U.S. patent application number 11/496268 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for air freshener container and composition.
Invention is credited to Douglas S. Brown, George C. Heilman, Jeffrey A. Smith.
Application Number | 20070023539 11/496268 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37693232 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070023539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Douglas S. ; et
al. |
February 1, 2007 |
Air freshener container and composition
Abstract
An air freshener includes a cup-shaped container including a
base, a side wall, and a rim. An air freshener composition is
disposed within the container. The air freshener composition
includes a bottom layer disposed adjacent to the base and has a
plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads. The air freshener
composition further including a top layer extending over the bottom
layer. Alternatively, the air freshener composition includes a
single layer having a plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads
dispersed throughout.
Inventors: |
Brown; Douglas S.; (Toledo,
OH) ; Heilman; George C.; (Toledo, OH) ;
Smith; Jeffrey A.; (Toledo, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACMILLAN SOBANSKI & TODD, LLC
ONE MARITIME PLAZA FIFTH FLOOR
720 WATER STREET
TOLEDO
OH
43604-1619
US
|
Family ID: |
37693232 |
Appl. No.: |
11/496268 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60703809 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/048 20130101;
A61L 9/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/034 |
International
Class: |
A24F 25/00 20060101
A24F025/00 |
Claims
1. An air freshener comprising: a container; and an air freshener
composition disposed within said container, said air freshener
composition including a plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads
and a layer of material.
2. The air freshener defined in claim 1 wherein said air freshener
composition includes a bottom layer of said plurality of
ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads and a top layer of material extending
over said bottom layer.
3. The air freshener defined in claim 1 wherein said air freshener
composition includes a layer of material having said plurality of
ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads dispersed therein.
4. The air freshener defined in claim 1 wherein said beads contain
a fragrance oil ranging from about 1% to about 60% of the weight
thereof.
5. The air freshener defined in claim 1 wherein said layer is
formed from a fragranced material.
6. The air freshener defined in claim 1 wherein said layer is
formed from a fragranced gel material.
7. The air freshener defined in claim 1 further including a lid
that seals the air freshener composition within the container.
8. An air freshener comprising: a cup-shaped container including a
base, a side wall, and a rim; and an air freshener composition
disposed within said container, said air freshener composition
including a plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads and a layer
of material.
9. The air freshener defined in claim 8 wherein said air freshener
composition includes a bottom layer of said plurality of
ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads and a top layer of material extending
over said bottom layer.
10. The air freshener defined in claim 8 wherein said air freshener
composition includes a layer of material having said plurality of
ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads dispersed therein.
11. The air freshener defined in claim 8 wherein said beads contain
a fragrance oil ranging from about 1% to about 60% of the weight
thereof.
12. The air freshener defined in claim 8 wherein said layer is
formed from a fragranced material.
13. The air freshener defined in claim 8 wherein said layer is
formed from a fragranced gel material.
14. The air freshener defined in claim 8 further including a lid
that seals the air freshener composition within the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/703,809, filed Jul. 29, 2005, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air fresheners are commonly used in many different locations
to provide a pleasant scent to the environment in which it is used.
Examples of some locations in which air fresheners are commonly
used include restrooms, kitchens, and a variety of other industrial
and commercial locations. Regardless of the environment in which
the air freshener is used, it is desirable that the scent of the
air freshener be provided continuously to the environment without
diminishing or becoming unnoticeable.
[0003] A typical air freshener includes a dispenser that supports
an air freshener container. The air freshener container contains a
quantity of an air freshener composition and is inserted within the
dispenser for dispersion within the environment. During use, the
air freshener composition is dispersed through the dispenser into
the environment. Often, the air freshener container is supported
within the dispenser in such a manner that it is easily replaceable
when the quantity of the air freshener composition is depleted
after a period of use. Although a variety of air freshener
containers and compositions are known in the art, it would be
desirable to provide an improved structure for such an air
freshener container and an improved formulation for such an air
freshener composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to an improved structure for such an
air freshener container and an improved formulation for such an air
freshener composition. The air freshener includes a cup-shaped
container including a base, a side wall, and a rim. An air
freshener composition is disposed within the container. The air
freshener composition includes a bottom layer disposed adjacent to
the base and has a plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads. The
air freshener composition further including a top layer extending
over the bottom layer. Alternatively, the air freshener composition
includes a single layer having a plurality of
ethylene-vinyl-acetate beads dispersed throughout.
[0005] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air freshener container
in accordance with this invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the air freshener
container illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the air freshener
container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the air freshener
container illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the air freshener container
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the air freshener container
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view of the air freshener
container illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, together with a first
embodiment of an air freshener composition in accordance with this
invention, wherein the air freshener composition is sealed within
the air freshener container by a lid.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 7
showing the first embodiment of the air freshener composition
initially after the lid has been removed from the air freshener
container.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 8
showing the first embodiment of the air freshener composition after
the lid has been removed from the air freshener container for a
period of time.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 9
showing the first embodiment of the air freshener composition after
the lid has been removed from the air freshener container for a
further period of time.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a sectional elevational view of the air freshener
container illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, together with a second
embodiment of an air freshener composition in accordance with this
invention.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 11
showing the second embodiment of the air freshener composition
after a lid has been removed from the air freshener container for a
period of time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS.
1 through 6 an air freshener container, indicated generally at 10,
in accordance with this invention. The illustrated air freshener
container is adapted to inserted within a conventional dispenser
(not shown). As will be explained in detail below, the air
freshener container 10 contains a quantity of an air freshener
composition. During use, the air freshener composition is dispersed
through the dispenser into the environment.
[0019] The illustrated air freshener container 10 is generally
cup-shaped, including a base 11, a side wall 12 and a rim 13. In
the illustrated embodiment, the base 11 is generally circular in
shape, although such is not required. The illustrated side wall 12
extends upwardly from the base 11 and circumferentially thereabout,
and the rim 13 extends outwardly from the upper end of the side
wall 12. If desired, a plurality of feet 11a may extend downwardly
from the base 11. In the illustrated embodiment, three of such feet
11a extend downwardly from the base 11, although any number of feet
11a may be provided. The base 11, the feet 11a, the side wall 12,
and the rim 13 may, if desired, be formed from a single piece of
material, such as a plastic material.
[0020] The side wall 12 and the base 13 of the air freshener
container 10 may be formed having a first and second pockets,
indicated generally at 14 and 15. The first pocket 14 includes a
first wall 14a and a second wall 14b that extend inwardly from a
circumference defined by the side wall 12. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first wall 14a and the second wall 14b of the first
pocket 14 extend at a right angle relative to one another, although
such is not required. If desired, a brace 14c may extend laterally
between the first wall 14a and the second wall 14b of the first
pocket 14. Similarly, the second pocket 15 includes a first wall
15a and a second wall 15b that extend inwardly from a circumference
defined by the side wall 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first wall 15a and the second wall 15b of the second pocket 15
extend at a right angle relative to one another, although such is
not required. If desired, a brace 15c may extend laterally between
the first wall 15a and the second wall 15b of the second pocket 15.
The side wall 12 and the base 13 of the air freshener container 10
may also be formed having a recess 16. In the illustrated
embodiment, the recess 16 is disposed between the first and second
pockets 14 and 15, although such is not required.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the air freshener container
10 is adapted to contain a quantity of a first embodiment of an air
freshener composition, indicated generally at 20. The air freshener
composition 20 may be composed of any desired material. In the
illustrated first embodiment, however, the air freshener
composition 20 is composed of two different materials, namely, a
bottom layer 21 and a top layer 22. The bottom layer 21 includes a
plurality of ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) beads 21a. Such EVA beads
21a are desirable because of their better ability to absorb
perfumes relative to other thermoplastic resins. Additionally, the
EVA beads 21a possess superior volatilizing properties, which
provides improved disbursement of the perfume contained in the EVA
beads 21a and results in a more potent and longer lasting fragrance
being emitted from the EVA beads 21a.
