Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAC.KGROUN:D OF THE: INVENTION
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: (I) Field~of the Invention
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The invention hereinafter to be described is a hand-held spraying device
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which tllrough its unique arrangement of featu:res and parts permits an atomi~ed spray
comparable to that found in aerosol type sprayers now currently enjoying widespread
acceptance on the open Inarket. However, aerosol sprayers have disadvantages in that
*
they must be pre-charged, usually with a propellant such as "Freon" or the like, at rela-
tively high pressures. In addition their entire contents are subjcct to this high press1lre,
10 even in storage. Further, such devices often retain high resiclual pressure even whetl in
the so-called "empty" conc1itiol1, hence are of high potential danger whetl discarded.
* Tradernark :Eor a series of fluorocarbon products used as reErigerants, blowing
agents and aerosol propellants "Freon 12", a tradernark for a t~pical me..mber
of this series, is dichlorodifluoromethane (CC12F2).
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(2) Description of the Prior Art
Devices now currently enjoying favor in the art of atomizing
dispensers include the manually operated sprayer described in U.S. Patent No.
3,471,065 to C.E. Malone, dated August 7, 1969. In this device an inner cham-
ber is pressurized by applying a downwardly directed force to the device.
This results in one portion telescoping into another portion and operates to
effect a pumping action by compressing a spring and simultaneously drawing
liquid into a chamber below a piston. Since the piston is urged against the
liquid, and a valve below the liquid in the chamber entrance closes, the
liquid is trapped therein until released by an appropriate discharge device.
However, while the above sprayer is advantageous over aerosol
bombs and the like, it does have certain practical limits insofar as pressure
chamber volume is concerned, because in its telescoping member concept its
length must be increased, either to charge or discharge, hence liquid capa-
city under pressure isg of necessity, limited. Thus it is evident that such
volume limitations, from a practicality point of view are inherent in these
devices.
Other prior art sprayers of the hand-held type usually require
constant hand action to pump liquid, such as by triggering or squeezing and
the like, and while these en~oy relatively wide-spread usage they do have the
disadvantage of poor spray rate control, poor atomization, and from a user
standpoint9 require much physical effort to operate.
Accordingly, these disadvantages, inherent in the above and in
other type devices of this nature, are believed overcome by the herein to be
presented invention as will be more apparent from the description which
follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in liquid spraying devices
and more particularly to improvements in the relatively small, hand-held
devices which desirably produce spray mists as fine as, or finer than, that
produced by the aerosol spray bombs and triggering devices.
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~t i8 there~ore, an ob~ect of the present invention to provide
an efficient, yet simple in operation and construction, rechargeable liquid
- spraying devlce, low enough in cost to provide the average person with a
refillable, or throwaway~ i.e., non-refillable, hand-operated sprayer for
spraying in a miqt the many liquids commonly used today, i.e., hair sprays,
perfumes, toilet water, deodorants, insecticides, as well as for use in
other fields such as in the medical field to provide a safe and reliable
device for accuratel~ controlled, sterile dispensing of antibiotics,
medical alcohol, and other medicines in hospital operating rooms and the like.
Another obJect is to provide a rechargeable liquid spraying
devlce which is easily held in the hand and which, when charged may be
operated in any position or attitude by finger ~ctuation of a push button
- type of trigger arrangement.
An additional ob~ect is to provide a rechargeable liquid
sprayer of the character described which may be charged from most any
position or attitude so long as liquid remains within the invention.
A further obJect is to provide a rechargeable liquid spraying
device of the character described which is completely safe, requires no
outslde power and which is capable of dispensing liquid under high pressure
; 20 in the form of a fine mist, but wherein the bulk of the liquid stored in
the device is sub~ected to atmospheric pressure only, thereby avoiding the
;- explosi~n hazards of the com~on aerosol type sprayer~
~ still further ob~ect of this invention is to provide a re-
chargeable liquid spraying device of the character described which requires
no pressurizing gas to be contained nor other foreign propellant thereby
avoiding the problems of contamination and dilution of the liquid product
to be diQpensed as well as circumventing inherent problems in the ~e of
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; pre-pressurized devices.
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Thus, in accordance with the present teachings? a
liquid sprayer is provided whlch comprises a rotatable container
with the container having a receptacle for holding a quantity
of liquid and a liquid pressurizing chamber adaptable to receive
a charge of liquid with an opening for filling the receptacle
with liquid. An inlet conduit is provided in the container for
conducting the charge from the receptacle to the chamber with
a first fluid control means in the container which permits
liquid to flow into the chamber with a second control fluid
means in the container for permitting air to flow into the
receptacle. The sprayer cap is provided rotatably connected
to the container with a moveable pis~on in the cap wi~h compres-
sible means in the cap positioned therein in biasing relationship
to the piston. Charging means is provided on the container
operably connected to a portion of the piston such that rotation
of the container relative to the cap causes the piston to move
in the cap to compre~s the compressible means and pressurize
the charge in the chamber. A spray nozzle is provided on the cap
for discharging liquid from the chamber with an outlet conduit means
for conducting the liquid from the chamber to the spray noæzle and
dischar~ing mean~ in the cap for controlling discharge of the
liquid from the chamber through the nozzle. Guide means are pro-
vided on the piston in the cap for guiding the piston in the cap.
By a further embodiment of the present teachings, a
liquid sprayer is provided which comprises a container adapted to
contain a body of liquid to be sprayed and which is formed in the -~
two relatively rotatable sections, a relatively reciprocable piston
and cylinder which defines a pressurizable chamber therebetween
and a spring means operably associated with the piston and bias
30 to tend to produce relative motion of the piston and cylinder in ~ - ,,
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a direction to pressurize the chamber. A spray nozzle is mounted on the
exterior of the container for discharging the liquid from the chamber
with rigid conduit means for conducting pressurized liquid to the spray
nozzle and manually-operable means in the rigid conduit for controlling -~
the flow of liquid through the rigid conduit to the spray nozzle. Conduit
means is provided effectively connecting the body of the liquid to the
chamber and includes a check valve to prevent flow of liquid from the
chamber to the body of liqllid.. Venting means is provided to permit air
flow into the container and means for effectively connecting one of the .
rotatable sections to the piston and means for effectively connecting the
other of said rotatable sections to the cylinder whereby relative rotation
of the rotatable sections produces relative movement of the piston end
cylinder ~o compress the spring means and draw liquid from the body of
liquid i~to the pressurizable chamber~ :
Other ob~ecte, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed description
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: ~ ;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of an
apparatus employing the invention showing sa~e lcaded with liquid
but as yet uncharged;
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Figure 2 is a view similar lo Figure 1, partially sectionecl, showing the de-
vice in an intermediate state of charge or pressuri~ation;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2, partially sectionéd, showing
the invention in a completely charged or pressurized state ready for spraying opera-
tion;
Figure 4 is a pictorial, exploded view of the cap and piston portions of the
invention, partially cut away to show the respective guides or keyways and splines
utilized to insure proper engagement of these parts;
Figure 5 is a sectional expanded view of a spray noz~le, push button and
io control valve operated thereby and a typical safety lever, the latter being shown in
the "Off" position; and,
Figure 6 is an enlargement, in section, of a portion of Figure 1, in particular
the central and mid upper right-hand portion ill~lstrating the pressure chamber inlet
check valve and the air inlet check valve, together with d portion of a piston and charge
or pressurization chamber.
