The present invention relates to an evaporation apparatus capable of supplying active ingredients sufficiently and stably. One embodiment of the invention includes a retention vessel keeping a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients, a liquid absorbing mechanism which absorbs the liquid formulation from said retention vessel, an evaporation mechanism which evaporates active ingredients of said liquid formulation absorbed into said liquid absorbing mechanism and adjusting means which adjusts the evaporation of active ingredients.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an evaporation apparatus which evaporates active ingredients.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally-known evaporation apparatuses are those in which a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients is absorbed into an evaporation body from which the active ingredients are evaporated.

However, such evaporation apparatuses are disadvantageous in that a liquid formulation absorbed into an evaporation body is evaporated before use or evaporation of active ingredients are not well adjusted during use of these apparatuses, thus making it difficult to keep the efficacy of active ingredients for a long period and leaving room for improvements.

An object of the invention is to provide an evaporation apparatus which is able to evaporate active ingredients sufficiently and stably.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The above object of the invention can be fulfilled by the following configurations.

(1) An evaporation apparatus comprising a retention vessel keeping a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients, a liquid absorbing mechanism which absorbs the liquid formulation from said retention vessel, an evaporation mechanism which evaporates active ingredients of said liquid formulation absorbed into said liquid absorbing mechanism and adjusting means which adjusts evaporation of active ingredients.

(2) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (1) comprising a liquid absorbing member at least partially exposed out of said retention vessel, a cylindrical inner member fixed so as to cover the exposed part of said liquid absorbing member, a cylindrical outer member fixed so as to cover said inner member and a rotating part attached to said inner member or said outer member, wherein an inner opening is provided on said inner member and an outer opening is provided on said outer member, and rotation of said rotating part allows said inner opening and said opening to communicate, by which said liquid absorbing member is exposed to evaporate active ingredients.

(3) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (2) comprising a clip connection and a clip having plural tightening parts, the one end of which is held with said clip connection, wherein other ends of said tightening parts are tightened to each other to provide an irregular surface on the contacting part.

(4) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (3) wherein said clip is fixed in an attachable and detachable manner on an outer vessel assembled to said retention vessel.

(5) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (1) having an evaporation carrier to which said liquid formulation is supplied through said liquid absorbing mechanism, wherein said evaporation carrier is provided with a body holding said liquid formulation and an erection part erected from said body.

(6) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (5) wherein a liquid absorbing member is kept exposed in or out of said retention vessel and said liquid formulation contained in said retention vessel is supplied via said liquid absorbing member into said evaporation carrier.

(7) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (5) comprising said retention vessel having a liquid absorbing member at a lower part which is at least partially exposed out of said retention vessel and an evaporation carrier to which said liquid formulation is supplied via said liquid absorbing member, wherein said evaporation carrier is made with porous materials and a liquid absorption quantity in about 50 minutes by said evaporation carrier with an area of 32 mm2and a thickness of 5 mm exceeds 7.5 g.

(8) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (5) comprising said retention vessel having a liquid absorbing member at a lower part which is at least partially exposed out of said retention vessel and an evaporation carrier to which said liquid formulation is supplied via said liquid absorbing member, wherein said liquid absorbing member contacts with said evaporation carrier on the surface.

(9) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (1) comprising a liquid absorbing member immersed in advance or upon use in the liquid formulation in which at least either of perfume or pigment is dissolved with a solvent and an evaporation carrier which is attached integrally or separately to said liquid absorbing member and which is at least partially exposed out of said retention vessel, wherein said solvent is adjusted for feeding by said liquid absorbing member and said evaporation carrier to effect evaporation, by which patterns are imparted to said evaporation carrier.

(10) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (1) comprising a liquid absorbing member immersed in advance or upon use in the liquid formulation in which at least either of a perfume or pigment is dissolved with a solvent and an evaporation carrier which is attached integrally or separately to said liquid absorbing member and which is at least partially exposed out of said retention vessel wherein said solvent is adjusted for feeding by said liquid absorbing member and said evaporation carrier to effect evaporation, by which patterns changing with the lapse of time are imparted to said evaporation carrier.

(11) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (1) comprising a liquid absorbing member to which said liquid formulation is supplied, a shield member set in such a manner that said liquid absorbing member will not contact with said liquid formulation before use and a lid member capable of fitting with said retention vessel so as to seal said opening before use, wherein said lid member is provided with a column extended into said retention vessel in which said liquid absorbing member is housed, an apical surface of said column is provided with a projection at which an aperture communicating inside said column is formed and a denticle which breaks a part of said shield member by lowering said lid member upon use, and there is a clearance between said projection and said bottom in such a state that said denticle is kept in contact with or close to the bottom of said retention vessel.

(12) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (11) wherein said projection and said denticle are placed with a clearance capable of keeping said liquid formulation by surface tension.

(13) The evaporation apparatus described in the above (11) or (12) wherein said lid member is provided with the first engagement projection and said retention vessel is also provided with the second engagement projection capable of retaining a position at which said lid member fits with said retention vessel by allowing the first engagement projection to engage therewith.

(14) The evaporation apparatus described in any one of the above items from (11) to (13) wherein said denticle is fixed so as to curve toward the direction of rotating said lid member on the above apical surface and also slanted so as to increase an extent of forward projection gradually toward the rotating direction of said lid member.

(15) The evaporation apparatus described in any one of the above items from (11) to (14), wherein a stopper is fixed which can be removed upon use while preventing said lid member from lowering before use, and the stopper is provided with a knob.

(16) The evaporation apparatus described in any one of the above items from (11) to (15), wherein said column is provided with a slit extending vertically toward said column.

In this invention, aqueous chemical compositions used in the liquid formulation usually contain glycols or other hydrophilic solvents as a solving agent together with water Glycols particularly used in this instance include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, styrene glycol, allyl glycol, butyl diglycol, isobutyl diglycol and butyl triglycol. Various chemicals conventionally used for killing insects, eliminating odors, rendering perfume, killing germs, avoidance, preventing molds, adjusting growth of plants, weeding and obtaining acaricidal effects maybe used as chemicals to be contained in the aqueous chemical composition prepared by addition of an evaporation stabilizing agent. The following show examples.

The isomers are also included in the above-described compounds.

(Dog and Cat Repellents)

Termicides include permethrin and chlordane.

Antifungal agents include α-bromocinnamic aldehyde and N,N-dimethyl-N-phenyl-N′-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-sulfamide.

Herbicides include 2,4-D soda salt and 3,4-dichloropropionanilide.

The above chemicals can be prepared as solutions. Solvents for preparing the chemical solutions include, as explained previously, glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylglycol (BG), butyldiglycol (BDG), isobutyldiglycol (BDG), butyltriglycol (BTG), styrene glycol and allyl glycol. Lower alcohols may be used similarly as the above solvents from a technological point of view, because they help the chemicals to dissolve. The solvent solution to be used in the above chemicals is prepared usually at a chemical concentration of about 0.2 to 20% by weight and preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 10 % by weight. The evaporation stabilizing agent is added at the previously described ratio to an aqueous solution to prepare a liquid formulation.

The following chemicals may be added to the chemical solution for the purpose of improving and adjusting the solubility of the solution or the evaporation upon heating.3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (hereinafter referred to as BHT)3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole.3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy anisole.mercaptobenzoimidazole. dilauryl-thio-di-propionate. 2,2′-methylene-bis-(6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol)2,2′-ethylene-bis-(6-t-butyl-4-ethyl phenol)4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,6-di-t-butyl-phenol)4,4′-butylidene-bis-(6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol)4,4′-thio-bis-(6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol)1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene. tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane. tetrakis[methylene(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)]methane octadecyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydroxinnamatePhenyl-β-naphtylamine. N,N-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine.2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-dihydroquinoline polymer. 6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-dihydroquinoline.2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl.3-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol.2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol. stearyl-β-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate. α-tocopherol ascorbic acid and erythorbic acid.

The above chemicals may be used solely or in combination with two or more types of them. They are used preferably at about 0.001 to 2.0% by weight in relation to the chemical solution added to an evaporation stabilizing agent of the invention, and more preferably at about 0.01 to 1.0% by weight.

The above liquid absorbing member used in the invention usually includes any materials such as felt, cotton, pulp, non-woven cloth, asbestos and inorganic substance-forming materials, and preferably includes felt core, biscuit core, pulp core and inorganic substance-forming core.

Examples of the above inorganic-substance forming cores include those prepared by solidifying inorganic fibers such as porous porcelain, glass fiber and asbestos with a binder such as gypsum or bentonite or those prepared by solidifying solely or in combination with mineral powders such as kaolin, activated white clay, talc, diatomaceous earth, clay, perlite, bentonite, alumina, silica, alumina silica, titanium, vitric volcanic rock calcination powder and vitric volcanic ash calcination powder, together with wood powder, carbon powder or activated carbon, with a paste, for example, dextrin, starch, gum arabic or synthetic paste (CMC). The above mineral powders (100 parts by weight) and wood powder alone or wood powder mixed with an equal quantity of carbon powder and/or activated carbon (10 to300parts by weight) are blended with a paste in a quantity of 5 to 25% by weight in relation to a total weight of the liquid absorbing member, to which water is added, and the resultant is kneaded, subjected to extrusion molding and drying to obtain particularly preferable liquid absorbing cores. An oil-absorbing velocity of said liquid absorbing member is preferably 1 to 40 hours and more preferably 8 to 21 hours. The oil-absorbing velocity is a value obtained by immersing a liquid absorbing core 7 mm diameter and 70 mm long in n-paraffin solution at 25° C. up to a point of 15 mm from the bottom to determine the time when n-paraffin reaches the core. The above liquid absorbing core may contain, whenever necessary, pigments such as malachite green, sorbic acid and its salts and antifungal agents such as dehydroacetic acid, together with the above mineral powder, wood powder and pastes.

Any aqueous or oil-based pigments may be used, as long as they are non-volatile and soluble in solvents. Such pigments include, for example, synthetic pigments (Red No. 102, Red No. 225, Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 4 etc.).

Since the above-explained evaporation apparatus is able to adjust the evaporation of active ingredients by the adjusting means, active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation can be prevented from evaporation before use. Adjusting active ingredients so as to evaporate in a necessary and sufficient quantity upon use makes it possible to keep the effect of active ingredients for a long period.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (2), when users rotate the rotating part of the apparatus to communicate with the inner opening with the outer opening, active ingredients of the liquid formulation contained in the exposed liquid absorbing member will evaporate from the evaporation apparatus. Thus, if the apparatus is kept in such a state that the inner opening and the outer opening are not communicated before use, the active ingredients can be prevented from evaporation. The evaporation apparatus can keep the effect of the active ingredients for a prolonged time.

The evaporation apparatus of the above item (3) is desirable in that it has a clip connection and a clip having plural tightening parts, the one end of which is held with said clip connection wherein other ends of said tightening parts are tightened to each other to provide an irregular surface on the contacting part. Thus, such an evaporation apparatus can be easily attached to a louver of an air conditioner in a car or in a room by using the clip. The irregular surface provided on the tightening parts of the clip is helpful in fixing more firmly the evaporation apparatus to the louver of an air conditioner. In addition, since plural tightening parts are provided at the sites opposite those to be tightened integrally by the clip connection, tightening parts of the clip will not be removed from the clip to prevent them from falling upon fixing.

The evaporation apparatus described in the above item (4) is available, with the clip removed from the outer vessel, thus making it possible to pack the evaporation apparatus in a smaller container at each stage of manufacture, transportation and others.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (5), it is possible that a part is erected from the body of the evaporation carrier to increase a surface area of the evaporation carrier for evaporation, by which active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation can be more effectively evaporated than a case where the erected part is not provided.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (6), it is possible that the liquid formulation housed in the retention vessel is supplied through the liquid absorbing member to the evaporation carrier, so that the liquid formulation is supplied in a more quantitative manner to the evaporation carrier and therefore active ingredients in the liquid formulation can be evaporated in a more stable manner from the evaporation carrier.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (7) it is possible that where the evaporation carrier is made with porous materials to give an area of 32 mm2and the thickness of 5 mm, the liquid absorption quantity in about 50 minutes in said evaporation carrier exceeds 7.5 g, thus making it possible to keep a sufficient quantity of the liquid formulation in the evaporation carrier and consequently to evaporate active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation sufficiently and stably.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (8), the liquid absorbing member contacts with the evaporation carrier on the surface, so that the liquid formulation can be supplied in an almost constant quantity through the liquid absorbing member to the evaporation carrier. Such a configuration that allows the liquid absorbing member and the evaporation carrier to contact on the surface could always supply the liquid formulation through the liquid absorbing member to the evaporation carrier in a larger quantity than the supply on a point contact or a line contact. Therefore, the evaporation apparatus described in the invention makes it possible to evaporate active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation sufficiently and stably.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (9), the liquid formulation is supplied from the liquid absorbing member to the evaporation carrier, by which the evaporation carrier can change in colors or patterns. Thus, it is possible not only to adjust a state of the evaporation in the evaporation apparatus by visual checks but also to improve decorative features of the evaporation apparatus upon appreciation of the apparatus set at a desired area in a room.

In addition, the evaporation apparatus described herein can offer users an enjoyment of decorative change in a shorter time, as compared with conventional evaporation apparatuses, providing a sufficient visual stimulation to prevent users from being bored.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (10), besides the similar effect provided by the evaporation apparatus of the above item (9), users are able to enjoy change in colors or patterns of the evaporation carrier, with the lapse of time, and decorative features are further improved.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (11), users are able to lower the lid member, whenever necessary, to break said shield member by the denticle formed on the apical surface of the column on the lid member, by which the liquid formulation housed in the retention vessel is supplied from the aperture of the projection on the column into the column. The thus supplied liquid formulation is then absorbed by the liquid absorbing member provided inside the column. Active ingredients of the liquid formulation absorbed by the liquid absorbing member are evaporated into the ambient atmosphere outside the evaporation apparatus.

In addition, the above-mentioned projection will not contact with the above-mentioned retention vessel upon lowering the above-mentioned lid member, thus making it possible to smoothly flow the liquid formulation into the aperture of the projection and also to smoothly absorb the liquid formulation inside the retention vessel until the very last.

The above evaporation apparatus is able to prevent contact of the liquid absorbing member with the liquid formulation before use, as a result of the shield member. In addition, the evaporation apparatus is free of the necessity of such troublesome work that users must remove the shield member from the retention vessel and again fix the lid member to the retention vessel upon use so that liquid absorbing member can contact with the liquid formulation, and therefore provide more convenience. In this instance, the liquid formulation will not adhere to the hands of users.

The apparatus is also free from the necessity of removing the lid member from the retention vessel, thereby preventing the liquid formulation from leakage from the evaporation apparatus.

Further, since turning the lid member upon use makes it possible to break the shield member, users do not need to apply a greater force thereto than in a case where the shield member is just broken vertically.

In addition, there is no need to provide a so-called disposable cap which is taken off of the evaporation apparatus and disposed before use, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts to be used in the evaporation apparatus.

Furthermore, the apparatus can be easily assumed for usage during distribution and packed in a smaller container.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (12), where only a small quantity of the liquid formulation is left, the liquid formulation contained in the retention vessel can be kept by surface tension by means of the projection and the denticle on the apical surface of the column, and the thus kept liquid formulation is supplied through the aperture of the projection into the column. Therefore, even where only a small quantity of the liquid formulation is left, active ingredients may be smoothly absorbed by the liquid absorbing member.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (13), engaging the first engagement projection together with the second engagement projection makes it possible to keep the lid member in such a state that it fits with the retention vessel, for example, where no stopper is provided during the manufacturing process, thus preventing the lid member from an accidental turn. Namely, it is possible to prevent the lid member from being removed from the retention vessel due to vibrations during distribution.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (14), turning and lowering the lid member makes it possible that the denticle breaks the shield member, cutting apart a desired part of the shield member, and dividing the shield member so that the liquid formulation can flow into, thus, allowing the liquid formulation contained in the retention vessel to flow smoothly.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (15), users are able to pull out a knob, whenever necessary, to remove the stopper.

According to the evaporation apparatus described in the above item (16), where the shield member is broken upon use, the liquid formulation housed in the retention vessel flows into the column not only from the aperture of the projection but also from the slit, thus, making it possible to absorb the liquid formulation more smoothly.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A detailed explanation will be made hereinafter for the embodiments of the evaporation apparatus of the present invention on the basis of the drawings. It shall be however, interpreted that the evaporation apparatuses of the invention shall not be restricted by these embodiments.

