Patent Publication Number: US-2022227569-A1

Title: Spray Canister Dispenser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/056,977 filed on Jul. 27, 2020 and U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 17/365,407 filed on Jul. 1, 2021. The above identified patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a spray canister dispenser. The present invention further provides a dispenser for easily dispensing substances from spray cans, spray bottles, spray canisters, or aerosol containers. 
     Common household liquids such as cleaning supplies, spray paint, and bug spray are dispensed in spray bottles. These containers require the user to press on the small nozzle or aerosol actuator to dispense the aerosol particles. Oftentimes, these actuators are uncomfortable to press, or the stream of particles is too weak to reach their desired destination. 
     There exist devices that can be attached to the top of spray bottles to aid in the dispensing of aerosol sprays. These devices are often found in the form of caps or levers that attach to the nozzle of the spray can. This allows the user to activate the spray can with the device instead of directly pressing the nozzle. However, these devices have many disadvantages. The devices are designed to attach to a spray can of a specific size or design and therefore fail to include any adjustment mechanism to allow them to fit different sized and designed spray cans. Due to the lack of adjustability, these devices must be installed within a close tolerance of the nozzle of the spray can to which it is attached to dispense properly. The proximity of installation to the nozzle can cause damage when both installing and removing the devices. If not handled carefully, the device can rip off the nozzle, rendering the spray can useless. Furthermore, these existing devices are uncomfortable to actuate and require excessive force to install and remove. 
     Furthermore, in use, a user continuously shakes the can to emulsify the propellant into the liquid. However, once these existing devices are installed, it is difficult for a user to naturally shake and use the spray can due to how the device is attached to the can and the positioning of the trigger. Therefore, there exists a need for a more versatile spray canister dispenser. 
     The present invention provides a spray canister dispenser that allows for multiple places of adjustability including how closely the dispenser is positioned over the nozzle and the diameter of the can in which it attaches. Moreover, this spray canister dispenser comprises a housing allowing for selective coupling of the aerosol actuator to the spray can. This device includes a trigger handle connected to a moveable plate within the housing. When the user presses the trigger handle towards the spray can, the moveable plate moves in unison to depress the aerosol actuator and release the contents therefrom. This device further allows for the moveable plate to be adjusted within the housing so as to attach to a variety of spray cans. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements and methods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement for spray canister dispensers. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of spray canister dispensers now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new spray canister dispenser wherein the same can be attached to the top of a spray canister to ease the dispersal of an aerosol spray therefrom. Further, the present invention releases the aerosol spray when the lever is pressed toward the can. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a spray canister device comprising a housing fitted to the lip on the lid of the canister. When mounted atop a canister, an actuator assembly is positioned over the aerosol actuator on the spray canister. When the trigger handle of the dispenser is compressed towards the can, the spray can actuator is compressed, and the aerosol spray is released. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide in some embodiments, a housing having a first channel and a second channel that are each adapted to align with and receive a lip of different sized spray cans. 
     It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an actuator assembly comprising an actuator operably connected to a trigger handle for dispensing the aerosol spray. The trigger handle is actuated by compressing it towards the body of the spray can. This causes the actuator to depress the aerosol actuator or nozzle and dispense the spray. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an adjustment mechanism for attachment to different spray cans of various shapes and aerosol actuator positions. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved spray canister dispenser that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top planar view of the actuator assembly of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top planar view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 5  shows a semi cross sectional view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser wherein the actuator assembly is in a first position. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser wherein the actuator assembly is in a second position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a housing of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view of a moveable plate of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of a moveable plate of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a second spray canister is mounted to the second channel. 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the first channel. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a first adapter of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the first adapter. 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a second adapter of the spray canister dispenser. 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the second adapter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for dispensing content from spray cans. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment (s) of the invention. References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, “spray can”, “spray canister”, “aerosol canister”, “spray bottle”, “sprayer” and “canister” may be used interchangeably, and all refer to the type of device the present invention is adapted to mount. Additionally, “spray canister actuator”, “aerosol actuator” and “nozzle” may be used interchangeably, and all refer to the type of device the present invention is adapted to mount. When referring to contents of the spray cannister, “aerosol” and “contents” and “substance”, and the like may be used interchangeably. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a perspective view and an exploded view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, respectively. The spray canister dispenser  1000  includes a housing  1100  configured to removably mount to an upper end of a spray canister. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  1100  comprises a half sleeve having a curved sidewall  1130  extending between an upper end  1110  and lower end  1120 . The lower end  1120  is open and curved for receiving a cylindrically shaped spray canister therein. In alternate embodiments, the housing  1100  comprises any suitable shape configured to receive a spray canister therein. The interior volume of the housing  1100  is substantially open so as to receive an upper end of the spray canister therein. 
     A spray canister is defined as a container having a dispensing system which dispenses contents thereof, such as creating a mist of liquid particles. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray canister comprises a dispensing system located at a top side of the container. In the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is adapted to receive and removably secure to various spray canisters having different circumferences or widths, as well as spray canisters having lips or no lips on an exterior edge thereof. Further, spray canisters on to which the present invention secures includes both aerosol sprayers and non-aerosol sprayers. 
     The spray canister dispenser  1000  further comprises an actuator assembly  1200  that extends from an interior side of the housing  1100 . The actuator assembly  1200  comprises a trigger and an actuator  1220 , wherein the actuator  1220  is configured to contact the spray canister nozzle to dispense the substance therefrom when force is applied to the trigger. The actuator assembly  1200  extends from the upper end of the housing  1100 , wherein the actuator  1220  is adapted to be positioned over an actuator or nozzle of the spray canister. When the spray canister dispenser  1000  is mounted to the spray canister, the trigger is disposed on a forward side of the spray canister and the housing  1100  is disposed on a rearward side of the spray canister. The forward side of the spray canister indicates a direction the substance within the spray canister will be dispensed by the spray canister nozzle. The actuator assembly  1200  is configured to transition between a dispensing configuration and a resting configuration. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger is a trigger handle  1210  that extends substantially perpendicular to the actuator  1220  and away from the housing  1100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger handle  1210  extends from opposing sides of the housing  1100  and tapers downward in width. The tapered lower end  1215  of the trigger handle  1210  provides for more convenient and comfortable grasping by a hand of a user. In some embodiments, the lower end  1215  of the trigger handle  1210  is textured to allow a more convenient grasp by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger handle  1210  is biased away from the housing  1100  such that a user must move the handle  1210  towards the spray canister in order to actuate the spray canister nozzle. It is contemplated in other embodiments that the trigger handle is biased toward to the housing such that the user must move the handle away from the spray canister to actuate the nozzle. 
     The trigger handle  1210  comprises an aperture  1225  sized to allow for the substance to be dispensed therethrough since the trigger handle is adapted to be positioned on the forward side of the spray canister. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger handle  1210  further comprises a brace  1230  extending between the lateral sides thereof to provide structural stability thereto and prevent the lateral sides of the trigger handle  1210  from deformation when the trigger receives force from the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a top planar view of the actuator assembly of the spray canister dispenser. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  1220  extends from an upper side of the trigger. The actuator  1220  comprises a platform  1235  having a central U-shaped cutout  1240  and a pair of rails  1250  extending beneath the cutout  1240 . The cutout  1240  allows the user to observe and confirm that the spray canister nozzle is properly positioned below the actuator  1220 . A gap between the rails  1250  aligns with the cutout  1240 , wherein the rails  1250  are configured to directly contact the top of the spray canister nozzle when the trigger handle  1210  is depressed. In alternate embodiments, the actuator  1220  does not have a cutout or a pair of rails disposed beneath the platform. Instead, the actuator  1220  comprises any suitable member extending from an upper end of the trigger handle and adapted to contact a spray canister nozzle when the trigger handle is depressed. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger handle  1210  and the actuator  1220  are formed of a monolithic structure. In some embodiments, the trigger handle and actuator are distinct structures. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator assembly  1200  is formed of a rigid material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , there is shown top perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, a side perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser wherein the actuator assembly is in a first position and a side perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser wherein the actuator assembly is in a second position, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray canister dispenser  1000  further comprises an adjustment mechanism  1300  adapted to adjust a position of the actuator  1220  relative to the spray canister nozzle or nozzle. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism  1300  comprises a moveable plate  1310  and a threaded body  1320  rotatably coupled between the housing  1100  and the moveable plate  1310 , such that as the threaded body  1320  is rotated the moveable plate  1310  moves along a longitudinal axis thereof causing the actuator assembly  1200  to move therewith. The actuator assembly  1200  is pivotally connected to the moveable plate  1310  of the adjustment assembly  1300  such that the trigger handle  1210  can be depressed while the adjustment assembly  1300  remains in a fixed position secured to the housing  1100 . 
     The adjustment mechanism  1300  allows for the spray canister dispenser  1000  to be attached or used with many spray canisters having different shapes and actuator or nozzle positions. The adjustment mechanism  1300  allows the actuator  1220  to be selectively positioned over the spray canister nozzle such that the dispensing and resting configurations function as desired. The closer the movable plate  1310  is positioned toward the upper end  1110  of the housing  1100 , the greater interior volume is provided within the housing  1100  to receive a spray canister, which can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5  as a first position. However, some spray canisters when attached to the housing  1100  are too short such that the nozzle of the spray canister is unable to contact the actuator  1220  of the actuator assembly  1200 . As a solution, the movable plate  1310  is lowered by rotating the threaded body  1320  as needed to the lower end  1120  of the housing  1100 , which can be seen in  FIG. 4  as a second position. The moveable plate  1310  is lowered until the actuator  1220  is able to contact the nozzle in the dispensing configuration. 
     In the dispensing configuration, the trigger handle  1210  is actuated by moving it towards the body of the spray canister, thereby causing the actuator  1220  to depress and bear against the spray canister nozzle causing the misted substance to be dispensed. In the resting configuration, the trigger handle  1210  is not actuated or depressed, and the actuator  1220  forms a separation or gap  1350  from the spray canister nozzle. In one embodiment, the trigger handle  1210  is biased away from the spray canister body in the resting configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a perspective view of the housing and threaded body of the spray canister dispenser. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  1100  comprises a cavity  1400  that houses the threaded body  1320  of the adjustment mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity  1400  is positioned centrally at an upper end  1110  of the housing  1100  such that the threaded body  1320  extends from a top side thereof. In this way the user can access and selectively rotate the threaded body  1320  via a knob  1330  extending from the threaded body to an exterior of the housing  1100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end of the cavity is substantially closed such that the threaded body  1320  cannot be rotated out of or removed from the cavity via the upper end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded body  1320  is fixed in the cavity of housing  1100  such that it is adapted to only rotate and unable to move along an x or y axis independent of the housing. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9 , there is shown the perspective view of the housing and views of the moveable plate of the spray canister dispenser, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the moveable plate  1310  is secured to the housing  1100  via a track or interlocking joint disposed on mating faces (as seen on  FIG. 4, 1600 ). The mating face of the moveable plate  1310  comprises a plate channel  1610  having matching threads  1315  that overlay the threaded body, thereby allowing the moveable plate  1310  to slide along a vertical axis of the housing as the knob  1330  is rotated. The plate channel  1610  is slidably received by the protruding lateral sides  1620  of the cavity of the housing forming an interlocking joint. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the moveable plate  1310  comprises a pair of protrusions  1410  that secure through a pair of apertures (as seen in  FIG. 3, 1405 ) disposed on the actuator assembly such that the actuator assembly is pivotally connected to the moveable plate  1310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions  1410  and the apertures are positioned along the lateral sides of the upper ends  1420  of the moveable plate  1310  and actuator assembly, respectively. In this way, the actuator assembly and the moveable plate  1310  move independently of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator assembly is not directly connected to the housing. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, an exterior face  1440  tapers inward from the upper end  1420  toward the lower end  1430  of the moveable plate  1310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior face  1440  is opposite the mating face of the moveable plate  1310 . The tapered side provides additional space for the spray canister to be received within the interior of the housing, such that the moveable plate does not obstruct the canister placement therein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there are shown perspective views of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the second channel and the first channel, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray canister dispenser  1000  is adapted to secure to a lip  2100  of a spray canister  2000 . In some embodiments, the housing  1100  comprises a first channel  1500  disposed on an interior of the sidewall  1130  of the housing  1100 , wherein the first channel is annular and adapted to align with a lip of the spray canister to selectively couple thereto. The channel  1500  extends around the entire sidewall. It is contemplated in alternate embodiments that the spray canister dispenser  1000  is adapted to removably receive the spray canister is any suitable manner, such as but not limited to, magnets, clips, latches, adhesive, among other similar fasteners. 
