Volatile composition dispenser with improved fragrance intensity control.

Abstract

The volatile composition dispenser comprises a cartridge comprising a container for at least one liquid volatile composition and a vent membrane surrounding the container for evaporating at least one liquid volatile composition into the atmosphere when the volatile composition dispenser is in operation. The cartridge is disposed within a housing having opposing first and second walls, the second wall having a plurality of evaporation vents and characterized by a total ventilation area (T). A fragrance intensity controller is mounted on the housing to adjustably cover at least some or some of the plurality of evaporation vents on the second wall. The volatile composition dispenser is characterized by an unadjustable ventilation area (U) which is 15% or less of the total ventilation area (T), which helps to provide improved fragrance intensity control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a volatile composition, more specifically, a non-powered continuous volatile composition dispenser having an improved intensity control mechanism, and a method of using the same to adjust the intensity of the fragrance delivered thereby.

Background Art

[0002] Volatile composition dispensers can be used to evaporate a volatile composition into an atmosphere, such as a home or vehicle interior atmosphere, to provide various benefits, such as air purification or aromatization of the atmosphere. Non-powered dispensing systems, e.g., systems not supplied with electrical energy, are a well-known method for delivering a volatile composition into an atmosphere. These dispensing systems can be classified into systems that may require human operation, such as aerosols, and systems that may not require human operation, such as wick-based systems and gels. The first type of dispensing system delivers the volatile composition on demand, and the second type of dispensing system delivers the volatile composition in a more continuous manner.

[0003] Volatile composition dispensers exist that have built-in mechanisms for adjusting the intensity of the fragrance or scent delivered by the dispenser. For example, U.S. Patent No. 10143766 discloses a volatile composition dispenser with an airflow adjustment member (see Figure 15 of U.S. Patent No. 10143766) or an intensity dial element (see Figure 19 of U.S. Patent No. 10143766) that allows a consumer to adjust the airflow through the dispenser, thereby adjusting the amount of volatile composition distributed into the ambient atmosphere by such a dispenser. However, despite the design intent to provide a difference in fragrance intensity that consumers will notice at different settings (i.e., low fragrance intensity setting and high fragrance intensity setting), at the strongest fragrance, at the beginning of product use, little to no difference in fragrance evaporation is observed between the lowest and highest settings, and towards the weakest fragrance, towards the end of product life, fragrance evaporation at the lowest setting is still about 90% of fragrance evaporation at the highest setting. This small difference in fragrance evaporation does not provide a significant distinction between the fragrance intensity delivered at the lowest and highest settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10143766 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a volatile composition dispenser with an improved fragrance intensity control mechanism, particularly for providing a significant and consumer-perceptible distinction in fragrance intensity at different fragrance intensity settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a volatile composition dispenser, and this dispenser is (a) A cartridge comprising a container for at least one liquid volatile composition, and a permeable membrane surrounding the container for evaporating the at least one liquid volatile composition into the atmosphere when the air freshener is in operation, wherein the permeable membrane defines the evaporation surface area (E), (b) A housing having opposing first and second walls joined together along their outer circumferences to define an internal compartment in which a cartridge is disposed, wherein a gap exists between the vent membrane of the cartridge and the second wall of the housing, the gap having a width in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, optionally about 1 mm to about 5 mm, or about 1 mm to about 3 mm, or about 1 mm to about 2 mm, the second wall having a plurality of evaporation vents that allow fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing, the first wall having no evaporation vents at all, and the second wall being characterized by a total ventilation area (T) in the range of 5% to 85%, optionally about 10% to about 70%, or about 15% to about 60%, or about 20% to about 50% of the evaporation surface area (E), (c) A fragrance intensity controller mounted on the housing to adjustably cover at least some or part of the plurality of evaporation vents on a second wall, wherein evaporation vents or parts thereof that cannot be adjustedly covered by the fragrance intensity controller define an unadjustable ventilation area (U), the unadjustable ventilation area (U) being 15% or less of the total ventilation area (T), optionally 0% to about 12%, or 0% to about 10%, or 0% to about 5%, or 0% to about 3%.

[0007] Specifically, the fragrance intensity controller is movable between two or more different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser, while the volatile composition dispenser further includes a locking mechanism for locking the fragrance intensity controller in a different fragrance intensity position.

