Patent Publication Number: US-2006015999-A1

Title: Cleaner/anti-microbial/fungal dispensing system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system.  
      Various shower cleaning apparatuses and shower cleaning dispensing systems are known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,080 to Grewal discloses a shower cleaning apparatus including a plurality of tubular members having bores extending therethrough and including a first tubular member being adapted to be securely connected to a pipeline for a showerhead. The &#39;080 apparatus also includes a plurality of connecting members for connecting the tubular members together with the connecting members having bores extending therethrough and further includes one or more nozzles being securely connected to the tubular members and being adapted to be disposed above a bathtub or a shower stall for dispensing and spraying water therefrom. The &#39;080 cleaning apparatus also includes a regulating and controlling assembly for regulating and controlling the flow of water to the one or more nozzles. However, the &#39;080 patent does not disclose a stand alone system (i.e., a system that is not connected to a specific water source, for example a shower head) capable of dispensing a cleaner and/or anti-microbial agent on shower walls and/or shower doors, which may be activated from a remote location via a wired actuator or a wireless actuator.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the present invention includes a cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system having a power source, a pump, a reservoir, various tubular members and various nozzle heads.  
      These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a photograph of the installed cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system according to one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a photograph of the installed cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system according to one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a photograph of the installed cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system according to one aspect of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a photograph of the installed cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system according to one aspect of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , the cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system  5  according to one aspect of the present invention generally includes a power source, a pump, a reservoir, and various tubular members.  
      According to one aspect of the present invention, power source  10  may be any power source, including, but not limited to, a power source selected from the following: batteries, a 110 volt conventional “plug-in” connection, a hard-wired connection (i.e., a connection wherein the cleaner dispensing system of the present invention is wired directly to a power source, which then may be controlled via a switch within the same circuit), solar powered, etc. However, while any conceivable power source  10  may be utilized according to this aspect of the present invention, a battery power source is preferred.  
      The power source  10  is releasably connected to pump  20  in the cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system  5 . Pump  20  utilized in the present invention is generally known. While any size pump may be used in the cleaner/anti-microbial dispensing system of the present invention, a pump that is of sufficient size to dispense the cleaner/anti-microbial throughout system  5 , yet one which is aesthetically appealing is preferred. Pump  5  may be sufficient to power the cleaner/anti-microbial in a residential system of the present invention, a commercial system of the present invention or an institutional system of the present invention. For example, the present invention may be utilized in homes, schools, gymnasiums, exercise facilities, colleges, hospitals and/or institutions, etc. This releasable connection between pump  20  and reservoir  30  provides easy access and repair to both pump  20  and reservoir  30 .  
      One or more pumps  20  are connected to one or more reservoirs  30  and is also connected to one or more tubular members  40 . Typically, each reservoir has at least one pump connected thereto. Reservoir  30  may be constructed of any known material. These materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, rubber or any combinations or derivations of any of the above. While any material may be used to construct reservoir  30 , generally plastic is preferred. Reservoir  30  may be any shape, including, but not limited to rectangular, square, oval, round, trapezoidal or any other known shape or any combination(s) of any known shapes. However, generally a rectangular shape is preferred. Reservoir  30  may be any size. The size of reservoir  30  will vary depending upon the area in which system  5  is installed. Of course, generally the size of reservoir  30  will be much smaller for use in a residential setting. Reservoir  30  may be installed anywhere in the shower area, or alternatively, reservoir  30  may be placed in a separate area (i.e., a separate room or closet room). In this instance, pump  20  and power source  10  may also be placed in this same separate area from the shower or a separate area all together. Also, when this is the case, the tubular members, various connecting wires, etc. may need to be extended (i.e., lengthened) to accommodate this situation.  
      The tubular members  40  are bored so they have a channel capable of carrying fluid or a gel. Tubular members  40  include a first end  42  connected to pump  20  and second ends  43  that include various nozzle heads  45 . As cleaner/anti-microbial is pumped through pump  20 , it enters first end  42  of tubular member  40 . Tubular member  40  carries the fluid to second end  43  of tubular member  40 . It is here that the cleaner/anti-microbial is forced out (i.e., sprayed or otherwise projected) from nozzle heads  45 . Generally, tubular members and nozzle heads are known.  
      The system  5  also includes an actuator  50 . Actuator  50  is in communication with pump  20  of the present invention. When a user actuates actuator  50 , the pump is turned-on and system  5  is in operation. The actuator may be wired directly to pump  20 , or alternatively, the actuator may be a wireless actuator which may be actuated from a remote location.  
      The system  5  of the present invention may be a free-standing system that may be installed in any shower (i.e., an existing shower in any of the above-mentioned settings).  
      Most typically, when system  5  is installed for shower cleaner purposes (i.e., it is intended to dispense a shower cleaning product), system  5  will be positioned at a height in the shower such that when the cleaner contacts the shower walls/doors, the cleaner will drip, stream or run down the shower wall. Typically, this height may be measured from the shower floor and extend from about 2 feet to about 10 feet, however, about 6 feet in height is preferred. Most typically, when system  5  is installed for anti-microbial and/or antifungal purposes, system  5  is installed at a height of from about 6 inches to about 5 feet as measured from the shower floor, however, a height of about 2 feet is preferred.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention includes a shower having the system  5  as described above incorporated within it such that a consumer may purchase a shower with system  5  already incorporated therein. When activated (i.e., when an electric current is supplied to pump  20 ), pump  20  moves fluid from one or more reservoirs  30  through pump  20  and out through the one or more tubular members  40 . Alternatively, system  5  may be incorporated into a custom built or tiled shower. In this instance, every element of the system may optionally be placed in a separate area (i.e., other than the shower) with the exception of the nozzle heads  45 . Nozzle heads  45  may protrude through the shower wall just enough to dispense the cleaner/anti-microbial/anti-fungal agent.  
      Clearly, an anti-microbial solution, or any other solution may be placed within reservoir  20 .  
      In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein.