Microcellular systems for controlled release of fragrances.

Abstract

A fragrance delivery system is disclosed in which multiple fragrances can be released on demand. The fragrance delivery system includes multiple microcells, each of which is filled with a fragrance composition. Each of the multiple microcells includes an opening, which is spanned by a porous sealing layer. The fragrance delivery system provides a tool for delivering customizable olfactory effects in the vicinity of the fragrance delivery system. The invention of the present application addresses the need for controlled release of fragrances by providing a delivery system in which fragrances can be released on demand.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 295,961, filed January 3, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, along with all other patents and patent applications disclosed herein. [Background technology]

[0002] background The development of methodologies for controlled and sustained release of beneficial agents has been of great interest in the past few decades.This is true for a wide variety of beneficial agents, including medicines, nutritional supplements, agricultural nutrients and related substances, cosmetics, fragrances, air care agents, biocides, fertilizers, and many other beneficial agents in various fields.Controlled and sustained release delivery systems can include the delivery of various beneficial agents in different forms, such as solids, liquids, and gases, to different locations and under different conditions.

[0003] Various delivery systems that provide on-demand delivery of beneficial agents have been developed over the past few decades. For example, Chrono Therapeutics (Hayward, CA) is testing a micropump-enabled smart transdermal patch for delivering nicotine. Nevertheless, the corresponding devices are large and visible through clothing as a sizable protrusion. Thus, there remains a need for small, simple, inexpensive, versatile, and safe delivery systems for on-demand delivery of beneficial agents.

[0004] Delivery systems for fragrances are commercially available. For example, space refreshing systems include materials that absorb fragrances. Such absorbent materials include cotton, gel, and microporous film. These products release fragrances in space over time. However, it is difficult to deliver more than one fragrance in a controlled manner from the same system. The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that a microcell device with a porous layer can deliver multiple fragrances from the same system in a controlled manner and provide customizable scents over a period of time. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Summary of the Invention The invention of the present application addresses the need for controlled release of perfume by providing a delivery system in which the perfume can be released on demand. In addition, as described below, the invention provides a system for delivering various amounts of perfume at controlled rates at different times from the same delivery system, and for delivering multiple perfumes at controlled rates at the same or different times from the same delivery system.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention is a fragrance delivery system including a backing layer, a microcell layer, a porous sealing layer, and a first release sheet. The microcell layer includes a plurality of microcells. Each microcell of the plurality of microcells has an opening. The porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of microcells. The porous sealing layer has an average pore size, the average pore size being between 0.2 nm and 1 mm. The porous sealing layer includes a plurality of sealing slices, each sealing slice being independently removable or shrinkable. The plurality of microcells includes a plurality of first type microcells, each microcell of the plurality of first type microcells includes a first fragrance composition having a first concentration of a first fragrance. The first fragrance composition may include a first aqueous carrier or a first non-aqueous carrier. The first fragrance composition may be a liquid or a gel.

[0007] The plurality of microcells may include a plurality of second type microcells and a plurality of third type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of second type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of third type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of second type microcells has a second thickness. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of third type microcells has a third thickness. The second thickness may be different from the third thickness. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of fourth type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells has a fourth thickness. The fourth thickness may be different from the second thickness and the third thickness.

[0008] The plurality of microcells may include a plurality of fifth type microcells and a plurality of sixth type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells may have a fifth average pore size. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells may have a sixth average pore size. The fifth average pore size may be different from the sixth average pore size. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of seventh type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of seventh type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of seventh type microcells may have a seventh average pore size. The seventh average pore size may be different from the fifth and sixth average pore sizes.

[0009] The plurality of microcells may include a plurality of eighth type microcells and a plurality of ninth type microcells. Each microcell of the eighth type microcells may have an eighth volume. Each microcell of the ninth type microcells may have a ninth volume. The eighth volume may be different from the ninth volume. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of tenth type microcells. Each microcell of the tenth type microcells may have a tenth volume. The tenth volume may be different from the eighth and ninth volumes.

[0010] The plurality of microcells may include a plurality of eleventh type microcells and a plurality of twelfth type microcells. Each microcell of the eleventh type microcells may have an eleventh concentration of the first fragrance. Each microcell of the twelfth type microcells may have a twelfth concentration of the first fragrance. The eleventh concentration may be different from the twelfth concentration.

[0011] The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of thirteenth type microcells. Each microcell of the plurality of thirteenth type microcells includes a second fragrance composition. The second fragrance is different from the first fragrance. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of fourteenth type microcells. Each microcell of the plurality of fourteenth type microcells includes a third fragrance composition. The third fragrance may be different from the first fragrance and the second fragrance.

[0012] The release sheet of the perfume delivery system may include multiple release sheet slices, each of which is independently removable or retractable.

[0013] The perfume delivery system may include a top coating layer. The top coating layer may be disposed between the porous sealing layer and the release sheet. The top coating layer may have an average pore size of less than 0.2 nm. The top coating layer may have an average pore size of greater than 0.2 nm. The average pore size of the top coating layer is smaller than the average pore size of the porous sealing layer. The top coating layer may include a plurality of top coating slices, each of which is independently removable or shrinkable.

[0014] The perfume delivery system may further include an adhesive layer adjacent to the backing layer, the backing layer being disposed between the adhesive layer and the microcell layer.

[0015] The perfume delivery system may further include a second release sheet adjacent to the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being disposed between the second release sheet and the backing layer.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of delivering a perfume from a perfume delivery system, the perfume delivery system comprising: (a) a backing layer; (b) a microcell layer comprising a plurality of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of microcells having an opening, the plurality of microcells comprising a plurality of a first type of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of first type of microcells comprising a first perfume composition having a first concentration of a first perfume; (c) a porous sealing layer scanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the porous sealing layer having an average pore size of 0.2 nm to 1 mm, the porous sealing layer comprising a plurality of sealing slices, each sealing slice being independently removable or shrinkable; and (d) a top coating layer. (e) a first release sheet comprising a plurality of release sheet slices, each of which is independently removable or shrinkable; the method comprising: (1) removing or shrinking the release sheet or one or more release sheet slices; (2) removing or shrinking the top coating layer or one or more top coating slices; and (3) removing or shrinking the sealing layer or one or more sealing slices.

[0017] The method of delivering a fragrance may further include the step of (4) redepositing a sealing layer or one or more sealing slices. The method of delivering a fragrance may further include the step of (5) redepositing a top coating layer or one or more top coating slices. The method of delivering a fragrance may further include the step of (6) redepositing a release sheet or one or more release sheet slices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention prior to activation, not attached onto any surface.

[0019] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention deposited on a surface prior to activation.

[0020] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention being activated by removing the release sheet or a portion of the release sheet.

[0021] [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention activated by removal of the release sheet.

[0022] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B illustrates a side view and a partial top view of an example of an activated perfume delivery system of the present invention, the perfume delivery system including two release sheet slices.

[0023] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention having a top coating layer partially removed.

[0024] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention with the sealing layer and top coating layer partially removed.

[0025] [Figure 6]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention having activated microcells, one microcell open, one microcell having the top coating removed, and one microcell still having the sealing layer and top coating layer.

[0026] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention that is not activated, the perfume delivery system including a microcell containing a first perfume and a microcell containing a second perfume.

[0027] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention that has not been activated, the perfume delivery system comprising three types of microcells having sealing layers of different average pore sizes.

[0028] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention that is not activated, the perfume delivery system comprising three types of microcells having different volumes.

[0029] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of an example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention that includes four microcell types, each type containing a different perfume.

[0030] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a method for fabricating a microcell for the present invention using a roll-to-roll process.

[0031] [Figure 12AB] 12A and 12B detail the creation of a microcell for a fragrance delivery system using photolithographic exposure through a photomask of a conductor film coated with a thermosetting precursor.

[0032] [Figure 12C-D] Figures 12C and 12D detail an alternative embodiment in which microcells for a perfume delivery system are fabricated using photolithography. In Figures 12C and 12D, a combination of top and bottom exposures is used, which allows one lateral wall to be cured with a top photomask exposure and another lateral wall to be cured with a bottom exposure through a non-transparent base conductor film.

[0033] [Figure 13] 13A-13D illustrate the steps of filling and sealing an array of microcells used in a perfume delivery system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Detailed Description The present invention provides a perfume delivery system that can release perfume on demand and / or deliver various perfumes at a controlled rate from the same system, providing users with the flexibility to deliver customized olfactory effects.The perfume delivery system of the present invention can be placed or attached on a surface.The perfume delivery system can be a patch that can be attached on the skin or clothing of humans or animals.The perfume delivery system can be placed or attached on a surface to provide olfactory effects in a space.The perfume delivery system can also be hung in a desired place to provide olfactory effects.

[0035] The term "fragrance" as used herein refers to a substance that gives off an odor. A fragrance may be a combination of compounds. The compound or compounds that form a fragrance may be natural or synthetic. In order to provide the desired olfactory effect, a perfume must have some volatility so that it reaches the olfactory receptors in the human nose.

[0036] Typically, the term "perfume" refers to a composition of fragrance(s) and other ingredients. Typically, such compositions also include an aqueous or non-aqueous carrier. Herein, we use the term "fragrance composition" to refer to such compositions. Fragrance compositions for various products may contain fragrance modulators and other additives that enhance the effect of the fragrance(s). Herein, fragrance modulators and other additives that enhance the effect of the fragrance(s) are classified under the term "fragrance" even if such ingredients are themselves odorless.

[0037] The "rate of delivery of perfume" from the perfume delivery system of the present invention is the amount of perfume delivered from the perfume delivery system per unit time. For example, the rate of delivery can be expressed in units of mg per hour.

[0038] A "sealing slice" is a portion of the sealing layer of a perfume delivery system. The sealing layer of the system may include multiple sealing slices. A "removable sealing slice" is a portion of the sealing layer that can be completely removed from the perfume delivery system. A "shrinkable sealing slice" is a portion of the sealing layer that can be completely or partially shrunken from the microcells sealed by the slice, resulting in open microcells. In the case of a "shrinkable sealing slice", the slice is not completely removed from the perfume delivery system.

[0039] A "release sheet slice" is a portion of a first release sheet of a perfume delivery system. The first release sheet of the system may include multiple release sheet slices. A "removable release sheet slice" is a portion of a first release sheet that can be completely removed from the perfume delivery system. A "contractible release sheet slice" is a portion of a first release sheet that can be completely or partially contracted from the microcells located at the bottom of the release sheet slice to provide activated microcells. In the case of a "contractible release sheet slice", the slice is not completely removed from the perfume delivery system.

[0040] A "top release sheet slice" is a portion of the first release sheet of a perfume delivery system. The first release sheet of the system may include multiple release sheet slices. A "removable release sheet slice" is a portion of the first release sheet that can be completely removed from the perfume delivery system. A "shrinkable release sheet slice" is a portion of the first release sheet that can be completely or partially shrunken from the microcells located at the bottom of the release sheet slice to provide activated microcells. In the case of a "shrinkable release sheet slice", the slice is not completely removed from the perfume delivery system.

[0041] The term "activation of a microcell or a set of microcells or a plurality of microcells" of a fragrance delivery system means that the microcell or the set of microcells or a plurality of microcells is in a state in which a detectable amount of perfume(s) in the microcell (or in the set of microcells or in the plurality of microcells) can exit the fragrance delivery system.

[0042] An "adhesive layer" of a perfume delivery system is a layer that establishes an adhesive connection between two other layers of the system. The adhesive layer may have a thickness of 200 nm to 5 mm, or 1 μm to 100 μm.

[0043] A "porous sealing layer" is a layer of the perfume delivery system that has an average pore size greater than 0.2 nm.

[0044] A "top coating layer" is a layer of the perfume delivery system having an average pore size greater than 0.1 nm, wherein the pore size of the top coating layer is smaller than the pore size of the porous sealing layer.

[0045] In one aspect, the present invention provides a perfume delivery system. The perfume delivery system comprises a plurality of microcells. Each microcell comprises a perfume composition. The microcells comprise an opening. The maximum dimension of the microcell opening may be from 30 μm to 5 mm, or from 30 μm to 500 μm, or from 80 μm to 150 μm. A porous sealing layer spans the opening of each microcell of the plurality of microcells. The plurality of microcells may be loaded with different perfumes (or combinations of perfumes), thereby providing a mechanism for delivering different or preferred perfumes on demand.

[0046] An example of a perfume delivery system 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. The perfume delivery system 100 includes a plurality of microcells 103, each of which includes a perfume composition 104. The perfume composition 104 includes a perfume 105. Although FIG. 1 shows the perfume 105 as a dark dot in the perfume composition 104, implying that the perfume 105 is in a separate phase, the perfume 105 may be dissolved (in molecular form) in the perfume composition medium 104. The perfume delivery system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A includes a backing layer 101 adjacent to the microcell layer. The perfume delivery system 100 also includes a sealing layer 106 spanning the openings 103 of the plurality of microcells. The perfume delivery system 100 may include a top coating layer 107 adjacent to the sealing layer 106. A first release sheet 108 is located adjacent to the top coating layer 107. Removal of the first release sheet 108 activates the plurality of microcells 103. That is, when the first release sheet 108 is removed, the perfume 105 may leave the microcells 103 and may migrate out of the perfume delivery system 100. The first release sheet 108 may include a plurality of first release sheet slices (not shown in FIG. 1). The plurality of first release sheet slices may be removed or deflated independently of each other. The presence of the removable or deflated first release sheet slices allows the user to activate some of the microcells and leave other microcells inactive at a given time. The perfume delivery system 100 includes an adhesive layer 101 adjacent to a backing layer and a second release sheet 118.

[0047] The second release sheet 118 may be removed from the fragrance delivery system 100 and the exposed adhesive layer 102 may be used to firmly adhere the fragrance delivery system onto a surface 110, as illustrated in fragrance delivery system 150 in FIG. 1B.

[0048] Each microcell is part of an array of microcells formed from a polymer matrix, described in more detail below. The backing layer of the perfume delivery system provides structural support and protection against moisture ingress and physical interaction. The backing layer may have a thickness of 1 μm to 5 mm, or 25 μm to 300 μm.

[0049] The microcells are defined by walls at least 1 μm high, although they may be taller depending on the desired depth of the microcell. The microcells may be arranged as squares, honeycombs, circles, etc.

[0050] The porous sealing layer 106 may be constructed from a variety of natural or non-natural polymers, such as acrylates, methacrylates, polycarbonates, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyvinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile, amorphous nylon, oriented polyester, terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, or polystyrene. The porous sealing layer may have a thickness of 500 nm to 3 mm, or 1 μm to 100 μm.

[0051] Removal or contraction of the first release sheet 108 of the perfume delivery system 200 activates the corresponding microcells, as shown in Figure 2. This allows the perfume 105 to migrate out of the perfume delivery system 200 through the porous sealing layer 106 and the top coating layer 107.

[0052] Complete removal of the first release sheet 108 from the perfume delivery system 200 of FIG. 2 results in a fully activated perfume delivery system 300 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0053] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may include a first release sheet including a plurality of release sheet slices. Each release sheet slice may be independently removable or shrinkable. This allows a user of the perfume delivery system to activate some, but not all, of the microcells of the perfume delivery system. The lower portion of FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a perfume delivery system 350 attached on a surface 110. The perfume delivery system 350 includes an adhesive layer 102, a backing layer 101, a microcell layer including a plurality of microcells 105, a porous sealing layer 106, and a top coating layer 107. The perfume delivery system 350 also includes two release sheet slices 308a and 308b. That is, a certain number of release sheet slices of the perfume delivery system 350 are removed to activate the corresponding microcells. However, the perfume delivery system 350 still includes two release sheet slices 308a and 308b. The microcells located under the two release sheet slices 308a and 308b are not activated and may be activated in the future. The top portion of Figure 3B illustrates a partial top view of a portion of the perfume delivery system. It shows a plurality of microcells 105, as well as release sheet slices 308a and 308b. The microcells at the bottom of release sheet slices 308a and 308b are not yet activated. The microcells located between these unactivated microcells are activated because these microcells do not have a release sheet slice above them.

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a perfume delivery system 400 including an adhesive layer 402, a backing layer 401, a microcell layer including a plurality of microcells, a porous sealing layer 406, and a top coating layer 407. Both the porous sealing layer 406 and the top coating layer 407 are permeable to perfume molecules 405. That is, the perfume molecules 405 can migrate through the porous sealing layer 406 and the top coating layer 407 to be delivered from the perfume delivery system 400 to provide an olfactory effect to a nearby space. The average pore size of the top coating layer 407 is smaller than the average pore size of the sealing layer 408. The first release sheet of the system has been removed. Thus, all the microcells of the perfume delivery system 400 are activated. Furthermore, the top coating layer 407 has been partially deflated. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the system showing three microcells 403a, 403b, and 403c. The structure of the perfume delivery system 400 and the arrangement of the porous sealing layer 406 and the top coating layer 407 contribute to the different release profiles from the microcells 403a and 403b. Specifically, assuming all three microcells contain the same perfume composition, the perfume molecules 405 in the microcell 403a, which are covered only by the porous sealing layer 406, are delivered at a higher rate than the perfume molecules 405 in the microcells 403b and 403c, which are covered by both the porous sealing layer 406 and the top coating layer 407.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a perfume delivery system 500 including an adhesive layer 502, a backing layer 501, a microcell layer including a plurality of microcells, a porous sealing layer 506, and a top coating layer 507. Both the porous sealing layer 506 and the top coating layer 507 are permeable to perfume molecules 505. That is, the perfume molecules 505 can migrate through the porous sealing layer 506 and the top coating layer 507 to be delivered from the perfume delivery system 500 to provide an olfactory effect to a nearby space. The average pore size of the top coating layer 507 is smaller than the average pore size of the sealing layer 508. The first release sheet of the system has been removed. Thus, all the microcells of the perfume delivery system 500 are activated. Furthermore, the top coating layer 507 and the porous sealing layer have been partially contracted. FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the system showing three microcells 503a, 503b, and 503c. The microcell 503a is open. That is, there is no porous sealing layer spanning the opening of microcell 503a. Therefore, the perfume contained in microcell 503a can be delivered from microcell 503a at a high rate of delivery because the perfume does not have to travel through a porous sealing layer to exit the perfume delivery system. In contrast, the rate of delivery of perfume 505 from microcells 503b and 503c is lower than the rate of delivery from microcell 503a.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a perfume delivery system 600 including an adhesive layer 602, a backing layer 601, a microcell layer including a plurality of microcells, a porous sealing layer 606, and a top coating layer 607. Both the porous sealing layer 606 and the top coating layer 607 are permeable to perfume molecules 605. That is, the perfume molecules 605 can migrate through the porous sealing layer 606 and the top coating layer 607 to be delivered from the perfume delivery system 600 to provide an olfactory effect to a nearby space. The average pore size of the top coating layer 607 is smaller than the average pore size of the sealing layer 608. The first release sheet of the system has been removed. Thus, all the microcells of the perfume delivery system 600 are activated. FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the system showing three microcells 603a, 603b, and 603c containing the same perfume composition 606. The top coating layer 607 and the porous sealing layer have been partially deflated. As a result of the partial contraction of the top coating layer 607 and the porous sealing layer, the microcell 603a is open and the microcell 603b is covered by the porous sealing layer 606. This means that the rate of delivery of the perfume 605 from the microcell 603a is higher than the rate of delivery of the perfume 605 from the microcell 603b, which is higher than the rate of delivery of the perfume 605 from the microcell 603c. The microcell 603a is open, i.e., there is no porous sealing layer spanning the opening of the microcell 603a. Therefore, the perfume contained in the microcell 603a can be delivered from the microcell 603a at a high rate of delivery, since the perfume does not have to travel through the porous sealing layer to exit the perfume delivery system. In contrast, the rate of delivery of the perfume 605 from the microcells 603b and 603c is lower than the rate of delivery from the microcell 603a.

