Device and system for dispensing fluids into the atmosphere

• US 20060289674A1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kubby, Joel A., Ma, Jun, Burke, Cathie J., Jia, Nancy Y., Francis, Edward, Duffner, Robert M., Diehl, James C.
• Application Number:
  US11/510,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20060289674A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/102.200
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

A fluid dispensing device comprises one or more micromechanical fluid dispensing mechanisms arranged to dispense fluids into the atmosphere. The fluids include any of a perfume, pheromone, fragrance, disinfectant, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, fumigant, deodorizer, sanitizing agent and insecticide. A dispenser controller communicates with the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms to selectively activate the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms. Optionally, the fluid dispensing device includes a sensor to detect the airborne concentration of fluids that are dispersed in the atmosphere. Optionally, one or more fluid dispensing devices may be arranged to form a system, perhaps including a system sensor and a system controller.

Claims

1. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere, the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a micromechanical dispensing mechanism, the micromechanical dispensing mechanism fluidly connected to a plurality of fluid reservoirs;

and further comprising a valve, the valve arranged to selectively couple each fluid reservoir of the plurality of fluid reservoirs to the micromechanical dispensing mechanism; and

, the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with the micromechanical dispensing mechanism and the valve.

2. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, wherein the micromechanical dispensing mechanism further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

3. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, wherein at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

4. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller, and the micromechanical dispensing device controller is arranged to actuate the micromechanical dispensing mechanism in response to the sensor signal.

5. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense one or more fluids into an atmosphere of claim 1 further comprising a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber fluidly interposed between the micromechanical dispensing mechanism and the plurality of fluid reservoirs.

6. A micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere the micromechanical dispensing device comprising a plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms, the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir;

and, the micromechanical dispensing device further comprising a micromechanical dispensing device controller, the micromechanical dispensing device controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms.

7. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 6, further comprising a port to which the fluid reservoir may be removably, fluidly connected.

8. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 6, wherein at least one micromechanical dispensing mechanism further comprises an electrostatically-driven membrane, an electrostatically-actuated piston, a magnetically-actuated membrane, a thermally-actuated paddle vane or a ballistic aerosol dispensing mechanism.

9. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 6, wherein the fluid reservoir contains a fluid, the fluid comprising a perfume, pheromone, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, deodorizer, disinfectant, sanitizing agent or insecticide.

10. The micromechanical dispensing device to dispense a fluid into an atmosphere of claim 6, further comprising a sensor, the sensor arranged to form a sensor signal responsive to an atmospheric substance and to communicate the sensor signal to the micromechanical dispensing device controller, and the micromechanical dispensing device controller, is arranged to actuate the plurality of micromechanical dispensing mechanisms in response to the sensor signal.