Patent Application
20130010478
The present invention relates to a decorative luminary for providing an aesthetically pleasing ambiance.
It is known in the art to utilize scented candles for providing a pleasing ambiance. However, scented candles can be messy and can also pose concerns related to the utilization of an open flame. It is further known in the art to utilize decorative luminaries which do not utilize an open flame and include an interchangeable shade that provide the user with choices as to scents and decorative styles. However, known interchangeable shades utilize absorbent base materials and are infused with high levels of fragrance. As such, it is quite difficult to print high quality graphics thereon. The present invention overcomes these limitations.
This and other features, aspects, advantages, and variations of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure with the appended claims and are covered within the scope of the claims.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a decorative luminary. The decorative luminary may comprise a base, a light source, and one or more disposable shades. The shade may be impregnated with a composition wherein from about 50% to about 100% is comprised of a volatile composition wherein the volatile composition includes at least one ingredient which has a Kovat's Index from about 600 to about 1800. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
The disposable shade may be impregnated with a volatile composition comprising perfume ingredients wherein the perfume ingredients are selected from a first group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3; a second group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about 3 to about 9; a third group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3 ; a fourth group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP of about 3 to about 9; or a combination thereof. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
The disposable may include a volatile composition wherein the volatile composition is about 50% or more depleted from the shade within about twenty-four hours after the shade is exposed to air. The disposable shade may be comprised of a material having a fluid holding capacity of about 5 ml/m2 to about 1000 ml/m2 and an average pore size of about 0.1 microns to about 100 microns. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition for a decorative luminary. The composition comprises a volatile composition wherein the volatile composition is provided in an amount capable of adding from about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams of the volatile composition to a disposable shade. Prior to addition to the disposable shade, the volatile composition is contained in an ampoule, a pouch, a dropper bottle, a sachet, a spray, a blow-fill seal container, or a combination thereof. The volatile composition may have a Kovat's Index of about 600 to about 1800. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a decorative luminary, comprises a base and a disposable shade. The shade is associated with the base. The base includes a connecting element and the shade includes a reciprocal connecting element whereby the connecting element of the base contacts the reciprocal connecting element of the shade. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
In another aspect of the invention, a disposable shade is provided wherein the shade is comprised of a material having a thickness of between about 0.008 mm and about 5 mm and wherein the shade includes a volatile composition. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
In an additional aspect of the invention, a method for making a decorative luminary is provided. The method comprises the steps of:
a) providing a base including a light source;
b) providing a disposable shade; and
c) associating the base with the disposable shade such that the base is in communication with the shade. The shade includes an indicia selected from the group consisting of Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated. Except as otherwise noted, all amounts including quantities, percentages, portions, and proportions, are understood to be modified by the word “about”, and amounts are not intended to indicate significant digits.
Except as otherwise noted, the articles “a”, “an”, and “the” mean “one or more”.
As used herein, “comprising” means that other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”. The compositions and methods/processes of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein.
As used herein, “disposable” refers to something which is discarded after a single, couple or a few uses.
As used herein “durable” refers to something which can be used many times. As used herein, “indicia” refers to any desired array that creates an image or a pattern.
As used herein, “opacity” refers to an indication of how much light passes through a material. The higher the opacity, the less is the amount of light that passes through the material. Generally opacity is calculated from reflectance measurements of the material with a black backing and the same material with a white backing wherein:
% Opacity=(Yblack backing/Ywhite backing)×100
wherein Y is the CIE tristimulus value of Y.
As used herein, “volatile materials” refers to a material that is vaporizable.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
The decorative luminary of the present invention may comprise a base, a light, and a shade which encloses the light. The shade also includes indicia. The decorative luminary may also include a volatile composition which can be included separately and/or included with the base, the shade, or a combination thereof. The shade may be included with the base and/or with the light. Alternatively, it may be provided separately as a stand-alone article.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In one non-limiting embodiment the light source is one or more LEDs. The LED can be any number of colors including but not limited to yellow, white, red, green, blue, pink, or a combination thereof. One non-limiting example of an LED suitable for use with the present invention is part No. MV8305 (available from Fairchild Semiconductor of South Portland, Me.).
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light 27 is mounted on mounting 25 present in the base 20 of the decorative luminary 10 as shown in
In yet another non-limiting embodiment, an absorbent and/or porous shade 20 could be impregnated with phenyl oxalate ester with a fluorescent dye. A rupturable pouch containing hydrogen peroxide could be included with the shade 20. A user would then rupture the pouch thereby allowing the hydrogen peroxide contact the phenyl oxalate ester/dye. Contact of the hydrogen peroxide contained in the pouch with the phenyl oxalate ester/dye impregnated in the shade 20 would provide light via the chemiluminescent reaction between the two materials.
If desired, the light source may provide a light that is varying in intensity. The light source may be associated with a power source (non-limiting examples of which include batteries and/or an AC power source), a microcontroller, a switch, and one or more LEDs. One non-limiting example of a microcontroller suitable for use with the present invention is Part. No. MSP430F122, available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. The light intensity may be varied by the microcontroller using Pulse Width Modulation (“PWM”). PWM refers to the process of instantaneously controlling digitally the amount of power being delivered to the LEDs.