[0057] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may include different types of microcells, each type of microcells containing a different perfume composition. An example of a perfume delivery system of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. The perfume delivery system 700 includes an adhesive layer 702, a backing layer 701, a microcell layer containing a plurality of microcells 703, a porous sealing layer 706, a top coating layer 707, and a first release sheet 708. FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a portion of a perfume delivery system 700 having microcells of a first type 703a and a second type 703b. The first type 703a of microcells contains a first perfume composition including a perfume 705, and the second type 703b of microcells contains a second perfume composition including a perfume 715, where the perfume 705 is different from the perfume 715. The perfume delivery system may further include a third type of microcells containing a third perfume composition comprising perfume F, where perfume F is different from 705 and 715.

[0058] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may comprise different types of microcells, each type of microcell comprising a different perfume composition.For example, the perfume delivery system of the present invention may comprise a first type of microcell comprising a composition of perfume A at a concentration C1, and a second type of microcell comprising a composition of perfume A at a concentration C2, where C1 is different from C2.The perfume delivery system may also comprise a third type of microcell comprising a composition of perfume A at a concentration C3, where C3 is different from C1 and C2.

[0059] The perfume delivery system of the present invention includes a plurality of microcells. Each microcell includes a perfume composition. The perfume composition includes a perfume or a combination of perfumes. The perfume composition may further include a carrier. The perfume may be dissolved or dispersed in the carrier. The carrier may be aqueous or non-aqueous. The carrier may be water, optionally including a buffer, an organic compound, a combination of organic compounds, or a combination of water and one or more organic compounds. The organic compound may be an alcohol, an ester, an amide, an ether, a carboxylic acid, or other organic compound. The organic compound may be an organic solvent. Non-limiting examples of organic solvents that may be used include DMSO, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerin, triethyl citrate, ethylene carbonate, and dimethyl carbonate.

[0060] The content of the carrier in the fragrance composition may be 0.01 weight percent to 99 weight percent, or 0.1 weight percent to 95 weight percent, or 1 weight percent to 90 weight percent, or 5 weight percent to 85 weight percent of the carrier by weight of the fragrance composition. The fragrance composition may also include a polymeric material. In one example, the fragrance composition may include a fragrance dispersed in a polymeric material.

[0061] The fragrance composition may comprise from 1 weight percent to 99.99 weight percent of the fragrance composition, or from 5 weight percent to 98 weight percent of the fragrance composition, or from 10 weight percent to 97 weight percent of the fragrance composition, or from 25 weight percent to 95 weight percent of the fragrance composition, or from 30 weight percent to 92 weight percent of the fragrance composition, or from 40 weight percent to 90 weight percent of the fragrance composition. The fragrance composition may comprise a carrier content of more than 10 weight percent, or more than 20 weight percent, or more than 30 weight percent, or more than 40 weight percent, or more than 50 weight percent, or more than 60 weight percent, or more than 70 weight percent, or more than 80 weight percent, or more than 90 weight percent, or more than 95 weight percent, or more than 98 weight percent, or more than 99 weight percent, or more than 99.5 weight percent, or more than 99.9 weight percent of the fragrance composition.

[0062] The perfume composition may be a liquid. The perfume composition may be a gel. The same perfume delivery system may have a first type of microcells containing a liquid composition and a second type of microcells containing a gel composition. The first type of microcells may contain a different perfume or a different combination of perfumes than the second type of microcells. The first type of microcells may contain the same perfume or the same combination of perfumes. The form of the composition in the microcells (aqueous liquid, non-aqueous liquid, gel) may affect the rate of delivery of the corresponding perfume from the system, especially in the case of open microcells (no porous sealing layer, no top coating layer, no release sheet).

[0063] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may include a plurality of microcells. Each of the plurality of microcells has an opening. Each of the plurality of microcells includes a perfume composition. The perfume delivery system includes a porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the plurality of microcells including a plurality of second type microcells and a plurality of third type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of second type microcells has a second thickness, and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of third type microcells has a third thickness. The second thickness is thicker than the third thickness. When the average pores of the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of second type microcells are the same as the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of third type microcells, the rate of perfume delivery from the second type microcells is lower than the rate of perfume delivery from the third type microcells due to the thicker portion of the porous sealing layer of the second type microcells. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of fourth type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells has a fourth thickness. The third thickness is thicker than the fourth thickness. When the average pores of the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells are the same as the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of third type microcells and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of second type microcells, the rate of delivery of perfume from the third type microcells is lower than the rate of delivery of perfume from the fourth type microcells due to the thicker portion of the porous sealing layer of the plurality of third type microcells.

[0064] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may include a plurality of microcells. Each of the plurality of microcells has an opening. Each of the plurality of microcells includes a perfume composition. The perfume delivery system includes a porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the plurality of microcells including a plurality of fifth type microcells and a plurality of sixth type microcells. A portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells has a fifth average pore size, and a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells has a sixth average pore size. The fifth average pore size is smaller than the sixth average pore size. When the thickness of the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells is the same as the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells, the rate of perfume delivery from the fifth type microcells is lower than the rate of perfume delivery from the sixth type microcells due to the smaller average pore size of the porous sealing layer of the fifth type microcells. The plurality of microcells may further include a plurality of seventh type microcells. The portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of seventh type microcells has a seventh average pore size. The sixth average pore size is smaller than the seventh average pore size. When the thickness of the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells is the same as the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells, the rate of delivery of perfume from the sixth type microcells is lower than the rate of delivery of perfume from the seventh type microcells due to the lower average porosity of the portion of the porous sealing layer of the plurality of sixth type microcells.

[0065] 8 illustrates a side view of a portion of a perfume delivery system 800 including an adhesive layer 802, a backing layer 801, a microcell layer including multiple microcells containing the same perfume composition 804, a porous sealing layer 806, a top coating layer 807, and a first release sheet 808. Both the porous sealing layer 806 and the top coating layer 807 are permeable to perfume molecules 805. That is, the perfume molecules 805 can migrate through the porous sealing layer 806 and the top coating layer 807 to be delivered from the perfume delivery system 800 to provide an olfactory effect to a nearby space. The openings of the three microcells 803a, 803b, and 803c of the perfume delivery system 800 are sealed by the porous sealing layer 806. The sealing layer portions 806a, 806b, and 806c, which span the openings of the microcells 803a, 803b, and 803c, respectively, are of the same thickness but have different average pore sizes. The average pore size of the portion 806a is smaller than the average pore size of the portion 806b, which is smaller than the average pore size of the portion 806c. Due to the different average pore sizes of the sealing layer portions 806a, 806b, and 806c, the rate of delivery of perfume from the microcells 803a is lower than the rate of delivery of perfume from the microcells 803b, which is lower than the rate of delivery of perfume from the microcells 803c.

[0066] Different porosity of the sealing layer in different microcells can be achieved by using different polymer materials and microinjection, for example, inkjet during the sealing process. Such a system allows a single delivery system to administer various concentrations of the same or different fragrances over a period of time. For example, the system of the present invention may contain three types of microcells with three different concentrations of fragrance. However, the administration time can be controlled by the porosity of the sealing layer.

[0067] Another feature of the perfume delivery system of the present invention that can be used to affect perfume delivery and olfactory effects in the surrounding space is the microcell volume. The perfume delivery system of the present invention includes a plurality of microcells. The plurality of microcells may include a plurality of eighth type microcells and a plurality of ninth type microcells. Each microcell of the eighth type microcells has an eighth volume. Each microcell of the ninth type microcells has a ninth volume. The eighth volume is greater than the ninth volume. By designing a system with a plurality of different types of microcells with different microcell volumes, the amount of perfume composition in the microcell can be controlled. Thus, the time and / or duration of perfume depletion in a microcell relative to the time and / or duration of perfume depletion in another microcell provides another tool for customizing the olfactory effects of the system.

[0068] Each microcell of the plurality of microcells may have a volume greater than 0.01 nL, greater than 0.05 nL, greater than 0.1 nL, greater than 1 nL, greater than 10 nL, or greater than 100 nL, or greater than 1 μL, or greater than 10 μL.

[0069] Microcells with different volumes are achieved by forming microcells with different depths. Variable microcell depths can be constructed by increasing the amount of polymer at the bottom of the microcell. This is easily achieved by using a mold with the desired depth and the embossing technique described below. In other examples, the width of the microcell can be larger or smaller depending on the volume of perfume-containing solution desired to be contained within a given microcell.

[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a portion of a perfume delivery system 900 including an adhesive layer 902, a backing layer 901, a microcell layer including multiple microcells including the same perfume composition 904, a porous sealing layer 906, a top coating layer 907, and a first release sheet 908. Both the porous sealing layer 906 and the top coating layer 907 are permeable to perfume molecules 905. That is, the perfume molecules 905 can migrate through the porous sealing layer 906 and the top coating layer 907 to be delivered from the perfume delivery system 900 to provide an olfactory effect to a nearby space. The microcell layer of the perfume delivery system 900 includes microcells 903a, 903b, and 903c. As shown in FIG. 9, the volume of the microcell 903a is larger than the volume of the microcell 903b, which is larger than the volume of the microcell 903c. If microcells 903a, 903b and 903c contain the same perfume composition, similar activation of the three microcells for the same period of time will result in faster depletion of perfume in microcell 903c than the depletion of perfume from microcells 903a and 903b.

[0071] The perfume delivery system of the present invention may include many types of microcells. Each type of microcell may contain a different perfume. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a perfume delivery system 1000 having a plurality of four types of microcells 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 containing perfume compositions, the perfume compositions including perfume 1, perfume 2, perfume 3 and perfume 4, respectively. This feature allows the design of sophisticated systems that can provide complex and customized olfactory effects. The arrangement of different microcell types may not be uniformly distributed in the system. Rather, the microcells may be filled in groups, which makes filling and sealing easier. In other embodiments, smaller microcell arrays may be filled with the same medium, i.e., medium with the same perfume at the same concentration, and the smaller arrays are then assembled into larger arrays to create the delivery system of the present invention.

[0072] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of delivering perfume from a perfume delivery system. The perfume delivery system includes: (a) a backing layer; (b) a microcell layer including a plurality of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of microcells having an opening, the plurality of microcells including a plurality of first type microcells, each microcell of the plurality of first type microcells including a first perfume composition having a first concentration of a first perfume; (c) a porous sealing layer scanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the porous sealing layer having an average pore size of 0.2 nm to 1 mm, the porous sealing layer including a plurality of sealing slices, each sealing slice being independently removable or shrinkable; (d) a top coating layer, the top coating layer having an average pore size of less than 0.2 nm, the top coating layer including a plurality of top coating slices, each top coating slice being independently removable or shrinkable; and (e) a first release sheet including a plurality of release sheet slices, each release sheet slice being independently removable or shrinkable.

[0073] The method of delivering fragrance includes the steps of: (1) removing or shrinking the release sheet or one or more release sheet slices; (2) removing or shrinking the top coating layer or one or more top coating slices; and (3) removing or shrinking the sealing layer or one or more sealing slices.

[0074] The method of delivering flavor may further include the step of (4) redepositing the sealing layer or one or more sealing slices.

[0075] The method of delivering flavor may further include the step of (5) redepositing the top coating layer or one or more top coating slices.

[0076] The method of delivering fragrance may further include the step of (6) reattaching the release sheet or one or more release sheet slices.

[0077] Techniques for constructing microcells. Microcells can be formed in either a batch process or a continuous roll-to-roll process as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,098. The latter provides a continuous, low-cost, high-throughput manufacturing technique for the production of compartments for use in a variety of applications, including fragrance delivery and electrophoretic displays. Microcell arrays suitable for use with the present invention can be created using microembossing, as illustrated in FIG. 11. A male mold 1100 can be placed either above the web 1104, as shown in FIG. 11, or below the web 1104 (not shown), although alternative arrangements are possible. See U.S. Pat. No. 7,715,088, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A conductive substrate may be constructed by forming a conductor film 1101 on a polymer substrate that will become the backing for the device. A composition 1102 comprising a thermoplastic, a thermoset, or a precursor thereof is then coated onto the conductor film. The thermoplastic or thermosetting precursor layer is embossed by a male mold in the form of a roller, plate or belt at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic or thermosetting precursor layer.

