Automatic spray dispenser with integrated test apparatus

Abstract

Automatic aerosol spray apparatus which contains an aerosol container with a mechanically actuated spray valve, includes a drive motor for driving a mechanism which actuates the valve at regular intervals each initiated by a relatively brief motor drive cycle during which the motor is energized fist through a timer circuit and then through a motor drive switch is improved by light actuated testing apparatus integrated therewith. The testing apparatus includes a light actuated photocell which produces an electrical output for controlling a test switch electrically connected in parallel with the motor drive switch so that the spray apparatus is tested by illuminating the photocell causing the motor to drive through a cycle and actuate the aerosol spray. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is energized by a battery and a battery test circuit is connected to the battery and also to a battery test indicator which is activated by the test switch. Thus, by illuminating the photocell, the spray apparatus is actuated and the battery test indicator is operated for observation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. In automatic spray apparatus for use with an aerosol container having a .[.metering.]. valve mechanism which includes a spray valve moveable to an operative position to release a spray burst of material from the container at regular intervals, an electrical .[.motor.]. drive .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for cyclically moving the spray valve to the operative position, a source of electrical energy for the drive .Iadd.means .Iaddend..[.motor, a motor switch actuated by the motor drive for coupling the source to the motor during a portion of the motor drive cycle.]. and a timer .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for controlling energization of the .[.motor.]. .Iadd.drive means at regular intervals, the improvement comprising a system .Iaddend..[., means.]. for testing said apparatus .Iadd.and .Iaddend.comprising, a light actuated photocell producing an electrical output, and   .Iadd.means, .Iaddend..[.a test switch in parallel with the motor switch.]. controlled by the photocell output, .Iadd.for energizing said electrical drive means to cause said spray valve to move to an operative position, .Iaddend.   whereby .Iadd.the apparatus which may be located in an out-of-reach location, may be tested for operativeness by illuminating the photocell, as with a flashlight, to cause the drive means to move .Iaddend..[.illumination of the photocell causes the motor to drive through a cycle moving.]. the spray valve to the operative position.   
     
     
       2. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein, the photocell output causes the test switch to close, energizing the .Iadd.drive means for as .Iaddend..[.motor for so.]. long as the photocell is illuminated. 
     
     
       3. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein, the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor drive cycle is a fraction of the regular interval, the motor.]. is energized through the .Iadd.drive .Iaddend..[.motor.]. switch during a fraction of the .[.motor.]. drive cycle, and the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. is energized through the timer .Iadd.means .Iaddend..[.circuit.]. during a fraction of the .[.motor.]. drive cycle. 
     
     
       4. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 3 wherein, testing by illuminating the photocell can be commenced before or after a .[.motor.]. drive cycle. 
     
     
       5. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 4 wherein, the timer .Iadd.means .Iaddend.operation schedules the regular intervals and the .[.motor.]. drive cycles, and said timer schedules are not altered by said testing. 
     
     
       6. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein, the source is a battery, the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. has two input terminals, one terminal of the battery connects directly to one terminal of the .Iadd.drive means .[.motor.]., the other terminal of the battery connects to a common voltage point, and the test switch connects the other terminal of the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. to the common voltage point when the photocell is illuminated. 
     
     
       7. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 6 wherein, the other terminal of the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. connects to the common voltage point through the .Iadd.drive .Iaddend..[.motor.]. switch or through the test switch or through the timer .Iadd.means .Iaddend..[.circuit.].. 
     
     
       8. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein, at least part of the apparatus is contained in a housing and the other terminal of the battery is grounded to the housing, whereby the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. is energized by connection of the other terminal thereof to ground through the .Iadd.drive .Iaddend..[.motor.]. switch or the test switch or through the timer .Iadd.means .Iaddend..[.circuit.].. 
     
     
       9. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim .[.1.]..Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein, the source is a battery, the .Iadd.drive means .Iaddend..[.motor.]. test circuit is electrically coupled to the battery, a battery test indicator is coupled to the battery test circuit, and energization of the battery test indicator is controlled by the test switch. 
     
     
       10. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 9 and further including, a counter .[.driven by the motor.]. for counting .[.motor.]. drive cycles, and a container indicator coupled to the output of the counter, whereby the container indicator is actuated when a predetermined number of .[.motor.]. drive cycles .Iadd.is .Iaddend..[.are.]. counted. .Iadd.11. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, said automatic spray apparatus includes a drive switch actuated by the drive means for coupling the source to the drive means during a portion of the drive cycle, and said energizing means includes a test switch in parallel with the drive switch. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. Automatic spray apparatus as in claim 1 and further including, a counter means for counting drive cycles, and a container indicator coupled to the output of said counter means, whereby the container indicator is actuated when a predetermined number of drive cycles is counted. .Iaddend.