FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to aromatherapy and, more particularly, to systems and methods used to dispense aromatic materials into the atmosphere.
BACKGROUND
Aromatherapy has been practiced, in one form or another, from the dawn of civilization to the present, including ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. Aromatherapy may be defined as the art and science of using oils or essential oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health, beauty and overall wellness of an individual. Apart from the physical benefits, it is believed the essential oils can produce positive psychological effects on the mind and emotions of a user.
SUMMARY
An aromatherapy dispensing system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the aromatherapy dispensing system includes a housing; a puck tray positioned proximate an interior section of the housing, the puck tray configured to receive a puck comprising or retaining an aromatic material; a fan assembly configured to draw ambient air into the housing, circulate the ambient air about the puck, and expel an aromatic fragrance outside of the housing into the ambient air; and a circuit module configured to store power and drive the fan assembly.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations, without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and claims in connection with the following drawings. While the drawings illustrate various embodiments employing the principles described herein, the drawings do not limit the scope of the claims.
FIG. 1A is a frontal perspective view of an aromatherapy dispensing system, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 2A is an exploded frontal perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 2B is a frontal view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3A is a frontal view of an aromatherapy dispensing system, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3B is a side view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3C is a rear view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3D is a frontal perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3E is a rear perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 3F is a bottom view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 4A is a frontal perspective view of an aromatherapy dispensing system in an open or operational position, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 4B is a frontal perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 4A in a closed or non-operational position, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 4C is a frontal and bottom perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 4A with the air intake and dust filter removed and illustrated in exploded view, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 5A is a frontal perspective view of an aromatherapy dispensing system, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the aromatherapy dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 5A with the circuit module and fan assembly illustrated in an installed position, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 5C is a first perspective view of the circuit module and fan assembly illustrated in FIG. 5B, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 5D is a second perspective view of the circuit module and fan assembly illustrated in FIG. 5B, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 5E is a third perspective view of the circuit module and fan assembly illustrated in FIG. 5B, in accordance with various embodiments;
FIG. 6 illustrates various packaging features configured to package the various embodiments of the aromatherapy dispensing systems illustrated in the above figures, in accordance with various embodiments.
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the aromatherapy dispensing system and identifies various features of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. It should also be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lower values and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate an aromatherapy dispensing system 100, in accordance with various embodiments. The aromatherapy dispensing system 100 includes a cover 102 and a housing 104, with the housing 104 including a first housing aperture 106 configured to receive a power switch 108 and a second aperture 110 configured to receive a power cord (not illustrated). In various embodiments, the housing 104 further includes at least one vent 112 or, preferably, a plurality of such vents spaced about a perimeter of the housing 104 proximate a base portion 114 of the housing 104.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, exploded views of the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B are provided. In various embodiments, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 includes the cover 102 and the housing 104 referred to above. In various embodiments, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 further includes a puck 120 configured to retain or comprise an aromatic material. In various embodiments, for example, the puck 120 may comprise a base material having a clay or plaster blend, together with other materials, infused with a fragrant oil. The aromatherapy dispensing system 100 also comprises a puck tray 122, the puck tray 122, in various embodiments, including an air outlet aperture 124 (or, preferably, a plurality of such apertures) extending through a side wall 126 of the puck tray 122 and configured to allow aromatic fragrances to pass from the puck 120 to a location outside the puck tray 122. In various embodiments, a puck holder 121 is included and configured to position or maintain the puck 120 within the puck tray 122. In various embodiments, the puck tray 122 also includes an air inlet aperture 128 configured to receive a flow of ambient air into the puck tray 122 proximate a base portion 130 of the puck tray 122.
Still referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 further includes a circuit module 140 and a fan assembly 150, sometimes referred to as an amplifier. In various embodiments, the circuit module 140 and the fan assembly 150 are operably secured to a frame member 132 configured for connection to the housing 104 (or abutted against a plate member 135 within the housing) via a post member 136, or preferably, a plurality of such post members. In various embodiments, the circuit module 140 includes circuitry configured to power the fan assembly 150. During operation, the fan assembly 150 draws ambient air from the vent 112, through the housing 104 and then through the frame member 132, and then forces the ambient air into the puck tray 122 via the air inlet aperture 128, where the ambient air interacts with the aromatic materials retained within or comprising the puck 120 to produce an aromatic fragrance (e.g., the ambient air mixed with an aromatic material). The fan assembly 150 then expels the aromatic fragrance back to the atmosphere via the air outlet aperture 124. In various embodiments, a first plate 142 having a first plurality of air intake apertures 144 and a second plate 146 having a second plurality of air intake apertures 148 are configured for attachment to the housing 104 and to sandwich or otherwise position a dust filter 152. The dust filter 152 is configured to filter the ambient air as it is drawn into the housing 104 via the fan assembly 150.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F, various views of the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3A, in various embodiments, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 has a height dimension 160 of about 110 mm while in a closed position and a base dimension 162 (e.g., a radial dimension for cylindrical shaped housings) of about 110 mm. Referring particularly to FIG. 3F, the first plate 142 is illustrated as being secured to the housing 104 using a plurality of tab members 164 configured to be rotated into place against a plurality of tab receivers 166.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, various views of the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 are provided. Referring to FIG. 4A, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 is illustrated in an open or operational position. In various embodiments, the open or operational position is obtained by separating the cover 102 from the housing 104 to expose the puck tray 122 and the air outlet aperture 124. In various embodiments, a gap 168 of about 19 mm is provided to expel the aromatic fragrance from the puck tray 122. Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the first plate 142 includes a first pair of finger holes 170 used to rotate the first plate 142 into locking position against the housing 104. Similarly, the second plate 146 includes a second pair of finger holes 172 used to rotate the second plate 146 into locking position against the housing 104. The dust filter 152 is illustrated as being sandwiched between the first plate 142 and the second plate 146 when the plates are rotated into their locking positions against the housing 104.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E, various views of the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 are provided. Referring to FIG. 5B-5D, the circuit module 140 and the fan assembly 150 are illustrated as being operably secured to the frame member 132, which is itself connected to the housing 104 (or abutted against a plate member 135 (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) within the housing 104) via the post member 136. In various embodiments, the fan assembly 150 includes a fan 180 and a motor 182 configured to drive the fan 180. The motor 182, which may comprise a brushless motor, is connected to the frame member 132. The circuit module 140 comprises the power switch 108 and a charging port 184, which, in various embodiments, may comprise a Type-C charging port. The charging port 184 is configured to receive an external power source having a connector configured to extend through the second aperture 110 of the housing 104 and engage the charging port 184. In various embodiments, the circuit module 140 further comprises a battery 186, which, in various embodiments, may comprise a 1500 mAh capacity battery, such capacity being sufficient to drive the fan assembly 150 for about 15 hours.
Referring now to FIG. 6, various features of a packaging system 190 configured to package the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 are provided. As illustrated, in various embodiments, the packaging system 190 includes a first outer cover 191 and a second outer cover 192. A first foam structure 193 and a second foam structure 194 are configured to securely position the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 within the first outer cover 191 and the second outer cover 192. In various embodiments, a charging cable 195 may be secured within one of the first outer cover 191 and the second outer cover 192. Finally, referring to FIG. 7, the aromatherapy dispensing system 100 is illustrated and further benefits and features of the system are described.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Finally, it should be understood that any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although various embodiments have been disclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein to any precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
Patent Application
20250109545
