US3187948A - Timed fluid dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1965 w. G. HUNT TIMED FLUID DI-SPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed March 18, 1963" Idllll IZ O June 8, 1965 w, G, HUNT 3,187,948

TIMED FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR' v wlLLxAM G. Hum- F 5F? @TML-mdf L@ A TTP/VEKS UnitedStates Patent Y(i) TEVlED FLUm DlSPENSlNG DEVICE William G. Hunt, 322 McRae St., Laurinburg, N.C. Filed Mar. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 265,724 13 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention generally relates to devices desired to be cyclicly operated such as a dispensing device for periodically dispensing fluid from a container by intermittently actuating a valve on the container for releasing fluid therefrom and to a novel actuator assembly for such cyclicly operated devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with improvements in a dispensing device for automatically actuating a release valve on an aerosol container in a timed sequence with a predetermined time interval elapsing between successive actuations of the valve to periodically dispense iluid from the aerosol container.

Aerosol containers oifering a wide variety of dispensable lluids therewithin combined with a suitable propellant fluid have steadily grown in popularity, since the initial introduction of an aerosol-type dispensing container. These aerosol containers are generally equipped with a depressible release valve which is normally maintained in a closed position and is adapted to be manually operated by depression thereof for dispensing an atomized spray of fluid which may be of various types suitable for specic purposes, such as air deodorants, insecticides, lu-.

bricants, etc. Under certain conditions, wholly manual operation of these aerosol containers may not be altogether desirable. This is especially true where the contents of the aerosol container are required to be dispensed for particular purposes at regular periodic intervals in order to achieve the most effective use of the contents of the container. In the latter instance, timed automatic operation of the aerosol container would tend to eliminate the human error factor with respect to the quantity of Huid to be dispensed at any one time and the timing between successive actuations of the release valve on the container for dispensing liuid therefrom.

Dispensing devices for automatically dispensing uid from an aerosol container by periodically depressing the release valve on the container to dispense fluid from the container in a timed sequence are not unknown. While such dispensing devices have included various mechanisms for adjusting the period during which the valve on the aerosol container is actuatedby its depression for dispensing uid from the container, the `time interval elapsing between successive actuations of the release valve on the aerosol container is predetermined by the timing mechanisms employed with the dispensing devices and cannot be readily changed to adjust the periodic dispensing of fluids from the aerosol container by the dispensing devices to accommodate varying conditions of use.

Commonly, dispensing devices of the character described for periodically depressing a release valve on an aerosol container are constructed to be used with an aerosol container of a particular size and are not capable of use with an aerosol container of adiiferent s ize. One such dispensing device of which I am aware does provide for the adjustment of certain parts thereof supporting the aerosol container in order to accept aerosol containers of differing sizes over a limited range of size variations. Apart from the limited range of size variations in the aerosol containers which may be used with this latter dispensing device, this type of dispensing device suffers from the further disadvantage of requiring manual readjustment or removal of one or more of its parts for supporting the aerosol container before an aerosol container of a different size can be used with the dispensing device.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide 3,187,948 Patented June 8, 1965 ice a new and improved dispensing device for periodically actuating a depressible release valve for an aerosol container by depressing the release valve to dispense vtluid romrthe container, wherein the time interval occurring between successive actuations of the release valve on the Y aerosol container can be readily adjusted to accommodate varying conditions of use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing device of the type for automatically actuating a release valve on an aerosol container at timed intervals to periodically dispense iluid from the container, wherein the predetermined time interval elapsing between successive actuations of the valve on the aerosol container can be readily adjusted with the adjustment means being so constructed as to provide for manual actuation of the valve on the aerosol container whenever desired to dispense fluid therefrom without affecting the time cycle between successive automatic actuations of the valve on the aerosol container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel actuator assembly for intermittently actuating a device desired to be cyclicly operated including a rotatable circular plate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially arranged cam elements on one face thereof for selective actuation of a leverrto place the lever in a position to be moved ina direction depressing the valve means to an open position in a timed sequence.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing device which is so constructed as to be suitable for use in periodically dispensing fluid from aerosol containers of various sizes without requiring adjustment or removal of one or more parts of the dispensing device.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whichV FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device in accordance with the present invention, as associated with an aerosol container for periodically dispensing fluid therefrom;

j FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view, the front wall of the housing for the dispensing device being broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top plan view turned 180 '.fromFlGURE 2, the top wall of the housing for the dispensing device being broken away for purposes of clarity; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along theline 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, the aerosol container being omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-5 in FIGURE 3 and partially broken away;

FiGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the timing cam mechanism for operating a lever which comprises part of the invention;

p FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of a rotatable cam blade` and a prong projecting from the j lever,jthe cam blade being adapted to contact the prong at periodic time intervals in accordance with the present invention; l

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along theline 9--9 in FIGURE 2; and

