DEVICE TO SPRAY OMNIDIRECTIONALLY AND AVOID BACKFLOW

Abstract

A device to allow for the continuous spraying of pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can at any angle required, and in locations that can only be accessed through an openings through which an aerosol spray can does not fit, all while automatically preventing backflow of the pressurized liquid through the device and being able to accommodate and press valve stems of different heights.

Claims

1. A device attachable to an aerosol spray can containing pressurized liquid, said can having a valve stem that releases said pressurized liquid from said can through said valve stem when said valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding said valve stem, comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto said lip; a temporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stem actuator movably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and a tab end, with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port in fluid communication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastener attached to said tab and configured to engage said temporary cap fastener; an internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches a position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem and presses said valve stem; a one-way valve having a cap end and a tube end, removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said port so that said one-way valve is in fluid communication with said port, whereby said pressurized liquid can flow from said cap end to said tube end, but not from said tube end to said cap end, whereby backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube end to said cap end is prevented; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being removably sealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve so that said flexible tube is in fluid communication with said one-way valve; and a remote actuator having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, removably sealingly attached to said distal end of said flexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and said remote actuator are in fluid communication with said flexible tube; wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placed at any desired location allowed by said length of said flexible tube, at any desired orientation, while keeping said can substantially upright to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip and said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said valve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporary cap fastener and said temporary actuator fastener engage to retain said ridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid, whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port, said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to said remote actuator; whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquid flows through said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle, and said pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desired spray pattern at said desired location in said desired orientation; wherein said tab can be moved to, and retained in, different positions to enable said ridge to press valve stems of different heights by engaging said temporary actuator fastener and said temporary cap fastener at user selected positions relative to one another so said ridge presses said valve stem; wherein when said valve stem actuator is released by removing said cap from said lip or releasing said tab so that said temporary actuator fastener is disengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridge stops pressing said valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem stops, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said flexible tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said flexible tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by suctionally retaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said valve stem actuator is released and said pressurized liquid in said channel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

2. A device attachable to an aerosol spray can containing pressurized liquid, said can having a valve stem that releases said pressurized liquid from said can through said valve stem when said valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding said valve stem, comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto said lip; a temporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stem actuator movably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and a tab end, with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port in fluid communication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastener attached to said tab and configured to engage said temporary cap fastener; an internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches a position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem and presses said valve stem; a one-way valve having a cap end and a tube end, removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said port so that said one-way valve is in fluid communication with said port, whereby said pressurized liquid can flow from said cap end to said tube end, but not from said tube end to said cap end, whereby backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube end to said cap end is prevented; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being removably sealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve so that said flexible tube is in fluid communication with said one-way valve; and a remote actuator having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, removably sealingly attached to said distal end of said flexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and said remote actuator are in fluid communication with said flexible tube; wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placed at any desired location allowed by said length of said flexible tube, at any desired orientation, while keeping said can substantially upright to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip and said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said valve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporary cap fastener and said temporary actuator fastener engage to retain said ridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid, whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port, said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to said remote actuator; whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquid flows through said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle, and said pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desired spray pattern at said desired location in said desired orientation; wherein when said valve stem actuator is released by removing said cap from said lip or releasing said tab so that said temporary actuator fastener is disengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridge stops pressing said valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem stops, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said flexible tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said flexible tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by suctionally retaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said valve stem actuator is released and said pressurized liquid in said channel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

3. A device attachable to an aerosol spray can containing pressurized liquid, said can having a valve stem that releases said pressurized liquid from said can through said valve stem when said valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding said valve stem, comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto said lip; a temporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stem actuator movably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and a tab end, with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port in fluid communication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastener attached to said tab and configured to engage said temporary cap fastener; an internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches a position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem and presses said valve stem; a short connector hose having a connector hose near end, a connector hose far end, a connector hose assembled internal volume, said connector hose near end removably sealingly attached to said port so that said connector hose is in fluid communication with said port; a one-way valve having a cap end and a tube end, removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said connector hose at said connector hose far end so that said one-way valve is in fluid communication with said connector hose, whereby said pressurized liquid can flow from said cap end to said tube end, but not from said tube end to said cap end, whereby backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube end to said cap end is prevented; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being removably sealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve so that said flexible tube is in fluid communication with said one-way valve; and a remote actuator having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, removably sealingly attached to said distal end of said flexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and said remote actuator are in fluid communication with said flexible tube; wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placed at any desired location allowed by said length of said flexible tube, at any desired orientation, while keeping said can substantially upright to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip and said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said valve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge is retained over said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporary cap fastener and said temporary actuator fastener can be engaged to retain said ridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid, whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port, said connector hose, said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to said remote actuator; whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquid flows through said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle, and said pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desired spray pattern at said desired location in said desired orientation; wherein when said valve stem actuator is released by removing said cap from said lip or releasing said tab so that said temporary actuator fastener is disengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridge stops pressing said valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem stops, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said flexible tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said flexible tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said connector hose and said channel by suctionally retaining said pressurized liquid in said connector hose and said channel when said valve stem actuator is released and said pressurized liquid in said connector hose and said channel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

