Liquid dispensing devices including an attached cleaning element
Liquid dispensing devices, and more particularly liquid dispensing devices including an attached cleaning element are disclosed comprising a plunger/handle pole assembly, an exterior barrel capable of slidably receiving the plunger/handle pole assembly and including a liquid reservoir, and a brush head attached to a distal end of the exterior barrel which is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application U.S. Application No. 60/667,187 filed on Mar. 30, 2005, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally directed to liquid dispensing devices, and more particularly to liquid dispensing devices including an attached cleaning element.
BACKGROUNDLiquid dispensing devices including an attached cleaning element have been used to wash various structures including but not limited to vehicles, windows, walls, and boats. One exemplary liquid dispensing device is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,693. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,693 describes a liquid dispensing device including an attached discharge head providing a chenille mop. Liquid is dispensed through the mop head. An exemplary extension pole assembly including a collet lock assembly is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,578.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides liquid dispensing devices including an attached cleaning element. One embodiment according to the disclosure provides a liquid dispensing device comprising a plunger/handle pole assembly, an exterior barrel capable of slidably receiving the plunger/handle pole assembly and including a liquid reservoir, and a brush head attached to a distal end of the exterior barrel which is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The brush head generally comprises a neck portion, a base portion having a front edge and a rear edge, and a spray nozzle disposed proximate to the front edge of the base portion. The spray nozzle provides a channel through the brush head body and into the fluid reservoir that permits liquids to be dispensed from the fluid reservoir. The spray nozzle can include an umbrella valve or a similar two-way valve to control fluid flow in and out of the fluid reservoir. The plunger/handle pole assembly and exterior barrel including a liquid reservoir function similar to a syringe and in combination with the brush head provide a convenient portable water source for cleaning various structures.
A second embodiment according to the invention provides a liquid dispensing device comprising a flow-through pole assembly having first and second ends, a flow-through handle attached to and capable of pivoting about the first end, and a brush head attached to the second end. The flow-through pole assembly includes a channel from the first end to the second end, and is therefore capable of permitting the flow of fluids from the first end to the second end. In some embodiments, the flow-through pole assembly is an extension flowthrough pole assembly including an inner pole and an outer pole that is capable of slidably receiving the inner pole. In such embodiments, a collet lock assembly can be used to control the length of the extension flow-through assembly, i.e., a collet lock assembly can be used to define the position (and therefore the length) of the inner pole relative to the outer pole. The flow-through handle includes a grasping portion and a connecting portion. In some embodiments, the grasping and connecting portions are positioned relative to each other so as to define an angle of between about 95 degrees and 140 degrees in order to comfortably accommodate a user's grip during use. The flow-through handle generally comprises a threaded collar. The flow-through handle further generally comprises grooves for receiving threads on an interior surface of the grasping portion. The brush head generally comprises a neck portion, a front portion, and a nozzle assembly disposed in the front portion. Providing the nozzle assembly in the front portion of brush head allows users to controllably and visibly prewet surfaces to be cleaned before scrubbing is commenced. Moreover, positioning nozzle assembly in the front portion allows fluid to be dispensed over a large area instead of simply dripping through a bottom surface of brush head into brush bristles and then onto the surface to be cleaned. The brush head generally includes an integral channel for permitting fluid communication between the nozzle assembly and the channel of the flow-through pole assembly that permits liquids to be dispensed from the nozzle assembly.
A third embodiment according to the disclosure provides a liquid dispensing device comprising a flow-through pole assembly having first and second ends, a flow-through handle attached to and capable of pivoting about the first end, the flow-through handle further including an integrated soap dispensing mechanism, and a brush head attached to the second end.
The liquid dispensing devices disclosed herein can be used to dispense a variety of liquids. Typically, the liquid dispensing devices are used to dispense a cleaning solution including water and, optionally, a surfactant. In some embodiments, the liquid dispensing devices may be used to dispense a finishing solution including water and a wax, for example.
These and other objects will become apparent from the foregoing and ongoing specification, the drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSObjects, features, and advantages of the liquid dispensing devices according to the disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
To suck water into the reservoir 26, the nozzle 36 is submerged into a water supply. Pulling plunger/handle pole assembly 16 from exterior barrel 18 causes a pressure differential (a vacuum) which lifts the outer flange(s) of umbrella valve 40, thereby causing water to be taken up into each of tubular channels 66 (and not simply central tubular channel). When the user stops pulling plunger/handle pole assembly 16, the flange of the umbrella valve reverts to its natural position compressed slightly against interior face 68, thereby sealing off the two tubular channels 66 adjacent to the central tubular channel 66. When the user pushes plunger/handle pole assembly 16 back into barrel 18, the fluid in reservoir 26 is compressed, and the outer flange of umbrella valve 40 is further compressed against interior face 68, thereby completely sealing the two tubular channels 66 adjacent to the central tubular channel 66. This forces the water to escape through the central passage in the umbrella valve to the central tubular channel, allowing water to flow under pressure out of spray nozzle 36.
Flow-through handle 78 includes a grasping portion 124 and a connecting portion 126, as best shown in
Although certain liquid dispensing devices have been described herein as being in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.
Claims
1. A liquid dispensing device comprising:
- a plunger having a handle attached thereto and a cap on an end thereof;
- an exterior barrel shaped to slidingly receive said plunger and including a liquid reservoir therein;
- a cleaning head having a spray nozzle therein, said cleaning head attached to said exterior barrel and including a spray nozzle therein in fluid communication with said reservoir, said spray nozzle including at least two passages therethrough; and
- a valve between said fluid reservoir and said spray nozzle for selectively allowing fluid flow into said reservoir through all of said passages while preventing fluid flow out of said reservoir through at least one of said passages.
2. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said cleaning head is rotatably attached to said exterior barrel.
3. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle outlet is positioned proximate a front edge of said cleaning head.
4. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said valve is an umbrella valve.
5. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle includes three linearly aligned passages and said valve prevents fluid flow out from the reservoir through the two outer passages.
6. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a grip positioned on said exterior barrel.
7. The liquid dispensing device of claim 6 wherein said grip is a foam grip.
8. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising at least one O-ring positioned on said cap.
9. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said handle is attached to said plunger by a retainer ring.
10. The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a circumferential collar for rotatably attaching said cleaning head to said exterior barrel.
11. A liquid dispensing device comprising:
- a plunger having a handle attached thereto and a cap on an end thereof;
- an exterior barrel shaped to slidingly receive said plunger and including a liquid reservoir therein;
- a cleaning head having a spray nozzle therein, said cleaning head rotatingly attached to said exterior barrel and including a spray nozzle therein in fluid communication with said reservoir, said spray nozzle including at least two passages therethrough; and
- a valve between said fluid reservoir and said spray nozzle for selectively allowing fluid flow into said reservoir through all of said passages while preventing fluid flow out of said reservoir through at least one of said passages.
12. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 wherein said spray nozzle outlet is positioned proximate a front edge of said cleaning head.
13. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 wherein said valve is an umbrella valve.
14. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 wherein said spray nozzle includes three linearly aligned passages and said valve prevents fluid flow out from the reservoir through the two outer passages.
15. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 further comprising a grip positioned on said exterior barrel.
16. The liquid dispensing device of claim 15 wherein said grip is a foam grip.
17. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 further comprising at least one O-ring positioned on said cap.
18. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11 wherein said handle is attached to said plunger by a retainer ring.
19. The liquid dispensing device of claim 17 wherein said cap includes two O-rings
20. A liquid dispensing device comprising:
- a plunger having a handle attached to one end thereof and a cap on an opposite end thereof, said cap including at least one O-ring positioned thereon;
- an exterior barrel shaped to slidingly receive said plunger and including a liquid reservoir therein;
- a cleaning head having a spray nozzle therein, said cleaning head rotatably attached to said exterior barrel and including a spray nozzle therein in fluid communication with said reservoir, said spray nozzle including three linearly aligned passages therethrough; and
- an umbrella valve between said fluid reservoir and said spray nozzle for selectively allowing fluid flow into said reservoir through all of said passages while preventing fluid flow out of said reservoir through the two outer passages.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 30, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 25, 2007
Inventors: Matthew Goulet (Milwaukee, WI), Michael Toll (Shorewood, WI), Brian Potempa (Oak Creek, WI), Tierney Wied (Milwaukee, WI), Brian Brigham (Chicago, IL), Eric Sugalski (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 11/393,373
International Classification: A46B 11/00 (20060101);