WO2008149064A1

WO2008149064A1 - Spraying device

Info

Publication number: WO2008149064A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001822
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Anderson; Martin Butler; Matthew Copeman; Paul Newton
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 2007-06-02
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: GB0710573D0; WO2008149065A1; GB0710577D0; WO2008149066A1; GB0710572D0

Abstract

A spraying device is described comprising control means and spray container receiving means; wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive at least two spray containers; and wherein the control means are adapted to control at least two spray containers engaged with the spray container receiving means in concert with one another.

Description

Spraying Device

This invention relates to spray dispensers, particularly, but not limited to, spray dispensers incorporating aerosol canisters and spray dispensers that operate in concert with one another.

It is well known to have stand-alone, battery powered spray devices for ejecting, sanitising, deodorising, fragrancing and/or pesticides sprays. In the case of fragrancing and deodorising compositions, there is a known effect of habituation, by which a user becomes used to a fragrance being emitted by spray device.

It is an object of the present invention to address the effect of habituation.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a spraying device having control means and spray container receiving means; wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive at least two spray containers; and wherein the control means are adapted to control at least two spray containers engaged with the spray container receiving means in concert with one another.

The term in concert is taken to mean that the control means are adapted to control at least two spray containers so that there is activation of a first, then a second, then the first again, as opposed to activate the first until it is empty and then the second.

The control means are preferably operable to control the at least two spray containers to eject material substantially simultaneously and/or alternately.

The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive spray containers in a front-to- back arrangement. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive spray containers in a side-by-side arrangement.

The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive spray containers containing a fragrance composition, a deodorising composition, a sanitising composition, a pesticidal composition or a pest-attracting composition.

The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a deodorising composition and a container of fragrancing composition. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a deodorising composition and a container of sanitising composition. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a pesticidal composition and a container of fragrancing composition. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a deodorising composition and a container of pesticidal composition. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a sanitising composition and a container of pesticidal composition. The spray container receiving means may be adapted to receive a container containing a pesticidal composition and a container of pest-attracting composition.

The container receiving means may have separate spray container securing means, which may be separate spray container hatches.

The spraying device may include spray container activation means, which may include a motor. Preferably, the at least two spray containers are actuable by a single motor.

The spraying device may incorporate end of life mechanism or indicator.

The spray containers may be aerosol containers. The control means are preferably operable to control at least two aerosol containers engaged with the spray container receiving means in concert with one another.

One of the spray containers may contain an alkaline malodour counteraction product adapted to counteract acidic or acid-based odours. One of the spray containers may contain an acidic malodour counteraction product adapted to counteract alkaline or alkaii-based odours.

One of the containers may contain a pest attraction product and the other container may contain a pest knock-down or kill product

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a spray device according to the first aspect incorporating or packaged with at least two spray containers.

The device of the first aspect of the present invention may be configured, in use, to spray the contents from at least two spray containers engaged therewith in accordance with the following method, wherein the method comprises: a) periodically releasing a spray from a first container until an amount of the container's content has been released; b) periodically releasing a spray from a second container until an amount of the container's content has been released; and c) repeating steps a) and b).

The use of this method may be particularly advantageous where the containers both contain fragrance for freshening/fragrancing the air surrounding the device. Indeed, the release of an amount of fragrance, as opposed to a releasing a fragrance for a specified amount of time may allow a better control of anti-habituation because more frequent alternation between a first and second fragrance will be necessary when a higher dose is being emitted compared to the situation when a lower dose is being emitted. Similarly, less frequent alternation between first and second fragrances will be necessary when a lower dose is being emitted compared to the situation when a higher dose is being emitted.

The periodic release of the second fragrance preferably occurs after release of the first fragrance.

The first and second amounts of the first and second fragrances may be substantially the same. Alternatively, there may be different amounts.

The periodic release of the first fragrance may occur at substantially the same frequency as the second fragrance. Alternatively, different frequencies for the periodic release of the first and second fragrances may be used.

The amount of the first or second fragrance released is preferably determined by recording the amount of time that a solenoid valve of is opened. Alternatively, the amount of the first or second fragrance released may be determined by recording the number of times a fragrance container is activated.

Preferably the control means are operable to repeat steps a) and b). The control means may be operable to repeat step a) one or more times before repeating step b). The control means may be operable to repeat step b) one or more times before repeating step a).

The control means may be operable to record the amount of time that a first or second solenoid valve of the spraying device is opened in order to determine the amount of the first or second fragrance that has been released.

The control means may be operable to record the number of times that the first or second spray container is activated in order to determine the amount of the first or second fragrance that has been released.

The control means may be operable to control and/or to vary the frequency of the periodic releasing of the first and second fragrances. The frequencies may be the same. The duration of step a) may differ from the duration of step b). All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a spraying device;

Figure 2a to 2d show schematic side, front, perspective and underside views respectively of a chassis of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of spraying device;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the device shown in Figure 3 with a front cover thereof removed; and

Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the front cover of the device shown in Figure 3.

The surprising realisation has been made that providing two aerosol canisters within one spraying device, preferably where the two aerosol canisters are controlled together, has surprising advantages in terms of overcoming habituation issues in relation to the use of fragrances and malodour elimination compositions. The two spray devices described below both use aerosol canisters to deliver a fragrance, malodour neutralising composition, sanitising spray and/or a pesticide composition.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a spraying device having the two aerosol canisters mentioned above. An outer shell is in two parts 10a and 10b which are arranged to snap fit and/or screw to one another. A chassis 12 is provided as a "backbone" for the following parts. At an upper part of the chassis 12 there are two solenoid controlled valves 14a and 14b to control the emission of material from respective aerosol canisters 16a and 16b. Each of the aerosol canisters 16a, 16b is received in a sleeve 18a, 18b. A crimp section 20a/b of the respective aerosol canister 16a, 16b is received in a snap fitting manner in a top part of its respective sleeve 18a, 18b. The sleeves 18a, 18b are received in an opening 22 (see Figure 2d) in a base part of the chassis 12. The sleeves 18a, 18b slide into the chassis 12. The sleeves 18a,b are separately disengagable from the chassis 12 in order to replace or exchange their respective canisters 16a, 16 separately. Each sleeve 18a,b is retained by a door 24a/b which is hinged at one side and has a catch 26a/26b to allow selective engagement or disengagement of the door and removal of a given sleeve 18a or 18b.

The chassis 12 also holds respective switches 28a and 28b, which switches are closed when a respective sleeve 18a or 18b is inserted into the opening 22 in the chassis 12. The switch allows the device to recognise that a sleeve has been inserted. The device is set up so that it will only work when an authentic sleeve or canister carrying an identifying tag (such as a magnet) is introduced. The device will typically only work when two canisters are in position, although the device can be arranged to function when only one canister is in position, as described in the following variant.

A problem with using two different spray heads (e.g. two solenoid valves or two metering valves) has been encountered. Two different spray containers have different doses of flow rates due to tolerances. In addition two different aerosol cans will have different fill weights depending on tolerances. Also timing circuits have tolerances. Therefore there will be a mismatch between the times at which the two cans run out e.g. can A might have 2300 sprays and can B might have 2800 sprays, hence the device would be spraying from an empty can A until B ran out. This would affect the performance of the device. A consumer would have to throw away can B with 500 sprays left inside If proper functioning of the device were required.

A solution to this problem that can be implemented in the two devices described above is as follows. A thermocouple can be used to monitor temperature of the spray head of the device. When it sprays the temperature drops due to evaporating propellant at the spray head. When the can is empty the temp stops dropping which is recorded by the device, and after several readings (several readings to ensure 100% empty) of no temperature drop the device switches to can B only (because can B is not empty in the example above) and carries on spraying at the chosen frequency (i.e. the device becomes a one aerosol can device)

One part of the outer shell 10b incorporates a recess 30, covered by a door 32 (the rear side of the recess 30 is shown in Figure 1). The recess receives batteries (not shown) and is accessed by the door 32 for replacement of the batteries should that become necessary.

A printed circuit board (PCB) 34 is housed within the outer shell part 10a. The PCB carries components for control of the spray device and is powered by the batteries referred to above. A control switch 36 is provided on the outer shell part 10a and has a sliding action to select one of three settings. A boost button 38 is also located on the front side of the outer shell 10a to allow a user to cause a boost function to be commenced, as described in more detail below. Respective LEDs (not shown) may be provided for each of the aerosol canisters 16a,b to provide an indication when the canister is empty, for example by lighting in a particular colour, or changing colour.

A switch to select which, if any, of the aerosol canisters 16a, 16b is provided. The switch can select activation of one canister (16a or 16b) or activation of both canisters 16a and 16b, giving three options.

The provision of two doors 24a and 24b has been found to be particularly advantageous. The reason for this is that when each aerosol canister 16a,b in its respective sleeve 18a, b is engaged in the opening 22 in the chassis 12 a valve stem 40a/b of the aerosol canister 16a/b must be properly depressed in order to open the valve usually found in an aerosol canister 16a/b. This is because the control of emission of material from the aerosol canisters 16a, b is provided solely by the solenoid control valves 14a,b. Thus, the spring force of the stems 40a, 40b must be overcome by a user pushing the aerosol canister in its sleeve 18a, 18b into the chassis 12. The force required to overcome the spring force for two aerosol canisters has been found to be relatively high and would require an amount of pressure from a user that would be undesirably high. Some users may not be able to provide sufficient pressure to engage two aerosol canisters at once. Consequently, separate doors 24a, b have been provided. Each door 24a,b has a respective spring 42a,42b which pushes against a base of the aerosol canister 16a,b when it is located in its sleeve 18a,b in the chassis 12. Furthermore, the strength of the force for the spring is such that 2.5mm of travel requires 12.4N of force. To provide 6 mm of travel 45.5N is required.

In the device described above, the ejection of material from the aerosol canister 16a,b is controlled, as mentioned above, by the solenoid controlled valves 14a,b. This allows the amount ejected each time the solenoid is activated to be controlled. It is simply a matter of opening the solenoid control valve 14a/b for a longer period of time to cause more material to be ejected. Thus, it is possible to control the period of time for which the solenoid controlled valves on each of the aerosol canisters 16a, b opens and also to control a period of time between timed activations of the solenoid control valves 14a,b. The frequency of time activations is controlled by the sliding switch 36 to select one of three settings, which could be at 9, 18 and 36 minutes, as selected by the user.

The relative positions of the two aerosol canisters could be changed from the front-to-back arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 2d to a side-by-side arrangement. A side-by side arrangement may give better dispersal when, for example, the device is close to a wall. The arrangement may reduce the likelihood of the aerosol spray impinging on the wall. Figures 3 to 5 show another embodiment of spraying device. The main difference between the device of Figures 3 to 5 and that of Figures 1 to 2d is that actuation of the aerosol canisters is carried out by mechanical means using a lever arm that is caused to depress a spray head and so a stem of the aerosol canister. Also, the above embodiment has a continuous action aerosol valve, whereas the embodiment below uses as metered aerosol. More detail is provided below.

The parts in common between the two devices have been the same reference numerals. Thus, an outer shell is provided in two parts 10a and 10b. The part 10a is a front cover. Aerosol canisters 16a and 16b are held in position in bays 11a, 11 b in the rear outer shell part 10b. A brace 13 is provided to receive lower sections of the aerosol canister 16a and 16b in the rear outer shell portion 10b. A boost button 38 is provided on the front outer shell portion 10a and projects through an opening 39. The boost button is secured in position by a bar 41.

