Method and system for ambient air scenting and disinfecting based on flexible, autonomous liquid atomizer cartridges and an intelligent networking thereof

#The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for refreshing and disinfecting air streams. More particularly, the invention relates to refreshing and disinfecting air streams flowing into or through an environment or room by dispersing a fragrant disinfectant. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for refreshing and disinfecting air streams wherein a fragrance, a disinfectant, or other functional liquid is nebulized into an air stream, and the rate of nebulization of the liquid is controlled and determined by personal preferences of a user.

#Moreover, in the present context, the term “freshening” means either scenting, disinfecting, or scenting and disinfecting, such as for an air stream or a body of air.

#Note that for the purpose of this disclosure the terms “nebulized” and “atomized” will be considered equivalent and interchangeable.

#FIG. 1a shows a detailed schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of one preferred construction of the liquid pathway in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of a portion of another preferred construction of the liquid pathway in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for refreshing ambient air and/or air streams in an environment. Typically, the environment is a room or a finite space, or an air stream such as would be present in an HVAC duct or system, although the present invention is not limited to any one specific environment and can be practiced in relatively open areas. To facilitate an easy understanding of the present invention, the apparatus embodiments in accordance with the present invention will be described first with respect to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like parts.

#FIG. 1a schematically illustrates apparatus 1 for refreshing air, a free standing non-limiting preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this context, the term “air” may mean either a body of ambient air or an ambient air stream. Apparatus 1 generally includes a base unit 10 which is a housing, a power supply 14 connected to the base unit, and a driving and switching circuit 15 electrically connected to and powered by power supply 14, such as is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application No. U.S. Ser. No. 09/942,118 and corresponding document EP 00 118 715.2, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although power supply 14 is shown in FIG. 1a as an internal power supply, the invention is not limited to such and one skilled in the art would appreciate that the power supply could be a plug for connecting to an external power supply or a solar powered cell for example.

#Driving and switching circuit 15 includes driver 15a for driving a nebulizer 20 that is connected to a dual autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge 22 via a dual interface 24, and a switch circuit 15b that has a receiving/transmitting portion 15c for receiving an activating electronic signal and transmitting a handshake feedback electronic signal, either wireless or via hard wire, wherein the activating electronic signal is used to activate the switch to start the driver 15a. The electrical circuit shown can preferably be connected to a sensor 16 for detecting, when the nebulizer 20 has run out of fluid to nebulize. Sensor 16 may be a simple fuse that overheats and burns out when nebulizer 20 runs out of liquid to nebulize. Sensor 16 is preferably constructed to be part of cartridge 22. When sensor 16 is activated, the driving and switching circuit 15 generates a handshake feedback signal, or in the alternative fails to generate a handshake feedback signal, that is transmitted via portion 15c to a controlling apparatus, as will be described later.