Patent Grant
11931487
The field of the invention relates to articles formed of pulp base materials, which are configured to provide a modulated release of volatile compositions, and more specifically relates to articles formed of pulp base materials that provide a modulated release of volatile olfactory or fragrance compounds.
Fragrance-releasing devices are well known and commonly used in household and commercial establishments to provide a pleasant environment for people in the immediate space. Further, aroma-driven experiences are well recognized to improve or enhance the general mood of individuals. In some instances, fragrances may trigger memories of experiences associated with the specific scent. Whether it is providing a pleasant environment, affecting a general demeanor, or triggering a nostalgic memory, a steady, long-lasting release of fragrance will ensure consumer and customer satisfaction.
Fragrance-release devices based on passive diffusion are limited in their product-use by a finite supply of the fragrance and its evaporation rate from a surface. In some examples, the fragrance-release device is designed to carry the fragrance liquid within its architecture so that the fragrance supply is finite and determined by the size of the fragrance-release device.
The evaporation rate of fragrance from the fragrance-release device is determined, at least in part, by the composition of the fragrance, where compositions containing more volatile compounds (e.g. “top” notes) will evaporate faster than those with less volatile compounds (e.g. “base” notes). A fragrance composition determines its character. As a result, changing the composition of the fragrance will affect the character. The release rate profile of fragrance is generally strong (more intense) at the beginning of product use, followed by decreasing intensity over time.
For these fragrances, there is a need to modulate the release of fragrance from the fragrance-release device to provide a steady and long-lasting fragrance release without changing the fragrance load and character. Specifically, there is a need to temper the release of fragrance compounds at the initial stage of product use, followed by facilitation of fragrance compound release at a later stage of product use. There is also a need to modulate the type of scent released over time so that the olfactory senses do not become immune to the scent released by the article.
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an article comprises a pulp base material comprising fibers, wherein pores are formed between the fibers, and a volatile composition comprising at least one top note component and at least one base note component. The volatile composition at least partially fills the pores of the pulp base material, wherein a release rate of the at least one top note component is modulated by the pulp base material, and wherein a release rate of the at least one base note component is enhanced by the pulp base material.
In some embodiments, the pulp base material comprises at least one low porosity zone and at least one high porosity zone. The at least one top note component may be added to the at least one low porosity zone, and the at least one base note component may be added to the at least one high porosity zone.
The at least one low porosity zone and the at least one high porosity zone may be formed by use of a mold having different drainage surfaces, by use of a divider within a mold, by application of different pressures to portions of a mold, by application of different pulp concentrations to portions of a mold, and/or by application of different amounts of gas or gas-forming materials to portions of the pulp base material. In some embodiments, the at least one low porosity zone is formed in a first mold and the at least one high porosity zone is formed in a second mold.
The article may comprise at least two pulp base materials joined together.
In some embodiments, the pulp base material comprises at least one surface having complex geometry. The complex geometry may comprise peaks and flatter regions. The peaks may enhance the release rate of the volatile composition and/or provide three-dimensional emission of the volatile composition.
The article may comprise an attachment element. The attachment element may comprise a hole.
The article may comprise a smooth surface for holding the article in an upright position. In some embodiments, a stand is coupled to the article to hold the article in an upright position.
A backing layer may be added to the article. The backing layer may be formed of a conductive material.
In some embodiments, the article may further comprise an opening through the article for placement of a light source.
In certain embodiments, the pulp base material comprises a first porosity and openings in which other materials having at least a second porosity are added to the pulp base material.
A modulating coating may applied to the pulp base material, only applied to the at least one low porosity zone, and/or only applied to the at least one high porosity zone.
In some embodiments, the article is combined with at least one energy source.
The at least one energy source may be a warmer bowl or plate and/or a fan. The article may form at least one blade of the fan.
In some embodiments, the article is positioned around a light source.
In some embodiments, the article is positioned within a support structure.
In the following detailed description, embodiments of the invention are described referring to the following figures:
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an article 10 comprises a base material 12.
A. Base Material
The base material 12 may comprise an internal structure 20 comprising a plurality of pores 22 that are configured to provide locations for the volatile composition 24 to be stored therein and released therefrom, which is described in detail below.
The base material 12 may comprise natural and/or synthetic pulp compositions; pulp compositions combined with other products, including but not limited to paper, cellulose, cellulose acetate, pulp lap, cotton linters, biological plant-derived materials (from living plants), synthesized pulp compositions, and mixed pulps; polymer material; porous material; and/or extrudate.
As known in the art, pulp is primarily a collection of fibers with other components of the source material, wherein the fibers are derived from a natural or synthetic source material, for example, biological plants (natural) or petroleum-based synthesis products (synthetic). Pulp may be produced from various types of woods using any one of several known pulping techniques. The pulp may be from hardwoods, softwoods, or mixtures thereof. The pulp may also be produced from bamboo, sugarcane, and other pulp sources. The pulp may also be made from recycled materials, and comprises recovering waste paper and remaking it into new products.
In certain embodiments, the number and/or size of the plurality of pores 22 (i.e., porosity) within the base material 12 may be controlled by the compactness and/or size of the fibers and/or particles that form the internal structure 20. For example, in certain embodiments of the base material 12 that comprise fibers, voids between the fibers form tiny air passages throughout the internal structure 20. The compactness of the fibers affects the degree in which the base material 12 allows gas or liquid to pass through it. For example, porosity may affect absorbency, uptake, and/or load amount of volatile compositions, or may affect the rate of release of such substances. Porosity and/or absorbency of the base material 12 may be affected by adding other materials, such as additives to the matrix material 12 as it is being formed from a composition, such as pulp or any other composition described above, so that the additives are located within the internal structure 20 of the base material 12 after formation.
The porosity of a base material 12 that comprises pulp may be affected at any stage of the pulp production process. An increased level of fiber refining causes the fibers to bond together more strongly and tightly, making the pulp material denser, thereby reducing the network of air passages and the porosity. The porosity of the base material 12 may also be controlled using other compression methods, which are described in detail below.
The porosity of the base material 12 is measured quantitatively as either the length of time it takes for a quantity of air to pass through a sample, or the rate of the passage of air through a sample, using either a Gurley densometer (in the first case) or a Sheffield porosimeter (in the second case). With the Gurley densometer, the porosity is measured as the number of seconds required for 100 cubic centimeters of air to pass through 1.0 square inch of a given material at a pressure differential of 4.88 inches of water, as described in ISO 5646-5, TAPPI T-460, or TAPPI T-536.
The porosity may affect how completely and how quickly the volatile composition 24 is absorbed into a pulp base material 12, as such absorption may occur primarily by capillary action. For example, a pulp base material 12 with high porosity may have increased absorbency of the volatile composition 24. As an example relating porosity to standard test methods for sheets of paper, the porosity of the pulp base material 12 may range from 0.01 Gurley second-100 Gurley seconds, and all ranges therein. In certain embodiments where there are multiple layers of pulp base material 12, the porosity may range from 0.01 Gurley second-20 Gurley seconds. The volatile composition 24 may be applied to the base material 12 in the form of a film or a coating, or as a treatment integrated into the internal structure 20 of the base material 12. The difference in porosities affects the release rate of the volatile composition 24, as the lower porosity has a lower release rate, whereas the higher porosity has a higher release rate. Having a higher porosity in one portion of the base material 12 (such as inner layer or inner ply) compensates for the fact that the volatile composition 24 has to travel through more layers/plies to reach the outside of the base material 12. It is also noted that the density of the base material 12 affects the internal reservoir of the base material 12 (i.e., the capacity to absorb the volatile composition 24).
In some embodiments, different thicknesses of the base material 12 may have different amounts of compression applied during the manufacturing process such that the resultant base materials 12 may have varying densities, porosities, and absorbencies.
Additional description of base materials, porosity, pulp concentrations, etc. may be found in U.S. Publication No. 2011/0262377, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In certain embodiments, the porosity of the pulp base material 12 may be controlled such that the pulp base material 12 is configured with varying porosity zones 1202. In some embodiments, the porosity zones 1202 may be formed by changing the compactness of the fibers within the pulp base material 12.
For example, the pulp base material 12 may be formed within a mold 1204, as shown in
The pulp base material 12 positioned over the portion of the mold 1204 having a plurality of apertures 1209 in the base surface comprises the low porosity zone 1208. When pressure is uniformly applied to the pulp base material 12, more water is removed from that zone of the pulp base material 12 via the drainage apertures 1209. As a result, the low porosity zone 1208 will have greater fiber compactness (and thus a greater density).
In contrast, the pulp base material 12 positioned over the portion of the mold 1204 with the solid base surface comprises the high porosity zone 1206. When pressure is uniformly applied to the pulp base material 12, less water is removed from that zone of the pulp base material 12 because there is no additional drainage mechanism to assist with water removal. As a result, the high porosity zone 1206 will have less fiber compactness (and thus a lower density).
As best illustrated in
In further embodiments, as best illustrated in
In some embodiments, the pulp base material 12 with a lower concentration of pulp fibers may be added to the high porosity zone 1206, and the pulp base material 12 with a higher concentration of pulp fibers may be added to the low porosity zone 1208. When pressure is uniformly applied to the mold 1204, the high porosity zone 1206 will have less fiber compactness (and thus a lower density) than the low porosity zone 1208. When pressure is applied to compact the mold 1204 to a uniform distance, the low porosity zone 1208 will have greater fiber compactness (and thus a higher density) due to a greater number of fibers per volume, than the high porosity zone 1206.
Alternatively, a pulp base material 12 having a uniform concentration of pulp fibers may be added to both zones 1206, 1208. More pressure may be applied to the low porosity zone 1208, thereby compressing it more to reduce the porosity (i.e., by compacting the fibers more and increasing the density). In contrast, less pressure may be applied to the high porosity zone 1206, thereby compressing it less than the low porosity zone 1208.
As best illustrated in
In other embodiments, as best illustrated in
In further embodiments, the porosity zones 1202 may be formed by introducing varying amounts of a pore-forming agent such as a gas or gas-forming material. The gas or gas-forming material may be introduced into the pulp base material 12 prior to or after introduction into the mold 1204. Examples of gas-forming materials include solids, volatile liquids, chemical reagents, such as calcium carbonate and acid, thermally decomposable materials which will cause evolution of a gas by, for example, decomposition of bicarbonate, or biological agents, such as dextrose and yeast. Different amounts of gas or gas-forming materials may be introduced into each zone 1206, 1208, thereby producing zones with differing porosities, even if the fiber content of each zone is approximately the same. For example, the high porosity zone 1206 may be infused with a larger amount of a gas or gas-forming material, thereby having a greater porosity, while the low porosity zone 1208 may be infused with a lesser amount of a gas or gas-forming material, thereby having a lower porosity.
In further embodiments, zones 1206 and 1208 may be formed in completely separate molds 1204 using any of the above techniques (i.e., fiber compactness, infusion of gas or gas-forming materials, refining, additives, or any other porosity-controlling method described above) to adjust the porosity of zone 1206 relative to the porosity of zone 1208.
Furthermore, as described in
In the embodiments where the divider 1212 is shaped so as to completely eliminate any overlapping pulp base material 12 between the zones 1206, 1208 and/or where the zones 1206, 1208 are formed in different molds, joining mechanisms 1214 between the zones 1206, 1208 may be used to discrete units of the pulp base material 12 into the article 10, as illustrated in
Examples of suitable joining mechanisms 1214 may include but are not limited to any suitable chemical fasteners such as adhesives, coatings, wax, starch, and gums, and/or any suitable mechanical fasteners such as male/female clips, anchors, hook and loop fasteners, pins, screw-type fasteners, impregnation-type fasteners, and magnets. These mechanical fasteneres may, in certain embodiments, be part of the molding process itself and may be made out of pulp.
While the above description of the pulp base material 12 focused on two porosity zones 1206, 1208, the embodiments are by no means so limited. For example, the above techniques and mechanisms may be used to form a pulp base material 12 having any suitable number of zones, including but not limited to three, four, five, six, or more zones. As illustrated in
Furthermore, the zones may have any suitable shape, which includes but is not limited to wedge or pie shapes, rectilinear, elliptical, circular, or any suitable type of simple or complex geometry. Furthermore, while the zones 1206, 1208 have been described as being formed with different porosities, the person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the zones 1206, 1208 may be formed of the same or similar porosities using any of the forming or joining techniques discussed above.
