Volatile Diffuser Pods With Resealable Containment Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fragrance diffusion systems lack rapid fragrance ramp-up times and flexibility in changing fragrances, with traditional air fresheners taking time to build fragrance levels and wax-melt systems being messy and limited to electrical outlets.

Innovation Solution

A portable, low-power device with a resealable pod design that allows for efficient airflow to quickly disperse fragrances, enabling quick fragrance changes and using a pod platform with a selectively activatable airflow generator to direct airflow through a containment chamber with openable and closeable inlet and outlet windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional air fresheners are used, then fragrance diffusion is achieved, but fragrance ramp-up time is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance ramp-up timeVSAvoidfragrance delivery consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the fragrance delivery into discrete pods that can be independently replaced. Each pod contains a pre-measured amount of fragrance material that is released all at once when activated, rather than diffusing gradually over time. This segmentation allows for rapid fragrance deployment while maintaining consistency through standardized pod design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fragrance material is pre-loaded into sealed pods before use. The pods are prepared in advance with the fragrance material already impregnated or contained within, so that when activated, the fragrance is immediately available for diffusion without requiring any preparation or ramp-up time. The preliminary sealing and pre-loading actions ensure rapid and consistent fragrance release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If wax-melt systems are used, then fragrance diffusion is achieved, but the system becomes messy and is limited to electrical outlets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and convenienceVSAvoidmessiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses disposable pods that are pre-sealed and contain the fragrance material. These pods are designed to be discarded after use rather than refilled, eliminating the messiness associated with wax-melt systems. The sealed pod design prevents leakage and mess while maintaining portability, as the entire pod unit can be easily replaced without requiring electrical outlets or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The fragrance delivery function is extracted from the messy wax-melt mechanism and into a sealed pod system. The pod acts as a self-contained unit that separates the fragrance material from any potential mess-generating components. This extraction allows the system to maintain fragrance diffusion capability while eliminating messiness and portability limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of substance

If sealed pods are used, then fragrance waste is minimized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance wasteVSAvoidpod sealing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the fragrance delivery into separate, sealed pods that are independent of the main device. This segmentation allows the sealing mechanism to be simplified, as each pod is pre-sealed during manufacturing rather than requiring complex sealing mechanisms in the main device. The pods are designed to be easily inserted and removed, minimizing waste while keeping the overall system simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing action is performed in advance during pod manufacturing rather than during device operation. The pods are pre-sealed to prevent fragrance leakage and waste, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms in the main device. This preliminary sealing action reduces system complexity while effectively preventing fragrance waste during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides rapid fragrance delivery and flexibility in changing fragrances, minimizing waste by allowing pods to be reused and sealed between uses, while maintaining portability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a selectively activatable airflow generator. The airflow generator generates airflow, and the airflow is directed or focused by the platform through the outlet port and upward toward the pod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow generation and direction: Fan

Implementation Method 2

systems for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatile compound release: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3634504B1Volatile diffuser pods and related systems
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 HENKEL CORP
  • EP3634504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3634504B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3634504B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass is provided, including a base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port defined therein. A resealable pod can include a tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, and collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass. The containment chamber has an inlet and an outlet, being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover. The pod is positionable upon the base such that the base outlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber inlet to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator to pass through the base outlet port, the chamber inlet, the containment chamber, and the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.