Patent Publication Number: US-8967496-B1

Title: Hydra-pneumatic system pump

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to dispensers, and more specifically to duration spray dispensers that do not rely upon propellant gases that are harmful to the environment. 
     2. Background Art 
     Both propellant driven and mechanically operated aerosol dispensers are and have been in use for many years and are still popular due to their convenience. However, propellant driven dispensers that rely upon chemical propellants are being scrutinized more closely and restrictions imposed upon them due to the adverse impact of these propellants upon the environment, as well as the hazards of handling them and the related insurance issues. 
     Mechanically operated spray dispensers lack the convenience of propellant driven dispensers, but they are bulky and require a large amount of material and parts to produce. Moreover, energy costs keep rising, resulting in increased costs to mold and manufacture them. Further, persons suffering from arthritis or other infirmities find it difficult to use mechanically operated dispensers due to the multiple steps required in their operation. In some cases, the number of parts required in the construction of these devices makes them too costly for consumers. On the other hand, manufacturers of lower cost propellant-driven products, including bag-in-a-can and pressure driven piston devices, are reluctant in general to change from the propellant-driven aerosol systems. A new consideration is not favorable. 
     Systems other than propellant driven types use other alternatives for dispensing product. For example, some devices employ means with storage chambers, requiring the transfer of product within a two stage loading process, wherein a metered amount of product must be obtained from a storage chamber as the first stage and then transferred into a second stage power chamber before it can be dispensed from the second stage over a given duration. Other systems require venting, exposing the product to atmosphere during extensive periods between usage by the consumer. This can affect the efficacy of product and cause potential clogging and possible contamination as well. There is still a need to isolate the product from air or propellants within the container. The mechanically operated non-propellant systems are more appealing in lots of ways in that the environment is protected from harmful propellants and the process is less vulnerable to liabilities and constraints presently imposed on delivery systems using chemical propellants. The present invention offers an alternative that still provides equivalent results in delivering products such as food without preservatives, room fresheners, hairsprays, furniture polishes, personal care and pharmaceutical products without the problems that chemical propellants and venting pose. 
     The following patents exhibit some of the pitfalls of prior art devices. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 U.S. Pat. No.  
                 Hoffman Jr. 
                 Utilizes a gaseous propellant driven piston cup 
               
               
                 3,022,923 
                   
                 to expel product through a valve means. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Mercer 
                 A pressure vessel with intervening bladder of  
               
               
                 3,319,420 
                   
                 a non-permeable material which houses and  
               
               
                   
                   
                 isolates oil or oil base products from the  
               
               
                   
                   
                 surrounding compressed gas. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Bauer 
                 Utilizes a cascading ductile metal bladder  
               
               
                 3,494,513 
                   
                 expulsion tank, folded in accordion fashion 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Laauwe 
                 An aerosol system with a rigid vessel and an  
               
               
                 3,788,521 
                   
                 inner flexible container similar to a  
               
               
                   
                   
                 bag-on-valve. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Horvath 
                 Rechargeable cam operated sprayer device. 
               
               
                 3,790,034 
                   
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Horvath 
                 A vertical finger pump that utilizes air assist on  
               
               
                 4,057,176 
                   
                 each reciprocal actuation of the actuator. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Cohen 
                 Uses a collapsible bellows or piston in a bore of  
               
               
                 4,067,499 
                   
                 a product vessel as a non-venting system. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Beery 
                 A vertical actuated Pump with an Air Vent  
               
               
                 4,249,676 
                   
                 Check valve that prevents outward flow of  
               
               
                   
                   
                 liquid through the air intake passage. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 B1ake 
                 Uses storage chamber and venting that  
               
               
                 6,708,853 
                   
                 exposes product. 
               
               
                 B2 
                   
                   
               
               
                 WO  
                 Abplanalp 
                 Uses an Air charge upon Vessel of product. 
               
               
                 95/01300 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The systems disclosed in the prior art cited above are generally too expensive for commercial acceptance and feasibility in some market applications for mass production at high levels. 
     Despite the efforts of such devices as shown in the forgoing patents, there remains a need for a more convenient, compact, portable, self-charged duration spray device that can perform in most environments, is operated in a way that is comparable to the devices that consumers are accustomed to, is easy to use and environmentally friendly, and does not contaminate the product or require venting. Applicant is not aware of any currently available system that could be considered “GREEN” and user friendly as well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that is simple and economical in construction and operation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser that does not rely upon harmful propellants that contaminate the atmosphere as well as some products to be dispensed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide the means to select a variety of product holding chambers utilizing piston driven or collapsible pouches and bags. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to employ an air pressurized breakup feature supplied from the initial supply chamber via a valve controlled release means that isolates the air from the product until the product exits the dispensing nozzle. 
     An even another object of the present invention is to provide a refillable option to the system. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser construction that enables a number of feature enhancements to be made without requiring a major reconstruction of the basic system. 
     Yet another further object of the present invention is to provide the option in the basic system of using air assist or not using air assist in the nozzle means, depending upon the product to be dispensed. 
     These and other options and advantages presented by the present invention comprise distinctive features that enhance the system with the options as part of the unique compressed gas pump mechanism, allowing the device to be trigger operated or plunger operated in either a vertical or a horizontal orientation. The system comprises a product chamber and a pressure chamber with a charging pump means to pressurize the pressure chamber and the product chamber. Pressurized product is discharged from the product chamber via a dual sequential release valve mechanism. The invention provides a controlled dispensing cycle and aerosolized system, if selected, that constantly keeps the pressure source isolated from the product to be dispensed. With appropriate substitution of available features, the system may be used to dispense a variety of products, including, but not limited to, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, or a contoured ribbon of product. The system can dispense product as a spray through a mechanical breakup unit (MBU), or as a foam. The invention can also provide a spray-through cap and/or different shaped containers for a variety of product viscosity ranges. The actuator nozzle pocket can incorporate a non-clog insert as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,609,666 and 6,543,703 as enhancement features in the present invention, especially with respect to the tangential slots producing a vortex in the air flowing through the nozzle. 
     The system could be adapted to a bag-on-valve arrangement or to a preloaded product chamber that has its own spring or preloaded charge and does not rely upon the pressurized air produced by the pump means or an external pressure source. The flexible spring fitments and/or product chamber could be made of metal or other suitable material. Added control is available by the selection of nozzles and the need of how products feed with optimum results through them. The discharge of product is sequentially obtained. In brief, the actuator is depressed and when it reaches a first Intermediate position air starts to flow. Continued depression of the actuator causes product to flow and mix with air dependent upon a preset and or prescribed selected adjustment of the nozzle if a mix is desired. By releasing the actuator, the sequence is reversed and the air discharge is the last to exit the actuator, resulting in a self-purging system. To eliminate the air mix and obtain product only, the adjustable actuator can be set accordingly. The adjustable actuator can be manufactured so that the consumer is able to select settings for optimum results. Alternatively, the manufacturer can produce the system with fixed settings for optimum results. 
     In general, the invention comprises an actuator and nozzle assembly for a dispensing device for dispensing a product under pressure, wherein a product chamber is supported within an outer container and a lower air chamber is defined between said product chamber and said outer container. Pressurizing means is associated with the outer container for pressurizing air in said lower air chamber and pressurizing product in said product chamber. An actuator is mounted to said outer container, and nozzle means is in said actuator. First flow passage means extend from said lower air chamber to said nozzle means, and second flow passage means extend from said product chamber to said nozzle means for conveying product from the product chamber and through said nozzle means. First valve means is in said first flow passage means for controlling flow of pressurized air from said lower air chamber to and through said nozzle means, and second valve means is in said second flow passage means for controlling flow of product from said product chamber to and through said nozzle means. Said first and second valve means are operated by said actuator so that in a first position of said actuator flow of pressurized air is enabled from said lower air chamber to and through said nozzle means and in a second position flow of product is enabled from said product chamber to and through said nozzle means. Release of said actuator first interrupts flow of product then interrupts flow of pressurized air. 
     More specifically, the invention comprises an actuator and nozzle assembly for a dispensing device for dispensing a product under pressure, comprising: 
     an outer container having a sidewall, an upper end, and a bottom end, said upper end having at least one flow port therethrough and a central opening; 
     attaching means on said upper end for attaching a product chamber to said upper end so that said product chamber is supported in said outer container in communication with said central opening; 
     a valve seal pocket formed in said central opening, said valve seal pocket having a valve seat therein; 
     a coupling member attached to said container upper end on a side thereof opposite said attaching means, said coupling member having an upstanding side wall and a yieldable spring-like upper end wall with a downwardly projecting center portion having a center opening therethrough; 
     a combined valving and spring member secured between said container upper end and said coupling member so that it is disposed around said central opening in said container upper end, at least one spring arm extending inwardly from said valving and spring member in overlying spaced relation to said container upper end, and a valve flap on said valving and spring member normally disposed in closed relationship over said at least one flow port through said container upper end; 
     an actuator reciprocable on said coupling member, said actuator having a top wall, an outer side wall depending from said top wall and telescopically engaged on said coupling member side wall, said outer side wall having an opening through one side thereof adjacent said top wall, a first inner wall depending from said top wall in inwardly spaced concentric relation to said outer side wall, said first inner wall being engaged against said coupling member flexible upper end wall, and a center hub supported in inwardly spaced concentric relationship with said first inner wall, said hub having an upper end and a lower end and a bore extending through the lower end thereof, a side opening extending through one side of the hub adjacent said upper end thereof and communicating with an upper end of said bore, said side opening in said hub being in alignment with said opening through one side of the actuator outer side wall, and a bottom end seal on the bottom end of said hub, said bottom end seal normally seated against the coupling member upper end wall and closing the center opening therethrough; 
     a stem valve having an upper end and a lower end and having a hollow interior extending through said upper end from adjacent but spaced from said lower end, said upper end extending through the center opening in said spring-like upper end wall of said coupling member and being slidably sealed in the bore in said hub, the lower end of said stem valve extending into said valve seal pocket and having a sliding seal member thereon slidably sealed in said valve seal pocket and a valve member on said lower end for cooperation with the valve seat in the valve seal pocket, and at least one opening through a side of said stem valve between said sliding seal member and said valve member establishing fluid communication between said product chamber and said hollow interior when said valve member is unseated, said at least one spring arm engaged against a midportion of said stem valve to urge it into closed position, and said midportion defining an abutment against which the downwardly projecting center portion of said spring-like upper end wall of said coupling member abuts when said actuator is depressed; 
     said container and said product chamber defining a space between them forming a first portion of a lower air chamber, said upper end of said container and said coupling member forming a second portion of a lower air chamber, and said actuator and said flexible upper end wall of said coupling member forming an upper air chamber separated and sealed from said lower air chamber by seating of the bottom end seal on said hub against the coupling member upper end wall and closing the center opening therethrough; 
     pressure means for pressurizing said first portion of said lower air chamber and applying pressure to product in said product chamber, said valve flap being opened upon pressurization of said first portion of said lower air chamber to establish communication between said first and second portions of said lower air chamber and thus pressurize said second portion; 
     a nozzle secured in said opening through said opening in one side of said outer side wall of said actuator; and 
     a tube extending from said opening in the side of said hub to said nozzle; wherein depression of said actuator to a first position moves said first inner wall against said flexible upper wall of said coupling member to flex said upper wall downwardly to unseat the bottom end seal on said hub from said center opening and admit pressurized air from said lower air chamber to said upper air chamber and through said nozzle, and continued depression of said actuator to a second position further moves said flexible upper end wall to abut said stem valve midportion and move said stem valve to unseat said valve member from the valve seat in the valve seal pocket and permit pressurized product to flow up through the hollow stem valve and through the tube to be dispensed through the nozzle, and wherein release of said actuator first enables said at least one spring arm to move said stem valve to a closed position to stop flow of product through the stem valve and nozzle while continuing to permit flow of pressurized air through the nozzle, and the flexible upper end wall of said coupling member then moves into closed relationship against said bottom end seal to close off flow of pressurized air. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate some preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description, will serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view in elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the mechanism assembly on a container, with the over cap omitted. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of an air assist mechanism assembly utilizing a conditional mix or blend of air and product and using a MBU as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,666, for example, wherein the assembly is shown in an initial at-rest position. 
         FIG. 2   a  is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the air assist means in  FIG. 2 , shown in an intermediate position of the two stage dispensing sequence for controlling an amount of air to be blended with the product at the nozzle outlet. 
         FIG. 2   b  is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 2 , showing a final sequence position wherein the previously separated air and fluid product are combined as they are emitted from the MBU nozzle. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the lower end of the stem valve and the associated seal pocket, shown prior to depression of the stem valve. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the lower end of the stem valve and the associated seal pocket, shown after depression of the stem valve. 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a coupling member as used in  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  FIG. 3  and that assists in the two stage dispensing cycle. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the coupling member shown in  FIG. 4 , with a portion broken away, taken in the direction of the arrow  5 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the coupling member shown in  FIG. 4 , with a portion broken away, taken in the direction of the arrow  6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a modified air assist nozzle construction using a controlled product bleed feed fitment similar to and operated in sequence dispensing and function as in the  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a , and  2   b  embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view in elevation of a dispenser having a side action pump means that can be used with the actuator and nozzle assemblies of  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  3  and  4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of  FIG. 8 , showing the base seal plug in broken lines. 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser according to the invention using a base operated plunger to charge the system for usage with dispensing mechanisms as described in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2   a ,  2   b , and  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser device similar to that shown in  FIG. 10 , but with an inflatable bladder or pouch, wherein the left side shows the bladder before inflation and the right side shows it after being inflated or distended to the inner wall of the outer container. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view in elevation of a further embodiment of dispensing device according to the invention, wherein the product is in a refillable cartridge (not shown) and a quick-disconnect adapter is positioned in the bottom of the container for attachment of an air hose to supply pressurized air from a suitable source. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view in side elevation of a slightly modified quick-disconnect adapter and an associated air hose that can be used in the assembly of  FIG. 12  and could be attached to the system in  FIG. 1  as an alternate means of supply from a portable canister or regulated external air compressor unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring more specifically to the drawings, a first form of dispenser according to the invention is indicated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1  and comprises an outer container housing  11  having an upper housing portion  12  joined to a lower housing portion  13  at a juncture  14  that may be sonic welded, glued, solvent welded, threaded or otherwise suitably fastened. An actuator and nozzle assembly  15  is mounted to the upper housing portion, and in the example shown, a manually operated pump  16  such as that shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , for example, is assembled to the bottom of the lower housing portion. 
     The structure and operation of the actuator and nozzle assembly  15  and its attachment to the upper housing portion  12  are best understood with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a  and  2   b . The actuator comprises a generally inverted cup-shaped actuator  17  having a closed top wall  18  and a cylindrical outer side wall  19  depending from its outer periphery, with a first inner cylindrical wall  20  depending from the top wall and a relatively short second inner cylindrical wall  21  spaced below and radially between the first inner wall  20  and the outer side wall  19 . A center hub  22  with a hollow bore  22   a  extending most of its length and opening through the bottom end is integrally formed with the actuator and is supported below the top wall  18  in radially inwardly spaced concentric relationship with the first inner wall  20  by a pair of opposed ribs  23  (only one of which is shown) extending radially between the hub and the wall  20 . A side opening  22   b  extends through one side of the hub  22  at the upper end of bore  22   a , and a bottom end seal  22   c  is on the bottom end of the hub. One or more longitudinal ribs  22   d  extend up the outer surface of the hub from a point spaced slightly above the bottom end seal  22   c.    
     An opening  24  is formed through the wall  19  of the actuator  17  near the top wall in substantial alignment with the side opening  22   b  in the hub, and a slot  25  is formed in the first inner wall  20  in radial alignment with and between the openings  22   b  and  24 . 
     A nozzle assembly and mechanical breakup unit (MBU)  26  is mounted in opening  24  and comprises a threaded air feed adapter fitment  27  having an annular end wall  28  extending between an outer cylindrical wall  29  and a central socket  30 . The wall  29  is internally threaded at  31  and retained in opening  24  by barbs  32  on the wall  29  engaged in recesses  33  in the opening  24 . Openings  34  are formed through the end wall  28  immediately adjacent the socket  30 , communicating with air vortex tangential slots  34   a  that lead to a series of annularly arranged opening  35  formed through the center of the closed end of the socket around a central conical nose or seal cone  36 . An adjustable soft nozzle  37  has an externally threaded end  38  threaded into the outer wall  29  of the fitment  27 , with an end wall having a central flexible pad and opening  40  for adjustment against the nose  36 . A rigid sleeve  39  backs up and reinforces the threaded end  38 . The soft nozzle provides a biased contact relationship with the nose  36  throughout the adjustment of nozzle  37 . Many of these details are seen best in  FIG. 7  wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numbers primed. 
     A tube T is fitted at one end in the opening  22   b  in the hub and at its other end in the socket  30  of the fitment  27  for conveying product from the bore  22   a  to the openings  35  in the end of the socket and thus through the opening  40  in the nozzle  37 . The tube may be made with different internal diameters to alter the pressure supplied to the spray geometry mechanics within the adjustable nozzle. 
     The actuator assembly  17  is mounted to an inverted generally cup-shaped coupling member  41 , seen best in  FIGS. 4-6 , that comprises an upstanding cylindrical side wall  42  on which the actuator wall  19  is slidably received, an inverted frustoconically shaped flexible end wall  43  against which the bottom ends of the first inner wall  20  and the bottom end  22   c  of the hub  22  abut when the unit is in its at-rest position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The bottom end  44  of the frustoconically shaped wall has a central opening  45  therethrough, and the bottom end  22   c  of the hub seals in this opening when the assembly is in its at-rest position shown in  FIG. 2 . Upward flexing of the wall  43  is prevented by engagement with the first inner wall  20  and one or more longitudinally extending ribs  22   d  on the outside of the hub terminating at their bottom ends a short distance above the bottom end of the hub. A radially outwardly extending annular wall  46  on the bottom end of the wall  42  terminates at its lower end in a diametrically enlarged skirt  47  that is seated over an extended upper end  60  of the upper housing portion  12 , as described more fully below. 
     A combined valving and spring member  50  is seated between the bottom end of the coupling member  41  and the extended upper end  60  of the housing  12 . The valving and spring member has an upstanding cylindrical wall  51  with a radially extending annular wall  52  on its bottom end engaged between annular wall  46  of the coupling member and the housing extended upper end  60 , and a depending skirt  53  engaged between skirt  47  of the coupling member and the annular upper outer surface of housing extended upper end  60 . At least one flexible valve flap  54  is formed in the member  50  and is normally biased into closed relationship over an associated opening  61  formed through the end wall of housing extended upper end  60  of the housing  12 . One or more flexible spring arms  55  extend radially inwardly from wall  51  for yieldably biasing a stem valve  80  upwardly as described hereinafter. 
