WO1994004437A1

WO1994004437A1 - Aerosol container

Info

Publication number: WO1994004437A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/007981
Authority: WO
Inventors: John V. Mizzi; Donald A. Merte
Original assignee: Omnific International Ltd.
Priority date: 1992-08-24
Filing date: 1993-08-20
Publication date: 1994-03-03

Abstract

The present invention includes three related embodiments for an improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, including liquid module (2, 60, 89) containing a liquid to be sprayed, and a separable pump module (3, 62, 90) containing an air compressor or pump driven by weight activation by shaking the device in an essentially vertical direction. The fluid is discharged under influence of compressed air.

Description

AEROSOL CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol dispenser which uses compressed air as the propellant. The adoption of this dispenser as a substitute for ordinary household aerosols eliminates the use of chemical propellants such as chlorofluorocarbons or hydrocarbons; solid waste is also reduced. The dispenser, which uses a non-disposable compressor section coupled to a recyclable or refillable product container, uses air as the propellant. This is generated by the natural act of shaking the dispenser a few times before using which compresses air via a small pump located inside the unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art includes U.S Patent numbers 3,995,779 and 4,147,284 of the Applicant. These patents pertain to the use of compressed air to urge a liquid spray from a dispenser, instead of conventionally using a chemical propellant, which may be harmful to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment for a side coupled aerosol container, the present invention improves the prior art with the following novel features. In a manner similar to Figures 5,6 and 7 of the Mizzi '284 patent, there is here provided a side coupled two-part dispenser with one key difference. By including the compressor outlet check valve in the product container, the pump module can be decoupled and shared with other product modules. The product module stays pressurized even when decoupled, and the liquid product remains sealed by the check valve.

In a second embodiment for a refillable aerosol container, the present invention improves the prior art with the following novel features. A refillable dispenser is provided wherein a compressor assembly is attached to a screw-on cap, thereby permitting the use of standard blow molded or metallic or even glass containers. The volume within the compressor housing is vented through the cap but is isolated from the pressurized container.

In a third embodiment for an insert module aerosol container, the present invention improves the prior art with the following novel features. For example, the outer housing splits apart to permit the insertion and removal of factory filled recyclable product containers.

A further improvement is provided in the use of tapered bellows as a pumping air compressor elements.

Generally, the present invention includes a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed, and a pump module with an air compressor pumping means, with the liquid spray flowing in response to urging by the compressed air. In the first and second embodiments, using a piston and cylinder type of compressor is a workable solution. However, sizing the stroke, bore and driving weight is a compromise which stacks a desire for quick pressure build¬ up of an unpressurized depleted container against a desire for high maximum pressure with a given weight and oscillatory frequency. A bellows would pose a similar compromise.

In the third embodiment, the pumping means of the pumping module may use a piston and cylinder compressor wherein the cylinder is an integral part of the recyclable product container. A reusable weight disk attached to the discharge hose is clipped onto the product container with the same motion required to pierce the seal on the container top to attach the discharge hose coupling to the dip tube which is integral to the container. This adds inertia to the container, which is beneficial when the liquid content is at a low level and the weight contribution of the liquid is minimal, however in normal use it is seldom necessary to pump the dispenser by shaking at this point since an excess of compressed air propellant has usually accumulated in the product container by the time it is almost empty. The product container may be a standard type metal can or a plastic container.

The pumping means of the pumping module may alternatively use a tapered bellows compressor. The tapered bellows version permits more standard can manufacture in that a cylinder and outlet check valve need not be part of the can bottom as in the piston and cylinder case. In the bellows version, the internal product container is guided by the sides of the housing in its pumping excursions. In either compressor version, the product container is removed or inserted in a manner very similar to replacing batteries in a flashlight.

The piston and cylinder pumping module may be further modified with a telescoping piston and cylinder assembly. In addition to a housing, a driving weight and inlet and outlet check valves, this particular assembly has three cylinders which nest into each other and a small piston. Appropriate seals must be fitted to each section and extension limits (strings) must be used to limit the excursion of each section during the fill stroke. This achieves some advantage in that with low back pressure, such as in a startup condition or in a depleted pressure situation in a product container, the entire array will be flattened to a significant height, thus compressing a large volume of air per stroke. As the back pressure quickly builds up, the down stroke force will no longer be adequate to compress the air in the largest cylinder. In effect, the large section decouples and stays dormant. The upper sections keep pumping until back pressure decouples the next section and so forth until finally, even the top solid piston "locks up" against back pressure.

The bellows analog to this approach, a tapered bellows, does not have these shortcomings. For the bellows, however, there are other design considerations which must be addressed. At high pressure, a bellows tends to billow out at the root radii instead of fold down. This tendency is more pronounced as the diameter increases. This is a problem associated with a tapered bellows, since the large convolutions are at peak pressure imposed by the smaller convolutions. One way to control this is by judicious attention to careful materials specification. This is an option strictly for injection molding. Another method is to fit external rings at the root of each of the larger convolutions. A preferred process is to take a completed bellows of any manufacture and to apply reinforcing fibers in the circumferential direction by first dipping the bellows in appropriate adhesive and then rolling on the fiber reinforcement. This thickening of selected portions of the bellows surface supplies just the right kind of an anisotropic reinforcement, to resist radial expansion, while not adversely affecting the longitudinal suppleness of folding capability. In this manner, even inexpensive dip molded bellows of thin uniform cross section can be made usable for this application. To preserve some volume per reduced stroke at the higher pressures, in a further embodiment, the narrow section of the bellows is extended a few convolutions.

Unfortunately, this produces an instability in the geometry with a tendency for the bellows to bend instead of fold neatly upon compression. This problem is be solved in two complementary ways. First, the top section is made a bit wider than the design point would suggest, with shallower convolutions and a larger root diameter. This in itself reduces the tendency to bend, but it may not produce the desired high pressure. The latter capability can be restored, while at the same time insuring straight folding without bending, by fitting the top section of the tapered bellows with a short guide rod internally that takes up most of the root diameter of the extended section of small convolutions. The effective volume of this top section is reduced by the rod volume, thereby insuring high pressure results.

When either the telescoping cylinders or the tapered bellows is utilized as the pumping means, special attention is given to the design of the inlet check valve. In either a simple piston and cylinder or a straight bellows, the vacuum generated during extension is substantial and uniform during the entire intake stroke. Small resistance from the inlet check valve is easily overcome and the internal volume is quite well filled for the pressure stroke. In contrast in the variations discussed above, at higher pressures the internal volume is almost full of air at atmospheric pressures or above until the very last bit of the intake stroke. At this point a very small vacuum is formed by virtue of the slightly increased internal volume as can be predicted by gas laws. This small vacuum will not pull in more air through the normal spring loaded ball check or duckbill type valve. This makes the high pressure section of a tapered bellows ineffective, since the required small increase of air in the internal volume never enters during the "intake" stroke. A virtually zero resistance inlet check valve is required for this application. Flap valves can approach this capability but they tend to be leaky in very small sizes. The solution is a weight operated inlet check valve. The inlet stroke coincides with the container being pulled down relative to the compressor driving weight; this results in the bellows extending. Therefore the valve has a weight attached to it, such that it would open during the same motion of the bellows extending. If the opening itself is sufficiently large as to be minimally restrictive, this would result in the capability of even a slight vacuum pulling in more air. Additionally, the weight that opened the valve on the downstroke helps to seal the valve on the upstroke compression stroke. Many design configurations exist for this type of valve. They include ball type valves with ball attached weights, weighted flapper valves and any type of weighted moving seal valve. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve over air propellant aerosol dispensers. It is a further object to provide an improved air propellant aerosol dispenser. It is a further object to provide an air propellant continuous spray dispenser wherein the pump module can be decoupled and shared with other liquid containers.

It is a further object to provide an air propellant continuous spray dispenser wherein the product module stays pressurized and sealed when decoupled.

It is a further object to provide a bellows pump means wherein the root radii efficiently fold without billowing out.

It is a further object to provide an air propellant continuous spray dispenser with a virtually zero resistance check valve.

It is a further objective to provide an improvement over the prior art by maximizing the interchangeability and reusability of the respective pumping modules and product containers.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended Claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of its specific embodiments, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view in section of the invention.

Figure 2 is a coupling scheme view of the invention as shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G show details of the tapered bellows portion of the pumping module of the invention. Figure 4 is a side elevational view in section of a telescoping piston and cylinder portion of the pumping module of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view in section of a preferred embodiment for an inlet check valve for a tapered bellows embodiment of the pumping module of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a piston and cylinder pump adaptable for use in the present invention. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an alternate bellows pump adaptable for use in the present invention. Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a further alternate bellows pump with a weighted flap type inlet check valve at the base of the bellows.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention wherein the pump module is contained within the liquid module, and further wherein the pump module includes a piston and cylinder compressor means.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the device as shown in Figure 9, wherein the pump module includes a tapered bellows air compressor.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention with a removable, insertable liquid container, showing a piston and cylinder pumping module.

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the invention as shown in Figure 11, wherein the pumping module includes a tapered bellows air compressor.

Figure 13 is a close up side elevational view in partial section of a tapered bellows pumping module for the second embodiment as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and also for the third embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first embodiment of the present invention includes an improved apparatus 1 for discharging liquids in a spray, including a liquid module 2 containing a liquid to be sprayed; a pump module 3 containing pumping means 4, the pumping means 4 being capable of supplying compressed air; a first conduit 5 disposed within liquid module 2 and a coupling extension 6 attached to the pump module 3. The coupling extension 6 provides a connection between the pump module 3 and the liquid module 2 for the transfer of compressed air to the liquid module 2, a second conduit 7 and an outlet valve 8. The second conduit 7 conducts the liquid to be sprayed from the liquid module 2 to the outlet valve 8 for discharge, the liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by the compressed air.

The liquid module 2 has at least one wall 9 and has sealable receiving means 10 disposed thereupon for sealably receiving compressed air.

The pump module 3 comprises a modular container capable of standing alone on a storage shelf, with the pumping means 4, such as a weight activated pump 11. The weight activated pump 11 is responsive to agitation of the pump module 4, the agitation causing the weight 12 to impart sequential inertial impulses to the pump means 4 to provide a pumping action. The weight has guide means 13 and travel stop means 14, the guide means 13 allowing the weight 12 to travel freely and slidably, the travel stop means 14 providing restrictions for the freely slidable travel of the weight 12.

The pump module 3 and the liquid module 2 are conveniently attachable and detachable, the liquid module 2 further including a stand alone apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray when the liquid module 2 has been first pressurized by being conveniently attached to the pump module 3 and then conveniently detached from the pump module 3 after transfer of compressed air from pumping means 4 of the pump module 3 to the liquid module 2. The liquid module 2 and pump module 3 have convenient attachment and release means, including a finger-operated spring-loaded latch release 15 disposed in the bottom portion of the pump module 3 and an extension tab 16 protruding from the top portion 17 of the pump module 3. When bottom latch 15 is released and the bottom end of pump module 3 is pulled away from liquid module 2, insertion member 23 is withdrawn from sealable receiving means 10. At this point, a small downward pull on pump module 3 relative to liquid module 2 releases extension tab 16 from collar tab coupling recess 21, thereby separating the two modules 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 6, the pump module may include a weight activated pump 11 including a piston-and-cylinder pump having a weight 12 movable within guiding means 13 for compressing air, and two check valves, including an inlet check valve and an outlet check value, the piston being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 12 drive the piston in its compression strokes.

As shown in Figure 4, the piston and cylinder pumping module may be further modified with a telescoping piston and cylinder assembly. In addition to a housing 13, and a driving weight 12 this particular assembly has three cylinders 14 which nest into each other and a small piston 15. Appropriate seals 17 must be fitted to each section and extension limits 16, such as strings, must be used to limit the excursion of each section during the fill stroke. This achieves some advantage in that with low back pressure, such as in a startup condition or in a depleted pressure situation in a product container, the entire array is flattened to a significant height, thus compressing a large volume of air per stroke. As the back pressure quickly builds up, the down stroke force is no longer adequate to compress the air in the largest cylinder. In effect, the larger cylinders 14 decouple and stay dormant. The upper cylinder 14 keeps pumping until back pressure decouples the next cylinder 14, and so forth, until finally, even the top solid piston 15 "locks up" against back pressure. As shown in Figure 3, instead of the piston-and- cylinder pump means, an alternate weight activated pump includes a tapered bellows 31, including inlet check valve 32 and compressed air outlet valve 40, the tapered bellows 31 being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 34 drive the tapered bellows 31 in its compression strokes.

The tapered bellows 31 includes a plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35, each contiguous adjacent folded surface 35 being pliably capable of extensive and compressive motion relative to respective adjacent folded surfaces 35.

The plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35 forming a pliable sealed air container having an interior 36, an exterior 37, a first end 38 and a second end 39, wherein one folded surface 35 comprises the first end 39 and one folded surface 35 comprises the second end of the tapered bellows 31, the tapered bellows 31 further having a discharge exit 40 for compressed air and an inlet 41 for ambient air to be compressed.

The tapered bellows pump means may also have an axial guidance pin 42 extending axially within tapered bellows 31 for aligning the folding of tapered bellows surfaces 35 during compression. The tapered bellows 31 contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35 have a thickness 43, a central portion 44 and edges 45, 46, each tapered bellows 31 continuous folded surface 35 being joined with adjacent folded surfaces 35 at the edges 45 and 46. The tapered bellows 31 contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35 have an exterior 47 and an interior 48, the thickness 43 being disposed therebetween, the exterior 47 of the surfaces 35 comprising the exterior 47 of the sealed air bellows container 31 and the interior 48 of the surfaces 35 comprising the interior of the sealed air bellows container 31. The tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded exterior surfaces 35 are provided with reinforcing fibers 49, the reinforcing fibers 49 being circumferentially and adheringly wrapped about and attached to the exterior surfaces 47, the reinforcing fibers 49 for providing dimensional And directional guidance to the tapered bellows 31 during compression.

The tapered bellows pump means has an inlet check valve 32 and an outlet check valve 33, the inlet check valve 32 having an open position, a closed position, a flap 50 capable of moving between the open and the closed position, and a weight 51 disposed upon the flap 50 for holding the flap 50 in the closed position, the weight 51 and flap 50 being movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of the pump module 3, and from the open to the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of the pump module 3.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3G, the tapered bellows may have an inlet check valve 32A, the inlet check valve 32A having an open position and a closed position, a weight 51, and a ball 52 and O-ring 53 sealing means capable of moving between the open and the closed position. The weight 51 is for holding the O-ring 53 sealing means in the closed position. The weight 51 and O-ring 53 sealing means is movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of the pump module 3 and movable from the open to the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of the pump module 3. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the tapered bellows pump of pump module 3 may have a weight- operated bellows inlet check valve 1001, including a driving weight 1006, a relatively narrow, elongated connecting shaft 1008, and a guidance pin 1007, the connecting shaft 1008 being disposed between and connecting driving weight 1006 and guidance pin 1007, such that driving weight 1006, connecting shaft 1008, and guidance pin 1007 constitute an integral compression unit capable of vertical sealing and unsealing motion, the driving weight 1006 being disposed in a top position, the connecting shaft 1008 being disposed in a medial position, and the guidance pin 1007 being disposed in a bottom position within and relative to the integral compression unit.

The pump means further has a soft seal 1002, preferably rubber, mounted upon connecting shaft 1008 by means of a vertical bore through soft rubber seal 1002, the vertical bore sealably accepting insertion of the connecting shaft 1008 therethrough; the soft rubber seal being in an unmovable relationship to connecting shaft 1008. The pump means also has a hollow cylindrical bellows mounting collar 1003, the mounting collar 1003 further having a top and a bottom, the top further including a beveled valve seat 1004 and the bottom having beveled notches 1005, such that the soft rubber seal 1002 is inertially urged into sealable contact with beveled valve seat 1004 by driving weight 1006 during the bellows compression stroke.

The vertical sealing motion of the integral compression unit provides the compression stroke, the vertical sealing motion of the compression unit being relative to mounting collar 1003, the vertical unsealing motion of the compression unit comprising upward motion of the compression unit relative to mounting collar 1003. As shown in Figure 7, the air imparted by bellows weight 1006 through bellows 31 passes through coupling 6B into insertion member 23B into a corresponding coupling hole 10B in liquid module 2.

