Abstract:
A scent-emitting system includes a plurality of cartridges containing scented fluids and seated within pockets formed in a system tray. A heating member is provided for heating the cartridges to encourage the formation of scented vapors and an actuation subassembly is provided for selectively actuating the scent cartridges to release the scented vapors. An internal fan generates an air flow for communicating the scented vapors through housing vent openings to an external environment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/176,129 filed on Jun. 20, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/902,307 filed on Jul. 10, 2001, which claims the priority of provisional Application No. 60/217,161 filed on Jul. 10, 2000, now abandoned. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to scent emitting devices, and more particularly to an electronic scent diffusing system.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    It is well known to use deodorizers, air fresheners, candles, plug-ins and the like, to provide a desired scent or aroma in a home, office or other such environment. In fact, many people place air fresheners in rooms to conceal existing undesirable odors, or merely to make the air more fragrant. Various types of air freshening devices are commercially available. Most such commercial air freshening devices provide for a predetermined single scent, and little or no means for controlling the strength, duration, coverage area and other characteristics of the emitted scent, as well as lack the ability to conveniently switch among different scents.  
           [0006]    Some air fresheners that allow a user to selectively alter the scent delivered by a device have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,692 to Kennedy and U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,327 to Palamand disclose air freshening units including a container which carries a cartridge having a plurality of segments, or sections, each having a solid material impregnated with a scented substance. In each case, the cartridge can be manually rotated to position a particular segment having a desired scent into alignment with an opening in the container to facilitate emission of the desired scent into the surrounding environment.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,103,609 to Bradburn discloses an air freshener having a body carrying a plurality of open-topped vials of scented substances. A rotatable cover is mounted on the body to close and seal the vials. The cover has an opening that can be selectively aligned with any one of the vials in order to enable the substance contained within the vial to evaporate into the air.  
           [0008]    The aforementioned air fresheners share a number of disadvantages and limitations. For instance, each of the disclosed air fresheners must be manually manipulated to alter the type of scent and do not provide a convenient and user friendly way to switch among different scents. Additionally, all of the disclosed air fresheners provide little or no means for controlling the strength, duration and coverage area of the emitted scent. Furthermore, the disclosed air fresheners are provided in containers that would be unsightly positioned, for example, in a high-end home entertainment unit or even as a high-end decorative piece.  
           [0009]    Electronic aroma generating devices and systems providing for more controlled scent emission have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,409 to Watkins discloses an apparatus for introducing precisely controlled amounts of aromatic chemicals, using metered spray technology, into the immediate vicinity of the operator. The disclosed mechanism is particularly oriented toward use by an individual sitting at a desk using a microcomputer. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,256 to Lee et al. discloses a computer controlled odor mixing and dispensing system suitable for use in conjunction with a multimedia computer application. Neither of these systems are designed for, or suitable for, providing an aroma to a larger area such as one or more rooms of a home or office. Furthermore, they are not adapted for delivering an aroma from scented oils.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,030 to McCarthy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,320 to Wittek, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,290 to De Sousa each describe scent-emitting systems designed to provide a variety of scents to intensify sensorial perception of an audience in attendance of a visual and/or acoustical representation, by introducing scents in synchronism with the visual and/or acoustic representation. However, the aforementioned systems are complex, expensive and adapted for emitting scents over a very large area such as a movie theater.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, there is an existing need for a scent emitting system particularly suited for use in a home, workplace, or like environment that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and limitations of the aforementioned prior art systems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention provides an electric/electronic scent-emitting system configured for selectively delivering predetermined scents generated by scented oils contained within scent cartridges to a proximate surrounding environment.  
           [0013]    In this aspect of the present invention, an electronic, electro-mechanically actuated, multi-cartridge scent-delivery system is provided. A system housing defines a tray-receiving opening extending into an interior space and configured for supporting a tray within the interior space and movable between open and closed positions. A plurality of cartridges each containing selected scented fluids are seated within pockets located around a rotating carousel on top of the tray. Mechanical means is provided for rotating the carousel to a fixed location corresponding with the positioning of a specific cartridge. An electromechanical actuation member situated over the chosen cartridge selectively actuates the cartridge between a closed position and an open scent-emitting position by vertical displacement of the actuating member. Housing vents are provided for communicating a scent from the interior space to the exterior environment. Preferably, a blowing means is provided for creating and subsequently directing a flow of air over the scent cartridges for egress through the housing vents. Preferably, heating means are provided for heating the scented fluids contained within the cartridges to increase the strength of the emitted scents. Preferably, a fan-speed control mechanism is provided for varying the scent coverage area, and a timer is preferably provided for controlling the duration of the scent emission and/or presetting a time of operation. Furthermore, a printed circuit board/micro-processor is preferably provided for remote control operation, advanced programming of operation, and an LCD display.  
