Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6223380
-
Patent Number
6,223,380
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, April 27, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 1, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Gulakowski; Randy
- Chaudhry; Saeed
Agents
- Law Offices of William L. Klima, P.L.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 134 6
- 134 26
- 401 139
- 401 137
- 401 263
- 401 187
- 401 188 R
- 401 201
- 401 203
- 015 118
- 015 121
-
International Classifications
-
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)