Apparatus for intermittent generation of droplets or mist on demand

Abstract

Apparatus for generating a spray of droplets or mist of a liquid including: a housing with a body portion in which a quantity of a liquid is containable and an access portion separated from the body portion by a partition wall; a spray generating device mounted in an opening in the partition wall operable via a control device for directing a spray of the liquid into a spray zone in the access portion; a sensor device mounted in relation to the access portion for detecting a presence of a user in a relationship with respect to an opening of the access portion, the opening enabling exposure of the user to the spray zone; wherein the sensor device is operable upon detecting the presence of a user to generate and send a signal to the control device to actuate the spray generating device to generate a spray into the spray zone.

Description

07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 1- 1 -APPARATUS FOR INTERMITTENT GENERATION OF DROPLETS OR MIST ON DEMANDCROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of Australian Provisional Patent Application No.: 2024903234, filed on 7 October 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus for generating a spray of a liquid, such as water, as droplets or a mist as required from time to time.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure herein.

[0004] There are numerous situations in which there is a need for apparatus able to generate a spray of a liquid, such as water, as droplets or a mist. Where such need exists, it frequently is desirable to be able to generate the spray on demand, as required from time to time. One universal situation typically is experienced in supermarkets or convenience stores in which customers are obliged to serve themselves by obtaining a plastics bag from a roll supply and then open the bag to enable produce such as fruit and vegetables to be placed in the bag. A common problem is with the frequently encountered difficulty in opening the bag, given the suction acting between the thin layers of the bag, particularly if the customer has dry fingers. Another situation arises with the need to moisten a person’s face after, or as an intermediate step in applying make-up.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 2- 2 -

[0005] The present invention is directed to providing apparatus of a form suitable for use in such situations by enabling intermittent generation on demand of a spray of droplets or mist of a liquid.DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus suitable for intermittent generation of a spray of droplets or mist of a liquid on demand, comprising: a housing, the housing including a body portion defining, or holding a vessel defining, a chamber for containing a quantity of a liquid from which a spray of droplets or mist is to be generated, and further including an access portion adjacent to the body portion; a spray generating device mounted in an opening in a partition wall of the housing that separates the body portion from the access portion, the spray generating device operable under the action of a control device of the apparatus for directing a spray of the liquid into a spray zone in the access portion of the housing; and, a sensor device mounted in relation to the access portion for detecting a presence of a user in a required relationship with respect to an opening of the access portion, the opening enabling required exposure of the user to the spray zone of the access portion; wherein the sensor device is operable, in response to detecting the presence of a user, to generate a signal received by the control device whereby the control device operates to actuate the spray generating device to generate a spray into the spray zone.

[0007] Depending on the intended use of the apparatus, the spray generating device can preferably be actuated to generate the spray in a single short duration pulse, or in a series of pulses or for at least one longer predetermined duration.

[0008] Preferably, the housing may take a variety of forms. The body portion may be above the access portion such that the spray generating device is operable to direct a spray down into the spray zone of the access portion of the housing. Alternatively, the body portion may be laterally adjacent to the access portion, such as to one side or behind the access portion, and the spray generating device is07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 3- 3 - operable to direct spray in any required direction within the spray zone of the access portion of the housing. While gravity assisted feed of the liquid to the spray device can be beneficial, the preferred form of spray generating device for the invention is operable to direct spray in any required direction such that the access portion of the apparatus may even be above the body portion.

[0009] Preferably, the housing may additionally include a liquid collecting region below or in a lower part of the access portion in which liquid retained in the access portion after completion of a required generation of spray is able to drain or be held until discharged, such as when servicing the apparatus after a cycle of use.

[0010] Preferably, the housing can be formed of several suitable materials, such as metal and / or plastics materials. The housing may be fabricated from sheet material, or it may be moulded, either in parts that are assembled or integrally.

[0011] Preferably, the sensor device may be of any convenient form operable to detect the presence of a user in a required relationship with respect to an opening to the spray zone of the access portion. In response to such detection, the sensor device operates to pass an output signal to the control device and causes the control device to operate to actuate the spray generating device. Preferably, the sensor device most conveniently is an IR sensor device having an emitter or sender and a receiver. The emitter or sender and the receiver of the IR sensor device may be mounted in opposed, direct inline relationship in or associated with the access portion of the housing. Alternatively, the emitter or sender and receiver may be mounted in adjacent relationship in or associated with the access portion of the housing to enable the receiver to detect a beam emitted by the emitter or sender after the beam has been reflected back to the receiver. In each case the arrangement is such that, with a user in a required relationship with respect to the opening to the spray zone of the access portion, the beam is interrupted, and the IR sensor device then is actuated to generate the output signal indicating a required presence of a user required for operation of the spray generating device.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 4- 4 -

[0012] Preferably, the spray generating device mounted in the partition wall separating the body portion and the access portion, for directing a spray of the liquid into the spray zone in the access portion of the housing, can be of a variety of forms. In one form, the spray generating device may be a passive device, such as a simple spray nozzle active to generate a spray of droplets or mist generated solely in the form of the nozzle when a liquid under pressure is supplied to an inlet end of the nozzle, such as by a stream of the liquid through the nozzle impinging on a deflection defined adjacent an outlet end of the nozzle. Such a nozzle may, for example, comprise a 90°, 180° or 360° spray generating nozzle, typically of plastics material, used in garden reticulation systems. However, such form of spray generating device requires an on demand, pulsed supply of pressurised liquid for directing a spray of the liquid into the spray zone, such as by provision of a liquid pump operable under the action of a suitable actuating device, such as a stepper motor enabling pulsed or short duration operation of the pump. The preferred spray generating device for the invention is directly controllable by the control device which operates directly to actuate the spray generating device to generate a spray, without the need for a pressurised feed of the liquid to the spray generating device, obviating the need to rely on the use of a pump.

[0013] Preferably, the preferred form of spray generating device uses a piezo transducer having a piezo element mounted in the opening in the partition wall of the housing that separates the body and access portions of the housing. Preferably, in one form, the piezo element is porous and absorbs liquid from the chamber from the body portion of the housing. The spray generating device is such that, with an output from the control device operable to apply an electric potential to the piezo element, electric-field-induced bending displacement characteristics are generated in the piezo element. Those induced characteristics produce a rapidly fluctuating bending or stretching of the piezo element, in effect, induced rapid vibrations the cause liquid absorbed by the piezo element from the chamber to be discharged into the access portion of the housing as a spray of droplets or mist of the liquid. Preferably, the duration of discharge of the spray is determined by the duration of application of the electric potential to the piezo element, and can07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 5- 5 - be varied as required, such as by adjustment of a microcontroller of the control device of the apparatus.

[0014] While operation with the piezo element of the piezo transducer is as detailed hereinbefore, the piezo element may be substantially non-porous or impervious. Alternatively, a porous element may have an impervious backing. In each case, the piezo element may be incapable of absorbing liquid from the chamber despite being mounted in the partition wall separating the body portion and the access portion of the housing, such as across an opening in the partition wall. With a piezo element so incapable, another facility is required to enable liquid to pass from the chamber to a surface of the piezo element facing away from the partition wall, into the access portion of the housing. In one arrangement, the piezo element is preferably mounted on a block, or in an annular sleeve, of a porous material able to absorb liquid from the chamber in the body portion and enable a sufficient quantity of the liquid to be adjacent the surface of the piezo element facing into the access portion of the housing to thereby enable generation of a spray of the liquid to be generated by application of an electric potential to the piezo element by the control device.

[0015] Preferably, the control device can be of a wide variety of types, operable either by an associated or included battery or by an external power supply. In a basic form, the control device may comprise a PCB with an integrated microcontroller, powered by an associated battery or external power supply.

[0016] Preferably, the apparatus further includes at least one display screen incorporated thereon, or interconnected therewith, for providing a convenient location and means for displaying media content via the apparatus. In one form, the at least one display screen may be disposed in or on a front and / or a rear exposed surface of the body portion of the apparatus.