[0008] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a mounting clip connected to a housing for releasably mounting the volatile composition dispenser to a vent (e.g., in an AC unit in a car, home, or office). More specifically, the mounting clip comprises four projections defining two perpendicularly intersecting gaps for releasably mounting the volatile composition dispenser to a vent along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the four such projections may be characterized by a length of 10 mm to 40 mm, or 12 mm to 30 mm, or 14 mm to 25 mm, or 16 mm to 20 mm. The two perpendicularly intersecting gaps may have substantially the same width, which is optionally in the range of 0.5 mm to 8 mm, or 2 mm to 6 mm, or 3 mm to 5 mm. Alternatively, the two perpendicularly intersecting gaps may have different widths, one of which may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 8 mm, or 2 mm to 6 mm, or 3 mm to 5 mm, and the other of which may be in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, or 2 mm to 8 mm, or 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0009] The volatile composition dispenser of the present invention may further comprise one or more evaporation control elements for reducing the unadjustable ventilation area (U) by blocking one or more unadjustable openings on the second wall of the housing and preventing fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing through the unadjustable openings.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a method for changing the fragrance intensity in an internal space, and this method is (i) Providing a volatile composition dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in an internal space, (ii) The step of adjusting the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition using a fragrance intensity controller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] The features and advantages of this disclosure described above, as well as other features and advantages, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer by referring to the following descriptions of some embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the disclosure itself will be better understood. [Figure 1] This graph shows a comparison of the fragrance weight loss of a conventional volatile composition dispenser at low and high fragrance intensity settings, as disclosed in Figure 19 of U.S. Patent No. 1,0143,766. [Figure 2A] Figure 1 is a perspective view modeling the airflow channels through various evaporation vents on the rear wall of a conventional volatile composition dispenser. [Figure 2B] Figures 1 and 2A are side views modeling the airflow path through the same prior art volatile composition dispenser. [Figure 3A] This is a perspective view of a volatile composition dispenser according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] This is a perspective view of a volatile composition dispenser according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figures 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views of the various components of the volatile composition dispenser. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of various components of a cartridge for a volatile composition dispenser according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] Figures 3A and 3B and Figure 4, a rear view of a volatile composition dispenser, show a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention in which the fragrance intensity controller moves between three different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser. [Figure 6B] Figures 3A and 3B and Figure 4, a rear view of a volatile composition dispenser, show a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention in which the fragrance intensity controller moves between three different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser. [Figure 6C]Rear views of the volatile composition dispenser of FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. 4, in which a fragrance intensity controller moves between three different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] Side views of the volatile composition dispenser of FIGS. 3A and 3B, in a non-operating state and an operating state, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] Side views of the volatile composition dispenser of FIGS. 3A and 3B, in a non-operating state and an operating state, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] Perspective view of an attachment clip having four protrusions defining two vertically intersecting gaps of the same width, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] Perspective view of an attachment clip having four protrusions defining two vertically intersecting gaps of different widths, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] Perspective image of the outer surface of the rear wall of a volatile composition dispenser having an evaporation control element, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] Perspective image showing another evaporation control element of a volatile composition dispenser, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Graph showing a comparison of the fragrance weight loss of a volatile composition dispenser having the evaporation control element of FIGS. 9A-9B at a low fragrance intensity setting and a high fragrance intensity setting. [Figure 11] Perspective image of the inner surface of the rear wall of a volatile composition dispenser having yet another evaporation control element, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Graph showing a comparison of the fragrance weight loss of a volatile composition dispenser having the evaporation control element of FIG. 11 at a low fragrance intensity setting and a high fragrance intensity setting.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Herein, various embodiments are described to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, manufacture and use principles of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure is defined solely by the claims. Features shown or described in relation to one exemplary embodiment can be combined with features of other exemplary embodiments. Such modifications and variations are included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1 is a graph showing a comparison of fragrance weight loss of a conventional volatile composition dispenser (disclosed by Figure 19 of U.S. Patent No. 1,0143,766) at low and high fragrance intensity settings, as measured by the method disclosed in Test 1 below. Despite the presence of a fragrance intensity dial intended to allow consumers to adjust the airflow rate through the air freshener, thereby adjusting the amount of fragrance dispensed by such an air freshener, it is disappointing that the fragrance weight loss, which indicates the amount of fragrance dispensed by such an air freshener at low fragrance intensity settings, is approximately 95% of the fragrance weight loss at high fragrance intensity settings. A 5% difference in fragrance weight loss may go unnoticed by consumers. In other words, conventional air fresheners produce little to no difference in fragrance intensity that consumers notice between low and high fragrance intensity settings.

