Anti-graffiti aerosol spray can having an internal spray head valve control assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6343714
  • Patent Number
    6,343,714
  • Date Filed
    Friday, June 9, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 5, 2002
    23 years ago
Abstract
An anti-graffiti aerosol spray can (10) that features an internal spray head valve control assembly (60). The assembly (60) includes a spray head valve actuator (62) that can consist of a solenoid (63), a valve (65), a bi-metallic detent structure (122) or any other electrically-operated device having an open and shut mechanism. The internal spray head valve control assembly (60) operates by the application of an electrical power source (98) that is applied from two electrically isolated sections of the spray can (12). The assembly (60) can be designed to be operated by an electrical device that is attached directly to the aerosol spray can (12), or the assembly (60) can be operated by an RF receiver (150) that is energized by a remotely-located RF transmitter (152) that is energized by a d-c power supply (154) connected to a 120-vac, 60 Hz utility power source (156).
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




The invention pertains to the general field of aerosol spray cans and more particularly to an aerosol spray can which incorporates an internal spray head valve control assembly that is energized when an electrical current is applied to two electrically isolated sections of the aerosol spray can. When the activating assembly is energized the spray can becomes operational.




BACKGROUND ART




Currently, government agencies are turning towards legislation requiring the sale and use of spray paint cans that incorporate technologies to prevent graffiti. Obviously such legislation offers a preventative solution not previously utilized which is necessary because graffiti is an uncontrollable epidemic. Even the spray paint industry estimates that graffiti clean-up and removal costs taxpayers an estimated $7 billion a year nationwide. Further breakdown of such figures will show that the use of spray paint costs the taxpayer $10 for each can of spray paint used. Vandals armed with aerosol spray paint account for the vast majority of graffiti in most communities. At least $4 billion of the damage nationwide is attributed to aerosol spray paint.




Graffiti decreases property value, cripples business and demoralizes neighborhoods. Graffiti also brings other criminal and gang-related activities into these affected areas and often precipitates the commission violent crime. It also imposes a burden upon law enforcement and our criminal justice system, by reducing resources available to address other crime problems.




The pressurized spray cans disclosed require only minor modifications to the manufacturing process and the portability of the spray paint can be eliminated. This non-portability makes such spray cans useless for graffiti in public areas, while still permitting their use in or near the home, garage or business. The required minor modifications in the manufacturing process would be passed on to consumers in the form of a small price increase.




The spray can modifications also benefit the paint industry since such modified cans can be sold in normal, open-counter locations. Alternatively, most sales now require going to a locked cabinet for customer access, and some legislatures are passing or have pending bills that totally ban the sale of spray paint in such cans. These last two solutions are drastic and hurt both retail sales and the wholesaler, as well as the manufacturer.




A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents or other literature that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. Particularly, no patents were found that disclosed an aerosol paint spray can which incorporates an internal valve or the like that is energized when an electrical current is applied to two electrically isolated sections of the can. When the valve is energized the can becomes operational. However, the following U.S. patents were considered related:





















U.S. Pat. No.




INVENTOR




ISSUED






























5,855,297




Tichenor




 5 January




1999







5,014,844




Wunsch




14 May




1991







4,972,975




Fuhrig




27 November




1990







4,971,257




Birge




20 November




1990















The U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,297 patent discloses a wireless-operated anti-graffiti spray can system which allows a pressurized spray can to be electronically operated from a remote location. The system is disclosed in two designs: in the first design, a spray can activating device consists of a solenoid/valve assembly which operates in combination with an electro-magnetic coil to control the spray can. In the second design, the activating device consists of an electro-mechanical solenoid which operates an articulated spray control leaf that controls the spray can. In both designs, a transmitting unit is utilized that can only be enabled when connected to a utility a-c power source. The transmitting unit produces an RF signal that is received by a receiving unit located remotely and adjacent to the spray can activating device. The receiving unit produces a power signal which, in the first design, causes the activating device to produce a magnetic field which causes the solenoid/valve assembly to energize; in the second design the power signal is applied directly to the solenoid which causes the solenoid to energize. In both designs, the spray can only be used after either the solenoid/valve assembly, or the solenoid has been energized.