[0078] The thermoplastic or thermosetting precursors for the preparation of the microcells may be multifunctional acrylates or methacrylates, vinyl ethers, epoxides, and their oligomers or polymers, etc. A combination of multifunctional epoxides and multifunctional acrylates is also very useful to achieve the desired physical-mechanical properties. Crosslinkable oligomers that impart flexibility, such as urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates, may be added to improve the sagging resistance of the embossed microcells. The composition may contain polymers, oligomers, monomers and additives, or may contain only oligomers, monomers and additives. The glass transition temperature (or T) for this class of materials is g ) is usually in the range of about -70°C to about 150°C, preferably about -20°C to about 50°C. The microembossing process is typically g The microembossing temperature and pressure can be controlled using a heated male mold, or a heated receiving substrate against which the male mold is pressed.

[0079] The mold is removed during or after the precursor layer has cured to reveal an array of microcells 1103, as shown in FIG. 11. Curing of the precursor layer can be achieved by cooling, solvent evaporation, crosslinking by irradiation, heat or moisture. If the curing of the thermosetting precursor is achieved by UV irradiation, the UV can be irradiated onto the transparent conductor film from the bottom or top of the web, as shown in the two figures. Alternatively, a UV lamp can be installed inside the mold. In this case, the mold must be transparent to allow the UV light to be irradiated through the pre-patterned male mold on the thermosetting precursor layer. The male mold may be prepared by any suitable method, for example, a diamond turning process or a photoresist process followed by etching or electroplating. A master template for the male mold may be manufactured by any suitable method, for example, electroplating. By electroplating, a glass base is sputtered with a thin layer (typically 3000 Å) of a seed metal such as chrome Inconel. The mold is then coated with a layer of photoresist and exposed to UV. A mask is placed between the UV and the layer of photoresist. The exposed areas of the photoresist become hardened. The unexposed areas are then removed by washing them with a suitable solvent. The remaining hardened photoresist is dried and sputtered again with a thin layer of seed metal. The master is then ready for electroforming. A typical material used for electroforming is nickel cobalt. Alternatively, the master can be made from nickel by electroforming or electroless nickel plating. The bed of the mold is typically about 50-400 microns. The master can be made using other microengineering techniques including e-beam writing, dry etching, chemical etching, laser writing or laser interference as described in "Replication techniques for micro-optics", SPIE Proc. Vol. 3099, pp. 76-82 (1997). Alternatively, the mold can be made by photomachining using plastics, ceramics or metals.

[0080] Before applying the UV-curable resin composition, the mold may be treated with a mold release agent that aids in the mold release process. The UV-curable resin may be degassed before dispensing and may contain a solvent, if necessary. The solvent, if present, evaporates easily. The UV-curable resin is dispensed onto the male mold by any suitable means, such as coating, dipping, or pouring. The dispenser may be movable or fixed. The conductor film is covered with the UV-curable resin. If necessary, pressure may be applied to ensure proper bonding between the resin and the plastic and to control the thickness of the microcell floor. Pressure may be applied using laminating rollers, vacuum forming, pressing devices, or any other similar means. If the male mold is metallic and non-transparent, the plastic substrate is typically transparent to the actinic radiation used to cure the resin. Conversely, the male mold may be transparent and the plastic substrate may be non-transparent to the actinic radiation. To get good transfer of the molded features onto the transfer sheet, the conductor film needs to have good adhesion to the UV curable resin, which must have good release properties to the mold surface.

[0081] Photolithography. Microcells can also be produced using photolithography. A photolithography process for manufacturing a microcell array is illustrated in Figures 12A and 12B. As shown in Figures 12A and 12B, a microcell array 1204 may be prepared by exposing a radiation curable material 1201a coated by known methods on a conductor electrode film 1202 to UV light (or alternative other forms of radiation, e-beam, etc.) through a mask 1206 to form walls 1201b corresponding to an image projected through the mask 1206. The base conductor film 1202 is preferably mounted on a support substrate base web 1203, which may include a plastic material.

[0082] In the photomask 1206 in Figure 12A, the dark squares 124 represent non-transparent areas and the spaces between the dark squares represent transparent areas 1205 of the mask 1206. UV is shone through the transparent areas 1205 onto the radiation curable material 1201a. The exposure is preferably made directly onto the radiation curable material 1201a, i.e., the UV does not pass through the substrate 1203 or the base conductors 1202 (top exposure). For this reason, neither the substrate 1203 nor the conductors 1202 need to be transparent to the wavelengths of UV or other radiation used.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 12B, the exposed areas 1201b are cured, and then the unexposed areas (protected by the non-transparent areas 1204 of the mask 1206) are removed by a suitable solvent or developer to form the microcells 1207. The solvent or developer is selected from those commonly used to dissolve or reduce the viscosity of radiation curable materials, such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, acetone, or isopropanol. Preparation of the microcells can be similarly accomplished by placing a photomask on the bottom of the conductor film / substrate support web, in which case UV light is irradiated through the photomask from the bottom, and the substrate needs to be transparent to the radiation.

[0084] Imagewise exposure. Yet another alternative method for the preparation of the microcell array of the present invention by imagewise exposure is illustrated in Figures 12C and 12D. If non-transparent conductor lines are used, the conductor lines can be used as a photomask for exposure from the bottom. Durable microcell walls are formed by additional exposure from the top through a second photomask with non-transparent lines perpendicular to the conductor lines. Figure 12C illustrates the use of both top and bottom exposure principles to produce a microcell array 1200 of the present invention. The base conductor film 1202 is non-transparent and line patterned. The radiation curable material 1201a coated on the base conductor 1202 and substrate 1203 is exposed from the bottom through the conductor line pattern 1202, which serves as the first photomask. The second exposure is done from the "top" side through a second photomask 1206 with a line pattern perpendicular to the conductor lines 1202. The spaces 1205 between the lines 1204 are substantially transparent to UV light. In this process, the wall material 1201b is cured from the bottom up in one horizontal direction and from the top down in the vertical direction, connecting to form integral microcells 1207. The unexposed areas are then removed by a solvent or developer as described above to reveal the microcells 1207, as shown in Figure 12D.