     A plurality of upstanding flexible latches  62  project upwardly from the upper end of housing portion  12  in radially outwardly spaced relation to the extended upper end  60  and these latches are engaged over the outer edge of annular wall  46  of the coupling member  41  to hold the coupling member and combined valving and spring member  50  securely against the extended upper end  60  of the housing portion  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a  and  3   b , an elongate cylindrical seal pocket  70  with an upwardly extending and inwardly tapered valve seat  71  on its bottom end is formed in the center of the housing extended upper end  60  for cooperation with stem valve  80  as described hereinafter. 
     Stem valve  80  has an elongate, hollow, tapered tail piece  81  slidably received in the bore  22   a  of hub  22 , with an outwardly flared seal  82  on the upper end of the tail piece effecting a sliding seal in the bore  22   a . A diametrically enlarged midportion of the stem valve is shaped to provide an upwardly facing annular shoulder  83  and a downwardly facing annular flange  84 . A lower end extending below the midportion has a bulbous annular product valve seal  85  on its bottom end and an outwardly flared annular sliding seal  86  between the midportion and the product valve seat  85 . One or more openings  87  are formed through the side of the lower end just beneath the sliding seal  86 . 
     A product chamber PC in the outer container housing  11  has a cylindrical extension  90  in the center of its upper wall  91  preferably releasably mounted on a nipple  92  projecting downwardly around the seal pocket  70  from the extended upper end  60  of the container housing upper portion  12 . The diameter of the product chamber PC is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer container housing  11 , defining an annular space  93  between the side walls of the container housing  11  and the product chamber PC. A short upstanding annular wall  94  on the top end of the product chamber around its outer margin spaces the wall  91  a short distance from the end of the container housing, defining a space  95 , and one or more openings  96  through the wall  94  establish communication for flow of air between the spaces  93  and  95 . These spaces define a lower air chamber. An upper air chamber UAC is defined in the space bounded by the coupling member  41  and in the space within the upper portion of the actuator  17  bounded by the wall  19 . 
     A gasket seal  97  is captured between the upper end of the wall  94  and the end wall of upper housing portion  12 . The center of this gasket is open at  98  to permit free flow from the lower air chamber to the opening  61 . 
     The coupling member  41  is securely held to the container  11  by the latches  62  engaged over the outer edge of the annular wall  46  of the coupling member, and the actuator  17  is held assembled to the coupling member by frictional engagement between the tail piece  81  of the stem valve and the bore  22   a  of the hub  22 , and by the frictional engagement between the wall  42  of the coupling member and the wall  19  of the actuator. The actuator can be removed when desired, however, for cleaning. 
     A modified nozzle assembly  26 ′ is shown in  FIG. 7 . This embodiment is constructed and functions essentially the same as the nozzle assembly  26  previously described except that the socket  30 ′ has an extended end  100  with a slightly outwardly flared conical pocket  101  extending through its outlet end  103  and closed at its inner end by a membrane  102 . Like parts are indicated by like reference characters primed. The outlet end  103  of the socket is concavely shaped and the front of the nozzle  37 ′ adjacent the outlet end of the socket forms a complementary hemispheric pad  104 . The membrane  102  is pierced to provide a controlled feed through the conical pocket and onto the mechanical breakup to form a spray that can be air assisted or unassisted. The membrane can have a molded hole instead of being pierced and the resultant feed would be uncontrolled but the mix would occur in the same manner. Product viscosity or density could determine some need to choose one or the other. 
     The device of the invention may be pressurized with any one of a variety of pressure sources, and one such source is shown at  110  in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In this embodiment a side action pump  111  in the side of container C is used to pump air into the lower air chamber LAC to pressurize it and thus to move the piston P 1  upwardly in product chamber PC to pressurize the product and force it out through one of the nozzle assemblies described above when the actuator is depressed as described hereinafter. The pump  111  comprises a recessed wall  112  in the side of container C near its upper end, and a pump cylinder  113  extending from the wall and opening outwardly through the side of the container. A piston  114  is reciprocal in the pump cylinder and is biased outwardly of the cylinder by a spring  115 . An actuator  116  is connected with the pump to push it into the pump cylinder and pressurize air in the cylinder when the actuator is depressed. An opening through the wall  112  at the inner end of the pump cylinder is normally closed by an umbrella valve  117  that opens to admit pressurized air into the lower air chamber LAC when air in the pump cylinder is pressurized by depression of the actuator. The product chamber PC preferably is releasably attached to the container C so that it can be removed and refilled if desired. In the example shown, the product chamber has a threaded connection  118  to a receiver  119  in the upper end of the container. The bottom end  120  of container C in  FIG. 9  would be closed by a plug or cap, shown in broken lines at  121 . 
     The bottom pump  130  shown in  FIG. 10  is another way of pressurizing the container C. In this form of the invention, a piston P 2  is mounted to one end of a hollow tube  131  for reciprocation in a pump cylinder  132  formed integrally with the bottom end of the container and extending upwardly into the container. The tube  131  is attached at its other end to a cap  133  removably attached to the end of the container by threads  134 . An umbrella valve  135  is in the cap for admitting air into the tube  131  when the cap is unthreaded from the end of the container and pulled downwardly. Return of the piston P 2  back up in the pump cylinder  132  pressurizes the air in air chamber AC and exerts pressure on piston P 1  so that air and product are mixed and dispensed when the actuator  17  is operated as described hereinafter. The product chamber PC is threaded at  136  to a receiver  137  in the upper end of the container so that the product chamber can be removed and refilled if desired. The attachment  138  of lower container housing portion  13 ′ to upper portion  12 ′ can be releasable to permit the two portions to be separated to facilitate removal of the product chamber PC. 
     An alternate embodiment of bottom pump device is shown at  140  in  FIG. 11 . This form of the invention is essentially the same as that shown in  FIG. 10 , and parts in this  FIG. 11  corresponding to like parts in  FIG. 10  are indicated by like reference characters. This embodiment differs from that in  FIG. 10  in that an inflatable pressure boosting bladder  141  is clamped at  138  at its open upper end between upper housing portion  12 ′ and lower housing portion  13 ′, with its bottom end against the bottom end of the product chamber PC so that the product chamber extends into the bladder. Although the upper end of the bladder is shown as clamped between the housing parts, it could be mounted in other ways. For example, juncture  138  can be sonic welded, solvent welded or threaded. As in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , a piston P 2  is mounted to one end of a hollow tube  131  for reciprocation in a pump cylinder  132  formed integrally with the bottom end of the container C and extending upwardly into the container. The tube  131  is attached at its other end to a cap  133  removably attached to the end of the container by threads  134 . The bladder is shown deflated in the left hand side of the figure, and inflated in the right hand side. An umbrella valve  135  is in the cap for admitting air into the tube  131  when the cap is unthreaded from the end of the container and pulled downwardly. Pushing the piston P 2  back up in the pump cylinder  132  pressurizes the air in the pump cylinder and one or more openings  142  formed through the lower end of the bladder admit pressurized air from the pump cylinder  132  to beneath the piston P 1 . One or more further openings  143  admit pressurized air to the air chamber AC′ formed between the bladder and the product chamber. 
     A further embodiment for supplying pressurized air to the device is shown at  150  in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . In this form of the invention a quick connect adapter  151  is positioned in the bottom end of the container C for supplying pressurized air to the container from a cartridge of pressurized air, a compressor, or other source. In the particular example shown, the adapter has a male quick-connect fitting  152  for connection of a female connector  153  on an air hose  154  that leads to a compressor (not shown). This source of pressurization could be substituted for any of the bottom pump designs described above. 
     The actuator and nozzle assemblies described above are employed to dispense the product and air mix in the various embodiments disclosed, but there are common actuator assemblies that can accommodate and employ different mechanical breakup units (MBUs), as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,609,666 and 6,543,703, for example. 
     In use, when the system is at rest and the actuator is not depressed, the parts have the relative positions shown in  FIG. 2 , with the lower end of first inner wall  20  in the actuator resting on the frustoconical wall  43  of the coupling member  41 . The bottom end seal  22   c  of the hub is seated and sealed in the opening  45  at the bottom end  44  of the coupling member, and the lower end  44  is spaced from the shoulder  83  of the stem valve. The sliding seal  82  on the tail piece  81  is spaced a short distance below the intersection of tube T with bore  22   a , and the downwardly facing flange  84  on the stem valve  80  rests on unflexed spring arms  55 . The sliding seal  86  on the lower extension of the stem valve is positioned in the top of the seal pocket  70 , and the valve seal  85  on the bottom end of the stem valve rests in closed position on the valve seat  71  in the bottom end of the seal pocket  70 . If the lower air chamber defined by spaces  93  and  95  is not pressurized, the flap valve  54  remains in its closed position over opening  61 , the upper air chamber UAC also remains unpressurized, and no air or product flows from the device. If the lower air chambers  93  and  95  are pressurized, the flap valve  54  will open to admit pressurized air into the space within the coupling member below the wall  43 . Engagement of seal end  22   c  against end  44  of the wall  43  prevents pressurized air from flowing into the upper air chamber UAC. 
     When the actuator  17  is initially depressed as shown in  FIG. 2   a , the bottom edge of the first inner wall  20  in the actuator presses down on the flexible wall  43  of the coupling member, causing the bottom end  44  of the flexible wall  43  to move away from the end seal  22   c  on the bottom end of the hub  22 , thereby establishing communication for flow of air between the lower air chamber defined by spaces  93  and  95  and the upper air chamber UAC. At this time, the bottom end  44  will be just resting on the shoulder  83  of the stem valve but the stem valve  80  will not have moved. At this time the valve seal  85  on the bottom end of the stem valve rests in closed position on the valve seat  71  in the bottom end of the seal pocket  70  and no product flows from the system. If the lower air chamber is pressurized, the flap valve  54  will open and pressurized air will flow from the lower air chamber into the upper air chamber and through the openings  34  in the fitment  27  and ultimately through the opening  40  in the nozzle  37 . 
     Further depression of the actuator, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , results in the wall  20  and hub  22  pushing down on the stem valve to move it down, bending the spring arms  55  and unseating the valve seal  85  from the valve seat  71 , enabling product to flow up around the bottom end of the stem valve from the product chamber PC and through the openings  87  into the hollow interior of the stem valve, into the tube T and through the openings  35  and  40 . At the same time, air flows from the upper air chamber UAC through the openings  34  to mix with product P, and thence through opening  40 . 
     Releasing the actuator essentially reverses the process described above in that the flexible wall  43  is enabled to move the actuator up, thereby enabling the spring arms  55  to move the stem valve up, closing the valve  85  against seat  71  and cutting off further flow of product, after which the bottom end  44  of wall  43  again seats against end  22   c  of the hub, cutting off further flow of air from the upper air chamber UAC. 
     All of the disclosed systems allow for isolating the product from the propellant gas (air or nitrogen) and manage whether or not the gas is mixed with the product. Some examples of when the air and product would not be mixed are the dispensing of toothpaste, gels, food products, conditioners and the like. Examples of products employing mixed air are hairsprays, some gels, room fresheners, mouthwash, medications, sun tanning sprays and many other types of products. The choice is primarily dictated by viscosity or density of the product to be dispensed. 
     The air assist feature may be a selected positional means that can function as part of a combination of air with product, or not take part in the breakup of the spray and be Isolated from affecting the spray. Additional control is possible by the selection of available nozzles and the need of how products feed with optimum results through them. 
     The simplicity of the present invention is evident. There is no stored chemical propellant that can be harmful to the environment. With the invention, the user simply pumps up and charges the system. As described, the release of product is sequentially obtained. In brief, the actuator is depressed and the first Intermediate position starts air flow. Continued depression of the actuator causes product to flow and mix with a preset and or prescribed selected adjustment of the nozzle if a mix is desired. By releasing the actuator, the sequence is reversed and air is discharged last from the nozzle. The system can thus be considered as a self-purging system. To eliminate the air mix and obtain product only, set the adjustable actuator accordingly. The adjustable actuator allows the consumer to select an appropriate setting for optimum results. If the manufacturer prefers to have optimum results by providing a fixed setting, it can be provided internally, before the customer purchases the product. 
     Accordingly, resort may be made to all suitable modifications and equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims which follow. The words “comprise”, “comprising”, “Include(s)” and “including” when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or means, steps or groups thereof.