Multipurpose cartridge-based liquid dispensing air freshener system

• US 8,170,405 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Harris
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, THOR S
• Application Number:
  US12/412,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 392386-464
• US Class Current: 392/392
• 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 liquid dispensing air freshener system, comprising:

a) at least one liquid pump,

b) at least one liquid inlet orifice, said orifice is in fluid connection with said pump,

c) at least one cartridge removably coupled to said inlet orifice, comprising;

(1) a drain valve, said valve can open to release liquid from said cartridge,

(2) closure means with said valve for closing said valve,

d) at least one valve actuator, whereby said actuator can open said valve when said cartridge is coupled to said orifice, and whereby liquid can be released from said cartridge to said pump,

e) at least one evaporation chamber, said chamber is in fluid connection to said pump, whereby said chamber can receive dispensed liquid from said pump,

f) vaporizing means within said chamber for vaporizing liquid into the ambient air,

g) an electronic control module, said control module controls the activation of said pump,

h) whereby said control module activates said liquid pump to dispense liquid from said cartridge to said evaporation chamber, and whereby said means for vaporizing liquid will vaporize liquid from said chamber into the ambient air.

2. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis to house said air freshener system comprising a plug which can be inserted into an electric power receptacle of a wall outlet, whereby said air freshener system can function as a wall receptacle plug-in device.

3. The air freshener system of claim 2, further including a light attached to said chassis, whereby said air freshener system can also function as a night light.

4. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis to house said air freshener system comprising a power plug adapter for motor vehicles, whereby said adapter can supply vehicle power so that said air freshener system can be used as vehicle air freshener system.

5. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis with predetermined dimensions to house said air freshener system comprising at least one internal power source, whereby said air freshener system can be self-powered in order to function as a tabletop unit and as a compact, portable, hand-held air freshener for the pocket, purse, and motor vehicle.

6. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis with predetermined dimensions to house said air freshener system in part or in total that is removably coupled to an interior panel of a newly manufactured or used motor vehicle, whereby said air freshener system can be installed into a dash panel stereo player compartment or other predetermined location so that said air freshener system can function as a vehicle air freshener system, and whereby any of said air freshener system components in part or in total is manufactured in combination with a motor vehicle.

7. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis having a bottom side, and defining an interior space, comprising:

a) a mounting guide on said cabinet bottom side, whereby said cabinet can mount onto a toilet water tank,

b) at least one compartment in said chassis interior space for the mounting of components,

c) whereby said air freshener system can function as a toilet tank mounted air freshener.

8. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a chassis with at least one user accessible evaporation chamber, whereby scent producing materials can be placed, such as fresh flowers, potpourri and perfume, and whereby said chassis allows said air freshener system to function as a dual-purpose device used to disperse said scent producing materials into the ambient air as well as liquid dispensed from said cartridge.

9. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a cabinet subassembly, comprising:

a) a first chassis to house said control module,

b) at least one second chassis to house said pump and said cartridge,

c) a combining method to modularly combine said first chassis with said second chassis,

d) whereby said first chassis and at least one or a plurality of said second chassis can be modularly stacked together to form said cabinet for said air freshener system.

10. The air freshener system of claim 1 wherein said control module has means for controlling a plurality of liquid pumps in sequence or concurrently to dispense liquid from said cartridges to said evaporation chamber, whereby any one or combination of vapor mixture compositions can be achieved with automation and precision.

11. The air freshener system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge contains means for storing relevant specification data about the liquid that is contained within said cartridge and has means for conveying this data to said control module, whereby said control module can retrieve said data from said cartridge and use said data to enhance the operational performance of said air freshener system.

12. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including sensors for collecting data, said sensors communicate with said control module, whereby relevant data, such as from temperature and humidity sensors that can measure ambient conditions, as well as occupancy and air conditioner status sensors to enhance the operational performance of said air freshener system.

