Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/795,973, filed Mar. 8, 2004, pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/253,348, filed Sep. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,506, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/544,011, filed Apr. 6, 2000, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/019,252, filed Feb. 5, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,425, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/730,364, filed Oct. 14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,826, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/319,292, filed Oct. 6, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,324, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/024,448, filed Mar. 1, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,917. 
     
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0002]     The entireties of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/795,973, filed Mar. 8, 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/253,348, filed Sep. 24, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/544,011, filed Apr. 6, 2000, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/019,252, filed Feb. 5, 1998, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/730,364, filed Oct. 14, 1996, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/319,292, filed Oct. 6, 1994, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/024,448, filed Mar. 1, 1993, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present specification.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to soap dispensers, air fresheners, and supply units therefor and, in particular, to such dispensers used in washrooms and similar settings.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     Air freshener dispensers are often used in public washrooms to control odor in the enclosed area. Although air fresheners are sometimes referred to as scented or unscented, in reality all air fresheners give off a fragrance, and it is simply a matter of degree as to whether the air freshener is perceived as having its own scent or merely masking the undesirable odor in the washroom.  
         [0007]     Air fresheners nay be dispensed continuously, at regular intervals, or in response to a particular event, such as when the light in the washroom is turned on. The air freshener is typically dispensed from a source of fragrance through evaporation or atomization. The air freshener dispenser is usually located high on the washroom wall where suitable air flow exists to accelerate the dispensing of the air freshener. This location has the further advantage of preventing atomized air freshener from being sprayed directly on people using the washroom. Unfortunately, when the air freshener is dispensed in high places it tends to rise to the ceiling where it can be suctioned from the washroom via the ventilation system before it can control odor.  
         [0008]     Due to its awkward location, maintenance personnel are sometimes unable to detect when the air freshener needs to be replaced. Furthermore, the placement of air freshener high on the wall requires maintenance personnel to stand on a ladder or platform in order to service it. While some air freshener dispensers have a beeping noise or blinking light to indicate that the supply of air freshener needs to be replaced, even with these replacement reminders, air freshener dispensers are frequently not maintained on a regular basis due to the inconvenience of maintaining the air freshener.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Applicant&#39;s invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a dual dispenser for soap and air freshener. For hygienic and cost reasons, soap dispensers, rather than individual bars of soap, are commonly used in public washrooms. They are usually located near the wash basin within easy reach of a person standing in front of a wash basin. Typically, the soap dispenser will include an actuating plate, which is pushed or pulled to dispense a measured quantity of soap into the person&#39;s hand.  
         [0010]     Numerous advantages are realized through use of the dual dispenser and practicing the methods of the present invention. Significantly, Applicant&#39;s invention includes a method of facilitating the replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. This substantially increases the likelihood that odor in the washroom or other environment will be controlled. For example, health regulations require that numerous establishments, such a restaurants and hospitals maintain a supply of soap in their washrooms to reduce the spread of disease. Accordingly, by joining the supply of soap to the supply of air freshener, the air freshener will be changed each time the supply of soap is changed.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the invention is a method of reducing the time necessary to maintain a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener, including the steps of providing a supply of soap, providing a supply of air freshener and inserting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener into a single dispenser.  
         [0012]     Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. Advantageously, the method may also comprise connecting a power source to one of the supply of soap or the supply of air freshener in such a manner that when one of the supply of soap or the supply of air freshener is removed from a dispenser, the source of power is removed from the dispenser.  
         [0013]     Importantly, yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of efficiently utilizing air freshener, including providing a receptacle, inserting a supply of soap into the receptacle and connecting a supply of air freshener to the receptacle in an amount calculated to provide sufficient air freshener to last as long as the supply of soap. Finally, yet another aspect of the invention is a method of effectively utilizing air freshener including a supply of soap, providing a supply of air freshener, connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener to an actuator, and dispensing a portion of the supply of soap and a portion of the supply of air freshener when the actuator is actuated.  
         [0014]     Another aspect of the present invention is a supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle. Advantageously, the supply unit further includes a source of power mounted to the receptacle.  
         [0015]     Finally, yet another aspect of the invention is a dual dispenser including means for dispensing the soap, means for actuating the dispensement of soap, means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener and means for actuating the means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener.  
         [0016]     As will be understood by those of skill in the art from the nature of the invention and the specification, “source of fragrance” used in this application means a supply of air freshener. That is, the source of fragrance which is included in the supply unit and dispensed by the dispenser of the present invention will be understood as meaning a source of air freshener. As is known by those of skill in the art, the chemical composition of an air freshener will vary depending upon various factors, including the nature of the fragrance utilized by the air freshener. Specifically, while air fresheners typically comprise 10-25% fragrance, they may utilize as little as 3% fragrance, if the fragrance is particularly strong. Furthermore, they may utilize a higher percentage of fragrance if the fragrance is particularly mild. Since fragrance is typically relatively expensive, the air freshener will usually utilize a “carrier,” such as an odorless mineral spirit to dilute the fragrance and to aid in evaporation. The nature of fragrance used in the air freshener will depend upon numerous factors including the nature of the odors expected to be controlled, and numerous industry reference materials are available which describe the nature of fragrance desirable to control certain odors.  
         [0017]     These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to an improved embodiment, which is intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a dual soap/air freshener dispenser of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the assembled dual soap/air freshener dispenser of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram used in operating the dual soap/air freshener dispenser;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dual soap/air freshener dispenser of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a base portion of the dual soap/air freshener dispenser of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a lower, front perspective view of the base portion of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a removable supply unit containing soap and air freshener for use in the dispenser of  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the dual soap/air freshener dispenser of  FIG. 4  showing the motion of an actuating plate in phantom. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a dual soap/air freshener dispenser according to the present invention is indicated in an exploded view at  10 . The dual dispenser  10  comprises a mounting plate  12  for attaching to a wall, a supply unit  13  containing containers for soap and air freshener, and a cover  30 . The mounting plate  12  includes a rear vertical wall plate  15  having both a lower shelf or support  14  and an upper support  16  extending forwardly therefrom. The supply unit  13  includes a generally rectilinear protective box  18  enclosing a flexible bag  20  of liquid soap. A flexible dispensing tube  22  is opened to the interior of the bag  20  and extends downward from a lower portion of the bag. The dispensing tube  22  extends through an opening  24  in the enclosing box  18  and has a flanked spout  26 . For shipping purposes, the box  18  is originally fully enclosed, but a section (not shown) defined by a perforation is removed to define the opening  24  in the box  18 . The dispensing tube  22  can be pulled out from a folded condition within the box  18  prior to placing the box in the mounting plate  12 . When installed, the box  18  is supported by the shelf  14  below the upper support  16 . The dispensing tube  22  depends downwardly so that the flanked spout  26  is inserted between clips  28  at a lower portion of the mounting plate  12 .  
         [0027]     The cover  30  for the dual dispenser  10  includes an actuating plate  32  pivotably attached at a lower front portion. More particularly and with reference to  FIG. 2 , the actuating plate  32  includes a pair of brackets or ears  34  having throughholes for mounting on a rod or pair of rod stubs  36  formed on the inner surface of the cover  30  and generally aligned transversely across the cover. A squeeze bar  38  is attached to the actuating plate  32  between the ears  34 . The squeeze bar  38  includes a rear slanted surface  40  which impinges against the downwardly depending dispensing tube  22 , forcing it against a front surface  42  of the mounting plate  12  when the actuating plate  22  is depressed inward from the front of the cover  30 . This motion can be seen in phantom in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0028]     The supply unit  13  includes a container  44  mounted in an upper portion. The container  44  ‘holds a supply of air freshener, such as gel  46 . A battery  48  is mounted within a rear recess  50  of the supply unit  13 . The battery is firmly attached at a central location within the recess  50  to provide small gaps on either end of the battery. A pair of electrical contacts  52 ,  54  provided on the front of the wall plate  15  are positioned and sized to extend within the gaps and make contact with the electrical terminals of the battery  48 . The electrical contact between the battery  48  and the terminals  52 ,  54  is accomplished when the supply unit  13  is mounted on the mounting plate  12 . A removable lid or top (not shown) is provided on the container  44  and is removed prior to installing the supply unit  13  on the mounting plate  12  to expose the fragrant gel  46 .  
         [0029]     The contact  52  is in electrical connection with a conducting strip  56  extending downward along the wall plate  15 . The strip  56  continues forwardly over the lower support  14  and to a front surface  42  to join with a fastener  58 . The fastener  58  connects the conducting strip  56  with a switchblade or strip  60  arranged transversely across the front surface  42 . The switchblade  60  is positioned to the rear of the flexible dispensing tube  22  when the supply unit  13  is installed. When the actuating plate  32  is depressed from the front, the squeeze bar  38  causes the dispensing tube  22  to press against the switchblade  60  and force it into electrical contact with a terminal  62 . The terminal  62  is in electrical connection with a conducting strip  64  which extends upward to a PC board  68  having a solid-state timer  70 . A conductor  72  also electrically connects the contact  54  with the PC board  68 . To complete the circuit, a conductor  74  electrically connects the PC board  68  with the contact  52 .  
         [0030]     Conductors  76  and  78  extend forward from the PC board  68  to a small, commercially available electric motor  80  positioned in the upper support  16  and above the supply unit  13  when installed. The motor  80  drives a small fan  82  directly above the container  44 . When the fan  82  rotates, it circulates air over the container  44  and gel  46  to disperse air freshener through side openings  84  and upper slits  86  in the cover  30 .  
         [0031]     Now with reference to the circuit diagram of  FIG. 3 , the switchblade  60  provides closure to a timer circuit. The timer  70  conducts for a predetermined period of time, such as, for example, 15-20 seconds. The timer completes a circuit for this predetermined period of time through the battery  48  and motor  80 . The timer  70  can also be a chip which is programmed to periodically operate the motor  80  and fan  82  for a given period of time. Furthermore, the motor  80  and fan  82  could be run continuously for use in areas with high odor problems. The dual dispenser  10  may also include an LED indicator which is turned on when the motor  80  is running. In place of the motor  80  and fan  82 , a heat-activated material could be used to melt a plastic bar which is impregnated with air freshener. This would be accomplished by powering the unit with a battery or through a direct electrical wall connection. The dispenser  10  can also be used with a light-sensitive eye to turn the motor  80  and fan  82  on when the lights in the room are on.  
         [0032]     In place of positioning the air freshener container  44  in the top of the supply unit  13 , a separate plastic shroud could be employed which fits over the top of a standard box  18 , with the shroud housing both the battery  48  and source of fragrance. A dispenser with the fragrance source could also be Used with a reservoir type of soap dispenser, rather than a separate soap box.  
         [0000]     Description of Another Dual Soap/Air freshener Dispenser Embodiment  
         [0033]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a second embodiment of a dual soap/air freshener dispenser includes a front cover  100 . The cover  100  comprises a generally oval-shaped outer side wall  102  and a front wall  104 . A recess  106  in the front wall  104  supports an elongated vertical window  108 . A movable actuator plate  110  is pivotably mounted to the cover  100 , as will be explained more fully below with respect to  FIG. 8 . The cover  100  also includes a series of horizontally aligned ducts  112  providing communication between the interior and the exterior of the cover.  
         [0034]     Now with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover  100  is adapted to be mounted over a base  114 . The base  114  generally comprises a rear vertical wall plate  116  having a hollow lower support  118  and an upper support  120  extending forwardly therefrom. The wall plate  116  includes a series of mounting holes  122  for attaching the base  114  to a wall in a washroom or other such location. The base  114  includes a pair of opposed side walls  124   a,    124   b  which, together with the lower support  118  and upper support  120 , define a supply unit housing. The supply unit  150  will be described below with reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0035]     As mentioned, the cover  100  is adapted to be mounted to the base  114 . In this regard, a pair of cover pivot stubs  126  are provided on either side of the lower support  118 . These pivot stubs  126  are adapted to extend into cylindrical cavities (not shown) on the lower interior sides of the outer wall  102  of the cover  100 . A cover latch  128  ( FIG. 6 ) mates with a complementary latch (not shown) provided on the upper interior of the outer wall  102  of the cover  100 . Thus, the cover  100  can be released and pivoted downward, away from the base  114  about the pivot stubs  126 .  
