VOLATILE SUBSTANCE DIFFUSER

Abstract

The volatile substance diffuser comprises a support (1) impregnated with the volatile substances, wherein at least one portion of the volatile substances is contained in at least first microcapsules (2) and second microcapsules (3) comprising a core (10) and a coating (11), the diffusion times of the first and second microcapsules (2, 3) being different to each other.

It enables the diffusion time of the volatile substances to be increased.

Claims

1. A volatile substance diffuser, comprising a support impregnated with volatile substances, wherein at least a portion of the volatile substances is contained in at least one or more first microcapsules and one or more second microcapsules, each of the one or more first microcapsules and one or more second microcapsules comprises a core and a coating, and diffusion times of the first and second microcapsules are different to each other.

2. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the first and second microcapsules have different sizes from one another.

3. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the coating to the core is different for the first and second microcapsules.

4. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the coating is different for the first and second microcapsules.

5. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the support further comprises a plurality of additional microcapsules that are different to each other.

6. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the first and second microcapsules are activated to release the volatile substances thereof by mechanical tension.

7. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the first and second microcapsules are activated to release the volatile substances thereof by ultraviolet light.

8. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the first and second microcapsules are activated to release the volatile substances thereof by a change in pH.

9. The volatile substance diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the support is made of cellulose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For the purpose of helping to make the foregoing description more readily understandable, it is accompanied by a set of drawings which, schematically and by way of illustration and not limitation, represent an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the volatile substance diffuser according to the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic detailed view of the structure of the support forming the volatile substance diffuser according to the present invention, wherein the different types of volatile substances can be seen; and

[0024] FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a microcapsule that is used in the volatile substance diffuser according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] As shown in the figures, the volatile substance diffuser according to the present invention is formed from a support 1, by way of a sheet impregnated with the volatile substances. Said support 1 can be made of any suitable material, although preferably it is made of cellulose, for example, compact cardboard.

[0026] Said volatile substances are contained, at least in part, in microcapsules, which are of at least two different types: first microcapsules 2 and second microcapsules 3.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the support 1 comprises four different types of microcapsules, identified with the reference numbers 2 to 5, as shown schematically in FIG. 2.

[0028] Said microcapsules are different because they have diffusion times different to each other in order to maximise the diffusion time of the volatile substances.

[0029] As can be seen in FIG. 3, each microcapsule comprises a core 10 and a coating 11, defining a substantially spherical shape.

[0030] The diffusion times thereof can be varied in different ways, for example, by changing the size of the microcapsules, the ratio of the core to the coating and/or the thickness of the coating.

[0031] It must be noted that the volatile substances can be contained in their entirety in the microcapsules, or they can combine freely impregnated volatile substances (without being contained in microcapsules) in the support and volatile substances contained in microcapsules with different diffusion times.

[0032] For the sale thereof, the diffuser according to the present invention is housed inside a sealed cover, to prevent any type of diffusion. Said sealed cover is removed when there is a desire to use the diffuser.

[0033] Upon removing the sealed cover, the freely impregnated volatile substances in the support 1, if any, will begin to spread to the environment. The remaining volatile substances contained in the microcapsules will not spread immediately, but will begin to diffuse with a delay when they are activated.

[0034] Said activation can be carried out in different ways. For example, they can be activated by means of mechanical tension, ultraviolet light and/or a change in pH.

[0035] Thus, it ensures that the diffusion of the volatile substances lasts longer than in a conventional diffuser wherein all the volatile substances spread at the same time.

[0036] Despite the fact that reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident for the person skilled in the art that numerous variations and changes may be made to the volatile substance diffuser described, and that all the aforementioned details may be substituted by other technically equivalent ones, without detracting from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.