Overcap for a spray device

• US 8,381,951 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Paas, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): NICHOLS II, ROBERT K
• Application Number:
  US11/893,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,021 Days
• Field of Search: 222/402.13, 222/649, 222/52, 222/504, 22240221-40223, 2221811-1813, 222/63, 222/196, 222638-639, 222645-648, 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/144, 239/142, 239/237, 251349-354
• US Class Current: 222/504
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/262 by clockwork, motor, electric or magnetic means operating without repeated human input
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/46 Tilt valves B65D83/50 takes precedence

Abstract

A dispensing system includes a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve on a container and a vibe motor in communication with the valve stem. The vibe motor is adapted to impart radial motion to the valve stem upon activation.

Claims

1. An overcap for a volatile material container, comprising:

a housing mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve; and

a vibe motor disposed within the housing, wherein the vibe motor includes a shaft and a head eccentrically mounted to the shaft, wherein eccentric rotation of the head results in a dynamic imbalance of the vibe motor, and wherein the dynamic imbalance causes the vibe motor to impart radial displacement to the valve stem.

2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a power source for providing power to the vibe motor.

3. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an electrical lead adapted to be plugged into an A.C. outlet.

4. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a switch assembly for adjusting a timer interval between the intermittent activation of the vibe motor by a control circuit.

5. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a manual actuation button for generating a signal to cause a control circuit to activate the vibe motor.

6. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve.

7. An overcap for a volatile material container, comprising:

a housing mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve; and

a vibe motor disposed within the housing, wherein the vibe motor includes a shaft and a head eccentrically mounted to the shaft, wherein eccentric rotation of the head results in a dynamic imbalance of the vibe motor, and wherein the dynamic imbalance causes the vibe motor to impart radial displacement to the valve stem upon activation in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, or a manual activator.

8. The overcap of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a photocell light sensor.

9. The overcap of claim 7, wherein a switch assembly is provided to allow for user-selected adjustment of operating intervals of a timer.

10. The overcap of claim 9, wherein the switch assembly is adapted to provide a continuously variable adjustment of operating intervals.

11. The overcap of claim 9, wherein the housing is mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve.

12. A dispensing system, comprising:

a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve on a container, wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is disposed in a non-actuation position during a non-activation state, and wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is moved between a first actuation position and a second actuation position during an activation state,

wherein the first actuation position is offset radially from the non-actuation position in a first actuation direction, wherein the second actuation position is offset radially from the non-actuation position in a second actuation direction, and wherein a vibe motor moves the tilt-activated valve stem between the first actuation position and the second actuation position.