MX2011013101A

MX2011013101A - Spraying device and refill therefor.

Info

Publication number: MX2011013101A
Application number: MX2011013101A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Martin Butler; Steve Walsh; Erin Corstanje
Original assignee: Reckitt & Colman Overseas
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2010-06-18
Publication date: 2012-01-27
Also published as: US20120111446A1; ZA201108639B; GB0911322D0; GB2471830A; KR20120112355A; CA2764018A1; EP2448841A1; WO2011001159A1; BRPI1011972A2; AU2010267765A1

Abstract

A spraying device (10) with a replaceable refill of fluid (16) therein is described., wherein the device is provided with detection means (38) within the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion (44) of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance. Methods of operation of such a spraying device are also described.

Description

SPRAYING DEVICE AND FILLING FOR THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device and filler for spraying a fluid and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for spraying fluids such as fragrances, deodorizing fluids and / or pest control materials or the like. The present invention also relates to a method for using said device and filling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art devices for 1 spraying fragrances, deodorizing agents and sanitizing fluids in a room generally consist of a device containing a source of removable fluid. With such an arrangement, once the fluid source has been completely drained, the source can be replaced instead of replacing the entire device. Typically, such sources come in many forms, including containers, ballots, cans and cartridges (generally, all such containers, bottles, cans and cartridges will be referred to hereafter as "fillers"). These fillers can be spray or pump aerosols, including measured and not measured versions thereof.

Devices known from the prior art typically comprise a housing having an opening through which the fluid is sprayed. A part of the housing is movable / removable to allow a filler to be introduced and subsequently removed from the interior of the device. The device further comprises a mechanically driven arm or the like therein which is adapted to be periodically activated in order to press on a rolling head connected to the filling, resulting in the fluid passing from the body of the filling, through the head rolling and outside, from the opening in the housing to the surrounding environment.

The shape of a filler is typically standardized to a certain degree, because of this, sprinkler devices can unknowingly provide an opportunity; to facilitate vandalism or dangerous behavior. Specifically, vandals or people of this type may intentionally seek to insert a dangerous source of fluid that can be sprayed into a spraying device *. For example, in the situation where the device is for spraying a fragrance and the filling is a spray of a standard size, a form of vandalism and / or intentional abuse could be the insertion of a paint spray into the device. The damage resulting from such abuse could be substantial. Such abuse would probably be associated with a significant health and safety risk. Clearly, it would be desirable, from a user's perspective, to be protected against such dangerous behavior and / or acts of vandalism.

? In order to correct the above disadvantages, WO2009 / 037491 proposes a system for recognizing infallible device-to-fill to the user 1 and mechanically / electronically reliable, inexpensive. One of the objects of the present invention is to correct any deterioration of the system due to environmental conditions and / or for variations in the filling consistency when standard manufacturing tolerances are taken into account.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a spraying device with a replaceable fluid filler therein, wherein: the filler comprises a body that forms a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem in one. upper portion of the body and a rolling head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is an outlet orifice of fluid for directing, in use, the sprayed fluid; Y the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the filling therein, the outer housing is provided with a convenient opening to allow, in use, spraying the fluid from the fluid outlet orifice of the rolling head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for the periodic actuation of the filling, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the roller head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the interior housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance in the head of said filler; Y characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least said area of lower reflectance and at least one higher reflectance area.

For the purposes of understanding the present invention and to avoid doubt, the neck portion of the rolling head has substantially six sides, a front side that is closer to the exit hole, a rear side that is opposite to the front side and which is remote from the exit orifice, right and left sides between said front and rear sides, a lower side containing the inlet section and an upper side opposite and away from the underside.

Reflectance refers to radiation1 that hits a surface, part of it is absorbed and part is reflected. Reflectance is expressed as a propulsion without unity. To avoid doubt, the term "lower reflectance" is used here as a relative term with reference to the term "superior reflectance"; "lower" can 'include areas of zero or almost zero reflectance. : Preferably, the roller head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or, alternatively, said roller head is preferably provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of reflectance However, more preferably, the rolling head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance "and at least three areas of superior reflectance.

Preferably, the roller head is provided with between two to four reflectance areas, bottom section and between three to five areas of superior reflectance or, alternatively, said cap roller is preferably provided with between three to five areas of lower reflectance and between two to four areas of superior reflectance. The upper limit in the number of areas of different reflectance preferably may be to ensure that the detection means suitable for use with a mechanically / electronically reliable, inexpensive device-to-fill recognition system have the ability to distinguish so routine between said 'different areas.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the roll head is provided with two lower reflectance area in a roll head having a surface finish of superior reflectance. Preferably, the two lower reflectance areas are provided by two separate horizontally elongated rectangles. of a lower reflectance material with relation; to the reflective properties of the rest of the rolling head. The two lower reflectance areas can be identical blocks of lower reflectance material or can be pixilated or the like to look like two different areas insofar as the detection means are involved. Preferably, the two areas are sufficiently elongated to cover substantially a whole right side or left side of the neck portion of the rolling head. Preferably, at least said two horizontally elongated rectangle areas separated from a material! of lower reflectance are joined by a vertically elongated rectangle towards the front side of the neck portion.

Ideally, areas of lower and / or higher reflectance extend through substantially a full width of the left or right side of the neck portion of a filler head.

Preferably there is at least 1.5 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and more preferably at least 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and included more preferably there is between 1.5-3 mm between the areas of the same reflectance , and more preferably there is substantially 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance.

Conveniently, the reliability of the inexpensive and inexpensive device-to-fill recognition system defined by the present invention is surprisingly improved at least for the following reasons: first, by placing the detection means within the housing interior so that it is directed towards the right or left side of the neck portion of the rolling head, the detection means are protected against environmental interference, and particularly environmental light interference. The detection means are protected from external light and are less likely to be "blinded" by the light entering the opening in the outer housing and moving towards the inner housing around the spaces located between the inner housing and the housing. filler head filling. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention where at least two horizontally elongated rectangle areas are provided spaced apart from a lower reflectance material, the elongated nature of said rectangles and their extension towards the front side of the neck portion can help reduce any glare of the light moving towards the inner housing. The lower reflectance material near the front side of the neck portion may have the ability to absorb some of the environmental interference / light interference to reduce any deterioration of the detection means. The ability to reduce glare can be further improved for the embodiment where the elongated horizontal rectangles are joined by a vertically elongated rectangle towards the front side of the neck portion since said vertical portion will expose more of the material: lower reflectance than interference of ambient light input.

Secondly, in the manufacture of fillings, particularly aerosol fillings containing pressurized fluid, there may be variations in the height of the rolling head thereof due to manufacturing tolerances associated with the height of the valve stem, the depth of input into the rolling head, the height of the filling body and the like, this may be problematic for use with a mechanically / electronically reliable, inexpensive mechanical-to-fill device recognition system since the detection means may not be in possibilities of exploring a sufficient proportion of the rolling head in order to determine if there is at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance. Conveniently, however, the problem of variations in manufacturing tolerance can be overcome when the rolling head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of superior reflectance or when it is provided with at least three. areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance since the detection means are provided with a greater number of opportunities to distinguish between at least two areas of different reflectance whether or not recognizing a filling of the present invention.

Third, an additional advantage of the rolling head of the present invention is the improved sensitivity during the life of use of the filler. During the use of the device and the filling, the amount of fluid1 in the filling will decrease which will reduce the mass of the filling. However, the drive means of the device will remain substantially constant. For devices where the driving means do not move coaxially with the allowed movement of the valve stem, towards the end of the life of the stuffing, there may be an increased lateral movement of the rolling head when the driving means rests against the 1 rolling head to open an internal valve of the filling t to spray the fluid. Lateral movement can cause: the rolling head to move away from the detecting means and can compromise the ability of said means: to determine if there is at least one lower reflectance area and at least one higher reflectance area in the portion of neck of the rolling head. Conveniently, however, the sensitivity problem can be overcome or minimized when the rolling head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or when it is provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance since the detection means are provided with a greater number of opportunities to distinguish between at least two areas of different reflectance whether or not a filler of the present invention is recognized.

Preferably, the detection means is configured to operate in order to distinguish between areas of different reflectance during movement of the head.

Conveniently, the device according to the present invention can detect when a user attempts to use the device with a potentially dangerous filling and, in addition, the device is preferably configured to deny that the actuation means1 are activated and / or deny the subsequent activation while: said filling is loaded in the device to avoid and / or limit any damage that could result from the actuation of the filling.

An additional advantage of the devices of the present invention is that they can provide an improved end-of-life indication. In use, when a device according to the present invention detects at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one relatively greater reflecting area in the rolling head of the stuffing loaded there, a counting mechanism can be fired. The counting mechanism can be calibrated to allow a predetermined number of fill drives which corresponds to the amount of fluid stored in a fill. The counting mechanism can operate in use, and after the predetermined number of drives has been reached, it operates to prevent the device from causing additional operations of that filling until a user replaces the filling and / or resets the device. The device can be reset automatically each time a pad is loaded into the device. This end-of-life indication may be convenient since the energy consumption of the device will be minimized, this would be particularly convenient in the situation where the device is battery-powered or the like. i The counting mechanism may be linked to an indicator that is adapted to communicate to the user of the device that a used or worn refill needs to be replaced.

Preferably, the predefined number. of drives is calculated to correspond to the amount of fluid in the filling.

Preferably, the detection means are in direct communication with the driving means so that, in use, the detection means can command the driving means not to activate.

Alternatively, a control means which is in direct communication with both the detection means and the actuating means may be provided, said control means operate to receive an input from the detection means and operate to order the drive means that activate or not depending on the input received.

The control means may be provided in the form of a microprocessor, a circuit provided in a PCB, or in the form of other convenient components.

Preferably, the drive means operate to cause the actuation of the stuffing head by imparting a substantially downward force on the roll head. Said substantially downward force preferably is sufficient to cause the rolling head to move in a substantially downward direction to open a fluid path between the body of the stuffing and the outlet hole of the spray head to spray an amount of fluid out of the head. opening in the housing towards the surrounding environment. Once a quantity of fluid has been sprayed, the device can be configured so that the inherent resiliency of the padding and / or the internal pressure has the ability to apply a substantially upward force on the roll head sufficient to return the means: drive to its starting position without the need to apply power to said means.

The detection means of the present invention are adapted, in use, to distinguish between areas of different reflectance in a neck portion of a filler head. Preferably, the detection means have the ability to distinguish, as mentioned, by questioning the filling. The neck portion of the filler head can be interrogated by the detection means that emit radiation towards the strand portion and collect the reflected radiation so that the amount of reflectance can be attributed in a specific or approximate or general manner to one or more parts of the neck portion. Said allocation may allow the detection means to determine directly or in combination with a control unit if any areas of different reflectance are present in the rolling head. If there are no areas of different reflectance in the Neck portion, there should be a substantially constant level of reflected radiation. Therefore, in an alternative arrangement, the filling interrogation by the media; The detection means may allow the detection means to detect if at least a different level of reflected radiation is detected without attributing the detected level of reflectance to a specific part of the neck portion. Said detection may allow the detection means to determine directly or in combination with a control unit if any areas of different reflectance are present in the neck portion.

The detection means can be configured: to make a determination that there are different levels of reflectance between at least two separate parts of the neck portion when the reflectance of a part 'is at least 0.5 times greater than that of a separate part of the neck portion, and preferably at least twice as large, and more preferably at least 5 times larger, and even more preferably at least 10 times larger, and even more preferably at least 50 times larger, and with the greater preference at least 100 times higher.

As mentioned, it is preferable that the detection means be configured to operate to distinguish between areas of different reflectance during the movement of the spray head. Even more preferably, the detection means are configured to operate thus only during the movement of the spray head. This may be convenient because this would allow the detection means to have a fixed location within the device and not have moving parts, thus reducing the cost of the detection means and making them less likely to fail during the life of the device. Additionally, with such an arrangement, the detection means may have a predefined field of view that allows a refill manufacturer more defined parameters to ensure that the spray head is conveniently detectable by the detection means. There is an additional advantage where the device is to be energized with a battery since the sensing means will only extract energy during the actuation of the filling.

Preferably, the detection means can be confined to operate only to distinguish between areas of different reflectance during the substantially upward movement of the rolling head, i.e. the upward movement of the rolling head after the downward movement caused by the means: drive. In this arrangement, the inherent resiliency and / or internal pressure of the stuffing may be sufficient to return the driving means to its starting position without energizing said means. Such an arrangement can be particularly convenient because the substantially upward movement of the spray head can be achieved without applying power to the activation means, thereby reducing or eliminating the electrical noise / interference produced by the device. The reduction in noise Electrical / interference can improve the ability of the detection means to distinguish areas of different reflectance in the rolling head, thus improving the reliability of the means of detection $ that are allowed to use relatively inexpensive detection means.

The detection means can operate to determine if a filler is loaded in the device before operating to distinguish between areas of different reflectance. In this arrangement, the detection means may operate to interrogate the location within the device normally occupied by a filler head of a filler when it is loaded in the device, if the means! of detection do not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this situation can > being indicative of the absence of a filling in the device and the detection means will prevent the actuation means from being activated. This arrangement may also be convenient since it will prevent the drive means from being activated periodically after a user has removed a spent pad and before a new pad is loaded into the device.

Preferably, the detection means are provided with a fixed location within the device and, preferably, have a fixed field of view with respect to the filler head of a filler or the area normally occupied by the filler head when a filler is loaded on the device.

Alternatively or additionally, the detection means can be configured to move to interrogate the rolling head or the area normally occupied by the rolling head. The detection can be mobile in a substantially horizontal direction and / or in a substantially vertical direction and / or in at least two directions. The detection means can rotate around a single position to perform the scan. The detection means may be provided with a wide-angle lens, such as a fisheye lens, to provide a wide field of view when filling interrogation is executed.

The detection means may be provided in the form of one or more sensors. Preferably, the sensors are provided with an integrated radiation emitter that is adapted to emit radiation and are further provided with a collection portion that is adapted to collect any reflected radiation. Alternatively, the sensor may comprise only the collection portion, the radiation emitter being a separate component that is positioned so that it has the ability to emit radiation towards the rolling head so that at least part of the reflected radiation may be collected by the collection portion.

