IE85283B1 - A dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air, and a method for releasing volatiles into the air - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A dispenser (1) for mounting on a wall of a toilet for releasing volatiles of a volatile fragrant liquid into the air, and for dispensing ozone into the air for freshening the air in the toilet. The dispenser (1) comprises a housing through which air is urged through communicating upstream and downstream air ducts (1224) from a main air inlet (27) to a main air outlet (25) by a motor driven fan (2l.) An absorbent pad (32) impregnated with the volatile fragrant liquid is located in a tray (30) in the downstream air duct (24). An ozone disc (40) in an intermediated air outlet 20 through which the upstream and the downstream ducts (12,24) communicate releases ozone into the air as it is being urged through the downstream duct (24). The volatile fragrant liquid is periodically pumped by metering piston pumps (33) from one of a pair of containers (34) onto the absorbent pad (32).

Description

A dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air, and a method for releasing volatiles into the air” The present invention relates to a dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air, and in particular, for releasing volatiles of a volatile fragrant liquid into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein. The invention also relates to a method for dispensing volatiles of a volatile fragrant liquid into the air.

Dispensers for dispensing volatiles of fragrant compositions into the air in confined areas, such as, for example, toilets, washrooms, corridors, garbage rooms, hospital sluice rooms, bedrooms, conference areas and the like are known. Such dispensers can be categorised into two broad categories, namely, dispensers which spray an atomised volatile fragrant liquid into air, commonly referred to as aerosol sprays, and dispensers which urge air over an absorbent pad which is impregnated with a volatile fragrant composition, and in which the pad is adapted for facilitating slow release of volatiles impregnated into the pad. In general, dispensers of the aerosol type comprise a housing, which is suitable for wall mounting. A container, commonly referred to as an aerosol can having an atomising valve thereon which on being depressed releases an atomised spray of the volatile fragrant liquid contained in the aerosol can is located in the housing. An actuator is provided in the housing for periodically depressing the atomising valve for periodically spraying the atomised liquid into the air. The actuator typically comprises a cam which is rotated by motor at a relatively low predetermined speed by an electric motor, so that on each 360° of rotation of the cam the atomising valve of the aerosol spray can is depressed once.

Dispensers which comprise a pad impregnated with a volatile fragrant composition typically comprise a housing which defines an air duct passing therethrough from an air inlet to an air outlet. An urging means, typically provided by a motor driven fan, is located in the air duct for drawing air into the air duct from the confined area through the air inlet, and for returning the air through the air outlet to the confined area. The pad impregnated with the volatile fragrant composition is located within the housing adjacent the air duct so that the air being urged through the air duct passes over the pad so that volatiles released from the pad are entrained in the air as it is returned to the confined area. In general, the pad is readily easily accessible, since in general, such pads require regular replacement, generally, at intervals of two to three weeks. This is relatively inconvenient, since in general, such dispensers are serviced by external service providers, and thus, regular visits of the service providers are required to sites where such dispensers are located. This is inconvenient, and indeed, is relatively costly.

There is therefore a need for a dispenser which addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing a dispenser which addresses the problem of known dispensers, and the invention is also directed towards providing a method which addresses the problems of dispensing fragrant volatiles into the air in a confined area.

According to the invention there is provided a dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the dispenser comprising a housing defining an air duct extending therethrough having an air inlet for receiving air from the confined area, and an air outlet for returning the air to the confined area with volatiles entrained therein, an air urging means for urging the air through the air duct along an air path from the air inlet to the air outlet, a holding means for holding a volatile fragrant liquid and for permitting release of volatiles of the volatile fragrant liquid therefrom, the holding means being located adjacent the air path for releasing the volatiles into the air being urged through the air duct for entraining therein so that the volatiles are entrained in the air as the air is returned to the confined area through the air outlet, a reservoir for storing the volatile fragrant liquid, a metering means for selectively metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, an ozone generating means located adjacent the air path for generating and releasing ozone into the air as the air is being urged through the air duct, an activating means for selectively activating the ozone generating means for generating the ozone, and a control means for selectively controlling the operation of the metering means and the activating means so that when the metering means is metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, the ozone generating means is deactivated, and vice versa.

