Abstract
A progressive liquid fill capacity indicator located inside a vapor diffusion membrane liquid reservoir that utilizes index refraction matching of liquid contact to components, dyes, and surface tension gradients. This fill capacity indicator is low cost and reliable. It enables users to visually assess readiness and remaining liquid capacity to deliver attraction, masking, and repulsion scent vapors from wearable and stationary devices to repel or attract mosquitos and arthropods.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising a scent vapor delivery liquid reservoir containing a scent liquid, with some or all walls of the reservoir comprising a membrane that is molecular diffusion permeable to the contained scent liquid whereby the membrane emits scent vapor to surrounding air, wherein some or all of the walls of the reservoir are transparent to light, and wherein the reservoir further comprises an interior surface having a surface tension energy gradient for the scent liquid contained within the reservoir, such that when in contact with the scent liquid, the interior surface transmits incident light, and changes light reflectivity and emission when there is less liquid therein, enabling the scent liquid volume contained by the reservoir to be gauged by the light reflectivity and emission viewed outside of the reservoir.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior surface creates the surface tension energy gradient for the scent liquid such that when the interior surface is covered or bared by the scent liquid, light passing through or reflecting off surfaces inside of the reservoir enables viewing of the scent liquid covering part of the membrane therein, thereby enabling the scent liquid contained in the reservoir to be a progressing visual gauge as the scent liquid volume changes by the size and position or pattern of the scent liquid covering the part of the membrane inside the reservoir.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when incident light enters the reservoir and meets scent liquid wetted surfaces within the reservoir, the light passes deeper into and is absorbed by the scent liquid, or the light transmits through the reservoir and, when liquid departs from the surfaces, the light reflects and scatters from inside the membrane, changing the light reflectivity and emission from the reservoir.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when incident light enters the reservoir and meets scent liquid wetted surfaces within the reservoir, the light reflects or is absorbed by the scent liquid, and when the scent liquid departs from the surfaces, the light travels more deeply into the reservoir and reflects or scatters deeper within the membrane, changing the light reflectivity and emission from the reservoir.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scent of the emitted vapor is an arthropod attractant, a repellent or a scent mask.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein some or all of the walls of the reservoir are largely transparent to light when the walls are in contact with the scent liquid, and retro-reflect or scatter light when the walls are not in contact with the scent liquid.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior surface interferes with light such that color changes of the transmitted or reflected light occur between when inner surfaces of the walls of the reservoir are wet or dry of the scent liquid.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scent liquid reservoir is contained within a porous container having a window, which enables the liquid reservoir to be viewable.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is contained within a porous container having a window, and the apparatus further comprises a reflector of light behind the liquid reservoir, which enables the scent liquid in the liquid reservoir to be viewable by light reflections.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is contained within a porous container having a window, and the apparatus further comprises an absorber of light behind the liquid reservoir, which enables the scent liquid in the liquid reservoir to be viewable by light reflections from the reservoir.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is contained within a porous container having a window, and the apparatus further comprises a light source behind the reservoir, which enables the scent liquid volume in the liquid reservoir to be viewable by light emitted from the light source through the reservoir.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the light source is a light diffuser, a light reflector, an electrically stimulated light source, a phosphor, a scintillator, a fluorescer, a thermo-luminescent material, a chemi-luminescent material, sunlight, an incandescent source, or a light emitting diode.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir further includes one or more additional materials therein which are porous, powdered, or faceted, and which are insoluble in the scent fluid, and the membrane walls, or the additional materials are transparent to the light with an index of refraction difference smaller than 0.06 between the scent fluid and the porous, powdered, or faceted material, or the membrane walls.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir further includes one or more inserted components, and wherein the one or more inserted components or the membrane walls include a surface treatment comprising: a texturing of the membrane walls or a texturing of surfaces of the one or more inserted components with features smaller than 4 microns, or a forming of pores in the membrane walls or the one or more inserted components smaller than 4 microns, or a coating on the membrane walls or the one or more inserted components, whereby a constructive interference is produced from liquid solid surface lattices resulting from the surface treatment, and whereby the scent fluid can access these features and change the light reflectivity and emission or the constructive interference.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior surface having the surface tension energy gradient is asymmetric within the liquid reservoir.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dye infused into the scent liquid.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the dye infused into the scent liquid is a fluorescent dye, quantum dots, a scintillator, a phosphor, a chemi-luminescent dye, or a thermo-luminescent dye.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scent liquid further includes surfactants added thereto, whereby the scent liquid modifies the surface tension energy gradient between the scent liquid and the interior surface of the reservoir, such that the surfactants become more concentrated as the scent liquid molecularly diffuses from the reservoir, or such that the surfactants become less concentrated as the scent liquid molecularly diffuses from the reservoir.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with scattering surfaces inside ampoule.
(2) FIG. 2 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with interior scattering surfaces.
(3) FIG. 3 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with porous membrane inside.
(4) FIG. 4 Cross sectional view of near scent liquid empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with porous membrane inside.
(5) FIG. 5 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with retro reflectors.
(6) FIG. 6 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with interior retro reflector.
(7) FIG. 7 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors.
(8) FIG. 8 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors.
(9) FIG. 9 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces.
(10) FIG. 10 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces.
(11) FIG. 11 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with connector.
(12) FIG. 12 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with connector.
(13) FIG. 13A Hydrophilic and hydrophobic patterned liquid segregation in molecular permeable membrane ampoule.
(14) FIG. 13B Cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with scent liquid.
(15) FIG. 13C Cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with remaining scent liquid in hydrophilic corners.
(16) FIG. 14A Cross sectional lengthwise view of molecularly permeable tubular ampoule with hydrophilic segregation of liquid to capillary channels.
(17) FIG. 14B Cross sectional view perpendicular to molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation half full of scent liquid.
(18) FIG. 14C Cross sectional view perpendicular to the molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation of remaining scent liquid.
(19) FIG. 15A Cross sectional view of porous tubular band with molecular permeable tubular membranes and viewing port.
(20) FIG. 15B Porous tubular band with molecular permeable tubular membranes with viewing port and button fasten system.
(21) FIG. 16 Perforated reel cover cap with wound tubular ampoule.
(22) FIG. 17A Perforated cover cap to be inserted into the slap band cavity.
(23) FIG. 17B Slap band.
(24) FIG. 17C Slap band with tubular ampoule and reel cap.
(25) FIG. 17D Slap band with a tubular scent ampoule shown placed in a resealing bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(26) In FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with scattering surfaces inside ampoule is shown. To form this ampoule two layers of a selectively permeable membrane sheets 3 (0.25 mm thick) with inner surface texturing are created with a roughened surface 7 by molding or etched the inner surface of the membrane to a surface roughness scale bellow 0.1 mm features and (Specialty Silicone Products, Inc., Corporate Technology Park, 3 McCrea Hill Road, Ballson Spa, N.Y. 12020). The ampoule can also be formed with a range of molding techniques. The roughened membranes are glued 2 together using silicone sealant (General Electric Silicone I). The membrane can be reinforced by bonding to a porous polyethylene fiber membrane (Tyvek, DuPont) or fiberglass mat. A mosquito repellent mixture of such as 10 micron diameter polyethylene powder 8 (Mipelon™, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc. 800 Westchester Ave., Suite S 306, Rye Brook, N.Y. 10573) (MPP-635XF polyethylene 4-6 micron diameter spheres, MicroPowders Inc., 580 White Plains, Rd. Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591) suspended in N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) 4 (Vertelus 2110 High Point Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27403, USA). The DEET 4 has an index of refraction of 1.52 and polyethylene of 1.51 to 1.54. DEET has a specific gravity of 0.996 and the specific gravity of polyethylene is 0.91 0.97 (Low density polyethylene to high density polyethylene). DEET will wet polyethylene so polyethylene powders 8 can form as colloidal mixture. This is a transparent mixture of DEET and polyethylene scattering particles. The silicone rubber ampoule walls 3 depending on the polymer formulation have an index of refraction of 1.4 to 1.465 and with polymer chain group substitutions the index of refraction can go as high as 1.55. The textured walls when wetted with the DEET scent liquid 4 as shown in FIG. 1 can be transparent to incident light 5 when the DEET makes liquid wall contact 7. This scent liquid filled ampoule is placed with holder with a back plane wall 1 and viewed by the user 6. The back plane wall can absorb light or selectively reflect light to give it a color appearance such as black, red, and blue printed on polyester plastic membrane 1, which are colors that contrast well with white when the ampule is emptied of scent liquid. Black or red are attractive colors for mosquitos and can be used to distract mosquitos away from the user's skin. The backplane can also be a fluorescer, scintillator or phosphor that absorbs light and remits in a characteristic color such as anthracene loaded polyester plastic membrane. The colored light 9 or lack of light that is transmitted through the ampoule is observed by the viewer to indicate the ampoule is filled. In operation the scent liquid in the ampoule diffuses through the ampoule walls 3 delivering a steady rate. In operation the DEET diffuses through the membrane walls to provide mosquito repellency for the user and the quantity of DEET gradually declines. As the liquid volume declines the polyethylene particles 8 are brought closer together and deposited into the channels of the roughened surface of the silicone membrane 7.
(27) Alternative powders to be added to the liquid repellent 4 could be spherical retroreflective beads, scintillating particles, quantum dots, phosphor particles, and fluorescing particles 8. Spherical retroreflective glass beads typically have an index of refraction of 1.7 and 1.95. When they are wetted with the scent liquid such as DEET 4 the entrance angles inside the bead changes and the internal reflections are much lower. Thus the retro reflections are dramatically reduced. In this example the ampoule 3 would be transmissive to light when filled with scent liquid and then reflective when the scent liquid is expended.
(28) If scintillating crystals are used as the powder additive 8 they have the property that when wetted with a matching index of refraction liquid the excitation light can efficiently reach the scintillation crystals and the emitted light can efficiently travel out of the scintillating crystals. When they are dry they scatter the excitation light off their surfaces and the light that is captured results in scintillation and a small fraction of the light escapes the scintillating crystal.
(29) In FIG. 2 a cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with interior scattering surfaces is shown. When the polyethylene particles 13 and channels 17 of the roughened surfaces are dried of DEET by outgoing diffusion through the molecularly permeable silicone membrane 12 the ampoule is simultaneously filled by diffusion with air 18. Incident light 14 scatters 19,16 off the gas solid membrane interfaces of the membrane 17 and the polyethylene particles 13 scatter white light 19,16. As viewed from exterior looking at the molecularly permeable ampoule 12 when emptied the scent liquid polyethylene powder 13 is white and the background surface 11 is not viewable. When the DEET liquid is expended by diffusing out of the ampoule membrane walls 12 the scattering off the colloidal particles 13 the ampoule appears to be white to the viewer 15. Through the course of the liquid DEET being expended the surfaces 17 are exposed progressively depending on interface surface tension differences such that the light scattered from the ampoule is gradually whitening giving the user a graded expenditure indication. This enables the viewing user 15 to be alerted that the ampoule is near expenditure and they can choose to refill the ampoule or replace the ampoule to continue the use of the ampoule for scent delivery at an effective delivery rate for mosquito repellency.
(30) In FIG. 3 a cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule is shown with a micro porous high density polyethylene film 25 microns thick, 0.030 micron average pore size, 40% porosity 28, (Made by Mobil Chemical Company, Films Division, 729 Pittsford, Palmyra Rd. Macedon, N.Y. 14502) inside the walls of molecular permeable silicone membrane 27. The molecularly permeable membrane 27 could also be a 0.05 mm thick low density polyethylene membrane heat sealed around the perimeter 25. The polyethylene 27, 28 has an index of refraction of 1.52 and scent liquid 32 has an index of refraction of 1.52. When the scent liquid 32 is infused into the pores 34 of the porous polyethylene 28 it is transparent to light 29. This allows light to transmit through the molecularly permeable membranes 31, 28,27 and the porous membrane to background 33, 26. Small amounts of reflected light 35 would occur on the outer surface of the molecularly permeable membrane 27 and be observed by user 30. The background 26 could be a dark light absorbing surface 33 or a reflector combined with the scent liquid 32 being color dyed such that the observer sees a characteristic color of light 36 or lack of light coming back through the ampoule 27, 32, 28. A dye could be added to the scent liquid 32 to reflect light or emitted 36 from the scent liquid giving it a color viewed by the observer 30. The porous film 28 could act as a sponge with the pores 34 impregnated with scent oil 32 such as citronella oil or lemon of eucalyptus and cooled to be a solid. This frozen scent membrane 28 is placed within a tube of 0.05 mm thick polyethylene 27 and heat impulse sealed 25 with compression to form a sealed ampoule.
