Patent Publication Number: US-6216925-B1

Title: Automatic aerosol dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to aerosol dispensers and more particularly to automatic aerosol dispensers. 
     (b) Description of the Prior Art 
     Aerosol cans are used to propel a variety of active ingredients such as air fresheners, repellants and the like. An aerosol can generally consists of a cylindrical vessel having an upper part thereof closed with a lid having a standard rim size. The center of the lid is provided with an aperture through which a conduit is inserted, at the top of which is mounted a dispenser valve actuator and a dispensing head having a dispenser nozzle. The aerosol can is generally activated manually, by depressing the dispensing head, thereby actuating the valve and releasing the aerosol with the active ingredient contained in the can, through the nozzle. The dispensing head is generally protected with a cap, which is snap fitted to the can. 
     Automatic dispensers comprising a housing in which an aerosol can is inserted are known. For example, French Patent Application No. 2 623 780, published Jun. 2, 1989, describes an automatic dispenser consisting of a shell having an upper part and a lower part fitted together after the aerosol can is inserted in the lower part thereof. Other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,916 issued on Dec. 6, 1966 to Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,941 issued on Apr. 27, 1976 to Mettler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,718 issued on Oct. 5, 1993 to Muderlak and U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,283 issued on Oct. 14, 1997 to Wang. A problem with such dispensers resides in the fact that they are useless with aerosol cans having a diameter larger than that of the shell. Another problem with such dispensers is that they are expensive and complicated to manufacture. 
     There exist dispensers which may be mounted to the aerosol can. For example, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,886 issued on Dec. 6, 1966 to Goldsholl, U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,144 issued on May 30, 1972 to Winder, U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,176 issued on Dec. 14, 1971 to Sailors and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,962 issued on Jun. 25, 1991 to Renfro. A problem with such dispensers is that they are not secured to the aerosol can. For example, such an automatic dispenser may fall off the aerosol can and be permanently damaged. Moreover, they remain bulky, which is unattractive to customers. 
     It would therefore be highly desirable to provide an inexpensive automatic aerosol dispenser device that could be used with an aerosol can of any size, and that could be secured thereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aim of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive automatic aerosol dispenser device that may be used with an aerosol can of any size and that may be secured to a rim of constant, universal diameter on the aerosol can. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable automatic aerosol dispenser device for intermittently releasing a dose of an aerosol from an aerosol can to an environment, wherein the can is provided with a stem valve concentric with a universal rim on the top of the can. The portable automatic aerosol dispenser device comprises a housing, which comprises an aerosol release mechanism adapted to release the dose of aerosol from the can to the environment when actuated, an outlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism permitting the releasing of the dose of aerosol through the housing, an inlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for receiving the stem valve of the can, an actuating mechanism adapted to actuate the aerosol release mechanism intermittently, the actuating mechanism comprising a switch mechanism for switching the aerosol release mechanism from an inoperative position to an operative position for an interval of time and a timing mechanism for controlling the interval of time, and a gripping mechanism adapted to grip the rim of the can, for releasably clamping the housing to the rim. 
     The gripping mechanism may comprise a plurality of projections adapted to grip the rim, the projections each comprising a first portion downwardly extending from a side wall of the housing and a second portion connected to the first portion and inwardly directed relative to the side wall, the projections each comprising an outer surface comprising external threads, a ring member comprising an inner surface comprising internal threads, the internal threads of the ring corresponding to the external threads of the projections, the ring member being displaceable between an inoperative position and an operative position, whereby when the portable automatic aerosol dispenser device is downwardly urged against the rim, the projections are outwardly displaced to grip the rim, and the projections are secured to the rim when the ring member is in the operative position. 
     The aerosol release mechanism may comprise a solenoid valve. 
     The actuating mechanism may comprise an electronic control panel. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided an apparatus for intermittently releasing a dose of an aerosol can to an environment, the apparatus comprising an aerosol can containing an aerosol with an active ingredient, the aerosol can being closed by a lid having a rim and a stem valve mounted thereto for releasing the aerosol from the can, an automatic aerosol dispenser device mounted to the rim, for intermittently releasing a dose of the aerosol to an environment, the automatic aerosol dispenser device comprising a housing, the housing comprising an aerosol release mechanism adapted to release the dose of aerosol from the can to the environment when actuated, an outlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for releasing the dose of aerosol through the housing, an inlet connected to the aerosol release mechanism for receiving said stem valve, an actuating mechanism adapted to activate the aerosol releasing mechanism intermittently, the actuating mechanism comprising a switch mechanism for switching the aerosol release mechanism from an inoperative position to an operative position for an interval of time, and a timing mechanism for controlling the interval of time, and a gripping mechanism adapted to grip the housing to the rim. 
     The gripping mechanism may comprise a plurality of projections adapted to grip the rim, the projections each comprising a first portion downwardly extending from a side wall of the housing and a second portion connected to the first portion and inwardly directed relative to the side wall, the projections comprising an annular outer surface comprising external threads, a ring member comprising an inner surface comprising internal threads, said internal threads essentially corresponding to the external threads of the projections, the ring member being displaceable between an inoperative position and an operative position, whereby upon the automatic aerosol dispenser device being downwardly urged against the rim and the rim being in the inoperative position, the projections are outwardly displaced and grip the rim, and the projections are secured to the rim when the ring member is in the operative position. 
     The aerosol may comprise an active ingredient, and the active ingredient may be selected from a group consisting of air fresheners, repellants, hormonal compounds and lubricants. 
     The environment may be a space such as a room or a surface. 
     The dose of aerosol may be released during a determined period of time. The period of time during which the valve is kept in the operative position and the intervals of time during which the valve is kept in the inoperative position may be set by the user through programming of the portable automatic aerosol dispenser device or may be pre-programmed during the manufacturing process. 
     The portable automatic aerosol dispenser device of the present invention may be used with valves such as continuous flow valves. The portable automatic aerosol dispenser device of the present invention may be used with valves such as Precision valves and may be adapted to other sizes and formats of valves. 
     The valve may be controlled with mechanisms such as timers, remote controls, motion detectors and switches provided to the housing of the portable automatic aerosol dispenser device. 
     For example, an air freshener for a public washroom may be automatically activated with a timer such that every few minutes, the portable automatic aerosol dispenser device releases a dose of aerosol in the washroom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration preferred embodiments thereof, in which like numerals refer to like components and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an aerosol can with a first embodiment of a portable automatic aerosol dispenser device in accordance with the present invention mounted thereto and shown in a cross-sectional view; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partly in cross section showing one view of the components shown in FIG. 1 seperated from the other and showing the valve in the open position; and 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a portable automatic aerosol dispenser device in accordance with the present invention, shown mounted to the aerosol can and showing the valve in a closed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope. 
     The present invention consists of a portable automatic aerosol dispenser integrated in an aerosol can cap, which may be secured to the lid rim of an aerosol can. 
     As may be seen in FIG. 1, the automatic aerosol dispenser  10  comprises a gripping mechanism  12  adapted to grip an aerosol can  14  at the rim  16  of the lid  17  closing the aerosol can  14 . A stem  18  is projecting upwardly from the lid  17 . The automatic aerosol dispenser  10  is adapted to attach to an aerosol can  14  of any size, and is more particularly adapted to attach to the one-inch lid, which is a standard in the aerosol can industry. 
     As may be seen in FIG. 2, the automatic aerosol dispenser  10  comprises a cylindrical housing  20 , the dimensions of which correspond essentially to those of an aerosol can cap. The size of the embodiment herein described in about  1 . 5  square inches. The housing  20  may be molded from plastic. The housing  20  has a circular top wall  22  and a side wall  24  downwardly extending from the rim of the top wall  22 . An outlet opening  26  is defined by the side wall  24 . The positioning of the outlet opening  26  to the side wall  24  of the housing  20  allows the automatic dispenser device  10  to be used in an inverted position when required. A bottom wall  28  is connected to the side wall  24  at a lower area thereof. An inlet opening  30  is provided at the center of the bottom wall  28 . The inlet opening  30  is adapted to receive the stem  18  of the aerosol can  14 . 
     A valve  32  is disposed against the bottom wall  28  of the housing  20 . The valve  32  has a coil  34  surrounding a plug  36  which, in response to a current flowing in the coil  34 , is displaced between an inoperative position and an operative position by way of a biased spring  38 . A valve seat  40  is provided at a distance of the plug  36  when the plug  36  is in the operative position (FIG.  3 ). The valve seat  40  defines an outlet channel  42  having a first opening  44  provided at an end facing the plug  36 , and a second opening  46  at the opposite end, which is aligned with the outlet opening  26  provided to the side wall  24  of the housing  20 . 
     When no current flows in the coil  34 , the spring is unbiased and the valve  32  is closed in the inoperative position by the plug  36 , which engages the valve seat  40  to close the first opening  44  and prevent the aerosol from passing into the outlet channel  44 . When a current is flowed in the coil  34 , the spring is biased and the plug  36  is displaced at a distance from the valve seat  40  to the operative position, leaving the aerosol to flow into the outlet channel  42  and to the outlet opening  26 . 
     An electronic circuit board  50  is disposed above the valve  32 . In the embodiment shown herein, the electronic circuit board  50  is a PCB. The PCB may comprise a hybrid or surface mount component. The PCB contains a micro-controller that controls the activation of the valve  32 . The PCB controls the length of time the valve  32  is in the inoperative position, which is the interval between the releasing of the aerosol, and the length of time the valve is in the operative position, which is the length of time during which the aerosol is released from the aerosol can  14 . The electronic circuit board  50  comprises a clock circuit for providing impulses at a determined frequency, a circuit for controlling the length of time during which the valve  32  is open and a circuit for controlling the length of time during which the valve  32  is closed. Each circuit comprises a divider circuit, a multiplexer circuit, a counter and a display. Other suitable valve actuation control mechanisms such as timers, remote controls, sensors, remote switches or the like may be used. 
     A battery seat  48  is disposed above the electronic circuit board  50 , shown with a battery therein, for supplying power to the valve  32  and to the electronic circuit board  50 . In the embodiment herein shown, the battery disposed in the seat  48  is a 6.0 volts camera type battery. An opening  49  closed with a door  49  is provided in the side wall  24  of the housing  20  for reaching the battery and replacing it when required. The opening of the door  49  may be located at any convenient wall of the housing  20 . Any other suitable power source may be used. 
     The gripping mechanism  28  will now be described with reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates a second embodiment, which differs from the embodiment above-described in that the valve  32  is shorter, leaving room adjacent the coil  34  for the battery seat  48 . 
     The gripping mechanism  28  comprises a plurality of fingers  52 , which are adapted to grip the rim  16  of the aerosol can  14 , and a ring  54 . 
     The fingers  52  extend downwardly from the side wall  24 , at a lower area thereof. Each finger  52  has a first portion  56 , which is connected to the side wall  24 , and a second portion  58  connected to the first portion  56 , which is inwardly directed relative to a longitudinal axis following the center of the housing  20 . The length of the first portion  56  is sufficient  25  to allow an outward displacement of the second portion  58  relative to the longitudinal axis when the fingers  52  are outwardly bent against the rim  16  of the aerosol can  14 . The width of the second portion  58  of the fingers  52  is sufficient to grip the rim  16  at a bottom surface thereof. The fingers  52  are made of a resilient material such as plastic. Threads  60  are provided at an outer surface thereof. 
     The ring  54  has an inner diameter slightly superior to that of the housing  20 . Threads  62  corresponding to the threads  60  of the fingers  52  are provided at an inner surface thereof. The ring  54  is screwed over the fingers  52  and displaceable between an inoperative position and an operative position, for securing the automatic dispenser device  10  to the aerosol can  14 . 
     The automatic aerosol dispenser  10  is mounted to the aerosol can  14  by first removing the dispensing head which is generally mounted to the stem  18  of the aerosol can  14 , by downwardly urging the fingers  52  against the rim  16  of the aerosol can  14  in a snap fit fashion while the ring  54  is in the inoperative position. The ring  54  is then screwed down to the operative position, thereby securing the automatic aerosol dispenser  10  to the aerosol can  14 . 
     The automatic aerosol dispenser  10  operates as follows. The automatic aerosol dispenser  10  releases the aerosol contained in the aerosol can  14  to an environment at predetermined intervals of time. The aerosol can  14  has a valve that is in the open position. The release of the aerosol is controlled by the solenoid valve  32  of the automatic dispenser device  10 . 
     The amount of aerosol to be released is determined by setting the period of time during which the valve  32  stays in the operative position. The valve  32  is kept in the operative position for the period of time that the coil  36  of the valve  32  remains charged. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.