MULTIPURPOSE CARTRIDGE-BASED LIQUID DISPENSING AIR FRESHENER SYSTEM

• US 20100243754A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Harris
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Robert M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,170,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/34
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2033 using a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/205 using vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic or piezoelectric atomizers
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2072 combined with a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/132 Piezo or ultrasonic elements for dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/032 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0064 adding more than one substance
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0014 characterised by the location of the substance adding device

Abstract

A high-performance, modular, multipurpose, cartridge-based, liquid dispensing air freshener system that uses at least one refillable or disposable liquid filled cartridge. It can also use fixed tanks and dispense pesticides or any other liquid that can be vaporized. This programmable device can use an unlimited number of cartridges to discharge numerous different fragrances of which can be dispensed separately or mixed. A variety of chassis size and shape configurations can be used, such as a micro-sized unit that allows extreme portability so that it can be used in cars, at office desks or easily carried around in a pocket or purse; it can also function as a compact plug-in air freshener. Cartridges can be automatically selected so that the system can dispense a different scent for different time intervals or mix scents. It can be built into an automotive dash panel or designed to fit into a car style stereo slot.

Claims

1. ) A multipurpose, cartridge-based liquid dispensing vaporization system that can automatically dispense at least one type of liquid into various specially designed chassis'"'"', comprising:

a) a chassis that is sized and shaped for a plurality of mounting configurations and uses;

b) a power supply;

c) at least one liquid pump;

d) at least one removable cartridge or tank that can contain liquid;

e) a means for conveying liquid from said cartridge to said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump;

f) a means to control the activation of said liquid dispensing system;

g) at least one reservoir to contain any dispensed liquid from said pump;

h) a means to vaporize said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air;

i) whereby a liquid channel is established between said cartridge and said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump;

j) whereby said liquid pump can activate as necessary to dispense liquid from said cartridge to said reservoir where a means can allow the vaporization of said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air;

2. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby a means for conveying liquid from said cartridge to said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump is a valve mechanism, comprising:

a) a cartridge drain deposed on said cartridge to allow liquid to flow from said cartridge, comprising;

i) a liquid drain valve that can open to release liquid from said cartridge drain;

ii) a tensioned mechanism on said drain valve to keep said drain valve normally closed while said cartridge is removed from said liquid pump;

iii) whereby said drain valve can be opened to allow liquid flow, and closed to prevent liquid flow from said cartridge drain;

b) a liquid inlet orifice deposed in said liquid pump to provide the flow of liquid from said cartridge into said liquid pump, comprising;

i) a valve actuator deposed on said inlet orifice of said liquid pump that is positioned to engage said drain valve in said cartridge when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump to automatically open said drain valve;

c) whereby said drain valve in said cartridge can be automatically opened or closed upon joining or separating said cartridge from said liquid pump;

d) whereby liquid contained in said cartridge can be conveyed into said liquid pump once said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump;

3. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby a means for conveying liquid from said cartridge to said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump consists of a hollow pin that protrudes from said liquid pump that can penetrate the shell of said cartridge as said cartridge is inserted into said dispenser and whereby the cartridge shell'"'"'s material can be made to be self-healing for leak control once said pin is extracted from said cartridge once said cartridge is removed from said dispenser;

4. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said means to control the activation of said liquid dispensing system is an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a) electronic circuits that have inputs and outputs and programmed circuit logic to control said dispensing system;

b) means for controlling at least one said liquid pump to dispense a specified output volume of liquid for any duration or interval;

c) optional means for controlling more than one said liquid pump, whereby each said liquid pump can be independently controlled to dispense a specified output volume of liquid for any duration or interval;

d) an optional display for programming and status indication;

e) optional lamps and buzzers for system device status;

f) optional switches for selecting preprogrammed functions and for programming;

g) whereby said electronic apparatus can control the activation of said liquid dispensing system with one or any number of installed liquid pumps and provide optional user interface enhancements;

5. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis can be modularly stacked together to form a single functioning unit, or can be formed from an assembly of modular subcomponents, comprising:

a) a control module, comprising;

i) a power supply;

ii) a means to control the activation of said liquid dispensing system;

b) at least one liquid dispensing module, comprising;

i) at least one removable cartridge or tank that can contain liquid;

ii) at least one liquid pump;

iii) a means for conveying liquid from said cartridge to said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump;

iv) at least one reservoir to contain any dispensed liquid from said pump;

v) a means to vaporize said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air;

vi) whereby a liquid channel is established between said cartridge and said liquid pump when said cartridge is joined with said liquid pump;

vii) whereby said liquid pump can dispense liquid from said cartridge to said reservoir where a means can allow the vaporization of said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air;

c) a module attachment method, comprising;

i) fasteners that can allow an unlimited number of said liquid dispensing modules to be securely assembled together onto said control module;

ii) a method to interconnect electrical conductors between said liquid dispensing modules that allow each module to have power and communication with said control module;

iii) whereby any of number of said liquid dispensing modules can be securely assembled together and also have power and communication with said control module;

d) whereby any of number of said liquid dispensing modules can be securely assembled together onto said control module which provides power and communication;

e) whereby said liquid pump can activate as necessary to dispense liquid from said cartridge to said reservoir where a means can allow the vaporization of said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air;

6. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis is constructed to function as a dual-purpose device such that a user can access the chassis'"'"' liquid reservoir compartment or an evaporation chamber in order to place non-cartridge dispensed scent producing materials, such as fresh flowers, potpourri or perfume, whereby said dual-purpose device is used to disperse said scent producing materials into the ambient air;

7. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis can be made very compact for portability so that it can be carried in a pocket or purse and used anywhere such as in motor vehicles and at the office;

8. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis is made very compact with a built-in electric plug so that it can function as an electric wall receptacle “

plug-in”

device that can also include an illumination panel for a night light feature;

9. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis is designed to attach onto the rim of a toilet water tank and can be shaped to fit and blend in with said water tank;

10. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis is dimensioned according to popular car stereo sizes to allow said liquid dispensing system to be mounted wherever standard stereos or stereo receptacles can be used;

11. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby a plurality of cartridges and liquid pumps can be used to dispense a plurality of liquid types;

12. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said system has the means to dispense liquid from any of its liquid sources in a sequence or concurrently in any interval to achieve any one or combination of vapor mixture compositions;

13. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said chassis can contain a single liquid reservoir located inside an evaporation chamber, or can contain a plurality of reservoirs and evaporation chambers;

14. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said cartridge can be refillable and reusable, or can be non-refillable and disposable;

15. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said liquid dispensing system uses a single or plurality of fixed-mounted tanks to store dispensing liquid instead of removable cartridges;

16. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said cartridge contains a plurality of chambers for the purpose of storing different kinds of liquids and contains the means to dispense said liquids without mixing them;

17. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said cartridge can use an internal bladder to store liquid therein, where said cartridge would form a protective shell for said bladder and provide a modular structure for its use in said liquid dispensing system;

18. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said cartridge contains an embedded electronic component or mechanical means for storing relevant data specification about the liquid that is confined within said cartridge and has a means to convey this data to said controller that is external to the cartridge, and whereby said controller can retrieve relevant data from said cartridge and use said data to enhance the performance of said liquid dispensing vaporization system;

19. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby a means to vaporize said liquid from said reservoir into the ambient air uses normal liquid evaporation and convection, and/or uses other techniques to enhance liquid vaporization such as fans, heated elements and piezo-electric transducers or any combination thereof;

20. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said system can use internal and/or external sensors, switches and devices to provide data to enhance the system'"'"'s operational performance, such as temperature and humidity sensors to measure ambient conditions, occupancy sensors and air conditioner machine status;

21. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby any of its components in part or in total is manufactured in combination with a new product such as the dash panel of an automobile, an air conditioning system or toilet;

22. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said liquid used in said multipurpose liquid dispensing vaporization system includes perfumes, air fresheners, household cleaning materials, sanitizers, disinfectants, repellents, insecticides, aroma therapy formulations, medicinal, therapeutic liquids, or other liquids which benefit from vaporization for use;

23. ) The invention of claim 1 whereby said dispensing system uses a remote control, such as a wired or wireless device, in order to remotely control the various features of said dispensing system.