Surface contacting with spray bottle dispensers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6223380
  • Patent Number
    6,223,380
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, April 27, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 1, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus including a spray bottle dispenser including a bottle portion and a spray head portion and a frame portion connecting said dispenser to a surface contacting portion and configured such that when said dispensing apparatus is in an upright position, said surface contacting portion is located above and in front of a nozzle portion of said spray head portion.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to dispensers, and particularly, to surface contacting with spray bottle dispensers.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




There are a myriad of products dispensed from spray bottles. An example of a product provided in a spray bottle dispenser is a preventive maintenance type cleaner applied onto surfaces proximal to a personal wash area, typically, a shower or bath, immediately or relatively soon after the wash area is used. This type of product is presently being marketed by a number of different companies. For example, one company is selling such a product under the trademark, CLEAN SHOWER. This product is marketed on the premise that by applying it to the surfaces of a wash area after each use, build up of wash area related dirt, such as soap scum, is minimized.




Another example of a product dispensed from a spray bottle is glass cleaner. In a typical window cleaning operation, a spray bottle dispenser containing window cleaner is operated proximally to a window to apply cleaner to the window pane. In a second step, a squeegee is used to scrape the cleaner along the pane, typically, to a bottom portion of the perimeter of the window. In a third step, the squeegee as well as the bottom portion of the window are wiped clean, typically, with a rag or sponge.




Most spray bottle dispensers are very similar. The typical spray bottle dispenser consists of a bottle portion and a spray head portion. The bottle portion has an externally threaded neck portion to which the spray head portion connects by an internally threaded collar. The spray head portion further includes a nozzle portion as well as a housing portion out of which extends a trigger portion for operating a pump inside the housing portion. A dip tube connected to an inlet of the pump extends from the housing portion through the collar portion and into the bottle portion. When the spray head portion is connected to the bottle portion, at least a portion of the dip tube is immersed in product contained in the bottle portion.




The bottle portion is typically grasped and operated with one hand such that at least one finger, typically, the index finger and perhaps the middle finger, extend to the trigger portion. In operation, the dispenser, and specifically, the nozzle portion of the spray head portion, is held proximally to a surface to which the product in the bottle portion is to be applied. The trigger is then pulled causing product to be pumped through the dip tube into the pump and to the nozzle, out of which the product is sprayed, typically, in a substantially conical spray configuration. Typically, the conical spray configuration produces a circular spray pattern on a surface to which the product is applied provided that the nozzle is held within a predetermined range from the surface during operation.




When the surface onto which the product is to be applied is larger than the largest available spray pattern produced by the dispenser, the entire dispenser must be moved and operated at different locations relative to the surface so as to apply product to the entire surface. While these locations may be chosen arbitrarily, the consumer, ever concerned with saving valuable time and effort, is likely to move the dispenser in an efficient manner such that product is applied from locations which define generally longitudinal and/or transverse paths about any given surface. This type of operation of a spray bottle dispenser is referred to as the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser.




In naturally operating a spray bottle dispenser, a consumer may move the spray bottle dispenser to perhaps 10 to 100 discrete locations relative to, for example, the surfaces of a wash area such as a shower stall or a particularly large pane of glass, to adequately apply product thereto.




It is a first object of the present invention to take advantage of the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser.




It is a second object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus which allows the dispensing of a product to be combined simultaneously with another function.




It is a third object of the present invention to provide surface contacting with a spray bottle dispenser.




It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus.




It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing apparatus.




It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a surface contacting portion for a dispensing apparatus.




It is a seventh object of the present invention to provide an improved surface contacting portion for a dispensing apparatus.




It is an eighth object of the present invention to increase the efficiency of coverage of a spray from a dispensing apparatus.




It is a ninth object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus which increases the efficiency of products dispensed from spray bottles.




It is a tenth object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which increases the effectiveness of products dispensed from spray bottle dispensers.




It is an eleventh object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which increases the ease with which products are dispensed from spray bottle dispensers.




It is a twelfth object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus including a spray bottle dispenser including a bottle portion and a spray head portion and a frame portion connecting the dispenser to a surface contacting portion and configured such that when the dispensing apparatus is in an upright position, the surface contacting portion is located above and in front of a nozzle portion of the spray head portion.




