Abstract:
The dispensing device provides dispensable material in a closable container in concert with a corresponding accessory so that the container and the accessory can be commonly stored when not in use, and further provides a ventilated storage volume within the device that can facilitate drying and aerating the accessory.

Description:
This application claims the priority of provisional application 61/155,432 filed Feb. 25, 2009 which is incorporated in full herein by reference. 
    
    
     The vented dispensing device can provide dispensable material in a closable container in concert with a suitable applicator so that the container and the applicator can be cooperatively stored when not in use. The dispensing device can further provide a ventilated storage volume within the device that can facilitate drying the applicator, for example when the dispensed container contents comprise liquids, and for aerating the applicator, for example to minimize mold growth and other unwanted conditions that can be minimized by air flow. Other benefits can be realized by the ventilated storage volume configuration beyond the aforementioned, including but not limited to dispersing fragrance and masking environmental odor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise a dispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents, and a vented cover for retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The vented cover in use can connect to the container and can define an accessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container. The vented cover can have a vent opening extending through the vented cover to ventilate the storage volume; and at least part of the dispensing accessory can be confined within the storage volume when the vented cover is in use. 
     In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise a dispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents. The dispensing nozzle can have a trigger and a trigger cap, where the trigger cap can be connected to the container and spaced apart from the trigger. The trigger cap in use can limit contact between the dispensing accessory and the trigger. The container can further comprise a vented cover for retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The vented cover in use can connect to the container and can define an accessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container. The vented cover can have at least one vent opening extending through the vented cover to ventilate the storage volume, and at least part of the dispensing accessory can be confined within the storage volume when the vented cover is in use. 
     In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise a nozzle end, a reservoir end, and a trunk connecting the nozzle end and the reservoir end. The container can further comprise a dispensing nozzle connected to the nozzle end, the nozzle for dispensing container contents. The nozzle can comprise a trigger, with the trigger being movable to release container contents through the nozzle. The container can further comprise a trigger guard extending along a trigger perimeter, the trigger guard limiting access to the trigger across the perimeter. The container can further comprise a vented cover in use retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The vented cover can comprise an open end and vent end. The open end can be configured to receive the trunk, the nozzle end, and the nozzle, and to connect to the container proximal to the reservoir end. The vent end can comprise a plurality of vent openings through the vented cover, the vent openings positioned to facilitate airflow around the nozzle when the vented cover is in use. The vented cover in use can connect to the container to define an accessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container, and at least part of the dispensing accessory can be confined in the storage volume when the vented cover is in use. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the dispensing device. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the above embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side section view of the above embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of a dispensing nozzle with a trigger guard showing a trigger perimeter. 
         FIG. 5  is a side section view of another embodiment 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of another embodiment including a trigger cap, a cover nozzle opening and an accessory nozzle opening. 
         FIG. 7  is a side section view of the above embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side section view of another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can hold dispensable material such as cleaning fluid, finishes like polish and wax, powder, compressed air and other gases, and various other materials and combinations thereof. 
     The container can comprise various geometric and organic shapes. The container can be cylindrical, prismatic, cone-shaped, and various shapes and combinations thereof. 
     The container can be configured with engagement features, for example, depressions, protrusions, hooks, forks, and various other features and combinations thereof. 
     The container can further comprise a plurality of content sections, for example, separate sections for holding different contents. 
     The container can comprise a nozzle end, a reservoir end, and a trunk connecting the nozzle end and the reservoir end. The container can be open at the nozzle end, and can have various other openings. 
     The dispensing accessory can be utilized to apply container contents, can be utilized to remove dispensed container contents, for example excess material, overspray, and used cleaning fluid, can be used to buff, polish, shine, and otherwise affect finish. 
     The dispensing accessory can be a towel, a soft pad, a sponge, and various other accessories and combinations thereof. The dispensing accessory can be a brush, a cotton ball, and a swab. 
     The container can comprise a dispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents. The dispensing nozzle can selectively open and close the container. The dispensing nozzle can close the container at the nozzle end. 
     The dispensing nozzle can comprise a pump, a valve, a hinged flap, and various dispensing mechanisms and combinations thereof. The dispensing nozzle can comprise an opening such as an orifice, an aperture, and an elongate tube. The dispensing nozzle can comprise a plurality of openings. The dispensing nozzle can have an open position and a closed position. The dispensing nozzle can have a plurality of open positions, for example, when utilized with a container having a plurality of content sections, the open positions from the plurality of open positions can correlate to respective container content sections. 
