With Support For Porous Or Apertured Encasing Means Patents (Class 239/57)
  • Patent number: 7722838
    Abstract: An on-demand system for preventing and/neutralizing bioactive substances employs real time monitoring of the fluid for bioactive substances. Once a specific bioactive substance is detected, then a specific neutralizing substance is selected, such as an oxidizing substance, intense ultraviolet light, a neutralizing substance or other substances selected for particular threats. In another example of the invention, a device neutralizing a substance would include a container that would be capable of containing each of the plurality of precursors, a collecting space for receiving each of the plurality of precursors selected by the selector, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the neutralizing substance. In one example the neutralizing substance is formulated by the reactions of the precursors in order to neutralize the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: GRAHN - Monde Groupe de Reflexion & D'Action
    Inventor: Berg P. Hyacinthe
  • Patent number: 7690586
    Abstract: A deodorizer for a refrigerator is formed of a mesh type material having fine multiple pores through which the air in the refrigerator passes and the material having multiple pleats so as to enlarge a surface area coming in contact with the air, thereby maximizing a surface area coming in contact with the cool air and accordingly, improving deodorizing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Byeong-Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 7681809
    Abstract: A device for achieving a controlled low emanation rate of small volumes of liquid solutions, such as single or multi-component solutions, fragrances, or pheromones, for pest and insect management or fragrance enhancement. The device has a housing with an upper chamber to hold a bladder containing desired liquid solution to be released, a lower chamber containing an electro-chemical gas generator, a collector pad for receiving liquid solution from the bladder, and a cap which, when translated downward, activated the gas generator which fills the upper chamber with gas exerting pressure on the bladder which in turn forces the liquid solution from the bladder onto the pad for release to the environment. The gas generator is capable of releasing gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, or carbon dioxide at extremely small, pre-determined, and adjustable rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: M&R Consulting Services
    Inventors: Henri J. R. Maget, James Dikeman
  • Patent number: 7651666
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals, and refill units for use therewith. Some of these devices have a well facing the heater and a transparent wall to view the use up of the air treatment chemical. Other of these devices have a refill with wells positioned in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Gopal P. Ananth, David P. Mather
  • Patent number: 7618532
    Abstract: An aromatic drain device comprising a perforate retaining device defining a volume for retaining an aromatic media therein, the retaining device releasably secured to a removable drain cover and positioned to extend below the drain cover into the cavity defined by the floor drain wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas W. Worth
  • Publication number: 20090266910
    Abstract: A trash liner system comprises a scented, ventilated patch for air to escape from between the bag and receptacle. The patch adheres over a hole near the top of the bag. Escaping air passing through the patch is scented with the fragrance contained in the patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: James Hunter
  • Publication number: 20090250526
    Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate one of a plurality of volatile liquids into an enclosed atmosphere, the device comprising (i) an enclosure (1) within which is defined a plurality of separate compartments (3,4), each compartment having at least one inlet and at least one outlet port (10, 9), and within the compartment, a source of volatile liquid (5), (ii) a source of forced air current external to the compartments and adapted to blow air through them into the atmosphere; characterised in that the device additionally comprises automatic liquid regulating means in the form of paired port closures (11, 12) for both inlet and outlet ports of each compartment, slidable between a number of inlet and outlet port-closing rest positions equal to the number of compartments, such that, in any rest position, the inlet and outlet ports of only one compartment are open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Colin Litten-Brown, Guy Edward Naish
  • Publication number: 20090236439
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Richard P.H. PANKHURST, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7591369
    Abstract: Improved shuttlecock packaging includes providing a suitably humid environment to prevent the moisture within the feathers of the shuttlecock from evaporating off. The packaging is substantially air tight and includes a humidity control mechanism. In one embodiment the package comprising a humidifying disc in the shuttlecock packaging. The humidifying disc includes a plurality of openings to allow for moisture to pass from the disc to the internal environment of the packaging and comprises a foam or sponge pad moistened with water and propylene glycol. The humidity within the packaging is held at a generally fixed level. In one embodiment, the relative humidity can be held at least about 20%. In a further embodiment, the relative humidity can be held at about 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Mark W. Lin, Thomas E. Korder, Alexander R. O. Selch
  • Publication number: 20090230210
    Abstract: An air freshener of the invention includes a slideable box molded from thermoplastics, a holding jacket, a fixing device, and an essence box made of plastics and filled with liquid essence. The air freshener of the invention can be used inside a car or a room, and is capable of adjusting the release rate of the diffused essence gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: WINPLUS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuhua Wang, Lun Chai
  • Patent number: 7581717
    Abstract: A fan blade scent dispersing system includes a ceiling fan that includes a plurality of fan blades. Each of the fan blades has a blade portion and an arm portion. Each of the blade portions has an upper surface and a lower surface. A housing has a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends between the top and bottom walls. Each of the top, bottom and peripheral walls has an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to an interior of the housing. The housing has a plurality of slots therein extending into the outer surface and through the inner surface. A scent impregnated panel is positioned within the housing. The panel is configured for releasing scent impregnated therein. A coupling member is attached to the housing and releasably secures the housing to one of the arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clifford K. Thurlkill
  • Patent number: 7563505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-time stable, hydrophobic or oleophobic surface and to the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sunyx Surface Nanotechnologies GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Reihs
  • Patent number: 7559108
    Abstract: A rolling lint and pet and human hair remover will function in at least two different positions and with the option of extending the handle in order to reach hard to reach places for use in automobiles, homes, and other locations, as well as on a person's clothing. The handle is foldable against the lint roller portion for compact storage and for use in tight places. An air-freshener body may be incorporated into the lint roller portion. Air-freshener beads are placed inside the air-freshener body and give off an aromatic fragrance while the lint remover is in use due to the tumbling action of the air-freshener beads inside the lint roller as it is rolled. A plurality of holes in the air-freshener body allow the aromatic fragrance to flow out and away from the lint roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Chad Forte
  • Patent number: 7540432
    Abstract: A passive dispensing device for a liquid active material includes an upper housing portion for receiving a container for holding and dispensing a liquid active material, wherein the upper housing portion includes an interior cavity and wherein the container includes a wick extending from inside the container to an area outside the container. The device further includes a lower housing portion that extends downwardly from the upper housing portion, wherein the lower housing portion defines a recess between the upper and lower housing portions and includes first and second legs that extend downwardly from the upper housing portion and outwardly from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia H. Majerowski, Martin S. Payne
  • Publication number: 20090134239
    Abstract: A modular volatile material dispensing system includes a supporting plate having a front side and a rear side and an opening extending therethrough. A cover plate is releasably attached to the front side of the supporting plate to form a compartment therebetween. A volatile material dispenser is adapted to be held within the compartment and a modular adapter is releasably attached to the rear side of the supporting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Hermann Neumann
  • Publication number: 20090126839
    Abstract: A folding type portable telephone in which a first housing and a second housing are fixed by a hinge includes a face panel fixed to the first housing and aromatic substances are accommodated inside the face panel. When the hinge is rotated, the aromatic substances are released in conjunction with the operation of opening the folding type portable telephone from the closed state. Furthermore, a sounding body is operated at a frequency of strongly generating an air vibration at a time defined in advance by timer control, so that fragrance of the aromatic substances is released outward by the air vibration of the sounding body. The fragrance corresponding to TPO can be generated from the face panel of the portable telephone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Matsuura, Junichi Yasuno, Akihiro Miyashita, Koji Taniguchi, Akitoshi Mori, Saori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7534406
    Abstract: A stem fog generator (1) for vehicle aromatic components into a cabin and suitable for use in a vehicle, comprising a plug part (11) and a steam fog generator body (12) foldably connected to each other, wherein the plug part (11) is cylindrically formed so as to be attachable to and detachable from an accessory socket (14), a power supply from the plug part (11) is fed to a heater (71) through an operating switch (45), a loading/unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: S. T. Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Takemura
  • Patent number: 7530503
    Abstract: The device comprises a laminar element (1) made of a flexible material adapted to be folded along a folding line (26), comprising at least a first part (2) and a second part (4). Said first part (2) has a deposit (3) containing a product (30) origin of volatile substances. The second part (4) has a hook configuration (5) with a lateral opening (12) and a central groove (24) that can be occupied by removable adhesive means. Both parts (2, 4) are manufactured in a single industrial process, without additional parts but incorporating various attachment means and even other parts for functions of regulation or protection of the diffusion means, or which replicate the diffusion functionality allowing the user to combine effects. They also allow selecting the form of application in any location: hanging, adhered, joined to another identical device or folded and supporting itself on a horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Zobele España, S.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Caserta, Ruben Garcia Fábrega, Jose Antonio Muñoz Martinez, David Moreno Pérez