Preferably, the sensor is an optical sensor in the form of an infrared sensor, more preferably a passive infrared sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the optical sensors may be provided in the form of a light sensor or laser sensor. : The detection means can be configured to interrogate with an effective range of up to 100 ntfn, the effective range is the distance that any interrogation must travel once reflected by the head to be detected by the detection means, that is, the distance between the means of detection or source of the interrogation to the rolling head in addition to the distance that the reflected interrogation must travel to the detection means to be collected and detected. Preferably, the detection means with an effective range up to 50 mm, and more preferably up to 20 mm, and even more preferably up to 10 mm, and even more preferably up to 5 mm.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spraying device with a replaceable fluid filler therein, wherein: the stuffing comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem in an upper portion of the body and a rolling head wherein said rolling head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, said neck portion being a the inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion there is a fluid outlet orifice for directing, in use, the sprayed fluid; Y the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the filling therein, the outer housing is provided with a convenient opening to allow, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid outlet orifice of the rolling head through the same , the device comprises actuating means configured for the periodic actuation of the filling, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the rolling head, therein, and the device is provided with means of detection within the inner housing configured, in use, to interrogate the neck portion of the wheelhead to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one relatively high reflective area in the roll head of said pad; Y characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least a part thereof in a way to substantially reflect the interrogation of the detection means back to said means and is provided with at least a portion thereof in a form to substantially deviate the interrogation of the detection means away from said means.

In the alternative aspect of the present invention, at least one area of lower reflectance is provided by at least a portion of the neck portion of the roller head having a shape for deflecting the interrogating of the detection means away from the means of detection so that a lower amount of interrogation (whether radiation, for example) is detected by said means compared to the amount of inter-detection detected by the detection means when interrogating at least a part of the portion of neck has a shape to reflect said interrogation towards said means, the area of superior reflectance.

According to a further alternative aspect of the present invention there is then provided a spraying device with a replaceable fluid filler therein, wherein: the stuffing comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem in an upper body portion and a rolling head wherein said rolling head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, said neck portion being in said neck portion. an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid outlet orifice for directing, in use, the sprayed fluid; Y the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the filling therein, the outer housing is provided with a convenient opening to allow, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid outlet orifice of the rolling head therethrough. , the device comprises actuating means configured for the periodic actuation of the filling, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the rolling head, therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured, in use, to interrogate the neck portion of the wheelhead to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one relatively greater reflective area in the wheel head; said filling; Y characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least a portion of the same in a form to substantially reflect the interrogation of the means of detection back to said means and is provided with at least a part thereof in a form or cut to avoid interrogation of the detection means.

In the further alternative aspect of the present invention, at least one area of lower reflectance is provided by at least a portion of the neck portion of the roll head having a shape or cut to avoid interrogation of the detection means of, so that a lower or zero amount of the interrogation (be it radiation for example) is detected by said means compared to the amount of interrogation detected by the detection means when the interrogation of at least a portion is sized to reflect said interrogation towards said means, the upper reflectance area.

According to a still further alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spraying device with a fluid filler therein, wherein the filler comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid and a spray head located in the The uppermost part of the filling in fluid communication is with the reservoir, and wherein the device comprises a housing adapted to receive the filling therein and having a convenient opening to allow, in use, the spraying of the fluid from a fluid orifice. outputting the spray head therethrough, the device further comprises drive means configured for periodic actuation of the padding, wherein the device is provided with configured sensing means, in use, for interrog & amp;the spray head to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one relatively higher reflecting area in the spray head of said filler, characterized in that the interrogation emitted from the detection means is configured to be detectable on a predefined distance that is substantially equal to the effective range, and wherein the spray head is provided with at least a dimension portion to substantially reflect the interrogation of the detection means back toward said means and is provided with at least a portion dimensioned or cut in relation to the location of the detection means.

As discussed above, the effective range is used here to relate the distance that any interrogation must travel to be detected by the detection means, i.e., the distance between the detection means or source of the interrogation to the head spray of the distance that the reflected interrogation must travel once reflected by the rolling head to the detection means to be collected and detected.

In this additional alternative arrangement, by tuning the distance that the interrogation can travel so that it has the ability to travel the distance between the uncut portion of the spray head and back again after reflection, it is possible to distinguish between a lower reflection area and a superior reflection area. Due to the tuning of the interrogation, the amount of interrogation collected by the detection means would be less for the interrogation reflected from the cutting portion than from the uncut portion of the spray head, this difference in reflectance is detectable by the means of detection, thus indicating two areas of different reflectance. The tuning of the distance or the intensity of the interrogation that it has the ability to travel, could be greater or less than the aforementioned distance, what is important is that the interrogation is tuned so that the cutting portion of the head The sprayer produces a lower amount of reflected interrogation compared to the uncut portion that is pickable and detectable by the detection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for spraying a fluid from a device is then provided, the method comprising the steps of loading a fluid fill into a spraying device according to any of the previous aspects of the present invention. invention, placing the device in an operation mode, said mode is configured to cause the activation of the actuation means, said actuation means operate periodically to lean against a filler head of the filler and cause the movement of the device to release an amount of fill fluid, said released fluid is sprayed from the device through an opening in the housing into the surrounding environment, wherein detection means provided in the device operate in the operation mode to detect and distinguish between at least one lower reflectance area and at least one relatively higher reflectance area in a: rolling head of said filling or within the area normally occupied by said rolling head; and characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least said area of said head. lower reflectance and at least one higher reflectance area.

Preferably, the detection means operate during the activation of the drive means 1 and 1 the movement of the filler head. Even; more preferably, the detection means only operate during activation of the drive means. More preferably, the sensing means is configured to operate only during substantially upward movement of the filler head, that is, the upward movement of the rolling head after the downward movement caused by the driving means.

The method may comprise a preceding step before activation of the driving means wherein the detection means executes an initial interrogation; of the area within the housing normally occupied by the, head spray of a filling when a filling is loaded into the device. In this preceding step if the detecting means $ does not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this may be indicative of the absence of a filling in the device and the detection means will prevent the actuating means from being activated.

The method of the present invention preferably operates to prevent activation of the driving means if the detection means can not detect and distinguish between said at least two areas of different reflectance. Alternatively, the method of the present invention preferably operates to prevent further activation of the driving means if the detection means can not detect and distinguish between at least said two areas of different reflectance. The prevention of activation or additional activation can be maintained until a user resets the device and / or initiates a manual cancellation of the ongoing prevention.

Returning to the filling that is going to be used in the aforementioned devices or methods, the atheist of different reflectance in the rolling head can be provided by areas of different colors. Preferred color combinations that provide the required difference in reflectance are the combinations > of a light color with a dark color, where the light color provides an area that has a higher level of radiation reflectance than the dark color which provides an area that has a greater tendency to absorb radiation, therefore, a lower reflectance area. A particularly preferable combination is that of a substantially white color and a substantially black color. More preferably, the rolling head is provided in a substantially white color with a substantially black coloration (e.g., a rectangle or the like).

Areas of different reflectance in the spray head can be provided by areas of different infrared (IR) reflectance. Particularly preferred means for providing areas of different IR reflectance include the use of inks / paints / lacquers which are absorbent or reflective of IR radiation and, preferably, are invisible to the naked eye under normal light conditions.

The sensors can operate to detect wavelengths in the 700-1350 nm range. Preferably the sensor operates to detect wavelengths in the range of 800-1100 nm. More preferably, the sensor operates to detect wavelengths in the 850-1000 nm range. More preferably, the sensor operates to detect wavelengths in the substantially 940 nm range. : Areas of different reflectance can be applied to, or incorporated into the spray head through any convenient means. Particularly preferred methods include the initial application of at least: an: area of different reflectance to a label which is subsequently attached to the rolling head. Alternatively, at least one area of different reflectance can be printed, engraved and / or applied directly on the spray head. As a further alternative, the rolling head could be manufactured from two or more component parts * where at least two of said parts are provided! with external areas thereof having reflective properties distinguishable with respect to one another.

In an alternative arrangement, the neck portion of the rolling head may be sized to deflect any interrogation away from the detection means of the device. In the device of the present invention, the detection means can be provided in a fixed position and, therefore, will only have a field of: limited vision of the neck portion for interrogation and will only have a limited field or area in the which can detect the reflected interrogation. Therefore, the neck portion can be dimensioned so that a portion thereof that is seen by the detection means of the device is dimensioned to substantially reflect the interrogation of the detection means (e.g., being generally flat and substantially parallel with the detection or curve means, preferably with a smooth curvature) and at least a portion thereof which is seen by the detection means of the device is dimensioned to substantially deviate the interrogation of the detection means (e.g., by being at an angle relative to the address of the interrogation and the location of the detection means so that the reflected interrogation is reflected away from a collection part of the detection means thus being substantially undetectable or less detectable).

The device of any of the aforementioned aspects can be provided with an indicator where said indicator operates to indicate the information to a user. Such information may include: if the filler loaded in the device is potentially dangerous since it is not intended for use with the device; if the filling needs to be changed; if the battery or batteries need to be changed (where the device will be energized with a battery); and other potentially useful information. : The indicator may operate to provide a visual indication and / or provide an audible indication.

Preferably, the indicator is configured to provide a visual indication by emitting light from one or more light sources, preferably one p or more LEDs. One or more light sources can be adapted: to emit a different light color in order to indicate the current function that the device is executing. For additional or alternative storage, one or more light sources may blink or flash to indicate the current function that the device is executing.

A visual indicator can be provided, in the form of an LCD screen or the like, wherein the screen is adapted to provide a message to a user, for example, such messages could include "ON", "DANGEROUS FILLING INSERTED", "CHANGE" FILLING "," CHANGING BATTERIES "," NUMBER OF REMAINING SPRAYS "," FILLING LIFE "," SHUTDOWN ".

The device can be provided with a starting mechanism. The starting mechanism may be linked to a switch or button operated by the user or the like. By operating the starting mechanism, the actuation means can be activated to cause the immediate actuation of a filling.

The device can be energized through electricity supplied by a main line and / or, it can be battery powered and / or energized through solar cells located in the device. More preferably the device is battery powered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rolling head for a fluid filling for use with a device or method according to any preceding aspects of the present invention, wherein the rolling head comprises a neck portion. and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section configured to be able to be coupled to a valve stem of a fluid fill and an outlet orifice for fluid, characterized in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the rolling head is provided, with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a fluid filler is then provided for use with a device or method according to any preceding aspect of the present invention where the filler comprises a body for containing a quantity of fluid and a fluid. valve stem with a robber head connected thereto, the roller head comprises a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section and in the nozzle portion an exit orifice, wherein a path of fluid is defined therethrough from the body to the exit orifice, characterized in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the rolling head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least an area of superior reflectance.

For the purposes of understanding the above aspects of the present invention and to avoid doubt, the neck portion of the rolling head has substantially six sides, a front side that is closer to the exit hole, a rear side that is opposite the front side and which is remote from the outlet orifice, right and left sides between said front and rear sides, a lower side containing the inlet section, and an upper side opposite to and away from the underside.

To avoid doubts, all the features disclosed in this specification and / or all steps of any disclosed method or process, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where al! 'less some of those characteristics and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in; this specification may be replaced by alternative characteristics that serve the same purpose or for an equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed e > s an example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Now embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a side elevation of a device of the present invention with a filler stripped thereon; Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation d < $ a device of the present invention with a filler loaded therein; and 1 Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of a filler head; Figure 3B illustrates a view of the front side of the rolling head of Figure 3A; Figure 3C illustrates a view of the rear side of the rolling head of Figure 3A; Y Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a filling of the present invention.; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a fragrance spraying device 10 comprises an outer housing 12 with a removable front section 12a through which there is an opening 14. The front section 12a| may be hinged to allow access into the interior of the device 10. The replaceable filler 16, in this example an aerosol spray can, is maintained within the outer housing 12 on a platform 18. The device 10 is also provided with an inner housing 42. An outlet rod 20 of the filling 16 'is received in a lower opening of a spray head: 22, when the filling 16 is held inside the device 10 a proportion of the rolling head 22 is located inside the inner housing 42. A driving means 24 is located inside the inner housing 42 and above the filling 16 and has an arm 24 that is movable to apply substantially downward pressure on the head roller 22 and cause the actuation of the filling, 16. During the operation of the filling, the fluid maintained inside the body 26 of the filling 16 is forced through the valve stem 20, towards the rolling head, leaving the rolling head through the an exit hole 28 towards the external environment. The drive means 26 are energized by batteries 30. ' The device is further provided with a sensing number 38 located within the inner housing 42.

The detection means 38 are located adjacent to the inner housing at a point on the right or left side of the rolling head 22, in Figure 2, the detection means 38 point in the direction of the flap 40 on the left side of a rolling head.

Although not shown in detail, the detection means 38 includes a sensor configured to face the direction of the arrow 40 toward the left side 1 d < * the rolling head 22, the sensor is adapted to emit radiation in this mode, preferably IR radiation, towards the left side of the rolling head 22 for interrogation. The sensor also has the ability to collect the reflected radiation in order to distinguish between different reflectance areas on the left side, of the rolling head 22 within the sensor's field of view.

The detection means 38 may be, in direct communication with the drive means 26 or, alternatively, in communication with a control unit (not shown) which is in communication with the driving means 26. The communication between the detection means 38 and the driving means 26, either: directly or indirectly to Through the control unit, they are essential to allow the device to have the capacity to produce a response when a dangerous and / or abusive filling is loaded into the device 10.

The filling 16 is a replaceable article and the rolling head 22 is typically supplied with the filling 16. Referring to Figures 3A-C, the spray head 22 will be described in greater detail, including the areas of different reflectance thereon. Specifically, the spray head 22 consists of a neck portion 44 and a nozzle portion 46. The neck portion 44, 44 'contains the inlet section 34 and the nozzle portion 46 the outlet hole 28. The left side 48 of the neck portion 44, 44 'is covered with a layer of dye / paint / dark lacquer 35 which is: a lower reflectance than the rest of the neck portion 44, 44', including the right side 50 thereof , which is not coated to produce a superior reflectance area.

In use, the filler 16 is loaded into the device when it is placed on the platform 18 and the neck portion 44, 44 'is located within the inner housing 42 while the outlet orifice 28 is projecting therethrough, adjacent to it. directed to the aperture 14. When the filler 16 is loaded into the device, a fluid path is formed for the fragrance (or other material such as sterilization materials / insecticidal material / bactericidal material, or the like) for spraying from the filling 16 through the spray head 22 and passing the opening 14 in the front section of the housing 12a and outward into the surrounding environment.

In order to cause spraying of the fluid from the fill 16, the actuation means are activated causing the arm 24 to be in connection with the spray head 22 and pushing the spray head in a substantially downward direction. The downward movement, the spray head 22 effects the corresponding downward movement of the valve stem 20 which opens a valve therein and allows the fluid to flow through the valve stem, the spray head and out of the opening 14 to the surrounding environment.

The drive means 26 has numerous selectable configurations that a. user may select through a user input means 32. User input means 32 may operate to allow a user to select whether the device is turned on or off, the device's specific operating mode such as its frequency of spraying , timer delay or other feature of this type. The preferred frequency settings would be the option of the fluid: being sprayed from the fill every nine minutes, or every eighteen minutes, or even every thirty-six minutes.

The detection means 38 can operate, to detect the presence of the rolling head 22 and, in addition, detect whether there is at least one area of low reflectance and at least one area of superior reflectance on one side of. the neck portion 44, 44 'of the rolling head 22.

First, the detection means 38 can operate to detect if a filler 16 is loaded in the device by interrogating the area normally occupied by the neck portion 44, 44 'of a rolling head 22, when a filler is loaded therein. , said interrogation is in the general direction of the arrow 40. Before allowing the actuating means 24 to activate, the detection means 38 can execute an initial interrogation of the location within the device normally occupied by a rolling head of a filling when loaded into the device, if the detection means does not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this situation may be indicative; d $ the absence of a filler in the device and the detection means 38 will prevent the drive means from being activated, either directly by communicating with them or indirectly through a control unit.

In case the presence of a filler 16 is detected, the detection means 38 is further configured to interrogate additional parts of the roller head 22. The detection means 38 may have the ability to interrogate the rolling head 22 emitting er >radiation.; the direction of the arrow 40 towards the neck portion 44, such as IR radiation. The detection means have the ability to collect the reflected radiation so that the amount of reflectance collected can be attributed in a specific or approximate or general manner to a part or portions of the neck portion 44, 44 '. Said attribution may allow the detection means 38 to determine directly or in combination with the control unit (not shown) if any arrays: of different reflectance are present in the neck portion 44, 44 '.

Alternatively, interrogation of the fill by the detection means 38 may allow the detection means to detect if at least one different level of reflected radiation is detected without attributing the detected level of reflectance to a specific section! of the neck portion 44, 44 '. Any detection of this type may allow the detection means 38 to determine directly or in combination with the control unit '(not shown) if any areas of different reflectance are present in the neck portion 44,' 44 ' or in the area normally occupied by these.

With any form of interrogation, in case different areas of reflectance are detected, the detection means 38 will communicate directly with the drive means 26, or indirectly through a control unit (not shown) to allow the drive means 26 operate in accordance with the user's input command to cause the fluid to be sprayed.

On the other hand, if different areas of reflectance are not detected, i.e., a potentially dangerous fill has been loaded into the device, direct or indirect communication of the detection means 38 will cause the drive means 26 to enter a latent mode. . During the latent mode, the driving means 26 will be activated and will not cause the fluid to be sprayed. The latent mode will be maintained until a user initiates a device reset. The restoration £ > It can be facilitated if the user loads a new one filled in the device and / or if the user operates a reset button or similar.

However, if an intentional vandal has loaded a potentially dangerous filler and reset the device, once the detection means 38 scan the neck portion 44, 44 'of the spray head 22 and do not find the required reflectance, the driving means 26 will once again be placed in the dormant fnode.

In an alternative embodiment, the detection medips can operate to detect the presence of the spray head 22 and detect whether there is at least one area of low reflectance and at least one area of superior reflectance in the neck portion 44, 44 ', only during, the movement of the spray head 22 following activation by the driving means 26. This movement allows the detection means 38 the opportunity to see, a defined proportion of the neck portion 44, 44 ', thus fixing the field of vision of the detection means (for example, approximately equal to the height of the neck portion 44). If during the interrogation of the neck portion 44, 44 'different areas of reflectance are detected by the detection means 38, these means will communicate with the driving means 26, either directly or indirectly, to allow the means $ of drive 26 operate in accordance with the user's input command to cause the fluid to be sprayed. On the other hand, if different areas of reflectance are not detected, ie a potentially dangerous filling has been loaded into the device, potentially for vandalism, communication of the detection means 38 will cause the drive means 26 to enter a latent mode, as discussed above.

Although a filler 16 has been loaded into the device 10 and the detection means 38 have been able to distinguish between a lower reflectance area and a higher reflectance area, the control means or the like can initiate a counting mechanism. The Cünteo mechanism can be calibrated to allow a predetermined number of filling drives which corresponds to the amount of fluid stored in a filling. The counting mechanism 1 can operate in use, and after the predetermined number of drives have been reached, cause the device 10 to enter the latent mode, thus avoiding additional drives of that filling, until a user replaces the filling and / or reset the device. The counting mechanism can be reset automatically each time a fill is loaded into the device. · All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, summaries and drawings) and / or all steps of any disclosed method or process, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of said features and / or steps They are mutually exclusive. Each characteristic disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, summaries and drawings) may be replaced: by alternative features that serve the same purpose, an equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, unless expressly stated otherwise, each disclosed feature is an example only of a genetic series of equivalent or similar characteristics. The invention is not restricted to the details of the above modalities. The invention extends to any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawing) or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps of any disclosed method or process.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - A spraying device with a replaceable fluid filler in it, where:: the stuffing comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem in an upper portion of the body and a rolling head wherein said rolling head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, said neck portion being a the inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion there is a fluid outlet orifice for directing, in use, the sprayed fluid; Y the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the filling therein, the outer housing is provided with a convenient opening 1 to allow, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid outlet orifice of the rolling head through the itiism, the device comprises actuating means configured for the periodic actuation of the filling, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the rolling head therein, and the device is provided with detection means inside the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one lower reflectance area and at least one relatively higher reflectance area in the rolling head of said filler; Y characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least said lower reflectance area and at least one area of superior reflectance.

