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Patent Abstract
An electronic air freshener for a vehicle includes a housing having
a plug extending from the rear surface thereof for insertion into
a vehicle cigarette lighter. The housing includes an interior chamber
that receives a scented insert. The insert rests on a heating element
that is powered by the cigarette lighter. Dispensing apertures are
positioned on the front surface of the housing. The housing further
includes a receptacle to which an auxiliary electronic device may
be coupled allowing it to be used simultaneously with the air freshener.
When the device is inserted into the cigarette lighter, the heating
element vaporizes the scented insert and disperses it through the
apertures to deodorize a vehicle passenger compartment.
Patent Claims
I claim:
1. An electric air freshener for a vehicle comprising: a housing
having a lower surface and an openable top in communication with
an interior chamber, and exterior apertures; said housing having
a male electrical plug for insertion into a vehicle cigarette lighter;
said interior chamber having a heating element in electrical communication
with said male electrical plug; and said interior chamber having
a scented insert juxtaposed to said heating element; so that upon
plugging in said male electrical plug into an electrified vehicle
cigarette lighter, said heating element is activated, heating said
scented inset, which upon vaporization scents a vehicle having said
vehicle cigarette lighter.
2. The electrical air freshener according to claim 1, further comprising:
said housing having a receptacle for receiving a plug from an auxiliary
electrical device to enable simultaneous operation of said auxiliary
electrical device and said air freshener.
3. An electric air freshener for a vehicle comprising: a housing
containing interiorly a means for containment of a means for scenting;
a means for heating in said housing having electrical communication
with a male electrical plug for insertion into a vehicle cigarette
lighter; said housing further having apertures enabling scents from
said means of scenting to escape upon plugging in said plug into
an electrically activated vehicle cigarette lighter and the consequent
heating by said heating element of said means of scenting.
4. The electrical air freshener according to claim 4, further comprising:
said housing having a receptacle for receiving a plug from an auxiliary
electrical device to enable simultaneous operation of said auxiliary
electrical device and said air freshener.
Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air freshener that is
activated by a vehicle cigarette lighter to automatically disperse
a scented fragrance within a vehicle passenger compartment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Vehicle passenger compartments are notorious for harboring
undesirable odors. Numerous vehicle air fresheners exist in the
prior art, most of which employ an aerosol spray canister for dispensing
an air freshener to the passenger compartment. However, the effective
duration of such air fresheners is limited. The present invention
provides a uniquely configured air freshener for a vehicle that
is powered by a vehicle cigarette lighter for gradually and continuously
dispersing a deodorizing agent. Furthermore, the device includes
an electrical receptacle thereon allowing an additional electronic
device to be used during operation of the air freshener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to an electric air freshener
for a vehicle. The device comprises a housing having an interior
chamber. Extending from a rear surface of the housing is a male
electrical plug for insertion into a vehicle cigarette lighter.
Received within the interior chamber is an elongated, aluminum heating
element that is powered by the vehicle cigarette lighter when the
plug member is properly coupled therewith. A scented insert is removably
received within the interior chamber and rests on the heating element;
when the heating element is activated, the insert is vaporized and
dispensed through apertures on the housing to deodorize the vehicle
passenger compartment. Also positioned on the front surface of the
housing is a receptacle for receiving a plug from an auxiliary electrical
device such as a cell phone, radio, or other device allowing it
to be operated simultaneously with the air freshener.
[0004] It is therefore and object of the present invention to provide
an air freshener for a vehicle that gradually and effectively emits
a deodorizing agent to the passenger compartment.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide
of vehicle air freshener that allows a user to couple an auxiliary
electronic device therewith.
[0006] Other object, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent from the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DROWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electric air freshener
according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air freshener coupled
with the vehicle cigarette lighter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0009] The present invention relates to an electronic air freshener
for a vehicle. The device comprises a housing 1 including a front
surface 2, a rear surface 3, an arcuate, contoured lower surface
4 and an open top 5 in communication with an interior chamber 6.
Extending from the rear surface of the housing is a male electrical
plug 7 for insertion into a vehicle cigarette lighter.
[0010] An elongated removable cover 8 provides selective access
to the interior chamber. Received within the interior chamber is
an elongated, aluminum heating element 9 that is powered by the
vehicle cigarette lighter when the plug member is properly coupled
therewith. A scented insert 10 is removably received within the
interior chamber and rest on the heating element; when the heating
element is activated, the insert is vaporized and dispensed through
apertures 11 on the front surface of the housing to deodorize the
vehicle passenger compartment. Also positioned on the front surface
of the housing is a receptacle 12 for receiving a plug member from
an auxiliary electrical device such as a cell phone, radio, or other
device allowing it to be operated simultaneously with the air freshener.
[0011] The above described device is not limited to the exact details
of construction and enumeration of part provided herein. Furthermore,
the size, shape and materials of construction can be varied.
[0012] Although there has been shown and described the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto
which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore,
the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following
claims.
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