Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An aroma-generating unit comprising: A. a hollow case whose upper wall has a vent therein and whose side wall has a cartridge-receiving slot: B. a replaceable cartridge insertable in said slot to occupy a position in said case under said vent; said cartridge, when fully inserted, defining an air-confined chamber within the case, said cartridge having a porous may impregnated with an aroma-producing liquid: and C. an electrical heater disposed in said chamber which, when energized, acts to heat and expand the confined air therein to create a positive pressure forcing the heated air through the impregnated mat to rapidly volatilize the liquid and to produce an aromatic vapor which is discharged into the atmosphere through said vent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An aroma-generating unit comprising: A. a hollow case whose upper wall has a vent therein and whose side wall has a cartridge-receiving slot: B. a replaceable cartridge insertable in said slot to occupy a position in said case under said vent; said cartridge, when fully inserted, defining an air-confined chamber within the case, said cartridge having a porous may impregnated with an aroma-producing liquid: and C. an electrical heater disposed in said chamber which, when energized, acts to heat and expand the confined air therein to create a positive pressure forcing the heated air through the impregnated mat to rapidly volatilize the liquid and to produce an aromatic vapor which is discharged into the atmosphere through said vent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A unit as set forth in claim 1. wherein said heater is periodically energized by power pulses to produce bursts of aromatic vapor interrupted by non-aromatic intervals of sufficient duration to permit recovery of the olfactory response of those exposed to the aromatic vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pulses have a duration of about one minute and the intervals a duration of at least two minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A unit as set forth in claim 2. wherein said heater is coupled to a power line through a solid-state electronic interrupter to produce power pulses having a desired duty cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
5 . A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mat of said cartridge is sandwiched between a pair of sheets having corresponding holes therein which register with said vent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cartridge is provided with a removable seal that covers the holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mat is formed of fibrous material having wicking properties.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A unit as set forth in claim 4, further including means to adjust said duty cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit as set forth in claim 4, further including means to adjust the amplitude of the power pulses.