Heated deodorizing device for dispersing a fragrance

• US 6,044,202 A
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GLJ LLC
• Original Assignee: Circulair, Inc.
• Inventors: Junkel, Eric F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US09/276,053
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 392/386, 392/390, 392/391, 392/392, 392/393, 392/394, 392/395, 239/44, 239/45, 239/55, 239/56, 239/57, 239/135, 239/136, 239/34
• US Class Current: 392/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor

Abstract

A deodorizing device for diffusing and dispersing a volume of a desired fragrant compound intermixed with a body constructed of a plasticized resinous material. The fragrant compound forms a front enclosure of the body which is both structural and/or decorative in nature. A plurality of individual and heat generating resistors are connected in series and formed integrally with a rear enclosure of the device. A pair of alternating current (AC) attachment blades extend from the rear of the device and are operably engaged with the resistors via a thermistor to achieve a desired level of diffusion of the fragrant compounds. The construction of the body and fragrant compound is such that the compound is diffused at a decreasing rate until expended. The fragrant compound is in the preferred embodiment a releasably and replaceably securable resinous element which is impregnated with the fragrant compound.

Claims

1. A deodorizing device for dispersing a fragrance, comprising:

a body constructed of a plasticized resin material and having a front side and a spaced apart rear side defining a selected thickness;

a volume of a desired fragrant compound being mixed with said plasticized resin material of said body and forming both structural and decorative elements of said body, said fragrant compound capable of being diffused to selected surface locations of said body;

at least electrically powered heat generating element integrally formed with said body and in proximity to said fragrant compound, said heat generating element operable to facilitate evaporation of said diffused fragrant compounds to an environment surrounding said body;

electrical power input means extending from said body and capable of being operably engaged with an AC power outlet to supply said electrically powered heat generating element; and

dispensing means for diffusing said fragrant compound at a decreasing rate until said compound is expended.

2. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, said fragrant compound forming an integral front enclosure of said body which is permanently secured to said heat generating element and said electrical power input means further comprising AC attachment blades extending from said rear side of said body and forming a rear enclosure of said body.

3. The deodorizing device according to claim 2, said body further comprising a barrier interposed between said front enclosure and said rear enclosure of said body for isolating said electrically supplied heat generating elements from said fragrant compound.

4. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, said fragrant compound forming a front enclosure of said body and said heat generating element and AC attachment blades forming a rear enclosure of said body, said body further including a barrier interposed between said front enclosure and said rear enclosure, said front enclosure capable of being releasably and replaceably secured to said body.

5. The deodorizing device according to claim 4, said front enclosure including at least one gripping tab for facilitating removal of said front enclosure from said body.

6. The deodorizing device according to claim 5, said fragrant compound forming said front enclosure further being selected from one of a group of synthetically formed fragrant compounds corresponding to an established fruit shape.

7. The deodorizing device according to claim 6, said front enclosure further comprising an overall configuration selected from a group of shapes consisting of a lemon, a pine tree, a watermelon, an orange, and an apple.

8. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of individual heat generating resistors connected in series for rectifying an alternative wave current into a steady state current for supply to said plurality of resistors.

9. The deodorizing device according to claim 8, further comprising a thermistor connected in series to said plurality of individual heat generating resistors, said thermistor establishing a fixed temperature range for effecting a desired rate of diffusion of said fragrant compounds.

10. The deodorizing device according to claim 8, further comprising an on/off indicator lamp arrayed upon a visible portion of said body and connecting in series with a rectifier diode.

11. The deodorizing device according to claim 10, said indicator lamp further comprising at least one light emitting diode of sufficient intensity to function as a night light lamp.

12. The deodorizing device according to claim 8, further comprising a positive temperature coefficient-type resistance heating element, said coefficient-type resistance heating element establishing a fixed temperature range for effecting a desired rate of diffusion of said fragrant compounds.

13. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage converter for stepping down said electrical power input means to effectuate a controlled rate of diffusion of said fragrant compound.

14. The deodorizing device according to claim 13, said device further comprising a base structure within which said voltage converter is incorporated, a pair of AC blades extending from a rearward face of said base structure and in electrical communication with said voltage converter, said base structure further including a pair of receptacles formed within a forward face thereof.

15. The deodorizing device according to claim 14, further comprising a resin based deodorizing covering element having first and second rearwardly extending attachment pins which frictionally engage within said base structure receptacles, said pins conduct said voltage power to said electrically powered heat generating elements integrally formed within said covering element.

16. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, said body further comprising a lamp base capable of being rotatably engaged within a conventional lamp socket.