Waterless oil diffuser system

Abstract

A waterless oil diffuser system, comprising a mounting frame housing a plurality of essential oil cartridge mounts, each cartridge mount adapted to receive an essential oil cartridge having a wick extending from an upper portion thereof; a plurality of piezoelectric atomisers, at least one piezoelectric atomiser associated with each of the plurality of cartridge mounts; a dispensing controller connected to each of the plurality of piezoelectric atomisers; and a processor in communication with the dispensing controller. Each of the plurality of piezoelectric atomisers further comprise a piezoelectric oscillator element that is adapted to, when an essential oil cartridge is received within the respective cartridge mount, at least contact against the wick thereof; and an opening. Upon a particular piezoelectric atomiser receiving an activation signal from or via the dispensing controller, the piezoelectric oscillator element oscillates against the wick of the respective essential oil cartridge, inducing essential oil within the respective essential oil cartridge to flow up the wick, contact the oscillating piezoelectric oscillator element and be atomised thereby, and subsequently flow out through the opening.

Description

WATERLESS 01 L DI FFUSER SYSTEMPRI ORI TY CLAI M

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian provisional application No. 2024901070, filed on 16 April 2024. The contents of the priority application are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNI CAL Fl ELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of aromatherapy, and more particularly to the field of essential oil diffusers.BACKGROUN D

[0003] The use of aromatherapy in order to maintain or induce particular mental and emotive states is a long-standing field. However, conventional aromatherapy practices typically do not adapt to the individualised health data or personal preferences of users, which can lim it their effectiveness significantly. Existing systems also lack real-time adaptability to users' changing health and wellness needs, thereby failing to provide a genuinely personalised and dynam ic aromatherapy experience.

[0004] The present invention seeks to ameliorate or reduce some or all of the above deficiencies through one or more embodiments disclosed herein.DI SCLOSURE OF THE I NVENTI ON

[0005] I n a first aspect, the present invention may comprise a waterless oil diffuser system , comprising a mounting frame housing a plurality of essential oil cartridge mounts, each cartridge mount adapted to receive an essential oil cartridge having a wick extending from an upper portion thereof, a plurality of piezoelectric atom isers, at least one piezoelectric atom iser associated with each of the plurality of cartridge mounts, a dispensing controller connected to each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers, and a processor in com m unication with the dispensing controller. I n an embodiment, each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers further comprise a piezoelectric oscillator element that is adapted to,when an essential oil cartridge is received within the respective cartridge mount, at least contact against the wick thereof, and an opening, and upon a particular piezoelectric atom iser receiving an activation signal from or via the dispensing controller, the piezoelectric oscillator element oscillates against the wick of the respective essential oil cartridge, inducing essential oil within the respective essential oil cartridge to flow up the wick, contact the oscillating piezoelectric oscillator element and be atomised thereby, and subsequently flow out through the opening.

[0006] I n an embodiment, the waterless oil diffuser system further comprises one or more wireless detectors adapted to access, read, or otherwise com m unicate with a passive wireless information storage means affixed to an essential oil cartridge received within one of the plurality of mounts, and a database and a blend selection means, each in comm unication with the processor, wherein the database contains a recipe set defining one or more aromatherapy recipes, each aromatherapy recipe defined in the recipe set is either a particular essential oil or a m ixture of two or more essential oils in a particular ratio, and each aromatherapy recipe defined in the recipe set has one or more aromatherapeutic effects associated therewith. I n an embodiment, when the passive wireless information storage means of each essential oil cartridge received by a particular cartridge mount comprises at least identification of an essential oil contained therewithin, the processor receives said identification via the wireless detector, and upon a particular aromatherapy recipe being selected via the blend selection means, the dispensing controller transm its an activation signal to the piezoelectric atom iser associated with the or each essential oil cartridge that is identified as containing an essential oil of the selected aromatherapy recipe. I n an embodiment, the blend selection means comprises at least a wireless comm unicator that is adapted to comm unicate with a smart device of a user.

[0007] I n an embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by: a. the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising monitoring data of the user, being one or more of biometric data, location data and calendar event data;b. the processor processing the received monitoring data to predict a desired aromatherapeutic effect; and c. the processor selecting an aromatherapy recipe having at least one aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith matching the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect.

[0008] I n an embodiment, the monitoring data comprises biometric data selected from : heart rate; heart rate variability (HRV) ; respiratory rate; sleep quality, including sleep duration, sleep consistency and sleep patterns; activity level, including steps, workout sessions, travel distance, and intensity; and time spent engaging in m indfulness, meditative or other calm ing activities.

[0009] I n an embodiment, upon selecting an aromatherapy recipe, the processor comm unicates the selected aromatherapy recipe to the smart device of the user, and upon receiving an affirmative response from the smart device, transm its the selected aromatherapy recipe to the dispensing controller so as to transm it an activation signal to the or each piezoelectric atom iser corresponding to an essential oil of the aromatherapy recipe. I n an alternative embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising an aromatherapeutic effect requested by the user, and the processor selecting an aromatherapy recipe having at least one aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith that matches the requested aromatherapeutic effect. I n an alternative embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising an aromatherapy recipe requested by the user.

[0010] I n an embodiment, the database further comprises a set of flags associated with each aromatherapy recipe, and each flag of the set of flags for a particular aromatherapy recipe is activated or deactivated based upon input received from the smart device of the user. I n an embodiment, at least one flag of the set of flags comprises a user preference flag, and if more than one aromatherapy recipe in the recipe set has an aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith matching the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, selection of aromatherapy recipe further comprises determ ining if at least one of the more than one an aromatherapy recipes has an activated user preference flag, and ifany exist, selecting one of the at least one aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag.

[0011] I n an embodiment, the user preference flag is a weighted preference flag, and selection of aromatherapy recipe further comprises determ ining if there are m ultiple aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag, and if m ultiple aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag exist, selecting the aromatherapy recipe with a highest-weighted preference flag associated therewith.

[0012] I n an embodiment, at least one flag of the set of flags comprises a user aromatherapeutic effect flag, and the processor is configured to, when selecting an aromatherapy recipe from the receipt set, regard the one or more aromatherapy effects of a particular aromatherapy recipe as being expanded, reduced or otherwise modified by any activated user aromatherapeutic effect flag for that particular aromatherapy recipe.

[0013] I n an embodiment, the database further comprises a user profile associated with the user. I n an embodiment, the user profile contains an oil selection set defining one or more preferred essential oils and / or one or more excluded essential oils, selection of an aromatherapy recipe is biased towards aromatherapy recipes comprising at least one preferred essential oil, and / or selection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises excluding from selection any aromatherapy recipes comprising at least one excluded essential oil. I n an embodiment, the user profile contains a recipe selection set defining one or more preferred aromatherapy recipes and / or one or more excluded aromatherapy recipes, selection of an aromatherapy recipe is biased towards preferred aromatherapy recipes having an associated aromatherapeutic effect that matches the requested or predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, and / or selection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises excluding from selection any excluded aromatherapy recipes.

[0014] I n an embodiment, the database further contains a user recipe set defining one or more user aromatherapy recipes.

[0015] I n an embodiment, selection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises upon predicting the desired aromatherapeutic effect or receiving the requested aromatherapeutic effect, the processor determ ining if a user aromatherapy recipe in the user recipe set has an associated aromatherapeutic effect that matches the requested or predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, upon successfully determ ining, selecting the determ ined user aromatherapy recipe, and otherwise selecting from the recipe set.

[0016] I n an embodiment, the waterless oil diffuser system further comprises a shroud adapted to sit atop the mounting frame and form a hollow chamber therewithin, the shroud having at least one shroud opening for vaporised or atom ised essential oil to exit the system therethrough, wherein the opening of each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers is in com m unication with the hollow chamber. I n an embodiment, the waterless oil diffuser system further comprises a fan adapted to blow through the hollow chamber and out through the at least one shroud opening.

[0017] Further or alternative embodiments of the invention may be disclosed herein or may otherwise become apparent to the person skilled in the art through the disclosure herein. These and other embodiments are considered to fall within the scope and object of the invention.DESCRI PTI ON OF Fl GURES

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to figures, wherein:Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a waterless oil diffuser of the present invention;Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of a catridge mount and atom iser;Figures 3 & 4 depict embodiments of the electrical and electronic layouts; andFigure 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention comprising a shroud.DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF PREFERRED EMBODI MENTS

[0019] I n an embodiment and with reference to Figures 1 & 2, the present invention may lie in a waterless oil diffuser system 10 comprising a mounting frame 12 that houses a plurality of essential oil cartridge mounts 14 and a plurality of atom isers 16, with at least one atom iser 16 associated with each of the essential oil cartridge mounts. I n an embodiment, each cartridge mount 14 may be adapted to receive an essential oil cartridge 18 having a wick 20 extending from an upper portion thereof. The atom isers 16 may be configured to, upon receiving an activation signal, draw an essential oil within the respective essential oil cartridge 18 up the wick 20 to be atom ised and subsequently diffused into the surrounding air.

[0020] I n an embodiment and with particular reference to Figure 2, the cartridge mount 14 may comprise a lever and catch 22 that engages with a complementary region 24 of the essential oil cartridge 18.

[0021] I n an embodiment, the atom isers 16 may further comprise an opening 26. I n an embodiment, the opening 26 may be provided by an atom iser cap 28. I n an embodiment, the atom iser cap may be able to be removed. This may enable cleaning, replacement or other maintenance of the atom iser 16.

[0022] I n an embodiment, the atom isers may be piezoelectric atom isers and may comprise a piezoelectric oscillator element 30. I n use, upon a particular atom iser 16 receiving an activation signal, the piezoelectric oscillator element 30 may oscillate against the wick 20 of the respective essential oil cartridge 18, thereby inducing essential oil within the respective essential oil cartridge to flow up the wick. Once the drawn essential oil contacts the oscillating piezoelectric oscillator element 30, it will be atom ised, and subsequently flow out through the opening 26. I n an embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillating element 30 may, upon receiving an activation signal, oscillate at a frequency of 90 - 120 Hz. I n a further embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillating element 30 may oscillate at a frequencyof 100 - 1 10 Hz. I n a further embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillating element 30 may oscillate at a frequency of approximately 105 Hz.

[0023] I n an embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillating element 30 may be within an atom iser cavity 32 that is arranged to receive an end of the wick 20 of the received essential oil cartridge 18 therewithin. I n an embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillator element 30 may be adapted, arranged or configured to contact against the wick 20 of an essential oil cartridge 18 that is received within the respective cartridge mount 14. I n a further embodiment, the piezoelectric oscillator element may be able to move or slide substantially freely within the atom iser cavity 32 so as to inhibit or ameliorate crushing, squashing or other forms of disruptive stress to the wick 20 which may otherwise prevent or inhibit essential oil from being drawn therethrough.

[0024] I n an embodiment and with reference to Figure 3, the waterless oil diffuser system 10 may further comprise a processor 34, and a dispensing controller 36 that is connected to each of the plurality of atom isers 16 and is in comm unication with the processor 34. For clarity, Figure 3 only depicts a single atom iser 16 in connection with the dispensing controller 36, and does not depict the cartridge mount 14, catch 22 or complementary region 24. I n an embodiment, the dispensing controller 36 may be configured or adapted to provide activation signals to the atom isers 16. I n a further embodiment, the activation signal may be variable so as to control atom isation rate.

[0025] I n an embodiment, the waterless oil diffuser system 10 may further comprise one or more wireless detectors 38 in com m unication with the processor 34 and that is adapted to access, read, or otherwise comm unicate with a passive wireless information storage means 40 affixed to an essential oil cartridge received within one of the plurality of mounts. This may enable compatibility with, e.g., an essential oil cartridge 18 that carries relevant information that is stored in a machine-readable format. The wireless detector(s) may be adapted to access, read, or otherwise comm unicate with one or more passive wireless information storage means 40 such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFI D) chips / tags, NearField Com m unication (NFC) chips / tags, barcodes, Quick-Response (QR) codes or any other passive wireless information storage means known in the art.

[0026] I n an embodiment and with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the waterless oil diffuser system 10 may further comprise a database 42 and a blend selection means 44, each in comm unication with the processor 34. I n an embodiment, the database 42 may contain a set 46 of aromatherapy recipes 48 that defines one or more aromatherapy recipes 48. I n such an embodiment, each aromatherapy recipe 48 that is defined in the recipe set 46 is either a particular essential oil, or is a m ixture of two or more essential oils in a particular ratio. Each aromatherapy recipe 48 that is defined in the recipe set 46 may have one or more aromatherapeutic effects 50 associated therewith.

[0027] As used herein, the term ‘aromatherapeutic effect’ may refer to traditional aromatherapy properties associated with particular essential oils or blends thereof. The term may also extend to a conditioned response wherein specific scents become associated with particular mood states through repeated pairing / usage.

[0028] I n an embodiment and when the passive wireless information storage means 40 of each essential oil cartridge 18 received by a particular cartridge mount 14 comprises at least identification of an essential oil contained therewith in, the processor 34 may receive said identification via the wireless detector 38. I n a further embodiment, upon a particular aromatherapy recipe 48 being selected via the blend selection means 44, the dispensing controller 36 may transm it an activation signal to the atom iser 16 that is associated with the or each essential oil cartridge 18 that is identified as containing an essential oil of the selected aromatherapy recipe.

[0029] I n an embodiment, the blend selection means 44 may comprise at least a wireless com m unicator that is adapted to comm unicate with a smart device 52 of a user. I n a further embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe 48 may be selected from the database 42 by: a. the processor 34 receiving, from the smart device 52, input comprising monitoring data of the user; b. the processor 34 subsequently processing the received monitoring data to predict a desired aromatherapeutic effect; andc. the processor 34 subsequently selecting an aromatherapy recipe 48 having at least one aromatherapeutic effect 50 associated therewith that matches the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect.

[0030] I n an embodiment, the received monitoring data may comprise one or more of biometric data, location data and calendar event data. I n an embodiment wherein the monitoring data comprises biometric data, the biometric data may comprise or be selected from : heart rate; heart rate variability (HRV) ; respiratory rate; sleep quality, including sleep duration, sleep consistency and sleep patterns; activity level, including steps, workout sessions, travel distance, and intensity; and time spent engaging in m indfulness, meditative or other calm ing activities. I n an embodiment wherein the monitoring data comprises location data, the location data may comprise or be selected from : the user’s current address; the user’s recent prior travel history; and the user’s location within a particular building or tenement. I n an embodiment wherein the monitoring data comprises calendar event data, the calendar event data may comprise or be selected from : upcom ing events, appointments and meetings; and daily routines.

[0031] The use of one or more types of monitoring data may enable an embodiment of the waterless oil diffuser system to predict a particular aromatherapeutic effect to suit the user’s predicted needs. By way of non-lim iting example, the system 10 may, based on received monitoring data, predict that the user just engaged in a workout - for example, through one or more of biometric data (e.g. elevated heart rate and / or respiratory rate, significant step or movement detection), location data (recent travel history to and from a gym , recreational centre or other fitness location) or calendar data (e.g., scheduled workouts, or physiotherapy or personal trainer appointments) . The processor 34 may subsequently predict that a desired aromatherapeutic effect is one of ‘calm ing’, ‘cooldown’ or ‘relaxation’ in order to help the user unwind, and so may select an aromatherapy recipe 48 that has such an associated aromatherapeutic effect. Sim ilarly, if the processor 34 detects that the workout is ongoing (e.g. through detecting a currently elevated heart rate, increasing step counts, increased physical movement, etc.) , and that the user is doing so within range of the system 10, the processor 34 may determ ine that a desired aromatherapeutic effect is one of high energy and, and so may select a suitable aromatherapy recipe48 accordingly. By way of further non-lim iting example, calendar data indicating an important event approaching (e.g., meetings or appointments tagged as worker employment-related, such as by being stored on a work calendar) , biometric data indicative of nervousness or increased stress (e.g., elevated heart rate with no associated detection of increase in physical activity) , or biometric data indicative of mental focus (e.g., stationary but awake states, lower ambient noise levels, sustained attention patterns) may prompt the processor 34 to predict that a desired aromatherapeutic effect is one that promotes focus. As a further nonlim iting example, biometric data around sleep quality and sleep patterns may enable the processor to predict that a sleep-promoting aromatherapeutic effect is desired at a particular time of day (e.g., shortly before the user’s detected, measured, recorded or predicted typical bedtime) .

[0032] I n some embodiments, the aromatherapeutic effect may be predicted based upon the user’s current state - i.e. the system predicts that the user desires to maintain their current state - and so will be selected so as to aid them in maintaining said current state. I n some embodiments, the aromatherapeutic effect may be predicted based on predicting or determ ining that the user desires to reach a particular state.

[0033] I n an embodiment, upon selecting an aromatherapy recipe 48, the processor 34 may subsequently transmit the selected aromatherapy recipe 48 to the dispensing controller 36 so as to ultimately transm it an activation signal to the or each atom iser 16 that corresponds to an essential oil listed in the aromatherapy recipe. I n an alternative embodiment, the processor may, upon selecting an aromatherapy recipe 48, first com m unicate the selected aromatherapy recipe to the user’s smart device 52 via the blend selection means 44 for their approval, and only transm it the selected aromatherapy recipe to the dispensing controller upon receiving an affirmative response.

[0034] I n embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe 48 may be selected from the database 42 by the processor receiving, from the smart device 52, input comprising a request by the user for a specific aromatherapeutic effect, and the processor 34 subsequently selecting an aromatherapy recipe 48 from the recipe set 46 having at least one aromatherapeutic effect 50 associated therewith thatmatches the requested aromatherapeutic effect. I n an alternative (but not necessarily exclusively alternative) embodiment, an aromatherapy recipe 48 may instead be selected from the database 42 by the processor receiving, from the smart device 52, input comprising a request for a particular aromatherapy recipe.

[0035] With reference to Figure 4 and in an embodiment comprising aromatherapy recipe selection through any of the above-described means, the database 42 may further comprise a set of flags 54 that may be associated with each aromatherapy recipe 48. I n an embodiment, each flag within the flag set 54 for a particular aromatherapy recipe 48 may be activated or deactivated based upon input received from the user’s smart device 52. The flags may provide additional information, weighting or selection bias, and may enable a user to tailor the function of the system 10 to their needs and / or preferences.

[0036] I n an embodiment, at least one flag in the flag set 54 may comprise a user preference flag. I n a further embodiment, if more than one aromatherapy recipe 48 in the recipe set 46 has an aromatherapeutic effect 50 associated therewith matching the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, selection of aromatherapy recipe 48 may further comprise determ ining if one of the aromatherapy recipes 48 has an activated user preference flag, and if any exist, selecting one such user-preferred aromatherapy recipe. I n a further embodiment, the user preference flag may be a weighted preference flag. I n such an embodiment, selection of an aromatherapy recipe 48 further comprises determ ining if there are m ultiple aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag, and if this is the case, selecting the aromatherapy recipe 48 with the highest-weighted preference flag.