FiGURE l() is a diagrammatic View of a circular plate forming a component of the dispensing device and showing one face of the circular plate on which a plurality of cam elements of variant lengths are mounted in circumfercntially spaced, radially arranged relationship.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the dispensing device in accordance with my invention includes a 3 siippbrt for a container having dispensable fluid therein, such as an aerosol container. The support may take the form of a framework having a vertical panel 11 and a horizontal platform orbase 12 which is integrally joined to the vertical panel 11 along the lower margin thereof. Theframework 10 fits within acover member 13 which comprises interconnected Walls including ahorizontal top wall 14, verticalfront andback walls 1S, 16, and a pair ofvertical end walls 17, 1S. The framework wand the cover member `13 cooperate to denne a composite housing 21) in which the operative mechanism of the dispensing device is contained and in which the aerosol container is partially received, with the platform orbase 12 of the framework 1t) forming the bottom wall of the housingrZd. Thecover member 13 is releasably attached to theframework 10 with thevertical back wall 16 and the vertical panel 11 thereof in juxtaposed relation, the attachment of thecover member 13 to the framework 1t) being accomplished by suitable means, such asscrews 21, 22 extending inwardly through therespective end rwalls 17, 18 of thecover member 13 and threadably receivedfby the upstanding legs of right-'angled brackets 23, 24 Whose base legs are fxedly'secred to the platform ornase 12* forming the bottom Wall cf the housing zo at the 'opposite ends thereof. Theframework 10 can be readily removed from thecover member 13 to expose the vertical panel 11 and thebase 12 of theframework 10 by disengagin'g thescrews 21, 22 from the right-angled brackets 23, 2li. The housing 2) is adapted to be mounted on a vertical planar "surface, such as a building wall. To

this end, a pair of aperturedl'ears 25 extend from opposite ends f theback wall 16 of thecover member 13 for receiving fastener elements, such asscrews 26, which penetrate into the building wall for mounting the housing 2l) thereon; I

The base `12 of theframework 10, hereinafter referred to as thebottom wall 12 of thehousing 20, is provided with an elongated slot V27 which extends transversely thereof and opens onto the forwardly disposed edge thereof. The front wall of thecover member 13 which is also the front wall of the housing is provided with a dis- 'pensing outlet 30 which 'opens onto lthe lower edge thereof and communicatively adjoins thelslot 27 in thebottom wall 12 of thehousing 20. i

v Acontainer 31 having dispensable fluid therein is adapted -to be supported by the framework `1t) in suspended relationship fromthehousing 20. Thecontainer 31 yis preferably. of the type referred to as an aerosol container in which liquidor nuid to be dispensed therefrom is containedrthe'rewithin under pressure and is coni'- bined with a propellant substancesojas to bedispensed as an atornized spray.` Thecontainer 31 includes an upper portion orneck 32 `having a circular beadedcollar 33 forming an enlargement with respect to theupper portion 32 ofthe container '31 immediately therebeneath Thecontainer 31 is equipped, withadepressible release valve 34, which upon being 'depressed to 'an open position release fluid from/thecontainer 31 through a dispensing. 'apertur`e 35. The 'depressible valve 34 is normally biased upwardly to a closed position in which the dispensing .aperture 3S is `blocked to prevent inadvertent esca'p'e of the contents `of, thecontainer 31. The structure ofthe c'ontainer3`1 is typical fof the so-terrned aerosol container. t v

In supporting the 'container s1 from the housing 2e, theslot 27 in the Ybottomwall 12 of thehousing 20 receives the u'p'per'portion 32 (of Vthe container l31 therethrough so as toy dispose the valve 3.21 andlthedispensing aperture 35 associated therewith Within thehousing 20 in alinement 'the dispensing outlet 30 formed in thefront wall 15 of thehousing 20. The beaded collar or enlarge'-ment 33 on theupper portion 32 of thecontainer 31 is disposed abovev theslot 27 and within the housing 211 in overlying slidable engagement with portions Vof thebottom wall 12 of thehousing 20 bounding the opposite sides of theslot 27, thereby serving to retain thecontainer 31 in suspended relationship from thebottom wall 12 of the housing 2t).

Thecontainer 31 is held in a stationary position with itsupper portion 32 extending through theslot 27 and disposed at the closed end thereof by a resilient clip orstrap 36. Theresilient clip 36 is pivotally secured at one end thereof to thebottom wall 12 of thehousing 26 on one side Yof theslot 27 and is adapted to be pivoted so as to extend across theslot 27 where its free end may be forced behind astud 37 which is provided on thebottom wall 12 of the housing 2t) on the opposite side of theslot 27 and projects below thebottom wall 12. When the free end of theclip 36 is received behind thevstud 37, theclip 36 will be drawn tightly against theupper portion 32 of the container 31 'to clamp thecontainer 31 between theclip 36 and the closed end of Vtheslot 27. Thecontainer 31 may be readily released from its clamped position by pulling down on the free end of theclip 36 to clear thestud 37 and thereafter pivoting theclip 36 away from the Yslot 27 and thecontainer 31 to allow thecontainer 31 to be disengaged from thehousing 20 by sliding theupper portion 32 thereof outwardly of theslot 27.

