WO2010039814A1 - Appareil, système et procédé de pulvérisation de liquide - Google Patents

Appareil, système et procédé de pulvérisation de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010039814A1
WO2010039814A1 PCT/US2009/058999 US2009058999W WO2010039814A1 WO 2010039814 A1 WO2010039814 A1 WO 2010039814A1 US 2009058999 W US2009058999 W US 2009058999W WO 2010039814 A1 WO2010039814 A1 WO 2010039814A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spraying
spraying apparatus
cleanser
container
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2009/058999
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ryan Kole
Original Assignee
Ryan Kole
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ryan Kole filed Critical Ryan Kole
Publication of WO2010039814A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010039814A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
    • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
    • B05B9/0403—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump with pumps for liquids or other fluent material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/28—Showers or bathing douches
    • A47K3/281—Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
    • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
    • B05B9/08—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type
    • B05B9/085—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump
    • B05B9/0855—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump the pump being motor-driven
    • B05B9/0861—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump the pump being motor-driven the motor being electric

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for spraying liquid and, more particularly, to apparatuses, systems, and methods for spraying cleansing liquid onto a user's body in a shower, sunscreen on a user's body in a sunscreen booth or other enclosure, or any other liquid onto a user's body.
  • a spraying assembly is provided.
  • a spraying assembly for spraying liquid cleanser onto a user's body in a shower.
  • a method of spraying liquid cleanser onto a user in a shower is provided.
  • a spraying assembly includes a support member connectable to a wall of a shower and a spraying apparatus supported by the support member and operable to spray liquid cleanser onto a user while in the shower.
  • a method of spraying liquid cleanser onto a user in a shower includes: providing a support member; connecting the support member to a wall of a shower; providing a spraying apparatus; supporting the spraying apparatus on the support member; and spraying liquid cleanser onto a user with the spraying apparatus.
  • a personal spraying assembly for spraying a cleanser onto a user while in a cleaning environment.
  • the spraying apparatus includes a support member positionable within the cleaning environment, and a spraying apparatus coupled to and supported by the support member within the cleaning environment.
  • the spraying apparatus includes a housing defining a receptacle and a cleanser reservoir, a container positionable in the receptacle and containing cleanser therein, the cleanser being transferable from the container to the cleanser reservoir, and a sprayer in fluid communication with the cleanser reservoir to receive cleanser therefrom and spray the cleanser from the spraying apparatus onto a user in the cleaning environment.
  • a method of operating a spraying apparatus in a cleaning environment includes providing a spraying apparatus, mounting the spraying apparatus in a cleaning environment, filling the spraying apparatus with a cleanser, activating the spraying apparatus, spraying the cleanser onto a user with the spraying apparatus while the user is located in the cleaning environment, and terminating spraying of the cleanser from the spraying apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a spraying assembly including a spraying apparatus and a support member;
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the spraying assembly shown in Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a right side view of the spraying assembly shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a spraying assembly including an alternative embodiment of a support member
  • FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the spraying apparatus shown in
  • FIG. 6 is a front view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a rear view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5 ;
  • Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 10 is a left side view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 11 is a right side view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig.
  • Fig. 12 is a top perspective view of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
  • FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a container of the spraying assembly shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the container shown in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 15 is a side view of the container shown in Fig. 13, the container shown in an inverted position;
  • FIG. 16 is another top perspective view of the container shown in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 17 is a partially transparent view of the container shown in Fig. 13 positioned in the inverted position and partially showing some of the internal portions of the container;
  • Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container taken along line 18 — 18 in Fig. 15;
  • Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container taken along line 19 — 19 in Fig. 15;
  • Fig. 20 is a bottom perspective view of a valve of the container shown in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 21 is a side view of the valve shown in Fig. 20;
  • Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the spraying apparatus taken along line 22—22 in Fig. 9;
  • Fig. 23 is an enlarged portion of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 22;
  • Fig. 24 is an enlarged portion of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 22;
  • Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the spraying apparatus taken along line 25 — 25 in Fig. 6;
  • Fig. 26 is an enlarged portion of the spraying apparatus shown in Fig. 1 showing paths along which liquid from the container can flow into the spraying apparatus;
  • Fig. 27 is a system diagram of at least a portion of the spraying assembly.
  • a spraying assembly 40 is illustrated.
  • the spraying assembly 40 is operable to spray a liquid such as, for example, a cleansing liquid, sunscreen or suntan lotion, or any other liquid applicable to a person's body or onto a person's body.
  • the spraying assembly 40 as described herein relates to spraying cleansing liquid onto a user's body in a cleaning environment such as, for example, a shower.
  • a cleaning environment such as, for example, a shower.
  • the spraying assembly 40 is capable of spraying other liquids onto a user's body in different environments such as, for example, a sunscreen lotion booth, a bath, other cleaning environments, other enclosures, etc.
  • the spraying assembly 40 includes a support member 44 and a spraying apparatus 48.
  • the support member 44 is either removably connectable or permanently connectable to a wall of the shower.
  • suction cups (not shown) may be used and are connected to the support member 44 via support member apertures 52.
  • the support member 44 includes five support member apertures 52 that are capable of receiving five separate suction cups. Alternatively, fewer than five suction cups can be used to removably connect the support member 44 to the wall and the fewer than five suction cups may be arranged as desired amongst the five support member apertures 52.
  • the support member 44 may include other numbers of support member apertures 52 and may include other numbers of suction cups for removably supporting the support member 44 on the shower wall.
  • this support member 44 includes three apertures 52 (two shown).
  • waterproof adhesive strips can be used in lieu of or in combination with suction cups to removably connect the support member 44 to the wall.
  • the adhesive strips may be adhered to a rear surface 56 of the support member 44 and pressed against the shower wall to adhere the support member 44 to the shower wall.
  • the adhesive strips can include adhesives of varying strengths.
  • the adhesive can be sufficiently strong to adhere the support member 44 to the wall during normal operation of the spraying assembly 40 and allow removal of the spraying assembly 40 from the shower wall as desired.
  • the adhesive may be sufficiently strong to permanently adhere the support member 44 to the shower wall.
  • other manners of removably or permanently connecting the support member 44 to the shower wall are used such as, for example, fasteners, etc.
  • the spraying assembly 40 may alternatively be supported from the shower head, which may also include the water pipe extending from the shower wall.
  • the support member 44 includes a base 60 and a pair of spaced-apart flanges 64 extending away from the base 60 and the shower wall.
  • the flanges 64 extend substantially perpendicular from the base 60.
  • the flanges 64 may extend from the base 60 at other angles.
  • Each flange 64 includes a network of slots used for supporting the spraying apparatus 48 at a variety of user specified heights.
  • Each network of slots includes a main vertical slot 68 extending a substantial height of the support member 44 and a plurality support slots 72 communicating with and extending from the main vertical slot 68.
  • the plurality of support slots 72 are spaced- apart from one another and include a horizontal portion 76 and a vertical portion 80. Interaction between the network of slots and the spraying apparatus 48 will be described in greater detail below.
  • the exemplary support member 44 illustrated in Figs. 1-3 is about four feet in length to allow a wide variety of heights of the spraying apparatus 48. This large variety of height adjustments allows the spraying assembly 40 to accommodate users of varying heights. For example, the spraying assembly 40 can accommodate both children, who typically are shorter in height, and adults, who typically are taller in height.
  • the support member 44 is shorter than the support member 44 illustrated in Figs. 1-3 and includes fewer support slots 72, thereby providing fewer height adjustment possibilities. Also, the shorter support member 44 includes fewer support member apertures 52, such as, for example, three support member apertures 52, for supporting a maximum of three suction cups.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes a housing 84 and a pair of support projections 88 extending from side surfaces 92 of the housing 84.
  • the support projections 88 are positionable in the network of slots defined in the support member 44 and are operable to support the spraying apparatus 48 on the support member 44. More particularly and with additional reference to Figs. 1-3, the support projections 88 slide within the main vertical slot 68 in each flange 64 to a desired height and then move into the horizontal portions 76 of the pair of the support slots 72 at that desired height.
  • the support projections 88 drop down into the vertical portions 80 of the desired support slots 72 and rest upon bottom surfaces of the vertical portions 80.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 is supported by the support member 44 when the support projections 88 rest upon the bottom surfaces of the support slots 72.
  • a user grasps the housing 84 of the spraying apparatus 48, moves the spraying apparatus 48 upward to move the support projections 88 upward into alignment with the horizontal portions 76 of the support slots 72, pushes the spraying apparatus 48 rearward to move the support projections 88 through the horizontal portions 76 of the support slots 72 and into the main vertical slots 68, moves the spraying apparatus 48 upward or downward as desired, and pulls the spraying apparatus 48 forward away from the base 60 to position the support projections 88 in another corresponding pair of support slots 72.
  • the support projections 88 can telescope between an extended position and a retracted position.
  • One of the purposes for having telescoping support projections 88 is to allow the spraying apparatus 48 to be removably connected to the support member 44.
  • the support projections 88 are moved to the retracted position. In the retracted position, a distance between ends 96 of the support projections 88 is less than a distance between interior surfaces 100 of the spaced-apart flanges 64 to allow the support projections 88 and the spraying apparatus 48 to pass between the flanges 64.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 is moved between the flanges 64 and the support projections 88 are aligned with either the main vertical slots 68 or a pair of corresponding support slots 72.
  • the support projections 88 are then moved to the extended position to move the support projections 88 into the vertical main slots 68 or the pair of corresponding support slots 72.
  • a user may now move the spraying apparatus 48 as desired and support the spraying apparatus 48 at a desired height along the support member 44.
  • a user may reverse the steps described above.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes an eye level indicator 104 that informs the user of the appropriate height of the spraying apparatus 48 relative to the user's body to provide effective and efficient use of the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the eye level indicator 104 is intended to be positioned at or near the level of a user's eyes. By aligning the eye level indicator 104 with the user's eyes, it will be assured that liquid dispensed from the spraying apparatus 48 is properly sprayed onto a user's body. More specifically, the liquid dispensed from the spraying apparatus 48 will be sprayed from the neck down on the user's body insuring that no dispensed liquid will be sprayed onto the user's face or eyes.
  • the user may position the spraying apparatus 48 such that the eye level indicator 104 is at a height above the user's eyes.
  • the eye level indicator 104 takes the form of a pair of windows in the housing having a similar configuration as a pair of eyes on a face.
  • the eye level indicator 104 may have other shapes or configurations such as, for example, a horizontal line, text, an object, and a change in the color of the housing 84 (i.e., the housing 84 can consist of at least two different colors and the color of the housing 84 changes from one color to another at the location of the eye level indicator 104).
  • the housing 84 defines a receptacle 108 for receiving and supporting a container 112 filled with liquid to be dispensed by the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 is capable of receiving only specific containers 112 that function solely with the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the receptacle 108 is substantially cylindrical in shape to receive a complementarily cylindrically shaped container 112 and the housing 84 and container 112 include complementarily shaped coupling devices.
  • the receptacle 108 can assume a variety of different shapes for receiving and supporting a variety of complementarily shaped containers 112. Details of the container 112 will be described in greater detail below.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 also includes a power button 116 and a sprayer or fluidic oscillator 120 supported on a front surface 124 of the housing 84.
  • the power button 116 is a depressible switch that activates a liquid spraying operation of the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the fluidic oscillator 120 sprays the liquid from the spraying apparatus 48 in a generally V-shaped pattern and oscillates upward and downward to cover the height of a user's body.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes a single sprayer or fluidic oscillator 120.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 may include other quantities of sprayers or fluidic oscillators 120.
  • the eye level indicator 104, the power button 116, and the fluidic oscillator 120 are configured in a manner that represents a theme such as, for example, a face. That is, the eye level indicator 104 represents eyes of a face, the power button 116 represents a nose of a face, and the fluidic oscillator 120 represents a mouth of a face.
  • An exterior of the housing 84 may contain a variety of graphics that represent a variety of themes that appropriately complement the face represented by the eye level indicator 104, the power button 116, and the fluidic oscillator 120.
  • the graphic themes may be animals, cartoon characters, athletic figures, personalized graphics, or any other appropriate theme that includes a face.
  • the housing 84 may be interchangeable with other housings 84 to provide a user with the capability of changing the graphic theme as desired or the spraying apparatus 48 may include interchangeable faceplates containing graphics thereon that are interchangeably connected to the housing 84.
  • users are capable of changing the graphics associated with the spraying apparatus 48.
  • An exemplary application of the interchangeability of the graphics may be desirable in instances where a household has two children. One child may desire the spraying apparatus 48 to have graphics associated with his or her favorite animal and the other child may desire the spraying apparatus 48 to include graphics associated with his or her favorite cartoon character. With the spraying apparatus 48 having the capability of interchangeable graphics, both children will be able to have their desired graphics.
  • the housing 84 may include graphics representing themes different than a face.
  • the housing 84 may include graphics relating to objects, such as airplanes and cars, scenery, such as landscapes and skylines, or pictures.
  • the housing 84 may include a clock or a mirror.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 also includes a valve post 128 positioned near a bottom of the receptacle 108, a pair of liquid channels 132 in fluid communication with the receptacle 108, and a liquid reservoir 136 in fluid communication with the channels 132.
  • the valve post 128, channels 132, and liquid reservoir 136 will be described in greater detail below as they relate to the container 112 and the transfer of liquid from the container 112 to the liquid reservoir 136.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 further includes a battery receptacle 140 for supporting batteries used to power the spraying apparatus 48, a speaker 144 for playing various audio, such as music, produced by the spraying apparatus 48, a pump 148 for controlling liquid movement within the spraying apparatus 48, and a liquid filter 152 for filtering the liquid prior to spraying.
  • a battery receptacle 140 for supporting batteries used to power the spraying apparatus 48
  • a speaker 144 for playing various audio, such as music, produced by the spraying apparatus 48
  • a pump 148 for controlling liquid movement within the spraying apparatus 48
  • a liquid filter 152 for filtering the liquid prior to spraying.
  • the container 112 for supporting liquid is illustrated.
  • the container 112 is substantially cylindrical and is complementarily shaped with the receptacle 108 to fit therein.
  • the container 112 includes a container housing 156, a nozzle 160, a vent 164, and a valve assembly 168.
  • the nozzle 160 is positioned on a first end of the container 112 and the vent 164 is positioned on a second end of the container 112 opposite the first end.
  • the nozzle 160 includes an outer wall 172 and an inner wall 176 concentrically aligned and spaced-apart from one another.
  • the inner wall 176 includes a nozzle aperture 180 and a plurality of liquid slots 184 defined therein.
  • the vent 164 includes a substantially flat plate 188 spaced a distance away from a bottom surface 192 of the container housing 156, a plurality of support legs 196 extending between the plate 188 and the bottom surface 192 of the container 112, and a plurality of venting apertures 200 defined between the plurality of support legs 196 such that the support legs 196 and the venting apertures 200 alternate around the periphery of the container 112.
  • a plate aperture 204 is defined through the plate 188 and is aligned with a container vent aperture 208 defined in the bottom surface 192 of the container 112.
  • the container vent aperture 208 is tapered having a larger diameter at an outer surface 212 of the container housing 156 and a smaller diameter at an inner surface 216 of the container housing 156.
  • the container 112 also includes a container liquid aperture 220 defined near a top of the container 112 and aligned with the nozzle aperture 180.
  • the container liquid aperture 220 is tapered having a larger diameter at the inner surface 216 of the container housing 156 and a smaller diameter at the outer surface 212 of the container housing 156.
  • the valve assembly 168 is positioned within and supported by the container housing 156.
  • the valve assembly 168 includes a valve shaft 224, a spring 228, and a holding member 232.
  • the valve shaft 224 includes an engagement portion 236 positioned at a first end of the shaft 224, a liquid stop member 240 spaced-apart from the engagement portion 236 along the shaft 224 near the first end, and a vent stop member 244 positioned at a second end of the shaft 224.
  • the engagement portion 236 extends outwardly from the container liquid aperture 220 and is positioned in the nozzle aperture 180.
  • the liquid stop member 240 is positionable in the container liquid aperture 220 and is tapered in shape to complement the shape of the container liquid aperture 220.
  • the vent stop member 244 is positionable in the container vent aperture 208 and is tapered in shape to complement the shape of the container vent aperture 208.
  • the spring 228 is compressed between the vent stop member 244 and the holding member 232, which is secured within the plate aperture 204 via threading, press-fit, interference-fit, friction- fit or any other type of appropriate connection, to apply a biasing force on the valve shaft 224 in a direction toward the container liquid aperture 220.
  • the biasing force is sufficient to force the liquid stop member 240 and the vent stop member 244 into their respective apertures 220, 208 to create an air and water tight seal, thereby inhibiting liquid and air from entering into or escaping from the container housing 156 via the apertures 220, 208.
  • the container 112 is first inverted such that the nozzle 160 is facing downward and the vent 164 is facing upward.
  • the container 112 is then inserted into the receptacle 108 of the container housing 156 in the inverted manner.
  • the nozzle aperture 180 is aligned with the valve post 128 and the container 112 is moved downward such that the valve post 128 begins entering the nozzle aperture 180.
  • the valve post 128 is externally threaded and the interior surface of the nozzle aperture 180 is internally threaded.
  • the container 112 is turned clockwise to thread the container 112 onto the valve post 128.
  • valve post 128 and the nozzle aperture 180 are appropriately shaped to facilitate a press-fit, interference-fit, or friction-fit between the valve post 128 and the nozzle aperture 180.
  • the valve post 128 eventually engages the engagement portion 236 of the valve shaft 224 and moves the valve shaft 224 against the force of the spring 228. Movement of the shaft 224 away from the container liquid aperture 220 moves the liquid stop member 240 out of the container liquid aperture 220 and moves the vent stop member 244 out of the container vent aperture 208.
  • liquid is free to flow from the interior of the container housing 156 into the spraying apparatus 48.
  • Movement of the vent stop member 244 from the container vent aperture 208 brings the air in the container 112 positioned above the liquid into fluid communication with the air externally of the container 112, thereby ensuring that the air within the container 112 is at atmospheric pressure and does not inhibit the flow of liquid from the container housing 156.
  • liquid flow from the container housing 156 into the spraying apparatus 48 is illustrated and will be described.
  • the liquid flows past the liquid stop member 240, through the container liquid aperture 220, through the inner wall 176 of the nozzle 160 via the a plurality of liquid slots 184, and into the space 248 between the inner wall 176 and the outer wall 172.
  • the liquid channels 132 are aligned with the space 248, thereby allowing the liquid to flow from the space 248 into the liquid channels 132.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes two liquid channels 132. In other examples, the spraying apparatus 48 can include any number of liquid channels 132.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes two liquid reservoir inlets 252 matching the number of liquid channels 132. In other examples, the spraying apparatus 48 can include any number of liquid reservoir inlets 252 and, in some of those examples, the number of liquid reservoir inlets matches the number of liquid channels 132.
