GB2510094A

GB2510094A - Spray cap and receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2510094A
Application number: GB1218213.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Stafford-Nelson
Original assignee: Crystals Ltd
Current assignee: Crystals Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-10
Filing date: 2012-10-10
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Also published as: GB201218213D0

Abstract

A spray cap 10 and a receptacle (50 figure 1) for storing liquid (such as a bottle) are described. The spray cap is attachable to the receptacle and comprises at least one gas inlet 61, a first gas channel 34 configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, into an attached receptacle in order to urge liquid in the receptacle into the spray cap. There is a nozzle 40 configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap from the receptacle, a second gas channel 35 configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle and an air cap 30 configured to atomize liquid ejected by the nozzle. There may be an actuator 14 comprising a shaft which extends through the spray cap in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which liquid is ejected by the nozzle, the actuator being also moveable in that direction.

Description

TITLE

Spray cap and receptacle

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a spray cap and a receptacle for storing liquid. In particular, they relate to a spray cap that is for spraying skin product, paint or lacquer.

BACKGROUND

Spray guns are used in the beauty industry to apply products (e.g. sunless tanning lotion) to people's bodies. Application of such a product may take place in a beauty salon, or in a person's home. Spray guns are also used by hobbyists to apply paint and/or lacquer to items.

The spray guns used in the beauty industry and by hobbyists typically comprise a needle-nozzle arrangement that requires stripping down and cleaning periodically.

Otherwise, the spray gun may cease to operate correctly. However, in many circumstances, a home user is incapable of dismantling the spray gun and putting it back together, or is simply unwilling to do it.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a spray cap, attachable to a receptacle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: at least one gas inlet; a first gas channel configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, into an attached receptacle in order to urge liquid in the receptacle into the spray cap; a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap; and a second gas channel configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a spray cap, arranged to fit onto a receptacle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap from the receptacle; and an air cap configured to atomize liquid ejected by the nozzle.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a spray cap, arranged to fit onto a neck region of a bottle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: at least one air inlet; a first air channel configured to direct compressed air, received at the at least one air inlet, into an attached bottle in order to urge liquid in the bottle into the spray cap; a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap from the bottle; a second air channel configured to direct compressed air, received at the at least one air inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle; and an air cap configured to atomize liquid ejected by the nozzle.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a bottle for storing liquid, the bottle being attachable to a spray cap and comprising: a body; a neck, for attachment to the spray cap, extending from the body; at least a first aperture, located in the neck, for enabling liquid stored in the bottle to enter an attached spray cap; at least a second aperture, different from the at least a first aperture and located in the neck, for enabling gas to enter the bottle in order to urge liquid in the bottle into an attached spray cap; and at least one seal separating the at least a first aperture from the at least a second aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an external perspective view of a spray cap attached to a receptacle/bottle; Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the spray cap when attached to a first receptacle/bottle; Fig. 3 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the spray cap; Fig. 4 illustrates a third cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the spray cap; Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate external views of the first embodiment of the spray cap; Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment of the spray cap; Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the spray cap, following actuation of an actuator of the spray cap; Fig. 8 illustrates a second receptacle/boftle for storing liquid; and Fig. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the spray cap which is for attachment to the second receptacle illustrated in Fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures illustrate a spray cap 10/100, attachable to a receptacle 50/150 containing liquid, the spray cap 10/1 00 comprising: at least one gas inlet 39; a first gas channel 34 configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet 39, into an attached receptacle 50/150 in order to urge liquid in the receptacle 50/150 into the spray cap 10/100; a nozzle 40 configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap 10/100; and a second gas channel 36 configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet 39, towards the nozzle 40 for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle 40.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the spray cap 10/100 attached to a receptacle 50/150. In this instance, the receptacle 50/150 is a bottle.

The bottle 50/1 50 may, for example, have a volume of between 30 millilitres and 2 litres. More particularly, it may have a volume of between 50 millilitres and 1 litre. The bottle 50/150 is for storing a liquid. The liquid may be a beauty product (such as sunless tanning lotion), paint or lacquer.

Two different embodiments of the spray cap 10/1 00 and the receptacle/bottle 50/1 50 will now be described. The first embodiment of the spray cap 10 and the receptacle/bottle 50 are illustrated in Figs 2 to 7. The second embodiment of the spray cap 100 and the receptacle/bottle 150 are illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

In the first embodiment, the receptacle/bottle 50 is a conventional bottle with a base 52, a body 54 and a neck 56. The spray cap 10 fits onto the neck 56 of the bottle 50 by means of a screw thread 48 in its outer housing 9. The cross sectional view in Fig. 2 illustrates the spray cap 10 attached to the bottle 40.