4. The device of claim 2 or 3, wherein said tab can be moved to, and retained in, different positions to enable said ridge to press valve stems of different heights by engaging said temporary actuator fastener and said temporary cap fastener at user selected positions relative to one another so said ridge presses said valve stem.

5. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said cap and said temporary cap fastener are integrally formed.

6. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said tab and said temporary actuator fastener are integrally formed.

7. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said temporary actuator fastener and said temporary cap fastener are chosen from the group consisting of interlocking teeth, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, or a friction fastener.

8. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said one-way valve is removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said port through a barbed inlet mounted on said cap end and pressed into and frictionally retained in said port.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose near end is removably sealingly attached to said port through a connector hose fitting configured to receive said connector hose near end.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein said one-way valve is removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said connector hose through a barbed inlet mounted on said cap end and pressed into and frictionally retained in said connector hose.

11. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said proximal end of said flexible tube is removably sealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve through a barbed outlet mounted on said tube end and pressed into and frictionally retained in said proximal end of said flexible tube.

12. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said distal end of said flexible tube is removably sealingly attached to said remote actuator through a remote actuator barbed inlet mounted on said remote actuator and pressed into and frictionally retained in said distal end.

13. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said one-way valve and said port are integrally formed at said tube end.

14. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose and said port are integrally formed at said connector hose near end.

15. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose and said one-way valve are integrally formed at said connector hose far end.

16. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said flexible tube is integrally formed with said one-way valve at the proximal end of said flexible tube.

17. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said flexible tube is integrally formed with said remote actuator at the distal end of said flexible tube.

18. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle are integrally formed.

19. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said valve stem actuator is movably attached at said attachment end to said cap through a hinge.

20. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said cap has two upwardly extending appendages affixed on opposite sides of said cap that are pressed together to remove said cap from said lip.

21. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose assembled internal volume is small enough to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel.

22. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose assembled internal volume is at most approximately 5 cubic millimeters.

23. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said length of said flexible tube is between 0.91 meters and 1.52 meters.

24. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said diameter of said flexible tube is between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters.

25. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said length of said flexible tube is between 1.07 meters and 1.37 meters.

26. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said diameter of said flexible tube is between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2 millimeters.

27. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising an o-ring attached to said ridge and configured to removably, sealingly receive said valve stem when said valve stem actuator is actuated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 is a partial cut away view of an aerosol spray can.

[0051] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 2, which has a valve stem actuator that is configured to receive the one-way valve directly.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagonal lower perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3 shown partially assembled with the one-way valve (connected directly to the valve stem actuator on the cap) and the flexible tube.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 6.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a diagonal upper perspective view of another presently preferred embodiment of the snap on cap, which is identical to the snap on cap in FIG. 3 except that the valve stem actuator is configured to receive a short connector hose instead of the one-way valve.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 8, shown partially assembled with the short connector hose between the valve stem actuator on the cap and the one-way valve.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 9.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a diagonal upper perspective assembled view of the embodiment in FIG. 2, shown with the snap on cap removably snapped onto the lip of the aerosol spray can of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.

[0061] The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-11.

[0062] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention attach to an aerosol spray can. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional aerosol spray can 6 with its spray nozzle removed, exposing a valve stem 8 with a lip 10 concentrically surrounding the valve stem 8. The valve stem 8 is operably connected to a spring-loaded valve 12, which in turn is in fluid communication with a dip tube 14. The aerosol spray can 6 contains a pressurized propellant gas 16, which (when the can is upright) exerts downward pressure on the liquid (fluid) in the can, thereby creating pressurized liquid 18. When the aerosol spray can 6 is in a substantially upright position as shown in FIG. 1, the dip tube 14 extends into, and is in fluid connection with, the pressurized liquid 18 in the can. Thus, when the valve stem 8 is actuated (pressed), the spring-loaded valve 12 opens, and the pressure exerted by the propellant gas 16 pushes the pressurized liquid 18 up through the dip tube 14, through the spring-loaded valve 12, and out through the valve stem 8.

[0063] However, sometimes it is desirable to orient a spray can at different angles to reach certain areas or to achieve certain spray patterns, and problems arise when the aerosol spray can 6 is oriented in such a manner that the bottom end of the dip tube 14 does not extend fully into (is not fully submerged in) the pressurized liquid 18. In such circumstances, when the valve stem 8 is pressed, the spring-loaded valve 12 opens, and only small or uneven amounts of pressurized liquid 18, or only propellant gas 16, or nothing at all, flows through the dip tube 14, the spring-loaded valve 12, and the valve stem 8. A similar outcome occurs when the aerosol spray can 6 contains no pressurized liquid 18 at all. This prevents the continuous spraying of pressurized liquid 18 at certain angles when the bottom of the dip tube 14 does not extend fully into (is not fully submerged in) the pressurized liquid 18. Aerosol spray cans 6 also often have valve stems 8 of different heights, so it is also desirable to have a device that can accommodate and press valve stems 8 of such different heights.

[0064] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention solve the problems described above with a device having two presently preferred versions of a snap on cap. The first presently preferred embodiment is a snap on cap with a valve stem actuator configured to receive the one-way valve directly as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7. The second presently preferred embodiment is a snap on cap with a valve stem actuator configured to receive a short connector hose between the valve stem actuator on the cap and the one-way valve as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an exploded perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention showing the snap on cap 20 with a valve stem actuator 21 containing a port 29, a one-way valve 24 directly connected to the port 29, a flexible tube 38, and a remote actuator 44 with a distal spray nozzle 48.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, shown is the snap on cap 20 of FIG. 2 with a valve stem actuator 21 configured to receive the one-way valve 24 directly. The snap on cap 20 is preferably formed of any durable, yet flexible, material that allows it to removably snap onto the lip 10 of an aerosol spray can 6 (see FIG. 1), such as plastic, wood, rubber, or the like. The cap 20 may also employ other means to removably snap onto an aerosol spray can 6, such as by using flexible tabs, springs, or the like.

[0067] The cap 20 preferably has a valve stem actuator 21 having an attachment end 27 and a tab end 23. The terms “attachment end” and “tab end” refer to points on the valve stem actuator 21 and do not necessarily imply an elongated structure or the extremes thereof. The valve stem actuator 21 is movably attached to the cap 20 at the attachment end 27, preferably through the use of a hinge 53, but any other similar or equivalent movable attachment means can be used. A temporary cap fastener 31 is preferably attached to, or integrally formed with, the outer surface of the cap 20 (see FIG. 4). A tab 25 at the tab end 23 of the valve stem actuator 21 preferably has a temporary actuator fastener 33 attached to, or integrally formed with, the tab 25. The temporary actuator fastener 33 is preferably configured to engage, and fasten to, the temporary cap fastener 31. The temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 preferably comprise interlocking teeth, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, or a friction fastener, but any similar or equivalent fastening means that allows the temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 to engage and fasten to each other at different user selected positions relative to one another can be used.

[0068] The valve stem actuator 21 also preferably has a port (aperture) 29 extending there through, leading to, and forming, a channel 50 (see FIG. 4), and is in fluid communication with the channel 50. The channel 50 is preferably enclosed and is positioned over the valve stem 8 when the cap 20 is snapped onto lip 10 of the aerosol spray (see FIG. 1) and the valve stem actuator 21 is actuated (as described below). An internal ridge or narrowing 52 of the channel 50 is preferably configured so that the ridge 52 is removably sealingly retained over, and presses on, the valve stem 8 without blocking the valve stem 8 or the channel 50 when the valve stem actuator 21 is actuated (as described below). However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any internal projection in the channel 50 that can press the valve stem 8 without blocking the valve stem 8 or the channel 50 can be used, such as a ring, peg, lobe, pin, or the like, all of which are hereinafter referred to as ridges. An o-ring is preferably attached to, or integrally formed with, the ridge 52 and configured to removably, sealingly receive the valve stem 8 when said valve stem actuator 21 is actuated. 0-rings are conventional and well-known in the art (see, for example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-ring, incorporated herein by reference).

[0069] To actuate the valve stem actuator 21, the tab 25 is preferably pressed until it reaches an actuated position where the ridge 52 (with or without the o-ring) is preferably retained over the valve stem 8 and presses the valve stem 8. The temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 are preferably engaged together to retain the actuated position and keep the valve stem 8 actuated until the valve stem actuator 21 is released. The tab 25 can preferably be moved to, and retained in, different user selectable positions, to enable the ridge 52 (with or without the o-ring) to press valve stems of different heights by engaging the temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 at certain user selected positions relative to one another. The valve stem 8 and the valve stem actuator 21 are released by preferably removing the cap 20 from the lip 10 or preferably releasing the tab 25 so the temporary actuator fastener 33 is disengaged from the temporary cap fastener 31. The cap 20 preferably has two upwardly extending appendages affixed on opposite sides of the cap 20 that are pressed together to facilitate removing the cap 20 from the lip 10.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the presently preferred embodiment of the invention further preferably comprises a one-way valve (check valve) 24 that only allows fluid or gas to flow through it in one direction. One-way valves are typically two-port valves, meaning they have two openings in the body, one for fluid to enter and the other for fluid to leave. They are generally small, simple, and inexpensive. The one-way valve 24 has a cap end 26 and a tube end 28 and is preferably removably sealingly attached at the cap end 26 to the port 29, so that the one-way valve 24 is directly attached to the port 29 (see FIGS. 2-5) and in fluid communication with the port 29. This is preferably accomplished by way of a barbed inlet 30 (or ridged or serrated inlet)(see FIG. 2) mounted on the cap end 26 and pressed into and frictionally retained in the port 29, which is in fluid communication with the channel 50 (see FIG. 7). However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the one-way valve 24 may be removably, sealingly attached to the port 29 using any other attachment means known in the art, including by using complementary screw threads, compression fittings, clamp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, couplings, adapters, or the like. The port 29 may also preferably be integrally formed with the barbed inlet 30. The valve stem actuator 21 may also be preferably integrally formed with the one-way valve 24 such that the channel 50 is direct in fluid communication with the one-way valve 24. The one-way valve 24 preferably allows pressurized liquid 18 to flow from the cap end 26 to the tube end 28, but not from the tube end 28 to the cap end 26, so that backflow of the pressurized liquid 18 from the tube end 28 to the cap end 26 is prevented. The one-way valve 24 is preferably made of any durable material, such as plastic, nickel, bronze, or steel. A barbed outlet (or ridged or serrated outlet) 32 (see FIG. 2) is also preferably mounted on the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24. One-way valves with one barbed fitting (barbed inlets and/or barbed outlets) are conventional and well-known in the art (see, for example, https://www.mcmaster.com/check-valves/ and https://www.mcmaster.com/check-valves/check-valves-with-barbed-fittings-9,/ both incorporated herein by reference), but any similar or equivalent one-way valve can be used. The barbed outlet 32 is preferably removably sealingly attached to the flexible tube 38 (see FIG. 2), as described further below, so that the one-way valve 24 is in fluid communication with the flexible tube 38. The barbed outlet 32 or tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24 may also preferably be integrally formed with the flexible tube 38.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, shown is another presently preferred embodiment of the snap on cap 20 with the valve stem actuator 21. This embodiment is identical to the embodiment described above except that the valve stem actuator 21 is preferably configured to receive a short connector hose 37 between the port 29 and the one-way valve 24. The short connector hose 37 has a connector hose near end 39 and a connector hose far end 41. The connector hose near end 39 is preferably removably sealingly attached to, or integrally formed with, the port 29 so that the connector hose 37 is in fluid communication with the port 29. The connector hose near end 39 is preferably removably sealingly attached to the port 29 through a connector hose fitting 43 configured to receive the connector hose near end 39 and in fluid communication with the port 29. The volume of space left in the connector hose 37 when the device is fully assembled is called the connector hose assembled internal volume 36 (see FIG. 10) and is preferably small enough so that backflow of the pressurized liquid 18 from the connector hose 37 and channel 50 does not occur when the valve stem actuator 21 and the valve stem 8 are released and said pressurized liquid 18 in the connector hose 37 and the channel 50 is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The connector hose assembled internal volume 36 is preferably at most approximately 5 cubic millimeters.

[0072] The one-way valve 24 in this preferred embodiment is removably sealingly attached at the cap end 26 to the connector hose 37 at the connector hose far end 41 so that the one-way valve 24 is in fluid communication with the connector hose 37. This is preferably accomplished by way of a barbed inlet (see FIG. 2) mounted on the cap end 26 and pressed into and frictionally retained in the connector hose 37 at the connector hose far end 41. The diameter (inner diameter) of the connector hose 37 is preferably the same or slightly less than the diameter of the barbed inlet 30, so that the connector hose far end 41 is removably sealingly attached to the barbed inlet 30. The connector hose far end 41 may also preferably be integrally formed with the barbed inlet 30 or the one-way valve 24.

[0073] Referring back to FIG. 2, in either of the two preferred embodiments of the snap on cap described above, the snap on cap 20 with a valve stem actuator 21 configured to receive the one-way valve 24 directly (or the snap on cap 20 with a valve stem actuator 21 configured to receive a short connector hose), further comprising a flexible tube 38 having a proximal end 40, a distal end 42, a length, and a diameter (inner diameter) and is preferably removably sealingly attached at the proximal end 40 to the barbed outlet 32 of the one-way valve 24. This is preferably accomplished by way of inserting the barbed outlet 32 into the proximal end 40 such that barbed outlet 32 is frictionally retained within, and fluid communication with, the flexible tube 38. The diameter of the flexible tube is preferably the same or slightly less than the diameter of the barbed outlet 32, so that the proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 is removably sealingly attached to the barbed outlet 32. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 may also preferably be removably sealingly attached to the one-way valve 24 or an outlet that is not barbed, ridged, serrated, or the like, using any attachment method known in the art, including friction retention, or the use of compression fittings, clamp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, couplings, or adapters. The proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 may also preferably be integrally formed with the barbed outlet 32 or the one-way valve 24.

[0074] The length of the flexible tube 38 is practicably between 3 feet (0.91 meters) and 5 feet (1.52 meters), and preferably between 3.5 feet (1.07 meters) and 4.5 feet (1.37 meters). The diameter (inner diameter) of the flexible tube 38 is practicably between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters, and preferably between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2 millimeters.

[0075] Referring back to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiments of the invention further comprise a remote actuator 44 having an inlet that is barbed (remote actuator barbed inlet) 46 and a distal spray nozzle 48 providing a desired spray pattern. The remote actuator barbed inlet 46 may alternatively be ridged or serrated. The distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 is preferably removably sealingly attached to, and fluid communication with, the remote actuator 44 by pushing the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 into the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 such that friction between the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 and the flexible tube 38 frictionally sealingly retains the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 within the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38. The diameter of the flexible tube is preferably the same as or slightly less than the diameter of the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 so that the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 is removably sealingly attached to, and fluid communication with, the remote actuator barbed inlet 46. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 may also preferably be removably sealingly attached to an inlet that is not barbed, ridged, serrated, or the like, using any attachment method known in the art, including friction retention, or the use of compression fittings, clamp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, couplings, or adapters. The distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 may also be preferably integrally formed with the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 or the remote actuator 44. The remote actuator 44 may also preferably have an ergonomic handle.

[0076] The preferred embodiments of the invention further comprise a distal spray nozzle 48 that is in fluid communication with the barbed inlet 46 and the flexible tube 38. The remote actuator 44 has a spring-loaded valve that is opened by pressing down on the remote actuator 44, thereby allowing the flow of pressurized liquid 18 through the remote actuator 44 and out of the distal spray nozzle 48. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the remote actuator 44 can also preferably be a trigger, a lever, an electronic button, a digitally controlled circuit, or any other means of opening a valve to permit the flow of the pressurized liquid 18 out of the distal spray nozzle 48. In a preferred embodiment, the remote actuator 44 and the distal spray nozzle 48 may be integrally formed. In yet another preferred embodiment, the distal spray nozzle 48 is interchangeable with other distal spray nozzles to provide different desired spray patterns.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows the presently preferred embodiment of the invention in FIG. 2 removably snapped on to the lip 10 of a aerosol spray can 6, comprising the snap on cap 20 with the valve stem actuator 21, one-way valve 24, flexible tube 38, the remote actuator 44, and the distal spray nozzle 48, all removably sealingly attached and assembled, or integrally formed.

[0078] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 11, the device in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention is used as follows: if the aerosol spray can 6 has an existing spray nozzle, the existing spray nozzle is removed to expose the valve stem 8. The snap on cap 20 and valve stem actuator 21 are aligned over the aerosol spray can 6 such that the channel 50 is positioned over the valve stem 8. Downward pressure is then applied to the snap on cap 20 such that the snap on cap 20 snaps onto the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6. The valve stem actuator 21 is actuated by pressing the tab 25 until it reaches a position where the ridge 52 (with or without an o-ring) is preferably retained over the valve stem 8 and presses the valve stem 8. The temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 are preferably engaged together to retain the position and keep the valve stem 8 temporarily actuated until the valve stem actuator 21 is released. The tab 25 can preferably be moved to, and retained in, different positions to enable the ridge 52 (with or without an o-ring) to press valve stems of different heights by engaging the temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 at certain user selected positions relative to one another. When the valve stem actuator 21 is pressed, the valve stem 8 is also pressed, thereby releasing pressurized liquid 18 into the channel 50, out the port 29 (and into the short connector hose 37 in one preferred embodiment), into the barbed inlet 30, through the one-way valve 24, out through the barbed outlet 32, into the flexible tubing 38, through the flexible tubing 38, into the remote actuator barbed inlet 46, and into the remote actuator 44. When the user actuates the remote actuator 44, the remote actuator 44 sprays the pressurized liquid 18 out through the distal spray nozzle 48 in the desired spray pattern, at a desired location, and in a desired orientation.

[0079] The valve stem actuator 21 is released by removing the snap on cap 20 from the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6, or releasing the tab 25 so the temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 disengage from one another, and the valve stem 8 is released, which stops the flow of pressurized liquid 18 from the can 6 through the valve stem 8. The one-way valve 24 automatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquid 18 in the flexible tube 38 into the small and narrow channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment), thus retaining the pressurized liquid 18 within the flexible tube 38. Surprisingly, the one-way valve 24 also automatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) by suctionally retaining the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) when the valve stem actuator 21 is released and the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) is exposed to atmospheric pressure and other forces. Much as a drinking straw retains liquid inside when a finger blocks the upper end of the straw when the straw is in a drink (to prevent air from entering the upper end of the straw), and then the straw is withdrawn upwards with the finger still blocking the upper end, atmospheric pressure suctionally retains the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) because the one—way valve 24 blocks air or backflow of pressurized gas and/or fluid from the flexible tube 38 (or elsewhere) into the channel 50 (or into the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment), so that the atmospheric pressure outside the channel 50 is greater than the pressure inside the channel 50 (or inside the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment), which keeps the pressurized liquid 18 inside. Forces between the pressurized liquid 18 and solid surfaces in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in a preferred embodiment) may also assist with retaining the pressurized liquid in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in a preferred embodiment). Specifically, adhesion (or the tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another) attracts the pressurized liquid 18 to the walls of, or capillary action draws the liquid 18 into, the channel 50 (or the walls of the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment), thereby keeping the liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) when the valve stem actuator 21 is released.

[0080] To release the pressurized liquid 18 within the flexible tube 38 after the valve stem actuator 21 is released, a user can simply press the remote actuator 44 and spray the pressurized liquid 18 in the flexible tube 38 through the distal spray nozzle 48 in any desired location.

[0081] Thus, by using the device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, pressurized liquid can be sprayed through a distal spray nozzle that can be oriented at any angle and sprayed at a desired location, while maintaining the aerosol spray can in a substantially upright position to maximize continuous and consistent spraying of the pressurized liquid. The device can also accommodate and press valve stems of different heights, because the tab can be moved to, and retained in, different positions by engaging the temporary actuator fastener and the temporary cap fastener at user selected positions relative to one another. Further, the device in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments solves the problem of backflow through the use of a one-way valve that automatically retains the pressurized liquid within the flexible tube to prevent backflow of the pressurized liquid from the flexible tube into the channel when valve stem actuator is released. The one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquid from the channel (or the short connector hose and the channel in a preferred embodiment) out of the device by suctionally retaining the pressurized liquid in the small and narrow channel (or the short connector hose and the channel in a preferred embodiment) due to atmospheric pressure and other forces, similar to a drinking straw blocked by a finger.

[0082] While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the presently preferred embodiments described herein, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in this invention except as specifically and as explicitly set forth in the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0083] This invention can be used whenever it is necessary or desirable to continuously spray pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can at any angle and in any location while being able to actuate valve stems of different heights and automatically preventing backflow of the pressurized liquid through the device when it is removed from the aerosol spray can.