Combination air freshener and hand lotion dispenser

• US 20020030116A1
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,769,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/59
• 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 comprising a container and an actuator defining an actuation surface;

a pourable compound within said container, wherein said compound is dispensible from said container upon manual manipulation of said actuation surface;

a base defining a substantially flat mounting surface, an interior surface sized and shaped to receive and retain said dispenser, a location sized and shaped to receive a supply of air freshener; and

a supply of air freshener received by said location.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly can rest upon said mounting surface.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said dispenser further comprises a pump and force exerted on said actuation surface moves said dispenser relative said base to accelerate the dispersal of air freshener from said supply of air freshener.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said base further defines at least one hole through which air freshener from said supply of air freshener can be dispersed.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base further defines at least a plurality of holes through which air freshener from said supply of air freshener can be dispersed.

6. An air freshener delivery assembly, comprising:

a bottle;

a hood comprising a wall cooperating with at least a portion of said bottle to form a cavity;

a supply of air freshener within said hood, wherein said hood is movable with respect to said bottle from a first position wherein said hood and said bottle cooperate to define a first generally enclosed volume to a second position wherein said hood defines a second enclosed volume smaller than said first enclosed volume, thereby dispensing air freshener from said supply of air freshener.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said hood defines holes through which at least a portion of said supply of air freshener is dispensible.

8. An assembly, comprising:

a first engagement portion defining a cavity and an actuator defining an actuation surface;

a pourable compound within said first engagement portion, wherein said compound is dispensible from said first engagement portion upon manual manipulation of said actuation surface;

a second engagement portion, said second engagement portion defining an interior surface sized and shaped to receive and retain said first engagement portion, said second engagement portion defining a location sized and shaped to receive a supply of air freshener; and

a supply of air freshener positioned at said location.

9. An assembly, comprising:

a first engagement portion defining a cavity and an actuator defining an actuation surface;

a supply of hand lotion within said first engagement portion, wherein said supply of hand lotion is dispensible from said first engagement portion upon manual manipulation of said actuation surface;

a second engagement portion, said second engagement portion defining a location sized and shaped to receive a supply of air freshener; and

a supply of air freshener positioned at said location.

10. A dispenser assembly, comprising:

a first portion at least partially defining a first enclosure for receiving a supply of hand lotion;

a second portion at least partially defining a second enclosure for receiving a supply of air freshener, said second portion having at least one opening, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion to a dispensing position for urging said air freshener in a direction from within said second enclosure toward said opening;

a pump assembly communicating with said supply of hand lotion and defining an outlet positioned outside of both said first and second enclosures, said hand lotion being urged in a direction from within said first enclosure toward said outlet when said pump assembly is actuated;

wherein said second portion is movable to said dispensing position independent of said actuation of said pump assembly.

11. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein actuation of said pump assembly indirectly moves said second portion into said dispensing position.

12. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, additionally comprising a tray supporting said supply of air freshener, said tray engaging said second portion to at least partially define said second enclosure.

13. The dispenser assembly of claim 12, wherein said tray is supported by said first portion and slideably engaged with said second portion.

14. The dispenser assembly of claim 12, wherein movement of said second portion into said dispensing position reduces the volume of said second enclosure.

15. The dispenser assembly of claim 12, wherein said tray is secured to said first portion by said pump assembly.

16. The dispenser assembly of claim 12, wherein said tray defines at least one abutment surface, said abutment surface engaging said first portion to inhibit rotation of said tray relative to said first portion.

17. The dispenser assembly of claim 12, additionally comprising at least one carrier pad for carrying said supply of air freshener, said dispenser having at least one projection for positioning said carrier pad with respect to said tray.

18. The dispenser assembly of claim 17, wherein said projection is connected to said tray.

19. The dispenser assembly of claim 17, wherein said at least one projection includes a retaining surface, said retaining surface engaging said carrier pad for inhibiting undesired removal of said carrier pad from said projection.

20. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein said second portion includes a base for supporting said dispenser.

21. A dispenser assembly, comprising:

a first portion at least partially defining a first enclosure for receiving a supply of hand lotion;

a second portion at least partially defining a second enclosure for receiving a supply of air freshener, said second portion having at least one opening;

a pump assembly communicating with said supply of hand lotion and defining an outlet positioned outside of both said first and second enclosures, said hand lotion being urged in a direction from within said first enclosure toward said outlet when said pump assembly is actuated;

means for dispensing said air freshener from within said second enclosure through said opening without an external supply of power.

22. The dispenser assembly of claim 21, wherein said means for dispensing said air freshener is activated by actuation of said pump assembly.

23. The dispenser assembly of claim 21, wherein said means for dispensing said air freshener is a mechanical fan assembly.

24. The dispenser assembly of claim 21, wherein said means for dispensing said air freshener is a reduction in the volume of said second enclosure.

25. A dispensing base for use with a liquid dispenser and an air freshener enclosure, the base comprising:

a substantially flat mounting surface;

an interior surface sized and shaped to receive said liquid dispenser;

a location sized and shaped to receive said air freshener enclosure; and

wherein said base defines at least one hole through which air freshener from said air freshener enclosure can be dispersed.