Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing texture material on a horizontal surface comprising an aerosol assembly, an actuator member, and an outlet structure. The aerosol assembly, which is adapted to contain and dispense texture material, defines a container axis that is substantially vertical during normal use. The actuator member comprises a valve stem for engaging the aerosol assembly and defines a first portion of a dispensing path. The outlet structure defines a second portion of the dispensing path, an outlet orifice, and a dispensing axis. The outlet structure is arranged adjacent to the actuator member such that fluid flowing along the first portion of the dispensing path flows through the second portion of the dispensing path and the outlet orifice and generally along the dispensing axis. The dispensing axis is substantially aligned with the container axis. A cross-sectional area of the outlet orifice is adjustable.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for an aerosol system that dispenses texture material. The actuator assembly comprises an actuator member and an outlet structure. The actuator member comprises a valve stem that defines a first portion of a fluid path. The outlet structure defines a second portion of the fluid path and an adjustable outlet orifice. The outlet structure is arranged adjacent to the actuator member such that fluid flowing along the first portion of the fluid path flows through the outlet orifice. The spray pattern of the texture material flowing through the outlet orifice is determined by the cross-sectional area of the outlet orifice. The cross-sectional area of the outlet orifice is arranged such that the spray pattern of the texture material causes the texture material to be deposited on a target surface in a desired texture pattern that substantially matches a pre-existing texture pattern.

Abstract: An aerosol assembly for dispensing texture material. The aerosol assembly comprises a container, a valve assembly, an actuator member, and at least one outlet member. A stem portion of the actuator member engages a stem recess formed in a valve member to fix the actuator member relative to the container during normal use of the aerosol system. The valve assembly comprises a valve spring that biases the actuator member against a valve seat to place the valve assembly into a closed configuration. Applying a force to the actuator member compresses the valve spring to place the valve assembly into an open configuration. When the valve assembly is in the closed configuration, fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through an actuator passageway. When the valve assembly is in the open configuration, fluid may flow out of the container through the actuator passageway.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing acoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly through which texture material is dispensed from an aerosol system to substantially match an existing texture pattern. The nozzle assembly comprises an actuator member, at least one outlet member, and an outlet structure. The actuator member has a stem portion adapted to engage the aerosol system, an actuator opening, and an actuator passageway for allowing fluid to flow between the stem portion and the actuator opening. The at least one outlet member defines at least one outlet opening. The outlet structure secures the at least one outlet member to the actuator member. The at least one outlet member may be configured such that the outlet opening defines a plurality of cross-sectional areas each corresponding to a predetermined texture pattern. One of the cross-sectional areas is a selected cross-sectional area. The predetermined texture pattern associated with the selected cross-sectional area substantially matches the existing texture pattern.

Abstract: A system for forming a coating having a desired texture pattern that substantially matches a pre-existing texture pattern. The system comprises an aerosol assembly, texture material, propellant, and an outlet structure. The aerosol assembly comprises a container assembly defining a product chamber, a valve assembly, and an actuator member defining a nozzle opening. The texture material is arranged within the product chamber. The propellant is arranged within the product chamber to pressurize the texture material. The outlet structure defines an outlet orifice. The outlet structure is fixed relative to the actuator member such that fluid flowing along a fluid path flows through the outlet orifice and onto a surface in the desired texture pattern.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly through which texture material is dispensed from an aerosol system to substantially match an existing texture pattern. The nozzle assembly comprises an actuator member, at least one outlet member, and an outlet structure. The actuator member has a stem portion adapted to engage the aerosol system, an actuator opening, and an actuator passageway for allowing fluid to flow between the stem portion and the actuator opening. The at least one outlet member defines at least one outlet opening. The outlet structure secures the at least one outlet member to the actuator member. The at least one outlet member may be configured such that the outlet opening defines a plurality of cross-sectional areas each corresponding to a predetermined texture pattern. One of the cross-sectional areas is a selected cross-sectional area. The predetermined texture pattern associated with the selected cross-sectional area substantially matches the existing texture pattern.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing acoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall, ceiling or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes along a fluid path, out of an outlet orifice, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet means capable of varying the effective cross-sectional area the outlet orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall, ceiling or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes along a fluid path, out of an outlet orifice, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet means capable of varying the effective cross-sectional area the outlet orifice.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing accoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle to diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall, ceiling or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member is preferably in the form of a resilient tube that defines an outlet opening, where the tube may be squeezed to change the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing accoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: Starch-based microcellular foams composed of a solid matrix with a network of small open cells or pores are described. The foams have high pore volume, low density, and high surface area, and are prepared using a process wherein an aqueous gel prepared from gelatinized starch is treated to exchange the water in the gel with air while maintaining the integrity of the network of open cells or pores. The starch-based microcellular foams are particularly useful for encapsulation and later release of a substance.

Abstract: An aerosol assembly for applying texture material to a surface in a plurality of pre-existing texture patterns. One or more actuator assemblies are employed, each one defining an outlet orifice having a different cross-sectional area. Each actuator assembly is associated with or can be reconfigured to be associated with a different pre-existing texture pattern. In one form, the actuator assemblies comprise a plurality of identical button members having an outlet chamber and a tube member inserted into the outlet chamber of each button member. The tube members define discharge passageways having different cross-sectional areas. The entire actuator assembly is removed and replaced to dispense a different texture pattern. In another form, the actuator assemblies are individual button members manufactured to define outlet chambers that form discharge passageways of different cross-sectional areas.