Fragrance Emitting Device for Use in Ironing

Abstract

A fragrance emitting device for use in ironing is disclosed. The device is intended to allow a person who is ironing to initiate the release of a fragrance when desired. The device comprises an absorbent body (20) within which is incorporated a fragrance composition, the body being adapted for disposition between an upper surface (18) of an ironing board and an ironing board cover (12) fitted to cover the upper surface. Release of fragrance is initiated by passing a hot iron over the device. Cellulose pulp is a suitable material for the body. The device may be sold as a packaged product within a sealed package that preserves the fragrance within the body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a national stage of PCT / GB2005 / 00003445 filed Sep. 8, 2005, and based upon GB Application No. 0420122.4 filed Sep. 10, 2004, under the International Convention.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to a fragrance emitting device for use in ironing.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Many people find that clean washing can sometimes loose its freshness and “just washed” smell due to factors such as its being left in a washing machine for too long or not using a conditioning agent on heavily soiled items. This can cause items to give off a stale smell when they are being ironed.[0004]This problem has been addressed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2003 / 0136035 of Lehrman. Lehrman's proposal is to incorporate fragrance emitting means within an ironing board cover. However, the proposal presented by Lehrman is less than ideal and does itself have problems. Most particularly, it has been observed by the present inventor that in Leh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]By providing a fragrance body that is a separate product, it can be made sufficiently cheaply that it can be disposed of when the fragrance has become exhausted. The user has a free choice to use whatever cover they choose, and the cover can be used until it has become completely worn out. The fragrance not only freshens the items being ironed; it also pervades the surrounding atmosphere making the task of ironing less arduous.

[0008]The absorbent body may be formed from a cellulose pulp material. This has advantages of being cheap and readily biodegradable and can withstand the temperatures encountered in ironing. It is also relatively inert and is unlikely to react unfavourably to the fragrance composition.

[0009]There are various possible ways in which the fragrance composition can be incorporated into the body. For example, it may be encapsulated such that it is released only upon application of heat. This has the advantage that the fragrance can remain almost indefinitely in the body if it is unused. However, it is relatively expensive to produce and requires specialist manufacturing techniques. An alternative is to simply disperse liquid fragrance composition in the body. This can be achieved very simply and cheaply. However, the device must be stored in a sealed enclosure prior to use. The fragrance chosen preferably has low volatility at room temperature, so as to minimise loss of fragrance when the device is not in use, and has a higher volatility at the temperatures encountered during ironing.

[0011]Advantageously, the body is substantially smaller than the upper surface of a typical ironing board. This allows a user to select when to cause fragrance composition to be volatised by passing a hot iron over a region of an ironing board cover above the device.

[0013]Typically, the package is formed from a flexible and preferably transparent plastic material. The package may simply be ruptured in order to open it. Alternatively, the package may be resalable after it has been opened. In such embodiments, a user can return the device to the package when it is not in use to reduce the rate at which fragrance composition evaporates from it and thereby extend its life.

Problems solved by technology

It is also relatively inert and is unlikely to react unfavourably to the fragrance composition.

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