  • the configuration, coupling, and liquid transfer capabilities of the illustrated exemplary container 112 are not intended to be limiting. Instead, the container 112 is capable of having other configurations and other couplings, being coupled to the spraying apparatus 48 in other manners, and transferring liquid to the liquid reservoir in other manners, and still be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • the container may be coupled to the spraying apparatus in a non-inverted orientation such as on its side or hung from or otherwise supported by the spraying apparatus in an upright orientation.
  • a user may operate the spraying apparatus 48 to dispense liquid therefrom.
  • a user depresses the power button 116 located on the exterior of the housing 84 of the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the speaker 144 can emit a beeping noise or other alerting sound after depressing the power button 116 and before dispensing of liquid in order to provide a user with a warning that liquid spraying is about to commence. In other examples, no warning sound is provided and the spraying apparatus 48 begins spraying liquid immediately upon depressing the power button 116.
  • Activation of the power button 116 activates the pump 148 and the fluidic oscillator 120 by providing power to the pump 148 and fluidic oscillator 120 from the batteries located in the battery receptacle 140.
  • the pump 148 generates pressure in a liquid outlet line 256 that extends between the liquid reservoir 136 and the fluidic oscillator 120. This pressure draws liquid from the liquid reservoir 136, into the liquid outlet line 256, and toward the fluidic oscillator 120.
  • the fluidic oscillator 120 is operable to spray the liquid from the spraying apparatus 48 in a generally V-shaped pattern and oscillate between an uppermost spraying position and a lowermost spraying position.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 further includes a low liquid level sensor 260, a pump shutoff sensor 264, a timer 268, a voltage meter 272, and a control panel 276.
  • the low liquid level sensor 260 is positioned in the liquid reservoir 136 and detects when the liquid within the reservoir 136 has reached a predetermined level.
  • the pump shutoff sensor 264 is also located in the liquid reservoir 136 and detects when the liquid has reached a predetermined level below the low liquid level and prior to complete emptiness of the liquid reservoir 136.
  • the timer 268 is activated upon a user depressing the power button 116 and the timer 268 determines the amount of time the spraying apparatus 48 will be activated to spray liquid therefrom.
  • the timer 268 is set for 20 seconds. Accordingly, upon depressing the power button 116, the spraying apparatus 48 will spray liquid therefrom for 20 seconds as the fluidic oscillator 120 oscillates back and forth between the uppermost position and the lower most position. Upon termination of the 20 seconds, the pump 148 and fluidic oscillator 120 turn-off and the spraying apparatus 48 ceases to dispense liquid.
  • the length of time associated with the timer 268 may be predetermined and fixed. In other examples, the length of time associated with the timer 268 may be adjustable by the user.
  • the voltage meter 272 monitors the amount of voltage remaining in the batteries and is operable to detect when the voltage of the battery reaches a particular value.
  • the control panel 276 includes the power button 116, a power-off button 280, a low liquid level alarm indicator 284, a low voltage indicator 288, a pump shutoff indicator 292, and an audio ON/OFF button 296.
  • the power-off button 280 is depressible by a user to immediately turn-off the spraying apparatus 48.
  • Exemplary instances where a user may wish to turn-off the spraying apparatus 48 may include, for example, instances where the power button 116 is accidentally pressed, instances where a user desires only a small quantity of liquid less than the amount of liquid dispensed during a complete operation, etc.
  • the low liquid level indicator 284 may be, for example, a light emitting diode or other type of illuminating device and is in electrical communication with the low liquid level sensor 260.
  • the low liquid level sensor 260 sends a signal to the low liquid level indicator 284 to illuminate it in order to indicate to a user that the amount of liquid within the liquid reservoir 136 is low.
  • the pump shutoff indicator 292 may be, for example, a light emitting diode or other type of illuminating device and is in electrical communication with the pump shutoff sensor 264.
  • the pump shutoff sensor 264 sends a signal to the pump shutoff indicator 292 to illuminate it in order to indicate to a user that the liquid level within the liquid reservoir 136 has reached a sufficiently low level.
