DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates, in general, to the dispensing in an environment of incense or other volatile substances obtained by combustion of a preparation, the latter for example in granular form.

The invention provides, in particular, a dispensing device for use in said application.

Background

In the field of the dispensing of incense into an environment, for example for perfuming or aromatherapy purposes, devices are known which allow the combustion of a granular preparation, the latter typically directly contained in a receptacle of the same device or supplied in the form of a stick or cartridge.

In order to allow the generation and diffusion of volatile substances, the preparation is "lighted", i.e. its combustion is activated. In order for the latter to continue before the complete exhaustion of the preparation, the natural substances of which it is composed, typically mixtures of aromatic herbs, require to be integrated with synthetic compounds, often resulted to be polluting.

This fact represents an evident drawback of the known devices and methods, particularly when the dispensing (also) occurs for therapeutic purposes of any nature.

Summary of the Invention

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a device which allows solving the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

Such problem is solved mainly by a device according to claim 1.

Preferred features of the present invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims. The device of the invention allows feeding the combustion of an incense or other substance using suction means arranged within the main body of the device itself, thus avoiding the need to add to the natural preparation other elements responsible for maintaining the combustion.

In particular, the preparation is packaged in an elongated housing, with cigarette-like shape, which is longitudinally supported, in use, in a seat of the main body of the device. The aforementioned suction means, typically realized by means of a fan, generates a suction air flow, from the outside towards the inside of the device, which passes through the preparation. The volatile substances aspirated may then be spread outside through dispensing openings or vents obtained in the main body, advantageously upon one or more lateral faces thereof.

In other words, thence, the device emulates the action of aspiration of a cigarette performed by a user who smokes it.

In a different application, the device may be used to keep a cigarette or similar device alight without it, between one puff and the other, being extinguished and releasing an unpleasant bitter burnt taste when it is lighted back again, and/or in any case not maintaining the original organoleptic qualities of the aromatic content.

Therefore, the device may properly be configured as an aspirator and dispenser in the application for the diffusion of aromatic volatile substances mentioned above and as a basic aspirator in the variant lately mentioned.

In the present context, "volatile substance" is intended as any substance, element or compound which spreads in the air, possibly releasing an aroma to the environment.

Other advantages, features and methods of use of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of its embodiments, presented by the way of non-limiting example. Short description of the figures

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective and exploded view of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further representing a packaging of a preparation for use with the device;

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of a variant of an upper part of the device of Figure 1 bearing a receiving seat for the packaging of the preparation to be dispensed;

Figure 4 shows a side perspective view of a component of the device of Figure 1 , bearing a suction channel or chamber;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above of suction means of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6A shows a side perspective view of a packaging of a preparation to be dispensed, for use with the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6B shows the packaging of Figure 6A, wherein an upper portion of housing has been removed to show the preparation.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

With initial reference to Figures 1 and 2, a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 1.

In the present embodiment, device 1 is configured for the dispensing an incense or other volatile substance obtained by combustion of a granular preparation packaged in a housing. Such packaging is globally denoted by 100 and will be below described in greater detail with reference to Figures 6A and 6B.

The dispensing device 1 comprises a main body 2, which in the present example has a polyhedral and in particular substantially cubic or parallelepiped shape. Specifically, main body 2 is defined by an upper wall 21 , by a lower, or bottom, wall 22 and by four sidewalls denoted by the numerical references respectively from 23 to 26.

Main body 2 further defines a housing, or casing, of the device 1 , bearing an internal compartment 27 which houses other components of the device itself. Advantageously, lower wall 22 can be made removable, for example by means of a screw connection to the other parts of the main body 2, so as to allow an easy access to the internal compartment 27.

Main body 2 is therefore configured to allow the device 1 being supported in a stable manner on a support plane, for example a table.

A variant embodiment does not provide for a lower, or bottom, wall to close the main body 2. In this case, in use, the free edges of the sidewalls 23-26 directly abut the support plane.

With further reference to Figure 3, at upper wall 21 of main body 2 the device 1 bears a seat 3 configured to receive the aforementioned packaging 100 and in particular a lower terminal portion 203 of the latter. The seat 3 can be directly obtained as a basic hole passing through wall 21 or be defined by an additional structural element fixed with main body 2 and extending into a corresponding opening in said upper wall 21.

Seat 3 has predominant extension in a longitudinal direction L thereof, which further substantially corresponds to the prevalent extension direction of packaging 100 received, in use, within the seat 3 itself. Specifically, the seat 3 has a first longitudinal end 31 open towards the outside and a second longitudinal end 32 in communication with the internal compartment 27. In such a way, the seat 3 puts the outside of the main body 2 into communication with its internal compartment 27 along the longitudinal direction L.

Advantageously, hence, the seat 3 has a substantially tubular conformation and a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical geometry. In the latter case, the tapering extends from the top downwards, i.e. the cross section of seat 3 at the second end 32 is smaller than that at first end 31.

In use, the terminal portion 203 of the packaging 100 is inserted into the seat 3 through external end 31 thereof.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, seat 3 is arranged near a thickening, protrusion or rib 11 of main body 2. In particular, a rib, or a pair of ribs, 11 is provided, which is overall shaped as human lips and for this purpose defined by an upper lip 111 and a lower lip 112. This special conformation can be functional to immediately pointing out to the user where to insert the packaging 100.

Other variant embodiments may provide that seat 3 extends directly through said rib, thickening or protrusion, which may therefore realize the aforementioned additional structural element.

Main body 2 also has one or more dispensing openings towards the outside. In the present example, at least four dispensing openings are provided, each denoted by 10 and advantageously obtained at a respective sidewall 23-26. Openings 10 can be defined as basic holes passing through the respective walls or be implemented according to variant embodiments similar to those mentioned for the seat 3 above described.

In the present example, it is provided that a rib, thickening or protrusion (or pairs of such elements) similar to that which surrounds seat 3 is further provided at each dispensing opening 10.

Device 1 further comprises suction means 6, housed within the compartment 27 of the main body 2 and configured, adhered to suction channel 4 also by means of a screw connection which guarantees the replacement and/or maintenance of the suction means, to determine a suction through seat 3, and then through packaging 100 housed thereinside. In the present example, such suction means comprises a fan, also denoted by 6.

Advantageously, suction means 6 can be connected, directly or by means of intermediate components, to autonomous powering means 7, in particular a battery or a low voltage battery pack, for example of a rechargeable type. A variant embodiment may provide the use of non-rechargeable batteries or a different powering mode, also if not autonomous.

Battery 7, or another powering means, can be positioned on lower wall 22 or applied on a sidewall 23-26 of main body 2.

Battery 7 - or different powering means - can be activated by a switch 8, directly applied thereon or on a circuit associated therewith.

With reference also to Figure 5, suction means 6 is applied on a base or support 5 provided with holes or channels for the passage of an air flow generated by suction means 6.

With reference also to Figure 4, between base 5 and upper wall 21 of main body 2 a suction chamber, or channel, 4 is defined, which in the present example is realized by means of a structural element 41 bearing an internal chamber, or channel, 4 in communication with lower end 32 of seat 3. Advantageously, structural element 41 realizes a sealing against the inner surface, or face, of wall 21 of main body 2 crossed by seat 3.

Lower base 5 may further realize a receptacle of dust or ashes falling through the seat 3. In this case, the holes or channels of component 5 can be calibrated so as to allow the passage of the air flow but not of preparation (burned) particles.

With reference to Figures 6A and 6B, packaging 100 comprises an elongated housing 200 which receives a granular preparation 300, the latter typically based on natural herbs and suitable for releasing, by combustion, an incense or other volatile substance.

Housing 200 has a cylindrical or tapered shape, in particular a cigarette-like shape, and bears a first longitudinal end portion 202 shaped like a wick and configured to allow ignition, a lateral mantle 201 and a second longitudinal end portion 203 suitable for being received, entirely or partially, within seat 3 of device 1.

At the end portion 203 the packaging 100 comprises a suction filter 400 received within the housing 200, which filter can be made of organic hemp. Therefore, the preparation 300 is not present in this part of the packaging.

At upper portion 202 the device may further house a thread, in particular made of organic hemp fiber, which realizes an actual wick.

Dispensing device 1 and packaging 100 can be provided in the form of an assemblable kit comprising the device and the preparation 300 packaged inside said housing 200.

Therefore, in use, the overall configuration is such that suction means 6 determines an air flow from the outside towards the inside of main body 2 which passes through the packaging 100, feeding the combustion of the preparation 300 and therefore the generation of the volatile substance. The latter is driven by the air flow through the seat 3, into the suction chamber 4 and from there, passing through the base 5, is delivered to the outside through the openings 10. The arrow V in Figure 2 indicates the direction of such air flow.

It will therefore be appreciated at this point that the described device achieves a uniform distribution of the aroma coming from the combustion of incense or other substance in the surrounding environment. Moreover, the proposed configuration allows, by means of the sucked air flow, a continuous and complete combustion of the preparation.

In a different application, device 1 may be used to keep burning a granular preparation packaged in an elongated housing, in particular a cigarette.

For example, in countries where the consumption of cannabis and/or herbal cigarettes is permitted, for recreational purposes and/or as a tobacco substitute, the device can be used to keep burning the hemp and/or herbal cigarette without the latter, after the first puff, extinguishes and possibly releases that bitter taste of burnt when it is lighted back on, effectively preventing the original organoleptic properties of its contents from being maintained unchanged.

In this variant of use, but also in the already described variants and embodiments, filtering means of volatile substances can be provided, preferably arranged at or near the aforementioned dispensing openings.

It will therefore be appreciated that the device of the invention replicates the concept of inhalation that every smoker performs when he puts a cigarette in his mouth.

The present invention has been so far described with reference to its preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments which refer to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set forth below. Numbering of components in the Figures

1 - Suction/dispensing device

2 - Main body, or casing, of the device 1

21-26 - Upper, lower and side walls of the main body 2

27 - Internal room of the main body 2

3 - Receiving seat of the package 100

31 - Upper longitudinal end of the seat 3

32 - Lower longitudinal end of the seat 3

33 - Lateral mantle of the seat 3

4 - Suction channel or chamber

41 - Structural element which defines the suction chamber 4

5 - Support of the fan 6

6 - Fan

7 - Powering means (battery) of the fan 6

8 - Switch

10 - Dispensing openings

11 -Lips-shaped protuberance of the main body

11 1 - Upper lip rib

112 -Lower lip rib

100 - Preparation packaging for use with device 1

200 - Casing of the packaging 100

201 - Lateral mantle of the casing 200

202 - Top portion of the casing 200, or wick

203 - Lower or coupling portion of the packaging 100

300 - Preparation received in the packaging 100

400 - Suction filter of the packaging 100

L - Longitudinal axis of the packaging

V - Direction of dispensing/crossing of device 1 by the volatile substances