(31) In FIG. 4 a cross sectional view of an empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with a porous membrane is shown. The scent liquid has diffused out of the ampoule with air 43 diffusing into the ampoule through the molecularly permeable membrane 38 ampoule and the porous polyethylene membrane 39. The porous polyethylene membrane 39 scatters incident light off multiple gas to solid interfaces in the porous membrane 41. To the observer 42 the porous polyethylene 39 appears to be white and there also are reflections of light 45 off the molecularly permeable membrane 38 air solid interfaces. The porous polyethylene membrane blocks light transmission to and from the background 37. The remaining scent liquid and dye 44 conglomerate into droplets, preferentially forming outside of the hydrophobic pores 46 of the porous polyethylene 39. To minimize surface tension energy the droplets of scent liquid 44 between the hydrophobic porous membrane 39 and the polyethylene molecular permeable membrane 38 conglomerate into droplets. They reduce their area and present little viewable area to incident light 40 such that the porous membrane appears to be white with scattered light to the observer 42.
(32) In FIG. 5 a cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with retro reflectors is shown. As an example corners of a cube of a transparent dielectric material such as glass with three smooth flat sides each at 90 degrees to the other is a retro-reflector facets 58. Incident light 54 from the inside of the glass that strikes one surface will partially reflect as an internal reflection of the solid air interface and second surface such that it will reflect back toward the incident light ray. Arrays of retro-reflector facets with internal reflections can be created. As an example these arrays can be made out of glass with an index of refraction of 1.52. Corner cube arrays are commonly used as highway reflectors. The corner cube array is placed inside the silicone rubber ampoule molecularly permeable membranes 52 and filled with DEET insect repellent 53 with an index of refraction of 1.52. Due to the index of refraction matching between the glass 58 and the DEET 53 there will be no reflectivity at the interfaces and the corner cube reflectors will not reflect incident light 56, 55 back and transmit through the reflector array 58 and to a background 50. The background can absorb the light or allow colored light to be reflected 51 and transmitted back through the corner cube array 58 to the observer 57. Dyes such as fluorscene can the added to the insect repellent mixture to add characteristic colors to transmitted and reflected light.
(33) In FIG. 6 a cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with corner cube array reflector is shown. Scent liquid DEET has been removed by diffusion through the molecularly permeable membrane while air 70 has diffused into the ampoule though the molecularly permeable membrane 62. The corner cube 69 surfaces are dried and the incident light undergoes internal reflections off the 90 degree surfaces 63 with the glass air interfaces of the glass corner cube array. Incident light 64 from a light source 65 is reflected 67, 68 and observed 66 and will give the observer a view of bright reflection out of the scent ampoule contrasting with the back ground 61 light absorption when the ampoule was filled with scent liquid. If an array of corner cube reflectors 69 are spaced in a regular array with spacing of similar to the wavelength of light this array could enable constructive interference of the light and colorful reflections of light when the observer is viewing the array at angles from normal incidence. These type constructive interference reflections are observed in butterfly wings and could be used to enable a positive means of confirming that the scent ampoule is empty.
(34) In FIG. 7 a cross sectional view of an empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors or layer reflective materials are shown. Dielectric layers of transparent materials 89, 90, 91 with hollow gaps between the layers 88 are formed that can obtain Bragg Reflections that are placed within a molecularly permeable membrane 81 ampoule. The layers of Bragg reflectors, in first order, a surface reflection 89 is paired with an internal reflection 95 a quarter wavelength thickness away. Then an internal reflection 95 is paired across an air gap and next external reflection 83 a quarter wavelength away. This sequence is repeated into the Bragg reflector to enable all reflections 84, 83, 82, 95, 96, 97 off the dielectric air 88 interfaces to produce a construction interference of incident light 85. This is the equivalent to a dichroic filter with an air gap layer 88 and produces a bright constructive interference reflection of light 87 observed by the user 86 when the ampoule is filled with air 88.
(35) Alternatively, if thin semi reflective and transmissive layers of metal were deposited on each layer 89, 90, 91 each layer would be a half wavelength of light achieve first order constructive interference. Incident would constructively interfere off the interfaces and be observed as constructive interference reflected light 87 by the observer 86. Transmitted light will travel on to the background 80 and be absorbed 94, 93, 92.
(36) In FIG. 8 a cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors is shown. When the scent liquid DEET fills the ampoule 108 and fills the air gaps 109 in the super lattice material 110, 111, 112 the wavelength of light will be shortened. This will change the constructive interference between layers and in the case of metal layer reflectors 104, 103, 102 will cause the constructive interference of the light 107 to be shifted to longer wavelengths of light (red shifted).
(37) In the case where the reflectivity of each layer interface 116, 117, 118 depends on index of refraction differences this will shift the light reflections across the gaps and destroy the constructive interference. If index of refraction between the solid 110, 111, 112 and infused liquid 108 in the Bragg reflector are matched there will be no reflections 102, 103, 104, 116, 117, 118 and also no constructive interference 107 and the light will be absorbed 113, 114, 115 by the backplane 100. For the observer 106 when the ampoule is filled with scent liquid 108 the ampule will appear to be dark and as the scent liquid is diffused out through the membrane 101 and leaves the super lattice 110, 111, 112 the ampoule will produce colorful constructive interference Bragg reflections 107 of a light source 105 as viewed by the observer 106.
(38) Gratings and holograms that depend on dielectric interfacial reflections to reflect and scatter light can also be used as an indicator of wet or dry conditions in an ampoule. With gratings there will be no shift due to change in wavelength of light incident on the grating because the angles incident will also change. The dominating effect will be the reflectivity changing with liquid contact to the dielectric medium interfaces.
(39) In FIG. 9 a cross-sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces is shown. Two 0.20 mm thick silicone rubber ampoules 122, 129 are formed by molding, or extrusion that have textured features 121,123 on the membranes with groove or protuberance features smaller than 0.1 mm with aspect ratios higher than 1. The silicone rubber sheets are glued together, 119 to form a hollow cavity and DEET or DEET and dye 126 is injected with a needle syringe through the glue joint area 119 to completely fill the ampoule 129 122. Incident light 124 on the ampoule will travel through the interfaces at the silicone (1.4 to 1.55 index of refraction) to the DEET (1.52 index of refraction) with low reflections off the interfaces 121, 123. Ambient light will travel through the ampoule 129, 122 to be absorbed or reflected off the dyed scent fluid 126 or background 127. The viewer can see reflected or transmitted light from the background 127 and emitted or reflected light from the scent fluid 126. The background 127 could be a light source such as an electrically stimulated light source such as organic light emitting diode, light emitting diode, incandescent lamp, light pipe from a light source, or cell phone screen 127. The background 127 could be light sources of fluorescer, phosphor, scintillator, or sunlight scattering through a diffuser. In some applications the repellent or attractant ampoule and protective housing are placed on a light source 127 to attract mosquitos or disorient and confuse mosquitos. The light source 127 could be a steady or flashing light source to act as a night safety marker. The light source 127 could be a short wavelength light source that could stimulate the characteristic fluorescent light emissions from the dyed scent liquid 126 enabling a rapid visual assessment of the liquid quantity by the viewer 125 observing light transmitted from the source 126 or stimulated emissions from the scent liquid and dye 126. The electrical power for the stimulated light source 127 could be batteries 120, or photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, or kinetic electromagnetic sources of electrical power. Electronics, shown as switch 128, could be used to control the light source 127.
(40) In FIG. 10 a cross sectional view of partially empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces is shown. As the scent liquid 138 is removed by diffusion through the molecularly permeable membranes 131, air 132 will diffuse into the ampoule 131. The air gas bubbles 137 will form in the grooves 132. Air diffuses in and scent fluid diffuses out through the molecularly permeable membranes 131, and by a surface tension gradient effect of tapering the hydrophobic channels 132, the liquid can reduce surface tension energy by leaving the grooves 132. This leads to the grooved area preferentially drying out and forming gas/dielectric interfaces in the grooves 134, 139 that will reflect and scatter light 133, 136. The observer 135 will see more reflectivity from the grooved surfaces and the ampoule could gradually become whiter as more of the hydrophobic textured surfaces 134, 139 are exposed. The grooving and texturing of the membrane surface 131 could be done by laser etching the surface. Micro texturing the surface to preferentially dry and be visible can lead to two dimensional patterns such as symbols and text being visible as the scent liquid is depleted and an indicator of the fill level. The viewer 135 will progressively view more scattered and less directly transmitted light from the background electrical light source 140, 141, 130 as the scent liquid diffuses through the molecular permeable membrane 131 and the textured surfaces 132, 134,139 of the silicone membranes 131 dry out.
(41) In FIG. 11 a cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with a barbed connector is shown. A silicone tube 150, 151 with 2 mm outside diameter and 15 mm inside diameter and 1.11 meters long (Hangzhou, Xineng Electric Technology Co, Ltd, Hengxi Industrial Estate, Jincheng Street, Lin'an, Hangzhou, China) is filled with 1 ml of DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) (Vertelus, 2110 High Point Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27403, USA), 0.8 ml of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus p-Menthane-3,8-diol, (Citrefine International Limited, Moorefield Road, Yeadon, LEEDS, LS197BN, UK) and powdered sodium sulfate Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 154. A dye such as fluorescein can be added to the scent liquid mixture 154 at a concentration of 6 ppm to make the liquid more visible and give it a fluorescent green tint. Another possible dye is Rekhaoil®Bronze Dye (Narad Marketing Corporation, PO Box1817 Clifton, N.J. 07015). The polypropylene barbed 153 connector 156 (Eldon James Corporation, 10325 East 47.sup.th Avenue, Denver, Colo., 80238) can be corona discharge surface treated to have one end 153 be hydrophilic and the other end 157 remain hydrophobic. This will insure that as the ampoule depletes the scent liquid the liquid exits out one side of the connector driven by the hydrophilic/hydrophobic gradient. The silicone tube 150, 151 can be treated with a titanium dioxide coating that is solution deposited with methanol and dried and heat cured (TPXsol Kon Corporation, 91-115 Miyano Yamauchi cho, Kishima-gun, Saga prefecture, Japan). The titanium dioxide particle deposit enables the silicone tube interior to wet 159 and insure liquid contact with the scent fluid 152. The contact angle 159 of the liquid is shown to be low in the silicone tube and high in the hydrophobic end of the connector 157. The polypropylene connector is a non-diffusion reservoir so it could be used to increase the volume capacity of the ampoule without increasing the membrane 150,151 diffusion surface area. In operation, the scent liquid diffuses through the silicone rubber membrane 150, 151. As the scent liquid is depleted air also diffuses into the ampoule creating bubbles in the tube 158. The bubbles zones are transparent and the remaining liquid retains the dye and is a characteristic color of the dye. By viewing the ampoule with liquid 152, 154, and gas portions 158, 157 the remaining capacity can be gauged by the fraction of the tube occupied by the dyed scent liquid 152,155.
(42) In FIG. 12 a cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with connector is shown. As the scent liquid diffuses out through the tubular ampoule membrane walls 170, 171 the scent liquid 172, 179 is depleted and coalesces due to surface tension into droplets in the tube with dyes following being retained in the liquid. Simultaneously air 178 diffuses in to a fill the tubular ampoule 171. The barbed connector 173 by the action of the hydrophobic 176. 177 to hydrophilic 174 surface gradient empties of DEET and fills with air 175 from the silicon tube 171, 175. Within the ampoule 170, 171 the scent liquid can evaporate and condense on the walls of the ampoule in thin films or micro droplets. Fluorescein dye will come out of solution and deposit as small nonvisible red deposits so there is no green fluorescent emission or dying of the silicone tube 170, 171. These condensate films are transparent and not easily viewable. The larger droplets 172, 179 that hold the dye are easily viewable with the colors contrasting with the surroundings. As a further means of distracting mosquitos, the dye colors are chosen to be red or pink to be attractive to mosquitos hunting blood. The remaining dyed liquid droplets 172, 179 appear as colored segments in the tube. The fractional volume of remaining scent fluid can be estimated by looking at the filled length and dividing by the total length of the tube. This gives the user a quantitative assessment of the remaining liquid.
(43) In FIG. 13A a hydrophilic and hydrophobic patterned liquid segregation in molecular permeable membrane ampoule is shown. A silicone rubber membrane wall 191, 192, 193,194 is etched, molded or laser cut to form a texturing with pores or grooves in a pattern of lowest density in pores 194 in the center of the pattern and a progressively higher density 193, 192 toward the perimeter 191, of the sheet of membrane 190. The pores of the membrane 191, 192, 193, 194 can be treated to be hydrophilic to attract the scent liquid.
(44) In FIG. 13B a cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with scent liquid is shown. An upper molecular permeable membrane of silicone rubber 195 untreated to remain hydrophobic and a backing membrane 203 are stacked on either side of patterned membrane 190, 191, 192, 193, 194 shown in FIG. 13A. The membrane stack is laminated on the perimeter 190 to a surface and a backing film 201, 204. The backing membrane 203 of silicone rubber or metal foil of aluminum could be chosen to be a contrasting color or white to contrast with the color of the dyed scent liquid 196, 199. A scent liquid mixture 196, 199 is injected into the ampoule 195, 203. The scent liquid diffuses through the molecular membrane 195 and simultaneously air 197 diffuses through the membrane 195 into the gas bubble 197. The in diffused air forms bubbles 196 that coalesce into the largest volumes and most hydrophobically bounded upper silicone membrane surfaces 195,198. In this example the upper silicone rubber membrane 195 is hydrophobic and the contact angle of scent liquid is a high angle, while the lower pore bearing membrane is hydrophilic and the scent liquid has a low contact angle with the surface 198. The shape of the ampoule cavity can also be effective in providing large cavity that tapers out to thin cavity that helps to amplify the hydrophilic region 200, 202 to hydrophobic region 198 bubble formation centering in the ampoule. For an observer looking down on the ampoule they would observe the bubble in the center 197 allowing light to transmit to the backing sheet 203 and see then the characteristic color of the backing sheet 203 reflecting back and scattering off the textured surface 198. While the areas covered by the dyed scent liquid 196, 199 would be absorbing light and have its characteristic color emission or reflection as it blocks or reduces the light transmitting through the liquid wetted hydrophilic patterns 200, 202 to the backing film 203. The pattern of the central dot and perimeter can give the observer a visual gauge of fractional area of the ampoule's remaining liquid compared to the total volume.
(45) In FIG. 13C a cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with remaining scent liquid in hydrophilic corners is shown. In this illustration the majority of scent liquid has diffused through the membranes 205 and small droplets 208 remain in the corners 209 on the patterned membrane 211. The majority of the volume of the ampoule is filled with air 206 that has in-diffused through the silicone membrane 205. In operation the backing membrane 210 has prevented un-wanted diffusion from the bottom layer of the ampoule facing a product container wall. This is particularly relevant when this ampoule is used in human wearable products where diffusion of repellents toward the human skin is not desirable. The remaining scent liquid 208 in the ampoule has coalesced to where high hydrophilic pore density is the highest 209 and attracting the scent liquid and dye mixture away from the hydrophobic regions 207 where the pore density is lowest. For the viewer of the ampoule, the majority of the ampoule has an air bubble in it and the background is viewable. A small perimeter scent liquid with dye 208, 209 is visible. This ampoule is nearly fully expended.
(46) In FIG. 14A a cross sectional lengthwise view of molecularly permeable tubular ampoule with hydrophilic segregation of liquid to capillary channels is shown. This ampoule 220, 223 is formed as a tube with an asymmetric cross section with small channels on one side 224 as shown in FIG. 14B. The small channels and large channel tube 223, 220 can be extrusion molded from silicone rubber. Powders that render the surface of the silicone rubber channeled or textured and/or hydrophilic can be added to the silicone monomer when extruding to produce the asymmetric hydrophilic/hydrophobic tube. The tube filled with scent liquid 221 that is dyed wets the walls of the tube 220. Surfactants could be added to the scent liquid to enable the scent liquid to wet silicone rubber 220. The scent liquid 221, 227 is preferentially attracted by the higher surface energy of the smaller channels 224,225, 226. Alternatively, the small channels could be rendered to be hydrophilic with a surface treatment while the large channels 222, 228 retain the hydrophobicity of the silicone rubber 220, 223. So as the scent liquid is expended by diffusing out of the ampoule 220 the scent liquid is attracted and coalesces on to the small channels or protuberances 224,225, 226. A similar means of forming a one sided capillary attraction on the side of the tube is to incorporate a much smaller porous wicking thread 219, such as polyester white thread, or an extrusion inside of a larger hydrophobic tube 220. As the scent liquid is expended the liquid will coalesce to the smaller wicking thread. If the scent liquid is dyed the thread 219 will hold the liquid and will color contrast with air filled tube. The wicking or flow in the capillary channels 224, 225 also helps to evenly distribute the remaining scent liquid along the length of the tubular ampoule to maintain diffusion delivery rates though the membranes 220, 223.
(47) In FIG. 14B a cross sectional view perpendicular to molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation half full of scent liquid is shown. As the scent liquid 227 diffuses through the molecularly permeable silicone rubber membrane tube 226 air diffuses into the tube and forms an asymmetric air bubble in the tube 228. The dyed liquid 227 coalesces to the small channeled 225, 224 side of the tube 226. As viewed from the outside, the ampoule changes from a uniform color to a two color system with dyed scent liquid on one side 227 with the background being the second color. A wicking thread 218 can be added that is immersed in the scent liquid.
(48) In FIG. 14C a cross sectional view perpendicular to the molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation of remaining scent liquid is shown. The scent liquid 230 is almost completely expended and the scent liquid has coalesced to the small capillary tubes 230, 229. For the viewer, the ampoule would appear to be nearly completely expended with a small fraction of the scent liquid dye 229, 230 being visible on one side of the ampoule tube 232. The remainder of the ampoule tube will be filled with air 231, and being transparent, the background can be viewed. The viewer can look at any segment of the tube and observe the same appearance so that only a small segment of the scent ampoule needs to be viewed to diagnose the fill level in the ampoule. A wicking thread 217 can be added that holds part of the remaining scent liquid and dye. When the ampoule liquid 229 is expended, a thin tinted thread 217 will be visible from the outside depending on the color of the dye when it is dried on the polyester thread 217.
(49) In FIG. 15A a cross sectional view of tubular band or packet with molecular permeable tubular membranes and viewing port is shown. For this example a tubular ampoule 242 is shown placed within a stack of porous non-woven polyethylene membrane 241, impermeable polyester membrane 247, and non-woven polyethylene membrane 246. The polyester membrane 247, has been treated to enable it to heat seal to the polyethylene membranes 241, 246 and it serves the purpose of blocking un-needed scent diffusion toward the band user. This polyester membrane 247 can also be printed with a color and pattern to enable a contrasting background to the scent ampoules 242, 243. The top porous non-woven polyethylene membrane 241 has one or more viewing apertures 244 cut to allow viewing of the ampoule's 242 scent liquid 243 level. These viewing apertures 244 could also incorporate window membranes to protect the ampoules and still allow viewing. The stack assembly can be compression heat sealed 240, 245 along the perimeter or the ampoules inserted after the compression heat sealing.
(50) In FIG. 15B a porous tubular band with molecular permeable tubular membranes with viewing port and button fasten system is shown. The lamination of the non-woven polyethylene 254, 256 and the polyester 255 forms a hollow band 250. In this example one end of the band is open ended 257 to allow the insertion of the scent ampoules 251 and button holes 258, 259. At the other end of the band 250 is a rivet button 253 that allows the tubular band 250 to be strapped around a wrist or ankle. In the middle area of the band 250 a viewing aperture 252 allows the ampoules to be directly viewed. In this example it is an elliptical hole. The viewing port 252 can be stylized to be part of printed patterns on the band 250 and, in particular, can form an eye pattern that is attractive to mosquitos. The non-woven polyethylene band 250 can be printed with colorful patterns for the user's preferences. The non-woven polyethylene 254, 258 was chosen to be water proof and breathable to enable diffusion and air flow from the ampoules 251 and from the user. The layer 256 that is in contact with the human could be a wicking fabric or felt that permits soft contact and air flow. In operation the band is strapped on the human wrist, ankle or hat using the choice of button holes 258, 259 to find an appropriate fit. The human can check the fluid level by looking through the viewing port 252
(51) In FIG. 16 a perforated reel cover cap and wound tubular ampoule is shown. The cover cap 270 is injection molded from polypropylene plastic with reel legs 274, 275 (Proto Labs Inc. 5540 Pioneer Creek Drive, Maple Plain, Minn. 55359). The tubular ampoules 276 are wound around the legs 274, 275 of the reel cap 270. The filled tube windings 276 include winding the tube across the center to permit viewing of the tube ampoules through the center aperture 273. The vent holes 271 distributed throughout the cover cap provide the emission venting from the tubular ampoule.
(52) In FIG. 17A a perforated cover cap to be inserted into the slap band cavity is shown. The viewing aperture 281 is shown facing out and the tubular ampule 282 will go inside the slap band cavity 291 held by the legs 283. The rim 280 of the perforated cover cap fits inside the rim 290 of the rubber slap band cavity 291. The legs 283 of the cover cap 280 fit within the corners of the slap band cavity and form an protected ventilation cavity 291 with vent holes 284 inside the slap band 292.
(53) In FIG. 17B a slap band is shown. A silicone rubber slap band is formed with silicone rubber injection molding about a bi-stable tempered steel band 292 (J&F Silicone Rubber Products Factory, Qiuhu Road, Qiuchang Town, Huiyang District, Huizhou City, China). The slap band has a cavity chamber 291 and an overhanging sleeve 290 to hold rigid objects in the cavity 291.
(54) In FIG. 17C a slap band with tubular ampoule and reel cap is shown. The assembled reel with tubular scent ampoule is inside the cavity and held by the rubber sleeve of the silicone rubber slap band 302. In operation the slap band 302 will lay flat (first stable form) until bent around a wrist or ankle and go to the second stable form of a curled sheet to create a loop on the user's ankle or wrist. When the user observes that the scent liquid fractional quantity is low by viewing through the center aperture 300 the user can refill the ampoule pulling the reel assembly 300 out of the slap band by pulling back the rubber sleeve 301. Refilling ampoules can be done by injecting liquid either by needle syringe injection through thickened areas of the silicone rubber ampoules or by opening the tube ampoule at the connector tube joint and refilling with a syringe.
(55) In FIG. 17D a slap band with a tubular scent ampoule is shown placed in a resealing bag. The assembled slap band with the scent ampoule or ampoules are placed in an air tight container, heat sealed polyester or heat sealed polyethylene/metal foil bag to be held until use. The assembled band can be replaced back in an air tight container or zip-closure polyester bag to be stowed with low scent fluid loss until reuse.
(56) Dyes can be added to the scent mixture such that when the scent liquid is present the liquid specifically absorbs light to make the ampoule have a color or is dark. When the scent liquid is removed, the light scattering prevents the light traveling into the residues of the dye and the ampoule appears to be white or colorless.
(57) While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims.
LIST OF COMPONENTS IN FIGURES
(58) FIG. 1 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with scattering surfaces inside ampoule.
