PRESSURIZED SPRAY SYSTEM AND ADAPTER THEREOF

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a pressurized spray system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Pressurized containers, such as aerosol cans, dispense a variety of ingredients for use in a wide range of applications including disinfectants, paints, antiperspirants, deodorants, pesticides and insecticides. Typically, an active ingredient is mixed with a solvent, and the mixture is pressurized with a propellant and stored under pressure in the aerosol can. Aerosol cans generally include a port at one end that is normally closed off by an internal valve which, when opened, allows the pressurized mixture therein to escape through the valve stem.

The active mixture is typically sprayed by pushing down/sideways on the valve stem with an actuator located at the top of the can that displaces the valve. The pressure on the actuator is typically supplied by finger pressure. In some instances, such as when using insecticides, it is sometimes desirable to attach a dispenser system, such as a hose or a wand and a spray gun, to the aerosol can to extend the reach or to more accurately direct the contents of the aerosol can to corners, crevices, pits, hollows and other areas which are difficult to access. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,461, filed Oct. 3, 2003.

Although various adapter devices have been available heretofore to couple a dispenser system with the aerosol can or other pressurized container, there is a need for a new and improved adapter for quickly and easily connecting and/or disconnecting the dispenser system to an aerosol can or other pressurized container.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a pressurized spray system comprises a pressurized container assembly including a pressurized container, and a valve assembly secured to an upper portion of the pressurized container and operative between a closed configuration, in which the valve assembly inhibits release of pressurized product in the container, and an open configuration, in which the valve assembly enables release of the pressurized product from the container, wherein the valve assembly include a depressible stem for opening and closing the valve assembly; a dispenser system including a spray gun, and tubing in fluid communication with the spray gun; and an adapter removably coupling the dispenser system to the pressurized container assembly to enable the dispenser system to dispense pressurized product from the pressurized container assembly, wherein the adapter includes a container adapter component secured to the upper portion of the pressurized container, the container adapter component including an outer upper annular portion and an inner upper annular portion disposed radially inward of and generally opposing the outer upper annular portion to define an annular space, and a dispenser adapter component secured to the tubing, the dispenser adapter component including an internal stem coupler fluidly and mechanically coupled to the valve stem, and an annular, depending flange received in the annular space of the container adapter component. The dispenser adapter component is removably secured to the container adapter component by twist-locking, in which rotation of the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component selectively locks and unlocks the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component and axially translates the internal stem coupler, and in turn the stem of the valve, relative to the pressurized container to selectively open and close the valve assembly.

In another aspect, an adapter for removably coupling a dispenser system to a pressurized container assembly to enable the dispenser system to dispense pressurized product from the pressurized container assembly comprises a container adapter component configured to be secured to an upper portion of the pressurized container, the container adapter component including an outer upper annular portion and an inner upper annular portion disposed radially inward of and generally opposing the outer upper annular portion to define an annular space; and a dispenser adapter component configured to be coupled to tubing of the dispenser system, the dispenser adapter component including an internal stem coupler configured to be fluidly and mechanically coupled to the valve stem, and an annular, depending flange configured to be received in the annular space of the container adapter component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of a pressurized spray system, including an adapter.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pressurized spray system, showing a dispenser system removed from a container assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the container assembly.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the container assembly, showing a container adapter component of the adapter removed from a container.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of an assembled valve assembly and the adapter

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the container adapter component.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the adapter, showing the container adapter component removed from a dispenser adapter component.

FIG. 8 is a cross section of pressurized spray system, with a spray gun removed therefrom.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the adapter, showing the dispenser adapter component in an initial position relative to the container adapter component.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9, with the dispenser adapter component rotated about 45 degrees relative to the container adapter component.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the adapter taken through a plane defined by the line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the adapter taken through a plane defined by the line 12-12 in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, is a pressurized spray system is generally indicated at reference numeral 10. In general, the pressurized spray system 10 includes a pressurized container assembly, generally indicated at 12, and a dispenser system, generally indicated at 14, removably coupled to the pressurized container assembly by an adapter, generally indicated at 16. The pressurized container assembly 12 may be disposable. The dispenser system 14 may be reusable and can be coupled to another pressurized container assembly 12 after emptying the other pressurized container assembly, for example. In general, the adapter 16 includes a container adapter component, generally indicated at 20, associated with the container assembly 12, and a dispenser adapter component, generally indicated at 22, associated with the dispenser system. The adapter components 20, 22 are removably connectable to one another to operatively couple the container assembly 12 to the dispenser system 14. The adapter components 20, 22 are effectively keyed to inhibit other types of adapter components from being coupled to the other adapter component. In this way, the container assembly 12 and the dispenser system 14 have a proprietary connection.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the pressurized container assembly 12 generally comprises a pressurized container or can 24, a valve assembly, generally indicated at 26, coupled to the container, and may include the container adapter component 20 coupled to the container. The container 24 is suitable for containing a pressurized flowable product. As an example, the flowable product disposed in the container 24 may be a sprayable chemical agent, such as an insecticide, pesticide, or herbicide. This product may be in form of an aerosol, whereby the chemical product and a propellant are enclosed under pressure in the container 20.

As seen best in FIG. 5, the valve assembly 26 is coupled to an upper portion of the container 24 in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The valve assembly 26 is operative between a closed configuration, in which the valve assembly inhibits release of the pressurized product in the container 24, and an open configuration, in which the valve assembly enables release of the pressurized product from the container. The illustrated valve assembly 26 is a vertically-actuatable valve comprising a mounting cup 28 secured to the upper portion of the container 24, a valve housing 30 secured to the mounting cup, a stem 32 received in the valve housing and extending upward through a central opening in the mounting cup, and a spring 34 biasing the stem in an upward, closed position. Depressing the stem 32 downward opens the valve assembly 26 to allow the pressurized (e.g., aerosol) product to flow through the stem and out the container 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a dip tube 38 is secured to the lower end of the valve housing 30 for delivering pressurized product into the valve housing. The container 24 and the valve assembly 26, such as illustrated, may be of a conventional design suitable for dispensing an aerosol product.

As seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the container adapter component 20 is a non-conventional, proprietary component that is formed separately from the container 24 and secured thereto, such as after filling the container and attaching the valve assembly 26 thereto. The container adapter component 20 includes a securement collar 40 at a lower end portion configured to attach (e.g., by snap-fit connection) the container adapter component to upper portion of the container 24. At least one internal cleat 42 or detent (e.g., a plurality of cleats or detents) extends radially inward from the collar 40 and is configured to engage a rim 44 or bead (FIG. 4) of the container 26 to secure the container adapter component 20 to the container. In particular, the container adapter component 20 is configured to be pushed down onto the container 24 such that the collar 40 (or cleats) resiliently flexes outwardly to enable the cleat(s) to move passed the rim 44 and rebound to snap onto the container. In one embodiment, the container adapter component 20 is configured to be non-removable to inhibit the container adapter component from being removed from the container 24.

Referring still to FIGS. 5 and 6, the container adapter component 20 further includes an outer upper annular portion 50 and an inner upper annular portion 52 disposed radially inward of and generally opposing the outer upper annular portion to define an annular space. The inner upper annular portion 52 extends around (and may engage) the curled lip of the mounting cup 28, as shown in FIG. 5. The upper portion of the valve stem 32 extends above the outer and inner upper annular portions 50, 52. As explained in more detail below, the outer upper annular portion 50 and the inner upper annular portion 52 define a first adapter coupler (e.g., an upper adapter coupler) configured to removably secure the dispenser adapter component 22 to the container adapter component 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispenser system 14 generally includes a spray gun 60 (broadly, a spraying device), tubing 62 in fluid communication with the spray gun, a check valve 64 fluidly coupling the dispenser adapter component to the tubing, and may include the dispenser adapter component 22. The spray gun 60 may include a nozzle 68, a handle 70, and an actuator 72 (e.g., a trigger). The spray gun or spraying device may be of other designs or constructions. Operating the spray gun 60 dispenses the flowable product (e.g., aerosol). In particular, the flowable product travels along a fluid path extending from the container 24 and through the valve assembly 26, the dispenser adapter component 22, the check valve 64, the tubing 62, and the spray gun 60. The tubing 62 may be flexible tubing, and may be coiled, as illustrated. As seen best in FIG. 8, the tubing 62 may include a coupling 78 threaded on or otherwise connected to an upper end of the check valve 64. A lower end of the check valve 64 may be threaded on or otherwise connected to an upper portion of the dispenser adapter component 22, as shown. The check valve 64 inhibits the flowable product from flowing back into the dispenser adapter component 22 and the container 24 to retain fluid in the flowable product in the fluid path.

