Diffusion device

Abstract

The present invention provides a diffusion device that can adequately incorporate fragrance components into the gas released to the outside. [Solution] The diffusion device comprises a main body, a container for housing fragrance materials that can be attached to and detached from the main body, and an airflow source disposed inside the main body for circulating gas. The main body has a concave housing section for housing the container, the housing section has an outlet for releasing gas, and the container has an inlet communicating with the outlet for gas to flow into the interior, and an outlet for gas to flow out to the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a diffusion device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a diffusion device includes a main body, a container that houses a fragrance material and is detachable from the main body, and an air flow source that is disposed inside the main body and circulates gas (for example, Patent Document 1). By the way, in the diffusion device according to Patent Document 1, since the gas flows outside the container, the gas flowing out of the diffusion device does not sufficiently contain the components of the fragrance material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the problem is to provide a diffusion device capable of sufficiently containing the components of the fragrance material in the gas flowing out to the outside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The diffusion device includes a main body, a container that houses a fragrance material and is detachable from the main body, an air flow source that is disposed inside the main body and circulates gas, and the main body includes a concave housing portion that houses the container, the housing portion includes a lead-out port for leading out the gas, the container includes an inlet port that communicates with the lead-out port for allowing the gas to flow into the inside, and an outlet port for allowing the gas to flow out to the outside, and is a diffusion device, the main body portion includes a main body engaging portion that is formed in a concave shape at the bottom of the housing portion, The container is provided with a container engagement portion that protrudes downward from the bottom of the container and is inserted into the main body engagement portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Overall perspective view of the diffuser with the lid closed, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Overall perspective view of the diffusion device with the lid open. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the main section along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the main body according to the same embodiment [Figure 5] Overall perspective view of the container according to the same embodiment [Figure 6] Figure 5, section view along line VI-VI [Figure 7] Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The following describes one embodiment of the diffusion device with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that in each figure (and Figure 7 as well), the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios, nor do the dimensional ratios between the drawings necessarily match.

[0008] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the diffusion device 1 according to this embodiment may include, for example, a main body 2, a lid 3 covering the main body 2, a container 4 that contains an impregnating material X1 for impregnating liquid fragrance material and is detachable from the main body 2, an airflow source 5 arranged inside the main body 2 for circulating gas, a power supply unit 6 that supplies power to the airflow source 5, and a light source 7 that emits light.

[0009] The impregnating material X1 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a sponge, cloth, etc. The fragrance material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, an air freshener or aroma containing fragrance components, and the concept also includes, for example, a deodorant that is unscented but contains deodorizing components. The fragrance material may, for example, be stored directly inside the container 4 as a liquid. Alternatively, the fragrance material may be, for example, a solid object (e.g., beads) containing fragrance components and deodorizing components.

[0010] The airflow source 5 is not particularly limited, but for example, as in this embodiment, it may be a fan. The fan may rotate to generate an airflow (shown by a dashed line in Figure 3). The airflow source 5 may also be a steam generator. The steam generator may produce steam to generate an airflow.

[0011] The power supply unit 6 is not particularly limited, but for example, as in this embodiment, it may include a power supply unit (not shown) that is powered by a dry cell battery X2 set inside the main unit 2. The power supply unit 6 may also include, for example, a plug that can be plugged into an outlet, or a cable connection unit that can be connected to a USB cable or the like, or a rechargeable battery that can store energy.

[0012] The light source 7 is not particularly limited, but may be an LED, as in this embodiment, or it may be a light bulb. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the light source 7 may emit light when the airflow source 5 is generating airflow. This allows the user to understand that the airflow source 5 is generating airflow when the light source 7 is lit.

[0013] The lid 3 may be rotatably connected to the main body 2, for example, as in the present embodiment. And the lid 3 may be configured to be displaceable between a closed position covering the container 4 as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position opening the container 4 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although not particularly limited, when the lid 3 is in the open position, for example, a sensor (not shown) detects the position of the lid 3, and the air flow source 5 may be configured to generate an air flow.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 2 may include, for example, as in the present embodiment, a concave housing portion 2a for housing the container 4, an inlet 2b for introducing gas into the main body 2, and an outlet 2c for discharging gas from the main body 2 to the outside.

[0015] The housing portion 2a may be disposed, for example, as in the present embodiment, at the upper part of the main body 2 and formed to open upward. Thereby, the housing portion 2a includes a bottom portion 2d and side portions 2e extending upward from the bottom portion 2d.

[0016] Although not particularly limited, for example, as in the present embodiment, the inlet 2b is disposed at the bottom of the main body 2, the outlet 2c is disposed on the side portion 2e of the housing portion 2a so as to be located above the inlet 2b, and the air flow source 5 may be disposed between the inlet 2b and the outlet 2c in the vertical direction.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the container 4 may include, for example, as in the present embodiment, a bottom portion 4a and a cylindrical side portion 4b extending upward from the bottom portion 4a. And the container 4 may have an open upper end, for example, as in the present embodiment.

[0018] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, since the container 4 is detachably attached to the main body 2, for example, like in this embodiment, the main body 2 and the container 4 may be provided with engaging portions 2f and 4c that engage with each other so that the container 4 is positioned with respect to the accommodating portion 2a of the main body 2. Although not particularly limited, for example, like in this embodiment, the main body engaging portion 2f may be formed in a concave shape at the bottom 2d, and the container engaging portion 4c may protrude downward from the bottom 4a so as to be inserted into the main body engaging portion 2f.

[0019] And the container 4 may be provided with an inlet 4d communicating with the outlet 2c and an outlet 4e for discharging the gas to the outside, for example, for the gas discharged from the outlet 2c to flow into the container 4. Although not particularly limited, for example, like in this embodiment, the inlet 4d may be disposed at a position of the side portion 4b of the container 4 that is away from the bottom 4a upward, and the outlet 4e may be disposed at the upper end portion of the container 4.

[0020] Thereby, when the air flow source 5 generates an air flow, the gas passes through the outlet 2c of the main body 2, the inlet 4d of the container 4, and the outlet 4e of the container 4 and flows out to the outside of the diffusion device 1. Therefore, since the gas passes through the inside of the container 4 and flows out to the outside of the container 4, the component of the fragrance material can be sufficiently contained in the gas flowing out to the outside of the diffusion device 1.

[0021] Also, since the gas passes directly above the impregnating material X1, for example, like in this embodiment, the container 4 may be provided with a stopper portion 4f for pressing the impregnating material X1 from above. Although not particularly limited, for example, like in this embodiment, the stopper portion 4f may protrude laterally from the inner peripheral surface of the side portion 4b of the container 4 and from a position directly below the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e.

[0022] Thereby, since the stopper portion 4f is disposed at a position directly below the inlet 4d, the stopper portion 4f pressing the impregnating material X1 from above can suppress the impregnating material X1 from covering the inlet 4d. Therefore, for example, the flow of the gas can be made smooth.

[0023] Furthermore, since the stopping portion 4f protrudes laterally from a position directly below the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e, the gas flowing in from the inlet 4d is guided toward the outlet 4e by the stopping portion 4f. Therefore, for example, the flow of gas can be made even smoother. Although not particularly limited, the circumferential length of the stopping portion 4f may be longer than the circumferential length of the inlet 4d, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0024] Furthermore, the number of stopper portions 4f is not particularly limited. For example, as in this embodiment, only one stopper portion 4f may be provided. This allows the impregnation material X1 to be easily attached to and removed from the container 4. Note that, for example, multiple stopper portions 4f may be provided.

[0025] Furthermore, since the container 4 is detachable from the main body 2, the container 4 may, for example, be provided with a finger rest 4g, as in this embodiment. Although not particularly limited, the finger rest 4g may protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the side portion 4b of the container 4, as in this embodiment. This allows the container 4 to be easily removed from or attached to the main body 2 by placing a finger on the finger rest 4g.

[0026] Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the finger grip portion 4g may, for example, protrude laterally from a position directly above the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e, as in this embodiment. As a result, the gas flowing in from the inlet 4d is guided toward the outlet 4e by the finger grip portion 4g. Therefore, for example, the flow of gas can be made smoother.

[0027] While not particularly limited, the circumferential length of the finger rest 4g may be longer than the circumferential length of the inlet 4d, for example, as in this embodiment. Also, while not particularly limited, the lower surface 4h of the finger rest 4g may extend laterally toward the outlet 4e.

[0028] Based on the above, it is preferable that the diffusion device 1, as in this embodiment, comprises a main body 2, a container 4 for housing fragrance materials and which can be attached to and detached from the main body 2, and an airflow source 5 disposed inside the main body 2 for circulating gas, wherein the main body 2 has a concave housing portion 2a for housing the container 4, the housing portion 2a has an outlet 2c for discharging the gas, and the container 4 has an inlet 4d communicating with the outlet 2c for the gas to flow into the interior, and an outlet 4e for discharging the gas to the outside.

[0029] With this configuration, the gas passes through the outlet 2c of the containment section 2a of the main body 2, the inlet 4d of the container 4, and the outlet 4e of the container 4. As a result, the gas passes through the inside of the container 4 and flows out to the outside of the container 4, so that the gas flowing out to the outside of the diffusion device 1 can be sufficiently infused with the fragrance components.

[0030] Furthermore, in the diffusion device 1 as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the container 4 comprises a bottom portion 4a and a cylindrical side portion 4b extending upward from the bottom portion 4a, the inlet 4d is located on the side portion 4b at a position above the bottom portion 4a, and the outlet 4e is located at the upper end of the container 4.

[0031] With this configuration, since the inlet 4d is positioned on the side 4b at a location above the bottom 4a, the fragrance material can be contained below the inlet 4d. As a result, not only solid fragrance material but also liquid fragrance material can be contained in the container 4.

[0032] Furthermore, in the diffusion device 1 as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the container 4 is provided with a finger rest 4g on which a finger can be placed, and that the finger rest 4g protrudes toward the outlet 4e from the inner circumferential surface of the side portion 4b and directly above the inlet 4d.

[0033] With this configuration, the container 4 can be removed from or attached to the main body 2 by placing a finger on the finger rest 4g. Moreover, since the finger rest 4g protrudes from a position directly above the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e, the gas flowing in from the inlet 4d is guided toward the outlet 4e by the finger rest 4g.

[0034] Furthermore, in the diffusion device 1 as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the container 4 is provided with a stopper portion 4f that stops the impregnating material X1, which impregnates the liquid fragrance material, from above, and that the stopper portion 4f protrudes toward the outlet 4e from the inner circumferential surface of the side portion 4b and from a position directly below the inlet 4d.

[0035] With this configuration, since the stopping portion 4f is positioned directly below the inlet 4d, the stopping portion 4f prevents the impregnating material X1 from covering the inlet 4d by stopping the impregnating material X1 from above. Moreover, since the stopping portion 4f protrudes from directly below the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e, the gas flowing in from the inlet 4d is guided toward the outlet 4e by the stopping portion 4f.

[0036] It should be noted that the diffusion device 1 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, nor is it limited to the effects and benefits described above. Furthermore, the diffusion device 1 can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, one or more of the configurations and methods described below may be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods of the embodiment described above.

[0037] (1) In the diffusion device 1 according to the above embodiment, the lower surface 4h of the finger grip portion 4g extends laterally toward the outlet 4e. However, the diffusion device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 7, in the diffusion device 1, the lower surface 4h of the finger grip portion 4g may be inclined upward toward the outlet 4e.

[0038] With this configuration, the lower surface 4h of the finger grip portion 4g is inclined upward toward the outlet 4e. As a result, the gas flowing in from the inlet 4d is guided by the lower surface 4h of the finger grip portion 4g and flows out upward from the outlet 4e (in Figure 7, the dashed line indicates the airflow). This allows, for example, the gas containing fragrance to be diffused over a wider area.

[0039] (2) In the diffusion device 1 according to the above embodiment, the inlet 4d is located on the side 4b of the container 4, at a position above the bottom 4a, and the outlet 4e is located at the upper end of the container 4. However, the diffusion device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0040] The inlet 4d may be located, for example, at the bottom 4a of the container 4, or, for example, at the upper end of the container 4. Similarly, the outlet 4e may be located, for example, at the side 4b of the container 4, or, for example, at the bottom 4a of the container 4.

[0041] (3) In the diffusion device 1 according to the above embodiment, the finger grip portion 4g is configured to protrude from a position directly above the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e. However, the diffusion device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the finger grip portion 4g may be configured to protrude from a position away from (outside) the inlet 4d when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0042] (4) In the diffusion device 1 according to the above embodiment, the stopping portion 4f is configured to protrude from a position directly below the inlet 4d toward the outlet 4e. However, the diffusion device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the stopping portion 4f may be configured to protrude from a position away from (outside) the inlet 4d when viewed in the vertical direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1…Dispersion device, 2…Main body, 2a…Receiving part, 2b…Inlet, 2c…Outlet, 2d…Bottom, 2e…Side, 2f…Main body assembly, 3…Cover, 4…Container, 4a…Bottom, 4b…Side, 4c…Container assembly, 4d…Inlet, 4e…Outlet, 4f…Stop, 4g…Finger hook, 4h…Bottom, 5…Air source, 6…Power supply, 7…Light source, X1…Impregnating material, X2…Dry cell battery

Claims

1. The main unit and A container for housing fragrance materials, which can be attached to and detached from the main body, The main body is equipped with an airflow source that is placed inside the main body and circulates gas, The main body is provided with a concave housing portion for housing the container, The containment section is provided with an outlet for releasing the gas, The container is a diffusion device comprising an inlet communicating with the outlet for allowing the gas to flow into its interior, and an outlet for allowing the gas to flow out to the outside, The main body portion is provided with a main body engagement portion formed in a concave shape at the bottom of the housing portion, The container is a diffusion device comprising a container engagement portion that protrudes downward from the bottom of the container and is inserted into the main body engagement portion.

2. The container comprises the bottom portion and cylindrical side portions extending upward from the bottom portion. The diffusion device according to claim 1, wherein the container is positioned relative to the housing portion by the container engaging portion being inserted into the main body engaging portion.

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