13. The air freshener system of claim 1, further including a remote control device, said device communicates with said control module, whereby said air freshener system can be remotely controlled by said device in order to operate the various features of said air freshener system.

14. The air freshener system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge contains a plurality of compartments for the purpose of storing different kinds of liquids, said cartridge has the means for dispensing said liquids without mixing them, whereby just one of said cartridge can dispense a plurality of liquids.

15. The air freshener system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge contains an internal bladder to store liquid therein, whereby said cartridge would form a protective shell for said bladder and provide a modular structure for its use in said air freshener system, and whereby liquid can be isolated from the ambient air.

16. The air freshener system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge may contain at least one liquid selected from the following list:

perfumes, air fresheners, household cleaning materials, sanitizers, disinfectants, repellents, insecticides, aroma therapy formulations, medicinal, and therapeutic liquids, whereby said air freshener system can be used to dispense a wide range of solutions and whereby said air freshener system can then be used for a wide variety of purposes.

17. A liquid dispensing air freshener system, comprising:

a) at least one liquid pump,

b) at least one liquid inlet orifice, said orifice is in fluid connection with said pump,

c) at least one tank removably coupled to said inlet orifice to contain liquid,

d) at least one evaporation chamber, said chamber is in fluid connection to said pump, whereby said chamber can receive dispensed liquid from said pump,

e) vaporizing means within said chamber for vaporizing liquid into the ambient air,

f) an electronic control module, said control module controls the activation of said pump,

g) whereby said control module activates said liquid pump to dispense liquid from said tank to said chamber, and whereby said means for vaporizing liquid will vaporize liquid from said chamber into the ambient air.

18. The air freshener system of claim 17, further including a chassis having a bottom side, and defining an interior space, comprising:

a) a mounting guide on said cabinet bottom side, whereby said cabinet can mount onto a toilet water tank,

b) at least one compartment in said chassis interior space for the mounting of components,

c) whereby said air freshener system can function as a toilet tank mounted air freshener.

19. The air freshener system of claim 17, further including a chassis including at least one user accessible evaporation chamber, whereby scent producing materials can be placed, such as fresh flowers, potpourri or perfume, and whereby said chassis allows said air freshener system to function as a dual-purpose device used to disperse said scent producing materials into the ambient air as well as liquid dispensed from said tank.

20. The air freshener system of claim 17 wherein said control module has means for controlling a plurality of liquid pumps in sequence or concurrently to dispense liquid from said tanks to said evaporation chamber, whereby any one or combination of vapor mixture compositions can be achieved with automation and precision.

21. The air freshener system of claim 17, further including sensors for collecting data, said sensors communicate with said control module, whereby relevant data, such as from temperature and humidity sensors that can measure ambient conditions, as well as occupancy and air conditioner status sensors to enhance the operational performance of said air freshener system.

22. The air freshener system of claim 17 wherein said tank may contain at least one liquid selected from the following list:

perfumes, air fresheners, household cleaning materials, sanitizers, disinfectants, repellents, insecticides, aroma therapy formulations, medicinal, and therapeutic liquids, whereby said air freshener system can be used to dispense a wide range of solutions and whereby said air freshener system can then be used for a wide variety of purposes.

23. A liquid dispensing air freshener system, comprising:

a) at least one liquid pump,

b) at least one liquid inlet orifice, said orifice is in fluid connection with said pump,

c) at least one cartridge removably coupled to said inlet orifice, said inlet orifice can penetrate said cartridge while said cartridge is coupled to said inlet orifice, whereby liquid can be released from said cartridge to said pump,

d) at least one evaporation chamber, said chamber is in fluid connection to said pump, whereby said chamber can receive dispensed liquid from said pump,

e) vaporizing means within said chamber for vaporizing liquid into the ambient air,

f) an electronic control module, said control module controls the activation of said pump,

g) whereby said control module activates said liquid pump to dispense liquid from said cartridge to said chamber, and whereby said means for vaporizing liquid will vaporize liquid from said chamber into the ambient air.