Referring to FIG. 5, the dispenser adapter component 22 generally includes an internal stem coupler 80 configured to fluidly and mechanically couple with the valve stem 32. The stem coupler 80 defines a fluid passage that fluidly connects the stem 32 (and the valve assembly 26) with the check valve 64 and the remainder of the dispenser system 14, as seen in FIG. 8. The illustrated stem coupler 80 has a lower portion that receives the stem 32 to couple the stem coupler to the stem. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem coupler 80 is disposed in an upper portion 84 of the dispenser adapter component 14. For reasons which are apparent from and explained in the below description, the illustrated upper portion 84 is designed and constructed as a grip to be gripped by a user's hand (e.g., between thumb and one or more fingers). The upper portion 84 has an elongate shape, similar to a rectangle or oval. Ribs 86 or other frictional features may be on the upper portion 84 to enhance grip.

Referring to FIG. 5, the dispenser adapter component 22 further includes a second adapter coupler (e.g., lower adapter coupler) at a lower end portion of the dispenser adapter component configured to mateably couple with the first adapter coupler of the container adapter component 20. The second adapter coupler includes a shroud 90 with an annular, depending flange that is configured to be received in the annular space between the outer and inner upper annular portions 50, 52 of the container adapter component 20. When the annular, depending flange is received in the annular space, the shroud 90 generally envelopes the inner upper annular portion 52.

The adapter components 20, 22 are couplable to one another by twist-locking. As seen in FIG. 7, at least one tongue 94 (e.g., two or more tongues) extends radially outward from the annular, depending flange of the shroud 90. (In the illustrated embodiments, two tongues 94 are diametrically opposite one another.) The tongues 94 are receivable in the annular space of the first adapter coupler when the shroud 90 is received over the upper inner annular portion 52. Opposing (e.g., diametrically opposite) recesses 96 (i.e., at least one recess) in the upper outer annular portion 50 facilitate entry of the tongues 94 in the annular space and provide a reference for the user to properly align the dispenser adapter component 22 with the container adapter component 20, as shown in FIG. 7.

With the dispenser adapter component 22 in the initial position on the container adapter component 20, such as shown in FIG. 9, the stem coupler 80 is coupled to the vale stem 32 (e.g., the stem is received in the stem coupler) and rotation of the dispenser adapter component 22 relative to the container adapter component 20 (such as by gripping the grip and turning the upper adapter component in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction) engages the tongues 94 with undersides of sloped or descending ramps 100 or ribs extending radially inward from the upper outer annular portion 50, thereby imparting downward movement (i.e., translation) of the dispenser adapter component 22 relative to the container adapter component 20. These ramps 100 can be considered screw threads on which the tongues 94 ride against the biasing force of the valve spring 34 as the dispenser adapter component 22 is rotated. This axial translation of the dispenser adapter component 22, including the valve coupler 80, imparts downward movement of the valve stem 32 relative to the valve housing 30, thereby opening the valve assembly 26. Stops 102 at the ends of the ramps 100 are configured to engage the respective tongues 94 and inhibit further rotation of the dispenser adapter component 22. At this position, the dispenser adapter component 22 is locked onto the container adapter component 20 and the valve assembly 26 is open. In one embodiment, as can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10, the dispenser adapter component 22 may be rotated about 45 degrees in the clockwise direction relative to the container adapter component 20 to lock the components to one another and open the valve assembly 26. Additional stops 106 adjacent the recesses 96 inhibit the dispenser adapter component 22 from rotating in the counterclockwise direction from the initial position.

The adapter 16, including the components 20, 22, thereof, may be formed from plastic or other suitable material, and may be formed by molding or in other suitable ways.

