Sequential Fragrance Emission Refill Using Selective Wick
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-fragrancing devices require multiple refills and/or multiple actuators, increasing their size and cost, and fail to effectively address fragrance adaptation and habituation issues due to constant fragrance intensity perception decay over time.
Innovation Solution
A refill design with a two-phase liquid system, where a water-based fragrance is emitted first, followed by an oil-based fragrance, using a single wick with a sheath to ensure sequential emission, and incorporating an indicator to alert users when the first fragrance is depleted, such as a change in odor or color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple refills and multiple actuators are used to emit different fragrances, then fragrance variety and adaptation prevention are improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fragrance compositions into a single refill container with a two-phase liquid system. The water-based and oil-based fragrances are stored together in one reservoir, eliminating the need for multiple separate refills and actuators. This merging approach maintains fragrance variety while reducing device size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single refill is designed to perform multiple functions by containing and sequentially emitting different fragrance compositions. The two-phase system allows one refill to serve the role of multiple refills, providing both water-based and oil-based fragrance emission capabilities within a single device component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple refills and multiple actuators are used to emit different fragrances, then fragrance variety and adaptation prevention are improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fragrance compositions into a single refill container with a two-phase liquid system. The water-based and oil-based fragrances are stored together in one reservoir, eliminating the need for multiple separate refills and actuators. This merging approach maintains fragrance variety while reducing device size and complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single refill with two-phase liquid system is used, then device size and cost are reduced, but sequential emission control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the wick selectively porous. The wick has different porosity characteristics at different locations or for different phases, allowing it to preferentially absorb and emit one fragrance phase over the other. This selective porosity enables automatic sequential emission based on which phase reaches the wick first, controlling the emission sequence without complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-phase liquid system and selectively porous wick work together to automatically control sequential emission without external intervention. The system self-regulates which fragrance is emitted based on the physical properties of the phases and the wick's selective absorption characteristics, eliminating the need for complex control 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 design enhances fragrance noticeability by alternating fragrances, reducing habituation and indicating refill depletion, thus maintaining user engagement and simplifying the dispenser's structure and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a wick in contact with the first and second compositions and extending out of the refill. The first composition is wicked through and emitted from the wick first
Implementation Method 2
a wick in contact with the first and second compositions and extending out of the refill... The first composition is wicked through and emitted from the wick first, and, thereafter, the second composition is wicked through the sheath and emitted from the wick
Implementation Method 3
incorporating an indicator to alert users when the first fragrance is depleted, such as a change in odor or color
Implementation Method 4
Two or more different compositions may be held within the reservoir of the container, as seen in FIG. 1. A first composition 30 and a second composition 32 are layered within the reservoir 26
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A refill comprises. a container having a body forming a reservoir and an opening in communication with the reservoir, a first composition disposed within the reservoir, a second composition disposed within the reservoir and substantially separated from the first composition, a single wick in contact with the first and second compositions and configured to sequentially emit the first and second compositions. A method of emitting the first and second compositions includes the steps of emitting the first composition until the first composition is substantially depleted and emitting the second composition after the first composition is substantially depleted.