         [0036]     The lower support  118  comprises a generally box-shaped member extending forward from the wall plate  116  and defining at its forward distal end an upper ledge  130 , an abutment wall  134 , and a lower ledge  132 . The abutment wall  134  is recessed rearwardly from both the upper and lower ledges  130 ,  132 . A generally cylindrical relief  136  is formed in the upper ledge  130 . Likewise, a generally cylindrical brace relief  138  is formed in the lower ledge  132 . The brace relief  138  includes a circular groove therein, which purpose will be described below. A switch  140  is positioned on the abutment wall  134  and includes an actuator button or other such switching device facing forward thereon.  
         [0037]     The upper support  120  extends forward from the wall plate  116  and over the supply unit housing defined between the side walls  124   a,    124   b.  A centrifugal fan  142  having fan blades  144  is rotatably positioned within an aperture in the upper support  120 . A motor  146  mounted within brackets  148  in the upper support  120  is coupled to rotate the centrifugal fan  142 .  
         [0038]     Now with reference to  FIG. 7 , a preferred supply unit  150  is shown. The supply unit  150  includes containers for both soap and an aromatic air freshener. The supply unit  150  is generally defined by an outer protective box  152  enclosing a flexible container or bag  154  therein. The box  152  may be cardboard or other suitable material. A flexible dispensing tube  156  is attached to a lower front corner of the container  154 . The tube  156  terminates in an outlet  158  and includes a lower collar or flange  160 . A valve (not shown) is positioned within the outlet to prevent the release of fluid from the tube  156  unless sufficient pressure is exerted. For storage and shipping, the dispensing tube  156  is folded upward against a front wall of the container  154  and within the box  152 . A section (not shown) of the box  152  is detached at a perforated score line to form an elongated aperture  162 . Once the aperture  162  is formed, the dispensing tube  156  can be retracted from inside the box  152  and assume a downwardly depending orientation, as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0039]     The supply unit  150  also houses a air freshener container  163  above the flexible container  154 . The air freshener container  163  includes a lid  164  made of foil or other such disposable material. The lid  164  is adapted to be easily removed from the container  163  prior to use. The lid  164  extends over a lip portion  166  on the container  163 . The battery  167  is mounted centrally on a rear ledge  167  of the box  152 . An upper plate  164  covers the container  163  and battery  167 . The lip portion  166  of the container  163  may rest directly on top of the plate  168  or may lie flush with the plate in a stepped recess (not shown). Alternatively, the container  163  may be securely attached to the upper plate  168 . The container  163  itself may be approximately 2.7 inches in diameter. The rearwardly extending portion of the upper plate  168  covers and protects the battery  167 . The plate  168  includes a series of ribs  169  which provide strength and prevent warping during the manufacturing process.  
         [0040]     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the assembled dual soap/air freshener dispenser  170  is illustrated. The cover  100  is shown mounted over the base  114 . The box  152  containing the containers  154  and  163  is positioned within the housing defined by the base  114 . In this position, the dispensing tube  156  depends downwardly and is located within the relief  136  and brace relief  138  previously described. In this manner, the flange  160  fits within the groove formed in the brace relief  138  to secure the end of the dispensing tube  156  against vertical movement. The outlet  158  extends downwardly from the bottom of the dual dispenser  170 .  
         [0041]     The action of the actuator plate  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . More particularly, the actuator plate includes a pair of upwardly extending side brackets  172  having apertures therein. The apertures fit over a pair of pivot rods  174  formed in the inner side of the side walls  102  of the cover  100 . The actuator plate  110  includes a step structure  176  which contacts a portion of the front wall  104  of the cover  100 . The actuator plate further includes a rear squeeze plate  178  facing the abutment wall  134  of the lower support  118 . The dispensing tube  156  is thus positioned between the abutment wall  134  and the squeeze plate  178 . When the actuator plate  110  pivots rearwardly, as shown by arrow  179 , by depressing from the front of the dual dispenser  170 , the squeeze plate  178  comes into contact with the dispensing tube  156 . The squeeze plate  178  forms an acute angle with the forward lower and of the actuator plate, causing the squeeze plate to first come-Into contact with the dispensing tube at an upper portion. As the actuator plate  110  is pushed inward, the squeeze plate  178  gradually comes into greater surface contact with the dispensing tube  156 , causing a specified volume of liquid soap therein to be expelled through the outlet  158 . The valve in the outlet  158  prevents dripping of the relatively viscous liquid soap therein until overcome by the pressure of this dispensing action. Upon release of the actuator plate, gravity causes the liquid soap within the container  154  to fill the dispensing tube  156  once again. The actuator plate  110  will also be gradually pushed outward to its initial position.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  8 , full depression of the actuator plate  110  also causes the squeeze plate  178  to come into contact with the air freshener dispensing switch  140 . Actuation of the air freshener dispensing switch  140  turns the motor  146  on for a predetermined period of time. This is accomplished through a circuit similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . More particularly, the supply unit housing includes a pair of battery terminals  180   a,    180   b  extending forward from a PC board  181  and positioned to contact the terminals of the battery  167  mounted in the supply unit  150 . Thus, when the supply unit  150  is inserted into the housing defined between the side walls  124   a,    124   b,  the battery  167  forms an electrical connection between the terminals  180   a,    180   b.  A pair of conduits  182   a,    182   b  extends downward from the upper support  120  to the lower support  118 . These conduits  182   a,    182   b  contain electrical conductors between the air freshener dispensing switch  140  and the PC board  181  within the upper support  120 .  
         [0043]     As discussed above, an important aspect of the invention is the coordination of the volume of the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener to ensure that the supply of air freshener is sufficient to continue freshening the air the entire period soap is available in the supply unit. Furthermore, in addition to ensuring that there is a sufficient supply of air freshener to control odor until the supply of soap is exhausted, the present invention permits the supply of air freshener to be limited to an amount just sufficient to continue freshening the air until the supply of soap is exhausted. In a first embodiment, for example, the total volume of the supply of soap is 700 milliliters and the total volume of the supply of air freshener is 26.2. These amounts were determined by dividing a standard volume for a supply of soap, 700 milliliters, by the desired volume of soap dispensed each time the actuator bar is depressed, 1 milliliter, to determine the number of times the actuator bar will be depressed before the supply of soap is exhausted. The desired volume of air freshener dispensed each time the actuator bar is depressed, 0.026 milliliters, is then multiplied by the number of times the actuator bar will be depressed to exhaust the supply of soap, then a reasonable safety margin, to account for evaporation when the fan is not activated, is added to determine the desired volume of air freshener, in this case approximately 26.2 milliliters.  
         [0044]     In an alternative embodiment for a larger volume supply unit, the total volume of, the supply of soap is 900 milliliters and the total volume of the supply of air freshener is 33.6. As before, the number of times the actuator bar is depressed before the supply of soap is exhausted is found by dividing the volume of soap by the volume of soap dispensed each time the actuator bar is depressed. The desired volume of air freshener dispensed each time the actuator bar is depressed is then multiplied by the number of times the actuator bar will be depressed to exhaust the supply of soap. A reasonable safety margin is added to determine the desired volume of air freshener, in this case approximately 33.6 milliliters. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, these numbers will vary significantly, depending upon various factors such as the carrier utilized by the air freshener, the expected environmental conditions, etc. Indeed, it may be desirable to empirically determine the particular volumes of soap and fragrance required.  
         [0045]     In either size dispenser discussed above, the desired volume of air freshener dispensed each time the actuator bar is depressed, is used to determine the length of time the fan must run to dispense the desired volume of air freshener. In either embodiment, it has been determined, given the volume of air flow from the fan, that the fan should ideally run 45 seconds each time the actuator bar is depressed. Of course, other time periods for different fans may be utilized. A preferred fan for use in the present invention includes a blower wheel with a 2″ diameter and a height of ⅝″. Additionally, the motor rotates the blower wheel at 2200-2600 rpm. One example of such a fan is model NISSEI DENKI M663-GF distributed by Douglas International of Geneva, Ill.  
         [0046]     Another beneficial aspect of the present invention is the optimum positioning of the source of fragrance in a washroom or other room. Prior fragrance dispensers were often located high in the room near ceiling fans which diluted their effect. Indeed, aerosol fragrance dispensers are placed high up as a safety precaution to prevent direct facial exposure to the aerosol mist. The present dispenser, on the other hand, is situated low on the wall within easy reach of people. Because the fragrance is dispensed so close to the user, less fragrance is needed to accomplish the same effect. Importantly, the fragrance is dispensed “on demand” rather than continuously or at regular intervals. This also increases the efficiency of the system by minimizing the quantity of fragrance needed.  
         [0047]     Another cost benefit associated with the dual, soap/fragrance dispenser described herein is the complete elimination of a separate fragrance-dispenser. Although not often required by law, fragrance dispensers in public washrooms are desirable and nearly universally provided in some form or another. The dual soap/fragrance dispenser costs somewhere between the cost of a typical soap dispenser alone and the cost of a soap dispenser and a fragrance dispenser combined. In conjunction with the automatic fragrance replacement feature of the present dispenser, this cost savings is highly attractive.  
         [0048]     Although described and illustrated in terms of an air freshener container  163 , a source of air freshener may be in other forms. For example, the air freshener may be in the form of a solid stick or bar which emits a fragrance upon being heated. An electrode or heating element may replace the motor  180  and fan  182  in this configuration. In a different configuration, the motor and fan may be eliminated altogether, and depression of the switch  140  may cause a ventilation door in the cover  100  to open, with the air freshener being dispersed naturally without forced air. In this regard, the cover  100  of the disclosed embodiment forms an extremely effective shroud over the air freshener container  163  to prevent air flow which would otherwise result in the premature evaporation of the air freshener therein. As mentioned previously, the amount of air freshener within the container  163  is carefully measured to last as long as the soap within the container  154  lasts. The longevity of the air freshener within the container  163  is also dependent on the amount of time for which the fan  182  is turned on each time someone depresses the actuating plate  110 . In a further configuration, an air freshener source in the form of a pump dispenser may be substituted for the air freshener container  163 . In this embodiment, depressing the actuation plate  110  causes either a manual or electrically actuated lever to depress the pump of the air freshener dispenser.  
         [0049]     The preferred form of the air freshener in the container  163  is generally described as an odorless carrier with a particular concentration of fragrance therein. Typical air fresheners of this composition utilize a concentration of fragrance of between 5-50%, and sometimes as low as 3%. Most brands of air freshener of this type are between 10-25% concentration of fragrance, however. In the preferred embodiment, the air freshener comprises 30% fragrance and 70% odorless mineral spirit carrier, such as manufactured under the trade name ISOPAR K or G, manufactured by Exxon Corp. Although many types of fragrance are possible, the preferred fragrance is a mild high lift fragrance manufactured by International Fragrances, Inc. of Houston, Tex., and may be fragrance No. FG 9798. This higher percentage of fragrance than normal is desirable due to the relatively mild nature of the fragrance.  
         [0050]     To prevent the relatively volatile carrier in air freshener from spilling from the container  163  when the foil lid  164  is removed, a polyester matrix is provided therein, and the fragrance and carrier saturated within the matrix.  
         [0051]     Although it is not necessary to use any particular form of soap with the broadest aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the soap be pourable. Desirably, the supply of soap utilized is a liquid hand soap. In particular, it is desirable to utilize a nonionic or anionic phenol. Although such soaps are sometimes scented, they have a much lower concentration of fragrance than would an air freshener. Specifically, a hand soap would generally have a maximum of 0.5% fragrance for various reasons, including the risk of allergic reaction by users. More typically, the soap would have no more than a concentration of 0.25% fragrance and, the preferred supply of soap has only 0.15% fragrance. Advantageously, by packaging soap and air freshener together in a single supply unit, one can ensure the compatibility of any fragrance contained in the soap.  
         [0052]     Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims that follow.

Technology Category: 4