First Embodiment

As shown inFIG. 1, an evaporation apparatus10of this invention is provided with a retention vessel14which houses a liquid formulation L and an outer vessel11fixed on the upper part of the retention vessel14. The retention vessel14is configured with the body of a vessel14awhich houses the liquid formulation L and an opening14bfixed on the upper part of the body of the vessel14a. The opening14bis a cylindrical projection and configured so as to link with the body of the vessel14aat the lower inner circumferential part.

A liquid absorbing core15which acts as the liquid absorbing member is inserted through the opening14bon the retention vessel14, one end of which is immersed in the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel14and the other end of which is exposed out of the retention vessel14. One end of the liquid absorbing core15is provided so as to keep in contact with or close to the bottom of the retention vessel14. The liquid absorbing core15is fixed and supported with a supporting lid17fitted with the inner circumference of the opening14b.

The outer vessel11is configured with a trunk12fixed so as to cover an exposed part of the liquid absorbing core15and a head13fixed above the trunk12. The head13is configured with a dish-like rotating part13a, cylindrical inner cylinder13bprojected downward from the center of the rotating part13aand an outer cylinder13cprojected downward from the edge of the rotating part13a. The lower end of the inner cylinder13bis kept in contact with or close to the upper end of the opening14bon the retention vessel14.

The trunk12is configured with a trunk body12a, an upper opening12bformed on the upper part of the trunk body12aso as to fit with the outer cylinder13cof the head13, and an inner cylinder12cformed in a smaller diameter than that of the upper opening12band coaxially. The trunk12is positioned so that the inner cylinder12cslides with an outer circumference of the inner cylinder13bof the head13or keeps a slight clearance with the outer circumference. The trunk12is provided with plural evaporation apertures16for allowing active ingredients of the liquid formulation L to diffuse out of the evaporation apparatus10.

The exposed end of the liquid absorbing core15(upper end as indicated inFIG. 1) is placed on the inner circumference of the inner cylinder13bof the head13.

As shown inFIG. 2, the lower end of the inner cylinder13bof the head13is provided with plural evaporation openings13cat intervals in a circumferential direction.

Further, the inner cylinder12cof the trunk12is provided with plural evaporation openings12dat intervals in a circumferential direction. The plural evaporation openings13cand12dare available in a slit configuration, for example.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in the evaporation apparatus10of this embodiment, the head13is mounted on the trunk12in an axial-rotatable manner, with the liquid absorbing core15as the center of rotation. Rotation of the head13makes it possible to turn around the inner cylinder13b, by which the evaporation opening13ccan move to a position which allows it to communicate with the evaporation opening12dof the inner cylinder12con the trunk12.

In this embodiment, there is no restriction on the configuration of the evaporation openings13cand12d. The evaporation openings13cand12dare available in configuration which can adjust a mutually communicating area, according to the rotation of the head13. Thus, the evaporation apparatus10can adjust the quantity of evaporated active ingredients.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the evaporation apparatus10of this embodiment, the opening14bof the retention vessel14is provided with a flange14c. Further, a nail12eis formed inside the trunk12. The outer vessel11can be firmly fixed to the retention vessel14by allowing the nail12eto engage with the flange14cat the opening14bof the retention vessel14. The flange14cis available in any configuration as long as it can engage with the nail12e.

The trunk12is provided with an evaporation aperture21on desired sites opposite the evaporation aperture16. Thus, air distributed from air conditioners installed in a car or in a room, which is not illustrated here, can be taken into the evaporation apparatus10through the evaporation aperture21, thus allowing active ingredients to evaporate more effectively.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, the trunk12of the evaporation apparatus10in this embodiment is provided with a clip18via an attaching part19.

FIG. 4is a drawing of the clip18shown inFIG. 3, when viewed from the front edge (right side inFIG. 3).

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the clip18has a clip connection18aand plural tightening parts18b(4 in this embodiment) one end of which is retained with said clip connection18a. In this embodiment, provided are two clip connections18a, each of which is provided with two tightening parts18b. These two clip connections18aare mutually mated so as to form an approximate square whenFIG. 4is viewed at the front. Here, the clip connections18aare configured with a fitting having a predetermined elastic stress such as metal. The tightening parts18bare formed integrally with the clip connection18aat one end and formed with resin covering a part of the clip connection18aat the other end. The clip18is configured so as to effect mutual tightening based on elastic stress by the tightening parts18bas shown at the upper and lower parts inFIG. 4.

As shown inFIG. 5, the tightening parts18bof the clip18are provided with irregular surfaces22at a site where other ends are mutually tightened and contacted. The clip18configured according to this embodiment can be fixed to be a vertical or horizontal louver of the air conditioner installed in a car or in a room, which is not illustrated here. The louver can be kept between the irregular surfaces22formed individually on the tightening parts18bwhich are tightened to each other, by which the clip18can be firmly fixed to the louver.

The clip connection18ais provided in an attachable and detachable manner via the attaching part19on the back of the outer vessel11(left and outside the trunk12inFIG. 3). Inserting the attaching part19into a projection formed on the trunk12allows to fix the clip18to the outer vessel11. In this instance, the projection is formed so as to give an approximate rectangle when viewed from the right inFIG. 3, and can be inserted into the attaching part19formed in a rectangle so as to accept the projection. However, a projection may be formed to give an approximate square in such a way that the clip18can be turned at 90 degrees when viewed from the right inFIG. 3.

The attaching part19may be attached to the outer vessel in a freely rotating manner (clock-wise or counter clock-wise rotation when viewed from the right inFIG. 3). Such attachment makes it possible to move the clip connection18aand the tightening parts18bon the clip18vertically or horizontally according to the position of the louver, so that the clip18can be attached to a wide variety of louvers. Further, the tightening parts18bmay be available as a pair of right and left or up and down parts, and not restricted in configuration or the number described in the above.

In the evaporation apparatus10of this embodiment, the liquid formulation L is absorbed upward by the liquid absorbing core15to reach at the exposed end of the liquid absorbing core15. In this instance, since the exposed end of the liquid absorbing core15is covered with the inner cylinder13bof the head13, the thus absorbed active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation L will not be evaporated out of the evaporation apparatus10. When users rotate the rotating part13aof the head13upon use, the inner cylinder13bof the head13and the inner cylinder12cof the trunk12are mutually rotated to result in respective communicate with the evaporation openings13cand12d. Then, active ingredients of liquid formulation L absorbed by the liquid absorbing core15are diffused out of the evaporation apparatus10through the evaporation openings13cand12das well as the evaporation apertures16and21. Therefore, the evaporation apparatus10will not evaporate active ingredients before use and also can evaporate them only in a necessary quantity, thereby keeping active ingredients effective for a longer time.

In this embodiment, the site immersed into the liquid formulation L of the liquid absorbing core15acts as a liquid absorbing mechanism, while the exposed site acts as an evaporation mechanism. Further, the inner cylinder13bof head13and the inner cylinder12cof the trunk12are rotated, thus allowing the respective evaporation openings13cand12dto communicate, the mechanism of which acts as an adjusting means for evaporation of active ingredients.

Further, in this embodiment, the inner cylinder13bof head13acts as an inner member, the inner cylinder12cof the trunk12acts as an outer member, and the respective evaporation openings13cand12dof the inner cylinder13band12cact as the respective inner openings.

In other words, in this embodiment, the evaporation apparatus comprises a liquid absorbing member, at least a part of which is exposed out of said retention vessel, a cylindrical inner member positioned so as to cover an exposed site of said liquid absorbing member, a cylindrical outer member positioned so as to cover said inner member and a rotating part fixed to said inner member or said outer member, wherein said inner member is provided with an inner opening, said outer member is provided with an outer opening and rotation of said rotating part allows said inner opening and said opening to communicate, by which said liquid absorbing member is exposed to evaporate active ingredients.

The following shows an example of the liquid formulation used in the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment. In the following example, ultraviolet-ray absorbing agents include benzophenone, diphenyl cyano acrylate, triazine, and p-aminobenzoic acid mixture, which shall be similarly applied to the subsequent embodiments. Solvents include dipropylene glycolmonomethyl ether and others explained previously.

Second Embodiment

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, an evaporation apparatus (hereinafter referred to as evaporation apparatus)30is an inverted-type evaporation apparatus comprising a retention vessel31housing the liquid formulation L in which active ingredients are contained and an outer vessel32supporting the lower side of a retention vessel31. The outer vessel32is simply configured by having a bottom wall32aand a circumferential wall32b. As shown inFIG. 7, the circumferential wall32bof outer vessel32is provided with evaporation aperture37.

An opening31ais provided at the lower part of the retention vessel31. The opening31ais projected into the lower part of the retention vessel31in a cylindrical manner. The retention vessel31is communicated inside out via the opening31a.

The lower end of the opening31ais closed with the plug34. The concaved part34aat the center of the plug34is fitted with a column-shaped liquid absorbing member33. The liquid absorbing member33acts as a liquid absorbing member. The liquid absorbing member33is exposed downward from the retention vessel31. The apical surface at the lower part of the liquid absorbing member33(the part exposed from the retention vessel31) is formed to give a flat surface. The base41is provided for supporting the bottom wall32aof the outer vessel32from the underneath.

As shown inFIG. 7, the outer circumferential surface of the opening31ais provided with screw threads and a cap36configured so as to fit with these threads is fixed to cover the liquid absorbing member33and the plug34before use.

As shown inFIG. 6, the evaporation carrier35is provided above the bottom wall32aof the outer vessel32, and configured so as to allow the apical surface of the liquid absorbing member33to contact with the flat upper surface of the evaporation carrier35on the surface.

The circumferential wall32bof the outer vessel32is provided with plural evaporation aperture37.

In this embodiment, since the liquid absorbing member33is configured so as to contact with the evaporation carrier35on the surface, the liquid formulation L supplied to the evaporation carrier35via the liquid absorbing member33can be kept always in a larger quantity than in a case where the liquid absorbing member33is configured to contact with the evaporation carrier35on a point or on a line. Thus, the evaporation apparatus30can evaporate active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation L sufficiently and stably.

As explained above, it is preferable that the retention vessel31supported by the outer vessel32is positioned in such way that the liquid absorbing member33is allowed to contact with the evaporation carrier35on the surface. It is preferable that, for example, the evaporation apparatus30has a part for retaining the liquid absorbing member33or the retention vessel31so that the liquid absorbing member33is allowed to contact with the evaporation carrier35on the surface.

The liquid formulation L stored in the retention vessel31is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member33and moved by gravity toward the lower front edge of the liquid absorbing member33, and the liquid formulation L is permeated into the evaporation carrier35from the lower front edge of the liquid absorbing member33. Then, active ingredients of liquid formulation L evaporated from the evaporation carrier35are diffused out of the evaporation aperture37provided on the outer vessel32.

FIG. 8shows a state of the evaporation carrier35before being housed in the outer vessel32. The evaporation carrier35is configured with a body35aand a part35berected from the body35a. The evaporation carrier35is made with layers of non-woven cloth in a rectangular form. It is preferable that the evaporation carrier35has about a 2 to 10 mm-thick layer of non-woven cloth.

As shown inFIG. 8, the evaporation carrier35is provided with notches35cat the center of individual sides of an approximate rectangle. Grooves35dare provided on the lower surface of the evaporation carrier35(the surface opposite the bottom wall32aof the outer vessel32) so as to connect these notches35c. Although these grooves35dmay not be provided, it is preferable that the grooves35dare provided for example, where the evaporation carrier35is made with non-woven cloth, with the thickness exceeding 5 mm. It is desirable that the grooves35dare formed by a notch, compression (press), dotted line, etc., and the erected part35bcan be easily prepared. The evaporation carrier35as a whole of or the erected part35balone may be rendered thinner to omit the thread.

The groove35dis preferably about 0.5 to 5 mm in width. A square area enclosed with the grooves35dis provided as the body35a, and a pentangular area outside the grooves35dis provided as the erected part35b. In this instance, the body35aand the erected part35bare made with the integral member.

As shown inFIG. 9, the evaporation carrier35is housed into the outer vessel32. In this instance, erected part35bis erected as shown inFIG. 6. Since the notched part35cis provided, the adjacent erected parts35bwill not interfere with each other to attain a smooth erection.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 9, four supporting pieces42provided at the lower side of the circumferential wall32bof outer vessel32, in a state where the evaporation carrier35is housed into the outer vessel32, individually support upward the erected part35bof the evaporation carrier35, thereby keeping the erected position against the body35aof erected part35b. Further, the circumferential wall32bis provided with a pair of partitioning walls43, each of which is positioned at a site corresponding to the notch35c. Therefore, the evaporation carrier35can be prevented from an accidental movement inside the outer vessel32.

As shown inFIG. 10, the plug34is provided with plural slits38at the concaved parts34a. The concaved part34is configured so that the liquid absorbing member33is exposed inside the retention vessel (at the upper part inFIG. 10) from an opened area of the slit38. There is no particular restriction on the number and configuration of the slit38.

The liquid formulation L is supplied quantitatively to the evaporation carrier35via the liquid absorbing member33from the retention vessel31.

The evaporation carrier35provided on the above-configured evaporation apparatus30is made with porous materials and configured so that the foregoing evaporation carrier can attain a liquid absorption quantity exceeding 7.5 g after 50 minutes when the carrier has an area of 32 mm2and a thickness of 5 mm (namely, volume of 160 mm3).

The evaporation apparatus30is also configured so that the evaporation carrier35can be 0.15 to 0.25 g/cm3in density.

According to the thus configured evaporation carrier35, the liquid formulation L contained in the liquid absorbing member33can be diffused and retained over all the evaporation carrier35and active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation L can be effectively diffused.

The evaporation carrier35used in the evaporation apparatus shown inFIG. 6was subjected to the following test to confirm variation in the quantity of the liquid formulation L retained (quantity of the liquid absorbed) depending on the difference in the density.

The following aromatic deodorant (200 ml) was placed in a 220 ml-capacity glass-made retention vessel, the opening of which was closed with a rubber stopper (stopper). The rubber stopper was penetrated with a column-shaped core which acts as a liquid absorbing member. The core used in this test was made with polyethyleneterephthalate (PET).

Prescription of aromatic deodorant (liquid formulation)

Evaporation carriers used in the test were those with a density of 0.13 g/cm3(hereinafter referred to as Sample 1), those with 0.2 g/cm3(hereinafter referred to as Sample 2) and those with 0.28 g/cm3(hereinafter referred to as Sample 3). Evaporation carriers used in the test were all those made mainly with pulp materials, with a rectangular configuration, area of 32 mm2and thickness of 5 mm. Liquid formulation was supplied to these evaporation carriers through liquid absorbing members from the above vessel to determine a quantity of the liquid retained (a quantity of the liquid absorbed (g)) respectively for the Sample 1, Sample 2 and Sample 3, with the lapse of time.

The following table shows the results of this test.

The above test revealed that the Sample 2 was able to absorb the liquid in the greatest quantity and proved excellent as an evaporation carrier for an inverted-type evaporation apparatus. In contrast, the Sample 1 with the lowest density and the Sample 3 with the highest density were found to be lower in the liquid-absorption quantity than the Sample 2.

The results confirmed that the liquid absorption quantity and the density in relation to the area and thickness were important factors for an evaporation carrier.

Next, a polyacryl (PA) core was used as a core for the liquid absorbing member to conduct a similar test as described above. The Sample 2 was used as an evaporation carrier in which the upper surface was 60 cm2.

In this test, the liquid absorption quantity (g) was checked for the evaporation carrier every 60 minutes. The results are shown in Table 2.

As apparent from the results shown in Table 2, even core material as PA, when the area and the thickness were respectively 32 mm2and 5 mm (namely, 160 mm3in the volume) and the above-mentioned evaporation carrier exhibited a liquid absorption quantity exceeding 7.5 g after 50 minutes, the liquid absorption quantity was increased and the liquid formulation could be retained at a core more effectively.

It was also found that the evaporation carrier with a density of 0.2 g/cm3(in a range 0.15 to 0.25 g/cm3) could provide a larger liquid-absorption quantity by increasing the area of the evaporation carrier, thereby retaining the liquid formulation from the core more effectively.

For example, a liquid diffusing sheet can be configured so as to cover a surface which comes into contact with the liquid absorbing member of the evaporation carrier on the surface. Such a constitution allows the liquid formulation to diffuse over the evaporation carrier by the liquid diffusing sheet, and also allows the liquid formulation to spread to a larger area in a shorter time, thereby improving the perfume-rendering speed.

In this embodiment, the evaporation carrier may be available in a configuration other than a square, for example, a rectangle, oval form, circular form, polygon form, petal form, star or forms depicting animals or plants or any other forms.

In the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment, when the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel31is supplied to the body35aof the evaporation carrier35, said liquid formulation L is at first impregnated into over all the body35aand then into the erected part35b. Subsequently, volatile ingredients such as aromatic ingredients are evaporated from the upper surface of the body35aas well as the surface, side face and back face of plural erected parts35b. Ambient air enters into the outer vessel32through the evaporation aperture37not closed by the erected part35b, and at the same time the air containing active ingredients in the outer vessel32are diffused out.

The liquid formulation L is quantitatively supplied to the evaporation carrier35through the liquid absorbing member33from the retention vessel31.

According to the above-configured evaporation apparatus30, active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation L can be evaporated sufficiently by erecting the erected part35bfrom the body35aof the evaporation carrier35, due to an increased evaporation area of the evaporation carrier35.

In addition, since the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel31is supplied through the liquid absorbing member33to the evaporation carrier35, the liquid formulation L can be supplied quantitatively to the evaporation carrier35, by which active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation L can be evaporated stably from the evaporation carrier35.

In this embodiment, the liquid absorbing member33acts as a liquid absorbing mechanism and the evaporation carrier35acts as an evaporation mechanism. Further, the erected part35bacts as a means for adjusting the evaporation of active ingredients.

In the evaporation apparatus30of this embodiment, screw threads may be provided as an engagement part at the site where the retention vessel31engages with the outer vessel32. Screw threads may be used as an engagement part28bso that the retention vessel31can be adjusted for the position in relation to the outer vessel32by rotating the retention vessel31upon application. Therefore, the supply quantity of the liquid formulation L can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the liquid absorbing member33and the evaporation carrier35. In place of screw threads, a shoulder may be used so that the retention vessel31can be adjusted for the position in relation to the outer vessel32by lowering or elevating the retention vessel31upon application.

Next, an explanation will be made for a modified example of the evaporation carrier of this embodiment.

FIG. 11is a plain view showing a modified example of an evaporation carrier45.FIG. 11shows a body45ain the state before erected parts45band45care erected. The evaporation carrier45is provided with grooves45dand45dextending inward along both the shorter sides of the rectangular evaporation carrier45. An area enclosed between the grooves45dand45dis given as the body45a, and an area out of the grooves45dand45dis given as the erected part45c. Further, a groove45eis provided on the back at the center of the body45ain a form of a flat polygon (octagonal form in this instance). In addition, a dotted line45fis formed toward the center from individual apexes of polygonal grooves45e. The inner part of the groove45eis divided into plural erected parts45b(8 parts in this instance) by the dotted line45f.

InFIG. 11, the erected part45cis erected toward the back in relation to the page surface and at the same time the erected part45bis erected toward the front in relation to the page surface, by which, as shown inFIG. 12, the evaporation carrier45of this embodiment has the erected part45berected upward from the body45aand the erected part45cerected backward from the body. The erected part45bis erected to provide an opening for ventilation at the center of the body45aof the evaporation carrier45, by which air flow inside the outer vessel housing the evaporation carrier45can be improved to obtain a better evaporation.

In this example, the erected part45bis erected radially, with the center placed on a certain point at the body45a(the center in this instance) like a so-called gate fold (double door), however, that is not restricted. The erected part may be erected from the body like a single swing door, for example. In these instances, the liquid absorbing member may be provided at such a site where the liquid formulation can be supplied to the evaporation carrier. Volatile ingredients can be evaporated sufficiently according to this embodiment.

An evaporation carrier was provided that was in a configuration as shown inFIG. 8, namely, the longer side L was 71 mm, the thickness was 6 mm and the groove15dwas 3 mm in width. The evaporation carrier with a density of 0.2 g/cm3was prepared with tissue for the front and the back surface and was made with pulp for the interior. The thus prepared evaporation carrier was housed in the outer vessel32in a state as shown inFIG. 6. The evaporation aperture37of the outer vessel32was made to be 30 cm2in total area. The liquid formulation with the following prescription (400 ml) was retained in a plastic retention vessel31having a 6.5 mm-diameter and 35 mm-long liquid absorbing member33made with the polyacrylic core (PA60) and the resin-made plug34.

At 20° C. the liquid formulation was supplied from the retention vessel31to the above evaporation carrier to effect evaporation and observe a total evaporation quantity overtime. The total evaporation quantity was determined by measuring a gross weight of the evaporation apparatus.

For comparison, an evaporation carrier (comparison example 1) in a square form, and 71 mm in the side length L and 6 mm in thickness, without erected parts and subjected to similar tests was performed. Such an evaporation carrier was housed in a predetermined outer vessel and subjected to similar tests.

The results are shown inFIG. 13. In Example 1, the total evaporation quantity reached 300 g in 50 days, but in the comparative example 1 the quantity did not reach 250 g in 50 days.

The evaporation carrier (78 mm in the side length L and 6 mm in thickness) having the 3 mm-wide thread15dwhich was different in size from that described in Example 1 was provided and subjected to similar tests.

For comparison, an evaporation carrier (comparison example 2) in a square form, and 78 mm in the side length L and 6 mm in thickness, without erected parts and subjected to similar tests was performed.

The results are shown inFIG. 14. In Example 2, the total evaporation quantity exceeded 320 g in 50 days, but in the comparative example 2 the quantity was about 280 g in 50 days. The aromatic effect obtained in Example 2 was superior to that obtained in Example 1 because the evaporation carrier was larger in the surface area than that in Example 1.

The following prescription may be used as a liquid formulation in this embodiment.

Third Embodiment

As shown inFIG. 15, an evaporation apparatus50comprises an retention vessel51made with a resin (for example, PET) housing the liquid formulation L therein, a resin-made liquid absorbing member52to which the liquid formulation L is supplied, a shield member53provided so that the liquid absorbing member52will not contact with the liquid formulation L before use of the evaporation apparatus50(before use) and a lid member54fixed so as to be fitted with the retention vessel51for sealing the openings.

The retention vessel51is configured so as to have a body51ain which a space is provided to house the liquid formulation L therein and a cylindrically standing part52berected upward from the body51a(upward in relation toFIG. 15). An area enclosed by the standing part51bof the body51ais formed so that it can be opened, and an opening51eis laid out by the inner circumferential surface of the standing part51b. The standing part51bis also provided with a male screw63on the outer circumferential surface. A bottom51cof the retention vessel51may be provided with a slant part moving from the center toward the peripheral border of the bottom51cand a groove slanting from the peripheral border toward the center. Such a constitution makes it possible to collect the liquid formulation L remaining around the center of the bottom51ceven when only a small quantity of the liquid formulation L remains therein and to use it until the very last.

The shield member53is tubular and inserted into the retention vessel51via the opening51e. In this instance, the shield member53is positioned, with the one end immersed into the liquid formulation L in the retention vessel51, and the end is sealed with an end face53a. In other words, the shield member53is a tube with a bottom.

This shield member53is provided with a thinned part53bnotched along the outer circumference on the inside of the end face53awhich constitutes the bottom.

A jaw53cis projected in a circular manner on the upper end of the shield member53. The jaw53cis engaged with the upper end of the standing part51bof the retention vessel51for fixing, in a state where the shield member53is inserted into the retention vessel51. In this instance, the shield member53is placed in such a way that the sealed lower edge is immersed into the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel51, with a slight clearance provided from the bottom51cof the retention vessel51.

The shield member53may be made with resins, metals, water-resistant laminated materials, rubbers, wood and bamboo, for example.

The liquid absorbing member52has an evaporating part52aexposed above a lid member54and a liquid absorbing part52bfor absorbing the liquid formulation L.

The lid member54has a column55extending into the retention vessel51, and the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52is positioned inside of the column55.

The column55is provided with plural slits55aextending vertically at the front edge.

FIG. 16is a main part perspective view of the apical surface of the column shown inFIG. 15.

As shown inFIG. 16, the apical surface56of the column55has a projection56ain which the aperture56ccommunicating inside the column55is formed. Further, the apical surface56of the column55is provided with a pair of denticles56balong the outer circumference. These denticles56bare slightly further projected than the projection56aformed at the center of the column55. Further, the apical surface56of the column55is provided with plural openings56don the outer circumference of the projection56a.

The lid member54has a head57folded back at the upper end of the column55.

The head57is provided with a female screw61on the inner circumference and structured to mate with a male screw63provided on the standing part51bof the retention vessel51.

As shown inFIG. 17(a), when the lid member54is turned toward the direction of R shown with the arrow inFIG. 17(a), with the head57held, the head57is screwed therein, by which the column55is pushed downward (toward P shown at the center ofFIG. 17(a)), and the denticle56bformed on the apical surface.56moves forward while sliding with the thinned part53bon the end face53aof the shield member53, by which the end face53aof the shield member53is broken and cut away, as shown inFIG. 17(b).

