Air freshener for vehicle

A sphere with undulations, serving as vanes, is pivotally mounted on a stand which has means for clipping the stand to an air vent in an automobile. The sphere has molded therein a fragrance which will be time released when exposed to heat or air currents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many passengers travelling in vehicles have experienced from time-to-time 
either stagnant, musty or even foul air within the cab or interior of the 
vehicle. This is especially exacerbated when weather conditions do not 
permit the windows of the vehicle to be opened, as for example when the 
ambient is extremely cold or stormy. When vehicular travel is extremely 
prolonged or the smell of smoke, food or other obnoxious odors contribute 
to the uncomfortable environment, conditions within the vehicle become 
increasingly unpleasant and unbearable. 
Many forms of vaporizers and air fresheners have been proposed to remedy 
these conditions. As a whole, most have not been entirely satisfactory or 
efficient. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A principal object of the present invention is to provide an air freshener 
for the interior of a vehicle that effectively solves the foregoing 
problems of the prior art. 
Another object is to provide an air freshener of the foregoing type that is 
cost effective, readily mounted in convenient locations within a vehicle, 
and, after use, is readily disposable. 
A further object is to provide an air freshener of the foregoing type that 
is aesthetically acceptable and capable of being rendered more efficient 
by being readily mounted so as to be exposed to air currents within the 
vehicle. 
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following 
detailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
In the drawings, the interior of a typical vehicle 10 is illustrated 
together with one of a series of internal vents 12 of the vehicle 
heating/cooling system. The air freshener 14 of this invention is 
conveniently mounted on one of the vanes of the vent 12 to take advantage 
of the air currents normally flowing therethrough. The air freshener 14 
includes a slow release generator or reservoir 16 in substantially 
spherical or ball form. However, as well be apparent, generator 16 may 
assume many other forms that would be conducive to rotation by air 
currents. Towards this end, the exterior of the generator 16 may be formed 
with undulations 18 serving as vanes to enhance the rotation of the 
generator 16 by the air currents. 
In order to facilitate the rotation of the generator 16, diametrically 
opposed recesses 20,22 in the generator 16 receive pivot pins 24,26 
journalled for rotation therein. Pins 24,26 may be metal or other suitable 
material and extend inwardly from the free ends 28,30 of a semi-circular 
arm 32 which may be molded of a suitable resin. Arm 32 forms part of a 
supporting stand for generator 16 and which also includes a leg 34 fixed 
at one end 36 to the arm 32. A clip 38 extends away from and is fixed to 
the free end 40 of leg 34. Leg 34 and clip 38 may also be molded of a 
suitable resin. 
The generator 16 is molded of a suitable resin carrier that permits slow 
release of a volatile compound for freshening the air in the vehicle cab. 
This volatile compound may be a perfume, fragrance, scent or deodorant to 
provide the desired aroma or effect within the vehicle. The volatile 
compound is time-released when exposed to air and/or heat. 
In accordance with a successful application of the present invention a 
matrix of polyethylene pellets is heated in, for example, a single screw 
extruder and a selected scent or aroma is added to the polymer which is in 
liquid form. At that point the scent is introduced via high pressure 
dosing pumps. After the extruder properly mixes the fragrance and polymer, 
the resultant polymer melt is pelletized and cooled. While the resin is 
still in liquid form a suitable colorant may be added. 
The cooled pellets are considered polymer fragrance masterbatch or 
concentrates. These pellets with fragrance may then be suitably molded 
into the configuration of the generator 16 which will be a slow release 
generator in that it is capable of slowly emitting vapor into the ambient 
or surrounding atmosphere. The slow release is enhanced by heat and air, 
as for example, that which emanates from the vehicle vent 12. In this 
regard, the air freshener 14 may be clipped on a vane of the vent 12 and 
disposed either vertically or horizontally. Further, the air freshener may 
be suitably clipped to other parts of the vehicle interior that will be 
exposed to air currents from the vehicular heating/cooling system or that 
flowing through an open window to enhance the slow diffusion of the 
volatile compound with the generator 16. 
Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively 
attained. Although a single somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention 
has been disclosed and described in detail herein, its scope is in no 
sense limited thereby but is to be determined by that of the appended 
claims.