Dispensing apparatus for portable pressurized containers

June 30, 1964

C. P. CAIRELLI

3,139,218

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS

Filed May 16, 1962

Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTOR

CARMEN P CAIRELLI

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ATTORNEYS

June 30, 1964

C. P. CA1RELL1

3,139,218

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS

Filed May 16, 1962

Sheets-Sheet 2

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CARMEN R CAIRELLI

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ATTORNEYS

3,139,218

Patented June 30, 1964

United States Patent

3,139,218

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS

Carmen P. CaireBi, Farmington, Conn., assignor, by _rmesne assignments, to Richardson-MerreB Inc., New ° York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware

Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,074

Claims. (Cl. 222—70)

The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus, io and more particularly to dispensing apparatus for association with a portable pressurized container for the periodic dispensing at controlled intervals of a wide variety of materials in vapor form.

Prior to the advent of the pressurized containers, the 15 practice employed in dispensing medicants, insecticides, fumigants, and like materials into an enclosed area or the like, was by hand operated or power operated sprayers, vaporizers, or the like. For example, in the alleviating of discomfort of persons suffering from nasal or chest 20 congestion, the practice heretofore employed to provide the necessary relief was to utilize a vaporizer in which water and a medicant was boiled, thus emitting steam vapor into the room. However, such prior methods of dispensing material into an area possess inherent disadvantages that have been found to be objectionable. For example, the material will oftentimes be dispensed or expelled all at one time into the area to be treated, thus rendering it impossible to maintain a constant and continuous high potency level of the medicant, insecticide, or the like, since once the material has been expelled or dispensed, the high potency immediately begins to diminish. Alternatively, if the material is dispensed periodically, a person must be present to effect the desired periodic dispensing, which is objectionable in itself. Moreover, with sustained release dispensers, such as vaporizers, it is impossible to maintain a continuous high level potency of the medicant and the like without constant refilling, which likewise is objectionable.

With the advent of the pressurized container in which the medicant, insecticide, or similar material is confined or maintained in a container under gas pressure, a container was provided which permits a person to periodically dispense the desired material in vapor form into a room or other area in a safe and easy manner. However, while eliminating the disadvantages of certain of the prior methods of dispensing, the pressurized container or bombtype dispenser possesses a disadvantage also in that it can only be actuated by hand. This necessitates or requires a person to periodically dispense manually the desired material into the area, which is objectionable, particularly in the case of a sick child or the like during the night, which would require almost constant attendance in order to dispense a medicant into the room in which the child was sleeping. .

Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is the elimination of the foregoing related disadvantages to provide a dispensing apparatus in which material is dispensed in vapor form automatically. at controlled intervals over a long period of time.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel, automatically-actuated dispensing apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel dispensing apparatus associated with a pressurized container for the automatic dispensing of the material contained therein in vapor form at controlled intervals.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel portable dispensing apparatus that is inexpensive in initial cost and operation and is quite simple in design.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of means for the economical dispensing of medicants in vapor form automatically at regular controlled intervals into an enclosed area.

A further object of the present invention is the automatic dispensing of materials in vapor form from a pressurized fluid container at regular intervals without requiring the attendance of anyone to effect the desired dispensing.

Other and additional objects will become manifest in the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Broadly stated, the dispensing apparatus made in accordance with the present invention comprises mounting means for association with a pressurized dispensing can having a laterally shiftable, vertically disposed valve actuating means, driving means carried by said mounting means, gear means driven by said power driving means, actuating means operatively associated with said gear means to periodically at timed intervals engage the valve means of the pressurized container to laterally shift same and permit the dispensing of material present in the pressurized container therefrom.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related 25 ends, the present invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illus30 trating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the dispensing appara35 tus made in accordance with the present invention shown in association with a typical pressurized dispensing can.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2—2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the under surface of the 40 top gear wheel in unassembled relationship to be employed in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the top surface of the lower gear wheel in unassembled relationship to be employed in the illustrative embodiment of the dispensing 45 apparatus made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of a dispensing apparatus made in accordance with the present invention, and generally designated by nu50 meral 10, is shown.

The dispensing apparatus 10 comprises a frame or base member 11, which is secured in detachable relationship to the top perimetral edge of a pressurized dispensing can C. The frame or base member 11 is generally circular 55 in configuration, and in the form of a continuous circular member. However, if desired, the base member 12 may be in the form of two semi-circular or segmented arcuate portions. The base member 12 is provided adjacent its lower end with a slot 13 corresponding substan₆₀ tially identically in configuration and dimensions to the perimetral bead of the pressurized fluid container or can C for retentive engagement therewith. The diameter of the base member 12 between the slot 13 is preferably just less than the diameter of the perimetral bead of the ₆₅ pressurized fluid container or can C. This construction thus makes it possible for the base member 12 to be mounted to the pressurized fluid container C by a snap actuation which will result in a positive firm retention of the base member to the bead, of the can. The base mem„ ber 12 is provided with an inwardly stepped shoulder portion 14 which forms a bearing surface for engagement with the top perimetral surface of the pressurized fluid

3.139.218 can C inwardly of the perimetral bead to insure positive and firm retention of the base member thereto.

A pair of opposed vertically disposed leg members 15 are integrally formed with the base member 12 and extending upwardly therefrom on opposite sides thereof in substantially vertical alignment with the inwardly offset shoulder portions 14 of the base member 12. The leg members 15 serve as the means for supporting the actuating parts of the present invention in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. It will be found advantageous to have the pair of vertical leg members 15 inwardly offset slightly in relation to the outer edge or surface of the base member 12, thereby forming a circumferentially extending or arcuate lip portion 16 for supporting a cover 17 thereof. The cover 17, which functions as a cover or housing for the power driving means of the present invention, is snapped over the outside surface of leg portions 15 of the base member 12, with the lower free end of the housing 17 resting on the lip 16 of the base member 12. The cover member 17 will be slightly undersized in diameter with respect to the outside diameter between the leg portions 15 such that when the cover member 17 is in assembled relationship therewith, the cover member will be in tensioned engagement therewith, thereby insuring positive retention of the cover 17 with the base member 12. The cover member 17, of course, must in no way impair the free dispensing of the vapor from the vapor nozzle into the area to be treated. However, the cover should be of such design that it will properly envelope the moving parts of the apparatus to prevent dirt and dust from entering thereinto.

The base member 12 may be formed of any suitable .material that will possess some degree of resiliency, since, as hereinbefore indicated, it is desired to have the base member secured to the perimetral edge of the pressurized fluid can or container C in tensioned or snap action relationship. To achieve the desired snap actuation in the manner hereinbefore indicated, the base member 12 is preferably made of plastic or metal of such gauge that it will possess the desired flexibility or resiliency required. It is to be clearly understood that the snap actuation form of attachment of the base member 12 to the container C is illustrative in character only and exemplifies only a preferred embodiment. Obviously there are a wide variety of constructions and means by which the base member 12 can be secured to the pressurized container G. Similarly, the cover 17 may be made of plastic, metal, or the like, since the cover likewise is secured by a snap actuation to the base member 12. Again, however, such construction is illustrative in character only.

A supporting platform or support member 18, generally circular in configuration, is mounted on the top free ends of the vertically disposed leg members 15. The support member 18 spans the distance therebetween and will rest immediately above the dispensing valve V of the pressurized container C. The support member 18 has as its primary function the support of the timing apparatus of the dispensing apparatus.

Power means, generally designated by reference numeral 19, is mounted on the top of the connector plate 18 and serves as the driving means for the valve actuating means in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The power means 19, as illustrated, is a small electric clock motor provided with an electric cord 2® which is to be electrically coupled with a conventional house current for providing the necessary electric power for the clock. It is to be clearly understood that the power driving means 19 is illustrative in character only and illustrates only one type of many power means that may be used equally as well in the present invention. For example, the power driving means 19 may be battery operated, if electrical power means is desired, or a hand or spring wound clock motor may be utilized equally as well. Moreover, the power driving means 19 may be a motor having a fractional horse power and generally referred to as miniature motors, capable of being driven from a very low power source. Such a motor may be either battery driven or driven by electric current ob5 tained from a conventional house circuit.

The power driving means 19 is provided with a driving shaft 21 extending downwardly therefrom through an opening 22 in the mounting plate 18, and has its lower free end connected to a pinion gear 23 mounted for ro10 tation in a plane parallel to the mounting plate 18. A fixed shaft 24 is secured to the connecting plate 18 and extends downwardly therefrom in spaced substantially parallel relationship to the driving shaft 21, and functions .as the means for mounting a pair of horizontally disposed 15 vertically spaced bearing wheels. The fixed shaft 24 is provided with a journaled bearing 25 on which an upper gear wheel 26 and a lower gear wheel 27 are mounted for rotation therearound in slightly vertically spaced relationship. The upper and lower gear wheels 26 and 27 20 are so positioned on the shaft 24 in relation to the pinion gear 23 that the rotation of the pinion gear 23 will simultaneously effect the rotation of the upper and lower gear wheels 26 and 27.

The upper and lower gear wheels 26 and 27 are so 25 constructed and arranged that the rotation of each by the pinion gear wheel 23 will effect an actuation of the dispensing valve V of the pressurized fluid container C for a period of two to three seconds every fifteen minutes. To accomplish this desired timing relationship, the upper 30 gear 26 and the lower gear 27 have the same diameter, but each gear is provided with a numerically different number of teeth. This arrangement results in the gears 26 and 27 having an operative effect such that one gear wheel will be rotating at a faster rate than the other gear 35 wheel, thereby creating an operational speed differential between the two gear wheels. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper gear wheel 26 is provided with sixty-four teeth, while the lower gear 27 is provided with sixty teeth. Thus, since both gear wheels are operatively driven by 40 the pinion 23 of the driving shaft 21, there will be a relative displacement of one gear to the other based on the difference of four teeth. This arrangement will result in the same teeth on the two gears coinciding with one another every sixteen revolutions of the upper gear 26 hav45 ing the sixty-four teeth at a desired or pre-selected location. Actually, the corresponding points coincide every revolution but will have no operative effect until the coincidence occurs on the pre-selected point to effect the actuation of the valve V, which is once every sixteen rev50 olutions of the upper gear wheel 26.

It is to be clearly understood that the numerical number of teeth present on the gear wheels 26 and 27 may be other than on a sixty-four—sixty relationship, since the same or similar timing relationship can be achieved by varying 55 the numerical number of teeth so long as a numerical differential exists with respect to the teeth on the respective gear wheels. .

To utilize the desired operational differential between the gear wheels 26 and 27 to effect the actuation of the ₆₀ valve stem V in the desired time relationship, a camming actuation is provided between the gear differential such that when the corresponding teeth of the two gear wheels engage or coincide at the pre-selected point, a valve actuation member will be placed into operation to press _6g against the valve stem V to open the valve of the pressurized fluid container C to emit vapor therefrom for a short period of time. To achieve such an operation, the upper gear wheel 26 is provided with a downwardly extending fixed pin or shaft 28 which stops just short of the 70 upper surface of the lower gear wheel 27. The upper surface or face of the lower gear wheel 27 is provided with a camming member or pawl 29 arcuate in configuration, which is pivotally mounted to the upper surface of the lower gear wheel 27. The pawl 29 is so positioned as to 75 periodically engage the pin 28 of the upper gear wheel

3,139,218 during the rotation of the gear wheel to engage the pin 28 and be cammed outwardly.

To utilize this camming action of the camming member 29 to effect an opening of the valve of the container C, an actuating lever 30 is pivotally mounted by means of mounting shaft 31 to the under surface of the mounting plate 18 in pivotal relationship with respect thereto. The mounting shaft 31 is positioned remote from the fixed mounting shaft 24 of the gear wheels 26 and 27, and will lie substantially at an angle of 45° with respect thereto. The actuating lever 30 opposite its pivotal point and adjacent its free end thereof is provided with an inwardly extending cut-out portion or recess 32 which will fit around the vertically disposed valve stem V of the pressurized fluid container C and be movable in a horizontal plane lying at substantially right angles with respect to the plane of the valve member V. The actuation lever 30 is provided with an outwardly extending projection 33, which extends inwardly between the upper and lower gear wheels 26 and 27. Upon an outward camming action of the cam member 29 as a result of its engagement with shaft 28 at the pre-selected point, the cam will drive the actuation lever 30 outwardly against the valve stem V, causing the valve of the pressurized container to open and vapor to be emitted therefrom. When the camming member 29 moves inwardly as a result of the movement of the gear wheels 26 and 27, the camming force will be withdrawn, causing the actuating lever 30 to move inwardly or away from the valve stem V, thereby causing the valve stem to return to its normally vertical position, thereby closing the valve of the pressurized fluid container.

In the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the dispensing apparatus just described, reference will be had to the use of the apparatus in dispensing medicant into a closed area. The pressurized fluid container C having the dispensing apparatus 11 thereon is placed in a suitable area where the medicant in vapor form is needed. The electric cord 20 is plugged into a house outlet to energize the power driving means 19, which will effect a rotation of the pinion gear 23 and hence a corresponding rotation of the upper and lower gear wheels 26 and 27. As the camming mechanism or pawl 29 approaches the shaft or pin 28 carried by the upper gear 26 at the pre-selected point, the pawl 29 will be cammed outwardly. The camming action, when it occurs at the pre-selected point, will cause the pawl 29 to ride outwardly, forcing the actuating lever 30 inwardly against the valve stem V, thus opening the valve of the pressurized fluid container C causing emission of medicant therefrom. Upon the continued rotation of the gear wheels 26 and 27, the camming member 29 moves inwardly away from the actuating lever 30, with the natural spring action of the valve stem V returning to its normal position, thus closing the valve of the pressurized fluid container C, thereby stopping the emission of the medicant or medicine therefrom. It is to be realized that the continued rotation of the gear wheels 26 and 27 will result in a camming outwardly of the camming member 29 with respect to the pin or shaft 28 fifteen times more at various points around the circle before the outward camming action between the two members will occur at the preselected point where the valve actuating member 30 will be pushed inwardly.

While the present invention is of particular utility with respect to the so-called pressurized dispensers, it is to be understood that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to employ the present invention with dispensers other than pressurized dispensers. For example, it is possible to use applicant’s dispensing apparatus with a gravity feed dispenser where it is desired to dispense material by means of gravity. Moreover, the present invention has been shown and described as being positioned on the top of the container since the dispensing spout on all known pressurized dispensers is located at this point. However, it is to be clearly understood that the dispensing apparatus of the present invention may be as6 sociated at any point on the container, depending upon the location of the dispensing spout.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be included therein.