Wick-based volatile substance diffuser

Abstract

A wick-based diffuser is configured for diffusing a liquid volatile substance composition into an air flow path extending through the diffuser to disseminate the volatile substance composition throughout a surrounding volume (e.g., a vehicle interior). Diffusers may comprise a body defining a hollow interior and having an air flow path extending therethough; a reservoir; a wick extending from the reservoir and into the hollow interior of the body; and a closure mechanism configured to selectably isolate the wick and the reservoir from the air flow path extending through the body. Wick-based diffusers may be mounted to a support device via a low-friction mounting mechanism located above a center of gravity of the diffuser, such that the diffuser self-aligns in an upright orientation under the influence of gravity.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A diffuser comprising:
 a body comprising a reservoir configured to support a volatile substance composition therein and a wick configured to diffuse the volatile substance composition therefrom, wherein the reservoir is located below the wick when the body is in an upright position; and   a self-righting mounting mechanism coupled to the body, the self-righting mounting mechanism configured to allow the body to rotate to the upright position from a non-upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is located below a center of gravity of the diffuser. 
     
     
         3 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , the body further defining a hollow interior and having an air flow path extending therethrough, wherein the wick extends from the reservoir to an exposed portion of the wick positioned within the air flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , further comprising a closure mechanism configured to selectably isolate the wick and the reservoir from the air flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the wick extends through a reservoir upper wall between an interior of the reservoir and an air flow path extending through a portion of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The diffuser of  claim 5 , further comprising a closure mechanism configured to selectably isolate the wick and the reservoir from the air flow path extending through the body. 
     
     
         7 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism is configured to secure the diffuser relative to a support device. 
     
     
         8 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism is coupled to the body at a location above a center of gravity of the diffuser. 
     
     
         9 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism comprises a low friction joint. 
     
     
         10 . The diffuser of  claim 9 , wherein the low friction joint is a ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         11 . A diffuser comprising:
 a body comprising a reservoir configured to hold a volatile substance composition therein and a wick in communication with the reservoir and configured to diffuse the volatile substance composition therefrom, wherein the reservoir is located below a center of gravity of the diffuser; and   a self-righting mounting mechanism coupled to the body, the self-righting mounting mechanism configured to rotate the body to an upright position from a non-upright position as a result of the mass of the reservoir.   
     
     
         12 . The diffuser of  claim 11 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism is configured to secure the diffuser relative to a support device. 
     
     
         13 . The diffuser of  claim 11 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism is coupled to the body at a location above a center of gravity of the diffuser. 
     
     
         14 . The diffuser of  claim 11 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism comprises a ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         15 . The diffuser of  claim 11 , the body further defining a hollow interior and having an air flow path extending therethrough, wherein the wick extends from the reservoir to an exposed portion of the wick positioned within the air flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , further comprising a closure mechanism configured to selectably isolate the wick and the reservoir from the air flow path. 
     
     
         17 . A diffuser comprising:
 a body comprising a reservoir configured to hold a volatile substance composition therein and a wick in communication with the reservoir and configured to diffuse the volatile substance composition therefrom, wherein the reservoir is located below the wick when the body is in an upright position; and   a self-righting mounting mechanism coupled to the body at a location above a center of gravity of the diffuser such that the self-righting mounting mechanism allows the body to rotate to the upright position from a non-upright position.   
     
     
         18 . The diffuser of  claim 17 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism is configured to secure the diffuser relative to a support device. 
     
     
         19 . The diffuser of  claim 17 , wherein the self-righting mounting mechanism comprises a ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         20 . The diffuser of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir is located below a center of gravity of the diffuser.