Odor control device
AssigneeScentex, Inc.
InventorsKenneth J. Muderlak, Patrick D. Maloney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved odor control device including a source of deodorizing olfactory stimuli, a squirrel cage fan for circulating air carrying the stimuli, an electronic circuit providing a visual indicia relating to the status of the power source. A secondary circuit controls indicia means for indicating the elapse of a predetermined span of time from initilization of control of one such span of time for the purpose of alerting the user to examine and/or replace the olfactory stimuli.
Claims19
An improved odor control device including a basic support structure, power means, means for creating air-movement driven by said power means, a source of deodorizing olfactory stimulating means, means for determining the operation of said means for creating air-movement whereby the status of operability of said power means can be ascertained, means for determining a predetermined life span based on the operation of said device, the normal life of said deodorizing olfactory stimulating means being substantially equal to said predetermined life span, wherein said means for determining said predetermined life span includes a timer, a separate power source for driving said timer, said timer generating periodic pulses at predetermined intervals, a counter means accepting said periodic pulses, said counter means generating a latch signal upon receipt of a predetermined number of periodic pulses, signal means activated by said latch signal for notifying the user of said odor control device of the need for replacement of said deodorizing olfactory stimulating means.
An improved odor control device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for permitting operation of said device only when subjected to a light source includes a light sensing device having the capability of providing an off or an on signal, respectively, in the absence or presence of a light source, means for amplifying the signal from said light sensing device connected to said power source and to said motor, thereby conserving the power source for use only when said light sensing device is subjected to light as when someone turns on a light in an enclosed room wherein said odor control device is located.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.