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DESCRIP~ION OF T~IE PREF}~;RRED EMBODIMENT
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Referring in more detail to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 through 3
illustrate a preferred embodiment of a liquid spraying device 10 of the present in-
vention which preferably is dimensioned to be conveniently held in the hand, much in
the same manner as the common aerosol bomb much in evidence today. In general,
spray device 10 comprises a separable cylindricalcontainerll for storing a quantity
of liquid 12 to be sprayed, and a cap or spray housing 13 mounted thereon, container
ll and spray housing 13 being two main sub-assemblies of sprayer 10. As best illus-
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trated in Figure 1, housing 13 comprises a cylindrical recess 14 depending from the
top iherèof for receiving one end of a biasing member? or responsor 15 in the form
shown here for illustrationj of a coiled spring, and an outlet conduit 16 centrally dis-
posed in recess 14. It shoulcl be readily apparent that other forms of biasing members
can be used for responsor l5. Thus flat, Belleville washer type springs either a single
element or stacked into a long biasing chain can be u~ecl ancl such will occur to the
s~illed artisan. Further, responsor 15 need not be of metal, ,15 many plastics now
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becoming available which have relatively high densily and excell~nt "memory" can
be utilized. ;E'olyethylene and polypropylene are examples of such piastics.
Outlet 16 terminates in a central tube 38 formecl in a piston 9. Tube 38 at
its top (see Figure 1) is fitted with a liquid seal 39, in this instance an O-ring, al-
though many other suitable seals will occur to skilled artisans. Seal 39 is retained
in tube 38 by a retainer 40 and provides a seal against liquid leakage between
tube 38 and the lower end of outlet 16.
In the t~p of outlet 16, and reference may now be had to Fig. 5 wherein
the parts now to be described are shown in clearer detail, is a discharge valvF 17
comprising a movable stem 20, a partially precompressed spring 22 positioned in a
cavity 23 so as to urge stem 20 against a shoulder 6 at the entrance to cavity 23. The
upper portion of stem 20 terminates in sealing relationship in a push button 24 containing
a dlscharge nozzle 19. Stem 20 is formed with flow passages which are tlow connected
at their lower end to an orifice 8 and at their upper end to nozzle 19. A valve seal 21
adjacent orifice 8 seals against liquid flow therethrough until push button 24 is de-
pressed. Seal 21 in the form of an O-ring is shown; however other seals will adequately
accomplish this purpose. It is thus readily apparent that valve 17 is a normally closed
device. As stated above when push button 24 is depressed, stem 20 moves c~ownwardly
into a second cavity 25 uncovering orifice 8.
A safety lever 26 is mounted on stem 20 between push button 24 and valve 17.
Lever 26 has two positions; in one position a plug 27 engages the underside of button
24 and prevents downward movement thereof when pushed. In the other position StDp
27 comes into register with a recess (not shown) in the bottom of button 24 and normal
movement of push button 24 is permitted. Thus, by lever 26 an "On-Off" capability
in sprayer 10 is simply and economically provided.
` Referring again to Flgure 1, piston 9, as hereinbefore mentioned, has a
central tube 38 which, at its upper end, is formed with grooves to accommodate seal 39
and seal retainer 40. At the lower end of piston 9 i9 a ram end 28 (see FIG.
2) on the outside periphery of which a seal groove is formed to receive a
ram end seal l~, (see FIG. 6) the one shown bcing a preferred type of
- O-ring although other sealing means well known to the skilled artisan
will serve the purpose.
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Container 11, the second of two main sub-assemblies, comprises a re-
ceptacle 31 for holding a quantity of liquid 12. An inlet conduit 32 is centrally posi-
tioned therein and extends downwardly to a point just above the bottom wall, or cover
7 of container 11. In the embodiment shown wall 7 is adapted to receive, in a threaded
fitting 42, a removable filler plug 41, for filling reservoir or receptacle 31 with
liquid 12. Obviously, a non-refillable, precharged, ancl factory sealed container 11
is also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Bottom wall
or cover 7 can be pressed on to form a tight seal; however, other sealing methods
such as ultra sonic welding or heat sealing can easily be employed to close cover 7
more permanently and such methods are fully contemplated as being within the inventive
purview hereof.
