Patent Publication Number: US-7717355-B2

Title: Clog-proof nozzle for spray cans

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains generally to devices for capping spray nozzles and methods of using such devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to container caps that prevent spray nozzle residue from drying and causing clogging of the spray nozzle. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a clogging prevention device that submerges a spray nozzle in a fluid in an inverted orientation, and that holds the fluid at a distance from the spray nozzle in an upright orientation to allow for removal from the spray nozzle before spraying. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For convenience, many fluid products are held in containers and dispensed from spray nozzles. Spray nozzles are of particular utility for fluid products that are sticky or otherwise not optimal for handling, such as paint and hair spray. For these products, aerosol or pump-powered spray nozzles are typically used. 
   While nozzles are intended to facilitate the use of certain spray-applied fluid products, they often become clogged. Specifically, residue left on the nozzle from the fluid product may dry out or congeal on the spray nozzle. This residue can clog the nozzle to prevent proper dispensing of the fluid product. For instance, the clog may block the spray nozzle completely, or it may significantly alter the spray direction. In either case, continued use of the fluid product may be rendered impossible. 
   In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for preventing clogging of a spray nozzle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a spray nozzle container that submerges the nozzle in a fluid to prevent the nozzle from becoming clogged. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap to submerge a spray nozzle in fluid in a first orientation, while distancing the spray nozzle from the fluid in a second orientation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid chamber that is selectively connected to the container for submerging a spray nozzle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle clogging prevention device and method that is easy to implement, cost effective and simple to use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a cap is provided for preventing clogging of a spray nozzle on a container. Specifically, the cap allows the spray nozzle to be stored while submerged in fluid. As a result, air cannot dry out any residue on the nozzle, such as that remaining after spraying an aerosol from the nozzle. 
   Structurally, the cap includes a hollow, truncated cone-shaped member. At its narrow end, the cone-shaped member defines an orifice, while at its wide end, the cone-shaped member defines a periphery. For purposes of the present invention, the orifice is dimensioned to selectively receive the spray nozzle. As a result, the cone-shaped member, which is preferably a flexible polymeric material, is able to engage and create a fluid-tight seal with the container (i.e. the seal is fluid resistant). Specifically, the orifice of the cone-shaped member is defined by a perimeter “P o ” and the container includes a structure defined by a perimeter “P c ”. Because “P o ” is approximately equal to “P c ”, a frictional (i.e. interference) fit between the orifice of the cone-shaped member and the container provides for the establishment of a fluid-tight (i.e. fluid-resistant) seal between the cap and the container. 
   For the present invention, the cap includes a panel that has a flat surface bounded by a perimeter. Further, the perimeter is interconnected to the periphery of the cone-shaped member by an intermediate section to create a fluid chamber. In order to allow access to the chamber by the spray nozzle, the orifice is located between the panel and the periphery of the cone-shaped member. 
   Preferably, the fluid positioned in the chamber is water or a liquid solvent. When the container and cap are in an upright orientation, the fluid is held in the chamber between the cone-shaped member and the intermediate section to distance the spray nozzle from the fluid. As a result, when upright, the cap may be connected to or removed from the container without spilling any fluid. When the container and cap are connected and turned to an inverted orientation, the fluid is held between the panel and the intermediate section. Therefore, the spray nozzle is submerged in the fluid. In this manner, any residue on the spray nozzle cannot dry out and clog the nozzle. Further, the fluid may remove the residue from the nozzle, particularly if the fluid is a solvent. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a cap connected to a spray nozzle container in an upright orientation in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the cap and spray nozzle container of  FIG. 1  in an inverted orientation in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a cap for preventing clogging of a spray nozzle is shown, and is generally designated  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the cap  10  is fixed (secured) to a container  12  having a spray nozzle  14  like the type used with aerosols. Structurally, the cap  10  includes a hollow, truncated cone-shaped member  16 . Further, the cone-shaped member  16  has an end  18  that defines an annular orifice  20  dimensioned to selectively receive the spray nozzle  14  to create a fluid-tight seal  22  with the container  12 . Specifically, the orifice  20  of the cone-shaped member  16  is defined by a perimeter “P o ”. Also, the container  12  includes a structure  24  defined by a perimeter “P c ”. As shown, the orifice perimeter “P o ” is approximately equal to the container structure perimeter “P c ”. As a result, an interference fit  26  for the fluid-tight seal  22  may be established between the orifice  20  of the cone-shaped member  16  and the container  12 . Alternatively, a fluid-tight seal  22 ′ can be established between the orifice  20  of the cone-shaped member  16  and the spray nozzle  14 . 
   In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the cone-shaped member  16  has an end  28  that defines an annular periphery  30 . In addition to the cone-shaped member  16 , the cap  10  includes a panel  32  formed from a flat surface  34  bounded by a circular perimeter  36 . As shown, the cap  10  is provided with an intermediate section  38  that interconnects the periphery  30  of the cone-shaped member  16  with the perimeter  36  of the panel  32  to create a fluid chamber  40 . As can be seen, the orifice  20  of the cone-shaped member  16  is located between the panel  32  and the periphery  30  of the cone-shape member  16 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the structure of the cap  10  may be described in alternate terms. For example, the cap  10  may be considered to comprise a cup  42  formed with a lip  44 . Further, for this perspective, the cup  42  includes a hollow, substantially annular, V-shaped lid  46 . As shown, the V-shaped lid  46  has an outer edge  48  separated from an inner edge  50  by an apex  52 . For purposes of the present invention, the inner edge  50  of the lid  46  defines the orifice  20  dimensioned to selectively receive and form a fluid-tight seal  22  with the container  12  or, alternatively, a fluid-tight seal  22 ′ with the spray nozzle  14 . As intended for this disclosure, reference to the fluid-tight seals  22  and  22 ′ can be considered to be interchangeable. Structurally, the outer edge  48  of the lid  46  is joined by a bonding agent  54 , or is otherwise fixed, to the lip  44  of the cup  42 . As a result, the fluid chamber  40  is established between the cup  42  and the lid  46 . 
   With the fluid chamber  40  established, a fluid  56 , such as water or a liquid solvent, may be positioned in the cap  10 . Specifically, the chamber  40  is partially filled with the fluid  56 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the container  12  and cap  10  are upright, the fluid  56  rests at a location  58  in chamber  40  adjacent the apex  52 . Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the container  12  and cap  10  are inverted, the fluid  56  moves to a location  60  in chamber  40  adjacent the panel  32 . In  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the spray nozzle  14  is submerged in the fluid  56  in location  60  when the container  12  and cap  10  are inverted. 
   In operation, the fluid  56  is introduced into the chamber  40  through the orifice  20 . Preferably, this is accomplished with the cap  10  oriented as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the panel  32  will be below the orifice  20 . Importantly, the volume of fluid  56  that is introduced into the chamber  40  should be just sufficient to extend from the panel  32  of cap  10 , to the end  18  of the cone-shaped member  16  that defines the orifice  20 . This can be tested by tilting the cap  10 , and letting excess fluid  56  spill from the cap  10 . The cap  10  can then be held in the upright orientation  62  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   With the cap  10  in its upright orientation  62 , it can be fixed (secured) to the container  12  and spray nozzle  14 . Specifically, the spray nozzle  14  is passed through the orifice  20  until the seal  22  is established between the perimeter “P o ” and the perimeter “P c ”. Preferably, the cone-shaped member  16  is formed from a flexible elastomeric material that engages the container  12  to establish the fluid-tight seal  22  ( 22 ′). As shown in the figures, a second fluid-tight seal  22 ′ may be formed independently, or in addition to the first fluid-tight seal  22 . The fluid-tight seal  22 ′ will be created between the cap  10  and the spray nozzle  14  as disclosed above. 
   Thereafter, the cap  10  and container  12  are positioned in an inverted orientation  64  and may be put down with the panel  32  resting on a surface  66 . When inverted, the fluid  56  surrounds the spray nozzle  14  and prevents the air from drying out any residue materials left on the spray nozzle  14  after use. Further, the fluid  56  may clean the spray nozzle  14  by removing any residue materials, particularly if the fluid  56  is a solvent. 
   With the above in mind, the importance of the volume limitations prescribed for fluid  56  in the chamber  40  is at least two-fold. On the one hand, the volume of fluid  56  must be sufficient to submerge the spray nozzle  14  when the container  12  is in its inverted orientation  64 . On the other hand, when the container  12  is in its upright orientation  62 , the fluid  56  must not overwhelm the chamber  40  and spill from the chamber  40 . Aside from the volume limitations mentioned herein, the actual shape of the container  12 , as well and its size and construction material, are matters of choice. 
   When the container  12  and spray nozzle  14  are needed, they are re-positioned in the upright orientation  62 . Then, the cap  10  is removed and the container  12  and spray nozzle  14  are ready for use. If desired, the cap  10  can remain in the inverted orientation  64  (see  FIG. 2 ) while the container  12  is being used. 
   While the particular Clog-Proof Nozzle for Spray Cans as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.