Preferably, the ozone generating means is located in the air path.

Advantageously, the activating means is controlled by the control means for operating the ozone generating means for first predetermined time periods between first predetermined time intervals.

Ideally, the metering means is operated for second predetermined time periods for dispensing the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means.

Preferably, each second predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period, and advantageously, each second predetermined time period commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

Preferably, the control means is configured for timing the first and second predetermined time periods and the first predetermined time interval. in one embodiment of the invention each first predetermined time interval commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period, and preferably, each first predetermined time interval commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

Advantageously, each first predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval, and ideally, each first predetermined time period commences immediately at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval.

In one embodiment of the invention the control means comprises an electronic control circuit.

Preferably, the holding means comprises a tray, and advantageously, the tray is recessed for accommodating an absorbent pad for absorbing the volatile fragrant liquid as it is dispensed from the reservoir to the holding means.

In one embodiment of the invention a filter is provided for filtering air being urged into the air duct. Preferably, the filter is a carbon filter, and ideally, the filter is adapted for facilitating filtering out of relatively large airborne particles from the air such as dust from tissue, clothing fibres, pollen, body scale. in one embodiment of the invention the urging means comprises a fan, and preferably, the fan is powered by an electrically powered motor.

In one embodiment of the invention the control means and the electrically powered motor for driving the fan are adapted for powering by an AC mains electricity supply.

In one embodiment of the invention a connecting means is provided for connecting the control means and the electrically powered motor to an AC mains supply. Preferably, the control means and the electrically powered motor are adapted for powering by a 220 volt AC mains electrical power supply. Advantageously, the control means and the electrically powered motor are adapted for powering by a battery. in one embodiment of the invention the housing is adapted for wall mounting. Advantageously, the housing comprises a rear wall adapted for securing to a wall or a structure for wall mounting thereto. Preferably, the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a confined area. Advantageously, the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a toilet. Preferably, the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a washroom.

The invention also provides a method for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the method comprising the steps of providing a dispenser in the confined area, providing an air duct in the dispenser through which air can be urged from an air inlet to an air outlet, providing an urging means for urging the air through the air duct from the air inlet to the air outlet so that air is drawn into the air duct through the air inlet from the confined area and returned thereto through the air outlet, locating a holding means adjacent an air path along which air passes through the air duct from the air inlet to the air outlet for holding a volatile fragrant liquid and for permitting release of volatiles therefrom into the air being urged through the air duct for entraining therein so that the volatiles are entrained in the air as the air is returned to the confined area through the air outlet, providing a reservoir for storing the volatile fragrant liquid in the dispenser, providing a metering means for selectively metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, providing an ozone generating means in the air path for releasing ozone into the air as the air is being urged through the air duct, providing an activating means for selectively operating the ozone generating means for generating the ozone, and selectively controlling the operation of the metering means and the activating means so that when the metering means is metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, the ozone generating means is deactivated, and vice versa. in one embodiment of the invention the method further comprises the step of mounting the dispenser on a wall in the confined area so that the air urging means for urging the air through the air duct draws the air into the air duct from the confined area through the air inlet, and returns the air through the air outlet to the confined area with the air being returned to the confined area having one of the volatiles of the fragrant liquid or the ozone entrained therein.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the invention for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 with a portion of the dispenser removed, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the dispenser of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 on the line Vl-Vl of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 on the line Vll-Vll of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a partly cutaway perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 with a portion of the dispenser removed, Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 with a portion of the dispenser of Fig. 1 removed, and Fig. 11 is a block representation of an electrical circuit of the dispenser of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a dispenser according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which is particularly suitable for mounting on a wall of a confined area, for example, a toilet, washroom or the like for releasing volatiles of a volatile fragrant liquid for providing a fragrance in the air in the confined area. The dispenser 1 also dispenses ozone into the air of the confined area for freshening the air. The dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2 which in turn comprises a rear wall 4 adapted for securing to a wall of the confined area, and an outer casing 5 which is releasably secured to the rear wall 4, and defines with the rear wall 4 a hollow interior region 6. The outer casing 5 comprises a front wall 7, a pair of side walls 8 extending from the front wall 7 reanlvardly to the rear wall 4, and a top wall 9 and a bottom wall 10, both of which extend from the front wall 7 between the side walls 8 to the rear wall 4.

