GB2469056A - Electrically driven dispenser for a spray can - Google Patents

Electrically driven dispenser for a spray can Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2469056A
GB2469056A GB0905499A GB0905499A GB2469056A GB 2469056 A GB2469056 A GB 2469056A GB 0905499 A GB0905499 A GB 0905499A GB 0905499 A GB0905499 A GB 0905499A GB 2469056 A GB2469056 A GB 2469056A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
actuator
spray
lever arm
dispenser system
electrically driven
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0905499A
Other versions
GB0905499D0 (en
GB2469056B (en
Inventor
John Todd
Carl Cotton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd
Original Assignee
Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd filed Critical Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd
Priority to GB0905499A priority Critical patent/GB2469056B/en
Publication of GB0905499D0 publication Critical patent/GB0905499D0/en
Publication of GB2469056A publication Critical patent/GB2469056A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2469056B publication Critical patent/GB2469056B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/26—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operating automatically, e.g. periodically
    • B65D83/262—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operating automatically, e.g. periodically by clockwork, motor, electric or magnetic means operating without repeated human input
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/02—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
    • B65D83/206—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container comprising a cantilevered actuator element, e.g. a lever pivoting about a living hinge

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

A dispenser system 1 for a spray device 6 comprises a depressible actuator 8 to dispense spray from the device 6. The dispenser system 1 includes a pivot mounting 15 and a lever arm 14 pivotally mounted to and extending away from the pivot mounting 15. An electrically driven actuator arrangement is arranged to apply a pivoting force to the lever arm 14 to pivot the lever 14 from an inactive position, in which the spray device actuator 8 is in a non-depressed condition, to an active position in which the spray device actuator 8 is depressed to dispense the spray. The depressible actuator 8 of the spray device 6 is positioned between the pivot mounting 15 and the location at which the electrically driven actuator arrangement applies the pivoting force to the lever 14. The electrically driven actuator may be a rotary driven cam 11 which only rotates in one direction.

Description

Dispenser Actuation Systm The present invention relates to a dispenser actuation system. The invention is particularly suited to (although not exclusively) such systems for use in actuating aerosol sprays, particularly in commercial environments.
In commercial environments such as public washrooms aerosol air freshening apparatus may be installed in order to periodically dispense a burst of freshening spray into the environment. Typically a replaceable canister containing pressurised gas will be mounted in a dispenser housing and actuated by a timed dispenser actuation system. Typically the dispenser actuation system will be battery operated and the battery will need periodical replacement.
An improved dispenser actuation system has now been devised.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser system for a spray device (or the like) having a depressible actuator to dispense spray from the device, the dispenser system comprising a pivot mounting and a lever arm pivotally mounted to and extending away from the pivot mounting, an electrically driven actuator arrangement which is arranged to apply a pivoting force to the lever arm to pivot the lever from an inactive position, in which the spray device actuator is in a non-depressed condition, to an active position in which the spray device actuator is depressed to dispense the spray; wherein the depressible actuator of the spray device is positioned between the pivot mounting and the location at which the electrically driven actuator arrangement applies the pivoting force to the lever.
Beneficially, the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary device.
The rotary device is preferably arranged to act on the lever arm to effect depression of the depressible actuator of the spray device. Beneficially, the rotary device is operated to rotate in one direction only.
in a preferred embodiment, the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary driven cam device.
In one embodiment, it may be preferred that the lever arm has a curved surface portion against which the cam device is arranged to follow.
It is preferred that the electrically driven actuator arrangement is arranged to act on the lever arm on the region of the free (distal) end of the lever arm.
In one embodiment it is desirable that the lever carries an actuator formation projecting downwardly from the lever arm to engage the depressible actuator of the spray device.
Beneficially the system includes means for resiliently biasing the lever upwardly.
The system preferably includes an electric motor for driving the actuator arrangement to pivot the lever arm.
The system preferably includes a support cradle for holding a spray device such as a spray canister. The spray device may beneficially be mounted in the support cradle whilst the lever arm and/or the electrically driven actuator arrangement remain in place.
Desirably, the lever arm and the electrically driven actuator arrangement are provided above the level of the spray device actuator.
According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a dispenser system for a spray device (or the like) having a depressible actuator to dispense spray from the device, the dispenser system comprising an electrically driven actuator arrangement which is arranged to apply a force to move an actuator from an inactive position, in which the spray device actuator is in a non-depressed condition, to an active position in which the spray device actuator is depressed to dispense the spray; wherein the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary driven cam device, operated to rotate in one direction only.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a Dispenser system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a close up view of a part of the dispenser system of figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the dispenser system of figure 1 and 2; and, Figures 4 to 8 are sequential views showing the sequence of operation of the dispenser system.
Referring to the drawings, the dispenser system 1 comprises a mounting housing 2 which is provided with a mounting aperture 3 for mounting to a wall. A front cover (not shown) is normally fixed to the mounting housing to conceal the interior parts as will be described later. The front cover is demountable to permit access to the interior of the housing 2. The interior of the housing is provided with cradle limbs 4,5 which are deflectable to grippingly receive the circumferential wall of a spray canister 6. A base rest 7 is moulded on the interior of the housing 2 in order to support the base of the canister 6 when cradled. The canister 6 has a depressible actuator 8 which when depressed allows the spray to be dispensed in aerosol form from the interior of the canister via an outlet dispenser nozzle 9 which is directed away from the rear wall of the housing 2. The front cover is provided with an aperture or series of apertures adjacent the outlet dispenser nozzle 9 in order to permit the aerosol spray burst to pass from the interior to the exterior of the housing.
The dispenser system includes an actuator mechanism for periodically depressing and then releasing the actuator 8 of the canister 6. The actuator mechanism is powered by a replaceable electric battery 10 which has electrical connections to an electric actuator motor 21 provided behind a rotary actuator disc 11. The output shaft of the motor 21 is received in a push fit receiving cup 12 positioned on the axis of the disc 11. The rotary actuator disc 11 is provided with a cam formation 13 mounted eccentrically of the disc axis and close to the periphery of the disc. Below the rotary axis of the actuator disc 11 is mounted a pivoting lever arm 14. The lever arm 14 is pivotally mounted on a circular boss which is received internally of a circular pivot aperture 16 provided at a proximal end 17 of the lever arm 14. Intermediately between the proximal end 17 and the distal end 18 of the arm 14 is provided an actuator formation 19 extending from the arm at a position adjacent the actuator 8 of the canister 6. The lever arm 14 includes a shaped curve form portion 20 positioned between the actuator formation 19 and the distal end 18 The arrangement provides that actuation of the motor to drive the disc 11 through one complete turn causes the depressible actuator 8 to me depressed and released once to dispense the spray from the canister 6. A simple timer circuit which is well known to those in the art may be employed to trigger driving of the motor (and hence the rotary drive disc 11) through a single turn.
Upon rotation of the disc 11, the sequence of operation shown in figures 4 to 8 is followed.
Initially, as shown in figure 4, the canister actuator button 8 is in a non-depressed condition and the lever arm is raised to its maximum extent. In this situation, the cam formation 13 of the disc is at its extreme position toward the distal end of the arm 14, and makes contact with the upper portion of the lever arm 14. As the rotary actuator disc 11 continues to rotate, the cam formation 13 forces the distal end of the lever arm 14 to pivot downwardly about the pivot boss 15, to the position shown in figure 5. In this position the actuator button 8 of the canister 6 becomes urged to its depressed condition by operation of the actuator formation 19 carried by the lever arm 14, and spray is dispensed from the canister 6. Continued rotation of the disc 11 causes the cam formation 13 to ride up the shaped curve form portion 20 of the lever arm 14, allowing the lever arm to be moved upwardly under the influence of a biasing spring provided to return the actuator button 8 of the canister 6 to the non-depressed position. Additionally or alternatively a biasing spring (or other return biasing means) may be provided to bias the lever arm to an upwardly pivoted position. This situation is shown in figure 6.
Further rotation of the actuator disc 11 causes the cam formation 13 to lose contact with the lever arm which remains in a non-actuating position (as shown in figure 7) until the actuator disc completes 360 degrees travel and the cam formation 13 again engages the lever arm 14 at its distal end.
Use of the rotary actuation disc 11 and the eccentric cam formation enables the mechanism to use a one way rotational drive to depress and release the actuator button 8 of the canister. This enables the mechanism to be simple in construction and frictional losses to be minimised.
Also because the position of application of the actuation force on the actuator button 8 of the canister 6 is between the pivot 15/16 and the distal end of the lever (at which the cam formation applies the force to the lever) a large mechanical advantage is provided which means that a reduced motor torque can be employed and battery life lengthened. Longer battery life means less frequent servicing of the system, which provides significant commercial advantages.

