Volatile material dispenser

• US 8,387,827 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2008
• 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): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, DONNELL ALAN
• Application Number:
  US12/054,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20090236362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,807 Days
• Field of Search: 222/649, 222/504, 222/52, 222/63, 222/333, 222/402.21
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2038 Holders or dispensers for pressurized insecticide, e.g. pressurized vessels, cans
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/26 operating automatically, e.g. periodically
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/753 characterised by details or accessories associated with outlets

Abstract

A volatile material dispenser includes a drive unit adapted to be releasably mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem. The drive unit is adapted to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem. A flexible tube having a discharge end is fixedly held with respect to the container. The flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.

Claims

1. A volatile material dispenser, comprising:

a housing adapted to be releasably mounted on an upper end of a container having a tilt-activated valve stem, wherein an electronic drive unit disposed within the housing includes a plunger adapted to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem; and

a flexible tube substantially provided within the housing and having a discharge end fixedly held with respect to the container, wherein the flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.

2. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a discharge conduit for disposition between an inlet end of the flexible tube and a tilt-activated valve stem to provide fluid communication between the tilt-activated valve stein and the inlet end of the flexible tube.

3. The volatile material dispenser of claim 2, wherein the discharge conduit comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion disposed parallel to the inlet portion, and a transverse medial portion connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion.

4. The volatile material dispenser of claim 2, wherein the discharge conduit includes a flange extending radially therefrom.

5. The volatile material dispenser of claim 4, wherein the plunger is adapted to engage and axially displace the flange of the discharge conduit to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stern.

6. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the discharge end of the flexible tube is fixedly held with respect to a container by a guide member allowing adjustable orientation and positioning of the discharge end with respect to the container.

7. The volatile material dispenser of claim 6, wherein the discharge end of the flexible tube is oriented radially away from a longitudinal axis of a container.

8. The volatile material dispenser of claim 6, wherein the discharge end of the flexible tube is held axially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a container.

9. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1 further including a container having a tilt-activated valve stem.

10. A volatile material dispenser, comprising:

a housing adapted to be releasably mounted on an upper end of a container having a tilt-activated valve stem, wherein an electronic drive unit disposed within the housing is adapted to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem;

a flexible tube having a discharge end fixedly held with respect to the container, wherein the flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem; and

a discharge conduit for disposition between an inlet end of the flexible tube and a tilt-activated valve stem to provide fluid communication between the tilt-activated valve stem and the inlet end of the flexible tube, wherein the discharge conduit includes a flange extending radially therefrom,

wherein the electronic drive unit includes a plunger adapted to engage and axially displace the flange of the discharge conduit to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem.

11. A dispenser, comprising:

a housing having an electronic drive unit disposed therein, wherein the electronic drive unit is adapted to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem of a container; and

a flexible tube substantially provided within the housing and having a discharge end fixedly held with respect to the container, wherein the flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 further comprising a discharge conduit for disposition between an inlet end of the flexible tube and a tilt-activated valve stem to provide fluid communication between the tilt-activated valve stein and the inlet end of the flexible tube.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the discharge conduit includes a flange extending radially therefrom.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the discharge conduit comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion disposed parallel to the inlet portion, and a transverse medial portion connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the electronic drive unit includes a plunger adapted to engage and axially displace the flange of the discharge conduit to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem.

16. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the electronic drive unit is adapted to be releasably retained on a container.