Furthermore, as best illustrated in
In some embodiments, the complex geometry of the exterior-facing surface 1218 may provide additional release rate control. For example, as shown in the attached microphotographs in
The location and concentration of the peaks 1226 also enhances the directionality of the release of the volatile composition 24. For example, the peaks 1226 act as small three-dimensional emitters, thus allowing the volatile composition 24 to emit from the raised surface of the peak 1226 in all directions. In contrast, the flatter regions 1228 tend to emit in more limited directionality because there is less surface area that faces in a range of directions. The range of emitting directionality provided by the peaks 1226 and flatter regions 1228 may be optimized and tied with locations of certain volatile compositions 24 within the pulp base material 12. The surface geometry may be designed to work in conjunction with porosity zones 1202 and/or with a pulp base material 12 having a relatively uniform porosity.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The attachment element 1002 may be formed in or attached to the article 10 after the pulp base material 12 has been molded. The attachment element 1002 may also be connected to or formed as part of the divider 1212 or other structure that is placed into the mold 1204 with the pulp composition so that the attachment element 1002 is at least partially embedded within the pulp base material 12.
In some embodiments, as best illustrated in
In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in
In other embodiments, as best illustrated in
The backing layer 1222 may be applied to the article 10 after the pulp base material 12 has been molded using any suitable chemical fasteners such as adhesives, coatings, wax, starch, gum and/or any suitable mechanical fasteners such as snap-fit design, male/female clips, anchors, hook and loop fasteners, pins, screw-type fasteners, impregnation-type fasteners, roughness or compatibility of the surface to bind pulp fibers, and magnets.
In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in
In further embodiments, as best illustrated in
In further embodiments, one or more openings 1224 may form a receptacle for the insertion of other pulp base materials 12 or other materials or objects. For example, as best illustrated in
In other embodiments, as best illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the capillary structure 1230 may comprise separate tubing extending through each zone 1206, 1208. The tubing may further comprise a series of small apertures 1238 along its length. The capillary structure 1230 may be used to reintroduce a volatile composition 24 into the zones 1206, 1208 once the concentration is depleted. The volatile composition 24 is introduced through the open end 1234 and disperses into the zones 1206, 1208 via the apertures 1238. Each zone 1206, 1208 may receive a different volatile composition 24 and/or the re-fill design allows for the volatile compositions 24 to be replaced with different scents as desired.
In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in
The article 10 may be combined with the energy source 1004 in a variety of manners. A variety of energy sources that are attached and/or placed in close proximity to articles containing volatile compositions are described in U.S. Publication No. 2015/0217016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In some embodiments, the article 10 may be positioned within a warmer bowl or plate 1004, wherein the article 10 is heated through contact with the surface of the warmer bowl 1004. The surface of the warmer bowl or plate 1004 produces heat in a range of approximately 90° F. to 250° F. In further embodiments, a chemical warmer pack 1004 may be attached or positioned adjacent to the article 10.
In these embodiments, the backing layer 1222 may be configured to serve as a contact surface between the article 10 and the warmer bowl 1004. To improve the efficiency of heat transfer between the article 10 and the warmer bowl 1004, the backing layer 1222 may be formed of a conductive material such as tin, copper, aluminum, or other suitable metallic materials.
According to some embodiments, the article 10 may be shaped into a light shade or screen, which is positioned around and/or near an incandescent light bulb. For example, the article 10 may be positioned as a screen for a night light or a shade for small decorative lights. The article 10 may also be configured as a lamp shade or screen for larger bulbs.
The article 10 may also be positioned within the path of and/or coupled to a wind element such as a fan, as shown in
The heat generated by the energy source 1004 heats the volatile composition 24 within the article 10 so as to facilitate its release, and the wind generated by the energy source 1004 creates an air flow over the article 10, which facilitates dispersion of the volatile composition 24.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the first density zone 1241 is approximately 0.6 g/cm3 to 0.9 g/cm3 and the second density zone 1242 is approximately 1.0 g/cm3 to 1.2 g/cm3. In certain embodiments, the first density zone 1241 is approximately 0.7 g/cm3 to 0.75 g/cm3 and the second density zone 1242 is approximately 1.05 g/cm3 to 1.1 g/cm3. As the density of article 10 increases, the maximum amount of fragrance (liquid, such as volatile composition 24) that can be absorbed into article 10 decreases. In some embodiments, after liquid has been absorbed, the first density zone 1241 has a percent fragrance load of approximately 50%-54% and the second density zone 1242 has a percent fragrance load of approximately 42%-46%. In certain embodiments, after liquid has been absorbed, the first density zone 1241 has a percent fragrance load of approximately 51.5%-52.5% and the second density zone 1242 has a percent fragrance load of approximately 43.5%-44.5%.
The article 10 may also include a channel 1250 on the rear side (see
As described above, the density of the article 10 affects the amount of liquid fragrance that can be absorbed. In some embodiments, after the volatile composition 24 (or the combination of volatile composition 24 and the oil soluble dye) is added, the overall articles 10 shown in
The channel 1250 may be designed such that the volume of the channel 1250 approximately corresponds to the maximum liquid capacity of the article 10. In some cases, the volume of the channel 1250 approximately corresponds to the desired amount of liquid to be absorbed by the article 10 during the manufacturing process, while in other embodiments, the volume of the channel 1250 is less than the desired amount of liquid to be absorbed by the article 10 during the manufacturing process based on the assumption that absorption begins immediately when liquid is poured into the channel.
B. Volatile Composition
The volatile composition 24 may include, but is not limited to fragrances, flavor compounds, odor-eliminating compounds, aromatherapy compounds, natural oils, water-based scents, odor neutralizing compounds, and outdoor products (e.g., insect repellent).
As used herein, “volatile substance” refers to any compound, mixture, or suspension of compounds that are odorous, or any compound, mixture, or suspension of compounds that cancel or neutralize odorous compounds, such as any compound or combination of compounds that would produce a positive or negative olfactory sense response in a living being that is capable of responding to olfactory compounds, or that reduces or eliminates such olfactory responses.
A volatile composition as used herein comprises one or more volatile substances, and is generally a composition that has a smell or odor, which may be volatile, which may be transported to the olfactory system of a human or animal, and is generally provided in a sufficiently high concentration so that it will interact with one or more olfactory receptors.
