Sustained release air freshening device

Abstract

This invention relates to a device that provides controlled release of a fragrant or deodorizing substance: the fragrant or deodorizing substance being solublized with an appropriate carrier solvent within a polymeric matrix. The layers function as protective barriers, semi-permeable membranes, fragrance reservoirs, and adhesives. The device is capable of delivering a fragrance at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time through the gradual diffusion and release of fragrant material carried by a solvent from a reservoir system to the semi-permeable UV curable, oligomer composition acting a fragrance release regulator. Additionally, the UV curable, oligomeric composition that forms the reservoir and regulating layer can be engineered to be adhesive through cure inhibition. The method of cure inhibition can also be utilized to create internal areas of high and low cross link density to further control the release rate of a fragrance.

1 . An air freshening device comprising the cured residue of a UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition impregnated with a fragrant material and a solvent, wherein said oligomeric composition is optionally cure inhibited. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oligomers of said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition possess acrylate unsaturation and polybutadiene segments. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising tackifiers. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said tackifiers are selected from, the group consisting of rosin esters and terpenes. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition is partially cure inhibited. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said UV cured, liquid oligomeric composition is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer bears an image for display. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir layer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition encases said reservoir layer. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said reservoir layer is impregnated with a fragrant material and a solvent. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said reservoir layer is constructed from the group consisting of ethyl vinyl acetate; UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition; paper; silicone based polymers; and similarly available substances capable of retaining and releasing a fragrant material. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9  wherein cured said reservoir layer is transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition is of higher cross-link density than said reservoir layer. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said solvent is a polar organic solvent. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition is imprintable with ink. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition is imprintable with ink from a printer selected from the group consisting of laser printers, ink jet printers, bubble jet printers, and similar commercially available printers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of regulating the release of a fragrance from a UV cured, liquid oligomeric composition, which comprises creating internal areas of differing cross-link density by internally inhibiting the cure of said UV cured, liquid oligomeric composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said areas are created by impregnating said UV curable, oligomeric composition with cure inhibiting additives. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said areas are created by modulating the radiation during the curing process of said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition. 
     
     
         21 . The method of bonding materials to a UV cured, oligomeric composition, which comprises:
 (a) selectively applying a cure inhibiting additive to the surface of a UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition;   (b) curing said UV curable, liquid oligomeric composition with UV radiation; and   (c) applying said materials to the cure inhibited surface areas of said UV cured, oligomeric composition.