Device for selectively providing a multiplicity of aromas
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorDaniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for delivering one or more aromas at selected times includes a housing with a receptacle and an aroma delivery device detachably received in the receptacle. The aroma delivery device includes a carrier having a plurality of aroma-bearing elements that are selectively communicated with an air passageway for providing one or more aromas as desired. The device is especially useful for providing a realistic sensory experience in an interactive or non-interactive use, and may be used in such diverse settings as the entertainment industry, the educational training field or a medical arena.
Claims15
Apparatus for delivering a multiplicity of aromas comprising:
- a housing having an air passageway and a receptacle interposed in said passageway;
- a source of pressurized air for directing air through said passageway;
- an aroma delivery device releasably received in said receptacle, said device including a carrier having a plurality of separate chambers and a plurality of aroma-bearing elements each received in a respective one of said chambers, each of said elements including a reservoir containing a volatile material and diffusion rate-controlling structure at least partially covering said reservoir;
- means for communicating a selected one or more of said chambers with said passageway, said means including a controller for changing the selection of said chambers when desired, said device including at least one cover for precluding volatile material from escaping from chambers not in communication with said passageway;
- and
- an interactive program, said controller being responsive to electronic signals provided by said interactive program in order to enable the selection of said chambers to be determined by the user's responses to said program.
An aroma delivery device comprising:
- a carrier having a plurality of separate chambers;
- a plurality of aroma-bearing elements each received in a respective one of said chambers, each of said elements including a reservoir containing a volatile material and diffusion rate-controlling structure at least partially covering said reservoir;
- and
- at least one cover connected to said carrier for selectively opening one or more of said chambers, said at least one cover being resiliently biased toward a closed position over one or more of said chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.