Abstract:
An aroma machine that uses a replaceable aroma container is provided. The aroma machine includes a housing, a top cap, and a light-guiding accommodation unit coupled between the housing and the top cap. The light-guiding accommodation unit serves as a basic limiting component for the production of the aroma machine, for the components to be assembled quickly and correctly. The replaceable aroma container is placed in light-guiding accommodation unit, and is heated to release fragrance. The aroma container is disposable, or recycled. It is easy to use and replace the aroma. The light-guiding accommodation unit is made of a transparent material. Light emitted by a light emitting device in the aroma machine is guided to the light-guiding accommodation unit, and forms light decoration on an outside of the aroma machine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 13/658,820 filed Oct. 24, 2012, Ser. No. 14/042,162 filed Sep. 30, 2013, and Ser. No. 14/157,302 filed Jan. 16, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to aroma machines that heat aroma, and, more particularly, to an aroma machine that uses a disposable aroma container. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Currently, a heating aroma machine, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,420, U.S. Pat. No. 8,262,277 and US2012/0024837A1, has a power source and a heating source. It is not safe for the aroma machine to use aroma or essential oil, since the aroma and the essential are likely flipped over. It also troublesome to clean the aroma. Besides, it is inconvenient to replace the aroma. If the space for the aroma to be placed therein is not cleaned completely, a new aroma with different scent from the old one will release scent blended with the old one. The accommodation space is made of a fragile material, such as ceramic and glass, and is easy to be broken when it is washed. The conventional aroma machine emits light through holes on a housing. A lamp cover is made of a transparent material. These conventional aroma machines need redesigned. 
         [0006]    In U.S. application Ser. No. 13/658,820, light is emitted from a top cap or through holes. A periphery of an accommodation unit is included in the top cap and the inner side of the housing, without extending to a region outside of the top cap and the housing. However, the light guiding decoration between the top cap and the housing is not obvious. Besides, the accommodation unit, when assembled, is likely to be fell into the housing, and affects other components to be disposed to their correct positions. The circuit board of the light emitting diode circuit board is not protected by an insulator. The circuit board and the LED, when heated, are likely to be damaged, if not protected by an insulative cover. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an aroma machine that uses a replaceable aroma container. An aroma and a container for the aroma can be replaced conveniently. The aroma machine has an excellent light decoration, and can be used as a night lamp. The components in the aroma machine can be assembled quickly and correctly. An insulative protection cap is further provided for prevent the aroma machine from being damaged. 
         [0008]    The aroma machine having a replaceable aroma container comprises: a housing; a heat generating body electrically connected to a power source; a supporting member having a top side coupled to a lower side of the heat generating body and a bottom side coupled in the housing; a light-guiding accommodation unit having a heat conductive unit, an accommodation hole, a positioning flange and an extension segment light guiding ring, wherein the positioning flange is disposed outside the accommodation hole and protrudes vertically from a surface of the light-guiding accommodation unit outward, the extension segment light guiding ring extends horizontally from one side of the positioning flange, the extension segment light guiding ring has a lower side coupled to the housing, the heat conductive unit is coupled to the accommodation hole, the heat conductive unit has one side in contact with an upper side of the heat generating body, and the heat generating body heats the heat conductive unit; a top cap coupled to an upper side of the extension segment light guiding ring, whereby the extension segment light guiding ring of the light-guiding accommodation unit being fixed between the top cap and the housing, and the positioning flange being positioned on the top cap and an inner side of the housing; and a light emitting device coupled in the housing and electrically connected to a power source. 
         [0009]    The light-guiding accommodation unit receives light emitted by the light emitting device and guides and extends the light to the extension segment light guiding ring, such that a decorative halo effect is generated at an external side of aroma. The aroma machine according to the present invention and the convention aroma machine generate different light effects. The heat generating body heats the heat conductive unit. An aroma capsule is placed in the accommodation hole and contacts with the heat conductive unit, to be heated and generate fragrance. 
         [0010]    The top cap such as a ceramic top cap, if hit or displaced due to the external force, is limited by the flange, and is not likely to be moved or damaged. 
         [0011]    An extension segment light guiding ring of the light-guiding accommodation unit if fixed between the top cap and the housing. A positioning flange on a lower side of the light-guiding accommodation unit is positioned inside the housing. A supporting member coupled to the light-guiding accommodation unit inside the housing and corresponding assembled heat generating body, circuit board and heat conductive unit, when assembled, are disposed on an upper edge of the extension segment light guiding ring, and the positioning flange is limited inside the housing correctly. Therefore, the light-guiding accommodation unit is limited to a correct assembly position, and will not move leftward or rightward, or be fell downward, which will affect the assembly positions of other components. Every time the aroma machine is manufactured, the light-guiding accommodation unit is used to measure the connection of the supporting member, the light emitting device and the heat generating body inside the housing. The light-guiding accommodation unit provides a fool-proofing effect, and ensures that the components can be assembled quickly and the aroma machine has a low cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    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: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an aroma machine that uses a replaceable aroma container according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the aroma machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the aroma machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the aroma machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the aroma machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    Please refer to  FIGS. 1-4 , which are schematic, exploded and cross-sectional views of an aroma machine  1  that uses a replaceable aroma container of a first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0020]    The aroma machine  1  comprises a housing  12 ; a supporting member  18  having a top side  182  and a bottom side  181  coupled to the housing  1 ; a heat generating body  22 , the supporting member  18  having a top side  182  coupled to a lower side of the heat generating body  22 ; a light-guiding accommodation unit  24  having a heat conductive unit  242 , an accommodation hole  240 , a positioning flange  245  and an extension segment light guiding ring  247 , wherein the positioning flange  245  is disposed outside the accommodation hole  240  and protrudes vertically from a surface of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  outward, the extension segment light guiding ring  247  extends horizontally from the positioning flange  245 , the extension segment light guiding ring  247  has a lower side coupled to the housing  12 , the heat conductive unit  242  is coupled to the accommodation hole  240 , and the heat conductive unit  242  has one side in contact with an upper side of the heat generating body  22 ; a top cap  28  coupled to an upper side of the extension segment light guiding ring  247 , wherein the extension segment light guiding ring  247  of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is fixed between the top cap  28  and the housing  12 , and the positioning flange  245  is positioned at the top cap  28  and the inside of the housing  12 ; and a light emitting device  3  coupled to the housing  12 . 
         [0021]    The light emitting device  3  and the heat generating body  22  are electrically connected to a power source  4 . The light-guiding accommodation unit  24  receives light emitted by the light emitting device  3 , and guides the light to the extension segment light guiding ring  247 , and generates a halo effect on the outside of the aroma machine  1 . The heat generating body  22  heats the heat conductive unit  242 . 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the extension segment light guiding ring  247  of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is fixed between the top cap  28  and the housing  12 , and the positioning flange  245  on an upper side of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is positioned at an inside of the top cap  28 . The top cap  28 , such as a ceramic or glass top cap, if hit or displaced due to the external force, is limited by the positioning flange  245 , and is not likely to be moved or damaged. Preferably, the positioning flange  245  is a ring-shaped flange, which has a satisfied positioning effect and is not easy to be fell. 
         [0023]    Please refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In an embodiment the extension segment light guiding ring  247  of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is fixed between the top cap  28  and the housing  12 , and a positioning flange  245 ′ on a lower side of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is fixed inside the housing  12 . Therefore, when the supporting member  18  coupled to the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  inside the housing  12  and corresponding assembled heat generating body  22 , light emitting device  3  and heat conductive unit  242  are assembled, the extension segment light guiding ring  247  is disposed on an upper edge of the housing  12 , and the positioning flange  245 ′ on the lower side of the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is limited and fixed to the inside of the housing  12  correctly. Therefore, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is limited to a correct assembly position, and will not move leftward or rightward, or be fell downward, which will affect the assembly positions of other components. Every time the aroma machine  1  is manufactured, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is used to measure the connection of the supporting member  18 , the light emitting device  3  and the heat generating body  22  inside the housing. The light-guiding accommodation unit  24  provides a fool-proofing effect, and ensures that the components can be assembled quickly and the aroma machine has a low cost. 
         [0024]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2-4 . In an embodiment, the light emitting device  3  comprises a light emitting body  33 , a circuit board  34 , an insulative transparent cover  35 , and a transforming-rectifying device  37 . The light emitting body  33  is electrically connected to the circuit board  34 . The light emitting body  33  and the circuit board  34  are disposed in the insulative transparent cover  35 . In an embodiment, the light emitting body is a light emitting diode (LED). The circuit board  34  is connected to a—power source that provides power to the light emitting body (LED). The light-guiding accommodation unit  24  receives the light emitted by the light emitting device  3 , and guides the light to the extension segment light guiding ring  247 . The circuit board  34  controls the LED to flash or change color, in order for the aroma machine  1  according to the present invention to provide a halo effect, which is different from the conventional aroma machine. 
