U.S. patent application number 11/368104 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for automated remote bathroom air freshener.
Invention is credited to Greg Zyskowski, Marcin Zyskowski.
Application Number | 20070204388 11/368104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470162 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204388 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zyskowski; Greg ; et
al. |
September 6, 2007 |
Automated remote bathroom air freshener
Abstract
A novel air freshener for use in a bathroom is disclosed and
comprises a sending unit that is mounted in the tank of a toiler
assembly, and a remote dispenser comprised of housing and a base
and that is preferably mounted onto the ceiling of the bathroom.
The sending unit includes level sensing module that generates a
signal whenever the toilet is, flushed (thereby lowering the water
level in the toilet tank) and the same signal is received by the
remote dispenser. The remote dispenser then reacts by activating
for a set period of time a spray pump and drive motor which causes
the housing of the remote dispenser to simultaneously rotate while
an odor control chemistry is atomized through a spray nozzle
located on the housing of the remote dispenser, thereby
broadcasting an effective measure of odor control chemistry into
the bathroom space.
Inventors: |
Zyskowski; Greg; (Ridgewood,
NY) ; Zyskowski; Marcin; (Flushing, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTOPHER D. HARRINGTON
SUITE 350
5300 CORPORATE GROVE DRIVE SE
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49512
US
|
Family ID: |
38470162 |
Appl. No.: |
11/368104 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/228.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/14 20130101; E03D
9/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/228.1 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20060101
E03D009/00 |
Claims
1. An air freshener system for use in a space, from which an odor
control chemistry is dispensed, the air freshener system
comprising: A sending unit portion for sending a wireless signal
upon the occurrence of an event that is to coincide with the
emission of an odor control chemistry; and, A remote dispenser that
retains an odor control chemistry and that is capable of receiving
said wireless signal and which further comprises a housing and a
base, where the base is mounted within the space, and where the
housing is coupled to and rotatable about the base, and where the
remote dispenser upon receipt of the signal, emits a timed spray of
the odor control chemistry from the housing as the housing is
simultaneously caused to rotate for a set period of time thereby
radially ejecting the spray of the odor control chemistry within
the space.
2. The air freshener system of claim Number 1, where sending unit
and the remote dispenser are each independently battery
operated.
3. A new air freshener system for a bathroom, where the bathroom
includes a toilet with a tank, from which an odor control chemistry
can be dispensed, the new air freshener system is comprised of: A
remote dispenser unit with a housing coupleable to a base, where
the remote dispenser is mounted to a surface in the bathroom by
attachment of the base to the surface; A sending unit mounted onto
a toilet where the sending unit senses the usage of the toilet and
then sends a wireless signal to the remote dispenser thereby
activating a radially broadcast spray of the odor control
chemistry; Where the housing of the remote dispenser further
includes a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, a reservoir
for holding the odor control chemistry, a spray pump and a spray
nozzle for pumping the air freshener chemistry from the reservoir
and then through the spray nozzle, and a drive for rotating the
housing in relation to the base; and, Where the signal actuates the
spray pump and the drive for a set period of time for the emission
of the spray of the odor control chemistry from the housing and for
a set period of time for the rotation of the housing about the
base, the combination being activated substantially simultaneously
and resulting in a radially broadcast spray of the odor control
chemistry.
4. The air freshener system of claim Number 3, where the surface on
which the remote dispenser of the present invention is preferably
mounted is the ceiling of the bathroom.
5. The air freshener system of claim Number 3, where the sending
unit is installed inside the toilet tank.
6. The air freshener system of claim Number 5, where the sending
unit further includes a level sensing portion that is reactive to
the flushing of the toilet and where the sending unit further
includes a transmitter capable of transmitting the wireless signal
from the level sensing portion to the receiver of the remote
dispenser when the toilet is flushed.
7. The air freshener system of claim Number 3, where sending unit
and the remote dispenser are each independently battery
operated.
8. The air freshener system of claim Number 3, where the direction
of the spray nozzle emanating from the housing can be adjusted for
corresponding adjustment of the spray.
9. The air freshener system of claim Number 6, where the
transmitter is further connected to an antenna that is enclosed
within the sending unit.
10. A new air freshener system for a bathroom, where the bathroom
includes a toilet with a tank, from which an odor control chemistry
can be dispensed, the new air freshener system is comprised of: A
battery powered remote dispenser unit with a housing coupleable to
a base, where the remote dispenser is mounted to by attachment of
the base to the ceiling of the bathroom; A battery powered sending
unit mounted inside the toilet tank where the sending unit senses
the usage of the toilet and then sends a wireless signal to the
remote dispenser thereby activating a radially broadcast spray of
the odor control chemistry; Where the housing of the remote
dispenser further includes a receiver for receiving the wireless
signal, a reservoir for holding the odor control chemistry, a spray
pump and a spray nozzle for pumping the air freshener chemistry
from the reservoir and then through the spray nozzle, and a drive
for rotating the housing in relation to the base; and, Where the
signal actuates the spray pump and the drive for a set period of
time for the emission of the spray of the odor control chemistry
from the housing and for a set period of time for the rotation of
the housing about the base, the combination being activated
substantially simultaneously and resulting in a radially broadcast
spray of the odor control chemistry.
11. The air freshener system of claim Number 10, where the sending
unit further includes a level sensing portion that is reactive to
the flushing of the toilet and where the sending unit further
includes a transmitter capable of transmitting the wireless signal
from the level sensing portion to the receiver of the remote
dispenser when the toilet is flushed.
12. The air freshener system of claim Number 10, where the
direction of the spray nozzle emanating from the housing can be
adjusted for corresponding adjustment of the spray.
13. The air freshener system of claim Number 11, where the
transmitter is further connected to an antenna that is enclosed
within the sending unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to an automated remote
bathroom air freshener. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a remotely located bathroom air freshener dispenser that
can be triggered automatically.
[0004] Advancements in the field of indoor plumbing have been
readily apparent over time, especially with the introduction of the
modern flush toilet. There has been a constant state of evolution
since this particular advancement resulting in numerous accessories
and devices that are intended to make the use of the flush toilet
more efficient, more convenient or to make the experience of using
the flush toilet more pleasant for the user. This latter motivation
has led to some products that are directed towards the masking or
elimination of odors.
[0005] Devices known in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No.
5,894,001 (Hitzler, et al) which relates to a fragrance dispenser
that can be actuated by a signal and which dispenses a quantifiable
amount of fragrance at that time. The device does not teach the use
of a remote spray nor does it teach the use of a spray that is
atomized in a radial manner for maximum distribution. In U.S. Pat.
No. 5,178,327 (Palamand, et al) a scent dispenser is disclosed that
include a wheel that can be positioned to allow the scent/fragrance
to emanate there from. While this device is compact and can be used
in small spaces, it does not teach the use of an automatically
sequenced dispensing of fragrance that is synchronized with the use
of a toilet.
[0006] The use of a remote control to program a dispenser is shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,297 (Contadini, et al) where the actuation
of the dispenser relies on a programmable controller. There are no
inputs to the controller that rely upon the actuation of the
toilet; the invention in this case is capable of reacting to a set
schedule for the dispensing of a fragrance.
[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. 293,366 (O'Neill, Jr., et al) shows the
ornamental appearance of a scent dispenser that has a roughly
cylindrical shape. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,230 (Taylor, et al) teaches
the use of a scent dispenser that is integrally installed into a
ceiling fan. While there is a radial component to the distribution
of the scent it is a constant distribution and not keyed to any
particular operation. In addition, the device could not reasonably
be used in the bathroom owing to the limited space constraints in
the average bathroom.
[0008] Lastly, a prior art device of some interest is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,298,500 (Sollami) where the toilet seat forms part of a
forced air ventilation system. In FIG. 1, an exhaust fan 14 is
disclosed that is connected by ducting to the toilet seat and
allows for the remote exhausting of odors and the like. This device
does not teach the use of an odor dispenser or the means to
remotely trip the scent dispenser.
[0009] The problem has persisted where the need for odor control is
substantially contemporaneous with the use of the toilet Many prior
art devices do not show this relationship between the need and the
activation of a scent dispenser. In addition, some prior art
devices rely on being in close proximity with the scent dispenser,
in part to allow the device to be synchronized with toilet fiction.
A simple natural fact though defeats this approach since most odors
arise from volatiles (gases) that quickly become distributed above
and about the area of the toilet thus scent dispensing immediately
in the area of the toilet is not effective in knocking down or
masking the odors that proliferate throughout the bathroom (and
other similar types of spaces). Ideally the dispensing of the odor
control is done in a way to maximize the broadcast of the
chemistry. In some cases the odor control chemistry merely masks
the odor with a stronger scent, in other cases it may contain
chemistry designed to combat bacteria, and lastly, combinations of
chemistry may be used. In any event, the need is to distribute the
chemistry as much as possible in as short as time as possible in
order to defeat the odors.
[0010] The need to distribute the odor control chemistry over a
fairly large broadcast area is at odds with the strategies that
would place the odor control near the toilet itself. Whether such
systems are programmable or whether they work from some reaction to
the use of the toilet, the placement near the toilet is done for
the convenience of the person(s) who service the odor control
device and also to reduce the need for hard wiring or the like if
the dispenser is to be located at distances away from the toilet.
Thus the use of a strategy for remote dispensing that is reactive
to toilet use is something that has been avoided in the prior art
because it represented a logic fault when trying to render the
scent dispenser functional.
[0011] The present invention, as will be seen below, accomplishes
the objectives of remote dispensing that is reactive to the use of
the toilet. This novel approach results in a more efficient
distribution of the odor control chemistry and an enhancement in
the environment in the bathroom
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A new air freshener for a bathroom is disclosed and is
comprised of a remote dispenser unit and a sending unit, where the
sending unit senses the usage of the toilet and then wirelessly
sends a signal to the remote dispenser thereby activating a
broadcast spray of air freshener. The remote dispenser further
includes a receiver for receiving the signal, a reservoir for
holding the air freshener chemistry, a spray pump and a spray
nozzle for pumping the air freshener chemistry from the reservoir
and then through the spray nozzle. Contemporaneous to the spraying
of the air freshener chemistry, the remote dispenser also includes
a drive for rotating that portion of the remote dispenser that
includes the spray nozzle in order to provide radial distribution
of the air freshener chemistry.
[0013] The remote dispenser of the present invention is preferably
mounted to the ceiling of the area to be treated with air
freshener, in such a manner as to maximize the broadcast of the
chemistry.
[0014] The sending unit of the present invention is installed in
the tank of the subject toilet and includes a level sensing portion
that is reactive to the flushing of the toilet. The sending unit
includes a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal to the
receiver of the remote dispenser and the signal is transmitted in
response to the reaction of the level sensing portion whenever the
toilet is flushed Preferably the sending unit is integrated with
level sensing portion and transmitter portion into a compact
package that can be covertly installed within the tank of the
toilet.
[0015] Preferably the air freshener system of the present invention
is powered by batteries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toilet with a tank and bowl
all shown in phantom, disclosing the sending unit of the present
invention as installed in the toilet tank and also disclosing the
remote dispenser of the present invention in an installed position
within a bathroom space.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sending unit of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the sending unit of FIG.
2, taken along Section Lines 3-3.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the remote dispenser of
FIG. 1 disclosing the housing and the base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A novel air-freshener system for use in maximizing odor
control in spaces such as a bathroom, the air freshener system
shown generally in FIG. 1 in association with the toilet assembly
10, the toilet bowl 12, the toilet tank 14, and the toilet tank top
16. The toilet tank 14 also includes the flush handle 18. Water
supply to the toilet assembly 10 is accomplished by the supply line
20 which includes the shut-off valve 22. All in all, the toilet
assembly 10 represents a conventional flush toilet and the
references herein to the toilet assembly 10 are meant to generally
apply to toilets of all kinds where the teachings of the present
invention would apply.
