U.S. patent number 3,584,766 [Application Number 04/880,494] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-15 for spray dispenser having a capacitor discharge timer.
Invention is credited to Carlos A. Duque, Charles M. Hart.
United States Patent |
3,584,766 |
Hart , et al. |
June 15, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SPRAY DISPENSER HAVING A CAPACITOR DISCHARGE TIMER
Abstract
A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol spray container, the
spray dispenser including a drive motor triggered by a time delay
circuit to rotate a first cam from an armed position to a release
position to release an actuator for opening the container valve,
and also to rotate a second cam to subsequently operate a switch
for connecting the drive motor to an energy source to drive the
first cam to its armed position, at which point the switch is
operated to disconnect the drive motor from the energy source.
Inventors: |
Hart; Charles M. (Norco,
CA), Duque; Carlos A. (Woodland Hills, CA) |
Family
ID: |
25376398 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/880,494 |
Filed: |
December 10, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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720089 |
Apr 10, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/648; 361/196;
222/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/262 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/16 (20060101); B67d 005/06 (); H01h
047/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/76,70,504
;317/142 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Lane; H. S.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of our application Ser. No.
720,089, filed Apr. 10, 1968, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol container having a
metering valve mechanism which includes a spray valve movable to an
operative position to release a spray burst of pressurized material
from the container, said spray dispenser comprising:
a frame for supporting an aerosol container; a drive means, a
source of electrical energy, and first switch means adapted upon
closure to allow current flow from said source to said drive means
for energizing said drive means;
valve actuator means coupled to said drive means and to said first
switch means and having an armed condition, a release condition and
a switch closure condition, said actuator means in said armed
condition being operative to maintain said first switch means open
and said spray valve inoperative;
said actuator means in said release condition being operative to
operate said spray valve;
said actuator means in said switch closure condition being
operative to close said first switch means whereby said drive means
is energized to move said actuator means from said switch closure
condition to said armed condition and thereby open said first
switch means to deenergize said drive means; and
a time delay circuit including a capacitor and second switch means
in parallel with said first switch means and operative upon
charging of said capacitor to a predetermined first potential to
block current flow through said second switch means, and operative
upon discharging of said capacitor to a predetermined second level
to allow current flow through said second switch means to energize
said drive means for movement of said valve actuator means from
said armed condition to said release and switch closure conditions,
said capacitor being charged to said first potential during
movement of said valve actuator means from said release condition
to said armed condition.
2. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein, upon
energization of said drive means through said second switch means,
said valve actuator means moves into said release condition prior
to movement into said switch closure condition.
3. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said actuator
means includes a cam assembly and said first switch means includes
an arm engageable upon a cam surface of said cam assembly for said
closure of said first switch means.
4. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said actuator
means includes a first cam and an actuator arm cooperative with
said first outlined for said operation of said spray valve;
wherein said actuator means further includes a second cam, and said
first switch means includes a switch arm cooperative with said
second cam for closing said first switch means.
5. A spray dispenser according to claim 4 and including bias means
engaged upon and biasing said actuator arm and said switch arm
toward said first cam and second cam, respectively.
6. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said drive means
is a direct current motor and said source of electrical energy is a
battery source.
7. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said time delay
circuit includes resistance means defining with said capacitor a
resistance-capacitance circuit, and wherein the values of said
capacitor and said resistance means are primarily determinative of
the time interval between releases of spray bursts from the aerosol
container.
8. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said second
switch means includes a transistor connected to said capacitor and
operative as a blocking oscillator.
9. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said second
switch means includes a resistor and a pair of complementary NPN
and PNP transistors, the base of the NPN transistor being connected
through said resistor to said capacitor, and the collector of said
NPN transistor being direct-coupled to the base of the PNP
transistor.
10. A spray dispenser according to claim 9 and including a timing
resistor in circuit with said capacitor to aid in controlling the
rate of discharge of said capacitor.
