Patent Pick: Scent-emitting Doorways, Sinks, Stalls and Other Fixtures

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Say goodbye to the days of urinal cake deodorizers. This invention from Impact Products is putting scent directly into restroom walls, towel dispensers, sink counters and more, as this patent describes.

Solid state fragrancing
U.S. Patent 9278152
Publication date: March 8, 2016
Assignee: Impact Products, LLC

Described in this patent is an approach to scent control using fragrances embedded within solid fixtures, e.g., lavatory stalls, light fixtures, etc. These fragranced objects are inconspicuous, utilize fragrances that are easy to manufacture, hold a desired ratio of fragrance, provide lasting fragrance release over time, and indicate to the user when the object needs to be replaced.

The fragranced objects specified in this patent may include: a lavatory stall door, wall or upright; a urinal divider; a mirror frame; a hand dryer; a paper towel dispenser; a sink counter; a soap dispenser; a shelf; an entry or exit door to the environment; an air vent; a feminine hygiene container; a piece of plumbing; a light fixture; and/or a waste receptacle.

Within these objects, a fragrance oil may be embedded; in particular, single or blended synthetic compounds and/or natural essential oils diluted with a carrier oil or other solvent, such as various vegetable oils, mineral oil or propylene glycol. Fragrance oil examples include orange, Mentha arvensis, peppermint, cedarwood, lemon, Eucalyptus globulus, Litsea cubeba, clove (leaf) and spearmint.

The fragrance can be loaded into the solid material in various amounts. For example, in some embodiments, the solid material can include from ~0.01% to ~66% w/w of the fragrancing component.

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