Diffusion Rod Evaporator Kit With Water-Miscible Fragrance Concentrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporation systems for releasing fragrances or active ingredients into the environment are heavy, bulky, and contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to environmental impact and safety risks due to their reliance on ready-to-use organic solvent mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A kit is provided that allows consumers to create a ready-to-use evaporation system by mixing a water-miscible solvent, active ingredients, and water, reducing the need for organic solvents and minimizing VOCs, using diffusion rods made of plant or animal fibers or plastic, and a container for the composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ready-to-use organic solvent mixtures are used in evaporation systems, then the system is convenient and effective at releasing fragrance, but the weight and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fragrance composition is segmented into two separate components: a concentrate containing the active ingredient and a water-miscible solvent. The consumer mixes these components at home to create the ready-to-use solution, thereby reducing the weight and volume of pre-mixed compositions that would otherwise need to be transported and stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrate is prepared in advance with the active ingredient already formulated, but the final mixing with solvent is deferred until the consumer is ready to use the product. This preliminary preparation of the concentrate allows for compact storage while maintaining the ability to create the full-strength solution when needed.
2Productivity
If ready-to-use organic solvent mixtures are used in evaporation systems, then the system releases fragrance effectively, but the environmental footprint increases during production, transport, and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful organic solvent is extracted from the pre-mixed composition and separated into its own component. Only the essential active ingredient concentrate needs to be transported and stored in large quantities, while the solvent (water or water-miscible) can be obtained locally by the consumer, thereby reducing the environmental impact of transporting heavy organic solvent mixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration of the active ingredient is increased in the concentrate form, allowing for more efficient transport of the essential fragrance components. The final concentration is adjusted by the consumer through mixing, optimizing both transport efficiency and environmental performance.
3Ease of operation
If organic solvents are used in evaporation systems, then the fragrance can be effectively dissolved and released, but the proportion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent system is changed from traditional organic solvents to water or water-miscible solvents. This parameter change maintains the ability to dissolve and release the active ingredient effectively while dramatically reducing VOC emissions, as water-based systems do not contribute to harmful volatile organic compound pollution.
4Productivity
If organic solvents are used in evaporation systems, then the active ingredient can be effectively delivered, but the fire risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flammability hazard of organic solvents is converted into a safety advantage by replacing them with water or water-miscible solvents that are non-flammable or have significantly reduced flammability. This allows the evaporation system to maintain its effectiveness in delivering the active ingredient while eliminating or greatly reducing the fire risk associated with traditional organic solvent-based systems.
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
This approach reduces the weight and volume of the evaporation system by up to 90% and significantly decreases VOC emissions, while allowing for reusable and safer container materials like glass, ceramic, or metal.
Implementation Method 1
The diffusion rods are designed to draw in the organic solvent and the fragrance dissolved in the solvent via capillary action and transport them out of the container along the rod
Implementation Method 2
The organic solvent and fragrance then evaporate from the surface of the diffusion rods, releasing the fragrance (and solvent) into the surrounding environment
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a kit for manufacturing a device for releasing an active ingredient into the environment, comprising or consisting of a) a composition comprising or consisting of a1) a water-miscible solvent, a2) one or more active ingredients and b) at least one diffusion rod comprising or consisting of i) fibers of plant origin and/or ii) fibers of animal origin and/or iii) a plastic.The present invention further relates to a device for releasing an active ingredient into the environment, comprising or comprising: a) a liquid composition comprising or comprising: a1) a water-miscible solvent, a2) one or more active ingredients, and a3) water; b) at least one diffusion rod comprising or comprising: i) fibers of plant origin and/or ii) fibers of animal origin and/or iii) a plastic; and c) a container having at least one opening and comprising the liquid composition. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a device for releasing an active ingredient, such as the use of diffusion rods comprising or comprising: i) fibers of plant origin and/or ii) fibers of animal origin in vaporization systems.The present invention also relates to the use of diffusion rods in devices (1) for releasing an active ingredient.