Abstract:
An apparatus for delivering liquid includes a wand with a nozzle, a toggle switch, and a supply canister for delivering self-tanning and sun-tanning solutions to a human body. The wand may pivotably attach to a cap attached to the supply canister containing the chosen liquid to be delivered without the necessity of an exposed external tube suspended between the wand and the supply canister.

Description:
This application claims priority to provisional application 61/322,786 filed Apr. 9, 2010 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for the delivery of liquid, and more specifically, to the delivery of spray tanning solutions by self-application. 
     With an increasing concern for health and safety, the advent of sunless tanning sprays has proven to be a significant advantage. However, the use of regular spray nozzles do not provide even application of the solution, nor do they facilitate the application of the solution on harder to reach places, particularly in cases of self-application. 
     In many other applications, pressurized spray devices provide more even application, but are cumbersome with the interference of long tubes used to convey the solution to the applicator or motors to provide pressurization. In many instances, the containers containing the tanning solution are separate from the applicator, therefore restricting the ability to move or ideally position the applicator, particularly during self-application. Likewise, the nozzles or applicators which provide a stream of tanning solution may be difficult to manage. 
     For example, one portable spray device as described in U.S. Patent Application No. US2004/0050962 A1 utilizes a cylindrical metal canister, similar to a propane tank, containing a propellant and a liquid. A long tube extends from the canister to a sprayer. The pressure allows nozzles in the sprayer to provide fluid in the form of a steady mist. The large size of the canister that encloses the propellant and liquid dictates that the device remain stationary on the ground. Therefore, only the nozzles may be easily manipulated. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,124 provides another example of a spray system wherein several reservoirs resembling aerosol canisters contain a liquid, and the reservoirs are held in pouches fixed on a belt of the user. A long coiled hose extends from a valve on the reservoir being used to a nozzle for spraying. Although the spray system is portable, the necessity of the pouch and belt may limit the user&#39;s maneuverability. 
     As further example of existing spray devices U.S. Patent Application No. US 2004/0251272 A1 presents a sunless tanning spray dispenser which includes a rigid outer canister having a valve and a nozzle. A tanning solution and a propellant are housed in the canister which resembles a common aerosol can. Unlike the previous examples, this spray device is unencumbered with long tubes or hoses or a stationary source of liquid. However, the user is limited to spraying only to the immediate vicinity of the canister. Therefore, should the user wish to achieve an even application to both the front and back of the body, the user may have difficulty in reaching certain areas of the back. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method that can facilitate the application of a solution to various locations on the body while maintaining a steady stream of solution for an even application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for delivering liquid comprises an aerosol supply canister adapted to contain the liquid; a canister cap attached to the aerosol supply canister; a wand pivotably attached to the canister cap; a trigger adapted to release the liquid in the aerosol supply canister; and a tube to carry the liquid to a spray nozzle at a distal end of the wand. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the delivery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a top cover opened; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a canister of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sprayer wand of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a right-hand half of the sprayer wand of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a left-hand half of the sprayer wand of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sprayer tip of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an opened canister cap of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a button to pivotably connect the sprayer wand of  FIG. 3  with the canister cap of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the canister cap removed; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a trigger of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a valve coupler of the device of  FIG. 1   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for delivering and applying liquids, such as to a human body. For example, the liquids delivered may be suntan lotion, sunscreen, sun-block, self-tanning solution, bronzing liquid, moisturizing lotions, special body sprays, and the like. In particular, the present invention may be used to facilitate self-application of the liquids, as the size and lightweight construction of the delivery device of the present invention enable a user to easily reach various locations on the body. 
     Unlike the prior art which utilizes a nozzle attached to a long intermediate tube joined to a canister, the present invention incorporates a nozzle and a pressurized supply canister into an integrated, portable spray device while maintaining a distance between the nozzle and supply canister so as to facilitate access to areas which may be difficult to reach. As such, in situations where the user would like to spray her back, the user may hold the wand in an inverted position over her shoulder, and direct it toward her back, thereby reaching areas she might not be able to access with a short nozzle. 
     The present invention may also eliminate the need for a lengthy exposed intermediate tube between the supply canister and the nozzle. The conventional air-brushing type of liquid delivery systems rely on a short spray gun or nozzle that is typically connected to a supply of compressed air via a lengthy exposed intermediate tube external to the spray gun. Often, the lengthy tube will hang suspended between the spray gun and the canister. An embodiment of the present invention uses a supply canister for holding liquid at a location remote from a nozzle location. A wand, which contains a tube within, has a nozzle at one end and is connected to the aerosol supply canister. Thus, the nozzle may be manipulated to spray the body at various angles and levels without the interference of external tubes. 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of a spray device  10  having a canister cap  12  in an open position. The device  10  may include a supply canister  14  and a wand  16 . The supply canister  14  may contain a liquid, such as a self tanning spray, to be delivered by the device  10 . The liquid may be pressurized within the supply canister  14 . The wand  16  may be pivotably attached to the canister cap  12 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the canister  14 . The canister  14  may have a canister valve  18 . In one embodiment, the canister valve  18  may release liquid from in side the canister  14  by pressing the valve  18  inward toward the body of the canister  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the wand  16 . A distal end  20  of the wand may include a spray nozzle  22  (see  FIG. 6 ). A proximal end  24  of the wand may include a through hole  26 . The through hole  26  may allow for the wand  16  to be pivotably attached to the canister cap  12 . A slot  28  in the proximal end  24  may permit a tube  30  (see  FIG. 4 ) to span from within the canister cap  12  to the distal end  20  of the wand  16 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a right-hand half  32  and a left-hand half  34  of the wand  16 . The tube  30  may be a continuous length of flexible tubing that may span the length of the wand  16 . 
     The tube  30  may connect to a tube connection end  36  of the spray nozzle  22 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The spray nozzle  22  may include a spray outlet  38  for delivering the liquid in the canister  14  onto an object, such as a person. 
     The canister cap  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , may include, in one embodiment of the present invention, a first half  40  and a second half  42  that may be joined together by a living hinge  44 . Each half  40 ,  42  may include a wand attachment member  46 . Each wand attachment member  46  may be formed integrally with the canister cap  12  and may include a through hole  48 . The wand attachment members  46  may sandwich the proximal end  24  of the wand  16 . The through holes  48  may align with the through hole  26  of the wand  16 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a button member  50 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , may be used to secure the wand  16  to the canister cap  12 . The button member  50  may be inserted into through hole  48  of one half  40  of the canister cap  12 . The button member  50  may pass within through hole  26  of the wand  16  and then exit out of through hole  48  of the other half  42  of the canister cap  12 . Tabs  52  of the button member  50  may prevent removal of the button member  50  once inserted to pivotably retain the wand  16  to the canister cap  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 through 11 , a trigger  54  may be disposed with a triggering end  56  disposed within the canister cap  12  and a trigger end  58  extending outwardly from the canister cap  12 . The trigger end  58  may be squeezed by the user, as discussed below, to release the liquid from the canister  14 . 
     The triggering end  56  may move substantially in the direction of arrow  60  when a user squeezes the trigger end  58  of the trigger  54 . A sloped surface  62  of the triggering end  56  may depress rollers  64  disposed on each end of a valve coupler  66 . This depression may cause the valve coupler  66  to move toward the body of the canister  14 , causing the liquid in the canister  14  to be released from a valve coupler male fitting  76 . The valve coupler male fitting  76  may attach to the tube  30  that extends through the wand  16 . The rollers  64  may attach to roller pins  68 . 
     The trigger  54  may be further secured to the canister cap  12  with a pin  70 . A slot  72  may be disposed within the trigger  54  to allow movement of the trigger  54  in the direction of arrow  60  while limiting movement of the trigger in other directions. 
     To use the device  10  of the present invention, a user may pivot the wand  16  at a desired angle relative to the canister  14 . The user may then depress the trigger  54  which may cause the sloped surfaces  62  of the trigger  54  to depress the valve coupler  66 . This may cause liquid in the canister  14  to be released from the coupler male fitting  76 , through the tube  30  and out through the spray nozzle  78 . 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.