DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air freshener dispensing unit, more particularly to an air freshener dispensing unit for housing a fragrance means filled with volatile liquid and a mechanism for dispensing the same without interrupting the air flow of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Air fresheners are some of the most frequently deployed entities to generate a pleasant smelling environment. Air fresheners are mostly deployed in houses, toilets, bathrooms, vehicles etc. to mask undesirable odor and generate a fresh and pleasant smelling environment. Air fresheners deployed with their respective dispensing units are generally in the form of volatile liquids, aerosols, gels etc. Volatile liquids and aerosols are filled up in bottles and require a good unit to effectively emit its fragrance in the surroundings. On the other hand, gels are mostly stored in a single piece metallic or plastic housing with a separate top cover and are dependent on its constituents and the ambient conditions for efficient emission of fragrance.
Various kinds of air freshener units with several kinds of mechanisms to emit pleasant fragrance exist in the market. Some of the units have been designed for multi-purpose use and some have been designed specifically for house hold use, vehicles etc. Amongst the various kinds of air freshener units the most frequently used are the car air freshener units. Some of the car air freshener units can be set down at any suitable place e.g. under the seats, over the dashboards etc., some are timer driven devices emitting fragrance after certain set time duration and most commonly deployed air fresheners are the ones that are clamped on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
The car air freshener gels are housed within a metallic or plastic unit and comprise a separate top cover. The top cover may have a shutter for outlet of fragrance or may be completely open. These units can be placed under the seats or any suitable place. These air freshener gels emit good fragrance, however they wither away within a few weeks and also there is no control over the emission of the fragrance from the unit as the emission simply depends upon the position of the unit and the conditions inside the vehicle.
Optionally for a controlled and uniform distribution of fragrance, usually the air freshener dispensing units are clamped on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel. These air freshener dispensing units comprises a front cover and a back cover engageable to each other to define a housing for securing device mechanism and the fragrance bottle inside the unit. These units also comprise a switch mechanism with a shutter located on the back cover to close or open said shutter. When the shutter is in open state, air enters the said unit from the back side and comes out with the fragrance from the front and when the shutter is closed the air circulation stops. These units comprise a clamp mostly on the upper portion of the back cover for clamping it on to AC vents or any other air outlet channel.
US 6,514,467 discloses an air-freshener in particular for a motorcar, provided with a housing into which a container for a volatile liquid or a liquid containing one or more volatile components can be inserted, in the opening of which a container wick extending into the housing is fitted. Further, said device has a covering cap which is movable up and down over the wick, and control means for setting the position of the covering cap when the container with wick has been inserted into the housing. The device also comprises air inlet channel channels to allow the air to flow into the device. The device is provided with a clamp in the middle/top or bottom at the back side for clamping it on to an air outlet channel such as AC vent.

US 2010/0019059 discloses an air-freshening dispensing device, including a pair of mounts for mounting respective containers provided in the outer sections of the housing. The device has been configured to provide multiple fragrances on selective switching, wherein, when in use, only one fragrance is selected and the other is shut off from the airflow. A switchable shutter element is arranged for selectively shutting access of airflow to any of the outer sections. The shutter element has been provided in the mid section between the outer sections and communicatively coupled to an air inlet. An air outlet provides throughput of the airflow through the mid section and the device further includes a clamp for clamping the unit onto an outlet channel to provide airflow into the air inlet.

Indian Patent Application number 0821/MUM/2012 discloses an air freshener dispensing device for use in cars or vehicles. The device comprises a front cover and a back cover engageable to each other to define a housing for securing device mechanism and perfume bottle inside. The device also comprises a switch mechanism with a shutter located on the back cover to close or open said shutter. When the shutter is in open state, air enters and gets circulated inside said device and comes out with the fragrance and when the shutter is closed the air circulation stops inside the device. The device further comprises a clamp on the back side for clamping it on to an air outlet channel more specifically AC vents.
It is to be noted that all the prior arts described above are provided with a clamp and the position of the clamp is such that the unit has to be placed in front of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel so as to facilitate air into the unit through perforations provided on the back side. Thus they cover most of the area of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel and interrupting the air flow.
