Aroma-generating unit

• US 4,695,434 A
• Filed: 08/27/1982
• Issued: 09/22/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, William R.
• Application Number:
  US06/412,080
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/116, 422/124, 422/125, 422/305, 422/306, 239/56, 239/57
• US Class Current: 422/116
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/89 Electrically heated aroma dispensers

Abstract

An aroma-generating unit adapted to periodically discharge into the atmosphere bursts of aromatic vapor, the non-aromatic intervals between the bursts having a duration sufficient to avoid desensitizing the olfactory response of those exposed to the unit. The unit includes a hollow case whose upper wall has a vent therein and whose side wall has a slot to receive a replaceable cartridge provided with a porous mat impregnated with an aromatic liquid. When fully inserted, the cartridge is disposed below the vent and serves to define an air-confined chamber within the case. Disposed in this chamber is an electrical heater that is periodically energized by power pulses to heat and expand the confined air and to produce a positive pressure in the chamber forcing the heated air through the impregnated mat to rapidly volatilize the liquid and to produce bursts of aroma which are discharged into the atmosphere through the vent, which bursts are separated by relatively long, non-aromatic intervals.

Claims

1. An aroma generating unit comprising:

A. a hollow case whose upper wall has a vent therein and whose side wall has a cartridge-receiving slot;

B. a replaceable cartridge insertable in said slot to occupy a position in said case under said vent;

said cartridge, when fully inserted, defining an air-confined chamber within the case, said cartridge having a porous mat having wicking properties impregnated with an aroma-producing liquid enclosed in a housing defined by a pair of sheets between which the mat is sandwiched, said sheets having corresponding central holes therein to form a port which exposes the central portion of the mat, the remaining unexposed portion of the mat acting as a reservoir for the liquid which as liquid is depleted from the central exposed portion, it is replenished by liquid wicked from the unexposed portion; and

C. an electrical heater disposed in said chamber which, when energized, acts to heat and expand the confined air therein to create a positive pressure forcing the heated air through the port and the exposed portion of the impregnated mat to rapidly volatilize the liquid and to produce an aromatic vapor which is discharged into the atmosphere through said vent.

2. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heater is operated by means to cause it to be periodically energized by power pulses to produce bursts of aromatic vapor interrupted by non-aromatic intervals of sufficient duration to permit recovery of the olfactory response of those exposed to the aromatic vapor, said means being constituted by a solid state interrupter which couples said heater to a power line to produce power pulses whose duty cycle is adjustable.

3. A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pulses have a duration of about one minute and the intervals a duration of at least two minutes.