Patent ID: 6413476
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A replenishable aroma and fragrance diffuser for intermittently dispensing a fragrance or aroma into a surrounding area comprising:an outer vessel having a base for positioning the diffuser on a horizontal surface and an open interior, the vessel being open at the top; a fan located on the interior of the outer vessel; a heating element located within the outer vessel; a container located adjacent to the heating element, the container being fabricated from a heat conductive material and comprising means for holding a heated liquid but releasing an aroma from the heated liquid; and a wax member having a composition comprising an aromatic or fragrant substance dispersed within a wax carrier, the wax composition being disposed within the container, the heater at least partially melting the wax member so that an aroma or fragrance can be emitted upon the application of heat by the heating element and dispersed by air flow generated by the fan, wherein the aromatic or fragrant substance is releaseable upon the application of sufficient heat to at least partially melt the wax carrier, solidification of the wax carrier upon the removal of heat trapping the aromatic or fragrant substance within the wax carrier to limit dispersion of the aromatic or fragrant substance; the wax member and the container being insertable and removable through the top of the outer vessel so that the aromatic or fragrant substance can be replenished by replacing the container wherein the container has venting openings to release vapors but the container is shaped to have sufficient volume between sides of the container and the vented openings to trap any liquids when the vessel is titled to a horizontal orientation, so that hot liquids are not released through the venting openings when the apparatus is inadvertently tilted from an upright orientation to a horizontal orientation.