Air freshener dispensers, cartridges therefor, systems, and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An air freshener system, comprising:
- a cartridge comprising a body that comprises a matrix material impregnated with an air freshening substance for release selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof, the body having a volume of from about 0.1 in3 (1,600 mm3) to about 2.5 in3 (41,000 mm3) and a surface area of from about 2.0 in2 (1,300 mm2) to about 40 in2 (26,000 mm2);
a housing that comprises a cavity containing the cartridge;
a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the housing, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the housing;
a motor within the housing for driving the fan;
at least one sensor; and
a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automated air freshener dispensers and cartridges therefor are provided herein. Air freshener dispensers include a housing having a cavity for receiving a cartridge containing an air freshening substance for release, a fan that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow, a motor for driving the fan, at least one sensor, and a controller that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.
232 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An air freshener system, comprising:
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a cartridge comprising a body that comprises a matrix material impregnated with an air freshening substance for release selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof, the body having a volume of from about 0.1 in3 (1,600 mm3) to about 2.5 in3 (41,000 mm3) and a surface area of from about 2.0 in2 (1,300 mm2) to about 40 in2 (26,000 mm2); a housing that comprises a cavity containing the cartridge; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the housing, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the housing; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
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a housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto, wherein the housing of the air freshener dispenser is mountable to a bath tissue dispenser housing, wherein the housing further comprises an air inlet and an airflow outlet through which the airflow comprising the entrained released air freshening substance is directed from the air freshener dispenser, and wherein an airflow path from the air inlet to the airflow outlet is tortuous. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
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a housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto, wherein the housing comprises at least one projection within the cavity, the projection being configured for mating engagement with a recess of the cartridge and comprising a plurality of ribs or posts.
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19. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:
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a housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release; a fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser; a motor within the housing for driving the fan; at least one sensor; and a controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto, wherein the housing comprises a door that provides access to the cavity, and wherein the housing comprises at least one projection within the cavity and located on the door, the projection being configured for mating engagement with a recess of the cartridge.
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Specification