         [0025]    The transforming-rectifying device  37  is disposed in the aroma machine  1  and the insulative transparent cover  35  to be protected. The transforming-rectifying device  37  is electrically connected to the circuit board  34 . In an embodiment, the transforming-rectifying device  37  is a capacitor or a rectifier, for reducing an alternating voltage AC and transforms the alternative voltage AC into a direct voltage DC, for being used by the present invention. In an embodiment, a power plug  4  does not to be big or has a transforming rectifying device  37 , and is easy for storage. 
         [0026]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2-4 . In an embodiment, the accommodation hole  240  comprises an accommodation space  241 , and an inner flange  2411  disposed on a bottom side of the accommodation space  241 . The heat conductive unit  242  is coupled to the inner flange  2411 . A heating structure is specially designed to the aroma machine that uses a replaceable aroma container  26  according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the heat conductive unit  242  is a metal piece. The metal piece, if heated the heat generating body  22 , conducts and spreads heat, and reduces the temperature. The replaceable aroma container  26  is heated, and releases fragrance. 
         [0027]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2-4 . In an embodiment, the heat conductive unit  242  further comprises a screw hole rack  2421  disposed on a bottom side of the heat conductive unit  242 . The screw hole rack  2421  comprises a fixture hole  2423 . The aroma machine  1  further comprises a protection cap  20 , and a bottom cap  14  coupled to the other side (bottom side) of the housing  12 . When manufactured and assembled, the extension segment light guiding ring  247  is disposed on an upper side of the housing  12 , and the positioning flange  245 ′ is limited and fixed to the inside of housing  12  correctly. Therefore, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is limited to a correct assembly position, and will not move leftward or rightward, or be fell downward, which will affect the assembly positions of other components. The light-guiding accommodation unit  24  determines the coupling of the screw hole rack  2421  of the heat conductive unit  242  to accommodation hole  240 . The heat generating body  22  has one side against the heat conductive unit  242 . The bottom side of the supporting member  18  penetrates through the light emitting device  3 . The circuit board  34  is coupled to the bottom cap  14 . The top side of the supporting member  18  penetrates into the fixture hole  2423  of the screw hole rack  2421 . The protection cap  20  is coupled between the supporting member  18  and heat generating body  22 . The protection cap  20  and the heat generating body  22  are disposed in a space formed by the screw hole rack  2421 , so as to correctly and quickly assemble the components. 
         [0028]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2-4 . In an embodiment, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  further comprises a heat insulation pad  249  coupled between the inner flange  2411  and the heat conductive unit  242 , for preventing the heat generating body  3  from conducting the heat conducted to the heat conductive unit  24  further to the light-guiding accommodation unit  24 , Therefore, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is protected from damage and has a longer life. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, the light-guiding accommodation unit  24  is transparent or semi-transparent plastic, silicone, acrylic, glass, or transparent ceramic. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the heat generating body  22  is a resistor, such as a PTC, a thermal sensitive resistor, or a cement resistor. In an embodiment, it is the PTC resistor that is selected, which can be heated constantly. Therefore, when the power source provides power, the PTC generates heat that melts or vaporize the aroma  30 , which then releases fragrance. 
         [0031]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2-5 . In an embodiment, the replaceable aroma container  26  further comprises a replaceable aroma container  26  disposed in the light-guiding accommodation unit  24 . The replaceable aroma container  26  has an aroma  30  contained therein. In an embodiment the aroma  30  is scent wax. The replaceable aroma container  26  is in contact with the other side of the heat conductive unit  242  and heated up to generate the aroma. After the aroma releases fragrance completely, the replaceable aroma container  26  can be disposed or recycled, which is different from the use of the aroma of the conventional aroma machine. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the replaceable aroma container  26  further comprises a ventilation film  263 , and the ventilation film  263  comprises a ventilation hole  2631 . The ventilation film  263  covers the opening  261  of the replaceable aroma container  26 , and blocks the aroma  30  in the accommodation trough of the replaceable aroma container  26 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, the ventilation film  263  is cloth, fiber piece, through hole resin film or through hole metal foil. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, the replaceable aroma container  26  is an aluminum foil bowl, and the replaceable aroma container of the aluminum foil bowl further comprises a periphery  267 . The periphery  267  is formed by extending horizontally from one side of the opening  261 . The ventilation film  263  is coupled to the periphery  267  that is extends horizontally from one side of the opening  261 . 
         [0035]    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.