IP Library Granted Patent US 8,147,761
Granted Patent B2
US 8,147,761 · App. 12/623,007 · Granted Apr 3, 2012

Air freshener clip with domed head

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,147,761
App. No.
12/623,007
Granted
Apr 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An air freshener has at least one vent rod configured to engage an air vent. A scent material is associated with the at least one vent rod. A head is coupled to the at least one vent rod. The head has a domed face opposite the vent rod. Indicia is associated with the head.

Claims (36)

1. An air freshener device, comprising:

a head;

a pair of parallel vent rods extending from the head and forming a clip with each of the pair of vent rods having a projection therebetween configured to engage an air vent;

each of the pair of vent rods including a scent material coupled to a respective rod separate from the head;

the head having a domed face on an opposite side of the head from the pair of vent rods and separate from the scent material;

the domed face having an exposed surface with a fixed configuration oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pair of vent rods; and

the head being larger than the scent material and the pair of vent rods with the scent material being disposed behind the head with respect to the domed face.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the domed face of the head extends across the head.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies containing the scent material and coupled to the pair of vent rods and each having a similar size and shape as one of the vent rods.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene elastomer, silicone, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, styrene/butadiene block copolymer, polyvinylchloride, ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, and mixtures thereof.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the elastomeric polymer body is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurethane gel, polyacrylate, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene elastomer, styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof.

6. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body is a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, copolyesters, styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers, elastomer/thermoplastic blends, and combinations thereof.

8. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body includes polyurethane and the scent material includes a scented oil.

9. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body is a polymerization product of at least a diisocyanate prepolymer and a scented oil.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the polymer body and scent material include a polymerization product of: a) a polyether polyol; b) a diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) prepolymer; and c) a scented oil.

11. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each polymer body includes a polymeric material with a glass transition temperature greater than approximately 110.degree. F.

12. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body includes a polyurethane gel.

13. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each elastomeric polymer body is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene elastomer, styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof, the elastomeric polymer being a solid material.

14. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pair of vent rods have a plurality of protrusions; and wherein the scent material is interspersed within a pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies having a plurality of apertures, each of the bodies coupled to a different one of the pair of vent rods via coupling of the plurality of apertures with the plurality of protrusions.

15. A device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

the head pivotally coupled to the pair of vent rods;

a hinge between the head and the pair of vent rods including a clip engaged in an aperture; and

one or more ridges corresponding to one or more depressions associated with the clip and the aperture, the clip compressing as a ridge is forced out of a depression when the head is pivoted with respect to the pair of vent rods, the one or more ridges and the one or more depressions defining various different positions of the head with respect to the pair of vent rods.

16. A device in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the head and the pair of vent rods have at least two configurations, including:

a storage configuration wherein the surface of the face is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pair of vent rods; and

a use configuration wherein the surface of the face is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pair of vent rods.

17. An air freshener device, comprising:

a pair of vent rods forming a clip with each of the pair of vent rods having a projection therebetween configured to engage an air vent;

a pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies containing a scent material and each coupled to a different one of the pair of vent rods;

a head coupled to the pair of vent rods and separate from the pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies containing the scent material;

the head having a domed face on an opposite side of the head from the pair of vent rods and separate from the pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies;

the domed face having an exposed surface;

the head being larger than a cross-section of the pair of vent rods and the pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies with the pair of vent rods and the pair of coherent elastomeric polymer bodies disposed behind the head with respect to the domed face; and

the pair of vent rods having a fixed configuration with a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicularly to the domed face.

18. A device in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the domed face of the head extends across the head.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2022
From: ENERGIZER BRANDS II LLC
To: ENERGIZER GROUP LIMITED
Reel/Frame 060457/0414 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 30, 2020
From: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC; ENERGIZER AUTO, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 054875/0651 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.; AMERICAN COVERS, LLC; ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS, LLC; CALIFORNIA SCENTS, LLC; ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC; ENERGIZER MANUFACTURING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048029/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2017
From: AMERICAN COVERS, LLC
To: ENERGIZER BRANDS II, LLC
Reel/Frame 042446/0732 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 25, 2017
From: AMERICAN COVERS, INC.
To: AMERICAN COVERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 042327/0384 →