Abstract:
The present invention refers to an automatic dispenser for periodically spraying an amount of liquid from two aerosol containers. (A, B) Preferably the two aerosol containers (A. B) contain liquid of different nature, such as different perfume or active substance composition, so that the same device is capable of dispensing alternatively two or more different substances.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure refers to an automatic dispenser for periodically spraying an amount of liquid from at least two aerosol containers. 
         [0002]    In one embodiment, the two aerosol containers contain liquids of different nature, such as different perfume or active substance composition, so that the same device is capable of dispensing alternatively two or more different substances. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Automatic spray dispensing devices for periodically spraying liquids, are very well, known in the state of the art. Typically these devices comprise one aerosol nozzle for spraying a first liquid, which is activated by a cam or level element in turn operated by a DC electric motor. 
         [0004]    An electronic timer is associated to said electric motor to activate the spray valve at predeterminated periods of time. 
         [0005]    Some examples of prior art aerosol dispensers are described in the followings patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,466, U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,944 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,718. 
         [0006]    It has been detected the need for more sophisticated devices, which offer to the consumers more options to perfume or treat an environment, but at the same time can be manufactured at a very low cost. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The disclosure refers to an automatic spray dispensing device comprising a first spray valve for spraying a liquid, and a cam element pivotally mounted in the device and arranged to move from a rest position in which the valve is not activated to a first activation position in which it activates said first spray valve by pushing it down. 
         [0008]    The operation of a spray valve is very well known for the skilled person in the art, thus it is not necessary to explain it in detail for the comprehension of the invention. 
         [0009]    The cam element is operated by an electric engine, and an electronic timer is associated with said electric engine to command its operation. 
         [0010]    The device is characterised in that it is provided with a second spray valve, and the cam element is configured to selectively activate said first and second spray valves by means of the action of said engine. 
         [0011]    For that purpose, the engine is operated by electronic means to change the direction of rotation of the same, in such a manner that when the shaft of the engine turns in one direction, the cam element activates one of the spray valves, and when the shaft turns in the other direction the other spray valve is activated by the cam element. 
         [0012]    The spray dispensing device of the invention is therefore capable of alternatively spraying two different liquids at selected periods of time, for that only one electric motor is advantageously used in order to maintain a low manufacturing cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    To complement the description being made and to aid towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following has been represented, with an illustrative, non-limiting character: 
           [0014]    FIG.  1 .—shows a rear perspective view of the device with the cam element in a rest position, and part of the housing removed. 
           [0015]    FIG.  2 .—shows another perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , wherein all parts of the housing have been removed for the shake of clarity of the figure. 
           [0016]    FIG.  3 .—shows a front perspective view of the device wherein all parts of the housing have been removed. 
           [0017]    FIG.  4 .—shows another perspective view similar to  FIG. 3 , showing the internal components of the device. 
           [0018]    FIG.  5 .—shows a perspective view of the device with the housing closed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the spray dispensing device comprises a housing ( 1 ) inside which are mounted two spray valves (not shown) associated respectively to a first and a second pressurized containers (A, B). 
         [0020]    Said first and second pressurized containers (A, B), are held in place by means of dome-shaped members ( 15 ,  16 ) of the housing ( 1 ), as shown in the attached figures. A first and a second levels ( 11 ,  12 ) are pivotally arranged in said dome-shaped members ( 15 ,  16 ) for actuating respectively on the spray valves for spraying an amount of atomized liquid thorough the aerosol nozzles ( 13 ,  14 ). 
         [0021]    A cam element ( 5 ) is pivotally mounted in a cylindrical finger ( 23 ) protruding from an inner face of one of the parts of the housing ( 1 ). The cam element ( 2 ) has a T-shaped configuration, formed by a left arm ( 4 ), a right arm ( 3 ) and a central arm ( 5 ). 
         [0022]    The cam element ( 2 ) is pivotally mounted in the cylindrical finger ( 23 ), which defines a pivot point located in the longitudinal axis of the central arm ( 5 ). 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the cam element ( 2 ) is shaped and dimensioned so as to activate the spray valve of the container (A) or the spray valve of the container (B). 
         [0024]    A DC electric engine ( 6 ) having a driven shaft ( 7 ), is operatively engaged with said cam element for operating said cam element, so that the rotation of the shaft ( 7 ) in a clock-wise direction as observed in  FIG. 1 , would cause the can element ( 2 ) to pivot to the right and the activation of the second level ( 22 ). The rotation of the shaft ( 7 ) in anti-clock wise direction, would cause the cam element to pivot to the left and the activation of the first level ( 21 ). 
         [0025]    For the activation of the spray valves, the free ends of the arms ( 3 ,  4 ) contact respectively with the levels ( 11 ,  12 ) which in turn press down the spray valves. The levels ( 11 ,  12 ) convert respectively the rotational movement of the arms ( 2 ,  3 ), into a longitudinal movement which is applied to the spray valves, for that the damage of the valves is avoided. 
         [0026]    The levels ( 11 ,  12 ) are dimensioned for reaching the spray valves inside the dome-shaped members ( 15 ,  16 ). 
         [0027]    The drive shaft ( 7 ) of the engine ( 6 ) is operatively engaged with the central arm ( 5 ) of the cam element ( 2 ) by means of speed reduction gears ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) in a known manner. For that purpose, the free end ( 17 ) of the central arm ( 5 ) has a toothed configuration and one of said reduction gear is meshed with said free end as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0028]    The device of the invention further comprises an electronic circuit ( 19 ), which includes and electronic timer, for example implemented by programmable electronic means, which are associated to the electric engine ( 6 ) to command its operation. The device also comprises electronic means connected to the terminals of the electric motor for changing the rotation direction of the drive shaft. 
         [0029]    In an automatic operation of the device, said electronic means will operate the electric engine at predetermined periods of time set by a program, and in such a manner that the shaft of the engine will rotate in the required direction in order to activate a selected spray valve according to a programmed sequence. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the two spray valves are operated alternatively in order to spray two different perfumes in a room. 
         [0031]    Different programs can be stored in the electronic means, which can be selected by the users. Also, the user can manually command the activation of one of the spray valves as desired. 
         [0032]    Due to the T-shaped configuration of the cam element, the speed reduction gears and the engine can be located in between the space provided in the device for receiving said containers, for that the use of the volume inside the casing is optimized obtaining a compact device. 
         [0033]    Additionally, due to the T-shaped configuration of the cam element, the torque applied by the reduction gears can be increased without stressing the teeth of the gears. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the spray valves are metered valves that liberates a determined amount of volatile substance independently of the duration of the activation of the valve by the cam element.