WO2005075895A1

WO2005075895A1 - Air conditioner and dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2005075895A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nigel Haig Mclisky
Original assignee: Aerosolutions, Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-02-09
Filing date: 2005-02-09
Publication date: 2005-08-18

Abstract

An air conditioner and a dispenser means in combination with one another, the dispenser means arranged to automatically dispense bio-cleaner 8 at pre-set intervals onto a surface 7 of the air conditioner prone to collect substantial condensation the dispenser means arranged such that when it dispenses the bio-cleaner 8 the bio-cleaner contacts the air conditioner surface 7 and runs down it under gravity to substantially prevent undesired growth or accumulation of life forms on the surface.

Description

TITLE

Air Conditioner and Dispenser

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a dispenser in combination with an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use air conditioners to deliver cool air to a vehicle or to a building, for example a domestic dwelling or an office block, etc. A problem often experienced with air conditioners is that some of their surfaces hold significant condensation and these may become fouled with undesired microbial growth. It is accordingly an object of at least one form of the present invention to go at least some way towards addressing this problem, or to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cleaning a surface of an air conditioner, or a part thereof, comprising the steps of:

i) arranging dispenser means proximate an air conditioner surface prone to collect substantial condensation and causing the dispenser means to dispense (eg spray) a bio-cleaner onto the surface (eg automatically at timed intervals), ii) allowing the bio-cleaner, when it has been dispensed, to run down the surface under gravity so that the bio-cleaner substantially prevents growth or accumulation of undesired levels of life forms on the surface, and iii) allowing the bio-cleaner to proceed away from (eg to run from or drip off) the surface.

Optionally the surface is part of an evaporator, condenser, or cooling coil, of the air conditioner.

Optionally the bio-cleaner comprises a biocide.

Optionally the bio-cleaner comprises one or more plant substances (eg manuka oil or manuka oil extracts) and/or one or more man made substances.

Optionally the bio-cleaner substantially prevents bacterial adhesion and/or bacterial pre-adhesion on the surface.

Optionally the bio-cleaner contains a surfactant and/or a detergent.

Optionally the dispenser means is portable and may be releasably attached to a supply of the bio-cleaner.

Optionally dispenser means comprises at least one of: i) a pump for causing a flow of the bio-cleaner, ii) a metering valve, iii) a solenoid valve which can automatically temporarily open in response to a signal from an electronic controller to allow a flow of the bio-cleaner, iv) an ultra sonic mister device for forming a mist of the bio-cleaner, and v) a wick arrangement for delivering the bio-cleaner.

Optionally the air conditioner is part of a building (eg a domestic dwelling, a Government facility, or commercial premises) or a vehicle (eg a motor vehicle, a train, an aircraft, or a water vessel).

Optionally the bio-cleaner substantially sanitises a fluid drainage system associated with the air conditioner as the bio-cleaner proceeds (eg drains) away from the surface.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an air conditioner and a dispenser means in combination with one another, the dispenser means arranged to automatically dispense (eg spray) bio-cleaner at pre-set intervals onto a surface of the air conditioner prone to collect substantial condensation, the dispenser means arranged such that when it dispenses the bio-cleaner the bio-cleaner contacts the air conditioner surface and runs down it under gravity to substantially prevent undesired growth or accumulation of life forms on the surface.

Optionally the surface is at least part of an evaporator of the air conditioner.

Optionally the bio-cleaner comprises a biocide (eg a substance which prevents buildup of or which destroys micro-organisms - eg fungi, yeast, bacteria, bacterial or other forms of slime, etc). Optionally the dispenser means is fitted to and can draw from a container (eg an aerosol canister) of bio-cleaner.

Optionally dispenser means comprises at least one of: i) a pump for causing a flow of the bio-cleaner, ii) a metering valve, iii) a solenoid valve which may or may not be gravity fed the bio-cleaner and which can automatically temporarily open in response to a signal from an electronic controller to allow a flow of the bio-cleaner, iv) an ultra sonic mister device for forming a mist of the bio-cleaner, and v) a wick arrangement for delivering the bio-cleaner.

Optionally the dispenser means and/or the container is/are portable.

Optionally the dispenser means has an electronic controller comprises a circuit board and a power source (eg a battery) to control release of the bio-cleaner from the dispenser means.

Optionally the air conditioner is part of a building or a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a motor vehicle air conditioner system in combination with a biocide dispenser.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an air conditioner for a building in combination with a portable dispenser,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dispenser forming part of the figure 2 arrangement,

Figure 4 a longitudinal cross sectional view of the dispenser of figure 2,

Figure 5 is an alternative arrangement of an air conditioner and a dispenser,

Figure 6 is a further alternative arrangement of an air conditioner and a dispenser, and

Figure 7 is a further alternative arrangement of an air conditioner and a dispenser,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to figure 1, a motor vehicle air conditioning system is combined with a spray dispenser. The dispenser comprises a reservoir 1 (preferably refillable) holding bio- cleaner (eg biocide) in fluid form, a pump 2, an electronic controller 3, and a connection 4 for receiving a supply of electrical power. The dispenser also comprises tubing 5 connecting a spray head 6 to the pump and reservoir. The spray head 6 is arranged adjacent the top of the outer surface of an evaporator 7 forming part of an air conditioner. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the external surface of an air conditioner's evaporator typically attracts and holds substantial amounts of condensation. Such condensation can lead to the growth of undesired life forms such as mould or bacteria generally, which can foul the surfaces of an air conditioner giving rise to unpleasant smells, air borne disease causing microbes, blockages in the evaporator or air conditioner drainage system, and/or overall reduced air conditioner efficiency. To prevent the accumulation of undesired life forms on the evaporator 7 the spray head 6 intermittently sprays a shot 8 of the bio-cleaner onto an upper part of the evaporator's outer surface. The bio-cleaner then runs down the evaporator 7 under gravity, cleaning (eg sanitizing) the evaporator as it does this. The bio-cleaner then collects in a drip tray 9 together with condensation (eg water) running off the evaporator, and from there can run off to waste via a drain 10.

The dispenser's electronic controller 3 dictates the amount of bio-cleaner sprayed onto the evaporator both in terms of the duration of each shot of spray the and timing between shots. More specifically, the electronic controller 3 controls the working of the pump 2 which in turn pumps bio-cleaner from the reservoir 1 through the tubing 5 and out of the spray head 6.

With further reference to figure 1 , the direction of air flow towards and away from the evaporator 7 is demonstrated in figure 1 by the large arrows 11 and 12. The zone on the evaporator most likely to be affected by microbial growth, ie in the absence of bio- cleaner, is shown at 13. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the invention comprising a portable spray dispenser 14 fitted with a replaceable aerosol or otherwise pressurised canister 15 containing a suitable bio-cleaner (eg a biocide). The dispenser 14 is arranged with its delivery head 16 adjacent the upper external surface of the evaporator 17 of an air conditioner. The air conditioner may be situated in a building, for example a domestic dwelling or commercial or recreational premises. The dispenser 14 can be set to automatically and periodically dispense shots of bio-cleaner from within the canister or alternatively can be operated manually to deliver each shot. Each shot proceeds from the delivery head 16 into a spray tube 18. The spray tube 18 has a plurality of openings (not shown) from which spray shots are emitted. The spray tube 18 is arranged such that spray shots hit the upper outer surface of the air conditioner's evaporator 17 and then run down the evaporator under gravity. As the bio-cleaner runs down the evaporator the evaporator's external surface is substantially cleaned (eg sanitized) to prevent the undesired growth or accumulation of mould or bacteria, etc. When the bio-cleaner has reached the bottom of the evaporator it drops into a drip tray 19 and can drain therefrom. The direction of movement of the bio-cleaner down the evaporator is indicated by the large arrow 20.

Figures 3 and 4 provide further detail of the portable spray dispenser 14 described with reference to figure 2. The dispenser 14 has a solenoid valve 21 which opens and closes to release and shut off a flow of the bio-cleaner in response to signals from an electronic controller 22. The controller and the valve are powered by a battery 23. The valve 21 attaches to the aerosol canister 15 as at 24 so that a dip tube 25 extends between the valve and the canister to facilitate a flow of bio-cleaner 26 to the dispenser 14. If the dispenser is used in an inverted disposition the dip tube 25 may not be necessary.

