The present invention relates to the art of spray texturing, and more particularly to systems and methods by which spray texturing can be accomplished to provide spray patterns of varying texture (i.e. with either finer or more coarse particle size).
When drywall panels are installed in a building, and the seams taped, prior to painting the wall surface, there is often applied a spray texture, which is followed by painting. The spray texture will provide a desirable background pattern, and also obscure some of the seams that might appear in the drywall surface.
Various spray texturing tools or devices utilize pressurized air to spray the texture material onto the wall surface. Some of these use compressed air as the gaseous medium to spray the textured material, with the pressurized air being derived from a remote source that feeds the air through a hose to the tool. There are also tools which are totally handheld, with the pressurized air being produced by manually reciprocating the piston of an air pump that is built into the tool.
When an existing drywall surface is being repaired, quite often a small section of drywall will be patched. If the texture surround the patched area is textured, texture material is applied to the patched area. It is, of course, desirable to have the spray pattern on the patch match that of the surrounding surface.
Also, when a rather small “patch” of drywall is to be spray textured, there is the matter of convenience. One approach has been simply to provide the spray texture material in an aerosol can, and the textured material is dispensed directly from the can to be sprayed onto the drywall surface. However, one of the considerations is how this can be accomplished in a manner to provide proper matching of the texture with that which is on the surrounding drywall.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,011 (Woods) discloses such an aerosol texture spraying device where the spray texture material is dispensed directly from the nozzle of the aerosol can. In a commercial embodiment of a device such as this, when there is higher pressure in the container, there is a relatively fine spray pattern. For a more coarse pattern (i.e. with larger particle sizes), the can is inverted and the nozzle depressed to dispense a certain amount of the propellant gas for a few seconds. Then the can is turned upright and the spray texture material dispensed at a lower pressure to provide the spray pattern with larger particle sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,095 issued to the present Applicant discloses an apparatus for discharging a spray texture material through a nozzle means having a nozzle discharge opening to dispense this material. There is further provided a first delivery tube means having a first discharge passageway of a first predetermined cross-sectional area. The material discharge apparatus is operated to cause the textured material to be discharged through the tube means. Then a second discharge tube means is positioned to receive material from the discharge nozzle means, and this second tube means has a second discharge passageway with a second predetermined cross-sectional area different from the first cross-sectional area. Thus, the '095 patent disclosed obtaining a finer spray pattern by utilizing a tube means with a passageway having a lesser cross-sectional area and a coarse pattern by discharging said material through the tube means having a greater cross-sectional area.
The formulation of texture material dispensed by conventional aerosol texturing devices may not be appropriate for vertical surfaces. In particular, the viscosity profile of the conventional texture material may not allow the texture material to be deposited on a ceiling surface without dripping or sagging or in a desired texture pattern.
The need thus exists for improved spray texturing systems and methods and, in particular, to spray texturing systems and methods adapted to apply texture material to a ceiling surface or a ceiling surface and a wall surface.
The present invention may be embodied as a method of dispensing sprayable material in a desired spray pattern comprising the following steps. An aerosol container adapted to contain sprayable material is provided. A valve assembly is mounted on the aerosol container to form an aerosol assembly. The valve assembly is normally in a closed configuration in which fluid is substantially prevented from flowing out of the aerosol assembly through the valve assembly. The valve assembly may be arranged in an open configuration in which fluid is allowed to flow out of the aerosol assembly through the valve assembly. An actuator member comprising a plurality of resilient finger projections is provided. A resilient outlet member is arranged at least partly between the plurality of finger projections. A movable member is supported on the actuator member to define an actuator assembly. The sprayable material and propellant material are arranged within the aerosol assembly. The actuator assembly is supported on the valve assembly to define a dispensing path extending from the interior of the aerosol chamber to the exterior of the aerosol chamber through the valve assembly, the actuator member, and the outlet member. The movable member is displaced in a first direction such that the movable member acts on the outlet member to deform the plurality of finger projections towards each other from an undeformed position to alter an effective cross-sectional area of at least a portion of a dispensing path to control fluid flow along the dispensing path and thereby cause the sprayable material to be dispensed in the desired spray pattern. The actuator member is displaced to place the valve assembly in the open configuration to allow the propellant to force the sprayable material out of the container assembly along the dispensing path.
With reference to
It is recognized that in the prior art tubular members have been used in combination with an aerosol spray can to deliver a material, such as a lubricant. To the best knowledge of the applicants, however, this use has been primarily to enable the aerosol container to deliver the fluid, such as a lubricating oil, to a somewhat inaccessible location, and not to achieve the ends of the present invention.
In the following detailed description of the invention, a number of embodiments of the present invention are described. These embodiments illustrate the present invention incorporates two features that may be used singly or together. These two features are the use of an elongate passageway through which texture material may pass before it exits an aerosol device and the use of a plurality of outlet orifice configurations, where by outlet orifice has a different cross-sectional area for each of the configurations. The technical advantages obtained by these features will be described in detail below.
The embodiments of the present invention described in this application illustrate that a given embodiment can contain one or both of these features and that these features can be implemented in a variety of different configurations.
Accordingly, the present application illustrates that, for a given set of design criteria, the designer has significant flexibility to construct an aerosol device for dispensing texture material that accomplishes the design goals inherent in the set of criteria.
To return to our description of the aerosol dispensing device 22, as indicated above, the basic design is or may be conventional. As shown herein, the device 22 comprises a cylindrical container 26 and a dispensing nozzle member 28 positioned at the top of the container 26. As is common in the prior art, this dispensing member 28 in its upright position blocks flow of material from the container 26. This dispensing member 28 is attached to a downwardly extending stem 30, and when the member 28 is depressed, a valve opens within the container 22 so that the material in the container 22 flows upwardly through the stem 30 and laterally out a nozzle formed in the dispensing nozzle member 28. Since the manner in which this is achieved is well known in the prior art, this will not be described in detail herein.
Reference is now made to
In the present invention, the nozzle member 28 is provided with a counterbore 36 having a moderately enlarged diameter, relative to the diameter of the nozzle opening 34. Both the nozzle opening 34 and the counter-bore 36 have a cylindrical configuration. The dispensing tube 24 has an outside diameter so that its end portion is able to fit snugly within the counterbore 36, with the end surface of the tube 34 bearing against the forwardly facing annular shoulder 38 defined by the counterbore 36 with the nozzle opening 34.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of dispensing tubes 24 are provided, and in the present embodiment, there are three such tubes, 24a, 24b and 24c. It can be seen from examining
It has been found that by selecting different diameters for the discharge passageway 40, the spray texture pattern can be controlled more accurately. With the smaller diameter 40a of the discharge tube 24a, shown in
In
With regard to the spray texture material itself, if has been found that quite desirable results can be achieved where the basic composition of the spray texture material comprises a resin or resins, particulate filler material and a propellant. Also, there is a solvent, and desirably dryers to accelerate the drying reaction of the resin with oxygen.
More specifically, the resin or resins desirably comprise alkyd resins, and more specifically those which are generally called bodying alkyds or puffing alkyds. Such alkyds are sometimes used for what are called “architectural coatings”. The resins are made somewhat more gelatinous than would be used in other applications, this depending upon the spray characteristics that are desired. If the alkyd resins are made more gelatinous or viscous, a coarser spray pattern would be expected for a particular set of conditions.
The particulate filler material desirably has various particle sizes, and this can be a filler material or materials which are well known in the prior art, such as calcium carbonate, silica, talc, wollastonite, various types of pigments, etc.
The propellant is desirably a liquefied hydrocarbon gas, with this liquefied gas being dispersed throughout the texture material composition, such as being dissolved therein or otherwise dispersed therein. The propellant is characterized that under the higher pressure within the container the propellant remains dispersed or dissolved as a liquid throughout the spray texture material, and upon release of pressure, the propellant begins going back to its gaseous form to act as a propellant and push the material up the stem passageway 32 and out the nozzle opening 34.
The solvent is desirably aromatic and/or aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, etc.
The dryer or dryers would normally be a metallic dryer, such as various metal salts. These are already well known in the art, so these will not be described in detail herein.
It has been found that this type of texture material can be sprayed by using the present invention to provide a reasonably consistent spray texture for a given configuration of the tube 24. Also, it has been found that this consistency of spray pattern can be accomplished throughout the discharge of the great majority of the spray texture material within the container 26.
With regard to the particular dimensions utilized in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to
Thus, it can be seen in the arrangements of
In the intermediate size of
In
A tube length as short as one half inch has been tried, and this is able to provide a substantial improvement of performance over what would have been obtained simply by discharging the spray texture directly from the nozzle opening 34, without any tube, relative to controlling spray pattern. The shorter tube 24 (as small as one half inch) provides a significant benefit, but not the full benefit of the longer tube 24. The very short tube (e.g. one half inch) has a lesser quality of performance when used with the larger diameter passageway 40 than with the smaller passageway.
To describe now the operation of the present invention, an aerosol dispensing device 22 is provided as described previously herein with the spray texture material contained within the can 26 at a desired pressure. As is common with aerosol cans, it is desirable to shake the device 22 for a few seconds prior to depressing the nozzle control member 28.
If a relatively fine texture is desired, then a smaller diameter tube such as at 24a is used. For spray texture patterns having larger particle size, the larger diameter tube is used.
The person directs the nozzle opening 34 and the tube 24 toward the wall surface to be sprayed and depresses the nozzle member 28. As the spray texture material is discharged, the container 26 is moved back and forth and is tilted to different angles to spray the desired area.
As indicated earlier, it has been found that not only can a “fineness” or “coarseness” (i.e. smaller particle size or larger particle size, respectively) be controlled with reasonable precision by the present invention, but this consistency of the spraying pattern can be maintained throughout the discharge of the great majority of the spray material within the container 26. While these phenomena are not totally understood, it is believed that the following can be reasonably hypothesized to provide at least a partial explanation.
First, the separation of the texture material into particles of smaller or larger size is due in part to the character of the material itself, and also due in part to the way the forces are exerted on the material to tend to break it up into particles. More particularly, it can be hypothesized that if there is a greater shear force tending to separate the particles, it would be expected that there would be a finer pattern.
It is also recognized that when a fluid is moving through a conduit or tube, there is commonly what is called a velocity gradient along a transverse cross section of the flow of material. More precisely, the material immediately adjacent to the wall surface may have a very low velocity or practically no velocity. The adjacent material just a small distance away from the wall will have a somewhat greater velocity, but will still be retarded significantly due to the shear force provided by the material that is closer to the wall surface. As the cross section of the liquid material is analyzed closer toward the center, the shear force becomes less and the velocity becomes more uniform.
With the foregoing in mind, it also has to be recognized that if the diameter of the tube or conduit is reduced by one half, the cross-sectional area is reduced by one quarter. Thus, for the smaller tube (i.e. one half diameter) the surface area that provides a retarding force is doubled relative to the volume of flow at the same velocity). This would indicate that for a given cross-sectional segment of the fluid material being discharged, there is relatively greater shear force exerted for the smaller inside diameter tube. This would lead to the conclusion that for the discharge of a given amount of fluid at a certain velocity and at the same pressure, there would be a smaller particle size than if a tube of greater inside diameter were used.
Another phenomenon to be considered is with regard to the pressure which is forcing the textured material out of the tube 24. It can be surmised that if the pressure is greater, the velocity of the material traveling through the tube 24 would be greater, so that the shear forces exerted on the texture material would be greater so that smaller particle sizes would result.
It can be seen in
In
Finally, with reference to
However, it has to be recognized that while the above hypothesis can be proposed with reasonable justification, there are likely other phenomena involved which the applicants are either not aware of or have not fully evaluated. For example, with the propellant being disbursed in (and presumably dissolved in) the texture composition, it can be surmised that this propellant continues to go out of solution or dispersion into its gaseous form and expand to provide the propellant force, and this continues as the quantity of texture material continues to be reduced. This may also have a desirable effect on the formation of the particles and of the particle size, relative to consistency.
Nevertheless, regardless of the accuracy or correctness of the above explanations, it has been found that with the present invention, the spray pattern (and more particularly the particle size of the spray pattern) can be achieved with greater consistency and within relatively greater limits of particle size, than the prior art devices known to the applicants. Further, the consistency of the spray pattern can be maintained for the discharge of a large proportion of spray texture material from the apparatus 10.
It is to be recognized, of course, that various relative dimensions could be changed without departing from the basic teachings of the present invention. For example, it has been found that with spray texture material of a character which are acceptable in present day use, that a range of tube inside diameters of approximately one half of a tenth of an inch to one and one half tenth of an inch would give a reasonable range of texture spray patterns. However, it can be surmised that tube diameters outside of this range (e.g. one quarter of a tenth of an inch to possibly as high as one quarter of an inch would also provide acceptable texture spray patterns, depending upon a variety of circumstances, such as the viscosity and other characteristics of the spray texture material itself, the discharge pressure, the volumetric rate at which the spray texture material is delivered to the tube 24, and other factors.
Referring now to
The outlet member 126 has first, second, and third outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c formed therein. As shown in
To operate the spray texturing apparatus 120, the valve assembly 124 is operated to allow the spray material within the container 122 to pass through the nozzle passageway 130. The texture material thus exits the spray texturing apparatus 120 through whichever of the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, or 128c is aligned with the nozzle passageway 130.
As shown in
The spray texturing apparatus 120 obtains the same basic result as the apparatus 10 described above and the prior art assembly shown in
Referring again to
The valve assembly 124 basically comprises: (a) the outlet member 128 described above; (b) an actuator member 136 having a valve stem 138; (c) a valve seat 140; (d) a valve housing 142; (e) a valve member 144; (f) a valve spring 146; and (g) a collection tube 148 that extends into the spray material within the container 122. Essentially, the valve assembly 124 creates a path that allows the pressure within the container 122 to cause the texture material to flow through the nozzle passageway 130.
The valve assembly 124 is constructed and operates basically as follows. The valve seat 140 and valve housing 142 mate with and are held by the container cap 134 near a valve hole 150 in the cap 134. The valve member 144 and valve spring 146 are mounted within the valve housing 142 such that the valve spring 146 urges the valve member 144 towards the valve seat 140. The valve stem 138 extends through the valve hole 150 and is attached to the valve member 144; pressing the actuator member 136 towards the container 122 into an open position forces the valve member 144 away from the valve seat 140 against the urging of the valve spring 146.
When the valve member 144 is forced away from the valve seat 140, an exit passageway 152 for the spray material is created. This exit passageway 152 allows the spray material to exit the apparatus 120 by passing: through the collection tube 148; through the center of the valve housing 142; around the valve member 144; through a slot 154 formed in the valve stem 138; through a vertical passageway 156 formed in the actuator member 136; through the nozzle passageway 130 described above; and through the one of the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, or 128c aligned with the nozzle passageway 130. At this point, the spray material forms the spray 18 as described above.
The exemplary outlet member 126 basically comprises a disc portion 158 and a cylindrical portion 160. The first, second, and third outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c are formed in the disc portion 158. Center axes A, B, and C of the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c are equidistant from a center axis D of the disc portion 158; the distances between the center axes A, B, and C of these outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c and the center axis D of the disc portion 158 are represented by the reference character X in
The cylindrical portion 160 of the outlet member 126 has a center axis E which is aligned with the center axis D of the disc portion 158. Additionally, an outlet portion 162 of the actuator member 126 through which the nozzle passageway 130 extends has a generally cylindrical outer surface 164. A center axis F of the actuator member outer surface 164 is aligned with the center axes D and E described above.
Also, a center axis G of the nozzle passageway 130 is arranged parallel to the center axis F of the actuator member outer surface 164. The center axis G of this nozzle passageway 130 is spaced away from actuator member center axis F the same distance X that exists between the center axes A, B, and C of the nozzle exit orifices and the center axis D of the disc portion 158.
Finally, an inner surface 166 of the outlet member cylindrical portion 160 is cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter d, taking into account tolerances, as the cylindrical outer surface 164 of the outlet portion 162 of the actuator member 136. An outlet surface 168 of the outlet portion 162 is disc-shaped and has substantially the same diameter d as the outlet member inner surface 166 and the actuator member outer surface 164.
Accordingly, as shown in
When the outlet member 126 is so mounted on the actuator member 136, an annular projection 172 formed on the inner surface 166 of the outlet member cylindrical portion 160 engages an annular indentation 174 formed in the outer surface 164 of the actuator member outlet portion 162. The projection 172 and indentation 174 are arranged parallel to the actuator member outlet surface 168 and thus allow rotation of the outlet member 126 relative to the actuator member 136. Further, the engagement of the projection 172 with the indentation 174 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member 126 from the actuator member 136; however, both the projection 172 and indentation 174 are rounded to allow the outlet member 126 to be attached to and detached from the actuator member 136 when desired. The outlet member cylindrical portion 160, the projection 172, and indentation 174 thus form an attachment means 176 for rotatably attaching the outlet member 126 to the actuator member 136.