2. - The spraying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of superior reflectance or, alternatively, said rolling head is preferably provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of superior reflectance.

3. - The spraying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprayer head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of superior reflectance.

4. - The spraying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling head is provided with between two to four areas of lower reflectance and between three to five areas of superior reflectance, or alternatively, said spray head is preferably provided with three to five areas of lower reflectance and between two to four areas of superior reflectance.

5. - The spraying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance in a spray head having a surface finish of superior reflectance.

6. - The spraying device according to claim 5, characterized in that the two lower reflectance areas are provided by two horizontally elongated rectangles separated from a lower reflectance material with respect to the reflective properties of the rest of the spray head.

7. - The spraying device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the two lower reflectance areas are solid blocks of lower reflectance material or are pixilated or so that they appear as two different areas insofar as they are involved. detection means.;

8. - The spraying device according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the two areas are sufficiently elongated to cover substantially a whole right side or left side of the neck portion of the rolling head.

9. - The spraying device according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that at least said two horizontally elongated rectangle areas separated from a lower reflectance material are joined by a vertically elongated rectangle towards the front side of the neck portion.

10. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is at least 1.5 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and preferably at least 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and even more preferably there is between 1.5-3 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and more preferably substantially 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance.

11. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means are configured to operate in order to distinguish between areas of different reflectance during the movement of the rolling head.

12. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in use, when the device detects at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area! of relatively superior reflectance in the rolling head of the filler loaded therein, a counting mechanism can be triggered, wherein the counting mechanism is calibrated to allow a predetermined number of actuators of the filling which corresponds to the amount of fluid stored in a filling, and where the counting mechanism operates in use, and after the predetermined number of drives has been reached, to prevent the device from causing additional drives of. that stuffing until "a user replaces the stuffing, and / or resets the device.

13. - The spraying device according to claim 12, characterized in that the device is automatically reset each time a filling is loaded in the device.

14. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control means is provided that is in direct communication with both the detection means; as with the driving means, said control means operate to receive an input from the detection means and operate to command the driving means to activate or not depending on the input received.

15. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means are configured to perform a determination that there are different levels of reflectance between at least two separate parts of the neck portion when the reflectance of a part is at least 0.5 times greater than that of a separate part of the neck portion, and preferably at least $ fold greater, and more preferably at least 5 times larger, and even more preferably at least 10 times larger, and even more preferably at least 50 times greater, and still more preferably at least 100 years higher.

16. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means are configured to operate only during the movement of the rolling head,! and preferably during the upward movement of the spray head. | |;

17. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means are provided in the form of one or more sensors, said one or more sensors are provided with an integrated radiation emitter that is adapted to emit radiation and further provided with a collection portion that is adapted to collect any reflected radiation, and wherein said one or more sensors are infrared sensors or optical light sensors.

18. - The spraying device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means are configured to interrogate with an effective range of up to 100 mm,! and preferably with an effective range up to 50 mm, and more preferably up to 20 mm, even more preferably up to 10 mm, and more preferably up to 5 mm.

19. - A method for spraying a fluid from a device, the method comprising the steps of charging a fluid fill in a spraying device according to any of the previous aspects of the present invention, placing the device in an operating mode, said mode is configured to cause activation of the actuating means, said actuating means periodically operate to lean against a rolling head of the filler and cause movement of the same in order to release a quantity of fluid from the filler, said released fluid is sprayed from the device through: an opening in the housing towards the surrounding environment, wherein the detection means provided in the device operate in the operation mode to detect &r and distinguish between at least one lower reflectance area and at least one area of relatively superior reflectance in a rolling head of said filler or within the area normally occupied by said rolling head} and characterized in that the detection means are directed towards either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a rolling head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said rolling head is provided with at least one reflectance area. lower and at least one area of higher reflectance.

20. - The method for spraying a fluid from a device according to claim 19, characterized in that the detection means operate the activation of the drive means and the movement of the filler head, and preferably the detection means. they only operate during the substantially upward movement of the filler head.

21. - A rolling head for a fluid filling for use with a device or method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling head comprises a neck portion and a nozzle portion, said neck portion being a section of the inlet configured to be engageable with a valve stem of a fluid fill and an outlet for fluid, characterized in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the head is provided with at least one lower reflectance area and at least one area of superior reflectance.

22. - A fluid filler for use with a device or method according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the filler comprises a body for containing a quantity of fluid! and a valve stem with a roller head connected thereto, the roller head comprises a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section and in the mouthpiece portion an outlet orifice, wherein a fluid path is defined therethrough from the body to the outlet orifice, characterized in that either one of a right side or 1 uh left side of the neck portion of the rolling head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of superior reflectance.

23. - A spraying device with a fluid filling therein substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. - A rolling head for a fluid filling substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. - A fluid filling substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.