Abstract:
A freshener device includes a clip, a carrier, and a carrier retainer. The carrier is provided with odor emitting substances, odor eliminating substances and/or incest repellent. The carrier retainer secures the carrier to the clip, and the clip may be used to secure the device to an ancillary object so as to expose the carrier for controlling odor within a region of space near the ancillary object. Some embodiments enable removably securing the device to at least one air-directional controller exhaust vent louver of a vehicle air conditioning unit to control odor within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Other embodiments enable interchangeable and replaceable components to provide various utilitarian and aesthetic features.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Embodiments relate to an air freshening device, and in particular an air freshener device that secures to a vehicle air conditioning unit exhaust vent louver of an air directional controller. 
         [0003]    Background of the Relates Art 
         [0004]    Maintaining air quality may be achieved through the use of air fresheners. Air fresheners control odor in several ways, which may include adsorbing odor, changing the chemical composition of odor causing substances, emitting fragrance to mask odor, and emitting fragrance to generate an aroma even if there is no odor to eliminate and/or mask. Fragrance materials and other aromatic compounds may be impregnated into carrier substances, which may be configured to slowly release the fragrance material so as to pervade the atmosphere of the space surrounding the air freshener for a period of time. Other substances such as oxidation agents, adsorption agents, etc. may be included with the carrier to eliminate odor. 
         [0005]    A particular type of air freshener is the vehicle air freshener. Many vehicle air fresheners are placed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Some hang from a structure of the interior of the vehicle, some are placed on the floor, while others stick to a surface of the interior. 
         [0006]    Existing air fresheners are often ineffective, inefficient, and unsightly. One reason for this is that existing air fresheners are distracting and/or obstructive to operators of the vehicle. Another reason is their failure to enable replacement and replenishment of carriers associated with the air freshener. Considering the limited use and disposable nature of such air fresheners, this often renders existing air fresheners expensive. 
         [0007]    Some air fresheners enable attaching fragrance substrates to a clipping member via an engagement between protrusions and recessions of the substrate and clip. Experience shows that this is inadequate because the carrier typically disengages from the clip. Fragrance substrates typically become dry and change shape (e.g., shrink) as they are exposed to the environment and diffuse fragrance, rendering the protrusion/recession engagement ineffective. This becomes a significant inconvenience, can cause damage to a vehicle (depending on where and how the freshener is used), and even become a safety hazard. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The device includes a clip, a fragrance carrier, and a carrier retainer. The device may be secured to an ancillary structure or object by the clip portion, thereby exposing the fragrance carrier for odor eliminating and/or fragrance emission. In addition to, or in the alternative, the carrier may be impregnated with insect repellant. The device may be secured to any object by which the clip can camp the device thereto. This may include, but is not limited to, a louver, an article of clothing, a gym bag, etc. When used inside a vehicle, the device may be secured to a louver or slat of an air-directional controller exhaust vent of an air conditioning unit of the vehicle. 
         [0009]    The clip may include a post member that may be inserted between two louvers of the air-directional controller. Alternatively, the post member may include clip rods, which are configured to spread around an individual louver and hold the clip in place by the resiliency of the material comprising the clip rods. In addition, or in the alternative, the post member may include a plurality of undulations to secure a louver within the clip at a desired location within the clip. 
         [0010]    The carrier may be removably secured to the clip by a carrier retainer. In some embodiments, the device is configured to hold the carrier adjacent the air-directional controller so that odor elimination/diffusion may occur within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device may enable air being forced from the air-directional controller to pass over and around the carrier to odorize/deodorize the air being expelled from the air-directional controller. 
         [0011]    The removable securement of the carrier by the carrier retainer may enable a means to personalize the air freshener. For example, a user may interchange carrier retainers, each having a different ornamental feature, logo, color, etc. so that a desired aesthetic appearance can be displayed. 
         [0012]    While these potential advantages are made possible by technical solutions offered herein, they are not required to be achieved. The presently disclosed device can be implemented to achieve technical advantages, whether or not these potential advantages, individually or in combinations, are sought or achieved. 
