US2392600A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Description

A. LIMBACH Jan. s, 1946.

ATOMIZER Filed Feb. 5 1942 v A. l

I. I. 4 p

\ lllllllllll INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATOMIZER Alex Limbach, Carmel, N. Y.

Application February 5, 1942, Serial No. 429,625

12 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid-dispensing devices such as atomizers or sprayers.

An object of this invention is a simple and inexpensive liquid dispenser assembly adapted for easy attachment to a container in which insecticide or other liquid is merchandized or to a threaded member for dispensing any liquid.

It is quite customary to merchandize insecticide and the like in a metal container having an exteriorly threaded neck on which is provided a cap. The dispenser of this invention is particularly adapted to be screwed on to the threaded neck of such container after removal of the original cap and puncturing of the container seal if the container is provided with a seal. a

The structure of certain forms of the dispenser is such that in order to use the dispenser, the container is inverted so that liquid feeds therefrom into the dispenser by gravity and the dispenser is provided with a bulbor other suitable means for producing a stream of air which eiiects atomization of the liquid and discharges it in the form of an atomized spray. When not in use,

the container is placed in its normal position and there is no tendency for liquid to escape from the container through the dispenser. In other embodiments of the apparatus, the structure is such that liquid is withdrawn from the container byvacuum so that the dispenser may be operated with the container in normal position and the dispenser at a higher level than th liquid in the container.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a dispenser embodying the invention with the dispenser being shown in non-operating position;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a second embodiment with the dispenser being shown in operating position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the dispensing elements of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a modification of Fig. l.-

A container I0 is provided with a neck I I having an exterior screw thread. A cap I2 is interiorlythreaded for co-operation with the threads of the neck II to hold the cap on the neck. In the cap I2 is provided a circular central recess I3 thereby forming an annular shoulder I4. The

cap has a tube I5 leading from the recess I3 to a hollow bulb [6 of ordinary construction or other means of providing air under pressure.

A preferably circular plate or similar planar member I! engages the shoulder I4 and an apertured planar member or sealing washer I 8 underlies the plate I! and is engaged by the rim of the neck ll. Preferably, the'member I1 is composed of plastic material while the member I8 may be composed of any suitable sealing material. An airtight seal is formed between the member I1 and the shoulder I4 preferably by cementing the member to the shoulders The washer I8 may be attached to the plate H by cement or may be held against it by friction exerted through the medium of the inner end of the neck II.

In the plate I! are provided two alined radial grooves I9 and 20 on opposite surfaces of the plate and the cap I2 is provided with an aperture 2| in register with the ends of the grooves I9 and 20. The groove I9 forms a passageway between the plate I1 and the shoulder I4 while the groove 20 forms a passageway between the plate I I and washer I8.

In operating the dispenser above described, its position of use is just reverse from that shown in Fig. 1, such position of use being the same as illustrated in Fig. 4. The container III is then arranged at a higher level than the bulb I6 as well as at a higher level-than the passageway formed by the groove 20. bulb I6 forces air through the tube I5 into the recess I3 and through the groove I9 to the aperture 2|. The flow of air through the groove I9 draws liquid from the container I0 into the groove 20 and through it into the discharge aperture 2|, thereby atomizing the liquid and projecting it through the discharge opening 2| in anatomized spray. When the arrangement is not being used, it is placed in the position shown in Fig. 1 in which condition there is no tendency for liquid to flow through the passageway 20 due to the fact that the passageway is at a higher elevation than the liquid in the container;

In-the modification of Figs. 4 to 6, a preferably circular metal plate or planar member 30 contacts the shoulder I4 and in a groove 3| in the shoulder is preferably provided a gasket 32 against which projects the oblique flange 33 of the plate 30 to form an air-tight seal. A radial portion of the plate 30 is offset to form a groove 34 which provides a passageway between the plate and the shoulder I 4 leading, to the discharge aperture 21. A'second preferably. circular .metal Compression of the plate or planar member 35 engages the plate 30 and a radial portion thereof is offset to form a groove 36 in which is received the offset portion r of the disk or plate 3E3. The size and length of the two ofiset portions are such that they provide a passageway 36a between the'two plates leadin to the discharge aperture 2|. A ring gasket 31 is preferably interposed between the inner end of the neck H and the plate 35 and in said plate is provided a minute aperture 38 communicating with "the-passageway between the two plates 30 and 35.

In the operation of the modification of Fig. 4,; I

the dispenser is held in the position shown Fig. 4. through the tube into the recess Iii-and Compression of the bulb it forces --air through the groove 34 to the dischargeopen'ing'. 2|. Such flow of air draws liquid fromtlrecon l tainer through the aperture 38 and through the passageway between the two plates into't'hedis tube 40 communicates with the inner portion of the groove 29. Except .forthe difierences just mentioned, the structure of the modification of: Fig. 7 is identical with that of Fig. 1; In the operation of the modification ofiFig. 7, compressionof the bulb It forces air through the tube l5 into the recess 43 and through the groove l9 tothe aperture 2L The now of air through the-groove 19 produces a vacuum which is effective. to draw liquid through the'tube 40 into the groove 20 andthrough it into "the discharge aperture thereby atomizing liquid and ,projecting it through the discharge opening in an atomizedspray. y

The container is held in normal position and no inversion of'it is required as .isrequired with the dispenser of Fig. l. The dispenser'structure of Fig. '7 is a bit more expensive than that of Fig. 1 due to the added material and manufacturing operation necessaryto produce it. 7 7 Although the planar member 18 of Fig. 1 has been shown as a washer, it is to be understood that it may be constructed in the form of a disk having a minute central aperture of the same type as the aperture 38 in the planar member of Fig. 4. Also, in the modification of Figu e, the disk .35 may be replaced by. a disk-like member havinga central aperture comparable to the ape-rture in the washer l8 of Fig. 1. Likewise, the modification of Fig. 4 may be further modified by the provision of a tube similarto the tube 40 of Fig. '7, such tube leading from the bottom of the container 1:! to the-aperture 38 whereby the atomizer may be operated with the container in normal rather than in inverted position.

In all of the modifications, the atomizer structure is of extreme simplicity-and inexpensive ,to manufacture due both to the small amount of a material used and the simple manufacturing 01 oration. The manufacturing operations are limited either to molding grooves in arplastic member or to bumping groovesin thin metallic members. Each of these operations can be ac;-

complished with inexpensive equipment by unskilled labor and the cost of the material formin the disks is very slight. 7

If in the modifications of Figs. 1 and 4 the con-' tainer is made of thin sheet metal, the volume of the atomized discharge may be materially increased by applying pressure to the sides of the container. Such pressure forces liquid into the discharge channel at a greater rate than it is fed thereto merely by gravity. With this simple and inexpensive structure, it is only necessary to attach the dispenser to a supply of liquid and the air stream supplied from a bulb or other suitable means will dispense any liquid in atomized cations 'may be made in the atomizer structure above described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended'claims.

I claim: V z

1. A liquid dispensercomprlsing a first imperforate planar member and a second planar memher, an annular element engaging oneiace of said first member adjacent the periphery thereof, means clamping together said members and annular element, a first passageway leading "between said annular element and saidfirst member, a second passageway leading between said two members, each of said passageways beingformed in ,part at least by a groove in one ozf-said members and both of said passageways terminating at the periphery of the first-member in alinement with each other, a transverse aperture-in said second member oommunicating with the inner portion of said second passageway, means for supplying air to said first-passageway, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

A liquid dispenser comprising a first mule forate thin metal planar member and a second thin metal planar member, an annular sealing element engaging one face of said first member adjacent the periphery thereof, means clamping together said members and annular element, alined'correspondingly offsetgroove portions in said members forming a first passageway leading between said element and said first member and a second passagewayleading between saidgtwo members with both of said passageways terminating atithe periphery of the first memberin alinement with each other, an 1 aperture .in'said second member communicatingwith the inner portion of said'second passageway, means :for supplying :air'to said first passageway, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture tosai-d second passageway. K e 1 .3. A liquid dispenser comprising afirst' imperforate planar member of plastic material an annular element engaging one face of said plastic member adjacent the periphery thereof including a second :planar member clamping together said plastic member and annular element, alined grooves in opposite faces-orsaid cating with the inner portion of said second-pas sageway, means for supplying air to said-331st passageway, and means for supplyingliquid through said aperture to saidxsecond;v passageway.

4. A liquidjdispenser comprising a firstimpei aaaaeoo 3 forate planar member, a second planarmember, anieleme'nt'en'gaging oneface of said first mem-' ber, .means: clampingrtogether said members and element, .a first passageway leading between said element and said firstmember, a second passageway-leading between said two members, each of said" passageways being formed in part at least by agro'ove in one of said members and both of said passageways terminating at the periphery of the first'member. in alinement with each other, a transverse aperture in said second member communicating with the inner portion of said second passageway, means for supplying air to said first passageway, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

5. A liquid dispenser comprising a first imperforate thin metal planar and a second thin metal planar member, a sealing element engaging one face of said first member, means clamping together said members and element, alined correspondingly ofiset portions in said members forming a first passageway leading between said sealing element and said first member and a second passageway leading between said two members with both of said passageways terminating at the periphery of the first member in alinement with each other, an aperture in said second member communicating with the inner portion of said second passageway, means for supplying air to said first passageway, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

6. A'liquid dispenser comprising an imperiorate planar member of plastic material, an element engaging one face of said plastic member, means including a second planar member for clamping together said plastic member and element, alined grooves in opposite faces of said plastic member forming a first passageway leading between said element and said plastic member and a second passageway leading between said two members with both said passageways terminating at the periphery of said first member, an aperture in said second member communicating with the inner portion of said second passageway, means for supplying air to said first passageway, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

7. In combination, a container having an interconnected neck and cap, a recess in the closed end of said cap forming an annular shoulder, a first and a second planar member in said cap with said first member engaging said annular shoulder and said second member engaging the end of the container neck, a first passageway leading between said shoulder and said first member and communicating with said recess, a second passageway leading between said two members, both of said passageways terminating at the periphery of the first member in alinement with each other, an opening in said cap in register with the ends of said passageways, an aperture in said second member communicating with the inner portion of said second passageway, means for supplying air to said recess, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

8. In combination, a container having an interconnected neck and cap, a recess in the closed end of said cap forming an annular shoulder, a first and a second planar member in said cap with said first member engaging said annular shoulder and said second member engaging the end of the container neck, a first passageway leading between said shoulder and said first member and communicating with said recess, a secondpassageway leading. between said two. members, each of said. passageways being formed'in part at least. by a groove in oneof'said members and both of's'aid passageways terminating at :the periphery of the firsti 'membergin alinement with each other, an aperture in. said second member communicating with the inner-portion of said second passageway, an opening in said cap inregister with the ends of said passageways, means for supplying air to said recess, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

9. In combination, a container having an interconnected neck and cap, a reces in the closed end of said cap forming an annular shoulder, a first and a second thin metal planar member in said cap with said first member having sealing relation with said annular shoulder and said second member having sealing engagement with the end of the container neck, alined corresponding ofiset portions in said members forming a first passageway leading between said shoulder and said first plate and communicating with said recess and a second passageway leading between said two members with both of said passageways terminating at the periphery of said first member in alinement with each other, an aperture in said second plate communicating with th inner portion of said second passageway, an opening in said cap in register with the ends of said passageways, means for supplying air to said recess, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

10. In combination, a container having an inter-connected neck and cap, a recess in the closed end of said cap forming an annular shoulder, a planar member of plastic material in said cap engaging said annular shoulder, a second planar member interposed between said plastic member and the end of the container neck, alined grooves in opposite faces of said plastic member forming a first passageway leading between said shoulder and said plastic member and a second passageway leading between said two members with both said passageways terminating at the periphery of said first member, an aperture in said second member communicating with the inner end of said second passageway, an opening in said cap in register with the ends of said passageways, means for supplying air to said recess, and means for supplying liquid through said aperture to said second passageway.

11. A liquid dispenser comprising a single imperforate planar member, an annular member engaging one face of said planar member adjacent the periphery thereof, a sealing washer engaging the other face of said planar member, means holding said planar member and said washer in position engaging said annular member, a first passageway leading between said annular member and one face of said planar member, a second passageway leading between said washer and the other face of said planar member, each of said passageways being formed in part at least by a groove in one face of said planar member both of said passageways extending to the periphery of said planar member in alinement with each other, a transverse aperture in the side wall of said annular member in line with said first and second passageways, means for supplying air to said first passageway, and mean for supplying liquid to said second passageway.

12. A liquid dispenser of the spray type comprising an annular member, a single imperforate planar member with one face having sealing engagementwith said annular memberadjacentthe rperiphery'thereof, anapertured closure disk hav-I ing sealing. engagement with the other face of said planar member, means holding said disk and said planar memberin engagement with'said an- 5 nular member, a first: passageway of uniform cross-section leading between said annularmembe: and one face of saidplanar member, a. second passageway of uniform cross-section leading. be-

tween said .elosure disk;and. the remaining face 10 efsaid planar member, each of said pzssageways being formed in part at least by. alined grooves in onefaceof saidzplanar member and extend-v ing to'the periphery thereof, a transverse aperture intheside wall .of said annu1ar,,member in register with said passageways, means f orsupplymg air to one of said passageways, and means'for supplying liquid to the remaining passageway.

ALEX LIMBAH.

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