Volatile material dispenser

• US 9,089,622 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• 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): LONG, DONNELL ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/748,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20130161348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/63, 222/333, 222/504, 222/402.21, 222/527, 222/383.1, 222/383.3, 222/321.1, 2223217-3219, 222/402.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 mounted on a container. The drive unit is adapted to be activated in response to a signal from at least a sensor to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem of the container. The volatile material dispenser further includes a flexible tube having a discharge end 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 drive unit for use with a container, wherein the drive unit is to be activated in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, or a manual actuator to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem of the container;

a housing, the drive unit disposed within the housing; and

a flexible tube having a discharge end disposed within the housing and 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 including a switch assembly that provides one or more operating modes for the timer.

3. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a photocell light sensor.

4. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic motion sensor.

5. The volatile material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a microwave radio motion sensor.

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