Abstract:
The present invention relates to devices for providing aromatherapy to a person undergoing massage therapy. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiments hereinafter described in accordance with the best mode of practice, this invention relates to aroma devices for providing aromatherapy while undergoing massage therapy and methods of making and using the aromatherapy device of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention comprises an aroma container, a clamp, and a connector joining the aroma container to the clamp. The connector may be formed from a flexible material allowing movement of the aroma container relative to the clamp. The aroma container and clamp may be coupled to the connector by a ball and socket joint, a snap-fit joint, welding, adhesive, screws, bolts or threading.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/720,104 filed Sep. 23, 2005 the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully repeated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to aromatherapy. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiments hereinafter described in accordance with the best mode of practice, this invention relates to devices for providing aromatherapy while undergoing massage therapy.  
       GENERAL DISCUSSION AND RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Prior hereto, aromatherapy has been administered by placing therapeutic oils on absorbent materials which are placed near ones face for inhalation. Normally, these inhaled oils are placed on a tissue paper, paper towel, paper napkin, handkerchief or similar absorbent material that allows the oil to evaporate. The oil filled absorbent material is then placed under the pillow of the face cradle of a massage table or massage chair so the individual undergoing a massage may inhale the scent while undergoing a massage.  
         [0004]     More particularly, the arts related hereto have been contributed by several inventors including Hagiwara, et al., and MacDonald. As an illustration of such contributors, there is a stress dissolving refreshment system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,650 to Hagiwara, et al. The stress dissolving refreshment system causes a relaxed state induction means actuated during a relaxing period, thereafter a refresh stimulus means actuated to generate a weak stimulation during a disillusion period in which the level of consciousness of the user is gradually elevated, and then the refresh stimulus means further actuated to generate a strong stimulation during a refreshing period in which the level of the user&#39;s consciousness is elevated to a level good enough for allowing the user to return to normal working, whereby the consciousness level of the user is quickly elevated after being relaxed, so as to effectively attain the refreshment.  
         [0005]     In another patent to Hagiwara, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,070, there is described a relaxation refreshment apparatus that includes a relaxation refreshment chair provided for giving to the user a vibratory stimulus variable in accordance with a detected relaxing degree of the user, an optical stimulus with exterior light shielded at the top part of the chair, a pneumatic stimulus operatively connected to an aromatizer nearby, for giving to the user an aromatic stimulus and an acoustic stimulus with a sound output unit, the apparatus being thus capable of intensively providing to the user various stimuli with an arrangement simplified and effectively realizing a compactness with dimensional minimization.  
         [0006]     In the disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0172064 in the name of Bonnie MacDonald there is described a treatment table having a raised surface portioned to receive a person desiring treatment. The raised surface has an associated face position, either included in the surface or a face rest removably attached to the table for receiving the person&#39;s face when the person desiring treatment lays on their stomach on the raised surface. The face position having an opening to facilitate unobstructed breathing. An aroma dispenser is positioned near the opening so that the aroma given off by the dispenser may be inhaled by the person desiring treatment.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a simple, adjustable, effective and economical aromatherapy administration device which can be attached to a massage table or chair. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved aromatherapy administering device that can be attached to a massage table or chair and can be appropriately place at a desired distance from the face of a person undergoing massage and aromatherapy.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It is an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual&#39;s response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual&#39;s innate healing process. As a holistic medicine, aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or disease.  
         [0009]     It is a natural, non-invasive treatment system designed to affect the whole person not just the symptom or disease and to assist the body&#39;s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself by the correct use of essential oils or aromatherapy agents.  
         [0000]     Origin of the Word Aromatherapie  
         [0010]     The term “aromatherapie” was coined by Rene Maurice Gattefosse in 1928. He utilized the word to imply the therapeutic use of aromatic substances (essential oils). Since the beginning of Aromatherapy, the practice has encompassed human pathology and the treatment of different conditions (emotional and physical) with essential oils. As aromatherapy developed into a practice it adopted a holistic approach which encompasses the body, the mind and the spirit (energy). As a holistic therapy, aromatherapy is able to work on several levels of the individuals well being.  
         [0000]     Aromatherapy Massage Applications  
         [0011]     In massage therapy applications, an aromatherapy agent, aromatherapy oil or essential oil is scented oil that is applied on skin and is also administered by placing the therapeutic oils on absorbent materials which are placed near ones face for inhalation. Normally, these inhaled oils are placed on a tissue paper, paper towel, paper napkin, handkerchief or similar absorbent material that allows the oil to evaporate. The oil filled absorbent material is then placed under the pillow of the face cradle on a massage table or massage chair so the individual may inhale the scent during a massage. The oils applied to the skin are absorbed through the skin while the inhaled scents enter ones body through the respiratory system. These oils are used to achieve a desired mood or medicinal purposes.  