The U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,884 Wonsch patent discloses an aerosol spray can that includes a spray mechanism for finely atomizing fluids through a hydraulically-operated pump. The spray mechanism is inserted into a housing which is connected with the supply container for the liquid through a close-fitted or frictional locking connection. The spray mechanism incorporates a battery operated gear pump in which, the suction line of the pump is connected through an opening in the bottom of the housing into the supply container. The supply container is equipped with a venting line, whereby the gear pump includes a pressure tube at its output which is connected with a discharge nozzle.




The U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,975 Fuhrig patent discloses a housing that stores a battery that powers an electric motor that operates a compressor for producing compressed air in combination with a suction unit and a pressure joint. A product container that includes a spray nozzle is placed inside the housing with a connection between the pressure joint of the compressor and the interior of the product container. The compressor pressurizes the product container through an aperture thereby forcing the liquid through the container spray nozzle.




The U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,257 Birge patent discloses an electrostatic particle spraying apparatus. The apparatus includes a hand held triggering mechanism that includes a d-c power source and a coupling sleeve into which a conventional aerosol spray can is inserted when the triggering mechanism is squeezed, a hammer depresses the nozzle tip of the aerosol can, releasing the pressurized fluid of the can from the nozzle tip.




This application is also related to the applicant's copending application Ser. No. 08/095,851, filed Jul. 23, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,271 and entitled Utility-Power Operated Aerosol Spray Can.




For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the pre-examination search:





















PATENT NO.




INVENTOR




ISSUED






























5,069,391




Seasholtz




 3 December




1991







4,618,099




Nagad et al




21 October




1986















DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION




The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can disclosed herein is designed to prevent or at least minimize “graffiti taggers” from using an aerosol spray can to tag buildings and other public property. In its basic design the inventive anti-graffiti aerosol spray can consists of:




a) An aerosol spray can comprising:




(1) An upper enclosure having an upper opening and an insulated lower opening, wherein to the upper opening is attached a spray head valve support structure having an outer conductive section and an inner insulting section. The spray head valve support section supports a spray head that is externally accessed by a spray head.




(2) A lower enclosure having a sealed lower surface and an upper opening that is attached to the insulated lower opening on the upper enclosure.




b) A spray head valve control assembly located within the aerosol spray can. The assembly has means for being electrically actuated when an electrical current is applied between the upper or lower enclosure and the outer conductive section of the spray head valve support structure. When the spray head valve control assembly is actuated, the spray head valve opens allowing the spray head to be operated which then allows the fluid in the aerosol spray can to be sprayed.




The spray head valve control assembly is comprised of a spray head valve actuator that can consist of a solenoid, a valve, a bi-metallic structure, a muscle wire or any type of device that can be moved from a first position to a second position when a current is applied to the device. The electrical power source applied to the spray activating assembly consists of a low-voltage high-frequency current. Typically 6-volts to 12-volts at a frequency between 800 Hz to 1200 Hz.




The electrical power source can be detachably attached directly to the aerosol spray can or the electrical power source can consist of an RF receiver and an RF transmitter. In the later case the RF receiver is detachably attached to the spray can and the RF transmitter is remotely located from the spray can. The RF transmitter is powered by a d-c power supply that is connected to a utility 120-vac, 60 Hz power source. When the transmitter is enabled an RF signal is transmitted and received by the RF receiver at which time the spray head valve actuator is energized allowing the fluid in the spray can to be sprayed when the spray head valve is operated.




In view of the above disclosure it is the primary object of the invention to enclose an electrically controlled spray head valve control assembly within an aerosol spray can. And, to allow the assembly to be activated by an electrical current that is applied between two electrically isolated sections of the aerosol spray can.




In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to produce an anti-graffiti aerosol spray can that:




takes advantage of the fact that the upper enclosure of an aerosol spray can has two sections that are electrically insulated from each other,




is reliable and relatively maintenance free, and




is cost effective from both a consumer's and manufacturer's point of view.




These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a partial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an anti-graffiti aerosol spray can having an internal spray head valve control assembly.





FIG. 2

is a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an anti-graffiti aerosol spray can having an internal spray head valve control assembly.





FIG. 3A

is a partial cross-sectional view of a spray head valve actuator consisting of a bi-metallic detent structure shown in the activated position.





FIG. 3B

is a partial cross-sectional view of the bi-metallic detent structure shown in the de-activated position.





FIG. 4

is a block diagram illustrating a spray head valve that is activated by an RF receiver that is energized by a remotely located RF transmitter.











BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION




The best mode for carrying out the invention is disclosed in two embodiments for an anti-graffiti aerosol spray can


10


, hereinafter “spray can


10


”. Each embodiment utilizes a spray head valve control assembly that is further disclosed in four designs. The spray can


10


, as shown in

FIGS. 1-4

, is comprised of the following major elements: an aerosol spray can


12


having a spray head valve


14


, an upper enclosure


28


, a spray head valve support structure


36


and a lower enclosure


50


; and a spray head valve control assembly


60


, which utilizes various elements depending on which embodiment is employed.




Both the first embodiment, as shown in

FIG. 1

, and the second embodiment, as shown in

FIG. 2

, utilize the aerosol spray can


12


. The aerosol spray can


12


is comprised of the spray head valve


14


, which has a lower fluid port


16


and an upper cavity


18


into which is inserted a plunger


20


. When the plunger


20


is depressed, the spray head valve


14


opens, thus allowing a fluid


24


in the aerosol spray can


12


to be sprayed from the spray head


22


.




Located at the top of the spray can


12


is the upper enclosure


28


, which is comprised of an upper opening


30


and an insulated lower opening


32


. The spray head valve support structure


36


, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

is comprised of an outer conductive section and a bonded inner insulating section


40


. On one side of the inner insulating section


40


is an opening


44


which exposes an area of the outer conductive section


38


.




The spray head valve support structure


36


is further comprised of outer ends


46


that are crimped, as shown in

FIG. 1

, to the upper opening


30


of the upper enclosure


28


, and an upward-extending cavity


48


that is dimensioned to enclose the spray head valve


14


.




The lower enclosure


50


has an upper opening se that is attached to the insulated lower opening


32


of the upper enclosure


28


, and a sealed lower surface


24


that includes an upper surface


56


and a lower surface


58


.




The first embodiment of the spray can


10


, as shown in

FIG. 1

, utilizes a spray head valve control assembly


60


that is located within the aerosol spray can


12


and that is comprised of the following major elements: an electrical spray head valve actuator


62


, a first compression spring


78


, a siphon tube


86


, a siphon tube housing


90


, and a second compression spring


100


.




The electrical spray head valve actuator


62


has a non-conductive upper surface


64


, a lower surface


66


, a first electrical input


68


, a second electrical input


70


, a fluid input port


72


and a fluid output port


74


. The fluid output port


74


is connected to the lower fluid port


16


on the spray head valve


14


.




The first compression spring


78


has a sharpened first end


80


and a second end


82


. The sharpened first end


80


is inserted through the opening


44


on the spray head valve support structure


36


to allow the sharpened first end


80


to make electrical contact with the outer conductive section


38


of the spray head valve support structure


36


. The second end


82


rests upon the non-conductive upper surface


64


of the spray head valve actuator


62


and has means for making an electrical contact with the first electrical input


68


on the actuator


62


,




The siphon tube


86


has an upper end


88


and a lower end


89


. The upper end


88


is attached to the input port


72


of the actuator


62


, and the lower end


89


terminates a distance above the upper surface


56


of the sealed lower end


54


of the lower enclosure


50


.




The siphon tube housing


90


is constructed of an electrically conductive material, and is dimensioned to slidably fit over the siphon tube


86


. The siphon tube housing


90


has a flared upper end


92


and a sharpened lower end


94


that makes electrical contact with the upper surface


56


of the sealed lower end


54


of the lower enclosure


50


.




The second compression spring


100


has a first end


110


and a second end


112


. The first end


110


interfaces with the lower surface


66


of the actuator


62


, and the second end


112


interfaces with the flared upper end


92


of the siphon tube housing


90


. The second compression spring


100


maintains the siphon tube housing


90


biased in a downward direction, which forces electrical contact to be made between the lower end


94


of the siphon tube housing


90


and the upper surface


56


of the sealed lower end


54


of the enclosure


50


.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, an electrical connection


116


is made between the siphon tube housing


90


and the second electrical input


70


of the actuator


62


. When an external electrical power source


98


(not shown) is applied between the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


and the outer conductive section


38


of the spray head valve support structure


36


, an electrical current flows sequentially from the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


the sealed lower surface


54


, the siphon tube housing


90


, the second electrical input


70


, the first electrical input


68


, the first compression spring


78


and the outer conductive section


38


of the spray head valve support structure


36


. The electrical current energizes the actuator


62


, thus causing the spray head valve


14


to open and allow the fluid


24


in the aerosol spray can


12


to be sprayed from the spray can when the plunger


20


is depressed by the spray head


22


.




The external electrical power source


98


supplies 6-volts to 12-volts, with 6-volts preferred, at a frequency of 1000 Hz, and is comprised of a low-voltage, high-frequency power source.




The spray head valve actuator


62


can be comprised of a solenoid


63


, a valve


65


, or a bi-metallic detent structure


122


. The bi-metallic detent structure


122


, as shown in

FIGS. 3A and 3B

, is itself comprised of a compliant pad


124


, a diaphragm


125


, a bi-metallic assembly


126


, and a separator


132


. The bi-metallic assembly


126


has an upper element


128


and a lower element


130


, with the lower element


130


attached to an electrical heating source


144


. The separator


132


has an upper surface


134


to which is attached the compliant pad


124


and the diaphragm


125


, and a lower section


136


having means for being centrally retained by the bi-metallic assembly


126


. When the electrical power source


98


, which is attached to the first and second electrical inputs


68


,


70


, is “on”, the bi-metallic assembly


126


assumes a dished-down position, as shown in

FIG. 3A

, which allows the fluid


24


in the aerosol spray can


12


to be sprayed. Conversely, when the power source


98


is “off”, the bi-metallic assembly


126


cools and assumes a dished-up position, as shown in

FIG. 3B

, which causes the complaint pad


124


to interface with and seal the lower fluid port


16


of the spray valve


14


, thus preventing any fluid


24


from being sprayed.




The spray head valve actuator


62


may further be comprised of an RF receiver


150


and transmitter


152


as shown in FIG.


4


. The RF receiver


150


has an output connected across the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


and the outer conductive section


38


of the aerosol spray can


12


. The RF transmitter is remotely located and is powered by a d-c power supply


154


connected to a 120 vac, 60 HZ utility power source


156


. When the RF transmitter


152


is energized an RF signal is transmitted that is received by the RF receiver


150


. When the RF receiver is energized, an RF signal is produced by the receiver which enables the spray head valve actuator


62


which allows the fluid


24


in the aerosol spray can


12


to be sprayed. The details of the RF activation system are disclosed in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,297 which is incorporated herein by reference.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, the spray activating assembly


60


further comprises at least one capacitor


138


connected in series between the first


68


and second


70


electrical inputs on the spray head valve actuator


62


. The capacitor


138


prevents electrical power source other than the external electrical Power source


98


from energizing the actuator


62


.




The second embodiment of the spray can


10


, as shown in

FIG. 2

, utilizes a spray head valve control assembly


60


located within the aerosol spray can


12


and having an electrical spray valve actuator


62


and an electrical connection.




The actuator


62


has a non-conducting upper surface


64


, a lower surface


66


, a first electrical input


68


, a second electrical input


70


, a fluid input port


72


and a fluid output port


74


. The fluid output port


74


is connected to the lower fluid port


16


on the spray head valve


14


, and the fluid input port


72


is connected to an upper end


142


of a siphon tube


140


. As in the first embodiment, the spray head valve actuator


62


of the second embodiment, may also be comprised of a solenoid


63


, a valve or a muscle wire. The muscle wire, which is also referred to as a memory wire, is typically made of a titanium nickel alloy, and has two possible shapes: when the muscle wire is cooled the wire exhibits a stretched shape; when the wire is applied to a heat source the wire exhibits a contoured shape. Thus, a wire having a proper length and cross-section can be used as the valve actuator


62


. Typically, the muscle wire would be implemented in a design similar to the design shown in

FIGS. 3A and 3B

.




The electrical connection is between the second electrical input


70


on the spray valve actuator


62


and the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


and between the first electrical input


68


on the actuator


62


and the opening


44


on the spray head valve support section


36


. When an external electrical power source


98


(not shown) is applied between the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


and the outer conductive section


38


of the spray head valve support structure


36


, an electrical current flows sequentially from the upper or lower enclosure


28


,


50


, the second electrical input


70


, the first electrical input


68


, a capacitor


138


and through the opening


44


on the spray head valve support structure


36


. The electrical current energizes the actuator


62


, thus causing the spray head valve


14


to open and allow the fluid


24


in the aerosol spray can


12


to be sprayed when the spray head ee is operated.




