Multiple fragrance emission device

• US 10,064,970 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trackmind Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Trackmind Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Shah, Siddharth, Bobev, Michael E., Meda, Srinivas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US15/282,730
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 261 30, 261 26, 261DIG 88
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/032 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick

Abstract

A multi-fragrance emission device includes an insert having a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one side portion, the insert including a passageway extending between an entrance at the top portion and an exit at the side portion. A fan is configured to move air through the passageway, and an outer shell is sized to fit over at least a portion of the insert. The outer shell includes a plurality of scent chambers, each scent chamber being in communication with one of a plurality of scent release holes. A motor is coupled to the insert, the motor configured to move the insert to align the exit of the insert with one of the plurality of scent release holes.

Claims

1. A fragrance dispenser, comprising:

a housing configured to removably receive a plurality of scent cartridges, each of the plurality of scent cartridges having an air inlet and an air outlet,

a member movably associated with the housing, the member having a first opening, the member configured to be moved relative to the housing to selectively align the first opening with the air inlet of at least a selected one of the plurality of the scent cartridges;

a fan configured to move air through the air inlet and the air outlet of the selected one of the plurality of scent cartridges; and

a motor coupled to the member and configured to move the member relative to the housing.

2. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, wherein the member comprises an insert having a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one side portion, the insert including a passageway extending between an entrance at the top portion and an exit at the side portion, the exit configured to be aligned with air inlet of the selected one of the plurality of the scent cartridges, and

wherein the housing comprises a plurality of second openings, each of the plurality of second openings configured to be aligned with the air outlet of one of the plurality of scent cartridges.

3. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, wherein the member comprises an outer shell having a third opening, the third opening configured to be selectively aligned with the air outlet of one of the plurality of scent cartridges.

4. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, further including a microcontroller programmed to control at least one of the fan and the motor.

5. The fragrance dispenser of claim 4, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to move the member back and forth between at least two positions at a predetermined frequency, the first position of the member enabling release of scent from a first one of the plurality of scent cartridges and the second position of the member enabling release of scent from a second one of the plurality of scent cartridges.

6. The fragrance dispenser of claim 4, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to vary a speed of the fan.

7. A fragrance emission device, comprising:

a base including a plurality of ducts, each of the plurality of ducts extending from an end portion of the base to a side portion of the base;

a plurality of inlet openings at the end portion of the base, each of the plurality of inlet openings being in communication with one of the plurality of ducts;

a plurality of outlet openings at the side portion of the base, each of the plurality of outlet openings being in communication with one of the plurality of ducts;

a fan positioned at the end portion of the base adjacent the plurality of inlet openings;

a motor in communication with the fan and adapted to actuate the fan;

a plurality of fragrance cartridges, each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges positionable to at least partially align with one of the plurality of outlet openings; and

a cover adapted to fit over the base, the cover including a release opening, configured to align the release opening with one of the plurality of outlet openings.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the base and the covering are cylindrical;

and wherein the covering is rotatable relative to the base so as to align the release opening to at least one of the plurality of outlets.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the base and the covering are spherical.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the fragrance cartridges are configured to individually engage with the base.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the base includes at least one receptacle extending parallel to the side portion along a vertical axis of the device; and

at least one of the plurality of fragrance cartridges is receivable within the at least one receptacle.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the fragrance cartridges are adapted to attach to an outer surface of the base.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein each fragrance cartridge comprises a reservoir at an upper portion thereof and a porous material positioned between the reservoir and an exterior of the fragrance cartridge at a lower portion.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein the motor is configured to rotate at least one of the base and the covering to adjust an alignment between the release opening of the cover and the plurality of outlet openings.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a microcontroller programmed to control operation of the motor.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to vary a speed of the fan.

17. The device of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of ducts extends at least partially along a radius of curvature.

18. The device of claim 7, wherein the release opening comprises multiple release openings, and

wherein the covering comprises a plurality of covering elements, each of the plurality of covering elements associated with one of the release openings, each of the plurality of covering elements configured to selectively cover and uncover the associated release opening.

19. A system for emitting a variety of fragrances, comprising:

a base including a passageway extending from an end portion of the base to a side portion of the base and having an inlet opening at the end portion;

a plurality of outlet openings at the side portion of the base, each of the plurality of outlet openings being in communication with the passageway;

a fan positioned at the end portion of the base adjacent the inlet opening;

a motor in communication with the fan and adapted to actuate the fan;

a plurality of fragrance cartridges, each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges positionable to at least partially align with the plurality of outlet openings; and

a cover adapted to fit over the base, the cover including a release opening, and being rotatable with respect to the base, such that the release opening aligns with one of the plurality of outlet openings.