As shown inFIG. 16, the denticle56bis formed so as to curve along the rotating direction R for screwing the lid member54, and also slanted so as to gradually increase the degree of projection toward the rotating direction R in the lid member54.

More particularly, in the denticle56bhaving such a configuration, the denticle56bcan easily break the end face53aof the shield member53, by turning the lid member54to lower the column55, cutting a desired area and moving apart for allowing the liquid supply.

As shown inFIG. 15andFIG. 16, in the evaporation apparatus50of this embodiment, the projection56aand the denticle56bare positioned, with the clearance kept for keeping the liquid formulation L by surface tension. More particularly, a space between the projection56aand the denticle56bin the direction of the column diameter is provided so as to keep the liquid formulation L by surface tension.

Further, a clearance is provided between the projection56aand the bottom51cin a state where the denticle56bis allowed to contact with the bottom51cof the retention vessel51. In other words, the evaporation apparatus is structured in such a way that the denticle56bis allowed to contact with the bottom51cof the retention vessel51while the projection56ais not allowed to contact with the bottom51c, in a state where the lid member54lowered as much as possible.

As shown inFIG. 18, the lid member54has the engagement projection62(first engagement projection) on the inner circumference having the female screw61. InFIG. 18, the column is omitted and not illustrated for providing a better view.

Further, as shown inFIG. 19, the standing part51bof the retention vessel51is provided with a pair of engagement projections64(second engagement projection) on the outer circumferential surface having the male screw63.

When the lid member54is fitted with the standing part51band turned downward, the engagement projection62on the lid member54is allowed to contact with one engagement projection64on the standing part51b. An additional push and turn can provide the engagement projection62of the lid member54between other engagement projections64over the other adjacent engagement projection64, thereby regulating the turn of the lid member54.

As shown inFIG. 15, the standing part51bof the retention vessel51is provided at the root with the stopper59which can attach to or detach from said standing part51b.

As shown inFIG. 20, said stopper59is provided with a circular part59ahaving a notched part59cand a knob59bformed on the side approximately opposite the notched part59c.

The notched part59cis placed on the root (refer toFIG. 15) of the standing part51bof the retention vessel51and pushed forward to load the stopper59, with the standing part51bfitted with the circular part59a. The lid member54is prevented from being lowered, in a state that the stopper59is applied to the standing part51b.

The stopper59can be removed from the standing part51bby pulling it, with the knob59bgrasped. The prevented depression of the lid member54is released by removing the stopper59from the standing part51b.

As shown inFIG. 15andFIG. 19, the lid member54is provided with plural supporting pieces57aapart from each other in the circumferential direction on the border of the upper opening57bat the upper end. Supporting pieces57asupport the liquid absorbing member52upward so that evaporating part52awill not contact with the upper end face of the head57of the lid member54, in a state that the liquid absorbing member52is applied into the evaporation apparatus50. Therefore, air is appropriately supplied into the liquid absorbing part52bfrom a space between the evaporating part52aand the head57, by which the liquid formulation L can be smoothly evaporated at the evaporating part52a.

Next, an explanation will be made about the action of the above-structured evaporation apparatus50, when it is used.

When the evaporation apparatus50is used, the stopper59attached to the root of the standing part51bof the retention vessel51is pulled and removed, with the knob59bgrasped.

Next, the head57of the lid member54is grasped and turned toward the screwing direction (to the direction R as shown at the center ofFIG. 17(a)).

Such action allows the engagement projection62on the lid member54provided between the engagement, projections64on the standing part51bto ride over the engagement projection64in front of the screwing direction, thus releasing the restricted turn of the lid member54.

Further, a turn of the lid member54allows the column55of the lid member54to turn and lower. The denticle56bon the apical surface56of the column55moves forward, while sliding on the thinned part53bon the end face53aof the shield member53, and further, the turn breaks and cuts away a part of the end face53aof the shield member53. The edge of the shield member53is opened and the denticle56bcontacts with the bottom51cof the retention vessel51, so that the projection56ais positioned slightly apart from the bottom51cof the retention vessel51. In this instance, the denticle56bmay be configured so as to come close to the bottom51cof the retention vessel (placed through a slight clearance), as long as inflow of the liquid formulation is not interrupted.

Such a configuration allows the liquid formulation L retained in the body51aof the retention vessel51to flow into the column55from the end face53aof the shield member53and flow therein also from the aperture56cof the column55, the opening56dand the slit55a. Said liquid formulation L is absorbed by the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52.

The liquid formulation L absorbed by the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52is further absorbed by the liquid absorbing part52band evaporated into air from the evaporating part52aon the upper end.

In this instance, the evaporating part52ais positioned by the supporting piece51aso as not to contact with the upper end of the lid member54, with a clearance provided. Therefore, a space between the supporting pieces57ais opened, from which open air is appropriately supplied into the retention vessel51, thereby attaining a smooth absorption of the liquid formulation L into the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52.

As explained above, in the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment, the projection56ais positioned, with a slight clearance provided in relation to the bottom51cof the retention vessel51, in a state where the column member55is lowered upon use. Further, the projection56aand the denticle56bare positioned, via a clearance provided so as to retain the liquid formulation L by surface tension. Therefore, the liquid formulation L is evaporated more effectively and the liquid formulation L remains at a reduced quantity in the retention vessel51. Further, even when the liquid formulation L remains only in a small quantity at the retention vessel51, the liquid formulation L retained at the apical surface56is absorbed without fail via the aperture56cby the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52, by which the evaporation apparatus50is able to smoothly and completely absorb the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel51.

Further, the above-structured evaporation apparatus50is free of the necessity for doing such troublesome work that users must remove the shield member53from the retention vessel51and again attach the lid member54to the retention vessel51so that the liquid absorbing member52can contact with the liquid formulation L upon use, which improves the usability and removes the problem where liquid formulation L adheres to the hands of users during the work.

The lid member54is not needed for being removed from the retention vessel51, which can prevent the liquid formulation L from being leaked from the evaporation apparatus50.

Since the shield member53can be broken by rotating the lid member54upon use, users do not need to apply a great force as compared with a case where the shield member53is just broken vertically.

In addition, there is no need to provide a so-called disposable cap which is taken out of the evaporation apparatus and disposed before use, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts to be used in the evaporation apparatus. Furthermore, the evaporation apparatus50can be easily assumed for the usage during distribution and packed in a smaller container.

In the evaporation apparatus50, engaging the engagement projection62of the lid member54together with the engagement projection64of the standing part51bmakes it possible to keep the lid member54fitted with the retention vessel51, for example, in a case where the stopper59is not attached during the manufacturing process, thereby preventing the lid member54from an accidental turn before use.

In the above example, one engagement projection62is provided on the lid member54, and two engagement projections64are provided on the standing part51b. There are no restrictions on the number or the position of the engagement projections62and64in addition to the above example and, for example, two engagement projections62may be provided on the lid member54or one engagement projection64may be provided on the standing part51b, as long as they can engage to prevent an accidental turn of the lid member54.

Further, turning and lowering the lid member54makes it possible that the denticle56bbreaks the bottom53aof the shield member53, cutting apart a desired part of the end face53aof the shield member53, and dividing the shield member so that the liquid formulation L can flow into the column55, thus, allowing the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel51to flow smoothly.

Users are able to grasp and pull out the knob59bof the stopper59to remove the stopper59upon use, by which the inhibited turn of the lid member54is released to make the apparatus usable.

Further, when the shield member53is broken upon use, the liquid formulation L of the retention vessel51is supplied into the column55not only from the aperture56cof the projection56abut also from the slit55a, by which the liquid formulation L can be more effectively absorbed by the liquid absorbing part52bof the liquid absorbing member52.

In this embodiment, the evaporation apparatus is configured in such a way that the evaporating part52aacts as an evaporation mechanism and the liquid absorbing part52bacts as a liquid absorbing mechanism. Further, a mechanism in which the end face53aof the shield member53is broken by the denticle56bprovided on the apical surface56of the column55, the liquid formulation L is supplied into the column55from the broken part and absorbed by the liquid absorbing part52bacts as a means for adjusting the evaporation of active ingredients.

Fourth Embodiment

The evaporation apparatus of this embodiment is in principle similar in structure to that described in the third embodiment. This structure also provides similar effect as did previously. Therefore, the members, etc., similar in structure and action to those described in the third embodiment are given the same or corresponding symbols and thus explanation is simplified or omitted.

