US3165238A

US3165238A - Intermittent actuating device for dispensers

Info

Publication number: US3165238A
Application number: US174098A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gaston G Wiley
Original assignee: HEUER TIMER CORP
Current assignee: HEUER TIMER CORP
Priority date: 1962-02-19
Filing date: 1962-02-19
Publication date: 1965-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-12
Also published as: CH400922A; CH1476262A4

Description

Jan. 12, 1965 G. G. WILEY 3,155,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 3 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Gaston G. Wiley BY ATTORN EYS Jan. 12, 1965 ca. G. WILEY 3,165,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 12, 1965 G. G. wuv 3,165,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,165,238 INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Gaston G. Wiiey, Dover, N.J., assignor to Heller Timer Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 174,093 Claims; (Cl. 2227t This invention relates to an intermittent actuating device of the type adapted to actuate a valve at predetermined time intervals. More particularly, it relates to an intermittent actuating device, having independent motive power means, which is attachable to aerosol packages and further has actuating means designed to actuate the valve actuator on aerosol packages intermittently during extended time periods.

Many ofthe fluids presently being marketed in aerosol packages, such as medicated room Vaporizers, air sanitizers, pesticides and the like, lend themselves to intermittent dispensation in small amounts over an extended period of time. Heretofore it has been proposed to provide an attachable actuating device designed to actuate the valve of an aerosol package at predetermined time intervals. Since such as actuating device must be capable of operation of periods of say, 8 hours, during which time.

it must maintain suificient potential energy to displace the valve actuator of the aerosol package in either a horizontal or vertical direction as the case may be, the devices developed up to this time have included an electric motor of the type adapted to receive power from an external electric power source. Of course, such electrically powered devices always maintain sufiicient energy to actuate the valve actuatoras well as to operate for unlimited periods of time. These devices had decided disadvantages in that they were'expensive to manufacture as well as to operate; further, they always required an external electrical source thereby seriously detracting from the portable and self-sufi'icient features inherent in aerosol packages.

I have' found that by providing an actuating device, containing an independent source of motive power, which is capable of operating for extended periods of time during which it is able to provide sufiicient energy to actuate the valve actuator on an aerosol package to which it is attached, a much improved fluid dispensing device is realized.

Broadly stated the intermittent actuating device is an improvement in aerosol packages of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package. The device is comprised of a frame formed for attachment to an aerosol package. Independent motive power means are supported on the frame. Valve actuating means are operatively connected to the power means and extend from the frame in proximal relationship to the valve on the aerosol package. Finally, a timer mechanism is interconnected with the power means and actuating means to regulate actuation of the valve actuator at predetermined intervals.

It has particularly been noted that an actuating device 7 having a mainspring contained in the body member as the independent motive power means and winding means connected therewith has proven adequate to provide a sufficient force at the actuating means todisplace the valve actuator intermittently during extended periods of time. Nevertheless, by independent motive power means in the application it is intended to include any power means which can be mounted on the body member and is not dependent on an external power source, such as batteries.

It is readily apparent that the actuating device of the invention is very economical to manufacture and is simple and lightweight in construction so as to lend itself to attachment to aerosol packages and nevertheless is able to accurately dispense fluids at the predetermined time intervals. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation partly in section and partly broken away of a dispensing device;

FIG. 2 is a section taken substantially along the lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of actuating means for dispensing fluid from a vertical actuating valve; and

FIG. 6 is an elevation partly in section and partly broken away of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a standard aerosol package 10 having a valve stem 11 extending outwardly there from at its upper end is shown with an actuating device 12 attached thereto. The actuating device 12 consists of a frame 13 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and is constructed such that its lower circumferential edge portion 14 sits'tightly in a recess 15 which is substantially defined by the crimped attachment of a cup 16 onto the body of the package 10.

The frame 13 has a substantially closed top portion 18 and an upper plate 19, an intermediate plate 20, and a lower plate 21, all horizontally positioned within the housing and vertically spaced from each other. The

horizontal plates

19, 20 and 21 are properly positioned within the frame 13 by means of vertical supporting

members

22 and 23 which are shown broken away in the drawing. The vertical supporting

members

22 and 23 are comprised essentially of a longitudinally extending rod 24 which is secured to the top portion 18 of the frame 13 and to the lower horizontal support 21. The rod extends through each of the upper and intermediate plates 19 and 2th and has a cylindrical sleeve 25 positioned about the rod 24'. A separate cylindrical sleeve 25 would be arranged about the rod 24 between the top portion 18 of the frame 13 and each of the

horizontal supports

19, 20 and 21. Thus in this embodiment three such sleeves 25 would be mounted in each rod 24, thereby maintaining the plates properly spaced from each other.

A cup-shaped winding member 27 of slightly larger diameter than the frame 13 substantially encompasses the upper portion of the frame' The winding member 27 is securely attached to an arbor 23' on which a mainspring 29 is mounted. The outer end 30 of the mainspring 29 is attached to the vertical support 23 and the inner winding of the spring is attached to the arbor 28 to maintain proper tension therein. Attached to the arbor 28' is a click spring 31 which has a pin 32 depending therefrom such that upon winding of the mainspring 29 the pin will become lodged within successive teeth in a rachet 33 which is positioned adjacent the click spring 31 and is held in fixed relationship relative to the click spring 31. The pin 32 isactually the end of a curved spring which is mounted in the click spring 31 and serves to maintain the pin 32 under tension so that it will always be urged into engagewith with one of the teeth in the rachet. The click spring 31 is securely mounted to the arbor 28 and is adapted to rotate therewith during its Winding as well .from through the upper horizontal plate 19 and through :3 the intermediate plate 26 and terminating a distance below the'intermediate plate 26 is a main drive shaft 35. Securely mounted to the main shaft 35 between the upper and

intermediate plates

19 and 20 is a spacer 36 and main wheel 37. The main wheel 37 serves to drive the timer mechanism or'timer train which in this embodiment is disposed entirely between the upper plate 19 and the intermediate plate 20. The main wheel 37 drives a first pinion 38 and second wheel 39 which are rotatably mounted on a shaft 40 which is pivotably mounted between the upper plate19 and the intermediate plate 20. The second wheel 39 in turn drives a second pinion 41 and third wheel 42.

which are similarly mounted on a shaft 43 which is also pivotably mounted between upper and

intermediate plates

19 and 20. The third wheel 42 drives a third pinion 44 and fourth wheel 45 which are rotatably mounted on shaft 46 which is similarly pivotably mounted between upper and

intermediate plates

19 and 20. The fourh wheel 45 has .

pins

52 and 53 positioned substantially concentric about the shaft 50 and arranged such that the teeth of the escapement alternately strike each of the

pins

52 and 53 and thereby momentarily stopping the escapement wheel 48 and causing the pallet 52 to oscillate on the shaft 50. This arrangement, asis well known, serves to ease the distribution of power by slowing down the gear train. A groove 55 is formed on the opposite end of the lever pallet 51 such that it contacts a pin 56 which extends from a pivotal shaft 58 and pivots in

supports

59 and 60 which a balance wheel 57. The balance wheel 57 is mounted on are mounted in the upper and intermediate horizontal supports 19 and 20 respectively. Also mounted on the pivotable shaft 58 and spaced from the balance wheel 57 is a hair spring 61. Theouter end of the hair spring 61 is secured to a stud support 62. The balance wheel and hair spring arrangement serve as regulating organs which maintain the timer mechanism at its proper beat with a constant distribution of power. As the pallet lever 51 reciprocates it imparts reciprocal motion'to the balance wheel- 57 since the groove 55 in the pallet serves to momentarily catch and displace the pin 56 extending from the balance wheel. This arrangement in combination with the hair' spring 61 regulates the interval in which the escapement wheel 48 is stopped, thereby regulating the beat of the mechanism.

. 57, the mechanism can be stopped.

Mounted at the end portion of the main drive shaft 35 "which extends below the intermediate support 20 is an internal spur gear 70. The internal spur gear 70 rotates with the drive wheel 37 and thus is directly driven by the barrel'spring 29 so that the torque developed by the spring is always applied to the internal spur gear. The spur gear 70 shown in this embodiment is designed to make one revolution every four hours. The spur 'gear 70 drives a one hour gear 71 which is rotatable on the shaft 72 and which in turn is mounted on the lower horizontal support 21. The one hour gear 71 drives a one-half hour gear 73 which is similarly mounted on a shaft .74 and mounted in the lower horizontal support 21. As best shown in FIG. 4 also mounted on shaft 74 and spaced from the one-half hour gear 73 is a cam 75. The cam 75 has identical cam actuating surfaces 76 and 77 which 4 extend in diametrically opposed directions from the bottom of the cam 75. Thus by providing similar cam surfaces 76 and 77 in the position shown, the cam is constructed to actuate the aerosol package every fifteen minutes. Alternatively, the cam 75 can be constructed with cam surfaces similar to cam surfaces 76 and 77, but formed to extend outwardly substantially 90 offset from each other. Such a cam could be mounted on the one hour wheel 71 or the shaft 72 and actuation of the package could nevertheless be achieved every fifteen minutes. A special valve actuator 78 is mounted on the valve stem 11 which extends outwardly from the aerosol package 10. The actuator consists of a base supporting cylindrical member 79 which is adapted to fit snugly around a ring portion 80 of the cup 16 on the aerosol package 10. Inserted overthe valve stem 11 is a nozzle portion 81 of the actuator 78 which is joined to the cylindrical member Stiby. supporting members 82. The nozzle portion 81' has an orifice 83 formed therein to regulate the spray of In this embodiment the valve stem 11 formed in the aerosol package 10 is connected to a valve of the type adapted to be actuated by horizontal displacement. Thus as the cam 75 is rotated the cam surfaces 76 and 77 alternately contact the cam follower 8S" momentarily, and displace the nozzle portion 81 of the actuator7 8 in a horizontal direction. The cam surfaces 76 and 77 are so formed in relation to the cam follower 85 that this displacement in a horizontal direction is' of a sufficient extent to actuate the valve 11 thereby causing the fluid within the package .10 to be dispensedfor a very short increment of time.

In operation the cup-shaped member 27 is simply grasped by hand and rotated thereby winding the main'-' spring 29. The pin 32 becomes lodged in one of the ratchet teeth 33 thereby maintaining the barrel in its above could also be adapted to actuate aerosol packages having-vertical actuated valves contained therein. Referring now to FIG. 5 one arrangement has'been set forth in which this is accomplished. A spur gear 87 is attached to the end of the maindrive shaft 35. The

.spur gear serves to rotate a pinion gear 88 which is' mounted on a vertical shaft 89 which is pivotably mounted between the intermediate support 20 and the lower support 21 Also mounted on the shaft 89 and spaced from the pinion; 88 is a bevel drive gear 90. The bevel drive gear 90 serves-to rotate a bevel pinion gear 91 which is'securely mounted on a shaft 92 which is suspended over: the nozzle portion 81 of the actuator .78. By means of

journals

93 and 94 which are mounted on the lower horizontal support 21 a cam 94 is secured to the shaft 92 overlying the nozzle portion 81. The cam 94 has two cam actuating surfaces 95 and 96 which are in diametrically opposed positions. Thus by continuous'rotation of-the cam- 94 substantially in the plane in which ,saidvalve actuator is displaceable the valve 11 which in this case is vertically A enemas actuated will be depressed each time one of the cam surfaces 95 and 96 contacts and displaces the nozzle portion 81 of the adapter 79. f

Referring now to FIG. 6 the second embodiment of an intermittent actuating device of'a different drive arrangement is shown. The'actuatingdevice shown in FIG. 6 is substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 1 containing a more simplified drive mechanism. Here a click spring and rachet mechanism 90 is shown in an inverted position to that shown in FIG. 1. Spaced below the spring and rachet mechanism 90 preferably rotatable with the spring and rachet mechanism, which functions in a similar manner as that described in the first embodiment is a spur gear 91. The spur'gea'r 91 drives a pinion 92' whichis rotatably mounted ona main drive shaft 93. The drive shaft 93 is pivotably mounted between the upper portion 18 of the housing and the lower horizontal plate 21. Also securely mounted on the shaft 93 and rotatable therewith is a second drive pinion 94. The drive pinion 94 drives a wheel 95 which is one of several wheels comprising the timer train. The wheel 95 is equivalent to wheel 39 in the timer train as shown and described in FIG. 1. The remainder of a timer train, which is only partially shown in FIG. 6, is the same as that shown and described with respect to FIG. 1. A third drive gear 96 is securely mounted on shaft 93 and spaced from the drive pinion 94. The drive gear 96 serves as the hour wheel in the mechanism. The hour wheel 96 drives a one-half hour wheel 97 which is securely mounted on shaft 98 which is pivotably mounted between the intermediate plate 20 and the lower plate 21. Securely mounted on the shaft 98 and rotatable therewith is a cam 99. The cam 99 can have substantially the configuration of the cam shown in FIG. 4, or any other suitable configuration could be formed provided only that the cam be adapted to at least intermittently contact a cam follower 100, which is shown mounted on the nozzle or valve stem 101.

In operation the spring 29 is wound by the selective winding member 27 and is maintained in its wound position by the spring and rachet mechanism 90. The mainspring 29 provides sufficient force to drive the gear 91 which in turn drives the drive shaft 93 in its meshed relationship with pinion 92. The main drive shaft 93 is thus rotated and this rotation is regulated by the timer train as the drive shaft 93 is in meshed relationship with the pinion 94 and the wheel 95. This regulated motion is transferred to the cam 99 through the gear reduction of the one-half hour gear 97 and the hour gear 96. Hence, by designing a cam 99 such that it intermittently contacts the valve actuator 100 the contents of the aerosol package can be dispensed at predetermined time intervals.

Although the cams described have been ones in which the cam follower mounted on the valve is displaced against the resilient force of the spring loaded valve in order to dispense fluid therefrom, it is also intended that cam and valve actuator could be designed to cooperate with a valve which is held under tension in its closed position during contact of the cam valve actuator and is actuated to dispense fluid when said cam and valve actuator are out of engagement with each other.

Further, although each of the embodiments shown describes a final gear reduction by means of one hour and one-half hour gears so as to cause a dipslacement every fifteen minutes, it is of course possible to increase or decrease the actuation time by varying the gear sizes, as well as by employing differently shaped cams.

I claim:

1. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package, the improvement of an intermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) independent motive power means supported on said frame,

(c) a main drive member operatively connected to said motive power means,

(d) cam means positively connected to said main drive member and mounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam means extending from said frame in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

(e) a timer mechanism connected to said drive member to regulate the power means and the speed of movement of said cam means to bring said cam means in positive contact with said valve actuator at predetermined intervals.

2. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package, the improvement ofan intermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame,

(c) selective winding means associated with said mainspring,

(d) a main drive member operative connected to said mainspring,

(e) cam means positively connected to said main drive member and mounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam means extending from said frame in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

(f) a timer mechanism connected to said drive member to regulate the unwinding of said mainspring and the speed of movement of said cam means to drive said cam means in contact with said valve actuator for actuation thereof at predetermined intervals.

3. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package, the improvement of an intermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame, I

(0) selective winding means associated with said mainp gs (d) a main drive member driven by said mainspring,

(e) a timer train connected to said drive member,

(f) at least one secondary drive member connected to said main drive member, and

(g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member and mounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam extending from said frame in proximal relationship with said valve actuator such that it contacts said valve actuator at least intermittently for actuation thereof.

4. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package which is displaceable in a substantially horizontally plane when said package is in an upright position, the improvement of an intermittent actuating device which comprises:

. (a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame,

(0) selective winding means associated with said mainspring,

(d) a main drive member driven by said mainspring,

(e) a timer train connected to said drive member,

(1) at least one secondary drive member connected to said main drive member, and

(g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member and mounted for continuous movement thereby, sa-id cam extending from said frame in proximal relationship with said valve actuator and rotatably mounted substantially in said plane of displacement of said actuator and having a die surface formed to contact and displace said actuator intermittently.

5. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing the contents of the package which is displaceable in a substantially vertical plane when said package is in an upright position, the improvement of an intermittent actuating device whichicomprises:

v(a) aframe formed for'attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame, (c) selective Winding means associated With-said mainspring, (d) a main drive member driven by said mainspring, (e) a timer train connected to said drive member, (1'') at least one secondary drive member connected to said main drive member, and (g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member and mounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam extending from said frame in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

' placement of said actuator and having a die surface formed to contact and'displace said actuator intermittently. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Montgomery 222-70 LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

rotatably mounted substantially in said plane of dis- 1'5 LAVERNE D. GEIGER,'IExaminer.

Claims

1. IN AN AEROSOL PACKAGE OF THE TYPE HAVING A VALVE ACTUATOR FOR DISPENSING THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE, THE IMPROVEMENT OF AN INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A FRAME FORMED FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID PACKAGE, (B) INDEPENDENT MOTIVE POWER MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME, (C) A MAIN DRIVE MEMBER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, (D) CAM MEANS POSITIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MAIN DRIVE MEMBER AND MOUNTED FOR CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT THEREBY, SAID CAM MEANS EXTENDING FROM SAID FRAME IN PROXIMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID VALVE ACTUATOR, AND (E) A TIMER MECHANISM CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE MEMBER TO REGULATE THE POWER MEANS AND THE SPEED OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CAM MEANS TO BRING SAID CAM MEANS IN POSITIVE CONTACT WITH SAID VALVE ACTUATOR AT PREDETERMINED INTERVALS.