US3255967A - Fog dispenser having a motor for simultaneously operating a pump and impeller - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1966 w. J. KENNEY 3,255,967

FOG DISPENSER HAVING A MOTOR FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING A PUMP AND IMPELLER Filed March 18, 1964 INVENTOR. William J Kenney JLZZMYM aliys United States Patent 3,255,967 FOG DISPENSER HAVING A MOTGR FOR SIMUL- TANEOUSLY OPERATING A PUMP AND IM- PELLER William J. Kenney, Villa Park, Ill., assignor to Me-Hi Enterprises, Incorporated, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 352,850 3 Claims. (Cl. 239-133) This invention relates to a mechanism for dispensing material. In particular, the mechanism is adapted to dispense material in the form of a fog whereby the material can be distributed in a particular area in a highly efficient manner.

There are many varieties of dispenser mechanisms which are capable of dispensing material whereby the material can be spread throughout a relatively large space. Spray guns and similar constructions are adapted to force liquid material out of a nozzle structure whereby the material is dispensed inspray form. Other constructions such as atomizcrs hold liquid material under pressure and upon opening of a valve, the material is forced out of the construction due to the pressure differential. A nozzle device is preferably employed whereby the material will assume a particulate or atomized form for better distribution.

Existing dispenser constructions of thetype described are known to suffer from certain deficiencies. In the case of spray guns or similar devices, the liquid material tends to be directed in a specific direction. The material issuing from the spray nozzles is not of itself capable of movement for distribution over a wide area. Material passing from such guns tends to collect in liquid form on solid surfaces and tends to fall due to the effects of gravity whereby desirable distribution cannot be achieved.

It is obvious that spray structures operating in the manner described above are not suitable where a room or other area is desirably completely penetrated by the material dispensed. In the case of insecticide, disinfectant, etc., it is desirable to provide distribution completely throughout a particular space, and it is desirable to provide for suspension of the dispensed material for prolonged periods of time whereby maximum efficiency in the use of the materials can be achieved.

Atomizer structures and similar devices are usually limited in their ability to spread materials efficiently where large areas are to be treated. Furthermore, conventional atomizers present difficulties in the initial packaging of liquids since the pressure must be built into the initial package. Constructions which include means for building up pressure during the operation of the device are considered cumbersome and expensive. Where pressurized containers are initially employed, they are usually not capable of being reused, and this also adds to the objections which characterize such devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser construction which is designed to overcome difficulties encountered with conventional constructions employed for the dispensing of liquid materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser construction which is uniquely suitable for dispensing liquid in the form of a fog whereby a highly desirable suspension of the dispensed material in a given space can be achieved.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispenser construction which is relatively economical in its manufacture and use and which is highly efficient in its operation.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of communicate with the container and with the nozzle toetfect the desired movement of the liquid to the nozzle. In addition, impeller means are included in the construction whereby air can be drawn into the housing and brought into intimate contact with the liquid in the area of the nozzle. This combination of the liquid and forced air sets up the desired conditions for the production of a fog which can be dispensed for producing uniquely suitable results. i

In the preferred construction of this invention, heating means are provided in the nozzle area whereby the best results from the standpoint of fog production can be achieved. The heating means are preferably located whereby all of the air-liquid mixture will be heated during initial contact and preferably for a period of time prior to discharge from the construction.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a dispenser construction 10 which embodies operating mechanisms suitable for achieving the desired results. The construction includes a handle 12 which is connected to the main housing 14. A liquid container 16 is provided with a threaded neck 18 whereby it can be screwed onto the bottom wall 20 of the housing.

A motor 22 is situated within the housing and electrical leads 24 provide power for the motor. A switch 26 is adapted to turn the motor off and on in a conventional manner.

A gear box 28 connected to the motor is adapted to drive shafts 30 and 32. The gear box is provided so that different rotary speeds can be imparted to the shafts for reasons to be described hereinafter.

The shaft 30 is journalled for rotation in the bottom wall 34 of an internal compartment 36. Impeller plates 38 are attached to the-shaft whereby rotation of the shaft will draw air into the compartment 36 through the opening 40. Openings 42 and 44 are provided in the bottom wall 20 of the housing to provide a means for permitting air to be drawn into the housing. It will be appreciated that openings can be provided in any appropriate location to provide the desired results.

A gear 46 is tied to the shaft 32, and this gear drives gear 48 which is mounted on shaft 50, this shaft having suitable bearing mountings (not shown). A cam 52 is secured for rotation with the shaft 50 and gear 48 whereby operation of a pump assembly can be achieved simultaneously with the operation of the impeller.

The pump assembly includes a cylinder 54 having a piston 56 reciprocally located therein. A spring 58 normally holds the piston 56in opposition to the action of the cam 52. As best shown in FIGURE 2, a cycle of rotation of the cam 52 will provide for the movement of the piston 56 through one reciprocal cyle.

The bore 60 of the cylinder 54 communicates with a central opening 62 in the tube 64. This tube terminates at its lower end in a check valve construction 66. Amounts of liquid 68 which are drawn into the tube 64 and into the cylinder 54 are forced by the pump out through conduit 70.

The conduit 70 communicates with a nozzle 72 which is rigidly attached to a front wall 74 of the housing 14. The restricted outlet 76 of the nozzle causes the liquid to issue in the form of a spray 78 into a tubular chamber 80. At one end of the chamber 80, there is provided an annular opening 82 which encircles the nozzle 72, As suggested by the flow lines in the drawing, air drawn into the housing is forced by the impeller through the opening 84 of the compartment 36. This air is driven into the chamber 80 and is, therefore, brought into intimate contact with the spray 78.

Situated around the chamber 80, there are provided heating coils 86. These heating coils are preferably operated through connections with the electrical leads 24, and the heating means play a critical role in the formation of the desired fog. Specifically, the heating of the intimate mixture of air and liquid spray causes a reaction which produces the fog and which also assists in the movement of the fog out of the chamber 80 for distribution in the desired manner.

In the operation of the described unit, the motor is turned on at which time the pump and impeller means will immediately begin to operate. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide for preliminary heating by means of the coils 86; however, in any case, the desired conditions for the production of fog can be achieved in a relatively short time. Within the wall of the shell 90, which encloses the heating coils 86, insulation may be provided to keep the shell as cool as possible. It is contemplated that openings could 'be provided for access within the shell 90 whereby air would be passed into the chamber 80 after first being swept over the heating coils to thereby achieve a more satisfactory temperature rise. However, this arrangement should be used only where non-combustible chemicals are employed.

The combination of this invention has been found to provide a highly eflicient arrangement for the dispensing of a material provided in the form of a liquid. The particular arrangement of fans or impeller means provides an extremely effective system for forming the desired fog as well as for providing impetus whereby the fog can be dispensed over a wide area. The arrangement illustrated introduces the principles of a turbine means into a liquid dispenser and the highly suitable operation of the device is primarily attributed to this fact. Furthermore, the inclusion of the heating arrangement in the combination is considered of critical importance.

With regard to the illustrated construction, it will be noted that the air and liquid come into intimate contact near one end of the chamber 80 and they remain in such contact for a significant distance determined by the length of the chamber 80. A substantial heating eifect is thereby achieved whereby the most effective fog formation can be accomplished.

As previously noted, the construction should include a gear box whereby different speeds of rotation can be imparted to the fan and pump, respectively. In one suitable combination, a motor imparting 1625 r.p.m to the impeller was employed. A 32-1 reduction was achieved by the gearing for operation of the pump.

Calrod units are considered suitable for use as the heating means although other desirable heating means are also contemplated.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made in the construction described which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. A dispenser adapted to release material in the form of a fog comprising a housing having a liquid container associated therewith, a handle associated with the housing whereby the dispenser can be hand held, a spray nozzle, :a pump, means communicating said container and said nozzle whereby said pump is adapted to force liquid into said nozzle, openings defined by said housing and impeller means adapted to draw air into said housing through said openings and adapted to force air into intimate contact with said liquid as the liquid issues as a spray from said nozzle for mixture with said liquid to form said fog and for discharge from said dispenser, said impeller means comprising a rotary fan and including a motor associated with said housing for driving said fan and for simultanelOllSlY operating said pump, and including a chamber communicating with said nozzle, heating means associated with said chamber whereby the mixture of air and liquid can be heated prior to being dispensed, said nozzle being located adjacent the inner end of said chamber whereby admixture of said air and liquid occurs at said inner end, said chamber being elongated whereby the mixture of air and liquid can be heated for a substantial distance prior to being dispensed from said chamber.

2. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said. pump includes a reciprocal piston and wherein said piston is operated by a cam mounted on a shaft which is axially aligned with the shaft carrying said fan, said pump being operated during each revolution of the shaft carrying said cam.

3. A dispenser in accordance with claim 2 including gear reduction means associated with the shaft carrying said cam whereby said cam is adapted to rotate at a rate substantially less than the rate of rotation of said fan.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,965 3/1952 Campbell 239-332 2,745,210 5/1956 Hild 43-125 2,765,578 10/1956 Andrews 43125 3,069,092 '11/1962 Norvell 239-133 3,134,191 5/1964 Davis 2'39-133 3,161,985 11/1964 Fiske et al. 43129 FOREIGN PATENTS 641,739 8/1950 Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner. R. STROBEL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DISPENSER ADAPTED TO RELEASE MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A FOG COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A LIQUID CONTAINER ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, A HANDLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOUSING WHEREBY THE DISPENSER CAN BE HAND HELD, A SPRAY NOZZLE, A PUMP, MEANS COMMUNICATING SAID CONTAINER AND SAID NOZZLE WHEREBY SAID PUMP IS ADAPTED TO FORCE LIQUID INTO SAID NOZZLE, OPENINGS DEFINED BY SAID HOUSING AND IMPELLER MEANS ADAPTED TO DRAW AIR INTO SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS AND ADAPTED TO FORCE AIR INTO INTIMATE CONTACT WITH SAID LIQUID AS THE LIQUID ISSUES AS A SPRAY FROM SAID NOZZLE FOR MIXTURE WITH SAID LIQUID TO FORM SAID FOG AND FOR DISCHARGE FROM SAID DISPENSER, SAID IMPELLER MEANS COMPRISING A ROTARY FAN AND INCLUDING A MOTOR ASSOCIATED WITH SAID HOUSING FOR DRIVING SAID FAN AND FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING SAID PUMP, AND INCLUDING A CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID NOZZLE, HEATING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY THE MIXTURE OF AIR AND LIQUID CAN BE HEATED PRIOR TO BEING DISPENSED, SAID NOZZLE BEING LOCATED ADJACENT THE INNER END OF SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY ADMIXTURE OF SAID AIR AND LIQUID OCCURS AT SAID INNER END, SAID CHAMBER BEING ELONGATED WHEREBY THE MIXTURE OF AIR AND LIQUID CAN BE HEATED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE PRIOR TO BEING DISPENSED FROM SAID CHAMBER.

Images