Abstract:
An essential oil diffusor assembly is disclosed consisting of a base, oil reservoir, diffusor jet unit, glass top and an electric air pump. The critical dimensions of the jet provide a fine aromatic oil mist from the glass top when the unit is energized. The unique glass top locks into a diffusor housing from the top and the oil reservoir threads into the bottom of the housing.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60/170,072 filed Dec. 9, 1999. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention relates in general to an essential oil diffusor that atomizes aromatic essential oils.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    An essential oil diffusor (a.k.a. diffuser) to dispense natural essential oils into the atmosphere. It is the most effective way to finely vaporize essential oils without harming or altering their vital components and valuable properties. It does not heat the oil during the process. This diffusor is a very effective tool for diffusing essential oils with their fragrances and therapeutic properties.  
           [0004]    This essential oil diffusor consists of the following components: a highly efficient compact diffusor jet; an oil reservoir (i.e., essential oil bottle); an oil reservoir base; and glass top. A separate electric air pump and air line tubing provides air from the air pump to the diffusor jet.  
           [0005]    Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the diffusor assembly.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a top section view taken along lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a front section of the diffusor jet unit.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is an enlarged front section view of the diffusor jet unit.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a top view of the diffusor jet unit. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates the oil diffusor assembly  10 , which includes the base  15 , oil reservoir  20 , diffusor housing  25 , glass top  30  and air pump  35 . The electric air pump  35  supplies air at about 3±0.5 psi via tube  36  to diffusor housing  25 . The air aspirates the oil from the oil reservoir  20  through jets within the diffusor housing  25  and into the glass top  30 . The glass top  30  has three baffles  40  or tongues, protruding part way into the interior of the glass top  30  as shown in section in FIG. 2. The air and aspirated oil exits the glass top  30  at the pair of apertures  45  (one shown) near the top of the glass.  
         [0012]    The details of the diffusor jet unit  50  can be seen in side-section view FIG. 3. This unit consists of the diffusor housing  25 , a diffusor oil jet  55  and a reservoir tube  60  which transports the oil from the reservoir  20  to the oil jet  55 . The lower inner wall of the housing  25  has threads  62  that engage similar threads on the glass jar reservoir. The housing  25  has three oil drain holes  65  (one shown) at an upper base section of the diffusor housing  25 . The upper inner wall of the housing  25  is tapered at  20  to firmly engage the glass top  30  (FIG. 1) when it is inserted within the upper housing opening  75 .  
         [0013]    The enlarged section view (without hatching) illustrates the critical dimension of the jet  55  that creates the fine oil mist during operation. Jet tip I.D. “A” is about 0.59 mm and jet tip O.D. “B” is about 0.8 mm. The housing tip I.D. “C” is about 0.81 mm and the housing tip thickness “D” is about 1.14 mm. The jet tip height “E” is about 0.99 mm and the distance “F” from the top of jet tip to top of housing tip  80  is about 1.52 mm.  
         [0014]    The FIG. 5 top view of the jet unit shows the jet  55  within the diffusor  50 . The housing tip  80  is above and surrounds the jet  55 . This view shows all three oil drain holes  65 .  
         [0015]    The diffusor assembly  10  operates by mixing air with essential oil to produce an extremely fine mist of vapor which disperses in the air via apertures  45 . The air is supplied to the diffusor jet  55  from an air pump  35  attached by air line tubing  36 . The oil is supplied from the oil reservoir  20  through an oil tube  60 . As the air passes through the diffusor jet  55  it causes a vacuum in the oil tubing and oil reservoir  20  causing the essential oil to be drawn up through the oil tubing into the diffusor jet  55 . The oil is then diffused into the air and pushed into the glass top  30 . The unique design of the glass top, i.e., the baffles  40 , then separates and returns to the oil reservoir  20 , any essential oil vapor that may not be fine enough. The fine mist is then dispersed into the atmosphere through the openings  45  in the top of the glass  30 . The amount of fine mist dispersed can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow via the air pump adjusting knob  85  (FIG. 1).  
         [0016]    The diffusor housing  25  is compact and made to tightly thread directly on the essential oil bottle reservoir  20 . The housing  25  is made out of an inert plastic.  
         [0017]    The essential oil diffusor wooden base is designed to hold the diffusor housing  25  in place and reduce the possibility of the diffusor assembly  10  being tipped or knocked over. It also adds to the overall look and beauty of the diffusor.  
         [0018]    An optional deluxe box base is a wooden box with opening lid which contains the complete diffusor assembly (air pump, oil reservoir, tubing etc.). It has a lid on top that slides off to reveal diffusor assembly inside. It has a cloth lining and a foam cutout pad to hold the diffusor oil reservoir and four bottles of essential oil blends as well as the pump. The power cord for the air pump comes out of a small hole in the end of the box near the bottom so it can be plugged in and so the on/off switch is readily available. It has a place on top from which the glass top extends to disperse the essential oil mist. It is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and extremely practical. It provides an extremely sturdy base to hold the diffusor so that it is difficult to knock over. It has also been designed so that it does not transfer the vibrations of the pump but helps to further quiet the diffusor.  
         [0019]    The oil reservoir  20  is a glass bottle that is made of tinted glass to protect the essential oils from long term exposure to light rays that can harm essential oils. Both the diffusor housing  25  and the diffusor base  15  have been manufactured to fit the glass bottle reservoir  20  specifically.  
         [0020]    The glass top  30  is made of Pyrex™ glass which is formed into the unique drop shape design and then tempered for strength in an 1800° F. scientific kiln. The unique design reduces spills, breakage, and noise. The main function of the glass top  30  is to separate the heavier mist from the ultra fine mist, thus improving the quality of dispersed mist and the efficiency of the diffusor. Since only the ultra fine mist is dispersed, while the rest of the mist is returned to the oil reservoir, this diffusor uses very minimal essential oil to cover a large area. This ultra fine mist is also unique in that it is “lighter than air”. In other words, it dissipates into the air instead of settling down onto the furniture, appliances, etc. This feature dramatically reduces possible damage to furniture finishes etc.  
         [0021]    The air pump  35  is the source of air for the diffusor assembly  10  and is the only electric part of the diffusor. It is quiet, compact and it is designed to last for years.  
         [0022]    The tubing  60  used for the oil supply is specially selected because of its ability to resist caustic oils and its flexibility.