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Patent Abstract
The present invention is directed to air freshener devices with
child resistant features. The air freshener devices comprise (a)
a housing having a socket portion; (b) a container for holding a
liquid to be evaporated by heat, the container having a body for
storing the liquid and a neck connected to the body, the neck engaging
the socket portion of the housing thereby supporting the container
on the housing, the neck having a passage therethrough; (c) a retaining
ring fixed in the passage of the neck of the container; (d) a wick
having an upper portion extending through the retaining ring and
a lower portion extending into the body of the container, the lower
portion of the wick absorbing the liquid from the container and
moving the liquid from the lower portion into the upper portion
of the wick by capillary action; and (e) heating means in the housing
for heating the upper portion of the wick above the neck of the
body to evaporate the liquid from the wick. The retaining ring is
crimped by an amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick
from the retaining ring.
Patent Claims
We claim
1. An air freshener device comprising: (a) a housing having a socket
portion; (b) a container for holding a liquid to be evaporated by
heat, the container having a body for storing the liquid and a neck
connected to the body, the neck engaging the socket portion of the
housing thereby supporting the container on the housing, the neck
having a passage therethrough; (c) a retaining ring fixed in the
passage of the neck of the container; (d) a wick having an upper
portion extending through the retaining ring and a lower portion
extending into the body of the container, the lower portion of the
wick absorbing the liquid from the container and moving the liquid
from the lower portion into the upper portion of the wick by capillary
action; and (e) heating means in the housing for heating the upper
portion of the wick above the neck of the body to evaporate the
liquid from the wick; wherein the retaining ring is crimped by an
amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick from the retaining
ring.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the neck of the container
engages the socket portion of the housing with reverse screw threads.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container has a
decorative body which simulates an item and is visible below the
housing.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining ring
has a higher cylindrical portion which forms a flange on the top
of the neck of the container, and which engages the container by
press fit, and a lower cylindrical portion.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the higher cylindrical
portion of the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which precludes
upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the lower cylindrical
portion of the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which precludes
upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
7. The device according to claim 4, wherein both the higher and
the lower cylindrical portions of the retaining ring are crimped
by an amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick from
the retaining ring.
8. The device according to claim 4, wherein the retaining ring
is glued to the neck of the container.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating means includes
a plug portion and electric blade means for being plugged into an
electric wall socket for powering the heating means and for supporting
the device on the wall.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating means
is a tangential heater in the socket portion of the housing.
11. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a flange
extending upwardly from the housing and simulating a further item
which is consistent with the item simulated by the container.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the flange includes
a perforated dome and an annular recess, the socket portion of the
housing including a rim for engagement by the annular recess to
hold the dome and flange to the housing.
13. An air freshener device comprising: (a) a housing having a
socket portion; (b) a container for holding a liquid to be evaporated
by heat, the container having a body for storing the liquid and
a neck connected to the body, the neck engaging the socket portion
of the housing with reverse screw threads thereby supporting the
container on the housing, the neck having a passage therethrough;
(c) a retaining ring fixed in the passage of the neck of the container,
the retaining ring having a higher cylindrical portion which forms
a flange on the top of the neck of the container, and which engages
the container by press fit, and a lower cylindrical portion; (d)
a wick having an upper portion extending through the retaining ring
and a lower portion extending into the body of the container, the
lower portion of the wick absorbing the liquid from the container
and moving the liquid from the lower portion into the upper portion
of the wick by capillary action; and (e) heating means in the housing
for heating the upper portion of the wick above the neck of the
body to evaporate the liquid from the wick, the heating means including
a plug portion and electric blade means for being plugged into an
electric wall socket for powering the heating means and for supporting
the device on the wall; wherein the retaining ring is crimped by
an amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick from the
retaining ring.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the higher cylindrical
portion of the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which precludes
upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the lower cylindrical
portion of the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which precludes
upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
16. The device according to claim 13, wherein both the higher and
the lower cylindrical portions of the retaining ring are crimped
by an amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick from
the retaining ring.
17. The device according to claim 13, wherein the retaining ring
is glued to the neck of the container.
18. The device according to claim 13, wherein the container has
a decorative body which simulates an item and is visible below the
housing.
19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a flange
extending upwardly from the housing and simulating a further item
which is consistent with the item simulated by the container.
20. The device according to claim 13, wherein the heating means
is a tangential heater in the socket portion of the housing.
Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to air freshener devices which
use wicks. More specifically, the present invention relates to air
freshener devices which employ child-resistant wick retaining structures,
reverse thread features, and a compact structure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND
[0002] Wick-based air freshener devices are known in the art for
dispersing the vapor of liquids into the air. Such devices are often
used in the home with liquids varying from insect repellents to
air fresheners. Typically, in such devices, one end of a wick is
partially submerged in the liquid to be dispersed. The liquid is
contained in any suitable container. The partially submerged portion
of the wick absorbs the liquid, some of which diffuses by capillary
or wicking action into the exposed, unsubmerged portion of the wick.
The exposed portion of the wick is locally heated, often by means
of a ring-shaped heater which fits over the wick. This causes the
liquid which has diffused into the exposed portion of the wick to
evaporate into the surrounding air. Continual application of heat
to the exposed portion of the wick results in an evaporation/absorption
process that continues until the liquid is consumed.
[0003] A problem with conventional wick-based air freshener devices,
as with many products suitable for home use, is the potential that
a child will come into contact with the liquid contents of the device.
Many of the liquids utilized with such devices can be harmful if
swallowed, and some are harmful if merely touched. Therefore, it
is desirable to make these devices child-resistant to reduce the
chance that child will access the potentially harmful contents of
the device.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,756 (Maltenfort) discloses a wick holder
and storage insert for engagement in the neck opening of a container
of liquid to be dispensed by vaporization. The wick holder and storage
insert comprise a generally cup-shaped member having a generally
tubular-body having a bottom wall provided with a slot. A generally
non-stiffened wick extends through the slot above and below the
bottom wall. The wick is dimensioned so as to extend outwardly from
the cupshaped member in a use position. The periphery of the slot
engages, compresses, and seals the wick whereby the wick in wetted
condition is normally nonretractable through the slot. The cup-shaped
insert is dimensioned so as to have an interior volume sufficient
to accommodate the portion of the wick above the bottom wall.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,342 (Eninger et al.) discloses a heat
pipe having a condenser region and an evaporator region and containing
a working liquid. The heat pipe is provided with an artery of substantial
length for transporting the working liquid between the condenser
and evaporator regions forming at least one venting pore in the
artery. The artery is constituted at least in part by a thin-wall
portion having a pore of capillary size formed therein. The wall
portion is so thin as to keep the pore open through the action of
meniscus coalescence of any miniscule amount of the working liquid
tending to fill the pore when the pore borders a gas bubble within
the artery. The action of meniscus coalescence permits the pore
to remain open for venting noncondensible gas that may be present
within the artery during the priming thereof and until such time
that the artery is fully primed with the working liquid.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,928 (O'Neil) discloses an air freshener
dispenser comprising a container having an opening. An emanator
pad holding means is detachably connected to the container and retains
an emanator pad in contact with a wick. The pad holding means has
a fragrance diffusion channel and an upwardly extending side wall
member. A cover member has a top and a substantially cylindrical
side wall and includes a fragrance diffusion aperture registrable
with the fragrance diffusion channel. A retention means comprises
a first mating surface associated with the pad holding means and
a second mating surface associated with the cover member. The mating
surface is in an operative position detachably retaining the cover
member on the pad holding means. The first mating surface is inoperative
in cooperation with the cover member substantially cylindrical side
wall to detachably retain the cover member on the pad holding means.