(59) 1. Back plane light absorber, emitter, and reflector
(60) 2. Seal ampoule area
(61) 3. Molecular diffusion membrane
(62) 4. Scent liquid
(63) 5. Incident light
(64) 6. Optical observer
(65) 7. Roughened high surface area membrane wall
(66) 8. Light scattering particles, porous membrane, or fibers
(67) 9. Reflected or emitted light transmitted through ampoule
(68) FIG. 2 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with interior scattering surfaces
(69) 11. Back plane light absorber
(70) 12. Molecular diffusion membrane
(71) 13. Light scattering particle or fiber
(72) 14. Incident light rays
(73) 15. Light observer
(74) 16. Light scattered from particles or fibers
(75) 17. Light scattered off roughened surfaces
(76) 18. Air void in ampoule
(77) 19. Light scattering from roughened surface to observer
(78) FIG. 3 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with ruled transmission grating
(79) 25. Heat seal
(80) 26. Back plane absorber
(81) 27. Molecular permeable membrane
(82) 28. Porous membrane
(83) 29. Incident light
(84) 30. Optical observer
(85) 31. Light rays incident and transmitting through porous membrane
(86) 33. Light incident on back absorber
(87) 34. Scent liquid filled in pore
(88) 35. Surface reflections of light
(89) 36. Back transmitted light
(90) FIG. 4 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with ruled transmission grating
(91) 37. Back plane absorber
(92) 38. Molecular permeable membrane
(93) 39. Porous membrane
(94) 40. Incident light
(95) 41. Reflection of incident light
(96) 42. Optical observer
(97) 43. Air in ampoule
(98) 44. Remaining scent liquid and dye
(99) 45. Reflected and scattered light rays
(100) 46. Hydrophobic pore
(101) FIG. 5 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with retro reflector
(102) 50. Back plane light absorber
(103) 51. Light incident on light absorber
(104) 52. Molecular permeable membrane
(105) 53. Liquid scent
(106) 54. Light passing through retro reflector facets
(107) 55. Light rays
(108) 56. Light source
(109) 57. Observer
(110) 58. Retro light reflector facets with matching index of refraction to scent fluid
(111) FIG. 6 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with interior retro reflector
(112) 61. Back plane light absorber
(113) 62. Molecular permeable membrane
(114) 63. Internal reflection
(115) 64. Incident light ray
(116) 65. Light source
(117) 66. Observer
(118) 67. Reflected light ray
(119) 68. Second internal reflection
(120) 69. Retro reflector sheet
(121) 70. Air in ampoule
(122) FIG. 7 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors
(123) 80. Back plane light absorber
(124) 81. Molecular permeable membrane
(125) 82. Reflection off layer
(126) 83. Reflection off layer
(127) 84. Reflection off layer
(128) 85. Incident light waves
(129) 86. Optical observer
(130) 87. Constructive interference of reflected light
(131) 88. Scent liquid within super-lattice
(132) 89. Reflective layer
(133) 90. Reflective layer
(134) 91. Reflective layer
(135) 92. Light incident on back absorber
(136) 93. Light incident on back absorber
(137) 94. Light incident on back absorber
(138) 95. Internal reflection
(139) 96. Internal reflection
(140) 97. Internal reflection
(141) FIG. 8 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with super lattice Bragg reflectors
(142) 100. Back plane absorber
(143) 101. Molecular permeable membrane
(144) 102. Light reflection off layer
(145) 103. Light reflection off layer
(146) 104. Light reflection off layer
(147) 105. Incident electromagnetic light waves
(148) 106. Light observer
(149) 107. Constructive interference
(150) 108. Air in ampoule
(151) 109. Air in super lattice
(152) 110. Super lattice layer
(153) 111. Super lattice layer
(154) 112. Super lattice layer
(155) 113. Light incident on absorber
(156) 114. Light incident on absorber
(157) 115. Light incident on absorber
(158) 116. Internal reflection
(159) 117. Internal reflection
(160) 118. Internal reflection
(161) FIG. 9 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces
(162) 119. Glue Joint
(163) 120. Battery electrical energy supply
(164) 121. Transmission through roughened surface
(165) 122. Molecularly permeable membrane
(166) 123. Transmission through roughened surface observed
(167) 124. Transmitted light observed
(168) 125. Optical observer
(169) 126. Scent liquid
(170) 127. Back plane light emitter
(171) 128. Electrical switch
(172) 129. Second silicone sheet
(173) FIG. 10 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane ampoule with hydrophobic textured membrane surfaces
(174) 130. Battery electrical energy supply
(175) 131. Molecular permeable membrane
(176) 132. Scattering off dried surface
(177) 133. Emitted photons
(178) 134. Scattered light
(179) 135. Optical observer
(180) 136. Transmitted reflected light
(181) 137. Air in the hydrophilic channel
(182) 138. Scent liquid
(183) 139. Scattered light reflected off dried hydrophobic surfaces
(184) 140. Light emitter
(185) 141. Electrical switch
(186) FIG. 11 Cross sectional view of scent liquid filled molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with connector
(187) 150. Silicone molecularly permeable membrane
(188) 151. Silicon molecularly permeable membrane
(189) 152. Scent liquid
(190) 153. Barbed connector
(191) 154. Liquid scent in hydrophilic side of connector
(192) 155. Meniscus of scent fluid in hydrophobic connector reservoir
(193) 156. Connector wall
(194) 157. Air in connector on hydrophobic side
(195) 158. Air in tube
(196) 159. Meniscus of wetted scent liquid in tube
(197) FIG. 12 Cross sectional view of empty molecularly permeable membrane tubular ampoule with connector
(198) 170. Molecular permeable membrane
(199) 171. Molecular permeable membrane
(200) 172. Coalesced dyed scent liquid
(201) 173. Barbed connector
(202) 174. Hydrophilic side of connector
(203) 175. Air in connector
(204) 176. Hydrophobic wall of connector
(205) 177. Hydro phobic side of connector
(206) 178. Air molecular permeable membrane tube
(207) 179. Coalesced liquid with remaining scent and dye
(208) FIG. 13A Hydrophilic and hydrophobic patterned liquid segregation in molecular permeable membrane ampoule
(209) 190. Edge seal region
(210) 191. High surface area hydrophilic
(211) 192. Medium surface area hydrophilic
(212) 193. Low surface area hydrophilic
(213) 194. Hydrophobic surface area
(214) FIG. 13B Cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with scent liquid
(215) 195. Molecular permeable membrane
(216) 196. Scent liquid
(217) 197. Bubble of air as used
(218) 198. Hydrophobic region
(219) 199. Scent liquid
(220) 200. Medium surface area hydrophilic region
(221) 201. Bond region
(222) 202. High surface area hydrophilic region
(223) 203. Impermeable barrier layer
(224) 204. Back wall material layer
(225) FIG. 13C Cross sectional view through the hydrophobic and hydrophobic gradient patterned ampoule filled with remaining scent liquid in hydrophilic corners
(226) 205. Molecular permeable membrane
(227) 206. Air bubble
(228) 207. Hydrophobic region
(229) 208. Remaining scent liquid migrated to hydrophobic region
(230) 209. Hydrophobic pores
(231) 210. Impermeable backing layer
(232) 211. Membrane back wall of ampoule
(233) FIG. 14A Cross sectional lengthwise view of molecularly permeable tubular ampoule with hydrophilic segregation of liquid to capillary channels
(234) 217. Polyester wicking thread
(235) 218. Polyester wicking thread
(236) 219. Polyester wicking thread
(237) 220. Molecular permeable tube wall
(238) 221. Scent liquid
(239) 222. Gas bubble
(240) 223. Molecular permeable tube wall
(241) FIG. 14B Cross sectional view perpendicular to molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation half full of scent liquid.