As shown in Figure 4 each aerosol canister has a spray head 17a, b. Each spray head 17a,b is actuated by a lever arm 19a, 19b. The lever arms 19a and 19b are held in position by respective pivots 21a, 21b. Each arm 19a, b has a toothed head section 23a,b which engage left and right sides of a toothed wheel 25 respectively. The toothed wheel 25 forms part of a bigger gear wheel 27 an outer periphery of which engages a toothed wheel 29 similar to the toothed wheel 25. The toothed wheel 29 is driven by a motor 31 (see Figure 3). A mounting plate 33 is provided on which the wheels 27, 29 and lever arms 19a,b are mounted.

The spray heads 17a and 17b project partly through openings 35a and 35b in the front outer part 10a (see Figure 5). The spray heads 17a and 17b are held on the stems 40 of their respective spray canisters 16a, 16. This allows some pivoting of the spray heads as they project through the openings 35a, 35b. Thus, a spray cone of the combined canisters can be increased by, in the example shown in Figure 5 pivoting the spray head 17b to the right and the spray head 17a to the left for a much greater dispersion angle for material from the aerosol canister 16a,b. Typically, each spray canister would have a spray cone which is between 10° and 30° wide. By ensuring the spray cones do not overlap, a spray cone of 20° to 60° could be achieved using the two spray canisters activated together. This is a significant advantage and allows for much quicker emanation of material through a room, particularly given that the material is dispensed from an aerosol canister, which does not require any heating to emit the material from the spray canister.

In the version shown in Figure 4, rotation of the wheel 27 by the motor in an anti-clockwise direction will cause the lever arm 19b to press on the spray head 17b to cause activation of the aerosol canister 16b. Rotation in the clockwise direction will cause the lever arm 19a to depress the spray head 17a and thus activate the aerosol canister 16a. Thus, only one motor is used to activate both aerosol canisters 16a, 16b. This is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs, because only one motor is required and also only one set of drive gears other than the lever arms 19a,b. Furthermore, it has been found that the longevity of a motor driven in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions is considerably improved over a motor driven in one direction only.

An alternative arrangement for this device would be to actuate the aerosol containers from the base by having a cam and arm pushing the bases of the canisters, thereby causing the canisters to be pushed upwards against a spray head braced in the outer shell for example.

Other features that can be provided for either of the embodiments discussed above are set out as follows.

One aerosol canister may be provided to give a night time spray, which may have a particular fragrance or particular pesticide relevant for night time use. The other could be for a daytime use, which could have a particular fragrance suited to use in daytime or a particular pesticide, sanitising or deodorising formulation suited to daytime use.

As mentioned above, the provision of two aerosol canisters 16a, b allows for three potential fragrances: a fragrance from aerosol canister 16a; a fragrance from aerosol canister 16b, or a combination of fragrances from aerosol canisters 16a and 16.

Where it is desired to alternate fragrances from the canisters 16a and 16b, there is an advantage in providing these in aerosol canisters as is the case with both embodiments discussed above. The reason for this is that there is no time lag between activation of the aerosol canister and the material being emanated in the surrounding atmosphere. Where a fragrance is emanated by means of a heated wick to cause evaporation and emanation of a material a significant time lag is experienced in dispersing fragrances, caused by the time taken to heat up the wick and so disperse the material. Thus the switching between fragrances in such a heated version of fragrance dispenser takes considerably greater time, which could be disadvantageous.

An alternative use for the aerosol fragrances is that one canister 16a could be of a normal fragrance, the other could be a odour neutraliser, which could be fragrance free.

Either of the canisters could be triggered automatically by a timer, set to a given time of the day when odours may need neutralising. Alternatively, the fragrance may be controlled by a motion sensor (not shown), an odour sensor (not shown), a sound sensor (not shown), a line of sight sensor for example all of which could be incorporated into the device as described above. One of the aerosol canisters 16a could be on a normal timed interval spray set at one of the times mentioned above, for example, 9, 18 or 36 minutes (although different timings could be used). The second canister 16b could be used for a boost activated by one of the sensors mentioned above, or by the boost button provided on the device as discussed above.

An additional possibility for use of a motion sensor when installed in the device could be to have a burglar alarm setting, wherein an audible alarm is activated when the motion sensor is activated at night to warn of an intruder.

An alternative embodiment to those described above could be to combine features of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 2d with those of one shown in Figures 3 to 5. In this example, one type of arrangement for the first embodiment could be combined with a type of arrangement for Figures 3 to 5 with a mechanically activated arm.

An advantage of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5 is that the physical size of the device is advantageously large in that it provides a device that is obviously seen and so confirms to the user that fragrancing and malodour treatment is being carried out. In addition, when the device activates, noise is made when the gearing is rotated and the lever arm activated, as well as the spray being issued from the aerosol canisters 16a,b. This audible confirmation that fragrance is being ejected also confirms to a user that malodours are being reduced or fragrances are being ejected. The psychological impact of this is further strengthened by a visual indication using an LED that is caused to flash when the device activates.

It would be possible to amend the embodiments described above to provide a greater number of aerosol canisters 16a, b. This would allowfor even more effective anti-habituation, because there are many fragrances possible when a greater number of aerosol canisters is used. Furthermore, a higher degree of user control would be provided, because a user would be able to tailor the fragrance to a particular mood for example.

Further functionality could be provided by mixing several aerosol fragrances when the device is triggered by one of the sensors mentioned above. Thus, when the sensor is a sound sensor the mixture could respond to upbeat music with an energising blend of fragrances; slow music could cause provision of a calming/relaxing blend. The sensation provided by a blend is also effected by the strength of the fragrance. Thus, the energising blend could instead be provided by a greater amount of fragrance emitted by the device. This would be particularly suitable for the device of Figures 1 to 2d and could be provided by opening the solenoid valve for a longer period of time to provide more fragrance. An alternative example would be where the sensor referred to above is a temperature sensor to release a warming blend of fragrance when it is cold or a cooling blend when it is warm. For example, a trigeminal stimulant such as menthol could be used.

A further example would be when the sensor is an optical recognition system which can recognise facial features using specific software. The optical recognition would use a camera which would be able to recognise the mood of the user using the facial recognition software. A suitable blend of fragrances could then be sprayed to suit a user's mood.

It has been mentioned above that the spray heads 17a and 17b of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5 could be rotated apart to provide a greater spray cone. This feature could be enhanced by the provision of flexible nozzles, using a system similar to that of a flexible drinking straw. This would allow a user to aim a spray at a specific area, e.g. a toilet in the bathroom. One of the nozzles could be positioned on the top of the device to spray a plume of fragrance upwards for maximum diffusion.

In addition to the boost button mentioned above, a boost button could be provided for each of the aerosol cans 16a, 16b so that each of the individual fragrances can be boosted.

A further embodiment has aerosol canisters that are stored in separate devices that communicate wirelessly using an RFID for example. This would create a stereoscopic fragrance experience. Similarly, multiple aerosol devices, which could be the devices having dual aerosol canisters described above, could act as one unit when linked via electrical or magnetic connection, whereas they could act independently when separated.

A further enhancement would be to provide any of the devices described above with a sliding switch that allows the user to change an alternating cycle between the two aerosol canisters 16a, 16b so that for example 80% of the time the canister 16a is used whereas for the remaining 20% the other canister is used. The split of time between the canisters could be 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 or 20/80, or another combination.

It is sometimes necessary to replace aerosol canisters every two to eight weeks. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is able to load two or more refills allowing for maintenance-free freshening or fragrancing for several months. The device could alternate between refills or spray one refill completely before starting the other aerosol canister. A sensor could be provided to indicate when a refill is empty to allow the other to be used.

The time settings referred to above could be used in relation to a particular size of room. Thus, the more frequent spraying could be used in a larger sized room to allow for the greater volume that needs to be fragranced, sanitised or deodorised. This could be indicated on the device to show a room size indicator, rather than a timing indicator.

Given the number of settings available referred to above, a memory could be provided with the devices to allowfor a particular pattern of spraying to be defined and recorded in the devices by each user. The user can be identified by the device via a setting switch, fingerprint recognition, a swipe card or a radio tag. Also, the devices could be provided with a GPRS or GSM or other cellular telecommunications unit to allow activation by remote control from a cell phone.

A significant benefit of the use of dual aerosol canisters 16a and 16b is that one canister could contain an insect attraction ingredient and the second could contain an insect kill or knock down ingredient. Thus, the combined effect of the two canisters is particularly beneficial.

Suitably, the device may have an outer cover that is made to blend the device with its surroundings by looking for example like a motorcycle helmet, face or a bookend. Similarly, the device may have a v-shaped rear section to allow it to fit into a corner. An alternative would be to have an area on the front of the device in which a picture can be inserted to affect the look of the device.

The device may be provided with its own stand to hold it above the floor for better dispersal of material.

Other anti-habituation methods have specific times, for example 20 minutes, after which a fragrance is changed to attempt to combat habituation. The devices described above are designed to alternate after a specific amount of fragrance or a number of sprays have been released, not after a set time. For example, on a maximum setting three sprays occur in 27 minutes, but on a minimum setting three sprays occur in 114 minutes. Thus, given that a specific amount of fragrance is the trigger for the anti-habituation alternation, this allows for more effective anti-habituation when the different settings for the device are used. The amount of fragrance or other material released is determined in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 2d by recording the amount of time that the solenoid valve has been opened. In the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the amount of fragrance or other material is determined by recording a count of the number of times the spray head has been activated.

Settings can be provided for the devices to allowfor the cans to alternate every spray, or every two sprays, or every three sprays for example. Another feature is that the device has a double dose button for extra strength, either by emitting material from both aerosol canisters or for a double dose of one, this is particularly suitable for the device of Figures 1 to 2d.

An advantage of the device as described above is that a single aerosol device requires two batteries to spray one aerosol canister giving a ratio of batteries to canisters of 0.5. The current two aerosol devices require two batteries to spray two aerosols, thus there is a ratio of 1 of batteries to aerosol canisters. This is advantageous as it is more efficient, more environmentally friendly and has a lower carbon footprint.

A further feature is that one aerosol canister could have a 100μl dose and be controlled to spray every hour. The second aerosol canister 16b could have a 25μl metering dose and be able to spray every 15 minutes, hence overcoming habituation i.e. a small frequent dose for more continuous fragrance and a large less frequent dose for an anti-habituation plume.

Changeable covers could be provided having different colours or the like.

In the system with two aerosol canisters one could have an alkaline malodour counteraction product to counteract acidic malodours (such as isovaleric acid - a smell of sweaty feet), whereas the second aerosol 16b could have acidic malodour counteraction product to counteract alkaline malodours (such as triethylamine - a fishy smell).

The devices may have an LED to let the user know which of the aerosols is active.

As can be appreciated from the above, many features are possible which increase the functionality of these devices and so give advantages to a user.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A spraying device comprising control means and spray container receiving means; wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive at least two spray containers; and wherein the control means are adapted to control at least two spray containers engaged with the spray container receiving means in concert with one another.

2. A spraying device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive at least two aerosol spray containers.

3. A spraying device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive spray containers in a side-by-side arrangement.

4. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means are operable to control the at least two spray containers to eject material substantially simultaneously and/or alternately.

5. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spray container receiving means are adapted to receive spray containers containing a fragrance composition, a deodorising composition, a sanitising composition, a pesticidal composition or a pest- attracting composition.

6. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container receiving means have separate spray container securing means.

7. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spraying device includes spray container activation means.

8. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least two spray containers are actuable by a single motor.

9. A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device incorporates end of life detection means for spray containers held in the container receiving means.

10. A spraying device of any of the preceding claims incorporating or packaged with at least two spray containers.

11. A spraying device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spray containers are aerosol containers. W 2

15

12. A spraying device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein one of the spray containers contains an alkaline malodour counteraction product adapted to counteract acidic or acid-based odours.

13. A spraying device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein one of the spray containers may contain an acidic malodour counteraction product adapted to counteract alkaline or alkali-based odours.

14. A spraying device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 2d or Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.