Diffusion device

Abstract

A diffusion device includes a housing and an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom. The device further includes a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing. A vent is disposed in a front portion of the housing. An active material diffusion-interference member is disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.

1 . A diffusion device, comprising:
 a housing;   an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom;   a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing;   a vent disposed in a front portion of the housing; and   an active material diffusion-interference member disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein in use, the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.   
     
     
         2 . The diffusion device of  claim 1 , further including a fan disposed in a rear portion of the housing opposite the vent and spaced from a top portion of the wick, wherein the fan moves vaporized active material out of the housing through the vent. 
     
     
         3 . The diffusion device of  claim 2 , wherein a set of louvers is disposed adjacent the fan for directing air from the fan and through the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The diffusion device of  claim 3 , wherein the louvers are oriented horizontally in an operative position to direct the airflow out the vent. 
     
     
         5 . The diffusion device of  claim 3 , wherein the heater and the fan are spaced from one another along a vertical axis in an operative position such that active material vaporized by the heater is not immediately dispersed by the fan, but slowly moves into the airflow to be dispersed by the fan. 
     
     
         6 . The diffusion device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional size and shape of the vent in a horizontal plane is smaller than a cross-sectional size and shape of the wick in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         7 . The diffusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the container is disposed within a front portion of the housing adjacent a rear portion of the housing and opposing projections extend from the rear portion of the housing to limit movement of the container into the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The diffusion device of  claim 7 , wherein the projections abut shoulders of the container when the container has been sufficiently inserted into the housing.