  • the low voltage indicator 288 may also be, for example, a light emitting diode or other type of illuminating device and is in electrical communication with the voltage meter 272.
  • the voltage meter 272 monitors the voltage within the batteries and, when the battery voltage reaches a sufficiently low voltage, a signal is sent from the voltage meter 272 to the low voltage indicator 288 in order to illuminate the low voltage indicator 288 and indicate to the user that the battery voltage is low.
  • the audio ON/OFF button 296 provides a user with the capability to turn-on or turn-off audio emitted by the speaker 144.
  • the audio is music.
  • the music is initially emitted from the speaker 144 upon depressing the power button 116 and continues to be emitted the entire time the spraying apparatus 48 is dispensing liquid.
  • the music may either cease when the timer 268 expires or the music may be interrupted when a user depresses the power-off button 280 during the spraying operation. If at any time during spraying operation a user desires that music not be emitted, a user depresses the audio ON/OFF button 296 and the music ceases for the remainder of the dispensing time.
  • the audio ON/OFF button 296 has two conditions and either allows music to play or prevents music from playing.
  • music may always be played from the speaker 144 during spraying operation.
  • the audio button 296 is in the OFF condition, music cannot be played from the speaker 144 at any time. For example, if the audio button 296 is in the OFF condition and a user depresses the power button 116 to initiate a spraying operation, music will not be played.
  • the user depresses the audio button 296 to move it into the ON condition and music begins to play until the timer 268 expires or a user depresses the power-off button 280.
  • the audio emitted by the speaker 144 is preloaded into memory within the control system 98.
  • the speaker 144 is only capable of emitting the audio preloaded into the memory.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes an electrical interface for communicating with a computer or audio device to download or transfer audio files to the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the speaker 144 is capable of emitting any audio downloaded or transferred to the spraying apparatus 48.
  • a user may desire to download his/her favorite song to the spraying apparatus 48 and have the spraying apparatus 48 play the user's favorite song during operation of the spraying apparatus 48.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 may have the capability to continually play audio from the speaker 144 even when the spraying apparatus 48 is not dispensing liquid.
  • the spraying apparatus 48 includes an electrical interface for connecting a computer or audio device to the spraying apparatus 48 and allowing the computer or audio device to play audio through the spraying apparatus 48.
  • audio files are not required to be downloaded or transferred to the spraying apparatus 48 in order to play the audio.
  • a user may begin by selecting a height for the spraying apparatus 48 along the support member 44.
  • the user may position the spraying apparatus 48 such that the eye level indicator 104 is positioned at substantially the same height as the user's eyes.
  • a user grasps the housing 84 of the spraying apparatus 48, lifts the spraying apparatus 48 vertically upward and moves the spraying apparatus 48 away from his/her body such that the support projections 88 move out of the support slots 72 and into the main slots 68.
  • a user then moves the spraying apparatus 48 upward or downward to position the eye level indicator 104 substantially at the same height as the user's eyes and moves the projections 88 into the support slots 72 nearest the desired height.
  • the user may perform a spraying operation of the spraying apparatus 48.
  • a user Either upon an initial operation of the spraying apparatus 48 or in instances where the container 112 is empty or the liquid is low, a user must insert a liquid filled container 112. To do so, a user grasps a container 112, inverts the container 112 such that the nozzle 160 is positioned below the vent 164, and inserts the inverted container 112 into the receptacle 108 in the housing 84 such that the nozzle aperture 180 aligns with the valve post 128. Once aligned, a user may twist the container 112 relative to the housing 84 to thread the valve post 128 into the nozzle aperture 180.
  • valve post 128 Continuing to thread the valve post 128 into the nozzle aperture 180 causes the valve post 128 to engage the valve shaft 224 to allow liquid to flow into the liquid reservoir 136 as described above.
  • a user can operate the spraying apparatus 48.