The cover member is rotatable in the detachably retained position
with respect to the pad holding means. The pad holding means is
nonrotatable with respect to the container by the torquing force
for rotating the cover member on the pad holding means. The rotation
of the cover member enables the fragrance diffusion aperture and
the fragrance diffusion channel to be brought into registry.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,960 (Bustillo et al.) discloses a wick
dispenser for volatile liquids which includes a bottle with a bottom
and a mouth. An insert cup in the mouth has an opening in the bottom
of the cup. A wick is folded to define a bight traversing the opening
and engaging the wick at the outer extremity of the bight. The improvement
comprises spaced cross bars on the wick carrier. One of the bars
engages the inside of the bight. The other bars are adjacent to
the outside of the bight. Stop means on the wick carrier limits
the extension of the wick carrier and of the wick to a preselected
extended position from the bottle. A different cross bar on the
wick carrier is located between the folded portions of the wick
and is engageable with the folded portions to urge them against
the structure of the opening when the stop means engages the underside
of the insert cup whereby closure of the opening is assisted.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,719 (Grote et al.) discloses an enhanced
capillary assisted evaporative surface comprising a conductive substrate
and several grooves located in the conductive substrate. The grooves
have a generally rectangular shape with a generally radiused, necked-down
opening. Land between the groves connects the grooves. A dendritic
surface is included on the lands and the generally radiused, necked-down
openings of the grooves.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,086 (Pu) discloses a perfume gas generating
device including a container for the perfume. The container has
a main body, a neck portion formed on an upper end of the main body,
and a reservoir defined by the main body. A cap member is associated
with the neck portion of the container and has an opening. A fiber-made
wick member is disposed in the reservoir of the container. The wick
member serves as an upward moving path of the perfume in the reservoir
and has a top end extending outside the neck portion of the container.
A heating system includes a heating mechanism disposed above the
wick member and has a heat input end and a heat output end and a
heat source controlling circuit for conducting heat to the heating
mechanism. The heating mechanism forms a high temperature area above
the top end of the wick member. The perfume is able to move upward
along the wick member into the high temperature area to be vaporized
into gas which dissipates into the ambient environment. The heating
mechanism includes a transistor connected with the input end of
the heating mechanism, a diode and a current-limiting resistor connected
with the transistor, and an oscillating circuit having a variable
resistor. The oscillating circuit is connected with the transistor
through the current-limiting resistor and diode.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,053 (Schroeder et al.) discloses a vapor
dispensing device which comprises an outer shell, a one piece electric
plug heater block, and a wick. The one piece electric plug heater
block has electric plug pins. The block is rotatably attached to
the outer shell such that the block can rotate through a predefined
range of rotation around an axis parallel to the plug pins. The
wick is in fluid communication with a material to be dispensed and
extending into an opening through the block. The opening has a shape
defined by rotating a solid geometric shape transverse to the axis
through an angle at least equal to the predefined range of rotation
of the block. The block has an electric heating element in close
proximity to the opening.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,767 (Bureau et al.) discloses a device
for use in an oil lamp having an inside and a lip, to allow the
diffusion of the scent of a perfume added to the oil. The lip lies
in a generally horizontal plane. The device comprises a ringshaped
element having several inwardly downwardly protruding tabs that
are spaced apart to define gaps permitting uninterrupted air flow
between the inside of the bottle and the ambient air. The tabs have
free ends defining an opening and sized and shaped to receive and
hold a wick supporting tube. The tube has a longitudinal axis perpendicular
to the plane and an upper end from which a wick projects. The tube
is inserted into the opening so that the upper end is held in place
at a given longitudinal distance from the lip. When the device is
placed on the lip and the wick is lit, heat generated by the lighting
heats the tube and the oil and causes the perfume to be released
into the ambient air through the gaps.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,152 (Akyu) discloses an air freshener
dispenser comprising a container having a neck with an opening for
containing a fragrant liquid composition. A wick depends downwardly
into the container supported by a wick holder. A head assembly is
monolithically molded and includes a hollow cylindrical member suitable
for mating the head assembly with the neck of the container. An
exterior ornamental part extends from the outermost of the cylindrical
member. Several retaining means are formed on the top of the cylindrical
member to extend uprightly therefrom and are disposed circumstantially
at a predetermined interval to surround an opening matching with
the container opening. An emanator medium of an absorbent material
is removably retained in the head assembly and has a bottom part
and ambient parts. A fixing member substantially comprises a shaft
and a flat bottom, and is vertically inserted into an inner space
defined by the retaining means of the head assembly for connecting
the emanator medium to the head assembly, thereby holding the bottom
part of the emanator medium in fluid contact with the top of the
wick as well as causing the ambient parts of the emanator medium
to stand upright.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,845 (Greatbatch et al.) discloses a
child-resistant, wick-based liquid emanation system. The system
comprises a container with an opening for holding a liquid. A wick
is partially disposed within the container and has an extended portion
extending through the opening of the container. A hollow overcap
encases the extended portion of the wick. The overcap has a closed
tip, separable from the overcap, and an open base. The base is attached
to the container to cover the opening, the overcap closely conforming
to the shape and size of the wick. The system is activated by separating
the tip from the overcap.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,867 (Stathakis et al.) discloses a vapor
dispensing device comprising a refill bottle unit including a wick
in fluid communication with a material to be dispensed contained
within the refill bottle and extending into a heater unit contained
within a housing unit. The refill bottle unit and the housing unit
include a guidance system to guide the refill bottle unit into the
housing unit and to stabilize the bottle unit with respect to the
housing unit. The center of the wick is relative to the heating
unit when the refill bottle unit and the housing unit are being
interconnected.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,807 (Ruffolo et al.) discloses a vapor
emanation system comprising a housing having a socket portion. A
container for a liquid to be evaporated by heat has a body for storing
the liquid and a neck connected to the body and for engaging the
socket portion of the housing for supporting the container on the
housing. The neck has a passage there through. A retaining ring
is fixed in the passage and has a hole there through. A wick has
an upper portion extending through the hole of the retaining ring,
and a lower portion extending down into the body of the container
for absorbing liquid from the container and for moving the liquid
into the upper portion of the wick by capillary action. A heating
means in the housing heats the upper portion of the wick above the
neck to evaporate liquid from the wick. A retaining pin extends
through the wick below the neck and beyond the wick by an amount
which precludes upward extraction of the wick from the retaining
ring.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,513 (Basaganas Millan) discloses a plug
for containers of evaporable liquids of the type comprising an annular
body with a neck for coupling and permanent attachment to the corresponding
neck of the container to which it is applied. The plug is provided
with an axial concentric passage for placing a cylindrical wick,
which is partially submerged in the liquid of the container and
partially emerges outwards to allow evaporation through it of the
liquid of the container. The plug is characterized in that the innermost
or lowermost passage area of the wick comprises a concentric neck
provided with slits along the main generatrix line. The slits define
sectors which press on the lateral surface of the wick with the
neck enveloped by a second neck of greater diameter which is also
provided with slits along the main generatrix line so that the second
neck is shorter than the neck. The property includes the sectors
of the neck which press on the wick which are provided with triangular
semi-pyramidal projections which provide means to allow an inwards
displacement of the wick and prevent its displacement in the opposite
direction. These properties are in order to prevent it from being
separated from the plug once mounted on it, and preventing refilling
of the container on which the plug is applied.
[0017] PCT application no. WO 98/46284 (Martin '284) discloses
an air freshener dispenser device which is adapted for engagement
and support by a wall electrical outlet, and which is an assembly
of structural units. The air freshener dispenser device comprises
a disposable cartridge having an elongated thermoplastic hollow
body configuration with a sealed internal reservoir chamber of liquid
air freshener medium. The upper end of the cartridge has a narrow
stem extension of the internal chamber. An elongated wick extends
from the chamber bottom up to the top of the stem extension. Integrally
structured means are adapted for removal of a top portion of the
cartridge stem extension to expose an upper section of the wick
to the atmosphere. A heater means is detachably secured and positioned
proximate to the cartridge stem extension for promotion of an freshener
wicking into the atmosphere.
[0018] PCT application no. WO 98/46285 (Martin '285) discloses
a disposable air freshener dispenser device which is adapted for
engagement and support by a wall electrical outlet and which is
an assembly of structural units. The disposable air freshener dispenser
device comprises a cartridge having a thermoplastic tray having
side walls with an upper edge which forms a peripheral margin around
the open space of the tray. The flange has an elongate extension
from one wall, and the surface of the elongate flange extension
has a shallow flat recess extending the wall edge. A thin emanating
absorbent matrix with an upper section fits within the flange flat
recess, and with a lower section which extends across the open space
of the tray to the opposite wall edge. A volatile liquid air freshener
medium is contained within the tray interior. A first vapor-impermeable
membrane covers the open space of the tray and the lower section
of the absorbent matrix and is bonded to the tray peripheral margin
and forms a sealed air freshener reservoir enclosure within the
tray interior. A peelable second vapor-impermeable membrane covers
the upper section of the absorbent matrix. An electrical-resistance
type heating means is detachably secured and positioned proximate
to the back surface of the tray elongated flange extension and the
upper section of the absorbent. A molded plastic electrical plug
housing with a flat front surface and two inlet openings is located
within the plug housing. A detachable thin panel section is juxtapositioned
on the flat front surface of the plug housing. The panel section
comprises an electrical-resistance heater module and has two apertures
corresponding in position to the inlet openings within the plug
housing. A pair of metal prongs are positioned within the apertures
of the panel section and the inlet openings of the plug housing
and extend rearwardly from the plug housing for engagement with
a wall electrical outlet. The prongs are adapted to conduct electric
current to the electrical resistance heater module.
IN THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the air freshener device
of the present invention in a preferred embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of three preferred embodiments
of the invention illustrating the container, retaining ring, and
wick of the air freshener device. In FIG. 2A, the higher cylindrical
portion of the retaining ring is crimped forming a pressure point
on the wick. In FIG. 2B, the lower cylindrical portion of the retaining
ring is crimped forming a pressure point on the wick. In FIG. 2C,
both the higher and the lower cylindrical portions of the retaining
ring are crimped forming pressure points on the wick.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing comparing a top view of a
conventional retaining ring for an air freshener device versus the
retaining ring of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a schematic
drawing of a top view of a conventional retaining ring for an air
freshener device. FIG. 3B is a schematic drawing of a top view of
the retaining ring of the present invention for an air freshener
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention pertains to an air freshener device
comprising:
[0023] (a) a housing having a socket portion;
[0024] (b) a container for holding a liquid to be evaporated by
heat, the container having a body for storing the liquid and a neck
connected to the body, the neck engaging the socket portion of the
housing thereby supporting the container on the housing, the neck
having a passage therethrough;
[0025] (c) a retaining ring fixed in the passage of the neck of
the container;
[0026] (d) a wick having an upper portion extending through the
retaining ring and a lower portion extending into the body of the
container, the lower portion of the wick absorbing the liquid from
the container and moving the liquid from the lower portion into
the upper portion of the wick by capillary action; and
[0027] (e) heating means in the housing for heating the upper portion
of the wick above the neck of the body to evaporate the liquid from
the wick;
[0028] wherein the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which
precludes upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
[0029] The present invention also pertains to an air freshener
device comprising:
[0030] (a) a housing having a socket portion;
[0031] (b) a container for holding a liquid to be evaporated by
heat, the container having a body for storing the liquid and a neck
connected to the body, the neck engaging the socket portion of the
housing with reverse screw threads thereby supporting the container
on the housing, the neck having a passage therethrough;
[0032] (c) a retaining ring fixed in the passage of the neck of
the container, the retaining ring having a higher cylindrical portion
which forms a flange on the top of the neck of the container, and
which engages the container by press fit, and a lower cylindrical
portion;
[0033] (d) a wick having an upper portion extending through the
retaining ring and a lower portion extending into the body of the
container, the lower portion of the wick absorbing the liquid from
the container and moving the liquid from the lower portion into
the upper portion of the wick by capillary action; and
[0034] (e) heating means in the housing for heating the upper portion
of the wick above the neck of the body to evaporate the liquid from
the wick, the heating means including a plug portion and electric
blade means for being plugged into an electric wall socket for powering
the heating means and for supporting the device on the wall;
[0035] wherein the retaining ring is crimped by an amount which
precludes upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The present invention is directed to air freshener devices.