A fragrance may comprise an aroma or odorous compound, mixture or suspension of compounds that is capable of producing an olfactory response in a living being capable of responding to olfactory compounds, and may be referred to herein as odorant, aroma, or fragrance. A fragrance composition may include one or more than one of the fragrance characteristics, including top notes, mid notes or heart, and dry down or base notes. The volatile composition 24 may comprise other diluents or additives, such as solvents or preservatives.
Examples of volatile compositions 24 useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to esters, terpenes, cyclic terpenes, phenolics, which are also referred to as aromatics, amines and alcohols. Further examples include, but are not limited to furaneol 1-hexanol, cis-3-Hexen-1-ol, menthol, acetaldehyde, hexanal, cis-3-hexenal, furfural, fructone, hexyl acetate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, dihydrojasmone, wine lactone, oct-1-en-3-one, 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline, 6-acetyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine, gamma-decalactone, gamma-nonalactone, delta-octalactone, jasmine, massoia lactone, sotolon ethanethiol, grapefruit mercaptan, methanethiol, 2-methyl-2-propanethiol, methylphosphine, dimethylphosphine, methyl formate, nerolin tetrahydrothiophene, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, substituted pyrazines, methyl acetate, methyl butyrate, methyl butanoate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl butanoate, isoamyl acetate, pentyl butyrate, pentyl butanoate, pentyl pentanoate, isoamyl acetate, octyl acetate, myrcene, geraniol, nerol, citral, lemonal, geranial, neral, citronellal, citronellol, linalool, nerolidol, limonene, camphor, terpineol, alpha-ionone, terpineol, thujone, benzaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, ethyl maltol, vanillin, anisole, anethole, estragole, thymoltrimethylamine, putrescine, diaminobutane, cadaverine, pyridine, indole and skatole. Most of these are organic compounds and are readily soluble in organic solvents, such as alcohols or oils. Fragrance includes pure fragrances, such as those including essential oils, and are known to those skilled in the art. Water-based odorous compounds and other odorous compositions are also contemplated by the present invention.
Fragrance oils as olfactory-active compounds or compositions usually comprise many different perfume raw materials. Each perfume raw material used differs from another by several important properties including individual character and volatility. By bearing in mind these different properties, and others, perfume raw materials may be blended to develop a fragrance oil with an overall specific character profile. To date, characters are designed to alter and develop with time as the different perfume raw materials evaporate from the substrate and are detected by the user. For example, perfume raw materials which have a high volatility and low substantivity are commonly used to give an initial burst of characters such as light, fresh, fruity, citrus, green, or delicate floral to the fragrance oil, which are detected soon after application. Such materials are commonly referred to in the field of fragrances as “top notes.” By way of a contrast, the less volatile, and more substantive, perfume raw materials are typically used to give characters such as musk, sweet, balsamic, spicy, woody or heavy floral to the fragrance oil, which may also be detected soon after application, but also last far longer. These materials are commonly referred to as “middle notes” or “base notes.” Highly skilled perfumers are usually employed to carefully blend perfume raw materials so that the resultant fragrance oils have the desired overall fragrance character profile. The desired overall character is dependent both upon the type of composition in which the fragrance oil will finally be used and also the consumer preference for a fragrance.
In addition to the volatility, another important characteristic of a perfume raw material is its olfactory detection level, otherwise known as the odor detection threshold (ODT). If a perfume raw material has a low odor detection threshold, only very low levels are required in the gas phase, or air, for it to be detected by the human, sometimes as low as a few parts per billion. Conversely, if a perfume raw material has a high ODT, larger amounts or higher concentrations in the air of that material are required before it can be smelled by the user. The impact of a material is its function of its gas phase or air concentration and its ODT. Thus, volatile materials, capable of delivering large gas-phase concentrations, which also have low ODTs, are considered to be impactful. To date, when developing a fragrance oil, it has been important to balance the fragrance with both low and high volatility raw materials, as the use of too many high volatility materials may lead to a short lived, overwhelming scent. As such, the levels of high odor impact perfume raw materials within a fragrance oil have traditionally been restricted.
As used herein, the term “fragrance oil” relates to a perfume raw material, or mixture of perfume raw materials, that are used to impart an overall pleasant odor profile to a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition. As used herein, the term “perfume raw material” relates to any chemical compound which is odorous when in an un-entrapped state. For example, in the case of pro-perfumes, the perfume component is considered to be a perfume raw material, and the pro-chemistry anchor is considered to be the entrapment material. In addition, “perfume raw materials” are defined by materials with a ClogP value preferably greater than about 0.1, more preferably greater than about 0.5, even more preferably greater than about 1.0. As used herein the term “ClogP” means the logarithm to base 10 of the octanol/water partition coefficient. This can be readily calculated from a program called “CLOGP,” which is available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems Inc., Irvine Calif., USA. Octanol/water partition coefficients are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,563.
Examples of residual “middle and base note” perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to ethyl methyl phenyl glycidate, ethyl vanillin, heliotropin, indol, methyl anthranilate, vanillin, amyl salicylate, coumarin. Further examples of residual perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to, ambrox, bacdanol, benzyl salicylate, butyl anthranilate, cetalox, ebanol, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, lilial, gamma undecalactone, gamma dodecalactone, gamma decalactone, calone, cymal, dihydro iso jasmonate, iso eugenol, lyral, methyl beta naphthyl ketone, beta naphthol methyl ether, para hydroxylphenyl butanone, 8-cyclohexadecen-1-one, oxocyclohexadecen-2-one/habanolide, florhydral, intreleven aldehyde.
Examples of volatile “top note” perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to anethol, methyl heptine carbonate, ethyl aceto acetate, para cymene, nerol, decyl aldehyde, para cresol, methyl phenyl carbinyl acetate, ionone alpha, ionone beta, undecylenic aldehyde, undecyl aldehyde, 2,6-nonadienal, nonyl aldehyde, octyl aldehyde. Further examples of volatile perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to phenyl acetaldehyde, anisic aldehyde, benzyl acetone, ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, damascenone, damascone alpha, damascone beta, flor acetate, frutene, fructone, herbavert, iso cyclo citral, methyl isobutenyl tetrahydro pyran, isopropyl quinoline, 2,6-nonadien-1-ol, 2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-pyrazine, methyl octine carbonate, tridecene-2-nitrile, allyl amyl glycolate, cyclogalbanate, cyclal C, melonal, gamma nonalactone, c is 1,3-oxathiane-2-methyl-4-propyl.
