Patent Publication Number: US-6659312-B1

Title: Nozzle assemblies for aerosol spray texturing devices

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/904,878, Jul. 11, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,842, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/659,886, Sep. 12, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,570 B1, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/407,807, Sep. 28,1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,473, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/626,834, Apr. 2, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,975, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/321,559, Oct. 12, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,798, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/238,471, May 5, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,148, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/840,795, Feb. 24, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,095 and application Ser. No. 08/216,155, Mar. 22, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,983, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the art of spray texturing, and more particularly to nozzle assemblies with which spray texturing can be accomplished to provide spray patterns of varying texture (i.e. with either finer or more coarse particle size). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When drywall panels are installed in a building, and the seams taped, prior to painting the wall surface, there is often applied a spray texture, which is followed by painting. The spray texture will provide a desirable background pattern, and also obscure some of the seams that might appear in the drywall surface. 
     There are in the prior art various spray texturing tools or devices which utilize pressurized air to spray the texture material onto the wall surface. Some of these use compressed air as the gaseous medium to spray the textured material, with the pressurized air being derived from a remote source that feeds the air through a hose to the tool. There are also tools which are totally handheld, with the pressurized air being produced by manually reciprocating the piston of an air pump that is built into the tool. 
     When an existing drywall surface is being repaired, quite often a small section of drywall will be removed and another piece of drywall put in its place. The seams of this piece of drywall must then be taped, and (if the surrounding surface is textured) then have a texture surface treatment that would make it match with the surrounding drywall surface. It is, of course, desirable to have the spray pattern on the patch match that of the surrounding surface. 
     Also, when a rather small “patch” of drywall is to be spray textured, there is the matter of convenience. One approach has been simply to provide the spray texture material in an aerosol can, and the textured material is dispensed directly from the can to be sprayed onto the drywall surface. However, one of the considerations is how this can be accomplished in a manner to provide proper matching of the texture with that which is on the surrounding drywall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,011 (Woods) discloses such an aerosol texture spraying device where the spray texture material is dispensed directly from the nozzle of the aerosol can. In a commercial embodiment of a device such as this, when there is higher pressure in the container, there is a relatively fine spray pattern. For a more coarse pattern (i.e. with larger particle sizes), the can is inverted and the nozzle depressed to dispense a certain amount of the propellant gas for a few seconds. Then the can is turned upright and the spray texture material dispensed at a lower pressure to provide the spray pattern with larger particle sizes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,095 issued to the present Applicant discloses an apparatus for discharging a spray texture material through a nozzle means having a nozzle discharge opening to dispense this material. There is further provided a first delivery tube means having a first discharge passageway of a first predetermined cross-sectional area. The material discharge apparatus is operated to cause the textured material to be discharged through the tube means. Then a second discharge tube means is positioned to receive material from the discharge nozzle means, and this second tube means has a second discharge passageway with a second predetermined cross-sectional area different from the first cross-sectional area. Thus, the &#39;095 patent disclosed obtaining a finer spray pattern by utilizing a tube means with a passageway having a lesser cross-sectional area and a coarse pattern by discharging said material through the tube means having a greater cross-sectional area. 
     A primary problem with the method disclosed in the &#39;095 patent is that a plurality of parts must be manufactured, shipped, sold, assembled and stored by the end user in order to maintain the capability of the product to create different texture patterns. 
     With the &#39;095 patent, three straws must be sold in connection with the aerosol can. While this method is quite inexpensive from a manufacturing point of view, the shipping and sale of the product are somewhat complicated by the need to attach the three straws to the aerosol can. Further, the end user must install the straws into the actuating member of the aerosol can; this is difficult to accomplish without depressing the actuating member and discharging some of the texture material. Also, after the product disclosed in the &#39;095 patent is used, the user must store the straws such that they are easily available when needed. 
     Accordingly, the need exists for a spray texturing device that is easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, does not require user assembly, and does not require the shipment and storage of a plurality of parts. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing, it should be apparent that one object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying spray texture material to a patch in a wall or the like 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A nozzle assembly through which texture material is dispensed from an aerosol system to substantially match an existing texture pattern. The nozzle assembly comprises an actuator member, at least one outlet member, and an outlet structure. The actuator member has a stem portion adapted to engage the aerosol system, an actuator opening, and an actuator passageway for allowing fluid to flow between the stem portion and the actuator opening. The at least one outlet member defines at least one outlet opening. The outlet structure secures the at least one outlet member to the actuator member. The at least one outlet member may be configured such that the outlet opening defines a plurality of cross-sectional areas each corresponding to a predetermined texture pattern. One of the cross-sectional areas is a selected cross-sectional area. The predetermined texture pattern associated with the selected cross-sectional area substantially matches the existing texture pattern. The outlet structure allows the at least one outlet member to be configured such that the fluid flows through the actuator passageway, the outlet passageway, and the outlet opening. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention applying a spray texture material to a patch on a drywall surface; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along  3 — 3  of FIG. 2, this being done to illustrate the inside diameter of the discharge tube which is made relatively small to provide a spray texture pattern of a more fine particle size; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates somewhat schematically a spray texture pattern in a wall surface which has relative fine particle size. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, with FIG. 5 showing a discharge passageway of a larger inside diameter, and FIG. 6 showing the spray pattern with a larger particle size; 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, with FIG. 7 showing the cross section of a discharge tube of yet larger inside diameter for the flow passageway, and FIG. 8 showing the spray pattern with a yet larger particle size; 
     FIGS. 9,  10  and  11  correspond to, respectively, FIGS. 3,  5  and  7  and show a different arrangement of discharge tubes where the outside diameter varies; 
     FIGS. 12,  13  and  14  illustrate the apparatus having tubes  24  of different lengths; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the apparatus as shown being positioned closer to or further from a wall surface. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken through the dispensing head of the aerosol container, with this plane being coincident with the lengthwise axis of the dispensing tube and the vertical axis of the dispensing head, showing only the discharge orifice portion of the dispensing head, and further with the smaller inside diameter tube shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the dispensing head having the medium inside diameter tube of FIG. 5 positioned therein; 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIGS. 16 and 17, but showing the dispensing tube of FIG. 7 having the largest inside diameter, as shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  20 — 20  in FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  22 — 22  in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  24 — 24  in FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  26 — 26  in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  28 — 28  in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 30 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines  30 — 30  in FIG. 29; 
     FIG. 31A depicts an isometric view of a spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention;  37   
     FIG. 31B is a section view taken along lines  31   b — 31   b  in FIG. 31A; 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment of an aerosol texture material dispensing apparatus; 
     FIG. 33A is a perspective view showing a portion of a discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 33B are section views taken along lines  33   b  in FIG. 33A; 
     FIG. 34A is a section view depicting yet another exemplary discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 34B is a perspective view showing one component of the discharge assembly shown in FIG. 34A; 
     FIG. 35 is a section view showing yet another discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 36A and 36B are section views showing yet another exemplary embodiment of a discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 37A is a section view showing still another exemplary discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 37B is a perspective view showing one member of the assembly shown in FIG. 37A; 
     FIG. 38A is a section view of yet another exemplary discharge assembly; 
     FIG. 38B is a front view of one of the components of the discharge assembly shown in FIG. 38A; 
     FIG. 39A is a section view showing yet another exemplary discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 39B is a front view showing one component of the discharge assembly shown in FIG. 39A; 
     FIG. 40 is a section view of yet another exemplary discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 41 depicts a discharge member constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 42A and 42B are section views showing the details of construction and operation of yet another exemplary discharge assembly; 
     FIGS. 43A and 43B are section views showing the construction and operation of a discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of th present invention; 
     FIG. 44 is a section view showing yet another exemplary discharge assembly adapted to dispense texture material on a ceiling surface or the like; 
     FIG. 45 is a section view showing a discharge assembly adapted to apply texture material to upper regions of a wall or a ceiling or the like; 
     FIG. 46 is an isometric view showing yet another discharge assembly constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 47 is a front view showing a number of possible passageway configurations constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 48 is a section view of yet another discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 49 and 50 are section views of discharge members adapted to apply texture material to a wall region or a ceiling while still using a conventional discharge member; 
     FIG. 51 depicts a somewhat schematic view showing an assembly comprising an aerosol container and a supplemental container adapted to maintain the pressure within the aerosol container at a desired level to provide a consistent texture pattern in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In FIG. 1, there is shown the apparatus  10  of the present invention being used in spraying the texture material onto a section of wallboard  12  having a previously sprayed surface portion  14  surrounding an unsprayed portion  16  which could be, for example, a more recently applied piece of wallboard that serves as a “patch”. The spray itself is indicated at  18 , and the spray material deposited on the wall portion  16  as a sprayed texture is indicated at  20 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the present invention is shown, in one exemplary form, incorporated with an aerosol spray containing device  22 , the basic design of which is or may be conventional in the prior art. Used in combination with this container  22  is a dispensing tube  24 . It has been found by utilizing this dispensing tube  24  in particular arrangements to discharge the spray texture material, more precise control of the spray texture pattern can be achieved. Further, there are other advantages, in that not only is a more controllable spray pattern achieved, but this consistency of the spray pattern can be accomplished for a relatively long period of use. In other words, even after a substantial amount of the spray texture material has been already discharged from the aerosol dispensing container  22 , the spray pattern remains rather consistent. The manner in which this is achieved will be described more fully later herein. 