The external electrical power source


98


is comprised of a low-voltage, high-frequency power source. This source typically supplies 6-volts to 12-volts, with 6-volts preferred, at a frequency of 1000 HZ.




While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.



Claims
  • 1. An anti-graffiti aerosol spray can comprising:a) an aerosol spray can comprising: (1) an upper enclosure having an upper opening and an insulated lower opening, wherein to the upper opening is attached a spray head valve support structure having an outer conductive section and an inner insulating section, wherein said spray head valve support structure supports a spray head valve that is externally accessed by a spray head, (2) a lower enclosure having a sealed lower surface and an upper opening that is attached to the insulated lower opening, and b) a spray head valve control assembly located within said aerosol spray can, said assembly having means for being electrically actuated when an electrical current is applied between the outer conductive section on said spray head valve support structure and the upper or lower enclosure, wherein when said spray head valve control assembly is actuated, said spray head valve opens allowing the spray head to be operated which then allows the fluid in the aerosol spray can to be sprayed.
  • 2. An anti-graffiti aerosol spray can comprising:a) an aerosol spray can comprising: (1) a spray head valve having a lower fluid port and an upper cavity into which is inserted a spray head, wherein when the spray head is depressed, the spray head valve opens allowing a fluid in said aerosol spray can to be sprayed from the spray head, (2) an upper enclosure having an upper opening and an insulated lower opening, (3) a spray head valve support structure having: (a) an outer conductive section and a bonded inner insulating section, wherein on one side of the inner insulating section is an opening which exposes an area of the outer conductive section, (b) outer ends that are crimped to the upper opening of said upper enclosure, (c) an upward-extending cavity dimensioned to enclose said spray head valve, (4) a lower enclosure having an upper opening that is attached to the insulated lower opening of said upper enclosure and a sealed lower surface having an upper surface and a lower surface, b) a spray head valve control assembly located within said aerosol spray can said assembly comprising: (1) an electrical spray head valve actuator having a non-conductive upper surface, a lower surface, a first electrical input, a second electrical input, a fluid input port and a fluid output port, wherein the fluid output port is connected to the lower fluid port on said spray head valve and the fluid input port is connected to an upper end of a siphon tube, (2) a first compression spring having a sharpened first end and a second end, wherein the sharpened first end is inserted through the opening on said spray head valve support structure to make electrical contact with the outer conductive section of said spray head valve support structure, wherein the second end rests upon the non-conductive upper surface of said actuator and has means for making an electrical contact with the first electrical input on said actuator, (3) a siphon tube having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is attached to the input port of said actuator and the lower end terminates a distance above the upper surface of the sealed lower end of said lower enclosure, (4) a siphon tube housing constructed of an electrically conductive material and dimensioned to slidably fit over said siphon tube, said siphon tube housing having a flared upper end and a sharpened lower end that makes electrical contact with the upper surface of the sealed lower end of said lower enclosure, (5) a second compression spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end interfaces with the lower surface of said actuator and the second end interfaces with the flared upper end of said siphon tube housing, wherein said second compression spring maintains the siphon tube housing biased in a downward direction which forces electrical contact to be made between the lower end of said siphon tube housing and the upper surface of the sealed lower end of said enclosure, and (6) an electrical connection between the siphon tube housing and the second electrical input of said actuator, wherein when an external electrical power source is applied between the upper or lower enclosure and the outer conductive section of said spray head valve support structure an electrical current flows sequentially from the upper or lower enclosure, the sealed lower surface, said siphon tube housing, the second electrical input, the first electrical input, the first compression spring and the outer conductive section of the spray head valve support structure, said actuator is energized causing said spray head valve to open and allow the fluid in the aerosol spray can to be sprayed when the spray head is operated.
  • 3. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a solenoid.
  • 4. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a valve.
  • 5. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a bi-metallic detent structure comprising:a) a compliant pad, b) a diaphragm, c) a bi-metallic assembly comprising an upper element and a lower element wherein the lower element is attached to an electrical heating source, and d) a separator having an upper surface to which is attached the compliant pad and the diaphragm, and a lower section having means for being centrally retained by the bi-metallic assembly, wherein when said electrical power source, which is attached to the first and second electrical inputs, is “on”, the bi-metallic assembly assumes a dished-down position which allows the fluid in said aerosol sprang can to be sprayed, conversely, when the power source is “off”, the bi-metallic assembly cools and assumes a dished-up position, wherein the complaint pad interfaces with and seals the lower fluid port of the spray head valve to prevent any fluid from being sprayed.
