Air-freshening dispensing device

{
  "publication_number": "US2010019059A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Air-freshening dispensing device",
  "abstract": "The invention relates to an air-freshening dispensing device, including a housing having a pair of mounts for mounting respective containers provided in outer sections of the housing; and a switchable shutter element arranged for selectively shutting access of an airflow to any of the outer sections. According to the invention, the shutter element is provided in a mid section between the outer sections and communicatively coupled to an air inlet. An air outlet provides throughput of the airflow through the mid section and the device further includes a clamp for clamping the unit onto an outlet channel to provide an airflow into the air inlet.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An air-freshening dispensing device, comprising: a housing, comprising a pair of mounts configured to mount respective containers provided in outer sections of the housing; and a switchable shutter element arranged configured to selectively shut access of an airflow to any of the outer sections; wherein the shutter element is provided in a mid section between the outer sections; and the mid section is communicatively coupled to an air inlet, and further comprising an air outlet configured to provide throughput of the airflow through the mid section. 2. A dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a clamp configured to clamp the unit onto an outlet channel so as to provide an airflow into the air inlet. 3. A dispensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the shutter element is bistably switchable. 4. A dispensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the shutter element comprises a valve piece that is mounted in the mid section, to include or exclude the air inlet to either of the outer sections, by pivoting the valve piece against a seat structure provided in the housing. 5. A dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein the mid section is bounded by a wedge shaped seat structure, the valve piece seating against either of opposite sides of the wedge shaped seat structure; and further comprising a knob protruding through the housing to switch the valve to any of the opposite sides of the mid section. 6. A dispensing unit according to claim 5, wherein the valve piece further comprises cross-shaped flaps, oriented transversely to the valve piece. 7. A dispensing unit according to claim 6, wherein the flaps, by pivoting the valve piece, open or close access to any of the outer sections through abutting a side of a flap against a seat arranged in the outer section. 8. The dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising a slider element that slidingly shuts the air inlet, for regulating an airflow intensity. 9. The dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein the slider comprises a closure element slidable along an inlet opening provided in a first side wall of the mid section, for slidingly closing the air inlet access to the mid section, and wherein the slider further comprises a second closure element slidable along an air outlet opening provided in a second side wall of the mid section. 10. The dispensing unit of claim 9, wherein the first and second sidewalls are adjacent; and wherein the second sidewall is a top wall when viewed in mounted condition. 11. The dispensing unit of claim 9, wherein the first and second sidewalls are opposite to each other. 12. The dispensing unit of claim 10, wherein the top wall defines a lower wall of a collection chamber that is provided with an air outlet."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B60H 3/0007",
    "A61L 9/127",
    "B60H 2003/0064",
    "B60H 3/0028"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SARA LEE DE NV"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2007-09-18",
  "publication_date": "2010-01-28",
  "priority_date": "2006-09-19",
  "application_number": "US-44208907-A",
  "family_id": "37745931",
  "citations": [
    "GB2401047A",
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  ]
}