     It is recognized that in the prior art tubular members have been used in combination with an aerosol spray can to deliver a material, such as a lubricant. To the best knowledge of the applicants, however, this use has been primarily to enable the aerosol container to deliver the fluid, such as a lubricating oil, to a somewhat inaccessible location, and not to achieve the ends of the present invention. 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, a number of embodiments of the present invention are described. These embodiments illustrate the present invention incorporates two features that may be used singly or together. These two features are the use of an elongate passageway through which texture material may pass before it exits an aerosol device and the use of a plurality of outlet orifice configurations, where by outlet orifice has a different cross-sectional area for each of the configurations. The technical advantages obtained by these features will be described in detail below. 
     The embodiments of the present invention described in this application illustrate that a given embodiment can contain one or both of these features and that these features can be implemented in a variety of different configurations. 
     Accordingly, the present application illustrates that, for a given set of design criteria, the designer has significant flexibility to construct an aerosol device for dispensing texture material that accomplishes the design goals inherent in the set of criteria. 
     To return to our description of the aerosol dispensing device  22 , as indicated above, the basic design is or may be conventional. As shown herein, the device  22  comprises a cylindrical container  26  and a dispensing nozzle member  28  positioned at the top of the container  26 . As is common in the prior art, this dispensing member  28  in its upright position blocks flow of material from the container  26 . This dispensing member  28  is attached to a downwardly extending stem  30 , and when the member  28  is depressed, a valve opens within the container  22  so that the material in the container  22  flows upwardly through the stem  30  and laterally out a nozzle formed in the dispensing nozzle member  28 . Since the manner in which this is achieved is well known in the prior art, this will not be described in detail herein. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 16 through 18, and it can be seen that the stem  30  provides a passageway  32  through which the spray texture material flows upwardly, and then is directed laterally to be discharged through a lateral nozzle opening  34 . The passageway  32  and nozzle  34  can have their dimensions and configuration optimized for proper performance, and the manner in which this is done is also known in the prior art. 
     In the present invention, the nozzle member  28  is provided with a counterbore  36  having a moderately enlarged diameter, relative to the diameter of the nozzle opening  34 . Both the nozzle opening  34  and the counter-bore  36  have a cylindrical configuration. The dispensing tube  24  has an outside diameter so that its end portion is able to fit snugly within the counterbore  36 , with the end surface of the tube  34  bearing against the forwardly facing annular shoulder  38  defined by the counterbore  36  with the nozzle opening  34 . 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of dispensing tubes  24  are provided, and in the present embodiment, there are three such tubes,  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c . It can be seen from examining FIGS. 3,  5  and  7  (and also FIGS. 16,  17  and  18 ) that the outside diameter of all three tubes  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  have the same outside diameter, but different inside diameters for the discharge passageway  40 . 
     It has been found that by selecting different diameters for the discharge passageway  40 , the spray texture pattern can be controlled more accurately. With the smaller diameter  40   a  of the discharge tube  24   a , shown in FIG. 3, a relatively fine spray texture pattern can be achieved, as shown in FIG. 4, where the particles of spray texture material are of a small particle size, as shown in the wall section  42   a.    
     In FIG. 5, the interior discharge passageway  40   b  is of a more intermediate size, and this results in a discharge pattern which has a somewhat larger particle size, as shown in the wall section  42   b . Then, with the yet larger diameter discharge opening  40   c , as can be seen in FIG. 8, the wall section  42   c  having a spray texture pattern with a yet larger particle size. The particles of the board section  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  are designated as, respectively,  44   a ,  44   b  and  44   c.    
     With regard to the spray texture material itself, if has been found that quite desirable results can be achieved where the basic composition of the spray texture material comprises a resin or resins, particulate filler material and a propellant. Also, there is a solvent, and desirably dryers to accelerate the drying reaction of the resin with oxygen. 
     More specifically, the resin or resins desirably comprise alkyd resins, and more specifically those which are generally called bodying alkyds or puffing alkyds. 
     Such alkyds are sometimes used for what are called “architectural coatings”. The resins are made somewhat more gelatinous than would be used in other applications, this depending upon the spray characteristics that are desired. If the alkyd resins are made more gelatinous or viscous, a coarser spray pattern would be expected for a particular set of conditions. 
     The particulate filler material desirably has various particle sizes, and this can be a filler material or materials which are well known in the prior art, such as calcium carbonate, silica, talc, wollastonite, various types of pigments, etc. 
     The propellant is desirably a liquefied hydrocarbon gas, with this liquefied gas being dispersed throughout the texture material composition, such as being dissolved therein or otherwise dispersed therein. The propellant is characterized that under the higher pressure within the container the propellant remains dispersed or dissolved as a liquid throughout the spray texture material, and upon release of pressure, the propellant begins going back to its gaseous form to act as a propellant and push the material up the stem passageway  32  and out the nozzle opening  34 . 
     The solvent is desirably aromatic and/or aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, etc. 
     The dryer or dryers would normally be metallic dryer, such as various metal salts. These are already well known in the art, so these will not be described in detail herein. 
     It has been found that this type of texture material can be sprayed by using the present invention to provide a reasonably consistent spray texture for a given configuration of the tube  24 . Also, it has been found that this consistency of spray pattern can be accomplished throughout the discharge of the great majority of the spray texture material within the container  26 . 
     With regard to the particular dimensions utilized in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to FIGS. 16 through 18. The diameter “d” of the nozzle orifice  34  is in this particular embodiment 0.102 inch, and the diameter of the counter-bore (indicated at “e”) is 0.172 inch; the diameter “f” of the passageway  40   a  (i.e. the smallest diameter passageway) is 0.050 inch; the diameter “ 9 ” of the intermediate sized passageway  40   b  (see FIG. 17) is 0.095 inch; and the diameter “h” of the largest tube passageway  40   c  is 0.145 inch. 
     Thus, it can be seen in the arrangements of FIGS. 16 through 18 that in FIG. 16, there is a substantial reduction in the cross-sectional area of the passageway  40   a , with this having about one half the diameter of the nozzle opening  34 , so that the passageway area  40   a  is about one quarter of the nozzle opening  34 . 
     In the intermediate size of FIG. 17, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the passageway  40   b  (indicated at “g”) is nearly the same as that of the nozzle  34 . 
     In FIG. 18, the diameter of the passageway  40   c  (indicated at “h”) is slightly less than one and one half of the nozzle opening  34 , and the cross sectional area is about twice as large. FIGS. 9,  10  and  11  show an alternative form of the tubes  24   a-c , and these tubes in FIGS. 9 through 11 (designated  24   a ′,  24   b ′ and  24   c ′) have the same internal passageway cross-sectional area as the passageways  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c , respectively, but the outside diameter of these are made smaller, relative to the passageway size. If there is such varying outside diameters, then a plurality of mounting collars could be used, with these having consistent outside diameters, but varying inside diameters to fit around at least the smaller tubes of FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     FIGS. 12 through 14 are simply shown to illustrate that the length of the tube  24  can be varied. It has been found that a rather desirable length of the tube  24  is approximately four inches. While a longer tube length could be used, in general there is no particular advantage in doing so since the proper consistency can be obtained with a tube of about four inches. Also, experiments have indicated that the length of the tube  24  can be reduced lower than four inches, possibly to two inches and even as low as one inch) without causing any substantial deterioration of the consistency and quality of the formation of the spray pattern. However, it has been found that somewhat more consistent results can be obtained if the length of the tube  24  is greater than one inch and at least as great or greater than two inches. 
     A tube length as short as one half inch has been tried, and this is able to provide a substantial improvement of performance over what would have been obtained simply by discharging the spray texture directly from the nozzle opening  34 , without any tube, relative to controlling spray pattern. The shorter tube  24  (as small as one half inch) provides a significant benefit, but not the full benefit of the longer tube  24 . The very short tube (e.g. one half inch) has a lesser quality of performance when used with the larger diameter passageway  40  than with the smaller passageway. 
     FIG. 15 illustrates that the texture pattern can also be controlled to some extent by moving the apparatus  10  closer to or farther away from the wall surface. If the apparatus  10  is moved rather close to the wall surface, the density of the applied material is increased for a given time of exposure. It has been found that in general satisfactory results can be obtained if the apparatus  10  is held approximately three feet from the wall surface. However, this will depend upon a number of factors, such as the pressure provided by the propellant, the character of the spray texture material, and other factors. 
     To describe now the operation of the present invention, an aerosol dispensing device  22  is provided as described previously herein with the spray texture material contained within the can  26  at a desired pressure. As is common with aerosol cans, it is desirable to shake the device  22  for a few seconds prior to depressing the nozzle control member  28 . 
     If a relatively fine texture is desired, then a smaller diameter tube such as at  24   a  is used. For spray texture patterns having larger particle size, the larger diameter tube is used. 
     The person directs the nozzle opening  34  and the tube  24  toward the wall surface to be sprayed and depresses the nozzle member  28 . As the spray texture material is discharged, the container  26  is moved back and forth and is tilted to different angles to spray the desired area. 
     As indicated earlier, it has been found that not only can a “fineness” or “coarseness” (i.e. smaller particle size or larger particle size, respectively) be controlled with reasonable precision by the present invention, but this consistency of the spraying pattern can be maintained throughout the discharge of the great majority of the spray material within the container  26 . While these phenomena are not totally understood, it is believed that the following can be reasonably hypothesized to provide at least a partial explanation. 
     First, the separation of the texture material into particles of smaller or larger size is due in part to the character of the material itself, and also due in part to the way the forces are exerted on the material to tend to break it up into particles. More particularly, it can be hypothesized that if there is a greater shear force tending to separate the particles, it would be expected that there would be a finer pattern. 
     It is also recognized that when a fluid is moving through a conduit or tube, there is commonly what is called a velocity gradient along a transverse cross section of the flow of material. More precisely, the material immediately adjacent to the wall surface may have a very low velocity or practically no velocity. The adjacent material just a small distance away from the wall will have a somewhat greater velocity, but will still be retarded significantly due to the shear force provided by the material that is closer to the wall surface. As the cross section of the liquid material is analyzed closer toward the center, the shear force becomes less and the velocity becomes more uniform. 
     With the foregoing in mind, it also has to be recognized that if the diameter of the tube or conduit is reduced by one half, the cross-sectional area is reduced by one quarter. Thus, for the smaller tube (i.e. one half diameter) the surface area that provides a retarding force is doubled relative to the volume of flow at the same velocity). This would indicate that for a given cross-sectional segment of the fluid material being discharged, there is relatively greater shear force exerted for the smaller inside diameter tube. This would lead to the conclusion that for the discharge of a given amount of fluid at a certain velocity and at the same pressure, there would be a smaller particle size than if a tube of greater inside diameter were used. 
     Another phenomenon to be considered is with regard to the pressure which is forcing the textured material out of the tube  24 . It can be surmised that if the pressure is greater, the velocity of the material traveling through the tube  24  would be greater, so that the shear forces exerted on the texture material would be greater so that smaller particle sizes would result. 
     It can be seen in FIG. 16 that the relatively small diameter passageway  40   a  serves as a restriction for the material flowing out the nozzle  34 . This would tend to cause the velocity of the material flowing up the stem passageway  32  and out the nozzle opening  34  to decrease to some extent, but to have a relatively higher velocity out the passageway  40   a . Further, it can be expected that the pressure of the propelling gas in the passageway  40   a  would be somewhat higher than if a larger diameter passageway such as  40   b  or  40   c  were utilized. 
     Experimental results using different size tubes seem to verify this conclusion. 
     In FIG. 17, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the passageway  40   b  is nearly the same as that of the nozzle opening  34 . Therefore it can be surmised that the velocity and pressure in the passageway  40   b  would be somewhat less than in the passageway  40   a , this resulting in a somewhat larger particle size, and also a somewhat lower discharge velocity. Experimental results have verified this also. 
     Finally, with reference to FIG. 18, when the passageway diameter is larger than that of the nozzle opening  34  (as it is with the passageway  40   c ), it can be expected that the fluid discharged from the nozzle  34  would have a lower velocity and that there would be a lower propelling force provided by the propellant. Experimental results have indicated that this results in the coarser particle size. 
     However, it has to be recognized that while the above hypothesis can be proposed with reasonable justification, there are likely other phenomena involved which the applicants are either not aware of or have not fully evaluated. For example, with the propellant being disbursed in (and presumably dissolved in) the texture composition, it can be surmised that this propellant continues to go out of solution or dispersion into its gaseous form and expand to provide the propellant force, and this continues as the quantity of texture material continues to be reduced. This may also have a desirable effect on the formation of the particles and of the particle size, relative to consistency. 
     Nevertheless, regardless of the accuracy or correctness of the above explanations, it has been found that the spray pattern (and more particularly the particle size of the spray pattern can be achieved with greater consistency and within relatively greater limits of particle size, than the prior art devices known to the applicants. Further, the consistency of the spray pattern can be maintained for the discharge of a large proportion of spray texture material from the apparatus  10 . 
     It is to be recognized, of course, that various relative dimensions could be changed without departing from the basic teachings of the present invention. For example, it has been found that with spray texture material of a character which are acceptable in present day use, that a range of tube inside diameters of approximately one half of a tenth of an inch to one and one half tenth of an inch would give a reasonable range of texture spray patterns. However, it can be surmised that tube diameters outside of this range (e.g. one quarter of a tenth of an inch to possibly as high as one quarter of an inch would also provide acceptable texture spray patterns, depending upon a variety of circumstances, such as the viscosity and other characteristics of the spray texture material itself, the discharge pressure, the volumetric rate at which the spray texture material is delivered to the tube  24 , and other factors. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, depicted therein at  120  is another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The spray texturing apparatus  120  basically comprises an aerosol container  122 , a valve assembly  124  mounted on the container  122 , and an outlet member  126  attached to the valve assembly  124 . 
     The outlet member  126  has first, second, and third outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  formed therein. As shown in FIG. 19, these outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  have of different diameters. Further, the outlet member  126  is so is  5  attached to the valve assembly  124  that each of the orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  aligned with a nozzle passageway  130  of the valve assembly  124  through which the texture material is dispensed or discharged. Aligning the orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  as just-described effectively extends the length of the nozzle passageway  130  in a manner that allows the operator to vary the cross-sectional area of a discharge opening  131  through which the texture material is discharged. 
