Air freshener housing cover

{
  "publication_number": "US5735460A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Air freshener housing cover",
  "abstract": "An air freshener assembly is disclosed comprising a rigid housing having an interior cavity, an exterior surface having a substantially planar portion and also having a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing. An insert containing a volatile fragrant material is disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing. A substantially rigid cover member having an upper decorative surface is attached to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing such that the cover member is supported substantially parallel to and spaced from the housing surface to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An air freshener assembly comprising: a rigid housing having an interior cavity accessible from exteriorly of the housing, an exterior surface having a substantially planar portion, a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing; an insert containing a volatile fragrant material, the insert having outer dimensions such that the insert is capable of being disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing; a substantially rigid cover member having an upper decorative surface and a lower surface, the substantially rigid cover member being substantially planar; a plurality of flexible lock arms and an equal number of mating holes for attaching the substantially rigid cover member to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, the lock arms and holes aligned so that the lock arms snap into the mating holes, thereby attaching the lower surface of the substantially rigid cover member to the exterior surface of the rigid housing so that the substantially rigid cover member is supported substantially parallel and spaced from the substantially planar exterior surface to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air; and means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing to a supporting member such that the upper decorative surface of the substantially rigid cover member is visible.",
    "2. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing member to a supporting member comprises a magnet affixed to the exterior surface of the housing.",
    "3. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing member to a supporting member comprises a clip extending from the exterior surface of the housing.",
    "4. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing member to a supporting member comprises adhesive positioned on the exterior surface of the housing.",
    "5. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid cover further comprises at least one support rib dimensioned so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the substantially rigid cover and the substantially planar exterior surface of the housing.",
    "6. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper decorative surface of the substantially rigid cover comprises a picture frame.",
    "7. In an air freshener assembly having a rigid housing having an interior cavity accessible from exteriorly of the housing, an exterior surface having a substantially planar portion, a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, an insert containing a volatile fragrant material, the insert having outer dimensions such that the insert is capable of being disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing, and means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing to a supporting member, the improvement comprising: a substantially rigid cover member having an upper decorative surface and a lower surface, the substantially rigid cover member being substantially planar; and a plurality of flexible lock arms and an equal number of mating holes for attaching the substantially rigid cover member to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, the lock arms aligned with the mating holes so that the lock arms snap into the mating holes thereby attaching the lower surface of the substantially rigid cover member to the exterior surface of the rigid housing, the substantially rigid cover member being supported substantially parallel to and spaced from the substantially planar exterior surface to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air.",
    "8. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 7, wherein the substantially rigid cover further comprises support ribs dimensioned so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the substantially rigid cover and the substantially planar exterior surface of the housing.",
    "9. A cover for use with an air freshener assembly, the air freshener assembly having a rigid housing having an interior cavity accessible from exteriorly of the housing, an exterior surface having at least one portion thereof being substantially planar, a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, an insert containing a volatile fragrant material, the insert having outer dimensions such that the insert is capable of being disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing, and means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing to a supporting member, the cover comprising: a substantially planar and substantially rigid member having an upper decorative surface and a lower surface; and a plurality of flexible lock arms and an equal number of mating holes for attaching the substantially rigid member to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, the lock arms aligned with the mating holes so that the lock arms snap into the mating holes thereby attaching the substantially rigid cover member to the exterior surface of the rigid housing, the substantially rigid member being supported substantially parallel to and spaced from the substantially planar exterior surface so as to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air.",
    "10. The air freshener assembly claimed in claim 9, wherein the substantially rigid member further comprises support ribs dimensioned so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the substantially rigid member and the substantially planar exterior surface of the housing.",
    "11. An air freshener assembly comprising: a rigid housing having an interior cavity accessible from exteriorly of the housing, an exterior surface having a substantially planar portion, a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing; a substantially rigid cover member having an upper decorative surface and a lower surface, the substantially rigid cover member being substantially planar; a plurality of flexible lock arms and an equal number of mating holes for attaching the substantially rigid member to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing, the lock arms aligned with the mating holes so that the lock arms snap into the mating holes thereby attaching the substantially rigid cover member to the exterior surface of the rigid housing, the substantially rigid member being supported substantially parallel to and spaced from the substantially planar exterior surface to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air; and means for attaching the exterior surface of the rigid housing to a supporting member such that the upper decorative surface of the substantially rigid cover member is visible.",
    "12. The air freshener assembly of claim 11, the assembly further comprising an insert containing a volatile fragrant material, the insert having outer dimensions such that the insert is capable of being disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/003,243 filed Sep. 5, 1995.\n\n1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates generally to a device for dispensing fragrance and more particularly to such a device which includes a decorative cover affixed to the exterior of the device so as to be visible to viewers.\n\n2. Prior Art\n\nAir fresheners are used in a variety of locations. Small housings containing air freshening material are affixed to a variety of structures, such as visors or door pockets in automobiles, refrigerator doors, and workbenches. The housings are frequently molded of plastic and contain a volatile fragrant material. The housing has a series of apertures through which the fragrant material may enter and mix with ambient air. The apertures may be adjusted by sliding a plastic partition between the apertures and the air freshening material, permitting the user to regulate the amount of fragrant material being dispensed to the surrounding environment. When the fragrant material has lost its effectiveness, it may be replaced or the housing discarded.\n\nHousings also have an external mechanism by which the housing is affixed to another object. For example, a housing may have a plastic or metal clip extending from the bottom of the housing to permit the housing to be slidably attached to a sun visor or other similar object. Additionally, magnets may be located on the housing to permit attachment to metal objects such as refrigerators or metal shelving. Alternatively, the housings may be permanently attached to an object via an adhesive bond.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61L 9/03",
    "A61L 9/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61L 9/03",
    "A61L 9/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "United Ind Trading Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kenneth D. Eisenbraun"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1996-06-07",
  "publication_date": "1998-04-07",
  "grant_date": "1998-04-07",
  "priority_date": "1995-09-05",
  "application_number": "US-66080396-A",
  "family_id": "26671523",
  "cited_by_count": 98,
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}