Personal appliance for producing water vapor

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable device for effecting a desired environment proximate to the device. The effected environment includes, in part, temporary increases in the amount of water vapor as the device emits water vapor over some time duration, typically from about 1 or 2 minutes or so to about 15 to 30 minutes or so (other durations are possible). Heat from a chemical heating engine is employed to drive off the water vapor. The device may also emit one or more ingredients adapted to be detected by olfaction. The device may be used to help address symptoms of various ailments, e.g., cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, and the like. Also, the device may be employed to help promote a desired emotive state for the user of the device. The device promotes one or more desired states through auditory, tactile, visual, and/or olfactory signals. Furthermore, the device may be used to open pores in skin; or to treat skin or tissue.

1 . A personal vaporizer, the vaporizer comprising:
 a container adapted to contain liquid, the container comprising a body having a bottom wall, at least one sidewall connected to said bottom wall, and an opposing top wall connected to said sidewall, wherein the top wall has at least one opening;   a water-activated, chemical heating engine located inside said container; and   a wick located proximate to said chemical heating engine.   
   
   
       2 . The vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the chemical heating engine, wick, or both are connected to the vaporizer. 
   
   
       3 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the container defines an interior volume less than about 30 ounces. 
   
   
       4 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the container defines an interior volume of less than about 15 ounces. 
   
   
       5 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the wick comprises a fibrous substrate. 
   
   
       6 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the wick is disposed between the water-activated, chemical heating engine and the top wall. 
   
   
       7 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the vaporizer is adapted to be discarded after a single use. 
   
   
       8 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  further comprising a rupturable cell containing liquid, wherein said cell is adapted to release liquid upon a user of the personal vaporizer rupturing the cell. 
   
   
       9 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  further comprising indicia of a consumer products manufacturer disposed on said vaporizer. 
   
   
       10 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  further comprising an agent adapted to be detected by olfaction. 
   
   
       11 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 10  wherein said agent is disposed in or on the wick. 
   
   
       12 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  further comprising an information assembly adapted to sense temperature and transmit a signal to a user or caregiver, said signal corresponding to the sensed temperature. 
   
   
       13 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the water-activated, chemical heating engine comprises calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum, aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, di-phosphorous pentoxide, magnesium, magnesium chloride, magnesium/iron alloy, iron, and/or succinic anhydride, and/or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the chemical heating engine comprises a liquid-permeable envelope. 
   
   
       15 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises an insulating material. 
   
   
       16 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the water-activated, chemical heating engine is releasably connected to said container. 
   
   
       17 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the combination of a water-activated, chemical heating engine and wick are releasably connected to said container. 
   
   
       18 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 16  or  17  wherein the vaporizer is adapted to be re-used upon replacement of a water-activated, chemical heating engine that has contacted liquid. 
   
   
       19 . The personal vaporizer of  claim 1  wherein the top wall is adjustable. 
   
   
       20 . A package comprising
 a receptacle, and   the article of  claim 1  in said receptacle, wherein a statement is disposed on or in said receptacle, and wherein said statement associates the article with an alphanumeric string.   
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 20  wherein the alphanumeric string is “personal”, “vapor”, “relief”, “cold”, “flu”, “headache”, “congestion”, “sinus”, “pressure”, “release”, “open”, “airway”, “space”, “well”, “convenience”, “convenient”, “disposable”, “soothe”, “soothing”, “aroma”, “menthol”, “eucalyptus”, “camphor”, allergy”, “portable”, “non-electrical”, “warm”, “warmth”, “heat”, “pamper”, “pampering”, “ritual”, “spa”, “treatment”, “system”, “effective”, “disposable”, “botanical”, “vitamin”, “relax”, “peace”, “energy”, “energize”, “sex”, “sensuality”, “sensual”, “spirit”, “spiritual”, “clean”, “fresh”, “mountain”, “country”, “zest”, “sea”, “sky”, “health”, “hygiene”, “water”, “waterfall”, “refresh”, “recharge”, “rejuvenate”, “mind”, “senses”, “aromatherapy”, “harmony”, “balance”, “revitalize”, “invigorate”, “stimulate”, “caress”, “uplift”, “relief”, “biosphere”. 
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 20  wherein the statement associates the article with a logo and/or brand name of a product adapted to alleviate the symptoms of cold, flu, asthma, allergy, or sinusitis. 
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 20  further comprising a second article of manufacture. 
   
   
       24 . A message embodied in a tangible medium adapted to be communicated to consumers comprising a statement referring to the personal vaporizer of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       25 . A personal vaporizer, the vaporizer comprising:
 a container adapted to contain liquid, the container comprising a body having a bottom wall, at least one sidewall connected to said bottom wall, and an opposing top wall connected to said sidewall, wherein the top wall has at least one opening;   a water-activated, chemical heating engine located inside said container, the chemical heating engine comprising a liquid-permeable envelope, and one or more chemical ingredients inside said envelope.