US3923934A

US3923934A - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3923934A
Application number: US412117A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lucius D Watkins
Original assignee: Permtek Inc
Current assignee: Permtek Inc
Priority date: 1971-08-05
Filing date: 1973-11-02
Publication date: 1975-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-02

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance and comprising a housing including wall means defining an airtight chamber having therein a sealed envelope containing the liquid substance to be dispensed and including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable, outlet means communicating between the airtight chamber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling air flow through the outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and the airtight chamber, second valve means controlling air flow through the inlet means and operable between open and closed positions, and means for coordinated opening and closing of the first and second valve means.

Description

United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,923,934

Watkins Dec. 2, 1975 1 DISPENSING DEVICE 3,298,674 1 1967 Gilbertson 261/102 [75] Inventor: Lucius D. Watkins, Hartland, Wis, [73] Assignee: Permtek Incorporated, Hartland, 35751346 4/1971 Roth et 239/57 wis 3,790,081 2/l974 Thornton et a1 239/59 3,8l5,828 6/1974 Engel 239/56 [22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1973 21 AppL No; 412,117 Primary Examiner-Tim R. Miles Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael, Best & Friedrick Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-inart of Ser. No. 169,439, Au 5,

1971, Pat. No. 785,556. g [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a device for controllably dispens- [52] U.S. CI. 261/24; 261/52; 261/102; ng a liquid substance and comprising a housing in- 261/104; 239/59 eluding wall means defining an airtight chamber hav- [51] Int. Cl. ..B01F 3/04 ing therein a sealed envelope containing the liquid [58] Field of Search 261/102, 104, 52, 24; substance to be dispensed and including wall means 239/56 59 through which the liquid substance is permeable, outlet means communicating between the airtight cham- [56] References Cited ber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling UNITED STATES PATENTS air flow through the outlet means and operable be- 1,367,70l 2/1921 Haynes 261/104 W Open and closed Inlet means q l 2,038,071 4,1936 Wihelm 239/59 n1cat1ng between the atmosphere and the airtlght 2,087,436 7/1937 Kirby 261 /102 chamber Second Valve means commnmg flow 2,247,600 7 1941 Brennan 6161. 239/57 through the inlet means and Operable between p 2,500,896 3/1950 Drake 239/515 n closed p i i n an m n for coor in ted open- 2,765,194 10/1956 Will 239/59 ing and closing of the first and second valve means.

2,828,953 4/l958 Hartmann 261/104 3,045,450 7/1962 Chandler 261 /104 17 Claims, 6 Drawing Flgllres US. Patant Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,923,934

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3,923,934

DISPENSING DEVICE RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 169,439 filed Aug. 5, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,556 issued Jan. 15, 1974 which, in turn, was co-pending with my earlier U.S. application Ser. No. 854,979 filed Sept. 3, 1969, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,506 issued May 9, 1972.

Attention is also directed to my co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 408,479 filed Oct. 23, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,737, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to dispensing of active liquid substances, such as insecticides, odorants, deodorants, repellents, and attractants. The invention also relates to dispersing of such liquid substances into the atmosphere through flexible thermo-plastic material which is permeable to the liquid substance to be dispensed.

Attention is directed to the U.S. Poitras Pat. No. 3,343,664 issued Sept. 26, 1967,-and to the U.S. Drake Pat. No. 2,500,896 issued Mar. 14, 1950.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a device for controllably dispensing or dispersing an active liquid substance from an envelope or package including wall means through which the liquid substance permeates. Preferably, the envelope or package containing the active substance to be dispersed is located in an airtight chamber provided with valve controlled inlet and outlet means operable in unison. The airtight chamber is preferably provided, in part, by a can or container in which the envelope is stored prior to use in the dispenser and in such manner as to prevent loss of the active liquid substance through vaporization during such storage.

More specifically, the invention provides a device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, which device comprises a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in the chamber, containing the liquid substance to be dispensed in a body within the envelope, and including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeant, together with outlet means communicating between the airtight chamber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling air flow through the outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and the airtight chamber, second valve means controlling air flow through the inlet means and operable between open and closed positions, and means for coordinated opening and closing of the first and second valve means.

In further accordance with the invention, there is also provided motorized means for causing air flow through the airtight chamber, and the means for opening and closing the valve means is also operable to control operation of the motorized means in coordination with the opening and closing of the valve means. In addition, the means defining the airtight chamber comprises a housing wall portion and a removable container in airtight engagement with the wall portion and housing the sealed envelope containing the active substance to be dispensed. Preferably, a gasket is provided between the 2 wall portion and the container, together with spring means engaging the container against the gasket so as to maintain the container in airtight engagement with the wall portion.

In still further accordance with the invention, the first and second valve means comprise a plate having inlet and outlet ports and a shutter rotatable relative to the plate and including inlet and outlet slots movable relative to positions of registry with the inlet and outlet ports. In addition, the shutter is rotated by a shaft rotatably carried by the housing, and the plate is fixed against rotation. Still further, the wall portion includes inlet and outlet openings communicating with the airtight chamber and in registry with the inlet and outlet ports in the plate, subject to the action of the shutter which is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith between the plate and the wall portion. In still further addition, the shutter is movable axially on the shutter shaft and the plate is also movable axially of the shutter shaft, and there is provided means for biasing the plate against the shutter and for biasing the plate and shutter against the wall portion.

Still further, the envelope is preferably formed of two plies of plastic material permeable to the liquid substance being dispensed, with each of the plies including a substantially identical series of internested corrugations. In addition, the envelope includes portions overlaid relative to each other and separated by a spacer interleaved between the overlaid portions so as to thereby form a cartridge which is included in the container.

One of the principal features of the inventionis the provision of a device for controllably dispensing an active liquid substance.

Another of the principal features of the invention is a device which is operable to effectively and uniformly control the dispensing rate of a liquid substance until substantially all of the liquid substance-has been dispensed; J

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device including a removable container which cooperates with a housing to provide a valve controlled, airtight chamber including the active liquid substance, together with provision for ventilation from the device of any active substance contained in parts of the device other than the chamber after closing of the airtight chamber.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a motorized dispensing device operable to provide uniform control over the dispensing rate until substantially all of a liquid substance has been vaporized and dispensed. 1

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a dispenser which cooperates with a container which can otherwise be sealed when not in use to prevent vaporization and escape of a liquid substance to be dispensed.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a motorized substance and economically constructed dispenser which will provide reliable service over a long and useful life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention-will become known by reference to the following drawings, general description, and claims.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away and in section and partially schematic of a dis- 3 pensing device in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 ,Of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of one envelope or package in accordance with the invention.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts set forth in the following general description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Shown in the drawings is a device or dispenser 11 for controllably dispensing an active liquid substance which can be a repellent, an attractant, an odorant, a deodorant, an insecticide, or other like liquid substance which is permeant to plastic material, as disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 169,439 filed Aug. 5, 1971 and my co-pending application Ser. No. 408,479, filed Oct. 23, 1973. The device 11 includes a housing 13 comprising a tubular outer wall 15 and an interior intermediate or transverse base wall 17 which extends fixedly from the tubular outer wall 15 to divide the housing 13 into a forward compartment 19 and a rear compartment 21 and which includes therein one or more openings 23 (see FIG. 4) adjacent to the outer tubular wall 15 to permit air flow from the rear compartment 21 to the forward compartment 19, as will hereinafter be referred to.

The front end or the control and dispensing end of the housing 13 is closed by a front outer or end wall 25 which partially telescopically fits into the adjacent end of the tubular outer wall 15. In addition, the front end wall 25 includes a series of openings which constitute a grille 27 throughwhich the active substance is dispensed.

The other end of the housing 13 is closed by a rear outer or end wall 31 which is partially telescopically received in the adjacent end of the tubular outer wall 15 and which includes a central access opening 33 through which a can or container 35 (including the substance to be dispensed) can be inserted into the rear housing compartment 21 between the intermediate or base wall 17 and the rear end wall 31.

The central access opening 33 in the rear end wall 31 is closed by a rear access cover 37 which, together with the rear end wall 31, includes bayonet type means 34 (See FIG. 3) for releasably retaining the access cover 37 in assembled relation to the rear end wall 31.

Formed on the rearwardly facing surface of the access cover 37 (See FIG. 3) is a rearwardly extending cylindrical wall 41 from which project two diametrically opposed,

oppositely extending flanges

43 and 45. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 41 and the

flanges

43 and 45 provide a recess for storing an electrical cord 47 associated with an electrical motor 49 (See FIG. 1) still to be described.

The rearward end of the housing 13 is also provided with air entry means. Such air entry means can comprise one or more openings in the tubular outer housing 4 wall 13 or in the rear end wall 31. In the illustrated construction, such air entry means is provided by one or more openings 51 in the access cover 37.

The

end walls

25 and 31 can be retained in assembled relation to the outer tubular wall 15 and base or inner wall 17 in various ways. In the illustrated construction, a plurality of angularly spaced tie rods 53 (See FIG. 1) extend between the

end walls

25 and 31 and through the base or inner wall 17 to releasably retain the housing 13 in assembled relation. In particular, the tie rods 53 extend into nuts 55 imbedded in bosses 57 on the interior surface of the front end wall 25 and extend through nuts 59 located on the exterior side of the rear end wall 31.

Extending forwardly from the access cover 37 (See FIGS. 1 and 5) are a plurality of angularly spaced fingers or pilots 61 engaging the can or container 35 which includes a coiled cartridge 63 as generally disclosed in my co-pending application entitled Dispensing Package, Cartridge and Container, Ser. No. 408,479 filed Oct. 23, 1973, and incorporated herein by reference. The container or can 35 can be fabricated of plastic or metal which is not permeable to the substance to be dispensed and which is non-apertured except for an open mouth 64 (See FIG. 1) coverable by a cap (not shown). When assembled in the housing 13, the free or open end or mouth of the can or container 35 engages a gasket 65 supported on the base or inner wall 17. Engagement of the can or container 35 against the gasket 65 in airtight relationship to provide a sealed, airtight chamber 71 is afforded by a spring 73 located between the access cover 37 and a bottom or transverse wall 75 of the can or container 35.

In addition to the fingers 61 which extend from the access cover 37 to properly locate the can or container 35 in the rear housing compartment 21, a plurality of angularly spaced fingers or guides 81 also extend rearwardly from the base or inner wall 17 for engagement with the outer surface of the container 35 near the open end 64 so as to assist in properly locating the open end 64 of the can or container 35 in engagement with the gasket 65 on the intermediate or base wall 17.

Within the perimeter of the gasket 65, the base or inner wall 17 is non-apertured except for valve controlled inlet and outlet means which afford communication with the otherwise airtight chamber 71 formed by the container 35 and the base of inner wall 17. The inlet means includes an inlet port or opening 83 located centrally of the base or inner wall 17, and the outlet means includes an outlet port or opening 85 located in the base or inner wall 17 in spaced relation below the inlet opening 83.

Rotatable relative to the base or inner wall 17 and relative to the inlet and

outlet openings

83 and 85 is a shutter 91 mounted on a shutter shaft 93 for axial movement relative thereto and for common rotation therewith. The shutter shaft 93 is journalled, adjacent its ends, by the base or inner wall 17 and by the front end wall 25. Overlying the shutter 91 is a plate 95 having a central opening 97 through which the shutter shaft 93 passes. The plate 95 also includes extensions 99 engaged by guides or studs 101 which extend from the base or inner wall 17 and which prevent rotation of the plate 95 relative to the base or inner wall 17 while permitting movement of the plate 95 in the axial direction of the shutter shaft 93. Accordingly, the shutter 91 is rotatable relative to and between the base or inner wall 17 and the plate 95, and the plate 95 and shutter 91 are movable axially of the shutter shaft 93 relative to the base or inner wall 17. V

Formed in the plate 95 is an outlet port 105 which generally registers with the outlet opening in the base or inner wall 17 and which can take various forms and. in the illustrated construction is in the form of a right triangle having one side extending radially from the shutter axis and having an apex 107 which points radially outwardly. Provided on the outer surface of the plate is a nipple 109 which surrounds the outlet port and which is connected to a flexible tube or conduit 111.

Also formed in the plate 95 is an inlet port located in generally diametrically opposite relation from the inlet port 105 and in registry with the inlet opening 83 in the base or inner wall 17.

The shutter 91 is formed to cooperate with the plate 95 and inner wall 17 to provide inlet and outlet valve means controlling flow to and from the sealed chamber 71. In this regard, the shutter 91 includes an arcuate inlet slot 121 which is radially located so as to move into and out of communication with the outlet opening 85 in the wall 17 and with the outlet port 105 of the plate 95 in response to shutter rotation. The shutter 91 also includes an arcuately extending outlet slot 123 having an outer arcuate edge 125 spaced from the axis of shutter rotation at a constant radius which is substantially equal to the distance from the shutter axis to the apex 107 of the outlet port 105. The other side edge 127 spirals inwardly from a point of juncture with the outer edge 125 and the slot 123 extends circumferentially for about 130 degrees.

The inlet slot 121 is located relative to the outlet slot 123 so that in response to turning of the shutter 91 in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 4) from a closed position, the inlet slot 121 initially comes into at least partial registry with the inlet port 115 and inlet opening 83 prior to any registry of the outlet slot 123 with the outlet port 105 in the plate 95. As the shutter movement in the clockwise direction progresses, the inlet slot 121 comes promptly into full registration with the inlet port 115 and the inlet opening 83, and the movement of the shutter 91 past the outlet port 123 serves to progressively increase the effective opening of the outlet port 123 in the plate 95.

At its outer end, the shutter shaft 93 is provided with a combination pointer and handle 131 which pivots with the shutter shaft 93 relative to indicia 135 on the front end wall 25 so as to inform the operator when the shutter 91 is in a closed position, i.e., with both the inlet and outlet means closed, and to inform the operator of the degree to which the outlet means is open.

In order to maintain the airtightness of the chamber 71, means are provided for biasing the plate 95 against the shutter 91 and for biasing the plate 95 and shutter 91 against the base or inner wall 17. While various arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, such means comprises a helical spring 141 which surrounds the shutter shaft 93 and, at one end, bears against the plate 95 and, at the other end, bears against the front end wall 25.

Located between the base or inner wall 17 and the front end wall 25 is an assembly 151 including the electric motor 49 and a fan 153, both of which are mounted in a shroud 155 which, in turn, is supported by resilient mounts 157 from each of the front end wall 25 and the inner wall 17. While various motors can be employed, in the illustrated construction, the motor 49 is a substantially constant speed motor which drives the fan 153. While various fans can be employed, in the illustrated construction, the fan 153 is of the centrifugal type.

The shroud 155 includes a flow inlet 161 communicating with an air duct or passage 165 which includes therein a relatively restricted opening 167 communicating with the interior of the forward housing compartment 19, and which terminates in a nipple 169 to which the other end of the tube or conduit 111 is attached. The shroud 155 is formed to convey air from the air duct or passage 165 to the fan 153 and to convey air delivered by the fan 153 past the motor 49 and out through the grille 27.

The before-mentioned coiled cartridge 63, included in the can or container 35, comprises a sealed corrugated package or envelope 201 (See FIG. 5) which contains the active liquid substance to be dispensed and which is formed of plastic material permeable to the liquid. The cartridge 201 also includes a spacer 203 which is interleaved between the coils or layers of the corrugated package 201 to prevent nesting or meshing thereof and thereby to provide, between the corrugations, passages 205 affording maximum area for air flow parallel to the corrugations and for evaporation of the liquid which permeates through the plastic material.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6,-the package or envelope 201 includes two

plies

313 and 315 of plastic material which is permeable to the liquid substance to be dispensed. Each of the plies is formed with a plural ity of undulations or corrugations with the undulations or corrugations in one ply being substantially similar in form to the undulations or corrugations in the other ply. In the preferred construction, the corrugations extend in parallel relation to each other.

In further accordance with the invention, the

plies

313 and 315 include

respective margins

321 and 323 which are peripherally hermetically sealed to each other in opposed relation to provide the envelope or package 201 with the corrugations or undulations 317 of one ply being nested with respect to the corrugations or undulations of the other ply. In addition, the sealed envelope or package 201 is interiorly provided with a' quantity of the liquid to be dispensed.

In order to form a central tube 211 to conduct incoming air from the inlet opening 83 to the rear or bottom of the container 35, the spacer 203 is initially rolled or coiled upon itself one of more times to form the central tube 211. After formation of the central tube 211, the corrugated package 201 is then rolled up with the spacer 203 between successive spacer coils.

In order to retain the tube 211 in proper location in the container 35, the bottom or rear wall 75 of the container 35 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced fingers 215 which project into the rear end of the tube 211 to properly locate the tube 211 while permitting flow from the rear end of the tube 211 radially outwardly adjacent to the bottom wall 75 of the container 35. In order to provide a rear plenum or air passage 217 communicating with the rear end of the tube 211 and at the bottom wall 75 of the container 35,- one or more arcuately spaced and radially extending ridges or shoulders 219 are provided, whereby to space the rear end of the cartridge 63 from the bottom wall 75.

In order to insure that essentially all of the air flowing 211 toward the rear end thereof, there is provided,

around the inlet opening, a gasket 225 which is engaged by the forward end of the tube 211 when the container 35 including the cartridge 63 is placed in the rear housing compartment 21. Thus, entering air flows axially to the rear of the tube 211, then flows radially outwardly adjacent the bottom wall 75 of the container 35, and then axially forward in the passages 205 between the spacer 203 and the corrugated package 201 into a forward plenum 231 which is formed at the forward end of the cartridge 63 between the cartridge 63 and the base or inner wall 17 and between the gaskets 65 and 225, and which communicates with the outlet opening 85 in the wall 17. Of course, cartridges other than the specifically described cartridge 63 can be employed. However, it is preferred that the cartridge be generally constructed in accordance with the disclosure of my co-pending application Ser. No. 408,479 filed Oct. 23, 1973.

As already indicated, when the valve means are closed, the engagement of the container 35 against the gasket 65 provides the sealed chamber in which the cartridge 63 is contained. Dispersion through the plastic material of the package or envelope 201 will cease when the air trapped in the container 35 is saturated. Furthermore, under normal circumstances, the air in the container 35 is always saturated with the active substance.

The container 35 is adapted to be stored without loss of the active substance to be dispensed prior to placement in the housing 13 by covering the open end 64 of the container with a plastic cap which is impermeable to the active substance to be dispensed and which is removed immediately prior to insertion of the container 35 into the housing 13.

Located adjacent the shutter 91 is an electric reel switch 241 which controls operation of the motor 49 and which is located in position for actuation by a projection which includes a magnet and which is located on the shutter 91 in position to turn on the electric motor 49 in response to shutter movement from the closed position and to turn off the electric motor in response to shutter movement to the closed position.

In operation, rotation of the shutter shaft 93 in a clockwise direction from the closed position serves initially to turn on the motor 49 and simultaneously to bring the inlet slot 121 in the shutter 91 into registry with the inlet port 115 in the plate 95 and with the inlet opening 83 in the wall 17. Immediately thereafter, the outlet slot 123 begins to register with the outlet port 105 in the plate 95 and with the outlet opening 85 in the wall 17.

Operation of the fan 153 draws a suction through the opening 167 in the air passage 165 and through the tube or conduit 111, drawing air saturated with the active substance from the sealed chamber 71, which saturated air is mixed with air entering the air passage 165 through the opening 167. Such air is delivered by the fan past the motor and out of the housing through the grille 27.

Flow of air from the sealed chamber 71 induces inflow of air through the inlet port 115 and inlet opening 83 for travel rearwardly in the tube 211, radially outwardly at the rear plenum 217 in the container 35, and then forwardly through the passages 205 in the cartridge 63, and thereby to evaporate the active substance from the package walls, and finally to the forward plenum 213 and out through the outlet opening 85 and outlet port 123.

When the shutter shaft 93 is rotated further in the clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 4) the amount of the outlet slot 123 in registry with the outlet port in the plate 95 increases, thereby permitting increased flow. The surface area of the cartridge 63 is such that, even at maximum air flow, the air travelling through the chamber 71 will always be saturated with the active substance in vapor form. Consequently, the amount of substance being dispensed is directly proportional to the air flow from the chamber, which flow is controlled by the shutter 91, as affected by the constant speed motor and the air opening 167 in the passage or duct 165 leading to the shroud 155. Thus, the shutter 91 provides a reliable arrangement for controlling the dispensing rate. In addition, because the maximum rate of output of the substance through the walls of the package 201 or cartridge 63 remains unaffected until the cartridge 63 is essentially empty, the shutter 91 provides efficient control throughout the life span of the cartridge 63.

Upon rotation of the shutter 91 to the closed position, the inlet and outlet means to the chamber 71 are closed, thereby sealing the chamber 71 against loss of the active substance, and the motor 47 is automatically turned off.

Any of the active substance which may be in the forward compartment 19 after closing of the valve means is exhausted from the housing 13 due to normal air movements occurring in the housing 13 because of convection, gravity, or otherwise. Specifically, air enters through the opening 51 in the access cover 37 and passes around the container 35 and through the openings 23 in the base or inner wall 17 to the forward compartment 19. The air then travels through the opening 167 into the air passage or duct 165 leading to the shroud and finally out the grille 27. Thus, ventilation isprovided through the device 11 in order to minimize the presence of residual vapor in the housing 13 when the shutter 91 is closed and the cartridge 63 is sealed in the chamber 71. During the dispensing operation, air flowing into the chamber 71 through the inlet opening 83 and air flowing through the opening 167 into the shroud 155 also enters the housing 13 through the air entry opening 51 in the rear access cover 37 and travels into the forward compartment 19 through the openings 23 in the base or inner wall 17.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope being formed of two plies of plastic material permeable to the liquid substance being dispensed, each of said plies including a substantially identical series of internested corrugations, said envelope including portions overlaid relative to each other, and a spacer interleaved between said overlaid portions, outlet means communicating between said airtight chamber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling air flow through said outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said airtight chamber, second valve means controlling air flow through said inlet means and operable between open and closed positions and means for coordinated opening and closing of said first and secnd valve means.

2. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining a chamber, a cartridge located in said chamber and including a sealed envelope containing the liquid substance to be dispensed and formed of two plies of plastic material permeable to the liquid substance being dispensed, each of said plies including a substantially identical series of internested corrugations, said envelope including portions overlaid relative to each other, said cartridge further including a spacer interleaved between said overlaid portions, outlet means communicating between said chamber and the atmosphere, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said chamber, and motorized means for causing air flow through said chamber.

3. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope including'wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said airtight chamber, outlet means communicating between said airtight chamber and the atmosphere, means for causing air flow through said chamber including a motorized fan and a conduit communicating with said fan and with one of said inlet and outlet means, first valve means controlling air flow through said outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, second valve means controlling air flow through said inlet means and operable between open and closed positions, said first and second valve means comprising a plate extending in part between said conduit and said one of said inlet and outlet means and having inlet and outlet ports with the one of said ports associated with said one of said inlet and outlet means providing communication between said conduit and said one of said inlet and outlet means, and a shutter rotatable relative to said plate and including inlet and outlet slots movable relative to positions of registry with said inlet and outlet ports.

4. A device in accordance with 3 wherein said housing includes an outer wall, wherein said means defining said airtight chamber includes a wall portion, a shaft rotatably mounted by said wall portion and said outer wall, and wherein said plate is fixed against rotation relative to said wall portion, and wherein said wall portion includes inlet and outlet openings communicating with said airtight chamber and in registry with said inlet and outlet ports in said plate, and wherein said shutter is mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith between said plate and said wall portion.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said shutter is movable axially on said shaft, and said plate is movable axially of said shaft, and further including means biasing said plate against said shutter, and biasing said plate and said shutter against said wall portion.

6. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable. outlet means communicating between said airtight chamber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling air flow through said outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said airtight chamber, second valve means controlling air flow through said inlet neansand operable between open and closed positions, motorized means for causing air flow through said chamber, and means for coordinated opening and closing of said first and second valve means and for controlling operation of said motorized means in coordination with the opening and closing of said valve means.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a fan shroud supported by said housing a conduit communicating between said fan shroud and said outlet valve means, and means for affording entry of air into said conduit between said valve means and said fan shroud.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a wall portion and wherein said means defining said airtight chamber comprises said wall portion, and a removable container engaged in airtight engagement with said wall portion.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8 and further including a gasket between said wall portion and said container, and spring means engaging said container against said gasket so as to maintain said container in airtight engagement with said wall portion.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said airtight chamber is formed by a wall portion and a container engaged by said wall portion and including a cartridge formed by said envelope and including a central tube communicating with said inlet means, and a gasket on said wall portion and engaged by said tube for insuring travel through said tube of air entering into said chamber through said inlet means.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said container includes a bottom wall spaced from said wall portion and further including means for spacing said cartridge from said bottom wall to provide a plenum adjacent said bottom wall for radially outward movement of said air exiting from the adjacent end of said tube, and wherein said envelope includes spaced corrugations defining air passages affording flow of air from said plenum toward said wall portion, and wherein said gasket spaces said cartridge from said wall portion to define a second plenum communicating with' said outlet means.

12. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid sub stance to be dispensed, said envelope including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable, valve means operable between open and closed positions for controlling air flow relative to said chamber, motorized fan means for causing air flow through said chamber subject to the position of said valve means, and means for coordinated operation of said fan means and of said valve means.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12 and further including a fan shroud supported by said housing, a conduit communicating between said fan shroud and said outlet valve means, and means for affording entry of air into said conduit between said valve means and said fan shroud.

14. A device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said housing includes a wall portion and wherein said means defining said airtight chamber comprises said wall portion, and a removable container engaged in airtight engagement with said wall portion.

15. A device in accordance with claim 14 and further including a gasket between said wall portion and said container, and spring means engaging said container against said gasket so as to maintain said container in airtight engagement with said wall portion.

16. A device in accordance with claim 12 wherein said airtight chamber is formed by a wall portion and a container engaged by said wall portion and including a cartridge formed by said envelope and including a central tube communicating with said inlet means, and a gasket on said wall portion and engaged by said tube for insuring travel through said tube of air entering into said chamber through said inlet means.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16 wherein said container includes a bottom wall spaced from said wall portion and further including means for spacing said cartridge from said bottom wall to provide a plenum adjacent said bottom wall for radially outward movement of said air exiting from the adjacent end of said tube, and wherein said envelope includes spaced corrugations defining air passages affording flow of air from said plenum toward said wall portion, and wherein said gasket spaces said cartridge from said wall portion to define a second plenum communicating with

Claims

1. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope being formed of two plies of plastic material permeable to the liquid substance being dispensed, each of said plies including a substantially identical series of internested corrugations, said envelope including portions overlaid relative to each other, and a spacer interleaved between said overlaid portions, outlet means communicating between said airtight chamber and the atmosphere, first valve means controlling air flow through said outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said airtight chamber, second valve means controlling air flow through said inlet means and operable between open and closed positions and means for coordinated opening and closing of said first and second valve means.

3. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable, inlet means communicating between the atmosphere and said airtight chamber, outlet means communicating between said airtight chamber and the atmosphere, means for causing air flow through said chamber including a motorized fan and a conduit communicating with said fan and with one of said inlet and outlet means, first valve means controlling air flow through said outlet means and operable between open and closed positions, second valve means controlling air flow through said inlet means and operable between open and closed positions, said first and second valve means comprising a plate extending in part between said conduit and said one of said inlet and outlet means and having inlet and outlet ports with the one of said ports associated with said one of said inlet and outlet means providing communication between said conduit and said one of said inlet and outlet means, and a shutter rotatable relative to said plate and including inlet and outlet slots movable relative to positions of registry with said inlet and outlet ports.

6. A DEVICE FOR CONTROLLABLY DISPENSING A LIQUID SUBSTANCE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A HOUSING INCLUDING MEANS DEFINING AN AIRTIGHT CHAMBER, A SEALED ENVELOPE LOCATED IN SAID CHAMBER AND CONTAINING THE LIQUID SUBSTANCE TO BE DISPENSED, SAID ENVELOPE INCLUDING WALL MEANS THROUGH WHICH THE LIQUID SUBSTANCE IS PERMEABLE, OUTLET MEANS COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID AIRTIGHT CHAMBER AND THE ATMOSPHERE, FIRST VALVE MEANS CONTROLLING AIR FLOW THROUGH SAID OUTLET MEANS AND OPERABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, INLET MEANS COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SAID AIRTIGHT CHAMBER, SECOND VALVE MEANS CONTROLLING AIR FLOW THROUGH SAID INLET MEANS AND OPERABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, MOTORIZED MEANS FOR CAUSING AIR FLOW THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR COORDINATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF SAID FIRST SECOND VALVE MEANS AND FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF SAID MOTORIZED MEANS IN COORDINATION WITH THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF SAID VALVE MEANS.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said container includes a bottom wall spaced from said wall portion and further including means for spacing said cartridge from said bottom wall to provide a plenum adjacent said bottom wall for radially outward movement of said air exiting from the adjacent end of said tube, and wherein said envelope includes spaced corrugations defining air passages affording flow of air from said plenum toward said wall portion, and wherein said gasket spaces said cartridge from said wall portion to define a second plenum communicating with said outlet means.

12. A device for controllably dispensing a liquid substance, said device comprising a housing including means defining an airtight chamber, a sealed envelope located in said chamber and containing the liquid substance to be dispensed, said envelope including wall means through which the liquid substance is permeable, valve means operable between open and closed positions for controlling air flow relative to said chamber, motorized fan means for causing air flow through said chamber subject to the position of said valve means, and means for coordinated operation of said fan means and of said valve means.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16 wherein said container includes a bottom wall spaced from said wall portion and further including means for spacing said cartridge from said bottom wall to provide a plenum adjacent said bottom wall for radially outward movement of said air exiting from the adjacent end of said tube, and wherein said envelope includes spaced corrugations defining air passages affording flow of air from said plenum toward said wall portion, and wherein said gasket spaces said cartridge from said wall portion to define a second plenum communicating with said outlet means.