Patent Application
20100140303
The present invention relates in general to pick-up heads that are attachable onto a fluid extraction tube typically provided within most spray bottles. More particularly the invention pertains to a simplified pick-up head that allows the consumer after purchase to easily modify any standard spray bottle having a typical extraction tube. Whereby, when modified utilizing the present invention upon manual manipulation (of the spray bottle between various tilted positions) the pick-up head in combination with the typical extraction tube automatically assume the most efficient location, resulting in substantially any remaining fluid in the bottle to be easily completely dispensed there from. Furthermore the present invention can be manufactured and/or sold as a kit having simplified components for modification of any standard bottle/extension tube and the components are re-usable again and again with different spray bottles of user choice.
Within the known prior art there have been numerous types of fluid dispensing apparatuses that rely on a fluid extraction tube for enabling fluid within a spray bottle to be extracted. Examples of such types of fluid dispensing apparatuses include manual-pump atomizing fluid dispensers, manual pump non-atomizing fluid dispensers, aerosol spray dispensers, hose-end fluid dispensers and the like. In these types of fluid dispensing apparatuses, the fluid extraction tube is attached to a body of the fluid dispensing apparatus, the body is attached to a neck portion of the spray bottle and the fluid extraction tube extends downwardly/inwardly into the fluid reservoir of the spray bottle. Upon a pressure differential being created throughout the fluid extraction tube via the fluid dispenser body, fluid is communicated from within the reservoir upwardly into the extraction tube, into the fluid dispenser body and outwardly from within the spray bottle container.
It is typical for these types of fluid dispensing apparatuses to be used in a tilted orientation such as (upward, downward, or sideways). In such a tilted orientation, due to gravitation fluid within the spray bottle settles at the lowest point of the fluid reservoir, which is substantially a corner lowermost region of the spray bottle when manually tilted. A conventional type of fluid extraction tube is typically made from a relatively stiff plastic material and extends downward into the reservoir. However, due to the length and stiffness of the tube, when the spray bottle is manually tilted not all of the fluid can be extracted from within the reservoir. As a result, the remaining fluid is only retrievable if the user removes the fluid dispenser body with the extraction tube, turns the spray bottle upside down and then pours the remaining fluid out from within the reservoir. Whereby, the remaining fluid cannot be sprayed but must be poured defeating the purpose of the spray bottle. This is most time consuming and frustrating thus the average consumer most often disposes of the spray bottle with the remaining fluid therein. Therefore, the current types of extraction tubes are wasteful and costly to use.
To overcome the limitations and inefficiency of the standard extraction tube the following patents address possible solutions to the problem. However, each have inherent drawbacks and disadvantages which the present invention clearly resolves in a simplified manner heretofore not taught. Examples of the prior art include U.S. Patent #2003/0218030 wherein disclosed is a replacement flaccid extraction tube having a fixedly attached weight upon the fluid pick up end. U.S. Patent #2004/0056052 discloses an elongated extraction tube having a fixedly attached weight upon the fluid pick up end. U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,664 discloses a first top stiff tube interconnected onto a second flexible tube and the second flexible tube has a weight fixedly attached thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,404 discloses a very flexible tube having an elongated fixedly attached weight thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,810 discloses another type of extension tube and weight mechanism that includes numerous parts and is very complicated.
Each of these references are somewhat functional for their intended use but they all have one common inherent disadvantage which the present invention recognizes, addresses and resolves in a manner heretofore not taught. Namely, in each reference they must replace the standard extension tube with a modified extension tube and also in each reference the weight is fixedly attached onto the tube. These disadvantages are most important. Namely, the need to replace the existing extension tube is costly, time-consuming and problematic. Also, it is unlikely that the modified extension tube would be functional with variable types of spray nozzles due to the modified length, size and shape. It is to be noted there are typically only two sizes of extension tubes utilized within currently available spray bottles. This is an advantage for the manufactures as there is no need to purchase specialized extension tubes which can be costly. The present invention can be sold and manufactured as a kit having all the necessary components to modify any standard spray bottle and/or extension tube. The only components required are two weights and two O-rings and this allows the consumer to easily modify any spray bottle of their choice and also the components can be re-used over and over again. The present invention is attachable to any standard fluid extension tube and eliminates the need for any modification thereof. More importantly, the novel weighted pickup-head of the present invention is slid ably engaged (not fixedly attached) onto the fluid extension tube and this allows the pickup-head to self-adjust and extend into the lowermost region of the fluid reservoir. Thus, substantially any and all remaining fluid therein can be extracted and utilized in a simplified manner. Therefore, the present invention is a novel and great advancement in this field and resolves all of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel pick-up head that is slid ably attached onto any typical fluid extension tube associated with a standard spray bottle. Whereby the pick-up head is self-adjusting and when a user manually tilts the spray bottle, the pick-up head automatically assumes the most efficient position, namely, the lowermost region of the fluid reservoir and easily extracts any and all remaining fluid. Thus eliminating the need to open and pour the remaining fluid there from which is standard practice with all spray bottles currently available. Most consumers simply discard the remaining fluid along with the spray bottle as it is much too time-consuming and frustrating to open and pour the contents there from. Thus, the present is cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, eliminates waste and encourages the consumer to re-use the invention repeatedly with other spray bottles of user choice.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit having all of the necessary components therewith for easily converting any spray bottle of user choice. Namely, two weights and two O-rings of different sizes and that is all that is required.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kit that allows the consumer to install the pick-up head without the need for any tools whatsoever. Furthermore, the kit includes extremely easy-to-follow instructions and no specialized skills are required.
Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following specification and drawings.
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. In reference to
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It is to be understood the above specification describes a first embodiment for the present invention and is simply an elongated cylindrical pick-up head (18) having the longitudinal internal bore (20) there through. It is to be further understood the present invention is fully functional and most efficient with only this one component. This embodiment allows any prior art spray bottle to be easily modified by a consumer and is usable over and over again with different spray bottles of user choice. The modification process requires the user to first remove the fluid nozzle dispenser head (14) along with the fluid extraction tube (16). Secondly, the user manually inserts the fluid extraction tube (16) into the longitudinal internal bore (20) until the self-adjusting weighted fluid pick-up head (18) rests against the fluid nozzle dispenser head (14) and the user holds momentarily in place. Thirdly, the user aligns the fluid nozzle dispenser head (14) with the fluid extraction tube (16) and the self-adjusting weighted fluid pick-up head (18) above the opening into the fluid reservoir (22) and releases the self-adjusting weighted fluid pick-up head (18) while simultaneously inserting the fluid extraction tube (16) into the fluid reservoir (22) and then re-attaches the fluid nozzle dispenser head (14) in the normal manner. During this third step the self-adjusting weighted fluid pick-up head (18) gravitationally assumes the proper position for fluid extraction on the bottom surface of the fluid reservoir respectively.
As noted the above first embodiment is fully functional when installed. However, the user may find that during the installation process the self-adjusting weighted fluid pick-up head (18) may accidentally become disengaged from the fluid extraction tube (16) before reattachment of the fluid nozzle dispenser head (14). To resolve this issue
It is to be understood the elongated cylindrical pick-up head (18) during manual repositioning of the spray bottle container (12) automatically assumes numerous variable positions within the fluid reservoir and
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As previously noted, it is to be understood that the present invention can be sold as a modification kit having one elongated cylindrical pick-up head (18) therein (with or without) an O-ring and an informational brochure providing modification instructions for the consumer. Or if preferred, the present invention can be sold as a modification kit having two elongated cylindrical pick-up heads (18) of various sizes, with or without two O-rings and an informational brochure providing modification instructions for the consumer. Therefore it is to be understood the components within the kit are of engineering choice and/or consumer preferences. Furthermore, it is to be understood the size and shape of the components, namely, the O-ring(s) and/or the elongated cylindrical pick-up head(s), (18) are not to be limited to the drawings herein as multiple variations are clearly inherent.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses.
