Abstract:
An active material emitting device includes an ultrasonic atomizer disposed within the device for volatilizing an active material. The device further includes an opening disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting the volatilized active material therethrough. A vent is disposed in the device, wherein the vent creates an air passageway for air to enter the device and exit the device through the opening to carry the volatilized active material away from the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       SEQUENTIAL LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to diffusion devices, and more particularly, to diffusion devices for dispensing an active material into an area surrounding such devices. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    Active material emitting devices are generally known. For example, it is known to emit fragrance from an aerosol container upon the activation of a trigger by a user. Also, other methods utilize the evaporative properties of liquids, or other vaporizable materials, to cause vapors with desired properties to be distributed into the ambient air. One or more heaters and/or fans are often used to vaporize and/or disperse an active material into the ambient air. As a further example of active material emitting device, it is also known to utilize an atomizer assembly to release insecticide or a fragrance from a wick in fluid communication with a reservoir. 
         [0008]    One volatile substance dispensing device includes a reservoir with a liquid active material disposed therein and a porous membrane disposed on a bottom surface of the reservoir. The device is disposed on a stand having legs that space the porous membrane from a support surface, wherein the legs include openings therein. The porous membrane allows the liquid active material to move through the membrane to a bottom, exposed surface of the membrane to be evaporated by a natural air flow that travels between the bottom surface and the legs of the device and through the openings in the legs. 
         [0009]    Another dispensing device includes inner and outer housings, wherein a package or envelope containing an active ingredient is disposed within the inner housing. A first dispensing opening in the form of slots is disposed in a top portion of the outer housing. The device includes means on the inner and outer housings for moving same between a first position in which the first dispensing opening is in registry with an open end of the inner housing and a second position in which the first dispensing opening is not in registry with the open end of the inner housing. The device further includes legs extending from a bottom portion thereof and a second dispensing opening in the bottom portion such that air moves through the legs, into the inner housing through the second dispensing opening, and out the top of the device through the first dispensing opening. 
         [0010]    A further device for dispensing a vaporizable material includes a base, a cover disposed over the base, and an air freshener element disposed between the cover and the base. The cover is supported on the base by guide rails to define an air passage extending between opposite ends of the base and communicating with the air freshener element. The cover includes a baffle means having a plurality of elongated slots, wherein each of the slots communicates with the air passage to dispense air freshener. The baffle means includes means for opening and closing the air passage. 
         [0011]    A further device designed for localized delivery of scented aerosols includes a housing having a venting chamber, an aperture, and a plurality of cartridges containing scents. The scents are emitted from the cartridges into the venting chamber and thereafter, a bolus generator disposed within the housing is activated to emit pulses of the fragrance(s) in the venting chamber through the aperture into the surroundings. 
         [0012]    Vibratory-type liquid atomization devices are also known and described in Helf et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,474, Martin et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,732, Tomkins et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,522, Martens, III et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,419, Helf et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,988, and Boticki et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,430, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. These patents disclose devices comprising piezoelectric actuating elements coupled to liquid atomization plates. The piezoelectric actuating elements vibrate the liquid atomization plates in response to alternating electrical voltages applied to the actuating elements. The vibration of the plates causes atomization of a liquid supplied by liquid delivery systems. Electrical circuits are provided to supply the alternating electrical voltages to conductive elements that are in electrical contact with opposite sides of the actuating elements. The conductive elements may also serve to support the actuating elements and the liquid atomization plates in housings that contain the devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an active material emitting device includes an ultrasonic atomizer disposed within the device for volatilizing an active material. The device further includes an opening disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting the volatilized active material therethrough. A vent is disposed in the device, wherein the vent creates an air passageway for air to enter the device and exit the device through the opening to carry the volatilized active material away from the device. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an active material emitting device includes a base portion, a cover portion disposed over the base portion, and a housing extending upwardly from the base portion and including an ultrasonic atomizer. An opening is disposed in the cover portion and aligned with the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting a volatilized active material therethrough. A vent extends through the base portion and creates an air passageway with the opening. 
         [0015]    According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing an active material includes the step of providing an active material emitting device having a base portion, a cover portion, and an ultrasonic atomizer that volatilizes an active material and dispenses same through an opening in the cover portion. The method further includes the step of creating an ambient air flow into the device through the base portion, through the device, and out the opening. 
         [0016]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein like structures are given like reference numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of an active material emitting device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a first side of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a second side of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  with a cover portion removed therefrom; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the cover portion and a cap removed therefrom; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  with a housing cover removed therefrom; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a is a bottom trimetric view of the housing cover of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged side elevational view of the cover portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the cover portion taken generally along the lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a bottom isometric view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a bottom elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged, exploded top isometric view of an atomizer assembly of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a top isometric view of a fluid reservoir for insertion into the diffusion device of  FIG. 1  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a top isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  disposed within a container; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    An active material emitting device  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-17 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the device  50  generally includes a cover portion  52  and a base portion  54 . The base portion  54  generally includes a base  56  and a housing  58  disposed on the base  56  for enclosing control circuitry (described hereinafter) for the device  50 . As seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , a column  60  extends upwardly from the housing  58  and is preferably integral with the housing  58 . Further, a support platform  62  extends substantially transversely from the column  60  in a cantilevered fashion and is preferably integral with the column  60 . The support platform  62  includes an active material dispenser in the form of an atomizer assembly  66  that extends through a center portion  68  thereof. 
         [0035]    Any of the atomizer assemblies described in any of the patents incorporated by reference herein may be utilized as the atomizer assembly  66  (or as any of the atomizer assemblies described herein). In general, these assemblies apply an alternating voltage to a piezoelectric element to cause the element to expand and contract. The piezoelectric element is coupled to a perforated orifice plate  70  ( FIG. 14 ), which in turn is in surface tension contact with a liquid source. The expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element causes the orifice plate  70  to vibrate up and down whereupon liquid is driven through the perforations in the orifice plate  70  and is then emitted upwardly in the form of aerosolized particles. The atomizer assembly  66  is described in greater detail hereinafter with respect to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0036]    Preferably, a container  80  having an active material therein, preferably a liquid fragrance, is inserted into the active material dispenser adjacent the atomizer assembly  66  for emission of the active material therefrom. The container  80  is preferably inserted adjacent the atomizer assembly  66  as discussed in detail with respect to  FIG. 14 . The container  80  includes a wick  82  in communication with the active material therein and extending through a top portion thereof, wherein the wick  82  transports active material from the container  80  to the atomizer assembly  66 . The active material may alternatively be an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a disinfectant, a sanitizer, an air purifier, an aromatherapy scent, an antiseptic, an odor eliminator, an air-freshener, a deodorizer, or any other active ingredient(s) that are usefully dispersed into the air. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cap  90  may be disposed over the atomizer assembly  66  to hide the components of the atomizer assembly  66 . Preferably, as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the support platform  62  includes a plurality of upwardly extending projections  92  extending therefrom, wherein outwardly extending projections  94  extend from the upwardly extending projections  92 . The outwardly extending projections  94  are adapted to engage an annular lip  96  extending from an inner periphery  98  of the cap  90  to secure the cap  90  over the atomizer assembly  66 . The cap  90  further includes a central circular aperture  100  therein such that active material emitted from the atomizer assembly  66  is directed through the aperture  100 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 , the base portion  54  further includes a housing cover  120  disposed atop the housing  58 . The housing cover  120  is preferably attached to the base portion  54  by welding or otherwise securing projections  130  ( FIG. 6 ) extending upwardly from the base portion  54  within standoffs  132  ( FIG. 7 ) extending downwardly from the housing cover  120 . The housing cover  120  further includes an upwardly extending column  140  that interfits with the column  60  extending from the housing  58  when the housing cover  120  is disposed on the housing  58  to form a channel  142  ( FIG. 11 ). Preferably, wires (not shown) extending from the electrical components of the control circuitry to the atomizer assembly  66  are disposed in the channel  142  to hide and protect the wires. Also preferably, the columns  60 ,  140  are formed of a transparent or translucent material, preferably a clarified material, such as clarified propylene, so that the columns  60 ,  140  allow light to pass therethrough. Still further, the housing cover  120  includes a light control device  144 , such as a light diffuser, light pipe, lens, or the like, in a center