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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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.    
     
     
         2 . 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.  
     
     
         3 . 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.  
     
     
         4 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 3 , wherein said heat source comprises a resistive heating element.  
     
     
         5 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 4 , wherein said heat source comprises a thick-film resistor.  
     
     
         6 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 3 , wherein said heat control comprises a variable resistor.  
     
     
         7 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said volatizable material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of oil, wax, and gel.  
     
     
         8 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises at least one wick contacting said volatizable material.  
     
     
         9 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises an eminator pad.  
     
     
         10 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises a venting structure.  
     
     
         11 . 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.    
     
     
         12 . 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 two minimum perceivable intensity zones for said volatizable material, wherein said minimum perceivable intensity zones are substantially non-overlapping.    
     
     
         13 . A high-efficiency vapor-dispensing device configured to connect to an electrical receptacle, said device comprising: 
 a reservoir of volatizable material;    a delivery system communicating with said volatizable material, said delivery system configured to facilitate evaporation of said volatizable material into an environment at an evaporation rate, said delivery system including a heating element configured to produce a surface temperature responsive to a power input, said evaporation rate being a function of said surface temperature;    a controller configured to modulate said power input between a minimum power input and a maximum power input, wherein said maximum power input corresponds to a maximum surface temperature, and said minimum power input corresponds to a minimum surface temperature, wherein said minimum surface temperature is approximately 105° F. to  115  ° F., and said maximum surface temperature is approximately 140° F. to 150° F.    
     
     
         14 . A high-efficiency vapor-dispensing device, said device comprising: 
 a reservoir of volatizable material;    a delivery system communicating with said volatizable material for facilitating evaporation of said volatizable material into an environment at an evaporation rate, said delivery system including a heating element;    a controller configured to modulate said power input between a minimum power input and a maximum power input corresponding to a minimum evaporation rate and a maximum evaporation rate respectively;    said device having an evaporation efficiency characterized the maximum evaporation rate divided by the maximum power input, wherein said evaporation efficiency is greater than or equal to approximately 40 to 60 mg/W·hr.    
     
     
         15 . A high-efficiency vapor-dispensing device, said device comprising: 
 a reservoir of volatizable material;    a delivery system communicating with said volatizable material for facilitating evaporation of said volatizable material into an environment at an evaporation rate, said delivery system including a heating element configured to produce a surface temperature responsive to a power input, said evaporation rate being a function of said surface temperature;    a controller configured to modulate said power input between a minimum power input and a maximum power input, said maximum power input corresponding to a maximum evaporation rate and a maximum surface temperature;    said device having a thermal evaporation efficiency characterized the maximum evaporation rate divided by the maximum surface temperature, wherein said thermal evaporation efficiency is greater than or equal to approximately 1.0 to 2.0 mg/hr·° C.    
     
     
         16 . A vapor-dispensing device configured to connect to an electrical receptacle, said device comprising: 
 a reservoir of volatizable material;    a wicking structure communicating with said volatizable material;    an eminator coupled to said wick, said eminator configured to facilitate evaporation of said volatizable material in response to an eminator current;    a controller configured to adjustably tap a supply voltage from said electrical receptacle to produce said eminator current; and    said controller configured to produce a minimum eminator current and a maximum eminator current corresponding, respectively, to a minimum evaporation rate of between approximately 2.0 and 20.0 mg/hr and a maximum evaporation rate of between approximately 30.0 and 100.0 mg/hr.    
     
     
         17 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 16 , wherein said minimum evaporation rate is between approximately 5.0 and 15.0 mg/hr and said maximum evaporation rate is between approximately 30.0 and 50.0 mg/hr.