IL87294A - Automatic air freshener device - Google Patents

Description

AUTOMATIC AIR FRESHENER DEVICE AUTOMATIC AIR FRESHENER DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus and methods useful'-' in' eliminating unpleasant odors in bathrooms, more particularly, to a device and method for aut0mati ca 11y dispensing a fragrance, deodorant, or disinfectant into the air of a bathroom upon activation of the toilet flushing mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatic dispensers of disinfectants, deodorants, and similar air fresheners which are mounted to toilets are known in the prior art, however, the devices heretofore used have had several disadvantages.

Several of these devices require activation by a person either directly as in US Patent No. 3,336,603 to Leland, or indirectly as by activation of the flushing handle, sitting on the toilet seat, or opening and closing the bathroom door. Examples of the latter are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,670,916 to Bloom, 4,434,938 to Rosenkrantz, 3,644,086 to 0' Del 1 , 3, 182,337 to Price, 3,088,125 to Southwood, 2,970,322 to Vause, and 2,795,799 to Dickerman. The disadvantages of these prior art devices are that they are cumbersome, conspicuous, and susceptible to malfunction.

: Similar devices are activated by the falling of the water level in the tank after flushing. Examples of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,558,469 to Travis and 4,358,860 to Church. A disadvantage of these prior art devices is the fact that they often interfere with the float and the plumbing in the tank. ■.· ' "'·'·''.· ' > 'i :;':'': :' ·'· ■ Other devices are activated by electrical means such as US Pat. No. 4,625,342 to Gangnath, and 3,420,445 to Inzerill. An obvious disadvantage of these prior art devices is the safety hazard posed using electricity in the vicinity of water.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an automatic air freshener system which is compact, easily installed, and effective in reducing undesirable odors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an automatic bathroom air freshener device which is practical, effective, and inconspicuous and which does not interfere with toi let- plumbing or tank operations.

There is thus provided in accordance with the present invention an automatic air freshener device comprising: a reservoir containing a deodorizing mixture and having means for discharging same; an actuator arm having a first end thereof positioned for engaging said discharging means during an actuation motion thereof; and a fluid pressure acutator means connected between a water supply line and a toilet flushing mechanism for sensing a drop in fluid pressure upon flushing, said actuator means being connected to a second end of said actuator arm for providing said actuation motion when said fluid pressure drop is sensed.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive air freshener device is designed as a self-contained, easily installed, portable unit enclosed by a housing and adapted for use in cooperation with a toilet water supply line. The housing is designed to allow a container such as a spray can, bottle or the like containing a deodorant, disinfectant, or air freshener mixture to be easily inserted therein.

The fluid pressure actuator means is operative to build up a water pressure in a chamber prior to flushing, which pressure acts against a spring-biased piston to store energy therein.

Upon flushing, the chamber pressure is suddenly released, causing the piston to quickly return to its original position. The returning piston lowers the actuator arm which in turn depresses the deodorant spray nozzle, releasing the spray into the atmosphere.

A feature of the invention is the provision of the housing with a sight window useful with bottle-type deodorant containers for viewing the level of deodorizing mixture remaining in the reservoir.

Another feature of the invention is that the housing design for supporting the deodorant container has a flip-top cover allowing for easy replacement thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the description contained hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in accordance with the drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional toilet assembly provided with the automatic air freshener device of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, generally similar to the top portion of the view of Fig. 1, but showing the housing cover in an upright position; Figs. 3-4 show, respectively, an enlarged perspective view and a side view of the automatic air freshener device of the present invention ; Fig. 5 is a side view, opposite the side view of Fig. 4, of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a top view showing a fluid pressure actuator means of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VII - VII of Fig. 6 showing the automatic air freshener device in a refill mode; and Fig. 8 is a similar view to that shown in Fig. 7 except that the automatic air freshener device is in a pre-flush mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of the air freshener device of the present invention used in connection with a conventional toilet bowl assembly designated generally by reference numeral 10. In particular, toilet bowl assembly 10, generally includes a bowl 12, a tank 14, a tank cover 16, and a flush handle 18. Contained within tank 14 is a float 20.

The air freshener device of the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral 22, is connected to an inlet water line 24 via inlet tube 25 which is fed by a water valve 26 and is supported by a short outlet tube 28 providing a connection to the standard water entry hole 30 in tank 14.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 -- 7 for a more detailed description, it is seen that air freshener device 22 comprises a housing 32, an elongated generally cylindrical container 34 filled with a deodorizing material. Container 34 is provided with a spray nozzle 36 forming a conventional spray means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention housing 32 comprises a flip-top cover 37 (Fig. 2) movable at hinge 38 for easy replacement of container 34. Cover 37 preferably defines sight window 39 (Fig. 3) useful with bottle-type containers for viewing the level of deodorizing material remaining in the container.

An actuating apparatus is designated generally by reference numeral 40 and is preferably positioned as shown in Fig. 6. As best seen in Fig. 7, actuating apparatus 40 comprises a piston rod 42, connected to an annular piston 44, shaped with an annular groove for maintaining an 0-ring 46. Piston 44 is slidably mounted within a cylinder 48. The upper end 50 of cylinder 48 defines an aperture 52 through which piston rod 42 may pass.

A skirt generally referenced by 53 is connected integrally to piston 44 and is shaped to include closed and open portions 54 and 55 respectively, with annular groove 56 in closed portion 54 for maintaining 0-ring 57, arranged for slidable engagement with the inner walls of cylinder 48.

A spring 58 is disposed between piston 44 and upper cylinder end 50 such that the piston is biased in its lowermost position as shown. A threaded stop nut 60, of a diameter greater than the diameter of aperture 52, defines the uppermost limit of travel. of piston rod 42. A depressor arm 62 is rigidly mounted at one end to piston rod 42 so that the other end is positioned just above spray nozzle 36 (Figs. 4 & 5).

A pressure chamber 63 comprises that portion of cylinder 48 between piston 44 and the lower end wall 64 of cylinder 48. The wall of chamber 63 in the vicinity of water inlet tube 25 defines a slot 68 and aperture 70 (see Fig. 5) through which inlet water may flow. Slot 68 has a greater cross-sectional area than aperture 70, and thus allows a greater inlet water flow rate into chamber 63 during a refill mode as described further herein.

In the use and operation of the present invention, assuming the parts are positioned as shown in the drawings, opening of water valve 26 causes inlet water to flow through water line 24 and into water inlet tube 25. At this stage, the piston 44 and its associated skirt 53 are in a refill mode as shown in Fig. 7 such that water inlet tube 25 communicates with pressure chamber 63 via slot 68 and open portion 55 of skirt 53 thus permitting water flow into tank 14. Aperture 70 is now blocked by piston 44.

When the tank is filled to its predetermined level, a conventional shut-off mechanism (not shown) blocks further flow through hole 30 in tank 14. As a result, water pressure builds in pressure chamber 63 causing piston rod 42, piston 44 and its associated skirt 53 to move in an upward direction.

As the piston 44 and its associated skirt 53 are pushed towards the position in which they are shown in Fig. 8, slot 68 is sealed by closed, portion 54 of skirt 53 and aperture 70 is opened through open portion 55 of skirt 53. Because it has a smaller cross-sectional area than that of slot 68* aperture 70 allows a smaller inlet water flow rate into chamber 63, but this is sufficient to equalize the water inlet tube 25 pressure and the chamber 63 pressure. The air freshener device is as shown in Fig. .8 in what will be referred to as the pre-flush mode of actuating apparatus 40.

When the toilet flushing mechanism is activated by depressing flush handle 18, the water pressure in outlet tube 28 is immediately and sharply reduced. Because slot 68 is blocked, water is prevented from flowing through inlet tube 25 at a quantity sufficient to permit the pressure differential to equalize. As a result of this pressure drop, the energy stored in compressed spring 58 immediately, quickly, and forcibly returns piston 44 to its original position, as shown in Fig. 7, allowing refill of tank 14. The downward stroke of piston 44 and rod 42 causes depressor arm 62 to depress spray nozzle 36 and release deodorant into the air. With piston 44 and associated skirt 53 now in the refill mode (Fig. 7), water inlet tube 25 communicates with pressure chamber 63 via slot 68 and skirt opening 55 permitting water flow into the tank 14.

Water flow into tank 14 in the refill mode causes water pressure buildup in pressure chamber 63, restoring actuating apparatus 40 to the pre-flush mode of Fig. 8, whereupon another activation of the toilet flushing mechanism repeats the actuation motion of depressor arm 62 and the release of deodorant into the air. Each flushing operation repeats this cycle.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular type of installation, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made not only in the installation but in the details of construction of the air freshener device itself, and it is intended to cover such changes and modifications as are covered by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. An automatic air freshener device comprising: a reservoir containing a deodorizing mixture and having means for discharging same; an actuator arm having a first end thereof positioned for engaging said discharging means during an actuation motion thereof; and a fluid pressure means connected between a water supply line and a toilet flushing mechanism for sensing a drop in fluid pressure upon flushing, said actuator means being connected to a second end of said actuator arm for providing said actuation motion when said fluid pressure drop is sensed.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure actuator means comprises a chamber in which a piston is slidably mounted.

3. The device according to claim 2 and further comprising a skirt mounted to said piston for slidable engagement with said chamber.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said skirt defines a first opening for entry of water from said water supply line and a second opening for exit of water to said toilet flushing mechanism.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said first opening is in fluid- communication with one of an aperture and a slot disposed in said water supply line for governing the flow of water therefrom into said chamber.

6. The device according to claim 5 and further comprising a compression spring urging said piston toward said aperture and slot such that said fluid communication with said first opening is initially achieved through said slot during a refill mode and later through said aperture during a pre-flush mode.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein water pressure builds in said chamber during said pre-flush mode causing storage of energy in said compression spring, said fluid pressure drop being sensed upon flushing as water leaving said chamber creates a pressure differential with said water supply line across said aperture, releasing said stored energy and providing said actuation motion.

8. The device according to any of claims 1-7 wherein said device is contained in a housing.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said housing defines a cover hingeably mounted to said housing.

10. The device according to either of claims 8 or 9 wherein said housing comprises means for indicating the level of deodorizing mixture in said reservoir.

11. A method of operating an air freshener device as in any of the preceding claims.

12. A method of dispensing air freshener from a reservoir comprising the steps of: operating a toilet flushing mechanism; sensing a fluid pressure drop resulting from said toilet flushing mechanism operation; and moving an actuator arm against a discharge means of said reservoir for dispensing said air freshener.

13. An automatic air freshener device substantially as described herein by way of example and with reference to the drawings.

14. A method of operating an air freshener device substantially as described herein by way of example and with reference to the drawings.