Patent ID: 8177101
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B05B,G01F

Abstract:
1. A mechanically energized duration spray mechanism for use with a container of product to be dispensed, said mechanism comprising: a cylinder retainer closure having means thereon for attachment to an upper end of a container to close the container, said cylinder retainer closure having a central opening therethrough; an elongate cylinder having an upper end, a closed lower end having an opening therethrough, and an interior surface defining a hollow bore extending through said cylinder, said cylinder upper end immovably connected to said cylinder retainer closure at a central portion thereof and depending therefrom with said hollow bore thereof in aligned registry with the central opening through said cylinder retainer closure; a rotatable actuating collar connected to said cylinder retainer closure for rotational movement relative thereto but fixed against relative axial movement therebetween, said actuating collar having a central opening therethrough in aligned registry with the central opening through said cylinder retainer closure, and an elongate shaft depending from a central portion thereof and extending through said central opening in said cylinder retainer closure, with a lower end of said shaft adjacent the lower end of said cylinder, said shaft extending coaxially into said cylinder from said actuating collar and being rotatable with said actuating collar but fixed against relative axial movement therebetween, said shaft having an interior hollow bore extending throughout its length, said hollow bore of said shaft being in aligned registry with said central opening through said cylinder retainer closure and with the opening through said closed lower end of said cylinder, said shaft having a splined outer surface in inwardly spaced relation to said cylinder interior surface and at least one opening therein establishing fluid communication between the hollow bore of said shaft and the hollow bore of said cylinder; first valve means associated with said central opening through said cylinder retainer closure; a valve actuator connected with said first valve means to move said first valve means from a closed position to an open position with respect to said central opening through said actuating collar to selectively block or permit fluid flow through said central opening; second valve means associated with said opening through said closed lower end of said cylinder, said second valve means operable to permit flow of product into said hollow bore of said cylinder but prevent reverse flow therethrough; two annular pistons mounted on said shaft in sealed axially sliding relationship relative thereto for simultaneous movement of said pistons in opposite directions relative to one another, said pistons being fixed against rotational movement relative to said shaft and each having an outer surface engaged with said interior surface of said cylinder in sealed sliding relationship thereto; interengaged means between said outer surface of said pistons and said interior surface of said cylinder to cause said pistons to move in a first direction relative to one another within said cylinder when said actuating collar and said shaft are rotated in a first direction relative to said cylinder, said movement of said pistons in said first direction being operable to draw product through said second valve means and into said hollow bore of said shaft and through said opening therein and into the hollow bore of said cylinder when said mechanism is mounted on a container of product; and energy storage means associated with said pistons and said cylinder to store energy when said pistons are moved in said first direction relative to one another, said energy storage means being operable to move said pistons in a second direction relative to one another opposite to said first direction to exert pressure on product drawn into said hollow bore of said cylinder and force it through said first valve means in said actuating collar when said mechanism is mounted on a container of product to be dispensed and said valve actuator is operated to move said first valve means to open position.