[0014] A surprising and unexpected discovery of the present invention was that the presence of small gaps or openings in such conventional air fresheners, which cannot be opened or closed in an adjustable manner by a fragrance intensity dial, is the reason why a significant distinction in fragrance intensity at different intensity settings cannot be observed. Although such non-adjustable gaps or openings constitute only a small portion (e.g., less than 20%) of the total opening surface area, they can allow an unbalanced amount of airflow to pass through, thereby making it impossible to distinguish between fragrance intensity at low and high settings.

[0015] Figure 2A is a perspective view generated by the model, showing airflow paths through various evaporation vents on the rear wall of a prior art volatile composition dispenser, as shown in Figure 19 of U.S. Patent No. 10143766. Small arrows indicate airflow through the rear wall of the prior art dispenser. As shown in Figure 2A, air flows not only through evaporation vents along the outer circumference of such a dispenser (openable and closable by an intensity dial element) but also through a central opening (not openable and closable by an intensity dial element). Figure 2B is also a side view generated by the model, showing airflow paths through the same prior art volatile composition dispenser in Figure 2A at the lowest fragrance intensity setting. Despite the lowest fragrance intensity setting, a considerable amount of air still flows through the prior art dispenser, particularly through the non-adjustable central opening. Figure 2B specifically shows that air flows through the non-adjustable central opening at a much higher rate than the rate through the adjustable outer periphery evaporation vents, which are closed at the lowest fragrance intensity setting. Correspondingly, little to no difference in fragrance intensity is observed between the lowest and highest intensity settings.

[0016] Accordingly, the present invention provides a volatile composition dispenser with improved intensity control by reducing the area of ​​such unadjustable central opening and other gaps / openings, which can allow for unadjustable airflow through the volatile composition dispenser at the lowest fragrance intensity setting. Specifically, the volatile composition dispenser of the present invention is characterized by an unadjustable airflow area (U) of 15% or less of its total airflow area (T), optionally 0% to about 12%, or 0% to about 10%, or 0% to about 5%, or 0% to about 3%, as detailed below. Furthermore, such a dispenser can dispense at least one volatile composition at a first evaporation rate (E1) at a low fragrance intensity setting and at a second evaporation rate (E2) at a high fragrance intensity setting, where E1 is less than 70% of E2, preferably less than 60% of E2, and more preferably less than 55% of E2, which is desirable to result in a difference in fragrance intensity between the low and high settings that can be noticed by the consumer.

[0017] Such parameters help consumers gain better control over the amount of fragrance delivered to their cars, homes, offices, or other enclosed indoor spaces. Furthermore, they can extend product life, give consumers the freedom to use seasonal fragrances with specific intensity settings appropriate for the season, and support the development of regional / seasonal usage instructions to achieve consistent fragrance intensity throughout the product lifecycle (for example, to provide consistent fragrance intensity in Japan during the summer, start with a low fragrance intensity setting for 5 days, followed by a medium fragrance intensity setting for 15 days, and ending with a high fragrance intensity setting for 20 days).

[0018] Figures 3A and 3B show perspective views of an exemplary volatile composition dispenser 1 according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 shows exploded perspective views of various components of such a volatile composition dispenser 1.

[0019] Specifically, an exemplary volatile composition dispenser 1 comprises a housing 100 having opposing first walls 110 and second walls 120 joined to each other along their outer circumferences to define an internal compartment (not shown). Optionally, the first wall 110 and the second wall 120 are mounted together in a pivotable or rotatable manner and can be easily separated by pivoting or rotational motion.

[0020] The first wall 110 has no evaporation vents at all, while the opposing second wall 120 has a plurality of evaporation vents 122 (see Figure 4) that enable fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing 100.

[0021] The cartridge 200 can be disposed within the internal compartment between the first wall 110 and the opposing second wall 120 (see Figure 4). The cartridge 200 comprises a volatile composition container 210 defining a container (not shown) for at least one liquid volatile composition, and a ventilation membrane 240 surrounding the container for evaporating the at least one liquid volatile composition into the atmosphere when the volatile composition dispenser 1 is in operation. Specifically, a gap exists between the ventilation membrane 240 of the cartridge and the second wall 120 of the housing 100, and the gap has a width in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, optionally 1 mm to 5 mm, 1 mm to 3 mm, or 1 mm to 2 mm. The narrower the gap, the better the control of the defined airflow path, and as a result, the better the control of the evaporation rate.

[0022] Specifically and optionally, the cartridge 200 (shown in Figure 4) may further comprise: (1) a burstable seal 220 configured to cover a portion of the container 210 and hold the at least one liquid volatile composition inside the container 210 until activated; and (2) a puncture element 230 that is movable when the volatile composition dispenser 1 is activated, or has at least a movable portion thereof, to puncture the burstable seal 220 and release at least a portion of the liquid volatile composition from the volatile composition container 210 onto the ventilated membrane 240 for evaporation.