Other useful residual “middle and base note” perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to eugenol, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, hexyl salicylate, methyl dihydro jasmonate, sandalore, veloutone, undecavertol, exaltolide/cyclopentadecanolide, zingerone, methyl cedrylone, sandela, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl butyrate, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl isobutyrate, triethyl citrate, cashmeran, phenoxy ethyl isobutyrate, iso eugenol acetate, helional, iso E super, ionone gamma methyl, pentalide, galaxolide, phenoxy ethyl propionate.
Other volatile “top note” perfume raw materials include, but are not limited to benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, camphor, carvone, borneol, bomyl acetate, decyl alcohol, eucalyptol, linalool, hexyl acetate, iso-amyl acetate, thymol, carvacrol, limonene, menthol, iso-amyl alcohol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, alpha pinene, alpha terpineol, citronellol, alpha thuj one, benzyl alcohol, beta gamma hexenol, dimethyl benzyl carbinol, phenyl ethyl dimethyl carbinol, adoxal, allyl cyclohexane propionate, beta pinene, citral, citronellyl acetate, citronellal nitrile, dihydro myrcenol, geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, hydroquinone dimethyl ether, hydroxycitronellal, linalyl acetate, phenyl acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenyl propyl alcohol, prenyl acetate, triplal, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox, cis-3-hexenyl acetate.
In certain embodiments, the volatile composition 24 may comprise a fragrance component having a release rate ranging from 0.001 g/day to 2.0 g/day. The formulation of the fragrance may comprise any suitable combination of top, mid, and base note components.
In certain embodiments, the pulp base material 12 may be infused with more than one volatile composition 24 that is paired with a suitable zone 1206, 1208 within the pulp base material 12 to achieve a blended release rate designed to optimize the “top note” and “middle and base note” release rates.
As discussed above, the porosity (which may be controlled by fiber compactness, infusion of gas or gas-forming materials, refining, additives, or any other porosity-controlling method described above) may affect the uptake or load amount of the volatile composition 24, or may affect the rate of release of the volatile composition 24. For example, high porosity zone 1206, which has a lower fiber compactness, will provide an easier release of the volatile composition 24 because there are larger air passages between the fibers. Thus, a volatile composition 24 comprising mostly “middle and base note” components may be incorporated into the high porosity zone 1206 to provide an earlier release of the “middle and base note” components.
In contrast, low porosity zone 1208, which has a higher fiber compactness, will provide a more controlled release of the volatile composition 24 because the network of air passages through the fibers is tighter and more complex. Thus, a volatile composition 24 comprising mostly “top note” components may be incorporated into the low porosity zone 1208 to provide a slower release of the “top note” components.
In other words, the pulp base material 12 may be engineered with a plurality of zones, each zone having a uniquely designed pulp porosity that correlates to the desired release rate of the particular notes within the different volatile compositions 24.
In some embodiments, the design may be to create a simultaneous and sustained release of all notes, which may be optimized by pairing “top notes” with lower porosity zones, “middle notes” with medium porosity zones, and “base notes” with higher porosity zones.
In other embodiments, the design may be to create a staggered release of different scents over time, which may be optimized by reversing the pairing described above. In other words, the pulp base material 12 may include a pairing of “top notes” with higher porosity zones 1202, “middle notes” with medium porosity zones 1202, and “base notes” with lower porosity zones 1202.
The test results described in Example 2 demonstrate that a pulp base material 12 having a density of 0.36 g/mL generates a different release profile of a volatile composition with high and low molecular weight compounds, when compared to a pulp base material 12 having a density of 0.24 g/mL. In the fragrance industry, high molecular weight compounds are categorized as “base note” compounds, and low molecular weight compounds are categorized as “top note” volatile compounds.
Specifically, for samples containing only “base note” compound methyl cedryl ketone (“MCK”) volatile composition 24, the lower density pulp base material samples released approximately 12 times more “base note” MCK than the higher density pulp base material samples.
For samples containing both “top note” compound ethyl acetate volatile composition 24 and “base note” compound methyl cedryl ketone (“MCK”) volatile composition 24, the lower density pulp base material samples and the higher density pulp base material samples released the “base note” MCK at similar rates, while the lower density pulp base material samples released approximately 15 times more “top note” ethyl acetate than the higher density pulp base material samples.
Finally, the lower density pulp base material samples showed a faster release rate for all volatile compositions 24 over the higher density pulp base material samples.
Pulp material (15 g; southern hardwood; Sulfatate-H-J grade; Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC) was added to a blender cup. A solution containing (i) colloidal silica (5 g; Snowtex®-O (silica 20% wt/wt in water); Nissan Chemical America Corporation), (ii) starch (5 g; Maltrin QD® M500 Maltodextrin NF; Grain Processing Corporation), (iii) baking powder (1 g; Clabber Girl Corporation), and (iv) water (221.5 g) was added to the blender cup. The content in the blender cup was blended to form a consistent pulp slurry, followed by removal of 100 g of excess solution. The final pulp slurry was added to a silicone mold, where the shape of the mold is a cylinder with dimensions 1.8 cm diameter, 1.3 cm height (volume: 3.31 cm3). The amount of pulp slurry used to create a varying density pulp cylinder is provided in Table 1.
The amount of release of a top note or base note volatile ingredient from the pulp matrix was evaluated using the standard method ASTM D4526-12 Standard for Determination of Volatiles in Polymers by Static Headspace Gas Chromatography. Headspace GC/MS experiments were carried out on Agilent instruments: headspace model 7697A, GC model 7850A, and MS model 5975C. The top note and base note ingredients selected are common ingredients used in all types of olfactive compositions in the fragrance industry. Ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6; MW 88.1 g/mol) is the top note ingredient that was tested, and methyl cedryl ketone (CAS 32388-5-9; MW 246.4 g/mol) is the base note ingredient that was tested. The base note ingredient represents the high end of the molecular weight spectrum for volatile ingredients, and the top note ingredient represents the low end of the molecular weight spectrum for volatile ingredients.
Samples of a three-dimensional pulp object with a high density (0.36 g/mL) and a three-dimensional pulp object with a low density (0.24 g/mL) pulp base material 12 were analyzed using Epoxy Embedding and Thin Section Imaging. Each sample was vacuum filled with Epofix cold mount epoxy resin distributed by Electron Microscopy Sciences. A thin section of each sample was cut with a saw blade and immersed in Cargill refractive index liquid (R.I.=1.572, which matches the R.I. of Epofix). Transmitted light imaging was then used to capture micrographs of the cross-sections of each sample, as may be seen in
C. Modulating Coating
As used herein, “coating” refers to any composition that may be applied using any suitable method to at least one of an outer surface of the article 10, to some or all surfaces of the pulp base material 12, and/or may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed throughout the internal structure 20 of the base material 12 and/or the article 10. In cases of surface application, the coating may be applied so that the composition may or may not penetrate to at least some degree within the article 10 and/or the base material 12.
Modulating coating 14 may be applied to at least one outer surface 16 of the base material 12 and/or to the article 10, and may be applied before or after loading of the volatile composition 24. In certain embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may penetrate into the internal structure 20 of the base material 12 to a certain level, which may vary depending on the porosity, processing methods, or other characteristics of the base material 12.
The modulating coating 14 is designed to slow the release rate of the volatile composition 24 loaded into the internal structure 20 at higher concentration levels and accelerate the release rate of the volatile composition 24 at lower concentration levels in order to achieve a relatively steady release of volatile composition 24 over time.
To explain the way that the modulating coating 14 works to have this “hold/push” effect over a range of load levels of the volatile composition 24, it is necessary to explain the way in which the release rate of the volatile composition 24 is generated. The volatile composition 24 is loaded or absorbed into the internal structure 20 via the pores 22 until a sufficiently high load level is achieved within the internal structure 20 through various embodiments of loading methods, which are explained in detail below. The volatile composition 24 may be loaded or absorbed into the internal structure 20 before or after the modulating coating 14 is applied.
The initially high load level of the volatile composition 24 within the internal structure 20 creates an internal force that causes the volatile composition 24 to diffuse or evaporate out of the internal structure 20 as quickly as possible to a region of lower concentration. As the load level of the volatile composition 24 decreases over time, the force that causes the diffusion or evaporation diminishes until there is no longer a force remaining (i.e., an equilibrium point is reached where the volatile composition 24 no longer diffuses or evaporates out of the internal structure 20). The equilibrium point is usually higher than 0% concentration, which causes some of the volatile composition 24 to become trapped within the pores 22 of the internal structure 20.
In conventional applications, such as in U.S. Publication No. 2011/0262377, a coating may be applied to form a layer that slows or retards the rapid release of a volatile composition at higher concentration levels. These conventional coatings typically include substances that trap some of the volatile composition within the coating layer, which slows down the rate of release through the coating. However, because the coating only serves as a barrier or “speed bump” to slow down the rate of release of the volatile composition, the release will eventually stop once the concentration of volatile composition within the internal structure reaches equilibrium (i.e., a level where there is no longer a sufficient concentration to drive the volatile composition through the coating layer, thus allowing some of volatile composition to remain trapped within the coating layer and/or within the internal structure).
The modulating coating 14 comprises both a barrier substance 26 and a hygroscopic substance 28. In particular, in most embodiments, the modulating coating 14 comprises substances that do not chemically interact with the volatile composition 24 itself.
In these embodiments, when the modulating coating 14 is applied to the outer surface 16 of the internal structure 20, at the higher concentration levels of the volatile composition 24 within the internal structure 20, the barrier substance 26 forms a barrier or “speed bump” to slow down the rate of release of the volatile composition 24 through the modulating coating 14. At these higher initial concentration levels, as illustrated in the early stage section of
As the concentration level of the volatile composition 24 within the internal structure 20 slowly diminishes, as illustrated in the mid stage section of
One hypothesis to explain the phenomenon observed in the late stage is that because there is a lower volume of the volatile composition 24 exiting the modulating coating 14, the hygroscopic substance 28 begins to attract more water (typically in the form of water vapor) into the modulating coating 14, whereupon the water adsorbs or absorbs to the hygroscopic substance 28 and begins to displace the volatile composition 24 that is trapped by the barrier substance 26 within the modulating coating 14. This hypothesis is illustrated in the late stage section of
As the load level of volatile composition 24 continues to drop to a level that can no longer drive the volatile composition 24 out of the modulating coating 14, the hygroscopic substance 28 continues to pull more and more water into the modulating coating 14. That water continues to displace the trapped volatile composition 24, effectively forcing the displaced volatile composition 24 to be released from the modulating coating 14. For a period of time in the late stage, the rate of release of the volatile composition 24 due to water displacement driven by the hygroscopic substance 28 may approximate the rate of release driven by the higher load level of the volatile composition 24 alone and/or may approximate the aggregate rate of release driven by both the higher load level of the volatile composition 24 and water displacement driven by the hygroscopic substance 28. As a result, where conventional coatings that contain only barrier substances 26 may have stopped releasing volatile compositions once the equilibrium point of the concentration is reached within the internal structure 20, the modulating coating 14 continues to provide a relatively constant release of the volatile composition 24.
An alternate hypothesis to explain the phenomenon observed in the late stage is that the water that is brought into the modulating coating 14 by the hygroscopic substance 28 may act to degrade the barrier substance 26, which would also allow for release of the volatile composition 24 trapped within the modulating coating 14 and within the internal structure 20 of the base material 12.
In any event, the test results demonstrate that the modulating coating 14 generates an improved release profile of the volatile composition 24 over the aromatic life cycle of the article 10, depending on the porosity of the internal structure 20 of the base material 12 and the volatility levels of the volatile composition 24. Eventually, the concentration of the volatile composition 24 within the internal structure 20 and the amount trapped by the barrier substances 26 within the modulating coating 14 will reach such a low point that the amount of volatile composition 24 released on a daily basis by the modulating coating 14 will eventually decline to zero. A series of examples supporting and explaining this process are provided in U.S. Publication No. 2016/0089468, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In certain embodiments, the barrier substance 26 may comprise maltodextrin (e.g. Maltrin). In other embodiments, the barrier substance 26 may include, but is not limited to other dextrins, other film-forming polysaccharides, other carbohydrates (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.), natural unmodified starch, modified starch, any starch appropriate for use in papermaking, as well as combinations of starch types, dextrin types, and combinations of starches and dextrins. In certain embodiments, the barrier substance 26 may include, but not is limited to additives such as insolubilizers, lubricants, dispersants, defoamers, crosslinkers, binders, surfactants, leveling agents, wetting agents, surface additives, rheology modifiers, non-stick agents, and other coating additives.
In certain embodiments, the hygroscopic substance 28 may comprise silica (e.g. silica nanoparticles). In other embodiments, the hygroscopic substance 28 may include, but is not limited to other hygroscopic reagents, activated charcoal, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, molecular sieves, or other suitable water absorbing materials.
The weight ratio of the barrier substance 26 to the hygroscopic substance 28 may range from 99:1 to 1:99, and all ranges therein between. In certain embodiments, weight ratio of the barrier substance 26 to the hygroscopic substance 28 may further range from 25:75 to 75:25. In yet other embodiments, the weight ratio of the barrier substance 26 to the hygroscopic substance 28 may be approximately 50:50.
In certain embodiments, the particle size of the hygroscopic substance 28 is determined in part by the amount of surface area needed to attract enough water to counteract the drop in release rate due to a reduction in the load level of the volatile composition 24. The hygroscopic substance 28 is also configured so that it will attract water vapor, rather than liquid water. As a result, the diameter of the particle size of the hygroscopic substance 28 may range from 0.001 μm-1 μm, and all ranges therein between, and may further range from 1 nm-100 nm, which will attract the appropriate amount of water vapor molecules, as well as provide a more even coating.
In certain embodiments, the hygroscopic substance 28 may have a surface charge range that ensures interaction with the barrier substances 26. For example, in the case of silica, the surface charge ranges from −10 mV to −4000 mV, as measured by Zeta potential, which is a highly anionic point charge. When the silica is mixed with the maltodextrin before coating, the maltodextrin may group around the silica particles, which may further assist with the barrier formation within the modulating coating 14.
In certain embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may provide a more consistent release rate of the volatile compound 24. The consistency (variance) may be measured by the following formula.
Variance(Weight-loss ratio)=First day weight-loss value/Last day weight-loss value
A benefit of the modulating coating 14 is to reduce the variance within a ratio range of 1 to 20 over a life cycle of the article, which in certain embodiments may be 30 days, but could be longer or shorter as needed or desired.
In certain embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may be used in combination with the porosity zones 1202 described above. For example, the modulating coating 14 may be applied to the external surfaces of the pulp base material 12 or may only be applied to the external surfaces of the low porosity zone 1208 to further enhance the regulating effect of the low porosity/high density design of that zone for top note volatile components 24.
An additional benefit of the modulating coating 14 is the structural reinforcement that the modulating coating 14 provides to the pulp base material 12, particularly for the high porosity zones 1206. In some embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may only be applied to the external surfaces of the high porosity zone 1206 to provide additional stability to those high porosity zones 1206, even if the coating may also temper the release rate of base note volatile compositions 24 from the high porosity zones 1206.
D. Additional Treatment of the Base Material and/or Article
The base material 12 may be converted into the article 10, which may occur before or after the modulating coating 14 and/or the volatile composition 24 are applied.
In further embodiments, the article 10 may comprise a three-dimensional structure with varying shapes and sizes including but not limited to a cylindrical disk, cylinder, tree, wreath, globe, orb, pine cone, star, bell, stocking, bag, gift box, snowman, penguin, reindeer, santa claus, heart, angel, basket, flower, butterfly, leaf, face, bird, fish, mammal, reptile, pyramid, cone, snowflake, other polygonal shape, fan blade or a portion thereof. The article 10 may have one or more flat surfaces, concave surfaces, convex surfaces, surfaces that are smooth, and/or surfaces that contain complex geometry (e.g., peaks and valleys), or any other suitable surface configuration.
In certain embodiments, the article 10 may comprise a spiral wound paper. The spiral winding process allows for the paper to be the same or different for each layer formed by winding the paper one complete revolution around the axis of the structural component. For example, the article 10 may comprise a rod shape, formed by winding the pulp base material 12 around a vertical axis, so that a rod having a length longer than its diameter is formed. Each layer formed by the complete revolution of the paper matrix around the axis may be referred to as a ply. For example, a 10 ply rod may have from one to ten different characteristics for each ply of the rod. Characteristics may include but are not limited to absorbance, tensile strength density, pH, porosity, and polarity of the base material 12, and the type of paper or internal structure 20.
The modulating coating 14 may be applied to the pulp base material 12 before or after application of the volatile composition 24.
The modulating coating 14 may be applied to pulp base material 12 after it has been removed from the mold 1204 and/or after it has been formed into the article 10.
For example, the modulating coating 14 may be applied to the pulp base material 12 and/or the article 10 via a dip method where the three-dimensional article 10 is placed within a volume of modulating coating 14 for a specified amount of time, then removed and allowed to dry. The dip method may also be used with two-dimensional versions of the article 10. The add-on level may range from 0.1% to 10% by weight.
In other embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may be applied to the pulp base material 12 and/or the article 10 via an infusion method with the add-on infusion ranging from 1% to 20% by weight, and, in certain embodiments, may further range from 10% to 20% by weight.
In yet other embodiments, the modulating coating 14 may be applied to pulp base material 12 and/or the article 10 via spray treatment.
The volatile composition 24 may be applied to the base material 12 before or after application of the modulating coating 14, as described above. For example, the volatile composition 24 may be applied by placing the base material 12 and/or the article 10 in intimate contact with the volatile composition 24 for a period of time. The volatile composition 24 may be in any physical state, such as liquid, solid, gel, or gas. For convenience, a liquid volatile composition 24 is described, but this is not intended to be limiting. The interaction time may depend on the concentration or type of volatile composition 24 being applied to the base material 12 and/or the article 10, and/or how strong or intense of a volatile composition 24 release is desired, and/or the type of base material 12. The saturation time (interaction time) may range from less than one minute to a several hours, to several days. The base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be pre-treated prior to exposure to the volatile composition 24. For example, the base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be placed in a drying oven to remove any residual moisture. Further method steps comprise pressure treating and/or vacuum treating the base material 12 and/or the article 10. After treatment, the base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be dried, for example by rubbing or patting dry, and/or by other methods known for drying a surface, and/or may be left to air dry. Drying steps may be used before or after other steps described herein.