           [0014]    These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of this aspect of the present invention, which follow.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    This aspect of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic, electro-mechanically actuated, multi cartridge scent-delivery system in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, wherein the scent cartridge-supporting tray is depicted in a closed position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-cartridge scent delivery system of FIG. 1, wherein the scent cartridge-supporting tray is depicted in an open position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the multi-cartridge scent delivery system of FIG. 1 with part of the top and right sides of the housing removed to expose the interior of the system;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4A is a close up sectional view, shown on FIG. 3, of the cartridge and its relationship with the cartridge actuator, the metal tub, the carousel, and the heater in the displaced cartridge and metal tub version;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4B is a close up sectional view, shown on FIG. 3., of the cartridge and its relationship with the cartridge actuator, the metal tub, the carousel, and the heater in the displaced heating element version;  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    Shown throughout the figures, this aspect of the present invention is generally directed to an electronic portable multi-scent delivery system for use in homes, offices and the like. The system includes a scent-delivery unit configured for actuating specially configured scent cartridges by electromechanical means. Significantly, the system design facilitates the installation and/or removal of the scent cartridges, and the process of switching among them, enabling an end user to efficiently and conveniently select a desired scent or aroma. In addition to facilitating scent selection, the system incorporates means for enabling end user control over the strength of the emitted scent, the coverage area of the emitted scent, and the duration of scent emission, as well as allows for remote control operation and advanced programming functions.  
         [0022]    The Scent Cartridge  
         [0023]    This invention is adapted for use with a scent-emitting cartridge having a unique construction. The cartridge structure has been previously described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/902,307, filed by the same inventor on Jul. 10, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference. However, the following description of the cartridge is provided in an effort to facilitate an understanding of the cartridge as incorporated into this aspect of the present invention described herein.  
         [0024]    Referring briefly to FIG. 6, scent cartridge assembly  100  includes a lower housing body  102  and an upper housing cap  124  separated by a sealing gasket member  109  interposed between respective abutting edges  107  and  123 . The lower housing body  102  and upper housing cap  124  are preferably molded from a polymer having a melting temperature (T m ) sufficiently high to prevent melting of the housing from cartridge heating during system operation. The housing can be constructed from either transparent or opaque polymers. In some instances, a transparent housing may be preferred to enable a system operator to periodically inspect a cartridge scent oil level to determine whether cartridge replacement is necessary.  
         [0025]    Lower housing body  102  includes an integral upwardly extending walled body  104  defining a channel  106 . A T-shaped member, shown generally as reference numeral  110 , includes a base  114  having an integral body  112  depending downwardly therefrom. The outer surface of body  112  is sized and shaped for enabling body  112  to be snugly received within channel  106 . Compression spring  108 , or an alternate compression member, is received within channel  106  of walled body  104 . Preferably, the upper end of compression spring  108  does not extend beyond the upper end of body  104  in its non-compressed equilibrium state. T-member body  112  is received within channel  106  such that it remains supported by the upper end of compression member  108 . In this manner, when body  112  is received within channel  106 , the spring  108  acts to bias T-shaped member  110  in an upward direction.  
         [0026]    Base  114  of T-member  110  is provided having a raised upper surface portion  116  defining a peripheral ledge  118 . Furthermore, raised surface portion  116  has a centrally positioned nub  119  protruding upwardly therefrom. Nub  119  is sized, shaped and oriented to extend through aperture  128  in housing cover  124  when the cartridge is fully assembled. Gasket member  120  is provided having a continuous interior peripheral groove  121  sized and shaped for being sealingly fitted about ledge  118  of T-shaped member  110 .  
         [0027]    In addition to nub receiving aperture  128 , upper housing cap  124  includes a plurality of apertures  126  for enabling the passage or communication of scents from the cartridge interior.  
         [0028]    Lower housing body  102  is filled with a volume of scented oil (not shown), preferably to a level at least slightly below the upper end  107  of lower housing body  102 . When the cartridge is fully assembled, the cartridge compression spring  108  biases T-shaped member  110  upwardly such that gasket  120  forms a substantially air tight seal against the inner surface of housing cap  124 . In this manner, the gasket prevents the emission of any scent or aroma emanating from the scented oil in housing base  102  through the housing cover apertures  126 ,  128 . Cartridge  100  can be actuated into an open position by providing a downward force against nub  119 . In particular, downward actuation of nub  119  causes corresponding downward displacement of T-member  110 , thereby breaking the seal formed around the cartridge apertures  126 ,  128  to enable the emission of scented fumes there through.  
         [0029]    Throughout the specification, reference is made to the actuation of the scent cartridge into an open position by the force of an actuating structure or member against nub  119 . As previously described, nub  119  is an integral structure formed upon the upper surface of T-member  110 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, nub  119  is merely provided as a convenient contact point for applying a downward force against T-member  110 . Consequently, T-member  110  could just as easily be formed without nub  119 . In that case, the force of a particular actuating structure could be applied directly to the upper surface of T-member  110 . Accordingly, any reference herein to the actuation of nub  119 , making contact with nub  119 , etc. are not intended to be limiting. That is, actuating nub  119  is intended to be equivalent to actuating T-member  119 .  
         [0030]    The Scent Delivery System  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 5 , an electronic, electro-mechanically actuated, multi-cartridge scent delivery system, shown generally as reference numeral  600 , is illustrated as a preferred aspect of the present invention. The main components of the system are contained within a housing structure generally defined by top  602 , bottom  604 , left side  606 , right side  608 , front face portion  605 , and front face portion  622  of tray  614 . Front face portion  605  is provided having integral vent openings  612  through which scents are emitted from the interior of the housing to a proximate external environment. As further described below, function buttons  632  are provided extending through front face portion  605  for controlling the operation of the system. Visual display means, such as a Liquid Crystalline Display {LCD)  634  is preferably provided for communicating current settings during operation.  
         [0032]    System tray  614  is supported at its sides  616  and  618  by interior housing supporting rails  610 . Motorized pinions  638  mounted to the interior-housing surface cooperate with racks  624  running along the sides  616  and  618  of the tray  614  to effect forward and rearward tray movement. In this manner, the tray can be automatically opened and closed via one of the external control buttons  632  electrically coupled to the pinion mechanism. A rotating carousel  652  is located on top of tray  614  on upper surface  620 . Rotating carousel  652  extends down through upper surface  620  of tray  614 . Pockets  626  formed in rotating carousel surface  654  are sized and shaped for snugly receiving cartridges  100  therein and have an open bottom extending through tray  614  and rotating carousel  652 . Preferably, each pocket  626  includes a shapely fitting heat diffusion member  664  set in the pocket. Heat diffusion member  664  is a slip fit metal tub that extends through the bottom of pocket  626  and supports cartridge  100 .  
         [0033]    Heating member  662  is provided for transferring heat to the scented fluid within cartridge  100 , thereby increasing the strength of the emitted aroma. This is accomplished by heating member  662  making direct contact with heat diffusion member  664 . Heating member  662  is located in housing bottom  604 , directly under actuation position  650 , the fixed location where carousel  652  rotates cartridge  100  to be actuated. Upon rotation of carousel  652 , as cartridge  100  and corresponding pocket  626  move to the actuation position, corresponding slip-fit heat diffusion member  664  is displaced upwards, shown by  658 , as it passes over heating element  662 , thereby resting on top of and making direct contact with heating member  662 . Alternatively, heat diffusion member  664  could be a fixed press fit metal tub, and heating member  662  could be set on compression springs  660 , and upon rotation of carousel  652 , as cartridge  100  and corresponding pocket  626  move to the actuation position, heating member  662  would be displaced downward, shown by  668 , by passing over heat diffusion member  664 , thereby having heating member  664  rest on top of and make direct contact with heating member  662 .  
         [0034]    The top surface  620  of tray  614  includes a fan  636  for directing a flow of air generated over the top sides of the cartridges and toward vent openings  612 . Fan  636  is preferably mounted in the middle of rotating carousel  652 . Preferably, the fan speed is variable to enable user control over the scent coverage area.  
         [0035]    A motor  640  is provided secured to the interior surface of housing top  602  by a bracket  649 . Motor  640  drives gear mechanism  642  that, in turn, engages vertically disposed actuating member  656  for upward and downward movement. Actuating member  656  is positioned directly above actuation position  650  and in turn, directly above cartridge nub  119  when tray  614  is in a closed position. Consequently, during downward movement member  656  engages T-member  110  to effect actuation of a specifically chosen cartridge  100  into an open, scent-emitting position.  
         [0036]    As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, myriad of means could be employed for imparting a downward force against T-member  110  to effect actuation of cartridge  100  into an open scent-emitting position without departing from the intended scope of the invention. For example, a solenoid could be positioned directly over the actuation position and the specific T-member  110 . Alternatively, a motor/gear box could be provided rotating a cam driving a vertically actuating member downward against T-member  110 . Furthermore, a worm gear could be used to drive a cooperating actuating member downward against T-member  110 .  
         [0037]    Preferably, each scent-containing cartridge is associated with an individual control button on the front of the system housing such that a user can effect the emission of a desired scent by merely pressing the associated control button. In operation, upon pressing the button associated with the user-selected scent, carousel  652  rotates until the appropriate cartridge  100  moves into actuation position  650  to effect actuation of the corresponding cartridge nub  119  of the cartridge  100  containing the desired scent.  
         [0038]    Additional control buttons are provided for controlling other system functions including, for example, system power, fan speed, cartridge heating temperature and carousel rotation. Preferably, printed circuit board/micro-processor  613  is concurrently used to control some more advanced electronic functions including remote control operation, LCD display control, random play, and shuffle, to name a few. Additionally, a timer can be provided for selecting the duration of emission of a particular scent and/or to pre-select a time of operation. Electrical power is provided to the system via power input means  601 .  
         [0039]    This system incorporates conventional commercially available electronic components and circuitry (not shown) for controlling the various electronic system functions described herein. The incorporation of electronics to enable such control is well known to those skilled in the art and further description is not provided.  
         [0040]    Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to this aspect of the present invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.