         [0013]    Further features, aspects, objects, advantages, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the exemplary embodiments and examples described below, in combination with the Figures, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]    The above and other objects, aspects, features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automotive vent freshener device separated into its component parts; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an assembled version of an alternate embodiment the device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an assembled version of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  with a clip rod removed for ease of illustrate into the pin chamber; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the device with the clip having a plurality of clip apertures; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are front and rear perspective views of a clip portion, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the device with at least three clip rods; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are alternative embodiments of the carrier showing a slot formed within the carrier; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an alternative embodiment of the device with some portions having a keyed configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a further embodiment of the clip and retainer constructed as a unitary piece; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are a carrier retainer with a polygonal pin and a unitary clip-retainer configuration with a polygonal pin, respectively; and, 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a further embodiment showing a carrier made of plastic thermoform. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The following description is of an embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles and features of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspectives view of an automotive vent freshener device separated into its component parts and assembled as a unit, respectively, are disclosed. 
         [0027]    The device  10  includes a clip  20 , a carrier  30 , and a carrier retainer  40 . The clip  20  may secure the device  10  to an ancillary structure or object. The carrier retainer  40  may be configured to secure the carrier  30  to the clip  20  so as to expose the carrier  30  for diffusion of odor eliminator/emitter substances that may be impregnated into the carrier  30 . In use, the device  10  may be secured to a louver or slat of an air-directional controller exhaust vent of an air conditioning unit of a vehicle. 
         [0028]    The clip  20  includes a post member  21  configured for securement to the ancillary object. The clip  20  may be fabricated from a lightweight, resilient material. This may include, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, fiberglass, etc. The post member  21  may be configured a U-shaped element, which includes a pair of clip rods  22   a,    22   b  extending from a spine  23  that connects the clip rods  22   a,    22   b.  The clip rods  22   a,    22   b  may be connected to the spine  23  via a neck  24  so as to form a pin chamber  25 . A portion of the clip  20  may include a clip aperture  26 . The clip aperture  26  may be within the spine  23 . At least one clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may exhibit a variety of shapes. This may include, but is not limited to, flat, curvilinear, angled, etc. The spine  23  may exhibit a variety of shapes. This may include, but is not limited to, flat, arcuate, dome-shaped, etc. 
         [0029]    The clip  20  includes a clip inner surface  27   a  and a clip outer surface  27   b.  The clip outer surface  27   b  may have a flat surface, a rounded surface, or any other surface ornamentation or contour. The clip inner surface  27   a  may have a flat surface. However, the clip inner surface  27   a  may exhibit other surface ornamentations and contours. The clip inner surface  27   a  of each clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may have undulated surfaces to enable grasping or pinching of objects inserted within the clip  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the clip inner surface  27   a  of each clip rod  22   a,    22   b  includes a plurality of undulations  28 . Other clip inner surface  27   a  configurations may include, but are not limited to, serrations, a plurality of teeth, etc. Each peak or crest of an undulation  28  of an individual clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may be configured to engage an opposing peak or crest of an adjacent clip rod  22   a,    22   b.  Alternatively, a peak or crest of an individual clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may be configured to engage a trough existing between a peak or crest of an adjacent clip rod  22   a,    22   b.    
         [0030]    In addition, the clip inner surface  27   a  and/or outer surface  27   b  may include a coating. The coating may include paint, rubber, polymer, etc. The coating may provide protection against corrosion and abrasion, and it may protect the ancillary to which the clip  20  is attached from abrasion. The coating may also provide a non-slip surface to the clip  20  so as to enhance dexterity and manipulation of the device  10 . Furthermore, any portion of the clip  20  may include a textured surface to assist with grasping and manipulation of the device  10 , as well as enhance gripping by the clip  20  when secured to an ancillary object. 
         [0031]    The configuration of the clip  20  may enable securement of the clip  20  to the ancillary object by displacing the clip rods  22   a,    22   b  so as to spread the clip rods  22   a,    22   b  around the object, thereby exploiting the resiliency of the material comprising the clip  20  to grasp the object. The undulated inner surface  27   a  of each clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may be configured to grip or pinch the object. 
         [0032]    For example, the clip  20  may be placed on a louver so that the louver is retained between two opposing undulations  28 . The degree of insertion into the air-directional controller may be controlled by clipping a louver between a certain set of opposing undulations  28 . For example, the louver may be secured between a set of opposing undulations  28  that is most proximal to the spine  23  to position the spine  23  as close as possible to the air-directional controller. Alternatively, the louver may be secured between a set of opposing undulations  28  that is most distal to the spine  23  to maximize the space between the spine  23  and the air-directional controller. The louver may be pinned between peaks of two opposing undulations  28  or enveloped by the troughs of two pair of adjacent opposing undulations  28 . 
         [0033]    As another example, the clip  20  may be placed on an article of clothing so that the article is pinned between peaks/troughs of opposing undulations  28 . Again, the degree with which the article of clothing is inserted into the clip  20  may be achieved by selectively pinching the article between a certain set of opposing undulations  28 . 
         [0034]    While the device  10  has been described as being used on a louver of a vent or article of clothing, it should be understood that the ancillary structure or object to which the device  10  may be attached may include, but is not limited to, a louver, slat, article of clothing, locker, clothes hanger, etc. For example, a user may clip the device  10  to an interior of a gym bag or to a tongue of a running shoe while the shoe is placed in a closet. 
         [0035]    The carrier  30  is a substrate that is impregnated, imbibed, infused, or saturated with an odor influencer  31 . The odor influencer  31  may include, but is not limited to, an aromatic compound, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent, and/or an adsorption agent. The carrier  30  may be configured to emit odor influencers  31 , adsorb odor, or both. Securement of the carrier  30  to the clip  20  may be achieved via insertion of the carrier retainer  40  through the clip aperture  26 , which will be described in detail below. 
         [0036]    One embodiment may provide for a substrate including EVA. EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. EVA has no odor by its nature; however, it can adsorb or otherwise be permeated with aromatic components. EVA approaches elastomeric materials in softness and flexibility, yet can be processed like thermoplastics. EVA may have a molecular weight in the range of, for example, 10,000 Daltons to 100,000 Daltons, more preferably 22,000 to 87,000 Daltons. Other suitable polymeric materials sharing beneficial properties of EVA may be substituted for use. These may include, but are not limited to, ethyl vinyl alcohol, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylic polymers, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, nylons, and mixtures and copolymers of the foregoing. 
         [0037]    One embodiment may provide for a substrate including an odor adsorbing or fragrance impregnated gel or fragrance gallant. This may include organic or inorganic gels and gellants. Examples of gels and gellants may include, but are not limited to, silica, carrageenan, polyamide, which may be combined with other materials to enhance stiffness. Other examples of gels may be a thermoset polymer including a fragrance and epoxy so as to allow it to polymerize into a rubber-like article. Non-polymer substrates may be used as well. These may include, but are not limited to, porous ceramic, wood, pressed cellulose (blotter), etc. For example, silica or sintered aluminum oxide may be formed with sufficient porosity to enable permeation of fragrance within the article comprising the non-polymer substrate. 
         [0038]    Other embodiments of the carrier  30  may include glitter and/or luminescent material. Luminescence may be achieved by introduction of phosphorescent pigments into the substrate. Luminescent pigments may include, but are not limited to, zinc sulphides, zinc cadmium sulphides, strontium aluminate, alkaline earth sulphides, etc. Glitter may be any small, highly, reflective material, such as glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic. Glitter may be configured to be flat, smooth, to include facets, etc. in order to generate a desired level of sparkle. The glitter itself may include luminescent material. In addition any other component of the device  10  may include luminescent material and/or glitter. 
         [0039]    One or more aromatic components may be used as odor influencers  31 . These may include, but are not limited to, any selected from those compiled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Title  22   a  of the Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 172.510 and 172.515, incorporated by reference herein. Aromatic components selected from benzaldehydes, phenols, cinnamic aldehydes and esters, octadienes, dienes, cyclohexadienes, and terpenes may be used. 
         [0040]    Other embodiments of the carrier  30  may include insect repellant. Insect repellant may include, but is not limited to, citronella oil, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, nepetalactone, etc. 
         [0041]    The carrier aperture  32  may be provided within the carrier  30 . The carrier aperture  32  may traverse an entire length of the carrier  32 . This may enable the carrier retainer  40  to be inserted through the carrier  30  without a user having to create a hole into the carrier  30 . The carrier  30  may exhibit a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or colors. This may include, but is not limited to, spherical, cubic, diamond, heart shape, etc. 
         [0042]    The carrier retainer  40  is a mechanical fastener configured to secure the carrier  30  to the clip  20 . The carrier retainer  40  may be fabricated from a lightweight rigid material. This may include, but is not limited to, metal, polymer, ceramic, etc. The carrier retainer  40  may include a pin  41  extending from a retainer head  42 . The pin  41  is inserted through the carrier  30  and into the clip aperture  26  to hold the carrier  30  in place. In the embodiment where the carrier  30  is provided with the carrier aperture  32 , the pin  41  may be inserted through the carrier aperture  32  and then into the clip aperture  26 . Once inserted through the clip aperture  26 , the pin  41  may extend into the pin chamber  25 . The configuration of the pin chamber  25  may enable insertion of the pin  41  into the pin chamber  25  without interfering with the operation of the clip rods  22   a,    22   b.  This may best be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    In use, the clip  20  may be inserted into a vented air-directional controller. The post member  21  may be inserted between two louvers of an air-directional controller and held in place by an interference fit. Alternatively, the clip  20  may be inserted such that clip rods  22   a,    22   b  spread around an individual louver and hold the clip  20  in place by the resiliency of the clip rods  22   a,    22   b  and/or opposing undulations  28 . The carrier  30  is then fastened in place by the carrier retainer  40 . Alternatively, the carrier  30  may have already been fastened to the clip  20  by the carrier retainer  40  before insertion into the air-directional controller. 
         [0044]    Once in place, the device  10  holds the carrier  30  adjacent, or in proximity, to the air-directional controller so that odor elimination/diffusion may occur within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device  10  may be configured to hold the carrier  30  in front of the air-directional controller so as to be within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This may enable air being forced from the air-directional controller to pass over and around the carrier  30  to laden the air being expelled from the air-directional controller with odor influencers  31 , such as aromatic compounds or a fragrance for example. Alternatively, or in addition, the forced air from the air-directional controller may be eliminated, or at least reduced, of odor by odor influencers  31  comprising oxidizing agents or adsorption agents for example. 
         [0045]    The clip  20  may include a plurality of clip apertures  26 , wherein each clip aperture  26  may be configured to receive a carrier retainer  40  (see  FIG. 4 ). This may enable securement of a plurality of carriers  30  to a single clip  20 . In addition, a distal end of at least one clip rod  22   a,    22   b  may have a beveled edge  29 . The beveled edge  29  may provide guidance when inserting the clip  20  into the air-directional controller by guiding the louver into adjacent clip rods  22   a,    22   b.  Furthermore, the clip rods  22   a,    22   b  may extend from the spine  23  so as to be parallel to each other, diverge away from each other, or converge onto each other. 
         [0046]    One skilled in the art will appreciate, with the benefit of the present disclosure, that the clip  20  may include any number of clip rods. For example, an embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  depicts a clip  20  with a first, second, and third clip rod  22   x,    22   y,    22   z,  respectively. 
         [0047]    In alternative embodiments, the carrier  30  may include a slot  33  formed into the carrier  30 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . The slot  33  extends from a surface of the carrier  30  and into the body of the carrier  30  so as to enable the carrier  30  to secure to the pin  41  by slidably receiving the pin  41  and securing in place by an interference fit. In this regard, the carrier  30  may be inserted onto the pin  41  without having to slide the pin  41  through the carrier  30  or carrier aperture  32 . Furthermore, the carrier  30  may be removed and replaced without having to remove the carrier retainer  40  from the clip  20 . In some embodiments, the carrier retainer  40  and clip  20  are a unitary piece. In further embodiments, the carrier retainer  40  and clip  20  are a unitary piece, and the carrier  30  is secured through over-molding or insert-molding the carrier  30  in place during preparation of the device  10 . 
         [0048]    In alternative embodiments, the carrier  30  includes a slot  33  and a carrier aperture  32 , which may enable a user to use either the slot  33  or the carrier aperture  32  to secure the carrier  30  to the pin  41 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . In this embodiment, the slot  33  may be configured to lead to, and be conjoined with, the carrier aperture  32 , enabling a user to use the slot  33  to slidably receive the pin  41  until the pin  41  rests within the carrier aperture  32 . Alternatively, a user may insert the pin  41  into the carrier  30  via the carrier aperture  32 , as described above. 
         [0049]    In alternative embodiments, the carrier  30  may include fragrance oils as odor influencers  31 . Fragrance oils are suitable for use alone or in combination with other fragrance chemicals. Suitable fragrance oils are, for example spice oil, flower oil, and fruit oil. Other suitable fragrances include, but are not limited to, benzyl alcohol, ethyl maltol, furaneol, 1-hexanol, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, menthol, benzaldehyde, hexanal, cinnamaldehyde, citral, cis-3-hexenal, furfural, neral, vanillin, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, hexyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, methyl butanoate, methyl salicylate, pentyl butanoate, pentyl pentanoate, sotolon, strawberry aldehyde, fructone, anethole, anisole, eugenol, dihydrojasmone, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 6-acetyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine, gamma-decalactone, gamma-nonalactone, delta-octalactone, jasmine lactone, massoia lactone, camphor, citronellol, linalool, nerol, nerolidol,alpha-terpineol, thujone, and thymol. 
         [0050]    Inclusion of aromatic components in a diluent may be performed prior to use of a substrate member. Examples of diluents may be, but are not limited to: triethyl citrate; di-isopropropyl adipate; di-octyl adipate; isopropyl myristate; isopropyl palmitate; butyl stearate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl benzoate; and diethyl pthalate. Quantities of diluent may be determined by a quantity necessary for dissolving an aromatic components or an antioxidant. 
         [0051]    A selected aromatic component (with or without other additives) may be embedded in and/or adsorbed on a polymer of a substrate member. Aromatic components may be introduced into a polymer at weight percents varying from 10% to 90%, from 20% to 80% from 30% to 70%, from 30% to 60%, and from 30% to 50%. In further embodiments, aromatic components may be introduced into a polymer at a weight percent of about 1%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 95%. Further information regarding creation of aromatic components, antioxidants, and diluent mixtures may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,288, which is incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. 
         [0052]    In alternative embodiments, the carrier retainer  40  includes the elongated pin  41  with a flange  43  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The flange  43  may have a mushroom-shaped configuration, and may be located at a distal end of the pin  41 . The relative diameters of the flange  43  and the clip aperture  26 , along with the mushroom-shape of the flange  43  may be such that insertion of the carrier retainer  40  into the clip aperture  26  requires less force than extraction of the carrier retainer  40  from the clip aperture  26 . For example, the flange  43  diameter may be slightly larger than the diameter of the clip aperture  26 . The sloped edge of the mushroom-shaped flange  43  and the slightly larger diameter enables a snap-fit engagement between the flange  43  and the clip aperture  26 . This provides for replacement and replenishment of carriers  30 , while enabling repeated use of the same clip  20  and/or same carrier retainer  40 . Alternatively, the flange  43  and the clip aperture  26  may be configured to permanently affix the carrier retainer  40  to the clip  20  once the carrier retainer  40  is inserted. 
         [0053]    In alternative embodiments, the pin  41  and carrier  30  may be configured to enable securement of a plurality of carriers  30  by a single carrier retainer  40 . This may be achieved by increasing the length of the pin  41 , which may be used to accommodate various sized and shaped carriers  30 . In other embodiments, the pin  41  may include a plurality of mushroom-shaped flanges  43  disposed along the pin  41  to enable selective adjustment of the degree of insertion of the carrier retainer  40 . For example, carriers  30  of various sizes and shapes may be accommodated by inserting the carrier retainer  40  so as to engage the clip aperture  26  with a mushroom-shaped flange  43  that yields a desired level and degree of securement. 
         [0054]    In alternative embodiments, the clip aperture  26  and at least a portion of the pin  41  and/or flange  43  may be splined or keyed  44 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . This configuration may enable a locking engagement between the carrier retainer  40  and a keyed portion  26 ′ of the clip  20 . The carrier aperture  32 ′ may also be similarly splined or keyed to enable slidable insertion of a splined or keyed pin  41  and/or flange  43  there-through, whereby after insertion the carrier retainer may be rotated so that the key  44  is misaligned with the keyed portions  26 ′,  32 ′ and created a locking engagement. 
