Device for selectively providing a multiplicity of aromas

• US 5,565,148 A
• Filed: 03/16/1995
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Pendergrass, Daniel B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILES, TIM
• Application Number:
  US08/405,040
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 261/30, 261/DIG. 65, 422/124
• US Class Current: 261/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering one or more aromas at selected times includes a housing with a receptacle and an aroma delivery device detachably received in the receptacle. The aroma delivery device includes a carrier having a plurality of aroma-bearing elements that are selectively communicated with an air passageway for providing one or more aromas as desired. The device is especially useful for providing a realistic sensory experience in an interactive or non-interactive use, and may be used in such diverse settings as the entertainment industry, the educational training field or a medical arena.

Claims

1. Apparatus for delivering a multiplicity of aromas comprising:

a housing having an air passageway and a receptacle interposed in said passageway;

a source of pressurized air for directing air through said passageway;

an aroma delivery device releasably received in said receptacle, said device including a carrier having a plurality of separate chambers and a plurality of aroma-bearing elements each received in a respective one of said chambers, each of said elements including a reservoir containing a volatile material and diffusion rate-controlling structure at least partially covering said reservoir;

means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway, said means including a controller for changing the selection of said chambers when desired, said device including at least one cover for precluding volatile material from escaping from chambers not in communication with said passageway; and

an interactive program, said controller being responsive to electronic signals provided by said interactive program in order to enable the selection of said chambers to be determined by the user'"'"'s responses to said program.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is programmable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway includes means for moving said carrier relative to said housing, and wherein said carrier has a generally cylindrical shape with a central axis, and wherein said elements are arranged in a circular array about said central axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway includes an air valve.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway includes an air pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway includes means for moving said carrier relative to said housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for moving said carrier relative to said housing includes a stepmotor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway includes at least one cover movable relative to said housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 and including a stepmotor for incrementally moving said carrier relative to said housing.

10. An aroma delivery device comprising:

a carrier having a plurality of separate chambers;

a plurality of aroma-bearing elements each received in a respective one of said chambers, each of said elements including a reservoir containing a volatile material and diffusion rate-controlling structure at least partially covering said reservoir; and

at least one cover connected to said carrier for selectively opening one or more of said chambers, said at least one cover being resiliently biased toward a closed position over one or more of said chambers.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said elements are arranged in a generally linear array.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein each chamber has an outlet end that is closed by a respective cover.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said cover comprises a flexible sheet of material and an adhesive for releasably connecting said sheet of material to said carrier.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said carrier has a central axis, and wherein said chambers are arranged in a circular array about said axis.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said carrier has a generally cylindrical shape.