C. Shade Referring to
Typically, when used in conjunction with the light source, the shade 40 surrounds a substantial portion of the light source. For example, the shade 40 surrounds at least about 90° around the light source, or at least about 180° around the light source, or completely surrounds the light source.
The shade 40 comprises a substrate. The substrate can be made of a single material or a combination of material. The shade 40 can be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. Generally, the shade 40 is made from any material or combination of materials that will let light pass through some portion of the substrate and that is stiff enough to hold a shape. A non-limiting list of suitable materials include cellulosic materials, non-cellulosic materials, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of these include thermoplastics including but not limited to foamed thermoplastics and polyolefinic-based materials including but not limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”); and thermosets including but not limited to polyurethanes; paper; vellum; parchment; leather; woven materials; and non-wovens. One suitable non-woven is SYNERGEX 6130 available from BBA/Fiberweb of Simpsonville, S.C.
The shade 40 can be comprised of one or more layers of material 300 such as shown in
The layers may be combined by any means known for creating layered flexible structures, non-limiting examples of which include adhesively combining, thermal or ultrasonic bonding, extrusion coating, extrusion laminating, or combinations thereof.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the shade 40 may include at least one layer of an absorbent material capable for example of holding a volatile composition without dripping or releasing due to gravity or capillary forces. Suitable absorbent materials include but are not limited to porous materials having a fluid holding capacity from about 5 ml/m2 of shade material to about 1000 ml/m2 or from about 10 ml/m2 to about 400 ml/m2. Suitable absorbent materials include but are not limited to fibrous cellulose-based materials, fibrous thermoplastic-based materials including but not limited to spunbond polypropylene, spunbond polyester, and the like, and other fibrous materials including but not limited to fiberglass, wherein the material has a pore volume of about 10% to about 95% or a pore volume about 20% to about 90% and an average pore size of from about 0.1 microns to about 100 microns or from about 0.3 microns to about 80 microns. Non-limiting examples of other suitable absorbent materials include foams made from thermoplastics one non-limiting example of which is open-celled polyethylene foam (such as those available from Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, Mass.), urethane, cellulose and/or starch, and microporous polymer films with at least 20% open area for containing and releasing a volatile composition. Pore size distribution and the % pore volume can be measured, for example, by using a TRI autoporisimeter available from TRI/Princeton of Princeton, N.J. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include but are not limited to SYNERGEX 6130 manufactured by BBA/Fiberweb of Simpsonville, S.C. and GRADE 7020 manufactured by Cellutissue Corporation of East Hartford, Conn.
If desired, the absorbent material can be treated to be either hydrophilic, hydrophobic, oleophilic, or oleophobic, or a combination thereof so as to either aid in releasing a volatile composition or to aid in holding onto a volatile composition. If desired, all or some portion of the absorbent material could be treated. For instance, it may be desirable to treat the entire surface of the absorbent material or to just treat the edges so as to prevent or limit the migration of the volatile composition to the edges of the shade. For example, in one non-limiting scenario, treating about 5mm to about 20 mm along the edges of the shade with an oleophobic coating could potentially help prevent predominately oil based perfume from migrating to the edges of the shade.
If desired, the shade could be constructed in two layers, wherein the outer layer consists of a barrier material which is substantially impermeable to for example a liquid volatile composition impregnated in the inner layer. The outer layer could serve to help minimize contact between the user and the volatile composition impregnated in the inner layer. Alternatively, the shade 40 could be constructed in three layers as shown in
In yet another embodiment (not shown), a volatile composition could be located on a discrete substrate that is separate from but connected to the shade 40. The discrete substrate may optionally be in the form of a patch or label. In one non-limiting embodiment, the discrete substrate may be more absorbent and thicker than the shade 40 so as to allow the discrete substrate to contain a higher percentage of a volatile composition in a smaller space or area. In addition a thicker discrete substrate may also serve to provide support and stability to the shade for example by attaching it to the bottom of the shade 40. One example of a suitable absorbent material which can be used for the discrete substrate is Product No. 7620W available from EMI Specialty Papers of Redding, Conn.
The shade 40 should be stiff enough to stand under its own weight and to easily fit over a base 20 (when used). Generally it is desirable that the shade 40 have a deflection force (i.e.; force needed to deflect a sample 3 mm wherein the sample has the dimensions of 50 mm in length, 12.7 mm in width and less than 1 6 mm in thickness as measured in accordance with ASTM D790-03 entitled “Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials” using a span distance of 25.4 mm (as measured on an Instron Compression/Tensile Tester Model No. 550RC5451 manufactured by Instron Corporation of Norwood, Mass.) of between about 1 gram and about 200 grams or from about 5 grams to about 100 grams and a flexural modulus between about 0.1 gigapascals and about 10 gigapascals (“GPa”).
The substrate comprising the shade 40 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. Typically, the materials comprising the shade 40 are selected so that at least a portion of the shade 40 when assembled appears translucent, transparent, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the shade 40 may include portions wherein the shade material is removed one non-limiting example of which is where patterns are die cut into the shade 40 and the die cut portions of material removed from the shade 40. The shade 40 may have an opacity ranging from about 0% to about 100%, or from about 20% to about 80%, or from about 25% to about 70%. The opacity of the substrate may vary from area to area and/or within a given time frame. For example, the shade 40 when partially wetted with a composition (a non-limiting example of which is a volatile composition such as a perfume), may have a particular opacity which will be different after evaporation of the composition. One suitable instrument which may be used for measuring opacity is the Hunter LabScan XE manufactured by Hunter Associates Laboratory of Reston, Va.
In one non-limiting embodiment the outwardly-facing side of the shade 40 is made of a material that has a natural appearance and is able to be printed or embossed with a pattern or image. In one embodiment a thin, flat material or combination of materials is folded into a tube-like shape and then bonded along one edge 340 to prevent the tube from unrolling as shown in
If desired, the shades may be packaged individually in a high barrier pouch that will help to prevent volatile components of the composition from escaping. One suitable pouch material available from Sonoco Flexible Packaging of Franklin, Ohio comprises a lamination of acrylonitrile sealant film extrusion (sold under the tradename of BAREX) laminated to an aluminum foil barrier layer and a reverse printed PET outer layer. The BAREX sealant layer is desirable for its ability to minimize perfume absorption into the packaging sealant film. Non-limiting examples of other suitable sealant layers include but are not limited to blends or mono-layers of various polyolefins, EVOH, metalized polyester, and the like. Alternatively, it is possible to have multiple shades packaged into a high bather recloseable pouch. The pouch can be made recloseable in any number of ways familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art including but not limited to utilizing a zip lock feature, adhesive tape, or a combination thereof.
In another non-limiting example, it may be desirable to construct a shade wherein the shade and package are one unit as shown in
When the inner absorbent layer is comprised of PET or other synthetic fibers that are difficult to tear it may be desirable to have the inner absorbent layer not extend to the barrier layer thus preventing the inner absorbent layer from being in the sealed end portion of the shade/package. It may be desirable for the integrated shade/package to be comprised of a transparent barrier layer, non-limiting examples of which are EVOH and/or silicon dioxide so as to allow light to pass through the luminary shade.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the shade may include multiple components such as an inner and outer shade both of which can be of similar shape and size or could be a different size and/or shape from one another. If desired, the outer or inner shade or both could either be scented, unscented, or one or the other scented. A non-limiting example of this is shown in
If desired, a scented shade 300 could be constructed to have one or more handles a non-limiting example of which are tabs 301 as shown in
The decorative luminary 10 of the present invention may also comprise a volatile composition. As used herein, the terms “scent”, “fragrance”, “aroma”, and “perfume” are used interchangeably. The volatile composition of the present invention can encompass volatile materials including but not limited to volatile dyes, fragrance compositions, compositions that function as insecticides, air fresheners, deodorants, aromacology, aromatherapy, essential oils, or any other material that acts to condition, modify, or otherwise emit into the atmosphere or to modify the environment. Deodorants or malodor control compositions may comprise a material chosen from: odor neutralizing materials a non-limiting example of which is reactive aldehydes (as disclosed in U.S. published application No. US 2005/0124512), odor blocking materials, odor masking materials, or sensory modifying materials, a non-limiting example of which is ionones (as disclosed in US 2005/0124512), and combinations thereof.
Typically the volatile composition is contained within the shade 40 and/or the base 20. The volatile composition may also be included in a separate sachet or pouch (not shown). As used herein, the terms “sachet” and “pouch” are used interchangeably. Generally, the volatile composition that is included in the shade 40, the base 20, separate sachet or the like, or a combination thereof, is included in an amount of about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams per shade, base, separate sachet or combination thereof; or from about 120 milligrams to about 5 grams per shade 40, base 20, separate sachet or combination thereof, or from about 250 milligrams to about 1 gram per shade 40, base 20, separate sachet or combination thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment the shade 40 is impregnated with about 0.1 gram to about 2 grams of the volatile composition or from about 0.3 grams to about 0.8 grams of the volatile composition. In one non-limiting embodiment, the volatile composition after exposure to air is about 50% or more depleted from the shade 40, the base 20, sachet, etc., within about twenty-four hours, or within about twelve hours, or within about six hours assuming an approximate temperature of 21° C. and an approximate 50% relative humidity of the air in the location where the volatile composition is located.
In one embodiment, the volatile composition could comprise a perfume composition. The perfume composition can provide a short-term scent experience. A number of methods to control the intensity of scent within the present invention are envisioned. In some cases, this can be a product of the perfume composition, or the design of the shade 40, base 20, or any surface to which the perfume composition is added, or a combination thereof. For example. the perfume composition can be formulated so that it has characteristics that provide it with a more rapid release profile. Perfumes typically comprise one or more perfume ingredients. Often, these ingredients have different volatilities, boiling points, and odor detection thresholds. When a perfume composition volatilizes into the air, the ingredients with the higher volatilities (referred to as “top notes”) will be the ingredients that will volatilize and be detected by a person's sense of smell more quickly than the ingredients with lower volatilities (referred to as “middle notes”) and the ingredients with the lowest volatility (referred to as “bottom notes”). This will cause the character of the perfume to change over time since after the perfume is first emitted, the overall perfume character will contain fewer and fewer top notes and more bottom notes.
