Abstract:
A novel air freshener for use in a bathroom is disclosed and comprises a sending unit that is mounted in the tank of a toiler assembly, and a remote dispenser comprised of housing and a base and that is preferably mounted onto the ceiling of the bathroom. The sending unit includes level sensing module that generates a signal whenever the toilet is, flushed (thereby lowering the water level in the toilet tank) and the same signal is received by the remote dispenser. The remote dispenser then reacts by activating for a set period of time a spray pump and drive motor which causes the housing of the remote dispenser to simultaneously rotate while an odor control chemistry is atomized through a spray nozzle located on the housing of the remote dispenser, thereby broadcasting an effective measure of odor control chemistry into the bathroom space.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to an automated remote bathroom air freshener. More particularly, the present invention relates to a remotely located bathroom air freshener dispenser that can be triggered automatically.  
         [0004]     Advancements in the field of indoor plumbing have been readily apparent over time, especially with the introduction of the modern flush toilet. There has been a constant state of evolution since this particular advancement resulting in numerous accessories and devices that are intended to make the use of the flush toilet more efficient, more convenient or to make the experience of using the flush toilet more pleasant for the user. This latter motivation has led to some products that are directed towards the masking or elimination of odors.  
         [0005]     Devices known in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,001 (Hitzler, et al) which relates to a fragrance dispenser that can be actuated by a signal and which dispenses a quantifiable amount of fragrance at that time. The device does not teach the use of a remote spray nor does it teach the use of a spray that is atomized in a radial manner for maximum distribution. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,327 (Palamand, et al) a scent dispenser is disclosed that include a wheel that can be positioned to allow the scent/fragrance to emanate there from. While this device is compact and can be used in small spaces, it does not teach the use of an automatically sequenced dispensing of fragrance that is synchronized with the use of a toilet.  
         [0006]     The use of a remote control to program a dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,297 (Contadini, et al) where the actuation of the dispenser relies on a programmable controller. There are no inputs to the controller that rely upon the actuation of the toilet; the invention in this case is capable of reacting to a set schedule for the dispensing of a fragrance.  
         [0007]     U.S. Design Pat. No. 293,366 (O&#39;Neill, Jr., et al) shows the ornamental appearance of a scent dispenser that has a roughly cylindrical shape. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,230 (Taylor, et al) teaches the use of a scent dispenser that is integrally installed into a ceiling fan. While there is a radial component to the distribution of the scent it is a constant distribution and not keyed to any particular operation. In addition, the device could not reasonably be used in the bathroom owing to the limited space constraints in the average bathroom.  
         [0008]     Lastly, a prior art device of some interest is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,500 (Sollami) where the toilet seat forms part of a forced air ventilation system. In  FIG. 1 , an exhaust fan  14  is disclosed that is connected by ducting to the toilet seat and allows for the remote exhausting of odors and the like. This device does not teach the use of an odor dispenser or the means to remotely trip the scent dispenser.  
         [0009]     The problem has persisted where the need for odor control is substantially contemporaneous with the use of the toilet Many prior art devices do not show this relationship between the need and the activation of a scent dispenser. In addition, some prior art devices rely on being in close proximity with the scent dispenser, in part to allow the device to be synchronized with toilet fiction. A simple natural fact though defeats this approach since most odors arise from volatiles (gases) that quickly become distributed above and about the area of the toilet thus scent dispensing immediately in the area of the toilet is not effective in knocking down or masking the odors that proliferate throughout the bathroom (and other similar types of spaces). Ideally the dispensing of the odor control is done in a way to maximize the broadcast of the chemistry. In some cases the odor control chemistry merely masks the odor with a stronger scent, in other cases it may contain chemistry designed to combat bacteria, and lastly, combinations of chemistry may be used. In any event, the need is to distribute the chemistry as much as possible in as short as time as possible in order to defeat the odors.  
         [0010]     The need to distribute the odor control chemistry over a fairly large broadcast area is at odds with the strategies that would place the odor control near the toilet itself. Whether such systems are programmable or whether they work from some reaction to the use of the toilet, the placement near the toilet is done for the convenience of the person(s) who service the odor control device and also to reduce the need for hard wiring or the like if the dispenser is to be located at distances away from the toilet. Thus the use of a strategy for remote dispensing that is reactive to toilet use is something that has been avoided in the prior art because it represented a logic fault when trying to render the scent dispenser functional.  
         [0011]     The present invention, as will be seen below, accomplishes the objectives of remote dispensing that is reactive to the use of the toilet. This novel approach results in a more efficient distribution of the odor control chemistry and an enhancement in the environment in the bathroom  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     A new air freshener for a bathroom is disclosed and is comprised of a remote dispenser unit and a sending unit, where the sending unit senses the usage of the toilet and then wirelessly sends a signal to the remote dispenser thereby activating a broadcast spray of air freshener. The remote dispenser further includes a receiver for receiving the signal, a reservoir for holding the air freshener chemistry, a spray pump and a spray nozzle for pumping the air freshener chemistry from the reservoir and then through the spray nozzle. Contemporaneous to the spraying of the air freshener chemistry, the remote dispenser also includes a drive for rotating that portion of the remote dispenser that includes the spray nozzle in order to provide radial distribution of the air freshener chemistry.  
