Atomiser system for dispensing a fragrance

Abstract

An atomiser for dispensing a fragrance comprising: an outer housing; an orifice plate and piezoelectric element; a liquid reservoir comprising a liquid to be atomised, the liquid comprising a fragranc

Description

Ultrasonic atomisers have long been used to vapourise liquid fragrance compositions to freshen the air. They offer advantages over alternative methods (heated liquid electricals / candles for example) in that they do not require heating to operate. This means they are safer, i.e. no naked flames and they use much less power than heated emanators, so they can be readily run with batteries for extended periods. This gives them flexibility of placement. Such devices usually comprise a vibrating plate, a source of power, a reservoir of liquid fragrance and a means to transport the liquid fragrance to the plate for atomisation. WO 2017 / 216548 describes an ultrasonic atomiser and a method of fragrancing air utilising the atomiser device. The present disclosure is related to the timing and control of the vapourisation of the fragrance to increase fragrance strength and room fill. The change in timing and control allows the consumer to have greater noticeability of the fragrance. According to the present invention, there is provided a device according to claim 1. The atomiser described comprises an outer housing, an orifice plate and piezoelectric element, a liquid reservoir comprising a liquid to be atomised. The liquid comprises a fragrance composition and a carrier solvent. The atomiser comprises a liquid transport member that extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate. In an example, the liquid transport member extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate. The liquid transport member may be substantially contained within the liquid reservoir and both the liquid transport member and liquid reservoir are readily detachable together from the atomiser. The atomiser may be provided with control circuitry to allow for regular activation of the device over time. Settings may be provided to control length of activation and time between activations. This allows the device to be left in the home or office and provide a constant release of fragrance over many weeks and days. In an example, the device is provided with multiple settings having a predetermined length of activation and time between activations. For example, the device may have high and low settings with the high setting having a more frequent and longer activation timings relative to the low setting. In an example, the atomiser is provided with a boost function. The boost function allows the user to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval. For example, the user may press a boost button to trigger the liquid to be atomised before the next scheduled activation. The atomiser may be configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes, for example 12 to 30 minutes, for example 15 to 25 minutes, for example once every 18 to 22 minutes, for example once every 20 minutes. The restriction of the frequency of the additional activation of the atomiser prevents a user from repeatedly activating the orifice plate in a short period. This may be an accidental or unwanted activation. For example, a child would not be able to press the boost button too many times in a short period and activate the orifice plate to release the fragrance. In an example, the period of time the activation of the boost function is inhibited is dependent upon the formulation to be atomised. In a further example, the duration of the spray triggered when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval may be varied. For example, the duration of additional spray may be 1 to 10 seconds, for example 2 to 8 seconds, for example 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 seconds. In an example, the duration of additional spray is dependent on settings selected by the user to control length of activation and time between activations. In an example, when the user attempts to activate the boost function in the time when the boost function is inhibited the atomiser will indicate to the user the boost function is inhibited. For example, a light will flash rapidly when the user attempts to activate the boost function in the time when the boost function is inhibited. In other examples, the atomiser may indicate that the boost function is inhibited by an audio or visual display. For example, the atomiser may indicate that the boost function is inhibited using an LED light. The atomiser may also comprise a mechanical feature to indicate that the boost function is inhibited. For example, the boost button my comprise a mechanical feature that inhibits the button being pressed whilst the boost function is inhibited. Preferably the atomiser is powered by battery. Preferably the atomiser comprises at least one battery, and more preferably at least two batteries. The atomiser may require between 1 and 12 volts to operate, more preferably 3-4.5 volts. The device may have multiple spray settings. For example, a low setting of 4 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 17 min intervals, a moderate setting 5 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 12 min intervals, a medium setting 6 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 10 min intervals and high setting of 8 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 10 min intervals. In an example, the activation of the boost function would not alter predetermined interval between the activation of the orifice plate that is dependent upon the setting selected by the user. The device may also have a cycle of operation. For example, the device may deliver fragrance for a set period and go on standby and for a set period. For example, the device may deliver fragrance for 8 hours and go on standby for the following 16 hours. In an example, the boost function may be used at any time subject to inhibition of the device described above. In the examples described, the atomiser dispenses a fragrance. In other examples, the atomiser may dispense a pest control material or a deodorising fluid. Further modifications and developments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. An atomiser for dispensing a fragrance; the atomiser comprisinga) an outer housing;b) an orifice plate and piezoelectric element;c) a liquid reservoir, comprising a liquid to be atomised, the liquid comprising afragrance composition and a carrier solvent; andd) a liquid transport member;wherein the liquid transport member extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate; andwherein the orifice plate is configured to be activated at a predetermined interval and the orifice plate is further configured to be activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval; andthe atomiser is configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes.

2. The atomiser according to claim 1, wherein the orifice plate is configured to be activated for 2 to 8 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval.

3. The atomiser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the atomiser is configured to provide an indication to the user when the user attempts to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval in the time period when the atomiser is configured to inhibit activation of the orifice plate.

4. The atomiser according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the time the orifice plate is configured to be activated when the user activates the orifice plate at a time inaddition to the predetermined interval is dependent upon a preueieiimiieu aeumy of the atomiser.

5. The atomiser according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined setting of the atomiser is selectable by a user.

6. A method of fragrancing the air, the method comprising:fragrancing the air by activating an orifice plate of an atomiser;wherein the orifice plate is activated at a predetermined interval and the orifice plate is activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval; andthe atomiser inhibits the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the orifice plate is activated for 2 to 8 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the atomiser provides an indication to the user when the user attempts to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval in the time period when the atomiser inhibits activation of the orifice plate.

9. The method of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the time the orifice plate is activated when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval is dependent upon a predetermined setting of the atomiser.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined setting of the atomiser is selectable by a user.Application No: GB2409818.8Examiner:Liz Paramo-BritlandClaims searched: 1-10Date of search: 9 December 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance v A 1-10 WO 2013 / 043684 A2 (JOHNSON &SON INC S C) See figures, in particular paragraphs 0013, 0087, 00118, 00208, 00215-00219, 00225, 00230-00238, 00294 X 1-10 WO 2014 / 066149 Al (JOHNSON &SON INC S C) See figure 2, in particular paragraphs 0006, 0026-0028, 0031-0033, 0037, 0045-0046 X 1-10 WO 2011 / 056199 Al (JOHNSON &SON INC S C) See figures 1-8, in particular paragraphs 0005, 0021-0022, 0027-0031 X 1-10 WO 2014 / 149654 Al (JOHNSON &SON INC S C) See figures 7, 12, in particular paragraphs 0006, 0031-0032, 0046, 0076-0078Categories:v Ak Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From B05B 0012 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006 A61L 0009 / 14 01 / 01 / 2006 B05B 0017 / 06 01 / 01 / 2006 B60H 0003 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 B65D 0083 / 26 01 / 01 / 2006Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Ofncewww.gov.uk / ipo