As shown in
Accordingly, any one of these outlet orifice center axes A, B, and C can be aligned with the nozzle passageway center axis G by rotation of the outlet member 126 about the axes D, E, and F relative to the actuator member 136. In
Referring now to
The spray texturing apparatus 220 basically comprises an aerosol container 222, a valve assembly 224 mounted on the container 222, and an outlet member 226 attached to the valve assembly 224. The valve assembly 224 further comprises an actuator member 236. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and the apparatus 220 is in the construction of the outlet member 226 and the actuator member 236 and the manner in which these members 226 and 236 inter-operate.
In particular, the outlet member 226 simply comprises a disc portion 258. An attachment means 276 for attaching the outlet member 226 to the actuator member 236 basically comprises an indentation or hole 272 formed in the outlet member disc portion 258 and a projection 274 formed on an outlet surface 268 formed on the actuator member 236. The hole 272 and projection 274 lie along a center axis D of the disc portion 258 and a center axis F extending through the actuator member 236. The interaction of the hole 272 and the projection 274 allow the outlet member 226 to be rotated about the axes D and F. A rounded end 280 of the projection 274 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member 226 from the actuator member 236.
Accordingly, it should be clear from the foregoing discussion and
Referring now to
The spray texturing apparatus 320 basically comprises an aerosol container 322, a valve assembly 324 mounted on the container 322, and an outlet member 326 attached to the valve assembly 324. The valve assembly 324 further comprises an actuator member 336. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and the apparatus 320 is in the construction of the outlet member 326 and the actuator member 336 and the manner in which these members 326 and 336 inter-operate.
In particular, the outlet member 326 simply comprises a disc portion 358. An attachment means 376 for attaching the outlet member 326 to the actuator member 336 basically an annular ring 374 having a center axis E fastened to the actuator member 236. An annular projection 380 extends inwardly from the ring 374. The diameter of the disc portion 358 is substantially the same as that of the ring 374, taking into account tolerances, and slightly larger than that of the projection 380.
The outlet member 326 is attached to the actuator member 336 by placing the outlet member 326 within the ring 374 and attaching the ring 374 onto the actuator member 336 with: (a) the outlet member 326 between the annular projection 380 and an outlet surface 368 of the actuator member 336; and (b) a center axis D of the disc member 358 aligned with the axis E of the ring 374 and a center axis F of the actuator member 336. The outlet member 326 can rotate within the ring 374 about the axes D, E, and F, and the annular projection 380 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member 326 from the actuator member 336. A handle 382 is provided on the outlet member 326 to facilitate rotation outlet member 326.
The attachment means 376 accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means 176 described above. The apparatus 320 thus operates in all other respects in the same basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above.
Referring now to
The spray texturing apparatus 420 basically comprises an aerosol container 422, a valve assembly 424 mounted on the container 422, and an outlet member 426 attached to the valve assembly 424. The valve assembly 424 further comprises an actuator member 436. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and the apparatus 420 is in the construction of the outlet member 426 and the actuator member 436 and the manner in which these members 426 and 436 inter-operate.
In particular, the outlet member 426 comprises a disc portion 458 having a lower surface 466 and a cylindrical portion 460 having an inner surface 470. In the exemplary apparatus 420, the actuator member 436 has an upper surface 464 and a cylindrical outer surface 468. When the valve assembly 424 is assembled, a center axis D of the disc portion 458, a center axis E of the cylindrical portion 460, and a vertical center axis F of the stem portion 436 are aligned.
An attachment means 476 for attaching the outlet member 426 to the actuator member 436 basically comprises an annular ring 472 formed on the outlet member cylindrical portion 460 and a notch or indentation 474 formed around the cylindrical outer surface 468 of the actuator member 436. This attachment means 476 allows the outlet member 426 to rotate relative to the actuator member 436 about the axes D, E, and F but prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member 426 from the actuator member 436.
With this configuration, the first, second, and third outlet orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c are formed in the cylindrical portion 460 of the outlet member 426. These orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c are formed with their center axes A, B, and C orthogonal to, arranged at a given vertical point H along, and radially extending outwardly from the vertical center axis F of the stem portion 436. A center axis G of a nozzle passageway 430 formed in the actuator member 436 also is orthogonal to, radially extends from, and intersects at the given point H the vertical center axis F of the stem portion 436.
To facilitate rotation of the outlet member 426 relative to the actuator member 436, a peripheral flange 480 is formed at the bottom of the actuator member 436. The user can grasp this flange 480 to hold the actuator member 436 in place as the outlet member 426 is being rotated about its axis D.
Thus, rotation of the outlet member 426 relative to the actuator member 436 about the axes D, E, and F allows any one of these orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c to be aligned with a center axis G of a nozzle passageway 430 formed in the actuator member 436. The first outlet orifice 428a is shown aligned with the nozzle passageway 430 in
The attachment means 476 thus also accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means 176 described above. Accordingly, the apparatus 420 operates in all other respects in the same basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above.
Referring now to
The spray texturing apparatus 520 basically comprises an aerosol container 522, a valve assembly 524 mounted on the container 522, and an outlet member 526 attached to the valve assembly 524. The valve assembly 524 further comprises an actuator member 536. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and the apparatus 520 is in the construction of the outlet member 526 and the actuator member 536 and the manner in which these members 526 and 536 inter-operate.
In particular, in the apparatus 520 a nozzle passageway 530 formed in the actuator member 536 terminates at the top rather than the side of the actuator member 536. The outlet member 526 comprises a disc member 558 attached to an outlet surface 568 on the upper end of the actuator member 536. A hole 572 formed in the disc member 558 and a projection 574 formed on the outlet surface 568 comprise an attachment means 576 for attaching the outlet member 526 onto the actuator member 536.
The attachment means 576 allows the outlet member 526 to be rotated about a center axis D thereof relative to the actuator member 536 such that any one of the center axes A, B, or C of outlet orifices 528a, 528b, and 528c can be aligned with a center axis G of the nozzle passageway 520.
Finger engaging wings 580 and 582 are formed on the actuator member 536 to allow the user to depress the actuator member 536 and spray the texture material within the container without getting texture material on the fingers.
The nozzle passageway identified by the reference character 530a in
Referring now to
The aerosol assembly 602 comprises a container 606, a valve assembly 608, and an actuator member 610. As is well known in the art, depressing the actuator member 610 moves the valve assembly 608 into its open position in which an exit passageway is defined from the interior to the exterior of the container 606. This exit passageway terminates in a nozzle opening 612 formed in the actuator member 610.
The outlet assembly 604 comprises a straw 614 and one or more constricting members 616. The straw member 614 is adapted to fit into the nozzle opening 612 such that texture material exiting the aerosol portion 602 passes through a discharge opening 618 defined by the straw 614.
The restricting sleeves 616 are adapted to fit onto the straw 614. Additionally, as shown in
The outlet assembly 604 as described above thus results in at least four different texture patterns. One is formed by the straw 614 without any constricting sleeve mounted thereon, and three are formed by the different constricting sleeves 616a, 616b, and 616c shown in
Also, as shown in
The aerosol device 600 thus employs an elongate discharge opening as formed by the straw 614 and provides constricting sleeves 616 that allow a cross-sectional area of the discharge opening 618 to be reduced, thereby allowing the device 600 to dispense texture material in a manner that forms different texture patterns.
Referring now to
The single constricting disc 630 thus performs essentially the same function as the three constricting sleeves 616a, 616b, and 616c described above. A possible advantage to the outlet portion 626 is that it requires the fabrication and storage of only two parts (the straw 628 and the disc 630) rather than four parts (the straw 614 and the constricting sleeves 616a, 616b, and 616c).
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 634 comprises a straw 636 and one or more constricting plugs 638. The straw 636 is essentially the same as the straw 614 described above, although the straw 636 is preferably made out of more rigid material than that from which the straw 614 is made.
The straw 636 and plugs 638 define a discharge passageway 640 through which texture material must pass as it exits the aerosol portion 602. The discharge passageway 640 comprises an outlet portion 642 defined by a central bore 644 formed in the plugs 638. As shown in
A number of mechanisms can be employed to mount the constricting plugs 638 on to the straw 636. The exemplary configuration shown in
An external flange 650 is formed on each of the constricting plugs 638 primarily to facilitate removal of these plugs 638 from the straw 636 when different spray texture patterns are required.
Referring now to
In particular, the outlet assembly 652 comprises a straw 654 and a constricting disc 656. The straw 654 is mounted onto the actuator member 610, and the constricting disc 656 is mounted on a distal end of the straw 654.