  • 6. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said spray head valve actuator comprises:a) an RF receiver having an output connected across the upper or lower enclosure and the outer conductive section of said spray head valve support structure, and b) a remotely located RF transmitter that is powered by a d-c power supply connected to a 120-vac, 60 Hz utility power, wherein when said RF transmitter is energized an RF signal is transmitted that is received by said RF receiver, wherein when said RF receiver is energized an RF signal produced by the receiver enables said spray head valve actuator is actuated which allows the fluid in said aerosol spray can to be sprayed.
  • 7. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said external electrical power source provides a low-voltage high-frequency power source.
  • 8. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical power source supplies 6-volts at a frequency of 1000 Hz.
  • 9. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 2 wherein said spray head valve control assembly further comprises at least one capacitor connected in series between the first and second electrical inputs on said spray head valve actuator, wherein said at least one capacitor prevents an electrical power source other than said external electrical power source from energizing said actuator.
  • 10. An anti-graffiti aerosol spray can comprising:a) an aerosol spray can comprising: (1) a spray head valve having a lower fluid port and an upper cavity into which is inserted a spray head, wherein when the spray head is depressed, the spray head valve opens allowing a fluid in said aerosol spray can to be sprayed from the spray head, (2) an upper enclosure having an upper opening and an insulated lower opening, (3) a spray head valve support structure having: (a) an outer conductive section and a bonded inner insulating section, wherein on one side of the inner insulating section is an opening which exposes an area of the outer conductive section, (b) outer ends that are crimped to the upper opening of said upper enclosure, (c) an upward extending cavity dimensioned to enclose said spray head valve, (4) a lower enclosure having an upper end that is attached to the lower edge of said upper enclosure and a sealed lower end having an upper surface and a lower surface, b) a spray head valve control assembly located within said aerosol spray can, said assembly comprising: (1) a spray head valve actuator having a non-conducting upper surface, a lower surface, a first electrical input, a second electrical input, a fluid input port and a fluid output port, wherein the fluid output port is connected to the lower fluid port on said spray head valve and the fluid input port is connected to an upper end of a siphon tube, (2) an electrical connection between the second electrical input on said spray valve actuator and the upper enclosure and between the first electrical input on said actuator and the opening on said spray head valve support structure, wherein when an external electrical power source is applied between the upper or lower enclosure and the outer conductive section of said spray head valve support structure an electrical current flows sequentially from the upper or lower enclosure, the second electrical input, the first electrical input, a capacitor and through the opening on said spray head valve support structure, said actuator is energized causing said spray head valve to open and allow the fluid in the aerosol spray can to be sprayed when the spray head is operated.
  • 11. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a solenoid.
  • 12. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a valve.
  • 13. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said spray head valve actuator is comprised of a muscle wire.
  • 14. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said spray head valve actuator comprises:a) an RF receiver having an output connected across the upper or lower enclosure and the outer conductive section of said spray head valve support structure, and b) a remotely located RF transmitter that is powered by a d-c power supply connected to a 120-vac, 60 Hz utility power, wherein when said RF transmitter is energized an RF signal is transmitted that is received by said RF receiver, wherein when said RF receiver is energized on RF signal produced by the receiver enables said spray valve actuator is actuated which allows the fluid in said aerosol spray can to be sprayed.
  • 15. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said external electrical power source provides a low-voltage high-frequency power source.
  • 16. The anti-graffiti aerosol spray can as recited in claim 10 wherein said electrical power source supplies 6-volts to 12-volts at a frequency of 1000 HZ.
Parent Case Info

This patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/138,556 filed Jun. 11, 1999.

US Referenced Citations (13)
Number Name Date Kind
3666144 Winder May 1972 A
4618099 Nagao et al. Oct 1986 A
4971257 Birge Nov 1990 A
4972975 Fuhrig Nov 1990 A
5014884 Wunsch May 1991 A
5069391 Seasholtz Dec 1991 A
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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/138556 Jun 1999 US