As further shown in Figure 7, in a manner similar to the uncoupling of pump module 3 from liquid module 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2, pump module 3 with weight 1006 and guidance pin 1007 is released from liquid module 2, when bottom latch 15B is released and insertion member 23B is withdrawn from sealable receiving means 10B. At this point, a small downward pull on pump module 3 relative to liquid module 2 releases extension tab 16B from collar tab recess 2IB, thereby separating the two modules.

As shown in Figure 3, in operation, the weight operated bellows inlet check valve 32 permits ambient air to enter the bellows 31, in response to the unsealing motion of the compression unit and the weight operated bellows 31 compresses air within the bellows 31 in response to the sealing motion of the compression unit.

As shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35 may include alternatively a tapered continuum of dimensional variation, wherein each such folded surface 35 has a cross sectional area 54, 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D, etc., the folded surface 35 comprising the first end 38 having the smallest cross sectional area 54 and each successive folded surface therefrom having progressively larger cross sectional areas 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D, etc.

As shown in Figures 3E and 3F, the tapered bellows 31A contiguous adjacent folded surfaces 35A includes a section 55 which is dimensionally uniform and a further section 56 which is dimensionally tapered, wherein the first section 55 which is dimensionally uniform and the section which is dimensionally tapered comprise a single sealed tapered bellows air container 31A. As further shown in Figures 3E and 3F, the first section 55 which is dimensionally uniform has a uniform cross sectional area 58 smaller than the cross sectional area 57 of the dimensionally tapered section 56. The dimensionally tapered section 56 varies uniformly from a smallest cross sectional area 58, 58A, 58B, 58C, and 58D to a largest cross sectional area 58F.

The dimensionally tapered section 56 is contiguous with the dimensionally uniform section 55 such that the dimensionally tapered section 56 is smoothly joined to the dimensionally uniform section 55, with the smallest cross sectional area 58 of the dimensionally tapered section 56 being disposed nearest to the dimensionally uniform section 55.

As shown in Figure 8, an alternate weighted flap inlet check valve 32C is provided at the base of bellows 31C, to regulate the flow of inlet air through inlet check valve 32C into bellows 31C with surfaces 35C for discharge through coupling 6C with insertion member 23C. In this embodiment release occurs with latch 15C in a manner similar to that describing the embodiment shown in Figures l and 2.

In summary, in the first embodiment of the aerosol container, the side coupled pump module 3 is coupled to liquid module 2 in a sealable manner so that pump module 3 may be de-coupled and used with other liquid containers, without loss of significant air pressure between uses. As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13, a second further embodiment 60 includes a liquid module with liquid to be sprayed, a pump module 62 enclosing pump mechanism means 63 capable of supplying compressed air, a first conduit air discharge tube 64 disposed to a coupling extension 65 providing a connection between pump module 62 and liquid module 61, a second conduit 66 and an outlet valve 67, such that the second conduit 66 conducts liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by compressed air from pump module 62.

The liquid module 61 contains the pump module 62 within the confines of the liquid module 61, wherein the liquid module 61 comprises a refillable dispenser provided with a threaded sealing cap 68. The threaded sealing cap 68 is attached to the pump module 62.

The pump module 62 is insertable and removable with respect to the liquid module 61 when the sealing cap 68 is respectively applied to and removed from the liquid module 61, thus permitting use a variety of liquid module shapes and sizes as may be commercially available. As shown in Figure 9, the pump module 62 contains a pumping means such as a weight activated pump 63 with a cylinder 69 and piston 70 arrangement for compressing air, the piston 70 being capable of a compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 71 drive the piston 70 in its compression strokes. The pumping means further is provided with two check valves 72 and 73, and a conduit 74 for intake air to be compressed, the conduit 74 being open to the outside air through a sealed aperture 75 traversing the threaded sealing cap 68.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, including the pump module 62, may alternately contain a weight activated tapered bellows pumping means 31, as in Fig. 4, and two check valves 32 and 33 for preventing backflow of compressed air, with the tapered bellows 31 being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 34 drive the tapered bellows 31 in its compression strokes. As shown in Figure 13, instead of the piston-and- cylinder pump means, an alternative weight activated pump includes tapered bellows 31 and two check valves, including inlet check valve 32 and outlet check valve 33, for preventing backflow of compressed air, as well as an outlet 40 for compressed air. Moreover, the remaining components shown in Figure 13 are substantially the same as those shown and described in Figure 3 for a weight activated tapered bellows pump.

As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, there is provided a configuration for a third embodiment for an air propellant continuous spray dispenser for discharging liquids in a spray, including a separable exterior 80 housing, with an upper part 81 and a lower part 82, the upper and lower parts 81, 82 being conveniently attachable and separable. The upper part 81 further has a discharge valve 83 and conduit 84 for conveying liquid to be sprayed to the discharge valve, the conduit having an upper end 85 and a lower end 86, the upper end 85 being connected to the discharge valve 83; a piercing connector 87, including a pointed tubular member 88 for mechanical piercing, the piercing connector 87 being attached to the lower end 86 of the conduit 84. A removable and replaceable liquid module 89 is disposed within both the upper 81 and lower 82 exterior housing parts, the liquid module 89 being reciprocally and slidably movable within the exterior housing 80 when the upper and lower exterior housing parts 81, 82 are conveniently attached. The reciprocal slidable motion of the liquid module 89 further provides an inertial impulse for compressing air in response to agitation of the exterior housing 80. The pump module 90 has a weight 91 moving reciprocally in register with the slidable reciprocal motion of the liquid module 89.

As shown in Figure 11, the pump module 90 may contain a piston 92 and cylinder 99 arrangement, the piston 92 being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 81 drive the piston 92 in its compression strokes.

The piston 92 is attached to and disposed within the lower part 82 of the exterior housing 80, the piston 92 having an inlet check valve 93 and a piston seal 94.

The removable and replaceable liquid module 89 is further provided with an interior liquid basin 95 containing the liquid to be sprayed, with a first 96 end and a second end 97 and at least one wall 98 therebetween.

The second end 97 further has an axial bore 99 therein, the axial bore 99 being disposed parallel to the at least one wall 98. The axial bore 99 further includes a cylinder matable with and in slidable relation to the piston 92, the piston 92 providing directional guidance to the liquid module 89. The axial bore 99 further is sealed from communication with the interior liquid basin 95, except that the axial bore 99 is provided with a check valve 100 to permit air compressed by the piston 92 to exit the axial bore 99 and sealably enter the interior liquid basin 95.

The removable and replaceable liquid module 89 is further provided with a conduit 84 disposed within the interior liquid basin 95, the conduit 84 extending into and conducting the liquid to be sprayed toward the first end 96 of the liquid module 89.

The conduit 84 is attached to the first end 96 of the liquid module 89 in positional register with the piercing connector 87 disposed within the upper part 81 of the exterior housing 80, to permit the piercing connector 87 to pierce the liquid module 89 so that the liquid module conduit accommodates the piercing connector 87. This connection forms a complete pathway for the liquid to be sprayed, starting with the interior liquid basin 95 of the liquid module 89 and ending with the discharge valve 83 disposed in the upper part 81 of the exterior housing 80. The piercing connector 87 is sealably inserted into the liquid module interior basin conduit 86 of conduit 84. The piercing connector 87 is further provided with a weight 91, the weight 91 having a bore 101 therethrough, and the piercing connector 87 being inserted into and traversing the bore 101.

The weight 91 is provided with a clip means 102, the clip means 102 providing for the weight 91 to be removably attached to the liquid module 89, the weight 91 moving slidably and in registry with the liquid module 89 for providing inertial force for compressing air.

Similar to the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment may also have the alternate dispenser 110 containing a weight activated tapered bellows pumping means 31, and two check valves 32, 33 for preventing backflow of compressed air, the tapered bellows 31 being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by the weight 34 drive the tapered bellows 31 in its compression strokes. As further shown in Figure 12, the alternative dispenser 110 has a removable and replaceable liquid module 111 slidably and reciprocally movable within the attached upper and lower exterior housing part 112. The interior surface 126 of exterior housing device 110 guides the slidable motion of the liquid module 111. The liquid module 111 has a first end 114, a second end 115, at least one wall 116, and a weight 117 detachable secured to the second end 115 of the liquid module 111, the weight 117 having bore 118 therethrough.

The first tubular piercing connector 119 is inserted into and transversing the bore 118, the piercing connector 119 for piercing the second end 115 of the liquid module 111. A first conduit 120 is disposed within the liquid module 111 for conducting compressed air from a tapered bellows pump module 31 to the interior of the liquid module 111; the first conduit 120 being attached to the second end 115 of the liquid module 111 in positional register with the piercing connector 119.

A second conduit 122 is disposed within the liquid module, the second conduit 122 being attached to the first end 114 of the liquid module 111 for conducting the liquid to be sprayed from the liquid module 111 to the discharge valve 123.

The alternative device also includes a second tubular piercing connector 124 and a third liquid conduit 127, the second piercing connector 124 being for sealably piercing the liquid module 111 in positional register on the second conduit 122. The third conduit 127 connects the second tubular piercing connector 124 with the discharge valve 123 disposed in the upper part 112 of the exterior housing of device 110 thereby completing a pathway for the liquid to be sprayed starting with the liquid module 111 proceeding to the second conduit 122, the second piercing connector 124, the third conduit 127 and finally the discharge valve. The foregoing description is directed towards the construction shown in the specifications and drawings herein, but basic modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. An improved apparatus for discharging liquid in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed; b. a pump module containing weight activated pumping means, saidjpumping means being capable of supplying compressed air wherein said weight activated pump is responsive to agitation of said pump module, the agitation causing a weight to impart sequential impulses to said pump means to provide pumping action; c. said pump module and said liquid module being attachable and detachable through coupling means, said liquid module further comprising a stand alone apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray when said liquid module has been first pressurized by being attached to said pump module and then detached from said pump module after transfer of compressed air from a pumping means of said pump module to said liquid module; d. a first conduit disposed within said liquid module and a coupling extension attached to said pump module, said coupling extension providing a connection between said pump module and said liquid module for the transfer of compressed air to the liquid module; e. a second conduit and an outlet valve, said second conduit conducting the liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to the outlet valve for discharge, said liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by said compressed air; f. said coupling extension of said pump module having an insertion member projecting therefrom, said insertion member being positionally disposed such that when said pump module and said liquid module are attached, said insertion member is in positional register with said liquid module sealable receiving means.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, said insertion member having an 0- ring for forming a compression seal and said liquid module sealable receiving means further having a check valve disposed therewithin.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said liquid module and said pump module have said coupling means comprising: a. a finger-operated spring-loaded latch release disposed in the bottom portion of said pump module; b. an upper extension coupling tab protruding from a top portion of said pump module; c. said latch releasable at a bottom portion of said pump module, wherein; d. said finger-operated latch releases a bottom portion of said pump module and said liquid module from each other; thus permitting the release of the upper extension tab from a collar with tab coupling recess, said collar being disposed at a top portion of said liquid module, the release further comprising separation of said pump module from said liquid module; e. said collar disposed on an upper portion of said liquid module having a cut out recess in positional register with said extension coupling tab on said pump module, such that f. said extension coupling tab engages said cut out recess, said extension coupling tab there upon being securely held in place.

4. An improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed; b. a pump module containing pumping means, the pumping means being capable of supplying compressed air; c. said pump module and said liquid module being attachable and detachable, said liquid module further comprising a stand alone apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray when said liquid module has been first pressurized by being attached to said pump module and then detached from said pump module after transfer of compressed air from a pumping means of said pump module to said liquid module; d. a first conduit disposed within said liquid module and a coupling extension attached to said pump module, said coupling extension providing a connection between said pump module and said liquid module for the transfer of compressed air to said liquid module; and e. a second conduit and an outlet valve, said second conduit conducting the liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to the outlet valve for discharge, said liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by said compressed air; wherein said liquid module has at least one wall and has sealable receiving means disposed thereupon for sealably receiving compressed air; wherein said pump module comprises a modular container capable of standing alone on a storage shelf; said pumping means comprising a weight activated pump; wherein said weight activated pump is responsive to agitation of said pump module, the agitation causing a weight to impart sequential inertial impulses to said pump means to provide a pumping action; said weight having guide means and travel stop means, said guide means allowing said weight to travel freely and slidably, said travel stop means providing restrictions for the freely slidable travel of said weight; wherein said weight activated pump comprises a piston- and-cylinder pump having said weight movable within said guide means for compressing air and two check valves, including an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve, said piston being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by said weight drive said piston in its compression strokes; and wherein a further weight activated pump comprises a tapered bellows and two check valves, including an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve for preventing backflow of compressed air, said tapered bellows being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by said driving weight drive said tapered bellows in its compression strokes.

5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein said tapered bellows comprises a plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces, each said contiguous adjacent folded surface being pliably capable of extensive and compressive motion relative to respective adjacent folded surfaces of said plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces.

6. The apparatus of Claim 5, further comprising said plurality of contiguous adjacent folding surfaces forming a pliable sealed container having an interior, an exterior, a first end and a second end, wherein one folded surface comprises the first end and one folded surface comprises the second end of the tapered bellows, the tapered bellows further having a discharge exit for compressed air and an inlet for ambient air to be compressed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further having an axial guidance pin extending axially within the tapered bellows for aligning the folding of the tapered bellows surfaces during compression.

8. The apparatus of Claim 6, having said inlet check valve and said outlet check valve, said inlet check valve having an open position, a closed position, a flap capable of moving between the open and the closed position, and a small weight disposed upon said flap for holding said flap in the closed position, said small weight and flap being movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of said pump module, and from the open or the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of said pump module.

9. The apparatus of Claim 6, having said inlet check valve and said outlet check valve, said inlet check valve having an open position and a closed position, a small weight attached to a ball, said ball and-O-ring sealing means capable of moving between the open and the closed position, said small weight attached to said ball for holding said O-ring sealing means in the closed position, said small weight attached to said ball and O-ring sealing means being movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of said pump module and movable from the open to the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of said pump module.

10. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein the plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces comprise a tapered continuum of dimensional variation, wherein each such folded surface has a cross sectional area, the folded surface comprising the first end having the smallest cross sectional area, and each successive folded surface therefrom having a progressively larger cross sectional area.

11. The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded surfaces comprise a first section which is dimensionally uniform and a further section which is dimensionally tapered, further wherein a. said first section which is dimensionally uniform and said section which is dimensionally tapered comprise said single sealed tapered bellows air container; b. said first section which is dimensionally uniform having a uniform cross sectional area smaller than said cross sectional area of said dimensionally tapered section, and further where c. said dimensionally tapered section varies uniformly from a smallest cross sectional area to a largest cross sectional area, and further where d. said dimensionally tapered section is contiguous with said dimensionally uniform section such that said dimensionally tapered section is smoothly joined to said dimensionally uniform section, with the smallest cross sectional area of said dimensionally tapered section being disposed nearest to said dimensionally uniform section.

12. The apparatus of Claim 6, said inlet check valve including a weight operated bellows, comprising said driving weight, a relatively narrow, elongated connecting shaft, and a guidance pin, said connecting shaft being disposed between and connecting said driving weight and guidance pin, said connecting shaft and said guidance pin comprising an integral compression unit capable of a vertical sealing and unsealing motion, said driving weight being disposed in a top position, said connecting shaft being disposed in a medial position, and said guidance pin being disposed in a bottom position within and relative to the integral compression unit, said driving weight further having the dual purpose of compressing air and operating said inlet check valve; said weight operated bellows compressing air within the bellows in response to the sealing motion of said compression unit.

13. The apparatus as in Claim 4 wherein said guide means for said weight comprises a plurality of telescoping cylinders of dimensional variation, which said cylinders nest into each other, and a piston engagable with said weight.

14. The apparatus as in Claim 13 wherein said piston is movable within a guide means, said movement of said piston limited by a limiting means.

15. Ah improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a pump module containing a pumping means, said pumping means being capable of supplying compressed air; b. a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed, wherein said liquid module contains said pump module within the confines of said liquid module; c. a first conduit disposed within said liquid module and a coupling extension attached to said pump module, said coupling extension providing a connection between said pump module and said liquid module for the transfer of compressed air to said liquid module; and, d. a second conduit and an outlet valve, said second conduit conducting the liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to said outlet valve for discharge, the liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by said compressed air, wherein said liquid module comprises a refillable dispenser provided with a threaded sealing cap; e. said threaded sealing cap being attached to said pump module; f. said pump module being insertable and removable with respect to said liquid module when said sealing cap is respectively applied to and removed from said liquid module, thus permitting use of a variety of liquid module shapes and sizes as may be commercially available—.

16. An improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a pump module containing pumping means, said pumping means being capable of supplying compressed air; b. a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed, wherein said liquid module contains said pump module within the confines of said liquid module; c. a first conduit disposed within said liquid module and a coupling extension attached to said pump module, said coupling extension providing a connection between said pump module and said liquid module for the transfer of compressed air to said liquid module; d. a second conduit and an outlet valve, said second conduit conducting the liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to said outlet valve for discharge, said liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by said compressed air; e. wherein said pump module contains a pumping means comprising a weight of a weight activated pump with a piston of a cylinder-and-piston arrangement for compressing air; f. said piston being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by said weight drive said piston in its compression strokes within a guide means; g. said pumping means further being provided with two check valves and, h. a conduit for admitting air into said pump module to be compressed, said conduit being open to the outside air through a sealed aperture traversing a threaded sealing cap.

17. An improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a pump module containing pumping means, said pumping means being capable of supplying compressed air; b. a liquid module containing a liquid to be sprayed, wherein said liquid module contains said pump module within the confines of said liquid module; c. a first conduit disposed within said liquid module and a coupling extension attached to said pump module, said coupling extension providing a connection between said pump module and said liquid module for the transfer of compressed air to said liquid module; d. a second conduit and an outlet valve, said second conduit conducting the liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to said outlet valve for discharge, said liquid to be sprayed flowing in response to urging by said compressed air; e. wherein said pump module contains a weight activated pumping means including a tapered bellows with said tapered bellows being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by a driving weight drive said tapered bellows in its compression strokes.

18. An improved apparatus for discharging liquids in a spray, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a separable exterior housing, comprising an upper part and a lower part, the upper and lower parts, being attachable and separable; b. the upper part further comprising a discharge valve and conduit for conveying liquid to be sprayed to the discharge valve, the conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being connected to the discharge valve; c. a piercing connector, comprising a pointed tubular member for mechanical piercing, the piercing connector being attached to the lower end of the conduit; d. a removable and replaceable liquid module disposed within both the upper and lower exterior housing parts, the liquid module being reciprocally and slidably movable within the exterior housing when the upper and lower exterior housing parts are conveniently attached, the reciprocal slidable motion of the liquid module further providing an inertial impulse for compressing air in response to agitation of the exterior housing; and e. a pump module having a weight moving reciprocally in register with the slidable reciprocal motion of the liquid module.

19. The apparatus as in Claim 18, wherein said pump module comprises and contains a piston-and-cylinder arrangement, the piston and cylinder arrangement being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by said weight drives said cylinder of said piston and cylinder arrangement in its compression strokes within a guide means.

20. The apparatus as in Claim 19, said piston and cylinder being attached to and disposed within said lower part of said exterior housing, said piston and cylinder having an inlet check valve and a piston seal; and a. said removable and replaceable liquid module being further provided with an interior liquid basin containing the liquid to be sprayed, with a first end and a second end and at least one wall therebetween; b. said second end further having an axial bore therein, said axial bore being disposed parallel to said at least one wall; c. said axial bore further comprising a cylinder matable with and in slidable relation to said piston, said piston providing directional guidance to said liquid module; d. said axial bore further being sealed from communication with said interior liquid basin, except that said axial bore is provided with a check valve to permit air compressed by said piston to exit said axial bore and sealably enter said interior liquid basin;

21. The apparatus as in Claim 20, wherein said removable and replaceable liquid module is further provided with a conduit disposed within said interior liquid basin, said conduit extending into and conducting the liquid to be sprayed toward said first end of said liquid module; and a. said conduit being attached to said first end of said liquid module in positional register with said piercing connector disposed within said upper part of said exterior housing, to permit said piercing connector to pierce said liquid module so that said liquid module conduit accommodates said piercing connector, thereby forming a complete pathway for the liquid to be sprayed, starting with said interior liquid basin of said liquid module and ending with said discharge valve disposed in said upper part of said exterior housing; and further, b. said piercing connector being sealably inserted into said liquid module interior basin conduit and further; c. said piercing connector further being provided with said weight, said weight having a bore therethrough, and said piercing connector being inserted into and traversing said bore; and further, d. said weight being provided with a clip means, said clip means providing for said weight to be removably attached to said liquid module, said weight moving slidably and in registry with said liquid module for providing inertial force for compressing air.

22. The apparatus as in Claim 18, wherein said pump module comprises and contains a weight activated tapered bellows pumping means and an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve for preventing backflow of compressed air, said tapered bellows being capable of compression strokes, wherein the sequential inertial impulses provided by said weight drive said tapered bellows in its compression strokes.

23. The apparatus of Claim 22 wherein said tapered bellows comprises a plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces, each contiguous adjacent folded surface being pliably capable of extensive and compressive motion relative to adjacent folded surfaces.

24. The apparatus of Claim 23, further comprising said plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces forming a pliable sealed air container having an interior, an exterior, a first end and a second end, wherein one folded surface comprises said first end and another folded surface comprises said second end of said tapered bellows, the tapered bellows further having an exit of compressed air, said outlet check valve, and an inlet for ambient air to be compressed, said inlet check valve.

25. The apparatus of Claim 24, further having an axial guidance pin for aligning the folding of said tapered bellows surfaces during compression.

26. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded surfaces have a thickness, a central portion and edges, each said tapered bellows contiguous folded surface being joined with adjacent folded surfaces at said edges.

27. The apparatus of Claim 26, wherein the thickness of each folded surface varies, the thickness being at a minimum in the central portion, and at a maximum at said edges.

28. The apparatus of Claim 26, wherein said tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded surfaces have an exterior and an interior, the thickness being disposed therebetween, the exterior of said surfaces comprising the exterior of said sealed air container and the interior of said surfaces comprising the interior of said sealed air container.

29. The apparatus of Claim 28, wherein said tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded exterior surfaces are provided with reinforcing fibers, said reinforcing fibers being circumferentially and adheringly wrapped about and attached to said exterior surfaces, said reinforcing fibers for providing dimensional and directional guidance to said tapered 9 bellows during compression.

30. The apparatus of Claim 24, having said inlet check valve, and said outlet check valve, said inlet check valve having an open position, a closed position, a flap capable of moving between the open and the closed position, and a weight disposed upon said flap for holding said flap in the closed position, said weight and said flap being movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of said pump module, and from the open to the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of said pump module.

31. The apparatus of Claim 24, having said inlet check valve and said outlet check valve, said inlet check valve having an open position, a closed position, a weight, and a ball-and-O-ring sealing means capable of moving between the open and the closed position, said weight for holding the O-ring sealing means in the closed position, said weight and O-ring sealing means being movable from the closed to the open position in response to mechanical agitation of said pump module and movable from the open to the closed position in response to gravity and the mechanical agitation of said pump module.

32. The apparatus of Claim 24, such that said plurality of contiguous adjacent folded surfaces comprise a tapered continuum of dimensional variation, wherein each said such folded surface has a cross sectional area, said folded surface comprising the first end having the smallest cross sectional area and each successive said folded surface therefrom having progressively larger cross sectional areas.

33. The apparatus of Claim 32, wherein said tapered bellows contiguous adjacent folded surfaces comprise a section which is dimensionally uniform and a section which is dimensionally tapered, further wherein a. said section which is dimensionally uniform and said section which is dimensionally tapered comprise said single sealed tapered bellows air container; b. said section which is dimensionally uniform has a uniform cross sectional area smaller than the cross sectional area of said dimensionally tapered section, and further where c. said dimensionally tapered section varies uniformly from a smallest cross sectional area to a largest cross sectional area, and further where d. said dimensionally tapered section is contiguous with said dimensionally uniform section such that said dimensionally tapered section is smoothly joined to said dimensionally uniform section, with the smallest cross sectional area of said dimensionally tapered section being disposed nearest to said dimensionally uniform section.

34. The device of Claim 18 further having a removable and replaceable said liquid module slidably and reciprocally movable within said attached upper and lower exterior housing parts, said interior surface of said housing guiding the slidable motion of said liquid module, said liquid module having a first end, a second end, at least one wall, and said weight detachably secured to said second end of said liquid module, said weight having a bore therethrough; the device further having a first tubular piercing connector inserted into and transversing said bore, said piercing connector for piercing said second end of said liquid module; and a first conduit disposed within said liquid module for conducting compressed air from said pump module to the interior of said liquid module; said first conduit being attached to said second end of said liquid module in positional register with said piercing connector; and a second conduit disposed within said liquid module, said second conduit being attached to the first end of said liquid module for conducting said liquid to be sprayed from said liquid module to said discharge valve; and a second tubular piercing connector for sealably piercing said liquid module in positional register on said second conduit; and further, a third conduit connecting said second tubular piercing connector with said discharge valve disposed in said upper part of said exterior housing of device thereby completing a pathway for the liquid to be sprayed, starting with said liquid module, proceeding to said second conduit, said second piercing connector, said third conduit and finally said discharge valve.

35. The apparatus of Claim 34, having a weight- operated bellows inlet check valve, comprising said driving weight, a relatively narrow, elongated connecting shaft, and a guidance pin, the connecting shaft being disposed between said driving weight and said guidance pin, said driving weight, connecting shaft and guidance pin comprising an integral compression unit capable of vertical sealing and unsealing motion, said driving weight being disposed in a top position, said connecting shaft being disposed in a medial position, and said guidance pin being disposed in a bottom position within and relative to said integral compression unit; said apparatus further having a soft seal mounted upon said connecting shaft by means of a vertical bore through said soft seal, said vertical bore sealably accepting insertion of said connecting shaft therethrough; said soft seal being in unmovable relationship said connecting shaft; said apparatus further having a hollow cylindrical bellows said mounting collar, mounting collar further having a top and a bottom, said top further comprising a beveled valve seat and said bottom having beveled notches, such that said soft seal is inertially urged into sealable contact with said beveled valve seat by said driving weight during said bellows compression stroke; said vertical sealing motion of said integral compression unit providing the compression stroke, said vertical sealing motion of said compression unit being relative to said mounting collar, said vertical unsealing motion of said compression unit comprising upward motion of said compression unit relative to said mounting collar; said weight operated bellows inlet check valve permitting ambient air to enter said bellows in response to said unsealing motion of said compression unit; and said weight operated bellows compressing air within the bellows in response to the sealing motion of said compression unit.

36. The apparatus in Claim 18, wherein said guide means for said weight comprises a plurality of telescoping cylinders, said cylinders having dimensional variation, which said cylinders nest into each other, and said piston being engagable with said weight.

37. The apparatus in Claim 1, wherein said guide means for said weight comprises a plurality of telescoping cylinders, said cylinders having dimensional variation, which said cylinders nest into each other, and said piston being engagable with said weight.

38. The apparatus in Claim 15, wherein said guide means for said weight comprises a plurality of telescoping cylinders, said cylinders having dimensional variation, which said cylinders nest into each other, and said piston being engagable with said weight.