     In some embodiments, the spray canister dispenser  1000  includes a second channel  1510  having a different dimension than the first channel  1500  to allow the spray canister dispenser  1000  to removably mount to a second spray canister having a different lip dimension than that of the spray canister. This allows a user to use a single spray canister dispenser  1000  on various spray cans of different sizes and applications. In the illustrated embodiment, the first channel  1500  is positioned at the lower end or base of the housing  1100  and the second channel  1510  is disposed above the first channel. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , there is shown a perspective view of a first adapter of the spray canister dispenser and a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the first adapter, respectively. In some embodiments, the spray canister dispenser comprises an adapter configured to mount directly to a channel and secure around an upper end of a spray canister that lacks a lip to be secured within the channel. In the shown embodiment, the adapter  3000  comprises a cone shape having an open upper and lower end. The upper end comprises a groove  3100  adapted to receive an edge or smaller lip of a spray canister  2300 . The smaller lip on the canister is too small to be received within the first or second channel, but the groove  3100  of the adapter is configured to secure to the smaller lip of the canister, wherein the adapter  3000  is configured to secure to the housing  1100 . 
     The adapter  3000  comprises an open section  3100  extending between the upper and lower ends thereof. The open section  3100  comprises a substantially similar width to the opening in the sidewall of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter  3000  comprises at least one adapter lip configured to align and fit within a channel of the housing. In some embodiments, the adapter comprises a first and second adapter lip  3200 ,  3210  configured to align and fit within the corresponding first and second channels of the housing  1100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , there is shown a perspective view of a second adapter of the spray canister dispenser and a perspective view of an embodiment of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a spray canister is mounted to the second adapter, respectively. In the shown embodiment, the adapter  4000  comprises a ring shape configured to mount within the first or second channel of the housing  1100 . A flange  4100  is disposed along the inner perimeter of the ring shape and configured to be seated below a cap  2410  or rim of the nozzle, such that the flange  4100  prevents the canister  2400  from falling through the center of the ring of the shown adapter  4000  when the adapter  4000  is secured to the housing. In some embodiments, the cap  2410  of the spray bottle is first removed and then the adapter is placed over the open end of the bottle  2400 . The cap  2410  is then replaced and the adapter  4000  is secured to the housing  1100 . 
     In other embodiments, the spray canister dispenser comprises a color indicator adapted to indicate to a user a color of the substance in the spray canister to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the color indicator is a wheel extending from an exterior of the spray canister dispenser, wherein a user can selectively rotate the wheel to display a color that most similarly corresponds to a paint spray can to which it is attached. In other embodiments, the color indicator provides for receiving a marker that has been colored with the substance from the paint spray cannister to indicate to a user the color of the paint spray can to which it is attached. The marker is removable or washable to be reused with a different colored paint spray can. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.