Gas separation: apparatus – With means to add fragrance or scent
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-05
2004-06-08
Hopkins, Robert A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
With means to add fragrance or scent
C261SDIG008, C239S056000, C239S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06746521
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to apparatuses for delivering a fragrant medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container that may be attached to an appliance or device that contains a fan for forcing air across the fragrant medium contained inside the apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of aromatics in households and institutions such as hotels, hospitals, etc. has increased dramatically in recent years. In most instances, air freshener compositions are released from small, standalone containers into a room. For example, candles may be used to release a fragrance into a room. Although the candle may be fragrant when unlit, the fragrance may intensify while the candle is burning. Other types of air fresheners may contain a fragrant solid medium that dissipates slowly into a room when the apparatus is set on a table or plugged into an electrical outlet. The air freshening composition or agent may be released over time to reduce the rate at which the composition or agent must be replenished. Although there are many options available, most air freshening apparatuses available today are designed solely within a single room. In addition, they do not release a fragrance in conjunction with an appliance or device that circulates or forces air inside a room or a building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a container for holding a fragrant medium that may be attached to an appliance or device that circulates or forces air inside a room or an entire building. For example, the fragrant medium container of the present invention may be used in connection with a furnace filter so that a fragrance is circulated throughout an entire building or a house. The fragrant medium container of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a computer fan or other appliance fan so that the fragrance within the container is dissipated within a room.
The container comprises a top and bottom portion for holding a fragrant medium. Perforations or holes in the container portions as well as the fragrant medium allow the fragrance contained inside to be released over time. The fragrant medium may be a scented ceramic-based material so that it is able to withstand the high temperatures that occur within a furnace or other appliance with which it may be used. In an example embodiment of the present invention, the container is circular and is formed from two pieces that are joined or connected. The fragrant medium is inserted into one portion of the container. A top portion is then joined or connected to the bottom portion to form a container for the fragrant medium. Each portion and the fragrant medium have perforations so that the assembled container may be placed over a computer fan or other appliance fan. The container may also be assembled over a furnace filter. The perforations in the assembled container allow to fan or furnace to operate unimpeded by the container.
In an example embodiment, the top and bottom portions of the container are constructed using an injection molding or plastic extrusion process. The top and bottom portions of the container are formed with connection members that allow the top and bottom portions of the container to be joined or connected by the connection members. In an example embodiment of the present invention, each connection member on a container portion has a clip or other appendage that fits inside a recess, groove, or channel of other container portion. Once inserted into the recess, the connection members hold the top and bottom portions together and therefore, hold the solid fragrant medium inside the container. The top and bottom portions as well as the fragrant medium have openings or perforations so that the fragrance of the fragrant medium may be dispersed over time through the container and into a room or building. When used in conjunction with an appliance or device that forces air through a fan, the fragrance may be distributed throughout a building, a house, or a room.
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Furnace Fresh, Inc.
Hopkins Robert A.
Kremblas, Foster Phillips & Pollick
Kremblas, Jr. Francis T.
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