Patent ID: 6026987
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A system for informing potential customers in a sales space of availability and aroma of an aromatic material by controlled dissemination of the aroma in that space, said system comprising:(a) a mannequin shaped like a human being;(b) a source of the aromatic material;(c) a plurality of vents on the surface of the mannequin, each vent aimed in a selected direction;(d) a vapor distribution system connecting the source to the vents to distribute the aromatic material thereto, the distribution system comprising:a plurality of tubes to distribute the aroma of a selected fragrance material as an aromatic mist to the vents,(ii) pump means to produce a pressure differential between the source and the vents to disperse the aromatic material from the source through the vents into the atmosphere adjacent the mannequin, and(iii) controllable vent-closure means to control the effective size of the vents;(e) proximity sensing means connected to the distribution system to activate the pump means in response to sensing the approach of a person to within a selected proximity of the sensing means; and(f) means to initiate dispersal of the aromatic material only in response to the entry of the person into the space, and wherein the aromatic material does not continue to be dispensed due to the continued presence of the person in the space.