U.S. patent application number 14/338761 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for scented wafer.
The applicant listed for this patent is American Felt & Filter Company. Invention is credited to Mike HORAZ, Mark A. PRYNE, Scott H. PRYNE.
Application Number | 20160206770 14/338761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52484117 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160206770 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
PRYNE; Scott H. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2016 |
SCENTED WAFER
Abstract
A scented wafer having a body formed of a heat resistant fibrous
material having a predetermined porosity resulting from a selected
denier and length of fibers. A scented material is impregnated into
the body material and is constructed to melt and release a scent
when exposed to heat at a predetermined temperature for
aromatherapy, insect repellant, wild life attractant, medicinal
use, deodorant and odor control, perfume release, or any other
desired or suitable purpose. The body material does not melt at the
predetermined temperature.
Inventors: |
PRYNE; Scott H.; (New
Windsor, NY) ; HORAZ; Mike; (Cornwall, NY) ;
PRYNE; Mark A.; (Cornwall, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Felt & Filter Company |
New Windsor |
NY |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160022859 A1 |
January 28, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
52484117 |
Appl. No.: |
14/338761 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61869234 |
Aug 23, 2013 |
|
|
|
61969305 |
Mar 24, 2014 |
|
|
|
62000029 |
May 19, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/12 20130101; A61L
9/03 20130101; A61L 9/012 20130101; A01M 1/2061 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61L 9/12 20060101
A61L009/12 |
Claims
1. A scented wafer comprising: a body formed of heat-resistant
fibrous material having a predetermined porosity resulting from a
selected denier and length of fibers; and a scented material
impregnated into the body material and constructed to melt and
release a scent when exposed to heat of a predetermined temperature
that exceeds the temperature of a surrounding environment and a
melting point of the scented material; wherein the body material
does not melt at the predetermined temperature.
2. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the body material is
selected from a group comprising nonwoven, woven, meltblown,
spunbond, extruded thermal bonded, extruded chemical bonded, resin
bonded nonwovens, pulp and cellulose composite materials.
3. The scented wafer of claim 2 wherein the body material is
comprised of a natural or synthetic blend and varied denier of
fibers.
4. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise a
synthetic material.
5. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise a
natural material.
6. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise
glass.
7. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise a pulp
based material.
8. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise organic
starch derivative material.
9. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers are polyester
with a high degree of moisture regain and temperature and chemical
resistivity.
10. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the scented material is
wax.
11. (canceled)
12. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers are of a fine
structure and small size so as to create a tight structure in the
body material for a slow release of scented material therefrom when
it is heated and melted.
13. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers are of a coarse
structure and large size so as to create a coarse and open
structure in the body material for a quick release of scented
material therefrom when it is heated and melted.
14. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the fibers range from 0.5
denier to 25 denier and from lengths of 1/16 inch to 10 inches.
15. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the body is formed with
numerous edges and grooves to create a large surface area for
emission of the scented material when heated and melted.
16. The scented wafer of claim 1 wherein the body material is felt.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the priority of Provisional
Application No. 61/869,234 filed on Aug. 23, 2013, Provisional
Application No. 61/969,305 filed on Mar. 24, 2014 and Provisional
Application No. 62/000,029 filed on May 19, 2014.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a scented wafer and, more
particularly, to a wafer that is impregnated with a scented
material that emits a scent when heated that can be used for any
suitable purpose, for example, aromatherapy, insect repellant, wild
life attractant, medicinal uses, deodorants and odor control,
perfume release and other desired or suitable purposes.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various devices are currently used to emit scents in a
surrounding area. For example, scented candles may be burned or
candle tarts may be heated and melted to emit a scent. In the case
of a candle, there is a safety hazard resulting from an open
flame.
[0006] In the case of a candle tart, it turns to liquid when heated
and forms a pool that emits a fragrance. The pool is in the form of
a hot liquid and thus may spill and result in a burn to the user or
damage to a supporting surface.
[0007] A need has arisen, therefore, for a new and improved device
for emitting a scent when heated that is not subject to the
disadvantages of a candle or candle tart. The scented wafer of the
present invention meets this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The wafer of the present invention may be of any suitable
size or shape and comprises a heat resistant body formed of any
suitable material that is constructed for holding, flow, capillary
effect and release of fragrant scents or other scents to be used
for any desired or suitable purpose, such as aromatherapy, insect
repellant, wild life attractant, medicinal uses, deodorants and
odor control, perfume release. The term "scent" as used herein is
intended to cover any material that will release a detected or
undetected vapor when heated for any useful or desired purpose.
[0009] The body of the wafer is impregnated in any suitable manner
with a suitable or desired scented wax or other liquid scent that
will melt or vaporize when exposed to heat to emit the scent in the
surrounding area. The rate of release of the scent is controlled by
the porosity and capillary function of the body material as well as
the temperature of the applied heat, and can be varied by the use
of fiber denier and length blends in the body material. For
example, finer fibers will create tighter structures to obtain a
slow release of the scented material when heated and a greater
surface area for pickup and holding of the scented material. Larger
fibers will create more coarse and open structures for a quicker
release of the scented material when heated and will have less
surface for initial pickup and holding of the scented material
[0010] The body of the wafer is formed of a heat-resistant material
that does not melt when the scented material impregnated therein is
heated and melted. The body material may soften during heating of
the scented material but retains its structural integrity and will
thereafter harden when cooled so that the wafer can be reused. When
depleted of scented material, the wafer may in some circumstances
be impregnated again with a scented material so that it can be
reused.
[0011] If the wafer is to be used with an open flame, the body
material and fibers will be of a flame retardant material. If a
conventional plate warmer or similar heater is to be used, the body
material and fibers can be of a material that does not melt at the
temperature of the plate warmer or heater.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B are perspective views of different
illustrative embodiments of a wafer that is constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. These
views are merely illustrative for the reason that the wafer may be
of any suitable size or shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a wafer 10 of the present invention that may be
of any suitable size or shape, and comprises a body 12 formed of
any suitable heat-resistant material having fibers that are
constructed for holding, flow, capillary effect and release of a
scent to be used for any suitable or desired purpose.
[0014] The body 12 of the wafer is impregnated in any suitable
manner with a suitable scented wax or other liquid scent that will
melt or vaporize when exposed to heat to emit the scent in a
surrounding area. The rate of release of the scent is controlled by
the porosity and capillary function of the body material, as well
as the temperature of the applied heat, and can be varied by the
use of fiber denier and length blends in the body material. For
example, finer fibers will create tighter structures to obtain a
slow release of the scented material when heated and a greater
surface area for pick up and holding of the scented material.
Larger fibers will create more coarse and open structures for a
quicker release of the scented material when heated and will have
less surface for initial pick up and holding of the scented
material. As an illustrative example, fibers may range from 0.5
micron to 25 denier and from lengths of 1/16 inch to 10 inches.
[0015] The body 12 of the wafer is formed of a suitable material
that does not melt when the scented material impregnated therein is
heated and melted. The body material may soften during heating of
the scented material but retains its structural integrity and will
thereafter harden when cooled so that the wafer can be reused. In
some cases, when the wafer is depleted of scented material, it may
be impregnated again with a desired scented material so that it can
be reused.
[0016] If the wafer 10 is to be used with an open flame, the body
material and fibers will be of a flame retardant material. Fibers
such as but not limited to meta and para aramids, modacrylics,
flame retardant polyesters, as well as oxidized polyacrylonitrile
carbonized fibers may be used because they are inherently flame
retardant. Glass fibers and blends of glass fibers can also be used
in higher temperature applications. In general, the wafer may be
comprised of flame retardant fibers such as modacrylics, flame
retardant polyesters, Nomex, Kevlar, PBO, PBI, Meta Aramids and
Para Aramids, glasses, silicas, polyacrylonitrile or carbon, blends
of these materials or any other suitable materials.
[0017] If conventional plate warmers or similar heaters are to be
used, the body material may be formed of any suitable material such
as synthetics or blends of suitable materials that will resist
melting at temperatures ranging from about 130-140.degree. F., or
any other desired temperature range.
[0018] As illustrative examples, the body 12 may be formed of any
nonwoven, woven, meltblown, spunbond, thermo bonded, extruded or
resin bonded material comprised of any natural or synthetic blend
and varied deniers of fibers, or of any suitable capillary wicking
material. The density can be adjusted so that its porosity will be
suitable for holding and release of any desired or suitable scent
or scents.
[0019] The body 12 may have any suitable or desired shape, such as
flat form, two dimensional, three dimensional or multi-dimensional.
Also, the body 12 may be formed in any suitable or desired manner,
such as pressed and cut, pressed cavity formed and cut or extruded
formed and cut.
[0020] Any suitable scented wax or other fragrance or scented
material may be used. Specific illustrative examples of suitable
waxes and fragrances or scents are as follows:
[0021] Waxes
[0022] Animal and plant based waxes
[0023] (all natural waxes)
[0024] Petroleum based wax
[0025] Synthetic based wax
[0026] Fragrances or Scents
[0027] Oil based, water based and alcohol based which can be
derived from natural and/or synthetic ingredients.
[0028] The amount of fragrance or scent can range, e.g., from 1% to
100% but typically falls in the 10%-30% range by weight
[0029] FIG. 1A and 1B illustrate wafers 110 and 210 having bodies
112 and 212, respectively, that have different shapes from the
wafer 10 shown in FIG. 1 and are formed in the same manner as the
wafer 10.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, the body of the wafer may be
formed with numerous edges and grooves 14, 114, 214 to create a
greater surface area for emission of the scent.
[0031] A general comparison of the amount of wax and fragrance used
by a conventional wax tart and different illustrative embodiments
of the scented wafer of the present invention is as follows:
[0032] Conventional Wax Tart [0033] 6 tarts at 12 grams=72 grams
total [0034] Fragrance or scent (15% load)--6 tarts at 1.8
grams=10.8 grams total
[0035] Scented Wafer (single large fiber wafer) [0036] Total
weight--25 grams [0037] Fragrance or scent (25% load)--6.25 grams
[0038] Wax--18.75 grams
[0039] Scented Wafer (6 mini fiber wafers)
[0040] 6 wafers at 8 grams=48 grams total
[0041] Fragrance or scent (15% load)--6 wafers at 1.2 grams=7.2
grams total
[0042] Wax--6 wafers at 6.8 grams=40.8 grams total
[0043] It is apparent, therefore, that different embodiments of the
scented wafer of the present invention can use less fragrance or
scent and wax than a conventional wax tart.
[0044] The scented wafer 10 of the present invention possesses many
advantages over conventional scented candles, wax tarts or other
known scent releasing devices, some of which are as follows:
[0045] 1. A significantly longer life span;
[0046] 2. Can be easily reused after a heating cycle;
[0047] 3. Very safe to use since there is no open flame or exposed
hot melted wax;
[0048] 4. Can be constructed with various fibrous structures to
control the rate of release of the scented material impregnated
therein;
[0049] 5. Uses less wax and fragrance to create a desired
scent;
[0050] 6. Can be easily and safely stored;
[0051] 7. Is inexpensive to manufacture;
[0052] 8. Can be created with numerous surfaces to present a large
surface area for emission of scent;
[0053] 9. Can be constructed of different fibrous materials
depending on the scented material and on the heat source used to
melt or vaporize the scented material impregnated therein; and
[0054] 10. Can be used to release a scent for any suitable or
desired purpose.
[0055] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *