Modular sprayer
First Claim
1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
- a. a sprayer comprising a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle;
b. a fluid reservoir, adapted to be in fluidic communication with the sprayer, the reservoir having a central axis running therethrough about a nominally vertical dimension thereof; and
c. a quick-release coupling system, comprising a first coupling means in mechanical communication with the sprayer, and a second coupling means in mechanical communication with the reservoir, the coupling system adapted to removably engage the sprayer to the fluid reservoir, wherein the coupling system is engaged by a first linear motion, comprising bringing the dispenser body together with the fluid reservoir along said central axis, and wherein said engagement is effected within less than about 5 seconds to achieve a fluid-tight seal between the dispenser body and reservoir.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid sprayer which may be removably attached to a liquid reservoir and thus readily interchangeable with a variety of liquid reservoirs. The sprayer includes a discharge nozzle, a manually or electrically powered pump and an actuation mechanism for the pump. The sprayer includes a quick-release coupling means for attaching the sprayer to a complementary quick-release coupling means fitted to the product reservoir. In some embodiments of the present invention, a signaling means on the reservoir communicates with a corresponding receiver means on the sprayer to provide information relating to the liquid contents of the reservoir so that the user will act on the information in a way that optimizes product safety, efficacy, convenience or combinations thereof. The information concerning the liquid may be conveyed to the user/consumer via the sprayer such that the user/consumer is part of the information/feedback loop, or the information may be communicated to the sprayer, which directly acts on the information without input from the consumer.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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a. a sprayer comprising a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle;
b. a fluid reservoir, adapted to be in fluidic communication with the sprayer, the reservoir having a central axis running therethrough about a nominally vertical dimension thereof; and
c. a quick-release coupling system, comprising a first coupling means in mechanical communication with the sprayer, and a second coupling means in mechanical communication with the reservoir, the coupling system adapted to removably engage the sprayer to the fluid reservoir, wherein the coupling system is engaged by a first linear motion, comprising bringing the dispenser body together with the fluid reservoir along said central axis, and wherein said engagement is effected within less than about 5 seconds to achieve a fluid-tight seal between the dispenser body and reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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a. a sprayer comprising a sprayer housing, a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, the sprayer further comprising a probe in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a piercing element disposed thereon, a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle, the fluid dispensing nozzle defining a first axis;
b. a fluid reservoir, adapted to be in mechanical and fluidic communication with the sprayer, the reservoir having a second axis running therethrough about a nominally vertical dimension thereof, the fluid reservoir including an internal dip tube having a lower end disposed in fluid in the reservoir, and an upper end disposed at an upper surface of the reservoir and having a punctureable seal thereover; and
c. a quick-release coupling system, comprising a first coupling means in mechanical communication with the sprayer, and a second coupling means in mechanical communication with the reservoir, the coupling system adapted to removably engage the sprayer to the fluid reservoir, wherein the coupling system is engaged by a first linear motion, comprising bringing the dispenser body together with the fluid reservoir along said first axis, and wherein said engagement urges said probe downwardly to pierce said seal of said dip tube, resulting in a fluid connection between reservoir and sprayer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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- 24. A sprayer for dispensing the contents of a fluid reservoir, the sprayer comprising a sprayer housing, a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle, the fluid dispensing nozzle including a discharge outlet throat, a needle valve mounted on a shaft positioned coaxially within said throat, said throat including a first plurality of screw threads, said shaft including a second plurality of screw threads adapted to mated with said first plurality, said shaft operatively coupled to a drive means for rotating said shaft, whereby when said drive means rotates said shaft, a geometry of an outlet formed by said throat and said needle valve is altered, whereby a resultant spray pattern is altered.
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29. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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a. a sprayer comprising a sprayer housing, a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, the sprayer further comprising a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle;
b. a fluid reservoir, in fluidic communication with the sprayer; and
- View Dependent Claims (31, 33)
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- 30. a comunication system for communicating at least one characteristic of a liquid from the fluid reservoir to the sprayer.
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38. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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a. a sprayer comprising a sprayer housing, a fluid pump mechanism having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a means for generating a differential pressure between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, the sprayer further comprising a fluid dispensing actuator and a fluid dispensing nozzle;
b. a fluid reservoir, in mechanical and fluidic communication with the sprayer, the reservoir having a central axis running therethrough about a nominally vertical dimension thereof; and
c. a quick-release coupling system, comprising a first coupling means in mechanical communication with the sprayer, and a second coupling means in mechanical communication with the reservoir, the coupling system adapted to removably engage the sprayer to the fluid reservoir, wherein the coupling system is engaged by a first linear motion, comprising bringing the dispenser body together with the fluid reservoir along said central axis, and wherein said engagement is effected within less than about 5 seconds to achieve a fluid-tight seal between the dispenser body and reservoir; and
d. a set of instructions, wherein the user is directed to attach the sprayer to the reservoir.
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Specification