Abstract:
A fragrance delivery element may be configured to generate one or more vortices as air flows therethrough. The fragrance delivery element may include one or more airflow apertures, each of which may be configured to receive airflow and convert the airflow to a vortex. As air flows through each airflow aperture and past the fragrance delivery element, fragrance is emitted into the air. Emission of the fragrance may occur without heating the fragrance delivery element or the fragrance. The creation of at least one vortex may extend the distance fragrance is thrown from the fragrance delivery element. Methods and systems for dispersing fragrance are also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to apparatuses for dispersing fragrance and, more specifically, to apparatuses for dispersing fragrance without heat. 
       DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    In one aspect, this disclosure relates to fragrance delivery elements, from which fragrance may be dispersed without added heat. Such a fragrance delivery element may comprise a body formed from a carrier, with fragrance dispersed throughout at least a portion of the carrier. The carrier may comprise a polymer. In a specific, but non-limiting embodiment, the polymer from which the body of a fragrance delivery element is formed may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). An oil-based fragrance may be dispersed throughout a fragrance delivery element that comprises EVA. The fragrance may initially comprise about five percent (5%) to about twenty percent (20%) of the weight of the fragrance delivery element. 
         [0003]    A fragrance delivery element according to this disclosure may be configured to enable air to pass or flow therethrough, and to generate at least one vortex from the airflow. Accordingly, such a fragrance delivery element may include a plurality of airflow apertures that are configured to interact with an airflow incident with the fragrance delivery element in a manner that generates one or more vortices. The airflow apertures formed through a fragrance delivery element may be configured to receive airflow from an airflow generating unit (e.g., a fan, etc.) at one side (e.g., at a base side, etc.) of the fragrance delivery element, and to convert that airflow into one or more vortices on an opposite side (e.g., a top, etc.) of the fragrance delivery element. In a specific embodiment, each airflow aperture through the fragrance delivery element may be located and, optionally, bend along a circle that is concentric with the fragrance delivery element. In a more specific embodiment, each airflow aperture may be twisted in a manner that provides the desired effect when air flows through that aperture, and collectively through all of the apertures of the fragrance delivery element. Even more specifically, all of the airflow apertures may be oriented in the same manner. 
         [0004]    The arrangement of the airflow apertures relative to one another (e.g., across the fragrance delivery element, etc.) may also be configured to provide for airflow in a desired manner. As an example, the airflow apertures may be configured to provide one or more vortices that will optimize or otherwise tailor the direction and/or distance that fragrance may be thrown from the fragrance delivery element. In some embodiments, each airflow aperture may generate a vortex, which may transport a fragrance captured in the airflow (i.e., fragrance emitted from the material of the body of the fragrance delivery element) a greater distance than the airflow would on its own, and with less of the fragrance being dispersed than the dispersal that would occur without the vortex. In some embodiments, a plurality of airflow apertures may generate parallel vortices that circulate in the same direction. These vortices may combine to form a larger vortex. 
         [0005]    A specific embodiment of fragrance delivery element according to this disclosure includes a body that has a shape that resembles a disk. More specifically, such a fragrance delivery element may include a raised central area. A raised central area may place an increased quantity of fragrance in the path of airflow from a fan or other airflow-generating unit, or at a location where the airflow is strongest, or is most concentrated, which may optimize the rate at which fragrance is released from the fragrance delivery element. In some embodiments, the fragrance delivery element may be shaped as a dome, with a flat base and a convex top surface that includes an exterior periphery adjacent to an exterior periphery of the base. 
         [0006]    A fragrance delivery element may optionally include a positioning aperture, which may be configured to receive a positioning element that protrudes from a surface on which the fragrance delivery element is to be positioned. In embodiments where the fragrance delivery element is configured as a dome, the positioning aperture may comprise a central aperture that extends along a height of the dome. The central aperture may be cylindrical in shape, and may define an interior periphery of the base of the body, the top of the body and the remainder of the body. In such an embodiment, the fragrance delivery element may be configured as a halo. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, this disclosure relates to systems for dispersing fragrance. Such a system may include a base, a unit for generating airflow, such as a fan, associated with the base and a fragrance delivery element configured to be carried by the base and to receive airflow from the unit for generating airflow. The fragrance delivery element may be configured to receive airflow, emit fragrance into the airflow, and generate one or more vortices from the airflow. Transference of the fragrance from the fragrance delivery element to the airflow may be effected without heat. A system for dispersing fragrance may include a decorative container for the fragrance delivery element, as well as an optional light for illuminating the fragrance delivery element. 
         [0008]    Methods for dispersing fragrance are also disclosed. Such a method includes generating one or more fragrance-containing vortices in airflow that delivers the fragrance to one or more intended locations. 
         [0009]    Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of fragrance delivery element according to this disclosure, which includes a plurality of airflow apertures that are oriented and configured to generate one or more vortices; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of fragrance delivery element shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of fragrance delivery element shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of fragrance delivery element shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating an embodiment of the orientation and configuration of an airflow aperture that is configured to receive airflow from a rotary fan and to generate at least one vortex from that airflow; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  provides a cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of a system for dispersing fragrance. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 through 4  depict a specific, but non-limiting embodiment of a fragrance delivery element  10  according to this disclosure. The fragrance delivery element  10  includes a body  12  with a base  14  and a top surface  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  14  of the body  12  is flat, while the top surface  18  has a convex configuration that imparts the body  12  with a dome-like configuration. More specifically, in the orientation of the body  12  depicted by  FIG. 2 , at its outer periphery  19 , the top surface  18  extends upwardly from the outer periphery  15  of the base  14 , and then gradually extends in a more horizontal orientation toward a center of the body  12 . 
         [0017]    As illustrated by  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a fragrance delivery element  10  may also include a positioning aperture  22 . The positioning aperture  22  is defined by interior peripheries  13 ,  16  and  20  of the body  12 , base  14  and top surface  18 , respectively. In the depicted embodiment, the positioning aperture  22  is located centrally and has a cylindrical shape. Of course, other locations and configurations of positioning apertures  22  are also within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0018]    A plurality of airflow apertures  30  are defined through the body  12  of the fragrance delivery element  10 . The airflow apertures  30  may be configured to enable airflow incident with a first surface of the body  12  (e.g., its base  14 , etc.) to be communicated to another, second surface of the body  12  (e.g., its top surface  18 , etc.). In addition, at least one, some or even all of the airflow apertures  30  are oriented and configured to generate one or more vortices as air flows therethrough. 
         [0019]    In the specific, but non-limiting embodiment depicted by  FIGS. 1 through 4 , and with specific reference to  FIG. 4 , an airflow aperture  30  may be oriented at a non-perpendicular angle to the base  14  of the body  12 . In embodiments where the fragrance delivery element  10  includes a plurality of airflow apertures  30 , the airflow apertures  30  may be arranged in such a way that each airflow aperture  30  receives air in substantially the same manner as at least one other airflow aperture  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, which is configured to receive airflow from a fan (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) with a blade that rotates clockwise, the airflow apertures  30  are positioned around the body  12 , and the orientation of each airflow aperture  30  is based on the location of that airflow aperture  30  around the body  12 . The airflow apertures  30  may, as illustrated, be oriented at angles that, from the bottom  32  of each airflow aperture  30  to the top  34  of each airflow aperture  30 , collectively extend in a counter-clockwise arrangement. Even more specifically, each airflow aperture  30  may be oriented at a 45° angle to the base  14  of the body  12  of the fragrance delivery element  10 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, each airflow aperture  30  has a cross-sectional configuration that, taken transverse to a length or height of that airflow aperture  30 , is polygonal (e.g., the illustrated hexagonal cross-sectional configuration, other regular polygons, irregular polygons, etc.). Of course, embodiments of airflow apertures  30  that have circular cross-sectional configurations, other round cross-sectional configurations and multi-sided cross-sectional configurations with one or more curved sides are also within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0021]    One or more of the airflow apertures  30  may also have a twisted configuration. The twisted configuration of an airflow aperture  30  may generate desired airflow patterns, such as vortices. In the depicted embodiment, each airflow aperture  30  is twisted, from the bottom  32  of that airflow aperture  30  to its top  34 , in a counter-clockwise direction. 
         [0022]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a system  100  for dispersing fragrance is depicted. That system  100  includes a base  110  with a bottom  112 , a top  116  and an interior  114  located between the bottom  112  and the top  116 . In addition, the system  100  includes at least one fragrance delivery element  10 . Optionally, the system  100  may also include a decorative container  140 . 
         [0023]    The bottom  112  of the base  110  is configured to be supported by a surface, such as a tabletop, a countertop, or the like. The interior  114  of the base  110  carries a unit for generating airflow, such as a fan  120 , and at least some of the associated electronic circuitry and/or componentry associated with that unit (e.g., the fan  120 , etc.), such as a power supply and wiring. Other electronic componentry associated with the fan  120 , such as a switch, a power port, etc., may also be carried by the base  110 , but be accessible from an exterior of the base  110 . The top  116  of the base  110  may include one or more vents  118  through which airflow generated by the fan  120  may pass. In addition, the top  116  of the base  110  may be configured to support a fragrance delivery element  10 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the base  110  may also include a light  130 . At least some of the electronic circuitry and/or componentry associated with the light  130  may be carried within the interior  114  of the base  110 , while the light  130  may be visible from the top  116  of the base  110 . The light  130  may illuminate the fragrance delivery element  10  and/or a decorative container  140  positioned over the base  110  and the fragrance delivery element  10  without heating the fragrance delivery element  10  or any other element of the system  100 . Without limitation, the light  130  may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). 
         [0025]    As illustrated by  FIG. 5 , the light  130  may protrude from the top  116  of the base  110 . A fragrance delivery element  10  that is configured for use with such a base  110  may include a positioning aperture  22  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) configured to receive a light  130  or any other positioning element that protrudes from the top  116  of the base  110 . 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, a system  100  for dispersing fragrance may be configured to do so without applying heat to the fragrance delivery element  10 . Accordingly, such a system  100  may consist essentially of a unit for generating airflow, such as a fan  120  and the base  110  that houses the fan  120 , and a fragrance delivery element  10 . Such a system may non-essentially include an illumination element, such as the light  130  and/or a decorative container  140 . In some embodiments, a system  100  may consist of the foregoing elements. 
         [0027]    Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the claims. Other embodiments may be devised which lie within the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in any combination. All additions, deletions and modifications, as disclosed herein, that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.