US3891149A - Method and apparatus for simultaneously deodorizing and disinfecting the interiors of vehicles - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for simultaneously deodorizing and disinfecting the interiors of vehicles Download PDF

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US3891149A
US3891149A US398460A US39846073A US3891149A US 3891149 A US3891149 A US 3891149A US 398460 A US398460 A US 398460A US 39846073 A US39846073 A US 39846073A US 3891149 A US3891149 A US 3891149A
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nozzle
liquid
named
disinfectant
spraying
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US398460A
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Louis Rendemonti
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/02—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S3/00—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
    • B60S3/008—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for interiors of land vehicles

Definitions

  • a tank may be provided for supplying a liquid, to be sprayed, to an electrical metering pump.
  • a bowl may be connected with the metering pump for receiving a metered quantity of solution and a source of compressed gas may be connected with the bowl at points above and below the level of the metered liquid.
  • Electrically operated valves and a control circuit may be provided for simultaneously actuating the metering pump and the valve means so that compressed gas may be supplied to the upper surface of metered liquid within the bowl and may be injected in a downstream direction into an outlet from the bowl to a spray nozzle.
  • the electrical circuit may be associated with a control panel having various colored lights and audible sounds, for aiding an operator in spraying the inside of a vehicle.
  • the circuit may include a timing mechanism whereby an even spray may be dispensed during a pre-determined measured period of time.
  • the apparatus may be efficiently incorporated in a rollable housing of the type normally used for enclosing gasoline pumping mechanisms as used in automobile service stations.
  • the conventional hose, take-up reel, typically incorporated in devices of this type, are utilized to advantage to enclose the various liquid lines required, and to support the specially designed nozzle assemblies.
  • the structure is designed to permit its use directly upon the pump island of a typical automobile service station installation, so that one can have the vehicle interior sprayed while at the same time having gasoline pumped into the vehicle, or while having the vehicle otherwise serviced.
  • PATENTED JUN 2 4 I975 SHEET PATENTEDJUN24 I975 3.891.149
  • the present invention relates to electrically controlled spraying systems and, more specifically, per tains to a method and apparatus for semi-automatically and simultaneously spraying the interior of a vehicle with diverse fluids.
  • At least some of the above listed ojects are achieved by the provision of a method and apparatus wherein a desired solution is metered into a bowl by means of a metering pump and is aspirated from the bowl, through a specially designed nozzle arrangement.
  • the metering of the solution may be controlled by an electrical circuit including indicator lights and warning sounds.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the overall system of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the mechanical elements which may comprise one of the several units comprising the overall mechanical portion of the system, set forth in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of one electrical control unit which is typical of the several generally, identical control units, comprising the control circuitry of the system set forth in FIG, I;
  • FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an alternative form of the equipment, in which the front closure panels have been removed from the compartments containing the operating mechanism of the structure, the panel of the uppermost compartment being shown fragmentarily;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the modified form of the equipment shown in FIG. 4',
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the system embodied in the structure shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of one of the nozzle assemblies used in the modified form shown in FIGv 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams of the electrical circuits in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the operational cycle of the form of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a modified arrangement of the system.
  • dispensing units 10, 12, 14, I6 and 18 are operable to provide an atomized solution to an especially designed hand held nozzle arrangement 20.
  • Atomized solution may be directed to the specially designed nozzle, through conduits 22 or 24 depending on whether a germicide spray or a deodorizing, scented spray is desired.
  • Dispensing units 10 through 16 may communicate with a common manifold 26, through feed conduits 28, 30, 32 and 34.
  • Check valves 36, 38, 40 and 42 may be operatively disposed within each of the feed conduits 28, 30, 32 and 34 respectively.
  • check valve 44 may be operatively disposed within the conduit 24 leading from the germicide spray dispensing unit 18 to the nozzle arrangement 20.
  • the specially arranged nozzle configuration generally comprises a handle portion 46 and a dispensing nozzle portion 48.
  • the portion 48 may comprise two discrete spary conduits, 50 and 52, which spray be directly connected with the atomized fluid conduits, 22 and 24, respectively. It will be noted, that the nozzle portion 48 of the overall structure is of an arcuate nature so that an attendant may insert the nozzle 48 under seats and beneath other horizontal surface, so as to direct the germicide or scented spray into remote areas within the inside of a vehicle.
  • a control panel 54 may be provided, having an electrical cord 56 and plug 58 adapted for connection with a source of electrical power 60.
  • the control panel 54 may comprise a plurality of generally similar units 110, I12, 114, I16 and I18, operatively associated with each of the dispensing units 10, 12, 14, I6 and 18, respectively.
  • Each unit, 110 through II8, of the overall control panel is operative to electrically control the dispensing of an atomized fluid from each of the dispensing units 10 through 18.
  • Each unit of the control panel 54 may comprise a start button 120, a green indicator light 122, an amber warning light 124 and a red stop light 126.
  • start button 120 a green indicator light 122
  • amber warning light 124 a red stop light 126.
  • red stop light 126 For purposes of illustration, only the unit 118, associated with the germicide dispensing unit 18, is labeled for discussion.
  • an attendant wishing to atomize a germicide, would push the button 120 of unit II8 of the control panel 54 and depress a trigger 128, provided on a lower portion of the nozzle arrangement 20.
  • the trigger I28 may be spring biased by member 130, out of engagement with a normally opened microswitch I32.
  • the germicide spray dispensing unit 18 is actuated to direct a spray of a disinfecting germicide through the conduit 24 and out through the nozzle conduit 52.
  • the conduit 24 should be flexible to permit ready manipulation of the hand carried nozzle arrangement 20.
  • the start button of any of the units through 116 may be depressed and a triggering member 134, disposed on top of the overall nozzle arrangement 20 may be depressed against the spring bias of member 136 to close the contacts of a normallly opened microswitch 138.
  • the atomized scent of the chosen dispensing unit which has been selected by pushing the start button on the corresponding unit, of the control panel 54, is dispensed to the manifold 26, through the connecting conduit 22 and out through the spray nozzle conduit 50.
  • the nozzle arrangement permits the simultaneous spraying of a germicide and one of the scents, numbered I through 4 and dispensed from units 10 through 16.
  • the various units 110 through 118, comprising the control panel 54 may be substantially identical; a system, according to the present invention, is economical, in that there is interchangeability of parts and a minimum number of different parts.
  • the arrange ments of each of the atomized fluid dispensing units 10 through 18 may be substantially identical so as to, once again, provide interchangeability and a minimum number of different parts.
  • FIG. 2 a typical arrangement for a fluid dispensing unit, such as the units 10 through 18, is shown schematically, in perspective view.
  • a germicide solution tank 200 is operatively connected with a metering pump 202 through conduit 204.
  • Various valves, and the like, may be provided for making the connection between the tank 200 and the metering pump 202 which valves, and the like, are well known in the art.
  • the metering pump in turn, may be connected with a bowl 206, through conduit 208.
  • a source of compressed gas 210 may be connected with the bowl 206 at a point above the liquid level, within the bowl 206, by means of conduit 212.
  • the compressed gas may also be communicated with an outlet conduit 214, extending from the bowl 206 to the atomized spray supply line 24, which is ultimately connected with the nozzle arrangement 20, at the terminal end thereof.
  • the compressed gas is connected with the outlet conduit 214, by means of branch conduit 2I6 which intersects the conduit 214 at an angle so as to aspirate fluid being drawn from the bowl 206.
  • a fluid trap 218 may be formed in the conduit 214 to prevent an uneven spray of germicide from the nozzle 20.
  • the flow of compressed gas, from the tank 210 to the bowl 206 and to the conduit 214, may be controlled by means of an electrically controlled air valve 220. Additionally, an electrically controlled valve 222 may be disposed within the conduit 214 to cooperate with the air valve 220.
  • a metered quantity of fluid which has been deposited in bowl 206 by the metering pump 202, is aspirated at point 224, where the air conduit 216 feeds into the fluid outlet conduit 214.
  • the air pressure supplied to the upper surface of the liquid retained within the bowl 206 serves tp force the fluid downwardly through the conduit 214 so as to more readily atomize the fluid at point 224.
  • any conventional valving system may be utilized to close the conduit 208, extending between the pump 202 and the bowl 206, after a pre-determined quantity of fluid has been supplied to the bowl 206.
  • Metering valve 215 may be operatively disposed within conduit 214.
  • a one stroke, piston pump is the preferred type of metering pump contemplated by the inventor, whereby; a single stroke of the piston will supply the pre-determined quantity of fluid to the bowl and, thereafter, cut off any additional solution from the germicide solution tank 200 to the bowl 206.
  • FIG. 3 one unit 118 of the control panel 54 set forth in FIG. 1 is shown schematically in perspective view, for the purpose of illustration.
  • the source of electrical power is represented at 60.
  • the microswitch 132, mounted on the nozzle arrangement 20, and the push botton starting switch 120 may be connected with the primary conductors 300 and 302.
  • the metering pump 202 and the elec' trically actuated valves 200 and 222 are operable to dispense an atomized spray through the conduit 24 and, thence, through the spray tube 52 of the overall nozzle 20.
  • the indicator green, amber and red lights 122, 126 and 128 may be actuated by means of a timer mechanism 304, which may be powered through the electrical conductors 300 and 302 to rotate a shaft 306, through one revolution, in response to the closing of switches 120 and 123.
  • the wiper contact 308 may be connected with the main line conductor 302, through 316, and may complete the circuit with the main conductors 300 and 302 through the conductors 318, 320 and 322, connected with the arcuate conductors 310, 312 and 314 and including the indicator green, amber and red lights 122, 126 and 128, respectively.
  • an electrically actuated audio signal may be generated by an electrical horn, or the like, 324 which may be connected across the conductors 316 and 320, serving the amber indicator light 126.
  • the start button switch 120 is closed and the trigger 128 of the nozzle arrangement is depressed to close the microswitch 132. While the switch 132 is depressed, the metering pump 202 operates to dispense a predetermined quantity of germicide solution from the tank 200 into the bowl 206. Compressed gas is forced through the bowl 206 and may be simultaneously injected, at an angle. into the outlet conduit 214 to atomize the fluid at point 224.
  • a delay mechanism could be provided in each of the electrically operated valves 220 and 222 so that the metered portion of fluid would be dispensed into the bowl 206 before the compressed gas is applied to the upper surface of the liquid and injected into the downstream portion of the fluid outlet conduit 214 leading from the bowl 206.
  • the timing mechanism 304 operates to move the wiper contact 308, from a starting position 400, to engage the arcuate contact 310 so as to light the green indicator light 122 upon the initial closing of the switch 132.
  • the green light then indicates that the system has been electrically actuated.
  • the wiper contact 308 has been moved, by the rotation of the shaft 306, onto the second arcuate contact 312 so as to turn off the green light 122 and to light the amber indicator light 126.
  • an audio signal may be generated from the device 324, so as to give a second indication, that an attendant should shift his attention from the front seat portion of a car to the rear seat portion so as to evenly distribute the total amount of fluid metered into the bowl 206 between the front and rear portions of the interior of a car.
  • the wiper 308 engages the arcuate contact 314 which then actuates the red light 128, so as to indicate to the attendant that the cycle is over.
  • some other audible signaling device such as the device 324 associated with the amber light, could be connected across lines 332 and 316 to give the attendant an audio signal upon the reaching of the end of the overall cycle.
  • This last audible signal could be substantially different from the first audible signal, in that the first signal could be one bell and the second signal two bells or; one signal could be a horn and the second a bell, or the like.
  • a different sound could be given for each of the atomized deodorizer and the atomized germicide. Since a germicide and one of the deodorizing, scented fluids will be dispensed during each transaction period, it may be advisable to have e.g., a single bell sound upon reaching the half cycle of the deodorizing cycle, whereas; one blast of a horn may be sounded for the half cycle of the germicide and two blasts of the same born for the completion of the germicide cycle.
  • an apparatus and method for simultaneously dispensing an atomized spray of deodorizing and disinfecting fluids for treating the interior of a vehicle, during an automated car washing operation.
  • the deodorizing and germicide materials may be dispensed, from a specially designed nozzle arrangement 20, either simultaneously or sequentially, depending upon the particular area of the car to be sprayed.
  • apparatus gives an attendant the flexibility to apply either the deodorizing scent or the germicide, or both, by using the specially designed arcuate nozzle and directing the nozzle into any remote area. defined within the interior of a vehicle,
  • the precise amount of atomized fluid dispensed is ac curately controlled by the metering pump which, in turn, is controlled by the electrical control system.
  • the electrical control system is, additionally, operable to present audible and visual signals to an operator so as to assist him in providing an even application of deodorizing or germicidal fluid spray to the interior of a vehicle.
  • the equipment is embodied in a housing which may efficiently and economically be the same housing as is employed to enclose gasoline pumping mechanisms used in service stations.
  • FIG. 6 in which the air and liquid lines have been illustrated, schematically.
  • the invention is shown as designed for spraying a vehicle interior with a germicide and a first scent (in the drawing, Scent No. l); or alternatively, the same germicide coupled with a second scent (Scent No. 2).
  • the first scent might, for example, be a liquid having a lemon-lime fragrance.
  • the second scent may have a bayberry, Pine fragrance. Obviously, other scents or fragrances can be used. In each instance, however, the germicidal liquid is common to all the scents.
  • two upright cylindrical, transparent. like tanks or liquid receivers 11 are adapted to serve as a reservoir for the first scent, while a pair of similar receivers or tanks 13 contain the second scent. Between the receivers 11, 13 there is provided a third pair of receivers 15, formed similarly to the tanks or receivers 11, 13, and these contain the supply of liquid germicide.
  • Drain cocks 23 are mounted upon the front ends of the manifolds, and are conveniently accessible to a worker servicing the equipment, by removal of a front closure panel, not shown, whereby to permit any liquids within a particular set of tanks and the manifold associated therewith, to be drained therefrom as and when this should be considered necessary.
  • valves 33 would be left open while the system is in regular operation.
  • valves 35 Downstream from valves 33 are check valves 35, permitting flow from the manifolds into the remainder of the liquid flow system constituting the invention, while preventing back flow in the direction of the manifolds within the feed lines 25, 27, 29 respectively.
  • the feed lines open into main liquid flow lines 37, 39, 4l for the first scent, second scent, and germicide respectively, the feed lines opening into the main lines intermediate the opposite ends of the several main flow lines.
  • the germicide flow line 41 but not the scented liquid flow lines 37, 39, branches downstream from its intersection with line 29, as at 41a and 41h.
  • solenoid valves 43a. 43b, 430 are connected in the lines 37, 39, 41, respectively, to control the flow of air under pressure into the lines.
  • regulators 45 are connected in the lines 37, 39, 41, to regulate the amount of air pressure applied to the main flow lines in the nor mal use of the systemv
  • the solenoid valves are normally closed, but open under use conditions to be described hereinafter.
  • a first air supply line 47 to which air is supplied under pressure from a common compressed air line 49 extending from a source of air under pressure, not shown, and provided with a disconnect sleeve 51 facilitating connection of the line 49 to the compressed air source, a filter 53, and a regulator 55 downstream from the filter, to provide a main control means for regulating the compressed air supply, separate from the secondary regulators 45 individual to the feed lines 37, 39, 41.
  • the secondary regulators can regulate the air supply to the particular properties of the liquids flowing from the several tanks, it being understood that one liquid may be more vis' cous, or perhaps more aqueous, than another liquid, or may require propulsion from the nozzle assemblies at greater velocity than another one of the liquids.
  • the secondary regulators 45 permit individual regulation of the compressed air supplied directly to the liquids within lines 37, 39, 41 when the solenoid valves are opened, while the main regulator 55 provides a basic, overall control of the pressure as supplied to all the liquid flow lines.
  • Designated at 57 is a second air supply line, which is supplied with air under pressure directly from the common air line 49, having a connection'to the line 49 in common with the connection of the first air supply line 47 thereto.
  • a regulator 59 for controlling the pressure of the air permitted to flow through line 57.
  • Line 57 is provided with a regulator 59, and downstream from the regulator is in communication with nozzle air supply lines 61, 63, 65, 67, supplying air under pressure to nozzles 69, 71, 73, respectively.
  • Controlling flow through the nozzle air supply lines are solenoid valves 77, 79, 81, 83.
  • check valves 85 located between the nozzles and the intersection of the feed lines 25, 27, 29 with said lines 37, 39, 41 respectively. Valves permit flow only in a direction toward the nozzles.
  • the liquid and air flow system illustrated in FIG. 6 is mounted within a housing generally designated 87, (FIGS. 4 and 5).
  • the invention is so designed as to be capable of incorporation in a conventional gasoline pump housing used for dispensing gasoline to vehicles in automobile service stations. This simplifies manufac ture and assembly, and provides economies in con struction, as will be appreciated, and to this end, there is provided the housing 87, having at its lower end a horizontal, rectangular supporting platform 89 mounted upon casters 91, and including upper, middle, and bottom compartments 93, 95, 97 respectively.
  • the upper compartment 93 is primarily for display purposes and includes translucent front and back panels, which would be provided with suitable advertising and product information. Within the upper compartment there would be provided flashing lights 101, as well as continuously illuminated fluorescent lamps I03. Additional fluorescent lamps I are provided in the upper end of the middle compartment 95, in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the tanks II, I3, are mounted in pairs, within the bottom compartment 97, with one tank of each pair having a filler tube I07 (See FIGS. 5 and 6) having a removable cap, and projecting rearwardly outwardly from the lower compartment as shown in FIG. 5, to facilitate replenishment of the liquids within the tanks.
  • Each tank is vented to atmosphere as at 109, and as previously noted, the tanks of each pair are in continuous communication with a manifold l7, 19, or 21 as the case may bev
  • a manifold l7, 19, or 21 as the case may bev
  • the manifolds 17 are mounted upon a horizontal partition or supporting plate Ill, extending across the lower portion of bottom compartment 97.
  • the hoses conventionally provided at opposite sides of a gasoline pump housing are used to advantage as sheaths 113 for the tubes or lines through which the air and liquid are forced to the nozzles.
  • the sheath I I3 at one side of the housing would enclose four flexible tubes, serving as lines 61, 63, 37, and 41a.
  • the sheath at the other side of the housing is a carrier for lines 65, 67, 39, 41b.
  • each sheath is connected by a titting II5 to the side of the housing, and the four tubes or lines extend through the fitting into the housing, being connected therein to the various valves, tanks, etc., in the manner shown in FIG. 6.
  • Also used to advantage in the illustrated invention are the conventional take-up reels "7 employed in automobile gasoline pumps, these reels being spring biased in one direction, so as to normally wind cables I19 thereon.
  • the cables extend out of the housing, and are connected to intermediate portions of the tube sheaths as shown in FIG. 5, so as to normally retract hoses to facilitate their being hung up when not in use, on supporting brackets provided for the nozzle assemblies 121a, 1211:.
  • each nozzle assembly may include a tubular, open-ended handle I23, which may comprise a length of metal tubing, the sheath I13 extending therethrough and being fixedly attached to the inner surface of the tubular handle.
  • nozzle support strip I25 Secured fixedly to and projecting beyond the outer end ofthe handle 123 is a nozzle support strip I25, the projecting portion of which is turned 90 on itself, and is apertured for passage of a nozzle support bar I27,
  • the nozzles 69, 7], 73, 75 are all identical, and are per se conventional. They comprise atomizing spray nozzles, adapted to provide a fine mistlike spray, under accurately controlled conditions, that is, the sprays can be directed to exact areas, in a manner to prevent accidental spraying of adjacent areas that should not be contacted.
  • Nozzle assembly [210 is provided with an electrical switch 133 of the push button type, mounted upon the handle thereofin position in which it may conveniently be depressed by the thumb of a hand grasping the nozzle handle.
  • a hanger in the form of a strip of metal is connected between lugs that project forwardly from the respective nozzles, thus defining a support loop, adapted to receive a bracket or hook secured to the side wall of the equipment housing, whereby to support the nozzle assembly 121a when it is not in use.
  • a hook is provided at the opposite side of the equipment housing, for supporting the nozzle assembly [21b in the same fashion.
  • Relay I49 when energized, opens its contacts 149a; relay I51 opens its contacts 151a; and relay I53 opens its contacts 15321. All these contacts are normally closed and are in series in line 155.
  • the circuit in these circumstances is in a ready or stand-by condition.
  • Momentary switch 159 is in a 24 V. control or secondary circuit I6] (FIG. 10) established through the provision of conductor 163 connected to line I57 and conductor 165 connected to conductor I67 of the main or operating circuit.
  • Conductors 163, 165 are connected to the primary of a step-down transformer 169, from the secondary of which extend the opposite sides 17], 173 of circuit I61.
  • switch 159 When switch 159 is closed, current flows through normally closed contacts [750 of a relay I75, to energize a relay 177.
  • relay 179 For relay 179 to be energized and remain energized, it is also necessary that normally open contacts ISIa of a relay 181 be closed and held closed.
  • Relay l8! closes and locks when switch I59 is mo mentarily depressed as follows: the momentary energizing of relay I77 closes its second set of normally open contacts I77b to energize the clutch of a timer I83. In a preferred embodiment this is a fifteen-second timer and it will be so considered hereinafter.
  • contacts I830 close. they remain closed until the end of the fifteen-second cycle, and permit current to flow to and energize the relay ISI. Its contacts 181a located in the secondary circuit 161 therefore close substantially instantaneously on momentary depression of switch 159 and will remain closed until the timed operating cycle ends.
  • a second set of contacts I8Ib of relay I8l is also closed at this time in line 155 of the main circuit to allow a horn 185 and a bell I87 to be sounded at timed intervals during the operating cycle, in a manner to be described hereinafter.
  • a third set of contacts 179C of relay 179 are normally closed. They open when relay 179 is energized to prevent simultaneous use of the nozzle assemblies 121a, 1211) located at opposite sides of the housing. That is, contacts I79b are in series with push button switch 189 located at the side of the housing on which its associated nozzle assembly 121g is mounted. In other words, when push button 159 is depressed, push button switch 189 and its associated circuitry are deactivated. Similarly, when switch I89 is depressed, it deactivates switch I59 and its associated circuits.
  • relay I93 This energizes relay I93. Its contacts I93a close energizing timer motor 195 to start a cycle timed as in FIG. 11. A second set of contacts l93b of relay I93 also close, energizing solenoid valve 79 to direct air under pressure through line 63 to germicide nozzle 71. Germicide already atomized by opening of solenoid valve 43c and entering nozzle 71 through branch line 41a, is further atomized and is sprayed in a fine mist through nozzle 71 for a timed period, for example 3 or 4 seconds. At the end of this period, timer switch I83! closes to energize relay I49. Relay 149 closes its contacts 14% permitting current to flow to section B of a line relay 197.
  • This section controls and closes contacts 197:: so as to cause the bell I87 to ring at the end of the first timed germicide spray period. It also opens contacts 197!) to close solenoid valve 79 and thereby shut off the germicide spray; and closes contacts I970 to open solenoid valve 77 and thereby cause nozzle 69 to spray a line mist of Scent No. 1.
  • timer switch 183C closes to energize relay ISI.
  • Section A operates to close contacts I97b to open germicide valve 79; open contacts I97cto close Scent No. I valve 77', close contacts I971! to sound the horn 185; and open contacts ]97a to stop the ringing of the bell.
  • the relay 197 thus. is of a type in which its several set of contacts are in one position when section B is energized and are operated to the opposite position when Section A thereof is energized.
  • the timer switch [830' closes to energize relay I53. This functions identically to relay I49, closing its contacts I53b to energize sec tion 8 of relay I97. Contacts I970 close, causing the bell to ring at the end of the second germicide spray period; contacts I97b open to close germicide spray valve 79; and contacts I970 close to open Scent No. I spray valve 77.
  • the timer switch contacts revert to their normal condition, and as switch 183a opens, relay I8I is deenergized, opening contacts 18121 of the secondary circuit so that the hold ing relay is deenergized and all circuits revert to the condition in which they were prior to the momentary operation of push switch 159.
  • FIG. I2 shows an arrangement in which a pressurizing bowl a is connected in line 37 upstream from check valve 85 but below the intersection of line 25 with line 37.
  • Liquid feeds by gravity from manifold I7 into bowl 850, filling the same with a predetermined quantity of the liquid that is to be atomized and sprayed.
  • the liquid within the bowl is pressurized by air under pressure directed through line 37 into the upper end of the bowl, and thereafter is discharged from the nozzle assembly responsive to air under pressure directed to the nozzle 69 through line 61.
  • FIG. 12 there has been shown only the pressurizing bowl incorporated in line 37 for receiving the liquid gravity-fed from tanks 11, that is, Scent No. I. It is considered sufficiently obvious as not to require special illustration that a like bowl would be provided in line 4] for the germicide, and another in line 39 for Scent No. l, in arrangements duplicating exactly that shown for Scent No. l in FIG. 12.
  • Apparatus for dispersing fluid substances within a vehicle interior comprising:
  • each of said plurality of atomized fluid dispensing units being connected with one of each of said plurality of electrical control units;
  • each of said electrical control units operable to actuate one of said plurality of fluid dispensing units in response to the closing of an included start switch and a simultaneous closing of a normally open switch mounted on a nozzle presented on a terminal end of an atomizing fluid supply conduit leading from said atomized fluid dispensing unit, one of said atomizing fluid dispensing units being connected with one nozzle, and a remaining plurality of the fluid dispensing units being connected with a second nozzle through a manifold common to all said remaining fluid dispensing units, said first and second nozzles being mounted together in a single structure having a pistol hand grip and formed of an arcuate configuration; e. a first switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure and operable to close a circuit for actuating said one of said atomizing fluid dispenser units; and
  • a second switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure for closing an electrical circuit for actuating one unit of the remaining plurality of units to dispense an atomized fluid therefrom.
  • timing means is associated with each of said electrical control units; and visual and audio indicators are actuated by said timing means to indicate, to an attendant, that a certain portion ofa spraying cycle has been completed.
  • a system for spraying the interior ofa vehicle with a liquid disinfectant and with a selected one of a plurality of liquid deodorants comprising:
  • a. spray head means including nozzle means for spraying the disinfectant and a selected one of said deodorants
  • c. means for spraying said liquid disinfectant and the selected liquid deodorant in sequence through separate nozzle means of said spray head means, in cluding a source of air under pressure common to the several nozzle means, a plurality of liquid flow passages each of which connects one or said reservoirs to an associated nozzle means.
  • first series of air supply lines each extending from said common source into confluence with an associated flow passage upstream from its associated nozzle means whereby to partially atomize the liquid in the passage and place the same under pressure tending to force the liquid from its associate nozzle means
  • second series of air supply lines one for each nozzle means, each of which extends from said common source of air under pressure to its associate nozzle means and enters the same in a relationship to the partially atomized liquid such that air under pressure directed through the second series of air supply lines effects final atomization of the liquid into the form of a fine mist when it is discharged from its associated nozzle means.
  • a system as in claim 3 in which said system comprises a tank for said disinfectant and a tank for each of said scented liquids.
  • said spray head means comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies each of which includes a pair of nozzles, one for said disinfectant and the other for one of said liquid deodorants.
  • a system as in claim 5 in which the liquid disinfectant is common to an is supplied to all of said nozzle assemblies, each of said deodorants being individual to and supplied to a single associated nozzle assembly.
  • a system as in claim 6 comprising three tanks one for said disinfectant and the others for first and second deodorants, there being two of said nozzle assemblies, each including a pair of nozzles, one nozzle of each pair communicating with the disinfectant tank and the other nozzle of each pair communicating with one and one only of said deodorant tanks.
  • a system as in claim 7 further including a housing for said system and a pair of tubular sheaths supported at opposite sides of the housing in supporting relation to a nozzle assembly, each sheath enclosing a pair of lines from said air source, a line from said tank of disinfectant, and a line from one of the deodorant tanks all of which extend to the nozzles of the supported nozzle assembly.
  • a system as in claim 7 further including means under the control of an operator for, in sequence, spraying from one nozzle of a nozzle assembly and then the other nozzle of the same assembly.
  • a system as in claim 9 in which the spraying of a liquid from each nozzle is controlled by a timing device.
  • timing de vice is effective to require, in a single timed cycle, two separate discharges of said disinfectant alternating with two separate discharges of said deodorant.
  • a system as in claim 13, further including a sec ond plurality of solenoid valves respectively mounted in the several, second named air supply lines, and means outside the control of a user for operating the second named valves subsequently to operation of the first named valves in a predetermined, timed sequential order to admit air under pressure to the second named air supply lines for discharging first from one nozzle means of the spray head means and then the other nozzle means of the same spray head means said means for operating the second named valves acting to maintain no more than one of the second named valves in an open condition at any given time.
  • a system as in claim M in which said means for operating the second named valves operates to actuate the same in a timed cycle of operations such that each of the second named valves is opened for a given, pre-

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Abstract

Apparatus as herein described for spraying the inside of a vehicle may take either of two forms. In a first embodiment, a tank may be provided for supplying a liquid, to be sprayed, to an electrical metering pump. A bowl may be connected with the metering pump for receiving a metered quantity of solution and a source of compressed gas may be connected with the bowl at points above and below the level of the metered liquid. Electrically operated valves and a control circuit may be provided for simultaneously actuating the metering pump and the valve means so that compressed gas may be supplied to the upper surface of metered liquid within the bowl and may be injected in a downstream direction into an outlet from the bowl to a spray nozzle. The electrical circuit may be associated with a control panel having various colored lights and audible sounds, for aiding an operator in spraying the inside of a vehicle. The circuit may include a timing mechanism whereby an even spray may be dispensed during a pre-determined measured period of time. In a second, improved form of the invention, the apparatus may be efficiently incorporated in a rollable housing of the type normally used for enclosing gasoline pumping mechanisms as used in automobile service stations. The conventional hose, take-up reel, typically incorporated in devices of this type, are utilized to advantage to enclose the various liquid lines required, and to support the specially designed nozzle assemblies. In this alternative embodiment, a source of air under pressure is common to the germicidal liquid source, and to the sources of the scented liquids selectable by the customer, and through a selected one of a pair of double nozzle structures, a germicidal spray and the selected scented spray is efficiently discharged into the vehicle interior. The structure is designed to permit its use directly upon the pump island of a typical automobile service station installation, so that one can have the vehicle interior sprayed while at the same time having gasoline pumped into the vehicle, or while having the vehicle otherwise serviced.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Rendemonti 1 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY DEODORIZING AND DISINFECTING THE INTERIORS OF VEHICLES [76] Inventor: Louis Rendemonti, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
[22] Filed: Sept 18, I973 [2]] Appl. No.: 398,460
Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 215,546, Jan. 5,
1972, abandoned.
[52] U.S. Cl. 239/70; 239/72; 239/304; 239/312; 239/317; 239/413', 239/444; 239/526 [51] Int. Cl BOSb 1/16; Bb 1/30; B05b 7/02 [58] Field 01' Search 239/1, 70, 72, 305, 307,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,185,344 5/1916 Philibert 239/417.5 X
2,564,392 8/1951 Burrucker 239/415 X 2,606,069 3/1952 Hutchins ct a1 239/416.1
2,919,070 12/1959 Arant 239/304 X 3,022,015 2/1962 Burch 239/444 3,044,276 7/1962 Kauten.... 239/304 X 3,055,596 9/1962 Pope 239/305 UX 3,058,668 /1962 Harmes et a1 239/ X 3,096,225 7/1963 Carr et a1 239/417.5 X
3,158,081 11/1964 Frost 239/70 X 3,179,341 4/1965 Plos et a1. 239/307 X 3,322,350 5/1967 Heinicke et al.... 239/307 X 3,348,774 10/1967 Wiggins i 239/70 3,438,583 4/1969 Lawrence 239/305 3,610,535 10/1971 Bradshaw 239/305 3,672,570 6/1972 Scarbrough et al 239/70 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,001,868 8/1965 United Kingdom 239/305 627,410 9/1961 Canada 239/307 1,442,828 5/1966 France 239/305 338,382 1 1/1959 Switzerland 239/307 Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sperry and Zoda [4 1 June 24, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus as herein described for spraying the inside of a vehicle may take either of two forms.
In a first embodiment. a tank may be provided for supplying a liquid, to be sprayed, to an electrical metering pump. A bowl may be connected with the metering pump for receiving a metered quantity of solution and a source of compressed gas may be connected with the bowl at points above and below the level of the metered liquid. Electrically operated valves and a control circuit may be provided for simultaneously actuating the metering pump and the valve means so that compressed gas may be supplied to the upper surface of metered liquid within the bowl and may be injected in a downstream direction into an outlet from the bowl to a spray nozzle.
The electrical circuit may be associated with a control panel having various colored lights and audible sounds, for aiding an operator in spraying the inside of a vehicle. The circuit may include a timing mechanism whereby an even spray may be dispensed during a pre-determined measured period of time.
In a second, improved form of the invention, the apparatus may be efficiently incorporated in a rollable housing of the type normally used for enclosing gasoline pumping mechanisms as used in automobile service stations. The conventional hose, take-up reel, typically incorporated in devices of this type, are utilized to advantage to enclose the various liquid lines required, and to support the specially designed nozzle assemblies.
The structure is designed to permit its use directly upon the pump island of a typical automobile service station installation, so that one can have the vehicle interior sprayed while at the same time having gasoline pumped into the vehicle, or while having the vehicle otherwise serviced.
16 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures SCENI SCENI GERHICIDE No. No 4 -|14 ".135- eff I 20 1 52 I28 4s 132 302 'I22 SHEET N I J i lln lllil... m II 5655a com PATENTEDJIJN 24 I975 PATENTEDJUN 24 I975 SHEET ELECTRICA L COMPONENTS PATENTEDJuu24|91s 891. 149
sum 5 T0 SOURCE OF AIR UNDER PRESSURE 45 47 45 45 w v v v 53 55 L 430 0L SOL h scsmum 430 GERMICIDE '09 SCENTNoZ 09 43b 57 107 A |09= m9 109: :3
PATENTED JUN 2 4 I975 SHEET PATENTEDJUN24 I975 3.891.149
sum 8 "I |6I T0 OPERATING CIRCUIT 7 \Q.QQQD I I65 I69 I7l I75 c I I59 {If I 7 II99 |8|G I790 I770 I79 am ED '75 I990 I33: UIL'I/ I93 15 SEC.
BELL HORN BELL GERMICIDE I SCENT I GERMICIDE I SCENT I 7 I I I W I 7 START I I I END RELAY RELAY RELAY I49 I5I I53 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY DEODORIZING AND DISINFECTING THE INTERIORS OF VEHICLES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part, of application Ser. No. 215,546, filed Jan. 5, 1972, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrically controlled spraying systems and, more specifically, per tains to a method and apparatus for semi-automatically and simultaneously spraying the interior of a vehicle with diverse fluids.
Car washing installations have been in use since, at least, 1897, (see US. Pat. No. 589,345).
The evolution of such vehicle washing systems has resulted in such developments as automatic soap dispensers, white wall tire brushing machines and, more recently, hot wax applicators.
Each of the above mentioned improvements in the car washing installation art has proven to be greatly beneficial to the public, in minimizing the amount of time necessary for one to take proper care of his vehicle.
Although the semi-automatic nature of such vehicle washing installations has greatly benefited car owners, with respect to the exterior of their automobiles, nothing of any significance has been advanced by way of cleaning the interior of such vehicles. Of course, attendants may clean the interior of a car with vacuum cleaners and wash the inside windows and may even leave a deodorizing device which may emit a pine odor, or the like.
Nevertheless. even though great strides have been made in providing machinery for cleaning and polishing the exteriors of vehicles, the interiors of such vehicles have been largely neglected.
It would therefore be greatly beneficial if semi automatic equipment where provided which could be easily manipulated and controlled by an attendant, of an auto washing installation, to deodorize and to at least partially, disinfect the interior space (the cab) of a vehicle. Such an interior operation would be in addition to the usual washing. polishing operation currently conducted by most auto washing concerns.
Of additional importance, and considering specifically the alternative form of the invention previously discussed herein, is the desirability of providing equipment as described, that can be swiftly moved to any point where it is to be used, occupying a minimum of space, and constituting a completely self-contained structure that is instantly available for operation. By providing a structure having this particular characteristic, one is enabled, for example, to roll the equipment into position adjacent a gasoline pump, or for that matter to any other location on the premises of an automobile service station, automobile washing installation, garage, parking area, or the like, and have the apparatus usable to advantage without delay and without making special connections.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for treating the interiors of vehicles, during automatic car washing operations, which method and apparatus solve many of the problems confronting the industry today.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for disinfecting. at least, the hard surfaces defining the interior portions of a vehicle.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for disinfecting and deodorizing the interiors of vehicles which method and apparatus are remarkably economical so as to be practical for most automated car washing businesses.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for deodorizing and disinfecting interior surfaces of vehicles which method and apparatus provide for the dispensing of a precise amount of a pre-determined fluid substance.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for simultaneously dispensing diverse disinfectant and deodorizirig fluids which method and apparatus present a customer with choice of scents and, if desired, deodorants.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for simultaneously dispensing a disinfecting and a deodorizing spray which apparatus is easy to manufacture and install and may be portable.
It is a major object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for disinfecting the internal surfaces of an automobile and deodorizing the space defined thereby in a manner which is greatly beneficial to the public, in general.
At least some of the above listed ojects are achieved by the provision of a method and apparatus wherein a desired solution is metered into a bowl by means of a metering pump and is aspirated from the bowl, through a specially designed nozzle arrangement. The metering of the solution may be controlled by an electrical circuit including indicator lights and warning sounds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in a concluding portion of the specification, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the overall system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the mechanical elements which may comprise one of the several units comprising the overall mechanical portion of the system, set forth in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of one electrical control unit which is typical of the several generally, identical control units, comprising the control circuitry of the system set forth in FIG, I;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an alternative form of the equipment, in which the front closure panels have been removed from the compartments containing the operating mechanism of the structure, the panel of the uppermost compartment being shown fragmentarily;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the modified form of the equipment shown in FIG. 4',
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the system embodied in the structure shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of one of the nozzle assemblies used in the modified form shown in FIGv 4;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 7;
FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams of the electrical circuits in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the operational cycle of the form of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a modified arrangement of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 2, dispensing units 10, 12, 14, I6 and 18 are operable to provide an atomized solution to an especially designed hand held nozzle arrangement 20.
Atomized solution may be directed to the specially designed nozzle, through conduits 22 or 24 depending on whether a germicide spray or a deodorizing, scented spray is desired.
Dispensing units 10 through 16 may communicate with a common manifold 26, through feed conduits 28, 30, 32 and 34. Check valves 36, 38, 40 and 42 may be operatively disposed within each of the feed conduits 28, 30, 32 and 34 respectively. Additionally, check valve 44 may be operatively disposed within the conduit 24 leading from the germicide spray dispensing unit 18 to the nozzle arrangement 20.
The specially arranged nozzle configuration generally comprises a handle portion 46 and a dispensing nozzle portion 48.
The portion 48 may comprise two discrete spary conduits, 50 and 52, which spray be directly connected with the atomized fluid conduits, 22 and 24, respectively. It will be noted, that the nozzle portion 48 of the overall structure is of an arcuate nature so that an attendant may insert the nozzle 48 under seats and beneath other horizontal surface, so as to direct the germicide or scented spray into remote areas within the inside of a vehicle.
A control panel 54 may be provided, having an electrical cord 56 and plug 58 adapted for connection with a source of electrical power 60.
The control panel 54 may comprise a plurality of generally similar units 110, I12, 114, I16 and I18, operatively associated with each of the dispensing units 10, 12, 14, I6 and 18, respectively.
Each unit, 110 through II8, of the overall control panel, is operative to electrically control the dispensing of an atomized fluid from each of the dispensing units 10 through 18. Each unit of the control panel 54 may comprise a start button 120, a green indicator light 122, an amber warning light 124 and a red stop light 126. For purposes of illustration, only the unit 118, associated with the germicide dispensing unit 18, is labeled for discussion.
In operation, an attendant, wishing to atomize a germicide, would push the button 120 of unit II8 of the control panel 54 and depress a trigger 128, provided on a lower portion of the nozzle arrangement 20. The trigger I28 may be spring biased by member 130, out of engagement with a normally opened microswitch I32. After the start button 120 of the electrical control unit 118 has been depressed, and as an operator depresses the trigger member 128, the germicide spray dispensing unit 18 is actuated to direct a spray of a disinfecting germicide through the conduit 24 and out through the nozzle conduit 52. Of course, at least a portion of the conduit 24 should be flexible to permit ready manipulation of the hand carried nozzle arrangement 20.
If one of the deodorizing scents No. I through No. 4 is chosen by the automobile owner, the start button of any of the units through 116 may be depressed and a triggering member 134, disposed on top of the overall nozzle arrangement 20 may be depressed against the spring bias of member 136 to close the contacts of a normallly opened microswitch 138.
Upon the closing of switch 138, the atomized scent of the chosen dispensing unit, which has been selected by pushing the start button on the corresponding unit, of the control panel 54, is dispensed to the manifold 26, through the connecting conduit 22 and out through the spray nozzle conduit 50.
It can thus be seen that the nozzle arrangement, according to FIG. 1, permits the simultaneous spraying of a germicide and one of the scents, numbered I through 4 and dispensed from units 10 through 16. Since the various units 110 through 118, comprising the control panel 54, may be substantially identical; a system, according to the present invention, is economical, in that there is interchangeability of parts and a minimum number of different parts. Additionally, the arrange ments of each of the atomized fluid dispensing units 10 through 18 may be substantially identical so as to, once again, provide interchangeability and a minimum number of different parts.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical arrangement for a fluid dispensing unit, such as the units 10 through 18, is shown schematically, in perspective view.
For purposes of illustration, a germicide solution tank 200 is operatively connected with a metering pump 202 through conduit 204. Various valves, and the like, may be provided for making the connection between the tank 200 and the metering pump 202 which valves, and the like, are well known in the art. The metering pump, in turn, may be connected with a bowl 206, through conduit 208.
A source of compressed gas 210 may be connected with the bowl 206 at a point above the liquid level, within the bowl 206, by means of conduit 212.
The compressed gas may also be communicated with an outlet conduit 214, extending from the bowl 206 to the atomized spray supply line 24, which is ultimately connected with the nozzle arrangement 20, at the terminal end thereof.
The compressed gas is connected with the outlet conduit 214, by means of branch conduit 2I6 which intersects the conduit 214 at an angle so as to aspirate fluid being drawn from the bowl 206. A fluid trap 218 may be formed in the conduit 214 to prevent an uneven spray of germicide from the nozzle 20.
The flow of compressed gas, from the tank 210 to the bowl 206 and to the conduit 214, may be controlled by means of an electrically controlled air valve 220. Additionally, an electrically controlled valve 222 may be disposed within the conduit 214 to cooperate with the air valve 220.
In operation, when electrical power is supplied through electrical conductors 300 and 302, simulta neously; the metering pump 202 is actuated and the air valve is opened. The opening of the electrically controlled fluid valve 222 may be delayed momentarily, in
order to fill the bowl 206. Upon opening valve 222, a metered quantity of fluid, which has been deposited in bowl 206 by the metering pump 202, is aspirated at point 224, where the air conduit 216 feeds into the fluid outlet conduit 214.
Additionally, the air pressure supplied to the upper surface of the liquid retained within the bowl 206, serves tp force the fluid downwardly through the conduit 214 so as to more readily atomize the fluid at point 224. As mentioned earlier, any conventional valving system may be utilized to close the conduit 208, extending between the pump 202 and the bowl 206, after a pre-determined quantity of fluid has been supplied to the bowl 206. Metering valve 215 may be operatively disposed within conduit 214.
A one stroke, piston pump is the preferred type of metering pump contemplated by the inventor, whereby; a single stroke of the piston will supply the pre-determined quantity of fluid to the bowl and, thereafter, cut off any additional solution from the germicide solution tank 200 to the bowl 206.
Referring now to FIG. 3, one unit 118 of the control panel 54 set forth in FIG. 1 is shown schematically in perspective view, for the purpose of illustration.
It can be seen, in the primary power line, represented by electrical conductors 300 and 302, that the source of electrical power is represented at 60. The microswitch 132, mounted on the nozzle arrangement 20, and the push botton starting switch 120 may be connected with the primary conductors 300 and 302.
It can be seen that, after closing the switch 120, every time an operator depresses the trigger 128 to close the microswitch 132, the metering pump 202 and the elec' trically actuated valves 200 and 222 are operable to dispense an atomized spray through the conduit 24 and, thence, through the spray tube 52 of the overall nozzle 20.
Additionally, the indicator green, amber and red lights 122, 126 and 128 may be actuated by means of a timer mechanism 304, which may be powered through the electrical conductors 300 and 302 to rotate a shaft 306, through one revolution, in response to the closing of switches 120 and 123.
The shaft 306, in turn, may be operable to rotate wiper contact 308 into sequential contact with arcuate contacts 310, 312, and 314.
The wiper contact 308 may be connected with the main line conductor 302, through 316, and may complete the circuit with the main conductors 300 and 302 through the conductors 318, 320 and 322, connected with the arcuate conductors 310, 312 and 314 and including the indicator green, amber and red lights 122, 126 and 128, respectively.
Additionally, an electrically actuated audio signal may be generated by an electrical horn, or the like, 324 which may be connected across the conductors 316 and 320, serving the amber indicator light 126.
In operation, if it is desired to dispense an atomized germicide solution, the start button switch 120 is closed and the trigger 128 of the nozzle arrangement is depressed to close the microswitch 132. While the switch 132 is depressed, the metering pump 202 operates to dispense a predetermined quantity of germicide solution from the tank 200 into the bowl 206. Compressed gas is forced through the bowl 206 and may be simultaneously injected, at an angle. into the outlet conduit 214 to atomize the fluid at point 224. Of course, a delay mechanism could be provided in each of the electrically operated valves 220 and 222 so that the metered portion of fluid would be dispensed into the bowl 206 before the compressed gas is applied to the upper surface of the liquid and injected into the downstream portion of the fluid outlet conduit 214 leading from the bowl 206.
As long as the switch 132 is held closed, by an attendant depressing the spring biased trigger 128, compressed gas will be supplied so as to atomize the fluid retained within the bowl 206. Of course, only the metered amount of fluid, retained within the bowl 206, will be actually dispensed from the atomized fluid conduit 24 to the nozzle arrangement 20 and ultimately into the interior of a car.
Simultaneously, while the switch 132 is closed by the attendant depressing the trigger 128, the timing mechanism 304 operates to move the wiper contact 308, from a starting position 400, to engage the arcuate contact 310 so as to light the green indicator light 122 upon the initial closing of the switch 132. The green light then indicates that the system has been electrically actuated.
After one half of the fluid retained within the bowl 206 has been dispensed, the wiper contact 308 has been moved, by the rotation of the shaft 306, onto the second arcuate contact 312 so as to turn off the green light 122 and to light the amber indicator light 126. Simultaneously, an audio signal may be generated from the device 324, so as to give a second indication, that an attendant should shift his attention from the front seat portion of a car to the rear seat portion so as to evenly distribute the total amount of fluid metered into the bowl 206 between the front and rear portions of the interior of a car.
After the second half of the solution has been dispensed, the wiper 308 engages the arcuate contact 314 which then actuates the red light 128, so as to indicate to the attendant that the cycle is over. Of course, some other audible signaling device, such as the device 324 associated with the amber light, could be connected across lines 332 and 316 to give the attendant an audio signal upon the reaching of the end of the overall cycle. This last audible signal could be substantially different from the first audible signal, in that the first signal could be one bell and the second signal two bells or; one signal could be a horn and the second a bell, or the like.
Additionally, a different sound could be given for each of the atomized deodorizer and the atomized germicide. Since a germicide and one of the deodorizing, scented fluids will be dispensed during each transaction period, it may be advisable to have e.g., a single bell sound upon reaching the half cycle of the deodorizing cycle, whereas; one blast of a horn may be sounded for the half cycle of the germicide and two blasts of the same born for the completion of the germicide cycle.
It can thus be seen that an apparatus and method has been herein provided for simultaneously dispensing an atomized spray of deodorizing and disinfecting fluids for treating the interior of a vehicle, during an automated car washing operation. The deodorizing and germicide materials may be dispensed, from a specially designed nozzle arrangement 20, either simultaneously or sequentially, depending upon the particular area of the car to be sprayed.
For example, it would not be desirable to apply an oil base deodorizing spray to the windshield of a car whereas it would be desirable to apply a germicide spray thereto. Consequently, apparatus according to the present invention, gives an attendant the flexibility to apply either the deodorizing scent or the germicide, or both, by using the specially designed arcuate nozzle and directing the nozzle into any remote area. defined within the interior of a vehicle,
The precise amount of atomized fluid dispensed is ac curately controlled by the metering pump which, in turn, is controlled by the electrical control system. The electrical control system is, additionally, operable to present audible and visual signals to an operator so as to assist him in providing an even application of deodorizing or germicidal fluid spray to the interior of a vehicle.
In the form of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4-8, the equipment is embodied in a housing which may efficiently and economically be the same housing as is employed to enclose gasoline pumping mechanisms used in service stations.
Reference should at this point he had to FIG. 6, in which the air and liquid lines have been illustrated, schematically.
In this embodiment, the invention is shown as designed for spraying a vehicle interior with a germicide and a first scent (in the drawing, Scent No. l); or alternatively, the same germicide coupled with a second scent (Scent No. 2).
The first scent might, for example, be a liquid having a lemon-lime fragrance. The second scent may have a bayberry, Pine fragrance. Obviously, other scents or fragrances can be used. In each instance, however, the germicidal liquid is common to all the scents.
In the illustrated embodiment, two upright cylindrical, transparent. like tanks or liquid receivers 11 are adapted to serve as a reservoir for the first scent, while a pair of similar receivers or tanks 13 contain the second scent. Between the receivers 11, 13 there is provided a third pair of receivers 15, formed similarly to the tanks or receivers 11, 13, and these contain the supply of liquid germicide.
Horizontally extending, tubular manifolds 17, 19, 21 are disposed below the tanks 11, 13, respectively, so that the liquids contained in said tanks will drain into and keep filled the manifolds associated therewith. Drain cocks 23 are mounted upon the front ends of the manifolds, and are conveniently accessible to a worker servicing the equipment, by removal of a front closure panel, not shown, whereby to permit any liquids within a particular set of tanks and the manifold associated therewith, to be drained therefrom as and when this should be considered necessary.
Extending from the manifolds l7, 19, 21 are a feed line 25 for the first scent, a feed line 27 for the second scent, and a feed line 29 for the germicide. Incorporated in the feed lines are strainers 31, and downstream from the strainers are shut-off valves 33 manually operable to close of the supply of liquid from the several tanks, whenever the system requires maintenance or repair or while, for example, the tanks are being refilled, cleaned, or otherwise serviced.
Normally, however, the valves 33 would be left open while the system is in regular operation.
Downstream from valves 33 are check valves 35, permitting flow from the manifolds into the remainder of the liquid flow system constituting the invention, while preventing back flow in the direction of the manifolds within the feed lines 25, 27, 29 respectively.
The feed lines open into main liquid flow lines 37, 39, 4l for the first scent, second scent, and germicide respectively, the feed lines opening into the main lines intermediate the opposite ends of the several main flow lines. As shown in FIG. 6, the germicide flow line 41, but not the scented liquid flow lines 37, 39, branches downstream from its intersection with line 29, as at 41a and 41h.
Upstream from the intersection of the feed and main flow lines. solenoid valves 43a. 43b, 430, are connected in the lines 37, 39, 41, respectively, to control the flow of air under pressure into the lines. Immediately upstream from the solenoid valves, regulators 45 are connected in the lines 37, 39, 41, to regulate the amount of air pressure applied to the main flow lines in the nor mal use of the systemv The solenoid valves are normally closed, but open under use conditions to be described hereinafter.
Common to the main lines 37, 39, 41, and upstream from the regulators 45, is a first air supply line 47, to which air is supplied under pressure from a common compressed air line 49 extending from a source of air under pressure, not shown, and provided with a disconnect sleeve 51 facilitating connection of the line 49 to the compressed air source, a filter 53, and a regulator 55 downstream from the filter, to provide a main control means for regulating the compressed air supply, separate from the secondary regulators 45 individual to the feed lines 37, 39, 41. The secondary regulators, of course, can regulate the air supply to the particular properties of the liquids flowing from the several tanks, it being understood that one liquid may be more vis' cous, or perhaps more aqueous, than another liquid, or may require propulsion from the nozzle assemblies at greater velocity than another one of the liquids. In any event, the secondary regulators 45 permit individual regulation of the compressed air supplied directly to the liquids within lines 37, 39, 41 when the solenoid valves are opened, while the main regulator 55 provides a basic, overall control of the pressure as supplied to all the liquid flow lines.
Designated at 57 is a second air supply line, which is supplied with air under pressure directly from the common air line 49, having a connection'to the line 49 in common with the connection of the first air supply line 47 thereto.
Within line 57, there is provided a regulator 59, for controlling the pressure of the air permitted to flow through line 57.
Line 57 is provided with a regulator 59, and downstream from the regulator is in communication with nozzle air supply lines 61, 63, 65, 67, supplying air under pressure to nozzles 69, 71, 73, respectively.
Controlling flow through the nozzle air supply lines are solenoid valves 77, 79, 81, 83.
Connected in the main liquid flow lines 37, 39, 41 are check valves 85, located between the nozzles and the intersection of the feed lines 25, 27, 29 with said lines 37, 39, 41 respectively. Valves permit flow only in a direction toward the nozzles.
The liquid and air flow system illustrated in FIG. 6 is mounted within a housing generally designated 87, (FIGS. 4 and 5). The invention is so designed as to be capable of incorporation in a conventional gasoline pump housing used for dispensing gasoline to vehicles in automobile service stations. This simplifies manufac ture and assembly, and provides economies in con struction, as will be appreciated, and to this end, there is provided the housing 87, having at its lower end a horizontal, rectangular supporting platform 89 mounted upon casters 91, and including upper, middle, and bottom compartments 93, 95, 97 respectively. The upper compartment 93, is primarily for display purposes and includes translucent front and back panels, which would be provided with suitable advertising and product information. Within the upper compartment there would be provided flashing lights 101, as well as continuously illuminated fluorescent lamps I03. Additional fluorescent lamps I are provided in the upper end of the middle compartment 95, in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
The tanks II, I3, are mounted in pairs, within the bottom compartment 97, with one tank of each pair having a filler tube I07 (See FIGS. 5 and 6) having a removable cap, and projecting rearwardly outwardly from the lower compartment as shown in FIG. 5, to facilitate replenishment of the liquids within the tanks. Each tank is vented to atmosphere as at 109, and as previously noted, the tanks of each pair are in continuous communication with a manifold l7, 19, or 21 as the case may bev As a result, when liquid is poured into any of the tiller tubes, both tanks associated with said tubes will be filled uniformly to the same level.
As seen from FIG. 4, the manifolds 17 are mounted upon a horizontal partition or supporting plate Ill, extending across the lower portion of bottom compartment 97.
The hoses conventionally provided at opposite sides of a gasoline pump housing are used to advantage as sheaths 113 for the tubes or lines through which the air and liquid are forced to the nozzles. Thus, the sheath I I3 at one side of the housing would enclose four flexible tubes, serving as lines 61, 63, 37, and 41a. The sheath at the other side of the housing is a carrier for lines 65, 67, 39, 41b.
Referring to FIG. 5, each sheath is connected by a titting II5 to the side of the housing, and the four tubes or lines extend through the fitting into the housing, being connected therein to the various valves, tanks, etc., in the manner shown in FIG. 6.
Also used to advantage in the illustrated invention are the conventional take-up reels "7 employed in automobile gasoline pumps, these reels being spring biased in one direction, so as to normally wind cables I19 thereon. The cables extend out of the housing, and are connected to intermediate portions of the tube sheaths as shown in FIG. 5, so as to normally retract hoses to facilitate their being hung up when not in use, on supporting brackets provided for the nozzle assemblies 121a, 1211:.
The construction of each nozzle assembly is illustrated to particular advantage in FIGS. 7 and 8. As there shown, each assembly may include a tubular, open-ended handle I23, which may comprise a length of metal tubing, the sheath I13 extending therethrough and being fixedly attached to the inner surface of the tubular handle.
Secured fixedly to and projecting beyond the outer end ofthe handle 123 is a nozzle support strip I25, the projecting portion of which is turned 90 on itself, and is apertured for passage of a nozzle support bar I27,
upon which are mounted the paired, identical, side by side nozzles 69 and 71, or 73 and 75.
The nozzles 69, 7], 73, 75 are all identical, and are per se conventional. They comprise atomizing spray nozzles, adapted to provide a fine mistlike spray, under accurately controlled conditions, that is, the sprays can be directed to exact areas, in a manner to prevent accidental spraying of adjacent areas that should not be contacted.
Nozzle assembly [210 is provided with an electrical switch 133 of the push button type, mounted upon the handle thereofin position in which it may conveniently be depressed by the thumb of a hand grasping the nozzle handle.
It is to be noted that the side by side nozzles are mounted upon cross bar 127, and that outwardly from the nozzles, a hanger in the form of a strip of metal is connected between lugs that project forwardly from the respective nozzles, thus defining a support loop, adapted to receive a bracket or hook secured to the side wall of the equipment housing, whereby to support the nozzle assembly 121a when it is not in use. Similarly, a hook is provided at the opposite side of the equipment housing, for supporting the nozzle assembly [21b in the same fashion.
OPERATION OF THE EQUIPMENT OF FIGURES 4-II; AND THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS USED THEREIN Upon closure of a manually operable main control switch 135, an operating circuit 137 is on stand-by, connected to a source of I 15 V. AC 139. Fluorescent lamps 103, and lamps I01 in series with flasher 141 are energized and operate continuously as long as switch is closed. Current also flows through normally closed timer switch contacts 183b, 1830, 183d and their associated relays I49, I51, and 153 respectively, from line 155 of the circuit to line I57 and return to source 139.
Relay I49, when energized, opens its contacts 149a; relay I51 opens its contacts 151a; and relay I53 opens its contacts 15321. All these contacts are normally closed and are in series in line 155.
The circuit in these circumstances is in a ready or stand-by condition.
Assuming a customer calls for the scenting and germicidal service, and assuming further that the customer calls for Scent No. l, the operator first momentarily depresses push button switch I59 located on the left side of the housing, viewing the same as in FIG. 4.
Momentary switch 159 is in a 24 V. control or secondary circuit I6] (FIG. 10) established through the provision of conductor 163 connected to line I57 and conductor 165 connected to conductor I67 of the main or operating circuit. Conductors 163, 165 are connected to the primary of a step-down transformer 169, from the secondary of which extend the opposite sides 17], 173 of circuit I61.
When switch 159 is closed, current flows through normally closed contacts [750 of a relay I75, to energize a relay 177.
This momentarily closes relay contacts 177a, to permit current to How through and energize a holding relay 179. This closes its contacts 1790 connected in parallel with contacts 177a, to hold relay I79 energized even though contacts [770 open when switch I59 is released.
However, for relay 179 to be energized and remain energized, it is also necessary that normally open contacts ISIa of a relay 181 be closed and held closed.
Relay l8! closes and locks when switch I59 is mo mentarily depressed as follows: the momentary energizing of relay I77 closes its second set of normally open contacts I77b to energize the clutch of a timer I83. In a preferred embodiment this is a fifteen-second timer and it will be so considered hereinafter.
Engagement of the clutch instantly closes the normally open timer switch contacts 183a and opens the normally closed timer switch contacts 183b, I831 and 183d to deenergize relays I49, 151, 153.
When contacts I830 close. they remain closed until the end of the fifteen-second cycle, and permit current to flow to and energize the relay ISI. Its contacts 181a located in the secondary circuit 161 therefore close substantially instantaneously on momentary depression of switch 159 and will remain closed until the timed operating cycle ends.
A second set of contacts I8Ib of relay I8l is also closed at this time in line 155 of the main circuit to allow a horn 185 and a bell I87 to be sounded at timed intervals during the operating cycle, in a manner to be described hereinafter.
Closure of contacts 183a permits current flow through, and hence, energizes solenoid valve 43a, which opens to permit flow ofcompressed air into main liquid flow line 37 into which liquid Scent No. I flows to nozzle 69; and also solenoid valve 43c, which opens to admit air under pressure into the germicide liquid line 4] and its branch line 41a extending to nozzle 7]. Normally open contacts I79b of holding relay I79 will have closed to permit energizing of solenoid valve 430.
A third set of contacts 179C of relay 179, are normally closed. They open when relay 179 is energized to prevent simultaneous use of the nozzle assemblies 121a, 1211) located at opposite sides of the housing. that is, contacts I79b are in series with push button switch 189 located at the side of the housing on which its associated nozzle assembly 121g is mounted. In other words, when push button 159 is depressed, push button switch 189 and its associated circuitry are deactivated. Similarly, when switch I89 is depressed, it deactivates switch I59 and its associated circuits.
When solenoid valve 43a is energized, also energized are cycle indicators I91, 191a.
The operator now closes and holds closed the handle switch 133 (See FIG. 10) of the nozzle assembly 121a selected for dispensing Scent No. 1 and the germicide.
This energizes relay I93. Its contacts I93a close energizing timer motor 195 to start a cycle timed as in FIG. 11. A second set of contacts l93b of relay I93 also close, energizing solenoid valve 79 to direct air under pressure through line 63 to germicide nozzle 71. Germicide already atomized by opening of solenoid valve 43c and entering nozzle 71 through branch line 41a, is further atomized and is sprayed in a fine mist through nozzle 71 for a timed period, for example 3 or 4 seconds. At the end of this period, timer switch I83!) closes to energize relay I49. Relay 149 closes its contacts 14% permitting current to flow to section B of a line relay 197. This section controls and closes contacts 197:: so as to cause the bell I87 to ring at the end of the first timed germicide spray period. It also opens contacts 197!) to close solenoid valve 79 and thereby shut off the germicide spray; and closes contacts I970 to open solenoid valve 77 and thereby cause nozzle 69 to spray a line mist of Scent No. 1.
At the end of another 3 or 4 seconds, timer switch 183C closes to energize relay ISI.
This closes its contacts I5Ih, energizing section A of relay 197. Section A operates to close contacts I97b to open germicide valve 79; open contacts I97cto close Scent No. I valve 77', close contacts I971! to sound the horn 185; and open contacts ]97a to stop the ringing of the bell. The relay 197, thus. is ofa type in which its several set of contacts are in one position when section B is energized and are operated to the opposite position when Section A thereof is energized.
After another 3 or 4 seconds, the timer switch [830' closes to energize relay I53. This functions identically to relay I49, closing its contacts I53b to energize sec tion 8 of relay I97. Contacts I970 close, causing the bell to ring at the end of the second germicide spray period; contacts I97b open to close germicide spray valve 79; and contacts I970 close to open Scent No. I spray valve 77.
At the end ofthe second scent spray period, the timer switch contacts revert to their normal condition, and as switch 183a opens, relay I8I is deenergized, opening contacts 18121 of the secondary circuit so that the hold ing relay is deenergized and all circuits revert to the condition in which they were prior to the momentary operation of push switch 159.
Circuits exactly parallel to the circuits activated during use of spray head assembly I2Ia are used when Scent No. 2, and the germicide common to both spray head assemblies. are to be sprayed from nozzle assembly IZIb. The following table sets forth the corresponding electrical components used in the alternative dispensing arrangements:
Circuitry for Circuitry for Germicide and Germicide and Scent No. l Scent No. 2
Push switch I59 Relay I77 Contacts lc Holding Relay I79 Contacts l77a Contacts 179:: Handle Switch I33 Relay I93 Contacts 193a Contacts [77g Contacts [79g Cycle Indicators I9l. I9la Valve 43a Valve 43g Contacts l93g Contacts 203g Valve 77 Valve SI Valve 79 Valve 33 Contacts 197g Contacts l97e Contacts l97c Contacts I97f It is of interest to note that cycle indicators I91, 191a, are incandescent lamps in the housing that are illuminated concurrently with the dispensing of Scent No. l and will illuminate an illustration and accompanying legend depicting Scent No. l on the translucent cover panel of the housing. Similarly, cycle indicators 205, 205a would be illuminated concurrently with dispensing of Scent No. 2.
FIG. I2 shows an arrangement in which a pressurizing bowl a is connected in line 37 upstream from check valve 85 but below the intersection of line 25 with line 37. Liquid feeds by gravity from manifold I7 into bowl 850, filling the same with a predetermined quantity of the liquid that is to be atomized and sprayed. The liquid within the bowl is pressurized by air under pressure directed through line 37 into the upper end of the bowl, and thereafter is discharged from the nozzle assembly responsive to air under pressure directed to the nozzle 69 through line 61.
ln FIG. 12, there has been shown only the pressurizing bowl incorporated in line 37 for receiving the liquid gravity-fed from tanks 11, that is, Scent No. I. It is considered sufficiently obvious as not to require special illustration that a like bowl would be provided in line 4] for the germicide, and another in line 39 for Scent No. l, in arrangements duplicating exactly that shown for Scent No. l in FIG. 12.
I claim:
1. Apparatus for dispersing fluid substances within a vehicle interior comprising:
a. a plurality of atomized fluid dispensing units;
b. a plurality of electrical control units operatively connected with said atomized fluid dispensing units and comprising an electrical control panel;
c. each of said plurality of atomized fluid dispensing units being connected with one of each of said plurality of electrical control units; and
d. each of said electrical control units operable to actuate one of said plurality of fluid dispensing units in response to the closing of an included start switch and a simultaneous closing of a normally open switch mounted on a nozzle presented on a terminal end of an atomizing fluid supply conduit leading from said atomized fluid dispensing unit, one of said atomizing fluid dispensing units being connected with one nozzle, and a remaining plurality of the fluid dispensing units being connected with a second nozzle through a manifold common to all said remaining fluid dispensing units, said first and second nozzles being mounted together in a single structure having a pistol hand grip and formed of an arcuate configuration; e. a first switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure and operable to close a circuit for actuating said one of said atomizing fluid dispenser units; and
f. a second switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure for closing an electrical circuit for actuating one unit of the remaining plurality of units to dispense an atomized fluid therefrom.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein; timing means is associated with each of said electrical control units; and visual and audio indicators are actuated by said timing means to indicate, to an attendant, that a certain portion ofa spraying cycle has been completed.
3. A system for spraying the interior ofa vehicle with a liquid disinfectant and with a selected one ofa plurality of liquid deodorants comprising:
a. spray head means including nozzle means for spraying the disinfectant and a selected one of said deodorants;
a plurality of tanks constituting reservoirs for said disinfectant; and
c. means for spraying said liquid disinfectant and the selected liquid deodorant in sequence through separate nozzle means of said spray head means, in cluding a source of air under pressure common to the several nozzle means, a plurality of liquid flow passages each of which connects one or said reservoirs to an associated nozzle means. a first series of air supply lines each extending from said common source into confluence with an associated flow passage upstream from its associated nozzle means whereby to partially atomize the liquid in the passage and place the same under pressure tending to force the liquid from its associate nozzle means, and a second series of air supply lines, one for each nozzle means, each of which extends from said common source of air under pressure to its associate nozzle means and enters the same in a relationship to the partially atomized liquid such that air under pressure directed through the second series of air supply lines effects final atomization of the liquid into the form of a fine mist when it is discharged from its associated nozzle means.
4. A system as in claim 3 in which said system comprises a tank for said disinfectant and a tank for each of said scented liquids.
5. A system as in claim 3 in which said spray head means comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies each of which includes a pair of nozzles, one for said disinfectant and the other for one of said liquid deodorants.
6. A system as in claim 5 in which the liquid disinfectant is common to an is supplied to all of said nozzle assemblies, each of said deodorants being individual to and supplied to a single associated nozzle assembly.
7. A system as in claim 6 comprising three tanks one for said disinfectant and the others for first and second deodorants, there being two of said nozzle assemblies, each including a pair of nozzles, one nozzle of each pair communicating with the disinfectant tank and the other nozzle of each pair communicating with one and one only of said deodorant tanks.
8. A system as in claim 7 further including a housing for said system and a pair of tubular sheaths supported at opposite sides of the housing in supporting relation to a nozzle assembly, each sheath enclosing a pair of lines from said air source, a line from said tank of disinfectant, and a line from one of the deodorant tanks all of which extend to the nozzles of the supported nozzle assembly.
9. A system as in claim 7 further including means under the control of an operator for, in sequence, spraying from one nozzle of a nozzle assembly and then the other nozzle of the same assembly.
10. A system as in claim 9 in which the spraying of a liquid from each nozzle is controlled by a timing device.
ll. A system as in claim 10 in which said timing de vice is effective to require, in a single timed cycle, two separate discharges of said disinfectant alternating with two separate discharges of said deodorant.
12. A system as in claim 11 in which the conclusions of timed discharges are signalled by an audible alarm.
13. A system as in claim 3, including a series of solenoid valves respectively connected in the several, first named air supply lines and timed to admit air under pressure thereto prior to admission of said air under pressure to the second series of air supply lines, said solenoid valves being disposed upstream from the point of confluence of the first named air supply lines and their associated liquid flow passages.
14. A system as in claim 13, further including a sec ond plurality of solenoid valves respectively mounted in the several, second named air supply lines, and means outside the control of a user for operating the second named valves subsequently to operation of the first named valves in a predetermined, timed sequential order to admit air under pressure to the second named air supply lines for discharging first from one nozzle means of the spray head means and then the other nozzle means of the same spray head means said means for operating the second named valves acting to maintain no more than one of the second named valves in an open condition at any given time.
15. A system as in claim M in which said means for operating the second named valves operates to actuate the same in a timed cycle of operations such that each of the second named valves is opened for a given, pre-

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus for dispersing fluid substances within a vehicle interior comprising: a. a plurality of atomized fluid dispensing units; b. a plurality of electrical control units operatively connected with said atomized fluid dispensing units and comprising an electrical control panel; c. each of said plurality of atomized fluid dispensing units being connected with one of each of said plurality of electrical control units; and d. each of said electrical control units operable to actuate one of said plurality of fluid dispensing units in response to the closing of an included start switch and a simultaneous closing of a normally open switch mounted on a nozzle presented on a terminal end of an atomizing fluid supply conduit leading from said atomized fluid dispensing unit, one of said atomizing fluid dispensing units being connected with one nozzle, and a remaining plurality of the fluid dispensing units being connected with a second nozzle through a manifold common to all said remaining fluid dispensing units, said first and second nozzles being mounted together in a single structure having a pistol hand grip and formed of an arcuate configuration; e. a first switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure and operable to close a circuit for actuating said one of said atomizing fluid dispenser units; and f. a second switch actuator mounted on said nozzle structure for closing an electrical circuit for actuating one unit of the remaining plurality of units to dispense an atomized fluid therefrom.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein; timing means is associated with each of said electrical control units; and visual and audio indicators are actuated by said timing means to indicate, to an attendant, that a certain portion of a spraying cycle has been completed.
3. A system for spraying the interior of a vehicle with a liquid disinfectant and with a selected one of a plurality of liquid deodorants comprising: a. spray head means including nozzle means for spraying the disinfectant and a selected one of said deodorants; b. a plurality of tanks constituting reservoirs for said disinfectant; and c. means for spraying said liquid disinfectant and the selected liquid deodorant in sequence through separate nozzle means of said spray head means, including a source of air under pressure common to the several nozzle means, a plurality of liquid flow passages each of which connects one or said reservoirs to an associated nozzle means, a first series of air supply lines each extending from said common source into confluence with an associated flow passage upstream from its associated nozzle means whereby to partially atomize the liquid in the passage and place the same under pressure tending to force the liquid from its associate nozzle means, and a second series of air supply lines, one for each nozzle means, each of which extends from said common source of air under pressure to its associate nozzle means and enters the same in a relationship to the partially atomized liquid such that air under pressure directed through the second series of air supply lines effects final atomization of the liquid into the form of a fine mist when it is discharged from its associated nozzle means.
4. A system as in claim 3 in which said system comprises a tank for said disinfectant and a tank for each of said scented liquids.
5. A system as in claim 3 in which said spray head means comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies each of which includes a pair of nozzles, one for said disinfectant and the other for oNe of said liquid deodorants.
6. A system as in claim 5 in which the liquid disinfectant is common to an is supplied to all of said nozzle assemblies, each of said deodorants being individual to and supplied to a single associated nozzle assembly.
7. A system as in claim 6 comprising three tanks one for said disinfectant and the others for first and second deodorants, there being two of said nozzle assemblies, each including a pair of nozzles, one nozzle of each pair communicating with the disinfectant tank and the other nozzle of each pair communicating with one and one only of said deodorant tanks.
8. A system as in claim 7 further including a housing for said system and a pair of tubular sheaths supported at opposite sides of the housing in supporting relation to a nozzle assembly, each sheath enclosing a pair of lines from said air source, a line from said tank of disinfectant, and a line from one of the deodorant tanks all of which extend to the nozzles of the supported nozzle assembly.
9. A system as in claim 7 further including means under the control of an operator for, in sequence, spraying from one nozzle of a nozzle assembly and then the other nozzle of the same assembly.
10. A system as in claim 9 in which the spraying of a liquid from each nozzle is controlled by a timing device.
11. A system as in claim 10 in which said timing device is effective to require, in a single timed cycle, two separate discharges of said disinfectant alternating with two separate discharges of said deodorant.
12. A system as in claim 11 in which the conclusions of timed discharges are signalled by an audible alarm.
13. A system as in claim 3, including a series of solenoid valves respectively connected in the several, first named air supply lines and timed to admit air under pressure thereto prior to admission of said air under pressure to the second series of air supply lines, said solenoid valves being disposed upstream from the point of confluence of the first named air supply lines and their associated liquid flow passages.
14. A system as in claim 13, further including a second plurality of solenoid valves respectively mounted in the several, second named air supply lines, and means outside the control of a user for operating the second named valves subsequently to operation of the first named valves in a predetermined, timed sequential order to admit air under pressure to the second named air supply lines for discharging first from one nozzle means of the spray head means and then the other nozzle means of the same spray head means, said means for operating the second named valves acting to maintain no more than one of the second named valves in an open condition at any given time.
15. A system as in claim 14 in which said means for operating the second named valves operates to actuate the same in a timed cycle of operations such that each of the second named valves is opened for a given, predetermined time in a pre-established sequence in respect to the remaining second named valves.
16. A system as in claim 15 further including audible signals electrically connected with the second named solenoid valves to signal to a user the end of each time sequence in which a second named valve is opened and closed, there being a plurality of said signals at least one of which differs in sound from the others to inform the user of the passage of a given fractional part of the complete cycle of operation of said spraying system.
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