Odor control device

• US 4,830,791 A
• Filed: 02/29/1988
• Issued: 05/16/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scentex, Inc.
• Inventors: Muderlak, Kenneth J., Maloney, Patrick D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US07/162,021
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 261/24, 261/26, 261/30, 261/96, 261/102, 261/DIG. 17, 261/DIG. 65, 239/35, 239/57, 239/60, 422/5, 422/123, 422/124, 250/211 R, 250/215, 315/159
• US Class Current: 422/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/052 using incorporated fans
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/17 Odorizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers

Abstract

An improved odor control device including a source of deodorizing olfactory stimuli, a squirrel cage fan for circulating air carrying the stimuli, an electronic circuit providing a visual indicia relating to the status of the power source. A secondary circuit controls indicia means for indicating the elapse of a predetermined span of time from initilization of control of one such span of time for the purpose of alerting the user to examine and/or replace the olfactory stimuli.

Claims

1. An improved odor control device including a basic support structure, power means, means for creating air-movement driven by said power means, a source of deodorizing olfactory stimulating means, means for determining the operation of said means for creating air-movement whereby the status of operability of said power means can be ascertained, means for determining a predetermined life span based on the operation of said device, the normal life of said deodorizing olfactory stimulating means being substantially equal to said predetermined life span, wherein said means for determining said predetermined life span includes a timer, a separate power source for driving said timer, said timer generating periodic pulses at predetermined intervals, a counter means accepting said periodic pulses, said counter means generating a latch signal upon receipt of a predetermined number of periodic pulses, signal means activated by said latch signal for notifying the user of said odor control device of the need for replacement of said deodorizing olfactory stimulating means.

2. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said device includes means for permitting operation of said device only when subjected to a light source, thereby conserving said power source.

3. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 2 wherein said mens for determining the operation of said means for creating air-movement includes a circuit means having a flasher control means and a light emitting diode connected in parallel with said motor means to said power source.

4. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for permitting operation of said device only when subjected to a light source includes a light sensing device having the capability of providing an off or an on signal, respectively, in the absence or presence of a light source, means for amplifying the signal from said light sensing device connected to said power source and to said motor, thereby conserving the power source for use only when said light sensing device is subjected to light as when someone turns on a light in an enclosed room wherein said odor control device is located.

5. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 4 wherein said amplification means includes at least one transistor means biased by an appropriate resistance, said transistor being in series with said motor and said transistor with its resistance being in parallel with said light sensing device and said power source.

6. Am improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 5 wherein said light sensing device is a cadmium sulfide light sensor.

7. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 5 wherein said circuit also includes manual switch means that has three positions, one position being off, the second position directly connecting said motor to ground and hence causing continuous operation of said motor, and the third position connecting said transistor means to ground and subjecting said motor to the control of the light sensing device.

8. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for creating air-movement is an electric motor driving a squirrel cage fan, said basic support structure adapted to carry a removeable type cover having an open grill that permits passage of said air-movement through said open grill and prevents inadvertent engagement with said cage fan during its operation.

9. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for determining the operation of said cage fan includes circuit means for powering a flashing light means visible externally of said basic support structure to a casual observer.

10. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 9 wherein said circuit means includes a flasher control means and a flasher light means in the form of a light emitting diode connected in parallel with said motor means to said power source.

11. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said basic support structure is normally disposed in a vertical array and includes at least three distinct zones, a first zone having shelf means for supporting said deodorizer and spaced from said shelf means is said cage fan means, said deodorizer being exposed to the air flow created by said cage fan means to thereby disburse same into the ambient surrounding said device, a second zone divided by suitable support means from said first zone, motor means for driving said fan, said suitable support means carrying said motor and its connected fan, and a third zone containing said power source, said open grill in said removeable cover being so oriented as to be immediately adjacent said cage fan and permit olfactory stimuli to be disbursed into the ambient atmosphere surrounding said basic support structure.

12. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said odor control device includes an accessory element complimentary to said cover and capable of accepting same to provide a free standing support element for said odor control device to permit said device to be maintained in an upright position on a horizontal surface, as for example, a table or desk.

13. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein momentary switch means are provided to apply a momentary predetermined voltage to said counter device to reset same to zero for purpose of establishing the next timing period.

14. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for determining the operation of said means for creating air-movement includes a first flashing light means, said signal means includes a second flashing light means, said first and second flashing light means being of different colors to advise the user of said device the status of its operation.

15. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 14 wherein said signal means includes a flasher means, capacitor means, resistor means and a light emitting diode means, said flasher means activated by a transistor latched by said counter circuit to connect one terminal of said flasher means to ground while another terminal thereof is connected to a voltage power supply.

16. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said basic support structure includes means for accepting fastening means to maintain said support structure in juxtaposed relation to a wall support.

17. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 16 wherein said means for accepting fastening means includes a recessed extension to said basic support structure entending laterally rearwardly therefrom and including aperture means for positive location and retention of said fastening means.

18. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said power means includes a 1.5 volt power supply from at least one 1.5 volt dry cell.

19. An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 18 wherein said power means includes a 1.5 volt power supply from two 1.5 volt dry cells in parallel to insure continuous operation at full power for a longer period of time.