Scent warmer with diffuser system and method of use

Abstract

A scent warmer and diffuser system is presented comprising: a diffuser unit with a scent dish / bowl at the bottom of the unit and a diffuser cone on the top of the diffuser unit with fan and air inlet slots configured within the housing of the diffuser unit, a warmer unit with a warming plate in contact with a heating element configured to receive the scent dish / bowl in the housing of the warmer unit when engaged with the diffuser unit. The hot scented air moves upward and diffuses out of the diffuser cone in a 360-degree radius into a room.

Description

SCENT WARMER WITH DIFFUSER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to scent warmer and diffuser system.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] The demand for compact scent systems has been steadily growing, with scented oils, wax, candles and different methods of incorporating or diffusing it in a room. A scent diffuser and warmer unit is one of a device designed to fill a space with pleasant aromas while also often providing warmth. These units typically use essential oils or scented oils and can come in a variety of styles, functions, and methods of dispersing scent.

[0003] However such unit are often limited with the amount of scent materials that it is compatible, limited range, inconsistent dispersion, failure in controlling the strength of the scent, and durability.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present application to provide a scent warmer and diffuser system that is compatible with all of the scented material, a 360-degree radius range, and controls to control the strength and cycle of the scent.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of the Diffuser unit in a preferred embodiment of the present application;FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the Scent warmer unit in a preferred embodiment of the present application;FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the controller;FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the docking procedure of the diffuser unit and warmer unit;FIG.5 is an air flow char using a cu away view of the diffuser unit engaged with the warmer unit;FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the diffuser unit;FIG. 7 is a top view of the diffuser unit / diffuser cone apparatus;FIG. 8 is an outside view of the device with the diffuser unit and warmer unit engaged;FIG. 9 isa top view of the diffuser unit / diffuser cone apparatus with measurements; andFIG. 10 is a side cut away view of the diffuser unit with measurements.

[0006] While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Illustrative cases of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual case, numerous implementation- specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0008] The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several cases of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different cases may be combined together and / or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular cases are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and / or functions between various cases is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and / or functions of one case may be incorporated into another case as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

[0009] The preferred case herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings

[0010] The technology described herein, fulfills a device named “Enclosed Sent warmer with forced air horizontal diffuser”, comprises two units; a “Diffuser Unit” (Figure 1), and a “Warmer Unit” (Figure 2), which are designed to work in conjunction with each other. The best method of manufacture is plastic material, but could also be constructed of metal, or a combination of materials for various components, such as ceramic, plastic, and / or metal. Both units comprise electrical components.

[0011] Figure 1 is a cut-away view of the Diffuser Unit; it is cylindrical in shape but could be formed in various sizes and geometric shapes such as round(depicted), square, hexagonal, octagonal, and more. The Diffuser unit comprises four outer walls (10), creating a cylindrical housing; four inner walls (12) form a lower air flow tube (20) with the top edge of said tube abutting the bottom side of the fan (30); a wall (18) is joined to the bottom edge of the inner walls (12), extending horizontally outward to join the outer walls (10), sealing the space between the inner and outer walls. Abutting the top side of the fan (30) are four walls (16) which form an upper air flow tube (22) extending upward to the diffuser cone (80). A second horizontal wall (14) joins the top edge of the inner walls (16) and extends horizontally outward connecting to the top edge of the outer walls (10), sealing the space between theinner and outer walls. The outer walls (10) extend downward below the horizontal wall (18) to allow for “Air Inlet Slots” (70) to be formed within the outer walls (10) and create a scent chamber when attached to the warmer unit. Further, the bottom edge of the outer walls (10), form a “Docking Ring” (110) to engage, or nest, with the Docking Ring on the warmer unit detailed in Figure 2.

[0012] Between the lower air flow tube (20), and the upper air flow tube (22) a Fan (30) is mounted to brackets (40), and is connected to a power source by electrical wires (60), via an electrical connector (50), which connects to an opposing electrical connector in the Warmer Unit detailed in Figure 2. The wires are concealed inside the hollow chamber (100) between the inner and outer walls of the Diffuser Unit. The fan (30) could also be powered separately from the warmer unit via a USB power supply connector.

[0013] Atop the Diffuser Unit is a “Horizontal Diffuser Cone” (80) that extends downward into the air flow tube; and is attached by brackets (90), connecting to the horizontal wall (14). The Diffuser Cone directs scented air, forced by the fan, horizontally outward into the room in a 360-degree radius. Further, the diffuser unit can be configured to enclose a scented candle placed on a candle warmer / hot plate, by further extending the outer walls and relocating the air inlet slots to accommodate the elevated scent surface of a candle.Additional modifications can be made to the power supply connecting the diffuser unit and the candle warmer.

[0014] Figure 2 is a cut-away view of the “Scent Warmer Unit”; comprising four walls (120) to form a housing for the internal components. The housing can be various sizes and geometric shapes such as round which is depicted. It further comprises a solid top surface (122), connected to the top edge of the four walls (120), extending horizontally inward to form a round opening to receive a container (210) to hold scented material. It further comprises a solid bottom surface (130) which is detachable to allow assembly of internal components and complete the outer housing by connecting to the four walls. Within the housing are brackets (160) to mount the power supply connector (230), with a temperature sensor (220) in close relation to an electric heating element (170) which is in direct contact with a warming plate (180). The warming plate (180) is formed with walls (190) that extend upward and around the circumference of the warming plate to create a sealed “compartment”that will hold a removable scent dish / bowl (210). The bottom of said dish / bowl (210), is in direct contact with the base of the warming plate, to contain scented material of various options such as scented wax cubes, scented oils, or scented pods. The scent dish / bowl (210) is constructed of a heat-resistant material such as ceramic of stainless steel.

[0015] The outside of the heating plate walls (190) are surrounded by an insulating material (200) such as heat-resistant foam or ceramic material to keep the outer surfaces of the housing from getting too hot to touch. A docking ring (250) extends upward from, and around the circumference of the top surface (120) to engage / nest with the docking ring of the diffuser unit to enclose the hot scented material contained in the dish / bowl (210) to prevent young children from touching the hot scented material, as well as preventing spills.

[0016] The warmer unit is powered with an electrical cord (150) through an opening (140) in the wall (120) and connects to the heating element (230). Said electrical cord has a controller with an on / off switch and a male electrical plug for an electrical wall outlet which is detailed in Figure 3. The female electrical connector (240) connects to the male electrical connector (50) illustrated in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 3 details the controller which comprises a housing (260) with the electrical cord (150) to the warmer unit, and an electrical cord (270) with a male electrical connector (280) to plug into a wall outlet. The controller further comprises an on / off switch (290); a “run time” timer (300) which can have multiple settings for automatic shut off; Cycle timer settings (310) control various specified run times of the warmer and fan which extend the life of the scented material and intensity of the scent; and temperature settings (320) of the warmer unit to extend the life of the scented material and intensity of the scent. The controller may also be configured to pair with a mobile app via Bluetooth or wi-fi technology. An economy model may be configured with only an on / off switch having preset temperature control and an eight-hour safety shut-off timer.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates the docking procedure of the Diffuser Unit and the Warmer Unit. The male electrical connector (50) on the Diffuser Unit is aligned with female electrical connector (240) on the Warmer Unit and diffuser unit is pressed gently downward until the docking ring (110) of the Diffuser Unit engages the docking ring (250) of the Warmer Unit. This encloses the hot scented material preventing burns and spills.

[0019] Figure 5 is an air flow chart using a cut-away view of the Diffuser Unit engaged with the Warmer Unit. With the units engaged and the device turned on, outside air is drawn into the diffuser unit by the fan through the air inlet slots (70), and is pulled across the hot scented material (330) contained in the scented material dish / bowl (210). The scented air continues to be drawn upward through the lower air flow tube (20), through the fan (30), and upward through the upper air flow tube (22) is expelled onto the diffuser cone (80), which disperses the scented air in a 360-degree radius into the room.

[0020] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the Diffuser Unit. Solid walls (10) serve to direct air drawn through the air inlet slots by the fan (30), and then up through the air flow tubes (20). Figure 7 and Figure 9 is a top view of the diffuser Unit / diffuser cone apparatus. The top of the cone (340) is solid, with the cone below, (not pictured). The Arrows depict the direction of the scented air flow out into the room. Figure 8 is an outside view of the device with the diffuser unit and warmer unit engaged.

[0021] The particular cases disclosed above are illustrative only, as the cases may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular cases disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present cases are shown above, they are not limited to just these cases but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A scent warmer and diffuser system, wherein the system comprises: a diffuser unit comprising: one or more outer walls configured to create a housing; one or more inner walls configured to form a lower air flow tube with a top edge of the lower air flow tube abutting a bottom side of a fan, wherein a first horizontal wall is joined to the bottom edge of the one or more inner walls extending horizontally outward to join the one or more outer walls, sealing the space between the one or more inner walls and one or more outer walls; one or more walls configured to abut the top side of the fan forming an upper air flow tube extending upward to a diffuser cone, wherein a second horizontal wall joins the top edge of the one or more inner walls and extends horizontally outward connecting to the top edge of the one or more outer walls; one or more air inlet slots configured to be formed within the one or more outer walls extending downward below the first horizontal wall, creating a scent chamber when attached to a warmer unit; and a first docking ring configured at a bottom edge of the one or more outer walls to engage, or nest with a second docking ring on the warmer unit;a diffuser cone configured to be atop the diffuser unit extending downwards into the upper or lower air flow tube; a warmer unit comprising: one or more walls configured to form a housing, wherein a top surface is connected to the top edge of the one or more walls extending horizontally inward to form an opening to receive a container to hold scented material and a bottom surface configured to be detachable to allow assembly of internal components and complete an outer housing by connecting to the one or more walls; a warming plate configured to be in direct contact with an electric heating element, wherein the warming plate is formed with walls that extend upward and around the circumference of the warming plate to create a sealed compartment that will hold a removable scent dish / bowl, wherein the bottom of the removable scent dish / bowl is in direct contact with the base of the warming plate; and a second docking ring configured to extend upward and around the circumference of the top surface to engage / nest with a first docking ring of the diffuser unit to enclose the hot scented material contained in the scent dish / bowl; and a controller comprising: a housing configured with a first electrical cord to the warmer unit, a second electrical cord with a male electrical connector to plug into a walloutlet, wherein the controller may also be configured to pair with a mobile app via Bluetooth or Wi-fi technology.

2. The scent warmer and diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the housing of the warmer unit are brackets to mount the power supply connector, with a temperature sensor in close relation to the electric heating element.

3. The scent warmer and diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises an on / off switch, a run time timer which may have multiple settings for automatic shut off, cycle timer settings which control various specified run times of the warmer and fan.

4. The scent warmer and diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the scent dish / bowl is constructed of a heat-resistant material.

5. A docking procedure of the diffuser and warmer unit of the system comprising: aligning a male electrical connector on the diffuser unit with a female electrical connector on the warmer unit; and pressing gently downward until the first docking ring of the diffuser unit engages with the second docking ring of the warmer unit.

6. A method of diffusing / dispersing warm scent air comprising: providing a docking procedure of the diffuser and warmer unit of the system comprising: aligning a male electrical connector on the diffuser unit with a female electrical connector on the warmer unit; and pressing gently downward until the first docking ring of the diffuser unit engages with the second docking ring of the warmer unit;drawing outside air into the diffuser unit by the fan through the one or more air inlet slots, pulled across the hot scented material contained in the scent dish / bowl; moving the hot scented air upward through the lower air flow tube through the fan, and upward through the upper air flow tube and expelled onto the diffuser cone; and dispersing the scented air through the diffuser cone in a 360-degree radius into the room.