Methods and apparatus for a controllable vapor-dispensing device

Abstract

A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

1 . A vapor-dispensing device, said device comprising: 
 a volatizable material;    delivery means communicating with said volatizable material for facilitating evaporation of said volatizable material into an environment at an evaporation rate;    a controller configured to modulate said delivery means, said delivery means having a minimum evaporation rate between approximately 2 and 20 mg/hr, and a maximum evaporation rate between approximately 30 and 100 mg/hr; and    a refill component removeably attached to said delivery means, said refill component including a refill body and a volatizable material provided therein.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said refill component at least partially surrounds an outlet pattern to which said vapor-dispensing device is coupled.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said refill component is generally “U”-shaped.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said refill component is configured to slideably attach to the vapor-dispensing device.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said delivery means is passive.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said delivery means is active.  
   
   
       7 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said minimum evaporation rate is between approximately 5 and 15 mg/hr and said maximum evaporation rate is between approximately 30 and 50 mg/hr.  
   
   
       8 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a heat control and said delivery means comprises a heat source coupled to said heat control.  
   
   
       9 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 8 , wherein said heat source comprises a resistive heating element.  
   
   
       10 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 8 , wherein said heat source comprises a thick-film resistor.  
   
   
       11 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 8 , wherein said heat control comprises a variable resistor.  
   
   
       12 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said volatizable material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of oil, wax, and gel.  
   
   
       13 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises at least one wick contacting said volatizable material.  
   
   
       14 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises an eminator pad.  
   
   
       15 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises a venting structure.  
   
   
       16 . A vapor-dispensing device, said device comprising: 
 a reservoir of volatizable material;    a delivery system communicating with said volatizable material to facilitate delivery system configured to facilitate evaporation of said volatizable material into an environment at an evaporation rate;    a controller configured to modulate said delivery system, said delivery system having a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones for said volatizable material; and    a refill component removeably attached to said delivery system, said refill component including a refill body and a volatizable material provided therein.    
   
   
       17 . A refill component for use in connection with a vapor-dispensing device of the type configured to connect to an outlet having an outlet pattern, said refill component comprising: 
 a refill body configured to removeably attach to the vapor-dispensing device, said refill body configured to encompass at least two sides of the outlet pattern;    a volatizable material provided within said refill body;    at least one wicking structure substantially encapsulated by said refill body and communicating with said volatizable material;    an eminator coupled to said at least one wicking structure;    said volatizable material, said at least one wicking structure, and said eminator configured to interface with the vapor-dispensing to produce a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones for said volatizable material.    
   
   
       18 . The refill component of  claim 17 , wherein said volatizable material comprises an oil-based liquid, and wherein said refill body further includes at least one wicking structure;  
   
   
       19 . The refill component of  claim 17 , wherein said refill body is generally “U”-shaped, and wherein aid refill body further includes at least two wicking structures and at least one eminator.