One or more non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the numbered paragraphs:

• • 1. A pressurized spray system comprising:
  • a pressurized container assembly including a pressurized container, and a valve assembly secured to an upper portion of the pressurized container and operative between a closed configuration, in which the valve assembly inhibits release of pressurized product in the container, and an open configuration, in which the valve assembly enables release of the pressurized product from the container, wherein the valve assembly include a depressible stem for opening and closing the valve assembly;
  • a dispenser system including a spray gun, and tubing in fluid communication with the spray gun; and
  • an adapter removably coupling the dispenser system to the pressurized container assembly to enable the dispenser system to dispense pressurized product from the pressurized container assembly, wherein the adapter includes
    • a container adapter component secured to the upper portion of the pressurized container, the container adapter component including an outer upper annular portion and an inner upper annular portion disposed radially inward of and generally opposing the outer upper annular portion to define an annular space, and
    • a dispenser adapter component secured to the tubing, the dispenser adapter component including an internal stem coupler fluidly and mechanically coupled to the valve stem, and an annular, depending flange received in the annular space of the container adapter component,
  • wherein the dispenser adapter component is removably secured to the container adapter component by twist-locking, in which rotation of the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component selectively locks and unlocks the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component and axially translates the internal stem coupler, and in turn the stem of the valve, relative to the pressurized container to selectively open and close the valve assembly.
  • 2. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 1, wherein the container adapter component is secured to the pressurized container by snap-fit connection.
  • 3. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 2, wherein the upper portion of the pressurized container includes an annular rim, wherein the container adapter component includes a securement collar and at least one internal detent extending radially inward from the securement collar, the at least one internal detent engaging the annular rim.
  • 4. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 1, wherein the internal stem coupler defines a fluid passage fluidly connecting the valve assembly to the dispenser system.
  • 5. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 4, wherein the stem is received in a lower portion of the fluid passage.
  • 6. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a mounting cup having a lip secured to the pressurized can, wherein the inner upper annular portion of the container adapter component extends around and engages the lip of the mounting cup.
  • 7. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 1, wherein the container adapter component includes at least one sloped ramp extending radially inward from the upper outer annular portion, wherein the dispenser adapter component includes at least one tongue extending radially outward from the annular, depending flange and engaging the sloped ramp.
  • 8. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 7, wherein the upper outer annular portion defines at least one recess in communication with the annular space and configured to receive the at least one tongue to facilitate entry and removal of the at least one tongue from the annular space.
  • 9. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 8, wherein the at least one recess includes diametrically opposite recesses, wherein the at least one tongue includes diametrically opposite tongues.
  • 10. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 7, wherein the container adapter component includes at least one stop adjacent an end of the at least one ramp and configured to engage the at least one tongue and inhibit further rotation of the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component.
  • 11. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 1, wherein the pressurized container includes an aerosol product.
  • 12. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 11, wherein the aerosol product is an insecticide, pesticide, or herbicide.
  • 13. An adapter for removably coupling a dispenser system to a pressurized container assembly to enable the dispenser system to dispense pressurized product from the pressurized container assembly, the adapter comprises:
  • a container adapter component configured to be secured to an upper portion of the pressurized container, the container adapter component including an outer upper annular portion and an inner upper annular portion disposed radially inward of and generally opposing the outer upper annular portion to define an annular space, and
  • a dispenser adapter component configured to be coupled to tubing of the dispenser system, the dispenser adapter component including an internal stem coupler configured to be fluidly and mechanically coupled to the valve stem, and an annular, depending flange configured to be received in the annular space of the container adapter component.
  • 14. The adapter set forth in paragraph 13, wherein the container adapter component includes at least one sloped ramp extending radially inward from the upper outer annular portion, wherein the dispenser adapter component includes at least one tongue extending radially outward from the annular, depending flange and engaging the sloped ramp.
  • 15. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 14, wherein the upper outer annular portion defines at least one recess in communication with the annular space and configured to receive the at least one tongue to facilitate entry and removal of the at least one tongue from the annular space.
  • 16. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 15, wherein the at least one recess includes diametrically opposite recesses, wherein the at least one tongue includes diametrically opposite tongues.
  • 17. The pressurized spray system set forth in paragraph 14, wherein the container adapter component includes at least one stop adjacent an end of the at least one ramp and configured to engage the at least one tongue and inhibit further rotation of the dispenser adapter component relative to the container adapter component.

Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.