         [0012]     Aromatherapy oils are volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word “oil” are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color. Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.  
         [0013]     Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer. The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits. These benefits are usually achieved through methods including inhalation and application of the diluted oil to the skin as described above.  
         [0014]     Essential oils are often used by diluting them with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil) and then applying this blend to the skin for absorption.  
         [0015]     Careful inhalation of the oils can also provide therapeutic benefit as the oil molecules enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows proper positioning of an essential oil for optimal inhalation while undergoing a massage without making one uncomfortable in the process.  
         [0016]     Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Various factors that can affect the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the plant, country and conditions that the plant was grown, quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil is produced by the plant.  
         [0017]     Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure essential oils is that you can save from having to buy every essential oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.  
         [0018]     Examples of aromatherapy agents or essential oils that may be used in conjunction with the present invention include, but are not limited to, the aromatherapy agents listed below in Tables 1 and 2:  
                         TABLE 1                       Aromatherapy Agents Alphabetized by Common Name:                                    Angelica Root           Anise           Balsam, Peru           Basil           Bay           Bay Laurel           Beeswax           Benzoin           Bergamot           Bergamot Mint           Bois-de-rose           Boronia           Cajeput           Cardamum           Carrot Seed           Cedarwood, Atlas           Cedarwood, Virginian           Chamomile, German           Chamomile, Roman           Cinnamon           Citronella           Clary Sage           Clove Bud           Coriander           Cypress           Dill           Elemi           Eucalyptus           Eucalyptus, Lemon           Eucalyptus Radiata           Fennel           Fir Needle           Frankincense           Galbanum           Geranium           Geranium, Rose           Ginger           Grapefruit           Helichrysum           Hyssop           Immortelle           Jasmine           Juniper Berry           Kanuka           Lavender           Lavendin           Lemon           Lemongrass           Lime           Linden Blossom           Mandarin           Manuka           Marjoram           May Chang           Myrrh           Myrtle           Myrtle, Lemon           Neroli           Niaouli           Nutmeg           Oakmoss           Olibanum           Orange, Bitter           Orange, Sweet           Oregano           Palmarosa           Parsley           Patchouli           Pepper, Black           Peppermint           Petitgrain           Pine, Scotch           Ravensara           Rose           Rosemary           Rosewood           Sandalwood           Spearmint           Spikenard           Spruce           Tagetes           Tangerine           Tea Tree, Common           Tea Tree, Lemon           Tea Tree, New Zealand           Thyme           Tobacco           Tuberose           Vanilla           Vetiver           Violet Leaf           Yarrow           Ylang Ylang                      
 
         [0019]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Aromatherapy Agents Alphabetized by Botanical Name: 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 
                   Abies alba 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Achillea millefolium 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Anethum graveolens 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Angelica archangelica 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Aniba rosaeodora 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Anthemis nobilis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Apis mellifera 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Backhousia citriodora 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Boronia megastigma 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Boswellia carterii 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cananga odorata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Canarium luzonicum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cedrus atlantica 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cinnamomum zeylanicum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus aurantifolia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus aurantium 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus aurantium 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus aurantium 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus bergamia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus limon 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus paradisi 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus reticulata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus reticulata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Citrus sinensis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Commiphora myrrha 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Coriandrum sativum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cupressus sempervirens 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cymbopogon citratus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cymbopogon martini 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cymbopogon nardus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Daucus carota 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Elettaria cardamomum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Eucalyptus citriodora 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Eucalyptus globulus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Eucalyptus radiata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Eugenia caryophyllata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Evernia prunastri 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Ferula galbaniflua 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Foeniculum vulgare 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Helichrysum angustifolia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Hyssopus officinalis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Jasminum officinalis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Juniperus communis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Juniperus virginiana 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Laurus Nobilis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Lavandula hybrida 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Lavendula officinalis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Leptospermum ericoides 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Leptospermum petersonii 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Leptospermum scoparium 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Litsea cubeba 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Matricaria chamomilla 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Melaleuca alternifolia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Melaleuca leucadendron 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Melaleuca quinquenervia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Mentha Citrata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Mentha piperita 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Mentha spicata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Myristica fragrans 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Myroxylon pereirae 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Myrtus communis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Nardostachys jatamansi 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Nicotania tabacum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Ocimum basilicum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Oreganum majorana 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Oreganum vulgare 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pelargonium graveolens 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pelargonium roseum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Petroselinum sativum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Picea mariana 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pimenta racemosa 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pimpinella anisum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pinus sylvestris 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Piper nigrum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pogostemon cablin 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Polianthes tuberosa 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Ravensara aromatica 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Rosa damascena 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Rosmarinus officinalis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Salvia sclarea 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Santalum album 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Styrax tonkinensis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Tagetes minuta 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Thymus vulgaris 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Tilia vulgaris 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Vanilla planifolia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Vetiveria zizanoides 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Viola odorata 
                 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Zingiber officinale 
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The present invention is directed to an apparatus for administration of aromatherapy on a massage table or massage chair. More particularly this invention is directed to a device for providing aromatherapy during a massage when a person is faced down on a massage table or massage chair with his head on a face cradle to achieve optimal inhalation of the therapeutic scent or aromatherapy agent.  