  • Publication number: 20090072046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diffusion device (1) for an automotive vehicle. The diffusion device (1) comprises a housing (2) with an ambient air inlet (3), a treated air outlet (3), a diffusion chamber (4) and an insert (7). The insert (7) is located inside the diffusion chamber (4) and contains at least one volatile agent (AV1). The insert (7) can rotate via an electric motor (12) for selectively diffusing or not the volatile agent (AV1). The diffusion device (1) also comprises a blower (13) fixed on the housing (2). The insert (7) comprises a member (15) which carries two cartridges (8, 9) containing volatile agent. The member (15) rotates with the insert (7) and can be axially displaced by extraction means. These extraction means expels the member (15) out of the housing (2) when the user pushes on the cap (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Vincent FEUILLARD, Didier LOUP, Gilles ELLIOT, Petr STANEK
  • Publication number: 20090072045
    Abstract: An air freshener device includes a scent material interspersed within a polymer body or a polymer gel, and capable of dispersing out of the polymer gel. The polymer body and a polymer gel can be flexible and compressible, and also resilient and returnable to its original configuration. The air freshener can have at least one vent rod configured to engage an air vent, a head pivotally coupled to the at least one vent rod and a polymer body associated with the head and at least one vent rod and containing scent material. The air freshener also may be combined with a packaging system to present the air freshener for purchase, and have a pivotal head pivoted to display the head in the packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Alan J. Wheatley, Christopher D. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090039174
    Abstract: A fragrance dispensing assembly including a container having a sealed interior chamber containing porous reeds in a fragranced liquid. At least one buoyant member is coupled to one or more of the reeds. The porous reeds, buoyant member(s) and the fragranced liquid are put in the container and placed in contact with each other prior to sealing the container. To commence use of the fragrance dispensing assembly, the sealed container is opened and the buoyant member(s) elevate the coupled porous reeds within the liquid, thus providing additional portions of the pre-soaked porous reeds to extend from the opened container and begin instant and continuous fragrance dispensing to a room upon opening the sealed container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Kelly Gaines, Andrea Garrison
  • Publication number: 20090026285
    Abstract: An aromatic drain device comprising a perforate retaining device defining a volume for retaining an aromatic media therein, the retaining device releasably secured to a removable drain cover and positioned to extend below the drain cover into the cavity defined by the floor drain wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas W. Worth
  • Publication number: 20090008470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diffusion device (1) for an automotive vehicle. The diffusion device (1) comprises a housing (2) with an ambiant air inlet (3), a treated air outlet (3), a diffusion chamber (4) and an insert (7). The insert (7) is located inside the diffusion chamber (4) and contains at least one volatile agent (AV1). The insert (7) can rotate via an electric motor (12) for selectively diffusing or not the volatile agent (AV1). The diffusion device (1) also comprises a blower (13) fixed on the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Vincent Feuillard, Didier Loup, Petr Doskocil
  • Publication number: 20080296401
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser may have an inner surface and an outer surface defining a plurality of windows. The outer surface may be coupled to the inner surface such that a cavity is defined between the inner surface and the outer surface. The cavity may be configured to receive a fragrance strip, and wherein the fragrance dispenser is configured to allow a threaded portion of a bottle to extend through the fragrance dispenser and engage with a bottle base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: CELESTE INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Edward Thompson, SR., Ernest Edmond Dill, JR., Conroy Richard Marth
  • Patent number: 7426799
    Abstract: A display frame with a refill holder comprises a transparent block with front and rear faces. A U-shaped mounting member is attached to the rear face about an outer periphery of same. The U-shaped mounting member has an inwardly extending wall. A channel is formed in a space between the rear face and the inwardly extending wall. A protrusion is attached to the rear face of the frame, wherein the protrusion in combination with the inwardly extending wall are configured to distance the rear face from a support surface when the frame is in a substantially horizontal position and provide a substantially unimpeded air passage adjacent the rear face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Christianson, Marissa A. K. Schultz, Stephen B. Leonard, Stacey L. Forkner, Heather R. Schramm, Kara L. Lakatos
  • Patent number: 7407114
    Abstract: An air freshening apparatus comprises a plant pot-shaped main body, an end cap body and a scent-emitting composition. The plant pot-shaped main body has a cavity therein defining an open end portion of the plant pot-shaped main body and a closed end portion of the plant pot-shaped main body. The scented air passage extends through the closed end portion of the plant pot-shaped main body. The end cap body is rotatably mounted on an exterior portion of the plant pot-shaped main body. The end cap body has a scented air passage extending therethrough and the end cap body is movable between a position where the scented air passages are at least partially aligned and a position where the scented air passages are fully misaligned. The scent-emitting composition is disposed within the cavity of the plant pot-shaped main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Erica Lee Carter
  • Patent number: 7380370
    Abstract: A rodent repellent device has a housing substantially enclosing a porous storage medium in an interior region of the housing; and a repellent disposed within the storage medium, the repellent including a component of feline urine that disperses into atmospheric air at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Armex, LLC
    Inventor: Annette Livingston
  • Patent number: 7325358
    Abstract: A device for displaying an odorous animal repellent. The device comprises a housing having a chamber adapted for receiving the animal repellent. The device further comprises a retainer on the underside of the housing which allows permeation of the scent of the animal repellent from the chamber into the air surrounding the chamber, but does not allow the animal repellent to sift through the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: RepelIt LLC
    Inventors: Clayton Wayne Chalupsky, Curtis Nelson, Roger C. Klouda
  • Patent number: 7293719
    Abstract: An air freshener device includes a scent material interspersed within a polymer body or a polymer gel, and capable of dispersing out of the polymer gel. The polymer body and a polymer gel can be flexible and compressible, and also resilient and returnable to its original configuration. In addition, the polymer body and the polymer gel can have a freestanding, self-supported, three-dimensional shape. The air freshener can be light transmissive in at least a translucent manner, and can have indicia visible therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Covers, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Wheatley, Christopher D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7285248
    Abstract: A fan type chemical dispersion equipment, wherein a chemical container (3) and a power supply storage body (2a) are disposed detachably from an equipment body (1) and so as not to be volumetrically limited with each other, whereby, because the equipment body, chemical container, and power supply storage body can be volumetrically formed independently of each other, the settings of a chemical holding amount relative to a fan air blow amount and long or short service time can be performed easily, the chemical container being capable of preventing a chemical impregnated body from being caught between the end face of a chemical container body (3a) and a cover body (3b), and a clip device being capable of firmly fixing the fan type chemical dispersion equipment to the held materials ranging from thin to thick ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fumakilla Limited
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamamoto, Satoshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7284711
    Abstract: There is an air freshener unit and a combined container and air freshener unit. The air freshener unit is mounted onto the upper portion of the container and is comprised of a first section and a second section. In one embodiment the first section is a holder for a fragrance material and the second section is a cover for the first section. The second section in a first position covers and substantially seals the first section and in a second position allows air to pass through a space between the first section and the second section and deliver the fragrance material to the atmosphere exterior to the air freshener unit. In a second embodiment both the first section and the second section contain fragrance material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Reed, John C. Crawford, Barbara Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070241206
    Abstract: A scent delivery device (10) for attachment to a door or window screen (22) exposed to a natural airflow providing a vector for dispersing the scent over time. The device (10) includes a body (12) and two or more legs (14a,14b). The body (12) includes a reservoir (16) for containing the scent, and includes an opening (15) to facilitate dispersal of the scent from the reservoir (16). The legs (14a,14b) are connected to and extend outwardly from the body (12). The legs (14a,14b) each include a length of wire having a diameter which is smaller than the mesh of the screen (22) for attaching the body (12) to the screen (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Jacquelyn Lowden Williams
  • Patent number: 7278589
    Abstract: An open gel system for delivery of an active volatile possesses dimensions in the x, y, and z directions such as to release actives at an essentially constant rate from initiation of volatilization until completion of volatilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Anita Wongosari, Padma Prabodh Varanasi
  • Patent number: 7273184
    Abstract: A disposable air treatment device that can be hung on the rim of a garbage bin which comprises a hanger component adapted to secure the air treatment device to a garbage bin, and a volatile material dispenser adapted to dispense a volatile material to the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Givaudan SA
    Inventors: Colin Brown, Kishen Gohil, Guy Edward Naish
  • Patent number: 7243859
