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  Automated remote bathroom air freshenerUSPTO Application #: 20070204388Title: Automated remote bathroom air freshener 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. (end of abstract) Agent: Christopher D. Harrington - Grand Rapids, MI, US Inventors: Greg Zyskowski, Marcin Zyskowski USPTO Applicaton #: 20070204388 - Class: 004228100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Disinfection, Dispensing To Air From Closet The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070204388. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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'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. Continue reading... Full patent description for Automated remote bathroom air freshener Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Automated remote bathroom air freshener patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Automated remote bathroom air freshener or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device for dispensing a fluid Next Patent Application: Fastening clip for releasably fastening a dispensing device for dispensing active substances into the flushing liquid on a downward pointing edge element of a toilet bowl, and dispensing device provided with a fastening clip of this type Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Automated remote bathroom air freshener patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.62102 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , |
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