Patent ID: 8336790

Claim:
A personal aromatherapy device comprising: a container including a bottom, a top end, a flexible and resilient surrounding sidewall extending between said bottom and said top end, and an opening proximate said top end communicating with an interior chamber, and said flexible and resilient surrounding sidewall including at least one sidewall exterior surface structured and disposed for applying an external inwardly directed pressing force thereto; an outer shell formed of a rigid material and including a surrounding sidewall structure, an open top, an inner surface surrounding a hollow interior for receiving said container therein, and said outer shell further including at least one window opening through said sidewall structure, and said at least one window opening including a surrounding peripheral edge; said inner surface of said outer shell being congruent with said flexible and resilient surrounding sidewall of said container so that said flexible and resilient surrounding sidewall is pressed against said inner surface of said outer shell with said at least one sidewall exterior surface of said container completely in contact with said surrounding peripheral edge of said at least one window opening and completely closing said at least one window opening and said at least one sidewall exterior surface exposed for application of said external inwardly directed pressing force thereto; a fibrous material at least partially filled within said interior chamber and at least partially saturated with an essential oil that releases vapors carrying an aroma; a cap for covering said opening of said container and said cap including an outer lower side surface for receipt through said open top of said outer shell and into said hollow interior; a valve member with a closable and sealable port communicating with said opening of said container and said interior chamber, and said valve member being operable between a closed position to seal the port closed, thereby preventing release of the vapors and aroma of the essential oil from said interior chamber, and said valve member being further operable to an open position for opening said port and permitting release of the vapors and aroma of the essential oil outwardly from said port and into the ambient air surrounding a user's nostrils; and wherein application of the inwardly directed pressing force on said at least one sidewall exterior surface exposed through said window opening urges the vapors and aroma of the essential oil outwardly from said port when said valve member is in said open position.