Abstract:
A bathroom freshening device includes a container that stores an odor-mitigating agent therein; a motion sensor that senses motion, and, when motion is detected, transmits a signal indicating the motion; and an actuator that removes a predetermined amount of the odor-mitigating agent from the container. Preferably, the actuator includes a pump capable of delivering a portion of the odor-mitigating agent removed from the container through an outlet and via a conduit to a toilet bowl or the interior of a urinal. Preferably, the device is situated remotely (e.g., mounted on a wall) and the conduit is a plastic tube that extends from the device to the toilet bowl or urinal. Preferably, the bathroom freshening device further includes a timer that prevents the actuator from operating during a predetermined time period (e.g., three minutes) since the last actuation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/270,444 filed by Young T. Vu on Jul. 9, 2009 and entitled “Automatic Toilet Fragrance Liquid, Air Freshener, and Cleaner Dispenser”, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of facilities maintenance, and, more particularly, to the problem of minimizing bathroom odor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    One of the main issues in the field of facilities maintenance is the problem of minimizing bathroom odor. Because public bathrooms are usually used many times each day, it is generally insufficient to merely clean the facilities at the end of the day. To address the problem, various odor-mitigation devices and techniques have been developed. 
         [0004]    A common approach is to provide enhanced ventilation by using fans to remove air from the bathroom and bring in fresh air from outside. While this often does work, it tends to be relatively costly in terms of energy usage and has other limitations. In particular, ventilation does not go to the cause of the odor but merely removes the surrounding air. 
         [0005]    Another way to mitigate odor has been to apply deodorant. Deodorant works by covering up the odor, and, in some cases chemically neutralizing it. Deodorant may be applied in a solid form in a toilet bowl/tank or urinal. Typically, a maintenance worker leaves solid deodorant every week or so. However, this requires considerable effort and the deodorant is mostly wasted because it dissolves regardless of actual need. 
         [0006]    Deodorant can also be sprayed into the air as a liquid. In some bathrooms a can of aerosol deodorant is left out for users. In other cases a liquid is dispensed by a device that activates at predetermined intervals. However, in such cases, the deodorant is merely sprayed into the air and is not directly applied to the source. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous and highly desirable for there to be improved bathroom odor-mitigation that overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bathroom freshening device is provided. The bathroom freshening device includes a container that stores an odor-mitigating agent therein; a motion sensor that senses motion, and, when motion is detected, transmits a signal indicating the motion; and an actuator that removes a predetermined amount of the odor-mitigating agent from the container. Preferably, the actuator includes a pump capable of delivering a portion of the odor-mitigating agent removed from the container through an outlet and via a conduit to a toilet bowl or the interior of a urinal. Preferably, the device is situated remotely (e.g., mounted on a wall) and the conduit is a plastic tube that extends from the device to a toilet bowl or urinal. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the motion sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) that can detect motion of a person in the bathroom. Preferably, the actuator further includes a timer that prevents the actuator from operating during a predetermined time period since the last actuation. Preferably, the timer logic is implemented using an integrated circuit that is programmed to block sending a signal prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period since last actuation. Preferably, the predetermined time period is about three minutes. Thus, in this case, the bathroom freshening device would activate only when the motion sensor detects motion and the device has not been activated for at least about three minutes. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the odor-mitigating agent is a liquid. Preferably, the liquid is an oil-based liquid that can envelop potentially malodorous substances (such as fecal matter). Preferably, the odor-mitigating agent will include a fragrance. Preferably, about 0.5 ml of the odor-mitigating agent is delivered upon each activation of the bathroom freshening device. Preferably, the container holds at least 0.5 liter of the odor-mitigating agent, and the container is replaceable (e.g., disposable or re-fillable). Preferably, the bathroom freshening device is operated using conventional 9-volt batteries sufficient to power the unit for about one month of normal usage. 
         [0011]    In accordance with other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a system for sanitizing a bathroom fixture comprises a bathroom freshening device including a container that stores an odor-mitigating agent therein, a motion sensor that senses motion of a person within a bathroom, and, when the motion is detected, transmits a signal to an actuator, the actuator capable of removing a predetermined amount of the odor-mitigating agent from the container, responsive to the reception of the signal; and a tube connectable to the bathroom freshening device on one end and to the bathroom fixture on the other end, the tube, capable of carrying a portion of the agent removed from the container to the bathroom fixture, so as to sanitize the bathroom fixture. Preferably, the bathroom freshening devise is mountable on a surface remote from the bathroom fixture and the tube is connectable to a toilet bowl. Preferably, the system further comprises a timer that prevents the actuator from operating during a predetermined interval since last operation. 
         [0012]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the bathroom freshening device is made integral to a toilet such that it forms part of the toilet during the manufacture of the toilet. In these embodiments, the bathroom freshening device is an improvement to a standard toilet, comprising a freshening device, integral to the toilet, including a container that stores a odor-mitigating agent therein, a motion sensor that senses motion, and, when the motion is detected, transmits a signal to an actuator, the actuator capable of removing a predetermined amount of the cleansing agent from the container, responsive to the reception of the signal; and a conduit capable of carrying a portion of the odor-mitigating agent to the bowl of the toilet. 
         [0013]    These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary bathroom freshening device, in use attached to a toilet, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) show close-up views of the exemplary bathroom freshening device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the various components and connections of the bathroom freshening device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the exemplary bathroom freshening device; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the bathroom freshening device is made integral with a toilet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary bathroom freshening device  100  is shown mounted to a bathroom wall  140 . The bathroom freshening device  100  includes a tube  110  that can carry an odor-mitigating agent dispensed from the bathroom freshening device  100  to the bowl of a toilet  150 , as shown. As will be described in greater detail, the bathroom freshening device  100  includes a motion sensor that can be configured to cause the device  100  to activate and deliver a predetermined amount of the odor-mitigating agent through the tube  110  to the toilet  150  when a person is sensed moving. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bathroom freshening device  100  is configured to activate upon sensing the person only if the bathroom freshening device  100  has not been activated for a predetermined length of time. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) show close-up views of the exemplary bathroom freshening device  100 . As illustrated, the bathroom freshening device  100  includes an upper housing portion  212  and a lower housing portion  214 . Preferably, the bathroom freshening device  100  can be opened by upwardly sliding the upper housing portion  212  away from the lower housing portion  214 , so as to allow access to a container stored therein. Alternatively, the upper housing portion  212  and a lower housing portion  214  may be attached along a common side using a hinge. Preferably, the container is capable of holding a sufficient quantity of an odor-mitigating agent so that the device may be used without interruption for at least several weeks. Preferably, the container is disposable or re-fillable. Preferably, the housing is constructed of a plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), with any clear plastic portions being made from polystyrene, acrylic or polycarbonate. Preferably, the bathroom freshening device  100  can be made available in a variety of different sizes to fit user requirements. For example, the bathroom freshening device  100  could be about 5″×3″×8″ in size, so as to accommodate a container capable of holding about 0.5 liter of liquid odor-mitigating agent. 
         [0021]    Although the bathroom freshening device  100  is described as being used in conjunction with a toilet, it is to appreciated that this is meant to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention could be used to freshen various other bathroom fixtures, such as, for example, a urinal or a sink. In such cases, the tube  110  would be extended from the bathroom freshening device  100  to the bathroom fixture requiring odor mitigation. Additionally, although the bathroom freshening device  100  is shown (in  FIG. 1 ) secured to a wall, it is to be understood that the bathroom freshening device  100  could, alternatively, be secured to various other surfaces, such as, for example, a bathroom stall divider or the toilet tank. Alternatively, the bathroom freshening device  100  could be hidden within a wall, for example. Furthermore, it is to be understood that various suitable means for mounting the bathroom freshening device  100  exist, such as, for example, using double-sided tape, bolts, screws, welding, etc. Additionally, although the housing is described as being constructed of a plastic, it is to be appreciated that a portion, or all, of the housing could be made using metal, glass, ceramic, etc., and combinations thereof, depending on such factors as cost, reliability, and design aesthetics. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the various internal components and connections of the bathroom freshening device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bathroom freshening device  100  includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor  302 , a power supply  304 , an actuator  306 , and a container  310 . Preferably, the PIR sensor  302  used in conjunction with the present invention is configured to passively detect infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view. In particular, the PIR sensor  302  can be positioned behind a clear-plastic window  202  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the housing of the bathroom freshening device  100 . When an object, particularly, a human being, passes in front of an infrared source with another temperature, such as a wall, motion is detected and the circuitry of the PIR sensor  302  activates a signal indicating the detected motion. Preferably, the power supply  304  includes a plurality of 9 Volt, DC batteries, and the PIR sensor  302  is configured to settle into a quiescent state once power is supplied. 
         [0023]    The actuator  306  includes a control processor  307  and an electric pump  311 . Preferably, the control processor  307  is an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a stored set of instructions, referred herein as timer logic  308 . In operation, the control processor  307  executes the timer logic  308  which causes the device  100  to enter a wait state until a predetermined time period has elapsed. (Preferably, the predetermined time period is set during manufacture and may be reset by a user of the device to be another value). Once the predetermined time period has elapsed, the control processor  307  is configured to activate the electric pump  311 , upon reception of a motion detection signal from the PIR sensor  302 . (Note that if any motion detection signal is received while the timer log  308  is in the wait state the electric pump  311  will not be activated). 
         [0024]    The electric pump  311  is a miniature pump that is capable of pumping about 0.5 ml up to 1 ml of liquid. Preferably, the container  310  includes an outlet port through which liquid can be dispensed from the container  310 . Upon activation, the electric pump  311  removes liquid via the outlet port of the container  310 . The removed liquid flows into a chamber of the electric pump  311  via an inlet port and is pumped outward via an outlet port. The tube  110  is connected to the outlet port of the electric pump  311  and acts as a conduit to allow the dispensed liquid to flow to the target bathroom fixture, such as, for example, a toilet or urinal. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the tube  110  is made from vinyl and has a diameter of about 0.25 inches (thought other sized tubes may suffice). Preferably, the tube  110  is of the type used to carry water in drip irrigation. Preferably, the odor-mitigation agent that is stored in the container  310  is an oil-based liquid such that the liquid floats atop water. Thus, when the oil-based liquid is dispensed it will form a protective layer between any malodorous substances (e.g., fecal matter) in the toilet water and the air. Preferably, the odor-mitigating agent will also include a fragrant deodorant. In various embodiments of the present invention, the odor-mitigating agent will also include a disinfectant. 
         [0026]    Although the above disclosure describes using an programmed IC to accomplish device actuation, it is to be appreciated that various other techniques could alternatively be used. Additionally, it is to be understood that although the above describes a device with a single container, additional containers could be added, each having different types of odor-mitigating agent stored therein. For example, embodiments of the present invention include a second container that stores a cleaner liquid that is dispensed after a fragrance is dispensed from a first container. In this embodiment, the cleaner agent is dispensed every ten minutes while the fragrance can be dispensed every three minutes. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the exemplary bathroom freshening device  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the bathroom freshening device  100  includes a lower housing portion  412  and an upper housing portion  414 . The internal components housed therein include four AA 9 Volt batteries  410  stored in a battery compartment, an IC board  440 , a PIR sensor  430 , an electric pump  420 , and a container  450 , as shown. In this embodiment, the liquid is dispensed from outlet port  425  via a vynl tube attached thereto. The preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  conforms substantially to the description of the invention provided above. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the bathroom freshening device is made integral with a toilet. As illustrated, toilet  520  is configured such that a bathroom freshening device can be stored within a compartment  500  of the toilet tank  550 . In this embodiment, preferably, the toilet tank  550  is manufactured to include a water-proof enclosure, preferably constructed of the same material used for the rest of the toilet  520  (e.g., ceramic). Preferably, the compartment  500  includes a hole to allow a tube  510  to pass through the hole to the bowl of the toilet  520 . 
         [0029]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.