Auto air freshener
An auto air freshener provides a parallel spaced apart board and a card that suspending from a hang point. The auto air freshener has a blotter board that includes fragrance oil and other enhancers, a facer card having printed graphics upon one or both surfaces, a clip that spaces the board and the card apart, and a flexible elongated loop that hangs the freshener at a location selected by the user. Alternatively, a pedestal supports the board and the card upright. The freshener invention separates the delivery of fragrance from the visual display of graphics. The separation allows for the manufacture and the usage of the blotter board and the facer card with improved print quality and wider selection of fragrances.
This non provisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/207,009, having filing date Feb. 6, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe framed freshener generally relates to air freshening devices and more specifically to a blotter freshener separated from a printed card.
Over the years as automobiles and trucks developed, the passenger cabins and truck cabs became more and more sealed. To improve driver comfort, cabins and cabs became heated and cooled by various systems. Then as oil prices rose, heating and cooling systems faced pressure to become more efficient and lessen demand upon engines and power sources. Efficient heating and cooling systems called for tighter sealing of cabins and cabs. To improve driver comfort and safety, cabins and cabs became sealed at the doors against water and fume intrusion. Driver preference for a quiet ride with a minimum of road noise led to tighter sealing of cabins and cabs. Well sealed cabins and cabs make for a comfortable and safe ride for drivers. However, odors and fumes within a cabin and cab tend to linger because of the seals.
Companies have developed various fresheners to mask odors and fumes within a cabin of a car and the cab of a truck. The fresheners generally hang from a rear view mirror or other suitable anchoring point. The fresheners then release a fragrance over time to make the driver's environment more pleasant. The fresheners can be plain or have printing upon them for various marketing and advertising purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTFresheners come from various materials. The popular fresheners for the automotive market include the blotter type. The blotter has a rigid paperboard impregnated with a fragrance. Drivers have utilized the blotter freshener in great numbers due to its low cost and ease of use. The blotter accepts printing upon its surfaces and can be made in various shapes, including prevalent imitation conifer trees. The paperboard of the blotter retains its surface characteristics, such as texture and roughness.
These characteristics inhibit the quality of printing upon blotters. The rough texture of blotter absorbs much fragrance but accepts few fine details of printing. Existing blotter fresheners often have single words, phrases, or logos printed upon them but not multiple colors or camera ready artwork.
Automotive air fresheners also include a variety of gel products. The gel products attract drivers due to their softness, color, and introduction of a scent or fragrance. The gel fresheners, by their material properties, spark consumer demand. The gel fresheners contain a high percentage of mineral oil and attain various shapes. Additionally, the careful selection of the composition of gel products has related the good dispersion between a scent or fragrance and the surface of the gel products for introduction into the atmosphere. Gel fresheners retain printing upon their surface however, the printing generally has one color, limited numbers of words, and crude detail in logos.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides automotive air freshener that disperses a fragrance while allows detail printed decoration of the freshener. The automotive air freshener has fragrance embedded upon one planar member and detailed printed decoration upon a parallel planar member. The invention freshens the cabins and cabs of vehicles while providing more detailed printed images for drivers and others to view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONGenerally, the present invention of an auto air freshener provides a parallel spaced apart board and a card that suspending from a hang point. The auto air freshener has a blotter board that includes fragrance oil and other enhancers, a facer card having printed graphics upon one or both surfaces, a clip that spaces the board and the card apart, and a flexible elongated loop that hangs the freshener at a location selected by the user. The freshener invention separates the delivery of fragrance from the visual display of graphics allowing for manufacture and usage of the blotter board and the facer card with improved print quality and broadens selection of fragrances.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. The present invention also includes a clip that mechanically engages the blotter board and facer card yet still spaces them apart, a frame that separates the blotter board and facer card, a pedestal mount, an additional facer card wherein the fragrance card occupies the center of a three card and board arrangement, and a surface texture upon the blotter board including debossing that slows release of fragrance therefrom. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
One object of the present invention is to provide an auto air freshener with higher quality and more detailed printing in relation to a fragrant blotter card.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener with separated components that improves the inventory control and logistics management during manufacturing and later during sales.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that separates the visual function of the invention from its delivery of fragrance.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that separates the visual function of the invention from its delivery of fragrance.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that improves the aesthetics for the consumer and increases the flexibility of marketers and manufacturers.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that separates the graphic elements from the blotter board.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that provides a clip or frame that separates the visual from the fragrance elements in both a decorative and functional manner.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that allows for renewal and updating of its fragrance emitting blotter card and its visual facer card.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that heightens consumer convenience.
Another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that allows for consumers to collect the facer cards.
And, another object is to provide such an auto air freshener that allows for printed advertising upon the facer cards.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In referring to the drawings,
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTThe present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing an auto air freshener 1 in
Turning the invention as in
A side view of the present invention is shown in
An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in
In usage of the alternate embodiment,
Then
Though connectors with cooperating pins and holes and recesses have been described, the Applicant foresees usage of other connectors with the air freshening card and printed card. Other connectors are shown in
Another connector is shown in
In a further alternate embodiment, the freshening card 2 and printed card 8 include a debossed indentation. The debossment has a generally linear shape recessed into the surface of the cards. The debossment cooperates with the teeth 28, 29 of the hinge clip 24. The teeth fit within the debossment and the depth of the debossment prevents a card from slipping from the clip by the mechanical action of the teeth against the debossment walls. The debossment though does not penetrate completely through the cards thus obviating the usage of a cutting die.
