Volatile Material Dispenser With Dual Fragrance Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volatile material dispensers are limited by the need to select aroma chemicals that match the specific delivery system, restricting the types of fragrances that can be used and failing to efficiently deliver volatile materials with varying volatility and solubility.
Innovation Solution
A volatile material dispenser that combines a housing with a reservoir and an ultrasonic nebulizer to create nebulized water particles, which impinge on a cartridge containing volatile material, allowing for multiple pathways of fragrance delivery including passive evaporation and nebulized water infusion, independent of the volatility and solubility of the aroma chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional volatile material dispensers use heater-based or spray-based delivery systems, then the volatile material can be delivered to the air, but the types of aroma chemicals are limited by volatility and solubility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fragrance delivery process into two independent pathways: (1) direct evaporation of volatile materials through a semi-permeable membrane, and (2) ultrasonic nebulization of water that carries fragrance molecules. This segmentation allows different types of aroma chemicals to be delivered through different pathways, eliminating the need for all fragrance components to meet strict volatility and solubility requirements of a single delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is designed with multi-functionality to handle both volatile and non-volatile fragrance components. The combination of evaporation pathway (for volatile components) and nebulization pathway (for less volatile components) creates a universal system that can accommodate a broad spectrum of aroma chemicals regardless of their volatility or solubility characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If volatile materials are delivered through evaporation or spray mechanisms, then fragrance can be emitted into the air, but the fragrance composition is constrained by solubility parameters
Solution Approach 1:
Water acts as an intermediary medium in the nebulization pathway. The ultrasonic nebulizer generates fine water droplets that can carry fragrance molecules through the air. This intermediary approach allows fragrance components with varying solubility to be delivered, as the nebulization process can accommodate different solubility parameters compared to traditional spray mechanisms.
3Productivity
If a single delivery mechanism is used for volatile material dispensing, then the device structure can be simplified, but the efficiency of delivering volatile materials with varying volatility and solubility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different fragrance compositions by providing multiple delivery pathways. The evaporation pathway automatically handles volatile components while the nebulization pathway handles less volatile components, creating a dynamic system that optimizes delivery efficiency based on the specific properties of the fragrance materials present.
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
Enables the delivery of a wide range of aroma chemicals through multiple pathways, providing dynamic and long-lasting fragrance experiences while minimizing residue accumulation and allowing for flexible fragrance composition without the need for solvents or surfactants.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic nebulizer in communication with the reservoir and the water within the reservoir, wherein the ultrasonic nebulizer is adapted to volatilize and emit the water as nebulized water particles
Implementation Method 2
nebulized water particles from the ultrasonic nebulizer impinge upon the cartridge and entrain volatile material within the nebulized water particles
Implementation Method 3
The cartridge is adapted for attachment to the frame in a position such that volatile material from the cartridge is delivered to air surrounding the dispenser
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of dispensing a fragrance having at least one aroma chemical includes the step of providing a frame adapted to be attached to a dispenser for dispensing fluids and a cartridge including a volatile material containing a fragrance comprising at least one aroma chemical, wherein the cartridge is adapted for attachment to the frame. The method of dispensing further includes the steps of nebulizing water to create nebulized water particles, directing the nebulized water particles at the cartridge, and entraining volatile material from the cartridge in at least some of the nebulized water particles upon collision with the cartridge to create volatile material- infused water particles.