A device for controlling the shape of discharged liquid comprises a liquid inlet end and a liquid outlet end. A passage allowing liquid to flow therein is disposed between the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end. The liquid outlet end comprises a liquid outlet in a rotationally symmetric shape. The liquid inlet end comprises a liquid inlet formed in one end of the passage. A liquid outlet channel is disposed between the liquid outlet and the other end of the passage and communicated with the passage. Cross-sections of different positions of the liquid outlet channel in a liquid outlet direction are of a rotationally symmetric shape corresponding to the shape of the liquid outlet. Through the liquid outlet in a rotationally symmetric shape and the corresponding liquid outlet channel, a discharged liquid column has a special shape under the acting force of liquid molecules in air.

An apparatus and method are provided for expelling a fluid, including vapor and liquid sprays. A spray is expelled at high velocities from a heated chamber via an exit valve. The chamber includes a flow member or structure that directs and controls the flow of the fluid from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice along a non-linear path. This prevents the liquid from moving in a wave motion within the chamber if the apparatus is moved.

An apparatus and method are provided for expelling a fluid, including vapor and liquid sprays. A spray is expelled at high velocities from a heated chamber via an exit valve. The chamber includes a flow member or structure that directs and controls the flow of the fluid from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice along a non-linear path. This prevents the liquid from moving in a wave motion within the chamber if the apparatus is moved.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide an apparatus having a device with a micronozzle array disposed on a micro-fabricated fluidic die. The device may include a first gas distribution plate and a second opposing plate, where the micro-fabricated fluidic die is disposed between the first gas distribution plate and the second opposing plate, wherein the first gas distribution plate is irreversibly joined to the micronozzle array with a seal that is gas-tight, and where the first gas distribution plate includes a plurality of sealed flow paths. A manifold may be reversibly joined to the first gas distribution plate, where the micro-fabricated fluidic die and the first gas distribution plate and the second opposing plate are disposed between the manifold. A thermally conductive plate may have at least one window that provides a clearance fit for the device across a range of motion relative to the thermally conductive plate.

An apparatus includes an exterior surface including an aperture, a sensor defining a field of view oriented through the aperture, a nozzle shell on the exterior surface and including a nozzle panel facing the aperture, and a heating element disposed in or on the nozzle panel. The nozzle panel includes a nozzle.

An apparatus includes an exterior surface including an aperture, a sensor defining a field of view oriented through the aperture, a nozzle shell on the exterior surface and including a nozzle panel facing the aperture, and a heating element disposed in or on the nozzle panel. The nozzle panel includes a nozzle.

A system for providing aromatherapy to a user is described herein. The system comprises a mobile computing device including a mobile application to control the system; a diffuser mounted to the mobile computing device, the diffuser including: a body, one or more cavities in the body, one or more heating elements positioned to provide localized heating to the one or more cavities, a processor, and one or more non-transitory computer storage mediums. The system also includes a plurality of carriers including scented material, the carriers sized and configured to reversibly fill a cavity and position scented material proximate a heating element. The non-transitory computer storage mediums are encoded with one or more computer programs that, when executed by the processor in response to instructions from the mobile computing device, instruct the heating elements to apply heat from the heating elements to activate the scented material and deliver a predetermined aromatherapy experience to the user. Corresponding methods also are disclosed.

A system for providing aromatherapy to a user is described herein. The system comprises a mobile computing device including a mobile application to control the system; a diffuser mounted to the mobile computing device, the diffuser including: a body, one or more cavities in the body, one or more heating elements positioned to provide localized heating to the one or more cavities, a processor, and one or more non-transitory computer storage mediums. The system also includes a plurality of carriers including scented material, the carriers sized and configured to reversibly fill a cavity and position scented material proximate a heating element. The non-transitory computer storage mediums are encoded with one or more computer programs that, when executed by the processor in response to instructions from the mobile computing device, instruct the heating elements to apply heat from the heating elements to activate the scented material and deliver a predetermined aromatherapy experience to the user. Corresponding methods also are disclosed.

An apparatus including a heat source coupled with a container of volatile substance to enhance broadcast of the volatile substance in vapor phase from an emanator element into a local gas environment. A heat source non-exclusively includes any combustible arrangement to produce a flame. Volatile substance may be associated with the emanator element in liquid or a non-spillable solid or solidified phase. Heat may be directed toward the volatile substance using any of convection, radiation, and conduction. A chimney may focus a convective draft to increase draft air speed, and/or orient the draft in a desired (e.g., non-vertical) direction. A mechanism may permit adjustment in spacing between volatile substance and the flame. A seal may resist undesired discharge of volatile substance (in liquid and/or vapor phase), prior to use.

An apparatus including a heat source coupled with a container of volatile substance to enhance broadcast of the volatile substance in vapor phase from an emanator element into a local gas environment. A heat source non-exclusively includes any combustible arrangement to produce a flame. Volatile substance may be associated with the emanator element in liquid or a non-spillable solid or solidified phase. Heat may be directed toward the volatile substance using any of convection, radiation, and conduction. A chimney may focus a convective draft to increase draft air speed, and/or orient the draft in a desired (e.g., non-vertical) direction. A mechanism may permit adjustment in spacing between volatile substance and the flame. A seal may resist undesired discharge of volatile substance (in liquid and/or vapor phase), prior to use.