11. A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol container having a
valve mechanism which includes a spray valve movable to an
operative position to release a spray burst of pressurized material
from the container, said spray dispenser comprising:
a frame for supporting an aerosol container;
a drive means;
a source of electrical energy;
first switch means adapted upon closure to allow current flow from
said source to said drive means for energizing said drive
means;
valve actuator means coupled to said drive means and to said first
switch means and having an initial condition in which said first
switch means is open and said spray valve is inoperative, a valve
actuation condition in which said spray valve is operated, and a
switch condition in which said first switch means is closed whereby
said drive means is energized to move said actuator means from said
switch condition to said initial condition and thereby open said
first switch means to deenergize said drive means; and
a time delay circuit including a capacitor and second switch means
in parallel with said first switch means and operative with said
capacitor charged at a predetermined first potential to block
current flow through said second switch means, and operative with
said capacitor charged at a predetermined second level to allow
current flow through said second switch means to energize said
means for movement of said valve actuator means from said initial
condition to said valve actuation and switch conditions, said
capacitor being returned to said first potential prior to return of
said valve actuator means to said initial condition.
12. A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol container having a
valve mechanism which includes a spray valve movable to an
operative position to release a spray burst of pressurized material
from the container, said spray dispenser comprising:
a frame for supporting an aerosol container;
a drive means;
a source of electrical energy;
first switch means adapted upon closure to allow current flow from
said source to said drive means for energizing said drive
means;
valve actuator means mechanically coupled to said drive means and
to said first switch means and having an initial condition in which
said first switch means is open and said spray valve is
inoperative, a valve actuation condition in which said spray valve
is operated, and a switch condition in which said first switch
means is closed whereby said drive means is energized to move said
actuator means from said switch condition to said initial condition
and thereby open said first switch means to deenergize said drive
means; and
electrical means for periodically energizing said drive means to
drive said actuator means, said electrical means including a timing
capacitor connected for charging to a first potential during said
switch condition and slowly discharging to a second potential
during said initial condition to provide a time delay in the
energization of said drive means.
13. A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol container having a
valve mechanism which includes a spray valve movable to an
operative position to release a spray burst of pressurized material
from the container, said spray dispenser comprising:
a frame for supporting an aerosol container;
a drive means;
a source of electrical energy;
first switch means adapted upon closure to allow current flow from
said source to said drive means for energizing said drive
means;
valve actuator means coupled to said drive means and to said first
switch means and having an initial condition in which said first
switch means is open and said spray valve is inoperative, a valve
actuation condition in which said spray valve is operated, and a
switch condition in which said first switch means is closed whereby
said drive means is energized to move said actuator means from said
switch condition to said initial condition and thereby open said
first switch means to deenergize said drive means; and
electrical timing means including second switch means in parallel
with said first switch means and timing capacitor means connected
for charging to a first potential during the motion of said
actuator means from said switch condition to said initial
condition, said capacitor thereafter discharging over a selected
time period to a second potential, said second switch means being
responsive to said second potential to energize said drive means.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to the patent application of Charles M.
Hart, Ser. No. 644,741, filed Mar. 20, 1967, now Pat. No. 3,388,834
and entitled "Spray Dispenser." The present application is
different primarily in the structure which enables its operation
over extended periods of time by low energy sources such as
batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spray dispenser and more
particularly to a battery operated dispenser adapted to
automatically release a burst of spray from an aerosol container at
regular timed intervals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Deodorizing, germicidal, and medicinal materials are best dispersed
into the atmosphere of a room or similar enclosure by incorporating
such materials in aerosol cans or containers along with a
pressurized, liquefied gas for common release in spray form. Such
containers are normally provided with a valve having a projecting,
axially slidable stem carrying a spray nozzle which serves also as
a finger piece or actuator button for inwardly moving or depressing
the valve stem. The valve is normally spring biased to a raised,
closed position and is operated to release spray by manually or
automatically depressing the spray nozzle.
For many applications manual actuation of the valves of such
aerosol containers is entirely satisfactory. However, there are
also many situations in which the dispersion of materials in spray
form within an enclosed area must be uniform and closely
controlled, such as in public restrooms, restaurants, and hospital
sickrooms. In the past, this need for precise spray dispersion has
been met by a variety of continuously driven automatic spray
dispensers using synchronous motors or similar slow-speed drive
units to operate a mechanism which periodically engages the spray
nozzle of the aerosol container for actuation of the valve at
regular, predetermined intervals.
Most of these prior art devices are of the type whose drive motors
are powered by plugging them into a usual electrical outlet. The
plug-in cord is unsightly and often in the way, and the dispenser
is of course completely useless where no power source is
available.
