Solid state fragrancing

• US 9,278,152 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2013
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Impact Products, LLC (Genuine Parts Company)
• Original Assignee: Impact Products, LLC (Genuine Parts Company)
• Inventors: Irwin, John T., Dukes, Stephen A., Hayes, Robert James, Staufenberg, Donald James, Gayer, Jeffrey C.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US14/053,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20140076984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 4222-233, 239/60, 264/177.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/15 Supporting means, e.g. stands, hooks, holes for hanging
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/042 with the help of a macromolecular compound as a carrier or diluent A61L9/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/05 specially adapted to be released by contact with a liquid, e.g. for toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor

Abstract

Fragrance control is provided by articles of manufacture including various solid state fragrancing objects, methods of using such objects, and systems that employ one or more such objects. The solid state fragrancing object can be used to inconspicuously provide fragrance to a user in an environment by disposing the solid state fragrancing object in the environment and configuring the solid state fragrancing object as at least a portion of a fixture within the environment. The fragrancing object can be easy to manufacture, long lasting, provide fragrance that is consistently released over time, provide an indication to the user that the object needs to be replaced, and can hold a desired ratio of fragrance.

Claims

1. A method of inconspicuously providing fragrance to a user in an environment comprising:

disposing a solid state fragrancing object in the environment, the solid state fragrancing object configured as at least a portion of a fixture within the environment, wherein the solid state fragrancing object comprises a solid material including a fragrancing component and a member of the group consisting of a polyether block amide, a polyolefin elastomer, and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is disposed within a line of sight of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is disposed out of the line of sight of the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid material has a substantially constant cross-sectional area in a longitudinal dimension and a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.5:

1 to about 50;

1.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fragrancing component comprises a fragrance oil.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein disposing a solid state fragrancing object in the environment comprises disposing a plurality of the solid state fragrancing objects in the environment.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the solid state fragrancing objects are disposed on more than one fixture.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the solid state fragrancing objects disposed on different fixtures comprise different fragrancing components.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is configured as at least a portion of a trim piece of the fixture.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixture comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a lavatory stall door, a lavatory stall wall, a lavatory stall upright, a urinal divider, a mirror frame, a hand dryer, a paper towel dispenser, a sink counter, a soap dispenser, a shelf, an entry or exit door to the environment, an air vent, a feminine hygiene container, a piece of plumbing, a light fixture, and a waste receptacle.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object covers a preexisting portion of the fixture.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object replaces a portion of the fixture.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object substantially matches a color of the fixture.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object substantially matches a texture of the fixture.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is removably coupled to the fixture.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is removably coupled to the fixture by one of a mount and a base.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the solid state fragrancing object is directly coupled to the fixture.

18. A method of inconspicuously providing fragrance to a user in an environment comprising:

disposing a plurality of solid state fragrancing objects in the environment, the solid state fragrancing objects independently configured as at least a portion of at least one fixture within the environment;

wherein;

the solid state fragrancing objects comprise a solid material including a fragrancing component;

the solid material comprises a member of the group consisting of a polyether block amide, a polyolefin elastomer, and combinations thereof; and

the fragrancing component comprises a fragrance oil.

19. A method of inconspicuously providing fragrance to a user in an environment comprising:

disposing a solid state fragrancing object in the environment, the solid state fragrancing object configured as at least a portion of a fixture within the environment;

wherein;

the solid state fragrancing object comprises a solid material including a fragrancing component and a member of the group consisting of a polyether block amide, a polyolefin elastomer, and combinations thereof;

the fixture comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a lavatory stall door, a lavatory stall wall, a lavatory stall upright, a urinal divider, a mirror frame, a hand dryer, a paper towel dispenser, a sink counter, a soap dispenser, a shelf, an entry or exit door to the environment, an air vent, a feminine hygiene container, a piece of plumbing, a light fixture, and a waste receptacle;

the solid state fragrancing object is removably coupled to the fixture; and

the solid state fragrancing object is disposed within a line of sight of the user.