[0023] On the one hand, the ventilated membrane 240 defines the evaporation surface area (E). On the other hand, the second wall 120 is characterized by a total ventilated area (T), which is calculated as the sum of the areas of all evaporation vents 122, as well as any central / peripheral openings or gaps on the second wall 120 that can allow air to flow. The total ventilated area (T) is preferably 5% to 85% of the evaporation surface area (E). Specifically, but optionally, the total ventilated area (T) is in the range of approximately 10% to 70%, or approximately 15% to 60%, or approximately 20% to 50% of the evaporation surface area (E). Alternatively, the total ventilated area (T) may be in the range of 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or even 65% of the evaporation surface area (E), to approximately 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, or even 90%. A higher T / E ratio percentage results in better utilization of the evaporation surface area, which allows for higher evaporation, which may be required under certain conditions.

[0024] An exemplary volatile composition dispenser 1 further comprises a fragrance intensity controller 130 mounted on the housing 100 (and specifically the second wall 120) to adjustably cover at least some or some of the plurality of evaporation vents 122 on the second wall 120. Specifically, but optionally, the fragrance intensity controller 130 comprises a rotatable body 132 that fits onto a track 124 on the second wall 120 (not shown in Figure 4, but shown in Figure 9A), the rotatable body 132 comprising a plurality of slots or openings that coincide with the evaporation vents 122 on the second wall 120. The fragrance intensity controller 130 further comprises a protruding fragrance intensity dial 134 that the consumer can move to rotate the body 132 to open and close (or partially open and close) the evaporation vents 122 on the second wall 120.

[0025] Specifically, the evaporation vents 122, which can be adjusted to open and close (or partially opened and closed) by the fragrance intensity controller 130, define an adjustable ventilation area (A) and allow air to flow, while any other central / peripheral openings or gaps on the second wall 120 that cannot be adjusted to open and close by the fragrance intensity controller 130 define an unadjustable ventilation area (U). In this invention, it is important and decisive that the unadjustable ventilation area (U) is 15% or less of the total ventilation area (T). Preferably, the unadjustable ventilation area (U) is 0% to 12%, or 0% to 10%, or 0% to 5%, or 0% to 3% of the total ventilation area (T).

[0026] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of various components of a cartridge 2 for a volatile composition dispenser according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The volatile composition container 6 defines a container (not shown) for at least one liquid volatile composition, and a burstable substrate 80 is sealably attached to the container and covers the container to prevent the release of at least one liquid volatile composition until the volatile composition dispenser is activated. By activating a bursting element 81 positioned adjacent to the burstable substrate 80, the burstable substrate 80 can burst and release at least one volatile composition. The bursting element 81 comprises a movable member 82 movably attached to an outer frame 83 by an elastic member 84. The elastic member 84 may be formed from one or more springs 85. One or more bursting members 86 are positioned within the bursting element 81 to perforate the burstable substrate 80. The bursting members 86 may be pins, needles, teeth, projections, etc. A vent membrane 9 may be sealably attached to a flange 87 located on the outer circumference of the container 6. The ventilated membrane 9 surrounds the container 6, which includes a container (not shown) of at least one liquid volatile composition, a burstable substrate 80, and a bursting element 81. The ventilated membrane 9 may be configured to bend when pressure or an actuation force is applied to it, for example, by an actuator (not shown) configured to move a bursting member 86 toward the burstable substrate 80, thereby perforating the substrate 80 and releasing at least a portion of the liquid volatile composition from the volatile composition container 6 into the ventilated membrane 9 for evaporation into the surrounding environment.

[0027] Figures 6A to 6C are rear views of the volatile composition dispenser 1 of Figures 3A, 3B, and 4, showing a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention in which the fragrance intensity controller 130 moves between three different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser 1. Specifically, Figure 6A shows the fragrance intensity controller 130 positioned at the highest fragrance intensity setting, with the protruding fragrance intensity dial 134 moved to the left and the slot or opening on the rotatable body 132 perfectly aligned with the evaporation vent 122 on the second wall 120. In this setting, air can flow freely through the evaporation vent 122, releasing the liquid volatile composition from the volatile composition dispenser 1 into the surrounding environment. Figure 6B shows the fragrance intensity controller 130 positioned at the medium fragrance intensity setting, with the protruding fragrance intensity dial 134 moved to the center. A slot or opening on the rotatable body 132 is only partially aligned with the evaporation vent 122 on the second wall 120, while the evaporation vent is partially blocked by the non-opening portion of the second wall 120 (indicated by cross-hatching). In this configuration, the airflow through the evaporation vent 122 is partially restricted, and only a limited amount of liquid volatile composition can be released from the volatile composition dispenser 1 into the ambient environment. Figure 6C shows the fragrance intensity controller 130 positioned at the lowest fragrance intensity setting, with the protruding fragrance intensity dial 134 moved to the right. In this case, the slot or opening on the rotatable body 132 is completely offset from the evaporation vent (no longer shown) on the second wall 120, i.e., the evaporation vent is completely blocked by the non-opening portion of the second wall 120 (indicated by cross-hatching). In this configuration, the airflow through the evaporation vent 122 is completely blocked, and little to no liquid volatile composition can be released from the volatile composition dispenser 1 into the ambient environment through such an evaporation vent 122.

[0028] Optionally, the volatile composition dispenser 1 of the present invention is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the fragrance intensity controller 130 at different fragrance intensity positions. Such a locking mechanism fixes the fragrance intensity controller 130 at a desired or specifically selected fragrance intensity position, and functions to prevent unintended movement or switching to different fragrance intensity positions, particularly due to gravity (for example, when the volatile composition dispenser 1 is rotated so that the fragrance intensity dial 134 is no longer at the top but is on either the left or right side, or when the volatile composition dispenser 1 is used to deliver fragrance to an interior space that is subjected to significant movement or vibration, such as a vehicle).

[0029] For example, the fragrance intensity controller 130 may have one or more protruding nodes 136 (see Figures 4 and 6A-6C showing three such protruding nodes), each of which can slide and fit into a plurality of adjacent recesses 126a / b / c located inside the track 124 on the second wall 120 (see Figure 9A) (see Figures 6A-6C and 9A showing three sets of recesses, each set containing three adjacent recesses, with each set corresponding to one protruding node). Each of the plurality of adjacent recesses 126a / b / c defines a specific fragrance intensity position that correlates with a specific fragrance intensity setting (e.g., low, medium, or high) of a particular protruding node 136. Specifically, when the plurality of protruding nodes 136 are fitted into the left recess 126a (as shown in Figure 6A), the fragrance intensity controller 130 is locked into a high fragrance intensity position that correlates with a high fragrance intensity setting. When multiple protruding nodes 136 move to the right (as shown in Figure 6B) and engage with the intermediate recess 126b, the fragrance intensity controller 130 is locked into a medium fragrance intensity position that correlates with the medium fragrance intensity setting. When multiple protruding nodes 136 move further to the right (as shown in Figure 6C) and engage with the right recess 126c, the fragrance intensity controller 130 is locked into a low fragrance intensity position that correlates with the low fragrance intensity setting.

[0030] Optionally, the volatile composition dispenser 1 of Figures 3A, 3B, and 4 further comprises a mounting clip 140, which functions both as a fixing mechanism for releasably mounting the volatile composition dispenser 1 to a vent (e.g., in a car, home, or office AC unit) and as an actuator for operating the volatile composition dispenser 1 by applying pressure or acting force through the flexible vent membrane 240 to move the bursting element 230 or a portion thereof, thereby puncturing the bursting seal 220 and releasing at least a portion of the liquid volatile composition from the volatile composition container 210 onto the vent membrane 240 to evaporate into the surrounding space.

[0031] Figures 7A and 7B are side views of the volatile composition dispenser 1 of Figures 3A and 3B in a non-operating and operating state, according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the volatile composition dispenser 1 is operated by the pivoting motion of a mounting clip 140 having a cam 142 with a cam surface 144 configured to move a bursting element (or part thereof) of a cartridge (not shown) housed inside a housing 100. In Figure 7A, the volatile composition dispenser 1 is in a non-operating state, with the mounting clip 140 extending vertically downward and its cam surface 144 extending away from the housing 100. In Figure 7B, the volatile composition dispenser 1 is in an operating state, with the mounting clip 140 extending horizontally and its cam surface pushed in to the rear side of the housing 100.

[0032] The mounting clip 140 may be a bifurcated clip similar to the clip disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,0143,766. Preferably, the mounting clip 140 is a four-pronged clip having four projections defining two perpendicularly intersecting gaps for releasably mounting the volatile composition dispenser 1 to a vent along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Such a four-pronged clip adds orientation versatility to the volatile composition dispenser of the present invention, allowing, for example, consumers to use it with either a horizontal or vertical vent, or, if the direction of the vent is fixed, to position the fragrance intensity dial 134 at the top or to the left / right. When such a four-pronged mounting clip is used to support orientation versatility, it is more preferable that the housing 100 of the volatile composition dispenser 1 has rotational symmetry, for example, having a square shape with 90° rotational symmetry (as shown in Figures 3A-3B), or a circular shape with 360° rotational symmetry.