         [0021]     Administering aromatherapy during a massage when a person is face down is difficult. Massage therapists currently administer the essential oils by placing it on an absorbent material like a tissue paper and inserting said tissue between the pillow and base plate of a face cradle on a massage table or massage chair. The problem with this current method for administering aromatherapy is that it does not provide enough of the therapeutic oil/scent due to its relative proximity to the person&#39;s nose from the source of the aromatherapy.  
         [0022]     The current invention provides a solution to the problem by providing a device for easy and convenient directed administration of volatile essential oils. The device of the present invention is an aromatherapy holder that places the aromatherapy close to the person&#39;s nose to achieve proper inhalation of the essential oil during an aromatherapy massage. This device is designed to work on virtually all massage tables and massage chairs with a face cradle.  
         [0023]     Applicant has therefore discovered a system and method for administering aromatherapy during a massage that substantially eliminates the problems with the current methods.  
         [0024]     The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0025]     Further objects of the present invention together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention which are shown in the accompanying figures with like reference numerals indicating like components throughout, wherein:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the aromatherapy apparatus, aromatherapy device or aroma device of the present invention showing the various components of the apparatus including a clamp, a connector, an aroma container and an optional fastener;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the aroma device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the aroma device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a massage table including a face cradle and base support member or frame such as a base plate;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a massage chair including a face cradle;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows the aroma device of FIGS.  1  to  3  attached to the base plate of a face cradle on a massage table;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates a person undergoing aromatherapy using the aroma device of FIGS.  1  to  3 ;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 8A  to  8 F depicts another embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention having a moldable or flexible connector which allows for the movement of the aroma container for optimal positioning;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates yet another embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention having one form of a “c-type” clamp for attachment of the aroma device to rounded face cradle support members.; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows still another embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention having a round type or rounded clamp. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     The present invention is directed to devices for providing aromatherapy while undergoing massage therapy discussed below in further detail.  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a side view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the aromatherapy apparatus, aroma device or aromatherapy device  100  of the present invention. The aroma device includes an aromatherapy agent holder or aroma container  102 , a clamp  104  and a connector  106 . The aroma container  102  is attached to the clamp  104  through the connector  106 . The connector  106  may be attached to the aroma container  102  or the clamp  106  by conventional attachment methods including, but not limited to, ball and socket joints to allow movement of the various components of the device (as described below in conjunction with  FIG. 9 ), snap-fit joint, glued on, welded on, bolted on, screwed on, threaded on (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) or any other methods of attachments used in the arts of making plastic or metal devices. Examples of snap-fit attachments or joints are described and illustrated by Paul R. Bonenberger in his book entitled “First Snap-Fit Handbook—Creating Attachments for Plastic Parts”, published by Hanser Publishers which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully repeated herein. Bonenbergers&#39;s book discusses snap-fit mechanisms, locators, locating schemes and overconstraints, design-for-assembly, and the snap-fit function from the end user point-of-view. Alternatively, the entire device may be made using a mold, injection molded, for example, in the case of plastics or machined as a single piece in the case of metals, for example.  
         [0038]     The aroma device  100  may optionally include a fastener  108  to aid in fastening said aroma device onto a face cradle of a massage table or massage chair. The aroma device of the present invention is preferably attached to a face cradle support such as a base plate or any supporting member of the face cradle. An example of a massage table and chair is described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively showing a face cradle and a face cradle support or supporting member.  
         [0039]     The next figure,  FIG. 2  is top-side view of the aroma device  100  of  FIG. 1  that shows the “cup-like” aroma container  102  of the aroma device  100 . The aroma container  102  is not limited to cup-like holders but may be any shape that holds an absorbent material or liquid. Likewise, the clamp  104  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is not limited to flat clamps but may include any type of clamp that can be used to attach the aroma device  100  of the present invention to any part of a massage table or chair. These clamps may include, for example, but are not limited to, sliding clamps, C-type clamps, toggle clamps, spring clamps, spring and plier clamps, bar clamps, pipe clamps, and magnetic clamps. An embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention having an alternative clamp is best depicted and described below in conjunction with  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . The various components of the aroma device  100  of  FIG. 1  is further depicted in the exploded view of the aroma device  100  shown is the next figure,  FIG. 3 . There is also illustrated in  FIG. 3  threaded attachment points including the male threaded member  109  and the female threaded member  111  for attaching the connector  106  to the aroma container  102  and also to the clamp  104 .  
         [0040]     Moving on to the next two figures,  FIGS. 4 and 5  show a massage table  110  and a massage chair  112 , respectively. The massage table  110  has a face cradle  114  attached to the table through a base plate  116 . The aroma device  100  may thus be attached to the base plate  116  to optimally place the aromatherapy agent near ones nose to provide proper inhalation of said aromatherapy agent as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the aroma device  100  is attached to the base plate  116  using the clamp  104 .  
         [0041]     The optimal placement of the aromatherapy agent using the aroma device  100  of the present invention is best illustrated in  FIG. 7  which shows a person undergoing massage and aromatherapy using the aroma device  100  of the present invention which places the source of the aromatherapy agent near ones nose for optimal inhalations of said aromatherapy agent.  
         [0042]     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated another proffered embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention. The same basic components are also depicted here including the clamp  104 , connector  106  and aroma container  102 . The aroma container  102  is also “cup-like” as in the device described above in conjunction with FIGS.  1  to  3 . The aroma device  100  of  FIG. 8  shows an alternative connector  106  which is a flexible material that allows for the customization of the placement of the aroma container relative to ones face, nose and field of view. The flexible material may be formed from a number of flexible materials that retain their shape after it is bent to a desired position including, for example, but not limited to, any flexible metals or flexible plastic materials. With specific reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B  showing the alternative device of the present invention attached to the base plate or base member  116  of a face cradle  114 . The base member  116  of the face cradle illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  is an example of a base plate  116  which is a flat support member usually made of wood. The next figure,  FIG. 8C , shows a view of the aroma device  100  from the perspective of a person on a massage table or chair. The aroma container  102  of the device  100  is shown to be close of the persons face or within ones field of view. As shown, a flower  118  may be used as a source of an aroma or an aroma agent. This also illustrates an alternative use of the aroma device for ornamental purposes to entertain and relax an individual during a massage. Often people having a massage complain that they get bored because they stare at the floor the whole time. This way, a massage therapist can place different visually entertaining and stimulating objects in the aroma container  102  to entertain their client. Of course, the therapist can combine both and place an aroma agent and visually stimulating objects in the aroma container of the device of the present invention to simultaneously entertain and provide aromatherapy during a massage. Moving next to  FIG. 8D  which depicts another configuration of the flexible connector that allows customized placement of the aroma container relative to a persons face and field of view. The next figure,  FIG. 8E  shows yet another view of the aroma device  100  from the perspective of a person on a massage table or chair without an ornamental piece or object. While  FIG. 8F  illustrates the aroma container  102  positioned away from the face cradle  114 . Since the connector  106  depicted in  FIG. 8  is flexible, the therapist can easily move the aroma container  102  out of the way to place or replace an aroma agent and/or ornament in the aroma container  102 . The therapist can also conveniently move the aroma container  102  having an aroma agent away from the client, if the client chooses to stop aromatherapy during a massage due to the flexible nature of the connector.  
         [0043]     Alternatively, the aroma device  100  of the present invention may be directly attached, built into, or made a part of a massage table or massage chair. As a non-limiting example, of this alternative embodiment of the aroma device  100  of the present invention, one end of the connector  106  of the aroma device may be directly connected to the support or base member  116  of the face cradle such that it becomes part of the face cradle  114  while the other end of the connector  106  is connected to the aroma container  102 . Since the connector depicted in  FIG. 8  is flexible, the aroma container may be placed or positioned appropriately, as described above. The end of the connector  106  that is attached to the massage table may be attached by various means or methods including, but not limited to, for example, using appropriate fasteners such as nuts and bolts, and hook and loop fasteners, and using appropriate adhesives or welding the connector onto any portion of the massage table or chair.  
         [0044]     Referring next to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the present invention having a “c-type” clamp  104  for attachment of the aroma device  100  to rounded face cradle support members or any rounded attachment point on a massage table or chair. Also shown in  FIG. 9  is a ball member  122  and a socket member  124  of a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint also allow movement of the aroma container which allows the therapist to place the aroma source at a desired location for optimal inhalation of the aroma agent and also allow the therapist to conveniently move the aroma container  102  away from the client, if the client chooses to stop aromatherapy during a massage due to the movable nature of the device with ball and socket joints. The last figure,  FIG. 10  illustrates still another embodiment of the aroma device of the present invention having a “round-type” clamp  104  for attachment onto rounded components of a massage table or chair. An aroma source  120  is also depicted in  FIG. 10 .  
       CONCLUDING SUMMARY  
       [0045]     While this invention has been described in detail with reference to a certain preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. Rather, in view of the present disclosure which describes the current best mode for practicing the invention, many modifications and variations would present themselves to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope including, for example, use of the device of the present invention for ornamental purpose such as display of colorful beads and flowers to entertain and relax a person during a massage or making the aromatherapy device an integral part of a massage table or chair.  
         [0046]     Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.