Sculptured Air Freshener Dispenser

Sculptured air freshener dispenser of the type having a sculptured shell concealing a canister of air freshener or disinfectant therein is provided.

The sculptured air freshener dispenser includes: a sculptured shell defining an interior cavity, a canister of pressurized air freshener having a stem for releasing the air freshener, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the interior cavity of the sculptured shell in functional connection with the canister.

The dispensing mechanism includes: a housing defining a chamber therein accessible through the sculptured shell, the canister being removably held within the chamber; a plunger having a first end accessible from exterior the sculptured shell, the plunger defining a fluid passage in connection between a first end port and a second port, the first end port in fluid connection with the stem; and a flexible hose defining a fluid pathway in connection between an initial end opening in fluid connection with the second port and a terminal end opening disposed through the sculptured shell.

Typically, air freshener or disinfectant is dispensed within bathrooms, playrooms, offices and the like by use of hand held canisters. After use the canister has to be stored and is often lost or not readily available when needed. In many commercial locations devices are used that automatically dispense air freshener or disinfectant at predetermined timed intervals. However, these devices require installation and are expensive and inefficient when air freshener or disinfectant is only needed on a periodic random basis.

It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a sculptured air freshener dispenser which is attractive and that conceals a canister of pressurized air freshener or disinfectant in a sculptured shell. It would be a further benefit, to have a sculptured air freshener dispenser that provides for easy removal and replacement of canisters of air freshener or disinfectant. It would be an additional benefit, to have a sculptured air freshener dispenser that uses standard inexpensive commercial type canisters of air freshener or disinfectant.

Accordingly, a sculptured air freshener dispenser of the type having a sculptured shell concealing a canister of air freshener or disinfectant therein is provided. The sculptured air freshener dispenser comprises: a sculptured shell defining an interior cavity, a canister of pressurized air freshener having a stem for releasing the air freshener, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the interior cavity of the sculptured shell in functional connection with the canister. The dispensing mechanism includes: a housing defining a chamber therein accessible through the sculptured shell, the canister being removably held within the chamber; a plunger having a first end accessible from exterior the sculptured shell, the plunger defining a fluid passage in connection between a first end port and a second port, the first end port in fluid connection with the stem; and a flexible hose defining a fluid pathway in connection between an initial end opening in fluid connection with the second port and a terminal end opening disposed through the sculptured shell.

The shell may be made of ceramic, plastic, wood or any other material which may be sculptured and shaped. The shell may be sculptured to resemble various objects such as rabbits, fish, angels, flowers, candles or others as appropriate for the room in which the sculptured air freshener dispenser is to be used. The sculptured shell defines an interior cavity of sufficient size to dispose a canister of air freshener or disinfectant and the dispensing mechanism. The sculptured shell forms an opening for disposing a terminal end opening of the flexible hose for exhausting air freshener.

The housing member is accessible through the sculptured shell for removing or replacing the canister. The shell may have a section removable for accessing the housing. The shell may define an opening adjacent to the housing.

The plunger has a first end accessible from the exterior of the sculptured shell. The shell may define a hole for disposing the first end of the plunger or for disposing a finger for depressing the plunger. The shell may have a pliable section, such as rubber, formed adjacent to the first end of the plunger which may be depressed a sufficient distance in order to depress the plunger releasing the air freshener.

The housing may be formed of any material suitable for rigidly holding the canister of air freshener or disinfectant such as plastic, metal or ceramic. The housing defines a chamber for removably holding the canister. The housing provides an access to the chamber such as a hinge section or a cap lockably disposable in a aperture defined by the housing. The housing forms an aperture for disposing the stem of the canister.