As shown inFIG. 22, in an evaporation apparatus70of this embodiment a evaporating part72aof a liquid absorbing member72is of a petal shape.

Further, a ring part73having a leaf modeled decoration74apart in the circumferential direction is set between the head57of the lid member54and the lower stop57c. In this structure, users are able to turn the lid member54without touching the evaporating part72aby grasping the lower stop57c.

As explained above, the evaporation apparatus70of this embodiment has a flower-modeled configuration.

A pair of fitting pieces57dis provided on the outer circumference of the head57and the inner circumference of the lower stop57c. The ring part73set between the head57and the lower stop57cis kept between the fitting pieces57d, by which the decoration74can be firmly fixed to the lid member54. In addition, when viewed from outside of the evaporation apparatus (for example, from the right inFIG. 22), the ring part73is housed into a space between the head57and the lower stop57cand kept concealed, thus improving the decorative features.

In this embodiment, the liquid formulation includes perfumes and pigments. The perfume used in this embodiment is a synthetic perfume (Floral) (2% by weight) (oil-based perfumes may be used). Further, the pigment used here is an aqueous pigment Red No. 102 (0.001% by weight). These perfumes and pigments are dissolved in deionized water (a solvent) and added to the liquid formulation, together with an active material (polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil) at 2.5% by weight.

The evaporation carrier of this embodiment is 91 g/m2in weight and 337 cm2in the total evaporation area.

In addition, the liquid absorbing member is made with polypropylene/polyethylene compound fiber and 13 mm in the core diameter, 10 cm in length and 77% in porosity.

The evaporation apparatus of this embodiment is configured in such a way that the evaporation carrier acts as an evaporation mechanism and the liquid absorbing member acts as a liquid absorbing mechanism. Further, the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment is made similar in weight and the total evaporation area of the evaporation carrier as well as the material, core diameter, length and porosity of the liquid absorbing member to the case mentioned above, by which active ingredients can be adjusted for the evaporation. In other words, a combined mechanism of the liquid absorbing member and the evaporation carrier acts as a means for adjusting the active ingredients.

By referring toFIG. 15andFIG. 22, it will be understood that the apparatus is configured in such a way that a liquid absorbing part72bis able to adjust a quantity of the liquid formulation L supplied to a evaporating part72aand the evaporating part72acan be recognized from the pattern at the site where perfume or colored part is given from the liquid formulation L supplied.

More particularly, the liquid formulation L contained in the retention vessel51is absorbed by the liquid absorbing part72band supplied into the evaporating part72avia the liquid absorbing part72b. At the evaporating part72a, solvents and perfumes excluding non-volatile pigments contained in the thus supplied liquid formulation will vaporize. Then, a site where pigments remain at the evaporating part72a(hereinafter referred to as colored part) will be colored. In other words, it is understood that perfume is emitted from the colored part. Therefore, the evaporating part72a(or the evaporation carrier72) may be used to confirm the status of evaporating ingredients (aromatic ingredients) at the evaporator70.

In this embodiment, a colored site of the evaporating part72ais deeply colored from the front edge and colored over all the evaporating part72aafter a certain time (90 minutes) from the start of using the evaporator. In other words, the configuration (pattern) of the evaporating part72aflexibly changes in the area depending on a quantity of the supplied liquid formulation L and becomes larger over time.

The pattern given by coloration on the evaporating part72awill be decided for the configuration and the variation in the configuration by the liquid absorbing property of the evaporating part72aand the liquid absorbing part72bas well as by the volatility of the solvent.

Where the solvent vaporizes before the absorbed liquid formulation L arrives at the front edge of the evaporating part72a, the pigment contained in the liquid formulation L will not arrive at the front edge of the evaporating part72a. In this instance, no deep coloration is given to the front edge of the evaporating part72a.

In other words, where the solvent vaporizes too quickly and disappears earlier than the rate of absorption at the evaporating part72a, the solvent will vaporize before arrival of the pigment at the front edge, thus resulting in coloration halfway at the evaporating part72a.

In contrast, where the liquid is absorbed up to the front edge of the evaporating part72abefore it vaporizes, the pigment is supplied sufficiently to the front edge of the evaporating part72a, thus giving a deep coloration to the front edge of the evaporating part72a. Namely, the pigment is non-volatile and moves inside the evaporation carrier72together with the solvent until the solvent vaporizes. Thus, adjusting the absorption rate and the volatilization rate can be appropriately controlled to decide patterns given to the evaporating part72a.

The solvent maybe selected on the basis of the volatility at vapor pressure or at the boiling point to control the volatilization rate.

The evaporating part and absorbing part of the evaporation carrier may be selected for their materials by immersing them into the liquid to determine in advance the absorption rate. Further, the liquid absorbing part may be adjusted for the absorbing rate by referring to the measurement such as the length and diameter, or materials, porosity and others.

According to the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment, as the supplied liquid evaporates, the remaining pigment causes the pattern of the evaporation carrier to change. Such change in the pattern may be used to confirm the status of the evaporating ingredients in the evaporation apparatus and users may visually enjoy the decoration of the evaporation apparatus.

In this embodiment, the pigment may be included in advance into the evaporating part. Alternatively, the pigment may be included into both the liquid formulation and the evaporation carrier.

The following is an example of the liquid formulation used in the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment.

Next, an explanation will be made for a modified example of this embodiment by referring toFIG. 23andFIG. 24.

FIG. 23is an overall perspective view showing a modified example of the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment.FIG. 24is a cross-sectional view of the evaporation apparatus shown inFIG. 23. The members, etc., similar in structure and action to those described in the third embodiment are given the same or corresponding symbols and thus explanation is simplified or omitted.

An evaporator80shown inFIG. 23comprises a retention vessel81housing the liquid formulation L which contains active ingredients therein, a liquid absorbing core (liquid absorbing member)83immersed into the liquid formulation L and an evaporating part84formed integrally with the liquid absorbing core83. The number85shown inFIG. 23is a petal part modeled after a petal.

As shown inFIG. 24, the retention vessel81is shaped into a hollow and approximately spherical form, into which the liquid formulation L is housed. An opening is provided at an upper part of the retention vessel81, and the longitudinal liquid absorbing core83is passed through the opening. The liquid absorbing core83is positioned into the retention vessel81at one end and immersed into the liquid formulation L, while being lead out of the vessel through the opening at the other end. The end positioned out of the vessel of the liquid absorbing core83is branched into plural ends (6 ends in this embodiment) and a petal part85is provided on an outer circumferential surface close to the branching site. The branched site of the liquid absorbing core83is formed to model a stamen of a flower in a state of being assembled as the evaporation apparatus80.

As the liquid formulation L and the liquid absorbing core83, the items already explained may be used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the liquid formulation is immersed in advance with perfumes or pigments as with the above embodiment. Further, the petal part85is made up with members which will not absorb the liquid formulation L.

In the evaporator80, absorbing core83and evaporating part84are formed integrally. In other words, the liquid formulation L housed in the retention vessel81is absorbed upward from the liquid absorbing core83and arrives at the evaporating part84for evaporation.

In other words, the evaporator80is configured in such a way that it will not evaporate evaporating (aromatic) ingredients from the petal part85to which no liquid formulation L is supplied but will evaporate them only from the evaporating part84modeled after a stamen. Namely, the evaporating part84acts as an evaporation carrier. Although not illustrated here, the evaporator may be structured in such a way that an evaporating part modeled after a pistil or sepal is attached to a liquid absorbing member to evaporate evaporating ingredients from the evaporating part.

At the evaporating part84of the liquid absorbing core83, the supplied liquid formulation L is evaporated to leave non-volatile pigments, which deeply color the evaporating part84.

According to the evaporation apparatus of this embodiment, the liquid is supplied to the evaporating part via the body of the liquid absorbing part, by which perfume or a colored part is given. Then, the evaporating part is colored by evaporating perfumes and allowing pigments to remain, and given a state as if a stamen of flower is colored. Thus, users are able to confirm the perfume status in the evaporator and also enjoy the decoration.

No restriction is given on the colored state of the evaporating part (evaporation carrier), namely, configuration of pattern, and any and all patterns maybe available in addition to the above described pattern. For example, three major patterns that can be conceived when a flower-type evaporation carrier is used are shown inFIGS. 25(a) to (c).

