Electromechanical apparatus for dispensing volatile substances with single dispensing mechanism and cartridge for holding multiple receptacles
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance, comprising:
- an electromechanical dispenser for dispensing a volatile substance;
a cartridge for holding a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir for containing a volatile substance to be dispensed, said cartridge being rotatable so as to be able to position any one of said reservoirs in an engagement position in which said one reservoir can be engaged with said dispenser in such a manner that the volatile substance in said one reservoir can be dispensed; and
a pivot arm for alternately disengaging a reservoir from said dispenser and engaging a successive reservoir with said dispenser during rotation of said cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance includes an electromechanical dispenser attached to a pivot arm, and a cartridge for holding a plurality of reservoirs each containing a volatile substance. The cartridge is rotatable such that any one of the reservoirs can be positioned in an engagement position, in which the volatile substance can be dispensed. The cartridge has a cam feature consisting of a contoured circumferential surface that alternately rises and falls. The pivot arm operates in tandem with the cam feature such that, when the cartridge is rotated, the dispenser alternately engages and disengages from successive reservoirs, and remains out of the path of motion traversed by the reservoirs as the cartridge rotates from one engagement position to a subsequent engagement position. The electromechanical dispenser may be a piezoelectrically actuated vibratory type liquid atomization apparatus, and the volatile substance may be a fragrance.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance, comprising:
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an electromechanical dispenser for dispensing a volatile substance;
a cartridge for holding a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir for containing a volatile substance to be dispensed, said cartridge being rotatable so as to be able to position any one of said reservoirs in an engagement position in which said one reservoir can be engaged with said dispenser in such a manner that the volatile substance in said one reservoir can be dispensed; and
a pivot arm for alternately disengaging a reservoir from said dispenser and engaging a successive reservoir with said dispenser during rotation of said cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for atomizing liquids, comprising:
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an atomizer assembly comprising an atomization plate and a piezoelectric actuator coupled with said atomization plate to vibrate said atomization plate, thereby atomizing liquid supplied to said atomization plate;
a cartridge for holding a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir for containing a liquid to be atomized, said cartridge being rotatable so as to be able to position any one of said reservoirs in an engagement position in which said one reservoir can be engaged with said atomizer assembly in such a manner that the liquid in said one reservoir can be supplied to said atomization plate; and
a pivot arm for alternately disengaging a reservoir from said atomizer assembly and engaging a successive reservoir with said atomizer assembly during rotation of said cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification