EP-4741592-A1 - AUTOMATED SCENT DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR TOILETS

Abstract

The automated scent dispensing system for toilets includes a container holding a scented substance, a fastener designed to attach the container to the toilet bowl, a dispenser that releases the substance into the bowl, and a sensor that detects the presence of a user on the toilet. Upon detecting a user, the sensor activates the dispenser to release the scented substance, enhancing the overall restroom experience.

Inventors

• LORENZO PORRUA, José Antonio
• BERNARDI LORENZO, Andrés

Assignees

• SFTONE, SA de CV

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20250422

Claims (18)

1. An automated scent dispensing system for toilets, the system comprising: a) a container; b) a scented substance disposed within the container; c) a fastener configured to couple the container to a toilet bowl; d) a dispenser configured to dispense the substance from the container into the toilet bowl; and e) a sensor configured to detect a presence of a user on the toilet bowl, the sensor further configured to trigger the dispenser to dispense the substance into the toilet bowl in response to detecting the presence of the user.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is pressure sensor configured to detect a weight of the user on the toilet bowl.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature change on the toilet bowl indicative of the presence of the user.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor configured to detect a proximity of the user to the toilet bowl.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a piston configured to dispense the substance.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises a fragrance.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises a deodorant.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises a cleaning agent.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises an oil configured for forming a protective film on a surface of water in the toilet bowl water, trapping odours below the surface.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a repository coupled to the container, the repository configured to store an additional amount of the substance.
11. An automated scent dispensing system for toilets, the system comprising: a) a container; b) a scented substance disposed within the container; c) a fastener configured to couple the container to a toilet bowl; d) a pump configured to dispense the substance from the container into the toilet bowl and configured to be coupled to the toilet bowl such that the toilet seat contacts the pump when in the down position; and e) wherein when a user applies pressure to the toilet seat in the down position, the toilet seat trigger the pump to dispense the substance into the toilet bowl.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pump dispenses the substance when the pump is compressed by the toilet seat.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the substance comprises a fragrance.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the substance comprises a deodorant.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the substance comprises a cleaning agent.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the substance comprises an oil configured for forming a protective film on a surface of water in the toilet bowl water, trapping odours below the surface.
17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a repository coupled to the container, the repository configured to store an additional amount of the substance.
18. A method of automatically dispensing a scented substance into a toilet bowl, the method comprising: providing a device comprising: a container, a scented substance within the container, a fastener, a dispenser, and a sensor; coupling the container to the toilet bowl using the fastener; detecting, by the sensor, a presence of a user on the toilet bowl; and in response to detecting the presence of the user, controlling, by the sensor, the dispenser to dispense the substance from the container into the toilet bowl.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field relates generally to home sanitary appliances and, more specifically, to devices and methods for automatically dispensing substances into a toilet bowl. BACKGROUND Consumers are increasingly seeking more hygienic and pleasant restroom experiences. This demand has led to the development of various devices and products for cleaning, maintaining, and freshening restrooms and toilets. In the case of toilets, there have been different attempts to create automatic systems that introduce substances directly into the toilet bowl for purposes like cleaning, deodorizing, aromatizing the water, and cleaning the device. One approach involves pills placed inside the toilet bowl, which dissolve gradually as water flows over them during flushing. However, this method offers limited control over the timing and amount of substance released. Another approach uses dispensers placed in the water tank that release a substance into the water during flushing. While these offer some automation, they still do not address the need for precise timing and dosage. There are also devices that dispense substances at set intervals, but these do not consider actual toilet usage, potentially leading to waste and inefficiency. Many toilet bowl cleaning solutions involve devices attached to the rim or placed within the water tank. Some devices are inserted into auxiliary apertures in the toilet tank. These typically have a tube holding cleaning material and a dosage mechanism that dispenses a specific amount into the tank upon flushing. Others rely on float-activated systems, using the changing water level in the tank to release cleaning agents. These often involve a float mechanism linked to a dispenser that releases a measured amount of cleaner when the water level drops. While these devices offer some automation, they fall short in consistently delivering a precise amount of a substance precisely when needed before using the toilet. This lack of precision in timing and dosage can hinder the effectiveness of cleaning agents, deodorizers, and fragrances. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions in automated toilet technologies, and more specifically for methods and systems that improve over the prior art in delivering substances to toilets. SUMMARY An automated scent dispensing system for toilets is disclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope. The automated scent dispensing system for toilets includes a container holding a scented substance, a fastener designed to attach the container to the toilet bowl, a dispenser that releases the substance into the bowl, and a sensor that detects the presence of a user on the toilet. Upon detecting a user, the sensor activates the dispenser to release the scented substance, enhancing the overall restroom experience. In another embodiment, the automated scent dispensing system for toilets includes a container holding a scented substance, a fastener to attach the container to the toilet bowl, and a pump designed to dispense the substance into the bowl, which is activated when the toilet seat is pressed between the toilet and the toilet seat by means of the user's weight, triggering the pump as the seat contacts it. In another embodiment, a method for automatically dispensing a scented substance into a toilet bowl involves providing a device with a container holding the scented substance, a fastener for securing the container to the bowl, a dispenser, and a sensor that detects a user's presence, and, upon detection, controlling the dispenser to release the substance into the bowl. Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: FIG. 1 is