[0022] The EVA beads 21a may contain any suitable type and amount
of fragrance material. In the preferred embodiment, the EVA beads
21a contain a fragrance oil ranging from about 1% to about 60% of
the weight of the EVA material, depending upon the amount of
fragrance desired. The bottom layer 21 may contain any suitable
amount of EVA beads 21a. In the preferred embodiment, approximately
0.5 ounces of the fragranced EVA beads 21a are added to the
container 12 to form the bottom layer 21. The EVA beads 21a may be
of any desired fragrance.
[0023] Additional layers of fragranced material may then be placed
over the bottom layer 21, although such is not required. In the
preferred embodiment, the top layer 22 is disposed over the bottom
layer 21. The top layer 22 may be made from any suitable fragrance
material. Preferably, the top layer 22 is composed of a fragranced
gel material. The fragranced gel material can be manufactured using
any suitable method, such as cold-formulation or hot-formulation,
and can manufactured to any suitable consistency, such as solid,
semisolid, or fluid. The top layer 22 may also have any suitable
fragrance. Preferably, the fragrance of the top layer 22 differs
from the fragrance of the EVA beads 21a that form the bottom layer
21, although such is not required. The top layer 22 may contain any
suitable amount of fragrance material. In the preferred embodiment,
the top layer 22 is composed of three ounces of fragranced gel
material.
[0024] As previously discussed, the air freshener composition 20
may be formed from either a single layer or from any suitable
number of multiple layers of fragrance material. Where a single
layer configuration is used, the air freshener material 20 is
preferably comprised of a fragranced gel material that contains a
plurality of fragrance infused EVA beads 21a suspended therein,
such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and described in further detail
below. Where multiple layers are used, it will be appreciated that
the EVA beads 21a may be disposed at any layering point within the
air freshener composition 20. For example, for the illustrated two
layer air freshener composition 20, the EVA bead layer 21a may be
arranged either as the bottom layer 21 (as shown) or as the top
layer 22 of the air freshener composition 20. It will also be
appreciated that where multiple fragrance layers are utilized, each
fragrance layer may be composed of any type or combination of
fragrance materials. For example, for the illustrated two layer air
freshener composition 20, the bottom layer 21 may be composed
solely of the EVA beads 21a, while the top layer 22 may be composed
of a combination of fragranced gel material having additional EVA
beads 21a suspended therein.
[0025] In use, a lid or seal 30 is initially provide across the
upper end of the air freshener container 10, as shown in FIG. 7.
The lid or seal 30 may, for example, be formed from a conventional
metallic foil material that is adhered or otherwise secured to the
rim 13 so as to close the otherwise opened end of the air freshener
container 10. When the seal 30 is removed from the air freshener
container 10, as shown in FIG. 8, the top layer 22 of the air
freshener composition 20 is exposed to the atmosphere. The top
layer 22 thus emits its fragrance into the atmosphere as it
evaporates, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. As the gel material of
the top layer 22 evaporates, the top layer 22 occupies less space
within the air freshener container 10. After a period of time, a
sufficient amount of the top layer 22 evaporates so as to expose
the bottom layer 21 of the air freshener composition 20 to the
atmosphere. As previously discussed, the bottom layer 21 preferably
contains a different fragrance from the top layer 22. As the bottom
layer 21 is exposed, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fragrance of
the bottom layer 21 is simultaneously released with the scent of
the top layer 22. Where a single layer configuration is used, the
EVA beads 21a suspended within the air freshener composition 20 are
exposed to the atmosphere as the gel material of the top layer 22
evaporates.
[0026] Regardless of the configuration, as the second fragranced
material is exposed to the atmosphere, the fragrance of the air
freshener changes to predominately the fragrance of the second
material. This effect is cumulative in that as the first fragrance
continues to evaporate, the scent of the air freshener composition
20 ranges from a combination of the multiple fragrances of the
fragrance materials to almost exclusively the second fragrance that
is exposed as the first fragrance material continues to evaporate.
