This disclosure relates to fluid delivery devices and containers including fluid spray bottles.
A variety of industries use bottles and other containers to store fluids and deliver them in the form of a spray nozzle or nebulizer. These industries include, but are not limited to, household cleaning, automotive, lawn and garden, medical, beauty and cosmetics, dental, and any market which utilizes trigger spray bottles.
Often tasks require multiple solutions requiring the user to manage multiple containers which may be inconvenient for the user. For example, a task may require the use of three different solutions which must be applied sequentially and possibly within a short time period of each other. In this scenario, the user must carry three separate bottles to the location where the task will be performed and move between the use of each bottle. A single container which could store, yet keep separate, the multiple solutions and deliver each separately or in a defined combination would be more convenient for the user.
In addition, the user must store three separate containers between uses. A single container which stores multiple fluids in separate compartments would require less storage space.
Furthermore, when multiple fluids are supplied in separate containers, each container results in a separate piece of waste in a landfill. A container which stores separate fluids in refillable compartments may reduce the amount of waste and negative impact on the environment.
We disclose a multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device which includes a plurality of containers, each of which may each hold a different fluid. The multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device may include a single spray head with a single trigger in connection with a plurality of pumps. In an example, the pumps may include one or more reciprocating piston pumps. The spray head may also include a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of pumps may include a proximal end in mechanical connection with a back pressure plate. In some embodiments, the back pressure plate may be pressure locked over the proximal end of each pump. The back pressure plate may include a plurality of orifices through which the proximal ends of the pumps may be slideably inserted and attached to the back pressure plate by connectors.
The plurality of nozzles may be in fluid communication with a distal end of each of the plurality of pumps with a front plate disposed between the nozzles and the distal ends of the pumps. Each of the plurality of nozzles may be independently turned to an “on” or an “off” position.
The multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device may include a plurality of hoses, each in communication with one of the pumps and extending into one of the plurality of containers.
The multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device may include a container release device which may be reversibly connected to the top of each of the plurality of containers. The container release device may include a container release housing. The container release housing may include a plurality of walls which may partially define a plurality of orifices. A container may be inserted into each orifice. A lip may be disposed at the lower edge of each of the plurality of walls. A container may be inserted into each orifice and the lip may snap over the top of the container thereby holding the container in place. A release clip may also partially define each of the orifices. Each release clip may also snap over the top of one of the containers.
The container release device may also include a plurality of push buttons which may, in turn, be in mechanical connection with a plurality of release bars. Each of the plurality of release bars may be in mechanical connection with one of the plurality of release clips. In some embodiments, the container release device includes a spring-loaded mechanism. By pushing one of the push buttons, the release bar connected to it may, in turn, apply pressure to the adjacent release clip. The release bar may push the release clip outward, reversibly expanding the orifice. The container may slip out of the orifice and the release clip may return to its original position.
In some embodiments, the multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device is a triple-nozzle spray container. In an example, some embodiments include three containers. In an example, some embodiments include, three pumps, three hoses, and three nozzles. In an example, the back pressure plate may be triangular in shape. In an example, the container release mechanism includes three push buttons.
The plurality of containers may be reversibly connected to each other. For example, they may be interlocking through a mechanism which may include interlocking male and female notches. The opening of each of the containers may be covered by a seal. Each seal may comprise a hose receptacle through which one of the plurality of hoses may be reversibly inserted.
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases shall have the meanings that they would possess within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.
As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples are provided only as an aid for understanding embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, which will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principals of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
The disclosed multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device solves the problem of needing multiple containers of different liquid spray solutions by combining multiple containers into one device thus providing a flexible tool for the user. It also reduces waste which may fill landfills by providing a mechanism to refill each container. The disclosed multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device is also more convenient for the user and saves time, money, and resources.
The disclosed multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device includes multiple containers which may each hold a different liquid. The containers may be bottles, tubes, sleeves, flasks, jars, packets, cans, drums, or any container known in the art which may hold a liquid. In an example, the multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device includes two, three, four, five, or six containers.
Each of the multiple containers may be reversibly connected to another container. In the example in which the plurality of containers includes three containers, each container is reversibly connected to two other containers.
The multiple containers may be reversibly connected by being interlocking with each other. In an example, the containers may each include one or more male notches and one or more female notches. A male notch of one container may insert into the female notch of one or more adjacent containers.
Each of the containers may include a top rim which defines an opening. In some embodiments, the top rim of one or more of the containers is covered by a seal. Each seal may include a hose receptacle. The hose receptacles may be constructed of an easily perforated material through which the end of a hose extending from the spray head may extend. In an example, the hose receptacles may be constructed of foil, wax paper, or plastic.
The containers may be disposable, replaceable, or refillable. They may be constructed of a recyclable material. In some embodiments, the containers are constructed of glass, one or more plastic polymers, foil, recyclable material, biodegradable material, paper, wax paper, or hemp plastic.
In some embodiments, the containers include finger indentations onto which a user may place his or her finger to aid in gripping the multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device during use. Similarly, thumb indentations may be included on the containers. In some embodiments, the finger and thumb indentations include ridges to further improve gripping. The containers may have curved or custom-molded lines to fit into the user's hand comfortably during use.
The multi-nozzle multi-container fluid spray device may include a spray head which is in mechanical connection with each of the plurality of containers. The spray head may include a plurality of nozzles. Some embodiments may include the same number of nozzles as containers. Each nozzle may be independently turned to an “off” position while the other nozzles may be open and available to dispense fluid. In some embodiments, each nozzle may be selected from the following list: a plain-orifice nozzle, a shaped-orifice nozzle, a surface-impingement single-fluid nozzle, a spiral spray nozzle, a pressure-swirl single-fluid spray nozzle, a spillback nozzle, and a solid-cone single-fluid nozzle. In some embodiments, one or more of the nozzles may be adjustable and able to deliver a range of densities of fluid particles by passing the fluid through a region of a mesh which includes different regions with different size pores.
The multiple nozzles may each be connected to a first side a front plate. A second side of the front plate may be mechanically connected to a plurality of pumps, each pump being a part of the spray head. In an example, the spray head may include two, three, four, five, or six pumps. In some embodiments, the pumps may be reciprocating piston pumps. Each of the pumps may include a proximal and a distal end.
The proximal end of each pump may be mechanically connected to a back pressure plate. More specifically, the back pressure plate may be pressure locked over the proximal end of each of the pumps. Additionally, the back pressure plate may include multiple orifices. In an example, the back pressure plate may include the same number of orifices as there are pumps in the spray head. Each pump may be slideably inserted through an orifice within the back pressure plate. In some embodiments, the back pressure plate may be triangular in shape although other shapes are within the scope of the disclosure.
One or more connectors may be disposed around each orifice within the back pressure plate. Each connector may be configured to reversibly connect the back pressure plate to a proximal end of one of the pumps. In an example, the connectors may be clips. As will be described below, when any one of the nozzles is in the “on” position, the adjacent pump and the back pressure plate move toward the front plate. There is little or no pressure on these connectors and, consequently, they do not disengage the proximal end of the pump from the back pressure plate. Conversely, when the nozzle is in an “off” position, the flow-through pressure through the pump is blocked. The piston within the adjacent pump is unable to move and the pump remains stationary. The back pressure plate moves toward the front plate and negative pressure is applied to the connectors. The connectors release the proximal end of the stationary pump from the back pressure plate. Each of the pumps is inserted through an orifice in the back pressure plate. The back pressure plate slides along the length of the stationary pump as the back pressure plate moves toward the front plate.
The spray head may include a single trigger which may actuate one or more of the pumps when the pump is in fluid connection with a nozzle that is in the “on” position. The trigger may be in connection with the back pressure plate through a trigger pump rod.
The spray head may include a plurality of hoses. Each hose may be in fluid communication with one of the pumps and with one of the nozzles. Each hose may extend downward into one of the containers. The hoses may be connected to the pumps with tube fittings as is known in the art. The spray head may include a pump housing which encloses the pumps, front plate, back pressure plate, connectors, and part of each of the hoses.
A spray handle may be disposed between the spray head and a container release housing. The spray handle may be shaped such that a user may comfortably wrap his or her fingers around the spray handle during use. The spray handle may include an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the spray handle may be connected to the spray head and the lower end of the spray handle may be connected to the container release mechanism.
The container release mechanism may include a container release housing which may be reversibly connected to the top rim of each of the multiple containers. The top rim may define an opening on each of the containers. The container release housing may include a plurality of orifices which are at least partially defined by a plurality of walls. A lower edge of each wall may include a lip which may partially define one of a plurality of orifices. A container may be pushed upward into each orifice and snap into place as the top rim of the container moves over the lip. The container release mechanism may also include a plurality of release clips each of which may also partially define one of the orifices. Each release clip may similarly snap over the top rim of one of the containers.
The container release mechanism may include a plurality of push buttons each of which causes the release of one the plurality of containers when actuated. In an example, each push button may be in mechanical connection with a release bar which includes a first end and a second end. When a user squeezes the push button inward, the push button may apply inward pressure to the first end of the release bar. The second end of the release bar may apply pressure to a release clip within the container release housing which may partially define an orifice through which a container is inserted. The pressure may push the release clip outward which increases the size of the orifice allowing the container to slide out of the orifice. A spring which extends over each hose may decompress providing additional pressure to push the container out of the orifice.
Referring now to the drawings,
Spray handle 150 extends upward from container release housing 130 and connects the container release housing 130 to spray head housing 210. A user may wrap his or her fingers around spray handle 150 during use of bottle 100. Spray head housing 210 includes nozzles 170a, 170b, and 170c which dispense the fluids which may be housed in containers 110a, 110b, and 110c respectively. As discussed elsewhere herein, each of nozzles 170a, 170b, and 170c may be actuated or blocked at any given time to dispense any combination of fluids in containers 110a, 110b, and 110c. A user may dispense fluids from bottle 100 by squeezing trigger 180 which extends below spray head housing 210.
Proximal end 225c of pump 220c, as well as the proximal ends of the other pumps, are in mechanical connection with back pressure plate 230 and may be reversible attached through connectors. In some embodiments, the connectors may be clips as illustrated in
Back pressure plate 230 includes a plurality of orifices. The proximal end of each of pumps 220a, 220b, and 220c is inserted into one of the plurality of orifices and, when the connectors are engaged, the piston pumps move toward front plate 320 in response to pressure from back pressure plate 230. Tube fitting 310c (not visible in this view) connects the proximal end 227c of pump 220c to hose 240c. Likewise, tube fittings 310a, and 310b connect the proximal ends of pumps 220a and 220b respectively to hoses 240a and 240b respectively. In response to the flow-through pressure created by actuating all three pumps, fluid may be drawn through hoses 240a, 240b, and 240c, through the pump mechanism and out through nozzles 170a, 170b, and 170c.
In
Container release housing 130 houses parts which function to reversibly connect a spray handle (in this embodiment, spray handle 150 originally presented in
Container release housing 130 also includes push button 140a which is in mechanical connection with release bar 425a. Likewise, push button 140b is in mechanical connection with release bar 425b which, in turn, is in mechanical connection with container clip 429b. In summary, each push button on the disclosed device may be in mechanical connection with a release bar and a container may be secured by sliding a top rim of a container over an associated lip and container clip. An example of a mechanism through which container 410a may be inserted and released is described below. A container may be released by actuating push button 140b when corresponding parts participate in the same mechanism.
A container clip holds each container in place by clipping under the top rim of each container.
When a user desires to release or replace container 410a, the user may squeeze push button 140a inward which applies inward pressure to a first end of release bar 425a. Push button 140a thereby moves from a first position to a second position (left to right as shown in
Container 410a includes seal 430a over the opening of container 410a. Seal 430a includes hose receptacle 440a. When container 410a is snapped into container release housing 130 as described above, hose 240a may insert through hose receptacle 440a and thus descend into container 410a. Ejector spring 450a slides around tube 240a. When container 410a is inserted into the container release mechanism, ejector spring 450a is compressed and aids in securing top rim 423a of container 410a tightly against seal 430a.
As shown in
Pump clips secure each of pumps 220a, 220b, and 220c to back pressure plate 230.
While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure provided is not limited to the precise configuration, steps, and components disclosed. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems disclosed, with the aid of the present disclosure.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/610,930, filed Dec. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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