U.S. patent number 3,779,425 [Application Number 05/186,242] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-18 for periodical dispenser for aerosol containers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mista-Matic Corporation. Invention is credited to Herbert S. Werner.
United States Patent |
3,779,425 |
Werner |
December 18, 1973 |
PERIODICAL DISPENSER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS
Abstract
In an actuator for periodically dispensing metered quantities of
the contents of an aerosol container, a housing is provided having
means for maintaining the valve stem of the aerosol container in an
open position. A metering chamber, formed in the housing, is
provided with first valve means that communicate with the interior
of the aerosol container and the metering chamber. The housing is
also provided with second valve means that communicate between the
metering chamber and the atmosphere by means of a passageway. Means
responsive to drive means having low power requirements are used to
concurrently reverse the position of the first and the second valve
means on a periodical basis, so that a metered quantity of the
contents of the aerosol container is discharged into the atmosphere
from the metering chamber when the second valve is open. The
metering chamber is filled when the position of the valve means is
reversed. Adjustable means are used to axially displace pins in the
first and second valve means. In addition, an improved gasket is
provided transversely of the valve pins for sealing the valve pins
from the metering chamber and from the passageway. The
aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor
is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in
any way.
Inventors: |
Werner; Herbert S. (Melville,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Mista-Matic Corporation
(Lynbrook, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
26881896 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/186,242 |
Filed: |
October 4, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
851389 |
Aug 19, 1969 |
3610471 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/649; 222/447;
968/809 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04F
3/00 (20130101); B65D 83/262 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/16 (20060101); G04F 3/00 (20060101); G01f
011/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/3,402.20,444,445,450,446 ;128/208 ;325/310 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 851,389,
field on Aug. 19, 1969, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,471.
Claims
What I claim as new and desire to secure by letters patent is:
1. An actuator adapted to be attached to the nozzle or an aerosol
container of the type having a normally closed valve for dispensing
metered quantities of the pressurized content therein, said
actuator comprising:
a. a housing;
b. socket means on said housing for holding open the normally
closed valve on the aerosol container;
c. a cover sealingly secured to said housing;
d. an inlet opening in said housing and in said cover, said inlet
opening being in fluid communication with said socket means and the
interior of the aerosol container;
e. first valve means in said inlet opening in said housing;
f. a metering chamber in said housing;
g. a first passageway in said housing that downstream of said first
valve means for fluidly connecting said inlet opening and said
metering chamber;
h. an outlet opening in said housing and said cover;
i. second valve means in said outlet opening in said housing;
j. a second passageway in said housing for fluidly connecting said
metering chamber and said outlet opening;
k. a third passageway in said housing for fluidly connecting said
outlet opening to the atmosphere, downstream of said second valve
means;
l. drive means;
m. rocker means responsive to said drive means for periodic
reversing the position of said first and said second valve means
whereby, when said second valve means is in the opened position and
said first valve means is in the closed position, the material in
said metering chamber is discharged into the atmosphere, said
metering chamber being filled when said second valve means is in
the closed position and said first valve means is in the opened
position, said rocker means further comprising a cam secured to and
rotatable by said drive means, cam follow means responsive to the
rotation of said cam and a lever actuated by said cam following
means, said lever being secured to said rocker means for imparting
a reciprocating, arcuate movement thereto, said rocker means being
arranged to exert an axially directed force on each of said first
and second valve means; and
n. basket means for sealing said inlet and said outlet openings
while permitting leakage through said first and said third
passageways.
2. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 further including first
and second pins loosely extending through said cover coaxially with
said first and said second valve means, respectively, said first
and said second pins being arranged to be sequentially depressed by
said rocker means for reversing the positions of said first and
said second valve means.
3. The actuator in accordance with claim 2 further including
adjusting means in said rocker means for changing the length of
axial displacement of said first and said second pins and said
first and said second valve means.
4. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gasket
means comprises an O-ring and a resilient diaphragm secured
thereacross.
5. The actuator in accordance with claim 4 wherein said 0-ring and
said resilient diaphragm are co-molded as a unitary member.
6. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means
is a motor and a low voltage battery for energizing said motor.
7. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further
included a torsion spring for exerting an angular force on said
rocker means, said force being opposite in direction to the
movement imparted to said rocker means by said lever.
8. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means
comprises serially connected antenna means, radio signal receiving
means and switch means, said rocker means comprising at least one
solenoid serially connected to said switch means and a pivotal
member, said solenoid being coupled to said first and said second
valve means by said pivotal member for reversing the position
thereof in response to a signal at a frequency to which said signal
receiving means is tuned.
9. The actuator in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are a
plurality of said solenoids and a plurality of said actuators
responsive thereto.
10. In combination with the actuator of claim 1:
a. a radio receiver;
b. a clock mechanism for energizing said radio receiver only at
predetermined times;
c. switch means under control of said radio receiver means for
closing an external circuit controlling said drive means, for
actuating said drive means upon receipt of a specific signal by
said radio receiver.
11. The actuator in accordance with claim 10 wherein there is a
plurality of said actuators and a transmitting means for providing
said specific signal.
12. The actuator in accordance with claim 10 wherein said clock
mechanism is electrically energized.
13. The actuator in accordance with claim 12 wherein there is only
a single energy source for energizing said receiver and said clock
mechanism.
14. In combination with the actuator of claim 1 wherein said drive
means is electrically actuated, a radio receiver, clock means for
energizing said radio receiver at predetermined times and switch
means controlled by said radio receiver for closing a circuit
arranged to actuate said drive means upon receipt of a specific
control signal by said radio receiver.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates generally to automatically timed valve
actuating means and more particularly to such structure for use in
periodically dispensing metered quantities of the contents of an
aerosol container.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to have some
means for automatically discharging the pressurized contents of an
aerosol container. In addition to the absence of any manual
manipulation is the requirement for dispensing metered quantities
of the aerosol contents at periodic intervals over long periods of
time. Low power input, reliability and simplicity of construction
are all important design considerations. Structure meeting in the
foregoing requirements would find utility, for example, in
unattended and automatic discharge of room deodorants, insecticides
and the like.
Prior art structure in this field is characterized by costly and
complex structure that limits usage and reduces reliability. The
prior art generally required extensive gear trains and linkages in
order to accurately meter the discharge from an aerosol container.
The structure of the prior art, in turn, resulted in relatively
high power requirements. In addition, much of the prior art,
because of its large size and complex construction is not well
adapted to remote and inaccessible locations.
One example of the prior art in this particular field is the U.S.
Pat. No. 3,187,748, issued to R.I. Mitchell et al. on June 8, 1965.
The Mitchell et al. Patent, however, differs from the present
invention in that there are no drive means disclosed for
periodically reversing the position of the valve means such as in
the present invention. Nor does Mitchell et al depress an aerosol
cam valve stem in the manner that will be disclosed more fully
hereinafter. U.S. Pat. No. 3,321,107 issued to C.P. Govin, et al.,
on May 23, 1967, is still another example of the prior art.
However, Govin et al does not teach the use of two separate
chambers and a passageway for connecting the chambers in the manner
that will be described more fully hereinafter. Examples of
considerably more complicated devices in this general art are U.S.
Pat. No. 854,097 issued on May 21, 1907 to J.J. MacKeown and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,055,552, granted on Sept. 25, 1962, to R.A. Emmons. The
present invention, as will become evident hereinafter, also
distinguishes over these last two patents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By way of contrast, the present invention is compact, simple in
construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Of
paramount importance is the fact that very little power is required
to operate the present invention for long periods of time. The
present invention is, therefore, reliable and can effectively
discharge precisely metered quantities of the contents of an
aerosol container.
In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a metering
chamber within a housing that can be coupled to and which includes
means for holding a conventional, integral valve of an aerosol
container in the open position. First valve means in the housing
provides fluid communication between the aerosol container that is
maintained in an open condition and a metering chamber. Second
valve means in the housing provides fluid communication between the
metering chamber and the atmosphere. A passageway fluidly connects
the metering chamber and the second valve means. Adjustable means
that are mounted on a single, pivotal member are used for actuating
the first and second valve means. Improved gasket means are also
provided for sealing the valve means.
A minimum of power is required to operate the present invention.
Drive means such as a simple, transistorized clock motor, which may
be energized for much as a year by 1.5 volt battery, moves the
pivotal member. The only load on the clock motor and the battery is
that required to open the valve of the aerosol container and close
the second valve means that provides fluid communication between
the metering chamber and the atmosphere. A simple torsion spring
restrains the pivotal member and maintains the first valve means,
which leads to the aerosol can, in a closed position. The clock
motor need be strong enough to only periodically overcome the force
imparted by the compression spring. Intermittent means couple the
clock motor and the valve reversing means so that the metering
chamber automatically charges on a periodic basis and then freely
discharged.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide
improved means for discharging a metered quantity of the contents
of an aerosol container.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved
actuator, as described above, having relatively low power
requirements.
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved
actuator, as described above, that is of simple and low cost
construction.
An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved,
remotely located actuator, as described above, that is reliable
over relatively long periods of time.
A particular object of this invention is to provide an improved
actuator, as described above, that is driven by a clock motor and a
low-voltage battery.
A specific object of this invention is to provide an improved
actuator, as described above, that provides means for holding the
aerosol container valve in a normally opened position to feed a
metering chamber and valve means for closing a passageway between
the metering chamber and the aerosol container and for opening a
passageway between the metering chamber and the atmosphere.
Another specific object of this invention is to provide adjustable
means for depressing the pins of the valve means.
An additional object of this invention is to provide improved
gasket means for sealing the valve means.
A feature of this invention is an improved gasket made of a
resilient, fluid impervious material that lies in a plane
transverse to the axis of the valve means whereby when the valve
means pins are axially displaced, the gasket stretches but does not
lose any of its sealing characteristics.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention
will, in part, be pointed out with particularity, and will, in
part, become obvious from the following more detailed description
of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing, which forms an integral part thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters
designate like parts.
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partially in section and
partially schematic illustrating the structure of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, sectional view, elevational, taken
through a typical valve means assembly;
FIG. 3 is a plan view, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1,
illustrating the housing member comprising the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 4--4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken along line
5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 1,
illustrating the cover member comprising the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional, elevational, view taken along line 7--7 of
FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative drive
means for the actuator comprising this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an actuator 10 comprising
this invention. The actuator 10 includes drive means, for example,
a conventional transistorized clock motor 12 that is energized by a
1.5 volt battery 14. The clock motor 12 includes an output shaft
16.
The clock motor 12 may be supported in any suitable manner, for
example, by means of a U-shaped bracket 18. The drive shaft 16 of
the clock motor 12 extends through one of the two spaced legs of
the bracket 18 and supports a cam 20 on the free end thereof. A
double leaf cam follower 22 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 18
by means of a pin 23 with one of the legs 22a of the cam follower
22 bearing against the peripheral surface of the cam 20. The
function of the other leg 22b will be described subsequently.
A rocker arm 24, whose means for support will be described more
fully hereinafter, is also provided. The rocker arm 24 includes a
pair of angularly oriented lower faces 26 and 28 that extend from
the periphery thereof to a common juncture. A transverse
overhanging lip 30 is also formed integrally with the rocker arm
24. There is also provided a pair of adjusting screws 32 and 34
that extend through the rocker arm 24 so as to terminate just below
the angular faces 26 and 28, respectively. A lever 36 extends
outwardly from the rocker arm 24 and is engaged by the leg 22b of
the cam follower 22. Finally, there is provided a torsion spring
38, one leg of which bears against the overhanging lip 30. The
structure against which the other leg of the torsion spring 38
bears will be described subsequently.
The body portion of the actuator 10 is comprised of a housing 40
having a coupling member 42 extending downwardly therefrom and a
cover 44 that is secured to the housing 40 by means of screws 46.
The screws may be of the self-tapping type passing through bores 47
and tapping into bores 49. The body portion 40 is secured to one of
the spaced apart legs (not shown) and the bracket 18 by means of
screws 48 with the coupling member 42 being positioned in alignment
with an opening 50 in the connecting leg of the U-shaped bracket
18.
Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown typical valve means 52
comprising the present invention. The valve means 52, which may be
a conventional tire valve but preferably made out of stainless
steel, includes a threaded portion 54 that may be suitably secured
in an opening in the body portion 40. There is also provided a
valve stem 56 that is axially movable between the valve opened and
the valve closed positions. It will be noted in FIG. 2, that the
valve stem 56 extends slightly above the common plane of the body
portion 40 and the cover member 44. Sealing means comprising a
ring-like portion 58 and a neophrene diaphragm 60 secured to the
ring 58, is positioned over and about the valve stem 56. Although
the sealing means 58, 60, are illustrated as being comolded, it is
within the scope of the present invention that they may also be
formed as separate members that are suitably secured to each other.
A pin 62 extends loosely through an opening in the cover member 40
such that the inner end of the pin 62 is in opposition to the valve
stem 56 and bears against the opposite surface of the diaphragm 60
while the other end of the pin 62 is in abutment with the lower end
of the adjustment screw 32. It should be noted that the two valve
means 52 used herein as well as the sealing means 58 and 60
therefor and the pin means 62 for moving the stem 56 of the valve
means 52 between the opened and closed positions are identical.
The construction of the body portion 40 and the cover member 44
will now be described in connection with FIGS. 3-7. Turning first
to the body portion 40, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be
seen that there is provided an inlet opening 64 that is in fluid
communication with the coupling means 42 shown in FIG. 1. One of
the valve means 52 is threaded into the inlet 64 as shown in FIG.
