Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a spray head coupler for concentrating an aerosol spray from a nozzle of an aerosol container. The spray head coupler may comprise a flexible collar capable of being coupled to the nozzle and adapted to hold a hollow tube for directing the aerosol spray such that the hollow tube is held in place when the aerosol spray is expelled from said aerosol container.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a special spray head coupler for an aerosol spray can. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various types of aerosol spray cans are used in our daily lives. The various aerosols in these cans may include, by way of example and not limitation, insecticides, cleaning agents, vehicle degreasers, anti-rust products etc. Occasionally, a user may wish to spray the aerosol into hard-to-reach locations, places where the can or the hand holding it will not fit, or into a particular confined area. The standard spray nozzle provides for a generally wide spray pattern. This makes spraying the aerosol into those places very difficult. 
         [0003]    Attempts have been made to correct this deficiency using a single long fine piece of tubing that can be inserted into the nozzle. For example,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate one embodiment of a prior art system  10  that has been used to solve the above problem. As shown, the system  10  includes a top portion  12  of an aerosol can (not shown). The top portion  12  includes an aerosol spray nozzle  14  having at least one opening  16 . The opening  16  may further include an ejection port  18  from which an aerosol spray  20  may be ejected from the aerosol can. A single long fine piece of tubing  22  may be inserted into the opening  16  of the nozzle  12 . In this embodiment of the prior art, the tubing  22  is held in place by friction. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, the great expulsive force exerted by the nozzle  14  during spraying often causes the long fine tubing  22  to detach from the opening  16  in the nozzle  14 . This allows the aerosol spray  20  to then be deposited in undesired locations. 
         [0005]    It would therefore be a great improvement in the art if a device could be developed that would help to eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a spray head coupler, that may be installed anytime, and is easy to operate. The spray head coupler can be secured to the nozzle such that the pressure of the aerosol spray does not eject the long fine tubing from the nozzle. This allows the aerosol to be sprayed accurately at the designated spot. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the present invention provides a spray head coupler for concentrating an aerosol spray from a nozzle of an aerosol container, the spray head coupler comprising: a hollow tube adapted to fit within an opening in the nozzle; and a collar coupled to said hollow tube, said collar being capable of holding the hollow tube in place when said aerosol is expelled from said aerosol container. 
         [0008]    In alternate embodiments, the collar may further comprise a fixed arc disposed opposite said opening in the nozzle. The fixed arc may have an inside radius of curvature that is larger than a radius of said nozzle. The fixed arc may form part of a rear member of said collar, said rear member being coupled to said anchor proximate a left and right end of said anchor. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the collar may further comprise an anchor coupled to said hollow tube such that a portion of said hollow tube extends through said anchor into said opening. The anchor may further comprise an adjustment handle at each end. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the collar may comprise a flexible material such that squeezing opposite ends of said anchor allows the collar to open, thus facilitating attachment of the collar and flexible tube to the nozzle. The flexible material may be plastic. The collar may be integrally formed from a plastic material. Alternately, the collar and the hollow tube may be integrally formed from a plastic material. 
         [0011]    An alternate aspect of the present invention provides a spray head coupler for concentrating an aerosol spray from a nozzle of an aerosol container, the spray head coupler comprising: a flexible collar capable of being coupled to said nozzle and adapted to hold a hollow tube for directing said aerosol spray such that said hollow tube is held in place when said aerosol spray is expelled from said aerosol container. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the collar may further comprise a fixed arc disposed opposite an opening in the nozzle. The fixed arc may have an inside radius of curvature that is larger than a radius of said nozzle. The fixed arc may form part of a rear member of said collar, said rear member being coupled to said anchor proximate a left and right end of said anchor. 
         [0013]    In alternate embodiments, the collar may further comprise an anchor having a nozzle anchoring ring configured to fit snugly within an opening in said nozzle. The anchor may further comprises an adjustment handle at each end. 
         [0014]    In other embodiments, the collar may comprise a flexible material such that squeezing opposite ends of said anchor allows the collar to open, thus facilitating attachment of the collar and flexible tube to the nozzle. The collar may be integrally formed from a plastic material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic drawing of a top portion of a prior art aerosol spray can; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic drawing of the detachment of the prior art long fine tubing from the nozzle shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spray head coupler according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  when installed on a spray nozzle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  prior to installation on the spray nozzle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the spray head coupler of  FIGS. 2-3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the spray head coupler of  FIGS. 2-3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a front view of the spray head coupler of  FIG. 4A  taken along the line  4   c - 4   c;    
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a rear view of the spray head coupler of  FIG. 4A  taken along the line  4   d - 4   d;    
           [0026]      FIG. 4E  illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the spray head coupler of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4F  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spray head coupler in an installed position as shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B  prior to installation; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view of the spray head coupler installed as shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of the spray head coupler of  FIGS. 2-5  when attached to an aerosol spray can for shipment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the spray head coupler when detached from the aerosol spray can of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a perspective view of the spray head coupler of  FIGS. 2-6B  in an installed position prior to use; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of a spray head coupler; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a rear view of the spray head coupler of  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of the spray head coupler of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The description below, together with the attached figures provides a more concrete explanation of the actual implementation details of this utility model. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 2-6  illustrate one embodiment of a spray head coupler  100  according to the present invention. The spray head coupler  100  is designed to attach to a nozzle  150  of an aerosol can  152  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 ). The nozzle  152  includes an opening  154  having a small ejection port  156  in a center portion thereof. When the nozzle  150  is depressed, internal pressure within the aerosol spray can  152  ejects the aerosol through the ejection port  156 . 
         [0038]    The spray head coupler  100  includes a collar portion  110  which facilitates the attachment and removal of the spray head coupler  100  to/from the nozzle  150 . The collar portion  110  includes an anchor portion  120  that may be coupled to a section of long fine tubing  112 . The anchor  120  of the collar  110  may have an arced shape to facilitate easy installation and removal of the spray head coupler  100 . This will be discussed in more detail below. The collar  110  also includes a rear portion  130  coupled on either end to the anchor  120 . In some embodiments, the rear portion  130  may further include a fixed arc  132  that assists in preventing the spray head coupler  100  from detaching from the nozzle  150  when the nozzle  150  is depressed. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the anchor  120  may include an anchoring ring or support  122  located in the center to provide support to the flexible tubing  112 . The anchor  120  may also include adjustment handles  124   a,    124   b  located on either end. When a user squeezes the adjustment handles  124   a,    124   b,  the anchor  120  and rear portion  130  may flex to allow for the easy installation of the spray head coupler  100  onto the nozzle  150 . In some embodiments, the adjustment handles may include grooves  126  that facilitate an easy grip for the user. The anchor  120  may also include a hollow nozzle anchoring ring  128  that projects inwardly from the anchor. The nozzle anchoring ring  128  may be sized to fit snugly within the opening  154  in the nozzle  150 . In combination, the nozzle anchoring ring  128  and flexible tubing  112  concentrate the aerosol spray from the aerosol can  152  as directed by the user. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the spray head coupler  100  may be made from a unitary piece of various types of flexible plastic materials known to those of skill in the art. The spray head coupler  100  may be produced using, by way of example and not limitation, an injection molding process known to those of skill in the art. In alternate embodiments, the collar  110  may be produced as a unitary piece of plastic. The flexible tube  112  may then be added at a later stage. 
         [0041]    To attach the spray head coupler  100  to a nozzle  150  of an aerosol can  152 , a user pinches the adjustment handles  124   a,    124   b  of the anchor  120  on both ends, causing the arc-shaped anchor  120  to expand in the middle. The nozzle anchoring ring  128  is inserted into the opening  154  in the nozzle. Once the anchor  120  is installed on the spray nozzle  150 , and pressure from the hand is released, the anchor  120  returns to the original eye-shape, allowing the anchor  120  to be securely attached to the nozzle  150 . The fixed arc  132  in the rear portion  130  of the collar  110  assists in holding the spray head coupler  100  securely to the nozzle  150 . 
         [0042]    When the spray head coupler  100  is not in use, or to facilitate easy shipping, the spray head coupler may be detached from the nozzle  150  and fixed to the walls of the spray can  152  using, for example, adhesive tape. It is understood that other methods and devices may also be used to attach the spray head coupler  100  to the aerosol container  152  when not in use. 
         [0043]    An alternate embodiment of a spray head coupler  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c.    FIG. 7   a  shows a top view of the spray head coupler  200 .  FIG. 7   b  illustrates a rear view of the spray head coupler  200  of  FIG. 7   a .  FIG. 7   c  illustrates a side view of the spray head coupler  200  of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b . The spray head coupler  200  includes a collar portion  210  which facilitates the attachment and removal of the spray head coupler  200  to/from the nozzle  150 . The collar portion  210  includes an anchor portion  220 . As with the spray head coupler  100 , the anchor  220  of the collar  210  may have an arced shape to facilitate easy installation and removal of the spray head coupler  200 . The collar  210  also includes a rear portion  230  coupled on either end to the anchor  220 . In some embodiments, the rear portion  230  may further include a fixed arc  232  that assists in preventing the spray head coupler  200  from detaching from the nozzle  150  when the nozzle  150  is depressed. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the anchor  220  may include an anchoring ring or support  222  located in the center. The anchoring ring  222  may be used to provide to the flexible tubing  112  ( FIG. 2 ). In this embodiment, the support  222  may include a connecting portion  222   a,  a main body  222   b,  and a tube support portion  222   c.  The flexible tubing  112  may be inserted into a corresponding round opening  223  in the tube support portion  222   c.  While the embodiment of the spray head coupler  200  shown in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  illustrates the main body  222   b  of the anchoring ring  222  having a conical cross-section, it is understood that other cross-sectional shapes may also be used. Similarly, while the embodiment of the spray head coupler  200  shown in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  illustrates the tube support portion  222   c  as having a substantially round cross section, it is understood that other cross-sectional shapes may be used depending on the shape of the flexible tubing  112 . A spray head coupler having any shape anchoring ring  222  and flexible tubing  112  is therefore deemed to fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0045]    The anchor  220  may also include adjustment handles  224   a,    224   b  located on either end. When a user squeezes the adjustment handles  224   a,    224   b,  the anchor  220  and rear portion  230  may flex to allow for the easy installation of the spray head coupler  200  onto the nozzle  150 . In some embodiments, the adjustment handles  224   a,    224   b  may include grooves  226  that facilitate an easy grip for the user. The anchor  220  may also include a hollow nozzle anchoring ring  228  that projects inwardly from the anchor  220 . The nozzle anchoring ring  228  may be sized to fit snugly within the opening  154  in the nozzle  150 . In combination, the nozzle anchoring ring  228  and flexible tubing  112  inserted in the anchoring ring  222  may concentrate the aerosol spray from the aerosol can  152  as directed by the user. 
         [0046]    Embodiments of the present invention provide several advantages over the prior art. The spray head coupler helps to prevent the tube from being expelled from the nozzle when the aerosol is expelled from the container. The spray head coupler is easy to use, and may be used over and over again on multiple nozzles. 
         [0047]    The above description illustrates the advantages of this utility model, and does not pose any restrictions to the structure of this utility model in any way. Any simple adjustments to the implementation details that are based on the technical qualities of this utility model, or similar modifications, are considered to be within the scope of the technical plan of this utility model. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.