     The container can further comprise a vented cover. The vented cover can facilitate retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The vented cover in use can connect to the container and define an accessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container. 
     The vented cover can receive at least part of the container within the vented cover. For example, the vented cover can be configured to enclose the container including the nozzle within the storage volume. Alternatively, the vented cover can enclose the vented cover except for the nozzle within the storage volume. Alternatively, the vented cover can be configured to enclose the nozzle in one position, and to enclose the container except for the nozzle in another position. Alternatively, the vented cover can connect to the container and not receive a part of the container within the vented cover. 
     The vented cover can comprise a vent opening extending through the vented cover. The vent opening can facilitate air flow into and out of the accessory storage volume to ventilate the accessory storage volume. 
     The vent opening can be positioned on the vented cover to ventilate a predetermined part of the storage volume, for example, to ventilate the storage volume proximal to the nozzle. Similarly, other parts of the storage volume where moisture is likely to collect can be targeted by positioning the vent opening to ventilate the predetermined part of the storage volume. The vented cover can comprise an open end and a nozzle end and can be configured to receive the container including the nozzle through the open end so that the nozzle is positioned proximal the nozzle end when the vented cover is in use. 
     The vented cover, in use connected to the container, can confine at least part of the dispensing accessory within the accessory storage volume. Confining part of the dispensing accessory within the accessory storage volume can facilitate retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container when the dispensing accessory is not in use. 
     When the vented cover is in use and part of the dispensing accessory is confined within the accessory storage volume, the vent opening can facilitate drying the accessory and can prevent accumulation of excess container content on the accessory and within the storage volume. 
     The vented cover can comprise a plurality of vent openings. The plurality of vent openings can be positioned on the vented cover so that each vent opening ventilates one or more predetermined parts of the storage volume. 
     The vented cover can be configured to define a plurality of accessory storage volumes between the vented cover and the container, when the vented cover is in use. The vented cover can confine at least parts of dispensing accessories from a plurality of dispensing accessories within the plurality of accessory storage volumes. 
     The container can comprise a plurality of vented covers and each cover from the plurality of vented covers can connect to the container directly and can connect to the container via connecting to another cover from the plurality of vented covers. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , the dispensing device  10  comprises a dispensing accessory  11 , a container  21 , a dispensing nozzle  25 , and a vented cover  31 . 
     The dispensing accessory  11  comprises a cloth-like accessory for applying, distributing, and removing dispensed container contents. 
     The container  21  comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped trunk  24  with a reduced neck at the nozzle end  22  and a larger cylindrically-shaped reservoir end  23 . The nozzle  25  closes the container  21  at the nozzle end  22 . 
     The vented cover  31  connects to the container  21  and defines an accessory storage volume  41  between the vented cover  31  and the container  21 . In use, the vented cover  31  receives the container  21  through the vented cover open end  34  and connects to the container  21  proximal the container reservoir end  23 . The vented cover  31  encloses the nozzle  25  within the accessory storage volume  41 . 
     The vented cover  31  comprises a plurality of vent openings, such as the vent opening  32 . The vent opening  32  extends through the vented cover  31  and enables air to flow through the vented cover  31  and facilitates ventilating the storage volume  41 . In use connected to the container  21 , the vent opening  32  is positioned at the vent end  35  to ventilate the storage volume  41  proximal to the nozzle  25 . 
     As shown explicitly in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the dispensing accessory  11  is confined within the storage volume  41  when the vented cover  21  is in use. The cloth-like accessory  11  can drape over the nozzle  25  and extend along the container trunk  24 . With the vented cover  31  in use connected to the container  21 , the dispensing accessory  11  is substantially confined within the accessory storage volume  41  between the vented cover  31  and the container  21 . 
     Additionally, when the dispensing accessory  11  is confined within the storage volume  41  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the vent opening  32  is positioned to ventilate the middle part of the dispensing accessory  11 . Observations of common usage have shown that the middle part of the cloth-like accessory  11  can accumulate excess container contents and so benefits from maximum ventilation. 
     The nozzle can comprise a trigger for causing the nozzle to dispense container contents. The trigger can be movable to release container contents through the nozzle. The trigger can activate another component to cause release of container contents. The trigger can cause dispensing via various means and methods. 
     The trigger can comprise a spray head with a finger-positioning depression, a lever for pumping container contents from the container through the nozzle, a valve release actuator, and a pushbutton. The trigger can comprise various other mechanisms and indicators and combinations thereof, which facilitate dispensing container contents via the nozzle. 
     The nozzle  25  of the container  21  comprises a trigger  26 . The trigger  26  is movable to release container contents, for example, to release pressurized gases. 
     The container can further comprise a trigger cap. The trigger cap can prevent unintentional trigger movement and can prevent accidental dispensing of the container contents. The trigger cap can be positioned proximal to the trigger and can limit contact between the dispensing accessory and the trigger, especially when the dispensing accessory is confined within the storage volume. 
     The trigger cap can enclose the trigger and can enclose the nozzle. Alternatively, the trigger cap can extend adjacent to the trigger to limit contact between the dispensing accessory and the trigger. 
     The trigger cap can comprise a trigger guard extending along a trigger perimeter, where the trigger perimeter at least party encircles the trigger. The trigger guard can limit access to the trigger across the perimeter and enable access to the trigger from other directions. The trigger guard can provide similar protection as the trigger cap against accidental discharge while still enabling selective access to the trigger while the trigger guard is in use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , the container  21  includes a trigger cap comprising a trigger guard  28 . The trigger guard  28  extends over the trigger  26  along a trigger perimeter  29 , and limits access to the trigger  26  across the trigger perimeter  29 . With the trigger guard  28  in use, access to the trigger  26  is enabled through (but not across) the trigger perimeter  29 . When the dispensing accessory  11  is confined within the storage volume  41 , the dispensing accessory  11  can be spaced apart from the trigger  26  by the trigger guard  28  to prevent accidental discharge of container contents. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the dispensing device  110  comprises a container  121 . The container  121  is generally cylindrically-shaped including a reduced neck at the nozzle end  22  and a larger trunk  24  connecting the nozzle end  22  and the reservoir end  23 . 
     The container  121  comprises a nozzle  25  with a trigger  26 , where the nozzle  25  closes the container  121  at the nozzle end  22 . The container  121  further comprises a trigger cap  27 . The trigger cap  27  in use fully covers the trigger  26  to prevent accidental discharge. 
     The vented cover  31  of the dispensing device  110  connects to the container  121  proximal the trunk  24 , enclosing the reservoir end  23  and not enclosing the nozzle  22  and the trigger cap  27 . The dispensing accessory  11  is confined within the accessory storage volume  41  when the vented cover  31  is in use. The vented cover  31  comprises a plurality of vent openings, such as the vent opening  32 , and the vent opening  32  is positioned on the vent cover  31  so that the storage volume  41  is ventilated proximal to the dispensing accessory  11 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the dispensing device  210  comprises a container  21 , a dispensing accessory  211 , and a vented cover  231 . The dispensing accessory  211  further comprises an accessory nozzle opening  12  through the middle part of the dispensing accessory  211 . The vented cover  231  further comprises a cover nozzle opening  33  through the vent end  35  of the vented cover  231 . 
     The container  21  comprises a nozzle  25  with a trigger  26 , where the nozzle  25  closes the container  21  at the nozzle end  22 . The container  21  further comprises a trigger cap  27 . The trigger cap  27  in use fully covers the trigger  26  to prevent accidental discharge. 
     The vented cover  231  connects to the container  21  and defines an accessory storage volume  41  between the vented cover  231  and the container  21 . In use, the vented cover  331  receives the container  21  through the vented cover open end  34  and connects to the container  21  proximal the reservoir end  23 . The vented cover  31  encloses the container  21  and not the nozzle  25  within the accessory storage volume  41 . 
     When the vented cover  31  is in use, the nozzle  25  and the trigger cap  27  protrude through the accessory nozzle opening  12  and through the cover nozzle opening  33  so that the nozzle  25  and the trigger cap  27  are accessible when the vented cover  231  is in use. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the dispensing device  310  comprises a vent cover  231  having a cover nozzle opening  33  and a dispensing accessory  11  with no accessory nozzle opening. When the vented cover  231  is in use, the nozzle  25  and the trigger cap  27  protrude through the cover nozzle opening  33  but are covered by the dispensing accessory  11 . The dispensing accessory  11  drapes over the nozzle  25  and the trigger cap  27  and passes into the accessory storage volume  41  through the cover nozzle opening  33  to be confined within the storage volume  41 .