(242) 224. Small half capillary channel
(243) 225. Wall of capillary channel hydrophilic
(244) 226. Molecular permeable wall
(245) 227. Scent liquid attracted to capillary channels
(246) 228. Gas bubble
(247) FIG. 14C Cross sectional view perpendicular to the molecularly permeable tube ampoule with hydrophilic capillary channel separation of remaining scent liquid
(248) 229. Capillary channel with scent liquid
(249) 230. Remaining scent liquid in capillary channel
(250) 231. Gas bubble
(251) 232. Molecular permeable membrane wall of tube
(252) FIG. 15A Cross sectional view of porous tubular band with molecular permeable tubular membranes and viewing port
(253) 240. Bond region
(254) 241. Porous outer membrane film
(255) 242. Tubular membrane film
(256) 243. Scent liquid
(257) 244. Viewing aperture
(258) 245. Bond region
(259) 246. Porous backing layer
(260) 247. Impermeable barrier layer
(261) FIG. 15B Porous tubular band with molecular permeable tubular membranes with viewing port and button fasten system
(262) 250. Porous outer membrane film
(263) 251. Tubular ampoules
(264) 252. Aperture in porous membrane film
(265) 253. Button or barb button
(266) 254. Top porous layer
(267) 255. Impermeable layer
(268) 256. Porous bottom layer
(269) 257. Opening at end of tube to allow insertion and removal of tubular ampoules
(270) 258. Button hole
(271) 259. Button hole
(272) FIG. 16 Perforated reel cover cap and wound tubular ampoule
(273) 270. Molded cover cap and reel
(274) 271. Vent hole
(275) 272. Silicone tube ampoule
(276) 273. Center tube viewing aperture
(277) 274. First leg of reel
(278) 275. Second leg of reel
(279) 276. Molecular permeable tube ampoule crossing beneath viewing hole
(280) FIG. 17A Perforated reel cover cap with wound tubular ampoule positioned to be inserted
(281) 280. Perforated cover cap and reel
(282) 281. Center viewing aperture
(283) 282. Tubular molecularly permeable membrane
(284) 283. Reel leg
(285) 284. Vent aperture through cap
(286) FIG. 17B Slap-band to receive the perforated cap cover
(287) 290. Rubber sleeve
(288) 291. Cavity in rubber sleeve
(289) 292. Slap-band with tempered bi-stable strip encapsulated with rubber
(290) FIG. 17C Assembled second delivery system with slap-band attachment
(291) 300. Central vent and viewing aperture
(292) 301. Cavity rubber sleeve
(293) 302. Slap-band with tempered bi-stable strip encapsulated with rubber
(294) FIG. 17D Assemble mosquito repellent band inserted into a re-sealable bag
(295) 310. Zip channel bag seal
(296) 311. Low permeability polyester polyethylene laminated bag
(297) 312. Slap band
(298) 313. Bottom of bag
(299) 314. Cover cap of scent diffusion source
(300) Examples of features and elements in several embodiments of the invention include:
(301) Sealed ampoules of scent liquid
(302) Surface textured membrane walls of ampoules
(303) Surface textured membranes within the ampoules
(304) Pores or surface features smaller than 1 micron to produce scattering of light
(305) Light diffraction features
(306) Light reflective features
(307) Light reflective diffraction grating or hologram that when wetted or dry from scent contact produces dramatically different colors when viewed from above.
(308) Thin film interference filters that when surface is coated with scent liquid inhibits or enables the constructive of destructive interference of light.
(309) Color Reflectors
(310) Materials with small pores or structural features with similar index of refraction to scent liquid such that when wetted are transparent to light and when dry scatter light.
(311) Tubular ampoules
(312) Level indicator
(313) Interference with light
(314) The index of refraction effect of dry vs. wet
(315) Constructive interferences
(316) Layered super lattices
(317) Cartridges
(318) Random scattering
(319) Hydrophobic (fears water) will eject water. When only water left the porous material will become non-wetted.
(320) Hydrophilic surface will attract water.
(321) Reflectors
(322) Retro-reflectors
(323) Many ways to make scattering surfaces
(324) Make the scattering surface on the containment membrane.
(325) Membrane enables the indicator
(326) Quantum dot photoemission source
(327) Dye, scintillator or quantum dot source suspended in the essential oil
(328) Scintillator light source
(329) Fluorescent light source
(330) Phosphor light source
(331) Electrically powered light source
(332) Surface coating on the membrane attracts the oil
(333) Can achieve a proportionate level indicator with pre-sized exclusions wicking toward the smaller pores as the liquid level decreases.
(334) Pores that are tapered (liquid level progresses from large pore diameter to small pore diameter)
(335) Tubular ampoules that as they are expended have bubbles. So if the tube is tapered or has a wetting gradient then the liquid level can be progressive and act as a capacity gauge.
(336) Grooves or channels of different sizes that preferentially attract remaining scent liquid to form appearance changes of the ampoules light reflection or transmission.
(337) Tubular loop ampoules that shows liquid level.
(338) Flat seal ampoule
(339) Multiple ampoules
(340) Tubular ampoule with connector
(341) Re-sealable and refillable ampoules
(342) Re-sealable and refillable tubular ampoules
(343) Cartridge cage acts as a reel for the tubular ampoule.
(344) Central region of reel ampoule acts as diffusion or flow pathway for tubular and flat sealed ampoule.
(345) Cartridge cage with large hole sufficient to allow viewing of ampoules
(346) Ampoule with material that indicates liquid or no liquid repellent present.
(347) Liquid indicator material has porosity with pores less than 4 microns that when filled with liquid repellent will be transparent and when dry will reflect light.
(348) The ampoule or liquid in ampoule is tinted red or pink to be attractive to mosquitos.
(349) Color dye in the ampoule that as the scent oil is expended is more concentrated and becomes darker.
(350) Color associated with the oil and concentration of soap or long chain molecules (hydrocarbons) that can't go through the membrane and with a solubility limit so precipitates come out and absorb light or color change.
(351) Colloidal Oil
(352) The eye hole is a viewing port.
(353) The cassette has an eye hole port and reflector ampoule.
(354) The number of hours pattern left is viewed and then obscured as the scent fluid is expended. To create a kind of count-down. (999, −99, −9)
(355) The liquid attractant features that hold the remaining scent liquid form geometric patterns that are an indicator of fill level.
(356) Color patterns of a circular fuel gauge.
(357) Techniques to produce porous surfaces of irradiation and etching, porous material, sand blasting, molding, laser etching, printing, precipitation, condensation, sponge formation.
(358) Surface tension changes to the scent fluid as the scent is expended and hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions or pores such that scent fluid and surfaces separate and give an indication of scent fluid level reduction.
(359) Nano powders that when wet with oil scatters differently. Color change could very well be no reflection or color when wet, while brighter color when wet.
