Patent Application
20170320083
The present invention generally relates to the improvement of spray bottles, as well as other cleaning devices, which may be used for cleaning unwanted substances or contaminants from surfaces.
Part of one's daily routine often includes cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, rugs, and clothes. Oftentimes the contaminant one is trying to clean is elusive and difficult to accurately eliminate because it is not easily visible to the naked eye. Therefore, one will spend an excessive amount of time trying to eliminate the contaminant, may use unsanitary methods to find the contaminant such as sniffing or touching it, use an excessive amount of cleanser, and still not accomplish elimination of the offending contaminant.
Existing sprayer bottles with nozzles for cleaning either rely on human visual detection without assistance or rely on the assistance of ultraviolet (“UV”) light in flashlight form connected to the sprayer bottle and are awkward in shape and therefore difficult to use. There are flashlights on the market that use light-emitting diode (LED) UV lights for detecting pet urine, but these flashlights are not marketed for general cleaning and they do not have any ability to apply cleaner while illuminating stains. Existing sprayer bottles do not include any mechanism to help the user more easily or accurately view a contaminant. Consequently, no existing products provide the convenience, availability, or ease of use that a system employing UV lights embedded in the nozzle of a sprayer provides.
Thus, there is a need to reduce reliance on the naked eye for detecting contaminants that need to be removed or cleaned. There is also a need to eliminate the inconvenience and difficulty of use associated with locating and using a separate UV light in flashlight form with a traditional spray bottle (or other cleaning device).
Embodiments of the present invention include a battery-powered device that uses UV light bulbs embedded in the nozzle of a sprayer to detect hidden contaminants. When light emitted from the UV light bulbs is pointed at a surface or object that is to be cleaned, it illuminates certain hidden contaminants that were previously invisible or difficult to visually detect. This allows one to quickly, visually identify the contaminant, accurately apply the cleaning solution, and evaluate if the contaminant has been eliminated. Embodiments of the present invention allow for previously difficult-to-see contaminants to become easily visible, allowing the user to simultaneously spray and wipe the surface while evaluating if satisfactory cleaning was achieved.
Embodiments do not simply attach a light source to a spray bottle; rather, embodiments provide a new type of nozzle that incorporates the light source within the nozzle which also houses the battery and wiring components. Certain embodiments have an enlarged spray bottle nozzle that incorporates the light source above the channel through which cleaning fluid is dispensed and houses the battery and wiring components in the nozzle. Also, embodiments of the present invention are useful to assist a user in quickly and accurately cleaning many items found in the home, car, or other places such as hotels, schools, hospitals, etc.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a nozzle having a connector adapted to receive a container, a front surface, a channel which extends through the front surface so as to be in fluid communication with the container, wherein the channel is suitable for dispensing a fluid outwardly from the front surface, and an ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light source is configured to emit light outwardly from the front surface.
In another aspect, the ultraviolet light source emits light in a direction parallel to the channel where the channel intersects the front surface.
In still another aspect, the ultraviolet light source comprises one or more LED ultraviolet light bulbs.
In still another aspect, the one or more LED ultraviolet light bulbs emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of between 365 nanometers and 385 nanometers.
In still another aspect, the UV light source emits ultraviolet light which is visible in the presence of indoor lighting.
In still another aspect, the nozzle further includes a battery compartment. The battery compartment is configured to hold one or more batteries which power the ultraviolet light source.
In still another aspect, the nozzle further includes a cover for the battery compartment. The cover is fastened by a screw.
In still another aspect, the nozzle further includes an electric circuit connected to the one or more batteries and to the ultraviolet light source and a switch which opens and closes the circuit.
In still another aspect, the switch is toggled by a slide mechanism.
In still another aspect, the nozzle further includes a trigger mechanism including a trigger, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to cause the fluid to be dispensed from the channel in response to the trigger being depressed. The switch is toggled in response to the trigger being depressed.
In still another aspect, the ultraviolet light source comprises three or more light bulbs. The three or more light bulbs are oriented in a horseshoe shape on the front surface around the channel.
