IP Library Granted Patent US 12,458,722
Granted Patent B1
US 12,458,722 · App. 17/185,291 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Systems, method, and devices for dispensing volatile liquids

Inventors: Douglas S. Brown (Toledo, OH); Jeffrey A. Smith (Perrysburg, OH)
Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
A61L9/14B05B7/0483B05B7/0869A61L2209/134B05B7/2491
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,458,722
App. No.
17/185,291
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A volatile liquid dispenser includes a chamber for holding a supply of volatile liquid; a compressor configured to force a portion of the supply of volatile liquid out of the chamber and through an outlet; and a fan configured to force the portion of the supply of volatile liquid exiting the outlet into the surrounding air and away from the outlet.

Claims (52)

1 . A volatile liquid dispensing system comprising:

a reservoir for holding a supply of volatile liquid;

a pressurized gas source;

an atomizer comprising a chamber, an outlet nozzle fluidly coupleable to the chamber, and a venturi assembly positioned within the chamber,

wherein the venturi assembly comprises a first orifice fluidly coupleable to the pressurized gas source through a flow path that includes a venturi nozzle, and a second orifice fluidly coupleable to the reservoir,

wherein the atomizer is configured to cause, responsive to pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source flowing through the venturi nozzle, extraction of a portion of the supply of volatile liquid through the second orifice, atomization of the portion of the supply of volatile liquid within the chamber and/or the outlet nozzle, and expelling of the atomized liquid through the outlet nozzle;

an electrical power source;

a fan configured to be powered by the electrical power source in order to generate a flow of air;

a duct positioned to transfer the flow of air from the fan to an exit of the duct that is positioned adjacent the outlet nozzle, such that the flow of air exiting the duct can be applied to the atomized liquid expelled through the outlet nozzle to disperse the atomized liquid;

a controller configured to repeatedly automatically activate and deactivate the pressurized gas source and the fan such that, responsive to a trigger event occurring, the controller will implement a dispensing process that causes:

activation of both the pressurized gas source and the fan, to atomize the portion of the supply of volatile liquid and to disperse the atomized liquid;

deactivation of the pressurized gas source while keeping the fan activated for a period of time, to continue dispersing the atomized liquid after the compressed gas source has been deactivated; and

deactivation of the fan after the period of time,

wherein the controller is configured to repeat the dispensing process responsive to an additional trigger event occurring,

wherein the trigger event and the additional trigger event each comprises at least one of a timer elapsing, a motion detection, or a light detection; and

a housing that contains at least the controller, the reservoir, the pressurized gas source, the atomizer, the fan, and the duct.

2 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized gas source comprises a compressor configured to be powered by the electrical power source.

3 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized gas source comprises a chamber containing pressurized fluid.

4 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source comprises a battery.

5 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source comprises a connection to receive power from an external AC power source.

6 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the fan can create a flow rate of 300-1000 cubic feet per minute.

7 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the trigger event comprises a timer elapsing.

8 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the period of time is at least two seconds.

9 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a second reservoir for holding a supply of a second volatile liquid.

10 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the period of time is within a range of two to ten seconds.

11 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the period of time is within a range of five to ten seconds.

12 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the additional trigger event comprises a timer elapsing.

13 . A volatile liquid dispensing system comprising:

a reservoir for holding a supply of volatile liquid;

a pressurized gas source;

a venturi assembly comprising a first orifice fluidly coupleable to the pressurized gas source, and a second orifice fluidly coupleable to the reservoir,

wherein the first orifice is positioned adjacent to the second orifice, such that the venturi assembly is configured to create a venturi effect, responsive to pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source flowing through the first orifice, that causes extraction and atomization of a portion of the supply of volatile liquid through the second orifice;

an electrical power source;

a fan configured to be powered by the electrical power source in order to generate a flow of air;

a duct positioned to transfer the flow of air from the fan to an exit of the duct that is positioned such that the flow of air exiting the duct can be applied to the atomized liquid to disperse the atomized liquid;

a controller configured to repeatedly automatically activate and deactivate the pressurized gas source and the fan such that, responsive to a trigger event occurring, the controller will implement a dispensing process that causes:

activation of both the pressurized gas source and the fan, to atomize the portion of the supply of volatile liquid and to disperse the atomized liquid;

deactivation of the pressurized gas source while keeping the fan activated for a period of time, to continue dispersing the atomized liquid after the compressed gas source has been deactivated; and

deactivation of the fan after the period of time,

wherein the controller is configured to repeat the dispensing process responsive to an additional trigger event occurring,

wherein the trigger event and the additional trigger event each comprises at least one of: a timer elapsing, a motion detection, or a light detection; and

a housing that contains at least the controller, the reservoir, the pressurized gas source, the venturi assembly, the fan, and the duct.

14 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the pressurized gas source comprises a compressor configured to be powered by the electrical power source.

15 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the pressurized gas source comprises a chamber containing pressurized fluid.

16 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the electrical power source comprises a battery.

17 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the electrical power source comprises a connection to receive power from an external AC power source.

18 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the trigger event comprises a timer elapsing.

19 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the period of time is at least two seconds.

20 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the period of time is within a range of two to ten seconds.

21 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the additional trigger event comprises a timer elapsing.

22 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the additional trigger event comprises a motion detection.

23 . The volatile liquid dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the additional trigger event comprises a light detection.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: BROWN, DOUGLAS S.; SMITH, JEFFREY A.
To: FRESH PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058925/0724 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62982334 · Feb 27, 2020
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