Air freshener

• US 20120024979A1
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey F. Wadlin
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey F. Wadlin
• Inventors: Wadlin, Jeffrey F.
• Application Number:
  US13/136,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20120024979A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick

Abstract

A diffuser-type air freshener apparatus or appliance (1, 100) affixed to an air grille (6) of a domestic or industrial central air handling system. The appliance includes a housing module which may include a reservoir (24) for storing a volatile fragrant liquid into which one or more scent-wicks (8, 108) are adjustably immersed. Alternatively, dry or pre-moistened wicks may be employed and selectively added or removed to obtain the desired level of scent diffusion. Alternatively, the appliance housing defines an inner opening (42) through which air passes when returning along a defined airflow direction (A) to the central system. One or more flat scent elements or wicks are disposed such that their major flat wicking sides (9) are oriented generally along the defined airflow direction, affording substantial diffusing and/or wicking action with minimal interference with system airflow. Fasteners, including tabs (50) or a detachable clip bracket (29), releasably secure the air freshener appliance to the air grille.

Claims

1. An air freshener apparatus comprising:

a support, said support having attachment means to attach said air freshener apparatus to a vent having air flow therethrough; and

a plurality of scent members attached to said support, said scent members having scent surfaces disposed substantially parallel to said air flow,

whereby, through air flow across the scent members, scent in the scent surfaces is transferred to the air flow.

2. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means attaches said air freshener apparatus to a vent selected from the group consisting of an air intake vent and an air output vent.

3. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a mounting bracket, removable mounting bracket, tabs, detachable clip brackets, and clip brackets.

4. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

alignment means for aligning said plurality of scent members along said vent substantially parallel to said air flow.

5. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said alignment means is selected from the group consisting of slots, spacers, fingers, combs and combinations thereof.

6. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one comb mechanism, said at least one comb mechanism attached to said support and having a number of fingers and slots for adjustably receiving one or more of said plurality of scent members therein, said comb mechanism supporting and orienting said scent members to said air flow.

7. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scent surfaces of said plurality of scent members are substantially rectangular, having two major side surfaces and thin edge surfaces, said major side surfaces substantially parallel to said airflow and said thin edge surfaces substantially facing and without substantially impeding said air flow.

8. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of scent members are pre-treated to contain scent.

9. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of scent members are composed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, natural fiber, man-made fiber, cloth, plants and combinations thereof.

10. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises a housing structure, sides of said housing structure defining an air flow pathway therethrough, and said plurality of scent members disposed therein.

11. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support, and said plurality of scent members are modular components.

12. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said modular components are dishwasher safe.

13. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of scent members are disposable.

14. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support, and said plurality of scent members are a unitary construction.

15. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air freshener apparatus is disposable.

16. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air freshener apparatus is collapsible.

17. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

collapsing means for collapsably connecting said plurality of scent members to said attachment means.

18. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

spring means for expanding a said plurality of scent members apart for deployment.

19. An air freshener apparatus comprising:

a support, said support having attachment means to attach said air freshener apparatus to a vent having air flow therethrough;

a scent reservoir, said scent reservoir attached to said support; and

a plurality of scent members attached to said support, said scent members having an end thereof disposed in said scent reservoir, and having scent surfaces disposed substantially parallel to said air flow,

whereby, through wicking in the scent members, fluid in the scent reservoir transfers scent to the air flow.

20. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said scent reservoir stores a volatile fragrant liquid, said plurality of scent members being adjustably disposed therein for wicking said liquid.

21. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one scent member is not disposed in said scent reservoir.

22. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising:

at least one window means for observing fluid in said scent reservoir.

23. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said support, said scent reservoir, and said plurality of scent members are modular components.

24. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said modular components are dishwasher safe.

25. The air freshener apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of scent members are disposable.

26. A kit for an air freshener device comprising:

a support, said support having attachment means to attach said support to a vent having air flow therethrough;

a plurality of scent members attached to said support, said scent members having scent surfaces disposed substantially parallel to said air flow; and

instructions on assembling said air freshener device.

27. The kit according to claim 26, further comprising:

a scent reservoir attached to said support, at least one of said scent members attached to said support having an end thereof disposed in said scent reservoir,

whereby, through wicking in the scent members, fluid in the scent reservoir transfers scent to the air flow.

28. The kit according to claim 27, further comprising:

a container of fragrant fluid for said scent reservoir.

29. The kit according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of scent members in said kit are in a sealed container.

30. The kit according to claim 26, wherein said support and said plurality of scent members are modular components.