Referring back to the preferred embodiment, as the top layer 22 of
the air freshener composition 20 evaporates and the scent of the
top layer 22 is consumed, the bottom layer 21 is exposed to the
atmosphere. As a result, the scent of the bottom layer 21 is
released in increasing amounts as the top layer 22 continues to
evaporate. As the top layer 22 evaporates, the air freshener
composition 20 provides a combined scent comprised of the scents of
both the bottom layer 21 and the top layer 22. After all of the top
layer 22 has been consumed, the scent of the bottom layer 21 alone
continues to scent the environment in which the air freshener
composition 20 is placed.
[0027] The change of fragrance as the air freshener composition 20
evaporates provides a particular advantage in that it causes those
in the freshened environment to become more aware of the scent of
the air freshener. This heightened awareness of the air freshener
scent results because not only does the fragrance of the air
freshener composition 20 change, but it also does not diminish in
magnitude because the new, fresh fragrance is exposed as the first
fragrance material is consumed. Another advantage of the multiple
fragrance configuration is the extended freshening capability of
the air freshener composition 20 because the second fragrance
material, which is preferably an EVA bead 21a material, is
extremely fragrant and maintains its fragrance for an extended
period of time due to the capability of the EVA material to hold
fragrance.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown),
the fragranced EVA resin material can be utilized as a copolymer
with plastic resins to form any desired plastic freshening
products. Examples of such plastic freshening products include, but
are not limited to, urinal screens, urinal rim sticks, and stick-up
air fresheners. The fragranced EVA resin material can be combined
with any plastic or combination of plastics suitable to form the
desired plastic product. Examples of such suitable plastics to
combine with the fragranced EVA resin material include, but are not
limited to, polypropylene, low density polyethylene, and high
density polyethylene.
[0029] The purpose of adding the EVA resin material as a copolymer
is to enhance flexibility and provide air freshening capability to
plastic parts. The utilization of the fragranced EVA resin material
provides superior air freshening capability because the EVA resin
material can be loaded with a greater percent of fragrance when
compared to other plastic resins. The EVA resin material can be
loaded with any suitable amount of fragrance oil required to
produce the desired level of fragrance relative to the specific
application of the formed plastic part. The preferred fragrance
concentration is generally within the range of from about 1% to
about 60% of the weight of the EVA resin material. Another benefit
of the EVA resin material is that it remains in a stable, useable
form without leaking the added fragrance, and the EVA resin
material remains stable and permits the addition of colors to the
EVA resin material as desired.
[0030] Based on the advantages of the EVA resin material cited
above, limitless copolymer applications exist for the EVA resin
material that allow for the development and manufacture of any
plastic part having fragrance incorporated at a concentration that
imparts significant air freshening. The use of the EVA resin
material as a copolymer also provides the ability to fragrance
plastic resins that were previously unstable to fragrance addition.
The fragranced EVA resin material can be used as a copolymer at any
concentration level, again dependent upon the desired level of
fragrance for the plastic part. For example, a polymer plastic part
including the EVA resin material may contain anywhere from 0.1% to
100% EVA resin material based on the overall weight of the desired
plastic part to be formed.
[0031] One such example of a product that may be formed using the
EVA resin material is a urinal screen. For a urinal screen
application, a polymer plastic formed from approximately 70% low
density polyethylene and approximately 30% fragranced EVA resin
material is used to injection mold the urinal screen. The
resultant, fragranced urinal screen emits air freshener for an
extended period of time (i.e. approximately 30 days) and provides
superior fragrance capabilities over the entire time frame in which
it is used.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the air freshener container 10
is also adapted to contain a quantity of a second embodiment of an
air freshener composition, indicated generally at 20'. The
illustrated air freshener composition 20' includes a gel material
21' having a plurality of EVA beads 21a' suspended therein. The gel
material 21' and the EVA beads 21a' can be composed of the same
materials as described above or from any other desired materials.
Mixing the beads 21a' into the gel material 21' prevents a barrier
forming over the beads 21a' when the gel material 21' is
evaporating. It also allows a small amount of fragrance release
from the beads 21a' while the gel material 21' is still present and
an increased evaporation from the beads 21a' once the gel material
21' has evaporated. When the gel material 21' has evaporated, the
beads 21a' form their own layer in the base of the cup 10, free
from any barrier.
[0033] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been
explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it
must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing
from its spirit or scope.
* * * * *