         [0013]     The remote dispenser of the present invention is preferably mounted to the ceiling of the area to be treated with air freshener, in such a manner as to maximize the broadcast of the chemistry.  
         [0014]     The sending unit of the present invention is installed in the tank of the subject toilet and includes a level sensing portion that is reactive to the flushing of the toilet. The sending unit includes a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal to the receiver of the remote dispenser and the signal is transmitted in response to the reaction of the level sensing portion whenever the toilet is flushed Preferably the sending unit is integrated with level sensing portion and transmitter portion into a compact package that can be covertly installed within the tank of the toilet.  
         [0015]     Preferably the air freshener system of the present invention is powered by batteries. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a toilet with a tank and bowl all shown in phantom, disclosing the sending unit of the present invention as installed in the toilet tank and also disclosing the remote dispenser of the present invention in an installed position within a bathroom space.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the sending unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the sending unit of  FIG. 2 , taken along Section Lines  3 - 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the remote dispenser of  FIG. 1  disclosing the housing and the base. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     A novel air-freshener system for use in maximizing odor control in spaces such as a bathroom, the air freshener system shown generally in  FIG. 1  in association with the toilet assembly  10 , the toilet bowl  12 , the toilet tank  14 , and the toilet tank top  16 . The toilet tank  14  also includes the flush handle  18 . Water supply to the toilet assembly  10  is accomplished by the supply line  20  which includes the shut-off valve  22 . All in all, the toilet assembly  10  represents a conventional flush toilet and the references herein to the toilet assembly  10  are meant to generally apply to toilets of all kinds where the teachings of the present invention would apply.  
         [0021]     The components of the air freshener system of the present invention are disclosed as the remote dispenser portion  30  and the sending unit portion  40 . The remote dispenser  30  includes the spray head  32 , the housing  34 , the base  36  and spray  38  is shown as emanating from the spray head  32 . The sending unit  40  includes the activation module  42 , and the antenna portion  44 . Although not labeled, the signal from the antenna portion  44  to the remote dispenser  30  is shown as a jagged line between the two.  
         [0022]     Turning now to  FIG. 2  more detail is revealed about the sending unit  40  including the power module  50  and the float  52 , which together comprise the activation module  42 . Further, the module shaft  54  is shown with shaft end  56  and shaft top  58 . Lastly, the battery access  59  is shown. More detail relating to the sending unit  40  is shown in the cross sectional view in  FIG. 3 , which includes the antenna wire  60 , the battery  62 , the CPU/transmitter  64 , the level sensor  66  and the proximity detector  68 . In addition, the proximity lead  70  is shown running between the proximity detector  68  and the CPU/transmitter  64 , the antenna lead  72  is shown as running between the antenna wire  60  and the CPU/transmitter  64 , and the battery lead  74  is shown as running between the battery  62  and the CPU/transmitter  64 .  
         [0023]     In  FIG. 4 , the remote dispenser  30  is disclosed and includes the odor control chemistry reservoir  80 , the spray pump and drive motor  8 Z, the pump intake  84 , the spray line  86  and the spray nozzle  88 . The remote dispenser  30  also includes the receiver  90 , the battery  92 , the receiver power lead  94 , the receiver output lead  96 , the pump power lead  98 . The housing fitting  100  is shown as interconnected with the base fitting  102 . In the cross sectional view it is understood that the housing fitting  100  and the base fitting  102  are disk-like components and are slideably engaged to allow for rotation. The drive  104  is connected to the spray pump drive motor  82  by means of the drive shaft  106 . Located on the base  36  is the drive flange  108  which contacts and is engaged by the drive  104 . The mounting flange  110  extends out from the drive flange  108  and allows the base portion  34  to be mounted to a surface such as the ceiling in a bathroom. This can be achieved by using mounting screws (not shown) which can be inserted into through-holes that are formed or drilled into the mounting flange  110 . Lastly, the spray head  32  includes the nozzle skirt  112  and the nozzle sheath  114 .  
         [0024]     As may be appreciated from  FIG. 1 , the present invention allows the remote dispenser  30  and the sending unit  40  to be placed at a distance from each other. This is advantageous for the reason the odor control chemistries (whether these are fragrances, or antimicrobials, or combinations of each) can be dispersed from the remote dispenser  30  from a height above the toilet assembly  10  allowing for a more generalized broadcast of the chemistry. In addition, the remoter dispenser  30  includes a housing portion  34  that rotates independently from the base portion  36  by means of the drive  104  which engages the drive flange  108 . The drive  104  receives its power from the spray pump and driver motor  82  which does double service in order to conserve space. The base  36  and the housing  34  are coupled together by the housing fitting  100  and the base fitting  102 , and this coupling can be improved through the use of bearings and/or lubrication in order to reduce the frictional load on the drive  104 .  
         [0025]     The spray pump and drive motor  82  is actuated by the receipt of a signal by the receiver  90  which then opens a timed switch energizing the spray pump and motor drive  82 . The preferred method of use is to have the actuation persist for a time equal to at least one complete rotation of the housing  34  about the base  36 . While so doing, the spray pump portion of the spray pump and drive motor  82  is drawing up odor control chemistry from the reservoir  80  and ejecting it out through the spray nozzle  88  where it is atomized Thus a spray is emitted in a radial pattern about the housing  34 . Inasmuch as the remote dispenser  30  is mounted on the ceiling, the distribution of the spray will fall from the radial pattern downwardly. If there are no obstructions, the odor control chemistry will be broadcast over a very large area as compared to prior art devices that eject spray from a stationery point location. The pattern of the broadcast can be adjusted somewhat by positioning the spray nozzle  88  on the spray head  32 . The spray nozzle  88  is molded as one piece with the nozzle skirt  112  which fits into a corresponding sleeve within the spray head  32  that is identified as the nozzle skirt sheath  114 . The nozzle skirt  112  does not completely take up the clearance within the sheath  114  thus allowing the nozzle  88  some adjustability. The redirection of the nozzle  88  by the user can therefore optimize the broadcast of the odor control chemistry.  
         [0026]     Turning now to the sending unit  40 , the float module  52  is free to slide up and down the module shaft  54  until it meets the shaft end  56  which is represented in the drawings as a capped end, on the down stroke, and until it contacts the power module  50  on the upstroke. The float module  52  will react to the water level in the toilet tank  14  thus when the toilet  10  is flushed, the water level will decrease and the float module  52  will move from its normally close proximity to the power module  50  to a lower level as indicated in  FIG. 3 . This action has the effect of moving the level sensor  66  in and out of range of the proximity detector  68 . In actuality, these two components may be merely a magnet and a proximity switch respectively, but the function that is achieved in any event is the generation of a signal by the proximity detector  68  that then causes the CPU/transmitter  64  to emit a wireless signal for transmission to the remote dispenser  30 . The signal that is generated is typically a low energy radio signal that will be compatible for receipt by a unit that is calibrated to the same frequency and which is relatively close by. Other types of signals could be generated, such as an infared signal, but in some cases this would require a line-of-sight connection between the sending unit  40  and the remote dispenser  30 . The signal is imparted to the antenna  60  which is housed within the antenna portion  44  which is generally an extension of the module shaft  54 . The module shaft  54  turns into the shaft end  58 -and-then, the antenna portion  60  is bent to roughly correspond to the rear wall of the toilet tank  14  from which it can be hung. This results in a single unit that is autonomous and out of sight when installed. Except for the occasional battery change, the sending unit  40  will be out of mind,  
         [0027]     As is apparent from the foregoing, the present invention reacts to the flushing of the toilet by emitting a signal from the sending unit  40  which is received by the remote dispenser  30  which then reacts by spraying an odor control chemistry in a radial pattern. The synchronization of the two components achieves an end result that is far superior to the results of devices known in the prior art  
         [0028]     The preferred embodiment utilizes an odor control chemistry that can be replenished when needed by the user Access to the interior of the housing  34  can be gained by any number of methods including sliding panels or access doors, or provisions can be made to allow for the disengagement of the housing  34  from the base  36  altogether. These aspects of the present invention are well known in the art and do not specifically form a part of the present invention. The odor control chemistry can be substituted for any type of chemistry that is desired to be distributed in this fashion. For instance, in some locations such as in a hospital surgery room, it may be advisable to have a device that lays down a spray of antibiotic chemistry. The spray can be coordinated with the generation of a signal whenever a door is opened, for instance, which would require only very little modification of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0029]     Typically the housing  34  and base  36  of the air freshener system of the present invention can be fabricated from plastic resin that is formed through an injection molded process. The bulk of the structure of the sending unit  40  can similarly be fabricated from plastic components. The balance of those components is typically purchased as individual parts and brought together to form the assembly.  
         [0030]     It is noted that the mounting of the remote dispenser  30  on the ceiling in a bathroom may not always be possible or advisable. In that event, the remote dispenser  30  can be mounted onto a wall and the spray nozzle  88  be adjusted accordingly for maximum broadcast of the spray.  
         [0031]     These and other attributes and benefits of the present invention can be practiced by one skilled in the art with such modifications and variations as may be logically advanced, and no limitation on the scope of the present invention is intended by the teachings herein.