Central inlet conduit 32 terminates in an inlet check valve 43 at the entrance
to a liquid pressurizing chamber 33. Valve 43 is arranged to permit flow into chamber
33 but to prevent flow in the opposite direction. A second valve, an air inlet check
valve 44, is arranged in the top of container 11 and operates to permit air to flow into
receptacle 31, while preventing liquid flow ouk. Valves 43 and 44 are more clearly
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illustrated in Figure 6 which is an e~largemeIlt of a portion of Figure 1.
Container 11 is formed with a peripheral bevelled rim 35, which engages
with a peripheral ridge or shelf 36 in cap or spray housing 13, and has a pair of cams
or cammed suraces 30 in cam recesses 34. Cams 30 operatively contact a pair of
cam followers 29 and, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, are instrumental in
the operation oE this invention.
Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown in an exploded view, cap 13 and
piston 9 illustrating relationship of these two members when assembled. Cap 13 is
formed with inner peripheral splines or keys 49 and adjacent spline recesses or key-
ways 47, which engage with corresponding recesses 48 and keys 46 respectively on
peripheral skirt 45 of piston 9. Also more clearly visible in Figure 4 are peripheral
ridges, shelves, or notches 36 in the bottom of splines 49 which engage bevelled or
chamfered rim 35 on container 11 elsewhere describe(~. Piston 9 when assembletl with
cap 13 is slidabIy movable therein over splines 49 and Iceyways 47 on recess 4~ and
keys 46.
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Having describcd sprayer 10 and its several parts, it shoul(l be evident that
what has been presentecl as a genuine advance ln the art of dispensing and spraying is
a unique combination of elements and parts, economical to produce since all of its
parts can be made of plastic. In fact, a particularly preferred plastic material is
polypropylene. It is also to be noted that sprayer 10 is easily assembled by unskilled
laborers~andobviously~thevariouspartsthereof canbearrangedinto gubassemblieS
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which are thereafter assembled to produce the complete unit. For example, piston 9,
fitted with seals 18 and 33 and retainer 40 make a subassémbly. Inlet check valve 43,
and air inlet check valve 44 installed in appropriate seats in container 11, bottom
cover 7 with filler plu,, 41 in Litting 42 thereon make ~mother subassembly. Pre-
assembled piston 9 can then be assembled in container 11 by inserting cylindrical ram
end 28 thereof into chamber 33. Responsor 15~can then be positioned on piston 9 over
central tube 38.
~ap 13 with seal 21 in reFess 23, valve 17 spring 22 installed on seal 21,
stem 20 in recess 23 in spring 22 and seal 21 after being forced by shoulder 6 in the
openin~ on top Oe cap 13, makes still anotller sul)assembly. Stem 20 compresses spring
22 slightly and assumes the positlon shown in Figure 5, with orifice 8 adjacent seal 21.
Safety lever 26 installed over the upper end of stem 20, push button 24 with no~zle 19
presses over the top of stem 20 over lever 26, insuring that plugs 27 are in proper
position to permit lever 26 to move back and forth around stem 20 into its "On" or"Off"
positions as desired, complcte cap 13 subassembly.
Subassembly cap 13 is now ready for assembly with subassembly container
11. To cornplete assembly of sprayer 10 cap 13 is inverted and placed over container
11 with piston 9 therein and responsor 15 protruding from the responsor recess 37
around tube 38, and firmly pressed down, compressing responsor 15, until notches 36
snap into place over bevelled rim 35 on contniner 11. Sprayer 10 is now completely
asscmbled and ready for fillin~ with liquid which can thereafter be charged and sprayed
as desired.
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OPER~TION OF TME INVENTION
In operation of the present invention, receptacle 31 in container 11 is filled
with liquid to be sprayed, or dlspensed, and sprayer 10 is charged. To charge,
sprayer 10 is grasped in the left hand by cap 13 and held tightly. Container 11 is then
grasped with the right hand and rotated to the right (arrows in Figures 2 and 3, cap 13
being held stationary during rotation of container 11) 180, or until a slight click is
heard. Rotation of container 11 causes cams 30 to rotate which in turn cause piston 9
to rise up into cap 13, sliding therein on keys 46 and keyways 48 of skirt 45 in corres~
ponding keyways 47 and keys 49, compressing responsor 15 ahead of it. As piston 9
begins to rise, ram end 38 leaves the bottom of chamber 33 creating a slight vacuum.
Valves 43 and 44 open permitting liquid 12 to flow into chamber 33 and air to flow into
receptacle 31. As shown in Figure 2, piston 9 is at the beginning of its upward stroke
and liquid 12 is filling the partially vacated chamber 33. If at this point rotation of
container 11 ceases, the liquid already in chamber 33 will remain therein being under
pressure caused by responsor 15, which pressure will cause check valves 43 and 4a~
to close, trapping the liquid. As rotation of container l1 is resumcd, piston 9 reaches
the position shown in Figure 3 and sprayer 10 is now fully charged. It should be under-
stood that sprayer 10 can be charged to any intermediate position between the positions
of Flgures 1 and 3. The only difference with respect to spraying i~ that in an inter-
mediate charge position cam follower 29 action is slightly different, as will be more
20fully explained in the following description of the spraying operation.
Assuming now that sprayer 10 is fully charged as in Figure 3, spraying
operation can now begin and is accomplished by placing the index finger on push button
24 and applying a downward pressure there against. This action causes stem 20 to
move downwardly into recess 25 (Figure 5) uncovering orifice 8. Liquid 12 from
chamber 33, central tube 38 and outlet conduit 16 then passes around the end of stem
20 and enters the flow passages therein through orifice 8 and out through nozzle l9.
Nozzle 19 flow passages can, of course, be sized to give as fine a mist spray as de-
sired. It is also intended and contemplated, to enhance liquid atomization, that the
various liquid passages surfaces in nozzle 19 and stem 20 have s~virl inducers formed
therein or thereon. Such devices (not shown) cause liquid breakup which results in
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It should, of course, be understood that sprayer 10 can be charged by
rotating cap 13 while container 11 is held stationary, since piston 9 upward move-
ment is the same.
As liquid 12 is discharged from nozæle 19, piston 9 is forced downwardly
into chamber 33 by responsor 1~, forcing liquid 12 up through tube 38 and into outlet
conduit 1(;. The motion of piston 9 is downward along a linear path on the vertieal
surface 29-a of cam follower 29 in slidable contact with the corresponding vertical sur-
face 30-a of cam 30. When fully discharged sprayer 10 and its various working parts
will appear as shown in Flgure 1, i. e., piston 9 ram en~ 28 occupying chamber 33 and
cam follower 29 bottomed on cam 30 in recess 34. Of course, the level of liquid 12 in
receptacle 31 will be somewhat lower being diminished by the amount sprayed.
As herei:nbefore mentioned, sprayer 10 can be charged to any intermediate
position by slmply ceasing rotation of oontainer 11. However, when spraying liquid
with piston 9 in any position short than -fully charged, piston 9 will move down cam 30
on follower 29 until it again assumes the position showll in Figure 1.
There has thus been provided a unique and improved, manually operated
spray device, which because of its novel features and ingenious charging mechanism
advances the art of spraying significantly. It is thereforF believed that from the fore-
going description, the mode of operation and assembly thereof will be readily apparent
to one skilled in the art, it being also understood that variations in the mode of opera-
tion, manufacture and assembly will occur to such skilled artisans without departing
; from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, what is sought to be protected by Letters
Patellt is set forth in the claims appended hereto, and no limitations as to modifications
and ohanges are to be placed thereupon except as defined in said appended claims.
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