[0033] Figure 8A is a perspective view of a mounting clip 1140 according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, which has four projections 1142, 1144, 1146, and 1148 defining two vertically intersecting gaps of substantially the same width. Specifically, the four projections 1142, 1144, 1146, and 1148 may be characterized by lengths of 10 mm to 40 mm, or 12 mm to 30 mm, or 14 mm to 25 mm, or 16 mm to 20 mm. The two vertically intersecting gaps formed by these four projections have corresponding widths W1 and W2 (measured at the widest part of such gaps), both widths ranging from 0.5 mm to 8 mm, or 2 mm to 6 mm, or 3 mm to 5 mm. Furthermore, each of these two perpendicularly intersecting gaps is preferably characterized by varying widths in different divisions along the lengths of the four projections 1142, 1144, 1146, and 1148 to accommodate air vents of various sizes (for example, the narrowest division of such a gap is characterized by a minimum width of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm, or 1 to 2 mm).

[0034] Figure 8B is a perspective view of a mounting clip 2140 according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, which has four projections 2142, 2144, 2146, and 2148 defining two perpendicularly intersecting gaps of different widths. The four projections 2142, 2144, 2146, and 2148 may be characterized by the same lengths as described above for 1142, 1144, 1146, and 1148. The two perpendicularly intersecting gaps formed by these four projections have corresponding widths W3 and W4 (measured at the widest part of such gaps). W3 is substantially the same as W1 and W2 described above, but W4 is significantly wider and may range from 1 mm to 10 mm, or 2 mm to 8 mm, or 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0035] To improve the intensity control function of the volatile composition dispenser of the present invention, it is important to reduce the area of ​​any unadjustable central opening and other gaps / openings that can allow unadjustable airflow through the volatile composition dispenser at the lowest fragrance intensity setting. Accordingly, in the present invention, one or more evaporation control elements can be used to block one or more unadjustable openings on the second wall of the housing, preventing fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing through the unadjustable openings. As a result, the unadjustable ventilation area (U) can be effectively reduced to, for example, 15% or less of the total ventilation area (T) of the dispenser, optionally 0% to about 12%, or 0% to about 10%, or 0% to about 5%, or 0% to about 3%.

[0036] Figure 9A is a perspective view of the outer surface of a second wall of a volatile composition dispenser with an evaporation control element according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the second wall 120 (same as the wall in Figures 3B and 4) has an inner surface 120A (closer to the cartridge 200 as shown in Figure 4) and an outer surface 120B (closer to the fragrance intensity controller 130 as shown in Figure 4). The outer surface 120B of the second wall 120 is provided with an evaporation control element 310 (see cross-hatching) near a central semi-closed section 125, therein to block a central opening that is not adjustable.

[0037] Figure 9B is a perspective view showing another evaporation control element for a volatile composition dispenser according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the mounting clip 140 (same as the clip in Figure 4) is provided with an additional evaporation control element 312 (see cross-hatching) behind its cam surface 144, which fits snugly into a central semi-closed portion 125 on the outer surface of the second wall 120, where it is configured to close any additional non-adjustable central opening.

[0038] Figure 10 is a graph comparing the fragrance weight loss of a volatile composition dispenser equipped with evaporation control elements 310 and 312 shown in Figures 9A and 9B, at low and high fragrance intensity settings. Specifically, such a volatile composition dispenser is characterized by an unadjustable air permeability area (U) which is approximately 2.3% of the total air permeability area (T) of the dispenser. The fragrance weight loss at the low fragrance intensity setting (measured by Test 1 below) is approximately 58% of the loss at the high fragrance intensity setting. The reduction in fragrance weight loss at the low intensity setting (compared to the loss at the high intensity setting) is very significant and provides a consumer-perceptible distinction in fragrance intensity between the low and high fragrance intensity settings, thereby enabling true fragrance intensity control by the consumer.

[0039] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the rear wall of a volatile composition dispenser, comprising yet another evaporation control element according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the inner surface 120A of the second wall 120 (i.e., the surface closer to the cartridge 200 and further away from the fragrance intensity controller 130, as shown in Figure 4) comprises an evaporation control element 320 (see cross-hatching), which is a central plate for blocking any unadjustable central opening of the second wall 120. Specifically, a volatile composition dispenser using such an evaporation control element 320 is characterized by an unadjustable ventilation area (U) which is about 0% of the total ventilation area (T) of the dispenser.

