Abstract:
A valve assembly can automatically dispense aerosol content from an aerosol container at predetermined intervals without the use of electric power. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives aerosol content from the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves, carrying with it a leg so as to unseal a valve stem, and thereby initiate a spray burst. The diaphragm assumes its original position when the pressure within the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold pressure. A barrier prevents the aerosol container from resupplying the accumulation chamber at a high rate during the spray phase, preferably due to a textured interface between the barrier and a passageway in which it is housed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to aerosol dispensing devices, and in particular to valve assemblies that provide automatic dispensing of aerosol content at predetermined time intervals, without requiring the use of electrical power.  
           [0004]    Aerosol cans dispense a variety of ingredients. Typically, an active is mixed with a propellant which may be gaseous, liquid or a mixture of both (e.g. a propane/butane mix; carbon dioxide), and the mixture is stored under pressure in the aerosol can. The active mixture is then sprayed by pushing down/sideways on an activator button at the top of the can that controls a release valve. For purposes of this application, the term “chemical” is used to mean liquid, liquid/gas, and/or gas content of the container (regardless of whether in emulsion state, single homogeneous phase, or multiple phase).  
           [0005]    The pressure on the button is typically supplied by finger pressure. However, for fragrances, deodorizers, insecticides, and certain other actives which are sprayed directly into the air, it is sometimes desirable to periodically refresh the concentration of active in the air. While this can be done manually, there are situations where this is inconvenient. For example, when an insect repellant is being sprayed to protect a room overnight (instead of using a burnable mosquito coil), the consumer will not want to wake up in the middle of the night just to manually spray more repellant.  
           [0006]    There a number of prior art systems for automatically distributing actives into the air at intermittent times. Most of these rely in some way on electrical power to activate or control the dispensing. Where electric power is required, the cost of the dispenser can be unnecessarily increased. Moreover, for some applications power requirements are so high that battery power is impractical. Where that is the case, the device can only be used where linkage to conventional power sources is possible.  
           [0007]    Other systems discharge active intermittently and automatically from an aerosol can, without using electrical power. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,542 relies on a biased diaphragm to control bursts of aerosol gas at periodic intervals. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,477,613 and 3,658,209.  
           [0008]    However, biased diaphragm systems have suffered from reliability problems (e.g. clogging, leakage, uneven delivery). Moreover, they sometimes do not securely attach to the aerosol can.  
           [0009]    Moreover, the cost of some prior intermittent spray control systems makes it impractical to provide them as single use/throw away products. For some applications, consumers may prefer a throw away product.  
           [0010]    Thus, a need still exists for improved, inexpensive automated aerosol dispensers that do not require electrical power.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In one aspect the invention provides a valve assembly that is suitable to dispense a chemical from an aerosol container. It is of the type that can automatically iterate between an accumulation phase where the chemical is received from the container, and a spray phase where the received chemical is automatically dispensed at intervals.  
           [0012]    There is a housing mountable on an aerosol container, a movable diaphragm associated with the housing which is linked to a leg, the diaphragm being biased towards a first configuration, an accumulation chamber inside the housing for providing variable pressure against the diaphragm, a passageway in the housing suitable for linking an interior portion of the aerosol container with the accumulation chamber, and a valve stem positioned in the housing which the leg can ride along.  
           [0013]    When the diaphragm is in the first configuration, the valve assembly can prevent spray of the chemical from the valve assembly. When the pressure of chemical inside the accumulation chamber exceeds a specified threshold, the diaphragm can move to a second configuration where chemical is permitted to spray from the valve assembly.  
           [0014]    In a preferred form a barrier is provided in the passageway to regulate the flow of chemical through the passageway. There is a textured surface on at least one of the barrier and a wall of the passageway facing the barrier to provide a leak of chemical therebetween even when the barrier contacts the facing wall. This can enable some temperature compensation as the pressure of the gas increases. In this regard, when room temperature rises, the pressure of the gas in the can rises. This will press the barrier more firmly against the passageway, slightly crushing the textured surface (e.g. molded polypropylene) so that the leak flow is automatically adjusted to not increase as much with the increased temperature.  
           [0015]    A porous material is disposed within the passageway to regulate the flow rate of chemical there through, the diaphragm is positioned on an upper wall of the housing, and the diaphragm will shift back to the first configuration from the second configuration when pressure of the chemical in the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold amount.  
           [0016]    The valve stem and the leg are preferably both axially movable. There may also be an actuator portion of the housing that rotates to cause chemical to be able to leave the container and enter the passageway.  
           [0017]    In an especially desirable form, the accumulation chamber has a base that is sloped (preferably radially inwardly sloped) so as to direct liquid chemical that may collect in the accumulation chamber towards the pathway.  
           [0018]    Methods for using these valve assemblies with aerosol containers are also disclosed.  
           [0019]    The present invention achieves a secure mounting of a valve assembly on an aerosol can, yet provides an actuator that has two modes. In one mode the valve assembly is operationally disconnected from the actuator valve of the aerosol container (a mode suitable for shipment or long-term storage). Another mode operationally links the valve assembly to the aerosol container interior, and begins the cycle of periodic and automatic dispensing of chemical therefrom. Importantly, periodic operation is achieved without requiring the use of electrical power to motivate or control the valve.  
           [0020]    The valve assembly has few parts, and is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Further, it is self-cleaning to help avoid clogs and/or inconsistent bursts. One aspect of the self-cleaning operation is that the barrier can move up and down as the device cycles so that the underside of the barrier pad, and then the top of the barrier pad are flushed as the pad cycles up and down to avoid residue accumulation. Another aspect of the self-cleaning operation is the axial movement of the leg along the valve stem. Again, residue accumulation is avoided.  
           [0021]    The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and reference must therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an automatic dispensing valve of the present invention in an “off” configuration, mounted onto an aerosol can;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the valve in an “on” position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  3 - 3 , during an accumulation portion of the dispensing cycle;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the valve in a spray configuration;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of a second embodiment;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but of a third embodiment;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but of a fourth embodiment;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but of a fifth embodiment;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but of a sixth embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 5, albeit showing a textured passageway surface facing the movable barrier plate; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a further enlarged sectional view similar to an upper portion of the FIG. 10, but of the most preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    Referring initially to FIG. 1, an aerosol can  22  includes a cylindrical wall  21  that is closed at its upper margin by the usual dome  23 . The joint between the upper margin of the can wall  21  and the dome  23  is the can chime  31 . An upwardly open cup  27  is located at the center of the dome  23  and is joined to the dome by a rim  29 .  
         [0034]    Conventional valve  33  is located at the center of the valve cup  27 . The valve  33  has an upwardly extending valve stem  25 , through which the contents of the can may be expelled. Valve  33  is shown as a vertically actuable valve, which can be opened by moving the valve stem  25  directly downwardly. Instead, one could use a side-tilt valve where the valve is actuated by tipping the valve stem laterally and somewhat downwardly.  
         [0035]    Valve assembly  20  is configured for engagement with the vertically actuated type valve  33 . The valve assembly  20  is mostly polypropylene, albeit other suitable materials can be used.  
         [0036]    The valve assembly  20  has a lower portion  26  including an inner wall  28  and peripheral skirt  30  that are joined at their axially outer ends. It should be appreciated that throughout this description, the terms “axially outer, axially downstream, axially inner, axially upstream” are used with reference to the longitudinal axis of the container. The term “radial” refers to a direction outward or inward from that axis.  
         [0037]    The inner wall  28  and skirt  30  engage the valve cup rim  29  and can chime  31 , respectively. In particular, inner wall  28  has a radially inwardly extending flange  35  that is configured to snap-fit over the rim  29 , while skirt  30  engages the inner surface of chime  31 . In operation, the dispenser  20  can be forced downwardly onto the chime  18  and rim  29 , thus fastening the dispenser  20  to the aerosol can  22 .  
         [0038]    Inner wall  28  is threaded on its radially inner surface to receive an assembly  32  that is rotatable therein. Assembly  32  includes an annular wall  38  that is threaded on its outer surface to engage the threads of inner wall  28 . The threads have a predetermined pitch such that, as the assembly  32  is rotated clockwise with respect to the assembly  26 , it is displaced axially along the direction of arrow A with respect to aerosol can  22 , as illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0039]    Assembly  32  further includes an annular wall  40  disposed radially inwardly of wall  38  that defines therein an axially extending cylindrical pathway portion  42 . When assembly  26  is initially mounted onto aerosol can  22 , the axially inner edge of wall  40  is located adjacent and radially aligned with the valve stem  25 . However, it is not pressing down on stem  33 .  
         [0040]    Because the valve stem  33  is not yet activated in this position, the valve assembly  32  has not yet engaged the aerosol can  22 , and the assembly is in a storage/shipment position. However, as the valve assembly  32  is rotated to displace the dispenser  20  along the direction of arrow A, wall  40  depresses the valve stem  25 , thereby engaging the valve assembly with the aerosol can  22  and allowing the aerosol content to flow from the can into the upper valve assembly.  
         [0041]    Assembly  32  further includes an annular wall  47  that extends axially downstream from wall  38 , and is displaced slightly radially outwardly with respect thereto. An outer annular sealing wall  44  extends axially upstream and radially outwardly from the axially outermost edge of wall  47 . The outer surface of axially inner portion of wall  44  engages the inner surface of a flange on skirt  30 , and is rotatable with respect thereto to provide a seal between the mounting assembly  26  and valve assembly  32 . Wall  44  is also easily engageable by a user to rotate the mounting assembly  26 , as described above.  
         [0042]    Walls  38  and  40  are connected at their axially outer ends by an annular, radially extending wall  50 . An annular axial wall  46  extends downstream from wall  50 , and defines at its axially outer edge a seat for an annular radially extending cover  49 , which is further supported by wall  47 . In particular, cover  49  has an axially inwardly extending flange  51  disposed proximal its radially outer edge that engages the inner surface of wall  47 . Wall  46  defines an internal void  36 , which is occupied by a flow regulation assembly  48 , as is further illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0043]    As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, flow regulation assembly  48  has an annular base which is defined by that portion of annular wall  50  that extends radially inwardly of wall  46 . Wall  50  defines a centrally disposed cylindrical opening that is aligned with conduit  42  and enables fluid (e.g. liquid/gas) to flow from the can  22  into assembly  48 .  
         [0044]    A flexible, mono-stable diaphragm  58  is disposed within void  36 , and is movable between a first closed position (FIG. 3), and a second open position (FIG. 4) to activate the valve assembly  32  at predetermined intervals, as will be described in more detail below. Diaphragm  58  includes a radially outer, axially extending wall  59  disposed radially inwardly of, and adjacent wall  46 . Wall  59  is connected at its axially outer end to a cover  61 . Diaphragm  58  further includes a radially inner, axially extending leg  62  that is also connected at its axially outer end to the cover  61 . Cover  61  includes a centrally disposed opening that defines an outlet  57  of the dispenser  20  for emitting aerosol content, as will be described in more detail below. The cover  61  includes a pair of notches  69  disposed adjacent the axially extending walls  59  and  62  that support the iteration of the diaphragm  58  between its open and closed positions.  
         [0045]    The diaphragm, in combination with a retainer wall  66 , define an accumulation chamber  80  that accepts aerosol contents from can  22 . The radially inner surface of retainer wall  66  and radially outer surface of inner wall  62  are displaced from one another to define a mouth  55  that provides an inlet and outlet for the accumulation chamber  80 .  
         [0046]    An annular flange  52  extends axially outwardly from wall  50  and is positioned radially inwardly of wall  46 , and defines a seat for a gasket/barrier  54 , which can be made of a porous open-celled foam or any other similarly permeable material. The axially outer surface of gasket  54  may be laminated as at  56  to slow fluid from flowing axially there through.  
         [0047]    As is exemplified in FIG. 10, it is particularly preferred for a wall (preferably a downwardly facing wall) of the passageway facing the barrier to have a textured surface. Alternatively, that surface could be smooth as shown in FIG. 3 with the facing surface of the lamination layer  56  being textured. This permits a slow leak there between even when the barrier is at its uppermost position. This provides temperature compensation.  
         [0048]    Turning again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer wall  66  extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly from the void disposed between flange  52  and wall  59 , and is stepped to define a flow path for the aerosol contents. The retainer  66  is further held in place by a snap retention seal  67  that engages the radially outer surface of flange  52 .  
         [0049]    The combination of retainer wall  66  and inner wall  62  defines an “inverted T” shaped centrally disposed opening that is occupied by a valve stem  68  having a disk base  70  integrally connected to a post  72  that extends axially outwardly there from. Stem  68  further includes a knob  74  extending axially inwardly from base  70  that engages the outer surface of lamination layer  56 . Gravity (and/or pressure from the diaphragm) biases the barrier  54  down, thereby carefully controling the flow rate of aerosol content into the dispenser  20  during the accumulation cycle. The more permeable the barrier, the shorter the cycle.  
         [0050]    Stem  68  is secured within cavity  65  by an ankle  73  that extends inwardly from radially inner wall  62 , and that engages the axially outer surface of post  72 . The post  72  further includes an integral ring  78  extending radially outwardly there from that engages the inner surface of leg  62  to provide a seal that prevents aerosol content stored in the accumulation chamber  80  from escaping out the outlet  57  of dispenser  20  during the accumulation phase.  
         [0051]    The outer diameter of gasket  54  is slightly less than the inner diameter of annular flange  52 . Accordingly, aerosol content flowing from conduit  42  is directed radially outwardly around gasket  54  and into an intake channel  82 . Channel  82  then extends radially inwardly, as the axially outer surface of layer  56  is slightly displaced from the axially inner surface of wall  66 . Base  70  is displaced from retainer wall  66 , and the outer diameter of leg  62  is less than the inner diameter of axial outermost portion of wall  66 . Accordingly, intake channel  82  (including gasket  54  and conduit  42 ) extends from valve stem  25  to the mouth  55  of the accumulation chamber  80 .  
         [0052]    In operation, a consumer rotates the valve assembly  32  relative to mounting assembly  26 , preferably by rotating wall  44 . This causes the valve assembly  32  to become displaced axially inwardly, and biases wall  40  against valve stem  25 , thereby causing the aerosol contents to flow out of can  22 , and beginning the accumulation cycle. The aerosol contents flow through conduit  42  and into the axially inner surface of gasket  54 , exit through the radially outer surfaces of gasket, and travel along the direction of arrow B through channel  82  into the mouth  55  of accumulation chamber  80 . The porosity of the gasket  54  regulates the rate at which the aerosol contents are able to flow through channel  82 .  
         [0053]    During the accumulation phase, the constant supply of aerosol content flowing from intake channel  82  into the accumulation chamber  80  via mouth  55  causes pressure to build therein, and such pressure acts against the underside of diaphragm  58 . Once the accumulation chamber  80  is sufficiently charged with aerosol content, such that the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, the mono-stable diaphragm  58  becomes deformed from the normal closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the open position illustrated in FIG. 4. This initiates a spray phase as feature  78  no longer abuts against leg  62 .  
         [0054]    In particular, once the diaphragm  58  is open, leg  62  and ankle  73  are moved downstream of seal ring  78  and post  72 , respectively, to create an outlet channel  84  extending between mouth  55  and the outlet end  57  of the dispenser  20 . Accordingly, during the spray phase, the stored aerosol content flows from mouth  55 , along outtake channel  84  along the direction of arrow C, and out the outlet end of dispenser  20  into the ambient environment. It should be appreciated that the axial movement of leg  62  away from retainer  66  widens mouth  55 , thereby enabling a greater flow rate out of the accumulation chamber  80  during the spray cycle than the flow rate into the accumulation chamber during the accumulation phase.  
         [0055]    The stored aerosol content exits the dispenser  20  as a “puff”. The flow rate of the aerosol content that is expelled during the spray phase may further be controlled by adjusting the clearance between leg  62  and post  72 . Also during the spray cycle, the stem  68  and gasket  54  become displaced axially outwardly under pressure from aerosol content exiting valve stem  25 . Accordingly, layer  56  moves against retainer wall  66 , thereby providing a barrier that greatly restricts channel  82  and prevents aerosol contents from flowing too rapidly from the can during this phase.  
         [0056]    During the spray phase, the pressure within the accumulation chamber immediately abates as the stored aerosol content exits the dispenser  20 . Once the pressure falls below a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm snaps back to its normal position, reestablishing the seal between element  78  and leg  62 . As the diaphragm  58  closes, flange  73  biases the stem  68  axially inwardly which causes knob  74  to bias the gasket axially inwardly, thereby removing the partial seal to channel  82  that was formed between retainer wall  66  and layer  56  during the spray cycle. Channel  82  is thus once again fully opened, and aerosol content flows into accumulation chamber  80  to initiate the accumulation phase. The cycle is automatic and continuously periodic until the can contents are exhausted.  
         [0057]    Importantly, as the diaphragm  58  snaps back, the ankle  73  momentarily deflects the barrier  54 , causing a cleansing burst of aerosol by the gap between layer  56  and the passageway wall above it. This “flushing” is particularly important in a construction such as that of FIG. 10 where that junction has a textured surface on at least one of the walls.  
         [0058]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a dispenser is mounted onto an aerosol can  122  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is illustrated having reference numerals corresponding to like elements of the previous embodiment incremented by  100  for the sake of convenience. Dispenser  120  is configured to be mounted onto an aerosol can  122  that terminates at its radial end with a valve cup rim  129  rather than a chime as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0059]    Accordingly, the mounting assembly includes a threaded wall  128  including radially inwardly extending flange  135  that engages valve cup rim to securely mount the dispenser  120  onto the can  122 . Threaded wall  128  receives correspondingly threaded wall  138  such that a user rotates wall  147  to displace valve assembly  132  in the axial direction and actuate the dispenser  120 , as described above.  
         [0060]    As further illustrated in FIG. 10, the post  172  of stem  168  does not need to include a bulbous seal ring, but rather may fit snugly between leg portions to prevent the leakage of aerosol contents out the dispenser  120  during the accumulation phase.  
         [0061]    Referring next to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated having reference numerals corresponding to like elements of the previous embodiment incremented by  100  for convenience. When pressurizing the accumulation chamber  80  illustrated in FIG. 1, some gaseous materials may liquefy and accumulate at the bottom of the accumulation chamber. This may result in them not being fully expelled during a single spray phase. The pooling of aerosol content could increasingly reduce the effective volume of accumulation chamber  80 .  
         [0062]    To address this problem, retainer  266  includes a radially extending wall  279  that defines the base of accumulation chamber  280 . A wall  271  extends axially upstream from the radially outer end of base  279  that engages the inner surface of wall  260 . A pair of radially inner walls  275  also extend axially upstream from base  279 , and are spaced apart so as to receive flange  262  therein, and thereby securing retainer  266  in the dispenser  120 .  
         [0063]    Dispenser  220  includes an anti-pooling feature which prevents the accumulation of liquid within the accumulation chamber  280 . In particular, base  279  of the accumulation chamber  280  slopes radially inwardly, such that unmixed liquid is forced towards the mouth  255  and in the path of aerosol content as it flows from the accumulation chamber  280  out the dispenser  220  during the spray phase. As a result, the liquid that has pooled during a single accumulation phase becomes mixed with the leaving propellant to produce a fine mist that is emitted out the dispenser  220  during the spray phase.  
         [0064]    Base  270  of stem  268  does not include a knob on its axially inner surface, but rather is flat. Accordingly, gasket  254  need not be laminated with a protective surface, as the pressure from base  270  is equally distributed along the axially outer surface of the gasket. During the spray phase, pressure from the aerosol content exiting the valve stem biases gasket  254  against the axially inner surface of wall  275 . Pressure from the aerosol content flowing through the gasket  254  biases the piston  268  axially downstream such that the base  170  rests against retainer  266 , thereby sealing channel  282 .  
         [0065]    Referring now to FIG. 7, this alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated having reference numerals corresponding to like elements of the previous embodiment, albeit incremented by 100. A dispenser  320  is illustrated as being mounted onto an aerosol can  320 , but not yet activated. This embodiment presents a retainer wall  366  having a radially outer, axially extending wall  375  whose inner radius is slightly greater than the outer radius of flange  352  so as to fit snugly thereon to secure the retaining wall  366  in place.  
         [0066]    The base of accumulation chamber  380  is thus further defined by that portion of wall  350  disposed between walls  360  and  375 . A void exists between wall  375  and  360 , thereby enlarging the accumulation chamber  380 . Accumulation chambers having greater volume will receive a greater amount of aerosol contents before reaching the maximum threshold pressure of the diaphragm  358 . Accordingly, the diaphragm will toggle between its open and closed positions at a lower frequency, and the dispenser  320  will emit a greater amount of aerosol content during each spray cycle.  
         [0067]    Referring next to FIG. 8, yet another alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated having reference numerals corresponding to like element of the previous embodiment incremented by 100. Retainer wall  466  is positioned within flow regulation assembly  448  via wall  475  that fits over flange  452  as described above, as well as a second axially extending wall  477  that is displaced radially outwardly with respect to wall  475 . Wall  477  has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of wall to fit snugly there within. Retainer wall  466  includes a substantially radial wall  479  that is supported by walls  475  and  477 , and that defines a base for accumulation chamber  480 . Because wall  479  slopes radially inwardly, the flow regulation assembly  448  prevents pooling, as described above.  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIG. 9, still another alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated having reference numerals corresponding to like elements of the previous embodiment, albeit incremented by 100. Mounting assembly  526  includes a lever  576  that is rotated by a user to displace the valve assembly  532  in the axial direction, as described above. Additionally, lever  576  could include a perforated tab (not shown) between itself and wall  530  that is broken before the dispenser can be actuated, thereby providing means for indicating whether the dispenser has been tampered with.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 depicts the most preferred way in which the diaphragm legs can seal along the valve stem. In this form, the legs do not touch the stem throughout their facing surfaces. Instead, they touch only at the top and again at the lower most facing surfaces. The primary seal is at the bottom most contact point. The secondary seal is where the rounded top of the stem presses against the underside of the nozzle area. This structure can simplify the manufacturing proceses.  
         [0070]    The above description has been that of preferred embodiments of the present invention. It will occur to those that practice the art, however, that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to advise the public of the various embodiments that may fall within the scope of the invention, the following claims are made.  
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
       [0071]    The present invention provides automated dispenser assemblies for dispensing aerosol can contents without the use of electric power or manual activation.