    Abstract: Comprises a vessel (1) containing scented liquid, a wick (2) partially submerged in the liquid, a stopper (3) coupled on the mouth (7) of the vessel (1) and a cap (5) that covers the stopper (3) and has a lower tubular portion (11) provided with two windows (15) and an inner threaded segment that unscrews from a central threaded tubular portion (13) of the stopper (3) as the cap (5) is turned, raising it and gradually revealing the windows (15) so that the wick (2) is exposed to the exterior, facilitating the adjustable evaporation of the scented liquid, the cap (5) being provided with flexible stops (16) that are prolonged externally from the base of its lower tubular portion (11) and as they rise meet a trapezoidal inner peripheral flange (17) defined in a cylindrical body (14) of the stopper (3) to prevent the exit of the cap (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Zobele Españ a, S.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Caserta, Ruben Garcia Fabrega, David Moreno Perez
  • Patent number: 7213770
    Abstract: A volatile material dispensing system with a dispenser for providing controlled release of a volatile material, the dispenser being attached to a display frame, and having at least one protrusion. Protrusions are disposed on a face of the frame to distance the membrane from a delicate surface. The system prevents and/or hinders concentration of volatile material gases that could harm a delicate surface and resists tipping from a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Martens, III, Stephen B. Leonard, Heather R. Schramm, Kara L. Lakatos
  • Patent number: 7185827
    Abstract: The fragrance emitting dispensing container consists of a container body and a container closure. The container body can be of any shape but preferably is of a decorative shape. The closure functions to close the container and to distribute the fragrance to the room or other space in which the container is present. The closure has a cavity that contains a fragrance emitting material which can be a sheet material or a particulate material. The top of the cavity is a lid with apertures to emit the fragrance into a room. The apertures are covered with a seal which can be partially or fully removed to open the apertures. The seal can be a single seal or a multi-segment seal, with each segment separably removeable to expose a given number of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Daniel Quintard, Jacques Lalanne, Bernard Guglielmini
  • Patent number: 7159792
    Abstract: A method for providing a desired fragrance includes securing a tacky attachment surface of a pad of an air freshener to a surface by mechanical or specific adhesion. The air freshener includes a scent material carried by and dispersable through a coherent, flexible and resilient polymer carrier material. The pad is selectively removed from the surface. The pad can be selectively re-secured at a different position on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: American Covers, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Wheatley, Christopher D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7160515
    Abstract: Volatile material-containing articles of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rachel Murdell, Stephan Gary Bush
  • Patent number: 7147171
    Abstract: There is provided a diffuser for volatile material such as a volatile aromatic or chemical agent. The diffuser has a flexible casing having one or more vent holes formed therein and a breakable glass capsule hermetically enclosing a volatile agent. The capsule is contained in the flexible casing. A liquid-absorbent member is adapted to hold the volatile liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Lumica Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Harada, Masahiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 7093770
    Abstract: A device for dispensing scent onto the ground from behind the ankle of a user during walking to attract animals. The device is comprised of a flat, rectangular body having first and second opposed sidewalls; a flexible cord; and a scent source. The body contains an aperture at a first end and a slit at a second opposed end. The slit provides access to a pocket enclosed by the sidewalls of the body. During use, the cord is inserted through the aperture of the body and detachably secured around the ankle area of a user. The scent source is located in the slit and pocket of the body. As the user walks, the body makes contact with the ground and the scent source, maintained in close proximity to the ground surface, dispenses animal scent attractant to the ground from behind the ankle area of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Tony Kenneth Moran
  • Patent number: 7093773
    Abstract: An improved fragrance dispenser, domestic appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, including such a fragrance dispenser, and cartridge for such a fragrance dispenser is provided in which the dispenser includes a housing portion through which an air discharge passage interconnecting an upstream side of the housing portion and a downstream side of the housing portion extends, and a cartridge carrying a fragrant substance and having vents for allowing air to pass for entraining fragrance from said cartridge, wherein the cartridge is removably mounted and rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation between at least a first position and a second position, at least a portion of at least one of the vents being obstructed by a housing portion if the cartridge is in the first position and being open if the cartridge is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Lubbertus Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7073729
    Abstract: An item of jewelry is provided to receive a fragrance composition. The jewelry piece includes a securement member, a setting, and a piece of porous material. The securement member supports the setting and enables the jewelry item to be worn by the person in the manner in which it is intended. In some embodiments, the setting supports the piece of porous material relative to the securement member such that ambient air may flow between it and the securement member, maximizing the exposed surface area of the porous material. The porous material is a ceramic that contains sintered aluminum oxide and receives a liquid fragrance producing composition such as perfume or cologne. A method for applying the fragrance to the piece of porous material is also provided and includes the step of washing the porous material with a solvent suitable to diffuse the carrier liquid of the fragrance producing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Panache Porcelain, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Putz
