Method and apparatus for dual-outlet vapor dispenser

Abstract

A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

1 . A vapor-dispensing device, comprising: 
 a first side comprising a plug, said plug configured to be inserted into an electrical receptacle of an electrical outlet;    a reservoir coupled to said first side, said reservoir comprising a volatizable material; and    a second side coupled to said first side and said reservoir, said second side comprising a plurality electrical receptacles, wherein each electrical receptacle of said plurality of electrical receptacles is electrically coupled to said plug.    
   
   
       2 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said second side comprises a quadrilateral with a length in the range of about five centimeters to about thirteen centimeters and a width in the range of about five centimeters to about thirteen centimeters.  
   
   
       3 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 2 , wherein said vapor-dispensing device comprises a thickness in the range of about one centimeter to about eight centimeters.  
   
   
       4 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a heating element in communication with said reservoir, said heat element configured to heat said volatizable material sufficient to cause said volatizable material to form a vapor; and    a controller coupled to said heating element, wherein said controller is configured to control a temperature range of said heating element.    
   
   
       5 . A vapor-dispensing device, comprising: 
 a first side comprising a first plug and a second plug, each plug configured to be inserted into a respective electrical receptacle of an electrical outlet;    a reservoir coupled to said first side, said reservoir comprising a volatizable material; and    a second side coupled to said first side and said reservoir, said second side comprising a first electrical receptacle and a second electrical receptacle, wherein: said first electrical receptacle is electrically coupled to said first plug, and said second electrical receptacle is electrically coupled to said second plug.    
   
   
       6 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 5 , wherein said second side comprises a quadrilateral with a length in the range of about five centimeters to about thirteen centimeters, and a width in the range of about five centimeters to about thirteen centimeters.  
   
   
       7 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 6 , wherein said vapor-dispensing device comprises a thickness in the range of about one centimeter to about eight centimeters.  
   
   
       8 . The vapor-dispensing device of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a heating element in communication with said reservoir, said heat element configured to heat said volatizable material sufficient to cause said volatizable material to form a vapor; and    a controller coupled to said heating element, wherein said controller is configured to control a temperature range of said heating element.    
   
   
       9 . A method of increasing discreteness of a vapor-dispensing device comprising the steps of: 
 providing a vapor-dispensing device configured to be inserted into an electrical outlet; and    configuring a surface of said vapor-dispensing device to resemble said electrical outlet.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said electrical outlet comprises a first plurality of electrical receptacles, said method further comprising the step of: 
 configuring said vapor-dispensing device to comprise a second plurality of electrical receptacles such that said vapor-dispensing device and said electrical outlet have the same number of electrical receptacles.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said electrical outlet comprises only a first electrical receptacle and a second electrical receptacle, and wherein said configuring step comprises the step of: 
 configuring said vapor-dispensing device to comprise only a third electrical receptacle and a fourth electrical receptacle such that said vapor-dispensing device comprises the same number of electrical receptacles as said electrical outlet.    
   
   
       12 . A method of increasing utility of a vapor-dispensing device comprising the steps of: 
 providing a vapor-dispensing device configured to be inserted into at least one electrical receptacle of an electrical outlet comprising a first plurality of electrical receptacles; and    configuring said vapor-dispensing device to comprise a second plurality of electrical receptacles.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said electrical outlet comprises only a first electrical receptacle and a second electrical receptacle, and wherein said configuring step comprises the step of: 
 configuring said vapor-dispensing device to comprise only a first electrical receptacle and a second electrical receptacle such that said vapor-dispensing device comprises the same number of electrical receptacles as said electrical outlet.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said configuring step comprises the step of: 
 configuring said vapor-dispensing device to comprise the same number of electrical receptacles as said electrical outlet.