[0017] These and other essential or preferred features of the present invention will be apparent from the description that now follows.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 6- 6 -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred apparatus for intermittent generation of droplets or mist on demand in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative examples only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a front perspective view, from the left, of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for generating a spray of a liquid, such as water, as droplets or a mist;

[0020] Figure 2A is a front perspective view, from the right, of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 2B corresponds to Figure 2A, but with a component adjusted, in preparation for use;

[0022] Figure 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 3, but depicts to apparatus in use in generating a required spray;

[0024] Figure 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 , taken from the right of Figure 2A;

[0025] Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line A-A of Figure 5;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a preferred operating system of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

[0027] Figure 8 is a front perspective view, from the left, of an apparatus accordingly a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, again for07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 7- 7 - generating a spray of a liquid, such as water, as droplets or a mist, but this time including a preferred display screen incorporated on a front surface of the apparatus.MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] The following is a detailed description of the invention with reference to the preferred embodiment(s) shown in the drawings. In the detailed description and in the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Those elements are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and that procedural and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0029] Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings illustrate an apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, suitable for enabling intermittent actuation for generation of a spray of droplets or mist of a liquid. The preferred apparatus 10 has a housing 12 of rectangular, box-like form, with upstanding side walls 12a joined by an upstanding rear wall 12b, a horizontally extending base 12c, a top cover 12d, a front wall 12e that extends down from a forward edge 12dx of cover 12d over a major part of the spacing between the cover 12d and an upturned forward edge 12cx of base 12c, and a horizontally extending partition 12f that extends between side walls 12a and between the lower edge 12ex of the front wall 12e and the rear wall 12b. The side walls 12a, rear wall 12b, front wall 12e, top cover 12d and partition 12f define a body portion 14 of housing 12 in which an opentopped vessel 16 (see, for example, Figure 2B) defines a chamber 18 (see again, for example, Figure 2B) for containing a quantity of a liquid (not shown) from which a spray S (see Figure 4) of droplets or mist can be generated. Below body portion 14, the housing 12 has an open-fronted access portion 20 formed by side walls 12a, rear wall 12b, base12c and partition 12f. Top cover 12d is preferably pivotably mounted on the top edge 12bx (see Figure 6) of rear wall 12b to facilitate addition of a liquid (not shown) from which a spray S is to be generated.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 8- 8 -

[0030] Whilst the access portion 20 of apparatus 10 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is shown and described as having only an open-front formed by side walls 12a, rear wall 12b, base 12c and partition 12f, it will be appreciated that the access portion 20 may have both an open-front and an open-rear, if desired or required, by simply omitting the portion of rear wall 12b relative to access portion 20 of housing 12, of apparatus 10. In such an alternative arrangement, not shown, the access portion 20 is accessible via both the front and rear of apparatus 10, as desired.

[0031] Preferred apparatus 10 further includes a spray generating device 22 mounted in an opening 24 (see Figure 6) in partition 12f of the housing 12 that separates the body and access portions 14 and 20. As detailed later herein, the spray generating device 22 is operable under the action of a control device 26 (see Figure 7) for directing a spray S of the liquid (not shown) into a spray zone 20a within the open-fronted access portion 20 of housing 12. Preferred apparatus 10 further comprises a sensor device 28 mounted in relation to the open-fronted access portion 20 of housing 12 for detecting a presence of a user 25, such as the presence of a user’s hand or fingers 25 (see Figure 4) as shown, or other body part, such as, for example a user’s face (not shown) described in further detail hereinafter, in a required relationship with respect to the open-front of the access portion 20, with the open-front enabling the required exposure of the user 25 to the spray zone 20a of the access portion 20. The sensor device 28 is operable, in response to detecting the presence of a user 25, to generate a signal received by the control device 26 whereby the control device 26 operates to actuate the spray generating device 22 to generate a spray S into the spray zone 20a of the access portion 20. Depending on the intended use of preferred apparatus 10, the spray generating device 22 can be actuated to generate the spray S in a single short duration pulse, or in a series of pulses, or for at least one longer predetermined duration.

[0032] The housing 12, of preferred apparatus 10, may take a variety of forms. The body portion 14 can be above the access portion 20, as shown, such that the spray generating device 22 is operable to direct a spray S down into the spray zone 20a in the access portion 20. Alternatively, whilst not shown in the07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 9- 9 - drawings, the body portion 14 may be laterally adjacent to the access portion 20, such as to one side or behind the access portion 20. While gravity assisted feed of the liquid (not shown) to the spray generating device 22 can be beneficial, the preferred form of spray generating device 22 for the invention is operable to direct spray S in any required direction such that the access portion 20 of the apparatus 10 may even be above the body portion 14. The housing 12 may additionally include a liquid collecting zone below or in a lower part of the access portion 20 in which any liquid (not shown) retained in the access portion 20 after completion of a required generation of spray S is able to drain or be held until discharged, such as when servicing the apparatus 10 after a cycle of use. Such a liquid collecting zone may simply be defined by base 12c or may include a collection tray or the likes (not shown).

