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US5304358A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Air freshener device

Assignee: MUNIZ RALPH
•
Filing: 1992-08-31
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Granted: 1994-04-19
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Expires: 2012-08-31
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Abstract

Abstract An air freshener device is disclosed herein of multilayer construction which, when laminated or joined together, provides a strong reinforced unitary structure for holding a scented member between two snap-locked layers defining an internally closed cavity that provides a moisture barrier for at least a message or picture card forming a part of the unitary structure. The device includes a pair of thin members having preformed islands, receptacles and pins which, when aligned, may be snap-locked together. A scented member is held in the central cavity defined between the snap-locked members and a plurality of passageways interconnects the central cavity with peripheral vents to release the fragrance exteriorly of the device. Message, photographic or graphic representations are carried on display cards secured to the opposite sides of the snap-locked members which are isolated from the moisture of the scent carried on the scent carrier.

Inventors

  • 👤 Earl Hoyt
  • 👤 Ralph Muniz

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 16:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/015; A61L9/04; A61L9/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 326 words
An airfreshener device utilizing high strength-to-weight ratio materials formed into a unitary panel comprising: a pair of members composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials joined together to define an internal storage cavity between their opposing surfaces; graphic indicia disposed on at least one exterior face of said joined pair of members; each of said members having an exterior continuous peripheral wall defining an exteriorly open recess; a display medium carried by at least one of said members in said exteriorly open recess exposing indicia carried on said display medium; a pad disposed in said internal storage cavity holding a quantity of a scented substance; a wall structure disposed on said pair of members cooperating when joined together to isolate said scented substance from said display medium; means internally communicating said scented substance exteriorly of said joined pair of members about the periphery thereof; said communicating means comprises a plurality of open-ended passageways extending between said internal storage cavity and edge marginal regions of said joined pair of members; said plurality of passageways are defined between opposing surfaces of said members and aligned opposing surfaces of a plurality of raised islands disposed on each of said members; said raised islands constitute spaced-apart islands in fixed relationship having top surfaces engageable with the opposing surface of said member opposite to said member carrying said islands; said member opposite to said member provided with said islands includes a continuous sidewall defining a cavity insertably receiving said islands and said sidewall having a plurality of vents at the end of each of said passageways for discharging said scented substance; raised projections on each of said members extending into said internal storage cavity engaging with opposite sides of said pad to retain said pad therein; means integrally disposed on each of said members releasably coupling said pair of members together in a snap-lock relationship; said wall structure constitutes a watertight and moisture barrier isolating said scented pad from said display medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 326 words
An airfreshener device utilizing high strength-to-weight ratio materials formed into a unitary panel comprising: a pair of members composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials joined together to define an internal storage cavity between their opposing surfaces; graphic indicia disposed on at least one exterior face of said joined pair of members; each of said members having an exterior continuous peripheral wall defining an exteriorly open recess; a display medium carried by at least one of said members in said exteriorly open recess exposing indicia carried on said display medium; a pad disposed in said internal storage cavity holding a quantity of a scented substance; a wall structure disposed on said pair of members cooperating when joined together to isolate said scented substance from said display medium; means internally communicating said scented substance exteriorly of said joined pair of members about the periphery thereof; said communicating means comprises a plurality of open-ended passageways extending between said internal storage cavity and edge marginal regions of said joined pair of members; said plurality of passageways are defined between opposing surfaces of said members and aligned opposing surfaces of a plurality of raised islands disposed on each of said members; said raised islands constitute spaced-apart islands in fixed relationship having top surfaces engageable with the opposing surface of said member opposite to said member carrying said islands; said member opposite to said member provided with said islands includes a continuous sidewall defining a cavity insertably receiving said islands and said sidewall having a plurality of vents at the end of each of said passageways for discharging said scented substance; raised projections on each of said members extending into said internal storage cavity engaging with opposite sides of said pad to retain said pad therein; means integrally disposed on each of said members releasably coupling said pair of members together in a snap-lock relationship; said wall structure constitutes a watertight and moisture barrier isolating said scented pad from said display medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: said members, said display means and said pad are individually composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials constituting layers providing, in combination when joined together, a rigid and non-flexible unitary construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 39 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein: said pad includes edge cutouts and lateral end extensions cooperating with said islands and projections to act as guides for placement and mounting of said pad within said internal storage cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 248 words
An air freshener device utilizing high strength-to-weight ration materials formed into a unitary panel comprising: a pair of members composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials joined together to define an internal storage cavity between their opposing surfaces; graphic indicia disposed on at least one exterior face of said joined pair of members; each of said members having an exterior continuous peripheral wall defining an exteriorly open recess; a display medium carried by at least one of said members in said exteriorly open recess exposing indicia carried on said display medium; a pad disposed in said internal storage cavity holding a quantity of a scented substance; a wall structure disposed on said pair of members cooperating when joined together to isolate said scented substance from said display medium; and means internally communicating said scented substance exteriorly of said joined pair of members about the periphery thereof; said communicating means comprises a plurality of open-ended passageways extending between said internal storage cavity and edge marginal regions of said joined pair of members; said wall structure constitutes a watertight and moisture barrier isolating said scented pad from said display medium; said members, said display means and said pad are individually composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials constituting layers providing, in combination when joined together, a rigid and non-flexible unitary construction; said pad includes edge cutouts and lateral end extensions cooperating with said islands and projections to act as guides for placement and mounting of said pad within said internal storage cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 248 words
An air freshener device utilizing high strength-to-weight ration materials formed into a unitary panel comprising: a pair of members composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials joined together to define an internal storage cavity between their opposing surfaces; graphic indicia disposed on at least one exterior face of said joined pair of members; each of said members having an exterior continuous peripheral wall defining an exteriorly open recess; a display medium carried by at least one of said members in said exteriorly open recess exposing indicia carried on said display medium; a pad disposed in said internal storage cavity holding a quantity of a scented substance; a wall structure disposed on said pair of members cooperating when joined together to isolate said scented substance from said display medium; and means internally communicating said scented substance exteriorly of said joined pair of members about the periphery thereof; said communicating means comprises a plurality of open-ended passageways extending between said internal storage cavity and edge marginal regions of said joined pair of members; said wall structure constitutes a watertight and moisture barrier isolating said scented pad from said display medium; said members, said display means and said pad are individually composed of high strength-to-weight ratio materials constituting layers providing, in combination when joined together, a rigid and non-flexible unitary construction; said pad includes edge cutouts and lateral end extensions cooperating with said islands and projections to act as guides for placement and mounting of said pad within said internal storage cavity.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-04-18 1997-10-18 1998-04-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-04-18 2001-10-18 2002-04-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-04-18 2005-10-18 2006-04-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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