FIELD

[0001 ] The present invention is generally directed to an aroma diffuser and a method of using an aroma diffuser.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Aroma diffusers, also sometimes known as aroma lamps, are used to diffuse aromas arising from scented liquids such as essential oils, and may be used as part of aromatherapy and otherwise to improve the aroma of a living space such as a living room or bedroom.

[0003] The use of scented liquids such as essential oils for therapeutic and spiritual purposes has spanned millennia and may be traced to ancient civilisations in China, India, Egypt and Europe alike. In accordance with the principles of aromatherapy, it is claimed that use of essential oil-derived aromas can improve psychological or physical well-being as well as adding to the general pleasantness of a space such as a room.

[0004] Aroma diffusers operate by diffusing scented liquids such as essential oils into the air by, for example: heating essential oils, allowing essential oils to naturally evaporate, or by nebulising essential oil I water mixtures whether by use of compressed air or ultrasonic methods.

[0005] A natural evaporation diffuser may be provided as simply as by placing rattan reed sticks (or similar) into a container of essential oil. The porosity of the reeds provides forwicking activity and increased evaporation, thereby diffusing the aroma of an essential oil into a space. Natural evaporation diffusers by nature operate more slowly and passively than more active diffuser arrangements, and can take time for aromas to become noticeable while providing low levels of aroma.

[0006] A heat diffuser increases the rate of evaporation by, for example, heating essential oils through placing a candle underneath a dish or bowl of essential oils. More sophisticated devices may provide electric resistance heating for controlled heating. Heating of the essential oils naturally increases the rate of evaporation and diffusion of the oils, thereby providing a more noticeable diffusion of aroma. However, it may also affect the chemical composition of the oils as they evaporate, thereby altering the resultant aroma.

[0007] A nebulisation diffuser operates by generating droplets of scented liquid (such as an oil-water mixture) to generate a mist for dispersion throughout a room. A nebuliser diffuser may operate by for example applying a jet of compressed air though the scented liquid to generate droplets, or by subjecting the scented liquid to ultrasonic vibrations that in turn cause cavitation and generation of droplets. Ultrasonic nebulisers generally provide the advantage of consistent droplet size and low-noise operation when compared to jet nebulisers.

[0008] US patent 9259497, in the name of Lui Lock Chak, discloses an evaporative-style aroma diffuser in which one or more fragrance containers are held in series within a retainer. Each fragrance container houses a fragrance substance held within a roll of absorbent paper and is configured to enable air to pass through the fragrance container. A fan or similar is used to blow air though the fragrance containers such that fragrance substance evaporates and passes into the air which is then discharged into a room or space.

[0009] US patent 9421295, in the name of Puzhen Life Co., Limited, discloses an aroma diffuser that generates mist through jet nebulisation. The device of US 9421295 enables mixing of essential oils in adjustable proportions through use of multiple separate essential oil bottles. The generated mist passes from the device through an upward facing diffusion outlet into a room or space.

[0010] US patent application 2002/00680023 in the name of Jorgensen, discloses an aroma diffuser that generates mist through ultrasonic oscillation. As disclosed, the ultrasonic oscillator generates high frequency sound waves and to cause atomisation of the aromatic fluid contained in the fluid container to produce a mist. The breakup of fine droplets is seen emitted the transmissive cover and at the same time the device emits music and a mixed colour of light.

[0011 ] Notwithstanding the existing alternatives that may be used to diffuse aroma into a space, it would be desirable to develop a new or alternative aroma diffuserthat enables aroma to be diffused efficiently into all parts of a room or space.

[0012] The reference in this specification to any prior publication, or information derived from it, or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication, or information derived from it, or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY

[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an aroma diffuser comprising: a housing comprising a mist outlet located in an upper surface of the housing, the housing containing: a liquid reservoir for storing a scented liquid; a mist generator for generating a mist of scented liquid, wherein the aroma diffuser further comprises a mist guide member configured to direct mist passing from the mist outlet to the outer perimeter of the mist guide member.

[0014] In an embodiment, the mist guide member comprises a circular outer perimeter.

[0015] In an embodiment, the mist guide member is substantially disc-shaped.

[0016] In an embodiment, the mist guide member is located directly above the mist outlet.

[0017] In an embodiment, the mist outlet is located within an upper recess in turn located in the upper surface of the housing.

[0018] In an embodiment, the mist guide member is located at least partially within the upper recess. In a further embodiment, the mist guide member is located entirely within the upper recess.

[0019] In an embodiment, the aroma diffuser is configured such that mist passes through a gap between the upper recess and the mist guide member.

[0020] In an embodiment, the mist outlet comprises a mist guard, the mist guard further comprising a lower mist guard surface and a sidewall extending upward from the lower mist guard surface, wherein the sidewall comprises one or more apertures to allow mist to pass therethrough. In a further embodiment, the lower mist guard comprises a convex lower surface. In a further embodiment, the sidewall comprises apertures substantially along its entire perimeter.

[0021 ] In an embodiment, the housing further comprises one or more internal baffles surrounding the mist outlet.

[0022] In an embodiment, the mist generator comprises an ultrasonic oscillator.

[0023] In an embodiment, the mist generator is located in the base of the liquid reservoir and is considered to generate mist within the liquid reservoir.

[0024] In an embodiment, the liquid reservoir is configured to provide an open topped tank.

[0025] In an embodiment, the housing further contains a battery for powering the aroma diffuser. [0026] In an embodiment, the housing comprises a base housing member and a cover housing member, the cover housing member detachably connected to the base housing member, such that the cover housing member may be removed to access the liquid reservoir.

[0027] In an embodiment, the housing further contains a fan, the fan configured to blow mist out of the mist outlet.

[0028] In an embodiment, the fan is further configured to circulate air to cool components located within the housing.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using the aroma diffuser of the first aspect to diffuse an aroma into a space.

[0030] Throughout the body of this specification and the claims that follow, unless context requires otherwise: terms such as "side," "end," "top," "bottom," and the like are only used to describe elements as they relate to one another, but are in no way meant to recite specific orientations of the device, to indicate or imply necessary or required orientations of the device, or to specify how the invention described herein will be used, mounted, displayed, or positioned in use; all referenced publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety; the term “or” is inclusive to mean “and/or”; the terms "a" and "an" are to be understood as meaning one or more; the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects; and the word “comprise” and variations thereof such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to include the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or groups of integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] FIGURE 1 shows a cross-section of an aromatic diffuser according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIGURE 2 shows external views at various angles of the aromatic diffuser of FIGURE 1. Reference Numbers

1. housing

2. mist guide member

3. mist outlet

4. scented liquid reservoir

5. nebuliser

6. mist guide member support

7. lower mist guard

8. mist outlet sidewall

9. mist outlet apertures

10. reservoir frame

11. printed circuit board

12. battery

13. non-slip foot pad

14. fan

15. charging base

16. charging base contact

17. lower housing member

18. upper housing member

19. baffles

20. air inlet

21. air flow path

22. recess

23. outer perimeter of mist guide member

24. ambient lighting

25. user controls

26. USB port

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In broad terms, the present invention provides an aroma diffuser (and use of an aroma diffuser), the aroma diffuser comprising: a housing further comprising a mist outlet, and a mist guide member configured to direct mist passing though the mist outlet to the outer perimeter of the mist guide member. Within the broader inventive concept, various embodiments of the aroma diffuser and its methods use are described and defined in further detail below.

[0034] Referring to FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, an embodiment of the invention is provided wherein the exemplified aroma diffuser comprises a housing 1 , the housing 1 comprising a mist outlet 3 located in an upper surface of the housing 1 to enable mist generated by the aroma diffuser to pass from the device and be dispensed into a space such as a room. Above the mist outlet 3 is located a mist guide member 2, the mist guide member 2 configured to direct mist passing from the mist outlet 3 to the outer perimeter 23 of the mist guide member 2.