[0085] The microcell may be constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer, which has good compatibility with the microcell and does not interact with the electrophoretic medium. Examples of useful thermoplastic elastomers include ABA, and diblock, triblock and multiblock copolymers of the (AB)n type, where A is styrene, α-methylstyrene, ethylene, propylene or norbonene, and B is butadiene, isoprene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, dimethylsiloxane or propylene sulfide, and A and B cannot be the same in the formula. The number n is ≧1, preferably 1-10. Particularly useful are diblock or triblock copolymers of styrene or ox-methylstyrene, such as SB (poly(styrene-b-butadiene)), SBS (poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene)), SIS (poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene)), SEBS (poly(styrene-b-ethylene / butylene-b-styrene)), poly(styrene-b-dimethylsiloxane-b-styrene), poly((α-methylstyrene-b-isoprene), poly(α-methylstyrene-b-isoprene-b-α-methylstyrene), poly(α-methylstyrene-b-propylene sulfide-b-α-methylstyrene), poly(α-methylstyrene-b-dimethylsiloxane-b-α-methylstyrene). Commercially available styrene block copolymers, such as Kraton D and G series (Kraton Particularly useful are crystalline rubbers such as poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-5-methylene-2-norbornene) or EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer) rubbers, such as Vistalon 6505 (Exxon Mobil, Houston, Tex.) and grafted copolymers thereof.

[0086] The thermoplastic elastomer may be dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture that is immiscible with the display fluid in the microcell and exhibits a specific gravity lower than that of the display fluid. Low surface tension solvents are preferred for overcoating compositions due to their good wetting with the microcell walls and the electrophoretic fluid. Solvents or solvent mixtures with a surface tension of less than 35 dyne / cm are preferred. A surface tension of less than 30 dyne / cm is more preferred. Suitable solvents include alkanes (preferably C 6-12 Alkanes, e.g., heptane, octane or Isopar solvents from Exxon Chemical Company, nonane, decane and their isomers), cycloalkanes (preferably C 6-12 Cycloalkanes, such as cyclohexane and decalin, alkylbenzenes (preferably mono C 1-6 Alkylbenzene or DiC 1-6 Alkylbenzenes, e.g., toluene, xylene, etc.), alkyl esters (preferably C 2-5 Alkyl esters, e.g., ethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, etc.) and C 3-5 Included are alkyl alcohols (e.g., isopropanol, etc. and their isomers). Mixtures of alkyl benzenes and alkanes are particularly useful.

[0087] In addition to the polymer additive, the polymer mixture may also contain a wetting agent (surfactant). Wetting agents (e.g., FC surfactants from 3M Company, Zonyl fluorosurfactants from DuPont, fluoroacrylates, fluoromethacrylates, fluoro-substituted long-chain alcohols, perfluoro-substituted long-chain carboxylic acids, and their derivatives, and Silwet silicone surfactants from OSi (Greenwich, Conn.)) may also be included in the composition to improve adhesion of the sealant to the microcells and provide a more flexible coating process. Other ingredients including crosslinkers (e.g., bisazides such as 4,4'-diazidophenylmethane and 2,6-di-(4'-azidobenzal)-4-methylcyclohexanone), vulcanizing agents (e.g., 2-benzothiazolyl disulfide and tetramethylthiuram disulfide), multifunctional monomers or oligomers (e.g., hexanediol, diacrylates, trimethylolpropane, triacrylates, divinylbenzene, diallyl phthalate), thermal initiators (e.g., dilauroyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide) and photoinitiators (e.g., isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), Irgacure 651 and Irgacure 369 from Ciba-Geigy) are also very useful to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the sealing layer by crosslinking or polymerization reactions during or after the overcoating process.

[0088] After generating the microcells, they are filled with the appropriate mixture of fragrances. The microcell array 1300 may be prepared by any of the methods described above. As shown in cross section in Figures 13A-13D, the microcell walls 1301 extend upward from the substrate 1003 to form open cells. The microcells may include a primer layer 1003 to passivate the mixture and keep the microcell material from interacting with the mixture containing fragrance 1305. Prior to filling, the microcell array 1300 may be cleaned and sterilized to ensure that the fragrance is not compromised prior to use.

[0089] The microcells are then filled with a mixture 1304 including the fragrance 1305. Filling of the microcells can be accomplished by using picoliter injection with an inkjet or other fluidic system. Individual microcells can be filled to allow a variety of different fragrances to be included in the fragrance delivery system. As shown in FIG. 13B, different microcells may contain different fragrances. The microcells 1300 are preferably partially filled to prevent unintentional mixing and overflow of fragrances. In systems for delivering hydrophobic fragrances, the mixture may be based on a biocompatible oil or some other biocompatible hydrophobic carrier. For example, the mixture may include vegetable oils, fruit oils, or nut oils. In other embodiments, silicone oils may be used. In systems for delivering hydrophilic fragrances, the mixture may be based on water, or another aqueous medium such as a phosphate buffer. The mixture does not have to be liquid, however it may be the case that it may be suitable to deliver fragrance 1305 as hydrogels and other matrices.

[0090] The microcells may be filled using a variety of techniques. In some embodiments, if multiple adjacent microcells are to be filled with the same mixture, blade coating may be used to fill the microcells to the depth of the microcell walls 1301. In other embodiments, if various different mixtures are to be filled into various nearby microcells, inkjet type microinjection may be used to fill the microcells. In yet other embodiments, a microneedle array may be used to fill an array of microcells with the correct mixture. The filling may be done in a one-step or multi-step process. For example, all of the cells may be partially filled with an amount of solvent. The partially filled microcells are then filled with a second mixture containing one or more fragrances to be delivered.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 13C, after filling, the microcells are sealed by applying polymer 66, which becomes a porous sealing layer. In some embodiments, the sealing process may include exposure to heat, dry hot air, or UV radiation. In most embodiments, the polymer 1306 is compatible with the mixture 1304, but is not soluble in the solvent of the mixture 1304. The polymer 1306 is also selected to be biocompatible and adhere to the sides or top of the microcell walls 1301. A suitable biocompatible adhesive for the porous sealing layer is a phenethylamine mixture, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 336,841, filed October 30, 2016, entitled "Method for Sealing Microcell Containers with Phenethylamine Mixtures," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, the final microcell structure is nearly leak-proof and capable of withstanding flexing without delamination of the porous sealing layer.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, various individual microcells can be filled with the desired mixture by using repeated photolithography. This process typically involves coating an array of empty microcells with a layer of positive-working photoresist, selectively opening a certain number of microcells by imagewise exposing the positive photoresist, followed by developing the photoresist, filling the open microcells with the desired mixture, and sealing the filled microcells by a sealing process. These steps may be repeated to create sealed microcells filled with other mixtures. This procedure allows the formation of large sheets of microcells with the desired ratios of mixtures or concentrations.