It is a thirteenth object of the present invention to provide an apparatus including a surface contacting portion connected to a frame portion, the frame portion connected to a dispenser having a bottle portion and a spray head portion such that when the dispenser is substantially upright and a product is dispensed to a substantially vertical surface from a nozzle exit of the spray head portion only translation of the dispenser in a direction consisting of a downward vertical component is necessary for simultaneously contacting the product and the surface with the surface contacting portion




It is a fourteenth object of the present invention to provide a method of applying a product to a vertical surface including the steps of holding a dispenser having a bottle portion and a spray head portion in a substantially upright orientation proximally to a vertical surface such that a surface contacting portion attached to the dispenser is in contact with the vertical surface and dispensing a product onto the vertical surface with the dispenser, and translating the dispenser in a direction consisting of a downward vertical component to apply at least a portion of the product to the surface.




The present invention is directed to surface contacting with a spray bottle dispenser. In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes a spray bottle dispenser including a bottle portion and a spray head portion and a frame portion connecting the dispenser to a surface contacting portion and configured such that when the dispensing apparatus is in an upright position, the surface contacting portion is located above and in front of a nozzle portion of the spray head portion.




When the dispensing apparatus of the present invention is used to apply a product to a surface, the surface contacting portion is preferably simultaneously in contact with the surface. Thus, the present invention is particularly appropriate for use in situations calling for the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser. For example, the present invention is particularly appropriate for use with cleaners which are sprayed onto surfaces proximal to a personal wash area, for example, a shower or bath, immediately or relatively soon after the wash area is used.




In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the surface contacting portion is provided with a wiper portion. Accordingly, when a dispensing apparatus including a spray bottle dispenser and a surface contacting portion according to the present invention is used to apply the above discussed preventive maintenance type cleaning product to the surface of a wash area according to the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser, the surface contacting portion, and particularly the wiper portion perform a number of functions.




First, the wiper portion serves to spread the dispensed droplets of product over the surface uniformly as it follows behind the nozzle portion in the natural operation of the dispenser, thereby providing an improved application of product. More specifically, the wiper portion displaces the droplets which make up the spray pattern and spreads each droplet over the surface to which the product has been applied. Use of the invention thereby promotes less usage of product since product is applied more efficiently. Second, the wiper portion also scrapes some of the dirt which the product is intended to clean. This provides enhanced cleaning of the surface and allows for even greater periods of time between episodes of thorough cleaning of the wash area. Third, the surface contacting portion provides a gauge for applying product to the surface. More specifically, during natural operation of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the surface contacting portion serves to set the nozzle portion of the dispensing apparatus a predetermined distance away from the surface to which product is being applied, thereby further ensuring uniform application of product to the surface.




Another example of a benefit achieved by use of the present invention is realized when a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is used to apply glass cleaner in a typical window cleaning operation. A dispensing apparatus according to the present invention configured to apply glass cleaner preferably includes a surface contacting portion defining a wiper portion. In a first step, window cleaner is applied to the window surface according to the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser. In a conventional second step, the consumer would place a squeegee against the window surface and drag the same across the glass surface so as to scrape the cleaner typically to a bottom segment of the perimeter of the window. With the wiper portion of the present invention, window cleaner is scraped to a bottom segment of the perimeter of the window simultaneously with the application of product to the window. Thus, the first and second step are merged into a single step resulting in a significant savings of time and effort. The remaining step i.e. the cleaning of any residue from the bottom of the window and the wiping of the blade portion of the surface contacting portion is carried out in the usual way.




These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 3

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention in schematic form.





FIG. 5

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention in schematic form.





FIG. 6

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention in schematic form.





FIG. 7

is a front view of a wall with a circular spray pattern produced thereon by a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention in schematic form.





FIG. 8

is a side view of a wall with a spray pattern produced thereon by a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 9

is a front view of a directional indication.





FIG. 10

is a front view of a directional indication.





FIG. 11

is a front view of a wall with a circular spray pattern produced thereon by a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 12

is a partial side view of a surface contacting portion of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 13

is a front view of a wall with a pair of circular spray patterns produced thereon by a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 14

is a front view of a wall with a set of circular spray patterns and a directional line indicating use of a dispensing apparatus including a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 15

is a partial side view of a surface contacting portion and a spray head portion of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 16

is a side view of a surface contacting portion of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 17

is a partial cross sectional view taken along the line


17





17


shown in FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

is a side view of a spray bottle dispenser.





FIG. 19

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 20

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a frame portion connected to a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 21

is a planar view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG.


18


.





FIG. 22

is a partial top view of the spray bottle dispenser shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 23

is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus along the line


21





21


shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 24

is a partial cross-sectional top view of an alternative embodiment of a frame according to the present invention.





FIG. 25

is a partial view of an apparatus according to the present invention in schematic form.





FIG. 26

is an exploded partial side view of a surface contacting portion, a spray head portion, a frame, and a bottle portion of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 27

is a partial cross-sectional view of the frame shown in FIG.


17


.





FIG. 28

is a partial side view of a dispensing apparatus including a surface contacting portion and an extending portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 29

is a partial side view of a dispensing apparatus including a surface contacting portion and a spray head portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 30

is a partial cross-sectional side view of a wiper portion and an extending portion of a frame of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 31

is a front view of the leading edge of the wiper portion shown in

FIG. 21

according to the present invention.





FIG. 32

is a partial side view of a dispensing apparatus including a surface contacting portion and a spray head portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 33

is a front view of the leading edge of the wiper portion shown in

FIG. 23

according to the present invention.





FIG. 34

is a front view of the leading edge of a wiper portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 35

is a front view of the leading edge of a wiper portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 36

is a top view of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 37

is a top view of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 38

is a top view of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 39

is a side view of a surface contacting portion in the form of a scrub brush.





FIG. 40

is a side view of a surface contacting portion in the form of an overspray limiter.





FIG. 41

is a front view of a wall with a spray pattern produced thereon by a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.





FIG. 42

is a perspective view of a surface contacting portion in the form of an applicator portion according to the present invention.





FIG. 43

is a perspective view of a surface contacting portion in the form of an applicator portion including selectively compromised chemical concentrate compartments.





FIG. 44

is a partial cross sectional view of the surface contacting portion shown in FIG.


43


.





FIG. 45

is a partial cross-sectional view of the surface contacting portion shown in FIG.


43


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS





FIGS. 1 and 2

show a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus


14


according to the present invention. Another preferred embodiment of an apparatus


14


′ according to the present invention is shown in

FIG. 3

wherein part numbers used to indicate parts similar to those shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

include a prime symbol (′) directly adjacent thereto, thus,


14


is


14


′.




Apparatus


14


includes a spray bottle dispenser having a bottle portion


16


with an externally threaded neck portion (not shown) and a spray head portion


18


to which is connected an independently rotatable internally threaded collar portion


22


for connecting spray head portion


18


to bottle portion


16


. Spray head portion


18


further includes a nozzle portion


24


including a nozzle exit


38


and a housing portion


26


out of which extends a trigger portion


28


for operating a pump (not shown) therein. A dip tube (not shown) which feeds the pump extends from housing portion


26


through collar portion


22


into bottle portion


16


. When spray head portion


18


is connected to bottle portion


16


, preferably, at least a portion of the dip tube (not shown) is immersed in a product contained in bottle portion


16


.




Apparatus


14


also includes a surface contacting portion


20


. Surface contacting portion


20


connects to spray head portion


18


by a frame portion


30


. Frame portion


30


includes a base portion


32


, an extending portion


40


and a support portion


42


.




Apparatus


14


is shown in a substantially vertical upright position in

FIGS. 1 and 52

. Surface contacting portion


20


is positioned above nozzle exit


38


by a distance, Y, and in front of nozzle exit


38


by a distance, X.

FIGS. 4-6

show further embodiments of a spray bottle dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. Each of the embodiments in

FIGS. 4-6

is shown in a substantially vertical upright position. In each of the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 4-6

the bottle portion of the dispensing apparatus is represented by the letter B, the spray head portion by the letter A, the nozzle portion by the letter D, and the surface contacting portion by the letter C. Each dispensing apparatus represented in

FIGS. 4-6

is shown applying a conical spray represented by the letter E onto a vertical surface represented by the letter F. Note that for each embodiment shown, surface contacting portion C is positioned above nozzle portion D by a distance Y, and in front of nozzle portion D by a distance X.




Referring back to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, a preferred embodiment of a dispensing apparatus


14


is shown with surface contacting portion


20


defining a wiper portion


34


having a leading edge


36


in contact with a vertical surface


46


. When trigger


28


is pulled, a product


48


is pumped from bottle portion


16


through spray head portion


18


and nozzle exit


38


. In the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, product


48


is dispensed in the form of a substantially conical spray


44


having a cone angle, K. The diameter of conical spray


48


increases until impacting vertical surface


46


to form a substantially circular spray pattern


50


as shown in FIG.


7


.




As shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, surface contacting portion


20


is positioned in front of nozzle portion


24


by a dimension, X, which is defined as the distance between a vertical line passing through nozzle exit


38


and a vertical line passing through leading edge


36


. Note that dimension, X, is directly proportional to the diameter, N, of circular spray pattern


50


. As shown in

FIG. 6

, it is preferable according to the present invention for the length, L, of edge


36


to be at least as large as the diameter, N, of circular spray pattern


50


. This may be accomplished through a configuration of cone angle, K, length, L, and/or dimension, X, any or all of which may be configured to be adjustable according to the present invention.




Surface contacting portion


20


may be configured, as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, to define a gauge for determining when said nozzle portion is located at a proper distance from a surface for dispensing a product to the surface.




Further, as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, surface contacting portion


20


is positioned above nozzle portion


24


by a dimension, Y, which is defined as the distance between a horizontal line passing through nozzle exit


38


and a horizontal line passing through leading edge


36


. As shown in

FIG. 6

, it is preferable, according to the present invention for the radius, R, shown in

FIG. 6

, of circular spray pattern


50


to be less than the dimension, Y. This prevents interference between conical spray


44


and surface contacting portion


20


. In other words, it is preferable for leading edge


36


to be located outside circular spray pattern


50


, as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 6

.




In operation, the dispenser apparatus shown in

FIGS. 1-3

is typically grasped in one hand such that the trigger


28


may be operated with one or two fingers, typically, the index and/or middle fingers. According to the present invention, a method of applying a product, such as a preventive maintenance type washroom surface cleaner, to a surface involves holding the preferred embodiment of a spray bottle dispensing apparatus


14


shown in

FIGS. 1-3

in one hand in the manner just described. Apparatus


14


is then positioned proximally to, for example, a vertical surface


46


to which the product is to be applied such that the edge


36


of surface contacting portion is in contact with the surface


46


as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

. The trigger


28


is then pulled and a conical spray


44


is dispensed from the nozzle exit


38


. A circular spray pattern


50


is formed on surface


46


as shown in FIG.


7


.




A detailed cross-sectional side view of circular spray pattern


50


is shown in FIG.


8


. Note that there are water droplets


52


on vertical surface


46


shown in FIG.


8


. Such droplets


52


are typically present on the typical washroom surface immediately after the washroom is used. Also shown in

FIG. 8

are droplets of preventive maintenance type cleaner


54


which form circular spray pattern


52


.




A further step involved in this particular method of the present invention involves translating apparatus


14


in a direction having at least a downward vertical component, V, and optionally, a horizontal component, H, to produce a resultant direction, D, as shown by example in schematic form in

FIGS. 9 and 10

. Note from

FIG. 9

that there is no horizontal component, H, thus, the resultant direction, D, is purely downward and vertical.

FIG. 10

shows a resultant direction, D, having a downward vertical component, V, as well as a horizontal component, H.




As apparatus


14


is translated in the above-described manner, edge


36


of wiper


34


enters circular spray pattern


50


as shown in schematic form in FIG.


11


. Wiper portion


34


, and specifically edge


36


thereof, move along vertical surface


46


and break apart, mix, and wipe away excess droplets of water


56


and cleaner


54


as shown in FIG.


12


. Preferably, a residual layer


60


of water and cleaner is left behind as is further shown in FIG.


12


. Residual layer


60


is shown in schematic form in FIG.


12


. The dashed line


50


′ in

FIG. 13

indicates circular spray pattern


50


prior to contact with surface contacting portion


20


. Note that the area defined by the edges of residual layer


60


includes the area defined by dashed line


50


′. Thus, use of the present invention provides a substantial increase in the area of application of a product. As apparatus


14


is translated according to the above-described method the nozzle exit


38


is thereby automatically placed in position for the next application cleaner to surface


46


, as shown in FIG.


13


.





FIG. 14

shows an exemplary portion


47


of a vertical surface, about which apparatus


14


is translated to locations


62


which define generally longitudinal paths


64


. It should be noted that the movement of apparatus


14


required to practice the above described method according to the present invention closely parallels the movement associated with the natural operation of a spray bottle dispenser.




The surface contacting portion


20


shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

is integral to apparatus


14


. However, it is important to note that surface contacting portion


20


may be configured to attach, in a permanent to semi-permanent to non-permanent configuration, to any site on apparatus


14


. For example, as shown in

FIG. 15

, a surface contacting portion


201


according to the present invention may be provided as an “after-market” type product for a permanent type of attachment with double sided tape


66


for mounting base portion


321


to spray head portion


181


of a spray bottle dispenser. Alternatively, base portion


322


of a surface contacting portion


202


may be configured for semi-permanent attachment as shown in

FIGS. 16 and 17

. Base portion


322


is provided with a pair of opposed projections


68


each including retaining means in the form of barbs


70


for a “snap on” type attachment to a pair of opposed slots


72


in spray head portion


182


.




The embodiment of surface contacting portion


20


′ shown in

FIG. 3

is also configured for non-permanent attachment. Spray bottle dispenser


10


is shown in

FIG. 18

without a surface contacting portion according to the present invention. Dispensing apparatus


14


′ including surface contacting portion


20


′ is shown in FIG.


19


. The details of removably attachable surface contacting portion


20


′ will now be described.




As shown in

FIGS. 20-21

, the base portion


32


′ of frame


30


′ includes a channel


116


having an upper surface


118


, side surfaces


120


and lower surfaces


122


. As shown in

FIGS. 3

,


18


and


22


, spray head portion


18


′ includes a main beam portion


128


having parallel edges


130


and tapering edges


132


. Surface contacting portion


20


′, or more specifically, frame portion


32


′, shown in

FIG. 23

, is removably attached to main portion


128


by sliding frame portion


32


′ over tapering edges


132


and parallel edges


130


of main beam portion


128


as shown in

FIGS. 3

,


19


and


23


. Note that spray head portion includes a vertical beam portion


134


which the rear edge


136


′ of frame portion


32


′ contacts to indicate that attachment is complete. Vertical beam portion


134


provides a surface to prevent further advancement of frame portion


32


′ along main beam


128


during use of apparatus


14


′.




The upper surface


118


and lower surfaces


122


of channel


116


are preferably in frictional contact with the top surface


124


and bottom surfaces


126


of the main beam portion


128


of spray head portion


18


′, as shown in

FIG. 22

, thereby preventing frame


32


′ from translating up or down relative to main beam portion


128


and preventing frame


32


′ from pivoting about a horizontal axis relative to main beam portion


128


. The side surfaces


120


of channel


116


are preferably in frictional contact with the edges


130


of main beam portion


128


thereby preventing frame


32


′ from translating side to side relative to main beam portion


128


and preventing frame


32


′ from pivoting about a vertical axis relative to main beam portion


128


.




An alternative embodiment of a removably attachable base portion


321


′ is shown in FIG.


24


. As shown in schematic form in

FIG. 25

, base portion


321


′ is configured to allow surface contacting portion to slightly rotate to track an off-plane surface


461


′ without the need for realignment of main beam portion


128


with such a surface. Base portion


321


′ includes a channel


1161


′ having tapering side walls


1201


′ and tapering lower surfaces


1221


′. Thus, channel


1161


′ allows frame


321


′ to rotate in a limited range about a vertical axis relative to main beam portion


128


, indicated by directional arrow P, shown in FIG.


24


.




Another alternative embodiment of a base portion


323


which is configured for non-permanent or removable attachment to apparatus


14


, is shown in

FIGS. 26 and 27

. Base portion


323


is provided with an orifice


72


for interposing base portion


323


between the collar portion


222


of spray head portion


182


and bottle portion


162


of apparatus


14


, as shown in FIG.


26


. Base portion


323


also includes an integral skirt


74


which slides over the outer surface of bottle portion


16


to provide additional support for surface contacting portion


203


as shown in FIG.


28


.




The wiper portion


34


shown in

FIGS. 1-3

is integral to extending portion


40


of frame portion


30


. Wiper portion


34


may be configured as a separate component which is attached to extending portion


40


either during the manufacture of apparatus


14


. Alternatively, components of the present invention may be provided to the consumer for assembly. For example, as shown in the exploded partial side view of

FIG. 28

, a surface contacting portion


204


includes a separate wiper portion


343


which includes attachment structure in the form of a winged tab


76


which cooperates with corresponding attachment structure in the form of a winged channel


78


in extending portion


404


. Assembly is accomplished by sliding tab


76


through channel


78


. Winged tab


76


may be slightly oversized to create an interference between tab


76


and channel


78


thereby fixing wiper portion


344


relative to extending portion


404


. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used between tab


76


and channel


78


to fixate wiper portion


343


relative to extending portion


343


. Note that embodiments of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention which include separate components facilitate the use of different materials in the construction thereof. For example, wiper portion


344


may be preferably made of rubber whereas extending portion


404


may be preferably made of plastic. A surface contacting portion which is removably attachable to frame


404


facilitates the use of interchangeable embodiments of a surface contacting portion according to the present invention.




Surface contacting portion


20


shown in

FIGS. 1-3

is substantially fixed relative to nozzle portion


24


. However, surface contacting portion


20


may be configured to move in any possible direction relative to nozzle portion


24


according to the present invention. For example, a partial view of a dispensing apparatus


145


according to the present invention is shown in FIG.


29


. Apparatus


145


includes an extending portion


405


having a reduced thickness


80


to allow for flexion of frame


305


and thus, relative movement between nozzle portion


245


and surface contacting portion


205


. Alternatively or in addition to reduced wall thickness


80


in extending portion


405


, base portion


325


may include an area of reduced wall thickness


845


. Reduced wall thickness


845


allows for pivoting of frame portion


305


relative to spray head portion


185


. Preferably, apparatus


185


is configured such that frame


305


is biased to return to its configuration prior to pivoting.




A cross-sectional view of wiper portion


34


is shown in FIG.


30


. Wiper portion


34


includes a planar upper surface


84


and a planar lower surface


86


. As shown in

FIGS. 30 and 31

, wiper portion tapers transversely to a leading edge


36


, however, wiper portion may be configured to taper to a leading edge


36


which defines a face


88


as shown in

FIGS. 32 and 23

. Note that face


88


may include a surface texture, such as ridges (not shown), dimples (not shown), or bumps (not shown). Further, leading edge


36


is shown in

FIGS. 31 and 33

as having a straight longitudinal centerline. However, leading edge


36


may define any centerline, for example, leading edge


36


may define a curvilinear centerline as shown in

FIG. 34

or a centerline having angled ends


90


as shown in FIG.


35


.




A top view of wiper portion


34


is shown in FIG.


36


. Note that wiper portion


34


and particularly, leading edge


36


, are configured for contacting a planar surface. Wiper portion


34


may be configured for contacting other types of surfaces, for example, a portion of edge


36


may include a triangular shaped recess


92


for contacting a comer type surface as shown in FIG.


37


. Alternatively, edge


36


may include a protruding portion


94


, as shown in

FIG. 38

, for contacting, for example, grout surfaces between rows of bathroom tiles.




An alternative embodiment of a surface contacting portion


206


is shown in FIG.


39


. Surface contacting portion


206


defines scrub brush portion


96


having bristles


98


. A further alternative embodiment of a surface contacting portion


207


is shown in FIG.


40


. Surface contacting portion


207


defines a spray limiter portion. In certain situations, such as in the application of certain types of chemicals, for example, paints or polishes, it is desirous to prevent overspray. Thus, as is shown in

FIG. 41

, a surface contacting portion


207


in the form of a spray limiter


100


according to the present invention may be used to maintain conical spray


447


within area


102


and thus prevent overspray into area


104


.




Another alternative embodiment of a surface contacting portion


208


according to the present invention is shown in FIG.


42


. Surface contacting portion


208


defines an applicator portion


106


including a sub-frame portion


108


and an applicator material portion


110


which is mounted in sub-frame portion


108


. Sub-frame portion


108


is removably attachable to extending portion


408


of frame


306


by way of channel


78


in extending portion


406


and tab


76


on holder portion


96


. Sub-frame portion


108


includes walls


112


and floor


114


which are configured to receive and to support applicator material portion


98


. Preferably, applicator material portion


98


is held in place by a moisture resistant adhesive (not shown) or other suitable adhesive. Alternatively, applicator material portion


110


may be integral to sub-frame portion


108


and mounted directly to extending portion


406


(not shown). Applicator portion


208


is preferably configured to apply a product dispensed from a nozzle portion of a dispensing apparatus


14


according to the present invention.




Material portion


110


is preferably made of a sponge-like material. In other words, material portion


110


is preferably configured to absorb liquid material in a non-compressed state and to release absorbed liquid material when compressed. Alternatively, material portion


110


can be made of a foam-like, non-absorbent material. As another example, material


110


can be made of a substance which dissolves in the presence of a chemical such as water.




Material portion


110


may be provided with an interspersed particulate chemically inert material for scouring purposes during application of a product to a surface, or as another example, material portion


110


may be provided with a scouring pad such as a “3M” brand scouring pad adhered to the leading edge thereof.




Further, material


110


may be provided in a pre-saturated condition and loaded into sub-frame portion


108


. For example, applicator material portion


110


may be pre-saturated with a chemically reactive product, such as a cleaner, for example, “


409


” brand cleaner, or an anti-spotting type product, such as “JET-DRI” brand anti-spotting chemical. Such products may be provided at concentrated levels for dilution with a chemical product, such as water, dispensed from the nozzle portion of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.




A dropper or other container of concentrated cleaning chemical may be used to introduce a chemical to applicator material portion


110


through holes (not shown) in top wall


115


of sub-frame


108


. For example, applicator material


110


may include a fragrant product which is introduced by way of a dropper through the aforementioned holes (not shown) in top wall


115


.




As another example, applicator material


110


may include a first product which is configured to chemically react with a second product which is dispensed from a nozzle portion of the dispensing apparatus to form a third product. Further, the first product may be configured to have a first color and the second product may be configured to have a second color and the third product may be configured to have no color, in other words, to be transparent. Alternatively, the first product may be configured to have no color and the second product may be configured to have no color and the third product may be configured to have color.




In environments where it is desirous to limit the action of a chemical, applicator material


110


may include a first product which is neutralized by a second product dispensed from the nozzle portion of dispensing apparatus


14


. For example, applicator material


110


may include a cleaning chemical having a first color which reacts with a chemical dispensed from said nozzle portion to form a chemically inert chemical having no color, thus providing an indicia that no active cleaning chemical is present on the surface contacted by the present invention.




A further alternative embodiment of an applicator portion


106


′ according to the present invention is shown in FIG.


43


. Applicator portion


106


′ includes compartments


138


. Preferably, and as shown in

FIG. 44

each compartment is configured to contain a liquid chemical


142


, for example, a concentrated liquid chemical cleaner. As shown in

FIG. 43

a cover


140


, preferably in the form of a single sheet of foil, is attached to the front of each compartment


138


to seal chemical


142


therein. An applicator material portion


110


is then preferably attached to the front surface of cover


140


. Preferably this is accomplished through the use of an adhesive provided along the perimeter of cover


140


.




Each compartment


138


further includes structure for compromising cover


140


to allow the liquid chemical to escape therefrom into applicator material portion


110


so that the same may be used in a surface contacting operation according to the present invention. As shown in

FIGS. 43-45

, a sharp tipped piercer


144


is integral to a preferably flexible upper wall


148


of each compartment. As shown in

FIG. 45

, a user may select a compartment desired to be compromised and squeeze the same thereby causing flexible upper wall


148


to deform slightly and the sharp tip of piercer


144


to break through cover


144


. Chemical is thereby released into applicator material portion for use in a surface contacting operation. Note that the adhesive applied to the perimeter of applicator material portion to attach the same to cover


140


prevents the leakage of chemical between cover


140


and applicator material


110


, and directs the flow of chemical into applicator material


110


. As shown in

FIG. 43

, a removable cover


150


including barbed tabs


152


which are received in recesses


154


is provided for covering applicator


106


′ and specifically, material portion


110


, when the same is not in use.




It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A spray bottle dispensing and cleaning apparatus, said apparatus comprising:a spray bottle; a trigger pump spray head connected to said spray bottle, said spray head including a nozzle portion; and a wiper applicator including a wiper blade and wiper blade support connected to said spray head, said wiper applicator being configured so that said wiper blade is located above and in front of said nozzle portion of said spray head to provide simultaneous spraying and wiping by said spray bottle dispensing apparatus.
  • 2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said said spray head and said wiper applicator are a single unit.
  • 3. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said said spray head and said wiper applicator are separate units.
  • 4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said spray head includes an upper flange portion, and said wiper blade support is provided with a channel portion configured for accommodating said upper flange portion for connecting said wiper applicator to said spray head.
  • 5. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said upper flange portion includes inwardly tapering edge portions to facilitate assembly of said channel portion of said wiper blade support onto said upper flange portion for connecting said wiper applicator to said spray head.
  • 6. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper applicator is configured so that said wiper blade is oriented substantially parallel with a spray direction of said spray nozzle of said spray head.
  • 7. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said wiper blade support is cantilevered from said spray head and oriented substantially parallel with said spray direction of said spray nozzle of said spray head.
  • 8. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said wiper blade support tapers wider width wise from said spray head to said wiper blade.
  • 9. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said wiper blade support tapers thinner height wise from said spray head to said wiper blade.
  • 10. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper blade support of said wiper applicator includes a base portion, an extending portion and a support portion.
  • 11. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper blade support extends forward and upward at an angle from said spray head.
  • 12. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid applicator portion includes a chemically reactive product.
  • 13. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper blade support and said wiper blade are integral.
  • 14. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper blade includes a separate wiper blade edge portion.
  • 15. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper applicator includes a non-absorbent material.
  • 16. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wiper applicator is connected between said spray bottle and said spray head.
  • 17. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:a spray bottle dispenser including a bottle portion and a spray head portion; a frame portion connecting said dispenser to a surface contacting portion and configured such that when said dispensing apparatus is in an upright position, said surface contacting portion is located above and in front of a nozzle portion of said spray head portion, said surface contacting portion defining an applicator portion having a sub-frame portion and an applicator material portion, said applicator portion including a chemically reactive product.
  • 18. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid applicator portion includes a concentrated chemically reactive product.
  • 19. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid reactive product reacts with water.
  • 20. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid applicator portion includes a first product which chemically reacts with a second product dispensed from said nozzle portion to form a third product.
  • 21. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 20, whereinsaid first product has a first color and said second product has a second color and said third product has no color.
  • 22. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 20, whereinsaid first product has no color and said second product has no color and said third product has color.
  • 23. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid applicator portion includes a fragrant product.
  • 24. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid sub-frame portion includes compartments.
  • 25. A wiper applicator device for spray bottle dispenser provided with a trigger pump type spray head including a nozzle portion, said device comprising:a wiper blade; a wiper blade support connected to said wiper blade, said wiper blade support being configured so that said wiper applicator device can be connected to said spray head said wiper blade is located above and in front of said nozzle portion of said spray head so that a trigger of said trigger pump spray head can be operated without interference with said wiper applicator to allow simultaneous spraying and wiping by said spray bottle dispensing apparatus.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Number Name Date Kind
D. 316318 Cheang Apr 1991
D. 386852 Viner Nov 1997
1093114 Corbett Apr 1914
2104161 Koukal Jan 1938
3732591 Gach May 1973
4273459 Hardy Jun 1981
5316401 Sears May 1994