Abstract:
A device for dispensing organic scents comprising a base assembly; a controller; a bowl assembly; at least one screen disposed within the bowl assembly having a plurality of apertures configured to hold one or more flowers; at least one row of air inlets proximate to one or more flowers; a top assembly having an angled top surface and at least one vent; and a fan electrically connected to the controller, where the controller may be configured to turn the fan on continuously, cycle the fan between on and off modes, or turn the fan off responsive to a user input.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/704,160 filed Sep. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF ENDEAVOR 
     Embodiments of the present invention pertain to scent dispensers and particularly to scent dispensers utilizing natural scents. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments may comprise a device that may comprise: a base assembly comprising one or more alignment grooves; a controller disposed within the base assembly; a bowl assembly comprising one or more alignment grooves, where the bowl assembly is configured to detachably attach to the base assembly, and where the one or more alignment grooves of the base assembly are configured to align with the one or more alignment grooves of the bowl assembly; at least one screen disposed within the bowl assembly in a position parallel to a bottom surface of the bowl assembly, where the at least one screen comprises a plurality of apertures configured to hold one or more flowers; at least one row of air inlets on the surface of the bowl assembly at a vertical position above the at least one screen and proximate to a position of the space configured to hold one or more flower; a top assembly configured to detachably attach from the bowl assembly, wherein the top element comprises an angled top surface and at least one vent; and a fan disposed within the top assembly, where the fan is electrically connected to the controller within the base assembly by a detachably attached electrical conduit in the bowl assembly; where the controller is configured to execute at least one of: turn the fan on continuously responsive to a user input, cycle the fan between on and off modes at a regular set interval of time responsive to a user input, and turn the fan off responsive to a user input. In additional exemplary embodiments, the device may further comprise one or more lights. 
     In additional exemplary embodiments, the one or more lights may be configured, by the controller, to turn on during at least one of: when the fan is on, and when the fan is cycling between on and off modes. In additional exemplary embodiments, the device may further comprise one or more speakers. In additional exemplary embodiments, the one or more speakers may be configured, by the controller, to turn on during at least one of: when the fan is on, and when the fan is cycling between on and off modes. In additional exemplary embodiments, the user input may be at least one of: a two-way switch, a three-way switch, and a prompt from a remote device. In additional exemplary embodiments, the remote device may be at least one of: a web application and a smartphone application. In additional exemplary embodiments, the bowl assembly may further comprise a screen support, where the screen support may be configured to detachably attach to the screen. In additional exemplary embodiments, the screen support may be configured to detachably attach to the screen by at least one of: a screw, a press fit, and one or more magnets. In additional exemplary embodiments, the device may further comprise a second screen comprising a plurality of apertures, and the second screen may detachably attach to the screen support. In additional exemplary embodiments, the second screen may be vertically separated from the first screen by a distance, and the plurality of apertures of the second screen may vertically align with the plurality of apertures of the screen. 
