Atomiser system for dispensing a fragrance

Abstract

There is an atomiser for dispensing a fragrance; the atomiser comprises: a) an outer housing; b) an orifice plate and piezoelectric element; c) a liquid reservoir, comprising a liquid to be atomised, the liquid comprising a fragrance composition and a carrier solvent; and d) a liquid transport member; wherein the liquid transport member extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate; and wherein the orifice plate is configured to be activated at a predetermined interval and the orifice plate is further configured to be activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval; and the atomiser is configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes. There is further a method of fragrancing the air.

Description

[0001] Atomiser system for dispensing a fragrance

[0002] Ultrasonic atomisers have long been used to vapourise liquid fragrance compositions to freshen the air. They offer advantages over alternative methods (heated liquid electricals / candles for example) in that they do not require heating to operate. This means they are safer, i.e. no naked flames and they use much less power than heated emanators, so they can be readily run with batteries for extended periods. This gives them flexibility of placement.

[0003] Such devices usually comprise a vibrating plate, a source of power, a reservoir of liquid fragrance and a means to transport the liquid fragrance to the plate for atomisation.

[0004] WO 2017 / 216548 describes an ultrasonic atomiser and a method of fragrancing air utilising the atomiser device.

[0005] The present disclosure is related to the timing and control of the vapourisation of the fragrance to increase fragrance strength and room fill. The change in timing and control allows the consumer to have greater noticeability of the fragrance.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a device according to claim 1.

[0007] The atomiser described comprises an outer housing, an orifice plate and piezoelectric element, a liquid reservoir comprising a liquid to be atomised. The liquid comprises a fragrance composition and a carrier solvent. The atomiser comprises a liquid transport member that extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate, and the orifice plate is configured to be activated at a predetermined interval.

[0008] The liquid transport member may be substantially contained within the liquid reservoir and both the liquid transport member and liquid reservoir are readily detachable together from the atomiser.

[0009] The atomiser may be provided with control circuitry to allow for regular activation of the device over time. Settings may be provided to control length of activation and time between activations. This allows the device to be left in the home or office and provide a constant release of fragrance over many weeks and days. In an example, the device is provided with multiple settings having a predetermined length of activation and time between activations. For example, the device may have high and low settings with the high setting having a more frequent and longer activation timings relative to the low setting.

[0010] The atomiser is provided with a boost function. The boost function allows the user to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval. For example, the user may press a boost button to trigger the liquid to be atomised before the next scheduled activation.

[0011] The atomiser is configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes, for example 12 to 30 minutes, for example 15 to 25 minutes, for example once every 18 to 22 minutes, for example once every 20 minutes.

[0012] The restriction of the frequency of the additional activation of the atomiser prevents a user from repeatedly activating the orifice plate in a short period. This may be an accidental or unwanted activation. For example, a child would not be able to press the boost button too many times in a short period and activate the orifice plate to release the fragrance.

[0013] In an example, the period of time the activation of the boost function is inhibited is dependent upon the formulation to be atomised.

[0014] In a further example, the duration of the spray triggered when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval may be varied. For example, the duration of additional spray may be 1 to 10 seconds, for example 2 to 8 seconds, for example 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 seconds. In an example, the duration of additional spray is dependent on settings selected by the user to control length of activation and time between activations.

[0015] In an example, when the user attempts to activate the boost function in the time when the boost function is inhibited the atomiser will indicate to the user the boost function is inhibited. For example, a light will flash rapidly when the user attempts to activate the boost function in the time when the boost function is inhibited. In other examples, the atomiser may indicate that the boost function is inhibited by an audio or visual display. For example, the atomiser may indicate that the boost function is inhibited using an LED light. The atomiser may also comprise a mechanical feature to indicate that the boost function is inhibited. For example, the boost button my comprise a mechanical feature that inhibits the button being pressed whilst the boost function is inhibited.

[0016] Preferably the atomiser is powered by battery. Preferably the atomiser comprises at least one battery, and more preferably at least two batteries.

[0017] The atomiser may require between 1 and 12 volts to operate, more preferably 3- 4.5 volts.

[0018] The device may have multiple spray settings. For example, a low setting of 4 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 17 min intervals, a moderate setting 5 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 12 min intervals, a medium setting 6 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 10 min intervals and high setting of 8 seconds of activation of the orifice plate at 10 min intervals.

[0019] In an example, the activation of the boost function, i.e. activation of the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval, would not alter predetermined interval between the activation of the orifice plate that is dependent upon the setting selected by the user. In other words, it would not alter the predetermined interval at which the orifice plate is configured to be activated.

[0020] The device may also have a cycle of operation. For example, the device may deliver fragrance for a set period and go on standby and for a set period. For example, the device may deliver fragrance for 8 hours and go on standby for the following 16 hours. In an example, the boost function may be used at any time subject to inhibition of the device described above.

[0021] In the examples described, the atomiser dispenses a fragrance. In other examples, the atomiser may dispense a pest control material or a deodorising fluid.

[0022] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of fragrancing the air, the method comprising: fragrancing the air by activating an orifice plate of an atomiser; wherein the orifice plate is activated at a predetermined interval and the orifice plate is activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval; and the atomiser inhibits the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes.

[0023] In the method, the atomiser may inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 12 to 30 minutes, preferably once every 15 to 25 minutes, more preferably once every 18 to 22 minutes, most preferably once every 20 minutes.

[0024] For example, the orifice plate may be activated for 1 to 10 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval, preferably for 2 to 8 seconds such as 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 seconds.

[0025] In the method, the atomiser may provide an indication to the user when the user attempts to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval in the time period when the atomiser inhibits activation of the orifice plate.

[0026] In an embodiment, the time the orifice plate is activated when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval is dependent upon a predetermined setting of the atomiser.

[0027] In another embodiment, the predetermined setting of the atomiser is selectable by a user.

[0028] For example, the activation of the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval does not alter the predetermined interval at which the orifice plate is configured to be activated.

[0029] Further modifications and developments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

Claims1 . An atomiser for dispensing a fragrance; the atomiser comprising a) an outer housing; b) an orifice plate and piezoelectric element; c) a liquid reservoir, comprising a liquid to be atomised, the liquid comprising a fragrance composition and a carrier solvent; and d) a liquid transport member; wherein:- the liquid transport member extends from within the liquid reservoir to abut the orifice plate; the orifice plate is configured to be activated at a predetermined interval;- the atomiser is provided with a boost function which allows a user to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval; and- the atomiser is configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 10 to 45 minutes.

2. The atomiser according to claim 1 , wherein the atomiser is configured to inhibit the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 12 to 30 minutes, preferably once every 15 to 25 minutes, more preferably once every 18 to 22 minutes, most preferably once every 20 minutes.

3. The atomiser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the orifice plate is configured to be activated for 1 to 10 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval.

4. The atomiser according to claim 3, wherein the orifice plate is configured to be activated for 2 to 8 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval.

5. The atomiser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the atomiser is configured to provide an indication to the user when the user attempts to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval in the time period when the atomiser is configured to inhibit activation of the orifice plate.

6. The atomiser according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the time the orifice plate is configured to be activated when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval is dependent upon a predetermined setting of the atomiser.

7. The atomiser according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined setting of the atomiser is selectable by a user.

8. The atomiser according to any of the preceding claims wherein the activation of the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval does not alter the predetermined interval at which the orifice plate is configured to be activated.

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

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the atomiser inhibits the orifice plate from being activated by a user at a time in addition to the predetermined interval more than once every 12 to 30 minutes, preferably once every 15 to 25 minutes, more preferably once every 18 to 22 minutes, most preferably once every 20 minutes.11 . The method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the orifice plate is activated for 1 to 10 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval, preferably wherein the orifice plate is activated for 2 to 8 seconds when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval.

12. The method according to any of the claims 9 to 11 , wherein the atomiser provides an indication to the user when the user attempts to activate the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval in the time period when the atomiser inhibits activation of the orifice plate.

13. The method according to any of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the time the orifice plate is activated when the user activates the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval is dependent upon a predetermined setting of the atomiser.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined setting of the atomiser is selectable by a user.

15. The method according to any of the claims 9 to 14, wherein the activation of the orifice plate at a time in addition to the predetermined interval does not alter the predetermined interval at which the orifice plate is configured to be activated.