     To operate the spray texturing apparatus  120 , the valve assembly  124  is operated to allow the spray material within the container  122  to pass through the nozzle passageway  130 . The texture material thus exits the spray texturing apparatus  120  through whichever of the outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , or  128   c  is aligned with the nozzle passageway  130 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the nozzle passageway  130  has a diameter of do. Similar to the dispensing tubes  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  described above, the outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  of different diameters d.sub.a, d.sub.b, and d.sub.c result in different spray texture patterns  20  being applied to the wallboard  12 . One of the outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  is selected according to the type of texture pattern desired and arranged to form a portion of the nozzle passageway  130 , thereby varying the effective cross-sectional area of the discharge opening  131 . The outlet orifice  128   a  is of the smallest diameter and results in a spray pattern having the small particles  44   a  as shown in FIG.  4 . The outlet orifice  128   b  is of medium diameter and results in a spray pattern having the somewhat larger partides  44   b  shown in FIG.  5 . The outlet orifice  128   c  is of the largest diameter, which results in a spray pattern having the large particles  44   c  shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The spray texturing apparatus  120  obtains the same basic result as the apparatus  10  described above and the prior art assembly shown in FIGS. 27 and 28; however, as will be apparent from the following discussion, the apparatus  120  allows a reduction in the number of parts employed to achieve this result and substantially eliminates the possibility that individual parts will be lost by the end user. Also, the apparatus  120  is completely assembled at the factory and thus alleviates the potential for the operator to be sprayed with texture material during assembly. 
     Referring again to FIG. 20, the operation of the spray texturing apparatus  120  will now be described in further detail. The container  122  basically comprises a generally cylindrical base  132  and a cap  134 . The base  132  and cap  134  are conventional and need not be described herein in detail. 
     The valve assembly  124  basically comprises: (a) the outlet member  128  described above; (b) an actuator member  136  having a valve stem  138 ; (c) a valve seat  140 ; (d) a valve housing  142 ; (e) a valve member  144 ; (f) a valve spring  146 ; and (g) a collection tube  148  that extends into the spray material within the container  122 . Essentially, the valve assembly  124  creates a path that allows the pressure within the container  122  to cause the texture material to flow through the nozzle passageway  130 . 
     The valve assembly  124  is constructed and operates basically as follows. The valve seat  140  and valve housing  142  mate with and are held by the container cap  134  near a valve hole  150  in the cap  134 . The valve member  144  and valve spring  146  are mounted within the valve housing  142  such that the valve spring  146  urges the valve member  144  towards the valve seat  140 . The valve stem  138  extends through the valve hole  150  and is attached to the valve member  144 ; pressing the actuator member  136  towards the container  122  into an open position forces the valve member  144  away from the valve seat  140  against the urging of the valve spring  146 . 
     When the valve member  144  is forced away from the valve seat  140 , an exit passageway  152  for the spray material is created. This exit passageway  152  allows the spray material to exit the apparatus  120  by passing: through the collection tube  136 ; through the center of the valve housing  142 ; around the valve member  144 ; through a slot  154  formed in the valve stem  138 ; through a vertical passageway  156  formed in the actuator member  136 ; through the nozzle passageway  130  described above; and through the one of the outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , or  128   c  aligned with the nozzle passageway  130 . At this point, the spray material forms the spray  18  as described above. 
     The exemplary outlet member  126  basically comprises a disc portion  158  and a cylindrical portion  160 . The first, second, and third outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  are formed in the disc portion  158 . Center axes A, B, and C of the outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  are equidistant from a center axis D of the disc portion  158 ; the distances between the center axes A, B, and C of these outlet orifices  128   a ,  128   b , and  128   c  and the center axis D of the disc portion  158  are represented by the reference character X in FIG.  20 . 
     The cylindrical portion  160  of the outlet member  126  has a center axis E which is aligned with the center axis D of the disc portion  158 . Additionally, an outlet portion  162  of the actuator member  126  through which the nozzle passageway  130  extends has a generally cylindrical outer surface  164 . A center axis F of the actuator member outer surface  164  is aligned with the center axes D and E described above. 
     Also, a center axis G of the nozzle passageway  130  is arranged parallel to the center axis F of the actuator member outer surface  164 . The center axis G of this nozzle passageway  130  is spaced away from actuator member center axis F the same distance X that exists between the center axes A, B, and C of the nozzle exit orifices and the center axis D of the disc portion  158 . 
     Finally, an inner surface  166  of the outlet member cylindrical portion  160  is cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter d, taking into account tolerances, as the cylindrical outer surface  164  of the outlet portion  162  of the actuator member  136 . An outlet surface  168  of the outlet portion  162  is disc-shaped and has substantially the same diameter d as the outlet member inner surface  166  and the actuator member outer surface  164 . 
     Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, the outlet member  126  is attached to the actuator member  136  by placing the cylindrical portion  160  of the outlet member  126  over the outlet portion  162  of the actuator member  136  such that the actuator member outlet surface  168  is adjacent to an inner surface  170  on the disc portion  158  of the outlet member  126 . 
     When the outlet member  126  is so mounted on the actuator member  136 , an annular projection  172  formed on the inner surface  166  of the outlet member cylindrical portion  160  engages an annular indentation  174  formed in the outer surface  164  of the actuator member outlet portion  162 . The projection  172  and indentation  174  are arranged parallel to the actuator member outlet surface  168  and thus allow rotation of the outlet member  126  relative to the actuator member  136 . 
     Further, the engagement of the projection  172  with the indentation  174  prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member  126  from the actuator member  136 ; however, both the projection  172  and indentation  174  are rounded to allow the outlet member  126  to be attached to and detached from the actuator member  136  when desired. The outlet member cylindrical portion  160 , the projection  172 , and indentation  174  thus form an attachment means  176  for rotatably attaching the outlet member  126  to the actuator member  136 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, when the outlet member  126  is attached to the actuator member  136 , the center axes D, E, and F described above are aligned. Further, the outlet orifice center axes A, B, and C are parallel to the nozzle passageway center axis G. Accordingly, any one of these outlet orifice center axes A, B, and C can be aligned with the nozzle passageway center axis G by rotation of the outlet member  26  about the axes D, E, and F relative to the actuator member  136 . In FIG. 20, the center axis A of the first outlet orifice  128   a is shown aligned with the nozzle passageway center axis G. 
     FIG. 20 also shows that an intermediate surface  178  is formed at one end of the first exit orifice  128   a . This intermediate surface brings the diameter of the exit passageway  152  gradually down from a diameter of the dispensing passageway  130  to the diameter of the first exit orifice  128   a . A similar intermediate surface exists at one end of the second exit orifice  128   b . An intermediate surface is not required for the third exit orifice  128   c  as, in the exemplary apparatus  120 , the diameter d.sub.c of the third exit orifice is the same as that of the diameter do of the nozzle passageway  130 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, depicted therein at  220  is yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The spray texturing apparatus  220  operates in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  just-described; accordingly, the apparatus  220  will be described herein only to the extent that it differs from the apparatus  120 . The characters employed in reference to the apparatus  220  will be the same as those employed in reference to the apparatus  120  plus  100 ; where any reference characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the same in the apparatus  220  as the elements corresponding thereto in the apparatus  120 . 
     The spray texturing apparatus  220  basically comprises an aerosol container  222 , a valve assembly  224  mounted on the container  222 , and an outlet member  226  attached to the valve assembly  224 . The valve assembly  224  further comprises an actuator member  236 . The primary difference between the apparatus  120  and the apparatus  220  is in the construction of the outlet member  226  and the actuator member  236  and the manner in which these members  226  and  236  inter-operate. 
     In particular, the outlet member  226  simply comprises a disc portion  258 . An attachment means  276  for attaching the outlet member  226  to the actuator member  236  basically comprises an indentation or hole  272  formed in the outlet member disc portion  258  and a projection  274  formed on an outlet surface  268  formed on the actuator member  236 . The hole  272  and projection  274  lie along a center axis D of the disc portion  258  and a center axis F extending through the actuator member  236 . The interaction of the hole  272  and the projection  274  allow the outlet member  226  to be rotated about the axes D and F. A rounded end  280  of the projection  274  prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member  226  from the actuator member  236 . 