The devices comprise (a) a housing having a socket portion; (b)
a container for holding a liquid to be evaporated by heat, the container
having a body for storing the liquid and a neck connected to the
body, the neck engaging the socket portion of the housing thereby
supporting the container on the housing, the neck having a passage
therethrough; (c) a retaining ring fixed in the passage of the neck
of the container; (d) a wick having an upper portion extending through
the retaining ring and a lower portion extending into the body of
the container, the lower portion of the wick absorbing the liquid
from the container and moving the liquid from the lower portion
into the upper portion of the wick by capillary action; and (e)
heating means in the housing for heating the upper portion of the
wick above the neck of the body to evaporate the liquid from the
wick. The retaining ring is crimped by an amount which precludes
upward extraction of the wick from the retaining ring.
[0037] The invention will be better understood from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction
with the Figures, in which like elements are represented by like
referenced numerals.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the air freshener device
in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
schematic drawing of three preferred embodiments of the invention
illustrating the container, retaining ring, and wick of the air
freshener device. In FIG. 1, the air freshener device is depicted
generally as 100 and comprises a multi-part plastic vaporizer housing
110 having a socket portion 111. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 120
holds a liquid 130 to be evaporated by heat. Container 120 is preferably
made of glass but any material which is compatible with the liquid
130 to be evaporated can be used as the container 120. The container
120 has a body 121 for storing the liquid 130 and a neck 122 connected
to the body 121. The neck 122 engages the socket portion 111 of
the housing 110 thereby supporting the container 120 on the housing
110. Socket portion 111 includes a threaded socket 112 for receiving
the upper threaded neck end 123 of container 120 that contains liquid
130. Preferably, threaded socket 112 and upper threaded neck end
123 employ reverse screw threads. The neck 122 has a passage 123
therethrough. A retaining ring 140 is fixed in the passage 123 of
the neck 122 of the container 120. A wick 150 has an upper portion
151 which extends through the retaining ring 140 and a lower portion
152 which extends into the body 121 of the container 120. The lower
portion of the wick 152 absorbs the liquid 130 from the container
120 and moves the liquid 130 from the lower portion 152 into the
upper portion 151 of the wick by capillary action. Wick 150 may
be cotton, cellulose, polyester, or any other known wick material.
Heating means 160 having electric plug blades 161 and a plug portion
162 in the housing 110 heats the upper portion of the wick 151,
which is cylindrical in shape, above the neck 122 of the body 121
to evaporate the liquid 130 from the wick 151. The heating means
160 with plug portion 162 and electric blade means 161 is plugged
into an electric wall socket for powering the heating means 160
and for supporting the air freshener device 100 on the wall. The
heating means 160 is a tangential heater.
[0039] Passage 123 extends through the center of the retaining
ring 140 and has a diameter slightly less than the outer diameter
of the flexible fibrous wick 150 so that the upper portion of the
wick 151 can extend through and be firmly held in passage 123 with
the upper end of the wick 151 extending above the neck so that it
can be heated by the heater assembly 160.
[0040] Preferably, threaded socket 112 and upper threaded neck
end 123 employ reverse screw threads to minimize misuse of the product.
With reverse threads, common forward screw thread containers cannot
be used in the air freshener device. Reverse threads prevent a consumer
from using volatile and flammable colognes or make-shift wicks in
the device which would be dangerous. A typical container cannot
be attached to the housing of the invention. The use of reverse
screw threads means that container 120, when viewed from above,
is turned clock-wise to tighten it into the vaporizer housing 110
and counter-clock-wise to loosen and remove it.
[0041] The container 120 of the air freshener device 100 may have
a decorative body which simulates an item such as a bunch of fruit
and is visible below the housing 110. The air freshener device 100
may further comprise a flange 170 extending upwardly from the housing
110 and simulating a further item which is consistent with the item
simulated by the container 120. The flange 170 may mimic the leaves
of a plant, the petals of a flower, or other shape. This outwardly
extending flange 170 helps dissipate the evaporated air freshener,
and decorates the device as it rests near a wall, supported by a
wall socket. The flange 170 may also include a perforated dome and
an annular recess 180. The socket portion 111 of the housing 110
may include a rim for engagement by the annular recess to hold the
dome 180 and flange 170 to the housing 110.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of three preferred embodiments
of the invention illustrating the container, retaining ring, and
wick of the air freshener device. In FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the retaining
ring 140 has a higher cylindrical portion which forms a flange 141
on the top of the neck 122 of the container 120, and which engages
the container by press fit, and a lower cylindrical portion 142.
In FIG. 2A, the higher cylindrical portion 141 of the retaining
ring 140 is crimped at 143 forming pressure point 153 on wick 151
by an amount which precludes upward extraction of the wick 151 from
the retaining ring 140. In FIG. 2B, the lower cylindrical portion
142 of the retaining ring 140 is crimped at 144 forming pressure
point 154 on wick 152 by an amount which precludes upward extraction
of the wick 151 from the retaining ring 140. In FIG. 2C, both the
higher 141 and the lower 142 cylindrical portions of the retaining
ring 140 are crimped at 143 and 144 forming pressure points 153
and 154 on the wick by an amount which precludes upward extraction
of the wick 150 from the retaining ring 140. The retaining ring
140 may also be glued to the neck 122 of the container 120. Retaining
ring 140 may be made of polypropylene or other high strength synthetic
material such as nylon.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing comparing a top view of a
conventional retaining ring for an air freshener device versus the
crimped retaining ring of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a schematic
drawing of a top view of a conventional retaining ring C for an
air freshener device. FIG. 3B is a schematic drawing of a top view
of the crimped retaining ring 140 of the present invention for an
air freshener device. In FIG. 3B, the higher cylindrical portion
141 of the retaining ring 140 is crimped at 143 forming pressure
point 153 on wick 151 by an amount which precludes upward extraction
of the wick 151 from the retaining ring 140.
[0044] Retaining ring 140 may be crimped by any conventional method,
such as with pliers or the like. Retaining ring 140 is pinched or
pressed together in order to apply pressure and seal or unite retaining
ring 140 with wick 150. The degree of crimping of retaining ring
140 at 143 or 144 to apply pressure, and engage, wick 150 at pressure
point 153 or 154 is an amount sufficient to preclude extraction
of wick 150 upwardly through retaining ring 140. Preferably, the
degree of crimping of retaining ring 140 at 143 or 144 is such to
require a pulling force of at least 5 pounds, preferably 10 pounds,
and more preferably 15 pounds to extract wick 150 from container
120. This degree of crimping of retaining ring 140 effectively precludes
extraction by a child and even some adults. This degree of crimping
also makes it difficult to refill the container 120 with inappropriate
liquids.
[0045] The heating means in the present invention is a tangential
heater. Tangential heater assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,222,186, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Tangential heater assemblies comprise a tangential heater which
is surrounded by a ceramic potting material body. The tangential
heater rests in one recess in the body and the body also contains
a passage or opening for receiving the upper end of a wick. The
opening may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the wick
to allow easy insertion of a new wick when the liquid in the container
has been depleted. The upper end of the wick is automatically inserted
into the opening when the neck is threaded into the socket.
[0046] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to
be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention
and all such modifications are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
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