Diffusion device and method of diffusing

• US 7,469,844 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Fenske, Lawrence J., Jaworski, Thomas, Conway, Simon M., Walter, Scott D., Crull, Jeffrey L., Mick, Jonathan M., Schramm, Heather R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey; Steven J
• Application Number:
  US11/131,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20050205916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/145, 239303-305, 239/326, 239/332, 239/338, 239/66, 261/99, 261/104, 261/DIG.65, 261/DIG.88, 422/123, 128/200.16, 128/204.13
• US Class Current: 239/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• 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 12/04 for sequential operation or multiple outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0638 spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers

Abstract

A diffusion device comprises a bottom portion having a bottom cover disposed thereon. The device further includes a top portion having a top cover disposed atop the bottom portion and a pump assembly disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover. First, second, and third arm portions extend from the pump assembly, wherein the first, second, and third arm portions include first, second, and third piezoelectric devices, respectively, attached thereto.

Claims

1. A diffusion device, comprising:

a bottom portion having a bottom cover disposed thereon;

a top portion having a top cover disposed atop the bottom portion;

a pump assembly disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover;

first, second, and third arm portions extending from the pump assembly, wherein the first, second, and third arm portions include first, second, and third piezoelectric devices, respectively, attached thereto; and

first, second, and third containers having first, second, and third, wicks respectively, wherein the first, second, and third containers are manually attached to the first, second, and third arm portions of the pump assembly such that the first, second, and third wicks are disposed adjacent the first, second, and third piezoelectric devices, respectively, when the containers are inserted into the device.

2. The diffusion device of claim 1, further including a support that is secured to and extends from the bottom cover and wherein the support connects the bottom portion and the pump assembly.

3. The diffusion device of claim 2, wherein the pump assembly is connected to the support by a screw.

4. The diffusion device of claim 2, wherein the pump assembly is spring-loaded and slidingly connected to the support.

5. The diffusion device of claim 1, further including an operating mode selector that is adapted to control the mode of operation of the device and which includes five positions, wherein the device includes at least first and second modes of operation.

6. The diffusion device of claim 5, wherein the modes of operation may be selected from the group of modes comprising:

emitting the first active material, emitting the second active material, emitting the third active material, alternating between the first, second, and third active materials at a first predetermined duration, alternating between the first, second, and third active materials at a second predetermined duration, increasing the emission of one or more active materials over time, decreasing the emission of one or more active materials over time, and periodically discontinuing emission of one or more active materials over time.

7. The diffusion device of claim 5, further including an emission frequency selector that includes five positions that allow the device to be set at one of five different dwell times, where the dwell time is the time between sprays.

8. The diffusion device of claim 1, further including first, second, and third containers having first, second, and third wicks, respectively, wherein the first, second, and third wicks are disposed adjacent the first, second, and third piezoelectric devices when the top cover is disposed atop the bottom portion.

9. The diffusion device of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third wicks are not disposed adjacent the first, second, end third piezoelectric devices when the top cover is removed from the bottom portion.

10. The diffusion device of claim 1, further including at least one battery that provides power to energize the piezoelectric devices.

11. The diffusion device of claim 10, further including a door in a bottom surface of the bottom portion, wherein the door may be opened to insert and remove the at least one battery.

12. The diffusion device of claim 1, wherein the top cover is formed into three columns and wherein one of the columns includes first and second flexible portions comprising flaps and wherein pressure may be exerted on the first and second flexible portions to remove the top cover from the diffusion device.

13. A diffusion device, comprising:

a top portion having a top cover and a bottom portion having a bottom cover, wherein the top cover is disposed atop the bottom cover, thereby forming a cavity therebetween;

a container disposed in cavity, wherein the container includes an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom;

a spring-loaded pump assembly slidingly connected to the bottom cover and including a piezoelectric element extending therefrom;

wherein when the top cover is inserted over the spring-loaded pump assembly, the pump assembly moves downwardly such that the piezoelectric element is moved into contact with the wick extending from the container and when the cover is removed, the pump assembly moves upwardly and out of contact with the wick.

14. The diffusion device of claim 13, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover form first, second, and third cavities therebetween and wherein first, second, and third containers having first, second, and third active materials therein and first, second, and third wicks, respectively, extending therefrom are disposed within the first, second, and third cavities, respectively.

15. The diffusion device of claim 14, wherein the spring-loaded pump assembly includes first, second, and third piezoelectric elements extending therefrom that are moved into contact with the first, second, and third wicks when the top cover is inserted over the spring-loaded pump assembly.

16. The diffusion device of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third active materials are different.

17. A diffusion device, comprising:

a bottom portion having a bottom cover disposed thereon;

a top portion having a top cover disposed atop the bottom portion;

a pump assembly disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover;

first, second, and third arm portions extending from the pump assembly, wherein the first, second, and third arm portions include first, second, and third piezoelectric devices, respectively, attached thereto; and

an operating mode selector that is adapted to control the mode of operation of the device and which includes five positions, wherein the device includes at least first and second modes of operation.

18. The diffusion device of claim 17, wherein the modes of operation may be selected from the group of modes comprising:

emitting the first active material, emitting the second active material, emitting the third active material, alternating between the first, second, and third active materials at a first predetermined duration, alternating between the first, second, and third active materials at a second predetermined duration, increasing the emission of one or more active materials over time, decreasing the emission of one or more active materials over time, and periodically discontinuing emission of one or more active materials over time.

19. The diffusion device of claim 17, further including an emission frequency selector that includes five positions that allow the device to be set at one of five different dwell times, where the dwell time is the time between sprays.