Ventilation – Having inlet airway – Including specific air distributor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-31
2001-07-10
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Having inlet airway
Including specific air distributor
C422S124000, C454S328000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257976
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains generally to forced air systems which deliver air to interior spaces through air registers or vents, and in particular to a cover which removably attaches to the air register, and which contains a replaceable scented pad.
BACKGROUND ART
Devices relating to air registers and various attachments thereto, and devices for treating air are well known in the ar. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,496,326 shows an air purifier which consists of a deodorant holder which can be hung upon a wall, for instance in a clothes closet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,584 illustrates a deodorizing air vent attachment. The device comprises a vent fitting mounting surface and a deodorant holding region supported by the mounting surface. The deodorant holding region is itself ventilated for air dispersal of the deodorant supported in the holding region. U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,487 defines a warm air register filter and scent dispenser. A frame carries a variable flow scent dispenser and supports an air filter. The frame, dispenser and filter are inserted as a unit into a forced air heating and/or cooling system duct adjacent to the duct outlet through a floor or wall register. The scent dispenser is a container for scented air freshening material and has apertures through opposite walls which are disposed traversely to the direction of air flow. U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,653 discloses a house freshener consisting of a basket fitting holding an air filter which is attached directly to the duct covering grill within a room. Various air fresheners and germicidal agents may be retained within a particular basket attached to a grill, as can a charcoal filtering agent, and in one preferred embodiment, a plurality of these baskets may be interconnected to enhance the effectiveness of the invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,051 portrays a scented air filter for use with a forced air handling system. The filter has a pad of air-permeable material held in a bordering frame. The bordering frame has a generally U-shaped cross section with an opposing legs extending a short distance over the edge of the pad of air-permeable material. A scented material is placed in the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,669 comprises a method an apparatus for dispensing scent into the air. The device includes an inner cylindrical member with vents with a retaining carriage which is capable of housing at least two separate and distinct scented media, and an outer cylindrical member with vents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,822 consists of a vent scent adapter having a housing having a front face with vents and a support on a backside for securing the housing to a vent of a blower system. A fragrance block having angular passages is inserted into the housing so that air from the blower system passes through the fragrance block and out through the vents in the housing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,078 describes an apparatus for providing a scent. The device includes a reusable holder having a connecting means and a scented card insertable into the holder. The connecting means can be a clip which is connectable to a louver of an air duct outlet register of a forced air system or to a fan guard of a utility fan. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,547,636 and 5,861,128 include a scented air refreshening device and method of making same. An air freshening device is made from a solution of a polymer and a fragrant material, which is applied to an air permeable substrate. A solid fragrant residue is formed on the substrate. The air freshening device is attached to an air filter in a forced air heating, ventilating, or cooling system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,168 depicts an aromatic filter system for an HVAC system. The system has a rectangular frame with a central opening. A conventional filter spans the central opening for interaction with the incoming forced air. A grid spans the filter on the incoming side, the grid presenting a plurality of horizontal and vertical spaced-apart strands having aromatic particle impregnated therein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,791 shows a fragrance dispenser for air treatment apparatus. The device is used in conjunction with an air circulation system of a building for impregnating the air with an aromatic scent. The device comprises a combination of integrally mixed plastic with a scent substance formed through a manufacturing process that produces a shape for the device which permits it to be removably attached to an air filter. U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,310 illustrates a grill/filter mounting assembly for mounting in the exit or entrance wall opening of a forced air duct wherein the duct plate may be installed in a hinged relation to the duct enabling easy access to the duct opening.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a cover for an air register of an air conditioning, heating, or ventilation system. The cover includes a scented pad which imparts an aroma or therapeutic fragrance to air blowing through the register. The cover may be retrofitted to any existing air register. A preferred name for the present invention is “SCENT-A-VENT”.
The retrofitted cover is designed to work with the existing vent registers in a home or office. The cover can be easily attached directly over an existing (floor, wall or ceiling) vent register by using Velcro™, adhesive, or magnets located on the back of the cover. Once attached the scented cartridge can be placed on the sliding scented filter tray and then closed. Too maximize affects of the present invention, the ventilation system needs to be activated. A user can enjoy the aromatherapy of the present invention when using heating or air-conditioning in the home or office.
Some of the many advantages of the present invention are:
The Scent-A-Vent Cover System can easily be attached to a floor, ceiling or wall existing vent register magnetically, with an adhesive or with Velcro™.
The uniquely shaped scented pad is designed to mirror the slits or openings on the face of the cover. This will allow the air to pass through the present invention without interrupting the normal airflow.
The scented pad or cartridge can be scented with natural oils used in Aroma Therapy products.
The scented pad can be reused by utilizing drops or sprays. This will extend the life of the scented pad.
The scented pad can come in regular and hypoallergenic scents.
The cover has a sliding tray or drawer for easy access when inserting and removing the scented pad.
The cover also comes in a retrofitted floor design having beveled edges which helps to prevent tripping when walking by or over the cover.
The present invention is designed to fit any existing ventilation system's register, commercial or residential. It can easily be installed by simply attaching the unit directly over the existing register.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cover which can be removably attached to the air register of a ventilation system includes a first frame which has a plurality of spaced-apart columns. A second frame resembling a bottomless drawer or tray is slidably received by the first frame. A scented pad or cartridge is removably insertable into the second frame.
In accordance with an important aspect of tine invention, the scented pad also has a plurality of spaced-apart columns which match the pattern of the plurality of columns on the first frame, so that when the scented pad is installed in the second frame, and the second frame is fully inserted into the first frame, the columns of the scented pad align with those of the first frame, thereby minimizing interference with air flow.
In accordance with an important feature of the invention, attachment devices are disposed upon the rear of the cover to permit attachment to the air register.
In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the second frame may either be entirely removable from the first frame, or the second frame may be captively held by the first frame at an outermost position.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
Joyce Harold
Masters Ted
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