[0033] The housing 12, of preferred apparatus 10, can be formed of several suitable materials, such as metal and / or plastics materials. The housing 12 may be fabricated from sheet material, or it may be moulded, either in parts that are assembled or integrally.

[0034] The sensor device 28 may be of any convenient form operable to detect the presence of a user 25 in a required relationship with respect to an opening to the spray zone 20a of the access portion 20 of housing 12. In the illustrated preferred apparatus 10, the sensor device 28 is an IR sensor device 30 having an emitter or sender 30a and a receiver 30b. As shown the emitter / sender 30a and the receiver 30b of the sensor device 28 / 30 may be mounted in opposed, direct inline relationship in the open-fronted access portion 20 of housing 12. Alternatively, the emitter / sender 30a and receiver 30b may be mounted in adjacent relationship in or associated with the access portion 20 to enable the receiver to detect a beam B (see Figure 4) emitted by the emitter / sender 30a after the beam B has been reflected to be detected by the receiver 30b. In each case the arrangement is such that, with a user 25 in a required relationship with respect to an opening to the spray zone 20a of the access portion 20, of housing 12, the beam B is interrupted, and the sensor 28 / 30 then is actuated to generate a signal indicating a required presence of a user 25 required for operation of the spray07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 10- 10 - generating device 22. Whilst the use of an IR sensor device 30 is shown and described, it will be appreciated that other sensor devices, such as, for example, a motion sensing device, may also be utilised in accordance with the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific sensor device 28 / 30 arrangement as shown.

[0035] The spray generating device 22 is directly controllable by the control device 26 to generate a spray S, without the need for a pressurised feed of a liquid (not shown) to the spray generating device 22. In the preferred arrangement shown, the spray generating device 22 comprises a piezo transducer having a piezo element 32 mounted in the opening 24 in the partition 12f of housing 12 that separates the body portion 14 and access portion 20 of the housing 12. The piezo element 32 is porous and absorbs liquid (not shown) from the chamber 18 defined within the open-topped vessel 16 of the body portion 14 of housing 12. The spray generating device 22 is such that, with an output from the control device 26 operable to apply an electric potential to the piezo element 32, electric-field-induced bending displacement characteristics are generated in the piezo element 32. The induced characteristics produce a rapidly fluctuating bending or stretching of the piezo element 32, in effect, induced rapid vibrations the cause liquid absorbed by the piezo element 32 from the chamber 18 to be discharged into the spray zone 20a of access portion 20 of the housing 12 as a spray S of droplets or mist of the liquid (not shown). The duration of discharge of the spray S is determined by the duration of application of the electric potential to the piezo element 32, and can be varied as required, such as by adjustment of a microcontroller 26b (see Figure 7) of the control device 26.

[0036] The opening 24, provided in partition 12f, extends through each of the partition 12f and the base of vessel 16 and liquid (not shown) is absorbed by the porous piezo element 32. The porosity of the piezo element 32 is such that flow therethrough other than when the element is subjected to electric-field-induced bending displacement characteristics are produced is not possible, or as close to not possible as can be. However, above opening 24, there is preferably provided an upstanding reducer or sleeve 34 that has openings 34a to its lower end with the07 / 10 / 25, PAT 10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 1 1- 11 - reducer / sleeve 34 containing a granular or porous plastics filler (not shown) that restricts the passage of liquid passing to piezo element 32.

[0037] In an alternative arrangement of operation spray generating device 22, the piezo element 32 may be substantially non-porous or impervious. Alternatively, a porous element may have an impervious backing. In each case, the piezo element 32 may be incapable of absorbing liquid (not shown) from the chamber 18 despite being mounted in the partition wall 12f separating the body portion 14 and the access portion 20 of the housing 12, such as across an opening 24 in the partition wall 12f. With a piezo element 32 so incapable, another facility (not shown) is required to enable liquid to pass from the chamber 18 to a surface of the piezo element 32 facing away from the partition wall 12f, into the access portion 20 of the housing 12. In one arrangement (not shown), the piezo element 32 can mounted on a block, or in an annular sleeve, of a porous material able to absorb liquid from the chamber 18 in the body portion 14 and enable a sufficient quantity of the liquid (not shown) to be adjacent the surface of the piezo element 32 facing into the access portion 20 of the housing 12 to thereby enable generation of a spray S of the liquid to be generated by application of an electric potential to the piezo element 32 by the control device 26. A skilled person will appreciate these and other arrangements of suitable piezo elements 32 suitable for use with preferred apparatus 10 of the present invention. As such, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific examples as shown and / or described herein.