[0021] The components of the air freshener system of the present
invention are disclosed as the remote dispenser portion 30 and the
sending unit portion 40. The remote dispenser 30 includes the spray
head 32, the housing 34, the base 36 and spray 38 is shown as
emanating from the spray head 32. The sending unit 40 includes the
activation module 42, and the antenna portion 44. Although not
labeled, the signal from the antenna portion 44 to the remote
dispenser 30 is shown as a jagged line between the two.
[0022] Turning now to FIG. 2 more detail is revealed about the
sending unit 40 including the power module 50 and the float 52,
which together comprise the activation module 42. Further, the
module shaft 54 is shown with shaft end 56 and shaft top 58.
Lastly, the battery access 59 is shown. More detail relating to the
sending unit 40 is shown in the cross sectional view in FIG. 3,
which includes the antenna wire 60, the battery 62, the
CPU/transmitter 64, the level sensor 66 and the proximity detector
68. In addition, the proximity lead 70 is shown running between the
proximity detector 68 and the CPU/transmitter 64, the antenna lead
72 is shown as running between the antenna wire 60 and the
CPU/transmitter 64, and the battery lead 74 is shown as running
between the battery 62 and the CPU/transmitter 64.
[0023] In FIG. 4, the remote dispenser 30 is disclosed and includes
the odor control chemistry reservoir 80, the spray pump and drive
motor 8Z, the pump intake 84, the spray line 86 and the spray
nozzle 88. The remote dispenser 30 also includes the receiver 90,
the battery 92, the receiver power lead 94, the receiver output
lead 96, the pump power lead 98. The housing fitting 100 is shown
as interconnected with the base fitting 102. In the cross sectional
view it is understood that the housing fitting 100 and the base
fitting 102 are disk-like components and are slideably engaged to
allow for rotation. The drive 104 is connected to the spray pump
drive motor 82 by means of the drive shaft 106. Located on the base
36 is the drive flange 108 which contacts and is engaged by the
drive 104. The mounting flange 110 extends out from the drive
flange 108 and allows the base portion 34 to be mounted to a
surface such as the ceiling in a bathroom. This can be achieved by
using mounting screws (not shown) which can be inserted into
through-holes that are formed or drilled into the mounting flange
110. Lastly, the spray head 32 includes the nozzle skirt 112 and
the nozzle sheath 114.
[0024] As may be appreciated from FIG. 1, the present invention
allows the remote dispenser 30 and the sending unit 40 to be placed
at a distance from each other. This is advantageous for the reason
the odor control chemistries (whether these are fragrances, or
antimicrobials, or combinations of each) can be dispersed from the
remote dispenser 30 from a height above the toilet assembly 10
allowing for a more generalized broadcast of the chemistry. In
addition, the remoter dispenser 30 includes a housing portion 34
that rotates independently from the base portion 36 by means of the
drive 104 which engages the drive flange 108. The drive 104
receives its power from the spray pump and driver motor 82 which
does double service in order to conserve space. The base 36 and the
housing 34 are coupled together by the housing fitting 100 and the
base fitting 102, and this coupling can be improved through the use
of bearings and/or lubrication in order to reduce the frictional
load on the drive 104.
[0025] The spray pump and drive motor 82 is actuated by the receipt
of a signal by the receiver 90 which then opens a timed switch
energizing the spray pump and motor drive 82. The preferred method
of use is to have the actuation persist for a time equal to at
least one complete rotation of the housing 34 about the base 36.
While so doing, the spray pump portion of the spray pump and drive
motor 82 is drawing up odor control chemistry from the reservoir 80
and ejecting it out through the spray nozzle 88 where it is
atomized Thus a spray is emitted in a radial pattern about the
housing 34. Inasmuch as the remote dispenser 30 is mounted on the
ceiling, the distribution of the spray will fall from the radial
pattern downwardly. If there are no obstructions, the odor control
chemistry will be broadcast over a very large area as compared to
prior art devices that eject spray from a stationery point
location. The pattern of the broadcast can be adjusted somewhat by
positioning the spray nozzle 88 on the spray head 32. The spray
nozzle 88 is molded as one piece with the nozzle skirt 112 which
fits into a corresponding sleeve within the spray head 32 that is
identified as the nozzle skirt sheath 114. The nozzle skirt 112
does not completely take up the clearance within the sheath 114
thus allowing the nozzle 88 some adjustability. The redirection of
the nozzle 88 by the user can therefore optimize the broadcast of
the odor control chemistry.
[0026] Turning now to the sending unit 40, the float module 52 is
free to slide up and down the module shaft 54 until it meets the
shaft end 56 which is represented in the drawings as a capped end,
on the down stroke, and until it contacts the power module 50 on
the upstroke. The float module 52 will react to the water level in
the toilet tank 14 thus when the toilet 10 is flushed, the water
level will decrease and the float module 52 will move from its
normally close proximity to the power module 50 to a lower level as
indicated in FIG. 3. This action has the effect of moving the level
sensor 66 in and out of range of the proximity detector 68. In
actuality, these two components may be merely a magnet and a
proximity switch respectively, but the function that is achieved in
any event is the generation of a signal by the proximity detector
68 that then causes the CPU/transmitter 64 to emit a wireless
signal for transmission to the remote dispenser 30. The signal that
is generated is typically a low energy radio signal that will be
compatible for receipt by a unit that is calibrated to the same
frequency and which is relatively close by. Other types of signals
could be generated, such as an infared signal, but in some cases
this would require a line-of-sight connection between the sending
unit 40 and the remote dispenser 30. The signal is imparted to the
antenna 60 which is housed within the antenna portion 44 which is
generally an extension of the module shaft 54. The module shaft 54
turns into the shaft end 58-and-then, the antenna portion 60 is
bent to roughly correspond to the rear wall of the toilet tank 14
from which it can be hung. This results in a single unit that is
autonomous and out of sight when installed. Except for the
occasional battery change, the sending unit 40 will be out of
mind,
[0027] As is apparent from the foregoing, the present invention
reacts to the flushing of the toilet by emitting a signal from the
sending unit 40 which is received by the remote dispenser 30 which
then reacts by spraying an odor control chemistry in a radial
pattern. The synchronization of the two components achieves an end
result that is far superior to the results of devices known in the
prior art
[0028] The preferred embodiment utilizes an odor control chemistry
that can be replenished when needed by the user Access to the
interior of the housing 34 can be gained by any number of methods
including sliding panels or access doors, or provisions can be made
to allow for the disengagement of the housing 34 from the base 36
altogether. These aspects of the present invention are well known
in the art and do not specifically form a part of the present
invention. The odor control chemistry can be substituted for any
type of chemistry that is desired to be distributed in this
fashion. For instance, in some locations such as in a hospital
surgery room, it may be advisable to have a device that lays down a
spray of antibiotic chemistry. The spray can be coordinated with
the generation of a signal whenever a door is opened, for instance,
which would require only very little modification of the preferred
embodiment.
[0029] Typically the housing 34 and base 36 of the air freshener
system of the present invention can be fabricated from plastic
resin that is formed through an injection molded process. The bulk
of the structure of the sending unit 40 can similarly be fabricated
from plastic components. The balance of those components is
typically purchased as individual parts and brought together to
form the assembly.
[0030] It is noted that the mounting of the remote dispenser 30 on
the ceiling in a bathroom may not always be possible or advisable.
In that event, the remote dispenser 30 can be mounted onto a wall
and the spray nozzle 88 be adjusted accordingly for maximum
broadcast of the spray.
[0031] These and other attributes and benefits of the present
invention can be practiced by one skilled in the art with such
modifications and variations as may be logically advanced, and no
limitation on the scope of the present invention is intended by the
teachings herein.
* * * * *