Although some dispensers are battery powered, they are generally
continuously driven so that their operating life on a set of
batteries is undesirably short.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a spray dispenser which is
relatively inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation,
characterized by long service life on a set of batteries, and which
permits rapid removal and substitution of aerosol containers for
various materials, thereby adapting dispenser for multipurpose use.
Since the present dispenser is battery powered, it can be used in
or away from the home to provide automatic spray dispersion of a
great variety of materials, depending only upon the nature of the
contents of the aerosol container inserted in the dispenser.
The present dispenser utilizes a particular form of valve actuating
mechanism and bias means to rapidly move the valve between its open
and closed positions, thereby greatly reducing unwanted sputtering
and leaking of the spray can contents on actuator and release of
the spray valve.
The valve actuating mechanism and bias means of the present spray
dispenser include actuating arms operative upon cam means which are
coupled to the driven shaft of an electric motor, but in which the
arms are urged only lightly against the cams by the bias means
during the major portion of the operating cycle. The electric motor
is therefore subjected to little or no load, and therefore uses
comparatively little energy, except immediately prior to operation
of the valve. At that time the bias developed is at a maximum to
cock or arm the valve actuating mechanism.
The present dispenser is also characterized by a unique electronic
time delay circuit which provides highly accurate timing of the
desired interval between valve actuations. This circuit operates
the drive motor for a short time period to effect actuation of the
spray can valve and thereafter enable coupling of the drive motor
directly to the batteries. The drive motor and batteries are
decoupled after the valve actuating mechanism is cocked or armed
for another cycle. At this time the time delay circuit again is
operative to control the interval of time before another actuation
of the spray container valve occurs. The drive motor is not driven
during these periods so that energy drain on the batteries is
negligible between valve actuations.
The present spray dispenser is constructed of relatively
inexpensive sheet metal components, utilizes a low cost electric
motor, and is adapted for energization by readily available
"flashlight batteries," thereby reducing its price and enhancing
its market appeal, particularly in areas where plug-in power is not
readily available.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent
from consideration of the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a spray dispenser according
to the present invention, the cover or front portion of the
dispenser housing being removed for clarity, and the components
being illustrated in their positions just prior to valve
actuation;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the upper portion of the
spray dispenser, the cover being illustrated in its raised or open
position;
FIGS. 3 through 6 are front elevational views of the upper portion
of the spray dispenser, and illustrating the positions of the
components immediately after depression of the spray valve and
prior to release of the holddown arm or trigger (FIG. 3);
immediately after release of the holddown trigger (FIG. 4); shortly
after engagement of the primary or upper arm by its cam (FIG. 5);
shortly after engagement of the secondary or lower arm by its cam
(FIG. 6); and
FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating the time delay circuit and
its connection to the drive motor and a batter source of
energy.
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through
6, there is illustrated a spray dispenser 10, according to the
present invention, which comprises, generally, a frame or housing
12 which supports an aerosol can or container 14 having a metering
valve 15; an actuator mechanism 16 having an actuator 18
continuously engaged with the valve 15, further having an upper or
primary arm or lever 20 operative upon the actuator 18 to operate
the valve 15, and further having a lower or secondary arm or lever
21, sometimes also referred to as a holddown trigger; a bias means
or tension spring 22 urging the arms 20 and 21 toward one another;
a drive means or direct current electric motor 24 having a driven
shaft 26; and a cam arrangement 28 coupled to the driven shaft 26
and including primary and secondary cam surfaces or cams 30 and 32
engageable with the arms 20 and 21, respectively, to effect
periodic actuation and release of the aerosol container valve
15.
The spray dispenser 10 is particularly adapted for use with an
aerosol container having the metering valve 15, which is of that
particular type having an internal spring or bias which always
urges the valve 15 toward an outward or closed position. The valve
15 is movable from its closed position to a depressed position for
releasing a single spray burst during the course of such movement.
For this purpose, the valve 15 includes an elongated, projecting
discharge valve stem which mounts an actuator button or spray
nozzle at its outer end, the outer end being upwardly oriented in
the drawings.
The container 14 and the valve 15 are well known to those skilled
in the art and therefore only the general nature and function
thereof will be described.
A common form of metering valve mechanism, and which operates
satisfactorily with the present dispenser 10, includes a trap
chamber past which the discharge valve stem moves during the course
of its inward slidable movement when the spray nozzle 30 is
depressed. Upon alignment of an inlet opening in the valve stem
with the trap chamber, spray material in the trap chamber is driven
under pressure through the hollow valve stem and out of the spray
nozzle in a fine mist or atomized spray. The quantity of such spray
is controlled or metered because of the fixed volume of the trap
chamber. For each depression of the valve stem, only the quantity
within the trap chamber is discharged through the nozzle.
As best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispenser housing 12 is of
two-part construction, including a back portion 34 and an overlying
cover or front portion (not shown) which are both preferably
fabricated of sheet metal. The front portion includes an opening to
allow spray emission, and is conveniently pivoted (not shown) to
the back portion 34. The back portion 34 includes a normally
upstanding or vertical back 36, a forwardly projecting
substantially rectangular base 38 which supports the aerosol
container 14, an upper wall 40, and a pair of flanges 42. The
flanges 42 structurally stiffen the housing 12 and also afford
outward faces against which the front portion or cover slidably
seats when the cover overlies the back portion 34.
The shelf 40 includes an opening to receive a snap action switch 44
for turning on the dispenser 10, as will be seen.
A U-shaped substantially-rectangular bracket 46 is secured to the
upper portion of the housing back 36, the legs or flanges of the
bracket 46 projecting it outwardly of the back 36 to define an open
space for receiving the motor 24, certain of the other electrical
components, and the wiring for the dispenser 10, as will be seen.
The motor 24 is coupled to a suitable speed reduction mechanism
(not shown) for providing a desired rate of rotation for the driven
shaft 26. The motor 24 is preferably a direct current motor adapted
for energization by a low energy source such as a pair of usual 1.5
volt size D flashlight batteries 48. Its substantially constant
motor speed is reduced by the associated speed reduction mechanism
to the desired rate so that, for example, the driven shaft 26 can
be rotated once every few minutes when the motor 24 is
operated.
The driven shaft 26 of the motor 24 projects through a suitable
opening provided in the mounting bracket 46 and mounts the cam
assembly 28 at its forward or projecting extremity for
counterclockwise rotation, as viewed from the front of the
dispenser. The shaft 26 preferably includes a flat (not shown)
which mates with a complemental flat portion provided in the
shaft-receiving opening of the cam assembly 28 to prevent relative
rotation between the cam assembly 28 and the shaft 26.
The cam assembly 28 is preferably one, integral part made of a
wear-resistant, somewhat resilient material such as Nylon or the
like to eliminate metallic clicks during operation of the dispenser
10. The cam 28 includes a central portion of a particular thickness
from which extends the radially projecting section which defines
the cam 30. The cam 32 is defined by a greater width section, as
best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, of the surface of the cam 30 in the
area shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1, for example.
The cams 30 and 32 are generally in light engagement with the arms
20 and 21, as will be seen, but each of the cams 30 and 32 includes
an abrupt dropoff point or fall for allowing the associated arm to
suddenly move inwardly toward the shaft 26. Thus, the cams 30 and
32 initially move their associated arms 20 and 21 away from one
another until the cam falls are encountered, at which time the
released arm or arms moves rapidly and radially inwardly.
The upper arm 20 is an elongated sheet metal part pivotally mounted
to the bracket 46 at one extremity by a rivet 50. The opposite or
free extremity of the arm 20 includes a right-angular flange 52
whose undersurface normally engages some portion of the cam 30. In
addition, the arm 20 is pivotally secured intermediate its
extremities to the upper extremity of the actuator 18 by a rivet 54
for upward movement of the actuator 18 upon pivotal movement of the
lever 20 in a clockwise direction. The lower extremity of the
actuator 18 includes a right-angular flange 56 which rests upon the
upper surface of the spray valve 15.
