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.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to the field of dispensing fragrances and more particularly to dispensing multiple fragrances to reduce fragrance desensitivity.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     The dispensing of fragrances through HVAC ductwork is known. One example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,597. In that patent, multiple fragrances are dispensed and each fragrance container is controlled by a separate solenoid. While various fragrances may be dispensed, the same fragrance is dispensed into an individual room.  
         [0005]     If the same fragrance is used in a room, after a period of time, a person becomes desensitized to the fragrance. Therefore, the effectiveness of a fragrance is diminished over time.  
         [0006]     For aroma therapy, there are apparatuses that do dispense different aromas to a single room. The aromas are changed depending upon the time of day or the desired effect that is hoped to be accomplished by the aroma therapy.  
         [0007]     The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art and provides for a method and apparatus for dispensing fragrances to reduce fragrance desensitivity.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is a method of dispensing first and second fragrances. The method includes positioning a fog nozzle in a ductwork of a facility. The first fragrance is dispensed, at intervals, through the fog nozzle into the ductwork. After dispensing the first fragrance, there is a switchover to dispensing, at intervals, the second fragrance into the ductwork, wherein fragrance desensitivity is reduced.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the invention is 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 are in fluid communication with a vacuum selection switch. The vacuum selection switch is in fluid communication with a fog nozzle. The method includes positioning a fog nozzle in a ductwork of a facility. The vacuum selection switch is set to allow flow of the first fragrance. The first fragrance is dispensed, at intervals, through the fog nozzle into the ductwork. The vacuum selection switch is switched, by the first sealed flexible pouch creating a vacuum to be emptied, to allow flow of the second fragrance. The second fragrance is dispensed, at intervals, through the fog nozzle into the ductwork, wherein fragrance desensitivity is reduced.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for dispensing fragrance. The apparatus includes a first fragrance sealed in a first flexible pouch and a second fragrance sealed in a second flexible pouch. A vacuum selection switch is in fluid communication with the first fragrance and the second fragrance. An aspirator has 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. A fog nozzle is in fluid communication with the fragrance solution container, the fog nozzle adapted and configured to be positioned proximate ductwork of a facility. A source of pressurized air is operatively connected to the fog nozzle and a controller is utilized for controlling when the source of pressurized air is delivered to the fog nozzle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  installed in a ductwork of a facility.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     Referring to the Drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at  10  a fragrance dispenser. The fragrance dispensed can be any suitable fragrance. The fragrance dispenser  10  utilizes at least two fragrances,  11  and  12 . The fragrances  11  and  12  are liquids and are in a flexible pouch  13 ,  14  respectively. The pouches  13 ,  14  have a suitable connection such as a spout to allow access into the pouches  13  and  14 . One suitable spout would be a CLEAN CLIC SYSTEM™ by Innovative Packaging Network (Itasca, Nev.), which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,045, incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0014]     A vacuum selector switch  15  is in fluid communication with both of the pouches  13 ,  14 . A first conduit  16  is in fluid communication with the fragrance  11  in the first pouch  13  and a second conduit  17  places the vacuum selection switch  15  in fluid communication with the fragrance  12 . The vacuum selection switch  15  is a switch that will move from a first position to a second position when a vacuum is created at one of its inlets. The vacuum switch  15  has a first inlet  15   a  to which the first conduit  16  is connected and a second inlet  15   b  to which the second conduit  17  is connected. There is also a selector switch  15   c  which initially selects and allows passage of fluid through one of the inlets  15   a  or  15   b . As will be more fully described hereafter, as the first fragrance  11  is used, a vacuum is created in the pouch  13  and, when the pouch  13  is empty, the vacuum is sufficient enough to activate the vacuum selection switch  15  to move to a second position where fluid flow through the second conduit  17  is allowed. This provides for an automatic switchover from the first pouch  13  to the second pouch  14  when the first pouch  13  is empty. An example of a suitable vacuum selection switch is Model 1500-030 FloJet Transfer Valve sold by FloJet Corporation of Foothill Ranch, Calif. The vacuum selection switch  15  is in fluid communication with an aspirator  18  by suitable means such as a conduit  19 . The aspirator  18  has a product inlet  18   a . The conduit  19  terminates at the product inlet  18   a  and a suitable metering tip may be utilized there. The aspirator  18  has a water inlet  18   b  and a solution outlet  18   c . The solution outlet  18   c  is in fluid communication, via a suitable means such as conduit  20 , with a fragrance solution container  21 . A conduit  22  has a first end  22   a  that is adapted and configured to be connected to a source of pressurized water. A second end  22   b  is adapted and configured to be connected to the water inlet  18   b  of the aspirator  18 . The use of an aspirator  18  is well known in the dispensing art and a suitable aspirator may be utilized. An anti-siphon valve  23  may be placed in the conduit  22  at a position well known in the art. As will be discussed more fully hereafter, either the liquid fragrance  11  or  12  is combined with the pressurized water by the aspirator  18  and a use solution  24 , which is the diluted fragrance concentrate from fragrances  11  or  12  and is delivered to the fragrance solution container  21 . Typically, the fragrance use solution  24  is approximately 10% of the fragrance concentrate and 90% water, although it is understood that other dilution ratios may also be utilized.  
         [0015]     The fragrance solution container  21  is preferably an enclosed container for receiving the fragrance use solution  24  and has a cavity  21   a  in which the fragrance use solution  24  is stored. In addition, there is preferably a float  25  that will rise and fall in height in the fragrance solution container  21 , depending upon the amount of fragrance use solution  24  in the container  21 . A connecting rod, or other suitable connecting device  26 , is attached at one end of the float  25 . The other end  26   b  is operatively connected to a water valve  27 . The water valve  27  is placed in the flow of the conduit  22  and controls water flow through the conduit  22 . The water valve  27  is a type well-known in the art. As the float  25  rises, the water valve  27  will be moved to an off position, thereby stopping the flow of water through the conduit  22 . When the fragrance use solution  24  drops in level in the container  21 , the float  25  will move downward, thereby turning the water valve  27  to a second position that allows the water to flow and more use solution  24  is created from the fragrance  12  or  13  and the water.  
         [0016]     The conduit  20  has a first end  20   a  that is positioned through an opening in the top of the container  21 . Preferably, this is a fit that does not allow fragrance to exit the container  21 . Similarly, the rod  26  extends through an opening in the container  21 . This opening is also preferably designed to minimize any escape of the vapors of the fragrance use solution  24 . Finally, there is an opening through which a pickup tube  28  is positioned. One end  28   a  of the pickup tube  28  extends to proximate the bottom of the container  21 . The pickup tube exits through an opening in the container  21 , that is again preferably constructed so that no vapors from the fragrance use solution  24  escape. The pickup tube  28  has a second end  28   b  that is in fluid communication with an atomizer  29 . A pump  40  has an inlet  40   a  into which the pickup tube  28  is in fluid communication and an outlet  40   b  in which the second portion of the pickup tube  28  is in fluid communication. The second portion of the pickup tube  28  terminates with the second end  28   b . A pump  40  is utilized to deliver the fragrance use solution to the atomizer  29 . The pump  40  may be located in any suitable place such as by being positioned proximate the controller  32 .  
         [0017]     The atomizer  29  includes a nozzle  29   a . The nozzle  29   a  has a first inlet  29   b  in fluid communication with the conduit  28  and a second inlet  29   c  in fluid communication with a first end  30   a  of an air conduit  30 . The second end  30   b  of the conduit  30  is operatively connected to a source of pressurized air such as an air compressor  31 . A fragrance injector controller  32  is utilized for controlling the operation of the air compressor  31 , and thereby the dispensing of the fragrance  12  or  13 , as will be disclosed more fully hereafter. One suitable controller would be a seven-day/24-hour programmable controller that allows for active times of the week and day. Typically, the on/off times will be from 30-90 seconds every 15-20 minutes for portions of a day or for the entire 24-hour period. A power cord  33  is shown and is utilized to provide power to the controller  32  and the air compressor  31 .  
         [0018]     The nozzle  29   a  is preferably a nozzle that provides a particle diameter wherein at least half and preferably at least three-fourths of the particles are five microns or less. This results in a fog or mist that is more easily dispersed throughout the ductwork of a facility. One suitable nozzle is model 1/4JH+SU (nickel plated brass using a 1650 nozzle and Air Cap-64) sold by Spraying Systems Co. of Wheaton, Illinois.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a ductwork  100  in a building or facility. The ductwork  100  has a central duct  101  in which the fragrance dispenser  10  is positioned. In  FIG. 2  only the atomizer  29  is shown. The ductwork  100  is shown as having three separate branches  102 - 104 . However, it is understood that there may be only the central duct  101  and more or less than three branches. The central HVAC system for the facility will provide for a flow of air in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0020]     In use, the flexible pouch  13  and flexible pouch  14  containing fragrances  11 ,  12  are connected to the vacuum selection switch  15 . The vacuum selection switch  15  is moved to a position to allow flow from one of the pouches, such as pouch  13 . Water pressure is then supplied to the conduit  22  and depending upon the position of the valve  27 , water will either flow or not flow through to the aspirator  18 . If the float  25  is in a lower first position, the valve  27  will be on and will allow water to flow through the conduit  22  through to the aspirator  18 . At that time, the fragrance  11  will be drawn up through the conduit  16 , through the vacuum switch  15 , the conduit  19  and mixed with the water to form a use solution  24  that exits the aspirator  18  and is dispensed into the fragrance solution container  21 . This will eventually cause the float  25  to rise and turn off the water valve  27 . As previously discussed, the controller  32  may be any suitable controller and provide for control either for portions of a day or for the entire day. Further, the controller can be set to change the length of time that it is on, typically from 30-90 seconds and the frequency such as every 15-20 minutes. When the controller is on, the controller energizes the air compressor  31  and the pump  40 . The pump  40  draws the fragrance solution  24  to the atomizer  29 , where the fragrance use solution  24  is atomized by the atomizer  29  and the pressurized air and dispensed in a fog or mist  34 . As the fragrance  11  is dispensed from the flexible pouch  13 , the float  25  will automatically refill the fragrance solution container  21 . Over repeated cycles, the product flexible pouch  13  will be empty. The vacuum from the aspirator  18 , when filling the fragrance solution container  21 , will switch the pickup from the empty pouch  13  to the full pouch  14 . If different, but compatible fragrance concentrates are used in the pouches  13 ,  14 , when switching from the empty pouch to a full pouch, a new fragrance can be introduced into the ductwork  100  of a building or facility. The fog or mist  34  dispensed in the ductwork  100  is then carried by the movement of the HVAC system and is dispersed throughout the room. Since people often become desensitized to a fragrance after a period of time, the automatic switching over to a second fragrance will prevent the fragrance desensitivity that is accompanied by the constant dispensing of only a single fragrance. Then, while the second pouch is being dispensed, the first, empty pouch may be removed and replaced.  
         [0021]     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.