Automated cleansing sprayer

• US 20050127204A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Varanasi, Padma Pradbodh, Fahy, Cathal L., Shiesley, Craig F., Linstedt, Brian K., Zach, Steven A., Stonis, Luke C., Kovara, Terry M., Neumann, Peter M., Fryan, Michael C., Aberegg, Dale, Gausmann, Keith H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/222.110
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/281 Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/08 of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities ; Fluidic oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/14 with multiple outlet openings B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/02 with rotating elements electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/06 by jet reaction , i.e. creating a spinning torque due to a tangential component of the jet
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/10 discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member , i.e. the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces B05B3/082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/1014 with a spraying edge, e.g. like a cup or a bell
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/1021 with individual passages at its periphery
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/1035 Driving means; Parts thereof, e.g. turbine, shaft, bearings

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. The invention focuses on methods of using such equipment, as well as a container for supplying such equipment.

Claims

1. A method of automatically spraying a shower enclosure with a liquid cleanser, comprising:

activating a timer on a sprayer to initiate a first countdown;

at the expiration of the first countdown, automatically spraying cleanser at side walls of the enclosure; and

automatically terminating the spray cycle at the expiration of a second countdown following the first countdown.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer comprises:

a metering system for controlling flow of the cleanser;

a spray head for spraying cleanser during a spray cycle; and

a control for initiating the spray cycle and automatically terminating it.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer further comprises a container containing the cleanser.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sprayer has a tray sized to receive the container in an inverted fashion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tray includes an integral tube extending downwardly and through which cleanser can be metered by the metering system to the spray head.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer further comprises a timer coupled to the metering system for delaying activation thereof after the spray cycle is initiated.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the timer is an electronic timing circuit.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer comprises a user notification system including a light or sound alarm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer has a motorized spray head.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sprayer is configured so as to be mountable wholly within the enclosure, and when so mounted can spray the cleanser even when the sprayer does not receive water from a water supply of a building in which the enclosure is located.

11. A container for use with an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of an enclosure with a cleanser, the container comprising:

a bottom wall;

a side wall extending from the bottom wall and surrounding an internal cavity that contains a cleanser;

a mouth adjacent an end of the container opposite the bottom wall; and

a dish integrally formed in an outer surface of the bottom wall, the dish having a support platform suitable for supporting soap thereon when the container is inverted, and a sloped drain channel.