Combination air freshener and hand lotion dispenser

• US 7,484,675 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Douglas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey; Steven J
• Application Number:
  US10/897,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20050072855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 239/34, 239 55- 59, 239/289, 239/333, 239/337, 222/185.1, 222/192, 222/321.7, 222/402.1, 248/105, 248/127, 248/346.01, 248/346.5, 215/376, 215/386
• US Class Current: 239/289
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0005 Components or details of single units wherein the flow is effected by a pump B05B11/1042
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0037 Containers for several components B05B11/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0038 Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1074 located outside pump chambers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing of hand lotion and air freshener in a combined unit for home and office. Air freshener may be passively dispersed at a controlled rate from the apparatus, or may be actively dispersed when a user pumps the apparatus to receive a measured quantity of hand lotion. Dispersion may be implemented using a mechanical fan or compression of a sponge, for example.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a dispenser portion comprising a container defining an interior chamber and an opening to said interior chamber, a spout communicating with said opening and configured to selectively permit dispensing of a pourable compound from said interior chamber, said dispenser portion defining a dispenser portion end wall and a dispenser portion side wall;

an air freshener portion comprising;

an air freshener portion end wall and an air freshener portion side wall, said air freshener portion at least partially defining a compartment configured to receive a supply of air freshener, said air freshener portion side wall defining at least one ventilation opening to permit communication between said compartment and an environment external to said compartment; and

said air freshener portion defining a cavity sized and shaped to receive said dispenser portion end wall, wherein said air freshener portion side wall defines an inner surface configured to cooperate with said dispenser portion side wall to surroundingly contact and retain said dispenser portion within said air freshener portion side wall, wherein said air freshener compartment is defined between said dispenser portion end wall and an interior surface of said air freshener portion end wall and wherein said air freshener portion side wall has an outer surface which is substantially flush with an outer surface of said dispenser portion side wall, additionally comprising a supply of air freshener within said compartment.

2. The assembly of claim 1, additionally comprising a member configured to close said at least one ventilation opening.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said member comprises an adjuster ring having at least one opening configured to be incrementally aligned with said at least one ventilation opening to influence a rate of dispersion of said supply of air freshener.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said air freshener portion further comprises a contact surface that contacts said dispenser portion end wall.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said contact surface is defined by a wall that extends at least partially across said cavity.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said spout is configured for pump action dispensing of said pourable compound.