Microporous Membrane Volatile Delivery for Consistent Fragrance Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volatile material delivery systems suffer from de-lamination, leakage, inconsistent release, and limited diffusion of low vapor pressure materials, leading to unsatisfactory fragrance longevity and control.
Innovation Solution
A non-energized apparatus with a delivery engine comprising a reservoir, rupturable substrate, rupture element, and breathable membrane, which allows for a continuous and controlled release of volatile materials by rupturing the substrate to deliver them through a microporous membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier layer is bonded to the outer wall of the reservoir, then the volatile material can be contained, but the membrane is susceptible to de-lamination and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the barrier layer from the system entirely, replacing it with a microporous membrane that provides containment through its porous structure rather than through a separate bonding layer. This eliminates the de-lamination and leakage issues associated with bonded barrier layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a microporous membrane as the containment structure, which provides both containment and controlled release functionality. The porous structure allows volatile materials to diffuse through while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the need for separate barrier layers.
2Productivity
If volatile materials are in contact with the membrane during storage, then the membrane can be pre-saturated, but volatile materials build up in the membrane resulting in a spike in intensity after barrier layer removal
Solution Approach 1:
The microporous membrane is pre-saturated with volatile materials during manufacturing, but the controlled porous structure ensures that materials are released gradually and consistently rather than spiking immediately. The preliminary saturation is achieved without creating a spike in release intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microporous membrane structure provides controlled diffusion pathways that prevent volatile material buildup while maintaining continuous, consistent release. The porous structure allows gradual equilibrium between storage and release, eliminating the spike effect.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a polymeric sheet or membrane is used for delivery, then the volatile material can be delivered continuously, but the membrane does not easily allow low vapor pressure volatile materials to diffuse through
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a microporous membrane with specifically controlled pore sizes that facilitate the diffusion of low vapor pressure volatile materials. The porous structure provides numerous diffusion pathways that overcome the limitations of conventional polymeric sheets, enabling continuous delivery of materials with varying vapor pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the membrane by using a microporous structure with controlled pore sizes rather than conventional polymeric sheets. This parameter change enables the membrane to effectively deliver volatile materials across a broad range of vapor pressures while maintaining continuous delivery.
4Productivity
If a microporous sheet is used to absorb released fragrance, then the fragrance can be gradually exuded, but liquid is released all at once limiting the longevity of the scent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a microporous membrane that controls the release of volatile materials through its porous structure. The membrane provides gradual, controlled diffusion rather than rapid absorption followed by slow exusion, thereby extending the duration of action of the volatile materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The microporous membrane structure enables continuous diffusion of volatile materials over an extended period. The controlled porous pathways maintain steady-state diffusion, ensuring continuous and prolonged release rather than the initial burst followed by slow exusion characteristic of liquid absorption 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
The apparatus ensures a consistent and prolonged release of volatile materials with broad molecular weights and vapor pressures, maintaining fragrance intensity over extended periods without energy input.
Implementation Method 1
a breathable membrane enclosing the reservoir, rupturable substrate, and rupture element... facilitating the diffusion of volatile materials from the delivery engine
Implementation Method 2
a breathable membrane enclosing the reservoir, rupturable substrate, and rupture element... has an average pore size of about 0.02 microns
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for delivering a volatile material in a continuous manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a delivery engine having a reservoir for containing a volatile material; a rupturable substrate secured to the reservoir; a rupture element positioned adjacent to the rupturable substrate; and a breathable membrane enclosing the reservoir, rupturable substrate and rupture element.