Abstract:
A method of assembling a sprayer includes the steps of providing a bottle, providing a sprayer assembly including a nozzle, pump assembly, and overcap, placing the sprayer assembly on the bottle, and pushing down on the overcap. A sprayer apparatus includes a sprayer assembly including a nozzle, pump assembly, and overcap, and means on the sprayer assembly for connecting the sprayer assembly to a bottle. The bottle advantageously has a diameter of about 13 mm. Preferably, the sprayer assembly snaps onto the bottle. The sprayer apparatus can be used to deliver a liquid composition including sucralose and flavoring agent(s).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/228,536, filed Aug. 28, 2000, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
         [0003]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    The present invention relates to spray bottles and sweetened compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to snap-on assemblies for spray bottles used for spraying sweetened compositions.  
           [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention  
           [0007]    There exist snap-on sprayers, including screw-on and crimp-on sprayers. Typically, these sprayers come in as unassembled parts. For example, they come as follows: a crimp on sprayer pump and dip tube, an actuator (this is the nozzle part), and an over cap (this is the shell that covers the pump).  
           [0008]    The old filling and crimping pump sprayer came in separate pieces that had to be put on one at a time on the machine, after liquid was dispensed in the bottle. First a station on the machine would drop the crimp pump sprayer over or on to the bottle, then the bottle and sprayer would move to a second station that would crimp the crimp pump sprayer onto the bottle, then the bottle and crimp pump sprayer with aluminum shell would move to the next station that would push on a actuator/nozzle, then the bottle crimp pump sprayer and actuator would move to the last station that would drop and push on the over cap. The process was long and difficult.  
           [0009]    Sucralose is a chlorinated derivative of ordinary sugar (sucrose). U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,294, incorporated herein by reference, has information about its composition and history. It is used as a sweetener.  
           [0010]    The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,957,178; 4,051,983; 4,189,064; 4,153,737; 4,338,346; 4,525,341; 4,770,889; 4,826,962; 5,061,320; 5,061,496; 5,158,211; 5,298,238; 5,510,123; 5,576,042; 5,725,128; 5,727,715; 5,813,571; 5,827,562; 5,918,778; 5,932,720; 5,942,214; and 6,096,362.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention includes a method of assembling a sprayer comprising the steps of providing a bottle, providing a sprayer assembly including a nozzle, pump assembly, and overcap, placing the sprayer assembly on the bottle, and pushing down on the overcap.  
           [0012]    The present invention also comprises a sprayer apparatus comprising a sprayer assembly including a nozzle, pump assembly, and overcap, and means on the sprayer assembly for connecting the sprayer assembly to a bottle. The bottle advantageously has a diameter of about 13 mm. Preferably, the sprayer assembly snaps onto the bottle.  
           [0013]    The bottle can contain sucralose in a candy-flavored spray form or in a dessert-flavored spray form.  
           [0014]    The present invention also comprises a method of delivering a liquid composition containing sucralose and flavoring agent(s) comprising placing the liquid composition including sucralose and flavoring agent(s) in a bottle, providing a sprayer assembly including a nozzle, pump assembly, and overcap, placing the sprayer assembly on the bottle, pushing down on the overcap, and actuating the sprayer assembly to spray the liquid composition including sucralose and flavoring agent(s) from the bottle. The liquid composition including sucralose and flavoring agent(s) is preferably in an aqueous vehicle.  
           [0015]    The apparatus of the present invention can also be used to deliver sucralose in a candy-flavored spray form or in a dessert-flavored spray form, in which case preferably the sucralose is in an aqueous vehicle with flavoring. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0017]    FIGS.  1 - 18  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, with exemplary dimensions; and  
         [0018]    FIGS.  19 - 23  are various views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    FIGS.  1 - 18  show a 13 mm snap-on sprayer. Other sizes, such as 15, 18, and 20 mm snap-on sizes can also be made.  
         [0020]    Unlike old designs, which come in several parts, the spray pump assembly of the present invention arrives at a filler production facility completely assembled: a snap-on sprayer pump assembly  20  with actuator  50 , nozzle  22 , and over cap  40  all put together, which is better the old design.  
         [0021]    The unique process of the design is that this sprayer  10  also saves at least 50% on production time in machine time with putting the sprayer  20  on the bottle  30 .  
         [0022]    In the new process with the newly designed snap-on sprayer  20 , after liquid is dispensed in the bottle  30 , the snap-on sprayer  20  is dropped onto the bottle  30 , and then the apparatus is moved to a second station where the snap-on sprayer  20  is pressed onto the bottle  30 . Thus the process time is cut in half, with fewer stations. Also, the room for error is reduced because the crimping process is harder with more need for precision. The new snap-on process is simple.  
         [0023]    The present invention may be the first plastic device to snap on the outside of the bottle. It may be the first with an overcap which snaps onto a bottle. It may be the first in which the assembly is made by pushing on the overcap.  
         [0024]    The present invention may be the first 13 mm snap on pump sprayer that uses the overcap to push the overall pump down.  
         [0025]    The bottle  30  could be made of PET.  
         [0026]    There is an annular ridge  31  on the bottle  30 . Snap-on closure  60  has an annular groove  61  which mates with ridge  31  when snap-on closure  60  is pushed downward onto bottle  30 . Snap-on closure  60  thus securely snaps onto bottle  30 . Annular groove  61  is preferably close to the same size as ridge  31 .  
         [0027]    All parts of the present invention can advantageously be made of polypropylene, though the springs and ball are preferably made of steel.  
         [0028]    The liquid composition of the present invention including sucralose and flavoring agent(s) is preferably contained in apparatus  10  and preferably is delivered in a quantity of 50-150 microliters per spray. Apparatus  10  is a microsprayer.  
         [0029]    The liquid composition of the present invention including sucralose (or aspartame) and flavoring agent(s) can be made according to the following formulations (where percentages are by weight of the total composition). While preferably these formulations are used, one could vary the ingredients by as much as 25% without drastically changing the flavor or consistency of the product.  
         [0030]    In the following formulations, the ingredients above the word Dissolve are added together and mixed before additional ingredients are added, then all ingredients are mixed after they are all together.  
                                                                                                                                               B FORMULA                Formulas for Flavored Sprays           Aspartame/Ace-K Formula                Brown Flavored creams   Type A           Ingredients   Percent                       Water, D1   52.95%           Sodium Benzoate   0.05%           Potassium Sorbate   0.05%           Aspartame   0.25%           Acesulfame K   0.20%           Sodium Citrate   0.25%           Dissolve           High Fructose Corn Syrup 55   35.00%           Extol N&amp;A Flavor System   6.00%           Vegetable Glycerine   5.00%           Citric Acid, anhyd.   0.15%           Artificial Color   0.10%           Dissolve                   100.00%                Formulas for Flavored Sprays           Sucralose Formula                Brown Flavored creams   Type B           Ingredients   Percent                       Water, D1   53.30%           Sodium Benzoate   0.05%           Potassium Sorbate   0.05%           Sucralose   0.10%           Sodium Citrate   0.25%           Dissolve           High Fructose Corn Syrup 55   35.00%           Extol N&amp;A Flavor System   6.00%           Vegetable Glycerine   5.00%           Citric Acid, anhyd.   0.15%           Artificial Color   0.10%           Dissolve                   100.00%            F FORMULA                Formulas for Flavored Sprays           Aspartame/Ace-K Formula                Berries/Fruit &amp; Cream   Type A           Ingredients   Percent                       Water, D1   52.10%           Sodium Benzoate   0.05%           Potassium Sorbate   0.05%           Aspartame   0.25%           Acesulfame K   0.20%           Sodium Citrate   0.25%           Dissolve           High Fructose Corn Syrup 55   35.00%           Extol N&amp;A Flavor System   6.00%           Vegetable Glycerine   5.00%           Citric Acid, anhyd.   1.00%           Artificial Color   0.10%           Dissolve                   100.00%            F FORMULA                Formulas for Flavored Sprays           Sucralose Formula                Berries/Fruit &amp; Cream   Type B           Ingredients   Percent                       Water, D1   52.45%           Sodium Benzoate   0.05%           Potassium Sorbate   0.05%           Sucralose   0.10%           Sodium Citrate   0.25%           Dissolve           High Fructose Corn Syrup 55   35.00%           Extol N&amp;A Flavor System   6.00%           Vegetable Glycerine   5.00%           Citric Acid, anhyd.   1.00%           Artificial Color   0.10%           Dissolve                   100.00%                      
 
         [0031]    The flavoring agents can used in the liquid composition of the present invention are preferably those which will cause the liquid composition to have one of the flavors mentioned herein. Those agents should be ascertainable by one of ordinary skill in the art reviewing the flavors mentioned herein. They can advantageously be purchased from Extol in Atlanta, Ga..  
         [0032]    The following flavors are preferably made using the formulation whose letter follows the name of the flavor. The flavors can be made with aspartame, acesulfame K, and fructose as the sweeteners (Type A formula) or with sucralose and fructose as the sweeteners (Type B formula): Almond Cookie—B; Amaretto—B; Angel Food—B; Anise (Licorice Flavor)—B; Apple Brown Betty—B; Apple Cinnamon Cobbler—B; Apple Dumpling—F; Apple Fritter—B; Apple Pie—B; Apple Struesel—B; Apricot—F; Baklava—B; Banana Bread—F; Banana Cream—F; Banana Cream Pie—F; Banana Nut Bread—B; Banana Split—F; Banana Strawberry—F; Berry Compote—F; Black Forest Cake (Chocolate and Cherries)—B; Black Walnut—B; Blueberry Cheesecake—B; Bread Pudding—B; Butter Rum—B; Buttered Pound Cake—B; Butterscotch—B; Cappuccino—B; Caramel Custard—B; Caramel Pop Corn—B; Carrot Cake—B; Cheesecake—B; Cherries Jubilee—F; Cherry Cheesecake—B; Chocolate Almond —B; Chocolate Caramel Swirl—B; Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough—B; Chocolate Covered Cherries—B; Chocolate Covered Pretzels—B; Chocolate Layer Cake—B; Chocolate Mint Patty—B; Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups—B; Chocolate Raspberry—B; Chocolate Strawberry —B; Chocolate Strawberry, Raspberry and Almond—B; Chocolate Toffee—B; Chocolate Truffles—B; Cinnamon Apple Pie—F; Coconut Cream Pie—F; Coffee Flavor Cappuccino—B; Coffee Flavor Latte—B; Coffee Flavor Mint—B; Coffee Flavor Mocha—B; Coffee Flavor Orange—B; Cookies N Cream—B; Cranberry Pie—F; Cranberry Tart—F; Cranberry/Orange —F; Creampuff—B; Creamy Cheesecake—B; Creme Brulee—B; Creme De Menthe—B; Crepe Suzette—B; Divinity—B; Eggnog—B; Flan—B; Fruit Cake—B; Fruit Salad—F; Fudge—B; Fudge Brownie—B; Ginger Bread—B; Ginger Snap—B; Glazed Donut—B; Green Apple—F; Hot Buttered Rum—B; Hot Fudge Brownie—B; Hot Fudge Sundae—B; Ice Cream Cake—B; Jellybean—F; Key Lime Pie—F; King Cake—B; Lemon Meringue—F; Licorice—B; Maple Syrup—B; Maple Nut—B; Mint Chocolate Chip—B; Orange Julius—F; Orange Cream—F; Peach Cobbler—F; Peanut Butter and Jelly—B; Peanut Brittle—B; Pecan Pie—B; Pineapple—F; Pineapple Upside down Cake—F; Praline—B; Pralines &amp; Cream—B; Pumpkin Pie—B; Raspberry—F; Rocky Road ( Chocolate, Marshmallow)—B; Root Beer—B; Rum Cake—B; Smore&#39;s—B; Sorbet—F; Strawberry Cheesecake—F; Sugar Cookie—B; Super Banana Split—F; Toffee—B; Turtle (Chocolate, Caramel, Nuts)—B; Vanilla Ice Cream —B; Vanilla Custard—B; White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie—B; White Chocolate Mousse—B.  
                                         PARTS LIST:                                    The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the           present invention:       10   snap-on sprayer assembly apparatus of the preferred embodiment of           the present invention       20   spray assembly component of snap-on sprayer assembly apparatus 10           of the preferred embodiment of the present invention       22   nozzle       30   bottle of snap-on sprayer assembly apparatus 10 of the preferred           embodiment of the present invention (made of, for example,           polypropylene, PET, or polyethylene)       31   ridge on bottle 30       40   cap of spray assembly component 20 (made of, for example, poly-           propylene or polyethylene)       50   actuator (made of, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene)       60   snap-on closure       61   annular groove of closure 60       70   springs (steel, e.g.)       80   ball (steel, e.g.)                  
 
         [0033]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.  
         [0034]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.