As shown inFIGS. 25(a) to (c), these three patterns consist of type A, type B and type C, which are different in the sites (patterns) colored with the lapse of time or respectively at72A,72B and72C of flower-modeled evaporating parts (evaporation carrier). The evaporating parts,72A,72B and72C, are all positioned vertically in relation to the drawing so that the liquid absorbing part (liquid absorbing member) which is not illustrated here can pass through the center O. Thus, they are structured to supply the liquid formulation from the liquid absorbing part.

As shown inFIG. 25(a), in the evaporating part72A designated as type A, the liquid formulation is supplied to the evaporating part72A from the liquid absorbing member sitting at the center O immediately after start of the supply, and an area in the vicinity of the center O is gradually colored, resulting in an overall coloration which is uniform and sparse. Then, with the lapse of time, color becomes darker along the border of the evaporating part72A and finally (after passage of the previously determined time) develops into a state where the evaporating part is colored uniformly and deeply as a whole.

As shown inFIG. 25(b), in the evaporation body72B designated as type B, the liquid formulation is supplied to the evaporating part72B from the liquid absorbing member positioned at the center of O immediately after start of the supply, and as with the type A, an area in the vicinity of O is colored gradually. However, with the lapse of time, color in the vicinity of the center O becomes darker as it is, but the border is not colored finally and only the area in the vicinity of the center O is colored deeply.

As shown inFIG. 25(c), in the evaporating part72C designated as type C, the liquid formulation is supplied to the evaporating part72C from the liquid absorbing member positioned at the center O immediately after start of the supply, and an area in the vicinity of the center O is gradually colored, which is the same with type A and type B. However, with the lapse of time, the evaporating part72C is colored uniformly and sparsely as a whole, and the color becomes deeper over time along the border of the evaporating part72C. And, finally, the evaporating part72C is not colored deeply as a whole, and only the border is deeply colored.

In a case where the evaporation carrier, the liquid absorbing member and the liquid formulation were attached to the evaporators shown in the Examples from 1 to 5 in the table below, these evaporators were actually used in test to evaluate a quantity of evaporation, colored state of the evaporation carrier, state of perfume and others.

As shown in table 1, the Examples 1 and 2 were similar in structure to the evaporation apparatus70given inFIG. 22. However, in the Example 1 deionized water was used as a solvent, whereas in the Example 2 Isobar-H was used as a solvent. In the Example 1, Red No. 102 was used as a pigment whereas in the Example 2, Red No. 225 (oil-based pigment) was used as a pigment. Other members not specified here (for example, retention vessel) were all the same as those used in the evaporation apparatus70.

The coloration method used in the Examples from 1 through 4 was such that pigments were dissolved in the liquid formulation. The method used in the Example 5 was such that a pigment dissolved in an absorption member was previously poured. The perfume and the activating agent used in the liquid formulation were of the same concentration. Further, a synthetic perfume (Floral) was used in the Examples 1, 3 and 4, whereas an oil-based perfume was used in the Example 2.

In this test, those clearly showing a change in the color of the evaporation carrier were considered to be favorable in the coloration state.

Regarding the test results of the Examples 1 and 2, there was no problem on an initial quantity of evaporation (quantity of evaporation determined for one day from the start of use), namely, 24.0 g in the Example 1 and 9.7 g in the Example 2. The state of perfume was favorable and no deterioration was found in the configuration of the evaporation carrier modeled after a flower.

As shown inFIG. 26, in the Example 3, an evaporation carrier164of an evaporation apparatus160had a bouquet-like flower configuration of three flowers bound together, and crepe paper was used as an evaporation carrier164. In this instance, the bouquet-like flower represented a configuration of plural flowers bound together.

A liquid absorbing member163shown in the Example 3 was made with polyester, having the core diameter of 2 mm and length of 10 cm. The liquid absorbing member was 66% in porosity.

A liquid formulation162used in the Example 3 was the same as that used in the Example 1.

Regarding the test result of the Example 3, an initial quantity of the evaporation was 24.4 g/day. The state of coloration was of the type B pattern as shown inFIG. 25(b) and in a final state only the area in the vicinity of the liquid absorbing member was deeply colored. The state of perfume was favorable, and the configuration of the evaporation carrier was well kept and not deteriorated.

Similarly as in the Example 3, in the Example 4, the evaporation carrier had a configuration of bouquet-like flowers. Japanese paper for calligraphy was used as an evaporation carrier, which was 24 g/m2in weight and 540 cm2in the total evaporation area.

The liquid absorbing member and the liquid formulation used in the Example 4 were the same as those used in the Example 3.

Regarding the test results of the Example 4, an initial quantity of evaporation was 25.4 g/day and the coloration state of the evaporation carrier was of the type A as shown inFIG. 25(a). The state of perfume was favorable, and the configuration of the evaporation carrier was well kept and not deteriorated.

In the Example 5, an evaporation carrier174of an evaporation apparatus170had a configuration of a marguerite-like flower as shown inFIG. 27. In this instance, the marguerite-like flower represented a configuration in which similar-shaped evaporation carriers (petals)174were superimposed up and down. Filter paper was used as an evaporation carrier174in the Example 5, which was 91 g/m2in weight and 11 cm2in the total evaporation area.

A liquid absorbing member173used in the Example 5 was made with polyester, having the core diameter of 3 mm, length of 10 cm and porosity of 60%.

In the Example 5, deionized water was used as a solvent and Red No. 102, Yellow No. 4 and Blue No. 1 were used as pigments (concentration of 0.001%) to prepare a liquid formulation172.

In the evaporation apparatus170of this Example, colored water with a high concentration (pigment) was in advance permeated into at an intermediate part175of a liquid absorbing core (liquid absorbing member)173. Then, the colorless liquid formulation172absorbed from the liquid absorbing core173was mixed with the colored water stored at the intermediate part175to give a colored solution, which moved to the evaporation carrier174over time. The evaporation carrier174had a configuration of flower modeled after circular petals and changed as if an actual flower is colored through supply of the colored liquid formulation172.

Regarding the test results of the Example 5, an initial quantity of evaporation was 17.6 g/day, and the coloration of the evaporation carrier174was of the type C as shown inFIG. 25(c). The state of perfume was favorable and the configuration of the evaporation body was well kept and not deteriorated.

In this instance, when plural evaporation carriers (3 inFIG. 27) having a flower-modeled configuration are provided with liquid absorbing cores individually impregnated with differently colored water and immersed into a similar liquid formulation, evaporation bodies are colored differently. In other words, the evaporators are provided with an appearance with different flowers coming out.

The above test has revealed that when the evaporation carrier, the liquid absorbing member and the solution are appropriately controlled, the evaporator can be kept favorable in the state of perfume and at the same time coloration of the evaporation body can be changed.

Further, in this embodiment, for example, a flower-modeled evaporation body may be structured so as to be opened or closed by means of an elastic body such as a wire or spring. An example of the evaporation apparatus with such a structure is shown inFIG. 28(a) and28(b). As shown inFIG. 28(a), an evaporation apparatus180is structured so as to prevent an evaporation carrier184from being opened by providing plural evaporation carriers184(3 in this FIG.) which are folded several times and bound together and fitting an elastic body (spiral spring)186around the thus fabricated evaporation carriers. Since the evaporation apparatus is structured as such, it can be packed in a smaller container, with the evaporation carrier folded down.

The evaporation apparatus180is also structured so as to expand the folded evaporation carrier184upon use as shown inFIG. 28(b) by removing the elastic body186in the direction of the arrow as shown inFIG. 28(a) (or in the direction opposite the arrow).

In this embodiment, an aperture may be provided for supplying externally the liquid formulation to the retention vessel of the evaporation apparatus, by which the liquid formulation can be poured whenever necessary or added appropriately when it is used up.

As in the above embodiment, the evaporation apparatus may have the shield member covering the outer circumference of the liquid absorbing member, by which the liquid absorbing member is not immersed with the liquid before use to prevent evaporating ingredients from volatilization into air.

The retention vessel may have a vase-like configuration, for example. Therefore, where a flower-modeled evaporation carrier is attached to the vessel, the evaporation apparatus is given an appearance as if real flowers have been placed, thus improving the decorative features.

The present invention has been explained in detail and by referring to specific embodiments, and it should be quite clear for those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Since the evaporation apparatus according to this invention is able to adjust the evaporation of active ingredients by adjusting means, active ingredients contained in the liquid formulation can be prevented from evaporation before use. Adjusting active ingredients so as to evaporate in a necessary and sufficient quantity upon use makes it possible to keep the effect of active ingredients for a long period.