Then in a further alternate embodiment, the base 14 contains a reservoir of fragrance and has a linear slot generally parallel to the diameter of the base and extending at least partially through the convex cross section. The slot intersects the reservoir at least partially along its length. Then a freshening card 2 has its lateral edge 2a inserted into the slot. The material of the freshening card then draws the fragrance through the card using capillary action similar to a wick. The card then releases the fragrance from the embodiment into the nearby environment.
And in a further alternate embodiment, the connector 3 is generally hollow below the aperture 6. The connector has a reservoir therein for storing liquid fragrance. The reservoir has a small pore opposite the aperture and generally within the recess 3a. The user then inserts the freshening card within the recess as before until the card abuts the connector. When the card abuts the pore, capillary action, such as in a wick, and gravity slowly disperse the fragrance through the pore into the material of the freshening card. The freshening card then distributes the fragrance into the environment around the embodiment. In this alternate embodiment, the connector and the freshening card are generally suspended vertically.
From the aforementioned description, an auto air freshener has been described. The device is uniquely capable of providing a fragrance or scent from a freshening card mutually parallel to and spaced apart from a printed card connected by a clip or pedestal mount. The air freshening card has a fragrance or scent deposited thereon and the printed card has various indicia, lettering, or images placed thereon using existing printing techniques. The auto air freshener and its various components may be manufactured from many materials, including but not limited to, cardstock, papers, polymers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites, and the fragrance or scent may include various ingredients as is known in the fragrance art.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A device for dispensing a freshening scent simultaneously with displaying a visual image, comprising:
- an air freshening card having at least one edge;
- at least one printed card, having at least one edge, said printed card being mutually parallel to said air freshening card; and
- a connector supporting said air freshening card and said printed card spaced apart and generally vertically,
- wherein one of said air freshening card or said printed card faces a user of said device.
2. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising:
- said connector including one of a biased hinged clip, a pressure grip clip, and at least one mechanical pin.
3. The dispensing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- said air freshening card and said at least one printed card having a debossment thereon, said debossment engaging said biased hinged clip.
4. The dispensing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- said pressure grip clip having two outer fingers and at least one inner finger between said outer fingers, said outer fingers and said at least one inner finger having a plurality of ridges thereon, said pressure grip clip including at least two slots, each of said slots defined by one of said outer fingers and said at least one inner finger, and each of said slots receiving one of said air freshening card and said printed card.
5. The dispensing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- said air freshening card having a punch therethrough;
- said at least one printed card having a punch therethrough; and
- said connector having at least two opposed pins and at least two recesses spaced away from said pins, one of said pins engaging the punch of said air freshening card and the other of said pins engaging the punch of said printed car, said edge of said air freshening card engaging one of said recesses and said edge of said printed card engaging the other of said recesses.
6. The dispensing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- said connector having a main portion, a joint, and at least one stem opposite said main portion, said at least one stem connecting to said main portion at said joint;
- said main portion having an aperture therethrough, a thickness, a width, and a shoulder generally opposite said aperture, said shoulder having said recesses generally parallel and locating near said joint; and
- said at least one stem extending from said joint generally outwardly from said main portion, said stem having a thickness less than said thickness of said main portion, a lower edge outwardly from said joint and opposite said aperture, said pins generally centered upon said stem and extending perpendicular to said stem.
7. The dispensing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- said joint extending across said connector in a straight line; and
- said lateral edge being generally parallel to said joint.
8. The dispensing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- said joint extending across said connector in at least a partially curved line.
9. The dispensing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- said aperture receiving a flexible elongated member wherein said flexible elongated member suspends said device vertically.
10. The dispensing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- two of said printed cards mutually parallel and spaced apart and said air freshening card locating within said printed cards and parallel to said printed cards; and
- said connector having two of said stems, mutually parallel.
11. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said air freshening card is approximately two inches wide and approximately three inches long and said at least one printed card is approximately two inches wide and approximately three inches long.
12. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising:
- said connector having a base and a vertical member joining perpendicular to said base.
13. The dispensing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said vertical member being a wire having a hook locating opposite said base and receiving said connector.
14. The dispensing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said vertical member being a pedestal joining perpendicular to said base, and a capital upon said pedestal generally opposite said base;
- said base having a generally flat shape, a variable thickness, and a width;
- said pedestal having a generally slender elongated shape, two opposite ends, a foot upon one end, said foot joining to said base, a joint upon the other end, said joint connecting said pedestal to said capital, and two opposite faces, one of said pins locating proximate said capital upon one face and the other of said pins locating proximate said capital upon the other of said faces wherein said pins are coaxial and extending perpendicular to said pedestal; and
- said capital having a width slightly more than said pedestal and a shoulder having a width greater than that of said capital and that of said pedestal, said shoulder connecting said capital to said pedestal at said joint and said shoulder having said recesses generally parallel and proximate said joint.
15. The dispensing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said joint extending across said connector in a straight line.
16. The dispensing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said joint extending across said connector in at least a partially curved line.
17. The dispensing device of claim 14 further comprising:
- said base adapting to rest upon another surface; and
- said pedestal supporting said air freshening card and said printed card generally upright.
18. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said air freshening card and said printed card have one of a rectangular shape or a partially curved shape.
19. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising:
- said air freshening card having a surface slowing the release of fragrance therefrom, said slowing surface including debossing and embossing.
20. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising:
- said printed card having at least one personalized image thereon.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 16, 2010
Inventor: Dale Beal (Grovetown, GA)
Application Number: 12/657,743
International Classification: A61L 9/12 (20060101);