The straw 654 is similar in shape to the straw 614 described above and it is similar in both shape and function to the straw 636 described above. In particular, the straw 654 is made out of semi-rigid material that allows a pressure fit to be formed that will mechanically engage the straw 654 both to the actuator member 610 and to the constricting disc 656.
Referring now to
The reduced diameter portion 662 define an outlet portion 664 of a discharge passageway 666 defined by the outlet portion 652. As can be seen from
The embodiment of the present invention shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 678 comprises a straw 680, a fixed member 682, and a movable member 684. The exit portion 678 defines a discharge passageway 686 that extends through the straw 680 and is defined by a first bore 688 defined by the fixed member 682 and a second bore 690 defined by the movable member 684.
The fixed member 682 is mounted onto the end of the straw 680 using a pressure fit established in a manner similar to that formed between the cylindrical member 672 and straw 670 described above. The movable member 684 is mounted within the fixed member 682 such that the movable member 684 may be rotated about an axis 692 transverse to a dispensing axis 694 defined by the discharge passageway 686.
As shown by a comparison of
Referring now to
The discharge assembly 700 comprises a straw 702 and a plug disc 704. The outlet portion 700 includes a discharge passageway 706 defined in part by the straw 702 and in part by one of a plurality of bores 708 formed in the plug disc 704. In particular, as shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
The discharge member 716 comprises a plate portion 722 and a plurality of plug portions 724 extending therefrom. The bores 720 extend through the plugs 724, and outer surfaces 726 of the plugs are adapted to fit within the actuator member 610 such that texture material leaving the aerosol portion 602 passes through the discharge passageway 718 defined by one of the bores 720. A selected one of the plugs 724 is inserted into the actuator member 610 depending on the texture pattern desired.
The embodiment shown in
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 728 comprises a fixed member 730, a rotatable member 732, and a plurality of straws 734. The fixed member 730 has a plug portion 736 adapted to form a pressure fit with the actuator member 610 and a plate portion 738. The rotatable member 732 comprises a cavity adapted to mate with the plate portion 738 of the fixed member 730 such that a plurality of bores 740 in the movable member 732 may be brought into alignment with a bore 742 formed in the plug portion 736. This is accomplished by rotating the movable member 732 about an axis 744 relative to the fixed member 730. Detents or other registration means can be provided to positively lock the movable member 732 relative to the fixed member 730 when the bores 740 are in alignment with the bore 742.
Each of the bores 740 has an increased diameter portion 746 sized and dimensioned to receive one of the straws 734. Each of the straws 734 has an internal bore 748.
Texture material exiting the aerosol device 602 passes through a discharge passageway 750 formed by the bores 742, 740, and 748. Additionally, as perhaps best shown by
The outlet portion 728 otherwise allows the selection of one of a plurality of texture patterns and does so using an elongate discharge passageway to provide the benefits described above.
Referring now to
By rotating the cap 758 about the axis 764, bores 768 of the straws 766 may be brought into registration with a portion 770 of an exit passageway 772. The portion 770 of the exit passageway 772 extends through the cylindrical portion 756.
Additionally, each of the bores 768 has a different cross-sectional area. A desired texture pattern may be selected by placing one of the straws 768 in registration with the passageway portion 770. The overall effect is somewhat similar to that of the discharge portion 728. While the discharge portion 752 eliminates one part as compared to the discharge portion 728, the discharge portion 752 requires a specially made actuator member. In contrast, the discharge portion 728 uses a standard actuator member.
Referring now to
But with the discharge members or straws 774, a bore 776 of each of the straws 774 will have the same cross-sectional area except at one location identified by reference character 778 in
The system shown in
Referring now to
The discharge assembly 780 comprises a flexible straw 784, a rigid hollow cylinder 786, and a tensioning plate 788. The straw 784 is securely attached at one end to the actuator member 782 and at its distal end to the tensioning plate 788. A central bore 790 defined by the straw 784 is in communication with a bore 792 formed in the tensioning plate 788. Thus, texture material flowing out of the aerosol portion 602 passes through the bores 790 and 792, at which point it is deposited on the surface being coated.
The outer cylinder 786 is mounted onto the actuator member 782 such that it spaces the tensioning plate 788 in one of a plurality of fixed distances from the actuator member 782. More specifically, extending from the tensioning plate 788 are first and second tabs 794 and 796. Formed on the cylinder 786 are rows of teeth 798 and 800. Engaging portions 802 and 804 on the tabs 794 and 796 are adapted to engage the teeth 798 and 800 to hold the tensioning plate 788 at one of the plurality of locations along the cylinder 786.
As the tensioning plate moves away from the actuator member 782 (compare
Referring now to
In particular, the discharge portion 810 comprises a straw 814 and a tensioning cylinder 816. The straw 814 is flexible and is connected at one end to the actuator member 812 and a distal end to the tensioning cylinder 816. The tensioning cylinder 816 is threaded to mount on a spacing cylinder 818 integrally formed with the actuator member 812.
When the tensioning cylinder 816 is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the threads thereon engage the threads on the spacing cylinder 818 to cause the tensioning cylinder 816 to move towards and away from the actuator member 812. Additionally, as the ends of the straw 814 are securely attached to the actuator member and the tensioning cylinder, rotation of the tensioning cylinder 816 causes the straw 814 to twist as shown in
Referring now to
The discharge assembly 822 comprises a mounting cap 834 adapted to be attached to the actuator member 824 such that a plurality of bores 836 in the cap 834 can be brought into registration with the exit passageway 832. Mounted on the mounting cap 834 are a plurality of straws 838 having central bores 840 of different cross-sectional areas. These straws 838 are mounted onto the mounting cap 834 such that the bores 840 are in communication with a corresponding one of the bores 836 formed in the mounting cap 834. By rotating the mounting cap 834 relative to the actuator member 824, one of the central bores 840 is brought into registration with the exit passageway portion 832 such that texture material passing through the exit passageway 832 exits the system through the aligned central bore 840. Each of the straws 838 thus corresponds to a different texture pattern, and the desired texture pattern may be selected by aligning an appropriate central bore 840 with the exit passageway 832.
The system shown in
Referring now to
The discharge portion 842 comprises a mounting cap 850 and a plurality of straws 852 mounted on the cap 850. Each of these straws defines a center bore 854. The cross-sectional areas of the central bores 854 are all different and thus allowed the formation of different texture patterns.
The mounting cap 850 has a plurality of bores 856 formed therein, with each bore 856 having a corresponding straw 852. Additionally, the bores 856 are spaced from each other such that rotation of the mounting cap 850 relative to the actuator member 854 aligns one of the bores 856, and thus the central bore 854 of one of the straws 852 such that texture material exiting the aerosol portion 602 passes through a selected central bore 854 of one of the straws 852.
The system shown in
Referring now to
The actuator assembly 854 comprises three straw members 856 each having a central bore 858. These straw members 856 are joined together to form an integral unit, but are spaced from each other as shown at 860 in
The cross-sectional areas of the bores 858a, 858b, and 858c are different, and different spray texture patterns may be obtained by inserting one of the straws into the actuator member such that texture material flows through central bore 858 associated therewith. In this context, it should be apparent that the output portion 854 is used in the same basic manner as the plurality of straws described in relation to
Referring now to
Shown at 868 is yet another structure 870 defining a bore 872 having a triangular cross section. Shown at 874 is a structure 876 having a bore 878 configured in a rectangular shape. At 880 in
Bores such as the bores 878 and 884 described above that are wider than they are tall may, in addition to defining a certain cross-sectional area, also create desirable spray characteristics such as a fan shape.
Referring now to
The box member 890 defines a chamber 894 through which texture material must pass before it passes through a discharge opening 896. The chamber 894 acts as a pressure accumulator that will smooth out any variations in pressure in the texture material as it is dispensed through the opening 896.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The main container 912 is similar to a conventional aerosol container as described above except that it has an additional port 920 to which the conduit 916 is connected. The secondary container 914 is adapted to contain a pressurized fluid such as air or nitrogen. The pressurized fluid is preferably inert.
The compressed fluid within the secondary container 914 is allowed to enter the primary container 912 to force texture material out of the main container 912. The valve 918 controls the amount of pressure applied on the texture material by the compressed fluid within the secondary container 914.
Thus, rather than relying on an internally provided propellant gas to stay at a desired pressure associated with a consistent spray texture pattern, an external gas source is applied with a valve to ensure that the pressure remains at its desired level while the texture material is being dispensed.
Referring now to
The primary difference between the aerosol assembly 1020 and the other aerosol assemblies described above is the manner in which texture material leaves the assembly 1020. The aerosol assembly 1020 comprises an outlet assembly that can be adjusted to dispense texture material in a manner that allows the user to match existing texture patterns.
