Scented Wafer Capillary Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scent-emitting devices, such as candles and candle tarts, pose safety hazards due to open flames and hot liquid spills, necessitating a safer and more efficient method for releasing fragrances when heated.

Innovation Solution

A heat-resistant scented wafer with a capillary structure that impregnates scented wax or liquid, allowing controlled release of fragrances through porosity and temperature, using flame-retardant or non-melting materials to prevent burns and spills, and can be reused by reimpregnating with scented material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If candles are used to emit scents, then fragrance release is achieved, but safety hazards arise from open flames

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidopen flame hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful open flame element from the scent-emitting system while retaining the heating function. The wafer uses a heated surface or hot air circulation to melt and release fragrance without requiring an exposed flame, thereby eliminating the fire hazard while maintaining scent release capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wafer acts as an intermediary medium between the heat source and the fragrance release. It absorbs the heat energy and transfers it to the scented material in a controlled manner, mediating the energy transfer to avoid direct flame contact and associated hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If candle tarts are heated to emit fragrance, then scent release is achieved, but hot liquid spills can cause burns and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidhot liquid spill

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wafer is designed as a solid matrix or thin film structure that contains the scented material. This solid or semi-solid form prevents the material from pooling and spilling like liquid candle tarts, while still allowing controlled evaporation of fragrance molecules when heated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The wafer combines heat-resistant structural materials with scented materials in a composite form. This composite structure provides both mechanical stability to prevent spilling and controlled release properties for fragrance emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Area of stationary object

If finer fibers are used in the wafer body, then surface area for scent pickup is increased, but release rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidrelease rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The wafer employs a blend of fiber sizes with different local properties. Finer fibers provide high surface area zones for fragrance absorption, while coarser fibers create open channels for vapor transport. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both surface area and release rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If larger fibers are used in the wafer body, then release rate is increased, but surface area for scent pickup is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease rateVSAvoidsurface area

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 scented wafer provides a safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient scent release with reduced wax and fragrance usage, offering flexible release rates and surface areas, and can be used with various heat sources without the risks of open flames or melted wax spills.

Implementation Method 1

a heat resistant body formed of any suitable material that is constructed for holding, flow, capillary effect and release of fragrant scents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary effect: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The body of the wafer is impregnated in any suitable manner with a suitable or desired scented wax or other liquid scent that will melt or vaporize when exposed to heat to emit the scent in the surrounding area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10245343B2Scented wafer

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 AMERICAN FELT & FILTER

AI summary

A scented wafer having a body formed of a heat resistant fibrous material having a predetermined porosity resulting from a selected denier and length of fibers. A scented material is impregnated into the body material and is constructed to melt and release a scent when exposed to heat at a predetermined temperature for aromatherapy, insect repellant, wild life attractant, medicinal use, deodorant and odor control, perfume release, or any other desired or suitable purpose. The body material does not melt at the predetermined temperature.