A sub-housing 11 located in the hollow interior region 6 defines an upstream air duct 12, and comprises innerfront and rear walls 13 and 14, respectively, extending upwardly from a partly semi-cylindrical base 15, and a pair of inner side walls 16 and 17 extending from the base 15 between the inner front and rear side walls 13 and 14. The inner front and rear walls 13 and 14 and the side walls 16 and 17 define an intermediate air inlet 19 for accommodating air into the upstream air duct 12. An intermediate air outlet 20 formed by an elongated slot extending across a portion extending from the base 15 accommodates air from the upstream air duct 12.

An urging means comprising a fan 21 is located in the lower end of the upstream air duct 12, and is rotatable about a rotational axis which substantially coincides with the axis of generation of the partly semi-cylindrical base 15. An electrically powered drive motor 23 rotates the fan 21 in the upstream air duct 12 for urging air through the upstream air duct 12 from the intermediate air inlet 19 to and through the intermediate air outlet 20.

The outer casing 5 defines with the rear wall 4 a downstream air duct 24 through which air urged from the upstream air duct 12 through the intermediate air outlet 20 is urged to a main air outlet 25 formed by a plurality of elongated parallel outlet slots 26 formed in a lower portion of the front wall 7 of the outer casing 5. A main air inlet 27 formed by a plurality of elongated parallel slots 28 located in the top wall 9 of the outer casing 5 accommodates air from the confined area to the upstream intermediate air inlet 19. The fan 21 draws air in from the confined area through the main air inlet 27, and in turn through the intermediate air inlet 19, the upstream duct 12, the downstream duct 24 and returns the air to the confined area through the main air outlet 25.

A holding means, namely, a tray 30 is located on a tray support 31 extending outwardly from the rear wall 4, and carries an absorbent fibre pad 32 which is impregnated with a volatile fragrant liquid. The tray support 31 extends from the rear wall 4 and supports the tray 30 at an angle so that the absorbent fibre pad 32 is located in the path of the air being urged through the downstream air duct 24 as it is being urged through the main outlet 25. in this way volatiles released from the absorbent pad 32 are entrained in the air as it is urged through the downstream air duct 24 and returned to the confined area through the main air outlet 25 for providing a fragrance in the air in the confined area.

Two reservoirs comprising a pair of containers 34 are located in the hollow interior region 6 and store two volatile fragrant liquids from which the liquid can be selectively metered onto the absorbent pad 32. A metering means provided by a pair of metering piston pumps 33 also located in the hollow interior region 6 and coupled to the containers 34 by tubes 36 meter a selected one of the volatile fragrant liquids from the appropriate one of the containers 34. An electrically powered actuator 35 in the hollow interior region 6 operates the piston pumps 33. Valves 37 in the tubes 36 are provided for manual selection of the fragrant volatile liquid to be metered from the containers 34 by the metering pump 35. A discharge tube 38 extending from the piston pumps 33 to the tray 30 accommodates metered quantities of the selected volatile fragrant liquid from the piston pumps 33 to the absorbent pad 32. Typically, as will be described below, a few drops of the selected volatile fragrant liquid is dispensed periodically by the corresponding pump 33 onto the absorbent pad 32.

An ozone generating means, namely, an ozone disc 40 located in the intermediate air outlet 20, and operated under the control of an electrically powered ozone generator 41 generates ozone. The ozone disc 40 extends into the path of the air being urged through the intermediate air outlet 20 for releasing ozone into the air as it is being urged therethrough for freshening the air to be discharged into the confined area.

Referring to Fig. 11, an activating means comprising a first relay 42 selectively applies an electrical power supply to the ozone generator 41 for operating the ozone generator 41 for generating the ozone. Electrical power is supplied to the actuator for the piston pumps 33 through a second relay 43. A control means, in this embodiment of the invention an electronic control circuit illustrated in block representation and indicated by the reference numeral 45 controls the operation of the first and second relays 42 and 43 for supplying the electrical power to the ozone generator 41 and the actuator 35. A timing means provided by a programmable timer 46 in the control circuit 45 controls the relays 42 and 43 for selectively operating the ozone generator 41 and the piston pumps 33, so that when the ozone generator 41 is generating ozone, the piston pumps 33 are disabled, and vice versa.

The timer 46 is programmed to operate the first relay 42 for operating the ozone generator 41 for relatively long first predetermined time periods for releasing ozone into the air as the air is urged from the upstream air duct 12 to the downstream air duct 24. At the end of each first predetermined time period, the first relay 42 is deactivated, for in turn disabling the ozone generator 41. Simultaneously, the second relay 43 is activated for a short second predetermined time period for operating the actuator 35 and in turn the piston pumps 33 for dispensing a few drops of the volatile fragrant liquid onto the absorbent pad 32. At the end of the second predetermined time period the timer 46 deactivates the second relay 43, for in turn disabling the piston pumps 33. Additionally, at the end of the first predetermined time period, as well as commencing timing of the second predetermined time period, the timer 46 also commences to time a first predetermined time interval, which is of sufficient time to allow all the volatiles dispensed by the appropriate one of the piston pumps 33 onto the absorbent pad 32 in the second predetermined time period to have evaporated from the absorbent pad 32. At the end of the first predetermined time interval, the first relay 42 is again activated by the control circuit 45 and the timer 36 commences to time the next first predetermined time period, and so operation of the first and second relays 42 and 43 and in turn the ozone generator 41 and the piston pumps 33 continues.

Accordingly, the dispenser 1 is operated so that while the volatiles from the volatile fragrant liquid are being released from the absorbent pad 32 and entrained in the air being urged through the upstream and downstream air ducts 12 and 24, and in turn returned to the confined area, no ozone is released into the air, and vice versa, when ozone is being released into the air being passed through the upstream and downstream air ducts 12 and 24, no volatiles from the volatile fragrant liquid are released into the air. This has the advantage of minimising the use of the volatile fragrant liquid, and thus, maximising the period for which a full charge of the volatile fragrant liquid in the container 34 lasts. Additionally, periodic release of the volatiles into the air of the confined area is enough for continuously maintaining the air in the confined area fragrant, and during periods while no volatiles of the volatile fragrant liquid are being released into the air, the air is freshened by the ozone released by the ozone disc 40.

A keypad 47 mounted on the inner side of the front wall 7 of the outer casing 5 and accessible through openings 48 in the front wall 7 is provided for setting the timer 46 for timing the first and second predetermined time periods and the first predetermined time interval to appropriate desired time periods.

In this embodiment of the invention the first predetermined time period may be any desired period during which ozone is to be dispensed into the confined area. The second predetermined time period is sufficient to permit the appropriate piston pump 33 to dispense a few drops of the volatile fragrant liquid, typically, three to five drops onto the absorbent pad 32. The first predetermined time interval is sufficient to allow substantially all of the volatiles of the volatile fragrant liquid dispensed onto the absorbent pad 32 during the second predetermined time period to be released into the air.

A third relay 49 operated under the control of the control circuit 45 supplies electrical power to the motor 23 of the fan 21. in this embodiment of the invention the motor 23 is continuously powered for in turn continuously powering the fan 21 once the dispenser 1 is powered up. A connecting means, namely, a connector 50 is provided for electrically coupling the dispenser 1 to a 220 volt AC mains power supply.

A filter 51 is located in the hollow interior region 6 between the main air inlet 27 and the upstream air inlet 19 for filtering large airborne particles from the air as the air is being drawn into the upstream duct 12. In this embodiment of the invention the filter 51 comprises a replaceable carbon filter, and is suitable for removing dust particles, tissue particles, clothing fibres, pollen, body scale and other such contaminating particles from the air.

