Abstract:
An appliance for making ice cream as well as other frozen or chilled food and beverage products, motive power for the appliance being supplied thereto by the existing electric power base unit of a standard household blender. This standard unit includes a motor whose shaft extends upwardly through a platform having a cage or socket thereon to accommodate a blender bowl, the shaft terminating in a drive coupler. The appliance is constituted by a bowl assembly whose bottom section is embraced by a ring adapted to be received in the socket of the power base unit. Above the bottom section is a double-walled jacket whose cavity contains a freezable agent. Supported for rotation in the bottom wall of the assembly and extending therethrough is a short axle whose lower end terminates in a driven coupler that is engaged by the drive coupler of the power base unit when the ring of the assembly is nested in the cage, the upper end of the axle being coupled to a dasher rotatable within the assembly. In practice, the bowl assembly is first stored in an available freezer for a period sufficient to freeze the agent therein. It is then taken out of the freezer, filled with ingredients to be frozen or chilled and placed on the power base unit. When the motor is turned on, this causes the rotating dasher to mix the ingredients while they are concurrently being chilled by heat transfer from the jacket.
Abstract:
An aromatic decorative figure or other object formed of foam plastic material having dispersed throughout its cellular structure a relatively large amount of a volatile liquid fragrance. When the figure is exposed to the atmosphere, it continuously exudes the fragrance for a prolonged period, in the course of which the figure proceeds to shrink as a result of liquid loss, thereby indicating the approaching exhaustion of the fragrance. In one embodiment, the figure is created in situ by injecting a charge of a foam-forming mixture having the liquid fragrance dispersed therein into the cavity of a blister pack whose transparent blister is configured to assume the contours of the desired figure. The injected mixture expands within the cavity to form a figure which conforms to the contours of the blister and is cured therein. The resultant foam-plastic figure is effectively sealed within the pack to prevent the escape of fragrance, the pack also serving to display and protect the figure.
Abstract:
A fragrance emitting unit which when hand actuated expels into the atmosphere a pulse of fragrance. Included in the unit is an air-filled container provided with a small jet opening, the container having a flexible wall which when depressed subjects the air in the container to pressure to cause a pulse of air to be expelled through the opening. Interposed between the jet opening and the interior of the container is an air-permeable, porous member impregnated with liquid fragrance whereby when the unit is first actuated, a pulse of air is forced through the member to extract fragrance therefrom to produce a fragrance mist that is discharged through the opening. When the wall is then released and seeks to resume its normal state, the resultant vacuum created within the container causes air to be drawn into the jet opening and to be forced through the member into the interior so that the charge of air in the container is now laden with fragrance. As a consequence, when the unit is again actuated, the mist expelled therefrom carries a high concentration of fragrance.
Abstract:
A candle-powered aroma generator in a lantern format housing a candle holder within a cylindrical container provided with a translucent shell mounted on a base and having a removable cover thereover whose roof has a central well. Below the bottom of the well is the burning wick of a candle supported in the holder, the candle flame heating the bottom which then functions as a miniature hot plate. Received in the well and resting on the hot plate is a replaceable aroma cartridge within whose cavity is a porous pad that partitions the cavity into upper and lower air chambers. The lower chamber is in heat transfer relation to the hot plate and the upper chamber has a vent therein. The pad is impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance, and the heated air in the lower chamber produces a positive pressure therein which forces the air through the pad to volatilize the fragrance. The resultant vapor is discharged into the atmosphere through the vent.
Abstract:
A scent-emitting electric cigar lighter having an igniting unit with a plug body containing an electric heating element at its inner end, a metal conductor stud connected to the heating element in heat-exchanging relation therewith and extending forwardly through the plug body, and a heat transfer flange at the forward end of the stud. A slab of scent-emitting material, adapted to release aromas in response to heating, is carried in a removable cartridge which is disposed adjacent the heat-transfer flange. Mounted at the front of the plug body is a knob which receives the cartridge and scent-emitting slab.
Abstract:
A novelty writing pen constituted by a standard pen having an ink reservoir encased in a sheath and terminating in a writing tip projecting from one end of the sheath, and a molded body configured to represent a familiar object such as a fruit emitting a characteristic odor, the body having a bore therein to receive at least the upper section of the sheath so that the body is carried by the pen. The ink in the pen incorporates an odor-producing component which is compatible therewith. When the pen is put to use, this component causes the surface written on by the pen to exude an odor simulating that of the object carried thereby.
Abstract:
A dual-function pillow which is transformable into a figurative form or character. In its normal mode the pillow serves as a comfortable head rest, while in its transformed mode it functions as a plaything. The pillow which has a soft and compressible body includes a rectangular bag or outer case whose face has applied thereto a two-dimensional figure or character. The bag or case is provided with one or more transversely-placed draw strings which when tightened act to constrict the pillow and to thereby impart contours thereto to define a main head portion and at least one secondary portion to create a three-dimensional form.
Abstract:
A scale selectively operative in a weighing mode to measure body weight and in a strength mode to measure muscular strength. The scale includes a base which rests on the ground, above which is a depressible platform to compress a spring interposed between the platform and the base. The degree to which the spring is compressed, either by the platform or by the base, is converted into an analog or digital readout. Anchored on the base and extending through an opening in the platform is an upright post terminating in a handle that is elevated relative to the platform. Also provided is an adjustable stop which is coupled to the platform. When actuated, the stop engages the ground to prevent depression of the platform. In the weighing mode, the stop is disabled, and when an individual steps on the platform, the resultant readout indicates his body weight. In the strength mode, the stop is actuated, and when the individual steps on the platform and then exerts an upward force on the handle in accordance with his strength, the resultant readout is indicative of strength and is independent of body weight.
Abstract:
A cartridge-type aroma percolator for wafting fragrance into the atmosphere at a relatively high rate. The percolator includes a cylindrical container having a vented cap and a base provided with a raised hub housing an electric heater. Telescopically inserted into the container is a replaceable cartridge having a can whose base has a reentrant socket that complements and receives the hub. Placed adjacent the upper end of the can is a liquid-permeable toroidal insert incorporating a pad of porous material, the insert defining therebelow a chamber having a pool therein of an aqueous solution of a volatile liquid fragrance. A tube coaxial with the can extends through the hollow core of the barrier, the tube inlet being immersed in the pool adjacent the socket, the tube outlet being above the barrier. When the heater is energized, the solution in the region of the socket is caused to boil to produce a head of pressurized gas above the pool, forcing the liquid to rise in the tube and to be discharged from the outlet to shower onto the insert whereby the liquid percolates through the pad before returning to the chamber. An aromatic vapor emitted from the pad is wafted into the atmosphere through the vented cap of the percolator. A removable cover means is provided for hermetically sealing said can, and for storing the contents thereof, while the cartridge is not in use.
Abstract:
An aroma-dispensing cartridge and holder assembly attachable to an air vent in the interior of an automobile. When activated, the assembly functions to diffuse an aromatic vapor into the forced air stream emitted through the vent into the interior. The assembly is constituted by a holder provided with an array of parallel slots and a replaceable cartridge which is telescoped therein. The cartridge contains a porous pad impregnated with a liquid scent and includes a like array of slots. The inserted cartridge is axially shiftable relative to the holder from an inactive position in which the holder and cartridge slots are out of registration to effectively seal the pad, to an active position in which the slots lie in registration, as a consequence of which the forced air stream from the vent passes through the porous pad to volatilize the liquid scent.