[0038] As depicted schematically in Figure 7, the control device 26 preferably comprises a PCB 26a with an integrated microcontroller 26b, powered by an associated battery 26c. Rather than being battery operated, the preferred apparatus 10 may have an external power supply (not shown) provided such as through a power switch 26d or a USB-C charger 26e or the likes. As represented schematically, the control device 26 is electrically coupled to the emitter / sender 30a and the receiver 30b of the sensor device 28 / 30, and to the spray generating device I piezo transducer element 22 / 32.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 12- 12 -

[0039] If preferred apparatus 10 is powered by a battery or batteries 26c, such battery(ies) 26c may be in the form of single use or rechargeable batteries 26c. If a rechargeable battery(ies) 26c is utilised, same may be recharged whilst housed within or on apparatus 10, by a charging cable, such as, for example USB- C charger 26e, or may be recharged remotely of apparatus 10 in a recharging dock (not shown) or the likes.

[0040] Operation with the preferred apparatus 10 readily will be understood from the foregoing description, including that with reference to the drawings. The preferred apparatus 10 is suitable for installation in a supermarket or convenience store, such as adjacent a stall at which fruit and / or vegetable produce is presented for access by a customer, with the stall provided with a roll of plastics bags from which the customer can draw off a bag for packaging selected food items. If required to assist the customer to open a bag, the customer can insert a hand or their fingers 25 into the open-front of the access portion 20 of housing 12 and, in doing so, the customer’s hand / fingers 25 will break the beam B passing between the emitter / sender 30a and receiver 30 of the IR sensor device 28 / 30 and thereby cause the IR sensor device 28 / 30 to send an output signal to the control device 26 for actuating the spray generation device 22 to cause the piezo transducer element 32 to emit a spray S of droplets or mist in a single short duration pulse sufficient to moisten the fingers 25 of the customer’s hand. The customer then is better able to grip and move the layers of the plastics bag and to then open the bag. For such operation, liquid (not shown) from the chamber 18 is drawn from vessel 16.

[0041] From the description of the preferred apparatus 10, it readily will be apparent how the preferred apparatus 10 can be modified to be suitable for applying a spray S of droplets or mist to a user’s face (not shown) as may be required is the course of applying facial make-up. For that use (not shown), the open-front of the access portion 20 of housing 12 may be larger and preferably of oval shape, to enable a use’s face to be presented to the opening to thereby break the beam B passing between the emitter / sender 30a and receiver 30 of the IR sensor device 28 / 30 and thereby similarly cause the control device 26 to actuate the spray generation device 22 / 32 whereby the piezo transducer element 32 emits a spray S07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 13- 13 - of droplets or mist in a single short duration pulse sufficient to moisten the user’s face, as required.

[0042] Whilst both hand / finger and face applications of preferred apparatus 10 have been shown and / or described herein, it will be appreciated that preferred apparatus 10 may also be utilised for other applications where the application of a spray S of droplets or mist may be required. Accordingly, the present invention as herein described should not be construed as limited to the specific examples as provided, but instead, should be construed broadly to encompass any other suitable application of preferred apparatus 10.

[0043] Preferred apparatus 10 preferably uses water, whether tap, distilled or filtered water, as the liquid (not shown) which is filled into chamber 18 of vessel 16 of body portion 14 of housing 12. However, other liquids (not shown), such as, for example, anti-bacterial liquids may also be utilised in accordance with the present invention. If such an anti-bacterial liquid (not shown) were to be used with preferred apparatus 10, then the spray S emitted by apparatus 10 may also promote, for example, the hygienic handling of plastics bags, etc., in a supermarket or convenience store environment. It is also envisaged that other suitable liquids (not shown), such as viscous or oily liquids, scented liquids, or liquids used in makeup applications, may be utilised in accordance with preferred apparatus 10 of the present invention.

[0044] Whilst not shown in the drawings, if required, preferred apparatus 10 may include a lock device(s) provided to restrict access to vessel 16 and chamber 18 of body portion 14 of housing 12, such that tampering with the contents of chamber 18 would thereby be prevented. Whether or not a lock device(s) (not shown) is provided, such as, for example, in proximity of top cover 12d, when top cover 12d is drawn open, access to chamber 18 of vessel 16 is provided, such that chamber 18 may be filled, emptied or cleaned as required.

[0045] It will be appreciated that the application of spray S of preferred apparatus 10 may be controlled in a timely manner, such as, for example, by control07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 14- 14 - device 26 including a timer delay so that after an initial spray S for a predetermined duration, control device 26 may may restrict the apparatus 10 from emitting a further spray S for a predetermined period of time, so as to, for example, ensure that preferred apparatus 10 only emits a predetermined amount of spray S for each required application, or to reduce the amount of liquid (not shown) being utilised by each user, etc.

[0046] Again, whilst not shown in the drawings, if desired depending on the intended use or application of preferred apparatus 10, the apparatus 10 may also include sound and / or light emitting devices (not shown), or vibration producing devices (again not shown), to provide users with sensory feedback whilst using apparatus 10. A person skilled in the art will readily understand the type of sound, light and / or vibration device(s) that may be utilised in accordance with the present invention, and how such devices may be activated by sensor device 28 / 30 and control device 26. As such, a detailed description of those preferred optional devices (not shown) need not be provided herein.

[0047] In Figure 8 there is shown an apparatus 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention, again suitable for enabling intermittent actuation for generation of a spray S of droplets or mist of a liquid (not shown). Further preferred apparatus 100 substantially corresponds to that of preferred apparatus 10 of Figures 1 to 6, and for this reason corresponding parts or features of further preferred apparatus 100 have the same reference numerals as those used in relation to preferred apparatus 10, plus 100, e.g. housing 12 of preferred apparatus 10 of Figures 1 to 6 is referred to as housing 1 12 of further preferred apparatus 100 in Figure 8, and so on.

[0048] Further preferred apparatus 100 of Figure 8, varies to that of preferred apparatus 10 of Figures 1 to 6, by way of the addition of at least one preferred display screen 136 incorporated in or on an exposed outer surface of housing 1 12 of apparatus 100, such as in or on the front wall 1 12e of body portion 1 14 of housing 1 12, of further preferred apparatus 100 as shown. Display screen(s) 136 may be of any suitable type, such as, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 15- 15 -(Light-Emitting Diode), OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or QLED (Quantum- Dot Light-Emitting Diode) display screen(s) 136. Display screen(s) 136 may be recessed into a surface of housing 1 12, e.g. the front wall 1 12e of body portion 1 14 of housing 1 12, as shown, or may be secured to, and protrude from, a surface of housing 1 12, or may be interconnected and disposed above or below housing 1 12, or apparatus 100, as desired. Display screen(s) 136 may have its / their own integral power supply source and / or control device(s), or may be powered and / or controlled via a power supply and / or control device (not shown) of apparatus 100. A skilled person will appreciate these and other preferred forms of display screen(s) 136, along with these and other arrangements for incorporating of same on or with apparatus 100, and ways in which the display screen(s) may be powered and / or controlled, as desired. Accordingly, the present invention as herein described should not be construed as limited to the specific examples as provided, but instead, should be construed broadly to encompass any suitable arrangements for the inclusion of preferred display screen(s) 136 with apparatus 100.

[0049] By incorporating a preferred display screen(s) 136 on further preferred apparatus 100, especially in a supermarket or convenience store environment, such as adjacent to a stall at which fruit and / or vegetable produce is presented for access by a customer, the display screen(s) 136 provides a new and convenient means by which media content, such as, for example, advertising or the likes can be presented or conveyed to a customer directly adjacent to a supermarket or convenience store stall. Meaning, by way of an example only, advertising specific to seasonal and / or on sale produce can be conveyed to a customer directly adjacent to the stall upon which that produce is presented for sale. Other examples of uses of preferred display screen(s) 136, of further preferred apparatus 100, include conveying general store advertising or marketing campaigns, conveying advertising for non-store owned (third-party) companies on a paid basis, and / or conveying music videos or the likes to add atmosphere to the store environment. A skilled person will appreciate these and many other possible uses of the preferred display screen(s) 136 of further preferred apparatus 100, and the types of media content that may be displayed thereon, and as such, the present invention shown not be construed as limited to the specific examples provided hereinbefore.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 16- 16 -

[0050] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0051] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced.

[0052] Where the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprised” or “comprising” are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components to be grouped therewith.

Claims

07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 17- 17 -CLAIMS:1 . An apparatus suitable for intermittent generation of a spray of droplets or mist of a liquid on demand, comprising: a housing, the housing including a body portion defining, or holding a vessel defining, a chamber for containing a quantity of a liquid from which a spray of droplets or mist is to be generated, and further including an access portion adjacent to the body portion; a spray generating device mounted in an opening in a partition wall of the housing that separates the body portion from the access portion, the spray generating device operable under the action of a control device of the apparatus for directing a spray of the liquid into a spray zone in the access portion of the housing; and, a sensor device mounted in relation to the access portion for detecting a presence of a user in a required relationship with respect to an opening of the access portion, the opening enabling required exposure of the user to the spray zone of the access portion; wherein the sensor device is operable in response to detecting the presence of a user to generate a signal received by the control device whereby the control device operates to actuate the spray generating device to generate a spray into the spray zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spray generating device can be actuated to generate the spray in a single short duration pulse, or in a series of pulses or for at least one longer predetermined duration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body portion is above the access portion whereby the spray generating device is operable to direct a spray down into the spray zone of the access portion of the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body portion is laterally adjacent to the access portion, such as to one side or behind the access portion,07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 18- 18 - and the spray generating device is operable to direct spray in any required direction within the spray zone of the access portion of the housing.

5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a liquid collecting zone below or within a lower part of the access portion in which any liquid retained in the access portion after completion of a required generation of spray can drain or be held until discharged.

6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is formed of a suitable material, such as metal and / or plastics materials, and fabricated from such material or moulded.

7. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device is operable to detect the presence of a user in a required relationship with respect to an opening to the spray zone of the access portion and, in response to such detection, the sensor device operates to pass an output signal to the control device which causes the control device to operate to actuate the spray generating device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor device is an IR sensor device having an emitter or sender and a receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the emitter or sender and the receiver of the IR sensor device are mounted in opposed, direct inline relationship in or associated with the access portion of the housing, in an arrangement such that, with a user in a required relationship with respect to the opening to the spray zone of the access portion, a beam is interrupted, and the IR sensor device then is actuated to generate the output signal indicating a required presence of a user required for operation of the spray generating device.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the emitter or sender and the receiver of the IR sensor device are mounted in adjacent relationship in or associated with the access portion of the housing to enable the receiver to detect a beam emitted by07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 19- 19 - the emitter or sender after the beam has been reflected back to the receiver, in an arrangement such that, with a user in a required relationship with respect to the opening to the spray zone of the access portion, the beam is interrupted, and the IR sensor device then is actuated to generate the output signal indicating a required presence of a user required for operation of the spray generating device.1 1 . The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray generating device mounted in the partition wall separating the body portion and the access portion, for directing a spray of the liquid into the spray zone in the access portion of the housing, is directly controllable by the control device.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray generating device uses a piezo transducer having a piezo element mounted in the opening in the partition wall of the housing that separates the body portion and the access portion of the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the piezo element is porous and absorbs liquid from the chamber from the body portion and such that, with an output from the control device operable to apply an electric potential to the piezo element, electric-field-induced bending displacement characteristics are generated in the piezo element to produce a rapidly fluctuating bending or stretching of the piezo element, causing liquid absorbed by the piezo element from the chamber to be discharged into the access portion of the housing as a spray of droplets or mist of the liquid.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the duration of discharge of the spray is determined by the duration of application of the electric potential to the piezo element, and variable as required, such as by adjustment of a microcontroller of the control device.

15. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device comprises a PCB with an integrated microcontroller, powered by an associated battery or external power supply.07 / 10 / 25, PAT10208PC00 - Complete Specification, 20- 20 -16. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further including at least one display screen incorporated thereon, or interconnected therewith, for providing a convenient location and means for displaying media content via the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one display screen is disposed in or on a front and / or a rear exposed surface of the body portion of the apparatus.

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