In its movement under the action of the lever 20, the actuator 18
slides vertically within a vertically elongated slide or track 58
integrally formed by indenting or punching the metal of the
mounting bracket 46. The deformation is just sufficient to accept
the actuator 18 and orient the front surface thereof flush with the
front surface of the bracket 46. The actuator 18 is retained in
position within the track 58 by a rivet 60 which is secured to the
bracket 46, and which projects through a vertically elongated slot
provided in the actuator 18. The head of the rivet 60 overlies the
side margins of the slot, but is slidable thereover to enable
vertical slidable travel of the actuator 18 in the track 58.
The lower arm 21 of the valve actuating mechanism 16 acts in the
capacity of a trigger for suddenly releasing the valve 15, and for
effecting electrical connection of the motor 24 to the batteries
48, as will be seen.
The lower arm 21 is elongated and pivotally mounted adjacent one
extremity by a rivet 62 to the bracket 46 at a point adjacent the
actuator 18. The opposite extremity of the arm 21 extends behind
the cam 30 and includes a right angular flange 64 adapted to ride
upon that widened portion of the cam 30 which constitutes the cam
32.
The cam 32, as previously indicated, is preferably integrally
molded as a part of the cam assembly 28, the cam 32 commencing
substantially at the location of the cam fall of the cam 30. The
cam 32 terminates approximately diametrically opposite its
beginning, that is, it extends approximately half-way around the
center of the cam assembly 28. The particular lengths of the cam
rises and cam falls of the cams 30 and 32 will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art after the operation of the dispenser 10
is explained hereinafter.
The actuator 18 is normally urged downwardly by the arm 20 which is
biased downwardly by the spring 22, as best viewed in FIG. 1. The
spring 22 is a tension spring having its upper extremity connected
to the unpivoted extremity of the arm 20, and its opposite or lower
extremity connected to the unpivoted extremity of the arm 21. The
bias of the spring 22 is much stronger than the valve spring of the
aerosol container 14 so that the bias of the valve spring is easily
overcome by the bias developed by the spring 22 in the orientation
of the components as shown in FIG. 1, whereby the spray nozzle 30
is maintained in its depressed position.
The normal biased depression of the spray valve 15 tends to firmly
maintain the aerosol container 14 in engagement with the housing
base 38 during operation of the spray dispenser 10.
The spray dispenser components thus far described could be
continuously operated by continuous operation of the motor 24.
However, the energy drain on the batteries 48 would be prohibitive.
Consequently, the dispenser 10 includes a time delay circuit 66
which, in conjunction with the arm 21, is effective to cut off the
power to the motor 24 shortly after each actuation of the valve 15,
and recouple the motor to the batteries only after a predetermined
interval of time has elapsed. Before describing the circuit 66,
however, the operation of the remainder of the components will
first be described to facilitate an understanding of the operation
and great utility of the circuit 66.
Assuming the components of the dispenser 10 are in the cocked and
armed positions illustrated in FIG. 1, and that the drive shaft 26
is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1,
the cam assembly 28 will rotate until the flange 52 of the arm 20
abruptly drops off the cam 30 under the bias of the stretched
spring 22, as best viewed in FIG. 3. This movement of arm 20
abruptly and quickly drives the actuator 18 downwardly to effect
sudden depression of the spray valve 15. During this movement of
the spray valve 15 from its projected position to its depressed
position, a single metered spray burst is released from the aerosol
container 14. However, the arm 21 is at this time riding on its cam
32 and the spring 22 is sufficiently stretched to strongly bias the
arm 21 radially inwardly against the cam 32, and also bias the arm
20 and the actuator 18 generally downwardly so that the spray valve
15 is biased closed.
As the counterclockwise rotation of the cam assembly 28 continues,
the arm 20 is out of contact with the cam 30 and therefore the only
frictional load upon the motor 24 at this time is by virtue of the
engagement between the arm 21 and the cam 32.
The spray valve 15 is maintained in its depressed position by the
bias of the spring 22 for only a very short interval, as will be
seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, before the arm 21 drops off its cam 32 to
suddenly release the bias in the spring 22, and thereby abruptly
release the actuator 18 and the spray valve 15. Since both
actuation and release of the valve 15 are very rapid, there is no
tendency toward dribbling or leaking of spray material out of the
spray nozzle opening.
The motor 24 continues to rotate the cam assembly 18, the assembly
moving from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 6,
and then on to the armed or cocked position of FIG. 1. It is noted
that it is primarily only when the cam assembly 18 is being rotated
from its position in FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 1 that the spring 22 is
being stretched appreciably. Consequently, it is only during this
short interval that there is any appreciable drain on the batteries
48. Next will be described the time delay circuit 66 and its
associated components.
