Self-contained air freshener and cartridge therefor

Abstract

A self-contained battery-powered room deodorizer including a housing having an inlet portion through which ambient air is drawn into the housing by means of a battery powered fan. The air is passed about a quantity of vaporizable material contained within the housing, and then discharged therefrom into the ambient air carrying the vaporized portion of the product therewith. A replaceable deodorizing material containing cartridge is positionable within the housing, and provides a support well for supporting a replaceable battery, such that the deodorizing material and battery may be separately replaced when either of these items has become expended.

We claim: 
     
       1. A disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge for use in supporting a battery within a self-contained air freshener appartus comprising .[.a cylindrical.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.outer wall and a battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall .[.positioned concentric.]. within said outer wall .Iadd.defining a battery receiving compartment.Iaddend.,   .[.first.]. spacer means extending transversely between and connected to a first end of said outer wall and a first end of said inner wall for .[.concentrically.]. spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an opening for an air passageway therebetween,   said battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall extending a length greater than said .[.cylindrical.]. outer wall,   a battery support .[.ring.]. carried by a second end of said outer wall and positioned transverse to a second free end of said battery positioning inner wall,   said battery support .[.ring.]. extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said .Iadd.battery receiving compartment at said second .Iaddend.free end of said battery positioning inner wall .Iadd.and cooperating with said inner wall for supporting and positioning a battery within the cartridge.Iaddend., and   connecting means extending between said second end of said outer wall and said .Iadd.battery .Iaddend.support .[.ring.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.forming a tapered end of the cartridge .[.and an opening for.]..Iadd.which defines a plurality of openings permitting free flow of air through .Iaddend.said air passageway between said inner and outer walls.   
     
     
       2. The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 1 further including a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls. 
     
     
       3. .[.The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 2 further including.]. .Iadd.A disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge for use in supporting a battery within a self-contained air freshener apparatus comprising an outer wall and a battery positioning inner wall within said outer wall, spacer means extending transversely between and connected to said outer wall and said inner wall for spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an opening for an air passageway therebetween, said battery positioning inner wall extending a length greater than said outer wall, a battery support carried by said outer wall and positioned transverse to said battery positioning inner wall, said battery support extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said battery positioning inner wall, and connecting means extending between said outer wall and said support forming a tapered end of the cartridge and an opening for said air passageway between said inner and outer walls, a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls, and .Iaddend.a plurality of positioning ribs .[.circumferentially.]. spaced about the inner surface of said outer wall and extending inwardly toward the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning said quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried in said air passageway formed between said inner and outer walls. 
     
     
       4. The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 3 wherein said plurality of positioning ribs extend outwardly from the joinder of said connecting means and said battery support .[.ring.]. adjacent to the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning .[.said free end of.]. said inner wall relative to said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       5. The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 2 further including a battery removably positioned within said battery positioning inner wall and carried by said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       6. In a self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus wherein a quantity of a product capable of being vaporized to release the product in vapor form is contained within a disposable cartridge positionable within the apparatus in a flow of air movement generated by a battery powered air movement device, the improvement comprising a disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge having .[.a cartridge.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.outer wall and a battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall .[.positioned concentric.]. within said outer wall .Iadd.defining a battery receiving compartment.Iaddend.,   .[.first.]. spacer means extending transversely between and connected to a first end of said outer wall and a first end of said inner wall for .[.concentrically.]. spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an inlet for an air passageway therebetween,   said battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall extending a length greater than said .[.cylindrical.]. outer wall,   a battery support .[.ring.]. carried by a second end of said outer wall and positioned transverse to a second free end of said battery positioning inner wall,   said battery support .[.ring.]. extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said .Iadd.battery receiving compartment at said second .Iaddend.free end of said battery positioning inner wall .Iadd.and cooperating with said inner wall for supporting and positioning a battery within the cartridge.Iaddend., and   connecting means extending between said second end of said outer wall and said .Iadd.battery .Iaddend.support .[.ring.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.forming a tapered end of the cartridge .[.and an outlet for.]. .Iadd.which defines a plurality of openings permitting free flow of air through .Iaddend.said air passageway between said inner and outer walls.   
     
     
       7. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls. 
     