As perhaps best shown in
The actuator member 1024 defines an actuator passageway 1030, and the outlet member 1026 defines an outlet passageway 1032. The actuator passageway 1030 and the outlet passageway 1032 define a portion of a dispensing path 1034 through which texture material passes as it is dispensed from the aerosol assembly 1020. More specifically, the actuator passageway 1030 comprises an actuator inlet opening 1036 and an actuator outlet opening 1038. The outlet passageway 1032 similarly comprises an inlet portion 1040 and an outlet opening 1042. The outlet member 1026 is arranged relative to the actuator member 1024 such that the actuator outlet opening 1038 is arranged within the inlet portion 1040 of the outlet passageway 1032.
The actuator member 1024 comprises a stem portion 1044 that is received within the aerosol assembly 1020 such that texture material released from the aerosol assembly 1020 enters the actuator passageway 1030 through the actuator inlet opening 1036, exits this actuator passageway 1030 through the actuator outlet opening 1038 into the outlet passageway 1032, and then exits this outlet passageway 1032 through the outlet opening 1042.
With the basic flow of texture material through the outlet assembly 1022 in mind, the specific operation of this outlet assembly 1022 will now be described in more detail.
As discussed above and is now generally known in the art of applying texture material, the pattern formed by the texture material as it is deposited onto a wall can be changed by changing the effective cross-sectional area of the last opening through which the texture material passes as it exits the dispensing system. In the invention embodied in the aerosol assembly 1020, the texture material last passes through the outlet opening 1042 described above. The outlet assembly 1022 is configured to allow the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1042 to be altered simply by axially displacing the adjustment member 1028 relative to the actuator member 1024 and outlet member 1026.
In particular, the outlet member 1026 is formed of a resilient, compressible material such as natural or synthetic rubber. The exemplary outlet member 1026 is in the form of a hollow cylinder. The effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1042 can thus be changed by deforming, or in this case squeezing, the outlet member 1026. The actuator member 1024 and adjustment member 1028 are designed to interact to deform or squeeze the outlet member 1026 and thereby decrease the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1042 from a predetermined initial configuration.
Referring back for a moment to
As shown in
The outer surface portions 1054 and 1056 of the actuator fingers 1046 are curved and slanted such that they together define a conical shape that is coaxially aligned with the dispensing axis 1048. More specifically, the outer surface portions 1054 define a conical surface that is at a first angle α with a respect to the dispensing axis 1048, while the outer surface portions 1056 define a conical shape that extends at a second angle β with a respect to the dispensing axis 1048.
Referring now to
The adjustment member 1028 further defines an annular front surface 1070. An adjustment edge 1072 is defined at the juncture of the annular front surface 1070 and the frustaconical portion 1066 of the interior wall 1060.
Referring for a moment back to
As is perhaps best shown by comparing
With the outlet member 1026 so attached to the actuator member 1024, the actuator fingers 1046 extend along a substantial portion of the outlet member 1026 and overlap a substantial portion of the outer surface 1052 of the outlet member 1026.
The adjustment member 1028 is then attached to the actuator member 1024 by engaging the threaded surface portions 1062 and 1074 and rotating the adjustment member 1028 about the dispensing axis 1048. Further rotation of the adjustment member 1028 will displace this member relative to the actuator member 1024 such that the adjustment edge 1072 of the adjustment member 1028 engages the outer surfaces 1056 defined by the actuator fingers 1046.
Rotating the adjustment member 1028 still further causes the adjustment edge 1072 to act on the outer surfaces 1056 such that, as shown in
The outlet assembly 1022 is infinitely and continuously adjustable between the positions shown in
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1080 comprises an actuator member 1082, an outlet member 1084, an adjustment block 1086, and an adjustment cap 1088. In this outlet assembly 1080, fingers 1090 that engage the outlet member 1084 in a manner similar to that of the actuator fingers 1046 described above are formed on the adjustment block 1086 rather than the actuator member 1082. The adjustment cap 1088 is threaded to engage the actuator member 1082 to displace the adjustment block 1086 relative to the actuator member 1082.
Accordingly, simply by rotating the adjustment cap 1088, the adjustment block 1086 is moved forward relative to the actuator member 1082. The actuator member 1082 defines an actuator edge 1092 that acts on the fingers 1090 to deform the outlet member 1084 and thus change a cross-sectional area of an outlet opening 1094 defined by the outlet member 1084.
Referring now to
The adjustment sleeve 1106 defines an adjustment edge 1110. The actuator member 1102 comprises a plurality of finger portions 1112. The outlet member 1104 terminates in an outlet opening 1114.
The adjustment edge 1110 engages the finger portions 1112 as the adjustment cap 1108 is rotated to move the adjustment sleeve 1106 between the positions shown in
The adjustment sleeve 1106 and adjustment cap 1108 thus form an adjustment assembly or means that acts on the actuator member 1102 to deform the outlet member 1104 and thus change the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1114.
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1120 comprises an actuator member 1122 and an outlet assembly 1124.
The actuator member 1122 is or may be conventional. In this respect, it is noteworthy that the actuator member 1122 defines an actuator passageway 1126 having an inlet portion 1128 and an outlet portion 1130. The outlet portion 1130 comprises a reduced diameter portion 1132 and an increased diameter portion 1134. The increased diameter portion 1134 engages the outlet assembly 1124 as will be described in further detail below.
The outlet assembly 1124 comprises a first outlet member 1136, a second outlet member 1138, and a third outlet member 1140. As perhaps best shown in
A comparison of
The outlet opening 1148 is changed by telescoping the outlet members 1136, 1138 and 1140 relative to each other. More specifically, the first outlet member 1136 is somewhat longer than the outlet members 1138 and 1140. This extra length allows an end of the first outlet member 1136 to be inserted into the increased diameter portion 1134 of the outlet portion 1130 of the actuator passageway 1126. A friction fit is formed between the first outlet member 1136 and the actuator member 1122 to affix the outlet assembly 1124 relative to the actuator member 1122. Adhesives may also be employed to strengthen the attachment of the outlet assembly 1124 to the actuator member 1122.
As shown in
To place the outlet assembly 1124 into the second configuration, the second and third outlet members are displaced away from the actuator member 1122 such that the first outlet member 1136 is substantially withdrawn from the second outlet passageway 1144.
To prevent the second and third outlet members 1138 and 1140 from sliding completely off the first outlet member 1136, a plurality of stop rings are formed on these outlet members 1136, 1138 and 1140. In particular, a first stop ring 1150 is formed on an outer surface 1152 of the first outlet member 1136. A second stop ring 1154 is formed on an inner surface 1156 defined by the second outlet member 1138. A third stop ring 1158 is formed on an outer surface 1160 of the second outlet member 1138. And finally, a fourth stop ring 1162 is formed on an inner surface 1164 of the third outlet member 1140.
In the exemplary outlet assembly 1124, the outlet members 1136, 1138, and 1140 are generally cylindrical. The diameters of the surfaces 1152, 1156, 1160, and 1164 as well as the stop rings 1150, 1154, 1158, and 1162 are determined such that the various outlet members 1136, 1138, and 1140 may slide relative to each other until the stop rings engage each other to prevent further relative movement in a given direction. In particular, the first stop ring 1150 engages the second stop ring 1154 when the outlet assembly 1124 is in its second configuration. When the outlet assembly 1124 is in its third configuration, the first and second stop rings 1150 and 1154 engage each other as do the third and fourth stop rings 1158 and 1162.
As is shown by a comparison of
In the second configuration, the texture material flows through the narrower first outlet passageway 1142 and then into the wider second outlet passageway 1144 and then through the outlet opening 1148. This larger outlet passageway 1144 allows the texture material to form into larger discreet portions and thus form a rougher texture pattern than in the first configuration.
In the third configuration the texture material passes through the first and second outlet passageways 1142 and 1144 and then the third outlet passageway 1146. Again, this third outlet passageway 1146 allows the texture material to form even larger portions which create an even rougher texture pattern than that created by the outlet assembly 1120 in its second configuration. The result is that three different texture patterns may be formed using the outlet assembly 1120.
Referring now to
In particular, as shown in
The outlet member 1174 defines an outlet passageway 1186; in the exemplary outlet assembly 1170, the outlet member 1174 is a cylindrical member made of resilient material. When undeformed, the outlet passageway 1186 is also cylindrical and defines an outlet opening 1178. The undeformed configuration is shown in
Operation of the adjustment assembly 1176 acts on the outlet member 1174 to deform this outlet member 1174 and thereby change the shape of the outlet passageway 1186 and thus the outlet opening 1178. In particular, the adjustment assembly 1176 comprises a clamp member 1188 and a screw member 1190.
The clamp member 1188 comprises a base portion 1192 from which extends a bracing finger 1194 and first and second clamping fingers 1196 and 1198. The clamp member 1188 may be formed from a material such as plastic that is resilient and thus may be deformed from an original configuration but which tends to spring back to its original configuration. Alternatively, the clamp member 1188 may be formed of a non-springy material and provided with a compression spring that forces the clamping fingers 1196 and 1198 apart.
The clamp fingers 1196 and 1198 define clamp portions 1200 and 1202. These clamp portions 1200 and 1202 are angled with respect to each other so that, when they engage the outlet member 1174, they push the outlet member 1174 against the bracing finger 1194.
The clamp fingers 1196 and 1198 are sufficiently resilient that they may be forced together as shown by comparing
To facilitate the pinching together of the clamp fingers 1196 and 1198, the screw member 1190 is passed through the clamp finger 1196 and threaded into the clamp member 1198. Turning the screw member 1190 in one direction pulls the clamp fingers 1196 and 1198 towards each other, while turning the screw member 1190 in the other direction allows these clamp fingers 1196 and 1198 to move away from each other. Alternatively, the screw member 1190 may pass through both of the clamp fingers 1196 and 1198 and be threaded into a nut such that rotation of the screw member 1190 relative to the nut moves the clamp fingers 1196 and 1198.
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1220 comprises an actuator member (not shown in
In particular, the exemplary outlet member 1222 is a cylindrical member that is made of resilient, deformable material. When the outlet member 1222 is undeformed, the outlet member 1222 defines a cylindrical outlet passageway 1228 which terminates at the outlet opening 1226. The undeformed configuration is shown in
Operation of the adjustment assembly 1224 deforms the outlet member 1222 to change the shape of the outlet passageway 1228 and thus the outlet opening 1226. In particular, the adjustment assembly 1224 comprises first and second clamp fingers 1230 and 1232, a brace finger 1234, and a screw member 1236. The brace finger 1234 is fixed and braces a portion of the outlet member 1222. The clamp fingers 1230 and 1232 move relative to the outlet member 1222 to pinch a portion of the outlet member 1222 that is opposite the portion braced by the brace finger 1234. In particular, the screw member 1236 is threaded through the clamp fingers 1230 and 1232 such that axial rotation of the screw member 1236 cause the clamp fingers 1230 and 1232 to move relative to each other.
The adjustment assembly 1224 thus allows the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1226 to be changed to adjust the spray pattern of the texture material passing through the outlet passageway 1228.
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1250 comprises an outlet member 1252 and an adjusting assembly 1254. The outlet member 1252 is a hollow cylindrical member that defines an outlet opening 1258 and an outlet passageway 1256. Texture material exits the outlet assembly 1250 through the outlet opening 1258. The outlet member 1252 is also flexible and may be deformed as shown by a comparison of
The adjustment assembly 1254 comprises a collar member 1260 and a roller member 1262. The collar member 1260 comprises a collar portion 1264 that extends at least partly around the outlet member 1252, first and second roller support flanges 1266 and 1268, and first and second bracing fingers 1270 and 1272. The roller support flanges 1266 and 1268 and bracing fingers 1270 and 1272 extend from the collar portion 1264 and are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outlet member 1252.
First and second roller slots 1274 and 1276 are formed one in each of the roller support flanges 1266 and 1268. These roller slots 1274 and 1276 receive portions 1278 and 1280 that extend from, and along the axis of, the roller member 1262. Only one of the portions 1278 and 1280 may be used. The roller slots 1274 and 1276 and pins 1278 and 1280 interact such that the roller member 1262 can move between a first position shown by solid lines in
The roller slots 1274 and 1276 are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outlet member 1252. Accordingly, as the roller member 1262 moves between the first and second positions, the roller member 1262 moves closer to the center axis of the outlet member 1252.
The bracing fingers 1270 and 1272 support the outlet member 1252 on the opposite side of the roller member 1262. Thus, as the roller member 1262 moves closer to the outlet member center axis, the roller member 1262 presses the outlet member 1252 against the bracing fingers 1270 and 1272. This deforms the outlet member 1252, resulting in the different configurations of the outlet opening 1258, as shown by comparing
A plurality of stop notches 1282 are formed on an upper edge of the roller slots 1274 and 1276. The resilient outlet member 1252 opposes the force applied by the roller member 1262 such that the pins 1278 and 1280 are forced into pairs of the stop notches 1282. The exemplary stop notches 1282 define four predetermined positions of the roller member 1262 and thus correspond to four different configurations of outlet openings 1258.
The bracing fingers 1270 and 1272 can be the same shape or differently shaped as shown in
Referring now to
The outlet member 1324 comprises a collar portion 1332 and a plurality of outlet fingers 1334 that are perhaps best shown in
The adjustment member 1326 comprises an annular portion 1340 and a frustoconical engaging portion 1342. The annular portion 1340 is threaded to mate with the threaded exterior surface portion 1330 of the actuator member 1322. With the annular portion 1340 threaded onto the threaded exterior surface portion 1330, the frustoconical engaging portion 1342 surrounds at least a portion of the outlet fingers 1334.
By rotating the adjustment member 1326 about its longitudinal axis, the threaded exterior surface portion 1330 acts on the threaded annular portion 1340 to cause the adjustment member 1326 to move in either direction along its axis. When the adjustment member 1326 moves to the left in
The exemplary outlet member 1324 is formed of a somewhat flexible cylindrical member in which a plurality of cuts or slits are formed to define the outlet fingers 1334. When acted on by the adjustment member 1326, the outlet fingers overlap slightly as shown at 1344 in
In either case, the outlet assembly 1320 allows the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1338 to be changed, which in turn changes the spray pattern of the texture material and the corresponding texture pattern formed by the deposit of this texture material.
The actuator member 1322 and outlet member 1324 may be formed separately or molded as a single part out of, for example, nylon.
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1350 comprises an actuator member (not shown), an outlet member 1352, and an adjustment member 1354. The adjustment member 1354 is constructed and engages the actuator member in the same manner as the adjustment member 1326 of the outlet assembly 1320 described above. The outlet member 1352 is a single sheet of flexible material rolled such that two edges overlap as shown at 1356 in
More specifically, the edges of the outlet member overlap slightly, as shown in
Referring now to
The outlet assembly 1400 comprises an actuator member 1402 and an adjustment member 1404. The actuator member 1402 is adapted to engage a valve assembly of an aerosol container (not shown) in a conventional manner.
The actuator member 1402 defines an entry passageway 1406 and a plurality of outlet passageways 1408a, 1408b, and 1408c. Texture material flowing through the valve assembly flows initially into the entry passageway 1406 and then out of one of the outlet passageways 1408a-c as determined by a position of the adjustment member 1404.
In particular, the outlet passageways 1408a-c are each in fluid communication with the entry passageway 1406. The adjustment member 1404 is a relatively rigid rectangular plate in which a through hole 1410 is formed. The adjustment member 1404 is snugly received in an adjustment slot 1412 that extends through the actuator member 1402 and intersects each of the outlet passageways 1408a-c.
By sliding the adjustment member 1404 in either direction within the adjustment slot 1412, the through hole 1410 can be aligned with any one of the outlet passageways 1408a-c; at the same time, the adjustment member 1404 blocks the other two of the outlet passageways 1408a-c with which the through hole 1410 is not aligned. In the exemplary configuration shown in
Each of the outlet passageways 1408a-c is provided with a different cross-sectional area; accordingly, outlet openings 1414a, 1414b, and 1414c defined by the outlet passageways 1408a-c all have different cross-sectional areas and thus create different spray patterns. The position of the adjustment member 1404 thus corresponds to one of three texture patterns and can be configured as necessary to obtain a desired texture pattern that matches a pre-existing texture pattern.
Referring now to
Mounted onto the actuator member are a plurality of shutter plates 1452 that are pivotably attached to a mounting ring 1454 by pivot projections 1456. The mounting ring 1454 is in turn rotatably attached to the actuator member. Rotation of the mounting ring 1454 relative to the actuator member causes the shutter plates 1452 to pivot about the pivot projections 1456 between outer positions as shown in
The shutter plates 1452 define an outlet opening 1458. As can be seen by a comparison of
Operating the outlet assembly 1450 such that the shutter plates 1452 move between their outer and inner positions thus allows the user to select a desired texture pattern in which the texture material is deposited. The desired texture pattern may match a pre-existing texture pattern such as one of a plurality of standard texture patterns or the texture pattern on a wall or other surface to be repaired.
Referring now to
As perhaps best shown in
The liquid material 1542 comprises texture material and propellant material in liquid form. The gas material 1544 comprises propellant material in gaseous form. The propellant material is preferably di-methyl ether or a material with similar properties. The formulation of the texture material will be described in further detail below. As is conventional, the gas material 1544 applies a substantially constant pressure on the liquid material 1542 as the liquid material 1542 is dispensed from the system 1520.
The valve system 1532 comprises a valve assembly 1550 and a dip tube 1552. A lower end 1554 of the dip tube 1552 extends into the first portion 1540a of the chamber 1540. The example valve assembly 1550 is or may be conventional and operates in open and closed configurations to either open or close, respectively, a dispensing path A defined in part by the dip tube 1552 and valve assembly 1550. In particular, the dispensing path A extends through a dip tube passageway 1554 defined by the dip tube 1552 and a valve chamber 1556 defined by the valve assembly 1550.
When the valve assembly 1550 is in its open configuration, the gas material 1544 forces the liquid material 1542 out of the chamber 1540. However, when the valve assembly 1550 is in the closed configuration, the liquid material 1542 cannot flow out of the chamber 1540.
The example actuator 1536 comprises a body portion 1560 from which extends an valve stem 1562 and ear portions 1564. The actuator 1536 further defines an actuator passageway 1566 having an upper portion 1568. The dispensing path A is further defined by the actuator passageway 1566. The valve stem 1562 of the actuator 1536 engages the valve assembly 1550 such that, when the valve assembly 1550 is in the open configuration, fluid flowing through the valve chamber 1556 flows into the actuator passageway 1566. In addition, displacing the actuator 1536 towards the valve assembly 1550 places the valve assembly 1550 in the open configuration.
As shown in
The outer surfaces 1570a, 1572a, and 1574a are sized and dimensioned to form a friction fit with the upper portion 1568 of the actuator passageway 1566. The friction fit allows one of the tube members 1570, 1572, or 1574 to be detachably attached to the actuator 1536 as shown in
In addition,
In addition, the container defines a container axis CC, while the tube member 1570, 1572, or 1574 connected to the actuator 1536 defines a dispensing axis DD. As shown in
Referring now to the composition of the texture material forming part of the liquid portion 1542, the texture material comprises a base, filler material, binder material, and thickener material. The base is preferably water. The amounts of the various materials are selected such that the viscosity of the material at rest is relatively high to prevent dripping or sagging of the texture material 1526b on the surface 1522. However, the shear viscosity of the texture material is relatively low as the material flows along the dispensing path A and forms the spray 1726a. Such low shear viscosity allows the spray 1726a to be formed by droplets of appropriate size to form the desired texture pattern.
Referring now to
The actuator member 1622 further defines an actuator passageway 1640 comprising an outlet portion 1642 and a retaining groove 1644. The actuator member 1622 further defines a first threaded surface portion 1646 adjacent to the actuator fingers 1636. The collar member 1626 defines an interior surface 1650 that defines a collar passageway 1652. As shown in
As shown in
By rotating the collar member 1626 relative to the actuator member 1622, the threaded portions 1646 and 1654 engage each other to cause the collar member 1626 to be displaced along the dispensing axis DD relative to the actuator member 1622. As the collar member 1626 is displaced along the dispensing axis DD, the cam surface 166 engages the actuator fingers 1636 to deform the fingers 1636 from an initial position (
The outlet assembly 1620 thus allows the user to select the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 1662 to obtain a desired texture pattern.
Referring now to
The actuator member 1722 comprises a body portion 1730 from which extends a valve stem 1732 and first and second support ears 1734. The actuator member 1722 further defines an actuator passageway 1740 comprising an inlet portion 1742, an outlet portion 1744 and a retaining recess 1746. As shown in
The intermediate member 1724 comprises a main portion 1750 from which extends a pair of support flanges 1752. The main portion 1750 further defines an outlet chamber 1754 comprising a connecting portion 1756 and a socket portion 1758. The example connecting member 1726 is a flexible tube defining a connecting passageway 1760. Optional plugs 1762 may be attached to the connecting member 1726 as will be described in further detail below. The outlet member 1728 defines an outlet passageway 1764 terminating in an outlet opening 1766. The example outlet member 1728 is formed by one of a plurality of tube members similar to the tube members 1570, 1572, and 1574 described above.
In use, one end of the connecting member 1726 is inserted into the retaining recess 1746, while the other end is inserted into the connecting portion 1756 of the outlet chamber 1754. The optional plugs 1762 are arranged on the connecting member 1726 to hold the ends thereof in place as shown in
So assembled, a dispensing path 1764 extends through the actuator passageway 1740, the connecting passageway 1760, and the outlet chamber 1764. Further, as shown by a comparison of
When the dispensing axis DD is arranged as shown by the solid lines in
It is to be recognized that various modifications can be made without departing from the basic teaching of the present invention.
This application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/682,706 filed Nov. 20, 2012 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/323,668 filed Dec. 12, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,011, which issued on Nov. 20, 2012. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/323,668 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/962,574 filed Dec. 7, 2010, now abandoned. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/962,574 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/973,734 filed Oct. 9, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,523 which issued on Dec. 7, 2010. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/973,734 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/353,794 filed Feb. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,590, which issued on Oct. 9, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/353,794 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/102,205 filed Apr. 9, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,857, which issued on Jul. 10, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/102,205 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/396,059 filed Mar. 25, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,688, which issued on Apr. 26, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/396,059 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/989,958 filed Nov. 21, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,633, which issued on Mar. 25, 2003. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/989,958 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/458,874 filed Dec. 10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,185, which issued on Dec. 11, 2001. The contents of all related applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference.
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3414171 | Grisham et al. | Dec 1968 | A |
3415425 | Knight et al. | Dec 1968 | A |
3425600 | Abplanalp | Feb 1969 | A |
3428224 | Eberhardt et al. | Feb 1969 | A |
3433391 | Krizka et al. | Mar 1969 | A |
3450314 | Gross | Jun 1969 | A |
3467283 | Kinnavy | Sep 1969 | A |
3472457 | McAvoy | Oct 1969 | A |
3482738 | Bartels | Dec 1969 | A |
3514042 | Freed | May 1970 | A |
3544258 | Presant et al. | Dec 1970 | A |
3548564 | Bruce et al. | Dec 1970 | A |
3575319 | Safianoff | Apr 1971 | A |
3592359 | Marraffino | Jul 1971 | A |
3596835 | Smith | Aug 1971 | A |
3608822 | Berthoud | Sep 1971 | A |
3613954 | Bayne | Oct 1971 | A |
3648932 | Ewald et al. | Mar 1972 | A |
3653558 | Shay | Apr 1972 | A |
3698645 | Coffey | Oct 1972 | A |
3700136 | Ruekberg | Oct 1972 | A |
3703994 | Nigro | Nov 1972 | A |
3704811 | Harden, Jr. | Dec 1972 | A |
3704831 | Clark | Dec 1972 | A |
3705669 | Cox et al. | Dec 1972 | A |
3764067 | Coffey et al. | Oct 1973 | A |
3773706 | Dunn, Jr. | Nov 1973 | A |
3776470 | Tsuchiya | Dec 1973 | A |
3776702 | Chant | Dec 1973 | A |
3777981 | Probst et al. | Dec 1973 | A |
3788521 | Laauwe | Jan 1974 | A |
3795366 | McGhie et al. | Mar 1974 | A |
