Night light air freshener

• US 6,478,440 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Nakagaki, Tadahiko, Hui, Patrick Yeo Siok, Milo, Michael Thomas, Jaworski, Thomas, Ki, Kong Wai
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Guiyoung
• Application Number:
  US09/523,006
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 362/92, 362/95, 362/96, 362/226, 362/253, 362/290, 362/802, 362/276, 428/905, 439/929
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/04 Attracting insects by using illumination or colours A01M1/08 and A01M1/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

An air freshener dispenser is taught having plug-through capability as well as a night light. The dispenser is a plug-in diffuser for such active materials as fragrances and air fresheners, and eliminates the consumer problem of loss of an electrical outlet, by providing a receptacle into which another plug may be inserted. The dispenser uses replaceable cartridges of material to be dispensed, and provides a night light for those who desire such.

Claims

1. A plug-in diffuser, for use with a substance to be thermally diffused, said diffuser comprising:

a. an outer housing;

b. a male electrical plug extending outwardly from the rear of said housing;

c. a female electrical receptacle on the front of said housing having direct electrical contact with said male electrical plug, thereby providing plug-through capability;

d. an opening in said outer housing for receipt of an active material container, said opening being located between the front cover of said housing and an inner wall within said housing;

e. an electrical resistance heater electrically connected between the terminals of said male electrical plug by means of parallel electrically conductive metal plates;

wherein said parallel electrically conductive plates extend from said male electrical plug terminals to a night light circuitry board electrically connected between said parallel metal plates within said housing, and said electrically conductive metal plates also comprise heat transfer plates in heat conductive contact with said inner wall within said housing, whereby said electrically conductive metal plates both conduct electricity to said night light circuitry board, and transfer heat to said active material via said inner wall; and

f. an electric lamp electrically connected to said night light circuitry board, and having a night light lens over said electric lamp and affixed to said housing.

2. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, wherein said housing is a molded plastic material having air diffusion openings therein.

3. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, where in said night light lens is a transparent plastic.

4. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, wherein said active material container comprises a replaceable plastic tray having a vapor permeable cover thereupon.

5. The plug-in diffuser of claim 4, wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and mixtures thereof.

6. The plug-in diffuser of claim 5, wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of air fresheners and fragrances.

7. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for said night light comprises an on/off switch.

8. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for said night light comprises an automatic on/off circuit and ambient light sensor.

9. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for said night light comprises a non-replaceable lamp.

10. A heated dispenser of active materials, said dispenser comprising a container of active material, an electric resistance heater, and plug-through electrical circuitry, wherein:

a. said dispenser comprises a male electrical plug extending rearwardly from said dispenser with a female electrical receptacle on the front of said dispenser in direct electrical contact with said male electrical plug;

b. said dispenser further comprises electrically conductive elements extending from the terminals of said male plug to the electric resistance heater;

whereby

c. said electrically conductive elements conduct electricity to a night light circuitry board to thereby power a night light connected to said circuitry board in said heated dispenser, and said electrically conductive elements further conduct heat from said resistance heater to said container of active materials to cause said active materials to evaporate from said container.

11. A heated dispenser as set forth in claim 10, wherein said container of active materials comprises a plastic tray having a vapor permeable cover over an active material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and mixtures thereof.

12. A heated dispenser as set forth in claim 11, wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances and air fresheners.

13. A heated dispenser as set forth in claim 10, wherein said heater comprises a metal oxide resistance.

14. A heated dispenser as set forth in claim 10, wherein said night light circuitry board further comprises an automatic control for said night light.