Precision fragrance dispenser apparatus

• US 5,898,475 A
• Filed: 03/06/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fragrance Technology, Inc., Scentair Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: David A. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US08/812,798
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 352/85, 352/40
• US Class Current: 352/85
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2005/008 Smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/54 Mixing liquid fragrances with air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/061 Adding a small quantity or concentration of an additional phase in a main phase, e.g. acting as a carrier phase
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/12 with vaporisation of a liquid disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air A61L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/215 by forcing the gas through absorbent pads containing the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/714 for feeding predetermined amounts B01F35/88 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71805 using valves, gates, orifices or openings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/32 Details specially adapted for motion-picture projection with film moving continuously through the gate G03B41/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03

Abstract

A method of dispensing fragrances includes selecting a fragrance dispenser apparatus having have a plurality of fragrance dispensers each having a fragrance release portion positioned for dispensing a fragrance to a predetermined area and having a source of pressurized gas connected to each fragrance dispenser and a gas pressure control mechanism connected between the source of pressurized gas in each of the plurality of fragrance dispensers and connected for receiving dispensing signals to selectively control the release of a pressurized gas, such are air, to individual fragrance dispensers for selectively dispersing different fragrances. Each selected fragrance dispenser is positioned adjacent the end of a pressurized gas tube and has a housing having an absorbent material therein supporting a fragrance absorbed in the material. The method includes the step of activating the selected fragrance dispenser apparatus gas pressure control mechanism to apply a predetermined volume of gas for a predetermined time period to at least one gas pressure tube through the remote fragrance dispenser absorbent material into the air around the fragrance dispenser to thereby disperse a fragrance laced gas at a predetermined location. The gas pressure control can be computer activated to control the remote dispensing of a gas laced with fragrance through pulses of pressurized gas. The selected housing can also have one or more membranes over the ends thereof which membranes allow the escape of a fragrance laden gas only at a predetermined gas pressure and otherwise blocking the egress of the fragrance therethrough.

Claims

1. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser comprising:

a fragrance dispenser housing, said housing having a plurality of passageways therethrough and having an input at one end thereof and an output at the other end thereof and one said passageway having fragrance holding means therein for holding a selected fragrance therein;

a source of pressurized gas connected to said housing for forcing a pressurized gas through each of said plurality of passageways;

a fragrance in said fragrance holding means of one said passageway having a fragrance holding means therein whereby pressurized gas passing therethrough will evaporate fragrance therein;

a variable gas control mechanism mounted at said input of said passageways for proportioning the amount of flow of pressurized gas flowing into and through each of said plurality of passageways to thereby provide a mix of gas and fragrance laden gas in said output to thereby control the concentration of fragrance in said housing output gas in said output plenum by said gas pressure control mechanism.

2. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 1 in which said gas control mechanism has a proportioning plate positioned at one end of said housing passageways to proportion the volume of gas passing into each passageway to thereby vary the ratio of gas passing through the passageways and the fragrance to air mixture in the output.

3. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 2 in which said gas control mechanism proportioning plate is a rotatable plate having a plurality of openings therein positioned to cover varying portions of said passageways to vary the amount of gas passing into each passageway to thereby vary the ratio of gas passing through the passageways.

4. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 3 in which said gas control mechanism rotatable proportioning plate has a motor coupled thereto for remotely varying said proportioning plate to cover portions of said passageways to vary the ratio of gas passing through the passageways.

5. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 4 in which said gas control mechanism motor is an electric stepper motor for repositioning said proportioning plate in steppes.

6. A fragrance dispenser for use with synchronized visual images in accordance with claim 1 in which each said fragrance holding means in one said passageway is an absorbent material supporting a fragrance absorbed therein.

7. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 6 in which said fragrance holding means is paper for absorbing a fragrance.

8. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 7 in which said source of pressurized gas includes an air blower for compressing air.

9. A precision large volume fragrance dispenser in accordance with claim 7 in which said source of pressurized gas is a compressed gas container filled with compressed air.

10. A fragrance dispensing method comprising the steps of:

selecting a fragrance dispenser apparatus having a source of pressurized gas connected to a gas pressure control mechanism and having a plurality of gas pressure tubes connected to said gas pressure control mechanism for separately applying pressured gas to each of said plurality of gas pressure tubes responsive to said gas pressure control mechanism, and having a plurality of fragrance dispensers each coupled to one of said plurality of gas pressure tubes adjacent the end of said tube and each having a housing having an absorbent material therein for supporting a fragrance absorbed therein;

activating said fragrance dispenser apparatus gas pressure control mechanism to apply a predetermined volume of gas for a predetermined time period at least one gas pressure tube through the remote fragrance dispenser absorbent material into the air around said fragrance dispenser to thereby disperse a fragrance laced gas at a predetermined location.

11. A fragrance dispensing method in accordance with claim 10 in which the step of selecting a fragrance dispenser having a source of pressurized gas includes selecting an air compressor for compressing air.

12. A fragrance dispensing method in accordance with claim 11 in which the step of selecting a fragrance dispenser housing having a membrane covering one end thereof selected to allow the egress of a fragrance laden gas only at a predetermined positive pressure.

13. A fragrance dispensing method in accordance with claim 12 in which the step of selecting a fragrance dispenser housing having a second membrane covering the other end of the housing to allow the ingress of a gas from said pressured gas line only at a predetermined positive pressure.

14. A fragrance dispensing method in accordance with claim 13 in which the step of selecting a fragrance dispenser having an absorbent material of cotton.

15. A fragrance dispenser comprising:

a source of pressurized gas;

a gas pressure control mechanism connected to said source of pressurized gas;

a plurality of gas pressure tubes connected to said gas pressure control mechanism for separately applying pressured gas to each of said plurality of gas pressure tubes responsive to said gas pressure control mechanism; and

a plurality of fragrance dispensers each coupled to one of said plurality of gas pressure tubes adjacent the end of said tube and each having a housing having an absorbent material therein for supporting a fragrance absorbed therein, whereby a remote gas signal disperses a predetermined fragrance by the volume of pressurized gas passing through the absorbent material to evaporate fragrance therein.