The perfume compositions can include components that are suitably used in volatile composition emitting devices such as the present invention. The components are not limited but can be selected based on their Kovat's Index (“KI”) (as determined on 5% phenyl-methylpolysiloxane as non-polar silicone stationary phase). The KI places the volatility attributes of an analyte (e.g. component of a volatile composition) on a gas chromatography column in relation to the volatility characteristics of an n-alkane (normal alkane) series on that column A typical gas chromatograph (“GC”) column is a DB-5 column available from Agilent Technologies of Palo Alto, Calif. By this definition, the KI of a normal alkane is set to 100n, where n is the number of carbon atoms in the n-alkane. The KI of an analyte, x, eluting at time t′, between two n-alkanes with number of carbon atoms “n” and “N” having corrected retention times t′n and ttN respectively, will then be calculated as:
On a non-polar to slightly polar GC stationary phase, KI of analytes are correlated with their relative volatility. For example, analytes with smaller KIs tend to be more volatile than those with larger KIs. Ranking analytes with their corresponding KI values gives a good comparison of analyte evaporation rates in liquid-gas partitioning systems. The volatile composition according to the present invention can have at least one ingredient with a KI value of about 600 to about 1800, or about 800 to about 1700, or about 900 to about 1600. The volatile composition can comprise about 50% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100% of one or more ingredients having these KI values.
Rather than, or in addition to Kovat' s Index, the volatile composition components can be selected based on their boiling point (or “B.P.”) and their octanol/water partition coefficient (or “P”). The boiling point referred to herein is measured under normal standard pressure of 760 mm Hg. The boiling points of many perfume ingredients, at standard 760 mm Hg can be found in “Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals),” written and published by Steffen Arctander, 1969.
The octanol/water partition coefficient of a perfume ingredient is the ratio between its equilibrium concentrations in octanol and in water. The partition coefficients of the perfume ingredients used in the volatile composition may be more conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, logP. The logP values of many perfume ingredients have been reported; see for example, the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS) of Irvine, Calif. However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the “CLOGP” program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when they are available in the Pomona92 database. The calculated logP (“ClogP”) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., page 295, Pergamon Press, 1990). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each perfume ingredient, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. The ClogP values, which are the most reliable and widely used estimates for this physicochemical property, are typically used instead of the experimental logP values in the selection of perfume ingredients for the volatile composition.
The perfume composition might comprise perfume ingredients selected from one or more groups of ingredients. A first group of ingredients may comprise perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C., or a boiling point of about 25° C. to about 240° C., or a boiling point of about 30° C. to about 235° C. The first group of ingredients may comprise perfume ingredients that have a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3 or from about −1 to about 2.5. In certain embodiments, perfume ingredients selected from the first group of perfume ingredients when present may be present at a level of from about 20% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 50% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition.
A second group of ingredients might comprise perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C., or a boiling point of about 25° C. to about 240° C., or a boiling point of about 30° C. to about 235° C. The second group of ingredients may comprise perfume ingredients that have a ClogP value from about 3 to about 9 or from about more or about 3.5 to about 7. In certain embodiments, the second perfume ingredient when present may be present at a level of from about 20% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition, or from about 50% to about 100% by weight of the perfume composition.
A third group of ingredients might comprise perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C., or about 260° C. to abut 375° C. The third group of ingredients may comprise perfume ingredients that have a ClogP value of about from about −2 to about 3 or from about −1 to about 2.5. In certain embodiments, perfume ingredients selected from the third group of perfume ingredients when present may be present at a level of about 0.5% to about 90% by weight of the perfume composition or about 1% to about 80% by weight of the perfume composition.
A fourth group of ingredients might comprise perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C., or about 260° C. to abut 375° C. The fourth group of ingredients may comprise perfume ingredients that have a ClogP value from about 3 to about 9 or from about more or about 3.5 to about 7. In certain embodiments, perfume ingredients selected from the fourth group of perfume ingredients when present may be present at a level of about 0.5% to about 90% by weight of the perfume composition or about 1% to about 80% by weight of the perfume composition.
When formulating perfume compositions, some perfume ingredients may also have other functionality such as functioning as a solvent, diluent, extender, fixative, or the like. Non-limiting examples of these materials are ethyl alcohol, carbitol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.
In addition to methods described above for delivering the volatile compositions of the present invention, other non-limiting suitable methods for delivering these compositions are discussed below. In one non-limiting embodiment a volatile composition may be delivered by utilizing a pouch with a semi-permeable membrane on at least one side of the pouch. The pouch may be attached to the shade 40. The membrane may be selected from several known materials which can allow perfume vapor to pass without allowing significant liquid leakage. Examples of suitable membrane materials include but are not limited to polyethylene and microporous polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, microporous polytetraflouralethylene (“PTFE”), and other microporous membranes as known in the art. These membranes allow volatile actives to be released by either rapid diffusion through the membrane material such as with a thin polyethylene film or by evaporation through porous regions of the material such as microporous PTFE.
The scent intensity of the shade 40 can optionally be varied by varying the size of the shade 40 in width and/or height as well as by changing the pore size of the material and/or the material properties. Shades 40 at different heights yet same width can be provided to deliver different levels of scent intensity as well as to effectively communicate to the end user which shade 40 to use for the room or occasion. For example, a scented shade 40 of the present invention with a 20 cm circumference and 22 cm height may be an appropriate size for a living room or family room and a scented shade 40 with a 20 cm circumference and a 10 cm height may be a size appropriate for a bathroom or smaller space. Typically the shades 40 are of a similar circumference such that the shade 40 will fit over the same base.
The release rate of the volatile composition from a substrate could also be controlled by providing layers wherein the release rate can be customized to last different periods of time. For instance, the substrate could include one or more layers. An individual layer could be an intermittent or continuous layer that is designed to release the perfume at various time intervals. The layer can be activated with UV light, oxygen, moisture change, or other stimuli.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the release of the volatile composition could be changed by varying the material properties of the shade 40. While not wishing to be limited by theory, in general, volatile compositions impregnated in a polymer such as a thermoplastic will release slower than volatile compositions loaded in an absorbent or porous material. Porous materials exposed to the atmosphere will allow volatile compositions to evaporate at the surface whereas volatile compositions impregnated in a polymer generally require the volatile composition to diffuse through the polymer. For example, a thermoplastic material such as an EVA or polyolyefin can be impregnated with a perfume and the diffusion properties and/or thickness of the thermoplastic can be tailored to release the perfume at varying rates. Incorporating open or closed cells in the thermoplastic will also have a big effect on the diffusion properties and these cells can change the effective level of perfume that is saturated or absorbed into the material. While not wishing to be limited by theory, in general, open cells/pores will release volatile compositions faster than closed cells since the open cells allow for the volatile composition to be exposed directly to the atmosphere to evaporate and therefore minimizes the need for diffusion of the composition through the cell walls. It is known in the art that various foaming agents and/or gases can be incorporated in the process of extruding or injecting the thermoplastic to create these pores or cells in the plastic wall. Engelhard Corporation of Iselin, N.J. is one suitable manufacturer of foaming agents that can be incorporated in thermoplastic extrusion processes. Trexel Incorporated of Woburn, Mass. is a provider of technology for injecting gases in thermoplastic create closed cell foam-like materials suitable for use with the present invention. Non-limiting examples of open celled thermoplastic foams suitable for use with the present invention are CELLECT foams available from Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, Mass.
Another means of controlling the release of the volatile composition is by encapsulating the volatile composition in the form of capsules non-limiting examples of which include microcapsules, or starch encapsulates. There are a number of means in which the capsules can be designed to release the scent. For example the scent can be released by either rupturing the capsules or by diffusion through the capsule wall. In another example the scent is released from the microcapsule when moisture in the air causes the capsule wall to rupture. Alternatively, the capsules can be ruptured by peeling off an adhesive layer that causes the microcapsule to tear or rupture. The capsule size and material properties can also be adjusted to control the diffusion.
In another non-limiting embodiment, when the perfume is located inside of the shade 40, the release of the perfume could be controlled by varying the air flow through the inside of the shade 40 so as to change the evaporation rate of the perfume. While not wishing to be limited by theory, this could be thought of as a chimney effect except that the vapors from the perfume may flow upward or downward depending upon the perfume and the shade design. It is believed that the perfume will naturally cool the air when it evaporates and hence the air flow is naturally downward due to the cooler air being heavier. Typically most perfumes are naturally heavier than air and hence there is a tendency for the perfume to “sink” or flow downward. To maximize scent release, it is desirable that the shade 40 be fully open on the top and bottom to maximize air flow. Furthermore, the larger the shade 40 opening is on the top and the bottom, the more the air flow will be through this opening. This can be especially desirable with perfumes which comprise higher molecular weights or higher KI values which tend to have slower evaporation rates. To minimize or stop scent release, it is desirable that the top and bottom openings of the shade 40 be substantially closed from the environment. For instance, the top and/or bottom of the shade 40 could have vents 220 such as those shown in
In another non-limiting embodiment for controlling the evaporation rate of the perfume, a small amount of heat could be used to help drive air flow. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that a temperature rise of about 0.2° C. to about 1° C. combined with appropriate venting can potentially result in higher air flow through the inside of the shade 40. This chimney effect with a small temperature rise can be obtained in a number of different ways including but not limited to via the heat output of lights, circuitry, a small heater such as a battery powered heater, or via heat producing reactive chemistries that can be incorporated in the shade 40 and/or the base 20 such as iron oxide. In one non-limiting method, iron oxide particles can be coated or encapsulated with a fragrance and applied to shade 40. Shade 40 could then be placed in a nitrogen flushed foil pouch that will prevent the oxidation of the iron oxide until the pouch is opened. The nitrogen flushed pouch can also be used to prevent oxygen from oxidizing the fragrance as well as prevents the fragrance from evaporating prior to use by the consumer. When the pouch is opened by the user the iron oxide encapsulated with perfume begins to heat up and results in a higher evaporation rate of perfume. This will allow low volatility perfumes to be more easily dispersed in a room providing superior scent quality with an evaporative scent release system.
The shade 40 could have multiple scents and/or scents that release at different time intervals. In some instances it may be desirable for a particular scent to be released for the first 4 hours and a different scent begins to be released for the next 4 hours. This can be done by treating one side of the shade 40 with one technology as described above and a different technology (e.g.; different material, coating, thickness, or other) could be used on the other side. This provides the benefit of either extending the scent over a longer period of time or providing alternating scents so as to help reduce acclimation to the scent by the user.
The shade 40 could also be dosed or refilled with a volatile composition including but not limited to a perfume by the user using ampoules, pouches, dropper bottle, sachets, a spray, or any other means of delivering a fluid to the shade 40. A non-limiting example would be the use of individually contained pouches containing about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml of a perfume composition that a user could apply by tearing off a corner of a pouch and squeezing the contents onto the shade 40. In another non-limiting example, about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml of perfume could be contained in either a small individual or multi-use unit dosed blow-fill seal container similar to those unit dose containers used as contact eye solution containers. One suitable manufacturer of equipment to make such unit dose packages is Rommelag USA Incorporated of Edison, N.J. Alternatively, the perfume could be encapsulated and loaded onto the shade 40 and an occasional spray of water by the user could be used to release the volatile composition.
In another non-limiting embodiment, it may be desirable to treat the outside of shade 40 with a deodorizing ingredient. Non-limiting examples of such ingredients would include titanium dioxide, cyclodextrin, metal oxides, polyoxometalates, and the like. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that having deodorizing ingredients on the inside or outside of shade 40 would provide a means for delivering odor elimination benefits beyond masking the odors with fragrance or using reactive fragrance ingredients such as reactive aldehydes as mentioned previously. It is believed that the deodorizing ingredients are ideally placed in a position where air flow moves across the deodorizing ingredients prior to the air evaporating the perfume. In this way the deodorizing ingredients are not removing the perfume from the air. Non-limiting examples of locations could include along the edge of shade 40 where air flows into the shade.
The shade 40 of the present invention may also comprise indicia made, in one embodiment, by applying an ink. The indicia may be static or it may be dynamic and may be in the form of a decorative pattern or image to provide an aesthetically pleasing article. In addition to or alternatively, the indicia can be used to provide a signal to a user such as when the shade 40 needs to be changed and/or when the scent is depleted. Advantageously, the shade 40 is printed with inks that are stable (i.e.; inks that do not bleed, dissolve, or rub-off easily) while in contact with a perfume or oil. In one non-limiting example, the indicia may be printed by utilizing an inkjet printer. One non-limiting example of a suitable inkjet printer is a DESKJET 950C inkjet printer equipped with ink cartridges Part Nos. 51645A and C6578D, available from Hewlett Packard Corporation of Palo Alto, Calif. Yet another example of a suitable inkjet printer is an Agfa Dotrix Modular single pass inkjet printer, available from Agfa Graphics of Mortsel, Belgium. The indicia can also be printed by any other known printing method including but not limited to flexographic printing, screen printing, gravure, offset printing, air knife, roll coating, blade coating, and the like.
Non-limiting examples of inks suitable for use with the present invention are UV curable inkjet inks available from Agfa Corporation of Ridgefield Park, N.J. In one embodiment of the present invention, the inks may be any Agorix ink. In another embodiment, the inks may comprise oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)diacrylate and/or propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the inks may be Agorix N Magenta, Agorix N Cyan, Agorix F Black, Agorix N Yellow and combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the ink may be a black UV curable ink comprising from about 40% to about 60% oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)diacrylate, from about 40% to about 60% propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate, from about 1% to about 5% phosphine oxide, diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl), from about 1% to about 5% carbon black, from about 5% to about 10% of a photoinitiator and from about 1% to about 5% of a resin. In another embodiment, the ink may be a cyan UV curable ink comprising from about 40% to about 60% oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)diacrylate, from about 40% to about 60% propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate, from about 1% to about 5% of a curing agent, from about 1% to about 5% C.I. pigment blue 15, from about 5% to about 10% photoinitiator and from about 1% to about 5% of a resin. In one embodiment, the ink may be a magenta UV curable ink comprising from about 40% to about 60% oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)diacrylate, from about 40% to about 60% propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate, from about 5% to about 10% of a photoinitiator, from about 5% to about 10% of a red pigment, from about from about 1% to about 5% of a resin, from about 1% to about 5% cromophtal jet Magenta 2BC and from about 1% to about 5% ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoaat.
In one embodiment, the ink may be a yellow UV curable ink comprising from about 40% to about 60% oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)diacrylate, from about 40% to about 60% propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate, from about 1% to about 5% of a curing agent, from about 5% to about 10% of a photoinitiator, from about 1% to about 5% of a resin and from about 1% to about 5% of yellow pigment.
In these embodiments, the photoinitiator may be Darocur ITX, the resin may be Solsperse 39000 and the curing agent may be Craynor 386. In other embodiments, the photoinitator may be a mixture of 2-isopropylthioxanthone and 4-isopropylthioxanthone and the resin may be petroleum type resins (e.g., styrene type, acryl type, polyester, polyurethane type, phenol type, butyral type, cellulose type, and rosin); and thermoplastic resins (e.g., vinyl chloride, vinylacetate type). Further, other resins include acrylate copolymers, styrene-acrylate copolymers, acetalized and incompletely saponified polyvinyl alcohol, and vinylacetate copolymers.
The present invention may also include other optional components, a non-limiting example of which is a signal that communicates the status of the decorative luminary 10 to a user. For example, there may be a signal which indicates when the process has commenced and/or concluded. Non-limiting examples of signals which may be used include color, sound, and/or olfactory signals.
In some instances it may be desirable that the light source recognize the shade 40 so as to adjust the light pattern, intensity, or duration based on the age of the shade 40, design of the shade 40, scent type, and/or intensity of the scent release. This would allow for a smart device that could deliver superior light 27, scent, and/or a dynamic indicia pattern experience (i.e.;
where the indicia appearance changes during use). Alternatively, this could also be used to recognize when a shade is depleted of its scent and ready for replacement.
One non-limiting means by which this can be done is to incorporate a small microchip such as a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) chip) that communicates with the base 20. For example, an RFID chip could be incorporated into the shade 40 while an RFID sensor capable of detecting the RFID chip could be incorporated into the base 20. In one non-limiting example, the RFID sensor could detect whether the shade 40 is present by detecting the RFID chip in the shade 40 in order to send a signal to turn the light 27 on or in another non-limiting example the RFID sensor could detect whether the shade 40 with the RFID chip has been depleted of volatile composition. RFID chips and sensors suitable for use with the present invention are available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex.
Another means to accomplish this would be to provide a color coded region on the shade 40 that is detected by a light sensor such as a photo-eye located within the base 20. One non-limiting example of this is where the shade 40 would have a particular color in a given region that could be detected by the photo eye in the base 20 which in turn could activate a light 27 upon sensing this color. This color coded region can also be designed to change color with time so as to communicate with the base 20 as to the age of the shade 40 and/or communicate when the shade 40 needs to be replaced.
Optionally, the shade 40 may function in combination with the base 20 to provide a time indicator. For instance, the time indicator could provide a signal that the scent of the shade 40 is depleted. For example, the light 27 could be made to dim or not function after the shade 40 has been used for a period of time. One non-limiting means of accomplishing this is to incorporate a surface mounted fuse such as those manufactured by Littelfuse Corporation of Des Plaines, Ill. into the shade 40 so that it is in electrical contact with the control circuitry of the light source. In this case, an electrical spike from the light source microcontroller could cause the fuse to open after a set time period corresponding to the scent duration. If the base 20 senses an open fuse on the shade 40, the light will not function or will dim. Another approach is to have a wet region of the shade 40 or a region of the shade 40 that contains an electrolyte such that electricity is conducted through this region when wet and no electricity is conducted when the region is dry. This in turn can be used as a communication signal to the light source that the shade 40 is fully used and needs to be replaced. Another approach is to incorporate a thin electrically conducting metal in the bottom portion of the shade 40. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the resistance of the metal will increase over time. The light source would then measure the resistance and based on this would be able to determine the age of the shade 40. These fuses and/or circuit connectors within the shade 40 have the added benefit of also preventing the base 20 from working properly unless a new shade of the right design is placed on the base 20.
The pore size of the shade material is typically between about 0.01 microns and about 50 microns or between about 0.05 microns and about 5 microns to provide the highest opacity when dry while still providing transparency when wetted. The average pore size diameter to absorb the volatile composition is typically between about 0.1 micron to about 100 microns or between about 1 micron to about 50 microns average pore size diameter. Hence, an average pore size diameter for a material that is both opaque and absorbent without the use of pigments could be between about 0.1 micron and about 50 microns. This allows for a single material to be able to hold a fluid such as a perfume and provide a semi-opaque shade when dry and semi-transparent shade when wetted with a liquid composition. Alternatively a multi-layer structure could be used for the shade whereby one layer serves as an opaque changing layer with a pore size between about 0.01 microns and about 50 microns and an additional layer is designed to hold onto a volatile composition with an average pore size between about 0.1 micron and about 100 microns.
In another non-limiting embodiment it may be desirable to have the shade 40 with a unique geometry/shape that corresponds to a similar/reciprocal geometry in the base 20 so as to ensure proper alignment and/or recognition between the base 20 and the shade 40. Suitable non-limiting examples include a tab located on the shade 40 with a corresponding indentation on the base to accommodate the tab. Another non-limiting example could be a pin/hole configuration.
The components of the decorative luminary of the present invention including but not limited to the shade 40, the base 20, the light source/light 27, the sealed pouch to hold shade 40, the indicia and the volatile composition, may be provided as a kit. Alternatively, one or more of the components of the decorative luminary may be provided separately. For instance, in one non-limiting embodiment the shade 40 of the decorative luminary may be provided with one or more of the other components as part of a kit or may be provided and/or sold separately. In another non-limiting example, the volatile composition may be provided as part of a kit, for instance it may be incorporated into the shade or provided in a separate sachet, pouch, ampoule, bottle, or the like. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the volatile composition may be provided separately such as part of a dosing container or refill unit which may be purchased separately by a user. In an additional non-limiting embodiment, the base and/or the light source may be provided in conjunction with the other components of the decorative luminary, may each be provided as one unit, or may each be provided and/or sold separately. For instance, it may be desirable for a user to have a choice of the type of light source that is to be used or to have the flexibility to interchange the light(s) and/or the base.
It may also be desirable for a user to have the ability to choose the individual components comprising the decorative luminary 10 so as to customize the decorative luminary 10 in accordance with the individual's preferences. For instance, an interactive sample display could be provided to allow the user to choose/customize the components (e.g.; shade 40, base 20, light source/light 27, volatile composition) that he or she would want the decorative luminary 10 to be comprised of. The interactive sample display could be manually controlled by the user, computer controlled by the user, or a combination thereof. This interactive sample display could be provided electronically for instance through an internet/virtual web site or it could be located at a physical site such as at a store location, or delivered to the user's home such as through the parcel post and/or via a newspaper/magazine insert. In one non-limiting example of a manual interactive sample display, each option of each decorative luminary component is provided on a moveable wheel located along a single row of the sample display so as to overlay one component on top of the next such that the user can view what the decorative luminary 10 would look like based on the options chosen for each component. As an alternative or in addition to the above, different samples of the volatile composition, for instance a perfume, could also be overlaid with the components for example in a scratch and sniff type of configuration so that the user can have the benefit of holistically customizing/choosing the decorative luminary 10 which best meets the user's individual preferences prior to making a final purchase commitment.
The present invention also encompasses articles of commerce comprising 1) the decorative luminary 10 of the present invention, and 2) a set of instructions directing the user how to utilize the decorative luminary 10.
In one embodiment, the article of commerce comprises the decorative luminary 10 of the present invention in association with a set of instructions, wherein the instructions direct the user to follow the method of utilizing the decorative luminary 10. The instructions may be in the form of written words, pictorials, symbols/icons, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. In one embodiment, such instructions would direct the user to 1) place the decorative luminary 10 on a surface; and 2) activate the decorative luminary 10 for instance by removing the shade 40 from the package and/or by placing it in the base 20.
Herein, “in association with”, when referring to such instructions, means the instructions are either directly printed on the decorative luminary 10; directly printed on the packaging for the decorative luminary 10; printed on a label attached to the decorative luminary 10 or the packaging for the decorative luminary 10; or presented in a different manner including, but not limited to, a brochure, print advertisement, electronic advertisement, broadcast or internet advertisements, and/or other media, so as to communicate the set of instructions to a consumer of the decorative luminary.
Non-limiting examples relating to the instant invention are disclosed below.
The shades are constructed of three layers. The outer layer is a 60 gsm heat sealable paper from Ahlstrom Windsor Locks LLC of Windsor Locks, Conn. The middle barrier layer is comprised of a blown PE/EVOH/PE 2.5 mil thick film available from Printpak Incorporated of Atlanta, Ga. The inner layer is comprised of a 102 gsm spun bond polyester nonwoven with the tradename of SYNERGEX 6130 available from BBA/Fiberweb of Simpsonville, S.C. The SYNERGEX material is comprised of calendared polyester fibers having a thickness of 0.3 mm The three layers are laminated together using a hot roll laminator with a roll pressure of 60 psi, a roll temperature of 360° F. (182° C.) and a speed setting of 20. Ink, as shown in Table 1, is then printed on the shades according to known flexographic printing that includes a photoinitiation step. The printed ink is allowed to cure for at least one week before applying perfume or test solvents.
The test samples are cut into 4.3 cm wide by 4.3 cm high squares. The print pattern is such that each such square contains printed and unprinted area. Approximately 0.1g of test solvent is applied drop-wise to the printed area so that the perfume load is about 59 g/m̂2. The test solvents were chosen to cover a range of solubility properties and include both perfume raw materials (PRMs) and other solvents. After dosing with test solvent, the test sample is immediately sealed into a polymer bag resistant to the solvent being tested. Nitrile-based packaging films, such as Barex, are suitable for most solvents. The sealed sample is placed at elevated temperature (40° C.) for 72 to 96 hours. After aging, the samples are visually inspected and any bleed of color from the printed to the non-printed region of the substrate is noted. Results are shown in the Table 1.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. All documents cited herein are in relevant part, incorporated by reference. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/504,486 filed Jul. 5, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61504486 | Jul 2011 | US |
