Fan-Driven Air Freshener

• US 20070217945A1
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated
• Inventors: Selander, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US11/532,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20070217945A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

An air freshener that has a source of air freshening chemical with a fan that is controlled either by an optical device that senses light or a motion detector is disclosed. When a light is turned on or motion is detected, the fan will be activated for a predetermined time period. In certain embodiments, the fan will stop turning after a predetermined time. In certain preferred embodiments the source of air freshening chemical is disposed beneath the fan and allows fragrance to be delivered over time without the fan. The additional airflow provided by the fan causes more volatile fragrance chemicals to be removed from the source of air freshening chemical and admitted into the environment. Preferably, a microprocessor controls the fan so that a “burst mode” is created by controlling the frequency and intensity of the pulses of air freshener that are emitted. Also disclosed is a system for delivering a volatilized chemical integrated into a robotic vacuum cleaner. A reservoir of volatile chemicals, such as a fragrance, is volatized and exhausted by the fan stream through an exhaust duct. As the robotic vacuum cleaner carries out its automated routine, it adds a scent, antibacterial chemical or other chemical to the surface being cleaned, e.g., carpeting.

Claims

1. An air freshener apparatus for a robotic vacuum cleaner comprising:

a reservoir containing a chemical;

a triggering circuit controlled by the robotic vacuum cleaner;

a fragrance delivery system comprising a plurality of fragrance chemicals volatilized by a microfluidic dispersal system;

a fan assembly comprising a fan and a fan motor disposed in a housing adjacent the reservoir that is controlled by the triggering circuit; and

an outlet duct directing scented air from the fan assembly,

wherein the fragrance delivery system is by the triggering circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fragrance delivery system further comprises a capillary tube and a dispersal needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dispersal needle is electrically charged.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fragrance chemicals are connected by a the micropump via a common conduit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a calibration system disposed adjacent the fragrance delivery system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor controller for controlling the sequence in which said fragrances are dispersed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor controller is triggered by an activation signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor controller is an ASIC.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a sequence of fragrances is dispersed after the activation signal is received.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemical contained in the reservoir is an air freshening chemical.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemical contained in the reservoir is an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial chemical.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemical contained in the reservoir is an odor-masking chemical

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the chemical includes one or more constituents that attract particulate matter when exposed to the dispersal needle.

14. A method of delivering into an environment a substance chosen from one or more of a fragrance or antibacterial agent comprising the steps of spraying the substance using a micropump, passing a discharge stream through an electrostatic spray device to create a delivery stream, controlling the micropump and spray device with a n electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is one of a microprocessor or ASIC.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the micropump is a piezoelectric pump and further comprising the step of removing particulates from the environment.