[0040] Figure 12 is a graph comparing the fragrance weight loss of a volatile composition dispenser equipped with the evaporation control element 320 shown in Figure 11, under low and high fragrance intensity settings. The fragrance weight loss at the low fragrance intensity setting (measured by Test 1 below) is approximately 51% of the loss at the high fragrance intensity setting, which is a further reduction compared to Figure 10. Such a reduction in fragrance weight loss at the low intensity setting (compared to the loss at the low intensity setting) leads to further improvement in fragrance intensity control between different settings.

[0041] Test method Test 1: Measurement of fragrance weight loss The fragrance weight loss measured after the operation of a volatile composition dispenser of a sample indicates the amount of fragrance released over time by such a dispenser. This can be used to compare the fragrance intensity delivered by such a dispenser at different fragrance intensity settings and to evaluate the effectiveness of such a dispenser in providing fragrance intensity control.

[0042] In addition to the volatile composition dispenser of the sample, the following items are used to calculate the fragrance weight loss values ​​detailed in Figures 1, 10, and 12. 1. A scale (Ohaus AA210 S / N 11131122540) or equivalent. 2. 2.6 mL of fragrance (When adding the fragrance composition by weight, multiply the measured density by 2.6 mL to obtain the exact filling weight). 3. 3M Scotch Weld applicator TC and glue, #3797-TC or equivalent. 4. A vehicle or enclosed space with controlled temperature and airflow. 5. A room for housing an automobile, equipped with the following measurements, temperature / relative humidity, or equivalent. a) Lab dimensions: 6m (length) x 2.4m (width) x 2.6m (height), or 37m 3 b) Temperature and relative humidity % ·Average temperature: 5℃+0.5℃ • Average % relative humidity: 40% + 0.5%

[0043] The procedure for measuring fragrance weight loss is as follows: 1. Fill the sample dispenser with 2.6 mL of fragrance to provide a sealed cartridge that has not yet been activated. For example, the cartridge may be punctured by making a hole through which an 18-gauge needle can be inserted, and after filling the cartridge with fragrance, the insertion hole may be sealed with hot melt adhesive. 2.6 mL of fragrance corresponds to 2470 mg of standard fragrance. The volume of fragrance may need to be adjusted based on the density of the desired fragrance composition. 2. Measure the weight of the sample dispenser and record it with three significant figures. 3. Set the fragrance intensity controller to the appropriate setting. 4. Activate the cartridge to moisten the ventilation membrane. In embodiments A and B of the present invention, such activation is achieved by rotating the mounting clip upward to a horizontal position. Other activation means may be used in various comparative examples. 5. Place the sample dispenser over the air conditioning system vent of the vehicle for 30 minutes. 6. Turn on the air conditioning system with a temperature setting of 21°C and maximum fan speed for 20 minutes. This will deliver air to the sample dispenser at 4 m / s and 32°C. 7. Turn off the air conditioning system. 8. Measure the weight of the sample dispenser and record it with three significant figures. 9. Determine the weight loss of the fragrance by subtracting the final dispenser weight from the initial dispenser weight.

[0044] Test 2: Ventilation Area Generally, the non-adjustable ventilation area is determined by summing all ventilation areas when the fragrance intensity controller is set to the minimum opening configuration, and the adjustable ventilation area is determined by summing all ventilation areas when the fragrance intensity controller is set to the maximum opening configuration.

[0045] For dispenser (A) of the present invention, dispenser (B) of the present invention, and comparative dispenser (1), the non-adjustable ventilation area and the adjustable ventilation area are determined from 3D CAD digital drawings.

[0046] For comparative dispensers (2) and (3), the non-adjustable and adjustable ventilation areas are determined by manual measurements in the actual device.

[0047] For comparative dispensers (4) and (5), the non-adjustable and adjustable ventilation areas are determined by manual measurements of the apparatus drawings shown in the patent document. [Examples]

[0048] The following are several examples and comparative examples of the present invention of a volatile composition dispenser that provides the benefit of controlling fragrance intensity. The dispenser (A) of the present invention is equipped with an evaporation control element 320 as shown in Figure 11. The dispenser (B) of the present invention comprises evaporation control elements 310 and 312 as shown in Figures 9A and 9B. • Comparative dispenser (1) - A prior art dispenser as shown in Figure 19 of U.S. Patent No. 10143766. • Comparative dispenser (2) - A prior art dispenser as shown in Figure 14 of European Patent No. 3682910. • Comparative dispenser (3) - A prior art dispenser, such as one disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 9,439,993. • Comparative dispenser (4) - A prior art dispenser, such as one disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 9,192,690. • Comparative dispenser (5) - A conventional dispenser such as the one disclosed by Chinese Patent No. 216424031.

[0049] The unadjustable ventilation area (U), adjustable ventilation area (A), and total ventilation area (T) of each of the above-described embodiments and comparative examples of the present invention are measured according to Test 2. The corresponding percentage ratio of U / T(%) for each exemplary device is calculated as follows:

[0050] [Table 1]

[0051] The fragrance weight loss for each of the Examples (A) and (B) of the present invention, as well as Comparative Example (1) (which has the lowest U / T% among all comparative examples), was measured according to Test 1, and the results are shown in Figures 1, 10, and 12.

[0052] Fragrance weight loss data reveals that even when the area percentage of uncontrollable gaps or openings is small (e.g., 20% or less), an unbalanced amount of air can flow, eliminating the distinction between fragrance intensities (the difference in fragrance weight loss between low and high settings is only 5%). Therefore, it is important that the U / T% is reliably 15% or less, and optionally between 0% and 12%, or between 0% and 10%, or between 0% and 5%, or between 0% and 3%.

[0053] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0054] All documents referenced herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents for which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety unless expressly excluded or particularly limited. No citation of any document shall be deemed prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall it be deemed to teach, suggest or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any one or more other references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall prevail.

[0055] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A volatile composition dispenser, (a) A cartridge comprising a container for at least one liquid volatile composition, and a permeable membrane surrounding the container for evaporating the at least one liquid volatile composition into the atmosphere when the volatile composition dispenser is in operation, wherein the permeable membrane defines the evaporation surface area (E), (b) A housing having opposing first and second walls joined together along their outer circumferences to define an internal compartment in which the cartridge is disposed, wherein a gap exists between the vent membrane of the cartridge and the second wall of the housing, the gap having a width in the range of 1 mm to 25 mm, the second wall having a plurality of evaporation vents that allow fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing, the first wall having no evaporation vents at all, and the second wall being characterized by a total ventilation area (T) in the range of 5% to 85% of the evaporation surface area (E), (c) A volatile composition dispenser comprising: a fragrance intensity controller mounted on the housing to adjustably cover at least some or some of the plurality of evaporation vents on the second wall, wherein any evaporation vents or parts thereof that cannot be adjustedly covered by the fragrance intensity controller define an unadjustable ventilation area (U), the unadjustable ventilation area (U) being 15% or less of the total ventilation area (T).

2. The volatile composition dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fragrance intensity controller is movable between two or more different fragrance intensity positions to adjust the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition dispenser, and the volatile composition dispenser further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the fragrance intensity controller in the different fragrance intensity positions.

3. The volatile composition dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the non-adjustable ventilation area (U) is 0% to 12%, or 0% to 10%, or 0% to 5%, or 0% to 3% of the total ventilation area (T), and optionally the total ventilation area (T) is 10% to 70%, or 12% to 60%, or 15% to 50% of the evaporation surface area (E), and optionally the width of the gap between the ventilation membrane of the cartridge and the second wall of the housing is in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, or 1 mm to 5 mm, or 2 mm to 4 mm.

4. The volatile composition dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a mounting clip connected to the housing for releasably attaching the volatile composition dispenser to a vent.

5. The volatile composition dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the mounting clip comprises four projections defining two perpendicularly intersecting gaps for releasably mounting the volatile composition dispenser to the vent along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and optionally each of the four projections is characterized by a length of 10 mm to 40 mm, or 12 mm to 30 mm, or 14 mm to 25 mm, or 16 mm to 20 mm.

6. The volatile composition dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the two perpendicularly intersecting gaps have substantially the same width, and the width is optionally in the range of 0.5 mm to 8 mm, 2 mm to 6 mm, or 3 mm to 5 mm.

7. The volatile composition dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the two perpendicularly intersecting gaps have different widths, and optionally one of the gaps has a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 8 mm, 2 mm to 6 mm, or 3 mm to 5 mm, and optionally the other of the gaps has a width in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, 2 mm to 8 mm, or 4 mm to 7 mm.

8. A volatile composition dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising one or more evaporation control elements for reducing the unadjustable ventilation area (U) by blocking one or more unadjustable openings on the second wall of the housing and preventing fluid communication between the internal compartment and the outside of the housing through the unadjustable openings.

9. A method for changing the fragrance intensity in an internal space, wherein the method is (i) To provide a volatile composition dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in an internal space, (ii) A method comprising adjusting the intensity of the fragrance released by the volatile composition using the fragrance intensity controller.

Images