portion  146  thereof, wherein the light control device  144  is preferably secured to or integral with the housing cover  120 . The light control device  144  generally includes a cavity  148  in a bottom portion  150  thereof, wherein the light control device  144  may take any form, including any of the embodiments disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/542,370, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0039]    As seen in  FIG. 6 , the housing  58  of the device  50  includes a cylindrical wall  158  that encloses control circuitry shown at  160 . In particular, the base  56  includes a support structure  162  extending upwardly therefrom that supports a printed circuit board (PCB)  164 . An LED  166  is operatively connected to and extends upwardly from a central portion  168  of the PCB  164 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 , and  6 , an emission frequency actuator arm  170  extends through a rectangular aperture  172  in the cylindrical wall  158 . The emission frequency actuator arm  170  is operatively connected to a slide switch  173 , wherein the slide switch  173  is operatively connected to the PCB  164 . The actuator arm  170  preferably includes five selectable positions that control the emission frequency of the atomizer assembly  66 . Specifically, the actuator arm  170  is movable along a slot  176  in the slide switch  173  to one of five detent positions. A cutout  180  is disposed within the cylindrical wall  158  for movement of the actuator arm  170  therein. Movement of the actuator arm  170  within the slot  176  indicates to the slide switch  173  the current position of the actuator arm  170 . The positions of the slide switch  173  are detected by the PCB  164 . Components mounted on the PCB  164  control the atomizer assembly  66  corresponding to the position of the actuator arm  170 , wherein each of the positions correspond to different time intervals that define the dwell time or the time between subsequent emission of puffs of active material by the atomizer assembly  66 . As discussed above, wires extend from the PCB  164  to the atomizer assembly  66  to actuate the atomizer assembly  66  in dependence upon the position of the actuator arm  170 . 
         [0040]    The PCB  164  further includes a switch  200  having a depressable button  202  extending upwardly therefrom, as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 10 . Depression of the button  202  turns the LED  166  on or off depending on the current state of the LED  166 . The actuation of the button  202  and the operation of the control circuitry  160  will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0041]    The PCB  164  includes programmable device in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) incorporated therein, wherein the ASIC operates in conjunction with further electrical components to control the energization of the LED  166  described above and the atomizer assembly  66 . The operation of the ASIC is described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/265,738, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0042]    As noted above, the housing  58  encloses the PCB  164  and other control circuitry and the LED  166 , as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . When the housing cover  120  is attached to the housing  58 , as discussed in detail above, the LED  166  is disposed in the cavity  148  located at the bottom portion  150  of the light control device  144 , such that light emitted from the LED  166  may be reflected and refracted by the light control device  144 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the base portion  54  of the device  50  includes a battery door  220  that includes a hinge  222  at a first end  224  thereof and a latching mechanism  226  at a second end  228  thereof. The latching mechanism  226  interacts with a locking recess  230  in the base portion  54  to hold the battery door  220  in a closed position. The latching mechanism  226  may be flexed to release the latching mechanism  226  from the locking recess  230 , such that the battery door  220  may pivot about the hinge  222  to open the battery door  220  and allow access to a battery compartment  231 . 
         [0044]    As further seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the base portion  54  of the device  50  includes two batteries  240  that preferably provide direct current that is converted into high-frequency alternating current power that is selectively applied to the atomizer assembly  66  and the LED  166 . Optionally, the device  50  may be powered by alternating household current, which is rectified, converted to high-frequency alternating current power, and reduced in voltage and applied intermittently to the atomizer assembly  66  and/or the LED  166 . The batteries  240  may be any conventional dry-cell battery such as “A”, “AA”, “AAA”, “C”, and “D” cells, button cells, watch batteries, and solar cells, but preferably, the batteries  240  are “AA” or “AAA” cell batteries. Although two batteries are preferred, any number of batteries that would suitably fit within the device  50  and provide adequate power level and service life may be utilized. 
         [0045]    The base portion  54  may further include optional feet  242  extending therefrom to aid in stabilizing the active material emitting device  50 . Although four feet  242  are depicted, any suitable number of feet  242  for stabilizing the device  50  may be utilized. 
         [0046]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cover portion  52  includes a lower cylindrical wall  250  having a first diameter and an upper cylindrical wall  252  having a second diameter that is preferably smaller than the first diameter. An angled wall  254  joins the lower cylindrical wall  250  to the upper cylindrical wall  252 . The lower cylindrical wall  250  has a height that is much less than a height of the upper cylindrical wall  252 . The cover portion  52  further includes a circular top wall  256  adjacent the upper cylindrical wall  252  and having a circular opening or aperture  258  disposed in a central portion thereof. 
         [0047]    As seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the cover portion  52  is positioned over the base portion  54  during use of the device  50 . Specifically, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cover portion  52  includes first and second projections  280   a ,  280   b  extending downwardly from and integral with an inner surface  282  of the lower cylindrical wall  250 . The first and second projections  280   a ,  280   b  are preferably, although not necessarily, disposed opposite one another. Each projection  280   a ,  280   b  includes a first vertical portion  284   a ,  284   b  and a horizontal portion  286   a ,  286   b  that is transverse to the respective vertical portion  284   a ,  284   b . Protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  extend upwardly from upper surfaces  290   a ,  290   b  of the vertical portions  284   a ,  284   b . The base portion  54  includes first and second grooves  300   a ,  300   b  formed within the housing cover, as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The grooves  300   a ,  300   b  include first portions  302   a ,  302   b  and second portions  304   a ,  304   b , wherein the first portions  302   a ,  302   b  have a width greater than a width of the second portions  304   a ,  304   b . Projections  308   a ,  308   b  extend from walls  310   a ,  310   b  forming one side of each of the second portions  304   a ,  304   b.    
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the cover portion  52  is placed atop the base portion  54 , the upper cylindrical wall  252  surrounds the columns  60 ,  140 , the support platform  62 , and the atomizer assembly  66  and the lower cylindrical portion  250  abuts an upper periphery  330  of the cylindrical wall  156  of the base portion  54 . The cover portion  52  is further positioned over the base portion  54  such that the atomizer assembly  66  is aligned with the aperture  258  in the circular top wall  256  of the cover portion  52 . The aperture  258  provides an outlet for active material that is atomized by the atomizer assembly  66  and emitted from the device  50 . 
         [0049]    As best seen in  FIG. 9 , the cover portion  52  further includes a downwardly facing ledge  340  formed between an intersection of the upper cylindrical wall  252  and the angled connecting wall  254  of the cover portion  52 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 , the housing cover  120  includes a plurality of spring fingers  342  in part defined by slots  344  that extend inwardly from a periphery  346  of the housing cover  120 . Each of the spring fingers  342  includes a projection  348 , as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , extending upwardly therefrom. The cover portion  52  is attached to the base portion by inserting the first and second projections  280   a ,  280   b  into the first portions  302   a ,  302   b  of the grooves  300   a ,  300   b . Thereafter, the cover portion  52  is rotated clockwise (as shown by the arrow in  FIGS. 1-3  and  8 ) as the cover portion  52  is pushed downwardly such that the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  extending upwardly from the horizontal portions  286   a ,  286   b  ride over the projections  308   a ,  308   b  extending inwardly from the walls  310   a ,  310   b  defining the second portions  304   b ,  304   b  of the grooves  300   a ,  300   b . Once the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  pass the projections  308   a ,  308   b , the user releases the cover portion  52  and the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  move into grooves  316   a ,  316   b  formed between ends  318   a ,  318   b  of the grooves  300   a ,  300   b  and the projections  308   a ,  308   b  to prevent removal of the cover portion  52 . As the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  move into the grooves  316   a ,  316   b , the downwardly facing ledge  340  rides on top of the spring fingers  342 , which are resilient and act as upwardly biased flexures. Thus, as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the cover portion  52  is biased in a position such the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  are retained within the grooves  316   a ,  316   b  formed between the ends  318   a ,  318   b  of the grooves  300   a ,  300   b  and the projections  308   a ,  308   b . To remove the cover portion  52 , the cover portion  52  must be pressed downwardly and rotated counterclockwise such that the protuberances  288   a ,  288   b  pass the projections  308   a ,  308   b.    
         [0050]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  10 , and  11 , a gap  360  between the lower cylindrical portion  250  of the cover portion  52  and the upper periphery  330  of the cylindrical wall  156  of the base portion  54  allows movement of the cover portion  52  in a vertical direction relative to the housing  58 . A user may therefore exert downward pressure on the cover portion  52  against the bias of the resilient spring fingers  342 . Such pressure allows the cover portion  52  to move downwardly until the lower cylindrical portion  250  of the cover portion  52  abuts the upper periphery  300  of the cylindrical wall  156 . As the cover portion  52  moves downwardly, the downwardly facing ledge  340  flexes the spring fingers  342  downwardly. As the spring fingers  342  move downwardly, a projection  362  ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ) extending downwardly from a spring finger  342  that is aligned with the depressable button  202  contacts the depressable button  202 , thereby activating the switch  200 . A change in state of the switch  200  is detected by the PCB  164  and the LED  166  is turned on (for a predetermined time frame) or off depending on the current state of the LED  166 , as described in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0051]    The cover portion  52  is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material, such as glass and/or a polymeric resin, such that the cover portion  52  functions as a light diffuser. All or portions of an inner surface  380  and/or an outer surface  382  of the cover portion  52  may include a surface treatment, such as a frosted surface, a coating, a roughened surface, a textured surface, and/or the like, in order to provide an even dispersion of light through the cover portion  52 . The cylindrical wall  156  of the base portion  54  is preferably made a material similar to that of the cover portion  52 , but is preferably not translucent or transparent in order to obscure the components of the base portion  54 . Optionally, a decal or other obscuring element may be positioned on the upper cylindrical wall  252  of the cover portion  52 . 