For the sake of simplicity the various parts shown in figures 5, 6 and 7 have been given the same numbering as equivalent parts described above. Figure 5 shows an arrangement similar to that of figure 2 but having a metered valve dispenser activation mechanism 27. The activation mechanism 27 has a metering valve 28 for delivering bio-cleaner, connected with an aerosol canister 35 actually containing the bio-cleaner. The dispenser 27 and aerosol canister 35 are housed within a casing 29. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment similar to that of figure 2 except that the dispenser 14 is replaced by a reservoir 30 associated with a controller and a gravity fed solenoid valve 31. The embodiment of the invention shown in figure 7 is similar to that of figure 6 except that there is an electrically powered liquid pump 32 feeding an ultrasonic mister device 33. The ultrasonic mister device is arranged between the reservoir and the evaporator to facilitate the creation of spray shots. Both the pump 32 and the mister device are controlled by way of an electronic controller 34.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the bio-cleaner (eg biocide), is delivered to the evaporator of an air conditioner so that the outer surface of the evaporator, or part thereof, receives a good soaking. The amount of bio-cleaner released can preferably be set by way of the electronic controller, as can the delay between each burst. The bio-cleaner is preferably released towards the evaporator as a fine spray or mist. In some embodiments of the invention bio-cleaner may be delivered to other air conditioner components, for example a fan, filter mat, or ducting, in addition to the evaporator.

In certain forms of the invention the bio-cleaner may incorporate a pleasing fragrance.

In some embodiments of the invention the biocide, etc, may not be delivered automatically but rather in response to manual control. In still further embodiments the biocide, etc, may be released when human movement is sensed in a room.

While some preferred forms or embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a surface of an air conditioner, or a part thereof, comprising the steps of:

i) arranging dispenser means proximate an air conditioner surface prone to collect substantial condensation and causing the dispenser means to dispense a bio-cleaner onto the surface,

ii) allowing the bio-cleaner, when it has been dispensed, to run down the surface under gravity so that the bio-cleaner substantially prevents growth or accumulation of undesired levels of life forms on the surface, and

iii) allowing the bio-cleaner to proceed away from the surface.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the surface is part of an evaporator, condenser, or cooling coil, of the air conditioner.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bio-cleaner comprises a biocide.

4. A method according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the bio-cleaner comprises one or more plant substances and/or one or more man made substances.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bio- cleaner substantially prevents bacterial adhesion and/or bacterial pre-adhesion on the surface.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bio- cleaner contains a surfactant and/or a detergent.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser means is portable and can be releasably attached to a supply of the bio-cleaner.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser means comprises at least one of: i) a pump for causing a flow of the bio-cleaner, ii) a metering valve, iii) a solenoid valve which can automatically temporarily open in response to a signal from an electronic controller to allow a flow of the bio-cleaner, iv) an ultra sonic mister device for forming a mist of the bio-cleaner, and v) a wick arrangement for delivering the bio-cleaner.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioner is part of a building or a vehicle.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bio- cleaner substantially sanitizes a fluid drainage system associated with the air conditioner as the bio-cleaner proceeds away from the surface.

11. An air conditioner and a dispenser means in combination with one another, the dispenser means arranged to automatically dispense bio-cleaner at pre-set intervals onto a surface of the air conditioner prone to collect substantial condensation, the dispenser means arranged such that when it dispenses the bio-cleaner the bio-cleaner contacts the air conditioner surface and runs down it under gravity to substantially prevent undesired growth or accumulation of life forms on the surface.

12. A combination according to claim 11 , wherein the surface is at least part of an evaporator of the air conditioner.

13. A combination according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the bio-cleaner comprises a biocide.

14. A combination according to claim 11 , 12 or 13, wherein the dispenser means is fitted to and can draw from a container of bio-cleaner.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the dispenser means and/or the container is/are portable.

16. A combination according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the dispenser means comprises at least one of: i) a pump for causing a flow of the bio-cleaner, ii) a metering valve, iii) a solenoid valve which may or may not be gravity fed the bio-cleaner and which can automatically temporarily open in response to a signal from an electronic controller to allow a flow of the bio-cleaner, iv) an ultra sonic mister device for forming a mist of the bio-cleaner, and v) a wick arrangement for delivering the bio-cleaner.

17. A combination according to any one of claims 11 to 16, comprising an electronic controller to control release of the bio-cleaner from the dispensing means.

18. A combination according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the air conditioner is part of a building or a vehicle.

19. A method according to claim 1 , or a combination according to claim 11 , substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.