     In additional exemplary embodiments, the fan may further comprise a fan mounting ring, and the fan mounting ring may be detachably attached to the top assembly. In additional exemplary embodiments, there may be a second fan and a second screen and/or a third fan and a third screen. In additional exemplary embodiments, there may be a suction cup mount. In additional exemplary embodiments, at least one vent may be movable to direct air from the fan in a first direction and/or a second direction. In additional exemplary embodiments, a bottom portion of the bowl assembly vertically below the at least one screen may be configured to hold a liquid. In additional exemplary embodiments, the bowl assembly may further comprise an indent configured to guide any liquid being emptied from the bowl assembly. In additional exemplary embodiments, the indent may further comprise the electrical conduit. In additional exemplary embodiments, the base may further comprise a rim. In additional exemplary embodiments, the device may further comprise a flower stem cutter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a partial exploded view of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the base assembly in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  depicts a bottom view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 2D  depicts a side view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 2E  depicts a perspective view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a top view of a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of a PCBA of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a bottom view of a PCBA of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts an exploded view of a bowl assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a side view of a bowl assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 4C  depicts a top view of a bowl assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of a top assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a front view of a top assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 5C  depicts a bottom view of a top assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system; 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system with one tray and one fan; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system with two trays and two fans; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system with two trays and three fans; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system for holding a vase; and 
         FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system for use in a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a partial exploded view of an exemplary scent dispenser system  100 . The scent dispenser system may comprise a base assembly  101 . The base assembly  101  may have one or more points of contact, e.g., rubber feet  102 , with a surface to improve stability of the system. The system may also include a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”)  110 . The PCBA  110  may be attached to the base assembly  101  by a connector, e.g., a pan head screw  111 . The system may also comprise a bowl assembly  120 . The bowl assembly  120  may be sealed at the bottom so that it may be partially filled with water, liquids, and/or other nutrients. The system may also include a screen  130 . The screen  130  may be disposed inside of the bowl assembly  120  and parallel to the base  101 . In some embodiments, the system may comprise two or more screens of varying size and/or having varying apertures (not shown). These screens may then be switched out depending on the thickness of the stems, the flowers being utilized, or user preference. A larger screen aperture may allow for more than one stem per aperture and may result in a more clustered appearance. The system may also comprise a fan  140 , e.g., an 80 mm fan used for central processing unit (“CPU”) cooling. The fan  140  may be attached to a fan mounting ring  141 . The fan mounting ring  141  may comprise one or more mounting devices  142 . These mounting devices  142  may be used to secure the fan mounting ring  141  and attached fan  140  to a system top assembly  150 . The top assembly  150  may be placed over a flange of the bowl assembly  120  so as to create a seamless appearance. In some embodiments, the system may also include a built-in plant stem cutter and/or trimmer for ease of use. This cutter may be revealed upon disassembly, e.g., hidden in the top assembly  150  or the base assembly  101 , so as to improve safety. The cutter may also include one or more guards so as to protect a user. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system  101 . The base assembly  101  may comprise one or more spacers  103 . The spacers may be used to provide durability, shock-support, and/or reduce scratching of the bottom surface of a bowl assembly (see  FIGS. 4A-4C ), which may be placed on top of the base assembly  101 . The base assembly may also comprise one or more grooves  104  for ensuring alignment with the bowl. In some embodiments, the grooves  104  may not be equidistant so that the bowl may only be positioned in one direction. This may ensure the alignment of any electrical contacts going to the fan or other electronics. The base assembly may also comprise a point of attachment for a PCBA (see  FIGS. 3A-3C ) to the base, e.g., a threaded hole  105  for receiving a screw. The base assembly  101  may also comprise a rim  106  extending around the base assembly  101  so as to provide increased stability. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the base assembly in  FIG. 2A  across the line A-A. The base may comprise one or more rubber feet  102  so as to provide increased friction, protect a surface from scratches when the base may be placed on the surface, and/or for noise dampening. The one or more spacers  103  may provide a gap between the PCBA (not shown) and the bowl assembly (not shown) when inserted into the base assembly. The one or more grooves  104  may provide alignment for the bowl assembly. The walls of the base assembly may be tall enough to conceal the one or more spacers  103  and one or more grooves  104 . The threaded hole  105  may extend into a bottom portion of the base assembly to secure a PCBA to the base assembly. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts a bottom view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The one or more rubber feet  102  may be attached to the bottom of the base assembly or to the bottom of a PCBA. 
       FIG. 2D  depicts a side view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The base assembly may comprise one or more cut-outs. One of these cut-outs may be for a switch  107 . This switch cut-out  107  may be for an on-off switch or a three-way switch. In some embodiments, the switch may be replaced with, or in addition to, an infrared (“IR”) receiver, a Bluetooth® antenna, and/or a Wi-Fi antenna. Another of these cut-outs may be for a power cable input  108 . This power cable input  108  may be from a standard 12V adapter to provide power to the PCBA and/or the fan. 
       FIG. 2E  depicts a perspective view of a base assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The base assembly may comprise a PCBA cut-out  109  to ensure proper fit and alignment of the PCBA in the base assembly. The PCBA may then be secured to the base assembly once in place by fastening a screw through the threaded hole  105 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a top view of a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The PCBA may comprise a screw  111  for securing the PCBA to the base assembly. The PCBA may also comprise a switch  112 , e.g., a two-way switch or a three-way switch. The PCBA may also comprise a power connector  113 , e.g., a direct current (DC) power jack connector. The switch  112  and power connector  113  may fit through the cut-outs in the base assembly ( 107  and  108 , respectively, see  FIG. 2D ). In some embodiments, the PCBA may further comprise a wireless receiver (not shown), e.g., a Bluetooth® antenna and/or a WiFi antenna. In other embodiments, the PCBA may further comprise a processor having addressable memory and configured to send and receive signals to turn the fan on or off based on an input from a remote device (not shown), e.g., an application on a web browser, iPhone®, and/or Android device. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise one or more lights and/or speakers (not shown), which may also be controlled remotely.  FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of a PCBA of an exemplary scent dispenser system.  FIG. 3C  depicts a bottom view of a PCBA of an exemplary scent dispenser system. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts an exploded view of a bowl assembly  120  of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The bowl assembly  120  may comprise a bowl  121 . This bowl  121  may comprise a substantially circular cross-section with an indent for an electrical connection/power cables. In other embodiments, the bowl  121  may have a substantially polygonal cross-section. The bowl assembly may also comprise a bowl base  122 . The bowl base  122  may comprise a cut-out for a screen support  123  to be inserted. The screen support  123  and accompanying cut-out may have a circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the screen support  123  and accompanying cut-out may have a polygonal cross-section. The base of the screen support  123  may have a flared end to match a corresponding feature on the underside of the bowl base, so as to create a smooth surface on the underside of the bowl base  122  and/or ensure a proper water-tight fit. The top of the screen support may comprise a screen attachment point  124 . This screen attachment point may be a threaded hole for a screw, an indentation for a corresponding feature on the underside of the screen, and/or a magnet to detachably attach the screen to the screen support  123 . The bowl assembly  120  may also comprise a flange  125 . The flange  125  may be used to align the bowl  121  with the top assembly. In one embodiment the bowl  121  and flange  125  may be made of a clear material, e.g., acrylic. The bowl base  122  may be made of an opaque material, e.g., black acrylic, so as to conceal any electronics in the base assembly. The screen support  123  may also be made of an opaque material, e.g., black acrylic. The components of the bowl assembly  120  may be joined at points A, B, and C by an adhesive, e.g., a permanent clear adhesive. The adhesive used at points B and C may be water-tight. In some embodiments, the components of the bowl assembly  120  may be further divided and/or combined. 
       FIG. 4B  depicts a side view of a bowl assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The bowl  121  of the bowl assembly may comprise one or more concentric rows of air inlets  126  disposed in an upper portion of the bowl  121 . When the screen ( 130 , see  FIG. 1 ) is placed in the bowl assembly, flowers placed in the screen will be disposed inside the bowl assembly proximate to the one or more concentric rows of air inlets  126 . Air may flow in through the air inlets  126 , past the proximate flowers, and up through the fan into the top assembly. Accordingly, the system is more efficient in dispersing the scent of the flowers due to the placement of the air inlets  126 . The bowl  121  may also be attached to the flange  125 , which provides a space for the top assembly to attach to the bowl assembly. The grooves  127  in the bowl  121  allow for alignment with the base assembly. 
       FIG. 4C  depicts a top view of a bowl assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The screen support  123  may be disposed in the center of the bowl assembly. The flange  125  may be disposed concentric with the bowl assembly so that the top assembly is aligned to rest on the top of the bowl when attached. In some embodiments, the flange  125  may further comprise threads and/or magnets to ensure a secure fit of the top assembly with the bowl assembly. The bowl assembly may also comprise an indent  128  for running power cables from the base assembly to the fan in the top assembly. This indent may be properly aligned with the base via the grooves  127  in the bowl (see  FIG. 4B ). In some embodiments, this indent may be used to channel water cleanly out of the bowl  121  for cleaning and/or refilling the bowl. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of a top assembly  150  of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The top assembly  150  may have an angled top. This angled top may prevent the inadvertent placement of objects on top of the system, which may block airflow. The angled top may also prevent the accumulation of dust and/or other debris on or in the system. 
       FIG. 5B  depicts a front view of a top assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The top assembly may comprise one or more vents  151 . The one or more vents  151  may be fixed or adjustable. In some embodiments, the vents  151  may be adjusted to direct air flow in two or more directions. 
       FIG. 5C  depicts a bottom view of a top assembly of an exemplary scent dispenser system. The inner wall  153  of the top assembly may be in contact with an outer wall of the flange ( 125 , see  FIG. 4B ) when the top assembly is attached to the bowl assembly. In some embodiments, the inner wall  153  of the top assembly may comprise threads and/or magnets to ensure a secure fit. The top assembly may also comprise one or more mounting points  152 . These mounting points  152  may be used to connect the top assembly to the one or more mounting devices ( 142 , see  FIG. 1 ) of the fan mounting ring ( 141 , see  FIG. 1 ) by, e.g., a twisting motion. This top assembly may be composed of an opaque material, e.g., black acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), so as to conceal the fan and/or wires inside the top assembly. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system  600  with one tray  130  and one fan  140 . The scent dispenser system may comprise a base assembly  101  made from an opaque material. In some embodiments, the base assembly  101  may be made from a transparent material. The base assembly  101  may contain a power connection  108 , e.g., a 12 VDC input, from a DC transformer  170  connected to a power source  171 , e.g., a 115 V power outlet. In some embodiments, the power source  171  may be a battery, which may be concealed in the base assembly. The base assembly  101  may also comprise a switch  107  that may allow a user to turn the system to an ON position, i.e., deliver power to the fan  140 , or an off position, i.e., cut-off power to the fan  140 . In some exemplary embodiments, the base assembly  101  may comprise a controller (see  FIGS. 3A-3C ) which may give the user the option to leave the system  600  constantly on or to put the system  600  into an “Auto” position, which cycles the fan  140  to run at regular intervals, e.g., seven minutes on and seven minutes off. 
     The exemplary scent dispenser system  600  may also comprise a bowl assembly  120  on top of the base assembly  101 . This bowl assembly  120  may be made of a transparent material so as to allow a user to view the contents inside the bowl assembly  120 . There may be a detachably attached screen  130  and corresponding screen support  123  inside the bowl assembly  120 . In some embodiments, each screen  130  may comprise two or more screen portions with a vertical gap between each portion. A plant with a stem, e.g., a flower, may be inserted into the screen  130  and the gap between each portion may assist in keeping the stem of the plant in an upright position (not shown). The screen  130  may comprise one or more apertures  131  to allow for the upright placement of one or more floral arrangements, e.g., flowers, in the system  600 . The apertures  131  may be the same size or may be various sizes to accommodate two or more plant stem diameters. In some embodiments, the bowl assembly  120  may be partially filled with water and/or other nutrients, to give nutrients to the one or more flowers  160  via the flower stems  161 . This may elongate the duration of use of the one or more flowers  160  before requiring replacement. In some embodiments, there may be a drainage hole in the bowl assembly  120  to allow for the draining of water contained in the bowl assembly  120  without requiring the system  600  be disassembled (not shown). In other embodiments, there may be a drainage hole in the bowl assembly  120  that aligns with a drainage hole in the base assembly  101  to allow for the discreet removal of water from the bottom of the base assembly  101  without interrupting the visual appearance of the transparent sides of the bowl assembly  120 . The bowl assembly  120  may be detachably attached so as to be removable from the base assembly  101  and top assembly  150  for cleaning and/or to add water to the system  600 . 
     The exemplary scent dispenser system  600  may also comprise a top assembly  150  disposed above the bowl assembly  120 . This top assembly  150  may be made of an opaque material. A fan  140  may be disposed inside the top assembly  150 . The fan  140  may receive power from electrical cables ( 128 , see  FIG. 4C ) that may run up the side of the bowl assembly  120  from the base assembly  101 . In some embodiments, the power to the fan  140  may be run through a center column (not shown) than extends from the base assembly  101  to the top assembly  150 . This center column may be transparent or opaque, so as to hide the electrical and/or control cables inside. In some embodiments, the bowl assembly  120  may be a tubular shape to fit over the center column, so as to provide guidance in reassembly and ensure a watertight fit. In some embodiments, the power cables may be detachable so that the bowl assembly  120  may be removed and cleaned. The fan  140  may be designed so as to limit noise while still providing adequate air flow to allow for dispersion of the enclosed scents. For example, the fan specifications may be 12 V, sixteen cubic feet per minute (“CFM”). The top of the system  600  may be at a slanted angle in relation to the horizontal surface below and covered in one or more vents  151 . In an exemplary embodiment, these vents  151  may be angled to direct airflow, and accompanying scents, in one or more user desired directions. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system  700  with two screens  130 , 132  and two fans  140 , 141 . In an exemplary embodiment, the system  700  may have an elongated oval cross-section to allow for the placement of an additional screen  132  and a corresponding additional fan  141 . In this exemplary embodiment, the fans  140 , 141  may be positioned directly above their respective screens  130 , 132 . In some embodiments, the fans  140 , 141  may be positioned directly above the corresponding screens  130 , 132  so as to provide optimal scent dispersion. In an exemplary embodiment, the vents  151  may be positioned to direct airflow, and accompanying scents, in two or more user defined directions. For example, the vents above each fan  140 , 141  may be directed in two different directions. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system  800  with two screens  130 , 132  and three fans  140 , 141 , 142 . In this exemplary embodiment, the screens  130 , 132  may be sized to accept a greater number of cut flowers. In some embodiments, the system  800  may comprise one or more lights, e.g., Light-Emitting Diodes (LED), to illuminate the system  800  and any cut flowers placed inside the system  800 . In other embodiments, the system  800  may comprise one or more speakers to play a pre-recorded noise or live broadcast, e.g., music, ambient sounds, or white noise. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system  900  for holding a vase  180 . In an exemplary embodiment, the system  900  may comprise one or more vents  190 , 191 , 192  to draw in air which is then pushed past the one or more flowers  160  in the vase  180  and out of the system  900  via the vents  151 . In some embodiments, the vase  180  may be fixed to the system  900 . In other embodiments, the vase  190  may be removable for cleaning. The vase  190  may be included as part of the system  900  and/or supplied by the user to accommodate individual preferences. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary scent dispenser system  1000  for use in a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the system  1000  may be attached to a vehicle windshield via a suction mount  193 . In some embodiments, the system  1000  may be attached by various means including a cupholder mount and vent mount (not shown). In some embodiments, the system  1000  may work in conjunction with the vents already present in the vehicle to disperse the scents of the flowers more efficiently. The suction mount  193  may be connected to an attachment  194  which encircles the bowl assembly  195  of the system  1000 . The bowl assembly  195  may be transparent, opaque, or partially opaque. The system  1000  may contain one or more flowers in a tray (not shown). The scent of the flowers is dispersed by a fan  140  mounted on the top of the system. The base assembly  197  of the system  1000  may comprise a power input  198 , which may derive power from an AC adapter  199 . In some embodiments, power may be provided by batteries, solar panels facing a window in the vehicle, and/or one or more of the above-mentioned power sources working in tandem depending on the power availability, e.g., activating a battery source if cloud cover inhibits power from an attached solar panel. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements, components, steps, and functions described herein may be further subdivided, combined, and/or varied, and yet, still remain within the spirit of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with, or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the invention, as disclosed by example. It is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed by examples should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. Accordingly, the invention has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation, and reference should be made to the following claims to determine the scope of the present invention.