DISPENSING ADAPTER VALVE FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS

Abstract

A dispensing adapter valve including a support structure, a valve stem, a nozzle cap, a tube and an actuator. The a support structure being capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents. The valve stem including an inlet and an outlet, and being capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet. The nozzle cap including a nozzle. The tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem. The valve stem, tube and nozzle cap defining an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle. The actuator capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/452,819 filed Jan. 31, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of adapters for dispensing aerosol.

BACKGROUND

An aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates an aerosol, or mist of fine particles. Typically, this may be accomplished with a pressurized container, such as a can or bottle that contains a substance and a propellant, and a valve such that when the valve is open, the substance is forced out of a small hole and emerges as an aerosol. Aerosol containers, however, come in many shapes and sizes that may prohibit accurate dispensing of aerosol if the location to be sprayed is not easily accessible. When aerosol cannot be easily and accurately sprayed, it may result in waste of material, damage to surrounding objects, and pain or discomfort to an operator required to maintain uncomfortable or extended positions to increase accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the dispensing adapter valve for aerosol containers in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing adapter valve for aerosol containers in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 6. Illustrates a side view of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a support structure in accordance with the disclosed concepts in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a support structure in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of a support structure in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a support structure in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the support structure in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a nozzle cap in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a nozzle cap in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a tube in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dispensing adapter valve attached to an aerosol container in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description and the appended drawings describe and illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention solely for the purpose of enabling one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the invention. As such, the detailed description and illustration of these embodiments are purely exemplary in nature and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, or its protection, in any manner. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.

In certain embodiments, a dispensing adapter valve including a support structure, a valve stem, a nozzle cap, a tube and an actuator. The support structure being capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents. The valve stem including an inlet and an outlet, and being capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet. The nozzle cap including a nozzle. The tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem. The valve stem, tube and nozzle cap may define an airflow passage that may be capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle. The actuator capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage.

In certain embodiments, the actuator is a slide valve. In certain embodiments, the actuator is a push valve. In certain embodiments, the actuator is located on the nozzle cap. In certain embodiments, the actuator is located on the valve stem.

In certain embodiments, the valve stem includes a handle. In certain embodiments, the handle is octagonal in shape. In certain embodiments, the valve stem includes a lower stem that is threaded. In certain embodiments, the support structure comprises threading grooves which receive and secure the threaded lower stem of the valve stem.

In certain embodiments, the support structure includes a collar which facilitates the support structures capability of securably attaching to an aerosol container. In certain embodiments, the collar is adjustable. In certain embodiments, the support structure includes an upper aligning structure connected to the collar by upper support arms. In certain embodiments, the upper aligning structure includes an upper receiving cavity. In certain embodiments, the upper receiving cavity includes threading grooves. In certain embodiments, the support structure further comprises a lower aligning structure connected to the collar by lower support arms. In certain embodiments, the lower support arms comprise pillars. In certain embodiments, the lower aligning structure comprises a lower receiving cavity.

In certain embodiments, the valve stem further comprises an upper stem that connects the valve stem to the tube.

In certain embodiments a dispensing adapter valve may include a support structure, a valve stem, a nozzle cap, and a tube. The support structure may be capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents. The a valve stem may include an inlet and an outlet, wherein the valve stem may be capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet. The nozzle cap may include a nozzle and an actuator. The tube may connect the nozzle cap to the valve stem. The valve stem, tube and nozzle cap may define an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle. The actuator may be capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage that is located in the nozzle cap.

In certain embodiments a dispensing adapter valve may include a support structure, a valve stem, a nozzle cap, and a tube. The support structure may be capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents. The a valve stem may include an inlet, an outlet and an actuator, wherein the valve stem may be capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet. The nozzle cap may include a nozzle. The tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem. The valve stem, tube and nozzle cap may define an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle. The actuator may be capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage that is located in the valve stem.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 18 illustrate embodiments of a dispensing adapter valve 1 adapted to attach to an aerosol container 10 in accordance with the disclosure. A dispensing adapter valve 1 may include a support structure 2, valve stem 3, a tube 4, a nozzle cap 5 and an actuator 31, 51, 311. The support structure 2 may connect the dispensing adapter valve 1 to an aerosol container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 18. The support structure 2 may also receive, secure, and support the valve stem 3 as it interacts with the pressure valve of the aerosol container 10. The tubing acts may extend the airflow from the valve stem to the nozzle cap. The nozzle cap 5 may include a nozzle 52, to direct the flow of the contents of the aerosol container. The actuators 31, 51, 311 control the flow of the contents of the aerosol container, and may be used to open the flow of those contents through the nozzle cap, towards the desired location, or to close off the flow. The valve stem 3, tube 4 and nozzle cap 5 may define an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet 34, through the outlet 37, through the tube 4, through the nozzle cap 5 and out of the nozzle. The actuator may be capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage that is located in the nozzle cap.

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate various views of embodiments of a valve stem in accordance with the disclosed concepts. The valve stem 3 may include a handle 30, a recessed portion, an a stem, 33, 35. The handle may be octagonal, as shown in the FIGS. 1-9 and 18, hexagonal, square, round, or may have any other suitable shape, within the scope of the disclosed concepts. The stem may further include an inlet 34 and an outlet 37 and a cavity extending therebetween. The stem may also comprise and upper portion 33, and a lower portion, 35, which in turn may include threading 36 to help connect and secure it to the support structure 2. In embodiments where the lower stem portion 35 contains threading 36, the valve stem 3 may be raised and lowered within the support structure 2 by rotating the handle 30. As shown in FIGS. 5-9, the lower stem portion 35 may narrow as it approaches the inlet 34. The valve stem 3 may be pressed against the pressure valve of an aerosol can 10 such that the inlet activates the pressure valve. The outlet may be connected and secured to a tube 4. The tube 4 may be removably coupled to the valve stem 3. Alternatively the tube 4 may be fixedly attached to the valve stem. In this manner the contents of the aerosol can may pass into the inlet 34, through the cavity, and out of the outlet into the tubing. As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 18, the valve stem may include an actuator 31, 311 that controls the flow of the contents of the aerosol can through the valve stem. The actuator may be a push actuator 31, as shown in FIG. 8, wherein the cavity of the valve stem 3 is blocked until a user depresses the push actuator 31 to open the cavity and allow the contents to pass through to the outlet 37. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 18, the valve stem 3 may include a slide actuator 311, which can be slid along track 310 to gradually control the passage of the contents of the aerosol container 10 through the valve stem 3. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that any actuator presently known in the art or developed in the future that can be used to control the airflow through the valve stem may be used within the scope of the disclosed concepts. The valve stem 3 may be made out of any suitable material known in the art, and is preferably made from durable, rust-resistant materials. The valve stem may have any suitable size and shaped to accommodate specific aerosol containers, or may be sized and shaped to accommodate multiple types of aerosol containers.

FIGS. 10-14 illustrate various views of an embodiment of the support structure 2 in accordance with the disclosed concepts. Support structure may include a collar 20, support arms 21, 24, and aligning structures 22, 27 having receiving cavities 23, 28. The collar may be adjustable to facilitate attachment to various diameters of aerosol containers 10. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that any manner of adjustable collar known in the art may be used within the scope of the disclosed concepts, including but not limited to ratchet and gear rack mechanisms, elatic material, a belt with perforations that can engage a prong. Alternatively, the collar 20 may be sized to attach to and secure the support structure 2 to a particular size of aerosol container 10. The aligning structures may include an upper aligning structure 22 separated vertically from the point of attachment to the aerosol can. The upper aligning structure may include a receiving cavity 23 which receives and secures the lower stem 35 of valve stem 3. In embodiments where the lower stem 35 includes threads 36, the receiving cavity 23 may include complementary thread grooves 29 to facilitate securing the valve stem 3 to the support structure. The upper aligning structure 22 may have a rectangular or cubic shape, as shown in FIGS. 10-14. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the upper aligning structure 22 may have any suitable shape known in the art or developed in the future within the scope of the disclosed concepts. The upper aligning structure may be supported by support arms 21, which may be arched in shape, as shown in FIGS. 10-14, or which may have any other suitable shape known in the art. The aligning structures may further include a lower aligning structure 27 disposed near to the connection of the support structure 2 to the aerosol container 10. The lower aligning structure 27 may include a lower receiving cavity 28, which receives the lower stem 35 of the valve stem 3. The lower aligning structure 35 may also include thread grooves 29. The lower aligning structure 27 may be connected to the collar 20 through lower support arms 24. The lower support arms 24 may include pillars 25 and horizontal extensions 26 that extend from the collar 20 to the lower aligning structure 27. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that in embodiments where the collar is adjustable, the lower support arms 24 and the horizontal extensions 26 must be compressible through any methodology known in the art, including but not limited to being made from compressible materials, or having telescoping components. The lower aligning structure 27 may have a circular or cylindrical shape, as shown in FIGS. 10-14. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the lower aligning structure 27 may have any suitable shape known in the art or developed in the future within the scope of the disclosed concepts. The support structure 2 may be made out of any suitable material known in the art, and is preferably made from durable, rust-resistant materials. The support structure 2 may have any suitable size and shaped to accommodate specific aerosol containers, or may be sized and shaped to accommodate multiple types of aerosol containers.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate embodiments of a nozzle cap 5 in accordance with the disclosed concepts. The nozzle cap 5 may be cylindrical in shape and include a top surface 52 and a side wall 50. The nozzle cap 5 may further include an airflow passage ending in a nozzle 53, which may be located on the side wall 50 of the nozzle cap. As discussed above, the nozzle cap 5 may include an actuator 51 which can control the airflow though the nozzle cap 5. As shown in FIGS. 1, 15 and 18, the nozzle cap may include a push actuator 51, wherein the airflow passage is closed when the push actuator is in the resting state. When a user pushes down on the push actuator 51, the airflow passage is opened, allowing the nozzle to disburse the contents of the aerosol container 10. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that any suitable actuator known in the art or to be developed may be used in accordance with the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 17 illustrates a tube 4, which may connect the valve stem 3 to the nozzle cap 5. The tube may be cylindrical in shape, elastic, and may have ends 41 and a side wall 40 defining a cavity 42 therebetween. The tube may be made of polyurethane, or of any other suitable material known in the art. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that the tube 4 may have any size and shape that is suitable for the desired use and the aerosol container upon which it is being used. The tube 4 may be connected to the valve stem 3 and the nozzle cap so that the contents of the aerosol container 10 may flow through the valve stem 3 into the tube 4, into the nozzle cap 5, and out the nozzle 53. The tube 4 may be manufactured in various diameters and lengths to modify the flow rate and increase in extension from the dispensing adapter valve 1 to suit different applications.

As shown in FIG. 18, the dispensing adapter valve 1 may be attached to an aerosol container 10. The support structure 2 may first be clamped onto, or otherwise secured to the aerosol can 10. In embodiments with an adjustable collar 20, once the collar is placed over the aerosol container 10, it can be adjusted to secure the support structure to the aerosol container 10. Once the support structure 2 is secured to the aerosol can 10, the valve stem 3 may be connected to the tube 4 and the nozzle cap 5, and attached to the support structure 2. In embodiments where the valve stem 3 has threading 36, the valve stem may be screwed into place by rotating the handle until the inlet 34 pushes against the pressure valve on the aerosol container 10. This will activate the valve of the aerosol can, and begin to push the contents of the aerosol can into the valve stem. In embodiments such as the where there is an actuator 31, 311 on the valve stem 3, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9 and 18, the activation of the actuator 31, 311 allows the contents of the aerosol can to enter the upper portion of the valve stem 33, pass into the tube 4, and to the nozzle. Similarly, in embodiments where there is not an actuator 31, 311 on the valve stem 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the airflow through the cavity in the valve stem remains open and the contents of the aerosol can pass through to the nozzle cap once the inlet 34 in the valve stem 3 depresses the pressure valve of the aerosol container 10. In embodiments where there is an actuator 51 in the nozzle cap 5, as show in FIGS. 1, 15 and 18, the contents of the aerosol container cannot pass through the nozzle 53 until the user activates the actuator 51.

The descriptions set forth above are meant to be illustrative and not limiting, and persons of skill in the art will recognize that various common and known deviations from the above described structures are considered to be within the scope of the disclosed concepts described herein.

The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may also be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein and that does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing adapter valve comprising:

a support structure capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents;

a valve stem comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the valve stem is capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet;

a nozzle cap comprising a nozzle;

a tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem;

the valve stem, tube and nozzle cap defining an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle; and

an actuator capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage.

2. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a slide valve.

3. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a push valve.

4. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the actuator is located on the nozzle cap.

5. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the actuator is located on the valve stem.

6. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the valve stem further comprises a handle.

7. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 6, wherein the handle is octagonal in shape.

8. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the valve stem comprises a lower stem that is threaded.

9. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 8, wherein the support structure comprises threading grooves which receive and secure the threaded lower stem of the valve stem.

10. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a collar which facilitates the support structures capability of securably attaching to an aerosol container.

11. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 10 wherein the collar is adjustable.

12. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 10 wherein the support structure further comprises an upper aligning structure connected to the collar by upper support arms.

13. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 12 wherein the upper aligning structure comprises an upper receiving cavity.

14. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 13 wherein the upper receiving cavity comprises threading grooves.

15. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 10 wherein the support structure further comprises a lower aligning structure connected to the collar by lower support arms.

16. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 15 wherein the lower support arms comprise pillars.

17. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 15 wherein the lower aligning structure comprises a lower receiving cavity.

18. The dispensing adapter valve of claim 1 wherein the valve stem further comprises an upper stem that connects the valve stem to the tube.

19. A dispensing adapter valve comprising:

a support structure capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents;

a valve stem comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the valve stem is capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet;

a nozzle cap comprising a nozzle and an actuator;

a tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem;

the valve stem, tube and nozzle cap defining an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle; and

wherein the actuator is capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage that is located in the nozzle cap.

20. A dispensing adapter valve comprising:

a support structure capable of securably attaching to an aerosol container containing aerosol contents;

a valve stem comprising an inlet, an outlet and an actuator, wherein the valve stem is capable of depressing a pressure valve on the aerosol container allowing the aerosol contents to enter the valve stem through the inlet;

a nozzle cap comprising a nozzle;

a tube connecting the nozzle cap to the valve stem;

the valve stem, tube and nozzle cap defining an airflow passage capable of allowing the flow of the aerosol contents from the inlet, through the outlet, through the tube, through the nozzle cap and out of the nozzle; and

wherein the actuator is capable of closing or opening a controlled portion of the airflow passage that is located in the valve stem.