# US 10,369,731 B2 · Air freshener

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- Number: US 10,369,731 B2
- Document ID: US10369731B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/263,523
- Filed: 2016-09-13
- Published: 2016-12-29
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-08
- Assignees: Brandywine Product Group International, Inc.
- Applicants: Brandywine Product Group International, Inc.
- Inventors: Frank M. Lesniak; Kyle Brandenburg; John R. Hickman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369731B2

## CPC

- B29C 45/16: Making multilayered or multicoloured articles {(B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816)}
- A01M 1/2055: {Holders or dispensers for solid, gelified or impregnated insecticide, e.g. volatile blocks or impregnated pads}
- A01M 29/12: using odoriferous substances, e.g. aromas, pheromones or chemical agents
- A01M 31/008: {Lure dispensing devices}
- A44C 15/002: {Jewellery dispersing perfume or the like}
- A61L 9/04: using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L 9/048: {air treating gels}
- A61L 9/12: Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
- B29C 45/0001: {characterised by the choice of material}
- B29C 45/0003: {of successively moulded portions rigidly joined to each other}
- B29C 45/1866: {Feeding multiple materials (B29C45/1816 takes precedence)}
- B29C 45/2737: {Heating or cooling means therefor (B29C45/7331 takes precedence)}
- B29C 45/28: Closure devices therefor
- A61L 2209/15: Supporting means, e.g. stands, hooks, holes for hanging
- B29K 2995/0037: Other properties
- B29L 2009/00: Layered products
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A44C: PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

An air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The air freshener is made by injection molding a first shot of at least one polymer material to form the core, and injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto or into at least a portion of the core. The second shot of polymer material may be stretched about the portion of the core during injection molding, and may flow into a first hole formed in the core at or near the core distal end, and fills a second hole formed in the core at or near the core proximal end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making an air freshener, comprising:
injection molding in a mold a first shot of at least one polymer material to form a core, said core defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a length between the proximal end and the distal end, and said core defining a central axis of the air freshener, where the central axis forms a curve about an axis perpendicular to the central axis, said core further defining an I-beam strengthening section along its length, with a first hole through the I-beam strengthening section at or near the distal end of the core and a second hole through the I-beam strengthening section at or near the proximal end of the core, said I-beam strengthening section consisting of: (i) an upstanding inner wall of the core, (ii) a web extending away from the upstanding inner wall of the core and (iii) a flange over said web, with (i), (ii) and (iii) forming an “I” shape in cross section; and
injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto the core to cover only the I-beam strengthening section by injecting the second shot through one gating location of the mold that is at or near the distal end of the core and filling the first hole with the at least one polymer material and over-molding the at least one polymer material over the I-beam strengthening section of the core and filling the second hole with the at least one polymer material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first shot comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyoxymethylene, polyamide (nylon), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the second shot comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acetate, butyrate, propionate, silicone, copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer of the first shot incorporates one or more fragrance materials.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer of the first shot is free of all fragrance materials.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the fragrance material(s) comprises a fragrance material selected from the group consisting of: natural and synthetic fragrance oils, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein injection molding of the first shot and injection molding of the second shot are each conducted in a valve gated hot runner system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein injection molding of the second shot begins before or simultaneously with termination of injection molding of the first shot.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein multiple gating locations for the first shot of at least one polymer material are spaced apart along the valve gated hot runner system to form the core, and wherein the second shot of at least one polymer material is injected through only one gating location, and said one gating location is disposed in the valve gated hot runner system so as to be at or near the distal end of the core to form a sleeve over the I-beam strengthening section of the core.