U.S. patent application number 10/635191 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for oxygenated air freshener.
This patent application is currently assigned to Blue Magic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Moshontz, Michael M., Sokol, Brian V..
Application Number | 20040026462 10/635191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31498769 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040026462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moshontz, Michael M. ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Oxygenated air freshener
Abstract
An oxygenating air freshener is provided. The air freshener
includes ambient air and a liquid component including at least
water, a propellant, and fragrance. The air freshener is contained
in an aerosol can useful for dispensing the air freshener into an
environment.
Inventors: |
Moshontz, Michael M.;
(Beachwood, OH) ; Sokol, Brian V.; (Westlake,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jay F. Moldovanyi, Esq.
Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee, LLP
7th Floor
1100 Superior Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114-2518
US
|
Assignee: |
Blue Magic, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
31498769 |
Appl. No.: |
10/635191 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60402758 |
Aug 12, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/01 20130101; A61L
9/14 20130101; C09K 3/30 20130101; A61L 9/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An oxygenating air freshener comprising: a. ambient air; and b.
a liquid component including at least water, a propellant, and
fragrance.
2. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein said ambient air comprises
at least about 40% of the total weight % of the air freshener.
3. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 50 and 90 wt % water.
4. The air freshener of claim 3 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.1 and 5 wt % fragrance.
5. The air freshener of claim 3 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.1 and 2 wt % sodium nitrite.
6. The air freshener of claim 3 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.5 and 5 wt % triethylene glycol.
7. The air freshener of claim 3 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 5 and 50 wt % propellant.
8. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein said propellant comprises
hydrocarbon propellants.
9. The air freshener of claim 1 further comprising an aerosol
container which holds said ambient air and said liquid
component.
10. The air freshener of claim 9 wherein said aerosol container
includes about 50% ambient air and about 50% liquid component.
11. An aerosol container comprising: a canister constructed from a
thin wall of metallic material and having a diameter, an interior,
an upper end, a lower end and an intermediate exterior surface
therebetween; a lower base coupled to the lower end of the
canister; a dispensing mechanism; and an oxygenating air freshener
composition including ambient air and a liquid component including
water, a propellant, and at least one fragrance.
12. The container of claim 11 including about 50% ambient air and
about 50% liquid component.
13. The container of claim 11 wherein said ambient air comprises at
least about 40% of the total weight % of the air freshener.
14. The container of claim 11 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 50 and 90 wt % water.
15. The container of claim 11 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.1 and 5 wt % fragrance.
16. The container of claim 11 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.1 and 2 wt % sodium nitrite.
17. The container of claim 11 wherein said liquid component
includes between about 0.5 and 5 wt % triethylene glycol.
18. The container of claim 11 wherein said liquid component
includes about 5 and 50 wt % propellant.
19. The container of claim 11 wherein said propellant comprises
hydrocarbon propellants.
20. An oxygenating air freshener comprising: a. about 40% ambient
air; and b. a liquid component including: i. between about 50 and
90 wt % water; ii. between about 0.1 and 5 wt % fragrance; iii.
between about 0.1 and 2 wt % sodium nitrite; iv. between about 0.5
and 5 wt % triethylene glycol; and v. between about 5 and 50 wt %
propellant.
Description
[0001] This application bases its priority on U.S. Provisional
application Serial No. 60/402,758 filed on Aug. 12, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of air
fresheners. More particularly, the present invention relates to the
field of oxygenated air fresheners.
[0003] Due to urbanization, oxygen-producing plants are being
destroyed and oxygen-decreasing environmental contamination is
increasing. This oxygen deficiency can lead to reduced immune
activity and decreases the regenerative capabilities of the human
body.
[0004] Oxygen is used by humans to perform a variety of functions.
Oxygen is used to metabolize food, breaking down glucose into
carbon dioxide, water, and energy through the process of
respiration. The tiredness many people feel after eating is a
result of oxygen being drawn away by the digestive system. Oxygen
also stimulates the growth and efficiency of friendly bacteria the
body needs for good health.
[0005] The average human breathes in roughly 35 pounds of air each
day. If the air is dirty, the lungs are unable to absorb the amount
of oxygen needed. Air pollution has a greater effect on children,
the elderly, and people with allergies. An inadequate supply of
oxygen is called "hypoxic" and may cause symptoms such as lack of
energy, shortness of breath, reduced mental clarity, a suppressed
immune system, and joint and muscle aches and pains.
[0006] A lack of oxygen has been shown by scientific research to
have a negative effect on working efficiency and mental
concentration, leading to increased workplace and automobile
accidents. It was also observed in studies that oxygen deficiency
contributes to a variety of circulatory diseases by increasing the
cholesterol level and has harmful consequences for pregnant women
and smokers. Nearly all known pathogenic bacteria and viruses are
unable to survive in an oxygen rich environment, and our immune
systems are known to run on oxygen. Decreases in the oxygen content
of our environment may, therefore, lead to suppressed immune
systems.
[0007] The composition of dry air is about 78% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen, and 1% other gases. Pollution and lack of vegetation serves
to reduce the oxygen content of the air we breathe. In some major
cities, oxygen content can be as low as about 9%. It would
therefore be desirable to develop a product capable of oxygenating
an enclosed environment, such as a vehicle passenger compartment,
for example, to provide healthier air for the occupants of that
environment, resulting in increased energy and better well
being.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An oxygenating air freshener is provided. The air freshener
includes ambient air and a liquid component including at least
water, a propellant, and a fragrance.
[0009] In another embodiment, an aerosol container including an
oxygenating air freshener composition is provided. The container
includes a canister constructed from a thin wall of metallic
material having a diameter, an upper end, a lower end, and an
intermediate exterior surface therebetween. The canister also
includes a lower base coupled to the lower end of the canister and
a dispensing mechanism. The oxygenating air freshener composition
includes ambient air, a propellant, and at least one fragrance.
[0010] In a third embodiment, an oxygenating air freshener
composition is provided. The composition includes about 40% ambient
air and a liquid component. The liquid component includes between
about 50 and 90 wt % water, between about 0.1 and 5 wt % fragrance,
between about 0.1 and 2 wt % sodium nitrite, between about 0.5 and
5 wt % triethylene glycol, and between about 5 and 50 wt %
propellant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an aerosol can representative of the type of
canister utilized in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present invention is directed to an oxygenating air
freshener suitable for oxygenating an oxygen deficient environment.
The oxygenating is achieved through the use of a canister of
compressed air and air fresheners, which is dispensed into the
subject oxygen deficient environment. A directional cone is secured
adjacent the dispensing end of the canister to enable a more
accurate dispensation of the air freshener. The various components
of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they
relate will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
[0013] A preferably cylindrical canister 22 of the present
invention is constructed from a thin wall 20 of a metallic
material. Additionally, the canister 22 is defined in part by the
following elements: a diameter; an interior 24, an upper end 26; a
lower end 28; and an intermediate exterior surface therebetween. A
lower base 32 is coupled to the lower end 28: of the canister 22.
This base 32 may have a diameter, which is larger than the diameter
of the canister 22 to provide stability to the canister 22 when
standing vertically.
[0014] The dispensing mechanism associated with the present
invention will next be described. A stem having a lower end and an
upper end, is secured within the upper end 26 of the canister 22
and serves to interconnect the interior 24 and exterior of the
canister 22. A lever 44 is employed in permitting the egress of the
air freshener through the stem 34 of the dispensing mechanism. This
lever 44 is secured below a nozzle 46 useful for expelling the air
freshener from the canister 22. Alternatively a depressible button
may be used above the nozzle 46 rather than the lever 44.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the canister 22 is filled with a
combination of liquid and air under pressure. The pressurized
liquid includes at least water and a fragrance. Other components of
the liquid may include one or more of solvents, anticorrosive
agents, propellants, surfactants, and mixtures thereof. The water
is preferably distilled, more preferably deionized. In an alternate
embodiment, the water may be oxygenated to provide greater oxygen
content within the canister. Suitable fragrances include fragrances
known in the art as suitable for air fresheners. When utilized,
suitable solvents can include lower alcohols, such as ethanol,
isopropanol, and mixtures thereof; mineral spirits; and mixtures
thereof. Suitable propellants include hydrocarbon propellants known
in the art. By regulating the amount of propellant added to the
pressurized mixture, a desired amount of metered spray releases may
be attained. It may also be preferred to include an anticorrosive
component, such as sodium nitrite or triethylene glycol to prevent
in-can corrosion.
[0016] In one embodiment, the pressurized liquid portion of the
filled canister 22 includes between about 50 and 90 wt % water,
between about 0.5 and 5 wt % triethylene glycol (to prevent in can
corrosion), between about 0.1 and 2 wt % sodium nitrite (to prevent
in can corrosion), between about 0.1 and 10 wt % surfactant,
between about 0.2 and 50 wt % solvent, between about 0.1 and 5 wt %
fragance, and between about 5 and 50 wt % propellant. In a
preferred embodiment, the pressurized liquid portion of the filled
canister 22 includes about 69.77 wt % water. Propellants are
preferably present in a quantity of about 27.78 wt %. Fragrances
preferably comprise about 0.17 wt %. The total liquid content of
the canister 22 is preferably about 72.05 wt %.
[0017] The remaining volume in the canister 22 is preferably filled
with pressurized air. The air may be purified. Thus, the gas under
compression consists essentially of nitrogen and oxygen in
proportion to the percentages of nitrogen and oxygen present in
ambient air. The pressurized air thus contains approximately 78%
nitrogen, and 21% oxygen, with about 1% of other gases present.
[0018] If the canister 22 includes roughly equal amounts of
pressurized liquid and pressurized air by volume, then the pure
oxygen content of the canister would be approximately 10.5% by
volume. The oxygen content will, of course, vary depending on the
ratio of pressurized liquid to pressurized air, according to the
ratios described above. The canister preferably contains at least
about 5% by volume oxygen, preferably greater than 10% by volume
oxygen. The canister may contain as much as about 25% by volume
oxygen, taking into account the vaporized water in the liquid
portion of the canister.
[0019] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
invention, the same should be apparent from the above-description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating the manner of usage and
operation will be provided.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0020] A canister is filled with pressurized air and pressurized
liquid in a ratio of about 1:1. The liquid portion includes the
components found in Table 1. The density of the liquid component is
approximately 0.82 g/mL. The air component comprises purified
ambient air.
1 Component WPG Weight % Volume % Deionized water 8.33 69.77 57.485
Triethylene glycol 9.34 1.72 1.268 Sodium nitrite 18.08 0.19 0.072
powdered SPAN 85 7.91 0.05 0.043 ARLACEL C 8.33 0.04 0.033
Triethylene glycol 9.34 0.01 0.001 SDA 40 2 ethanol 6.55 0.27 0.281
Country garden 167- 8.47 0.17 0.137 694 NP70 Hydrocarbon 4.68 27.78
40.68 blend (WPG = weight per gallon)
[0021] With the exception of SPAN 85 surfactant (sorbitan
trioleate), ARLACEL C (sorbitan sesquioleate), and Country Garden
fragrance, all components are available through Aldrich, Milwaukee,
Wis. SPAN 85 and ARLACEL C were provided by ICI, (Wilmington,
Del.), and Country Garden was provided by Alpine Aromatics
International, (W. Piscataway, N.J.).
[0022] The canister filled according to this example includes 10.57
vol. % O.sub.2(g), 39.78 vol. % N.sub.2(g), 20.20 vol. %
propellant, and 29.45 vol % of other liquids.
[0023] It should also be appreciated that the oxygen content of the
canister can be increased by employing oxygenated water instead of
the deionized water in the ingredients listed above.
[0024] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompasses by
the present invention.
[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all
suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling
within the scope of the invention.
[0026] The invention will now be described with reference to
specific examples. These examples are intended to be illustrative
only and are not to be construed in any limiting sense.
* * * * *