IP Library Granted Patent US 11,241,514
Granted Patent B2
US 11,241,514 · App. 16/826,428 · Granted Feb 8, 2022

Formed three-dimensional matrix and associated coating providing modulated release of volatile compositions

Inventors: Eric Mehnert (Lawrenceville, GA); Bao Trong Do (Decatur, GA); Nicholas D. McKay, Jr. (Atlanta, GA); Jeffrey S. Sherwood (Ellijay, GA)
Assignee: ENVIROSCENT, INC.
A61L9/03A61L9/013A61L9/02C09D103/02C09J103/02C08K3/36C08K2201/005C09J2403/001
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,241,514
App. No.
16/826,428
Granted
Feb 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described are bonding modulating coatings configured to provide an improved release profile of a volatile composition from a scent reservoir, wherein the modulating coating includes a barrier substance configured to hinder the release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating. The modulating coating also includes a hygroscopic substance that facilitates the release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating. The barrier substance and hygroscopic substance are mixed in a proportion such that the modulating coating provides a bonding action between adjacent scent reservoirs and may be formulated to maintain bonding even under the application of heat. The bonding modulating coating may then be used to bond a number of scent reservoirs together into a larger, three-dimensional matrix to provide improved scent retention and longevity.

Claims (44)

1. An aggregate article comprising:

a plurality of scent reservoirs comprising an absorbent matrix material, the plurality of scent reservoirs constructed into a three-dimensional matrix via a modulating coating bonding between the plurality of scent reservoirs;

a volatile composition, wherein at least some of the volatile composition is located in the absorbent matrix material;

wherein the modulating coating at least partially covers each of the plurality of scent reservoirs and comprises a barrier substance and hygroscopic silica having a diameter ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm;

wherein the barrier substance hinders a release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating; and

wherein the hygroscopic silica facilitates the release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating.

2. The aggregate article of claim 1 , wherein the barrier substance comprises a starch.

3. The aggregate article of claim 1 , wherein the modulating coating is configured to resist temperatures higher than ambient and to resist direct heating.

4. The aggregate article of claim 3 , wherein a weight ratio of the barrier substance to the hygroscopic silica is at least one of approximately 75:25 and approximately 25:75.

5. The aggregate article of claim 3 , wherein the modulating coating comprises approximately 45 to 60 percent barrier substance by weight.

6. The aggregate article of claim 3 , wherein the modulating coating comprises approximately 40 to 55 percent hygroscopic substance by weight.

7. The aggregate article of claim 3 , wherein a weight ratio of the barrier substance to the hygroscopic silica is approximately 55:45.

8. The aggregate article of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of scent reservoirs comprises at least one scent reservoir selected from the group consisting of wound paper, extruded pulp, wood chips, fiber bundles, and ceramic chunks;

at least some of the volatile composition is located within the modulating coating; and

the modulating coating further comprises water that is absorbed or adsorbed to the hygroscopic silica.

9. An aggregate article comprising:

a plurality of scent reservoirs comprising an absorbent matrix comprising pores;

a volatile composition, wherein at least some of the volatile composition is located in the pores;

a modulating coating distributed on at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the plurality of scent reservoirs and comprising a barrier substance and hygroscopic silica having a diameter ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm;

wherein the modulating coating is formulated to provide a heat resistant bond between the plurality of scent reservoirs; and

wherein the modulating coating regulates a release rate of the volatile composition located in the pores.

10. The aggregate article of claim 9 , wherein the barrier substance comprises a starch.

11. The aggregate article of claim 9 , wherein the modulating coating is configured to resist temperatures higher than ambient and to resist direct heating.

12. The aggregate article of claim 11 , wherein a weight ratio of the barrier substance to the hygroscopic silica is at least one of approximately 75:25 and approximately 25:75.

13. The aggregate article of claim 11 , wherein the modulating coating comprises approximately 45 to 60 percent barrier substance by weight.

14. The aggregate article of claim 11 , wherein the modulating coating comprises approximately 40 to 55 percent hygroscopic substance by weight.

15. The aggregate article of claim 11 , wherein a weight ratio of the barrier substance to the hygroscopic silica is approximately 55:45.

16. The aggregate article of claim 9 , wherein:

the plurality of scent reservoirs comprises at least one scent reservoir selected from the group consisting of wound paper, extruded pulp, wood chips, fiber bundles, and ceramic chunks;

at least some of the volatile composition is located within the modulating coating; and

the modulating coating further comprises water that is absorbed or adsorbed to the hygroscopic silica.

17. An aggregate article comprising:

a plurality of scent reservoirs comprising an absorbent matrix material, the plurality of scent reservoirs constructed into a three-dimensional matrix via a modulating coating bonding between the plurality of scent reservoirs;

a volatile composition, wherein at least some of the volatile composition is located in the absorbent matrix material;

wherein the modulating coating at least partially covers an exterior surface of each of the plurality of scent reservoirs and comprises a barrier substance and hygroscopic silica having a diameter ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm;

wherein the barrier substance hinders a release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating; and

wherein the hygroscopic silica facilitates the release of the volatile composition through the modulating coating.

18. The aggregate article of claim 17 , wherein the barrier substance comprises a starch.

19. The aggregate article of claim 17 , wherein the modulating coating is configured to resist temperatures higher than ambient and to resist direct heating.

20. The aggregate article of claim 17 , wherein:

the plurality of scent reservoirs comprises at least one scent reservoir selected from the group consisting of wound paper, extruded pulp, wood chips, fiber bundles, and ceramic chunks;

at least some of the volatile composition is located within the modulating coating; and

the modulating coating further comprises water that is absorbed or adsorbed to the hygroscopic silica.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: ENVIROSCENT, INC.
To: HOPKINS, FREDERICK E., III
Reel/Frame 069204/0589 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2020
From: MEHNERT, ERIC; DO, BAO TRONG; MCKAY, NICHOLAS D.; SHERWOOD, JEFFREY S.
To: ENVIROSCENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 053019/0539 →