Thus, there is a need for an air freshener dispensing unit that can be placed at the edge of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel covering minimum area of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel and yet provides efficient dispensing of fragrance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to mitigate the aforementioned limitations of the prior arts.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air freshener dispensing unit that operates efficiently and enables effective mixing of air with fragrance inside the unit without interrupting the air flow of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an air fresher dispensing unit that enables the fragrance to last for longer time duration and provides efficient distribution of fragrance.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an air freshener dispensing unit, more particularly an air freshener dispensing unit for housing a fragrance means filled with volatile liquid and a mechanism for dispensing the same without interrupting the air flow of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
According to an embodiment of the invention the air freshener dispensing unit, comprises:
- a rotatable panel;
- a front cover;
- a back cover; and
- a clamping assembly for clamping the air freshener dispensing unit on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the rotatable panel of the air freshener dispensing unit comprises:
- a plurality of openings that enable the air mixed with fragrance to be released out from the air freshener dispensing unit;
- an inner cavity for directing the air from AC vent or any other air outlet channel into the front cover;
- a channel for providing inlet to the air being directed by the inner cavity into the front cover and thereby creating turbulence for effective and uniform mixing of the air and fragrance; wherein the channel is crafted adjacent to the portion of inner cavity closer to the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel; and
- a protruding element for fastening the rotatable panel onto the front cover.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotatable panel can be rotated by 360 degrees around its centre of rotation.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel can be arranged spirally, elliptically or in any suitable pattern around the center of rotation of the rotatable panel.
According to another embodiment of the invention the front cover of the air freshener dispensing unit comprises:
- a plurality of complementary openings complementing the corresponding openings of the rotatable panel, wherein said openings enable the air mixed with fragrance to be dispensed out from the corresponding openings of the rotatable panel.
- at least one protrusion extending out from the inner side of the front cover;
- a radial groove, wherein the protruding element of the rotatable panel is inserted, thereby interlocking the rotatable panel and the front cover;
- a plurality of slits arranged radially opposite to each other, wherein one of the plurality of slits aligns with the channel of the rotatable panel to enable the air from inner cavity to enter the front cover; and
- a ring–shaped outgrowth around the circumference of the plurality of complementary openings of the front cover, wherein the ring–shaped outgrowth further directs the air from the inner cavity into the air freshener dispensing unit and prevents the air from moving out of the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel before getting mixed with the fragrance.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of complementary openings of the front cover can be arranged spirally, elliptically or in any suitable pattern so as to complement the corresponding openings of the rotatable panel.
According to another embodiment of the invention the plurality of complementary openings of the front cover are substantially similar in shape and size to the plurality of openings on the rotatable panel.
According to another embodiment of the invention the channel of the rotatable panel and the plurality of slits of the front cover can be of any suitable size and shape so as to complement each other.
According to another embodiment of the invention the ring shaped outgrowth can optionally be replaced by a detachable structure of any suitable shape so as to direct the air from the inner cavity into the air freshener dispensing unit and prevent the air from moving out of the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel before getting mixed with the fragrance.
According to another embodiment of the invention the back cover of the air freshener dispensing unit comprises:
- a plurality of apertures, wherein said apertures direct the fragrance vapors formed due to ambient temperature inside the air freshener dispensing unit to escape the air freshener dispensing unit when the same is not in use;
- a screw protruding out from the outer side of the back cover for fastening the clamping assembly on to the back cover;
- a plurality of projections in line with the screw at the outer side of the back cover;
- at least one depression towards the outer side of the back cover; and
- a cavity for holding the fragrance means.
According to another embodiment of the invention the protrusions of the front cover fits into the corresponding depressions of the back cover forming a single unit for housing the fragrance means.
According to another embodiment of the invention the clamping assembly of the air freshener dispensing unit, comprises:
? an arm rotatable by 180 degrees; said arm comprising a secondary screw and a hole; and
? a clamping means rotatable by 360 degrees on its centre of rotation; said clamping means comprises an orifice to fasten the clamping means on to the arm such that the secondary screw of the arm gets inserted into the orifice of the clamping means.
According to another embodiment of the invention the clamping assembly is interlocked with the screw protruding out from the back cover.
According to another embodiment of the invention the hole of the arm is locked at 180 degrees with the projections of the back cover.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the clamping means can be in the form of clips, clasps, hooks etc. that can be used to clamp the air freshener dispensing unit onto the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the centre of rotation of the clamping assembly is in alignment with the centre of rotation of the rotatable panel to facilitate the balancing and positioning of the air freshener dispensing unit at edge of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel and thereby covering minimum area of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the rotatable panel, the front cover, the back cover and the clamping assembly are engageable to each other in their respective order.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the air freshener dispensing unit further comprises a fragrance means, said fragrance means can be in the form of a bottle, container, sachet and the like.
According to another embodiment of the invention the fragrance means can be filled with a volatile liquid, a liquid comprising one or more volatile components or a gel based fragrance etc.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the rotatable panel along with the front cover defines a mechanism for selectively switching the opening and closing of the air freshener dispensing unit, wherein
- the closed state is achieved when the rotatable panel superimposes the front cover so that the plurality of openings and the channel of the rotatable panel are completely misaligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings and the plurality of slits of the front cover; and
- the open state is achieved when the rotatable panel is rotated up to 90 degrees from the closed state such that the axis of symmetry of the rotatable panel is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the front cover and the plurality of openings and the channel of the rotatable panel completely superimposes the corresponding plurality of complementary openings and one of the slits of the front cover.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the air freshener dispensing unit can also be closed by rotating the rotatable panel upto 180 degrees from the aforementioned closed state, such that the axis of symmetry of the rotatable panel is vertically opposite and in alignment with the axis of symmetry of the front cover so that the plurality of openings and the channel of the rotatable panel are completely misaligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings and plurality of slits of the front cover.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the air freshener dispensing unit can be opened partially by rotating the rotatable panel partially from any of the closed states so that the plurality of openings and the channel of the rotatable panel partially superimposes the plurality of complementary openings and one of the slits of the front cover.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the air freshener dispensing unit can be of any suitable size and shape.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the material used for the construction of air freshener dispensing unit can be selected from suitable metals or non metals.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for dispensing the fragrance using the air freshener dispensing unit of the present invention; method comprising the steps of:
? clamping the air freshener dispensing unit on to the edge of AC vent or any other air outlet channel using the clamping assembly;
? adjusting the air freshener dispensing unit to open state such that the air strikes on to the inner cavity of the rotatable panel;
? directing the air from the inner cavity via the channel of rotatable panel aligned with one of the slits of front cover into the air freshener dispensing unit; and
? dispensing the fragrance out from the air freshener dispensing unit through the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel aligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings of the front cover.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiment for enabling the present invention, are descriptive of some methods, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.
Figure 1: shows the perspective view of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 2: shows the exploded view of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 3: shows the front view of the outer side and the inner side of the rotatable panel of the air freshener dispensing.
Figure 4: shows the front view of the outer side and the inner side of the front cover of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 5: shows the front view of the outer side and the inner side of the back cover of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 6: shows the exploded view of the clamping assembly of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 7: shows the exploded view of the fragrance means of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 8: shows the front view of the closed state of the air freshener dispensing unit when placed on to the AC vent.
Figure 9: shows the front view of the optional closed state of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 10: shows the front view of the open state of the air freshener dispensing unit when placed on to the AC vent.
Figure 11: shows the cross-sectional view of the air freshener dispensing unit.
Figure 12: shows the pattern of air circulation and fragrance flowing out of the air freshener dispensing unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter in reference to the accompanying drawings.
It is to be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or”, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that by the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Hereinafter, an air freshener dispensing unit of the present invention will be explained in more details. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the aforementioned embodiments and their minute explanation has been omitted.
The present invention relates to an air freshener dispensing unit and more particularly to an air freshener dispensing unit, comprising a rotatable panel; a front cover coupled with the rotatable panel; a back cover assembled with the front cover to house a fragrance means; and a clamping assembly for clamping the air freshener dispensing unit on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel. The construction technique used in the present invention enables effective mixing of air and fragrance inside the unit and hence provides efficient distribution of fragrance without interrupting the flow of air coming out from the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
The term “air freshener dispensing unit” refers to a device which may be used to dispense the fragrance out of a fragrance means particularly in an automobile. The term “inner cavity” refers to the section of the rotatable panel of the air freshener dispensing unit which is exposed to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel. The term “arm” refers to the part of the clamping assembly which is in the form of a robust strip and provides connection between the back cover and the clamping means. The term “clamping means” refers to the part of the clamping assembly which can be a clip, clasp, hook and the like for clamping the air freshener dispensing unit on to AC vents or any other air outlet channel.
Referring to Figure 1 the perspective view of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the air freshener dispensing unit (100) comprises:
- a rotatable panel (200);
- a front cover (300);
- a back cover (500); and
- a clamping assembly (600)
assembled together in their respective order.
