US3804592A

US3804592A - Timed drop applicator

Info

Publication number: US3804592A
Application number: US00226686A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Garbe
Original assignee: Nilodor Co Inc
Current assignee: Nilodor Co Inc
Priority date: 1972-02-16
Filing date: 1972-02-16
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

Arrangements for dispensing liquid in droplet form at timed intervals from a receptacle defining a liquid reservoir. The receptacle includes openings at opposite ends thereof defined in part by integral externally threaded neck portions. One of the openings is employed to fill the receptacle and control the venting of the interior of the receptacle to atmosphere, thus to control stopping and starting of drop dispensing. The other of the openings is a dispensing opening including dispensing and timing means through which liquid in the receptacle is dispensed and by which the rate of drop dispensing is controlled. Absorbent material may be supported beneath the receptacle to receive drops dispensed therefrom to facilitate evaporation of the liquid, and fan means may be associated with the receptacle and absorbent material to further facilitate evaporation of the liquid and entrainment of odoriferous vapors from the liquid into the moving airstream caused by fan operation.

Description

United States Patent [191 Garbe 1 Apr. 16, 1974 [54] TIMED DROP APPLICATOR 75 Inventor: Siegfried Garbe, Canton, Ohio [73] Assignee: The Nilodor Company, Inc., North I Canton, Ohio 22 Filed: Feb. 16, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 226,686

' [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,026 10/1911 Forbes et al. 21/126 X 1,100,751 6/1914 Lindstrom 21/126 1,182,554 5/1916 Garvey 222/187 1,238,068 8/1917 Slater'et a1..... 21/74 R UX 1,273,682 7/1918 Slater et a1..... 21/125 X 1,349,703 8/1920' Williams 21/77 X 2,047,973 7/1936 Lawton et al.. 21/74 R UX 2,310,] 18 2/1943 Reinhardt... 21/74 R UX 2,520,056 8/1950 Pozun 222/420 X 2,614,820 10/1952 Boydjieff 21/74 R UX 2,991,517 7/1961 Bundy 21/74 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 849,201 9/1960 Great Britain 21 74 R 58] Field ofSearch... 2l/74R, 55,53,77, 121-127;

310,079 9/1955 Switzerland..... 21/53 Primary Examiner-Barry S. Richman Attorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry & Body 57 I ABSTRACT Arrangements for dispensing liquid in droplet form at timed intervals from a receptacle defining a liquid reservoir. The receptacle includes openings at opposite ends thereof defined in part by integral externally threaded neck portions. One of the openings is employed to fill the receptacle and control the venting of the interior of the receptacle to atmosphere, thus to control stopping and starting of drop dispensing. The other of the openings is a dispensing opening including dispensing and timing means through which liquid in the receptacle is dispensed and by which the rate of drop dispensing is controlled. Absorbent material may be supported beneath the receptacle to receive drops dispensed therefrom to facilitate evaporation of the liquid, and fan means may be associated with the receptacle and absorbent material to further facilitate evaporationof the liquid and entrainment of odoriferous vapors from the liquid into the moving airstream caused by fan operation.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures ?ATENTEDAPR 16 m4 SHEEI 1 BF 3 E l/IN M m PATENTEDAPR 16 1914 SL804; 592

sum 2 0F 3 w ww 21 ATENTEDAPR 1 6 l9?" SHEET 3 OF 3 MON OON MON mON m2 om NON AvON N2 #9 ww ,TIMED DROP APPLICATOR The present invention relates to the art of dispensing and, more particularly, to the dispensing of liquid in droplet form from a receptacle or reservoir.

In the dispensing of liquid in droplet form from a receptacle or reservoir it is often desirable to support the receptacle in a fixed disposition for the flow of liquid in droplet form therefrom to be achieved at timed intervals and over a considerable total period of time so that frequent observation of the dispensing operation is not required. For example, it is often desired to periodically dispense a drop of deoderizing liquid into a room or other enclosure or into sanitary equipment to maintain a pleasant aroma in the surrounding atmosphere. As another example, certain machinery and apparatus require periodic lubrication which advantageously can be provided at timed intervals by drop dispensing devices to eliminate the necessity that the machine or apparatus operator personally attend to the lubricating function each time it is required.

Drop applicator devices have, of course, been provided heretofore for the purpose of dispensing liquid in droplet form from a receptacle orreservoir. Generally, such devices include a reservoir or receptacle having an outlet opening provided withabsorbent' material such as a wick device to facilitate transfer of liquid from within the receptacle to a point of use exteriorly thereof. While such devices do operate to provide for the dispensing of liquid in droplet form. they do not fa cilitate the economical production and use of such devices for purposes including these specifically mentioned hereinabove. The economical production and use of such devices is of extreme importance when it is considered that several hundred such units might be required to control an odor problem of a single establishment involved in, for example, the poultry industry.

Thus, it is most desirable to provide a drop dispensing assembly which is economical to produce, is readily mountable in its use position and which, when mounted, can readily and easily be controlledjto initiate or stop a dispensing operation and which facilitates openings is a' dispensing opening including timing and dispensing means which in certain embodiments is defined by removable insert means through which the liquid is dispensed in droplet form and by which the rate of drop dispensing is controlled. Advantageously, in the latter embodiments, a variety of inserts can be associated selectively with the dispensing opening, thus to provide for selectively choosing or changing the rate of droplet flow from the receptacle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the neck means at opposite ends of the receptacle facilitate the mounting of the receptacle relative to a support surface in a position of use, whereby stopping or starting of the drop dispensing operation can be achieved simply by manipulation of the cap component, and whereby replenishing of the liquid supply in the receptacle can be achieved simply by removal of the cap component. Therefore, both of these functions can be achieved without removal of the receptacle from its support component. Moreover, where the timing and dispensing means is defined by insert means,

replenishment of the liquid supply when necessary and modification of the drop dispensing rate with a minimum of effort on the part of the user and most often without separation or removal of the device from its support. Further, it is desirable, especially in conjunction with the dispensing of liquid deoderant, to enhance evaporation of dispensed liquid so that deoderant vapors are more rapidly entrained in the surrounding atmosphere. v 1. u i

In accordance with the present invention, theforegoing advantages are achieved by providing dispensing arrangements including receptacles having structural features which facilitate the filling thereof with liquid to be dispensed, the rate at which liquid droplets are dispensed therefrom, installation and support of the receptacles and, dispersion of the liquid droplets dispensed therefrom. More particularly, with regard to one aspectofthe present invention, adispensing receptacle is provided having axially aligned openings therein each of which is defined in part by an externally threaded neck structure integral with the receptacle body. One of the openings is adapted to be employed to filla receptaclewith liquid and to receive a cap component operable to control the stopping and starting of drop dispensing from the receptacle. The other of the the latter can be changed most often while the receptacle is in the mounted disposition. v i

With regard to a narrower aspect of the present invention, the neck means associated with the dispensing outlet opening of the receptacle providesmeans by which absorbent material such as blotter paper or asbestos can be supported beneath the dispensing and timing means to receive and disburse liquid droplets dispensed from the receptacle. Dispersion of liquid droplets relative to the absorbent material advantageously facilitates evaporation of the liquid into the surrounding air. Still further, when the drop dispensing arrangement is employed in conjunction with a deoderizing function, the desired evaporation is advantageously supplemented by employing fan means to circulate ambient air relative to the absorbent material.

An outstanding object of the present inventionis the provision of drop dispensing means in which the ,components thereof are economical toproduce, lend to the ease of use of the arrangements and provide for more efficient control of drop dispensing functions than heretofore possible. r

l A further object is the provision of drop dispensing means of the" above character including receptacle Another object is the provision of dispensing means of the above character wherein the structure of the receptacle means facilitates the use therewith of interchangeable dispensing and timing means through which the liquid is dispensed and by which the time interval between drops is controlled.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of dispensing arrangements of the above character wherein the structure of the receptacle means facilitates the support thereby of absorbentmaterial onto which the liquid droplets are dispensed thus to facilitate evaporation of the liquid dispensed.

, Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of dispensing arrangements of the above character in which fanmeans is employed to circulate ambient air past the absorbent material to facilitate entrainment of liquid vapor into the ambient air.

These objects and others will in part be obvious and in part more fully pointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the description of the drawing in which:

FIG. I is an elevation view, partially in section, of drop dispensing receptacle means made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of timing and dispensing insert means employed with the receptacle means of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partially in section, of another embodiment of receptacle means within the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partially in section, of yet another embodiment of receptacle means within the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of receptacle means made in accordance with the present invention and illustrating a sheet of absorbent material supported thereby adjacent the dispensing outlet;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent material and means for attaching the material to a receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the receptacle means similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5 and further illustrates the receptacle means in the mounted disposition thereof;

FIG. 8'is a bottom view of the receptacle and mounting arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view illustrating the receptacle of FIG. 7 supported within an enclosure together with means for circulating ambient air through the enclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view, in section, of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 9, the section being taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detai wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, dispensing receptacle means 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 which is comprised of a cylindrical bodyportion 12 defined by side wall means 14 and end wall means 16 and 18 at opposite ends of side wall means 14. The receptacle means 10 is further defined by cylindrical neck means 20 at one end thereof and cylindrical neck means 22 at the other end thereof. Preferably, end-wall means 16 and 18 are integral with side wall means 14, and neck means 20 and 22 are integral with end wall means 16 and 18, respectively, whereby an integral receptacle unit is defined thereby. The receptacle unit may be produced from any suitable material, preferably a plastic material, and in the preferred embodiment the receptacle unit is produced from high density polyethylene. Moreover, the receptacle unit can be produced in any desired manner such as, for example, by blow molding.

Receptacle means 10 has opening means 24 in one end thereof defined in part by neck means 20 and opening means 26 in the other end thereof defined in part by neck means 22. Further, neck means 20 is provided with integral external thread means 28 and neck means 22 is provided with integral external thread means 30. Opening means 24 serves as an inlet opening through which liquid to be dispensed can be introduced into the receptacle means. Further, the latter opening is adapted to be closed'by closure or cap means 32 which is internally threaded for cooperable threaded engagement with thread means 28. Cap means 32, in a manner set forth more fully hereinafter, also defines means to stop and start the dispensing of liquid from receptacle means 10.

Neck means 22 includes a restricted outer end portion'34 which defines a bore 36 which is substantially uniform in cross-sectional dimension along the length thereof. Bore 36 is adapted to removably receive dispensing and timing insert means 38. As best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, insert means 38 is comprised of a sleeve component 40 and wick means 42 having one end 44 thereof disposed in sleeve 40 and the other end 46 thereof extending from the corresponding end of the sleeve. Wick means 42 may be defined by any suitable material and, preferably, is defined by cotton fibers interrelated with wire core means in a manner similar to that of a pipe cleaner. Sleeve 40 is substantially uniform in external cross-sectional contour along its length and is adapted to be tightly received in neck bore 36 so as to prevent unintended displacement of the sleeve relative to the'bore and to seal the area between the surface of the bore and the external surface of the sleeve. Further, wick means 42 and bore 48 of sleeve 40 are relatively dimensioned so that the end 44 of the wick means which is disposed in the sleeve is radially compressed thereby. The'extent to which wick means 42 is radially compressed determines the rate of flow of liquid along the wick means to outlet end 50 of sleeve 40. Accordingly, by having sleeve means 40 removably associated with neck bore 36 it is possible to provide a plurality of dispensing and timing insert means each having a sleeve 40 and wick means 42 and wherein the internal dimension of the sleeves are different to provide for different degrees of compression of the wick means, whereby different rates'of drop dispensing are obtained.

Sleeve 40 of dispensing and timing means 38 can be of any suitable material such as metal or plastic and, preferably, is cylindrical in cross-sectional configuration. Further, it is preferred that the end 52 of wick means 42 may be axially spaced inwardly of end 50 of sleeve 40 so that the end of the wick means adjacent the outlet end of the sleeve is not directly exposed to ambient air. This feature advantageously prevents end 52 of wick means 42 from becoming clogged during use such as would result from exposure of the wet end to ambient air if end 52 were disposed axially outwardly from sleeve end 50. Further, in this regard, it will be appreciated that the liquid being dispensed saturates the wick means whereby the exposed end of the 1 wick means would be wet during the period of time between the dispensing of successive drops. Exposure of the wet wick to ambient air can, depending on, the liquid being dispensed, cause a certain amount of the material to dry and adhere to the wick whereby eventually, the

wick becomes clogged and the dispensing function is either completely interrupted or is otherwise undesirably altered. By providing for end 52 of the wick to be spaced inwardly from end 50 of sleeve 40 such clogging is advantageously avoided even when the time period between the dispensing of successive drops is of considerable duration.

In operation of the dispensing unit illustrated in FIG. 1, cap means 32 is removed and the receptacle is filled to a desired level with the liquid to be dispensed therefrom. Cap means 32 is then replaced and is screwed into tight engagement with end face 21 of neck means 20. This tightly seals opening 24 against ingress of ambient air therethrough into the receptacle. Such sealing can be further assured, if desired, by the provision of a sealing gasket 33 within cap means 32. When cap means 32 has been screwed into tight engagement with the neck means 20, the receptacle unit can be disposed in its use position with neck means 22 extending downwardly and, because of the sealed relationship, dispensing of drops from the receptacle unit will not take place. A dispensing operation can be initiated by unscrewing cap means 32 to break the seal, whereby ambient air is vented into the receptacle behind the liquid therein. To facilitate such venting, thread means 28 may be interrupted such as is indicated at 29. The unpensing of liquid in drop form begins when the cap seal is broken. From that point on, liquid drops are dispensed from the receptacle at timed intervals determined, as mentioned hereinabove, by the relative dimensions of wick means 42 and bore 48 in sleeve 40. When itis desired to stop the' dispensing function, it is only necessary to screw cap means 32 into sealing en gagement with neck means 20. Further, when it is desired to replenish the liquid supply in the receptacle, it is only necessary to remove cap means 32 and introduce liquid into the receptacle through opening 24.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of dispensing receptacle means made in accordance with the present invention. In this respect, receptacle means 60 of suitable plastic material, preferably polyethylene, is illustrated which is comprised of cylindrical body portion 64 and end wall means 66 and 68 at opposite ends of body portion 64. Cylindrical neck means 70 extends axially'outwardly from end wall means 66 and cylindrical neck means 72 extends axially outwardly from end wall means 68. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, end

walls

66 and 68 preferably are integral with the corresponding ends of body portion 64, and neck means 70 and 72 preferably are integral with the

corresponding end walls

66 and 68. Y

Receptacle means 60 has an opening 74 at one end thereof defined in part by neck means 70 and an opening 76 in the other end thereof defined in part by neck means 72. In this embodiment,

openings

74 and 76 are substantially the same size and neck means 70 and 72 are substantially identical in diameter and in axial lengthrelative to the corresponding end wall of the receptacle. Moreover, neck means 70 is provided with integral external thread means 78 and neck means 72 is provided with integral external thread means80. Thread means 78 and 80 are also substantially identical. Further, neck means 70 and 72 are each provided with radially inwardly projecting annular lip means 82 and 84, respectively, for the purpose set forth more fully hereinafter. Thus, it will be appreciated that the receptacle means is provided with substantially identical opening and neck means at the opposite ends thereof. 7

Receptacle means 60 further includes removable dispensing and timing means 86 at one end thereof and cap means 88 at the other end thereof. Dispensing and timing means 86, in this embodiment, is defined by sleeve means 90 and wick means 92. Sleeve means 90 is in the form of a plug 94 adapted to be releasably interengaged with lip means 84 of neck means 72. In this respect, plug 94 includes an annular recess 96 adapted to receive lip means 84. Recess 96 isdefined in part by a radially outwardly extending flange '98 adapted to seat within the outer end of neck means 72 and against lip means 84. The configurations of recess 96, flange 98 and lip means 84 and the dimensional relationship therebetween is such that plug 94 is adapted to be snapped into place within neck means 72 in a manner whereby it is releasably retained therein and the engaging surfaces of the plug and neck means provide a seal against leakage of liquid therebetween. Plug 94 includes an axially extending bore 100 having a substantially uniform cross-sectional dimension along the length thereof, and the portionof wick means 92 disposed within bore 100 is radially compressed therein in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the relative dimensions of bore 100 and wick means 92- determine the rate at which liquid drops are dispensed from the receptacle. Wick means 92 preferably is a wire cored fiber material, and it will be appreciated that the wire core advantageously provides rigidity for the wick means to facilitate its axial introduction into bore 100. Further, for reasons hereinbefore set forth, end 102 of wick means 92 preferably is spaced inwardly from outlet 104 of plug 94. v

Cap means 88-is similar to cap means 32 described withreference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In this respect, the cap may be provided with'an internal sealing gasket 106 to facilitate sealing engagement thereof with the outer end of neck means 70. Further, thread means 78 and 80 at opposite ends of the receptacle may be interrupted in the manner described hereinabove to provide a vent passageway thereacross.

While dispensingand timing means 86 is illustrated as being interengaged with neck means 72, and cap means 88 is illustrated as being interengaged with neck means 70, it will be appreciated that by providing the receptacle means with identical opening and neck means at opposite ends thereof the dispensing and timing means and the cap means can advantageously be selectively employed at either end of the receptacle means. Moreover, the identical end structure feature provides for cap means such as cap means 88 to be provided on both ends of the receptacle to facilitate shipment or storage of the receptacle with liquid therein, if so desired. Accordingly, when it isdesired to use the receptacle it is only necessary to remove one or the other of the cap means and insert a dispensing and timing assembly into the corresponding neck means. The cap means at the other end of the receptacle then. provides for controlling the starting and stopping of a dispensing operation in the manner hereinabove described with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and for replenishing the liquid supply when necessary.

FIG. 4illustrates yet another embodiment of dispensing means in accordance with the present invention. In this respect, receptacle means 110 is illustrated which is comprised of a body portion 112 and endwall means 114 and ll6 at opposite ends of body portion 112. Neck means 118 having integral external thread means 120 thereon extends axially from end wall means 114.

tion 112. In this embodiment, neck means 124 defines an opening 126 which is substantially uniform in crosssectional dimension along the length of neck means 124. Accordingly, opening 126 defines a bore adapted to receive wick means 128 which is similar in structure to the wick means described hereinabove. In this instance, neck means 124 and wick means 128 define dispensing and timing means which are integral with the receptacle and which function in a manner similar to the dispensing and timing means described hereinabove' with regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3. In this respect, the relative dimensions of opening 126 and wick means 128 determines the extent to which the wick means is radially compressed within the opening and thus the time interval between the dispensing of successive drops of liquid from the receptacle. Stopping and starting of a dispensing operation and the filling or replenishing of the receptacle with liquid is achieved by cap means 119, illustrated by broken lines, adapted to be associated with neck means 118 in a manner similar to that described hereinabove with regard to the earlier embodiments. Receptacle means 110, as in the earlier embodiments is produced, preferably, from high density polyethylene.

Another feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6 of the drawing. In this respect, drop dispensing receptacle means 130 is illustrated as having absorbent means 132 supported relative thereto and in a position to receive drops dispensed from the outlet end 134 of the receptacle means. Receptacle means 130 may be any one of the receptacle means described hereinabove and, in this respect, includes cap means 136 at one end thereof and externally threaded neck means 138 at the end thereof from which liquid droplets are to be dispensed. Absorbent means 132 may be bent material undesirably provides for drops to collect along the peripheral edges thereof.

FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawing illustrate yet another feature of the present invention. In this respect, receptacle means 150 is illustrated having absorbent material 152 supported relative to the outlet end thereof in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the receptacle means is supported in its use position by bracket means 154 in the form of a C-shaped bracket having a base portion 156 and

leg portions

158 and 160 extending from opposite ends of base portion 156. Base portion 156 is adapted to be interconnected with support means 162 in any suitable manner such as, for example, by means of threaded fasteners 164. It will be appreciated, of course, that other fastening means, such as magnetic holding means for example, could readily be employed. Upper leg 158 of bracket means 154 is provided with a cylindrical opening 166 through which the cap means and corresponding neck means of the receptacle is adapted to project. Bottom leg means 160 is provided with an arcuate recess 168 having an entrance thereinto from the front end of leg 160, which entrance is defined by outwardly diverging side portions 170. Recess 168 has an arcuate contour for an extent of more than 180 whereby a throat is defined by I the space between points 172 at which the arcuate line of any desired configuration and material and, preferably, is in the form of a sheet of heavy gauge blotter paper or asbestos sheeting. Further, the absorbent material may be supported relative to the receptacle means in any desired manner and, preferably, is suspended from neck means 138 by coil spring means 140 having one end 142 thereof interengaged with threaded neck means 138 of the receptacle and the other end 144 thereof engaged under the sheet material. For the latter purpose, the sheet of absorbent material is provided with an opening 146 positioned generally centrally thereof to facilitate threading of the correspond- .ing end convolution of the spring through the sheet material. The thread on neck 138 of the receptacle advantageously provides for assembling and retaining spring 140 in place relative to. the receptacle and, accordingly, it will be appreciated that the threads on the necks of all of the embodiments of receptacles herein described facilitate the attachment of absorbent material to the corresponding receptacle unit. The absorbent material advantageously provides for dispersing or spreading a liquid drop dispensed thereonto, whereby evaporation of the liquid is enhanced. This feature is of particular importance when the drop dispensing means is employed to provide a deoderizing function in an enclosure such as a roompMoreover, suspending of the absorbent material at a point generally centrally thereof is preferred in that such support advantageously prevents upward distortion of the center area of the material such as would occur if the material were perimetrally supported. Such upward distortion of the absorof the recess engages the corresponding side portion 170. The diameter of the arcuate portion of recess 168 is substantially equal to the diameter of the neck means of the receptacle adjacent the corresponding end wall of the receptacle, and the distance between points 172 is slightly less than the diameter of the neck means. Thus a throat area or restriction is defined past which the neck means must be forced to achieve entry of the neck means into recess 168. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that this structure provides for snap fitting the corresponding neck means of the receptacle into place relative to the bracket means. The bracket and receptacle structures accordingly cooperate to provide for absorbent means 152 to be applied to the neck means of the receptacle, for the receptacle to be filled and for the mounting of the receptacle unit in its use position to be achieved simply by inserting the cap end of the receptacle upwardly through opening 166 and then pressing the neck means at the lower end of the receptacle into position in recess 168. Further, the structural relationship between the receptacle and bracket provides for the cap means at the upper end of the receptacle to be exposed when the receptacle is in its mounted position whereby stopping and starting of a dispensing function and the replenishing of the receptacle with liquid is readily achieved simply by manipulating or removing the cap means and without disturbing the mounted disposition of the receptacle unit. Moreover, the timing and dispensing insert means, where applicable, can readily be changed without removal of the receptacle from the bracket.

FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawing illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein receptacle means which may be of the character of any of the receptacle means hereinabove described is supported together with absorbent means 182. by bracket means 184 within housing and support means including housing or enclosure means 186. The use of housing means is advantageous in situations where it is desired to provide for the dispensing assembly to present an attractive appearance. Further, the housing and support means provides for the dispenser assembly to be pro vided with air circulating means such as fan means 188 which is disposed in the housing or enclosure means and is operable to draw ambient air into the housing means and past absorbent means 182 and thence outwardly into the room or enclosure in which the assembly is disposed. The housing may be of any suitable structural configuration and material and, preferably,

includes front wall means 190, sidewall means 192 and 194, top wall means 196 and bottom wall means 198. Wall means 190, 192, 194, 196 and 198 preferably are suitably interconnected with one another to define a unitary structure. Further, the housing and support means includes support means which, in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form of support plate means 200 which is adapted to be mounted on support surface means 201, such as a wall or the like, by means such as threaded fasteners 203. Moreover, bottom wall means 198 may be provided with support means such as is defined by foot components 202 to provide for the assembly to rest on a horizontal surface as opposed to being mounted. on a vertical surface. Preferably, bracket means'184 and fan means 188 are suitably attached to support plate means 200, and the latter is provided with flange means 205 to'removably support the unitary housing or enclosure structure. It will be appreciated, however, that bracket means 184 may be attached to support means 201 in a manner similar to that describedin conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, and that the housing means may be separately attached to support means 201 or suitably supported by the bracket means. Further, it will be appreciated, that the fan means may also be separately attached to sup port means 201 if so desired. In any event, the fan means will be positioned relative to the dispensing unit in a manner whereby operation of the fan means causes ambient air to flow past absorbent means 182.

Fan means 188 may be of any suitable design and structure and in the embodiment illustrated includes electric motor means 204 adapted to be connected by means of lead 207 to any suitable electric power supply, not illustrated. Fan means 188 further includes blade means 206 driven by the motor to cause air circulation. Preferably, ambient air is drawn into the housing inadirection which is lateral to front wall means 90 and is exhausted from the housing through the front wall. In this respect, sidewall means 192 and l94 may be provided with a plurality of suitable

air inlet openings

208 and 210, respectively, and front wall 190 may be provided with a plurality of air outlet openings 212 in front of blade means 206. It will be appreciated, of course, that wall means 196 could also be provided with air inlet openings and that suchopenings could function aloneor togetherwith

openings

208 and 210 in wall means 192 and 194. Still further, it will be appreciated that air circulating means 188 could be positioned relative to the receptacle means 180 and the inlet and outletopenings in the housing in a manner whereby the fan would blow air past the absorbent material as opposed to inducing air flow therepast in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The desired flow pattern for air circulated by the blower advantageously provides for deoderant vapors rising from the surface of absorbent means 182 to be entrained in the airstream and carried thereby in a direction which is transverse to that of the incoming air, thus to create a circulating air pattern to avoid the intake of air which has recently been treated. This air circulating effect may be supplemented by providing for the inlet openings 208'and 210 to be disposed adjacent the upper end of the housing and for the outlet openings 212 to be disposed adjacent the lower end of the housing, whereby maximum separation of theinlet and outlet openings relative to the housing is achieved.

As many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made and as many possible changes may be made in the embodiments herein illustrated, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing description of preferred embodiments is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

I claim:

1. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, a receptacle for liquid to be dispensed, said receptacle including opening means, means associated with said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet form from said receptacle, a generally planar sheet of absorbent material transverse to and spaced from said open ing means to receive liquid drops dispensed from said receptacle, and support means having opposite ends interconnected one with said receptacle and the other with said sheet and at a point generally centrally thereof to support said sheet in suspension relative to said receptacle.

2. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, and said support means is a coil spring, said one of said opposite ends of said coil spring being interconnected with said neck means. 3. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, said opening means isa bore in said neck means and substantially uniform in cross section along its length and said means associated with said opening means is wick rneans radially compressed in said bore. v

4. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said receptacle includes second opening means and neck means defining said second opening means, and closure means removably interengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent and seal the interior of said receptaclev relative to atmosphere, said closure means being removable from said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid intosaid receptacle through said secondopening means.

5. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes opposite ends and second opening means, said opening means and second opening means each being :in one of said opposite ends, said opposite ends each including neck means defining the corresponding one of said opening means and second opening means, and said one of said opposite ends of said support means being interconnected with the neck means defining said opening means.

6. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 5, and mounting bracket means for said receptacle, said mounting bracket means including a pair of leg members supported in spaced apart relationship to receive said opposite ends of said receptacle therebetween, each of said leg members including means interengagable with the neck means on the corresponding end of said receptacle to retain said receptacle in place with respect to said bracket means.

7. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said means interengagable with said neck means includes an aperture in one of said leg members for the corresponding neck means and a recess in the other of said leg members, said recess opening to an edge of said other leg member and having a restricted entrance for passage of the corresponding neck means into said recess.

8. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said means associated with said opening means is dispensing and timing means including sleeve means releasably interengaged with said opening means and wick means disposed in said sleeve means, said sleeve means having a bore of uniform cross section along its length, and said wick means being radially compressed within said bore to provide a desired rate of drop dispensing from said receptacle.

9. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said receptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, said sleeve means of said dispensing and timing means and the inner surface of said neck means including releasably interengagable rib and groove means.

10. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, whereinsaid sleeve means of said dispensing and timing means is a cylindrical sleeve of uniform external diameter and said opening means includes a cylindrical bore of substantially uniform diameter, said diameters of said sleeve and bore being dimensioned for said sleeve to frictionally and sealingly engage said bore.

11. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said receptacle includes second openingmeans andneck means defining said second opening means, and closure means removably interengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent and seal the interior of said receptacle relative to atmosphere, said closure means being removablefrom said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle through said second opening means.

12. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, and fan means for circulating ambient air relative to said sheet for vapors from said liquid drops to beentrained in said ambient air.

13. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, and enclosure means for said receptacle and sheet, said enclosure means including inlet and outlet opening means for circulation of ambient air through said enclosure means by said fan means, said sheet being disposed in the path of ambient air flowing between said inlet and outlet opening means.

14. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said fan means is disposed in said enclosure means between said sheet and one of said inlet and outlet opening means.

15. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said inlet and outlet opening means have-angularly related axes.

16. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said enclosure means includes front wall means and side wall means, said inlet opening means being in said side wall means and said outlet opening means being in said front wall means.

17. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, non-metallic receptacle means for liquid to be dispensed and having a body portion and opposite ends integral with said body portion, said receptacle means including first and second opening means in said opposite ends each defined by neckmeans integral with and extending axially outwardly from the corresponding end, means associated with one of said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet form from said receptacle means, the neck means defining the other of said opening means being externally threaded to removably receive internally threaded closure means cooperable with said latter neck means to selectively vent or seal the interior of said receptacle means relative to atmosphere to control stopping or starting of dispensing and removable from said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle means through said other opening means,- a sheet of absorbent material supported by said receptacle means in externally spaced relationship with respect to said one opening means to receive liquid drops dispensed from said receptacle means, the plane of said sheet being disposed transverse to the axis of said one opening means, and said sheet being supported relative to said receptacle means by coil spring means having opposite ends interconnected one with the neck means defining said one of said opening means and the other with said sheet.

18. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 17, whereinsaid first and secondopenings are disposed in axial alignment with one another.

Claims

1. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, a receptacle for liquid to be dispensed, said receptacle including opening means, means associated with said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet form from said receptacle, a generally planar sheet of absorbent material transverse to and spaced from said opening means to receive liquid drops dispensed from said receptacle, and support means having opposite ends interconnected one with said receptacle and the other with said sheet and at a point generally centrally thereof to support said sheet in suspension relative to said receptacle.

2. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, and said support means is a coil spring, said one of said opposite ends of said coil spring being interconnected with said neck means.

3. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, said opening means is a bore in said neck means and substantially uniform in cross section along its length, and said means associated with said opening means is wick means radially compressed in said bore.

4. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said receptacle includes second opening means and neck means defining said second opening means, and closure means removably interengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent and seal the interior of said receptacle relative to atmosphere, said closure means being removable from said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle through said second opening means.

5. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes opposite ends and second opening means, said opening means and second opening means each being in one of said opposite ends, said opposite ends each including neck means defining the corresponding one of said opening means and second opening means, and said one of Said opposite ends of said support means being interconnected with the neck means defining said opening means.

10. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said sleeve means of said dispensing and timing means is a cylindrical sleeve of uniform external diameter and said opening means includes a cylindrical bore of substantially uniform diameter, said diameters of said sleeve and bore being dimensioned for said sleeve to frictionally and sealingly engage said bore.

11. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said receptacle includes second opening means and neck means defining said second opening means, and closure means removably interengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent and seal the interior of said receptacle relative to atmosphere, said closure means being removable from said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle through said second opening means.

12. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, and fan means for circulating ambient air relative to said sheet for vapors from said liquid drops to be entrained in said ambient air.

15. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said inlet and outlet opening means have angularly related axes.

17. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, non-metallic receptacle means for liquid to be dispensed and having a body portion and opposite ends integral with said body portion, said receptacle means including first and second opening means in said opposite ends each defined by neck means integral wiTh and extending axially outwardly from the corresponding end, means associated with one of said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet form from said receptacle means, the neck means defining the other of said opening means being externally threaded to removably receive internally threaded closure means cooperable with said latter neck means to selectively vent or seal the interior of said receptacle means relative to atmosphere to control stopping or starting of dispensing and removable from said latter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle means through said other opening means, a sheet of absorbent material supported by said receptacle means in externally spaced relationship with respect to said one opening means to receive liquid drops dispensed from said receptacle means, the plane of said sheet being disposed transverse to the axis of said one opening means, and said sheet being supported relative to said receptacle means by coil spring means having opposite ends interconnected one with the neck means defining said one of said opening means and the other with said sheet.

18. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 17, wherein said first and second openings are disposed in axial alignment with one another.