Abstract:
A scent dispersing apparatus, such as a mat, capable of enclosing a scent-containing element inside an air-filled cavity. A housing contains a means for air ventilation, such as small air holes, for dispersion of scent. When the housing receives a force, such as a user exerting pressure upon on the housing, air is pushed from the air cavity outward through the air holes, thereby, dispersing scent contained in the scented insert. Additional air enters the air cavity once the pressure is released through an elastic rebound effect.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/426,038 filed Sep. 14, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispersing scent, and in particular, an apparatus capable of housing a scented insert for dispersion of scent when the apparatus receives a force or is compressed. 
   SUMMARY 
   In an illustrative, non-limiting implementation, a scent dispersing apparatus is provided. The scent dispersing apparatus comprises a housing, such as a floor mat, capable of enclosing a scented insert inside an air-filled cavity. The housing contains a means for air ventilation, such as small air holes, for dispersion of scent. When the housing receives a force; such as a user stepping on the housing, air is pushed from the air cavity outward through the air holes, thereby, dispersing scent contained in the scented insert. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a plan view of an example of a scent dispensing/dispersing apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is a side view thereof; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second embodiment thereof in side view; 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates one example of a scented insert; 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view thereof; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an additional embodiment in plan and side views, respectively, and further illustrate a rib structure useable with the embodiments; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a fabric or textiles covered embodiment; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate multi-compartment embodiments; 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an embodiment incorporating a pump unit; and 
       FIG. 7B  is a sectional side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a scent dispersing apparatus in accordance with an illustrative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the apparatus is a mat  10  having air holes  20  and protrusions  30 . In  FIG. 1B , the mat  10  is shown to have a top portion  40  and a bottom portion  50 , which are sealed together at seal  60 . Protrusions  30  are shown on both the top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  of mat  10 , but may be limited to the bottom portion  50  or disposed with entirely, as necessary in the particular application. 
   A cross sectional view of mat  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown, a scented insert  80  is placed in an air cavity  90 , formed between top portion  40  and lower portion  50 . The non-limiting embodiment of  FIG. 2  further shows flap  70  for entry and removal of insert  80  and for closing mat  10 . Air holes  20  allow scent from insert  80  to disperse from air cavity  90  when mat  10  is stepped on or receives some other force by a user. 
   The top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  of mat  10  can be made of a synthetic material, such as, rubber, plastic or other resilient material capable of deformation. Mat  10  may also be made of a thin deformable metal material for more industrial type uses or areas receiving heavy traffic. Mat  10  may be any size or texture for a variety of uses, such as a car, kitchen, bathroom or door mat. Although mat  10  is shown in  FIG. 1A  as rectangular in shape, the shape may vary according to a user&#39;s preference. 
   Top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  may be integral or may be affixed to one another to form a pouch shaped air cavity  90 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , both top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  can be recessed in an outward direction. In an alternative embodiment, only one portion can be recessed, while the other portion is a flat member (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The recessed shape allows air to be retained and flow through cavity  90  during use and also aids in the elastic “rebound” of the top portion  40  after compression. The top and bottom portions may alternatively be sealingly attached to side walls (not shown) which may be elastically deformable and aid in the “rebound” referred to above. A bellows or other design may be adapted for such side walls. 
   Top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  may be molded integrally or separately by any conventional molding technology, such as injection molding. If formed separately, the portions  40 ,  50  are sealed together along seal  60 , leaving one side or section able to be opened and closed, such as by flap  70  in  FIG. 2 . The portions can be sealed through use of chemical, thermal or adhesive bonding or alternatively made integrally by a fusion method, such as thermal fusion or solvent welding. 
   Air holes  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , may be formed in both the top portion  40  and the bottom portion  50  to release scent when mat  10  is stepped on. Air holes  20  can range in size and number, depending of the amount of scent a user prefers to be released from mat  10  during each use. In an area such as a car, a mat containing more air holes may be preferable. Air holes  20  may be formed by molding or by using a punch press or other suitable method. In alternative embodiments, air holes  20  may be in the form of slits or a screen or open mesh area formed on the top portion  40 . 
