Diffusion device

• US 20060226251A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edward L. Paas, Heather R. Schramm, Scott D. Walter, Thomas A. Helf
• Original Assignee: Edward L. Paas, Heather R. Schramm, Scott D. Walter, Thomas A. Helf
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Paas, Edward L., Walter, Scott D., Schramm, Heather R.
• Application Number:
  US11/403,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226251A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/34
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/205 using vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic or piezoelectric atomizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers

Abstract

A diffusion device comprises a housing and first and second containers disposed within the housing and having first and second wicks, respectively, extending therefrom. The diffusion device further includes first and second active materials disposed in the first and second containers, respectively, and first and second piezoelectric elements disposed adjacent tips of the first and second wicks, respectively. Still further, the diffusion device includes a switch disposed on a top surface of the housing, wherein the switch is adapted to control the mode of operation of the device. The device includes first, second, and third modes of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation, the device emits the first active material, in the second mode of operation, the device emits the second active material, and in the third mode of operation, the device alternates between emitting the first and second active materials.

Claims

1. A diffusion device, comprising:

a housing;

first and second containers disposed within the housing and having first and second wicks, respectively, extending therefrom and;

first and second active materials disposed in the first and second containers, respectively;

first and second piezoelectric elements disposed adjacent tips of the first and second wicks, respectively; and

a switch disposed on a top surface of the housing, wherein the switch is adapted to control the mode of operation of the device, wherein the device includes first, second, and third modes of operation and wherein in the first mode of operation, the device emits the first active material, in the second mode of operation, the device emits the second active material, and in the third mode of operation, the device alternates between emitting the first and second active materials.

2. The diffusion device of claim 1, wherein alternation between the first and second active materials comprises emitting the first active material for three hours, emitting the second active material for three hours, and repeating this pattern.

3. The diffusion device of claim 1, wherein alternation between the first and second active materials comprises emitting the first active material for twenty-four hours, emitting the second active material for twenty-four hours, and repeating this pattern.

4. The diffusion device of claim 2, wherein the diffusion device includes a second switch for selecting an intensity level for dispersion of the active material(s).

5. The diffusion device of claim 4, wherein the intensity level is determined by the time between active material emissions and wherein the time between active material emissions is between about 1 second and about 30 seconds.

6. The diffusion device of claim 5, wherein the device includes three different emission levels from which to select.

7. The diffusion device of claim 6, wherein the three different emission levels include time intervals between active material emissions of 9 seconds, 12 seconds, and 18 seconds.

8. The diffusion device of claim 5, wherein the device includes five different emission levels from which to select.

9. The diffusion device of claim 1, wherein the first and second active materials are different.

10. The diffusion device of claim 1, further including a battery for powering the diffusion device.

11. A combination, comprising:

a diffusion device including

a housing,

first and second containers disposed within the housing,

first and second wicks extending respectively from the first and second containers,

first and second active materials disposed in the first and second containers, respectively,

first and second piezoelectric elements disposed adjacent tips of the first and second wicks, respectively, for dispensing the first and second active materials, respectively; and

a holder having a cavity disposed therein, wherein the diffusion device is placed in the cavity to create a decorative object.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the decorative holder is formed in the shape of a leaf. (to be inserted at a later date when the designs are further developed;

dependent claim for each design going into production).

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the diffusion device is battery operated.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the diffusion device is retained in the holder by an interference fit.

15. A method of dispensing first and second active materials from a diffusion device, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a battery into the diffusion device;

selecting an intensity level for dispersion of the active material(s), wherein the intensity level is determined by the time between active material emissions; and

selecting from one of the three different modes of operation including

emitting the first active material;

emitting the second active material; and

alternating between emission of the first and second active materials based on a predetermined emission timing.

16. A battery-operated diffusion device, comprising:

a housing;

a battery disposed within the housing for providing power to the diffusion device;

first and second containers disposed within the housing and having first and second wicks, respectively, extending therefrom and;

first and second active materials disposed in the first and second containers, respectively;

first and second piezoelectric elements disposed adjacent tips of the first and second wicks, respectively;

a first switch disposed on a top surface of the housing, wherein the first switch is adapted to control the intensity of diffusion; and

a second switch disposed on a top surface of the housing, wherein the second switch is adapted to control the mode of operation of the device and includes three different modes of operation for operating the diffusion device.

17. The battery-operated diffusion device of claim 16, wherein the device includes at least mode of operation selected from the group of rotating between emission of the first and second active materials, gradually increasing and decreasing emission of an active material, increasing and decreasing the emission of an active material at predetermined time periods, and periodically discontinuing emission of an active material for a predetermined time period.

18. The battery-operated diffusion device of claim 16, in combination with a holder.

19. The battery-operated diffusion device of claim 18, wherein the holder includes a cavity disposed therein and wherein the diffusion device is disposed with the cavity to create a decorative object.

20. The battery-operated diffusion device of claim 19, wherein the holder is in the shape of a leaf.