[0035] In operation of the embodiment shown, mist created from scented liquid held in a scented liquid reservoir 4 and nebulised using nebuliser 5 exits the mist outlet 3 and is directed by forced flow to the outer perimeter 23 of the mist guide member 2, such that the mist flows radially outward from the aroma diffuser in a multitude of directions (according to certain embodiments of the invention, in a 360-degree field about the aroma diffuser). As shown, according to certain embodiments the scented liquid reservoir may comprise a reservoir frame 10 supporting the scented liquid reservoir 4 within housing 1.

[0036] According to the existing state of the art (that is, prior to the present invention), a mist outlet would typically be provided as a single aperture located in an upper portion of an aroma diffuser (such as a nebulising aroma diffuser). This configuration generally allows mist to be directed generally upward into a space to be diffused. The present inventors have identified that such a configuration may not necessarily allow sufficiently fast and efficient dispersal of aroma, since natural flow (such as through Brownian motion) would be relied upon to diffuse about the space. The present invention addresses this issue by providing a configuration that directs mist existing the aroma diffuser in more than one direction and, according to certain embodiments, in a 360-degree field about the aroma diffuser. It is believed such a configuration allows faster and more efficient dispersal of mist within a space. According to certain embodiments (such as that shown), the mist guide member 2 may be generally disc shaped and may further include a slight raise from the centre to the perimeter 23 of the mist guide member 2.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, the mist guide member 2 is positioned above the mist outlet 3 within a recess 22 located within an upper surface of the housing. This provides a more visually pleasing configuration (whereby the mist guide member is generally out of sight when the aroma diffuser is viewed from side-on) while also: affording the mist guide member 3 protection from knocks and falls; and enabling the mist to be directed in a somewhat upward direction for greater dispersion into a space and away from surfaces capable of being stained by a scented liquid, as for example where the recess includes an outer lip to direct the flow of mist. As exemplified, the mist guide member 2 is held above the mist outlet 3 by a mist guide member support 6. [0038] According to certain embodiments of the invention, the mist outlet 3 may be configured to provide a mist guard, the mist guard comprising a lower mist guard surface 7 and side wall 8 extending upward from the lower mist guard surface 7. The side wall 8 includes one or more apertures 9 enabling mist to pass through the mist guard. In certain embodiments, the lower mist guard surface 7 may provide a concave lower surface. It is believed that the mist guard serves to enable a more uniform mist of droplets to exit the aroma diffuser. That is, larger droplets thrown up by the nebuliser will be blocked by the mist guard so that they cannot exit the aroma diffuser. Instead, only smaller droplets or droplet meeting uniform size requirements and captured by forced air flow are able to pass through the apertures 9 in the side wall 8. The prevention of larger droplets from exiting the aroma diffuser is further believed to be advantageous in reducing the likelihood of staining caused by overly large droplets of scented liquid falling in the vicinity of the aroma diffuser.

[0039] The configuration exemplified provides an additional advantage in that mist does not exit the aroma diffuser from a single narrow aperture that may be caused to partially or completely block due to dust or similar small debris. According to embodiments of the invention, mist may exit the aroma diffuser from a number of locations and directions through the gap formed between recess 22 and the mist guide member 2, and via a number of apertures 9 in the mist outlet 3, decreasing the likelihood of any significant blockage.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the nebuliser 5 is provided as an ultrasonic oscillator provided at the bottom of an open topped scented liquid tank 4. In operation the ultrasonic oscillator causes cavitation in the above-located scented liquid which in turn causes mist to form above the liquid. Other embodiments are contemplated where, for example, mist is generated by jet nebulisation or other forms of nebulisation.

[0041 ] Also shown in the embodiment exemplified is a fan 14 which forces a flow of air through the aroma diffuser. The flow of air is sucked from air inlet 20 into the scent diffuser passes by the top of the scented liquid reservoir 4 (via air flow path 21) so as to capture mist rising from the scented liquid reservoir and force it though the mist outlet 3. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the fan 14 also passes air past electronic components of the aroma diffuser so as to cool those components, as discussed in further detail below. In this way, the fan 14 may serve more than one purpose.

[0042] The fan 14 (as with other components of the aroma diffuser, including the exemplified nebuliser 5) is powered according to certain embodiments by a battery 12 such as a rechargeable battery. This enables portable use in spaces where mains power is unavailable or inaccessible. A rechargeable battery may be charged by connection to a charging base 15, which includes a charging base contact 16 and may be connected to mains power via for example USB port 26. In alternative embodiments, the aroma diffuser may be powered directly by mains power.

[0043] According to certain embodiments, the aroma diffuser may comprise ambient lighting 24 that may operate simultaneously with or independently of diffusion of an aroma. The ambient lighting 24 may be facilitated by use of LED lighting, which provides energy efficiency advantages and may provide flexibility in terms of lighting colour to suit the mood of the user or space in which the aroma diffuser is located. In the embodiment shown, the ambient lighting 24 is provided as a component of a printed circuit board 11 as discussed below. The ambient lighting 24 provides light through the gap between the upper housing member 18 and the lower housing member 17, since the material providing the scented liquid reservoir 4 may be translucent according to certain embodiments.

[0044] Control of the aroma diffuser may be provided by means of printed circuit board 11. Referring to FIGURE 2, a user may in the embodiment exemplified control the aroma diffuser by way of user controls 25. The “+” button may for example control operation of the ambient lighting 24, while the “O” button may control operation of the nebuliser 5. According to certain embodiments, the ambient lighting may be controlled to select: a particular brightness, a particular colour, or an arrangement that provides varying colours over time. According to certain embodiments, the nebuliser 5 may be controlled to provide a continuous mist for a predetermined period of for example 2 hours (or until the aroma diffuser runs dry of scented liquid, as discussed below), or to provide intermittent supply of mist (such as in a “30 seconds on 1 30 seconds off’ arrangement).

[0045] Returning to operation of the exemplified fan 14, according to certain embodiments it is envisaged that the fan 14 may operate to ventilate and cool internal electronic components of the aroma diffuser such as by blowing past the battery 14, printed circuit board 11 and nebulizer 5 prior to passing by the scented liquid reservoir 4 to entrain mist for exit from the air diffuser. In an alternative embodiment, the fan 14 may operate to blow air directly by the scented liquid reservoir 4 without having passed internal components of the air diffuser.

[0046] The filling and refilling of the scented liquid reservoir 4 is now explained. To access the scented liquid reservoir 4, the upper housing member 18 is removed from the lower housing member 17. In the embodiment shown, the scented liquid reservoir 4 may hold up to 100mL liquid, and the maximum capacity is indicated by a marker within the scented liquid reservoir 4. The embodiment shown is configured to operate by providing 100mL of water with 6-8 drops of an essential oil, such as a lavender-based essential oil. In alternative embodiments, the aroma diffuser may be configured to diffuse other forms of scented liquid, including pure essential oil. Once filled, the upper housing member 18 may be returned above the lower housing member 17 to prepare the aroma diffuser for use in the manner set out above. According to certain embodiments, the aroma diffuser may comprise a sensor to sense when the scented liquid reservoir is overfilled or underfilled (and the aroma diffuser may be configured to cease or prevent any aroma diffusion operations in such circumstances). This advantageously prevents damage to the aroma diffuser as well as providing increased energy efficiency (by preventing operation where little to no aroma will be diffused).

[0047] As exemplified above, embodiments of the present invention may operate to provide advantageous effects including: wider immediate dispersion of mist from the aroma diffuser, optionally within a 360 degree field about the aroma diffuser; reduced likelihood of clogging of the aroma device; improved size uniformity of mist droplets exiting the aroma diffuser (i.e. prevention of larger droplets existing the aroma diffuser; ambient lighting, which is believed to contribute to improved mood and therapeutic aspects; and portable operation away from mains power; and

[0048] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments and/or examples as described herein are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.