  • Patent number: 7040548
    Abstract: A residual free scent dispenser for dispersion of scent having a housing and a scent container having a scent permeating material disposed therein. The housing has an air intake port and an air exhaust port. The scent container has at least one perforation and is disposed in the air exhaust port. Air is drawn into the housing through the air intake port and exhausted through at least one perforation of the scent container passing air over the scent permeating material. The principle use is for hunting, however other scent dispersing uses will benefit from this invention. For example, home or car applications will benefit from this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Scott Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7036747
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in or relating to containers and in particular to a refill for an air freshening or purifying device utilizing a gel fragrance or other gel composition and to a device comprising a base container and a refill. The invention specifically comprises a refill for use with an air freshening or purifying device, said refill comprising a refill container having a gel receiving surface and an opposing rear surface, the gel receiving surface having at least one recess in which is contained a gel composition, wherein the profile of the rear surface inversely corresponds to the profile of the gel receiving surface such that it is provided with at least one projection inversely corresponding to the said recess in the gel receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Robert Vern Channer
  • Patent number: 7036800
    Abstract: A device is presented which automatically controls the interaction of a medium with an external environment, the temperature of which varies or remains constant. In addition to the medium, the device includes a mechanism for providing constant effectiveness of the medium in the external environment, and an automatic drive mechanism which drives the mechanism for providing constant effectiveness of the medium in the external environment. Advantageously, the device includes a receptacle for the medium, and the receptacle includes a housing incorporating the mechanism for providing constant effectiveness of the medium in the external environment, which is beneficially a movable vent or an expandable vent. The automatic drive mechanism is advantageously a temperature-responsive member or a temperature-responsive fluid movement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Earle R. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7032831
    Abstract: A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a neck extending from the body to define an opening. A retention structure is integral with the container body and is adapted to be releasably engaged with two opposing sidewalls of a housing of the dispensing device. The sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, and the retention structure is inhibits motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction. The retention structure may be located on a side of the container body. A capillary member extends from inside the container to an exterior of the container. The volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler D. Duston, Kishen Gohil, Colin W. Brown, Guy Naish, Kara L. Kotary, Marygrace G. Horner, Mary Beth Adams, Ralph Schwarz, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Ann E. Weeks
  • Patent number: 7007862
    Abstract: A lightweight, free-body and buoyant dispenser that is centrifugally actuated for releasing a laundry product following the spin cycle includes a housing that has one or more covered apertures one of which is exposed during the spin cycle. The laundry product, which is a liquid, solid, gel powder, or mixture thereof, however, does not exit the dispenser until the spinning has subsided. Disc-shaped dispensers having two apertures that are covered by biased-doors are especially suited for delivering laundry agents for post-spin cycle treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Clorox Co.
    Inventors: Ken Chiang, Michael J. Petrin, Timothy M. Soto, Frank M. Knafelc
  • Patent number: 6976637
    Abstract: It is the matter of a perfuming device for vehicles to be put, through a suitable fork, on the tabs of the air grille. To always maintain the perpendicularity, the fork can take, by rotating on itself, eight different positions. The bottle of the perfumed essence is housed into a shell which is hermetically closed in its lower part and apt to contain any possible dripping from the wick. Bottle and shell, together, form the disposable recharge, without the hands come into direct contact with any essence leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: De Leuriks B.V.
    Inventor: De Pietri Massimo
  • Patent number: 6969008
    Abstract: A fragrance sampling system for use in a store comprises a piezoelectrically vibrated orifice plate atomizer mounted to extend from a support structure in the store, such as a shelf and operated to emit puffs of very small droplets of the liquid fragrance and eject them upwardly into the atmosphere such that they become fully evaporated before contacting any supporting surface. The atomizer is controlled by electrical circuits which limit the times during which atomization occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Edward J. Martens, III, Scott D. Walter, William D. Perez, Thomas Jaworski