Electrically heated air fresheners

• US 6,141,496 A
• Filed: 06/06/1994
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Erie Ceramic Arts Company, LLC (Superior Metal Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Erie Ceramic Arts Company
• Inventors: Martter, Robert H., Sundberg, Craig C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US08/254,181
• Time in Patent Office: 2,339 Days
• Field of Search: 392/390, 392/392, 392/403, 392/404, 439/742, 439/737, 439/78, 439/79, 239/60, 219/541
• US Class Current: 392/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrically heated air freshener for producing a scent comprising a housing having a receptacle for supporting a fragrance block, the fragrance block comprising a material that volatilizes upon heating and a porcelain enamel metal substrate comprising a metal substrate having a porcelain enamel coating bonded thereto. The porcelain enamel coating has bonded thereto a resistance strip for generating heat upon application of an electrical current and a conductive strip for conducting electrical current to the resistance strip.

Claims

1. An air freshener as set forth wherein said porcelain enamel metal substrate includes two or more of said resistance paths.

2. An air freshener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said porcelain enamel metal substrate includes a thermal barrier slot for inhibiting the transfer of heat along said porcelain enamel metal substrate.

3. An air freshener as set forth in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a plurality of slotted openings to facilitate the flow of air around said fragrance block.

4. An air freshener as set forth in claim 3 wherein said porcelain enamel metal substrate includes a base substrate comprising steel.

5. An electrically heated air freshener for producing a scent comprising:

i. a housing having a receptacle for supporting a fragrance block, said fragrance block comprising a material that volatilizes upon heating; and

ii. a porcelain enamel metal substrate comprising a metal substrate having a porcelain enamel coating bonded thereto, said porcelain enamel coating having bonded thereto;

a. a resistance strip for generating heat upon application of an electrical current; and

b. a conductive strip for conducting electrical current to said resistance strip;

said housing further including a pair of protruding electrical prongs adapted for insertion into a 120 VAC wall outlet, said prongs being mechanically connected to said conductive strip of said porcelain enamel metal substrate, said mechanical connection comprising a forked portion formed on the ends of said electrical contact prongs, said forked ends adapted to securely engage said porcelain enamel metal substrate as an edge connector.