Aerosol Spray Dispenser

Abstract

An automatic aerosol spray dispenser of a type adapted to contain a replaceable aerosol can and operate the valve mechanism thereof at predetermined intervals for adjustable shorter periods. Timing of the first mentioned intervals is by means of a solid state timing device having a discharging condensor. The discharge of the condensor is employed to commence operation of a motor driving a cam which drives a valve-operating mechanism, and opens a switch in series with the motor at the completion of a spray cycle, this switch being closed with initiation of motor operation. Since the motor operates only during the spray cycle, and continuous current consumption is limited to the charging of the condensor, the device is suitable for dry cell operation.

Description

This invention relates generally to the field of automatically operating aerosol spray dispensers, of a type adapted to contain a replaceable aerosol can, and operates the valve mechanism thereof at predetermined intervals for a spray cycle of a shorter interval. Devices of this general type are well known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details, permitting the device to be manufactured at low cost, and to be powered by dry cells.

The advantages of automatic cyclic operation of aerosol spray dispensers are well understood by those skilled in the art, and need not be elaborated herein. Broadly speaking, such dispensers fall into two categories, one of which controls the amount of spray dispensed at each cycle by metering means, and the other of which obtains a metering action by control of the interval over which the valve on the aerosol can is depressed. Depending upon required design perameters, timing means have included synchronous clock motors, battery powered balance wheel clocks, mechanical clock work, and the like. Valve actuating means controlled by such clock work have included electrically operated solenoids, electric motors, springwork and the like, either directly operating the valve, or through levers, Geneva movements and the like. Each construction has offered various combinations of advantages and disadvantages, the more expensive mechanisms tending to be more reliable, at the expense of greater complexity, greater noise in operation, and greater overall bulk and weight.

With increasing use of devices of this type, there has been a persistent demand for construction which may be installed in areas where house current is not conveniently available, and which will nevertheless require servicing at relatively infrequent intervals. Such demands are not accommodated by clock work mechanisms which require winding, or a source of alternating current to provide synchronous motor operation. Battery powered balance wheel clocks do not offer sufficient power to open and close the dispensing valve of the can at the high speed required to prevent sputtering during the operating cycle. When such construction is coupled with a metering type dispenser, the total cost of the same tends to be quite high.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved automatic aerosol dispenser of the above described class, in which the above mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of any improved automatic aerosol dispenser capable of operation solely on small dry cells, with servicing intervals normally no greater than that required for the replacement of an exhausted aerosol can.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved battery powered automatic aerosol spray device in which the timing element is in the form of a transistorized solid state circuit employing a charging capacitor, the discharge of which is employed to initiate a spraying cycle, and in which the continuous current drain is of a very low order.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved automatic aerosol spray dispenser, in which without the need of metering structure, the timed cycle is accurately controlled by a battery powered motor.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved aerosol spray dispenser, in which both the timing mechanism and the valve operating mechanism may be operated from the same set of dry cells.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved aerosol spray dispenser possessed of the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof, with the cover element removed for purposes of clarity, and illustrating the valve actuating mechanism at the completion of a spraying cycle.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the commencement of a spraying cycle.

FIG. 4 is a similar fragmentary front elevational view showing the closing of the valve on an aerosol can, just prior to the completion of a spraying cycle.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the timing element comprising a part of the embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a casing element 11, container valve-actuating means 12, motor driven camming means 13, and solid state timing means 14.

The casing element 11 is preferably formed from sheet metal, although, where desired, injection molded parts from synthetic resinous material are also suitable. The casing elements includes a main body member 17, and a cover member 18, pivotally associated therewith by pins 19. A locking clip 20 maintains the cover member 18 in closed position.

The main body member 17 includes a planar base 22 suitable for mounting upon a vertically disposed wall (not shown), a pair of side walls 23, 24, a lower wall 25 and an upper wall 26. The clip means 27 is mounted on the inner surface of the base 22 for supporting dry cells 28.

The cover member 18 includes a forward wall 29 having a circular orifice 30 positioned to overlie the spray nozzle of an aerosol container. Side walls 31 and 32 overlie the side walls 23-24 of the main body member 17 when the upper edge 33 of the wall 29 engages the clip 20.

The valve actuating means 12 includes a main plate or base 35, the upper edge 36 of which abuts the inner surface 37 of the upper wall 26. Locking tabs 38 extend through corresponding slots in the wall 26, and a downwardly extending tab 40 penetrates a corresponding opening in an insulated plate 42 forming part of the timing means 14. An upper slotted opening 43 extends through the plane of the plate 35, and is axially aligned with a lower slotted opening 44 which extends to the lower edge 45 of the plate. A lever 46 is anchored for pivotal movement at a first end 47 by a pintle 48, and a second end 49 thereof is modified to form a cam follower means 50. A medial point 51 is penetrated by a pintle 52 which engages a threaded nut member 53 engaged by a threaded shaft 54. The upper end 55 of the shaft penetrates the upper wall 26 and supports a manually engagable member 56 threadedly engaged therewith. The lower end 57 engages a resilient clamp 58 which engages the vented nozzle 59 supported by the stem 60 of an aerosol container 61. A spring 62 surrounds the shaft 54 between the nut member 53 and the clamp 58, and serves to allow a limited degree of nutation of the clamp with respect to the shaft.

The motor driven camming means 13 includes a small electric motor and reduction gears (not shown) disposed within a housing 64 secured to the plate 35. The output shaft 65 thereof penetrates the plate 35 and mounts a cam member 66 having four radially extending portions 67, 68, 69 and 70. Each of the portions 67-70 includes a curved cam face 71 separated from the other faces by recesses 72.

The solid state timing means 14 may be of a well known transistorized type, and as best understood from a consideration of FIG. 6 in the drawing, includes a terminal 74 interconnected by a conductor 75 to replaceable dry cells 28. A resistor 76 of approximately 18 meg ohm value is connected to the terminal 74, and slowly charges a condensor 77 in turn connected to the cathode 78 of a first transistor 79. A second resistor 80 of approximately 180 ohms resistence connects to the cathode 81 of a second transistor 82 to provide bias voltage for the transistor 79. When the transistor 79 becomes conductive, the condensor 77 is discharged to a terminal 84 of a cam operated switch 85 and to a conductor 86 to the motor 83. A return conductor 87 connects the motor to the battery. This discharge will provide a sufficient electrical impulse to commence operation of the motor, whereby the cam member 66 is driven a short distance.

OPERATION

Operation of a timing cycle will be best understood from a consideration of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 in the drawing. Normally, during the interval in which the condensor 77 is slowly charging, the device will be in the position shown in FIG. 2, in which the blades 88 and 89 of the switch 85 are maintained in open condition by contact with one of the radially extending portions 67-70 of the cam member 66. With the discharge of the condensor, the motor commences operation, and a slight movement of the engaged portion 67-70 disengages the blade 89, so that the switch closes under resilient action. Current then flows directly from the battery to the motor, which rotates the cam member 66 resulting in depression of the lever 46 until the cam face 71 has parted contact with the cam follower member 50. Once the lever 46 is released, the valve in the aerosol can closes, thus ending spraying of the contents of the can. Immediately thereafter, the cam face again opens the switch 85, thus terminating the flow of current to the motor, and the motor is quickly braked to a stop by the contact of an oppositely disposed portion 67-70 with a resilient brake 91 on an upper surface 92 of the upper wall 26.

The condensor 77 again recharges over the predetermined interval, until it again reaches the predetermined degree of charge, at which time the cycle is repeated. Should non-automatic operation be desired, for any reason, this can be obtained by pressing downwardly on the manually engageable member 56, wherein the motion is transmitted directly through the engagable 54 to the valve of the aerosol can. Rotation of the manually engagable member 56 will also result in transmission of motion through the nut member 53 to the lever 46, to a point where the valve is also open, and the contents of the can may then be continuously discharged.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

I claim:

1. In an automatic aerosol spray dispenser for use with a replaceable aerosol can, the improvement comprising: a casing element having means for retaining said can in relatively fixed position, valve actuating means including a lever mounted for pivotal movement at one end thereof with respect to said casing, and having means thereon engaging said can, and cam following means on an oppositely disposed end thereof; motor means disposed within said casing element having an output shaft, and camming means on said shaft in the area of said cam follower means to periodically directly contact the same; solid state timing means including a chargeable condensor, battery means powering said timing means and said motor means, and switch means in series with said motor means and operated by said camming means, whereby: upon the charging of said condensor of said timing means to a predetermined level, and the discharge thereof to said motor means, said motor means will commence operation sufficient to move said camming means to a position wherein said switch closes to cause said motor means to be powered directly from said battery means for the remainder of a spraying cycle terminated by said camming means again contacting and opening said switch; said camming means including a four-lobed cam directly contacting said cam follower means and said switch means, whereby said cam rotates 90.degree. for each cycle of operation; said valve actuating means including a nut on said lever, a threaded shaft engaging said nut and extending toward said can, and clamping means on an end of said shaft engaging a moveable valve-associated member on said container, whereby rotation of said shaft in said nut member may adjust the relation between said clamping means and said cam follower means on said lever.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, in which said threaded shaft projects outwardly of said casing element at an opposite end thereof to permit manually imparted axial motion to be transmitted directly to said clamp.