Spray nozzle attachment

An apparatus for deploying a pressurized fluid from a pressurized container having a lip and a nozzle head, is disclosed which comprises: a mounting attachment for frictional engagement with the lip, a malleable guide member having proximal and distal guide ends, the proximal guide end being affixed to the mounting attachment, and a flexible tubular member having an internal passage and first and second tube ends, the first tube end being adapted to engage the nozzle head so as to provide continuous fluid passage therewith and the second tube end being affixed to the distal guide end.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a spray nozzle attachment. More 
particularly, the present invention includes a device that enables 
pressurized fluids to be applied accurately and easily to relatively 
inaccessible locations. Still more particularly, the present invention 
relates to a extension hose directional support for mounting on a 
pressurized container. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many fluids come in pressurized containers and are designed to be applied 
by means of a spray nozzle affixed to a valve in the top of the container. 
Typically, fluid is released by depressing the spray nozzle head, which 
causes the valve in the top of the container to open, allowing fluid to be 
released through a fluid passage in the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle 
head itself can be adapted to release the fluid in a variety of 
configurations ranging from a fine, dispersed mist to a thin stream. In 
addition, it is common in some applications to provide a small diameter 
tube that can be inserted into frictional engagement with the exit opening 
of the nozzle head. When so mounted, the small diameter tube provides an 
extension to the nozzle head and allows the fluid stream to be controlled 
at the exit opening of the tube, rather than at the exit opening of the 
nozzle head. This allows application of the pressurized fluid into areas 
where the nozzle head would not provide thorough or accurate application 
of the fluid. The extension tube is typically provided along with the 
pressurized fluid container and is commonly affixed to the container by 
means of an adhesive strip. 
Because of the limited usage life of the adhesive strip, it is not 
practical to store the extension tube with the fluid container for the 
life of the container. Likewise, it is not practical to store the tube in 
its mounted position on the nozzle head, because the frictional engagement 
between the tube and the head is not sufficient to reliably retain the 
tube. Because the tube itself is so small, it is frequently lost. 
Furthermore, when the tube is used with the pressurized fluid container, 
passage of the fluid itself through the tube can cause the tube to 
disengage from the nozzle head. Alternatively, the tube can be dislodged 
by inadvertent contact of the tube with other objects. Because the tube is 
typically used in crowded application areas that are difficult to reach, 
disengagement of the tube from the nozzle head during use can result in 
loss of the tube when the dislodged tube falls into an inaccessible area. 
Hence, it is desired to provide an application tube that is firmly 
connected to the pressurized container during both spray applications and 
storage. 
Another disadvantage of conventional tube extension is that the tube often 
becomes coated with a thin layer of the fluid being applied. The presence 
of this fluid on the outside of the tube prevents use of the adhesive 
strip for reattachment of the tube to the side of the fluid container. 
Thus, it is further desired to provide a method for attaching the 
extension tube to the fluid container without use of adhesive strips. 
Because the conventional extension tubes comprise short, rigid tubes, they 
add little advantage in applying pressurized fluid to hard-to-reach areas. 
Hence it is further desired to provide a device that will allow 
application of pressurized fluid to areas that cannot be reached with a 
conventional straight tube. 
There are several instances in which such a flexible remote applicator for 
pressurized fluid is desired. One is the aviation industry, in which 
delicate mechanical and electromechanical parts must be frequently checked 
and cleaned or lubricated. In addition, it is common in the aviation 
industry to apply corrosion inhibiting compounds (CIC's) to exposed 
surfaces. Examples of such CIC's include LPS-3.RTM. ACF50.RTM. and 
Corrosion X.RTM.. The materials from which airplanes and their component 
parts are made are typically subject to corrosion and must be protected by 
maintenance of a corrosion inhibiting layer on their surfaces. CIC's are 
applied during manufacture of the parts, using large expensive bulk 
applicators. Many CIC's do not last the lifetime of the part to which they 
are applied, however, and must be reapplied. Because it is not practical 
for post-manufacture maintenance facilities to operate such large bulk 
applicators, after manufacturing CIC's are typically applied from small 
pressurized containers such as aerosol cans. Thus, it is often desired to 
provide an improved device that allows CIC's to be applied from these cans 
in an easier and more accurate manner. 
The automotive industry is a second area in which it is often desired to 
apply pressurized fluid remotely and accurately. Pressurized containers 
can be used in the automotive industry to apply lubricants, degreasers, 
cleaning fluids or the like. In addition to accessing hard-to-reach spots, 
it may be desired to apply pressurized fluid to an area of an automobile 
engine while the engine is hot or running. As automobiles grow more 
complex, the necessity for accurate remote application increases. 