When the components of the dispenser 10 are in the positions
illustrated in FIG. 4, the switch or arm 21 is closed, that is, in
engagement with a terminal 98. The terminal 98 is constituted by an
elongated, electrically conductive element 100 which is
electrically insulatedly mounted at one extremity to the housing
12. It is made of a springy or resilient metal, with its opposite
extremity adapted to underlie one end of the arm 21 when the two
are in engagement. Such engagement establishes electrical
connection between the frame 12, the arm 21, and the element 100,
the element 100 normally being insulated from the frame 12 as
previously indicated.
Closure of the arm or switch 21 occurs when one end of the arm 21
drops off the cam 32, as best viewed in FIG. 4. This causes the
other end of the arm 21 to engage the element 100. This occurs
simultaneously with the abrupt release of the spray valve 15
occasioned by relief of the bias in the spring 22.
The drive motor 24 operates during the stages shown in FIGS. 1
through 6 until the arm 21 engages its cam 32. As shown in FIG. 1,
this rotates the arm 21 and breaks its electrical contact with the
element 100 and cuts off the coupling of the motor 24 to the
batteries 48.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the positive terminal of the batteries 48
is connected through the switch 44 to the metal frame of the
housing 12. The negative battery terminal is connected through a
lead 86 to one side of the drive motor 24 and also is connected in
parallel with the emitter 88 of an NPN transistor 68. The output or
collector 70 of the transistor 68 is direct coupled to the input or
base 72 of a PNP transistor 74.
The base 90 of the transistor 68 is connected through the resistor
84 to a junction of a timing capacitor 80 and a timing resistor 82.
One side of the capacitor 80 is connected through a lead 92 to the
collector 76 of the transistor 74, and also is connected to the
terminal 98 and to the drive motor 24 through the lead 78.
The opposite side of the capacitor 80 is connected to the timing
resistor 82, as previously indicated, and the resistor 82 in turn
is connected to the emitter 94 of the transistor 74, and in
parallel with a lead 96 which is connected to the electrically
conductive frame or housing 12 of the dispenser 10.
The electronic time delay circuit 66 thus comprises a
transistorized timer and a transistorized switch, the timer
including a resistance-capacitance circuit composed of the timing
resistor 82, the timing capacitor 80, a current limiting resistor
84, and the transistor 68. The transistorized switch includes the
transistor 74.
The transistor 68 conducts current when the voltage applied to the
emitter 88 is made negative with respect to both the collector 70
and the base 90, and the voltage applied to the collector 70 is
made positive with respect to both the emitter 88 and the base
90.
The transistor 74 conducts current when the voltage applied to the
emitter 94 is made positive with respect to both the collector 76
and the base 72, and the voltage applied to the collector 76 is
made negative with respect to both the emitter 94 and the base
72.
The polarity and value of the voltages applied to the collector and
emitter of transistors 68 and 74 in circuit 66 remain fairly
constant. Therefore, the following description is directed only to
the changes of voltage applied to the base of transistors 68 and
74.
The transistor 68 functions as a blocking oscillator. It conducts
entries for a short period of time when the voltage applied to the
base 90 is made slightly positive, but is cut off for a much longer
period when the voltage applied to the base 90 is zero or
negative.
The transistor 74 functions as an overdriven amplifier. When the
voltage applied to the base 72 is made less positive than the
voltage applied to the emitter 94, the transistor 74 is driven from
the cutoff or nonconduction stage to the saturation or
full-conduction stage.
The initial flow of current from the battery 48 to the drive motor
24 is controlled by the transistor 74. The functioning of
transistor 74 is controlled by the transistor 68, which in turn is
controlled by the voltage charge in the capacitor 80.
When the components of the present dispenser 10 are in the
positions illustrated in FIG. 1, and the switch 44 has just been
closed, a small current from the battery 48 flows through the drive
motor 24 and the timing resistor 82, placing a very small voltage
charge in the timing capacitor 80 with the positive value at the
junction of resistors 82 and 84. This positive voltage is applied
through the current limiting resistor 84 to the base 90 of the
transistor 68, causing this transistor to conduct a small current
from the negative side of the battery 48 through transistor 74 to
the positive side of the battery 48.
