Patent Publication Number: US-2022234426-A1

Title: Diffuser including scented polymeric body

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/141,152, filed on Jan. 25, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a diffuser including a scented polymeric body that is configured to attach to a vent and act as an air freshener. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Air fresheners for vehicles include diffusers that attach to a vent of a vehicle to disperse a scent via the airflow through the vent. However, at least some known diffusers do not disperse scent efficiently throughout the vehicle and the diffusers are not oriented relative to air flow in the vehicle in a manner that provides the most efficient scent experience. For example, some diffusers are coupled to an air conditioning vent of the vehicle and extend in a direction parallel to the direction of air flow. As a result, the diffusers may contact only a small portion of the air that is emitted through the air conditioning vent and may not efficiently disperse scent throughout the vehicle. Also, some diffusers include solid rectangular or circular bodies that obstruct at least a portion of the airflow through the vent. In addition, some diffusers tend to emit less scent over time and may need to be replenished or replaced often. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a diffuser that is configured to attach to a vent and efficiently disperse scent throughout the vehicle. In addition, the diffuser should be long lasting and/or easy to replenish. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect, a diffuser includes a clip that attaches to a vent of a vehicle air conditioning system. The diffuser also includes a hollow scented body that emits a fragrance. The hollow scented body extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a cavity. The hollow scented body is mounted to the clip such that airflow from the vent is in a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow scented body when the diffuser is attached to the vent. 
     In another aspect, a diffuser is configured to attach to a vent of a vehicle and act as an air freshener. The diffuser includes a scented polymeric body. The scented polymeric body is a hollow cylinder and has a longitudinal axis. The diffuser is arranged such that airflow from the vent is in a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scented polymeric body when the diffuser is attached to the vent. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of assembling a diffuser includes mounting a hollow scented body to a clip arranged to attach to a vent of a vehicle air conditioning system. The hollow scented body extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a cavity. The hollow scented body is formed as a single piece. The method also includes orienting the hollow scented body and the clip such that airflow from the vent is in a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow scented body when the diffuser is attached to the vent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate aspects of the disclosure and together with a written description serve to explain some of the embodiments of the disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a diffuser including a scented polymeric body according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 1 , the diffuser attached to an air conditioning vent. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather a purpose of the embodiments chosen and described is so that the appreciation and understanding by others skilled in the art of the principles and practices of the present disclosure may be facilitated. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one suitable embodiment of a diffuser, indicated generally at  100 , for freshening air, such as air provided by an air conditioning system. For example, in one embodiment the diffuser  100  may be configured for attachment to a vent  200  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of an air conditioning system of a vehicle. In embodiments, the vehicle may be an automobile, an aerial vehicle, a watercraft, or any other vehicle. In addition, the diffuser  100  may be configured to attach to fans or vents of air conditioning systems in buildings. 
       FIG. 2  is a right side view of the diffuser  100  and  FIG. 3  is a left side view of the diffuser  100 . Diffuser  100  includes a scented body, indicated at  102 , and a clip, indicated at  104 . In one embodiment, the clip  104  includes two positionable legs  106  and a bridge  108  extending between and connecting the legs  106 . Each leg  106  has a proximal end  110  attached to the bridge  108  and a free distal end  112  opposite the proximal end  110 . In one embodiment, the legs  106  may pivot, or flex, about the proximal ends  110  such that the space between the distal ends  112  of the legs  106  is adjustable. For example, in the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the space between the legs  106  is at a minimum and the distal ends  112  of the legs  106  touch each other. The legs  106  may pivot such that the distal ends  112  are spaced apart a distance large enough to receive an object such as a blade or louver of a vent between the legs  106 . For example, in  FIG. 8  the distal ends  112  of the legs  106  are spaced apart and a louver  202  of a vent  200  is positioned between the legs  106  of the clip  104 . In one embodiment, the legs  106  are configured to clamp onto an object such as the louver  202  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) positioned between the distal ends  112  of the legs  106 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the legs  106  angle toward each other from the proximal ends  110  to the distal ends  112  such that distal ends  112  press against each other when the legs  106  are in a neutral relaxed state. By flexing the legs  106  to an open position, the legs are biased toward returning to the neutral position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and thus exert a holding force onto an object held between legs  106 . 
     In embodiments, the legs  106  are constructed from a flexible, resilient material. For example, the legs  106  may be plastic, metal, metal alloys, rubber, polymers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or any other material that allows the device to function as described herein. Accordingly, the legs  106  are able to flex apart from each other when the clip  104  is positioned onto an object without material damage to the legs. The legs  106  are configured to return to a neutral position in which the distal ends  112  press against each other when an external force on the clip  104  is removed. The distal ends may comprise a grip, such as a rubber of other high friction material, or serrations to provide additional holding force onto an object. 
     The legs  106  are sized and shaped to attach to a vent or other object. For example, the legs  106  are elongate, i.e., have a length that is greater than the width. The legs  106  may each have a length  114  in a range of about 0.25 inches (in.) to about 5 in. or about 0.5 in. to about 2 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the length  114  is approximately 1 in. In addition, the legs  106  each may have a width  116  in a range of about 0.1 in. to about 1 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the width  116  is approximately 0.25 in. 
     In some embodiments, the legs  106  may include engagement features such as protrusions, hooks, adhesives, and/or ties that facilitate the legs  106  attaching to the vent. In some embodiments, the diffuser  100  may include more than two legs  106 , or may include forked or otherwise divided legs. In further embodiments, the diffuser  100  may include a single leg  106 . For example, in some embodiments, the diffuser  100  may include a leg  106  that includes a hook or other engagement feature that secures the diffuser  100  to the vent. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the diffuser  100 .  FIG. 5  is a rear view of the diffuser  100 .  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the diffuser  100 , taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . The scented body  102  of the diffuser  100  has a longitudinal axis  118  and includes an inner surface  120  and an outer surface  122 . The inner surface  120  and the outer surface  122  are radial surfaces that extend around and along the longitudinal axis  118 . Also, the scented body  102  defines a cavity  124  that extends along the longitudinal axis  118 . Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface  120  of the scented body  102  defines the cavity  124 . In one embodiment, the outer surface  122  is spaced radially outward from the inner surface  120 . Accordingly, the scented body  102  defines a hollow cylindrical area therein. The hollow shape provides additional surface area to diffuse or disperse scented material therefrom, thus increasing the desirable aromatic experience of a user. In other embodiments, the scented body  102  may be rectangular, triangular, oval, airfoil, teardrop, polygonal, or any other suitable shape that allows the device to function as described herein. 
     The scented body  102  includes opposed end walls  126  ( FIG. 6 ) that extend between the inner surface  120  and the outer surface  122  on opposite ends of the scented body  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end walls  126  are annular (as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and are substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  120  and the outer surface  122 . 
     The scented body  102  may be any suitable size. The outer surface  122  defines an outer diameter  128  of the scented body  102 . In some embodiments, the outer diameter  128  may be in a range of about 0.1 in. to about 1 in. or about 0.25 in. to about 0.5 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter  128  is about 0.3 in. The inner surface  120  defines an inner diameter  130  of the scented body  102 . In some embodiments, the inner diameter  130  may be in a range of about 0.05 in. to about 0.75 or about 0.1 in. to about 0.25 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter  130  is approximately 0.125 in. 
     The scented body  102  has a length  132  defined between the opposed end walls  126 . The length  132  may be in a range of about 1 in. to about 5 in. or about 2 in. to about 3 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the length  132  is approximately 2.3 in. The length  132  is greater than a width or diameter  128  of the scented body  102  such that the scented body  102  has an elongate shape. In some embodiments, a ratio of the length  132  of the scented body  102  to the diameter  128  of the scented body  102  may be at least 4:1 or at least 7:1. In addition, a ratio of the length  132  of the scented body  102  to the length  114  of the legs  106  is at least 3:1. The size and shape of the scented body  102  facilitates the scented body  102  extending across the vent and contacting a greater percentage of airflow through the vent without obstructing the airflow. In addition, the size and shape of the scented body  102  allow the diffuser  100  to be compact and simpler to store than other diffusers and may provide an improved aesthetic appearance for the diffuser  100 . 