In still another aspect, the ultraviolet light source comprises three or more light bulbs. The three or more light bulbs are oriented in one or more horizontal rows on the front surface above the channel.
Additionally, the present invention relates to a spray bottle including a container suitable for holding fluid and various combinations of each of the above-described aspects.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to disclose but a few possible examples of the present invention; and thus do not limit the present invention's scope.
The present invention generally relates to an improved nozzle for spray bottles. While preferred examples of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with a spray bottle, the invention is not so limited and may be applied to other types of cleaning devices such as other types of apparatus that dispense cleaning solutions.
One example embodiment of an improved nozzle in accordance with the present invention is shown in
Nozzle 14 further includes UV light bulbs 20, which function as a UV light source, located on a front surface of the nozzle cap 18. The arrangement of UV light bulbs 20 will be described in further detail below. Nozzle 14 further includes a battery compartment 24 to contain the power source for the UV light bulbs 20. The power source may be button cell batteries but could also be a cavity for any type of battery such as (but not limited to) AA, AAA, re-chargeable, prismatic cell, pouch cell, cylindrical cell, carbon zinc, alkaline, lithium cells, silver oxide cells, zinc air cells, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium ion, lead, acid, or any other type of battery. The power source may also include alternative sources of power such as (but not limited to) a solar power strip, rechargeable power source, cord to plug in to outlet (for recharging or direct power), and other energy sources.
Nozzle 14 also includes a power switch 22 for turning the UV light bulbs 20 on and off. Power switch 22 may be a sliding switch, as shown, or it could also be a button, dial, toggle, or any other type of device to turn the UV light source on and off. Alternatively, turning the UV light bulbs 20 on and off could be automated. Other embodiments may be configured such that trigger 16 is responsible for turning the UV light bulbs 20 on or off, in addition to causing dispensation of fluid. For example, a single full depression, or other motion, of trigger 16 may turn on the UV light bulbs 20. A similar motion or other motion of trigger 16 may thereafter turn off the UV light bulbs 20.
Channel 32 passes through nozzle cap 18. Channel 32 is a conduit for fluid stored in, for example, a bottle attached to nozzle 14. When fluid is dispensed from nozzle 14, it may flow through channel 32 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a front surface of nozzle cap 18. Preferably, UV light bulbs 20 are oriented such that they emit light in substantially the same direction as the direction of fluid dispensing via the channel 32. When oriented this way, the UV light bulbs 20 emit UV light in the direction of a targeted stain or contaminant. In a preferred embodiment, six to twelve UV light bulbs 20 are employed. The UV light bulbs 20 may be arranged on the nozzle cap 18 so as to surround the channel 32 in a horseshoe shape, as shown in
As shown in
The embodiments shown in
A preferred embodiment of the present invention may be comprised of between six and twelve LED UV light bulbs that emit light with a wavelength of 365-385 nanometers (nm), but any number of bulbs or one bulb could be used and may emit light with wavelengths ranging from 180-400 nanometers (although some UV light is harmful and really should not be used below 315 nm wavelengths at the lowest). Additionally, any source of UV light could be used with the present invention including LED, fluorescent, mercury vapor, lasers, or incandescent. Pre-lit UV lights could also be used which would eliminate a need for any type of additional battery. Any other device or object that emits UV light could be used. In certain embodiments, UV light bulbs emit light having a wavelength that permits the device to be used without turning overhead or other room lights (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent or other room lights) off (i.e., the wavelength of the UV light is chosen so that the UV light will visibly light up the contaminant even with overhead or other room lights on).
A spray bottle in accordance with the present invention could be made by blow molding and injection molding. The bottle containing fluid could be made using blow molding. The improved nozzle could be made using an injection mold. The UV light bulbs (or other UV light source) are wired as described above and in contact with the power switch. Any process that attaches the UV light source to the spray bottle could be used. The spray bottle is filled with desired cleaning solution. Once batteries are inserted, the device is ready for the user to use.
The UV light source may be embedded or attached to the spray bottle head, in the body or trigger, or anywhere else on the spray bottle and would perform substantially the same function, as long as the UV light is emitted in a similar direction as the direction in which fluid is dispensed. The wiring or other circuitry may be formed in the plastic of the nozzle before the UV light source is attached or embedded. Embodiments may also employ a solar type panel or a plug for an external power source and perform a similar function. If the spray bottle was a pump bottle, aerosol-type can, or any other vessel that can hold cleaning solutions or materials it would perform a similar function. The power switch could be a push button or could be eliminated if pre-lit UV lights were used.
A reflector could be added to the nozzle to cause the light to shine more evenly and improve visualization of hidden contaminants. A lens could also be added over the bulbs to protect the bulbs from breaking and getting wet.
To use a spray bottle in accordance with the present invention, a battery is preferably placed in the battery compartment in the nozzle. To turn on the UV light source, the power switch is set to the “on” position which completes the circuit and causes the UV light bulbs to emit light. The user may then point the spray bottle at the surface he or she desires to clean and immediately visualize previously hidden contaminants once they are illuminated by the UV light source. The user simply pulls the trigger to spray the cleaning solution at the desired area on the surface and wipes it clean. The user is able to simultaneously evaluate if the (now visible) contaminant has been satisfactorily eliminated or if the cleaning effort needs to continue.
When using certain embodiments of the present invention, one may dim the ambient lighting in the room (total darkness is not necessary), turn the power switch on the nozzle to the “on” position, and shine the UV light source at the surface to be cleaned. The contrast of the UV-lit surface against the darkened room improves the visibility of the surface and contaminants. The user then sprays the surface and wipes it clean while simultaneously evaluating if previously hard-to-see contaminants are being wiped away. In other embodiments, a UV light source may be used that emits UV light visible in the presence of ambient, indoor lighting, which would include incandescent, fluorescent or other lights typically used to illuminate human-occupied rooms and structures. The use of such embodiments does not require dimming of the overhead or other room lights in order to see the UV light source projected onto a contaminant. With such embodiments, a user can conveniently identify and spray contaminants without first dimming or turning off the ambient lighting.
The UV light mechanism described herein may also be incorporated into and used with other types of devices. For example, mops including spray mops, twist mops, roller mops, squeeze mops, spin mops, flat mops, sponge mops and similar or related hard floor cleaning devices may incorporate a UV light mechanism such as the mechanisms shown and described above. Likewise, a UV light mechanism may be incorporated into a vacuum, carpet shampooer, carpet steamer, or other carpet/rug cleaning device. Similarly, a UV light mechanism may be incorporated into other cleaning devices, such as toilet brushes, toilet mops, scrub brushes, carpet brushes, spotting brushes, sponge devices, etc., or virtually any cleaning device that sprays or does not spray. In all of these examples, a UV light mechanism may be positioned on an end of cleaning device with a UV light source positioned to shine on floor, toilet bowl, carpet, counter, or other surface being cleaned, in front of a cleaning mechanism (e.g., mop, brush, vacuum, etc.). For some devices, the power switch for the UV light mechanism may be situated at top end of cleaning device, near or on a handle of the device, so that user does not have to bend over or reach far to turn on the UV light source. The UV light source may be turned on (and off) in conjunction with the power switch for the particular cleaning device (e.g., vacuum or carpet shampooer power switch). As a specific example of the present invention's applicability to other device, a spray mop sprayer may incorporate a UV light mechanism into the sprayer nozzle, similar to the mechanisms shown in
Additionally, this invention could be used for pest control as certain pests such as scorpions can be illuminated when exposed to UV light. A spray bottle administering pest control spray and including a UV light source could be used to spray scorpions. It could be used in any cleaning industry including (but not limited to) rug cleaning, general purpose cleaning, car detailing, and laundry. It could be used as a robot type invention where the spray bottle is able to turn the UV light on itself and when it senses a contaminant it automatically dispenses the cleaning solution.
While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments are plausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various examples of improved nozzles are not intended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, and alternatives of the examples may be employed.
The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be described above only in the context of certain examples or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/331,816, filed May 4, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/417,716, filed Nov. 4, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62331816 | May 2016 | US | |
| 62417716 | Nov 2016 | US |
