초록 ▼

A spray control device for aerosol cans is provided having three or more dispensing positions. The positions in the preferred embodiment include “automatic” for continuous spray, “manual” for normal push-button control, and “off” to prevent spraying. Adjustment between the various positions is achie

A spray control device for aerosol cans is provided having three or more dispensing positions. The positions in the preferred embodiment include “automatic” for continuous spray, “manual” for normal push-button control, and “off” to prevent spraying. Adjustment between the various positions is achieved by rotation of a centrally located, floating spray button device that nests on top of an aerosol can. The central spray button device floats within a can coupling ring to accommodate any misalignment between the spray control device and spray can, and movement of the central spray button device is guided by a pin and track combination for predictable and repeatable control over paint or other fluid application. A guide ring is press-fit into the can coupling ring, and both act as a part of the guide track for the central spray button device. The guide ring may optionally be removable to permit complete disassembly and cleaning.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A selectable spray system, comprising: a spray container;a fluid and propellant contained within said spray container;a dispersion nozzle;a conduit operatively coupling said fluid and propellant to said dispersion nozzle;a valve variably restricting the flow of said fluid and propellant from with

1. A selectable spray system, comprising: a spray container;a fluid and propellant contained within said spray container;a dispersion nozzle;a conduit operatively coupling said fluid and propellant to said dispersion nozzle;a valve variably restricting the flow of said fluid and propellant from within said spray container to said dispersion nozzle, said valve operatively controlled through displacement of said conduit relative to said spray container;a can coupling ring having an outer perimeter and an interior surface defining an interior space, said can coupling ring coupling rigidly to said spray container;an index fixedly engaging said conduit and being adjustable in a distance from said spray container to thereby control said valve to adjust said flow, said index floating relative to said spray container sufficiently to accommodate minor misalignment therewith and permit said conduit to couple with said spray container independent of said minor misalignment, said index circumscribed by said can coupling ring;at least one index pin protruding radially from said index;a selector guide ring affixed to said can coupling ring; andat least one gap defined between said selector guide ring and said can coupling ring capturing said pin and thereby limiting changes in distance between said index and said can coupling ring, said gap extending through an arc about said conduit and having at least two distinct distances from said spray container along said arc. 2. The selectable spray system of claim 1, further comprising a first ledge formed by a notch in said can coupling ring and thereby defining a first limiting surface of said at least one gap. 3. The selectable spray system of claim 2, further comprising a second ledge formed by a notch in said selector guide ring and thereby defining a second limiting surface of said at least one gap. 4. The selectable spray system of claim 3, wherein said first and second ledges are at different angular locations from each other about said conduit. 5. The selectable spray system of claim 3, wherein said first and second ledges are of approximately equal arc length, but are angularly offset from each other. 6. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said index is captured between said selector guide ring and said can coupling ring. 7. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said selector guide ring is interference-fit within said can coupling ring and is operatively non-destructively removable therefrom, whereby said can coupling ring, index, and selector guide ring may be fully separated from each other for cleaning and may be reassembled subsequent to said cleaning. 8. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said selector guide ring is circumscribed by said can coupling ring. 9. The selectable spray system of claim 8, wherein said selector guide ring is located between said spray container and said index. 10. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said can coupling ring comprises indicia identifying at least three available operational modes, including a locked-off position wherein said index cooperates with said valve to prevent said flow, a manual mode position wherein said index cooperates with manual pressure applied to said selectable spray system to vary said flow proportionately to said manual pressure, and an automatic mode position wherein said index cooperates with said valve to permit said flow. 11. The selectable spray system of claim 10, wherein said floating index further comprises guide indicia indicating a direction of spray emanating from said dispersion nozzle, said guide indicia movable to align with any of said can coupling ring operative indicia. 12. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said floating index is generally concentric about said conduit, and with a portion of said conduit extending longitudinally out from said floating index for coupling with said spray container. 13. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said at least one pin has sufficient clearance within said gap to permit said floating index to move up, down and angularly with respect to said can coupling ring to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and other misalignments that might arise between said spray container and said floating index and said conduit. 14. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said floating index further comprises a pushbutton cooperative with said floating index and said valve to open said valve when said index is aligned to permit said flow and cooperative with said index and said valve to prevent said flow when said index is aligned to prevent said flow. 15. The selectable spray system of claim 14, wherein said dispersion nozzle is mechanically supported by said pushbutton. 16. The selectable spray system of claim 1, wherein said dispersion nozzle serves as the termination of said conduit, and said conduit is inserted partially into said spray container and moved to activate said valve to release spray from said spray container, and said conduit will additionally transport paint and propellant to said nozzle for spraying or dispersion therefrom. 17. A spray valve operative with a fluid containing, propellant charged container to control the dispensing of said fluid therefrom, having a first locked state preventing unintentional release of said fluid and propellant and a second state controlling said dispensing of said fluid, comprising: a press-fit base which is rigidly snapped onto a top of said container;a dispensing conduit coaxially aligned with a height of said container and concentric with said press-fit base;a selector guide ring rigidly press-fit into said press-fit base and having a plurality of ledges on a surface distal to said container top;a plurality of ledges formed into said press-fit base, generally complementary to said selector guide ring ledges and slightly displaced angularly about said dispensing conduit, said press-fit base ledges and said selector guide ring ledges defining a plurality of guide paths within said press-fit base;a plurality of pins operative to traverse said plurality of guide paths; andan alignment disc capturing said dispensing conduit and said plurality of pins for joined movement with each, said alignment disc further rotatable within and captured between said press-fit base and said top of said container, said rotation of said alignment disc in a first direction driving said dispensing conduit into said container and said rotation of said alignment disc in a second direction opposite to said first direction withdrawing said dispensing conduit from said container. 18. The spray valve of claim 17, wherein each one of said plurality of guide paths further comprise first and second terminations at first and second elevations different from each other, said each one of said plurality of guide paths having a vertical distance through a majority of a range between said first and second terminations operative to precisely position said dispensing conduit at one elevation between said first and second elevations dependent upon a relative rotation between said alignment disc and said press-fit base, and a vertical expansion of each one of said plurality of guide paths having a vertical distance extending from said first elevation to said second elevation. 19. The spray valve of claim 18, wherein positioning said plurality of pins adjacent said first elevation causes said dispensing conduit to drive into said container sufficiently to fully activate said dispensing of said fluid, and wherein positioning said plurality of pins adjacent said second elevation withdraws said dispensing conduit from said container sufficiently to prevent said dispensing of said fluid. 20. The spray valve of claim 17, further comprising an alignment feature in said selector guide ring and an alignment feature in said press-fit base engageable with said selector guide ring alignment feature.