Providing aromas

Apparatus for providing aroma emitting material to a predetermined region from time to time comprising

• means for providing signals at selected times when an aroma is to be emitted,
• means for containing an aroma producing material and confining the material therein except when actuated to release some of the material therefrom, and
• means responsive to signals from the signal providing means for actuating the material containing means to release a controlled quantity of the material to the adjacent atmosphere;
• the material-containing means comprising means for holding a supply of aroma producing fluid in a first compartment thereof and for moving a predetermined quantity of the fluid into a separate second compartment of the containing means;
• the actuating means comprising means for releasing the moved fluid from the second compartment into the atmosphere and then actuating the holding and moving means to again move a like quantity of fluid from the first compartment to the second;
• and
• the releasing means comprising solenoid means for opening an outlet in the second compartment when actuated by the signal providing means and then closing the outlet after a predetermined time;
• or comprising means for forming a bubble of vapor from the fluid in the second compartment and pushing the bubble through an outlet and into the atmosphere, the bubble forming means comprising means for heating the fluid in the second compartment so as to expand the fluid and force it through the outlet, and the actuating means comprising electrical heating means and means responsive to the signal providing means for furnishing an electric current to the heating means.