[0093] After filling the microcells 1300, the sealed array may be laminated with a finishing layer 1308 that is also porous to the fragrance, preferably by pre-coating the finishing layer 68 with an adhesive layer that may be a pressure sensitive adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, or a heat, moisture or radiation curable adhesive. The lamination adhesive may be post-cured by irradiation such as UV through a conductor film on the top side if the latter is transparent to radiation. In some embodiments, a biocompatible adhesive 1307 is then laminated to the part. The biocompatible adhesive 1307 allows the fragrance to pass through while keeping the device mobile in the user. Suitable biocompatible adhesives are available from 3M (Minneapolis, MN).

[0094] The present invention provides a perfume delivery system comprising a plurality of microcells. The microcells comprise an opening that is spanned by a porous sealing layer. The perfume delivery system may comprise various types of microcells. Different types of microcells may contain different perfumes or perfume combinations, different concentrations of the same or different perfumes. Different types of microcells may have different porous sealing portions (different thicknesses, average pore sizes). Different types of microcells of the same system may have different volumes and may contain different perfume composition forms (liquid or gel). Significantly, the perfume delivery system may comprise shrinkable or removable slices of (a) a release sheet, (b) a top coating layer, and (c) a porous sealing layer. As a result, the rate of perfume delivery may be controlled at different levels for each microcell type.

[0095] The present disclosure is not limited to the examples and variations described, but includes embodiments and other modifications that would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A fragrance delivery system comprising: A backing layer; a microcell layer comprising a plurality of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of microcells having an opening, the plurality of microcells comprising a plurality of a first type of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of first type of microcells comprising the first fragrance composition having a first concentration of a first fragrance; a porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the porous sealing layer having a porous sealing layer average pore size, the porous sealing layer average pore size being between 0.2 nm and 1 mm, the porous sealing layer comprising a plurality of sealing slices, each sealing slice being independently removable or shrinkable; and First release sheet A fragrance delivery system comprising:

2. 10. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the composition of the first perfume comprises a first aqueous carrier or a first non-aqueous carrier.

3. The perfume delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the composition of the first perfume is a liquid or a gel.

4. 2. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcells includes a plurality of second type microcells and a plurality of third type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of second type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of third type microcells, the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of second type microcells having a second thickness, and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of third type microcells having a third thickness, the second thickness being different from the third thickness.

5. 5. The perfume delivery system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of microcells further comprises a plurality of fourth type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells, and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fourth type microcells has a fourth thickness, the fourth thickness being different from the second thickness and the third thickness.

6. 2. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcells includes a plurality of fifth type microcells and a plurality of sixth type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells, the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of fifth type microcells having a fifth average pore size, and the portion of the porous sealing layer spanning the openings of the plurality of sixth type microcells having a sixth average pore size, the fifth average pore size being different from the sixth average pore size.

7. 7. The perfume delivery system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of microcells includes a plurality of seventh type microcells, a portion of the porous sealing layer spans the openings of the plurality of seventh type microcells, and the portion of the porous sealing layer that spans the openings of the plurality of seventh type microcells has a seventh average pore size, the seventh average pore size being different from the fifth average pore size and the sixth average pore size.

8. 2. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcells includes a plurality of eighth type microcells and a plurality of ninth type microcells, each microcell of the eighth type microcells having an eighth volume, each microcell of the ninth type microcells having a ninth volume, and the eighth volume is different from the ninth volume.

9. 9. The perfume delivery system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of microcells includes a plurality of tenth type microcells, each microcell of the tenth type having a tenth volume, the tenth volume being different from the eighth volume and the ninth volume.

10. 2. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of micro-cells includes a plurality of eleventh type micro-cells and a plurality of twelfth type micro-cells, each micro-cell of the eleventh type micro-cells having an eleventh concentration of the first perfume and each micro-cell of the twelfth type micro-cells having a twelfth concentration of the first perfume, the eleventh concentration being different from the twelfth concentration.

11. 2. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcells further comprises a plurality of thirteenth type microcells, each microcell of the plurality of thirteenth type microcells comprising a composition of a second perfume, the second perfume being different from the first perfume.

12. 12. The perfume delivery system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of microcells further comprises a plurality of fourteenth type microcells, each microcell of the plurality of fourteenth type microcells comprising a composition of a third perfume, the third perfume being different from the first perfume and the second perfume.

13. 10. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, wherein the release sheet comprises a plurality of release sheet slices, each release sheet slice being independently removable or retractable.

14. 2. The fragrance delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a top coating layer, the top coating layer being disposed between the porous sealing layer and the release sheet, the top coating layer having a top coating layer pore size, the top coating layer average pore size being greater than 0.1 nm, the top coating average pore size being smaller than the porous sealing layer average pore size, the top coating layer comprising a plurality of top coating slices, each of which is independently removable or shrinkable.

15. 10. The perfume delivery system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer adjacent to said backing layer, said backing layer being disposed between said adhesive layer and said microcell layer.

16. 16. The perfume delivery system of claim 15, further comprising a second release sheet adjacent to the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being disposed between the second release sheet and the backing layer.

17. 1. A method of delivering perfume from a perfume delivery system, the perfume delivery system comprising: (a) a backing layer; (b) a microcell layer comprising a plurality of microcells, each microcell of the plurality of microcells having an opening, the plurality of microcells comprising a plurality of first type microcells, each microcell of the plurality of first type microcells comprising a composition of the first fragrance having a first concentration of a first fragrance; (c) a porous sealing layer scanning the openings of the plurality of microcells, the porous sealing layer having a porous sealing layer average pore size, the porous sealing layer average pore size being between 0.2 nm and 1 mm, the porous sealing layer comprising a plurality of sealing strips; (d) a top coating layer, said top coating layer having a top coating layer average pore size, said top coating layer average pore size being less than 0.2 nm, said top coating layer comprising a plurality of top coating slices, each top coating slice being independently removable or shrinkable; (e) a first release sheet comprising a plurality of release sheet slices, each release sheet slice being independently removable or shrinkable, said method comprising: (1) removing or shrinking the release sheet or one or more release sheet slices; (2) removing or shrinking the top coating layer or one or more top coating slices; and (3) removing or shrinking the sealing layer or one or more sealing slices; A method comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: (4) redepositing the sealing layer or one or more sealing slices.

19. 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of: (5) redepositing the top coating layer or one or more top coating slices.

20. 20. The method of delivering fragrance of claim 19, further comprising the step of: (6) redepositing the release sheet or one or more release sheet slices.

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