         [0055]    The retainer head  42  may exhibit a variety of shapes. These may include, but are not limited to, flat, annular, square, etc. Any portion of the retainer head  42  may include a textured surface or nonslip coating to assist with grasping and manipulation of the device  10 . For example, the shape and surface of the retainer head  42  may be configured to maximize dexterity while grasping the retainer head  42  with a forefinger and a thumb of a first hand of a user. The retainer head  42  may also include indicia or embellishments. 
         [0056]    In alternative embodiments, the clip  20  and carrier retainer  40  may be a unitary piece, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the pin  41  is permanently affixed to the clip  20 , and the carrier  30  with the slot  33  may be removably inserted onto the pin  41 . Additionally, the retainer head  42  may be a bulbous shape, spherical shaped, mushroomed shaped, or otherwise flared such that it exhibits a larger cross-sectional diameter than that of the pin  41 . The carrier  30  may include a carrier aperture  32  that is configured as a dead hole, as seen in the cross-sectional view of the carrier  30  in  FIG. 8 . The dead hole may be configured to complement the shape of the pin  41  and retainer head  42  such that when the carrier  30  is slid on to the pin  41 , the elastic nature of the carrier  30  enables placement of the flared end of the pin  41  within the complementary void  34  of the carrier  30  for securement of the carrier to the pin  41 . In this embodiment, the pin  41  would not extend all the way through the carrier  30 . A surface of the carrier  30  may exhibit a shape to add to the ornamentality of the device  10 . For example, the surface opposite the dead hole may be flat, concave, convex, etc. 
         [0057]    In alternative embodiments, the pin  41  may exhibit a non-cylindrical shape so as to enable rotational-indexing of the carrier  30 . As an example, the pin  41  may have a polygonal shape, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  FIG. 9A  shows the removable carrier retainer  80  with a polygonal pin  41 .  FIG. 9B  shows the unitary clip  20  and pin  41  configuration with a polygonal pin  41 . The carrier aperture  32  may also have a complementary polygonal shape so that when inserted onto the pin  41 , the carrier  30  maintains a fixed position without freely rotating about the pin  41 . Yet, the polygonal configurations of the pin  41  and carrier aperture  32  may enable a user to rotate the carrier  30  by applying torque to the carrier  30  until the polygonal side align so as to retain the carrier  30  in position unless more torque is exerted (i.e., rotational-indexing). 
         [0058]    In alternative embodiments, the carrier  30  may include a plastic thermoform member, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The carrier  10  in this embodiment may have a torus shaped, semi-permeable membrane that is configured to retain liquid fragrance and/or insect repellent, allowing fragrance/repellent to diffuse through it. An example of a plastic thermoform member may be a polyolefin monolithic membrane. Examples of liquid fragrances may include liquid perfumes and other aroma compound/solvent mixtures. One skilled in the art will appreciate, with the benefit of the present disclosure, that the plastic thermoform member may exhibit shapes other than a torus shape. 
         [0059]    Among the other benefits described above, the device  10  provides a means for air freshening in an effective, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing manner. In embodiments that include modular components, any component  20 ,  30 ,  40  may be easily replaced or replenished. For example, once the carrier  30  has exhausted its useful life, a user may simply replace it with a new one. Furthermore, this may be achieved by simply removing the carrier retainer  40  to replace the carrier  30 . This may be achieved without removing the clip  20  from the ancillary object. 
         [0060]    As another example, a user may replace a carrier retainer  40  that has been damaged. As another example, a user may interchange clips  20 , carriers  30 , and/or carrier retainers  40  that are most suitable for a particular ancillary structure/object. As another example, a user may interchange carriers  30  and/or carrier retainers  40  to provide a particular aesthetic appearance. With such embodiments, a user may replace, replenish and/or interchange any component  20 ,  30 ,  40  with minimal expenditure of time, effort, and cost. 
         [0061]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range, including the endpoints.