3799398 | Morane et al. | Mar 1974 | A |
3806005 | Prussin et al. | Apr 1974 | A |
3811369 | Ruegg | May 1974 | A |
3813011 | Harrison et al. | May 1974 | A |
3814326 | Bartlett | Jun 1974 | A |
3819119 | Coffey et al. | Jun 1974 | A |
3828977 | Borchert | Aug 1974 | A |
3848778 | Meshberg | Nov 1974 | A |
3862705 | Beres et al. | Jan 1975 | A |
3871553 | Steinberg | Mar 1975 | A |
3891128 | Smrt | Jun 1975 | A |
3912132 | Stevens | Oct 1975 | A |
3913803 | Laauwe | Oct 1975 | A |
3913804 | Laauwe | Oct 1975 | A |
3913842 | Singer | Oct 1975 | A |
3932973 | Moore | Jan 1976 | A |
3936002 | Geberth, Jr. | Feb 1976 | A |
3938708 | Burger | Feb 1976 | A |
3975554 | Kummins et al. | Aug 1976 | A |
3982698 | Anderson | Sep 1976 | A |
3989165 | Shaw et al. | Nov 1976 | A |
3991916 | Del Bon | Nov 1976 | A |
3992003 | Visceglia et al. | Nov 1976 | A |
4010134 | Braunisch et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4032064 | Giggard | Jun 1977 | A |
4036673 | Murphy et al. | Jul 1977 | A |
4045860 | Winckler | Sep 1977 | A |
4089443 | Zrinyi | May 1978 | A |
4096974 | Haber et al. | Jun 1978 | A |
4117951 | Winckler | Oct 1978 | A |
4129448 | Greenfield et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
4147284 | Mizzi | Apr 1979 | A |
4148416 | Gunn-Smith | Apr 1979 | A |
4154378 | Paoletti et al. | May 1979 | A |
4164492 | Cooper | Aug 1979 | A |
RE30093 | Burger | Sep 1979 | E |
4171757 | Diamond | Oct 1979 | A |
4185758 | Giggard | Jan 1980 | A |
4187959 | Pelton | Feb 1980 | A |
4187985 | Goth | Feb 1980 | A |
4198365 | Pelton | Apr 1980 | A |
4238264 | Pelton | Dec 1980 | A |
4275172 | Barth et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
4293353 | Pelton et al. | Oct 1981 | A |
4308973 | Irland | Jan 1982 | A |
4310108 | Motoyama et al. | Jan 1982 | A |
4322020 | Stone | Mar 1982 | A |
4346743 | Miller | Aug 1982 | A |
4354638 | Weinstein | Oct 1982 | A |
4358388 | Daniel et al. | Nov 1982 | A |
4370930 | Strasser et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4372475 | Goforth et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4401271 | Hansen | Aug 1983 | A |
4401272 | Merton et al. | Aug 1983 | A |
4411387 | Stern et al. | Oct 1983 | A |
4417674 | Giuffredi | Nov 1983 | A |
4438221 | Fracalossi et al. | Mar 1984 | A |
4442959 | Del Bon et al. | Apr 1984 | A |
4460719 | Danville | Jul 1984 | A |
4482662 | Rapaport et al. | Nov 1984 | A |
4496081 | Farrey | Jan 1985 | A |
4546905 | Nandagiri et al. | Oct 1985 | A |
4609608 | Solc | Sep 1986 | A |
4641765 | Diamond | Feb 1987 | A |
4683246 | Davis et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4702400 | Corbett | Oct 1987 | A |
4728007 | Samuelson et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4744495 | Warby | May 1988 | A |
4761312 | Koshi et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4793162 | Emmons | Dec 1988 | A |
4804144 | Denman | Feb 1989 | A |
4815414 | Duffy et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4819838 | Hart, Jr. | Apr 1989 | A |
4830224 | Brison | May 1989 | A |
4839393 | Buchanan et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4854482 | Bergner | Aug 1989 | A |
4870805 | Morane | Oct 1989 | A |
4878599 | Greenway | Nov 1989 | A |
4887651 | Santiago | Dec 1989 | A |
4893730 | Bolduc | Jan 1990 | A |
4896832 | Howlett | Jan 1990 | A |
D307649 | Henry | May 1990 | S |
4940171 | Gilroy | Jul 1990 | A |
4949871 | Flanner | Aug 1990 | A |
4953759 | Schmidt | Sep 1990 | A |
4954544 | Chandaria | Sep 1990 | A |
4955545 | Stern et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4961537 | Stern | Oct 1990 | A |
4969577 | Werding | Nov 1990 | A |
4969579 | Behar | Nov 1990 | A |
4988017 | Schrader et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4991750 | Moral | Feb 1991 | A |
5007556 | Lover | Apr 1991 | A |
5009390 | McAuliffe, Jr. et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5037011 | Woods | Aug 1991 | A |
5038964 | Bouix | Aug 1991 | A |
5052585 | Bolduc | Oct 1991 | A |
5059187 | Sperry et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5065900 | Scheindel | Nov 1991 | A |
5069390 | Stern et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5100055 | Rokitenetz et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5115944 | Nikolich | May 1992 | A |
5126086 | Stoffel | Jun 1992 | A |
5169037 | Davies et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5182316 | DeVoe et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5188263 | Woods | Feb 1993 | A |
5188295 | Stern et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5211317 | Diamond et al. | May 1993 | A |
5297704 | Stollmeyer | Mar 1994 | A |
5307964 | Toth | May 1994 | A |
5310095 | Stern et al. | May 1994 | A |
5312888 | Nafziger et al. | May 1994 | A |
5314097 | Smrt et al. | May 1994 | A |
5323963 | Ballu | Jun 1994 | A |
5341970 | Woods | Aug 1994 | A |
5368207 | Cruysberghs | Nov 1994 | A |
5374434 | Clapp et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5405051 | Miskell | Apr 1995 | A |
5409148 | Stern et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5417357 | Yquel | May 1995 | A |
D358989 | Woods | Jun 1995 | S |
5421519 | Woods | Jun 1995 | A |
5425824 | Marwick | Jun 1995 | A |
5450983 | Stern et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5467902 | Yquel | Nov 1995 | A |
5476879 | Woods et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5489048 | Stern et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5498282 | Miller et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5501375 | Nilson | Mar 1996 | A |
5505344 | Woods | Apr 1996 | A |
5523798 | Hagino et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5524798 | Stern et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5544783 | Conigliaro | Aug 1996 | A |
5548010 | Franer | Aug 1996 | A |
5549228 | Brown | Aug 1996 | A |
5558247 | Caso | Sep 1996 | A |
5562235 | Cruysberghs | Oct 1996 | A |
5570813 | Clark, II | Nov 1996 | A |
5573137 | Pauls | Nov 1996 | A |
5583178 | Oxman et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5597095 | Ferrara, Jr. | Jan 1997 | A |
5615804 | Brown | Apr 1997 | A |
5639026 | Woods | Jun 1997 | A |
5641095 | de Laforcade | Jun 1997 | A |
5645198 | Stern et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5655691 | Stern et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5715975 | Stern et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5727736 | Tryon | Mar 1998 | A |
5752631 | Yabuno et al. | May 1998 | A |
5792465 | Hagarty | Aug 1998 | A |
5799879 | Ottl et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5865351 | De Laforcade | Feb 1999 | A |
5887756 | Brown | Mar 1999 | A |
5894964 | Barnes et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5915598 | Yazawa et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5921446 | Stern | Jul 1999 | A |
5934518 | Stern et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5941462 | Sandor | Aug 1999 | A |
5957333 | Losenno et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5975356 | Yquel et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5988575 | Lesko | Nov 1999 | A |
6328185 | Stern et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6536633 | Stern et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6905050 | Stern et al. | Jun 2005 | B1 |
6971353 | Heinze et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7240857 | Stern et al. | Jul 2007 | B1 |
7600659 | Greer et al. | Oct 2009 | B1 |
8313011 | Greer et al. | Nov 2012 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
770467 | Oct 1967 | CA |
976125 | Oct 1975 | CA |
1191493 | Aug 1985 | CA |
1210371 | Aug 1986 | CA |
2145129 | Sep 1995 | CA |
2090185 | Oct 1998 | CA |
680849 | Nov 1992 | CH |
210449 | May 1909 | DE |
1926796 | Mar 1970 | DE |
3808438 | Apr 1989 | DE |
3806991 | Sep 1989 | DE |
463476 | Feb 1914 | FR |
84727 | Apr 1964 | FR |
1586067 | Feb 1970 | FR |
2659847 | Sep 1991 | FR |
867713 | May 1961 | GB |
977860 | Dec 1964 | GB |
1144385 | May 1969 | GB |
461392 | Jan 1971 | JP |
8332414 | Jun 1995 | JP |
9418094 | Aug 1994 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Homax Products, Inc., “Easy Touch Spray Texture Brochure”, Mar. 1992, 1 page. |
Newman-Green, Inc., “Aerosol Valves, Sprayheads & Accessories Catalog”, Apr. 1, 1992, pp. 14, 20, and 22. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130082069 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13323668 | Dec 2011 | US |
Child | 13682706 | US | |
Parent | 12962574 | Dec 2010 | US |
Child | 13323668 | US | |
Parent | 11973734 | Oct 2007 | US |
Child | 12962574 | US | |
Parent | 11353794 | Feb 2006 | US |
Child | 11973734 | US | |
Parent | 10396059 | Mar 2003 | US |
Child | 11102205 | US | |
Parent | 09458874 | Dec 1999 | US |
Child | 10396059 | US | |
Parent | 09989958 | Nov 2001 | US |
Child | 09458874 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11102205 | Apr 2005 | US |
Child | 11353794 | US |