Background of the Invention The subject invention is directed to the art of dispensing systems and, more particularly, to a holster apparatus or device for operatively securing a pouch containing paint or other liquid to a container of pressurized propellant. The paint or other liquid in the pouch is entrained in the propellant released from the container. The new holster apparatus provides a convenient and easy-to-use means for retaining the liquid-containing pouch in a secure manner and, in certain embodiments, at least partially encloses the pouch in a rigid housing to protect the pouch and prevent the accidental application of pressure to the flexible sidewalls thereof. This would result in liquid being undesirably forced from the pouch in an uncontrolled manner.

Collapsible bags or pouches used for storing and dispensing paint or other liquids are broadly known. U. S.

Patent No. 5, 622, 283, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference, relates to a dispensing system wherein paint or other liquid is stored in a flexible pouch and is dispensed as needed through an associated fitment. Such pouches containing paint are commercially available from The Testor Corporation, Rockford, Illinois 61104.

In painting and other applications, it is often desired to dispense paint or other liquid from a pouch in aerosol form. The aforementioned U. S. Patent No. 5, 622, 283 discloses one apparatus for operatively securing a paint pouch to a specially configured container of pressurized

propellant so that liquid in the pouch is dispensed therefrom and entrained into a stream of propellant released from the specially configured container. While this prior apparatus has been found to be generally effective, it is integrally connected to or forms a one- piece construction with the container of pressurized air, i. e., the paint pouch cannot be operatively secured to a conventional container of pressurized propellant which does not incorporate the disclosed pouch securing assembly.

Also, this prior apparatus secures only the pouch fitment, and does not encase or otherwise secure and protect the pouch itself. The unsecured pouch is thus subject to swinging and other movement relative to the container, and a user may accidentally apply pressure to the pouch walls which results in paint being unintentionally forced from the pouch in an uncontrolled manner.

Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to develop a holster apparatus for operatively securing a liquid-containing pouch to a conventional container of pressurized propellant such as is commonly supplied in the form of a cylindrical spray"can"without requiring the container to include specialized means for operatively securing the pouch. It has further been deemed desirable to develop a holster apparatus for securing a paint or other liquid-containing pouch to a conventional container of pressurized propellant in a manner such that the pouch is at least partially encased in a rigid housing to prevent accidental application of pressure to the pouch and to prevent swinging or other uncontrolled pouch movement.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, a holster apparatus for operatively securing a liquid- containing pouch to a container of pressurized propellant is provided.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a device adapted for securing an associated liquid-containing pouch to an associated container of propellant includes a support base adapted for selective releasable connection to an associated container of propellant. A retainer is connected to the support base and is adapted for securing a fitment of an associated liquid-containing pouch in a fixed position relative to the support base so that a liquid outlet of the fitment is placed in a select operative position relative to a propellant outlet of the associated container. In this manner, a stream of propellant discharged from the associated container flows past the liquid outlet of the fitment and draws liquid out of the associated pouch so that the withdrawn liquid is entrained in the propellant stream.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device adapted for operatively securing an associated pouch to an associated container of propellant for purposes of dispensing liquid from the associated pouch includes a base adapted for releasable securement to an associated container of propellant, and fitment retaining means connected to the base. The fitment retaining means is adapted for receiving a fitment of an associated pouch and retaining same in a position wherein a liquid outlet in the fitment is operatively positioned relative to a propellant outlet of the associated container. Thus, propellant released from the container flows over the liquid outlet of the fitment and causes liquid to be withdrawn from the pouch and entrained in the propellant stream.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a stream of

propellant including liquid entrained therein includes operatively connecting a liquid-containing pouch to a source of propellant so that a liquid outlet of the pouch is placed in a select operative position relative to a propellant outlet of the source. When the liquid outlet of the pouch is operatively positioned, a stream of propellant exiting the propellant outlet flows over the liquid outlet of the pouch. A flexible portion of the pouch is placed in a hollow region defined in a protective housing that is also connected to the source of propellant so that the flexible portion of the pouch is at least partially encased by the protective housing. A stream of propellant is passed out of said propellant outlet so that liquid from the pouch is drawn out of the pouch and entrained in the stream of propellant.

A principal advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a new and improved holster apparatus for operatively connecting a liquid-containing pouch to a conventional container of pressurized propellant in a convenient, easy-to-use and secure manner.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the provision of a holster apparatus for a liquid-containing pouch that protects and prevents the application of undesired pressure to the pouch without unduly restricting or complicating access to the pouch receptacle or a pouch placed therein.

Still another advantage of the invention is the provision of a holster apparatus adapted to operatively secure a liquid-containing pouch to a conventional container of pressurized propellant.

Yet another advantage of the invention is found in the provision of an apparatus that secures a liquid- containing pouch in operative association with a container of pressurized propellant and prevents undesired movement

of the pouch relative to the container.

Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention may take physical form in certain components and arrangements of components, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein : FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a holster apparatus formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention as used to operatively connect a liquid-containing pouch to a container of pressurized propellant ; FIGURE 2A is a perspective view of second embodiment of a holster apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention ; FIGURE 2B is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a holster apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention ; FIGURES 3A and 3B are perspective views each illustrating a holster apparatus formed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention ; FIGURE 3C is a perspective view of the holster apparatus of FIGS. 3A and 3B in the open position to facilitate ease of loading and unloading a liquid- containing pouch ; and, FIGURE 3D is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a holster apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating an alternative means of covering and protecting a pouch.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIGURE 1 shows a pouch holster A formed in accordance with the present invention secured to a container of pressurized propellant B. As shown, the container B comprises a conventional cylindrical spray "can"including a cap and/or valve structure C as is generally known. Accordingly, the container itself is shown in broken lines for ease of appreciation and understanding the invention. Propellant is released from the container B when the cap/valve C or a portion thereof is depressed or otherwise manipulated to an open position.

The propellant is exhausted from the container B in the form of a high-velocity stream through the cap outlet orifice D. The container B may be provided in a wide variety of shapes and sizes having a wide variety of cap/valve structures C with any suitable pressurized propellant contained therein.

The subject holster apparatus A comprises an annular support base 10 made of molded plastic or other suitable conventional material, and is adapted for selective releasable connection to the container B by insertion over the container cap C so that the container is received in and encircled by the annular support base 10.

As illustrated herein, the container B is cylindrical, so the support base 10 is annular. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the support base 10 may be formed in any of a wide variety of configurations that correspond to the shape of a container of propellant without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention. Also, the base 10 need not encircle or otherwise completely enclose the container B. Preferably, however, the base extends at least substantially around the

container periphery for secure engagement therewith.

The support base 10 frictionally engages the container B, but preferably also engages a crimped shoulder or other protuberance on the container with a snap-fit.

This, then, allows the axial position of the holster A on the container B to be reliably predicted, i. e., the holster A is prevented from further downward movement (movement toward the end of the container opposite the cap C) past the shoulder or other protuberance so that the holster A is always fixed in the illustrated operative position when installed on a container B.

The holster A further includes means adapted for engaging and retaining a liquid-containing pouch E, such as the pouch described in the aforementioned'283 patent. The pouch E also does not form a part of the present invention but is fully illustrated in the drawings for ease of understanding and appreciating the present invention. The pouch E includes a valve or fitment F projecting outwardly therefrom. Fitment F includes an outlet bore formed therethrough in fluid communication with the pouch interior and open to the pouch exterior through a spray-tip outlet orifice or aperture G. Alternatively, the spray-tip outlet orifice G may be formed in a separate tip member that is selectively connected to the fitment F in fluid communication therewith. The holster A is provided with means adapted for engaging the pouch fitment F and releasably retaining the fitment in an operative dispensing position. There, the fitment outlet orifice G is positioned relative to the propellant outlet D so that propellant released from the container B flows over the fitment outlet orifice G and causes liquid to be drawn from the pouch E and entrained in the stream of exhausted propellant.

The means for engaging and operatively retaining the fitment F may be advantageously provided by any

suitable clips, retainers, or the like. As shown herein, the support base 10 has first and second fingers 20a, 20b projecting outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the fingers 20a, 20b are molded or otherwise formed as a one-piece construction with the support base 10, and are resiliently biased inwardly toward each other so that a fitment receiving groove 22 (FIG. 3D) is defined therebetween. In this manner, a fitment F placed in the groove 22 is frictionally engaged between the fingers 20a, 20b and fixed in the groove.

With respect to the pouch holster A shown in FIGURE 1, the frictional engagement of the fitment F between the fingers 20a, 20b is entirely sufficient to retain the pouch E in the operative position. The pouch E hangs from the pouch holster A and is permitted to move during use as indicated by the arrow H and the broken lines E'.

While pouch movement is acceptable in certain applications, other applications require that the pouch be secured against movement and be at least partially enclosed or shielded during use. FIGURE 2A illustrates an alternative pouch holster A'formed in accordance with the present invention and designed to prevent pouch movement and to protect the pouch during use. For ease of appreciating this alternative, like components relative to those shown in FIGURE 1 are identified with like reference numbers including a primed (') suffix and new components are identified with new reference numbers.

The pouch holster A'is the same in all respects to the pouch holster A, but further includes means adapted for supporting and preventing undesired movement of a liquid-containing pouch E. The pouch holster A'comprises a partially open pouch pocket or receptacle 30 that receives and retains a pouch E therein when the pouch fitment F is engaged by the fingers 20a',20b'. Preferably,

the pouch receptacle 30 is only slightly larger than the pouch E to minimize movement of the pouch in the receptacle 30. In addition to preventing swinging and twisting of the pouch, the pouch receptacle 30 also at least partially encases or encloses the pouch E so that the pouch is shielded from undesired inadvertent application of pressure thereto.

The pouch receptacle 30 is preferably formed as a one-piece construction with the support base 10'and is connected thereto via first and second support arms 32a, 32b. The pouch receptacle 30 comprises first and second outer face members 34a, 34b separated by a central, vertically oriented finger-access groove 36. The finger- access groove 36 facilitates manual insertion of a pouch into and the manual extraction of a pouch out of the receptacle 30.

FIGURE 2B illustrates a pouch holster A"which is a modification of the pouch holster A'. Like components relative to the pouch holster A'are identified with like reference numbers including a double-primed ('') suffix, while new components are identified with new reference numbers. The pouch holster A"is identical in all respects to the holster A', but includes a modified pouch receptacle 30"having a single continuous outer face member 34"with dual finger-access openings 36a", 36b" formed therein at its opposite lateral sides thereof. The outer face member 34"provides even more protection for the pouch E relative to the protection afforded by the holster A', while the laterally oriented finger-access openings 36a", 36b"facilitate manual insertion and removal of the pouch into and out of the receptacle 30''.

FIGURE 3A shows another alternative pouch holster A... formed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Like components relative to the pouch holster Avare identified with like reference numbers

including a triple-primed (''') suffix and new components are identified with new reference numbers.

The pouch holster A"'is the same in all respects as the pouch holsters A',A'', but uses a pouch receptacle 30"'including an outer face member 34''' adapted for at least substantially completely covering the pouch E. The rigid outer face member 34"'is movably connected to the first and second support arms 32a"', 32b"' (FIGURE 3C) to provide selective access to the interior of the pouch receptacle 30''' for purposes of placing a pouch E therein or removing it therefrom. The outer face member 34"'includes a fitment accommodating opening or notch 38 therein so that the fitment F of the pouch E does not interfere with the outer face member 34''' when it is in the closed, operative position illustrated.

FIGURES 3B and 3C illustrates the pouch holster A'''including a hinge assembly 40 interconnecting the outer face member 34"'to the support base 10"'by way of the support arms 32a''',32b'''. The outer face member 34"'is thus pivotally connected to the support base 10''' and pivots between a closed position (FIGURES 3A and 3B) at least substantially covering a pouch E placed in the receptacle 30"'and an open position (FIGURE 3C) to facilitate loading and unloading of a pouch E into and out of the receptacle 30'''. The pivoting of the outer face member 34"'for this purpose is indicated by the arrow H.

The outer face member 34"'optionally comprises at least one tab or other member 42a, 42b (FIGURE 3B) projecting outwardly therefrom for facilitating its movement about the hinge assembly 40 by a user.

FIGURE 3D illustrates a pouch holster 2A"'which is similar to the pouch holster A''' but includes an alternative means for covering a pouch E. Like components relative to the holster A'''are identified by like reference numerals 200 greater than those numerals used in

FIGURES 3A-3C, while new components are identified by new reference numerals.

The outer face member 234"'slidably engages support arms 232a''',232b''' so that it is selectively slidable vertically between a closed position at least substantially covering a pouch E placed in the receptacle 230"'and an open position as illustrated for placement of a pouch E in or removal of a pouch from the receptacle 230'''. The outer face member 234"'includes opposite lateral edges 52a, 52b which are adapted for engagement with grooves formed in the support arms 232a"', 232b"', respectively. Accordingly, the outer face member 234"'is slidable between its open and closed positions as indicated by the arrow I. A detent or other latch mechanism (not shown) advantageously secures the outer face member 234''' in the closed position.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.