Automatic spray dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dispenser for attachment to a container having a container opening valve and containing a fluid material, comprising:
- an actuator for keeping the container opening valve in a substantially constantly open configuration so as to allow the fluid to pass into the dispenser; and
a controllable outlet comprising a dispensing valve that is operated independently of the container opening valve, through which outlet a portion of the fluid is emitted from the dispenser, substantially independent of the fluid pressure in the container.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispenser for attachment to a container containing a fluid material, including an actuator which keeps the container in a substantially constantly open configuration so as to allow the fluid to pass into the dispenser, and a controllable outlet, through which a portion of the fluid is emitted from the dispenser, substantially independent of the fluid pressure in the container.
397 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A dispenser for attachment to a container having a container opening valve and containing a fluid material, comprising:
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an actuator for keeping the container opening valve in a substantially constantly open configuration so as to allow the fluid to pass into the dispenser; and
a controllable outlet comprising a dispensing valve that is operated independently of the container opening valve, through which outlet a portion of the fluid is emitted from the dispenser, substantially independent of the fluid pressure in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29)
a hollow shaft, axially movable within the bore, the shaft having a hole disposed along the length thereof such that when the hole is positioned in the first part of the bore, the fluid does not pass through the shaft, and when the hole is in the second part of the bore, the fluid passes through the shaft and is emitted from the dispenser.
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8. A dispenser as in claim 7, and comprising a lever connected to the shaft, such that the shaft is axially moved by the lever.
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9. A dispenser as in claim 8, and comprising a screw which drives the lever, wherein the lever comprises an internal thread for receiving the screw.
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10. A dispenser as in claim 7, wherein the outlet includes an orifice through which the material is emitted, and wherein the size of the orifice is not substantially smaller than the size of the hole, so that a gas leaving the container does not expand within the dispenser.
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11. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser operates substantially without dependence on gears or cams.
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12. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a plunger which depresses the container valve.
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13. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a hose.
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14. A dispenser as in claim 1, and comprising a processor which periodically actuates emission of the fluid.
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15. A dispenser as in claim 14, and comprising a user interface for controlling the operation of the dispenser.
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16. A dispenser as in claim 14, wherein the processor is programmed to actuate different emission durations at different times.
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17. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises an adapter for attaching the dispenser to different types of containers.
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18. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser is portable.
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19. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the fluid is dispensed to water a plant.
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20. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a deodorant.
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21. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises an insecticide.
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22. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a smoke-producing material.
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23. A dispenser as in claim 1, and comprising a horn mounted on the dispenser so as to make a sound when the fluid is emitted.
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24. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the fluid is emitted as an aerosol.
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25. A dispenser as in claim 1, and comprising a hanger for hanging the dispenser such that the dispenser is free to turn.
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29. A dispenser as in any of claims 6-28, wherein the motor opens and closes the dispenser by a rotational movement.
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26. A dispenser for attachment to a container having a container valve and containing a fluid material, comprising:
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a dispensing valve;
an actuator for keeping the container opening valve substantially constantly in an open configuration so as to allow the fluid to pass into the dispenser; and
an electric motor, which opens the dispensing valve so that fluid is emitted therefrom and closes the dispensing valve to prevent the fluid emission, wherein the container valve and the dispensing valve are independently operated. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 30)
a hollow shaft, axially movable within the bore, the shaft having a hole disposed along the length thereof such that when the hole is positioned in the first part of the bore, the fluid does not pass through the shaft, and when the hole is in the second part of the bore, the fluid passes through the shaft and is emitted from the dispenser.
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31. A dispensing container comprising;
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a can containing a fluid;
the can having a dispenser head including a dispensing valve comprising a movable hollow shaft having a hole which has an open state in which the fluid is emitted from the can and a closed state in which the fluid is not emitted; and
a motor which changes the state of the dispensing valve between the state in which the hole is open and the state in which the hole is closed, wherein the dispensing valve operates substantially independently of the fluid pressure in the container. - View Dependent Claims (32)
a hollow shaft, axially movable within the bore, the shaft having a hole disposed along the length thereof such that when the hole is positioned in the first part of the bore, the fluid does not pass through the shaft, and when the hole is in the second part of the bore, the fluid passes through the shaft and is emitted from the dispenser head.
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33. A method for dispensing a material from a container having a container valve, comprising:
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fixing a dispenser having a dispensing valve to the container, such that the dispenser holds the container valve in a substantially constantly open position, so as to allow the material to pass into the dispenser; and
emitting the material from the dispenser substantially independently of the pressure of the material in the containers, wherein the container valve and the dispensing valve are independently operated. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of pest control comprising:
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mounting an automatic dispenser having a horn head on a pressurized gas container; and
operating the dispenser automatically to periodically emit a portion of the gas in the container so as to operate the horn, wherein periodically emitting the gas comprises emitting gas in response to detection of a pest, whereby gas is not periodically emitted in the absence of a pest. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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Specification