  • a user depresses the power button 116 to activate the spraying operation and spray liquid in the manner described above.
  • Liquid is sprayed from the spraying apparatus 48 for the duration of the timer 268 unless the spraying operation is interrupted by the user depressing the power-off button 280.
  • Music or other audio may play during the spraying operation in a manner similar to that described above.
  • a user may mount a single spraying assembly 40 to a wall of a shower.
  • a user may be required to turn 360° during the spraying operation to allow the cleansing liquid to be sprayed onto all sides of the user's body.
  • the user may turn completely around during a single spraying operation if the user decides that the length of time of a single spraying operation is sufficient to dispense the desire amount of cleansing liquid.
  • the user may, for example, initiate a first spraying operation to spray a front of the user and initiate a second spraying operation to spray a rear of the user.
  • the user may initiate any number of spraying operations as desired to dispense the desired amount of cleansing liquid. After the cleansing liquid has been dispensed onto the user, a user may desire to scrub, rub, or otherwise disperse the cleansing liquid on the user's body.
  • a user may mount a pair of spraying assemblies 40 on opposing walls of a shower.
  • a user may align oneself with the spraying assemblies 40 such that a front of the user faces a first spraying apparatus 48 and a rear of the user faces a second spraying apparatus 48.
  • the user activates both spraying apparatuses 48 and the first and second spraying apparatuses 48 simultaneously dispense cleansing liquid onto both the front and rear of the user's body without requiring the user to turnaround.
  • a user may mount any number of spraying assemblies on any number of shower walls to dispense liquid onto the user's body.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un ensemble de pulvérisation personnel pouvant pulvériser un produit de nettoyage sur un utilisateur tandis que l’utilisateur se situe dans un environnement de nettoyage. L’appareil de pulvérisation comprend un élément de support pouvant être positionné dans l’environnement de nettoyage et un appareil de pulvérisation accouplé et soutenu par l’élément de support dans l’environnement de nettoyage. L’appareil de pulvérisation comprend un logement délimitant un réceptacle et un réservoir de produit de nettoyage, un récipient pouvant être positionné dans le réceptacle et contenant le produit de nettoyage, le produit de nettoyage pouvant être transféré du récipient vers le réservoir de produit de nettoyage, et un pulvérisateur en communication fluidique avec le réservoir de produit de nettoyage pour recevoir le produit de nettoyage qui provient de ce dernier et pulvériser le produit de nettoyage depuis l’appareil de pulvérisation sur un utilisateur se trouvant dans l’environnement de nettoyage. L’invention concerne également un procédé de fonctionnement d’un appareil de pulvérisation.
PCT/US2009/058999 2008-10-02 2009-09-30 Appareil, système et procédé de pulvérisation de liquide WO2010039814A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10206208P 2008-10-02 2008-10-02
US61/102,062 2008-10-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010039814A1 true WO2010039814A1 (fr) 2010-04-08

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4184636A (en) * 1977-12-09 1980-01-22 Peter Bauer Fluidic oscillator and spray-forming output chamber
US4401222A (en) * 1981-06-08 1983-08-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Support rail
US5598877A (en) * 1993-08-13 1997-02-04 Reidel; Hermann Reusable liquid dispenser
US6443164B1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-09-03 Spectrum Products, Inc. Apparatus for automatic application of compositions to the skin
US6820821B2 (en) * 2001-04-13 2004-11-23 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Automated cleansing sprayer

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4184636A (en) * 1977-12-09 1980-01-22 Peter Bauer Fluidic oscillator and spray-forming output chamber
US4401222A (en) * 1981-06-08 1983-08-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Support rail
US5598877A (en) * 1993-08-13 1997-02-04 Reidel; Hermann Reusable liquid dispenser
US6443164B1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-09-03 Spectrum Products, Inc. Apparatus for automatic application of compositions to the skin
US6820821B2 (en) * 2001-04-13 2004-11-23 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Automated cleansing sprayer

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