Abstract:
A fluid dispensing apparatus includes inner and outer containers and close and extended actuators. The outer container includes a channel which receives the extension actuator in a stored position thereof. Pairs of retainers project inwardly into an outer portion of the channel for retaining the extension actuator in its stored position and can be spread apart to release the extension actuator.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid dispensing, and in particular to a fluid dispensing apparatus with a valve actuator having an extension tube and a container body with a channel receiving the extension tube with the actuator in a stored position thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various fluids are stored in and dispensed from containers which are configured to meet the requirements of particular applications. For example, aerosol spray dispensing systems commonly use metal containers with propellants expelling the fluid contained therein. However, such propellants can raise environmental concerns and add to the expense of the packaged products that they expel. Fluid containers can also be provided with hand-actuated pump mechanisms for dispensing the contents thereof Still further, fluid dispensing systems are available which comprise inner and outer containers, with the inner container being mechanically pressurized by a rubber sleeve for expelling the contents therefrom. This latter type of container has the advantage of automatically dispensing its contents upon actuation of an appropriate valve mechanism without releasing any propellants which might have potential adverse environmental consequences. 
     Various spray patterns may be desired for dispensed liquids. For example, relatively wide spray patterns are preferred for covering large areas at close range. The dispensing mechanisms can also be provided with extension tubes for delivering liquids to smaller areas which are more difficult to reach. Aerosol type containers have been provided with tubes for attachment to their spray nozzles, which tubes can be fastened to the container sides by tape, rubber bands, etc. 
     However, heretofore there has not been available a liquid dispensing apparatus including a container with an extension tube receptacle having the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the practice of the present invention, a fluid dispensing apparatus is provided which includes inner and outer container assemblies, a valve mechanism fluidically communicating with the inner container assembly, a close actuator for mounting on the container assemblies and actuating said valve mechanism, and an extension actuator for mounting on the container assemblies and actuating the valve mechanism. The extension actuator includes an extension tube which is selectively receivable in a channel formed in a sidewall of the outer container for storage. The actuators are interchangeable. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention include: providing a dispensing apparatus; providing such an apparatus which includes an extension actuator; providing such an apparatus which includes a container having a channel for receiving the extension tube actuator in a stored position thereof; providing such an apparatus which is adaptable to various sizes of containers for various types of liquids; providing such an apparatus for interchangeable actuators; an providing such an apparatus which is economical to manufacture, efficient in operation, capable of a long operating life and particularly well adapted for the proposed usage thereof. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention 
    
    
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an upper, frontal, left side perspective view of a fluid dispensing apparatus embodying the present invention, with an extension actuator thereof shown in a stored position. 
     FIG. 2 is an upper, frontal, left side perspective view thereof with the extension actuator in a mounted, use position. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view thereof, taken generally along line 4--4 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view thereof, taken generally along line 5--5 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view thereof taken generally along lines 6--6 in FIG. 2. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words &#34;upwardly&#34;, &#34;downwardly&#34;, &#34;rightwardly&#34; and &#34;leftwardly&#34; will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words &#34;inwardly&#34; and &#34;outwardly&#34; will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a fluid dispensing container embodying the present invention and adapted for dispensing a fluid 12. 
     The fluid dispensing apparatus 10 generally comprises a container assembly 14, an extension actuator 16 and a close actuator 18. 
     II. Container 14 
     The container assembly 14 includes a generally cylindrical outer bottle or container 15 having a body 20 with a generally cylindrical sidewall 22, a closed bottom 24, a top 26 with a perimeter 28 intersecting the sidewall 22, a neck 30 and a neck opening 32. 
     Without limitation on the generality of useful applications of the fluid dispensing apparatus 10, the embodiment shown includes fluid dispensing means 34 comprising an automatic squeeze system, which is available from Exxel Container, Inc. of 33 Schoolhouse Road, Somerset, N.J. 08873. The fluid dispensing means 34 includes an inner bottle or container 36, which can be formed by pleating and collapsing a conventional, blow-molded PET bottle. The inner bottle or container 36 includes a body 37 which is compressed in a discharged configuration by an elastomeric (e.g., rubber) sleeve 38 which radially compresses and biases same towards its collapsed configuration. The inner bottle or container 36 can be filled with fluid and expanded to its filled configuration, thus radially expanding and sketching the sleeve 38. The inner bottle or container 36 includes a neck 40 which is received in the neck opening 32 and which mounted a suitable valve mechanism 42 for selectively opening the inner bottle 36. The valve mechanism 42 can be of a conventional design, such as the type commonly used for pushbutton aerosol and other liquid sprayers and dispensers. The valve mechanism 42 includes a collar 44, which can be snapfit on the container necks 30, 40. 
     Various other fluid dispensing means can be utilized in connection with the apparatus 10, such as a conventional aerosol system or a pump spray system for manual actuation by a user. 
     the outer container body bottom 234 include s an interior 45 which is open at a vent hole 46. The container body 20 includes an annular shoulder 48 formed in the sidewall 22 adjacent to the top permitter 28. The shoulder 48 includes an outwardly-open, annular groove 50. 
     Receptacle means comprising a sidewall channel 52 is open at an exterior surface 54 at the container body sidewall 22 and includes an upwardly-open upper end 56 open at the container body top 26 and a downwardly-closed lower end 58 positioned in spaced relation above the container bottom 24. 
     A plurality (e.g., three are shown) of pair of retainers 60, extend inwardly in opposed relation from respective, opposed, parallel channel sidewalls 62. The sidewalls 62 are interconnected by a channel end wall 64 which is outwardly concave. The retainers 60 are placed in upper, intermediate and lower pairs 60a, 60b and 60c. 
     The channel 52 has an inner portion 66 with a first transverse width W1 and an outer portion 68 with a second transverse width W2, W1 being greater than W2 whereby passages 70 are formed between the 60 in the channel outer portion 68. A receiver portion 72 is formed in the body 20 at the channel lower end 58 with a width W3 which is greater than the width W2. The container assembly 14 includes a cap 74 with a generally cylindrical sidewall 76, a closed upper end 78 and an open lower end 80. Multiple tabs 82 project inwardly from the sidewalls 76 into a cap interior 84 in proximity to the open lower end 80 and are selectively received in the body groove 50. The cap 74 is thus adapted for snapping on and off of the body 20, but screw-on caps and the like could also be employed. 
     A first, close actuator 18 includes a button 88 adapted for digital engagement. The first actuator 86 includes a lateral orifice 90 communicating with an inlet tube 92 adapted for actuating the valve mechanism 42 and communicating with the lateral orifice 90. The actuator 18 can be of a relatively conventional type commonly utilized on other types of spray apparatus. 
     The extension actuator 16, like the close actuator 18, includes a button 94 and an inlet tube 96, the inlet tube 96 fluidically communicates with an extension tube 98 with a proximate end 100 connected to the button 94 and an enlarged distal end 102 with an outlet orifice 104. The extension tube 98 can be removable from the button 94. 
     III. Operation 
     In operation, the actuators 16 and 18 are interchangeable and are adapted for providing fluid spray and delivery patterns as required for different applications, e.g., close-up and broad spray patterns with the close actuator 18, and stream spray patterns at greater distances and in tight places from the extension actuator 16. The extension actuator 16 can be stored in the channel 52 with its tube 98 received in the channel inner portion 66 and retained by the retainers 60, its enlarged distal 102 received in the channel receiver portion 72, and its actuator button 94 located above the body top 26 for storage within the cap interior 84 (FIG. 5). The actuator tube 98 has a diameter no greater than the channel inner portion width W1, and greater than the channel exterior portion width W2. 
     The container body 20 can comprise a flexible, polymeric material. The actuator tube 98 can thus be snapped into place in the channel inner portion 66 by pressing it through the channel outer portion 68, thereby spreading the respective retainers 60. As the liquid is dispensed, the vent hole balances the air pressure in an interstitial space 106 between the inner and outer containers 36, 15 and an ambient air pressure. 
     The outer container body 20 can be molded from a suitable polymer with the requisite flexibility for expanding and contracting the passages 70 when the extension actuator 16 is inserted and removed. The container body 20 can be formed in various sizes and lengths, and the extension actuator 16 can likewise be provided in various lengths and with various outlet orifice 104 configurations for achieving appropriate spray and stream patterns of the fluid. 
     With the cap 74 in place, the fluid dispensing apparatus 10 is relatively compact, and its extension actuator 16 is substantially enclosed without protruding from the outer surface of the fluid dispensing apparatus 10 whereby packaging and handling of the fluid dispensing apparatus 10 and storage of the extension actuator 16 are facilitated. In particular, the extension actuator 16 can be relatively securely stored in the container body 20 during nonuse, and will not interfere with the operation of the fluid dispensing apparatus 10 with the close actuator 18. 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.