A flexible Automatic Aerosol Dispensing System with remotely located Aerosol Container

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system which has its container remotely located and can be used for dispensing fragrances, disinfectants or insect killers in closed spaces such that the fragrance, disinfectant or insect killer spreads evenly in the area..

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Air fresheners are consumer products used in homes or they are commercial products used in restrooms or closed spaces that typically emit fragrance due to which the mal odour or unacceptable odour from the surroundings is diminished. Air fresheners introduce fragrance into the air of interior spaces either as droplets which transition to vapor or as the molecules of fragrance ingredients evaporating from a source. Fragrance diffuses into the air to mask other odours or to introduce a specific odour.

Many places like rooms, halls, auditoriums and vehicles like cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes etc. remain closed due to the functioning of the air conditioners or have to be kept closed due to external temperature or pollution. The interior of these places may have unacceptable odours due to exhaust gases, smoking or use of tobacco or through external sources. These odours make the ambience of the place unpleasant for the occupants. Since long, various kinds of air fresheners have been used to freshen up the environment within closed spaces. Some such air fresheners are: • Air Fresheners in the form of blocks/gels which constantly vaporize releasing fragrance. These pieces of blocks/gels can be manually kept open or closed.

• Air Fresheners can be manually sprayed in the environment from aerosol cans whenever required.

• A vaporizing unit, which has a small cartridge containing the fragrant liquid, can be hooked at any place especially in front of the blower of the A/C due to which the fragrance is enhanced by allowing the air to flow from it. Whenever fragrance is needed, a button is pressed on the unit due to which a small amount of the liquid is vaporized and flows along with the air of the A/C.

» A small aerosol dispenser which has a time setting in it and sprays fragrance at regular time intervals which operates on dry battery having a particular shape and size of the aerosol can which fits in the dispenser. This aerosol dispenser needs to be switched on and off whenever needed.

Thus there are many ways to keep the air in closed spaces fresh and to maintain the hygiene of the place. Although the above methods keep the ambience of a closed area fresh & pleasant, they have a number of drawbacks:

• One needs to remember every time to turn ON & OFF the Air Freshener Unit.

. · Manual spray of the air freshener may be required if mal odour enters.

• Moreover during manual spray of the air freshener, the aerosol content isn't evenly regulated within the area and greater quantity of the aerosol has to be used due to which the can lasts for a shorter duration. • When using a Cake or Gel for fragrance, the Sun evaporates it faster and the closed will be filled with aroma.

• A similar heavy aroma gathers if one forgets to switch off the dispenser unit operated on battery and the closed area isn't opened for a couple of days.

US Patent 6216925 discusses an automatic aerosol dispenser which is a portable automatic aerosol dispenser device for intermittently releasing a dose of an aerosol from an aerosol can to an environment. The portable automatic aerosol dispenser device comprises a housing, which comprises an aerosol release mechanism adapted to release the dose of aerosol from the can to the environment, an outlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for releasing the dose of aerosol through the housing, an inlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for receiving a stem of the can, an actuating mechanism adapted to actuate the aerosol release mechanism intermittently, the actuating mechanism comprising a switch mechanism for switching the aerosol release mechanism from an inoperative position to an operative position for an interval of time and a timing mechanism for controlling the interval of time, and a gripping mechanism adapted to grip a rim of the can, for releasably gripping the housing to the rim. The automatic aerosol dispenser device may be used with an aerosol can of any size.

US Patent 4527713 gives a coin operated fragrance dispenser for spraying desired fragrances interiorly of an automobile or vehicle. Preferably the dispenser includes a generally cubical, rigid, cabinet adapted to be mounted to a rigid support. Containers of fragrances to be dispensed are disposed within the cabinet. A compressor delivers air pressure to a coin operated control system for selectively outputting desired fragrances through a remote manually actuable spray gun. Customers are attracted by a visually pleasing display module associated with the cabinet. The module includes a rigid enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a translucent front permitting the visual inspection of its interior. Preferably a pair of cylindrical containment compartments disposed within the enclosure extend between the top and bottom thereof. Each containment compartment includes a bottom mounted, preferably cylindrical fluid control compartment and a top mounted cylindrical fluid control compartment. Vents are provided to establish fluid flow communication between the fluid control compartments and the interior of the containment compartment. An elongated tubular passageway extends between the first and second fluid control compartments. A viscous display oil disposed within the containment compartment may be pumped from the interior of the first fluid control compartment up through the passageway into the interior of the second fluid control compartment creating a visually appealing bubbling effect. Bubbling fluid reaching the upper fluid control compartment will dro downwardly through the vents provided in same to be subsequently recycled.

US. Patent 5394506 provides fragrance dispenser for an automobile that utilizes the automobile's cigarette lighter as a heating source. The fragrance dispenser includes a housing for plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket and a wedge-shaped divergent housing that has an open, or mostly open, top portion that allows for dispensing of the fragrance, while at the same time providing visual inspection of the remaining material. The system utilizes a replaceable cartridge of a volatile fragrance emitting material.

US Patent 4433796 relates to a fragrance or the like dispenser particularly for automobiles which has a housing with a compartment defined therein and a slot-like aperture in the top thereof. Fragrance-filled containers are positioned horizontally in the compartment in parallel side-by-side relationship. Each container has valve means actuatable to dispense a spray of its fragrance from an orifice thereof upwardly through the slot-like aperture. Two spaced apart front walls support members for selectively actuating the valve means to spray a selected fragrance into the atmosphere.

US Patent 4604245 describes a perfume dispensing device particularly suitable for cars, which is insertable in a housing provided in the front panel or dashboard of a car. It comprises a structure formed by a plate or front panel, with its perimetric border rounded. On the surface of the plate have been cut on one side orifices in which are housed respectively a switch and a pulsator, and on the opposite side, an orifice of greater diameter. From the edge of the orifice an extension forms a cylindrical housing provided with an internal wall; divided into two zones by an intermediate transversal wall provided with a broad central orifice. In the zone of the internal wall in the rear of the transversal wall have been cut two broad rectangular notches in diametrically opposite positions, so that the zone of the internal wall in front of the transversal wall has two broad rectangular notches in diametrically opposite positions. The cylindrical space defined by the transversal wall and the zone in front of the internal wall contains the perfuming product.

WO 2000075046 relates to aerosol dispensers and more particularly to automatic aerosol dispensers. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable automatic aerosol dispenser device for intermittently releasing a dose of an aerosol from an aerosol can to an environment. The portable automatic aerosol dispenser device comprises a housing, which comprises an aerosol release mechanism adapted to release the dose of aerosol from the can to the environment, an outlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for releasing the dose of aerosol through the housing, an inlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for receiving a stem of the can, an actuating mechanism adapted to actuate the aerosol release mechanism intermittently, the actuating mechanism comprising a switch mechanism for switching the aerosol release mechanism from an inoperative position to an operative position for an interval of time and a timing mechanism for controlling the interval of time, and a gripping mechanism adapted to grip a rim of the can, for releasably gripping the housing to the rim. The automatic aerosol dispenser device may be used with an aerosol can of any size.

GB 2248888 discusses a timed aerosol dispenser having an electromagnetic valve construction. The aerosol dispenser comprises a housing within which an aerosol container can be removably located. A dispensing nozzle arrangement is provided through which aerosol contained in the container can be dispensed. A valve means provides communication between an outlet of the aerosol container, and the spray nozzle arrangement. Electronic control means activate the valve means so as to facilitate a metered dosage of aerosol to be dispensed from said spray nozzle arrangement. In the preferred arrangement the valve means includes a solenoid for operation of the valve means.

JP 2004167458 gives a discharge apparatus equipped with a driving gear which is equipped with a container comprising a container body and an aerosol valve attached to the top end of the container body, an injection button attached to a stem located in a housing of the aerosol valve, solenoid valve fixed under the housing, a control system comprising a signal transmitter at the outside of the container and a signal receiver located in the container to receive a signal from the signal transmitter as well as a cord connecting the signal receiver and the solenoid valve.

Although a number of aerosol, dispensing systems are available in the prior art, an aerosol dispensing system which operates automatically along with the functioning of the air conditioner or along with the running of a vehicle, lasts longer, gives instant fresh blur of aroma directly from the A/C duct when fixed within the A C blower unit and which gets evenly spread throughout the environment and maintains the hygiene of the place is the need of the day. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

The main object of the invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which the aerosol container can be remotely placed and connected through a pipe to the nozzle at the place where spraying of the aerosol is needed.

Another object of the invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which a single controller can operate the functioning of multiple nozzles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system which automatically dispenses a fixed amount of aerosol at regular time intervals as per its programming.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which the time interval between two sprays and the quantity of aerosol to be sprayed can be adjusted with the help of a remote controller.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which when a very less amount of liquid remains in the container, it sounds a buzzer and flashes an LED light.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which after the aerosol container has been changed, the controller can restart the counting of the content of the aerosol after the flush reset switch is pressed.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system in which initially the environment of the closed area can be prepared using the make up switch. A still another object of the present invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system which dispenses fragrance / air disinfectant / insect killer either from the A/C duct or from wherever it is placed to the atmosphere of the closed area.

A yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system which can be programmed to start working with the functioning of the air conditioner or with the ignition of the vehicle as per the consumer's requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention is a flexible automatic aerosol dispensing system with remotely located aerosol container which dispenses the fragrance/air disinfectant/insect killer directly into the air conditioner duct or from wherever it is placed, in the atmosphere so that the environment of the place remains fresh & hygienic. It can be used for closed places like rooms, halls, showrooms or closed vehicles like car, bus, train, aeroplane etc. It is a continuous aerosol dispensing system which consists of a DC electromagnetic solenoid valve which dispenses a predetermined amount of aerosol at predetermined intervals of time when the air conditioner is functioning or when the vehicle is running without the need of manual intervention. This electromagnetic solenoid valve functions in accordance with the directions obtained from the controller unit. The controller unit is a small PCB with a programmed CPU which gives the signals to the solenoid valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 gives the assembly of the automatic aerosol dispensing systems.

Fig. 2 gives the enlarged view of the aerosol can. Fig. 3 gives the enlarged three dimensional view of the pressure extending assembly. Fig. 4(A) gives the enlarged three dimensional view of the solenoid valve assembly.

Fig. 4 gives the enlarged view of the solenoid valve in the open and closed positions.

Fig. 5 gives a block diagram of the apparatus

Fig. 6 gives a block diagram of the remote of the controller unit and its functioning.

Fig. 7 gives a flow chart of the functioning of the automatic aerosol dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The nature of the invention and the manner in which it is performed is clearly described in the specification. The invention has various components and they are clearly described in the following pages of the complete specification.

With the growth and development seen throughout the world, there is also an increase in population as well as pollution. Increase in population has led to limited area for people to live in leading to unpleasant odor while increase in pollution has led to foul odor along with the presence of insects and pathogens throughout the environment. Presently, a variety of aerosol dispensers are available in the market to deal with foul odor, insects or infections. These include both automatic and manually operated aerosol dispensers.

The present invention is an automatic aerosol dispensing system. This aerosol dispensing system dispenses the aerosol which may be a fragrance/air disinfectant/insect killer directly into the air conditioner duct or from wherever it is placed in the atmosphere so that the environment in the closed area remains fresh & hygienic. When the aerosol is sprayed into the air conditioner duct, it spreads evenly throughout the environment of the closed space. Fig. 1 gives the complete assembly of the automatic aerosol dispensing system wherein the different parts labeled are as follows:

1 A - Solenoid Valve Body

IB - Solenoid Spring

1 C - Solenoid Plunger

2 - Spray Nozzle

3 - Connector Nozzle

4 - Intermediate Connector

5 - Connector Pipe

6 - Jet Lock Pipe

7 - Flexible Pipe

8 - Jet Lock Pipe

9 - Connector Pipe

10 - Intermediate Connector

1 1 - Connector Aerosol Can

12 - Aerosol Can

13 - Internal Pipe

. The assembly of the present invention contains an aerosol can (12) which has an internal pipe (13) to dispense the liquid. The part (11) which is the connector of the aerosol can is attached to an intermediate connector (10) which connects to the connector pipe (9). The jet lock pipe (8) locks the Flexible pipe (7) & prevents it from moving out & also prevents the flowing aerosol liquid from leaking when the system is in off condition. The flexible pipe is again connected to the jet lock pipe (6) on its other end which again locks the flow of the aerosol liquid and does not allow the flexible pipe to move out of the connector. Then through the connector pipe (5) and the intermediate connector (4), the system is connected to the connector nozzle (3) which connects to the spray nozzle (2) from which the aerosol is sprayed. This spray nozzle is connected to the solenoid plunger (1 C) which plunges and opens when it receives the signal to allow the spray nozzle to spray the aerosol. This plunging of the solenoid plunger is facilitated with the help of the solenoid spring (IB) which contracts and expands in accordance with the signal. (1A) is the solenoid valve body which receives the signal from the control panel and functions accordingly.

Fig. 2 gives the enlarged view of the aerosol can which shows the complete as well as the cross section view of the aerosol can (12) and the internal pipe (13). This aerosol can has a specific type of outlet that fits with the special adaptor connected with a pipe to extend the pressure of the container to the assembly shown in three dimensions in Fig. 3 which is the pressure extending assembly. This assembly comprises of parts 3 to 1 1 mentioned in Fig. 1. This pressure is extended till the spray nozzle (2) shown in Fig. 1. This spray nozzle is operated by a DC electromagnetic solenoid valve assembly which comprises of parts 1 A, IB and 1C as shown in Fig. 1. The three dimensional view of the solenoid valve assembly is shown in Fig. 4(A). This solenoid valve assembly operates in two positions; one position is the closed position when it does not allow the fragrance/other liquid to be sprayed through the nozzle which is achieved continuously with the help of the spring tension of spring (IB) while the second position is the open position when it allows the fragrance/other liquid to flow from the nozzle which is achieved by the magnetic field developed by the solenoid valve due to which the plunger is pulled inside the valve overcoming the tension of solenoid spring. These two positions of the solenoid valve assembly are displayed in Fig. 4. The time that the DC Electromagnetic solenoid valve keeps the nozzle open will dictate the quantity of chemical dispensed from the aerosol container. The apparatus also contains a controlling unit which operates the DC Electromagnetic solenoid valve ί

between its two positions, open & closed at a predetermined, regular interval of time with an additional feature of operating when the vehicle or any other place needs a spray instantly by instantly opening to give a spray of fragrance instantaneously.

The generalized block diagram of this apparatus is shown in Fig. 5 according to which a controller which is programmable and also has a remote, controls the position of the DC Electromagnetic solenoid valve due to which the spray nozzle can toggle between the open and closed positions. The spray nozzle can be directly fitted on the air conditioner duct with its nozzle protruding in the path of air flow where it is mixed with the cold air in the duct itself & gives a fresh blur of air in the closed area or may be placed in open as per the requirement of the customer. This spray nozzle is linked to the pressurized aerosol can through the pressure extending assembly shown in Fig. 3.

In the present invention, the aerosol container is an aerosol can which can be fixed on any of the two sides of the central consol of the vehicle i.e. the driver side or the co-driver side on the lower side on a holder or in the glow box or can be placed at any remote location in the closed area from where it can be easily detachable or replaceable. The top portion of the container has a valve which is threaded from outside where an adaptor is fixed which keeps the container in an open state always. This allows the aerosol content to flow with pressure through the pipe to the other side of the pipe where another type of adaptor is fixed which is fixed to a nozzle. So the pressurized aerosol content goes upto the nozzle with the same pressure as it is released from the container directly. This nozzle is always in a closed state which will be opened by the DC Electromagnetic solenoid valve when it receives a signal from the controller unit. The present invention can also be attached within air conditioners like Window AC, Split AC, Central AC, Cassette AC and others where the spray nozzle is fitted in the way of cold air thrown out of the AC like say in the Lovards of Split AC, Ducting of Central AC, Outlet of Cold air in the window AC etc, with a connection to the pressurized aerosol can which can be fitted away from the spray nozzle via a pipe at such a place where the aerosol can becomes easy to be replaced and can be kept hidden from vision if required. The apparatus can be easily operated with the start and stop of AC Blower or Compressor as desired.

The controller unit in the present invention is a small PCB with a programmed CPU on it which gives signal to the DC Electromagnetic solenoid valve to change its state from closed to open for a particular period of time which in turn dictates the quantity of the aerosol content sprayed. In the case of air conditioners this programmable controller unit is present in the Indoor Unit of the air conditioner. This PCB will be programmed and operated through a wireless communication link i.e. through a remote control. The remote control has a number of switches, which can be customized according to applications and need of the customer. The switches required for operating the present invention can be incorporated in the remote control of the air conditioner also. Some common switches are as follows:

• On/OFF switch which will put the unit in the programmed mode due to which the automatic aerosol dispensing system will run as it has been programmed when the switch is turned ON.

