Overcap and system for spraying a fluid

Abstract

A volatile material dispensing system includes a housing retaining a container having a tilt-activated valve stem. A displacement member is disposed on the tilt-activated valve stem. A drive unit is disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a gear mechanically associated with an actuating cam mounted on a transfer shaft to displace the displacement member. The transfer shaft is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. The actuating cam rotates in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A volatile material-dispensing system, comprising:
 a housing retaining a container having a tilt-activated valve stem;   a displacement member disposed on the tilt-activated valve stem; and   a drive unit disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a gear mechanically associated with an actuating cam mounted on a transfer shaft to displace the displacement member, wherein the transfer shaft is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, and wherein the actuating cam rotates in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanically associated gear is integral with the actuating cam. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  further including a timer. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  further including a manual pushbutton. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  including at least one sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a motion sensor, a photocell sensor, a vibration sensor, a heat sensor, or an odor sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein a flange extends radially from the displacement member. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing system of  claim 7 , wherein the flange is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  further including a discharge orifice within an upper surface of the housing, wherein the discharge orifice is in fluid communication with an end of the displacement member. 
     
     
         10 . A volatile material dispensing system, comprising:
 a housing retaining a container having a tilt-activated valve stem; and   a drive motor disposed within the housing, wherein the drive motor is in mechanical communication with a gear, and wherein the gear is mechanically associated with a cam mounted on a transfer shaft,   wherein the transfer shaft is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, and   wherein the cam rotates in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem.   
     
     
         11 . The dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanically associated gear is integral with the cam.