Automated cleansing sprayer

US6820821B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC. · US

Inventors

• Brian K. Linstedt · Ostrander, US
• Keith Gausmann · Delaware, US
• Cathal L. Fahy · Racine, US
• Luke Stonis · Columbus, US
• Dale Aberegg · Mount Vernon, US
• Amber N. Dudley · Racine, US
• Peter M. Neumann · Racine, US
• Douglas Elsie · Chicago, US
• Daniel Keating Childs · Forest Park, US
• Clifford Krapfl · Chicago, US
• Howard R. Dittmer · Lake Bluff, US
• Craig F. Shiesley · Racine, US
• Terry M. Kovara · Racine, US
• Michael C. Fryan · Mount Pleasant, US
• Padma Prabodh Varanasi · Racine, US
• Steven A. Zach · Waterford, US
• Martin Rathgeber · Chicago, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 23, 2004
• Expiry date: May 30, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B05B15/62
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention is an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. An automated method of cleaning the shower enclosure is also disclosed.