FOCUS STRAW STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AEROSOL SPRAY CONTAINER

Abstract

An aerosol dispensing apparatus having a focus straw storage chamber located internal to the aerosol spray container, such that the focus straw may be stored in a fully protected and safe environment away from external elements that may cause damage or result in the loss of the focus straw. The internal storage chamber is attached in sealed relation to the interior surface of the aerosol spray container, with an opening extending to the exterior of the container, thus providing an access to the internal storage chamber within which a focus straw may be inserted. A protective cover is provided for the internal storage chamber access opening to maintain a safe, clean storage environment for the focus straw and prevent inadvertent loss thereof when not in use.

Claims

1. A focus straw storage device for an aerosol spray container, comprising: (a) an aerosol spray container having an exterior and an interior confines defined by said exterior; (b) a chamber connected to said aerosol spray container and extending into said interior confines thereof, said chamber being constructed to accommodate storage of a focus straw therein; and (c) said chamber defining an inner cavity which is sealed from said interior confines of said aerosol spray container, but accessible from said exterior.

2. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 1, wherein said aerosol spray container has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a body section disposed between said top surface and said bottom surface, and said chamber is formed integrally with one of said top surface, said bottom surface and said body section of said container.

3. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber has an opening to said inner cavity which is accessible from said exterior, and said aerosol spray container includes a protective covering device for said chamber opening which helps prevent loss or damage of said focus straw.

4. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 3, wherein said chamber opening is accessible from a top surface of said aerosol spray container, and said covering device is comprised of a cap which covers said top surface of said aerosol spray container.

5. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 4, wherein said cap is readily removable from said aerosol spray container, thereby uncovering said chamber opening and allowing access to said inner cavity of said chamber.

6. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 4, wherein said cap is rotatable relative to said aerosol spray container and includes a straw access opening which may be aligned with said chamber opening upon rotation of said cap, thereby allowing access to said chamber.

7. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 6, wherein said cap is rotatable between a spray disabling position and a spray enabling position, and said straw access opening in said cap is aligned with said chamber opening at a predetermined position between said spray disabling position and said spray enabling position.

8. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 3, wherein said chamber opening is accessible from a bottom surface of said exterior, and said protective covering device is movable from a closed position which prevents access to said chamber to an open position which allows access to said chamber.

9. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 8, wherein said protective covering device is selected from a group consisting of threaded, snap, friction-fit, slidable and rotatable covers.

10. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber is connected to a dispensing valve within said aerosol spray container, and an aerosol dispensing valve tube telescopes through said inner cavity of said chamber to engage said dispensing valve.

11. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 10, including a reversible dispensing head to which said focus straw is affixed, said reversible dispensing head being operational in a wide-spray mode when said dispensing head is positioned on said dispensing valve tube with said focus straw inside said chamber, and operational in a focus-spray mode when said dispensing head is positioned on said dispensing valve tube with said focus straw outside of said chamber.

12. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 1, wherein said focus straw includes a locking mechanism for secure engagement thereof with said aerosol spray container.

13. A focus straw storage device for an aerosol spray container, comprising: (a) an aerosol spray container having an exterior which defines a sealed and pressurized interior confines; (b) an open-ended chamber formed integrally with said aerosol spray container and extending into said interior confines thereof, said chamber defining an inner cavity which is sealed from said interior confines of said aerosol spray container, and said chamber having an opening to said inner cavity which is accessible from said exterior of said container; and (c) said chamber being sized and shaped in the form of an elongated tube so as to accommodate storage of the focus straw within said inner cavity thereof.

14. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 13, wherein said aerosol spray container includes a protective covering device for said chamber opening which helps prevent loss or damage of the focus straw.

15. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 14, wherein said protective covering device is movable from a closed position which prevents access to said chamber to an open position which allows access to said chamber.

16. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 15, wherein said protective covering device is selected from a group consisting of threaded, snap, friction-fit, slidable and rotatable covers.

17. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 14, wherein said opening to said chamber is disposed adjacent a dispensing valve head located on a top surface of said aerosol spray container, and said protective covering device is comprised of a cap which covers said top surface of said aerosol spray container.

18. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 13, wherein said chamber is connected to a dispensing valve within said aerosol spray container, and an aerosol dispensing valve tube telescopes through said inner cavity of said chamber to engage said dispensing valve.

19. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 18, including a dispensing head having first and second interconnected combination input/output ports, wherein said first port carries the focus straw, and said first port and said second port are reversibly connectable to said aerosol dispensing valve tube for selective use either in a focus-spray mode or a wide-spray mode.

20. The focus straw storage device set forth in claim 19, wherein said first port carrying the focus straw is adapted for use in said focus-spray mode when said second port is connected to said dispensing valve tube as an input port, and said second port is adapted for use in said wide-spray mode when said first port carrying the focus straw is connected to said dispensing valve tube as an input port.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol spray container constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a portion of the container cut away to show the internally sealed focus straw storage chamber there within;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of another aerosol spray container with the storage chamber access opening in the aerosol spray container located on the top of the container adjacent the dispensing valve, similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and a protective cover which covers both the dispensing valve and storage chamber opening;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another aerosol spray container constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a configuration with the opening to the interior focus straw storage chamber located at the bottom of the aerosol spray container, and a separate threaded cap for covering the opening;

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a similar aerosol spray container as that shown in FIG. 3, with the opening to the interior focus straw storage chamber located at the bottom of the aerosol spray container, but with a rotatable cover affixed to the bottom of the container for covering the access opening to the interior focus straw storage chamber;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of alternate sliding cover mechanism for covering the access opening to the interior focus straw storage chamber of an aerosol spray container constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another aerosol spray container with a rotatable cap having a straw access opening, with a portion of the cap and container cut away to show the positioning of the straw access opening in the cap out of alignment with the access opening to interior focus straw chamber of the aerosol container when the cap is rotated to a locked position;

[0026] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the aerosol spray container shown in FIG. 6A, with a portion of the rotatable cap and container cut away to show the positioning of the straw access opening in the cap aligned with the access opening to interior focus straw chamber of the aerosol container when the cap is partially rotated to an open position;

[0027] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the aerosol spray container shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, showing the rotatable cap positioned in an unlocked position with the focus straw removed from the interior storage chamber and plugged into the nozzle spray port for use therewith;

[0028] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another aerosol spray container having a rotatable cap with a straw access opening, showing the position of the cap rotated such that the access opening in the cap is out of alignment with the access opening to interior focus straw chamber of the aerosol container, such that the straw cannot be accessed;

[0029] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the aerosol spray container shown in FIG. 7A, with a portion of the cap and container cut away to show the position of the cap rotated such that the access opening in the cap is in alignment with the access opening to interior focus straw chamber of the aerosol container, so the straw can be accessed;

[0030] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another aerosol spray container with a portion thereof cut away to show how the interior focus straw storage chamber is arranged with a dispensing valve tube extending telescopically there through to the dispensing valve of the aerosol spray container, and the spray nozzle dispensing head is constructed for reversible use with or without the focus straw;

[0031] FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of the aerosol spray container shown in FIG. 8A, with a portion thereof cut away to show the spray nozzle dispensing head positioned on the dispensing valve tube such that the affixed focus straw is inserted within the coaxially aligned storage chamber, thereby allowing for use of the aerosol spray container in its wide-spray mode;

[0032] FIG. 8C is a side elevational view of the aerosol spray container shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, showing the spray nozzle dispensing head reversed on the dispensing valve tube, thereby allowing for use of the aerosol spray container in its focus-spray mode; and

[0033] FIG. 9 is an exploded partial perspective view of the top portion of an aerosol spray container, showing a modified dispensing head with a slotted groove for receiving a focus straw with an adapted flanged end for locking the focus straw in place during use thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0035] With reference now to the drawings, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an aerosol dispensing apparatus in the form of a spray container 1. As is common, spray container 1 is sealed and pressurized with an aerosol, and includes at its top end a dispensing valve 3 (e.g., with a push-type pressure release nozzle) which is constructed in a conventional manner to emit an aerosol spray when depressed. The valve mechanism 3 includes a valve stem (not shown) which projects outwardly from the body portion of the container 1. A spray nozzle 5 which is mounted on the valve stem provides a discharge vent through which the aerosol spray is ejected. The nozzle 5 is connected by means of a suitable passage in the valve stem to the interior of the pressurized container 1. The dispensing valve 3 is spring biased to a closed position and is opened by depressing the valve stem inwardly toward the body portion of the container 1.

[0036] In the present embodiments, the aerosol spray container 1 has been modified in accordance with the present invention to incorporate a means by which an elongated aerosol spray extension tube, or focus straw 7, may be stored internally of the aerosol container 1. As shown, in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, an elongated tubular storage chamber 9 approximating the size and shape of a focus straw 7 is attached to or formed integrally with the interior surface 11 of the aerosol spray container 1. Storage chamber 9 which extends into the inner confines of spray container 1 has an imperforate sidewall and is closed at its distal end 13. As such, the entire chamber 9 is sealed from the pressurized interior of the aerosol spray container 1. The opposite proximal end 15 of chamber 9 is open and communicates in sealed relation with an opening to the exterior of the spray container 1, thus providing an access 17 to the internal storage chamber 9 within which the focus straw 7 may be inserted. In this manner, the focus straw is fully protected in a safe, secure environment when not in use, and readily accessible to the user when desired.

[0037] Since most aerosol spray containers 1 available on the market today are still made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), it is contemplated that the periphery of the open proximal end 15 to storage chamber 9 may be formed integrally with the body or welded to the interior surface 11 of container 1 at the opening 17. However, it is also possible that the aerosol container 9 could be formed of other materials, such as plastic, ceramic, etc., and it is therefore also possible that the interior storage chamber 9 could be integrally molded, heat fused or otherwise attached at its open proximal end 15 to the interior surface 11 at opening 17 of the container 1, without departing form the invention herein. To further facilitate ease of insertion of the focus straw 7 through opening 17 and into storage chamber 9, it is contemplated that opening 17 may be flared radially outward at its periphery to help guide the straw 7 there through.

[0038] In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the access opening 17 in aerosol spray container 1 is visible from the exterior, and the internal storage chamber 9 attached to the top inner surface 11 of container 1 is in alignment with opening 17. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tubular focus straw 7 is designed to be inserted through access opening 17 and into the protected confines of the interior storage chamber 9. As further shown, the internal storage chamber 9 within the aerosol spray container 1 is sized and shaped such that the focus straw 7 may be fully inserted into a safe, secure environment that is readily accessible to the user when desired.

[0039] For most aerosol containers, the dispensing valve 3 is a located on top of the container 1, and a removable protective cover 21 is provided to safeguard the dispensing valve 3 from damage when not in use. Cover 21 can be secured by any means to the spray container 1, e.g., by friction, snapping, sliding, rotation, or by threaded screw-on fit. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the storage chamber opening 17 for the focus straw 7 is located immediately adjacent the dispensing valve 3 on top of the spray container 1. In FIG. 2, the storage chamber opening 17 for the focus straw 7 is also located adjacent the dispensing valve 3 on top of the spray container 1, but slightly further outward therefrom. In both cases, the protective cover 21 for the dispensing valve 3 will also cover the storage chamber opening 17, thus preventing dirt from accumulating inside the chamber 9 and/or inadvertent loss of the focus straw 7 when not in use.

[0040] Although it is contemplated in one preferred embodiment that the access opening 17 to the internal storage chamber 9 be located in the top of the aerosol spray container 1, it is certainly possible that the opening 17 could be located elsewhere on the body of the spray container 1 without departing from the invention herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the storage chamber opening 17 could be located at the bottom end 19 of the spray container 1, opposite the dispensing valve 3. The open proximal end 15 of the storage chamber 9 would then be reversed to align with the access opening 17 in the bottom of the aerosol container 1. Still another embodiment could have the access opening 17 to chamber 9 located in the side of aerosol spray container 1, in which case storage chamber 9 may extend at an angle into the inner confines of container 1. Other configurations may also be possible without departing from the spirit of the invention herein.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, it is further contemplated that an alternative or supplemental covering mechanism 23 may be provided for access opening 17. This is particularly useful when the access opening is not located on top of the spray container 1 adjacent the dispensing valve 3, where cover 21 can be used to protect the access opening 17. Such alternative covering mechanism 23 can take on any form without departing from the invention herein. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, covering mechanism 23 is depicted as a threadable cap 23a which engages a threaded hub 20 to opening 17 of the interior chamber 9. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, covering mechanism 23 could take the form of a sliding or rotatable cover 23b which can be rotated between an open position allowing access to opening 17, and a closed position where opening 17 is completely covered, thus preventing dirt from accumulating inside the chamber 9 and/or inadvertent loss of the focus straw 7 when not in use. Still another embodiment contemplated is shown in FIG. 5, where covering mechanism 23 includes a channel member 25 with a sliding latch mechanism 27 that is configured to extend around and over the access opening 17. With this embodiment, the latch member 27 can be slid between an open position and a closed position over the access opening 17, as desired or necessary.

[0042] Alternatively, a pivotal latch (not shown) could also be used as a covering mechanism 23 for access opening 17. In this case, the latch would simply flip between an open position and closed position over the access opening 17, as desired or necessary. Finally, although not deemed necessary, it is certainly contemplated that any such alternative or supplemental covering mechanism 23 may also be used to cover the access opening 17 when it is located in the top of aerosol container 1, thus providing additional protection against dirt and other debris from accumulating inside storage chamber 9, and/or inadvertent loss of the focus straw 7 when not in use.

[0043] With attention now being taken to FIGS. 6A-6C, another embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein an aerosol spray container 31 includes a secured protective valve cap 33 which is constructed to rotate between a locked position 35 (FIG. 6A), and intermediate position (FIG. 6B), and an open position 37 (FIG. 6C) for spraying through dispensing port 39. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the protective valve cap 33 is locked, the dispensing trigger 41 is disabled and the dispensing port 39 is blocked; when open, as shown in FIG. 6C, the dispensing trigger 41 is released upward and enabled, thereby permitting the aerosol container 31 to be used.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an internal focus straw storage chamber 45 similar to that previously described is attached to or formed integrally in sealed relation with the interior surface of the aerosol spray container 31. Accordingly, storage chamber 45 defines an inner cavity which is sealed from the interior confines of the aerosol spray container 31, with an opening 47 extending to the exterior of the container 31 and into the confines of the protective cap 33. For access to the focus straw 7, another opening 49 is formed in the top of rotatable valve cap 33 which may be aligned with the access opening 47 to interior chamber 45 upon rotation of cap 33 to a predetermined selectable position 51 (see, FIG. 6B).

[0045] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when cap 33 is rotated to its closed locked position 35, there is no alignment between opening 49 in cap 33 and the access opening 47 to chamber 45. However, upon rotation of cap 33 to the predetermined selectable position 51 shown in FIG. 6B, the cap opening 49 comes into alignment with the access opening 47 to the internal storage chamber 45. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the rotatable cap 33 is rotated to position 51, the focus straw 7 may be freely inserted or removed from the internal storage chamber 45. It is noted that the focus straw “access” position 51 can be configured as a separate intermediate position between the valve cap's closed position 35 and open position 37, or could simply be configured for alignment and access when the valve cap is rotated fully to its open position 37 (FIG. 6C).

[0046] Thus, upon rotation of the valve cap 33 to the selected “access” position 51, the focus straw 7 is allowed to slide out of the storage chamber 45 through the valve cap opening 49 to be grasped by the user. In all other positions of valve cap 33, the valve cap opening 49 is out of alignment with storage chamber opening 47, and valve cap 33 blocks access to chamber 45 and focus straw 7. Since the rotatable valve cap 33 is secured to and incorporated as a part of the aerosol spray container 31, no separate protective covering is necessary to protect the opening 47 to the internal storage chamber 45. Therefore, when not in use, the focus straw 7 may be stored in a safe, clean and protected internal environment where it cannot get lost or damaged from the external environmental conditions to which conventional focus straws are routinely subjected.

[0047] With reference now being made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another aerosol spray container 91 having an interior focus straw storage chamber 93 is shown. The internal storage chamber 93 is comprised of an elongated tube that extends downward within the aerosol container 91, and is attached to or formed integrally in sealed relation with the body of the aerosol spray container 91. As in other embodiments, an access opening 95 to chamber 93 is formed in the top end of container 91 adjacent the dispensing valve stem (not shown). In this case, valve trigger 97 for the dispensing valve stem is freely rotatable 360 degrees about the stem and includes a cutout portion 99 that may be aligned with the access opening 95 to the storage chamber 93. As shown in FIG. 7B, upon alignment of the cutout portion 99 with access opening 95, interior chamber 93 becomes accessible for storage or retrieval of the focus straw 7.

[0048] Rotation of valve trigger 97 to any position in which cutout portion 99 is out of alignment with access opening 95 will prevent access to chamber 93, thereby allowing the focus straw 7 to be stored in a safe, clean and protected internal environment where it cannot get lost or damaged from the external environmental conditions to which conventional focus straws are routinely subjected. As an added measure of protection, cap 101 is provided which may be fitted via a snap or friction fit atop of the container 91, thus further protecting the valve trigger 97 and storage chamber 93 from outside elements.

[0049] With reference now to FIGS. 8A-8C, another embodiment is disclosed for an aerosol spray container 61 which also includes an internal focus straw storage chamber 63 similar to that described in previous embodiments. In this case, however, the internal storage chamber 63 extends downward through the center of aerosol container 61, and is attached to or formed integrally in sealed relation with the body of container 61 at the center of the top end thereof. As seen in FIGS. 8A-8C, the storage chamber 63 is conjoined at its lower distal end with the outer casing of dispensing valve 65 adjacent the lower end of container 61. In this embodiment, the aerosol spray container 61 is specially configured with an elongated dispensing valve tube 64 which extends telescopically through the storage chamber 63 for operational engagement with dispensing valve 65. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the focus straw 75 (which is carried by dispensing head or spray nozzle 69) may then be telescopically inserted into the dispensing valve tube 64, such that it may be stored within chamber 63 and used in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow. In this manner, the aerosol container 61 has been adapted such that the internal storage chamber 63 for the focus straw 75 extends directly through the middle of spray container 61 in substantially coextensive relation to dispensing valve tube 64, with its proximal end defining an access opening 67 extending to the exterior of the container 61.

[0050] With this embodiment, it is contemplated that a specially configured removable spray nozzle 69 may be attached to the upper proximal end 66 of dispensing valve tube 64, such that the aerosol spray container 61 can be used either in a “wide-spray” mode or in a “focus-spray” mode, depending on the orientation of the dispensing nozzle 69. Nozzle 69 is designed with interconnected dual port operability; one dispensing port 71 allows the nozzle 69 to be used in a “wide-spray” mode, and the other dispensing port 73 includes a secured (either permanent of removable) focus straw attachment 75 that can be used in a “focus-spray” mode.

[0051] As best shown in FIG. 8B, for use of the aerosol spray container 61 in the “wide-spray” mode, the “focus-spray” dispensing port 73 connects to the end 66 of dispensing valve tube 64 of valve 65. In this case, the focus straw 75 connected to port 73 slides into dispensing valve tube 64 and is thereby conveniently stored for safe keeping within the internal sealed storage chamber 63. In this mode, however, upon depression of spray nozzle 69, port 73 functions as the input port for the spray nozzle 69, and the aerosol spray exiting dispensing valve tube 64 travels through the focus straw 75 and out through port 71.

[0052] As best shown in FIG. 8C, to use in the aerosol container 61 in the “focus spray” mode, the nozzle 69 is designed to be removed from the dispensing valve 65 and reoriented 90 degrees such that the “wide spray” dispensing port 71 now connects to the upper end 66 of dispensing valve tube 64. Accordingly, dispensing port 71 now functions as the inlet port for the “focus-spray” dispensing port 73. In this mode, upon depression of spray nozzle 69, the aerosol spray exiting dispensing valve tube 64 enters port 71 and exits through focus straw 75. Similar to other embodiments described herein, as an added measure of protection, a cap 79 which is fitted via a snap or friction fit atop of container 61 may also be provided. Here again, it is apparent that the present invention provides an effective means by which the focus straw of an aerosol spray container may be stored with the container in a fully protected and safe environment, away from external forces and environmental elements that may result in the loss of or damage to the focus straw.

[0053] As an additional preventive measure to help avoid loss or damage of the focus straw during use, it is also contemplated that the spray nozzle and focus straw for an aerosol spray container could be designed with a locking mechanism to ensure that the focus straw does not become dislodged during use. Such a locking mechanism could be used with any embodiment disclosed herein. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, one possible embodiment for accomplishing this could be to form the focus straw 7 with an outwardly extending flange 83 at one end. This flange 83 could lock into a slotted dispensing port 85 (e.g., via rotation, friction fit, etc.) in the spray nozzle 5 of the aerosol container, thus holding the focus straw 7 in place during use. Of course, other and additional configurations of the focus straw locking mechanism may be possible without departing from the spirit of the invention herein.

[0054] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, “upward”, “downward”, “rearward”, and “forward” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

[0055] When introducing elements or features and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0056] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description only, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention herein. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment and, where applicable, may be interchangeable and used in other selected embodiments, even if not specifically shown or described as such. Accordingly, various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention, which comprises the matter shown and described herein, and set forth in the appended claims.