Abstract:
An aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule is disclosed to include a hollow housing including a first opening on a top side thereof, a second opening on a bottom side thereof and an integrated holder member downwardly inwardly extended from a top side thereof and defining therein a holding chamber facing toward the first opening, a heat conduction device mounted in the holding chamber, and a heating element mounted at a bottom side of the heat conduction device and kept in contact with the heat conduction device. Thus, an aroma capsule can be placed in the holding chamber and heated by the heating element to release fragrant vapor. After the aroma contained in the aroma capsule is used up, the aroma capsule can be replaced conveniently and rapidly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 14/042,162 filed on Sep. 30, 2013 and Ser. No. 14/157,302 filed on Jan. 16, 2014. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an aroma diffuser technology and more particularly, to an aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,066,420, 8,262,277 and 8,147,116 disclose an aroma diffuser, which includes a power supply, a heating source, essential oil or aroma wax, and a container for the aroma wax to be contained therein. The essential oil is likely to be leaked from the container as the container is toppled over. After the aroma wax contained in the container is evaporated completely and before a new aroma wax is placed in the container, the user needs to take aroma wax residues out from the container and then to clean the container. During the cleaning process, the user is likely to be stained by the aroma wax residues. 
     Further, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/157,302, which was invented and filed by the present inventor, the holder member is a separated member. An external assembly step is necessary to install the holder member, increasing the cost. Further, the holder member is not orthopedically designed for finger installation. It is not convenient for the user to place the aroma capsule in the narrow inside space of the heat conduction container in the aroma diffuser with the fingers, or to take the used aroma capsule out of the aroma diffuser. This disadvantage affects the convenience and efficiency of the use of the aroma capsule in the aroma diffuser. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule. The aroma diffuser can be simply and smoothly combined with a disposable aroma capsule. Since the aroma capsule is disposable, a new aroma capsule can replace the used aroma capsule easily. 
     Thus, the present invention provides an aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule, which reduces the assembly cost and errors. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule comprises a hollow housing, a heat conduction device and a heating element. The hollow housing comprises a first opening, a second opening and a holder member. The first opening is located on a top side of the hollow housing. The second opening is located on an opposing bottom side of the hollow housing. The holder member is mounted in the hollow housing, defining therein a holding chamber that faces toward the first opening. The heat conduction device is mounted in the holding chamber and abutted to the bottom hole. The heating element is mounted at a bottom side of the heat conduction device, and kept in contact with the heat conduction device. Thus, the heating element is electrically connected to a power supply unit for generating heat to heat the heat conduction device. 
     When using the aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule, the user can place an aroma capsule in the holding chamber of the holder member through the free end of the heat conduction device, and use a power supply unit to provide electricity to the heating element for generating heat to heat the heat conduction device so that the generated heat energy can be transferred through the heat conduction device to the aroma capsule, causing the aroma capsule to release a fragrant vapor toward the outside of the aroma diffuser. 
     Unlike the prior art design in which the hollow housing and the holder member are made from different materials and separately mounted, the invention has the hollow housing and the holder member integrally made in one piece without any labor-consuming assembly steps, and thus, the invention saves the component cost of the holder member and enhances the structural stability. During the operation of the heating element to heat the aroma capsule, the heat energy in the holder member and the hollow housing is prohibited from being transferred to the printed circuit board and other electronic components, avoiding thermal damage to the electronic components. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the holder member further comprises an upper arched wall and a lower upright wall surrounding the holding chamber. The upper arched wall curves inwardly from the top side of the hollow housing. Further, the upper arched wall has a wide top and a narrow bottom. The lower upright wall is extended downwardly from the upper arched wall to the inside of the holder member. 
     The aroma diffuser further comprises an aroma capsule placed in the holding chamber of the holder member. The aroma capsule has a bottom side thereof supported on the lower upright wall and kept in contact with the heat conduction device, and an opposing top side thereof suspended in the upper arched wall and defining with the upper arched wall an arched gap therebetween. After the contained aroma in the aroma capsule is used up, the user can insert his or her plump fingers through the arched gap to pick up the used aroma capsule from the holding chamber of the holder member for replacement, and then place a new aroma capsule in the holding chamber inside the holder member of the aroma diffuser quickly. When compared to the prior art design in which the holder member and an attached external member, the holder member and the hollow housing in accordance with the present invention are integrally made in one piece, and thus, the invention greatly the assembly cost and errors. The design of the invention allows the user to replace the aroma capsule conveniently and efficiently. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique top elevational view of an aroma diffuser having an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the aroma diffuser having an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an oblique top elevational view of the hollow housing of the aroma diffuser having an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the aroma diffuser having an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the bottom cover of the aroma diffuser having an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an oblique bottom elevational view of the aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate the disclosure of the present invention, these and other advantages and effects can be apparently understood by those in the art after reading the disclosure of this specification. The present invention can also be performed or applied by other different embodiments. The details of the specification may be on the basis of different points and applications, and numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Refer to  FIGS. 1-4 . In an embodiment according to the present invention, an aroma diffuser  1  having an aroma capsule comprises a hollow housing  10 , a heat conduction device  11 , and a heating element  13 . The hollow housing  1  comprises a first opening  101 , a second opening  103  and a holder member  15 . The first opening  101  is defined in a top side of the hollow housing  10 . The second opening  103  is defined in an opposing bottom side of the hollow housing  10 . The holder member  15  is integrally extended from the top side of the hollow housing  10  toward the inside thereof, defining therein a holding chamber  155  that faces toward the first opening  101 . The heat conduction device  11  is mounted in the holding chamber  155  of the holder member  15 . The heating element  13  is disposed on a bottom side of the heat conduction device  11  and kept in contact with the heat conduction device  11 . The heating element  13  is connectable to a power supply unit (now shown) for generating heat energy to heat the heat conduction device  11  of the aroma diffuser  1 . 
     In this embodiment, an electrical wire (not shown) is inserted through a bottom hole  153  of the holder member  15  to electrically connect the heating element  13  to the power supply unit. 
     Thus, when using the aroma diffuser  1 , the user can put an aroma substance unit through the first opening  101  into the holding chamber  155  of the holder member  15  to keep the aroma substance unit in direct contact with the heat conduction device  11 . The power supply unit provides the necessary working power to the heating element  13 , causing the heating element  13  to generate heat for heating the heat conduction device  11 , enabling the heat energy thus produced to be transferred through the heat conduction device  11  to the aroma substance unit. In this embodiment, the aroma substance unit is an aroma capsule  12 . Thus, the aroma capsule  12  is heated to generate fragrance that is diffused upward through the free end  111  of the heat conduction device  11 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the holder member  15  further comprises an inside flange  19  and a bottom hole  153 . The inside flange  19  extends downwardly inwards from a top side of the holder member  15 . The bottom hole  153  is defined in an opposing bottom side of the holder member  15  and surrounded by the inside flange  19 . The heat conduction device  11  is supported on a top side of the inside flange  19 . The heating element  13  is mounted in the bottom hole  153 , and kept in contact with the heat conduction device  11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4  again, in this embodiment, the holder member  15  further comprises an upper arched wall  1510  and a lower upright wall  1512 . The upper arched wall  1510  and the lower upright wall  1512  surround the holding chamber  155 . The upper arched wall  1510  curves inwardly from the top side of the hollow housing  10 , exhibiting a bowl-shaped configuration that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. The lower upright wall  1512  extends downwardly from the upper arched wall  1510  to the inside of the holder member  15 . Thus, when placing the aroma capsule  12  in the holding chamber  155  of the holder member  15 , the bottom surface of the aroma capsule  12  is surrounded by the lower upright wall  1512  and kept in contact with the heat conduction device  11 , the opposing top surface of the aroma capsule  12  is surrounded by the upper arched wall  1510 , and an arched gap  1551  is defined between the placed aroma capsule  12  and the upper arched wall  1510  for the insertion of the user&#39;s plump fingers to put the aroma capsule  12  in the holder member  15 , or to take the aroma capsule  12  out of the holding chamber  155  of the holder member  15  for replacement. An equivalent holder member of a conventional aroma diffuser is an added external member that does not have the said upper arched wall. The design of the present invention allows the user to smoothly put the aroma capsule  12  in the holder member  15 , or to conveniently take the aroma capsule  12  out of the holder member  15  for replacement. 
     In this embodiment, the holder member  15  is formed integral with the hollow housing  10  and inwardly extended from the top side of the hollow housing  10 . Further, the material of the aroma diffuser  1  can be selected from the group of ceramic, metal, wood and plastics. In this embodiment, ceramic is selected for making the aroma diffuser for the advantages of electrical insulation and heat resistance characteristics and aesthetic appearance. In this embodiment, ceramic is used to make the hollow housing  10  and the holder member  15  in one piece. When compared to the conventional design in which the hollow housing and the holder member are independent members made of different materials, the invention has the hollow housing and the holder member be integrally made in one piece without further labor and time-consuming assembly steps, saving component cost and enhancing structural stability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 2 and 4  again, the heat conduction device  11  further comprises a mounting frame  113  on a bottom side thereof. The mounting frame  113  comprises a screw rod  30  and a bottom cover  16 . The bottom cover  16  is fastened to the second opening  103  of the hollow housing  10 . The heating element  13  is stopped against a bottom surface of the heat conduction device  11 . The screw rod  30  has one end thereof fastened to the bottom cover  16 , and an opposite end thereof inserted through the mounting hole  115  and tightly stopped at the bottom surface of the heating element  13  against the heat conduction device  11  to hold the heating element  13  and the heat conduction device  11  in positive contact with each other, maintaining the stability of heat conduction. 
     The heat conduction device  11  is made of a thermally conductive material. Preferably, the heat conduction device  11  is selected from the material group of metal, ceramic and glass. The heat conduction device  11  is configured to adapt the shape of the aroma capsule  12 . The aroma capsule  12  comprises a shell made in the form of a metal film container, and an aroma, such as scented wax or essential oil contained in the shell. 
     Further, the heating element  13  can be a metal heating element, ceramic heating element, polymer PTC heating element or composite heating element. In the present preferred embodiment, the heating element  13  is a polymer PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heating element (PTC semiconductor heating element or PTC thermistor). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4 and 5  again, in the present preferred embodiment, the aroma diffuser  1  further comprises a DC power socket  17  and a printed circuit board  170  (PCB). The DC power socket  17  and the printed circuit board  170  are electrically coupled together and mounted in the hollow housing  10 . The printed circuit board  170  is electrically coupled with the heating element  13  to provide the heating element  13  with the necessary working power. The bottom cover  16  comprises a mount  160  located at a top side thereof. The DC power socket  17  and the printed circuit board  170  are coupled together and mounted on the mount  160 . The mount  160  comprises a first retaining groove  1601  and a second retaining groove  1602 . The first retaining groove  1601  and the second retaining groove  1602  are symmetrically upwardly extended from a top wall of the bottom cover  16 . The printed circuit board  170  is plugged into the first retaining groove  1601  and the second retaining groove  1602 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 1, 4 and 5  again, in the present preferred embodiment, the bottom cover  16  further comprises an upright barrel  167 , a flanged lagging sleeve  169 , a washer  162 , a screw nut  164  and an anti-tamper buckle  166 . The upright barrel  167  extends vertically upwardly from a center through hole (not shown) of the bottom cover  16  to a predetermined height. The screw rod  30  has its one end inserted into the upright barrel  167 . The flanged lagging sleeve  169  is made from silicon rubber. In installation, insert the flanged lagging sleeve  169  upwardly into the upright barrel  167  at the center of the bottom cover  16  and sleeve the flanged lagging sleeve  169  onto the screw rod  30 , and then attach the washer  162  onto the screw rod  30 , and then thread the screw nut  164  onto the screw rod  30  to stop the washer  162  against the flanged lagging sleeve  169 , and then fasten the anti-tamper buckle  166  to the screw nut  164 . Thus, the upright barrel  167  and the flanged lagging sleeve  169  prohibit transfer of heat energy from the heating element  13  through the screw rod  30  to the DC power socket and the printed circuit board  170 , avoiding electronic component damage. Further, the anti-tamper buckle  166  comprises two hooks  1621  located at a top edge thereof. The upright barrel  167  comprises two retaining grooves  1671  located on an inside wall thereof. The anti-tamper buckle  166  is attached to the periphery of the screw nut  164  to force the hooks  1621  into engagement with the respective retaining grooves  1671  of the upright barrel  167  to prevent non-professional persons or children from unwillingly dismantling the screw nut, avoiding component damage and dangers. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  again, the aroma diffuser  1  has an aroma capsule  12  placed therein. The aroma capsule  12  is placed in the holder member  15 . The aroma capsule  12  further comprises a disposable container  121  and an aroma  125 . The disposable container  121  comprises an opening  1211  and a protruding edge  1213 . The protruding edge  1213  extends outward from the opening  1211 . The protruding edge  1213  allows the user to move and operate the aroma capsule  12  easily and conveniently. The aroma  125  is contained in the disposable container  121 . The aroma  125  is, for example, a scented wax, essential oil, flavor block or fragrance stone. In the present preferred embodiment, the aroma  125  is a scented wax. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  again, in the present preferred embodiment, the aroma capsule  12  further comprises a breathing film  123  sealed to the opening  1211  of the disposable container  121  to stop the melted scented wax or aroma from flowing out of the aroma capsule, assuring safety. 
     Further, the disposable container  121  to be directly manipulated by the user is an aluminum foil shell, thus, there is nothing for the user to worry about breaking the disposable container  121  or washing the disposable container  121 . Further, the user does not need to prepare an extra container for holding the aroma  125 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of the detailed embodiments are only illustrated to disclose the features and functions of the present invention and not restrictive of the scope of the present invention. It should be understood to those in the art that all modifications and variations according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.