US-12622992-B2 - Air freshener with hinged and channeled frame

US12622992B2US 12622992 B2US12622992 B2US 12622992B2US-12622992-B2

Abstract

An air freshener includes a first arm and a second arm connected together at one of their ends by a joint to enable swinging of the arms between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In a closed configuration, a fastener clasps opposite ends of the first arm and the second arm together to surround a central space in which a support structure, such as a support post of a rearview mirror on a vehicle, may be positioned. The first arm and the second arm each include an inner wall and lateral side walls defining an open chamber in which a fragrance substrate is retained by an interference fit. The inner wall defines an interior periphery, and ends of the lateral side walls define an exterior periphery of the air freshener.

Inventors

Alexa Ann Valore
Elin Lee LeClaire

Assignees

ENERGIZER AUTO, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220914

Claims (14)

1 . An air freshener, comprising: a frame having an inner surface forming an interior periphery of the air freshener about a central space, the central space defining a passageway along an axis through the air freshener for receiving an external support structure, the frame comprising: a first frame section extending along a first inner wall between a first joint end and a first clasp end, the first inner wall forming a first portion of an outer boundary of the central space and having a first interior surface, the first frame section having a first front wall and a first rear wall extending radially from the first inner wall away from the central space and defining a first channel, the first front wall culminating in a first front outer edge along the first channel, the first rear wall culminating in a first rear outer edge along the first channel, the first front outer edge and the first rear outer edge being axially separated by a first distance open to atmosphere, a second frame section extending along a second inner wall between a second joint end and second clasp end, a joint pivotally coupling the first joint end to the second joint end, and a clasp detachably connecting the first clasp end to the second clasp end in a closed configuration; and a first fragrance substrate having a first inner body and a first outer surface, the first inner body being substantially enclosed within the first frame section, the first outer surface being radially outward from the first interior surface of the first inner wall and being exposed to the atmosphere across the first distance in the closed configuration, wherein the first outer surface of the first fragrance substrate forms an exterior periphery of the air freshener along the first channel radially outward from the interior periphery.
2 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the second inner wall forms a second portion of the outer boundary of the central space and has a second interior surface, the second frame section having a second front wall and a second rear wall extending radially from the second inner wall away from the central space and defining a second channel, the second front wall culminating in a first front outer edge along the second channel, the second rear wall culminating in a second rear outer edge along the second channel, the second front outer edge and the second rear outer edge being axially separated by a second distance open to the atmosphere across the second distance in the closed configuration.
3 . The air freshener of claim 2 , further comprising: a second fragrance substrate having a second inner body and a second outer surface, the second inner body being substantially enclosed within the second frame section, the second outer surface being radially outward from the second interior surface of the second inner wall and being exposed to the atmosphere across the second distance, wherein the second outer surface of the second fragrance substrate forms the exterior periphery of the air freshener along the second channel radially outward from the interior periphery.
4 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the first outer surface of the first fragrance substrate is co-planar with the first front outer edge and the first rear outer edge.
5 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the first frame section shields the first fragrance substrate from the environment except through the first outer surface.
6 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the first joint end contains a shaft, the second joint end contains a socket, and the shaft is positioned within the socket.
7 . The air freshener of claim 6 , wherein the first clasp end contains a tongue, the second clasp end contains a groove, and the tongue is positioned within the groove in the closed configuration.
8 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein a substrate volume of the first fragrance substrate is less than or equal to a channel volume of a space within the first channel.
9 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the first front wall and the first rear wall extend radially beyond the first outer surface of the first fragrance substrate.
10 . The air freshener of claim 9 , wherein the first front wall and the first rear wall extend between the interior periphery and the exterior periphery of the air freshener.
11 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the first fragrance substrate is substantially a quadrilateral.
12 . The air freshener of claim 1 , further comprising one or more first ribs on one of the first front wall and the first rear wall within the first channel, the one or more first ribs being configured to stabilize the first fragrance substrate within the first frame.
13 . The air freshener of claim 1 , wherein the first channel includes one or more stabilizing projections extending radially outward from the first interior surface and intersecting with the first fragrance substrate.