In use, with the dispenser 1 mounted on a wall, generally at a relatively high location on a wall in a confined area, such as, for example, a toilet, a washroom or the like and connected to an AC mains power supply, the dispenser 1 is ready for use. The containers 34 are charged with the desired volatile fragrant liquids, and the container 34 from which the volatile fragrant liquid is to be metered by the appropriate piston pump 33 onto the absorbent pad 32 is selected by operating the appropriate valve 37 in the opened state. The other of the two valves 37 is operated into closed state.

Once the dispenser 1 is powered up, the fan 21 is continuously driven by the drive motor 23, thereby urging air into the upstream air duct 12 through the main air inlet 27 from the confined area, and in turn through the downstream air duct 24 and through the main air outlet 25 where the air is returned to the confined area.

Initially, the timer 46 times the first predetermined time period during which the ozone generator 41 is operated for releasing ozone into the air as it is returned to the confined area for freshening the air in the confined area. At the end of the first predetermined time period the ozone generator 41 is deactivated and the actuator is operated for the second predetermined time period for in turn operating the piston pumps 33 for discharging a few drops of the selected volatile fragrant liquid onto the absorbent pad 32. Simultaneously as the timer 46 commences to time the second predetermined time period, the timer 46 commences to time the first predetermined time interval, and during the first predetermined time interval, the ozone generator 41 is deactivated and only volatiles released from the absorbent pad 32 are entrained in the air as the air is being urged through the downstream air duct 24 and returned to the confined area for providing a fragrance in the confined area. At the end of the first predetermined time interval the ozone generator 41 is again activated for releasing ozone into the air being passed from the upstream air duct 12 to the downstream air duct 24 for freshening the air being returned to the confined area, and the timer 46 again times the first predetermined time period, and so operation of the dispenser continues.

At any time when it is desired to change the fragrance of the volatiles being released from the absorbent pad 32 into the air passing through the downstream air duct 24, the valves 37 in the tubes 36 are appropriately reset. To access the containers 34 and the valves 37, the outer casing 5 is released from the rear wall 4 and removed therefrom. Removal of the outer casing 5 also provides access to the ozone generator 41 should it be necessary to replace an ozone disc 40, and to the absorbent pad 32, should it be desired or necessary to replace the absorbent pad with a fresh pad.

While the dispenser according to the invention has been described as comprising a pair of reservoirs provided by a pair of containers for storing two volatile fragrant liquids, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a single container may be provided, and indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that where two containers are provided, a similar volatile fragrant liquid may be contained in both containers.

While first and second predetermined time periods and a first predetermined time interval of appropriate time durations have been described, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that first and second predetermined time periods and a first predetermined time interval of other time duration may be selected. The advantage of alternately releasing ozone and volatiles into the air is that the volatile fragrant liquid is conserved with virtually no loss of freshness of the air in the confined area.

While the dispenser according to the invention has been described as being suitable for powering by mains electricity, it is envisaged that the dispenser may be battery powered instead of being mains powered, or may be provided to be suitable for dual powering either by a battery or by mains electricity.

Claims (40)

1. A dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the dispenser comprising a housing defining an air duct extending therethrough having an air inlet for receiving air from the confined area, and an air outlet for returning the air to the confined area with volatiles entrained therein, an air urging means for urging the air through the air duct along an air path from the air inlet to the air outlet, a holding means for holding a volatile fragrant liquid and for permitting release of volatiles of the volatile fragrant liquid therefrom, the holding means being located adjacent the air path for releasing the volatiles into the air being urged through the air duct for entraining therein so that the volatiles are entrained in the air as the air is returned to the confined area through the air outlet, a reservoir for storing the volatile fragrant liquid, a metering means for selectively metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, an ozone generating means located adjacent the air path for generating and releasing ozone into the air as the air is being urged through the air duct, an activating means for selectively activating the ozone generating means for generating the ozone, and a control means for selectively controlling the operation of the metering means and the activating means so that when the metering means is metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, the ozone generating means is deactivated, and vice versa.

2. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the ozone generating means is located in the air path.

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the activating means is controlled by the control means for operating the ozone generating means for first predetermined time periods between first predetermined time intervals.

4. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 3 in which the metering means is operated for second predetermined time periods for dispensing the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means.

5. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 4 in which each second predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

6. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which each second predetermined time period commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

7. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6 in which the control means is configured for timing the first and second predetermined time periods and the first predetermined time interval.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7 in which each first predetermined time interval commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 8 in which each first predetermined time interval commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

10. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 9 in which each first predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval.

11. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10 in which each first predetermined time period commences immediately at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control means comprises an electronic control circuit.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holding means comprises a tray.

14. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 13 in which the tray is recessed for accommodating an absorbent pad for absorbing the volatile fragrant liquid as it is dispensed from the reservoir to the holding means.

15. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which a filter is provided for filtering air being urged into the air duct.

16. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 15 in which the filter is a carbon filter.

17. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the filter is adapted for facilitating filtering out of relatively large airborne particles from the air such as dust from tissue, clothing fibres, pollen, body scale.

18. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the urging means comprises a fan.

19. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 18 in which the fan is powered by an electrically powered motor.

20. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 19 in which the control means and the electrically powered motor for driving the fan are adapted for powering by an AC mains electricity supply.

21. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 20 in which a connecting means is provided for connecting the control means and the electrically powered motor to an AC mains supply.

22. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 in which the control means and the electrically powered motor are adapted for powering by a 220 volt AC mains electrical power supply.

23. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 19 in which the control means and the electrically powered motor are adapted for powering by a battery.

24. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is adapted for wall mounting.

25. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 24 in which the housing comprises a rear wall adapted for securing to a wall or a structure for wall mounting thereto.

26. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a confined area.

27. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a toilet.

28. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is adapted for wall mounting in a washroom.

29. A dispenser for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the dispenser being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

30. A method for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the method comprising the steps of providing a dispenser in the confined area, providing an air duct in the dispenser through which air can be urged from an air inlet to an air outlet, providing an urging means for urging the air through the air duct from the air inlet to the air outlet so that air is drawn into the air duct through the air inlet from the confined area and returned thereto through the air outlet, locating a holding means adjacent an air path along which air passes through the air duct from the air inlet to the air outlet for holding a volatile fragrant liquid and for permitting release of volatiles therefrom into the air being urged through the air duct for entraining therein so that the volatiles are entrained in the air as the air is returned to the confined area through the air outlet, providing a reservoir for storing the volatile fragrant liquid in the dispenser, providing a metering means for selectively metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, providing an ozone generating means in the air path for releasing ozone into the air as the air is being urged through the air duct, providing an activating means for selectively operating the ozone generating means for generating the ozone, and selectively controlling the operation of the metering means and the activating means so that when the metering means is metering the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means, the ozone generating means is deactivated, and vice versa.

31. A method as claimed in Claim 30 in which the activating means is controlled for operating the ozone generating means for first predetermined time periods between first predetermined time intervals.

32. A method as claimed in Claim 30 or 31 in which the metering means is operated for second predetermined time periods for dispensing the volatile fragrant liquid from the reservoir to the holding means.

33. A method as claimed in Claim 32 in which each second predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

34. A method as claimed in Claim 32 or 33 in which each second predetermined time period commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

35. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 34 in which each first predetermined time interval commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

36. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 35 in which each first predetermined time interval commences immediately after the end of the preceding first predetermined time period.

37. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 36 in which each first predetermined time period commences at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval.

38. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 37 in which each first predetermined time period commences immediately at the end of the preceding first predetermined time interval.

39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 38 in which the method further comprises the step of mounting the dispenser on a wall in the confined area so that the air urging means for urging the air through the air duct draws the air into the air duct from the confined area through the air inlet, and returns the air through the air outlet to the confined area with the air being returned to the confined area having one of the volatiles of the fragrant liquid or the ozone entrained therein.

40. A method for releasing volatiles into the air in a confined area for freshening the air therein, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. F.F. GORMAN & CO.