Apparatus For Operating An Aerosol Can

Abstract

Apparatus for operating an aerosol can to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time comprises a housing supporting an aerosol can in an upright position. An electric motor is electrically connected to a source of electric power for energizing the motor to rotate. A switch interposed in the connection between the source of power and the motor selectively controls the energization of the motor. A disc in the housing is mounted on the motor shaft for rotation therewith and has an indentation formed in the circumference thereof. A mechanical coupling is movably mounted in the housing between the circumference of the disc and the plunger of the can in a manner whereby when the indentation of the disc is adjacent the coupling the coupling moves into the indentation out of contact with the plunger and when the remaining circumference of the disc is adjacent the coupling it abuts the coupling and moves the coupling into contact with the plunger and depresses the plunger to spray the contents of the can.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for operating an aerosol can. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for operating an aerosol can for predetermined periods of time.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus for operating an aerosol can to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time, which apparatus is of simple structure, is easy, simple and convenient to operate, and functions efficiently, effectively and reliably to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention for operating an aerosol can; and

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, in a plane at right angles to the plane of the view of FIG. 1, of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The apparatus of the invention operates an aerosol can 1 to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time, the aerosol can 1 has a plunger 2 extending therefrom which causes the can to spray its contents when depressed.

The apparatus of the invention operates an aerosol can 1 to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time, the aerosol can 1 has a plunger 2 extending therefrom which causes the can to spray its contents when depressed.

The apparatus comprises a housing 3 which supports the aerosol can 1 in an upright position. A source of electric power preferably comprises the power outlet mains and is electrically connected via a plug 4 and electrical conductors 5 to an electric motor 6 (FIG. 2) mounted in the housing 3. The electric power energizes the motor 6 to rotate. The motor 6 has a shaft 7.

A switch 8 is interposed in the connection between the source of power and the motor 6 for selectively controlling the energization of the motor.

A disc 9 in the housing 3 is mounted on the motor shaft 7 for rotation therewith and has a pair of diametrically opposed identations 10 and 11 formed in the circumference 12 thereof. The indentations 10 and 11 are thus equiangularly spaced from each other. Each of the indentations has the configuration of part of the circumference of a circle.

A mechanical coupling is movably mounted in the housing 3 between the circumference 12 of the disc 9 and the plunger 2 of the can 1. The mechanical coupling comprises a pin 13 movably mounted in the housing 3 for movement in axial directions in proximity with the plunger 2 of the can 1. The mechanical coupling further comprises a spring-biased arm 14 pivotally mounted in the housing 3 between the circumference 12 of the disc 9 and the pin 13.

The pin 13 and the arm 14 are mounted in a manner whereby when an indentation 10 or 11 of the disc 9 is adjacent the arm, said arm moves into said indentation out of contact with said pin. When the remaining circumference 12 of the disc 9 is adjacent the arm 14, it abuts said arm and moves said arm into contact with the pin 13 and forces the pin 13 against the plunger 2 to depress said plunger to spray the contents of the can 1.

A microswitch control assembly 15 controls the rotation of the motor 6 and the timing of the spray.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. Apparatus for operating an aerosol can to spray its contents for predetermined periods of time, the aerosol can having a plunger extending therefrom which causes the can to spray its contents when depressed, said apparatus comprising

a housing supporting an aerosol can in an upright position;

an electric motor mounted in the heousing and having a shaft;

a source of electric power electrically connected to the motor for energizing the motor to rotate;

switch means interposed in the connection between the source of power and the motor for selectively controlling the energization of the motor;

a disc in the housing mounted on the motor shaft for rotation therewith and having more than one identation formed in the circumference thereof, the indentations being equiangularly spaced from each other, each indentation having the configuration of part of a circle;

a mechanical coupling movably mounted in the housing between the circumference of the disc and the plunger of the can, the mechanical coupling comprising a pin movably mounted in the housing for movement in axial directions in proximity with the plunger of the can and a spring-biased arm pivotally mounted in the housing between the circumference of the disc and the pin in a manner whereby when the indentation of the disc is adjacent the arm said arm moves into said indentation out of contact with the pin and when the remaining circumference of the disc is adjacent the arm it abuts said arm and moves said arm into contact with the pin and forces said pin against the plunger to depress said plunger to spray the contents of the can.