Referring to Figure 2, the exploded view of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising:
- a rotatable panel (200);
- a front cover (300) coupled with the rotatable panel (200);
- a back cover (500) assembled with the front cover (300) to house the fragrance means (400); and
- a clamping assembly (600) fastened on to the back cover for clamping the air freshener dispensing unit (100) on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
Referring to Figure 3, the front view of the outer side (200a) and inner side (200b) of the rotatable panel (200) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the rotatable panel (200) comprises:
- a plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) arranged spirally around the centre of rotation (205) of the rotatable panel (200) and enables the air mixed with fragrance to be released out of the air freshener dispensing unit (100);
- an inner cavity (206) for directing the air from AC vent or any other air outlet channel into the front cover (300); and
- a channel (207) for providing inlet to the air being directed by inner cavity (206) into the front cover (300); wherein the channel (207) is crafted adjacent to the portion of inner cavity (206) closer to the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200); and
- a protruding element (208) for fastening the rotatable panel (200) onto the front cover (300).
Referring to Figure 4, the front view of the outer side (300a) and inner side (300b) of the front cover (300) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the front cover (300) comprises:
- a plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) complementing the corresponding openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) in the open state, wherein said openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) enables the air mixed with fragrance to be dispensed out from the corresponding openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200);
- a protrusion (305) extending out from the inner side (300b) of the front cover (300);
- a radial groove (306), wherein the protruding element (208) of the rotatable panel (200) is inserted, thereby interlocking the rotatable panel (200) and the front cover (300);
- a plurality of slits arranged radially opposite to each other, wherein one of the plurality of slits (307, 307’) aligns with the channel (207) of the rotatable panel (200) to enable the air from inner cavity (206) to enter the front cover (300); and
- a ring–shaped outgrowth (308) around the circumference of the plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) of the front cover (300) so as to further direct the air from the inner cavity (206) of the rotatable panel (200) into the air freshener dispensing unit (100) and prevents the air from moving out of the plurality of opening (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) before getting mixed with the fragrance.
Referring to Figure 5, the front view of the outer side (500a) and inner side (500b) of the back cover (500) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the back cover (500) comprises:
- a plurality of apertures (501, 502, 503), wherein said apertures (501, 502, 503), directs the fragrance vapors formed due to ambient temperature inside the air freshener dispensing unit (100) to escape the air freshener dispensing unit (100) when the same is not in use;
- a screw (504) protruding out from the outer side (500a) of the back cover (500) for fastening the clamping assembly (600) on to the back cover (500);
- a plurality of projections (505, 505’) in line with the screw (504) at the outer side (500a);
- a depression (506) towards the outer side (500a); and
- a cavity (507) for holding the fragrance means (400).
The protrusion (305) of the front cover (300) fits into the depression (506) of the back cover (500) forming a single unit for housing the fragrance means (400).
Referring to Figure 6, the exploded view of the clamping assembly (600) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein clamping assembly (600) comprises:
- an arm (601) rotatable by 180 degrees, said arm comprising a secondary screw (601’) and a hole (601’’); and
- a curved clip (602) rotatable by 360 degrees on its centre of rotation, further comprising an orifice (602’) to fasten the curved clip on to the arm (601) such that the secondary screw (601’) of the arm (601) gets inserted into the orifice (602’) of the curved clip (602).
The clamping assembly (600) is fastened onto the back cover (500) with the help of the screw (504) protruding out from the back cover (500). The hole (601’’) of the arm (601) is interlocked with the screw (504) and fixed at 180 degrees with the help of projections (505, 505’) of the back cover (500).
The centre of rotation (508 of fig 5) of the clamping assembly (600) is in alignment with the center of rotation (205 of fig 3) of the rotatable panel (200) to facilitate the balancing and positioning of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) at edge of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel and thereby covering minimum area of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
The rotatable panel (200), the front cover (300), the back cover (500) and the clamping assembly (600) are engageable to each other in their respective order.
Referring to Figure 7, the exploded view of the fragrance means (400) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the fragrance means bottle (400) is in the shape of a pyramidal bottle and comprises:
- a mouth (401) for filling in the volatile liquid;
- a plug (402) to be inserted into the mouth (401); and
- a wick (403) therewithin the plug (402) for absorbing the volatile liquid filled in the fragrance means (400).
Referring to Figure 8, the front view of the closed state (100 a) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown when placed on to the AC vent (700) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the rotatable panel (200) along with the front cover (300) defines a mechanism for closing the air freshener dispensing unit (100).
- the closed state (100 a) is achieved when the rotatable panel (200) superimposes the front cover (300) so that the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) and the channel (207 not shown) of rotatable panel (200) are completely misaligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) and the plurality of slits (307, 307’) of the front cover (300).
The air freshener dispensing unit (100) is clamped on to the AC vent (700) with the help of the clamping assembly (600). The rotatable panel (200) is in complete alignment with the front panel (300) to close the air freshener dispensing unit (100). Since the inner cavity (206) of the rotatable panel is closed, no air enters the air freshener dispensing unit (100) and the volatile liquid of the fragrance means (400, not shown) is preserved when the same is not in use.
Referring to Figure 9, the front view of the closed state (100 b) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the rotatable panel (200) along with the front cover (300) defines a mechanism for closing the air freshener dispensing unit (100).
- the closed state (100 b) is achieved when the rotatable panel (200) is rotated by 180 degrees from the closed state (100 a) such that the axis of symmetry (200’) of the rotatable panel (200) is vertically opposite and in alignment with the axis of symmetry (300’) of the front cover (300) so that the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) and the channel (207 not shown) of rotatable panel (200) are completely misaligned with the plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) and the plurality of slits [(307, 307’ )(not shown)] of the front cover (300)
From the figure it can be seen that the openings [(201, 201’; 202, 202’) not shown] (203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) are misaligned with the corresponding complementary openings [(301, 301’; 302, 302’) not shown] (303, 303’; 304, 304’) of the front cover (300) and closes the air freshener dispensing unit.
Referring to Figure 10, the front view of the open state (100 c) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown when placed on to the AC vent (700) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the rotatable panel (200) along with the front cover (300) defines a mechanism for opening the air freshener dispensing unit (100).
- the open state (100 c) is achieved when the rotatable panel is rotated by 90 degrees from the closed states (100a or 100b) such that the axis of symmetry (200’) of the rotatable panel is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (300’) of the front cover (300) and the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) and the channel (207 not shown) of the rotatable panel (200) completely superimposes the corresponding plurality of complementary openings (301,301’; 302,302’; 303,303’; 304,304’) and one of the slits (307,307’) of the front cover (300). The channel (207 not shown) of the rotatable panel (200) superimposes the slit (307) of the front cover (300) when the rotatable panel (200) is rotated anticlockwise by 90 degrees from the closed state (100a), and the channel (207) of the rotatable panel (200) superimposes the slit (307’) of the front cover (300) when the rotatable panel (200) is rotated anticlockwise by 90 degrees from the closed state (100 b).
The air freshener dispensing unit (100) can be opened partially by rotating the rotatable panel (200) anticlockwise /clockwise from any of the closed states (100 a) as shown in fig 8 and (100 b) as shown in fig 9 so that the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) and the slit (207 not shown) of the rotatable panel (200) partially superimposes the plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) and one of the complimentary slits (307, 307’) of the front cover (300).
The air freshener dispensing unit (100) is clamped on to the AC vent (700) with the help of the clamping assembly (600). The rotatable panel (200) is adjusted to 90 degrees from the closed state (100a/100b) to switch ON the air freshener dispensing unit (100). The air strikes on to the inner cavity (206) of the rotatable panel instead of the entire air freshener dispensing unit (100). Thus only a minor portion of the AC vent (700) is covered as only the inner cavity (206) faces the AC vent (700) and thereby prevents the interruption in the air flow of the AC vent (700). The inner cavity (206) directs the air into the air freshener dispensing unit (100), through the channel (207 not shown) of the rotatable panel (200) aligned with the slit (307 not shown) of the front cover (300) with help of the ring-shaped outgrowth (308) thereby creating turbulence for effective and uniform mixing of the air and fragrance inside the air freshener dispensing unit (100). The fragrance is then released out of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) through the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) aligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) of the front cover (300) and thus creates a pleasant smelling environment.
Referring to Figure 11 the cross-sectional view of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the fragrance means (400) is placed in the cavity (507) of the back cover (500). The protrusion (305) of the front cover (300) is locked into the depression (506) of the back cover (500) to form a single unit. The centre of rotation (504) of the clamping assembly (600) is in alignment with the centre of rotation (205) of the rotatable panel (200).
Referring to Figure 12 the pattern of air circulation and fragrance flowing out of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The clamping assembly (600) facilitates the positioning of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) at edge of the AC vent (not shown) and thereby covers minimum area of the AC vent (not shown).The air strikes on to the inner cavity (206) of the rotatable panel(200) instead of the entire air freshener dispensing unit (100). Thus only a minor portion of the AC vent (700) is covered as only the inner cavity (206) faces the AC vent (700) and thereby prevents the interruption in the air flow of the AC vent (700). The inner cavity (206) directs the air into the air freshener dispensing unit (100), through the channel (207 not shown) of the rotatable panel (200) aligned with the slit (307 not shown) of the front cover (300) with help of the ring-shaped outgrowth (308) of the front cover (300) thereby creating turbulence for effective and uniform mixing of the air and fragrance inside the air freshener dispensing unit (100). The fragrance is then released out of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) through the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) aligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) of the front cover (300) and thus creates a pleasant smelling environment.
Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.

CLAIMS:
We Claim:
1. An air freshener dispensing unit (100), comprising:
- a rotatable panel (200);
- a front cover (300);
- a back cover (500); and
- a clamping assembly (600) for clamping the air freshener dispensing unit (100) on to the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
2. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable panel (200) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) comprises:
- a plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’);
- an inner cavity (206);
- a channel (207) for providing inlet to the air being directed by the inner cavity (206) into the front cover (300); wherein the channel is crafted adjacent to the portion of inner cavity (206) closer to the plurality of openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel(200); and
- a protruding element (208) for fastening the rotatable panel (200) onto the front cover (300).
3. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the rotatable panel (200) can be rotated by 360 degrees around its centre of rotation (205).
4. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 to 3, wherein the front cover (300) of the air freshener dispensing unit (100) comprises:
- a plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) complementing the corresponding openings (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) of the rotatable panel (200) in the open state;
- at least one protrusion (305) extending out from the inner side (300b) of the front cover (300);
- a radial groove (306), wherein the protruding element (208) of the rotatable panel (200) is inserted, thereby interlocking the rotatable panel (200) and the front cover (300);
- a plurality of slits arranged radially opposite to each other, wherein one of the plurality of slits (307, 307’) aligns with the channel (207) of the rotatable panel (200); and
- a ring–shaped outgrowth around the circumference of the plurality of complementary openings of the front cover.
5. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 to 4, wherein the back cover (500) of the air freshener dispensing unit 100) comprises:
- a plurality of apertures (501, 502, 503);
- a screw (504) protruding out from the outer side (500a) of the back cover (500) for fastening the clamping assembly (600) on to the back cover (500);
- a plurality of projections (505, 505’) in line with the screw (504) at the outer side (500a);
- at least one depression (506) towards the outer side (500a); and
- a cavity (507) for holding the fragrance means (400).
6. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 to 5, wherein the protrusions (305) of the front cover (300) fits into the corresponding depressions (506) of the back cover (500) forming a single unit for housing the fragrance means (400).
7. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the clamping assembly (600) of the air freshener dispensing unit, comprises:
- an arm (601) rotatable by 180 degrees; said arm (601) comprising a secondary screw (601’) and a hole (601’’); and
- a clamping means (602) rotatable by 360 degrees on its centre of rotation; said clamping means (602) comprises an orifice (602’) to fasten the clamping means (602) on to the arm (601) such that the secondary screw (601’) of the arm (601) gets inserted into the orifice (602’) of the clamping means (602).
8. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the clamping assembly (600) is interlocked with the screw (504) protruding out from the back cover (500).
9. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the hole (601’’) of the arm (601) is locked at 180 degrees with the projections (505, 505’) of the back cover (500).
10. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the clamping means (600) can be in the form of clips, clasps, hooks etc. that can be used to clamp the air freshener dispensing unit (100) onto the AC vent or any other air outlet channel.
11. The air freshener dispensing unit as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the rotatable panel (200), the front cover (300), the back cover (500) and the clamping assembly (600) are engageable to each other in their respective order.
12. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the rotatable panel (200) along with the front cover (300) defines a mechanism for selectively switching between open and closed states of the air freshener dispensing unit.
13. The air freshener dispensing unit (100) as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the material used for the construction of air freshener dispensing unit (100) can be selected from suitable metals or non metals.
14. A method for dispensing the fragrance using the air freshener dispensing unit (100) of claim 1 wherein said method comprising the steps of:
- clamping the air freshener dispensing unit (100) on to the edge of the AC vent or any other air outlet channel using the clamping assembly (600);
- adjusting the air freshener dispensing unit (100) to open state such that the air strikes on to the inner cavity (206) of the rotatable panel (200);
- directing the air from the inner cavity (206) via the channel (207) of rotatable panel (200) aligned with one of the slits (307, 307’) of front cover (300) into the air freshener dispensing unit (100); and
- dispensing the fragrance out from the air freshener dispensing unit (100) through the plurality of openings of the rotatable panel (201, 201’; 202, 202’; 203, 203’; 204, 204’) aligned with the corresponding plurality of complementary openings (301, 301’; 302, 302’; 303, 303’; 304, 304’) of the front cover (300).