Thev dispensing device equipped with a timing mechanism of a suitable type. The timing mechanism is mounted within the housing 211 on opposite sides of avertical partition 40 which is disposed approximately intermediate the front and back walls V15,15 of the housing 2t) provided by the cover member A13. The partition it? is itself secured to the vertical panel 11 of the framework 1t? in spaced parallel relationship thereto by suitable bracing brackets. The timing mechanism, as shown, includes a synchronizedelectric motor 41 which is mounted 'on one side of thepartition 40, the electric motor t1 being positioned in the space between thepartition 40 and thefront Wall 15 of the housing 2t). Themotor 41 is 'connected to a suitable source of electric power by insulated electrical conductors orwires 42 which extend outwardly of the housing 2t? through an aperture in theend wall 17. Adrive shaft 43 extends from the motor toward the vertical panel 11 of the framework 11), thedrive shaft 43 being rotatable by operation of the motor V41 and including a drive pinion 44 intermediate the ends thereof. The drive pinion E4 is disposed on the opposite side `of the partition 49 and meshes with an enlargedoperating gear wheel 45 also on the opposite side of the partition dit. Theoperating gear wheel 45 is rotated by the drive pinion 44 and carries a pinion gear 46 for rotation about a iixed axle rigidly securedto the outer marginal portion 'of the enlargedoperating gear wheel 45. The pinion gear 4516 is in meshing engagement with a pair 'ofgear wheels 47, 48 having the same Idiameter 'and being mounted in parallel coaxial relationship Vto the enlargedoperating gear wheel 45 and each other. Thegear wheel 47 which is adjacent the enlarged operating gear wheelrl is fixed against rotation and is provided with va Slightly larger number of gear teeth arranged about its circumference than the number of gear teeth arranged Yabout the circumference of thegear wheel 48 which ismounted for Vrelatively slow rotative movement. This particular type of Ytiming inec'hanismcorresponds Yto the timing mechanism disclosed inl U.S. lPatent 2,617,900 to Morrison issued November ll, 1952, and forms no part of the present invention, except insofar as it maybe broadly characterized as a timing mechanism having :a slowlyrotatable gear wheel 48 which requires a significant time interval for completing one revolution thereof.

It will be observed Ythat an eccentricjmernb'er 5t) is iixedly secured to the end of thedrive shaft 43 adjacent the vertical panel 11 ofthe framework 11i, lthe leccentric member 55B being adapted 4to be rotated with thedrive shaft 43 in a circular path 'of movement and comprising a cam blade having a laterally extending blade portion provided with a tapered surface forming a knife edge 51 (FIGURE 8).

A circular timing plate ordisc 52 is arranged in spaced parallel relationship to the pair ofgear wheels 47,v 4S forming part of the timing mechanism previously described, thecircular plate 52 being rigidly connected to the slowly`rotatable gear wheel 48 by a shaft 53 extending therebetween so as to be rotatably driven by the slowlyrotatable gear wheel 48. A plurality ofcam elements 54 are mounted on the face of the circular plate S2 remote from the gear wheel 4S in radially arranged, circumferentially spaced relationship. Each of thecam elements 54 comprises a wedge-shaped block presenting anv outerbeveled surface 55 which is oriented as to its angle and direction of incline with the outer beveled surfaces 5S provided on theother cam elements 54. t

it will be noted that thecam elements 54 on thecircular plate 52 are of varying lengths. In this connection, the illustrated embodiment in the drawings shows a total of eightcam elements 54 on the circular plate 52- thesecam elements 54 being independently identifiable kin FIGURE by reference characters A`-II, inclusive. Thus, in the diagrammatic view shown in FIGURE l0, it will be observed that the length ofcam element 54A is longer than the lengths of the remaining cam elements;cam element 54B, diametrically opposite fromcam element 54A and together withcam element 54A dividing the circumference of thecircular plate 52 into two equal arcs, has a length somewhat shorter than the length ofcam element 54A, but longer than the remaining cam elements; cam elements 54C and 54D, which are diametri cally opposite from each other and together withcam elements 54A and 54B divide the circumference of thecircular plate 52 into four equal arcs, are equal in length, being shorter in length than either ofcam elements 54A and 54B, but longer in length than the remaining cam elements; andcam elements 54E-54H, inclusive, which together withcam elements 54A-54D, inclusive, further subdivide the circumference of thecircular plate 52 into eight equal arcs, are equalV in length, but of shorter length than thecam elements 54A-54D, inclusive.

Also mounted within the housing to extend between the vertical panel 11 of theframework 10 and thecircular plate 52 with its plurality ofcam elements 54 is alever 60. Thelever 60 comprises offsetarms 61, 62 integrally joined by an intermediate angular connector portion 63. Thelever 60 is mounted for vertical pivotal movement and lateral rocking movement. In the latter connection, thelever 66 is loosely pivotally secured at the free nend of arm 61 to the vertical panel 11 of theframework 16 for vertical pivotal movement about a pin 64. Thelever 60 is normally biased to a position in which the arm 61 thereof beginning at its pivotally secured end divergeS inwardly from the vertical panel 11 of theframework 10 to allow for limited lateral rocking movement of the lever 6i) about the end of arm 61 loosely anchored by the pin 64. Thelever 60 is biased inwardly about the loosely anchored end of arm 61 with respect to the vertical panel 11 by resilient means which includes aleaf spring 65 rigidly afxed at one end to the lever 6) at the juncture between its arm 61 and the angular connector portion 63, theleaf spring 65 extending outwardly and upwardly from thelever 60 to resiliently engage the vertical panel 11 of theframework 10. VThe resilient means further includes a tensionedcoil spring 66 attached at one end to ahook 67 projecting from thelever 60 at the juncture between itsarm 62 and theV angular connector portion 63 and at its other end to ahorizontal bar 70 which is rigidly mounted on the vertical panel 11 of theframework 10 and extends inwardly thereof beyond thearm 62 of thelever 60. l

