater or fan. The programming can also be used with a volatile composition dispenser having a heater as one evaporation aid and a fan as a second evaporation aid.

Operating simultaneously

The overall emission program may include operating one or more evaporation assistance elements simultaneously. The evaporation assistance element can be operated simultaneously at multiple energy levels to create a more perceptible experience of a new volatile composition. By combining multiple volatile compositions and varying the evaporation rate of the volatile compositions, it is possible to create a continuously changing experience (both in intensity and character) that resists both customizations. Having multiple volatile compositions over time allows for the generation of unique and constantly changing stimuli that may be perceptible at all times. Operating multiple volatile compositions simultaneously can also achieve higher evaporation rates than can be achieved by using a single volatile composition, while saving on the total system volatile composition amount. The evaporation assistance elements, if operated simultaneously, may be operated simultaneously for only a portion of the operation of each evaporation assistance element. For example, one evaporation surface element may be operated at a time, followed by a period in which the evaporation aid element may be operated simultaneously with one or more of the other evaporation aid elements, optionally followed by a period in which the first evaporation aid element to be operated may be switched off and one or more of the other evaporation aid elements may be operated by itself.

Whereas in simultaneous operation (i.e. 2 or more evaporation assistance elements, such as heaters, running simultaneously), the evaporation surface temperature, e.g. the wick temperature, of the simultaneously operating evaporation surfaces will be 10% to 100% ("temperature%") of the evaporation surface temperature of the main operating evaporation surface (the main operating evaporation surface being defined as the evaporation surface that starts operation first or the lower numbered evaporation surface if all evaporation surfaces start their heating cycle simultaneously). The% temperature of the simultaneously operating evaporation surfaces may be predefined, picked from an array, randomly selected from a "pick list" or selected via a random number generator operating within these predefined boundaries of 10% to 100%:

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Method of delivering volatile compositions into the air

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