Claims (14)

  1. Claims: 1. A dispenser system for a spray device (or the like) having a depressible actuator to dispense spray from the device, the dispenser system comprising a pivot mounting and a lever arm pivotally mounted to and extending away from the pivot mounting, an electrically driven actuator arrangement which is arranged to apply a pivoting force to the lever arm to pivot the lever from an inactive position, in which the spray device actuator is in a non-depressed condition, to an active position in which the spray device actuator is depressed to dispense the spray; wherein the depressible actuator of the spray device is positioned between the pivot mounting and the location at which the electrically driven actuator arrangement applies the pivoting force to the lever.
  2. 2. A dispenser system according to claim 1, wherein the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary device.
  3. 3. A dispenser system according top claim 2, wherein the rotary device is arranged to act on the lever arm to effect depression of the depressible actuator of the spray device.
  4. 4. A dispenser arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is operated to rotate in one direction only.
  5. 5. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary driven cam device.
  6. 6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the lever arm has a curved surface portion against which the cam device is arranged to follow.
  7. 7. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, the electrically driven actuator arrangement is arranged to act on the lever arm on the region of the free (distal) end of the lever arm.
  8. 8. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, wherein the lever carries an actuator formation projecting downwardly from the lever arm to engage the depressible actuator of the spray device.
  9. 9. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim including means for biasing the lever upwardly.
  10. 10. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system includes an electric motor for driving the actuator arrangement to pivot the lever arm.
  11. 11. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system includes a support cradle for holding a spray device such as a spray canister.
  12. 12. A dispenser system according to claim 11, wherein the spray device can be mounted in the support cradle whilst the lever arm and/or the electrically driven actuator arrangement remain in place.
  13. 13. A dispenser system according to any preceding claim, wherein the lever arm and the electrically driven actuator arrangement are provided above the level of the spray device actuator.
  14. 14. A dispenser system for a spray device (or the like) having a depressible actuator to dispense spray from the device, the dispenser system comprising an electrically driven actuator arrangement which is arranged to apply a force to move an actuator from an inactive position, in which the spray device actuator is in a non-depressed condition, to an active position in which the spray device actuator is depressed to dispense the spray; wherein the electrically driven actuator arrangement comprises a rotary driven cam device, operated to rotate in one direction only.
GB0905499A 2009-03-31 2009-03-31 Dispenser actuation system Active GB2469056B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0905499A GB2469056B (en) 2009-03-31 2009-03-31 Dispenser actuation system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0905499A GB2469056B (en) 2009-03-31 2009-03-31 Dispenser actuation system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0905499D0 GB0905499D0 (en) 2009-05-13
GB2469056A true GB2469056A (en) 2010-10-06
GB2469056B GB2469056B (en) 2011-10-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2906482A4 (en) * 2012-10-15 2016-08-24 Smart Wave Technologies Corp Aerosol dispensing apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3214062A (en) * 1965-02-23 1965-10-26 Gen Time Corp Actuating device for aerosol dispenser
US3584766A (en) * 1969-12-10 1971-06-15 Charles M Hart Spray dispenser having a capacitor discharge timer
GB1317294A (en) * 1969-08-11 1973-05-16 Gen Time Corp Pressurised fluid dispenser
US4006844A (en) * 1975-04-10 1977-02-08 The Risdon Manufacturing Company Apparatus for operating an aerosol container
GB1484010A (en) * 1973-10-19 1977-08-24 Wellcome Found Mechanisms for intermittently actuating the discharge valve of a pressurised dispensing container
US5249718A (en) * 1992-03-16 1993-10-05 Technical Concepts Automatic pump-type spray dispenser

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3214062A (en) * 1965-02-23 1965-10-26 Gen Time Corp Actuating device for aerosol dispenser
GB1317294A (en) * 1969-08-11 1973-05-16 Gen Time Corp Pressurised fluid dispenser
US3584766A (en) * 1969-12-10 1971-06-15 Charles M Hart Spray dispenser having a capacitor discharge timer
GB1484010A (en) * 1973-10-19 1977-08-24 Wellcome Found Mechanisms for intermittently actuating the discharge valve of a pressurised dispensing container
US4006844A (en) * 1975-04-10 1977-02-08 The Risdon Manufacturing Company Apparatus for operating an aerosol container
US5249718A (en) * 1992-03-16 1993-10-05 Technical Concepts Automatic pump-type spray dispenser

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2906482A4 (en) * 2012-10-15 2016-08-24 Smart Wave Technologies Corp Aerosol dispensing apparatus
US9522775B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2016-12-20 Smart Wave Technologies Corp. Aerosol dispensing apparatus
US10106310B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2018-10-23 Smart Wave Technologies, Inc. Aerosol dispensing apparatus
EP3498631A1 (en) * 2012-10-15 2019-06-19 Smart Wave Technologies, Inc. Aerosol dispensing apparatus
US10450127B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2019-10-22 Smart Wave Technologies, Inc. Aerosol dispensing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0905499D0 (en) 2009-05-13
GB2469056B (en) 2011-10-26

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