14 . A combination, comprising: a frame having an inner surface forming an interior periphery of the air freshener about a central space, the central space defining a passageway along an axis through the air freshener for receiving an external support structure, the frame comprising: a first frame section extending along a first inner wall between a first joint end and a first clasp end, the first inner wall forming a first portion of an outer boundary of the central space and having a first interior surface, the first frame section having a first front wall and a first rear wall extending radially from the first inner wall away from the central space and defining a first channel, the first front wall culminating in a first front outer edge along the first channel, the first rear wall culminating in a first rear outer edge along the first channel, the first front outer edge and the first rear outer edge being axially separated by a first distance open to atmosphere, a second frame section extending along a second inner wall between a second joint end and second clasp end, a joint pivotally coupling the first joint end to the second joint end, and a clasp detachably connecting the first clasp end to the second clasp end in a closed configuration, a first fragrance substrate having a first inner body and a first outer surface, the first inner body being substantially enclosed within the first frame section, the first outer surface being radially outward from the first interior surface of the first inner wall and being exposed to the atmosphere across the first distance in the closed configuration, wherein the first outer surface of the first fragrance substrate forms an exterior periphery of the air freshener along the first channel radially outward from the interior periphery; and a rearview mirror of a vehicle, the rearview mirror having a body and a support, wherein the support of the rearview mirror passes within the interior periphery and through the central space of the air freshener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/243,921, entitled “Hanging Air Freshener for Securing to Rearview Mirror Support,” filed Sep. 14, 2021, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to an air freshener configured for removable attachment to a support structure. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an air freshener having a frame with arms hinged together at one end, channeled to confine a fragrance substrate, and openable for receiving a support structure about which the air freshener may be fastened. BACKGROUND In general, air convection and heat can help dissipate fragrance oils from an air freshener into an ambient space to provide an aroma. In vehicles, air fresheners are often positioned to use airflow from the ventilation system to dissipate the fragrance within the vehicle interior. For instance, the device may be placed within louvers of an air vent of the ventilation system, using forced airflow and possibly heat through the vents to disperse the fragrance. Similarly, some air fresheners have been designed to dangle from the rearview mirror, relying on movement of the vehicle and airflow from the ventilation system to help disperse the fragrance. These designs have various drawbacks, however. Placement of an air freshener on or over vents in the vehicle can interfere with airflow within the vehicle, making the ventilation system less effective at heating or cooling the vehicle or in directing a flow of air to occupants. While not impeding an air vent, hanging air fresheners can obstruct the vision of the driver and create a distraction for the driver or passengers. Moreover, in some jurisdictions, an air freshener or other object hanging from a rearview mirror is illegal. To avoid the potential for obstructing a driver's view, other air fresheners for vehicles in the form of cans or blocks are designed to be placed under a seat. This placement also hides the device, which many users may not wish to see, but positions the air freshener far from occupants' noses, in an area of low air circulation, and in the coldest location of the vehicle interior. Because ambient heat can help disperse the fragrance oils, which must then travel a distance by diffusion to reach an occupant, under-seat air refreshers typically require a higher oil load or other accommodation to offset their deficiencies. Achieving a balance between convection and heat within a vehicle interior for an air refresher has been difficult to achieve. While increasing temperatures and airflow can improve dispersion of fragrance oils, too much heat or too much draft can cause excessive dissipation of the fragrant material over time, shortening the life of the device or making its aroma too strong. Selective design and placement of the air freshener are needed for improved performance within a vehicle interior. Some air fresheners for vehicles have a central longitudinal core structured as a curved and flexible I-beam that may be positioned to surround a door handle or support post of a rear view mirror. One end of the curved I-beam abuts an opposite end to form a teardrop or ring shape. A fragrance polymer is over-molded as a sleeve around the I-beam to form a rounded exterior of a substantial portion of the air freshener. The central core serves as the interior of the teardrop and, after being deformed by bending to separate the ends, can be positioned around a support structure. While intended for diverse placement in a vehicle, these I-beam air fresheners expose the fragrance polymer along a substantial portion of their exterior surface. Accordingly, the rate of diffusion cannot be controlled, and the fragrance polymer is exposed for contact by a user's hands or by materials within the vehicle. The bendable construction of the central core also can make manipulating the air freshener into place challenging, leading to undesirable contact with the exterior fragrance oils. Examples of the present disclosure are directed to overcoming deficiencies of such systems. SUMMARY In an aspect of the present disclosure, air freshener includes a frame having an inner surface forming an interior periphery of the air freshener about a central space and a fragrance body including a first fragrance substrate and a second fragrance substrate. The frame includes a first frame section extending along a first inner wall between a first joint end and a first clasp end. The first frame section has a first front wall and a first rear wall extending from the first inner wall away from the central space and defining a first channel. The frame also includes a second frame section extending along a second inner wall between a second joint end and second clasp end, where the second frame section has a second front wall and a second rear wall extending from the second inner wall aw