Small automatic aerosol dispenser

Abstract

 Automatic aerosol dispenser where a aerosol can (5) is in a vertical position and above a drive mechanism (1) which, by the action of a number of gears, makes the aerosol can (5) rise until the pressure exerted by its valve against the top cap (7) of the device causes the release of the aerosol contents throught a nozzle (8), after which the descent begins and the valve closes again until the cycle is initiated once more.

Description

[0001] As indicated by its title, the present invention relates to an automatic aerosol dispenser where, in order to minimise space, the aerosol is in a vertical position and above the drive mechanism which, by the action of a number of gears, makes the aerosol rise until the pressure exerted by its valve against the top cap of the device causes the release of the aerosol contents, after which the descent begins and the valve closes again until the cycle is initiated once more.

[0002] This invention belongs to the field of dispensers for substances, particularly aerosols.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Automatic dispensers of substances contained in aerosols are well known, including those which use a mechanism to open the valve and release the contents, and those in which the valve is constantly open and the release of the contents to the outside is regulated by an additional valve, normally actuated by a solenoid, that closes an intermediate chamber between the aerosol container and the outside.

[0004] The traditional configuration of the former type is in the form of a box or casing inside which is housed the aerosol can and the mechanism which, through a series of gears, pressed against the valve to cause the liquid to be released.

[0005] An example of this is described in US Patent 3,726,437 or, more recently document W00126448, which comprises means for programming it.

[0006] There are also references to devices in which instead of having a mechanism press against the valve of the aerosol can, it is the aerosol can that moves until its valve pushes on a fixed element, such as in US Patent 3,952,916, where the aerosol can is moved by the action of a rocker or more recently document EP1370304, where the aerosol can is moved by a cam.

[0007] The drawback of these devices is that they require a large base for stability. Thus, in the case of EP1370304 the aerosol can must be placed horizontally or the device must be attached to a wall.

[0008] To reduce the space, dispensers have been developed in which the aerosol can is not housed inside the device, the device being instead attached to its top part, normally making use of the sealing lips.

[0009] Some examples of such devices include US Patent 6,216,925, or more recently document W02007124554 or Spanish Utility Model U200802615; however, the dimensions and weight of this type of devices make it impossible to use them with small aerosol cans, as they lack the required stability.

[0010] To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, a dispensing device is disclosed which, despite its small base, provides great stability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The disclosed invention relates to a dispenser that houses in its base the heavier elements, such as the batteries and the drive mechanism.

[0012] This drive mechanism allows raising and lowering at least one part of the platform that is above it, on which rests the aerosol can in a vertical position, so that the upwards or downwards motion of the platform is transmitted to the aerosol can.

[0013] The aerosol can moves inside a tube that is closed on the top by a removable cap provided with a nozzle that is axially aligned with the outlet orifice of the valve of the aerosol can, so that when the aerosol can moves up its valve will meet the cap, specifically the internal part of its nozzle, the valve being pressed on so that part of the contents are released, after which the aerosol can initiates its downward motion as the platform on which it rests is lowered.

[0014] In view of the tests carried out, the downward motion can be obtained simply due to gravity and the action of the internal spring of the valve, but there is no reason preventing the use of mechanisms, such as springs or elastic elements among others, to force this descent.

[0015] The cycle is started either by the user pressing a button or by the action of a presence sensor which, when it detects a presence in the surroundings, activates the mechanism and initiates the cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] 

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device showing the drive mechanism (1), the battery (2) that supplies the power, the presence sensor (3), the platform (4) on which the aerosol can rests, the aerosol can (5), the tube (6) inside which moves the aerosol can, the cap (7) that closes the tube, its nozzle (8) and the means for joining the piece that contains the cap to the device (9).

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the device showing the drive mechanism (1), the batteries (2) that supply the power (2) the presence sensor (3), the aerosol can (5), the tube (6), the cap (7) that closes the tube, and the means for joining the piece that contains the cap to the device, which comprise a series of tabs (10) that can be fastened in grommets (11) provided in the tube.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A description is given below of an example of embodiment of the invention, which is not the only possible embodiment and should therefore not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

[0018] The disclosed invention relates to an automatic dispenser for substances contained in an aerosol, of the type comprising a drive element, a series of gears, a cavity for housing the aerosol can itself in the base of which are provided moving elements to displace the can and make its valve press against a fixed element to release the contents.

[0019] The device comprises:

[0020] A device base that integrates the heavier elements, such as the batteries (2) and the drive element (1) with its gears and the platform on which rests the aerosol can (4), as well as the electronic components that control the device, such as the presence sensor (3).

[0021] An upper area comprises the tube inside which moves the aerosol can (5) when it is pushed by the platform (4) and the grommets (11) to which the cap (7) is attached, and a cap that houses inside it the top part of the aerosol can, which is provided with a nozzle (8) coaxial to the outlet of the aerosol valve.

[0022] This cap can be removed and is attached to the device through attachment means that consist of a series of tabs that are extended laterally (10) and can be fastened to the grommets (11).

[0023] In the proposed embodiment, the invention resembles a flask in which the maximum horizontal diameter of the base is greater than the maximum horizontal diameter of the top part.

[0024] When the device is ready to operate, the aerosol can will be in a vertical position, resting on its base, which in turn rests on a platform that has at least one part that is able to rise by the action of the drive element (1).

[0025] The drive element is activated when the presence sensor is activated by a moving object entering its range of action, or when the user presses it.

[0026] The device is stable, as most of its weight is in its base, allowing to place the aerosol in a vertical position.

[0027] From this base rises the tube housing the aerosol, inside which it moves in an upward and downward sense.

[0028] The upward motion of the aerosol is caused by the action of the drive element, which raises at least partially the platform on which the aerosol rests, while the downward motion of the aerosol is caused by gravity, when the aforementioned platform moves down; however, this motion can be forced by the internal spring or elastic element of the valve, or by including an elastic part that is forced in the upward motion and restored in the downward motion.

[0029] When the aerosol can is raised, the valve meets and presses against the inner face of the nozzle (8), releasing the contents of the can through the nozzle.

[0030] After the appropriate release time, the platform on which the aerosol can rests starts to descend and the can, by its own weight and by the action of the return means of the valve, descends with it.

Claims

1. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER of the type comprising a casing, a drive element and an element for pushing the aerosol can against a fixed part, such that the valve is pressed releasing part of the contents of the can, characterised in that it comprises:

• A base with a flat support base that houses the drive element (1) and the pushing elements (4) for the aerosol can;

• Above said base, a top part that comprises, at least partially, a tube inside which moves the aerosol can (5) in its upward and downward motion, and a cap (7) provided with an outlet nozzle (8).

2. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 1, characterised in that the cap can be removed.

3. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 1, characterised in that the nozzle orifice is coaxial with the outlet of the valve of the aerosol can.

4. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to the previous claim, characterised in that the nozzle is oriented vertically.

5. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 2, characterised in that the cap is joined to the rest of the device by means comprising a series of tabs (9) that are laterally extended (10) and can be inserted and fastened in some grommets (11).

6. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 1, characterised in that the base houses the batteries (2) that supply power.

7. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 1, characterised in that it incorporates a presence sensor.

8. SMALL AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER according to claim 1, characterised in that the maximum horizontal diameter of the base is greater than the maximum horizontal diameter of the top part.

Drawing