Patent Abstract:
An air treatment device for use with a refuse or non-refuse container or receptacle is provided. The air treatment device includes a cover member and housing member for housing an air treating material. The housing and the cover member include an air treating material therebetween. The housing is rotatably and removably coupled to the cover member and is deformable with respect to the cover. The housing is biased toward the air treating material so as to provide continuous contact of the air treating material and the housing. The housing and the cover component include retaining devices for removably coupling to one another. The air treatment device further includes an indicator device for indicating a period of time. The indicator device may be coupled to the cover component of the air treatment device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/622,833, filed Oct. 28, 2004, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present disclosure relates generally to air treatment devices, and more particularly, to air treatment devices for use with refuse or non-refuse containers and receptacles.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Containers and receptacles of various shapes, sizes and configurations are utilized in kitchens, garages, bathrooms, nurseries, workrooms, professional offices, hotels, resorts, health clubs, health care facilities, theaters, amusement parks, garbage collection areas and the like. Odors and germs gather in these containers and receptacles depending upon the waste or matter contained therein. Additionally, odors emanating from such containers oftentimes attract insects or rodents.  
         [0006]     Devices disseminating various kinds of air treating materials, such as air freshening, disinfectant and insecticidal materials have been developed to solve these problems. Common solid air treatment devices include, but are not limited to, (i) disks, domes, dishes or other dispensers which hold air treating blocks or cakes; (ii) disks, domes, dishes or other dispensers which hold gel material which, when it dries or shrinks, releases a vaporized air-treating composition into the air, (iii) disks, domes, dishes or other dispensers which hold paperboard coated with a vaporizable composition, (iv) disks, domes, dishes or other dispensers which hold scented disks, and (v) disks, domes, dishes, bags or other dispensers which hold liquid solutions, and the like. Common deodorizing, disinfecting or insecticidal solid air treating materials include, but are not limited to, blocks or cakes, gels, paperboard, scented disks, bags or other means for holding liquid solutions, and the like.  
         [0007]     Most solid air treatment devices have inferior construction in that they only hold one particular size, shape or configuration of a solid air treating material and do not permit users to purchase a variety of solid air treating material to be used in that same air treatment device. Also, most solid air treatment devices, after a period of time, result in dried or shrunken material that remains within the air treatment device. Most dried or shrunken solid air treating material shakes, rattles or rolls when the solid air treatment device is moved or affixed to a surface which moves or is moved. Moreover, most solid air treatment devices do not affix very well or are too heavy to be mounted on the underside of a refuse or non-refuse container&#39;s or receptacle&#39;s lid or cover. The currently available devices do not provide for sufficient air-flow to maximize the effectiveness of the solid air treating material. Additionally, current solid air treatment devices generally fail to notify the user as to when the effectiveness of a solid air treating material is no longer effective.  
         [0008]     Thus, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a solid air treatment device including a solid air treating material dispenser that is configured with a universal, flexible holder mechanism, which may be configured onto the underside of any sized or shaped lid or cover of any sized or shaped refuse or non-refuse container or receptacle, and that is able to hold any size, shape or configuration of solid air treating material.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved air treatment device that keeps any sized or shaped solid air treating material securely placed when installed onto the underside of a refuse or non-refuse container&#39;s or receptacle&#39;s lid or cover, even upon the eventual drying or shrinking of the air treating material.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present disclosure to have multiple means of affixing the air treatment device to the underside of a refuse or non-refuse container&#39;s or receptacles lid or cover.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present disclosure to have multiple large perforations to enable increased air-flow through the air treatment device.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present disclosure to be made of plastic, metal, steel, wood or any other material.  
         [0013]     It is another object of the present disclosure to have a device for indicating the depletion of the air treating material contained within the air treatment device.  
         [0014]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the accompanying description and drawings.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0015]     Accordingly, air treatment devices for use with refuse or non-refuse containers or receptacles are disclosed. The air treatment devices include a cover member and housing member for housing an air treating material. The housing and the cover member include an air treating material therebetween. The housing is rotatably and removably coupled to the cover member and is deformable with respect to the cover. The housing is biased toward the air treating material so as to provide continuous contact of the air treating material and the housing. The housing and the cover component include retaining devices for removably coupling to one another. The air treatment device further includes an indicator device for indicating a period of time. The indicator device may be coupled to the cover component of the air treatment device.  
         [0016]     Additionally, an air treatment system including a housing for securing an air treating material and a retaining device for removably coupling the housing to a refuse or non-refuse container or receptacle is provided. The housing is removably coupled to a cover portion of the refuse or non refuse container or receptacle. The housing includes a biased portion for securely retaining the air treating material, wherein the biased portion retains a constant bias against the air treating material. The air treatment system further includes an indicating device for indicating a time frame and a plurality of through holes for allowing air to contact the air treating material.  
         [0017]     Moreover, an air treatment device including a removably mountable basket and cover coupled to the basket is provided. The basket is deformable with respect to the cover and is biased toward the cover. The cover and basket include respective coupling members, such as flanges, screw threads, rails, detents, projections, tangs and the like. The air treatment device further includes an attachment device for attaching the cover to a refuse or non-refuse container or receptacle. The attachment device may include hook and loop fasteners, fastening clips, tape, adhesive, magnets, suction cups, screws, nails, other hardware and the like.  
         [0018]     Objects and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in part herein and in part will be obvious therefrom, or may be learned by practice of the present disclosure which is realized and attained by the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims for the devices and methods of the present disclosure consisting of its constituent parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations, steps and improvements herein shown and described.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The objects and features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present disclosure, as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objectives and advantages may be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an air treatment device in combination with a receptacle in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A, 2B  and  2 C are plan views of the air treatment device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2D  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2A  depicting a portion of the air treatment device and freshness indicator in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an air treatment device in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an air treatment device in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a retention ring of the air treatment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a retaining device of the air treatment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the retaining device of  FIG. 6A ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the retaining device of  FIG. 6A  in a retaining position;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C are plan views of an alternate embodiment of an air treatment device in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the air treatment device of  FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the air treatment device of  FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     The exemplary embodiments of the air treatment devices disclosed are discussed in terms of air treatment devices for use with receptacles and containers including, for example, refuse or non-refuse receptacles and containers. The presently disclosed air treatment devices are contemplated for use as an integral cover or non-integral lid portion of a container or receptacle as well as a portable or stand alone unit for incorporation with a container or receptacle. It is contemplated that the air treatment device of the present disclosure may be employed with, for example, trash barrels as part of a trash barrel lid or cover or a separate unit for attachment to the underside of a trash barrel lid.  
         [0033]     In the discussion that follows, the term trash barrel refers to any type of refuse or non-refuse container or receptacle that is used to collect waste, trash or any other matter and the term cover refers to a cover or lid portion that is used to shield or cover the top open portion of a trash barrel. As used herein, the term “top” generally refers to a portion of the trash barrel or cover that faces or is directed upward (e.g., upward toward the ceiling), while the term “bottom” generally refers to a portion of the trash barrel or cover that faces or is directed downward (e.g., downward toward the floor).  
         [0034]     The following discussion includes a description of an air treatment device used as a trash barrel cover and separate air treatment device for use with a cover or trash barrel. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying Figures.  
         [0035]     Turning now to the Figures, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the several views. Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a combination air treatment device and refuse receptacle  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Air treatment device and refuse receptacle  10  includes a trash barrel  12 , for example, a circular trash barrel having a closed bottom end and open top end for the receiving of refuse or non-refuse waste, trash or other matter. It is contemplated within the present disclosure that trash barrel  12  may include any typical trash barrel for use in home, office or industrial uses and may be of any size, shape or configuration as is well known. An air treatment device  14  may act as a cover for trash barrel  12  or as a separate attachment member to a cover of a trash barrel  12 . Whether acting as a cover of a trash barrel or as an attachment to a cover for a trash barrel, it is contemplated within the present disclosure that the air treatment device  14  may include any size, shape or configuration that can be employed to cover a trash barrel  12  or attach to a cover of a trash barrel.  
         [0036]     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, the air treatment device  14  includes a top  18 , bottom  16  and sidewall  20  portion and may be configured as a separate stand alone, hinged or like member that fits onto or over the open end of trash barrel  12 . Top portion  18  of the air treatment device  14  may include an air freshness indicator means  22  (as described below) for use by a consumer in determining a period of freshness or time. As will be discussed in detail below, bottom portion  16  is designed to incorporate the air treatment device in accordance of the present disclosure.  
         [0037]     The air treatment device  14  may be formed of any size, shape or configuration (e.g., oval, circular, square, rectangular, diamond, octagonal or the like) and be manufactured from any suitable material including, for instance, plastic, metal, steel, wood or the like. The retaining device  44  is preferably perforated with multiple openings in any size, shape or configuration (e.g., tear drops, rectangles, ovals, circles, squares, diamonds, octagons, zig zag patterns or the like) for allowing appropriate air flow to contact air treating material  60 . The air treating material  60  may include an air deodorizer, a disinfectant, an insecticidal component or the like, with or without fragrance, of any size, shape, or configuration (e.g., oval, circular, square, rectangular, diamond, octagonal, or the like) that is capable of being housed between the bottom portion  16  and the retaining member  44 . Moreover, air treating material  60  may be formed as a solid or liquid, for example, a liquid air treating material that is housed by a container or bag as is know in the air treating material art. Any portion of air treatment device  14  including the top  18 , bottom  16  and sidewall  20  may include perforations for allowing air flow.  
         [0038]     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , air treatment device  14  is shown in an upside down exploded fashion depicting various portions thereof. More particularly, bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14  is bounded by sidewall  20 . Sidewall  20  is designed to fit over or onto a rim portion (not shown) of trash barrel  12 . Bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14  includes a flange or retaining member  30  integrally formed thereon. Flange  30  may include retaining ridge or screw thread  32  that is configured for attachment to a retention ring  36 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , retention ring  36  includes flange or screw thread  38  for cooperative attachment to retaining ridge or screw thread  32  of flange  30  within bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14 . Alternatively, and as best shown in  FIG. 4 , flange  30  may be replaced by retention ring  36  that is integrally molded to bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14 . Retention ring  36  includes flange or screw thread  38  for cooperative attachment to a retaining ridge or screw thread  50  of a retaining device or basket  44  (to be discussed below). Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14  includes a center portion  28  for placement of solid air deodorizer, disinfectant, insecticide or the like (to be discussed below). Center portion  28  includes a plurality of nubs, nodules or bumps protruding (in the bottom direction of the trash barrel  12 ) from the bottom portion  16 . These nubs may be of varying heights, shapes, sizes and configurations and are configured for allowing air flow between the air treating material  60  and the bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14 .  
         [0039]     With reference to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  6 A, the basket or retaining device  44  includes a plurality of arm members  46  connected to center portion  48 . Retaining device  44  includes retaining means  50  in the form of flanges, screw threads, detents or the like. Retaining means  50  may include a hinged component where a portion of the retaining device  44  is hingedly connected to the retaining ring  36  or bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14 . Retaining means  50  includes receiving surface  52  for receiving flange or screw thread  38  of retention ring  36 . It is contemplated herein that the cooperating elements of retention ring  36  and retaining device  44  may include screw threads, flanges, detents, clips or other removably retaining elements that are configured for the removal of the retaining device  44  from the retention ring  36 . Retaining device  44  may be formed as any shaped housing or basket having one or more air holes or pathways  62  (e.g., holes, slits, mesh and the like) for allowing increased or decreased air flow to the air treating material  60  housed therein.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 6A ,  6 B and  6 C, retaining device  44  is configured to be removably mounted to bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14  (via retention ring  36 ). Retaining device  44  is configured to supply a consistent bias in the upward direction to the air treating material  60  housed between the retaining device  44  and bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14  ( FIG. 6C ). More specifically, retaining device  44  and/or arms  46  and center portion  48  of retaining device  44  are formed from materials that allow a measure of flexibility and elastic or biased contraction in an upward direction (i.e., toward the bottom portion  16  of the air treatment device  14 ). It is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure that retaining device  44  may deform, expand or be shaped to accommodate any sized or shaped air treating material  60 . For example, the retaining device may take the shape of a basket or flexible housing. Retaining device  44  may include a plurality the air holes  62  and may be formed from any material providing elastic or biasing functionality such as silicone or rubber based plastics as is well known in the art. It is contemplated that retaining device  44  may further include elastic enhancing devices such as springs (e.g., leaf springs), bungee cords, rubber bands and the like located along or as part of arms  46  and/or center portion  48 .  
         [0041]     In operation and by way of non-limiting example, upon placement of the air treating material  60  (e.g., a solid of a particular size, shape, or configuration) between the bottom portion  16  and retaining device  44 , the retaining device  44  would be biased in an upward direction toward the top portion  18  and thereby continually secures the air treating material  60  between the bottom portion  16  and retaining device  44  components. Upon the gradual evaporation and shrinking of the air treating material  60 , the retaining device  44  would continue to be biased toward the top portion  18  and continue to provide a secure fit of the air treating material  60 .  
         [0042]     The air treatment device  14  and specifically biased retaining device  44  is configured for keeping an air treating material  60  in place (even upon drying or shrinking thereof) when the trash barrel  12 , for example, a trash barrel with a built-in cover, removable cover, push in cover or a built-in foot-pedal activated cover is lifted or activated. Hence, the air treating material  60  is closely held in place and does not rattle, shake or move freely during use of the trash barrel  12 .  
         [0043]     Referring back to  FIG. 2D , top portion  18  of air treatment device  14  includes air freshness indicator means  22  for use in indicating a measure of time that is commensurate with the depletion of the air treating material  60  housed within retaining device  44 . More particularly, air freshness indicator means  22  includes a plurality of indicia  24 , for example, the flower petals depicted in  FIG. 2D , that change in appearance with a measure of time or with the use of multiple indicia  24  (as depicted in  FIG. 2D ) changes in appearance with various measures of time. For example, upon initial placement of air freshness indicator means  22  upon top portion  18 , the indicia  24  may all be identical, that is, indicate one color or configuration. Upon some passage of time that is commensurate with a certain amount of depletion of the air treating material  60 , one or more of the plurality of indicia  24  will change, for example, in color or configuration so as to indicate to a consumer that an amount of time or an amount of air treating material  60  has been depleted. Thus, the consumer will be notified by the indicia  24  that the air treating material  60  needs to be replaced. The air freshness indicator means  22  may also include a reset or on/off button  26  that may be used to reset or turn on or off the timing action of the air freshness indicator means  22 . The air freshness indicator  22  may be of electronic, mechanical or chemical means and may be designed in the shape of a flower (e.g., with petals, with a stem and petals, with petals shaped like hearts, ovals or the like) placed any where on the exterior of the air treatment device  14 . The air freshness indicator  22  is used to indicate to the user the depletion of the air treating material  60 , not only as a function of quality of the air treating material but also as a function of time.  
         [0044]     In an alternate embodiment and as shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7B ,  7 C,  8  and  9 , wherein like reference numerals represent like components of the air treatment device  14 , a separate or stand alone air treatment device  56  is disclosed. Stand alone air treatment device  56  is configured to attach to trash barrels  12  as an after market add on air treatment feature. The air treatment device  56  is substantially similar to the air treatment device  14  discussed herein. The air treatment device  56  further includes a stand alone housing having a top  118  portion (similar to a top cover and top portion  18 ) and bottom portion  116  (similar to a bottom cover and bottom portion  16 ). Similar to air treatment device  14 , bottom portion  116  includes a retention ring  36  that may either be separate or integrally molded with bottom portion  116 . Retention ring  36  includes retaining means  50  that cooperates with the removable retention of retaining device  44 . The stand alone air treatment device  56  is configured to be attached to any cover or lid of a trash barrel  12  via attachment means  54 . Air treatment device  56  is attached to the cover or lid member through cooperating attachment means  54  such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners, fastening clips, tape, adhesive, magnets, suction cups, screws, nails, other hardware and the like.  
         [0045]     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1