HK1055262A - Night light air freshener - Google Patents

Description

Night lamp type air freshener

Background

Technical Field

The present invention relates to dispensers of vaporizable materials. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in devices for dispensing fragrances or air fresheners, or other materials, in the form of a vapour for the purposes of freshening the air, controlling insects or other objects within an enclosed environment. The improvements relate generally to an electrical plug-in air freshener or insect control system of the type commonly referred to as a fragrance heater or plug-in diffuser, wherein the device also has a plug-through socket and a small electric lamp.

Background

The need has now been established to effectively eliminate air malodour in homes or enclosed public buildings by odour masking or decomposition, i.e. dispensing insect control materials for killing or deterring insects. To this end, various vapor dispensing devices have been employed. The most common such devices are aerosol containers which can spray tiny droplets of an air freshener ingredient into the air. Another common dispensing device is a dish containing or supporting a gel-like substance that releases vaporized ingredients into the surrounding air as the gel-like substance dries and shrinks. Other products, such as deodorant blocks, are also used to distribute air treatment vapors into the surrounding atmosphere by evaporation. Another type of evaporative dispensing device utilizes a carrier material such as cardboard or porous plastic or ceramic impregnated or coated with an evaporable component.

Many recent developments include liquid or gel air treatment compositions in a closed housing made in whole or in part of a polymeric film through which the air treatment composition can be released as a vapor on the exterior surface. The use of this type of polymer permeable membrane controls the dispensing of the air treatment vapor and tends to eliminate large fluctuations in the dispensing rate over the life of the product.

Wicking devices (wicking devices) are also well known for dispensing volatile liquids into the surrounding atmosphere, such as fragrances, deodorizers, disinfectants or insecticides. Conventional wicking devices employ a combination of a wick and an emanating region to dispense a volatile liquid from a liquid reservoir. Common pipetting devices are described in US 1994932; US 2597195; US 2802695; US 2804291; US 3550853; US 4286754; US 4413779; US 4454987; US 4913350; and US5000383, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Of particular interest with respect to the present invention are wicking dispensing apparatus in which the wicking action is promoted by a heat source. This type of pipetting device is described in US 3288556; US 3431393; US 3482929; US 3633881; US 4020321; US 4968487; US 5038394; US 5290546; and US5364027, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Other dispensers of the type described are commonly referred to as plug-in diffusers and are described in U.S. patent nos. 4849606 and 5937140, both assigned to s.c. johnson & Son, inc. In these documents, it should be noted that US5937140 discloses a fragrance heater with plug-through capability. The present invention improves upon this document by adding an integral night light portion and novel circuit unit to provide a simpler, lower cost assembly.

In addition to the above, Luthy in US4837421 discloses a fragrance dispenser that releases fragrance from a solid polyamide resin body. The dispenser includes a housing having at least one opening adjacent the resin. Within the housing is a heating resistor for maintaining a high temperature, and within the housing is arranged a heat conducting metal heating plate in heat transfer relation with said heating resistor and at least partially surrounding and contacting the resin body containing the fragrance.

Wang, in US5556192, discloses a dispenser with a light-controlled night light. The fragrance applicator includes a heat conductive body surrounded by a heat conductive and fire resistant plastic for generating heat to vaporize the fragrance in a solid state and to uniformly diffuse the fragrance gas. The night-light is located spices ware structure, and just through opening, closing according to environment illumination intensity the light sensitive element of lamp controls. The fragrance device is powered by a power plug which is composed of a pair of identical copper plates, and the copper plates are provided with welded heat conductors, so that a circuit is formed between the copper plates.

Spector, in US patent 4549250, discloses a night light assembly in which a low wattage light bulb illuminates a movable transparent slide plate located in front of the assembly. The rear of the sled is coated or impregnated with a volatile coating that produces a fragrance when the sled is heated by a bulb.

Furthermore, integration of night lights into electrical evaporators is disclosed in US2942090 to Dieh1, US3780260 to Elsner and US4084079 to Costello. However, these documents do not have the convenience and economy of the present invention.

As mentioned, it is known to provide electrically heated devices for dispensing materials such as air fresheners and insect control materials. Such devices typically comprise a liquid container for the liquid to be dispensed, and an electric heater to heat the liquid to make it more readily vaporizable, and an electrical plug to plug the device into an electrical outlet. However, if such a device is plugged into the lower of two vertically aligned receptacles, the user may choose to have the upper receptacle for another plug-in device, such as a night light, and the electrical cord of an appliance. Such devices can be damaged or aged by the vapor or fumes of the liquid material dispensed by heating, potentially resulting in exposure of the live components, since many of the fragrance oils used to prepare such dispensers contain solvents, either dissolved or reacted with, for example, styrene plastics, which are commonly used in night light assemblies due to their low cost and formability. Moreover, the use of such prior art dispensers results in the waste or loss of electrical outlets, typically in areas where additional outlets are at a premium, such as kitchen or bathroom countertops. This is particularly a problem when the dispenser is of a size such as to completely cover a vertically arranged wall outlet, thus using one of the two outlets and covering the other.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the prior art by integrating a night light and a plug-through receptacle into the structure of a plug-in diffuser or fragrance heater, the dimensions of the diffuser being such that it does not interfere with the use of the lower outlet when it is plugged into the upper outlet of a vertically aligned wall outlet. Thus, the user does not have to waste the use of an electrical outlet plugged with the diffuser of the present invention, as the unit provides a plug-through connection for a wall outlet. Moreover, because the present invention incorporates a low cost light bulb directly into the dispensable component of the unit, the user is also provided with a night light. Thus, the user has access to an air freshener or diffuser and night light at a lower cost, without wasting the use of the outlet, because the present invention has a plug-through feature that can utilize both outlets of a dual outlet socket for plugging into an appliance, desk lamp, or the like.

One aspect of the present invention provides a combination night light and electrical evaporator that adds the benefit of a plug pass-through feature so that additional plugs can be inserted. The night light portion of the present invention includes a built-in low wattage bulb that is automatically turned on and off in response to ambient lighting using an optional circuit. The electrical evaporator comprises a plug-in diffuser together with the substance to be thermally diffused, which is held in a container heated by an electrical resistance heater. Another feature of the present invention is to have a connector slot into which an external plug can be inserted, with the prongs of the connector for insertion into a wall outlet or slot. Thus, such connectors form a bridge through which an external device can be electrically connected to the circuitry of the wall outlet. Such a connector may comprise first and second electrical components including male terminals and female terminals electrically connected to the male terminals, wherein a heating element is located between two heat transfer plates to provide heat to a container of a heat diffusing substance.

In one form, the invention comprises a low cost, disposable, refillable air freshener device having a useful life that is predetermined by the useful life of the non-replaceable night light bulb. Thus, for example, when the contents have been completely consumed, the user may replace the air freshener to change the function of the device, or for aesthetic reasons, such as a particular fragrance. In this embodiment, if desired, the user may replace the air freshener element or container with an insecticide element or container, or with any active substance suitable for diffusion or evaporation from a container that is heated to evaporate or diffuse such active material. Active materials suitable for inclusion in the container in the plug-in diffuser receiving chamber of the present invention include volatile active materials selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor inhibitors, odor neutralizers, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy ingredients, and mixtures thereof. Moreover, it would be possible for the user to continue using the diffusion device after the night light bulb has ended its useful life, if he chooses to do so, without wasting the plug-through feature of the dispenser.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a heat spreader for active materials is provided comprising a housing made of a suitable material, such as polypropylene, a resistive heater, such as a metal oxide resistor, a night light, and a plug-through circuit.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a plug-in diffuser for use with a thermal diffusion substance, said diffuser comprising a housing, a male electrical plug extending outwardly from a back of said housing, a female electrical receptacle in front of said housing in direct electrical connection with said male electrical plug to form a plug-through capability, an opening in said housing for receiving a reservoir of active material, wherein said opening is located between a front cover of said housing and an interior wall within said housing, an electrical resistance heater electrically connected between terminals of said male electrical plug by parallel electrically conductive metal heat transfer plates, wherein said metal plates extend from terminals of said male electrical plug to a nightlight circuit board electrically connected between said parallel metal plates within said housing, and said metal heat transfer plates are in thermal transfer contact with said interior wall of said housing, and a nightlight electrically connected to said nightlight circuit board, wherein there is a night light lens secured to the housing above the night light.

The present invention also encompasses a plug-in diffuser wherein the housing is a moldable plastic part, the active material container comprises a tray container having a vapor permeable plastic cover, the active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor inhibitors, odor neutralizers, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and mixtures thereof, the night light circuit comprises an on/off switch, or a sensor controlled automatic on/off circuit, and the night light bulb is not replaceable.

Further, the present invention comprises an electrically heated dispenser of active material having a night light and a plug through circuit, wherein the container of active material comprises a plastic tray having a vapor permeable cover over the active material, the active material being selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor neutralizers, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and mixtures thereof, the heater comprises a metal oxide resistor, and the circuit for the night light comprises an automatic control portion of the night light.

These and other embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. The following description is of the preferred embodiment only. Therefore, to understand the full scope of the invention, the claims should be looked to.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is an external elevation view of a heat spreader of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the diffuser taken along line 2-2 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an external side view of the heat spreader of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the diffuser taken along line 4-4 of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a plug deck assembly of the diffuser.

Fig. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the main housing of the diffuser.

Fig. 7 is an exploded sectional view of the entire assembly of the diffuser.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a heat spreader 1 showing the decorative as well as functional parts of the invention. The housing or outer surface 11 of the dispenser or heat spreader 1 may be any acceptable material such as moldable plastic or hard synthetic rubber. Preferred materials include polypropylene, nylon, and the like, due to low cost and ease of manufacture. The housing 11 forms the outer shell of the diffuser and is formed from a plurality of component parts which are snugly clipped or fitted together during assembly, preferably permanently, to prevent inadvertent damage by the user or access to the electrical circuitry contained therein. Such component parts may be bonded or joined together with known adhesives, or may be a close tolerance fit to avoid easy disassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the housing assembly is ultrasonically welded together and the lamp cover or lens is snap fit. These components, shown in greater detail in fig. 2-7, include the front cover 2, the night light cover or lens 15, the plug deck assembly 10 (not shown in fig. 1), and the main housing assembly 20. It will be seen that the exterior of the heat spreader is comprised of the exterior portion of the front cover, the main housing assembly, the plug deck, and the night light lens.

In fig. 1, the night light lens 15 is shown as the topmost element of the heat spreader. To reduce cost and ease assembly, the night light lens is preferably a molded plastic piece, such as clear polypropylene, polycarbonate, styrene or preferably nylon, so as to fit snugly over the upper portions of the main housing assembly 20 and plug deck assembly 10 when joined together, as shown in fig. 7, and have clip slots therein for receiving corresponding clip means (not shown). Of course, other means for connecting the components will be apparent to those skilled in the art. While the night light lens is preferably a transparent plastic molding, it may be translucent, colored and/or decorative. The lens may also be of any desired shape and, if desired, may be in decorative form. Also, while the night light of the present invention is shown on the top, the dispenser may be positioned with the night light on the bottom or side, depending on the electrical outlet used.

Fig. 1 also shows an exterior elevation view of the front cover 2 having an air diffusion outlet 5 for diffusing evaporated active material into the atmosphere. Such an outlet, which forms a cut-out in the top of the front cover, has a chimney effect, allowing air to move through the front of the active material cartridge, and may be formed on the front assembly during the molding process, and also forms a path for the active material to diffuse into the atmosphere. An air diffusion inlet 4 is shown in the front of the cover, providing a source of airflow through the diffuser. Such an inlet is preferably decorative and is made on the front component during the molding process.

Furthermore, the opening to the cut-out 6 is located at the side of the front cover, for example to accommodate a specially adapted active material cartridge or container (not shown). Within the cutout is a cross bar 18 which engages a projection or recess on the cassette during insertion to locate the cassette within the cutout. When the cartridge is inserted into the cutout 6, the diffuser is inserted into the socket via the electrical plug. Once inserted, the heating unit heats the active material cartridge, releasing, for example, fragrance into the atmosphere. Once the fragrance box is used up, the fragrance box can be taken out for replacement. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the use of these specific refill cartridges. The diffuser of the present invention may also be designed as a container that itself contains a suitable active material, such as a fragrance or insect repellent, that is heated and emitted. Alternatively, a port may be provided to which a separately provided container may be connected. Preferred containers of the invention comprise a tray-shaped cartridge container having a plastic platen over the active material, said platen comprising an outer removable layer which is impermeable to the liquid and vapor forms of said active material and an inner layer which is impermeable to the liquid form of said active material but permeable to the vapor form of said active material. After the outer layer is removed, the active material may be released to the atmosphere by diffusion through the remaining layer. Typical of such containers are those refill units sold under the trademark GLADE  by s.c. johnson and Sons corporation of lasin, wisconsin. Such a cassette is shown in US4849606, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

At the lower portion of the diffuser, at the outer front of the main housing assembly 20, is an electrical socket 3 into which an external plug can be inserted, as shown in figure 1. The power elements behind the socket are shown more clearly in figures 2-5. Furthermore, if it is desired to have the night light element of the present invention have an ambient light sensor for automatic operation, the sensor is preferably located behind the sensor grill 29 in a position where it is not significantly illuminated by the night light bulb and is protected from inadvertent damage. The night light of the present invention may of course be controlled by a conventional on/off switch, but is preferably controlled by an automatic circuit comprising light sensing means. Although fig. 1 shows two symmetrical sensor grids, for ease of manufacture and economy, it is possible to have only one set of grids cut completely through the housing, while the other set is merely decorative. Although the sensor grid is shown on the left side, it could be on either side of the housing, with a similarly configured decorative pattern on the opposite side.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the heat spreader 1 of fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2. Shown are the night light lens 15, the front cover assembly 2, the main housing assembly 20, and the plug deck assembly 10, wherein the exterior surfaces of these assemblies constitute the housing 11. Also shown is a lamp or night light bulb 7 mounted on a night light circuit board 21 below the night light lens. Also shown are openings or cutouts 6 in the sides that receive the active material containers, and a retention bar 18. Inside the diffuser, the heating element 8 is shown, and outside the housing is shown a positioning wall liner 14 for stabilizing the diffuser when inserted into a wall outlet by means of a plug 12.

In fig. 3, a side view of the heat spreader 1, the exterior surface or housing 11 and the night light lens 15 is shown. Also shown are a heat spreader plug 12 and a wall gasket 14 extending rearwardly from the plug deck assembly 10. Also shown is an opening 6 for receiving an active material cartridge, from the open or receiving end, showing a retention bar 18 positioned within the opening.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the diffuser of fig. 3 taken along line 4-4, showing an interior view of the diffuser 1 looking forward from the rear. This shows the interior surface of the night light lens 15, the back of the main housing assembly 20. Mounted on the back of the main housing assembly is a heat transfer plate 9 which is in heat transfer contact with the heating element 8 and is located by a clip 24. The heat transfer plates make electrical contact with terminals (not shown) of the male plug 12 and are made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, and deliver power to a heating element 8, such as a coil resistance heater or a metal oxide resistance heater. Other small heating elements such as PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heaters, printed circuits, or etched films may be used. Because the wall of the main housing assembly forms the rear wall of the cutout that receives the active material cartridge, the heat transfer plate can transfer heat to the active material, thereby increasing the diffusion rate. Furthermore, a night light circuit board, made of a suitable circuit board material, is in electrical contact with the heat transfer plate, the circuit board forming the mounting means and the circuitry for powering the night light, and optionally the light sensor and its circuitry. Also shown in fig. 4 are retaining clips 17 for positioning and retaining the heat transfer plates. Also shown is the internal electrical component (female assembly) 13 of the receptacle 3.

In fig. 5, the plug board assembly of the heat spreader is shown with the plug unit 12 shown in a "withdrawn" position prior to insertion into the plug board assembly 10 through the plug terminal positioning element 19. At each bifurcated inner end of the plug is a female component or socket for receiving an external plug through an external socket 3. Thus, the heat spreader of the present invention provides a plug-through outlet for the user. Also shown in fig. 5 are various locating and retaining projections, clips or ribs 17 for engaging the diffuser heating elements which are typically mounted on the inner surface of the main housing assembly 20 and supported and aligned by the various ribs. The ribs may be molded directly onto the components of the plug deck assembly using procedures well known in the art. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the outer surface of the plug deck assembly edge portion forms a portion of the outer surface or housing 11 of the diffuser.

Fig. 6 shows the inner surface of the main housing assembly and the electrical components attached to the inner surface. Shown on the outer surface of the main housing assembly 20 are the cut-outs 6 that receive the active material cartridges, and the retention bar 18 within the cut-outs. The main housing assembly, together with the front cover assembly 2, not shown in this figure, forms a cutout into which an active material cartridge may be placed. When positioned, such a material cartridge would be adjacent the front face of the main housing assembly and would transfer heat generated behind said face to said front face for evaporating the active material within said cartridge. The heat transfer plates 9 are attached to the back of said face of said main housing assembly by means of retaining clips 17. These heat transfer plates are preferably made of an electrically and thermally conductive material, such as copper, brass or bronze, for transferring heat and electricity from the heating element 8. These heat transfer plates have spring contacts 26 by which electrical contact is made with the bifurcated inner portion of the plug 12, not shown in the figures, when the plug is inserted into the socket. Power is transferred from the socket via the plug 12 to the spring contacts 26 of the heat transfer plates 9. The electrically conductive heat transfer plates 9 also act as electrical power buses, electrically conducting the heating element clips 24, thereby activating the heating elements. The heating element may be selected from such elements as a PTC heater, a wire-wound resistor, an encapsulated wire-wound resistor, an etched film or a metal oxide resistor, and may be manufactured at low cost, reliably, and with ease of assembly. The resistance heater immediately begins radiating heat and is transferred by conduction through the heat transfer plate to the inner surface of the wall of the main housing element. Thus, the heat transfer plates in direct contact with the inner surface significantly improve the efficiency of heat transfer to the active material cartridge that is in close proximity to the opposite side of the wall of the main housing member. At the same time, the heat transfer plate transfers power to the night light circuit board 21 through the spring contact elements 27 at the end of the plate. The contact elements may contact conductive circuitry on the surface of the night light circuit board to provide power to the lamp 7 and the light sensor 22 electrically connected to the circuit board. Also shown is a lamp support 23 which supports the night light bulb 7 on the night light circuit board 21 and which interengages with a correspondingly shaped opening 25 in the face of the main housing assembly to aid in positioning the night light bulb.

Fig. 7 shows the relative positions of all the elements of the invention as seen from the rear (wall side) of the plug-in diffuser. The plug deck assembly 10, main housing assembly 20, front cover assembly 3 and night light lens 15 are shown. Also shown are the power plug 12 and wall gasket 14 as part of the plug deck assembly, as well as a retaining clip 17 for engaging a correspondingly positioned clip groove 16 of the night light lens 15. A similar retaining clip 17 is located on the top surface of the main housing assembly 20 for correspondingly engaging a slot on the night light lens.

The electronic components of the present invention are shown with the main housing assembly and they are preferably part of the main housing assembly. The heating element 8 is positioned by a heating element clamp 24 which is in electrically and thermally conductive contact with the heat transfer plate 9, wherein the heat transfer plate also serves as an electrical bus for electrical conduction to the elements of the invention. Power is delivered to the plug-in diffuser via the terminals or prongs of plug 12 which extend into the main housing assembly and contact the protrusions 26 of the heat transfer plate and via the heat transfer plate to contact elements 27 by which current is delivered to the night light circuit board 21. The circuit board contains the electrical contacts and circuitry not shown necessary to power the night light bulb 7 and the illumination sensor not shown. The lamp is held in place on the main housing assembly by a lamp bracket 23 which fits into a correspondingly shaped opening 25 in the assembly. Fig. 7 also shows the outer surfaces of the plug board assembly and the main housing assembly, which form the housing 11 or outer surface of the dispensing unit.

Also forming part of the outer surface of the dispenser is a front cover assembly 1 having an opening 5 for circulation of air diffusing or heated active material, and a not shown positioning rail 18 for positioning the active material cartridge within the cutout. At the front of the main housing assembly are corresponding positioning rails and air diffusion inlets 4 after which an illumination sensor, not shown in this figure, may be placed, as well as the edges of the cut-outs 6 into which the active material cartridges may be placed.

As can be readily seen from the figures, the operation of the heat spreader of the present invention is rather simple. Air fresheners made according to the present invention are made and tested as follows. After the active material cartridge is loaded into the cutout 6, the diffuser unit is inserted into the slot of the wall socket using the diffuser plug 12. The heating unit 8 is powered by an electric current flowing through the plug, the protrusions 26 on the heat transfer plates, the heat transfer plates 9 and the heating element clips 24. The heater is thus activated to generate heat which reaches the back of the walls of the main housing assembly 20 by radiation and conduction through the heat transfer plate 9. The active material cartridge, which is located immediately opposite the wall of the main housing assembly, absorbs thermal energy causing the active material to be heated and vaporised, the active material diffusing into the air and passing through the diffusion outlet 5 into the atmosphere. The active material was an air freshener ingredient containing GLADE  Mountain Berry fragrance, available from s.c. johnson & son, inc. The air freshener dispenser can be secured to a wall socket by a wall liner 14 at the rear of the unit and produce a pleasant and effective air freshener scent. In addition, the unit's lights automatically illuminate when the ambient light in the room is reduced to a level close to night. That is, the lamp 7 emits light when ambient light is prevented from reaching the sensor 22 by blocking the sensor grid 29. In addition, the desk lamp is inserted into the slot 3 in front of the air freshener dispenser. At night, when the night light bulb emits light, the sensor grille is not covered, the desk lamp is switched on, and the night light is turned off. After about 45 days, the air freshener cartridge was exhausted. The spent cartridge is removed by sliding it out of the cutout 6 and replaced with a new cartridge containing a different active material. After a short time, new active material is detected in the atmosphere surrounding the diffuser unit.

As previously mentioned, the active material may be selected from a wide variety of materials suitable for diffusion into the atmosphere, such as active ingredients selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor inhibitors, odor neutralizers, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy ingredients, and mixtures thereof. The most widely used active materials are perfumes and air fresheners. Preferably, the fragrance or air freshener comprises one or more volatile organic compounds, which are available from fragrance suppliers, such as Firmenich inc, Takasago inc, Noville inc, Quest co, International Flavors & Fragrances, and Givaudan-road Corp. The most common fragrances are volatile essential oils. The fragrance may be a synthetic material, or a naturally extracted oil, such as oils of bergamot, bitter orange, lemon, orange, caraway, cedar leaf, clove leaf, cedar wood, geranium, lavender, orange, oregano, orange leaf, white cedar, patchouli, lavandin, neroli, rose bengal, and the like.

Many chemicals are known for perfumery, such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, terpenes, and the like. The ingredients of the fragrance may be relatively simple, or a mixture of natural and synthetic chemical ingredients. Synthetic types of perfume ingredients, alone or in combination with natural oils, are described in US patents 4324915, US4411829 and US4434306, incorporated herein by reference. Other artificially synthesized liquid fragrances include geraniol, geraniol acetate, eugenol, isoeugenol, linalool, linalyl acetate, phenethyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl ionone, isobornyl acetate, and the like.

Liquid perfume leaves may be formed into thixotropic gels by the addition of thickeners such as cellulosic materials, polymeric thickeners or fumed silica sold under the Cabosil trademark by Cabot corporation. The perfume ingredient may also be in the form of a crystalline solid having the ability to sublime into the gas phase at ambient or slightly elevated temperatures. The crystalline perfume raw material may be selected from organics comprising vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin, tonalid, calone, cupertine, musk xylol, cedrol, muscone benzophenone, hydroxy phenyl butanone, beta-naphthalene ketone, phenylethyl salicylate, maltol, maple lactone, protoeugenol acetate, evemyl, and the like. This type of fragrance can provide the air freshener dispenser device of the present invention with long term air handling capabilities. It should be noted, however, that the present invention does not depend on the specific active material being dispensed, but rather on the novel structure and performance of the disclosed heat spreader.

Industrial applicability

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent designs and functions. The diffuser of the present invention can be made of commonly available materials and can be used with readily available replacement cartridges during operation. The circuitry and electronic components employed are generally available and known to those skilled in the art, although not present in the construction and arrangement of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. An insert diffuser for use with thermally diffused substances, the diffuser comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a male electrical plug extending outwardly from the back of the housing;

c. a female electrical receptacle in front of said housing in direct electrical connection with said male electrical plug to form a plug-through capability;

d. an opening in the housing for receiving an active material container, wherein the opening is located between the housing front cover and an inner wall within the housing;

e. an electrical resistance heater electrically connected between terminals of said male electrical plug by parallel electrically conductive metal heat transfer plates extending from said male electrical plug terminals to a night light circuit board electrically connected between said parallel metal plates within said housing, said metal heat transfer plates being in heat transfer contact with said interior wall of said housing;

f. a night light electrically connected to the night light circuit board, wherein a night light lens is secured to the housing over the night light.

2. The insert diffuser of claim 1 wherein said housing is a molded plastic piece having air diffusing openings.

3. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1 wherein said night light lens is a clear plastic.

4. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1 in which said active material container comprises a replaceable plastic tray having a vapor permeable cover.

5. The insert diffuser of claim 4 wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and mixtures thereof.

6. The insert diffuser of claim 5, wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of air fresheners and fragrances.

7. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1 wherein said night light circuit comprises an on/off switch.

8. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1 wherein said night light circuitry comprises an automatic on/off circuit and an ambient light sensor.

9. The plug-in diffuser of claim 1 wherein said night light circuitry comprises a non-replaceable light.

10. A heated dispenser of active material comprising a container of active material, a resistive heater, a night light and a plug-through circuit, wherein

a. Said dispenser including a protruding electrical plug extending rearwardly from said dispenser and having a female electrical socket in front of said dispenser in direct electrical contact with said protruding electrical plug;

b. the dispenser further includes a conductive element extending from a terminal of the protruding plug to a night light circuit board;

c. the conductive element is electrically conductive to the resistive heater and electrically conductive to the night light circuit board to power the heater and the night light;

d. the conductive element also conducts heat from the heater to the container of the active material to vaporize the active material from the container.

11. The heated dispenser of claim 10 wherein said container of active material comprises a plastic tray having a vapor permeable lid over the active material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor inhibitors, odor neutralizers, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal substances, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy ingredients, and mixtures thereof.

12. The heated dispenser of claim 11, wherein said active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances and air fresheners.

13. The heated distributor of claim 10, wherein said heater comprises a metal oxide resistor.

14. A heated dispenser as recited in claim 10 wherein said night light circuit board includes an automatic control portion for said night light.