Patent Publication Number: US-2006013898-A1

Title: Aromatherapy system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to an aromatherapy delivery system. More particularly, the invention relates to an aromatherapy delivery system employing a coiled, scented substrate placed within a package for delivery of the fragrance impregnated within the substrate.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      It is well known that humans encounter positive sensory feedback when exposed to specific fragrances and scents. The beneficial affects, whether they are medicinal or emotional, are evidenced by the many dollars spent by consumers of fragrances and scent emitting devices. In fact, it is known that consumers spend billions of dollars per year purchasing perfumes, colognes, air fresheners and other scented products that emit a desirable and pleasing fragrance. In addition to fragrances providing a merely desirable aroma, recent developments in holistic medicine suggest that aromatherapy may produce beneficial psychological responses. For example, it is contemplated aromatherapy may be utilized in controlling weight loss, smoking, stress reduction, etc.  
      With the foregoing in mind, mechanisms for delivering scents and aromas to consumers in a convenient and inexpensive manner are needed. Many early mechanisms for fragrance dispensing rely upon applying the fragrances directly to the skin of consumers. However, many consumers are allergic to direct application of the fragrances to their skin. As such, devices employing various dispensing techniques have been developed for dispersing fragrances through the air and toward the olfactory system of a human being. However, current dispensing techniques are often expensive and cumbersome to utilize. As such, a need continues to exist for an efficient, convenient and inexpensive dispensing system for providing consumers with desirable fragrances and scents. The present invention provides such a dispensing system.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system including a fragrance impregnated card and a vial shaped and dimensioned for receiving the fragrance impregnated card. The vial includes a selectively removable closure limiting airflow within the vial for maintaining fragrance within the fragrance impregnated card. The fragrance impregnated card has a rolled configuration focusing fragrance within a center of the vial and positioning the fragrance impregnated card within the vial.  
      It is also an object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system including a roller for selectively rolling the fragrance impregnated card.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the roller includes a base and a rotating arm.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the rotating arm includes a central slot shaped and dimensioned for receipt of the fragrance impregnated card.  
      It is also another object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the vial is made of plastic.  
      It is still another object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the vial is made of polypropylene.  
      It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the card is composed of approximately 95 lb to 105 lb blotter card stock.  
      It is stilt another object of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system wherein the fragrance is composed of natural aromatics.  
      Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fragrance impregnated card in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a rolled fragrance impregnated card.  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a vial.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the vial with the fragrance impregnated card therein.  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the roller.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , an aromatherapy system  10  is disclosed. The aromatherapy system  10  of the present invention provides a convenient, portable and cost effective way in which to provide consumers seeking aromatherapy with such a system.  
      The system includes a fragrance impregnated card  12 , a vial  14  and a roller  16 . With regard to the fragrance impregnated card  12 , it is composed of card stock. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the card stock is approximately 95-105 lb blotter card stock available from a variety of suppliers. The card  12  is impregnated with a blend of natural aromatics in a carrier. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a variety of aromatics may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
      The fragrance impregnated card  12  is ultimately shaped for placement within the vial  14 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fragrance impregnated card  12  is rolled prior to placement within the vial  14 . In this way, fragrances are focused within a center  18  of the vial  14  for ready access as an individual removes the closure  20 . More specifically, and as will be discussed below in even greater detail when the roller  16  itself is discussed, the fragrance impregnated card  12  is rolled in much the same manner one would roll a poster for insertion within a storage tube. Once the fragrance impregnated card  12  is placed within the vial  14 , its resilience will bias it toward the inner walls  22  of the vial  14  creating a central space  18  in which the fragrance emanating from the fragrance impregnated card  12  gathers for inhalation by an individual using the present system  10 .  
      The vial  14  is shaped and dimensioned for receiving the fragrance impregnated card  12 . The vial  14  includes a selectively removable closure  20  limiting airflow within the vial  14  for maintaining fragrance within the fragrance impregnated card  12 . The closure  20  employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a screw on cap, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other closure structures may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
      The vial  14  is preferably made of plastic, particularly, polypropylene. However, other materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Any material chosen for use in accordance with the present invention should provide an airtight environment for the fragrance impregnated card  12  and be nonreactive with the fragrance and/or card.  
      As discussed above, the system also includes roller  16 . The roller  16  is designed to conveniently roll fragrance impregnated cards  12  for easy insertion within the vial  14 . The need for the roller  16  is dictated by the fact that fragrance impregnated cards  12  will emit all of the impregnated fragrance and require replacement. As such, consumers may purchase replacement fragrance impregnated cards  12 . These cards  12  must then be rolled for insertion within the vial  14 .  
      The roller  16  includes a support structure  24  composed of a weighted base  26  and an extension arm  28  extending therefrom. A rotating arm  30  is secured to the extension arm  28 . The rotating arm  30  includes a first end  32  on one side of the extension arm  28  and a second end  34  on the opposite side of the extension arm  28 . With this in mind, the rotating arm  30  passes through the extension arm  28  and is supported for rotation relative thereto.  
      The first end  32  of the rotation arm  30  is provided with a knob or handle  36  for actuation by a user. The second end  34  of the rotating arm  30  includes a slit  38  shaped and dimensioned for receiving an edge  40  of the fragrance impregnated card  12 .  
      In use, an edge  40  of the fragrance impregnated card  12  is inserted within the slit  38  and the rotating arm  30  is rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As the rotating arm  30  is rotated, the card  12  is forced to coil around the second end  34  of the rotating arm  30 . The rotating arm  30  is shaped and dimensioned to roll the card  12  in a desired diameter. Once the card  12  is fully rolled it may be removed from the slit  38  and slid off the rotating arm  30  and inserted into the vial  14 .  
      While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.