Thelever 66 is provided with alateral extension arm 71 which is rigidly affixed to the arm 61 of thelever 60 and extends inwardly thereof so as to partially overlie theslot 27 in which theupper portion 32ofthe container 31 is received. Theextension arm 71 of thelever 66 carries a threadedbolt 72 having a downwardly disposedenlarged head 73 which is adapted to engage and depress therelease valve 34 on thecontainer 31 for dispensing uid therefrom. The period of time during which therelease valve 34 is held in a depressed position for dispensing fluid from thecontainer 31 can be adjusted by manually rotating the threadedbolt 72 to raise or lower itsenlarged head 73 with respect to therelease valve 34 on the container, depending upon the direction of rotation imparted to thebolt 72. Thebolt 72 is releasably maintained in a desired adjusted position by anut 74 which is threadably received thereby and engages the upwardly disposed surface of thelateral extension arm 71 oflever 60.

Thearm 62 of thelever 60 is provided with an inwardly projecting wedge-shaped cam element 75 opposed to thecam elements 54 on thecircular plate 52 and having an inclined surface complementary to the outerbeveled surfaces 55 formed on thecam elements 54. The position of the cani element 75 on thelever 60 can be adjusted lengthwise along thearm 62 of thelever 60. To this end, the cam element 75 is carried by asleeve 76 to which it is rigidly secured, thesleeve 76 fitting about thearrn 62 of lever 65) and being slidable there along. Aset screw 77,extending upwardly and outwardly of the housing 2i) through an elongated slot 78 formed in thetop wall 14 thereof is provided for the slidable sleeve 76.l It will be understood that theset screw 77 may be tightened to secure thesleeve 76 against movement along the arm 620i lever 6) for disposing the cam element 75 at a selected position on thelever 60. Should it be desired to adjust the position of the cam element 75, theset screw 77 is loosened and thesleeve 76 is slidably moved to another position on thearm 62 of lever 6), following which theset screw 77 is tightcned to secure thesleeve 76 to thearm 62 of the lever 6i) with the cam element 75 disposed in its new position. Preferably, the outer end of theset screw 77 extending above thehousing 20 is provided with an enlarged knurled knob Sti to facilitate adjustment of the A cam element 75.

The rearwardly facing side of thearm 62 oflever 60 isprovidedwith a laterally extendingprong 81 having a V-notch in its outer end portion for cooperation with the tapered surface and knife edge 51 of the cam blade 5). Thesleeve 76 includes an elongated slot 83 in the rearwardly facing side thereof for receiving theprong 31 which also serves as a stop to limit further outward movement of thesleeve 76 along thearm 62 oflever 60. In the normal position assumed by thelever 60, theprong 81 is disposed inwardly of the circular path of movement taklen by thecam blade 50 and out of alinement therewit 1.

Upon placing anaerosol container 31 in position with itsupper portion 32 received through theslot 27 in thebottom wall 12 of thehousing 20 and clamping thecontainer 31 in place by theresilient clip 36 in the manner described, the dispensing device may be set for automatically actuating therelease valve 34 on `thecontainer 31 in a timed sequence by positioning the sleever76 in any one of a plurality of positions on thearms 62 oflever 60 for selectively determining the time interval elapsing between successive actuations of therelease valve 34 on thecontainer 31. In this connection, thetop wall 14 of thehousing 26 preferablyincludes suitable indicia adjacent the elongate slot 78 through which theset screw 77 extends to indicate the number of actuations of therelease valve 34 which will occur during one complete revolution of thecircular plate 52. Thus, if it is desired to actuate therelease valve 34 once during each complete revolution of thecircular plate 52, thesleeve 76 is adjusted on thearm 62 oflever 60 so that theset screw 77 extending upwardly therefrom is alined with the indicia mark designating "1 on the top wall 144of the housing. This arranges the wedge-shaped cam element 75 on thesleeve 76 in a position where it will abut thebeveled surface 55 of only -the longest one of thecamY elements 54 on the circular plate 52or camelement 54A. l 4 By movingthesleeve 76 outwardly along thearm 62 of the lever dll, the vwedge-shaped cam element 75 is moved radially outwardly with respect to thecircular plate 52 and may correspondingly engage the beveled surface S of one ormore cam elements 54 of shorter length than thelongest cam element 54A in addition to engaging thebeveled surface 55 of thelongest cam element 54A during each complete revolution of the circular plate S2. lt will be therefore understood that the wedge-shaped cam element 75 may be so positioned on thearm 62 of the lever 6i) to engage thebeveled surface 55 of one, two, four, or all eight of thecam elements 54 on thecircular plate 52 during each complete revolution thereof.