   Flap  70 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is formed integrally with top portion  40 . However, top portion  40  and bottom portion  50  may be closed in a variety of ways, such as by using velcro, a zipper, snaps or other suitable fastener or closure device. Once flap  70  or other fastener is closed, an air cavity  90  is formed, with entry and exit of air solely through air holes  20 . Flap  70  allows for entry and removal of scented inserts  80 . As an alternative, mat  10  can be produced as a one time disposable unit that is completely sealed without flap  70 . For use in such applications as garbage can liners and litter box underlayment, a disposable unit may be preferred. For such disposable light-duty applications, the mat is preferably made of a low density plastic or plastic film, and may have an adhesive backing for temporary attachment to a surface. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the scented insert  80  is shown having a honeycomb pattern  85 . However, insert  80  can have any pattern, shape or size such as a disk, block or wafer. Insert  80  can be made of low density plastic, cotton, sponge, foam, an absorbent porous sheet material, solid material or gel capable of holding and retaining scent, such as a scented oil used in common household deodorizers. A user can replace insert  80 , once the oil or scented material dries up, evaporates or otherwise begins to lose its scent. Insert  80  can be infused with a variety of scents, either by a user or during the manufacturing process. 
   Protrusions  30 , shown in  FIG. 1B  may be made of the same material of mat  10 , or any other suitable material. They may be formed integrally with mat  10  or attached thereto using an adhesion method. Protrusions  30  help a user&#39;s foot to grip top portion  40  during use. Protrusions  30  on bottom portion  50  can help mat  10  grip and maintain position on the floor or other surface where mat  10  is placed. Alternatively, mat  10  can be manufactured without any protrusions. As shown in  FIG. 1B , protrusions  30  are rounded nodules. However, they can be of varying size and shape, such as the long ribs  35  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The ribs  35  can also be in any pattern, such as wavy, diagonal, criss-cross, zigzag or the like. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , mat  10  contains a covering  100  over top portion  40 . Covering  100  can be implemented for either aesthetic or practical uses. In  FIG. 5 , covering  100  is a carpet overlay for use of mat  10  in a bathroom, entryway, hallway, as an area rug or the like. However, covering  100  can be a material more useful in industrial type settings, such as an outdoor carpeting. Covering  100  helps to conceal mat  10 , while still allowing scent from insert  80  to be dispersed through air holes  20 . Covering  100  may alternatively be in the form of an arbitrary design, including a breathable fabric into which the mat may be placed. 
   In another illustrative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show mat  10  having multiple housings  110  for enclosing scented inserts  80 . Each housing  110  is sealed separately from adjoining housings. Housings  110  may contain flap  70  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or other closing means to prevent inserts  80  from coming loose. Each housing  110  has air holes  20  for dispersion of scent. This non-limiting embodiment can be used for large area rugs or rooms where there is pedestrian traffic covering a large area, such as a restaurant. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , mat  10  has a pump  120 . When a user steps on and compresses pump  120 , suction is created which circulates air through air cavity  90  and out through air holes  20 . Pump  120  may be attached to or formed integrally with the top portion  40  of mat  10 . Pump  120  may be made of plastic or other suitable material. Various types of common pumps, such as a push pump may be implemented. 
   An interchangeable cartridge insert (not shown) can also be used to house the scented insert  80 . The cartridge can be placed in seam  60  along one edge of mat  70 . Alternatively, the cartridge insert can have a snapping mechanism to snap in place or a slide and lock mechanism to lock into the side of mat  10 . Various types of coverings  100 , as described above, can be used to hide the inserted cartridge. The interchangeable cartridge insert allows a user to easily change the scented insert  80  for different scents or for using multiple scents simultaneously. Scented insert  80  can be in the form of a liquid, oil, solid or gel. 
   The previous descriptions of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Moreover, various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various modifications may include, use of the scent dispersion apparatus in a dog or cat bed, pillows, car seats, cushions or use as a shoe sole insert, or in a clothing or hair brush. It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that although the invention is described in terms of dispersing a scent, an essentially odorless deodorant or odor-absorbent material is within the invention and within the definition of “scented” as used herein.