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.

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 sealingly snaps onto said lip having a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip; an internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said channel when said cap is snapped onto said lip; a one-way valve in fluid communication with said channel having a cap end and a tube end, attached at said cap end to said snap on cap, wherein 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 barbed outlet mounted on said tube end of said one-way valve; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being removably sealingly attached to said barbed outlet; and an actuator with a barbed inlet having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, wherein said distal end of said tube is removably sealingly attached to said barbed inlet, whereby said distal nozzle and said barbed inlet are in fluid communication with said tube; wherein said 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 in a substantially upright position to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip, said ridge presses down on said valve stem, and said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said one-way valve, said barbed outlet and said tube to said actuator; whereby, when said actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquid flows through said 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 cap is removed from said lip, said valve stem is released to stop said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by retaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said cap is removed from said lip 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 sealingly snaps onto said lip having a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip; at least one internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said channel when said cap is snapped onto said lip; a one-way valve in fluid communication with said channel having a cap end and a tube end, attached at said cap end to said snap on cap, wherein 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; an outlet mounted on said tube end of said one-way valve; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being attached to said outlet; and an actuator with a barbed inlet having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, wherein said distal end of said tube is removably sealingly attached to said barbed inlet, whereby said distal nozzle and said barbed inlet are in fluid communication with said tube; wherein said 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 in a substantially upright position to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip, said ridge presses down on said valve stem, and said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said one-way valve, said outlet and said tube to said actuator; wherein when said cap is removed from said lip, said valve stem is released to stop said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by retaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said cap is removed from said lip 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 sealingly snaps onto said lip having a channel that is positioned over said valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip; at least one internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem without blocking said channel when said cap is snapped onto said lip; a one-way valve in fluid communication with said channel having a cap end and a tube end, attached at said cap end to said snap on cap, wherein 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; an outlet mounted on said tube end of said one-way valve; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being attached to said outlet; and an actuator with an inlet having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spray pattern, wherein said distal end of said tube is attached to said inlet, whereby said distal nozzle and said inlet are in fluid communication with said tube; wherein said 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 in a substantially upright position to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip, said ridge presses down on said valve stem, and said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said one-way valve, said outlet and said tube to said actuator; wherein when said cap is removed from said lip, said valve stem is released to stop said flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stem, and said one-way valve automatically retains said pressurized liquid within said tube to prevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube through said channel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by retaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said cap is removed from said lip and said pressurized liquid in said channel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

4. The device of any one of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said one-way valve and said outlet are integrally formed at said tube end.

5. The device of any one of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said cap and said one-way valve are integrally formed at said cap end, and said one-way valve and said outlet are integrally formed at said tube end.

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

7. The device of any one of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said length of said tube is between 3 feet and 5 feet.

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

9. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said length of said tube is between 3.5 feet and 4.5 feet.

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

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a partial cut away view of an aerosol spray can.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view from the front of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an elevational view from the rear of the lower portion of the presently preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the snap on cap, one-way valve, barbed outlet, and a portion of a flexible tube, all assembled.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view from the top, front, left of the embodiment of FIG. 2, in which the snap on cap is removably sealingly snapped onto the lip of the aerosol spray can of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(6) The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-5.

(7) The device of this invention attaches 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 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 near or at the bottom of 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 through and out of the valve stem 8.

(8) 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, if the valve stem 8 is pressed down, 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 results when the aerosol spray can 6 contains no pressurized liquid 18 at all. This prevents the continuous spraying of pressurized liquids 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.

(9) Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an exploded perspective view from the front of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The snap on cap 20 is preferably formed of any durable, yet flexible, material, to removably sealingly snap onto the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6 of FIG. 1, such as plastic, wood, rubber, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the snap on cap 20 may employ other means to removably sealingly snap onto an aerosol spray can 6, such as, by way of limited example, flexible tabs, springs, or the like. The snap on cap 20 preferably has an aperture extending there through preferably having internal cap screw threads 22 defined therein, leading to, and forming, a channel 50 (see FIG. 3).

(10) The device further preferably comprises a one-way valve 24 that only allows fluid or gas to flow through it in one direction. The one-way valve 24 has a cap end 26 and a tube end 28, attached at the cap end 26 to the snap on cap 20 through external valve screw threads 30 on the cap end 26. The internal cap screw threads 22 preferably are complementary with the external valve screw threads 30, so that the one-way valve 24 can be screwed into the snap on cap 20. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the one-way valve 24 may be removably, sealingly attached to the snap on cap 20 using any other attachment means known in the art, including friction retention, or the use of compression fittings, clamp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, couplings, or adapters, or the like. The snap on cap 20 and the one-way valve 24 may also preferably be integrally formed. The one-way valve 24 is preferably made of any durable material, such as nickel, bronze, steel or plastic. Threaded one-way valves are conventional and well-known in the art, for example, McMaster-Carr® threaded check valves (one-way valves) (such as model numbers 47715K41, 47715K42, 47715K43, 47715K44, 47715K45, 47715K46, 47715K47, 47715K48, 7768K21, and 7768K22), but any similar or equivalent one-way valve can be used with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

(11) The one-way valve 24 preferably is connected to the snap on cap 20 so that it is in fluid communication with the channel 50 (shown in FIG. 3). Fluid communication between the channel and the one-way valve can alternatively be accomplished by way of a serrated, barbed or ridged nozzle mounted onto the snap on cap 20 (cap nozzle) and in fluid communication with the channel 50, a short connecting tube, having a cap end and a valve end, removably sealingly attached to the cap nozzle at the cap end, and a one-way valve having a barbed inlet (a barbed valve inlet) and a barbed outlet (a barbed valve outlet), removably sealingly attached to the valve end of the connecting tube at the barbed valve inlet. One-way valves having barbed inlets and barbed outlets are conventional and well-known in the art, for example, McMaster-Carr® barbed check valves (one-way valves) (such as model numbers 47245K25, 47245K17, 47245K26, 47245K27, and 47245K24), but any similar or equivalent one-way valve can be used. The barbed valve outlet can thereafter be removably sealingly attached to the flexible tube 38 described below.

(12) Referring back to FIG. 2, an outlet that is ridged, serrated, or barbed (barbed outlet) 32 is preferably removably sealingly attached to the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24. This is accomplished through internal valve screw threads 34 on the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24 that preferably engage with complementary external outlet screw threads 36 on the barbed outlet 32. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the barbed outlet 32 can be removably sealingly attached to the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24 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, or the like. The barbed outlet 32 and the one-way valve 24 may also be integrally formed. One-way valves with one barbed fitting are convention and well-known in the art, for example, McMaster-Carr® check valves with barbed fittings (such as model numbers 2987K35, 2987K36, and 2987K38), but any similar or equivalent one-way valve can be used.

(13) A flexible tube 38 having a proximal end 40, a distal end 42, a length, and a diameter is preferably removably sealingly attached at the proximal end 40 to the barbed outlet 32. The proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 is preferably removably sealingly attached to the barbed outlet 32 by inserting the barbed outlet 32 into the proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 such that barbed outlet 32 is frictionally retained within 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. However, 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 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.

(14) The length of the flexible tube 38 is preferably between 3 feet and 5 feet, and optimally between 3.5 feet and 4.5 feet. The diameter of the flexible tube 38 is preferably between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters, and optimally between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2 millimeters.

(15) The device further preferably comprises an actuator 44 at its distal end having an inlet that is barbed (barbed inlet) 46 and a distal spray nozzle 48 providing a desired spray pattern. The barbed inlet 46 alternatively may be ridged or serrated. The distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 is preferably removably sealingly attached to the barbed inlet 46 by pushing the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 over the barbed inlet 46 such that friction between the barbed inlet 46 and the flexible tube 38 frictionally sealingly retains the barbed inlet 46 within the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38. Preferably, the diameter of the flexible tube is the same or slightly less than the diameter of the barbed inlet 46 so that the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 is removably sealingly attached to the 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 barbed inlet 46 or the actuator 44.

(16) The presently preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises a distal spray nozzle 48 that is in fluid communication with the barbed inlet 46 and the flexible tube 38. The actuator 44 has a spring-loaded valve that is opened by pressing down on the actuator 44, thereby allowing the flow of pressurized liquid 18 through the actuator 44 and out of the distal spray nozzle 48. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the actuator 44 can preferably also 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 actuator 44 and the distal spray nozzle 48 may be integrally formed. The actuator 44 may also preferably have an ergonomic handle for holding the actuator 44. In yet another preferred embodiment, the distal spray nozzle 48 is interchangeable with other distal spray nozzles to provide different desired spray patterns.

(17) FIG. 3 is an elevational view from the rear of the lower portion of the presently preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the snap on cap 20, one-way valve 24, barbed outlet 32, and flexible tube 38 all removably sealingly attached and assembled, or integrally formed. The snap on cap 20 preferably has a channel 50 extending there through, which is positioned over valve stem 8 of the aerosol can of FIG. 1 when the snap on cap 20 is snapped onto the lip 10. The channel 50 is in fluid communication with the one-way valve 24, so that the pressurized liquid 18 can flow from the cap end 26 to the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24, but not in the opposite direction. The snap on cap 20 preferably also has an internal ridge 52 (preferably wholly or partially circular) that presses down on the valve stem 8 without blocking the channel 50 when the snap on cap 20 is snapped onto the lip 10, thereby keeping the valve stem 8 actuated until the snap on cap 20 is removed from the lip 10 and the valve stem 8 is released. In another preferred embodiment, there are one or more internal ridges (or internal tabs), which are not necessarily circular, in the channel 50 that are large enough to press (actuate) the valve stem 8 when the snap on cap 20 is snapped onto the lip 10, but small enough not to block the channel 50. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any internal projection that can press the valve stem without blocking the channel can be used, such as a peg, lobe, pin, or the like, all of which are hereinafter referred to as ridges. The snap on cap 20 further preferably has one or more structural supports 54 that are integrally formed with the internal ridge 52 to provide support and durability to the snap on cap 20, which is repeatedly subject to force whenever the snap on cap 20 is snapped onto the lip 10.

(18) FIG. 4 shows the presently preferred embodiment of the invention with the snap on cap 20, one-way valve 24, barbed outlet 32, flexible tube 38, all removably sealingly attached and assembled, or integrally formed, at a proximal end, and an actuator 44 with barbed inlet 46, and the distal spray nozzle 48 all removably sealingly attached and assembled, or integrally formed, at a distal end.

(19) FIG. 5 shows the proximal end of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, with the snap on cap 20 removably sealingly snapped onto the lip 10 of the aerosol can 6, while maintaining the aerosol can 6 in an upright position.

(20) With reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, the device in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment 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 is aligned over the aerosol spray can 6 such that its 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 internal ridge 52 (or alternatively one or more internal tabs or other internal projections) contacts and presses down on the valve stem 8, which releases pressurized liquid 18 into the channel 50, through the one-way valve 24, out through the barbed outlet 32, into the flexible tubing 38, through the flexible tubing 38, into the barbed inlet 46, and into the actuator 44. When the user actuates the actuator 44, the actuator 44 sprays the pressurized liquid 18 through the distal spray nozzle 48 in the desired spray pattern, at a desired location, and in a desired orientation.

(21) When the snap on cap 20 is removed from the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6, 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 channel 50, 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 small and narrow channel 50 of the snap on cap 20 due to atmospheric pressure. 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 retains the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 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, so that the atmospheric pressure outside the channel 50 is greater than the pressure inside the channel 50, which keeps the pressurized liquid 18 inside. Intermolecular forces between the pressurized liquid 18 and solid surfaces in the channel 50 may also assist with retaining the pressurized liquid in the channel 50. Specifically, adhesion (or the tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another) attracts the pressurized liquid 18 to the walls of the channel 50, thereby keeping it in the channel 50 when the snap on cap 20 is removed from the aerosol spray can 6.

(22) To release the pressurized liquid 18 within the flexible tube 38 after the device is disconnected from the aerosol spray can 6, a user can simply press the actuator 44 and spray the pressurized liquid 18 in the flexible tube 38 through the distal spray nozzle 48 in any desired location.

(23) Thus, by using the device in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present 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. Further, the device in accordance with the 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 the device is disconnected from the aerosol spray can. The one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquid from the channel out of the device by retaining the pressurized liquid in the small and narrow channel due to atmospheric pressure and intermolecular forces, similar to a drinking straw blocked by a finger.

(24) 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 this 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

(25) 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 automatically preventing backflow of the pressurized liquid through the device when it is removed from the aerosol spray can.