     
       8. .[.The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes.]. .Iadd.In a self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus wherein a quantity of a product capable of being vaporized to release the product in vapor form is contained within a disposable cartridge positionable within the apparatus in a flow of air movement generated by a battery powered air movement device, the improvement comprising a disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge having an outer wall and a battery positioning inner wall within said outer wall,   spacer means extending transversely between and connected to said outer wall and said inner wall for spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an inlet for an air passageway therebetween,   said battery positioning inner wall extending a length greater than said outer wall,   a battery support carried by said outer wall and positioned transverse to said battery positioning inner wall,   said battery support extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said battery positioning inner wall, and   connecting means extending between said outer wall and said support forming a tapered end of the cartridge and an outlet for said air passageway between said inner and outer walls, a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls, and .Iaddend.   a plurality of positioning ribs .[.circumferentially.]. spaced about the inner surface of said outer wall and extending inwardly toward the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning said quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried in said air passageway formed between said inner and outer walls.   
     
     
       9. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plurality of positioning ribs of said disposable air freshening cartridge extend outwardly from the joinder of said connecting means and said battery support .[.ring.]. adjacent to the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning .[.said free end of.]. said inner wall relative to said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       10. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a battery removably positioned within said battery positioning inner wall and carried by said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       11. A self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus comprising a two-part housing including a mounting section for securing the apparatus in an operative position and a closure section for connection to said mounting section for forming an enclosure,   mounting means operatively connected to said mounting section for fastening said mounting section to a supporting surface,   said mounting section including releasable coupling means engageable with said closure section to releasably connect said mounting section and said closure section forming an enclosure,   battery-powered air movement generating means supported within said closure section for generating a path of air flow through said enclosure, and   air freshening or deodorizing means for supplying a source of vaporizable material to said path of air flow,   said air freshening or deodorizing means being carried within said closure section such that said battery-powered air movement generating means and said air freshening or deodorizing means are removable from said mounting section with said closure section to facilitate servicing.   
     
     
       12. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said air freshening or deodorizing menas comprises a replaceable cartridge. 
     
     
       13. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said air freshening or deodorizing means includes .[.a cylindrical.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.outer wall and a battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall .[.positioned concentric.]. within said outer wall,   .[.first.]. spacer means extending transversely between and connected to .[.a first end of.]. said outer wall and .[.a first end of.]. said inner wall for .[.concentrically.]. spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an inlet for an air passageway therebetween,   said battery positioning .[.cylindrical.]. inner wall extending a length greater than said .[.cylindrical.]. outer wall,   a battery support .[.ring.]. carried by .[.a second end of.]. said outer wall and positioned transverse to .[.a second free end of.]. said battery positioning inner wall,   said battery support .[.ring.]. extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure .[.of said free end.]. of said battery positioning inner wall, and   connecting means extending between .[.said second end of.]. said outer wall and said support .[.ring.]. forming a tapered end of the cartridge and an outlet for said air passageway between said inner and outer walls.   
     
     
       14. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge includes a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls. 
     
     
       15. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a plurality of positioning ribs .[.circumferentially.]. spaced about the inner surface of said outer wall and extending inwardly toward the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning said quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried in said air passageway formed between said inner and outer walls. 
     
     
       16. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said plurality of positioning ribs of said disposable air freshening cartridge extend outwardly from the joinder of said connecting means and said battery support .[.ring.]. adjacent to the outer surface of said inner wall for positioning .[.said free end of.]. said inner wall relative to said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       17. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a battery removably positioned within said battery positioning inner wall and carried by said battery support .[.ring.].. 
     
     
       18. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 12 further including guide means carried by said closure section for positioning said replaceable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge adjacent to said battery-powered air movement generating means. 
     
     
       19. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 11 further including air flow restricting means carried by said closure section in said path of air flow for selectively changing the quantity of air passing through said enclosure. 
     
     
       20. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said closure section includes tab means extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with said mounting section to releasably couple said closure section to said mounting section for forming an enclosure. 
     
     
       21. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 11 further including a shroud surrounding said battery-powered air movement generating means supported within said enclosure for controlling the air flow generated by said air movement generating means. 
     
     
       22. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 21 wherein said shroud includes a transparent portion such that operation of said battery-powered air movement generating means is observable through said transparent portion. 
     
     
       23. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said battery-powered air movement generating means generates a path of air flow through said enclosure in a direction determined by the polarity coupling of a battery coupled thereto. .Iadd. 
     
     
       24.  A disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge for use in supporting a battery within a self-contained air freshener apparatus comprising an outer wall and a battery positioning inner wall within said outer wall defining a battery receiving compartment, spacer means extending transversely between a first end of said outer wall and a first end of said inner wall spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an opening for an air passageway therebetween,   a battery support carried by said outer wall and positioned transverse to said battery positioning inner wall near a second end of said inner wall,   said battery support extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said battery receiving compartment near one end of said battery positioning inner wall and cooperating with said inner wall for supporting and positioning a battery within the cartridge, and   connecting means extending between a second end of said outer wall and said battery support, forming an opening for said air passageway between said inner and outer walls. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       25.  The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 24 further including a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The disposable air freshening cartridge of claim 24 further including a battery removably positioned within said battery positioning inner wall and supported by said battery support. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.27.  In a self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus wherein a quantity of a product capable of being vaporized to release the product in vapor form is contained within a disposable cartridge positionable within the apparatus in a flow of air movement generated by a battery powered air movement device, the improvement comprising a disposable air freshening or deodorizing cartridge having an outer wall and a battery positioning inner wall within said outer wall defining a battery receiving compartment,   spacer means extending transversely between and connected to a first end of said outer wall and a first end of said inner wall for spacing said inner and outer walls one from the other forming an inlet for an air passageway therebetween,   a battery support carried by said outer wall and positioned transverse to said battery positioning inner wall near a second end of said inner wall,   said battery support extending a width sufficient to form at least a partial closure of said battery receiving compartment near one end of said battery positioning inner wall and cooperating with said inner wall for supporting and positioning a battery within the cartridge, and   connecting means extending between a second end of said outer wall and said battery support, forming an outlet for said air passageway between said   
     
     
        inner and outer walls. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 27 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried within said cartridge between an inner surface of said outer wall and an outer surface of said inner wall in said air passageway formed between said walls. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 28 wherein said disposable air freshening cartridge further includes a battery removably positioned within said battery positioning inner wall and 
     
     
        carried by said battery support. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  A self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus comprising a two-part housing including a mounting section adapted for fastening to a supporting surface and a closure section for connection to said mounting section for forming an enclosure,   said mounting section including releasable coupling means engageable with said closure section to releasably connect said mounting section and said closure section forming said enclosure,   battery-powered air movement generating means, said closure means including support means supporting said air movement generating means within said closure section for generating a path of air flow through said enclosure, and   air freshening or deodorizing means in said enclosure for supplying a source of vaporizable material to said path of air flow,   said battery-powered air movement generating means being removable from said mounting section with said closure section to facilitate servicing.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 30 wherein said disposable air freshening means includes a cartridge having a quantity of vaporizable deodorizing material carried therewithin. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 31 wherein said cartridge further 
     
     
        includes a battery removably positioned therewithin. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 30 wherein said mounting section has an upstanding rear wall and first and second side walls each having an upper edge portion, and wherein said closure section has an upper closure wall, a front wall and first and second side walls, each of said closure section side walls having longitudinally extending undercut edge portions adapted to mate with said upper edge portions of said mounting section side walls and said closure section being slidable vertically relative to said mounting section for removal therefrom. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 33 wherein the uppermost end of said mounting section has at least one vertically extending tab, and wherein said upper closure wall has at least one slot for engaging said tab for 
     
     
        securing said two sections together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  A self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus comprising a two-part housing including a mounting section securing the apparatus in an operative position and a closure section for connection to said mounting section for forming an enclosure,   mounting means operatively connected to said mounting section for fastening said mounting section to a support surface,   said mounting section including releasable coupling means engageable with said closure section to releasably connect said mounting section and said closure section forming said enclosure,   battery-powered air movement generating means supported within said closure section for generating a path of air flow through said enclosure, and   air freshening or deodorizing means in said enclosure for supplying a source of vaporizable material to said path of air flow,   said battery-powered air movement generating means being removable from said mounting section with said closure section to facilitate servicing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 35 wherein said air freshening or deodorizing means comprises a replaceable cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 35 wherein said mounting section has an upstanding rear wall and first and second side walls each having an upper edge portion, and wherein said closure section has an upper closure wall, a front wall and first and second side walls, each of said closure section side walls having longitudinally extending undercut edge portions adapted to mate with said upper edge portions of said mounting section side walls and said closure section being slidable vertically relative to said mounting section for removal therefrom. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The self-contained air freshening or deodorizing apparatus of claim 37 wherein the uppermost end of said mounting section has at least one vertically extending tab, and wherein said upper closure wall has at least one slot for engaging said tab for securing said two sections together. .Iaddend.