A third industry that could benefit from a device that allows accurate 
remote application of pressurized fluid is the pest control industry, in 
which toxic chemicals are frequently used. It is desirable to minimize 
excess spray of such chemicals, while at the same time ensuring 
penetration of the chemicals into remote or small areas. Other areas that 
could benefit from remote accurate fluid application include guns, 
machinery, and air conditioning equipment. These and other objects and 
advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises an attachment that can be mounted on the 
valve rim of a conventional pressurized fluid container and used to deploy 
the pressurized fluid at locations that may be remote and/or relatively 
inaccessible. The present invention preferably comprises a mounting clip 
that snaps onto the container valve rim, a malleable guide member affixed 
to the mounting clip and a flexible tube that is supported by the guide 
member and is adapted to connect with the exit opening of the nozzle head. 
The present invention further comprises an adapter for connecting the 
flexible tubular member to the nozzle head. When the present spray 
attachment is snapped onto the container and the flexible tube is 
connected to the nozzle head, the exit opening of the tube end can be 
guided accurately to a desired area by bending the guide member and using 
it to thread the tube in to the desired location. The present invention 
preferably is removable from engagement with the valve lip, but may be 
permanently attached to the container in other embodiments. 
Alternative embodiments of the present invention comprise support means 
that can be affixed to the pressure container by various other methods, 
including snapping a cuff onto the container body or using adhesive to 
attach a mounting flange to the container body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a typical pressurized fluid container 10 
includes a container body 12, a cap 14, and a valve assembly 17. Cap 14 is 
attached to container body 12 at seam 13. Cap 14 includes a shoulder 15 
and an upwardly extending edge (not shown). During manufacture of the 
container, valve assembly 17 is placed over the upwardly extending edge of 
cap 14 and crimped so as to form an upper lip 16. Lip 16 is typically 
rolled or crimped and has a generally rounded outer configuration. Valve 
assembly 17 controls egress of the fluid from container 10. Extending from 
valve 17 is a valve stem 18, on which is mounted a spray nozzle head 20. 
Nozzle head 20 includes a pressure face 22, an inner bore (not shown) and 
an exit opening 24. Depression of nozzle head 20 opens valve 17, allowing 
fluid from inside the container to escape through the inner bore and 
opening 24. 
Still referring to FIG. 1, it is not uncommon for pressurized fluid 
containers of this sort to include a small diameter extension tube 28, 
which is often affixed to the exterior of container body 12 by means of 
one or more adhesive strips 29. Extension tube 28 is adapted to be 
inserted into and frictionally engage opening 24. It is this extension 
tube that the present invention is intended to replace. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the spray nozzle device 
30 of the present invention comprises a mounting attachment 31, a 
malleable guide member 40, and a flexible tube 50. Mounting attachment 31 
preferably comprises a generally circular clip 32, which preferably 
comprises a pair of arcuate arms 33, 34. Between arms 33, 34, clip 32 
includes a tapered extension 36. Arms 33, 34 preferably define a 
continuous arcuate convex inner face 38 and a concave lower lip 39. Inner 
face 38 is preferably sized and shaped to fit snugly over lip 16 of 
container 10. Lower lip 39 may be continuous, or may take the form of tabs 
41 that engage lip 16 discontinuously, as shown in FIG. 8. 
Clip 32 may be constructed of any suitable material and preferably 
comprises a molded polymer such as nylon, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride 
(PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or the like. Alternatively, 
clip 32 could be constructed of metal or fiberglass or the like, but it is 
preferred that the material of clip 32 be non-conducting and slightly 
elastic, making the preferred polymers particularly suitable. It is 
preferred that clip 32 be removable from lip 16 and container 10, but 
there may be instances when it is desirable to size clip 32 so that once 
it is snapped over lip 16, it engages the lower edge of the valve assembly 
and is not removable. 
Malleable guide member 40 preferably comprises a long wire having a 
proximal end 44 and a distal end 46. According to a preferred embodiment, 
proximal end 44 is L-shaped and is embedded in tapered extension 36. End 
44 is preferable molded into extension 36 during molding of clip 32, but 
may be affixed by any other method that results in a strong and durable 
connection. Guide member 40 is preferably material that is easily 
plastically deformed and is capable of retaining a desired shape and 
supporting tube 50. An example of a suitable material is brass or copper 
wire. Guide member 40 most preferably comprises an insulated wire, such as 
are well known in the art. By including an electrically insulating layer 
over support member 40, the likelihood of undesired current in the present 
apparatus is reduced. 
