Method and apparatus for dispensing fragrances

• US 7,543,761 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Mehus, Richard Jondall, Hodge, Charles Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Len
• Assistant Examiner(s): REIS, RYAN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/184,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20070018010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 239/6, 239/69, 239/303, 239/304, 239/305, 239/328, 239/10, 222/1, 222/504, 422/124, 454/337
• US Class Current: 239/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

A method and apparatus dispenses first and second fragrances by utilizing a fog nozzle in a ductwork of a facility. The first fragrance is dispensed, at intervals, through the fog nozzle into the ductwork and the second fragrance is dispensed after the first fragrance is dispensed, wherein fragrance desensitivity is reduced.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing first and second fragrances, comprising:

(a) positioning a fog nozzle in a ductwork of a facility;

(b) connecting a conduit to a source of pressurized water;

(c) turning on a water valve, to supply water pressure, from the source, in order to draw the first fragrance through the conduit, where the first fragrance mixes with water to form a first fragrance solution;

(d) dispensing, at intervals, the first fragrance solution through the fog nozzle into the ductwork;

(e) after dispensing the first fragrance solution, drawing the second fragrance through the conduit, where the second fragrance mixes with water to form a second fragrance solution; and

(f) dispensing, at intervals, the second fragrance solution into the ductwork.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a fog from the fog nozzle contains particles and at least ½

of the particles have a size of 5 microns or less.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least ¾

of the particles have a size of 5 microns or less.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

setting a switch to select the first fragrance prior to drawing the first fragrance into the conduit; and

re-setting the switch to select the second fragrance, after dispensing the first fragrance solution and prior to drawing the second fragrance into the conduit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the first and second fragrances are contained in respective first and second sealed and flexible pouches, the pouches being in fluid communication with the switch;

the switch comprises a vacuum selection switch; and

re-setting the switch to select the second fragrance comprises drawing the selected first fragrance, through the conduit, until the first pouch is emptied to create a vacuum.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the first fragrance solution in a container, prior to dispensing the first fragrance solution;

wherein the container includes a float adapted to turn off and on the water valve.

4. A method of dispensing a first fragrance from a first sealed flexible pouch and a second fragrance from a second sealed flexible pouch, the pouches in fluid communication with a vacuum selection switch, the vacuum selection switch in fluid communication with a fog nozzle, the method comprising:

(a) positioning a fog nozzle in a ductwork of a facility;

(b) selling the vacuum selection switch to allow flow of the first fragrance from the first pouch;

(c) dispensing, at predetermined intervals, the first fragrance through the fog nozzle into the ductwork; and

(d) dispensing, at the predetermined intervals, the second fragrance, from the second pouch, through the fog nozzle into the ductwork, after dispensing the first fragrance, and after the flow of the first fragrance from the first pouch empties the first pouch to create a vacuum that switches the vacuum selection switch, to allow flow of the second fragrance from the second pouch, wherein fragrance desensitivity is reduced.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a fog from the fog nozzle contains particles and at least ½

of the particles have a size of 5 microns or less.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein at least ¾

of the particles have a size of 5 microns or less.

7. An apparatus for dispensing fragrance, comprising:

(a) a first fragrance sealed in a first flexible pouch;

(b) a second fragrance sealed in a second flexible pouch;

(c) a vacuum selection switch in fluid communication with the first fragrance and the second fragrance;

(d) an aspirator having a product inlet in fluid communication with the vacuum selection switch, a water inlet adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized water, and a solution outlet in fluid communication with a fragrance solution container;

(e) a fog nozzle in fluid communication with the fragrance solution container, the fog nozzle adapted and configured to be positioned proximate ductwork of a facility;

(f) a source of pressurized air operatively connected to the fog nozzle; and

(g) a controller for controlling when the source of pressurized air is delivered to the fog nozzle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

(a) a valve positioned for controlling flow of water from the source of pressurized water; and

(b) a float positioned in the fragrance solution container, the float operatively connected to the valve and movement of the float turns the valve on and off.