At this time the current through transistor 74 causes a voltage
drop at the base 72. This voltage being less than the voltage at
the emitter 94, this causes the transistor 74 to conduct current
from the negative side of the battery 48 through the drive motor 24
to the positive side of the battery.
The flow of current through the drive motor 24 and the transistor
74 operates the motor 24. While the motor 24 is operating, the
timing capacitor 80 is discharging through transistor 68 and 74 and
charging in the opposite direction through leads 78 and 92, and at
a rate determined by the resistance of the current limiting
resistor 84 and the capacitance of timing capacitor 80. When the
capacitor 80 is recharged, the polarity of the voltage at the
junction of resistors 82 and 84 is negative. This negative voltage
is applied through the resistor 84 to the base 90 of the transistor
68, causing it to cut off. With no current flowing in the collector
70 of transistor 68, the voltage at the base 72 of transistor 74
increases and becomes equal to the voltage at the emitter 94,
causing transistor 74 to cut off the current flowing through the
motor 24.
At this point the motor 24 would ordinarily stop. However, by this
time the components are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 4, and
the switch 21 has been closed. In so doing the switch 21 thereby
connects the motor 24 directly to battery 48.
Closing of the switch 21 also connects the battery 48 directly to
timing capacitor 80 and keeps this capacitor fully charged.
Transistor 68 is maintained in a cutoff condition by this charge,
as previously described.
When the dispenser components reach the positions shown in FIG. 1,
the switch 21 has opened. The timing capacitor 80 is slowly
discharged through timing resistor 82 and is charged with a very
small voltage of reverse polarity which is positive at the junction
of resistors 82 and 84. This positive voltage applied to the base
90 causes transistor 68 to conduct again and restart the operating
cycle. The time that it takes for the above discharge and charge
operation is equal to the time constant of timing resistor 82 and
timing capacitor 80.
The electronic time delay circuit 66 will function as long as the
battery is capable of operating the drive motor.
The total time delay of this circuit, typically 15 minutes, is the
sum of the time intervals for timing capacitor 80 to accumulate the
positive voltage bias, for the drive motor 24 to complete one
operating cycle, and for timing capacitor 80 to discharge a full
charge. It is noted that when voltage is applied to the circuit 66
for the first time, the time delay prior to the first operating
cycle is considerably shorter than subsequent time delays.
An increase in the value of the particular resistor 82 utilized
would increase the time off, and decrease the current used by the
circuit 66. Decreasing the value of the resistor 82 would have just
the opposite effect. Increasing the value of the capacitor 80 would
increase the time off, the time on, the power output, and the
current used by the circuit 66; while decreasing the value of the
capacitor 80 would have just the opposite effect. Increasing the
value of the resistor 84 would increase the time on and decrease
the power output, while decreasing the value of the resistor 84
would have just the opposite effect. The intervals of time off and
time on could therefore be adjusted, if desired, by making the
resistors 82 and 85 variable and providing suitable knobs (not
shown) to adjust them.
The supply voltage of the batteries 48 is determined by the
requirements of the drive motor 24. In this regard, it has been
found that two conventional 11/2 -volt flashlight batteries provide
sufficient power to operate the drive motor 24 for periods in
excess of 12 months. In effect, the operating life of the batteries
is about that of their shelf life. This is due to the short usage
of the batteries in a normal operating cycle, which typically
involves actuation of the drive motor 24 for only approximately 2
minutes out of every hour.
The DC working voltage of the capacitor 80 is preferably equal to
or higher than the voltage of the batteries 48. For most medium and
low power applications it has been found that the value of each of
the resistors 82 and 84 can be made approximately one-half watt.
General purpose and audio amplifier transistors are satisfactory
for use in the circuit 66.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that a battery operated spray
dispenser has been provided which is adapted to effect uniform
spray dispersion of material over a prolonged period of time by
reason of the spaced apart intervals of operation of the drive
motor by the batteries. The dispenser is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture, is characterized by reliable, trouble-free and
noise-free operation, and is adapted to quickly accept different
aerosol containers for spraying any of a variety of materials.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the
foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of
the invention.
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