• SPRAY switch which will give an instant spray signal to the PCB which will dispense one spray when activate. The amount of spray dispensed will depend on the setting of Quantity Dispensed Switch on the remote or the last mode of operation. • TIMING SETTING switch which will set the timing setting i.e. the timing interval between two sprays which may be anything like 10 Mins, 15 Mins, 20 Mins, 30Mins, 40 Mins. This operation is maintained and performed through a timer which is on the PCB and at every time interval, as programmed will give a signal to the DC Electromagnetic Solenoid Valve to open, so that a spray of aerosol content comes out from the nozzle.

• QUANTITY DISPENSED switch which will dispense the said quantity of aerosol content every time it sprays, i.e. lOmgs, 15mgs or 20mgs. This operation is maintained and performed by the time for which the solenoid valve is kept open upon one spray, i.e. say for an example if keeping the solenoid valve open for 6ms will allow lOmgs of aerosol content flow out then when you keep it open for 9ms & 12ms it will allow 15mgs r

& 20mgs of aerosol content to flow out.

Fig. 6 gives the block diagram of the remote of the controller unit and its functioning. All the above mentioned operations i.e. the number of sprays and the quantity dispensed will be processed by the central processing unit which will calculate the number of sprays remaining in the aerosol container as the aerosol container will be having a predetermined quantity of aerosol content in it. When a very less quantity of solution remains in the aerosol container, a buzzer sound will be initiated when the switch ON/OFF is on "ON" position. A LED light will also blink on the remote to show the same signal when the vehicle starts or blower of the air conditioner is operative, to remind the need for change of aerosol container.

A small flush reset switch is provided on the remote control which is to be pressed to give a signal to the controller unit when the aerosol container has been changed. The controller can then start counting the total content of aerosol dispensed from zero. Also the light on the remote will stop flickering once the reset is operated. A make up switch is also provided on the remote which will give 5 to 10 sprays at an interval of 30 seconds each when the initial environment of the closed area is not pleasant. These sprays prepare the environment in the initial stage so that the complete area get covered up instantaneously, after which the programmed memory works and gives sprays at fixed interval of time.

Fig. 7 gives a flow chart of the functioning of the automatic aerosol dispensing system. According to this flow chart, when the vehicle starts functioning or when the unit is switched on, either the- programmed operation of the aerosol dispensing system starts or the switch is pressed by the user for instant operation. If the switch is pressed for instant operation, an instant spray is dispensed of a predetermined quantity to make the ambience pleasant and comfortable. Otherwise in accordance with the programmed operation, automatic spraying of the aerosol is done in the environment at regular intervals from the air conditioner duct or from where the nozzle for spraying is fixed. The timer is adjusted to determine the time interval between each spray as well as the time for which the spray nozzle is open while each spray is done which determines the quantity of the aerosol sprayed. This is achieved by sending signals to the solenoid valve which causes the opening and closing of the spray nozzle. After the spray is done, the nozzle ^* again returns to the closed position.

The present invention is highly advantageous as it is an automatic aerosol dispensing system which dispenses aerosols in the environment at predetermined regular intervals of time in predetermined quantity. These aerosols may be of fragrance/air disinfectants/insect killers. When the environment of a closed area is not pleasant, the present invention also has the option of make up switch according to which a few predetermined sprays are made at intervals of 30 seconds each to make the ambience pleasant. This aerosol dispensing system can be programmed to start with the ignition of the vehicle or the functioning of the air conditioner present in the closed area or in the vehicle and stop with the stopping of the vehicle or the air conditioner. It can also be started and stopped by a 230 V AC input through an eliminator in closed areas like showrooms, halls, rooms etc. This initiation of the present invention can be adjusted according to the consumer's requirements. It doesn't need to be switched on each time if programmed accordingly. Moreover, when the aerosol is dispensed into the air conditioner duct, it spreads evenly throughout the environment of the closed area. If the present invention is used in a bigger room or hall or showroom or if the vehicle in which it is used is a bigger one like a bigger car or bus or train or aeroplane, a number pf nozzles for spraying the aerosol content can be fixed, at different places and all of these nozzles can be operated by a single controller. The present invention also has the facility .of informing the user when the aerosol container has a very little amount of liquid. To indicate this, a buzzer is sounded when the system starts functioning and a LED light start flickering on the remote of the aerosol dispensing system to remind the user to replace the empty container with a filled one.

Although the preferred embodiment as well as the construction and use have been specifically described, it should be understood that variations in the preferred embodiment could be achieved by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiment which is merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.