Further cross sectional views of the first embodiment of the spray cap 10 are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Figs 5A to SC illustrate external views of the first embodiment of the spray cap 10 and Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment of the spray cap 10.

Referiing to Figs 3 and 4 in particular, the spray cap 10 comprises an outer housing 9 and an inner housing 21, 29. The outer housing 9 has an upper surface 11 and an outer circumferential wall 12. In the illustrated example, the inner housing 21, 29 is divided into two parts 21, 29 and positioned inside the outer housing 9.

The spray cap 10 includes a seal 49, in the form of an 0-ring, which provides airtight sealing between the spray cap 10 and the bottle 50 when the two are attached together. An elongate conduit 47, in the form of a tube, extends from the second part 21 of the inner housing 21, 29 into the receptacle 50.

The spray cap 10 comprises an actuator 14 that, in turn, comprises an (upper) actuatable surface 16 and a shaft 15. The actuator 14 protrudes above the upper surface 11 of the outer housing 9 such that the actuatable surface 16 may be actuated by a user. The actuator shaft 15 extends down through both parts of inner housing 21, 29. The actuator 14 includes a shoulder portion 8 which abuts a spring located in the first part 29 of the inner housing 21, 29. The spring 20 provides the actuator 14 with a resilient biasing, such that when a user actuates the actuator 14 by depressing the upper surface 16, the spring 20 returns the actuator 14 to its original position.

A seal 27 is positioned around the circumference of a lower part of the actuator shaft 15. The seal 27 may, for example, be made from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber or nitrile rubber (Buna-N), because these materials are well suited to sealing in tanning lotion and water/solvent based paint applications.

When the actuator 14 is in its rest position, the seal 27 sits in a tapered aperture 6 leading to a cavity 5 located beneath the shaft 15 in the lower part 21 of the inner housing 21, 29. Actuation of the actuator 14 displaces the seal 27, causing it to move into the cavity 5 and opening a gap between the lower inner housing part 21 and the actuator shaft 15. This enables liquid to flow from the cavity 5 and into the region around the actuator shaft 15. The liquid then enters a channel 36 which extends through to the nozzle 40, where the liquid is ejected from the spray cap 10.

The direction in which the liquid is ejected (as illustrated by the arrow labelled with the reference numeral 62 in Fig. 3) is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the actuator shaft 15 extends and the direction in which the actuator 14 is actuated.

Fig. 7 illustrates the actuator 14 after it has been actuated by a user. It can be seen in Fig. 7 that the seal 27 has been displaced from the tapered aperture 6, enabling liquid to flow from the cavity 5 within the lower part 21 of the inner housing 21, 29, through the tapered aperture 6 and into the liquid channel 36.

The spray cap 10 also includes at least one gas inlet 39 via which gas, such air having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, may enter the spray cap 10.

The gas/air may, for example, be compressed gas/air provided by a compressor. The inlet 39 opens into an entrance channel 33 for gas, which subsequently divides into two separate gas channels 35, 36 within the spray cap 10. In the illustrated embodiment, gas is directed into the spray cap 10 using a conduit 60, in the form of a tube, which is positioned in the entrance channel 33. The arrow designated with the reference numeral 61 in Fig. 3 illustrates gas flowing into the entrance channel 33 of the spray cap 10.

The first gas channel 34 is configured to direct gas, received at the gas inlet 39 and flowing along the entrance channel 33, into the attached receptacle/bottle 50 in order to urge liquid in the receptacle/bottle 50 into the spray cap 10. The arrow designated with the reference numeral 71 in Fig. 3 illustrates gas being guided down into the receptacle/bottle 50 by the first gas channel 34.

In circumstances where gas is directed into the first gas channel 34 but the actuator 14 has not been actuated to displace the seal 27, the seal 27 prevents upwardly urged liquid from entering the liquid channel 36. Liquid is therefore prevented from being ejected from the nozzle 40. Gas/air that is being directed into the inlet 39 at a substantially constant rate continues, however, to flow out of the air cap 30 at a substantially constant rate. Advantageously, the spray cap 10 may be used in this configuration to dry a person to whom sunless tanning lotion has been applied.

If gas is directed into the first gas channel 34 and the actuator 14 is actuated by a user, liquid is urged from the receptacle 50, into the liquid channel 36 and ejected from the nozzle 40.

In circumstances wheie the actuator 14 is actuated by a user but a suitably pressured gas is not directed into the first gas channel 34, the liquid in the receptacle/bottle 50 may lack the necessary energy to overcome gravity and enter the spray cap 10. In such circumstances, no liquid would be ejected from the nozzle 40.

The second gas channel 35 is configuied to diiect gas, received at the inlet 39, towards a nozzle 40 of the spray cap 10. In this example, the second gas channel 35 guides the gas around the actuator 14 and the inner housing 21, such that actuation of the actuatol 14 does not impede the flow of gas from the inlet 39 through the spiay cap 10, out of the au cap 30 and to a region adjacent the nozzle 40. Actuation of the actuatol 14 also does not cause gas to flow from the inlet 39, through the spray cap 10, out of the air cap 30 and to a region adjacent the nozzle 40. Gas that is input into the inlet 39 flows through and out of the spray cap 10 at a substantially constant rate irrespective of whethei the actuatol 14 is in an actuated state oi an un-actuated state. Seals 22, 24 confine the gas within the second gas channel 35 as it passes around the upper part 29 of the inner housing 21, 29 within the spray cap 10.

The gas tiavelling through the second gas channel 35 enteis an air cap 30 located around the nozzle 40. The air cap 30 is configured to use the gas directed by the second gas channel 35 to atomize the liquid ejected from the nozzle 40.

The gas is directed through one or more further channels 31 within the air cap 30 before entering an aperture 32 in the air cap 30, at the front of the spray cap 10.

When the gas enters the aperture 32, it atomizes the liquid being ejected from the nozzle 40, providing a fan of liquid. The propeities of the air cap 30 (such as the characteristics of the channels 31 through it) determine the shape of the fan that is produced.

A spray cap 10 has been described above that may be used to apply a beauty product, such as a sunless tanning lotion, to a person. The spray cap 10 is advantageous in that it is very compact, easy to use and enables product to be applied at a fixed rate. This makes the spray cap 10 very suitable for the home market.

A further advantage of the spray cap 10 is that it is very easy to clean after a period of use. A user need only turn the spray cap 10 upside down and place it under hot running water to remove any product that may dried around the actuator shaft 15 and within the liquid channel 36. It is not necessary to dismantle the spray cap 10 in order to clean it.

Fig. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the receptacle/bottle 150 that is attachable to a second embodiment of the spray cap 100. The second embodiment of the bottle is similar to the first embodiment in that it includes a base (not shown), a body 154 and a neck 156. The neck 156 of the bottle 150 in the second embodiment, however, differs from that in the first embodiment.

The bottle neck 156 in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment in that it extends upwardly from the body 154 and is substantially cylindrical in shape. An outer curved circumferential surface 157 of the neck 156 includes a screw thread for use in attaching the bottle 150 to a spray cap 100.

The bottle neck 156 in the second embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in that it includes first and second apertures 160, 164, located in a surface 159 which is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the outer curved circumferential surface 157 of the neck 156 extends from the body 154 of the bottle 150. The first aperture 160 is for enabling liquid, stored in the bottle 150, to enter an attached spray cap 100. The second aperture 164 is for enabling (compressed) gas/air to enter the bottle 150 in order to urge liquid in the bottle 150 upwards and into an attached spray cap 100.

The bottle 150 also comprises first, second and third seals 162, 162, 163. In the illustrated example, each of the seals 161, 162, 163 is substantially circular. The seals 161, 162, 163 are positioned on the surface 159 as concentric circles (centred on the first aperture 160). The first seal 161 is located within both the second seal 162 and the third seal 163. The second seal 162 is located within the third seal 163 and outside the first seal 161. The third seal 163 is located outside the first and second seals 161, 162.

The first seal 161 is for confining liquid as it exits the bottle 150 via the first aperture 160. The first and second seals 161, 162 define an annular region 153 between them, which is for receiving a protrusion of a spray cap 100 when such a spray cap 100 is attached to the bottle 150. The second and third seals 162, 163 define a further annular region 155 between them, which is for confining compressed air/gas received from an attached spray cap 100.

The bottle 150 further comprises an elongate conduit 170, in the form of a tube, which is in communication with the first aperture 160. The elongate conduit 170 extends down from the first aperture 160 into the cavity defined by the body 154 of the bottle 150. This can be seen in Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the spray cap 100 attached to the second embodiment of the bottle 150. Features which are common to the first and second embodiments of the spray cap 10, 100 have been labelled with the same reference numerals in Fig. 9 as in the prior illustrations.

The second embodiment of the spray cap 100 operates in a similar way to the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the manner in which it attaches to the bottle 150. The second embodiment of the spray cap 100 includes an annular protrusion 80, which is configured to be positioned in the annular region 153 between the first and second seals 161, 162 when the spray cap is attached to the bottle 150. The first and second seals 161, 162 act as a guide when the spray cap 100 is attached to the bottle 150. advantageously enabling it to be attached more easily.

The second embodiment of the spray cap 100 also differs from the first embodiment in that it does not include the liquid conduit 47, which is instead part of the bottle 150 (marked with the reference numeral 170 in Fig. 9).

When the spray cap 100 is attached to the bottle 150, the gas/air exiting the first gas/air channel 34 is diiected into the annular iegion 155, wheie it is contained by the second and third seals 162, 163 before entering the bottle 150 via the second aperture 164. The gas/air entering the second aperture 164 urges liquid in the bottle up into the spiay cap 100 via the conduit 170 and the first aperture 161. The fiist seal 161 acts to confine the flow of the liquid as it passes from the bottle 150, into the cavity 5, around the shaft 15 and into the liquid channel 36.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the spray cap might not attach to the receptacle by means of a sciew thread. Instead, it may, for instance, be a push-fit arrangement.

The neck 56/156 of the bottles 50/1 50 has a smaller diametei than the body 54/154 in the illustrated examples, but need not in other examples.

The air cap 30 may be different from that described above. In another example, the air cap 30 may allow a higher rate of gas/air flow and generate a flatter fan shape. A spiay cap including such an air cap may be well suited for use in beauty salons or by mobile spray tanning therapists.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by othei features whether described oi not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A spray cap, attachable to a receptacle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: at least one gas inlet; a first gas channel configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, into an attached receptacle in order to urge liquid in the receptacle into the spray cap; a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap; and a second gas channel configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle.
2. A spray cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spray cap is arranged to fit onto the receptacle containing liquid.
3. A spray cap as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptacle is a bottle comprising a neck region, and the spray cap is arranged to attach to the neck region.
4. A spray cap as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: an air cap configured to use gas directed by the second gas channel to atomize the liquid ejected from the nozzle.
5. A spray cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: an actuator configured to respond to user actuation by enabling liquid to flow from an attached receptacle to the nozzle.
6. A spray cap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a shaft that extends through the spray cap in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which liquid is ejected by the nozzle.
7. A spray cap as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuator is user actuatable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which liquid is ejected by the nozzle.
8. A spray cap as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the actuator is resiliently biased.
9. A spray cap as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the second gas channel directs the gas around the actuator such that user actuation of the actuator does not impede or cause the flow of gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, through the spray cap.
10. A spray cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the gas directed by the first and second channels is air with a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
11. A spray cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the gas directed by the first and second channels is compressed air.
12. A spray cap, arranged to tit onto a receptacle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap from the receptacle; and an air cap configured to atomize liquid ejected by the nozzle.
13. A spray cap as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: at least one gas inlet; and a gas channel configured to direct gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle.
14. A spray cap as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the spray cap further comprises an actuator configured to respond to user actuation by enabling liquid to flow from an attached receptacle to the nozzle.
15. A spray cap as claimed in claim 14 when dependent upon claim 13, wherein the gas channel directs the gas around the actuator such that user actuation ot the actuator does not impede or cause the flow of gas, received at the at least one gas inlet, through the spray cap.
16. A spray cap, arranged to fit onto a neck region of a bottle containing liquid, the spray cap comprising: at least one air inlet; a first air channel configured to direct compressed air, received at the at least one air inlet, into an attached bottle in order to urge liquid in the bottle into the spray cap; a nozzle configured to eject liquid urged into the spray cap from the bottle; a second air channel configured to direct compressed air, received at the at least one air inlet, towards the nozzle for atomization of liquid ejected via the nozzle; and an air cap configured to atomize liquid ejected by the nozzle.
17. A bottle for storing liquid, the bottle being attachable to a spray cap and comprising: a body; a neck, for attachment to the spray cap, extending from the body; at least a first aperture, located in the neck, for enabling liquid stored in the bottle to enter an attached spray cap; at least a second aperture, different from the at least a first aperture and located in the neck, for enabling gas to enter the bottle in order to urge liquid in the bottle into an attached spray cap; and at least one seal separating the at least a first aperture from the at least a second aperture.
18. A bottle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one seal comprises a first substantially circular seal.
19. A bottle as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the at least one seal includes a first seal and a second seal separating the at least a first aperture from the at least a second aperture, and a region is defined between the first seal and the second seal for receiving a protrusion of a spray cap when a spray cap is attached to the bottle.
20. A bottle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first and second seals act as a guide for the protrusion when attaching a spray cap to the bottle.
21. A bottle as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein each of the first and second seals is substantially circular.
22. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, further comprising an elongate conduit in communication with the at least a first aperture and extending into the bottle.
23. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the neck has a curved circumferential wall extending from the body and the at least a first aperture and the at least a second aperture are located in a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the circumferential wall.
24. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the neck is substantially cylindrical in shape.
25. A bottle as claimed in claimed in any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the neck comprises a screw thread for use in attaching a spray cap to the bottle.
26. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 17 to 25, having a volume of between 30 rnillilitres and 2 litres.
27. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 17 to 26, having a volume of between 50 ruillilitres and 1 litre.