Electrical Aroma-Dispensing Device

Abstract

An electrical aroma-dispensing device for the purpose of dispensing aromatic scents and substances that includes a connector portion on one end of an outer enclosure for connecting to a power source, an inner cavity, an electrical circuit board inside the inner cavity that includes a current regulator and micro-processor, an internal heating element that can be operationally controlled by the micro-processor, a metal cavity adjacent to the heating element, a substrate material infused with or otherwise containing aromatic oil or liquid that fits into the metal cavity, one or more apertures in the outer enclosure that allow for the passage of air into or out from the interior cavity, a cap covering the substrate material with one more apertures, an internal fan that can be operationally controlled by the microprocessor and directs air through the device towards the metal cavity and substrate material and then out of the device, and a mechanically operated dampener, which may be incorporated into the cap or may be an independent part, with one or more apertures and that can be adjusted to effect the flow air into or out of the device.

Claims

1. An electrical aroma-dispensing device comprising: a connector portion on the exterior housing for connecting to a 5V DC power source a cavity, made of a metal material, for placement of a substrate material that may be infused with or otherwise contain an aromatic liquid or oil so as to be made fragrant a heating element disposed in an interior cavity located directly adjacent to or below the metal cavity intended for the placement of a substrate material a fan disposed in an interior cavity that directs air through the device and towards the metal cavity intended for the placement of a substrate material an electrical circuit board containing a current regulating device and a micro-processor that is electrically connected to and controls the operating status of the heating element and/or the fan according to a pre-programmed algorithm an outer enclosure with one or more apertures that allow for air to pass through the outer enclosure into and/or out of the interior of the outer enclosure a removable cap covering the substrate material that contains one or more apertures and that can be manually adjusted to control the passage of air and fragrance from the device into the external atmosphere. a manually operated dampener, which may be incorporated into the removable cap or may be a independent part, that can be adjusted to control the passage of air into and/or out of the apertures in the outer enclosure

2. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 that includes a substrate made of an open-cell or porous material infused with or otherwise containing an aromatic liquid or oil.

3. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 that includes a user-removable or replaceable material substrate infused with or otherwise containing an aromatic liquid or oil.

4. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 that includes a cap or cover with one or more apertures that retains a substrate inside the cavity.

5. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 in which the heat element is capable of progressively increasing in temperature in correspondence with the increase in time of its continuous active operation.

6. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 that contains a temperature sensor to provide feedback to the circuit regarding environmental temperature conditions such that the heat element and/or internal fan can be activated/deactivated automatically by the circuit as determined by a program.

7. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 1 that contains one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide feedback to the user regarding the operational status of the device.

8. An electrical aroma-dispensing device comprising: a connector portion on the exterior housing for connecting to a 12V DC power source a cavity, made of a metal material, for placement of a substrate material that may be infused with or otherwise contain an aromatic liquid or oil so as to be made fragrant a heating element disposed in an interior cavity located directly adjacent to or below the metal cavity intended for the placement of a substrate material a fan disposed in an interior cavity that directs air through the device and towards the metal cavity intended for the placement of a substrate material an electrical circuit board containing a current regulating device and a micro-processor that is electrically connected to and controls the operating status of the heating element and/or the fan according to a pre-programmed algorithm an outer enclosure with one or more apertures that allow for air to pass through the outer enclosure into and/or out of the interior of the outer enclosure a removable cap covering the substrate material that contains one or more apertures and that can be manually adjusted to control the passage of air and fragrance from the device into the external atmosphere. a manually operated dampener, which may be incorporated into the removable cap or may be a independent part, that can be adjusted to control the passage of air into and/or out of the apertures in the outer enclosure

9. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 that includes a substrate made of an open-cell or porous material infused with or otherwise containing an aromatic liquid or oil.

10. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 that includes a user-removable or replaceable material substrate infused with or otherwise containing an aromatic liquid or oil.

11. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 that includes a cap or cover with one or more apertures that retains a substrate inside the cavity.

12. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 in which the heat element is capable of progressively increasing in temperature in correspondence with the increase in time of its continuous active operation.

13. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 that contains a temperature sensor to provide feedback to the circuit regarding environmental temperature conditions such that the heat element and/or internal fan can be activated/deactivated automatically by the circuit as determined by a program.

14. The electrical aroma-dispensing device of claim 8 that contains one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide feedback to the user regarding the operational status of the device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Figures

[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the present invention

[0018] FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention

[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 of an embodiment of the present invention that illustrates the airflow through the device past the substrate material

[0020] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the current invention illustrating the dampener/cap positioned with apertures in alignment

[0021] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the current invention illustrating the dampener/cap positioned with apertures out of alignment

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the current invention illustrating a 12V DC connector that includes a connector portion and a distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following detailed description is of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The following detailed description is made merely for illustrating the general principles of the present invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the claims.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of the 5V DC electrical aroma dispensing devise 10 is illustrated.

[0025] The electrical aroma dispensing device includes a connector portion, which may be a standard Type A USB connector 11 for connecting to a 5V DC power source. The connector portion is attached to the outer enclosure 12.

[0026] The outer enclosure 12 includes one or more apertures 13 that allow for air to pass through the enclosure into and/or out of the inner cavity of the enclosure 12. On the end of outer enclosure 12 opposite the connector 11 is the cavity 14 for aromatic liquid or substrate 17 containing an aromatic liquid. The outer enclosure 12 also contains a circuit board 15 with a micro-processor electrically connected to the heating element 17 and/or the internal fan 16, which cycles the heating element 17 and/or internal fan 16 on and off according to a pre-programmed algorithm.

[0027] As the air passes through the outer enclosure 12, an internal fan 16 directs the air through the interior of the device towards the metal cavity 14, situated adjacent to a heating element 17 and containing a substrate 18 that may be infused with or otherwise contain an aromatic liquid or oil, and then out of the device through one or more aperture(s) 13.

[0028] Covering part of the outer enclosure 12 is a mechanically operated dampener/cap 20 with one or more apertures 19 that may be positioned over the aperture(s) 13 in the outer enclosure 12. FIG. 4 illustrates that the dampener/cap's aperture(s) 19 may be aligned with the outer enclosure's apertures 13 to allow for the unobstructed passage of air into and/or out of the interior of the outer enclosure 12. FIG. 5 illustrates that the dampener/cap's aperture(s) 19 may be misaligned with the outer enclosure's apertures 13 to partially or fully obstruct the passage of air into and/or out of the interior of the outer enclosure 12.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the electrical aroma dispensing device 10 where it's electrical connector 30 includes a connector body 31 and a distal end 32 designed to interface with a 12V automobile cigarette lighter/power outlet.