Each time the wedge-shaped cam element 75 abuts .thebeveled surface 55 of any one of the' cam elements 554 on the` slowly rotatingcircular plate 52, thelever 60 is forced laterally rearwardly about the end of its arm 61 loosely anchored by pin 64 against the biasing effect ofleaf spring 65 andcoil spring 66 to dispose the prong S1 within the circular path of movement taken by the eccentric cam blade 5t) as thedrive shaft 43 rotates.

rThe prong 81 on the lever f6@ is normally maintained out of alinement with the circular path of movement of the cam blade Si), but upon being moved into alinement with the vcircular path of movement of the cam blade 5d in response to the abutment of the cam element 75 with thebeveled surface 55 of one of thecam element 54 conditions thelever 60 for effecting Van actuation of the release valve 34 'for thecontainer 31 through theenlarged head 73 ofthethreaded stud 72 ycarried by thelateral extension arms 71 of thelever 60. As the cam blade 5) swings around in a circular arc, its tapered surface and knife edge 51 cam into :the V-notch in theprong 81, and continued rotation of thecam blade 50 forces the lever 26i) downward in a pivoting movement about the pin d4 to lower theenlarged head 73 of the threadedstud 72 for depressing thevalve 34 lto an open position, whereupon fluid is dispensed from thecontainer 31 through the dispensing aperture 3S thereof and outwardly through the dispensing outlet 30 provided in thefront wall 15 of thehousing 20. l y

As ythe cam blade 59 continues its circular movement, the knife edge l51 thereof disengages from theprong 81 on the lever '60, .and thelever 60 snaps lback into a position with the wedge-shaped cam element 75 thereon riding past and out of engagement with the beveled surface 5S of thecam element 54 previously engaged thereby, this snap action of the lever 6@ in returning to its normal position being encouraged by the biasing effect of theleaf spring 65 and thecoil spring 66. Y

Should it be desired to manually actuate the depres-sible release valve 34 on thecontainer 31 to ari-open position for dispensing fluid from thecontainer 31 at random, the knob '80 of theset screw 77 exposed above thetop wall 14 of the housing 20 m-ay .be pressed downwardly. The lever 6'@ is thereby caused 'to lbe pivoted ldownwardly about the pin 64 to actuate therelease valve 34 by the lowering of theenlarged head 73 of thebolt 72 carried by the late-ral extension arm '71 ofthe lever`60.

s one example of an operable Vembodiment of the invention, ltheelectric vmotor 41 may be synchronized to operate components ofthe timing mechanism as follows:

Rate of rotation (revolutions per minute-rpm.)

Circular plate 52 1/80 Thus, theoperating gear wheel 45 completes one revolution every four minutes, and each of thegear Wheel 48 and circular plate 52-completes one revolution every eight hours.

With the timing mechanism having such an operable cycle, the time interval elapsing between successive automatic actuations of therelease valve 34 .for thecontainer 31 may be varied in accordance vwith the following schedule:

@iA-54H, incl It will be appreciated that aerosol containers of different sizes may be employed with my dispensing device, since theupper portions 32 of such .aerosol containers are usually identical even though there may be a significant difference in the overall size of the aerosol containers. ln this respect, my dispensing device is so constructed as to provide for suspension of an aerosol container from the housing 2t) to allow for size variations in the aerosol containers which may be used with my dispensing device without requiring manual adjustment or removal of parts of the Idispensing device. My dispensing device provides for adjustment of the time inter-val elapsing between successive automatic .actuations of the release valve on an aerosol container, as well as adjustment of the time period during which the release valve is maintained in an actuated position. Y

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic `and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

II claim:

'1. In a dispensing dev-ice for periodically dispensing fluid from a container having an actuatable valve at its top for releasing fluid therefrom and a collar forming an enlargement extending at least partially about an upper portion thereof below the valve;

\(a) a housing having top, bottom, front, and back Walls land a pair of end walls forming an enclosure,

(b) the bottom wall of said housing having a transversely extending, elongate slot opening onto the for- -Wardly disposed edge of the bottom wall,V

(c) the front wall of said housing having a dispensing outlet extending into the lower edge thereof and communicatively adjoining the elongate slot in the bottom wall of said housing,

. (d) the upper portion of said container being receivable within said housing and extending through said slot in the bottom wall to dispose said valve within said housing in alinement with said dispensing outlet Yin the front wall,

(e) Ithe enlargement on said container formed by said collar being `disposed above said slot and within said housing in overlying slidable engagement with portions of the bottom wall of said housing bounding the opposite sides of said slot to retain said container in an operative position depending from said housing, and

(f) valve actuator means carried by said housing for successively lactuating said valve in a timed sequence when said container is'di-spo-sed in operative position ydepending from said housing.

2. a dispensing device for periodically dispensing fluid from .a container having an actuatable valve at its Si top for releasing iiuid therefrom and a collar forming an enlargement extending at least partially about an'upper portion thereof below the valve;

-(a) a housing having top, bottom, front, and back Walls and a p-air of end walls forming an enclosure,

(b) the bottom wall of said housing having a transversely extending, elongate slot opening onto the forwardly disposed edge of the bottom wall,

(c) the front wall of said housing having a dispensing outlet extending into the lower edge thereof and communicatively adjoining the elongate slot in the bottom wall of said housing,

(d) the upper portion of said container being receivable within said housing and extending through said yslot in the bottom wall to `dispose sai-d valve within said housing in alinement with -said dispensing 4outlet in the front wall,

(e) .the enlargement on said container formed by said collar being disposed above said slot and Within said housing in overlying slidable engagement ,with porti-ons of the bottom Wall of said housing bounding the opposite sides of said slot, i

(f) means on said housing releasably securing said container against movement in a direction outwardly -of said slot to retain said container in an operative `position depending from said housing, and

(g) valveactuator means carried by said housing for successively actuating said valve in a timed sequence when said container is disposed in operative position depending from said hou-sing.

3. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means on said housing releasably securing said container against movement in a direction outwardly of said slot comprises (1) a resilient elongate clip pivotally secured at one end thereof to the bottom Wall of said housing on one side of said slot, said clip being pivotable so as to extend across said slot, and (2) a depending stud rigidly secured to the bottom wall of said housing on the other side of said slot;

(h) the other end of said clip being disposable behind said stud in frictional engagement therewith to releasably clamp the upper portion of said container between saidV clip and the portion of said bottom wall bounding the closed end of said slot.

4. In a valve actuator assembly for intermittently actuatng a depressible valve means for an aerosol container by depressing the valve means to an open position for dispensing fluid from the container through theopen Valve means;

(a) lever means adapted to be operatively associated with the depressible valve means of an aerosol container,

(b) means mounting said lever means for movement in a direction to depress a valve means associated therewith to open position, n

(c) an eccentric member mounted adjacent said lever means for rotation in an orbital path of movement,

, (d) means operatively connected to said eccentric member for imparting rotation thereto,

(e) a rotatable circular plate mounted adjacent to said lever means,

(f) means operatively connected to said circular plate for rotating the same in a predetermined timed relationship,

(g) a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially arranged cam elements carried by said circular plate for rotation therewith,

(h) cam-actuated means carried by said lever means on the face thereof opposed to said plurality of cam elements on said circular plate and being disposed in the path of movement of at least certain of said cam elements so as to be successively engaged thereby,

(i) projecting means extending outwardly from the other face of said lever means, said projecting means being normally disposed out of alinement with the orbital path of movement of said eccentric member,

(j) said lever means being moved laterally outwardly in response to engagement of said cam-actuated means carried thereby with one of said cam elements on said circulate plate to move said projecting means on said lever means into alinement with the orbital path of movement of said eccentric member,

(k) said eccentric member contacting said projecting means during its rotation to move said lever means in a direction to depress the valve means to an open position, and (l) said lever means being moved in a direction to depress said valve means whenever said cam-actuated means carried by said lever means engages any one of said cam elements on said circular plate to successively depress said valve means to an open position in timed sequence with a predetermined time interval elapsing between successive depressions of said valve means for periodically dispensing fluid from said container.

5. In a valve actuator assembly as set forth inclaim 4,

wherein (m) said plurality of cam elements are equally spaced about the circumference of said circular plate and extend radially inwardly thereon for varying distances to provide at least a pair of cam elements of unequal length, and

(n) means to adjust the position of said cam-actuated means carried by said lever means relative to said cam elements on said circular plate for selectively rendering said cam-actuated means operable to engage a lesser number of cam elements than the total number of cam elements on said circular plate, whereby the predetermined time interval between successive depressions of said valve means by movement of said lever means may be changed.

6. In a valve actuator assembly as set forth inclaim 5, wherein said means for adjusting the position of said camactuated means carried by said lever means relative to said cam elements on said circular plate comprises l) a sleeve slidably mounted on said lever means for movement therealong, said cam-actuated means being secured to said sleeve, and

(2) a set screw penetrating said sleeve and engageable with said lever means to releasably secure said sleeve in a fixed position on said lever means.

7. In a valve actuator assembly for intermittently actuating a depressible valve means for an aerosol container by depressing the valve means to an open position for dispensing fluid from the container through the open valve means;

(a) lever means movable in a direction to depress said valve means to an open position,

(b) a rotatable drive shaft,

(c) an eccentric member rigidly secured on said drive shaft and extending laterally thereof in offset relation, said eccentric member comprising a cam blade rotatable in a circular path of movement and having a tapered leading surface terminating in a knife edge,

(d) means imparting rotation to said drive shaft and said cam blade thereon,

(e) a rotatable circular plate adjacent to said lever means,

(f) means operatively connected to said circular plate for rotating the same in a predetermined timed relationship,

(g) a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially arranged cam elements on Said circular plate,

(h) cam-actuated means carried by said lever means on the face thereof opposed to said plurality of cam elements on said circular plate,

(i) a prong projecting outwardly from the other face aisance i l of said levermeans, said prong having an upwardly opening notch formed in its 'outer end portion and being normally disposed out of alinement 'with the circular Ipath .of movement of said cam blade, v

(fj) saidlever'means'being moved laterally outwardly i in response to engagement of said cam-actuated Ameans carriedthereby and one of said cam elements -on said circularplate to-dispose the'oute'rend portion of said prong in alinement with thecircular path o'f movementof said cam blade,

(k) the Iknifeedge of said'cam blade camming into the notch 'formed inthe outer-end portion of said `prong to seat the tapered leading surface of said cam-blade `insaid notch during rotation of said cam blade in 'its'circularpath-to thereafter cause movement of said =lever means in a direction depressing said valve means vto an open position, and

(l) said 'lever means lbeing moved in a direction depressing said valvemeans whenever said cam-'actuated means carried by said lever means engages any one of said cam elements on said circular plate to successively depress said valve means to an Aopen .position in Ytimed sequence with a'predetermined time interval elapsing between successive depressions of lsaid valve means for periodically dispensing `iluid from said container.k

'8. A dispensing device for intermittently actuating a depressible valve lmeans of an aerosol container by depressing the valve means to an open Yposition for dispensingiluid fromthe container `vthrough the open valve means; said 'dispensing devi-ce comprising :(a) a housing for supporting the container with the rdepressible valve means located within the housing, said housing having a dispensing outlet adapted to be alined with the valve means of the container,

y(b) lever means in said housing' and movable in a direction to depress the valve means to an open position, 1

(c) ian-eccentric member within'said housing and rotat- --a'ble inan orbital path of movement,

l(d) -means imparting rotation to saideccentric member,

(e) a rotatable circular plate within said housing adjacent to lsaid lever means,

(f.) -means operatively connected to said circular plate for rotating the same in a predetermined timed relationship,-

(g) aplurality of ircumferentially spaced radially arranged cam elements on said circular plate,

(h) said cam elements being equally spaced about the circumference of said circular plate and extending radially inwardly thereon for varying distances t provide yat least a pair of cam elements of unequal length,

(i) a sleeve slidably mounted on said lever means for movement therealong,

(j) cam-.actuated means secured to said sleeve and disposed in opposed relation to said cam elementson said circular plate,

(k) a setscrewpenetrating said sleeve and engageable with said levermeans to releasably secure said sleeve and said cam-actuated means in a xed position on said lever means, said vset screw extending outwardly of Vsaid housing,

(l) a prong projecting outwardly from the other face LOf *saidflever means, jsaid prong being norm-ally disposed out of alinement with the orbital path ofmovement of 'saideccentric member,

"(m) Asaid lever means beingmovedlaterally outwardly in response to engagement of said cam-actuated Vmeans and one of said vcam elements on said circular plate to dispose said prong in alinement 'withothe orbital pathof movement of said eccentric member,

(n) saideccentric'member contacting said prong during rotation of sai-d eccentric member in its orbital path to move said lever means in a direction for dcpressing the valve means to an open position,

(o) Isaid lever means being moved in a direction for depressing the valve means whenever said cam-actuated means engages anyone ofsaid cam elements on said circular plate to successively depress the valve means to an open position in timed sequence with a predetermined time interval elapsing between successive depressions of the valve means for periodically dispensing uid fromthe Vcontainer through the dispensing outlet in said housing,

(p) the position of said cam-actuated means relative to said cam elements being adjustable by moving said `sleeve along said lever means Vupon loosening of said set screw Vfor selectively rendering said cam-actuated means operable to engage a lesser number of cam elements than the total number of cam elements on said circular plate, whereby the predetermined time interval elapsing between successive depressions of the valve means may bechanged, and

(q) said set screw comprising manually operable means for moving said lever means in a direction for depressing the valve means to an open position at random without disturbing the timed sequence of successive automatic depressions of the valve means.

9. An .actuator assembly for use with a device desired to be cyclicly operated, said actuator assembly including (a) an eccentric'member mounted for rotation in a predetermined plane,

(b) a rotatable circular platespaced from said eccen- 'tric'memberand adapted tobe rotated in a predetermined timed relationship,

, (c) a plurality Vof varying length, circumferentially spaced cam elements carried by said circular plate for rotationtherewith and extending longitudinally radially of said circular plate,

(d) actuating means disposed between said circular plate and said eccentric member and being movable -between a iirst position wherein the same is disposed in the path of rotation of at least one of said cam elements and out of the path of rotation of said ecrcentric member and a second position inthe `path of rotation of said eccentric member, said actuating vmeans -normally occupying said `firstV position and being moved therefrom to said second position by said cam elements upon successive engagement therewith, said eccentric member engaging said actuating means when the Same'occupiesrsaid second position, and said actuating means being-'adapted to be operatively associated with a cyclicly operable device for intermittently operating the same, and

(e) adjustment means-operatively associated with said ,actuating means and said cam elements for adjusting the relative positions thereof for varying the number of saidcam elements which willengage said actuating means per revolution of said circular-plate to thereby vary the interval between movements of said actuating means from the first position to the second position.

` 10%. An actuator assembly for use with a device desired to be cyclicly operated, said actuator assembly including A(a) an eccentric member mounted for rotation in a predetermined plane,

(b)` a rotatable circular plate spaced from said eccentric member and adapted to be rotated in a predetermined timed relationship and in a planetparallel to the plane of rotation of said eccentric member,

(c) a vplurality of circumferentially spaced, varying length cam elements carried bysaid circular plate for rotation therewith on the side 'face thereof adjacent said Yeccentric memben'said Ycam elements extending longitudinally radiallyv inwardly from the periphery of said circular plate for varying distances depending upon the length thereof,

(d) actuating means disposed between said circular plate .and said eccentric member and being movable between a tirst position wherein the same is disposed in the path of rotation of at least one of said cam elements and out of the path of rotation of said eccentric member and a second position in the path of rotation of said eccentric member, said actuating means normally occupying said first position and being moved therefrom to said second position by said cam elements upon successive engagement therewith, said eccentric member engaging said actuating means when the same occupies said second position, and said actuating means being adapted to be operatively associated with a cyclicly operable device for intermittently actuating the same, and

(e) adjustment means operatively associated with said actuating means for adjusting said actuating means radially of said circular plate and longitudinally of said cam elements to vary the position of said actuating means relative to said varying length cam elements for varying the number of said cam elements which will engage said actuating means per revolution of said circular plate to thereby vary the interval between movements of said actuating means from the first position to the second position.

`11. The structure recited in claim wherein said actuating means (d) includes (l) lever means movable between said circular plate and said eccentric member and being movable in response to engagement Awith said eccentric member, and

(2) adjustable means carried by said lever means and adapted to intermittently actuate a cyclicly operable device in response to movement of said lever means by said eccentric member and being adjustable yfor varying the interval of actuation of the cyclicly operable device.`

12. A dispensing device comprising (a) a support,

(b) a container carried by said support and having fluid under pressure therein,

(c) valve means on said container for opening said container upon actuation thereof for dispensing lluid therefrom,

(d) an eccentric member mounted on said support for rotation in a predetermined plane,

(e) a rotatable circular plate carried by said support and spaced from said eccentric member and adapted to be rotated in a predetermined timed relationship,

(f) a plurality of varying length, circumferentially spaced cam elements carried by said circular plate for rotation therewith,

(g) actuating means disposed between said circular plate and said eccentric member and being movable .between a rst position wherein the same is disposed in the path of rotation of at least one of said cam elements on said circular plate and out of the path of rotation of said eccentric member and a second position in the path of rotation of said eccentric member, said .actuating means normally occupying said first position and being moved therefrom to said .second position by said cam elements upon successive engagement therewith, said actuating means being operatively associated with said valve means on said container and being engaged by said eccentric member when said actuating means occupies said second position for movement of said actuating means in a direction to actuate said valve means t-o open said container for dispensing fluid therefrom, and

(h) adjustment means operatively associated with said actuating means and said cam elements for adjusting the relative positions thereof for varying the number of said cam elements which will engage said actuating means per revolution ot' said circular plate to thereby vary the interval between actuations of said valve means.

13. A dispensing device according to claim 12 wherein said actuating means includes References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,108 10/52 Kraus 222-70 2,967,643 4l/6l Edelstein et al. 222-70 3,072,302 1/ 63 Giovannoni et al 222-70 X 3,107,821 10/63 Lambert 222-70 LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A DISPENSING DEVICE FOR PERIODICALLY DISPENSING FLUID FROM A CONTAINER HAVING AN ACTUATABLE VALVE AT ITS TOP FOR RELEASING FLUID THEREFROM AND A COLLAR FORMING AN ENLARGEMENT EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY ABOUT AN UPPER PORTION THEREOF BELOW THE VALVE; (A) A HOUSING HAVING TOP, BOTTOM, FRONT, AND BACK WALLS AND A PAIR OF END WALLS FORMING AN ENCLOSURE, (B) THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID HOUSING HAVING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING, ELONGATE SLOT OPENING ONTO THE FORWARDLY DISPOSED EDGE OF THE BOTTOM WALL, (C) THE FRONT WALL OF SAID HOUSING HAVING A DISPENSING OUTLET EXTENDING INTO THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF AND COMMUNICATIVELY ADJOINING THE ELONGATE SLOT IN THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID HOUSING, (D) THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER BEING RECEIVABLE WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT IN THE BOTTOM WALL TO DISPOSE SAID VALVE WITHIN SAID HOUSING IN ALINEMENT WITH SAID DISPENSING OUTLET IN THE FRONT WALL, (E) THE ENLARGEMENT ON SAID CONTAINER FORMED BY SAID COLLAR BEING DISPOSED ABOVE SAID SLOT AND WITHIN SAID HOUSING IN OVERLYING SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH PORTIONS OF THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID HOUSING BOUNDING THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SLOT TO RETAIN SAID CONTAINER IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION DEPENDING FROM SAID HOUSING, AND (F) VALVE ACTUATOR MEANS CARRIED BY SAID HOUSING FOR SUCCESSIVELY ACTUATING SAID VALVE IN A TIMED SEQUENCE WHEN SAID CONTAINER IS DISPOSED IN OPERATIVE POSITION DEPENDING FROM SAID HOUSING.

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