Compact aromatic diffuser and method of use

Abstract

A compact aromatic diffuser configured to be used in conjunction with a breathing mask, allowing full consumption of the diffused essential oil by the user. The compact aromatic diffuser may also be used as a hand held inhaler for application proximate the user's face or a standalone diffuser for treating the atmosphere in a room or closed compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal compact diffuser configured to distribute aromas directly to an individual user, the personal compact diffuser comprising:
 a body portion defining a diffuser cavity, a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the body portion, and an exhaust opening disposed at a proximal end of the body portion;   a distribution fan disposed within the diffuser cavity and proximate the plurality of openings, the distribution fan configured to generate an airflow through the plurality of openings, into a lumen of the body portion, and out of the exhaust opening;   an aromatic element disposed within the diffuser cavity and positioned within the airflow generated by the distribution fan; and   an in-line adaptor coupled to the exhaust opening, wherein the airflow is directed from the body portion, over the aromatic element, out the exhaust opening, and into an intake opening of the in-line adaptor.   
     
     
         2 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 1 , additionally comprising one or more slots or braces formed by a sidewall of the diffuser cavity that are configured to secure the aromatic element inside the diffuser cavity defined by the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the aromatic element is selectively interchangeable. 
     
     
         4 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the intake opening of the in-line adaptor is disposed at a first end of the in-line adaptor and an outlet is defined at a second end of the in-line adaptor. 
     
     
         5 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 4 , wherein the intake opening of the in-line adaptor is configured to selectively couple to the exhaust opening of the personal compact diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 4 , wherein the outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a breathing mask. 
     
     
         7 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the personal compact diffuser further comprises a rechargeable battery associated with the body portion of the personal compact diffuser. 
     
     
         8 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the rechargeable battery comprises a permanent rechargeable battery disposed within the diffuser cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 7 , further comprising a programmable computer board associated with the body portion of the personal compact diffuser and in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery and the distribution fan. 
     
     
         10 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution fan and the exhaust opening are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The personal compact diffuser of  claim 10 , wherein the aromatic element is centrally aligned over the distribution fan. 
     
     
         12 . A personal aroma diffusing system, comprising:
 a personal compact diffuser, comprising:
 a body portion defining a diffuser cavity, a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the body portion, and an exhaust opening disposed at a proximal end of the body portion; and 
 a distribution fan disposed within the diffuser cavity and proximate the plurality of openings, the distribution fan configured to generate an airflow through the plurality of openings, into a lumen of the body portion, and out of the exhaust opening; and 
   a multi-compartment diffuser cartridge selectively coupled to the proximal end of the body portion, the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge comprising:
 a first compartment configured to receive an aromatic element; and 
 a second compartment configured to receive a second aromatic element, 
 wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are interchangeable to selectively align with the exhaust opening such that when the respective first or second compartment is aligned with the exhaust opening, the airflow generated by the distribution fan passes through the aligned, respective first or second compartment, over the respective first or second aromatic element, and out of a vent formed by a proximal end of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge. 
   
     
     
         13 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 12 , wherein the aromatic element and the second aromatic element are differentially treated. 
     
     
         14 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 13 , wherein the first compartment is separated from the second compartment by an airtight barrier. 
     
     
         15 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a vent formed on a proximal end of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge, the vent positioned to receive airflow from the exhaust opening of the body portion of the personal compact diffuser. 
     
     
         16 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 15 , wherein the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge selectively couples to the exhaust opening defined at the proximal end of the body portion by an inlet defined at a distal end of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge. 
     
     
         17 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 15 , further comprising an in-line adaptor configured to selectively associate the vent of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge with a breathing mask. 
     
     
         18 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 17 , wherein the in-line adaptor is oriented such that airflow is directed from the exhaust opening of the body portion of the personal compact diffuser, through an aligned compartment of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge, out the vent of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge, and into the in-line adaptor. 
     
     
         19 . The personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a rechargeable battery associated with the body portion of the personal compact diffuser. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a personal aromatic diffusing system, comprising:
 providing the personal aroma diffusing system of  claim 12 ;   loading the aromatic element into the first compartment and the second aromatic element into the second compartment of a multi-compartment diffuser cartridge;   coupling the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge to the proximal end of the body portion of the personal compact diffuser;   aligning the first compartment with the exhaust opening of the personal compact diffuser; and   activating the distribution fan such that airflow created by the distribution fan is brought through the plurality of openings formed in the sidewall of the body portion, through the exhaust opening of the personal compact diffuser, over the aromatic element, and out of a vent formed by a proximal end of the multi-compartment diffuser cartridge.