     In the example, the scented body  102  is solid and does not have any voids between the inner surface  120  and the outer surface  122 . Also, the scented body  102  is formed as a single piece from one or more polymer materials configured to emit a fragrance. For example, the polymer materials may include any polymer that allows the device to function as described herein. The polymer should be suitably selected to allow absorption and dispersion of the scented material. In some embodiments, the scented body  102  may include two or more polymers, or different portions of the same polymer, with different scents that combine to provide a desired fragrance. In other embodiments, the scented body  102  is formed from a single polymeric material. In further embodiments, the scented body  102  may include two or more modular pieces. 
     The scented body  102  emits a desired scent or fragrance that may be pleasing to a user and that can freshen the air (e.g., provide a desired scent for the air or remove or mask an unwanted or unpleasant odor in the air). For example, the scented body  102  may emit one or more of the following scents, without limitation, fruit scents, food scents, floral scents, water or ocean themed scents, natural scents, and any other suitable scents. The scented material may be water based or oil based. 
     The diffuser  100  includes a mount  134  that attaches the scented body  102  to the clip  104 . In some embodiments, the scented body  102  and/or the clip  104  may be configured to releasably couple to the mount  134 . The mount  134  supports the scented body  102  at an angle relative to the clip  104 . In illustrated embodiment, the mount  134  is arranged such that the scented body  102  and the clip  104  are substantially perpendicular to each other, i.e., the legs  106  of the clip  104  extend along a transverse axis  136  that is substantially perpendicular (at an angle of approximately 90°) to the longitudinal axis  118  of the scented body  102 . In other embodiments, the scented body  102 , the clip  104 , and/or the mount  134  may be attached to each other in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the mount  134  is integrally formed with the scented body  102  and/or the clip  104 . In some embodiments, the clip  104  and/or the scented body  102  may be positionable or rotatable relative to the mount  134 . In further embodiments, the mount  134  is omitted and the scented body  102  is attached directly to the clip  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the mount  134  includes a base  138 , a peg  140  extending from the base  138 , and a grip  142  extending from the base  138  opposite the peg  140 . In some embodiments, the mount  134  includes a support  144  extending from the base  138  in a direction substantially parallel to the peg  140 . The support  144  is spaced from the peg  140  and is configured to extend along the outer surface  122  of the scented body  102 . The support is sized and shaped to support the scented body  102 . In one embodiment, the support  144  may extend along a majority, i.e., greater than 50%, of the length  132  of the scented body  102 . A portion of the scented body  102  may be secured between the peg  140  and the support  144  when the scented body  102  is attached to the mount  134 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the cavity  124  of the scented body  102  may be sized and shaped to receive the peg  140  of the mount  134  and the peg  140  may be sized to fit within the cavity  124 . For example, the diameter of the peg  140  might be equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the cavity  124  such that the peg  140  and the scented body  102  provide an interference fit of the peg  140  within the cavity  124 . The scented body  102  may be inserted into or removed from the cavity  124  of the mount  134  by sliding the scented body  102  and/or the mount  134  along the longitudinal axis  118 . 
     In one embodiment, the grip  142  is configured for a user to grasp the diffuser  100  without contacting the hollow scented body, thus avoiding the users skin being in contact with the scented material. For example, the grip  142  is spaced apart from the scented body  102  by the base  138  of the mount  134 . The grip  142  may be a cylinder or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, the grip  142  or other portions of the diffuser may include characters that identify the product or provide instructions to the user. In alternative embodiments, the grip  142  may be omitted. 
     The grip  142  may be sized for the user to grasp the diffuser  100 . For example, the grip  142  may have a diameter or width  152  in a range of about 0.1 in. to about 0.5 in. and a length  154  in a range of about 0.5 in. to about 2 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the width  152  of the grip  142  is approximately 0.3 in. and the length  154  of the grip  142  is approximately 1 in. 
     The diffuser  100  may have a discrete and compact shape and size. For example, an overall length  156  of the diffuser  100  may be in a range of about 1.5 in. to about 5 in. In the illustrated embodiment, the overall length  156  of the diffuser  100  is approximately 3.5 in. 
       FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the diffuser  100 .  FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the diffuser  100 , attached to an air conditioning vent  200 . The diffuser  100  is attached to a vent louver  202  of the vent  200  by the clip  104 . Specifically, the clip  104  is arranged such that the legs  106  extend on either side of the vent louver  202  and into the vent  200  along a path of airflow  204 . The vent louvers  202  may direct airflow  204  through the vent  200  in a desired direction. The scented body  102  and the clip  104  are arranged such that the airflow  204  is in a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal axis  118  of the scented body  102  when the diffuser  100  is attached to the vent  200 . Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the airflow  204  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  118 . As a result, the airflow  204  flows across and contacts substantially the entire outer surface  122  of the scented body  102  during operation of the vent  200 . Moreover, the scented body  102  contacts a larger portion of the airflow  204  because the scented body  102  is not parallel to the direction of airflow  204 . Furthermore, the curved shape of the scented body  102  may facilitate the airflow  204  flowing smoothly across and around the scented body  102  without generating substantial flow disturbances in the airflow  204 . As a result, the diffuser  100  more efficiently disperses scent in the airflow  204  without obstructing the airflow  204  through the vent  200  than prior diffusers. 
     The diffuser  100  may be assembled in any suitable manner. For example, one suitable method of assembling the diffuser  100  includes forming the scented body  102 . The scented body  102  may be formed as a single piece from one or more polymer materials. For example, the polymer materials may be molded and cast into the desired shape for the scented body  102 . In some embodiments, the scented body may include a plurality of protrusions or through bores to further increase the surface area of the scented body. In other embodiments, the scented body  102  may be formed in any suitable manner. 
     In one embodiment, a method also includes mounting the scented body  102  to the clip  104  which is arranged to attach to the vent  200  of a vehicle air conditioning system. The scented body  102  may be mounted to the clip  104  by attaching the scented body  102  to the mount  134  and attaching the mount  134  to the clip  104 . In some embodiments, the peg  140  of the mount  134  is inserted into the cavity  124  of the scented body  102  to secure the scented body  102  to the mount  134 . The clip  104  may be attached to the mount  134  in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the clip  104  or the mount  134  includes a protuberance that is inserted into an opening in the other of the clip  104  and the mount  134 . The scented body  102 , the clip  104 , and/or the mount  134  may be releasably or permanently attached together. 
     The method also includes orienting the scented body  102  on the clip  104  such that airflow  204  through the vent  200  is in a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scented body when the diffuser is attached to the vent  200 . For example, the mount  134  may support the scented body  102  at a generally 90° angle relative to the clip  104 . In some embodiments, the position of the scented body  102  on the clip  104  may be adjusted to change the orientation of the scented body  102  relative to the airflow  204 . For example, in some embodiments, the scented body  102  may be rotated about the transverse axis  136  of the clip  104 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the position of the scented body  102  on the clip  104  is fixed by the mount  134  such that the scented body  102  is always oriented in the proper position relative to the airflow  204  when the diffuser  100  is attached to the vent  200 . In some embodiments, the scented body  102  is removable and replaceable. 
     Compared to conventional diffusers, the diffusers of embodiments of the present disclosure have several advantages. For example, embodiments of the diffusers include a scented body that disperses scent to a greater amount of air flow through a vent than conventional diffusers because the scented body extends other than parallel to the direction of airflow. In addition, the scented body includes polymers that are configured to emit a scent for a longer period of time than other diffusers. Moreover, the diffuser is configured to be easily handled by a user without the user contacting a volatile substance. Moreover, the diffuser has a compact shape and size that may provide an improved aesthetic appearance and be less obtrusive when the diffuser is attached to an air conditioning vent than conventional air fresheners. 
     Numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments described by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. As various changes, including modifications to shape, and arrangement of parts, and the like, could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Various modifications, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.