Flexible tube 50 has a proximal end 52 and a distal end 54. Tube 50 is 
preferably connected to guide member 40 near proximal guide end 44 and 
again near distal guide end 46 by means of bands 56. Distal tube end 54 
preferably extends slightly beyond distal guide end 46. Between bands 56, 
tube 50 is preferably loosely wrapped around guide 40. It may be preferred 
to include one or more additional bands 56 along the length of guide 40. 
It will be understood that because guide 40 is easily deformable, it can be 
configured to any desired shape and will support distal end 54 of tube 50 
at a desired location in this manner. By loosely wrapping tube 50 around 
guide 40, tube 50 is prevented from dangling in a manner that might allow 
it to become entangled with nearby equipment, and is supported in a manner 
that will not cause the fluid passage therethrough to be closed off by 
being forced through a tight bend. 
Bands 56 may be any suitable material, but are preferably constructed of 
plastic so as to be non-conducting. Tube 50 may also be any suitably 
flexible material. It may be desirable to select the material from which 
tube 50 is constructed on the basis of the pressurized fluid which is to 
be applied therethrough. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the proximal end 52 of tube 50 includes a connector 60. 
As shown in FIG. 3, connector 60 is generally cylindrical and comprises a 
large diameter portion 62 and a small diameter portion 64. Large diameter 
portion 62 is preferably sized to be received in exit opening 24 of spray 
nozzle head 20 and includes a barb 66 thereon. Barb 66 comprises a 
shoulder 68 and a tapered surface 70. Barb 66 serves to retain connector 
60 in nozzle head 20. Likewise, small diameter portion 64 includes a barb 
72 having a shoulder 74 and tapered surface 76. Barb 72 frictionally 
engages inner surface of tube 50 to retain connector 60 therein. Connector 
60 has a central passageway 78 therethrough. 
It is preferred that large diameter portion 62 of connector 60 engage exit 
opening 24 of nozzle head 20 in a manner that prevents unintentional 
disengagement of tube 50 from nozzle head 20 during application of the 
pressurized fluid, but which allows removal of tube 50 from connector 20 
when the pressurized fluid container is not in use. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the spray nozzle device 30 of the present 
invention is shown snapped onto lip 16 of container 10. Tube 50 is 
connected to nozzle head 20 by insertion of connector 60 therein. This 
connection allows a continuous passageway from the interior of container 
10 through nozzle head 20, tube 50 and out distal end 54. When nozzle head 
20 is depressed, fluid flows through this passageway and is applied in the 
vicinity of distal end 54. Because guide member 40 is malleable, it can be 
bent into any desired shape, allowing it to position and support distal 
end 54 in areas that would otherwise be difficult to access. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-section of arm 34 is shown. Arm 33 is 
preferably identical to arm 34. As discussed above, convex inner surface 
38 is adapted to fit closely around lip 16. Lip 39 is adapted to engage 
lip 16 in a manner that prevents detachment of clip 32 from the container. 
FIG. 6 shows an alternate cross section for clip 32, in which an upper lip 
80 extends slightly inwardly over the top of lip 16. FIG. 7 shows a second 
alternative embodiment, in which the upper edge of clip 32 extends 
further, to form an upper lip 82. Upper lip 82 preferably echoes the 
configuration of lip 16, so that a conventional snap-on overcap 84 (shown 
in phantom) can engage lip 82. 
Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative configuration for the mounting 
attachment is shown. In this configuration, arms 33 and 34 are replaced 
with a continuous circular clip 86. It has been found preferable to 
provide a discontinuous clip having arms 33 and 34 so as to allow for 
slight radial expansion of the clip to facilitate its removal from lip 16. 
In some instances, it may be desired to provide a clip 86 that 
irreversibly engages lip 16 and is not removable therefrom. In these 
instances, clip 86 need not be very elastic. Likewise, it will be 
understood that if the material from which clip 86 is constructed has 
sufficient elasticity, it can be provided in a continuous circular form as 
shown in FIG. 8 without unnecessarily impeding its removal. 
It will be understood from the foregoing description that the device of the 
present invention can be easily attached to a pressurized fluid container 
by means of the desired mounting attachment 31, after which tube 50 and 
its guide member 40 will be readily available for use. In the preferred 
embodiment, the engagement of clip 32 with lip 16 is such that the device 
will not readily detach from the container unless a deliberate removing 
force is applied. Once clip 32 has been applied to the container, and tube 
50 has been connected to nozzle head 20, pressurized fluid can be applied 
in many areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach. This is 
accomplished by bending guide 40 into a desired shape, such that it 
supports the distal tube end 54 in a desired configuration. When the 
container is not in use, device 30 can be left in place indefinitely 
without adverse effects. Alternatively, tube 50 can be disconnected from 
nozzle head 20 by removing connector 60 form opening 24. In either case, 
guide 40, and tube 50 with it, can be bent into a convenient configuration 
such as by wrapping them around the container. When tube 50 is 
disconnected from nozzle head 20, clip 32 rotates freely around lip 16. 
When tube 50 connected to nozzle head 20, rotation is limited by tube 50. 
According to the preferred embodiment, device 30 can be removed from 
container 10 by disconnecting tube 50 and snapping clip 32 off of lip 16. 
Because the lips 16 of most small pressurized containers are universally 
sized, attachment 30 may be re-used indefinitely on multiple fluid 
containers. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, a second alternative embodiment of the present 
device comprises a rigid ring 90, to which a guide member 92 is affixed. 
Guide member 92 is attached to ring 90 such as by soldering or welding if 
ring 90 is plastic, or by molding guide 92 into ring 90 if ring 90 is 
plastic. Guide member 92 supports a flexible tube 94. Ring 90 preferably 
is thin in its axial direction and has an inside diameter only slightly 
larger than the neck of a conventional pressurized container. According to 
this embodiment, ring 90 is slipped over the neck of container 10 during 
manufacture of the container, before the valve assembly is crimped onto 
the top of container 10. When the valve assembly is applied to the 
container and crimped so as to seal the top of the container, the 
interface between the valve and cap 14 forms lip 16. 
In this embodiment, ring 90 is held in place on container 10 by lip 16, as 
best shown in FIG. 10. Ring 90 is not removable, but is free to rotate 
about the cap 14. This embodiment provides a permanently attached guide, 
and still allows the flexible tube 94 to be disconnected from the spray 
nozzle head as described above. 
Referring now to FIG. 11, a third alternative embodiment of the attachment 
of the present invention comprises a rigid arcuate cuff 100 having an 
inner surface 101 that is sized to conform closely to the circumference of 
the container body 12. Cuff 100 preferable has sufficient elasticity to 
allow it to be snapped on to the exterior of container body 12 and then to 
maintain a snug fit thereon. Cuff 100 may comprise plastic or metal. A 
guide 102 is mounted on cuff 100, preferably by creating an L-shaped bend 
104 in the proximal end of guide 102 and attaching it by any suitable 
means, such as soldering or welding or molding guide 102 into cuff 100. It 
will be understood that cuff 100 can be modified to engage container 10 
over a smaller area and/or to be affixed to container 10 by means of an 
adhesive applied to inner surface 101. In any event, it is preferred that 
the connection between the guide member, the container attachment and the 
container be such that the guide member is supported by the attachment in 
a manner that does not allow undesired movement of the guide relative to 
the container. 
Although the present fluid dispensing mechanism is preferred to be the 
combination of malleable guide member and flexible tube described above, 
it will be understood that a selfsupporting tube could be used in place of 
this combination. An example of such self-supporting tubing comprises a 
series of linked ball and socket members having a continuous fluid passage 
therethrough, such as are available under from the Cedarburg corporation 
of Minnesota under the name Snap-loc.TM. and from Lockwood Products of 
Oregon under the name Loc Line.TM.. 
Other types of self-supporting tubing may be used, but some types, such as 
brass or copper tubing may tend to buckle when bent, thereby compromising 
the integrity of its fluid passage. If the tubing is selected to be 
self-supporting, the guide member may be omitted from the device. Such a 
device is illustrated in FIG. 12, wherein a mounting clip 132 supports a 
length of self-supporting tubing 120. Self-supporting tubing 120 is shown 
in an interference fit with a groove 131 in clip 132, but may be mounted 
on the desired mounting attachment by any suitable means. Self-supporting 
tubing 120 may receive connector 60 for engagement with spray nozzle head 
20, or it may receive a short length of flexible tubing 122, which in turn 
receives a connector 60, as shown. 
If necessary, the present device can be used in conjunction with a 
horoscope or similar small camera, so that the user can use visual 
feedback from the perspective of the tube end to guide the device into 
place. 
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, 
modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without 
departing from the spirit of the invention.