2. A passageway 66 extends from the inlet 64 opening and terminates
in a metering chamber 68. There is also provided an outlet opening
70 in the body portion 40 and the other valve means 52 is secured
therein in the same manner. A second passageway 72 (FIG. 5)
provides communication between the metering chamber 68 and the
second or outlet opening 70. Still a third passageway 73, whose
function will be described hereinafter, is in fluid communication
with the outlet opening 70 and the atmosphere. A peripheral lip 74
is also formed on the surface of the body portion 40 that is
adjacent the cover member 44.
The construction of the cover member 44 may best be seen in FIG. 6
and in FIG. 7. A boss 76 having an opening 78 therethrough is
formed integrally with the cover member 44 and is used for
supporting the rocker arm 24. As shown in FIG. 1, a shaft 80
extends through the opening 78 and thereby supports the rocker arm
24 with the torsion spring 38 being wound around the shaft 80. The
second leg of the torsion spring 38 bears against the top surface
of the cover member 44. A pair of counter-bored holes 82 and 84 are
formed through the cover member 44 for receiving the sealing means
defined by the 0-ring 58 and the diaphragm 60 as well as the pin
62, as shown in FIG. 2. The counter-bored holes 82 and 84 are in
alignment with the openings 64 and 70, respectively.
An opening 86 is also formed through the cover member 44 with the
opening 86 being in alignment with the passageway 72. As shown in
FIG. 1, an outlet tube 88 is inserted in the opening 86. Finally, a
recessed peripheral lip 90 is formed on the inner surface of the
cover member 44 so as to sealingly mate with the lip 74 formed in
the body portion 40. Adhesives may be also used as required to
provide adequate sealing between the body portion 40 and the cover
member 44.
FIG. 8 schematically illustrates alternative means for driving the
actuator 10 and is particularly useful for a plurality of remote
installations wherein substantially simultaneous discharge from all
of the plurality of aerosol containers is desired. A transistorized
clock 90 is energized from a battery 92. The clock 90 is arranged
to close the contacts of a switch 94 for, say, a 30 -minute period.
This time period eliminates the need for accurate clocks where a
number of devices are employed for the simultaneous actuation of a
plurality of aerosol containers. The switch 94 may comprise a solid
state device such as a transistor. Closing of the contacts 94
energizes each one of a plurality of radio receivers 96. Upon
receipt of a suitable pulse or control signal of predetermined
frequency from a transmitter 98, a second switch 100 is closed
through each of the radio receivers 96 thus energizing each one of
a plurality of solenoids 102 from the battery 92. The armature of
the solenoid 92 is coupled to a pivotal member 104 that is
equivalent to the rocker arm 24 shown in the first embodiment. The
pivoted member 104 operates on the pins 62 to substantially
simultaneously close the first valve 52 in the inlet opening 64 and
opens the second valve 52 in the outlet opening 70, in order to
produce the mode of operation hereinbefore described. The solenoid
102 may be de-energized upon termination of the control signal from
the transmitter 98 or by conventional, mechanical means. A suitable
time delay can be introduced, if desired.
It will be appreciated that normally only the clock 90 draws power
from the battery 92 and that the radio receiver 96 draws power for
only a brief period of time. The solenoid 102 and the radio
receiver 96 may be of a low power type used in conjunction with
radio controlled model airplanes.
For use with corrosive materials, such as certaininsecticides, the
valve means 52 as well as the pins 62 should be formed of stainless
steel. As mentioned hereinabove, the gasket means 58, 60, which are
illustrated as being of unitary, co-molded construction, may be
made of a neoprene O-ring to which is adhesively secured a neoprene
diaphragm. When the gasket means 58 and 60 are placed in sealing
relationship with the valve means 52, the contents of the aerosol
can may leak along the passageway 66 in order to fill the metering
chamber 68. Similarly, the contents of the aerosol can may also
leak along the passageway 72 from the outlet opening 70 to the
orifice means 88. Thus, the valve means 52 are effectively sealed
but still permit a metered quantity of fluid, as determined by the
size of the metering chamber 68, to be discharged in periodic
intervals. The cam means 20, together with the cam follower means
22 and the lever 36 that is coupled to the rocker arm 24, provide
very simple yet effective means for determining the time periods
during which the aerosol can will be discharged. Regardless of the
drive means used it will be evident that a minimum quantity of
power will provide for effective operation over long periods of
time. Aerosol containers may be operated individually by mechanical
means or a group of aerosol containers may be simultaneously
discharged at a plurality of remote locations by means such as a
radio signal in combination with a clock, a switch, and a rocker
arm at each remote location. Complex gear trains, linkages or the
like are not required so that the power input can be kept low to
insure lengthy, unattended and reliable usage. The provision of
reversible valve means, together with means for maintaining the
opening of the normally closed valve in the aerosol container
assures that only the material in the metering chamber will be
dispensed each time the device is actuated.
There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the
invention contemplated presently. However, it is to be understood
that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *