US4248380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aqueous-based air treating systems
Assignee: Reckitt and Colman North America Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-27
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1997-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for the controlled release of air treating material comprising a hydrophilic membrane secured to a reservoir containing an active ingredient in aqueous medium, the membrane serving as the means for releasing the active ingredient to the atmosphere and for controlling the rate of release.
Inventors
- 👤 Ping I. Lee
- 👤 Eduard K. Kleiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/015; A61L9/04; A61L9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A dispensing system for volatile air-treating materials comprising a closed reservoir, a hydrophilic membrane having an equilibrium water content of at least about 15% forming at least a portion of the wall surface of said reservoir and being in contact with the atmosphere, and a volatile air-treating material present in aqueous medium contained in said reservoir in contact with said hydrophilic membrane; said system providing uniform release of both said water and said volatile air-treating material such that said reservoir is substantially devoid of both components at the conclusion of the release period, and substantially minimizing the fractionation among any essential oils present in said air-treating material and between the water and said essential oils.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dispensing system for volatile air-treating materials comprising a closed reservoir, a hydrophilic membrane having an equilibrium water content of at least about 15% forming at least a portion of the wall surface of said reservoir and being in contact with the atmosphere, and a volatile air-treating material present in aqueous medium contained in said reservoir in contact with said hydrophilic membrane; said system providing uniform release of both said water and said volatile air-treating material such that said reservoir is substantially devoid of both components at the conclusion of the release period, and substantially minimizing the fractionation among any essential oils present in said air-treating material and between the water and said essential oils.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic membrane is selected from the group consisting of cellophane; Cuprophan; high molecular weight, fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol; crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol; hydrogels; polyvinyl chloride containing inert, absorptive filler; cellulose triacetate; copolyether polycarbonate; polyethylene glycol-polyethylene terephthalate copolymer; and hydrophilic polyurethane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said equilibrium water content is at least about 30%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said aqueous medium is a water-solvent mixture selected from the group consisting of water-alcohol, water-glycol, water-ketone and water-aldehyde.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic membrane is cold water-insoluble polyvinyl alcohol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is a rigid container having means for vacuum relief.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is a flexible container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic membrane is supported on a macroporous substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said air-treating material is present in an oil-in-water emulsion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for the controlled, uniform, substantially constant release of volatile air-treating materials into the atomsphere comprising placing an aqueous system containing said volatile air-treating material into a closed reservoir having as at least a portion of the wall surface thereof a hydrophilic membrane with an equilibrium water content of at least about 15%, said aqueous system contacting said membrane; swelling said membrane; and allowing said air-treating material to diffuse through said membrane and be released into the atmosphere; said aqueous phase also being transmitted through said membrane such that said reservoir is substantially empty at the conclusion of the release period.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for the controlled, uniform, substantially constant release of volatile air-treating materials into the atomsphere comprising placing an aqueous system containing said volatile air-treating material into a closed reservoir having as at least a portion of the wall surface thereof a hydrophilic membrane with an equilibrium water content of at least about 15%, said aqueous system contacting said membrane; swelling said membrane; and allowing said air-treating material to diffuse through said membrane and be released into the atmosphere; said aqueous phase also being transmitted through said membrane such that said reservoir is substantially empty at the conclusion of the release period.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said hydrophilic membrane is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol; crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol; hydrogels; polyvinyl chloride containing inert, absorptive filler; cellulose triacetate; copolyether polycarbonate; polyethylene glycol-polyethylene terephthalate copolymer; and hydrophilic polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said aqueous medium is a water-solvent mixture selected from the group consisting of water-alcohol, water-glycol, water-ketone and water-aldehyde.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said hydrophilic membrane is cold water-insoluble polyvinyl alcohol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |