JP2019533615 | Dye supply system |
JP2006050937 | APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING SOUPS |
US6783037B1 | 2004-08-31 |
I Claim:
1. An improved fluid dispenser comprising:
a spray actuating means configured to reversibly
engage with an elongate conduit through an
attachment means;
said elongate conduit configured to reversibly
engage with said spray actuating means through
said attachment means and having a proximate
end, a distal end, and a medial segment, where
said proximate end is configured to reversibly
engage with said actuating means so as to form
a fluid seal during engagement, where said
distal end is configured to allow free transit
of some fluid contained therein, and where said
medial segment is characterized by a plurality
of corrugated, flexible segments working in
combination to allow relative movement between
said proximate end and said distal end; and
said attachment means comprising one or members each
configured to receive and hold a protruding
head about the proximate end of said elongate
conduit and further configured to reversibly engage a recess within said spray actuating
means. |
APPLICATION UNDER THE PATENT
COOPERATION TREATY
TITLE: IMPROVED AEROSOL VALVE
INVENTOR: WALKER, Johnny
CITATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION
This is a CONTINUATION with respect to U.S.
Application, Serial No. 10/966,346, filed 15 OCTOBER 2004
(15.10.2004) from which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C.
ยง120 and under provisions of the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to the field of aerosol
sprays, such as are used in lubricant oils, air fresheners,
hair sprays, paints, foam cleaners, and compressed air.
2. Background Information
Aerosols are an integral part of our everyday lives
and are a useful way to deliver paint, insecticide,
lubricant oil, air freshener, hair products, foam
cleansers, perfumes, or compressed air. Aerosols typically
work by delivering a liquefied propellant or a compressed
gas in the form of a spray. These sprays can be composed of
small, medium, or large droplets, depending upon the
function of the aerosol.
The product to be delivered in the form of a spray-
typically travels up a "dip tube" into the "valve housing."
There is it propelled up and out through the "spray
actuator" which fits onto the "valve stem" itself. A
problem is commonly encountered in these systems when
the product to be delivered in the form of a spray must be
concentrated into a small area. This requires a nozzle to
be attached to the spray actuator in order to control the
stream of the spray. These nozzles are useful, indeed
necessary, in certain types of aerosol applications, such
as lubricant oils and compressed air, as used to clean
computer keyboards and other electronics.
When using an aerosol product that requires a
concentrator nozzle, manufacturers typically attach a
nozzle extension to the aerosol dispenser for use by the
consumer. The consumer detaches the nozzle extension and
attaches it to the spray actuator of the aerosol dispenser.
This works fine until time to store the aerosol product. At
that time the nozzle extension is removed, or falls off,
and is then very difficult, if not impossible, to find the
next time the product is needed. Some consumers attempt to
solve the problem by rubber- banding or taping the nozzle
extension to the can itself. There is a simpler solution,
and the present invention discloses it: produce a
non-detachable nozzle that is an integral extension of the
spray actuator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a convenient, easy way to
concentrate an aerosol spray.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide an aerosol nozzle extension that does not detach
from the aerosol spray apparatus and become lost when not
in use.
In satisfaction of these and other related objectives,
Applicant' s present invention permits practitioners to
create an integral nozzle extension that will remain
attached to an aerosol dispenser and therefore be more
convenient for the consumer.
Applicant's approach to the problem described above is
certainly simple, but it is equally unobvious. Applicant's
integral nozzle extension permits, for the first time, the
assurance that the consumer will have access to a nozzle 1
s spray-concentrating abilities when
using an aerosol spray product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is a side view of the improved aerosol
dispenser of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the
improved aerosol dispenser of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to Figure 1, the improved aerosol
dispenser of the present invention is identified generally
by the reference number 10.
Improved aerosol dispenser 10 includes an aerosol
container, not shown in the figures; an aerosol valve, not
shown in the figures,- and spray actuator 12, which fits
over the aerosol spray valve in a manner common in the
field to activate the aerosol valve and cause the
propellant and product within the aerosol container to be
delivered in aerosol form.
In Figure 1, proximal end 14 of elongate nozzle
conduit 16 is integral with spray actuator 12, being
attached by glue, or similar means common in the field.
Conduit 16 is tubular and oriented to have a continuous
passage through which is designed to permit the flow of the
compressed materials held within the aerosol container. In
the preferred embodiment shown in figure 1, corrugated,
flexible segment 20 is medial of proximal end 14 and distal
end 18 of conduit 16. In this embodiment, conduit 16 can be
bent at segment 20, to allow easier storage of the aerosol
dispenser without detaching conduit 16. This solves the
problem of misplacing conduit 16 between uses of the
aerosol dispenser.
In Figure 2 is shown a different attachment means
consisting of proximal end 14 of conduit 16 comprising a
projecting lobe member 22 which is configured to reversibly
interlock with lobe-receiving recess 24 in the aerosol
actuation means, in this embodiment by means of two lobe
receiving members 26 and 28 which fit around lobe member 22
and which fit into lobe-receiving recess 24. As in the
other embodiment shown in Figure 1, this solves the problem
of misplacing conduit 16 between uses of the aerosol
dispenser and yet would allow conduit 16 to be removed for
cleaning when necessary. Of course, although not shown in
Figure 2, conduit 16 in this embodiment could also include
a corrugated, flexible segment 20 as shown in Figure 1.
Although the invention has been described with
reference to specific embodiments, this description is not
meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various
modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as
alternative embodiments of the inventions will become
apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to
the description of the invention. It is, therefore,
contemplated that the appended claims will cover such
modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.