         [0052]    Various venting mechanisms are disposed in the device  50  to aid in dispersing the active material to an area surrounding the device  50 . Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , apertures  400  extend through the base portion  54  to form channels for the flow of ambient air therethrough. Optionally, as seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , the apertures  400  extend upwardly into a portion of the housing  58  such that air can move both horizontally and vertically into the base portion  54 . Also, any number of apertures  400  could be utilized. Referring next to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 , apertures  410  extend through the housing cover  120 . The apertures  400  and  410  may be of any size and shape that could be easily manufactured and which do not unduly interfere with the components or features of the base portion  54  and housing cover  120 , respectively, and which also would not interfere with the stability and strength of same. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , posts  420  surrounding and supporting the atomizer assembly  66  and extending upwardly from the support platform  62  include channels  422  therethrough. When the cap  90  is disposed atop the support platform  62 , one or more apertures  424  in an upper surface  426  of the cap  90  are aligned with the channels  422  to allow air flow therethrough. 
         [0054]    An example of air flow through the device  50  is depicted by the arrow  430  in  FIG. 11 . In particular, ambient air generally flows through the apertures  400  upwardly through the housing  58  and past the components therein. Thereafter, air generally flows through the apertures  410  in the housing cover  120  and into a space  432  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) formed within the upper cylindrical wall  252  of the cover portion  52  and disposed above the housing cover  120 . The air then generally moves around the support platform  62  and around a periphery of the cap  90  and out of the device  50  through the aperture  258  in the cover portion  52 . Optionally, a portion of the air may move through the channels  422  through the platform  62  and the apertures  424  in the cap  90  and out of the device through the aperture  258  in the cover portion  52 . This air flow aids in carrying active material that is emitted by the atomizer assembly  66  away from the device  50  and into the surrounding area. 
         [0055]    As seen in  FIG. 16 , the active material emitting device  50  may be placed into a container  500  for use thereof, or may be placed on a surface and used alone. The container  500  also preferably acts as a light diffuser and may be made of a transparent or translucent material, such as glass and/or a polymeric resin. All or portions of an inner surface  502  and/or an outer surface  504  of the container may include a surface treatment, such as a frosted surface, a coating, a roughened surface, a textured surface, and the like, to provide relatively even dispersion of light through the container  500 . Optionally, one or more images may be formed on the container  500  by placing a sticker or other image-forming device (such as a decal) on a surface thereof. Still optionally, etchings may be formed in the light control device  144  to project a shape or shadow, as desired. Although one shape of container  500  is depicted herein, any shape of container  500  is contemplated, as long as the device  50  fits sufficiently therein. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  17  the active material emitting device  50  is disposed within the container  500  such that the feet  242  of the device  50  rest upon an upper surface  506  of a bottom portion  508  of the container  500 . Preferably, the device  50  fits within the container  500  without portions of the upper cylindrical wall  252  of the cover portion  52  or the cylindrical wall  158  of the housing  58  touching the inner surface  502  of the container  500 . 
         [0057]    A further example of air flow through the container  500  and the device  50  is depicted by the arrow  510  in  FIG. 17 . The air flow is similar to the air flow  430  of  FIG. 11 , but the air first travels over a top edge  512  of the container  500  and through a space  514  between the device  50  and the container  500  before entering the housing  58  of the device  50 . Once air enters the device  50 , the air thereafter generally travels in the same manner as described with respect to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0058]    The operation of the active material emitting device  50  of  FIGS. 1-17  will now be described in detail. When a user desires to operate the device  50 , the battery door  220  is opened using the latching mechanism  226  and batteries  240  are placed within the device  50 . To insert a container  80  having an active material therein, the cover portion  52  is removed from the device  50  as described in detail above, an old container  80  is removed and/or a new container  80  is inserted, and the cover portion  52  is placed back onto the device  50  again as described in detail above. The order of insertion of the batteries  240  and a container  80  may be reversed, but as soon as both are inserted, the device  50  begins emitting the active material. 