     Accordingly, it should be clear from the foregoing discussion and FIGS. 21 and  22  that the attachment means  276  accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means  176  described above and thus that the apparatus  220  operates in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, depicted therein at  320  is yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The spray texturing apparatus  320  operates in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above; accordingly, the apparatus  320  will be described herein only to the extent that it differs from the apparatus  120 . The characters employed in reference to the apparatus  320  will be the same as those employed in reference to the apparatus  120  plus  200 ; where any reference characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the same in the apparatus  320  as the elements corresponding thereto in the apparatus  120 . 
     The spray texturing apparatus  320  basically comprises an aerosol container  322 , a valve assembly  324  mounted on the container  322 , and an outlet member  326  attached to the valve assembly  324 . The valve assembly  324  further comprises an actuator member  336 . The primary difference between the apparatus  120  and the apparatus  320  is in the construction of the outlet member  326  and the actuator member  336  and the manner in which these members  326  and  336  inter-operate. 
     In particular, the outlet member  326  simply comprises a disc portion  358 . An attachment means  376  for attaching the outlet member  326  to the actuator member  336  basically an annular ring  374  having a center axis E fastened to the actuator member  236 . An annular projection  380  extends inwardly from the ring  374 . The diameter of the disc portion  358  is substantially the same as that of the ring  374 , taking into account tolerances, and slightly larger than that of the projection  380 . 
     The outlet member  326  is attached to the actuator member  336  by placing the outlet member  326  within the ring  374  and attaching the ring  374  onto the actuator member  336  with: (a) the outlet member  326  between the annular projection  380  and an outlet surface  368  of the actuator member  336 ; and (b) a center axis D of the disc member  358  aligned with the axis E of the ring  374  and a center axis F of the actuator member  336 . The outlet member  326  can rotate within the ring  374  about the axes D, E, and F, and the annular projection  380  prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member  326  from the actuator member  336 . A handle  382  is provided on the outlet member  326  to facilitate rotation outlet member  326 . 
     The attachment means  376  accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means  176  described above. The apparatus  320  thus operates in all other respects in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26, depicted therein at  420  is yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The spray texturing apparatus  420  operates in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above; accordingly, the apparatus  420  will be described herein only to the extent that it differs from the apparatus  120 . The characters employed in reference to the apparatus  420  will be the same as those employed in reference to the apparatus  120  plus  300 ; where any reference characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the same in the apparatus  420  as the elements corresponding thereto in the apparatus  120 . 
     The spray texturing apparatus  420  basically comprises an aerosol container  422 , a valve assembly  424  mounted on the container  422 , and an outlet member  426  attached to the valve assembly  424 . The valve assembly  424  further comprises an actuator member  436 . The primary difference between the apparatus  120  and the apparatus  420  is in the construction of the outlet member  426  and the actuator member  436  and the manner in which these members  426  and  436  inter-operate. 
     In particular, the outlet member  426  comprises a disc portion  458  having a lower surface  466  and a cylindrical portion  460  having an inner surface  470 . In the exemplary apparatus  420 , the actuator member  436  has an upper surface  464  and a cylindrical outer surface  468 . When the valve assembly  424  is assembled, a center axis D of the disc portion  458 , a center axis E of the cylindrical portion  460 , and a vertical center axis F of the stem portion  436  are aligned. 
     An attachment means  476  for attaching the outlet member  426  to the actuator member  436  basically comprises an annular ring  472  formed on the outlet member cylindrical portion  460  and a notch or indentation  474  formed around the cylindrical outer surface  468  of the actuator member  436 . This attachment means  476  allows the outlet member  426  to rotate relative to the actuator member  436  about the axes D, E, and F but prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member  426  from the actuator member  436 . 
     With this configuration, the first, second, and third outlet orifices  428   a ,  428   b , and  428   c  are formed in the cylindrical portion  460  of the outlet member  426 . These orifices  428   a ,  428   b , and  428   c  are formed with their center axes A, B, and C orthogonal to, arranged at a given vertical point H along, and radially extending outwardly from the vertical center axis F of the stem portion  436 . A center axis G of a nozzle passageway  430  formed in the actuator member  436  also is orthogonal to, radially extends from, and intersects at the given point H the vertical center axis F of the stem portion  436 . 
     To facilitate rotation of the outlet member  426  relative to the actuator member  436 , a peripheral flange  480  is formed at the bottom of the actuator member  436 . The user can grasp this flange  480  to hold the actuator member  436  in place as the outlet member  426  is being rotated about its axis D. Thus, rotation of the outlet member  426  relative to the actuator member  436  about the axes D, E, and F allows any one of these orifices  428   a ,  428   b , and  428   c  to be aligned with a center axis G of a nozzle passageway  430  formed in the actuator member  436 . The first outlet orifice  428   a  is shown aligned with the nozzle passageway  430  in FIG.  26 . 
     The attachment means  476  thus also accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means  176  described above. Accordingly, the apparatus  420  operates in all other respects in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 27,  28 ,  29 , and  30 , depicted therein at  520  is another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The spray texturing apparatus  520  operates in the same basic manner as the apparatus  120  described above; accordingly, the apparatus  520  will be described herein only to the extent that it differs from the apparatus  120 . The characters employed in reference to the apparatus  520  will be the same as those employed in reference to the apparatus  120  plus  400 ; where any reference characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the same in the apparatus  420  as the elements corresponding thereto in the apparatus  120 . 
     The spray texturing apparatus  520  basically comprises an aerosol container  522 , a valve assembly  524  mounted on the container  522 , and an outlet member  526  attached to the valve assembly  524 . The valve assembly  524  further comprises an actuator member  536 . The primary difference between the apparatus  120  and the apparatus  520  is in the construction of the outlet member  526  and the actuator member  536  and the manner in which these members  526  and  536  inter-operate. 
     In particular, in the apparatus  520  a nozzle passageway  530  formed in the actuator member  536  terminates at the top rather than the side of the actuator member  536 . The outlet member  526  comprises a disc member  558  attached to an outlet surface  568  on the upper end of the actuator member  536 . A hole  572  formed in the disc member  558  and a projection  574  formed on the outlet surface  568  comprise an attachment means  576  for attaching the outlet member  526  onto the actuator member  536 . 
     The attachment means  576  allows the outlet member  526  to be rotated about a center axis D thereof relative to the actuator member  536  such that any one of the center axes A, B, or C of outlet orifices  528   a ,  528   b , and  528   c  can be aligned with a center axis G of the nozzle passageway  520 . 
     Finger engaging wings  580  and  582  are formed on the actuator member  536  to allow the user to depress the actuator member  536  and spray the texture material within the container without getting texture material on the fingers. 
     The nozzle passageway identified by the reference character  530   a  in FIG. 28 comprises a dog-leg portion  584  that allows a center axis G of the nozzle passageway  530   a  to be offset from a vertical center axis F of the stem portion  536  and the center axis D of the outlet member  526 . In FIG. 30, the nozzle passageway  530   b  is straight and the center axis D of the outlet member  526  is offset from the vertical center axis F of the stem portion  536 . In this case, the disc member  558   b  forming the outlet member  526  in FIGS. 29 and 30 has a larger diameter than does the disc member  558   a  forming the outlet member  526  in FIGS. 27 and 28. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 31A and B, depicted at  600  therein is an aerosol device constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principals of the present invention. The device  600  basically comprises an aerosol assembly  602  and an outlet assembly  604 . The aerosol assembly  602  is conventional and will be described below only briefly. 
     The aerosol assembly  602  comprises a container  606 , a valve assembly  608 , and an actuator member  610 . As is well known in the art, depressing the actuator member  610  moves the valve assembly  608  into its open position in which an exit passageway is defined from the interior to the exterior of the container  606 . This exit passageway terminates in a nozzle opening  612  formed in the actuator member  610 . 
     The outlet assembly  604  comprises a straw  614  and one or more constricting members  616 . The straw member  614  is adapted to fit into the nozzle opening  612  such that texture material exiting the aerosol portion  602  passes through a discharge opening  618  defined by the straw  614 . 
     The restricting sleeves  616  are adapted to fit onto the straw  614 . Additionally, as shown in FIG. 31B, each of the constricting sleeves defines a sleeve passageway  620  into which the straw  614  is inserted. The sleeve passageways  620  each comprise a reduced diameter portion  622 . The straw  614  is made out of flexible material such that, when the straw is inserted into the sleeve passageway  620 , the reduced diameter portions  622  of the passageway  620  act on the straws  614  to create outlet portions  624  of the dispensing passageway  618  having different cross-sectional areas. Each of the outlet portions  624   a ,  624   b ,  624   c  defined as described above corresponds to a different texture pattern. 
     The outlet assembly  604  as described above thus results in at least four different texture patterns. One is formed by the straw  614  without any constricting sleeve mounted thereon, and three are formed by the different constricting sleeves  616   a ,  616   b , and  616   c  shown in FIG.  31 B. 
     Also, as shown in FIG. 31A, the constricting sleeve  616  may be mounted on the end of the straw  614  as shown by solid lines or at a central location along the length of the straw  614  as shown by broken lines. 
     The aerosol device  600  thus employs an elongate discharge opening as formed by the straw  614  and provides constricting sleeves  616  that allow a cross-sectional area of the discharge opening  618  to be reduced, thereby allowing the device  600  to dispense texture material in a manner that forms different texture patterns. 
     Referring now to FIG. 32, depicted therein is an alternate outlet assembly  626  that may be used in place of the outlet assembly  604  described above. The outlet assembly  626  comprises a straw  628  and a constricting disc  630 . The straw  628  functions in a manner essentially the same as the straw  614  described above. The disc  630  defines three disc passageways  632   a ,  632   b , and  632   c  which function in the same basic manner as the passageways  620   a ,  620   b , and  620   c  described above. 
     The single constricting disc  630  thus performs essentially the same function as the three constricting sleeves  616   a ,  616   b , and  616   c  described above. A possible advantage to the outlet portion  626  is that it requires the fabrication and storage of only two parts (the straw  628  and the disc  630 ) rather than four parts (the straw  614  and the constricting sleeves  616   a ,  616   b , and  616   c ). 
     Referring now to FIGS. 33A and 33B, depicted therein is yet another outlet assembly  634  that may be used instead of the outlet assembly  604  described above. 
     The outlet assembly  634  comprises a straw  636  and one or more constricting plugs  638 . The straw  636  is essentially the same as the straw  614  described above, although the straw  636  is preferably made out of more rigid material than that from which the straw  614  is made. 
     The straw  636  and plugs  638  define a discharge passageway  640  through which texture material must pass as it exits the aerosol portion  602 . The discharge passageway  640  comprises an outlet portion  642  defined by a central bore  644  formed in the plugs  638 . As shown in FIG. 33B, the plugs  642   a ,  642   b , and  642   c  have bores  644   a ,  644   b , and  644   c  of different cross-sectional areas. As the outlet portions  642   a ,  642   b , and  642   c  of the exit passageway  640  are defined by the bores  644   a ,  644   b , and  644   c , these outlet portions also have different cross-sectional areas. The constricting plugs  638   a ,  638   b , and  638   c  are mounted on the straw  636  in a manner that allows the outlet portion  634  to be reconfigured to define an exit passageway at least a portion of which can be increased or decreased. This allows the outlet portion  634  to cause the texture material to be deposited on a surface in different patterns. 
     A number of mechanisms can be employed to mount the constricting plugs  638  on to the straw  636 . The exemplary configuration shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B employs a reduced diameter portion  646  adapted to fit snugly within a central bore  648  defined by the straw  636 . The tolerances of the reduced diameter portion  646  and the walls defining the bore  648 , along with the material from which the straw  636  and plug  638  are made, result in a friction fit that holds the constricting plug within the straw  636  as shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B. 
     An external flange  650  is formed on each of the constricting plugs  638  primarily to facilitate removal of these plugs  638  from the straw  636  when different spray texture patterns are required. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 34A and 34B, depicted therein is yet another exemplary method of implementing the principles of the present invention. In particular, shown in FIG. 34A is yet another outlet assembly  652  adapted to be mounted on the aerosol assembly  602  in place of the outlet assembly  604  shown above. 
     In particular, the outlet assembly  652  comprises a straw  654  and a constricting disc  656 . The straw  654  is mounted onto the actuator member  610 , and the constricting disc  656  is mounted on a distal end of the straw  654 . 
     The straw  654  is similar in shape to the straw  614  described above and it is similar in both shape and function to the straw  636  described above. In particular, the straw  654  is made out of semi-rigid material that allows a pressure fit to be formed that will mechanically engage the straw  654  both to the actuator member  610  and to the constricting disc  656 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 34B, it can be seen that the constricting disc  656  has three holes  658   a ,  658   b , and  658   c  formed therein. These holes  658  have a wide diameter portion  660  and a reduced diameter portion  662 . As perhaps best shown in FIG. 34A, the wide diameter portion is sized and dimensioned to receive the straw  654  to form a pressure fit that mounts the disc  656  onto the straw  654  in a manner that prevents inadvertent removal of the disc  656  from the straw  654 , but allows the disc  656  to be manually removed from the straw  654  when a different spray texture pattern is desired. 
     The reduced diameter portion  662  define an outlet portion  664  of a discharge passageway  666  defined by the outlet portion  652 . As can be seen from FIG. 34B, each of the reduced diameter portions  662  has a different cross-sectional area, resulting in a different cross-sectional area of the outlet portion  664 . 
     The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.  34 A and FIG. 34B thus allows the formation of different texture patterns as described in more detail above. 
     Referring now to FIG. 35, depicted therein is yet another outlet portion  668  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. This outlet portion  668  is similar to the portion  652  described above. The outlet portion  668  comprises a straw  670  that can be the same as the straw  654  described above and a constricting cylinder  672 . The constricting cylinder  672  is in many respects similar to the constricting disc  656  described above; the cylinder  672  has three holes formed therein, each having a large diameter portion adapted to form a pressure fit with the straw  670  and a reduced diameter portion for allowing a cross-sectional area of an outlet portion  674  of an exit passageway  676  to be selected. The primary difference between the cylinder  672  and the disc  656  is that the outlet portion  674  of the exit passageway  676  is elongated. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 36A and 36B, depicted therein is yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 36A and 36B depict yet another exemplary outlet assembly  678  adapted to be mounted onto an aerosol assembly such as the aerosol assembly  602  described above. 
     The outlet assembly  678  comprises a straw  680 , a fixed member  682 , and a movable member  684 . The exit portion  678  defines a discharge passageway  686  that extends through the straw  680  and is defined by a first bore  688  defined by the fixed member  682  and a second bore  690  defined by the movable member  684 . 
     The fixed member  682  is mounted onto the end of the straw  680  using a pressure fit established in a manner similar to that formed between the cylindrical member  672  and straw  670  described above. The movable member  684  is mounted within the fixed member  682  such that the movable member  684  may be rotated about an axis  692  transverse to a dispensing axis  694  defined by the discharge passageway  686 . 
     As shown by a comparison of FIGS. 36A and 36B, rotation of the movable member,  684  relative to the fixed member  682  can alter an effective cross-sectional area of the discharge passageway  686 . By altering the discharge passageway in this manner, different texture patterns may be formed by the texture material being discharged through the discharge passageway  686 . Rather than providing a plurality of discrete cross-sectional areas, the outlet portion  678  allows a continuous variation in the size of the cross-sectional area of the exit passageway  686 . It should be noted that the discharge passageway  686  may be closed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 37A and 37B, depicted therein is yet another example of a device incorporating the principles of the present invention. In particular, depicted in FIG. 37A is yet another discharge assembly  700  adapted to be mounted onto the actuator member  610  of the aerosol assembly  602 . 
     The discharge assembly  700  comprises a straw  702  and a plug disc  704 . The outlet portion  700  includes a discharge passageway  706  defined in part by the straw  702  and in part by one of a plurality of bores  708  formed in the plug disc  704 . In particular, as shown in FIG. 37B the plug disc  704  comprises a disc portion  710  and three plug portions  712   a ,  712   b , and  712   c . The bores  708  extend through the plug portions  712 . The plug portions  712  extend into a bore  714  defined by the straw  702  and form a pressure fit with the straw  702  that prevents inadvertent removal of the plug disc  704  from the straw  702  but allow the plug disc  704  to be manually removed when different spray texture patterns are desired. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 38A and 38B, depicted therein is yet another device embodying the principles of the present invention. In particular, shown therein is an outlet member  716  adapted to be substituted for the outlet assembly  704  described above. The outlet member  716  is similar in construction and operation to the plug disc  704  described above. But the outlet member  716  is adapted to connect directly onto the actuator member  610  of the aerosol portion  602 . The system shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B thus does not include a straw; a plurality of discharge passageways  718  are entirely formed by bores  720  formed in the discharge member  716 . 
     As shown in FIG. 38B, the cross-sectional area of these bores  720   a ,  720   b , and  720   c  are different, resulting in discharge passageways  718   a ,  718   b , and  718   c  having different cross-sectional areas. 
     The discharge member  716  comprises a plate portion  722  and a plurality of plug portions  724  extending therefrom. The bores  720  extend through the plugs  724 , and outer surfaces  726  of the plugs are adapted to fit within the actuator member  610  such that texture material leaving the aerosol portion  602  passes through the discharge passageway  718  defined by one of the bores  720 . A selected one of the plugs  724  is inserted into the actuator member  610  depending on the texture pattern desired. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B discloses a simple method of obtaining a plurality of texture patterns and includes a somewhat elongated discharge passageway. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 39A and 39B, depicted therein is yet another outlet assembly  728  adapted to be mounted onto the actuator member  610  of the aerosol device  602 . 
     The outlet assembly  728  comprises a fixed member  730 , a rotatable member  732 , and a plurality of straws  734 . The fixed member  730  has a plug portion  736  adapted to form a pressure fit with the actuator member  610  and a plate portion  738 . The rotatable member  732  comprises a cavity adapted to mate with the plate portion  738  of the fixed member  730  such that a plurality of bores  740  in the movable member  732  may be brought into alignment with a bore  742  formed in the plug portion  736 . This is accomplished by rotating the movable member  732  about an axis  744  relative to the fixed member  730 . Detents or other registration means can be provided to positively lock the movable member  732  relative to the fixed member  730  when the bores  740  are in alignment with the bore  742 . 
     Each of the bores  740  has an increased diameter portion  746  sized and dimensioned to receive one of the straws  734 . Each of the straws  734  has an internal bore  748 . 
     Texture material exiting the aerosol device  602  passes through a discharge passageway  750  formed by the bores  742 ,  740 , and  748 . Additionally, as perhaps best shown by FIG. 39B, each of the bores  748   a ,  748   b , and  748   c  defined by the straws  734   a ,  734   b , and  734   c  has a different bore cross-sectional area. Accordingly, by rotating the movable member  732  relative to the fixed member  730 , a different one of the bores  748   a ,  748   b , and  748   c  can be arranged to form a part of the discharge passageway  750 . Thus, the outlet portion  728  allows the use of a plurality of straws, but does not require any of these straws to be removed and stored while one of the straws is in use. 
     The outlet portion  728  otherwise allows the selection of one of a plurality of texture patterns and does so using an elongate discharge passageway to provide the benefits described above. 
     Referring now to FIG. 40, depicted therein is yet another exemplary discharge assembly  752  constructed in accordance with, and embodying the principles of the present invention. The discharge assembly  752  is adapted to be mounted on a modified actuator member  754 . The actuator member  754  is similar to the actuator member  610  described above except that the member  754  comprises a cylindrical projection  756  formed thereon. The cylindrical projection  756  functions in a manner substantially similar to the fixed member &amp; 30  described above, but is integrally formed with the actuator member  754  to eliminate one part from the overall assembly. The discharge portion  752  comprises a cap  758  having a hollow cylindrical portion  760  and a plate portion  762 . The cylindrical portion  760  is adapted to mate with the cylindrical portion  756  such that the cap  758  rotates about an axis  764  relative to the actuator member  754 . Extending from the plate portion  762  is a plurality of straws  766 . 
     By rotating the cap  758  about the axis  764 , bores  768  of the straws  766  may be brought into registration with a portion  770  of an exit passageway  772 . 
     The portion  770  of the exit passageway  772  extends through the cylindrical portion  756 . 
     Additionally, each of the bores  768  has a different cross-sectional area. A desired texture pattern may be selected by placing one of the straws  768  in registration with the passageway portion  770 . The overall effect is somewhat similar to that of the discharge portion  728 . While the discharge portion  752  eliminates one part as compared to the discharge portion  728 , the discharge portion  752  requires a specially made actuator member. In contrast, the discharge portion  728  uses a standard actuator member. 
     Referring now to FIG. 41, depicted therein is yet another discharge member  774  adapted to be mounted on the actuator member  610 . This system shown in FIG. 42 is very similar to the system described above with reference to FIGS. 1-18 in that, normally, a plurality of discharge members  774  will be sold with the aerosol portion  602 , each straw corresponding to a different texture pattern. 
     But with the discharge members or straws  774 , a bore  776  of each of the straws  774  will have the same cross-sectional area except at one location identified by reference character  778  in FIG.  41 . At this location  778 , the straw  774  is pinched or otherwise distorted such that, at that location  778 , the cross-sectional area of the bore  776  is different for each of the straws. While the location  778  is shown approximately at the middle of the straw  774 , this location may be moved out towards the distal end of the straw  774  to obtain an effect similar to that shown and described in relation to FIG.  31 B. 
     The system shown in FIG. 41 allows the manufacturer of the device to purchase one single size of straw and modify the standard straws to obtain straws that yield desirable texture patterns. This configuration may also be incorporated in a product where the end user forms the distortion  778  to match a preexisting pattern. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 42A and 42B, depicted therein is yet another discharge assembly  780  adapted to be mounted on an actuator member  782  that is substituted for the actuator member  610  described above. 
     The discharge assembly  780  comprises a flexible straw  784 , a rigid hollow cylinder  786 , and a tensioning plate  788 . The straw  784  is securely attached at one end to the actuator member  782  and at its distal end to the tensioning plate  788 . A central bore  790  defined by the straw  784  is in communication with a bore  792  formed in the tensioning plate  788 . Thus, texture material flowing out of the aerosol portion  602  passes through the bores  790  and  792 , at which point it is deposited on the surface being coated. 
     The outer cylinder  786  is mounted onto the actuator member  782  such that it spaces the tensioning plate  788  in one of a plurality of fixed distances from the actuator member  782 . More specifically, extending from the tensioning plate  788  are first and second tabs  794  and  796 . Formed on the cylinder  786  are rows of teeth  798  and  800 . Engaging portions  802  and  804  on the tabs  794  and  796  are adapted to engage the teeth  798  and  800  to hold the tensioning plate  788  at one of the plurality of locations along the cylinder  786 . 
     As the tensioning plate moves away from the actuator member  782  (compare FIGS.  42 A and  42 B), the resilient straw  784  becomes stretched, thereby decreasing the cross-sectional area of the bore  790  formed therein. By lifting on the tab  794  and  796 , the engaging portions  802  and  804  can be disengaged from the teeth  798  and  800  to allow the tensioning plate  788  to move back towards the actuator member  782 . By this process, the cross-sectional area of the bore  790  defined by the flexible straw  784  can be varied to obtain various desired texture patterns. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 43 and 43B, depicted therein is an output assembly  810  adapted to be mounted on an actuator member  812 . The actuator member  812  functions in the same basic manner as the actuator member  610  described above but has been adapted to allow the discharge assembly  810  to be mounted thereon. 
     In particular, the discharge portion  810  comprises a straw  814  and a tensioning cylinder  816 . The straw  814  is flexible and is connected at one end to the actuator member  812  and a distal end to the tensioning cylinder  816 . The tensioning cylinder  816  is threaded to mount on a spacing cylinder  818  integrally formed with the actuator member  812 . 
     When the tensioning cylinder  816  is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the threads thereon engage the threads on the spacing cylinder  818  to cause the tensioning cylinder  816  to move towards and away from the actuator member  812 . Additionally, as the ends of the straw  814  are securely attached to the actuator member and the tensioning cylinder, rotation of the tensioning cylinder  816  causes the straw  814  to twist as shown in FIG.  43 B. This twisting reduces the cross-sectional area of a central bore  820  defined by the straw  814  and thus allows texture material passing through this bore  820  to be applied in different texture patterns. 
     Referring now to FIG. 44, depicted therein is yet another exemplary discharge assembly  822 . This discharge portion  822  is adapted to be mounted on an actuator member  824 . The actuator member  824  performs the same basic functions as the actuator member  610  described above but has been adapted to direct fluid passing therethrough upwardly rather than laterally. To facilitate this, the actuator member  824  comprises first and second gripping portions  826  and  828  sized and dimensioned to allow the user to pull down on the actuator member  824  while holding the aerosol portion  602  in an upright position. The actuator member  824  further comprises an upper surface  830 . An exit passageway  832  at least partially defined by the actuator member  824  terminates at the upper surface  830 . 
     The discharge assembly  822  comprises a mounting cap  834  adapted to be attached to the actuator member  824  such that a plurality of bores  836  in the cap  834  can be brought into registration with the exit passageway  832 . Mounted on the mounting cap  834  are a plurality of straws  838  having central bores  840  of different cross-sectional areas. These straws  838  are mounted onto the mounting cap  834  such that the bores  840  are in communication with a corresponding one of the bores  836  formed in the mounting cap  834 . By rotating the mounting cap  834  relative to the actuator member  824 , one of the central bores  840  is brought into registration with the exit passageway portion  832  such that texture material passing through the exit passageway  832  exits the system through the aligned central bore  840 . Each of the straws  838  thus corresponds to a different texture pattern, and the desired texture pattern may be selected by aligning an appropriate central bore  840  with the exit passageway  832 . 
     The system shown in FIG. 44 is particularly suited for the application of texture material in a desired pattern onto a ceiling surface or the like. 
     Referring now to FIG. 45, depicted therein is an output portion  842  designed to apply texture material at an angle between vertical and horizontal. This discharge portion  842  is adapted to be mounted on an actuator member  844 . The actuator member  844  functions in a manner similar to the actuator member  824  described above. In particular, the actuator member has a canted surface  846  that is angled with respect to both horizontal and vertical. An exit passageway  848  defined by the actuator member  844  terminates at the canted surface  846 . 
     The discharge portion  842  comprises a mounting cap  850  and a plurality of straws  852  mounted on the cap  850 . Each of these straws defines a center bore  854 . The cross-sectional areas of the central bores  854  are all different and thus allowed the formation of different texture patterns. 
     The mounting cap  850  has a plurality of bores  856  formed therein, with each bore  856  having a corresponding straw  852 . Additionally, the bores  856  are spaced from each other such that rotation of the mounting cap  850  relative to the actuator member  854  aligns one of the bores  856 , and thus the central bore  854  of one of the straws  852  such that texture material exiting the aerosol portion  602  passes through a selected central bore  854  of one of the straws  852 . 
     The system shown in FIG. 45 is particularly suited for applying texture material to an upper portion of a wall. 
     Referring now to FIG. 46, depicted therein is yet another exemplary output assembly  854  that may be mounted onto an actuator member such as the actuator member  610  recited above. 
     The actuator assembly  854  comprises three straw members  856  each having a central bore  858 . These straw members  856  are joined together to form an integral unit, but are spaced from each other as shown at  860  in FIG. 46 to allow them to be mounted onto an actuator member such as the actuator member  610 . 
     The cross-sectional areas of the bores  858   a ,  858   b , and  858   c  are different, and different spray texture patterns may be obtained by inserting one of the straws into the actuator member such that texture material flows through central bore  858  associated therewith. In this context, it should be apparent that the output portion  854  is used in the same basic manner as the plurality of straws described in relation to FIGS. 1-18, but decreases the likelihood that unused straws will be lost when not in use. 
     Referring now to FIG. 47, depicted therein are a plurality of central bore configurations that may be employed in place of the cylindrical configurations described above. For example, shown at  862  is a structure  864  defining a square central bore  866 . This bore  866  may be square along its entire length or may be made square only at the end portion thereof to reduce the cross-sectional area through which the texture material must pass as it is dispensed. 
     Shown at  868  is yet another structure  870  defining a bore  872  having a triangular cross section. Shown at  874  is a structure  876  having a bore  878  configured in a rectangular shape. At  880  in FIG. 47 is shown yet another structure  882  that defines a bore  884  having an oval configuration. 
     Bores such as the bores  878  and  884  described above that are wider than they are tall may, in addition to defining a certain cross-sectional area, also create desirable spray characteristics such as a fan shape. 
     Referring now to FIG. 48, depicted therein is yet another output portion  886  adapted to be mounted on the actuator member  610 . The output portion  886  comprises a straw  888  and a box member  890 . The straw  888  is connected at one end to the actuator member  610  such that texture material exiting the actuator member  610  passes through a central bore  892  defined by the straw  888 . The box member  890  is attached to the distal end of the straw  888 . 
     The box member  890  defines a chamber  894  through which texture material must pass before it passes through a discharge opening  896 . The chamber  894  acts as a pressure accumulator that will smooth out any variations in pressure in the texture material as it is dispensed through the opening  896 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 49, there is a discharge member or straw  900  adapted to be mounted on the actuator member  610 . The discharge straw  900  defines a central bore  902  through which texture material must pass as it exits the actuator member  610 . The straw member  900  is curved such that the texture material leaving the bore  902  moves at an angle relative to both horizontal and vertical. 
     From the discussion of the other embodiments above, it should be clear that a plurality of curved straws such as the straw  900  may be provided each having an internal bore with a different cross-sectional area. This would allow the texture material not only to be applied upwardly with the aerosol portion  602  being held upright but would allow different spray texture patterns to be applied. 
     Referring now to FIG. 50, depicted at  904  therein is a discharge member or straw similar to the straw  900  described above. The difference between the straw  904  and the straw  900  is that the straw  904  is curved approximately 90.degree such that the texture material passing through a central bore  906  thereof is substantially parallel to vertical as it leaves the straw  904 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 51, depicted therein is an aerosol assembly  910  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. This assembly  910  comprises a main aerosol container  912 , a secondary container  914 , a conduit  916  allowing fluid communication between the containers  912  and  914 , and a valve  918  arranged to regulate the flow of fluid through the conduit  916 . 
     The main container  912  is similar to a conventional aerosol container as described above except that it has an additional port  920  to which the conduit  916  is connected. The secondary container  914  is adapted to contain a pressurized fluid such as air or nitrogen. The pressurized fluid is preferably inert. 
     The compressed fluid within the secondary container  914  is allowed to enter the primary container  912  to force texture material out of the main container  912 . The valve  918  controls the amount of pressure applied on the texture material by the compressed fluid within the secondary container  914 . 
     Thus, rather than relying on an internally provided propellant gas to stay at a desired pressure associated with a consistent spray texture pattern, an external gas source is applied with a valve to ensure that the pressure remains at its desired level while the texture material is being dispensed. 
     It is to be recognized that various modifications can be made without departing from the basic teaching of the present invention.