[0037] I n an embodiment, at least one flag in the flag set 54 may comprise a user aromatherapeutic effect flag. The user aromatherapeutic effect flag may be positive or negative. This may enable the user to identify particular aromatherapy recipes 48 within the recipe set 46 which the user has personally found to have a particular aromatherapeutic effect, or to identify aromatherapy recipes 48 which the user has found to not provide the ‘expected’ aromatherapeutic effect 50. I n such an embodiment, the processor 34 may be configured to regard the one or more aromatherapy effects 50 of a particular aromatherapy recipe 48 as beingexpanded, reduced or otherwise modified by any activated user aromatherapeutic effect flag for that particular aromatherapy recipe when selecting from the recipe set 46, at least for that particular user. For example, if the user has found that a particular aromatherapy recipe 48 that is expected to provide the aromatherapeutic effect 50 of promoting sleep to be ineffective, the user may activate a negative user aromatherapeutic effect flag for ‘promoting sleep’ for that recipe. When selecting aromatherapy recipes 48 for a predicted or requested ‘promoting sleep’ aromatherapeutic effect, the processor 34 will subsequently exclude that particular aromatherapy recipe from consideration.

[0038] I n an embodiment, the user aromatherapeutic effect flag may enable the user to condition themselves to respond to a particular aromatherapy recipe 48 in a desired way, such as by associating a specific scent (from an aromatherapy recipe 48) with a particular mood state (with a custom user aromatherapeutic effect flag) , through repeated pairing / usage thereof.

[0039] I n an embodiment, the database 42 may further comprise a user profile 56 that is associated with the user. The user profile 56 may comprise monitoring data history, user preferences or other input and other data. I n some embodiments, the information within the user profile 56 may be used by the processor 34 in order better predict a desired aromatherapeutic effect, or to select appropriate aromatherapy recipes 48. For example, the user profile 56 may enable a historical sleeping pattern to be determ ined or recorded e.g. if provided from external biometric recording devices or services such as health platforms like Apple HealthKit™ or Google Fit™) , and therefore enable the processor 34 to more accurately predict when the user is getting ready for sleep. Changes in, e.g., stress or energy levels, movement patterns or work activity may also be more accurately identified, and thus a suitable aromatherapeutic effect predicted, if such identifications and predictions are based upon historical data providing a ‘baseline’.

[0040] I n an embodiment, the user profile 56 may contain an oil selection set 58 that may define one or more preferred essential oils and / or one or more excluded essential oils. I n such an embodiment, selection of an aromatherapy recipe 48 may be biased towards aromatherapy recipes that comprise at least oneof the preferred essential oil or oils, and / or may comprise excluding from selection any aromatherapy recipes comprising an excluded essential oil. I n an embodiment (not depicted) , the oil selection set 58 may be split into an oil preference set defining the one or more preferred essential oils and an oil exclusion set defining the one or more excluded essential oils.

[0041] I n an embodiment, the user profile may contain a recipe selection set 60 defining one or more preferred aromatherapy recipes and / or one or more excluded aromatherapy recipes. I n such an embodiment, selection of an aromatherapy recipe 48 may be biased towards preferred aromatherapy recipes and / or may comprise excluding from selection any excluded aromatherapy recipes. I n an embodiment (not depicted), the recipe selection set 60 may be split into a recipe preference set defining the one or more preferred aromatherapy recipes and a recipe exclusion set defining the one or more excluded aromatherapy recipes.

[0042] I n an embodiment, the database 42 may further contain a user recipe set 64 defining one or more user-created aromatherapy recipes 66. I n such an embodiment, selection of an aromatherapy recipe may comprise, upon predicting the desired aromatherapeutic effect or receiving the requested aromatherapeutic effect, the processor 34 determ ining if a user aromatherapy recipe 66 in the user recipe set 64 has an associated aromatherapeutic effect that matches the requested or predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, selecting the determ ined user aromatherapy recipe if successful, and otherwise selecting from the recipe set 46.

[0043] I n an embodiment, the processor 34 of the waterless oil diffuser system 10 incorporates an algorithm that is designed to improve the recommended aromatherapy recipes 48 that are suggested to the user over time. This improvement occurs through user feedback, and data that is linked to the user profile 56, which includes monitored data history, user preferences or other input and other data, such as the aromatherapeutic effect flags selected by the user from the flag set 54. All of this user profile information and data will, over time, effectively train the algorithm to improve the aromatherapy recipes from the user recipe set 64 that are suggested to the user in order to achieve the aromatherapeutic effect.

[0044] I n an embodiment and with reference to Figure 5, the waterless oil diffuser system 10 may further comprise a shroud 68 that is adapted to sit atop the mounting frame 12 and form a hollow chamber therewithin. The shroud 68 may have at least one shroud opening 70 for vaporised or atomised essential oil to exit the system therethrough. I n such an embodiment, the openings 26 of each of the plurality of atom isers 16 may be in comm unication with the hollow chamber so as to enable m ultiple essential oils to be blended therewithin into an overall selected aromatherapy recipe 48 prior to passing out through the shroud opening 70. I n a further embodiment, the waterless oil diffuser system 10 may further comprise a fan 72 that is adapted to blow through the hollow chamber and out through the at least one shroud opening 70. The fan may be encased within the mounting frame 12, as depicted in Figure 5.

[0045] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not lim ited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms, variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, components and / or devices referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

[0046] I n this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word “comprising” is not intended to have the exclusive meaning of the word such as “consisting only of”, but rather has the non-exclusive meaning, in the sense of “including at least”. The same applies, with corresponding gram matical changes, to other forms of the word such as “comprise”, etc.

[0047] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0048] Any prom ises made in the present document should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be prom ises made about the invention in all embodiments. Where there are prom ises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant / patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and they do not rely on these prom ises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.

Claims

CLAI MS1 . A waterless oil diffuser system , comprising: a mounting frame housing a plurality of essential oil cartridge mounts, each cartridge mount adapted to receive an essential oil cartridge having a wick extending from an upper portion thereof; a plurality of piezoelectric atom isers, at least one piezoelectric atom iser associated with each of the plurality of cartridge mounts; a dispensing controller connected to each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers; and a processor in comm unication with the dispensing controller; wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers further comprise: / . a piezoelectric oscillator element that is adapted to, when an essential oil cartridge is received within the respective cartridge mount, at least contact against the wick thereof; and ii. an opening; and upon a particular piezoelectric atom iser receiving an activation signal from or via the dispensing controller, the piezoelectric oscillator element oscillates against the wick of the respective essential oil cartridge, inducing essential oil within the respective essential oil cartridge to flow up the wick, contact the oscillating piezoelectric oscillator element and be atom ised thereby, and subsequently flow out through the opening.

2. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more wireless detectors adapted to access, read, or otherwise com municate with a passive wireless information storage means affixed to an essential oil cartridge received within one of the plurality of mounts, and a database and a blend selection means, each in comm unication with the processor; wherein the database contains a recipe set defining one or more aromatherapy recipes; each aromatherapy recipe defined in the recipe set is either a particular essential oil or a m ixture of two or more essential oils in a particular ratio; andeach aromatherapy recipe defined in the recipe set has one or more aromatherapeutic effects associated therewith; further wherein, when the passive wireless information storage means of each essential oil cartridge received by a particular cartridge mount comprises at least identification of an essential oil contained therewithin, the processor receives said identification via the wireless detector; and upon a particular aromatherapy recipe being selected via the blend selection means, the dispensing controller transm its an activation signal to the piezoelectric atomiser associated with the or each essential oil cartridge that is identified as containing an essential oil of the selected aromatherapy recipe.

3. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 2, wherein the blend selection means comprises at least a wireless com m unicator that is adapted to comm unicate with a smart device of a user.

4. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 3, wherein an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by: a. the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising monitoring data of the user, being one or more of biometric data, location data and calendar event data; b. the processor processing the received monitoring data to predict a desired aromatherapeutic effect; and c. the processor selecting an aromatherapy recipe having at least one aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith matching the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect.

5. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 4, wherein the monitoring data comprises biometric data selected from : heart rate; heart rate variability (HRV) ; respiratory rate; sleep quality, including sleep duration, sleep consistency and sleep patterns;activity level, including steps, workout sessions, travel distance, and intensity; and time spent engaging in m indfulness, meditative or other calm ing activities.

6. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 4 or 5, wherein, upon selecting an aromatherapy recipe, the processor comm unicates the selected aromatherapy recipe to the smart device of the user; and upon receiving an affirmative response from the smart device, transm its the selected aromatherapy recipe to the dispensing controller so as to transm it an activation signal to the or each piezoelectric atom iser corresponding to an essential oil of the aromatherapy recipe.

7. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 3, wherein an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising an aromatherapeutic effect requested by the user; and the processor selecting an aromatherapy recipe having at least one aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith that matches the requested aromatherapeutic effect.

8. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 3, wherein an aromatherapy recipe is selected from the database by the processor receiving, from the smart device, input comprising an aromatherapy recipe requested by the user.

9. The waterless oil diffuser system of any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the database further comprises a set of flags associated with each aromatherapy recipe; each flag of the set of flags for a particular aromatherapy recipe being activated or deactivated based upon input received from the smart device of the user.

10. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 9 when dependent upon any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least one flag of the set of flags comprises a user preference flag; andif more than one aromatherapy recipe in the recipe set has an aromatherapeutic effect associated therewith matching the predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect, selection of aromatherapy recipe further comprises: iii. determ ining if at least one of the more than one an aromatherapy recipes has an activated user preference flag; and iv. if any exist, selecting one of the at least one aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag.1 1 . The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 10, wherein the user preference flag is a weighted preference flag; and selection of aromatherapy recipe further comprises: v. determ ining if there are m ultiple aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag; and vi. if m ultiple aromatherapy recipes having the activated user preference flag exist, selecting the aromatherapy recipe with a highest-weighted preference flag associated therewith.

12. The waterless oil diffuser system of any one of claims 9 to 1 1 when dependent upon any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least one flag of the set of flags comprises a user aromatherapeutic effect flag; and the processor is configured to, when selecting an aromatherapy recipe from the receipt set, regard the one or more aromatherapy effects of a particular aromatherapy recipe as being expanded, reduced or otherwise modified by any activated user aromatherapeutic effect flag for that particular aromatherapy recipe.

13. The waterless oil diffuser system of any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the database further comprises a user profile associated with the user.

14. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 13 when dependent upon any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the user profile contains an oil selection set defining one or more preferred essential oils and / or one or more excluded essential oils; selection of an aromatherapy recipe is biased towards aromatherapy recipes comprising at least one preferred essential oil; and / orselection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises excluding from selection any aromatherapy recipes comprising at least one excluded essential oil.

15. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 13 or 14 when dependent upon any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the user profile contains a recipe selection set defining one or more preferred aromatherapy recipes and / or one or more excluded aromatherapy recipes; selection of an aromatherapy recipe is biased towards preferred aromatherapy recipes having an associated aromatherapeutic effect that matches the requested or predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect; and / or selection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises excluding from selection any excluded aromatherapy recipes.

16. The waterless oil diffuser system of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the database further contains a user recipe set defining one or more user aromatherapy recipes.

17. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 16 when dependent upon any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein selection of an aromatherapy recipe comprises: upon predicting the desired aromatherapeutic effect or receiving the requested aromatherapeutic effect, the processor determ ining if a user aromatherapy recipe in the user recipe set has an associated aromatherapeutic effect that matches the requested or predicted desired aromatherapeutic effect; upon successfully determ ining, selecting the determ ined user aromatherapy recipe; and otherwise selecting from the recipe set.

18. The waterless oil diffuser system of any one of the above claims, further comprising a shroud adapted to sit atop the mounting frame and form a hollow chamber therewithin, the shroud having at least one shroud opening for vaporised or atom ised essential oil to exit the system therethrough; wherein the opening of each of the plurality of piezoelectric atom isers is in comm unication with the hollow chamber.

19. The waterless oil diffuser system of claim 18, further comprising a fan adapted to blow through the hollow chamber and out through the at least one shroud opening.

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