In some embodiments, a method for applying the volatile composition 24 to the base material 12 and/or to the article 10 comprises combining the volatile composition 24 and the base material 12 and/or the article 10 in a container and applying a pressure above atmospheric pressure on the volatile composition 24 and base material 12 and/or the article 10. Pressure may be applied in a range from about 1 psi to about 40 psi, from about 5 psi to about 30 psi, or from about 10 psi to about 20 psi, at about 5 psi, at about 10 psi, at about 15 psi, at about 20 psi, at about 25 psi, at about 30 psi, at about 35 psi, at about 40 psi, and/or at pressures therein between. The pressure may be applied for a period of time from about 1 minute to about 10 hours, for about 30 minutes, for about 1 hour, for about 2 hours, for about 3 hours, for about 4 hours, for about 5 hours for about 6 hours, for about 7 hours, for about 8 hours, for about 9 hours, for about 10 hours, or longer if needed to apply sufficient amounts of the volatile composition 24 to the base material 12 and/or the article 10 to achieve a desired load of the volatile composition 24 to the base material 12 and/or the article 10 or release of the volatile composition 24 from the base material 12 and/or the article 10. Appropriate pressures and times for a particular embodiment can be determined by one skilled in the art based on the identities and characteristics of the particular volatile composition 24 and base material 12 and/or article 10.
In certain embodiments, a method for applying the volatile composition 24 comprises combining the volatile composition 24 and base material 12 and/or the article 10 in a container and applying a vacuum below atmospheric pressure to the volatile composition 24 and the base material 12 and/or the article 10. Vacuum may be applied in a range from 0.001 mm Hg to about 700 mm Hg, or from about 5 Kpa to about 35 kPa, from about 10 Kpa to about 25 kPa, from about 20 Kpa to about 30 kPa, from about 15 Kpa to about 25 kPa, from about 25 Kpa to about 30 kPa, at about 5 kPa, at about 6 kPa, at about 7 kPa, at about 8 kPa, at about 9 kPa, at about 10 kPa, at about 15 kPa, at about 16 kPa, at about 17 kPa, at about 18 kPa, at about 19 kPa, at about 20 kPa, at about 22 kPa, at about 24 kPa, at about 26 kPa, at about 28 kPa, at about 30 kPa, and vacuums therein between. The vacuum may be applied for a period of time from about 1 minute to about 10 hours, for about 30 minutes, for about 1 hour, for about 2 hours, for about 3 hours, for about 4 hours, for about 5 hours for about 6 hours, for about 7 hours, for about 8 hours, for about 9 hours, for about 10 hours, or longer if needed to apply sufficient amounts of the volatile composition 24 to the base material 12 and/or the article 10 to achieve a desired load of the volatile composition 24 to the base material 12 and/or the article 10 or release of the volatile composition 24 from the base material 12 and/or the article 10.
In yet other embodiments, the method may comprise pressure and vacuum steps. The volatile composition 24 and the base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be combined and undergo vacuum treatment and pressure treatment, in no particular order. For example, the volatile composition 24 and the base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be combined in a container in an air-tight apparatus and a vacuum of 20 mm Hg to 80 mm Hg may be applied for about 1 minute to 10 hours. Pressure treatment of 1 psi to 40 psi may be applied for about 1 minute to about 10 hours and the time and amount of vacuum or pressure treatment may vary and depend upon the amount of volatile composition 24 to be loaded in the base material 12 and/or the article 10, the type of base material 12 used, the intended use of the article 10, and other characteristics of the article 10.
In certain embodiments, the base material 12 and/or the article 10 may be pre-treated with colorants, followed by treatment with the modulating coating 14. Colorants may include natural and synthetic dyes, water-resistant dyes, oil-resistant dyes, oil soluble dyes, and combinations of water- and oil-resistant dyes. Colorants may be selected based on the composition of the base material 12, and is well within the skill of those in the art. Suitable water-resistant colorants include oil soluble colorants and wax soluble colorants. Examples of oil soluble colorants include Pylakrome Dark Green and Pylakrome Red (Pylam Products Company, Tempe Ariz.). Suitable oil-resistant colorants include water soluble colorants. Examples of water soluble colorants include FD&C Blue No. 1 and Carmine (Sensient, St. Louis, Mo.). A Lake type dye may also be used. Examples of Lake dyes are Cartasol Blue KRL-NA LIQ and Cartasol Yellow KGL LIQ (Clariant Corporation, Charlotte, N.C.). Pigments may also be used in coloring the base material 12 and may be added during or after the manufacture of the base material 12. Such coloring or dying methods are known to those skilled in the art, and any suitable dyes, pigments, or colorants are contemplated by the present invention. Colorants may be used to affect the overall surface charge of the silica or other hygroscopic substance 28 to enhance the interaction with the coating.
In certain embodiments, ink or paint may be applied to the surface of the article 10 to provide complex designs, such as those shown in
E. Solvent-Free Fragrance Dispenser
According to certain embodiments, the article 10 is formed of all-natural, biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and sustainably sourced materials, such as wood pulp. These materials are combined with all-natural biodegradable, recyclable, compostable performance boosters, such as silica, starch, and baking soda. The product is then treated with fragrance, such as 100% pure fragrance in the form of all-natural essential oils and/or other responsibly selected and harvested fragrance materials.
Specifically, the article 10 does not include a chemical solvent. Chemical solvents minimize the amount of fragrance that can be used (by as much as 85%) and compromise duration. Furthermore, chemical solvents have a chemical overtone that is difficult to entirely overcome with perfume. Use of chemical solvents means that it is impossible to completely eliminate carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers, asthmagens, phthalates and persistent bio-accumulative toxins, which lead to a compromised health and wellness profile.
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/169,185 (“the '185 application”), filed Feb. 5, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/338,045 (“the '045 application”), filed Mar. 29, 2019, which is a National Stage Entry Under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/054245 (“the '245 application”), filed Sep. 29, 2017, which is related to and claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/402,906 (“the '906 application”), filed on Sep. 30, 2016, entitled ARTICLES FORMED OF PULP BASE MATERIALS WITH MODULATED SCENT RELEASE. The '185, '045, '245 and '906 applications are hereby incorporated in their entireties by this reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230158195 A1 | May 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62402906 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17169185 | Feb 2021 | US |
| Child | 17821684 | US | |
| Parent | 16338045 | US | |
| Child | 17169185 | US |