         [0059]    The user may then move the actuator arm  170  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6 , and  10 ) to set the dwell time for emission of the active material. Once the dwell time is set, the device  50  may be placed in a container  500 . It is not until the user depresses the cover portion  52 , as described in detail above, that the LED  166  will turn on. The LED  166  can be turned off by a subsequent depression of the cover portion  52  or the LED  166  will automatically shut off after a predetermined time period, such as three or four hours. 
         [0060]    Referring next to  FIG. 14 , an atomizer assembly  66  that may be utilized in the active material emitting device  50  is shown in detail. The atomizer assembly  66  includes a piezoelectric actuator  550  having a piezoelectric element  552  and orifice plate  70  similar or identical to those described in Helf et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,193. The actuator  550  is mounted on the posts  420  by a metal support wire  554  that extends through the actuator  550  and around the posts  420 . An outer circumferential portion of the orifice plate  70  is in contact with the piezoelectric actuator  550 . Eighty-four perforations or holes (not seen due to the scale of the drawings) of nominally equal diameter (within a tolerance range as noted in greater detail hereinafter) extend through the orifice plate  70 . In the preferred embodiment, the perforations in the orifice plate  70  are substantially circular in shape at the intersections of the holes with an upper surface of the orifice plate  70 . Preferably, the piezoelectric actuator  550  is identical or similar to that found in commercially available electronic air freshening apparatus sold under the present assignee&#39;s WISP® trademark. 
         [0061]    The piezoelectric element  552  is connected by wires  556  to the PCB  164 . The wires  556  supply an alternating electrical voltage produced by circuitry disposed on the PCB  164  to opposite sides of the piezoelectric actuator  550 . A diameter of the actuator  550  alternately increases and decreases in size when alternating electrical voltages are applied to the piezoelectric actuator  550 , thereby causing the orifice plate  70  to vibrate up and down due to the contact of the actuator  550  with the orifice plate  70 . The orifice plate  70  is, in turn, in contact with fluid supplied by the wick  82 . The up and down vibration of the orifice plate  70  causes liquid to be driven through the perforations or holes in the orifice plate  70  and the liquid is emitted upwardly in the form of aerosolized particles. 
         [0062]    Insertion of the container  80  into the support platform  62  will now be discussed in detail with respect to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The support platform  62  includes an opening  560  therein that receives the replaceable container  80 . The support platform  62  includes an upwardly extending cylindrically shaped reservoir mounting wall  562 . The mounting wall  562  includes two opposing bayonet slots  564  formed therein and walls  566  define corresponding circumferentially extending detents forming a part of the bayonet slots  564 . The posts  420  extend upwardly from the support platform  62  adjacent the mounting wall  562  wherein each post  420  includes a smaller projection  568  extending upwardly from a top portion  570  thereof. 
         [0063]    As seen in  FIG. 15 , the container  80  comprises a transparent cylindrical container  600  with a neck  602 . A combination plug and wick holder  604  is affixed to the neck  602 , wherein the plug and wick holder  604  includes a pair of laterally extending mounting lugs  606 . An upper end  608  of the wick  82  extends beyond the neck  602  and a lower end  610  of the wick  80  is disposed within the container  80  toward a bottom surface  612  thereof. The wick  82  transfers liquid by capillary action from within the container  80  to the upper end  608  of the wick  82 . The container  80  is inserted into the support platform  62  by aligning the lugs  606  with the bayonet slots  564  and pushing the container  80  upwardly, thereby inserting the lugs  606  into the respective bayonet slots  564 . The container  80  is thereafter rotated to force the lugs  606  to engage with the walls  566  defining the detent portions of the respective bayonet slots  564  to secure the container  80  within the device  50 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0064]    The active material emitting devices described herein emit an active material therefrom using an atomizer assembly. One or more venting mechanisms may be incorporated into the devices in order to effectively disperse the active material. Optionally, the device may also include an LED to create the look and feel of a pillar-type candle. 
         [0065]    Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.