Air freshener dispensers, cartridges therefor, systems, and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
- an elongated housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release, the elongated housing having a first end and an opposed second end;
a centrifugal fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser;
a motor within the housing for driving the fan;
at least one sensor; and
a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto,wherein, relative to the fan, the cavity is disposed closer to the first end of the housing and, relative to the cavity, the fan is disposed closer to the second end of the housing, andwherein the housing further comprises an airflow outlet through which the airflow comprising the entrained released air freshening substance is directed from the air freshener dispenser, the airflow outlet being disposed closer to the second end of the housing, relative to the cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automated air freshener dispensers and cartridges therefor are provided herein. Air freshener dispensers include a housing having a cavity for receiving a cartridge containing an air freshening substance for release, a fan that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow, a motor for driving the fan, at least one sensor, and a controller that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.
226 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
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an elongated housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release, the elongated housing having a first end and an opposed second end; a centrifugal fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto, wherein, relative to the fan, the cavity is disposed closer to the first end of the housing and, relative to the cavity, the fan is disposed closer to the second end of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises an airflow outlet through which the airflow comprising the entrained released air freshening substance is directed from the air freshener dispenser, the airflow outlet being disposed closer to the second end of the housing, relative to the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
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a housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto, wherein an axis of rotation of the fan is positioned outside of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An air freshener cartridge, comprising:
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a body that comprises a polymer impregnated with an air freshening substance selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof, wherein the body has a volume of from about 0.4 in3 (7,000 mm3) to about 2.5 in3 (41,000 mm3) and a surface area of from about 9 in2 (6,000 mm2) to about 40 in2 (26,000 mm2). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An air freshener system, comprising:
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a cartridge comprising a body that comprises a matrix material impregnated with an air freshening substance for release selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof, the body comprising a plurality of ribs extending from a substrate and forming airflow channels therebetween; a housing that comprises a cavity containing the cartridge; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the housing, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the housing; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification